A/N: Hey. So, I've been told that I screwed up on Teddy's age and with the way that things have been, he would be 13. That is so not what it's supposed to be! :P He's supposed to be only eleven. I'll go back and fix it so that Harry's only been back for 6 years instead of 8 like it currently says. :P Do you see what happens when I just write instead of splitting it up into chapters or planning first? Lol. Also, I'm finally getting emails again. Like I said, I got them all at once. It started working again around 2 o'clock today and I got 70 emails from FanFiction alone. I was like holy hell. This is what happens when FanFiction stops working for only 2 days. :P It's ridiculous, really. Lol. Anyways, I'm glad you all liked the last chapter and I'll go and fix my mistake now. So, enjoy this chapter and please review. Thanks so much. :]
Oh, wait. There's a possibility I screwed up on Benji's age as well. He may be 17 when he should only be 16, so if it is like that, let's just pretend he's 16 because I have no idea how I would fix it. :P Also, I mention at one point that ten years had passed since the end of the war. Could someone make sure that's right? I've tried and I think I had it figured out at one point, but I don't remember and I have the hardest time trying to figure it out for some reason. I apologize for my failures. :P
Warnings:Sex! Not just allusions this time, an actual sex scene! It starts when Severus leaves his office and goes into the bathroom and goes until the end of the chapter, for those of you who don't want to read it!
One Week Later
Harry walked into the headmaster's office where he found Minerva and Severus sitting at the desk and bent over various papers. Dumbledore was in his frame again and probably commenting and giving advice every so often.
"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore smiled and the other two looked up.
"Harry," Severus said. "Where's Teddy?"
"With Jack back in the rooms," Harry said. "Do you have any idea why he and Benji are still here? It's been nearly three weeks now."
Minerva glanced at the two husbands. "I'll leave you two alone," she said and went into the adjoining room.
Harry frowned and looked back at Severus, feeling a little concerned now. "What's going on?"
"Sit down," Severus said. Harry frowned again but walked towards him and, pushing the papers out of the way, sat on the desk, his legs on either side of Severus who raised an eyebrow at him.
"I know it's not what you meant but it's what I meant," Harry said with a grin. Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head, placing his hands on Harry's hips. "What's going on? I'm starting to jump to scary conclusions."
"Should I bother ask what conclusions these are?" Severus said.
"Probably not," Harry shrugged. "You want me to tell you anyways," he said with a sigh.
"If you don't mind," Severus said with a smirk.
"Is Jack sick? Is Benji?" Harry asked quietly, showing Severus that he was honestly worried that there was something seriously wrong with his surrogate father or surrogate nephew.
"No, nothing is wrong with them, love. They're fine," Severus assured him and he felt the tension and fear leave his husband. "You know I need to hire a Potions professor now that I'm headmaster," he said.
"Yeah, how is that going? Have you found anyone?" Harry asked, obviously not connecting the dots and Severus inwardly smiled at how clueless Harry could sometimes be.
"Yes, I have actually," Severus nodded.
"Really? Who is it? Are you sure they're good?" Harry said, running a hand up and down Severus' forearm.
"Yes, they're good," Severus said. "Harry, I have offered the job, and he has accepted, to Jack."
"Jack?" Harry said, surprised and Severus nodded again.
"Someone say my name?"
Harry turned around on the desk to see Jack walking into the office.
"I was just telling Harry about the offer I gave you," Severus said, allowing Harry to sit on the arm of his chair, keeping an arm around the younger man's waist.
"Ah, yes," Jack said, sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "So you know the secret of our long stay."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry said.
"Well, at first we were staying to visit, for the first week and a half, almost two weeks. Minerva approached me during the second week and told me she was going to offer the headmaster's job to Severus and that she knew he would accept. She told me to hang around so that Severus could ask me to be the Potions master in his place," Jack told him.
"But what about the hospital, Jack?" Harry asked.
"I've been working there for about nineteen years now, almost twenty. I think I'm all right with leaving," Jack said.
"What about Benji and school?"
"He's agreed to take his final year here at Hogwarts."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't have agreed to take the job if I wasn't," Jack said with a grin.
"Does Milo know about this?" Harry said.
"Yes, he does," Jack nodded.
"You sound as if you're trying to talk him out of this, Harry," Severus said with a look at Jack that Harry missed.
"No!" Harry exclaimed. "No, I'm not! I'm happy for you and I'd love to see you and Benji every day."
Severus and Jack chuckled, Severus pulling Harry as close as he could with the young Healer on the arm on the chair.
