Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews. I'm so thrilled people are reading this and enjoying it, and it really means a lot that you are taking the time to write reviews. You're all great! Here's the next chapter. My Family descends tomorrow so there may be a bit of a delay before the next one.

Chapter Ten – Where Enemies Become Friends and Bitterness Ends

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all."

Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)

Severus turned his head around trying to find clues as to their location by sound and smell alone. All he could sense was the toxic miasma of petroleum, and the dim constant humming of passing cars. Annabelle slowly removed her arms from around his waist and his stomach flipped in disappointment. It had been so long since anyone had held him, for any reason. He repressed a shiver as she took his large hand in her slightly smaller one, and he took a few uncertain steps as she led him forward. He heard a jangle of keys and then a bleeping noise. Next thing he knew he was being assisted into some kind of vehicle. It had to be a wizarding vehicle though because he didn't think the muggle models included armchairs. He was strapped in and left to contemplate quietly on the thoroughness of this little family's preparation. There was no way he would be able to guess as to the location of their home if they didn't remove his blindfold until he was indoors. By apparating to this automobile and then driving there, there was no way he could track their apparition.

And the most important point was, if he couldn't track it, then neither could the Deatheaters. It seemed the Headmaster was being short sighted in his assessment of this situation, his prejudice against Annabelle was blinding him to the large pros which most definitely out weighed the cons of this arrangement.

That was another thing – Annabelle, his Annabelle was not Annabelle after all, but Aiyana Riddle, the Dark Lord's daughter. He had heard a little about her from Voldemort. He had spoken to the Potions Master just once, of his 'little Yani' as he called her. It was a very awkward conversation. The Dark Lord had been imbibing, something which he did rarely, if ever, as it let the emotional side, which admittedly was tiny, of the dark wizard out. Which, naturally, he hated, so he rarely drank. But on this occasion he had been drinking heavily, and had asked Severus to stay behind after a routine meeting. It turned out that it was the five year anniversary of the death of his wife Leonie, and their daughter Aiyana. The Dark Lord had killed his wife as he believed the love he felt for her had made him weak. He hadn't planned on doing anything to his child, he had intended to groom her to be his successor in every way, and had even hinted to the Potions Professor that he had wanted them to marry.

Looking back on it now, Severus could appreciate how ironic it was that the two of them had met years later and pursued a relationship for five years. When Annabelle had walked out on him without a word it had taken him a long time to come to terms with it. He had kept rehashing it in his mind trying to work out why she had just up and left like that. He had finally realised it was because she had found out he was a Deatheater. He was angry then, that she didn't give him a chance to explain. It was only earlier this morning when Dumbledore had told everyone who she was that he had finally understood. She would have had no way of knowing that he wouldn't discover her identity and use her in some horrible way to revive his 'master'. He could understand fear like that, and though it still hurt, he could forgive her.

He wondered how she felt about him now, and whether, now that she had chosen sides, she would be interested in seeing if they could be with one another again. It was something to ponder. Not like he could do anything about it right this minute.

The sound of a car door shutting woke him from his introspection and he was startled as a gentle hand helped him out of the car. He must have been contemplating for longer than he thought, as it seemed as though they had arrived. He got out of the car and walked forwards, suddenly stopping with a jolt as he encountered a large magical barrier. Someone put a hand on his shoulder.

"Severus Snape, welcome to the new Black Family home." He heard Harry's voice and suddenly he could proceed through the barrier. He let his magical senses stretch as he passed through it and was surprised to feel such ancient magic at work. This was something similar to the wards around Hogwarts and his own family estate. He wondered where they had learned how to make such warding, as it was thought that the knowledge was lost to all but the Headmasters of the school, and the head of the oldest families. He could hear someone putting a key in the front door and walked awkwardly up the steps into the house.

He sniffed as he entered trying to gain some feel for the property. It smelled like someone's home, he could smell the breakfast that they must have made earlier, and faint signs of chamomile and lavender. He was lead forwards and then right and then someone put their hands on his chest to stop him. Hands reached up and gently removed the blindfold from his eyes. He blinked a few times trying to adjust to the brightness of the warm sunny day, and looked around him.

Black and Lupin were seated on the sofa, smiling at him, which freaked him out a little. No doubt that was their intention. Harry was sat in an armchair, the Granger girl was in his lap, and both were smiling as well. Even stranger. Then he looked down to see Annabelle in front of him, the blindfold in her hands, and a wistful smile on her face. He stared down at her for what felt like an eternity. His body moved of its own volition, his mind not having much say in it, as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He rested his head on hers and closed his eyes for a few moments. When he opened them he pulled away from her, but didn't let go, as he beheld her with a look of such tenderness and longing as to make the other people in the room doubt that this was the same man they knew.

