Notice: I did not create these characters; I'm just having a little fun. Other warnings and spoiler status is listed in the first chapter.

Brief Author's note: Thank you for all the wonderful feedback I was given. You all really helped make yesterday a fantastic day. The other part was I saw a great friend get married in a beautiful ceremony outdoors. It was fate. Right before the wedding party started down the path the local ducks proceeded to go by us in the pond in a straight single file line with the same number as people in the wedding party. Therefore, due that this chapter is going to be more on the fluffy-side of things, except for a tiny bit near the end. Oh and before I let you get on with reading the story, I have two question. Who should Severus be paired with? I'm leaning towards Wesley or putting him in a threesome with Xander/Spike. The other question, is there anyone out there who can help me get grasp of what the mansion looked like, otherwise I'll just go with how I describe it in this chapter. Have a great day all.

Final Note: I find music very representative of scenes in some fan fic I've read before so from now I'm gong to try to include a song at the end of the chapter that will capture the mood or general feeling I was going for.

Not Beta'd yet.


Chapter Two: The Start of Settling In

Surprisingly they reach the mansion without any problems from the regular Sunnydale residents. Xander almost dropped Harry when he saw the changes that had been made to the mansion. Even the yard was perfectly manicured, with beautiful dark red roses lining the walkway. Spike opens the door entering the house but he pauses after realizing that Xander and company are on the porch still. "What's wrong, why aren't you guys coming in?"

"Spike this is your house. You always have to ask if you want to enter someone's house due to your nature. I don't wish to disrespect you. So, if you will please say that magic words." Xander had a hand restrain Severus from entering right after Spike. Severus immediately stilled when heard the words Xander said. His evaluation that his would be a good place to re-raise his godson was confirmed with how caring Xander seemed to be about a small detail.

"Please you are all welcome in to my home, which will now become your home for as long as your wish it," spoke Spike quickly.

Xander smiles at him entering with a grinning Harry. Severus follows behind with a sleepy Draco on his shoulder. Both of them stop again surprised at how beautiful the interior of the house is. The entry way in large with a beautiful hardwood floor which goes right up to a stair case that could be from "Gone With The Wind" is directly in front of them. Large arched doorways on either side of them lead off to the rest of the main floor. To the left is a large family room with fireplace. The coloring is done in a dark forest green. There are lushes floor length crushed velvet curtains to protect Spike from the harsh ways of the sun. The couch is one long u-shape that could hold around 12 people, also made of the crushed velvet and over stuffed. At the top of the U-shape is the fire place, above which is a flat screen TV. Later, Xander would find out hidden in the bookcases that are either side where every video game system that has been made. While there were a few electrical lamps the room also had the option of only being lit by candles. There is doorway that leads to Spike's office. To the right of them is a dinning room done decorated so that while being fancy it is still comfortable and family feeling. The colors are different shades of browns but not dark or depressing. Connected to the dinning room by old-fashioned swinging doors is the huge spacious kitchen. Xander and Severus can only see a glimpse of the kitchen from where they are standing but neither can wait to explore the kitchen. Severus has a secret passion of cooking the muggle way, after all it is very close to potion making. Xander of course is always hungry but he has also started to learn to cook.

"Follow me and I'll show you which room I think would be good for the boys. I thought that they might want to share a room for a while until the are feeling more secure in their environment," Spike motions for the them to follow him up the stairs but pauses at the landing, pointing to the right "up that side is my bedroom. Also, Angel had a bedroom built for him if should need to come to Sunnydale. So, it's on that side. The majority of the rooms are this way thought." Spike takes them up the left side of the staircase. "Boys close your eyes" Harry and Draco quickly follow directions; Spike then opens the door with a flourish, "Okay open them now."

