Summary: The Potter-Snapes and extended family celebrate 12 days of christmas with laughter, love, and cheer with some added drama and maybe tears. AU/AR Post-DH
Warning[s]: This story does contains male/male relationship[s] and mentions of Mpreg.
Part of my A Family Affair series, follows after A PotterSnape Thanksgiving.
December 13th: Day 1
The Potter-Snape household was buzzing with excitement; the main energy source was three year old Ian and his older sister Lauren who was five years of age. The holidays were their favorite time of the year. They loved the fact that their whole family got together and eat lavish meals that their Nana Molly cooked, playing with their cousins, and getting multiple gifts from their aunts and uncles (they adored getting gag gifts from Fred and George), but most of all they loved the countdown to Christmas day as it was one of the most magical day of their family tradition.
"Severus, would you please come on down," Harry yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "I want to beat the lunch crowd."
There was a thump and giggles as Severus made his appearance with Ian clinging on to his leg like Velcro, hair sticking every which way a trait he inherited from his papa who was waiting down below.
Ian was the splitting image of Severus; he possessed the same dark expressive eyes, a bit shy and shared the sardonic remarks every now and then. It's a funny thing on someone so young but one would not have a doubt that the child belonged to Severus. Ian was also daring, playful and easy to get along with traits he got from Harry.
"I'm coming see how fast you can move with a starfish attached to your leg," he answered, scooping Ian up into his arms.
"I thought I was your starfish daddy," Lauren asked with a mock pout.
Lauren, the most mischievous girl ever born, had Harry's emerald gem eyes and Severus' slick black hair. Severus dreaded the day when she started dating, though it was years away that thought could not help to plant itself within his mind. Lauren was a beautiful little girl and it was plain to see that she would have all the boys at her beck and call when she gets older; she already has her uncles and grandpas under her thumbs.
"Of course you are, you're starfish one," Severus answered.
Lauren smiled widely at her father the dimples in her right cheek showing.
"Now that is settled can we please go," Harry asked drawling out the 'E' in please.
Severus rolled his eyes muttering under his breath that it sometimes felt as if he was fathering three kids instead of two. "Yes Harry," he answered following his bonded out the front door.
The sun was peeking out behind gray clouds making the freshly snow covered ground shine brightly. The tall everlasting green trees that always grew on the property this time of year were the only thing that lessened the harsh glare of the reflected sun. The pathway was paved with pebbled stones that were charmed to change colors with each step.
Lauren and Ian always made a game of seeing who could change the most stones by racing to the end of the gate. Behind the running toddlers their parents watched on with a smile on their face as they made their way leisurely toward the gate. Reaching the gate where the wards ended the family of four apparated to Diagon Alley.
The alley was bustling with wizards and witches, shopping bags strung along their arms as they walked to the next shop of interest. Young ones held onto to their parent's robes as to not get lost in the sea of strangers. The older kids were in the center square under the fairy lights playing or had their faces pressed against the display glass drooling over the latest broom model.
"It's to be the fastest and best broom in the whole line yet," cried a little boy.
"Only second to the Firebolt," another piped up.
Though the war has been over for a near eight years Severus still felt a bit self-conscious going out in the wizarding world. People still looked on in awe at Harry, 'their savior' 'the hero' of the wizarding world, most have stopped badgering Harry for autographs or pictures but there was always that few; mainly foreigners.
For Severus after the whole debacle he was harassed at every turn, being called a cradle robber and such rot because he was with Harry their precious and untainted golden boy. To the people Severus was filth because he was a Death Eater no matter how many times it was said he was a spy they would only see that.
It took two years for the public to settle down and let him be; Harry during his pregnancy behaved like a feral mother bear protecting her cubs and caused some bodily harm to reporters and those who dared to call his child a devil's spawn and insult his husband.
Lauren had spotted one of her schoolmate in the center square playing with others. Turning her round green eyes to Harry she said, "Papa can I go play?"
"Yes, take Ian with you and be careful!" Harry called after the running girl who heard nothing after the yes.
Severus tried to put Ian down but the boy didn't want to let go of his dad. He didn't want to play with the other kids he wanted to stay in the warm embrace of his father.
"You sure you don't want to go?" Severus asked pushing back a stray lock of hair that fell over the young boy's eye.
"Wanna stay," he answered tucking his head into the crook of Severus' neck.
