Okay. I'm aware that the hand business last chapter might have been confusing, so here's a few bits of info. Thurizaz is a Nordic rune that means gateway, the path between worlds. Dung is another underplayed character, and is in the Order for a reason, namely his underground contacts. That aside, back to happiness this chapter, for a while. Sev POV.

Chapter12: Home

Severus sat on the stairs again. It was rapidly becoming his favourite spot in this blasted house, after the twins' field lab. He stared down at his hands. Two, once again. One pale as moonlight, the other black as the gaps between the stars. Mismatched, and yet whole at the same time. He was whole again, in body anyway. And since coming here, coming to the Weasleys, more whole in spirit too. He felt ... stronger, calmer. Not the enforced calm of the spy, the blanking of mind he was used to when enduring torment. Real calm. Heart calm. It was wonderful, more wonderful than anything he'd ever known, a quiet joy that filled his being.

Quietly, almost without realising it, he started to hum. It was an old habit of his, one that he'd only previously indulged in his private labs, while working. A simple little tune, one his father had taught him, when he was all of two years old. It had been the first thing Tobias Snape had taught him, and the one thing that stuck with him longest. Gods, but he missed his father. He'd had no magic, no wand, but he'd had a gift for showing Severus the magic that was inherent in all things, from dawn to butter to song. Especially song. He'd loved music, and had been more than willing to share that love with his son. A love Severus had had little opportunity to know these last years. Ever since Malfoy had taken advantage of Eileen Snape's death to force Tobias into selling on his son. Not that he'd survived to mourn the loss. Caligulus Malfoy had killed him as soon as the transaction was complete. It was the first in a long list of reasons for his intense hatred of the Malfoys.

Blinking, he shook off the morbid thoughts. The last thing his father would wish him to do was spoil a rare moment of happiness with bitter memories. Severus picked back up the tune, singing softly and joyfully to himself, in celebration of a generous spirit and a worthy father, who would always be remembered well. The simple, childish melody floated around him in the morning light, dancing through the dust motes on the beams of early morning sun. Suddenly caught in the simple wonder of it, Severus felt himself begin to cry softly, content to just remember, and be at ease. It was a beautiful morning, in a calm house.

He didn't blink as Arthur sat silently beside him on the step. Neither did he stop singing. He wanted to complete this song, in honour of his father's memory. He knew Arthur would understand that. The last notes danced playfully around them, ending with a sound like a child's laughter, that was Tobias' one true joy. A moment of silence followed, easy and reverent.

"It was my father's song," he told Arthur softly. "I felt like remembering him, just now. I felt like being near him. It's been too long. Too hard. To get time to just think of him. Sorry if it woke you."

The older man laughed gently. "And if it did? It's a fine tune to wake to. Simple. Beautiful. Made me think of Bill's first steps, or Charlie's first broomride. The twins' first proper explosion, perhaps?" Severus snorted. "Hah. Yes, it was rather early. They were three, playing with my cauldron. I suppose you'd know all about them and cauldrons by this stage." Severus nodded ruefully.

"They were ... inventive, I'll give them that. But they didn't bother with little things like safety regulations. My classroom bore the brunt of quite a few of their 'experiments'. Some quite clever, actually. The beginnings of genius. Just ... unruly genius. No thought for their own safety, or indeed mine. I've had more hair-raising experiences trying to control those two that at many a Death Eater revel. Only Neville Longbottom ever managed to keep me on my toes more than they."

Suddenly he laughed. Arthur looked askance at him, lips quirking in amusement. "I was only thinking," Severus explained, "that those were good times. Between Neville and your boys, I barely had a chance to breathe, let alone dwell on darker thoughts. It's a wonder I'm not bald from the fits of frustration. I should at the very least be grey!"

Arthur chuckled. "Don't feel alone there, boyo. I swear, it's their misson in life to make us all grey before our time. Them and Harry. That boy shouldn't be out so often, getting up to who-knows-what. Boy-Who-Lived or not, he's still a boy! He shouldn't be in danger so much! How can people honestly expect him to stand up to Voldemort alone!"

Severus sighed. "There's no-one else. Like it or not, he is the Boy-Who-Lived. Voldemort chose him. We can help him. We must help him, but at the end of the day, he's the only one Voldemort will allow to defeat him. He's the prophesied hero ..."