The room is a very large rectangle. The only curve in the room is where a large door way leads to a balcony. The room is done in a jungle theme; it's obviously that there was a lot of work put into decorating the room. The floor is covered in think lush deep green carpet that feels so soft on feet that it almost mimics walking barefoot in grass. Three walls are decorated in murals of different jungle plants and animals, even a panther painted in a tree that looks like he is guarding the room. In a few places, the trees are made three dimensionally with a combination of silk leaves and stuffed animals. The wall that doesn't have a painting has a rock-climbing wall, with lots of padding underneath it if the boys fall. The ceiling is painted into a beautiful night sky with constellations. Both of the boys' beds are camouflaged to fit into the jungle. Harry's bed has fake plants put all around it to make it appear like a nest a creature might use for their own bed. Draco's bed looks to be a tree carved into a boat like the one indigenous native would use in the jungle rivers. There were a couple of large been bags that were down in a material to appear as rocks. There are two large glassfish tanks next to each bed. Inside is a snake for each boy. Harry's snake is a beautiful California king snake and Draco's snake is a sweet little garden snake. The boys also have a bathroom connected to their bedroom. It is done up to make it look like lagoon, mostly natural materials were used. Plus, they boys were luck to have a rain showerhead to add to effect. On a wall is a large flat fountain that mimics a waterfall. There are even live plants in a couple places in the bathroom. Severus and Xander set the boys down to go explore the room bedroom before turning to Spike wanting an explanation.

"Spike, how could you have this room set up for two little boys? You didn't know we were coming did you?" Xander ask a little concerned. Severus decides for once to keep quiet and not be snarky.

"I'm sorry Xander I wanted to tell you but the headmaster had me under a wizard's oath. Draco is my great great nephew but the ministry of magic would not let me have him. When Dumbledore found out you were Harry's cousin he had be start working on the hopes that you could be convinced to live here. With you here now I can protect my family," Spike did not even seem to realize that he had implied Xander and Severus as family. Spike did notice that Severus looked very upset with finding out that Spike was Draco's great great uncle. "Severus, I'm not going to come between your relationship with the boy. You are his godfather. Nothing that I am can change that." Spike reaches over and pats his shoulder. "Oh, Xander there won't be much for you pick-up from Anya's tomorrow. Dumbledore sent house elves to pack everything up and put it in your bedroom here."

Xander looks a little surpised at how much the headmaster didn't tell him. Yet, when he really thinks about it should not be a surprise since he was never told about his cousin for over 18 years. "Spike, thank you for making this room for the boys. It is perfect. They seem fine here. So can you please show us to our bedrooms so that we can start unpacking before dinner?"

Spike nods and quickly points to Xander's bedroom that is directly across from the boys. "I did not have much decorated because I wanted you do that. I just had them paint you favorite colors and get simple unpainted wood furniture." Xander's room painted in shades of blues, purples, and greens. There is a four-post bed, a beautifully carved night table, a desk, wardrobe, and a built-in bookshelf. Xander nods his thanks and enters the room to start to unpack. Spike leads Severus to his bedroom, which is two doors down. The two bedrooms are connected by a bathroom.


Xander's PoV-

I'm in shock, just shock. I can't believe that Spike paid enough attention to me to have the perfect bedroom designed. To remember my favorite colors is surprisingly enough but to also remember that I hate seeing good wooden furniture painted. I am going to have to pay closer attention over the next bit. Maybe, my desire for him is not so one sided after all. Willow is the only one who knows that I am not as hetro as everyone thinks. She was the only one I told about my relationship with Larry near the end of senior year. After all this time, I still start crying when I think about him. We had planned to leave Sunnydale after graduation and travel around the country together. After, that we planned to marry and settle down somewhere to adopt several kids. Larry would have never reacted to Harry in the way Anya did. I'll have to make an effort to go by his grave this week. I need to let him know about the changes that are happening. I wonder if Spike would go with me. Maybe if I introduce Spike to Larry then I won't feel guilty for being with another man. That is the real reason I have stayed with women. I have not wanted to desiccate the memory of what went on between Larry and me. After picking Harry up today for his second chance, I realize this could also be a second chance for me. I know in my heart that Larry would not want me miserable but would want me to find happiness again. I need to stop thinking and start unpacking.


