Chapter Seven: Swimming Fun:
It was still warm four weeks into the new school year and as such Severus had taken his son to the lake to swim. Max had become quite a swimmer over the summer though that had as much to do with him learning to swim with Harry by his side than anything else. Remus stayed by Max while Severus and Sirius now healed and in human form tried to drown each other deeper in the lake. If Remus were a betting man he would have his money on Severus who kept tossing the insane Animagmus into the lake and holding him under. Not too long but long enough as he really did not wish to kill Sirius just put him in his place.
Harry and Ron were out on this fine early fall day after Quidditch practice and came on the men and Max in the lake. They were sore, sweaty and in need of a shower or swim and were tempted to jump in long before they came on the four people in the lake. Harry grinned, Sirius was getting what he deserved as he did like to torment poor Severus. Harry had come a long way to side with Severus but as Severus had done so much the year before he had formed a true bond with the wizard. Remus spotted the two boys and called to them.
"Come in the water is nice!" He said.
"We don't have any swimming attire." Ron said.
"Neither do I." Sirius said smirking.
"Okay then I really am not coming in." Harry said.
"You had better be wearing something Sirius Black!" McGonagall said walking up as she had been taking a walk around the lake with Dumbledore.
"Um no, didn't think," at a glare from his former head of house Sirius added, "okay I have pants on!"
"He does, I doubt anyone wants a naked Sirius on their hands." Remus said. "I for one do not, don't think he wants to embarrass himself."
"Remus the boys." Dumbledore warned him.
"Oh right, sorry, do come in wont you?" Remus asked them all.
"Thank you no, I am headed back to the castle." Dumbledore said.
"I have papers to grade, your young Slytherins need to learn how to write." McGonagall shot at Severus.
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall left and Harry laughed at the look on Severus's face and he stripped down to his shorts, put a charm on his glasses so they would stay on and stay dry and jumped into the lake. He came up gasping at the shock of the cold water and glared at Remus and Max who were laughing at him. The lake was not warm it was freezing! Yet at the gasp and quiet swearing of Ron it was worth it. Max flipped to his back and did a clumsy but still effective backstroke and Harry watched him.
"Not funny Remus!" Ron gasped.
"Well I don't find it cold." Remus countered.
"It nice!" Max said, "it not cold!"
"Right, sure it is not." Harry said grinning.
He did not see his godfather dive under and swim for him. Next thing he knew he was drug under and his eyes went wide in shock. However he could swim now and he was not a seeker on his Quidditch team for nothing. He twisted around and got out of Sirius's grasp and came to the surface. Then he dove down so fast Sirius did not have time to react. Harry got the older wizard's legs and drug him under and shoved him to the bottom of the lake and came up and swam as fast as he could from Sirius. He found himself behind Severus who arched an eyebrow at him.
"Ah hello professor?" Harry said. "A bit of help here?"
"You seem to have things under control Potter." Severus said silkily.
"Look out!" Harry said just as Sirius lunged for Severus however there really was no need as Severus, without looking shoved Sirius under. "Oh never mind then, how did you do that?"
"One learns things of defense over the years, it is very hard for someone to sneak up on me." This as Remus tried to grab his leg deep under him only to get taken in a head lock and drug to the surface. "Even Lupin cannot sneak up on me."
"Can't breathe." Remus gasped and Severus let go of him and Sirius and Remus rounded on Severus.
"Guys don't do that, you will only get hurt." Harry said.
"It seems Mr. Potter you have some of your mother's brains after all." Severus said.
"Yea he does as that." Remus said stepping back.
"Got one question for you Severus." Sirius said grinning.
"What mutt?" Severus snapped at him.
"You like to swim and bathe right?" Sirius asked.
"Yes I do." Severus said. "Every day in fact I take at least a shower, sometimes a bath in the evening why do you ask?"
"Why then in all the hells is your hair so damn greasy?"
"I do not know, I cannot help it, the same reason you cannot help being brainless." Severus shot at him.
"He got you there Sirius and stop teasing him about his hair, it is not that bad!" Harry said defending Severus, "I know what unruly hair is like."
"Yes this form the boy who looks as if he stuck his finger in a light socket." Severus said coolly.
"Professor I am on your side!" Harry said pretending to be offended.
"Yes but you are Gryffindor." Severus replied.
"Guys a little help here?" Came Ron's voice and everyone turned.
They saw Max was very effectively splashing Ron who was not sure if he should splash back as Severus might kill him or let the little boy drown him. In the end it was Harry who came to his rescue. He snuck up on Max, grabbed him and swung him out of the water. Max squealed and thought Harry would throw him in the lake but Harry just put him gently back in the water. No way was he going to try and drown the little guy, Severus would turn him into a squid or worse he was sure of it.
"You should toss him in he can swim." Draco said from the shore.
"I value my life thanks." Harry said looking over at the blond Slytherin and then at Ron and an evil plan came into their minds.
"You are wise, I do not want Max getting drowned by you cubs." Severus said coming up he looked up to see Padfoot sneaking up on Draco and wondered if he should warn him but then thought better of it and he turned to Max. "You are not cold are you?"
"No daddy, the water is not cold."
"Hey what are you at, no don't you dare Sirius put me down!" Draco roared just as he was dumped into the lake he came up roaring and sputtering in rage. "I am going to kill you Sirius Black!"
"Just owl your mother she will do it for you." Harry said between fits of laugher.
"It's not funny Potter!" Draco snarled.
"I agree with Mr. Potter, write your mother, I intend to." Severus said smirking at the terror that came to Sirius's eyes.
"It was a joke and those boys put me up to it!" Sirius said pointing to Harry and Ron who looked innocent as innocent could be.
"Us?" Harry said getting out of the lake drying off.
"You must be mental." Ron said also getting out. "I value my life, if I did that Mrs. Malfoy would be here to kill me, then my mum would come and finish off the dust that remained of me."
The boys got dressed as Severus came out of the water with Max. Severus dried his son off and then himself and then got dressed in his black clothing and robes. Max dressed in jeans, trainers, tee shirt hoodie and his navy robes. Remus came out and kindly helped Draco out and got his wand and dried the Draco off and then himself and he too got dressed.
"Thank you sir." Draco said.
"You know personally if I was to be killed I would not mind if your mum did it Draco." Ron said.
"Really why is that?" Draco asked.
"She is hot." Ron said and Draco turned pink.
"Yea she is, absolutely gorgeous." Harry replied smirking.
"I think she was the first girl I had a true crush on." Remus said.
"I wish she would look at me." Harry said. "What does your dad have over me?"
"What, you take that back Potter!" Draco said.
Harry turned and ran as did Draco, Severus pretended this had not happened, after all Draco would not harm Harry he valued his hide. No if they took it into the castle he would kill them, besides Harry had pushed Draco a bit too far with that comment. He let Max take his hand and led him up to the castle and to his rooms where Max would take a short nap before dinner. Bellatrix was still out there but for the time being life was very good and Severus could not be any happier…
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
How small things can make live livable, a swim, friends and for Severus his son. I think that helped him with his turning point. With his own flesh and blood to care for it just helped him become that much more alive. He was really walking dead for so long and now he really has something to live for.
So do please review!