You and Me Against the World

Chapter 3: School Year Begins

Severus was rather glad that he wouldn't be attending the feast that night. He couldn't. He couldn't be there when the students were all told that he was vulnerable. That he was pregnant with a child he didn't know if he was going to be able to raise. But that was all besides the point really considering he was very sure that his stomach wouldn't be able to handle any of the foods that would be served that night anyway. He had been curled up on the floor of his bathroom between intermittent bouts of puking for at least an hour by this point.

He heard the door open, and since he knew that the only person he had keyed into his wards was Harry, he knew he was safe. Though he really didn't want the young man, who had spent a lot of time with him since finding out about his pregnancy, to see him like this.

"Sev, where are you?" Harry said, sounding rather worried as he moved through the apartment.

Severus sighed shakily but said nothing, feeling like he would vomit as soon as he opened his mouth, and he didn't want to do so quite so soon after his last bout.

Harry found him though, of course, and then rushed over to him, thoroughly concerned, at the sight of him on the floor, kneeling next to him with the most concerned eyes anyone has ever looked at him with.

"Sev, what's going on? Do I need to get Poppy?" Harry asked, looking Severus over to see if he could see any damage.

Severus shook his head but the movement was far too much for him apparently. He lurched up and over the toilet just in time for the next bout of vomiting to burst out of him. He felt a tentative, gentle set of hands tying back his hair before they moved to his back, rubbing gently, soothingly. He tried to relax under the touch, and actually found that he was able to do so.

"Kreacher," Harry said softly, and Severus heard the pop of the house elf arriving, "Do you know of anything that can help Severus feel a bit better?"

"Master Sev has some morning sickness relievers, and I's can be getting some tea and crackers for him to nibble on, Master Harry," Kreacher said.

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Harry said.

It wasn't long before the items were in the room with them, and when the bout of sickness was over Severus downed the reliever he hadn't the strength to get for himself, and had a sip of the ginger tea, sighing gratefully as the warmth soothed his throat.

"Thank you," Severus said, his voice a tad hoarse though rather grateful as the ever present nausea died down enough for him to not feel like he was going to puke again. At least, not too soon anyway.

"No problems, Sir," Kreacher said, "Can Kreacher be's getting you anything else?"

"Not right now, thank you," Severus said, and the elf nodded, popping away as Severus began nibbling on one of the crackers that were neatly packed in a small tin.

"Right, I will run you a bath," Harry said gently, standing up and making his way over to the tub to begin filling it up.

"What? Why?" Severus said, confused, "You don't need to look after me, Harry. I'm fine," he grimaced as a sharp cramp ran through his stomach, though he was thankful that it didn't bring back the nausea that the tea, potion and crackers had managed to bring down to a manageable level. For now, anyway.

"I know I don't have to look after you, Sev. But I want to. You deserve it, after all your years of looking after everyone else. Me included. And well, my aunt used to give my cousin a bath when he was sick, said it helped," Harry shrugged, "You feel rather tense also, a bath might help with some relaxation. Kreacher," the elf appeared again, "Sorry to bother you again, do you have anything that you think will be good for Sev and the baby that I can put in his bath?"

"Yes, some chamomile infused epsom salts shoulds do nicely. They helps Mistress Walburga when she was pregnant, with the sickness, and with the aches and pains. Though Master Sev should only be in the bath for fifteen minutes at the longest," Kreacher said, then he popped away, only to reappear a moment later with a bag of salts which he poured two cups of into the ever rising water.

"Thank you," Harry said.

The elf beamed at Harry and disappeared again.

"Right, I shall leave you to your tea, crackers and bath," Harry said, turning off the taps and turning to Severus, who was still on the floor, nibbling on crackers as he rubbed his still flat, cramping stomach, looking up at Harry with confusion. Harry smiled down at him, his eyes still filled with concern, but also kindness and care, "Do you need anything? I can grab you a change of clothes, and a towel before you get in. Then I can make us some breakfast whilst you're relaxing. Is there anything in particular you fancy?"

"Harry, you don't have to make me breakfast," Severus said. Why would Harry want to look after him? And why, why did having someone caring for him feel so good? So warm? Fuck, he was too tired for this.

