Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Dedicated to the amazing Alan Rickman. My heart is so sad right now. You will be loved and remembered Always!

"What's this about?" Bella asked curiously. She looked at Severus. "Don't you still have our cottage?"

Severus looked away. "I destroyed it…after I couldn't find you." He said softly.

"Oh," Bella was quiet for a moment. "You still have your childhood home though?"

"I never go there," Severus said stiffly.

"Thistle has been there and Thistle has redone the entire house." Thistle said with her hands on her hips. "The Snape house looks completely different now."

"It's still the same house," Severus hissed at her.

Thistle looked ready to stamp her foot. "It is not the same house if you make new, happy memories there." She said stubbornly. "Thistle worked hard!"

Severus opened his mouth to argue when a timid voice spoke up.

"Can we go see it?" Kaiden looked at his dad hopefully. He felt bad for Thistle; she obviously really wanted them to see what she had been working on. He wondered why his dad was so against it, he would love to see where his dad had grown up.

Severus was about to answer with a firm no when his son looked at him with wide, pleading eyes. Thistle mimicked him and soon Bella joined in. He sighed, knowing he was defeated in this issue. "Fine," He grumbled. "We can go look, but as far as I am concerned our home is here."

Thistle smiled happily. "Thistle wills expect yous at lunch. Thistle will make something nice for her family." She beamed happily and popped away.

"She hasn't changed a bit," Bella said fondly. She noticed Severus's irritated look and grinned.

"You don't really mind do you?" Kaiden asked worriedly, biting his lip. Maybe he shouldn't have asked to go see a house that for some reason upset his dad.

"It is fine Kaiden," Severus said. He had kept the house in case he had need of it during his spying days. It just seemed absurd to take his son to his old house that had been the residence of so many unhappy childhood memories for him. The house had also been small and run-down, with mismatched furniture. "Why don't you go get your wand and your mother and I will show you a spell?"

"Okay!" Kaiden raced off to his room.

"I can take Kaiden alone if you do not want to go," Bella offered quietly. She understood Severus's feelings; she wouldn't want to visit her childhood home either. Her parents, though they didn't join the death eaters, believed in blood purity. They had been furious that she had married a half-blood which was why she had joined the death eaters in the first place. She thought that by doing so she could make them accept Severus. It hadn't worked, although they had not disowned her they way they did her other sister, Andromeda; they had still treated Severus with disdain. I don't even care to see them now, she thought darkly. If they are even still alive…

"No, we can all go," Severus said finally. "I am being ridiculous, I suppose."

"No you are not," Bella said. "Although Kaiden is likely going to wonder why you hate that house so much." She changed the subject for the moment, hating the desolate look on Severus's face. "So you are a professor. I'm…surprised." She raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to own an apothecary?" In fact, they both had planned to own one together.

"Dumbledore needed me here so that when the time came, I could protect Harry Potter." Severus said. "I also owed him for speaking on my behalf when I became a spy for the light."

Bella stared at him. "You were a spy? I didn't even suspect…" She paused. She hadn't been very aware of anything except her own misery during that time. "That was very dangerous Severus, if you had been found out…" She shook her head at the thought.

"I wasn't. And it is no more dangerous than leaving the Dark Lord as we were planning to do." Severus pointed out.

"At least we would have been well hidden," Bella murmured. And together, she thought wistfully.

"Bella, do you still consider yourself a death eater? Do you wish for the Dark Lord to return?" Severus asked bluntly. He already knew the answer but felt he should ask anyway. He wanted to make sure the potion that had poisoned her mind was truly gone.

Bella was shocked at the question and narrowed her eyes at Severus but couldn't respond as Kaiden had re-entered the room proudly holding his wand. He noticed the tense looks on his parents' faces and stepped back a step. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong," Severus looked away from the fury in Bella's eyes and focused on his son. Perhaps he had been a tad too blunt. "So are you ready to try a spell? Now remember, normally during the summer you are not allowed to practice magic. This is a special circumstance, all right?"

"I know." Kaiden nodded his understanding. He looked eagerly from his dad to his mum.

Severus had a small smile on his face at the excited look in Kaiden's eyes. He caught Bella's eye and saw that she was smiling as well.

