Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.

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Chapter 2 - The Godmother

The great-grandfather clock in the hallway chimed loudly, alerting the occupants of the general vicinity to the fact that it was already twelve noon. Hermione was busy putting the twins to bed in the nursery of the Headmaster's chambers, when the knocking began on their door. Quickly tucking Sebastian into his cot, and pulling a little woolen rug over him, she kissed him on his little forehead, and turned out the lights in the room so that their pair could sleep undistracted for a couple of hours. She had already built a smooth routine with them, and would feed them before their nap at noon each day.

Once she was sure that they would be fine, she cast a quick ward to alert her to any changes, and went to answer the knocking at her door. Opening the portrait that guarded the main entrance to the Snape's chambers, Hermione was greeted by the sight of Julia and Bill, who were both smiling and holding wrapped gifts, that were no doubt for the babies.

'Oh! Come in, you two! I was expecting you at least an hour from now,' Hermione exclaimed, hugging them both as they walked inside past her.

'Are the twins asleep?' Julia asked as she took off her pea coat and hung it up on the coat hook space provided by the door.

Hermione nodded. 'Unfortunately I just fed them and put them to bed, but they will undoubtedly be awake again in an hour or so,' she answered, ushering Bill in and taking his coat.

'We were having the hardest time looking for a gift for them, but Julia finally stumbled upon something in Egypt that was perfect for them,' Bill informed her as they handed the gift-wrapped items to her.

'You know very well you didn't need to buy those two little scamps anything,' Hermione said with a smile. 'They're honestly going to be the most spoiled children in the whole United Kingdom.'

'Quite possibly the whole of Europe,' Bill teased with a grin. 'Just open them.'

Shaking her head and smiling, Hermione invited them into the sitting room with her and ordered tea and sandwiches before settling down with the two gifts. In her precise way, she began carefully unwrapping the gifts, being sure not to rip the paper, and soon revealed the first present to be a small stuffed animal – or rather, a small plush sphinx to be exact. It was animated, and made small purring sounds occasionally, but for the most part, curled around itself and slept like a great cat. Obviously that one was meant for Luciana.

The second present she unwrapped with just as much tenderness, revealing a plush pyramid, that glowed with changing hieroglyphics and tipped from the different faces to reveal different images. It was not overly complex, and the imagery was simple, but clever, and was bound to encourage some sort of learning at an early age. Severus would probably pretend to be unimpressed by the gifts, but Hermione knew better. He would love that their friends knew to give their children clever gifts.

'The sphinx also has protection charms on it, and will erect a protective barrier around Luciana if it ever feels that she is threatened, and the same applies to the pyramid for Sebastian,' Julia explained. 'We wanted to give them something that would be clever, but still something for a child. The parents in Egypt all have these for their children for good luck and protection against evil forces.'

'This was very lovely and thoughtful of you both,' Hermione said with a smile. 'I am positive Severus will be thrilled, as will the twins.'

'I'm really sorry that I couldn't make it to the birthing last week,' Julia said suddenly, sounding extremely apologetic about it also. 'Bill and I got called away on work, and travelling back here from Egypt while we were digging at the temple… well I know it's a terrible excuse, but trust me when I say that you'd be lucky to get a message sent to you on the day it was intended for you.'

Hermione smiled and waved her off. 'Don't be silly, I understand perfectly,' she said softly. 'I don't mind that you weren't able to be there. When did you get back home from Egypt though?'

'We got back about an hour before we came knocking,' Bill answered nonchalantly.

'What on earth are you two doing here? You must be exhausted from your trip!' Hermione exclaimed.

'We're not really that tired,' Julia reassured her. 'I don't know about Bill, but I was much too excited to see Luciana and Sebastian that I didn't even think about rest.'

'I agree,' Bill said, grabbing a sandwich from the tray that had appeared.

Being the gentleman that he was, he poured tea for all of them, before they all settled back and chatted about the work that Julia was doing in an ancient temple outside of Cairo. At around half past one, Severus entered their sitting room from the door in his office, joining the friendly party. It was at two that Hermione's wards shifted, alerting her to the waking of the twins. She excused herself from the room and quickly went to retrieve both of them, ensuring that they were wrapped snuggly in a blanket each before returning to her husband and friends.

'Luciana has been very eager to meet you both,' Hermione told them as she handed the little bundle in pink to Julia and passed Sebastian to Severus.

'Oh, she is so lovely!' Julia exclaimed, looking over Luciana's dark hair straight hair, fair complexion and dark eyes. 'She looks just like a perfect combination of the two of you.'

'Hello, little darling,' Bill said, stroking her soft cheek. 'Congratulations.'