As much as Ian likes to pretend he was independent, he was a daddy's boy through and through. Harry smiled taking Severus' hand in his and proceeded to drag the two men windowing shopping. Harry's window shopping was tradition on his part that he did every year about Christmas time.
It was so he could get the feel of what was out in the stores while keeping an eye out for what might be a perfect gift for his family. Unlike everyone else Harry seemed to be able to do last minute Christmas shopping without going spare.
He browsed through each and every store present in Diagon Alley; the jewelry shop, Madam Malkin's, just to name a few, asking shop keepers of their holiday stock and when more of something, when a display caught his eyes, would be in stock to buy. It was two hours in and Severus started to get annoyed.
"Potter, are you going to be much longer," Severus asked stopping Ian from knocking over a display of animated toy soldiers.
"We'll be leaving in a minute Sev, then you can grunt and complain like the old man you are," Harry replied as he passed a display of miniature Christmas carolers.
Severus moved to stand behind Harry looping his arm around the slim waist. He left no space between them as his husband flippantly looked through a booklet of kitchen ware. He leaned down brushing his lips lightly over the shell of Harry's ear.
"You didn't seem to have a problem with my grunting last night," he drawled in his low seductive voice. His thumb moved in small circular motions along the exposed hip bone, knowing well the reaction that stirred within Harry.
"That's not fair," exhaled Harry gaining control of his self.
"Never claimed to be," Severus smirked picking up Ian who was starting to get restless.
"Daddy I'm hungry," Ian said through a yawn.
"I know baby, let's go get Lauren then we'll head over to Nana Molly's, sound good?"
The toddler nodded resting his head in the crook of Severus' neck. "Five minutes Harry," Severus warned giving him a quick peck on the lips before he left.
Harry let out a sigh of relieve, he didn't know how much longer it would have took before he had to find some clever excuse to make Severus go ahead. He was rubbish at lying and couldn't for the life of him, lie to Severus. He browsed down another aisle to kill the few moments he had before heading off to his appointment with his Healer.
#
Severus flooed to the Burrow with Ian on his hips and Lauren clinging tightly to his coat., as soon as he stepped through the fireplace he was swept up into Molly's famous bear hug.
"There's my son-in-law," Molly said placing a kiss to his forehead then Ian's, who was nodding off to sleep.
"I'm your only one," he replied placing a kiss to her rosy cheek.
"Yes, yes, but if I have my way, and I will mind you, Charlie's boyfriend will be part of the family permanently."
"Nana Molly, did you forget about me," Lauren asked with her hands on her small hips.
"No sweetie you're much too precious to forget," she replied pulling her granddaughter into her bosom. "Your cousins are all upstairs in the playroom."
Lauren quickly ran up the stairwell that was placed off to the side in the kitchen. Molly smiled fondly at her second granddaughter; turning her attention to one of many grandsons she noticed that Ian was fast asleep.
"You can place Ian in the nursery to nap," Molly instructed.
After her eldest son, Bill and his wife had their first child she turned one of the spare rooms into a nursery to accommodate her grandchild and the ones down the line.
Severus walked carefully to the nursery. It was decorated in neutral colors of warm earth tones, a mountain of stuffed toys in the corner near a rocking chair. He laid Ian down gently on the small twin bed pulling the comforter up over the small shoulders. He lingered for a moment watching the rise and fall of his son's chest.
Sometimes he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have someone like Ian and Lauren in his life. Precious innocence that was lost in his childhood growing up as well as his husband's. He placed a kiss to the creamy expanse of the boy's forehead.
"You spoil him too much," Molly commented from the doorway.
A smile colored Severus' thin lips. "I'm not the only one, besides he's my little prince."
Back in the kitchen Molly fixed Severus a cup of Earl Grey tea just the way the dark man liked; no cream or sugar.
"Where is Harry dear, I thought he would have arrived with you," the read head matriarch asked as she began to prepare the large festive lunch that would kick start the family's twelve days of Christmas tradition.
"Left him at some store Ian was starting to get agitated, you know how he is when he's tired," Severus answered draining the last of his tea. "I gave him five minutes, do you need help?"
Molly pointed to the tomatoes that needed to be diced for the Greek salad. The two fell into easy conversation as they prepared lunch. Soon after the Weasley clan and extended family began pouring in one by one. Ron and Hermione came with their two kids, who ran straight upstairs.
