"So what is the plan?" Tonks checked.
"We begin in the summer... We've started talking to as many half-bloods as we can get to listen to us. Most are quite excited. Daphne and Pansy have been running classes to ensure people's manners; they're possibly scarier than Aunt Cissa."
They had? Fuck when had that happened? How the fuck was he missing things? That didn't bode well. He'd have to up his game, clearly.
"And then?" Tonks probed.
"Well….we thought we'd begin responding in kind." Hermione grinned. "And if they don't take the hint, Grandmother knows several… interesting secrets about most of them. After that, we'll consider more direct means. We also spoke to Aunt Cissa about inviting the Weasley twins. She's not entirely sure it's wise but we're going with it. They're geniuses, to be honest, any punishment we come up with will be nothing compared to them. Obviously, Grandmother will introduce them at Aunt Cissa's ball, if they manage to come, from there it won't seem strange they're at charity events. In fact, it'll be expected if they accept Grandmother as their official sponsor."
"And will they? I don't see Mrs Weasley accepting that. I went to school with Charlie. She's….well. Very firm in her beliefs." Tonks finished diplomatically.
Harry snorted, "No she's not going to accept that, but I don't see the twins caring. They tend to do whatever they please. The only issue might be them getting away from the Burrow. If they're forced to miss the ball, we'll need to look into working around Mrs Weasely. Maybe involving Mr Weasely?"
Tonks grinned, "Wonderful. The matrons are going to have no idea what's hit them are they?"
"Nope," Susan's answering grin was wicked. "About bloody time though, they're all vile."
"Let me know what I can do?" Tonks asked.
"You can pick a charity or two," Hermione replied promptly.
"What?"
"You heard me. Your mum already agreed to rejoin, you'll want to see that if nothing else won't you?"
Severus groaned, when the fuck had she had time to organise this? Clearly, he wasn't giving her enough work to do. Beside him, Simon looked stunned. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Annalise just looked pleased and that was never a good thing. He'd need to keep a close eye on this, they were mobilising quicker than he'd like.
"You're coming to the Malfoy Easter ball aren't you?" Harry checked.
"Am I?" Tonks asked, looking bewildered.
"Of course," Hermione confirmed. "Andromeda accepted on your behalf."
Tonks' jaw dropped, "Mum did what?"
"You heard. She's been meeting Aunt Cissa for a while. They're going to announce their reunion at the ball. Attendance is mandatory. They'd have done it at the winter one but they thought it gave the matrons too long to get used to the idea before summer."
"Well fuck." Tonks muttered, making them laugh.
"Hermione? Are you alright?" Severus froze outside the door at the sound of Susan's voice, waiting on the answer.
"I…no," Hermione whispered. It was enough to make him move again, sweeping into the room, his eyes seeking his daughter.
"What's going on?" he demanded, startling her attention from the letter in her hand. "Hermione?"
Silently she handed it over. Fuck it was from Ella. What the fuck could she possibly want?
Hermione,
I imagine that I am not someone you wish to hear from. Truthfully, after our last meeting, I was content to leave it that way. Unfortunately, my Fiancee is not. He requests a meeting at your earliest convenience. Some nonsense about always wanting children and wanting to ensure that his, soon to be our, name is not being brought into disrepute.
I have, of course, informed him that it is unrealistic to expect much given your upbringing but he remains undeterred. I gather he is intending to hire tutors if needed, you will after all be linked to us regardless of whether you or we wish it.
I hear that knowledge is something you are receptive to, so perhaps it would be best to look at it that way. I warn you, my husband-to-be is used to getting his own way, it would be in your interests to do as he expects. We will be at The Priory in three days. I expect you to be there at nine o'clock sharp.
Elladora Fawley.
He paused attempting to corral his thoughts into something that was not an expletive. "I'm going to owl your grandmother." he bit out finally, marching from the room, leaving Susan to deal with Hermione for the moment. Fucking Elladora. Who the fuck did she think she was? Demanding her presence? Insinuating Hermione wasn't perfect exactly as she fucking was. He was going to murder the presumptuous witch. Slowly. Really fucking slowly. And who the fuck was she marrying? He had no urge to have Hermione linked to her and her high-handed partner. For fucks sake. Couldn't she just fuck off?
Deciding to err on the side of caution, he sent an owl to Lucius too. There was safety in numbers and he should probably at least attempt to avoid Azkaban. Because even if Hermione wasn't going to this damn meeting, and she was most definitely not, he bloody was. He wanted to meet this man who thought he had the right to demand compliance from his daughter.
"Let's get this over with," Lucius muttered, straightening his robes as they headed to the floo. "How is she?"
"Hermione? Confused. She doesn't understand why it matters. The only saving grace is that she didn't spiral this time. And once she got over the shock of it all, appeared to find the demands amusing."
Lucius nodded, sighing slightly with relief. "Any ideas who it is?"
"None. Let's hope it's someone we can convince to fuck off," he muttered.
"The Mistress bes waiting in the sitting room," an elf announced as they stepped out of the floo. Following Lucius, Severus walked through the house noting some surprising artwork that he assumed Simon was not responsible for.
Annalise was indeed waiting. She looked concerningly amused. "How is Hermione?"
"She is…well she's found the humour in this," Severus admitted.
"Good." Annalise grinned, "Do prepare yourselves."
"Aunt Annalise?" Lucius queried.
"Sit down dear, Ella and her beau will be here momentarily."
Severus arched an eyebrow, "Someone we know?"
"Oh, I wouldn't like to spoil the surprise. Simon will also be joining us just so you know."
"Wonderful," he muttered as Simon Fawley walked into the room.
