A/N: I know that some were confused by the last chapter. There were parts of that chapter that I adored, so I have decided to leave it. This chapter, however, will serve as clarification for some of the plot points that may have been unclear in chapter 6. I have made minor changes to the Draco paragraph in chapter 6.

Thank you so much to my Betas who have given me the necessary kick in the butt I needed to get this done!

Chapter 7: Fireside Chats

Severus stood gazing out the window at the yard that just two hours ago had held Harry's birthday party. Severus had never been the kind of person to give into the frivolities of a birthday party, but over the last few months he had found out that he would give Harry anything that he desired.

Jane stood in the doorway to the library silently watching Severus. She could not believe the way that her life had turned around in the last year. She moved forward and caught Severus' gaze in the window. She smiled gently and handed him a cup of his favorite tea. Their fingertips grazed and they both were shocked by the feelings that they felt.

Severus never thought that one year ago he would be involved with a woman and her child and Muggle woman at that. He turned his gaze toward the children. They were sitting by the fire looking at one of Harry's new books. Mia was pointing to the pictures and telling him the words she knew, which surprisingly were quite a few. Jane had moved her hand to his elbow.

"Let's have a seat by the fire, Sev," Jane suggested.

"Good idea, Madam," Severus said.

Jane just laughed at his formality as they sat in the two chairs facing the fire. They both were watching the children. She had gotten used to Severus' formality and actually found it quite endearing. They looked over at each other and locked eyes. They shared a smile each remembering how they got here.

Flashback—

Severus was thinking that the meeting between Harry and the Grangers could not have gone better as he turned to leave the orphanage that evening. He would be back in the morning to work with Harry. He was anxious to find out what the boy thought of his visitors.

"Good morning, Harry," Severus said, using the appropriate sign as he said it. He was at the orphanage earlier than usual because he was excited to begin their lessons.

Harry immediately brightened when he saw his teacher-friend. Severus smiled when he noticed the expression on Harry's face. It always amazed him how that little boy's presence could lighten the weight of the world off of him, if only for a little while.



Severus was impressed at the progress Harry was making in learning to sign in such a short period of time.

They continued like this for many months, until Harry was able to converse fairly easily with Severus. The Potions Professor knew that signs would come easily to Harry, given the magical signature he could feel emanating from the boy.

One day in the middle of April, he decided that Harry was ready to learn something new. Severus entered the parlor of the orphanage where Harry was waiting with a new- found purpose.

"Are you ready to get started on something more difficult? Or would you like to review what we have done so far and then try to do something new?" Severus asked.

Harry thought for a moment, and then replied "I would like to do something new today, please Sev. What is next? I read all the books that you have given me, and I really liked them!"

Once Harry had finished signing, Severus thought for a moment… "I could teach you some of the things that I know that I am teaching other kids at my school. Would you like that? And then we could move onto naming some plants."

Harry liked that idea, and immediately agreed.

The next two hours were spent with Severus teaching Harry some beginner potions knowledge and then moving onto other books that he had brought with him just in case Harry wanted something more challenging. He was a prodigy of sorts, learning things that other four year olds could not begin to comprehend.

Eventually, Harry began to trust Severus with his thoughts and feelings. He saw that Severus only had the best interests at heart for him, and with that realization, the relationship grew between them, until all he wanted was Severus as his father. The only thing that Harry wanted was a family. He knew though that he would have be patient and wait for Severus.

As for Severus, he grew closer and closer to Jane and Hermione as well as Harry. There was something about the Muggle that was so intriguing, that he was drawn in…and it also helped that Hermione was going to go to Hogwarts when she turned eleven. He could already tell that she had magic, and that she was going to be a very special witch.

Mia was learning sign language so that she could talk to Harry as she would a normal person. It had made Harry so happy that he could talk to another person his age, that he was showing Hermione all his books when he could see her, and when Hermione went to the library, she would get out the exact same books, so that they both had the same skill and knowledge about Sign Language.

Jane was always coming to the orphanage when she had a day off, and coming to get Harry so that he could get out of the house and spend some time with other people.



Once, when Jane came over to the orphanage, Severus was there, and he was going to take Harry out to the zoo. But when he saw Jane, he invited her along, and then they spent the whole day with Harry and each other. Something was growing between them, and Severus wanted to know what it was.

End of flashback

Severus took a long sip out of his tea and pretended to be looking into the fire, but all the while he was watching Jane closely.

"Severus," Jane asked hesitantly. She knew he was lost in his own thoughts, so she didn't want to startle him.

Severus started at the sound of her voice. He carefully put his mask into place and turned to face her.

"Yes, madam," Severus acknowledged.

Jane chuckled softly and shook her head. They had been spending quality time together for many months and still he had yet to drop the formality.

