Chapter 35

Dione slipped through the chambers door, ragged breathing, tousled red curls. The Snapes deduced she had been running, and by the grave expression on her face, she needed to tell them something of utter importance. And it was: Dolores's suspicions regarding Dumbledore's Army.

"She's unaware of the Room of Requirement, but I'm still worried," she finished, holding her breath.

Severus frowned. "How do you know this?"

"I heard her talking with Madam Pince. Professor Umbridge asked her if she knew something, but Madam Pince said she couldn't help her."

Skyrah groaned, missing the way Severus paled. She suggested mixing the ages in the groups and meeting every week at different times so that Dolores couldn't spot a pattern. The school year was about to end anyway. It was unlikely she'd discover the Room of Requirement. They should stay safe.

Dione went to inform Harry, leaving the pair alone.

Severus was in a daze. He hadn't expressed his opinion, only stared at the distance. Skyrah put a hand on his arm.

"Are you okay?"

He ignored her question and murmured, slack-jawed, "She lied."

"Excuse me?"

He met her confused eyes. "My mother knows about the Room of Requirement. She knows something is going on there. She confronted me about it. I revealed nothing and asked her to tell nobody."

He spoke slowly as if he had a hard time believing his mother hadn't betrayed him or disappointed him for once.

"Well, perhaps Eileen's starting to change. I told you she might surprise you," Skyrah mumbled with a smug grin on her face.

Dolores didn't catch them and summertime was around the corner. Harry wanted the school year to last forever just to skip his stay with the Dursleys. He wasn't prepared to live with them, no matter how much Albus stressed its importance, not after tasting what a real home was like. At night, he dreamed about spending the summer break with the Snapes. But they were just that, childish dreams. He forced himself not to get his hopes up when he received a note from them telling him to get Dione and meet with them after classes. They probably wanted to say goodbye and inform Dione would occupy his bedroom, anyway.

Severus let them in. Dione and Harry settled on the sofa without being told, already used to it. Skyrah was in the closest corner to the armchair, where Severus had chosen to sit on.

"We need to talk about summer arrangements," he started.

"Dumbledore told me I have to stay with the Dursleys, sir."

"Professor Dumbledore, Harry." The boy lowered his head. "We are aware of it. He told us himself, but we also know that staying there for a month will suffice to activate the blood wards. The Dark Lord needs to think you are in there, safe, where he cannot touch you."

Harry snorted. "I'm anything but safe there."

"That's why you'll have this two-way mirror. You'll be able to communicate with us if anything happens. It's faster than owling," provided Skyrah, handing him one while she showed him hers.

It was identical to the mirror Sirius gave him. He suddenly felt stupid for not using it before the Battle of the Ministry. He could have saved a life, his godfather's life.

"I had a talk with Petunia," Severus spat her name as if it was venomous. "They're warned. They won't like the outcome if I find out they broke my rules."

"You set out rules and threatened them?" Harry wondered, his mouth ajar.

"Did I stutter?"

Despite the snarky remark, warmth – the kind he had basked in more than once while staying with the Snapes – spread through Harry. He could already picture their frightened faces while Severus visited them. It would have been priceless to witness it. Only thinking about that brought a lopsided smile to his face, Sirius in the back of his mind now.

"Wicked."

Severus gave him a self-satisfied smirk in response.

"Sir, you said a month with the Dursleys would be enough… What will happen afterwards?"

"You will stay with us."

Harry's eyes widened. A choking sound escaped him. Harry was happy, but he didn't count his chickens before they hatched. Not yet. The equation was incomplete. Something was missing, and that missing piece was sitting next to him, toying with a red curl of hers.

"What about Dione? I thought she'd take my bedroom and spend the summer with you… I mean, she's your sister," he said, shooting Skyrah a meaningful glance.

She smiled sadly.

"She won't take your room, sweetheart. She has one of her own, and so does the baby. Minerva helped us."

His face creased into a radiant smile and he let out a disbelieving chortle. Before they could react, Harry rose from his seat and trapped Severus into a hug, thanking him. Severus stiffened but did not push him away until the boy let go. Harry distinguished a ghost of a smile on his usually stern face. Severus had only told him that he cared for him once, but right then, Harry knew he had been truthful.

