Where Others Fear to Tread

A/N Well people we\'re getting to the business end of things here at Snarry central....four chapters to go and here\'s two of them for you to feast your eyes upon....

Chapter 47

“…To the right a little Harry.” Harry flicked his wand and shifted the planter box to the right; it’s flowery contents shuddering with the move. Mrs Weasley nodded and smiled in success as Harry lowered the box into its final resting place on the windowsill of the burrow.

“Wonderful, now come in inside and we’ll get a drink.” Tucking his wand into the pocket of his robes Harry waddled after Mrs Weasley back into the house, his fingers covered with dirt where he’d been planting herbs all afternoon. Sitting cautiously down on a chair at the kitchen table Harry patiently waited for Mrs Weasley to make him a drink. “So Harry, not long to go now.” Like a beamingly proud parent Mrs Weasley brought over two ice cold glasses of juice and sat promptly down beside Harry, who was gently massaging his stomach with a grubby hand.

“No, a couple of weeks.” Harry sipped from his juice welcoming the refreshing taste on his parched tongue. For the past month he’d been busy between the burrow and Grimmauld place, helping his godfather and Mrs Weasley sort out their homes. It was strange being away from Severus for so long but Harry had made a point of fire calling him whenever he had a spare moment alone. He was now just two weeks from giving birth so Madam Pomfrey had told him. Quite frankly Harry hadn’t wanted to know. Mrs Weasley had been telling him almost daily the trials she’d been through giving birth to her children and quite honestly Harry was horrified at the very thought. Keeping busy however had managed to keep his mind of the impending date, which he was thankful for.

“Good, good we’ll get you back to Severus this week then so you can rest up. Are you excited?” Harry grinned weakly at Mrs Weasley who despite having lost her husband was keeping in good spirits most of the time.

“Um, not really…” Harry bit his lip hoping he wouldn’t have to explain but when Mrs Weasley went to ask for a reason, the fireplace burst into life and the grandfather clock at the bottom of the chairs chimed 4.30pm.

“Mum!” Harry sighed thankfully as Charlie, Bill and Ron stepped through the flame into the living room.

“Oh, you three are early today.” Mrs Weasley forgot all about her conversation with Harry and swept her three sons into hugs of welcome before setting about starting dinner.

“Harry, how have you been today?” Harry blushed a little as Charlie flopped down into the chair opposite him, while Bill and Ron disappeared upstairs to change. Harry had always thought Charlie Weasley one of the better looking in the family, the elder boys smiled shining as brightly as his emerald eyes.

“Fine, just been planting stuff.” For effect Harry held up his soiled hands and Charlie laughed and rolled his eyes.

“Got you doing Ron’s job again I see, he was supposed to do that last weekend.” Harry rested his hand back on his stomach, as the child within gave a swift kick.

“That’s okay I enjoyed it, very therapeutic.” Harry whispered glancing over his shoulder at where Mrs Weasley was cooking up her usual fanfare of dinner.

“Is that what Mum told you it was? I call it hard work.” Harry chuckled as well, and slowly went to get up from the table, intent on washing up and resting a little while before dinner. Charlie was on his feet instantly, his hand reaching for Harry’s to help the boy up. Harry blushed a little at Charlie’s attentiveness but still thanked him politely for the help.

“I’m just going upstairs to lie down a while Mrs Weasley, and wash my hands.” Harry smiled over his shoulder as he waddled carefully to the bottom of the stairs. Mrs Weasley who was already at the stove didn’t look at him as she nodded.

“Alright love, but be careful on the stairs.” Harry nodded and slowly made his way up the stairs, his hand resting in the small of his back. If there was one thing he really had come to hate about being pregnant it was constant, unrelenting backache. The lack of sleep, the cravings, the occasional fits of moodiness and his lack of clothing that fit him, were all things he could deal with but the backache was the worst. Harry had a niggling suspicion that the curse Voldemort had hit him with back during the battle had something to do with it, but he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone because he didn’t want a fuss.

Having washed his face and hands, Harry lay down for a quiet snooze on his bed, his hand resting over his stomach as he listened to the singing of the birds outside.
It was late when Harry awoke, the afternoon having waned into night. A cold breeze blew in through the open window, and Harry shivered as he sat up carefully from the bed. Glancing at the clock on the side table Harry muttered to himself as he realised he’d missed dinner. Rising slowly Harry closed the window of his room and carefully made his way to the bathroom for a leak, before finally heading downstairs. Judging from the voices, quite a few people were downstairs in the kitchen. Harry came to the bottom of the stairs just as Ron came bounding past him, his ears spouting smoke and his tongue green with yellow spots.

