Chapter Two
Chapter 2 of 4
sshg316Even the bravest of men can be brought to his knees, especially when faced with his worst nightmare.
“We didn’t know. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.”
He refused to hear her words, instead returning his attention to the small child resting so securely against his chest. Hermione leaned her head against the mattress and closed her eyes, hoping for few moments’ respite.
The babe whimpered softly, and Hermione’s heart ached as she listened to his whispered reassurances.
When the child had calmed, Snape murmured quietly, “The potion must be purged completely from her system before you can leave.”
Her hands clenched into fists in her lap; leaving was not something she wanted to consider.
Not yet.
*
He continued to soothe the little one, the longing in his eyes causing new cracks in Hermione’s already breaking resolve.
“Maybe this was a sign… maybe we should—”
His denial came before she could finish. “No. We cannot.”
Frustrated, she asked, “Then what do you propose we do?”
“There are spells—”
“You would use Dark magic? On your own child?”
His angry gaze snapped to hers. “She is not mine!” he asserted, even as he held the baby tighter in his arms.
The child stirred, and his eyes softened as he looked at her. “I wish she were.”
*
She stiffened at his words. “Don’t say such things.” Her voice broke. “You can’t… you mustn’t think that way.”
He would not meet her gaze, and that alone told Hermione volumes.
“I was able to counteract the allergic reaction. She will need to see a Healer—it could be one of the more commonly used ingredients. The fluxweed, perhaps, or knotgrass. It’s possible the Boomslang skin was—”
She placed a hand on his knee. “Severus, stop. I’ll take her to St Mungo’s as soon as possible. In the meantime, Evelyn—”
His expression hardened. “What did you call her?”
*
Hermione winced as she realised her mistake—she had broken their agreement. “I’m sorry, Severus. Rose will be fine. You’ve taken excellent care of her.”
“It is my fault this happened.”
She sighed, knowing that any assurances she spoke would go unheeded. Instead, she watched him as he held her precious daughter and wished that things could be different for them. Her eyes filled with tears yet again as he examined the baby thoroughly. He hadn’t seen her in several weeks, and she looked so different now…
“She takes after Mr Weasley, it appears.”
She bristled at his bitter declaration.
*
They sat in heavy silence. Hermione closed her eyes; visions of what could have been played behind her eyelids, taunting her with scenes of laughter, love… and freedom. Despite their circumstances, she believed it could still happen for them… someday.
“Forgive me,” he murmured.
She glanced at him briefly, the sting of his previous words still clearly felt.
“I should not have spoken of him. It's unfair to you, and I apologise.”
She nodded, too drained to hold on to her anger.
The baby began to fuss, and Hermione, knowing what was needed, reached for her. Snape recoiled.
“No, please.”
*
“Severus,” she said soothingly, aching at the evidence of what they had done. “She’s hungry, and I need to feed her. When she’s finished, you may hold her again. All right?”
He flushed in embarrassment, and after Hermione had risen to her feet, he awkwardly placed the child in her arms. He excused himself and left the room, granting them their privacy. An hour had passed before he returned with a carved, wooden cradle.
“From when I was an infant,” he explained, his face void of emotion. “I thought perhaps…” He motioned toward the baby.
Hermione smiled sadly. “It’s perfect.”
*
The baby slept peacefully in the cradle, and Severus reached out a hand to touch her brow. His posture slumped… whether in relief or disappointment, she did not know.
“The fever has broken.”
Hermione smiled but could only nod in reply, she was so exhausted. With her daughter out of immediate danger, she curled up on the bed and fell asleep. Snape soon followed.
A shrill cry rent the air, jolting them from slumber.
Frightened, they rushed to the cradle. With hands swift but gentle, he pulled back the blanket and examined the baby.
“The potion… the purge is complete.”
*
They could only watch as the freckled skin seemed to ripple, paling until it resembled the finest porcelain. She squirmed at the odd sensations and then opened her eyes. Black irises glittered at them as her fiery whirls of hair darkened to the deepest ebony.
Then, she smiled.
Snape gasped for breath, his face twisting in agony. A low moan escaped his lips as he fell to his knees beside the cradle. Hermione, buckling under the weight of his despair, could only sob as he clutched the child to his chest, his anguished groans interspersed with a single word:
“Evelyn.”
A/N: And things begin to become clear... sort of. ;)
Thank you to DeeMichelle and AnnieTalbot for looking these over!
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Latest 25 Reviews for Beautiful Bird
51 Reviews | 6.55/10 Average
That was beautiful! I loved it. Thanks for a great story.
I couldn't review for the first three chapters because i was so confused about what exactly was going on, but everything came together at the end very well. I'd have never put the two facts together, Fenrir saying he liked children, and Snape's fear of werewolves, but it totally makes sense in the "how did i miss that?" Sort of way.
Oh goodness... my heart was aching the whole way, and when he finally burnt the note I let out a little cheer. Thank you, thank you, for such a beautiful peice of writing...!
Anonymous
Nice! A very clean and warm ending! Well done!