He repeated the performance with Skyrah. For once, hugging her was more awkward than hugging Severus. She was really showing now, and Harry didn't know how to hold a pregnant woman. The sight got Severus smirking. He had experimented and found various ways to cuddle, kiss and even make love with his wife without the baby bump getting in the way, although Harry couldn't even put his arms around her without like a short-armed T-Rex. Skyrah stifled a giggle at the pinkish tinge of his cheeks and told Harry that he was welcome while pulling away.

Dione was looking up and stroking her chin. Andraste adopted the same posture when she reflected.

"Sis, you okay?"

Skyrah's voice brought Dione back to reality.

"I'm fine, a bit baffled, that's all."

Skyrah looked at Dione with inquiring eyes. She may not have voiced the question, but Dione got the hint she was waiting for her to speak.

"I'm safe at Hogwarts, but isn't spending the summer with you too risky? What if your father comes after me?"

Skyrah took her hand.

"I don't think my father will try to get you… I'm already pregnant with his heir, and he has Mum to manipulate me. He hasn't made any move to kidnap you; he hasn't even mentioned you again. He must believe you'll spend summer at Hogwarts, where he cannot touch you, so he won't even bother to go after you. I figured we could take advantage of that and stay together. You can always use the floo network and come back to our chambers if we suspect something might go wrong."

"Why don't we all stay here at Hogwarts?"

"Lucius is the godfather, Dione. The Malfoys will visit us. They tend not to warn us before coming. If they don't find us on Spinner's End, they will become suspicious."

Dione looked up and stroked her chin again for a while. Then her blue eyes bored into Severus.

"Don't you mind that another student of yours will spend the summer with you? The baby's due in August. You'll have a family. Don't you need, ugh, space?"

Severus was struck for a moment, even though his face didn't show it. He would have never guessed that Dione would think first about him than about herself. Very few people cared for him. It actually felt nice to know she did.

"I wouldn't have sought Minerva's assistance if I wasn't willing to take you in, Miss Fawley. You aren't only my student. You are my sister-in-law, the aunt of my child."

Dione gave him a smile that reminded him of Skyrah, warm and genuine, the kind that sparkled in the eyes.

"You should call me Dione then. Family members don't call each other by their surnames, sir."

He stayed silent, pondering her words and finally muttered, "Severus."

"Pardon?"

"You said it yourself, Dione. Family members call each other by their first names. Call me Severus," he explained, ignoring Skyrah's lopsided grin.

Harry felt out of place with the sudden turn of the conversation. Despite feeling part of this family, calling Severus by his first name was a privilege he wouldn't enjoy. His heart, so full of joy a minute ago, ached now. He needed some space.

"Ron and Hermione are waiting for me. I'll get going," he whispered with a fake smile the Snapes didn't miss.

He walked to the door, Dione close behind him.

"You may also call me Severus if you wish, Harry. I call you by your first name. It is only just."

Harry stalled. He remained immobile for a while, to the point Severus wondered whether Harry had understood him or even listened to him.

He might have finally twiddled the door knob because Dione put a reassuring hand on his back; Severus couldn't tell. What he was certain of was that there was a small smile curling his lips when Harry looked at him right before shutting the door. He had definitely heard Severus, and by the glimmer in his emerald eyes, the request had elated him.

Andraste sagged against the iron bars of her cell, gaunt-faced. She overheard her captors, the Lestranges, chatting animatedly far away, the sound mixing with approaching footsteps plus other voices she had heard before but couldn't quite place. More Death Eaters, she guessed. She kept her guard up and composed herself to face the house-elf that was supposed to give her scrap of food.

Only it wasn't a house-elf.

A witch that had held her captive stood in front of her, the mother of the boy who had given her and her daughter food when they most needed it. She still was the wife of a Death Eater, untrustworthy and unwelcome.

"What are you doing here?"

Narcissa raised an eyebrow and disregarded the harsh tone. "Long time no see, Mrs. Fawley."

"Cut the crap, Malfoy. Why are you here?"

Narcissa kept her cool, aristocratic pose as she gave Andraste a parchment, a quill and some ink that had been hidden by an invisibility spell on the food tray.

