Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


Unmasked


The Manor was in utter chaos. All the eight girls who had not yet given birth had chosen that morning to go into labour. Mistress Finch was directing proceedings with military efficiency and Severus was keeping well out of the way. His morning visit to Hermione and the twins had not gone as smoothly as usual and he regretted bringing her up to date on the Diana/Ollivander situation.

“How can you tie a fifteen year old child to that man?” she had screeched. “He must be eighty years older than her if he’s a day!”

“It’s the best thing for her,” he protested, no longer as certain of himself as he had been the previous day.

“He’s so old! Don’t you think she’s had enough old men after all she’s been through?”

The baby she was holding began to cry and she rocked him back and forth.

“Jonas Ollivander is a well respected member of our community. I believe his intentions are honourable and he is well placed to protect and provide for her and the baby.”

“So she has to kiss goodbye to any hope of love or affection then?” she demanded heatedly.

“Not necessarily. It is possible for affection to grow in a marriage based on other considerations.”

“I suppose that eases your conscience.”

“It does. She wants this Hermione. She chose him. I am merely supporting her very practical choice.”

“It’s our job to look after her.”

“I know that. That is I inI insisted on a modern form marriage instead of a contract.”

“He wanted a contract?”

“She asked him to arrange one. He was amenable to my conditions. He’s a reasonable man Hermione. He is not coercing her in any way.”

“I don’t like it. Can’t you insist on a long engagement or something until she comes to her senses?”

“And have the child nameless and fatherless? Perhaps Diana could name it after a house-elf and follow a family tradition!”

“Don’t shout at me!”

“Why on earth not? You’re shouting at me and distressing both our children in the process.”

“I think it’s time you went,” she said crossly.

“I think so too. I’m sorry I’ve upset you… I’ll come back and see you tomorrow.”

“Do what you like. You will anyway!”

He had left at that. For a man so careless of the good opinion of the wizarding world in general, he found it very unsettling to be at odds with his young wife. Most acquaintances had been surprised at the lack of fireworks between two such strong minded people. They had started their marriage united against opposition and then had been drawn together by Hermione’s pregnancy and the revelation of Olivia’s prophecy. Never before had they parted before a disagreement had been mended. Severus’ stomach churned as he walked back towards the main house.

Once inside the main house he made his way to the refectory to pick up some breakfast. His father-in-law was seated at the long table with baby Viola sleeping in a carrier beside him. Severus picked up some toast and coffee and went to join him.

“Morning Severus,” said the older man cheerfully. “Have you looked in on Hermione yet?”

“Just!”

“How are they?”

“The boys seem healthy enough. Hermione and I had words so I didn’t stay long.”

“She’s probably just tired.”

“That may be a contributory factor, but the main cause is a culture clash.”

“Between the two of you?”

“I have given my consent for Diana, my ward, to marry Mr Ollivander. Hermione finds the age gap between them to be unacceptable.”

“How big is the gap?”

“Seventy six years give or take a month or two.”

“That’s a big gap.”

“Be that as it may, the marriage is Diana’s best option. She desperately wants to keep her child and, as she has no family to make that possible, she needs to marry. With her family history she’s very lucky to have found someone to take her.”

“What is her history?”

“Her father ran a brothel and dealt in prohibited potions. He fathered children on his whores and the girls were dosed on drugs from an early age and put to work.”

“What happened to the boys?”

“We don’t know. Diana is adamant that her late mother had at least one male child but there is no trace of one.”

“Was her mother a witch?”

“She was a Squib. Her eminent family sold her on when it became apparent she wasn’t going to spark. Papers were forged and it was thought that she was dead.”

“So no wizarding family would accept Diana?”

“No. Mr Ollivander wants a willing bride and he is confident in his ability to judge her nature so he is willing to face down the scandal on her behalf. He’s an influential man and with our life span he is merely middle aged. She should have fifty comfortable years with him and he’ll leave her well provided for.”

“You make a good case.”

“Hermione doesn’t think so.”

“It’s different for non-magical folk. Generally I would say that the breakdown of the traditional family in our society is a bad thing but it does mean that our society would assist a girl in Diana’s position.”

