Deserving (Final Chapter)

Title: Deserving
Author: Moon of the Sea
Beta: Ellie
Chapter 43



“Harry let’s get the Professor and get out of here,” whined Ron.

“Do you think I would be standing here going out of my mind if I knew where to start looking?”

“Harry, you two are soul mates, you must know where to find him. Mom can find dad with her eyes closed.”

Harry felt his heart sink. “Ron, our magic hasn’t bounded,” he said cheaply.

“Harry, Dad tells stories of how mom could find him in any corner of the castle way before they even thought about each other in a romantic way. You just have to close your eyes and think only of him. Come on Harry, I know you can do it. I don’t want to be here all day or worst, all night,” said Ron with a shiver.

Harry didn’t think it would work but he gave it a shot. He closed his eyes and he thought about Snape. How long his hair had grown; all black and shinny. How he could speak volumes with his dark penetrating eyes. He thought of how he always had the right words to describe what Harry wanted to say. How he smiled or sometimes even laughed when he was in the presence of Richard. Richard, he had given him Richard. He had made them into a family.

‘Where are you? Don’t you know how much I need you? Don’t you know how much it hurts not to know where you are? Please Merlin let me find him. Don’t take him away from me. Please, not him too.’

“Harry, you have to think about him. How he is feeling? Is he lost? Is he afraid? Think about him,” said Ron as if he had heard everything that was going on in Harry’s head. But Harry had to get back to task. Was Snape lost? No, no way, he is too smart for that. He grew up and lived most of his life in the castle. He knew the Forbidden Forest. How many times did the students see him enter at night to gather ingredients for his potions? No, Snape was not lost. So then what happened? Did someone take him? Single! Oh Merlin, not Single! But right there and then Harry felt it. He could feel more than see the location where Severus was. And strange as it seemed to him he could feel his husband. He was not feeling fear. Snape was calm. He was in a cave.

“Cave,” he whispered.

“’Arry, there are only two caves in the forest. One belongs to Aragon’s family and the other to the Centaurs,” said Hagrid who had joined them when he noticed the commotion in the forest.

“And since I have no intentions of going back to the first cave I suggest we try the second. Lead the way Hagrid,” said Ron, taking command of the situation and finding no resistance.

They followed the half giant to the heart of the forest where the trees grew so tall and tight together that it seemed like midnight all the time.

“You owe me big time, Harry. You are taking Hermione to the ballet next month and a few other tortures that I will soon come up with.”

Kingsley, Sly and Harry all looked at each other and then away from each other in an attempt to hold back their laughter. This was really unnerving the redhead.

“Ron, we find my husband and I will do all your nasty chores for a month; how’s that sound?” said Harry, patting Ron in the back but not taking his eyes away from Hagrid’s broad back.

“Wahhhh!” They heard a baby cry and all ran towards the sound, bypassing Hagrid. They were stopped in their tracks by three Centaurs with bow and arrows at the ready.

“Wizards have no place here,” said the eldest of the three Centaurs.

“That is my baby crying in that cave,” argued Harry.

“The child is with his father. They are safe,” said the same Centaur.

“Well all the same to you I would like to see for myself,” countered Harry.

“’Arry, don’t cross them. They be fickle creatures, they be,” warned Hagrid.

“You best take Hagrid’s advice, Harry Potter. Leave these premises.”

“NOT without my husband and child. You must hand them over.”

“Child and father are resting. I will not disturb them. Your mate was found lost in the Forbidden Forest.”

“Look, I don’t know how he got lost but I assure you he has a home and a family that cares about him. He must have been running from a wizard named Single. This wizard is bad and he scares my mate. Please, let me see my mate.”

Without knowing why Harry saw the Centaurs part to let him through. Harry walked tentatively towards them and then past them towards the cave but when the rest triec to follow their passage was blocked. Harry didn’t like the idea of going in without backup but he needed to see Snape and make sure he was alright.

Once in the cave, Harry took a minute to adjust his eyesight. He looked around until he found what he was looking for; Snape was leaning against the crouched body of a Centaur that seemed to be engaged in a conversation with Severus.

“Snape!” he yelled a bit more louder than he had wanted to.

Severus’ head turned to see his husband sprinting towards him. In an instant Harry was kneeling in front of his husband.

“What happened? Was it Single? He is going to know my fury like no one has…”

Severus shook his head. “No, Sir, it was not Mr. Single. I have not seen him since the last time he entered our home.”

“You got lost? How could you have gotten lost?” but Severus stopped his rant by lifting the baby in his arms to Harry’s eyesight.

“She is well and beautiful, do you not think so?” said Severus, trying to distract Harry from knowing what really happened.

Harry looked at her and exhaled a big puff of air. “Of course she is beautiful. I don’t think you can make ugly babies.”