"Your daughter's pregnant with the Dark Lord's heir." Narcissa overlooked her surprised gasp and continued, "My husband will be his godfather. We're planning on visiting her. I'll be able to pass on a message from you."

"Why should I trust you?"

"Lucius is already in a bad position. I'm risking my own neck by assisting you, so don't ask questions and write the letter before they suspect something."

Something in Narcissa's icy eyes told Andraste she wasn't kidding, so Andraste got on the floor and managed to scribble some coherent sentences. Narcissa left the tray close to the bars so that Andraste could reach it later and waited for less than three minutes for Andraste to deliver her the letter with trembling hands. Narcissa picked up the quill and the ink, put on an invisible spell on the writing tools and the letter and turned on her heel.

"Wait!"

Narcissa halted, not facing her, a sign Andraste had captured her attention but she didn't have time to chat.

"Why are you doing this?"

There was a short pause, long enough to make Andraste believe Narcissa wouldn't answer, but she did, her voice bitter.

"I'm a mother, too, and I know how it feels to be trapped in the Dark Lord's spider web. He promises us power, although the truth is that we're all pathetic flies flying straight to a spiderweb."

Andraste had never thought that the spouse of a Death Eater would feel like that. She was full of an unexpected yet real pity for Narcissa, something unimaginable until that very moment. She found herself thanking Narcissa.

"Do not misinterpret me, Mrs. Fawley. This will not happen again. I expect you will mention this arrangement to nobody, for everybody's sake."

Narcissa left without looking back.

Andraste grabbed the plate with the food she had been deprived of for endless days, the sufficient amount to keep her alive for another week.

Harry didn't need to use the two-way mirror during his stay with the Dursleys. The thought that Severus must have truly frightened them made him smirk. He spent a month in Four Privet Drive, counting the days until he'd be free from the muggle family. The relief he felt when he saw the familiar black robes and hooked nose in the doorway was infinite.

The house looked exactly the same way he remembered save for the new rooms for Dione and the unborn baby.

Dione was next to her sister, identical welcome grins on their faces. His first thought when he saw Skyrah was that she looked huge. In spite of knowing that pregnancy implied getting bigger, he had never imagined she would look so inflated. But then again, she would go into labor in six weeks. The thought would have made him smile if it wasn't because he was scared of the consequences. He really hoped the Snapes would keep the heir safe. But then Skyrah kissed his scar and flashed him a warm smile. Who wouldn't feel safe with this witch and Severus?

Harry left his belongings in his gryffindor-colored painted room and dashed to the garden, his favorite place ever since Skyrah showed it to him. The summer breeze swept through it, shaking the lilies blandly. If he closed his eyes, he could pretend the fresh fragrance that wafted across the air and harbored him was his mother embracing him. Aunt Petunia was keen on gardening, although she never planted lilies. He guessed that it was for the same reason Severus actually planted them: for his mother. He found it ironic and sad that he felt closer to Lily in Severus's garden than near Aunt Petunia.

When Skyrah put a hand on his shoulder and told him that dinner would be ready in five minutes, Harry knew that he was finally home, for home is where the family is. Granted, they were neither a conventional nor an official one, but the Snapes were his closest parental figures.

Two weeks elapsed. Lessons with Skyrah were scarce due to the pregnancy, which meant he spend more time with Severus. It would have bothered him a year ago, but not now. His lessons weren't so bad once one got used to his snarky remarks. Harry bet he didn't even mean them. It was only out of habit. Besides, they weren't as frequent or snide as usual.

Dione sometimes joined them. Harry had been skeptical about living with her at first. What if the Snapes treated him differently because of her? He soon realized he was being paranoid. Nothing changed save for the fact he now had a loyal friend to spend time with whenever the Snapes made goo-goo eyes at each other across the room. Harry bet Severus didn't even realize he looked at her like that.

Severus tried to veil his awkwardness under sarcasm when Skyrah kissed his hooked nose or cheek out of the blue, or when the teenagers caught the couple cuddling and kissing. Harry understood him. After all, he would have crawled under a rock if the Snapes had caught him kissing Cho Chang after a particular Dumbledore's Army meeting. He didn't even like to remember the experience. Some things were meant to remain buried.

Severus woke up with an already awake Skyrah in his arms. She hadn't taken his hand off her womb.