"Severus," Jane began while taking a small sip of her tea. "How long have we been keeping each other company?" She paused as he mulled over her question.

"Since Boxing Day, madam," Severus replied, uncertain of where this conversation was headed.

Jane laughed lightly. "Well then, Severus," Jane emphasized the use of his first name. "I think that it is high time that you call me Jane."

Severus nodded stiffly. Can I use her first name? More importantly, should I? Using her first name seems so familiar. How long have a really known this woman Severus shook his head internally, showing no emotion through his mask.

"I suppose I could adapt to using your first name, Jane," Severus said thoughtfully. He turned back toward the fire.

Jane simply smiled and let the subject drop. "Draco Malfoy seemed to enjoy himself today."

Severus smiled at her, it was just a small upturn of the corners of his mouth, but she had come to know it as his smile. Maybe one day he will give me a real smile.

Severus nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, Jane, he did."

Severus settled back into his chair and thought of Draco and Harry.

Flashback

Things have been progressing wonderfully with Harry. They were learning to communicate better and better each day. Severus knew that Harry's ability to defeat the Dark Lord would allow him to learn 

things faster. He had yet to demonstrate "magic" per sae, but Severus thought that it was only a matter of time. They had spent the months of April and May learning plants and herbs that Harry would need to know to brew easy potions.

As spring turned into summer, Severus was splitting his time between Harry and his godson, Draco. He was still tutoring Harry daily, per Albus' instructions. He also began visiting his godson on weekly basis. He had lost both of his parents in a Death Eater raid. Lucius landed in Azkaban and Cissa was in Mungo's undergoing treatment. Severus wasn't allowed to visit her, as she was being kept under lock and key. He had decided that he wanted to take a more active role in his godson's life. Andromeda was a suitable influence but the boy needed a male influence. He had been thinking about introducing Harry and Draco for awhile and he decided to broach the subject with Andromeda the next time he went to see Draco.

Severus sighed in relief as he left Draco the following Sunday. Andromeda had agreed to bring Draco to the park by her home the following Sunday.

He had spent this week talking to Harry about Draco so he would be adequately prepared to meet him. Severus did not want the child to become frightened. The following Sunday he picked Harry up from the orphanage and took him to the park.

Andromeda and Draco were waiting for them by the swing set when they arrived. Severus had to chuckle to himself when both boys hid their faces. Severus and Harry stopped in front of Draco and Andromeda. He stooped down so he was eye level with Draco.

"Draco," Severus said softly. When Draco still refused to meet his eyes, he tried his pet name for the boy. "Drax," Draco lifted his eyes to meet his godfather's.

"Yes, Sev," Draco replied.

Severus brought Harry forward. Harry trusted Sev so he went willingly.

"Drax," Severus continued. "this is Harry Potter." He then turned and looked at Harry.

"Harry, this is Draco Malfoy," Severus said. The boys looked at each other curiously. Severus was encouraged by this so he continued. "Harry can hear you, but he is unable to speak at the moment," Severus paused to allow Draco to absorb his words. "He can sign the letters of words individually, so you don't get confused. I have taught you the alphabet, so that should not be an issue." Draco had been listening attentively to his godfather's words and nodded in understanding.

Draco squared his shoulders and stepped forward. He looked at Harry for a moment.

"Hi Harry," Draco stuck out his hand. "You can call me Drax because we can be friends." Harry smiled at him and took his hand. A friendship was sealed in that moment.

End Flashback



Severus took his final sip of his tea as his thoughts came back to the present. He was happy that Harry and Drax had bonded over the last month. He was even pleased that he had taken to Mia. It would make his plans go more smoothly.

"Well, we better take our leave of you, Jane," Severus said calling the kids over to him.

"We must go, Harry," Severus said as he tied the boy's trainers.

Harry gave both Jane and Mia fierce hugs and signed "Thank you". They returned the hugs and simultaneously said "You're welcome, Harry. Happy Birthday!"

Harry laughed and grasped Sev's hand and they walked toward the orphanage.

They reached the orphanage 10 minutes later. Severus did not want to leave the boy there. He knelt down to the boy's level. He looked deep into Harry's eyes and felt the boy's mind open up to him.

: Happy Birthday, Harry:Severus' smooth voice whispered in his head. : Did you have fun today?:

:Yes I did, Sev.: Harry replied back, gazing deeply into the onyx orbs. :Thank you so much for everything.:

:You're welcome, Harry. We are going to continue your Occlumency and Legilimency training.:

Harry hugged his Sev as he felt the man leave his mind. He was confused at what the big words meant, but if Sev said he had to learn it he would.

Severus watched the boy disappear behind the door of the orphanage and for the first time in a long while, he felt hope.

A/N: Thanks for reading this, please review. I had some family issues that delayed the posting of this chapter. I hope you hung in there with me. Also the mind speak is denoted with the : .