Chapter 20

Severus was watering the lilies when his wife called him. He arched an eyebrow.

"It's not that your presence isn't welcome, trust me, but shouldn't you be teaching Occlumency to Potter?"

"The boy managed to pull me out of his mind."

He felt something strange in his stomach. It was a mix of pride and satisfaction, and he didn't even know why he was feeling like that. Well, maybe he knew - he was feeling this way because they had been working hard for the boy to succeed and now, the effort had paid off - he just refused to admit it. What took him by surprise was the severe tone his wife had used.

"Is something wrong?" he asked with a furrowed brow.

"Occluding implies shutting one's emotions and thoughts. He didn't do that. In fact, he did quite the contrary. Yet, the result was the same: I couldn't use legilimency against him."

"What do you mean he did the contrary?"

"I felt grief. His grief suffocated me. It prevented me from wandering through his memories."

"I've never heard of such a thing."

"Neither have I, but it makes sense… My father cannot feel any kind of emotion. Harry can. Maybe, that is his best defense mechanism against him: his feelings. You and I haven't succeeded in teaching him Occlumency… We have asked him to stop feeling, but he just can't; it goes against his nature. If his grief can prevent my father from manipulating him, I suggest that, in the following lessons, we focus on this emotion so that he learns to expel legilimens from his mind."

Severus tilted his head. "Albus didn't want this. We are supposed to teach him Occlumency."

"I don't see why we should teach him Occlumency if the boy can accomplish the same goal through another method which seems to come easier to him… I'll convince Albus if he doesn't agree."

He stared at her.

"All right," he finally said.

Three more days passed. Albus agreed (Skyrah was as persuasive as Tom Riddle had been). Harry kept practicing with the Snapes, and in this short period of time, he had managed to stop them from entering his memories. He had seen the corners of Severus's mouth quirking up slightly when he pushed his Professor out for the first time. It was odd, but he would have sworn that his black eyes held pride and Harry couldn't help but feel fuzzy and warm every time he recalled it. His technique still needed polishing. Thankfully, Skyrah encouraged him. Defense lessons ran smoothly, too. He had learnt a lot, not only with Skyrah, but with Severus. Their relationship developed slowly but positively.

Harry woke up with a start. Panic rose through his veins. His breathing was erratic and his heart pounded strongly. He closed his eyes and focused on his grief, as he had practiced during these past few days. Once he was sure nobody would enter his mind, he rushed to the Snapes' bedroom. The door was open. Despite the lack of light, he could distinguish Skyrah sleeping in Severus's arms. Even asleep, Severus seemed to hold a firm grip on her, as if he was afraid she would disappear. The sight made Harry feel bad. He had been terrified to find out Severus was married, but now he couldn't picture him without Skyrah. She wouldn't leave him. Odd as it seemed, she looked happy with his grumpy teacher.

Although he didn't want to wake them up, he remembered how Skyrah had insisted he talk to them if anything happened. He didn't want them to find out another day and get scolded for not letting them know sooner, so before he realized what he was doing, he was shaking Skyrah's shoulder lightly, resulting in both adults drifting away from their dreams. Severus was the first to open his eyes.

"Potter?" he grumbled with his sleepy voice, "What do you want now?"

"I've seen through Voldemort's eyes."

This was enough to get Severus and Skyrah out of their sleepy state. They exchanged an alarmed look and sat up.

"Have you used your grief method?"

"Yes, sir."

The Snapes sighed, relieved. Skyrah motioned for Harry to sit next to them. The boy hesitated a few seconds before granting her wishes.

"What did you see?" asked Severus, urgently.

"It appeared to be a meeting of some sort. There were some Death Eaters. I couldn't see their faces. They had a woman and a teenage girl who seemed to be slaves. They were taking them away, I think… It looked a lot like the day Voldemort came back when Cedric…" he trailed off, eyes watering.

