- "I'm not moving," - Said Eleanor for the hundredth time, carrying the shopping bags.
- "It's the best thing for you. And you don't have to carry any weight, why didn't you call me to carry the bags?" - Severus replied, taking the bags from her and carrying them into the kitchen.
- "I'm pregnant, not sick. Please don't exaggerate, it's flattering to be treated like a princess but sometimes you make me nervous."
- "I'm sorry," - Said the wizard putting the shopping away in their respective places in the pantry and fridge, - "If you don't want to move in with me, then I'll move in with you."
- "Are you sure? I don't have any objections, that's preferable to you insisting that I leave my home," - She answered, paying attention to the cat that demanded her attention.
- "We're getting married, I've already got a date, I'm sorry but it will be something simple. But if you want we can have a reunion with our friends and your family."
Eleanor looked at him in astonishment, putting down the cat she was holding. - "Huh? Doesn't that seem unplanned to you?"
- "Petunia, it is convenient that our child should be born in wedlock," - He said, reaching out his hand to lead her into the living room.
- "I can understand that you're thinking about the reactions of the magical community, but we're not a couple, a marriage under those conditions can fail, what if you meet someone special, or propose a divorce after the birth," - She wanted to know.
- "I'm willing to try a partnership with you if you want. Not all marriages are for love, and I think we can achieve a balance, we are compatible. If we each do our part, our child will enjoy an optimal family environment," - He explained, looking at her with conviction.
Eleanor remained silent, leaning her back on the sofa, considering the repeated proposal. The moment she confessed about her pregnancy, the wizard was angry that it was on purpose, then when he saw that she didn't want anything from him, he was angry that she wanted to deny him his paternity, demanding to be a part of the pregnancy and subsequent upbringing of her child.
Of course, Severus did not want to repeat his parents' mistakes, so he thought long and hard before proposing marriage. Petunia had many qualities, among them her patience with his faults, which he did not deny.
She, for her part, had considered her options, imagined the scenarios, and thought about her answers, but Severus still caught her off guard because it was one thing to imagine a conversation and another to have it.
- "Severus, what you are asking me is serious. To be honest, I like you, it's very likely that I love you without knowing it, or that I could love you. I don't know. How do you feel about Lily? What would happen if she broke up with James? If one day she says to you: 'Severus, I was wrong and I want you to forgive me. Let's be a couple.' "
- "That's not going to happen, they're going to have a child. Lily will always be special to me, but she's as much a part of my past as Vernon is to you."
- "It's not the same," - Eleanor refuted.
- "As far as I know you were about to marry him? there are also those men you dated..."
- "They weren't dates, they were 3 social outings with free food and entertainment," - Eleanor corrected.
- "Well, that doesn't matter anymore. What matters is our son and the family I'm offering you to raise together. Petunia, I can't say I love you, at least not yet and you know I'm not one to lie on these matters. However, I can say that I treasure you very much and I like being with you, I think that from that to being in love is a short distance," - Expressed the Potions master sincerely.
- "Love is too complex, it can never be planned or controlled" - She sighed, leaning on her side facing the wizard, leaning half of her face on the back of the sofa and raising her legs, bending them to be on top of the seat - "I would like you not to decide for me in the future, this time I will overlook it but don't do it again... I agree to marry you, take good care of us please," - She said holding out her hand and waving her fingers.
Severus smiled for getting his way and looked at her questioningly.
- "My ring," - She replied teasingly.
- "I'll get one soon, I wasn't prepared," - He said, noticing within seconds a golden wrapper left over from a chocolate. He took it and twisted it into a circle which he placed as a ring on Eleanor. - "That will do for now," - He said, contemplating her hand.
- "I'll help with the payment for the wedding rings, no need for an engagement ring, I like this one, it still smells like chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, I'm craving a white one, would you be so kind as to get the package? Get the blue ones and a glass of orange juice, I left squeezed in a bottle I put on the fridge door. You'll see it as soon as you open it."
The wizard gave Petunia an engagement ring that belonged to his mother, which he discovered hidden in his box of personal belongings, a sapphire ring that he probably hid from his father to avoid losing it. Then together they chose the wedding rings with a magical jewelry box.
