14th May 1998

"What are you up to today? Hogwarts?" Sirius looked up from inhaling his coffee.

"Not until later, I promised Lavender I'd pop in."

"With Severus?" he checked, noticing the way the boy tensed at the mention of Hermione leaving, his hand freezing where he was currently colouring in a picture of what Sirius thought was the most disturbing dog he'd ever seen. He made a mental note to ask Hermione why was it grinning like that out of Severus' hearing.

"With Severus," she agreed, grimacing when he visibly relaxed, the scrape of his pencil resuming turning the dog a rather shocking pink.

Sirius hummed, "I owled Andy on Remus' suggestion." he voiced nonchalantly, more than aware that small ears were listening to every word they were saying.

"I see," she murmured.

"I think it's a good idea, Kitten."

"I know. I just…worry it'll have an adverse effect."

"If he's staying, it's not practical not to work on it." Sirius pointed out, grimacing at how old and sensible he sounded. He wasn't sure he liked this role he seemed to be adopting more frequently of late. It was uncomfortable.

Hermione hummed in response, not yet ready to hope that perhaps she'd get to keep him but knowing it wasn't something she could say in his hearing. "My appointment with Kings is less than a week away. Wednesday," she said instead.

Sirius froze, "Oh?"

She shrugged with forced carelessness. "I'll be what it is," she sighed eventually.

"Do you need me to come with you, Kitten?" he asked softly.

Sad eyes met his. "Yes," she whispered, tears beginning to track down her face, hating this new inability to control her emotions she appeared to have acquired. Silently she blamed the war.

He rounded the table quickly, wrapping an arm around her. "It'll be alright," he murmured, rocking her slightly on the bench.

She jumped when a small hand found its way into hers, "Cuddle, my Mya." Severus demanded, his small face scrunched with worry.

"Oh darling," she whispered, pulling him onto her lap.

"You not be sad, my Mya," he instructed her sternly.

She gave a sob-like laugh, snuggling him closer. "I'm just being silly" she murmured.

"You're not," Sirius contradicted sharply, "It's understandable."

She blew out a breath, "But utterly pointless. It will be what it is and no amount of crying will change that."

"You're allowed to feel sad, Hermione."

"Not today," she contradicted. "After the meeting, we'll have a timeline and we both know it's likely to be short. So. I can be sad…after."

Sirius sighed, squeezing her tightly. "We own an island or two you know. Fancy a holiday, Kitten?"

"Maybe," she admitted in a small voice, surprising him. "Just a few days to…"

"Grieve," he finished with a sad smile. "Right then, one island coming up."

Disentangling herself from him, Hermione placed Severus on the ground, forcing her emotions back under control before looking down at him. "Shoes then, and pick what toys you want, we'll go to Hogwarts from the hospital."

"Your shoes too?" he checked.

"I'll get them," she agreed, seemingly satisfied, he ran from the room.

"Well see you at Hogwarts later, Kitten," Sirius spoke once Severus was out the door, still eyeing her with concern. "Remus and I agreed to help with some of those staircases, I gather that they're causing some issues. Your Mr Zabini is meant to be there."

"He's not my anything!" Hermione protested.

"The way he looks at you tells me that he'd like to change that," Sirius muttered.

"Don't be absurd," Hermione scoffed, rolling her eyes at him. "Zabini was one of Malfoy's friends, I'm pretty sure he'd never sully his bloodlines with me."

"Don't," Sirius growled, "you don't get to talk about yourself like that I won't allow it."

She sighed at him, "I'm not wrong though am I? None of Zabini and his group would have spat on me if I was on fire not too long ago."

"Did you ever speak to him, or him to you?" Sirius asked curiously; he knew what that look in the boy's eyes meant even if his daughter was being willfully oblivious and that level of interest didn't appear in a morning. "I know Malfoy was a little shit but the rest of them?"

She shrugged, "Parkinson was a bitch, Bulstrode was a bully, Crabbe and Goyle tried to murder us, Nott had some delightful threats and names for me."

"And Zabini?" he prompted.

She frowned. "I...I don't remember." she admitted, "I don't think I've spoken to him once before yesterday."

Sirius hummed, "Interesting isn't it, that you can't remember? Given his friends group, you'd think he'd be right there with them."

She deflated under his pointed look, giving him a wry smile, "Is this you telling me to give him a chance, Pads?"

"Not until you're thirty at the earliest," he shot back before continuing grandly, "But I give you permission to speak to the boy."

"How magnanimous," she drawled as Severus barreled back into the room, his arms clutching a random assortment of toys to him.

"I couldn't carry my cars, my Mya!" he exclaimed plaintively.

