"I meant to ask," Severus began slightly awkwardly as they were ushered into the cart at Gringotts, "Will Albus know about the vow?"

"Oh. Not until he tries to enforce it. Actually maybe we should look at some sort of protective something in case he kicks up a fuss."

Severus swivelled his head to look at Saul, regretting it immediately as the motion of the cart combined with the movement made him want to vomit. "Fuck I hadnt thought of that."

Saul shrugged, "It's fine, it's not something we cannot fix easily."

Severus refrained from turning to look at him incredulously until the cart stopped. Stepping into the Prince vault he searched for somewhere unobtrusive to hide the monstrosity in his hand, spying a darkened corner at the back that was covered with books and portraits. He levitated it carefully behind the portrait of one of his uglier ancestors thanking the gods that Hermione appeared to be one of the lucky few of the Prince line that had not inherited the scowl and the nose. He turned to Saul who was examining a small locked box with interest.

"If it's that interesting by all means take it." He snorted.

"Oh! Can I? I think it is a 12th Century smuggling box! I've never seen a real one! Legend has it that Madam Vespers used hers to keep her poison undetected. Murdered twenty-five husands before they're rumoured to have caught her. It's a fascinating story!"

Severus rolled his eyes, "I'm sure it is. Saul? About Albus, you do realise that he is unlikely to use magic to force me into anything?"

Saul frowned, "What else could he use?"

"Blackmail, his influence to colour other people's opinion, it's not like it would take much to convince the masses that I'm an utter bastard, I'm sure most of them already believe it, my daughter, Harry…..shall I continue?" Severus replied sardonically.

Saul looked at him curiously before he grinned. "I have just the thing!"
"Of course you do." Severus groaned, "Dare I ask what?"

"Its….based on a muggle recording device, camera? It records and magically stores itself in a device in the DoM. They're great fun. But, we can use one of them so that if Albus does threaten you we have proof! You'll have to wear it obviously but they're tamper proof. The Hit Witches and Wizards have been using them for their more high profile cases for a while now, we all know memories can be tampered with."

"That's…..genius actually. Although how conspicuous is it?"

"For you, Severus, I'll make it hot pink." Saul snorted.

"Arsehole." Severus muttered, "Can I have more than one?"

"Why in the name of Merlin do you need more than one?"

"I'd like both my children to have one. Harry more than Hermione to be honest but I wouldn't put it past Albus to try and use her to get his claws back into the boy."

Saul nodded slowly. "Three gadgets coming up. We'll nip in and pick some up after we've dropped the paperwork off. Shall we be off before Gornuck decides to lock us in here for taking forever?"
Severus snorted, gesturing for him to leave "I'm sure Gornuck understands the importance of privacy, Albus has ears bloody everywhere." he muttered, following Saul out and into the cart.

The Ministry was bustling when they arrived, several people turning to gape at Severus as if they hadn't realised he existed outside the walls of Hogwarts. The Security Wizard looked like he'd wet himself when he looked up to see him standing there.

"Ppprofessor Snape!" he stammered, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"Mr Morris." he sneered, handing over his wand to the trembling man. Honestly, the man must have left school fifteen years ago, he wouldn't have even have gotten into his stride by that point, certainly not enough to make this level of terror justifiable.

"All good, Sir." he squeaked, handing it back. Secerus rolled his eyes.

Beside him Saul was smirking slightly, "What do you do to your students Severus to make them that scared of you?"

"Nothing! That fear was over exaggerated. Even Longbottom isn't that frightened of me and I wouldn't trust him to brew tea unsupervised."
Saul snorted, "Hermione's going to make you be nicer this year isn't she?"

"She already tried," he grumbled. "However what no one understands is that the little sods spend half their time trying to murder one another, if I allow them to behave as they would normally do in my classroom, they'd likely succeed."

Saul inclined his head, clearly thinking about it."You don't think potions should be mandatory?" he guessed.

"No. I don't. Identifying ingredients, fine. Learning how to prepare them, also fine. But for those without aptitude, potions can be life threatening, all it takes is one wrong move and ingredients that shouldn't be fatal when combined can become so. Gods knows even I've been impressed with some of the little sods creations, I have no idea how they manage to go so bloody wrong."

"Interesting. I must admit I've never thought of it that way." Saul mused.
"Before my tenure, there was at least one fatality a year. I have had none, so if the little sods being scared into submission is what it takes, so be it."

