A/N – And at this point in the first time that I posted this fic, Jaded Angel8 was thanked for her suggestion as to Harry's career. I still thank her for getting me past that roadblock.
"You're sure about this, then?" Severus asked his young lover, as he spooned some sort of custard-like substance into Callisto's mouth.
His ex-student had just approached him with his plans to become a Muggle General Practitioner. Of course, as his NEWT results weren't all that brilliant, he knew he had to apply for a bridging course at one of the local wizarding universities, then –after a year of study- switch to and complete a degree in MediWizardry, before the ministry would even consider casting the memory-enhancement charms that would allow him to practice Muggle Medicine, but he appeared determined in his decision.
Harry nodded, clutching a variety of pamphlets –both muggle and wizarding- to his chest. "Most definitely. I know it's going to be a lot of hard work…but, compared to everything else I've been through…I know I can do it. I know this is what I really want to do."
The older wizard sat back in his seat and observed his partner critically, before allowing a smile to settle onto his lips. With a nod, he spoke, "I am extremely proud of you, Harry. And I do believe you'll be quite successful as a healer."
Blushing at the compliments from his once-cruel Potions Master, the Boy Who Lived grinned. "Thanks. I don't think you know how much I value your support in this…"
Snape nodded, and turned back to feeding their daughter her breakfast. "You do realise that once your entire education is complete, including the Ministry's enhancements and documentation, you will be eligible to practice medicine in both Muggle and Wizarding circles?" He asked after another moment, his eyes never leaving the baby.
Dropping into a seat at the table, the younger wizard nodded. "Yeah…I'm not sure it's what I want to do, though. I mean, I don't want people coming to me just because of who I am. If I just start up a small Muggle practice, I've got less chance of being found and hounded by hundreds of wizards and witches…"
Now in the process of wiping Callisto's face with a damp cloth, Severus sighed. "Love, as you are the great 'Harry Potter', wizards and witches will most definitely still discover you, and tell all their irritating little friends, and you will no doubt be hounded by hundreds of them anyway, whether you do or do not choose to practice MediWizardry."
Harry scowled at the thought. "Then I'll be Harry Snape. Surely any wizards and witches will avoid the place, then." He teased his lover lightly.
Snape, however, remained somewhat frozen at the offhanded comment.
The younger wizard frowned in concern at his lover's silence. "Sev?" He asked gently, "I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean-"
The potions master leapt to his feet and whirled around at those words. His eyes were cold and harsh. "Of course not." He hissed. After all, why would Harry choose to take his last name, anyway?
Not understanding what he'd said to upset his partner, the Gryffindor hastily got to his feet and moved towards the other man. "What's wrong with you?" He asked brusquely in his frustration, and instantly regretted it when Severus reared up like a serpent preparing for the attack.
"What's wrong with me?" The Slytherin repeated, his tone a deadly mix of disbelief and anger, "Naturally," He muttered to himself, "There has to be something wrong with me." He glowered at his young lover, "After all, whatever else could have possessed me to ever believe that I could love-"
"Stop it, Severus." Harry snapped, his eyes glistening with tears of fear and sadness, "Don't say anything you'll regret later."
A cold, cruel laugh escaped the older wizard, "I suggest, Potter, that you take note of your own advice before dishing it out."
Harry's features softened, "What-"
Callisto's cries were extremely loud by this stage, and both men turned to look at her for a moment. Severus sneered, and glared at his lover. "See to your brat, Potter. I have more important issues to address." Internally he winced at how callous he'd been in relation to his adoptive daughter, however he pushed the feelings of guilt and pain down and swept out of the kitchen, not daring to look back at his family.
Harry watched as his lover stalked away, wondering why it felt as if he was walking directly out of his life altogether. Turning back to his distressed daughter, he didn't realise he was shaking until he reached out to pull her into his arms. "It's ok, baby…" He attempted to calm her, suddenly discovering that he too was crying. "He's just…" Harry trailed off.
He's just what? The Gryffindor asked himself. What was Severus' problem? What had caused him to lash out so horribly? They'd been having such a pleasant conversation, and then the man had just snapped. Harry sniffled; what on earth had he said to upset the other man so much?
-?-
"Helloooo out there!" Sirius called out, his head bobbing in the flames of Harry and Severus' fireplace. He scowled when he got no response. Perhaps they weren't home, and simply forgot to extinguish the floo-connection? No. That didn't seem characteristic for either man.
From somewhere else in the manor, Callisto's cries could be heard, and the animagus smiled to himself. That answered his question; the men probably couldn't hear the firecall through her wails. Well then, he'd just have to visit them instead.
Stepping out of the hearth in the manor, Sirius followed the sounds of Callie's crying, and found himself heading towards the kitchen. As it was still early in the day, it was entirely probable that the family was still eating breakfast, creating a picture of complete domestic bliss.
Walking through the door, however, the Marauder stopped short and took in the sight of his Godson cradling the baby to his chest, tears streaming freely down both their faces. He scowled darkly, willing to bet that Snape had caused their distress.
"What'd the bastard do?"
The words had left his lips before he could think. Harry spun around with a gasp.
"Sirius!" He attempted to admonish his Godfather for scaring the shit out of him, however found that he was utterly emotionally drained and honestly couldn't be buggered.
The older Gryffindor moved forward, determination evident in his stride. "What did the bastard do?" He repeated, anger growing with every second that he had to observe his Godson's emotional suffering.
