Unexpectedly Expecting

35: Wounded Warriors

It was late at night when Severus, Draco, and Lucius were brought into the Manor by Hagrid. Laurel, one of the other house elves woke me up out of dead sleep, informing me that the Master had returned, and was very bad off. I quickly threw a robe over my silk pajamas, and I put on my slippers. Luna was wearing comfy cotton pajamas by contrast, and her hair was in just as disheveled as mine was.

"How bad is it, Laurel?"

Laurel fidgeted with her small hands. "Laurel cannot say Mistress. But Master Severus looked...bad."

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Well, let's go to him. How is Smocky?"

Laurel looked worried, "Depressed, heavy with youngling, what else is new? Smocky misses Dobby. She wants him back."

"We all do. But let's attend to our wizards, shall we?" I forced myself to be calm. Don't lose it! It's not worth it. Stress is a big no no for the twins at this stage, remember that. I went downstairs, and I found Hagrid looking over Severus and both Malfoy men.

He saw Luna and I approach, and he noticed my big belly as always before he was able to look at me. "Lucius was th' conscious one when they apparated back here. I dunno all that went on, jus' that they is labeled as blood traitors now since Malfoy senior argued agains' this whole Snatcher thing goin' on."

I knelt beside Severus and smoothed back his hair from his face, and kissed his forehead. I wiped at my tears, angry that Voldemort would be treating his most loyal followers so shabbily. Luna was attending to the Malfoy guys, and I cast some healing spells over Severus.

Hagrid cleared his throat. "Where should I put em'? Th' house elves all jus' told me t' talk t' you when I asked them anythin.'"

"I will levitate my husband to the master bedroom. Luna will handle Draco, and you will carry Lucius to his guest bedroom," I decided, resolved to take action, any kind of action instead of doing nothing. "I will be damned if family has to stay in St Mungos if they can be treated of their injuries here."

Hagrid looked like he wanted to debate me, but then thought better of it. I flicked my wand, and Severus lifted up into the air, and I took his shoes off, and took off his robes. Luna guided Hagrid to where Lucius's room was, and she soon joined me in the master bedroom.

She helped me clean him up, and remarked, "I didn't realize he was so scarred. Have you seen these?"

I waved my wand over his injuries murmuring over which ones were from the Cruciatus Curses he must have endured. His injuries knitted together, and Severus winced in response to me closing up each one.

I touched an old cigarette burn just above his right nipple. "Yes. All of these cigarette burns are from his father. He killed him for his deatheater initiation."

Luna's blue eyes went wide. "Gods. I couldn't imagine killing the man who gave me life to join Vol--Riddle's ugly little club."

I nodded. "True. But it is the job requirement: to kill at least one muggle, or someone Riddle finds unworthy of life in order to receive the Dark Mark."

I rolled his right forearm over, and the snake eating tattoo could clearly be seen. Luna nodded. "Draco for his initiation...." She shivered, touching her stomach, "It ended up being two muggles in Hyde Park. He meant to only kill this p-pregnant lady, but her boyfriend defended her, and Draco had no choice but to kill him too, because he blocked his shot when he cast the killing curse. He still has nightmares about it sometimes, but I told him that the fact that he was disgusted by the act makes him not a true killer."

"Severus he...He had no such doubts," I added. "But I wouldn't either if my father treated me as his father treated him."

I undressed him to his pants, and saw that his left arm was bent at an unnatural angle. I sighed, "I think we need Madam Pomfrey for this."

"We can't just use episkey for this?"

I shook my head. "I don't want to risk it since it's not a clean break. He uses his hands for work, as you know."

"Okay. But...um, can I say that he has a...yep, I'm not going there," Luna stammered, blushing.

I laughed, "It's alright. I was surprised by that too when I first saw him without clothes on. No wonder he covers up when in school."

Luna grinned. "Yeah, no doubt."

Star jumped up on Severus's bed, and nudged his broken arm, meowing sadly. I kissed the top of her blue head. "Aww, I know, girl. I know. You'll protect daddy, right?"

Star purred happily in response. Luna pet the galaxy patterned kneazle. "She likes him a lot. Star didn't like Draco's friends at first, so it's good that she trusts him, and you. I didn't spay her, though, so if you want a litter from her you can always do that, you know."

I smiled. "Crookshanks was half kneazle, and he was the best cat I ever had."

Star jumped off and settled herself on Severus's discarded robes. Soon, she was snoring away merrily. Luna turned back to me, grinning, "I know, that's why I gave Star to you. You look like you needed another cat in your life."

"Thank you, Luna. But let's get back to attending to our patients here," I changed the subject.

Luna nodded. "I'll go attend to my husband. We both need time with them..."

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When she was gone, I worked on cleaning up Severus's wounds with a washcloth and warm water. His eyes fluttered open, and he almost looked ready to fight, but then he noticed it was just me, and he relaxed.

"...Home?" His voice was raspy.

"That's right. Hagrid brought you in after Lucius apparated you both here from wherever you all left."

He licked his dry lips. "Water."

I poured him a glass of water, and helped him to drink it. He nearly choked on it, and spit some of it up, but he managed to swallow most of it down. I gave him a second glass, and that went down more easily.

"What happened? You all look like hell."

Severus croaked a laugh, "And that is a new development, witch?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, hush. I just want to know why you're back here like the walking wounded here, and with a broken arm no less."

He glanced at the arm in question. "It's nothing Skelegro potion won't fix. I have an ample amount in my lab, although I won't look forward to drinking that chalky shit."

"I'll bet. Lark."
Lark apparated into the room quickly, "Mistress summons Lark?"

"Yes. Master is requiring Skelegro potion for his broken arm. Please fetch it," I ordered.

The grim faced house elf bowed. "Right away, Mistress."

He disapparated with a soft pop, and Severus stared up at the canopy of his bed before looking at me. He held out his hand for mine. I gladly laced my fingers through his, and he kissed my hand. Lark appeared with the potion, and then disapparated again. I poured the nasty smelling potion in his water glass, and he drank it down.

He winced from the taste, and chuckled, "It tastes like chalk. Or what is that bitter tasting shit muggles take for indigestion?"

"Alka Seltzer?"
"Yes, that."

"Are you going to tell me what happened at the meeting now?"

He smirked. "Insufferable as always."

I smirked back. "You wouldn't have me any other way."

"True. It is not a pleasant tale."
"Is it ever when it comes to him?"
"No."
"I still want to know."

"Well, bandage my arm and I'll tell you." I waved my wand over his arm and used the bandage charm to bind it up correctly.

"Let me get changed first."

"Good. This will take some time to explain, so it's best if you settle in."

"I'll be right back," I promised.
"Take your time."

I got ready for bed quickly, and when I was ready, I settled into bed next to him. "Alright, I'm ready."

"Good. It all started with a Revel..."