"Happy anniversary, wife," he purred in her ear, dropping a kiss on her nape.

The hair on her nape stood up in pleasure. He knew that she was simpering even though he couldn't see her face.

"Happy anniversary, husband," she whispered in the same tone, squeezing the hand over the baby bump.

She stirred in his arms and sat up after placing some pillows against her back. He instantly knew what she craved: a snogging session. This was her favorite position to kiss as the baby bump didn't get in the way. He just needed to straddle her, lean forward and crush their lips. That was what he did.

"Do you wish to eat out to celebrate?" he asked amid kisses.

"To our restaurant?"

"Where else?"

Skyrah grinned and nodded eagerly, yet grunted when the image of Dione and Harry popped into her mind.

"What's wrong?" he asked, putting a hand on her cheek. "Are you feeling too tired today? We may stay ho-"

"Severus, pregnancy keeps me fatigued all the time, and I honestly don't think I'm up for a more intense workout than taking a walk and eating out, but that isn't the problem. It's Harry and Dione… I love them, but I really want to be alone with you today," she whispered, leaning into his hand.

"That is why they are in the Burrow," he revealed, smirking when her mouth went ajar. "I asked Mrs. Weasley and she accepted. Harry and Dione were excited and even understood that we needed space today. They will be back at nine o'clock."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you." He lifted an eyebrow. "Why? Don't you fancy the idea?"

By the way she put her fingertips under his chin and brought his face down to kiss him full on the mouth, he guessed she did fancy the idea. Much to his delight, they spent the morning in bed, cuddling, snogging and making love. He didn't squander the chance to rib her when she asked him to move faster while he thrust into her.

"I thought you weren't up for a workout."

"Severus Snape, I swear, you don't want to test the patience of a pregnant woman. Go faster or else..."

He chuckled. She was so fussy, mainly when it came to sex. Not like he minded. He strived to please her. The whimpers that escaped those fleshy lips of hers were worth it, and he felt satisfied with himself when he made her feel so good. He kissed her and finally increased the pace of his shoves.

"Fuck, Severus! Just like that! Yesss!"

Her unrestrained moans and digging nails into his back were his undoing. They didn't leave the mattress until lunchtime.

After eating out, Severus took her to the nearest park, the place he had met Lily and taken Skyrah and even Harry to a few times last summer. The walk left her feet swollen.

Back at home, she let out a tired sigh and sprawled on the couch. Had it not been for her mood swings and his cautious nature, Severus would have teased her and said she was the most graceful woman he had met in that sarcastic tone of his. He settled for handing her a potion against swollen feet and ankles and reading to her while he played with her hair, something she adored receiving just as much as he adored giving. He reached the end of the chapter and left the book aside, still toying with her tresses.

"Are you happy with me?"

Skyrah became alert at his insecure tone and sat up so that she was facing him.

"What do you mean?"

"This marriage. It was arranged. Are you really happy with me?"

Skyrah frowned. "I know my mood swings are horrible lately and I'm angry and sad more often than not, but I thought you knew you make me happy... Why? Don't I make you happy?"

The hints of fear in her last question angered Severus. He wasn't mad at her. He was mad at himself. Didn't he show her she was the reason he lived, the only one who made him laugh and feel good about himself? Everything he had known before she came into his life had been misery, remorse and loneliness. Now she would give him a son, a family, everything he had yearned for while he drowned in his sea of darkness. She was his light, and he couldn't spend another moment seeing self-doubt on her face.

"You are my happiness, Skyrah."

Relief flooded through her and brought a smile to her face. Why he was the cause of that smile was beyond him, but he wouldn't change it for anything in the world. He relished the cheek kiss she gave him and the peaceful feeling of her head resting on his shoulder. His mind soon began to wander to gloomier thoughts though. His body tensed unconsciously to him, but not to her.

"Something's still bothering you, Severus. Tell me."

Black eyes met brown. He couldn't hide anything from her. He didn't want to either.

"You were engaged before marrying me and I can't help but wonder if you are dissatisfied."

"Daniel's dead, and even if he were alive, I love you. My patronus matches yours. I think that's a huge proof," she muttered as her fingertips brushed the pendant of the crows.

