Where Others Fear to Tread

A/N You guys are going to spew at the end of this chapter I just know it.....

Chapter 48

“…Merlin only knows how much I missed you Harry.” Harry gasped breathlessly as Severus thrust into him again, this time aiming for the boy’s sweet spot. They’d been back in the castle an hour perhaps before Harry had cracked. He desperately wanted to confront Severus about Draco but his body had other ideas first. It had taken him less than a minute to strip Severus naked, push him up against the door and suck him to orgasm. With the edge gone Severus had led Harry to bed and there they’d taken their time reacquainting one another with their bodies.

It had been strange to Harry, lying there having Severus pepper kisses all over his swollen stomach. It had been stranger too to have Severus demand a new position, one they hadn’t tried yet. What had really blown Harry’s mind though was how fucking amazing it had been to kneel on his hands and knees, and have Severus hold his belly as the elder wizard had thrust into him from behind. If this was what Remus had been talking about when he meant ‘doggy style’ then Harry didn’t see why it was embarrassing. As Severus rode him harder, his thrusts more powerful and swifter Harry began to see why in the pictures of that first book he’d read from the library about sex in wizarding marriages, the man in front looked to be in complete ecstasy. Harry was sure at any moment his knees would give out as his head spun at the sensation of Severus thick cock buried in him to the hilt. Panting, and groaning Harry managed to get enough brain function to reach for his own cock and pump it in time with Severus thrusts.

Harry loved hearing his lover loose control and practically screamed Severus name as the man bit down on his shoulder as he came in shuddering succession, flooding Harry with his seed. Come splattered, sweaty and completely exhausted Harry collapsed uselessly onto his side, Severus falling with him. The bed springs protested mildly at the combined weight but settled with the occupants. Panting Harry closed his eyes tightly as he felt Severus lean down over him and press one sacred kiss to his stretched stomach, the man’s whispered words filtering up to him.

“Sorry sugar, daddy needed that.” Harry smiled to himself at Severus’ words barely feeling as the baby inside of his settled after the commotion. Severus pressed another kiss to Harry’s stomach before spooning himself up against the length of Harry’s back, his arms wrapping around his mate in a comfortable embrace. Harry smiled and nuzzled closer into Severus chest, inhaling the spicy smell of his mate, and the unique musky flavour of sex that hung in the air around them. With his eyes closed Harry picture how sex had been when they’d first married, how awkward and unfulfilling it had been. Harry wondered if things had been different had he and Snape actually been friends back then. There was no point in dwelling on the past however and Harry merely snuggled closer to his mate, content that sex now was far better than he’d ever imagined.

The pair of the slept soundly for a hour or so but as usual Harry was awoken by a swift kick to his stomach. Groaning Harry sat up in bed and rubbed his stomach uselessly trying to calm the baby. Severus stirred at the noise, sleepily looking up at his lover.

“You alright?” Was the groggy question that came from Snape’s sleep deprived brain.

“Yeah this always happens, I never sleep the night through now.” Reluctantly Harry slid to the edge of the bed, and having pulled on a dressing gown slowly rose from the bed and disappeared out into the living room, all the while rubbing his belly. Lighting the fire and a few candles in the living room Harry paced uselessly back and forth past the fireplace, one hand rubbing his belly the other supporting his back. At length Severus emerged from the bedroom his hair sticking out at awkward angles and his robe barely tied together right. He looked a mess but Harry didn’t spare him a second glance as he continued to pace. “You don’t need to stay up, you’ve got to teach in the morning. I’ll be fine.” Harry whispered as he watched as Severus shuffled over to the kitchenette and began making himself a pot of aniseed tea.

“Nonsense Harry, you need company. Can I make you something? No potions I’m afraid but camomile tea settles the child. My mother drank it constantly when she was pregnant with me.” Harry shook his head in refusal and continued to pace. Severus nodded understandingly but made Harry a cup of tea anyway, not convinced the boy was aware of what he was passing up. Sitting himself down in his favourite chair in front of the fire Severus watched Harry pass him by, all the while sipping his own tea. “You should be practicing keeping you breathing even and deep you know.” Severus offered quietly as Harry passed him for an eighth time. Harry paused in front of Severus and glared at him.

