Deserving (Final Chapter)

ZEGA you didn't tell me when is your birthday. Is it today or tomorrow or next week? When??

Chapter 17


When Severus came down the next morning he was surprised to see Kingsley in the sitting room speaking to his husband.

“So you understand that what we said was the truth. They have poisoned the Marked Ones,” was the first thing Severus heard. “Oh, Good Morning, Severus. How are you today?”

“Good morning Mr. Shacklebolt. I am doing fine. Thank you for asking.”

“Breakfast is on the table,” instructed Harry.

Severus walked to the table and Kreacher immediately popped in and began to serve him his tea. Severus couldn’t help but to hear the conversation that was taking place mere feet away.

“What I don’t get is why? Why would they want to kill them?”

“Harry, the Guides are not pleased with the Ministry’s decision to make them marry their Marked One. They were even more upset at the fact that so many signed up to save the Marked Ones from their fate. They got a wake up call, if the Marked Ones keep on getting so much support, they might gain their freedom. As it is many are saying the situation of the Marked Ones will determine the next elections.”

“Do they have that much support?” asked Harry.

“No, unfortunately many wizards and witches have no idea of what is going on. Yes, many were outraged by the weddings that were performed and documented, but when the Ministry got whiff of the adverse effect publicizing them had, they had the Prophet put a lid on it. And you know how it goes: ‘out of sight out of mind.’”

“So they are willing to commit murder?”

Kings saw the perfect opportunity and seized it. “What would you do if you thought Severus could go free?”

Harry again felt the frustration of having everyone think of him as the monster. “He was going to go free, remember? You lot had everything ready to have him living in the laps of luxury and freedom. I didn’t kill him then and I will not kill him in the near future,” was Harry’s exasperated response.

“Harry, we need to know where you stand.”

Severus could see his husband considering these words. He held his breath waiting to hear the answer.

“I am a Guide and I can not in all honesty judge another Guide for doing what I am doing. I am also an Auror and as such I can not stand here and allow a murder to be committed. I am also a father who did not have an easy time growing up. I will not stand here and allow children to be abused.”

Kings considered Harry’s words. “You haven’t really answered my question.”

“I guess… the best I can do would be to help the children and stop any crimes being committed.”

“What exactly would you consider a crime?”

Harry understood that this was a loaded question, so he rectified.

“I will not stand by and allow murder.”


***


That afternoon found Harry’s room laden with discussions. Malfoy, Severus and Neville were trying to think of a possible antidote, but every time one of them had an idea the other would point out its faults.

Harry, Dennis and Kings were keeping the babies entertained. They had laid down a blanket behind the sofa and were playing with Richard and Nicky. Dennis had the sleeping baby in his arms. Harry had tried to engage the baby, but it would only cry if nudged out of his slumber. Nicky, whose birthday party was this week walked over to Richard and gave him a kiss. Richard celebrated by clapping.

“Richard, give Nicky a kiss,” prompted Dennis.

Richard smacked his lips making a ‘taa’ sound but not really placing the kiss anywhere. Harry was astounded to find that his child could kiss.

“Give dada a kiss,” he prompted but Richard was very amused at the fact that his little friend could walk around without his dada. He lifted himself up holding on to his dada and let go of one hand.

Kings’ eyes grew with anticipation and Harry held his breath, but Richard seemed to decide that he wasn’t ready because instead of letting go he held on with both hands. Harry raised him up in the air and gave him a loud kiss.

“It’s alright; you don’t have to do anything you don’t feel ready for. There is no hurry.” But when he raised him Richard was able to catch a glimpse of Snape and called for his ‘pah pah’.

Severus was deep in discussion but rose from his chair and glided over to Richard and picked him up placing his son on his hip, still in full discussion.

“Up, pah pah, up,” demanded Richard.

Severus lifted him up in his arms so his head was leveled to his own. This gave Richard the opportunity to kiss his papa. Severus stopped his argument and rubbed his nose with his son’s nose, an action that made Richard giggle.

“I think he is hungry,” announced Harry.

“Yes, I believe you are correct, husband. I am sure this is why he is calling to me,” said Severus trying to ease the effects of his unconscious actions. The last thing he wanted was for Harry to resent the relationship between him and his son. “He only wants to be with me when he is hungry. He prefers his dada’s ability to entertain with his wand than my dull storytelling time,” he announced to the group trying to boost his husband’s ego.

“That’s not true. He really likes it when you read to him. He squirms all over the place when I try to read to him,” objected Harry.

“That is because he associates you with fun playful activities,” countered Severus.

Harry blushed and swelled up with pride. “Yeah, I guess he does; doesn’t he?”

The visitors gave each other knowing looks. It was sad to see Severus always try to please Harry when Harry could care less if the Potions Master was dead or alive. They knew they had to find a way to get Severus out of this relationship, but in all honesty, Severus was the least of their problems. So many other Marked Ones were in dire need of being rescued.

It was getting late and there was no solution in sight. Harry, Kings and Dennis had just put the babies to sleep and were re-entering the sitting room to see if any progress had been made.

