They had spent several more hours going over the first war after Severus had calmed down, neither of the children appearing in any rush to escape his embrace. For his part, he was reluctant to let either of them go. He had no idea when he had begun to think of them both as his, but he was beginning to realise that he could no more remain indifferent to Harry than he could his daughter. The boy had crept in and taken up residence, he would be devastated if he lost him now. It sent jolts of panic through him every time he thought about it.
During the last war, being a spy had been dangerous but all he had had to lose was his life and he hadn't valued that overly highly. Now though, he had two children to protect, more to lose. The stakes were higher than ever and he was uncomfortably aware that they had made no progress with the horcruxes. He resolved to make use of the weekends the children were away to do just that. Perhaps it was also time to consider looking into a way to remove the mark, then if it came to it, he could take his children and flee. He didn't care if he'd be branded a coward if it meant they remained safe.
He was painfully aware that he had no right to be thinking of taking Harry Potter anywhere. He wasn't his guardian and he had no claim to apply to be. Unless he pointed Hermione in the direction of the sibling binding spell. That would give him the right to claim the boy. It was something to think on. Sometime to propose when they all felt less raw.
They woke in the same position they'd been in the previous evening, curled together on the sofa as all of them had clung to each other hoping they'd all survive the current storm.
"Morning, Father." Hermione whispered, seeing his open eyes.
"Good morning, my girl. How are you?"
Hermione gave a little shrug. "Tired." she said honestly, "How are you?"
Severus snorted, "Tired and stiff, I'm too old to be sleeping on a sofa."
Beside him Harry snorted, "And too bony to be a decent pillow."
"Thank you for that assessment, Mr Potter."
The children shifted so they were seated next to him rather than sprawled over his person. He immediately missed the contact.
"You know that we can discuss last night whenever you wish. I shall try to answer any questions you may have." he swallowed harshly, "And should you change your mind and want to return to the Grangers, you need only ask."
"I….I imagine that i will have more questions." Harry said with a shrug. "But I mean what i said, Sir, as long as it's alright, I'd like to stay here. You've been more of a parent than anyone's bothered to be so far."
Severus nodded, utterly unable to speak. Hermione seemed to realise as she dropped her head onto his shoulder, snuggling in closer, not saying a word. He wondered what his life would have been like if he'd had this kind of unwavering acceptance as a child. It felt almost overwhelming. He had no idea how to process this. He had prepared for them wanting to be as far away from him as possible. He had no idea how to cope with this quiet determination to stay put. It made him feel dangerously like he was going to cry. Again. Good gods he'd sobbed like a child. He couldn't remember the last time that had happened. The night Lily had died he imagined. Unlike that time, this cry had been cathartic. He felt….lighter. He was still worried they'd change their minds and leave him but for now, he was slowly beginning to comprehend that they knew the thing he regretted most in his life and they'd forgiven him. Went out of their way to remind him he was loved. He had no idea what the fuck to do with those feelings.
"What time is Harry going to the Manor?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.
"He is due at eleven. However, after last night, if you wish to cancel I'm sure that Draco and the charity will understand."
He saw the children share a look before Hermione lifted her head. "If it's all the same, I think we'd both prefer to go. Maybe see if Mum and Dad will come here tonight though?"
He nodded before squeezing her to him in a hug, releasing her to go and get ready for the day. He realised that Harry was watching him as Hermione left the room.
He allowed the silence to drag, not sure he was ready for what he had to say.
"You know her death isn't your fault, right?"
Severus froze, before turning slowly to look at the boy. "Of course it is! If I'd never have passed on that damnable prophecy, he'd never have heard it!"
Harry shrugged.``Perhaps. Or maybe he'd have heard it from someone else. Or maybe we'd still be living in fear of him because no one could stop him. Or maybe he'd have hunted them anyway. Or maybe she'd have been run over by a bus." Severus frowned, not seeing what a bus had to do with anything. "My point is, there are any number of things that could have happened. Their deaths are the fault of their secret keeper and Voldemort. You turned spy for my mother. You risked your life daily, and admitted that your death would have been brutal if he'd found out. I think you've punished yourself enough, Severus."
Severus choked slightly as he allowed the boy to give him a careful hug, wondering why the boy was grinning as he let him go. "Hey! I've just realised, you don't actually have a jinx on your robes to prevent me from hugging you!"
Severus gave a small huff of laughter, "I can always rectify that Mr Potter. Now, away with you and get ready. The last thing we need is to give Cissa any reason to complain about your manner of dress!"
