Dream Life, for chiakidark Title: Dream Life Author:ivylady Giftee:chiakidark Word Count: 6,143 Rating: NC-17 Pairing: Harry/Severus Warnings: Slash, Mpreg, bottom!Snape, graphic sex Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the persons, places, objects, beings or things mentioned in the books and movies. All rights belong to JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Brothers, and their subsidiaries. No copyright infringement intended. Summary: Harry Potter and Severus Snape are finally living their dream life. Author’s Notes: Written for snarry_holidays fic exchange. Thanks to chiralove and faynia for the extension and hosting the fest. Many thanks to the two ladies who helped me get this fic in ship shape. I don’t know what I would have done without you two!
Happy Holidays, chiakidark! I hope you enjoy the story.
Harry was having a wonderful dream. He was lying on a beach and the wind was rustling his hair. The cool ocean water tickled his toes and the seabirds serenaded him. Severus was leaning over him, his mouth firmly attached to Harry’s cock, and his fingers entrenched in Harry’s arse.
“Oh Sev, don’t stop,” the young man murmured.
Severus chuckled darkly, “Now why would I do that? You know I love having you at my mercy.”
The older man's voice shot straight to his groin causing Harry to moan some more. His dreams of Severus were always memorable, but this dream was the best he’d ever had.
Severus continued sucking and licking Harry’s erection, running his tongue around his penis like it was a lollipop. His right hand kept stimulating Harry’s prostate, causing the younger man to groan loudly. Severus’s left hand tweaked Harry’s nipples, adding just the right amount of pain to the exquisite pleasure.
Harry was being tortured. That was the only way to explain the heights to which Severus was taking him. Each time, the older man would bring him to the edge of ecstasy, only to stop when he was just about to fall into oblivion. Harry pleaded, whimpered, and whined to no avail.
“Please, Severus. Please!” begged Harry to his dream lover.
“Poor Harry. I’m so cruel to tease you like this,” Severus said, his mouth curving into a wicked grin.
“Let me come!” Harry snarled.
“My pleasure,” purred Snape.
The older man stopped his ministrations, allowing Harry to catch his breath. The dream was so vivid he could feel the warmth of Severus's breath against his face and the slickness of his hands against his skin. Harry was in heaven and he never wanted to wake. He heard his lover rummaging around on the bed, but Harry knew that if he opened his eyes, his dream would be over. And he had no intention of leaving this paradise before he'd reached his peak.
Harry felt Severus's hands on his chest, lightly scratching his nipples. He arched into the touch, murmuring his appreciation. He then felt Severus slick his erection with oil.
'Oh,' Harry thought, 'I get to play today.'
Harry's mind lost its train of thought when his penis was enclosed in tight warmth.
"Oh god," he panted.
"Severus will do just fine," Snape chuckled.
"You're killing me," Harry gasped as his dream partner rode him.
"I know," Snape slithered a hand across Harry's nipples, teasing the buds to hardness.
In his dream, Severus grinned devilishly at Harry. He impaled himself again and again on Harry's turgid cock. Harry gasped, feeling like Severus was sucking the air from his lungs. The younger man tried to breathe deeply and get the necessary oxygen, but every time he took a breath, Severus rode him harder. Up and down he moved, his skin slapping against Harry's. The only sound in the room was the strangled groans of the two men and the bedsprings. The harder Severus moved against Harry, the more friction both of them felt, only increasing their arousal. Faster and faster Severus moved until Harry was sure the older man had hurt himself.
Severus was insatiable, and their time apart from civilization allowed him to be more open and vocal with his sexual needs and desires. After a few minutes of the frenzied pace, Severus finally allowed him to come. As Harry flew off the precipice of lust, he screamed his dream lover's name.
"Severus!"
The cry was so loud that Harry awakened from his sleep. Feeling sated and refreshed, Harry opened his eyes to see the smirking face of his husband. So Snape had taken advantage of him in his sleep? Well, Harry could definitely live with that. Severus would often surprise him with sex as a wake up call. Harry never complained. He didn't know many men or women who had such an eager and creative lover. Severus met all of his intimacy needs and Harry couldn't be happier.
"That was amazing," Harry managed to say after catching his breath.
"I do aim to please," was his response.
"We should do that more often," Potter suggested.
"Yes, but after the baby is born. All that bouncing around was most displeasing to my back," admitted Severus.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Yes. Such vigorous exercise is exactly what I needed to sleep well tonight," Severus told him.
