Chapter Fifty
Baking for Yule
Jennifer had read enough off of Severus after the concert on Sunday that she was unsurprised when he kidnapped his wife when she returned from Whitebridge. Andrew was more than happy to get the Baker Street house ready for the upcoming holiday, and with Leu's help, he had the garland and tree set up and much of the grocery shopping done before his parents arrived after their short trip to Villahexen.
"Home at last!" Jennifer said with such open relief that Severus squinted at her.
"Are you saying that you regret the detour?" Severus challenged her in a low voice.
"Of course not, but it's good to be back all the same," Jennifer protested, taking off her wet cloak. "Except for coming back after so many lovely days of snow only to have it raining here, that is," she added, hanging up her cloak.
"A sure sign that we're home then," Severus replied, but Jennifer was distracted by the sound of feet as Quintin hurried down the stairs to get a hug from his mother.
"You're back!" Quintin declared happily.
"Yes, of course! Where are your brothers?" Jennifer asked Quintin.
"Leu is at Keir's house, Andrew's in the library, Corey's in Hogsmeade, and I don't know where Aurelius is," Quintin informed her.
"Perhaps next time you should be more specific," Severus suggested.
"Then go to the library and have Andrew come down, please," Jennifer said, and Quintin ran off again.
"Jennifer, before I get settled for the day, I want to get those watches modified. You are not going anywhere for a couple of days, correct?" Severus said.
"Absolutely positively correct!" Jennifer said emphatically. "Except for maybe going to Dagda's for the Yule Log, of course, and maybe to Hogsmeade for a bit of shopping..."
"Let me rephrase that, then. You are not going anywhere for the next couple of days without me, are you?" Severus asked.
"Absolutely positively correct!" Jennifer beamed happily.
"Fine. Then let me get those watches done. Hand yours over as well," Severus said.
"And what if something were to happen to you on your way back from getting those watches fixed?" Jennifer challenged him.
"Hm. A fair point, I suppose, but it does have to be done. You'll simply have to take the risk," Severus decided.
"I think not. You'll take Andrew with you," Jennifer replied.
"Yes, alright. I don't suppose you need anything else while I'm there?"
"I've not the foggiest idea!" Jennifer said and went into the living room, smiling at the tree and garland before stepping into the kitchen to check the larder. Andrew out of the side passage and into the kitchen.
"Welcome back! Did you have a nice trip?" Andrew asked his mother.
"Yes, it was lovely! Do we have enough wrapping paper, ribbons, and cards?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, Mum, I've already done the shopping... as you can see. Did I miss anything?" he asked, seeing how she was digging through the pantry.
"I don't know yet, but right now I need you to go to Diagon Alley with your father," Jennifer said.
"Oh? Why do I need to go?" Andrew asked.
"To make sure he gets home, of course," Jennifer said.
Andrew stood there a moment, but when it was obvious that he wasn't going to get any more explanation than that, he went over to the door and got his cloak. His father still seemed to be lingering in the entryway even after checking over their luggage, waiting for him.
"I have been told that I am to escort you to the Alley and make sure you get home," Andrew said with amusement, getting his cloak.
"Yes, so you shall," Severus agreed. "And we should probably collect Leu on the way back as well. If we don't, she'll simply send us both back out again. I'm sure she'll want us all to stay close to home until I can pick up our watches."
"Oh, you're having the watches modified? Now this makes sense," Andrew said with a chuckle as the two of them stepped out the door.
Jennifer, Leu, and Quintin were busy in the kitchen the next day when Severus came up the basement stairs, frowning at all of the baskets set out, nearly covering the dining room floor.
"Is it just me, or did you add some more baskets this year?" Severus asked as he stepped into the kitchen to get some coffee.
"Yes, I added the Miller's, the Cole's, the Johnson's, the Eldridge's, the Harper's, and the Carmody's," Jennifer explained.
"I notice you left out the Mason's," Severus replied.
"I also have some small individual baskets for Wind, Gretchen, Kay, and the rest," Jennifer added. "I was thinking about putting something small in the Kingler's basket for Billy too, but I've no idea what to get him."
"A crowbar perhaps? Or a new ski mask," Severus ventured.
