Disclaimer: Most everything belongs to JKR, I'm only using them for a little bit.
A/N: Thanks to Sunglow for beta reading. Points go to gsnape2004, Ponine, Zoe, Violet and MadAboutHarry for partially guessing correctly at the mystery visitor. There's a slight reference to the most wonderful fiction in here by Riley; see if you can spot it.
Sev and the Family Snape
Chapter 6 - Surprise, Surprise
"Father." Severus nodded, his hands tightening around Hermione's shoulders. Hermione glanced up and saw all traces of his previous good mood wiped away, which didn't endear his father to her at all. She moved further into the room, and watched as Severus and his father came face to face for the first time in twenty-odd years.
So this was Simeon Snape, patriarch of her husband's family. He was tall, with black hair shot liberally with silver. A clipped, greying beard graced his face, softening the sharp angles, and he had deep set, black eyes. She could see where Severus got his colouring from, and his height.
"I wasn't aware that we had invited you for a visit." Severus put a slight emphasis on the 'we'.
"Your mother was concerned that she hadn't had a reply to her last letter."
"We've been away for the night. I didn't realise it needed an urgent reply." Severus recalled the letter that had arrived on the previous Wednesday.
"Yes. Albus said you were visiting your wife's relatives." Simeon looked over at Hermione, who stiffened at the vague insult.
"Hermione's parents, actually, Father. And it was a very pleasant visit, thank you." There was the veiled intimation that this visit was not quite so pleasant.
"How are they, by the way, Hermione?" Dumbledore indicated that Hermione should sit down.
"Fine, thank you, Albus. Dad always enjoys seeing Severus." She smiled, ignoring her father-in-law.
"Yes, they do get on rather well, don't they?" Albus wasn't above a little muck raking, and watched gleefully as Simeon stiffened.
"So apart from Mother's concerns, what else brings you to Hogwarts?" Severus crossed his arms across his chest and waited. He wasn't about to be intimidated as he had been twenty years ago.
"Your mother wishes to extend an invitation for you and your wife to visit her." Simeon frowned slightly. Her husband going to Hogwarts wasn't what Camille had intended when she'd suggested it the day before, and there would be hell to pay if she found out where he was now.
"Just her? Not going to be there yourself, Father?"
"Of course I will. I thought the invite should be presented personally."
Severus studied his father intently. This wasn't what he had expected at all, and he really didn't feel ready to deal with his father now. It threw him off balance, as his father had intended.
"We told you that we wouldn't be free for another month."
"Yet you found time to go gallivanting out into the muggle world." Simeon snapped at him and Severus glared back. Albus stepped forward, but Hermione placed her hand on his arm to stop him.
"Our visiting my parents has no relevance, Mr Snape, to this conversation. Severus is extremely busy, and I'm sure the Headmaster would have confirmed that. It was agreed by everyone that you would visit at the end of February, and you coming here now will not change that." She said firmly. Severus moved to stand beside her in a show of support.
Simeon looked hard at her and her gaze didn't flinch. Severus had the feeling they were sizing each other up, readying themselves for a battle. For long moments there was silence and then Simeon inclined his head in acknowledgement of her. Score one to Hermione.
"Would anyone care for some tea?" Albus interrupted the tension. Severus looked down at Hermione, who nodded. He moved towards the sofa and sat down close to her, his arm over the back of the sofa in a protective gesture. His father sat opposite them in one of the armchairs as Albus summoned a tray of tea and ginger biscuits. There was an awkward silence as the tea was handed out.
"So, Mr Snape, when did you arrive?" Hermione started the conversation ball rolling.
"This morning."
"I imagine you'll be wanting to head back soon, then." Severus was itching to see him on his way.
"Not really. I have a few hours before I am expected back. I thought I might stay for lunch?" Simeon sent an enquiring look to Dumbledore, who nodded.
"By all means, Simeon. I imagine that Hermione would be delighted to join you, but Severus has a previous appointment with Professor Black." Albus ignored the glare that Severus sent his way, but sent a reassuring glance to Hermione.
"We can eat in the main hall, or I can request a meal from the house elves to eat here." Hermione didn't think that Severus would appreciate her inviting his father to their quarters.
"Here will do, if that is acceptable Albus?"
"By all means, eat here." Albus waved his hand and a table set for two appeared for use later.
"Will you not be joining them, Headmaster?" Severus frowned.
"Dear me, no. I'm afraid I have an appointment with Minerva."
