A/N: Same as Chapter One

-4-

Harry and Draco ran into Flourish and Blotts as the adults followed behind them, Ambrosia taking the lead. They had told the boys that since that they had time to spare, since Sirius needed to desperately shop in order to restock his wardrobes that the boys could pick out a few things for themselves. And they still had enough of time to come back and gather their supplies for the upcoming year, so today was a day meant for fun and relaxation; something that all of them needed. While it surprised Sirius and Severus that the first place the boys ran to was the bookstore, Ambrosia and Remus just laughed quietly at how excited the boys got. Harry and Draco went straight to a rack at the back of the store and began looking for something that caught their attention. Draco ended up picking out a book about Potions, which made Severus' eyes shine with pride while Harry had picked out a book depicting all of the magical animals that could be found in the Wizarding world. Both boys presented their choices and smiled brightly when Ambrosia declared that they would get both.

As they went up front to pay for their purchases, Harry looked up at Severus, "Dad? Can we stop by the Owl Emporium? I need to get some treats for Hedwig."

Severus looked down at those shiny green eyes and nodded his head. "Of course Harry," he replied as he patted Harry's head. "We can even get her a perch so she doesn't have to be cooped up in that cage and so she can stay in your room, instead of the Owlery. How does that sound?"

Harry nodded his head eagerly as he began bouncing up and down in excitement. Draco couldn't help but smile, happy that his brother was happy.

As the group made their way through the streets, they quickly found that they were the center of all the attention. While Draco had been raised to just accept the attention and pay no mind to it, Harry didn't like it at all and this could be seen as he made a point to hide behind Ambrosia or Severus every time someone tried to speak to him.

Albus couldn't help but frown at the fact that Harry seemed so frightened of other people and silently asked Merlin that no one was going to be stupid enough to try and approach the boy as there was no telling what his new parents might do. He knew that both Ambrosia and Severus were fiercely protective over both boys and since the adoption had been finalized he could tell that protective streak had only increased a hundred fold. He couldn't stop the small shiver of fear that traveled through him as he thought of what would occur to anyone who tried to physical take those boys away from. He could only hope that none would be that stupid. He emerged from his thoughts as Sirius announced that he didn't want to force the boys to stand around while he got new clothes, so he and Remus had decided to go on and get his new wardrobe.

Severus and Ambrosia agreed that they would meet up at Madam Malkins after they had taken the boys to the Owlery where Harry could get his treats. The group split up then, Albus declaring that he was going to go with Sirius and Remus, which would give Harry and Draco more quality time with their parents. That suited Ambrosia and Severus just fine as it did both boys as they pulled their new parents along with them with both adults smiling and laughing at their antics.

Harry had gotten Hedwig her favorite owl treats and had even picked out a beautiful white perch for her to sit on. He hugged his new parents tightly as they hugged him back just as tight both adults happy to see him and Draco so happy.

As they entered a small pet shop that had random magical creatures for sale, Harry heard his name being called. As he looked up he was met by a stern and scary looking Molly Weasley. Harry, who had stepped away from his family so that he could look at the Crup puppies backed up and whimpered at the scary look and could feel tears being forming in his eyes as the woman he had thought was a second mother spoke to him harshly.

"Harry James Potter! I cannot believe that you would allow yourself to be adopted by that man! What would your parents think?! They are probably rolling over in their graves as we speak! Well what do you have to say for yourself?" Mrs. Weasley finished as she looked at Harry, as her eyes suddenly widened as she took in the fact that he was now crying silently and shaking in fear. She reached out for him as she realized that perhaps she had gone too far in her words to him, "Harry…I'm sorry…I didn't mean…"

Her words were cut off as a pale hand grasped her wrist and threw her arm away before it could come any closer to Harry. Molly looked up and instantly recognizing Ambrosia and if looks could kill Molly knew she would be dead ten times.

Ambrosia was shaking with pure rage as she glared at Molly, her hand twitching for her wand. She had been over looking at the Knealzes with Severus and Draco when she had heard Molly yelling; yelling at HER son. Severus and Draco were standing behind her, Severus with a deadly glare as Draco looked frightened and worried for Harry who was still silently crying.

Ambrosia put herself fully between Molly and Harry, shielding Harry completely from the other woman's view. Harry still being scared and upset quickly attached himself to her back as he clung tightly to the dress crying silently and shivering in fear. Ambrosia brought one of her hands behind her and kept it on her son in order to comfort him. She could feel his tears seeping into her dress and his shivers of fear only served to fuel her rage for the woman in front of her. Ambrosia turned her full attention to Molly who looked both frightened and sorry for what had just occurred.

