13th May 1998
"You're back!" Dean grinned at her, "Shay got out yesterday, he was skiing for you. Where's your shadow? Did you get things fixed?"
"Merlin Dean let her breathe!" Neville laughed, wrapping her in a hug. "How are you doing love?"
Hermione sighed, sinking into him. "Alright," she murmured. "It's been…a strange week."
"My Mya!" a voice called startling them all as a tiny blur of limbs barreled into her.
Neville blinked, "Mya love? Something you'd like to share?"
"Severus!" she scolded picking up the boy, ignoring the gaping volunteers, "What are you doing here? Where is Sirius?"
Severus pouted, "You left." he accused.
"Yes," she sighed, "We talked about this. I had to come and help fix the castle, see the stairs?"
He peered comically over her shoulder at the broken staircase. "Yes."
"Well there's lots of the castle that looks like that, remember? And it all needs to be fixed."
"No." he shook his head, "You stay! He fix it!"
Neville snorted at the tiny boy glaring at him as he pointed imperiously. "Severus." Hermione growled, "We all need to help."
"I help?" he asked innocently, making her groan.
"Hold on a minute. Dean wasn't joking?" Neville choked as the situation caught up with him and he began putting the pieces together.
"If he told you this was Severus Snape…ah no." Hermione agreed as another person appeared beside Neville.
"Longbottom, McGonagall sent me to you."
"Zabini," Neville greeted.
Dean rolled his eyes, "It's been a week lads, come on now! If the last seven years didn't do it, surely that's long enough to learn each other's names. Honestly, My, they're absurd."
Hermione stifled a laugh but froze as she caught the look of horror on the other boy's face as he realised she was standing there,." Granger." he choked before he froze, eyeing Severus. "Ah yours?"
She shot him a withering look, her hackles raised as she waited on whatever slur was about to come out his mouth "I imagine everyone would know if I'd had a child at fifteen, Zabini."
Severus scowled, taking in the way his Mya had tensed "Go away!" he commanded.
"Severus! For the love of Merlin," Hermione groaned as Dean and Neville bit back a laugh.
"Severus," Zabini asked incredulously, "Who the fuck named their child after Snape?"
"Language!" Hermione hissed, "And no one. It would seem as if there was a slight…accident."
"Accident…" he repeated as horrified understanding flashed across his face. "Sweet Salazar."
"Go away!" Severus commanded again, crossing his tiny arms despite his perch on Hermione's hip.
At that moment Hermione saw his older half on his younger face and she couldn't help it, she laughed. It was all so patently absurd. Severus, however, looked exceedingly pleased with himself. "That's not nice." she scolded eventually once she'd got herself back together.
"I don't like him." he pouted.
"Well we don't have to like everyone, " she replied diplomatically, "But we do need to be polite. What do you say to Mr Zabini for being rude?"
Severus scowled, glaring at Blaise. "Sorry," he muttered as three jaws dropped.
"Did someone potion us, do you think?" Neville muttered.
"He's my responsibility currently," Hermione shot back, "And who knows maybe some of the manners I teach him will carry over into his adult form."
Neville snorted, "Or he's going to murder you."
"Or that." she agreed with a sigh. "I hear New Zealand is lovely."
"Emigrating?" Dean teased.
Hermione looked at Severus, I might have no choice," she muttered wryly.
There were several snorts of laughter before she sighed. "Right then young man, let's get you back to Sirius."
"No!" he protested, "I stay here. With you."
"Severus it's not safe." she wheedled, "What happens if a brick falls on you? You'll go splat!"
He pouted, his trademark stubborn look stealing over his face as he looked at her "I stay here," he repeated.
"Jesus Christ," Hermione muttered, not at all sure how to deal with this.
"The library or some of the classrooms are safer," Blaise suggested looking like he couldn't quite believe what he was saying,
Hermione sighed, "Fine." She levelled Severus with a look, "If you touch anything you're not supposed to I'll leave you with the Headmistress for a week."
"Cross lady?" he whimpered.
"Yes."
He nodded solemnly, "I stay with you."
She hummed, "Fine, let's go and see what classrooms need looked at."
"The second floor has been catalogued," Blaise offered, "There's a list. I'll help if you want, two sets of eyes and all that."
Hermione shot a look at a smirking Neville before she nodded slowly, not quite understanding what was happening but recognising that a second set of eyes was always a bonus when it came to Severus. "Alright." she agreed.
"DO I get to ask how you ended up with him?" Blaise asked hesitantly as they walked.
"My Mya is mine," Severus growled in response before she could open her mouth, not sure he liked this man who appeared to be coming with them. Hermione closed her eyes in embarrassment.
"Severus," she groaned. "That's not quite how this works."
Dark eyes narrowed before they widened and his bottom lip wobbled. Blaise barely refrained from gaping at his Head of House wondering how much was genuine and how much was manipulation, "You not want me, my Mya?"
