The Singing Dog
by Teddylonglong
All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story. I am merely borrowing the characters to play with them.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.
Warnings: Completely AU, partly OOC.
When Mireille was four weeks old, Narcissa began to floo over to the Potter-Snape family every morning, where Aileen and she looked after Harry, Draco and the three babies. To Lily's relief, Harry and Draco felt very big with their two years of age and assisted the two witches whenever they could. They even readily came over into the potions lab and fetched her, when the twins needed to be fed.
"Thank Merlin it works out so well," she said to Remus, when they worked together in the potions lab on the second floor. "Are you ready to open the apothecary on the first of October?" In fact, she thought that it would be better to take things easy and open the apothecary at the beginning of January; however, knowing that the apothecary was badly needed on the island, she had agreed to the plan.
"Of course, although we'll just have to tell the customers that we are just only beginning and don't have a large stock yet."
"I already told Niamh and Aileen, and they promised me that they'll alert us as soon as they know that someone needs something, even if we don't know if the person is going to be our costumer or will rather buy their potion at Fairy Alley or Diagon Alley, just so we can get a head start at brewing in any case."
"Well, it can't hurt to slowly build up a stock anyway." Remus smiled. "Thank you so much for involving me in this. The last few years were so frustrating, as I was unable to find a job due to my furry problem. Only the visits with you and the other Marauders kept me sane."
Returning the smile, Lily shook her head. "As Sev already said, you're only incapacitated for about two days each month. At least for us, it's not a problem. I will simply place an alarm at the front door that will alert me if a customer arrives, when you're absent. They will get used to having to wait a minute or two if I have to get down from the lab. Cicero even offered to assist in the lab, and since he seems to have lots of experience assisting Sev at Hogwarts, I will accept his offer in busy times. He could continue any potion up to a point, where he can put it under a statis charm."
"Thank you, Lily. Oh, by the way, I was thinking about making appointments with Rita Skeeter from the Daily Prophet and Annette O'Leary from the Celtic Herald."
Lily eyed her friend in surprise. "Oh, that's a good idea. Would you mind doing the interviews together? We should discuss the matter with Sev beforehand though, although I can't imagine that he'd participate in an interview."
"He certainly won't." Remus grinned. "I'd like to hear his opinion about several matters though. We could ask Aileen and Niamh though."
"We should not tell them our names, just the name of the apothecary in any case." Lily let out a deep sigh.
"I agree, and Severus surely will, too, especially since he doesn't want Dumbledore to know what he's doing outside of Hogwarts." They exchanged a look of pure amusement.
HP
On September 30, Lily, Remus, Aileen and Niamh met with the two reporters, who were seemingly surprised to be invited together.
"I'm sorry for inviting you together, however, seeing that Inis Rún while belonging to Ireland is part of the British magical world as well, we thought that it would be best to introduce our apothecary to both countries. Our main goal, however, is to provide medical potions to the population of Inis Rún." Lily cast Aileen a questioning look, causing the old Healer to tell the younger witches how badly she had always longed for an apothecary on their small island.
"Excuse me, but why would someone from Britain come to a small island to buy potions, when they could much easier travel to Diagon Alley and buy their necessities at the renowned apothecaries of our own country?" Rita Skeeter gave them a haughty look.
While Aileen explained about jellygrapes and their specific effects in healing potions, Lily unobtrusively cast a wandless charm at Rita Skeeter that would prevent the witch from mentioning her or Remus' names in case she recognised one or both of them.
"Does the name of the apothecary, 'The Singing Dog', have by chance something to do with the photograph of the Crup over there?" Annette O'Leary pointed at the moving photograph of Inu, where he was quietly growling at them.
"Yes, this is Inu, my son's familiar, and his photograph gave us the idea for the name."
"I like it," the Irish reporter replied, smiling. "So, what makes your apothecary different from others?"
"We have two potions masters here, who do not only provide the required potions, but also do intense research to develop new potions," Remus informed the witches.
"What are your current research projects?" O'Leary looked at Lily, questioningly.
"Just now, our first goals are a cure for lycanthropy as well as a cure for insanity. Classmates of ours are at St. Mungo's after long-time exposal to the Cruciatus curse. Of course, we can't promise anything, and we don't know how long it will take to find these remedies if we manage to do so at all."