"Severus, Lucius." Simon inclined his head looking supremely uncomfortable. "Elladora will be here momentarily. How is Hermione? You didn't bring her?"
Severus scoffed, "No. We did not. Do you have any idea what the letter Elladora sent her contained?"
"No, she just said she requested a meeting to allow her to meet her soon-to-be stepfather."
Lucius arched a brow at his uncle. "She demanded Hermione attend a meeting so that said soon-to-be stepfather could ensure she did not embarrass them as she is linked to their name. She has no relationship with Hermione, nor will she have. This meeting is a farce."
"Ah." Simon muttered, "Well. That wasn't quite how she led me to believe this had come about."
"There's a surprise," Severus muttered, reaching into his robes and handing over the letter. Annalise caught it before Simon could, forcing him to read over her shoulder.
She sighed when she got to the end. "Stupid, short-sighted girl." And then she smirked, sending a small jolt of fear down the spines of all the men in the room. "Who would care to set a wager that she hasn't informed her fiancee of her daughter's father?"
Simon blinked at her before a small twitch of his lips indicated a smirk. "Undoubtedly," he muttered.
"How is that even possible"? Lucius spluttered.
"It's Ella," Annalise replied with a roll of her eyes. "I love my daughter but Merlin knows she is hardly above misdirection and half-truths. Although it astounds me that it has not crossed her mind that you would attend today."
"She struggled to believe that I could possibly love Hermione, given my general distaste for children.
"Ah," she nodded, "Yes I hadn't considered that shortsightedness."
They all stiffened at the sound of voices in the hall.
"Showtime," Lucius muttered.
Severus rolled his eyes, "Been discussing the muggle world with Hermione again?" Lucius grinned back as Ella and….was that Corban Yaxley? Fuck it bloody was. The morning had just got an awful lot more interesting.
"Snape? And…Lucius?" The man in question spluttered, "Where's….Hermione?"
"My daughter is at home, Corban," he replied pointedly.
"Your…well fuck."
"Indeed. Do explain what exactly you intended to achieve by that summons Ella?"
Ella narrowed her eyes, "As I said. She is linked to us, and I wanted to ensure she didn't cause embarrassment. After our last meeting…."
"Yes, your only meeting, where you demanded compliance with traditions you fought against as a child. Tell me, exactly, why you seem to believe Narcissa is incapable of teaching a child?"
Corban turned to look at her incredulously, "Narcissa Malfoy is tutoring her?"
"She is her godmother," Severus replied with a smirk."
"I don't…you led me to believe the child was raised by muggles."
"She was," Lucius agreed, "Delightful people. Taught her how to behave in polite society and ensured she had a mind of her own. Her mother especially has the ability to command a room. Unsettled Albus no end when she took him to task over his treatment of students. And that's before we consider the tutelage Narcissa has offered. And of course, we cannot forget Aunt Annalise and Amelia."
"Amelia?"
"Amelia Bones, didn't we mention?" Lucius smiled, looking like a picture of innocence, "I imagine at some point soon Amelia and the children will have Severus corralled to an altar."
"Children?" Corban repeated, sounding bewildered.
Lucius rolled his eyes, "Do keep up Corban. Amelia is the sole parent to her niece and Hermione shares a sibling bond with Harry Potter. Severus is his guardian. They're all rather close and slightly terrifying thanks in part to Alastor Moody's lessons."
"I don't think I understand," Corban muttered.
"And that's before we begin to consider Minerva's hand and of course Saul Croaker." Lucius continued blithely as if he hadn't spoken.
"What in the name of Merin has Croaker got to do with anything?"
"Oh, he's taken on Hermione as an apprentice. I'm relatively sure he plans on adding Harry into it."
"The unspeakables don't take apprentices!"
"I think you'll find they do." Severus retorted.
"She calls him Uncle Saul. he adores her." Lucius beamed at a decidedly bemused Corban
He sat still for a very long time. "I see that tutors are not required," he said finally. "However, I would still like to meet the girl."
"No," Severus replied firmly.
"What? She's going to be my stepdaughter!"
"She is not. Ella has nothing to do with her, therefore there is no need."
"But…She's moving back. The distance…"
"Has nothing to do with why Ella doesn't see her. I have no idea what she's told you, Corban but Ella has met Hermione once since she handed her to Narcissa to dispose of. It was…I spent that evening with a teenage girl asking what it was about her that made her unlovable. Ella was vicious, made her question her place in our lives and attempted to tear down her self-esteem. Self-esteem that we have collectively spent a significant amount of time building back up. I will not allow that woman anywhere near her, nor does Hermione wish her to be. I couldn't care less if you lived fucking next door. My daughter will have no place in your life."
"Be reasonable! At the very least we'll see her at society events." Corban protested.
"Did you listen to a word I said? Ella is nothing more than a surrogate. If our paths cross, avoid her. It would hardly be difficult, you have paid her no mind before now and I do not believe you could have missed her given Thoros' clear attention."
"I didn't know that she was Ella's then!" Corban protested. Which made Severus sneer. How the fuck could he not have known? Hermione was practically Ella's double! She quite clearly called Annalise Grandmother. It was...astonishing that the man could be so fucking dense.
Ella's nose wrinkled, "You claim to love her and yet are letting her have a dalliance with a man old enough to be her grandfather?"
Even Corban looked embarrassed "Do not be absurd." Severus hissed, "Thoros' son is Hermione's age."
"The rumours about her and Theodore Nott are true?" Corban checked. "There hasn't been a betrothal announced."
"Because there is no betrothal. They're fourteen."
"Old enough to be betrothed," Ella shot back.
"Like you were supposed to be?" Her mother enquired lightly, "Remind me how you felt about it? And do remember you were an awful lot older than fourteen."
