Keeping Emma

Chapter 20: Back at Hogwarts

Emma and Severus walked slowly together up the lane that led to the gates of Hogwarts. There was only three weeks left until her due date.

"I can't wait until this baby is born," said Emma. "I'm so tired of being pregnant and looking like a whale."

"You don't look like a whale," said Severus. He stopped himself before he added maybe like a baby hippopotamus. If she hadn't had much of a sense of humor before, what little there had been had Disapparated into the void in the last few weeks. Madam Pomfrey just kept saying that it was to be expected. "You said you wanted to tell me about a letter you received from your parents this morning?"

"Yes, Merope brought it to me. My father's eagle delivered it this morning. We weren't there, so Zelda dropped it off with Professor Dumbledore." The sight of Zelda swooping through the Great Hall bearing missives for Emma and Natalie had, at first, drawn a lot of attention from the students who were surprised at the idea of anything other than an owl being used for deliveries. But they had long gotten used to seeing her. Emma pulled the letter out of her pocket and began to read.

Well, I survived my first official embassy dinner. Of course, I really did nothing. August handled the guest list, the invitations, and the seating arrangements. Mrs. Trumbell took care of the menu. Natalie was right. All I really had to do was smile, shake hands, and keep the booze flowing.

Your father and I had attended a few events during our week in France, so I'd already met many of the people who were here. The wife of the French Ambassador is very nice. You might remember her; she was at the wedding. Luckily, she speaks English very well, and your father is teaching me French. I attended a luncheon hosted by the wife of the Italian ambassador last week. I already speak Italian, of course, because that's what my parents and grandparents spoke at home. Who would have ever figured that something they taught me would actually come in handy?

Your father and I are very happy. We will be traveling to Hogsmeade next weekend to see you and Natalie. We will be staying in the Three Broomsticks and would love it if you and Severus could join us for a special dinner there on Saturday evening. We will be leaving Hogsmeade on Monday, but your father will be bringing me to Hogwarts the second week of April for the baby's birth. I will be staying at Hogwarts until you deliver, no matter how long that takes.

I was going to wait until I saw you, but I just can't keep it bottled up any longer. Sit down. You really do not want to read the next sentence standing up. It seems that I am pregnant. The baby is due in early October. So, Emma, you are finally going to get that baby sister or brother you used to ask for when you were little. Your father and I are absolutely thrilled. We had discussed it and he said he had always hoped for a larger family. At the same time, I'd always been sorry that our home life was never stable enough to afford me the right to have another child.

"Your father got your mother pregnant?" interjected Severus. "How is that possible at their age?"

"My mother is only thirty-six, and my father is only thirty-nine. That isn't ancient, Severus. Anyway, let me finish."

"We will be arriving in a most interesting manner. Your father says the weather is still too cold for flying there on broomstick, and he said he most certainly would never Apparate with me.

Last month, he had to go to the Ministry of Magic for a meeting. While he was there, he met a man named Arthur Weasley. Arthur invited us to dinner a few weeks ago and we went. He and his wife, Molly, live in the most interesting house and they have seven children. I didn't get to meet the eldest, Bill. He's in his first year at Hogwarts. Do you know him? Anyway, I absolutely loved the entire family. While we were there, Arthur showed your father a car he had bought and modified. It actually flies, Emma. It turns invisible too.

Your father and August are in the garage working on a little red Camaro he portkeyed here as I'm writing this. He has already gotten the entire flying thing down. He took me for a ride, or should I say flight, last night, but he needs to fiddle with the invisibility function a bit more. Your father and August are like two kids in a candy store over this car. This is going to be so much fun.

"He can't do that," said Severus. "It's against the law to turn Muggle devices magical. And I know Bill Weasley. His father works for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. If he gets caught with that car, he'll get the axe. Your father had better not do anything to that car."

"Don't be silly, Severus. My father can do anything he wants. Diplomatic immunity, remember."

"Oh, right, I forgot. Diplomatic immunity. It must be nice. There have been times in my life when I could have used that."

Emma giggled. They had reached the gates. She turned toward Severus and slipped her arms around him. He slid his hand under her hair and cupped the back of her neck, softly massaging it, pulling her head to his chest and held her.

"I really hope we don't run into that woman from Gladrags Wizardwear in the Three Broomsticks."

"If she's rude to you again, I'll give her another hemorrhoid hex."

"No, Severus," said Emma. "You have to feel sorry for people like her. A major piece of her heart is dead."

"Like mine was, before I met you," Severus said softly, holding her to him tighter. "You breathed life back into it."