She snorted, taking in the teddy and two duplo dinosaurs clutched in his hands, the garage dragging behind him, his elbow hooked through a window. Taking out her wand she summoned them, along with the Duplo house that went with the set.

"I do magic, my Mya!" he pleaded, his eyes on her wand.

With a laugh, she gestured to the table. "Put your toys down then. If you want to keep Ted, pop him on a seat." He complied quickly, allowing Sirius to help him lift the garage before looking up at her expectantly, "Come here." Hoisting him onto her hip, she held her wand out, "Put your hand on my wand." She instructed softly covering his hand with her own, "and then we're going to point it at your toys and say reducio"

"Reducio," he repeated promptly.

"Very good, now we need to point my wand and say it."

He nodded solemnly, manoeuvring the wand to where he wanted it, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Reducio," he said firmly as Hermione silently cast the incarnation. "I did it my Mya!" he crowed as his garage shrunk.

"So you did," she beamed, "Well done! Now we'll put them in the bag and then shrink that."

"I'll do it," Sirius interrupted with a slightly indulgent smile, moving the toys into the bag she'd summoned for them. "Now do you want a book or two as well?" Severus looked thoughtful before he nodded. "What ones?"

"Green eggs!" he shouted, "And…tiger! And Bones!"

Sirius looked at Hermione questioningly, "Green Eggs and Ham, The tiger who came to tea and Funnybones."

"I've heard you read the other two, but what in the name of Merlin is Funnybones?"

Hermione giggled, "On a dark dark hill, there was a dark, dark town. In a dark, dark town, there was a dark, dark street. In the dark, dark street, there was a dark, dark house…"

"Skellingtons lived!" Severus shouted, making her laugh. Sirius looked at them both as if he questioned their sanity.

"Right," he muttered, murmuring the titles as he summoned the books to him. "I'm sorry I asked."

She snorted, "I loved the book as a kid, it was one of my favourites."

Sirius shook his head goodnaturedly, the confusion still on his face. "Something apparently you've passed on."

She shrugged, "It's repetitive, there's more than one and they all start the same. I think there's a cartoon now too. He likes being able to join in with the story. It's why Green Eggs and Ham is also a favourite, there's repetition and rhyming all the way through."

Sirius hummed in response, packing the books into the bag. "We had nothing like those," he mused, "Well, you've seen our version of a storybook. There aren't many, or there weren't. I don't actually know if we have more now."

"We should check, it might be nice for him to have some wizarding ones," she paused before shuddering, "Although I cannot imagine reading the Tale of the Three Brothers to a toddler."

He laughed as Severus reached for her wand, "We do magic now?" he asked, interrupting them.

"Yes, we can do magic now," she smiled indulgently back at him. "Same spell, we just want to make the bag smaller this time."

He nodded solemnly, reaching out to wrap his hand around her wand. "Reducio!"

"Wow! Are we doing magic?" Harry grinned as he wandered in.

"Yes!" Severus shouted, "I made it smaller!"

"So you did, well done!" Harry laughed, "Are you ready to go and see Fred and Lavender?"

"Yes," he replied, sounding slightly less sure.

"Freddies funny,'' Hermione murmured softly, "But he's still in bed because he was hurt, so you have to be gentle. And Lavender needs cheering up, she has some big cuts on her face but she's getting better."

"Why?"

"Because someone hurt her and she was very brave."

"Oh," he muttered.

"We don't talk about them unless Lavender does though." she warned, "Because it's rude."

"Why?" he asked again, frowning.

"Because they make her feel sad to look at them just now, she needs a bit of help remembering how brave she was."

"Oh," he murmured, looking thoughtful.

"Right then," Harry clapped his hands, "Are we all ready to go?"

"Come on then," Hermione commanded, picking up the bag to stash inside her own. "Let's go and see if we can make Freddie laugh."


Hermione cuddled Severus close as she stepped out of the floo, running her wand over them quickly to dispel the soot. "Keep your head down darling, just until we get to Fred's room," she whispered.

"Why my Mya?"

"Because people are nosy and we don't want them to ask questions," Hermione retorted, her eyes darting as they crossed the waiting room.

Harry snorted when he heard her but kept moving, people's heads were already starting to turn in their direction.

They both breathed out sighs of relief when Fred's door came into view, slipping through it quickly. Two matching heads turned to look at them before their jaws dropped in sync as Severus' head lifted.

"My Mya there's two Freddies!" he stage whispered making her snort.

"Not quite, darling," she corrected gently, "The one in the chair is Georgie." Severus frowned questioningly, so she continued, "They're twins, which means they lived in their mummy's tummy at exactly the same time. Fred and George are twins who look almost the same as each other."

