In Want of a Child

Prologue

Three years had passed since the demise of Voldemort. Four, since the death of Dumbledore. As it was now a tradition, the survivors of the war gathered at Hogwarts grounds for a reunion. Every year the tone of the proceedings changed and became a bit lighter. Of cause the ministry tried to make them as solemn as possible. But life had a way of… well living. People no longer bore long faces in remembrance of those who gave their lives for the cause. Sure they remembered them but somehow the fact that little Teddy, now three was flying around in his little broom and causing havoc was more pressing in their minds and seem to place very guilty smiles on their faces during the preceding.

Seeing Severus Snape on the podium was also a cause for amusement. How the clever git had outwitted Voldemort and had concealed the bezoars in his pocket that saved his life becoming the second person Voldemort wanted dead but didn’t die. The kids that had fought to defend Hogwarts were now finishing up their careers and were now finding jobs. Some were getting married or not as in the case of one famous Harry Potter and his school sweetheart Ginny.

Ginny had fallen in love with a muggle that was camping near the Burrow and to her and everyone’s surprise Harry had wished them luck and even attended the wedding.

Harry had been completely engulfed in his Auror training and now was doing his best not to mess up as a rookie. This is where we find our hero when our story begins.


First, he followed Snape with his vision then he found his body moving towards his ex potion professor. He could not think of anything that was moving Snape away from the events currently held on Hogwarts grounds. Snape knew that his presence was required during the proceedings. Severus was not one to go against protocol. What could be so important? Whatever it was, it was housed in the potion lab in the dungeon. Harry disliked going to that classroom. It brought back memories that he did not care for.

Did Snape have the sudden urge to correct essays? Of course not; he must be working on a potion. Maybe… Oh. Harry caught himself thinking that Snape might be making wolfsbane; but of course, there was no one who needed it. Harry found that this happened to him quite often. He forgot that they were gone. Even after attending so many of these events in honor of the dearly departed.

“Severus?”

“ Mr. Potter, why may I ask, have you followed me?”

“ I thought something might be amiss. It is not like you to leave in the middle of a ceremony.”

“ As you can see I had something to tend to”, answered Snape with a sigh of defeat.

“I gather that you are off the mark with this potion. I never thought I would see the day when Severus Snape botched a potion.”

“ Well, Mr. Potter this must be your lucky year because this particular potion that I have been working on has me facing utter failure constantly”.

“ Wow! What is it that you are working on?”

“ If you do not mind, Mr. Potter, that is information that I do not wish to share.”

“ Well, I just thought that I might be able to help you.”

Snape chuckled at the suggestion. “Things have changed; haven’t they Mr. Potter? Who would have thought the day would come when you would be precisely in this classroom offering to help me with a potion?”

“ Well, we are friends. The war saw to it. We survivors have to stick together,” he looked at Snape with a shy smile.

“That it did, Mr. Potter. But be it as it may I do not wish to have you laugh at my attempts”.

“Laugh at you! No offence professor but I don’t think a wizard has been born that would dare laugh at the formidable Severus Snape.”

Harry felt very proud of the fact that he had made his former professor chuckle. That was not an easy feat and he really didn’t think that the professor did it enough. Harry was determined to put more smiles on the face of a man who gave so much during the war and got so little in return. An Order of Merlin Second Class and his old job as potions professor back that was all the wizarding world had to offer a man who had risked so much for the safety of their world. After three years of seeing the man get on with his life, Harry had grown to admire the Potions Master, this man who continued to do things for others even knowing that he would not be thanked. Like the letter of recommendation which he wrote for Neville that got him into one of the best botanical schools in London; developing the potion for Bill that had eradicated all traces of Greyback’s scars; and all of the behind the scenes work that he did at Hogwarts to help McGonagall in the proper running of the school.

“Be it as it may, I’d rather not risk it.” Snape said, banishing the inadequate potion.

“Come on, Professor. Who knows? I might actually be able to help you,” said Harry with a hopeful grin.

“Mr. Potter, do not worry with this. It is of no consequence. Just a pet project I have been working on.”

“And this project is for whom?” Harry prodded.

“I do not understand your question.”

“ Come off it, Professor. You and I both know that you are constantly looking for ways to make our lives trouble free.” He looked at Snape expecting him to deny the accusation. Snape simply ignored the innuendo and stated, “I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Potter, but my reason for making this potion is of a very selfish nature. In fact, this is all for me. This potion, if a success, will satisfy none but my own selfish desire.”

“ Good, and if I may add, it’s about time,” said Harry, “Will this selfish thing of yours make you happy?”

“ Yes, if I get it to work. I will be a happy man, a man that will have a purpose in life”.

“Wow! Intense. So, what is this thing that will place a smile on your face?”

“ A baby,” said the Potions Master prepared for the reaction that his statement would have.