"You need to attempt to eat a proper meal. It might even make you feel a little better. And I enjoy cooking. Especially if it is for someone who will actually appreciate it," Harry said with a gentle smile.

"I… I don't… You really don't need to… to look after me," Severus whispered.

"I know. But I want to. And I think that being pregnant is the perfect excuse to let at least someone step up and look after you for once," Harry said, looking at the older man understandingly, in a way that made Severus swallow thickly and look down at the tin of crackers and the almost empty mug of tea on the floor in front of him, "I'll go grab you a change of clothes and a towel, then I will leave you to bath whilst I make us some food. Is there anything in particular you fancy?"

"I am perfectly fine grabbing my own change of clothes and towel, thank you," Severus said, his voice stern as he stood from his spot on the floor, placing his mug and tin of crackers on the side of the bath with slightly trembling hands that he was very thankful Harry didn't comment on.

"Perfect," Harry said with a grin, "So what food do you fancy?"

"I don't…" Severus sighed, "I don't mind. Make whatever you want so long as it isn't anything too fatty, or oily. I don't want greasy food at the moment,"

"Fabulous. I shall be in the living area when you are ready to come and join me. Enjoy your bath," Harry said with a smile before leaving the room.

Severus sighed again, running his hand down his face before he actually did go and grab himself a change of clothes and a towel from his bedroom. And he brushed his teeth, hoping that getting the feeling and last remnants of the taste of the vomit out of his mouth and throat would help ease the nausea even more. It did, a little. Though there was certainly still something churning in his stomach. But he relished in any moment where it wasn't about to leave his mouth.

Vomiting hurt.

The bath was nice. It did help relieve the edge of the aches and pains that had started seeping into his body, and the chamomile certainly helped take the edge off the nausea, too. Though there was some still there, lingering. And he knew it would be there until… well, until he was no longer pregnant.

It was nice though, despite the miriad of thoughts swirling his mind as his hands gently stroked his flat stomach, hoping that it would get the chance to curve and grow with his baby. Hoping that he would get to hold them, alive and well at the end of it all.

The hope was distant though. Small. He didn't… He couldn't let himself hope too much. He couldn't let himself get too attached.

He couldn't…

He climbed out of the bath, grabbed his towel and started patting himself dry with it, and he saw that a basket of goods sat on the side next to the sink. The elf must have popped it in and he was too busy in his thoughts to notice. He went over to it hesitantly only to find it filled with things you would expect to find in a pamper gift basket. More of the bath salts. A coconut coffee scrub. A body butter. A body oil. Face masks and eye masks. Hand cream. Lip balm.

He swallowed thickly again, not really knowing how to feel. No one had ever…

He picked up the body butter and opened it, smelling the lavender in it before he dipped a couple of fingers into the smoothness and lifting up a small mound of it and, placing the jar down, he began rubbing the soft butter into his chest and stomach, moving onto the rest of his body afterwards. It was nice. The scent of the lavender seemed to relax him a little more, the action of moisturising himself calming his busy mind, if only for the moment.

Then he was getting dressed, brushing his hair after using a spell to dry it, tying it back in a loose ponytail. And he made his way to the living area to find that Harry had already plated up a number of food items, and filled a jug, and a couple of goblets with some kind of smoothie, and he was still plating up some more bits.

He looked at the clock briefly to find that it was about 11 in the morning. 2 hours. He had been in the bathroom for 2 hours that morning. And the students were on their way. Wasn't that a nervewracking thought.

He looked back at Harry.

"Are we expecting guests?" Severus said, confused by the sheer amount of food.

"Ah, you're done. Did you enjoy your bath?" Harry said with a smile as he looked at Severus.

"It was fine," Severus said, "Are we expecting guests?" He looked around at all the food with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, no. But I didn't know how hungry you'd be, however I am rather hungry, and I also have gotten into the habit of making extra food lately. Kreacher takes the rest to the younger elves, the children of the elves that work here, and the elves who are looking after them," Harry said.

"Why?" Severus said shocked.

