Hello all! Well it is Finals season but I did have just enough time to finish this chapter. Happy chapter, nice chapter. Though with a little bit of angst, because I am incapable of resisting temptation and I love myself some hurt boys.

It's nice and long so I hope you enjoy it. There are only a few more chapters with Harry during the summer, got to start moving towards school, though I need those few chapters to set some stuff up. Hope you all enjoy and thanks to everyone who reviewed.

O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O

"Today we are going to the park." Alex announced.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Snape lowered his paper to gaze at his husband.

"A park? A patch of greenery that humans have designed in an attempt to forget that they have already destroyed the natural world around them. An area for families and the community to gather and interact." Alex snarked back.

"I suppose you think that was wit?" Snape asked with an arched eyebrow. "I know what a park is, you annoyance. Why in the world do you think we are going to a park?"

"Because it is Saturday. The weather is nice for once in this sun-forsaken country of ours. You have spent near every day of this summer in the basement in your lab. To make it worse, you have seemed to have corrupted Harry. So we will be going out."

"Will we?"

"Yes." Then the silent staring contest started. The quiet battle raged on for a full two minutes.

"I have work to do." Snape said, looking to pick the newspaper up again.

"You have three hours." Alex commanded. "If you do not join us in that time you will be punished in a most horrific way." The silent war continued, both men refusing to back down. However, the appearance of the threat seemed to shift the tide since Snape eventually sighed and pulled the paper closer to his face. "Now off you pop, Harry. Go change your clothes and I'll have everything packed by the time you are back down."

Harry bolted up the stairs, eager to get out of the house. While he did enjoy being there, there was a lot to be said about being under the sun. He couldn't leave the house without permission and he wasn't stupid enough to try and sneak out. He quickly slipped into a pair of jeans, a graphic tee and a pair of trainers. The sun was out and it was the middle of summer but it was still Britain, so the day was still retaining a bit of its chill. He patted Hedwig on the head, getting an indignant hoot and he shouted his goodbyes to Labyrinth. By the time he came barreling down the stairs Alex was at the door, a wicker picnic basket in hand. He was wearing a pair of jeans as well, a solid emerald green t-shirt and a pair of sunglasses.

"Are you ready? Well let's get you spelled up so we can be on our way." He motioned Harry closer and pulled out his wand. He went through the complicated steps of the spell with practiced ease. Soon he was following Harry out of the door and into the sun, taking a moment to turn and shout. "Remember, three hours! Or I am bringing out the fish!"

"The fish?" Harry inquired as they made their way down the road.

"Don't ask." Alex said with a little smile, fully aware that he was only making Harry more curious. It was a short walk to the park, barely ten minutes. Soon the paved streets turned to green lined cobble stone. The park they went to was fairly large. It was a vaguely ovular shape, surrounded by a paved a path with small cobble stone walkways. On one end of the park there was a pond, crystal clear blue with s flock of duck that seemed to perpetually bob on its calm waters. On the other end there was a large swatch of land that had been split into two areas, a football pitch and the bar area.

The bar area was a little shack that sold beer and mixed drinks in the after nood, an off shoot of the pub a little ways down the street, and the green lawn that surrounded it. There were lounge chairs and beanbags that were open to the public so that people could enjoy a drink with friends outdoors. But it was still early so the pub wouldn't open for another couple hours.

"We should feed the ducks." Alex smiled, heading over to the pond.

"What? Really?" Harry gave a surprised chuckle. He couldn't think of a time that he had actually fed ducks. Given scraps to stray cats maybe. Every year students got raw meat and fed them to the giant squid. But ducks?

"Of course! It is summer. You feed ducks." He said, as if that was the most obvious statement that could be made. As they walked to the lake the ducks began to drift closer to the bank, quacking happily at the sight of the approaching wizards, knowing that they were going to get a tasty treat. Alex put the basket on the ground and opened it. He reached in, his arm sinking in until he was down to his shoulder. He rooted around before he pulled out a bag of seeds.