"Not afraid to leave me alone with her, are you, boy?"
"Not at all. Hermione is well able to take care of herself."
The awkward silence descended again. Severus made no attempt at talking to his father, which made Hermione slightly nervous. They had agreed to try and communicate, but this was torture. Simeon wasn't helping either. What was the point of getting to know each other if they weren't prepared to bend a little? She remembered Camille telling her about the Snape sense of pride, and decided that her mother-in-law had been right. She sighed, frustrated. How on earth were they going to get past this?
Taking a sip of tea, she looked at Simeon from under her lashes, wondering what he would say to her when they were alone. He'd been annoyed that they had been to see her parents; she wondered how he would react when he knew her parents had been told their news first. The silence was getting really uncomfortable now. Oh, well, here goes, she thought.
"So, you have nothing to say to each other after twenty years?" That shook them up a bit. Both Severus and his father looked at her, and Dumbledore twinkled at her over his glasses.
"Well? I can think of a lot better way to spend my time rather than sitting in silence. I could be reading a book." She nudged Severus with her elbow, trying to encourage him. He cleared his throat, opened his mouth, and then shut it again.
"So, Father. Read any good books lately?" his lips quirked in a slight smile.
"No, but I've read plenty of newspaper articles." Simeon thawed a little, leaning forward. Albus glanced at Hermione, who sat back, her hand on her husband's thigh.
It wasn't long before the clock above the mantle squawked and the 'time for lunch' hand swung across. Albus stood and waited for Severus to join him while Simeon watched as Severus pulled Hermione carefully to her feet. He murmured something in her ear and she smiled and nodded at him, kissing his cheek. Both Simeon and Hermione watched as the other two men left the room.
"Do you have a preference for what you would like to eat, Mr Snape?" Hermione indicated the table. Old-fashioned manners prompted Simeon to hold her chair out for her and she smiled graciously as she sat down.
"No. Whatever you are having will be acceptable." He flicked his napkin out and spread it over his lap as Hermione summoned a house elf. Dobby appeared with a 'crack' and bowed to Hermione.
"Mrs Snape is wanting Dobby to fetch dinner?"
"Thank you, Dobby. Can you please bring whatever everyone else is having?"
"Mrs Snape is wanting milk?" he bowed to her again.
"Yes, please, Dobby. Is pumpkin juice all right, Mr Snape?"
"Thank you, yes." Simeon waited until their lunch had been served before launching his first volley.
"You don't like me, do you, Hermione?"
"I don't know you well enough to form an opinion, yet. But if we're being honest, this stunt hasn't endeared you to me."
"It wasn't a stunt."
"Then what was it? You can't just waltz in here after twenty years and expect Severus to welcome you with open arms, especially with no warning."
Simeon snorted and shook his head. He definitely didn't intimidate her.
"I wanted an honest reaction from him."
"Well as you can see, he didn't appreciate it. Severus doesn't like surprises, that much I have learnt from him."
"What else have you learnt, apart from Potions?" Simeon was curious to know what she saw in his youngest son.
"He's brilliant, passionate, loving, loyal, stubborn, jealous, has a wicked sense of humour and I love him very much. It doesn't matter what you may think about muggleborns, Mr Snape, because it doesn't matter to Severus."
"Regardless of the age gap?"
"Why should age have anything to do with it?"
"He is a lot older than you."
"So? My father is fifteen years older than my mother, and they've been together thirty years."
"You don't have any other siblings?"
"No."
"Have you discussed children yet with Severus?"
"Yes." She smiled.
"Well?"
"Severus didn't marry me for my childbearing abilities."
"You're being deliberately difficult, aren't you?"
"Do you know how much you remind me of Severus when you say that?"
Simeon threw his napkin down on the table and sat back in disgust. She was infuriating!
"Is this how you handle my son?"
"Occasionally. It helps that I'm sleeping with him."
Simeon gave a bark of laughter. "I've had enough. Would you care to take a walk?"
"Certainly. If we wrap up warmly there's a pleasant walk by the lake." Hermione stood up. "I'll just get my cloak."
"Allow me." Simeon drew his wand and quickly transfigured a luxurious velvet cloak from a cushion and draped it around her shoulders.
"Now I know where Severus gets his charm from." She smiled at him.
He allowed her to precede him down the stairs and past the gargoyle. There were a few glances in their direction as they made their way across to the main entrance doors, and Severus watched anxiously from one of the balconies above as the huge doors swung shut behind them.