"You chose Rabastian Lestrange." Ella shot back.
"I didn't choose anyone. Your father…"
"Made a mistake," Simon interjected, "One I won't be repeating with my Granddaughter."
"You approve?" Ella asked incredulously.
"Of a match with the young Nott, undoubtedly. But I will respect her decision to refuse a betrothal, she is young yet."
"And Thoros Nott supports it?"
"He understands," Severus replied
"I don't believe you," Ella retorted flatly.
Severus shrugged, "I do not care. You have no involvement in her life Ella, I do. I think I'm in a far better position to know what's real and what isn't."
"This is pointless," she spat. "I do hope you're all prepared for the Dark Lord's return. I warned you last time Severus, you do her no favours."
"And I warned you, she'll be nowhere near him,"
"You intend to refuse him?" Corban gasped.
"Would you let him near a child of yours? A man who tortures uses people for his own gain and disposes of them when they are no longer useful. He'd have her forcibly betrothed to whoever suited his purpose best. Rabastian perhaps as punishment for her mother's failed compliance."
Corban paled, "He wouldn't…it would upset…"
"When did he care about who he upset?" Severus replied softly, "And we both know he would, even if you do not want to admit it. So I will say it again, my daughter will be nowhere near that madman."
"You're marked, how will you prevent it?" Corban spluttered.
"I have more options than you might imagine," Severus replied eventually. "Good day Corban. Ella."
"We'll visit, tomorrow perhaps?" Annalise voiced as they were turning to leave.
"We're taking Lucius to the football, just a local game before we inflict a real one on him." Severus smirked, "Hermione and Susan will be with Narcissa and Jean. I believe they were considering introducing Narcissa to ice-skating and festive markets."
"Oh how lovely, perhaps I'll invite myself along. I don't know the Bones girl overly well and I should probably remedy that."
Nodding, Severus and Lucius swept out of the room.
"Corban fucking Yaxley." Lucus muttered, "How the fuck did that happen?"
"I have no idea," he responded. It was a bizarre match all round really, especially for a woman who had by all accounts, partied her way through the last decade. Corban was...well he was fucking boring and spectacularly dense, if he was honest. What the fuck did they talk about? Corban liked traditions and rules and Ella...we'll Ella never used to. It was all too fucking odd to work out.
"Are you ready?" Richard asked, bouncing on his toes. "It's just a local junior's game but it should be fun."
Harry and Draco were beaming at him, but Lucius looked apprehensive.
"Have fun!" Hermione and Susan shouted, before heading through the floo, dragging Jean with them.
"That makes me nervous," Severus muttered.
"It probably should," Richard agreed, "Hermione mentioned Annalise was joining them today?"
"Yes. I was trying not to think about it," he replied.
"Probably best," Richard commiserated insincerely, the wide grin he sported giving him away. "I've had years of this it's rather nice to have someone else for them to terrorise."
Harry and Draco laughed, as he glowered at Richard. The man had chosen Jean, for fucks sake! It was surely his own fucking fault! He had no right to be gloating. None. He hadn't asked for this! He'd had no fucking say in any of it. Hermione just kept fucking collecting them and dragging them into his life."Can we go?" Harry checked.
"Yes, let's head." Richard smiled, completely unaware of his internal rant.
The game was carnage. Draco and Harry were ridiculously overexcited, a state he was rapidly becoming used to, although, weren't they meant to start maturing around about now? Why was it that the children in his life seemed to be regressing? Surely that wasn't normal? Was it his fault? Or were they just defective? Maybe he'd enquire about an upgrade...or a refund.
Lucius was utterly lost and kept asking what the rules were and it was loud, and crowded and his head was bursting. He'd still do it all over again after watching Harry behave like a normal child. Even if he was a defective one.
"When can we go to another game?" Harry checked, "And can we take Richard to one of ours?"
Severus blinked back at him, "Richard has tickets booked for the first, and I do not see why not. We'd need to ask Saul for a favour though. Perhaps over Easter."
"Cool! " Harry beamed, before turning to Richard "And thank you! Who are we seeing play?"
"Ah, Tottenham versus Coventry. It should be an interesting game." Richard smiled. "And you're welcome, it's nice to go with someone enthusiastic."
"Won't Mother object?" Draco checked.
"No, it's at eleven, we'll be back for dinner."
Draco nodded, looking at his father, "Are you coming?"
Lucius looked startled as Richard answered for him, "Of course he is, today was just a trial run."
"I am?" Lucius checked looking bewildered.
"Of course!"
Right," he replied weakly. Severus snorted, he couldn't have looked less pleased if he tried. He wondered if he could convince him to wear a Spurs top. Gods He'd pay good money to see that. He was definitely arranging something with Richard.
"Good day, my girl?" He murmured as he wrapped Hermione in a hug having stepped out of the floo to find them congregated in the living room.
"Yes! Susan and I got you a gift!"
"You did?" he checked, watching them apprehensively.
"Yup! Isn't it adorable?"
Severus blinked at the object in her hand. Was it…a person? It was made of nuts and bolts. And had a sodding guitar. What the fuck was he meant to do with this? "It's ah…unusual," he settled on.
"One of the sellers had lots of different versions." Jean smiled, looking far too amused. "I didn't realise you could play?"
Fuck. He was going to fucking murder his daughter. She wasn't meant to tell anyone that! "I ah, not much, not anymore."
"Oh, but we'd love to hear you!"
"Right well…perhaps another day?" he hedged.
"Before the children go back to school." Jean smiled. Narcissa appeared to be struggling to contain her laughter. "Perhaps some Gloria Gaynor?"