Harry sat on the ottoman that Severus used to sit on and announced: “I have the perfect solution. Let’s get one of Hagrid’s Blast-Ended Screwts, pulverize it and make the antidote with that,” jested Harry trying to shake them out of their slump.

“Brilliant, Potter, just brilliant. I guess remedial potions did little for your lack of skills,” drawled Draco.

“Harry, this is serious. Lives are at stake here,” admonished Neville.

“NO” said Severus gaining everyone’s attention. “My husband is right.”

“Sir, with all due respect, there is nothing in the Blast-Ended Scrwets that would suggest…”

“NO… no… not that…Hagrid,” said Severus heavy in thought.

“Oh, no, there is no way we are pulverizing Hagrid. I don’t care how much giant blood you may need,” warned Harry.

“Yes… yes… yes husband… blood,” still babbled Severus, giving the world in his head more attention than the one out of it.

“You want to pulverize Hagrid?” asked Draco. “Even I think that is a bit harsh…”

“No! He wants his blood, giant’s blood,” said Neville as if he had gained some kind of understanding.

“Giant’s blood can be used in potions? Isn’t he just half giant?” asked Draco, upset that this was knowledge he did not posses.

Severus shook out of his thought and landed back in the room rolling his eyes in frustration.

“What are you two on about? Do you not see? It is obvious. Hagrid is the only one that can obtain the magical blood. Dumbledore himself taught Hagrid how to do it.”

Harry was the first one to understand. “unicon’s blood,” announced Harry remembering that night in the Forbidden Forest.

Severus simply nodded with closed eyes and relief.


“Yes, Dumbledore studied the properties of Unicorn Blood, I read his dissertation. He claimed there was a way to get it to heal a dying body. But he warned it could not be used on the dead or the half dead. I never understood that warning until after the war,” said Neville understanding the plan.


“Hagrid can obtain the blood of a unicorn. We only need a couple of droops. Once one batch is made all we have to do is make sure we set aside a vial to make more,” explained Severus.


“Professor, do you know how it’s done. Maybe, if you explain it to me, I can do it,” requested Neville.


Severus shook his head. “No, that would not be prudent. Yes, I do know the procedure, but there is a reason Dumbledore trained Hagrid and not I, his Potions Master.”


“Professor is it painful?” asked Neville.


“Yes, very much so, but if we explain to Hagrid the need for the blood…”


“Wait! How painful is it?” demanded Harry.


“Hagrid will have to cut his arm and allow the unicorn to drink from his blood. The unicorn’s saliva will heal the cut so it will only be a couple of licks. Then and only then will the unicorn allow Hagrid to draw blood,” explained Severus.


“So then what is painful about the process?” questioned Harry.

“Potter, unicorn saliva contains large amounts of acid. It will burn like hell,” Draco explained. “Do you really think he will do it?” turning his question to his professor.
Harry looked at Draco directly in the eyes and said: “You must be the only person in this room that would doubt it.”


***


Next morning, Harry woke up to find a Potion’s Lab in his kitchen. Severus was running from one side to another sterilizing everything while Neville and Draco were putting on their aprons. Kings walked into the kitchen right after Harry.


“I’ve got it. Hagrid was brilliant,” announced Kings.

“Did you give him the restorative potion that Poppy gave you?” asked a concerned Severus.

Kings opened his eyes wide but then grind and said, “Sure did.”

Neville and Draco got to work dicing, chopping, slicing and grinding. Severus hovered over them giving orders. He looked right at home or in his case, right in the dungeons. Neville even seemed scared which amused the other men greatly; even Severus.

The potion had to be stirred every half hour for six hours. By two it was ready. Neville bottled the first vial and Harry went over and took it from him.

“Kreacher, take this to my vault in Gringgots,” ordered the Guide.

“Harry what are you doing?” asked a shocked Neville.

“You are not getting any more blood from Hagrid. I am making sure there is always a bottle in store to make more.”

The group had to admit that it was a good idea and soon there was a line of house elves in Harry’s kitchen lined up to get the antidotes for the Marked Ones. At one point Harry looked around the kitchen and did not see Snape. He walked through the house until he found him in the nursery looking at the baby with an empty vial of antidote in his hand.

“I told you he was going to be alright. Children like it here. We do good by them.”

Severus just smiled, not moving his eyes from the tiny form.

“His parent is going to be happy when they find him safe and healthy,” said Severus, reminding Harry that the baby was not here to stay.

Harry did not answered, instead he turned on his heels and left.

“He grows attached very easily and then suffers when he loses the object of his affection. We can’t let that happen to him; can we?” whispered Severus to the little baby that was finally keeping his eyes opened.


***


The following morning was Tuesday and Harry was going back to work after taking the Monday off. Severus got him his toast, tea and mail. Harry found the invitation to little Nicky’s birthday.

“It is Nicky’s birthday, the children will need new clothing,” announced Harry.

“The children, Sir?”

“We have two babies now or have you forgotten?”

“No, husband, I have not forgotten, but I will caution you not to take the baby out of the house. We do not know who can be looking for him. You have no legal right over a child that you picked up from the streets,” warned Snape.

