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To Protect	By : VSBree Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 30534 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and characters. All rights are reserved to J.K. Rowling. This is a story of fiction, and I am making no profit from it.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
AN: So for those of you still with me, thank you again for your reviews and support! We're hitting the climax of the story so be warned, it gets uber dramatic from here! Enjoy!
My work is unbeta'd so please forgive some of the errors.
Warning: Oh ho ho (giggles mischievously to herself)
To Protect
Chapter Fifteen
Everyone had stopped all movement at the declaration. Ron came inside the room, laughing at the state of everyone.
“What's going on?” the red-head asked receiving a jab to the arm by a pregnant Hermione. “Ow, what did you do that for?!”
“You're pregnant, Harry,” Ginny asked in disbelief. Harry smiled at his previous girlfriend, feeling guilty somewhat since she was still unaware of his sexuality.
“Yeah,” he declared simply. “I am.”
“Who's the father,” Bill cut in as the others let out gasps of surprise save for Hermione, Ron, and Molly. Harry took the question and pondered its possible results.
Answering as simply as he possibly could, he stated firmly, “Severus.” Everyone's eyes immediately went to said man who sat drinking from his cup unperturbed by the sudden attention.
“Oh bloody hell,” George finally yelled out as no one for a time dared to move. “That's brilliant!” The red-head cut through the crowd of other Weasleys to shake Harry's hand enthusiastically. “Never would have imagined you would bugger Snape.”
“George,” Molly cried out in disgust.
“Sorry mum,” he replied non-so-apologetically before winking at Harry.
“I mean...” Ginny was now speaking as her hand covered her mouth. She looked sick and her face had paled dramatically. She tried once more to speak, “...its just...” before she was rushing from the room. Rod sent a look back and forth between them before dashing after her. Harry rose from the chair but his hand was taken in an effort to stop him. Severus looked towards him with a soft shake of his head.
“I have to,” Harry said pulling his hand away and taking after the witch.
After he found her, she was crying into Rod's torso. The man looked completely at a loss as he did his best to console the emotional witch. Harry breathed deeply before addressing the wizard, “May I have a moment with Ginny, please?”
Rod looked over to him with a face filled with relief, “Of course.” He let go of Ginny before leaving them to their privacy. Ginny wiped away her tears before setting an angry gaze at Harry. He deserved it. At one time, he and her had shared everything. After the war, he had broken off their relationship and promised that one day, he may resolve his feelings. However, shortly after that, he found a new infatuation and was unable to tell her out of pure guilt. It was underhanded and she had every right to be angry with him – especially since he had announced it to the room without consulting her beforehand.
“Ginny,” he started rather breathlessly, “I can imagine that you would be very angry with me...as you should be. I will not excuse what I have done--”
“You lied to me,” she accused. “I thought you and I had a deeper bond than this, Harry! I thought I could consider myself a close friend...maybe even a best friend to you.”
“You are,” he argued.
“Then why?” she asked as the tears reformed in her eyes, “why would you not tell me a word?”
“I was ashamed,” Harry finally bit out. “I was ashamed of my attraction to men...to Severus...and what that meant for my possible future with you. I betrayed you in every sense of the word!”
“Harry,” she said as she came to him and settled her small, warm hands upon his shoulders much as she had every time she consoled him. “You could never betray me...never shame me. I love you...even if it meant only for a platonic friendship, I love you. I would never judge you because I know you enough to know you are honest and kind.”
Harry felt his own tears burning a path down his cheeks. “I'm so sorry, Gin.” He collapsed into tears as he was gathered into her small arms. She sighed, rubbing him over the back before pulling away.
“That's enough,” she said finally as she wiped away the residual tears. “This is suppose to be a happy time...for the both of us.” He nodded and allowed her to take him back towards the kitchen where the soft voices paused immediately with their entry. Severus was standing next to Molly who was pinching the ear of one George Weasley. Rod was next to Hermione and Ron obviously at a loss for what to do otherwise. Percy and Charlie were touching the shoulders of Bill who sat dejected in the chair he occupied. It was quite the array of emotions and reactions.
Severus seemed hesitant but Ginny quickly chimed cheerfully, “We should celebrate tonight!” Everyone seemed taken aback by her declaration. However, Molly immediately gave a smile and agreed.
“Yes,” she said just as cheerfully. “This is certainly something to celebrate indeed. Well then, shall we gather a few things for this evening girls?”