"Don't worry, Severus. I have no doubt that she'll have him wrapped around her little finger in no time at all." Albus laid his hand on the younger man's shoulder.
"I know that, Albus. You only have to look at what she's done to me, and I've known her longer." Severus sighed and looked back at the headmaster. "He hasn't changed much, you know."
"He's a lot older. And perhaps wiser."
"I don't know what I expected; certainly not this. I don't like surprises."
"It was a surprise to me as well, Severus."
"Really? I thought you knew everything."
"If I did, would I be here?"
"You know bloody well you would."
~~~
The frost of mid January crunched under their feet as Hermione and Simeon walked down to the lake. Ice had formed where the water was still in certain places, and their breath formed visibly as it puffed ahead of them.
"Is he happy?" Simeon broke the silence.
"I like to think he is."
"I shouldn't have given up on him."
"No, you shouldn't."
"Don't mince your words, do you?"
"No. But I think you all have to get past this, and build on what you have got. Severus has been isolated for too long, and I think you have too?" she looked up at him.
"Perhaps."
"So tell me where Severus was brought up."
"Hasn't he told you?"
"He showed me some old photos, but we haven't discussed his home."
"Cornwall is a long way from Scotland."
"The land of King Arthur, and Merlin."
"Yes. Has he told you that we have some of Merlin's texts?"
"Really? When can I visit?"
"So the rumours are true?"
"What rumours?"
"You'd choose a book above anything."
"Probably, unless I was asked to choose between your son and a book."
"What about one of Merlin's himself?"
"I'd have to think about that one, but I'm pretty sure Severus would win."
"Care to put that to the test?"
"Perhaps you should ask the same question of Severus."
Simeon laughed, remembering how Severus had coveted those ancient tomes himself.
"Camille was right in her opinion of you."
"Oh?"
"Yes. She said she would like getting to know you."
"Thank you. That means a great deal to me."
"Come, let us get back to the castle. I think I may have to have a talk with my son." He tucked her hand in his arm and led the way back.
"Severus should have finished his meeting by now. Would you care to wait in our quarters for him?" Hermione decided to risk her husband being annoyed with her.
"I'd like that very much, Hermione."
"Come on, then. There's a passageway we can use that bypasses the classroom."
She led the way down to the dungeons and spoke the password behind a portrait of two chess pieces. Simeon looked around with interest, noting the bookshelves that covered a wall, and the comfortable furnishings. Hermione moved a book from the sofa and picked up some parchment notes she had been making. She waved him to the sofa and summoned some tea.
"Tell me about your other sons, Mr Snape."
"Call me Simeon, Hermione. Mr Snape makes me sound very old."
"Very well, Simeon, but you're not that old."
"Old enough to be your grandfather."
"So is my father, but it doesn't bother him."
"How did he react to the age difference between you and my son?"
"He was more concerned with how Severus felt about it. Plus Dad can be pretty intimidating himself. They get on very well." Hermione looked up as the clock struck the hour. She hadn't realised it was so late. Severus would be finishing up his fourth year potions lesson preparation, so she stood up and went towards his office where she knew he would be soon.
"Has he gone?" Severus tossed the homework assignments onto his desk and pulled her into his arms.
"Um, no. He wants to have a talk with you. Alone."
"Is he in Dumbledore's office?"
"No. He's in there." She nodded towards their sitting room. Severus frowned down at her, wondering what she'd let him in for. The headache that had threatened with the fourth years' homework promised to develop into a full-blown migraine.
"I'll be in the Library, Severus. Come and get me when you're ready." She quickly kissed his cheek and exited the room via the potions classroom. Severus somewhat reluctantly opened the door to their sitting room, and surprised his father who was reading one of Hermione's books of Shakespeare's sonnets.
"Enjoy your walk, Father?"
"Yes, Severus, thank you."
"Hermione said you wanted to talk?"
"Yes." Simeon placed the book back in the bookcase, gathering his thoughts. "I came here with the intention of starting again, if you were willing."
"I'm listening."
"If it's any consolation to you, I admit I was wrong."
Severus sat down, waving his father to a chair opposite. "No, you weren't. I was a fool, just as you said I was. It didn't take me long to realise it, but by then I'd alienated you."
"Your mother would have forgiven you."
"But I hadn't forgiven myself. And it's taken all this time and a very stubborn Gryffindor for me to do that."
"Hermione?"
"Yes."
"She's…unusual."
"You can say that again."
"Your mother will like her."
