Wishing everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas! Regardless of what you celebrate at this time of year, I hope your festive period is magical. x

Severus watched as Harry bounced, actually bounced down the stairs in his Puddlemere United top.

"How long until we go, Severus?"

Severus suppressed his groan, dear gods he hoped the other two were not this hyper or he'd be leaving them with Lucius and taking his chances with Annalise and Narcissa.

"After you've eaten," he replied pointedly, as he deposited breakfast in front of Harry.

Harry pouted at him, "But I'm too excited to eat! It's Quidditch, Severus!"

"Indeed it is and you won't be going until you've eaten."

Harry sighed dramatically before he picked up his fork, "Fine. I meant to ask, what was Narcissa talking about when she said Hermione and I had a sibling bond?"

He felt Hermione still beside him, clearly waiting on him to answer.

"You have the beginnings of a bond. There are many in the magical world but in this case it is a sibling one, the elves recognised it, which is the only reason I did not murder you the first time I found you in Hermiones bed."

Harry blushed, "Ah. I still don't think I understand though."

"In your case it was spontaneous, close proximity combined with I imagine, a wish for siblings as well as familial feelings for each other, all of them lead to the beginnings of a bond. Of course in order to seal it and make it unbreakable, you need to use a spell or a ritual."
Harry paused for a moment, "And is it difficult?"

"The spell or the ritual?"
"Either? Is there a difference?"
Severus rolled his eyes, "Clearly there is a difference or they wouldn't have different titles, however the spell is easier and doesn't require blood."
Harry grimaced, "Right then, the spell, what does it involve?"

"As with any spell, it requires intent. Both parties need to be willing and something needs to be used to anchor it."
"What sort of thing?"
"Jewellery is common."

"Oh. So a spell, some jewellery and we'd be actual siblings?"

"Yes."

"What happens if you lose the jewellery?"

Severus frowned. "I do not know, most people would not be careless with such an item. I imagine as long as it's not destroyed that the spell still has its anchor."

"Oh. What makes the ritual different?"
"The use of blood, the absence of an anchor and the likely merging of characteristics, you would both change to take on aspects of each other."
Harry frowned, "Ah. That doesn't sound too pleasant, if I'm honest."

Severus snorted, "No, I imagine not, you run the risk of inheriting my nose. It's not used often."

"And if we wanted to," Harry began hesitantly, ignoring Severus' self-depreciation, "would you be against it?"

"I think that is a discussion for you and Hermione, but, no, I would not be against it."

Harry nodded slowly, "And if we did….would you then be my magical guardian instead of Dumbledore?"
Severus paused wondering how best to answer that. "Not automatically, no. It would give me a greater chance of being successful if I were to apply, however."

Harry nodded carefully, his eyes fixed on his breakfast. "And would you?"

"Apply?"

"Yes."

"If you wished me to,"

"Ok."

Beside him Hermione's eyes were glassy and threatening to overflow. He sighed, pulling her into his side. "You cannot have any liquid left in you given how often you've cried on me this year."

She choked on a laugh as she returned the hug. "Don't have conversations like that if you don't want me to cry!"

"Noted. Now eat, both of you, your Aunt Cissa will crucify us if we are late."

He stepped out of the floo at Malfoy Manor and noticed that Theo was already there. He had to contain the growl as he watched the boy hug his daughter, and kiss her on the cheek. Beside him Harry smirked slightly, "No romance, my bum." He muttered, forcing Narcissa to choke back a laugh.

The floo roared again and Annalise stepped delicately out. "Ah a welcoming party!" she beamed, her eyes landing on each of the occupants in the room before zeroing in on her granddaughter who was still next to Theo.

"Young Mr Nott, I presume?"

Hermione blushed then sighed, "Grandmother, may I present Theodore Nott, Theo, my Grandmother, Lady Fawley."

Theo froze for a moment before his years of training took over, "It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Fawley," he replied, kissing her hand.

"Hmmm. He has manners, I'll give you that. Bit on the scrawny side, but Thoros was the same until he filled out if I remember correctly. Give it a year or so dear." she said, patting Hermione's shoulder. Both Harry and Draco stifled laughs as Theo's cheeks turned pink. "You could do worse, dear. Although I would recommend trying a few before you settle."

Beside Severus, Harry couldn't contain his laughter any more. "Oh, oh Gods! Try a few!"

