Chapter 29
"I talked to Gaius," said Severus in lieu of greeting Wayne.
The healer's eyes widened. "Really? What did he say?"
"It was his. He was actually surprised that someone found it. It was meant to be his life's work but he contracted a dangerous case of dragon pox and died before it was set to test trials. He placed a ward on the storage box so no one would steal it but he had not thought about dying when he did that. Gaius thought his research would be lost forever just because he placed a ward on it only he can acces," informed Severus while preparing his work station.
"That is unfortunate," commented Wayne with a frown. "But how did I open the box?"
"He theorized the wards must have vanished in time."
"Did he create any more of these journals?"
"Yes, he went by the name Phineas Bourne," Severus said, glancing a little at his colleague to see his reaction.
And it was satisfying, thought Severus, to see Wayne gaping like a fish. "Phineas Bourne?! The author of Moste Potente Potions? That Phineas Bourne? Seriously, Severus! Your ancestors are highly academic people!"
"Not everyone, Smyth. We actually have more who ventured in business than the academics but yes, essentially," smirked Severus. He was indeed very surprised when Gaius told him. Severus tried to have the man claim it as his work but Gaius refused, saying Gaius Prince and Phineas Bourne were the same person. There was no need to claim it. That made Severus' respect towards his certain ancestor increase ten-fold. A potioneer who made potions not for fame but simply because it was his passion was very rare.
"Well, your ancestors would be proud of you when we do accomplish this project," said Wayne.
Severus nodded. While he did care a little what his dead ancestors thought about him, he cared more about the results of this potion they're making.
"Let's get this trial started."
Sebastian loved the castle.
He liked it when he and papa took many walks near the forest and the lake. Papa always carried him on his shoulders and then he would help papa hold the basket when he picks up tiny plants. Papa would also get flowers for daddy and it always made daddy smile and kiss their noses. It was fun.
Daddy took him flying in the big grounds sometimes and those were very fun too. Daddy would fly very high and tell him not to tell papa but he knew papa already knows. Papa always knows. And he thinks daddy knows that papa knows too.
When daddy and papa get very busy with work, he would stay with Grandma Minnie. Grandma Minnie was like his nana and he liked her very much. She gives cuddly hugs and always has sweets in her pocket for him. He and Grandma Minnie go around the castle and talk to the people in the pictures and the many ghosts.
Sometimes daddy or papa left him with Aunt Poppy or Hagrid or Grandpa Filius or Uncle Adrian. Sebastian liked every one of them. Aunt Poppy would let him help in the hospital, Hagrid would bring him along when he feeds the animals (if daddy or papa allowed), Grandpa Filius was very small and he would always have flying paper cranes for him, and Uncle Adrian would tell funny jokes and read him stories.
But even then, he still missed home. No matter how much he loved the castle and the people inside, he loved home more. He missed Dippy and Tinky and Betsy. He wanted to play in his tree house. He even missed papa's big room even though it 'sploded.
So when daddy told him they would finally be going him, Sebastian was the happiest boy in the world. Grandma Minnie and everyone were sad they're going home but papa did promise they'd visit. Sebastian thought they have so many people to visit... the family in their first home far away, and then Grandma Molly's family, and now the castle... but Sebastian was okay with it. He really liked visiting them.
When they were back home, the big house didn't look broken though. He heard daddy say the same thing and papa told daddy that Mr. Gold-man did a good job. He supposed Mr. Gold-man fixed their house. He would have to thank Mr. Gold-man when he visits.
Dippy, Tinky, and Betsy were very happy to see them again and Sebastian made sure to hug each one so they will be even more happy. He also asked daddy they visit Grandpa Cassius and Grandmother and maybe even papa's grumpy grandpa.
He was very happy to be back home. He hoped they won't have to leave ever again. He knew papa and daddy put up more pertection all over the house so no bad guy can hurt them again. They even asked Uncle Bill for help. Uncle Bill's very good at pertections. Daddy said he worked for the bank and knows many grown-up things.
