Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, JK does. All original characters are mine though.

AN: Thanks to all those who have subscribed to this story, I love you all. On another note, I am looking for a beta. I can beta others work, but not really my own. Lastly I got my very own laptop so updates may come more quickly but don't hold me to this please.


Chapter 10 - A Change in You

A week had passed since the pair had agreed on their new arrangement and Sirius had worked diligently on the first through third year level potions he had been assigned. He was surprised at how quickly he was improving and how quickly he was able to recall the ingredients reactions to one another, as well as the potions, their uses and even many of their steps. He'd worked with Severus one day, but once Severus was satisfied he would not blow up the lab Sirius was left well enough alone. Each worked on their own potions whenever they had the time.

Today Severus was going to give Sirius an assessment to see if he was ready to do higher level potions, as he'd finished with the lower level potions orders the previous day. Severus' employers were happy to receive their filled orders and wished to put in more orders, but Severus informed them that he was training an apprentice and he would not take any more orders until he was satisfied with his apprentices work and all caught up on his current orders. He informed all his employers that his apprentice was progressing well and he was sure he'd be a master in no time, but told no one his apprentices' name.

Sirius headed down into the lab, where he knew Severus waited for him. The twins would be asleep for at least an hour and Severus would be observing his assessment until they awoke. Sirius was nervous and felt like he was back in fifth year about to complete his O.W.L.s as he was being assessed on 4th and 5th year level potions. Sirius entered the potions lab and went about gathering his equipment and setting it up. Severus watched the entire time as Sirius followed the directions laid out for him and he mentally took notes.

The assessment went on in that fashion for nearly an hour and forty-five minutes and Sirius has completed two 4th year potions and had one 4th and two 5th year potions brewing. The twins awoke and Severus left him to finish, returning nearly an hour later to see Sirius putting away the last of the cleaned equipment. Severus went to inspect the finished potions, but Sirius was too nervous to wait, so he headed upstairs to start dinner. He was setting the table when Severus came up and handed him a piece of paper. Sirius' heart raced as he opened the small scroll. Inside, in Severus neat handwriting, was an O along with a comment that read 'I am impressed Black and that is very hard to do. You will begin on 3 fifth, 2 sixth, and 1 seventh year level potions tomorrow. Do not disappoint me.'

Sirius was ecstatic, so much so that he gave Severus a big hug before going to get their dinner. Severus simply told him, "you're welcome," and sat down at the table. Sirius was so happy that all he could talk about during dinner was potions, not that Severus minded fore he rather enjoyed the conversation. Most of all Sirius thought about maybe having the chance to continue working with Severus and he would always be near his children, assuming Snape would offer him as permanent job. Once dinner was done Severus began to clear the dishes and ran nice, hot, soapy water to wash them in, preferring to do it the muggle way. Sirius listened for the twins whines and cries for a moment, but when he heard nothing he went to grab a towel and preceded to help Severus with the dishes; drying and putting them away after they were washed and rinsed. There was no conversation between the two, just a comfortable silence noting the pair had done this before.

Sirius glanced to Severus hands every so often and as they finished washing the dishes his mind began to wander and he began to wonder how the hands of the man beside him could be so meticulous and precise, yet also so gentle and loving. He was pulled from his thoughts by the loud cry he knew to be Artemis', then looked to Severus who simply nodded and Sirius left the task of putting away the pots and readying the bottles to Severus. Sirius made his way up the hall to the steps and quickly climbed them, up to the hallway and made his way to the nursery. He opened the door to the nursery; it was done in soft blues and yellows with furniture made of a light oak. The walls have scenes on them of families of magical creatures sleeping. It made Sirius chuckle to see something so un-Snapelike in Severus' home.

