It Takes a Village
"Severus, will you help me zip my dress?" Miriam asked. She walked over to the bed as she twisted her hair up into a knot and secured it with a clip.
Severus stood and waited as Miriam turned away from him. He knew she could take care of this minor inconvenience with her magic, but Severus wasn't going to turn down a chance to touch her. Slowly, Severus drug a long finger down Miriam's exposed back, over the clasp of her bra, down to the matching lace of her knickers.
Miriam shivered at Severus' gentle touch; she closed her eyes. Things between them were smooth again, and Miriam couldn't be happier. She felt Severus grab a handful of fabric and gently tug as he pulled her zipper closed.
"When do you suppose you'll need new clothes?" Severus asked as his hands settled on her hips.
Miriam turned around to face him, his hands still around her waist. "No idea. When I do start to show, I can probably hide it for a bit with my robes."
Severus brought his hand up and unclipped Miriam's hair. She shook her head slightly and Severus' lips quirked in amusement as he watched the curls bounce freely. "After today, perhaps you can have Silas start on a few pieces for you," Severus mused.
Miriam thought about Severus' words as he sat down on the edge of their bed. "Let's wait a bit longer," she decided. She stood in front of him and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Severus, my eyes are up here."
Severus tore his eyes away from Miriam's flat belly and looked at her face. "Sorry," Severus said.
Miriam's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?"
Severus shook his head. "It's nothing."
"Oh no, you don't," Miriam declared. She pushed Severus further onto the mattress and climbed over him. Severus gave her room, and the two settled in across the bed, lying on their sides facing each other. "Talk, wizard," Miriam said playfully, but Severus knew she was only half joking.
Severus was silent for a long time. Miriam stayed beside him and waited patiently, her small hand resting against his chest. Severus sighed and ran his hand through Miriam's hair. "Everything is going to change. I'm not sure if I am ready; I like how we are, right now."
"Even if we weren't having a baby, things would still change, Severus. That's really the only true constant in life."
"Not as much, or as quickly," Severus argued.
"That is probably true," Miriam admitted. "Severus, do you remember our honeymoon?"
"Of course," Severus quickly answered.
Miriam smiled. "And how I didn't want to return to Hogwarts so that we could stay in that magical moment?"
Severus smiled and nodded. "I do."
Miriam brushed her hand through his hair tenderly. "You told me then that we could recreate that moment anywhere, because it was us, not the place we happened to be at the time." Miriam leaned closer. "That's the lens I use to look at these big changes. Severus, it's going to be hard, and I know this baby will turn our life upside down. I'm still your wife, though, and you'll always be my number one. I can't do this without you, and we'll have to work together to keep our relationship a priority."
Severus stared at Miriam, as he listened to her words, and enjoyed the feeling of her hand in his hair. "I always thought a child was supposed to supersede everything. Won't prioritizing our marriage make us bad parents?"
"No," Miriam said emphatically. "Severus, our marriage is the foundation for our family. If we aren't good, how can we be good at anything else? Prioritizing us doesn't mean neglecting our roles as parents. It's balance. Trust me, our baby will be fine, and he'll be loved so much."
Severus frowned. "Hold on a second." Severus propped himself up and pulled Miriam close. "Is there something you know that I don't?"
Miriam looked at him, confused. "Probably? I know lots of things, Severus. I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."
"This is the second time today I've heard you call our baby 'he'. Why is that?" Severus asked.
"Oh," Miriam said, her cheeks turning red. "I don't know. I just…" Miriam's sentence trailed off. "Don't make fun, but I just know deep in my heart that we're having a boy. I have nothing to base that off of, though, except my feelings."
"Interesting," Severus mused. "I guess we'll know if you're right in a couple months, won't we?"
"We will," Miriam said smugly. "What do you think we're having?" Miriam asked.
"From the sonogram picture, a plimpy," Severus said flatly as he frowned.
Miriam burst out laughing. "Severus, we are not having a plimpy."