"There will be no trying a few of anything!" Severus growled.

"They say variety is the spice of life, Severus." Annalise replied with a mischievous smirk.

"Please. Please will someone tell me this isn't really happening?" Hermione groaned, looking at her Grandmother in horror.

"Nonsense. Eccentric relatives are character building, dear. Now, I believe there is a Diggory around your age? Arnold was a delightful specimen of a man, has his grandson taken after him?"

"Father? For the love of Merlin, please just kill me now?" Hermione begged as Harry and Draco continued to laugh, clutching their stomachs and wheezing slightly.

"Oh! Or a McLaggen! They were always so delightfully well built."

By that point even Theo was struggling not to laugh as Hermione thunked her head onto his shoulder.

"Theo, you'll put me out of my misery won't you?" she asked plaintively.

"Sorry love, I think your Father would murder me before I could lift my wand." he replied stroking a hand down her hair.

Annalise sighed dramatically, "It appears you like them scrawny. Pity, Arnold really was delightful."

Hermione groaned. "I'm never going to be able to look at Cedric the same again."

Theo snorted, "To be fair love, I think I'd rather you weren't looking at him at all."

"Nonsense, a little window shopping never hurt anyone! Especially if the boy does take after his grandfather."

"Well he certainly doesn't take after Amos" Narcissa interjected as Lucius turned to stare at her in horror.

"Do not encourage her!"

Narcissa shrugged delicately, "He doesn't. The genes must have skipped a generation. Cedric is a lovely looking boy."
Annalise nodded smugly, "Must take after his grandfather then."

"I think that is our cue to leave!" Lucius said quickly, the boys still chuckling slightly as they made their way to the floo. He ignored the way Theo kissed Hermione's cheek again before they left, murmuring something he couldn't hear. Perhaps the boy could just fall….a small tumble at the stadium, just an accident. He didn't want to kill him….just incapacitate him for a while. Five years or so should do it. Ten maybe.

"Do try not to get up to too much mischief," he said as he hugged Hermione.

"Come now, Severus, where is the fun in that?" Annalise but in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Severus shut his eyes briefly wondering if it was too late to remove Annalise from Hermione's life before she gave her ideas. He could not for the life of him imagine how that woman had managed to refrain from murdering the staid, traditional Simon. Actually, now he came to think of it, he had no idea how staid Simon had prevented himself murdering her. He wondered idly if there was something written into their wedding bond.

"Apparently I cannot promise." Hermione said with a small grin. "Enjoy the Quidditch Father."

He groaned. "Are you trying to raise my blood pressure, my girl?"

"Not deliberately." she replied with a grin as Annalise made shooing motions with her hands. Dear gods, the woman was going to drive him to drink.

Despite it not being obvious on his face, Severus was enjoying the match immensely. Harry was practically delirious as he bounced about the stadium with Draco giving him indulgent smiles as he pointed out things that both he and Theo had seen more times than they could count. When Puddlemere United won, Severus was sure that the boy was actually going to combust; he was so excited.

"Please never make me do this again." Lucius muttered into his ear. "Not unless you're helping me smuggle in a very large hip flask."

Severus snorted as he listened to the boys discussing the match and techniques they intended to incorporate into their own teams at school with half an ear.

"He'll calm down, he's never been to a match before. I'm sure he'll be less excitable next time."
Lucius rolled his eyes and sighed, "You're keeping him then?"

Severus shot him a look before he sighed, "He all but asked me to."

Lucius blinked, "Congratulations then old friend, and the best of luck." he choked on a laugh, "Dear gods you're the parent of two Gryffindors and one of them is Harry bloody Potter. I do hope you've stocked your drinks cabinet, I imagine you'll need it."

Severus rolled his eyes at him, "Arsehole."

They returned to the Manor to find all three women laughing so hard they were crying in the gardens. Severus didn't think he'd ever seen Narcissa so discomposed, it was disconcerting. He glanced at Lucius to see him looking at his wife in shock.

"Good afternoon, darling?" Lucius hedged. All three of them turned to stare at him, Hermione's eyes going particularly wide as they darted back to her Aunt before they all dissolved again.

What the ever living fuck had they been talking about? He wasn't sure he wanted to know. Narcissa had that gleem in her eye that made him seriously fucking nervous. He hadn't seen it since school, that time she'd used a slow release baldness charm on Sirius Black's shampoo and bribed a house elf to deliver it as punishment for hexing Regulus in the halls. Fuck, that did not bode well. Why had he thought leaving his daughter with her was wise? What the fuck were they teaching her?