It didn't take a day for Severus to show up with a suitcase, where he brought a great part of his belongings: his clothes, books, etc. And he took care to set up his protective barriers around the place.
- "Use the bookcase, I have one to put away, we can put it together and put it next to it if you need more space," - Eleanor commented, helping to arrange the clothes in the wardrobe.
- "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. I brought the ones I use the most first, the rest are in the Prince library, do you wear this kind of clothes," - He asked holding up a baby doll.
- "It was a gift," - She replied, taking the garment from his hands, which was left forgotten in a corner.
- "Who was it?"
- "A friend. I went shopping with her and she thought it was funny to give me something like this. Forget you saw it."
Severus let what he thought was an excuse pass, but he couldn't help but imagine what she looked like wearing it.
It was a light, short, low-cut, feminine strapless camisole that he guessed would reach her hips, adorned with lace and embroidered bows; he was curious to know if Petunia wore sexy lingerie.
.
'What kind of world is this?' Eleanor sometimes wondered, for she sometimes forgot that at one time this "reality" around her was fantasy, the extra area that accompanied a saga dreamed up by a writer some time ago. Looking in the mirror and not recognizing herself immediately were moments of nullity until she "remembered" that this was what she looked like now, but one gets used to many things in life. Petunia was a blonde woman, with an elongated face and long neck, her eyes were large and pale, pistachio green, very different from Lily's green, and her cheeks now had "flesh", the first time she looked at that reflection the face was thin, Eleanor considered she looked better now that she didn't look skeletal, to exaggerate a little.
She was not a gardening enthusiast, but she liked flowers and plants, she had her green space on the terrace, and the scent of flowers calmed her and made her think of the park where she used to pass by on her way to her first home in her other life. Now she was going to be a mother and she was happy, it was amazing that life was brewing in her womb, so fantastic that it anchored her to that identity she had. It was also unusual how it happened. Superficially, Sirius, Remus, and even James were more attractive than Severus, as for Peter he had nice features but there was a manic look in his eyes that overshadowed everything else. To Eleanor, objectively, Severus wouldn't win the best lover award, based on the usual parameters of those competitions, but leaving behind the superficial look, the man had his charm, he was attractive in his way, and there was something about him that attracted her, perhaps the classic "attraction to bad boys".
Psychological studies confirm that the most attractive men for women are the "bad boys", people with personality problems, those that society judges and labels as bad people, this happens mainly in adolescence, of course, this "specimen" of man is not the ideal one to establish a lasting relationship, and at some point, they stop being desirable, because all people aspire to love and be loved by someone who loves, respects and values us.
Fortunately, Severus was not a complete "bad boy", just someone with treatable self-esteem problems and a victim of bullying since childhood, the wizard always struggled not to be overcome by problems, and his spirit was admirable, even if he had a sometimes twisted personality, his sarcasm, and black humor diminished his brilliance a little. Eleanor loved spending time with him anyway. Severus had an innate elegance, intelligence, an attractive voice, and a penetrating gaze, his closeness made Eleanor's heart pound so much that Eleanor was troubled, sometimes the wizard's presence was like a warmth that enveloped her and made her feel safe.
.
Lily was not happy to be confined, and James was nervous about Voldemort's movements. Dumbledore told them of a prophecy, their son could be the one chosen to defeat Voldemort, he was one of the children to be born in the seventh month, whose parents faced Voldemort and could tell the tale. So they were in their sheltered home most of the time, while James went out to work.
The witch missed spending time with her sister, having tea at her sister's house made her feel like when her parents were alive, Petunia was her only remaining blood relative. Forgetting the times when she had come to loathe her was not easy, sometimes she felt the urge to hurt her as she had done in the past, but she tried to focus on the affection she also felt for her sister. Lily once looked up to her older sister, so much so that it was painful to accept that Petunia hated magic, including her. Whatever happened, she was grateful for the chance to have her sister back, she could have many friends in life but only one sister, that bond that for better or worse would never be broken.