Skyrah's pupils dilated. She tried to keep a calm attitude, but deep down, she knew those people were her family, so even though her face remained neutral, her body was slightly shaking. Severus noted it, so he held her hand. Skyrah stopped trembling at once.

"What were they talking about?" Severus asked, ignoring the tears that were starting to fall down Harry's cheeks.

"I don't know, sir. I could see what was happening, but for some reason, I couldn't hear anything."

Severus groaned in frustration, although Harry interpreted it as an annoyed sign.

"I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have woken you up."

Skyrah was about to assure him that he had done nothing wrong, when her husband beat her to it, "Quite the contrary, Potter. You did the right thing. If you have a similar nightmare again, you should do precisely what you've done now: use your grief method and come to us."

Harry couldn't believe Severus was supporting him and even complimenting him, instead of Skyrah, who seemed to be taken aback by the gesture as well, although there was a proud smile on her face.

"Stay here. I'll bring a dreamless sleep potion. This way he won't get to you through your dreams. Regardless, before falling asleep, you should build your grieving wall again, understood?"

Harry nodded and watched Severus leave.

"Are you okay?" wondered Skyrah.

He shook his head as some more tears were released.

"I keep thinking about Ce-Cedric and I just… It was my fault. He shouldn't have d-died."

Skyrah cupped his chin with one hand and dried his tears with the other.

"Sweetheart, you didn't kill him. I'm sure that if Cedric could talk to you, he'd tell you that it wasn't your fault. He'd want you to keep fighting."

"You think so?"

"I know so. You didn't cast the curse, Harry. Don't put even more weight on your shoulders…"

She wrapped him in her arms and rocked him as she whispered sweet words. Harry's clutch on her had never been so strong. That's how Severus found them. Skyrah saw him entering and gently pushed the boy away.

"Drink it."

Severus's voice was stern, as always, but there was a softer tone under it which Harry perceived. The boy obeyed and didn't even complain about the horrible taste.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," said Syrah.

She got up and dragged Harry along with her, followed closely by her husband. She put a hand on Harry's shoulder on the way. In his bedroom, she tucked him into bed, kissed his forehead and wished him good night.

"Remember to build your wall of grief, Harry. The potion will prevent you from having more dreams tonight, but it's better to be cautious…"

They boy nodded. He noticed that Severus had called him by his first name again and it made him feel warm inside, protected. The Snapes were about to leave when Harry's insecure voice stopped them.

"Is this what it feels like?"

The Snapes exchanged a confused look and turned their attention to Harry.

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"Is this how having parents feels like?" he clarified, voice small.

Skyrah let out a surprised gasp. Severus froze. Neither of them had expected this question.

"I don't know… How do you feel?" asked Skyrah.

"Cared for. Like nothing or nobody can hurt me."

"I feel cared for and like nothing or nobody can hurt me when I am with my mother," she rasped.

She didn't know if her response would suffice, but it didn't matter. The boy had fallen asleep. With a hand on her back, Severus guided her out of the teenager's room and towards their bed. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears in the darkness of their bedroom.

"He didn't know what he was saying, Skyrah. The potion was taking effect."

She snorted. "Do you honestly believe that a boy who's never had a family couldn't begin to see us as one after living with us for longer than a month, after we give him a potion to help him sleep and tuck him into bed?"

Her dark brown eyes were piercing his soul and he found himself murmuring, "I don't."

"What will we do?" she asked, still holding back tears. "I still don't know if he's safe with us. If he got hurt because of me..." She gulped. "My father already murdered his parents. I don't want to cause more harm."

"That was not your fault."

"His family is dead because of my family. He had to live with those despicable muggles because-"

"Because I told your father the prophecy. It was my fault."

Air caught in her throat. The self-loathing in his voice penetrated her bones.

"No... No, Severus. My father is a sociopath. He cast the curse... He cast the curse, not you, and if he found out about Harry living with us... If he knew how attached he is getting to us..."

She trailed off. She didn't need to finish the sentence, anyway. Severus understood what she meant.