Sirius walked across the room toward the cots which sat side by side, going between them and reaching into Artemis' cot first to retrieve his screaming daughter, then turning and reaching into Siri's cot to retrieve his whimpering son. He looked between the two as Severus entered the room, "even though they are still so little I can tell Artemis will be as energetic as I was and Sirius will be as quiet as you." Sirius looked to Severus, 'did he just laugh.' He faced betrayed his thoughts because Severus began to laugh outright, rich velvety chuckles. It warmed Sirius' heart to hear it and made his stomach flip and turn, but Sirius shoved the feeling away and allowed Severus to take little Siri from him. "You know Black, that could always change. They are still young," said Severus sitting in the rocking chair over near a small toy chest in another corner of the room. "Yes. I know," said Sirius smiling at Artemis, even so he was still certain the girl would be like him.

He made his way over to Severus and picked up Artemis bottle from the lid on the toy chest. Sirius sat on the floor among the teddy bears near the rocking chair, as there was only one, but he did not mind. He enjoyed sitting on the floor feeding his son or daughter and listening to the rhythmic rocking of the chair beside him. It was so peaceful and always ended to soon.

Artemis finished he bottle quickly then gave two loud burps as Sirius patted he back. Sirius yawned, he was very tired, but he knew Artemis needed to be bathed before he laid her down to sleep. This was preformed as quickly and gently as possible and Artemis was asleep before Sirius even finished dressing her. Sirius was vaguely aware of Severus tucking Siri in and kissing Artemis goodnight as he kissed Siri goodnight, but he did not really recall Severus leaving the room, nor did he really recall leaving the room.

Sirius awoke the next morning feeling refreshed, but quickly realized he'd slept through the twins night feedings, quickly jumped out of bed and made his way to their room, where Severus stood with Artemis getting ready to diaper her. He was smiling, so Sirius assumed he wasn't angry and he made his way over to the pair. "Good morning," he said softly. Severus turned to him, as he finished putting the diaper on his sleeping daughter. "Morning," he yawned, "what's for breakfast?" Sirius shrugged, "I don't know. What do you want?" Severus smiled a sleepy smile, "surprise me." Sirius thought the sleep smile was cute and grinned, "Fine then, why don't you go lay back down for a while," he said taking Artemis, "and I'll whip up a surprise for breakfast." Severus nodded and headed back to the comfort of his bed, while Sirius laid Artemis down, then headed downstairs to prepare breakfast slowly. He was surprised that when he was done Severus has not come down, but it gave him an idea. He packed breakfast up on two trays and headed upstairs with the two trays floating in front of him.

When he reached Severus' room, knocking on the door he called, "room service," before opening the door. Severus was just sitting up as Sirius levitated the two trays of food over to him, one landing at the end on the bed and the other in Severus' lap. "Breakfast in bed, hope you don't mind," said Sirius climbing onto the end of the bed and sitting Indian style at the end.

Severus let out one of his rich velvety laughs, which made Sirius stomach do somersaults, but Sirius quickly focused on his food and ignored the nervous somersaulting of his stomach. Severus smiled for a moment, but Sirius did not notice fore he was not looking. "Thank you. I really needed that extra sleep." Sirius looked up and grinned, "You're welcome," he said, "didn't want you falling asleep while brewing. I don't fancy being blown up." Sirius laughed lightly and Severus laughed to rolling his eyes before the pair tucked into breakfast. Their breakfast was mostly silent as each was lost in their own thoughts. Sirius was trying to figure out his stomach's recent misbehavior and Severus thinking about how different and kind Sirius seemed. He was thinking that he could actually get use to their arrangement and the thought made his heart race. He tried to ignore his body's reaction and tried to make conversation from time to time, but it mostly went nowhere. Once the pair finished they needed to go care for their young ones, and then work on their potions orders.

Life continued on much the same for the next three weeks, except for Sirius going on a date once or twice a week. He though it was best that he get out more often since his stomach was acting funny every so often. Sirius would be leaving very soon and his night would be spent in his own home, but Severus would be taking new potions orders soon and since Sirius now worked with him his days would be spent at Snape's. He was getting use to the idea of spending the night away from his children, even if he was getting use to the idea very slowly.


Next Chp: Chapter 11 – Nightmares Aren't So Bad