Chapter 31

Skyrah woke up to butterfly kisses that trailed down the curve of her neck onto her shoulder. She sighed contently. Severus looked up to her and pecked her lips, his hair tickling her chin.

"I could get used to waking up like this," she whispered, still in her half-drowsy state.

A deep rich rumbling sound resonated, and it took her a few seconds to realize her husband was chuckling. He kissed her deeply, pressing his morning erection against her thigh.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Mister Snape?" she wondered in a playful tone, slightly out of breath.

"Is it working?" he asked while his fingers drew patterns on her exposed flesh, slowly making his way up from below her nightgown.

"Oh, I think you haven't completely achieved your goal just yet," she teased, cracking a grin.

He smirked against her shoulder and was about to remove her knickers when Skyrah grabbed his wrist. He lifted his head and locked their gazes, holding his breath.

His qualms about whether he had done something wrong dissipated when she purred, "It's your birthday, and I want you to start the day with a bang. Let me take care of you and enjoy."

Shivers ran down his spine, and he wasn't sure if it was due to the fact her hand was touching his bulge through the fabric of his underwear or due to her smoky voice. Skyrah settled on top of him and kissed him while her hand teased him. He tried to caress her core, but Skyrah broke the kiss and stroked his cheek tenderly.

"Severus, I meant it. Let me do the work, okay?"

"But you won't-"

"Sh," she shushed, putting her index finger on his thin lips. "Relax. You deserve the attention. Besides, you can always repay me the favor later. I have more surprises for you, after all."

Fuck it, it's my birthday. If she wants to pleasure me, I am not going to say no, he thought, feeling like the luckiest man on Earth for having this woman's devotion. He gasped when she cast a non-verbal spell that left them nude. She grinned naughtily and kissed the corner of his mouth, his jaw and his neck, pressing their naked chests together. From there, she traced all his scars with little kisses, sometimes licking and biting his sensitive flesh while her hand moved up and down his arousal. He swallowed hard and inhaled sharply when her tongue found his shaft and slowly licked from base to tip.

He breathed out her name, eyes closed in ecstasy. Skyrah smirked at his reactions and slid her lips over the tip of his length. That was it. A stirring primal need captured his brain and a loud groan escaped his throat. Instinctively, his hand found her hair and intertwined his fingers with her locks as she sucked and twirled her tongue around his shaft.

Harder.

Faster.

His hips drove into her mouth without even realizing it. His blood pumped. His head was thrown back. He felt weak in the knees and squirmed. His moans grew louder, and louder, and louder. A light caress on his testicles, and he came with a suffocated groan.

While he recovered from the ride, Skyrah planted kisses all the way up until she got hold of his lips, congratulating him for his birthday in a low-pitched voice before snogging him again. He reciprocated and held her close to his naked body, trying to tell her how much he appreciated what she had done for him.

After a while, they moved so that Skyrah was sitting in between Severus's legs, resting her head and back against his chest and abdomen while his arms encircled her by the waist.

"We have certainly started the day with a bang. Those hands and mouth of yours are quite talented," he mumbled, making his wife chuckle. He bent his head and added, whispering in her ear, "And I am looking forward to the surprises you have for me..."

"Me too," she confessed, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I am particularly eager to repay you the favor later."

His pitch lowered and his hot breath tickled her nape as his fingertips caressed her thigh, making her burn in desire. He began to kiss, nibble and lick the crook of her neck, her sensitive spot. She gasped and shut her eyes.

"Severus," she husked.

"Mm?" he wondered amid kisses.

"Have you been taken classes in seduction lately? Not that I am complaining…"

He stopped his ministrations and chuckled. He tightened the grip on his wife and kissed the top of her head. His lips had barely brushed her neck again when she cursed and rose, leaving Severus cold and startled.

"What's wrong?"

"We have five minute left before first period starts!" she groaned, waving her wand to get them both dressed and presentable.

"Shit!" he cursed, standing up.

They poured some pumpkin juice in a glass and swigged it in one gulp. The Snapes didn't even bother to look for something to eat. On their way towards their classrooms, Skyrah kept muttering under her breath that they should allow teachers to apparate within Hogwarts. Her husband couldn't agree more.