Saul looked at him carefully as the lift came to a halt. "Perhaps a discussion to be had at some point. I find myself….not disagreeing."

Severus nodded shortly, feeling a small jolt of fear as they reached the Department of Magical Children and Families. Fuck what if they said no?

The witch looked over the paperwork carefully. "Are you sure, Professor Croaker? This is….most unusual."

"Verity, come on darling, you know I wouldn't put my name to it if I wasn't sure. I've seen Severus with the boy." The woman hummed, "He has a verified, sealed, sibling bond with Severus' daughter, Verity. You know it makes sense!"
Verity sighed, "All the same, it's Harry Potter. I need to contact Madam Longbottom."

"Very well, Verity." Saul sighed

"Who is the boy's current guardian?"

"Albus Dumbledore."

Verity frowned, "Madam Longbottom has already refused to consider taking him?"

"She wasn't asked, Verity." Saul replied pointedly.

Verity's eyes widened before they hardened. "I see." she intoned, before sending off a Ministry Elf to locate Augusta Longbottom.

Augusta appeared with Neville less than ten minutes later, looking thoroughly disgruntled at having her day interrupted.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her eyes flicking over the room's occupants.

"Madam Longbottom, my name is Verity Ellis. I have been asked to sanction a guardianship request that lists you as one of the people who is able to contest. I wondered if we could have a moment of your time to discuss it?"
Augusta's shrewd eyes landed on Severus, "You're applying for guardianship of Mr Potter?" she asked.

"That was my intention."

"Why?"

Severus blinked. Fuck. Why indeed. How much could he tell them? How much should he tell them?

"Because he and Hermione are siblings." he began slowly, "And because I would not trust Petunia to raise a house plant, far less a child."

"Petuna?" Augusta frowned.

"Lily's sister. Harry was placed in the care of his magic hating, muggle relatives. They were…..not kind."

Augusta's eyes hardened. "I see. If that is the only reason, why should I not take him?"

Severus sighed, damnable woman. "Because Hermione would be devastated." he replied, finally, "Because Harry has….asked to remain in my care. He is aware you are an alternative option. Please do not mistake that as a slight on you, he is…fond of your grandson, as is my daughter, however they would prefer to remain together."

Augusta looked at him with a glint of amusement in her eyes, despite her stern countenance. "Do you really see yourself raising two teenagers, Severus Snape? Your reputation is well known, young man."

Neville startled slightly at his grandmother addressing Professor Snape as young man making Saul grin.

"I cannot say I had ever considered it before this last year. However I cannot imagine my life without Hermione in it. Harry has been staying for the summer, and I now cannot imagine them apart."

Augusta snorted, "You could just say you had come to care for the boy you know Severus. Neville told me about the party you threw for his birthday, that daughter of yours writes to him weekly, you know. She paints an interesting picture of life within your home. I'd go so far as to say most would assume it was fiction."
Verity was listening avidly, "May I ask what Professor Snape's daughter claims? In the interests of the guardianship, of course."

Saul snorted, even Augusta looked visibly amused, "I believe he has accompanied young Mr Potter to a Quidditch match, without Hermione, Neville says she's not a fan. I hear there was also a muggle sport….feetball?"

"Football." Neville coughed.

"Ah yes, football. I believe the boy was also sent to a camp, and if the note scrawled on the bottom of your daughters letter by the boy is to be believed, it was so wonderful he's already planning on convincing you to let him attend next year. He invited Neville to join him." Severus wondered if he could convince Hermione never to send another letter. Did all of her friends now know he'd gone soft? Fuck. They'd better not. "I believe you also joined them both on holiday in France?"

Verity was openly gaping. "Madam Longbottom, do you intend to contest the guardianship?"

"No." Augusta replied amused. "I cannot wait to watch how Severus handles two teenagers, Minerva has promised to keep me apprised."

Severus scowled. Bloody women. Fuck Verity was speaking.

"Professor Snape?"

"Sorry….I got lost in thought."

Saul snickered beside him like a child. A particularly annoying, overgrown child.

"I was saying that it is standard practice for someone to check on you throughout the year as it's a new guardianship of a non related child. So, someone will be along to visit every couple of months or so to speak with you and Harry to determine if you're both still happy. Now, given the situation, I imagine you're keen for them not to be waylaid by the Headmaster?" At their nods she continued. "I'll discuss it with Professor Sprout if that's alright, we badgers look after our own and she was my Head of House."
"Very well." Severus agreed. Anything to keep Albus from interfering.