"You haven't been sleeping? Why didn't you tell me?" Severus was still so stubbornly independent that he refused to discuss his discomfort with anyone, including Harry.
"There was nothing you could have done, Harry," Snape said. "The baby is just more active at night. Unfortunately, our little Terror has inherited both of our night owl tendencies."
"If you're sure, Severus."
"Yes. Harry, the baby and I are fine, more so now that I can get some sleep."
"Well I was sleeping well until someone awakened me. I was having the most incredible dream," Harry grinned, catching onto his husband's game.
"Really?" the older man drawled. "And what did you dream about? Some young, hot blonde on the beach?"
Kissing his husband deeply, Harry answered, "No. He was older, dark, and mysterious. Just how I like him."
Snape rolled his eyes at his lover's sentimentality, but kissed him anyway. It was a passionate, loving kiss that spoke of his lust and love for the man in front of him. Severus had never thought he could be as happy as he was, but Harry did.
~*~
It was Harry who had forced the Wizarding world to give Severus his due after their joint defeat of Voldemort. The young man killed Tom just a few days before his twenty-first birthday. Snape had given the Order intelligence about a planned raid on a Muggle town in York that Voldemort would attend. The madman was searching for an artifact of Merlin that was rumored to be in the area.
Snape organized the plan of attack with Shacklebolt and made sure that everyone knew their positions and jobs. Once the fighting had started, Severus kept to the shadows, hexing his former comrades without their knowledge. The potions master fought bravely, taking down anyone that stood in his way. Severus had cleared a path through the melee for Harry to strike the killing blow. He'd also taken several hexes--a few of them serious--in defense of the Boy Who Lived. Both Harry and Snape had collapsed after the Dark Lord's demise. Harry woke four days later to find his injuries fully healed. Severus was out for a week during which the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour indicted him as a Death Eater and traitor to the Wizarding world.
When Scrimgeour held his puppet court against Severus, Harry made a very impassioned and powerful appeal to the Wizengamot jury. He spoke of Severus's bravery, his sacrifice, and his dedication to the cause. The Boy Who Lived asked the Wizengamot which one of them would be willing to do all that Severus had done to ensure the safety of a public that ridiculed and scorned him. Harry also chastised the Ministry for its shortsightedness and lack of aid during the final battle. When it was all over, Severus was a free man with an Order of Merlin, First Class for his work and Scrimgeour and his cronies in the Ministry were out of jobs.
"Thank you, Harry," Severus said quietly after he was freed from the manacles.
Harry's jaw dropped. Severus had never thanked him for anything, not even when he'd helped him during Order raids. That the man would thank him and use his given name instead of "Potter" was astounding. Harry managed a smile. He couldn't say anything, as he was speechless.
The trial was the turning point in their relationship. Severus was grateful for Harry's help, and Harry was smitten with the man whose hard work had made it possible for him to defeat Voldemort. The older man returned to his position as Head of Slytherin House while the younger man became a kitchen assistant to a well-known Wizarding chef. Harry had no desire to continue fighting and killing in the name of good. He'd already lost too much of his life to that battle. It was time for the Ministry and the citizens to pick up where the Order left off.
Two months after Voldemort's final defeat, Hogwarts held a celebration. Not only was Albus determined to honor the brave men and women who had worked so determinedly to rid the world of the scourge of Voldemort, but he also wanted to celebrate the rebirth of the Wizarding world. Most of the staff and all of the students were excited about the party, but one person made his displeasure known several times. After hearing Severus recount his reasons why the Heroes ball was "the worst idea your sugar-addled brain has ever devised" for the fifth time, Albus changed the festivities to a winter solstice celebration.
Severus hated crowds because he hated people. On a good day, most of them were stupid and not worth the valuable oxygen they sucked out of the atmosphere. This party would bring out all the idiots, moochers, and gold diggers. Those dunderheads would besiege him, hoping to curry his favor for whatever imbecilic goal. Never mind that two months ago, these same people would have turned up their noses at him. Their fickle moods left Severus not wanting to have anything to do with them.
Albus forced the potions master's hand by making staff attendance mandatory. How he got Potter to come, Severus would never know. All he knew is that the two men locked themselves in a room for hours, and when they emerged, Albus had that damnable serene smile on his face and Potter grinned like a Cheshire cat (or lion in his case).