"The Levitation Charm is one of the first charms you will learn in school. This charm makes things fly with a mere flick of your wand." Severus began, falling back into his professor mode. "This charm tests your skills, wand control and most of all, your patience. Do not get discouraged if you are not able to do it the first try. You need to remain focused yet relaxed, as your magic responds to your emotions."

Bella watched her husband lecture with amusement as well as pride. Despite the fact that Severus had never been interested in teaching, she could see how he was an effective professor, especially if the student was as attentive as Kaiden clearly was.

"Now, this charm is not intended on human beings. The only thing the charm would affect is the person's clothing and they would likely not last long in the air. Some in the past have tried to use this charm to make themselves fly but it does not work like it does on objects." Severus continued. He pulled his wand from his sleeve and pointed it at a quill that was lying on the coffee table. "The spell is all in the wrist. Remember to stay relaxed so that your hand is loose while you perform a swish and flick movement. The wand movement somewhat resembles the letter J. Watch," Severus instructed. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The quill flew into the air and hovered over the table.

"Brilliant!" Kaiden breathed. He was itching to try the spell.

"Repeat the incantation before you attempt the spell," Bella said. "It must be pronounced correctly to work."

"Wingardium Leviosa," Kaiden tried, his voice a little unsure.

"No son, more emphasis on the gar. Win-GAR-dium. Also, you must be confident when you say it." Severus said gently. "Go ahead and try."

Kaiden pointed his wand at the quill that had been lowered back onto the table and repeated the incantation. Nothing happened and his shoulders slumped.

Bella noticed her son's disappointed expression at not performing the spell correctly the first time. "Try again," Bella urged encouragingly. "Remember your father's instructions."

Kaiden took a deep breath and tried again. "Wingardium Leviosa!" This time, the quill floated up into the air and Kaiden grinned happily. "I did it!"

"Very good," Severus said proudly.

"My baby's first spell," Bella said fondly. "Well done."

Kaiden beamed. He had actually done it! "I can't believe it. I performed magic!" He thought for a moment. "Well, on purpose anyway. And this time I won't get into trouble for it!" He grinned at his parents as he lowered the quill back onto the table and then performed the spell again.

Bella frowned at that as she thought of the muggles that had raised her son. She moved closer to her husband. "I will not be patient for much longer in confronting those muggles," She said quietly to him.

"Yes, I know." Severus said. "We will do so soon. Albus and Poppy can watch Kaiden when we go."

"I hate the thought of being away from him though," Bella sighed.

"I feel the same. When I went to see Narcissa, it was hard to leave him even though it was only for a short time." Severus admitted.

"I also need to visit with Narcissa again." Bella said with anger in her voice. "But I think we should visit the Dursley's first. I want to know exactly how they treated Kaiden so that I can make Narcissa understand what her decision did to him."

Severus took her hand into his. "Perhaps after dinner we could pay them a visit. Kaiden will most likely be tired from practicing magic and visiting Spinner's End. I'll ask Poppy to come and watch him this evening. She'll most likely want to run another diagnostic on him anyway."

Bella looked over at Kaiden who was still practicing the levitation spell. "We also need to discuss the question you asked me before Kaiden came into the room." She said tonelessly.

Severus gave a curt nod. "There are many things for us to discuss." His voice had a slight edge yet he squeezed her gently and then let it go, walking over to Kaiden.

"Can I learn another spell?" Kaiden asked eagerly.

"It is may I and no. Trust me; learning magic is tiring as you are exhausting your magical core. Also you will be learning plenty of new things once term starts up." Severus took in Kaiden's crestfallen expression and shook his head ruefully. "Remember, you aren't even supposed to be using your wand yet."

"Aw, come on Dad. Just one more? Please?" Kaiden said. He took a step back when he realized his voice had taken on a whining tone. He had sounded like Dudley! How could he act so ungrateful? "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked again or used that tone. I just, magic is so brilliant and…I shouldn't have though. I'm sorry." He babbled.

Concerned, Severus and Bella approached their child with Bella putting her arms around him and Severus resting his hand on his shoulder. "It's okay baby. It's okay." Bella said in a soothing voice. She raised her eyes to Severus with a worried expression.