"Rose and Hugo," Molly shouted after them. "You know better than to greet your nana with her daily hug and kiss, now get your little butts down here."
The two came back down and gave her a hug and kiss as instructed. Hugo turned to Severus.
"Uncle Sev where's Ian?"
After the past few years it was still kind of a startling to hear himself referred to as Uncle, as he was still getting used to fatherhood and the concept of family after so many years of not forming deep emotional attachments to people.
"He's upstairs napping he should be waking soon."
"Hey mum," Ron greeted kissing her cheek. He placed a bag of groceries on the counter pulling out items that Molly required, "Hey Severus."
Snape inclined his head, "Ronald."
"Severus," Hermione smiled as she came back from the bathroom. "How are you," she asked enclosing him into a hug.
Severus returned the hug. "Hermione, I'm good thank you, How about you?"
"Pregnant," she replied pointing to her six month belly.
"Well I hope your husband learned from the last two what to say and do."
The pregnant witch laughed, "Of course he has lest he wants to be in the dog house."
Bill then came in through the kitchen door his lovely wife Fleur following behind with their two girls Victoire and Dominique. Bill took after his father in the height department he was a sound six feet three, with his lean frame he looked every bit a rock star with his black leather trench coat, black dragon hide boots and the fanged earring hanging from his left ear.
Though he looked to be a slacker, Bill was every bit an academic at heart and it was why Severus loved speaking with him concerning latest developments in the potions world or other.
It was funny how his former students and schoolmates became his family, and he wouldn't change a thing about it not matter how things tends to get weird beyond his comfort zone.
Soon after those two arrived the house was filled to the brim with red heads and their off springs, but still no sign of Harry. Molly and Severus were just putting the finishing touches on lunch when Harry finally made an appearance. He stumbled through the fireplace clutching tightly on to the arms that saved him from falling.
"It seems you still need to be taught the concept of time," the baritone voice drawled from above.
Looking up Harry smiled, "I knew there was a reason I fell for you."
A dark eyebrow arched in question, "Because?"
"You're always there to catch me," Harry replied pulling his husband in for a kiss. He stood straight dusting off his robes of soot.
"Harry dear, where have you been?" Molly demanded as she pulled her son into a fierce hug.
"Sorry," he replied voice muffled a bit. "Ran into an old friend and started talking."
"Why didn't you invite them over," she asked moving back to carry the plates and silverware to the table.
"He had an appointment to keep."
Harry was passed about from arm to arm greeting his brothers and sister in laws. Molly instructed him to go to the sitting room where Remus and Arthur were seated. The sandy haired man was in the corner leaning on his cane nursing a glass of brandy while he talked with Arthur.
Since the war Remus has aged so much past his forty six years of age; dealing with his wife who was ill who couldn't get out of bed most days and his eight year old son Teddy. The lunar transformations did not help either with the emotional baggage, though they were few in between thanks to the improvement on the wolfsbane potion. Severus was still looking for a cure for lycanthropy.
"Hey Remy," Harry called as he entered the sitting room his two father figures occupied. "How are you?" he asked embracing him in a gentle hug.
Remus chuckled a bit. "I'm not going to break cub you can hug me tighter. And I'm doing okay."
No matter how many times Harry is told he never hugged tighter than a snug fit jacket. In his mind's eye his godfather was too fragile; he wasn't the only to think so too. Molly had lessened her bear hug for Remus' battered body.
"Mum says lunch is ready," he informed them heading upstairs to get the kids.
#
Lunch was a spectacular and noisy affair as it was expected to be, lots of laughter and smiles melted away the stress that had built up over the days or week. The meal itself was sensational, Molly's cooking just gets better, and better over time, when asked what her secret was she just smiled and answers. "The secret ingredient is love, without love the food would be bland."
When dessert was served Harry leaned back in his chair resting his hands over his stomach, a content smile on his face. He observed his wonderfully blended family that was continually growing. There were at least a dozen next generations of Weasley's, Potter-Snape's and Lupin combined.
During his teen years he would have never thought he would live to have something like this—a big loving family. During the war all he could do was enjoy what happiness came his way in the mist of anguish and bloodshed, never really thinking too far into the future.
Though everyone has suffered one way or another from the war, Harry wouldn't change a thing. If possible the aftermath of the war has bought families closer together, allowed them to mend differences and start anew.