"Why are you happy, Potter? You do realize you will have to attend this exorbitant display of frippery as well?" Snape sneered.
Harry smiled, "Yes, Severus, I know I'll have to go. The only question is who will be coming with me."
The crowd that had gathered around them started chattering excitedly. Harry Potter was the most eligible bachelor in the Wizarding world and everyone wanted to know about his love life. So far, no one had heard much other than a few rumors, so they were all hoping for any information they could hear.
"I'm sure the entire Wizarding world is waiting with bated breath to see who would be the fortunate soul permitted to accompany you to such an illustrious event," Harry could tell that Severus was irritated because he used more big words than usual.
"Well, they won't have to wait long," Harry said, eyes sparkling. "Will you go with me as my date, Severus?"
Harry had shocked everyone by asking Severus Snape to be his date. He surprised everyone except his close friends and disappointed witches and wizards all over the world. Snape's first thought was to decline, but he decided to give Harry a chance once Harry looked at him with those luminous eyes. It was the best decision of his life.
Minerva took Severus shopping. She was determined that he wear a color other than his trademark black. Severus muttered something about her using anything as an excuse to put him in red. McGonagall just laughed as she dragged the much protesting potions master into Madame Malkins.
On the night of the ball, Harry and Severus looked remarkable together and people started to understand how the two had destroyed Voldemort. Severus was outfitted in a deep blue robe with silver trim while Harry wore a gorgeous silver robe with green trim. The two walked proudly into the gathering, even if Snape did have a sneer on his face. They exuded power, and everyone in the room was drawn to them.
Harry drew Severus into conversations with several intelligent people that he'd met. For the first time in his life, Snape actually enjoyed talking to someone who wasn't a coworker or colleague. The younger man pushed Severus to dance. Neither of them had much experience, but Harry was determined to have a good time. When Severus refused several requests to join him on the dance floor, Harry dragged the older man by his hands until they were in the center of the floor. At first, Severus was stiff and resentful and Harry was awkward and clumsy, but the two eventually managed to move together without much carnage except for Severus's big toe on his right foot. Harry just couldn't help treading on the poor digit, which led to much joking about foot fetishes and Harry kissing Severus to stop his embarrassment.
Severus was gobsmacked, but tried not to show it. Too bad he was so pale that the rosy blush on his face was visible to everyone in the room. Severus bid Harry a hasty goodnight and transformed from Severus Snape, hero, into Professor Snape, dungeon monster. He stalked through the crowd and flew down to his rooms. Severus had to drink a nice, healthy dose of firewhiskey in order to sleep. His nerves were too jittery from Harry's kiss to allow him rest.
Three days later, Harry barged into Severus's personal quarters and gave the older man a Christmas gift he never knew he wanted or needed--his hand in courtship. After thoroughly kissing Severus, Harry announced his intention to court him. Severus spluttered and tried to think of reasons a relationship between the two of them would not work, but Harry wouldn't hear of it. He'd spent the three days since the solstice celebration thinking of every argument Severus could imagine and shooting down every single one. In the end, it had taken a lot of persuasion and several mind-blowing kisses before Severus agreed with Harry.
Delighted, Harry was determined that he would show Severus a marvelous time. Harry took him to cinemas, theaters, museums, libraries, and gardens--wherever he thought might interest Severus. It was slightly overwhelming to the older man, but Harry enjoyed the opportunity to teach Severus about life outside of work and Severus enjoyed relaxing away from Hogwarts.
The Wizarding world, on the other hand, was in an uproar. Most didn't know what to make of the relationship. Some people thought that it was a phase, that the two men who had worked so closely together under such harsh conditions were only together because of their shared experiences. Given time, they thought, the relationship would run its course. Others thought their courtship was a ruse, a way to get the many witches and wizards who wanted to be with them off their backs. They thought the relationship was fake, and some of the bolder ones even attempted to seduce Harry or Severus to prove their points.
Their friends, however, knew the truth. Ginny was hurt--she'd loved Harry for a long time and had always thought they would be together forever. She'd had dreams of her own courtship and eventual marriage to Harry. Now she knew that those dreams were never meant to be. For his part, Harry hated breaking her heart, but he couldn't live a lie with her. He needed someone who would understand the darkness in his soul and challenge him, and Ginny wasn't it. She couldn't comprehend the horrors he'd seen and the atrocities he'd committed in the name of good, and thought that his dwelling on the war was counterproductive. Severus, however, knew the nightmares that haunted Harry and understood his need to remember the war.