Emma looked up at him in shock, tears in her eyes. "Severus, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say."

He looked embarrassed, as if he had not meant to say it aloud. "Well, I did look around to make sure there were no witnesses nearby first. And I'll deny saying it to my dying breath."

"Oh, don't worry; I won't let anyone know that you're a born romantic."

"Only where you're concerned," he said.

"And never in front of any witnesses," Emma added.

"Of course, not," he said. "It would ruin my carefully cultivated reputation as a bad-ass."

"Hey, watch what you say about that ass. I happen to be intimately involved with it."

"According to Madam Pomfrey, you won't be for at least another three months. I can't wait until we can make love again."

"Me too," said Emma. Suddenly a cold gust of wind came up the road and she shivered.

"We'd better be heading back inside," said Severus. "It feels like the temperature is dropping."

Emma woke early on Saturday morning. She had actually jumped out of bed and made it halfway to the bathroom before realizing that she felt better than she had lately, stronger. She stopped to look into the little room they had fixed up for the baby. Severus used to use it for storage. It now held the cradle, a bureau, and a rocking chair. Her parents had been sending her packages of baby clothes for weeks. She had piled them haphazardly all over the room. Her parents would be arriving this afternoon. She did not want them to see this disorganized mess. After bathing and dressing, she determined to get all the baby's things washed, folded, and put away in the drawers this morning. Besides, her mother would be coming to stay in just two weeks.

Emma hurried to bathe and dress. While she was rifling around in the dresser for some clothes to wear, she turned and saw that he was awake and staring at her.

She sat on the bed and began to massage his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said. "Did I wake you up?"

Severus turned over onto his stomach to better enjoy the massage. "It's not your fault," he said. "The sound of you getting dressed in black underwear always...awakens me."

"Oh, so me getting dressed in black makes a different sound than beige or white, huh?"

"Oh yes. It's like Beethoven's Fifth compared to a Brahms lullaby. The only thing louder is when you take them off."

"You need to stop talking like this. You're getting me turned on and we can't do anything," she said.

"Actually," he said with a smile that bordered on evil, "that is not entirely true. I can't do anything to you, but..."

Emma finished the thought for him. "Oh, I see, but I can still do things to you."

Severus turned over on his back. He reached up and slipped his fingers around the back of her neck, pulling her down for a kiss. "I knew you must have gotten some magical abilities from your father. You're a psychic," he said.

"Oh, I'm more than just a psychic, Severus. I have other abilities too, way beyond the capacity of an ordinary Muggle."

"Really? Well, perhaps you'd like to educate me about these abilities."

"I'm more like a genie; I can make your wishes come true," she said as she slipped the straps of her bra off her shoulders.

Later, Severus, Emma, and Natalie were standing on the steps of Hogwarts, waiting to meet Michael and Viola when they arrived. Soon, they heard the sound of an approaching automobile but they saw nothing. Suddenly, the red Camaro appeared over their heads. It swooped across the front of the castle at about the fifth floor level, executed a turn and came in for a landing right in front of the steps.

Emma had closed her eyes, not wanting to see the crash, but Natalie had laughed and run down to the car as it skidded to a halt.

When Emma heard Natalie ask if she could drive it, she thought it might be safe to open her eyes. She saw her father get out of the car and grab hold of Natalie in a bear hug, lifting her from the ground. He was wearing dark sunglasses, faded jeans and a black leather jacket and gloves. He walked around the car and opened the door for her mother, who looked, for the first time, vibrant and happy. She was dressed in winter white slacks, a pale full-length classy white wool coat and white high heeled boots that had Emma salivating. Her mother hadn't gotten that outfit the day they went shopping for wedding wear; Michael must have taken her shopping during their week in France.

Viola ran up the stairs toward Emma. She stopped and looked at her in shock. "Look at you. My God, Emma, you're huge."

"Thanks," said Emma sarcastically. "Madam Pomfrey says it's mostly water though. She doesn't think Allison is all that big. She's banned all salt and even my olives."

Michael jogged up the stairs and bent to kiss Emma on the cheek, saying, "Hello sweetheart, how are you?"

"I'm feeling pretty good, Dad," she answered.

Inside, Emma and Severus showed them down to their dungeon chambers. As they walked along the thick stone corridor, Viola said, "Gosh, this is kind of creepy, Emma. Thank God you guys locked us up in the embassy basement instead of here. I probably would have had a stroke."

"Our chambers are really pretty nice, Mom," said Emma. "It's cozy, and it's only for another few months. We're going to start looking for a house as soon as Allison is born."

