Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Harry knew this was coming, his dad had mentioned it before so that he could get used to the idea. He had even been asking when they were going to get married so he guessed he was already used to the idea. He really liked Narcissa and Draco could be fun, when he wasn't being a prat... "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Harry," Severus said with a small smile.
Narcissa gave Harry a smile and then looked at Draco. "Dragon, I mentioned that things were leading to this. Remember?"
"Yes, I just didn't know it would be now," Draco said finally.
"Maybe we should have waited to say anything," Narcissa murmured.
Severus leaned back in his chair. "I have come to care very much for you and your mother, Draco." He said quietly. "I would like very much for us to be a family." He looked at Harry. "Harry and I became a family years ago and now I would like to add to it. I know what you have been through, and I'm not trying to replace anyone," Severus said carefully.
"Right," Draco fidgeted a little. "So, what will change? My name? Our house?"
"When is the wedding?" Harry asked.
"Will we be in it?"
"I won't have to give a speech, right?"
"Since we're all becoming a family, will guests give us gifts too?"
"Draco!"
"Like you weren't wondering, Harry!"
"Slow down!" Severus shook his head, giving Narcissa a relieved look.
"We haven't picked the date yet but it will be next summer," Narcissa said. "Gives me time to plan and you two can get through your first year at Hogwarts without interruption." Her pale blue eyes brightened. "There's the dress, the flowers, the guests, dress robes for you, the music, the venue -"
"Just tell us what you want us to wear and the where and the time," Severus said in a bored voice.
Narcissa gave him a mild glare. "Don't you want to help with any of the decisions?"
"No," Severus said honestly.
"Men," Narcissa grumbled, though her eyes shone with amusement.
"So will they move in with us?" Draco asked.
Narcissa gave Severus a quick glance. "Actually, we were thinking of finding a new home. A new place to make new memories."
"As long as we aren't moving to their house," Draco licked his spoon.
"Draco Malfoy!" Narcissa hissed.
"It's small!" Draco protested. "Harry and I would have to share his tiny room!" He looked alarmed.
Harry couldn't help but laugh at the over dramatic look on Draco's face.
"Don't you think it's small?" Draco demanded.
"I've lived in smaller," Harry said as he returned to his melting ice cream.
Severus looked at his son in concern. It was rare indeed that Harry brought up anything to do with the Dursley's. It worried him, he didn't want this huge change to bring up anything bad for Harry. Or Draco. He looked over at the eleven year old blonde who was sulking because his mother was scolding him. He knew Draco had some behavioral problems since Lucius had passed so he was doing his best to be patient, even though he couldn't stand it when either one of the boys acted like brats.
"I like our house," Harry whispered to his dad as they walked. "Are you going to sell it?"
Severus paused, gesturing for Narcissa and Draco to go on. "No, it can be kept in the family if you would like." He said slowly. He had once hated that house, growing up their had been a bad experience but over the years the memories he had made with his son had changed how he viewed the house. "Perhaps one day, when you are much older, you would like to live there again?"
"How old?" Harry asked brightly.
"Thirty? Thirty-five?" Severus suggested.
Harry snickered as they entered Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was dark inside, many owls of different colors and species watching them.
Draco was standing in front of a buffy-brown eagle owl, with vivid orange eyes. "Mother? Can I have this one?" He asked eagerly. The owl gave a deep, booming hoot as if agreeing.
"Sure Dragon," Narcissa said as she opened her purse. "This is your going off to Hogwarts present. Plus this way you can send me letters telling me everything."
"Won't you be visiting Hogwarts?" Draco asked.
"Well, as much as I can," Narcissa said, winking at Severus.
Harry was wandering the store when he caught the gaze of a large, beautiful snowy owl. It's golden eyes almost captivated him. It was almost like he could hear a voice say, 'you're the one.'" He doubted his dad would get him an owl, as he had just gotten an expensive broom for his birthday and Harry didn't need to send letter home as his dad would be at school with him. He gazed wistfully at the owl. "Hi," He whispered.
The owl gave a soft hoot in response.
"Harry," Severus stood next to him. "Well, now that is a beautiful owl."
Harry nodded.
"Would you like her?"
Harry turned and stared at his dad. "Really?"
Severus nodded. "Having a familiar can be a very important part of childhood. I can see you have bonded with this one already."
Harry looked back at the owl. "But you already bought me a broom and I don't have anyone to send letters to." He said hesitantly.