"Nothing." Harry replied, only to cause the older wizard to arch an eyebrow in disbelief. He sighed. "We fought."
"Did he… harm you?"
"What?" Green eyes widened in shock, horrified that Sirius could even begin to think Severus capable of such a thing. "No!"
The animagus furrowed his brow, "Harry, I've known you long enough to realise that you don't just cry over a little lovers' spat." He spoke calmly, and reached for his great-goddaughter, rocking her in his arms to sooth her. "So, I suggest you start from the beginning and explain exactly what the Greasy Git did to get you so worked up, because, otherwise, I'll go and ask him."
"You'd probably understand it all more than I do that way." The younger wizard sulked bitterly, dropping back into his seat at the kitchen table. At Sirius' questioning gaze, he sighed and shrugged. "We were fine this morning. I'd told him that I finally decided what I want to do with myself…and he was supportive of me…and then…I don't know. He snapped."
"Why did he snap?"
Harry rolled his eyes, "Do you think I'd be sitting here whinging to you if I knew?" He hissed.
Callisto whimpered at her father's menacing tone. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Siri. I'm just confused…"
"As much as I hate to admit it," the Marauder began, "Snape's rarely ever been one to just let loose. From what I've been able to work out over the years, he only reacts violently towards the people he cares for if there's something really bothering him…and, more often than not, it's not usually a sudden thing. Whatever is bothering him has probably been simmering beneath the surface for some time now, and something said between you might have been the straw that broke the camel's back…"
The Boy Who Lived nodded with a sniffle. His godfather had a point.
"So, I'll ask you again," Sirius was still rattling on, "Can you remember what you said before he blew up?"
Harry struggled to recall the morning's conversation. There was talk about his final decision to be a healer, then the subtle exchange of 'I love you's, then Sev's observation about his clientele due to his identity, then Harry had teased him about taking on the Snape name to scare them off…and then things had deteriorated between them.
The young wizard frowned. Severus couldn't be upset over a joke against his name…After all, it certainly wasn't the first time Harry had made that type of comment in jest.
There was a nagging at the back of his mind now. Something was bugging him about this name thing…something relatively significant, Harry was sure. He fought to remember.
Then it hit him.
During the pregnancy scare debacle, when he'd offhandedly joked about 'popping out Snapelets', Sev's reaction had been off. A small –almost pained- smile leapt to the forefront of Harry's memory, complete with his lover's flippant "Indeed" and change of topic. He'd waved it off at the time as jostled nerves due to the entire ordeal…but now he was sure it was something else entirely.
As if prompted by the Gryffindor's observations, an owl flew through the open window, a scroll of parchment emblazoned with the Ministry's seal secured to its leg. Harry fed the bird some scraps of Severus' now cold breakfast, thanked it, and watched as it left the premises once more. His attention was focussed on the parchment in his hands, and he undid the seal with care. His eyes scanned the document, and a small smile graced his lips.
"What?" Sirius asked, after a prolonged amount of silence.
Harry looked up, "We've finally received word on the ultimate technicalities regarding Callie's adoption." He held the documents up for the Marauder to see, "It's official. She's a Snape."
And then the answer to his dilemma was there, staring him right in the face. Throwing a rushed apology to his Godfather, the younger Gryffindor raced out of the room, intent on finding his lover.
-?-
Severus sat by the unlit hearth in his study, his right hand nursing a firewhiskey on the rocks and his left massaging the bridge of his aquiline nose. Harry was most likely fuming away downstairs, he mused. And rightly so; the Potions Master had acted extremely poorly towards his lover, he knew it. Harry most likely had no idea how deeply his words had cut into him. He was indeed a naïve young man, and it was not as if Severus had ever broached the subject with him.
A guttural growl of frustration erupted from deep within Snape's chest in a display of frustration with himself. He had been acting so childishly in his hurt. He was deeply ashamed of the way he'd insulted his daughter, and even more so of the flippant manner in which he'd been about to denounce his love for his partner.
Of course, his reversion to lashing out was merely second nature to him; he'd never known any different. He'd never had a role model to show him a different way of dealing with his feelings. After all, his own father had been that way; abusive when he felt himself becoming emotionally vulnerable.
Severus groaned and ran his left hand over his face. He'd made a mess of things now. He knew that he'd have to apologise –an issue which disturbed him to no end. He was a Snape, damn it! Snapes never apologised! It was a sign of weakness!
"Bloody hell." He hissed to himself, dark eyes drilling a hole in the unlit fireplace. Mentally, he realised, he sounded exactly like his father. And remarkably close to Lucius Malfoy, as well. It was a chilling realisation, and if he wanted to continue his relationship with Harry, his behaviour would definitely have to be modified.
Oh, that didn't mean he would don Gryffindor colours and start being nice to everyone. It simply meant that some of the Pureblooded tendencies that his father and Lucius had instilled into him would have to be thrown aside when dealing with his family.
He wanted Harry and Callisto to live happily with him, not to live in fear of his sharp tongue whenever he felt emotionally unstable. He wanted them to have the relationships with him that he and his mother were never able to share with his father. And if that meant that he'd have to begin allowing them to understand how he felt…then he'd at least try to let them in.
A knock at the door startled him out of his internal ramblings, and he caught his breath, bracing himself for the worst.
