A/N: It is a sad day for this fandom, and so as I sit here watching all of the movies I own with Allan Rickman, I feel like an update to this very Snape centered story is appropriate. RIP Allan Rickman, you will always be our Severus Snape.
Chapter 49: A Black Tie Affair
The remainder of the week passed by quicker than anticipated and before anyone knew what was going on, or wanted to believe that their jolly holiday was coming to and end, the last day of December dawned. Willow House was buzzing with activity from the moment the day opened, and it dawned with a fury, and grew in anticipation all through the day. The weather was dark, windy and cold, and snow fell periodically throughout the day but the ball would go on.
For the most part the New Years celebration would be an adult affair. Cassandry and Carmen would be minding the children above stairs, and from the village word had reached Willow House that child care had been found, and the invitations were replied to in the proper manner. It was to be a great black tie affair but the children would be kept away from the festivities.
That isn't to say they were not going to enjoy themselves. A party of their own was planned to take place in the upstairs gallery until an appropriate hour and then it would be off to bed with them and the Pairwhether twins would join the ball with the rest of the their family.
Up until the time that the adults would go into the party mode and the house would be filled with guests, the Willow House guests spent a happy busy day with the children indoors but the Pairwhethers were very scarcely seen because of the preparations.
For the most part, Severus and his guests kept to the library and found a great many things to entertain themselves with, and to keep out of the way of the family who really ran the show.
"You seem quite comfortable," Sirius said as he came away from observing Dumbledore and Kingsley at a game of chess.
Severus had taken a seat near the fire where Harry and Ron had decided to play. Arthur was set to his new papers. Molly was knitting while the boys read their Christmas books and Ginny had crawled under the curtain in a window seat and played quietly by herself with a teddy bear. Remus was somewhere among the rows of books, pulling material and bringing it to the large reading desk in the centre of the room. Severus placed a marker in the book he'd been making very little progress in because Harry and Ron had taken to driving little wooden cars around his feet and chair and would crash into him just to see him flinch. Severus motioned to the second chair and invited Sirius to join him.
"Quite comfortable yes," Severus said with a slight nod.
"It is a very different life that you were used to, I believe."
"It is, and it isn't. We all have our ways and though we adapt we still do the things that make us happy. I am far more social, when I have to be, but I find time for reading and writing and all of the things that would have occupied my private time before. It is much less frequent but it is still there."
"And what sorts of things does this two year old Harry like. Do you believe them the same as the things he liked before he came to you?"
"I believe that Harry has done a lot of growing into what he will become. He is in a constant state of learning now, and though he has a very set routine, he is spontaneous and curious and very bright. He likes to make-believe. He likes cars and trucks and animals of all kinds. He gets into things if we are not diligent in watching him and when he'd tired he like to be held or read to." Severus explained.
"I suppose he didn't really like much back then. He was just a baby and there wasn't much he could do on his own." Sirius said thoughtfully.
"It certainly wasn't that long ago but he is growing, and with growth comes discovery, and with discovery, knowledge. I see him as quite a little boy now, then again, I didn't know him as an infant. He is changing every day." Severus added with a smile and as he said it his eyes instinctively drifted to the little boy they were talking about.
"And far too fast." Sirius said and nodded and followed Severus' line of sight.
"Certain things will be gone very fast but I hope that his innocents is not." Severus sighed.
"No, he has some time yet to hold fast but I hope that he holds onto that." Sirius was more optimistic, but he'd not been around for the hard times.
Severus nodded as his eyes wandered from the man he'd been speaking with to the little boy they'd been speaking of once again.
"Is he all right, Severus?" Sirius asked. "Truly, does he get on well?"
"He does and he's happy and mischievous. I believe he has memories of what happened to him and I don't pretend to understand what kinds of effects a killing curse can have on a survivor. It is something that we will deal with if complications arise but his paediatrician in town and our Doctor here in the village find him to be in very good health and progressing through all his milestones at last. He was slow to find his voice again after the events of that night but he's excelled now, and so I cannot dwell on the past. I just don't have time to, with him moving so quickly toward the future." Severus explained as Harry broke into a run and Severus reached out grabbed him and moved him to the other side of the chair. "No running by the fire place." He scolded and Harry walked off toward the centre of the room and started his running again.