Those fucking arseholes. Every gods damned time! "You are never spending the day with them ever again, my girl." he growled, turning to sweep out of the room.
"Go on now go!" Jean choked out. "Walk out the door…"
And the room descended into giggles. He was going to obliviate the lot of them. If Narcissa had had that damn pensive out again he was going to….do something. He wasn't quite brave enough to hex her. But something. Hide all her shoes? She'd probably murder him. He could send her to the football but that would probably backfire. The woman loved quidditch, it would just be his luck that she took to football too. God damn it. He'd think of something. That joke was getting old.
"Master bes replanting the trees today," Nyx announced at breakfast two days later.
Fuck, he had forgotten about that. Was he meant to do it manually? Was there a specific place for the damn things? Were they expecting him to remove all the decorations? Fuck probably. He couldn't put the trees in the forest covered in baubles. That would be absurd.
"Nyx has already taken off the decorations. Master just has to be planting them. The elves will look after the little Miss' tree inside this year." Hermione beamed back at her.
"Very well." Severus sighed, what was the point in arguing?
After breakfast, he found himself surrounded by three children each holding a shrunken tree. How the fuck had he found himself here? And where was Amelia? Did she have any idea how lucky she was escaping to work and not being subject to the whims of elves?
"This is where you want to plant them? " he checked. They nodded. Right then. What the fuck made this area special he had no idea but this was where they wanted so who was he to argue? They outnumbered him. Best to just agree. Lifting his wand he carved a hole into the ground, depositing his tree before enlarging it and setting the soil back.
Allowing the children to direct him, he repeated the process three more times. They looked happy with the results if nothing else.
"What are you three up to before this ball?" he asked finally.
"We were going to go to mum and dads. The floo you installed is incredibly handy."
"You can thank Amelia" he muttered, "she fixed it at the ministry. Just remember not to mention it in front of anyone else, it is not strictly legal."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We are aware. You've mentioned it once or twice…"
"Or three hundred times…." Harry cut in with an impish grin. Little sods. Why did none of them take him fucking seriously anymore?
"Off with you," he growled, "I used to be respected….."
"And then you had children," Hermione grinned, "It's your own fault."
Giggling the three of them ran into the house and presumably the floo.
Jean and Richard followed them back through several hours later. Amelia close behind them.
"It's been a fucking awful day" she groaned, thunking her head onto her chest. "Why are people such arseholes?"
Severus snorted, wrapping his arms around her in a gesture that still felt strange. "Because they are," he murmured.
She sighed, "How annoyed will Narcissa be if I don't attend this thing?"
He arched a brow, drawing back to look at her. "She'll drag you there forcibly."
"Damn it. Fine. Come on then you lot, if I have to get ready so do you. Showers and then we can congregate in a room, Merlin knows the elves will insist on it either way."
Hermione and Susan rolled their eyes but complied, taking Jean's hand and dragging her up the stairs.
"Well….we've got at least another hour or so haven't we?" Richard mused, making Harry laugh. "Why don't we give that game another go?"
Harry nodded eagerly, intriguing Severus as Richard unearthed a pack of cards from his pocket and began dealing them. "You're playing?" Harry checked.
"Playing what?"
"What did Jean call it?"
"Scabby Queen," Richard laughed.
"What?" What in the name of Salazar was that? What were Richard and Jean teaching his children? For fucks sake.
"Ah it's easy," Richard assured him as he attempted to explain the rules.
An hour later, he was more than ready to escape to his room. Richard was absurdly competitive. He assumed that's where their daughter got it from. But bloody hell, the man was not a graceful winner.
"Right, showers now I think."
Harry bit back a grin. Brat that he was. He had to have known that this would be the sodding outcome. Hopefully getting ready would restore his equilibrium. Although that was a troubling thought all on its own. How the fuck was this his life?
"Smile," Amelia commanded, as he watched Theodore sodding Nott commandeer his daughter again. The boy had lit up when he had spotted her as if it hadn't only been days since he'd seen her. He tensed when he spotted Corban Yaxley watching her consideringly.
"Ella's here," he muttered.
"What?"
"Well, Corban is here. He's watching Hermione. I have to assume she's here somewhere too."
"Fuck." Amelia hissed, "I know you said she was returning but…."
"Indeed," he murmured, his eyes scanning the room until he finally found her.
"Lost something?" He almost jumped when Saul appeared behind him.
"No," he growled.
"Ah. The mother, I take it?" Saul murmured clearly following his line of sight.
"Corban's moving," he replied instead.
"Oh let me!" Saul beamed, darting off in Hermione's direction, cutting Corban off.
"Dance with me my darling girl," he heard him exclaim, "Young Mr Nott will survive without you for a moment."
Corban's eyes flashed as he realised what had happened. Damn it, why couldn't the man leave it alone?
"She is not to be left unattended," he growled. Amelia nodded,
"Tell Harry while she's with Saul," she counselled, "She won't like it but…nothing good can come of her being near that man."
He indeed sharply, attempting to find Harry in the crowd. "I'll be back momentarily. Perhaps you could rescue Richard from Annalise?"
"I wouldn't dare, " Amelia smirked, watching with amusement as Annalise led Richard in a rather lively dance of her own making.
"You are to watch your sister and ensure she is not left alone." he commanded, coming to a stop next to Harry and Longbottom."
"Ok." Harry replied slowly, "Why?"
"Her surrogate is here with her soon-to-be husband."
"Fuck." Harry hissed whirling to face him.
Severus blinked, "Language!"
"To be fair that warranted it," he muttered, "Where is she?"
"Ella? Over by the Parkinsons."
Harry's eyes trailed the room. "Gods, Hermione looks like her doesn't she?"
