Chapter 22

"Hello, Uncle Cassius," greeted Severus. It had been a week since Harry mentioned that Severus should talk to his uncle and Severus finally had the time and the courage to go through it. He was glad too, that his great grandmother Adelia must be visiting the other portraits in the manor as her frame was empty.

The man in the portrait startled but of course, stayed in place as he was still a portrait after all. "Severus! What brings you here?"

Severus sat down on the same armchair Harry was on the last time he talked to the portraits. The current head of the family casually replied, "Harry said I may need to talk to you, quite determined, really."

Cassius chuckled nervously, "I do not know why Mr. Potter would think that."

"Nevertheless, there is one detail I've been curious of for a while, and don't think I cannot tell if someone is lying or keeping information even for portraits," droned Severus.

The portrait sighed. "Go on, ask away."

Severus peered at his uncle's portrait, his forearms resting on his thighs as he reclined his upper body forward in thought. "What was the real reason I was made heir? How did your barrister know where to find me? Hogwarts does not release addresses and I know for a fact that once mum was disowned, all information about her vanished from the ledger."

Cassius had a sad smile on his face. He supposed it was time for Severus to know. "Your mother was ten years younger than me, did you know? When father disowned her, she was only 17. Too young for the world. So, I followed Eileen to a place called Cokeworth. Mother knew, she did, but only reminded me not to let father find out. That I may be able to watch over but not allowed to talk to Eileen. Back then, I was the submissive heir and I did what was told of me, no questions.

I was there the day you were born. It was a small muggle clinic on the other side of town. I even got to hold you once. The healer thought I might have been your father when I kept staring at you through the glass. She handed you to me. It was one of the best feelings in the world, having to hold your tiny figure in my arms. I am infertile, and you are the closest thing I have to a son, Severus.

I watch you grow up. You used to like sitting on the porch steps every morning, and when you turned five, your mother brought you to the park. Every day at 10, after your father leaves for work, you walk yourself down to the park and not leave until 4 when he comes home. I saw the bruises, Severus. I did what I could do to heal them. And I used to leave those fruits and sandwiches on the bench you frequented. I know it wasn't enough. You should have grown up in Prince Manor, my child. If not for my father, you would have.

When you started Hogwarts, you stopped going to the park. You rarely even go out of the house anymore. And then when my mother got sick in your second year, father began to notice my successive outings and started doubting my reasons. I stopped visiting then. It wasn't until a year after you graduated that father finally passed and I had the chance to reinstate you and your mother in the family. It was still one of my worst days when I found out Eileen died a few years before. I didn't even know.

I made you my heir not just because you were the only Prince left to inherit but because all your life, you should have been the true heir and treated like one."

Cassius spoke emotionally yet not even looking at Severus, not once during his recounting. The portrait kept his gaze on the bookshelves behind the Potions Master. Was it because he was feeling guilty or was he trying to keep his emotions in check, Cassius really didn't know.

Meanwhile, Severus sat there rigid and jaw slacked. Never in his life did he imagine something like this. He thought his uncle would have told him he had him followed by a spy. Or that he may have found his mum's old journals mentioning a muggle man. To be watched over throughout his childhood did not pass through his mind. Not at all.

"You left me those ham sandwiches?" asked Severus softly.

Cassius still had his gaze away from Severus but nodded. Severus inhaled sharply and said, "I used to think it was Merlin who left them. Mum used to tell me stories of the wizarding world when I was young. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I couldn't. I was too much of a coward, fearing disow-"

Severus cut him off, "No, I meant why did you not say anything after you reinstated me? Why did you not ask to see me after your father died?"

Cassius finally looked at Severus with eyes of regret, "I felt guilty for not doing more."

Severus shook his head, "It was enough, Uncle Cassius. If it wasn't for those ham sandwiches and a few apples, I would have starved. Apart from my friend, Lily, those were a few of the only good memories I had as a child."