Severus put his hand on Harry's shoulder. His son still sometimes struggled with believing he deserved things, not that Severus spoiled him by any means but even giving him an allowance had been hard for Harry to accept. It was an issue he and Narcissa needed to discuss as he knew Draco was quite spoiled and used to getting what he wanted, at least with material things. He didn't want to either boy to be spoiled to where they didn't appreciate what they had. "She's yours, Harry. Besides, I believe Molly Weasley will be expecting letters from you like she does her own children. I'm sure Narcissa would appreciate some letters from you as well," He had fought it initially but the Weasley's had been good for Harry and it had helped to get parenting tips from them. However, he still didn't understand how they could cope with seven children. Merlin, seven.
Harry threw his arms around his dad's waist. "Thank you, thank you!"
Severus held him for a moment. "You are welcome."
"My, she's a beauty," Narcissa said admirably when she saw Harry holding a cage with his new owl in it.
Draco was holding his own owl's cage, his eyes bright. "I've named mine already. Scorpius!"
"Scorpius?" Harry repeated.
"Yeah, it's the name of one of the constellations of the zodiac." Draco said.
"Oh," Harry said, trying to sound knowing. He was reminded that Draco was really smart and had even brewed potions a few times with him and his dad. It seemed natural to him whereas Harry really needed to concentrate, he got too easily distracted according to his dad. He chewed his lower lip worriedly. Having a brother who was smarter and better at potions would be hard.
"What are you going to name yours?"
"Don't know yet," Harry said.
"Maybe you'll get an idea from your books," Severus suggested. "As I'm sure you'll want to get a head start on reading."
"Before school even starts?" Harry groaned.
Severus sighed. "Must we go through this every year?"
Harry grinned. "Yes." He had always had to start reading ahead before school would start each year with Professor Burbage and Professor Sinistra. His dad had insisted on it, saying it was better to be prepared and already have some idea of what you would be learning. Harry figured complaining about it was now a good tradition to keep.
"I'll be getting a head start on reading my books, especially my potions one," Draco said in a superior voice.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Draco is looking forward to potions," Narcissa said with a fond look at her son.
"I am too," Harry said with a glance at his dad. He was, though he was nervous about messing up. It would be strange having his dad as his teacher. More pressure to not make a mistake.
"Wonderful, I'll be sure to call on you both to answer questions during our first class," Severus smirked.
Harry was happy to see Draco looked alarmed at this as well. At least he had one up on Draco, he was familiar with the Hogwarts castle already and all the professors. He also knew a lot of the students already. Draco had visited the castle over the years but it had never been home to him like it had for Harry.
When Harry and Severus arrived home, Harry started to head upstairs when his father stopped him.
"Are you truly fine with my marrying Narcissa?" Severus asked.
Harry tilted his head. "Dad, I've told you before that I was. I like her. And I want you to be happy."
"I already am happy," Severus insisted. "I'm just adding to it." He hesitated. "I just want you to be happy with this. It is a big change."
"I knew it was coming," Harry shrugged. "Like I said, I like Narcissa. Draco, well, he can be a prat but he can also be okay."
"You two get along...mostly." Severus said with a small chuckle. "Perhaps make a harder effort as we adjust?"
"Will he?"
"I should hope so," Severus said with a frown. "We will all need to make an extra effort, I should think."
That evening, Harry was flipping through his History of Magic book when he came across a name he liked for his new owl. He walked over to the cage, the door was open as he didn't want her to feel trapped. He reached in and stroked her back. "I found a name for you. Hedwig. What do you think?"
Hedwig gave a loud hoot which Harry took to mean she liked it.
HP
Narcissa closed up her boutique, ready to pick up Draco from Tracey's house and head home. "Well, well," A voice said quietly. "Narcissa, such surprising company you keep."
Narcissa turned around."Mr. Nott," She said in an even tone.
He glanced at his wife. "We heard you have been spending time with Severus and his...son."
"Yes, and? What concern of that is yours?" Narcissa asked.
"Well, really Narcissa. How can you go from a great man like to Lucius to someone like Severus?" Mrs. Nott sniffed. "He adopted that boy, really what was he thinking?"
"Harry is a wonderful child just as Severus is a wonderful man," Narcissa said. "As for Lucius, good riddance. He was a monster."
Mr. Nott shook his head. "Such a disappointment you are. And poor Draco, what would his father think? Hopefully you haven't corrupted him too badly."
"Me corrupt him?" Narcissa laughed. "He finally has a chance for a real future now."
Mr. Nott sighed. "Such a waste. Your poor parents only had one daughter who upheld their traditions."
"Yes, and where is dear Bella now?" Narcissa mocked. "Insane and locked up. And if you were so loyal to the Dark Lord, why are you walking around free?"
Mr. Nott glared at her. "You should watch yourself, Narcissa. There are many who quite displeased with you and your choices."