“Harry!” Harry smiled at he stepped down the last step into the kitchen. As predicted everyone was there, the twins, Hermione, Charlie, Bill, Mrs Weasley, Sirius and most unexpectedly Severus.

“Hermione!” Harry hadn’t seen Hermione since she’d finished school before Christmas last year and Harry eagerly engulfed her in a hug as best he could considering his stomach. Hermione had gone to university, studying to be a code breaker like Bill. Her and Ron were still dating at rumour was that Ron was going to propose as soon as he made enough money to by the ring. Harry knew his best friend well and had offered him the money, but Ron had had none of it, determined, as he was to pay for it himself.

“My god, you look wonderful Harry!” Hermione lead Harry further into the kitchen, where Charlie had stood up to allow Harry a seat beside where Severus was sitting.

“Practically glowing I’d say.” Sirius pushed a small plate of sandwiches across to Harry who gratefully accepted them along with a glass of water.

“Not as glowing as little Ron’s is going to be in a few minutes or so, those Melting Weasley Moments pack quite a punch.” Fred along with George burst out laughing as they showed Harry their latest invention. Chatter around the table consisted mainly of work, study and what Harry had been up to all week. Harry had spoken very little, as had Severus who remained silently sipping his tea the entire time. Harry was surprised Severus was here, especially on a school night. It was even more confusing when Harry watched Charlie round the table and lean down next to his old professor and whisper in his ear. Harry just managed to catch what was being said, and was more than a little put out that it obviously wasn’t Harry Severus had come to see.

“Professor if you’d join me outside.” Charlie gestured to the backdoor of the burrow and Harry frowned as Severus nodded. Finishing his tea in one go, Severus rose from his chair and gently pressed a kiss to Harry’s temple before following Charlie out of the door. Harry couldn’t help the swell of jealousy rise in his chest as he caught the two men walking a short distance away from the house, chatting easily with one another and exchanging strangely two small pieces of parchment.

“Harry? Are you alright?” So intent on seeing what his lover was up to, Harry had completely missed the conversation Sirius had been directing towards him. Sirius hand on his should snapped his gaze away from the two shadowy figures outside now deep in conversation, and in Harry’s opinion far too close to one another.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.” Harry answered honestly as he watched his godfather roll his eyes.

“I said I’ve finally cleared the second bedroom, put a crib in there with some toys for when you come to visit.” Harry smiled warmly at his godfather, his hand rubbing his stomach gently at the restless child within. Harry tried to keep his attention a little longer on the conversation inside but again his attention wandered outside to where the figures of Charlie and Severus were still in deep discussion

“I didn’t expect Severus to be here, he’s not supposed to be picking me up until Monday?” Harry’s comment must have come at an awkward moment and all conversation ceased as the boy reluctantly turned his attention back indoors to where his friends and family were seated at the kitchen table. Harry frowned a little at the silence, and watched in suspicion, as everyone looked at everyone else none willing to supply an answer to Harry’s query.

“Well I suppose he just wants you home dear, after all it’s not long now.” Mrs Weasley was the first to offer an answer to Harry’s question but it was not the answer Harry wanted to here. Like always they knew something he didn’t and none of them were forth coming with the truth.

“What’s going on?” Now sure that something was being hidden from him Harry pushed his plate of peanut butter, jam and chocolate sandwiches away from him and folded his arms across his chest moodily, as he glanced from Mrs Weasley to Sirius. Sirius was avoiding eye contact with him, a bad sign in Harry’s opinion. “Right, if you’re not going to tell me…” Standing up from the table Harry strode over to the back door of the burrow and threw it open, hardly flinching as it slammed into the side causing the echo to sound through the night. “SEVERUS!” Standing in the open doorway his arms still across his chest Harry called to his mate, who spun around slightly startled along with Charlie. Harry watched as Charlie and Severus shared a silent glance at one another before both men walked slowly back up the garden path and back into the kitchen.

“Don’t stand like that Harry, you remind me of my mother.” Severus stepped casually back into the kitchen and picked up one of Harry’s half eaten chocolate sandwiches, obviously having felt Harry’s own craving for them.