Harry laughed as he left the room, leaving Severus stunned as he pondered Harry's thoughts. He'd always held himself responsible for the Potter's deaths. Perhaps Harry was right and it was time to let go a little of the guilt. Wincing as his bones creaked as he stood, he wandered slowly up the stairs to get himself ready for the day, his mind working overtime in an attempt to process what the actual fuck had just happened.
The next two days passed in a blur of activity. He had taken Hermione to St Mungo's to introduce her to the book charity where she had spent hours discussing books with the chairwoman, Miranda Blishwick, a happy smile on her face. Miranda had invited them to tea before they left, informing Severus that she hadn't had as much fun in years at one of these things and making Hermione promise to bring her a copy of Alice in Wonderland, stating honestly that their chat now had her intrigued about what literature muggles had on offer.
"Why can't they all be like that, Father?" Hermione asked as they walked to the floo.
Severus snorted at her, "Perhaps because it is unusual to exclude all others from your conversation."
Hermione blushed, "Oh. Oh, I'm sorry! That was unspeakably rude, wasn't it?. It's just that Lady Blishwick had never heard of half the books I recommended and she seemed genuinely interested. Was she just being polite?"
Severus smiled at her gently, "Hermione, Miranda Blishwick is as vicious as any other seasoned matron, if she had not wished to listen, she would not have allowed you to speak. She informed me before we left that she hadn't had as much fun in years and invited us to tea."
"Did she really?" Hermione asked, slightly awestruck.
"Yes, my girl, she did."
"She was fascinating, Father. She's read all these books that I've never even heard of and she was telling me that she has a special room in her house for experimental charms. Apparently she doesn't do much of it any more but she used to when she was younger."
"I'm glad you had fun, my girl. Now shall we see if Mr Potter has survived an afternoon in your Uncle's care?"
Hermione laughed, "How badly could it have gone, Father?"
They found Harry sitting in front of Narcissa, who was muttering angrily, Severus' eyes immediately going wide when he took in the angle of the boy's hand.
"What the bloody hell happened?" he demanded.
Narcissa gave an impatient huff and rolled her eyes. "Lucius, Draco and Harry got into a bit of a competition."
"A competition?" he repeated dumbly, running his wand over the boy.
"Indeed. Lucius has concussion, Draco broke his broom and Mr Potter appears to have a broken wrist."
"It was wicked, Sir." Harry grinned, wincing slightly as Narcissa healed his arm and began binding it. "We were practising this move Lord Malfoy had seen…..Wronski Feint? And well….we all need a bit more practice. It's hard when you've not actually seen it."
Wronski Feint? For fucks sake. He was going to murder Lucius. It was incredibly bad manners to break someone else's child. Bloody arsehole.
He drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly, as he attempted to calm the murderous urges that had surfaced.
"Please do refrain from trying to murder yourself with any more questionable broomstick moves, Mr Potter, it would result in an excess of time spent in the aurory attempting to prove I had not engineered it."
Harry grinned at him, flexing his wrist to test it. "Thanks Lady Malfoy! And I make no promises, Sir!"
Severus rolled his eyes, "Wonderful. Now as you are due back tomorrow, shall we take our leave to allow Cissa to berate Lucius in private, however disappointing for the rest of us that may be."
Both children choked on a laugh as Narcissa glowered at him, escaping for the floo before they too encountered her wrath.
Narcissa was still glowering slightly the next morning when Severus arrived with Harry to drop him off for his own meeting with the St Mungo's Quidditch charity. Lucius looked appropriately chastened in his wife's presence.
"Right then, I'll leave you with Lucius and Draco. Do try to remember that you cannot rise to the bait. Although hopefully you arriving with Malfoys should confuse them enough that they behave."
Harry looked nervously at him. "Do you really think it will be that bad?"
"I think it is best to be prepared."
Harry sighed. "Ok. It can't be any worse than the Hogwarts lunch, really, can it?"
Severus refrained from comment as he bid the boy goodbye and flooed home. He had promised Hermione she could assist with his brewing and if they wanted to be finished by the time Harry came back, they needed to begin.
Harry came bounding back in with Draco in a flurry of excitement as between them they explained that Aiden Lynch and Gwenog Jones had been there and it had been awesome. Severus wasn't sure they had drawn breath since they'd stepped out the floo. Hermione's eyes had glazed over as she pretended to listen.
"I'm glad you had a good time," Severus cut in the moment they drew breath." However, we are due at the Grangers so perhaps you could tell us all about the rest once we are there? Draco, are you coming?"
"I…oh…. I mean…."
"Draco yes or no?" he asked with a roll of his eyes.
"Yes?"
"Fine. Floo your parents and tell them where you'll be."
Draco nodded and moved to stick his head in the floo, dispatching an elf to pass on the message.