What if Harry had come to tell him that he was leaving? That he found Severus' behaviour appalling, and wanted nothing more to do with the man? That he, Snape, was never to see his daughter and lover again?
"Sev?" Harry's voice was muffled through the thick oak.
Snape exhaled, reasoning that if Harry had come to end their relationship, he would not be tentatively using the endearing nickname. "It's open." He replied, his own tone distant.
He was upset with himself for being so detached with his partner, however it seemed that his body was acting on instinct, rather than emotion –something he had taught himself in his years at school. He'd been determined to never live up to the nickname Black had given him –'Snivellus'- ever again, and forced himself to shroud any emotions he'd ever had from a young age. And now those many years of training were biting him in the arse, it seemed, as he yearned to show his lover how much he cared, and yet his body appeared to be refusing him of that task.
Harry was standing in front of him now, his eyes displaying the telltale signs of tears. In his hands he clutched some parchment displaying the Ministry of Magic's seal. Severus' heart began to palpitate in fear once more. Maybe Harry had decided to end everything between them, and had sent for the documentation to cancel Snape's adoption of his daughter.
The Potions Master, in an uncharacteristic display of emotion, swallowed and stared up at his lover, waiting for the fatal blow.
"Sev?" The Gryffindor asked again, unnerved by the flicker of fear in his lover's usually guarded gaze. "I'm sorry."
Severus froze in horror. "Sorry?" He managed to repeat. "Why?" He was afraid of the answer, a thousand 'What If's still running through his head, however he needed to hear what Harry had to say.
"For before…and for months ago…" Harry dragged a hand through his messy hair, obviously frustrated that he couldn't explain himself properly. "I…I didn't realise until just now how the use of your name affected you…"
The Slytherin sighed in relief that Harry was not about to tell him he was leaving, and then frowned in concentration. "I beg your pardon?" He asked, bewildered that Harry had come to the correct conclusion for his behaviour.
The younger wizard smiled softly, and removed the firewhiskey from his ex-Professor's hand, before gently sitting himself in the older man's lap. He extended the ministry document towards his lover. "We got this after you stormed out…" He shrugged, "And suddenly all the pieces clicked."
He gave Severus a few moments to read over the parchment, and then nuzzled his head into the crook of his partner's neck, inhaling his scent. "I joked about taking on your name…I joked about our future childrens' names…Not once have I ever given you reason to believe I'm serious about our family." He sighed. "But I am, Sev. I-"
The Slytherin silenced Harry with a kiss. Smiling he pulled away, and cupped his lover's face with his right hand, whilst the left ran up Harry's back, and toyed with the hair at the base of his neck. "I love you, Harry." The admission was so soft that he barely heard himself speak, "And I am truly sorry about the way I reacted earlier-"
"Shh," Harry pressed his index finger to Severus' lips. "It's you, Sev. I wouldn't have expected you to react in any other way. I just wish you'd let me in, you know? You don't need to hide your feelings from me. I know you're a private person, and I don't expect you to tell me every little thing that upsets you –that's just not your style- but, Love, the big things, the ones that have obviously been nagging at you for a long time, the things that affect us both? I want to know about them."
Severus nodded, and leant his forehead against Harry's, closing his eyes. "I'll try, Love."
Harry smiled, "It's all I can ask of you."
After a few more minutes spent kissing and revelling in the official adoption of his daughter, Snape finally frowned. "Where's Callie? Surely you didn't leave her unsupervised-"
Glaring at his lover's assumption, Harry folded his arms over his chest. "I left her in the kitchen with Sirius."
"Black's here?" Severus moaned. "And I suppose he knows about earlier. No doubt plotting my imminent death as we speak."
Harry rolled his eyes, "He was actually making excuses for you when I told him, you know. It was really because of him that I started to work everything out…"
The older wizard frowned slightly at the admission. "Indeed…"
With a sigh, the Gryffindor removed himself from his older lover's lap, and extended his hand. "Come on…the sooner we get down there and face him, the less he's going to drill us about what happened before."
-?-
Sirius looked up from the couch in the living room as Severus and Harry descended the stairs. His eyes drifted towards their intertwined fingers, and he smiled lightly. "Worked things out with Sniv then, Harry?" His tone was teasing, and held no malice.
The younger Gryffindor rolled his eyes at the playful jab. "Yes, Sev and I have sorted through things…"
The animagus nodded. After another moment's silence, Severus cleared his throat and narrowed his gaze in Sirius' direction. "Is there any reason as to why Harry and I must suffer through the pleasure of your company? Other than your usual intention to make my life as unbearable as possible?"
"Really, Severus, I'm hurt." Black placed his hands over his chest and sniffled for added effect. Harry snorted; his Godfather was the picture of mock-melodrama. Sirius grinned at the other men as they moved to sit across from him. "Actually," he started seriously, "I originally called in to see if I could borrow little Callie for some one-on-one time."
"Indeed." Snape observed him, suspicion evident in his onyx orbs. "And why, pray tell, would you make such a request?"
The older Gryffindor rolled his eyes. "Do I need an excuse to want to visit my grand-goddaughter?" He asked.
Harry and Severus responded in unison. "No." "Definitely."
The younger Gryffindor glowered at his lover, who merely shrugged. "While I am attempting to 'get along' with the man, it does not mean that I trust him with the life of our daughter." The potions master explained calmly, looking back to his childhood nemesis. "You understand, of course." He added, "It's nothing personal."