"Oh god, of course I do! But…oh please don't cry!" Hermione snuggled the boy close, not noticing the triumphant smirk he shot at Blaise as he cuddled into her neck.
Blaise almost laughed, almost, because truly he was tiny, still chubby-cheeked and innocent and yet he had the witch wrapped around his finger.
He tried a different question. "No Potter?"
"Harry's somewhere," she dismissed, "I think he said something about the quidditch pitch."
Blaise laughed, "Ah, of course, the important things."
"Obviously," she agreed. "I imagine he'll chase me up at some point."
"Can't stay away?" Blaise probed.
"Uses me to hide from his adoring fans." Hermione corrected.
"I see," Blaise mused, amusement clear on his face, "I can believe that you're the scary one after all."
Hermione's eyebrow arched, "My brother defeats Voldemort and I'm the scary one?"
"Brother?" Blaise repeated stupidly.
"Ah…godbrother? Technically. Officially. I…apparently that's a thing here."
"I…what?" Blaise asked bewildered.
"Godmother. Godson of my father." Hermione smirked, stepping off the last step, and heading for the list pinned to the wall. "Do keep up." She turned to Severus. "What do you think, classroom one, two or four?"
"Four!" he shouted, bouncing on her hip, drawing the attention of the other people working in the corridor.
"Four it is." she agreed,
"Right no. Wait…you're going to explain that right?" Blaise demanded, catching up to her.
"Explain what?" Harry popped up beside him. "I was just coming to find you. Minerva informed me my talents were best served elsewhere."
Hermione snorted, "I did warn you."
With a pout, Harry reached around Blaise and poked her side, "Know it all."
"Man child."
"Harpy."
"Brat."
"Children!" Minerva interjected exasperated, ignoring the gaping students. "Aren't you meant to be working?"
Both Harry and Hermione flushed, "Yes Headmistress," they chorused angelically making her snort.
"Then might I suggest that that is what you do?" she retorted pointedly before turning to Severus, "Mr Snape, how are you?"
"I'll be good!" he cried, "I stay with my Mya."
Hermione grimaced at Minerva's look of surprise. "I might have said I'd leave him with you for a week if he didn't behave," she muttered sheepishly.
"I see." Minerva replied slowly, "Well then you had better behave young man." Severus nodded fervently. "Classroom four is free and in dire need of some repairs." she continued pointedly, "Mr Zabini aren't you meant to be with Mr Longbottom?"
"I offered to help Granger," he shrugged. "Especially with a toddler to keep an eye on too."
Minerva nodded thoughtfully, "Very well. I'm sure Mr Potter and Miss Granger-Black would welcome the assistance."
"Granger-Black?" he repeated, his head swivelling to Hermione sharply.
"Granger-Black," she agreed, ignoring the clear question making him groan in frustration as she sauntered into the empty classroom, Harry following her with a smirk.
"Right you, you stay put," Hermine commanded, eyeing Seveus warily as she put him down in a relatively clear area, casting safety wards.
"You stay here too!" he begged plaintively. Bouncing off the ward line with a look of panic.
Hermione sighed, stepping through it, wincing when he hit her kneecaps with force. Ignoring Blaise who was watching her like he'd never seen anything like it, she knelt down. "I am not leaving the room," she soothed, pulling him to her. "The wards are just there to keep you safe in case something goes wrong, so you can't leave but you will be able to see me the whole time. If you ask him very nicely, Harry might go home and bring you your Lego or your cars so you can play while we're here."
He looked torn, "My dinosaurs and the garage?" he checked.
"You'll need to ask him."
"Harry?" he asked in a small voice.
Stifling a smile, Harry turned around to face them, "Yes?"
"You get my garage and my dinosaurs? And Ted? Please?"
"I imagine I could manage that," he agreed, "if you promise to let Hermione do some work." he nodded fervently, making Hermione smile. "Right then. I'll be back in ten minutes. I'll ah…explain to Pads where he is?"
Hermione turned to look at him horrified, "Shit." she hissed, "I didn't tell him he was here!"
Harry laughed, "Language," he chided teasingly.
Groaning, Hermione stood, conjuring a patronus, "Severus is here, sorry!."
"How worked up do you think he is?" Harry mused just as the door slammed open
"Severus!" came a relieved exclamation.
"Remus?" Hermione's eyes widened taking in his dishevelled robes and winded appearance.
"Sirius was frantic…"
"And not brave enough to face Mya and tell her he'd lost her kid?" Harry finished impishly.
"Something like that. He seems to think you'd be less likely to hex me." Remus agreed, getting his breathing back under control. "Minerva wasn't so sure but sent me here anyway."
Hermione gave a huff of laughter, "I've literally just sent him a patronus telling him Severus is here. He must have followed me through."