"Hermione looks like who?" Theo asked, coming to stand beside Neville, Draco close behind him.
"Her…apparently we're going with surrogate." Harry nodded his head in Ella's direction. Theo's eyebrows rose.
"Sweet Salazar, so she does."
"Regardless, " Severus cut in, "Keep her and Yaxley away."
The boys nodded. "My turn next I think," Neville murmured, sauntering off in the direction of Hermione and Saul as the song began to wind down.
"Ah, Severus! There you are!" Thoros grinned. He forced down the urge to groan. The chicken nestled under his arm was dressed in a tiny blue dress. Seeing where his eyes were, Thoros continued, "Hermione said she was wearing navy. They complement each other well, don't you think? Of course, I had to shrink down the necklace but I'll resize it by the time Hermione's ready to wear our jewellery. I'm sure she won't mind sharing regardless. Did she tell you she's been writing to me?"
It felt like his brain was short-circuiting as he attempted to process any of that. The chicken was indeed wearing a diamond necklace. A shrunken diamond necklace. It was fucking insane and that was before he began to unpack the man just casually informing him that his daughter would one day wear it. After the fucking chicken of course. And…Hermione was writing to him? Why the fuck was she doing that? Why hadn't she mentioned it? What the fuck was going on?
"Ah no." He managed, "I wasn't aware."
"Ah, we've been discussing wizarding customs. She wanted a different perspective than Narcissa. I must say she has some interesting ideas."
"I see," he replied faintly. He was going to murder his daughter, what the fuck was she thinking? She was just encouraging the man! And that was fucking dangerous.
"Oh yes, and she's been telling me about muggle inventions. Apparently, they have pet shops that have some things Loofah might like. I'm hoping to persuade her to take me at Easter. And did you know she sent me the most adorable hand-carved bed for her for Christmas? It has her name engraved on it"
Beside him, Draco and Harry were hanging on the man's every word. Theo appeared to be trying to sink into the floor with embarrassment.
"I didn't," Severus responded, sounding strangled to his own ears as he forced down a laugh as the disturbing picture of a chicken in a nightgown sleeping on a four poster came into his head.
"Were you aware Ella was going to be here?" Thoros asked, startling him with the change in subject.
"I was aware it was a possibility."
Thoros hummed before freezing, "Good Gods, is…is your Hermione dancing with Simon?"
Severus' head shot up. "It would appear that she is. They have been….attempting to form a relationship."
"Interesting," Thoros mused, a look on his face Severus really didn't like.
"My turn now I think," he murmured before he said something that made Narcissa hex him.
"How are you my girl?" he asked softly, as Simon handed her over
"Alright, it's….I assume the blond is her soon-to-be husband and not just some creepy old man?"
Severus snorted, "Can't he be both?"
Hermione shuddered as he twirled her, "Gods I hope not." she muttered.
"His name is Corban Yaxley."
"Tentacle man!" she grinned suddenly, "I knew I recognised him from somewhere. I'm really glad he has his clothes on this time."
"You and me both my girl." he agreed, suppressing a shudder. "Stay away from him, he's...slippery. What did Simon want?"
She sighed, "He requested I call him grandfather and wanted to discuss my staying with him a few nights over the summer to learn some of his businesses."
Severus frowned, "Ella is his heir. She's back now."
"I know, that's what I said. He didn't seem hugely fond of that plan."
"And how do you feel?"
"Don't I have enough to do?" she asked plaintively.
"Yes," he agreed, "I'll speak to your grandmother. If he's still adamant in a few years we can discuss it then."
She sighed with relief, "Thank you, Father."
He caught Yaxley watching them out of the corner of his eye. Fucking arsehole. What was he hoping to achieve, cornering Hermione? "The twins didn't make it?" he asked instead.
Hermione grimaced, "Apparently Mrs Weasley caught some of their correspondence with Grandmother and forbade it. She's…still not convinced Grandmother isn't deranged.
"To be fair…" he murmured.
"Father!" she protested. "Don't be rude."
He stifled his laugh, his eyes going to where Annalise was deep in conversation with Miranda Blishwick. It would appear that the delightful Arnold was not in attendance.
"My turn!" Richard beamed, startling them both as the song wound down.
Hermione whined low in her throat, "After this, I'm sitting down." she warned. "It's been ridiculous."
He laughed, "Your brother is under strict instructions to not leave you open to Yaxleys advances. Stay beside him or Draco. Or Merlin help us all, Longbottom."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she switched partners. "Fine Father," she sighed.
"My feet are killing me," Amelia groaned, leaning into him several hours later. The ball was beginning to wind down and he only had about half an hour before he could legitimately leave without Narcissa murdering him. "They're rather sweet though, aren't they?" she inclined her head toward the dance floor where Susan and Neville were dancing, Hermione and Theo close by. Daphne had yet again taken pity on Harry and Draco had been coerced into dancing with his mother, the rosy flush to his cheeks giving away his embarrassment.
"Hmmm," he replied, not wanting to admit to anything. Draco was rather sweet….Harry's earnestness as he tried to prevent himself from stepping on Daphne's toes was…endearing. The other two needed bloody watching. Both of them were far too fucking close. And really…Longbottom and Nott? What the fuck had he done to deserve that? Even if they were currently behaving with some restraint, he didn't like it.
"You cannot keep me away forever." A voice came from beside him. Startled, they both looked up.
"Oh?" he enquired lightly as Corban Yaxley sat down.
"We are going to be linked, regardless of Ella's relationship with Hermione. A relationship that is surely not beyond salvageable."
Severus started back at him incredulously, "It is well beyond salvageable," he growled.
"It isn't! She's only met the girl once!"
"And it was enough."
"She is part of Annalise and Simon's lives."