"You are starting to see him as more than your student, aren't you? You're getting attached to him, too."

"Aren't you?" she countered back.

Severus gulped. He didn't dare to reply to her. He wasn't sure of the answer, and the single fact that he was doubtful scared him to death.

"School will begin shortly and everything will go back to normal. Don't give it much of a thought… We are tired. Let's go back to sleep."

Skyrah bit her lip and nodded. Soon he was cuddling her the same way he had got used to every night since they made love.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"The woman and the teenager were my family. He must have been moving them."

"We can do nothing for them right now, Skyrah," he told her as softly as he could, noticing her palms were sweating and her voice quivering.

She snuggled closer to him, seeking comfort. Severus sighed and embraced her tightly against him. The last thing he was aware of before falling asleep was Skyrah tenderly kissing his cheek.

Severus woke up only to find that Skyrah wasn't with him. It had become a routine these past weeks. Morning sickness struck every day, but somehow, they had managed to hide it from Harry. Severus got up and headed to the bathroom, summoning a glass. He used the aguamenti spell and kneeled next to her, rubbing her back in circles in a poor attempt to comfort her. She coughed and took the glass. Once she had rinsed, spit the water in the sink and brushed her teeth, she went back to their bedroom. She sat on the bed and rubbed her temples.

"Headache?" guessed Severus.

"I can't stomach your bloody potion now, Severus! Let me be!"

His pupils dilated, shock and hurt evident on his features. He had only meant to help her; he hadn't even suggested the potion in the first place, since he remembered that Skyrah didn't drink it until after lunch. Skyrah put a hand on her forehead, realizing she had been rude.

"Dammit! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I can't control my emotions, the nausea does not seem to leave me alone and my head feels like it's going to explode! I didn't mean to shout, I-"

Understanding that she had only responded like that due to her hormones and pregnancy symptoms, he relaxed and put a hand on her shoulder, silencing her.

"Forget it."

She shook her head and insisted, "I'm still sorry, I-"

"You are pregnant." She looked down at the floor, still feeling guilty. "These symptoms indicate that the pregnancy is going fine. Do not feel sorry for it. I feel blessed."

Her eyes got tearful. Unconsciously, she covered her belly with her hand. For once, Severus followed his heart and sat next to her, covering her hand with his own.

"It feels unreal, doesn't it? A life is growing inside me, a life you and I created together. It's scary and incredible at the same time."

Severus stared at her eyes. He didn't know how to answer to her verbally, so he hoped his wife would read all his emotions in his eyes. Skyrah identified a mix of fear and hope, and that's when she knew he felt the same.

"She'll have your eyes, your striking and mysterious black eyes," she murmured with a dreamy look.

He snorted. "As long as she inherits your nose..."

Giggling, she said, "But I love your nose!"

"Yes, well, you seem to be the only one."

Skyrah smiled softly and put the arm which wasn't touching her womb around his waist, cuddling him closer.

"I'm nearly two months pregnant now. Luckily, one more month and we'll bid morning sickness adieu," she said light-heartedly.

Severus gave her one of his rare smiles which didn't really show his teeth. Skyrah smiled back and retired her hand from her womb, swapping the positions so that Severus's hand was touching her belly directly now.

"She's tiny, but I like to think she feels the warmth of my hand, of your hand…"

In that moment, it was more real than ever for Severus that he had got a woman pregnant. His wife was with child. He was going to be a father. A child. A family. He would have that for the first time in his life. Skyrah and the unborn child were his second chance. Gratitude, bliss, fear, astonishment… All these feelings brought tears he refused to cry in his eyes.

"I will do whatever I can to make sure she grows up in a safe world, I swear," he croaked.

She knew the implications of his promise: he would do anything to make sure Voldemort wouldn't hurt their baby. Skyrah was crying silently now, moved by his oath. Severus dried her tears with his thumb, cursing himself for making her cry. Skyrah grabbed his wrist and kissed the back of his hand. Once she had his attention - he was staring deeply at her eyes, breathing slowly - she spoke.