Once they got to the apartment, Michael, Viola, and Natalie sat on the sofa. Emma sat on the chair by the fireplace, Severus perched on the arm.

"Daddy," said Natalie. "Emma and I were talking and I was thinking, when you're transferred to Russia in the end of June, can I spend the summer with her? I could help with the baby."

"I don't see why not, Natalie," said Michael. "The more I've thought about it, the more I was wondering if it was a good idea for you and Viola to come to Moscow with me. The health care system there leaves a lot to be desired. By the way, do you like your present?"

Natalie looked confused. "My present?" she asked. "Um...did you send me something?"

Michael smiled and tossed her the keys to the Camaro. "The car. I actually bought it for you, as your graduation present," he said. "You can drive it, but you have to promise not to fly it until I've had a chance to show you how it works."

Natalie was thrilled. She threw herself at Michael and then Viola, hugging them both.

"Excuse me, but I'm afraid that the Headmaster would not permit any student to actually have an illegally enhanced Mug--Non-Magical vehicle here at Hogwarts," said Severus.

Natalie rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Well, we will be taking the car when we leave, of course, Severus," said Viola. "The car is actually for when Natalie begins college in the fall back in the States."

"We're going to buy one for Emma as soon as you move into the house. She'll need it for shopping and to take the baby to the doctors, you know."

"That is very generous of you, but Emma does not know how to drive," said Severus.

"Yes I do," said Emma. "I took driver's ed in high school. Mommy and I didn't have our own car, but I do have a license. At least I did. It was lost in that alley that night."

"Oh, that reminds, me, Emma," said Michael. "The police released your belongings. Your backpack and purse are being kept for evidence for Hank Lummox's new trial. But they gave me your passport, money, and identification. It's in the car. I'll give it to you when we go for dinner in Hogsmeade.

Why is that man getting a new trial?" she asked.

"Well, he pleaded guilty to murder, but you've turned up alive, so it was overturned. So, now they're going after robbery, attempted rape and assault. Unfortunately, they want you to testify. They had to release him pending his new trial. He's walking around free."

"They let him go?" she asked.

Severus reached out and turned her face to him. "Emma," he said, "he can't touch you. You are out of his reach." But he is not out of mine, he thought. He'd find out where the man lived. There was no way Emma would be forced to face that slime in a courtroom, have to answer embarrassing questions.

Severus was started back into the conversation when he heard Emma ask, "So, what kind of car are you going to buy me?"

"Whatever you want," said Michael.

"It will be keeping all four wheels on the ground won't it?" asked Severus.

"I won't be modifying Emma's car, Severus. Although, I am thinking up a way to make it crash-proof. I'm still experimenting on that with Natalie's car as well," said Michael. "So, Severus, I would love to see your classroom. Why don't we let these three girls talk a while?"

Severus tried to discern what Emma's father really wanted with him, but the man's mind was firmly closed. "Certainly, Ambassador," he said, getting up.

Once in the classroom, Severus turned toward his father-in-law. "So, what do you want to talk to me about?" he asked.

"Hank Lummox," Michael answered. "You're not to go after him."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Severus.

Michael smiled. "You let the block on your mind slip for a few seconds."

Hell, thought Severus, he was getting careless. "I will not have Emma put through a trial, having to see him," he said.

"She won't be. I am going to have him killed, but I want it done my way." Michael pulled a small vial out of his pocket. "This is a new potion I've been working on," he said. "It contains pure extract of hellebore to slow the heart and puffer-fish eyes to swell the heart tissue, mimicking death brought on by congestive heart failure. My problem is that the puffer-fish eyes continue to swell the heart even after death, and that would cause suspicion during an autopsy."

"Leech juice," said Severus. "It's the main ingredient in Shrinking potions. Place a delaying charm on it or give it to the person you want dead a few minutes after giving him the poison. Who are you, really? You're no Ambassador of peace."

"If I told you that, I'd have to kill you," said Michael. "Lummox will make an excellent test subject for the potion. I can't have you getting in the way." What Michael did not say was that Lummox was similar in size and weight to Brezhnev. His mission in Russia was to kill Brezhnev and make it look natural. "Paul will be doing the actual hit. He is a Metamorphmagus. He has already made contact with Lummox disguised as another street person. Once this Soviet mission has reached its successful conclusion, I will be returning to America. The President has assured me that I will receive his endorsement and party approval to run for a Senate seat that will be vacated by a retiring Senator next year."

Severus was not surprised. He had always had a feeling that Michael Dalton was not all he appeared to be. The man was ambitious and liked to control people. But, in the end, Severus could respect that. He wasn't much different himself.