"That's not funny, Severus," Jennifer said, chuckling in spite of herself.
"Very well! Other than offering suggestions, what sort of help do you need?" Severus asked. Jennifer put the mixing bowls on the counter in confusion.
"Aren't you going to put the lab in order like you always do?" Jennifer asked.
"I've just finished that, actually. We are low on certain things, and I made a list, but there's no point in ordering it before the mistletoe is harvested. I will take care of it when we go to Hogsmeade," Severus said.
"Then aren't you going to go shopping or something?" Jennifer asked.
"I finished Christmas shopping before you arrived. It's one of the reasons you can't read me entirely," Severus pointed out.
"Yes, you did tell me that on holiday, come to think of it," Jennifer said.
"Besides, I'm not going anywhere until those watches are finished, remember?" Severus said.
"When were they supposed to be done?" Jennifer asked.
"Sometime before they close today. Shall I go up and see if there's any Owl Post?" Severus inquired.
"Um... yes, alright," Jennifer said.
Leu stopped what he was doing and watched as Severus went up the stairs, stepping around the partially prepared baskets and going over to the counter to where Quintin was busy lining up the biscuit cutters.
"Is it just me, or is Father acting really strange all of the sudden?" Leu said.
"I was wondering the same thing myself," Jennifer said. "I swear, from what I read off of him, it was almost as if he was asking to help with the baskets or something."
"I don't remember him ever helping with that before," Leu said.
"He hasn't, not ever. I must have just imagined it," Jennifer decided. "Did you get all of the tea and marmalade jars packed up nicely? Are all of the baskets labeled?"
"Yes, all done," Leu said.
"Then you'd best line them up in the living room for now so we can use the table," Jennifer said, pulling out some chilled dough out of the icebox. "Quintin, why don't you take those cutters over to the table too, so I can pull the cooling racks out for the springerle? They should be coming out soon."
"Dad's biscuits are smelly!" Quintin declared, getting down and taking the cutters with him.
"You'll have plenty of other choices tonight," Jennifer promised, putting the covered bowls on the table. Jennifer turned around to get the decorating sugar and nearly ran into Severus, who had come in the door behind her and was watching her bustle around curiously. "Oh, Severus, really! If I had anything in my hands just then, I'm certain I would have dropped it!" she exclaimed.
"I asked Andrew to go fetch the watches," Severus explained. "Apparently he was planning to go out anyway to finish his own shopping."
"He went by himself?" Jennifer asked, and Severus pointedly held up her charm bracelet, hanging it up on a hook so she could see it from both the kitchen and the dining room.
"So what is it exactly that you have Quintin doing? Making springerle?" he inquired.
"No, of course not, Severus, and if that's what you're after, they'll be out presently. You are going to leave me enough to put in the baskets this year, aren't you?" Jennifer asked.
"What is the dough on the table for, then?" Severus asked.
"Christmas biscuits, obviously. Aren't you going to go up to the library to read or something?" Jennifer asked with exasperation when he began rummaging around in the kitchen cabinets.
"Why, are you?" Severus replied calmly and kept rummaging.
"No, of course not! You know perfectly well that I have too much to do today for that!" Jennifer exclaimed.
"Do you know, I realized something just now," Severus said, having to use some effort to force a wooden rolling pin out of the drawer.
"And what is that, Severus?" Jennifer prompted with a sigh.
"That this kitchen is about as organized as your office... meaning, not at all," Severus replied, leaving Jennifer standing there with her hands on her hips as he grabbed the colored sugar off the counter. "You're not burning the springerle, are you?" he asked.
Exasperated, Jennifer went to the oven to check on them. By the time she stood back up again, Severus had managed to make his way over to the dining room table and was inspecting the dough, putting it on a wooden board that was there and attempting to roll it out while Jennifer and Leu both stared at him in stunned surprise. Quintin was too eager to have something to use his cutters on to care who was doing it, waiting impatiently.
"Those are a bit too thin, you know," Leu finally said after watching him roll out the dough for a minute.
"Oh?" Severus replied, frowning at the dough. "Show me." Leu put down the basket and went over to give him some tips.
