18th August 1998

"We hear you're still missing your Uncle Charlie, even when we're still here and decidedly more awesome!" Fred teased, nudging Severus with his shoulder.

He nodded, biting his lip, not raising to their bait "We see him soon," he murmured. "Mummy said."

"So she did," George agreed, with a slightly pained smile "And Charlie says you've been sending him pictures."

"And Mummy helps write letters," Severus agreed with a slight nod.

"Clever, your Mum," Fred smirked. "Now, that's not why we're here. We came to bring you something."

Severus regarded him with some suspicion, "What?"

Fred smirked as George held out a bag, "A little birdie told me that your favourite dragon was the Opaleye."

"Yes!" he agreed.

"Put your hand in here," George commanded, waggling the bag.

Gingerly, Severus did as he was told, wrapping his hand around the contents before drawing it out. His eyes blew wide as he saw what he was holding, going wider when Fred whispered a spell and it began breathing.

"It's a DRAGON!" he squealed so loudly that he made them wince and Hermione come running.

"What on earth…." She was cut off when Severus ran to her.

"It's a dragon!" he shouted, startling the tiny creature in his hand.

"My goodness so it is," she replied faintly.

"Those arithmancy equations were genius, so thanks for that Mya. We thought Young Severus would like the first one."

"I'm going to call her Dillon!" Severus squealed jumping on the spot.

"Of course you are," she agreed, her eyes still on the twins as Dillon stretched their wings and launched itself into the air making him giggle, "Tell me it doesn't require feeding," she begged.

"Nah, finite will stop it," Fred replied reassuringly despite his grin. "animatus will make it go again. It has the full range, flys, roars, breathes non-burning fire and smoke."

"Non-burning fire…you for the illusion charm to work?"

"Yup," George grinned.

"Wow," she muttered. "Tell me the next one is for Kings?"

The twins smirked pulling a tiny Chinese fireball from another bag, "You're going to let Severus take it in so he can bully him into the reserve, aren't you?"

"Gods yes,'' Hermione smirked, watching Severus chase after the soaring, newly named Dillon. "He has the best puppy dog eyes I've ever seen."


21st August 1998

"Mr Very Important Minister! I have a present for you!" Severus called making Kingsley's secretary Martin laugh.

"Miss Granger-Black, it is lovely to see you again, and this must be young Master Granger-Black. Merlin, look at you!"

"Who's that?" Severus demanded stopping dead.

"This is Mr Elliott, can you say hello?"

"Lo," he whispered, reaching for Hermione.

Martin beamed down at him, "Hello to you too Young Sir. Now the Minister is just finishing up a meeting with the Headmistress, he'll be five minutes."

Severus nodded warily, allowing Hermione to guide him to a seat.

"Goodness me!" Minerva's voice startled them both a few minutes later. "Those curls!"

"Minerva," Hermione smiled.

"Hermione," the witch smiled fondly at her, "And young master Severus, how are you?"

"Good," he whispered, his grip on Hermione's hand tight before he pulled his snoozing dragon from his pocket to show her, "This is Dillon."

"Oh my," Minerva murmured as Dillon stretched on his hand when Hermione activated her. "Is that…"

"Real?" Hermione smirked, "Gods no. It's based on the ones used for the Triwizard tournament. We're here to give Kings his."

Minerva laughed before paling, "Tell me these are not Weasley twin creations"?

"Sorry," Hermione grimaced.

"Gods they're going to be all over my school," she lamented, unable to hide her confusion when Blaise walked in, attempting to not look terrified as he smiled at Severus.

"Ready to go?"

Minerva arched a brow at Hermione, "Blaise is taking Severus," she explained.

"I…see," Minerva murmured, clearly not seeing at all.

"Headmistress McGonagall," Blaise smiled faintly.

"Mr Zabini," she returned, "Well…I shall go and warn the staff of our incoming infestation. Do pop in for tea Hermione dear, I want to hear about these plans the Minister mentioned.

"Yes, Minerva. Ah…friday"?

"I'll expect you at noon."

As she swept out, Hermione turned to Blaise, "Let us just give Kings his present and then he's all yours."

Blaise smiled nervously, "right."

"Hermione!" Kings greeted, before frowning, "And young Severus and…."

"Oh, Blaise Zabini."