"Um…Godfather? Do you think they're alright?" Draco asked hesitantly, looking warily at the cackling witches. Lucius was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not sure." he replied slowly, watching as Harry shrugged and wandered over to them, pouring himself a cup of tea before turning to Hermione.

"Is anyone going to explain what's so funny?"

Severus thought he caught something about dares and splinters in posteriors but he wasn't sure given how hard Hermione was laughing. Lucius apparently understood, the tips of his ears turning pink as he glared at his wife.

Annalise muttered something else that made Harry choke on his tea.

"I will survive?" he gasped, turning to look at Severus. Hermione was actually struggling to breathe, she was laughing so hard. Severus felt the colour flood his face. He was going to murder Narcissa. Beside him, Lucius was shaking with silent laughter.

"Whas the bet she got the pensive out?" he gasped.

Severus turned to look at him in horror before swiveling back to Narcissa. "Tell me you didn't?"

Hermione looked at him, tears running down her face as she swept an arm out in a dramatic gesture and choked out "Go on now go!" before she wasn't able to say anything else.

"Please, oh gods please, I'll give you whatever you want if I can see that too!" Harry gasped, laughing almost as hard as Hermione,

"No! No, absolutely not!"

"But….but, Severus! Now I know the memory exists, I need it!" He whined, still laughing.

"Absolutely not!"
"Next time you're here alone." he heard Narcissa mutter.

"He won't be here alone again!" He thundered before looking at Narcissa, almost whining, "Do you hate me, Cissa?"

"Of course not," she said breathing exaggeratedly in an attempt to calm down her hand pressed against her heart, "but you're generally composed and it does your children good to know that you act like an overdramatic idiot at times too."

"I think my children have already gathered that," he said drily, missing Theo and Draco's startled looks at his phrasing and Harry's glassy eyes as he was shocked out of his laughter. "And now that you've ensured my humiliation, I think it is time that we leave. Draco, I expect you to be in my house by eight thirty, am I clear?"
"Yes, Godfather." Draco spoke while still looking confused.

"Good. Hermione, please come here before they corrupt you any further."

Hermione rolled her eyes, a smile still tugging the side of her mouth as she leant to kiss her grandmother's cheek.

"Goodbye Grandmother, Aunt Cissa. Let's do this again soon."

"Absolutely not! You three won't be allowed in a room without supervision again!" Severus replied, with Lucius nodding his agreement.

Annalise rolled her eyes, "You two are no fun. I'm sure you have no wish to come shopping, Cissa was going to talk Hermione's mother into coming with us." Severus blanched, Annalise, Cissa and Jean? Dear gods, his reputation would never survive that. He registered that she was still speaking, "Of course we intend to do another day, a spa perhaps, Hermione said she's never been to one, with the Greengrass girl and who was it dear? Susan something?"

"Bones, Grandmother. Her Aunt is the head of the DMLE."

"Amelia? Delightful woman, I know her well. She's one of the few I can stand at the odd event I attend. Puts up with no nonsense that one. We should invite her too! I'll owl her."

"They're coming for lunch tomorrow Grandmother, Madam Bones didn't feel comfortable allowing Susan to come without her seeing as she's never been."

"Ah, you can ask then. Say the twenty seventh before Narcissa's ball? That would be delightful."
Lucius shot Severus a look."Amelia Bones is coming for lunch? Severus, you do realise that the children are up to something?"

"Yes" he groaned, "But it was arranged before I could do anything about it and in all honesty I'm hoping I'm wrong"
Lucius chuckled lightly "You could do worse, old friend. She'd keep you on your toes if nothing else."

Severus merely glared at him.

Draco appeared at eight thirty on the dot, looking almost as excited as Harry had the previous day. Severus wondered how long his kit would stay in its current pristine state. Richard had been almost beside himself being allowed to take the boys shopping for it and as a result, he had booked the morning off so he could take them to the sports hall. Severus supposed it was rather nice, Richard embracing Harry and Draco, it made him feel less guilty about monopolising so much of Hermione's time .

"Remember the rules." he said pointedly, as he held out his arms for the boys to grasp.

"No talking about magic, spells, magical creatures and keep our wands in our bags." Draco recited, rolling his eyes.

