We Are Family

Lily and Elijah had spent the past hours questioning Michael about the magical world and their new stepfather. In the face of witches visiting, and finding their mother was now married to a strange and intimidating wizard, Michael's presence was extremely comforting. Kingsley had opted to take a short 'nap,' so they could talk together without constraint.

When Zelda and Severus came out of the bedroom, all three stared openly. Michael wondered how Severus was dealing with his new freedom from wartime horrors and took note of the wizard's subtle anxiety, even as he recognized that these two people had just had outstanding sex. Sex couldn't solve everything, but marriage to Zelda would help to ground Severus and offer shelter when his demons threatened. Because there were obviously demons, thought Michael. No one could have spent half of his life playing such dangerous roles, seeing such horrors, without being damaged.

"You all look cozy," said Zelda.

They were seated in front of the fire. Elijah was sitting on the hearthrug with Rowena's head pillowed on his thigh. The dog looked up at the newcomers and raised her head briefly. Her tail thumped against the floor, but she remained where she was.

Lily and Michael were seated together on the couch, both trying hard not to smile when Severus magically enlarged the squashy armchair so as to accommodate himself and Zelda.

"There are two chairs," Michael said mildly.

"Sorry, but the honeymoon's almost over," said Zelda. "Get over it, babe."

"Doesn't look over to me," he replied as he watched her reach out to hold Severus's hand.

"Monday morning I shall return to Hogwarts," said Severus in a level tone.

"I see. Teaching?"

"Minerva needs some dirty work done, so she's calling in the most competent wizard she knows," said Zelda lightly, squeezing the thin hand that held hers. "He'll come home at night."

"She's paying you, right?" asked Michael.

Severus rolled his eyes heavenward. "Yes."

"It's all good, then. You can buy your wife an awesome Christmas present."

Zelda's hand twitched in Severus's grasp. "Because I'm all about greed? Shut up, Michael! I have a brand new husband for Christmas. I don't need anything more, ever."

"Mom, it's okay," said Lily. "He was kidding." From her childhood, she remembered her father's spiteful accusations and knew some wounds from that unhappy marriage might never heal.

Severus saw Elijah watching silently. The young man was taking in every word, but seemed cautious about joining the conversation. It was hard to know what he was thinking. He looked an intelligent boy and obviously loved his mother, but he seemed to find it difficult to offer an opinion in this setting.

Elijah realized that his mother's new husband was looking thoughtfully at him. Having seen how happy his mother was, how intimate she was with this grim-faced man, he was irritated. He realized suddenly that he was jealous. Never in his life had he seen his mum so glowingly happy. He met Severus's gaze briefly, but shame forced him to look away.

"Elijah, why do you and your sister each call your mother by a different name?" asked Severus.

The young man flushed slightly. "When I was a kid I read a book called Indian in the Cupboard and got a little obsessed with it. It took place in London and it was what the boy called his mom. It's stupid, I guess."

"No, It's lovely," replied Zelda defensively. "I wouldn't know you were speaking to me if you called me anything else."

"Eli, let me know when you have time and you can visit Kingsley and me in London," Michael interjected. "You'll love it there."

The young man, who resembled Zelda so closely, beamed at Michael. Severus was grateful for the presence of his friend. He hoped Michael's presence would be helpful in sorting out this new relationship. The resemblance between Elijah and Zelda was quite striking. He hoped the young man would not hate his mother's marriage. If that occurred, Zelda would grieve, which was unacceptable.

"What's Michael been telling you while we were sleeping?" asked Zelda, with an appraising look at her children.

Lily smiled wickedly. "A lot," she said flatly.

Zelda squirmed faintly, a movement Severus could feel. He was surprised that his matter-of-fact wife could be embarrassed, but it seemed in dealing with one's children, admitting love, much less sexual activity, was not an easy thing. Not having children, it was a new thing to consider. He had felt occasionally uncomfortable having Potter and his friends witness his affectionate relationship with Zelda, but that was past. Those three, at least, had become fond of Zelda and found nothing strange about their relationship.

"Would you care to elaborate?" asked Severus, putting a reassuring arm around his wife's shoulder.

Lily gazed calmly at him. "Lord Voldemort. Giants, moving corpses, psychotic witches, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, my mom Obliviated, you spying and my mom saving your life when you were left for dead in the forest."

"It sounds like you know more than I do," said Zelda, leaning against Severus's warmth, shivering. Knowing she'd been Obliviated frightened her, and she'd tried not to think much of it since she learned about it.