Harry glared at Severus and hit his arm. "You bastard."
Severus just laughed again and kissed the back of Harry's left hand, absently fiddling with his wedding ring. Minerva returned shortly after and continued helping Severus make plans for the coming school year. Harry talked with Jack, occasionally inputting a comment along with Dumbledore to help the plans along.
One Week Later
Harry sat at the staff table nervously, waiting for the first years to be brought in by Flitwick. He sat on Severus' immediate left with Jack beside him and Matt beside Jack. He jumped slightly when Severus' hand settled on his which had been drumming on the table.
"What has you so nervous, love?" Severus whispered, lacing his fingers with Harry's, continuing to observe the Great Hall.
"I think I'm more anxious," Harry said.
"About what?"
"You can't tell me that you're not anxious about where Teddy will be sorted," Harry said.
"No, I'm not," Severus said. "Why are you? Worried he won't be a lion?"
"I don't care where he goes. I want him to be happy wherever he ends up though. I want his house to treat him well despite the fact that I'm his guardian," Harry told him.
"I seem to recall being named his guardian as well," Severus said, raising an eyebrow.
"Severus, I've been more hated than you since the end of the war. I'm the one they judge," Harry said.
Severus squeezed his hand. "Keep in mind that England has slowly begun changing ever since you won Teddy's custody."
"'We'," Harry corrected absently.
Severus rolled his eyes and gave his husband a fond but exasperated look. "Fine then, 'we'. Regardless, I do not believe there is anything to worry about. Besides, Benji will help him if he needs it."
Harry nodded but didn't speak as the great oak doors opened and Professor Flitwick walked in with the group of first years following, all with a mixture of awe and happiness and fear on their faces. One student in the group stood out, however, as he was at the back and also sixteen. Benji would be getting sorted with the first years and, being sixteen and already taller than his father, he towered over the little eleven year olds. Teddy was walking beside him, his hair his favourite bright turquoise and a large smile on his face.
Flitwick stepped beside the stool holding the Sorting Hat and the first years stopped before him. "Before we begin, our headmaster would like to say a few words," he said and everyone looked at Severus who stood up from his seat in the headmaster's chair.
"As I'm sure you have guessed by now, Professor McGonagall has retired from Hogwarts," Severus said and sad sounds echoed throughout the Hall at the loss of Minerva McGonagall. "She has chosen me to take over as headmaster and I hope to do even half the job she and Professor Dumbledore did."
Here he paused briefly and glanced down at Harry who gave him a smile.
"Our sorting this year will be slightly different as we have a new addition to our seventh years. I'm sure you have all seen him. His name is Benji Catella and will be attending Hogwarts for his final year of schooling. As I am now headmaster, I will no longer be teaching Potions, leaving the position open. Please welcome Professor Jack Catella to Hogwarts and as your new Potions professor and also the new Head of Slytherin," Severus said, gesturing to Jack who stood and smiled at the Hall, giving a small wave. A few whispers could be heard in the Hall, telling others that some students knew exactly who Jack Catella was. "As always, the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Any Weasley Wizard Wheezes product is also banned along with many other products which are on the list. You all know where it is. And now the sorting," he said and sat back down. Harry smiled at him again and put a hand on his upper arm, rubbing it briefly.
"I'll call your name and you simply have to sit up here on the stool. I'll put the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses," Flitwick told the first years and Benji. They all nodded and the tiny professor began calling names. Eleven students were called before Teddy was with four going to Gryffindor, five to Slytherin, one to Hufflepuff, and one to Ravenclaw.
"Ted Lupin," Flitwick called and Teddy pushed his way through the students. He sat on the stool and Flitwick put the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Interesting," the Hat said. "You could fit into any of the houses, yes."
"I don't care where I go as long as they are nice to me," Teddy said. "And nice to Dad and Papa. I know lots of people still don't like them or that I'm with them."
"This is very true, Mr. Lupin," the Hat said. "Hmm, you appear to wish your last name was not only Lupin."
"Don't tell," Teddy said, embarrassed.
"I'm a hat, who would I tell?"
"I know you talk to my dad and my papa, especially now that Papa's headmaster," Teddy said.
"Smart kid. They've raised you well," the Hat mused and Teddy smiled. "I think I know just where you would fit and I believe you will have very limited problems with them."
Teddy waited nervously for the Hat's decision.
