Snape's Heart

Chapter Ten

(Five Sickles for your Thoughts)

After a few weeks things seemed to have returned to something that resembled normal. The students had returned to their studies, Julia and Severus continued to teach. They had decided to wait on the wedding until spring when there was another break in the school year. The pregnancy, they kept to themselves for the time being. Only the Headmaster was privy to the news.

It was February when the next Hogsmeade weekend was planned and the students were looking forward to it. Julia had planned on walking to town to go shopping since it was a beautiful day.

"Are you sure you don't want to come shopping with me?" she asked, picking up her jacket and tucking her wand into its holster.

"As much as I adore spending time with you, I think I can do without shopping. Besides I have some parchments that need to be graded," Snape replied. He saw the disappointment in her eyes, so he added, "If you would like, I will join up with you in the Three Broomsticks for lunch? Then you can show me what you have purchased."

"Okay," she agreed, her smile returning. "Maybe I'll buy you a present." Suddenly her face turned a pale shade of green and she ran into the bathroom. He followed her to the door, not daring to enter.

"Are you well, dear? Maybe you shouldn't go. Maybe you should just stay here with me so I can take care of you," he pleaded. She had been sick for a few weeks. It wasn't getting better.

Coming out of the bathroom with a cool wet washrag on her face she replied, "I'm fine, it's just morning sickness. I'll be okay. That usually only happens once a day." He continued to look at her with concern in his eyes so she added, "Okay, okay don't give me that look. I'll see if Hagrid wants to come with me and I'll only go if he agrees. Is that better?"

"A little," he retorted. Then he continued in a tone that was usually reserved for his students, "just make sure that you return here immediately if he does not consent."

"Yes Daddy," she mocked. This made them both smile and he grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry; I just worry so much about you and the baby. What if Malfoy attacks you again? In your condition do you think it is wise to take such chances?" he implored, his eyes pleading with her.

"In my condition? What, am I dying? Sweetie, I could kick his ass all over this country, as long as I'm not being stupid again," she replied with a twinge of regret in her voice. "But you and I both know that I will never let my guard down like that again. Don't worry, I'm fine, the baby is fine and tomorrow I am going to spend the whole day resting in bed," then she added with a wink, "preferably with some company."

He kissed her gently and whispered in her ear, "I'll see you later, my love. Do promise to be careful." He let her go and watched her leave the room. Something made him want to stop her and force her to stay, but even he knew that once she had her mind was set there was no changing it. That was fine, though, he had places to go and she did not need to know he was gone.

As soon as he felt sure that she would not return, he quickly went over to his fireplace and grabbed a handful of Floo powder. He stood in the grate and said, "Diagon Alley!" He dropped the powder and in a flash of green flame he was gone.

* * *

Julia had stopped by Hagrid's hut and he agreed to join her on her walk. He needed to get some supplies and didn't mind shopping in the least. Once in Hogsmeade, Julia went over to a small shop that sold fabric, while Hagrid went into the store right next to it that sold various types of potions that repelled bugs.

Julia picked out some beautiful bolts of fabric. One was a purple iridescent material that she could picture turning into a comforter set. As she was leaving she spotted the prettiest rose pattern on a soft fleece. Her hands instinctively went to her abdomen and she smiled to herself. She knew that it was too early to know, but she had a feeling she was carrying a girl. She went back to the witch behind the counter and asked for a few yards of the fleece, she had to have it.

After leaving the store she noticed that Hagrid was still bartering with the wizard in the shop. She decided to sit on the bench that was out front. She looked down the street and saw a group of students surrounding an old witch who was sitting at a small table. She had a sign next to the table that said, 'Madam Vespa Reads Your Future...5 Sickles'. Julia smiled when she noticed that Lavender and Parvati were standing the closest to the witch.

"Oh what the hell," she said to herself and giggled. "Let me go play like a school-girl in love and see what the future holds."

At the table the students looked up at her and were a little shocked by her presence. Parvati nudged Lavender in the ribs to get her attention. "Look," she squealed. "She is so cool."

"Hi, girls, whatchya doin'?" she asked.