"And what of magic? I know you do not perform it around him but is he showing any tendencies?" Sirius asked as a shriek rose through the rows of book as Harry barrelled away at a clip.
"I've learned to see magic in all that he does because I cannot fathom the changes I see in him every day. Practically over night he became a little man with all his own personality trades and there just wasn't any holding him back. He will know magic when he is ready but for now he is oblivious and that seems magical enough for me." Severus answered with a nod.
Harry came back across the room with an old book of fairytales and held it up to Severus. "Please?" He asked as he held out the book.
Severus checked his pocket watch and looked back at the little one. "It is very nearly your nap time but I was in a conversation with Sirius. What do we say when we interrupted someone?"
"Excuse me." Harry answered in his little sweet way.
"That's right." Severus nodded and motioned for Harry to carry on.
"Excuse me." Harry repeated as he looked form Severus to Sirius and back again.
"Yes?" Sirius asked with a grin.
"May we please?" Harry asked again and held out the book.
"Yes indeed." Sirius said with a nod. "By all means, may I listen as well?"
"Yes." Harry said happily and crawled into Severus's lap for the reading to begin.
"Me too?" Ron asked as he came over and peeked over the arm rest of Severus's chair. "Please."
"Yes, but you must sit somewhere else. We don't have room enough for you and the book, and Harry." Severus said and watched as Ron looked from one thing to the next and came to the same conclusion as he had.
"May I?" Ron asked as he rushed toward Sirius.
"I suppose." He answered hesitantly and Ron clamoured into his lap and settled down as Severus opened the book to the place they'd last left off and began the next story, until both boys fell asleep.
Afternoon turned to evening as the weather cleared and the children awoke again. They were fed and left to the care of the Pairywhether twins while the adults prepared for the evening and met once more in the elaborately decorated Great Hall. The doors to all of the rooms to be used by the guests were opened and as they began arriving, the youngest of the children gathered near the banisters and watched from above as gowns and suits filled the lower levels of the Great Manner House.
"Why are we not invited to the party?" Fred and George asked together. "We are quite old enough, I should think." George continued.
"Because it's for grown ups." Percy answered with a roll of his eyes. "And you are no more a grown up, than I, and I am not allowed. Therefore, you are not allowed." He finished haughtily.
"That's not fair. I want to be a grown up!" George huffed and his twin mimicked his every move.
"No, don't say that." Cassandry said airily. "Growing up is a trap. It's boring and full of too much responsibility. We will have far more fun than their clinking glasses and talk of the weather. What fun can that be over a long period of time?"
"But they all look so pretty." Fred said.
"We can dress up all nice, if you please, or you could dress up like a knight and pretend to save a princess."
"Ew no!" George scrunched up his face.
"Hmm, perhaps you would rather be Peter Pan." Carmen offered.
"Yes, that would be much better." George said triumphantly.
"Come, let us away to the nursery and we'll build our tents and forts to pretend we're in never land."
"Never, never land!" Ron and Harry cheered together.
"That's right, never, never land." Cassandry added with a nod as she stood and led the children off to make-believe.
Down below villagers from all of the corners of Rosenshire piled onto the ballroom and the dining hall, and all of the other rooms that had been set up to receive guests. There were greetings and discussions in the parlours. Men gathered for cards in some rooms while others enjoyed cigars in a smoking room.
Early in the afternoon while the little ones slept a gathering of musicians arrived and set up their things, and now as the receiving line at the door, consisting of Severus, and Molly and Arthur, funnelled guests into the house. The musicians began their work for the evening and the dark rooms were filled with light, elegant music and chatter. Severus excused himself from the receiving line long enough to escort Molly Weasley out onto the dance floor and together they opened the dancing but quickly, as the many couples filled the ballroom floor, they returned to the hall and carried on in the greeting and introductions of the guests.
As the evening wore on Severus danced with young ladies, took tea with the older ones and enjoyed the conversations with the man of the village. He realized that the evening was not for thoughts of regret but great plans for the future and this eve was very eye opening and optimistic for him.