Daddy still took him to his work everyday and he liked it. He gots to see many people waving hello to him and saying he's a good boy. Papa used to take him to his work too but then papa said it was dangerous now so he need to stay with daddy. It was okay because papa still loves him and make sures he kisses Sebbie goodmorning and goodnight. He even still teach him how to speak properly, say his letters, and count his fingers and toes by himself. Papa says he's very smart.
They even got to celebrate daddy's birthday in the garden with daddy's friends and papa's friends and his friends too. Tori and Micah played with him. (A/N: Micah is Hannah Abbot's nephew from a few chapters ago in case you don't remember) He wished Louis would get big soon and the baby in Aunt Luna's tummy get out already so they could play together. Sometimes he wished papa and daddy would give him a brother but he didn't want to ask yet. He wanted to wait for Christmas so Father Christmas would make sure he gets one. Tori said baby brothers were very cuddly but cries a lot. Maybe when he gets a baby brother, he would not cry lots because big brother Sebbie will take care of him and play with him and make funny faces so he will always laugh.
He'd make sure to write a very good letter to Father Christmas when the time comes and be a good boy everyday to papa and daddy so Father Christmas will give him a baby brother.
"Oh good, you're here," exclaimed Molly as the soon-to-be Potter-Prince family stepped out of the floo. She stepped closer and kissed the top of Sebastian's head. "Victoire is in the backyard, Sebastian."
Sebastian beamed and charged his little legs straight the back door without so much a glance from his parents, making Harry laugh and Severus shook his head in exasperation. It seemed like whenever Victoire was around, Sebastian forgets them. Still, Severus thought it was still too early to assume they will end up together. For Merlin's sake, he and Lily were inseparable when they were children but Severus never saw her romantically.
"Well, come on!" urged the mother of seven, "Don't just stand there. We're having lunch out in the open."
The couple followed the woman to where Sebastian ran out a moment ago. They were surprisingly early. Harry had not even seen Ron, Hermione, and the twins yet. While they do not attend all the Weasley Sunday lunch, they do try to go to at least one per month, much to Severus' displeasure. This was one of those especially since Ron had hinted he'd be announcing something important. Harry did have an idea what it was but preferred not to say anything yet.
Harry sat on one of the lawn chairs facing the lawn where Sebastian and Victoire were playing catch with Bill. Fleur was sitting next to him holding little Louis in her arms. When he glanced at Severus, the man was already in deep conversation with Arthur, probably something about the Ministry.
Five-month-old Louis looked up at Harry and gurgled happily. Harry chuckled and cooed at the baby. Louis had the Weasley hair unlike his sister who had Fleur's silvery-blond but other than that, the boy had all the Delacour features: deep blue eyes, heart-shaped facial structure, and the notable pale skin.
"Vould you like to hold 'im, 'arry?" asked Fleur with a smile.
Harry nodded eagerly and accepted the baby in his arms. It had been quite a while since he held a baby. Well, he had not really held another baby aside from Sebastian. He found that he had missed having such a fragile and precious bundle in his arms.
"Hello, little one," cooed Harry making the baby babble happily and grip on Harry's finger. "Such a strong grip, you have. Sebastian was just like you."
"'ave you ever thought of 'aving anozer one?" Fleur asked.
Harry shrugged faintly. "If I could, but I don't know if we can have another one. Sebastian is special."
Fleur peered at him questioningly, "Why don't you 'ave ze surrogacy?"
Harry had thought about it but he really would have loved it if he carried his own child. Even though it was too much a pain to be pregnant, he'd do it all over again if he and Severus could have another. "Perhaps. Severus and I have not talked about having another one. Maybe in the future, though."
The woman sent him an encouraging smile. Fleur knew the look on Harry's face. She was sure that Sebastian won't be an only child even if the two men had to go through surrogacy to have another. Fleur always thought Harry would be a great parent with the way he talked to Gabrielle when he was younger. The professor, on the other hand, was a shock. She had heard of stories regarding the dark professor from during the Triwizard tournament and even from Bill but he was very different now. The older wizard still does not smile frequently but every now and then, they catch a glimpse of it, always directed to Harry and their son.
