Severus and Lily: The Snape Family

Chapter 26 - New Things

Thank you for reading! Please let me know if you enjoy! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Updates every Saturday!
—————————————————————

"AAAAAAGGGGGHHH!"

Severus heard Ginny's cry as soon as he arrived in Harry's living room.

He glided upstairs toward the gut-wrenching sound that echoed off of the walls, hurried down the hallway, and charged into Harry and Ginny's bedroom.

The door to the adjacent bathroom was wide open.

Severus met Harry's wild, bewildered stare as soon as he stepped into view of the bathroom's doorway.

The tub that Ginny laid in was positioned so that she couldn't be seen from the bathroom's entry, but Severus could hear her gasping for breath and the sound of water splashing as she moved.

"Dad!" Harry gasped, desperate for help, "I can't move her!"

Ginny made a mournful sound but Severus couldn't tell if she was moaning or sobbing.

"What do I do?!" Harry shouted at Severus, "Tell me what to do!"

"Can you see anything?" Severus asked calmly.

He stayed where he was, just outside of the bathroom, not because he was frightened or squeamish, but so that Ginny could be allowed at least a minimum amount of privacy.

Severus watched Harry lean over the tub and gently moved his wife's knee in the water to peer at her center before he replied, ".....No..I can't. I can't see anything yet."

"Alright." Severus answered in his low drawl, as steady as if he were leading one of his former classes, "Hold her hand then, son. Try to soothe her, perhaps you'll be more fortunate then I was and help will arrive on time."

From the bathtub, Ginny looked up at Harry with fear in her eyes but he gave her a reassuring smile as he pressed a kiss to her wet hand.

Harry watched in horror as her slowed breathing hitched and her eyes squeezed tightly shut as a new wave of pain arrived.

Severus heard the guttural groan that ripped from Ginny's throat as she squeezed Harry's hand, tucked her chin to her chest, and bore down.

"NNNNNGGGGGHHHHH!"

"Dad!" Harry cried.

"Don't call out to me! Watch! Pay attention!" Severus snapped as a grimace marred his pale face.

Severus felt his heart quicken when he watched Harry's eyes widen behind his glasses as he stared down into the water.

"I see something, Dad! I see it!" Harry exclaimed.

Severus could hear the mixture of elation and abject terror in Harry's voice but he spoke over his son and Ginny as he instructed, "Calm yourself....... you'll excite her.... Things may move very quickly now....Put your hands around her and guide, don't pull. You only need to support her....her body will do the work for you."

A ragged shriek left Ginny as the pain intensified.

The water slosh as she writhed in the tub.

Severus kept his gaze on Harry, watching his son when another harsh cry issued from Ginny's lips.

"AAAAGGGGHH!"

"Is the ambulance here yet?!" Harry called over his wife.

"Don't concern yourself about that, concern yourself about her!" Severus cried back, narrowing his eyes as he continued to observe Harry, "There, that's the way.....guide gently, that's all you have to do."