A baby's cry sounded through the otherwise silent room as an exhausted young man collapsed against the pillow behind him. Sweat glistened on his face and neck; but all he could focus on was the tiny bundle wrapped in aqua green blankets. The midwife smiled at him before passing the infant into his shaking arms.

She whispered, "Congratulations, my Consort. A healthy baby girl." Severus thanked her with a smile before turning his attention to his daughter. He couldn't believe it; first, he got married to the love of his life, and now, he's a mother.

A few minutes later, his husband entered the room and sat next to him on the bed. His little finger gently stroked the baby's face before she wrinkled her face and sneezed cutely, causing the two husbands to chuckle warmly. Severus passed the infant to his mate's arms and lied back on the pillows with a sigh of relief.

Newborn Nathara

Yet, sleep never came, for his gaze was still transfixed on his husband and newborn child. "What should we name her, Marvolo?" he asked softly. He knew what name Marvolo would pick out, but he wanted to hear his husband say it out loud.

Marvolo lifted the child in his arms up to place a soft kiss on her forehead. "Nathara. Nathara Azula Prince-Slytherin." Serverus smiled. "I like it. Little Narie Prince-Slytherin." Marvolo nodded and smiled at the newly named baby. "Indeed. Our little snakelet."He placed the baby into her cot and both of them watched her sleeping peacefully before they, too, drifted off to Morpheus's realm.

Nine-year-old Nathara

That was over nine years ago, Severus idly thought as he watched his daughter play in the garden. So much has changed in the years; a month and two weeks after Nathara was born, James and Liliana Potter were murdered in their home by Marvolo's cousin, Adalbert Gaunt. Four year after Nathara came along, Severus gave birth to another daughter, Snowbell Lilly Prince-Slytherin. His two daughters were nine and five years old now respectively.

Of course, he was sad that Liliana was gone, but at the same time, he felt relieved that she was gone. This didn't matter now, though, he was happy with Marvolo and now he had his children to think about. Narie was three years away from starting Hogwarts, and Snowy was six years away.

Suddenly, his train of thought was broken by the laughter of one of the girls. "Mommy!" Nathara called as she ran into Severus's arms. He hoisted her onto his hip and kissed her forehead. "Hello, snakelet. Is something the matter?" Severus asked as he cuddled his eldest daughter close.

Nathara shook her head, snuggling into her mother's warm side before yawning widely. A chuckle escaped Severus's throat before he saw that his youngest looked drowsy as well. Looks like it's time for two little people to take their naps.

"Come on, girls. Nap time," Severus called as he led his children to their room. The two children snuggled up on Nathara's bed, before Severus started singing them an old lullaby that he sang for them when they were just little babies.

"Where the North wind meets the sea

There's a river full of memory

Sleep, my darling, safe and sound

For in this river, all is found

In her waters, deep and true

Lie the answers and a path for you

Dive down deep into her sound

But not too far or you'll be drowned"

Now, both of the girls were sleepily humming along with him as he sang the final verses.

"Yes, she will sing to those who hear

And in her song, all magic flows

But can you brave what you most fear?

Can you face what the river knows?

Where the North wind meets the sea

There's a mother full of memory

Come, my darling, homeward bound

When all is lost

Then all is found~~"

Finally, his two girls were sound asleep in his arms. He smiled at their peaceful faces before gently distangling himself from them and heading into the library, but not before casting a monitoring charm on them, should they awake. He found Marvolo in the library by the fireplace with a book, sitting comfortably on the love seat. He smiled at his husband as he took a seat next to him. "Are the girls asleep, love?" Marvolo asked, wrapping an arm around Severus's waist.

Severus nodded before a yawn escaped him, causing Marvolo to chuckle. "Sleep, love. You need a nap as well, since you hardly got any sleep last night. I'll check on the girls when they wake up." Severus tried to answer, but the feel of his love's hand caressing his long hair had him drifting off to Morpheus's realm before he knew what was coming; his last conscious thought being Marvolo's rich laughter.