"I thought you fed ducks bread?" Harry questions, accepting the bag when it was handed to him.

"It's not good for them. It has too little nutritional value. They fill up on bread and don't eat what they should. It can make them sick. Well go on. Give them a toss."

Harry dug his hand into the bag and grabbed a small handful of the seeds. He tossed them like he was trying to skip a rock. There was a flurry as the area was swarmed with ducks. He smiled, enjoying the sight. When most of the seeds were nipped up he tossed out another hand. He felt the sun warm his skin. There was a small breeze ruffle past him. He reached up to brush at his fringe but stopped himself. He wasn't in the wizarding world, he didn't need to hide his scar. Here, it didn't matter that he was Harry Potter. Here he wasn't even Harry Potter at all. Instead he was just Snape's nephew, a normal teenage boy. A boy feeding the ducks, not the savior defeating dark wizards or a celebrity avoiding the public.

A swell of pleasure rose up in him. A sense of peace permeated the air, which was occasionally broken with the unhappy quack of a duck taking offense to the speed at which they were tossing out food. He turned to look at Alex. The man had squatted down, offering his hand to a tiny duck that had been brave enough to waddle out of the water to get his food directly. He had a soft smile on his face as he looked down at the little creature. There was a sense of calm that always surrounded the man. Even when he was excitable and joking. Harry figured it was the peace that came with having a good life. Not perfect, but good. Silently he hoped that one day he would find that sort of serenity. That all that he has been through, and will eventually go through, will become something long in the past. That he can feed ducks with the same easy grin as the man in front of him.

"FUCK! Bastard!" Alex cursed. He was shaking his hand, no doubt smarting from the painful bite the duck had just landed on his fingers. Harry laughed as he swore like a sailor. The duck had waddled off, and if ducks had the ability to look smug this one certainly was trying. The beast wandered up to the edge of the pond, taking a moment to look back at the now furious lawyer with a smile in its little eyes. Harry roared, his side hurting from the pain of his laughter as Alex threatened.

"Goddamn duck! That's it, we are having duck for dinner. I'll keep you alive as I pluck every feather you beast!" He yelled to the now retreating bird.

"Alex! Yoohoo!" A voice called from behind them. Mrs. McArthur was approaching them. She was wearing a bright yellow dress that was covered in pink flowers. She had a wide brimmed sun hat on her head. She waved as she approached them. Trailing behind her was a boy. He was taller, standing a full head higher than the woman. He was obviously her son, he had her same face shape and eyes. He was lanky, limbs long from a recent growth spurt no doubt. He had short brown hair that been spiked up. He was wearing a football jersey and a pair of shorts, a football tucked in the corner of his arm.

"Mrs. McArthur." Alex beamed, his righteous anger gone in a flash.

"Sherry. You promised." She admonished with a wagging finger.

"Of course. Of course, my apologies. Out to enjoy the weather?" He questioned.

"It is quite beautiful today. I figured that since Daniel was coming out to play that I would join him in the sun. I can see that you are feeding the ducks. It is good to see you again Harry." She jumped happily through her conversation, the pleasant smile on her face never wavering.

"You too." Harry replied.

"This is my youngest son Daniel. I did promise that I would introduce you two. Daniel, this is Harry, he is Severus's nephew. He has been staying with them this summer."

"Nice to meet you." Daniel addressed Harry with a crooked grin.

"Nice to meet you too."

"I was just talking to Daniel about his football game. It seems like they have an uneven number since Molly's boy got the summer flu and can't join. Here I was thinking that you might want to join them." Mrs. McAthur offered.

"I'm not sure. I haven't played in a really long time." Harry suddenly felt very nervous, he dug the toe of his shoe into the dirt.

"That's okay." Daniel said. "We are just playing for fun. Plus we do really need another person to join so that everyone can play."

"Go on, Harry. I'm just going to stay here and chat with Sherry. Go have some fun." Alex pressed his hand on his back, encouraging him to take a step forward. Harry summoned up his Gryffindor courage and followed Daniel.

"Do you really live with Mr. Snape?" The boy asked.