"Wonderful. Well that's it stamped. Someone will send an owl to arrange an appointment in a month or so."

"Thank you Ms Ellis."

Verity beamed back. Fucking hell.

"Right, next stop the DoM." Saul smiled as they entered the lift, "I say, young man, might I see your wand?"

Neville frowned, "Sorry Sir?"

"Your wand. It feels…..off."Augusta had frozen, looking at Saul like she wasn't sure what to make of him."Is it definitely yours?"

"It was his fathers," Augusta clipped.

Saul looked at them both with understanding. "I see. Madam Longbottom, you are aware that there is a reason the wand chooses the wizard are you not?"

Augusta glowered for a moment before she deflated, "Yes."

"Then get the boy a wand of his own. That one does not suit his magic." Saul replied gently.

Augusta opened her mouth to argue then snapped it shut as the lift reached the atrium. "Very well." She swept out of the lift, Neville darting behind her.

"How did you know?" Severus frowned.

Saul grinned, "Amelia mentioned Susan had commented on it in passing, the boy studies with the Badgers often apparently ." he replied with a wicked grin. "I have no idea if that wand suits his magic, I am not a wandmaker, I just wanted the boy to be sure either way. I gather he doesn't get much encouragement. She cares for the boy, clearly. I hadn't expected her to take such an interest in his friends however Augusta is still so lost to grief that i think she sometimes does not see what she does have."

Severus gaped at him for a moment. "I shall expect a new and improved Longbottom upon our return to school then," he commented lightly as the door opened again on level nine, allowing them to exit.

Saul snorted, "As long as you don't blame me if it doesn't happen you can expect whatever you like. Through this one." He directed Severus through a maze of doors into a room filled with timeturners. Severus frowned at him questioningly. "There was some argument as to whether the project was more closely linked to thought or time, we decided on time as time is technically preserved in these little orbs." He pointed to a shelf of glass balls. They reminded Severus unnervingly of prophecy balls. As if reading his thoughts, Saul snorted, "Where do you think we got the storage idea?"

"Wonderful." he responded drily. "So this thing will just keep recording my day?"

"Everytime you wear it it'll trigger a new orb, so if you could send me an owl weekly to let me know if any days had interaction with the Headmaster, I'd be most grateful. Storage will be come a bit of an issue if we don't destroy some of them, unless of course you'd like them to ensure your memoirs are accurate?"
Severus scowled back at him. "Hilarious."

"I thought so….I can see it now, Severus Snape, spy to softy, how two children tamed the dungeon beast."

Severus barely stopped the growl that wanted to erupt, fucking arsehole that Saul was. He wasn't soft. He was just…..less caustic. In his own home. They'd see when they went back to school. He was still as much of a bastard as he ever was. Although maybe not quite as much, Hermione had threatened to hex him if he made Neville cry again. Perhaps he'd have to reign it in slightly. She had the Weasley twins on her side and their imagination was quite frankly terrifying. Fuck Saul was speaking again. He was really going to have to stop doing this.

"Severus? Your thoughts?"

"On?"
Saul rolled his eyes. "That was one of my better speeches you know and you missed it! I'm not repeating it!" he pouted. "What do you want, I thought about a cravat pin?"

"It works on something that small?"

"If you had listened to my speech I explained it!"

"I apologise.'' Severus replied stiffly, intrigued as to what magic the tiny pinhead was imbued with to give them clear recall.

"Hmmmm. Very well. Cravat pin for you. What about your children? I can imbue the charm onto jewellery actually if they have something they wear?"

"Hermione has a necklace that was my mothers. Potter doesn't wear jewellery."
Saul snorted, "No I imagine not. Does House Potter have a signet ring?"

"I do not know." Severus said slowly, frowning. "I would imagine it does but I do not know what happened to it."

"Then let's make him one." Saul grinned, "House Potter…." he mused, "Lion behind crossed swords isn't it?"

Severus looked at him incredulously, "How on earth would I know?"

"Hmmm I'm sure it is. Lucinda?" he called into the room.

"Yes Professor?"
"Can you check House Potters crest and House words for me?"

