Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters are not my own characters.

Caution: Slash, Mpreg, Harry/Severus…More good stuff…

Sequel to my other story Gifts…you can read this one as a stand-alone fic, but I suggest you read the other one first.

I know, I know, I haven’t finished Gifts yet. But it’ll be finished soon, one more chapter. I’m sorry if this ruined the ending for anyone…but really did anyone think Harry and Sev weren’t going to get together?!

There are NO SPOILERS! This fic doesn’t tell you how Gifts will end.

_____________________________Chapter 1

Snape shifted uneasily, sensing danger. His heart beat quickened and became slightly erratic.

One did not spend half their life fighting with Voldemort and the other half fighting against him without recognizing when evil was near. And right now the hair on the back of his neck was prickling with uneasiness. If Snape was willing to put a name to what he was feeling it would be fear, but he was unwilling – very unwilling.

The walls were a light peach colour, one would have to be insane or a complete sadist to subject someone to a salmon/peach coloured house. In addition to the blinding walls, obstacles littered the floor, clearly designed to make a fast escape impossible. Mentally Snape went over each possible escape routes. Painstakingly running through every turn and possible obstruction.

Walking deeper into the potential trap, Snape kept his large hand on the small of Harry’s back, keeping the boy within reach in case anything was to happen.

The attack came suddenly, completely without warning. Snape’s assailant came from behind, wrapping strong arms around his legs; a sticky red fluid began to drip down his black suit pants. Snape twisted with dread, his eyes lifting automatically to search for Harry.

To his horror it was too late. They had Harry. One attacker was pulling back at his arms, bending one of Harry’s Quiddich-strong arms backward at an odd, painful angle. Another was strangling the younger man, arms wrapped tightly over Harry’s neck. Harry let out a smothered cry, dropping, hard, to his knees.

"Are you just going to stand there like brainless prats or are you going to help him?"

Hermione and Ron, the recipients of Snape’s scathing insult, simply grinned, unconcerned, watching Harry playfully wrestling the twin three-year-old boys. The two little ones were in heaven, climbing all over their Uncle Harry, giggling and screeching.

Hermione turned her head towards Snape, a smile playing over her lips, "He seems to be holding his own."

"Well then, if you would be so kind as to dislodge this...this thing from my leg."

The thing in question was the newest Weasley-Granger, a plump orange-haired baby girl. She had Ron’s colouring, but if her grip on Snape’s calf was any indication, the little girl had Hermione’s stubbornness in abundance.

Ron tried, dismally, to hide an amused smile as he bent forward to pry his daughter from Snape’s leg. The baby squealed and arched wildly, struggling in her father’s hold. She stretched her arms towards Severus waving them excitedly, a baleful look in her eyes. Side-stepping her quickly Snape looked down at his pants in distaste, red goo was smeared over them.

Snape’s lip curled in disgust. "Dare I ask?"

"Sorry about that, Ron let Gillian and the boys have some strawberry swirled jelly to tide them over until dinner."

The telltale redness stained the little girl’s mouth and hands.

"Oh goody." Snape replied dryly, casting a simple cleansing charm over his pants. He then cast one on the baby for good measure, in case she managed to escape her parents again.

The twins (Daniel and Robby) made a move for Snape but one cold stare stopped them in their tracks, sending them running back to Harry; who, no one would argue, was so much more fun.

Harry lifted them into his arms, smiling broadly over at Severus. Snape glowered darkly in return. He mouthed silently You owe me.

Together now for over 4 years Harry knew when Snape was actually angry and when it was mostly bluster; so he wasn’t too concerned over the murderous expression currently on his lover’s face.

"Harry, will you come outside with us?" One of the freckled twins asked.

"Yes you have to see what mama got us for our birthday." The mirror-image demanded.

Harry grinned at them both. "Your birthday? But your birthday isn’t for another week!"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, frowning strictly. "Some unruly boys were peeking at their presents early."

Harry laughed. He loved spending time with Hermione, Ron, and their family. They weren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but they were what a family was supposed to be - what Harry had never had.

Snape looked at Harry questioningly, seeing a flash of sadness clouding his eyes.

Harry pretended he didn’t see the silent question. "Come on guys, I’d love to see your presents."