Remus looked at her in resignation, "We should have expected it. He isn't lovely fond of Sirius and he is more than a little attached to you. Assuming this is long-term, we'll need to work on that."
"Ideas?" Hermione shot back.
"What about Andy?"
Hermione paused, considering that, "That might work." she admitted. "Although I think we'll need to build up slowly. I was…overzealous in my approach."
"In what way?" Remus frowned.
"He doesn't feel secure," she murmured, her eyes on the tiny boy watching them all closely.
"And you were trying to leave him," Remus sighed, "Right so, time with Andy, a mix of you bringing him here and leaving him for short periods."
"I think so," she agreed. "And we'll need to work on him spending time with you and Pads with me there."
Remus nodded thoughtfully, "Well, I might as well stay now I'm here, what are we doing?"
"Sending Sirius a patronus asking for toys, we all know he's coming here," Harry replied, sending off the request.
"Probably," Remus agreed, "Well then, pairs for safety?" he eyed Blaise, "Mya, you're with me."
She rolled her eyes but didn't disagree, turning to Severus, "Right, I'll be right here with Moony, alright? Sirius is coming with your toys."
"I stay here," he pleaded, "No Pads!"
"Yes you can stay here," she agreed, "But if I leave you with someone again, I need you to stay there, sometimes it's important." He didn't look convinced but nodded solemnly. "Right then," she transfigured two cars from shards of what she thought might have been a desk, handing them to him before turning to Remus. "Wall first then desks and whatever else is lying around? Thank Merlin this was a charms classroom and not potions."
Remus laughed at her, "Quite. I'd take reems of feathers over whatever creepy ingredients Severus stored in those jars. Let's get started then."
Following their example, Blaise and Harry joined them in repairing the adjoining wall, the silence slightly oppressive as if none of them were sure they could speak. Fifteen minutes later, the door slammed open for the second time, startling them all.
"Pads!" Hermione exclaimed, taking in his panicked appearance.
"That kid's going to be the death of me, Kitten,." he wheezed. "I checked the entire bloody house! All of it! Including the attic!"
Both Harry and Hermione grimaced. "I don't know how he got here," Hermione admitted, "But I'm sorry I forgot to let you know."
"Moxie." Sirius wheezed. "Or Winky"
"Ah." Hermione nodded, "That makes more sense than the floo."
Sirius nodded, catching his breath before stalking over to Severus. "You gave me a fright," he growled.
Severus' eyes went wide, automatically darting to Hermione. Remus put a restraining hand on her arm. "Something awful could have happened," he murmured, "What if you'd been outside and he'd been seen by the wrong people before you got him?"
Hermione's eyes closed at the feeling of genuine, overwhelming fear that shot through her at that question. "Alright." she agreed softly, despite hating the look on Severus' face. It went against all her instincts not to go to him, but Remus was right. Despite the situation, he was currently only three and there were enough Death Eaters uncaptured that would want to take advantage of that.
"You cannot just do what you want," Sirius continued, "What if you had been hurt? Or what if Hermione had been doing something dangerous and you distracted her, she could have been hurt!" Severus whimpered. "If you do that again, I will…" Sirius faltered realising he had no idea what he'd do. "Use a tethering charm so you're stuck with me." he finished.
Hermione's eyebrows rose. "I'm not sure spending time with you should be a punishment Pads," she murmured.
"Well, what else do you suggest! I don't believe in corporal punishment for children!"
"Sweet Merlin," she muttered, "Neither do I! And I don't know! My parents used to take things away when I was naughty or they'd put me in my room. But I…gods. He has attachment issues and I don't feel comfortable doing that!"
"We need a discipline plan of some sort." Sirius muttered, "He's only bloody three!"
"I know!" she groaned, giving in and going to a sobbing Severus. "You gave Sirius a really big fight," she murmured, hugging him close.
Severus hiccuped into her neck, his arms tightening for a beat, before turning to look at Sirius, his head still on her shoulder. "Sorry Pads," he whispered.
Sirius seemed to deflate. "I won't say it's ok," he replied sternly. "But I'll let you off this time." He shook himself like a wet dog. "Well that attempt at being an actual adult was sufficiently horrifying, what are we doing?"
"Tidying up," Harry supplied. "It shouldn't take long."
Sirius hmmed surveying the room, "Who are you?"
"Blaise Zabini," he muttered, almost sure that this was bloody Lord Black, the exonerated mass murderer. All at once a horrifying realisation swept through him. Granger-Black. Fuck.
Harry smirked in amusement as he saw several thoughts flash over the Slytherin's face. He'd seen him watching his sister over the years. Nothing overt. He was too canny for that. But little glimpses that hinted at an interest that he wasn't sure he approved of. Not that he'd voice that out loud. He liked his nose unbroken.