When Ron and Hermione arrived, Harry reluctantly handed back Louis to his mother to greet his best friends. Severus had moved on to following Sebastian like a hawk. The child was running around the grass trying to catch the training snitch Ginny released.
"Hey guys," said Harry and giving each a hug. Ron was a lot taller than Harry so he basically had the green-eyed boy towered when he placed an arm around him.
"Mate, Hermione and I need to talk to you," whispered Ron.
Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded, letting himself be directed inside the house and up to Ron's room with Hermione following them. Once they were safely out of hearing range from the rest, Ron and Hermione glanced at each other with the biggest grins.
"You're getting married," guessed Harry with a smile.
Ron chuckled, "That's the thing... we kind of already are."
"You're kidding?!" The two shook their heads at their friend. "You eloped!" Harry gawked at his two best friends. "While I am truly happy for you, I think I should be saying good luck with telling your mum."
The color on Ron's face drained while Hermione laughed nervously. "Yeah, we're expecting a thorough verbal lashing. We had one from my parents and I can tell you this: I'd never seen my mother unsure if she should congratulate us or scold us."
Harry then crushed them both in a tight hug, "I never thought you'd be someone who does things without a plan, Mione."
"Honestly, me too. It was a complete spur of the moment."
"You're going to have to tell me all about it," said Harry but then turned to Ron, "But if your mother takes it out on me and Severus, you're going to have to name your firstborn after me," groaned Harry. He had a feeling Molly will even be more determined to organize his bonding with Severus when she finds out her son eloped.
"You got it, mate!" grinned Ron. "As long as we don't have to name them from Snape then we definitely have no problem." The three of them started heading back outside.
"When will you two ever admit you like each other," said Harry, rolling his eyes.
Hermione laughed. "When pigs start flying, Harry."
Ron huffed but didn't say anything, either because he had not thought of a snarky comeback or because they were back in the presence of the others.
They came back just in time because Molly had called everyone to the table. Harry saw Severus in the background patiently changing Sebastian's shirt and wiping the sweat from the boy's back. Between the two of them, Severus was undoubtedly fussier. Harry walked towards the two of them and took the worn shirt from Severus' shoulder to put it back inside the child's new turtle backpack.
They settled in their usual seat, Harry next to George while Severus sat beside Bill, with Sebastian in between them. As always, lunch with the Weasleys was rowdy. But that did not stop Sebastian dozing on his plate not even twenty minutes later, probably tired from running around. Harry had to lift the boy up from his seat and settle him straddling on his lap with his head on Harry's chest while the father held him in place. Still, the conversations continued. Everybody already knew how much of a heavy sleeper the little boy was.
It wasn't until Ron finally coughed loudly and cleared his throat when everyone stopped talking.
"I... uh, Mione, and I have something to say," said Ron nervously. "You see... uh... mum, we uh..."
"Oh for god's sake! We got married last week," interrupted Hermione with a huff.
Silence.
The silence was deafening making both Ron and Hermione squirm in their seats. Hell, even Harry felt anxious. When he glanced at Severus, the man had the audacity to smirk. Arthur only smiled at the pair but all of Ron's siblings were looking at their mother and Ron in anticipation. The twins were trying their best not to laugh, Ginny looking excited at someone being berated, Percy and Bill shaking their heads disapprovingly, and Charlie... Charlie's in Romania but if he was here, he'd probably join the twins.
"That's quite the news," drawled Molly after a long wait. "We are happy for you two."
"We are?" gaped Ginny. "You're not going to yell at them?!"
"Shut up, Gin," Ron whispered harshly to her sister.
Molly smiled sickeningly sweet making Ginny laugh and Ron tremble in fear. "Oh, honey. They'll hear it from me tonight but not right now at the table." She then turned to Hermione and this time, smiled genuinely, "Hermione, dear, welcome to the family!"