Jennifer would have loved to have watched them longer, but she was forced to turn her attention to the oven, pulling out the springerle just as someone knocked on the front door. "Darcy, could you get the door, please?" Jennifer asked, finally able to stack up the last of the trays she was working on so she could put the next round in. Closing the oven, she looked around to see Anna and Laura standing in the doorway, and both of them were staring dumbstruck at Severus too.
"Oh, hello, Anna! Hello, Laura!" Jennifer said.
"Hello, Anna," Severus replied, rolling up the scraps from the first two trays and setting it aside so that he could help Quintin decorate.
"We came early to see if we could help," Anna said, giving her brother an odd look.
"Yes, thank you!" Jennifer said. "Laura, if you could get these trays out of the way and help me make more room for the next batch, that'd be lovely. And Anna, perhaps you can take your brother's temperature."
"Aren't we the comedian today?" Severus chided his wife.
"Actually, I think she has a point," Anna said dryly. "Have you been drinking the vanilla?"
"Tell me, Anna. Is it truly all that strange for me to helping Jennifer with the baking?" Severus inquired.
"Yes, yes, it is," Anna confirmed emphatically.
"Then I have all the more reason to do it now, since it would seem that my participation is long overdue," Severus concluded.
"I guess you have a point," Anna said, glancing over to see Jennifer gazing at him with a strange smile on her face. "You're going to be like this all day, aren't you?" Anna noted flatly as she walked behind the kitchen counter.
"Like what?" Jennifer said dreamily. Anna rolled her eyes and started on the gingerbread without further comment.
By the time Andrew got back from the Alley, a great many of the baskets were already delivered and the few that were left were stacked neatly on a corner table in the living room. In the dining room, Severus, Jennifer, and Anna were at the table taking a short break with cups of coffee and broken biscuits left from that morning.
"Wow! I can't believe how much you've gotten done already!" Andrew admitted with open surprise.
"I've had lots of help today," Jennifer said with a smile.
"Do you have our watches?" Severus asked.
"Yes, of course," Andrew said, taking out Severus' watch first. "Here you are, with a new case and a second ring of locations that includes Whitebridge, Quickbrooms-Pitt, Pittsburgh, Kingler's, and New York," Andrew said, handing it over before taking out two other watches. "And here are your two watches, Mum, completely brought up to date with Father's, including the compass, light, and magnifying features... and boy was the upgrade on that original watch costly," he added. "Which one do you want, Mum, or should I hand you both of them?"
"Oh, if they're both up to date, I'd really love the original one," Jennifer said happily. "You can hold onto the backup for now." Andrew handed her the watch, and she smiled contentedly at the inscription before she looked at the new locations with interest.
"And here's the bad news," Andrew said, handing his father the bill. Anna peered at the bottom line curiously.
"You know, that's quite a big expense when several of those new places won't even matter in six months," Anna commented.
"On the contrary, I'm not blind to the fact that Jennifer has made a great many friends this year as well as reconnected with some old friends, and she is quite likely going to want to keep in touch with them once this year is over," Severus replied. "As far as adding Kingler's and New York to the watches that didn't have them, it was long overdue."
"I definitely agree with that. Look, Aurelius is at Kingler's now, and Lucky's in New York somewhere," Jennifer noted.
"There's a surprise," Anna said.
"Maybe not, but it's still nice to have that piece of mind anyway," Jennifer said. "I'm quite sure it was probably driving Severus nuts having his watch stuck on "Elsewhere" for the last four months."
"It most certainly did, which is why I definitely think this was worth the price," Severus said, putting away the bill.
"So, is Laura here somewhere?" Andrew asked.
"Yes, she's out in the back playing fetch with Quintin," Jennifer explained.
"This again?" Andrew said, then stared out the back door, seeing Quintin run by. "It is so strange having a girlfriend who likes to play fetch!"
"Not really. Sirius used to play fetch with all of our kids," Anna said with a shrug.
"Did he ever play fetch with you?" Andrew asked curiously.
"Sure... typically when I'm angry at him and refuse to talk to him," Anna said. "He'll get tired of the Snape stubborn streak after a while and he does it to try and get me to talk to him again."
"Does that work?" Jennifer asked with a laugh.