Ron was put off at first, more on account of his sister than because of Severus. He hated to see Ginny upset, but Ron honestly thought that Severus was a better match for his best friend. The two men would never see eye to eye on most matters, but Ron had been around sometimes when Severus was training Harry and he had seen enough to know that whatever else he was, Snape was an honorable man. If Harry wanted to be with him, he wasn't going to stop either of them. Hermione, on the other hand, just clucked her tongue and told Harry some rubbish about there being a thin line between love and hate.
~*~
Six months after they had started dating, Harry and Severus made love for the first time. It was during the first holiday that Severus had ever taken in his life.
Harry had mentioned going to sea for two weeks and asked Severus to come along. Snape, ever practical, wondered why they would go to the ocean when there weren't any potions ingredients about. Harry told him that they would be relaxing and not working for two weeks to which Snape responded that he'd never lazed about for such a long period of time without doing something. Horrified, Harry packed Severus's bags that day and whisked the older man away for a month long holiday.
They had first gone to London so Harry could grab his things, then they set off for the Bahamas. Harry had discovered that there was an entire Wizarding island there where many witches and wizards had taken vacations for years. He booked a beachside bungalow for him and Severus for the month.
"It's beautiful," Severus had breathed, enjoying the smell of the ocean and the peacefulness of their surroundings.
"Yes, it is," Harry agreed, staring at his lover.
That night, Severus divulged his most guarded secret. The bungalow only had one bed and Severus had been quite nervous once he discovered that fact. At first Harry ignored his jitters, thinking that the older man was just overwhelmed by the trip. As the night wore on and Severus showed no sign of calming, Harry became worried.
"What's wrong, Severus?" Harry asked as they prepared for bed.
"I am fine. Why do you ask?" Severus lied.
"You've been distracted all night, and now you seem to be doing everything you can to avoid going to bed," Harry said. "Did I do something wrong? Have I made you uncomfortable?"
Severus looked at Harry and saw the concern and guilt apparent on the young man's face. He knew he would have to explain his problem to Harry, but he was so embarrassed. He didn't want Harry to ridicule him. Taking a deep breath, he sat on the bed and invited Harry to do the same.
"I...well, I have something to tell you," Severus started. "It is not easy for me to share such personal information, but you have a right to know."
"Whatever it is, you can tell me, Severus. I'll understand," Harry supplied.
"Well, the truth is that I have never been intimate with anyone. Our courtship is the most experience that I have with those sort of things," Severus stated.
Harry stared at his lover, taking a few minutes to understand what he was saying. When Severus's meaning dawned on him, his eyebrows met his hairline. Severus Snape had never been intimate with anyone. He was a virgin. Harry's cock perked up at the thought of sinking into Severus for the first time, being the first to explore such uncharted territory. Harry's mind conjured fantasies of teaching Severus various positions and acts, making his cock harder.
Unfortunately he'd been quiet for so long that Severus had taken his silence as rejection. He stood up and was halfway to the door before Harry's brain returned from its journey into debauchery.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"To the couch," Snape responded.
"Why?" Harry was genuinely confused.
"As you are obviously put off by my inexperience, I thought it prudent to sleep in the other room," Severus said.
"I'm not disgusted or anything," Harry explained. "I was just imagining all the things I get to teach you."
At the lascivious grin on Harry's face, Severus looked at the young man and saw a tent in his sleep pants. Feeling the heat rush to his cheeks, he could only ask Harry one question.
"When do we start?"
"Right now, if you're comfortable with it," supplied Harry. "Come back to bed, Severus."
The older man joined Harry on the bed. He was nervous, but determined not to let his fear ruin this time with Harry. Severus sat next to Harry and allowed the younger man to lay him flat on his back. Harry gave Severus a sweet kiss.
"I love you, Severus," he whispered.
Severus smiled, the tension flooding from his body, "I love you, too."
Harry kissed Severus again, running his hands up and down Severus's arms. The sweet kiss quickly gave way to something more. They had never shared more than a few passionate kisses, unsure of where they stood with the other. Now that they had admitted their love to each other, they could release their inhibitions and give into the carnal lust they felt for each other.