Sirius laughed lightly. "Of course." He caught Harry's eyes, "It's not like I'd trust the Greasy Git with my kid."
With a groan of general annoyance, Harry reached over to take his daughter from the Marauder. "I give up on you two."
"Believe me, Mr Potter," a voice drawled from the fireplace, causing Harry's blood to freeze in his veins, "when I say that wholeheartedly support you in those sentiments."
"Lucius," Severus sneered, wand already pointed towards the blonde man in his living room, "Though I'm not surprised you managed to break past my wards, I must ask you why it took so bloody long." The sneer became a sadistic smirk of superiority. "Then again, you always were an average wizard."
The older Slytherin didn't take the bait. He was, instead, focussing on the baby in The Boy Who Lived's arms. He strode forward, intent on a closer inspection, however Black and Snape leapt in front of him, removing Harry and Callisto from his sight altogether. Both men snarled at the aristocrat.
"One more step, Malfoy, and I wont hesitate from setting the mutt on you." Severus hissed, gesturing towards his old school rival.
Sirius narrowed his eyes, and nodded his agreement, before a feral grin spread across his face. "Not that Snivellus here can control me. I might just get impatient and snap on my own accord." He punctuated the 'snap' with a gnash of his teeth.
The blonde man merely shook his head in amusement. He was clearly not intimidated. "Severus," He muttered, his tone a disturbing mix between disappointment and amusement. "Really. I can understand this behaviour from Gryffindors-" he spat the name as if it were some vile obscenity, "-but from a fellow Slytherin?" He 'tsked'. "What happened to civility between housemates?" Taking a deliberate step forward, he grinned maliciously into the Potions Master's face. "Between old lovers?"
A gasp sounded from behind them, and Snape closed his eyes, attempting to gain control over his anger. "I don't ever believe we've been civil, Lucius." He hissed. "We experimented in our youth, but never were we civil with one another." Black eyes drilled holes into grey, both men remembering a time filled with hasty fucks against the walls of the Hogwarts broom shed that left them both bruised and bleeding time after time.
No; civility had never been an issue between the then-Hogwarts graduate and his younger Slytherin counterpart.
The older man shrugged, deciding to take a different angle. "You and I are both upper-class men, Severus. It would be highly unorthodox for us to get into a physical brawl over any issue." Another step closer. "Besides, our laws dictate that I have a right to meet my grandchild."
"That's stretching it a bit far, Malfoy." Sirius growled, "In your case you'd have to have the permission of both her legal guardians, unless they were dead or otherwise incapacitated."
Severus masked in internal wince. 'Of course, Black.' He yearned to drawl, 'Give the raving lunatic more incentive to bump us off.' Curling his lip in distaste, he gestured towards the fireplace with his free hand, his wand still held steady in the other. "I suggest you leave, Lucius, before I take action for your intrusion."
Callisto was crying, however Snape and Sirius stood strong. "Get out, Malfoy." The latter snarled, barely restraining himself from physically dragging the older wizard off the premises.
"Gentlemen," Lucius spoke the word with clear revulsion. "All I ask is to meet my granddaughter. She is the only remaining heir to the Malfoy estate should anything happen to myself, and-"
"We don't give a shit." The animagus snapped.
The blonde was not perturbed, and continued on calmly. "I have no ill intentions." He locked eyes with his younger housemate. "Though I was…disappointed…to find that her Malfoy heritage has not been noted by name, I assure you that I am not about to contest her adoption, nor will I petition to take her away from her remaining blood-parent." For a moment, the older Slytherin appeared generally bereaved, and even his tone of voice was uncharacteristically tight with unshed emotion. "She is all that remains of my son. Though you might not believe me, Severus, I did…care…for him."
"Did you?" Harry's voice asked from somewhere behind his Godfather and lover. He didn't sound convinced in the least. "Did you really, Mr Malfoy?" He stood, baby still cradled safely in his arms, and moved closer to the group in his living room. "As far as I could see, your son was just as unloved in his childhood as I had been." He let out a cold laugh, "What else do you think might have spurred us to rely on each other for the release?"
Lucius found himself staring into angry green eyes. "I cared for my son, Mr Potter. Our situation was complex. I do not have to answer to you-"
"Yes you do." The Boy Who Lived insisted. "You say you want to meet your granddaughter? That you want to get to know her? Well I want her to know a family that isn't afraid to love her." He scowled, concentrating on how to phrase the way he felt on the subject. "I understand that you want to know her as the beneficiary to the Malfoy fortune, to see where your wealth will go once you no longer exist, but I'm not convinced that you want to know her as your son's daughter. I don't really believe that letting her know her Grandfather -a cold, callous man who doesn't believe in letting his own flesh and blood know that he cares about them- is a good idea."
The older Slytherin nodded in Severus' direction. "And what of Severus? He is not prone to displays of affection; in fact we all know that he is infamous for quite the opposite. And yet you allowed for him to adopt your daughter; you gave him permission to replace her surname –the recognition of her blood heritage- with his own."
Harry smiled softly, "The Severus that the world knows is not the same as the Severus that his family knows. To Callisto, he is nothing but a doting father. Contrary to what you might think, Mr Malfoy, to show love is not a weakness. It's evidence of an inner strength that only the most important people in one's life are privy to. I don't want to deny you of your family-" Here Harry ignored Severus and Sirius' unanimous protests. "-and I definitely don't want to deny Callisto of hers, however you'll understand why I can't let her get attached to you. I couldn't bear to see her hurt. Emotionally or physically."
