Chapter 27
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Surprisingly, it was Sirius who spoke first. "We have examined your Symbolic Proposal. And find it quite...meaningful. You took great care, and put much thought, into preparing it, did you not?"
"I did, Lord Black-Lupin."
"Was it prepared only by your own hand?" Lucius asked, running a finger over the edge of the cauldron.
"It was."
Lucius lifted the loaf of bread, smelled it and nodded toward Narcissa, beckoning her forward. He handed it to her, picked up the bottle of meade and studied it, then turned his gaze to Severus'.
"You did not use the traditional choices to symbolize food and drink. Explain."
"Knowing his history, as I now do, the traditional choices were not appropriate. After much consideration, I chose the Fairy Meade and the Wanderer's Bread, both created eons ago, by the High Elves. They are highly desired for their ability to nourish and sustain, with only a few bites and sips per day. The partaker never suffers pangs of hunger or thirst."
The meade and bread were replaced on the table, and Narcissa stroked a hand over the beautiful cloak, admiring the fine workmanship.
"Lord Snape-Prince, it has been sometime since I have seen a cloak of such quality and beauty." She eyed him intently. "There is a familiarity to it."
"The cloak is the same given to my great-great-grandmother, Constance, by my great-great-grandfather, Philip Normand Windsor Prince, when he sought to court her."
Narcissa's eyes widened minutely, in comprehension. "Ah, that cloak."
Evidently no further explanation was needed on that subject, except maybe for Harry' s benefit. He would definitely ask Narcissa later about that. Remus leaned down again to examine the cauldron, then the wreath surrounding it. He straightened, but before he could ask his question, Sirius spoke again, from beside him.
"A gold cauldron, Severus? And a quite large expensive one, at that..." He cocked an eyebrow in challenge at his former school rival, a tone of mischief in his voice.
"Siri!" His husband hissed at him under his breath.
Severus ignored the subtle jibe and cleared his throat, his voice taking on a bit of the lecture tone. "As you are aware, Lord Black-Lupin, the cauldron is the symbol of my chosen profession, or trade, if you will. As a Potions Master, with the skill and reputation I possess, I am able with that alone, to more than provide sufficiently for all needs that will or could arise in the future. I felt a gold cauldron, as opposed to one of any other material, would best symbolize the monetary security I can provide, with my skills alone. The seven Galleons represents the wealth I possess as an heir of the House of Prince."
"I'd say he has more than answered your question, cousin." The corner of Narcissa's mouth was turned up ever so slightly. "The wreath is beautifully done, Lord Snape-Prince. Have you put your full intentions and heart into the meaning of it's individual parts?"
"Yes, Lady Malfoy. I believe it conveys clearly my intentions and desires concerning your son."
Remus cleared his throat. "Their meanings, if I recall them correctly, blend perfectly with the runes you engraved on the cauldron. They were engraved by your own hand, I assume?"
"Yes. I used the traditional Engraving Spells. I felt it was necessary, given past events, that I be explicitly clear on all points concerning my intentions for a future with your Godson."
"Explain your interpretations of your choices." Lucius directed.
Sebastian frowned and turned to Harry, whispering. "They are talkin' 'bout you, right Hawwry?"
Harry nodded without taking his eyes off the others. "Yes, they are."
"Then why don' they say your name?
"It's part of the tradition, I think. My name won't be spoken until they give your father their consent."
"For what, Hawwry?"
"He wants to court me--it's like formal dating. Then we would bond."
Sebastian thought for a moment, then his eyes widened in realization. "Oh… Oh! You'd be my Da?!"
"Yes, if after courting me, your Papa would ask me to bond with him and I accepted, then I would be your Da. Now hush, my sweet boy. It appears they are almost done with the questions."
Sebastian nodded, and turned back around. They listened as Severus described the runes much as he had for Harry when he'd given him the bouquet that morning. Harry was unconsciously nodding as he listened. Severus continued with another that hadn't been part of it; Ethwaz for Defense. Alright, that one made sense. Then Severus began to explain the last rune, and Harry's sharp intake of breath was actually audible, causing Narcissa to glance back at him.
"Inguz symbolized fertility. It has different connotations. But in this instance, the meaning is the obvious one. As we are all aware, the choice for having children was forced upon him in the past, despite the fact that he actually wanted children. It is my wish that he be given that choice freely, and if he so desires to have children, it would be my honor to help him create and raise them. As many or as few as is his wish."
As he spoke the last words, Severus chanced a quick glance toward Harry, barely resisting a smile when he saw tear-filled green eyes watching him, love apparent in their depths.
Narcissa's voice brought him back. "And if, for some unknown reason, he could not? Or he chose not to?"
"It would never change my feelings for him. He has been as good as a parent to my Sebastian, and the boy loves him deeply as well. If he chose to adopt, I would agree most willingly. There are still many war orphans that need love and care in a good home."
Remus tapped his chin with a finger, then aimed a tiny grin at Severus. "Hmmm, perhaps he may decide to do both."
"True. If that is his wish, I will support him."
