Your Baby is the Size of A...

20 Weeks - Your baby is the size of a banana

"Stop leaving me presents; you are not a bloody cat," he bit out, all anger and bitterness, wrapped up in seething attitude. Severus had drawn himself up to his full height in the middle of the staff lounge, with every intention of making a fool of Lupin. "Your poor, misguided thoughts of romance are unwelcome," Severus continued, arms crossing over his chest.

Curious hazel eyes peered up at him, blinking owlishly even as Lupin offered up a small smile. "Misguided," the lycanthrope repeated, an eyebrow lifting as his head tilted to the side.

"Severus, calm down," Minerva started in from across the table of Lupin, but Severus ignored her. In all honesty, he ignored the entire population of the lounge in favor of glaring down at Lupin. Otherwise, he would have to admit to the fact that Flitwick and Sprout were regarding him with befuddlement and that Minerva was rolling her eyes.

"Yes, misguided," he stressed, lips drawn up tight in a snarl, ignoring Minerva to glare at Lupin.

Lupin lifted his cup and took a sip of his tea before returning the cup to the table. "I merely – found a few things I thought you would find useful."

He scowled further, eyes narrowing. "You expect me to believe that drivel," he snarled.

"Did you throw them away, then," Lupin asked – voice lilting, somehow managing to convey smugness and worry all in one tone.

Severus opened his mouth, something terrible rattling free from that place just above his diaphragm, and Minerva practically jumped to her feet, as though she could know his words. And perhaps she could.

"Severus," she snapped out loudly in the quietness of the room, hand grasping his arm just above his elbow. He cast her a look, even as the sharp, acidic words pooled in his mouth. "A walk, shall we. Perhaps to see the lovely fanged germaniums that Pomona has cultivated."

Minerva pulled him from the lounge, leading him slowly through the hall as she wound her arm through his. His anger cooled with each step placed between himself and Lupin. "Have you seen Poppy this week?"

"No," he admitted, knowing full well that Minerva already knew the answer to that question.

She tutted beside him, squeezing her arm around his as she leaned against him just enough to cast him off balance. "I'm sure she's very concerned about your health."

"Don't act as though you all haven't been talking about me," he snapped out, giving her a look. Which she countered with a wry grin.

"Oh, all right, your name has come up." Minerva gave him a look, free hand on her hip. "You're overreacting, Severus. Remus likes you. What's so wrong with that."

Again, he could think of a million and one reason why it was wrong, why Lupin shouldn't like him. Why the whole relationship idea should be discarded completely. Instead, Severus gave Minerva a look, an eyebrow lifting. "So, you and Poppy have been playing matchmaker, have you. Just as set as Albus on me having my very own Gryffindor."

Her face twisted. "Really, Severus!" She managed to sound a bit put-upon as she leaned away from him just enough to give him a shocked look, her tone exasperated as though she couldn't believe he had had the audacity to ask. "That's absurd."

"Lupin was always terrible at potions" he said resolutely, watching as Minerva spluttered and hissed but said nothing to prove him incorrect. They came to a stop, staring out over battlements as the giant squid raised a suckered arm, reaching for the moon. As quickly as the arm appeared, it sunk beneath the waves of the lake.

"I just don't understand why it's so bad if he does like you, Severus," she finally said. Which was an admission of guilt if only because she was deflecting.