“What are you doing here?” Bluntly Harry stared at Severus who after glancing at Charlie casually shrugged his shoulders and took a bite out of the sandwich.

“Visiting my mate, what else would I be doing?” Severus finished off the small triangle sandwich and licked his lips free of the chocolate spread, before cocking his head slightly to the side to inquire after Harry’s reply.

“Bullshit!” Harry spat nastily stunning a few of his friends, who looked instantly to Snape who merely ignored Harry’s use of foul language as he poured himself a drink of water.

“Language Mr Potter.” Snape snapped coolly as he drained his glass.

“I would have believed that Sev, had you spoken two words together with me since I came downstairs but you haven’t. You also failed to mention you’d be stopping by when I fire called you this morning. Now tell me again why you’re really here, and don’t think of lying to me because if you do I won’t be speaking to you for a week.” Harry looked determinedly at Severus who despite outward appearances knew he’d lost the fight. With an exaggerated sigh Severus gestured to Charlie with a nod of his head.

“Charlie’s been feeding me information about what the whereabouts of the remaining Death Eaters.” It was a simply put sentence but Harry knew it was only part of the answer, as he glanced around at his friends and watched the expressions on their faces.

“Accio Pockets!” Drawing out his wand Harry flicked it in the direction of Severus’ robes, the contents of the wizards pockets instantly turning out and flying into Harry’s open palm.

“Potter!” Alarmed that his mate had done what he had, Severus lunged forward in an attempt at grabbing back his things but Harry was quicker and flicked his wand at Severus, freezing him instantly mid-step.

“I can’t believe you’ve just done that Harry. You just froze Professor Snape!” George looked completely shocked that anyone had dared mess with a Hogwarts Professor, especially Master of Potions, Professor Severus Snape! Harry paid the twin no heed however and inspected the contents of his lover’s pockets as if it were his own. A wand protector, a few dust covered lemon drops conveniently shoved into a pocket no doubt having been taken from Dumbledore to keep the man happy. A confiscated cheating quill, a few empty potion vials, a hanky and lastly a folded piece of parchment Harry had seen Charlie handing him before. With a smile Harry returned the contents of Snape’s pockets into the man’s robes before unfreezing him. Snape was practically red with anger as he was given control back of his body, to see Harry standing with the piece of parchment open in his hands.

“What’s this?” Harry inquired calmly as he read the note.

“An address.” Snape offered curtly as he grabbed Harry’s wand and hastily put it into the sleaves of his own robe so that the boy wouldn’t embarrass him again in such an undignified way.

“Whose address?” Harry questioned again, watching as Snape glanced at Charlie who shrugged his shoulders, not willing to get involved having seen what damage Harry could inflict. Severus was silent for a long while and Harry stared into his mate’s eyes, watching every flicker of emotion that sang through the man’s irises. Almost instantly the answer came to Harry, without a word having been spoken and the boy slumped painfully against the kitchen cabinets.

“Harry! It’s not what you think.” Severus leapt forward as did Mrs Weasley, Sirius and Charlie, all of whom helped move Harry over to a chair.

“So it is his.” Harry whispered his fingers clutching at Severus hand, while the other uselessly rubbed his suddenly churning stomach.

“I’ll get you a glass of milk dear, that always helps settle the child.” Mrs Weasley darted over to the fridge, intent on warming Harry some milk. Severus dragged over a chair and sat closely down next to his mate, Harry’s hand buried in his own in comfort.

“Please calm down Harry, or I’m not going to tell you anything.” Harry was almost hyperventilating by the time Mrs Weasley brought over the warm glass of milk, Severus helping Harry to sip from the glass before pulling his mate into a comforting hug. Eventually Harry settled, Severus hand gently rubbing his stomach while the other held Harry’s head against his chest. “Have you calmed down now?” Severus whispered, as Harry nodded his head.

“It’s Draco’s isn’t it?” Harry’s voice was barely above a whisper against Severus’ neck and the elder wizard sighed and nodded quietly.

“We’re not sure, according to Charlie it was where the most recent sighting of him happened.” Severus looked up to Charlie who nodded seriously, his concern for Harry clearly reflected in his eyes.