"We're learning about our future. I'm going to be wealthy and marry a handsome wizard," Lavender crowed with pride.

"Sounds good, can I try?" Julia asked.

She handed the old witch 5 Sickles and sat in the chair that Lavender had just been in. The witch gave her a toothy smile and took her hand and began to examine it closely. She hummed to herself and ran her yellowing, crooked finger over the creases in Julia palm.

"This is interesting," she began, in a raspy voice. "I see good things in your future. You...you..." she stopped and looked into Julia's eyes. The old woman's voice changed, it became serious and dry in tone. She continued, "A child will be born to a witch of strength and a wizard that wears two faces. This child will be hunted by the enemy, and if she survives she will grow to become the Peace-Bringer. The Peace-Bringer will unite the worlds."

The old witch stared at Julia for a few seconds more, blinked and then turned her attention back to Julia's hand as if nothing had happened. She continued, "You will be rich beyond your wildest dreams and find true love in a handsome stranger."

Julia just stared at her in complete disbelief, "What? What did you say before, something about the Peace-Bringer?"

The witch smiled and said, "Peace-Bringer? Oh, did I trance again? I hope what I told you was good. I don't remember what I say when I trance. But you are lucky; I don't do that very often."

"Ummm...," she turned and looked at the girls, who all had confused looks on their faces. "Are they alright?"

"Oh, quite. They'll be fine," she nodded. "The prophecy can only be heard by the one who it was meant for, they didn't hear a thing."

At that moment Hagrid came down the street calling her name. She stood and thanked the old woman and quickly joined him. She was bursting at the seams to tell him what she had just experienced, but knew that it was not a smart thing to do. She wished it was closer to lunch time, so she could be with Severus.

* * *

Later, at the Three Broomsticks, Hagrid and Julia entered and saw Severus sitting with Professor McGonagall. He did not look thrilled, but his face did light up when he spotted Julia walking over towards their table.

"Hello, Love. Hello, Minerva. Have you been hitting on my man again?" she teased.

McGonagall blushed and replied, "Oh, Julia, you are bad. I do not know why Albus puts up with you. I guess it is because you are so good at what you do."

"Thank you Minerva, coming from you, that is truly a compliment," Julia replied. Then she turned her attention to Severus, "I hope that I haven't kept you waiting for long?"

"Not at all, Professor McGonagall was keeping me company until you got here," he said, trying not to sound annoyed.

Reading him like an open book, Julia grabbed his hand and said to McGonagall, "I'm sorry, Minerva, but I have to steal him from you. I don't think you really want to be witness to a lot of goo-goo eyes and playing footsie under the table."

"I understand my dear, I was young once myself," she smiled and excused herself from the table. She walked over and joined Hagrid who was sitting with Professor Flitwick.

"That is definitely not an image I want to keep. McGonagall, young and playing footsie with anyone," Severus narrowed his eyes at Julia. "If I go mad, I blame you."

"Don't blame me for your depraved mind," she smiled. "I was going to say we were planning on making passionate monkey love under the table. Which would you have preferred?" She looked back at him, sternly.

He broke down first, smiling at her, "You are a sick woman."

"Yes, but you are the one who keeps coming back for more." At this she leaned over the table and kissed him.

"Listen to this; I just had the weirdest thing happen to me. As a joke I went and had my palm read and the witch went all wonky on me." She continued to retell what had just transpired.

He was quiet and Julia started to get nervous. She whispered, "I'm strong and you have that job you do. You know all secret agent man and stuff. And I am, ya know, all bun in the oven. What if I carry the Peace-Bringer?"

But before Severus could reply, Julia's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out.

* * *

When Julia had awoken she didn't open her eyes. She didn't move. She just listened to the hushed voices of the people that hovered around her bed. She could hear Severus and as he questioned Madam Pomfrey about her condition. She could also hear Dumbledore trying his best to calm McGonagall. Everyone was tense and she couldn't quite understand why they were in her bedroom. Then she remembered what had happened and her eyes shot open. Then she felt the pain in her head.

"What happened?" she asked as she rubbed her left temple and everyone jumped at the sound of her voice. Apparently they did not expect her to be awake.

