29. Christmas
Next morning after their breakfast in the Great Hall Severus went to his classes and Bobbie went with Poppy to the infirmary. When they walked in they saw that Richelle was awake. They walked up to her and Poppy said, "Mrs Prince we are thinking about transferring you into the private room for teachers since you aren't a student. Bobbie here, who I think you already know, was discharged yesterday and it had become vacated."
"Thank you for your kindness," the old woman replied to Poppy and then turned to Bobbie. "I am very sorry for what my grandson has put you through."
"It wasn't your fault. You have been just as much a victim as I was. I hope you are feeling better now with the poison leaving your system Mrs Prince," Bobbie said.
"I do, thank you! But please, don't call me that. You are married to my other grandson, my real grandson, not the one I will disown as soon as I have the strength to go to the Ministry. I wish you would call me Richelle or Grandmother."
"Very well, I will call you Richelle unless Severus decides that we should call you Grandmother. Speaking of him, he has given me this for you." Bobbie produced a vial of a clear liquid. "It is a potion he developed and we are hoping it will help to regain your strength."
"You should be very proud of Severus, Mrs Prince. He has been working tirelessly to help people," Poppy said.
"I am proud of him. My house-elf had provided me with the news, even though I was too weak to read it most of the time by myself," Richelle replied.
Poppy said, "I will leave you two to get to know each other. Bobbie I want you to sit down and take care of that baby."
"I will," Bobbie replied and just before she moved to sit down in the chair that was next to Richelle's bed Poppy transfigured it into a comfortable overstuffed chair. Bobbie smiled at her and thanked her before sitting down.
Richelle asked, "I trust you and your baby are well after your ordeal?"
"Serina and I are doing well. Thanks to Severus's tireless search and quick thinking to get the right people to help. I would have never thought Lucius Malfoy would be one of them, but he was all the same," Bobbie admitted.
When Richelle heard the name 'Serina' she said reverently, "A little girl...! I will be the great-grandmother of a little girl..." Then she thought about what had happened and said, "...provided you and Severus will allow it. I wouldn't blame you or especially Severus if you would decide not to."
When the old woman mentioned Severus Bobbie looked at the vial with the Muskle-Gro she still had in her hand. She uncorked it and gave it to Richelle and said, "This will be painful at first."
The woman took it without a second thought and drank it. She began to writhe in agony but eventually the pain tapered off into a dull ache. Bobbie explained, "It will take a little while to fully work but by tomorrow you should be back on your own feet."
"Thank you!" Then Richelle's face became somber and she asked quietly, "Will Severus come and see me some day? I would like to apologize for the way he and his mother were left to fend for themselves by his family and I would very much like to make amends."
"Severus will visit during lunch hour. If he is willing to reconcile with you and let you into his life, so will I. I know it wasn't your fault but ultimately it will be his decision."
"You love him," Richelle said and smiled and nodded in approval. "I am happy he has you."
The conversation was a little strained to say the least but both women were trying to get along. Bobbie was not willing to call somebody Grandmother if she was still able to see the persons 'flashbacks' and to Bobbie Richelle still felt like a stranger. She had been cooped up in her large house far too long and had almost forgotten how to act around people. It all changed when Severus walked into the infirmary and Richelle's face lit up. She held her hands out to him with tears in her eyes and said, "Severus, I am so sorry for everything. Please, forgive me, my boy. I know you don't know me but please believe me that I wanted to make efforts and was not able to do so due to different circumstances."
Severus looked at Bobbie for the truth and when she nodded he let Richelle take one of his hands who grabbed it eagerly with both of hers and held it to her face while crying softly. Bobbie watched the two of them and she noticed something inside Severus give way. He looked at Richelle for a moment before slowly sitting down on the side of her bed and stroking her grey hair with his free hand. The look on his face turned soft and he quietly said, "Grandmother please don't cry."
Bobbie, whose hormones were already going crazy because of her pregnancy, became emotional and tears were streaming down her face from watching those two. Bobbie knew that maybe she would always have 'flashbacks' from Richelle but she now knew that Severus cared about the woman and she knew that Richelle cared about Severus. She also knew from Severus's old 'flashbacks' that Richelle held a striking resemblance to Eileen and she knew that Severus had always longed for his mother's love when he was a small boy. His mother never really had given it to him, but Richelle was different. She had lived without her husband's love because he had married her for her pureblood status. Severus and Richelle were two love starved people who had wanted nothing more in their earlier life than to have a family who wanted them. It was almost like two lost souls had found each other.