The other three men stood dumbstruck at the maturity of Harry's thought process.
In that moment, Sirius knew his Godson had been forced to grow up incredibly early in life, and couldn't be prouder of the way he stood his ground.
In that moment, Severus could not fault the Gryffindor to be 'foolish' or an 'utter imbecile', and he was certain that he had made the correct decision earlier when he shunned his past knowledge of emotional depravation in order to remain with his lover.
And, in that moment, Lucius Malfoy realised just why the Dark Lord had never been successful in destroying the young man before him, and was filled with the strangest feeling; he was almost humbled by Harry Potter's words. While incredibly infuriating, the emotions the boy's words stirred within him seemed almost foreign.
"Indeed, Mr Potter." The blonde man found himself replying, still puzzling over the regret he felt towards never really knowing his own son –a distinctively ill effect of the Potter boy's spiel. He curled his upper lip when he spoke. "Forgive me," he began disdainfully, "if I don't start prancing around declaring my love for every one of the world's living creatures." He lifted his chin, "I am a Malfoy, and will continue to behave as one. Though you might not believe it, this does not necessarily mean that I am incapable of emotion. Believe me when I insist, Potter, that it was my emotions which caused me to come here today in the hopes of meeting my grandchild. Not my traditional attachment to blood-lines."
Harry smiled knowingly at the blonde, realising that the older wizard's outburst was the closest that any of them would get to an admission that he did, at one point, actually love his own child, and missed him terribly. It was a slight stretch of the imagination, Harry knew it, though it would have taken a great deal for the aristocratic wizard to practically plead with them to be allowed to see his only remaining family member and keep his dignity intact.
"Alright, Mr Malfoy," the younger Gryffindor nodded in acknowledgement. "This-" he bowed his head in the direction of the baby in his arms, "-is Callisto. Actually, as of this morning, this is Callisto Orinda Snape." He spoke her name with pride.
Lucius moved tentatively forward, conscious of the two grown men flanking him in protection of the little girl. He tilted his head in observation, watching as grey-blue eyes opened to glance inquisitively back at him. He barely registered his own light gasp. Her eyes, so much like his son's. Like his own. On further inspection, Lucius discovered that she had the Malfoy cheekbones as well. Smothering the small smile that threatened to overtake his resolve, he looked back into Potter's eyes. "May I?" He asked, extending his arms only slightly.
He heard Black growl from behind him, and witnessed Severus stiffen at his side. The Boy Who Lived stared back at him, his eyes displaying a brief flash of sadness. "I'm sorry, sir." He spoke quietly, "But you'll understand why I can't trust you with her…yet."
The 'yet' appeared to be the operative word in that sentence, Lucius mused, and yet it was damn near silent. Internally, the once-Death Eater was shocked beyond belief. Despite actively attempting to kill the boy time and time again, Potter was giving him a chance.
Slipping back into his emotionless persona, he merely straightened his robes, and nodded at the young man. "Of course, Mr Potter." He spoke, his tone betraying nothing of the hope that suddenly blossomed within him. His eyes, however, were not as schooled as Severus' had been, and Harry stopped himself from dropping his jaw in shock when he observed the emotions flickering through the older wizard's intense gaze.
Lucius, concentrating on maintaining his business-like tenacity, missed the recognition and surprise on Potter's face. He continued onwards, "I believe that you and I have much to discuss," he explained to the younger man, "However, I realise that I have taken enough of your time for one day." Turning gracefully, he strode back to the fireplace, and nodded at each of the three men, "Severus. Mr Potter. Black." He curled his lip in distaste at the latter, however remained professional when he addressed the other two. "Thankyou for your time, gentlemen. I hope that our next meeting will be on better terms."
Then he was gone.
Harry was aware of the two identical looks of astonishment he was receiving. He looked up at his Lover and Godfather innocently. "What?"
-?-
Days later, Harry awoke to the delightful smells that signalled breakfast in bed. He sniffed at the air before opening his eyes to take in the sight before him. He sat up and leant against the headboard of the bed, placing the serving tray full of mouth-watering foods over his lap.
"Good morning, Love." He greeted Severus, whilst the man made his way back into their bed, careful not to disturb the tray of foods.
Snape sat up next to his young lover, and kissed his forehead affectionately. "Happy Birthday."
The Gryffindor grinned, and turned to capture his lover's lips in a grateful kiss. "Thanks," He responded, his stomach growling loudly, "This is brilliant."
The older wizard nodded, and helped himself to a piece of toast and some eggs. "Naturally," he replied playfully. "Unlike some wizards, I have a definite flair for cooking."
Harry laughed and attacked the bacon with a flourish. "Don't know who you're talking about, Sev." He managed, before taking a large bite out of his toast. His next sentence was completely unintelligible.
"I beg your pardon?" Snape asked, reaching for another piece of toast and the marmalade.
"Sorry," the younger wizard grinned sheepishly, swallowing properly. "I said that you and I both know that I'm just as good in the kitchen as you, if not better."
It was true, however their respective culinary talents came from completely different causes. Where Severus' meticulous skills in Potions had transferred to his cooking abilities, Harry had grown up cooking for his rotten relatives, making meals on his own from a frighteningly young age. It had been his fear of being thrown into a cupboard for days on end which had spurned him onto perfecting his cuisines, whereas Severus' perfection came from a general habit. However, in both cases, the men had soon discovered a passion for the culinary arts, and proved to be excellent cooks on their own merits. At least, Severus mused, Callisto would never be able to complain about pathetic meals as she grew older. Not with parents like hers.