Hermione breathed in relief. It did not matter if they'd get a good scolding later as long as her mother-in-law accepted them. "Thanks, Mrs. Weasley."
"Call me mum, dear. You are family after all," said Molly. "At least now it's official."
The tense aura vanished and everybody went back to their initial conversations, satisfied with their brother's upcoming lectures later.
Harry then beckoned Severus closer and the man complied with a sigh.
"What is it?"
"You do know Molly will take her frustrations out on planning our wedding, don't you," whispered Harry while still holding his son to his chest.
The look on Severus' face when he finally realized what they're in for was one to remember.
"I will skin your friend alive," growled the man under his breath.
"You will not leave this room until you both give me a date," exclaimed Molly, folding her arms over her chest as she stared down at the two men in front of her. "Don't you dare tell me you are going to elope as well!"
Harry was right. Molly had indeed cornered them before they could even get to the floo. Sebastian was still on a nap but currently on Severus' arms instead.
"And don't get me started on the theme... I will not let the both of you be married in your usual robes, Severus! And Harry, where was that place you told me you wanted the wedding to take place again?"
Times like this, Harry wanted Severus' calm composure even as he rocked Sebastian slightly. The man basically sat there unbothered by the unwavering stares of one Molly Weasley. Severus arched his eyebrow back at Harry and sighed.
"I believe the date would be the first thing to discuss. Mrs. Weasley, may I talk with my fiancé first?" requested Severus.
Molly nodded with a grin before stepping out of the room, leaving the two men to discuss when they would be having their wedding.
Severus wanted it to be soon but he was not even close to finishing his research. He wanted it to be done before their wedding. He and Healer Smyth just began their 3rd trial test on rats and guinea pigs. So far, it's been going well but they still have the human clinical trials after that, provided their current calculations were correct. Still, Severus believed they need more time.
"When do you propose we should have it?" asked Harry.
"A January wedding would be great, a fine way to start a year. If that is alright with you..." said Severus, nervous at the possibility of Harry thinking it's too long of a wait. It was still early August and that would be enough time to finish the project.
"January," echoed Harry thoughtfully before giving Severus a wide smile. "We can do it on your birthday! I'm going to save a lot of money buying you a gift." Harry chuckled and sent Severus a sly smirk, telling him he was joking. "But, really Sev, January is a good month, but perhaps not on your birthday though... how about on the full moon? I think it's on January 28th. We'll have plenty of time to prepare so Molly won't hound us day and night," grimaced Harry at the last thought.
Harry thought a long engagement was right for them. While he had no doubts about marrying Severus, they still have a lot to discuss and manage especially with their house duties. Both of them were heads of ancient houses with a lot of money and properties. They'd have to set up a joint account as well since they'd become Potter-Prince.
Severus was relieved Harry was fine not having it as soon as possible. "January it is... do you think we could leave all preparations to Mrs. Weasley? I know she'd love to and I don't think we both have that sense of creativity to plan a wedding love," smiled Severus. Aside from that, Severus would be busy with his project and his lessons with Sebastian. He was only thankful Harry wasn't one to ask what he does in St. Mungo's every day. He probably thought Severus was there to watch over the trial tests for Wolfsbane.
Harry snorted, "Got that right. January 28th, Oakland Farm and Restaurant, you'll only wear black, and we shall not have green or reds. Got it," smiled the man, winking at his fiancé.
They then went to talk to Molly who was very much happy with their choice of date because it meant more time for her to plan a wedding. She was even happier when they told her they will leave the planning to the witch, only that there must be no reds or greens in the ceremony, a compromise stemming from countless of bantering between house colors. Molly found no issue with it. She wasn't planning on using both colors anyway. She pictured the two men in black formal robes with little Sebastian sporting an identical robe to his fathers. They would look so cute together. Molly honestly could not wait!
A/N: Thank you for everyone who favorited and followed Falling into Place. My workload for this semester is a bit hectic but I will still update AT LEAST once a week. And thanks for the positive reviews! It makes me happy that some people like what I write.
A little fun fact though, most of the minor original characters' first names were based from the people around me.