Petunia had some ugly cats and some cute little dogs, a peculiar contrast very much in keeping with the new Petunia, whom she had never imagined being fond of animals. If she thought about it, perhaps it was to spite her, her parents let her have an owl because she could avoid annoying her sister by not having to live with the bird in the house. Lily had James's cat under her control, the feline was like her owner, and she could understand why her sister enjoyed the company of her pets. If she hadn't married she would have liked to live there, Petunia chose a place that was perfect in her opinion, well located and with a great view.
She offered several times to help Petunia find a husband, she knew that James's friends might be interested in the right guidance, and she knew them well enough to get them interested in her sister, however, Petunia jokingly declined the offer.
Lily was worried that her sister would continue to deal with Severus, she had fond memories of her childhood with him but something had broken, she had forgiven him long ago for calling her mudblood, the problem was a lack of trust, his interest in the dark arts was incomprehensible to her.
It was a shock when she received the news of Petunia's marriage, and even more so when she read who her future brother-in-law, Severus Snape, was.
- "Severus, don't use my sister to get back at me. I don't know what you have against me but Petunia is innocent."
- "It's not all about you Lily. Are you jealous? Tuney and I would be pleased if you could attend our union."
- "Tuney? Since when?"
- "I don't think that matters to you."
- "Severus, I know you love me. Would you leave my sister if I accept your feelings?"
- "Never. I'm sorry, but I'm not your second table, maybe before, when you weren't married to Potter I would have happily accepted the opportunity. But not now, Petunia and I share something special."
The conversation with Severus didn't turn out as she expected, she wouldn't betray James but Severus didn't have to know that, she tested his sincerity and was surprised. He was never one to be expressive but she could always read his emotions beneath his "defensive mask", she never considered that he would be serious with Petunia.
As her pregnancy progressed, Petunia suggested that she would consider moving abroad for safety, Lily had commented on the prophecy, because who better than her sister to vent her concerns, which upset her husband. In addition, her sister was also pregnant, a surprise she had had after the marriage ceremony, so she understood why they were getting married, though she wished she had known sooner.
The gathering to celebrate the union of Petunia and Severus was historic, she never imagined seeing the Malfoy's tolerating interaction with Muggles, they were like a mole in the gathering but they put up with it. James didn't show any comfort either, his guard was up for the entire meeting. Instead, the couple seemed to enjoy the moment, Petunia was a natural with everyone, even Narcissa who looked like a statue.
.
Severus and Eleanor's life together began with the difficulties of living together, minor things that could be solved by talking, Severus was very dependent on magic and Eleanor used it as a tool rather than a way of life.
Severus' "laboratory" had to be outside the home for space and security reasons, an expanded space in a Muggle area required permissions in the corresponding department, procedures that would be carried out once the baby was born because the wizard had his own space in Prince Manor, he could come and go without dilemmas, without taking into account that he aspired to convince his wife to live there.
Interaction with pets was a wonder for the wizard, personally, he had nothing against animals, and getting used to them was not difficult. As for letting a house elf take care of the housework, it caused a difference of opinion, she agreed that the elf who took care of the upkeep of the properties would help around the house, but it turned out that Severus arrived one day and found them sitting around chatting as if they were friends, the wizard didn't know how she managed to get an elf to start gaining self-esteem by changing his name to Alfred.
They slept in the same room, Severus won his place on the bed from the cats who went to sleep grumbling with the puppies, taking advantage of the warmth of their fur. It was his idea to share the bedroom, Eleanor indicated one of the rooms for his use, the same one he occupied when he stayed on rare occasions, but Severus pointed out that they were a couple now, she didn't probe the subject and agreed, rearranging her wardrobe and making places in the bedroom for the wizard's things.
At first, sharing a bed made them nervous, but after a week they relaxed, and the morning blushes of waking up with each other so close vanished. Just as Severus proposed, they became boyfriend and girlfriend, spending their free time together and kissing, both enjoying it but not wanting to impose themselves on the other, so they tried to be careful to choose the moment.
- "Do you need any help?" - Severus asked, peeking into the kitchen.
