Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews! I love hearing what you think of this story!
Bunyip It's the way I was taught to write…not sure if it's generational or what. Are you from the US? I'm sorry my writing style makes it hard for you, but glad you enjoy this story enough to read it.
Grumbling, Ron made his way down the steep stairs to the dungeon for his first night of detention. His cheeks were flushed, and animosity seeped from him, as he muttered to himself, "Detention with SNAPE….what bollocks! It's not enough I have to listen to the Headmaster and his mental plans…. Oh NO, it's not SNAPE…it's PROFESSOR Snape…Professor Evil, more like….." Ron continued muttering to himself, as he stalked toward the Potions Lab, then he suddenly stopped, hearing familiar voices….and laughter?
"Severus! No way! That is SO not fair!", there was a deep, masculine chuckle (Snape, LAUGHING?) and Snape said,
"Harry…all is fair in chess. If you failed to play for my moves, then that is far from my issue…", far from the normal, snarky, rude, arrogant voice, Snape sounded almost, friendly… "I'm glad that Ron seems to be coming around, Harry….I know it was hurtful to you….". A sigh, then Harry said, laughter gone,
"Yah…I hate fightin with Ron…but I don't know, Sev…I still feel like Ron isn't really feeling it, ya know? Like he's just playin along until he can do something…." A new voice spoke, youthful, unguarded,
"I know the feeling, Harry….I was shocked when Ron started being friendly….but I keep expecting him to hex me or sumthin."
"Boys…give him the benefit of the doubt, please. Harry, you and Ron have been friends for years, it's obvious he cares a great deal about you….just give him time. After all, before this summer, he was your closest male friend…and if he sees himself losing that position, it's bound to cause him some consternation…just give him time to settle. I'm sure he'll come round…."
Harry's voice, when it came, was hopeful, but hesitant, "Do you really think so, Severus? That he'll come around? I finally have a real family a family I can depend on…but I don't want to lose my best friend, either….."
"Think of it from his point of view, Harry…and you too, Draco…. Ron is the youngest boy in a large family. Becoming friends with the "Boy Who Lived" was probably his first opportunity to be something SPECIAL…..now, your relationship with Draco, different though it is, threatens that. Add to that, the animosity that already exists between Draco and Ron, and his impression that Slytherin is a house of evil….and you have a very confused young man. Just give him time, both of you….he truly cares for Harry, and he'll realize that his position as best friend is not threatened by a new brother." There was a silence, broken only by the sound of chess pieces moving across the board and the occasional shuffle of feet across the stone floor of dungeon room. Finally, Draco said,
"At the risk of sounding maudlin or pathetic…"
"too Late…", Ron recognized Harry's voice, filled with humor, and there was the sound of a struggle, and laugher, then Draco continued, somewhat breathless.
"Anyway…I know it's been a hard time lately….but am I the only one who feels BETTER about everything…more…I don't know, SAFER having a family? Harry's voice was serious as he said,
"No, you're not alone…even with Ron being a git….I wouldn't change having you and Sev….. I've always wanted a family…a REAL family…. It was nice being a part of Ron's family, but I always knew that I was not REALLY part of it, ya know? Here…I feel like I have a family that I'm not just visiting….that I belong… Does that sound pathetic…?" Ron fully expected Draco or Severus to laugh at Harry, but instead, Draco said,
"Do you know, Harry….what I used to ask Father Christmas for?" Harry obviously responded non-verbally, because Draco continued, "a brother. I was lucky enough to have a mom and dad for 14 years, and I truly wish you were too, Harry….but I always wanted a brother. It should bother me that I basically traded a mom and dad for a dad and brother, but it doesn't. I miss my mum and dad…..so much sometimes….but having you, Harry, and Sev….it makes me feel safe….like you said. I know that Sev will do whatever it takes to protect us….and I feel like, for the first time in years, that I can just be me….not Draco Malfoy….not Draco the Slytherin…not Draco the bully or Draco the ass…but just Draco. Does that make sense?
"Yeah, Draco…I know. When I'm here, or at Snape Manor…I feel like I'm just Harry. Not the Boy Who Lived…or the "Savior of our world"….or even Harry Potter. Just Harry, with a brother named Draco and a…father named Severus. And I like it…"
There was a clearing of a throat, and Severus spoke, his voice just a tad hoarse, then said, "Actually, boys…that brings something up that I wanted to talk to you about…both of you. As you know, it is fine for me to simply remain your guardian….and I have no problem doing so….. However, there is another option….one I'd like you to seriously consider. I do NOT want an answer now, mind you….just think about it, all right?" A pause, while Draco and Harry both nodded, "There is an option in the Wizardling world that would allow me to adopt you both, to make you, legally, my sons. It wouldn't change anything, of course….I will always be here for you…..always protect you both. BUT, should you decide to move forward with the adoption, it would give you some…additional legal protection. It would have NO benefit or effect on the plans the Dark Lord has for you…..but as my sons, you'd be my heirs…entitled to all that I own, both materially and magically. As I said, I don't want an answer right now….think about it. I'm well aware that being a Snape can bring you much negative…."
