Scarred Souls

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Title: Scarred Souls

Author: Misty Moonlight/Co-author: QueenBoadicea

Beta: poohbear74

Pairings: Severus/Harry

Published: 12/10/2008

Summary: A widowed Harry must bond with Snape in order to save his daughter’s life. Sev gains a family, for better or worse, and the hearts of two scarred souls will be changed forever.

Warnings: Romance, Drama, Angst, Alternate Reality/Universe, Sexual Situations, Hurt/Comfort, M/M, Slash, Anal, Language, Humor, possible MPreg, Bonding, Original Characters, Family, OOC-ness,
non-canon, WIP

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NEW A/N ADDED: 11/9/2009

Thanks to a suggestion left by morganabythesea in a review, I have changed the name of James' and Albus' plan of operation against Snape. Thank you so much for your help. Misty.

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A/N: Hi everyone, I just want you all to know that I now have a Beta for this story. I want to thank the wonderful poohbear74 for helping me out with this chapter by reading it over and giving me her input.

As always, a very special “Thank you” to all who have reviewed my story so far. I want you to know that I do read all of your reviews and I really appreciate everyone’s support of my first Snarry story. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I did have trouble writing it, especially the part with Snape, and hope I didn’t repeat his thoughts too much from what I used in the previous chapter.

If anyone has a better name for James and Al to use, other than Operation Snape Attack, please let me know and I will change it. I couldn’t think of a good one so need your help with this.

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Chapter 9: Phase One


Harry and Hermione were walking together through the hallways of St. Mungo’s. Harry had left the twins, who were in a state of shock at the sudden news that Snape was now their new father, at the Burrow with Molly and was on his way to pick up his little girl. Harry had never known them to be so quiet during their short life and hoped they would be ok. Hermione had an appointment with her own healer and would be meeting Ron in the office. Today was the day they were supposed to finally find out the gender of the baby.

Hermione was nervous and had just confided to Harry that she wasn’t sure now whether or not she wanted to know if her unborn child was a girl or boy. She told him that there was something special about the anticipation of being surprised and maybe she should wait until it was born to find out. The only problem was that she hadn’t discussed it with Ron yet and didn’t know how he would feel about it. When she was pregnant with Timothy, they wanted to know the gender before she gave birth so they would be able to prepare for their firstborn properly but this time if felt different to her.

Harry told her, “Hermione, it’s your body and your choice. Whatever you decide, Ron will support you. When the day finally arrives, it all will come down to the fact that you’re the one who has carried this special little blessing for nine months and have formed a bond with it.

“If you want to wait until it’s born to find out whether you have a beautiful boy or girl, then it’s your prerogative and everyone should support your decision. Anyway, if I know Ron as well as I think I do, there is no way he would be able to keep it a secret were he to know before you the gender of your baby. He probably would go around blabbering the good news and handing out cigars to everyone he met and then you would find out too. It would be all thanks to Ron’s big mouth that your blessed little secret would be let out of the bag for the whole world to know.”

Hermione giggled and said, “You’re right, Harry. I am glad I talked to you about this. I guess I won’t know what my decision will be until I walk into that office and see Ron’s face.”

Taking hold of his arm, she asked, “Alright, now it’s your turn. Tell me what happened between you and Severus after the bonding ceremony.”

Harry told her everything including what had happened that morning with the boys.

“It was awful, Hermione. I really thought Snape was going to murder them,” Harry told his friend and then added with a sly grin, “I have to confess though that it was kind of funny. You should have seen the look on his face when Al called him Count Dracula. It was priceless.”

Hermione smiled up at him and gave Harry’s arm a slight squeeze.

“I was so worried about your being alone with him after the ceremony. I didn’t want to say anything to Ron since he was upset enough. Oh, Harry, thank goodness he didn’t do anything to hurt you. I read up again on bonding rules and regulations to see if I might have missed something important, a clause, anything that might be of help. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything and in most cases the bond must be completed by the two bonded consummating their vows.... you know... by doing....”

Harry stopped her as he could see she was getting upset and he didn’t want Mione worrying about his own personal problem when she was in such a delicate condition herself.

He put a finger gently on her lips to shush her, “Hermione, hush, everything will be alright. I won’t let anything bad happen to me or my children. Things will work out for the best. I promise. I can deal with Severus Snape in my own way. Hey, I survived six years at Hogwarts with the evil git, didn’t I?”