"Most of the time," Anna admitted.
"When we first met, you told me you didn't like animals," Jennifer teased.
"I still don't for the most part, that's why I've never had a familiar," Anna replied.
"Why bother, when your husband is your familiar?" Severus said.
"Exactly," Anna agreed. "So Andrew, you might as well get used to it. From what I've seen, this is pretty normal behavior for someone with a dog Animagus."
"Carol never did it that I recall, but she did watch the children in wolf form when they were little and playing in the field," Jennifer said.
"Yes, and then she rounded them up like a sheep dog whenever one of them threatened to wander off," Severus reminded her. Anna grinned at that.
"It sounds like she had her own version of fetch then," Anna replied. Jennifer chuckled and nodded at that, while Andrew decided to go outside and check on them. "So what's next, Jennifer?"
"Well, the bread should be out in ten more minutes, and then we need to get started on finger foods for the guests tonight," Jennifer said.
"Is it too soon to start on the sausage rolls?" Severus asked.
"Yes, but you can help me with the custard tarts. Anna, do you want to get the charcuterie ready? I suspect we have room enough in the ice box for that if we shift the puff pastry out of the way,"
"Okay," Anna said. The three of them got up, Mercy sweeping in and getting their cups for them as they got back to work.
When Andrew, Laura, and Quintin came in ten minutes later, Andrew stopped and stared in the dining room as Severus was busy rolling out pastry dough. Jennifer supervised at the bar, where she was busy separating eggs.
"Thin enough?" he inquired.
"Nope. Keep going," Jennifer told him.
"It's already half the width of my first attempt at biscuits as it is," Severus pointed out.
"Do you want me to step in again?" Jennifer asked in a taunting tone, and apparently he took it as a challenge, touching the surface of the dough speculatively.
"Um... Father... what are you doing?" Andrew asked.
"I am attempting to discern whether or not the temperature and moisture level of this dough is still optimal for further manipulation into its intended shape," Severus replied, then looked up. "It is not," he decided, putting a bit of parchment paper on top of it so he could put it back in the ice box.
"Severus, why don't you let me take over on the tarts and you can start on the sandwiches or something?" Jennifer suggested.
"No, I am finishing what I started," Severus said firmly.
"Are you sure he hasn't been replaced with a doppleganger of some sort, Mother?" Andrew asked.
"One might wonder," Jennifer chuckled, counting yolks carefully. "Did you need something, Andrew?"
"We're late for lunch!" Quintin complained.
"I'll have some sandwiches sent up to the library for you," Mercy's voice said.
"Oh, thank you, Mercy!" Jennifer said distractedly as she got ready to make the custard.
"Is Leu here?" Andrew asked.
"He's visiting Hadrian. Uncle Augustus will bring them along tonight," Severus replied. "Andrew, feel free to come back down and help once you three have eaten. Perhaps you can learn how to make something besides sandwiches and pancakes."
"Ouch, Dad!" Andrew exclaimed. Laura cringed in sympathy, following him down the corridor towards the library. "You know what? I think this separation away from Mum this year is really starting to get to him," he told her, allowing Quintin to go up the stairs first.
"Maybe he should start seeing Conner too," Laura chuckled, following Quintin into the library.
As it so happened, Conner was the brave soul who was the first to sample one of the custard tarts when he and Lindsay arrived later that afternoon, taking a fairly large bite of it while looking thoughtful.
"Well, it's definitely not one of Mitch's," Conner decided.
"Are you honestly attempting to compare my first attempt at pastry to that of a three star pastry chef?" Severus said critically.
"Four stars now," Conner corrected, and Jennifer chuckled softly.
"Well, I like them. And his sausage rolls are even better," Jennifer said.
"Yes, because they used frozen puff pastry," Anna offered.
"No one asked for your input," Severus said curtly, and there was a ruckus in the front room as more guests arrived. Seeing that Uncle Augustus was in the mix, Anna stepped out to greet him.