Severus had since been taken in by Bobbie's family and even though he learned to love them it wasn't the same as his own. Bobbie was immensely happy for him. She got up out of her chair and laid her hand on Severus's shoulder and told him that she would give them some privacy to get acquainted with each other. He nodded and she walked over to Poppy and watched Severus and Richelle in a quiet conversation after the first emotions had been quelled.
Bobbie had Millie bring Severus and Richelle a lunch and she went with Poppy to the Great Hall.
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Bobbie saw Severus again shortly before dinner. He had gone straight to his classes after he had visited his grandmother and Bobbie had gone to their quarters to rest. He came in to let her know that he had checked on his grandmother after his classes and that she had already gotten some of her strength back. Minerva, who had known Richelle from her student years at Hogwarts, had gone with him. She had transfigured one of the chairs in the infirmary to a wheelchair and they had taken Richelle to the Great Hall to have dinner with them. He finished by saying to Bobbie, "I was hoping you would join us."
"There is only so much rest a person can stand before it gets really boring, so yes, I will go with you," she said.
While Bobbie was getting ready they were talking about the newest - or better oldest - member of the family. Severus said, "I had no idea I would like her." He then had a sheepish look on his face and continued, "I know you aren't supposed to break your Nevari code and tell on somebody you have touched and seen their life, but would you be able to let me know if what she has been telling me is the truth?"
"I don't know what she told you, Baby but if it was the same as she told me, it was the truth. I think your grandmother is basically an honest person." Before they walked out of the door Bobbie stroked his cheek and said, "If you want to have her in your life you should go for it. She is the only family you have left."
"I have you and soon we will have Serina," he said while they were walking out.
"Yes, you will always have us but it is still nice to exchange stories from the past; What the Prince family had been doing all these years, how many uncles, aunts and cousins you had, and I am sure Richelle will be eager to hear your story as well. In a few days will be Christmas. Maybe you'll want to invite her to the cottage. She can't stay overnight because we converted the guestroom into a nursery but now that Bill got rid of all of the weird wards and jinxes in Prince Manor we could get the fireplace in the cottage connected to your grandmothers. This way you could pick her up easily by Floo and also take her back when she gets tired."
"You know I am not much of a Christmas person...," Severus said tentatively.
"I know! Neither am I but when the baby is born we may want to think about it. Children love Christmas. We could look at it as a trial run," Bobbie said with a chuckle.
"I suppose this would be as good a time as any," Severus agreed.
When they made it to the Great Hall Richelle was sitting next to Minerva in the space where Severus was usually sitting. Bobbie said, "You go ahead and take my seat and I will sit at the other end next to Poppy, like we did before you and I got married. This way we don't have to make everybody move one seat down."
Severus didn't look convinced with her idea. He wanted her next to him. "It won't be for long. Richelle is going to be discharged the day after tomorrow and then she will go home," Bobbie said.
He nodded and went to his seat and Bobbie went to sit next to Poppy who smiled and said, "This feels like old times." And just like old times they soon got into a pleasant conversation together with Pomona Sprout.
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The next few days went by quickly and the day before Christmas Eve arrived, and with that Severus's and Bobbie's departure to the cottage. Severus had insisted that the fireplace in the cottage would be connected to the infirmary by the time they got there. Because of Bobbie's earlier ordeal of her capture he wanted to be close to a Mediwitch just in case there would still be some latent affects from it. Another reason was that there were only about eight weeks until Bobbie's due date and Severus knew that babies sometimes come early. Even though they could have Flooed to the cottage they used the route over Diagon Alley and Muggle London. Bobbie had the shrunken potion book Severus had written in her bag already. Hermione had seen to it that she got it after she had been captured while trying to purchasing it, but Bobbie still wanted to buy something small for Richelle and ended up getting a beautiful silk scarf at Madam Maulkin's. In Muggle London Bobbie first bought another mobile phone because hers was beyond repair after Preston had stomped on it and then they bought enough groceries and dog food to get them through the next few days. Bobbie also bought a small Christmas tree which fit into the trunk of the taxi and some decoration for it.