"Lion behind two swords. Rubies in the swords hilts traditionally, House words 'ut animo dirige viam tuam'. Anything else Professor?"

"No that's all you!"

"What in the name of Merlin was that?"

"Lucinda." Saul answered as if that was all the explanation needed, he continued on seeing Severus' confused face. "One of our researchers. We have a brilliant little charm set up here whereby if you call the name of the person you're looking for they answer. It saves so much time and obviously if things go wrong someone knows immediately. It's relatively new which is why you haven't seen it before."
Severus blinked "That's….genius."

Saul snorted at him, "We don't do nothing down here you know. Now, let's make the boy a ring."

Severus watched utterly fascinated as Saul manipulated what seemed to be nothing more than air into the shape of what almost looked like a ring for a ghost, the image wispy and insubstantial. The image flickered several times as Saul paused and changed things he clearly wasn't happy with before finally, Saul uttered one last spell and the ring became solid, a small gold looking ring, with the crest and words of House Potter crammed onto its face.

"There you go!" Saul said cheerfully, dropping the ring into a stunned Severus' hand.

"I…thank you." he replied, bewildered. Saul had created it from nothing . And now he was laughing at him. Fucking wonderful.

"I'm not explaining it again." he singsonged. "Now let's get out of here, I've apparently got a necklace to charm and then I'm going to persuade your children to teach me what in the name of Merlin a water gun is!"

Saul stepped out of the floo, his head swivelling as he heard shrieks coming from the garden. Severus rolled his eyes at the man's grin, following him out. The children appeared to have set up targets but had abandoned them in favour of throwing the balloons at each other, both of them were yet again soaked. Max was probably going to curse someone. Perhaps he could direct the elf towards Richard, it was his damned fault, after all. Saul was grinning delightedly as he took in the scene.

"Fascinating. The applications…" he was mumbling to himself. Severus got a slightly starling image of Ministry workers having a water balloon fight in the atrium. Snorting, he vowed to send Lucius there on some sort of errand should that ever happen. Although perhaps he'd have to confiscate his wand first….

"Hermione?" The children froze whirling to face him, grinning. "Saul needs to look at your necklace. Harry, I have something for you."

They bounded over to them, dripping as they moved. Rolling his eyes Severus cast a drying charm, carefully missing Hermione's head lest she murder him. He'd done it once and the results had been… unexpected. Her anger wasn't something he was keen to repeat.

"Right, I'm just popping a small camera on your necklace." Saul was explaining blithely, "I'll only need to look at it if there's any interaction with the Headmaster on it."

Hermione looked at him horrified. "It records all the time?"

"Yes."

"In one big video?"

"Video?" Saul looked at her curiously.

Hermione blinked, "The recording is continuous?"

"Ah. Yes. It stops and starts when you take it off."
"I don't take it off!"

"Ah well….that complicates things slightly." Hermione snorted at his understatement.

"I'm not wearing something that continuously records." she replied, crossing her arms.

"Can it be triggered to start recording?"

Saul looked at her with interest, a spark slashing through his eyes. "It could…." he began slowly. "When does school restart?"
"The first of September, Saul, when it always does." Severus replied, rolling his eyes, "You have eight days, unless you're planning on meeting us on the platform."
"Eight days is more than long enough," Saul replied distractedly, fishing around in his robes until he produced a notebook. Taking his wand he set it hovering in mid air, before he tapped it, equations rose from the pages that he slowly began to manipulate.

"Is that arithmancy?" Hermione asked curiously.

Saul blinked at her, his focus momentarily broken. "Yes," he grinned, "Starting this year?"
"Yes. It sounds a bit like magical maths to be honest."
"Sort of," Saul allowed, "Come here."
Severus watched Hermione's eyes shine with excitement as Saul began explaining his equations. He had no idea how she was following him, and yet she appeared to be. Harry's eyes, in contrast, had glazed over. "It's like they're no longer speaking english." he muttered.

Severus snorted, "Not taking Arithmancy then?"

"Ah no. Divination and Care of Magical creatures."

Severus frowned, "Divination?"

"Ah yes?"
"I wasn't aware you were a seer, Mr Potter."
"I….I'm not?" he replied looking confused.

"Then you are not taking Divination." Severus responded pointedly. "It is an utter waste of time."

"Ah….But it's too late now isn't it?"

