A/N- I just had to write this chapter the way I did because it made me cry just thinking about writing it.
This is Unbetaed and I'm just uploading it as I write it so excuse any mistakes and feel free to point them out to me.
Chapter 10
"lalalala" speech
'lalalala' thoughts
%lalalala% parseltongue
Last time-
"Neville,you have the ability to block certain parts of your thoughts and memories that you don't want to share or that could be used against you, your mind is built to withstand mental torture, no matter your physical state. I believe it's one of your instinctive powers. I said earlier in class that powerful wizards tend to be natural occlumens right?"Athanasia broke in
Neville frowned as he thought about what Athanasia said. "But I'm not a powerful wizard though,my gran told me so"
"You are a powerful wizard otherwise I wouldn't have been drawn to you as a possible successor of my powers" Here she looked a bit uncomfortable; she didn't really know how to explain to a person that she knew his entire future and that it revolved around something she was going to do.
Neville looked utterly shocked at her as he asked cautiously; he didn't like where this was going, this was the dark lord's daughter maybe she was after something "What do you mean?"
"I'm of the Netherlife, the underworld and I was drawn to you as my heir, my successor. you are the only one worthy of taking over when the time comes"
Neville was now staring wide-eyed at her as he seemed to freeze at what she was saying."Your he..heir?"
"You will be the second human to ever be Lord Death. It wasn't intentional but I just change your entire future"As she said this Athanasia's eyes began to tear up "God being pregnant sucks with all this crying"she told him as he started to panic at having made his professor cry.
"Am I really?"he asked in a breathy voice looking like he was about to start hyperventilating
"Yes definitely"Athanasia said confidently; still sniffling "I want to explain some more things to you Neville but it will take time but right now I'm hungry so we need to go have lunch before its over and take this up another time okay"
Neville nodded and looked over at the two children who were watching him intently.
"We should probably go now professor. Do...do you want to walk together so you don't get lost"He asked
"Sure Neville, I'd appreciate getting to eat something soon"she said in reply
As they walked Athanasia noticed how pale Neville was looking so she casted a wandless calming charm on him.
"Breathe Neville, deep long breaths"
"Okay. So I'm your heir, future ruler of everything dead. I can handle that"he said with another deep breath.
"And some things alive too"she added looking at him again;brows furrowed "You're taking this better that I thought you would, I'm proud of you Neville"She told him with a huge smile on her face
"Mother I think it just hasn't sunk in yet"Calamity giggled out
"Yeah give him a week"Dominic added"I can't wait to start working with both him and that Slytherin telepath"he said bouncing in excitement
"I'm Death's apprentice"Neville whispered to himself as they reached the Great Hall 15 minutes before end of lunch.
Chapter 10
(Snape's Chambers)
When Athanasia entered her husbands chambers after her last class on Monday,Severus was sat in his favourite dark green leather armchair, a thick tome lay in his lap and a glass of Scotch in one hand, the other turning the page occasionally.
"Hi"she said as she moves to sit on the plush black carpet in front of the lit fireplace
"Hmm...How was your day?"he asked
"It was good"was all she said staring into the fire and sighing
"Then why are you sighing if it was good?"He snorted still eyes still on his book
"Everything went fine Sev, I'm just a bit tired"she said with another sigh
"So what did you teach the seventh years anyway?"He asked
"I've got them working on finding their Instinctive powers;they're all really interested and excited I even found out that Nev-"She abruptly cut off what she was about to say causing Severus to look up from his book to look at her; confused about her sudden stop.
"Found out what?"he asked
"Nothing,I'll tell you later"she said hurriedly, waving her hand in a 'forget it'gesture.
"If you say so"he said eyes narrowed in suspicion
"Yes I promise I'll tell you later, so what you reading?"she said trying to change the subject as she brought her attention to the tome in his lap.
"A rare potions Tome your father sent me earlier at lunch, sorry I couldn't join you by the way, I had some volatile potions that needed my constant attention"he answered lifting the book to show it to her.
"Its fine, I only got fifteen minutes of lunch anyway, plus we wouldn't have had lots of time to talk, I was too busy feeding our baby weird concoctions."she said ending with a drawl causing her husband to laugh before his expression turned to one of worry.
"Why did you only get fifteen minutes lunch? did something happen with the Slytherins and Gryffindors...what am asking, of course something happened, what was it?"he rambled
"Everyone was worried I'd be like you but they got over it after a while, and the seventh years were disruptive and rude at first but I immediately put them in their place and everything went fine after that and now they are all trying to find their 'super powers'so they can learn how to control it without being in extreme danger."she told him
"Your teaching the most volatile group of people how to control some of the most dangerous powers in the world? Theres bound to be a few elementals,Illusionist and seers, what happens when or if they get out of control, you and the baby could get hurt?"Severus shouted standing up and looking worried.