Harry ‘raced’ the twins around the backyard keeping pace with their short strides and panting dramatically. Hermione and Ron followed after them, observing their boys with caring eyes. Severus prowled behind, watching his boy with a significantly less innocent gaze, but no less loving. The three of them made their way over to a set of picnic tables Hermione had set up on the patio that over looked their large backyard.

Danny and Robby raced into a small wooden shed and came running out with identical practice brooms. The small brooms were lightweight and hovered no more that a foot or two off the ground. Holding one broom steady with each hand Harry lead the boys in a slow circle around the yard, trying the convince Robby he really didn’t want to try flying upside-down and Danny that, while Dapper beetles were pretty, they were not edible.

"So… Professor Snape…How is everything going with you and Harry."

"Please Mr. Weasely I haven’t been a professor for nearly six years now, I think you can dispense with the title. To answer your question things are going fine."

"Urr…yes, good to hear. And work? Hermione said the Ministry is giving you more potions to work on all the time." Snape worked in his home, breaking down unknown potions and developing antidotes. The work suited him immensely, he worked virtually alone, not having to deal with the incompetence of co-workers. And no more undisciplined children.

"Yes I usually get one or two new ones each week, nothing serious mind you. Mostly idiots trying to poison their spouses in an attempt to get money. A couple of reactionary Death Eaters running amuck."

The three looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, the conversation dead.

"I read the seventh Nathan Baker book, Harry must be pleased it’s doing so well. Number one on the New York Times list, a muggle paper." Hermione qualified, "And on the New Wizard Weekly Best sellers list."

After defeating Voldermort, Harry had become an author. He wrote a series of books about his time at Hogwarts and fighting the dark wizard. It had begun as therapy of sorts, but the books had been such a success and he had enjoyed it so much, he had continued writing.

"Yes, he’s already busy with several new ideas, sometimes I can’t pull him away from his writing even to go to bed."

Ron blushed hotly.

"To go to sleep Mr. Weasley, take your mind out of the gutter."

Half an hour later Harry rejoined the adults, slightly sweaty and panting softly. He tugged his thin red T-shirt over his head, using the hem to wipe at the dirt and sweat streaked over his face. He relaxed into a patio chair, grinning easily at his friends, "That was fun, but now I’m famished. Don’t suppose you two were going to feed us sometime this evening? Or were we just invited to be unpaid ‘sitters?"

The twins, Harry’s shadows, giggled, climbing up into their own chair, "I’m hungry too mama!", "Me too!"

Snape leaned back in his chair, facing Harry. He watched a bead of sweat roll down Harry’s chest, gliding smoothing over the flat, tanned stomach before disappearing into the waist of Harry’s jeans. Snape dug his fingers into the arms of his chair, cursing the presence of the Weasleys, not for the first time in the last hour.

Ignoring the food that Ron and Hermione were now laying down on the table in front of him Severus allowed himself the pleasurable thought of what Harry would taste like now. His skin would be slightly salty as Snape’s tongue traveled down the path the drop of sweat had taken, sliding over the taut skin, into the hollow beneath his naval...

"Sev?"

Snape blinked, never changing his indifferent expression, even after being caught daydreaming. He glanced around the table, six pairs of eyes were looking at him oddly, and Snape fancied the baby’s gaze was slightly mocking.

"What?" He barked.

Harry frowned slightly at his odd behavior, "Salad?"

Snape took the bowl from Harry, "Yes, thank you… And for Merlin’s sake put your skirt back on will you? No one wants to see that!"

The rest of the meal passed fairly uneventfully.

That is until dessert.

Gillian squirmed in her mother’s arms, thrashing her head back and forth as Hermione tried to spoon her chocolate cherry pudding into the small moth. But when Hermione gave up and tried to put it away Gillian screamed, her face turning a horrid red colour.

Snape sighed loudly, "Give me that."

Everyone fell silent. Harry glanced at his friends uncomfortably, "Sev you can have my dessert if you’re still hungry..."

Snape rolled his eyes, glaring unamused at the table, "Not that, THAT."

Snape held out his hands for the baby.

Without hesitating Hermione passed the little girl to Snape, he tucked her into he crock of his arm and reached for the pudding with the other. "Tempera." He warmed the temperature of the pudding before lifting a small spoonful to the wailing open mouth. Gillian closed her mouth eagerly over it, swallowing hungrily.

