A Family Reunion

Friday evening Zelda finally had her family together at Harry's house. They sat outdoors in comfortable chairs, enjoying the long twilight and pondering the future of young Alaric Snape.

"I hope you'll let him visit us sometimes," said Lily. "He needs to know his big sister and brother. And can we come pester you this summer?"

"We want you to pester us a lot," replied her mother, chuckling at Elijah's efforts to calm the fussing newborn. "Eli, he's getting hungry. There's nothing you can do for him."

Her son nervously brought the baby to her as Zelda unbuttoned her dress. Neatly she covered her breast and the baby out of deference to her modest son and to Harry. Her milk had come in that morning and her breasts were warm and engorged with milk. Alaric had been overwhelmed at first by such abundance, but now he drank eagerly, a great relief to his mother.

Severus had wondered if the older two felt any jealousy toward the new arrival, but as the evening wore on and they described their plans, it seemed that such feelings were minimal. Lily was immersed in her new job teaching languages at the local university, and had described her progress in planting Zelda's flower garden.

"The herb garden's incredible, bigger than I've ever seen it," she told them. "It smells wonderful and I've started drying a few early arrivals."

"I'm glad," said Zelda. "I do miss it at times, but knowing you're taking care of it is good. How are the cats?"

Lily looked concerned. "The older two are fine, cranky and bossy as always, but they're mean to Marshmallow. The poor little thing looks a bit lost."

Severus hadn't thought about the cats since he'd brought Zelda to Hogwarts, but seeing his wife's stricken face, he knew what was coming."

"Can we take her?" asked Zelda. "Poor little one, she's always been my little people cat, not like Lily's old jungle beasts. She and Rowena can keep each other company."

"I've always thought we needed a white, shedding cat to complete our family," he replied mockingly. "Of course we'll take her. I'll escort you home, Lily, and collect Marshmallow."

Harry wanted to laugh at how Professor Snape would do anything for Zelda, even risk undignified white cat hairs appearing on his black robes. But Zelda's glowing smile demonstrated why her grouchy husband would willingly accept another Muggle pet.

Zelda detached Alaric from her breast and murmured, "You look absolutely intoxicated, baby. I hope you saved room for the other side."

The infant's head lolled down onto her shoulder and he looked half asleep. She held him there, rubbing his back for a moment.

"Just a little more," she said, offering the other breast.

Gamely, he began suckling again.

"He'll double his weight in no time," she told the others. "The bigger he gets, the sooner he'll sleep through the night."

"Want me to cheer him on?" asked Elijah with a mocking smile.

They all laughed.

"Eli, will your summer classes keep you busy all summer?" asked Harry. "I hope we can get together sometimes."

"Why don't you come stay with me for a while?" said Elijah. "I know you grew up in Muggle land, but you didn't see much that's interesting. You can see what Berkeley's like. California's an amazing place."

Harry's green eyes lit up with pleasure and he said, "Really? I'd love it!"

"Alaric needs changing and some rest now. He's asleep already," said Zelda.

She rose and entered the house, deeply pleased that Elijah had offered Harry an American holiday. Harry was in a unique position in his magical world, and as a half-blood wizard, he was of two worlds. He seemed to have so many questions; perhaps he could find his answers in more than one place.

"Mom, can I try changing him?" asked Lily, having followed her mother up to the bedroom.

"Gladly," she replied. "Everything's right here. If you do his diaper, I'll get him some fresh jammies."

Together they tended the baby companionably, and when they put him into the little cot, they stood together and watched him sleep.

"He's wonderful, Mom, and really lucky he's yours," said Lily. "I hope I can be part of his life, even if he's magical."

Zelda hugged her daughter and replied, "He's not going to have a childhood like yours. He's going to need your sanity to balance the magical part of his life. Most wizards seem totally devoid of common sense, you know."

"Except Severus," said Lily. "Will you come home and visit sometime? I ran into Mrs. Bergman at Target last week and she said she hopes you'll be able to come back and show off the baby."

"I don't know if Severus could stand the strain, but I'd love to see everyone. Practically everything Alaric owns is a gift from my colleagues. We write to each other, in fact the letters come here."

"You have a crazy life, but I guess it's not boring," said Lily. "I don't think I could keep up with it."

Zelda smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek.

"I see they're coming in. What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Harry's going to take us into the village, so we can see a little of Scotland. Unless you need us to do something for you here."

"Go and have fun," said Zelda. "I'll be lounging here in between feedings, wishing I had a waist."

&&&&&&&&&

Dilys arrived on Saturday, shortly after Harry escorted Lily and Elijah off to see the village. She found Severus and Zelda sitting with the baby in the dappled shade of a large old tree.

"This is a lovely place," she said. "It's almost a shame it belongs to young Potter. You two seem so happy and comfortable here."