"Severus, I love you."

His heart skipped a beat.

The Snapes went downstairs. Severus looked relaxed while Skyrah tried to mask her dizziness. Harry had just woken up. He was about to tell them that he was going to have a shower when he heard a hiss of pain. Severus was now grabbing Skyrah's arm. They looked at each other. They seemed to communicate a thousand words without actually pronouncing them. She kept shaking her head. Panic and anxiety were plastered on their faces.

"Not now!" Harry heard Skyrah pleading. "Please!"

"Don't come with me. I'll manage," ordered Severus.

His weak voice evidenced that he was in pain, and Harry didn't really know why.

"Are you mad? I have to go as well!"

"What's wrong?" inquired Harry, worried.

"Er- An urgency. We need to leave. Stay here," said Skyrah, dragging her husband upstairs once again before Harry could question them any further.

They'd invent an excuse later. There was no time now. Soon, Severus wore his Death Eater robes and mask. Skyrah took his arm. Together, they apparated to the familiar wood Voldemort liked to meet them in. As expected, they were alone, and Voldemort was waiting for them with Nagini winding its way around him. By the time Voldemort asked Severus to remove his mask, both Snapes had their occlumency walls up.

"Severus. It's come to my attention that you two have been trying to accomplish my will. I'm pleased." The Snapes didn't exchange looks, but they both knew that Voldemort was alluding to the Malfoys. "Nonetheless, it's been nearly two months now. I'd like to know if my daughter is already with child…"

Severus lied, "We've been trying, my Lord, but she isn't pregnant yet, sir. Forgive us, mere servants."

"You knew this could take a while, Father," added Skyrah with a stony face.

"True. However, you've gained some weight…"

Panic seized Skyrah. Yet, she held her cold gaze and stared at her father's eyes. She had noticed that her clothes felt slightly tighter. One had to look pretty hard to see it though. She wouldn't have expected anyone to notice. She wasn't really showing.

"I can spot other pregnancy symptoms," Voldemort said, eyeing her chest.

Skyrah was starting to feel dizzy. It didn't help that her nauseas hadn't completely disappeared.

"You are pregnant," claimed Voldemort.

"I am not."

Voldemort smirked. "I see that you have a thing for fighting over lost causes, just like your mother… It must be genetic."

"I said I am not pregnant," she said as calmly as she could, but also with conviction.

"And I say that you are a liar. Which makes me wonder: why wouldn't my dear daughter tell me she's with child? You must be expecting a girl… You've failed my orders, that's why you hide and that's why you lie."

"I wouldn't dare lie to you, Father. I wish I was pregnant, but I'm not."

Her voice and her expression didn't betray her.

"Then you will not mind if I prove it, will you?" He took his wand and pointed it at his daughter. "Cruc-"

Unconsciously, Skyrah covered her womb and curled, trying to protect the unborn child. The curse never got out of the wand. Severus's pupils dilated in terror. The Snapes were doomed. Voldemort knew she was expecting now, otherwise, she wouldn't have tried to protect her baby.

"My dear daughter, don't you know better than to lie to your own father?" he whispered as he caressed her cheek with his palm.

Skyrah didn't even cringe.

Severus did his best to remain passive, but he was trembling inside. It felt like a nightmare. He wanted to leave this horrible scenario. Death Eaters couldn't apparate during meetings, though, and even if they came across a way to get out, Lord Voldemort would still find them and kill Severus, for his cover would be blown. Suddenly, Voldemort spoke in Parseltongue, preventing him from catching any word. He really wasn't surprised that Skyrah had inherited the rare skill.

"I'm disappointed, Skyrah. I thought my own daughter was far more intelligent. Need I remind you of the current state in which the blood traitors of your mother and half-sister are? It could worsen."

"Leave my family out of it, you, monster!"

