It had been two weeks since Harry had become Hadrian Prince and found the best father in the whole world.
For Severus it had been two weeks of realizing parenting is harder than it looks and parenting an abused little boy is even harder. But even with that being said, Severus fell more in love with his perfect little boy every day. He never once thought about who his original parents were or tried to treat Hadrian as more fragile than he actually was.
Last week Hadrian was told about magic and how it was definitely real and not a trick. After one panic attack and a confession on what his Aunt and Uncle thought about magic, Hadrian was actually adapting to magic pretty well. Once Hadrian was more comfortable with magic Severus planned to teach him how to 'see' the world around him by using his magic and sensing the auras from nearby witches and wizards.
Something that Severus should've thought of sooner but didn't due to the distraction of healing and taking care of a 5-year-old, was that his best friend and sometimes lover Lucius would get worried about his sudden silence and absence. So when Severus went into the kitchen to make lunch for Hadrian and himself he wasn't expecting to hear Lucius yelling profanities from his floo.
"Severus Snape! Where the fuck are you?! Goddammit, Severus do not make me come through this merlin dammed floo!"
"Lucius I would appreciate you showing some of your pureblood decorum and stop shouting curse words for all of England to hear." Severus interrupted Lucius' tirade firmly. Exhaustion clear on Severus' face from the dark circles under his eyes. Lucius studied him for a moment before his head disappeared from the fire. Before Severus could even think to put up a repelling ward, Lucius stepped out of the floo into his home, looking impeccable as ever.
"Severus you have been neglecting your health again. What potion are you working on now? It better be good and worth you looking like shit." Lucius said calmly, but he was very concerned. He had never seen Severus like this before.
Before Severus could respond a small voice called hesitantly from the hallway, "Daddy? Where are you?"
"I'm in the living room Hadrian, do you need help?" Severus called back, watching for Hadrian to turn the corner of the hallway, ignoring Lucius.
"No… just keep talking?" Hadrian replied a little unsure he could do it but his Daddy had put special bars on the wall that he could follow safely to any part of the house without getting hurt.
"Of course. We have a guest here so I don't want you to be startled or scared okay? Lucius has been a friend of mine for many years and he actually has a little boy around your age too." Severus spoke slowly and loud enough his voice would carry to aid in leading Hadrian to him. He was so proud of Hadrian's progress over the past two weeks.
Hadrian took slow steps, using his bar to guide him, he still wasn't confident in walking around without his sight, but he trusted his Daddy.
Lucius was feeling slightly forgotten but observed this new development carefully. He hadn't know Severus had a child, feeling a little hurt that Severus had never told him. The boy definitely looked like Severus with his sharp cheekbones and dark hair, but his eyes were closed…no those eyelids were sunken in a way that could only mean nothing lay behind them. Birth defect maybe? Wasn't unheard of these days especially from the older pureblood families.
Lucius was pulled from his thoughts as he watched with unmasked surprise at Severus lifting his child up and swinging him in a circle and then hoisting the boy up so he rested on Severus' hip. Severus was smiling in a way he hadn't ever seen him smile, kissing his little boy on the forehead and congratulating him on doing a good job walking by himself. 'What a curious development' Lucius thought to himself before clearing his throat.
Severus looked over to Lucius, his cheeks warming a little in an embarrassment of letting his guard down so much much while Lucius was watching them.
"Lucius Malfoy, Lord of the Malfoy family, meet my son and heir Hadrian Prince. Hadrian, this is my closest friend and confidant. You are safe with him around. Since you are my son, he will guard you fiercely. I was actually thinking of naming him your godfather if he can control his mouth and how many curses come out of it." Severus said teasingly, his eyes lit with mischief that Lucius hadn't seen since they were in Hogwarts.
"It is lovely to meet you, dear Hadrian Prince. Do not mind your father too much, he is just jealous I am more handsome than he is." Lucius said with a tease back, grinning at Severus. Hadrian giggled softly, leaning his head closer to Severus shyly but not seeming to mind Lucius' presence.
"You are not more handsome than me, more arrogant is more like it." Severus jabbed.
"Yes, and you are just the biggest slice of humble pie there is," Lucius said sarcastically.
"More so than you, you bloody peacock."
"Peacocks are elegant, noble, and a sign of nobility. You need better insults Sev."