He shook his head. "I don't doubt your love... I meant that you never had a real wedding, one with family and friends, a white dress, flowers, rings, a feast and a cake. You never went on a honeymoon. We didn't marry for love. We were forced into this marriage. Don't you hate that?"

Her expression softened. "I love you and we're together. That's all that matters."

It didn't escape his notice the way she had avoided referring to the wedding itself.

"So you wish you had had all that," said Severus bitterly.

He lowered his gaze. He despised he couldn't grant her wishes, everything she merited. Skyrah cupped his chin and forced him to stare at her eyes, comforting and warm like hot cocoa on a winter day.

"I don't regret marrying you even if the circumstances weren't dreamy. Had it not been for my father's commands, I'd have never met you in the first place; I'd have never fallen in love with you. I'm proud and happy to call you my husband today, on our first anniversary. You're everything I've ever wished for, everything our child needs."

She kissed the corner of his mouth and placed his palms on her belly. It had a soothing effect on him, and the thought she was unhappy with him appeared inane, something only a dunderhead would believe. Suddenly, Severus felt a jab against his palm as if his son was supporting him too. His face broke into a tiny grin.

"Have you thought about baby names?"

"Have you?" she shot back, smirking.

"I've been pondering options, but I want to hear yours first."

"Why are you so sure I have already thought about baby names?"

Severus arched an eyebrow that seemed to scream 'Really?'

"I've considered some, but none convinces me," she admitted. "I wanted to ask you something before deciding on one, too. Do you want him to be named after you? It's tradition."

Severus shifted in his seat. "I wouldn't feel comfortable with that."

He didn't elaborate, but upon his discomfort, Skyrah did not to question him.

"What about Albus? Would you name the baby after him? As he can't be the godfather, perhaps–"

"No," he cut her off. "Having him as a godfather would keep up appearances as a spy for your father, but he wouldn't appreciate that his heir was named after his adversary."

His logic convinced her, so she proposed other names like Dolan or Nigel. Both meant dark-haired; fitting, considering both had black hair. Besides, they were Irish names. Her grandmother was Irish. Naming the baby Dolan or Nigel would be a way to remember her roots. By the grimace on his face, Severus wasn't keen on those names.

"Right, I guess I should forget about Dolan or Nigel... What about Hugh?"

"Tolerable."

Skyrah raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean tolerable in the strict sense of the word or in the same sense you used it to refer to my presence?"

"In the strict sense of the word."

She huffed. "What name would be more than tolerable according to you?"

Severus tried to keep silent just to tease her, but by her pursed lips, he figured he better start talking if he wanted to dodge another mood swing.

"Alexander. I have always liked it."

She repeated the name, tasting how it felt on her tongue.

"Is there a reason or do you simply like the way it sounds?"

He shrugged.

"A reason, then," she said with a smile. "Could you tell me?"

"Tobias had a younger brother... His name was Alexander. I was six when my uncle died in a muggle car accident. Tobias became even more violent when he passed away."

Her expression saddened. "I'm sorry... Do you want to talk about your uncle?"

"I don't remember much about him, but I do remember he protected us from Tobias. He always carried with him bandages and made sure my wounds did not become infected when he came by. One time, Tobias hit him instead of Eileen and me because my uncle threw himself in front of us. He bought me ice-creams in summer. He never bought one for himself. He always said he was not hungry when I asked, but now I know he didn't have the money. He read to me. Muggle tales. Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the Three Bears... Daniel might have mentioned them to you. You might know them."

"I am more familiar with The Tales of Beedle the Bard."

Figures, he thought.

"Alexander made you happy, didn't he?" she asked, taking his hand.

"He played with me. My parents never did. He tried to give me a normal childhood."

She kissed his forehead, squeezing his hand.

"This child will make you as happy as your uncle did, Severus, happier, even. Alexander would love to know your son will be named after him."

He sucked in air. "You approve of the name, then?"

"I already liked the way it sounded. Now that I know how much it means to you, I love it."

He smiled a timid smile that made Skyrah fall deeper in love with him.

They still needed to consider other names and later on decide which would be the first name and which would be the middle name. Skyrah kept proposing male names: Damian, Magnus, Silas... It came to a point the interminable list gave Severus a headache. He had thought they would agree on another name immediately, yet naming their child proved to be challenging. He asked to take a break. Skyrah complied...