"Ah. You're Blaise Zabini," he replied flatly.

"Kings!"

"What?" Kingsley smiled back at her innocently. "Is this a joint meeting?"

"No." she muttered, nudging Severus, "What do you have for the Minister darling."

"Oh!" Severus rummaged in his pocket pulling out a bag, his own dragon now asleep on his shoulder. "This is for you!"

"For me!" Kingsley grinned crouching down. "Can I open it?"

"Yes!"

Gently Kingsley opened the bag, reaching inside it. "Oh my dear Merlin," he gasped, his eyes flying to Hermione, "They did it?"

"They did," she agreed, murmuring an animatus, watching as Kingsley's face lit up like a child's when it roared, breathing out smoke before launching itself into the air.

"You can have as many reserves as you want," he murmured faintly, his eyes on his new dragon.

"You both heard that right?'' she teased, looking between Blaise and Martin.

"Oh absolutely darling," Martin grinned. "How many would you like?"

"Just one is enough," Hermione laughed.

He hummed, making a note on a piece of parchment. "The Wizengamot are going to be furious! I can't wait!"

With a laugh, Hermione turned to Severus, "Now, promise me you'll be good and you'll listen to Blaise?"

"Yes Mummy," he muttered sullenly.

"Good. And if you're really good I'll meet you for ice cream once I've finished with Kings."

His eyes lit up, "Chocolate and caramel with fudge?" he checked.

"You've been spending too much time with Grandad," she muttered, dropping a kiss onto his head.

"Well, Miss Granger-Black, you do know how to pick pretty ones," Martin murmured as they left. "But Merlin does that man look terrified. Do you think he'll survive the day?"

"No," Kingsley and Hermione replied as one.


"Right then," Blaise breathed out slowly, looking down at Severus, "What would you like to do today?"

"We go and see Uncle Charlie?" he tried.

"Ah not today, mate," Blaise grimaced, "Mummy said that you're going to see him soon though, aren't you?"

"Yes, " he sighed, "But it's ages away! We made a…a…"

"Callender?" he guessed

"Yes!"

Blaise hummed, "So, if we can't go and see your Uncle Charlie what else would you like to do?"

Severus shrugged, "I want MUmmy," he admitted

Blowing out a breath, Blaise considered his options. "What about meeting my Mummy?"

Severus frowned. "Your MUmmy?"

"Yup. She's in Spain at the minute, have you ever been swimming?"

"Mummy and Grandad and Grandpa and me went to the beach!"

"Ah, well, then, shall we see if Winky can bring your things and well go and see my mum?"

"Fine," Severus sighed, looking supremely put out only brightening when Winky appeared when he called.

"Young Master wants Winky?" she checked looking at Blaise with suspicion.

"Can you bring Severus' swimming things?" he asked with his most winning smile.

Winky scoffed, muttering something about attempts at charming and pathetic as she popped off.

"Winky bes coming," she stated when she returned.

"Of course winky." he agreed, if nothing else an extra set of hands would be beneficial.

"We're going to the villa in Spain. Will you be portketing with us?"

Winky rolled her eyes, "Winky doesn't be needing a portkey." she muttered, disappearing with a giggling Severus as Blaise frantically followed behind.

"Catchetes? Is that you?" his mother's voice called from somewhere else in the house as he caught his breath, eyeing the smirking elf with narrowed eyes.

"That wasn't nice,"

"The Mistress doesn't insist Winky bes nice," she informed him.

Mother of Merlin," he muttered reaching for Severus, his head turning gratefully at the sound of his mother's heels

"Catchets?" she checked, eyeing them all, her eyes landing on Severus last. "Is that….?"

"Mother, this is Severus, Severus this is my mum, Camilla."

"Hi,'' Severus smiled shyly.

"Oh you are adorable!" Camilla cooed, sweeping the boy up into a hug, raining kisses on his face until he was giggling. Blaise let out a breath of relief.

"We thought we might go swimming, Hermione has a meeting with the minister."

"Of course, you should," Camilla agreed, settling Severus on her hip, "But first, I have cake." she sent Blaise a wicked smirk before turning back to Severus, "Chocolate cake or lemon cake?"

"Chocolate!" he shouted.

"Chocolate it is!"