“You try breathing when you’ve got a watermelon resting on your bladder.” Harry snapped angrily before resuming his pacing. Severus smiled mildly behind the rim of his teacup, amused by Harry’s rapidly failing patience. There was another lengthy silence before Severus spoke again.

“Have you put anymore thought into where you want to give birth? I did suggest here but you said no, promptly followed by a no to Poppy’s suggestion of the hospital wing? Where else were you planning on bringing our child into the world? In a pub somewhere perhaps?” Severus arched an eyebrow in Harry’s direction as the boy stopped pacing momentarily to glare at his mate again.

“I don’t really care so long as you get it out of my quickly!” Harry noted sharply watching as Severus rolled his eyes and nodded in understanding.

“Yes we’ve established your tolerance for pain is nil Potter, but we can’t just whip it out we have to wait until it’s ready and that could take some hours of labour.” Harry sighed and sat quietly down on Severus’ knee, suddenly feeling very light headed and extremely worried about what he was going to go through within the next few weeks.

“I’m scared Sev.” Harry whispered as he buried his face into the folds of Snape’s sleeping robe. Severus sighed heavily and put aside his cup of tea before wrapping his arms tightly about his mate.

“I know Harry, but I promise I’ll be with you the entire time and when the time comes Poppy will be so very gentle with you.” Harry nodded quietly and snuggled closer to Snape, finally finding the right moment to ask the questions he’d been desperate to ask all night.

“Severus?” Harry whispered drawing his mates’ attention to him from the fireplace roaring away in front of them. Severus nodded for Harry to continue, as he brushed a stray strand of hair from Harry’s forehead, where the lightening scar was beginning to fade away. “Why did you let him go?”

“Let who go?” Severus continued to trace his fingers back and forth across Harry’s forehead completely oblivious to the seriousness of the question Harry had just asked. Taking a deep steadying breath Harry tried to stay calm, despite the niggling part of Harry that thought perhaps Snape was being deliberately ignorant.

“Draco.”

The name hung in the air like a bad smell. Severus’s fingers had instantly stopped tracing across Harry’s skin and the man’s comfortable posture had suddenly stiffened. For a long time the two of them sat in silence, but Harry was determined to give Severus the chance to reply rather than butting in.

“Who told you?” The reply was not the first Harry had expected but it was certainly in the top ten things Severus could have said.

“Sirius.” Harry glanced over the back of the chair to where his robe was hanging on the hook by the door the silver handle of the revolver just visible in the inside pocket.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me.” Severus muttered his eyes no longer looking at Harry and instead were lost in the depths of the flicker fireplace. There was another long silence before finally Severus took a deep resigned sigh and looked directly back at Harry. “I couldn’t do it Harry. I couldn’t kill a boy I’d watched grow up like he was my own child. I thought about it. Thought about killing him outright while I had the chance. I thought about the consequences if I didn’t. I thought about you. In the end though I just couldn’t do it and I let him walk away.” Severus hung his head against his chest and Harry watched as sad eyes closed defiantly against the weakness just confessed. “I thought he’d just disappear, do the right thing now he was free of Lucius control but when I heard talk in the Three Broomsticks last month about a sighting in London I knew I’d hoped for too much. Charlie’s been feeding me information from the Ministry files about Death Eater sightings, more particular the movements of Draco. If there’s one thing Malfoy’s are known for it’s revenge and I believe that is exactly what Draco’s looking for.”

“He’s coming after me isn’t he?” Harry whispered his resolve finally set that Draco was his last remaining threat in his life. Reluctantly Severus nodded.