"Indeed, Mr Potter." Severus snarked. "Now eat your breakfast. There's more to do today than lull about in bed…although, that in itself could prove rather enjoyable."
Harry chuckled and picked up his glass of orange juice, wondering what his lover had in store for him.
-?-
"Happy Birthday, Mate!" Ron grinned, stepping through the fireplace, and enveloping his best friend in a manly hug, complete with affectionate thumps on the back. He extended a package to the ravenhaired young man, and shrugged bashfully. "It's not much, but I hope it's useful."
With a smile, Harry assured Ron that no matter what the gift, it was definitely the thought that counted. Unless the present was booby-trapped. Then Ron would be hexed thoroughly.
The next to arrive was Hermione, barely minutes after Ron, and she leapt out of the hearth with such speed that Harry almost asked what was chasing her. Of course, he never got the chance, as her arms were wrapped tightly around him, cutting off his air supply. "Air, 'Mione, AIR." He pleaded, until she blushed and let him go.
"Happy Birthday." She smiled, presenting him with her present. It was an oddly shaped package, though that didn't necessarily mean she had broken her record and gotten him something other than a book. It appeared intriguing, though, whatever it was.
The trio were quickly in deep conversation, having not seen each other since their graduation a good two months earlier. Sure, they had all corresponded via firecalls and owl-post, but those things were never as good as seeing each other in the flesh.
Severus sat back with Sirius and Callie and observed the younger wizards. He had owled them personally, requesting their presence for an intimate luncheon in celebration of Harry's 18th. They had both been eager to agree, and surprised him by enquiring as to whether he required any assistance in preparation for the meal. Naturally, Granger's response hadn't fazed him as much as Weasley's, though he suspected Molly had given her youngest son a crash course in 'How To Respond With Etiquette To Your Ex-Potions Master'.
Albus was also invited, of course. As were Minerva and the other Weasleys. The twins, much to Severus' relief, had declined, stating that their business was growing to be rather busy, and they didn't yet have the staff to cover them in their absence. Bill had also apologised for not being able to attend, and sent his best wishes to Harry, Callisto and Severus himself. The remaining Weasleys, to his knowledge, were all expected.
"Oi, where's the little one?" Ron's voice floated over, and Severus hid his smirk as the redhead glanced around, as if expecting the baby to be toddling by.
Harry was also clearly amused, and looked over to where Severus and Sirius sat, a grin on his face as he replied. "Sev has her. Though I'm sure he wont mind giving her up for a while."
The Weasley boy approached the couch and grinned at his ex-potions master. "Hello, Sir." He said happily, causing Snape to arch an eyebrow at him. "Can I nick off with Callie for a bit?"
Sirius laughed at the scene unfurling, causing Severus himself to crack a genuine grin, effectively shocking the young redhead. "Firstly, Mr Weasley, I am no longer your professor, and I am not exactly partial to having my age highlighted, so do refrain from calling me 'Sir'." He looked across to where Harry and Hermione now sat on the floor, "And that applies to you as well, Miss Granger."
"How would you rather we address you, then?" She asked, clearly not comfortable with speaking so casually with him. It was so obvious that she longed to add 'Sir' or 'Professor' to the end of her question.
He smiled at her, almost causing Weasley to suffer from a coronary, and replied, "I'm not adverse to you using my name."
"Fair enough, Sev, but then, by your reasoning, you should also be addressing them by their given names as well." Harry informed him helpfully.
He agreed, and then turned back to the other young man. "And as for your other question, Ronald-" each of the three teenagers made a face. He sighed and looked pointedly at them. "What?"
'Ronald' crinkled his nose in clear distaste. "I don't like being called 'Ronald'. Makes me think I'm in trouble with mum and dad or something. I prefer 'Ron', Sir…er…Severus."
"Indeed," the Slytherin replied, adopting a very put-upon sigh. "Very well then, Ron." The name felt strange on his tongue, but he'd get used to it. After all, there had been a time when 'Harry' had been a foreign word for his lips. "As I was saying, you may take Callisto, and I don't really believe that I need to tell you to be careful with her."
The redhead laughed, and shook his head, gradually getting used to the not-so-horrible Severus that his best mate had fallen head over heels for. "Nah, I'm good with kids. It's been kind of a pity that only Charlie's had one so far. Between mum and I, I don't know who's trying to convince the others to settle down and start families more." He glanced down at the little girl in his former professor's arms, and stuck out his hands. "Anyway, enough stalling. Hand her over."
Shaking his head in amusement, Severus gently passed his daughter over to the young man, and watched as he rejoined Harry and Hermione, carrying her with a natural grace. Beside him, Sirius chuckled.
"Sorta funny that, of all three of them, Hermione is the only one who is awkward around kids, don't you think?" He asked.
Severus turned to him, "In a way, yes. Though it was rather to be expected. Harry's a people person, he adapts well to any positive human contact. Weasley comes from a large family, and clearly enjoys the company of children. Granger, on the other hand, is a single child, and gets all of her knowledge and experiences from books…A maternal instinct is something that books can't teach her to tap into."
