A/N. Hi I'm back again much quicker this time! The good news is that the next two chapters after this have been handwritten it's just a case of getting them typed up now. I'm hoping to post again at the end of next week as I'm going away for a few days. There has been a time skip of about a month between the last chapter and this one to get things moving. The next few chapters though all happen over one weekend. There will be some angst coming up but please trust me.

Thank you again for all the reviews, they always make my day. Kat x

Chapter 21.

Severus was in hell. He was in his own personal silk/chiffon/lacy fabric hell. Once again he was questioning his own sanity over betting with Narcissa, especially with shopping in Paris as a forfeit! It was now the second weekend in October and Narcissa had finally called in his debt. The only thing he insisted on was that it be a Saturday as Sundays were reserved for Harry and he wouldn't let the boy down. So here he was holding several designer bags which Narcissa refused to shrink down as apparently shrinking charms were bad for such high quality material (personally Severus thought she was making this up just to increase his suffering.)

Severus was now sitting on the 'husband chair' while Narcissa tried on yet another dress for some function he couldn't care to remember. The Malfoys went to so many different balls, dinners and Ministry functions Severus couldn't keep up. He sighed for what must have been the hundredth time that day. He would rather be supervising a Hogsmede trip. Paris had its charms, it was a lovely city. Severus had been to a Potion Masters conference here once and had enjoyed it. This was another matter entirely though. Before he could get too lost in his thoughts the curtain drew back and Narcissa stepped out in an elegant floor length, forest green ball gown, the shop assistant close behind her.

"What do you think of this one Severus?" she asked with a smirk knowing he was hating every minute of this trip yet doing nothing to ease his pain.

"It's just as elegant as the other five dresses you have bought today" drawled Severus.

"I'm not so sure; I think it makes my hips look big."

Oh someone please hex me now thought Severus. "It does no such thing," he snapped.

Narcissa was having a hard time trying not to laugh at his discomfort; he was so fun to wind up. "Hmm maybe I'll try the purple gown on now" she said to the assistant before turning and going back behind the curtain.

Severus rolled his eyes and went back to mentally listing all the potions he needed to prepare for the hospital wing. He became vaguely aware of someone sitting next to him but took no notice until the man spoke.

"Were you dragged along by your wife too?"

"No, I lost a bet with a friend. First and last time I will do this" he replied with disdain.

"Lucky you, my wife drags me shopping at least once a month, never understood why it has to take a whole day."

Severus inclined his head slightly in agreement. When he went shopping it took a couple of hours at most. Then again he never really changed what clothes he bought so it was easy. If he was shopping for potion ingredients however, that could take a while.

Narcissa appeared again about ten minutes later with the shop assistant who hurried over to the till to pack and process the gowns Narcissa had decided to buy.

"How about we stop for some lunch now Severus, I need a break."

"Good idea I am in need of a strong cup of coffee." A firewhiskey would be even better but he didn't voice that thought.

Narcissa charged her purchases to her vault and took the bag. They walked down the street until they came to a quaint little Parisian café.

"Bonjour Madame et Monsieur" greeted the waiter as he seated them at their table.

"Bonjour. Deux café sil vous plait" ordered Narcissa straight away. The waiter nodded and went to get their drinks. While he was gone they studied the menu. They both decided to have the chicken Caesar salad.

"So Sev, how is Harry getting on?" asked Narcissa once their drinks had arrived and their food had been ordered.

"He is doing well. His marks have been consistently high, he is in the top 5 for most of his subjects" stated Severus proudly.

Narcissa smiled at the expression on her friends face. Harry had done the dour man the world of good. They may have saved Harry but in some ways she though he has saved Severus too. It was clear just how much the man cared for his young charge. "It must be nice for him to be allowed to excel at his work after having to pretend for so long that he didn't understand."

"Harry is often found reading. I have wondered whether the hat had contemplated putting him in Ravenclaw. The only subject he struggles in is History of Magic, but that's unsurprising."

"Draco has complained about that too. Binns should have been exorcised years ago!" said Narcissa.

