30
***********Remus***********
The waiting room at St. Mungos was filled with several well dressed witches and wizards all bearing worried expressions. But the sight of one tall, dark haired wizard pacing rather frantically back and forth in a tux covered in blood was particularly disturbing. "Severus please—"
"DO NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, LUPIN." Snape barked and under normal circumstances Remus might have been upset but he understood all too well what the other man was going through.
Still, something had to be done to help him. "Listen mate," he implored, grasping Snape's arm and stopping him in his tracks. "I of all people here know what you're going through. And no, I can't promise that everything will be alright, but pacing like this is only wearing you out."
The man in front of him seemed to deflate, "I can't lose her Remus." His body sagged and instinctively the wolf brought out his arms to catch him. When said man began to cry in his arms, the werewolf stood frozen in shock.
"Not here," a voice from the sidelines whispered and to Lupin's relief, Severus's godson came and ushered them both to a more private waiting area. They set Severus down on the couch and huddled around him in support. The door opened and Draco was about to tell whoever it was to go away, but the sight of messy black hair and glasses stopped him. Somberly the Boy Who Lived joined the men as they sat in silent prayer on Severus and Hermione's behalf.
Not thirty minutes later the door opened again, only this time it was a healer. "Mr. Snape?" She called out and the dark wizard rose to his feet. "We have successfully birthed the triplets, but your wife is still in critical condition. Please know that we are diligently working on stabilizing her, but at this time it is touch and go. As for the triplets they are pretty strong and healthy. Would you like to see them sir?"
***************Severus************
It seemed like life was destined to be unfair when it came to him. Why else would the happiest day of his life transform into such a nightmare? He felt like he was in a twilight zone. Hadn't he suffered enough? How was he supposed to live without Hermione? The love of his life and his soulmate. He couldn't help it, but he finally broke down. And as the men surrounded him with support Severus gathered himself together. When the healer came he was devastated to hear that his wife was still in critical condition, but one bright spot was that his children were alive and well. "Take me to them," Severus answered solemnly.
They took him to a room and sterilized him. Placing him in scrubs, and taking him to the room where his daughter and two sons lay. Severus felt his eyes mist up as he gazed upon the tiny bundles in blue and pink. "You may hold them if you'd like, but be careful not to jostle them too much. They're strong but we want to be on the safe side."
"Absolutely. And thank you so much for seeing to their health. M-My….my wife, she made me promise to save them," Severus acknowledged, his voice straining with emotion.
The healer gave him a sad smile. "You did a good job with casting the spells you did. Plus your wife's magic seems to have sourced itself and created a protective barrier for the triplets. Unfortunately, all of that power went to the babies and she didn't leave enough for herself. Now it's our job to try and ensure that these bundles have both of you around. Do you want help holding them?"
"Yes please," Severus uttered gratefully. He sat down in a large cushioned chair as the healer helped to arrange all three babies in his arms. They seemed to alternate between sleeping and peering up at him with dark, curious eyes. "You three are so beautiful. Just like your mother. We love you so dearly. Your mother loves you so much that she gave all her power and strength to protect you. Now we just have to do the same for her. Be strong my little darlings. And I will do my best to do the same."
************Vonn***********
"God, I can't imagine what Severus must be going through," Vonn whispered to Remus. She was holding Teddy who was now asleep after his crying fit during the chaos at the wedding. She looked at all the other people there with them. Minerva, Harry, The Weasleys, Draco, Luna, even the Minister of Magic himself, Kingsley Shacklebolt. All of them were here to offer their support but she was sure they all felt helpless. "But you did say the healer said the triplets were fine. That's a blessing. But I know if he….if Hermione…."
"He'll be devastated. We'll need to keep a close eye on him; make sure he doesn't do anything drastic," Lupin warned, his eyes meeting hers. "I know I almost did."
Hearing that made Vonn's heart twist with sadness. She reached over and caressed his cheek gently. "But you made it. And he will too if it comes to that. Hopefully it doesn't. All of these people are here for Snape to lean on. Just like I'm here for you."
Whatever he may have said in response was cut off by Snape's arrival. "As you all may know, my wife is in critical condition. The….healers aren't too sure about her chances at the moment. But she is strong. And so are the triplets. I've been told you all are free to view them. But no up close visits yet I'm afraid. When you're done, you're free to go home. I won't ask you to stay here all day."
Harry piped up next, "With all due respect sir, we aren't going anywhere."