Hermione looked over at Severus and he nodded at her to let her know it was okay for her to continue with what she had to say. 'Severus and I would like very much if the two of you would agree to become Luciana's godparents,' she said seriously. 'We thought about it for a while, and we decided that you would both be the kind of people we want in our daughter's life, and can think of no one better to raise her should something happen to the two of us.'

'We would love to,' Bill answered for the two of them and Julia nodded.

'We've also decided to ask Minerva to be Godmother to both children as well,' Severus added. 'It's not customary for children to have more than one Godmother, but we've decided that as we are not exactly a conventional family, what's the point in trying to be conventional at all?'

'It sounds like a wonderful plan,' Julia told them honestly.

'When will the naming ceremony be then?' Bill asked.

'We had planned to leave it for at least another few weeks until the twins are about a month old,' Hermione answered. 'Their magic will likely be showing a lot more then, and the ceremony will be more effective and more their own.'

The four adults talked a little more about the naming ceremony plans for a while, before Julia began yawning, and Hermione insisted that they get some rest. After they left, Severus remained with his wife in the sitting room for a while with her and their children, reading a book, and watching fondly as all three of them fell asleep. He managed to get both Sebastian and Luciana out of Hermione's arms without waking her, and tucked them in their beds before returning to the sitting room.

He went back to the oval office and immediately went to his desk to begin writing a letter. Minerva had yet to see the babies, and he had every intention of making sure that she did find the time to meet her godchildren before the day of their naming ceremony. Once he completed his note, he summoned one of the school owls, and sent it off with the missive attached, before sitting back in his leather chair and sighing.

'Long day, my boy?' asked the familiar voice of his friend and mentor.

Severus spun around in his chair to face the portrait of Albus Dumbledore and smiled at it faintly. 'It has been a long week,' he answered seriously. 'If it weren't for all the help that both Megan and Ginevra gave Hermione, I wouldn't have the time of day to do my job as Headmaster.'

'Trust me when I say that I know you would manage somehow,' Albus replied cheerfully. 'Did I not say to you earlier this year that all would be well and that you would be a wonderful husband and father? Are you not proving this now? Look at young Megan, for example. She has blossomed under your watchful eyes.'

'She is a blessing in herself, old friend,' Severus said honestly. 'She didn't need Hermione or me to discover her potential. She had it all there in front of her.'

'And yet, you took her under your wing,' the old wizard replied.

'Nobody should have to grow up without knowing what it is like to have a whole family to love and be loved by,' the dark-haired wizard said solemnly. 'Trust me when I say that I know exactly what that is like.'

'You turned out to be a fine man,' Albus pressed. 'You are a fine companion, friend, and the most excellent son that any man could have asked for.'

Severus felt his stomach flip and pulse pause in his veins at that statement. It didn't matter how many times Albus said it, but every time he so much as mentioned the fact that he thought of him as a son, Severus would instantly begin to feel like he might cry. He never did cry, mind, but he was always sorely tempted to. And although he had never been able to respond in kind, he always thought that Albus had been more like a father to him than his own ever had.

'Sentimental old fool,' Severus murmured softly.

Albus only chuckled. 'Oh, I think I hear a call in my other portrait,' he said suddenly. 'I had best go and see what Minerva wants.'

Albus' form disappeared from the frame for a few minutes before returning. Severus sat up to pay attention to the message that the man had for him.

'Well?' Severus asked.

'Minerva would like for you to allow her immediate Floo access so that she might pay a visit to you and your family,' Albus said with a warm smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes despite the fact that he was only a painting.

'You may tell her to Floo directly to my office,' Severus answered.

Albus disappeared once more, but instead of returning immediately, Severus assumed he had decided to go off and visit around the castle or the paintings and portraits in Minerva's own home. Soon afterwards, the fireplace glowed with the green of the flames, and Minerva stepped out of it, brushing imaginary soot from her clothing before looking up at Severus and smiling. She rushed towards him and enveloped him in a maternal hug, squeezing him tightly until he felt he might not be able to breathe.

'Congratulations, my boy!' she exclaimed. 'Now where is this family of yours?'

'They were all asleep when I left them earlier,' he explained, leading the way through to their chambers, and happening upon Hermione as she was coming out of their little kitchen.

'Minerva!' Hermione exclaimed, hugging the older woman fondly. 'It's been so long since your last visit! We've missed you.'

'Aye, I've missed you all too,' she replied in her thick brogue. 'Now, show me to your children.'

Hermione nodded eagerly. 'Your godchildren will be very happy to meet you at last,' she said simply, stopping Minerva in her tracks.

The older woman looked from Hermione to Severus and he nodded. 'Would you?' he asked her simply.

Minerva beamed as they all entered the twins' room. 'I would be honored.'

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A/N – Thanks for reading. The next chapter is on the way! Please review.