Dudley seemed to be in a hyper mood in spite of the early morning. Snape had talked in length with the Headmaster during the week and it was agreed that Dudley would get private tutoring in the use of magic. A special deal had to be made with the Ministry of Magic to allow it. Harry had even used his pull as "hero" to get permission. So the previous day they had taken him to Diagon Alley and gotten him a wand, basic Potions supplies, first year texts for Charms and Transfiguration and other basic supplies. The look of wonder on Dudley's face reminded Harry fondly of the first time he had visited Diagon Alley with Hagrid.
The group had worked out a Hogwarts and Ministry approved teaching timetable for Dudley. Snape, of course, was teaching him Potions, Harry was to teach him Defense Against Dark Arts, Draco had Transfiguration, Hermione Charms, Remus Care of Magical Creatures and Pansy History of Magic. Pansy had scored almost a perfect score on her NEWTs in History of Magic. Even the Ministry couldn't argue with the line-up of tutors.
Now Dudley was excited to be taking a Portkey that Hermione had arranged. The whole trip had been arranged by Hermione and that alone was enough to make Harry nervous. Somehow, he didn't think the others would allow her to schedule a day at the library but after the amusement park incident, Harry wasn't so sure. In fact, he wondered how he had managed to be allowed to plan the bar trip. 'Probably because Hermione was in on that plan,' he mused.
Hermione reached around and pulled out a large piece of wood that was serving as a Portkey. Everyone squeezed together to touch it and it was only moments later that Harry felt the wrenching feeling as he was pulled along to be deposited outside The Leaky Cauldron. Without commenting, Harry helped Dudley to his feet, remembering his own first experiences with Portkeys. Everyone else seemed to have stayed on their feet during the trip.
Finally, after checking and double-checking that they had everyone and everything, the group headed out the Muggle exit to the street. Once there, they followed Hermione as she caught a bus. They received many strange looks from the other passengers at the large group of red-heads pointing out street lights, neon shop lights, street signs, the people talking on cell phones, and numerous other "fascinating Muggle things" they were able to identify. Remus and Hermione tried futilely to get them to keep it down. Finally, Snape quieted them with a glare.
"I can't believe that look still works," muttered Fred.
"I know, we haven't had classes with him in almost ten years and he still frightens me when he looks at me like that," agreed George. Harry felt the laughter bubble inside him and he snuck a look at Snape who, judging by the smirk on his face had also heard. Their eyes met in amusement before Harry finally looked away, slightly disturbed at "sharing a moment" with Snape.
The sounds of the others faded away as Harry gazed out the window, thoughts swirling in his head. The last few weeks had been amazing. He wasn't surprised by the new depth to his relationship with Draco or with Remus. Severus, however, was a different story. The intensely disturbing kiss aside, his former professor's actions, words and overall attitude had been changing. Harry didn't detect pity, only something else. Something almost protective. He thought about the teddy bear that had taken up a permanent position on the dresser.
"Harry!" The sharp tones of his boyfriend's voice jarred him out of his musings. He realized that the bus had stopped and everyone was waiting for him. He had been so lost in his thoughts; he had completely tuned out everything around him. His face turned a bright red as he quickly followed his boyfriend off the bus.
It was several minutes before he realized where they were. Then it was only the whines from his cousin that caused him to look up. They were standing in front of a large museum in Muggle London. He let out a groan.
"The museum Hermione?" he whined.
"Yes Harry," she said with a smirk. Harry's eyes narrowed at how similar it was to Snape's smirks. "It is a great way to show these pure-bloods all about Muggle history and heritage."
Harry rolled his eyes and tried another whine. "But Hermione, we used to go all the time in primary school. I wanted to do things I never did before." He pouted at the girl who simply giggled at him.
Sulking, Harry trailed after the group, pointedly ignoring the smirk Snape was giving him. They paid the entrance fee and made their way in.
Several hours passed. For Hermione and Remus they passed in a blur. The Weasley group was torn between fascination at the items on display, reading the full descriptions for everything, and watching what the other museum patrons were doing and how they used cell-phones and even computers. For Severus, Draco and Pansy it was an extremely eye-opening experience. The beautiful artwork that was on display, the things the Muggles had managed to build and develop over time purely without the use of magic and the manners in which they were developed. Draco couldn't help but comment on the fact that in some ways, perhaps the Muggles were more intelligent than wizards, after all, wizards still used the quills and ink pots while Muggles had gone beyond that nearly a century earlier. Plus, there was all the electronic stuff that was just so fascinating.
Perhaps wizards had the strength and the power that was fueled by their magic but they certainly didn't seem to have the imagination and drive to advance.
Hermione passed on the old Muggle saying, "Necessity is the Mother of invention." Draco and Severus pondered the saying in silence for quite some time before agreeing. It certainly seemed to work for the Muggles.
None seemed to notice the lack of participation from two members of the group who were trailing behind. At least, not until their whining became louder and more synchronized.
"Oh for heavens sake!" exclaimed Snape. "If I didn't know better, I would swear that the BOTH of you were related to James Potter."
The girls started giggling as Snape rounded upon the two cousins.