"Kaiden, look at me." Severus knelt down so he was more at level with his son.

Kaiden's eyes were slightly fearful and he had an ashamed look on his face. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "I shouldn't have whined at you."

"All children whine and beg their parents for things, especially when told no," Severus said with some amusement. "It's normal."

"I sounded like Dudley when he wanted something," Kaiden said shamefully. "I never want to act like he did. He got so much attention and love and all he cared about was getting more toys and things. I appreciate everything you've done for me honest!"

"Kaiden, do not apologize for acting like a normal kid." Bella said, running her hand up and down his back in a soothing gesture. "Like your father said, all children whine and even pester their parents when they want something. Just wait until you are a teenager, it will probably be on a daily basis." She joked.

"But won't that upset you?" Kaiden asked softly, relaxing as he realized his parents weren't annoyed with him.

"I'm sure it will sometimes." Severus chuckled. "You need to understand; even if we do get upset at something you do it doesn't change how we feel about you."

"There will be times when you get upset with us," Bella added. "Yet we know that won't mean you don't care about us or love us right?"

Kaiden nodded his agreement.

"The same goes for us," Severus said firmly.

"You could've stamped your foot and yelled at us and we would still love you," Bella added with a smile.

"Exactly. Although if you do that someday, don't be surprised if you are sent to your room or given lines to write." Severus smirked. He actually was relieved that Kaiden had acted a bit petulant as to him it showed he was getting more comfortable around him and Bella.

"Are you okay now?" Bella asked Kaiden.

"Yes. Thank you for showing me the spell, it was brilliant." Kaiden smiled. "I can't wait until school starts!" Suddenly he thought of something. "Will I still be allowed here in our quarters when I am staying in my dorm? Will you both be here?"

"Yes," Severus answered. "A benefit to having your parents at school is if you need a break from your peers you have another place to stay."

"Good," Kaiden said in satisfaction. He didn't want to be too far apart from his parents. He had only just found them after all.

Bella was thinking the same thing. There was no way she was going to be away from her son. However at the moment she was a wanted fugitive for being a death eater. But no matter what, she would fight until her last breath to stay with her son and her husband.

"Are we still going to your old house?" Kaiden asked.

"Yes, I suppose." Severus sighed. He cast a tempus and saw that it was almost time for lunch. "Go ahead and put your wand back in your room. We will leave in ten minutes." He and Bella were still in the same clothes as yesterday and needed to freshen up.

Kaiden's face brightened and quickly left the sitting room.

Bella cleared her throat. "I don't have any other clothes except what I was wearing yesterday and what I am wearing now." She murmured. Was it only yesterday she had still believed her son to be dead? "I'll shower and transfigure this robe and hospital gown into something presentable."

"You could always ask Poppy if you could borrow one of her nurse uniforms," Severus suggested innocently. He laughed when Bella glared at him.

HPHPHPHP

"Wow!" Kaiden exclaimed as he stepped out from the floo and into the sitting room of his dad's childhood home. "You grew up here?"

"Oh my," Bella breathed as she looked around. She had only been here once, after Severus's parents had both passed away to help him pack up the rest of his things. It had looked quite different than the room they were standing in now. And this was only the sitting room!

Severus stared and in an undignified moment, his mouth dropped open as he gaped at the room. This definitely did not look like the house he had grown up in! Gone was the mismatched furniture, the cracks in the walls, the chipped paint. The musty smell that he remembered was gone and the house was clearly larger than it had been. The walls were now a light silvery grey and the floor a rich dark grey carpet. The fireplace they had just stepped from was now a dark antique marble with new picture frames sitting on top of the mantle. The frames were filled with pictures of Severus and Bella's wedding day and Kaiden as a newborn. Taking a step closer he noticed two of the new pictures were current. How had Thistle gotten a picture of him, Kaiden and Bella hugging yesterday? He wondered. Unless…Albus. Of course.

The furniture consisted of a large soft grey sofa with dark green end tables on each side. A glass coffee table was in front of the sofa, the legs on the table looking like elegant silver snakes. Two comfortable looking recliners were on the other side of the room, near a huge window with dark green drapes. In one corner, there was a beautiful two end angled bookcase with glass doors and cabinets at the bottom. The staircase that led to the second floor had the same dark grey carpet as well as dark wooden banisters.