When they came home they first laid the tree on the bench outside the house while they put the groceries away. After that Severus brought the tree inside so they could decorate it. They decided to put it on a small table that sat in the corner and usually had a statue of a prancing horse on it. The statue was banned into the nursery for the time being and Severus sat the tree on the table and magically enlarged it until it almost reached the ceiling.
Since tree trimming wasn't really Severus's favorite thing they decided that he would call for a pizza for dinner and then Floo back to Hogwarts and get the dogs. He was back with them before the food even arrived and commenced to set up the dogs beds and food dishes while Bobbie was still working on the tree.
They turned in early that night. Since it had been the day when most of the students were leaving for the holidays it had been a busy one for both of them. Bobbie had been helping Poppy in the infirmary with inventory and restocking as much as she was able in her condition, and Severus had gone to his lab after the students were gone and brewed some more potions.
Bobbie had gone back to decorating the tree after dinner but Severus finally put a stop to it when he saw how tired she was. He took the ball ornament she had been holding out of her hand and laid it back into the box, "You can finish this tomorrow, my Love. Grandmother won't be here until 4 o'clock. There is ample time for this. I will do the part on the top in the morning. You have no business climbing on that stepladder."
He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. She undressed while Severus ran her a bath. He then helped her into it and washed her hair. She kept yawning and almost fell asleep in the nice warm water. Severus helped her out of the tub and into bed after drying her off and spelling her nightgown on her. Bobbie felt him rubbing her lower back and she fell asleep shortly after with a content smile on her face.
888
After some tender lovemaking in the morning Severus was the first to get up. Bobbie had been so tired the night before that it had almost scared him. He decided to get up and make breakfast and let her sleep some more. He first made a pot of coffee and while doing so his eyes went to the unfinished Christmas tree. He decided to surprise Bobbie and finish it while he was drinking a cup of coffee. He could have done it with magic but decided to do without because it would take longer and thus she could sleep longer.
He was so engrossed in what he was doing that he didn't notice Bobbie standing in the doorframe watching him with a smile on her face until she moved to get some coffee. When he saw her he said, "I have no idea if I am doing this correctly but I don't think it is looking too bad."
"It is perfect!" she said and walked up to him and got on her tiptoes and pulled his head down and kissed him. "Thank you for finishing it."
"You are welcome!" he said against her lips. "Unfortunately I neglected to prepare breakfast because of it."
"We will do it together," she said.
He held her in his arms with his chin on her head. "I don't want you to tire yourself out like you did yesterday. I will call the house-elves to bring us the food for tonight when Grandmother is joining us."
"But we bought a turkey...," she said with her head leaning against his chest.
"Then we let the elves take the one we bought and they can bring us a finished one. They can use it for the Christmas feast at Hogwarts. I want you to rest and take care of that little baby," he said in a no-nonsense voice.
"I'm pregnant, not sick," she argued indignantly.
"Poppy said you shouldn't do any strenuous activities," he replied with conviction and Bobbie had the feeling there was more, something he didn't want to say.
"Sev, what is it?" she finally asked.
He took a deep breath and then let it out slowly before he said, "You said that your mother had some miscarriages. What if...? Things like that can be hereditary." Again another deep breath and then, "I am just..., worried..."
"Everything will be fine, Baby." She brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. "Poppy said that everything looks good." She saw on his face that he wasn't convinced so she added with a smile, "But if it makes you feel better, I will let you take care of me."
She knew that Severus had a tendency to be a little overprotective of her but for some reason she felt honoured that she was the reason that he felt that way. After another tender kiss Bobbie let Severus make breakfast while she fed Bella and Benton.
888
After breakfast they went for a nice leisurely walk with the dogs through the fields behind the cottage. It was mild, wet and breezy and there was no snow. It didn't even feel like Christmas. They let the dogs off leash and they were able to run and play for a while. They turned back when it was time for lunch. They ate some sandwiches and then Bobbie added a little more decoration around the house and she put two gifts underneath the tree. One of which Severus knew was the shawl for his grandmother. He suspected that she had gotten something for him. He smiled and went to the bedroom and came back with a small package of his own and put it under the tree.