"I also wanted to speak with you about Emma," said Michael, who rather enjoyed the sudden aspect of suspicion in the younger man's eyes and his clenched jaw.

"What about Emma?" he asked.

"Once the two of you are living in Mulroon, I see no reason why Emma should not begin attending classes at the University there. I'll pay the tuition."

Severus felt anger surge through him. Damn the man and his meddling ways. "Emma will be busy with our child," he said. "I'll not have my child tended by strangers."

"I was thinking that I could engage a nanny and Emma could go part time. It would only be a few hours a week. She is highly intelligent and I want her to realize her dreams. Also, the house I've found has more than enough bedrooms for a nanny and a housekeeper. It's not at all far from the University."

"The house you've found? What house? And Emma's dreams have undergone a change. She is not in the least bit interested in going to college anymore."

"How do you know? Have you asked her? You didn't think she could drive either."

Severus was fuming. "No, I absolutely forbid it," he said.

"You forbid what?" asked Emma, who stood in the doorway to the classroom. She came inside and looked from Severus' stormy face to her father's. "Natalie wants to go for a ride in the car, and Mom and I are getting hungry. I came to get the two of you. What are you two arguing about now?"

"I made the offer of paying the tuition so that you could begin attending the university in Mulroon this fall, Emma," said Michael. "It's not right that your education was interrupted."

"Well, thank you, Dad, but I'm going to be busy with a baby. I don't think it's a good idea," she said.

"That's exactly what I told him," said Severus. "He said he'd get us a nanny. I don't want a stranger watching our child. And, he's found us a house, Emma."

"I don't either want a nanny either, Severus," said Emma. "I'll care for my baby myself."

"See? I told you she was not interested in college anymore," said Severus.

"Actually, I am interested, but not until the baby is older, maybe in a few years. And I'll go part time. We can put her in day care so she can make friends. But what's this about a house?"

"It's an excellent house, Emma, in Mulroon's historic district. I've only seen photos, but it has three floors, these beautiful leaded glass windows, a walled courtyard and a small suite for a housekeeper. It has over five thousand square feet of living space and is filled with solid oak paneling, Emma. August has gone through it and says it's perfect."

"Dad, that's a bit big. I only want a nice tidy little house, maybe three bedrooms, something light and airy. No oak paneling. Now let's go for that ride in Natalie's car." After Michael had walked out of the classroom to return to the apartment, Emma grabbed Severus' robes and hissed, "And where did you get the idea that you can forbid me anything?"

"Emma, I..." he began.

"We'll talk about it later," she whispered.

That evening, they enjoyed a nice dinner in the Three Broomsticks. Viola and Natalie dominated the conversation, with Natalie wanting details of Viola's shopping trips in Paris and the offerings of the French designers.

"After the baby is born, Emma," said Michael, "you, Natalie, and your mother could take a trip to Paris and you could get yourself some new things too. You're going to need all new things."

Severus was inwardly seething. Wonderful! Now he can't afford to keep clothes on his wife's back, let alone provide her with transportation, or buy her a decent enough house to live in without her father's help. But, he didn't want Emma any more pissed off at him, so he said nothing.

Emma could tell Severus was getting angry simply by the way he was breathing. She reached under the table and gently squeezed his leg to let him know she understood. "Paris design houses aren't really my thing, Dad. Thanks all the same. I'll do fine in the department stores in Mulroon. If I need anything else, Severus can take me into London."

"But I want you to have the best, Emma," said Michael.

"I know, and I appreciate it. I really do. But I really don't like that kind of stuff. My needs are simple, jeans for everyday, tee shirts, a couple dresses for going out. I don't need to have closets full of stuff I'll never have occasion to wear. I'm not exactly going to be living the life of a socialite."

"I took the liberty of having a market evaluation done of your house in Manchester, Severus. Houses in the area aren't really going for much. The real estate agent suggested that you make some improvements, mostly cosmetic, so you can list it at a higher asking price."

"Dad, please, can we just not talk about this now?" asked Emma. "Did you know that Natalie absolutely aced Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration test last week?"

"I'm just saying that with the investment of maybe a thousand pounds into the place, you'd probably get five thousand more for it," said Michael. "I could arrange for..."

"I'm just going to sell it as is," said Severus. "I don't have the time to do home improvements and I'm planning on having it listed this week."

"But..."

Viola placed her hand on Michael's arm. "Michael," she said. "It's really none of our business. Now, tell us about that Transfiguration test, Natalie."