"Purely out of curiosity, Father, but what do you think of her?"
"She'll keep you on your toes."
"She does that already."
"She's infuriating."
"I know."
"Good luck with her, that's all I can say."
"Thank you, Father." Severus kept his smile to himself. Albus had been right; she did have him wrapped around her little finger, and it had only taken a couple of hours. His father must have mellowed over the years, because there had been a time when he would never have entertained the idea of a muggleborn in the family.
"I'd better be going." His father stood up.
"Mother doesn't know you're here, does she?"
"No."
"She'll know you've been up to something."
"I'll tell her tonight. Will you be willing to visit us?"
"I'll discuss it with Hermione, but yes, we will. It won't be until next month, though."
"Very well. I'll have your old rooms prepared." Simeon shifted his feet, and then held his hand out. "Thank you for listening, Severus."
Severus took his hand and was shocked when he was hugged awkwardly. He still found it difficult to accept embraces from anyone but Hermione, and his father had never been that demonstrative. He stood stiffly for a few seconds and then relaxed a little, his arms encircling his father gently. Simeon cleared his throat and stepped back, averting his eyes as if embarrassed at this display of emotion.
"Well. I'd better be going. Say goodbye to Hermione from me, will you?"
"I will." Severus smiled slightly, and watched as his father helped himself to some floo powder.
"I'd get her pregnant, if I were you, Severus. It will keep her out of mischief." Were his parting words, and Simeon was gone in a flash of green flame.
~~~
Hermione was engrossed in an advanced charms text when Severus finally tracked her down. She was curled up by a window in a deep armchair, her feet tucked under her and her shoes in an untidy heap beside the chair.
"It's bad for your circulation to sit like that?"
"I know. I couldn't be bothered to transfigure a footstool, though." She looked up and smiled, not surprised at his appearance.
"I'm not going to be able to sneak up on you anymore, am I?" he scooped her up out of the chair and settled her on his lap, pleased the chair was wide enough to hide them both from prying eyes.
"No. I've developed a rather good sense of smell recently." She nuzzled his neck.
"I didn't realise I needed a shower."
"You don't. You have a unique scent all your own, one that I happen to be addicted to." She murmured. Severus was aware that they were in a very public place and he didn't want to shock any first years that happened to pass by.
"Father told me to say goodbye to you." He said.
"He's gone?"
"Yes. He wants us to visit next month."
"Are you all right with that?"
"I think so. Congratulations, by the way."
"What on?"
"He likes you."
"Really?"
"Really. He thinks I should get you pregnant as soon as possible."
"He's in for a surprise then, isn't he?" she laughed softly.
"What's amusing you?"
"Minerva said once that you'd probably enjoy keeping me barefoot and pregnant."
"Well I've got one part right." He smoothed his hand over her bump.
"Doubly right, I'd say."
There was a discreet cough from behind them, and Hermione reached up to look over the back of the chair, and spied Ginny standing there.
"Sorry Hermione, but have you seen Professor Snape?"
"Have I seen you, Severus?" Hermione looked down at her husband, who stood up, depositing her back on the chair.
"Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"Sorry to interrupt, Professor, but Madame Pomfrey asked if she can have the rest of that bruise salve now that Quidditch has started again."
"Follow me then, and you can take it to her." He squeezed Hermione's hand. "I'll see you later." And he swept out, followed by Ginny.
~~~
"Hey, Harry, heard from Hermione lately?"
"No, but don't forget she's still a newlywed."
"Urgh, 'Snape' and 'Newlywed' just doesn't do anything for me, you know."
"It's not meant to. Anyway, I thought you were over that now."
"I'm all right as long as I don't think too much about it."
"No danger there then." Harry muttered under his breath, as Ron was not known for his deep thinking. "Are you expecting to hear from her then?" he raised his voice.
"Not really, but seeing as we don't have early practice tomorrow, do you fancy Apparating to Hogsmeade and taking her for a butterbeer?"
"You reckon Snape will let her?"
"It's only a butterbeer, and it'll be just like old times." Ron didn't want to admit it, but he really missed Hogwarts, even though playing professional Quidditch had been his dream. Harry thought for about ten seconds and then grabbed his cloak.
"Are you coming then?"
"Too right, mate." Ron flung his cloak on and they Apparated straight outside the Three Broomsticks.
"Do you think we should get permission from Dumbledore first?" Ron asked, going inside.