"Yeah."

"You must be brave. That man can scare the shit out of me." Daniel gave a shudder. Harry laughed, since that was the normal response to professor Snape.

"Me too! I also go to the school that he teaches at. I can't tell you how many detentions that he's given me!" Harry groused happily.

"Hey mates! I found us another!" There were six boys bunched together on the pitch, chatting loudly.

"Really? That great." One of the boys piped up. None of them looked angry at a random stranger joining their game. Instead they looked pleased at his presence.

"I'm Harry nice to meet you." A barrage of greetings came in reply.

"Right, let split up and have some fun!" Daniel said. Harry wanted to burst. It was barely a full minute before they were separated into two groups of four and playing. He wasn't good, stumbling and tripping over his feet occasionally. Still he was having fun. He joked with everyone with every tumble and did his best to actually score. Laughter filled the air as they boys played.

O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O

"How are you doing my dear?" Mrs. Mc Arthur asked.

"Oh I am doing fine. And you?"

"Just great dear. I always love having Daniel home. With most of my children out of the house it's nice to have the place filled again." They lapsed into a comfortable small talk. They mentioned how great the weather was, how slow the bin men were coming around, how Meredith down the street had a new man who played in a band. Eventually they fell into a silence as they watched the boys play.

"Poor thing always looks so tired." Mrs. McArthur commented, following Harry with her eyes.

"Hmm?" Alex grunted, confused at the comment. From the way he could see it Harry had endless energy as he chased his new friends around the pitch.

"Tell me, are his parents really overseas?" She queried, giving him a sly side glance. Alex chuckled, reminding himself to never underestimate the observational powers of a mother.

"No." He replied softly. "His parents died a while ago. He was living with a different uncle until recently."

"Did something happen?"

"At Severus's school. There was a . . . tragedy that occurred with another boy. Harry happened to witness it. With everything that happened we figured it would be better if Harry stayed with us." Alex tried to remain as vague as possible. Mrs. McArthur hummed quietly.

"You can see it in his eyes, the poor thing. Tragedy affects children so deeply."

"Yes it does."

"He looks better though. Calmer, happier. Whatever you and Severus are doing is working. I have seen children with the same look that never get the help they need. You are good for him." She commented.

"Ah, that's right. You used to work for child services, yes?"

"I did. The best and worst thing I have ever done. I was always pleased when I could help a child, but to know how many never get saved. It's hard to live with." Her tone was now somber, a deep look in her eyes as she examined the playing children.

"Yes, I think I understand that." Alex truly did. He had seen Severus experience the same emotions. He spent his whole life trying to save children but he was not perfect and there were some that he was never able to truly help. Alex had always watched this as a bystander, hopping in occasionally when he was needed but never getting truly invested. Harry was different though. Alex was tied to him now. Even if the boy left today he knew he would be wondering about him in fifty years, hoping he was well and happy. And now he could really imagine how it would feel to know everything he did, despite it being so little, and not being able to help him. His brow furrowed as he thought of the future, which for Harry was certainly not going to be great.

"Thank you, for the compliment." Alex bowed his head to her. "I'm glad that there has been a change. Though I worry. So much has happened to him. And yet I know there is more to come. He isn't going to have an easy life."

"Perhaps not. But he will not have to struggle with his future problems broken. What you are doing will keep him strong when times are tough. There is nothing better than having good support and I know you, you and Severus will not leave him wanting in that regard."

"Has anyone ever told you that you are very wise?" Alex joked, breaking the tension. Mrs. McArthur laughed boisterously.

"I am very old, my dear. I would hope that I would learn something over the years!" She patted him on the arm. "Now tell me what you brought for your picnic. I'm assuming that you are getting Severus out here to join you?"

O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O

The boys played for two hours. By the time the other boys were called in for lunch Harry had soaked his shirt in sweat and his jeans were stained green from the grass. He waved as the other boys left, calling out promises to play again, and next time play better. When he went back to Alex the man had found a place on the lawn. He had spread a large tartan sheet that was twice as big as a normal blanket. He was lying on his back, hand tucked behind his head. He took off his shoes, using them to weigh down the corners of the blanket.