"Now Severus," chided Remus softly. "James hardly ever whined. When he got bored, you know as well as I that he started planning. James bored was something to be avoided unless you wanted some spectacular pranks."
Everyone watched Snape shudder slightly. "Too true. Sadly however, I do not picture Lily as being nearly this whiney," he snarled.
Remus laughed as Harry and Dudley both tried to cower and sulk at the same time. The results reminded the entire group of a pair of five year olds.
"Then I would say it is a good thing you weren't around when she was pregnant," he said with a chuckle. "I believe Sirius and I had a running bet on as to whether James was going to strangle her or lock her in a room until the baby was born."
Harry perked up slightly at hearing stories about his mother. He was always hearing about his father and how much he looked like him. This was the first time, other than his eyes, that Harry was told he was similar to his mother. Although, on second thought, he wasn't sure it was a good thing that he shared with her.
It was from this disgusted thought that he was jerked out of by the long arm wrapping around his waist. With a smile he gazed into Draco's eyes.
"Tell you what love, why don't you and Dudley go…elsewhere and spend some time. Just make sure you are back before this place closes," he suggested with a smile.
Harry beamed at his boyfriend only to be brought back down in the very next second with the chorus of dissention from the rest of the group, the only exception being his cousin. Even Remus was shaking his head in the negative.
"Why not?" he whined.
"Because Mr. Potter," said Snape with a truly evil grin. "You wanted the childhood experience, families and all that nonsense, then you will get it. The enjoyable along with the unpleasant. And since you dragged us to that idiotic 'park' then it is only just that you join the rest of us in this place. Personally, I hope with every fiber of my being that you enjoy this day every bit as much I did that trip." Slowly Snape made his way towards Harry until he was standing right in front of him.
Harry was torn between wanting to stare up at him with defiance and wanting to scuff his feet. The snickers coming from the sea of redheads was not helping his situation at all.
"Um…Er…okay sir," he mumbled, choosing to focus on a point somewhere in the middle of the other man's chest. He felt a slight tinge of shame at the way he had tricked everyone into the amusement park. Especially when he thought of how wonderful Snape had been, getting the bear for him, the "potion incident" as they now called it, and defending him in the bar not that he thought too hard on the methods used. Harry bit his lip and resolved to try not to whine any more on this trip.
A gentle hand landed on his shoulder. Harry looked up to see Remus smiling at him. "While I may have phrased it a bit differently Harry, I have to say that I do agree with Severus. We are on a family outing and it should be experienced as such."
Harry paused as those words washed over him. Family. He liked the way it sounded. Snape had said it as well. Not as nicely but still, in a way, he had called them a family. He had taken care of Harry when he was sick, listened to him talk, defended him against an outsider and really, wasn't that what family did? He looked at the twins and Ron. The Weasley's didn't speak with Percy for three years but when Percy was injured, not once did the estrangement get mentioned when everyone was waiting at St. Mungo's for the boy to get better. They were family and that was all that mattered.
So did that mean Snape was family? Slowly he looked up at his former professor. Their eyes met for a long time both gazes steady and intense. Even the twins didn't seem inclined to break the moment.
"Did you mean it?" Harry whispered.
Snape seemed to know what Harry was referring to. He gave a short nod. Harry pulled out of his boyfriend's light embrace and launched himself into Snape's arms. The older man held himself stiffly but his arms still encircled Harry. Several seconds passed before Harry felt two more pairs of arms around them. He looked up to see Remus and Draco embracing the both of them. Next thing Harry knew, Pansy and Hermione had their arms around the entire group and Harry knew he was being hugged by his 'sisters' who also happened to be crying.
There was a long silence, before it was interrupted by three voices, seemingly in unison shouting "Group hug!" before the whole group was swallowed by the Weasleys. Harry started snickering when he felt Snape stiffening in annoyance. He looked around to realize that even Dudley and Arthur had been pulled into the hug and they were making a rather large spectacle of themselves right in the middle of the museum.
"Enough!" snarled Snape having reached the end of his tolerance levels. Dudley and the Weasleys quickly pulled away. With one last squeeze, Hermione and Pansy also pulled back, wiping their eyes.
Harry whispered "Thank you," before he turned to wrap himself around Draco. He braced himself to fake having the time of his life.
With a smile plastered on his face he turned to the group and began heading towards the next display. Something to do with a large suit of armor. He smothered a yawn, bored, as it was rather unimpressive compared to the ones at Hogwarts. And this one wouldn't even move.
Several displays later and Harry was starting to feel petulant again. His feet were dragging and once again he found himself at the back of the group with Dudley. The twins appeared to be having the time of their lives.
Finally, after an endless day, the museum announced its closing and Harry and Dudley practically raced for the exit. They caught a bus back to The Leaky Cauldron and from there everyone returned to the house. The Weasleys were chattering excitedly the entire time.
It was several hours later when everyone started to filter back to their own homes that Hermione was found to be closeted away in one of the many unused rooms of the house with the twins. The matching looks of glee on the twins' faces made Harry quite nervous and he wasn't sure if he even wanted to know. He nibbled on his lip and decided that if Hermione was part of it, then it wouldn't involve anything truly bad and brushed it off.