Severus smiled and shook his head. "Honestly, I have no idea. I guess I'll play devil's advocate and say a girl."
Miriam grinned and tapped his nose with her finger. "Care to make a wager on that?"
/-/-/-
Later that afternoon, Severus made Miriam sit on the couch with him and wait for their guests to arrive. She was nervous. They decided it was time to let everyone know, so they invited the Bourgia's and Severus' mom and grandparents to Millwood. Miriam had not seen Inga or the boys in two months, and Gerald kept to his word and hadn't told Norah or Eileen what he knew. Their guests were certainly in for a surprise, Miriam thought.
With a whoosh, the floo activated, and Inga appeared in the fireplace. Her belly stepped into the room first, followed by the rest of her. She alone used the floo, as apparating during pregnancy was verboten. Severus couldn't help but stare at her roundness; it looked like a quaffle was stuffed under her dress. She was six weeks ahead of Miriam in her pregnancy, and Miriam wasn't even showing yet, Severus realized. Severus figured it probably had something to do with it being Inga's fourth and Miriam's first more than anything else.
Before Miriam could even say hello, a crack of apparition came from outside. Miriam looked on as Ian and Phineas took off running across the lawn, yelling with excitement. "That's right, run off that energy, ya little pixies!" Will shouted after them as he walked to the house.
Miriam grinned as she watched them, and then she felt Severus wrap his arm around her shoulder. She turned slightly and looked into his eyes, as she covered his other hand with hers. They didn't speak, but Miriam knew they were thinking the same thing. Someday, they would watch their own child run across the grass.
Severus and Miriam were too engrossed in their moment to notice that Will and Helga entered the house, or that Inga was looking at them shrewdly. The patio door closed, and they both turned to the noise and saw Inga staring them down, a calculating look in her eyes.
"Oh. My. God. You're pregnant, aren't you?!" Inga declared as she took a step forward.
Miriam leaned forward and grinned. "I am!" she crowed.
Severus flinched as Inga started shrieking with excitement, her hands waving in the air as she bounced up and down. "Come here, come here!" Inga shouted; her arms open wide.
Laughing, Miriam got up and Inga wrapped her arms around her. Severus stayed seated and watched in amusement as the witches hugged and cried, talking over each other in their excitement. A crying Helga came up and embraced her daughter and Miriam. Severus tilted his head and looked around the gaggle of witches to see Will standing by the door looking confused and a little lost.
Finally, everyone calmed enough that Miriam was able to sit back down. Severus wrapped his arm around her once more. She looked at Severus, then placed a quick kiss on his cheek, and smiled before taking his hand. Will sat down beside Inga, and stared at the couple across from them. At length he shook his head in disbelief. "How?" Will asked.
Severus arched an eyebrow at Will's question, then immediately went for the jab. "Well, Will, when a witch and a wizard love each other very much-,"
Miriam and Inga burst out laughing, and Will looked at Severus in shock. "Yeah, I think I've figured that part out," Will said as he, too, started to laugh. "Smartass."
The doorbell rang, and everyone fell silent. Severus stood. "I'll get that," he said. Severus straightened his frock coat and began to walk across the room. He paused, then turned around; he pointed his finger to the group. "Not a word."
Severus opened the door and ushered the rest of their guests inside. It was good to see Mum and his grandparents again, though Severus found it humorous they had no idea about the news. He led them to the sitting room, and Severus was pleased to find everyone engaged in bland chatter. After pleasantries were exchanged and the tea was poured, everyone caught up with each other over the past few months. During a lull, Miriam and Severus shared a look. Severus tilted his head slightly and Miriam nodded.
"Mum, I wanted to ask you something," Severus said.
Eileen added a splash of milk to her tea. "Of course, Severus. What is it?"
"Do you have anything planned for November sixth?"
Eileen frowned as she considered the question. "I don't believe so," Eileen said as she stirred her tea. "Though that is rather far away." She removed the spoon and lifted her cup and saucer to her lips as she sat back in her chair. "Why do you ask?" Eileen took a drink.