Harry watched Severus efficiently feed the baby while still participating in a heated debate with Hermione over the new muggle-wizard relation rules. While Snape never spared the baby a glance, his long, slender fingers traced soothing circles over her rounded tummy while his other hand slowly, steadily spooned the warm dessert. Harry’s chest tightened sweetly as he watched.

Not for the first time Harry imagined the carrot top in Snape’s lap was a tiny black-haired girl with his own emerald green eyes, but the image had never been so tangible.

**************

Later Harry snuggled under Snape’s arm as they flooed home, arriving in the fireplace of their master bedroom. Harry staggered slightly, pulling Sev’s shirt free from the standard black pants he wore. The younger man nuzzled Snape’s shoulder sliding a hand under his shirt to stroke Snape’s stomach teasingly.

"That was nice wasn’t it?"

Snape glanced down to see the content, vaguely glazed look on Harry’s face, "It was bearable I suppose."

"Mmmm high praise indeed." Tipping his head up Harry flicked his tongue over the hard line of Severus’ jaw. "I can, however, think of a few things I would have rather been doing." Harry stretched up, tracing his tongue over the older man’s lips.

Snape frowned at the slightly slurred quality of Harry’s voice. "What was that you and Ron were drinking after the twins went to bed?"

"Nothing too strong, Ron said it was pumpkin juice with just a ‘lil something in it..."

Snorting softly in disbelieve Snape pushed Harry away, causing the boy to stumble tipsily. He stalked over to the large, perfectly made, bed and reclined, fully dressed, against the headboard. His movements were stiff, angry for reasons he didn’t want to examine too closely.

Watching Hermione, Ron and the family they had made together caused Snape to think about differences between the two couples. And the differences between he and Harry – particularly their ages. He didn’t like it one bit. Harry didn’t look too young, but he certainly didn’t look a day older than his 24 years. And at 45 Snape found himself dreading the time when Harry would realize he would be better off with someone younger, someone his own age.

His feelings of helplessness and his thoughts of loosing Harry, only feed his anger. After all, it was Harry’s fault he felt like this.

"Take off your clothes."

"Did you wan..."

"Just do it boy, between you, Granger, and Weasley, I’ve had enough conversation to last for a long while."

"I’M NOT A BOY ANY LONGER! I’m 24, old enough to be..."

"Shut up. Strip."

Harry’s eyes flashed with anger, but he jerkingly complied, tugging the T-shirt over his head, then unbuttoning the fly on his jeans, pushing them to his ankles before stepping out of them and kicking them aside.

"Happy now?" Harry glowered, looking ridiculously pouty when you matched that expression with his current attire of white sports socks...and nothing else.

"Hmmm, I will be quite soon, of that I have no doubt... now remove those offensive things and come over here."

Harry went over to the bed but in some sense of perverse rebellion he left the socks in place.

"So you want to sulk do you?"

Harry didn’t bother to answer.

"Fine it’s always more enjoyable when I don’t have to hear your irritating, squealing voice while I fuck your delectable body."

Harry’s mouth snapped open but he cut off the brutal reply just in time, he would not give Severus the satisfaction.

Harry wondered why Snape was acting so strict with him all of a sudden, then he wondered why didn’t just leave. When he had first come to stay with Snape he had lived in the adjoining bedroom, and he still slept there when they fought, which with the two of them wasn’t infrequently.

One look at Snape stretched out on the bed reminded him exactly why he wasn’t leaving this room. Even when he acted like a bastard Harry wanted this man more than anything. Between his legs Harry’s erection grew, pointing up towards his firm tummy, throbbing insistently. Harry dug his fingers painfully into his palms to stop himself from moving his hands to soothe the ache himself. No doubt that would only amuse Severus all the more.

Snape’s clear black eyes watched his younger lover; he watched Harry’s fists clench and unclench at his sides and smirked lightly. He let his gaze wander pointedly down between Harry’s thighs, smiling with appreciation and relief seeing Harry was already hard, "Ah, the joys of 24 year old men."

"It doesn’t seem to be only 24 year olds." Harry shot back; there was a noticeable bulge in Snape’s black pants.