Lily had taken her place in her portrait before anyone had arrived and remained there, still and smiling to observe the festivities. Many of his neighbours asked after the beauty in the portrait and were told that she was Harry's mother and that her tragic death was the reason Harry was with him. Not much more was said on the subject, to keep the mystery to the portrait from turning thoughts to darkness and regret, but rather to keep people guessing of the mystique of this new and very great gentleman.
As the hour neared, to bring about the new year, the anticipation of the crowd grew even greater. Champaign was poured out by the Pairywhethers. The children were tucked snuggly in their beds, and the dancing was paused as the gathering of guest congregated in the foyer near the large hall clock. The anticipation grew and grew until finally it was time. A roaring countdown filled the Great Hall and then cheers and well wishes and singing. Many people kissed and hugged and praised the party and the plans for the future, and then the dancing began again and wore on into the early morning hours.
"Well done, Severus. You are a great success," Dumbledore cheered after the midnight hour had pass and the dancing and crowds moved through the house once more. "You've set a precedence and made many people very happy. I would say the future is looking very bright for you."
"I did very little but play the part. The Pairwhethers are the one who deserve all of your praise for their accomplishments." Severus countered.
"And my praise they will have and I think they are quite happy with themselves. Look, Gloria dances with Sirius. She dances very well." Dumbledore said and shot Severus one of his teasing and knowing looks.
"And Sirius lumbers about like an inexperience lad." Severus laughed. "I'd say she dances with him out of kindness."
"Then you need not worry about losing your cook." Dumbledore laughed.
"I agree, but that does not mean that she is not in danger from other quarters. Anthony Collins, I believe, may make her a great lady before too long."
"Ah yes, I see what you mean." Dumbledore smiled as he watched Anthony cut into the dance and Sirius scowled at him.
"I want them to be happy and if they must leave me to be happy then I will have a daunting task of replacing them. I only hope that they do not leave the village, and that we can all remain very good friends."
"I'm sure you need not worry about that." Dumbledore concluded with a decisive nod and headed back into the crowds of people.
Amidst the gracious thank you and exhausted good-byes, the festivities drew to a close. The Weasleys retired to their room. Remus found his way into a secured corner to find quiet for a time. Dumbledore marvelled in shaking hands and sending people off with all of his best wishes, as did Severus, and soon enough the last of the stragglers departed. The musicians packed up their things and retired into the rooms offered to them at Willow House and before long Severus was left alone with Lilina and Rocco Pairywhether.
"Well done, my friends. You pulled off a spectacular evening. I am very well pleased and proud of all you've done for us to make this season a happy and elegant one for all of our guests and friends. I don't know how to thank you enough." He said happily.
"We are just so happy to finally be able to do these things once more. We've entered into a brand new era at Willow House and it has been a long time coming. You are our God sent." Lilina said in reply to Severus's praise.
"None of this would have happened had you not come here to Willow House. It would have just faded away like other great estates but you've breathed new life into all of us. One year ago none of us could have ever dreamt of this kind of success." Rocco added.
"You've given us back our livelihoods. It is our pleasure to do as you wish." Lilina finished with a slight bow. "And I am excited to look to the future of Rosenshire and your influence upon it."
"And now I wish for you to relax. Please do not trouble yourselves any further tonight. Get some rest and thank you a million times for making this evening such a smashing success." Severus graciously accepted their praise.
"Thank you, Professor." The Pairywhether couple chimed together and disappeared into the depths of the now darkening, and yet, waking house.
Severus doused the last of the lights as Milo returned to his post at the door and the morning sun could be seen lighting the distant horizon.
"Off to bed with you, Sir. Morning is well on its way and your house will be sleepy much of this day." Milo said almost melodically.
"Indeed you are right, Milo. I leave the lookout to you." Severus nodded and turned to the stairs. "I expect the elves will have everything set right before the guests awake but please do not let them disturb anyone. We will be a sleepy house. I believe, we deserve it."
"As you wish, Master." Milo said with a bow and the silence took hold of the house.
