Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do own Sean and Paddy. Snape may come across a bit OOC but that's only because he's being nice. SLASH!

Family

Chapter Four,

It was a month after term had begun and everyone had just about settled in to the school routine. The teachers had begun to take turns babysitting Sean and Paddy so that Seamus could do his homework and have time with his friends. This particular night it was Snape babysitting.

"Why do you always wear black?" Sean asked from where he was sat in front of the fire playing with Paddy. Snape looked up from the essay he was marking.

"I have always worn black," Snape answered.

"But why? The other teachers wear different colours, specially Dumblydore," Sean said in his sing song voice. Snape actually smiled slightly at the pronunciation of Albus's name.

"Perhaps I like to wear black," Snape said to the boy who frowned.

"But why? Blacks sad, it's for sad people and you aren't very sad. And it makes you're hair look icky," Sean said standing up. Snape frowned slightly, how could this little boy know he was not a sad person? He had lost people in the war, people he'd cared for, why shouldn't he wear black?

"I can wear black if I want to wear black boy," he snapped at Sean whose little eyes widened and tears started to build up before dripping down his cheeks.

"I didn't mean to make you mad," the boy mumbled, looking at the floor. "I'm sorry. I'm going to go to my room now." With that the sad little boy ran to the large door and awkwardly turned the handle before rushing in. Snape sighed, he'd forgotten how emotional younger children could be. Paddy made a gurgling sound and crawled awkwardly to his feet, not understanding at all what was going on. Taking a fistful of the black robes in his chubby little hand he pulled himself to his feet and held on, smiling up at Snape.

"Hello little one, I didn't know you could stand yet," Snape said lightly, picking the boy up and sitting him in his lap. He was debating whether on not to go and apologise to Sean when Seamus entered, giggling to himself contently. "Good evening Mr Finnigan."

"Good evening Professor. Where's Sean?" Seamus asked as he dropped his school bag by the door. Snape grimaced slightly and stood up, holding Paddy easily in his arms.

"I might have upset him a little by being short with him, I was just about to go and apologise," Snape said sincerely, nodding towards the door. Seamus frowned and walked to the door, opening it slowly and poking his head in. Sean was lying on his bed, crying into his pillow quietly.

"Sean?" Seamus asked as he sat on the bed by his brother.

"I didn't mean to make him mad, I just asked him why he always wore black," Sean said sadly, turning to his brother and burying his face in Seamus's arms. "He got all fended, I didn't mean to Seamus." Seamus smiled at his brothers pronunciation of offended.

"He wasn't mad at you Sean, he's just like that. You know how Uncle Conner always got really offended when someone called him dull? Well it's a bit like that only with Snape liking black," Seamus tried to explain it in a way that a five year old would understand.

"Should I go and apologise? I like Snape, don't want him to stop baby sitting me," Sean said tearfully. Seamus smiled slightly and pushing his brothers hair back from his forehead, giving him a gentle kiss there. He noticed Snape at the doorway with Paddy gazing at them from his arms.

"Snape's not mad at you Sean, look, he's brought Paddy in to play with you," Seamus said cheerfully, going the potions master and pushing him towards the bed so that he sat down. Paddy giggled and reached out for his brother.

"I did not mean to upset you," Snape said as Sean took Paddy from him, uncomfortable apologising to a little boy. Sean looked up at him and smiled slightly.

"It's ok, I didn't mean to upset you. Truce?" he held out his small hand to the potions master and Seamus had to fight with himself not to laugh as his teacher shook it.

"Right, well Sean it's you're bedtime so say goodbye to Professor Snape and get into you're pyjama's while I sort out Paddy," Seamus said strictly while he put Paddy in his crib and got his sleep where out of the draw.

"Ok Seamus," Sean said politely, glancing to Seamus quickly before throwing his arms around Snape and giving him a tight hug. "Bye Snape." As the boy pulled out his pyjama's Snape walked stiffly out of the room, with a slight smile on his face. He hadn't been hugged in years, he'd forgotten how nice it felt.

A/N There we go, another chappie long overdue.