After Bobbie had insisted on making some canapés for the afternoon Severus coaxed her into taking a nap before it would be time for him to fetch his grandmother. He made her comfortable on the sofa while he sat down in a chair reading. Then shortly before he was to leave for Prince Manor they dressed in some nicer clothes, still casual since it would be only the three of them but better than the jeans and sweatshirts they had been wearing.
When Severus arrived punctually at 4 o'clock in his grandmother's drawing room he saw that she had been waiting for him already. She wore expensive robes in a deep indigo color with gold trim around the hem, the wide sleeves and the collar. She also clearly had her hair done. Severus took her hand in greeting and said, "You look beautiful Grandmother but I believe we had mentioned that this is a casual affair."
"I know it my dear boy. I just couldn't resist. I haven't had the opportunity to wear nice things in years because I have been cooped up in this house, first with my husband telling me what I can and cannot do and then Preston making sure that I could never leave my bed. Please humor an old woman," she said with a smile.
"I will, just as long as you don't mind that my wife and I won't even come close to matching your attire. I also want to warn you that you may end up with a few dog hair on your robes."
She chuckled and said, "I know from Poppy about your therapy dogs and have heard some impressive stories. I also know you two can take it up with a certain prestige and pedigree if need be. I have seen the pictures in the newspapers. I also understand that your wife feels better in more casual things in her condition."
Severus noticed that Quincy was all attentive and happily hopping around his mistress, straightening out a little bit here and a little bit there on his grandmother's robes. When his grandmother noticed him watching the elf she said, "I think Quincy is as happy as I am with the new turn of events."
Severus said, "I imagine he will feel more at ease to be rid of that restriction collar." He then held his elbow out to his grandmother and asked, "Shall we?"
"By all means!" she said good-naturedly and put her hand into the crook of his elbow.
888
Bobbie had started to line up refreshments on top of the sideboard. There were Christmas biscuits, the canapés, chocolate dipped strawberries and other fruit, champagne, wine, bottled water, hot tea and coffee.
When the Floo opened Bobbie walked up to the fireplace to greet Richelle. The dogs who still hadn't gotten quite used to the Floo let out a little woof, but then danced in a circle around the new arrival. Richelle tentatively patted the dogs on the head and then Bobbie told them to lie down, which they did without hesitation.
Richelle looked around the room with a little bit of reservation on her face. Severus noticed and said, "I know it isn't what you are accustomed to but we like this cottage. It is all we need."
"I don't mean any disrespect, my boy. I just wasn't sure what to expect. It certainly is very cozy."
"You don't know the half of it. I treasured this place when I was still spying. My wife and this cottage were my salvation. It was, and still is the only true home I ever had. The only thing that is really missing is a potions lab." He smiled at Bobbie and then said, "But let us fetch some refreshments over there and then sit down."
Bobbie walked over to the sideboard and offered Richelle some champagne for starters. She also gave her a small plate for her hors d'oeuvres. Richelle thanked her with a small nod and a smile and said, "These look delicious."
Severus filled two flutes with champagne and one with sparkling water for Bobbie and said, "We will have turkey later. The house-elves will bring us food from Hogwarts. Bobbie wanted to cook it herself but I talked her out of it. Don't get me wrong, all of her meals are very tasty. I simply do not think it wise to go through these lengths a week after spending days in those deplorable circumstances in that dungeon cell, especially in her condition."
"I wholeheartedly agree with you, Severus," Richelle said and then said to Bobbie, "That was a traumatic experience and I can not apologize enough for what Preston did."
Bobbie put her hand on Richelle's arm for affirmation and said, "Please Richelle, it was not your fault and I don't blame you in the least. It is over and after all, something good came of it. We would have never met you otherwise."
"I very much appreciate your kindness my dear," the older woman said, almost moved to tears.
After they had filled their plates with what they wanted Severus offered his grandmother an overstuffed chair which stood 90 degrees to the sofa he and Bobbie took. They took up a pleasant conversation which led to Severus showing his grandmother the nursery they had furnished.
At 7 o'clock sharp Millie and Winky cleaned up the rest of the hors d'oeuvres and loaded up the sideboard with a golden brown turkey, and a host of side dishes. "Good heavens," Bobbie said to the elves, "who is going to eat all this? Thank you guys, this looks and smells delicious."
