Chapter eleven

Since Ginny's death, Severus had spelled in more of Harry's friends, who all seemed to want to visit more often. So most days there were two or more other people sitting beside Harry while he was on bedrest.

Over the following months, Severus became accustomed to walking into his room to see some of Harry's friends laid out across his bed. But seeing how happy Harry was, Severus would never deny him anything. Naturally Hermione and Ron visited every day, some days Hermione and Severus would continue shopping for the babies, but by now they thought they had everything that was needed or wanted.

It was the middle of the night when Severus woke to his hand being squeezed. He looked over at Harry who was still asleep but his face showed he was in pain.

'Harry, wake up.'

'Ah, Sev.'

'Are you in labour?'

'I think I am, how did I remain asleep during…' Harry was cut off as a sharp pain hit him, 'Sev.'

'Relax, let me get some pants and shirt on you,' Severus dressed quickly then carefully dressed Harry. He grabbed the bag, shrunk it and stuck it inside his pocket before helping Harry to his feet.

'Send your patronus as soon as we get there,' Harry said then moan again as he clutched his stomach.

'I will, now easy,' Severus helped Harry downstairs and into the fireplace. The welcome witch saw them, she opened the door instantly then rushed to get them into a room before finding a healer.

'Sev, I'm scared.'

'You'll be fine, I'm not leaving your side.'

'What if someone else tries something, there are still supporters around.'

'I'll send my patronus to the minister, I'm sure he will send a couple of aurors. Let's just wait until the healer gets here.'

'I am,' the healer hurried into the room, 'Let's get you comfortable Harry.'

'Send your patronus Sev,' Harry nodded then allowed the healer to get him ready. He wanted to make sure the babies were safe but he also wanted Hermione and Ron to know their godchildren were about to be born.

Out in the waiting room, not only did Hermione and Ron turned up, but all the Weasley's, excluding Molly and Arthur. But it wasn't just them, there were also their other friends, like Neville, Hannah, Luna and many others. Kingsley had arrived with two aurors who were now stationed at the door. Reporters also turned up when they heard that the saviour was about to give birth.

'How long do you think this will take?' Ron asked as he paced in front of the doors.

'Well Fleur was in labour for about eight hours, so we could be in for a long wait,' Bill said.

'We have no idea how long he might have been in labour before Severus brought him here,' Hermione said, 'Harry's stubborn and hates being in hospitals, I doubt he would have arrived the moment he went into labour.'

'True, but he was also on bed rest for the last five months. I'm sure he wanted to get here so he could finally get out and about,' Neville said.

'It'll still be a while, no matter what, so everyone might as well make themselves comfortable.'

'So Fleur didn't want to come?' Ron asked.

'She did but we didn't want to wake Victoire.'

The group fell silent but most were still pacing. Occasionally one that was sitting would pace, the reporters hadn't moved at all, they were writing continuously, getting their stories ready.

It was four hours later that Severus stepped out into the waiting room, a baby boy in each arm.

'Harry and I would like to introduce you all too Dorian Orion Snape-Potter and Darius James Snape-Potter.'

Everyone surged to look at the two baby boys, 'We knew black hair but it's hard to tell who's.'

'If it lies flat it's mine, but we won't know until they grow more hair, so how about the godparents hold their godchildren,' Severus very carefully transferred both boys into Ron and Hermione's arms.

'How's Harry?' Kingsley asked.

'Better now he's had some pain potions and the ointment rubbed in. I woke to him squeezing my hand but he was still asleep. I woke him up to find he was in labour and had gone to bed with the first lot of symptoms, yet he never told me.'

'He probably thought you would bring him straight in,' Neville said.

'I would have, but he's asleep now. You'll have to work on a roster to visit from tomorrow, or should I say sometime today.'

'Steven and Stanley are remaining, they will be relieved by Gary and Michael later today.'

'Thank you minister, Harry was becoming concerned. He only has to remain for two days then he can go home.'

'No one will get past them Severus, tell Harry when he wakes. I best go, I have a busy day tomorrow, or today,' Kingsley shook Severus' hand, had one more glanced at the baby boys before leaving.