"Yes. Simon is relatively new and I'm reserving judgement."
Corban sighed, "Look, you can fight this all you want but sooner or later you are going to have to accept the situation."
"That my daughter's surrogate is getting married? I'm not sure what there is to accept, I couldn't care less."
"Severus," Corban sighed.
"What do you want?" Amelia cut in.
"To meet her. Any children we have will be her siblings. It's…absurd to consider that when I've only ever seen the girl from across the room."
Amelia remained silent for several beats, "She has no relationship with Ella, so why? What does it matter? You cannot be so blind as to not know that there is no love there? The woman hasn't even looked at her all evening and it's you that's here pleading her case, not her. So why?"
"I…I cannot comprehend having a child you do not see," he said finally. "Whatever happened, whatever decisions that were made at the time, Ella is Hermione's mother."
"No. That woman…" Severus pointed to Jean where she was standing next to Lucius and Narcissa, "That woman there is her mother. Give it up Corban, my answer won't change. Nor will hers. She doesn't want to see you, she doesn't want to speak with you. Leave her the fuck alone."
Corban rolled his eyes, "Perhaps I'll have better luck with Lucius," he muttered.
"Lucius is her godfather, Corban, not her father and he offered to help me hide Ella's body after they met, so don't fucking count on it."
He sighed, "I will have an audience with her at some point soon, Severus." he warned as he left.
Severus' eyes narrowed, "Not if I have anything to say about it," he muttered, fucking bloody arsehole. Who the fuck did he think he fucking was? Perhaps it was time to arrange a small accident? It wouldn't be no loss after all. Ella would get over it. He'd seen the man naked, hell, everyone had seen the man naked, he wasn't exactly impressive. And he could hardly be accused of having a sparkling personality. Perhaps he'd be doing everyone a favour if he arranged for him to just…. disappear. If push came to shove, Ella could join him.
"Don't tell me," Amelia muttered, "Plausible deniability and all. But for fucks sake, feed him to some pigs or something so there's no evidence for us to find."
"Done," he nodded.
"Who the fuck thought this was a good idea?" Lucius groaned, clutching a hangover potion like it was life-giving.
"You wanted to join us." Severus reminded him.
"I don't think I did," he muttered, "I'm relatively certain I was forced into this. Where are the girls?"
Harry snorted, "Sleeping. They both refused to get up."
"Lucky them," Lucius grumbled.
"Come on then!" Richard called, "We're taking the bus again, so let's get a move on!"
"A bus?" Lucius checked, looking alarmed, "Like the knight bus?"
The boys choked back a laugh, "Same shape, less likely to make you vomit," Harry reassured him. He didn't look convinced.
"I just don't understand the point!" Lucius argued when leaving the stadium. "It's like Quiddich if the teams were made up of chasers!"
Draco and Harry frowned. "He's not wrong." Harry conceded.
"I have no idea what that means," Richard confessed.
"Next time we'll take you to a game." Lucius declared "We'll sort it for Easter."
"Get on the bus, Lucius," Severus sighed. "We've already had this conversation."
"Do you think Susan and Hermione are awake yet?" Draco asked as they sat down on a rather subdued bus.
"I'd bet money they're hiding at Richard and Jean's watching films," Harry laughed.
"Oh! Can we do that?" Draco asked, looking excited. "Mother shouldn't be expecting us for dinner until at least six."
Richard shrugged, "If you want. I'm going to need something to take my mind off that defeat."
"The snacks they'll have has nothing to do with it," Harry teased.
"To be fair those frog things are fascinating," Richard muttered defensively.
"How was the game?" Hermione called, not taking her eyes off the screen in front of her.
"We lost," Richard groused, catching the chocolate frog she threw at him. "Thank you."
"What are you watching?" Harry checked, sitting down beside Susan.
"Mary Poppins." Hermione replied promptly, "It used to be my favourite."
"The woman's a witch isn't she?" Susan checked, "That bag has to have an undetectable extension charm on it!"
Both Harry and Hermione paused. "Ah…maybe?" Hermine agreed. "I've never….gods, she was, wasn't she?"
Harry laughed. "That's insane. Does that mean Walt Disney was…." they swivelled to look at Severus who laughed.
"I believe he went to school with my Grandparents," he replied with a smirk. "He was a bloody Ravenclaw."
"No way! Seriously?" Harry gaped.
Severus snorted, "What else could he possibly have been?"
"I feel like my entire life has been a lie!" Hermione whined. "Why did no one think to mention that before?"
Severus shrugged, "Who knows, my girl?" he replied before he laughed as she pouted at him, shifting to allow him space on the sofa beside her.
They'd only been back at school a couple of days but he already missed them. For fucks sake, he really was turning soft. Still, it was his birthday. He was allowed to want his children here, wasn't he? He almost grinned when the door opened.
They walked in looking nervous. Why the fuck did they look nervous? "Happy birthday, Father." Hermione smiled, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thank you, my girl," he murmured, squeezing her tight as he gave into the strange feeling of someone actively wanting to celebrate his birthday with him.
"Happy birthday, Severus," Harry muttered, thrusting an envelope at him as soon as Hermione let go. He arched a brow.
"I ah…Cake!" Hermione exclaimed, "Cake before presents."
He frowned but allowed her to call Roly, allowed them to sing him happy birthday for what was the first time in longer than he cared to remember. And, it was good cake. Really good cake. Not that his children would know, they were both picking at it.
"Alright out with it, what's going on?"
"Nothing! Hermione protested, not meeting his eyes.
"Hermione," he growled.
"Just…just open your presents, Father. We…we're just nervous you won't like it."
He frowned, "Surely you both know I will be pleased with whatever you give me?"