“Yes. He has nothing to loose anymore and is more likely to succeed than any of his predecessors, just because of his sheer doggedness. I’ve been trying to keep tabs on him so I can alert the Auror’s but it’s impossible he’s just too quick for those fools at the Ministry. I need you safe Harry and the only way I know how to keep you safe is to keep you close to me. If he wants you Harry, he’ll have to go through me first.” Harry smiled warmly at Severus conviction having never actually heard Snape put words to his protectiveness.

“Have you told Dumbledore?” Harry whispered intrigued to know who else knew of Draco. Again Severus nodded.

“He knows alright. He was the one who defended me when they arrested me on charges of aiding the escape of Draco. You’re godfathers accusations hadn’t helped but Dumbledore managed to convince them of my relative innocents, at least in part. I never expected to ever be recognised for my efforts in this war Harry, but I did if secretly want to come out the other end of it a free man.” Harry nuzzled comfortingly into Severus arms the man holding Harry tightly against his chest, as if the world would end should he let go.

“All the important people know what you did Severus and if no one else believes it, we’ll still all be thankful for your contribution, me especially.” Severus chuckled and kissed the top of Harry’s mop of hair before closing his eyes tightly. It was while they were sitting there in relative comfort that the wards on Severus door shivered. Someone wanted the Professor. Reluctantly Harry sat up from Severus lap and let the professor stride over to his door, pulling it open with some force so that the pale faced first year Slytherin student practically shat himself at the sight that greeted him.

“Sir…Sir…” The boy stuttered, with far from what Harry would have considered Slytherin confidence.

“What do you want?” Snape snapped glancing over his shoulder at the clock on the shelf by the door. The hand read, ‘Witching Hour’. “You do realise you’re out after curfew and my private chambers are strictly off limits to students in the lower school years!”

“Sssorry Sir but the headmaster asked me to get you, a fights broken out in the duelling classroom and your assistance is needed.” Harry frowned a little. It seemed strange that any students would risk being out after curfew, especially enough students to create a fight. Harry watched Severus sigh the man’s shoulders slumping a little as he reached for his school cloak and pulled it hastily on.

“Potter, stay here.” Harry didn’t comment on Severus use of his last name. Over the years ‘Potter’ had become a habit to Severus and on the odd occasion Severus slipped into his old habits, especially in moments where he was extremely pissed off. Harry nodded as Severus disappeared out of the room the door locking and warding itself shut behind him. Sighing at having his evening ruined Harry sat up from the chair and waddled over to the small kitchenette to make himself a cup of hot chocolate. It had been an utterly huge argument he’d had with Severus over eating chocolate while pregnant and it had taken three medical books, and two medicals to convince his mate chocolate was having no ill effects on their baby. It had been a tough battle but the rewards were worth it, or so Harry reckoned.

It was while Harry was filling his mug with warm milk that the strangest feeling wrapped itself around Harry’s body, making him shudder and shiver quite ominously. Something wasn’t right. Leaving his milk where it stood on the counter Harry quickly shuffled over to his cloak and wrapped it around himself, his wand and the revolver nestled quietly against his side. A compulsion like no other drew Harry out of the room and into the torch lit corridors of the dungeons. Waddling like only a 8 1/2 month pregnant wizard could do Harry shuffled up the corridors to the main entrance hall of the castle. For saying there had been a fight in the duelling hall, there weren’t many students milling about, and no signs of professors. There was also no sound, not even a creak from ghosts or the snoring of the paintings. The strange feeling wrapped itself around Harry again and the boy drew out his wand as he turned down the corridor to head for Dumbledore’s office. Harry had just made it to the moving stone staircase that would take Harry up to the Headmaster when someone stepped out in front of him cutting off his path. It too seconds for Harry to register the cropped blonde hair and the piercing blue eyes, and the wand pointed directly at his chest.

“Draco, how did you get in?” The question echoed around the silent corridors.