Snape was there. He had apparently arrived when Harry was off playing. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and a black t-shirt. Harry couldn't help but notice the dark mark that stood out on his arm. The man normally kept it covered so Harry had really only seen it in passing. He was lounging on the blanket sitting with one arm stretched behind him to keep him upright. In his other hand he held a book that should've been held with both hands for safety reasons. The thing was absolutely enormous. As Harry got closer he could see the title on the cover. 'The Effect of Acidic Gooler Berries on the Potency of Various Mood Enhancing Potions'. Not exactly light reading.

"Hullo." Harry greeted them when he finally got to the edge of the blanket.

"Your back! Did you have fun?" Alex asked.

"Yeah! They were really nice. Though it has been so long since I have played. I wasn't exactly the best at staying upright." He motioned to his greened up knees. Tomorrow he would probably have some light bruising but it was worth it.

"It quite amazing. You have the ability to out fly people many decades older than you, yet you struggle to remain standing on your own two feet." Snape purred, not bothering to pull his nose from a book. Alex smacked him lightly for the insult and sat up.

"Should we eat?" Without waiting for a reply he began to unpack the basket. He pulled out dish after dish until their little spot looked more like a buffet than a picnic. There were small finger sandwiches of a half dozen different types. There were bowls of cut fruit, salad, and other side dishes. A Pyrex plate of pasta casserole came out next. A few bags of crisps followed quickly. Finally he pulled out a large plate of homemade cookies and a baking tray of treacle tart.

Alex handed them plates and silverware, begging them all to dig in. Harry did so happily. Thanks to Snapes potions and the wonders of puberty he was going through a bit of a growth spurt, thank Merlin for that. While he was quite happy for the extra inches he was getting the, constant hunger and ache in his bones were unpleasant to say the least.

"Harry have I told you about the time that Severus and I were at a party and got trapped in a closet together?" Alex asked. Harry shook his head.

"If you must tell him that story I would hope that you emphasize how that entire evening was purely your fault." Snape snipped, a small smile on his lips regardless. With that permission Alex was off trying to weave his tale in a way that didn't make him look as bad as it did. They continued to chat through the entire meal. Mostly Alex would share stories with Snape interjecting with a derisive comment or correction. Alex would pout playfully at each one but acknowledged each one as true. Harry shared a few stories of his own. Things he had done with Ron and Hermione during his years at school. Pranks he had seen the twins do, though he was smart enough not to mention any of the ones where Snape had been the target of their . . . misplaced affections.

Eventually they all stopped eating, Harry after he was so full that he was sure he was going to burst. The food was packed away with a quick glance around and a discreet wand wave. Harry chose to pull one of the bean bags over so that he could sit up bit without having to hold himself up the way professor Snape was. Alex, on the other hand, had a different idea.

"I wish for you to spoil me." Alex announced, laying his head on his husbands lap, arm dramatically pressed to his forehead. Snape lowered his novel with an unimpressed look. He closed it and rapped him lightly on the top of the head.

"Do I not do that already?" He asked, exasperation coloring his tone playfully. Harry stifled a giggle behind his hand.

"I want you to read me a poem. Today seems like a day for poetry." Alex proclaimed, motioning to the bright blue sky as proof. "Something happy and joyous." Harry wondered what Snape was going to do. He was surprised when the man reached into the picnic basket and pulled out another book that had been packed away with the food. It was different than the one in his hand, it was slim. The pages were yellowed and it was bound in a worn leather. The long potion stained fingers flicked through the pages before stopping suddenly.

Alex sunk deeper into his lap as the potions master began to recite in his deep bass tone.

"There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,

The earth, and every common sight,

To me did seem

Apparell'd in celestial light,

The glory and the freshness of a dream."

Harry glanced around the park as the words washed over him. He could see the children playing and the people walking. Families sat bunched together, laughing and talking. The raucous sound of simple joy seemed to be brightened and sharpened by the poetic words. The happiness in the air a little thicker and the peace lighter.