“That’s only five miles from the Leaky Cauldron, he’s in London.” Harry whispered the tone of his voice indicating that he was beginning to panic again. It had been almost five months since the final battle and despite the horrors Harry had seen it was only one nightmare now that plagued him. Draco Malfoy. The boy as far as he knew was still on the run, and it was on a daily basis that Harry hoped he’d been caught. Draco Malfoy was the only true threat Harry had now, with Voldemort and most of the Death Eaters in jail or dead. Soothing his hand again down Harry’s back Severus sighed and pressed a gentle kiss against Harry’s forehead.

“Shhh, I know but that’s a long way from Hogwarts Harry, besides we’ve go no way of knowing where he is now. He’d be a fool if he’d step within a hundred yards of Hogwarts.” Harry looked seriously up at Severus, with a look that told his lover far more than words ever could. Draco had taken him before, and was more stupid and far more powerful than any of them had given him credit for before. He had turned out to be every inch Lucius Malfoy’s son.

“Then why the address.” Harry whispered intent on hearing what Severus wanted to know from Charlie. Severus sighed again and hugged Harry tighter.

“I’m just trying to keep tabs on him Harry. The ministry don’t seem to be able to catch him, and I just like to be informed of where he is in case he gets too close for comfort…” Before Severus could continue Harry hastily butt in, his hand pointing to the address.

“That is too close Sev, him being still on this bloody continent is too fucking close! He needs putting away and throwing away the key! Owwww.” Harry was practically sobbing when he doubled over his hands clutching at his stomach in agony, at a particularly hard kick.

”Shit! Harry!” Severus was on his knees in front of his lover within an instant, his own handing coming up to rest on Harry’s stomach, feeling himself the firmness of the kicks. Harry was upset, and so too it seemed was their baby who was quite disgruntled. “I think we need to go home.” Severus whispered as Harry finally straightened again as the pain subsided, tears still streaking his cheeks.

“I’ll get the floo powder. Ronald, Bill get a blanket and Harry’s things from upstairs!” Mrs Weasley almost instantly snapped into motion scuttling the group in the kitchen into jobs. Severus stood up from the floor and pressed a soft kiss to Harry’s lips, the salt from the boy’s tears lingering on the elder wizards tongue.

“Just stay with him for minute Black, I’ve got to talk to Charlie.” Harry watched through teary eyes as Severus stepped aside with Charlie the two exchanging heated but hushed words. Sirius sat close to his godson, having not spoken two words together the entire conversation. Glancing up from his chest at his godfather Harry watched as Sirius swallowed nervously.

“What’s he not telling me Sirius, it’s guilt I see in his eyes. Please tell me.” Sirius looked directly into Harry’s eyes, beneath the nervous exterior there was anger, a fiery determination Harry was far more familiar with seeing in his fiercely protective godfather. It looked for a moment as if Sirius was going to hold his tongue but finally at length he spoke, his voice cold.

“He let him go Harry. That night, Snape had the chance to kill him but he let him walk away because of his damn promise to his father, and now he’s trying to make up for it because he knows his mistake, and he knows he’s coming for you.” Sirius lowered his voice further and Harry was stunned as he watched his godfather slip a small silver gilded revolver into Harry’s inner cloak pocket out of sight. With all seriousness Sirius brought his hands up to Harry’s cheeks, drawing the boys attention directly to him. Harry could do little but stare into his godfather’s eyes, completely stunned by what had just been revealed. Finally the final piece of the night of the battle fell into place and Harry shuddered with shock. “Promise me Harry, if you see him don’t hesitate. Just pull the trigger and shoot him. It doesn’t matter what Snape thinks, or what he says. Draco Malfoy is a dangerous wizard and he’s coming for you. Now promise me you’ll do as I say?” Quickly Harry nodded with no hesitation. Draco Malfoy wouldn’t live long enough to say anything if he came within distance of Harry, that was for sure.

“Harry, come on lets get you home.” Sirius’ hands fell away from Harry’s face as Severus stepped back into the kitchen, where everyone had now gathered to see them leave. Harry stared at Snape for a long time in silence, hardly believing that his own mate had let Draco Malfoy go. Still with a sigh Harry slowly rose up from the chair and linked his arm with Severus. Severus obviously had his own reasons for his actions that night and Harry would get to the bottom of them as soon as they were alone. Thanking Mrs Weasley and Sirius for having him and promising to send them a card as soon as the big day came, Harry stepped into the fire with Severus and disappeared home to Hogwarts.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>