Severus realized how different his reaction might have been if he found out about his uncle's actions 5 years back when he was still the angry, stone-hearted git. He would have blamed the man for not helping his mother leave his father. He would have accused him exactly what he feared, that he didn't do more.

But that was before. Now that he was grounded and calm, he saw not with the eyes of pessimism but instead saw how he was once cared for even without his knowledge.

The portrait smiled at Severus and all of a sudden, let out a laugh. "Your Harry is right about you, my child. You really do look happier."

Severus playfully groaned at the thought of Harry describing his wonderous joys in life and Merlin help him, his cuteness. "That boy really should stop describing me to other people. He makes me seem like a marshmallow."

"He's a good man, Severus. I know it isn't my place but when do you plan to ask his hand in marriage? You have a son together and you live in the same home. You're skipping a few steps, young man," scolded portrait-Cassius lightly.

"I do not think he is ready for married life yet, Uncle. He is still young. Barely 21 and I am twice his age," argued Severus, more to himself than to the portrait.

"That is nonsense, child. I think if you would just take a leap of faith, have that courage, you may find your man might say yes," said Cassius, smiling.

"I suppose so," replied Severus, leaning back on the chair, "I already bought a ring."

Cassius beamed, "That is wonderful! When do you plan to propose?"

The man sighed, "I am unsure, but soon, I hope."

"Make sure that you do. I want little Sebastian to be the Prince heir. Your son is a wonderful boy, congratulations, Severus."

Severus sent the man an appreciative smile. "He truly is. Our little miracle."

Severus left the library after that, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his chest. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear what his uncle had just told him. All his life, he thought the only people that might ever care for him before Harry was his mother and Lily, the latter he ultimately fucked up with. To know that another relative looked out for him and even saw him as a son was enlightening.

And yet another thing he had Harry to thank for. His Harry who was insistent that Severus should talk to his uncle's portrait. His Harry who never failed to describe him like a saint. His Harry.

Severus was certain. Harry was his forever and he would do what he have to to make sure of that. After all, he was a possessive man.

Miraculous Potter Turns Three!

The curious and extraordinary unnamed son of The-Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter and Death Eater-turned-Spy Severus Snape turns three today, sources say.

In the past few months since the unusual family was back in Britain, the child had been seen with either or both his parents in Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and even in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies. Those who were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the adorable toddler can positively say he is a perfect mix of his parents. The little boy was even seen accompanying Master Snape in one of his meetings. Still a toddler and already acquainted with his role as heir of three of the wealthiest and oldest families in Britain, the Princes, the Potters, and the Blacks. (For more information on Severus Snape as Head of the Prince Family, proceed to Page 4)

The Wizarding World still wonders how the conception was possible. We at The Daily Prophet reached out to scholars and unspeakables regarding the unique phenomenon.

"We live in a magical world where possibilities are endless, and for Harry Potter, the only person to ever survive a Killing Curse, a male pregnancy is just another fiction-turned-reality," said one scholar.

The Department of Mysteries is still trying to find more information regarding the remarkable conception.

"I don't even know who this source is anymore," muttered Harry as he threw the paper back to the counter.

"As long as they do not stick their heads into our business then let them be, my love. Sebastian is half-Potter. Public interest is inevitable," said Severus, nonchalantly picking up the paper and flicking on its pages, his reading glasses secured on the bridge of his nose.

"Ugh!" moaned Harry. "Tell me about it."

Harry and Severus had planned a little party for Sebastian that day. It would be the first time Seb could have his birthday in the presence of their old friends. The family if three already visited their friends of dinner in Australia the past weekend as an advance celebration for Seb's birthday as well.

The little boy was still sleeping in his room when the parents started preparing. Harry wanted to bake his son's own birthday cake and Severus couldn't just let Harry do it on his own unless he wanted it to be inedible. No matter how good Harry was in the kitchen, baking was never his forte.