"Well, we're having a baby, and we thought as the grandma you'd like to be there," Severus said nonchalantly.
Eileen nodded along with Severus' words, but then her eyes widened and she inhaled sharply. Coughing loudly, Eileen shakily placed her tea down on the table, the cup and saucer clattering noisily.
"Really?" she asked Severus.
Miriam and Severus looked at each other and smiled. Miriam looked over at Eileen and nodded yes.
"Really?" she said again, her voice filled with awe.
"Yes, Mum, really," Severus said.
Eileen looked to Gerald and Norah, and Norah squeezed Eileen's hand as the three shared a knowing look. Then, Eileen stood, and gestured to the couple. "I will be wherever you need me," Eileen said as she embraced Miriam.
Severus watched his mum happily hug Miriam. She whispered something in his wife's ear, then released her. Eileen then turned to Severus. "Can I give you a hug?" she asked.
Severus nodded, thinking it would be just a quick pat on the shoulder, like usual. Instead, Eileen wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, hard. He hadn't been hugged like that since he was a boy, and though he was much taller than he used to be, it still felt very comforting and familiar to Severus. He felt Eileen's hand smooth over his hair, like she used to do when he cried, and Severus closed his eyes.
When Eileen finally pulled away, she placed her hands on his cheeks. "My baby is having a baby," Eileen said proudly as she gazed at her son.
"Mum, you're embarrassing me," Severus said quietly.
Eileen rolled her eyes. "Oh, posh. Go hug your grandparents," Eileen told Severus.
Miriam couldn't help but smile as she watched Severus and Eileen. She felt privileged to witness such a happy moment between the two. She followed Severus across the room and hugged Norah first. When Miriam turned to Gerald, he smiled at her knowingly. Miriam hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome," Gerald whispered back. "Thank you for sticking with Severus as he works through everything."
Miriam laughed. They separated, and Miriam looked at Gerald. "I'm not going anywhere; he's stuck with me."
Gerald nodded. "I think it's a good place to be," he said confidently.
Later that evening, Severus sat on the verandah and watched his grandfather play catch with Ian and Phineas. He absentmindedly turned the stem of his wine glass between his thumb and pointer finger. Silently, he studied the easy way Gerald interacted with the boys, and wondered if he would ever get to that place. He glanced at Miriam seated across from him; she was deep in conversation with all the other women. Severus noticed Inga had several magazines, and she passed them around as they talked. He figured it was probably baby talk. There was still so much to do; names, a nursery, and planning Miriam's leave from Hogwarts.
During Severus' musings, Will walked over and sat beside Severus. He settled into the cushions and crossed his legs. "I forgot to tell you earlier, but, congratulations Severus."
"Thank you, I think?" Severus said, slightly perplexed.
"No, I get it. It's weird when you're not the one pregnant." Will took a sip of his water. "So! When are you going to let everyone at Hogwarts know?"
"When the child gets their letter," Severus said dryly. Will smiled and Severus shook his head. "Truthfully, as late as we can push it, unless Miriam starts to show and tips our hand."
"I guess I can understand that." Will chuckled to himself. "All the students will know you guys had sex."
Severus cringed as Will drug out the last word of his sentence. "We know," Severus said tightly.
"Ah, lighten up, Severus. You know they already talk about it." Will smirked at the odd look Severus gave him. "What, like you never gossiped about your professor's sex lives?"
Severus looked aghast. "No."
Will laughed loudly. "Man, we did all the time. We always joked Professor Binns probably shagged like a maverick back in his heyday."
Severus made an involuntary gagging noise at the though of Binns having sex…well, ever. "Damnit, Will. I do occasionally interact with him at work, and now that's going to be stuck in my head every time I see him."
Will grinned. "Sorry, sorry. Okay, change of subject. Do you feel ready?"
Severus knew Will was alluding to fatherhood. "Truthfully? No," Severus answered.