Severus looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "No. It is not. Runes or Arithmancy, I sincerely doubt you need Muggle studies."
Harry sighed, "Runes? Maths was never my best subject and that looks awful."

Severus snorted, "They do start at the beginning Mr Potter, rather than expecting you to understand whatever that monstrosity Saul is playing with is. It has practical applications in terms of Quidditch." he mused, "Of course, Runes has practical application for warding and such, either is an acceptable choice."

"I….how is it used in Quidditch?"

"To predict the best plays, the likelihood of a win, the strongest team. Arithmancy is all about predictions, just a more solid kind than Divination. At least Arithmancy is based on numbers rather than plucking nonsense out of thin air."

"You don't believe in it?"
"I believe in genuine Seers. I do not believe that real Divination can be taught, you either have the sight or you do not."

"Oh. Maybe Arithmancy wouldn't be so bad then. Although Runes still seems less….confusing."

"Then take Runes."

Harry nodded. "Fine. Runes it is. I'll just have to bribe Hermione to do my Quidditch predictions"

Severus smirked slightly, silently wishing him luck with that plan. Bloody Divination. As if a child of his was going to take something so ridiculous. He glanced over at Saul and Hermione realising that they were still lost in conversation. "I have this for you, although I imagine in light of Hermione's question Saul will want it back to play with." He began, holding out the ring. "If anyone asks, you found it in your vault. Truthfully there may well be one in there, we can check when we next visit Gringotts if you would like. This ring, however, has a camera embedded in it. I want you to wear it in case the Headmaster starts his meddling. If you have not seen him alone you will let me know on a Sunday so I can owl Saul. He will destroy any footage we do not need to keep. Do take it off at least daily or the footage will be horrific."

Harry laughed, "You think I need this?"
"I think it's wise to be cautious, especially in light of the guardianship. Albus will not be pleased."

"Why?"

"Because you are you and I am me." Severus sighed, "And because Albus does not like not being in control of the game pieces and currently he most definitely is not."

"Oh." Harry looked at him pensively, "Is it safe?"

"At Hogwarts?" Harry nodded, "Not in the slightest, it's filled with underage children and hormonal teenagers attempting to learn to control their magic." he snorted, "Beyond that, as long as there is no repeat of the heroics of your first year, you'll be fine. Albus does not wish to harm you, he wishes to guide you along what he has determined is the best path."

Harry visibly relaxed at his words before a small mischievous grin spread over his face, "I think it's time we interrupted, don't you? Or we'll have lost Hermione for the rest of the day."

Severus smirked, silently transfiguring his robes into a copy of the shorts and t-shirt he'd worn the day before and levitating four balloons over to them. They moved silently, not that it would have mattered, Saul and Hermione were lost to the equations in front of them. Reaching their backs Severus used his wand to drop two balloons onto their heads while Harry aimed for their chests. The twin high pitched squeals that emitted from them both made Severus pause, laughing so hard he was gasping. He resolved immediately to make Saul make that noise more often, it was the funniest thing he'd heard in a long time. He sounded like a teenage girl. Both Saul and Hermione were glowering at him, a look crossing over their faces that he wasn't sure he liked. Saul flicked his wand and the remaining balloons began to pelt both him and Harry, following them as they ran around the garden to escape them. Soaked to the skin, Severus glared at them both, stalking towards them.

"That wasn't nice." he growled.

Hermione grinned up at him, arching a brow in perfect mimicry of his own, "And dropping one on our heads was?"

Scowling, he transfigured a rock into a copy of the water guns Richard had gifted the children, before handing it silently to Saul whose eyes lit up at the sight of it.
"Losers have to placate Max." Severus intoned. Harry and Hermione immediately moved together, wearing matching grins. Saul fumbled with the gun and dropped it in his excitement, making Severus pinch his nose in exasperation. "Scatter, you have two minutes until we begin."

The screams that filled the garden would have terrified the neighbours if he'd had any, Severus realised. Harry and Hermione worked surprisingly well together, forcing Saul to yield within the first ten minutes. He was running away from them shouting taunts when his eyes fell on the gobsmacked Amelia and Susan standing watching them, looking like they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Harry and Hermione both pelted him until, spluttering, he conceded their victory.

"I…. I just came to see if you were alright after yesterday," Amelia said faintly, looking at him with wide eyes.

"As you can see I'm fine." he replied drily, casting a drying charm to stop the dripping.