When they had to go in different directions, Skyrah whispered in his ear, "Go straight to our chambers when classes finish…"

He couldn't even answer her for she was already out of sight. He smirked, foreseeing the surprises Skyrah had planned for him. He snapped out of it and turned on his heel; his black robes waving and following his fast pace, making him look like a bat. Miraculously, both Snapes arrived to their classrooms just in time. No student dared to comment on their slightly flushed faces.

Severus arrived first to their chambers. Someone knocked. He found it weird that Skyrah didn't mutter the password to enter, but he figured he'd humor her, thinking it was one of her many surprises. He opened the door, expecting to see Skyrah's seductive grin. He scowled.

"What do you want?"

"Don't show so much enthusiasm. It would ruin your reputation," said Harry with irony, rolling his eyes.

"Don't. be. brash. I can easily deduct points from your House."

"I'll take the risk."

If Harry had been another student, Severus would have already taken away all his House points and kicked him out of the room. Severus sighed and tilted his head to indicate he should come in.

"I apologize for my unwelcoming comportment. I was expecting somebody else," Severus murmured, closing the door after Harry.

"Oh, let me guess… You were expecting an intelligent witch with brown eyes and black hair… What was her name, again? Oh, yes! Skyrah! As if one could forget the name of the bat of the dungeons' wife!"

"Aren't we funny today?" asked Severus in a bored tone, quirking an eyebrow.

"It's your birthday. I figured a touch of humor would be appreciated."

"Skyrah told you it was my birthday," said Severus.

"Who else? It isn't like you are the type to divulge such personal information… Anyway, I got you something."

The cheeky pose Harry had exhibited when he entered turned into one of utter nervousness. He retrieved something and delivered it to Severus, holding his breath in anticipation.

It was a photograph of a twenty-one-year-old Lily. She smiled and laughed at the camera. Her emerald eyes, the same Harry had inherited, glistened dearly as her hair ran freely over her shoulders.

To his dismay, Severus's eyes clouded, so he cleared his throat and dissimulated by grumbling, "I am disappointed, Harry. I thought you would get me a Potions book."

Harry smiled, knowing Severus was referring to the advice he had provided Severus with about giving a History book to Skyrah for her birthday. Even though Severus was most likely the best occlumens in the world, Harry saw right through him. Underneath his snarls, Severus was touched. He had even called him by his first name. It had been something unconscious, Harry bet, yet it still made him feel something warm in his chest.

"Oh, I went to a book shop, but there weren't any Potions books left. This," he said, glancing at the picture. "Is the first thing that popped into my mind."

Severus's lips tugged slightly at his joke. Although it wasn't a full smile, Harry was proud of himself, for that was the closest thing to a pure smile anyone but Skyrah could elicit from Severus.

"Happy birthday, sir."

At his sincerity, something in Severus's behavior changed and he became serious.

"Harry, I cannot accept this."

"Why not?"

"It is one of the few things you retain of your mother. You should keep it."

"Yes, well. That is why it is great to have friends like Hermione. She made a copy. I want you to keep the original photograph. You deserve it for everything you are doing, for how much you've helped me. Accept the gift, please."

A lump formed in Severus's throat. He stared at Harry's eyes, at Lily's eyes.

"I'll treasure it," he vowed with a fiery determination. His black eyes held a special light, and his tone had seldom been filled with so many emotions. "Thank you, Harry."

Those had been the words Harry had pronounced when Severus had given him the muggle photo of his mother and himself playing when they were children. Harry remembered it.

"You're welcome, sir," he said with a satisfied grin.

Much like a ghost, Skyrah appeared out of the blue, carrying with her a birthday cake. Perfect timing. If she wasn't a Slytherin, Severus would have thought her arrival at this opportune moment had been a coincidence. She was a Slytherin, though. She must have been overhearing their conversation.

"Off to the kitchen!" she said with a crooked smile, enjoying Severus's face of surprise.

