Chapter 5: The Repentant Grandparents

Petunia looked at the hopeful Lily and the restrained Severus. Severus had just invited her to partake in their conversation about magic, Hogwarts and the many creatures of their unique world.

"Why would I want to join you and talk about this…this frea-?"

"Don't!" shouted Severus, making both girls jump back. "Please, don't say it."

He looked so earnest and worried about the consequences of her saying 'freakish world', Petunia was disarmed for words completely.

"Just please give it a chance, Petunia." said Lily softly and timidly. Fortunately, Severus' interruption had muffled the word that was about to pour from Petunia's angered mouth.

Petunia wasn't sure if she wanted to learn more. She chose to spy on them out of weakness, and regretted it the second she learned of the horrible sounding Dementors, and the fact that there are magical creatures out there that she hasn't heard of or seen before. It was making her more and more jealous of her sister.

"I…" she hesitated.

"Petunia, I can see you're jealous." said Lily, slowly approaching her. "And I am sorry. But maybe it's not as bad as you think. You can still be involved through me. It's not like you'll be shut out entirely from all this. Mum and Dad love it all, and they don't have magic nor even seen the magical world yet. Heck, I haven't either! And I'm a witch! And you never know! Maybe you can write to the teachers of Hogwarts and see if there's any way you can join up! Maybe there is a way for you to learn magic!"

Those last words flitted up a hope in Petunia's eyes, which darted to Severus in hope of some sort of confirmation of the possibility.

Severus looked down. He knew full well that in his previous life that Petunia had indeed written to Albus Dumbledore himself in the hope that he would accept her into Hogwarts, but she was kindly, albeit tactlessly, rejected by a return letter from him. That was one of the few times that Lily had been angry at Dumbledore. She always felt that Dumbledore should have come to meet Petunia in person and let her down gently, but with some sincerity in his personal voice that does not come in a letter. She always believed that if Dumbledore had met Petunia to explain why she could not come too, Petunia may have been less cruel and bitter towards Lily.

Severus couldn't bring himself to crush Petunia's hopes when he was trying to make her and Lily's relationship last longer this lifetime, so he responded to Petunia.

"You could always try, I suppose." he mumbled, feeling guilty for stringing her along with false hopes. "I would request that should he read your letter, he come and see you to give his answer in person though."

"Why?" asked Lily.

"Well, if she does get a place at Hogwarts, he'd need to hand her an acceptance letter and explain all about magic and Hogwarts beforehand. And…if she doesn't get a place, wouldn't it be better to be told 'no' in person than by a letter?"

Lily and even Petunia saw the sense in all this. And Petunia's agreement seemed to confirm to Severus that Lily was right; Dumbledore rejecting Petunia in person would be more comforting.

At this new hope, Petunia did sit down with Severus and Lily, and Lily implored Severus to tell her all about merpeople. And Severus did so, but had to inform both girls that mermaids were not as glamourous as they were made out to be by Muggles.

As he spoke of the Wizarding World to the emancipated Petunia, Severus felt more and more guilty. Talking of such a wonderful sounding world to a Muggle he knew full well was never going to be able to fully experience it all as a part of that world was like dangling a Golden Ticket in front of her then yanking it out of her reach forever. But he felt he had no choice. He made the offer, gave the suggestion and she took both. How could he deny her all this and keep her relationship with her sister intact?

He was just hoping that eventually, by the end of it all, Petunia would come out a better person and accept her Muggle life and Lily's magical life and embrace them both as who and what they were.

Another week had passed since that day. Petunia and Lily had sent off a letter to Albus Dumbledore under Severus' instructions. He even ensured that Petunia requested in the letter for Dumbledore to respond to her letter in person, and hoped that the old headmaster would pay heed to it.

Severus was currently sitting in his bedroom when his mother knocked and entered looking rather apprehensive.

"Mum? Are you ok?" he asked.

"Yes, sweetheart…but…my parents are coming down together for a visit." she said.

"Oh." Severus was about to add that he would just sit up here and out of sight, if not go and see the Evans family, but Eileen cut in before he could.

"I want you to face them this time."

"But I don't forgive them, Mummy." protested Severus. "They left you to that waste of a man and hated you for it! They disowned you, Mum! They never asked you if you were happy and safe here for so long! They could have stopped all of what happened to us from ever happening! They could have…loved us…"

"I know." sobbed Eileen and cuddled her son, whom was also on the verge of tears due to the memories of Tobias, and the lack of grandparents to protect them both. "But what matters now is that your granddad came to help us in the end. A bit late, I know, but he did. In my other life, he never came. He and my mother never forgave me for marrying out of the purity of wizarding blood. They died after I did. It was only after my death, that they felt some remorse, but not enough to offer shelter to a half-blood grandson. These versions of my parents are better people, Severus. Please, like me, give them a chance."