“Wouldn’t you know it, the castle just let me in. Seems I’m still apparently a student here.” The boys voice was like ice, and the evil little chuckle that followed it froze Harry to the core. Harry self consciously put his hand over his stomach as Draco eyed him up and down, the hand that held the wand not waving an inch. “You’ve filled out Potter, rather like a fat Bubotuber full of puss, would you pop like a balloon should I put a needle in you?” Draco looked positively possessed as his eyes lit up like candles at the suggestion of popping Harry.

“What do you want?” Harry inquired getting suddenly nervous that no one had noticed Draco’s entrance into the castle. Draco grinned lopsidedly at Harry as he flicked his wrist….

“I want you dead Potter…” Harry saw the curse coming before the words had left Draco’s mouth. Flinging himself to the side Harry smacked into the wall face first as the curse shot straight past him, exploding the stone of the entrance halls’ staircase. Ignoring the throbbing of his nose, or the blood pouring from his split lip Harry flicked his wand back at Draco sending a strangling curse his way as he turned to run. The curse must have caught Draco a little off guard and it gave Harry enough time to run to the end of the corridor. Harry didn’t know where he was going to go, the place was seemingly deserted. The moment’s hesitation was his undoing and a curse shot down his arm searing the skin like stitches in a patchwork quilt. In his training with Jasper though Harry had learnt to control his pain and without thought began struggling up the staircase, all the while throwing curses back at his pursuer. In a duel Harry might have just stood a change of winning against Draco, but with his belly twice it’s size and the baby inside moving restlessly Harry was at a distinct disadvantage.

Another pause on the third floor, to go right into the forbidden corridor or left to the owlery and tower. One well-aimed spell made the decision for him as the door to the forbidden corridor sealed itself shut, forcing Harry to continue running up the stairs. Not in the entire time he’d been pregnant had Harry done so much exercise and by the time he crashed through the door into the owlery he was panting and holding his belly in complete agony. The curse on his arm still tingled but Harry had enough fight left to slam the thick wooden door closed and seal it shut with a weak but effective charm. Not a moment later Harry heard Draco crash into the door, the boys foul language and the explosions of magic from outside testament to the blonde’s rage. The spell on the door wouldn’t hold long and Harry desperately looked around the owlery for a means of escape. Most of the school owls were out hunting at this time at night and only a few remained, but they fluttered irritably at his intrusion. A second later a snowy white owl landed on Harry’s shoulder and nipped at his ear affectionately. It was Hedwig. Stroking the owls chest Harry turned to her easily.

“Go find Severus, Hedwig I need help.” Another loud explosion from outside the door made the tower shudder on its foundations and Harry walked quickly over to the open arches of the tower and let Hedwig fly off into the night. It was then that a dusty, old broomstick shoved into the corner of the owlery caught Harry’s attention. Scrambling over chewed mouse bones, owl droppings and forgotten lovers blankets Harry made his way over to the broom. Harry picked the boom up and moved over to the nearest archway and glanced down. It was a hell of a long way to the bottom of the tower, and the gravel at the bottom didn’t look soft. The broom in his hand was old, extremely old. The handle was cracked in several places, rough and dusty to the touch. The polish that had once made it gleam was just peeling flecks. The brooms bristles were in no better shape, bent, broken missing and full of cobwebs. If the broom flew at all it would be a complete miracle, let alone if it managed to hold Harry’s considerable weight long enough for him to land it safely.

There was another explosion of magic from outside the door and Harry held his breath as he began to see the light of the magic through cracks beginning to appear in the door. Harry turned around and pulled himself quickly up onto the ledge of the archway and tucked the flimsy broom between his legs. Since they’d discovered Harry was pregnant Severus had refused to allow Harry to fly his broom anywhere, so it had literally been nine months since Harry had last been balanced on a wooden handle. Harry had no other choice now though and as the door behind him began to crumble with Draco’s magic Harry closed his eyes and launched himself off the archway into the night air.