By the time Harry and Severus reached the kitchen, Skyrah had already left the cake with flickering candles on the table. Harry let out a squeal of delight and moved to her side. Not only had she overhead, but she had also prearranged for the boy to enter the chambers before her. Harry glanced at the cake impatiently. Skyrah even licked his lips. Severus was torn between smiling fondly at them and raising an eyebrow at their theatrics. It was only a cake, as far as he knew. However, Skyrah rushed to ramble how she and Harry had met past midnight to bake this cake together, breaking curfew rules and all.

"Well, when I say together I mean that Harry did all the hard work. I just hope you like it because poor Harry had to endure my dreadful cooking skills and-"

Severus interrupted her with a peck on her temple that left her flustered and with a half-open mouth. Since when was he so affectionate in front of other people? True, Harry was different, but still, all the times he had caught them kissing had been accidents. This wasn't an accident. This was planned. The thought that he was comfortable enough with them to show fondness brought a lovely smile to Skyrah's face.

"I hope you are aware that if you sing happy birthday to me I will cast a silencing charm on you without giving it a second thought," he teased in his baritone voice, ending the sentence with a crooked, naughty grin.

Harry tried to suppress a chuckle at the meaningless threat and mental image, yet try as he might, a half-suffocated snigger escaped his mouth. Skyrah dissolved into laughter at the sight, and Severus felt lighter at the sound. He didn't even realize he was smiling until Harry offered him a slice of cake.

Once they all finished their portions, Harry blurted out, "I missed you during Christmas, both of you."

The blissful environment turned darker at his words. Harry cursed himself for not keeping the thought to himself.

Skyrah smiled sadly. "We missed you too, sweetheart."

Her response cheered the boy up. When she called him sweetheart, he almost felt as if he was back in Spinner's End.

"Will I stay with you this summer?"

"We don't know yet, Harry. It is something we need to discuss with Albus," said Severus.

Harry gulped and nodded. He was about to open the door, but something in him impeded it. He couldn't go without doing something else before. He found himself running towards the pair and giving them brief hugs. He left before either of them could react. Severus felt a bit awkward, but at the same time, the affectionate gesture hadn't molested him as much as expected.

"I thought Harry would enjoy celebrating your birthday. You didn't mind that I invited him for this, did you?" Skyrah inquired, almost shyly.

Severus sighed. "I may not be very vocal about it, and if you say this outside these walls I will deny it, but the boy has grown on me."

"It is okay that he came, then."

"Yes," he assured. "I am worried, though. This attachment complicates everything."

"I know," she mumbled as what-ifs scenarios in which Voldemort found out about their bond with the boy popped into her mind.

It was best to think about anything or anyone else but her father. It was her husband's birthday, after all. She didn't fancy any more drama. Hence, she kissed his jaw and draped her arms over his shoulders, inviting him to take her by the waist, which he did automatically.

"How has the day been so far?" she asked.

"Good."

"Only good?" she pouted.

"Mister Finnigan nearly blew up the entire class twice."

She chuckled and tightened her hold on him.

"You can be so adoringly grumpy when you want…"

"I cannot fathom your appeal for my grumpiness, but I am glad you do not feel repulsed by it."

"Never," she whispered, rubbing their noses together.

"So?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"So?" she mirrored him.

"You said something about surprises…"

Skyrah clicked her tongue and teased, "I see I'll have to add up another adjective to the list. Not only are you adoringly grumpy, but also impatient."

He hummed and bowed his head to kiss her, but she stopped him and told him to wait in the living room. She came back with a big present, enveloped in green and silver wrapping paper. He took his time to open it. He hadn't received many presents throughout his life, and he savored the feeling of unwrapping them even though he would never admit it. The gift was a potion-making kit featuring a plastic cauldron and some none-toxic ingredients that wouldn't serve to brew a real potion. He quirked an eyebrow, unsure of what to do or say next.

"Do you like it?"

There was something about her voice that told Severus she was feeling utterly nervous and afraid inside, despite the little smile that flickered across her face. He also noticed that her eyes were sparking, excited to see his reaction.

"Skyrah, I immensely appreciate your effort to look for something related to my interests. However, the seller didn't recommend you the most appropriate set. This isn't suited for potioneers, at least not for adult ones, much less for professionals."

