Your Baby is the Size of A...

31 Weeks - Your baby is the size of a bunch of asparagus

Poppy finally – finally – released him from the Infirmary sometime after dinner with the parting words of Bump was the size of a bundle of asparagus, to keep off his feet more, and to try and eat more often or just at all. Severus let out a sigh. His head hurting from the nasty fall had faded and switched to a dull ache from the white-washed stones in the hospital wing, from the incessant pounding of Bump. He felt weak, and verily stumbled the long way down to the Dungeons.

He charmed his way into his rooms, sighing heavily as he staggered in. The door fell shut behind him, and he groaned. Severus tugged at his hair and undid his robes, peeling them off as he wandered into the living room. He rubbed at the back of his neck, scrunching his hands down his sides to knead at his lower back.

"Fuck," he groaned out, fingers kneading harder at sore muscles, but not quite hard enough.

"Only if you think it'll help," came the rather unwelcomed, overly soft voice of Remus Lupin from somewhere just past the doorway of his sitting room. The werewolf exited the kitchenette, carrying a tray of tea items in front of him like a peace offering. Severus's tea as a peace offering to himself. And he scowled, forcing Lupin to abruptly stop.

"Why are you in my rooms."

"Ah well, you see . . ." Lupin started, faltering as Severus continued to glower darkly at him.

"I moved him in, Severus," Albus said brightly, following behind Lupin, carrying a tray of crumpets.

"You had no right, Headmaster," he bit out, glaring sharply at the meddlesome old man, who gave him a twinkling smile back.

"I had every right, Severus. You're one of the best Potion Masters in the Wizarding World; if I were to let you die, I'd have to fill your position with someone far less qualified." Dumbledore settled himself on the couch, wiggling into place and humming as he picked up a crumpet. "Remus, please do bring the tea." A soft reminder to the lycanthrope that he was supposed to be serving rather than standing awkwardly near the door.

Severus stayed where he was, hands resting against his lower back as he regarded them both coolly.

"Besides, I think we have a vested interest in your wellbeing as a whole, Severus. The last twenty years have shown that, have they not," Dumbledore continued gently, as though he could placate Severus with softness as he patted the sofa beside him, leaving Lupin to settle into a chair. And he refused to be called over to the sofa like a pet, and instead continued to stand just inside his sitting room, glaring at the Gryffindor's who had invaded his chambers. Severus sighed heavily through his nose, pressing fingertips to his eyelids as though he could wish them away.

"I'm not in the mood for this idiocy," he warned softly, because as it was – Severus really just wanted to get to bed. His own bed. "Take your werewolf and show yourselves out, as you saw yourselves in."

"Remus will be staying here, Severus." The Headmaster sipped at his tea, nibbling a crumpet and blatantly ignored the glare Severus had leveled at him. "You clearly need someone to help you, to take care of you and Bump."

"So, you saw fit to escort a damn werewolf into my chambers. Have you already moved him into my bed, then."

"You opened that door a few months ago," Dumbledore responded coolly, giving him a pointed look that made Severus flush.

"It was a one-time thing," he ground out, lips pursing sourly.

"Regardless, Remus will be staying here, with you, until the baby is delivered. We're all agreed that this is what's best for you and the baby."

"You're all agreed. I don't want him here. I've managed this long without a babysitter!"

"You collapsed on Poppy and suffered a concussion severe enough that you spent the majority of last week in the Infirmary. How you think you're still managing on your own is beyond me," Albus cut in, tone sharper than Severus had heard it in some time. Pursing his lips tightly, Severus glowered at the two of them. Albus blatantly ignored him, while Lupin shot almost concerned looks in his direction.