~Chapter Nine~
"Harry, hurry up, we're gonna be late, I told Lei we'd meet her at Flourish and Blotts by ten," Severus called up to his son two days later, Lei was keeping the boys in the hotel that evening, and would bid them a farewell at the train tomorrow, and Severus would leave for school tonight.
"Be right there!" Harry hurried down the stairs a few seconds later smiling widely, Severus chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Okay, into the floor with you, remember clearly."
"Diagon Alley!" Harry yelled, green flames erupted around him. A moment later he was standing inside Flourish and Blotts, a moment later so was his dad.
"Good to see you!" called Severus as he spotted Lei, she and Severus hugged tightly, as the boys met and spoke in pleasant voices.
"Okay, you two go get your wands, and we'll meet you at the pet shop, so we can get your pets," Lei said smiling, Severus nodded to Harry, telling him it was all right, the two boys smiled.
"See you later then," Harry said as they headed off. Severus smiled and gently reached out, clasping Lei's hand, looking at her he smiled. They walked off towards the book stores, to buy the boy's books.
"Ollivander's, this is the place Damien," Harry said pointing to the old rickety looking building. A tiny bell rang as Harry and Damien slowly entered. Damien ran a bony hand through his thick brown hair and let out a low whistle, the place was covered with boxes and boxes of wands.
"Ahh, Mr. Prewett, Mr. Potter, I was wondering when I'd see you in here," an older man said causing both you men to jump, his eyes silvery and creepy, he stared at them, as though memorizing they're every feature.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, you have your mother's eyes, seems like yesterday she bought her first wand, I remember every wand ever sold. You're mothers, was made of willow, she liked it for charm work. The wand chooses the person though. Ah and Mr. Prewett, you look like your mother, but you have your father's frame, yes he was a tough one he was. Eleven and a quarter inch, perfect for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Your father was a hero for many years, still is for many, fought to the bitter end he did. I remember your mother as well, almost sorted into Slytherin she was, ended up in Ravenclaw, she was smart, and the young man she was with, Severus, he was a nice boy, his wand suited more Defense as well I must say, they seemed like quite an item, obviously it didn't end up that way. Alas, I guess you two are here for your wands am I right, of course I am, now let us take care of Mr. Prewett first, come child, try this wand, nine and a half inches, oak wand, with a Dragon Heartstring core," Damien looked at Harry with a nervous look, but Harry simply shrugged and Damien gave it a flick, sending several boxes flying off the shelves.
Harry giggled as he heard the crash and watched the boxes, Mr. Ollivander simply shook his head and handed the boy another one, explaining, "eleven inches with a unicorn hair core," the man said, handing him yet again another wand, but nothing bad happened this time, Harry watched as the wand seemed to glow for a moment, and Mr. Ollivander nodded.
"Excellent, now come Mr. Potter, your turn," Mr. Ollivander was creepy, or at least Harry thought so, and got the feeling Damien was feeling the same way.
"All right, try this one Mr. Potter, Beachwood, dragon heartstring, nine inches, flexible," Harry nodded slowly and flicked the wand, like Damien everything went flying.
"Nope, nope, no, here try this, Maple, Phoenix feather, seven inches…" another flick and Mr. Ollivander was offering Harry a third wand, and Damien was laughing.
"Of course, how could I be so foolish, try this one Mr. Potter, thirteen-and-a half inches, phoenix tail feather, holly." Harry didn't have to do anything, because immediately the wand glowed, it had picked it's wizard.
"Curious," the man spoke, Harry looked up.
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked as he backed towards Damien.
"That wand has a Phoenix tail feather, the Phoenix only gave to feathers, it's brother belongs to the man…who gave you that scar."
"Um, we've got to go meet our parents, here's the money," and with that the two boys hurried out of the shop, Damien looked at Harry.
"You didn't believe that did you?" Damien asked in his usual thin but strong voice.
"I don't really know, Let's just drop it, okay, he kinda creeps me out," Harry said softly, Damien nodded firmly and they headed towards the Owl Shop.
"I want an owl," Damien said, Harry shook his head.