- "I'm fine, I want to try baking with vegetables."
The wizard looked at the book she had on the table with bookmarks on some of the pages. He picked it up and began to flip through it while she grated carrots.
- "I can't find any recipe that calls for vegetables in its preparation."
- "Ah, that's because the recipes are in my head," - Eleanor replied, washing her hands, - "Some time ago I saw a pastry chef teaching how to incorporate vegetables into pastries, in puddings and cakes, for example, zucchini and olive oil, pumpkin with chocolate chips, tomatoes with dried fruit, carrots with chocolate, aubergines and white chocolate, in short, I found it interesting and suddenly remembered it. I want to do some tests, and I use my book to have a reference for the proportions, because some measurements are confusing in my mind, and I thought that this way I will remember them. Besides, I think it would be healthy, especially in my condition."
- "I understand... Maybe I can help with your memories, I can dig around to clear up your doubts."
- "No thanks. I'd rather find out for myself, I'll write down the proportions and then I'll know which one looks best. Don't worry, nothing will go to waste."
Severus nodded and rolled up his sleeves, Eleanor noticed and signaled for him to wash his hands before beating the eggs. Meanwhile, she transferred the orange zest to a bowl and chopped semi-sweet chocolate.
- "Was that pastry chef an acquaintance, a suitor perhaps?"
- "No, just a good master baker, entertaining to explain the process?"
Eleanor bit down, she couldn't tell him that the pastry chef had his show on the cooking channel, that show didn't exist yet, best to finish the subject of the pastry chef so as not to say something incoherent.
- "They require more baking than the traditional ones because of the moisture they contain."
- "I'm sorry?"
- "I was saying that my mother used to make a pudding with chocolate and carrots, I remember she mentioned that they needed more cooking, so we have to be patient" - Said the wizard finishing his churning.
- "So you know how to make them, what do you think about putting them in individual molds?"
- "I have an idea how to do it, but I've never done it. And yes, I'm fine with it."
- "Perfect, all the ingredients are ready, it's just a matter of getting started," - Said Eleanor before she had a fit of pins and needles.
- "Watch out!" - In seconds Severus was holding her, she leaned against him recovering from the dizziness. - "Are you feeling better?"
- "I'm fine, let's keep going," - She replied, returning to her goal.
Severus was helping her, standing behind her and taking her hands to mix.
- "Severus, I can manage. Thank you."
- "Fine."
- "Severus you can sit down or look for what to do. Your hands on my hips distract me."
- "But you can fall."
- "I assure you I won't."
- "I'd rather not risk it."
Eleanor didn't respond and continued, magically drawing the molds.
Later, she was proud that the recipe was such a success, she planned to try another recipe the next day, now with pumpkin.
.
They decided not to know the gender of their baby, so they tried to choose neutral colors although Eleanor asked a question that the wizard could not answer: Who says a color is specific to a specific gender?
- "I like the wooden cot, you can remove a rail when our child no longer needs it and then remove the chest of drawers and it becomes a bed," - Said the wizard regarding a walnut-colored cot with a storage unit for the baby's things, - "It also has a movable rail to make it easier to get into the cot."
Eleanor cocked her head to one side at the idea, one hand resting on her belly and the other on her lower back. - "Maybe... But the bed is too low."
- "We can adjust the size and height to your liking ma'am," - Said the salesman smiling and winking at her. Eleanor could have sworn there were little twinkles in his commercial smile.
- "If you'll allow us, this is a private conversation between my wife and me. When we need advice we will call you," - Severus said, rounding the woman's shoulders, his gaze drawing an apology and a slight shiver from the salesman.
- "Severus, don't scare the salesman. He's just doing his job."
- "He was impertinent. I don't like this cradle anymore, let's go to another shop."
- "No, let's take this one. I know you like it and I think it's nice, it's time to decide on one, I'm already 8 months old and the portable cradle is not as great as I thought" - She said leaning on Severus.
- "You're tired, we'd better go. I'll be back to arrange the alterations and have the shopping delivered."
- "I want sweet cheese."