"Precisely. If you break the statute, I'm sending your mother."

Draco blanched. "Understood, Godfather."

He came back to find Hermione sprawled over the sofa in the library reading a tome almost as big as she was.

"What are you reading, my girl?"
"I was looking up sibling bonds," she replied, turning to look at him. "Would you really not mind, Father?"

Severus sighed, moving her legs so he could sit next to her, "No, I would not. I am not unaware of the nature of Harry's home life, nor am I unaware of how you view each other. However, Hermione, only do this if you are sure. Intent counts for a lot in spells such as these and if you are only doing this to appease Harry, it will not work. And I imagine the aftermath would be more damaging than just admitting you're not ready."

Hermione shrugged, "I've always wanted a sibling. I know mum and dad had considered adopting again when I had my first bout of accidental magic. They obviously didn't know what it was. I imagine it scared them and ultimately they decided they couldn't risk bringing another child into that environment."

"Oh Hermione." he sighed, pulling her into his side. "It wasn't your fault, sweetheart. You know your Uncle Lucius has been working on a proposal for the Minster that would mean parents would be told at the first show of magic?"

She nodded. "Yes. But they won't consider adopting again now, it's too late."

Severus smiled slightly, "Perhaps, but have you never considered that you've given them Harry too? And Draco to some extent. Your dad was thrilled to be able to take them to football this morning. He was almost as ridiculous as Harry when he was telling me he'd booked tickets for a game for them….and apparently me. I don't remember agreeing to that."

Hermione gave him a slightly mischievous smile. "I might have suggested it, Aunt Cissa, Grandmother, mum and I are going shopping."
"Hermione!" he groaned, "Your grandmother is a terrible influence."
Hermione snorted at him, before asking timidly, "Will I have to meet Lord Fawley again?"

"Not if you do not wish to."

"Not particularly. I don't think I was who he wanted."

"Then it's his loss, my girl. You are perfect exactly as you are."
She smiled as she snuggled closer to him, "I told you you were a marshmallow, Father."

He barked out a laugh, "Only for you, my girl, only for you."

Severus fussed with the muggle shirt Hermione had insisted he wear, feeling exposed without his layers. It was a rich forest green that Hermione had informed him suited him well but it felt too bright, too garish in comparison to his normal black. He wasn't sure how he felt about his daughter dressing him, especially when she not only insisted on colour but also him rolling his sleeves up to just before his Mark. For fucks sake, meddlesome girl that she was. He really did need to learn to say no to her.

He sighed, it was too damn late now. He heard Hermione's voice greeting their guests who had clearly just exited the floo, the girls chattering excitedly. He had too many buttons on his usual attire to chance changing, not to mention that he couldn't bear Hermione's disappointed look.

"Amelia, Miss Bones." he greeted as Hermione led them into the livingroom.

Amelia blinked stupidly for a moment, her eyes scanning him, as he fought the urge to blush.

"Afternoon, Sir." Susan giggled, nudging her aunt.

"Good Gods." Amelia said, looking flummoxed before she collected herself, smirking slightly, a look that made him nervous."Is that what you've been hiding under all that black, Severus?"

He saw both Hermione and Susan cover their mouths to hide their laughter. He was going to have strong words with that girl of his once this was over.

"Apparently." he drawled.

"I think I might approve." she said bluntly.

Fuck. What the fuck was he meant to do with this? What was the woman playing at! He knew she liked to unsettle him but really, this was ridiculous. He turned to Hermione helplessly, hoping she had some sort of input into this frankly bizarre exchange.

"I believe the correct response is thank you, Father. Societal niceties dictate that you also pay Madam Bones a compliment." she said impishly.

He gaped at the little traitor for a moment. Words. They would be having words. All the words. Was it too early to drink? It was lunchtime, so surely not. He closed his eyes for a moment, to compose himself.

"Thank you, Amelia." he replied robotically, making Hermione roll her eyes. "You look…." he frowned. "What the bloody hell are you wearing?"

Amelia choked on a laugh. "We popped into Xeno Lovegoods, I had to compliment him on his last issue of the Quibbler. He gifted me this rather glorious shawl and necklace. Apparently butterbeer corks help with….damn it, what was it, Susan?"

"Keeping the Nargles away, Aunt Amy," Susan replied with a grin.

"What in the name of Merlin are Nargles?" he asked, utterly bewildered.

