A Good Summer

Madam Malkin's Robes

Diagon Alley:

Severus stared at the array of dress robes in dismay. He had never needed formal robes, only school ones, the set he had worn to the Yule Ball had been altered, and had never realized they came in so many styles, fabrics, and colors. He felt his head spin. He had no idea how to choose one for a wedding. He looked over helplessly at Dickon. "Uh . . .I don't know what to pick."

Dickon looked just as flabbergasted as he did. "Me neither. The last time I wore dress robes was at my teacher's funeral, and those are not what we're looking for. Maybe we should ask Madam Malkin. This is her shop, I'm sure she can suggest appropriate ones."

"Yeah, after all, you're the groom, and it wouldn't do if you looked horrendous," Severus teased. "Although I wouldn't be caught dead in that one." He pointed to a long red robe in heavy velvet with a frothing lace collar and cuffs that looked like it had been around since Queen Elizabeth I.

Dickon mimed putting a hand to his heart and keeling over. "Perfectly dreadful, isn't it? Even when that was the fashion, I would have rather been scourged than wear it."

"How can I help you, sirs?" Madam Malkin bustled over, holding a pincushion in one hand.

"Uh, hello, we're here to purchase dress robes for my wedding for myself and my stepson," Dickon explained.

"My mum's getting married," Severus added helpfully. Then he blushed for sounding like an utter buffoon and stating the obvious.

"Oh, and guess you're the lucky groom, aren't you, dear?" she beamed at Dickon. "Hmm . . .well, you're medium height, nice build, you'll fit into most anything I've got, which is nice, since I won't have to alter anything too much . . .Now let's see . . .do you have a favorite color, Mr.—"

"Marsh. Dickon Marsh."

"Mr. Marsh. Do you know if your bride will be wearing white or another color, like ivory or perhaps peach?"

"I . . .uh . . .don't know, she was going dress shopping with her attendants today." Dickon said, at a loss.

"Oh, well, hopefully she doesn't pick a color that contrasts too sharply." Madam Malkin said. "If that does happen, don't hesitate to bring the robes back and let me change the color, all right?"

"Right. Uh . . .my favorite color is blue and Sev's is green."

"Blue, eh. Popular color. Any particular shade? Teal, cobalt, royal, sky, turquoise, navy, indigo . . .?"

She went down the list of shades of blue like a textbook, and Dickon's eyebrow climbed higher and higher into his hair.

Severus sighed impatiently. He wished this were over already. He hated picking out clothes, which was why he preferred jeans and T-shirts or pullovers. What did it matter what shade of blue it was?

"I like indigo," Dickon finally spoke up, halting the recitation mercifully.

Severus thanked Merlin.

"Oh good! We have several robes in that color. Any particular style?"

"Something comfortable. Not too tight fitting, I like to be able to breathe," Dickon joked.

"All righty, then! How about something in a flowing Chinese emperor style?"

"Sounds good."

"What about embroidery? Have you a preference for a specific animal or plant or symbol?"

"Could you put an Egyptian motif upon them? You know, a lotus, scarab, and a cat? Oh, and some stylized stars and moons? I'm an astronomer."

"How lovely! Yes, that we can do! And I have some lovely buttons, hand carved amethyst sunbursts—midnight suns we call them . . .would you like those to button down the front?"

"Yes, please. Those sound wonderful."

"Now for the trim. I have a lovely violet silk shot through with silver thread, it sparkles when light hits it. I think it will go well with the indigo summerweight cotton." She snapped her fingers and two fabric swatches appeared in her hand. "See? What do you think?"

Both Dickon and Severus examined the fabric. "That looks good. I like it." The astronomer said.

"Me too."

Madam Malkin smiled. "Then I think we have a winner here. I shall make up a set, when would you like them by?"

"My wedding is in July, so before the 20th." Dickon said.

"You shall have them in plenty of time," the witch reassured him. Then she looked at Severus. "Now it's your turn, young man. Stand up straight, don't slouch."

Severus did as she had said, wondering if he would have to go through the torture of fabric swatches and shades of green.

"Hmm . . .you're starting to get a growth spurt, and you've got a few weeks till the wedding, so I would recommend a fabric that can be easily let out and adjusted in case you grow an inch or so before the wedding." She flipped through several of the robes hanging on the revolving rack before settling on one in an apple green shade. "How about this one?"

Severus looked at it. "The color's too bright. I like a darker green. Like evergreen," he told her. The same shade as Lily's eyes.

"Very well. How about this one?"

The next one she chose was a darker green, it fit close about the chest but flared down at the bottom, with slits up the side for ease of movement. "This style is called Mongolian warlord, since Genghis Khan made this style popular." Madam Malkin explained.

Severus rolled his eyes at Dickon. Like I cared who invented it! All I want is to try the damn thing on and see if I look halfway decent and not like a string bean all dressed up. He examined the brocade upon the robe, it had small interlocking geometric circles on it. "This will do."

Madam Malkin examined the robe critically. "It'll need dressing up before it's fit for a wedding. How about mother-of-pearl buttons down the front?"

"Fine," Severus said, trying not to sound bored out of his mind. He failed to see how girls could actually like clothes shopping.