- "Cravings at this point? Sweet cheese? Is there such a flavor? Not cheese and sweet?" - He asked his wife, helping her to move forward.
- "I don't know, do your research, create a sweet cheese, your child wants it."
- "Oh, it's OK. Don't get upset," - He replied, - "Women and their hormones," - He muttered.
- "I heard you," - She said in a sleepy voice, - "Although I prefer green apples now, can you smell them? It makes my mouth water. Near here, someone was carrying apples in an open paper bag."
- "Try to stay awake and I'll get your apples."
- "Ok" - She answered after yawning, with a soft smile - "Hum, juicy apples, baked apples, apple pie..."
Sudden sleepiness was one of the things they had to deal with on their way out. Severus came upon a stall a few yards away where they sold apples, Eleanor snatched one from the bag and with renewed energy devoured it in short order, taking the rest, ignoring her surroundings.
- "My wife went crazy with the rhubarb jam, she made me go out at night, you can't imagine how much I had to look for it, and in less time than expected, she literally drank the jam... Here, take some more, they're on me," - Said the man handing over a bag with four large apples.
Lily and Narcissa were going to use cots that had been in their families for generations, Narcissa's was a Louis XVI-style cot, she proudly showed it to Eleanor who praised how beautifully it had been restored, the cabinet work was very good.
Eleanor was not an envious person, she didn't care if Severus' friend's cradle was valuable or not, it could be made of gold and jewels and for her, it would just be a nice piece, this perhaps made the witch, who liked to boast about her possessions, bristle.
Lily believed that using a family cradle was like perpetuating the family, a strange concept that Eleanor didn't understand because she couldn't see the "head or tail" of the idea, but she flattered her sister by saying what she wanted to hear. However, this made her reconsider looking for a more enduring cradle, the Prince family also had an antique cradle stored in the mansion, but both she and Severus preferred something without a history that might not be favorable, given the end that the Prince children who slept there had, perhaps they were superstitious.
Days later, Eleanor, carrying her motherly bag, interrupted her husband from his reading.
- "I told you a Flu network connection was important," - Complained Severus, trying to get a vehicle.
- "We don't have a chimney and it would be strange to install one. Besides, I hate bureaucracy, too much paperwork and hours spent waiting," - She replied, taking a few moments off the breaths she was taking in the hope of easing the pain of the contractions.
- "I'll take care of it, we're going to have a connection for emergencies. Ah, the taxi stopped, get in carefully Petunia."
They made their way to the hospital, she had more confidence in a 'muggle' one, after the care a healer gave during a routine check-up, Eleanor had no patience to tolerate pureblood prejudice from a stranger, let alone who was going to monitor her pregnancy.
Towards the end of a pregnancy, it is normal to experience contractions in the second or third trimester that go away without triggering labor. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions and are one of the ways the body prepares for labor. These contractions are irregular and are not close in time to each other, are weak and do not get stronger, or start strong, but then get weaker. So-called practice contractions stop when you walk, rest, or change position. Typically, each contraction will last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. They are more likely to occur in the afternoon or evening or after strenuous physical activity.
Eleanor had been having several of these contractions lately, as her due date approached, it was common to have stronger and more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, Severus would lose all composure and take her to the hospital whether she wanted to go or not. In this case, Eleanor encouraged the action because the discomfort of the contractions started in the back and moved to the front of her abdomen, and after feeling fluid sliding down her legs she panicked.
Upon arrival, nurses attended to her while the doctor who was monitoring Eleanor's pregnancy arrived. After the check-up, the doctor surprised them with the news that they would have two sons. She could not explain how she had not detected it earlier, although the ultrasound scanner always had problems when the woman went for a check-up.
They would have to have a cesarean section, the location did not allow for a safe natural birth.
- "I'm scared," - Eleanor said, holding Severus' hand tightly.
- "Everything will be fine," - Assured the wizard.
- "Can you give birth for me?" - She asked her husband shyly.
- "Cheer up, your children want to meet you. We are going to the operating theatre," - Said the doctor.
