Chapter twenty five

'Sorry Severus, I didn't mean to laugh and I wasn't laughing at you, it was just the thought of our first time. Draco and I never had a chance to think about it, it just happened and fast, so we never got a chance to be embarrassed like we normally would.'

'Yes, that is why I thought I should mention it. You have experience, I don't. Even though I do know what to expect, it still will be my first time.'

'Yeah, okay, so I know you'll be a little unsure and awkward so I'll take that into consideration. Anyway, I just moved into my house, I bought it large as I do want a lot of kids, so everyone will have room to spread out and have some privacy. When do you want to move in?'

'Straight away if that is alright with you?'

'Yeah, works for me and I'll leave it up to you when we um, you know, have sex.'

'Maybe a couple of days, so I can get comfortable.'

'Good idea, but one thing I do know is thinking about it too much makes you more nervous.'

'Yes, it probably will, that can't be helped. I will pack up my belongings then let Minerva know.'

'Um, do you mind if I tell her, she'll find out anyway and I want her to understand.'

'I do not mind, so I will meet you in the great hall when I've finished.'

'Okay,' Harry smiled.

Harry spotted Minerva speaking with Irma Pince, 'Sorry for disturbing you Minerva.'

'You aren't, Irma I'll see what I can do,' Minerva waited for her teacher to leave before facing Harry, 'What can I do for you?'

'Severus explained that he might be leaving, well he is, he's packing now. I asked if I could tell you why as I know you'll hear soon. First though I want you to know that I didn't make this decision quickly, I've been doing a lot of thinking, taking everything into consideration. This was important and I knew I couldn't rush into this.'

'Even though I'm not sure what this has to do with Severus leaving, I'm curious, so go on and explain.'

'I spoke with Ginny before Dumbledore died, I told her I wanted kids straight away if this war was ever finished, I also told her I didn't want to get married. Well when we were all staying here she said we spoke about married, we didn't and she accepted the position with the Holyhead Harpies, which means she wants a career and she should if that's what she wants, but it's not what I want. So in case you never noticed, we basically stopped seeing each other the day I brought Fred, Remus, Tonks and Colin back.'

'I did notice you were not talking, now I know why. Ginny loves you, we all saw it, but she always wanted to play quidditch, it's her passion. So you gave her an ultimatum?'

'Well, yeah, sort of, but it basically comes down to kids or a career and I know that sounds selfish and I suppose it is but this was one time I was not going to give up my dream of having a family, it just meant I would have to find someone else. She doesn't want to give up her dream of playing quidditch, I don't want to give up mine of having a family.'

'And this someone else is Severus as I do know he would like a family now he is no longer under Voldemort's control.'

'Yes, I explained everything to him when we were talking, then he asked me to consider him and that's what I've been doing, I even spoke to Remus to get his opinion. Severus and I are alike in lot of ways and we both want the same thing, a large family. So you see, he's going to move in with me and have my children, his children, our children,' Harry shook his head, 'He's packing now.'

Minerva sniggered, 'Your children. But yes, I've noticed how well you get on now and yes, I have noticed that you and Severus do have a lot in common. But having children is more than just liking someone Harry.'

'I know, but I also know that Severus and I will be more, I'm not sure why I know this I just do. It's like we were meant to be Minerva, Severus is everything I want and he wants what I want, I know it will work.'

'This is your decision and you are an adult. So Remus has accepted your decision?'

'Yes, he has, he asked different questions like I knew he would, he's accepted my decision on this.'

'Minerva, Harry,' Severus stepped beside them.

'Harry has explained Severus and it is your decision. One thing I will say is I believe you will make it, you are very much alike. When you were a boy Severus you were not like the other boys, as you got older you were the same, very different to most men, you're also very quiet. Harry is like that, he was never like the other boys, he's also very mature for his age and normally a very quiet person.'

'Yeah, I always felt older than Ron, Neville and the others.'

'I am sorry to see you go Severus but I always knew you wanted a family. Maybe when your children are born you will pay me a visit.'

'We will Minerva, thank you for everything over the years.'

'You're welcome, now why don't you go settle in?'

'That's a good idea, I'll be back though, to keep repairing what's needed,' Harry smiled then hugged Minerva, 'You will see some Potter-Snape children running around here in about twelve years and if everything goes okay, a lot of our children.'

'I just hope that as Severus will be one of the fathers that will dampen down James Potter's personality.'

Harry laughed, 'Remus believes I'm more like him than anyone realises. But we should go,' Harry looked at Severus and they both left the great hall, Harry took Severus' arm to take him to his new home by side along apparition.

'You said the house was big Harry but this is a mansion.'

'Well a manor house, but yeah, it's big. There is room for you to set up your own potions room if you want, your own office if you want one. I have an office but I knew I would need one once I start as an auror, but there's a few rooms that would probably work well as a potions room.'

'If it's alright, I'll look around later.'

'It's fine and as of now, this is your home, so treat it as such. Okay, one thing, do you want to share a room?'

'If we are to become close, I believe we would need to.'

'Yeah, we do, okay, I'll show you to the master bedroom and I happen to buy a big bed, we'll have plenty of room,' Harry lead Severus up the sweeping stair case, down a long hallway and into his room, 'What do you think?'