"Give me one reason Molly, just one good reason why I shouldn't curse you into oblivion for frightening my son and upsetting him to tears." Ambrosia growled out, her eyes seeming to glow as the air around her began to snap as her magic flowed around her.

Molly was speechless as she looked at the younger sister of Lily with both shock and fear. She barely knew Ambrosia but what she had heard what an exceptionally and powerful witch she was for one so young. And to have managed to snag Severus Snape as a husband was a feat not many would attempt, much less making him change his life completely around. Molly took an instinctive step back as Ambrosia's magic began to react to her anger.

"Ambrosia, I…I didn't mean to make Harry upset. I…I admit that when Arthur told me that he going to be adopted by Severus, it completely slipped my mind that you were his wife…Ambrosia I am…"

"Save it!" Ambrosia growled out, making Molly snap her mouth shut as she backed up a few more steps as Ambrosia's magic increased in response to its mistress' anger.

Ambrosia set Molly with a glare that would have had the Dark Lord run and hide as she sneered at the older woman in front of her. "You have always been so judgmental about my husband Molly and I have stood by long enough while you and others have bad-mouthed him for his past mistakes. And now, just when we got Harry happy and feeling more loved then he has ever had in his entire life, YOU come along and dare speak to him about how his parents would react to his adoption. How dare you presume to know what Lily and James would have thought! Mark my words Molly Weasley; if you ever come so much as ten feet of my sons and husband, I will bring curses down upon your head that will have you begging that Voldemort got ahold of you instead of me! Do we understand each other?"

Molly could do nothing but nod frantically in response as Ambrosia's words pierced both her mind and her heart. She looked at Harry briefly and almost cried as he hid himself behind Ambrosia when he caught her looking at him. Molly jumped back slightly as Severus appeared beside Ambrosia to further shield Harry from view. And Molly just barely caught of glimpse of Draco who was shielded behind Severus trying to comfort Harry.

"Get out of my sight Molly. You've done more than enough today." Ambrosia growled as she turned her back to the older woman and fully engulfed Harry in her arms as she began to whisper soothing words in his ear to help calm him down.

Molly could only nod her head as she quickly walked back outside to join her husband and children. She knew she shouldn't be surprised as the glares she received but she was admittedly caught off guard by those given to her by Arthur and her children. Fred and George just shook their heads at her as they made their way back into the pet store, followed by Ron and Ginny who both ignored their mother.

"Molly, when I told you this morning about knowing that Harry was going to adopted I wasn't expecting this to be your reaction," Arthur spoke calmly to his wife of many years. "I expected better of you really. I just hope that Ambrosia and Severus do not hold grudges against our children for your actions today."

Molly was silent once again as she let her thoughts consume her. She really was quick to judge and had even made poor Harry cry for that. And she knew she would spend a lifetime making it up to him in any way that she could.

Severus looked up and tensed as he saw the Weasley children come closer to his family as he mentally prepared for the worst but what happened next shocked him to his very core.

"Harry?" Ron muttered as he looked sadly at Harry, who was still in Ambrosia's embrace.

Harry lifted his head but didn't leave the arms that held him. His eyes widened as he saw Ron, Ginny, Fred and George standing there. Dread started to fill him as he fully expected for them to start yelling at him too.

"Don't listen to what Mum said Harry. She doesn't mean it, she just wasn't thinking at the time." Ron said softly as he looked at Harry. "Besides Harry, your parents would be happy to know that you have been adopted by two people who care about you as much as Mr. and Mrs. Snape."

Harry looked at Ron and smiled brightly as he asked in a small voice, "Do you really think so Ron? Would they really be happy?"

Ron nodded his head as he smiled back at his best friend. "Of course they would Harry. Not only do you have new parents but you also get a brother too, which is just awesome."

Draco peeked out from behind Severus and looked at Ron curiously at his nice words, which confused the boy beyond belief as the two of them never shared a nice word between them. Draco was a bit more shocked when Ron stuck out his hand for Draco.

"Draco, I would like to apologize for my behavior last year. I had allowed my parents judgment of your parents to blind me and I will not let that influence me anymore. Besides it is what is best for Harry if we become friends as I do not want to make him chose between his brother and his best friend. So what do you say Draco…Friends?" Ron spoke as he looked at Draco with a friendly smile.

Draco looked at Ron's hand for a few seconds before looking up at Severus, who just smiled encouraging at him. Draco returned his gaze to Ron and stepped out from behind Severus.