Nipping at his lips, Harry stuck his tongue into Severus's mouth, enjoying his unique flavor. It didn't matter how many times he'd kissed Severus, Harry always marveled at his lover's taste. Severus tasted of cinnamon and honey, an addictive combination for Harry. Swirling his tongue around Severus's mouth, Harry tried to devour him. He sucked on Severus's tongue until it was swollen, arousing both of them even more. Ripping his mouth from Severus's, he nipped and licked along the older man's jaw line. Severus ran his hands up and down Harry's back, feeling the muscles move. He loved the silky feel of Harry's skin, and he couldn't stop touching him. He ran his hands over the swell of Harry's arse, squeezing the firm cheeks and enjoying Harry's gasp of pleasure.
"You have no idea what you do to me," Harry whispered, grinding his erection into Severus's thigh.
"I think I do," Severus replied, thrusting himself against Harry.
Harry licked Severus's Adam's apple and left Severus gasping for breath. He nipped a trail from Severus's neck to his nipples, lightly biting the hardening buds. Arching into his mouth, Severus gave a loud moan of appreciation. Harry grinned and latched onto a nipple. He teased it, swirling his tongue all around the peak, suckling like a newborn babe at its mother's teat.
"Oh, Harry," groaned Severus, lost in his lust.
Summoning a vial of oil, Harry poured oil on Severus's chest. Harry rubbed his body against Severus's, enjoying the skin to skin contact and the delicious friction on his nipples. Missing his mate's mouth, Harry kissed Severus once more, pouring all the love he felt for the man into the kiss. He continued to rub his body against Severus as they continued giving each other one of those long, languid kisses for what seemed like forever.
"Ssssssssssev," Harry hissed.
The sibilant sounds of Parseltongue sent heat straight to Severus's groin. He stiffened, coming with a muted cry.
Harry grinned wickedly, realizing the effect his slip into Parseltongue had on Severus, "Sssssssssso, you like it when I sssssssssspeakssssssssss like thissssssssss."
"Please, Harry," Severus begged. He didn't know what exactly he needed, but he wanted more of whatever Harry was willing to give him.
"Yessssssssss, Ssssssssssev," Harry continued hissing.
Severus's spent cock rapidly began to firm. Harry continued to torture Severus with his voice as he ground their erections together. Severus was so caught up in his pleasure that he didn't notice Harry slip a finger into his virgin entrance. Harry moved his finger in and out until he'd loosened Severus enough to slip in a second. He scissored his fingers, widening Severus's entrance and enjoying the heat of his lover.
"Oh Ssssssssssev, you feel so good," he said as his fingers were sucked into Severus's most intimate place.
A strangled groan told Harry that he'd found Severus's prostate.
"What?" Snape asked, writhing against Harry.
Smirking, Harry rubbed it again, "That's your prostate, Love."
"Now, Harry. I need you now."
"Assssssssss you wissssssssssh, Ssssssssssev," Harry hissed.
Severus could only groan some more as his erection became achingly hard.
"Look at me," Harry demanded.
Severus opened his eyes and gazed at Harry. He felt somewhat apprehensive about what was going to happen, but the smile on Harry's face made it all worthwhile. Knowing that it was his lover's first time, Harry made sure to keep eye contact as he positioned himself at Severus's entrance. Sighing, he kissed Severus and slowly started to enter him.
As he felt Severus tense around him, he told him, "Breathe, and push down around me."
It hurt, but Severus did as Harry directed.
Severus was so incredibly tight that Harry had to stop to gather his bearings. If he moved too fast, he would come. He pressed onward, inch by inch until he was fully sheathed inside his lover.
"Are you okay?" he asked, straining not to move inside Severus.
"Yes. Now move, you idiot!" yelled Severus.
Harry set up a steady rhythm, the harsh grunts of his lover playing like music in his ears. Everything was better with Severus. Harry had never felt this level of connection with any of his previous lovers, as if Severus were his whole world. Harry thrust in and out of Severus as if his very life depended upon it. The sweet moans coming from Severus's mouth made it even more arousing. Deeper and deeper he went, until he felt as if he were being sucked into Severus and their bodies were melding into one. His own harsh cries rang in his ears, until finally, in a frenzy of thrusts, the two men climaxed.
Blue and green lights shot all around them, dancing in the air as their magics began to combine. Time ceased to exist as Severus and Harry fought to recover from their almost painful orgasms.
Once he caught his breath, Harry rolled off Severus and pulled his lover--in every sense of the word--onto his chest. A muttered cleaning charm kept them from sticking to each other before Harry settled the covers around them.