"This sounds extremely intriguing, and I look forward to hearing more from you."
'O'Leary is much nicer than Skeeter,' Lily thought, returning the Irish witch's smile. 'In the future, we'll only speak with her, and the Celtic Herald can sell their articles about our apothecary to the Daily Prophet,' she resolved.
The whole interview took an hour, and Lily, Aileen and Remus sighed in relief, when the witches left together to return to the apparition point.
HP
On October 1, the apothecary opened its doors, and Lily had the impression as if the whole population of Inis Rún showed up just out of curiosity to inspect The Singing Dog on that day. Most of the people simply came to say hello, to congratulate them or welcome them. Fortunately, Aileen had foreseen the flood of visitors, and they had prepared glasses with Champaign as well as finger food snacks to entertain their guests. Many of their guests brought gifts, several kinds of food or decorations, and Lily even received several boxes of jellygrapes.
"People are really nice here. I'm glad we moved here," Lily told Severus, when they closed the apothecary after a long day. To her relief, Severus had been able to join them during the afternoon, as he did not have any afternoon classes on Fridays.
HP
During the following weeks, Lily and Remus were very busy with the apothecary. Aileen had not exaggerated, when she told Lily that a full-time potions master was needed on the island. Nevertheless, she loved her new work and was grateful that Severus supported her in his scarce free time and that Aileen and Narcissa looked after the children, while she was busying herself in the lab.
Severus used to return home after the last afternoon class, even if he had to go back to Hogwarts to attend dinner in the Great Hall. Sometimes, they brewed together, but on most days, Lily simply returned home to spend some quality time with her children.
Harry and Draco had become inseparable, and Lily and Narcissa slowly began to think about their education. Unfortunately, there was no kindergarten let alone a primary school on the island, as most people used to home school their children, until they were ready to attend Hogwarts or one of the other magical schools.
"Perhaps, we could ask Minerva if she can convince Dumbledore to set up a primary school for children from the age of, for example, four onwards," Lily said one day, when Narcissa, Severus, Lucius and she were having tea together, while Harry, Draco and Inu were busily entertaining the now four-month-olds, who were slowly beginning to remain awake for a little longer than the time they needed to drink. Mireille was still three months old and was mostly asleep, even with the three two-year-olds bustling around.
"Why don't we discuss the matter with Amelia and Augusta Longbottom?" Severus suggested. "You wanted to contact Neville anyway, and Amelia said once that her brother has a daughter of Harry's and Draco's age. Perhaps we can once have Neville and Amelia's niece play together with ours."
"Are you sure that you want to invite Augusta here? You know that she's an old hag, don't you?" Lucius cast Severus a sharp look, causing Lily and Narcissa to roll their eyes.
"At least the first time, we'll have to invite her," Lily replied in a firm voice.
"Perhaps Aileen will entertain her. They should be about the same age." Severus cast her a questioning look.
"I hope so," Lily replied, smirking.
HP
On a Sunday afternoon, shortly before Christmas, Augusta Longbottom visited them with Neville, and Amelia arrived with Susan and Hannah in tow.
"I'm sorry, but Hannah's parents are good friends with Susan's, and these two seem to be inseparable." Amelia gave Lily an apologetic look, as she stepped out of the fireplace with a toddler on each hand.
"There is no need to apologize." Lily smiled at the two girls, who laughed at Harry and Draco and quickly introduced themselves after the boys' example.
A few minutes later, Augusta arrived with her grandson. In contrary to the girls and Harry and Draco, Neville seemed very shy, and although the four children greeted him in apparent delight, he only said his name in a small voice.
"Hello Neville. I am your Aunt Lily and your godmother." Lily smiled at the two-year-old, noticing that he resembled his father a lot. "I am sorry, I meant to invite you much earlier."
"He barely speaks yet." Lily had the impression as if Augusta seemed outright unhappy. "And he doesn't have contact to any other children. Thank you so much for inviting us today. I'd really love for him to have friends."
Lily smiled, when Aileen involved Augusta in a conversation. 'She is really good with people,' she thought, 'no wonder that everyone on Inis Rún loves her.'
While the girls busied themselves fawning over the three babies, Harry and Draco pulled Neville over to where they had set up the Lego Hogwarts Express and taught the other boy how to send toy animals from London to Hogsmeade and back.