Voldemort grimaced. "You are weak, just like your mother. You let feelings get in the way. My descendant will not act like that."

Her occlumency walls hadn't cracked, yet helpless tears were starting to form in her dark brown eyes.

"I have to punish you," he continued, now in English. "You haven't delivered me an heir. Time isn't on our side, Skyrah. Your spawn must die so that you can beget a boy. But first, I need to discipline your husband." He glared at Severus. "I expected more from you. You were supposed to be my most loyal servant. Yet, you didn't tell me she was expecting. Instead, you concealed the pregnancy."

Before Severus could speak up, Skyrah cried out, "He didn't know it! I hid it from him!"

It took all of Severus's willpower not to show any sign of shock.

"He didn't know it!" she repeated, now weeping.

The image of Daniel's corpse was stuck in her mind. She wouldn't let history repeat itself.

"You're lying," said Voldemort.

"I am not! Why would I? I knew he was your most loyal servant. He would have told you! I couldn't let that happen!" She paused, holding back a sob. "You say I'm like mother, but I am a lot like you too, Father. I knew I had the necessary wiliness to hide it from him, so I did. I'm the one who's failed you!"

Severus had the impulse to intervene. Nevertheless, confessing he was aware of the pregnancy would be a unwise for two main reasons. First, the punishment would be worse for both, Skyrah and himself - Skyrah for lying to her father again and Severus for keeping the secret. Second, he knew other Death Eaters had been killed for far less. If he died, Albus would lose his spy, he wouldn't be able to protect Harry (like he had promised, for Lily) and Skyrah would have to witness another death of a dear one at the hands of his father. Voldemort would compel her to marry another Death Eater and Skyrah would still be trapped, trapped and lonely. Taking everything into account, he chose to keep quiet.

Voldemort smiled wickedly at his daughter. "You are right, Skyrah. Your family always comes first to you; you wouldn't risk them for anything in the world… Severus won't be punished: you will. You will be taught a lesson. Imperio!"

Severus's whole composure relaxed. Black eyes became empty.

"No," Skyrah whispered, realizing what Voldemort had in mind. "No! Please!" she cried out. "She can still be your heiress! You don't have to do this! She's your blood!"

Voldemort ignored her and ordered Severus with an inexpressive voice, "Crucio her."

"No! Dad! Daddy, please! Don't do this to me!" she begged, now sobbing. "Not my daughter! Don't hurt her!"

Severus had been imperiused before and he had been able to resist it. This time, however, his control over his actions was practically inexistent. He knew that if Voldemort found out he was resisting his orders, he would realize he had also been lying and this time, he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Nevertheless, he would do his best to crucio her feebly. It wasn't like he could fully disobey him, even if there wasn't any danger of blowing his spy cover. Unlike the wizard who had previously attempted to use the imperius curse on Severus, Voldemort had mastered the three unforgivable curses. The hold was too strong for Severus. He wanted to cry. To scream. But his body wouldn't obey his orders. Instead, he found himself taking his wand out and pointing it at Skyrah. Next thing he knew, she was writhing on the mud, crying out in pain with her hands on her womb.

"Harder, Severus," commanded Voldemort, without taking his eyes off of his daughter.

Voldemort was smiling, enjoying the show, relishing in the screams of pain as if they were music to his ears.

Severus was his marionette. The more he tried to resist it, the stronger the unforgivable curse became. The intensity of the curse increased. His heart was shattering into pieces. He wished this was a nightmare, a horrible nightmare, but he couldn't lie to himself: he was killing his own flesh, his only chance at having a family.

"Stop!" The shout echoed across the woods. "I hope you learned the lesson, Skyrah. As soon as your body is ready, you will give me an heir."

Voldemort disapparated, freeing Severus.

Skyrah's eyes were on him, but Severus had a feeling she was not truly looking at him, let alone recognizing him.

"Skyrah," he breathed right before she blacked out.

Blood flowed from her body.