Blooming Flowers
Year 1: Some Things Change And Some Things Stay The Same
September 1, 1991
Severus was awakened by one of the Malfoy's House Elves. Yawning, he rolled over and shook his lover awake.
"Milord, wake up."
"Don't wanna."
Rolling his eyes, Severus got out of bed and into the bathroom to get ready and when he came out, Voldemort was still asleep. Shaking his head, he put on his slippers and went out of the room. He headed for the dining room, arriving just in time to see a fully awake Hermione swipe Harry's bacon from his plate. His son gasped in mock horror before green eyes narrowed and a grin slowly appeared on his face.
"Hello. My name is Harry James Snape. You stole my bacon, prepare to die."
Severus watched as his son held up his butter knife like a sword and lunged. Hermione countered with a block from her own butter knife. Severus greeted his hosts and sat down where his filled plate of food was waiting. While his two children dueled, Lucius and Narcissa placed bets, before giving comments and advice while Draco cheered Harry on.
Finally, Hermione was able to break through Harry's defense and stab him in the heart.
"Oh!" Harry breathed dramatically, falling back into his chair and clenching the slightly buttery spot where Hermione had got him. "You got me, my life has ended. Draco, avenge me!"
Then he slumped sideways.
"Pay up," Lucius grinned at his wife while Draco stood up to "avenge" Harry's death.
Voldemort arrived just as Hermione "killed" the young heir.
"Another victory for Hermione, I see," the Dark Lord chuckled, as he kissed her on the forehead before sitting down to eat, nodding to the others. "What does that make it?"
"That ties her in with Harry, however, Draco is still in the lead," Severus said.
After breakfast, everyone got ready while the children went back to their rooms to make sure that they had packed everything.
"I think that's it," Harry told Hedwig who was helping him check he didn't miss anything, "what about you? Got everything?"
From the top of her new shiny cage, Hedwig hooted. Smiling, Harry left the room and went to Draco's, excitement coursing through him.
For him, Draco, and Hermione. Hogwarts had always been one of those places you read in the books, so to be able to actually go was like a dream come true. Sure, there were other schools like Drumstrang and Beauxbatons, which their parents had talked in great length and detail about, but Hogwarts just appealed to them more.
Harry also felt a bit nervous, one part due to not knowing what to expect and the other half because someone, mostly the Professors, would recognize that he was actually James and Lily's son, and not his Dad's. Both his Dad and Papa had sat him down when Harry told them he wanted to attend Hogwarts. They said that while his family knew that he was Harry Potter in blood, everyone else who bothered only knew him as Harry Snape. And if someone at the school found out, there could be problems; apparently he was supposed to be dead.
While they did not say it, Harry knew there was more to the story, but he still wanted to go. Papa had looked oddly pleased at that, which sparked another argument that his parents thought he didn't know about.
"You know you can't take that with you, right?" Harry said when he entered and found his friend staring longingly at the broom in his hand.
"Technically, I could, as long as no one knows," Draco grinned.
"Just like Auntie knows it wasn't you who cracked her prized vase?"
Draco made a face, "Yeah, good point."
Snickering, Harry bounced over and flopped onto Draco's bed. After putting his broom away, Draco flopped down beside him, as one they fell back onto the mattress.
"So, do you think we'll actually have any fun with Uncle Severus there?" Draco asked.
"Probably."
It would put a damper on things... if it was anyone but his Dad.
"I mean, if we let Hermione do all the planning, we should be alright."
"And what exactly will I be planning?"
Both boys didn't even brother lifting their heads at the sound of Hermione's voice beside them, only shuffling to make more room for the girl to lay between them.
"Well," Draco said, getting back to their conversation, "you'll be planning a lot of things."
"Oh, is that all."
Harry just wiggled when his sister poked him in the ribs.
Finally, it was time to go, with Voldemort joining them under the guise of a Polyjuice Potion. They used the Knight Taxi to get to the station.
"Uncle Remus, Uncle Jacob!"
Both men smiled, by their side Padfoot barked and wagged his tail. "We've come to see you off," Jacob said as he hugged Draco.
The children's things were put on carts, and then they went to the platforms nine and ten, stopping at a distance for a group of redheads to go through the dividing barrier between the two platforms. Afterwards, it was their turn.
"Best to do it at a bit of a run the first time," Remus suggested to the children. "Yep, kind of like that," he then laughed when Padfoot ran through and disappeared through the barrier.
Giggling, the children ran through the barrier one by one... A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to the platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock, Hermione looked behind her and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it. Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trucks dragged on the floor. The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, others fighting over seats.
"Alright, let's find you lot some empty seats," Jacob said, and they all pushed forward.
Severus ignored some of the students giving him surprised looks and whispers. Finally, they found an empty compartment and their things were lifted and placed in the overhead compartments.
"Have fun, my loves," Narcissa said as she kissed each one on the forehead.
"Try not to drive Severus too crazy," Remus said with a wink.
