Severus had always adored lexicons. Loved the many printed words, the obscure terms, the smell, the crinkling pages…
He had been a runt of a boy when he was young. Short for most of his life (his biggest growth spurt, the one leaving him at six foot three, didn't come until his fifth year at Hogwarts). The bullies' favorite victim. His muscles were nothing to write home about, his mind, though…
His mind was his greatest weapon, and he knew it.
Not that it protected him from the bullies, or from his father. But it instilled in him a love for – no, a need for – knowledge.
But until he arrived at Hogwarts, the lexicon was his favorite resource book. Calling people pestiferous, pestilential, insalubrious, scurrilous…
He was pleased to note that his daughter enjoyed lexicons as much as he had.
He was especially pleased to note Harry's bemusement as Nora informed him he was despotic and supercilious. Severus was glad that his husband didn't mind Nora's vocabulary building at all.
"I see now where your vocabulary comes from," Harry laughed after Severus explained about the giant lexicon in his family's library. He gazed at Severus, watching the light from the fire dance across his cheek.
"Christmas is almost here," Severus sighed. "Have you given a thought about what to get Nora?"
Harry nodded. "She really wants an owl of her own. Every time she owls one of her friends from school, she uses either Hedwig or Rowan." Rowan was Severus' horned owl.
Severus nodded. "It would be a nice present."
"Do you have any ideas?"
"Yes. I was thinking of a toy broom for her. I don't doubt she'll have your grace on a broom."
Harry smiled at the compliment. "Thanks. And it's a lovely present. Actually… I had another idea, as well."
"Oh?" Severus arched an eyebrow.
"Well, I was thinking of a potions book for her – a beginner's one, that is. She's about as old as you were when you got your first one." Harry smiled brightly. "I know she'll be as good as you are."
Severus blushed slightly and looked at Harry with tenderness. "You're very sweet," he sighed happily.
Harry stood. "Take me to bed, Severus," he commanded softly.
Severus obeyed with alacrity.
Christmas morning:
Seven-year-old Nora rushed into her parents' bedroom at seven in the morning. "Daddy Harry, Daddy Sevvy, wake up, it's Christmas morning!"
Severus glanced at the clock on the nightstand and mumbled, "Barely."
Harry elbowed him. "C'mon, we should get up."
Nora rushed back to the sitting room as Harry and Severus got up slowly and followed her.
"Nora, from Daddy Sevvy and Daddy Harry," Nora read. "That's me!" She opened it. "Thanks! I love it!" She opened the potions book and began reading.
She put it aside reluctantly and picked up the next present. "Severus and Nora, from Harry." She took it over to Severus, with some difficulty, and they opened it together.
Severus laughed as they uncovered a giant lexicon.
Lexicon – noun. 1. A book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language with the definition of each; a dictionary. 2. The vocabulary of a person, group, subject, or language. 3. [Linguistics The total morphemes of a language. Word of the Day, June 20, 1999)