Severus ran over to her side, "Are you okay? You were talking and then you fell and hit your head, hard on the floor. I think you fainted."

"I feel fine," she replied, and then her heart sank. "Did I? Is the..." She stopped when she saw Severus' face. He hadn't told them anything.

"Professor Snape refuses to let me give you any potions to find out what caused you to pass out. He is being very vague," stated Madam Pomfrey, as she glared at Severus.

Julia turned back to Severus and looked into his eyes. They were so full of fear for her and also full of love. Dumbledore broke the spell by saying, "I believe, Julia, that it is time to share your secret with the rest of us."

Julia looked over at her Great Grand Uncle, he smiled endearingly at her. She took a deep breath and nodded, "I guess I won't be able to hide it for long anyway." "Well, I'm pregnant," she said. Then looking into Severus' face she added, "And I think that there is something special about this child.

She continued by retelling the events of the day. When she had finished everyone became silent. Eventually, Dumbledore asked, "Dear, do you recall the name of the witch?"

"I think her name was Vespa. You could ask Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil," she replied.

Dumbledore smiled, "Then it is settled, this was a true prophecy. Madam Vespa has a special gift. Too bad she keeps refusing my job offers." Then his voice became very serious, "Julia, you are the witch of strength and Severus you are the wizard that wears two faces. This child will grow to become the Peace-Bringer. The Peace-Bringer will unite the Wizarding world with the Muggle. She will bring about change and acceptance. I will be the first to say that I will follow her till my dying day." And he bowed his head.

In the corner of the room, hidden in the shadow a student smirked to himself. He thought about what his father will reward him with for this information.

* * *

Later that evening, after much fuss from Madam Pomfrey, Julia was allowed to go back to her chamber. Severus insisted on carrying Julia. She protested the whole way, insisting that she was pregnant not crippled. Once inside her room he carefully tucked her into bed and then disappeared for a few minutes. He returned with a tray full of fruits and sandwiches that he thought she would like. He sat down next to her and began to feed her strawberries.

"I almost forgot, I bought you something today. I didn't come shopping with you because I had to go and pick it up," he said, as he pulled a package out of his robes and handed it to her. She looked at him, and then like a little girl she quickly unwrapped the small gift and let out a gasp.

Inside the box was little gold band with a not so small round sapphire in the center surrounded by diamonds. He picked up the ring and began to place it on her finger. "I picked out a sapphire because that will be her birthstone. It also reminded me of your eyes," he said then leaned over to kiss her. She welcomed this kiss by grabbing the back of his head and kissing back harder.

"This is gorgeous," she said. Then she cocked her head to the side and said, "You just keep on surprising me. Just when I think I have you figured out you go and do something like this. I love it...I love you."

He pulled back a bit and said solemnly, "I'm afraid for her. We have to be even more vigilant than before. I'm willing to die to protect you both if it comes to that."

She tried to assure him, "Let's hope that it won't come to that. We are the only ones who know about the prophecy and the others will just think that she is a regular baby. We will be careful." Then she adds jokingly, "Maybe you should take this into consideration and be a little nicer to Harry Potter. Remember, he didn't choose his life either."

He glared at her for a minute, she knew that was a sore spot but she did have a point. "I will consider it, but I promise nothing."

"Oh, I almost forgot, could you retrieve my shopping bags from today? I have something to give you too," she said, changing the subject.

After rummaging through her bags for a few minutes she looked at him, triumphantly. "I said I was going to buy you a present. Do you want it?" she asked him, in a teasing voice.

He looked at her sternly, "I do not want you wasting your money on me. I have plenty of...," he broke off. She held in her hands a silver rattle with the inscription 'Daddy's Little Princess'.

"I saw this just before we got to the Three Broomsticks. I told Hagrid that it was a gift for my cousin. Something inside of me just knew that the baby is going to be a girl," she said.

She took his hand and placed the rattle in it. He took it and then looked up at her, "This is for me? I don't know what to say."

"Just say you love it'" she replied.

"I love you," he said. Then lowering his head to the level of her stomach he added, "I love you too, my little princess."