"Keep in touch," Lucius ordered.
Nearby voices interrupted their goodbyes, one that most of the adults recognized.
"Fred? George? Are you there?"
"Coming, Mum."
"Ron, you've got something on your nose."
"Mum—geroff!"
"Aaa, has ickle Ronnine got somefink on his nosie?"
"Shut up."
"Where's Percy?"
Lucius opened his mouth to say something, but a look from Jacob kept him silent. After saying one last goodbye; the adults got off the train just as the whistle blew. Soon the train began to move and all three children stared out the windows, watching their family until the train rounded the corner.
No sooner did they get comfortable for the long ride than the door of the compartment slid open and a tall, thin, and gangling boy came in. He had red hair, freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose.
"Erm," the boy said nervously upon seeing the three, most likely Draco as his eyes lingered on the blonde boy. "Can I sit here?" he asked, indicating the empty seat opposite of the three who had decided to sit together on the other one. "Everywhere else is full."
"Sure," Harry said while Hermione nodded, as did Draco after a moment of consideration.
The boy sat down and there was a bit of an awkward silence. He glanced at Draco and then looked quickly out of the window; pretending he hadn't looked. He had a black mark on his nose.
"You have a bit of dirt on your nose, did you know?" Hermione asked, pointing at it.
The boy rubbed at it which just seemed to make it worse. The door opened again, and two identical twins with red hair and freckles, and obviously related to the boy poked their heads in.
"Hey, Ron," said one.
"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train—Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there," said the other.
"Right," mumbled the one called Ron.
"Oh, made friends already? Well, we know who the blonde is, but who are you two? Ron, introduce us."
Ron looked between his brothers and the other three.
"I'm Hermione," Hermione said, saving the boy, "and that's my brother, Harry."
Harry waved.
"And you are?" Hermione asked.
"Fred and George Weasley. Hey, are you Professor Snape's kids? We saw you with him earlier while boarding the train."
"Yes."
"Interesting. Well, see you later, then."
"Bye," said Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them.
"Soo, erm, you're a Professor's kids," Ron said after a long moment.
Draco raised a brow. "So what if they are?" he drawled.
"Oh, stop with that." Hermione rolled her eyes, reaching across her brother to punch the blonde on the arm.
"Ow!" Draco scowled, rubbing his arm.
"What's the point of sitting between you two if you're just going to do that" Harry sighed at his sister.
Ron just looked between them, confused.
"Don't mind him," Hermione told Ron, "he has it in his head that the Malfoy heir must be—what was the word Ray used, Harry? Oh, aloof. While at school."
"Hermione," Draco whined, cheeks flushing a bit.
Rolling his eyes, Harry moved over to sit next to Ron, leaving his sister and friend to bicker. "Don't mind them," he said, "they're always like that. Anyway, I heard a lot about the Weasley family. Is it true that you have a big family?"
Harry didn't sound like he was teasing or gave any indication of being anything but curious, so after a moment Ron nodded.
"I have five brothers and one sister," he said, looking gloomy. "I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left, and they were Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. My third brother, Percy, is a prefect. The twins mess around a lot, but everyone thinks they're funny, I even heard that your Dad finds them a little funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, and Charlie's old wand. I probably would have had Percy's old rat, but he ran away a few years ago."
Ron trailed off, ears going a little pink. Apparently he felt that he had said too much. Harry didn't think so, instead he asked what Houses his brothers were in, something that got Hermione's attention and thus Draco's.
"Gryffindor," Ron answered, looking gloomy all over again.
Harry wondered if he would always look like that when talking about his family.
"Mum and Dad were in it too, I don't know what they'll say if I'm not. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin."
"What would be wrong with that?" Draco asked in a frosty voice, though he and friends knew very well why.
"Erm, well, it's the House that You-Know-Who was in," Ron said, stuttering a bit under Draco's cool unblinking gaze.
"And your point?"
"I mean, besides from being the House the Dark Lord was in, there is also the fact that not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin."
"My parents were in Slytherin," Draco said, still not blinking.
"As was our Dad," Harry spoke up
"Oh well, um—" Ron shifted nervously in his seat, clearly realizing that what he said was not only rude but also insulting, "well, I'm sure they're not bad."
"But everyone else is?" Hermione hummed, "I mean there is no possible way that anyone from Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff could ever be bad..."
"No, I didn't mean it like that, but it's just—"
"Just what?"
Knowing how aggressive his sister could be, especially when it went against her beliefs, and the Hogwarts Houses - which he and Draco learned earlier this week was an understandably big one - Harry was preparing to save Ron when the door slid again. A round-faced boy came in, looking tearful.
"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"
When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
"I'm sure he'll turn up, do you want help looking for him?" Harry asked.
"No, thank you though," the boy said miserably, "if you see him…."
"We'll come get you," Hermione smiled.
The boy nodded and left.
"Don't know why he's so bothered," said Ron, nervousness now gone thanks to the interruption, "if I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could."