Harry screamed as he felt himself plummet his eyes opening in fear as he gripped uselessly at the brooms handle, trying to get it to at least fly. There was a lurch and shudder and Harry felt the handle splinter in his hands as the old decrepit broom shuddered to life and levelled out. Harry was panting as he pulled the broom to a stop, making it hover just above the trees in the gardens below him. The broom seemed to want to pull to the left all the time, no doubt because of its extreme lack of bristles that side, but Harry fought it as he caught his breath. He’d just leapt for his life and survived.

The whir of the wind and a green curse shooting past him reminded Harry very quickly of what he was running from and with a glance behind him at the tower Harry spurred the broom on towards the dark forest. With luck Harry would loose Draco in the forest and would be safe until Severus came to find him. Harry had to fight the broom the entire way though, it’s shuddering form creaking and cracking under the strain. The broom was rapidly loosing more bristles and with the loss of bristles Harry lost speed and height.

As Harry drew just level with the edge of the forest that the broom finally gave out and with an almighty crack snapped in two and sent Harry plummeting the last few meters to the ground. Harry barely managed to put his arms out to cushion his fall and protect the baby. Harry landed heavily with a loud expletive. A wave of fire exploded from Harry’s abdomen and the boy doubled over on the ground clutching what remained of the broom handle in his hand as the pain peeked and finally subsided again. Breathless and completely unaware of what the fall had just triggered Harry staggered to his feet and began hobbling quickly into the dark forest. With no oil lamp or torch, Harry was running blind and helplessly dodged branches, trees and fallen logs. Not really knowing where he was going Harry was surprised when he reached the edge of the lake, obviously having run an entire circle. Panting Harry fell silent and listened quietly for signs that Draco had managed to follow him. After a few minutes when only Harry could hear the soft lap of water on the edge of the lake the boy relaxed and slumped down into the sandy lake edge. Like before a wave of fire shot through his stomach, doubling him over and leaving him gasping for air. Harry didn’t like pain and this pain was something no amount of training could help him block out. Again the pain peeked, drawing tears from his eyes before subsiding again. Collapsing Harry curled up on his side and wrapped his hands around his stomach. Something wasn’t right he just knew it….

It was an hour or so that Harry lay on the sandy shore of the lake, his body periodically paralysed with the excruciating pain. Thankfully it seemed to come in regular intervals and Harry took the time without pain to try and calm himself. Harry didn’t dare more in case Draco found him. By the time the first rays of morning sun glistened off the lake surface Harry was exhausted, both with running and fighting his pain. It was almost a relief to see light and Harry closed his eyes and lapped up the warm morning sun as it ascended into the sky. As morning came so too did the sound of the birds and creatures of the forest awakening behind him and Harry listened carefully for signs of life other than creatures.

A fluttering of wings above him was not unwelcome and Harry practically laughed with glee as he saw Hedwig circling above him, cooing madly. Harry stared at the brilliant white owl until he heard footsteps running through the undergrowth behind him. Cautiously Harry held out his wand ready to hex anyone no Severus, but as the figure emerged from between the tree trunks Harry cried out and collapsed in a heap on the sand. Severus’ had never looked so good as he fell to his knees beside Harry in the sand, and looked down over at him.

“Fuck you’re alive.” Severus whispered in complete shock as he bent down and pressed a possessive passionate kiss to his lover’s lips. Harry could do nothing but allow Severus to hold him. The moment was short lived however and Harry froze as shadow appeared over them shortly before a foot came crashed into Severus head sending him sprawling into the shallows of the lake, spluttering and coughing.

Draco.

Harry stared up at the boy looming over him, a grin so evil it rivalled even his fathers. Before Harry could say anything however another wave of fire swept through his stomach and hand him curling up on himself. Draco laughed as he watched Harry’s pain completely oblivious to where Severus had regained his footing in the water and was now standing knee deep in the lake his wand pointed directly at the blonde.

“Get away from him Draco.” Severus’ voice cut through Harry’s pain and the boy fell slack as the pain passed yet again. Draco was still towering over him and Harry scrambled to his feet only to have Draco push him back to the ground with a strategically aimed foot, to an already badly cursed arm.