Until suppertime, that is.

"So you don't like Oscar?"

He massaged his temples, eyes shut, head down.

"I don't fancy muggle-borns making fun of our son because he's named after a statuette."

"Point taken. What about Marius? Julius? Darius?"

"Skyrah," he hissed in a warning tone, gazing at her through his hair.

If she pronounced one more name he would go nuts.

"Asher? Alan?"

That did it.

"Bloody hell, Skyrah! Just stop it already!" he screeched, hitting the table. "My head's going to explode!"

She cringed at the echoing sound of the blow. She didn't look at him in fear, but the situation reminded him of the time she flinched away from his touch after the miscarriage. For a moment, he compared himself to Tobias. A lump formed in his throat. His hand trembled. Try as he might, no words came out his mouth, much less a decent apology for his outburst, leading to a strained silence that stretched over dinner and while washing the dishes.

"I'm sorry I asked you about the name of our son. I thought you cared. I'll be reading in the bedroom. Good night."

Her voice had been cold. She hadn't looked him in the eye.

He didn't go after her.

Dione and Harry came back half an hour later. Instead of finding the Snapes embraced and even snogging, the image of Severus on the couch with his head slightly hung and his hair covering his face like black curtains welcomed them. The adolescents exchanged preoccupied looks.

"Is Skyrah fine? Did she fall ill?" asked Harry.

"Are you okay?" added Dione.

Severus popped his head up brusquely. "Do I look okay to you?!"

The sisters had unalike eye color. Dione's irises looked like stunning sapphires, whereas Skyrah's looked like smoky quartz. A cool shade and a warm one. Nonetheless, the shape and the way their eyes crinkled were identical, and in that precise moment, Severus saw Skyrah's incredulity reflected in Dione. She had shot him the same look Skyrah had done when he had hit the table, and it hurt him just as much.

"Skyrah is fine. She's just mad at me. I'll inform her of your arrival and try to talk to her."

"What happened?" asked Harry. "Today was supposed to be special, your anniversary. Why would she be angry with you? Is she moody or something?"

Severus snorted. "This isn't about hormones. This is about me being an inconsiderate git, as usual."

If there was something Severus couldn't bear, that was being pitied. Harry and Dione were doing just that, so Severus ordered them not to go upstairs and left.

The bedroom door was half-open. He came in with hesitant footsteps.

"They're back."

Skyrah kept her eyes on the book but gave him a nod. Severus rubbed his nape like his gawky teenager-self used to do whenever Lily reproached him for hanging out with Mulciber and his lot.

"May I join you?"

"If you wish. This is your bed," she replied unemotionally, turning a page.

Severus sat up in front of her and waited for her to say something, anything. She didn't.

"Look at me," he requested, his voice quavering. "Please."

Skyrah sighed and left the book on the nightstand. Her gaze fixed on his vulnerable face, and she felt a pang of guilt.

"I didn't like the tone you took with me," she croaked.

He shut his eyes for a few seconds. Right then, he was in more pain than she was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. Naming the baby is one of the first things parents are supposed to do, but I don't know how to do this, I don't know how to be a father… I was feeling overwhelmed and I lost it."

Skyrah could tell he was having a hard time apologizing by the slow way he spoke in as if he didn't know if the words he was uttering were adequate, as if he didn't want to mess this up even more. She grinned ruefully.

"I was quite pushy, wasn't I? I'm sorry. I'm overexcited upon our baby and I didn't take your feelings into account. We don't have to choose another name yet. We have time."

"So you aren't mad at me anymore?" he asked with his head down, daring to look up at her only for a second like a remorseful child after being scolded.

She almost hugged him right then. He hadn't been the only one who had done something wrong earlier. She shouldn't have left or been so cold, but the only thing she whispered was that she wasn't angry.

He gave her a bashful grin that shortly became a fake sneer as he teased, "Does that mean there will be no angry sex? How disappointing."

Skyrah dissolved into laughter and soon Severus was chuckling alongside. Dione and Harry heard the guffaws from afar. The Snapes would be all right.