"I have no idea," Amelia admitted with a grin "But he was most insistent. The shawl is made from yak wool with dried dirigible plums woven through it apparently. I believe that it's meant to help prevent Wrackspurts."

"What the bloody hell is a wrackspurt?" he almost whined, completely lost with the conversation.

"I have absolutely no idea but they don't sound like a good thing to have!" she replied laughing.

He blinked at her. "Will someone please talk sense?" he begged, making the girls and Amelia laugh.

How he had survived that lunch, he would never know, Severus mused. He felt constantly on edge as he tried to keep up with the subtext he clearly did not understand. The girls had scampered off to explore the grounds or something after lunch leaving him alone in the increasingly unsettling presence of Amelia Bones.

"How are you finding parenthood, Severus?" she asked once they were alone. "You seem to be missing the other one."

"It is…like nothing I ever thought I'd experience," he replied truthfully, "And the other one, as you so delightfully call him, is off to football training with Draco. I have to pick him up from Hermione's parents at five."

"Football training? With Draco Malfoy?" she asked faintly.

"Yes. Richard was explaining the game the last time I took Draco for dinner and the boys wanted to go." he replied with a shrug, enjoying confusing her for a change.

"Good gods, you were serious about the Malfoys meeting Hermione's muggle parents?"
"Yes." he replied with an arched brow, "Narcissa is taking Jean shopping on Saturday and I believe she is invited to the spa day Hermione invited you and Susan to."

She gaped at him, "I truly don't think I'll believe it until I see it with my own eyes."

He laughed slightly, "It is truly a sight to behold. Watching Richard explain the function of a television to Lucius was quite possibly one of the most entertaining experiences of my life."

Amelia grinned, "Gods I'd have paid good money to see that!"

"Hermione has promised to take him to the cinema before they return to school. I must admit I am looking forward to it. If nothing else, watching her bully him into muggle clothing will be funny."

"Like you, you mean?"

He rolled his eyes, "Yes. She's remarkably stubborn."

Amelia laughed at him, "Yes," she replied drily, "I cannot imagine where she gets that from."

He scowled at her, making her laugh. "It's hard to believe you're the same man, you know? The last time we met you were all stern and glowering. You looked unhappy. In fact, you've looked unhappy all the time I've known you."

He huffed out a laugh, "Do you say everything that comes into your head?"

She rolled her eyes at him, "It was just an observation."

Shooting her an amused look, he replied softly, "I was unhappy. Hermione is the first person to refuse to allow me to put up barriers. She's surprisingly tactile and wholly forgiving. I can no longer imagine what I did before her."

She smiled gently, "That's adorable, Severus. I feel similarly about Susan. She kept me afloat when I felt like I was drowning. I would be utterly lost without her." He nodded, understanding the sentiment perfectly even if he did have issues with being called adorable. "Now," she continued, "This outing with Lucius Malfoy in muggle clothing, how does one get an invite?"

He choked on a laugh, "I'll owl you. Although perhaps I should consider selling tickets. I imagine it will be more entertaining than any of us could possibly imagine."

She laughed, loudly, just as the girls reappeared looking frighteningly pleased with themselves.

"Do we want to know?" he asked looking at Hermione pointedly.

She rolled her eyes at him, "You're so suspicious, Father!"
"For good reason, my girl."

"Hermione was just asking if we wanted to get ready with her, Aunt Amy seeing as we're going to the spa with them. Lady Malfoy extended the invitation, Daphne Greengrass, Lord and Lady Fawley, and Hermione's muggle parents will be there too."
Severus looked at Hermione in surprise. "Will they?"
"Who? Mum and Dad? Yes. Aunt Cissa felt it was cruel to send mum away after the spa so they've invited them. I think Aunt Cissa warned mum that some people might be unspeakably rude to them but mum wants to see what all the fuss was about. We're picking up dresses when Dad takes you, Harry and Draco to the football."

"I see," he murmured.

"I think that sounds lovely, Susan." Amelia cut in, amusement clear on her face. "I can't wait to see what colour Hermione puts you in next, Severus. Blue, perhaps? Or a delightful Hufflepuff yellow?"
Hermione grinned as Severus spluttered. "There shall be no yellow on my person at any point!"

Hermione and Susan shared a look that sent a shot of fear through Severus. He would learn to say no if she suggested yellow, he would, damn it! Where the fuck was his whisky? He couldn't deal with this!