"Friends," as he took Ron's hand with a smile.

Harry broke out into a bigger smile and laughed as he launched himself at Ron, who caught his small friend in a big hug.

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything before Harry but I thought that you needed time and that you would have told someone about what those muggles did to you." Ron whispered low into Harry's ear.

"It's alright Ron," Harry replied as he backed away from his best friend and glared at Ron. "Ron you need to stop growing! I'm never gonna catch up!"

Ron burst into laughter along with everyone else. "Sorry Harry, you're just gonna be fun-sized forever!"

Harry pouted for a few seconds before he busted out laughing along with everyone else.

Ambrosia and Severus smiled at the sound of their sons laughing so carefree, and felt their love for their sons grow even more.

"Alright boys we have to get going now. We have to meet Sirius and Remus, and go back to Hogwarts. You shall see your friends at Hogwarts." Ambrosia said softly, as she smiled as the Weasley children all hugged Harry goodbye and that they would see them when the term started.

Harry waved goodbye to his friends as he looked up at his new parents with a wide smile. "I'm happy that they don't hate me and that they want to be friends with both me and Draco."

Ambrosia nodded with a smile, "That just proves how good friends they are little lion. Now let's go meet up with Remus and Sirius so we can head back to Hogwarts. I want Madam Pomfrey to glance over you again and see how you are coming along. Perhaps she could Draco a once over as well."

Harry scrunched up his face in a pout at having to go back to the hospital wing but nodded his head, not wanting to anger his new parents by arguing with them. He didn't want them to send him back to the Dursleys' so he just agreed to it.

Severus seemed to be able to read Harry's mind as he knelt down in front of his new son and placed a hand on his shoulder, looking Harry in the eyes with nothing but love shining in them. "Now little lion there is no need for you to be frightened that we are going to send you back to those muggles if you argue with us over something that you feel uncomfortable doing. You won't have to stay in the hospital wing; it's just a check-up that won't take long at all. And please little lion, know that you do not have to act perfect for us in order to stay with us. We want you to act like a child and we fully expect that you will get into mischief now and then, and we are perfectly fine with that. It does not mean that we love you any less."

Harry's eyes widen at the words that Severus spoke to him before he responded with a question that has been burning itself into his mind since that morning. "Dad, I wanted to ask you about something but I don't want you to become angry with me."

Severus, standing back up, looked at Harry with a smile on his face, "Nothing you ask me will make me angry with you little lion. So feel free to ask your question."

Harry licked his lips and sighing a little as he met Severus' eyes. "I can't help but think back to how you and Draco treated me my first year. I am confused because neither of you have showed any kindness to me before and then all of a sudden Draco is my brother and you are my new father. It is all very confusing to me dad."

Severus sighed as he brought his new son into a warm hug before speaking softly, "I knew that question was going to come up and you do deserve to know the answer my little lion. Do not worry when we return to Hogwarts and are back in our quarters, I will sit down and explain to you why I acted like that with you and my reason for doing such a thing. But know this little lion, every harsh word that I spoke to you hurt me just as much to say. I have done many things in my life but those words will always be something that I shall regret until my last breathe."

Harry was shocked but hugged Severus back before looking up at him smiling, "Okay dad, I can wait until we are back at Hogwarts."

"Hey, what took you guys so long?" Sirius asked as he came in through the shop door, followed by Remus.

"Just lost track of time Padfoot is all," Severus replied as he patted Harry and Draco on the shoulders.

Sirius just raised an eyebrow and looked at Ambrosia, "Lost track of time? Is that what we call it when Ambrosia almost curses Molly Weasley into the next life? You guys are the talk to the alley right now. So what happened?"

Ambrosia sighed as she took both of her sons by the hand and lead them out of the shop to avoid them become upset again. "You explain what happened, Severus I'm going to take our sons outside as I do not want them upset again."

Ambrosia and the boys waited outside, the boys talking quietly amongst each other while their mother stood silent guard over them. Her eyes always on alert and keeping a sharp eye out for anything that meant her sons harm. She looked up at the shop door opened to see a fuming Remus and Sirius who looked ready to kill. She shook her head at them slightly and they calmed down so not to frighten the boys any longer. She turned to her sons, "Now you two, let's go to Hogwarts; first the hospital wing and then to our quarters so that we may sit down and talk."

Harry and Draco wasted no time in grabbing onto their new mother's hands and walking on either side of her, as they made their way back to Hogwarts to have what seemed like a long overdue conversation; one that would close old doors and open new ones.


End of Chapter