"That's okay. No one is ever ready," Will said honestly. "If they say they are, they're lying."
"You seem to do alright," Severus remarked. He took a sip of wine and looked at Will.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Will said sincerely. "Can't take all the credit, though. I'm just winging it and leaning on my village."
"Your village?"
"Helga always says it takes a village to raise a child. It's not my favorite analogy, but she's right. One person cannot be all things. Kids need different influences, and parents need help, too," Will explained.
"I guess I never thought about it like that," Severus mused.
"You haven't been sitting here all this time thinking it was all on you and Miriam, did you?" Will asked Severus in shock.
"Naturally. What else was I supposed to think?" Severus asked. "Parents are supposed to raise their children."
Will turned slightly and studied Severus. "Look around us, Severus."
Severus gazed around the verandah at all the people gathered around him. He looked back at Will.
"This," Will said as he waved his hand around, "is part of your village. Our kids will grow up with yours; they'll be like cousins. Helga and Inga will be there to help Miriam with the birth. Your mom and grandparents will support you as only they can, because they've known you your whole life."
"Hmm," Severus said as he took another sip of wine and thought about Will's words.
"Look, I know I can be a screwball, but if you ever have a question, or need to vent, I can be that person for you and Miriam. If you don't know what to do, or can't get the baby to soothe, you can always bring them to us and say, 'here'." Will laughed. "I haven't even mentioned Millie, Albus, or Minerva yet. Do you honestly think Minerva isn't going to get her hands on that baby the first chance she gets, and cuddle them to pieces? Sharing the load makes light work," Will added.
Severus silently ingested Will's words. Even though he and Will were polar opposites in personality, his words had merit. Severus would never understand his easygoing nature, but he acknowledged Will was a good father. "And is your village why nothing phases you?" Severus asked. "I'm afraid I'm not as laid back as you are."
Will laughed earnestly. "Severus, I smoke weed. That's why I'm so laid back."
"Really?" Severus asked in disbelief.
"Oh yeah," Will said as he nodded vigorously. "Though not near as much as I used to. Though I would agree that having a support system is a huge help when it comes to raising the boys."
"What are you two on about?" Miriam interrupted. She leaned forward slightly and looked at them across the low table.
"We're discussing weed and its uses as an organic potions ingredient," Will said seriously.
"You are such a horrible liar, Will," Inga said as she rolled her eyes.
"See what I put up with?" Will asked Severus. "No one appreciates my intelligence," Will stated glibly.
"Speaking of potions, have you finalized your introduction of Severus yet for the symposium?" Miriam asked. She looked sharply at Will. Severus was accommodating enough to present some of his research at a small symposium Inova was hosting at the end of June. Miriam wanted everything to go smoothly, and she'd been on Will for awhile about this.
"Ehhh," Will said. "I'm almost finished."
"Alright. Well, what do you plan to say? You know how important first impressions are," Miriam huffed.
Will straightened. "I thought I would start with his background, go into his current work, speak very briefly about the research. Then I figured I would finish, 'I'd like to introduce to you Severus Snape, Potions Master…. a man so magically powerful, he knocked up my sister'," Will said with a flourish.
Severus burst out laughing, and so did Will; Miriam narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't dare." The edge in her voice was as cold as the look she gave him.
Will took a deep breath and reigned in his laughter. "No, of course not. I have more respect for you and Severus than to do that."
Severus saw the cold look leave Mia's eyes as it was replaced by exasperation; she shook her head and tiredly rubbed her temples. "Alright," Severus declared as he stood. "I think Will has riled you up enough." He walked over and helped Miriam out of her seat. She leaned against him as he wrapped an arm around Mia's waist. Severus smiled down at his wife. "Let's call it a night."
/-/-/-
A/N: This is kind of a background/bridge chapter. I do so enjoy writing Will and his sense of humor.
Also, a plimpy is a magical creature found in the Black Lake. It kind of looks like a tadpole with long legs, and I think anyone who has had a sonogram can relate.