December 22nd

Harry laughed. Then he laughed some more, before he attempted to stand up again. All six of the boys around him laughed with him, or more likely at him. Harry didn't care. One thing was for sure, Harry definitely didn't bear any inborn talent when it came to cross-country skiing.

"You need to straighten your ski first, then your legs, and only then stand up," Eduard or Pavel – Harry couldn't tell which one, because they were wearing gloves - advised him. It was a variation of advice Harry had been already given three or four times. Only, nobody clarified to him how exactly he was supposed to sort out the ski when he was half buried in snow.

Harry enviously eyed the short skis the smallest twins were wearing. They seemed a little wobbly on them but in comparison to Harry's performance, they were the champions. He made one more effort to stand up. For a second he believed he would be successful, but then he fell back into the snow like a stone. It brought a new round of laughter from everyone.

The back door shut. With effort, Harry turned his head and saw Snape coming out into the garden. Harry's smile vanished from his face immediately. He looked at Andrei. To his relief the solicitous teenager took pity of him, manoeuvred his ski with practised ease to get right beside Harry, and helped him up, out of the white cold trap.

"It's easy to get stuck when the snow is this deep," he encouraged Harry. "You will get it soon enough."

"And we're going to lose a cheap source of fun," Kolya - distinguishable from his twin by the blue colour of his hat - added, grinning. He was a teaser, apparently, but his joking didn't have the biting edge that would set Harry off.

Snape reached them. Harry tensed, wondering if the man would belittle him for his unexpected clumsiness on skis. To his relief, Snape decided to ignore him once more. Maybe he would ignore Harry all of the Christmas break, and would get so used to it that he wouldn't stop at Hogwarts. Wishful thinking.

"Still wanting to make the biggest snow fortress ever?" Snape addressed his youngest sons challengingly.

"Sure!" they shouted together, reminding Harry of Fred and George.

"We'll make a short trip, Dad. I, Eda, and Kolya," Pavel announced. "Just around the forest. We'll keep together, and Kolya will send a Patronus if we get into any trouble." He recited the apparently well learned mantra. Pavel was wearing a black hat, and black jacket, whilst Eduard blue ones, Harry noted an outdoor difference. Harry hoped they didn't keep switching it.

"Good," Snape nodded. He glanced at Andrei.

"I'm making lunch," his son shrugged, and then grinned. "And before that I'll give Harry his first ski lesson."

"Shall we make a trip in the afternoon, then?" Snape offered.

"I would like that, Dad," Andrei smiled at Snape. "Let's go to the Wood Chapel."

"Easy, son, it's my first time this winter. I would like to be able to feel my legs tomorrow," Snape curbed his enthusiasm.

Harry's mouth opened in surprise. He couldn't believe Snape of all people would admit a weakness, all the more to his sons, and to top it off, in front of Harry. It seemed that Snape was a completely different man at home. It was something Harry really couldn't believe. Snape was harsh and cruel at Hogwarts, he could tame his bad habits at home, but he was still the same man. If pushed far enough, he would –

"Sorry, Dad. The Fisher's hut in Trouts Bay, then?" Andrei offered an alternative. He didn't seem surprised by his father's behaviour at all.

"That would do," Snape agreed. He turned to Alexander and Mark, "Let's find the best spot for a fortress."

To Harry's relief they found a spot between three trees in the more remote part of the huge garden. Harry had relative privacy for his learning. Slowly, he found out how to move his legs so that he would keep his balance and the front ski didn't go too far.

"See," Andrei told him patiently, "now you only need to practice around the garden. Tomorrow we can try a short trip. I think I'll go and help with the fortress. Do you want to come?"

"No, thanks," Harry refused quickly. "But when you go cooking, I'll help."

"Can you cook?" Andrei asked him, his dark eyes doubting Harry.

"Sure, I used to cook at my relatives' house. I can cook a whole meal tomorrow or some other day, I just need to get better idea of how much food you all need." Harry informed him. For some reason, it irked him somewhat that people considered him good-for-nothing just because he was the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Mum will be glad," Andrei assured him. "She takes it as a day off any time one of us offers to cook. Dad cooks sometimes, too. He's great with steaks." It wasn't the first off hand comment on Snape. Andrei had kept mentioning him while he guided Harry through skiing and lifting him off from snow. From his words, Harry would nearly believe Snape was human.

Yes, Harry realised, Andrei was trying to persuade him Snape was a good man, a good father. Harry's experience told him something different, though. Andrei hadn't seen and hadn't heard Snape bullying kids. He hadn't witnessed Snape attacking Harry in his first ever Potions class. He hadn't heard his cruel comment to Hermione about her teeth. He hadn't seen girls, and occasionally boys, leave Snape's lessons and detentions in tears.

Harry left it without an answer, as he had done with all the previous comments on Snape. He wasn't going to shatter Andrei's – or any of his brothers' – illusions. He definitely didn't feel like telling them that their father was one of the foulest gits Harry had ever met.