"Mami!" Blaise whined

"Oh hush, it's a grandparent's prerogative to spoil."

"Grandparent?" he wheezed.

"Of course, Cachetes," she retorted, walking away with him, "If you stay with this witch you'll be his father, What else would I be?"

He opened and closed his mouth soundlessly. Helping Hermione parent had obviously been a given but he'd never thought of it in such black-and-white terms as that. Severus Snape's father. Fucking hell. Deciding that he didn't want to dwell on that for much longer he followed his mother, reaching them just in time for him to catch her handing Severus a slice of cake that should have fed three.


Having survived swimming and lunch, Blaise decided to quit while he was winning. 'Shall we see if Mummy's ready for ice cream?" he checked, interrupting Severus and his mother who were bouncing around the room like hyperactive Pygmy Puffs.

"Mummy!" Severus screeched. He took it as an agreement, silently wondering if ice cream was a good idea. His mother had fed him more sugar than was probably healthy, and based on Severus' hyperactivity, he was relatively certain Hermione was going to bloody murder him,

"Right then, let's get your shoes," he commanded, looking for them before giving in and accioing them to him.

"Now say goodbye Abuelita," his mother cooed. "And promise to come and see me again soon!"

"Promise!" Severus agreed, nodding in a way that was alarming.

"Right," Blaise muttered, reaching for the boy, "let's…ah…gods, let's just go."

They appeared on one of the side streets off Diagon Alley. "Uncle Fred!" Severus screeched the moment his feet touched the ground and then he…vanished.

"What…fuck!" Blaise darted out onto the main street, his heart hammering. He couldn't see Severus anywhere, nor could he see Fred. There was no telltale flash of red. Nothing. Beginning to hyperventilate as he imagined all the ways Hermione was going to fucking murder him for losing her son, he began a mad dash down the Alley, ending in front of Weasleys Wizzard wheezes, hoping against hope that Severus was there.

Hammering on the closed door, he spotted movement behind it as George opened it looking at him in confusion. "We're not open yet, we're still sorting stock."

"I've lost Severus," he blurted.

George froze, "What?"

"Severus thought he'd spotted…ah…not you, Fred, and then just vanished!"

He was aware he sounded hysterical but the look on Georges's face wasn't filling him with confidence.

"Right," George muttered, "Gred!"

"Yes Forge," Came the reply as Fred limped out, leaning heavily on the cane he now used when he was tired.

"Severus isn't with you is he?"

"What? No, why would he be?"

"Oh gods," Blaise moaned, "Where the fuck would he go!"

"Someone want to fill me in," Fred demanded.

"It seems young Severus had his first display of accidental magic and ah…apparated, maybe?" George supplied.

"Fuck." Fred replied succinctly. "I'll floo Charlie."

Cutting off the call to a worried Charlie who confirmed Severus wasn't there, they stood in the middle of a silent Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and attempted to work out where he'd go.

"Ron maybe?"

"I hope not, he's in sodding Germany on a training mission," George muttered.

"Percy?"

"Maybe. I'll check."

"Not Percy," he confirmed moments later, he's going to come and help us look though. He thought of checking with Tonks in case he's linked her to Charlie."

"Where would he go once he realised the person he saw wasn't Fred?" Blaise muttered.

"My money would have been on Charlie mate, after that ...Ron but Germanys a but far to apparate to when you have no idea where you're aiming for. Dean?"

"Fuck, right, Dean, let's try him. Blaise nodded, watching as Fred lifted his wand to cast a patronus.

All of them stilled when a silvery badger wandered into the room. "Blaise Zabini I believe you've lost something," came Susan Bones' amused voice. "Let me know where you are and I'll return it."

"Oh thank all the gods," he slumped with relief, as the twins snorted.

"I'll just send her a patronus shall I?" George offered, waggling his wand.

"Please," Blaise sighed, feeling suddenly drained.

Susan appeared looking far too amused five minutes later. "This is yours I believe?" she grinned gesturing to Severus.

Blaise sighed looking down at the sheepish toddler. "You gave me a fight," He told him seriously. "I had no idea where you were, anything could have happened."

Severus' eyes were wide, his bottom lip wobbling as he looked back at Blaise's unusually serious face; the rest of them watched with interest.