When Lily sat on the sofa feeding Jaime, she observed Harry. Her son was completely engrossed in his game, and he and Draco patiently showed Neville how they used to play. 'I am so glad Sev introduced us to the Malfoys when he did,' she thought. 'I wouldn't want Harry to grow up as a single child like Neville.' Somehow, she could not help feeling sorry for Neville and almost wished she had contacted him sooner. 'Oh well, I simply did not have the time with Harry and the twins and the apothecary. I didn't even know what happened to Alice and Frank until a few months ago.'
By the time Augusta wanted to leave, Neville refused to separate from his new friends.
"Augusta, why don't you leave Neville here for a few days?" Aileen smiled. "We'll all look after him.
"That's a good idea." Lily's voice was warm and reassuring. "He may even stay over Christmas if he wishes."
Augusta cast her a hopeful look. "Are you sure, Lily? That would give me some time to prepare everything for my traditional Christmas party at Longbottom Manor, but I don't want Neville to be a bother."
Lily's expression became hard and her voice uncharacteristically strict, as she replied. "Neville is not, nor will he ever be, a bother to me. He is my godson and has apparently become friends with Harry, Draco and Inu. Neville, would you like to stay with us for a while?"
A huge smile spread over the boy's face and, seeing Harry and Draco nod, eagerly, he nodded as well. "Yes."
After another round of reassurances from Lily, Severus and Aileen, Augusta stepped into the fireplace, leaving Neville to stay with them. Only then, Inu dashed over to Neville and gently licked his face, making the boy chuckle.
She pondered for a moment how to accommodate Neville, only to decide to put a second bed into Harry's room. "I don't want to make him sleep alone in a room in an unknown house. He might be frightened during the night," she whispered to Severus.
"I'll ask Remus to assist. We'll see to it after dinner. Don't you think they're big enough to sleep in beds instead of their cribs? It would be the opportunity for a change."
Lily smiled. "Yes please." 'Another one of the things that we should have done a long time ago. Perhaps I should have waited with the apothecary, until the children are at least of age to attend a primary school. I'm not a good mother.'
"Lily." She gave her husband a questioning look. "You're a wonderful mother, and never doubt that."
'Is he reading my mind?' she wondered in shock. 'I didn't voice my thoughts, did I?' After pondering the matter for a while, she came to the conclusion that he simply knew her too well.
HP
"All right now, I'm not going to invite anyone else here," Lily said to Severus, when they were in bed late that night. "We have enough children here by now."
Severus remained quiet for a moment, before he replied in a soft voice. "You did something very generous today. I believe that Neville will be much happier here than with that strict, old hag to speak with Lucius. Nevertheless, I had hoped that you wanted at least one more child."
Lily stared at him in surprise, only then comprehending what he was implying. "Ahh, oh yes, of course. The more the merrier." Grinning, she cuddled close into his embrace.
HP
Harry felt outright happy. Not only had his Daddy and his Uncle Moony changed his baby bed to a proper bed for big boys. It had curtains around it that were dark blue with a golden Snitch flying around, just like the Snitch that Uncle Padfoot had given him for his birthday. His mummy had charmed the Snitch on the curtain, and it was glowing in the dark, so that he was able to see it at all times. When he went to bed in the evening, he always looked for the Snitch and followed it around, until he drifted off to sleep.
Ever since that evening, however, Neville had got to stay with him, and Harry was outright happy to have him there.
When Neville had stayed three nights and still did not return home, Harry asked his mummy about it. "Mummy, why can Neville stay wif me and not Dwaco?"
His mummy smiled. "Harry, Draco has his own Mummy and Daddy and Mireille. So, he must return home with them. Neville's parents are sick and cannot be there for him. He only has his granny, but she is quite old and cannot look after him very well. Therefore, he wanted to stay with us for a while. I am also his godmother just like Uncle Padfoot is your godfather. Don't you want him to stay?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I want him here. Dwaco too." His lower lip quivered, whiningly. "Dwaco tay wif Mireille?"
Lily nodded. "Yes, Draco needs to stay with Mireille and their parents. Next week, both Draco and Mireille will stay overnight with us, when Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius will go out during the night of the winter solstice."
"Dwaco tay here?"
"Yes, we will add a third bed in here as well as in the nursery. However, that's only for one night, son."