They were both covered in flour, Harry much more than Severus, when Dippy announced the little master was awake and coming down. In a few seconds, their little birthday boy came shrieking into the kitchen, bun-bun in one arm and hair sticking out all over.

"my birfday! Is my birfday!" squealed the three-year-old enthusiastically.

Harry wiped his hands over his apron and lifted Sebastian to sit on the clean side of the counter. "Happy Birthday, my darling boy."

"Happy Birthday, little prince," greeted Severus, smiling and leaning down to press a single kiss on his forehead.

Sebastian had the biggest grin on his face and gave them both a peck on the cheek. "Towee coming?" asked the toddler.

"Yes, darling. Tori and her baby brother will be here later," said Harry.

Victoire became Tori for Seb, a nickname he came up with as he had a hard time pronouncing her name while Sebastian became Baz for Victoire because she didn't want to call him Seb. He and Victoire became good friends over the months as Seb usually had playdates with her when Severus and Harry were busy with research and business planning respectively. Molly had been watching the two children in the Burrow since Fleur also recently gave birth to baby Louis and she needed help with Victoire.

Harry and Severus also invited their friends to attend their son's birthday. Hannah even said she'd bring her 4-year-old nephew so Sebastian can have another friend to play with. Severus didn't have as many friends as Harry but apart from Minerva, Filius, Poppy, Hagrid, and Rolanda, Severus also invited Healer Wayne Smyth, the Head of the Experimental Treatment Research Department in St. Mungo's. Wayne became a good associate of Severus and the healer loved to have Sebastian over when they had meetings.

Harry decided to leave the rest of the baking to Severus and dress their son instead which Severus gladly agreed to, secretly relieved Sebastian's cake won't taste like soap later.

Harry had Sebastian bathed and dressed in an hour, just in time for the excited adopted grandmother to arrive. The toddler was on Harry's shoulder wearing his adorable dragon costume, this year's party theme, when Minerva stepped out of the floo.

"Gwandma!" cried Sebastian happily. Harry lifted him off his shoulder and placed him back on the floor to barrel towards the witch.

"There's the birthday boy. Happy birthday, darling," Minerva knelt on the ground gracefully and pressed a soft kiss over the boy's head.

"Hello, Professor. You're the first one here. Severus is still in the kitchen, he might need help." Harry chuckled.

Minerva pursed her lips and nodded sharply, patting Sebastian's head before heading to the kitchen. The rest of the Hogwarts staff also arrived a few minutes later along with the Weasleys and some of Harry's friends.

While Harry and Sebastian welcomed the other guests in Prince Manor, Severus had a sudden influx of nerves for the day, that he hadn't stepped out of the safety of the room even after finishing the cake. That was how Minerva found Severus, leaning over the clean kitchen counter, a beautiful dragon cake on his side, fiddling on a small box, and deep in thought.

"Severus?" called Minerva.

The man was startled and instantly hid the box on his coat. Minerva had a feeling what was exactly inside that box that had the usually composed man tensing.

"Minerva! What are you doing here?" asked Severus, back to his cool demeanor.

The old witch arched her eyebrow at Severus and replied, "I am here for your son's birthday, Severus. The one that cake you just baked was for."

Severus scowled, "I know it's my son's birthday, witch. I meant what are you doing here in the kitchen?"

Minerva strolled over to sit on the stool with elegance. "Harry said you might need my help and I suppose he was talking about the cake and not that box in your pocket," said the witch indifferently, trying to gauge the wizard's reaction.

Indeed, Minerva was right. Severus flushed red at the mention of the box. The man really did plan to ask Harry's hand in marriage. The older witch smiled to herself. It was about time both her boys receive the love they deserve. "I need not ask, my child. I am happy for you and Harry. Do you plan to do it today?"

Severus tried not to blush further. No, not blush. Severus Snape does not blush. In the coolest and most casual manner he could manage, he replied "Tonight. I plan to do it tonight."