Severus PoV-

I can't believe Albus would not tell me that we were going to the same place as Draco's last relative. I really glad that Spike seems to have no desire to take over sole responsibility of raising Draco. I've always thought of Draco as my son, even more so now that is a child again. He has always been very petite and fragile. I wish I could have protected him better the first time around but I still had to pretend to be Lucius damn friend. This time around, nothing will hurt him. I will make sure of it. I wonder now that the Wench Anya is gone how long it will take Xander and Spike to become a couple. I just got here and I can see the sparks between them, it does not make sense why they haven't been together before. Of course, it won't be easy for me watching two beautiful men together but I know I can handle it. I will just clamp down on my sexuality as I have been doing for years and years. Although, Albus told me this was my second chance at a life also. Maybe, it is time to start thinking about having someone in my life with which I can share things with. I never wanted to before because it was just another tool that the Dark Lord could have used against me. But he's gone for good now and I'm in another country. Things are a fresh wonderful start for two Slytherins who really need it. It nice that hard work is rewarded eventually. Merlin, I'm starting to sound peppy, optimistic, and cheerful. Must be the California air.


Spike's PoV-

This is what I've been missing. A house with people, a family. What makes things perfect is Xander being here. Maybe, now I will finally have a chance to get him to think about crossing the straight line and give a relationship with me a chance. I know that boy is probably as straight as an arrow but a vamp can hope. I know he has to care some about me. I was so surpised when he made such a big deal about asking for an entrance into the house. If, I think about it even when I lived in the crypt Xander was the only Scooby that would knock. I really hope Xander enjoys his bedroom. I know the boys will love their room and pets. When the headmaster told me that Harry was a parseltongue, I knew that snakes would be the perfect pets. It is hard to believe that a century after I died I may finally get the family that I have been desiring for as long as I can remember. Enough of this nancy boy thinking I better go down and order some food before Xander gets hungry.

The adults were unpacking and getting lost in thought. Harry and Draco where busy crawling and climbing over everything in their room now that the adults were gone. Harry and Draco had vague memories of being an adult. It was decided to not erase their memories so that if they were ever in danger they could still draw up the knowledge gained from their older selves. Once they had explored everything they sat down to get know their pets. Harry started talking to his snake and found out his name was Checkers, due to that fact that is coloring was indeed more checkered that the typical stripes of his kind. Harry played translator for Draco and his snake. The garden snake told Draco her name was Vivian. The boys spent the rest of the time until dinner talking with the snakes. The snakes were local and helped to tell the boys about their new home.

I'm actually using two songs today because one reminds of a song Xander could sing to Buffy and Anya. It could also apply to Harry, Draco, and Severus. Even Spike could sing it to people.


Bitter

By: Brian Desveaux

Preformed by: ninedays

in my heartsent my confession my condolence

you're indefinite you're incompetent inconsiderate

you're childish

i will push you out of what is real out of my head

you can stick and drown at your residence of disappointments

are of yours to come

so embrace them oh my shallow one today

if i could change anything then i would change everything

these bitter days shall remain

i don't ask for your forgiveness i don't care much for your actress

that's just you though shallow and selfish

so i go now oh my hollow one today

if I could change anything then i would change everything

these bitter days shall remain

you carry your blues behind your eyes

don't flatter yourself i will survive

so carry your blues your own denial

your feather are gone you'll never fly

if i could change anything

then i would wipe the years away

if i could change anything

then i would brush the time away

if i could change anything

then i would change everything

these bitter days shall remain

since you're gone i'm much better than you

she'll never fly


This is the song is for what should be told to the boys in the house, what they could be singing to each other.

257 Weeks

By: John Hampson

Preformed by: ninedays

you could be waiting for a day that won't come

and your could be so much more than you've become

and i have found my feet 257 weeks

but you could be waiting for a day that won't come…

you could be waiting for your life to begin

and you could be so much more than you've been

and I have found my feet 257 weeks

but you could be waiting for a day that won't come…

and it's so sad

you're so good and i'm so bad

but you won't see me wasting the best thing i've ever had

and it's such a shame

that i can't tell you anything

you won't hear me still you endear me now…

hard to see past the window facing forward looking back

over the years spent tracing wondering how you left your track

under water breathing burns your lungs and breaks your back

and you could be waiting right here for a day that won't come…

so you could be waiting for your life to begin

and you could be so much more than you've been

and i have found my feet 257 weeks

but you could be waiting for your life to begin…

End Chapter Two