The animagus rolled his eyes light-heartedly, "Yeah, Yeah, Sniv." He said, "It's still funny."
A few minutes later signalled the arrival of Hogwarts' Headmaster and his Deputy. Rather than flooing, the pair had chosen to apparate, making certain that Severus manipulated his wards to enable their entry. Much like Hogwarts, Snape Manor had anti-apparition wards protecting the grounds. Only Severus and Albus were able to manipulate them, though they would soon see to it that Harry could as well.
After issuing greetings and gifts to the birthday boy, Minerva and Albus made their way to where Sirius and Severus sat, and delighted in the revelation that the two old rivals were no longer attempting to curse each other into oblivion. Just as they began to settle into deep conversation, Molly and Arthur Weasley toppled out of the fireplace, followed closely by Charlie and his son, and then Percy.
Severus and Harry greeted the group politely, and then found themselves wrapped into warm embraces, much to Severus' surprise. As Snape fought to regain composure, Harry accepted his gifts and birthday wishes and then asked the inquisitive two-year old accompanying Charlie if he wanted something to play with. The only brunette Weasley appeared to adore the suggestion, and Harry summoned a few of his daughter's plush toys, before leading the toddler towards the small group on the floor.
The Potions Master of Hogwarts watched on for a moment as the little boy took notice of the baby in his uncle Ron's arms. Aiden reached out for a moment, as if to touch the baby, but the older Weasley shook his head and explained to his nephew that you had to be 'very, very gentle because she is easily hurt.'
Of course, all the mini-Weasley really understood was that he wasn't allowed to touch unless someone helped him.
"Severus," someone began from the professor's side, causing his attention to shift from the scene across the room, "I have to admit that it was a bit of a surprise to get an invitation from you, of all people, for Harry's birthday." Amused onyx eyes met hazel, and Charlie continued, sinking back into his seat. "Come to think of it, it was a bit of a surprise to get an invitation from you, full stop."
The older wizard smirked. "I am a Slytherin, Charlie. The head of the house, in fact." He responded lightly, "It's in my job description to keep the rest of you, especially you Gryffindors, on your toes."
"Ah," the dragon tamer nodded in mock understanding, "I see. Of course, being a Slytherin, and such an important one at that-" he rolled his eyes lightheartedly, "-there has to be something in this for you."
"Besides remaining in Harry's good books?" Severus mused, then grinned wickedly, "That, Mr Weasley, is something for me to know, and you to never find out. A Slytherin never reveals his secrets."
The younger wizard –though not by too far- chuckled in amusement, allowing his gaze to drift over to where his son sat, playing with stuffed toys, being thoroughly entertained by the Golden Trio. Snape followed his line of sight.
"Fetching little boy, your son is." The Slytherin pondered amicably, before smirking. "Must take after his mother. And the lack of red hair does wonders for a Weasley."
The other man sighed and shook his head with a small smile, "Thankyou, Severus. Though, I don't know if I agree with the hair comment."
"Charlie," Severus was serious now, having noted the resignation in the younger wizard's voice. "Care to assist me in the kitchen?"
From an animated discussion with Sirius, Molly's head swivelled in their direction. "Did I hear someone ask for help in the kitchen?" Her smile was wide, "I'd be more than happy-"
"-No, Molly, though I thank you for your offer." Severus interrupted her, being sure to turn her down in the manner of a perfect gentleman. "However, I believe that Charlie here is fine for the job." He smiled kindly, "If I require your skills, though, be assured that I will not hesitate to ask."
Arthur shook his head as he observed the exchange, and turned back to Albus, Minerva and Percy, all of whom were discussing the next wizarding election. Arthur himself had been nominated as a candidate, alongside the likes of Lucius Malfoy and an assortment of Ministry officials from other divisions.
Molly sighed, and reminded Severus that she was willing to help him with whatever he may need before allowing him to take his leave of the room, practically dragging one of her eldest children with him.
Once inside the kitchen, the Slytherin narrowed his gaze at his younger counterpart. "Alright, out with it, then."
"Out with what?" Charlie was quick to become defensive.
Folding his arms over his chest, Snape sighed in frustration. "Whatever it is that caused you to get all melancholy when I complimented your child."
His approach, in hindsight, was definitely not brilliant.
The Gryffindor bristled immediately. "It's none of your business, Snape."
"Oh," Severus sneered, "Back to last names, are we? Can't think of any other way to deter a greasy old git from asking questions out of concern than-"
"Severus, please…" Charlie sounded defeated. "Just leave it."
Snape observed the younger wizard, who sat on a stool; his upper body slumped over the kitchen counter. Though they hadn't spoken properly in years, the Slytherin liked to think that their friendship was still relatively intact, and to see his young friend in such visible emotional torment concerned him to no end. He took a seat beside the Gryffindor, and simply waited, knowing that the Weasley would soon crack and reveal that which was troubling him.
It didn't take too long.
"You're a bloody nosy git, you know that, Snape?" Charlie sighed, before launching into his explanation. "Right, where to begin? I suppose the beginning's as good as any place…See, Aiden was a pretty big surprise, actually."
Severus moved to comment, but the Gryffindor held up a hand and gave him a look extremely reminiscent of his own patronising stares within the classroom. "Do you want to hear this or not?" Snape knew better than to respond, and Charlie smiled at the silence. "That's what I thought. Anyway," the redhead took in a deep breath, "he was a 'basket on doorstep' kind of surprise." At the Potions Master's look of surprise, he chuckled, "I mean, he is mine; both muggle and magical DNA tests proved as much…But you could imagine my shock at opening the door one day and finding him. It was like something out of a novel."
