Chapter Seventy-Six

The shadows shifted and grew long as the sun was embraced by the western sky. The train's engine released one last puff of steam, and the wheels screeched to a halt. The compartments filled with rustling as students stood and grabbed their bags off the shelves above the seats, and the general chatter grew louder as doors opened. Excited eyes and fresh smiles greeted both parent and child on the platform.

Severus hitched his bag over his shoulder and held his trunk deftly in the other hand, following Lily down the narrow aisle. They found the first door and exited the train, joining countless others on Platform 9 3/4. In the hubbub of the masses, Lily and Severus scanned the crowd for her parents.

"There!" Lily exclaimed, pointing.

Standing beyond most others gathered close to the train were Violet, Ross, and Petunia. Lily rushed toward her family, happy to see Petunia had joined them, and Severus followed just behind her, purposefully giving her some space to greet her family first.

The first thing Severus noticed upon seeing Lily hug her mum was that Violet looked much healthier. Although still quite thin, her cheeks no longer appeared so hollow. Gone was the ashen complexion and the dark circles around her lively eyes, and just as Lily had said, her mum's hair was starting to grow back.

"Welcome home, Lily, darling," Violet way saying, tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Mum," Lily replied, her voice full of emotion. "You are wonderful."

After the reunion ended between mother and daughter, Lily went on to exchange a hug with her father, and then she and Petunia awkwardly embraced. Severus stood to the side for a while, not wishing to intrude, but he was quickly, kindly admonished by Violet for his behavior.

"Severus, dear," Violet beckoned. "Don't stand there all alone. I expect a hug from the young man who is to be my son in a few short weeks."

Severus felt his cheeks grow hot as he stepped toward her. Offering Violet a smile, Severus said, "It's good to see you, Mrs. Evans."

"I'll have no more of this 'Mrs. Evans' nonsense," Violet sweetly protested. "It's to be 'Mum' or at the very least 'Violet.'"

Severus nodded, unsure of what to say, but he didn't have to concern himself overly much with finding words, for Violet was embracing him thoroughly, passing him on to Ross, who shook his hand fondly and chuckled.

"You might as well get used to it, Severus," Ross said good-naturedly. "Vi is persistent, and when she says something, it goes." He gazed at his wife affectionately.

Violet laughed the remark off, and turning his eyes to Lily again, Severus saw that Lily was in a conversation with Petunia. Petunia appeared shocked and oddly pleased.

They collected their things and made their way to the car. Once inside, Severus cast Lily a quizzical look. Crammed in the backseat, Lily in the middle, Severus tried to discern Petunia's expression, but Petunia was busy staring out the window.

Once her parents were in the car, Lily announced, "Petunia is going to be my maid of honor." She smiled and looked at her sister.

Petunia reddened and gave a modest smile, very uncharacteristic for her... at least Severus thought.

"That's wonderful!" Violet exclaimed. "Oh, and, Lily, there's something else I've been meaning to ask you. Instead of having the ceremony in the neighborhood church, what do you think of having it in our backyard? The weather is lovely in the summer."

"Well..." Lily hesitated, glancing at Severus for his input. "I don't mind. I like the idea, but what do you think, Sev?"

"Anything you plan is fine with me," Severus said. "I know next to nothing about planning a wedding, so I'm leaving that up to you."

Ross chuckled. "That's the spirit, Severus. We men are clueless when it comes to that sort of thing. I keep trying to tell you that, Vi."

Violet shrugged. "I should like to have your father over for dinner some time as well, Severus," she suddenly stated.

If Severus had been drinking something, he would have spit it out. "W-what?" he sputtered. "Why?"

As much as he got on well with his father nowadays, Severus wasn't overly keen on the idea of his father mingling with Lily's parents.

"Why not?" Violet challenged.

"It's just..." Severus trailed off, losing his words. He wasn't accustomed to having to explain himself around others, let alone a group of people. With Petunia there, he was even more uncomfortable. Severus tugged at his collar, suddenly feeling hot.