"Millie and Winky is honored helping Master and Mistress," Winky said and both elves bowed and then disappeared as fast as they had appeared.
Richelle smiled at the whole scene and said, "I am happy to see that you are appreciative of your House-elves. Quincy had the misfortune of ending up in Prince Manor where he had been treated very poorly by most of the family. I do not know what I would have done without him."
"You need to talk to a friend of ours. Her name is Hermione Granger and she is working in the Ministry. If it was her decision all elves would be freed and paid for their service," Bobbie said while they were filling their plates.
"I would have no problem with that. Unfortunately I suspect that a lot of elves would think this notion quite preposterous," Richelle said.
"You could say that," Severus interjected. "The elves were less than enthused with her idea, when the girl started an organization during her fourth year in Hogwarts."
"What happened?" Richelle asked while they were sitting down to eat.
Severus answered, "Let's just say it didn't go very well. Only one elf actually embraced the idea. He used to be the Malfoy's House-elf and Harry Potter tricked Lucius into freeing him. It is a long story... Winky was freed also but it was unwillingly. I forgot how but she was very unhappy for a long time."
"I have never heard of this," Bobbie said.
"The organization didn't last long," Severus continued. "Hermione finally gave it up. She had to go through no small measure of ridicule from her peers. I forgot the exact wording of the name she gave her organization. It was something like 'Society for the promotion of elves welfare'. Nobody wanted to sign up especially when her fellow students saw the badges she had made. Harry told me all about it when we were staying up all night before I went to Prince Manor to get you back. He said that the name of her organization did not fit on the batches so she shortened it into a moniker and it said S.P.E.W..."
Bobbie had up to that point listened attentively to the story. As soon as she had put the letters together to 'spew' she completely lost it. Out the door went all the good intentions to make a good impression in front of Richelle for Severus's sake. She burst out laughing and couldn't stop herself.
Richelle looked a little aghast at Bobbie's outburst at first, but couldn't help laughing herself especially when she saw Severus. He sat there and looked like he was almost proud of his wife, with his arms crossed and a grin on his face.
Finally after Bobbie had dabbed away her tears from laughing so hard she said, "I am sorry but that was the funniest thing I have heard in a long time."
"Harry told me some more stories and I will gladly relay them to you...," he said still grinning.
"No, no, I'm embarrassing myself here. I'm sorry!"
He reached over and took her hand and said quietly, "Don't be... I enjoy your laughter. I've never had a lot of it in my life, until I me you."
Richelle cleared her throat and said, "There is nothing wrong with laughter. Who said it isn't fashionable? I heard it is supposedly good for your health."
From then on the dinner conversation continued very lighthearted. Eventually Severus helped Bobbie carry the dishes to the kitchen and put the leftovers into the refrigerator. Even Richelle helped after she saw how things were done outside a large Manor and without house-elves. She knew Severus could have done it with magic, but she had to admit that she liked the harmony of them working together.
They eventually went back into their seats in front of the fireplace with some tea that they placed on the side tables. Severus reached over and took Bobbies hand and stroked the top of her slender fingers. Bobbie was surprised. He had taken her hand during their dinner conversation once before and now he did again. He had never done anything like that in front of other people. For some reason he didn't seem to mind doing it in front of his grandmother, even though he only knew her for a very short time.
After a while Bobbie got up and went to the Christmas tree where the gifts were and picked up the ones for Severus and Richelle. When she handed Richelle her gift she said, "It isn't much and Severus and I aren't really the gift giving type but I thought that this is a little different. It is our first Christmas together. We missed out on the first one because it was during the war. We also agreed that we should change that when our little girl is born because we don't want to deprive her of traditions. It wouldn't be fair to her if other children have it and she wouldn't."
Richelle sighed and said, "It is more important that you love each other. We always gave each other ridiculously lavish gifts during holidays and birthdays and the rest of the year we largely ignored one another." She took the small package Bobbie handed to her with a smile and a 'thank you' and continued, "And this is much more than I have received in the last few years when it was only Preston and I. It is the thought that counts."
She slowly started opening the wrapping and when she saw the scarf her face lit up and she said, "Thank you so much. It is beautiful." Her eyes welled up and a lone tear ran down her cheek. She reached over and grabbed Severus's hand and then Bobbies with a smile on her face.