'It's very nice and you can tell it suits a man.'

'Yeah, Tonks helped me, so why don't you put your clothes away then you can look at the other rooms to see which room you want to use as a potions room and office. Oh these potions that men need to fall pregnant, you can make them can't you?'

'Yes, they are a very difficult potion but I do not believe I will have any problem, I just need to get the ingredients.'

'Oh, good, okay, I'll be downstairs.'

'This will work Harry even if we are a little awkward with each other right now.'

Harry nodded, 'Yeah, I know it will work.'

Harry went into his large kitchen to make some tea and work on what they could have for dinner. Even though he could cook okay, he never made anything big, so he stood looking through what he had and didn't realise how much time went by.

'Can you cook?' Severus asked.

'Yeah, well I'm okay, I just haven't done anything too big or elaborate, just basic stuff.'

'I enjoy cooking, my mother taught me when I was young. Then my love of potions actually helps with cooking, they are very similar.'

'Yeah, I suppose they are, well you can cook whenever you want. Did you choose some rooms?'

'Yes, the one down on this floor at the back of the house, it has very good ventilation, so that will be perfect for potions.'

'I know the one you mean, yeah, that'll work well.'

'It has another room connected to it, I thought I could turn that into an office.'

'Perfect, see, I thought those two rooms would suit you, so it seems we are getting to know each other and what each other likes,' Harry grinned, 'Do you want tea, I was just about to make one?'

'Yes, thank you.'

Harry made tea, then the two men spoke some more about what they want out of their relationship and a family life. Harry could tell Severus was a little nervous and he knew why, if he had never had sex, maybe he had never done anything, so Harry leant over and kissed him and found Severus' lips to be very soft. They both smiled shyly at each other before they kissed again, from then on they talked more, snogged a lot and finally started to feel comfortable with each other.

That evening Severus cooked dinner while Harry sat and watched, but they did talk while dinner was being prepared.

'When you told me you felt like something was missing, it got stronger when you brought Remus and the others back.'

'Yeah, I still feel like that.'

'I did some research and spoke with Albus' portrait. What we now know is that you used part of your life essence to bring them back, your essence is connected to your magic and it's connected to your soul. What we believe is this, that Remus will live as long as you live, your essence is what brought him back and what is keeping him alive. You could get hurt, he'll be fine, but if you were to feel the cruciatus curse he would feel that as it's a powerful curse, if you were killed then I'm sorry, Remus and the others would die as well. It's all connected Harry, connected to your essence, you're life's essence.'

'Do you think I should tell them?'

'You are about to become an auror, I believe they should be told so they will know in case you were badly hurt during your duties. I hope nothing happens Harry, we will have children and I would like you to be around.'

'I won't do anything reckless, but yeah, auror work is dangerous. So if I was hit with anything powerful or dark they would feel it?'

'Yes, the more power behind the spell the more it affects your essence. Are you okay hearing this?'

'Yes, but it makes sense I suppose. I was able to bring back four dead people and I was weak after Fred, he was the worst as he was the first one, I needed a lot of rest. With Tonks I was weak and I needed a potion, but I didn't need the potion with Remus or Colin and I wasn't weak with them.'

'Then maybe Fred will feel more than the others, I'm not sure about that, but I could research if you like?'

'Yeah, that would be good and I hate research.'

'Because you got used to Miss Granger doing all you're research for you.'

Harry nodded, 'Yeah, but she liked it and was good at it. It's like what Dumbledore said to me once, why the three of us worked. I was the fighter, the powerful one, Hermione was the brains, everything was planned perfectly with her and Ron was good with strategy, he used to come up with some great ideas.'

'Yes, I saw that myself, you three did complement each other. But tell me,' Severus put two plates on the table then sat down, 'How do you think they will take our news?'

'Ron will be pissed, he is already about Ginny. Hermione just can't understand because what I want is not what she wants or most people wants. Hermione, Ron, and some others all have family, they had a normal upbringing, loving parents, brothers and sisters. They can't really understand how I am, how we are. I had no parents growing up, you had an abusive father and a mother that couldn't protect you, we had no one we could talk to, no siblings. I know I might have to give them time to get used to this, but I have a feeling that because I want kids now and not marry, especially Ginny, that will be the thing that will break up the golden trio, blimey that's a lame name. Anyway, I told them I was having sex and they went right off, Hermione going on about it being something special that you share with someone you want to spend your life with. I almost died more times than I can count, I lived so I want to enjoy my life, they don't get that.'

'No, they were raised in a traditional family. If I had your life and survived then I probably would do the same thing. Since I survived, I was recuperating then helping with the repairs.'

'Yeah, you were, so now you're here and know what will happen soon, you're probably a little anxious as well. But we said we'll take some time, we do need to get used to living together and being in the same place all the time,' Harry forked more food into his mouth, 'This is good by the way, really good.'

'Thank you,' Severus smiled. He was a little anxious but just a couple of words from Harry about his cooking relaxed him. He knew that when the time comes when they did make love, Harry would make him feel very relaxed, he just had something about him now the war is over that made people relax.