In spite of the smooth tone Severus had taken with her, he expected his wife to feel offended. He didn't even dare to look her in the eye in fear of what he would see. Telling somebody their present wasn't adequate was never a good idea, but he had learnt not to lie to her, not even with something like this. He shot his head up and looked straight at her when he heard the giggle that slipped out her mouth.

"The way you are trying so hard not to affront me is endearing, but there is no need. I know this is for toddlers. I supposed that, since there will be another little snarky potions master in the family in less than nine months, it would be great to see you brewing and experimenting together."

Severus froze. He would have bet his heart stopped beating. A lump was forming in his throat.

Before his ability to speak vanished, he choked, "You are pr-pregnant?"

"Yes," she breathed out, as if she was still having a hard time believing it.

Her eyes were twinkling with joyful, unshed tears. A dazzling smile tugged her lips. Her hands were covering her womb protectively, instinctively, as she used to do, and unlike the past months, she did not look like her womb hurt anymore.

The sight had a warming effect on her husband, who couldn't help but ask only to reaffirm, "With a boy?"

She nodded enthusiastically this time, unable to say anything else. Severus wanted to ask her a million questions which perturbed him, but he lost his voice. He set aside the kit for toddlers and sat on the couch, pulling his wife onto his lap. He showered her face and neck with light kisses, hugging her tight against him. He hoped the physical contact made up for all the words he couldn't convey. Severus was surrounded by bliss and peace. It was a perfect moment, one of those that he had seldom experienced but that Skyrah gifted him with. They huddled in seamless delight until worry invaded his senses and brought him back to reality.

"Have you seen Poppy? Is your body totally healed? Are you ready for this? We weren't trying yet," he said, putting some distance between them so that they could see each other's faces.

"Everything is fine with me. It was a wonderful surprise. Why? Aren't you happy?"

"I am exultant."

She smiled brightly when she saw the glow in his dark eyes. She knew that Severus had not had a happy life. Whenever happiness knocked on his door, he had the tendency to push it away with mean comments. He thought he didn't deserve it.

Skyrah was glad his attitude had changed, but couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid?"

"I am not afraid. I am terrified," he confessed. "Regardless, this time I won't let anybody hurt our child. This time I'll do everything in my power to be the father he deserves."

A teary-eyed Skyrah smiled fondly and lay her head against his.

"You are a great father already by promising that."

He didn't dare to contradict his wife. Now that his voice reciprocated, he decided to ask the questions that had been perturbing him.

"When are you planning on telling the Dark Lord?"

"Tomorrow. Today's your birthday. I'm not letting him ruin that for you."

"And Albus?"

"After Father."

"I presume we will tell your sister and Harry after him."

She made an approving sound. Both fell silent for a few minutes, enjoying the warmth of each other, the feeling of being in each other's arms.

Something else distressed Severus though, who at the end couldn't help but demand, "Skyrah, I am not angry with you, but why didn't you admit you were with child when I asked?"

She shrugged.

"I honestly thought I was experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms. The following morning I felt sick… You weren't with me because there was a Head of the Houses meeting, remember? I recalled that my period was late, so I thought it would be best to see Poppy, and she confirmed it. I told her it was impossible since we both took precautions, but she insisted she was right. When she told me how far along I was, everything fell into place." At his inquiring gaze, she continued, barely holding back a chuckle, "Sweet Salazar! We should really get angry more often… It is extremely beneficial for us."

He choked. "Our angry sex session?! That's when he was conceived?!"

"Well, we were so caught up in the moment that it could have been either then or afterwards, when we had the make-up sex."

"I will never tell our son that he was conceived because their parents quarreled and thought it was a clever idea to have unprotected angry-sex," he mumbled, horrified.

Skyrah burst out laughing. "Merlin, Severus! I wasn't planning on telling him even if it had been sappy and romantic!" Laughing no longer, she added, "I think it is a lesson."

"A lesson?"