"Ravenclaw!" the Hat finally announced and Teddy grinned. Flitwick took the Hat off and he ran over to the Ravenclaw table, sitting beside the other boy who had been sorted there before him. He looked up at the staff table and found his dad smiling openly at him and his papa gave him an approving nod, his eyes shining. Teddy smiled happily at them and quickly introduced himself to the boy beside him before turning his attention to the remainder of the sorting. Another eighteen students were sorted. Six went to Hufflepuff, five went to Gryffindor, three went to Ravenclaw, and four went to Slytherin.
"Benji Catella," Flitwick finally called Benji, the final student remaining. Benji sat on the stool like the others and accepted the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Ah, a latecomer," the Hat said.
"Yeah. I went to school in Spain but then my dad got a job at Hogwarts so I came to do my final year here," Benji said.
"Yes, I can see that it does not bother you too much to leave your old school and come here," the Hat said.
"No, it doesn't. I still live in Spain so I'll still get to see my friends and I can owl them. I like Hogwarts a lot and I like the idea of being around Uncle Harry and Uncle Severus all the time. I miss them," Benji said.
"Very caring, very loyal. You're intelligent and studious but not overly so. Wandlore…an interesting passion. I do not see many of those. I know just the house for you but, beware, they do not always back up their housemates despite what people believe," the Hat told him.
"That's fine. I'll just make friends from the other houses to have people behind me," Benji said.
"And that is why you are going to go to Gryffindor!" the Hat shouted. Benji smiled and handed the Sorting Hat to Flitwick, walking over to the Gryffindor table. He looked up at the staff table like Teddy had done and found his dad and his uncles smiling and nodding approvingly. He laughed when he saw his Uncle Severus roll his eyes and say something to Uncle Harry, only to have Uncle Harry laugh and smack his arm.
Severus stood again and the Hall fell silent. "I hope those who were sorted today are happy with where they are. If for some reason you believe you do not fit in your house or you do not like where you are, speak to your Head of House and they will bring you to me and we will figure it out from there."
He paused again and let his eyes roam the Hall.
"Ten years ago we ended and survived one of the worst wars our world has seen, the worst war that Britain has seen. It was a war based on prejudice," Severus said. "Over the past eight years, all of us up here at the staff table have seen the prejudices and rivalries between these four houses dissolve. Now it is simply friendly house competition. However, that does not mean that we have not seen some of the old ways within these walls. I do not expect every one of you to be best friends. I do expect, however, that you show each other respect even if it is minimal. We do not want to fall into another war because we are unable to get past house or blood prejudices.
"This country has begun changing since my husband and I gained custody of our ward, Ted Lupin. Many are still against my husband out there but they have begun to see that the choices we made back then in the war should not be held against us now. Many have held his decision to save me against him. I hope that all of you in here do not hold the same things against us or hold other things against each other."
He paused again to let his words sink in.
"Look out for each other in your houses and if any of you feel you are not being backed up by your house, look for those who will help you in other houses," Severus said. "And now for the feast," he said and sat back down.
"I think you'll be their favourite headmaster," Harry said with a smile and kissed his husband's cheek as Severus scoffed and rolled his eyes. Harry laughed and began filling his plate with food, allowing himself to be drawn into a conversation with Jack and Matt.
"I had an interesting conversation with your son when I was sorting him," the Sorting Hat said casually from its place up on a shelf. Severus looked up from the letter in his hands and looked at the raggedy old hat.
"And what was that? The children generally do not wish you to disclose what you found in their minds and spoke about," Severus said.
"I will not be telling you but I can hint at it. It wouldn't be telling you what I found, just pushing you in the right direction to guess," the Hat said and Severus raised an eyebrow.
"And you were Gryffindor's hat?" Severus said. "Sometimes I doubt that. Fine, what did Teddy say?"
"Ah, can't tell you," the Hat said and Severus rolled his eyes. "You have had that boy for how long now?"
"Over five years," Severus said.
"And it is still only guardianship?"
"Yes."
"You have not wished for it to be more…permanent?"
"Now I believe you were Gryffindor's hat," Severus said. "Harry and I have been discussing adoption for about six months now. We are wary of moving forward with it because we do not know if it is what Teddy wants. He has not expressed his feelings about it in any way in the past."
"He did tonight," the Hat said.
"I thought you weren't going to tell me what he said."
"I'm a hat; I can do what I want."
Severus rolled his eyes. "All right then. What is it he said?"
"He does not wish for only one last name."
"You spent far too much time with Albus Dumbledore."