Sirius' eyes narrowed taking in the situation before he smirked, "Lord Black, I assume you know my husband?" Blaise nodded slowly, wondering how the hell The Prophet had been prevented from reporting that marriage. "Am I to assume you were in the same year as my daughter and godson?"
Again Blaise nodded silently. Sirius hummed, "Zabini, not a name I've heard mentioned," he mused, "And I was sure I knew all their friends."
"Pads," Hermione sighed, "Stop it."
He pouted, "People want to know you now you've done all the hard work and helped Harry get rid of the madman, can't I threaten them just a little?"
"All Zabini has done is offer to help clear a classroom," she pointed out archly, "If you want to shout at anyone, go be all Lord Black on Mclaggen. He's a bloody menace."
"All Lord Black?" Sirius queried sounding amused at the same time Harry exclaimed, "What the hell has Mclaggen done this time?"
"This time?" Remus growled.
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, "He's not great at listening to no." she muttered.
All four men immediately stilled, "Did he hurt you, Kitten?"Sirius demanded, his voice dangerous.
"No." she shook her head, "He just…wanted me to agree to a date." Her face twisted, "Because we had such fun on our first one. It's fine. Dean stepped in."
"Remind me to thank Dean," Remus muttered before turning to Harry, "You are not to leave her alone."
"Oi! I am capable of defending myself."
"And you shouldn't bloody have to!" Remus retorted. "You're here to rebuild a school. Not be….be…"
"Hit on by unscrupulous wizards?" Harry offered with a smirk.
"Yes!" Remus agreed emphatically. "No wizards. None. Ever."
"Ever?" Hermione screeched.
"Maybe when you're thirty, love. Forty." Sirius nodded.
"And Harry?" she asked with a dangerous edge to her voice.
"Should avoid unscrupulous wizards too." Sirius agreed with a grin.
She rolled her eyes, before pointing her wand at him, "If I want to…associate with unscrupulous wizards then that is my business, Sirius Black. Am I clear?"
"Kitten!" he whined. "What happens if they trap you into a contract? They can, you know. You're the Black heir now. It'll make the unscrupulous lose what little scruples they have!"
Hermione froze, "When were you going to tell me I was your heir?"
Sirius frowned at her, "It was implied with the adoption Kitten! What the hell did you think would happen?"
"Not that!"
"Well it did." he replied stubbornly, "And I very much intend to teach you all those niggly little nonsense magics before handing over our Wizengamot Seat. You do not want me to sit in it, Kitten, someone will murder me and you miss me."
"Eventually," Hermione muttered.
With a pout, Sirius wrapped his arms around her, "You, Kitten, adore me. Don't lie."
She huffed but learnt into him, "I can love you and dislike you at the same time, Pads."
He shrugged, "You'll get over it. Just think how much fun you can have horrifying what little of the old guard is left."
"That would be fun," she agreed softly, a smirk taking over her face.
"See!" Sirius crowed, "Now, let me hand these over," he waved a bag Hermione assumed contained Severus' toys, "And then you can give me a job."
An hour later they all looked around the classroom, all remnants of battle gone. "Next one?" Harry checked.
"One and two," Hermione supplied, releasing Severus from the wards, and looking down at him. "One or two?
"Two!" he cried, his hand clutching hers, the other clasping Ted to him.
"Two it is," she agreed, sending his toys back into their bag before leading him out the door.
"This one's more superficial," Remus mused, eyeing the room.
"Is one the same?"
Harry moved towards the first classroom. "Yes!" he called.
"Then let's split up." Three sets of eyes narrowed.
Blaise shrugged, "I promised I'd help keep an eye on the sprog, so I'll help you with this one Granger."
"I'll join you," Remus growled, "Pads, Harry you two can take the first one."
Hermione rolled her eyes but didn't comment, deciding that she'd deal with their ridiculousness once they were home. It wasn't a conversation she wanted to have in front of Zabini, still unsure why he was being so pleasant. "Right then, how do you feel about helping me with the feathers?"
Severus' eyes lit up, "yes!" he squealed.
"Up you come then," she hoisted him onto her hip, "help me hold my wand and then we move it like this." She moved the wand in a large circle, Severus' pudgy hand clasped under hers, smiling when he began to giggle as the feathers began swirling around them like a snowstorm.
"She's good with him" Blaise mused softly, not quite meaning to voice it out loud.
"Yes," Remus agreed, eyeing him speculatively.
Blaise flushed, "It's not…the norm for mothers in our circle to play," he muttered. "They might love us and they're certainly usually less rigid than our fathers but I don't remember my mother ever…indulging me like she does Snape."
Remus hummed, "She adores him. And, apparently, he adores her. He's also surprisingly easy to indulge."
Blaise blinked not quite knowing what to make of that statement but smiling slightly when he realised that Remus was making the books he was repairing dance back to the shelf for the tiny boy who was watching them torn between laughing and awe.