Severus considered. He now knew they were in a different universe. And one of the most primary changes of this world was indeed the reformation of his grandparents, as well as Tobias' death. He owed them for cutting short his own torment, as well as Eileen's salvation and preventing her own death and saving her ability to use magic. He decided, if not for them, but for his mother, he would give them the chance Eileen felt they deserved.

He nodded.

"Oh, Severus, dear!" choked Eileen and she hugged him tight, and he responded lovingly.

And so, the next day, Severus came down to breakfast. He nibbled his eggs with some trepidation. He knew his grandparents would be coming down just before luncheon, and he was wondering if he would regret his decision. He still maintained his short temper, and unlike Septimus, this would be the first time he would meet his grandmother, Desdemona.

As he finished his breakfast, the last eggs tasting too much like rubber, Eileen held his hand which was ever so slightly shaking.

"We'll all be okay, sweetheart." she said encouragingly.

"I hope so, Mum." replied Severus.

He hadn't had time to tell Lily what was happening, so their meeting at the park would have to wait. And if she came knocking, looking for him, he would briefly explain then. Whether or not he'd send her away was another. He and Lily had become firm friends, maybe even best friends. If anyone could help him maintain his temper, it would be her.

At about 11.30 that morning, there was a strong knock on the door, and Eileen opened it. There in the doorway, was the smartly robed Septimus, and by his side, dressed in robes of deep green with a dignified silver witch's hat, with grey hair with slight flickers of the black that once dominated her thin head, was Desdemona Prince, Severus' maternal grandmother.

Eileen and her mother embraced so lovingly that Severus' heart couldn't help but melt in joy for his long-suffered mother. Septimus smiled broadly and cautiously looked towards Severus, whom hastily cast his own eyes in the opposite direction towards the fireplace, which was currently lit, due to the still chilly time of year.

Eileen invited her parents to sit down at the table beside Severus. Desdemona made no hesitation in seating herself right next to her grandson, but to show some respect for his own uneasiness, sat next to him where the back of his head was facing. Septimus sat between her and Eileen, looking uncertain.

"Well, um, Father, you've already met my son, Severus. Mother, this is Severus, and if you'd look up, please, Severus, this is your grandmother, Desdemona." piped up Eileen, hoping to get the ball of conversation rolling.

Severus obeyed and looked up. Septimus looked as unsure as he did, and Desdemona showed enthusiasm, but also like Septimus, uneasiness.

"Hello, Severus." said Desdemona quietly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. And I can only offer my most sincere apologies that we were never acquainted before today."

"Don't go blaming yourself, Des." said Septimus sternly. "It was my pride that resulted in…" He didn't want to admit his own mistakes in front of Severus, out of shame.

But this only served to anger Severus.

"In what? Disowning my mummy? Never letting me know you and my own nanny? Never coming to check if we safe, sound, happy?!"

"Severus!" snapped Eileen.

Severus calmed and cowered. He didn't want to upset his mother.

"I didn't say all that aloud because I felt too ashamed, Severus." said Septimus after a moment's silence. "Not because I felt I shouldn't be sorry."

Severus nodded slowly, but didn't show any sign that he was willing to forgive and forget.

Desdemona spoke up again. "I know we may never be able to make things up to you, Severus. But we want to at least try, to make a fresh start."

Severus couldn't bring himself to reply or look them in the eye anymore. He sat in his chair and looked down at the table, his face concealed by his long, black hair, which was no longer very greasy, as he now wished to keep up appearances with Lily this time. And looking smart only worked in his favour where Petunia was concerned.

Desdemona took a shot in the dark and placed her pale hand on his. Severus nearly pulled it away in disgust, but didn't. He didn't want to disappoint his mother again, and Desdemona was the lesser of these two evils. She didn't want to disown Eileen. His fury was mostly focused on Septimus. He could barely blame Desdemona for never speaking up against him either. She would have ended up having to leave him, or worse, get punished as Eileen did. It was then that Severus realized how similar Eileen and her mother were; they were equally nervous around their significant others and were barely able to stand up for themselves or their offspring. He was genuinely glad that they had found each other again, and that Septimus had changed for the better.