She nodded slowly, her wide eyes never leaving him.

"Amelia!" Saul beamed, "These are genius! I want them in your kit immediately, if nothing else, the image of Alastor throwing water balloons will make me happy until the day I die!"

Severus couldn't contain his sort at the image. The children had coaxed Susan from beside her Aunt and were showing her how to fill the balloons.

"I….water, what?" Amelia asked bewildered, clearly not keeping up with the conversation.
"Water balloons," Saul answered, "I wonder if they could be used as a mass distributor of a potion? Or the gun as a direct one. I imagine we'd need to play with the potions slightly, to allow for absorption through the skin rather than ingestion but can you imagine?" he was practically bouncing in his excitement.

"I….I think I might be hallucinating." she said faintly.

Severus snorted, "Sadly not. Richard appears to have developed a concerning habit of sending the children home with water based weapons."
"Ok….but, you were….playing?"
Drawing on whatever dignity he had left, and he admitted to himself it wasn't much. "I was teaching them strategy," he replied.

Saul snorted, "Strategy." he muttered.

"Indeed."

A slow grin began to spread over Amelia's face. "I see." she said softly, "have you more of these….guns?"

Rolling his eyes, Severus transfigured her one, handing it over.

"Right children!" she shouted, "Severus would have me believe he's teaching you so lets see how good his teaching is. Decide whether you're individuals or a team. And divide the….balloons?" Saul nodded. "Evenly. The adults will not be joining forces. Severus, Susan needs a gun."

Severus grinned at her, handing one over while the children had a quick discussion and began dividing the balloons into six piles. That surprised him, he expected them to band together.

"Scatter, you have two minutes to prepare." he shouted, "No wands, anything else is fair game."

Amelia transfigured her outfit into a more colourful version of Severus' before she ran to the edge of the grass, water balloons bugling from her pockets. He set off a whistling sound two minutes later signifying the beginning.

Saul was first out again, lasting twice as long as the last time but not able to stand up to the combined force of Susan and Harry. Scanning the garden he realised Hermione was nowhere to be seen. Amelia's shriek of surprise several minutes later alerted him to her location, Hermione standing behind her with a triumphant grin on her face, Lori beaming beside her. Crafty little witch. Fuck. Actually, that left him with three children who weren't playing by the rules he thought they were, clearly the little sods were working together after all.

Half an hour later he found himself admitting defeat as Harry and Hermione hosed him down relentlessly. He wasn't sure if he should be proud or bloody embarrassed. He consoled himself with the fact he'd managed to take Susan out.

Soaked, tired and giggling, they trudged into the house. Severus very quickly casting a drying charm over them all under Max's glare.

"Apparently you have been teaching them strategy," Amelia laughed as the children ran off in the direction of a bedroom.

"I do not know if I'm embarrassed or unbelievably proud." he replied wryly

"Go with both Severus. I can't believe I was taken down by a thirteen year old girl and an elf."

Saul snorted, "I'm just glad I lasted longer than last time. Your children are terrifying, Severus."

Severus grinned at him."Good."

"Now please, please tell me we can convince Alastor to at least run a simulation with water balloons?" Saul begged Amelia grinning.

Amelia pursed her lips together to hide her grin. "I'm blaming you if he ever finds out it was a joke." she said finally. "Fancy putting him up against the kids?"

Severus allowed the grin to take over his face. "Gladly."

Severus watched as Alastor Moody looked around the garden apprehensively. "I'm not sure I understand Amelia." he said finally, glancing down at the water balloon in his hand.

"It's quite simple Auror Moody. This is a strategy exercise. We have a team that you need to capture. You can use water balloons to do so."

"A team I'm not allowed to see?"
"Yes."

"And Croaker really thinks these have a practical application in the field?"

"Apparently. Something to do with mass potion distribution."
"What's he doing here?" He growled, finally spotting Severus who sneered at him, muttering "prejudiced git" under his breath.

"It's his house, Auror Moody." Amelia replied sharply, already aware that Severus was not on board with her plan. She had had to fight hard to get him to agree to bring Moody in on the current situation with Dumbledore, pointing out that Dumbledore would never suspect them of working together.

Alastor blinked at her. "It's his house? You're using his house?"

"Yes Alastor."

"He's a bloody Death Eater!" he roared
"He was" Amelia conceded, "However as you are aware he turned before the end of the war."