"Nah, I don't think I do, no offense, they're great and all, and maybe one day I'll have one, but…well I think I want something like a cat," explained Harry.
"Look there's mom and your dad," Damien said pointing to their parents…Harry suddenly noticed it. Severus was leaning over his finger of his left hand sticking through a cage petting a kind looking white kitten, his other hand, however was firmly latched onto Lei, fingers laced together, as she smiled and giggled at him.
"Damien, I think my dad likes your mum," Harry whispered, Damien apparently noticed it too, because he just watched them.
"I guess that's cool, we could end up…brothers," Damien stated.
"Harry, Damien, come on boys, come pick your pets," Lei called over. The two were no longer holding hands but each looking at different animals, however Harry's eyes caught on the beautiful little black kitten. She was in a small cage, just below the one Severus and Lei had been looking at, she seemed lonely. Harry approached her and placed his fingers through her cage, almost instantly she sat back on her hind legs and began to bat at his fingers with her paws. Harry chuckled as she began to try and bite his fingers.
"You're a beautiful one," Harry whispered opening up the cage and lifting the kitten into his arms, its tiny meow made him chuckle.
"What do you think Damien?" A voice came from behind Damien, who was now looking at all the owls, he wasn't sure what to think as Severus came up from behind him, and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.
"I really want a dog, but I can't have one at Hogwarts, so I'd really like an owl, but I don't know which one to pick, I like this ash colored owl, he's cute, but I'm not really sure. What is Harry getting?"
"He's looking at a kitten," Severus stated.
"I think I want this owl, I'm going to name it Hooty," explained Damien, causing Severus to chuckle lightly.
"Original name, I admit. I'll be right back, I need to see what is keeping my son, why don't you grab your owl, and that white one over there, I want Harry to have an owl whether he's getting that kitten or not," Damien nodded and looked up at Severus.
"Thanks Sev," the older man nodded and ruffled the child's hair.
Severus smiled as he saw his young son seated on the floor playing with the small kitten, which seemed just barely old enough to be away from it's mother. It was stumbling a little bit, proving just how young it was. It's nose was very pink, and had bright emerald eyes, much like Harry's.
"Hey you, you going to buy the cat, or stay here with it," Severus called, Harry looked up and smiled at his father.
"Sorry dad, can I have her?" Severus nodded and waited until the younger boy had the cage in hand as well as the kitten, which seemed perfectly happy with its new owner.
"What are you going to name her?"
"Andromeda, because she's mysterious, just like the galaxy," explained Harry, Severus smiled knowingly, just as Lei came over and gripped his hand smiling at him.
"I don't think he even knows," Lei said chuckling as Severus approached the counter and paid for the boy's pets.
"Where to now dad?" Harry asked.
"To The Leaky Cauldron, I want to get your room and drop everything off, then you boys are more than welcome to wander around Diagon Alley, but you have to stay in Diagon Alley, you're not allowed anywhere else, understood."
"Yes sir," answered both boys.
After settling into the rooms above The Leaky Cauldron, Harry said goodbye to his father, since he would be heading back to Hogwarts while they were out, then the two boys left. Severus looked at Lei and smiled.
"I guess I should go," Severus said looking into her beautiful eyes and sighing.
"No, don't go, not yet," she said quietly, incase the boys were still near.
"I don't really have to leave for awhile yet," he said smiling softly, he leaned forward placing a kiss on her lips, however neither let go, as Severus wrapped his arms around her waist, and Lei's arms draped around his shoulders.
"You sure you want to start this in the hallway, perhaps the bedroom would be better," Lei spoke smiling, god how she didn't want him to leave.
"Bed would be best," he murmured, wanting to hold her forever, as though he could as a young boy when he had her in his arms. The two quickly entered the room and smiled at each other; Lei reached out and gently began to unbutton his top, looking at him.
"I haven't had…you know sex, in well a long time," she whispered, he smiled at her nodding. He reached out and took a hold of the bottom of her shirt, and slowly began to lift it up. She looked at his sculpted chest and smiled as he pulled her close, chest against chess, he pressed a kiss into her lips.