Then Severus was asked to wait in the waiting room, he went out with reluctance to leave her alone, he thought they should have gone to St. Mungo's, the witch doctors would have solved any problem with magic.
He paced like a caged lion, undecided about what to do, which disturbed him because he hated feeling vulnerable. He would have two children, it was inevitable to remember his father, his mother, and the poor childhood he had. He was determined not to be like Tobias Snape, he would strive to be considerate, respectful, and loving to his children, and to Petunia as well. Being a good example might not be easy, but he would try.
Impatiently he decided to open the door to spy what was going on, the nurse who came out earlier said it was all right, but she looked pale. He heard a cry and his body moved towards the sound without thinking.
- "Sir you can't come in, please get out," - Expressed a possible nurse, all the medical staff were dressed alike with chinstraps on their faces.
Petunia was out of sight of the medical staff but managed to get a glimpse of his children, he was surprised by the look of the babies. Instead of the image of the perfect baby, the newborns looked blue and like they had just stepped out of a boxing match.
- "What's wrong with them? Are they sick? What's wrong with them?"
- "Mr. Snape, please. It's normal for newborns to look like that," - The professional explained.
- "Severus," - Eleanor whispered, - "The babies. How are they?"
- "I'm here. The babies are fine, don't worry," - Replied the wizard, unable to see what was happening to her.
The wizard managed to assert himself despite the annoyance of the professional who was blocking his way earlier.
The babies seemed to be in a state of wakefulness, he could see their eyes, they were a dark green almost black, and they had red spots in the white part of the eyes.
- "Subconjunctival hemorrhage, a harmless condition, disappears after a few days" - Whispered the attendant, catching the possible question, classic in several deliveries she attended - "For your peace of mind they will be checked and have a general check-up before being discharged. All of them, including your wife."
Severus said nothing, he would take his family to St. Mungo's later to clear up any doubts.
Severus Snape was proud to be the youngest potion master to be recognized by his peers, the publication of his work garnering praise even from people he admired. He had a profitable business, with time to occupy himself with his projects, Voldemort seemed to forget about his existence for the moment, his training in Legilimency and Occlumency making his mind stronger and stronger. Legilimency was a skill he began to nurture during his final years at Hogwarts, he was talented but not as talented as Dumbledore, as he found out unexpectedly during his final year, the Headmaster always protected the Marauders by minimizing their 'pranks'.
Socially Snape was not the star of his generation, he was never an extrovert and the 'friendships' he cultivated at school were few now, due to the Death Eaters and the latent distrust of Voldemort's influence in the British magical community.
Petunia was an anomaly, a friendship that came about unexpectedly, someone he never thought he would see again, let alone sympathize with, because of her 'enmity' with Lily. Sometimes he didn't know what to do or think about Petunia, her reactions threw him off at times, for example when they had sex, of course, it wasn't intentional but he could still feel her in his arms. She pretended that nothing serious happened, something that bothered him but at the same time relieved him because he didn't want to distance himself from her.
He could see Petunia looking around sometimes as if oblivious to everything, in the same way, that someone watching a commercial on television or reading something in passing would always come to with a wistful expression.
The enigma that Petunia represented perhaps attracted him, being able to converse without caring what he said was reassuring.
Petunia had once said, "Friendship does not mean always thinking the same as the other," A concept that reminded him of his friendship with Lucius. She also unwittingly took into account what Petunia expressed about her love for Lily, "Which Lily do you love?"
The news of Petunia's pregnancy came as a shock, he admitted he didn't have the best reaction, fear was stronger than his common sense, but in the end, he decided to take the chance that life offered. After considering the pros and cons of the situation, he set about building his future, one that now included a family, he didn't have to be alone again.
He liked the quiet life he had with Petunia, watching her belly grow and feeling his son's movements, plus his wife's presence grew stronger and stronger in his heart, kissing her was not as annoying as he once imagined, it was quite the opposite. After the conception of their child, there was no such intimacy again, but he wished that shortly the experience of sex would be repeated, this time of their own free will and not under the effects of a potion.
Is it possible to love two people at the same time? Did he still love Lily? How did he feel about his wife?