"I couldn't care less," Narcissa said coolly. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
HP
Harry woke up feeling excited. He was finally going to be a Hogwarts student! "I can't believe I can finally ride the train," Harry said with satisfaction as he ate his breakfast.
"You have been looking forward to it since you were five," Severus said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"And I can come see you, right?"
"Yes, you know you will always have a room in my quarters," Severus said. "If it is after curfew, you will need to first let your Head of House know. Unless I am your Head of House."
Harry fiddled with his glass of pumpkin juice. "If I don't get in Slytherin, will you be disappointed in me?" He asked quietly.
Severus set down his cup. "Of course not," He frowned. "Do not think that, Harry. I will be proud no matter what House you are in."
"Even if it is Gryffindor or Hufflepuff? I know you don't like those Houses very much."
"That's not true," Severus said. He smirked a little. "All right, it's mostly not true. I have found Gryffindors to be somewhat reckless and lazy and Hufflepuffs always nervous and their feelings easily hurt."
"And Ravenclaws can be know-it-all's and Slytherins manipulative...oops, that's what Minerva says." Harry gave his dad an innocent look. "You say Ravenclaws are eager to learn and Slytherins are ambitious."
"That's right. I've told you not to listen to Minerva," Severus pretended to scold.
Harry laughed.
"Remember though, it is Professor McGonagall in class," Severus warned. "Just as I am -"
"Professor Dad?" Harry gave him a lopsided grin.
"Such a cheeky brat," Severus sighed.
"I know, you're Professor Snape, the strictest, meanest teacher Hogwarts has ever seen." Harry said.
Severus shook his fork at him. "Do not forget it. I have spent years cultivating my reputation." He paused. "I will have to treat you like everyone else in class, no special treatment." He warned.
"I know," Harry said. "What if I mess up in Potions?" He blurted out.
Severus studied his son. "Harry, you most likely will at some point or another. That is part of learning. If I say something about it during class, it's because I want to point out where you went wrong so that you know for next time. Also potion making can be very dangerous so when I call out a student for messing up it is not only for their benefit but for the everyone who might make that same mistake. Now if I think you aren't trying or paying attention, that is a different story." He sent their empty dishes to the sink with a wave of his wand.
Hogwarts Train, September 1st
"Now make sure write to me," Molly Weasley said, trying to smooth down Harry's hair.
"Yes Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, wondering why she bothered with his hair. It never stayed down.
"I better go see my brood off," Molly smiled at Severus. "Good luck this year, Severus."
"With another Weasley attending, I'll need it," Severus said a touch snidely.
Molly just laughed and turned away. "Fred, make sure not to drop -"
"I'm not Fred! Honestly Mum, can't you tell us a part by now?"
"Oh, sorry George. Now make sure not to drop those bags."
"I won't. Oh, and I am Fred!"
Severus had been watching and rolled his eyes.
"She always falls for it," Harry said in amusement.
The train whistle sounded, warning everyone it was time to board.
"Enjoy your train ride and behave yourself," Severus said. "And do not overeat from the sweets trolley."
"I won't," Harry promised. "There's Ron! And Neville!" He waved to get their attention.
"Go on," Severus patted his shoulder. "I'll see you you this evening at the Welcoming Feast."
Harry gave his dad a quick hug and then went off to join his friends. He passed Narcissa and Draco.
"Harry, what an exciting day," Narcissa said brightly, giving him a hug. "Please write me when you get a chance and tell me about your sorting and classes, all right?"
"I will," Harry said. "Draco, Ron and Neville are about to board the train. Come on!"
Narcissa gave Draco a big hug. "I'm going to miss you Dragon. Make sure you write me."
"Yes Mother," Draco said.
Severus joined them. "See you boys soon."
Narcissa leaned into him as they watched their sons' run off. "I can't believe this day is here." She sniffled, conjuring a handkerchief.
"You're not going to make a spectacle of yourself, are you?" Severus asked lightly.
Narcissa gave him a look. "It's easier for you, you get to see them. You don't have to go months -"
"Months? I thought you were going to visit some weekends?"
Narcissa smiled sweetly. "Well, if you insist dear."
Severus shook his head. "I'll keep you updated on them. And I will write to you."
"Everyday?" Narcissa batted her eyes. She knew he would be too busy.
"A couple times a week," Severus stroked her cheek. "Maybe a few times. I will miss you."
"You're going to make me start crying all over again," Narcissa said as she hugged him. "I'll miss you too. I love you, Severus."
"I love you, my Narcissa," Severus kissed her gently.
"I'll keep you appraised of all the wedding plans!" Narcissa called after him, a mischievous look on her face.
"Oh, please do," Severus said sarcastically as he made his own way to Hogwarts. He hid a smile as he heard Narcissa's laughter.
TBC