A/N: Edited March 10th 2015.

Chapter 21: A Whirl Wind of Weasleys

Harry slept late the following morning but Snape was up with the sun. He tended to the business of the estate before the rest of the house was even stirring and left his orders for Rocco before beginning to plan out what the day would entail.

Rocco was the next to arrive on the scene, content to see Snape's diligence as a land owner and estate master, and Rocco assured him that everything would be in order for the arrival of his guests.

Dumbledore was the next to descend from the family quarters to the common areas of the house. He was dressed less like himself and more like a gentleman of rank, but his beard and his long silver hair were somewhat unruly and contradicted the look he was going for.

Snape had long since adapted a new style, one that was friendlier and less haunting. Though black was still a staple with him, he wore a light beige shirt, black slacks and a vest trimmed with green. His shoes were shined, his pocket watch, with its silver chain, was in place and though he didn't need them for anything else, he wore a pair of reading spectacles, when Dumbledore finally found him sitting at the large desk in his study perusing the new paper.

"And what has the Prophet to say this morning, my good sir?" Dumbledore asked.

Snape smirked as Dumbledore sat himself down in one of the chair before the master's desk.

"This isn't the Prophet," Snape corrected, "and I am not a good sir," he chuckled.

"I was simply trying to fit the part of gentlemen. Do you think the villagers will be fooled?" he asked playfully.

"You have moved among muggles before, Albus, my fear is that Arthur will be far too excited." Snape stated and folded the news paper before him, removing his spectacles and laying them on top of the paper.

"Yes, I believe you have a right to be concerned." Dumbledore laughed. "Come, let us break out fast and get down to the business at hand, my lord."

Snape shook his head but stood to lead the way from his study to the breakfast room.

While at breakfast the morning post arrived, announcing the acceptance of the two men Snape least wanted to see. They too would be arriving in a day's time and he was happy to know that at least his house would be full of other guests when Black and Lupin arrived.

Just after the arrival of the post Harry was brought into the breakfast room and was seated in his high chair. Willowmina arrived with him and for the first few minutes fed him the oatmeal and fruit that had been prepared for the soon to be two year old.

"Whoa, no, Harry you are not throwing your oatmeal at Professor Dumbledore!" Willowmina stated and grabbed the spoon from the mischievous toddler's hands.

"I have my own, Harry, but thank you." Albus laughed.

Harry mimicked the laughter and then allowed Willowmina to continue to feed him.

Within the hour, breakfast was finished and the waiting began. It was a lovely day so when the house work was tended to, Snape picked up Harry and led the way out into the gardens and the grounds. Giving the house tours wasn't something Snape thought he would enjoy but the things he had implemented and all that he had learned about the house and the grounds gave him great pleasure. Dumbledore enjoyed every moment of his tour as Harry followed along exploring the pathways and chasing after bugs in the spring gardens.

"I'm quite happy with the green houses as well," Snape explained as they neared three glass structures. "I keep the third filled with herbs and plants for my potions and I keep the space ready in the event that I need to brew any, but I've not found much time with all the other responsibilities." He explained as they walked in and Harry became timid and very agitated.

"Don't worry Harry," Snape stated and picked up the little boy, "nothing will hurt you."

"That is fascinating," Dumbledore stated and watched Harry with great interest as he clung to Snape hid his face and cried until they left the green house.

"I have a hypothesis," Snape stated when they were once again outside in the beautiful sunlight.

"I'd be happy to hear it," Dumbledore smiled as Harry became calm once more.

"I believe he know what killed his parents. He gets extremely agitated by magic, even the very simplest of spells. I don't use my want around him, if I can help it. I believe he's afraid of magic and I've tried to keep a magic free environment for him but when he does come into contact with magic, or even so much as suspects that magic is going on, he had a fit." Snape explained. "But imagining it and playing with the creatures, if he doesn't know that they are magic, he is fine. He has grown very fond of the house elves, though he torments old Molasses something terrible."

"That makes sense," Dumbledore stated and pulled out his wand and Harry coward away again. "He associates it with what took his parents away. You are right to be cautious, and your poor elves. You should order Molasses to stay in the kitchen and let little Wee play all he likes with Harry. They have about the same mentality, and Magda, though very steady and very disciplined, likes to have fun! I see no problem in having Harry associate with the elves, just as long as he doesn't tell all the muggle children about them when he is older."

"I will make sure he understand the secrets of our creatures before he goes to school. The elves will be very safe, and even if he did speak of them, I think people would assume he's got an overly active imagination."

"To true, Severus, I believe you would be very right in that." Dumbledore stated with a nod. "I liked to torment old Molasses when I was a boy as well. He has had a good respite from that, but he's also gotten much older in the time since."

"The poor elves. I can only imagine the trouble you caused as a lad," Severus joked.

"It was only Molasses back then." Dumbledore laughed. "But he was capable of a good prank in his time. Do the elves use their magic around little Harry?"

"We all still use magic here at Willow House, but we try to shelter Harry from it. The elves are very good with my requests. Harry will be limited in his exposure, at least until he's a little older, he does loves the house elves, and he knows that there is something very special about them."

"What's not to love?" Albus asked with laugh, "ah look, the Weasleys." He stated excitedly as they rounded the house and saw Molly and Arthur leading their seven children up the drive.

"Ron!" Harry yelled gleefully.

"He knows who his friends are," Snape laughed as he placed the squirming child on the ground and Harry took off running.

"That is a very good sign," Dumbledore stated and continued at Snape's pace to meet the Weasleys

"Welcome Weasleys," Snape smiled cheerfully.

"Oh Severus, look at this place!" Molly gasped in shock and awe. "It's so big, and grand, and lofty!"

"It is a bit much, I know, but I assure you, you will find it comfortable and inviting, and you will never be wanting for anything here at Willow House."

"Is it true you have horses?" young Charlie asked. "Horses as large as dragons?"

"Indeed we have a whole stable full of them," Snape answered. "Perhaps not quite dragon size."

"Charlie is that anyway to greet the host of your summer vacation?" Molly scolded.

"Thank you for inviting us," Charlie said under his mother's watchful gaze.

"You are quite welcome, come, come, I have tea planned for all of you and we must get you settled. We have big plans for a visit to the village today," Snape stated excitedly for the sake of all the children before him.

"The muggle village?" Arthur asked with excitement.

"Yes sir, Mr. Weasley, one and the same!" Dumbledore said proudly.

"Ah this is capital," Arthur stated as the doors to the great house were opened and the gathering of Weasleys flooded into it. "I am sure we will enjoy every minute of it."