Pop! "You's is here!" Thistle squealed. "Do you like Thistle's work?" She looked eagerly at them.

"It's brilliant Thistle!" Kaiden said as he walked around the room. "It's the most beautiful room I ever saw!"

"Amazing," Bella agreed. "It resembles the décor of the cottage." She glanced at Severus. "What do you think?"

Severus stayed silent as he marched out of the room and saw that the dining area held a new dark wooden table and chairs, an elegant teacart, and a mahogany hutch that held dark green plates and glasses. The table was already set for three. He continued to the kitchen to find it was brand new looking as well, practically sparkling with the shiny pots and pans and wooden floor. The granite on the counters was dark grey.

"Severus?"

Severus returned to the dining room where Bella, Kaiden and Thistle were now waiting for him. He stared at the house-elf. "Thank you." He said simply yet sincerely.

Thistle's eyes widened and she broke into a huge grin. "Master Snape is happy with the house?"

"I have not seen the upstairs yet but if the downstairs is any indication then I am beyond pleased with the house." Severus said honestly. There was no reminder of the unhappy years he had spent here, no echo of the yelling and fighting that he had been forced to endure in his youth.

"Upstairs rooms are like the cottage," Thistle informed him as she gestured for them to sit at the table. "The Master bedroom, young master's bedroom, guest room and an office." She smiled warmly at Kaiden. "I did young masters room like the one at Hogwarts, only Thistle added more furniture and a bigger window."

"Can I – I mean, may I go see it?" Kaiden asked excitedly.

"Lunch first," Severus insisted as his stomach grumbled from hunger. They enjoyed the delicious chicken pot pie lunch that Thistle had prepared.

"Why isn't Thistle eating with us?" Kaiden asked after he had swallowed his first bite.

"House-elves do not eat with their wizarding family. It is not considered proper," Severus said. "However, in the past we have invited Thistle to join us but she has always refused."

"She laughed for almost ten minutes the first time we asked her," Bella remarked as she took a sip of her water. She eyed Kaiden, happy to see him enjoying his meal. "Make sure you eat your vegetables." She couldn't help but say. She ignored the amusement on her husband's face.

Kaiden speared a large piece of broccoli and obediently ate it before continuing the conversation. "Can't you insist she eat with us? Maybe she really wants too but-"

"Kaiden, she does not want to. She would be very unhappy if we insisted on it." Severus told him. "She knows she is welcome." He added.

"Oh," Kaiden said sadly.

Thistle popped into the room once they had finished eating. "Did yous enjoy your lunch?"

"It was delicious Thistle," Bella said, sitting back in her chair. "I had forgotten how well you cooked."

Thistle nodded approvingly at the empty plates on the table. "All's three of yous need to eat more food. Thistle hates seeing yous so thin!" She admonished, wagging her finger at them.

"Yes Thistle," Kaiden said as she banished his plate to the kitchen. "Now may I go see my room?" He asked his parents hopefully.

"Go ahead. I am sure Thistle wouldn't mind showing you." Severus said. "Your mother and I will be up in a bit."

"Okay," Kaiden hopped out of his chair and eagerly followed Thistle upstairs.

Bella said nothing, merely raised her eyebrow at Severus and waited.

"We need to talk," Severus stated. "About the Dursley's, Narcissa, Kaiden and how we will keep what happened to him a secret. We also need to talk about the death eaters, the Dark Lord, and how to keep you out of Azkaban."

"Is that all?" Bella asked sarcastically. Obviously they had a lot to talk about, she knew that already!

Severus glared at her. "No there is one more thing. How could you have done it?" He tried to keep his hurt feelings and anger under control but it was a losing battle. His emotions had been buried for too long. It wasn't fair, but he felt betrayed by his wife for leaving him.

Bella stared at him. "How could I what?" She demanded to know.

"Leave me!" Severus hissed at her. He shook his head a little and the anger in his eyes was replaced by sadness. "How could you have left me?" He whispered.

Bella could only stare at him as her own eyes filled with tears.

TBC: