Chapter 14

This Chapter is Dedicated to Arigazi - I appreciate your concern for my welfare! I think you are yet to get a grasp on my sense of humour (Very British!), I don't threaten, I apologise if you took my comments to be offensive - like I said I've been wanting to finish this story for a while - not intending to take another hiatus - illness, natural disaster and death excluding - I'm hoping to update weekly. I do not write for the reviews - I like them - they are not the be all and end all. If a plot bunny bites me - there's nothing else to be done for it. A word of advice in return - lighten things up a bit - not everything is as grave and terrible as Harry's world! - we read and write fan-fic to enjoy it, that's the whole point. Chin up ducks. Hope you enjoy your chapter.

Disclaimer - as per the norm - not mine - I'm not that rich.

The smile on Harry's face promptly dropped when he saw the contents of the room; this was not what he'd been wanting. In the recesses of his mind he could hear a faint snickering permeating the haze of confusion, cottoning on to what had happened his eyes raised skywards, whilst a bystander may have thought he was demanding an answer from God or Merlin, the long haired wizard was in-fact looking to Hogwarts herself.

"Very funny" he deadpanned "this is not exactly what I was looking for, you must be slipping in your old age" he smirked as the snickering abruptly stopped as he said this and the door to the room slammed shut again. When it reopened seconds later to reveal a comfortable neutral room, with chairs, a wireless, a bookcase and a view of the lake, he smiled. Looking up again he said "Thanks. A word of advice for the future..." he added "you make a better friend than a pimp!" and with Hogwarts chuckling again in his head he walked into the room of requirement.

Severus walked along the hallway, well he thought ruefully - waddled; he felt huge now, and although he wouldn't give up his daughter for the world, ordinarily he was a slim man, and the weight of his daughter in his belly, made him feel unbalanced and ungraceful. as he reached the portrait to Hermione and Ron's rooms, he suddenly felt some trepidation at confiding his mistakes to the couple, for whilst they had been nothing but welcoming to him as Harry's partner, they still seemed to be Harry's friends more than his. But he needed their help, so he would have to swallow his pride, with that in mind he knocked on the portrait.

The portrait swung open to reveal an equally unbalanced yet glowing Hermione who promptly ushered him inside and offered him tea. Ron, who had been slumped over the sofa, hurridly sat up and sent him a warm smile, and as he put his quiddich magazine to one side asked if Harry was not with him and whilst he missed the potions masters flinch, Hermione did not. Once she had made the tea (she would not summon a house elf for such a simple task) and levitated it into the living room, she guided Severus onto the couch.

"Now Severus, what has you looking so grave and serious" she deadpanned, Ron promptly snorted loudly and even Severus had to smother a grin; it wasn't exactly an uncommon look for the potions master. He could recognise a tension breaker when he heard one and he was grateful for the gesture.

"How do I put this..." he sighed "I messed up"

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