"That everything happens for a reason. Perhaps we don't understand why something bad happens, but over time one gains perspective. I feel so grateful that you lied about your mother's identity and that I kept from you the task my father set me. We wouldn't be expecting if we hadn't made those mistakes."

"I guess you are right," he agreed with a smile, caressing her still flat belly.

Suddenly, he felt like he was choking, like the air did not have enough oxygen. He hadn't caressed her belly enough when she had been pregnant with his daughter. He hadn't been a good father.

He must have tensed up, for Skyrah said, voice soft, "Severus, if we hadn't lost her then, we wouldn't be expecting him now. Father would have found out later, and my body wouldn't have been ready for another pregnancy so soon. I wouldn't be pregnant now. Even if we had found a way to trick my father and had the baby, he would have killed her after I gave birth. We wouldn't be able to hide her from him, then. The pain would have been unbearable, worse than anything we have been through, because we would have held her in our arms, named her, fed her..."

Severus gulped. "I wasn't a good father to her. I didn't talk to her. I didn't put my hand on your womb every day. I didn't kiss your womb. I-"

"You took care of me, of her. Every day, Severus. You were learning how to be affectionate. You still are. Do not blame yourself for that. I felt your devotion whenever you did put your hand on my belly. So did our daughter," she croaked. "You were a good father to her, and you'll be good to him."

She put her hand on top of his, on her belly, and kissed his forehead. If she continued with that conversation, she would cry. Her hormones were wild again, and everything she felt was intense. It was his birthday. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to be happy, to make him happy. Finding out she was pregnant with a boy had brought him glee, so she returned to the subject.

"I really thought you would get the hint the moment you saw it was a potions-kit for toddlers."

Severus chuckled to himself. Skyrah's heart fluttered. She could really make him happy.

"I thought we had taken precautions and you assured me just five days ago that it was humanly impossible."

"I believed so. And when I found out I thought it would make a great birthday present. That's why I didn't tell you straight away."

Severus cupped her face, ensuring she was looking him in the eye when he confessed, "This has been the best present I have ever received and the most memorable birthday I have ever had."

The honesty and thick emotions in his voice baffled Skyrah. She figured he must have never had a good birthday since Lily cut ties with him.

"Well, luckily for you, your birthday hasn't finished yet."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I am going to rub your shoulders, neck, back and all your body until you beg for more," she said, ending the sentence with a naughty grin as her hands began to work on his shoulder knots.

"I am looking forward to it," he said with a sigh, leaning into her hands. "It's the perfect time to repay you that favor, as well."

She smirked and nodded. "I also booked a table for two in a restaurant. It's been too long since we went to one… And before you ask, Minerva will cover for me tonight. I'll patrol the corridors next Monday for her."

The pair followed the plans meticulously. The massages led to a gentle love-making session that left them both completely satiated. Then, Skyrah insisted on dressing as muggles. Severus kept grumping about going to a muggle restaurant instead of a wizarding one. Skyrah ignored him until they arrived at the local restaurant. It was the Italian place where they ate out when they had just met, after realizing there was nothing to cook in the fridge. That was the place they had begun to open up to each other. It had felt like a first date.

"Do you still want to go to a wizarding restaurant? I really thought it would be symbolic and more meaningful to stay here."

"I guess it isn't so bad, for being muggle, that is," he drawled, not really willing to say out loud he actually deemed her idea very thoughtful.

Skyrah flashed him a knowing smile. They enjoyed the meal and the pleasant conversation and headed back to their chambers.

In bed, Severus kept replaying the events of the day in his head. He had enjoyed everything, from their quick sexual interlude and stressful depart to the meal in the Italian restaurant and the photograph Harry had given him. Nonetheless, there was something that blurred the other surprises: parenthood. He had got his wife pregnant. A life was growing inside her. He envisioned a future in which their son grew up without the Dark Lord's influence, Skyrah sang Irish lullabies and father and son played with the potions-kit; a future in which Severus had a family, was content with what he had and felt lucky every day. He wanted that more than anything. He was so happy he had the chance to fight for that rosy future, he didn't even realize a few tears had escaped his eyes until one rolled down his nose, tickling him. He dried them, ashamed, and put his hands over her womb. It was then that Severus came to terms with parenthood. He wouldn't be like Tobias. He would do everything in his power to protect the child, the little snarky potions master, as Skyrah had called him. The nickname made him chuckle.