"You told me once, shortly after your beloved Davidh passed, that you didn't know if you could ever love like that again. You knew you would grow old alone." Lucius' gaze was penetrating, as if he were trying to read Severus' very soul. "What has changed, my old friend?"
The others, caught suddenly off guard by the intimate tone and nature of the question, and it's lack of formality, startled, and then appeared very curious as to what Severus' answer would be.
For the first time that evening, Severus appeared at a loss for words. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes lowering as he attempted to gather his thoughts. Harry held his breath as he waited, now holding the boy in his lap for security, as he waited. He'd guessed at how much Severus had loved his husband, but he'd no idea Severus had felt this deeply about him. How on earth could he compare to Davidh, or the man's memories ? Sensing Harry's sudden unease, Sebastian turned in his lap and wrapped his arms around Harry's neck and kissed his cheeks, before laying his head on Harry's shoulder.
"Papa wubs you as much as his does my first Da, Hawwry. Maybe more. I wub you too."
Harry's heart swelled and the fear in his chest ebbed. Hugging the boy back, he kissed the messy curls.
"I love you too, Sebastian. As much as I love your Papa." He whispered.
"Severus?" Lucius prompted, as Narcissa moved a little closer to her husband, and wove her fingers with his, hidden by their robes. He could feel her distress at Severus' silence.
Remus put a hand on Sirius' shoulder and waited, outwardly calm, though he was as anxious as the others for the Potion Master's words.
Looking up, Severus' gaze traveled to Harry, taking in the fear he saw in those eyes, and it shocked him. His resolved returned and he leveled his gaze on Lucius as he spoke, in a clear determined voice.
"Until I'd met Davidh, I had never known true romantic love, let alone soul-deep love. It was a slow learning over time and a lesson well-learned, though it was very difficult for me. Davidh had more patience where I was concerned than even Albus could dream of."
Lucius and Narcissa found they were smiling at his comment about Davidh. They knew how stubborn and closed off Severus had been for much of his adult life. They had been well and truly shocked at how the quiet man who'd captured Severus' heart had drawn out the best of him as he'd simultaneously tempered his rough edges.
"Despite all that he had taught me and shown me, repeatedly, during the time we had together, I never considered if the same feelings could be felt more than once in one's lifetime. That was because I knew we would always be--together."
His voice caught as he fought emotions. His eyes stung but he refused to cry. He didn't dare right now--couldn't take a chance it would send the wrong message. Biting the inside of his lip, he used iron will to compose himself and continued to speak.
"Spending time with Harry, once he became a Malfoy--by marriage--allowed me to observed him in a fresh environment... which allowed me to learn the truth of Harry Potter. This dispelled the preconceptions I now regret believing."
He looked at Harry, his voice barely above a whisper. "I am sincerely sorry."
Harry gave him a warm smile and a look that said he was forgiven.
"My eyes were open, as was my mind, and I finally saw the young man he had become. Watching him with my son, with all of you, and eventually spending time with him, whether it was at his bedside, as he recovered… or later, sharing pleasant conversation. When he was taken... I found... I cared... and was... concerned... for his well-being, in a far more personal way than as his former professor and an acquaintance. Yet, I chose to disregard it, until I couldn't any longer."
"And the love you felt was once in a lifetime?" Remus asked, quietly, his fingers tightening slightly on Sirius' shoulder.
"Has overtaken me again. Overwhelmed me. Taken me completely by surprise. In a new, and unique way. When I realized I could share happiness like that again, with him, and cause him happiness, heal his hurts, comfort his sorrows, fill his needs... share his joys with mine... my soul and my spirit came alive again."
"Oh, Severus..." Narcissa exclaimed almost under her breath. Her eyes were suspiciously moist.
Sirius' jaw worked as his thoughts raced."You will see that he comes to no harm? Either by your hand, or another's? We've all, including my Godson, experienced your famous temper, first-hand."
Turning slightly to face Sirius directly, he kept his expression calm. "It is only right that you are the one to ask that question. As his bonded, and one who loves him deeply, it would be my responsibility, as well as my desire to protect him. I will do everything in my power to keep him from harm. We both know that not everything is preventable, but I vow to you I will do my utmost, and Goddess willing, we will have many decades to grow old together."
Sirius turned and looked at Lucius, and nodded once. Lucius waved his wand, returning everything to the cauldron, in the condition and arrangement they were in, when they'd arrived. He cast Stasis Spells over the bread, herbs, and the wreath, then cast another spell to light the candles, that now stood side-by-side in front of the cauldron, almost touching.
Taking his wife's arm, he guided her around the table toward another large round table that had appeared near the windows, surrounded by large comfortable chairs. Sirius and Remus fell into step behind them, then a few steps behind them, Severus turned and followed. Harry and Sebastian were already seated, a fresh tea tray waiting, beside, the scroll from Severus, a longer scroll, an inkwell, and a fine feathered quill.
They sat, Lucius and Sirius, to either side of Harry and Sebastian, Narcissa and Remus to either side of them, and lastly Severus in the final chair.
Lucius fixed his gaze on his old friend. "It is obvious there has been some form of informal courting occurring. How long of a courtship do you intend to pursue?"
Tbc...