A.N. ~ Well I don't own these characters. First fanfic so if you are going to review, please be nice. Constructive criticism is definitely ok, being an ass isn't. That said... Please leave comments, good or bad, so that I know what readers think. Thanks
Ch. 6 Birthday Cake
Settling in to life at Prince Manor had been relatively easy. There were only a handful of bumps in their otherwise smooth road to a normal family life. Once, Harry was walking with Tabby the house-elf along a small pond on the property. Deimus informed the duo that there were colorful fish that lived in the pond and could be seen jumping out of the water quite frequently. Harry insisted that he get to see the "fishies", and so there they were. While Tabby was pointing out various leaping fish, Harry spotted what he was sure would help him get closer to the colorful fish. He quietly moved over to the bank of the pond, eyeing his prize. Harry stretched his arm as far as it would go, leaning closer and closer to the water. Just as he grabbed ahold of the plant he was after, he tumbled head first into the water. Without panicking, Harry popped the Gillyweed into his mouth and swallowed. Meanwhile on the bank, Tabby the house-elf heard the splash and looked away from the fish, for the first time noticing Harry was no longer by her side. Needless to say, when Harry returned to the bank of the pond just before the effects of the Gillyweed wore off, he found himself in quite of bit of trouble. Severus was so impressed with Harrys knowledge that he figured that a week without sweets was punishment enough for the toddler. Tabby on the other hand was so distraught at the thought of losing Little Master, that she refused to be alone with him for two weeks.
"Severus?" Came a familiar voice from the large fireplace in the sitting room.
"Yes, I'm here Minerva." Replied Severus, setting down the book he had been reading.
"Oh, good. You are home. I am inquiring what you are doing for Harry's birthday next week?" Asked Minerva, pushing her face further through the green flames.
"Oh! I guess I haven't given it much thought at all. Did you have any suggestions?" Severus knew that Minerva was likely to already have the whole day planned out.
"May I step through? I may have a thought or two of the subject." Was the only warning Severus had before the fire flared and out stepped the witch.
Severus smiled at the witch's antics and bid her to sit next to him so they may discus Harry's birthday.
"Would you like a drink, Minerva? Tea perhaps? I have a feeling this may take a while." Severus called Eros for Tea. He soon retuned with the tea, small finger sandwiches, petit fours and warm buttery croissants.
After what seems like hours and a couple more servings of tea, later, Minerva and Severus had a wonderful party planned for the next weekend to celebrate Harry's second birthday. Minerva would send out invitations to Hagrid, the Malfoys, the Weasley's, Lady Longbottom and some of the staff from Hogwarts, along with a surprise or two. Severus would leave Eros and Psyche to come up with the children's menu while Severus decided what would be served to the adults.
The weeks passed by quickly and now the elves were scurrying about setting up for the party and making sure everything was perfect. Psyche was making finger foods such as breaded chicken bites, carrot chips, mashed parsnips and summer squash along with baking different breads and jams. Of course, she did not forget the birthday cake. A beautiful three-tiered cake, the top was a mint cake with chocolate chips, the middle tier was made of chocolate cake with a raspberry jam filling and the bottom tier was an almond cake filled with a chocolate ganache. Eros on the other hand, was preparing roast duck and root vegetables with a lovely port wine sauce, Pasta Caprese, fried green beans, roasted cauliflower and a fruit salad consisting of papaya, mango, kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, shredded coconut and star fruit with a honey and lime dressing. To say that Severus was impressed with the kitchen elves would be an understatement.
Minerva had arrived early that morning to help the elves with decorations and last-minute ideas. They had erected a castle that had slides and places to climb along with other "stations" for play. She had also insisted that they have balloons, as it would be something muggle that would be a nice nod to Harry's heritage. Severus looked out of his bedroom window to see Minerva chasing a house-elf through the garden. It looked as though the elf had taken one of Minerva's balloons. He laughed loudly at the sight and continued to get ready for the party. Oh, he was clean and dressed but was not mentally ready to have so many people at the manor. He was only informed upon Minerva's arrival that morning that Remus Lupin had been invited and that he had accepted. Snape hadn't seen Lupin since a rather nasty argument they had had about a certain dog. Pushing that thought out of his head, Severus made his way downstairs to the sitting room where most of the guests would arrive.
Tabby brought a washed and dressed Harry James Potter Snape down the stairs and into the sitting room where Severus was greeting Dumbledore. "Da! Dada, me up pwese." Harry called as he walked into the room. "Why hello there, Harry. Happy Birthday." Dumbledore said as he patted Harry on the head and moved toward the door. Harry squealed and smiled toothily at the Headmaster. Severus picked Harry up and stood waiting to greet the next guest to arrive. Little did he know, he wasn't prepared for who came through next.