"Mmm I see your point, perhaps I should consider finding someone my own age. After all you said yourself you’re not a boy any longer, so that novelty has worn off."

Harry’s stomach lurched at the thought of Severus with anyone else. Snape saw the flash of pain in Harry’s eyes and immediately regretted his taunt, just because he was in a nasty mood didn’t mean he had to continue to take it out on Harry.

"Come here Harry."

Harry climbed up onto the bed beside Severus. The older man pressed Harry down onto the bed on his back, sliding onto top of him, covering him from shoulders to toes. As Severus ducked his head, soft black hair grazed Harry’s cheeks, the hair shielding them from the outside world. Then Harry was kissed possessively, deeply.

Sitting back on his heels Snape impatiently took one of Harry’s ankles in his hands and tugged off one sock then impatiently did the same with the other, tossing them away. He looked down at his lover, sprawled naked and vulnerable on his back, and reached down and unzipped his pants. Harry’s eager hands came up, tugging Snape’s shirt off, eyes flashing greedily as they looked over the exposed chest.

Snape was still taken aback that Harry’s eyes always shone with desire when he looked at him. He couldn’t conceive what the young, handsome wizard saw in him.

Harry saw everything. His saw his world in those intense black eyes.

Snape leaned down over Harry, running his tongue over the hollow of his throat and Harry pressed up, his bare chest sliding against Snape’s hard torso.

Suddenly Harry pulled away, gasping softly.

"Sev, there’s somet..."

"Shhh, not now… We can talk later..." He nipped at Harry’s neck, sliding his hands down to grasp the boy’s hips.

"No, now, I think...."

Severus cut him off with a deep kiss.

"Snape! I think I’m going to throw-up!" Snape rolled off so quickly he had to grab at the covers to avoid tumbling onto the floor. Harry slid off the bed without sparing him a glance and scrambled to the bathroom.

***********

"Better now?"

Harry glanced up from the toilet to see Snape leaning against the doorframe, a glass of water in his hand. He noticed Snape had pulled on a long navy robe but nothing else.

Nodding his head slowly, Harry tried to push himself into a standing, or barring that a sitting, position.

Snape held out the water, "So it was only pumpkin juice, hmm? With a little something in it, hmm?"

The only response was a sickly groan and a weak glare from the green-eyed boy. Leaning heavily on the edge of the toilet Harry sipped at the cool water, washing his mouth out. Snape crouched down beside him, wiping his face with a damp washcloth.

Severus wrapped one arm around Harry’s shoulders then slipped his other hand under his knees, lifting him off the floor. Harry sighed peacefully and cuddled into the sheltering embrace, letting Snape carry him into the bedroom.

"Don’t you get used to it Potter, I don’t fancy having to drag your dead weight all over the place." And with that Harry felt himself dropped unceremoniously onto the bed, groaning when his stomach protested the quick movement. Even with his eyes shut tightly Harry could tell when Snape got into the bed after him, the mattress dipped and heat spread through the sheets. Snape must have shed his robe again because bare skin pressed against Harry’s side as strong arms wrapped around his waist.

Rolling over, Harry opened his eyes to find Severus looking down at him soberly.

"About what you said earlier, about your not being a boy anymore..."

Harry gazed back at him, unsure of where this was going. Snape trailed his hand over Harry’s bare shoulder.

"You are, you know..." Snape paused and brushed his fingers over Harry’s cheek, then smoothed back the hair from his forehead. "Even when your unmanageable hair becomes streaked with gray and you can no longer keep up with me... you’ll still be my boy."

Harry glowed happily. Snape rarely talked about his feelings, and he never talked about their future together. Several minutes passed in silence, then Harry decided to go for it.

"Sev...there’s something I wanted to talk to you about." One heart beat. Two.

"Sev?" Harry leaned up on his elbows and peered down at Snape – he was sleeping. Strange, Harry thought, he was always the one to fall asleep first. Oh well, tomorrow.

As soon as he felt Harry relax into sleep Snape opened his eyes, he turned his head on the pillow, gazing over at the younger man whose head rested on his shoulder. He had a dreadful feeling he knew what it was Harry wanted to talk about. And this time it was not something as simple as having to expel the contents of his stomach...Oh BLOODY HELL...

_________________

Next chapter Harry pops a question…which one though?

And Snape gives Harry a present…