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16 - By Your Side

It was early that next Friday morning when Severus was pulled from his Herbology Class and sent to Dumbledore's office. His tablemate Max was pulled earlier and neither Maylin nor Holden had been seen since breakfast. Severus knew something was up. He hoped it had nothing to do with last week's fight, but that thought seemed ridiculous. He had already served his two detentions. It was water under the bridge as far as he was concerned.

His thoughts turned elsewhere. Like Holden, he hadn't seen Maylin all day. He began to worry that maybe this had something to do with her. But every scenario he came up with was as unlikely as the next. Besides, he was completely up in the air about just what he and Maylin were supposed to do next. He told her he loved her. But for the last week she acted around him as if nothing had changed. He made the move to kiss her but decided in the last second that her forehead would be the lucky recipient of his affections.

With Elise it was so much easier. After all, she had kissed him first and he simply ran with it. But Maylin was more difficult to read. She was smiling more and that was a plus. But smiling aside, Severus needed to know where he stood with her. This was making him crazier then when he hadn't said anything at all. Maybe Dumbledore had called him to congratulate him on winning a vacation to somewhere warm where there were neither drinking ages nor drug laws. 'Yeah, I could use that right about now,' he thought as he reached the bottom of Dumbledore's steps. He didn't know the password but regardless the statue raised and a staircase lowered before him. He must have been expected.

Taking his time up the steps he heard voices around the corner. They were muted at best except for one. The voice belonged to a young child no more than 4 or 5 years old. The voice made him smile because he knew exactly who it was. Severus stopped and crouched down on the top step and waited. The child's voice fell to a whisper. "Shhhhh!" Said the voice. "He's coming." All taking ceased and Severus waited for the child's curiosity to peak. He heard the child's footsteps reach the opening to the steps. When the small dark haired boy poked his head around the corner, Severus leapt up and grabbed him around the waist. He swung him in a large circle high in the air. The child giggled and screamed with delight. He wrapped his legs above Severus's waist and Severus flipped in upside down and swung him again. The child laughed and Severus pulled him into to a hug.

Ashton Snape hugged his older bother back and stuck his tongue out. Severus retaliated by the releasing the boy and catching him before he hit the floor. Ashton giggled again and upon reaching the floor turned and ran to the other dark haired man in the room.

"Jack! Jack! It's Severus! Can we go home now?"

Jack Snape emerged from his chair. He was tall like Severus and shared the same eyes. His hair was shorter than brother's but his broad shoulders and tan complexion made it very easy to tell them apart. Severus looked confused at best. On the side of the room, Maylin, Max and Holden all sat on Dumbledore's couch. The man himself looked concerned behind his desk. Ashton clung to Jack's leg as he crossed the room to meet his brother.

Jack extended his arm and Severus took it. Jack smiled and pulled his little brother in and rubbed his knuckles into Severus's head. Severus broke the hug and punched his brother in the arm. "Quit that, I'm not 12 anymore."

Jack chuckled and grabbed him again to administer little brother torture. "Get used to it Sev, I'm going to keep doing this 'til your 40."

"Bugger! Stop!" Severus fought back but Jack was too strong.

Maylin laughed quietly as Max and Holden encouraged Jack to beat the hell out of his brother. Ashton had moved around behind Dumbledore's and pulled on the old man's beard for attention. "Make them stop Dum-ba-dore." The old man nodded and stood.

"Boys!" he said in a raised voice. The Snape brothers separated.

"This is neither the time nor the place for such activity." Jack nodded sullenly and motioned for his little brother to sit. Severus complied and sat next to Maylin on the couch. What's going on, May?

Maylin responded by placing her hand on his knee and motioned to the 4 year old making his way toward the couch. Ashton climbed onto his brother's lap and put his head on Severus's shoulder. "Papa's asleep forever, you have to come home."

Severus's head shot up and his eyes darted from Maylin to Jack then Dumbledore and back to Maylin.

Jack squatted down to his brothers. He handed a piece of paper to Severus and took Ashton into his arms. Severus unfolded the paper. It was a death certificate dated two days previous. "Ashton found him, Sev. He told the house elf that Dad wouldn't wake up, I found out yesterday."

"Papa's asleep," Ashton said quietly.

Severus studied the paper and handed it to Maylin before standing.

"So I guess this means you want me to go back with you?"

Jack nodded. "Just for the weekend. Your presence has been requested."

"Who requested it?"

"Dad."

Severus's puzzled look expanded as Jack handed him another piece of paper. This time it was a note. It was a letter than from the looks of it his father had written but never sent. The note asked him to come home. It was dated December of the previous year.

"If dad wanted me to come home for Christmas, he would've sent it."

"You should go, mate, we'll keep an eye on things for you." Holden smiled as best he could.

Severus stepped over to the couch and looked at his friends inquisitively.

"And what exactly are you all doing here?"

"We're your support group." Max grinned and all three waved in unison.

"Are you alright, Sev?" Maylin looked up at the young man. Her eyes filled with a caring concern. Then began to sink in. His father was dead. He was dead and he wasn't coming back. The people that surrounded him were his family and they beneath their cool exterior he realized just how much they cared about him. They never judged him. They let him vent. They let him go through all the changes and obstacles he met and all they asked in return was that he do the same for them.

He ran his hand through his hair and nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok."

They hung around Dumbledore's office for a bit longer while Jack and Dumbledore discussed Severus's custody. He was still technically not a legal adult and it was with an overwhelming agreement that Jack take legal custody of both his brothers. "Maggie and I weren't planning on having kids for a few years, but I think we'll make an exception." Dumbledore agreed and Severus's papers were signed. They would be sent to the Ministry first thing in the morning.

Ashton played with Maylin and Max while Holden and Severus stood in the corner and watched.

"How are things with the two of you?"

"What things? What did she tell you?"

Holden just smiled and told him not to lose his mind over the whole situation. Whenever he needed the room, Holden assured him that he and Max could find decent company with the Spanish Ravenclaw twins Maria and Juana. Severus and punched his friend and prepared to leave. Hogwarts's elves had prepared a bag and Dumbledore gave Jack a portkey to give to Severus when he was ready to return.

Jack and Ashton gathered around another portkey to take them back to their home. Severus said his goodbyes and was about to leave when Maylin stepped up. She took Severus's arm and pulled him close. He embraced her and kissed her forehead. Maylin smiled and pulled his mouth to hers. The kiss was brief but perfect. He heard his little brother giggle in the background. Severus smiled as he pulled away. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you, too." Severus kissed her forehead again, "I'll see you soon." He then turned to the portkey and looked at his little brother. "Don't you start or I'll batter you."

Then the three brothers were gone.