Severus Snape: My Half-Blood Prince

The Hospital Wing Awaits

"How did I get here?" I mumbled, not recalling anything after I'd passed out.

"Severus carried you, and you should be lucky you went to him when you did. By the time he got you here you were having cold sweats, and your fever reached a hundred and two degrees. I thought we might have to transfer you to Saint Mungos." Madam Pomfrey stated, nervously.

"How's my baby?" I panicked, feeling the blood rush to my head as I tried to lift myself once again.

"You're fine Ella, the baby's fine. He seems as healthy as ever. In fact, that was the first thing Severus had asked me as well." She realized, curiously. "This baby boy is going to be well loved." She smiled, resting her hand on mine.

"How long was Professor Snape here?" I thought out loud, wondering why he'd want to stay if he hadn't cared before.

"He was determined to spend the entire day here until you woke up, but Dumbledore insisted he continue on with his lessons. Not to mention he had to fill in on teaching Potions as well," Madam Pomfrey informed.

"Madam Pomfrey, do you know?" I breathed, watching as her smile quickly began to fade.

"I suspected after your incident with Bellatrix Lestrange. However, it wasn't confirmed until just this morning when he brought you in. I see the way he looks at you. No one would've been as worried as he was, or stayed as long as he had, if there wasn't a reason." There was a sense of worry in her voice, and I couldn't help but wonder why. "Your secret is safe with me, Ella, but I'm afraid you won't be able to hide it much longer. You're already at the beginning of four months, and I can assure you that, before you leave, everyone will know."

Her words were the opposite of reassuring, but I knew that they were true. "How can I tell people?" I asked, nervously. I knew Severus would be upset with me for even considering the idea, but she was right. People would start finding out soon, and I would rather face it head on then hide away in fear.

"I'm afraid I don't have that answer for you, but I've found that the best way to tell someone something is to just be honest." She smiled, warmly, patting my hand before making her way to the door. "I'll let Severus know you're awake."

I twiddled my thumbs, waiting for them to arrive, and I was sure that only a handful of minutes had passed by when the fireplace in the corner of the room began to roar and Severus came stepping through it.

"How are you?" He asked, bottling up his emotions as he continued to hold onto his pride.

"Fine; Madam Pomfrey told me that you were refusing to leave my bedside," I blushed, happily calling him out.

"Never the less, you are better now," Severus nodded, turning back to the dwindling fire.

"I know that I'll never be Lily..." I started, not wanting him to go. "But I don't want to be her. I want to love you the way that she never could, in my own way. The way that you deserve to be loved," I consoled, trying to get him to come back to me.

"I believe you've misunderstood me, Miss Dawn. I do not regret what we have done, but I do wish things would be different. It was my mistake to take advantage of you, and I am simply taking claim to my actions." He corrected, taking a few more steps.

"I have to tell everyone," I admitted, throwing in my last option.

Severus spun full circle, and rounded on me with enough speed that I'd barely had a chance to blink before he was mere inches from my face. His breath was hot against my cheek, and his raven black eyes pierced mine in a way that they'd never done before. "You wouldn't dare," he hissed.

"Now is your chance, you can either take responsibility for your actions like you say you want to, or you can move on from this entire situation and pretend it never happened? I'm giving you a way out. I won't tell anyone that you're the father until after I've left, or no one ever has to know." I clarified, giving him every opportunity to take the first broom out.

"Perhaps my life would be easier if neither of you were in it," Severus stated, pointedly. "However, it would not be better."

A small smile formed on my face as I realized what he was saying. "Then I guess it's settled, you're going to be a father."

He nodded his head, still trying to get used to the idea. "You'll be living with me as well; in the last house on Spinner's End."

"Am I free to assume that your house will need some baby-proofing before he comes home?" I giggled, holding onto his hand.

"Your assumptions are right," he stated, pointing out the obvious.

"But, of course, you've already purchased a crib for him?" I joked, modestly.

"Unfortunately, I have not. However I'm sure you will be more than capable of handling that task yourself." He retaliated, rolling his eyes.

I was happy to have my Severus back, and even happier to know that he truly did care enough to stay by me through this. Sure, we would face some hard times, but I knew that, no matter what, we would always make it through.