"Unlike every other who did not need to learn control,this generation is way too powerful, they're powers would have eventually exploded onto everyone around them. It was either teach how to control it or let them eventually go insane after their seals were broken"she explained calmly as she stood to face her husband; all the while she was talking, mist had gathered around them forming the faces of each seventh year student from all houses and their powers;this caused severus to stop and stare in shock at some of what he saw.
"Those idiots are actually this powerful"he whispered still in shock "and Longbottom-"
"We'll talk about that later.I still need to talk to father about how to handle some of them and I may need you your help as well"she said cutting him off nervously
Severus turned to face his wife who was now back to sitting on the plush carpet staring into the flames of the fireplace before sitting back into his armchair with a long sigh as he picked up his fallen Tome.
"I'm guessing you didn't tell him that you are pregnant, seeing as it didn't have any curses on it"he said gesturing back to his tome.
"I forgot to. I'm going to go and write him a quick letter before dinner so he knows I'm ok.I should probably send one to Lucius and Narcissa as well"she said summoning some parchment and a quill while giving him a suspicious look 'why would he let the whole argument drop?'she thought.
"Great, I'll have Lucius trying to castrate me again. Sounds fun"Severus drawled sarcastically causing Athanasia to giggle uncontrollably.
"He won't try to castrate you again Sev, He only did that because I was so young; It's not like this is going to be our first child together"
"Sure he won't"he said snorting "Speaking of our children,Where is Dominic and Calamity-Rae?"He asked looking around the room just noticing their absence.
"They're with the Slytherins in the Slytherin common rooms I'd assume"she answered as she wrote her letters "Harry should be dropping them off soon"
"Hmm...lets just hope they don't corrupt our kids"he mumbled as he went back to reading
"Its good for them to be around the students, they're way too mature and serious all the time"she told him looking thoughtful
"Well they had to grow up a lot faster than other kids their age, being the Dark Lord's grandchildren and being powerful as couldn't be avoided."was his reply
There was a long moment of silence before it was broken by Athanasia:
"Why are you dropping the whole instinctive magic conversation so easily Sev?"she asked in a soft voice
"Because you promised you would explain and I'm not really in the mood for a bunch of dunderheads to destroy the wizarding and possibly muggle world because no-one had enough sense to teach them control so...Go for it"Severus said without looking at her
Athanasia just smiled as she returned to her letters.
It was a while later that pinchas announced that the children were at the door and that they had guest with them; meaning that Athanasia had to go open the door.
When she opened the door she saw that Draco had come along with Harry and the children
"Hello Drake"she greeted cheerfully
"Hello Athan its been awhile since we last spoke hasn't it"Draco said in greeting
"I know its been a long time Drake, but I've been way too busy all summer,I didn't even get to see Luc and Cissa at all we just had floo conversations and you weren't home when I flooed so..."She trailed off moving out of the way to let them in and kissing her two kids on the foreheads.
"Its fine the shock of seeing you show up in the middle of the Great Hall was good for me"Draco said with a laugh as they all entered and headed for the living room.
"You haven't seen me all summer either you know Athan"Harry said teasingly
"And your point is?"she asked head tilted to the side with a mock look of confusion on her face.
"HaHaHa. Very funny, so funny I think I've just pissed myself"Harry drawled sarcastically causing Athanasia to break down into fits of giggles
"I missed you too Ry"She said as she pulled him into a long tight hug
"I was worried"he mumbled burying his face in her neck as he wrapped his arms around, returning the hug.
"I'm fine. I didn't even do anything that dangerous this summer; just collected a few special souls,visited the Netherworld to check on things and got pregnant"she said with a laugh
"Eugh, I don't want to know about that last one but everything else seems cool"Harry said with a slight grimace.
"Why not Potter? I'd be happy to tell you about it in extreme detail"Severus said looking up from where he was still reading with an evil smirk on his face.
"Shut up Snape! just you wait until Lucius hears about this"Harry shouted before smirking at the wince he got from Severus who went back to his book grumbling.
"Severus stop teasing him and Harry stop scaring my husband"she admonished jokingly
"There's nothing to worry about uncle Severus I'm sure father won't kill you. Just maim you"Draco said before bursting into laughter along with Harry and Athanasia.