Now I fully understand everything. I'm relieved they all will be fine from now on. I guess they now have a wedding to plan.
WOW....Well done, I love the ending...I'm glad he took care of Greyback...Excellent story..
Very good final chapter in a lovely, short story. You removed all confusion for me nicely. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to your next story. JoAnne
I love this. But, it's too short! ^_^
And it is all finally explained! It all makes sense now- the color changing hair, the potion, the allergic reaction, all of it. I'm surprised that Severus hid though- he has always said (and he is right) that he is no coward.
I wasn't confussed once. It was beautiful. You had me thinking several outcomes for a while, but I think that's what you were trying to do. Nicely written :)
Anonymous
“He wants to use a spell, one that would alter Evelyn’s DNA… permanently,”
Screech!
O.o
DNA?
What Wizard or Witch would bandy about an acronym like DNA? Does the HP universe, or even JKR for that matter, even know what the heck Deoxyribonucleic acid is?
Talk about driving over an IED! Boy did that kill the moment!
Still, it was a well-written piece!
Author's Response: You're the first person to mention that! LOL
Sorry that threw you out of the story, but I guess I don't understand why they wouldn't know about DNA. They may be a separate society, but they still interact with the Muggle world quite a bit. With Muggle-borns entering the Wizarding world all the time, I don't see how they couldn't know about this sort of thing. And as Hermione is the one who is speaking ... *shrugs*
Hope you can enjoy the rest! Thank you!
EdgeOfDark's response: LOL!
I will enjoy the rest, thank you! ^_^
If I had a dime for everytime I made the same mistake...
What really tore me out of the story was the fact the HP universe treats the Muggle world as a complete mystery even though it exists side-by-side with their own. The characters never mention DVD's, CD, GPS, or even cassette tape decks! If Wizards and Witches can't comprehend proper Muggle dress, can't fathom how to repair simple plumbing, electricitical theory, or understand how a simple radio works, Hermione speaking or not, how in the world would they understand a complex concept like RNA or DNA?
I mean, following HP Canon, it just isn't possible.
Wow.....I hadn't expectedt the threat from Greyback but I really enjoyed reading this.....thanks for the answers. I am so glad that Evelyn can live her life as the person she really is and not a Polyjuice version of someone else.
Anonymous
Warm and moving. Very well done.
Author's Response: Thank you very much!
I didn't get it at first....I thought they were doing it to hide it from Ron....obviously not. I think I see why they are protecting her if he is still serving the other master.....oh my what a conundrum! I guess all will be revealed later.
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
That's just what I wanted you to think. *grins* I'm getting ready to post the conclusion now, so hopefully all your questions will be answered. A hint though: the story is EWE, so the war is over ...;)Thanks so much!
This is simply gorgeous - mystical and lyrical. Just the sort of thing that I love.....
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it! :) I'm getting read to post the conclusion now.
I think I got it. And I'm sooo glad Ron isn't the father. And that Severus gave up that stupid idea about changing her DNA. He would have regret it forever.
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
He certainly would have regretted it. The conclusion should explain everything. Thanks so much!
Maybe not that clear. Wonder where ROn is and if he is really the biological father or not. I long for the other two chapters.
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
*grins* More is on the way!Thank you!
I don't think I've understood everything but I guess more will be revealed in the nest drables. Anyway the song is really lovely.
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
It's purposely confusing at this point, yes. Really, it's not til the end that everything becomes clear. :)Thanks so much!
oh.. tears.... lots of them. Just beautiful.... more please...
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
*passes the tissues* Thank you so much! I'm getting ready to post the conclusion in just a few minutes. :)
Beautiful. I looked up the lullaby after the first chapter was posted, but could only find it as a poem. Is it set to music somewhere?
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
I love the lullaby! And yes, you can hear a sample at this link:http://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Lullaby-English/dp/B002G7RTRC/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1264775158&sr=8-13Thank you!
Ok just so you know -- No "More pieces fall into place" in this one. For me, at least, it only made the confusion stronger. 
I am grateful that I only have to wait another day to find out my answers. Thanks for sharing such an intriguing story. JoAnne
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
*grins* It's the why that still remains, I know. The answer is on its way! :) Thanks so much!
That played out nicely. I assume we'll learn his motivations.
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
Thank you! Yes, we absolutely will. I'm getting ready to post the last installment now, which should explain everything. :)
WHOA...YAY!! I'm glad he will let the DA help...I LOVE IT!
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
Thank you so much!! I'm getting ready to post the last installment now. Hope you enjoy!
O_o is Evelyn Severus' baby? His comments about her resembling her father... but then she changed? Is Hermione giving her Polyjuice Potion?
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
*grins* The answers to your question are all about to be answered in part three! Thank you!
Oh this is gooood... cannot wait for the resolution. I am thinking the child is his, disguised with polyjuice to resemble Ron's child?
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
Thank you so much,
Response from sshg316 (Author of Beautiful Bird)
! Your question will be answere for certain in the next installment. :) I'm glad you're enjoying it!