The Most Difficult Of All Our Tasks

-- A sad chapter. Hoping you're still enjoying. We're very close to the end now, so hopefully I'll be able soon to focus on Areas and the other HP story I've got buzzing in my head (and the sequel to Areas). Maybe I'll even finish my Weiss Kreuz story!



--Thank you for reviewing. I've done the notes, so just let have any questions. SP



Chapter the Twenty-Fourth – Honesty



Once Severus was released, he, Harry and the three girls travelled home. In his concern about his husband, Harry hadn’t even considered who would care for the boys, but, as he entered the house, he realised everything was fine. Kreacher was wheezily telling them a story.



“And so, the brave boy stood in front of his enemy and dared him to do his worst.” He gasped for breath.



Severus and Harry listened for a moment.



Kreacher went on: “The cruel man struck the boy down,” (Here Croft interrupted with a “NO!”) “But the boy could not be defeated. He stood again and defeated the man!”



“Does that sound familiar?” Harry murmured.



“A little,” Severus replied, smiling wryly.



Together, carrying three babies between them, they entered the nursery to introduce their two sons to their three daughters.



“Daniel, Croft, Kreacher, we’d like you to meet Acacia, Ebony, and Opal.”



The boys gave excited cries of delight and came over to their fathers.



Kreacher bowed to the two men. “Congratulations Master Harry and Master Harry’s husband,” he offered. “Can Kreacher help you or the three Misses in any way?”



“I think we’re all right, thank you Kreacher,” Harry said as Severus awkwardly knelt down and began showing off his daughters. “I think Master Severus would like a cup of tea, though.” He whispered.



Kreacher nodded and bowed before disapperating. He quickly returned with a tray on which rested a large silver tea pot, two cups, and a plate of home made biscuits.



“Oh Kreacher, that looks wonderful!” Harry praised before an idea struck him. “Kreacher, what do you know of Linked couples?”



Kreacher looked slyly at the human. “Kreacher knows Linked couples can share pain and pleasure, can communicate secretly, can help each other, Master Harry.”



“Yes,” Harry said impatiently, “But what causes it, really?”



Kreacher said, “Why not ask Master Harry’s husband?” and popped out of sight.



“Bloody elves,” Harry muttered before turning his attention to his greatly enlarged family.



Mycroft, now over two years old, grabbed for Harry’s leg. “Sorry, Croft, Dad wanted to speak to Kreacher. Papa’s shown you your sisters?”



A solemn nod was his answer.



The three babies lay together on the floor, sleeping. The eldest, Acacia Lily, had her face turned towards her birth father. Ebony Fern was utterly oblivious to the world, lying on her back, as was her blond sister, Opal Poppy.



The proud parents looked down on their five children, content or nearly so.



Why can’t he see the truth? Severus asked himself.



Beside him, Harry’s mind returned to Dr Fetch’s words. What won’t Severus say?



***



Harry and Severus shared a bed that night, but a strange constraint was felt. Some secret lay between them, and Harry felt sure his partner wanted him to know what it was, but he just didn’t know how to ask.



Severus lay on his back, staring blankly up at the ceiling, straining his ears for any noise from the children, mind whirling over the events that had taken place in the hospital.



Could he hold onto Harry for eleven years? What would he do once the other finally said he was leaving? Would he have the nerve to go to the Ministry of Magic and declare that there was no reason for a divorce? Could they live together for eleven years, blind and mute to the truth?



“Severus?” Harry voice was questioning.



The other turned to look at his husband as well as the near total darkness allowed, but Harry’s voice arrested him. “No, don’t move. Will you tell me whatever it is you won’t tell me?”



Severus wanted to pretend he didn’t understand but he did. Maybe it’s time to try some honesty. He thought.



“Dr Fetch, I believe, wishes me to tell you that I do not wish us to divorce.”



“Well, I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea myself,” Harry confessed, “but to stay together like this forever would be wrong.”



“Why would it be wrong?” Severus asked, eyes still fixed on the ceiling. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Harry.



“We’re together for the wrong reasons.”



There was silence. Severus was nerving himself up to admitting something truly terrifying. “We’re together for the right reasons.” He said, so softly Harry had to strain to hear, “But you refuse to see, and I refused to speak.”



This time, Harry did not reply. Time dragged on and, exhausted, at last Severus fell into an uneasy sleep.



***



Harry had left the house by the time Severus finally stopped lying in and got up. Although Minerva had told him to remain at home, the tension between them that morning had driven Harry back to his job.



Well, Severus, he thought as he dressed slowly, you messed that up.



Idly he wondered how you admitted you loved someone without feeling a complete fool.



Tending to the children pushed his own concerns from his mind, for which he was glad, although when he sat quietly down to rest for a few moments, he felt utterly dejected. It seemed he had been wrong. Harry hadn’t felt the same. The passion and desire he’d had for Severus all that long time ago when they’d first slept together was gone. Destroyed by Severus’ own actions immediately after they had had sex.



I really do destroy everything I touch. He realised, and let silent tears begin to roll down his sad face.



--Poor Sev! Things are going to get worse! SP