Harry smiled, "I mean, the other elves feed them, don't get me wrong. But it makes their lives easier if they have someone else feeding them, too. It means they can focus on the work they are made to do and get that done quicker so that they can get back to their babies sooner," he shrugged, "Take a seat, everything will be done shortly,"

Severus sat at the table, fidgeting his hands as he looked over the array of food. There was toast, scones, jams, cream, croissants, fruits, porridge, yoghurt, the smoothie; which he took a small, hesitant sip of, and it was rather nice actually, cooling his still slightly sore throat.

Harry brought over another platter, and a bowl, one containing sausages and the other poached eggs. Then he sat down opposite Severus with a smile.

"Eat whatever you fancy," Harry said, "The sausages were cooked in the oven without any additional oil or anything, so they won't be too greasy if you would like one,"

"Thank you," Severus said quietly before looking over all the food again.

He took a sausage, an egg, some toast, and filled a small bowl with fruit.

As they ate Severus kept glancing at the clock, and he knew Harry saw him do so based on the concerned, yet understanding look on his face.

"Sev, it's going to be fine. The students will help," Harry said.

"It's not them helping that is the problem. But them knowing," Severus said quietly, "Especially this soon," he cleared his throat slightly.

"I know. But it's going to be fine. If anyone gives you any problems I will deal with them, I promise. And, I mean, male bearers are cherished right? Because of how rare it is to be one. They will be fine with it, and they will want to help. Hope and all that, you know. It is about time that the students worked together again, and this is a good thing to work together on," Harry said.

"No one is going to cherish me," Severus scoffed.

"Perhaps not cherish, but they will certainly help you in whatever way you need help. And if they don't then they will have me to deal with," Harry said fiercely.

"Harry, you don't have to protect me," Severus said.

"I know. But I want to. You deserve it," Harry said.

Severus swallowed thickly, looking back down at his food.

"The full moon is on Sunday, isn't it?" Harry said quietly.

Severus looked up at him with widened eyes.

"Is Poppy coming here for it, or are you going to her?" Harry asked gently.

"Poppy is coming here," Severus whispered.

Harry nodded and gulped slightly, "Would you like me to come, too? I know I don't really… I just want to help you. I understand if not though,"

"Do you really want to see me like that? In pain, bleeding, and God knows what else?" Severus said quietly, his voice shaking lightly.

"Of course I don't want to see you like that, Sev. You're my friend. I just… I want to be there to support you, to help you. To care for you. But only if you want me there," Harry said, looking at Severus with honest, gentle eyes.

"I… I don't know," Severus said, swallowing.

"Okay. Well when you've decided just let me know," Harry said.

Severus nodded.

…

Severus stood outside the door to the Slytherin common room. He may not have attended the welcoming feast, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to greet his snakes. Although it was really rather tempting at the moment to just turn around and go back home. And by home he meant his crappy little hovel in Spinner's End. The home he never wanted to step foot in again but seemed more and more ideal the more time he spent pregnant in this Castle.

Maybe he should actually just get a new home? One he actually wanted to live in. One that he would want to raise his child in. Supposing they both survived this. He had certainly saved up for that over the years. Almost anyway. Between his work here, and potions he made for people privately, and the few minor potions he had invented, he had certainly saved a chunk of money. He could escape. Maybe.

But no. He needed to be here. Near Poppy. Near his snakes.

Fuck.

He sighed, gritting his teeth as a thankfully minor cramp ran through his stomach, he breathed deeply, shakily, running his hand gently across the flat plane he hoped desperately would have the chance to grow.

He said the password as the cramp passed and he swept into the room to find all his snakes, new and old, waiting for him. Some seated on the various chairs around the room, some on the floor, many standing. But all of them waiting for him. All of them looking at him, shocked, but poised, ready to help him.