"Harry needs a home of his own, so I can't begrudge him," replied Zelda. "But this is a delightful place, especially in the springtime."

"Let's see how young Alaric is looking," said Dilys, taking the baby and studying him. "Ah, his color is very good. Has your milk come in?"

"Like a tidal wave. That child is extremely well fed."

Indeed his skin tone showed a well hydrated, healthy newborn. Dilys sat down and undressed the baby, checking the umbilical stump.

"He looks fine," she said in satisfaction as she dressed him. "Now, I'd like to examine you, Zelda."

She handed the baby to Severus and followed Zelda up to the bedroom.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Fine. Tired, but I expected that," said Zelda as she undressed. "Breastfeeding is going well and Severus is taking good care of me."

"Excellent," said the Healer. "Now, I feel rather silly saying it, but remember that you cannot have sex again until you're finished bleeding."

Blushing slightly, Zelda replied, "I do know. I should be too exhausted to even think about sex, but I fear the next weeks might begin to seem long."

Dilys laughed comfortably. "I remember what I was like in my forties. That's why I brought up the subject, even though I know you're a sensible woman."

She examined Zelda, finding that she was progressing well.

"If you feel unwell, don't hesitate to call me. Otherwise, I'll come to see Alaric in a week. I believe you'll heal well as long as you remember to rest and avoid lifting anything heavy."

"Severus would follow me and Levitate everything if he heard you say that," Zelda said with a wry smile. "I'll take care of myself."

"Good. I've enjoyed seeing you through this pregnancy, Zelda. If you and Severus ever decide to have another child, please call on me."

Zelda hooted with laughter at the very idea. "This wasn't supposed to happen! Alaric is the dearest baby and I'm very glad we have him, but this is it."

"I simply want you to know I'll be there if you need me," said Dilys mildly.

Zelda finished dressing again and they went back outside, where they found Severus reclining in his chair with his legs stretched out in front of him, the sleeping baby held comfortably on his chest. His eyes were closed, but he opened them when he heard the women approaching, and gave them a warning glare.

Zelda clamped her lips tightly shut, trying not to laugh at the sight of terrifying Professor Snape in such a position. The sight of him with the baby threatened to melt her heart, they were so sweet, but she was well aware that few people would ever see him this way. She nodded to Dilys, who simply waved at Severus and then Apparated away.

"Quiet," he hissed, but his eyes smiled at her.

She blew them a kiss and went back to the house to decide what they'd have for lunch. The kids wouldn't be back until suppertime, she thought. It relaxed her to be away from Hogwarts, able to do simple chores the way she'd done them all her life. She made a large bowl of pasta salad and decided the rest could wait until later. Then she went out to see if Severus was awake yet, Rowena frisking by her side.

It was a glorious spring day. The sky was exquisitely blue and the air was tender and mild, intoxicating to one who'd been living inside an immense castle for months. She was so distracted by the freshness of the day that she didn't see Rowena dash ahead and playfully nose Severus on his bare neck until it was happening. He started, but with a new father's instinct he held the baby firmly, merely opening his eyes.

"Rowena!" Zelda snapped in a low voice.

The dog ran to her, looking nervous at the anxiety radiating in Zelda's voice.

"Oh, Sweetie, don't worry," said Zelda, kneeling to hug the dog. "I was scared for our baby, but you know I love you."

Rowena was reassured and trotted by her side as Zelda went to sit down in the chair next to Severus.

"You two look so adorable together," she murmured, admiring his thin muscular arms, visible in the old T-shirt he wore.

He simply looked at her, his mouth twitching as he tried not to smile at her. The baby squirmed briefly and the tiny warmth on his chest that amazed the wizard. He kissed the tender top of his son's head, breathing in the unique scent that was Alaric's.

"Do you feel crowded by all of us?" asked Zelda.

"Sometimes I feel crowded by others, but not by you and Alaric."

She smiled, her eyes twinkled as she said, "I'd like to catch a quick nap, if you can handle that unruly child."

"I'll come to you if I find I can't handle him. Go rest, my girl," he told her fondly.

Her willingness to leave the child with him testified to her trust in him. He'd seen in her eyes that she'd give her own life to keep Alaric safe. It went far deeper than logic. It came from her soul. Her feeling for their son gave him some idea how Lily's sacrifice had protected Potter, and this flash of insight into what was most subtle and powerful gave him much to muse on whilst Alaric slept.

&&&&&&&&&

After supper Severus went into the house and found himself in the kitchen alone with Potter, who was calmly drying the dishes. He turned to leave, but halted when the boy spoke.

"Professor, may I ask you something?"

Turning around, he replied, "What is it?"

"I haven't figured out what to do when school's done. I can't decide now for my whole life, because it'd be wrong. But… I want to know about ancient magic, to learn why my mum dying could protect me like it did. No one speaks of it at Hogwarts. Where can I learn about it?"