"It is not now as it hath been of yore;—

Turn wheresoe'er I may,

By night or day,

The things which I have seen I now can see no more."

Harry wondered as he watched. Is this what it would be like if he had his family? Would his mother have insisted his father take off work so that they could enjoy the sun? Would she have made them lunch, a basket full of all their favorites? Spread out a blanket and pulled off her shoes. Would she have done this when Harry was a child, holding him close in her lap as they looked up at the bright blue sky?

"The rainbow comes and goes,

And lovely is the rose;

The moon doth with delight

Look round her when the heavens are bare;

Waters on a starry night

Are beautiful and fair;"

Would his father have pushed him to go and play with the other boys? Would he have not been a stranger but rather a close friend with all of those who came to the park? Would he have brought his own football? Would he have invited the new kid to the neighborhood to play?

"The sunshine is a glorious birth;

But yet I know, where'er I go,

That there hath pass'd away a glory from the earth."

Would his father have insisted that he play too? Maybe he would have taken Harry to a wizarding park. Let him fly on his broom. Bring their old battered quaffle from home so that they could practice in the sun. Would he insist on teaching Harry his best moves, the ones he had shown him a dozen times before?

"Now, while the birds thus sing a joyous song,

And while the young lambs bound

As to the tabor's sound,"

His father wouldn't have read his mother poetry. That much he knew, even though he knew so little. No, he would have told stories. Old tales of his times at Hogwarts, new tales of his times as an auror. He would jump around and make goofy faces as he lavished them with his tales. His mother would roar with laughter, hitting him on the arm when he used language that was not appropriate for children.

"To me alone there came a thought of grief:

A timely utterance gave that thought relief,

And I again am strong:"

Children. Would he have had brothers and sisters if his parents had lived? Maybe he would have had to join a tea party like the one the little girl had set up across the lawn, a fake crown and in the company of stuffed bears. Would he have had brothers that he wrestled with or taught how to throw a ball? Would he have been a good older brother?

"The cataracts blow their trumpets from the steep;

No more shall grief of mine the season wrong;

I hear the echoes through the mountains throng,

The winds come to me from the fields of sleep,"

His mind wandered through his fantasy. The laughter and joy that might've been had he not been robbed of his childhood. A sharp twinge of sadness permeated through it. As his heart swelled with joy it clenched with melancholy. Why was he experiencing this type of peace with a professor and his husband? Why did the first time he ever felt like he was having a true family outing have to be with two people who probably shouldn't have remembered his name. Even with the Weasleys he had felt a bit like an outsider, watching their easy family mesh with him waiting patiently on the side. And yet that felling never came when he was around these two. Instead he felt like he always imagine he would when he saw other families sitting together. It confused him, and to some degree angered him. Why was it like this, instead of the way it should have been. Why had he been robbed of this until he was near fifteen?

And all the earth is gay;

Land and sea

Give themselves up to jollity,

And with the heart of May

Doth every beast keep holiday;—

Thou Child of Joy,

Shout round me, let me hear thy shouts, thou happy

Shepherd-boy!

Still he was glad that he was here. Even if he could not experience this with his own parents, with his own family, it wasn't like he would prefer not to be here. Mr. Dawsen and Professor Snape, they had given him quite a lot in the few short weeks that he had been here. Comfort, a place to stay, experiences he never thought that he would have. As much as he was sad at the thoughts of what might've been, he was still happy here. Sitting on a blanket, listening to his professor spout poetry while his husband poked him as he said the word 'gay'.

" The pansy at my feet

Doth the same tale repeat:

Whither is fled the visionary gleam?

Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"

Snape finished with his deep voice trailing off after the question. Alex clapped happily and Harry joined in too.

"Are you happy now?" Snape snarked at him, snapping the book closed.

"Incredibly." Alex sighed. "Today is a good day, don't you think so Harry?"

"Yes," Harry beamed. "Today is a good day."