"Uncle Draco you really shouldn't bully daddy"Calamity told him frowning
"Ok I promise I won't Rae Rae, you can trust me"Draco said in a babyish voice causing Calamity to scowl.
"I'm not a baby Uncle Draco"she told him
"Exactly Draco, she's not a baby"Athanasia said kissing her forehead "Why don't you go see where your brother has run off to and both get cleaned up for diner I still need to tell your father about Neville"she whispered to her daughter who, nodded before turning to leave.
"I need to get cleaned up before dinner"she announced as she left
After Calamity was out of the room Athanasia turned to the three males and after dishing out tea and biscuits she took a deep breath and decided to just get it over with.
"Neville Longbottom is my heir and will someday become Lord Death"she said casually forcing her voice to sound calm even though she wasn't.
"NEVILLE!?"Harry shouted the same time that Severus and Draco shouted "LONGBOTTOM!?"
"Yes Neville Longbottom and he took it rather well when I told him"she said taking a sip of her tea ignoring their gaping.
"You told him!?"Harry asked wide eyed
"He didn't faint?"Draco added almost inaudibly
"He took it well?"Severus whispered
"Oh come on you Idiots, did I not just say that I told him and he took it well without fainting, get a hold of yourselves!"she commanded snapping them out of their shock.
"Ok...Wow Longbottom is going to be it"Draco said looking sedate
"Neville won't become powerful he already is powerful"she told them causing Severus to snort. "Shut up Severus he is powerful, otherwise he wouldn't be a natural Occlumens"she said defensively
"Longbottom is a natural occlumens!"Severus asked, his disbelief showing on his face.
"Yes he is and dinner starts in ten minutes, so we should probably head to the Great Hall"she said standing up and calling the kids "Dominic,Calamity its time to head to dinner"
When everyone was ready and was about to head to the great hall Athanasia turned to Draco
"Drake would you mind owling these off to father and Lucius for me"she said picking up the two letters she had written earlier and handing them to him.
"No Problem I'll meet you all in the Great Hall"was all he said before he ran off to the owlery
On their way to the Great Hall Athanasia was watching Severus and the kids who were walking in front of her as they talked about something that must have been funny if the smile on Severus'face was anything to go by. She was so caught up in watching her family that she didn't notice as Harry came to walk next to her.
"You okay?"he asked, breaking her out of her thoughts
"Yeah...Yeah I'm fine just thinking"she said with a smile "but its nothing important"
"So...Class was interesting today"Harry said
"Really?"she asked with a happy expression on her face
"Yeah absolutely everyone can't wait for our next DADA class"he told her and couldn't help his own smile as she beamed at him.
"Good,I was a bit worried they wouldn't have found it enjoyable"she admitted as her eyes darkened to the same emerald green as Harry's.
"Your eyes are usually golden green colour and when your mad they go red like Voldemorts and when you're happy they go green like..."he trailed off awkwardly as he realized what he was about to say.
"No Harry, don't remind me that I get any of my traits from that woman"she said spitting the last word
"That woman gave birth to you!"He said angrily
"And then she abandoned me the second she could because I was a product of how much of a whore she was"she seethed
"She was not a whore!"Harry shouted
"Yes she was and you want to know what else she was; she was a manipulative, conniving little harlot"Athanasia spat angrily "I really don't want to talk about this Harry"
"You are just jealous that you could never be like her"Harry growled at her, causing her to laugh humorlessly.
"Me? Jealous? as if. I simply hate her for what she did to me Harry. She was Horrible and selfish for the way she turned me out as if I was nothing more than a mere stranger, a burden"
"She would never do that.I can't believe you're believing everything Voldemort tells you about was your mother-"
"Don't you dare blame my father is a man of compassion;even if its just for me. He took me in when that woman deserted me for being a necromancer, for being who I was.I was just a stopped being my mother when she left her child with nothing but a letter telling her how much she's hated by her own mother. I would never subject my children to that no matter who their father was or what powers they were born with, I would never be as cruel as she was to me.I never wish to be like her"she shouted as tears rushed down her face.
"And if my children were unwanted,I'd kill them"she said bitterly
"Athanasia"Severus snarled angrily breaking finally into the argument as he pushed their upset children behind him.
"No Severus! I would kill them.I'd have aborted them if they were unwanted.I would show them mercy;the same mercy she did not have the guts to show me"she said as she looked at him both their eyes full of pain.
"How could you say something like that"Harry whispered almost inaudibly as he looked at her eyes misted with unshed tears.