"Right, come along then."
"Are you coming tonight too, Father?"
"Yes," he replied, not giving any more information. In truth he had sought out the Grangers after dinner the night before and explained what had happened. He hadn't had to say that he wasn't ready to let the children out of his sight lest they not come back, Jean had read it on his face. He really was going to have to work on that. The greatest occlumens of all time, foiled by a muggle dentist and a thirteen year old witch. She had immediately invited him to attend dinner as often as he needed to. For this week, at least, he selfishly intended to take her at her word. He'd work on pulling back slightly next week. The week after, perhaps. At some point before they returned to school, when he was feeling less unsettled.
Hermione pulled a face at him but nodded, "OK, Father. Who are you taking first?"
Severus paused, he hadn't thought that through, he couldn't side along three. Damn it.
"I'll take you first," he said eventually, hoping that Draco and Harry managed not to blow up the house in his brief absence. "I'll come back for the other two. For the love of Merlin do not break anything while I'm gone!"
Harry and Draco shook their heads, an expression of forced innocence on their faces. Fuck. He did not want to leave those two unsupervised.
"Come along, my girl. The sooner we leave the sooner I'm back to ensure those two haven't managed to blow themselves up."
Hermione stifled a laugh as she reached for him, allowing him to apperate her to her parents.
Jean frowned as he arrived, "You're missing one."
"Two actually, if it's alright. We appeared to have acquired Draco for the evening."
Jean shrugged, "What's one more? He seems like a nice boy the little we've seen of him."
"I shall return for the boys, then."
Jean nodded absentmindedly, already reaching for Hermione and ushering her into the livingroom, chatting about the day.
He returned home to find Draco and Harry suspiciously exactly where he left them. He pinned both of them with a look. "Do I want to know?"
Both of them shook their heads wildly as Lori appeared in the room. "The master needs to be getting better wards on his whisky, yes he does! Lori has scolded those bad boys. The young master should know better!"
Severus froze. Fuck. Draco would pick up on that phrasing. He chanced a glance at the boy, sure enough he was watching him curiously. Potter, thank the gods, was oblivious.
"Thank you, Lori." he replied quickly before turning his glare back to the boys who were shifting sheepishly.
"It's just that we've never tried it, Godfather! And we were curious!"
Severus rolled his eyes. "And one day, I shall allow it. Today is not that day. We will discuss a suitable punishment when we return. It is rude to keep the Drs Granger waiting."
Both boys paled. Good. Little sods thinking they could help themselves to his whisky.
He deposited them in the hall at the Grangers."I expect you both to be on your best behaviour." he warned.
They both nodded, before following him into the livingroom where Richard was already arguing with Hermione about football of all things. Draco was watching them curiously.
"What's that?" he blurted.
Richard turned to look at him. "The game?" At Draco's nod he continued, "It's football, lad." seeing that Draco still looked confused, Richard grinned. "Come and sit by me Draco and I'll explain."
He was still answering Draco's numerous questions when dinner was served, Jean rolling her eyes exasperatedly.
"There's a week's intensive training at the local gym over the summer if you're that interested. I think its next week with the option to continue the week after." she announced, handing Severus a leaflet.
"Can we, Godfather?"
Severus closed his eyes, wondering what the likelihood of Draco breaking the statute within the first hour was before he realised that that was Lucius' problem, not his.
"You'll need to clear it with your parents, but I do not see why not. I assume you wish to join him?"
Harry looked momentarily startled, "Could I?"
"If you wish."
Both boys grinned, looking at each other. "Yes!"
The evening passed fairly pleasantly, Draco managing to behave himself, mainly by cornering Richard and getting him to describe leagues. Before they left Richard promised that he'd take him and Harry to a game, saying slightly ruefully that Hermione humoured him but wasn't particularly interested.
When they arrived home Severus sat Harry and Draco down, both of them paling slightly as they realised that they had forgotten about their punishment.
"What do you think is reasonable?"
The boys looked at each other.
"An apology and a promise never to do it again?" Draco hedged.
Severus held in his amusement, "Nice try. Perhaps you should assist the elves in cleaning the glassware?"
Draco blanched, "I don't know any cleaning spells!"
Severus waved a hand dismissively, "No matter, you won't be needing them. The glassware is delicate, the elves do it by hand."
"By hand?" he repeated as if he'd never heard the phrase before.
"Yes, Draco, by hand. I'll be expecting you tomorrow. Now go home!"
"Right…ah, bye Godfather, Potter!"
Severus held in his laugh as he watched his godson race to the floo. No doubt to complain to Lucius. He half hoped the boy was stupid enough to complain to Narcissa, she'd double the punishment merely because he was silly enough to be caught.