"Bollocks, Sev! Being a Snape would be an honor, "…that was Draco, and then Harry said,
"We'd be really your sons? I mean, I know not like biologically….but like really? Would be change our names?" Another cleared throat,
"Actually, Harry, the process to adopt in the Wizardling world is a big different from the Muggle. You would indeed have my biology as part of yours…you'd be my son in all manners and ways. And yes, it is traditional for you to add my surname to your own, though we could certainly not do that process if you wish to keep your own names…; I understand the pride and desire to keep the names you were born with…"
Draco and Harry, excitement evident in their voices, spoke nearly in unison, "Yes…..". A moment of silence, then Snape said, his voice muffled,
"You can think about it, Boys…you don't need to….."
"Why think about it, Sev?" that was Malfoy…. "I think it would be brilliant to be adopted by you….you're our dad in every other way….why not make it legal?"
"Yea Severus….", Harry's voice was just as excited, "Being part of a real family, legally as well as this….I can't think of anything cooler! Draco's right, it's BRILLIANT!"
Severus spoke softly, "All right, boys….I'll start the process. There is one thing that you need to consider…." Silence followed his words, and he continued, "Godparents. You'll each have two sets. One, chosen by myself…the other, chosen by you." The murmur of voices, as they talked softly, and then the sound of a chair being pushed across the stone floor, then Severus said
"All right boys….feel free to stay here, but I have Mr. Weasley for detention in a few moments."
"We could go with you, Sev…..", that was Harry, always the peacemaker, but Severus stopped him,
"No, Harry…I believe Mr. Weasley will have enough problems having detention with me, without adding either of you two….. Draco can take over for me in the game, PROVIDING…" a pause, filled with dramatic moans, "you're BOTH done with your homework!" Draco sighed, loudly and said,
"All right Sev…..Harry, do you need any help with your Potions?"
"Yah…actually, I could use your help in the bit about how the way you cut Flobber worms changes a potion…..", Harry's voice was as normal as Ron had ever heard it. Then Snape said, his voice coming closer to the door,
"Good boys…work on your homework…..I'll return in two hours. I'll look over what you have then…" Dramatic sighs filled the room as Severus opened the door and entered the hall, and Ron moved deeper into the shadows. Despite his hiding, he noticed that Snape was SMILING! Snape stopped, looking around, as though he could smell Ron and Ron wished fervently for Harry's invisibility cloak. But Severus shrugged, his face relaxed back into a smile as he turned and headed toward the Potions Classroom.
Ron walked hesitantly into the Potions Classroom, the conversation he's eavesdropped on still in the forefront of his mind. He wasn't sure how to deal with what he's overheard, and the thought that people he had simply always viewed as pure evil might just be human after all. Severus Snape looked up from his seat at the desk and said, "Mr. Weasley…you're late.", Ron started to snap, then caught himself and said, as respectfully as possible,
"Sorry Professor Snape. I was…..listening to something and lost track of time…." Severus frowned, but forestalled his normal snarky response and simply said,
"Very well, Mr. Weasley…try not to let it happen again. In the back of the room you'll find a collection of Cauldrons that need to be scrubbed…once you complete that task, come back here and I'll add a new task….." Ron started to move to the back of the room, then hesitated and said,
"Professor Snape…can I ask you a question?" Severus looked up from the book he was perusing and said,
"I believe, Mr. Weasley…you just did…." Ron bristled, and then realized that despite Snape's straight face, his snarky instructor had just made a joke. A hesitant smile from Ron, then he said,
"Are you taking care of Harry just to turn him over to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named…..or do you really care about him? I mean, I know you're…..taking care of him...and I believe you're taking pretty good care of him…cause I've never seen Harry this…..happy?. But I just need to know…why?" Severus considered not answering him, or giving him a snide, snarky reply, but in the end, he sighed and said,
"Mr. Weasley…I know you do not trust me. But I assure you, believe me or not, that I DO care for Harry…and Draco…and I only want what is truly best for them both….. You have no reason to believe me….."
"Yah…I do….I mean, I believe you…sir. I'll get to those cauldrons now, okay?" Severus nodded, his mind going over the conversation with Ron Weasley….he wasn't sure what had caused the turn around, but he believe it to be an honest reaction. Severus was reminded of something that Narcissa had said, often.
"Severus…stop trying to tear apart everything good that ever happens to you…sometimes, you just need to accept that this is a gift…and not try to find out WHY…just accept it gracefully and move on….."
The reminder of Narcissa brought a lump to Severus' throat, but he blinked rapidly and brought his eyes down to his book, determined to take his lost friend's advice and not look a gift horse in the mouth. Ron Weasley accepting the situation could only be positive for his sons, both of them to be honest, and if Weasley was being perfidious, then that would be revealed in due time. And Severus was well assured he was capable of dealing with it as it came about. Ron began working on the cauldrons with zeal, as Severus shrugged and went back to studying the book on his desk.