"Thank you, my boy," the portrait of Dumbledore said brightly and Severus shook his head.
"I believe he wants it to be permanent as well," the Hat said.
Severus sighed. "Very well. I will talk with Harry and we will discuss it with Teddy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going home to my husband."
"Have a good night, Severus," Dumbledore said as he left the office.
Severus walked through the corridors and down to the first floor. Greeting a sleepy Connor and giving the password, Severus entered the quarters he shared with Harry. Hanging his robes up, he walked into the bedroom after finding the sitting room empty. The door to the adjoining bathroom was closed but there was light coming out from under the crack and Severus could hear the shower running.
Thinking quickly with a smirk, Severus removed the rest of his clothes and entered the bathroom. He could see the silhouette of Harry on the shower curtain and quietly approached him. He pulled the curtain aside quietly and stepped into the shower behind his lover. With a smile he brought his hands up and let his fingertips dance on Harry's back, making the younger man jump and spin around.
"Severus!"
"You are far too oblivious," Severus said, his fingers now tracing Harry's arms and chest.
"Or you are far too quiet," Harry said, shivering slightly at Severus' touch.
"I believe you are just oblivious," Severus said, leaning in to kiss Harry lightly.
"Mm, whatever you say," Harry muttered, leaning in for another kiss. He wrapped his arms around Severus' neck, feeling the water hit the man's back.
"You are a brat, love," Severus said, letting his fingers travel down Harry's sides.
"That's okay," Harry said and felt Severus chuckle. Groaning, Harry tilted his head as Severus moved his lips to his neck. Wrapping one arm around Harry's waist, Severus pulled him close until they were touching and their erections rubbing against each other, making them both groan loudly.
Harry grasped Severus' wet shoulders and rocked his hips into Severus'. Severus kissed him again, letting their tongues dance together. His hands slid down to Harry's waist and thighs, getting close to Harry's erection.
"Oh, God," Harry moaned and Severus smirked just before taking Harry's erection in his hand. Harry gasped and bucked into the man's hand.
Severus stroked Harry for a while before letting go, much to Harry's disappointment. "Turn around, love," he whispered.
"You hate doing it this way though," Harry said breathlessly even as he allowed Severus to turn him around.
"I know but it's the most comfortable way to do it in the shower," Severus said, kissing between Harry's shoulder blades.
"Mm, true," Harry mumbled, placing his hands on the wall to support himself. He shivered and groaned as Severus hands ran down his back.
"Ready?" Severus asked as he always did and Harry nodded. He gasped and groaned loudly as one of Severus' slipped inside him. His head fell forward until his forehead touched the shower wall.
"Oh, Merlin!" Harry said loudly as Severus pushed in another finger and he got past the initial pain. "Hurry up!" he said, pushing back on the fingers and Severus chuckled quietly. A third finger was pushed in and they briefly touched Harry's prostate, making him gasp and push down harder.
"Ready?" Severus asked again.
"Hurry up already!" Harry shouted and Severus smirked. He wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and used his free hand to guide himself into Harry. He slowly pushed in, waiting until Harry relaxed to push in further. Once inside all the way, Severus paused, the both of them breathing hard.
"All right?"
"Ask me again, Severus, and we won't be continuing," Harry threatened.
Severus kissed the back of Harry's neck and gently pulled out slightly before pushing back in. Continuing to thrust into his husband, Severus ran one of his hands down Harry's chest and to the younger man's erection.
"Oh, God," Harry moaned and reached one hand back, tangling it in Severus' wet hair. It wasn't long before he could feel the familiar tightening in his abdomen and knew he was close. Encouraging Severus' movements on his erection, Harry kept pushing down and meeting Severus' thrusts. Clenching his hand around Severus' hair, his orgasm took him over and he came with a shout of his husband's name, Severus quickly following suit.
Catching their breath as their orgasms ended, Severus gently pulled out of Harry who was still leaning against the wall in post-orgasm exhaustion. Smiling softly, Severus washed them off before turning off the shower and pulling Harry out with them. He dried them off and pulled Harry down onto the bed with him.
"That was…amazing," Harry breathed and Severus smiled, pulling the blanket over them. Harry turned on his side with his back to Severus and was immediately pulled back to Severus' chest, the man's arm around his chest.
"Sleep well, love," Severus said, kissing the back of Harry's neck.
"I love you, Sev'rus," Harry said with a tired sigh and let his eyes close.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed it. And please let me know if you found or figured out any of my failures. :P Don't forget to review. Thanks. :]