“I only have one on my track record,” argued Severus quite feebly.

“And he is perfect,” Harry said with a broad smile that brought peace to Severus. “I think she is going to be just like him. With those big, round, dark eyes and the jet black hair against that alabaster skin. Watch out Hogwarts here come the Potter kids breaking hearts left and right.”

“You do not mind that they do not have your eyes or your lively hair?”

“Lively hair? Is that what we are calling it these days? Snape, I wouldn’t wish my hair on my worst enemy,” he said finally taking his daughter in his arms. “She is perfect. And…” he said with an arched eyebrow. “She is Dada’s little girl and don’t you forget it.”

Harry heard three sets of hooves walk into the cave. When he looked he saw Kreacher walking in with the Centaurs. Kreacher looked scared but when he saw Severus he ran to his side.

“Master Severus, you is being alright. You is being safe.”

“Yes, my friend, I am fine. I am so sorry to have put you through this,” said Severus, extending his arms to receive the small creature.

“Hang on, what do you mean, you put him through this? You still haven’t told me what happened. How did you end up here and away from the glade where Kreacher left you?”

Severus straightened up, bracing himself for what was to come.

“Professor, do you wish us to remove your mate from the premises,” asked the old Centaur.

Severus shook his head.

“My mate has the right to know about my foolish behavior,” said Severus, looking directly into Harry’ eyes.

Harry seemed to put two and two together. He shook his head.

“What have you done?”

“Harry Potter, I must remind you that your mate has just given birth to your offspring,” said the Centaur that was crouched supporting Severus’ back.

“It is alright, Amador, my husband needs to know what I have done.”

“Professor, you did what you believe to be the right thing to do. You should not expect to be punished…”

“I don’t abuse my husband. We are a family and I look after my family,” Harry said defensively to the Centaur that was but inches away from him. He turned to Severus. “So I gather you decided to take your punishment into your own hands,” said Harry looking into Severus’ eyes.
“The idea alone was hurting you and that I cannot allow,” said Severus, not blinking.

Harry closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “I guess it was my fault. I chickened out. I was supposed to make sure you felt redeemed, atoned, but I failed you thinking only of myself.”

“Husband, you are the only person I know of that has ever found it difficult to punish the likes of me,” said Severus, searching for Harry’s eyes.

“We are going to do this and next time I will not cop out. I will be by your side. But you have to promise me one thing. You will take the birthing potion.”

“You said my punishment was to be…”

“Pain,” interjected Harry. “Not endangering your or our child’s life. Snape, be sensible, if something happens to you what will become of our children?”

“You are an excellent father.”

“Yeah, well, how is it that you always seem to be coming to my rescue every time I screw thing up with Richard? And besides do you really want our children to be orphans? Do you really think that anyone else can love and care for our children like you do?”

Severus considered Harry’s words and shook his head. Harry leaned over and connected his forehead with Severus’.

“So we agree. We stick together through the first contractions and ride out the pain without the potion but then it will be my call to send for Poppy; agreed?”

Severus nodded his head again. He shifted uncomfortably in his seated position breaking the connection with his husband. He knew that Centaurs had a way of sensing what people thought and felt. Could Amador sense his feelings towards Harry? Harry the only person ever to worry about his well being/ Harry who seemed to think it would be a great lost if he were to die? He shook his head dismissing the illogical ideas.

“Can we go home now? I sent Poppy my patronus and she must be beside herself waiting for us.”

Severus looked at the three Centaurs that were standing behind Kreacher. They in turn looked at Amador who apparently gave the go ahead. Harry had to think for second which was the easiest way to go about this.

“Kreacher, can you get my Husband to the house and I will take…” stopping when he realized that he did not know his daughter’s name and looking at Severus for an answer to his unspoken question.

“Serena” said Severus.

Harry looked at him questionably.

“It means peaceful. You did mention you wanted peace in our lives,” he said, looking away not knowing how the name was going to take.

“It’s a perfect name, but yet again I wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” reacted Harry. His words made Severus sit up a bit straighter.


***

When they got to the house Poppy and Molly were there waiting for them. Poppy took one good look at the baby and declared her in perfect health then Molly and her turned their attention to Severus. They looked like two busy bees from one side to the other. Harry looked at them while he rocked his daughter nervously.

“Severus I cannot for the life of me find a scar? How did they get your child out?” asked Poppy, still scanning Severus with her wand.

“I do not know Poppy. I fainted out of sheer pain in the woods and when I woke Amador was handing me my daughter,” answered Severus, trying to keep Molly from undressing him. “Molly what are you doing?”

“Oh, stop being a baby, we have to give you a bath,” said the Weasley Matriarch.

