Alexis woke to find herself alone in bed. She blinked, removing the sleep crust from her eyes. Years ago, she had always awoken to find herself wrapped around Severus's body. Had making love driven him off? Perhaps, after so many years alone, yet again, he had decided to sleep alone.

Rolling off the bed, she picked up her wand, which lay on a nightstand near her side of the bed. Her clothes, which had been pulled off so fervently, lay folded neatly on the chair near the bed. Naked, she waved her wand over the bed and it was instantly returned to the pristine condition that it once enjoyed. She waved her wand again and summoned a new sent of clothing from wherever the house elf had stashed her bags. She put on her blue jeans and her "I please only one person a day, and today I please me" tee-shirt. Severus would flip. She could not wait for him to see it. She waved her wand yet again, and her locks fell into place, curling around her chin. Heaving a sigh, she pushed her wand into the front pocket of her jeans and made her way down the stairs.

She passed by the door that lead to the nursery, and came to a stop. Closing her eyes, she placed her hand against it, as if trying to feel her son's presence. It has been so long ago, but felt like yesterday, when she and Severus first opened the door to the nursery, and began the re-decoration process (she refused to have the old furniture and the portrait of Salazar Slytherin hanging above her child's head). Even Severus had been pleased to see the nursery put to use, especially as he had never been inside it as a small child. The room was to become a sanctuary, where they, as a family, would hide from the outside world's problems. The day that Silvvam had been born (Severus preferred at home birth) was the greatest day of their lives as a couple. Silvvam slept in the master bedroom with them, as neither wanted to allow him out of their sight. When he was nearly 6 months old, Severus charged a house elf with his care, and placed him in the nursery. It was that night that Lucius Malfoy came to Snape Manor and viewed their baby.

"Severus! I am sorry it took so long for me to arrive. You know how it is when coming from Venice." Lucius stated, as he stepped away from the fire place.

"Not at all, Lucius. You've met my wife, Alexis, of course?" Severus waved a hand toward Alexis, who held Silvvam in her arms as she sat in the receiving room of the Manor. Severus placed a cool-indifference in his tone that made her shudder.

"Why, yes. Lady Snape, you look charming as always. And your son! How small he is for 6 months. Don't let him out of your sight, dear. Else, the big bad world will allow for him to be lost." Lucius laughed and sat on the chair next to her, holding out his arms. Alexis was hesitant, and looked at Severus for some approval. Severus inclined his head, and curled his lip in mock frustration. Alexis hand her son to Lucius with exaggerated care.

"My son, Lord Malfoy. His name is Silvvam Selvernus Snape." She bowed her head in respect to Lucius' presence. "And I do not worry about the world, sir. As the he is the child of Severus Snape, he will no doubt own it. After the Dark Lord, of course."

Lucius' head snapped up, and looked directly at Severus for an explanation. What he received was cold and biting. "Have I not trained her well, Luscious? Not only does she accept my ties to the Dark Lord, but she accepts him as well. I have effectively separated her from her father and mother."

"Ah, yes." Lucius handed her the baby and stood. "I must be off, Severus. Congratulations on the birth of your son." He stepped into the fireplace and was gone.

Two days later, while both she and Severus had been gone, they came back to find the house-elf assigned to watch Silvvam dead, and their son tossed in a heap on the floor.

Wrenching her hand away, she turned and continued down the hall and down the stairs. She could hear the sounds of the breakfast being laid out, and chairs scraping. No doubt, Severus and Harry were both at the table, waiting.

She entered the dining hall, astounded at how quickly the two old house elves cleaned the rooms and returned them to their original grandeur. She knew that Severus rarely returned to the Manor, thus the elves stayed relatively inactive.

She spotted Harry seated at the head of the table, his hair mussed by sleep. He still had his night clothes. She sat down to his right, and looked at him with a wry smile. "You know, kid, you're in Severus' seat." She took a sip of her apple juice. "And he's very particular about his position." Harry shrugged in indifference, and Alexis sighed. "You don't understand, Harry. In Severus' world, my world and your new world, Severus is the head of the household and is therefore the final law to the family. If you attempt to refute him, even symbolically, he will retaliate."

"Heed her advice, Potter. You wouldn't want to return to Hogwarts as a toad." Severus stepped in from a off center doorway, which if not careful, is overlooked. Alexis, used to such introductions of his person, sipped her juice. Harry, on the other hand, jumped. "Move."

And so began breakfast at Snape Manor.