"Sorry, Mr Zabini," he whispered. "But I saw Uncle Fred but it wasn't Uncle Fred and so I wished for Uncle Ron but he wasn't at home and so I wished and I wished for Auntie Susan because she does the voices and there she was!"

"Severus…." Blaise stared at him looking lost for several moments before he sighed, "So first, well done on your first magic all on your own and second ... .Merlin, what would I tell your mummy if I'd lost you? Can you imagine how sad she'd be? You can't just…disappear like that!"

"Winky was with me," he muttered as Blaise froze.

"What?"

"Winky waits for Mr Zabini to call her like a sensible wizard," Winky muttered, appearing behind Severus. She pinned him with a look, "He did not."

"Fucking Salazar," Blaise groaned.

"Fucking Salazar, fucking Salazar," Severus sang much to Blaise's horror and the twin's amusement.

"Well…." Susan rocked back on her heels, "I haven't gotten the chance to get to know you Zabini but I'm really glad I didn't waste my time because Mya is going to eviscerate you for that."

As Fred and George cackled, Blaise dropped his head into his hands and whimpered, Severus small singsonging fucking Salazar adding to the chaos.


It took over twenty minutes and a bribe to stop Severus swearing and finally, Blaise felt up to getting Winky to check on Hermione's whereabouts.

"The mistress will meet you at Fortesques in five minutes," she announced imperiously, eying Severus' third chocolate frog with disapproval.

"Thank you Winky." he sighed, sending a scourgify at Severus who pouted.

"I wanted to lick my fingers!" he protested.

"We don't want to be late for mummy now do we?" Blaise coaxed, spotting the wobbling lip.

"Mummy?" Severus perked up. "We go and see Mummy?"

"Definitely," Blaise sighed, feeling utterly wrung out.

"We're going to watch right?" he heard Susan whisper to the twins.

Deciding not to wait to hear their answer Blaise plastered a smile on his face, "Say goodbye to Uncle Frend and George and Auntie Susan."

"Bye-bye!" Severus beamed, "We're going to see Mummy now!"

"And just like that we're forgotten," George lamented dramatically.

"Kicked to the curb." Fred continued.

Severus looked at them warily as Blaise led him out.


"Mummy!" Severus shouted running at full pelt when he spotted her. To his eternal relief, Blaise saw her too. Merlin, he did not need another heart attack today. How the fuck did the witch make it look so fucking easy! He was ready for a large drink and a nap.

"Hello my darling boy," Hermione scooped him into a hug, squeezing him tightly. "Have you had a good time?"

"Yes!" he squealed, "We went swimming with Abuelita."

"Who?" Hermione's eyebrows rose.

"You know my mother is a law unto herself," Blaise muttered.

"Ah," Hermione nodded.

"And she gave me cake and then I saw Uncle Fred but he wasn't Uncle Fred so I went to Uncle Rons but he wasn't home and so I went to Auntie Susans and she took me to Uncle Fred and Uncle George and I learned a new word…whats a fucking Salazar Mummy?" he paused suddenly seeming to realise something, "I wasn't meant to say that."

Hermione eyes met Blaise's horrified ones, his hands already up, pleading with her. "Explain!" she demanded.

He deflated quickly, "So…good news, Severus had what I believe is his first bout of accidental magic."

Hermione froze, "What?"

"He apparated Granger!" he whined, "I couldn't have stopped him!"

Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "Where was Winky?"

"With him," he muttered, "But I didn't think of that now did I?"

Hermione closed her eyes as if praying for patience before she pinned her son with a look, "Did you just disappear without asking?"

He flushed, "I thought it was Uncle Fred!"

"Severus, what did Grandpa say when he thought he'd lost you?"

Severus' nose scrunched, clearly tiring to remember. "He told you that someone could get hurt and you weren't to do it ever again." she continued sternly. "What if we really had lost you? What if someone wanted to hurt you and we didn't know where you were."

"Sorry Mummy," he whispered.

She blew out a breath, "You are going to apologise to Blaise and then we are going home, do you understand me?"

"But ice cream Mummy?"

Hermione arched a brow at him, "No ice cream! I understand you were excited but you've been told." she let out a sigh, "Severus anything could have happened. You have to stay with the adult I leave you with!"