Picking up on his discomfort, Lily interjected, "We'll see, Mum. Sev would need to ask his dad first. Right, Sev?"

Severus gave her a thankful smile. After that, the conversation steered away from the wedding, for which Severus was eternally grateful.

x x x x x

A couple of days after returning to Spinner's End, Severus went to visit his father. Not having seen Tobias in several months, Severus was pleased to find him still doing well. They were now sitting on a bench in front of the flat complex, the lilting breeze gently playing with the tree branches above them, the placid cadence of the numerous leaves murmuring in their ears.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you, Father," Severus said.

Tobias gazed expectantly at his son. "Yes?" he prompted.

"As you know, the wedding is about six weeks away, and tradition holds that the groom needs a best man. I realize this may sound like a strange request, but would you consider being my best man, Father?" Severus posed carefully.

That hadn't been an easy question for Severus to ask. He had deliberated for the past many weeks. Knowing he didn't have any close male friends didn't help matters any, and while he considered Ross Evans more of a father to him than his own natural father, Ross would be giving his daughter away. Severus would have felt it inappropriate to take away from that special bond between a father and his beloved daughter.

Watching Tobias now, Severus kept him composure calm. He may not have a particularly close relationship with this man, and their history certainly was against them, but that didn't mean Severus couldn't hope for a better future.

"I am... I am humbled by your request, Severus," Tobias uttered meekly, his eyes unable to meet those of his son. Staring at his hands as they fumbled in his lap, Tobias continued, "Are you sure? You know I haven't been a good father to you, let alone truly the 'best man' in your life."

"I know it's difficult, Father," Severus admitted. "It's been difficult on both of our parts, but I've given this much thought, and yes, I am sure. I wouldn't have asked if I hadn't meant it."

Tobias breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly, bringing his gaze to his son. "Then yes, I will, Severus. Thank you." His thin lips hitched into a smile.

Not sure how to respond, Severus changed the subject. "There are a couple of more things I need to ask you. Lily's parents wanted to have us over for dinner some time this week to finally get the chance to properly meet you, and my graduation ceremony is this upcoming Saturday. Should you come, you would be able to see where I've gone to school. The enchantments that hid it from Muggles are lifted for the families of students that day."

Tobias, not used to being asked to be a part of something, felt much the same way Severus often did when in a similar situation. "I, uh... s-sure, Severus," he replied, surprised and yet with an undercurrent of unease.

Empathetic toward his father, Severus half-smiled. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I do want you in my life, Dad, and what's important to me, the wedding and the graduation, those are things I want you to be a part of."

Stunned at his admission, Severus's cheeks turned a light red.

"I will do my best to be fitting of the title you're asking me to take in your wedding, then," Tobias replied.

Above their heads, the wind continued to play out its rhythmic dance with the trees. The peace settled inside them, around them, and beyond them. For now, Severus could have a moment of bliss, and Lily didn't need to be there.

x x x x x

The Friday evening before graduation, Severus waited anxiously in his house for his father to show before they would walk over to the Evanses' house. He checked himself over one last time in the mirror before heading downstairs. He hoped Tobias would be presentable, as his father still had a tendency to think it all right to parade around in sweatpants and a T-shirt.

When a knock issued forth from the door, Severus unlatched it and found Tobias waiting on the stoop. Severus almost didn't recognize him. He was completely clean-shaven, and his hair was clean and brushed back from his face, longish tendrils curling behind his ears. He had on a pair of brown trousers and a beige button-down, collared shirt.

"Hello, Father," Severus greeted him. "Do you need to come in for anything, or should we just go now?"

"I'm fine," Tobias replied. "I made sure to use the loo before coming over." He smiled at his attempt at humor, to which Severus inwardly groaned, hoping Tobias would refrain from such comments at the Evanses'.

"All right, then," Severus said. "Let me just lock up, and we'll be on our way."