Seeing her doubting large brown eyes looking at him, Harry joked, “Hermione Jane Weasley, don’t look at me like that. Seriously, Mione, you’ve got to give a guy a break sometime. It’s my male wounded pride we’re talking about here. I can’t tell my future godchild that their Mommy always had to bail me out every time I got in trouble. Just think of what that would do to my reputation.”

He placed the palm of his hand on her belly and added, “Besides, there is someone very special inside of you who is waiting to meet their mommy and daddy, who will need you to be healthy and ready for the day they make their entrance into this world. My future godchild is letting us know that you have to take care of yourself and stop worrying about me. I will not allow you to get sick worrying about my problems. I can take care of myself and my family. Please don’t worry; we’ll all be ok.”

She smiled and pulled him into a tight hug. They stood there for a few minutes, giving each other comfort in their warm embrace. Harry kissed the top of her head, “Now go and see your husband. If I know Ron, he’s worn out the carpet by now in the waiting room wondering where you are.”

“I’ll see you later then, Harry. Be sure to give Lily my love and tell her I’ll see her soon.”

“Promise,” Harry answered, then added, “Good luck with Ron too.”

He stood for a moment watching her walk away then turned down the other corridor where Lily was waiting for him to bring her home.

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Harry slowly opened the door to Lily’s room and heard laughter and voices coming from within. Healer Carlson and his assistant were in the room along with Lily’s private nurse who was holding Lily on her lap in the rocking chair. Lily caught sight of him as soon as he crept into the room.

“Dada, Dada, Dada,” Lily cooed holding out her small chubby arms to her Daddy.

Smiling, Harry walked over to her and leaned down to lift her up into his arms then kissed her on the forehead.

“Are you ready to go home now, my little princess, and see your big brothers? They’ve missed you very much and are waiting to welcome you back home.” Carefully holding her on his hip, he turned to speak with Healer Carlson and Lily’s nurses. After they were done giving him Lily’s final discharge instructions, Harry thanked them again and then they all said goodbye to Lily. Harry picked up her packed bag, looked around one last time to be sure he didn’t forget anything, and then handed Lily the small stuffed dragon she had come to love so much.

Lily waved to all of them as they walked out the door together calling out happily, “Bye, bye, bye.”

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Severus had just added the finishing touches to his new lab and stopped to admire it. Yes, he thought, this will definitely work. Pleased with how it had turned out, he decided to go upstairs and get something to eat from the kitchen. When he left, he locked and warded the door to be sure it was not broken into by Potter’s twin terrors.

He was busy searching the cabinets and trying to get familiar with where everything was. Potter didn’t own a house elf. They had been liberated after the war, but he had inherited one from his deceased godfather Sirius Black. Its name was Kreacher and he didn’t live at the Potter household but instead stayed at 12 Grimmauld Place, the old meeting site for the Order of the Phoenix, where the elf had served the House of Black and had been most loyal to Regulus Black his beloved former master. It was where the old elf was happiest so Potter being the lovable savior that he was gave him permission to stay there. Severus had been told that Kreacher would babysit Potter’s children from time to time, as well as help out on the holidays, and apparently enjoyed it.

Sitting down at the large oak table a few minutes later, he sipped on some delicious homemade soup he had found and warmed up then pondered his past miseries. He had actually found out soon after he was rescued from the Shrieking Shack, that Potter did in fact give his memories to the Ministry officials but that they had decided not to divulge the information with the wizarding world and had kept it a secret for their own personal reasons.

He had thought bitterly at that time, what better way then for them to let the public continue to believe that Severus Tobias Snape had died a traitor and murderer? It took the blame off their shoulders for having been so stupid in not believing Potter in the first place when he told them Voldemort was alive. They all believed him to be dead so Severus decided to continue to let them believe it and thanks to Poppy and Kingsley’s help managed to keep his secret hidden until now. Anyway, he had always liked his privacy and preferred to live a life as a recluse alone in his own little world that didn’t include children or anyone by the name of Potter. I have done my part for society by helping out the healers at St. Mungo’s with my potions skills so I have no regrets.

He finished his soup and then made himself some tea. Yes, Severus purposely neglected to tell Potter this important little bit of information, but why? He really didn’t know the answer and wished that at the time he hadn’t acted like such a stupid old fool. He was beginning to think, that deep down, when Potter’s daughter fell ill it became his only reason to begin living again. He wanted to believe what he did was done truly out of revenge by forcing Potter into taking the Unbreakable Vow and then bonding with him. The one thing he was certain of was that he had used the love of a father for his daughter to draw him back up out of the deep hole he had dug for himself.