"Brilliant," Harry proclaimed once he was able to catch his breath.
"Better than potions making," Severus mumbled, already half-asleep.
~*~
Two years after they started dating, Harry asked Severus to marry him. Snape was sure that he and Harry uniting in an unholy alliance would bring about the apocalypse, but as he had spent all of his adult life living and fighting for the benefit of others, he figured he was due some happiness, even at the expense of others.
Severus and Harry were wed at sunset on the summer solstice with only close friends and family in attendance. As much as they wanted to get married by the sea, the two decided to hold their nuptials at Hogwarts for security purposes. Most of the Wizarding world was clamoring for a glimpse of their heroes, but the ancient wards around the school prevented anyone from getting in who wasn't invited. After a heartfelt and draining bonding, the two men left for a month long honeymoon in Tahiti.
During their trip, Harry cajoled Severus into trying many local delicacies and tribal dances. Severus dragged Harry along on expeditions for potions ingredients and nature hikes. They made love as often as they could and in as many places as they could imagine. The beach, the lagoon, the ocean, the pool, the forest were all fair game for their amorous adventures. Severus had never imagined himself an exhibitionist, but the thrill of knowing someone could find them at any minute only seemed to heighten his pleasure. The two men returned to Scotland completely tanned and extremely refreshed.
As the new school year dawned, Severus found himself continuously lethargic and sick in the mornings. Harry, worried for his spouse, marched the man to Madame Pomfrey. After a little foolish wand waving, she pronounced Severus healthy as a horse and two months pregnant.
"It figures," Severus said, "that Boy Wonder here would knock me up less than a month into our marriage."
Harry was too busy grinning like a fool to deal with Severus's snarks.
~*~
"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked, bringing Severus back into the present.
"Just how much my life has changed in the last three years. I never thought I would survive the war, let alone get married and have a child on the way," Severus said.
“Yes, it is a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” Harry agreed.
“Certainly, but I would not change it,” his husband whispered.
“Really?” Harry asked.
“Truly. It is a shock to find myself expecting, but I have discovered that I am eagerly awaiting the birth of our child. A child conceived in love that will be cherished, not punished for his or her abilities,” the bitterness in his voice spoke volumes about Severus’s childhood.
“Our child will have the best life possible because we will love it unconditionally,” Harry agreed.
"Yes, but the child will also have boundaries. No need for it to turn into Daredevil Potter, Jr.," even the stern look on his face couldn't mask Severus's happiness.
"Sorry Severus, but I think it's too late for that. Look at the parents--a reformed Death Eater turned spy turned hero and the Boy Who Lived. How could our child be anything other than a handful?" grinned Harry.
Severus smiled right back at him. He never thought his life would turn out so well. He expected to die in the fight against Voldemort. When he survived, Severus assumed he would be incarcerated in Azkaban for the rest of his life. The Order of Merlin was a surprise, and one that he didn't particularly want. As many years as he coveted recognition and acceptance from his peers, once he had it, Severus decided that it wasn't worth it. After the war and the ceremonies, Severus thought he would be content with his potions research and his duties as Head of Slytherin. He never counted on Harry. That the young man loved him enough to marry him and start a family was like a dream. A wonderful, exhilarating, and frightening dream. Severus was afraid that one morning he would wake up and this bliss, this peace he'd found with Harry would only be a figment of his imagination. He'd be alone in a cold bed, left to his own misery.
Severus flinched and Harry worried that something was wrong.
"All right, Severus?" he asked.
"Yes, just the Terror letting us know that its awake," Severus responded.
"He is so active," Harry commented.
"Yes, she is already plotting and scheming while still in the womb," Severus returned. "Our life will definitely not be quiet."
"No, but it will be a good life."
Harry smiled until he heard his husband whisper, "But sometimes, it seems too good to be true. I fear waking and finding out this life doesn't exist, that I'm still alone."
Harry tightly hugged his husband. He wanted to say something, convince Severus of his love and devotion, but he knew that words were not enough. Severus had heard enough promises from people that he didn't believe in words. Eileen Snape promised Severus that his father loved him and would stop drinking. Lily Evans promised that they would be friends forever. Tom Riddle promised him power and revenge. Albus Dumbledore promised him atonement and forgiveness.