“Molly, apparently that won’t be necessary. He seems to have been taken care of. Those insufferable creatures know so much but are willing to share nothing,” scuffed Poppy.

“I have some chicken soup warming up in the kitchen. I will bring you some,” said Molly but just then Kreacher walked in with a tray and an unfriendly glare at Molly.

“Thank you for bringing up the soup I made for Severus,” said Molly, trying to ignore the glare.

“Kreacher is not bringing up that brew. Master Severus is liking Kreacher’s soup much better. Kreacher is bringing him soup Kreacher is making for his good master,” said the little elf very casually.

Harry’s eyes grew with shock. He turned on his heels and took Serena to the window expecting to hear an explosion from behind him.

“Well, Severus, since I am obviously not needed here I will be taking my leave. But do not fear,” she said, turning to look at Kreacher who refused to look her way. “I will bring you some of your favorite soup on Tuesday and you will be free to have the soup you really like. ‘Til then my friend, may Merlin be with you.”

“Thank you for your concern. You have been most kind. May Merlin be with you also,” said Severus, trying not to say anything that would cross his little friend who was already upset about his disappearance.

Kreacher raised his nose high up in the air and looked the other way as Molly headed for the door.

“Bye Harry,” she said.

Harry turned and gave her a sheepish look with a thumb wave goodbye because of his hands being full with Serena.

“She is beautiful. I will see you on Tuesday when your house elf has the day off.”

“Bye Molly.”

“Molly, I too am of little use here. Why don’t we go to the castle and inform Minerva that Severus and child are doing well,” said Poppy, then realizing something she looked at Severus. “Have you picked out a name for the little one?”

Severus looked at his husband as if giving him the honor.

“Snape picked out a perfect name for our daughter: Serena,” announced Harry, looking down at his little bundle of slumber.

The two witches smiled at Harry then to Severus and left.

“Kreacher is knowing the name of his little mistress before the old witch is knowing,” he said with a smug attitude.

Harry looked at Severus with a raised eyebrow.

“Kreacher I need for you to go to the forest and tell the others that we are safe at home,” said Harry.

Kreacher put the tray on Severus’ lap and snapped his fingers disappearing at once.

Severus raised his eyebrow at Harry. “I am quite sure that I saw you send your stag to announce our safety,” said Severus with his professor attitude.

“Yeah, well, it will take him a couple of minutes to figure out that they are not lost in the forest and I really wanted sometime alone with you.”

Severus looked away not knowing how to respond to that statement when he heard his daughter start to whimper.

“She is hungry,” he announced to his husband who immediately placed the child in Severus’ arms. Severus put her to his chest and she seemed to let out a relaxing breath. Harry stared at his little child sucking from his husband. The act always amazed him.

“I know it may seem strange but I love to watch you do this. It’s like watching you give them life. And you always look so at peace when you do it.”

“That I have been given the privilege of conceiving and caring for my children always gives me comfort. I can give them everything I never had.”

“We never had,” corrected Harry. Then he bit his lower lip sending a clear message to Severus that there was something on his mind.

Severus looked at his baby suckling at his chest and without turning he asked, “What is it, Sir?”

“Amador was very close to you. You were leaning on him. And you seem to be having a very interesting conversation with him,” said Harry with his eyes also glued on Serena.

“I wish I could have stayed longer by his side. I have so many questions I would have wanted to ask him,” said Severus still not raising his eyes.

“Questions?”

“Amador is a sub, Shan’s sub.”

“Who is Shan?”

“Shan was the leader that you met when you found me.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense. Shan looked for Amador’s consent before letting you go,” pondered Harry.

“I can recall more than once when you have asked for my opinion.”

“That’s because you’re smart.”

“What would make you think that Amador is not just as smart?”

“But you said he was a sub.”

Severus finally raised his eyes and looked into Harry’s eyes.

Harry realized that his statement held on logic. “Look, this is all so new to me. All I really know is that you are my sub. That it gives you some kind of comfort when I take charge. That you kind of need it; or at least that’s what I gather,” said Harry, trying to read Severus reaction to his words.

“I also know very little of why I feel such comfort when you take charge. Why I feel so protected and safe when I am in your presence. Amador was telling me about his relationship and he seemed to be able to describe his feelings as he narrated some incident to me. He understands his nature in a way that I can only envy.”

Harry rubbed his knuckles on Severus’ cheek and Severus closed his eyes to enjoy the gesture.

“Why don’t you tell me about Shan and Amador?”

At that moment Kreacher popped in and gave Harry a questioning look.

“Kreacher is finding all of Harry Potter Sir’s friends in their homes not in the forest.”

“Oh, yeah, well you see…”

“Sir was going to call you back when he found out that his friends had been informed but in that precise instance Serena began to cry and I guess it was my fault. I distracted my husband from his intention to call you. Can you forgive me?” said Severus looking into his friend’s eyes.