His lip wobbled causing a pained look to cross Hermione's face. "Sorry Mr Zabini," he whispered, finally looking truly remorseful.

Blaise looked lost for a moment utterly unsure of what to say. "It's alright, you're not going to do it again,m are you?" He shook his head vigorously. "Well then..."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Right, come on you. Let's go home."

"Mr Zabini come mummy?" Severus asked startling them both, "I show him my pogs."

"I ah…"Hermione looked helplessly at Blaise.

"Sure," he agreed with a shrug, "although…remind me what a pog is?"


25th August 1998

"So. I gather Severus has decided Blaise isn't so bad after all," Susan waggled her eyebrows at Hermione.

"I think he realises he's a bloody soft touch," Hermione muttered,

"Probably, "Susan laughed, leaning forward to inhale the aroma of coffee coming off her cup. "Gods Winky makes the best coffee."

"Doesn't she?"

Susan hummed, "Now, why don't we discuss what Severus' mummy thinks of our new Slytherin?"

"Or…." Hermione countered, "We could discuss how Mummy is not the only one who has become fond of a Slytherin."

"What?" Susan asked with exaggerated innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Cousin, have you seen my…." Draco froze his voice raising several octaves as he squeaked, "Bones?"

"Have I seen your Bones?'' Hermione asked impishly. "Are you referring to my Susan?"

Draco gaped at her for a moment before pulling himself together, the dull flush on his face giving away his embarrassment, "You're not funny, Cousin."

"I am hilarious, Draco," she argued, "You just have no sense of humour. Sue, are you sure you want to consider him?"

"I hate you," Susan muttered without any heat.

"You love me," Hermione argued with a smirk, "Oh do sit down Draco. You're making the room look untidy."

He sat abruptly looking surprised he had complied as Hermione hid her smile in her cup. "What are you plotting?" he attempted, his eyes not resting on either of them for any length of time.

"Absolutely nothing," Hermione smiled, "We were just discussing Slytherins."

Sussan sighed, "We were actually discussing Zabini if you remember."

"We were," Hermione agreed, "But then the conversation moved on and we were discussing Draco were we not?"

"What do you want to know?" Susan groaned as Draco gaped at her. "What?" she demanded, "She's like a bloody niffler after gold. It's pointless to resist. And afterwards, well…there's two of us,"

A slow smirk crossed Draco's face as some of the tension left him, "So there is," he mused.

"Oh for fucks sake," Hermione muttered. "Maybe the two of out together is an awful plan."

Susan snorted, "Bit late. We're ah…how did you put it? Getting to know one another."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Do I need to have the talk about not becoming an Auntie yet?"

Draco flushed red as Susan cackled, "No, unlike you I've no urge to be solely responsible for another person just yet. Merlin knows I can barely look after myself."

"Well, charm and potion, kids, charm and potion." she paused, "And for the love of all the gods, silencing charm."

"Want to remind Potter of those?" Draco muttered, shuddering.

"Believe me I have," Hermione replied looking faintly ill. "Multiple fucking times. I wish Winky was as determined to protect his virtue as she appears to be with mine."

"Well…that's a sufficiently horrifying thought." Susan muttered, "Anything else to add?"

"Not while you're together, I'll threaten you both individually." she grinned.

"What?" Draco frowned.

"Threaten," she repeated, gesturing between them with her cup, "I can't do it when you're both here….or I could I suppose it's the same lecture."

"You're threatening Bones?"

"Of course I am.," she retorted, "Sarcastic and pointy thought you might be, you are also family."

Draco froze, "Right," he croaked, his eyes looking suspiciously glassy.

"Oh for the love of Merlin," Hermione muttered before moving from her seat and hugging him. He allowed it for all of ten seconds, which was roughly 9 more than she'd expected him to so she was taking it as a win.

"Right, that's enough of your Gryffinforish sentimentality," he muttered, shoving her off.

"Aww Malfoy, you're just a marshmallow under all that prickliness," she teased.

He scowled at her, "Is this where I get to interrogate you?"

"Oh not yet,'' Hermione replied blithely. "I haven't asked either of you about your intentions."

Susan snorted, "Bitch," she muttered.

"And this is where I leave, " Draco announced.

"I'll find you later for a chat, Cousin," Hermione grinned wickedly as he groaned.

