Of Hope And Love

Of Hope and Love

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Chapter 14:

Emotional Overload

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"I have an announcement to make." Every head turned at this statement of the Headmaster as everybody turned towards him, more or less curious. Very few of them, however, were prepared for what they heard.

"Professor Snape is going to leave his position for an undefined amount of time," the ancient wizard told them with extreme seriousness. "The reason for this is that he is pregnant with triplets, and confined to bed rest for the rest of his pregnancy. He will be staying in a private room in the Infirmary, and any visits must be permitted and supervised by a professor so that he will not be stressed too much."

After he finished this little speech, some students had fainted, most were looking at each other with bewildered expressions, and some Slytherins were trying to hide their smirks. However, before they could even properly start talking and gossiping, Dumbledore held up a hand to silence them again.

"It is extremely important that you act with greatest caution in whatever you do even in the proximity of the Infirmary," the Headmaster continued. "Professor Snape has already lost one baby. Anybody causing him to miscarry or making his condition worse in any way will be suspended, if not expelled right away."

Ron and Hermione both casted careful glances at Harry. The bespectacled teen, however, hardly even noticed. At the moment his thoughts were on Remus. Nobody would know that Remus was pregnant; nobody would be warned not to stress him too much. And that was because of Harry. It wasn't fair.

He sighed. Of course he realized that it was the only option, that Remus's condition could never reach the ears of Voldemort, and that was why they had to stay silent. Still, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind telling that it should have been known at least that Remus was pregnant. What if the twins used one of their jokes on him in the Order meeting? What if somebody casted a charm on him just for fun? That might hurt their baby, and that wouldn't do. That couldn't happen.

He wouldn't allow it to happen.

*

That evening, while many students were spending their evening outside, somebody came to the doors of the castle and opened them. This probably wouldn't have gained any attention if not for the fact that this somebody was the Headmaster himself, looking rather grim.

The students noticed that something was going on, and tried to get closer to get a look at whatever it was. However, aside from a few whispers, nobody dared to make a sound. They couldn't.

So, hundreds of eyes watched as Hagrid stepped out of the castle, an unusual load on his arms. There, wrapped in a thick cloak and even paler than usually, was Snape. His arms were wrapped protectively around his round stomach, and he was tiredly resting his head against Hagrid's chest. The half-giant seemed to be very careful with him, carrying him as gently as one would carry a little bird with a broken wing.

The students followed silently as Hagrid walked on. Nobody even noticed as a couple of teachers joined the group. They walked until they came to an area most had never been to: the school cemetery.

Now, Hagrid put Snape carefully onto the ground in front of what looked like a fresh grave. For a moment, the Potions Master just stood there. Then his knees buckled and he slid to the ground.

Nobody still dared to say a word as Snape simply stared at the small, white gravestone under a young birch tree. Then he very slowly raised a hand to cover his eyes. Tears rolled out from under his closed eyelids, soaking the pale cheeks. Everybody was stunned to see this.

After yet another moment of absolute silence, the grieving man took the hand from his eyes and looked again at the gravestone, quietly mouthing the words engraved onto it. Drawing his wand, he then pointed it at the gravestone and whispered a few words. The nearest students gasped as they saw how another name was attached to that of Snape's. Well, that certainly was unexpected.

"Herein lies baby girl Snape-Shacklebolt," read the engraving now. But who was Shacklebolt? The father of Snape's babies, obviously. But why wasn't he there to support his lover, then? Since if Snape voluntarily put that name onto his child's gravestone, there couldn't be any ill will between the two.

Putting his wand back into his pocket, the darkhaired wizard then drew a small phial from his sleeve. Uncorking it with slightly trembling fingers, he poured the phial's contents onto the grave. Instantly a bright light shot up from the ground, and a silvery flower appeared in the middle of it.

Now, Snape tried to get back to his feet, but failed as the burden of babies on his waist weighed him down. So, Hagrid bent down and picked him up, still gentle as ever. Holding him like the fragile baby was him and not the tiny lives within his body, the half-giant then started to carry him towards the castle.

*

As soon as Hagrid had carried Severus to his bed in the private room, Madam Pomfrey sent him away. "Severus needs rest after that kind of an emotional overload," she snapped. "And you are disturbing him."

The half-giant left obediently, giving the Potions Master a concerned glance. As soon as he was away, Remus stepped into the room through the secret door, looking a bit worried.

"Are you all right, Severus?" the werewolf asked quietly. "You look quite shaken."

"Well, of course I'm not all right," sighed the darkhaired man. "How could I be? I was just at my child's grave, Remus. There's no way I could be all right." Then, he frowned at Poppy, who was busy casting all kinds of scans and charms on him. "What is it, Poppy?" he asked irritably. "I can assure you that I'm not going to die anytime soon. So, what has you in such a fuzz?"

"Your babies," she replied, giving him a stern glance. "You must calm down immediately. They are picking up your emotions and becoming upset, too. That is hardly any good for them."

"Poppy," said the Slytherin frustratedly, "they cannot pick up my emotions. I don't allow my negative feelings to reach them; I most certainly have learnt how to do that. So, it is not my fault."

"Not your fault, eh?" Poppy asked mockingly. "Then whose fault is it? If I may remind you, you are their only link to the outside world. Unless you're claiming that they're fighting in there, yes, it is your fault."

Severus, however, shook his head, suddenly very serious. "They felt her, Poppy," he whispered very quietly. "The children felt their sister's presence there. That's what got them so upset."

And, for once, the mediwitch was at a loss as of what to say.

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