When Bobbie made skin contact she knew that Severus's grandmother was speaking from her heart and that the small gift they had given her meant a lot to her. Bobbie got up and gave Richelle a hug and then said, "I know everyone in my family have always been quick with hugs, but that is just the way we grew up."
"Don't worry about it my dear, I think it is a very delightful custom. One that we all should make more use of around here."
Bobbie then gave Severus his gift while she sat back down next to him. He knew it was a book because the shape of it was visible through the wrapping paper. He loved books and he was wondering what it was because he knew that Bobbie wouldn't buy anything he already had. He first spelled it back to its original size, and when he had unwrapped it he gasped when he saw that it was the book he had written. He looked at Bobbie and asked, "It is published already?"
"Yes, it is out for about a week and a half. I am glad you were busy with rescuing and then taking care of me, otherwise you would have found it already," she joked.
Severus's intense eyes bored into her when he said, "Please my Love, do not make light of the situation. My heart almost stopped when Hermione told me about your abduction. You could have..."
Bobbie just kissed him so he would stop talking. He was surprized and not only a little embarrassed because of his grandmother sitting there. He glanced at her and when he saw her sitting there and smiling at them he relaxed a little. Then he looked back at Bobbie and straight into her eyes and stated, "This is the book you bought when you were taken..."
"It is, but please, can we just get to the matter at hand? You wrote this book. You should be proud. I know I am." Bobbie tried to veer off the subject.
Richelle apparently had caught on to what Bobbie was trying to do and asked Severus, "May I see it?"
Severus sighed and dropped the issue and handed the book to his grandmother. She looked at the cover and stroked with her finger over his name on it, as if she would be able to feel it. She smiled at him and said, "I have to agree with your wife, my boy. This is quite an accomplishment and I am so very proud to have a grandson like you. I have to admit that I was not very good in potions but your mother was more than adequate and would have known what a treasure trove of information this book holds."
Knowing the neglect he gotten from both of his parents he doubted the validity of this. But he enjoyed the praise from his grandmother and after he got over his embarrassment he said quietly, "Thank you Grandmother." He squeezed Bobbie's hand and then got up and picked up the small package he had laid under the tree and gave it to Bobbie.
She said, "Thank you...!" and squeezed his hand when he gave it to her. Then she stroked her hand over the small, flat, rectangular package and unwrapped it. When she opened the black velvet-covered box which had emerged, she gasped when she saw a gold bracelet lying inside. It was a thick chain made of intricately shaped links and it had three charms attached to it. She looked at them and saw that one was heart shaped and had the name 'Snape' and their wedding date on it. The other two were round and one said 'Bobbie' and the other 'Severus' and each had their birth stones imbedded in them.
Bobbie who had never really been a jewellery person thought it was the most beautiful bracelet she had ever seen and a small sob escaped her and her hand went to her mouth when she noticed a smaller charm with the name 'Serina' laying next to the bracelet. It didn't have a birth stone in it and wasn't attached to the bracelet yet.
"Severus," she breathed, "this is beautiful... I love it!"
He smiled seeing her reaction and said, "It is Goblin-made. I know you don't wear a lot of jewellery but maybe you can wear this once in a while when we go somewhere."
She beamed at him and said, "You better believe that I will. This is the most thoughtful gift anybody has ever given me. Thank you, my Love."
She threw herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely. When she opened her eyes she saw Richelle sitting there quietly and she extracted herself slowly from Severus's embrace and said, "I am sorry. I just got a little carried away. This bracelet is just so unique and special."
She handed the open box over to Severus's grandmother for her to look at it. The old woman nodded in approval and said, "You have impeccable taste, my boy." She then handed it back and Severus took the bracelet out of the box and fastened it around Bobbie's delicate wrist.
Severus was a little embarrassed about the attention he received from the situation so Richelle spoke up and said, "I believe it is my turn."
She took her small handbag off the side table. She opened it and produced a rolled up piece of parchment. She handed it to Severus without a word. He took it and looked at her with questioning eyes. When she nodded at him he slowly unfastened the piece of ribbon that held it together. He unrolled it and read what it said. Bobbie watched his face and saw the initial puzzlement turn to astonishment and then to resolve. He rolled it back up and reached it over to Richelle and said, "You don't have to do that. I can't accept that."