“Yes,” Hermione and Ginny replied together.
Severus finally made his way over to Harry, wiping away a few stray tears before taking his place at Harry's side. It was a small action that most in the room had done their best to ignore; although, due to the many pink and red twinged faces after the act, Harry was sure many of them had caught the small exchange.
As everyone was made to be busy, Severus took Harry to their shared bedroom to make sure he took his potions. Harry complied as he always did but was still emotionally charged from his earlier exchange with Ginny. Severus checked the child's vitals quickly before escorting Harry out of the room and downstairs.
“Sev,” he called as they were almost down the many stairs of the Burrow. Severus stalled at the nickname and scowled backward at Harry.
“Do not refer to me that way here,” Severus sneered but Harry just laughed in good humor.
“Severus,” he corrected with a wink. Severus let out an exasperated sigh before gesturing for Harry to continue, “thank you.”
“Whatever for?” the man asked flabbergasted by the sudden gratitude.
“For being here,” Harry said softly, “For supporting me and letting me tell my family about us.” Harry gave the older wizard a shy smile before pressing a chaste kiss to those parted lips. Severus watched him with bemusement before pulling Harry forward and smashing their mouths together in a much more impassioned exchange. Harry was thrust away with a goofy grin before Severus continued down the steps as if they had not just shared saliva moments before.
The blush had only just faded by the time they reached the bottom. Ron came over to Harry immediately with a wide grin. “Well hello there man of the hour.”
“Oh Merlin,” Harry breathed as his friend laughed deeply at his expense.
Ron continued relentlessly teasing him as they joined the others. The chaos brewed for hours but Harry was surprised to find Severus interacting with a few of the Weasleys this time around. It would seem congratulations and acceptance of their coupling had opened the man a bit to conversation. Molly came beside Harry as she gave him a gentle rub to the back.
“You two going to bond then?”
“Yes,” Harry said smiling once more. “Not sure as to when, but Severus wants to.”
“He'll be good for you,” she said with another rub. “The man use to be quite withdrawn and expressionless, but I have noticed a great deal of change in him. You are good for him as well.”
Harry swallowed back the gathering emotion in his throat. “Yeah,” he replied nearly mutely.
o-o-o
The next few days went by effortlessly. By the eve of Christmas, Severus was well integrated in the Weasley family antics. Harry was quite surprised by the man's continued efforts to make light conversation – he dare say that it looked like Severus was having fun. However, he would never mention this because he was sure to receive a scowl in reply. So instead, he watched with tender joy as day by day, Severus continued to open up to the hysterics.
They were all sitting by the fire, Percy having left for business and Charlie called away due to one of his hatchlings, so it was down to the few of them. Severus had taken the seat beside him, but this time, he had wrapped his long, potion-stained fingers around Harry's in an effort to appear more couple-like. Harry did his best to hide his sideways grin, but it was just too adorable! He broke down into a fit of giggles which resulted in the immediate removal of his lover's hand. A few faces looked over to the silent exchange. Severus cleared his throat and appeared momentarily guarded before Harry apologized quietly and took the man's hand once more.
“Oh bloody--” George had begun to utter before he received a sound smack from Molly. Arthur sat smiling at the bunch of them, having not said but a few words to Harry all day. The nice man seemed to be slightly taken by surprise to see Harry with a man twenty years his senior – not that Harry could blame him. However, he was sure the man was also slightly perturbed by the fact that Harry would no longer be able to marry into the family.
Arthur finally stood giving Severus a pointed smile, “Well Severus, shall we retire for a glass of Fire Whiskey?” Molly made a slight chiding noise but said nothing.
Severus stood on ceremony and said, “I think that a fine idea.” Harry watched the men depart and the rest of them just laughed amongst themselves. Hermione took the spot Severus had previously occupied and looped her arm with his.
“Have you found out the gender yet?” Suddenly all eyes were upon him. He grinned as they sat waiting patiently for his reply.
“Yes,” he responded coolly. All of the eyes narrowed. He chuckled before saying, “Its a boy.”
“OH!” Molly all but shouted as she rose and dashed over to hug him. “A little precious boy!” Everyone else exchanged amused glances before congratulating him. Hermione pressed a soft kiss to his cheek as did Ginny and all of the men, save Bill, who sat sulking in the corner. Harry was not entirely sure why the other Weasley had been so withdrawn since his announcement, but he lost all of his thoughts on the subject when the questions streamed in about his pregnancy.
o-o-o
The next morning, Severus woke Harry at dawn and pressed a soft kiss to his scar.
