The sound of the arrival of an unexpected guest woke him with a start. The black-haired man was wide awake although twenty-five years had passed since the Second War, the wariness would always be part of him. He was displeased and mumbled grim words about this disturbance. Who the hell visited him now? It had to be in the middle of the night. Groaning he moved out of bed carefully not to wake his lover next to him. Bleary-eyed he put a silencing charm onto the bed thus at least one of them would be able to sleep through after this blooming wedding. Taking his dressing gown he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. The short hair confounded him, who had always had shoulder-length hair. But it was not that bad for it took less time taking care of.
"Who the hell is waking me up in the middle of the night?" Snape was angered. Teddy staggered to his feet from the fireplace where he had been sitting until the owner of the house arrived. He looked a picture of misery. "Theodore Remus Lupin? What are you doing here on the first day of your marriage? What-" He was interrupted.
"Uncle Sev ... I've made the biggest mistake of my life!" the young man choked on his baleful words. Severus took his visitor's arm and placed the youngster on his sofa. He mumbled soft words to sooth the now crying boy.
"Oh Teddy... I am sorry. I never thought you'd realize it so fast." At this Teddy met Severus's eyes. "You knew?" His voice broke.
Severus returned half an hour later to his bedroom. He was deep in thought when he climbed in his bed. Warm arms embraced him, his neck was nuzzled affectionately and a drowsy voice asked where he had been. Severus gave into the embrace, "It was nothing, go on sleeping Nev."