"I'm gonna practice," he said instead, "I'm freezing." It was really unreasonably cold here. The pale sun did nothing to warm them, and the wind was biting. While moving he was reasonably warm in the sports jacket and pants Chris lent him, but when he stopped he was cold immediately.

xxx

"Lunch is delicious. Thank you, Andrei and Harry," Chris praised them when she tasted her plate of spaghetti, and meatballs in tomato sauce. She added more of the grated Parmesan cheese.

"Thanks," the rest of the family echoed. Harry was nearly sure he heard even Snape's deep voice among others.

Harry smiled at Chris. He really liked her.

"I found a nice water park today, not far away from an Apparition spot," she announced. "I thought we might go there tomorrow morning, if you all agree?"

Her family beamed at her. Even Snape, at whom Harry sneaked a glance, seemed pleased by the vision of water fun. Snape in swimming trunks. Harry choked on a meatball.

Mark and Sasha giggled, and Andrei gamely hit Harry's back a few times.

"Can you swim?" Pavel asked, misinterpreting the source of Harry's problem.

"Yes, I can," Harry said with dignity. "I just realised I didn't have swimming trunks here." Or anywhere, really. Ron had lent Harry his spare, and Harry had given it back before he had left the Burrow. He wondered if Snape was going to comment on Harry's poor packing skills.

Snape didn't.

Predictably, Chris assured Harry that they would find a spare pair of swimming trunks for Harry.

"Thank you," Harry said, blushing. He suddenly felt he was imposing so much on his hosts. They had to house him, feed him, and lend him so many things. Harry bet Snape was biting the inner side of his cheek to keep from commenting on that. Or to refrain from pointing out they didn't have to bother with taking Harry to the water park.

Snape stayed silent again.

Harry suddenly realised Snape was bound by his family's expectations on him. He couldn't attack Harry, because he wanted to pretend he was their sweet fair daddy. Harry was safe as long as he didn't stay alone with the malicious wizard.

xxx

After lunch they fought a fierce snow battle. Harry had big fun. Everyone participated, even Chris. He was surprised how much effort it took to conquer the snow fortress. Snape, Sasha, and Mark protected it fiercely. The five older boys and Chris needed nearly thirty minutes and countless snowballs to get inside. Of course, it would be much easier if they hadn't set the rule that the attack can be done from the front side only, no sneaking from behind.

Afterwards, Snape and the four older boys went to a ski-trip.

Harry relaxed, as he always did when Snape got further away from him.

"The boys can't get enough exercise," Chris laughed, "they are always like that after the mid-exams."

"Durmstrang holds them before Christmas?" Harry wondered how anyone could concentrate on cramming knowledge in the excitement and pre-holiday buzz. "We always have them in January."

"That's why Severus has to correct essays and tests during the school year whilst I do it in leisure through the holiday." Chris informed him contentedly, "also, it keeps students occupied and grounded before Christmas, and free to have fun during it."

Said this way it definitely made sense, Harry admitted. It also brought home that he better study hard through the holiday. If Hermione decided that he wasn't ready for the tests, she would make him a killer schedule without any pauses for kisses or a quick snog in January.

"I can play with Sasha and Mark if you want to go inside," Harry offered. "We can build a snowman or a snowdragon."

"Snowdragon! Snowdragon!" the twins started chanting. "Snowdragon! Snowdragon!"

"Didn't you want to practice skiing?" Chris asked.

"I can do it later," Harry insisted. He felt he could pay Chris back for her generosity this way.

"Thank you, I definitely can use some time to catch up with correspondence and gifts wrapping." She smiled at him gratefully. "Drying and warming charms won't go amiss, then," she added and spelled all the three of them from the head to toes.

Before she did so, Harry hadn't even realised how cold he had been.

"Thanks," he chorused with the twins, and then they set into building the 'best snowdragon ever'.

Later, Chris came for the small boys to lead them inside for a fruit snack. Harry asked her for another warming charm, so that he could practice skiing. He was shuffling around the garden and felt a surprising surge of peacefulness spreading through him. It was just him, the skis, snow, and the safety of the garden. His head felt clearer than it had for a long time.

When the light started diminishing, Harry decided to go inside. He would have some quick tea, and then he would hide in his room before Snape got home. He wanted to have a look at the two Occlumency books Chris had handed him after lunch.

His plan worked. Harry laid sprawled on his bed on his belly, thumbing through the book The Secreted Secrets. It was supposed to be more practical than the other one called Occlumency and its Branches Through the Centuries. Harry read the very general first chapter about things you could train your mind to manage, like calming one's mind and breath, remembering a long sequence of numbers, waking up at a certain hour without an alarm, and many others. Some of it sounded useful. Harry wished Snape had lent him this book instead of putting him through his awful lessons.