“Hermione did talk about trying to put her into your society but I can’t imagine a witch being anything other than a witch. I know Hermione could pass but Diana has lived our world all her life. She’d probably never laid eyes on a Muggle until she caught the train for the first time. Have you ever seen Knockturn Alley?”

“She grew up there? I’ve only ever seen peopome ome out of there and that was bad enough.”

“I’m in two minds about whether or not to visit Hermione again this morning. I don’t like to argue with her.”

“I’d let her cool down a bit if I were you. Liz and I spat all the time. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Hermione and I don’t ‘spat’, as you call it. We have civilised discussions. Sometimes she tells me off and sometimes I put my foot down but we don’t do this.”

“The honeymoon is over then. Come on man, you’ve been married before. You must have had arguments with your first wife.”

“Only once.”

“One argument in a whole year? What was it about?”

“Me following Voldemort. I wanted out but I wasn’t willing to let her tell me what to do. She died before we made it up.”

“Hermione is not going to die because you two have had a difference of opinion. I understand why you’re on edge now but it’s normal to argue. This business with Diana is an important issue and the two of you have differing views. Leave her alone for a bit. I’ll go and see her later and I’ll let you know what kind of mood she’s in.”

“That sounds like a reasonable course of action. How’s Liz?”

“Asleep. This little madam was making a fuss all night long so I left her to sleep in. I’ve got a bottle thing that keeps itself warm if Vi needs feeding.”

“She looks like Hermione. Much more so than our boys do.”

“Brown curly hair and I think her eyes are darkening. I think your boys are going to have your colouring.”

“I think so…. I’m going to be late for my session with young Franks. I must go. I’ll call on you later if I may.”

“You’re always welcome.”

Severus got to his feet and swept out hurriedly. When he reached his quarters Simon was standing outside waiting for him.

“Have you been waiting long?” he asked.

“Not too long. If it’s inconvenient we can skip today’s session. I know things are going a bit mad today.”

“No, I’m confident Mistress Finch has got everything in hand. Madam Minton was going to go over to help out. As long as Tonks and the other chaps are keeping alert we’ll be fine. Come on in.”

Severus pushed the door open and walked in. Simon followed and the two took their accustomed places for their session.

“I think it’s time to see how you can withstand an assault,” said Severus calmly. “We’ve had several sessions now practicing various meditative techniques but the only way I can be sure that you’re making progress is to see how much effort I need to expend to get through them.”

The young auror blanched visibly. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that sir,” he protested.

“There’s no need to be nervous. In time I shall be allowing you to read me to develop your own invasive skills. I assure I shall not hold anything I may see against you.”

“I just don’t feel up to it today sir.”

“Franks… I know that you had a difficult encounter with those Dementors. I’ve seen your file. You have been fortunate to have made such a good recovery. I am not going to damage you. In fact I’m not even going to use my wand on you. I’ll just probe your mind in the same way I’ve done with the babies that have given cause for concern. You concentrate on the techniques we’ve discussed and we’ll see how hard I have to work to see something.”

“Can I have my wand?”

“If you feel you need it. Now try to relax and we’ll see what you can do.”

Severus closed his eyes and began to reach out to the young man sitting before him. He met with no resistance at all and what he saw shocked him to the core. He opened his eyes and leapt to his feet.

“It was you! You took the babies!”

“Calm down Professor,” said the young man icily, his wand pointed at the older man’s throat. “I’m not planning to hurt you immediately. We just plan to deal with the children. The law can take care of you and your mudblood in due course.”

“What do you mean, ‘deal with the children’?” he asked with sinking heart.

“Conceived in darkness Professor! No good can come of it!”

“You’re mad!” he exclaimed.

“We’re all quite sane. Just dedicated to wiping out evil.”

“There’s no evil here… who is acting with you in this? Those children are prophesied! You will not harm them. I will die first.”

“I’m the one with the wand Professor. I can oblige in an instant. I’m sure your victims will thank me!”

At that moment a knock came at the door.


There is one more full chapter of this to come plus an epilogue. Thank-you to everyone who has taken the trouble to leave a review.