“I don’t think I will Uncle Severus.” Draco spat back as Harry crawled uselessly away from Draco and over to a fallen log, half hanging in the water. Harry needed help getting up too exhausted to do it unaided. He needed to be on his feet or he didn’t stand a chance. For once, something was going right, with Draco far to interested in his staring match with Severus to notice Harry crawling to his feet.

“Leave him alone Draco, it’s me who rejected you so it’s me you have to deal with.” Severus called to Draco again who laughed nastily and shook his head, right before sending a particularly nasty curse in Severus direction. The potions professor easily dodged the curse but its tail caught the wizard’s leg twirling around it and burning into it like a brand. Severus hardly winced as he threw a cruse back at Draco, the boy easily reflecting it into the forest behind him. Draco laughed again his eyes wild with rage.

”You know Uncle Severus, I don’t care anymore what this is all about. All I know is that I want him dead, and I’m going to take delight in seeing you hurt as much as you hurt me. I’m stronger than you are Sev, I’m better than you and unlike you I don’t make silly promises….” Draco smiled and with a flick of his wrist sent a lightening bolt curse at Harry who had only just got to his feet. The curse struck with deadly force only Harry was quicker and set up his shield, the curse reflected off the shield and shot straight in Severus’ direction. Unable to move quickly enough Severus was a sitting duck for the curse, which struck him fair and square in the chest. Harry couldn’t believe what he’d just done as he watched Severus cry out in agony as a bolt of lighting struck him straight through his chest, pushing him literally out of the water and slamming him into a nearby tree on the shore line. “Fucking hell, this just gets better! Couldn’t have done better myself Potter!” Draco snarled at Harry who just at the moment got another attack of pain through his stomach and doubled over back onto his knees. Knowing that Harry was incapacitated Draco strode confidently over to where Severus was slumped against the tree heaving in pain. Angrily Draco grabbed hold of Severus hair and yanked it hard pulling the potion professors hair so that the wizard was forced to look at him. “You’re so pathetic Snape. All these years I loved you but you are nothing. You’re a sad, lonely pathetic professor who’ll never amount to anything. After all those years sacrificing yourself for the cause of ‘good’ you don’t even warrant a mention in the war stories. No one will remember you Severus Snape, no one cares. At least when I die I’ll be remembered for killing Harry Potter, which is better than not being remembered at all. You’re just a sad old potions professor who didn’t have the guts to kill his own godson in the war…”

Harry watched the scene unfold before him, Draco’s words angering him beyond any rage he’d felt before. As he watched a single tear roll down Severus’ bloodied cheek at Draco’s words, his own godson’s wand pressed tight against his throat Harry’s blood boiled. Beyond pain there is hatred and as Harry drew himself to his feet and reached for the revolver inside his robes his hatred of Draco Malfoy clouded all of his other feelings leaving him numb.

“…You can never kill me Severus you don’t have the guts….” Draco never finished his sentence as Harry put the gun to the back of the blonde’s head and pulled the trigger. The shot rang through the forest like a clap of thunder, sending birds skywards and making the trees shudder in fear.

“No he can’t kill you, but I can.” Harry whispered as he watched Draco’s body slump backwards the boy’s wand falling from his grip. As if in slow motion Harry watched Draco fall into the sand at his feet, the boy’s blue eyes, open but staring coldly at nothing. Harry’s blood splattered hand shook as he stared down at Draco’s body, a thin trickle of blood running out of the boy’s nose and into the sand as the last exhale of air passed the Slytherin’s lips.

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


A/N Sorry to all of you Draco fan\'s I promise I\'ll be nice to him in my next fic, in fact I\'ll even get him laid instead of dead...although I rather think it was quite a nice death don\'t you? Very neat... Two chapters to go.... so if you feel inclined drop us an email or leave a review and tell me what you think while you still can... I\'m already cooking up my next Potter fic *winks at you all suggestively*

Thanks RiffRaff