"Oh," he murmured, looking them both over with a serious expression.

"Good Godric," George muttered, shaking his head as if he was dispelling water. "That's…Fred said…but…."

"I think we broke him, Mya!" Harry crowed.

"Why don't you go and say hello.'' Hermione prompted, putting Severus down.

"You come," he commanded.

"But I already know them," she teased, "Why don't you introduce them to Ted?"

Looking unsure, he took a step forward, holding up his bear. "This is Ted," he announced.

"A fine specimen of bear," George nodded solemnly, clearly getting himself back under control.

"Best of his species," Fred agreed before looking at Hermione, "I can't believe that's Snape. How is he so cute?" he demanded.

"No idea." she shrugged, "But he's adorable."

"He really is," George muttered, "It's astonishing."

Harry covered his laugh with a cough, as Fred turned to look at Severus. "Now then young Severus, come up here and tell Uncle Freddie how Mya's been treating you." Severus shot Hermione an unsure look but moved closer to the bed. Fred looked at him amused, "Someone else will need to lift you, but tell me, is Mya being kind?"

"Yes!" he agreed as Harry lifted him onto the bed, conjuring seats for himself and Hermione.

"Ah good stuff." Fred nodded, "Lots of toys?" Severus nodded, "And sweeties?"

He looked less sure. "Don't tell me she doesn't give you lots of sweets!" George exclaimed as Hermione groaned. He leant over conspiratorial, "Have you ever had a chocolate frog?"

"No," Severus replied slowly

"Well then young Severus, you're in luck. We have a special chocolate frog just for you."

His eyes lit up as George produced the packet, despite not knowing exactly what it was, it looked exciting. "You need to be quick, he jumps!" Fred warned. Severus' eyes went wide. "Ready to catch him?" At Severus' nod, George's eyes drifted to Harry who nodded minutely.

"One, two, three!" he opened the packet, breaking into a wide grin when Severus giggled missing the frog when it jumped.

Harry caught it before it hit the floor. "Your winnings, young sir." Fred gestured grandly as Harry handed it over.

He sat in contented silence, munching his way through the frog as Fred updated Harry and Hermione on his progress.

"Mum's fussing, but you know what she's like." he shrugged, "seems to think I'm moving home when I get out. I'm not obviously, we'd have hexed each other in a week."

Wisely not committing, they nodded, "Have they said when you're likely to get out?"

"Another fortnight at least," he muttered, his displeasure at that clear on his face. "All my bones are regrown, but the muscles take a bit longer. I'm sitting up today though, so that's progress. They're going to look at getting me up and walking by the end of the week, and then it's just fine-tuning. Walking shouldn't be too hard, but they think I'll need to practise more precise things, like buttons and then building up strength again."

"It all sounds promising though," Hermione voiced.

"Merlin yes!" he agreed quickly. "I might not like being stuck here but they weren't convinced I'd be able to do half of it in the beginning."

"But you're nothing if not stubborn," George muttered.

"Of course!" Fred grinned, "I had to be. Can't be leaving you to the shop on your own, it wouldn't be half as brilliant." he turned, nudging Severus, "I'm the clever twin you know."

Looking unconvinced, he nodded, "So what's Georgie?"

"The good-looking one," George shot back with a grin.

"You look the same!" Severus replied with a giggle.

"Then I'm the good-looking and clever one!" Fred replied.

"One assumes then George is the modest one," Hermione muttered, making them snort.

They left half an hour later, Hermione protesting the twins' promises to teach Severus some pranks and gift him some of the products. George had been especially interested in charming some children's toys having seen the Duplo and had an explanation from Harry about different Lego sets. In order to keep them from giving Severus their no-heat fireworks to take home, Hermione had promised to help them navigate muggle toy shops. It seems like the lesser of the evils.


"Lavender now?" Harry checked, eyeing Severus who was practically bouncing having not only been the centre of attention but fed a plethora of sweeties under the guise of letting him try them, despite Hermione's objections.

"Perhaps a short visit," Hermione muttered, also eyeing the boy.

They opened the door to find Ron sitting with Lavender, "Harry! 'Mione!" his eyes went wide as he looked down. "Merlin's balls, I thought they were joking!"

"Ron!" Hermione hissed, accepting his hug as even Severus chanted "Merlin's balls" in a tiny singsong voice, still bouncing in place. She had missed him more than she realised.

"Sorry," he muttered as he let her go, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"He has red hair too!" Severus suddenly exclaimed.

"Ah, yes, this is Ron."

Small dark eyes narrowed, "Ronniekins?" he checked, making Ron splutter indignantly and Harry choke.

