Teddy hadn't asked about seeing a snake at first. Harry knew his little boy was shaken by the news that the snake had been dangerous to him. But by the time they were back from France, he had been asking. They had gone to a zoo, and he had been able to see snakes, when in France. They had stayed at a Delacaur home on the southern coast, but had travelled a bit. But Teddy wanted to see a nice one, up and close like the stables. Harry knew he would have to find a way to do that for his son, and decided on a trip to Diagon Alley.

Harry took his son the day before the wedding, into Diagon alley to see a snake. He knew there were snakes at the menagerie, he remembered seeing them when they bought rat tonic for Scabbers. Harry had always shopped at the emporium, for Hedwig, and now his new owl.

Teddy looked at him. "Daddy where here?"

Harry smiled. "This is a pet shop."

Teddy looked at him in surprise. "Pet daddy?"

Harry shook his head. "I brought you to see a snake."

Draco surprised them. "I found you two."

Teddy was all smiles. "Uncle Drake."

Harry was surprised. "I thought you'd be busy."

Draco laughed. "I thought to invite you out tonight. My Aunt said you'd be here."

Teddy pointed at shop. "Pet."

Harry corrected him. "We're going to look at snakes."

Draco laughed at Teddy's pout. "You know snakes don't make the best pets."

Harry knew his son liked snakes, but he also loved cuddly animals as well. Teddy loved to go to the stables, and see the horses, but also the puppies and cats that Lucius had there. Lucius was one of the wizards who had dogs; they weren't as common in this world, not used as a familiar of course. His son had only had one contact with a real snake, and it was the one that tried to kill him. But he loved all of the stories about them.

Draco was happy to come into the shop with them. Harry and Teddy had been living in Grimmauld for two weeks now, but they were planning to spend the weekend with the Tonks' family. The couple was still at Black Manor, but would soon move back to their own home.

The owner came. "How can I help you Lord Black?"

Harry smiled. "I was hoping you'd have a friendly snake for this little man to meet."

Teddy smiled. "See snake please."

The man laughed. "I have a few."

Teddy looked in wonder at the cages. "Pretty."

The man took out a little white snake. "This is one of my tamest."

Teddy looked at his daddy. "I touch?"

Harry smiled when the man nodded. "You can touch but be gentle."

Teddy giggled a little. "It feel funny daddy."

The man let him touch another. "There aren't many who like snakes."

Teddy looked at his daddy. "I have for pet daddy?"

Harry sighed. "Teddy, you are a bit young for such a pet."

Draco agreed. "You know you can't play with one very much."

Teddy would not have listened to daddy, but he did to Uncle Draco. And to the man in the store, who agreed with Draco. Such small snakes were delicate, and needed to be handled with a lot of care. Harry knew his son loved them in books, but they were not as playful in them. He had no doubt his son would still want to have stories of snakes. He promised Teddy that he'd consider a pet snake when older.

Draco looked at Harry when Teddy was looking at the cats. "I was thinking a gift for my ring bearer."

Harry understood what he meant. "I guess a kitten would be more suitable."

Draco shrugged. "We can wait. I know he is young."

Teddy looked up at them. He was holding a smoky kitty. "Daddy she purr."

Harry knelt. "She likes you."

Teddy snuggled her. "I like."

Harry looked at Draco and nodded. "Yes."

Draco knelt. "How would you like to take her home?"

Teddy was surprised. "Me?"

Harry nodded. "You're a bit young for a snake, but a cat is a good start."

Teddy cuddled her. "Please."

Draco smiled. "It's a thank you for being my ring bearer."

Teddy proudly put the kitty in the basket the man brought. Harry knew his son, and in a few years he would be asking for a snake. Harry had no issue against it really. But a snake was not a good pet for a two year old. Harry had always loved animals, though the only one he owned were his owls. His Aunt would never have allowed a pet in her house, other than Marge's dogs. Harry was happy to allow his son a pet of his own.

At home Teddy picked a name. "She Sev."


Harry and Teddy headed early the next morning to Parkinson manor. Pansy had insisted on a wedding in her family rose gardens, and Draco was not about to argue. Teddy was so happy to be ring bearer, and promised to be a good one, especially because of Sev. Harry thought of the man who inspired the cat's name. His son said he named her Sev, because it was Mr. Toby's funny name. And since he couldn't have a snake, he would name kitty for the man who read him the snake stories. Harry wondered what the man would think, if he heard a cat was named for him. But his mind went to the wedding, which was held in the ornate gardens. Pansy looked beautiful; her dress was muggle in style as well. Harry had never seen either of the couple so happy before. And Severus was front row, as was Harry, but the Tonks were between them.

The reception followed in the massive ballroom. Teddy was taken to the playroom, where the other kids would be entertained and watched. There were not many, but two of Pansy's three older brothers had children. Teddy was happy to play with them, instead of the dance.

Rick came over his way. "Harry."

Harry smiled. "I'm happy you came."