"I fail to see how that upsets you-" Severus began, his impatience making itself known.
Charlie scowled. "I'm getting there." He insisted, before settling back into 'story-teller' mode. "So anyway, my life is turned upside down within an instant. I mean, I went to bed a bachelor, woke up with a newborn kid and a whole bunch of documents stating that I had sole custody of him, right down to the naming, and that his mother wanted nothing more to do with either of us."
"Ah…" Now Severus was getting an idea of what was eating at the younger man.
Ignoring the Slytherin, Charlie continued. "Hell, to this day, I still don't know her name, so how could I possibly chase her down? Besides getting lucky with DNA testing, providing that she had a ministry or muggle police record." He snorted, "And the likelihood of that is pretty slim." A half-hearted smirk flitted across his lips, "You know what they say; the best form of contraception is a false name. Certainly worked for her."
"And you regret not using the same policy?" Snape's tone was somewhat cold, though he genuinely sympathised with the other wizard.
Charlie shook his head. "Not anymore. Aiden grew on me." He smiled. "I wont lie and say that I wasn't bitter at first. My entire lifestyle was going to have to change, and for what? A kid. A kid that I had no way to plan for. I mean, most fathers have a few months. But not me."
"Or me." The comment was almost silent.
The Gryffindor looked into the Slytherin's eyes, his face taking on a serious expression, and found understanding and amusement. His smile returned. "Yeah…'Guess you know what it feels like, then."
Severus shook his head. "No…I don't. Not to the same extent as you."
"Well, no…" Charlie shifted uneasily in his seat, "But you have some idea…"
"Indeed. Though I do believe you're skirting off the topic, somewhat." Onyx eyes drilled holes into hazel. "So, allow me to recap; you're upset for your son, in that you believe his life wont be complete without both his parents. You're angry with the woman for not wanting to know him or to accept him."
Charlie gaped at him. He chuckled.
"Close your mouth. You're not a fish."
"How on earth do you read people-"
Again, Severus grinned and shook his head. "I'm not 'reading' you, Charlie. I do practice Legilimancy, however in this instance I am merely putting two and two together." He sighed, "Harry, after Callisto was born, mentioned something along the same lines. He was…upset…that his daughter would grow up with only one parent. He was angry at Draco for making the decision to leap in front of a killing hex, considering the action as 'taking the easy way out'. Your situation isn't all that different from his. And, being a Gryffindor, I simply assumed that you would maintain the same sort of thought processes."
"I have no idea whether to be insulted or not." Charlie half-smiled.
Snaped waved his hand dismissively. "Neither. But I will tell you as much as I told him; your son will have a loving family, whether he has two parents or just you. And as for his mother deserting him? She obviously had her reasons, and I am sure that you cannot imagine your life without your son now, and you have her to thank for that. Yes, she may have been cowardly, but she also gave you a rather special gift."
Again Charlie gaped, and Snape straightened himself out, "And if you breathe a single word of 'Sentimental Snape' to anyone, I will personally see to it that your Aiden is left without his father as well." He completed his threat with a grin, in order to let Charlie know that he was joking…sort of.
The redhead nodded, and thanked the other man; feeling better from the somewhat forced conversation. Severus nodded, and accepted the thanks, before grinning wickedly.
"You know," He mused, "Whoever she was, you might also want to thank her clearly dominant genes. I was not joking about my previous hair comment."
Charlie rolled his eyes. "Greasy Git."
"Insolent Prat."
"Vampire."
"Weasel."
The two men paused, reflected on how childish they sounded, and then dissolved into warm, rich laughter.
-?-
"Sev! Severus!" Harry raced into the lounge room some hours later, where everyone had adjourned once all the food had been eaten and presents opened.
The Slytherin looked in his young lover's direction, taking in the Boy Who Lived's messy demeanour. "Hmm?" He enquired.
Still panting from his race down the stairs -having been putting Callisto down for her nap whilst everyone else were making themselves comfortable in the lounge- he grinned. "She," He gasped for air, much to Snape's irritation. "She said her first word."
The older man's eyes widened, "Really?" Harry nodded.
Severus waited for further extrapolation. When he got none, he sighed. "And?"
Harry was bouncing on the balls of his feet, clearly bursting with excitement. His older lover was secretly jealous. He'd missed his daughter's first word.
"No."
Severus frowned. "No?" He repeated. "What do you mean, 'No'?"
The Birthday Boy laughed, "No. That's what she said. N. O. 'No'."
"No?" The look on Snape's face was enough to make everyone else in the room laugh. Severus shook his head, an amused look in his eyes. "Just brilliant," he muttered, his voice fuelled with mock sarcasm. "My daughter is going to grow up an insolent brat."
Harry rolled his eyes with a grin. "Looks like it."
Playfully, Snape held his head in his hands and mumbled something that sounded suspiciously along the lines of leading a cursed existence, causing the other people in the room to burst into laughter once more.
Harry beamed at his family, for that was what they all were, and contemplated over the day that Severus had set up for him. With the combination of his daughter's gift –her first word, he was so proud!- he could honestly say that he had never felt happier. Where Severus may have been cursed, Harry felt as though his own life was truly bliss personified.