“Kreacher is never being mad at Master Severus. Master Severus is a good and kind master. Kreacher is being back now and Kreacher is helping Master Severus with his child. Shall Kreacher get the small cradle?”

Harry gave a look of resignation to his husband. He would never be Kreacher’s favorite master.
“We would really appreciate that,” said Severus and in an instance Kreacher was back with a small wooden cradle lined with soft cotton sheets. Harry looked inside the cradle and found a blanket that Severus had knitted for their daughter and a package with a handwriting that Harry knew all too well.

“It seems Hagrid has sent our little Serena her first gift,” he said as he opened the flat package. Harry took out the silver strands and looked at them with puzzlement.

“Unicorn hair,” assessed Severus, jogging Harry’s memory.

“I love that half giant,” he said looking at the strands in amazement.

Harry tied the strands on to the crib and placed Serena in it covering her with the knitted blanket. Then he looked at Kreacher. “Thank you. I don’t know what we would do without you.”

Kreacher beamed and Harry thought he saw a tear creeping up on the little house elf before he popped out of their bedroom only to pop right back in.

“Harry Potter Sir is having a visitor from the Ministry. Visitor is being rude,” said Kreacher, jumping back when the door to their bedroom opened. It was Single.

“So another child of evil has been born,” said Single with a slur.

Harry stood up ready for battle but Severus’ long hand held on to him. Harry turned to see why his husband was holding him and saw the plea in Severus’ eyes. ‘Please don’t.’

“What are you doing here, Single? Did I not make it clear last time you were here that you are not welcome?” said Harry, balling his fists.

“It is my job to register the birth of the Marked One’s offspring,” retorted Single.

“Is it also your job to register the birth of the Savior of Magical World’s offspring?”

“When the Savior of the Magical World has chosen to have his Marked One bare his children; then yes, it is,” said Single, raising his nose a little higher than need be.

Severus squeezed Harry’s arm. Harry decided he didn’t want to upset his husband that had just lived an ordeal few would have survived.

“Get it over with, Single,” scolded Harry.

Single took out his quill and parchment and levitated them by his side. “Sex?”

“Female,” answered Harry.

“What a pity,” commented Single. “Name?”

“Serena.”

“That’s a joke,” said Single, looking at the floating parchment as to make sure that the information was being recorded correctly. “Name of the Father?”

“Harry James Potter,” Harry said wanting to get this over with.

“Will the name of the birthing father be recorded on the document?”

Harry felt his husband squeeze his arm tighter. He looked at his husband and saw the plea again but this time Severus went as far as to shake his head. Harry didn’t know why his husband didn’t want his name on the document but decided he didn’t want Single to see them argue. He could go to the Ministry and fix it afterwards.

“No,” he said in resignation.

“Wise,” was Single’s last comment as he turned on his heels and left.

Kreacher followed to make sure Mr. Single didn’t take any detours from the floo. Harry sat back down by Severus’ side.

“Why?!”

“Please, Sir, our children are safer without my background haunting them.”

“They are OUR children and the Wizarding World better get used to that fact,” said Harry, trying to contain his anger.

“Will you put OUR children in peril just to prove you point?” asked Severus, trying to make his point.

Harry knew Severus was right but he felt defeated. “I faced a mad wizard and all for what? My husband and children are not safe and there is nothing I can do. How long is it going to take for the Wizarding World to heal?” said Harry, crestfallen.

Severus picked up Harry’s chin and gave his a tender kiss. “I am afraid that healing by my side might be an impossible task,” he whispered.

Harry looked into his husband’s eyes. “Don’t you remember how much anger and hate was consuming me when you walked into my house, my life? Can’t you see how much your tolerance and patience has healed me? You’ve never given up on me. No matter what I’ve done you’re here by my side. Now I want to be happy. I want us to be happy. You put that desire of happiness in me. Don’t you get it?” whispered Harry almost to himself.

“I do ‘get it’ as you have stated. But please understand, the only line of defense that I have ever had is not caring but you have broken that line of defense and now I feel exposed and …” Severus considered his words, “and ill equipped. I want to be by your side. I want to laugh. I want to be… happy, but…”

“No, Severus,” said Harry, using his husband’s name for the first time, “no ‘buts’. We are happy and no one and nothing is going to interfere with our pursuit of happiness.”


A/N

I really want to thank all of you for your great reviews. It was amazing to see you guess that Centaurs would come inot play in the story. Wow! The number of people reading Deserving has gone up each chapter. It is close the 2,000 readers. Wow! Thanks. Please remember, if you do not have time to review, rate my story. It only takes a click.

Thanks,

Moon of the Sea