A calm week passed. It was a sunny day. The Snapes had thought about taking a walk with Dione and Harry, but their plans were cancelled when somebody knocked. The calm never lasted forever, after all. It was fragile. Severus bit back a swear word when he identified the intruders. Skyrah touched his arm and looked up at him in worry. Dione and Harry stood behind, expectant.

"The Malfoys."

Dione paled.

Severus urged the teenagers to use the floo network and go to their chambers at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, Skyrah placed disillusionment charms on Harry's and Dione's bedrooms so that the Malfoys suspected nothing.

The Snapes let them in after some formal greetings and asked them to take a seat while they prepared some tea, mirroring the actions from last year.

"I dislike theatrics," started Lucius when they returned with the drinks. "We all know why I am here, so I will be direct. I will be the godfather of the heir. I will visit you frequently. I am supposed to inculcate pure-blood ideals into him, so I hope you don't mind me bringing my wife and my son along during those visits. It will be good for the heir to understand what a pure-blood family is." He paused. "Who's the godmother?"

"Why do you care?" asked Skyrah, crossing her legs.

Lucius gulped and shrank at the sternness. Although Severus had known him for a long time, he had never seen Lucius so afraid, powerless and anxious. Lucius always acted confident and superior, except in front of the Dark Lord, of course. Perhaps Skyrah's lineage had something to do with his attitude.

"I merely wanted to know in order to see the kind of people he'll be surrounded with. Depending on the person, it'll be more challenging to inculcate the values the Dark Lord holds into his heir."

Skyrah crinkled her nose.

"We chose Poppy Pomfrey," said Severus.

Draco and Narcissa raised their eyebrows in identical fashion.

"Why her?" asked Lucius.

"She's worked with my husband for years and she's on Dumbledore's side," said Skyrah. "It's appropriate for the spy role."

Lucius took a sip and nodded. "The Dark Lord will approve of your choice. Is there anything else we shall discuss regarding my role as a godfather and the heir?"

"When the heir is born, you will come once a month to fulfill your mission. You will not come without a warning, as you like to do so much. You will not be alone with the child unless it is strictly necessary or we grant you permission."

"I see you still have trust issues, Severus," Lucius scoffed, not bothering to hide the sarcasm from his voice. "I raised a child of my own, and I'd never harm the heir. That would be my demise."

Skyrah could have sworn that Severus had wounded his pride by the way Lucius creased his brow.

"Those are my rules, Lucius. They are not negotiable."

The mighty had fallen, and he was desperate to rise again. If Lucius had to agree to such rules to regain his position and survive, he would.

"Very well. If there are no more requisites, we shall go."

Skyrah and Severus rose from their seats. The Malfoys imitated them.

"For what it is worth Severus, I think you will be a good father. I am glad I am the godfather of your child. I will protect him as my own."

It was the first time Lucius referred to his unborn son as his child instead of the heir. That fact plus the intensity of his grey eyes made Severus think that he was being sincere.

Lucius was actually looking at him the same way he did when he welcomed Severus in the Sorting Ceremony. Severus was a first-year boy of a cutting personality dressed in a lent old uniform who had just seen his best friend getting sorted in a House he knew he didn't belong. Lucius's greeting had made him feel special, protected, in that foreign ambient. He had been the only person who had been nice to him apart from Lily. He had made him believe he could have a real home and family at Hogwarts, everything he lacked on Spinner's End. Severus had looked up to him ever since, and Lucius had helped him out when the marauders harassed him while he still was a Hogwarts student. He had ensured the Dark Lord valued and respected a poor half-blood. Severus wouldn't have made it to his inner circle without him.

Their relationship could be described as less than friends but more than acquaintances. Severus was actually relieved that Lucius had been chosen from the Death Eaters he knew. Lucius was many things, yet a bad father wasn't one. He wasn't like Tobias. Oh, he made mistakes; that was undeniable. Still, Severus didn't doubt Lucius's love for his son. If Lucius loved the Snape baby half as much as he loved Draco, he wouldn't do such a bad job as a godfather.

Severus finally gave him a solemn nod. He had been so lost in his memories and thoughts that he had missed Narcissa subtly handing Skyrah something and whispering, "Don't tell your husband. Neither of us will be safe if you do."

Skyrah put her hand behind her back, a neutral facial expression.

The Malfoys took leave.