"But it's not right!" Arthur roared, then hurriedly quieted at the sound of stirrings from upstairs. "It's not right," he continued, more quietly. "No-one should ask a boy to do these things! No-one should have asked you to spy, either! One person can't hope to bear up under the responsibilities of an entire people! We've fobbed off our duty onto the pair of you for too long! Harry to be the hero, and you to be the sacrifice. At least Harry gets some thanks! It's just not right!"

Stunned, Severus laid a calming hand on the man's shoulder. "Right or not, it was what had to be done. We needed a spy. We need a hero. Harry and I were the only choices. He is strong enough. I wasn't ..."

"Don't say that! You're stronger than anyone I've known, save Harry and Molly," Arthur interupted.

"But I failed. I was discovered. I'm no use to anyone anymore." Severus was confused. That really should be obvious. His only purpose had been to spy. Without that ...

Arthur pulled him forward into a hug. Severus stiffened in shock, both at the man's display of emotion, and at the fact it was directed at him. "Arthur?"

"Shush, boy. Don't think like that. It doesn't matter if you can spy or not. Molly and I care about you anyway. So do our trickster twins, from the looks of things. They haven't left your side since you awoke. And they won't. We won't. We told you you're a Weasley now. We didn't just say that for fun. We meant it. You're one of us, and we won't abandon you, no matter what. It's our solemn promise."

Severus struggled to pull away, to say something, but in the end he simply leant against Arthur, taking the offered support, and quietly wept. A strange mix of sorrow and joy and warmth filled him, and for once he just let them rage through him, feeling safe enough with this man to let his true feelings show. For the first time in so very long, he felt like someone cared, not just for what he could do, but for who he was. It was wonderful, and terrifying, for everything he'd ever cared for had been taken, and he wasn't sure if he could bear one more loss. No. He was sure. If one more thing were taken, he would crumble completely. He would die.

"Severus?" He looked up at Arthur. "Come with me, lad. There's something I need to show you." Blinking, he only watched as the red-haired man stood, and stared for a moment at the hand that was offered. Then, shaking himself, he took it and allowed the Weasley patriarch to help him to his feet.

Arthur led him to the fireplace. Severus pulled back a touch. He hadn't been outside this house since ... Well, since he'd returned that last time. He wasn't sure if he were allowed. Not that anyone had forbidden him, as such. He'd just gotten the impression that leaving would be a bad idea. Besides, he wasn't completely healed, which had never before stopped him, but he'd never been quite so close to the veil before, either.

Arthur looked back at him. "We're just going to the Burrow for a few minutes. We'll be back in time for breakfast. We have to be. Molly will kill me if I deny her the opportunity to fatten you up, after all." Severus chuckled weakly, and followed the other through the Floo.

Once through, he looked about with interest. He'd only been here ... what, twice? Not often, anyway. It was ... homely, and charming. The chaotic disorder only showed that people lived here, truly lived here. It was a family home. It was wonderful.

"Severus? This way." He turned to Arthur, smiling slightly. This was a good place. It was difficult not to be happy, here. Arthur led him into the kitchen, and Severus followed willingly, looking around him all the way. He felt like a child. That was a very rare thing. But it was pleasant.

They stopped before the clock. Most wizarding families had one. It helped keep track of things. Severus blinked at it, wondering what he was meant to see.

"Look at the hands, Severus," Arthur prompted gently.

Hands? Nine, one for each Weasley. No. Ten. Ten hands. He moved closer. Written in delicate black inlay, on a brand new silver clockhand, was the name Severus Snape. That alone sent a lump of emotion to his throat. But what struck him was where the hand rested. On 'HOME'.

"As long as you live," Arthur said softly beside him, "this will be your home."

Severus closed his eyes, tears stinging the insides of his eyelids. It was too much. He was spending quite a bit of this morning in tears, but this was too much. He couldn't hold back. Still, struggling, he forcibly swallowed the lump in his throat to choke out two soft words.

"Thank you," he whispered. Arthur silently put an arm around his shoulders, and Severus leaned into him once more, and wept in quiet joy.

Well? I know I've been awhile updating, but here we go. I wanted to bring Arthur back, and to bring Tobias in. I don't think poor old Muggle Tobias was evil, or abusive, or neglectful. I just think he died, and should be remembered well. So what do you think? R&R?