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. 6.5 It's My Party

Severus carried Hermione back out to the party. The little girl had yet to remove her arms from around his neck. Minerva watched as Severus took Hermione over to the boys, who were now playing with the charmed balloons. "Harry, Draco, Mr. We… Ronald, I have a new friend for you. This is Hermione. Play nice and have fun." Severus said as he set the girl on the ground and kissed the top of her head.

He then walked over to Minerva who seemed to be in a conversation with Hagrid. As Severus approached, the pair turned to him with warm smiles. "Severus, I see you have taken a liking to Hermione. I'm so happy. Did you redress her and do her hair?" Minerva gasped. Severus only raised an eyebrow at her.

"Profess'r Snape, I'm so glad ya invit'd me ta Harry's party. It's a bit borin' witout him an all his quest'ins." Hagrid smiled at Severus.

"You are welcome. I know Harry has missed you as well. He keeps pointing out wild animals, asking if we can catch them for you. There is a family of wild Kneazles that live near the stables. Harry has named them all after different potions and is insisting that you need one of the kittens." Severus chuckled. Hagrid smiled and let it be known that if little Harry thought that he needed a pet kneazle that he would gladly take one.

Severus strolled around chatting with the adults that seemed to have naturally split into small groups when he noticed two small red headed boys crouched behind one of the tables, giggling. Making no sound, Severus made his way over to the boys, clearing his throat behind them. He noted the boys were twins as they jumped and spun around to look at him with wide innocent eyes. "May I ask what is so very entertaining, hmm?" Asked Severus as he too crouched behind the table. He didn't let the innocent look the boys masked their faced with fool him. He was Slytherin after all.

"I'm sorry Mister. Mamma says we can't talk to strangers." Says one of the twins.

"Well that is very sage advice. My name is Severus Snape. I'm Harry's, uh father. I teach at Hogwarts. Now I am no longer a stranger. What are your names?" Snape tried to look as friendly as possible.

"Well, ok. I'm Fred."

"And I'm George."

Severus eyes the twins suspiciously. "No, I don't think you are. I think You are Fred, and You are George. Now, care to let me in on the joke?" Severus pointed to one brother then the next, correctly putting the names to the right boy. After a few seconds of silent communication, Fred smiled at his brother. George then explained that they may have happened to put a small amount of "Fairy Juice" into the half-giant's glass and were simply waiting for the affects to take place.

"What is "Fairy Juice"?" Severus wearily asked knowing he may regret the answer he is given by the two mischievous boys.

Fred answers without hesitation. He explained how he and George were able to make a potion that when ingested, grows fairy wings on the victim's back, while if the potion touches the victim's body, they will turn into a fairy, keeping the victim's original size. Severus was speechless. He stared at the small boys not believing a word that he's heard until he hears a not so manly shriek followed by thunderous laughter. Lifting his head above the table, Severus sees Hagrid dancing around trying to get a look at the wings on his back. He can't help but stare at the glittery translucent wings as they flap and flutter, trying to carry the giant man off the ground. Soon enough he collects himself and turns to the small boys only to see them rolling on the ground, holding onto their stomachs and laughing.

"Who made this potion for you? Did they teach it to you? And for the love of Merlin, how OLD are you two?" Severus questioned.

George, who had finally gotten himself together after a few minutes answered. "We made it up. We like to make jokes. No one makes our potions for us, we can do it. We're already four and Mamma says that we are old enough to be treated like big boys and not babbies. So now we have fun makin' up our own joke juices and tryin' em on each other. When we were little, we could charm our big brother Charlie's toys. His colored wands e'sploded and he was a rainbow for two weeks. Billy, our biggest brother, may have gotten into a bit of trouble for that one. We stick to tryin stuff out on ourselves now." Fred had calmed and sat up during George's speech, eyeing Severus to see if they would be in trouble.

Sitting onto the ground ungracefully, Severus just stared at the boys. They were four-years old and were inventing potions and charming objects to explode when handled. These were quite possibly the most intelligent children that Severus had ever met, aside from Harry of course. After promising the twins that they were in the clear and getting a sample of Fairy Juice, Severus stood and took his leave of the twins. He was now looking forward to when these two would be coming to Hogwarts.