"I know, me either, not since…not since before you got married," he whispered kissing her again. She kissed back, her hands roaming over his back, as he gently slid his hands over her hips, he felt her hands move to his pants, trying to unbutton them, he smiled against her lips began to help, pulling off his pants.
"I've missed you Severus," she whispered as they lay on the bed. She pulled the sheets up over their backs, to remain warm, and heard Severus casting a silencing charm. His hands roaming over her body, as well as her's over his. Love from years ago slowly coming back as they made love, like they had before.
Before life had taken them by the collar and yanked them around; Severus had lost the two women he loved more than anything in the world, both to men he had disliked. As Severus' lips roamed over Lei's neck, he couldn't help but feel younger, and in love more than ever.
Severus sighed earlier then next morning, an arm under Lei's head as they both lay in the bed, covered by the blankets, he sighed, leaning his head against hers, he smiled.
"Just as good as the last time," he stated, causing her to laugh and smile.
"Severus…what would you do, if I told you Damien was yours?"
"I'd tell you can't be possible," he said softly, thinking she was joking, she turned on her side, allowing him to curl his arm around her silky shoulder, a hand on his chest she looked into his pool black like eyes.
"It is possible Severus, think about it, when's the last time you and I were together?"
"Three months before you married Gideon, I told you to protect yourself, and so you acted as though we had never had a relationship, and you two went on with your lives…"
"Think about it Severus, Damien's birthday was July 29th, and he was two months early, the last time we had seen each other was in January," Severus thought back and closed his eyes.
"Gideon?"
"He knew, I think he always knew, he didn't say anything, and we named the boy after him so there would be no question," Severus looked at her and sighed sadly.
"If I had known…"
"I didn't want you to know Severus, God, part of me did, but another part told me it wasn't safe, and then eventually I thought you wouldn't care, then I lost touch with you, and…" she stopped, tears clouding her eyes as she looked down at their hands, he gripped them gently, bringing them up to his lips he pressed a kiss into them.
"Sounds like we're going to have to do something about this aren't we. I love Damien, he's a wonderful boy, and Harry loves him like a brother. I'm also positive they haven't missed our relationship, or at least our hand holding, I do believe I caught them giggling a couple times."
"Not yet Severus, I think it may be too early, let's wait a little while, I'm not saying…we shouldn't or can't get married, because, personally, I have loved you since I first met you and there's nothing I want more, but I'm not ready and neither are they," Severus nodded, and moved over so he was lying on top of her again.
"I need to get to Hogwarts, it's almost seven, and I was supposed to be there at two yesterday afternoon," he said kissing her lips.
"Don't go, can't you apparate in the tonight," she asked as he reached over he and grabbed his jeans.
"Honey if I could, you know I would, but…" he smiled getting up and quickly getting dressed, he had only got his pants on when she came over and kissed him again.
"You're horrible, do you know that," he said, reaching his hands on either side of his face and kissing her.
"Where's my shirt," he murmured, she handed it to him and he smiled, kissing her once again, "I love you, see you tomorrow night in my dungeons?" He asked.
"Yeah, because I really want rumors about the two of us being spread," she stated chuckling.
"Honey," he whispered.
"I'll be there, just get there on time, and Severus," she said pulling him back from the fire place quickly.
"What?"
"I love you," she said kissing his lips one last time, with that he stepped into the fire place, and was gone a moment later, she sighed and sat on the bed, feeling lonely almost instantly.
A/N:I'm just leaving a real quick note, first off thank you all for waiting! My beta has been quite busy and was unable to get to these chapters, which understandable. I have also been very busy. Please excuse all errors grammatical or otherwise in this chapter, because it was really not edited more than once. Other chapters will be added more often once again I apologize, and thank you for the reviews. Really quickly one person asked me two questions, and while she wasn't the 100th reviewer, I am going to answer both quickly. You know who you are--Yes Eva I will be going by book for the most part, and yes if you'd like help I am will, that is assuming you weren't joking, I would love to help you. g2g ttyl.