"Now, you'll have a strip of white silk down the front, what embroidery would you like, hon?"

"Huh? Why do I need embroidery? I'm not the groom." Severus protested. "I'm not supposed to look better than him."

Dickon started laughing. So did Madam Malkin. Severus looked from one to the other.

"What? What did I say?"

"Never mind, dear," Madam Malkin patted his shoulder.

Severus bit back a groan. He hated it when strangers treated him like a child.

"We'll give you a little embroidery. Do you have a preference?"

"Yeah. None," he muttered under his breath, earning himself a sharp look from Dickon. He said, more politely, "I like potions and cats. Are those suitable, ma'am?"

"Very. I can put a small border about the hem too."

"Okay." Severus agreed, thinking that the torture was ended.

But then Madam Malkin had him try the robe on and pinned and tucked it here and there.

And after that there were trousers and a shirt to pick out and size and boots as well. By the time they were finally done, Severus was starving, he vowed he was never going through this kind of torture again, and Dickon looked glazed and about to fall over.

"You can come back in two days and they shall be ready for you. And of course all our robes have our guarantee of being self-repairing, temperature controlled, self-ironing, and sure to make any girl look twice at you." Madam Malkin winked at Severus, and waved at Dickon before bustling off to see another customer.

When they left the shop, Severus looked at Dickon and said, "Please tell me you had no idea what getting dress robes and a suit involved?"

"I didn't. Wizard's honor." Dickon said solemnly, but his eyes twinkled outrageously.

"How the bloody hell can girls like that sort of thing?" Severus queried. "I almost walked out after she started showing me threads and talking about inseams. Ugh!"

"That, Severus, is a question I have never been able to figure out," Dickon chuckled. "It's a mystery I don't think we men are meant to solve."

"Who wants to solve it?" Severus frowned. "I just want to know how to avoid it."

Dickon grinned. "Fake being sick with a deadly disease."

Severus shared a grin with his stepfather. "I'll have to remember that. Hey, are you hungry?"

"Now that you mention it . . .I am. Let's go and get a bite to eat over at The Leaky Cauldron."

"And ice cream?"

"Of course." Dickon agreed. "What would lunch be without ice cream?"

"Terrible," Severus answered. He had a fondness for butter pecan with hot fudge sauce.

"Come on then, Sev. My stomach's snarling and staging a revolt." He hurried down the cobblestone way.

Severus followed, thankful that his legs had grown enough to keep up with the older man.

"Dickon, are you nervous about getting married?"

Dickon glanced back and shook his head. "No. Not really. I love your mother and I already get along with you, so it'll just be a change of scenery for me, living at Spinner's End. I'm ready, you see, for my bachelorhood to end. I've gotten tired of eating my own cooking and going to bed alone. And I think it'll be a good thing for me to have some practice as a dad." He gave the dark-haired teen a searching glance. "I hope that's not bothering you, Sev. I would never behave like your father, and I would hope you know that by now."

Severus flushed. "I do know that, it's just . . .sometimes . . .forget it. I'm being stupid."

Dickon halted and put a hand upon Severus' shoulder. "If it'll help, I promise to never do anything to physically hurt you or your mother."

"Fair enough, sir."

"Dickon," corrected the astronomer. Then he pushed open the door to the Leaky Cauldron. The Cauldron served breakfast and lunch to hungry patrons, and though their menu was limited, they did serve banging fish and chips and Cornish pasties, both of which were favorites of the two wizards.

Alalindra's Bridal Shoppe

Diagon Alley:

"Oooh, Eileen, you look . . .gorgeous!" Petunia gasped when the tall witch emerged from behind the changing curtain in a lovely ivory silk gown. "Lil, look at this one! Don't you think it looks brilliant?"

Lily turned from admiring the wedding veils on display in the exclusive shop and smiled when she saw Severus' mother. "I love it!"

Eileen smiled, turning so they could admire the laced back and medium train. "That's what you said about the last two I tried on."

Lily spread her hands and said, "Well, they're all so beautiful, I'm having a hard time choosing. I don't know how I'm going to pick out my own when the time comes."

"I'll try and help, Lil," Petunia offered. "Though I like most of them too." She sighed. "Of course, I don't even know what tradition I'll get married in—Muggle or wizard."

"Has James asked you yet?" asked Eileen.

"No, but . . . we've discussed it, and I think once he speaks with my dad and his, he'll pop the question." Petunia's eyes glowed. "I'd really like to get married in a church, but I don't know if James wants to. You're lucky, Lily. Severus is comfortable with both."

"I'm sure James wouldn't mind getting married wherever you're comfortable, Tuney," Eileen advised. "Most men don't. Tobias and I got married very simply, by a justice of the peace, with one witness, a friend of his, in attendance. But this time . . .this time I want to go all out." She chuckled and stroked the silky fabric. "Funny, but it's usually the other way around."

"Well, you saved the best for last," Lily told her.

Eileen beamed. "I surely did. Well, I'd say it's between this one and the blue accented one."

Lily put her chin in her hand. "Hmm . . .that one was really pretty, but . . .there's something more . . .what's the word I want?"

"Elegant," Petunia supplied.