"You need a sense of shame, maybe I won't make you godfather. You would be a horrible influence."
Before Lucius could respond, Hadrian started laughing at their snipping. Both Severus and Lucius smiled at the bright smile on the boy's face. Severus hoped he could continue to put that smile on his son's face for the rest of his life.
*Silent Compassion*
Hours later once Hadrian was asleep Severus was able to catch Lucius up to what had happened in the past several weeks. Lucius was disappointed that Severus hadn't come to him for help, especially since he had a little boy the same age as Severus' new son.
"You never fail to amaze me Sev." Lucius settled for instead.
"How's that?" Severus asked frowning.
"You brought home a beaten up toddler who turned out to be your ex-best friend's abandoned child and you just decide to blood adopt him and take him in as he is. You are truly a wonder. Have you ever thought about how things are going to go down in a couple of years once he attends Hogwarts and meets his brother? Or how about have you thought about what Tom is going to say once he returns from his current trip about you taking in the enemy's kid?" Lucius said incredulously.
"None of that is amazing Lucius, you just live a sheltered life," Severus said with a sigh, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Yes I have thought of all of these things but none of it deters me from taking in and loving my new son. He is now of my blood and that is all that matters. The Hogwarts matter is tricky but we have years and between Tom, you, and me I believe we can find a tolerable solution. As to Hadrian's eyesight, I plan to teach him an old version of mind magic once he is a little older. We will start with some beginner meditation and occlumency but once he has the basics down the real work will begin. There is an old technique for sensing the world through your magic, used to be used by the druids and mages of Merlin's time. But there is also a way to see people's auras around you in your mind's eye so I plan to try to combine these techniques to give him the best view of the world I can, even if it is only within his mind. I will experiment with some potions too of course but the damage done to his eyes is extensive. His tear ducts weren't damaged so he can still cry, but otherwise, all other function is gone." Severus said grimly but determined all the same.
"And what about telling Tom of your new heir?" Lucius pushed.
"I am going to tell him the truth and hope for the best," Severus said bluntly. Lucius stared at him blankly.
"What kind of sick Gryffindor plan is that?"
"The only kind I have right now. I do not think his reaction will be as bad as you think Lucius, he has mellowed considerably since he was brought back as his younger self, with his sanity intact."
"Yes. So mellow." Lucius rolled his eyes at him.
"Look just because he killed one of your peacocks doesn't make him unhinged as he once was. I would have killed one of your peacocks for shitting on me too."
"They are a rare breed of albino peacock! They are prize-winning birds! Birds poop! We are wizards for Merlin's sake, it can be cleaned instantly. There is no reason to take it out on the bird, it doesn't understand the difference." Lucius indignantly defended.
"You should be happy he just killed the bird instead of killing you." Severus pointed out with a smirk, making Lucius grumble. They drank the nice scotch that Severus had kindly provided for them to unwind a little and sat in silence for a few minutes, both of them deep in thought about what was to come in the coming months and years. What would the repercussions be for taking in Hadrian Prince? Only time would tell and Severus felt whatever was to come was worth it for just one of the smiles that Hadrian could give him. Looking to Lucius, he cleared his throat and spoke seriously.
"Would you be Hadrian's godfather? I don't plan on letting anything happen to me but I would feel better if there was someone who wasn't the Potters or Dursleys to take in my son if I should pass prematurely."
"You talk so pretty Severus, even of your own death. Yes, I will be Hadrian's godfather. I swear to do right by him if you should die. I shall put Narcissa to work planning the blessing ceremony."
"Please keep it small. Hadrian is still struggling with trusting strangers, which is why I hadn't contacted you until now. I do not want to lose his trust." Exhaustion showed on Severus' face as he made the request.
"Go get some sleep Sev, take care of yourself so you can take care of your little boy. We will plan the ceremony, just us, and after that, we will see about introducing Draconis and Hadrian. It would do them both some good to be around kids their own age." Lucius said as he stood, heading for the floo. "Goodnight Sev." Lucius threw the floo powder down, calling out for Malfoy Manor, and was gone before Severus could even think up a reply. Sighing and deciding it was for the best, Severus went to check in on Hadrian before going to crash for the night as well.
Sleep would do him some good and prepare him for the next day when even more uninvited guests would make their way into his home and disturb his sanctuary of peace.