"I help him where I can. He comes to our rooms on a Sunday."

"It is lovely that you still have that time together. Have you thought about making your guardianship more permanent?"

"Do you mean adoption?" queried Severus.

"Yes. I can see how much you care about Harry and it would provide stability for both of you."

"I don't know Cissa, it might be too soon. He's only been with me since August."

"True but tell me this do you already think of him as family?"

Severus couldn't deny this. "You know I do. I never expected to be a parent and yet that is how it feels. Harry already feels like a son to me."

Narcissa smiled, "so what's stopping you?"

"I would need to discuss this with Harry for a start and don't forget there's much of my past he doesn't know about yet."

"Harry is not going to hold that against you."

"You don't know that. I know I have to tell him about the mark but I'm afraid of what will happen" admitted Severus.

Narcissa placed her hand over his. "Listen to me, you were young and foolish. Many people fell for the dark lord's charms at first. You though soon came to your senses. Instead of trying to run you became a spy to try and bring the dark side down. That is incredibly brave and Harry will see that."

"I hope that Harry is as forgiving as you seem to think."

"He is. It might be worth talking to Dumbledore about an adoption, you could at least get the ball rolling so that when it happens, and it will" she fixed Severus with a knowing stare, "you will be on the way."

Their meals arrived and they sat and ate them in a companionable silence lost in their thoughts. After they had finished and paid they left the café. Narcissa had decided she now needed shoes to go with her new gowns and at least one new hat.

Three shoe shops and a hat shop later Severus was ready to obliviate himself. He had learnt more about shoes and hats than he had ever cared to know about and was fed up of all the pitying looks he was getting as he stood with Narcissa's bags while she tried on yet another pair of silver heels. Quite frankly they all looked the same to him. He did find some amusement though in one shop. While he was waiting for Narcissa to finish a purchase one of the shop assistants came over to him and said "Your wife is just on her way sir."

"Oh she's not my wife, her husband is at home," he replied with a wink. He couldn't stop the smirk that appeared at the shocked look on the girls face.

"What on earth did you say to that poor girl?" asked Narcissa as they left the shop.

"Nothing she just wrongly assumed you were my wife and I put her straight by telling her your husband was at home."

"Sev you are going to get me a reputation" she admonished lightly but her eyes were twinkling with laughter, "Well, I think I am done, let's go back to the international floo and go home."

To say Severus was relieved was an understatement. They flooed back to Malfoy Manor where Lucius was waiting. He took one look at all the bags Severus was holding and had to stifle a laugh. "Did you leave anything behind darling?" he asked his wife as he greeted her with a kiss on her cheek.

"Don't be so silly Luc. This is just a small shop."

Severus's eyes widened, if this was a small shop then he'd hate to see a large shop!

"Did you enjoy your day Severus?" Lucius asked his friend.

"Immensely" deadpanned Severus. "I will leave the shopping trips to you now though." He placed the bags down and returned to the floo. "I must be off; I have been away from school for long enough."

"Bye Sev, thank you for today" said Narcissa. "Don't forget what we talked about."

Severus nodded, then stepped into the flames. "Severus Snape's quarters, Hogwarts" he called and was gone.

X

Severus checked the time when he arrived back in his quarters and saw he still had an hour before dinner.

He called Misty and ordered some tea from the elf. He had just sat down and was lifting the cup to take his first sip when a loud knocking started on his front door. Severus got up and strode to the door. He flung it open intent on giving a piece of his mind to whoever had disturbed him. His rant died on his lips when they door opened fully and he saw the Weasley twins standing outside his door. Between them, with one of the twins hands supportively on his shoulder, was Harry who had a tear stained face and seemed to be cradling his wrist.

As soon as Harry realised Severus was in front of him, he launched himself at the man and buried his face in his robes, tears starting anew.

Shocked Severus wrapped one arm around Harry and started to rub his back with his other hand. He looked up though piercing the Weasley twins with his sternest glare.

"What. Happened?"