"I missed you so." He told her and she smiled, and pulled him back to her.

"I'm so sorry. I missed you too. Please, forgive me…" She whispered the last part. His arms tightened around her.

"You're forgiven, sweet Belle. How about we take this one step at a time, hmm?" He muttered into her hair and she nodded. They both jumped when someone blew their nose rather loudly. They looked round to see Sirius blowing his nose into a hanky, tears running down his face, while Remus patted him on the back, trying to comfort the blubbing Marauder. Severus smirked, still not letting go of Annabelle.

"You're getting soft Black." He accused and all of the Black males turned to him scowling indignantly.

"No I'm not!" Shouted all three of them.

"It's just so touching." Sirius added. Severus rolled his eyes as he realised he would now have to call all of them by their first names just to distinguish which one of them he was insulting, or um, speaking to. Annabelle and Hermione just laughed and then suggested they all go out into the garden and enjoy the afternoon, the two women going to the kitchen to make lemonade.

Severus followed the three men who all discarded their heavy robes revealing loose linen summer clothing which would make them much more comfortable in the heat of the August morning. Snape did the same, pleased for once not to be wearing his heavy teaching robes. Here in this house, he could safely drop the guise of the greasy git and just be a man. He listened quietly as the three men discussed the merits of having a day of barbecuing and swimming, Harry claiming that after the morning they'd had that they all deserved a day off from training. Severus' ears pricked when Harry mentioned training and Remus noticed. He began to explain as the two women came outside carrying a tray laden with jugs of lemonade and glasses filled with ice.

Severus swallowed when he saw Annabelle had changed into a lovely pale yellow sundress. Hermione was similarly garbed and he noticed where young Harry's eyes were, and that he wasn't paying any attention to the conversation that was going on around him. Neither was Severus and Remus chuckled when he noticed that too.

"So, and yeah, we keep a pink elephant in the shed, you know, just for parties and the like." He said and everyone laughed when Harry and Severus just nodded and said, "Yeah, sounds good." When they realised the others were laughing at them, they turned almost identical scowls on their friends which only made them laugh even harder. When he realised he had regainedthe Potions Master's attention, Remus explained how they were training Harry to defend himself slowly, since he was still healing from his treatment at the Dursleys.

"What was strange though, was that Belle here detected a binding on his magic which we haven't been able to remove. We think it is what is stopping his magic from developing completely. And Belle also thinks it is what is causing him to be so bad at Potions, among other things." Remus said and Severus raised his eyebrows.

"Really? Are you sure it isn't because he's just simplyatrocious at them? After all it takes a lot of time and patience. Neither of which Potter posses." He said with a ghost of his usual sneer. He jumped when Belle smacked him on the arm.

"Don't be mean! Harry is not stupid, and what's more, he's a wonderful cook. It doesn't make sense that he should so routinely ruin Potions, when he never spoils dinner. You know very well that Potions needs calm and most of all magical balance in the brewer. The binding had thrown his magic into flux, and it is neither calm nor balanced. That is why he's, and forgive me Harry, so abysmally awful at Potions. It's a miracle he made it into your NEWT's class." She told him and he considered it. The binding could explain a lot. He knew from the young man's essays that he wasn't an idiot.

"I could help you know, there is a potion that would reveal who bound his powers and what type of binding was used. It should aid you in removing the binding. It won't take long to brew if you have the ingredients." He offered. He had his suspicions on who had bound the young man's powers, but he would wait until they had firm proof. Despite the meeting earlier that morning, he knew Albus wasn't a bad person, he was just getting old. His reasoning was off, but he wasn't acting out any malicious intent. It happened to the best of them, unfortunately.

"Thank you Professor. I really appreciate your help in this. I know we haven't ever got on that well, but I know everything you've done for me over the years, and I'm very grateful." Harry said, offering his hand to the spy. Severus shook it, wondering what he had just started. He went with Belle into the house to check out the ingredients she had.

The others left in the garden talked quietly, enjoying the peace of the summer day. Before long, Sirius just had to ask a question he'd been holding in since the night before.

"So, Harry my boy, are you and this lovely young woman officially an item, or what?" He asked beaming. Both young people had the good grace to blush and nodded.

"Hoorah!" Sirius cheered and Remus offered them less exuberant yet no less heartfelt congratulations. The young couple went on to describe how they'd awoken that morning, entwined in each other's arms.

Hermione had felt a soft kiss on her temple, and warm arms encircling her waist from behind and she smiled, remembering where she was and who she was with. Harry had turned her round and looked down with a question in his eyes. She nodded slightly and he smiled nervously and bent his head to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him deepen the kiss and massaged her tongue with his. To her it had been special and perfect, and unabashedly sweet. To him it was gentle and wonderful, and she was everything he'd ever wanted.

Apparently neither of them believed the other would think of them as more than a good friend. Harry had believed she thought him to reckless and arrogant while she believed he thought her to bookish and bushy haired. Both had vehemently assured the other that this was not the case, and Harry had presented Hermione with a very thoughtful gift. He'd asked Belle for her help and they had gone out and got the young witch a beautiful leather bound diary with her initials embossed on the cover. Harry had written a message inside for her, which she made much of and showed the two Marauders.

My Beautiful Hermione,

Here is a book full of blank pages for you to fill with your wonderful and special thoughts. I will never be able to sufficiently express justhow much I admire and respect you. You aren beautful, brave, intelligent, funny and kind, and a million other things too. I am glad everyday that you wish me in your life. If not for you, I don't think I would be here right now. You have saved my life and many others so many times, with your cool logic and reasoning, which can sometimes belie the passionate and romantic soul underneath the smart exterior. You will always have all of me.

All my love,

Harry.

Hermione had been so happy when she read what he had written and she hugged the diary to her chest for a few seconds before flinging her arms around the nervous young Gryffindor and hugging the living daylights out of him. But that wasn't all, he had another gift up his sleeve. This time a beautiful fountain pen, engraved with her name and also something that made her heart skip a beat. Turning it in the light she read the inscription:

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."

Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)

When she read it, she flung her arms around him again making him chuckle, and he got up and swung her around the room while she giggled. When they finally sat down, she took out the pen and looked at it again.

"You really do understand." She had said softly and he nodded. She was so touched, she had never thought anyone had understood her deep and abiding love of books. But she'd obviously been wrong, Harry had just proven that.

When told about all of this, Sirius had just blubbed again, and Remus had laughed at him, along with the young lovers, and the four of them went back to discussing the binding of Harry's magic. It seemed as though they had the same suspicions as Professor Snape.

"I think we have to consider the possibility that the Headmaster, if he was the one to do it, did believe he was acting in yourbest interests Harry. However misguided we think he is, he isn't evil." Remus said and the other three considered it. Sirius just snorted and Hermione looked thoughtful. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, making it look messier than normal.

"I know he's not, deep down. But, they were hurting me Remus, and he just left me there. If Sirius and Belle hadn't shown up when they did…" Harry didn't finish his sentence, and no one needed him to. They all knew what he meant; if they hadn't rescued him when they did, he could be dead or worse. They all stared down at the wooden table they were sitting around, suddenly subdued.

They were startled out of their respective reveries when they heard the unmistakable sound of the greasy Hogwarts Potions Professor laughing heartily. He and Belle walked back out into the garden in hysterics. Snape seemd to be reciting something, and had put on a funny voice.

"E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!" Severus shouted the last part and Belle stumbled, she was laughing so hard.

"Oops, watch it there Belle!" Severus said, snickering as he caught her. "Wouldn't want you to do yourself any permanent injuries." He said and she chortled again.

"What would it say on the report? 'Death by Monty Python?" She said and he chuckled again. Hermione then worked out what they were going on about, and then started to laugh too. The others having no acquaintance with Monty Python just looked at them like they'd all announced they were in fact poisonous fish monkeys from Mars and that they had better be getting back to their spaceship.

Or something equally bizarre and scary. Severus noticed the three men staring at them and frowned a little.

"What? Can't a nasty Deatheater turned spy appreciate one of the funniest sketches in the history of British Comedy? Hmm? No? No idea what I'm going on about then?" He said looking at the three blank faces. "Oh well, your loss!" He said and he reclaimed his seat and drink from earlier. Belle had managed to compose herself by now, and sat next to him, scooting her chair a little closer.

"Well anyway, we have the ingredients necessary and Severus has kindly agreed to stay and brew the potion. He's asked if Miss Granger would be willing to assist?" She told them and Hermione nodded eagerly.

Sirius looked at the odd group gathered around him. In such a short space of time, he had what he'd always wanted. And the same went for the others. Out of the six of them, only Hermione had had a loving home with loving parents. But because they weren't magical, there was only so much of her life that they could be involved in. They couldn't advise her on magical matters, and up until now she'd had to work things out for herself. It couldn't have been easy, trying to find your own way in a world you knew nothing about, having been thrust into it at the tender age of eleven. As for the others, none of them had come from happy homes. He had been feeling sentimental and weepy all day, but when he looked around this table, he felt like blubbing again. This house, this family, was their refuge. And in the storm which approached, they would all help each other steer themselves safely into the harbour.

For just right now, life was good.