"It would be the polite thing to do, I suppose." Harry quickly wrote a note on a napkin and asked Rosmerta to floo it to the Headmaster. He received a reply within minutes and waved it gleefully at Ron.
"Let's go." He turned to Rosmerta on the way out. "Three butterbeers when we get back, please."
They made their way up to the castle in the darkness, knowing that dinner was over and everyone would be in their common rooms. Albus met them in the main entrance hall and they chatted for a while, catching up on what the two young men had been doing.
"Does Hermione know we're here?" Harry asked.
"No, but I'm sure she'll be delighted to see you." Albus waved them on their way to the dungeons.
"Makes me wish I'd brought my invisibility cloak." Harry murmured.
"Told you it would be just like old times." Ron grinned, and they stopped outside the door to Severus' office, knocking loudly.
They heard the faint murmuring of two voices, and then the voice of their ex-potions professor telling them to enter.
"Ron! Harry! When did you get here?" Hermione rushed over to them and she was enveloped in a three-way hug. Severus groaned from the other side of the room, his headache returning with a vengeance.
"Dear Gods, someone just kill me now."
~~~
"Do you think Ginny would be allowed to join us?" Harry asked Hermione as they left the potions classroom. Hermione had soothed her ruffled husband and promised to not be too long.
"We'll swing by Gryffindor and make sure she's not on duty tonight." She walked in between her two best friends, carrying her new velvet cloak over her arm. They made their way up the familiar staircases and Hermione knocked on Head Girl's sitting room door.
Ginny flung herself at Harry when she saw him and Ron rolled his eyes at the sight of his little sister almost strangling his best friend. It was harder on Harry not seeing his girlfriend for weeks than it was on Ron, as Susan was working not far from their flat in the Ministry of Magic. Susan spent an inordinate amount of time at their flat; in fact, she'd just about moved most of her belongings in. His mum had been hinting about a double wedding, but Ron didn't want his and Susan's wedding being overshadowed by Harry and Ginny's. Yes, he'd proposed to Susan and she'd accepted, but they hadn't told their parents yet. Ron wanted to wait until he made the first team, rather than the reserves, and Susan was happy to wait.
The four of them made their way out of the entrance hall and down the path to Hogsmeade, Harry and Ron keeping the girls entertained with stories about their life outside of Hogwarts. They blew into the Three Broomsticks and were surprised to see Sirius and Remus sitting at the bar. Drinks were served and the rowdy group made their way to a large table, Remus making sure that Hermione had a seat out of any draughts.
"Severus not joining us?" Sirius asked Hermione.
"No. He's had a pretty stressful day."
"Oh?" Remus was curious.
"Yes. His father made a surprise visit."
"Ah, I wondered why he was edgy in our meeting. Did it turn out all right?" Sirius asked.
"Apparently I have his approval. Wants Severus to get me pregnant as soon as possible to ensure the Snape line." Her lips twitched mischievously.
Ron spluttered into his butterbeer and Harry pounded him on the back. Ginny tilted her head a bit in Harry and Ron's direction, raising her eyebrows at Hermione. Remus and Sirius noted the exchange with interest and sat back so they had the best view of the impending explosion.
"Did you tell him?" Sirius asked.
"No."
"Tell him what?" Harry's gaze flicked between Hermione and his godfather.
"That I'm pregnant already." Hermione smiled as Ron gaped and turned a slight shade of green.
"With twins." She added and watched as Ron slowly toppled backwards onto the floor.
"That was evil, Hermione." Ginny admonished as Harry helped his dazed friend back into his chair.
"I'm sorry Ron, really, but I couldn't think of any other way of telling you and Harry. A letter seems so impersonal." She reached across the table and patted his hand.
"Merlin, Hermione, you could have..no, you couldn't." Ron knew there wouldn't ever be an easy way to breaking that sort of news. Eeww. Harry nudged Ron to attract his attention.
"Look at it this way; by the time our children get to Hogwarts, Sev will have mellowed a bit."
"That's my husband you're talking about, you know." Hermione smiled. "And have you thought about how he'll feel having a second generation of Potters and Weasleys disrupting his classroom?"
"Not to mention Malfoys." Ginny pointed out, remembering Draco and Chastity.
"Ah, but there'll be Snapes there too. Shit." Ron turned green again. "Our kids will be dead meat."
"Not if your kids are all friends, though." Sirius smirked.
"Here's to the next generation of the Dream Team." Remus raised his glass in the air and waited expectantly. The others raised their glasses and looked at each other, smiling.
"The Dream Team."
TBC