Someone You Loved

Chapter 5 - Hot Chocolate and Worries

'Enter.' Severus Snape drawled as he watched the door of his private office at Hogwarts open.

'Good evening Professor.' Harry Potter said standing in the doorway.

'Mr. Potter. What do I owe this pleasure?' Severus asked wondering why the boy wonder was coming to see him.

'I wanted to talk with you sir, about Hermione and the twins.' Harry said stepping into the room and shutting the door to give them privacy.

Severus leant back in his chair and stared up at the now man who he use to teach. 'Take a seat Mr. Potter.' Severus said moving his hand to wave to his visitors seat opposite his own.

'Thank you sir.' Harry said taking a seat. 'I understand you saw Hermione last night and little Piper.'

'I did.' Severus said studying the green-eyed man in front of him. 'I have expressed to Hermione that I wish to be part of the children's lives.'

'Silas and Piper would love that.' Harry replied. 'They have always been curious about why they don't have a father and since James has been born it has become more apparent.'

Severus nodded.

'You were there Mr. Potter when they were born?' Severus asked.

'Mostly.' Harry said with a smile. 'There were parts where Hermione kicked us out.'

'Us?' Severus asked arching an eyebrow thinking of Potter and Weasley being there whilst Hermione gave birth.

Harry shook his head and laughed. 'Mrs. Wesley kicked us out once things got going. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were Hermione's birth partners.'

'I see.' Severus replied. 'I understand that you and Mr. Weasley took on a vital role after the birth of the twins. Hermione explained that you would help with the night feeds and changing.'

'Ah yes.' Harry said smiling. 'It was more the changing of nappies as Hermione breastfed for the first three months. Ron and I were on hand to change nappies and rock babies in between feeding time. She was amazing.'

'I know.' Severus said as he looked at the young man in front of him.

'Hermione told me that you wish to be part of the twin's lives.' Harry said filling the awkward silence.

'Yes, they are my children after all.' Severus said crossing his arms. 'I suppose you're here to warn me?'

'No professor. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were taking on.' Harry said.

'They are my children Mr. Potter, I want to be in their lives and I wish to be there as they grow. I have already missed 4 years.' Severus replied.

'Hermione wanted me to invite you over tomorrow morning to meet the twins. Well meet them properly.' Harry advised. 'If you accept she will tell the twins later this evening who you are. They have been asking all day about you since you told Piper that you share the same surname.'

'Of course I will be there Mr. Potter.' Severus said.

'Piper! Please stop teasing your brother.' Hermione said as she pulled them apart.

'Mummy, he stole my baby!' Piper said stomping her feet.

'Come on you two.' Hermione said holding them either side of her. 'How about we have a nice hot chocolate and cuddle up on the sofa?'

'I want marshmallows Mummy!' Silas said smiling up at his mother.

'I want whipped cream!' Piper shouted.

'We can have both!' Hermione said laughing at her children who were jumping up and down.

Hermione made three hot chocolates with marshmallows and cream. She got the twins settled down on the sofa and Hermione sat in-between them pulling a thick cream blanket across them.

'Everybody comfy?' Hermione asked as she looked at her two dark haired beautiful children.

'Yes Mummy.' Piper said as she sipped her hot chocolate.

'Now.' Hermione began. 'Do you remember you were talking about Professor Snape this morning?'

'The dark haired man mummy?' Piper replied.

'The one who upset you at the castle Mummy?' Silas replied.

'He didn't upset me darling, I was shocked to see him.' Hermione replied. 'And yes the dark haired man Piper.'

'Why were you shocked to see him Mummy?' Silas asked.

'Well I haven't seen Sev…Professor Snape for some time.' Hermione replied. 'Professor Snape was a friend of mummy's you see.'

'Was he mummy?' Piper said smiling up at her mother.

'Yes.' Hermione replied. 'Professor Snape has the same surname as you doesn't he?' Hermione said hoping her children would ask why.

'Yes why is that Mummy?' Piper asked.

'That's because Professor Snape is your daddy.' She said looking at both her children for their reactions.

'Our Daddy?' Piper asked.

'Why hasn't he come and seen us before?' Silas asked.

'That's a good question Silas and I want you to know that Daddy didn't know about you and Piper until the other day so he didn't know to come and see you.' Hermione replied. This was becoming very difficult to explain to four-year-old children.

'Does he want to see us now?' Piper asked.

'Oh yes.' Hermione said with a smile. 'He wishes to see you lots.'

'Can we see him now?' Silas asked impatiently

'Tomorrow.' Hermione replied. 'Tomorrow morning he will be here and I'm sure he will spend lots of time with you.'

'I can't wait Mummy!' Piper said jumping up and spilling her hot chocolate on the cream carpet. 'Oh Mummy! I'm sorry!' Piper cried.

'Don't panic darling.' Hermione said whipping out her wand and cleaning the carpet. 'It's okay sweetheart, you were excited.'

'Will Daddy like us?' came a small worried voice.

'Of course he will.' Hermione said turning to her little boy. 'He already does. He cannot wait to see you tomorrow.'

'Will you cry again mummy?' Silas asked placing his hand on Hermione's cheek.

'No sweetheart.' Hermione said pulling her boy to her crushing him against her. 'I promise not to cry.'

'It's okay if you do mummy.' Piper said as she placed her hands around Hermione as well.

'how about you both sleep in my bed tonight?' Hermione asked her two children.

'Yes mummy!' Piper shouted bouncing up and down.

'What about you Silas?' Hermione asked her quiet boy.

Silas nodded and smiled at his mother.