"I'm sure you fucking will," he muttered, the tips of his ears turning red as he seemed to give himself an internal pep talk before leaning down to kiss Susan before he left.

"I'd say he's smitten," Hermione smirked, eyeing Susan. "Do I need to have the intentions chat?"

Susan flushed, "He's…not entirely what I was expecting," she admitted. "He's…We've been owling. And I've met him for coffee a few times. "

"And?"

"And it's early days," she replied softly, "I have no idea what he's actually thinking and I'm not rushing into anything but…I quite like him."

Hermione gave a huff of laughter, "From you Sue, that's practically a declaration of intent."

Susan rolled her eyes, "Yes well….are we going to discuss Blaise Zabini?"

Hermione shrugged, "It's also early days." she admitted, "I like him, he's getting better with Severus, despite being ridiculously permissive."

Susan laughed, "I get the impression he's trying. He told him off when I brought him back. God's you should have seen him, he was so bloody relieved."

Hermione hummed, "Yes, I gathered that. The look on his face when Severus blurted it all out. Honestly! Thinking you can bribe a three year old to be quiet!"

Susan laughed, "You should have heard them. That boy of yours was ruthless in his negotiations."

"I can imagine"

"Who has him today?"

"Percy," Hermione replied with some surprise, "He asked."

"Wow, I wonder why."

"I think there might be a witch involved,'' Hermione confessed.

"Ah, say no more. Now…how do you feel about introducing our Purebloods to more of the muggle world? Draco said you've taken him out a few times but kept it child-friendly."

"Yes, I've always had Severus. I promised the cinema but we've never quite managed it. So we could, couldn't we."

"We should," Susan agreed. "Bring Harry and Gin too if we can fit it in before Gin heads back to school. Have you seen Luna?"

"NO. I've owled but she and her dad took a trip to America for a few months, she won't be back until school starts. Mr Lovegood was…not in the best of health."

"No, I imagine he wasn't." Susan murmured, "Well, we'll just need to invade Hogsmeade weekends won't we?"

"Of course," Hermione smiled, "Have you given any thought to that job offer?"

Susan hummed, "I have actually, and if it's still on the table I'd like to take you up on it. I have no idea what I want to do and so while I can't promise it's forever, it'll definitely be until after newts."

"Wonderful. Come with me to see Andy this week then?"

"Tomorrow?"

"I'm sure she'll make time. Merlin knows we desperately need some stability. Remus is helping too until after Christmas and the Werewolf plans start to need more input. Obviously, a lot of the children will be going to Hogwarts come September though so I wanted to wait until we see what it looks like then, and maybe consider some holiday staff?"

"Good call, " Susan agreed, "How are the children?"

"Mostly good, there are issues obviously. But there's only two left in room two, Simon and Leighton moved into a room together, and Sophie moved in with Cassie Tate, they're getting on well."

"Things with the Tate siblings have settled?"

"Yes. They're still angry, Callum has asked me to come more than once when he feels like he can't control it and Cassie's taken a liking to Dean, I gather he's spent quite a bit of time with her and Jared. But they're no longer lashing out at the other children, which is something."

Susan huimmed, "And Edie?"

Hermione froze, "Is still isolated," she admitted slowly."We've another couple of younger kids come in through the muggle world after first bouts of accidental magic but she won't entertain them. She tolerates Severus but Andy's concerned that that's only because I come with him."

Susan hummed, "And Severus?"

"Adores her," Hermione admitted, "There's jealousy obviously, he's not great at sharing me, but he's so excited to visit her."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Do?" Hermione repeated dumbly.

"You are not this dense," Susan muttered, "We all know that little girl is going to find her way here eventually."

"What?"

"Hermione!" she groaned.

"I…it wouldn't be fair," Hermione admitted eventually, "I want to, but I already feel pulled in too many different directions. I don't think I'm ready to consider another child and Merlin I hate myself for saying that."

"Alright," Susan soothed, "For what it's worth, I think you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to, and you have an entire family waiting in the wings to help, so perhaps don't write it off. But you have nothing to feel guilty for. You're only eighteen and already bringing up a three year old, while trying to change the entire world. Maybe get Newts out of the way first?"

Hermione sighed, nodding, silently vowing to speak to Remus. He usually knew what to do.