.
The house in the Valley of Godric was under the Fidelius Charm, which was used to hide secret information, in this case, the location of the place.
It is a tremendously complicated enchantment that involves the magical concealment of something within a single mind. The information is hidden within the chosen person, who is the keeper of the secret, and it is henceforth impossible to find out what he or she holds unless the keeper of the secret chooses to divulge it. As long as the keeper of the secret refused to speak, the Unnamable could search the village where James and Lily were without ever finding them.
The witch was in seclusion after visiting her sister and meeting her niece and nephew, adorable children, though James said they were too small and wrinkled, the unruly-haired wizard gave his condolences to Petunia that her children would take after their father. Before Severus could express his discomfort at the malicious tone of the comment, not knowing where he got it from, Petunia threw a chamber pot at James who was standing a few paces away from her, exclaiming that there was nothing wrong with that because her husband was cute, then Petunia went limp. Thanks to Merlin the chamber pot was clean.
When an owl arrived with the message notifying her of the good news, she was alone with her husband eating fruit tarts, James hesitated to go but she convinced him it was safe.
- "It's a Muggle hospital. Death Eaters don't hang around places like that."
- "Lily, Death Eaters can attack even in those places, they don't respect anything or anyone, they're the worst..."
- "She's my sister and I'm going with her. She must know that I'm there to support her, Severus must be nervous, he's still shy under stress, we're family and we must be united," - She argued without objections.
- "Lils, you're eight months pregnant, you shouldn't push yourself, you could hasten the birth."
- "And what if it happens? Maybe it would be the best thing, our son would be eliminated from Voldemort's blacklist, and we wouldn't have anything to do with that ridiculous prophecy."
- "Lily, please. Be reasonable!"
- "I'm leaving with or without you. The Knight Bus will be dropping me off there in no time, no need to strain yourself," - Said Lily, already putting on a regular sun hat.
- "All right, I won't leave you alone with Snivellus. As you say, it's all about family, I hope your sister is well."
The Potters weren't the only magical people to visit the couple and meet the newborns. Lucius Malfoy was present.
- "Unfortunately, I can't catch you, Malfoy. But mark my words, believe me, the Death Eaters are not going to win," - James mumbled to the blond wizard who looked at him smugly.
- "I ignore the reason for this inappropriate warning, Auror Potter. I simply came to congratulate a friend, repaying the courtesy of visiting us when my son was born."
- "He was born already?" - Lily asked intrigued.
- "Earlier this month, my wife gave birth to a strong and beautiful heir."
- "Congratulations," - The red-haired witch replied politely.
James politely congratulated him as well but kept his distance after that.
.
Twins Chris and Liam Snape were born in mid-June, they were mirror twins, both had an identical salmon-colored birthmark on their legs but one on the right and one on the left, so far that was the only obvious difference.
Their parents could not stop admiring and watching them, they were greeted with interest in the house by the pets. The dogs were curious looking to play, the cats sized them up and tried to take off their booties, and complained about the nappies. Of course, on each occasion, nothing happened against the babies, Petunia nor Severus did not encourage such behavior, so with dignity the cats kept watch by wagging their tails to distract them when they saw them crying.
For the first few weeks, much of the time the babies tended to have their fists clenched, shoulders curved, hips and knees bent, and arms and legs close to the body, a position similar to the fetal position.
Babies sucked hard on any object placed in their mouths, so they were careful not to leave dummies with them in the cradle. They closed their fingers tightly when pressure was applied to the inside of the hand with a finger or other object.
Due to the immaturity of the developing nervous system, Lian and Chris' arms, legs, and chin trembled a little, especially when crying.
First-time parents never ceased to marvel at and enjoy their babies. However, the responsibility for these tiny creatures was at times frightening, neither of them was familiar with the appearance and behavior of newborns.
They called a healer in panic when their children stopped breathing for about 5 to 10 seconds and then started breathing on their own again, fearful of a problem. The healer, after performing diagnostic incantations, said they could rest assured that Chris and Liam were in perfect health, it was normal for the newborns to breathe somewhat irregularly.