Severus allowed the reporters to take one picture each of the twins before he took his sons back into his arms. He said goodbye to everyone then went back to Harry's room, who was still asleep. He placed each baby in their small basinets then sat down beside them, watching his sons sleep.

Severus woke to the sound of a baby crying and realised he'd fallen asleep in the chair. He smiled when he noticed Harry feeding Dorian, it was Darius that decided he was hungry as well.

'How to you feel love?' Severus asked as he picked up his son.

'Better, that ointment really works, I can hardly feel when I was cut. But I can't wait to get up and walk around. So did everyone see our boys?'

'Yes, even the reporters who has bound to have published their pictures this morning. Kingsley has two aurors here and two more will take their place later.'

'That makes me feel better.'

'They are beautiful Harry.'

'They are, we did good, didn't we Sev?'

'We did love.'

There was a knock on the door then Hermione stuck her head in, 'Can we come in?'

'Yes,' Harry grinned as Hermione, Ron, Neville and Hannah entered the room, 'So what do you think of Dorian and Darius?'

'They're beautiful,' Hannah smiled down at the baby in Severus's arms.

'The names are great as well, so when did you pick them?'

'Not long after I found out I was pregnant. Severus and I kept throwing names around for about a week. They just seemed perfect, which they are.'

'What in the name of merlin is all that noise,' Ron said, they all froze to listen for a few minutes before he went to walk towards door only for Hermione to hold him back.

'The aurors are out there, if there is something going on I'm sure they will tell us,' Hermione said but she was also staring at the door.

Harry was holding Dorian tight to his chest, Severus was doing the same, but their eyes remained on the door, the same as the other four in the room.

It was more than half an hour later that Steven the auror stepped inside, 'What's going on?' Harry asked sounding anxious.

'Bad news I'm afraid Mr. Weasley, it seems your mother tried to sneak in, your father caused a diversion which allowed her to get as far as the room next to this one. We engaged both your parents, neither were going to stop, I'm sorry, they both died due to their injuries.'

'Do you know if they were going to try to get to the boys?' Severus asked.

'Yes, she was screaming saying they didn't deserve to live when her daughter died.'

The door opened again, Kingsley and Minerva stepped in, both looking worse for wear, 'It's all clear.'

'I will stay outside, just in case sir,' Steven said then left the room.

'Were you both fighting?' Harry asked as he put Dorian up on his shoulder.

'Yes, Arthur kept us at bay so Molly could get closer, we had no choice, she had begun to hurt everyone in her path.'

'Neither of you are hurt, are you?' Harry asked.

'No, we're fine Harry,' Minerva said.

'Ron, we need to notify your family, would you like to come with me?'

'Yeah, I should, but like Ginny, they brought this on themselves. I can't believe my parents and sister did all this, it's like I never knew them.'

'It seems they kept their real selves hidden. Are you okay Harry, you look pale?' Kingsley asked.

'Fine, sort of, I just feel numb right now. Hermione, take Dorian, I need the bathroom.'

'Hannah,' Severus handed Darius to the other girl then helped Harry up, 'Let's take it slow, you haven't moved much in the last few months.'

Everyone watched as Severus helped Harry into the bathroom, within seconds they could hear Harry being sick. Ron and Kingsley decided to get going, Minerva went to the visitors bathroom to tidy up, Hermione and Hannah sat down, both holding one of the Snape-Potter boys.

Harry splashed some water on his face, he could tell Severus was worried, 'I'm fine, it was a shock, mainly how close they got to the boys,' Harry turned and wrapped his arms around Severus.

'I know, but the aurors, the minister and Minerva made sure they didn't get our sons,' Severus put his hand under Harry's chin, 'Marry me Harry.'

'Yes, I will marry you Severus,' Harry kissed Severus, showing him exactly how much he loved him, 'We're a family Sev, we have each other and now we have our sons, and eventually we will have more children.'

'Yes, we will, how about another four, six is a good number, don't you think?'

Harry chuckled then his lips found Severus again. The two men who always felt they were alone in the world now had a family of their own. They had their sons, they had great friends and now they could finally get married. Their lives were finally looking up, nothing could get in their way now.

The end: