Chapter 10
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Severus Snape sat holding his sleeping son, Sebastian, later in the evening. Lucius and Narcissa had asked him to be a godfather to the twins along with Harry. He had been second godfather to Draco and look how he had turned out. He wouldn't take any blame there, they had already seen the reports from the Psychiatric Unit at Azkaban, Draco was suffering from a madness that was inherent in the Black Family line.
They thought the madness had been triggered by the torture he endured at the hands of his Aunt Bella, during the war. Now if there ever was a woman that was mad.. it had been her. She had been finally put down like the mad dog she was. The first to go on the path to finally destroying Voldemort that fateful day.
"What you tinkin' Papa?" asked a sleepy Sebastian.
Severus pulled the small body closer, inhaling the unique smell that was all Sebastian; baby powder and strawberries. "The past. People long gone. Harry. And being a Godfather to the twins."
"Zo' and 'Asha are pretty babies, Papa."
"Yes they are, Sebastian."
"When do I get a brod'r or sist'r?"
Severus looked down at his son, in surprise. "Well Sebastian, it's just you and me...for now."
"Cuz we don' have Da 'nymore?"
"Yes, because we don't have Da anymore. It is always best for children to have two parents." Severus sighed, thinking longingly of his beloved Davidh. The man had passed two years ago, and Severus still ached inside.
"Hawwy would be a good Da. He likes to read stowwies... An'… an', he gives good hugs an' kisses... an'… an' he likes Wheezy candy…" Sebastian spoke very quickly, oblivious to the odd look of surprise on his father's face.
"Sebastian Davidh Severin... how do you know all of that?" He asked, his voice smooth and calm.
Small black eyes went wide. "Uh-oh...umm..."
"Sebastian?"
"I visit Hawwy. I bring my books an' he reads to me. He even tawt me to read, Papa."
"And where are you getting Weasley Candy?"
"They come to see Miss 'Mione. Tol' me not to tell Miss 'Mione--or you, Papa."
"They?"
"Gred an' Forge."
Severus moaned. His son. His beautiful, innocent son was being corrupted by the Weasley twins. Oh, but he knew how to get them back. By telling their wife. He would be sure to speak with her in the morning.
"And how long have you been visiting with Harry?"
Sebastian counted quickly on his fingers before answering. "T'ree weeks, Papa... tomowwow."
Severus eyebrows rose. That was about the same time Harry started making substantial improvements. He would have to speak to the healers, and let them know the mystery had been solved.
"Papa?"
"Yes, little one."
"Am I a bane now?"
Severus gave him an odd look, until he realized what his son was asking, then he laughed as he hugged him. "No. You are most definitely not a Bane, my son. Off to bed with you now."
"Bath time, Papa?"
"Yes. Cordy!"
A little house elf appeared dressed in the Staff uniform of the Snape Family. "It's Sebastian's bath time."
"Yes, Master Severus. Cordy will take care of Little Master."
As his son and Cordy started to walk off, "Sebastian?"
Dark eyes turned, "Yes, Papa?"
"You may continue to see Harry."
A large bright smile erupted as the little boy rushed to his Papa.. and hugged him. "T'ank you, Papa!"
Severus smiled. "Now, off with you. We must be at Malfoy Manor very early tomorrow morning."
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Severus finished dressing, and headed down the hall to get his son, so they could go to Malfoy Manor, and join everyone for breakfast, before the busy day began. When Severus entered his son's rooms, Sebastian had been going through the books on his shelves, talking to himself as he looked at each one, separating his books into two piles.
"Alweady read. Nawt read."
"Sebastian? What are you doing?"
"Me and Hawwy have read so many books. I hav'ta pick out a new one, Papa."
"Oh. Well, hurry then. Breakfast is waiting for us."
Severus was smiling into his tea as he waited for everyone to make an appearance this morning.
"Severus, good morning to you. Why you look almost chipper," Poppy commented as she sat down next to him. Hermione seated herself across from him. The bleary eyed woman quickly poured herself some coffee.
"Well I have figured out what initiated the improvement in Harry." Severus commented nonchalantly.
Poppy stopped slicing open her scone and looked up. Hermione took one long appreciative sip from her cup, feeling the caffeine course through her body, before she responded.
"And that would be?"
Severus raised an eyebrow, as a humorous glint appeared in his eyes. "I do believe we really should wait for Neville and the others to join us, don't you?
"Severus Sebastian Valerian Snape! Don't make me hex you! I haven't had my tea yet." Poppy scowled at him.
Severus gave a put upon sigh before he decided to explain. "Sebastian has been visiting Harry. If I'm to guess, the visits started about the time he began to sleep without the draughts."
"Little Sebastian? What's he been doing?" Hermione asked, curious.
"Making himself a new best friend. And, sharing Weasley candies, apparently." Severus drawled, a bit loudly, as he noticed Hermione's mates enter the room. Returning his gaze to the healer he continued. "It certainly would explain Sebastian's increased activity level."
"And, some of the skewed readings in Harry's diagnostic tests!" Neville spoke as he seated himself to Hermione's left, reaching for the coffee pot.
Fred and George had pulled out chairs to the right of their wife and were preparing to seat themselves, when she turned and pinned them both with a glare. They stopped mid-movement, their expressions reflecting innocent confusion.
"What's wrong..."
...my Love? What's..."
...upset you this..."
...morning?"
She swallowed down the rest of her coffee, and rose to her feet. "Contraband given to my patient. Skewing his medical readings. Giving sweets to a child without parental permission..."
Severus snorted into his cup as he watched the fiery little witch lead both of her husbands out of the room, an earlobe gripped firmly between the fingers of each hand, as she continued to verbally berate them. He would cherish the memory for decades to come.
Poppy giggled uncontrollably next to him, and Neville was grinning from ear to ear.
"You'd think after all this time, they would learn. They have known her for about sixteen years now." Neville spooned some bangers, eggs, and tomatoes onto his plate.
"Papa?" Sebastian asked, from his seat beside Severus. "Did I get Gred an' Forge in twouble?"
"No, Love," Poppy giggled. "They got themselves into trouble--again."
"I can still see Hawwy, right Papa?"
"Yes. You may continue to visit Harry, but, no more Weasley candy. It interferes with the potions he is taking, which in turn, affects the results of the diagnostic spells that his Healers use." Severus glanced in Neville's direction as he spoke.
"'Kay." Sebastian jumped up in his seat and hugged his Papa. "I love you, Papa!"
Climbing down from his seat, he dashed for the door, to go start his lessons. The sooner they were over, the sooner he could visit Harry.
"Sebastian." Severus called, stopping his son in his tracks. "You may visit as long as you don't tire Harry out."
"Yes Papa!" In a moment, the boy was gone, small feet pounding down the hallway.
"I've said it many times, Severus Snape. And I'll keep on saying it. You've done well with that boy and he couldn't be any happier!" Poppy commented with a smile as she patted his arm.
Severus couldn't stop the smile of pride that pulled at his lips. He almost succeeded, but it had been seen, so he gave up and sighed in defeat. "Thank you, Poppy. Davidh would be proud of Sebastian as well. It hasn't been easy with Davidh gone."
Poppy patted his arm again. "I know, dear. If you'd had more children, it would have been even more difficult for you."
"Speaking of children...Severus," Hermione began as she sat back down at the table, her husbands sheepishly sitting down on either side, looking duly chastised. "Sebastian asked me, yesterday, how he could get some brothers and sisters..."
Tbc...