Damn, how much more pathetic can I be? Don’t start feeling pity for the brat and his misfits, he growled, I still hate them. I can’t forget the fact that Potter went on with his life, took all the fame and glory, while I suffered alone and forgotten. I will have to be sure and question him further about his reasoning for not at least finding out what happened to my body. It should prove interesting to hear what kind of lies he tries to get away with to make himself look better.

Shaking his head in disgust, Severus told himself, it’s my own fault that I am stuck in this situation. Who would ever believe that I would be living in a cozy little cottage with the spawn and grandchildren of my deceased nemesis? It must have been the seizure I had suffered that day. Yes, that would explain my rash behavior and actions. It’s the only explanation. I was out of it and didn’t know what I was doing. Now it’s too late. There can be no backing out and I have to make do with the consequences whether they be good or bad and that includes the whole remaining Weasley clan.

Shit, what a mess I have made for myself. Dear Merlin, what was I thinking? Severus dropped his head down on the table, banging it, and groaning in agony knowing he was in trouble.

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“Ready to go home, boys?” Harry asked.

They had stayed at the Burrow for lunch and it was getting late. Harry wanted to get Lily home and settled in. She had missed her nap and was getting a little cranky. Molly looked tired and was waiting for Arthur, who was due home anytime, then they were going to visit with Ron and Hermione to find out about their new grandchild.

“Gee, Dad, do we have to go?” James whined.

“Can’t we stay and live here with Granddad and Grandma Weasley?” Al pleaded.

Harry knew they hated the thought of going home and finding Severus living there. It was a nightmare for them, especially after what had happened that morning.

“Give your Grandma a kiss and say goodbye, we’re leaving now. It’s time for us to go home,” Harry told them in a firm voice.

Harry kissed Molly, thanked her, and took his children back home.

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Harry had just put Lily down for a nap and was sitting in a chair next to her crib watching her sleep. After they got home, the boys had run to their bedroom and slammed the door shut. That wasn’t a good sign; it usually meant they were up to something.

Severus wasn’t around so Harry assumed that he either was downstairs in his lab or back at Spinner’s End. He knew that Snape would still be using his old home as a getaway and he had left most of his personal belongings there. He just hoped James and Al would keep out of trouble. He wistfully hoped that maybe Snape would decide not to come back and life would be back to normal again. At least for the time being, everything was quiet…or so Harry thought.

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James and Albus had everything planned out. They had discussed it together in great detail and decided both of them were grown up enough to handle the problem of Snape. Their Dad and family depended on them and they wouldn’t let them down. If all went according to plan, and on schedule, then by the end of the week their new “stepfather” would be long gone from their happy home never to be heard from again. With Timothy’s help, they had already hidden what they needed and now was the time to initiate the first phase of their plan.

“Are you ready to begin Operation Oust Snape, Count Dracula’s Demise: Attack the Bat?” James asked his brother.

“Let’s do it,” Al told him.

“You do know that once we start this there is no backing out,” James reminded him.

“James, I’m not a chicken, you know. I can handle this.” Al glared at his older twin.

“Good, and in case I forgot to tell you, I am proud to call you my brother,” James said with a big grin.

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Severus had just come back from visiting Draco and his family. His godson had known he was alive all this time and Severus enjoyed the times they shared together. He had a long talk with him and felt much better. As he approached the modest little cottage, his new home, he silently prayed that it was empty. He didn’t want to deal with Potter or his minions right now. He just wasn’t in the mood.

Walking up the front steps, he opened the door and walked into the foyer. Right away he knew something was wrong; his feet seemed to be stuck to the floor and he couldn’t move. Looking down, he saw that he was standing in a pool of green glue and it smelled like a dead troll. Holding his nose, he heard a sound and looked up. Something was flying towards him from across the room. His eyes must be deceiving him. No, it couldn’t be he thought, but it looked like a large black bat with his face including hooked nose and all. His eyes widened in shock when he saw that it was carrying a bouncing balloon of some sort, which was hanging precariously from its claws.

“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!” he cursed.

Knowing it was too late to get out of the way, Severus tried to cover his head with his arms and ducked down as low as he could before it reached him.


TBC


Let the games begin!
Next chapter we find out what the twins did to Snape.
Harry hears the commotion and checks it out and gets a big surprise at his front door.
But where are his boys?
Do bats have claws? I don’t know but put it in story anyway.