"Right! This one makes you look like a queen."

"And you know what they say, Eileen," Petunia giggled. "Every bride's a queen on her wedding day."

"That'll be a switch," laughed the witch. She turned around upon the podium and examined herself in the mirror once more.

The gown she had on was a simple flowing ivory silk over gown, it was gathered at the side and flowed in gentle pleats in the back. The bodice was tastefully and elegantly decorated with multifaceted Austrian crystal beads and pearls, it curved gently in a sweetheart neckline. The undergown was a stiff taffeta, it made the gown stand out without the need for spells or hoops.

"Yes. I think this is the one."

"Ha! I knew it!" Lily crowed. "You owe me five pounds, Tuney."

"Mercenary," Petunia made an awful face at her baby sister.

Lily held out her hand. It was a rare day when she won a bet with Petunia. "Pay up, sister mine. I'm not the bank, I don't do credit."

Petunia handed her a fiver. "But I get to pick the shoes!" she sang, and rushed over to the shoe rack. "Eileen, what are you, a size five and a half?"

"Yes."

Petunia smiled triumphantly. "My size. Perfect."

"Why?" asked her sister.

"Because I can try them all on and see!" her sister replied. She waved Lily away. "Shoo! Get out of my light, how can I see with you hovering over me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lily gave a mock bow. "I shall retreat and let the Shoe Queen do her work."

"Don't be a smartass, Lily," Petunia said, extending one stocking-clad foot with a glittering beaded shoe upon it. "Hmm . . .nice . . .but it doesn't do justice to the gown. On to the next pair . . ."

Lily turned back to Eileen, who was watching their repartee fondly. "Want to get a latte? They make them for free over here for the customers. She could take all afternoon with her shoe obsession."

"I heard that, Lily!" Petunia called. "You're lucky you have a bonafide shoe expert here. If it were left up to you, you pick sandals with rosettes on them." She tried on and discarded another pair of white satin pumps. "Too plain."

"I'd love a latte, Lily." Eileen said, she stepped off the podium and walked over to the stand where all kinds of veils were displayed. "I never wore a veil my first time. But these are beautiful."

"I like the tiara with the Italian lace the best," Lily said shyly.

Eileen looked at it. "Oh, yes! Great choice. I'm so glad I brought you two with me, it's so much more fun with three!" A wistful expression crossed her face. "Do you know, I always wanted a daughter? I love my son dearly, but I always thought a little girl would be so wonderful to share things with . . ."

"Well, I'm glad you had your son first, Eileen. But maybe you and Dickon . . ."

"It's something to think about," said Eileen. Then she placed the tiara upon her head. "Well?"

"You look like a goddess."

"Flatterer."

"Nope. That gown and this veil together with whatever shoes Tuney picks out . . .is going to have Dickon on his knees thanking God . . .that you agreed to marry him. Right, Tuney?"

Petunia looked up from her seventh pair of shoes in seven minutes. "Definitely. Now if only I could find the right shoe . . .who the heck created this anyway? Looks like it belongs on Bridezilla . . ."

Twenty minutes and twenty-five pairs of shoes later, Petunia finally settled upon an elegant small-heeled number with crystals along the front of the shoe, it was a slip on with no back, but an extra cushiony insole. "Perfect!"

"Yippee! I thought we were gonna have to call the fashion police because you'd had heart failure," Lily smirked.

"Button it, Lil. I am the fashion police." Petunia stood up, holding the shoes in her hand, as the harried witch bridal consultant approached. "May I have these boxed please?"

"Heaven help us all when it's her turn," Lily said to Eileen in a stage whisper.

July 20th, 1977:

"Ready, Mum?" Severus asked his mother, taking her arm in his as they prepared to walk down the rose petal strewn pathway to where Dickon and his mentor, the ancient Master Astronomer Aristotle Fairweather awaited them. Aristotle was going to perform the bonding ceremony for the couple, he had once been Dickon's mentor and the two were still close.

"As I'll ever be, Sev." Eileen said, and smiled radiantly at him. "Relax. All you have to do is bring me to the altar."

"And not trip over my feet," Severus muttered.

She squeezed his arm. "You'll be fine. Don't think, just walk."

"You look beautiful, Mum. Like a queen."

"Thank you, Sev. You look very handsome too. Especially with your new haircut."

Severus blushed, for though he didn't like having short hair, he had to admit, if only to himself, that it did look better since it was not hanging in his eyes.

They began playing a wedding march, and Severus escorted Eileen down the aisle, standing in for Eileen's father, who traditionally gave the bride away.

He felt an odd fluttering in his stomach, and wondered if that were normal. This wasn't his wedding day, after all. He walked slowly and as gracefully as he could towards the altar, Eileen keeping a steady pace beside him, despite her long train.

Severus could feel eyes upon them the whole way down, but he focused upon Lily, who was already standing to the left of Aristotle, her eyes flashed encouragement at him. They're not staring at you, Snape, he reminded himself. They're looking at Mum.

At last they had reached Dickon, and Severus gave him a formal bow and handed Eileen's hand to him, saying, "I give her into your keeping, Dickon Marsh. Care for her well."