Stepping outside, Severus secured the door, and together, father and son strolled down the front walk to the street.

"The old neighborhood looks the same," Tobias remarked, taking in the litter lining the curbs and the dirty river just beyond.

"As lovely as always," Severus stated sarcastically. "I think you'll find Lily's house much nicer."

"I never could afford a decent house," Tobias said softly, sounding ashamed.

Realizing he may have hit a sensitive subject, Severus amended, "It's fine, Father. The house suits me just fine."

"And what of when you're married?" Tobias asked curiously.

"I offered Spinner's End to Lily as our home. It would keep us close to her family. I haven't told you this before, but her mum is in remission from cancer. Please don't bring it up, though."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Tobias said sincerely, "but don't worry, I won't say anything."

They walked along in silence, passing the park where Severus and Lily had played as kids... and where Tobias had spent many a homeless night on a bench. Severus felt his chest clench as Tobias's gaze turned to one of the benches, but what could he say? Bringing up the past would only open old wounds.

Then, Severus remembered promising his father something: that he could move back into Spinner's End should he clean up and prove he could stay that way. It now had been many months since Tobias had stopped drinking, but Severus would be married soon, and as he had just told his father, he had also promised the house to Lily.

Guiltily, Severus suddenly said, "Father, I... I know I told you last year you could return home if you stopped drinking-"

Knowing where Severus was going, Tobias shook his head. "Don't worry yourself on it, Severus. It's all right. I have my flat, and that is now my home. I wouldn't want to intrude."

Partly relieved his father understood, Severus still felt poorly for making a promise he hadn't kept. He would have offered the house to his father and found something else with Lily had Tobias objected.

"Well, should anything ever happen, you may return," Severus stated firmly.

"Are you talking about this wizard war, Severus?"

"Yes, but that's not the only thing, Father. You already know it's dangerous for us, but you are protected as best as I can ensure now. Spinner's End is better protected, though."

"Severus, I appreciate your concern, but let's not worry so. Look, we've reached their street. Which house is it?"

"That one," Severus said, pointing to the third house on the right.

They finished their walk, and within five minutes, Lily's family, absent Petunia, was standing in the entrance way, greeting Severus and Tobias.

"A pleasure to meet you, Tobias," Ross was saying, shaking the other man's hand firmly.

"Thank you, er, Ross, is it?" Tobias asked carefully, unaccustomed to such welcoming treatment.

"That's correct. Come into the parlor with me and have a drink."

"Uh, I... thank you, but I'll have to pass. I've given up drinking entirely."

Severus listened to the exchange between the two older men, hoping the awkwardness would wear off soon. Thankfully, Ross just chuckled good-naturedly, made some comment about Tobias showing better restraint than him, and they disappeared into the other room, Ross's voice saying something about getting Tobias a soda instead.

"Your father seems like a charming man," Violet remarked, walking back toward the kitchen. "I'll have to get to know him better over dinner, but I need to check on the roast, lest it gets dried out."

Severus watched Lily's mum retreat, and he glanced sideways at Lily and heaved a sigh of relief.

"That went over better than I had anticipated," Severus murmured.

"Why's that, Sev?" Lily asked curiously.

"I shouldn't speak too soon," Severus remarked. "The evening is still early."

Lily took his hand. "Come on, Sev. Let's go help Mum. You find something to worry about too easily."

Severus grinned, knowing she was right. In the kitchen, Petunia was there with her mum already, but Lily was quick to intervene. She had been trying to help as much as possible around the house ever since returning. Petunia, a little put out, sat at the kitchen table and stared at Severus.

"Well, you're looking more normal again," Petunia said, a tint of rudeness in her voice.

Raising an eyebrow, Severus asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's just as I told Lily. You both have hair again."

Absently toying with a lock of hair hanging slightly over his ear, Severus muttered, "Right." He sighed, then asked, "Are you returning to university in the autumn?" He supposed, after all, that he had better try to be decent toward Petunia, seeing as she would be his sister-in-law soon.