Harry had pledged eternal love. He'd promised to care for Severus for the rest of their days. He had gone a step further, cementing their commitment by binding his soul with Severus's. Not even death could separate them. Severus had protested, claiming he didn't need such a permanent pledge from Harry, but the younger man had insisted. He was determined to show Severus how serious he was, how much their love meant to him. Even though he didn't say it, Harry knew Severus appreciated his gesture. The hungry kiss he received at the end of their bonding was proof enough.
"I love you, Severus, and I'll tell you as often as possible until you believe me," whispered Harry.
A sigh was his only response.
"What can I do to show you how much you mean to me?" Harry asked. "How can I show you that I would be lost without you?"
Severus snuggled closer into Harry.
"You're carrying my child. There is no one on this Earth more important to me than you. If Voldemort came back from the dead and ravaged the Wizarding world, I would stay by your side if you asked me not to fight. Nothing can keep me from your side."
As he spoke, Harry rubbed his hands across Severus's bulging stomach. Their child was kicking happily in its warm cocoon. Severus relaxed more and more into his touch until he fell asleep. Their child continued its activity, but Harry's soothing kept Severus in slumber. He wouldn't tell his husband, but Harry shared Severus's fears. They had come so far, but it seemed they still had hurdles to overcome.
~*~
Three months later, Severus Snape was in the middle of lecturing a particularly dense group of third year Gryffindors about the dangers of boomslang skin when his water broke. No one moved as the children had learned early on that a pregnant potions master was even more volatile and temperamental than before.
Severus looked down at the puddle on the floor before addressing his students, "It appears that my child is ready to make its appearance. Clean up your workstations, leave your parchments on my desk, and adjourn to the library until your next class."
The students rushed to do his bidding, not wanting to upset the man in his condition. As they filed out of the room--in an orderly manner for once--more than one of them wished him luck. Severus was a little shocked, having kept his reputation as a monster of a teacher, but he did thank them for their kind words.
After the last child left, Severus locked his classroom and headed into his office to activate the Floo.
"Harry?" he called out to their empty living room.
"Sev? Why are you calling? Don't you have a class?" Harry's concerned face came into view.
"Yes, but the Terror decided that it is time to make its grand entrance. My waters just broke," Severus grimaced as a contraction hit him.
"Don't move," Harry commanded. "I'll be right there."
Harry grabbed Severus's overnight bag and stepped through the fire. Five minutes later, they had made their way to the infirmary where Madame Pomfrey installed Severus in a private, soundproof room.
"Trust me, you'll need it," is all she would say when asked about their location.
Eighteen excruciating hours later, Harry well understood the need for soundproofing. If the silencing charms weren't up, the whole school would have heard his husband hexing and cursing him so badly that they would think Severus had killed him. The baby decided to take its sweet time after the waters broke, so Severus had to endure sixteen and a half hours of contractions followed by two hours of pushing.
Finally, just before dawn, their daughter, Eileen Rose Potter-Snape made her appearance. She had Harry's eyes and nose, but Severus's cheeks, chin and hair. Eileen also had a healthy set of lungs and made her displeasure at the whole birthing business known immediately.
"Well, at least we know her lungs are working," Madame Pomfrey quipped as the baby continued to scream her unhappiness.
Severus was quiet, and Harry was worried at the exhaustion on his lover's face, but Madame Pomfrey said it was to be expected. After all, he'd been through quite an ordeal in the last day.
Once she'd cleaned her up, Madame Pomfrey brought Eileen to her parents. Only when she was safe in Severus's arms did she stop crying. The two men gazed at their daughter with such wonder.
"I can't believe she's finally here," Harry breathed.
"That's because she decided to take the scenic route," Severus grumped.
"She's so beautiful," Harry said, lightly brushing his hand against the baby's hair.
"Yes, she is. I can't believe we made her," Severus said.
"Gentleman," Madame Pomfrey interrupted them, "your daughter needs to eat."
Harry took the bottle from her and picked up the baby.
When Severus protested, he simply said, "You're exhausted. Rest, and let me take care of her and you."
Severus snorted, but snuggled under the covers and closed his eyes. Just as he drifted off, he said something that made Harry's heart soar.
"I'm glad you asked me to that stupid ball. If you hadn't, all of my dreams wouldn't have come true."
Harry didn't consider himself a sentimental man, but he teared up at Severus's words. He and Severus had a wonderful life together, and he was determined that it would never end. The Boy Who Lived and the Man Who Spied had finally found happiness, and as their child lay in his arms, Harry thought they had finally found their dream life.