"It doesn't surprise me that she saved your life, Severus," Elijah said suddenly. "With all the camping we've done, Mum tried so hard to be prepared for every possible disaster. Nothing ever happened to us, but she was ready, with her first aid training." His blue eyes twinkled as he looked at his mother. "Did you love finally having a victim to take care of?"

"It was scary, actually doing it," she said reminiscently. "I think I finally remember everything about that day. I meant to get Severus to a hospital, but he convinced me not to."

"You were a pushover, as always," Michael chuckled. "Hey, can you remember more?"

"Bits and pieces," she said slowly. "Without the whole context I have a hard time sorting out what's real. It seems like the strangest, most outrageous things that pop into my mind turn out to be true."

"What can you remember?" asked Severus.

"I remember Harry coming to my door. Then he brought his friends and you enlarged the living room and practiced dueling with them."

She leaned against Severus and said haltingly, "I remember Harry thought… Harry needed convincing that you were on the same side."

"You were very helpful in dealing with the bloody boy," murmured Severus, tightening his arm around her shoulders.

"Harry's the one who was supposed to kill the bad guy," said Lily. "Like the kid celebrity of the wizarding world."

Severus rolled his eyes in disgust, and frowned when Michael chuckled wickedly at him.

"He's a sweet kid," said Zelda. "I don't know why you act so irritated by him, Sev."

His lip curled involuntarily as he remembered all those years of trying to keep the bloody brat safe, as well as pounding an education through that thick skull. In the end they managed to work together against Voldemort, however, and now it seemed the boy no longer hated him. Still…

A door opened and closed. Kingsley joined them, looking bright-eyed and mischievous.

"A peaceful kip on a Friday afternoon is just what the Healer ordered," he said, grinning. "What shall we do now, mates?"

"I want to meet the famous Harry Potter," said Lily decisively.

Severus snorted.

"Maybe he doesn't want to meet you, Lils," replied Zelda. "The poor kid doesn't want to be treated like a freak show."

"Well, Michael told us that you had a birthday party for the kid. It sounds to me like you're pretty tight with him, so I want to check him out for myself," she replied firmly.

Zelda looked blank in response to her daughter's statement. "I did what?" she asked. She looked at Severus for confirmation, and closed her eyes, groaning, as she realized that this was another memory that she couldn't grasp.

"Your call, Zel," said Michael. "I do think it's a good idea for the kids to meet Harry. Since classes are over for the week, Ron and Hermione too. Kingsley can go collect them, and we'll have a big, fun house party. Eli would love to see wizard chess."

"Please, Mom?" asked Lily.

"Eli? What do you think?" asked Zelda.

"Sure, why not," he said.

She looked first at Kingsley, who was smiling broadly, and then at Severus, who didn't seem to mind too much.

"Okay, go ahead," she said. "Why don't you all find a way to get some pizza, in case anyone's tired of turkey leftovers?"

Michael looked at Kingsley. "Can you Apparate Eli and me to Pedro's? You can go get the kids, meet us there, and we'll all come back together."

Elijah laughed in amazement. "Pedro's? God, that's great. I haven't had my favorite pizza since I left for Berkeley. I like magic more and more, Michael."

Elijah stood up, followed immediately by Rowena.

"You stay here, gorgeous girl," he said, petting the silky ears. "I'll be right back."

Rowena gazed intently at her new human, then turned to her owners, placing her head on Severus's knee, with her tail waving gently.

"My dog?" asked Zelda mockingly. "Look at her. She loves men!"

Severus stroked the dog's soft head, feeling rather smug. The more time he spent with Rowena, the more he understood why people kept pets. It was pleasing to be adored by an animal. His lips twitched in amusement at Zelda's cynical little comment.

A moment later, there was only Lily, gazing curiously at them.

"Well, Lils, is Elijah going to be okay with this?" asked Zelda. "You've had more time to be grown up, so I'm not so worried about you. But it's always been hard to drag an opinion out of your brother."

"Give him time, Mom. He'll be okay."

"Okay, I know we're throwing a lot at you both," she said quietly. "Um, Lil, no matter where we live, I'm still here for you and Eli, always."

"I know," replied her daughter, smiling wryly. "I want you to be happy, and you two have something good here. Michael approves too, and I trust the big brat's judgment."

"What do you think of Kingsley?" asked Zelda.

"Oh, man! Hot stuff! I hope they last, because they're really cute together. Kingsley's smart too," said Lily enthusiastically. "They're going to visit me in Geneva."

"Lily, I'll bring your mother to you any time you need her," promised Severus. "We'll find ways for you to communicate, even without phones."

"It's weird that you're a wizard, but I think you're the best person who could ever be with my mom," said Lily. "I'm glad you found each other."