A hand on Harry's thigh bought him out of his musing.
"You okay love," Severus whispered.
"Yeah," he answered with a smile so blinding and full of love that Severus couldn't help but lean in and kiss him softly.
"I worry about you sometimes," he breathed across his young husband's lips.
"I'll be worried if you didn't," Harry smirked kissing Severus once more. He turned his attention back to his long forgotten dessert; Molly's caramel chocolate pudding. It was a heavenly combination.
"So Harry how are things, I saw you spacing out during dessert," Hermione commented as she scraped off food that clung to the plate.
Everyone else had already moved to the living room to continue talking, read, play chest, or nap. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione stayed behind to clean the kitchen. The former two tried to dissuade Hermione from doing so and sit out since she was five months with child. ("I'm not fragile I know when to sit down when it gets to be too much," she lectured.)
"Everything is good, I was just thinking," Harry replied filling up the sink with warm water and pouring dish liquid in. There was a self washing charm to use on the dishes, but Harry preferred to do them by hand—he liked playing with the soap bubbles.
"It must have been something good to have Severus smile and kiss you like that," Ginny interjected.
"That was an awesomely sweet kiss," Harry said with a dreamy expression. "You girls know how I get during the holidays with our family. Every year that passes by it feels like a dream and when I realize it's not I get a goofy grin on my face because I am eternally grateful it's not."
Harry heard sniffling sounds, turning he saw Hermione had tears streaming down her face.
"Oh Mione I didn't mean to make you cry," he said drying his hands off on a dish towel. He pulled his pregnant friend in to a warm embrace.
She laughed, "My hormones are a right mess, but I understand how you feel. Who would have thought our lives would have turned out this way. Blessed with a family who loves us scars and all?" the witch said a fresh bout of tears streaming down her face.
"Well I wouldn't have it any other way," Ginny said. Harry pulled her into the hug; all three of their heads huddled close together.
"I love you girls," he said placing a kiss to each forehead. "And I'm glad you're my family."
The three stayed in their three way hug for a moment letting Hermione collect her-self. The pregnant witch pulled back wiping away evidence of her tears.
"Oh god, look what you guys reduced me to, I'm a sobbing mess."
They all laughed.
"Right everybody, listen up," Molly called attention to all the adults. "This year's activities have been coordinated by Hermione, Harry, and Ginny-"
"Oh dear Merlin," Severus muttered which was countered by a sharp jab in the side by Harry.
"And," Molly continued on, "the following events have been approved; bowling, ice skating and attending the Ministry Ball. There are some surprises they have been thrown in, but they have refused to tell me," she pouted a bit.
"The Ministry Ball, really? Do I have to go," Fred whined.
"Yes you do," Molly and Angelina commanded at the same time.
"You best be glad it is the Christmas Ball and not the Memorial Ball, "Molly chided her son, "Now on to other family business, Arthur."
Arthur who was seated in his favorite chair produced a black top hat that sat on his lap. "As family tradition states we are to draw names for our not so secret, secret Santa and our partner for character building," the Weasley patriarch stated.
"In this hat I have the names of the e Weasley spouses, that mean you my dear," Arthur said winking suggestively at his wife causing his kids to groan in playful disgust. "And Remus', right so if you draw your spouse's name throw it back in the hat and draw again."
Arthur levitated the hat to each spouse; Bill's wife Fleur, George's wife Katie, Fred's wife Angelina, Charlie's boyfriend Michael, Percy's wife Audrey, Ginny's boyfriend Dean, Molly, Hermione, and Severus.
Severus gasped at the name he pulled. Ever since the Battle over Little Whinging he couldn't help but feel the guilt that would arise in him when his eyes land on the unflattering scar that was in the place of George's left ear. Though it was years ago, Severus still felt a bit of tension and unease when left the twin's presence alone.
He felt it was just easier to distant himself from the twin as much as possible so that George wouldn't have to tolerate his presence for too long. Severus wouldn't blame him if George held such contempt for him.
Oh the crimes he committed for the greater good. He scoffed at Albus' saying, what the old man was thinking he would never know. The greater good had only tormented and ridicule him time and time again.
"Let us hope that something can be resolved of this," Severus muttered under his breath, dark eyes locking eyes with those of George Weasley.
A/N: So drop a review and let me know what you think. :)