A/N: Edited March 10th, 2015.
Chapter 20: Family Life
By the evening of Dumbledore's first day at Willow House he was perfectly content to remain and watch the changes in Severus Snape. At the same time, the owl arrived from Molly and Arthur Weasley announcing that they accepted the invitation and stating that they would arrive in the morning of the following day so long as they could organize all of their children for travel and apologized for not coming sooner, but with seven it would take a little time. Bill would be leaving from Willow House at the end of the summer to attend to Hogwarts for the first time, but with six younger children, a Hogwarts trunks and a multitude of baby things, the Weasleys were bound to be running just a little late, as usual, but Snape and Dumbledore were happy to know that they would be coming.
The rest of the evening was spent in quiet seclusion in the music room as, Cassandry played the piano and Harry played under it. It was a quiet evening of magical conversations and Snape rather enjoyed the gathering in his home.
Rocco and Lilina were very intelligent magical folk and their children were also very polite and well spoken, especially the boys and Carmen, but the conversation that both Snape and Dumbledore enjoyed the most was the talk of the community and the non-magical goings on of the house, the farms and the little village that relied on Willow House to stay alive, and economically stable. It was a marvel in itself that they had continued on in the same way for so long.
"We currently breed most of the horses right from our stables," George Pairywhether explained, "many of the horses within the village have been sired here or came from the bloodlines that have always been connected with Willow House. It isn't particularly common for a great house to be a breeding stable as well, but Willow has always been that way and we are proud to carry on the legacy."
"That is quite interesting lad," Dumbledore smiled, "I'd be interested in observing the daily workings of your stables," he added with a glance at Snape.
"I'm sure Rocco, George and Peter would be very happy to accommodate you Professor," Severus smiled and Rocco nodded.
"Forever the scholar Albus," Lilina laughed as she gathered the remains of the tea service and moved to leave.
"There is always so much to learn," Dumbledore smiled. "That is what makes life so very exciting. The things that one might come to know are unimaginable until they are before us, and then the imagination takes over."
"And that leaves us with so much more to do," Rocco added as he check his watch, "Come along boys we have a busy day tomorrow," he added and his son's followed him out of the music room.
"And a house full of guests in the morning," Cassandry stated excitedly, "wont it be spectacular?" she asked dreamily.
"Indeed," Her oldest sister Gloria stated and scooped Harry into her arms, "All right Harry dear, it is time for you to retire as well."
"Bath time first." Carmen added and followed her oldest sister.
Harry squirmed out of her arms, reaching for Severus and pitched a fit before Snape took the child back from Gloria and held him.
"I'll get him settled," Snape said pleasantly as Harry played with the silver chain of Snape's pocket watch.
"Shall I hold off on the bath water then?" Carmen asked.
"Yes, please." Snape answered and the girls bowed out of the room.
"And I too see no need in remaining active until morning," Dumbledore smiled, "perhaps it is time that we all turned in." he said with a yawn.
Harry mimicked the yawn.
"Are you tired too?" Dumbledore asked the child.
Harry shook his head, "No!" he stated.
"Yes you are," Snape laughed, "you probably won't make it to the nursery without falling asleep."
Harry scrunched up his face and then yawned again.
"You can't hide it from me, Harry Potter, I can read you like a book," Snape laughed at the quickly fading child in his arms.
"And all of your friends are coming to visit you tomorrow," Dumbledore smiled, "aren't you excited?" he asked.
Harry's face scrunched up again.
"Ron Weasley," Snape said when Harry looked at him questioningly.
"Ron, Ron, Ron!" Harry squealed excitedly.
"Well at least we know he understands," Dumbledore chuckled.
"He's quick as a whip, he just will not speak." Snape sighed.
"He spoke!" Dumbledore laughed.
"Well he speaks very little," Snape corrected.
"He'll speak when he'd ready," Dumbledore said gently, "he's been through a great deal and will go through much more in his life. We know that this war is not over and there are still people that want to find Harry. His life will never be easy, Severus, and neither will yours, but together the two of you may be happy."
Harry yawned again.
"I will do everything in my power to protect him," Snape stated and instinctively held the child a little tighter.
"Yes, I believe that you will, but at the same time you cannot shelter the poor boy. He is safe here at Willow House and within the boundaries of Rosenshire. He needs to learn to live Severus, and so must you."
"Perhaps once the Weasleys have come we'll all venture into the village," Snape stated after a few silent moments of contemplations. "Arthur Weasley will be very interested to see the muggle village and I think I might take great pride in showing it off."
"Oh I agree, I'm interested myself, I brought my best suit for just such an occasion!" Dumbledore smiled.
"A suit?" Snape asked.
"Oh yes. I feel I might look out of place in this," Dumbledore added as he motioned to his robes.
"Yes, perhaps," Snape chuckled.
"So I am to wear a new suit!" Dumbledore stated proudly.
"Then it is settled. When the Weasleys arrive we will venture into town." Snape stated and realized that Harry had fallen asleep in his arms.
"It's time for bed," Dumbledore stated happily. "I am quite determined to enjoy myself Severus, but I believe that I will need to be well rested if I am to get down and play with the children."
"Indeed," Snape chuckled. "And there will be many of them."
"Thank you for the invitations, Severus, it was most welcome," Dumbledore added with a slight bow.
"It was my pleasure, Albus."
"You see, dear boy, you will get the hang of this social business yet. I am vert sure of it!" Dumbledore said with a smile and bowed out of the room to take his leave.