"Thanks, Sweetie," her mother said gratefully.

Zelda kissed Severus's cheek and got reluctantly to her feet. "We're going to have company shortly. If they want to, will anyone mind if they stay over night?" She turned and looked sternly at her spouse. "Besides you, I mean."

Severus looked enquiringly at her and shrugged his shoulders slightly, making her smile.

"If magical people are in your future, I want to know some of them. Professor McGonagall intimidated the hell out of me. I hope these magical kids are more like normal," said Lily.

"Professor McGonagall has that effect on everyone," Severus said dryly. "She was my Transfiguration teacher when I was a student. I still wonder if she'll give me detention if I push her too far."

"Thus sayeth the meanest teacher at Hogwarts," said Zelda, going behind his chair and kissing his black hair. "She must be tough, if you're scared of her."

In a flash he caught her hand and held it firmly. "Mean?" he asked coldly, pulling her relentlessly down, close to him.

"Terrifying, so they say," she murmured, easing around the chair and settling in his lap. When he released her hand, she put both her hands on his lined cheeks and smiled into his black eyes, stroking his eyebrow with her thumb.

"You must be a brave woman, Mrs. Snape," he said softly. He pressed his nose gently against hers.

"Or infatuated beyond good sense," she whispered, brushing her lips against his.

Lily realized they had forgotten about her for the moment and watched shamelessly. Seeing the spark between them, she realized Leif would have been a dreadful mistake. She wanted the kind of love her mother had found, although she wondered if it would ever come to her.

Severus looked up, suddenly remembering his new stepdaughter's presence. He saw a tiny, approving smile in her eyes, which made him flush, but defiantly he kissed his wife and hugged her tight against his chest.

Zelda put her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his neck, letting the strong beat of his heart thud comfortably against her. They stayed that way until the door was flung open and a crowd poured into the cabin.

"Hey! Who's hungry?" shouted Michael cheerfully. He saw Zelda snuggling with Severus and rolled his eyes. "Lils, come meet the gang."

Harry entered with Elijah, both of them carrying boxes and parcels for their pizza feast. His eyes went first to Professor Snape and Zelda, slowly getting to their feet, and he smiled. It was wonderful, after all the suffering and death caused by Voldemort, to see the two of them so happy.

Ron and Hermione followed with Kingsley, and Hermione was carrying her school bag. Rowena frisked up to them, moving from one to the other excitedly.

"Hey, Zelda, Professor," said Ron. "Thanks for letting us escape the common room." As he spoke, he became aware of the other person sitting by the fire and stared at the lovely young woman.

"Hi kids," Zelda said. "You've met Elijah, I see. This is his sister, Lily."

"Hello," said Hermione, stepping forward and holding out her hand. "I'm Hermione Granger and it's great to finally meet you, Lily."

Lily liked the look of the girl, who was a bit younger than Elijah, but had an air of competence that was very attractive.

"Hi, Hermione," she replied, shaking hands warmly. "It's good to meet you. I'm glad you could come here tonight. But, um, why do you have a book bag?"

Hermione's cheeks turned pink as she replied, "I have a few questions for Professor Snape, about Potions." She looked shyly at her former teacher, standing with Zelda. "If it's not too much trouble, Sir. Oh! Congratulations! Harry told us you and Zelda are married. I think it's great."

Lily turned to her new stepfather, and her skeptical eyebrow reminded him of Zelda.

"How mean are you, Severus?" she asked drolly. "I don't know many teachers who'd tutor students on his honeymoon."

"I fear foolish people will believe Zelda has made me soft," he said.

"Absolutely not," Zelda said firmly. "No way!" She slipped a hand behind his back and discreetly rubbed right where he liked it. Years of stooping for long hours over steaming cauldrons had made one spot constantly painful, and she'd quickly discovered she could ease the ache.

He schooled his face to impassiveness, in spite of the fact that he wanted to purr like a cat when she rubbed that particular spot.

"Later, Miss Granger," he said. "The pizza will get cold if we do not eat it now."

She beamed at him and they all headed for the table.

&&&&&&&&&

During dinner it became obvious that Elijah, although slightly older, had much in common with the two boys. Ron enthusiastically promised they'd show him wizard chess, but insisted first he wanted to learn how to play Nintendo, since Harry and Zelda seemed to miss some of the nuances. Elijah had laughed, rolling his eyes at his mother's pretence of video game expertise.

After dinner, Ron and Elijah headed straight for the TV, but Harry naturally began to help Zelda with the dishes, washing up in non-magical fashion.

"Well, Harry?" asked Zelda, smiling at him. "You don't have to help, why don't you go play with the others?"