"Please Severus," she said, "there is nobody in this family who is more worthy than you and it is not because you are the only one left. Yes, everybody in this family is dead and that includes Preston, in my opinion. He only thought about himself and his own gain. If I would have done what he wanted me to do, which was signing everything over to him, he would have wasted everything within just a few years. I have lost all respect for him. I never knew for sure how he was until his parents, who had kept him somewhat in line, were dead."
"Grandmother I..., I don't know what to say. I don't deserve it."
"Oh yes you do, my boy! You were instrumental in bringing that monster down. I have no doubt that Harry Potter could not have done it alone. As a matter of fact Mr Potter said so himself. And because of you I am finally free and can make my own decisions again. The will as it was written would have given everything to Preston after my death. He was only waiting for me to die. If it hadn't been for Quincy's ingenuity I think I would have succumbed a long time ago. I am finally able to go to the Ministry and change the will. I want you to have everything.
"Because of you I have my life back. I have family with you and Bobbie and soon there will be a great-grandbaby. You accepted me even though you didn't have to. You are helping people. You aren't wasting your life away with drinking and partying and most assuredly you aren't giving everything to a madman.
"Please Severus, it would mean a great deal to me if you would accept. I don't care if your last name isn't Prince. Snape Manor does sound just as nice. When you searched the place for your wife you may have seen that there is a large potions lab in the dungeons. You could do your research there. The house would be large enough for children. There is a very large estate around it. I know it does not look nice right now. Everything is overgrown because Preston fired the staff. He rather spent the money on himself.
"Your children would have enough room to play with their friends. There even is a Quidditch pitch for practice and those two," she pointed at the dogs, "would have ample room to run... Please, Severus. Talk it over with Bobbie and I hope you will accept. You don't have to move there right away but maybe I would see you there sometimes when you are working on potions. You could bring your free house-elf. She isn't bound to Hogwarts anymore..."
Bobbie noticed that Richelle looked desperate. She was old and she didn't want her home to go into the hands of strangers. Severus seemed to notice it too. Bobbie could see on his face that he was fighting with himself. Then Richelle said, "Severus you need to think about your children. As nice as this place is," she pointed at her surroundings, "it will be too small if you have a second child."
Severus still wasn't convinced, "We could magically enlarge it."
"What if your children will have Muggle friends? Don't you think they will notice that the outside of the house is too small for the inside?"
"Muggle children will not be able to visit Prince Manor. They can't see it because of the wards."
"The wards can be taken down," she responded.
Severus looked at Bobbie and she squeezed his hand in affirmation, so he finally gave in and sighed, "If it means that much to you, I will accept under one condition."
"Name it!" Richelle said.
"I will not sign this transfer," he motioned to the rolled up parchment, "but if you are serious about this you can change your will and leave it to me after your death. It is your home and for now I have everything I want. I may take you up on using that lab at a later time. I have a private lab at Hogwarts but I have sometimes thought about leaving my post as a teacher and go full time into research."
Richelle jumped up off her chair and embraced Severus and said, "You have no idea how much that means to me, my boy. Thank you! You have given me the greatest gift. For a very long time I thought that Prince Manor would be lost. Now there is hope."
Severus was a little taken aback at his grandmother's outburst and signs of affection but he nonetheless returned the embrace and then he said, "It should be I who is thanking you and not the other way around."
888
After Severus came back from taking his grandmother home he sat down on the sofa next to Bobbie and said, "I can't believe it. Why would she do that?"
"Because she trusts you and she doesn't want her home to go to strangers. She may not have met you until only recently but she clearly has kept up with what the newspaper was writing about you. She knows you are a good man from the way your colleagues are treating you and the way you treat other people. She has seen enough during the time she was in Hogwarts. I think you did the right thing. It sure made her day." Bobbie stroked his cheek and gently kissed him. Then she sighed and said, "Unfortunately I am exhausted. I think I'd better go to bed. I will be glad, when this pregnancy is over with. I know Molly has been talking about sleepless nights when I saw her the last time but I doubt having to get up in the middle of the night can be worse than being tired all the time."
Severus got up and pulled her off the sofa and helped her to get ready. She was already asleep when he climbed in behind her and wrapped his arm around her.