"Please just…start with the envelope," Hermione begged her hand in Harry's. Fuck. What had they got him? Both of them looked fucking terrified.
"Alright." he agreed slowly, putting down his cake with some regret as he reached for the envelope. It felt like they were holding their breath as he opened it and …documents fell out? What? What the fuck was this? He read over the paperwork in his hand not entirely sure he understood. And then he read it again.
"I…is this what I think it is?" he asked, sounding strangled.
"You don't have to," Harry whispered.
Severus' jaw dropped, "What? I…Why would I not? How did you arrange this? I…we have six months….I…."
"Cora moved up the timeline for us." Hermione confessed, "So will you please just bloody sign it and put us all out of our misery!"
Severus blinked, summoning a quill. All of them jumped when the scroll burst into flames the moment his name was signed.
"You actually did it," Harry breathed.
Severus blinked, not quite sure what to say to that. Had it worked? The children seemed to think so. Hermione was bloody crying again. Refusing to think he stood up abruptly, pulling Harry to him. "Of course, I did, my boy." He murmured as Harry gave in and sobbed into his much-abused buttons. He almost rolled his eyes when his eyes met Hermione's over the top of the boy's head, of course, he wasn't going to be allowed to stay dry. Between them, they were trying to drown him. Shifting Harry slightly, he held out his free arm, stumbling slightly when she all but threw herself at him. Was he destined to always be surrounded by human water fountains? It wasn't as if he was crying, he wasn't damn it. He was clearly just reacting to the dog's fur….or the glue on the envelope. Yes, that was it. He wasn't sobbing as hard as his children. He wasn't and no one could convince him otherwise.
Several hours, the rest of the chocolate cake and pancakes later, all of them were something resembling calm, even if they were subdued. Truthfully, Severus couldn't remember the last time he had felt this emotionally wrung out. He..had a son. A son who had chosen him. A son his daughter appeared to have acquired for him which was odd all unto itself. Not for the first time, he thanked every god that might be listening for these children. His children. Fucking hell. He almost wished he could go back to tell his seventeen-year-old self that it would be ok. That it would get better. All because of a miniature witch with too much hair and a bossy disposition….and a penchant for hugging. Maybe he wouldn't tell himself that. That probably wouldn't go down well. His seventeen year old self did not hug.
"You haven't opened any of your other presents," Hermione chided into the silence.
"I don't think I need anything else," he murmured before he could stop himself.
Harry snorted, "No one would believe us if we ever told anyone you said that."
"Watch it, my boy. No one would believe half of what you could tell them."
"Fair point," Harry conceded. "But Hermione's right, you really should open the rest of your presents. We didn't just get you a lifelong commitment to another human being."
Severus barked out a laugh, "Indeed. Go on then, what else did you get me?"
Hermione very seriously handed him a large package and Harry a smaller one. "They go together and are from both of us."
He narrowed his eyes, suspicion flooding him. "Oh?"
"You have to open them!" Hermione laughed as he continued to eye them suspiciously.
Giving in to the inevitable he started with the smaller package. It contained several brightly coloured vials. All of them simply stated tester and a number.
"Second one," Hermione commanded.
He rolled his eyes at her, gingerly peeling back the paper to see…a large plastic gun. "You got me a water gun?"
"Ah not quite. It's Fred and George's new prototype. We have them too. You attach those potions to the end of it and well….we won't spoil the surprise but if they work as they should, they're going to be amazing."
"I'm not running about Hogwarts with a water gun!"
Both of them looked at him with exaggerated innocence, "And if we reminded you that the room of requirement provides outside spaces as well as indoor ones?"
He scowled, "I would remind you that I have several years of experience on the two of you and suggest that you prepare to be beaten." he announced with exaggerated dignity, refusing to give them the satisfaction of knowing how much he wanted to test out his new toy.
Both Harry and Hermione snorted, damn it. Clearly, he hadn't hidden it as well as he thought. Unless they were amused by the thought of him beating them. Overconfident little sods. He'd show them.
"This one is also from us seeing as we didn't actually have to buy the last two," Harry announced as he dropped a suspiciously squashy parcel onto his lap. Inside were new shirts, one of which could only be called red, despite Hermione's insistence that it was burgundy, and two of the softest jumpers Severus had ever felt in an acceptable grey and green. On top was a voucher for Pottages Caldron shop.
They both shrugged when he looked at them curiously, "You keep moaning about the cauldron at home. We thought you could replace it."
"I…thank you. Both of you," he murmured, having not realised they paid such close attention to his grumblings.
"You're welcome, Father. You're rather hard to shop for, you know."
He laughed, "So I've been told. Now, who are the rest from?"
"We have no idea." Harry replied with a smirk, continuing cheekily, "It's customary to read the tags."
"Such cheek," he muttered, as he opened two bottles of scotch from Filius and Pomona respectively, a bizarre contraption from Moody that claimed to detect liars. Severus almost laughed, He worked in a school with teenagers for fucks sake, the thing would be forever going off. Which could be amusing. He'd put it on his desk. The little sods would have to be careful with what they said then.
He almost jumped at the sound of the floo as Amelia and Saul stepped out. "Happy birthday!" Saul beamed. "Hello, my darling proteges!"
Severus frowned, "I didn't say you could have them both!"
"That's sad," Saul replied insincerely, "I've decided I wanted the pair."
Amelia stifled her grin as she leaned down to kiss him, making Harry move to sit beside Hermione.
"Some things we don't need to see," he muttered as Hermione nodded her head in frantic agreement.
Amelia laughed, "Tough. Happy birthday, love. How has it been?"
"I…good." he hedged before he caught the strange edge to her tone, "You knew!"