"Only Fred and George get to call him that, "Hermione corrected, hiding her smile.

"Why?" he pouted.

"Ah because they are his big brothers."

"He knows Uncle Freddie?" he checked, sounding awed.

"Gods,'' Hermione groaned, "I should never have introduced you to them. But yes, they have lots of brothers. Bill, Charlie, Percy, then Fred and George and then Ron. They have a little sister too, Ginny."

"That's a lot!" he breathed before pinning Ron with a look, "Do you make toys too?"

"Ah. No." Ron replied hesitantly, clearly not quite sure what to make of him.

"Severus," Hermione rescued him, "Why don't you say hello to Lavender?"

He glanced up at Lavender where she was watching with visible amusement from the bed. "Hello," he whispered, suddenly shy, plastering himself to the side of Hermione's leg before seeming to gather his courage. "My Mya says yous brave but you forget," he informed her with exaggerated childish seriousness, his face scrunching in confusion as he clearly thought that through. "How do you forget? Is that why you're here? We send Pads to stay, my Mya? Moony says he forgets his name."

Lavender gaped for a moment before she gathered herself, "Sweet Merlin you are precious!" He scowled at her making her laugh, "Ah, there's the Severus Snape we all know and love."

Severus' eyes darted between her and Hermione before he slowly wrapped an arm around her thigh looking unsure. "It's alright, darling," she murmured, stroking a hand over his head, as Lavender shot her an apologetic look. "Lavenders only teasing. You know, I think Ron would really like your garage, why don't we get it out?"

He nodded slowly, not letting her go, dark eyes peering up at Ron, "You like cars?" he asked quietly.

Ron looked briefly at Hermione before he plastered a grin on his face, "I do like cars," he agreed. "Did Harry tell you we once flew my dad's car to Hogwarts?"

With a look of genuine awe, Severus turned to Hermione, "My Mya cars don't fly do they?"

With a badly concealed grin at his barely concealed excitement, Hermione nodded, "Unfortunately this one did."

"They really, really flew a car?"

"They did." Hermione nodded as he swung to look at Harry.

"You never told me!" he accused.

"Ah sorry about that!" Harry replied sheepishly, "Maybe Ron will do a better job?"

"At that Severus let go of Hermione and bolted over to Ron's side. "Did it fly really high?" he asked breathlessly.

"As high as the clouds," Ron winked.

"So high," Severus breathed in awe. "You go as high as the birds?"

"We did!" Ron agreed with a laugh," They were so confused."

At Severus' answering giggle, Hermione left them to it, settling down on Lavender's other side. "How are you?"

"Better," she sighed, "Ready to get out go here." She inclined her head, "I still can't quite believe what I'm seeing, but he is quite possibly the cutest toddler I've ever laid eyes on. And he's sweet! What happened?"

Hermione snorted, "Lavender! You can't say that!"

"I can!" she retorted, "Sweet Merlin if you hadn't told me I'd never have guessed they were the same person."

With a wan smile Hermione shrugged, "He had a hard life," she murmured, "Abusive father, growing up in poverty, bullying, everything that came with being a Death Eater and then a spy. It's hardly a surprise it showed on his face."

Lavender hummed, "Do you think that's why he did it?"

"We don't know what he did," Hermione reminded her.

"Look, I might not have liked him but anyone with eyes could see he was brilliant. That," she gestured over to where Severus was now sitting on Ron's knee, avidly listening to the stories he was telling, "was a potentially not a mistake."

"I have no idea how he managed to leave the shack," Hermione admitted, her face looking haunted as she remembered the violence of Nagini's attack."It was…God Lavender, you can't imagine. It looked like the snake tore out half his throat. It should have been impossible. And that's before we consider the damage the venom did to Mr Weasely. It was his neck for Merlin's sake. Even with the antivenom, for him to be anything other than comatose is a miracle. So honestly, genius he might be, I have to wonder exactly what state he was in. It's very possible he made a mistake."

"I never thought of that," Lavender murmured. "How do you think he got out?"

"Genuinely, I can't even guess. We thought he was dead. We'd never have left otherwise, whatever we thought of him then, no one deserved to die like that."

"Is it strange?"

"What?" Hermione frowned

"Knowing that little boy is also Professor Snape."

"Yes,'' Hermione admitted, "Its…it catches me sometimes. Like that scowl or when he's visibly wary around Pads and Remus."

Lavender hummed, inclining her head, "He'll murder us all for allowing that to happen."

Hermione snorted, knowing Lavender wasn't wrong, but the sight of a tiny Severus looking at Ron as if he'd hung the moon was one of the sweetest things she'd ever seen.