"I ah…..think I'll just go and find Hermione for a bit before bed." Potter stuttered, moving towards the door, presumably before he could find something else to add on to their punishment.
Despite Draco's ongoing complaints both he and Harry survived cleaning the extensive amounts of glassware Severus owned, both of them promising not to touch his whisky without permission ever again after he warned them that the next time they were so stupid he'd make them do the bathrooms.
Now, he was preparing to leave for the Manor, Simon Fawley having accepted his invitation to tea. He was dreading it. The week had been more than long enough already and it was only Thursday. Still he had Quidditch to look forward to tomorrow, part of him admitting that he was desperate to see Harry's face the first time he experienced a professional match. Although he'd have to warn the boy not to attempt any of the moves without supervision. God alone knows what he'd break if he did.
He turned as Hermione and Harry entered, inwardly smirking at their choice of robes. It was one way to make a statement, and surprisingly, the navy suited them both well.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked softly, watching as Hermione straightened her spine, a look of determination washing over her face.
"Yes. He's just a man. Is he bringing his wife?"
"Lucius said he was." He shrugged, but he had to admit that he was curious about Annalise Fawley. He wondered why Simon had kept her hidden. "Come along then, let us get this over with."
He watched with some amusement as Hermione marched, straight backed and determined towards the floo, calling out Malfoy Manor before being whisked away in a swirl of green.
"She will be alright, won't she, Severus?" Harry voiced nervously from beside him, looking at the floo with concern.
"I have no idea how today will go." he replied softly, "but she is strong enough to handle whatever Simon Fawley throws at her. After all, we will be here to pick up the pieces will we not?"
"Yes, Sir." he said softly.
"Well then let us go and ensure she is not left alone with him."
They arrived to find Narcissa standing with Hermione.
"They're both in the small dining room." She said when he stepped out the floo, "I assumed you'd want to escort her. For appearances sake."
Severus nodded, holding out an arm for Hermione to take. Harry looked momentarily confused before doing the same for Narcissa who gave him a shark-like grin, "Oh this will indeed be interesting," she commented lightly before taking his arm.
Simon stood as they entered, his jaw slackening slightly at the sight of Narcissa on Harry Potter's arm. Behind his back Lucius couldn't contain his grin.
"Lord and Lady Fawley, I assume you remember Lord Prince? May I present his daughter Hermione and of course, you'll recognise her brother, Harry Potter."
"Her brother?" Simon spluttered.
"Spontaneous sibling bond." Narcissa laughed lightly, "They're so rare, aren't they? And one must not argue with magic itself. I imagine they'll seal it before school?"
Hermione shot him a look, that if he interpreted correctly might mean he would have to keep a careful eye on her wand. Clearly she'd realised they'd been keeping something else from her. Regardless, he could have kissed Narcissa. He had been wondering how to bring that up, not that he was sure how she knew. He put that at the back of his mind for just now, Simon was still sputtering as he eyed Harry distastefully. He wasn't sure but he thought he might have caught Annalise smiling.
"Its lovely to meet you, dear." Annalise cut over her husbands blustering, "You look remarkably like your mother."
Hermione smiled slightly at the woman, looking her over, he assumed for a hint of resemblance.
"It's lovely to meet you too, Lady Fawley."
There was a flash of something in Annalise's eyes that if he hadn't been paying attention he would have missed. Pain perhaps. Regret, definitely.
Still, she smiled gently, "Annalise, dear. Perhaps if you're willing we'll work our way up to Grandmother."
"Don't be absurd Annalise!" Simon cut in making Hermione jump. "The girl will adhere to correct titles, you are her Grandmother and she will not disrespect you by calling you anything else."
"Sit down, Simon and be quiet ." Annalise replied, her voice cold. "I allowed you your little club with that madman and it cost me my daughter. You will not cost me my granddaughter as well with your nonsense. Am I clear?" Simon glowered at her. "I swear to Morganna, Simon, if you cannot behave I will send you back to the Priory." she bit out.
Severus had to work not to openly gape as Simon Fawley seemed to deflate under the glare of his wife, now understanding perfectly why she had never been invited to any of the events. During the Dark Lords reign she'd have been murdered, or perhaps she'd have done them all a favour and murdered him. All of a sudden he had a very good idea of where his daughter had gotten her Gryffindor tendencies from. The thought of anyone describing the Death Eaters as a little club was laughable.
Narcissa cleared her throat delicately, pointedly glaring at Lucius who appeared to be struggling to contain his laughter.
Hermione glanced at him warily as they sat, clearly not sure what to make of this.