"That is wonderful. You do not have to worry, Severus, Harry will say yes. I am sure of it," said Minerva, smiling. "Well, do compose yourself. Your guests have arrived."

The witch did not bother waiting for a sound from the man as she gracefully walked out of the kitchen, a contented smile on her face.

Severus took another few minutes before finally stepping out of the kitchen and heading to the drawing-room where the celebration would be taking place. He found Harry laughing with his friends on one corner, Sebastian, Victoire, and another boy with golden blond hair running around the room, and his old colleagues chatting on the couches, Wayne joining them.

"Papa!" squealed Sebastian, grabbing the attention of almost all the guests. Severus did not want to be seen as soft in front of his old students and workmates but could not deny his son when he raised both arms in request to be held.

Severus sighed, it seemed like he had no choice but to ruin his stern reputation. He held the boy under his armpits and lifted him to perch on his hip. Sebastian giggled and pressed a sloppy kiss on his cheek, making Severus smile softly.

The silence was unmistakable. He could hear Rolanda and Hagrid coo, Filius' and Poppy' sputtering, and feel the rest of Harry's friends gawk at him, jaws dropped to the earth.

He glanced at them, raising one eyebrow and managed to draw, "What?"

That was all it took for Harry and Ron to burst out laughing. Hermione shook her head at them in disapproval while the rest of the Weasleys laughed alongside the two boys.

Severus rolled his eyes, ignored them, and proceeded to welcome his old friends and the healer, Sebastian still firmly attached to him.

Of course, the Hogwarts professors did not fail to comment on Severus' personality change but when he began to hit them with insults for not using their brains to think he'd stay evil in front of his son, the group sighed in relief. Poppy even had the courage to say she was worried someone else had polyjuiced as him. Severus was even surprised to know that Poppy and Wayne were good friends.

The rest of the day turned out pretty great if Harry was asked. Sebastian had the most fun playing with Victoire and Micah, Hannah's nephew, and even pulled out a promise from Severus of a future playdate in Prince Manor. The initial surprise from Severus' personality changed vanished and Harry's friends somehow took their relationship to stride, not one made it an issue.

It was, by Sebastian's words, the bestest birthday ever. Harry and Severus were glad the boy thought it was even though they knew he'd still think it was the best birthday if it was celebrated with a single cupcake and a whole day in papa's office. Seb was like that.

That night, as a birthday treat, Sebastian had two bedtime stories, one from Severus and one from Harry. Severus told him the story about the time his mother took him to the aquarium. Harry didn't have many good memories from his childhood and instead told Sebastian the story of how he came to be. How he was a blessing to both daddy and papa, that he was their little miracle and that they loved him so much. Then they kissed him goodnight, both secretly wishing he wouldn't grow up too fast.

When they stepped out of Sebastian's room, Severus was restless and dying of anxiousness. He was not sure if this private proposal was something Harry preferred. What if Harry wanted something like those in the muggle films where the man would invite his family and friends to witness their engagement? What if Harry won't say yes? Oh, god!

Harry was about to head back to their room and get ready for bed when Severus pulled him back.

"Sev? What is it?" asked Harry, tilting his head in question.

This is now or never, "I need to show you something," muttered Severus and didn't wait for Harry to reply when he took his hand and led him out the house to the exact same spot they sat watching the Christmas sunrise.

Harry let Severus drag him outside quietly, curious of the man's jittery behavior. When they reached the bench, Harry looked around in confusion.

The night was clear and the moon shone down on them with such intensity Harry thought it was closer than normal. He hadn't found anything strange. He was looking for something different around him, something he thought Severus might want him to see, that he hadn't noticed the man before him going down on one knee.

He only snapped his head back to Severus when he called his name. Harry inhaled sharply, his heart hammering through his chest when he found the man, one knee dropped on the pavement. He felt his hands shake on his sides. He didn't want to assume but everything in him screamed in anticipation and excitement. When Severus took both of Harry's hand in his own, Harry could no longer hold back a muffled sob.