Hermione gave him a look, before smiling. "Flightless birds are a sad sight to see."
"You do not have to get along, but shake the hive and you'll anger the bees," Harry said.
"Best anger the bees by the sea," Draco grinned.
Harry just shook his head, while Ron looked between the three and wondered if he should move to another compartment.
~.~
While he didn't show it, Severus was equal parts nervous, and equal parts impatient as he waited with the other Professors and older students for the new ones to come into the Great Hall and the Sorting to start.
Finally, finally the big doors opened and McGonagall came in leading the new students. Severus looked for his children and found them, along with the newest Weasley sticking somewhat close to Harry. Humming, Severus watched as McGonagall led the children up to the professors table, before stopping. No sooner had she done so and the Sorting Hat sang his year song than it was time for the Sorting.
Hermione was the first of his children to be called. Unlike some of the other children, mostly those from pureblooded families, neither she nor Harry nor Draco looked nervous. Severus knew it was because he and the other adults had told them they didn't care what House they ended up Sorted in. Yes, it would be great if they ended up in the same House their parents were in - which parent wouldn't like that? - but at the end of the day it didn't matter. Because it didn't mean they wouldn't love them if they didn't.
Hermione came up to the stool, and placed the hat on her head.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted.
"Well, that's one point to Remus," Severus thought, he was leaning more towards Ravenclaw, ignoring Albus's and some of the other Professors' amused gazes.
What? Just because they didn't care, didn't mean they couldn't still take bets. They had to get their fun somehow. Voldemort was really pushing for Slytherin for all three children.
Severus saw Harry, waiting in line, glance over at the Weasley boy who must had done or said something, before looking back to the sorting. Finally, it was Draco's turn. The heir came forward when his name was called, and the hat barely touched his head when it screamed out.
"Slytherin!"
There were a few more students and then McGonagall came to his son.
"Harry Snape!"
As his son stepped forward, whispers broke out. Something Severus was expecting and dreading in equal parts. The hat was placed on Harry's head, and then there was silence.
In all honesty, Severus hoped his son was sorted into Hufflepuff or better even, Ravenclaw. The House of Slytherin was so mistrusted and misunderstood by others, he worried that people would not be able to see past that, especially the children here. And that was the other thing, experience had taught him that children could be cruel. Not that Gryffindor was any better honestly, as the most popular House and where many of famous people have emerged from (Severus found it ironic that people praised Merlin for all he had done, but never mentioned the fact that he came from Slytherin). The children sometimes grew an overdeveloped sense of arrogance, and a very scary view of black and white. And that wasn't even mentioning the near violent rivalry between the two Houses.
Finally, the hat came to a decision.
"Gryffindor!"
"It's not so bad, Severus," Poppy Pomfrey smiled when Severus groaned aloud, "at least young Malfoy is in Slytherin."
"I care not about that," Severus admitted.
"Then why—?"
"I bet that my children would both be in Ravenclaw."
Poppy laughed.
After the last of the children were sorted, the Wesley boy unsurprisingly sorted into Gryffindor, Albus said a few words and then the feast started. During the meal, Severus kept in eye on the children, both Hermione and Harry were obviously being bombed with questions no doubt about Severus being their father. So far they were handling it well enough, and no one looked hostile, then again this was the first night. Everyone was high on excitement and such.
At some point, Harry looked his way and flinched, clapping a hand to his forehead, right over his scar. Worried, though it obviously didn't show, Severus watched as Hermione turned her attention to her sibling. Whatever he said seem to reassure her because she went back to talking to Percy Weasley. Whatever it was, it left as soon as it came. Finally, desert was served, there were a few last words, rules and then the students were dismissed.
Severus watched until his children went through the door, then he got up went through the side door and made his way over to his office.
"So, tell us!"
Shaking his head, Severus took off his outer robes before turning his attention to the portrait of Salazar. It was meant to be a solo portrait, but at some point during his years as teaching, it had become somewhat crowded with the other three Founding Members. And like Salazar, they had a thing for popping up whenever they pleased.
"It seems there are more Gryffindors this year," Severus said, lips tilting at Godric's cry of victory.
"And what about yours?" Helga asked kindly.
"Draco has been sorted in Slytherin, while Hermione and Harry are now Gryffindors."
"Well, Hermione isn't too much of a surprise," Rowena mused, "from what you told us, I always felt she was either destined for my house or Godric's. Harry, on the other hand, we honestly weren't sure. Yes, the Houses were built for friendly rivalry, something that has obviously been lost over the years. And yes, no one can be perfectly match to a single House. But while we can usually guess correctly, your Harry however, has always been a bit of a mystery."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"As well you should."
Chuckling, Severus bid the Members good night and opened the side door that led up to his private chambers. Now that his children were going to be here for the next seven years, it didn't make sense not to have one.
"….I wonder how much trouble I'll be in if I take up heavy drinking?"
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