This was most intriguing, thought Severus, realizing that the bloody boy was on the verge of thinking deeply.

"The old magic is studied at the Department of Mysteries. It's within the Ministry building, but Unspeakables are generally left to work without interference. You should speak to Professor Davis. I believe he's returning there after the school year ends."

Harry loathed the thought of the Ministry, but he'd come to know Professor Davis through N.E.W.T. Potions, and the wizard was kind and clever.

"Thanks," he said slowly. "Professor Dumbledore would've known, but I didn't know who else to ask."

"You're welcome," replied Severus, pausing as he prepared to go back outside.

"What?" asked Harry.

"I must ask you something," said Severus in a low voice.

They spoke together for two short minutes and then Severus, having his answer, went back outside, planning how to proceed.

Zelda was feeding the baby, whose appetite was very healthy. She looked up and smiled when she spied him returning.

"We're thinking of having a big reunion at the cabin during the second weekend in July," she told him. "Molly thinks it'll work for her, Lily and Eli can make it, so we need to send owl posts to the others."

He stared down his nose coldly at her, which made her giggle a bit. Her children stared at the couple, wondering what was serious in this little exchange.

"Come sit down," she coaxed, sliding over carefully so he could join her.

He sat down and put his arm around her shoulders, a smile touching his lips.

"It's okay," she told the children. "Severus just hates people and parties, but he's fine."

Lily laughed at them and said, "You two are perfect for each other. Severus, can't you lock yourself in the house and pretend you need to take care of the Boy Wonder?"

"The child will likely be a compulsive socializer, like his mother,' hissed Severus, making them all smile. "Perhaps an emergency…"

Zelda snuggled closer to him as she switched the baby to the other side, but said nothing. Instead she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, feeling rather drowsy.

"Mum, you're falling asleep sitting up," said Elijah.

"I suppose I'll go to bed after this, since Alaric needs to eat every two or three hours."

"Yes, you'll go to bed," said Severus. "Dilys warned me you'd try to overexert yourself."

"Cynical witch," muttered Zelda. "Since you're all determined to treat me like an invalid, who'd like to get Alaric cleaned up after this?"

She wiped the baby's tiny chin, where milk was dribbling down as he began dozing off.

"He's so bloody social that I've hardly seen him, so I'll do it," said Severus, squeezing her gently and taking the baby. "Come to bed, my girl."

"Good night, kids," she said, going and hugging her older offspring.

"See you in the morning," said Elijah, kissing her cheek.

"Sleep well, Mom," said Lily. "I'll get Harry busy sending owls to everyone this evening."

They met Harry coming out of the house.

"I'm off to bed," said Zelda. "See you in the morning, Harry."

She kissed him and watched him join her children.

"I feel like all three are mine," she said. "With Alaric I have four. Harry's not only mine, he has other people, but he's so dear to me."

Severus sighed. He knew how she felt, and it seemed inevitable that Potter would be part of his life. It was difficult for him, but it was beyond his control. He watched her head for the bathroom to prepare for bed, and concentrated on what was in his control, changing Alaric and washing his little face. The baby wanted only to sleep, and his pout at these interfering acts was extremely endearing. Once he was laid in his cot, he went back to sleep right away.

"Let me tuck you in," he said to Zelda as she headed for bed.

"Thanks," she said. "Are you staying?"

"I'll return soon," he said, smiling down at her.

"Okay."

He kissed her and strode from the room, hoping he could soon give her something wonderful.

&&&&&&&&&

"Midnight, half past two and half past five," mused Zelda as they sat down to breakfast. "He's doing very well now. Feeding him every two to three hours is livable."

Her family saw the faint shadows under her eyes, but she seemed to mean what she'd said.

"It won't last forever," she said. "I'll admit I'm tired too, but if Alaric grows normally, it'll start to be longer between feedings and then he'll likely sleep five or six hours straight at night in a month."

"You didn't wake me up at half past five," chided Severus.

"You seemed tired, and I handled it," she replied. "You do a lot."

"After breakfast I want you to get dressed. We're going to take a short trip."

She grinned and looked enquiringly at him.

"Never mind," he said.

She looked at the others, and they were all smirking, so obviously they knew.

"I'll eat fast," she told them.

Half an hour later Zelda had fed the baby and was dressed.

"Where are we going? Is Alaric coming?" she asked.

"He's staying with us," said Elijah. "Lils and me, that is."

Zelda looked back and forth between her two favorite wizards. Severus was impassive, but Harry was trying not to laugh.

"Hmm… I'm curious now," she said, kissing Alaric. "Take care of your brother, Lils. I'll be back soon, I hope."

"You will," said Severus. He took her hand and led her a few steps away from the others. Putting his arms around her, he nodded to Harry and they all Disapparated.