Harry had to admit that there was some validity to Severus’ caution but this was Kings’ house, surely it will be safe there.

“I’ll talk to Kings and see what he thinks,” said Harry, standing while taking the last sip of his tea and leaving to work.

As always Kreacher popped in as soon as Harry was gone and took Severus and the children to the glade. Severus was glad to be able to put the baby on a blanket in the sun where he could absorb some vitamin D. Baby was already looking better but still slept ninety percent of the time.


***

When Harry walked into Kings’ office he found his boss on his knees yelling at someone through a firecall he was making.

“NO, NO, NO that will definitely not do. I need the place covered with balloons. It is my son’s first birthday and he loves balloons. What is there not to understand?” argued the director of the Auror Department.

“Yes, Sir, it will be done. Do not worry about a thing,” came a squeaky voice from the fire.

“I am counting on you. Do not disappoint me,” shouted Kings, effectively ending the firecall.

Harry cleared his throat as a means of announcing his presence.

“Harry, what brings you to my office? How is the baby? He is alright, isn’t he?” bombarded Kings.

“Yes, he is fine. I tell you, it is amazing, he looks better already.”

“Yes, that is all the information I have been getting since last night. We did it. We saved them. Finally something is going right!” boasted the tall man.

“Kings… about the birthday party…”

“Ah yes, the one that promises to give me a heart attack before Saturday.”

Harry could tell that was one heart attack Kings would be proud of.

“Yeah, that one, Snape seems to be worried about taking the baby out of the safety of my house. I really don’t see the danger and I can’t see leaving the baby behind,” argued the young Auror.

“Tell Severus not to worry. The child will be safe in my house as well, besides if Single’s men are looking for the baby they will be looking for a half dead child and you said yourself that the improvement is noticeable.”

“Didn’t even think of that, and at the rate he is improving, he will be a whole new baby by Saturday. I told Snape he was over reacting,” he said as he walked out of the office not wanting to take up more of his boss’s time.


***

Harry had just taken a shower and was entering the room with a towel wrapped around his waist. He was surprised to see Severus in the room getting ready for bed. Severus had been sleeping in the nursery since the arrival of Baby.

“Are you sleeping here tonight?” was Harry’s tentative question.

Severus looked shocked by the question. Was he not supposed to sleep in the bedroom? Lately it was difficult to read his husband.

“Should I leave?” he asked as tentatively as Harry had asked.

“No!” a bit more emphasized than Harry had intended. “It’s just that you have been sleeping with the babies… is it alright to leave him alone now?”

“Yes, husband, he is doing quite well. I do not want them to get used to my presence in the nursery. It would be very difficult to wean them from that habit,” explained Severus.

Harry had to admire Snape’s wisdom when it came to the babies. He knew how to care for them in ways Harry would not even think of.

“What did Molly say when she saw the new baby?” he always asked about her visits in an indirect way.

“She coddled him and said she would start making him a throw. She says he will grow too big for a baby blanket. I told her that you had come up with the idea for the antidote and…”

“Snape! I did not come up with the antidote. You know I am no good at potions…”

“If not for you, husband, we might have never come across the idea of the unicorn’s blood.”

Harry couldn’t understand why Snape was always trying to make him look good in front of the others. Did he pity him? Harry shook the thought away. After all that would be foolish. He was in command here.

“She will be going to the birthday party and was hoping to see you there,” he said bringing Harry back into the conversation.

“Did she actually say that?”

“Yes, husband, she did.”

This made Harry feel warm inside. He wanted Molly back. Maybe he could find a way to invite her back to their evening dinners together. He was feeling hopeful when he noticed that Severus was getting into bed with his pajamas on.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

Severus thought he knew what the favor was, so he rose and was headed to the loo to get the lube.

“Where are you going?” asked Harry having no idea what Severus was up to.

“Oh, forgive me, Sir. No lube tonight,” he said assuming yet again.

“That wasn’t the favor,” gaining understanding of Severus’ actions. “And I already told you: You are to always use the lube.”

“Forgive me, Sir, I acted in haste,” said Severus bowing his head.

“Come here,” said Harry patting the bed he was sitting on. Severus sat down still with his chin touching his chest. Harry raised his head with a finger. “Stop being afraid of me. I told you, I am trying. You think you can do that for me?”

Severus nodded although he felt no fear of his husband, he just wanted to please him and felt inadequate when he failed.

“Look, it seems I have grown used to you in my bed, so I haven’t been able to sleep all these nights you have been away. I was wondering if you would sleep stalkers tonight. This way I can feel your warmth next to my body. I am sure it will help me sleep better.”

Severus had no idea how to react to this request. Was his husband asking or telling him to do it? He decided to answer by taking of his pajamas. When Harry saw him go for his buttons he gave him a little half smile and that small act seem to bring peace to Severus’ crestfallen demeanor.

Harry dropped the towel and lay in bed, raising the blanket in a welcoming gesture. Severus lay on his side facing the door and felt his husband’s hands snake around his torso and his nose buried in his neck. He could feel the deep breath that Harry took in.

“Always smell so good.”


A/N

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