"What's so funny?" she asked sleepily.

"Little snarky potions master? Really?"

"Do you doubt it?"

"Our son could become a historian, like you," he murmured adoringly, snuggling closer against her.

"I don't know. It's not that I wouldn't like for him to enjoy history as much as I do. It's just that I can picture you reading a Potions book while correcting all its mistakes to our son. He will know how to brew simple non-toxic potions before he learns to walk. He will love you and Potions so much he will know from an early age he wants to be like you. The world better prepare for the arrival of the greatest potioneer in History."

Severus laughed lowly, the same rich deep rumbling sound he made in the morning.

"Do you really want him to become a potioneer?"

"I want him to become whatever he wants, but I must admit it is funny to imagine him as a mini-you. Hence, the love for potions… I also would like for him to have your beautiful black eyes, your bow-shaped lips, your high cheek-bones and your skilled hands."

"Skilled for potions or for adult fun activities?" he ribbed with a naughty grin that his wife distinguished despite the lack of light in the bedroom.

She hit his shoulder playfully, and whispered somewhat flustered, "You are incorrigible!"

"You love me anyway."

She smiled tenderly, realizing that Severus had come a long way from being awkward whenever she touched him to openly acknowledge she had deep feelings for him.

"I do," she murmured in a soft voice, her dark brown eyes glistening.

Skyrah sensed that her husband was struggling to say something. She held her breath, hoping that he would say the words I love you too for the first time. She knew he loved her. It was evident. Yet, he had never said it out loud, and now it seemed to be the perfect moment for the confession.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for everything," he finally choked, his voice filled with emotion.

Her disappointment did not last. Although he hadn't recited the four words, his gratitude was even more special. The way he was sweetly caressing her belly told Skyrah he wasn't only grateful for her love or his birthday, but for the child, for the new chance they had. She smiled and put her hand over his.

The following night, the Snapes snuck out of the castle and apparated into the woods. Severus rolled his sleeve up and invoked his master. After a while, Voldemort and Nagini appeared in front of them. Severus bowed his head in respect. So did Skyrah.

"I hope you haven't called upon me to waste my time, Severus."

"I would never do that, my Lord. You assigned me a honorable task I have accomplished. I summoned you to report that Skyrah is expecting."

Voldemort glared at him, trying to find something that would contradict him through legilimency. When he found nothing, he turned his attention to his daughter and asked her if she was certain.

"I am, Father. Your heir is due in August."

Voldemort repeated the same process to detect if she was lying. He didn't conceal a self-satisfied smirk when he realized the pair was being truthful.

"Excellent. Does Dumbledore know yet?"

"I wanted to tell you first, Father."

"Good. Make sure the old fool does not fire you now that you are pregnant."

"I will ensure her position in Hogwarts, my Lord," said Severus.

"As you should, Severus. I shall also advise you to break the news to Lucius Malfoy."

"Why?" spat Skyrah.

At her blunt question, Severus feared for her safety, but then remembered that Voldemort wouldn't risk losing his heir. He wouldn't touch her.

"He will be the godfather of the heir. He failed to accomplish one task," he started, referring to Dione's escape. "Lucius offered to be his godfather in order to clean his tainted reputation as Death Eater and redeem his actions. I do not trust him completely, but I don't need to point out the fact that the Malfoys are still powerful and can inculcate pure-blood values in my heir. Severus is the ideal persona to control Lucius and report any hint of disloyalty that he may exhibit. Now that he will spend more time with you, it will be a simple task. He will not dare to let me down again."

"Severus and I should be able to choose the godfather of our child," countered Skyrah, clenching her jaw.

"Your mother won't be happy if your disobey me," he reminded her in Parseltongue.

She didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cower. She stood her ground and held her head up instead.

"Remember that the child you are carrying in your womb is my heir, Skyrah. He will grow up to my image. That is his mission. Do not disappoint me. You will not like the consequences, Daughter."