"I don't trust him."

"Well I do." she replied shortly, "So, get to it Auror Moody, take your team, the battle begins in two minutes."

Huffing, and still glowering darkly at Severus, Moody directed Kingsley and Rufus to scope the area. At the signal all hell broke loose and Rufus Scrimgeor was soaked in under five minutes, the elf at Susans side grinning alongside her at the unfortunate Auror who quite literally didn't know what had hit him.

Hermione and Harry took out Kingsley, ambushing him from behind having snuck out of the trees behind him. The man gaped for a moment before he gave in to a deep belly laugh. Alastor was looking around wildly, all three teenagers appearing in front of him with the help of the House elves. He gaped for a moment before they pelted him with the balloons grinning wildly. Amelia was struggling to contain her laugh as she took in the spluttering Auror.

"I think you need some more work, Auror Moody."

Moody glowered at her before he turned back towards the children, "I feel like they had an advantage." He muttered, inclining his head at Susan,"Miss Bones. And who might you two be?"

"Harry Potter, Sir. And my sister, Hermione Granger-Snape."

Alastor whirled around to face Amelia, gaping as Kingsley and Rufus joined them. Amelia raised an eyebrow in question.

"Snape!" Alastor thundered.

"Yes?" Severus sighed, coming to stand next to the children.
"You have a daughter."

"I had noticed, Auror Moody."

"Since when?"
"Hermione is thirteen." he relied blandly

Moody gaped. "We were beaten by three thirteen year olds?" he asked incredulously.

Amelia snorted, "Embarrassingly, yes you were."

"Damn. Interested in becoming Aurors?"

"Absolutely not!" Severus cut in at the same time Saul shouted, "No! Snape's girl's mine!"

"We'll see." Moody replied smugly, "Team work like that, I've got my eye on them. Now is someone going to explain what the actual purpose of today was, or was it just to see us have our arses handed to us by teenagers?"

"Mainly Alastor." Saul grinned. "However , I genuinely intend to see if they have a practical application for mass potioning. Think of the possibilities!"

Alastor snorted, "I'll believe it when I see it, Croaker."

"We also have a slight issue at Hogwarts that Amelia and I feel needs monitoring. So come along." Sail continued.

Moody glowered at Severus. "Why do I feel like your greasy pawprints are all over this."

Hermine and Harry frowned, taking a step closer to Severus, a move not missed by Alastor who looked genuinely surprised. "Someone starts explaining. Now!" he blustered.

"Not until you're polite." Hermione cut in, glaring at the man.

"Listen here, Missy. I know things about your father that you'd be horrified by."

"Really?" Hermione arched a brow. "You assume I don't know, Auror Moody."

"If you knew you wouldn't be standing there." Moody growled.

Waving her hand in a go ahead motion Hermione stared him down. Moody spluttered, having clearly not expected that. Despite his fury, Severus wanted to laugh. He wondered how many people would continue to underestimate his daughter before their world cottoned on.

"He was a Death Eater, girly."

"He was a spy for Dumbledore." Hermione replied stubbornly.

Moody stared at her, before something else caught up with him. "What the bloody hell do you mean she's your sister?" he growled at Harry.

"Sealed sibling bond Alastor. It started spontaneously." Saul cut in, shaking his head at Severus who had opened his mouth. Alastor looked around the assembled group, confusion clear on his battered face.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on?"

"If you could manage not to insult my Father for more than two seconds, Auror Moody, someone might tell you." Hermione cut in, her eyes flashing.

Moody gaped at her as Severus put an arm around her shoulders, "Calm now, my girl. His attitude is not new."

"That makes it worse!" She screeched, making them all wince. "He's meant to be impartial. Hes meant to look at the evidence, he's meant to bloody listen to what people are saying and not just dismiss it because he's decided something in his own head!"

Saul was barely keeping the grin off his face, as he watched Hermione, everyone else was gaping at her, although Amelia seemed amused.

"Well Alastor?" Amelia challenged pointedly.

Moody sighed, "Very well, girly. I'll keep my thoughts to myself."

"I'd much rather you actually listened, Auror Moody." Hermione shot back.

Gritting his teeth, Alastor looked her straight in the eye before he laughed. "Fine. I'll listen. You've got spirit, girly, I'll give you that."
Hermione rolled her eyes but said nothing, taking his chance in case Alastor changed his mind and lost his temper, Severus guided her inside, assuming the others would follow.