Harry's resentment of Snape had risen. Occlumency brought back memories; it refreshed the memory of his feelings of impotent hatred and rage he had felt during those awful evenings in Snape's study, and during the summer after Sirius' death. If Snape had lent him books... If Snape had really taught Harry something... If Snape-

Harry got up. He couldn't concentrate on reading any more. He couldn't think about anything else but Snape faults, and the deep hatred Harry felt towards the man. Harry couldn't even stay still. He started pacing his room like a caged animal, wishing desperately for his broom and the freedom of air.

A knock sounded.

Harry turned towards the door, trying to rein in his emotions.

It was Andrei, who came to tell him it was dinner time. Harry followed the boy – who was so similar to Snape in visage, and yet so dissimilar in behaviour – and tried to find any resentment in himself for Andy or his brothers. He found none. Harry felt his lip curling bitterly. He could hate the boys like Snape hated him for his James-like appearance. Yet, Harry didn't. Snape was Snape, and Andrei was Andrei. Harry didn't blame Andy for Snape's behaviour. It was only Snape, the small man, hating a child of eleven for his dead sire's deeds.

"You okay?" Andrei asked hesitantly.

Harry took a deep breath, and controlled his expression – or at least he hoped he did. This wouldn't do, to radiate his emotions all over.

"Yeah. Sorry. Just remembered something unpleasant," he mumbled, and changed for the topic that was offering. "What's for dinner?"

"Fish. It's grilled with potatoes. And Greek salad. Mum got this receipt from a cook in Greece." Andy answered at length. Harry thought the boy looked relieved.

Through the dinner, Harry kept to himself, joining only the appreciative comments about the dish. Apart from that, he concentrated on the fish. With the fish bones, it was a very convenient meal if one wanted to keep his eyes on the plate. As desert, they had a small piece of pastry oozing honey and filled with nuts. It was possibly the sweetest thing Harry ever tasted.

"I'll clean," Kolya offered, and Chris nodded at him gratefully.

Harry would think that a household with four boys would have some kind of chart, who cleaned what and when, but it seemed that the Snapes worked on a voluntary basis. Harry wondered if someone slacked off, or if they all helped the same.

"I'll help you," Harry told Kolya. "Andy taught me a dish drying charm, and a sweeping charm yesterday."

"You didn't have to clean at home?" one of the small boys asked. He sounded a bit envious to Harry's ears.

"I did. But my relatives are Muggles, so I did everything the Muggle way," Harry explained.

The kid's expression was compassionate; he nodded gravely, "we," he glanced at his twin, "have to do everything Muggle, too."

"Sasha can't wait to learn a levitating spell, so that he could pick his toys without bending his lazy back," Pavel teased his younger brother; who stuck out his tongue at him.

"I'll get you a proper crash-course to house-keeping charms," Kolya promised Harry.

Kolya hadn't promised in vain, Harry found. He learned five more charms and spells, and he was practically able to clean everything after meals, starting with the dishes and finishing with scrubbing the floor. All of that with just a few words and waves with his wand. Harry remembered regrettably all his slaving at the Dursleys. He wondered if he would spend summer with them again. Well, a half of summer. The day he was an adult, was the day he would leave them and never come back. He had promised that to himself long ago.

"Andy said you would like to see the pictures I took in Africa. Do you want to look at them tonight?" Kolya offered.

Harry was torn. He would love to see the pics, and it would be a splendid way to end the day. On the other hand, it seemed that the majority of things was done in the living room, so there was a big probability that Snape would sit there too, annoying Harry by his mere presence, not to mention his inevitable mean remarks.

In the end, Harry decided to give it a go. He couldn't let Snape spoil everything for him. "I would love that, thanks." He answered. He crossed his fingers for the chance that Kolya would show him the photo-album in his room.

No such luck.

Kolya led Harry to the living room, where he took out a thick album out of a bookcase, and sent his twin for a box of transparencies. All the Snapes apparently decided it was a good time to relive their memories from the holiday.

The following two hours were spent in dimness, moving pictures projected on a big white screen. They varied between the Muggle and Wizarding sights, landscapes, animals, flora, and members of the family. All six of the boys were relating the stories, and names of the sights, sometimes with a piece of history behind it.

"The fortress was really breath-taking, their wizards must have been great! And it's as old as 5th century!"

"We couldn't get Dad out of this herbs market."

"Check this Muggle scubba-diving we tried. It was fun!"

"We left five pounds of carrots for this baby elephant!"

"I liked rhinos more than elephants!"

"Cairo was interesting but I would never want to live there."

"This is from the family house of Dad's Potion Master fellow. His older kid was four, as our babies."

"We're not babies!"

Chris sometimes pointed something that her sons forgot to tell. Snape was blissfully silent. He seemed content in his role of a pet husband, holding Chris' hand and his own arm possessively over her shoulder. Harry nearly forgot the foul man was there, and he enjoyed himself immensely. He promised himself that if he survived the war, he would treat himself - and Hermione, of course – with a fair share of travelling.