"Good evening," he said softly, "I hope you all had a good few months off. Or as good as you could have. For those of you who are new here, I am Professor Severus Snape, your Head of House and Potions Professor. I am here to care for you, help you, guide you through your time here at Hogwarts. You can come to me for anything and I will help you as best as I can,

"For those of you who aren't new here, I would like to apologise to you all. You see, the man I have had to pretend to be all these years isn't me. I was that way to protect myself, to protect you, to protect every other student in this school. But things are going to be changing now. I am going to be fair now, to everyone. I will support you all in all the ways I could and couldn't before. If you need anything, anything at all, then I will help you, or find someone who can. I will still be doing my office hours, my weekly homework nights in here, and such. But I will have much more freedom to help you in whatever ways you need help now, and I will do whatever I can for you. Everything I can. Not that I wasn't doing everything I could to help you all before, but now I will be able to do more,

"I don't know what the Headmaster told you all of my current situation. I am pregnant. Three weeks and two days. In an ideal situation you wouldn't have been told quite yet. But this… well, this isn't an ideal situation. This pregnancy… There is currently only a ten percent chance that both me and the baby will make it through this. It's going to be painful, I am going to be sick a lot, and, well… I'm not going to let this get in the way of me doing whatever I can to help and guide you all, but know that there may be days when I am too unwell to teach, to do my office hours on that day, to come in here, but I will always try and find the time to make up for it. I will always try and find the time to look after you all. And if, for some reason, I am not available, then I have come to an agreement with Professor Sinistra, and she has agreed to help you all when I cannot. She will also be sitting in on many of our homework sessions for an extra helping hand," he tried to hide how much his voice was shaking, but he thought that some of them could tell based on how they were looking at him, with little slithers of fear, and worry.

He cleared his throat.

"Is Professor Lupin the father? Professor Dumbledore mentioned that the full moons would be especially difficult for you," a sixth year boy by the name of Adrian Selwyn asked gently.

Severus swallowed, "Yes, but… Well, let's just say that he and I are no longer together. And that he's rather, well, he doesn't want the baby,"

The next thing he knew there was a set of arms around his waist, his arms automatically went around the back of the second year girl, Annabelle, if he remembered correctly, that was hugging him.

"It's okay, Sir. You don't need him. We'll help you and your baby," she said.

The other students all nodded in agreement.

He swallowed.

"Thank you," he whispered.

He pulled out of the hug gently and looked around at the students, "Right, well, I shall leave you all to get settled in. Your schedules will be delivered to you at breakfast tomorrow, so make sure you are all on time. I shall see you tomorrow. Goodnight," he nodded at them all and left the common room.

He was walking back to his rooms when he heard the sound of shoes on the floor, and a familiar shout of his name, "Uncle Sev,"

He turned to find Draco following him and he smiled a small smile at the boy who stood before him nervously.

"Are you okay, Uncle Sev?" Draco asked quietly, looking worriedly at him.

"Not particularly," Severus chuckled darkly, "And yourself?"

"Not particularly," Draco said quietly.

"If you ever want to talk, or anything, Draco, you can come to me. Any time," Severus said, concerned.

"I know," Draco smiled thankfully, "You'll be a wonderful mother, Sev,"

"Hopefully," Severus said, his voice thick. There was so much meaning in that one word.

Draco smiled and wrapped his arms around Severus' shoulders, Severus' went around the young man's back, "You will be. We'll help you and your baby get through this. I promise," Draco said.

"Thank you," Severus said.

Severus wanted desperately to believe that he would, in fact, be a mother one day in the next nine months. To a baby that was alive, in his arms. But it was so fucking hard to believe that that would be possible.

Hiya, how are you all today?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on everything that has happened so far and where you think the story is going, etc. or for things you might like to see as the story progresses. Even if it is just something small.

Also, I have Tumblr now. My username is marauderingpaige if you want to go and give me a follow over there. I also have one more focussed on personal life and writing, username is paigemakepeacewrites. And I have a Discord server, too, a new one! If you would like the link then feel free to drop me an email (my address can be found on my profile) or message me on social media, or join my Facebook group, and I will happily share it with you.

I have also now started writing a fanfiction for House M.D. It is an omega verse fic with House as the omega and Wilson as the alpha. If you love the show as much as I do then feel free to go and check it out. It is called Lights Will Guide You Home.

Also, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of any songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they are going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let me know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. If you would like to go and give them a listen as they are now then you can find me on Spotify under the name Maraudering_Paige. They aren't that long at the moment, but we are making progress and I will continue adding to them the more music I listen to and when I have the time to do so. But still, if you can think of any relevant songs then do let me know.

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Paige xx