Just then, Inu dashed into the room and motioned Harry to follow him. An instant later, two canines were running around the room in a mock fight.
Lily stared at the dogs in amazement. 'It still amazing that Harry is a natural Animagus. I wonder if the twins have such a talent as well. They're at least as powerful as Harry in any case.'
At that time, when the twins were barely five months old and harmless babies, she could not know how soon she was going to realise that the twins were not only powerful but natural Animagi just like their adored, older brother.
HP
Neville seemed to quickly become used to living together with them, and under Harry's and Draco's tutelage, the boy's speaking abilities improved immensely.
Sirius and Remus readily accepted to be honorary godfather to another toddler and presented Neville with his own broom for Christmas, so that they could teach the boy to become as proficient at flying as Harry and Draco.
"On New Year's Eve, the Malfoys, Amelia and Sirius, Remus, Niamh and Aileen spent the evening at the Potter-Snape house. Later at night, when the three toddlers and three babies as well as Inu and Neko were asleep on the second floor, the conversation turned to Neville.
"It's impressive how Neville has changed ever since he came here." Everyone stared at Amelia in surprise. "Well, I only ever met him, when his grandmother brought him here three weeks ago. He was barely able to speak, and tonight, he was as chatty as Harry and Draco. He also seems outright happy to me in contrary to when I first met him."
"That's true." Severus let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, his grandmother will come over tomorrow to fetch him back to Longbottom Manor."
"We haven't told the children yet," Lily admitted. "Harry and Draco have become very close to him, and we think that they won't like it."
Sirius chuckled. "Perhaps I should insist on my godfather duties and teach them some charm or spell that'll look like accidental magic to any adult not involved in the planning."
Severus smirked. "Oh, believe me, my wife has already pondered all possible pranks on the old lady. She's as protective of her godson as of our own children."
"Oh, Lily, let us in on your plans." Sirius grinned broadly.
Lily rolled her eyes. "You should know that I'm not a Marauder. Amelia, Sirius, don't you have any news for us concerning the New Year?"
Amelia and Sirius exchanged a look of pure surprise. "Who told you that?"
Lily merely quirked an eyebrow, reminding everyone of her husband, however, remained quiet. 'Not everyone needs to know that I have certain Seer abilities,' she thought, smirking.
Sirius grinned broadly. "On Christmas, I have proposed to Meli, and she agreed. We're going to marry sometime during the summer."
Lily smirked during the resulting conversation that was completely diverted from her to Amelia and Sirius. 'Perhaps, our child will have a friend of herself or himself, too,' she thought. 'Sirius probably won't wait long. He loves children.' However, her own pregnancy was still too fresh to tell anyone, even if Aileen had confirmed that she was pregnant that very morning.
HP
In the afternoon of New Year's Day, Augusta Longbottom arrived for tea. Lily and Severus had invited Aileen over, knowing that she got along well with the old lady.
"Neville seems like a different boy." Augusta stared at her grandson, who was playing Hide and Seek with Harry and Inu and was shouting as loud as Harry, in apparent surprise.
"He has become good friends with Harry and Draco, and he seems very happy here." Aileen cast Augusta a comforting smile. "Do you really have to take him with you?"
Augusta looked indignant. "Of course. He has to come home eventually."
'Be my guest and tell him the news yourself,' Lily thought with a feeling of foreboding.
However, the old lady swiftly finished her tea and rose from her chair.
"Neville, come, we're going home."
However, the two boys continued playing, as if she had not said anything.
"Neville!"
Two toddlers and one dog came running over and stood in front of the old lady.
"Neville, we're going home."
Neville stared at his grandmother in apparent shock, before he and Harry shouted, simultaneously. "No!"
"I wan tay here. I wike here."
"Neville, we must go home!" Lily noticed that the old lady was slowly getting upset. "I am your grandmother, and you will do as I say."
When Inu began to growl at Neville's grandmother, apparently sensing that she upset his familiar and Neville, Harry suddenly transformed into his canine form, as he always did when someone began to shout. To everyone's surprise, Neville changed into a similar dog as well, and before his grandmother could do as much as recover from the shock, the three dogs were rolling around the floor in a mock fight, before they dashed upstairs.
tbc...
Thank you so much for your kind words on the previous chapter. Please tell me what you think about this chapter and what you expect from this story.
Happy Easter!