“Happy Christmas,” his lover whispered. Happy indeed. He was grateful for such a wonder gift he had this year...gifts rather. He had the love of his life and the precious gift of a son though not yet born. Sighing with bliss, he curled further into his lover's warmth. “Do not go back to sleep. You must open your present before any of the other hellions wake.”
“Present?” Harry was genuinely surprised. He had not thought the man would want to exchange gifts. He had purchased one merely because he could not go through Christmas without doting on his lover.
“Indeed,” the husky whisper sent jolts down the length of him as it ran over him like the softest silk. “Shall I show it to you?”
“Show it...” Harry trailed.
“Come,” Severus said with a small smirk. He lifted Harry, bridal-style, from the warmth of their bed to the other side of the room. In the corner of the room lay a small bassinet carved out of mahogany wood. The intricate patterns swirled over the wood as the name 'Snape' was inscribed into the back framing. It was beautiful as he gazed upon it. Severus set him down so he could study it before he turned Harry towards him with a small box held in the palm of his hand.
“What's that?”
“Your second gift,” the man replied as he opened the box to reveal a vine-like ring adorned with green emeralds and red rubies, dusted in silver and gold.
“Is that...”
Severus did not let him finish as he settled down onto one knee. Looking quite peculiar in this state, Harry had to withhold the smile that threatened to break. However, tears were already streaming along the sides of his face.
“I am not one for romantics, Harry,” Severus admitted, obsidian eyes dancing with emotion, “however, I feel that there was only one way in order for me to propose our bonding. I will protect you, keep you, and love you,” the man's smile was blinding, “for the rest of our lives. If you would do me the honor of bonding yourself to me.”
Harry was breathless and trembling as he nodded having been unable to verbalize through the amount of tears streaming. Severus rose and slipped the ring over Harry's left-hand ring finger pressing a small kiss where it lay. Harry was unable to hold himself back as he launched at the man, kissing and ripping at what little clothing stood between them. The rumble of laughter was lost into the groans that soon followed as they fell to the bed and forgot themselves to their lust.
o-o-o
Everyone was huddled around the Christmas tree as they entered the sitting room. Whispers and laughter filled his ears. Rod was right red as Ginny planted kiss after kiss upon him in response to a very lovely bracelet he had gifted her. Hermione was giggling as she pulled away the wrapping of a few little girl dresses for their daughter. Ron was smiling beside her as she laughed at the frilly ruffles of one.
Molly ushered Harry into his seat and offered him gift after gift. Severus took a seat upon the sofa, taking a few sips of tea as he watched the unwrapping continue. Harry almost forgot his gift, but when he turned to his older lover, he accio'd it and offered it to him.
“What is this?” Severus asked as he inspected the small red-wrapped gift.
Harry grinned saying, “Your present of course.”
Severus unwrapped it as if it were the most delicate treasure. Inside lie a book well-worn with age but the eyes of his lover immediately widened in sheer surprise. “How did you...how could...this was lost over a hundred years ago.”
“Yep,” he said smirking. “I have my ways.” The book in question contained some of the most secretive potion mixtures that had gone missing over a century before. Its contents were well beyond value, and Harry had come across it purely by accident. Thankfully, he realized its value to not only the world but to his lover, so he had saved it for an occasion such as this.
“I am...not quite sure what to say,” Severus responded, unnaturally speechless. “Thank you, Harry.”
Harry was bathing with satisfaction as the man immediately skimmed through the contents in interest.
“What have you there?” Hermione asked as she tossed them a backwards glance. However, when she noticed the ring on Harry's finger, she was gasping and standing in surprise – though it took a bunch of effort with her size. “Oh my goodness! Harry!” she rushed over to take a look at the ring. “Is this?”
Harry could only smile shyly in response. Severus had finally drawn himself away from his treasure to give a small smirk in response.
“Are you two?”
“Yes,” he laughed with a scratch to his messy locks. “He asked me this morning...formally.”
“Oh my! Congratulations!” She drew him into another one of her awkward hugs, their stomachs clashing at an odd angle. Molly and Ginny took a hold of him next it was another round of congratulations.