"I shall," Dickon said, and then he took his bride's hand and kissed it, before drawing her to stand beside him.

Severus went to stand off to the right, next to Dickon's brother, and Lily winked at him and blew him a kiss.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur, until finally it was over, and they were officially married, vows and all. Everyone cheered and clapped, and small songbirds flew overhead with colored ribbons in their feet, singing sweetly. Eileen had chosen that particular gesture, saying it was much better than throwing paper confetti, or rice, or birdseed, or candy.

The reception was immediately following, held jointly in the Snape and Evans yards, with just friends and family in attendance. The guests were a mixture of both wizard and Muggle and included Dickon's family, the Evanses, the Blacks and Potters, Minerva McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore, and Slughorn from Hogwarts staff, and a few others from Eileen's work.

They had a lovely tent up with a bridal arch for the bride and groom to walk through, and real table linens and silverware and fresh flower centerpieces, plus a magically flowing champagne fountain and another of pumpkin juice for the younger generation. The food had been catered by a friend of Polly Evans, and was delicious. There was a live band as well.

Henry Evans, who wanted to be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, took the microphone away from the band's singer and said, "Attention ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards, I am pleased to announce for the first time tonight, the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Marsh!" He said Richard's name with a dramatic elongation that made both his daughters roll their eyes in pretend disgust.

"Oh, God! Dad should have been a game show host," Petunia groaned.

"He could've replace Bob Barker on the Price is Right," Lily said, snickering.

They clapped and stood up as Eileen and Dickon entered the yard through the wedding arch. There was a large wooden platform set up for the dance floor, and Dickon led Eileen right to it. The band began to play Eyes of Love, a traditional wizarding love song, and Dickon and Eileen twirled gracefully to the music.

Severus squeezed Lily's hand under the table and whispered, "I hope they play something I know how to dance to when it's my turn to dance with Mum."

Lily looked at him in astonishment. "Sev, what are you worried about? You and I danced at the Yule Ball and you only stepped on my feet once."

"I know, but that was different. Nobody knew how to really dance there and the music was so slow an idiot could have kept the tempo. Plus we weren't alone on the dance floor. This time, it'll be just be me and Mum and you know how I hate people staring at me."

"You'll do fine, Sev. Just follow Eileen and pretend all the people watching are naked. Or disgustingly ugly."

He actually smiled at her. He was being foolish. He had practiced a lot with Eileen in the privacy of their living room, and he was reasonably sure he wouldn't make too much of an ass of himself. He used a linen napkin to mop his face, it wasn't really hot out, but suddenly he felt stifled, despite the magical robes he was wearing.

"I don't even know what song she picked for us to dance to," he muttered in a panic.

Lily put her arm about him. "It doesn't matter. You'll be great."

Finally, Dickon and Eileen were finished and Dickon escorted Eileen to Severus. "Your turn, Sev."

Severus gulped and stood up. "You sure you want to do this, Mum?"

"Of course, Severus. You're my son, and I want you to share in my special day." She led him out on the dance floor.

He put his arm about her waist, and held her hand with his other. Then he waited for the band to start playing.

They struck up the first bars of You Light Up My Life.

Severus breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this song, it was very popular, and he could dance to it.

He and Eileen gently rotated in a circle, she looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you, Sevvy."

"Love you too. You look really happy."

"I am. Happier than I've been in a long time."

"Good. You deserve it."

He meant it too. To his surprise, he managed to make it through the whole song without stepping on his mother's toes. Or her train.

When their song was ended, he escorted her back to the long table, amid applause from the guests.

"See, that wasn't so bad," Eileen said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Congratulations Mum and Dickon," he said, then he left his mother to her new husband and returned to his spot inbetween Lily and Petunia.

After they had eaten, and Dickon's brother had given a toast to the new couple, wishing them many years of happiness, people began to converge upon the dance floor. Severus hung back, as did Regulus, and James. Lily and Petunia would have none of that, however. Both girls enjoyed dancing and dragged Severus and James out onto the floor.

Severus minded a little at first, but then he grew used to it, and besides, he didn't want to be shown up by Potter. James had probably had dancing lessons at an early age, Severus thought, like most aristocratic purebloods. Even so, Lily only danced with him, and he could have held her forever.

Finally, James pleaded a bathroom break, he actually wanted to speak with Sirius, who had been sulking in a corner, refusing to speak to his parents at all. He did say hello to Regulus, but totally ignored Orion and Walburga. James thought he might be able to talk some sense into his stubborn idiot friend.

Petunia was at a loss, and looked about hopefully for a new partner, they were starting up a rock and roll number by Elvis, and she adored Elvis. "Oh drat! Figures he'd up and leave when my favorite song is playing."

"Hello, my lady. In need of a partner?"

She turned to see Regulus standing there, offering a hand. He was smiling politely, an impish gleam in his eyes. "Oh! You're Regulus, aren't you? Sev's roommate?"

"And best friend. Pleasure to meet you. You're Lily's older sister, right?"

"Petunia. Would you mind? James had to answer a call of nature."

"Not at all. This music is very good."

"It's Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll." Petunia explained, and then she whirled him away to Blue Suede Shoes.

"King? Of what?" Reg looked vastly puzzled.

Laughing, Petunia explained the title and who Elvis Presley was. "I'd show you a picture, I have dozens, but they're all at home. Thank you for dancing with me, Regulus."

"Reg. And I ought to thank you. I've been dying to dance since I got here, but I didn't know anyone." He twirled her about, moving with an astonishing grace.

"You're a good dancer."

He chuckled. "I'm a Black. My mother had us take lessons in the cradle. Well, not really, but you get the picture. You're good too."

"Mrs. Pym's Dance Class for eight years," Petunia admitted. She thought Reg was sweet, much nicer than his arrogant brother.

Just then, James came back onto the dance floor. Sirius had refused to even listen to him and he was quite put out. "Oi, star kid. Time to but out and leave my girl alone."

Petunia frowned up at him. "Really James, there's no need to be rude. A simple excuse me would have worked. Regulus was kind enough to dance with me while you were gone, you needn't act like a jealous idiot."

"I-I wasn't . . " James sighed. "Okay, maybe I was, a little." He turned to Regulus. "Sorry, Black, but would you mind if I cut in?"

Regulus released Petunia. "Not at all. It was a pleasure, Petunia."

James reclaimed his girlfriend and they started dancing. "Don't be mad at me, Tuney. But I've just been wrangling with Sirius, so I'm out of sorts." He gave her a guilty smile.

"What's he done now?" Petunia sighed. She was getting sick and tired of Sirius always seeming to ruin their good time.

"It's more like what hasn't he done. Which is spoken to his parents. I tried to get him to at least be polite, but he's . . he won't even consider it. I don't know why I bother."

"Because he's your friend." Petunia waved at Lily and Severus as they went by. She had to smile, those two had eyes only for each other and danced as though they were the only ones in the room.

James pulled her close. "Enjoying yourself, beautiful?"

"Very much. I love weddings." Then she didn't bother talking, she simply allowed herself to feel the glorious heat of James' arms about her as they spun and twirled. She looked across the floor and saw Eileen and Dickon dancing as well. Someday, that's going to be me. If I can ever convince Procrastinating Potter to give me a ring already!

A few days after the wedding:

Severus waited impatiently on the swings for Lily. She was supposed to meet him down by the park and from there they were going to get some ice cream. Eileen and Dickon had already left on their honeymoon to the Highlands of Scotland, and would be gone two weeks. So Severus had his house to himself, except for those times when he was visiting the Evans' place. Polly had invited him to come for meals and he usually accompanied Henry home after they had finished work. Henry had given Severus his old job back at the pharmacy, and Severus was very grateful, since he wanted to save up to take Lily out for dinner on Saturday. He had already sworn on his wand to Eileen that he wouldn't have any wild parties go on while she was gone.

"Darn, guess I can't call that escort agency like I planned," he teased, making Eileen go into a coughing fit, and Dickon double over laughing.

"Severus!" she scolded, but he could tell she was not buying it.

"Only kidding. Lily's the only escort I need. Have a good time on your trip. Don't fall off any cliffs."

"I'll make sure she doesn't go rock climbing, Sev. Or get kidnapped by some enterprising Highlander," Dickon joked right back. "See you in two weeks."

"If there's an emergency, you can use the Floo to contact us. Or call Polly and Henry. There's food in the fridge and I left you money in the biscuit tin—" Eileen began.

"Oh, so that'swhere you keep it." Dickon said.

"Mum feels it adds flavor to the shortbread," Severus said, smirking. "Mum, I'll be fine."

"You're sure? It's just . . .I worry."

"Don't. I'm seventeen, I can handle it."

"Eileen, Severus is a responsible seventeen, unlike a lot of others I teach," Dickon reassured her. "Now come on, or we'll miss the Loch Ness Monster Tour and I really wanted to catch a glimpse of the old sea monster."

"Is it really a sea monster?" Severus asked. Dickon's words made him feel proud, for he had never heard anything like them from any adult male before.

"Who knows? Maybe I'll finally find out," said his stepfather, and then they stepped into the Floo.

That had been a few days ago, and since then when he wasn't working he was with Lily. She had promised to meet him at the park after she had finished her shift at the cinema. He waited, swinging back and forth idly.

Suddenly, he heard a sharp scream coming from the opposite end of the park. He was on his feet immediately. A small boy burst into view, he was dirty and his nose and lip dripped blood, his hands were scraped and he looked like he was crying. Severus knew him, he lived down the block, he was seven and his name was Ian Palmer.

"Ian! What happened?"

"S-Severus?" the little boy's dark hair was standing on end, making him look like a hedgehog. He glanced back behind him. "Gotta get away! They're coming!" He raced behind Severus.

"Who are?"

"R-Roger Meekham and his gang! They—they beat me up and took my lunch money." sniffled Ian.

"Keep behind me, Ian," Severus ordered, his jaw clenched. His eyes were dark pools of fury. "I'll get it back and make them leave you alone."

"Okay."

"Sev, what's going on?" Lily asked, she was coming off the street and into the park.

"Nothing much. Just teaching a bunch of bullies a lesson," Severus replied shortly, and then he strode directly into the path of the bullies, who were three or four kids around ten.

The boldest one, a tall kid with a half-shaved head, called, "Better run, Ian Pee-on! Before we show you what we do to scaredy cats like you and make you wet yourself!"

The other boys howled in laughter, cruel and mocking.

Severus' blood boiled. He had no tolerance for bullies of any shape or size or age. "I don't think so. Leave him be, little scumsuckers." He crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at the ringleader.

"Who the hell r'you?" asked Roger, trying to sound all macho and failing miserably. His voice squeaked. "His big brother?"

"Nah. He don't have no brother," spoke up another of the gang. "Maybe it's his bodyguard."

"But who'd want to guard his body? It's so wimpy!"

"Shut up, all of you little rats!" growled Severus. "Which one of you hit him?" He walked over and got right in their faces, his eyes dark with sheer anger. He picked them up off the ground and glared at them one by one and shook them hard. "Well? Answer me!"

Some of them began to whimper and tremble, for Severus' glare was based off of Tobias at his most dreadful. "We didn't do nothin'!"

"Don't lie! Here's the way this is going to go, termites. You! Roger! Give me back the money you stole from him." He held out a hand. Shaking, the boy obeyed. Severus leaned down, his face hard and scary. "You lay another finger or toe on Ian over there, and I come and pulverize you. I'll beat you so bad your own mum won't recognize you. Or your dad. Stay away from Ian. Don't talk to him, don't look at him, hell, don't even breathe the same air as him. If you do anything to him, I'll know, and then your arse is mine. So unless you want it kicked all the way to California, you'll do what I say. Got me?"

His voice dropped several octaves, and became silky with menace, and each one of the bullies quaked and whimpered and one started bawling, "Don't hurt me! Please! I'll never do it again."

Just then, sirens began to wail in the distance.

"Hear that?" hissed Snape. "That's the police, coming to take you away for what you've done. And throw you in a deep dark hole with the rats and the crazies." The sirens drew closer and they all started crying. Severus eyed them coldly. "Run, brats. Run home and tell your mummies to spank you extra hard for what you've done, and maybe the police won't come to your house to arrest you."

"T-they don't know where I live," blustered Roger, tears and snot dripping down his face.

"But I do. Once I tell them . . .into the dark you go . . .now get!" Severus snarled. The four turned pale and started running. "And remember, I'm always watching!"

They started screaming and tore off across the park as if the hordes of hell were nipping at their heels. And Severus hadn't needed to lift a finger against them.

"Humph! Pissing cowards!" He turned back to where Ian and Lily waited.

Ian was looking at him as if he were some kind of god. "Whoa! I never saw Roger move that fast in his life! That was so bloody cool!"

"And if he knows what's good for him, he'll keep running." Severus said, satisfied. He smiled down at the younger boy. "You want to come with us and get some ice cream?"

"Really? Sure!" Then his face fell. "But I don't have any money."

Severus handed him the money back. "Yeah, you do. But the ice cream's on me."

Lily beamed at him. "Good for you, Sev!" Then she looked at Ian, who was still covered in blood. "You need to get washed up, you're all over blood and dirt. Let's go over by the fountain." She tugged a spare rag out of her pocket that she sometimes used to wipe up the counter at the concession stand.

Once she had made the little boy presentable enough, they left the park and started walking into town. Ian walked a little ahead of them. Lily took Severus' hand and whispered, "You were great back there."

Severus shrugged. "It was nothing. I did what was needed." He continued walking. Then he added, very softly, "What I wished someone would have done for me when I was his age."

Lily put her arm about him. "You're a good man, Severus Snape. And you'll make a great father someday."

"Hold it, Lil!" He looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. "I scare the snot out a few brats and you think that makes me father material?"

"Yes. Because I could see you doing the same for your own kids," Lily replied.

"Oh. Well, yeah, that goes without saying. Anybody lays a finger on my kid and I'll break all their fingers and shove them up their arse. And then I'll sue them."

"That's what I'm talking about. You'll make a great dad, Sev."

"Someday." He drew her into a long electrifying kiss. She was so sweet that he nearly forgot where he was, the touch of her lips against his own sent spirals of desire through him and when he broke it off, he saw Ian staring at them.

"Ugh! Gross! You're as bad as my mum and dad!"

The two exchanged sheepish looks and then Lily said, "Someday you won't mind kissing a girl, Ian."

Ian gagged. "Yuck!"

Severus chuckled. "But that's a long time from now. Keep moving, we want to get there before all the ice cream's melted."

Ian turned around and tore off down the road, leaving the two teenagers to walk leisurely behind them, and talk of the future.

Potter Manor

A week later:

Petunia fiddled with a fold of her pleated pink-sprigged skirt and tried not to feel as if she were being judged by the friendly witch sitting across the table from her. Liana Potter had never been anything but kind and considerate of her son's girlfriend, despite the gap in their ages and the fact that Petunia had no magic. But now Liana had asked her for tea, without James this time, he was out wandering the manor grounds with Sirius, and Petunia felt nervous butterflies in her stomach.

She picked up her tea cup, sipped the excellent orange spice inside, then set it down and waited for the other woman to speak.

Liana took her time, rearranging a fold of her napkin before smiling at the younger woman. "Please, Tuney, don't look so nervous. I'm not going to eat you. I'm a good witch."

That got a chuckle out of Petunia. "I know."

"I figured it would do us good to get to know each other without my son hovering like a nervous sheepdog." Liana smiled. "I must confess, when James first told us of his intentions, Charles and I were quite shocked."

"Because I'm a Muggle?"

"Well, a little, but mostly we were surprised at how James felt so deeply for you. I know my son, and while I love him dearly, I also know that he tends to be a bit . . . cavalier in regards to girls. He also tends to get bored easily and that's when he gets into trouble." She sighed in fond exasperation. "Charles was similar at that age, though, so I have hopes that James will grow out of it. However, as I said, when he first told us about you, I thought it was just another passing fancy, until I saw the two of you together. Then I knew. You were made for each other, and somehow it didn't matter if you were a witch or not. You were just what my son needed to make him grow up and become a responsible adult. And you loved him."

"And he loves me. I never thought I'd end up loving someone who was part of my sister's world, and younger than me, but there you have it."

"Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected."

"Yes. I do love your son, Liana, and someday, when he's finished with school, we would like to marry, only . . .I'm concerned about how your family would take it." Petunia bit her lip.

"Ah. You mean Aunt Muriel?" Liana snorted. "She's all bark and no bite, dear. Old, crochety, and unforgiving, and only family would put up with her. She has no say in who James marries."

"She threatened to cut him out of her will."

"An empty threat. And one she's threatened multiple times. Pay her no mind, Tuney. She has an exaggerated idea of her own importance. You are very welcome here, and I look forward to having another woman in the house. But I also wish for you to be comfortable around us, and that's why I called you here." Liana cleared her throat. "You have very nice manners, your mother taught you well, but there are a few things in wizarding society that you must also learn—such as the proper wearing of robes, when to bow to a senior witch or wizard, what is and is not acceptable conversation for a lady of your station—"

"A lady of my station? But, Liana, I'm just a Muggle, not a lady . . ."

"Once you marry James, Tuney, you shall be Lady Petunia, and so you see, I wish to teach you a few social airs, so you won't . . .trip yourself up." Liana finished smoothly.

"Oh!" Petunia felt a blush rise in her cheeks.

"Now, then. We shall begin with the place settings. When you entertain a pureblood from a Founding family, that is one that can trace their ancestry directly back to Merlin, you must . . ."

Petunia soon found that Liana was a most through and gracious teacher, a quality which she felt she lacked, and so paid close attention, for she wouldn't have it said that James Potter's fiancée was socially inept and what could one expect from a mere Muggle?

Meanwhile, unaware that his fiancée was having etiquette lessons, Prongs and Padfoot had been racing through the woods upon the estate, running for the sheer joy of it. They had not indulged themselves and transformed into their Animagus forms all summer, and it was a relief to shed their human form and indulge in purely animal pursuits.

When they finally tired of chasing each other, and the occasional unwary rabbit, in Padfoot's case, they returned to the high meadow where James had first shown Petunia his other form and collapsed on the grass, shifting back into human form.

Both were dressed casually, in jeans and polo shirts, and James' hair was mussed from his run, as usual. "Having fun now, Padfoot?" he asked, having agreed to this impromptu romp because Sirius had complained he was bored.

"Ah, Prongs!" Sirius grinned, lying back on the grass. "This is the life. No worries, no obligations, just sheer pleasure . . .too bad Remus and Wormtail aren't here too."

James shrugged. Remus was away at some institute trying to find a cure for his furry problem and Peter was off in Germany with his parents, on a family vacation. "I kind of like it with just the two of us." He looked up at the sky, which was a fine blue and recalled something he'd almost forgotten. "Hey, Tuney's coming for tea today with my mother! Wonder if we ought to crash the tea party, or is it like, a girl thing?"

Sirius looked horrified. "Of course it's a girl thing, and I, for one, have no desire to get beat to death with a shoe for invading the rose garden. Let 'em alone, Prongs. You don't need to be at her side twenty-four/seven, you know."

"But I like to be by her side, Siri."

Sirius shook his head. "I don't get you, James. She's just a skinny Muggle. She'll never fit in our world. I don't why you keep on deluding yourself that she will. You're only going to get hurt when she leaves."

"Leaves? Why would she do that? Petunia's not a quitter. And she's not just some Muggle, she's the girl I'm going to marry."

"Marry? Oh, for the love of Merlin! James, you can't mean that."

"Why not? You got something against Muggles?"

"No, I just think, and I've said it before, that we shouldn't mix. They have their world and we have ours and that's how it should stay."

"You're a bigot. And an idiot."

Sirius sat up and glared at him. "Bloody hell, James! Just a couple of months ago you were drooling all over Lily Evans! And last year you were swearing your last breath to kiss her! And now because you rescued her sister from some brute, you're going to make her your wife? Buddy, you're off your rocker!"

James set his jaw. "Look, Siri. Last year I was an immature jackass who wanted someone I wasn't meant to have. Remus was right. I was obsessing over Lily, but I didn't love her. And Lily didn't love me. She never did. Her heart's always belonged to one person—Snape. And she doesn't want or need me. Petunia does. Not just to defend her honor against brutes like Dursley either. She needs me to make her whole, to be there for her, to give her a little taste of magic."

"Prongs, it won't work."

"Why not? Our worlds aren't that different."

"Not that different? Prongs, we use a fireplace to get from here to there. They use cars and planes! We've spent centuries trying to hide what we are and you want to drag her into a place where she'll always be an outsider."

"She won't. She'll adapt and learn. It's not forbidden for a wizard to marry a Muggle, Sirius! This isn't the twelfth century. You know, you sound like your mother."

Sirius' hands clenched. "That was low, James."

"But true. Sorry, I know you can't help how you were raised, but Padfoot, I love her. And that's all that matters in the end."

"How do you know it's real love? You used to be in love with a lot of girls."

"None of them were like Petunia. She loves learning about our world, her eyes light up when I tell her things that we take for granted. And she has so much to teach me as well. It's so different from Lily. There I was a dog panting after a frozen treat in a window. Lily never really like the fact that I was a pureblood, but Petunia does. She might be a Muggle, but she has class. She's smart and funny and not bad to look at either. Instead of making fun of her, why don't you get to know her?"

Sirius shook his head. "No thanks. I'd rather not get to know the girl who's about to destroy your life."

James stood up, furious. "Sometimes, Sirius, you really are a miserable bastard! And a jackass!" He started to walk off across the meadow.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"Someplace where you aren't right now."

"James, don't get in a snit. I'm entitled to my opinion."

"Yeah, well next time, keep it to yourself!"

Sirius stared after him forlornly, but made no move to follow. He hadn't said it, but he hated Petunia Evans for another reason as well. She was slowly splitting apart his friendship with James, and turning the Marauders into the Marauders plus one, and he couldn't see any way it wouldn't end in disaster. First his family, now this. So far his summer was turning out to be a disaster.

James summoned Blink, the elf helped him change before he crossed the veranda and entered the rose garden where Petunia and his mother were having tea and cakes. To his shock, he saw Petunia wearing one of his mother's flowing robes and looking right at home, chatting and eating daintily from a plate of sweets. James felt a smile curve up his mouth. Sirius was wrong. Petunia would fit in. He crossed to the small gate and opened it.

"Hello, ladies. Might I join you?" he asked and they welcomed him with smiles.

It was late August when Eileen first suspected she might be pregnant. But it had been so long since she had Severus that she was afraid it might just be a skipped period. After all, she was thirty-four, not eighteen now. Still, she had been feeling tired and craving odd foods, and she recalled those symptoms from her first time. She also had no appetite in the morning, but was starving by the afternoon.

She had not told Dickon yet, because it might just be nothing. Then again . . .she knew it was possible, she was not past the age, and they had quite enjoyed themselves upon their honeymoon. She cupped her hand over her belly, it was still flat and thought, Could it be? Should I try and find out? Or wait another week?

She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror, contemplating what to do. Finally, she drew her wand. One simple spell would tell her all. She pointed her wand at herself and traced a circle over her abdomen.

Three minutes later she emerged from the bathroom wearing a wide grin. She could hear Dickon downstairs in the kitchen, clattering pots and pans, starting breakfast.

She could hear Severus as well, telling his father about how he had seen a comet through the telescope last night, and Sorrel meowing to be fed. An ordinary morning at Spinner's End.

"Good morning!" she greeted them as she walked into the kitchen.

Dickon turned from frying bacon at the stove and smiled at her. "Hello, love. You're looking radiant this morning."

Eileen laughed. "I am." She waved a hand at the bacon and it was magically ready, along with eggs and toast. "Come and sit down, Dickon. I have something to talk about."

Her husband obeyed, carrying the breakfast to the table and sitting in the chair that used to be Tobias'. "All right. So what's the news? Good, I hope."

"Wonderful. Dickon, in eight months you're going to be a dad again."

She had the pleasure of seeing her husband struck dumb.

"Mum, you're going to have a baby?" Severus cried.

"Yes. You're finally going to get to be a big brother, Sev."

"I am? Holy Merlin!" her son looked almost as shellshocked as her husband.

Dickon found his voice. "That's the best news ever, Eileen! Can you tell . . .what it is?" he asked in hushed tones.

"Well, based on my spell, we're going to have a little girl."

Dickon grinned and said, in an awed tone, "Starseekers! I'm going to be a dad!"

Severus sat staring down at his bacon and eggs. For some reason he had never thought that Eileen might get pregnant. The idea had never even crossed his mind. But now . . .now he was going to be a big brother. It felt so . . .weird. But at the same time it felt exciting as well. He just hoped he'd be a good one.

Then he slipped from his chair to call Lily and tell her the good news.

Sorry It's taken forever to update this but I wasn't sure how I wanted to organize this chapter. A British 5 1/2 shoe size is equivalent to a US 8, I got that off shoe conversions.

Also, I know the song You Light Up My Life wasn't released till 1977, but I have made allowances for my AU and moved the release date up to the summer of 1976.

Thanks everyone for being so patient! Please review!