"I like to wash up with you," he said quietly. "It's a nice break from school."

They worked in a companionable silence, broken only by the conversation and electronic Nintendo music coming from the other room.

"Zelda…" he began, but paused, unsure what he could say.

"What's wrong, Harry?" she asked gently.

"What should I do now?" he asked nervously. "I couldn't plan to have a life, because of Voldemort. But now, it's over and I don't know… I thought I could be happy. They say I have my whole life ahead of me, but… I just feel so empty."

He looked at her wearily, taking off his steamy glasses and polishing them with the hem of his T-shirt.

"Harry," she began, carefully watching him as she put the last plate away. "Michael went through this, after the war. If you ever want to talk, I'll always be here for you, but I wish you'd talk to him. He's been through this, and it's hard. Most people don't understand and they'll tell you to suck it up and get over it, I bet. But it's not easy."

He looked guiltily at her, feeling ashamed of unloading his troubles. But he was pleased when she hugged him and kissed his cheek. He hugged her back and felt less alone for a moment.

"Are you finished manhandling my wife, Potter?" asked a familiar, mocking voice.

Harry jumped, but relaxed when Zelda giggled. He looked nervously into Professor Snape's black eyes and saw no irritation, for once. He smiled wearily and said, "I wasn't manhandling Zelda, Sir."

Zelda went to Severus and kissed his cheek. These two were so stupid together, she thought, but they needed each other. She busied herself putting away the dishtowels and cleaning the sink, then asked, "Will you come and be social?"

"I must ask Potter for a moment of conversation, my girl, but after that I shall, of course, enjoy being social," he muttered coldly.

She smiled at them and went to join the others.

Severus gestured to the table and they sat down across from each other. He studied Harry closely and saw signs of exhaustion and stress.

"What has happened among the students recently?" he asked.

Harry wasn't the least bit surprised Professor Snape would know.

"It's getting worse, not better. I thought, after Voldemort was… gone, things would be okay at school. But people are angry. There's a lot of talk about the Slytherins," he said, frowning. "A lot of people are taking it all out on Malfoy…"

Severus paused to collect his thoughts briefly. "Are the younger students much affected by it?"

Here Harry was forced to think. Finally he said, "I really don't know much about them, Sir. I guess I've been so obsessed with myself that I haven't paid much attention. Hermione would know more than I do."

"I spoke with the Headmistress earlier. She is concerned," said Severus slowly.

"Yeah, I can see why," he replied, sinking into a gloomy silence.

"Potter, I shall return to Hogwarts on Monday," he began, but he was shocked briefly at the boy's sudden hopeful gaze.

"Really?" asked Harry. "Are you going to teach? Is Zelda coming?"

"No, she is not," he replied. "She is far from regaining all of her memories and I do not believe it would be safe for her, at this time. To bring a Muggle to Hogwarts is possible, but I cannot assure her safety there now."

The green eyes narrowed with worry and the light faded from Harry's face. "Oh… I didn't think of that, Sir. I'd really like to see her every day, that's all."

"The Headmistress has asked me to evaluate the situation," said Severus, feeling reluctantly touched by the boy's confession. "I shall return to Zelda every day. Please do not tell anyone else of our marriage. If I am to sort out a hostile situation, any repercussions should be directed toward me."

"I'm glad you're coming back," said Harry. In fact, knowing his former nemesis would be back at school again eased a little of the emptiness inside him. "Only Ron and Hermione know, and of course Professor McGonagall and Ron's mum, I guess. We won't tell anyone."

"Thank you. But what about Miss Weasley?" asked Severus.

"We wanted to tell her, but… I dunno, but we didn't feel we should. So we didn't," replied Harry. "Professor, she still feels horribly guilty about what happened. Bringing Zelda to Hogwarts that day, I mean. She knows how stupid it was and she's really sorry. She wants to apologize to Zelda."

"I can imagine," he replied coldly. "However, there would be no point, unless Zelda remembers what happened. Knowing my wife, do you believe she'll hold a grudge?"

"No," said Harry, looking slightly less glum. "But it made things harder for both of you."

"It is nothing to worry about now," said Severus. He rose. "Thank you for your time, Potter. Now, I believe we must be social," he muttered sourly.

"Elijah and Lily are nice," offered Harry shyly. "Thanks for letting us meet them. I never thought I'd be glad to escape Hogwarts, but it's good to be here tonight."

"You're welcome," replied Severus. He rolled his eyes in disbelief, realizing that he had just voluntarily had a productive conversation with Harry Potter. Life was certainly full of interesting twists.