"Narcissa tells me you're a Gryffindor, dear?" Annalise smiled as if she hadn't just been scolding her husband like a small child.
"Ah, yes." Hermione replied tentatively, "The hat considered all four houses, but I felt that Slytherin was probably a bad idea given their views and I'm not convinced I would have made a good Hufflepuff. It was almost a hatstall between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, in the end it decided that if I was sure Slytherin wasn't for me, I needed Gryffiondor to ensure I did more than study."
"I didn't know that." Severus commented lightly.
"To be fair, Father, how many muggleborns would have admitted to almost being sorted into Slytherin?"
He inclined his head, "Fair point."
"And this romance with young Mr Nott?"
Hermione blushed slightly, "There's no romance." Both Harry and Draco choked.
"Your brother appears to disagree, Dear."
Hermione bit her lip. "He writes to me, we've had a few dances. I like him but not enough to consider the betrothal everyone keeps pushing for."
"Quite right dear, no one needs tied into binding contracts at fourteen." Annalise said, looking pointedly at her husband.
Hermione blinked, "You don't think I need to be looking at a betrothal?"
Annalise smiled, "There is a reason I do not attend all the luncheons and balls, dear. I always leave feeling like I want to hex the more traditional members of our society. Incidentally, I am gratified to hear, Nephew, that you have ceased your talks regarding young Draco."
Lucius looked startled to be pulled into the conversation, shifting uncomfortably, "Yes well, it was pointed out that I had no idea what Draco was looking for in a spouse, so we stopped until that is slightly clearer."
Across from him, Draco looked stunned as Annalise nodded approvingly, understanding dawning on her face. "Very wise, Nephew. Now Mr Potter, how is it you came to be acquainted with my Granddaughter?"
Harry gulped. "Ah, we're in Gryffindor together?"
"THat sounded more like a question than an answer, young man."
Harry straightened his spine, shooting Severus a panicked look. "We are in Gryffindor together Lady Fawley."
"But that is not how you became friends?"
"Ah no. There might have been a small incident with a troll."
Annalise zeroed in on Severus. "A troll?"
Severus sighed, "Yes a troll. Our defence professor at the time thought it was wise to bring one into the castle as a distraction from other things."
"WHat other things, Severus?" she asked her voice hard.
"He was attempting to steal the Philosopher's stone."
There was an immediate hush over the table before Annalise spoke again, "Please do explain why the philosopher's stone was in Hogwarts and not in the possession of Nicholas?"
"I believe that explanation can only be given by Albus." he replied lightly.,
"I see. Simon, I shall be taking up my post on the Board of Governors again. It appears things have become lax in my absence. Were you aware, Nephew?"
"At the time, no. I have heard the story now."
"And that story is?"
Lucius cringed. "Ah, three children beat the security measures set and collected the stone. The rumour is the Dark Lord was residing inside the defence professor."
"His face was on the back of his head." Harry said with disgust.
"You were one of the children?" Annalise asked sharply
Realising his mistake Harry cringed, "Yes." he replied sheepishly.
"And you?"
Beside him Hermione appeared to sink down in her seat. "Yes." she sighed.
"And the third?"
"Ron Weasley."
"Three first years?" Annalise asked incredulously. "How poor were these protections, Severus?"
"Apparently very," he replied sardonically. "I have no idea what they actually were, beyond my own."
"Well?" Annalise asked, looking pointedly at Hermione.
Hermione sighed, seeming to give in to the inevitable. "Devil's snare, enchanted keys, another troll, an enchanted chess set, a logic puzzle and the mirror of Erised."
"That? That was your protections?" Annalise asked, scandalised.
"Apparently so. As I said, it is a discussion for Albus."
"And I shall be having it!"
Severus almost smiled at that thought. He wondered if she'd allow him to watch.
"Now dear, I would like to see you again before you go back to school and perhaps you would allow me to meet with you on one or two of your Hogsmeade weekends. I would dearly love to be introduced to your young Mr Nott. I think perhaps I should also meet your parents."
Hermione blinked, "My parents?"
"Yes, dear. Your parents. I imagine this is not quite what they anticipated for the last year however as I understand it they have accepted your father into the fold without complaint. Hopefully they will be willing to do the same for an old woman."
"You are hardly old…..Grandmother." Hermione spoke softly.
"Yes, well, I'm old enough." Annalise replied, sounding suspiciously choked. "Do owl me and let me know."
At Hermione's nod they moved onto other things, Annalise securing an invitation for the following day where Narcissa had been due to spend time with Hermione while Severus and Lucius took the boys to Quidditch. Simon barely said a word, mulishly sipping Firewhiskey in the corner as he watched the rest of them with barely concealed resentment.