In no time, the large house didn't seem quite so large as the family began to invade; and for once, there weren't any excused absences. Extra hands in the form of Lindsay, Ginger, and Alex hurried the trays to the front room, while some opted to sit around the dining room table which had become less noisy than the living room, especially with so many babies present. That was when Severus gave in and set up a small pavilion in the back for a makeshift nursery area, and Hadrian, Viorica, soon found themselves 'volunteered' to act as babysitters. Ben set up a few tables so that Jay, Rus, Truman, and some of the older kids had a place to hang out and get to know one another, while Leu made sure the younger kids were set up with food, drinks, and other distractions for their young charges.
But when Jennifer seemed to be lingering too long in the kitchen, Severus was quick to go after her, catching her making a fresh pot of coffee.
"You are going to stay in the living room and talk to your family after you've lit the Yule Log, I hope?" Severus asked Jennifer. "After all, we've had such a turnout this year because they want to see how you're doing, you know. Mercy and the House Elves can take care of the rest in here. Isn't that right, Mercy?"
"Yes, Professor. Francie, Darcy, and Ellie are both here as well to help," Mercy called out.
"There, you see?" Severus said.
"Half a moment, back up. What do mean, after I've lit the Yule Log? That's your job," Jennifer said.
"No, the Yule Log is always lit by the Head of the Family. You are the Head of the Family, as determined both by decree and by everyone signing that permission slip of yours. Therefore, you're the one in charge of lighting the log from now on. You have prepared a speech, I hope, considering that sundown is in about ten minutes from now," Severus said, glancing at his watch. Jennifer's jaw dropped.
"Oh... Severus, you'll really not going to hold me to that, are you? That was just a joke, after all..."
"Was it?" Severus said, going over to the cloak rack near the front door and pulling the permission slip out of her Chest Cloak and walking back into the kitchen again, showing her all of the names on it.
"Well... yes, but..."
"No, no buts," Severus said firmly, taking her hand and leading her through the dining room towards the living room.
"About that time, is it?" Thomas asked from where he and Augustus were chatting at the table.
"Yes, and I'm not letting her get out of it this year, either," Severus said.
"Oh, this should be good," Thomas said so dryly that it didn't inspire Jennifer much confidence as she was led into the next room.
"Very well. Everyone collect your children for the ceremony, we have about five minutes," Severus told them.
"Like it'd be a major crime if we were a couple minutes off," Lucky said, snorting softly.
"You could always go help by carrying one of the twins in," Severus suggested. Lucky sighed with exasperation at getting volunteered, coming back in with Autumn as Fleur got settled with Anthos. Beth, Ginger, and Aurelius soon came in behind her with Edgar, Branwen, and Brigid. Most of the older kids found places to sit on the floor, including Truman, who was sitting next to Jay and Rus and a little overwhelmed by the amount of family that his favorite teacher had. Corey came in last carrying Abigail and stood next to Thomas and Augustus, who stayed in the arches leading into the dining room.
"Now that everyone's here, we first need to settle a small matter between Jennifer and myself," Severus said, holding up the permission slip. "Who in this room signed this slip that names Jennifer the Head of the Snape family?" he asked, and Augustus, Hadrian, and all of their children raised their hands, along with some of the older grandkids. Even Maurice raised his hand.
"Hey! You shouldn't have gotten a vote," Thomas told Maurice. But Maurice shrugged with a smile, earning a chuckle from the room.
"I was just supporting my sister as always," Maurice replied.
"And did anyone at the time of signing this think of it as a joke?" Severus replied.
"Think it was a joke, no. Think it was funny, yes," Lucky said, and there were chuckles and agreements thrown at that as well.
"Good, then considering the majority, I believe we can consider the matter settled," Severus said, pointedly sitting down and leaving Jennifer standing by the fireplace looking quite awkward and looking as if she would rather be doing anything else.
Feeling even more overwhelmed now than she had been the day she first held her two youngest siblings, Jennifer took a deep breath.
"May my family have a good year next year," Jennifer quickly blurted out and lit the Yule Log, leaving everyone staring at her in stunned silence.
"That," Thomas said at last, "was by far the best Yule Log speech I have ever heard in my entire life," he said sincerely. In fact, it was so sincere that everyone burst out laughing. Those with drinks toasted it warmly, while Jennifer sheepishly made her way over to Severus, who shifted enough so that she could have a seat on the sofa.