Harry felt like this entire holiday had been packed with congratulatory conversations and hugs; he did not much mind it though. Severus was awkwardly patted on the shoulders in which he gracefully bowed his head but Harry could tell that the man was slightly unnerved by all the physical contact. It made him smile. He felt like he had been smiling a lot since he had started his relationship with Severus.
So the rest of the day was filled with chatter and hugs and laughs. When they returned to the castle, Harry felt saddened by the idea of leaving the warmth but ready to be back to just the two of them. Severus had unpacked their things with a quick whisk of his wand, and Harry settled to grade a few stray assignments and to ready his lesson plan. A professor's work was never finished.
By night fall, Harry had finished his grading, and Severus was beginning a few potions that Poppy had requested. When the fire blazed with a fire call, both men were startled out of the current activities which consisted of Harry napping on the sofa while Severus brewed in the corner of the room. Kingsley's head floated in green flames.
“Forgive me for the late call,” he said. “Are you available to speak?”
Harry rose groggily as Severus turned away from his brewing. Sighing, he came to help Harry up from the sofa. As they stepped through the flames, Harry noticed the man's arm protectively around his waist. They entered the office of a very grave looking Kingsley and took their seats. The man eyed them cautiously before beginning.
“I assume you had a lovely holiday?” he questioned casually. Harry nodded but Severus remained still as stone. There was something in the minister's face that gave a foreboding. Harry felt his heart rate increase with the tension within the room.
“Very good,” the man's tone was light though his eyes danced across their faces. “I have been informed of your current condition, Mister Potter. Am I correct in my information that you are now expecting a child?”
Harry could feel the sudden weight in his stomach and his throat run dry. Severus seemed to be dealing with a similar reaction as he temporarily grasped the ends of his chair.
“I thought as much,” Kingsley said as he rubbed his eyes wearily. “We have received a note...rather, a threat on your person and...”Harry was already shaking his head when he knew where the man was leading with this, “...the child.” Harry tightened his jaw in rage as he watched Kingsley for any indication of what this could all mean. “A person very close to you has been taken hostage for the exchange of your person though we will not even consider--”
“Who?!” Harry was on his feet. His hand was grasped in warning. Harry ignored the hand as he aimed his gaze at the minister. “Who was taken hostage?!”
Kingsley was stalling as his eyes danced over to Severus a few times. His older lover looked grave, and Harry knew that it was bad when the man's complexion dramatically faded. He knew Severus was a skilled Legilimens, so he had no doubt that he already knew who. Harry was shaking as he once more demanded, “Who?!”
“Mister Potter,” Kingsley said in a calm voice though his eyes betrayed that composure. “I understand this is difficult for you, but we must keep our disposition. You led us astray the last time I revealed anything even half as upsetting.”
Harry was shaking his head, “I need to know. I have the right to know.”
“In your condition,” Kingsley went on to say, “your emotions are heightened and your reactions unpredictable.”
“Please,” Harry nearly whimpered as he swallowed around the tears that were threatening to burst, “I have a right to know. I promise to not react rashly, but I need to know.”
“Do you swear to it?” Kingsley demanded. The man's voice was stern with reprimand. Harry knew he was already trying the minister's patience.
“I swear.”
“Sit down,” the man demanded and Harry did just that. “We were made aware in the note and it was confirmed in a follow up to their home that earlier this evening, Misses Hermione Weasley formerly Granger had gone missing.”
Harry collapsed at the mentioned name and nearly lost consciousness. Severus immediately came to his young lover's aid as Harry's tears flowed from his eyes and he teetered precariously in the chair.
“We have our team following leads, and we believe we have a location,” Kingsley continued though Harry was no longer listening. “I cannot imagine what you must be feeling--”
Harry cried out in anguish, and the minister was immediately silenced. Severus drew the tormented young wizard in his arms and turned to the minister as Harry clung desperately to him. “I will take him to a safe place and expect you to relay any information you may come upon. I assume you have another portkey ready?”
Harry heard nothing afterward as he mourned his friend. He needed to do something but what? He had vowed to not act rashly and turning himself over with his child was not an option. He would not risk the life of his child. Severus was holding him tightly as they traveled with portkey. His mind was in disarray, and he found himself vomiting as soon as their feet hit the ground. He cried until his voice no longer could. Severus held him tightly silently as he cried until sleep plagued him, and he lost consciousness.
TBC...
A little shorter of a chapter but the next one is pretty long. I am sorry for the cliffy!!!
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To Protect