"I'm planning on it," Petunia said stiffly. "And what about you? Lily doesn't have any definite plans for her future, but I told her, if you two are getting married, she either needs to work or plan on staying at home with the kids. Are you having kids?"

Taken aback, for Severus wasn't used to being exposed to this nosy side of Petunia, he stated, "One day, yes, but not any time soon." Severus thought of the Prophecy and didn't want to be caught in the predicament of his child being the Chosen One, but neither did he think it any of Petunia's business to know what their plans were after marriage.

Severus found himself trying to imagine what a child would look like with Lily's and his characteristics mixed. He hoped the poor child would be spared his nose, but at least the child wouldn't have bad eyesight and unruly hair reminiscent of a Potter.

"You never answered my other question," Petunia interrupted his thoughts.

"What? Oh," Severus said, shaking his head clear of thoughts about a child. "I intend to go into Healing, which is like a doctor."

"Don't you need extensive education for that?" Petunia asked.

"Wizards don't have university like Muggles, but there are training programs for the first several years. I would be in a four-year program."

"Hmmm," was all Petunia said.

Lily walked over and joined them, smiling. "Did I miss anything?"

"Nothing of much consequence," Severus quickly said, hoping to quell any further conversation.

Before anyone could say anything more, Violet announced that dinner was ready. Everyone issued into the dining room, and the meal commenced.

"Everything looks very good," Tobias observed. "Thank you for having me."

"Of course," Violet said with a nonchalant wave of the hand.

The plates were passed and filled, and ten minutes into dinner, the nightmare Severus envisioned was happening. Tobias and Ross was busy exchanging raunchy jokes. Petunia looked like she might be ill, but Lily and Violet were giggling nonstop. Severus wanted to bury his face in his hands, but even he couldn't help but smile at a few of the punch lines.

By the end of the evening, it seemed both fathers had finally run out of jokes to share. Lily and Severus went onto the front porch and sat on the swing to get some fresh air.

"Are you happy you brought your dad over now, Sev?" Lily asked.

"Yes, even though he rather made an arse of himself on more than one occasion," Severus said wryly.

Laughing, Lily replied, "It was harmless. My parents like him."

"Truly?"

"Of course." Lily turned and gazed into the window, seeing the adults smiling and animatedly engaged in conversation. "Look at them."

"Hmmm," Severus murmured. "It's just... going to take some getting used to, I guess. If they like me well enough, I suppose they can like him."

"They more than like you, Sev," Lily said kindly. "They love you."

"And sometimes, to be honest, I wonder how your parents can be so nice... and not just nice, but sincere, just like you." Severus's eyes searched Lily's. "There aren't enough people like you in the world."

"Don't sell yourself short, Sev. I'd say you're pretty rare and special, too. I knew you from the first moment I saw you jump out from behind that bush."

"I was a poor kid in mismatched clothes with no friends," Severus muttered, embarrassed by his younger self.

"Appearances are more often than not deceiving, but even so, I never saw anything to hate in you. You just wanted a friend, someone to share your world with."

"As I said, you were always kind, Lily, but hey, let's not dwell on the past. Our future starts tomorrow."

"Graduation," Lily saw in awe. The sunset's dim glow was shining in her eyes as she spoke. "But after that, our wedding, Sev. I am so very glad to have you to share my world with."

They entwined hands and gazed ahead as the last rays of today disappeared.

Author's Note: So... I know I promised you the graduation chapter next, but as I started writing this, it took a direction of its own. You know how the characters sometimes seem to dictate to you what they would rather do? Well, that's what happened. As I started writing, I realized there were some things I needed to develop and some questions to answer.

As for Tobias being the best man, I will admit that this was a close one in the poll. Slightly more than half of you voted for Tobias over Mr. Evans. This was a hard decision for me, but as Severus thought in this chapter, it wouldn't seem right to take away from Mr. Evans giving Lily away by making him best man, too.

Graduation will most definitely be next!