"You must hold your tongue with him, my girl. If we cannot convince him to support us, he'll join forces with Albus and that would be disastrous for us all."

"I don't like him." Hermione mumbled petulantly

"Nor do I, but he is a necessary evil, or so Amelia believes, so we will endeavour to behave."
"Not if he insults you again." she muttered darkly.

Harry dropped down onto the sofa beside Severus, a scowl on his face as he surveyed the room.

"Madam Bones just gave him a proper telling off," he muttered so only Severus and Hermione could hear."
Severus snorted, "I can imagine he took that well."

Harry lost his scowl for a moment as he grinned. "Oh he was thrilled."

Amelia cleared her throat. "Auror Scrimgeor had to go back to the office. Auror Shaklebolt will be staying. Where do you want to start?"
At the end of the conversation Alastor looked even more furious than before, Kingsley looked gobsmacked.
"What's your plan?" Alastor barked.

"We find the horcruxes." Severus replied, rolling his eyes. "As you've heard the Unspeakables are assisting."
"We told you Alastor so you can keep your eyes open. Albus trusts you."

Moody barked out a laugh, "If the old goat trusted me I would know about this!"

Amelia inclined her head. "Fine," she amended, "Albus trusts you as much as he is able to trust anyone."

Moody seemed to deflate in front of their eyes. "You're really going to get that Mark removed."

"That is my intention." Severus confirmed.

"And you, boy, you want to remain here?"
"Yes!" Harry replied stubbornly, his face set in a scowl.

Moody sighed, "I don't know what to believe any more." he muttered.

Standing, Severus headed for his drinks cabinet. Moody looked momentarily stunned as he handed him a glass.

"I haven't poisoned it." Severus growled, rolling his eyes.

Moody raised his wand and cast over the glass anyway, muttering "Constant vigilance." making Saul snort and Amelia sigh.

Severus turned to Hermione, once he was done playing barman, "Send an owl to your parents," he sighed, "As long as they agree, dinner will be here tonight."
Hermione nodded, standing to do as she was bid. Moody shot a stinging hex at her as she passed which she dodged, whirling round to glare at the man. Severus bet her to it, grasping the man by the neck of his robes before he had any idea what had happened.

"What. the. Fuck. do. You. think. You. are. Doing?" he growled, his nose almost touching Moody's scarred one. He vaguely registered, both Saul and Amelia, pulling at his arms. And that Moody appeared to be turning purple. Damn. He was going to have to loosen his hold slightly. He couldn't murder the man before he got answers after all. That could wait until afterwards. He released his grip slightly. Moody gasped a few times before he realised he hadn't answered the question.

"Testing her reflexes." He bit out, still limited by Severus' grip on his robes.

"Why?" Severus growled.

"Because if everything Amelia has said is true, dammit man this would go much quicker if I could breathe!"
"You're breathing enough." Severus growled at him, not releasing his grip.

"If it's all true, they'll need training." he gasped out.

Severus slowly loosened his grip, whatever he had been expecting it wasn't that.

"And you're proposing what?"

"That I train them. All three of them. They have good instincts and clearly work well together."
"You'll train who I ask you to and you will never shoot a spell at my daughter again unless its in a training scenario." he ground out, his mind flitting to Draco, Longbottom and gods help them all, Weasley.

"Fine." Amelia looked beyond relieved when Severus released Moody, moving to check the man over. "You really love that girl?" Moody spoke as though the concept was foreign.

"Yes." Severus replied shortly, pulling Hermione back to him and calling for Lori to speak with the Grangers instead, his heart rate struggling to return to normal. It had been a stinging hex this time, but what if it hadn't been? His mind had blanked the moment he saw Moody raise his wand in Hermione's direction. He wondered if the man knew how close to death he had just come. By the wary look on his face, Severus thought that he just might.

"Are you alright?" Amelia asked softly, standing in front of them. Hermione glanced at him, he knew his grip on her was tight but fucking hell that mad bastard had just shaved twenty years off his life.

"Fine." Severus bit out, still not sure he could trust his voice. Amelia looked at him warily but didn't push, returning to her seat next to Susan.

"Well I think we can all agree that was phenomenally stupid." Amelia said bitingly, downing her whiskey in one.