He squeezed Desdemona's hand after taking it in his own.

Desdemona smiled with joy. Her grandson was warming up to her. It wasn't too late.

"Septimus and I would like to take you both out for lunch." she said softly.

"That would be lovely, Mum. Where did you have in mind?" asked Eileen.

"Well, we were thinking your old favourite, the Gobstones Corner Inn." replied Septimus.

"Really?" gasped Eileen delightedly. "I loved that place. I haven't been there for over ten years!"

"We wanted to celebrate recent events in one of the places we knew you to be the most happy." smiled Desdemona. "And if he has your appetite, I'm sure Severus will love it there too."

Severus nodded in response to that disguised invitation.

Within the hour, Septimus and Desdemona Apparated Severus and Eileen to a restaurant in London, hidden in the Wizarding World, known as the Gobstones Corner Inn, but not before Severus left a note on the door, telling Lily he would not be about until later that day, as he was out with his mother. He didn't tell her he was with his grandparents though.

The inn was very compact looking once they stepped inside. The floor was wooden boards with some marks across it giving a friendly, homely appeal as opposed to the spotlessness that a posher restaurant would dictate which gave no friendliness to guests, emphasising to them that it was just a brief outing to a meal and nothing more. This way was more welcoming. There were fires in every quarter of the restaurant, to keep the punters warm and the walls were coloured in every colour of the Gobstones. In the farthest corner was a curtained doorway, and above it was a sign saying 'Gobstones Club'. Severus could smell the fragrances of roasting chickens and richly stirred gravy throughout the inn. And the other customers had no look of disdain nor uneasiness nor even respectful dignity. He never saw a public place as friendly and welcoming in his life.

Soon, a smiling waiter seated them in one of the more cosier spots in the room, next to one of the larger fireplaces, and the family ordered their meals within fifteen minutes.

"My treat." said Septimus warmly.

Eileen tried to object, but her parents were adamant, and soon the matter was completed.

Severus tucked into some chicken nuggets; shaped like hippogriffs, centaurs and pixies. His mother and her mother shared a roast chicken, whilst Septimus suavely nibbled at some freshly cooked pheasant stew.

"Your grandfather always was a posh eater, Severus." whispered Desdemona cheekily.

"I heard that, woman." snapped Septimus between mouthfuls.

Eileen and Desdemona laughed, and even Severus could not help but smile in a smirking sort of way.

After the main courses, Septimus insisted that he buy everyone a dessert of some kind, and the family were only too happy to accept. Eileen had her lifelong favourite; pumpkin pie. Desdemona and Severus settled for chocolate ice cream, and Septimus himself had a cheesecake slice.

They all enjoyed themselves, and despite himself, Severus had fun too, and even began making conversation with his grandparents. He asked of their favourite subjects in school, how well they did, how they met and how they came to finding Eileen again. The latter was a testy subject, but compulsory if there was to be any healing of the wounds.

After two hours had passed since their arrival, Septimus paid the bill and the family left, given a cheerful farewell from the staff. The Princes Apparated Severus and Eileen back to Spinner's End and up to their house again.

"Thank you for a lovely afternoon outing, Mum, Dad." said Eileen sweetly.

"Yes, um, thanks, Nan and Grandad." added Severus nervously.

"We shall see you again soon, I hope." said Desdemona hopefully.

"Just owl or Floo us and we'll make arrangements satisfactory to all." suggested Eileen.

"Capital!" replied Septimus approvingly. "We'll see you soon, love."

Septimus and Desdemona embraced their daughter. Desdemona then hugged Severus, still too enthusiastically for his taste, but he didn't object. Being more tactful, Septimus merely squeezed his grandson's shoulder affectionately and whispered, "Look after your mother, Severus."

Severus nodded affirmatively.

With that, the Princes Disapparated.

As they went back inside the house, Severus and Eileen cuddled happily. The day was a success all round and Severus was making progress with not just Lily and her family, but now with his grandparents too.

After quarter of an hour had passed, there was a knock on the door. Severus opened it and saw Lily practically bouncing on the spot.

"Professor Dumbledore has responded to Petunia's letter. He's coming to visit us in an hour. You wanna come and see him too? Petunia and I are so excited! I do hope he'll say yes to her!"

Severus only nodded in response to the invitation, but he highly doubted that the word yes would fit into this upcoming meeting.

So here's Chapter 5! Sorry it's slightly shorter than the last chapter. I hope you all like it! Chapter 6 will be up hopefully same time next week!