"My love, all my life I have been told I had the heart of stone. That I deserve no love and I will never be welcomed in a family. I believed them for so long. I believed I will never deserve to be happy. I have done evil things in the past, some you even experienced yourself. I had no hopes and dreams. I thought death was the best thing that might happen to someone like me.

But you, you proved them and me wrong. You completed me when I had no idea what was missing. You welcomed me in your home, loved me, and cared for me when I had no one.

You gave me everything and more. You saved me and I am not talking about the day at the battle. I was merely drifting after surviving the war. I had nothing to live for and what made me go on was the fact that somewhere out there, I had a son. And you gave me that. You gave me Sebastian, right this day three years ago. You showed me miracles and mere dreams can be true. And most especially, you gave me you.

I did not know I was capable of loving like this. I am despised, Harry, scorned, hated, and disgusted by many. I thought I was fine with all of that and I was proud of my strict reputation, not knowing I could have something better."

Severus pulled out a box from inside his coat's breast pocket and with shaking hands, presented it open to the love of his life, the intricately-made black rhodium ring which previously kept hidden in his desk drawer, sat there staring at Harry.

"Harry James Potter, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

Harry had tears in his eyes throughout Severus' little speech, trying so hard not to argue with his self-demeaning words.

"Yes! Yes! Sev, Oh, god, Yes!" sobbed Harry, throwing himself to the man before him, making both of them fall back on the pavement, the cold crisp air hitting their flushed skin.

Severus also could not help but cry and laugh at the same time. Harry had said yes. Harry said yes. Severus wrapped his arms around his new fiancé, crushing him to his toned chest, breathing a half-sob, half-sigh of relief. Severus didn't care if they laid there alone in the pavement of the fountain court, in the middle of the night. Harry would finally be his forever.

The couple stayed there on the ground as Severus carefully pulled out the ring from the box and took Harry's hand in his own. He inserted the ring on Harry's finger and pressed a soft kiss on his knuckles, earning him the sweetest smile from Harry before the younger wizard buried his face on Severus' neck.

Harry let out a giggle that vibrated throughout Severus' skin. "We're engaged."

"I suppose we are," replied Severus, the smile on his face rivaling the brightness of the moonlight above them.

"Should we head back?" asked Harry, looking up, face still beaming in joy.

Severus pushed himself up with Harry and as soon as both were back on their feet, Severus instantly pulled him back into his arms and ravished his mouth, something he ought to have done right after Harry said yes.

They did not let the kiss go further. Severus released Harry's lips with a soft caress, connecting their foreheads together as onyx eyes stared into emerald. Harry's smile never left his face as did Severus'.

"Did I do alright?" inquired a smirking Severus although inside he was honestly nervous of having done something wrong.

"Definitely," grinned Harry, locking their lips back to each other, Harry softly sucking on his fiancé's tongue. He pulled back to breathe, "I am glad you didn't ask earlier when everyone else was here. I don't think I could stop myself from doing this."

Before Severus even had the chance to ask exactly what Harry would be doing, Harry pulled their bodies closer and grinded their groins against each other, making Severus groan in pleasure, their awakening lengths constricting inside their trousers.

Severus hissed and felt all the hair at the back of his neck rise when Harry leaned over to his ear, nipping lightly on his earlobe and whispered sultrily,

"How fast can you take us back to the bedroom?"

A/N: Hello! Sev and Harry are finally engaged! It's the most romantic scene I could make for Severus' proposal without making him look too out of character which somehow doesn't make that much sense as he already is ooc considering this is an alternative universe. But yeah, emotional Sev is good. Don't hate me I'm not a romantic person in real life, I just learn these concepts and emotions from what I feel from movies and music... so basically all the fluffs :)) If my friends knew I've been writing fluffy stuff not to mention, romance, they would have hounded me no doubt.I'm rambling. Anyway, Thanks for the support!