"Of course, I knew, they needed a witness, did you not notice? Is it done?"
"Well I signed it and it set itself on fire…so…I assume so?"
"Yes, that's it done! The Ministry will owl you with confirmation at some point." Saul agreed.
"You knew too!"
"And Min. Oh, and Remus."
"And Alastor." Amelia grinned.
"What? How did you all manage to keep this from me?" he demanded.
"Because we're not stupid?" Hermione offered.
"I'm getting those fucking elves." he muttered in response, "What else am I missing?"
Hermione patted his arm condescendingly, "It's best you don't know, Father."
He couldn't stop his jaw from dropping if he tried. The little brat! He was definitely getting those fucking elves now. And the rest of them were laughing at him. Arseholes. Why did he do this to himself?
"Presents now, I think!" Saul grinned, bouncing on his seat like a toddler as he practically threw a wrapped box at him.
It contained…gloves and an outer robe? He frowned up at Saul who merely grinned, "Basilisk skin gloves and work robe, they've been found to be better than Dragonhide if our experiments are to be believed, even the venom couldn't penetrate."
"How in the name of Salazar did you convince a tailor to work with an unknown material?"
"By paying him handsomely not to ask questions," Saul grinned.
Severus paused, pulling them out of the box for closer inspection. They were exquisitely made. "Thank you" he replied softly.
Saul hummed as Amelia placed hers on his knee. "Just remember this is your own doing." she cautioned, barely suppressing a grin.
"Oh?" he poked the package nervously. It was soft. He opened it to reveal… woolly socks and slippers? What?
Amelia laughed, "You talk when you're drunk. I'm sure you don't remember but you were lamenting your age and considering a recliner for your old bones. You also happened to mention thick socks and slippers. Like a proper old man."
He pouted as the children giggled. Although…the dungeons were cold. And..they felt nice…cosy….not that he'd tell her that.
"This is your actual gift," she smiled, taking pity on him and handing him an envelope. It contained …was that a picture of a hotel?
"I know it's months away but I figured summer would be the only time I could persuade you to leave for a few days. The Grangers have already agreed, they're taking Susan too, Merlin help them."
"Thank you, he muttered, still looking at the paper.
She grinned, "Don't bother looking for clues. I'm not telling you where we're going. Only that it's four nights and warm."
He pouted again, he didn't fucking like surprises. And warm? What was he meant to wear when it was warm? He wasn't letting Hermione and Jean shop for trunks again. He'd end up with nothing but Hufflepuff yellow as a joke.
"Now, what are your plans for today?"
"I…don't have any."
"Of course you do," Hermione grinned, clearly reading something in Amelia's tone. "Harry and I were just leaving. Will you be back for dinner?"
"Yes," Amelia smiled.
"Ah, fancy allowing me to tag along?" Saul smiled. "It unnerves Albus."
Both Harry and Hermione laughed. "Come on then Uncle Saul, let's go and see what we can get up to."
Before he realised what was happening, his children and Saul were out the door and Amelia was looking at him expectantly. "Come on then old man. I'm taking you out to lunch and then…then I'd very much like a proper thank you."
A proper thank you? What? Oh! Oh….. "Very well Madam, shall we proceed to lunch." he intoned trying to keep the excitement from his voice. He was rather fond of the idea of thanking her properly.
She huffed out a laugh, "Diagon Alley then, Severus."
Several hours later, finally redressed and feeling more…relaxed than he had been previously, he re-entered the living room. Minerva was waiting. "Ah how good of you to join us," she smirked, making him flush. "Do I need to arrange a chaperone, Severus? After all, you are not married….and I have heard the…rules you wish Hermione to follow. Shall I assign you an elf?"
"Why are we friends?" he groaned as Amelia hid her face in his back and laughed.
"Because I bring this?" she suggested, waving a bottle of her very good scotch at him.
"That would be it," he agreed.
"I was going to give you your present, perhaps I won't," she muttered as someone knocked on the door.
"Ener" he shouted, rationalising it could only be the children…or Saul he supposed.
"Good day?" Hermione checked, throwing a gift at him. "Mum and dad sent it, I forgot earlier."
"Ah."
"We found Remus on the way here," Harry grinned, shoving Remus through the door, Susan slipping in behind them "And Daco said Narcissa and Lucius are intending to turn up but wanted to check…what was the phrase, Hermione?"
"That they wouldn't be scared for life if they came over unannounced, " Hermione grinned.
"It was once!" he muttered mulishly.
All of his children grimaced, "Too much information."
"Where Puppy?"
"Ah this illusive dog," Remus grinned, "Happy birthday Severus."
He nodded at his…friendly acquaintance. "Thank you."
The world seemed to stop as Thanatos came bounding into the room, running up to the children. Remus reacted immediately.
"What the fuck!" he growled, "Get away from that dog!"
The dog froze as Remus raised his wand.
"Remus! Remus, what are you doing?" Harry shouted, looking utterly bewildered. A look that was replaced with stunned horror as Thanatos shifted, growing taller, revealing a wary-looking Sirius Black.
Hermione's eyes were wide and frightened as they met his and he realised he was on the wrong side. Remus and Black stood in the middle, separating him from his children. "Harry," Sirius rasped, his voice clearly unused for some time.
"Get away from my son," he commanded his voice low, wand trained on the man who had made his childhood hell. He knew his mask was in place but his heart was pounding. They were on the wrong fucking side, never before had it hit him so acutely just what he stood to lose.
Black's hands went up placatingly, a look of pained conflict flashing over his face before he lunged. The last thing he heard before his head bounced off the coffee table was a terrified cry of "Father!" He must have been imagining it though because it sounded like more than one voice.