Harry on the other hand was very concerned about the little girl that joined him as his new friends. She hadn't said a word since joining them, but was following the three boys around. "Dway? Won? You 'memba what my daddy called hew?" Harry asked, pointing at Hermione.

"Herrr... I no know." Ron sheepishly replied. He was a bit sad that he wasn't able to speak as well as Harry or Draco yet.

"I fink Herm Hiney." Draco giggled. He thought that the little girl with too much hair was the prettiest thing he had ever seen, but a Malfoy never gives a compliment for free.

Raising an eyebrow and looking very much like Severus, Harry turned to the honey eyed girl and asked what her name was only to be stared at. Hermione looked at Harry without answering. She hadn't said a word since her Mommy and Daddy got very angry at her for making her books talk. She loved the stories but wasn't able to read yet and her parents didn't seem to have a lot of time for her. It only seemed logical that she makes the books read themselves out loud. She thought to herself, "These boys can do things too. They won't get mad at me for magic, would they? Wonder if they tell that nice lady who took me to her house and made up a bedroom just for me? Wonder if she doesn't like me anymore? Would they get me in trouble for using magic?" As Hermione's mind was running away with itself, Harry walked over to her. Looking up at the boy that was suddenly standing in front of her, Hermione watched as Harry picked up a blade of grass and, while holding it in his hand, turned it into a yellow rose. Hermione gasped as Harry held out the flower to his new friend. Harry was about to tell her that it was ok and that she could tell him her name when she was ready, instead he found himself being hugged to death by the small witch.

"Her-my-oh-nee. My name. It's Hermione." She said so softly that Harry was hardly able to hear her.

"Hewminee? That's hawd. Can I caw you Mione?" Harry asked, getting the attention of the other two boys there. Hermione nodded, letting go of Harry. After proper introductions were made to the other two boys, Harry, Hermione, Draco and Ron decided it would be a better use of their time to try and smuggle sweets off of a table and back to the safety of the miniature castle. None of the four noticing the grey tabby cat sitting not too far away listening in on the whole thing.

Only after everyone was fed, gifts were opened and children had played themselves into exhaustion, did Severus let out the sigh he had been holding since the near start of the party. He had said his goodbyes and thank yous and the elves were cleaning up from the party, now he could retire to his study for a short while. Rubbing his hand over his face, Severus failed to notice the figure sitting in his favorite chair. He did not however, miss the scent. Being a Potion Master, not to mention the size of his facial appendage, made it easy for Severus to distinguish different scents. Without turning to face the trespasser, Severus calmly addressed him. "I thought you would have been long gone by now."

"I told you that I wanted to see you." Black sighed.

"You've seen me, now leave." Severus responds, still not turning to look at the face of Sirius Black.

Standing from his comfortable armchair, Sirius made his way over to Severus. "Sev, please. Do you want me to beg? Please look at me. I was hoping we could speak like adults here."

"What is it that you thought I would do, would say to you? Tell you how much I've missed you? Take you into my arms and kiss you? Tell you that I love you and don't want to be parted again? That I want to live happily ever after with you raising Harry, giving him siblings? Hmm? Am I close? Is that the rubbish you wanted from me?" Severus shouted. His fists were clenched, nails digging into the palms of his hands.

"Sev," Sirius was interupted.

"You left." Severus sighed.

"Sev."

"You left and you didn't come back. It's been three years Siri."

"I was SCARED! We were young. I didn't understand what you were doing and you wouldn't tell me!" Sirius sobbed.

"I was doing my damn job! Something I was tasked with doing when I was fourteen years old! I lost friends for a long time because of it. But Lily came back, drug Potter and Lupin kicking and screaming no doubt, but they came back! You didn't. You simply abandon me because you were too scared? Did you ever stop to think that maybe I was scared as well?" Severus hissed. His face a mask of hatred, while inside his emotions were rioting. If only he could get Black to leave, then maybe he would allow himself the indulgence of a break down.

Before Severus' mind could recognize what was happening, Sirius had made his way over to him and was hugging Severus so tightly that he thought he may pass out from lack of oxygen. Without a word, Severus moved his arms around Sirius. The two stood, holding each other for many minutes, until they heard a small giggle from close to their side. Both men looked down to see Harry with a very large smile. "Hi Daddy, Unca Paddyfoot."