Anachronism

Epilogue

Monday, 13 October 2008, 12:26 PM

"SEVERUS SNAPE!" screamed Ginny. "I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Just breathe," Severus told her as calmly as he could. Perhaps a bone removal spell would ease the pain of his left hand, but he suspected that if he dared to cast any spells around her, she'd try to bite off his head.

"In. Out," said Harry from behind Severus's shoulder.

"Fuck you, Harry!" spat Ginny. "This is your fault too! I was crazy to do this! You better like your child, because it's the last you'll ever get!"

"Come on, darling," said Adam soothingly from the other side of the bed. He wasn't having his hand crushed. "Push and it will soon be over."

Letting out a stream of curses that would have made her brothers blush, Ginny squeezed Severus's hand so hard he thought he felt bones snap, and pushed. Over and over again she pushed until a sharp cry tore the air and Healer Kessler lifted a squalling mess of blood, water, and flesh. Severus tried to pull away, to cut the cord as they'd rehearsed, but Ginny still gripped him tightly, and Harry, sensing Severus wouldn't be able to extract himself soon, hurried over to Kessler to help.

"It's a boy!" yelled Harry.

As Healer Kessler cast a battery of cleaning and examination spells, Severus pried his hand out of Ginny's grasp, flexing his fingers. After Kessler finished her exams, she settled the infant on Ginny's chest, but the baby only screamed and kicked his tiny limbs, refusing to nurse. Instinctively, Severus reached down and gathered him in his arms.

"There's no need for such a fuss," he told his son. "You're quite safe."

His little wrinkled, red face smoothed out and his eyes opened in small slits, revealing deep blue eyes. His tuft of black hair stood straight up from his head as if he had been struck by an electrocution spell.

Harry pressed against his side. Wrapping one arm around Severus and offering a finger for the baby to clasp, he said, "He loves your voice."

"Just like his daddy," said an exhausted Ginny, smiling at them.

"What colour are his eyes?" asked Harry, crowding close to see.

"It doesn't matter," Severus assured him, gazing down at the new life cradled in his arms. He didn't care if the boy turned out to be ginger with bright blue eyes. This was his son. He'd collected the semen from Harry (a most enjoyable task), implanted it in Ginny, and monitored her throughout the pregnancy with home-brewed potions. He'd spent hours training, studying, preparing for this moment—for this beautiful life. His first-born son.

"What'll we call him?" whispered Harry.

"James," offered Severus.

Harry planted a kiss on Severus's lips. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to." It was trite, and not his first choice, but he'd suspected it was what Harry wanted, and he wanted it because Harry did. Besides, Harry's middle name was James, and if the son was anything like the father, it would be impossible not to love him.

"I love you," said Harry, squeezing Severus's arm. "James Severus."

Although Severus appreciated the offering, he had to say, "I've never liked that name."

"I suppose you'd prefer James Sirius?" asked Harry with a mischievous grin.

Severus cocked an eyebrow at him. "James Severus it is, then. Would you like to hold your son?"

Harry's arms shot up, ready to accept him. Slowly, with more caution than he had ever held the most dangerous potions ingredient, Severus transferred James to Harry's arms, casting a warming spell on the still naked baby as they passed him through the air. With James nuzzled in his arms, Harry's smile widened so far, it seemed he would split his face in half. "Our baby. Can you believe it?" His eyes glowed as he grinned up at Severus.

Harry's smile was infectious. They were both beautiful. Severus kissed Harry, rubbing his son's shock of feather-soft hair.

"Excuse me, Severus," said Healer Kessler. "I'd like to go over the instructions with you before I leave."

"Of course." Severus stepped away from Harry and James to receive the scrolls she had prepared. As much as he wanted to focus on his husband and newborn son, he had taken classes to become the primary caregiver for James and Ginny, and his attention was required if he were to take that role seriously. With more concentration than he had ever given any lesson before, he absorbed every word she said.

When she left, Adam stepped over to Severus. "Babies are normally born with different coloured eyes. You won't know the true colouring for another few months."

Severus gazed at Harry propped up against pillows on the bed beside Ginny, the two of them enveloped around the sleeping James. "I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Don't worry about her acting as if she won't ever do this again," Adam said with a fond look at Ginny. "My father told me that my mother said the same sort of things when she gave birth to me, but she had six more girls after that."

A knock on the door reminded them of the throng waiting outside, and Ginny sighed and said, "I suppose we better let them in."

With a flick of his wand, Severus opened the door and a procession of family and friends spilt into the room: Molly and Arthur, Ron and Hermione with Hugo and Rose, the rest of the Weasley sons with their families, Luna and Rolf, Remus, and Minerva, carrying a portrait of Dumbledore.

"Well done, my boys!" he cried. "Well done!"

Over the heads of the visitors Severus caught Harry's eyes. The only other time his husband had glowed so much had been on their wedding day. He swept over to sit on the bed, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulder.

His one arm holding James against his body, Harry clutched one of Severus's hands and placed it over his chest. "I've never been so happy in my life. I feel like my heart'll explode."

Severus knew exactly how he felt. Bending down, he brushed the unruly black hair from Harry's face and whispered in his ear, "I love you. Both of you." One hand on Harry's shoulder, the other resting on his son, he gazed around the bustling, life and laughter-filled room with blurry eyes.

This was his home, his family, his life. His universe.

~THE END~