"My mother, Lily Josephine Potter nee Evans is a merciless self righteous bitch"Athanasia bitted out nastily "But was your mother and I refused to show my hatred for her when it came to you, because you know at least she cared about you enough to keep you for over a year after you were born and she loved you enough to die for you. Thats why I just didn't like talking about her to you, I didn't want to taint your memories and opinions of her"she said to him, voice sounding pained and desperate.
"My children will never get to know their grandmother. I guess under normal circumstances I would hate you for having everything I should have had but...I grew up with so much love and care that I couldn't hate you. It wasn't your fault she hated and deserted me so she could be with the perfect man and have the perfect child. Meeting you was the happiest day of my life and I loved you immediately regardless that you looked like the man she abandoned me to be with or that you have her eyes because you were nothing like them but so much like me. You were...still are, my absolutely perfect baby brother and I've been trying to let go of all these horrible feelings I have for her but its hard because every time I think about how similar we are, I think about how much she would hate you if she were she abandon you too if she was here right now is all I can keep asking the thought of her possibly hurting you like she did myself gets me angry at her"she continued on voice still loud and pained but less vicious as she looked Harry straight in the eyes unblinkingly as his eyes overflowed with tears and his shoulders shook as he tried to mop up his tears as quickly as he could, only for them to be replaced by fresh ones.
"She was my husbands best friend and he loved her and it killed him when she died. My worst fear is that he's only with me because I'm the last part of her that Isn't constantly reminding him of his archenemy who he see's in you."as she said this, the sobs she was fighting to contain were ripped from her throat uncontrollably.
"Athan, thats not-"Severus tried to say before he was interrupted
"My second worst fear is losing you Harry especially over her. I feel what I feel Harry but...I will neverbe jealous of that woman"and with this she turned to her husband and children who were still behind their father tears rushing down their faces and it was then that she noticed that they were outside the great hall and almost everyone was staring at them with either shocked or pitying expressions on their faces.
"I need to go"she whispered before rushing away back down to the dungeons ignoring her husband's calls for her to stop.
When she arrives at Pinchas'portrait sobbing heavily,the man just opened the door without waiting for her to say anything and sending her a sympathetic look as she rushed inside and locked herself in the bathroom,back to the door as she casted some powerful wards, before sliding down onto the floor, knees drawn up to her chest as she cried and cried.
Severus and his two children reached their portrait hole to see a sad looking Pinchas as he once again opened the portrait hole, allowing them entrance without a password.
When they entered they couldn't see her but they could feel the power radiating off the wards and hear the sobs coming through the bathroom door.
Severus approached the bathroom door and knocked gently as the sobbing receded becoming hiccups.
"Athan open the door and come on out"He said in a voice so gentle
"..."He got no reply
"Sweetheart the kids want to see you, you're making them worry"he told her turning towards his kids who were both now standing by the door as well.
"Mamma please come out"Calamity said voice shaking as tears filled her eyes
"Do you hate us mama?"Dominic asked, voice cracking slightly
"We don't want you to hate us"Calamity said as sobs wracked her tiny body
It broke Severus'heart to hear the childlike,broken and sad voices of his usually mature and happy children;Tears began to fall down his pale cheeks as he watched them plead for their mother.
There was the sound of shuffling before the door opened to reveal a puffy eyed Athanasia who looked ready to burst into tears again.
"Of course I don't hate you"she exclaimed as she pulled them both into a long hard hug repeating how much she loved them lots and lots.
Severus led her to sit on the living room couch the two children still cuddled in her arms as she continued to whisper words of reassurance to them.
Severus sat down and the ground in front of her just waiting quietly. After a while both children finally fell into an exhausted sleep and Severus and Athanasia was just sat there in silence staring into the fire neither wanting to bring up what was said outside the Great Hall.
"They're asleep so we should probably bring them to bed"She finally said quietly
"Yeah, but they'd want to sleep with us so lets bring them to our room"he replied just as quietly as he stood and pick his son up as Athanasia got their daughter before they went into their bedroom.
After the kids everyone was comfy and in bed Athanasia turned to her husband
"I told him she would hate could I tell him his dead mother would hate him"she said sadly as a tear escaped down her cheeks
"Its fine you can talk to him about it tomorrow and we can talk tomorrow as well okay"he said voice soft and comforting as he wipes the tear away gently
"Yeah Sev,Love you"she said as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips before snuggling into his arms
"Love you too"he said as he watched her breath even out as she fell asleep before closing his eyes and following.
A/N- Yeah it's late (or should I say early seeing as its 5:20 AM) and I'm tired so I'll fix any mistakes some other not like I have a beta.