Rick returned the smile. "I wouldn't turn down your invite."

Harry wasn't sure. "Not much of one, when you can't sit with your own date."

Rick laughed. "Just during the ceremony. And you know I understand."

Harry was happy. "I don't want my son to get to know anyone, so early."

Rick took the seat next to him. "I hope we'll meet, but I'll be patient."

Severus grunted as he came their way. "Wonderful."

Harry looked up. "Lost?"

Severus smirked. "It seems we're at the same table."

Andromeda laughed. "My nephew has an odd sense of humor."

Lucius had come over. "I believe it was my daughter in law."

Ted said quietly to him. "Did she want to add some spice to her reception?"

Lucius smirked. "I believe my son asked her the same thing."

Andromeda agreed. "Her wedding seems to be an odd place for her to be a match maker."

They had been taking bets on how long it would take, for the fireworks to start. There were real ones planned, at the end of the reception. Harry had provided them, seeing that he had an obvious in with the shop. But it seemed like playing with fire, to intentionally seat the three of them together like this. Pansy had to know that it was not about to go down well. And she had been planning this wedding for months now. She had driven Draco nuts with all of the plans. If he hadn't been so in love with her, he'd have run off long ago.

Lucius quietly reminded Severus, as he headed for the head table, about Alfred Parkinson. The man would hunt down anyone who ruined the day for his princess. The man could terrify Lucius, and would likely hex anyone, who made Pansy upset today at all.

During dinner Rick smiled when he heard about the cat. "I have always had a kneezle."

Severus smirked. "You'd likely say that if he said he bought a dog."

Harry shot him a look. "Rick is a vet. He likes animals."

Rick refused to look at the man. "Has he chosen a name?"

Harry almost didn't say it. "Sev."

Sev had a gloating look. "Indeed."

Harry shot him a look. "Yes because she has sharp claws and an annoying meow."

Andromeda corrected him. "I believe it was because of the stories Severus reads him."

Harry shot her a look and muttered under his breath. "Traitor."

Sev looked at Rick. "So what is the name of this kneezle you have?"

Rick stumbled for a moment. "I…."

Harry cut him off. "I don't know where it is your business."

Sev smirked. "He should be quicker on his feet."

Harry smirked. "Glad he is bad at lying."

Rick asked Harry to dance, when the third dance started. Harry was happy to accept, and allowed his date to lead him onto the floor. He reminded himself this was just what Severus did. He didn't like to see anyone else happy, everyone should be as miserable as he was. Harry was going to enjoy the dance and the day, for his cousin. The reception, done all in Slytherin colors, was as ornate as a royal ball. It actually had a Versailles theme, and the décor and flowers came from the times of the Sun King. Pansy had planned it to the fold of the napkin as well.

Harry was surprised when Severus came. "Can I cut in?"

Harry stared at him. "You have to be joking."

Rick wasn't backing off. "Harry and I are on a date."

Severus smirked. "Walk away before you embarrass yourself."

Harry got between them. "I am on a date."

Severus sneered. "With him? He is boring you to sleep."

Rick ground his teeth. "We're not all former criminals."

Severus looked at him. "I wouldn't talk about what you don't know, boy."

Rick bristled. "Don't call me boy, old man."

Harry directed them out onto the balcony. "So we don't put on a show for all."

Rick looked at Harry. "He is welcome to leave."

Severus smirked. "I was invited. You are a pity date plus one."

Harry warded the doors so no one would hear. "Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"

Rick touched Harry's arm. "He is my date. We're going inside to enjoy."

Severus looked at Harry. "You can't tell me this animal lover interests you?"

Harry tried to sound convincing. "We have dated for a while."

Severus pulled Harry into his arms for a long kiss. As he pulled back he asked. "Does his kiss leave you feeling like this?"

Rick went to take down the wards. "Enough. You are embarrassing yourself."

Severus smirked. "I notice he isn't saying anything."

Rick turned to Harry. "He's wrong isn't he?"

Harry looked at his date. "I…."

Rick turned and punched Severus. "Is that interesting enough for you?"

Severus rubbed his jaw. "You need to put more weight behind it."

Harry stepped in. "Rick I'm sorry about this. It has only been a few dates….."

Rick turned to him. "It was a good time while it lasted."

Severus was gloating when Rick stormed off. "Seems I was right."

Harry glared at him. "Why do you insist on ruining my life?"

Severus pulled him back for a kiss. "You know you don't want that boy."

Harry found himself in a long passionate kiss. He fought it at first, but he melted into the arms, and found himself returning the kiss finally. They were both surprised, when others came flooding out onto the balcony. Harry had thought the fireworks were for later, but it turned out Pansy had decided they'd be better right after the sun had gone down. She didn't want to miss them, when they took off for their honeymoon.

Pansy laughed when Harry apologized for it. "I think you just gave my husband the best wedding gift."

An: So boring Rick is gone. But that doesn't mean clear sailing just yet for our two men.

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