The flames flared green and the first thing Severus registered was a very familiar scent. Out stepped Remus Lupin from the fireplace. Severus' eyes scanned Lupin critically. That scent did not belong to the werewolf. Within a heartbeat Severus had his wand in hand and trained on the man in front of him. Without taking his eyes off of Remus' face, Severus set Harry on the floor and instructed Tabby to take him to Minerva. "What are you doing here?" Snape hissed at the intruder.
"What are you talking about Snape? Minerva said that she had informed you that I had accepted her invitation." Lupins eyes darted around the room.
"Yes. She informed me of Remus Lupin's acceptance, not yours Black." Severus took a step forward and pressed his wand to the man's neck.
Lupin met Severus' eyes and shrink back slightly. "I didn't think you would know."
"That's all you have to say for yourself. You didn't think I would know? How that thought ever crossed your mind I'll never guess. You shouldn't be here. I shall summon the Aurors immediately. Do. Not. Move." With that, Severus cast his Patronus without thinking. Out jumped his giant wolfhound, looking at the two men in front of him.
"Sev." Was all that came from Lupin's mouth. Severus instantly canceled the charm and found himself looking at the floor.
"Why?" Severus whispered. He knew Sirius would know what he was asking.
"It wasn't me. It was Peter. I thought he would be the less obvious choice and therefor the safer one. I was wrong, I made a mistake. Please Sev, I'm telling you the truth. Please believe me." Sirius pleaded.
"How long do you have left on the Polyjuice?" Severus responded.
"About thirty minutes. I brought more. I wanted to see you, Sev. You and Harry. I lo" Sirius was cut off by Severus growling.
"Do not say it." Severus messaged his temples. He wanted to pretend this was all a joke, one sick joke. Pretend that Lupin was here and Sirius was somewhere else in hiding. After a minute, Severus sighed. "I suppose you can stay. You are already here. Do NOT let anyone think you are anyone other than Remus Lupin. I will not help you if someone calls the Aurors." Severus walked away and out to the garden where the rest of the guests were attending the birthday party.
Harry was playing with a platinum blonde Draco Malfoy and a red headed boy named Ron Weasley in the castle that Minerva and the elves put up. Severus stood and watched as the three played, chasing each other and racing down the slides. He could see Hagrid standing close to the castle watching the children. Severus watched as Minerva walked up to Hagrid holding a small girl in her arms. She said something to the half giant, then turned with the girl still in her arms and made her way over to Snape.
"Severus, there you are. I have someone that I'd like you to meet. This little girl is Hermione. I adopted her! Her parents, suspected squibs, didn't want to deal with the accidental magic she started to display. They brought her to the Ministry, left her with the Ministry reception secretary and walked out. They didn't know what to do with her, it's not like the Wizarding world has orphanages, so they contacted Albus. I was with him when the Ministry Official arrived with the girl. One look at her and I fell in love." Minerva beamed.
"Are you sure you can handle a toddler at your age?" Severus smirked at her. Minerva simply slapped his arm while smoothly handing the girl over to him.
"Be a good girl for your big brother." Minerva said as she walked away. Leaving Severus with a surprised look upon his face. Hermione just smiled up at her "brother".
"You, my dear, have a lot of hair. It looks like a bird's nest. And what are you wearing? Did those muggles leave you at the Ministry looking like a beggar? We'll fix that." With that, Severus took Hermione back to the house to find Iris.
"Iris. I have something for you." Called Severus once he entered his dressing room. The small elf appeared with a soft "crack" and looked at Severus and the small girl.
"Master has acquired another child? Oh, Little Mistress, you is going to be loving it here." Squeaked Iris.
"No Iris, this is not my child. She is my, um, sister of sorts. Can you please find her something to wear that is becoming of a sibling of mine while I do something about her hair?" Severus asked. No sooner had the words left his mouth, the little house-elf disappeared and reappeared with a small dress, charcoal in color and a Slytherin green ribbon for her hair.
"This will do nicely Iris, thank you." Snape approved of the choice and set al once on the girl's hair. It seemed to be matted in some places. In other placed it looked as though someone cut away at the knots instead of combing them out. Sighing, Severus went to his cupboard that held some potions for his and Harry's unruly hair. Finding what he was looking for, he turned back to the small girl who sat on the counter facing the mirror. "I'm sorry Sweetheart." Was all he said before he took out his wand, and cut all of Hermione's hair off. The little girl stared wide eyed at herself in the mirror as Severus unstopped a vial and poured a small amount into his hands. He began massaging it into the girl's head, and soon her hair began to grow back. Once he was done, Severus washed his hands and tied Hermione's fresh and unknotted curls back with the green ribbon. Hermione stood up on the counter, turning to Severus and threw her chubby little arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek.