A/N: I enjoyed writing this chapter quite a bit. I hope you will love it.
Note to Guest Reviewer who asked why Weasley's were raising Teddy. I thought Andromeda had just lost her husband, daughter and son in law to the war and her own sister. She may not be in a good place to raise an infant. Since I magically made Fred survive, Molly and Arthur weren't mourning. Teddy still visits his Grandma - there will be mention of them in the next chapter.
Thanks Bri892 for prereading and editing and being awesome.
Chapter 26: What do you do with a drunken pirate?
In the midst of chaos, Severus stood still. He tried to take in the scene but there was so much activity swirling around that he could barely get his bearings. It was like a battlefield with troops, cannons, fighting, and screeching. It was messy and bloody and loud. It was Sabrina's 4th birthday party.
Mark was patching up Stephan's skinned knee while Molly was re-attaching a parrot to Rosie's shoulder. Pam and Anna were wiping frosting off of faces and hands with wet wipes as Diana and Ron led the children into song.
What do you do with a scurvy pirate?
Load the cannon up and fire it.
What do you do with a scurvy pirate?
Make them walk the plank!
Arr! Arr! Arr! Arr!
Pomona came up to Severus and stood by his side watching, " You know, this is a party that Sabrina will never forget."
Severus placed his arm around her shoulders, "A cannon, Pomona! They are firing a cannon."
"I am happy for you, Severus. It took awhile, didn't it? Your happiness."
A quiet sigh was his answer.
The party winded down, the children heading home with their eye patches, soft swords and parrots. Ron escorted Hermione's muggle family through the wards as Filius and Minerva restored the Burrow's yard back to it's original state. They did miss transfiguring the cannon back into a shoe as it had mysteriously disappeared when Fred and George helped with the clean up. The remaining Weasley's led their brood inside for baths.
Severus looked at Sabrina and Hermione in their costumes. Their hair covered by skull bandanas, large 'clip on' hoop earrings dangling from their ears (he snorted to himself, Muggle Inventions), and frilly white shirts tucked into black pants. His gaze intensified as he took in the slim pants on the mother of his child. Shaking his head, he watched Hermione pick up Sabrina and give her a big smooch on the cheek. He couldn't keep himself from smiling.
"Yar, Matey's! Are you ready to go home?" Severus asked his girls. His girls, he thought, my girls.
~~~~O-O~~~~
Summer was coming to an end. Sabrina was attending her last day of nursery school with Nanna Molly. Severus had a meeting with the Ministry regarding new regulations for the upcoming school year. Hermione was busier than ever as the Techno-Wiz projects were approaching testing phase.
"Severus, would you like to go to lunch after your meeting?" Hermione asked.
Surprised by the invitation, Severus nodded.
"Let's meet at the cafe on Carnaby Street at noon. They have a roast beef sandwich that I think you will enjoy."
A few hours later, they were sitting in a small cafe. Severus ordered Hermione's recommendation and was pleased with his meal.
"The committee approved two of my recommendations and they are reviewing the classification of two of the Owl test potions."
Hermione wiped her mouth, "That's great. Will they share these recommendations with the international ministries?"
Their conversation continued until their lunch was cleared and Severus covered the check.
"It was my pleasure." He stated simply.
He escorted Hermione back to her office building, declining her offer of a tour.
"I'll see you this evening, Severus." Waving over her shoulder, she entered the revolving door and disappeared from sight.
~~~~O-O~~~~
Severus returned to Hogwarts and quickly reported the outcome of his meeting with Filius and Minerva. He settled down in his office to alter the lesson plans and write a letter to Blaise regarding the Ministry changes. After jotting down a few disjointed notes, he set his quill down.
Restless, Severus stretched his legs and ordered tea from the elves. He paced around his office trying to gather his thoughts. Distracted by said thoughts, he sat down heavily in his utilitarian chair.
His lunch with Hermione; it seemed like a date. He knew she asked him to lunch because he was in going to be London but did she ask him as a coparent or as a friend or something more? They often had outings as a family and they enjoyed evenings together as coparents. This was a lunch with a friend, not a date. Why, why was he feeling like it was more?
Oh no, he thought. He was projecting his feelings on to their luncheon. He had feelings for Hermione. She crossed his mind often and it wasn't just as the mother of his child. Companionship, partnership, friendship… Yes, he accepted these feelings as they had grown in the past six months.
But feelings of the romantic sort, NO! Attraction and desire were not part of this. This, whatever it was, this was not happening. He was not attracted to his former student. He does not and will not desire this young lady,18 years his junior.
Bent over in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands, Severus gulped down mouthful of air. He tramped down his feelings, and spoke out loud. "Pull yourself together, Severus."
A/N: Well, you can't teach children to "shave the belly with a rusty razor" of the drunken pirate song so they learned the more kid appropriate Backyardigans version. I don't think this show is on tv anymore. If you haven't seen the show - it's super cute. And the songs stick with you long after your kids outgrow the show.