AN: I know I had plans to not post this until Friday... but I was too excited because I actually love this chapter and all its fluffiness! And it's 10:33pm here, that's close enough, right? Plus, I'm really hoping to wake up to some nice comments and reviews lol.

Anyway! I hope you enjoy because next week it's back to the drama!


Snape and Evelyn sat together on a small bench in the back garden, enjoying the quiet of the evening and each other's company.

Harry, Draco, and Brielle were all inside, hanging out in the parlor, and Snape was glad to find that they were getting along well. They had formed a friendship, Draco and Brielle, especially, and Snape was grateful that he would have a friend in Slytherin this year.

"You know," Evelyn said, pulling Snape from his thoughts, "while you're in the mood to redecorate back here, you should think about adding a garden."

Snape looked down at her with a raised brow, though she couldn't see it from where she sat with her head resting against his chest. "I have a garden," he pointed out, gesturing to several beds of plants and herbs on the east side of the manor.

Evelyn let out a small laugh. "That's not what I mean. You need flowers, Sev."

"What on Earth do I need flowers for?"

"To brighten up the place, obviously."

Snape huffed, then pulled her closer against him and dropped a kiss to the top of her head. "You brighten it up plenty."

Evelyn smiled and shifted so that she could look up at him. She poked her finger at his chest and said, "Flowers, Severus Snape."

He smirked. "I'll get right on it."

Evelyn scooted further away with a sigh. "You'd better get on with tonight's project, otherwise Harry won't have his biggest gift tomorrow."

"Technically, this is for both of them."

Evelyn only hummed in response.

"You think I'm spoiling him?" he asked, uncertainty causing him to pause. He wondered if he was doing too much.

But Evelyn smiled again. "I think if anyone deserves to be spoiled a bit, it's him."

Snape watched as Evelyn stood up and walked to the edge of the small patio and looked out across the grounds.

"It's not as if you haven't got the space," she said.

Snape came to stand beside her. He raised his wand and said, "Do you want to help?"

Evelyn grinned up at him as she retrieved her wand from inside her sleeve. "Of course."

Over the next half hour, Snape and Evelyn walked around, quietly reciting the spells needed to change the landscaping of the entire back portion of the property.

Evelyn was right, of course, Snape Manor was spacious enough that even with everything they were adding, there was still quite a bit of room left.

The small Quidditch Pitch that Snape had put up months ago was furthest away from the Manor, near the grove of trees that separated it from the pond, but now there were two different concrete sections to the right with a short walkway that led to them from the back door. One was a basketball court, and the other was an area for skating. It was complete with ramps and rails, even a half pipe at the very end. Snape had gotten both Harry and Draco a pair of Muggle skates and a skateboard, along with every piece of padding he could find. Draco had been thrilled with the idea, though he'd been sworn to secrecy about it. And even he didn't know that Snape was planning the additions to the yard.

Snape didn't actually know if Harry or Draco would even want anything to do with basketball or skating, or even the bike track that Evelyn was constructing on the other side, especially when one considered that flying in the air on broomsticks was another option. But if this brought them even a small measure of joy over the next few years while they were still kids, Snape thought it was worth it.

When he was finished, Snape turned to find Evelyn putting the finishing touches on a small, white fence that now surrounded a large area near Snape's herbs.

He looked at her questioningly.

"For the flowers," she said simply.

Snape wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, pulling her close. "Who is going to help me take care of the flowers?" he asked.

"I could probably be persuaded."

"And what would it take to persuade you?"

Evelyn turned in his embrace to wrap her own arms around his neck. "Not much," she answered.

The lights in the kitchen flickered once and both Snape and Evelyn looked up to see Harry grinning at them.

Evelyn blushed and stepped away. "Do you think he saw all the new things?" she asked.

"No," Snape answered, taking her hand and leading the way back to the Manor. "The whole backyard is under a disillusionment charm. I've just got to keep him from coming back here until the party tomorrow."

When they came into the parlor, Snape and Evelyn found Draco and Brielle fast asleep. Brielle was on the couch, while Draco was curled up in Snape's armchair with Rook asleep at his feet.

Harry was sitting on the arm of the couch and said, "They fell asleep a while ago. You guys have been outside for ages." He raised his brows at them and asked, "What were you two doing out there?"

"None of your business," Snape said, sending a mild glare his way, though it did nothing but make Harry smile wider. "I think it's time for you to go to bed, Son."

Harry looked down at his watch and said, "Five more minutes. Then it'll be my birthday."

"It's that late?" Evelyn asked, surprised. "My goodness, I didn't even realize."

"By the time you get ready for bed, your five minutes will be up," Snape said. "Go on upstairs and I'll be along to say good night."

Harry nodded. "Alright. Night, Evelyn."

"Good night, Harry. Happy early birthday."

"Thanks," he said with a smile before whistling for Rook and leaving the room. The dog roused from his sleep and followed him out.

Snape watched him go before turning to Draco. He reached out and shook him gently. "Draco, it's time for bed."

Draco cracked open his eyes. "Hmm?"

Snape patted his knee and said, "You fell asleep in my chair."

"I did?" He looked around. "Oh. What time is it?" he asked as he slowly stood up, wavering slightly on his feet.

Snape steadied him with a hand on his arm. "Almost midnight." He sent him toward the hallway with a gentle push. "I'll be up in a moment."

Draco didn't seem to even notice that Evelyn was there. He simply gave a short wave and went upstairs. Snape knew he would be asleep before he ever went to check on him.

He glanced at Evelyn to find her smiling at him. "What?" he asked, self consciously looking away.

"Fatherhood suits you really well. I hope you know that."

Snape turned away, hoping hadn't seen the blush creeping up in his cheeks. "They make it easy," he said as he picked up the blanket that was always on the back of the couch.

He gestured to Brielle. "It's too late to wake her just to take her home. Why don't the two of you stay here tonight? She can sleep on the couch and you can have my room. I'll sleep in Harry's."

Evelyn took a step towards him and tugged the blanket from his hands. She spread it out over Brielle, tucking it around her shoulders.

"I wouldn't want to kick you out of your room," she said when she stood back up.

"It's no both–"

"Severus," she said, moving closer to him once again, "we're both adults here. I think we can handle sleeping in the same bed tonight." Evelyn ran her finger along the collar of Snape's shirt before saying in a teasing voice, "As long as you don't hog all of the blankets."

Snape grinned. "I think I can share."


After leading Evelyn to his bedroom, Snape went to check on the boys. He opened Draco's door first, and sure enough, Draco was already asleep, curled up beneath his new blankets. He took a look around the room at the changes Draco had made. There were now several posters on the walls, which were painted a dark blue, and the new curtains hung over the windows, blocking out even the smallest sliver of moonlight. He had gotten a new rug as well as a few odds and ends like a small radio that Snape had been happy to modify so that it picked up the wizarding stations. The small basketball that came with the hoop lay in the floor beside Draco's desk. He and Harry had played with it for over an hour after Snape had installed it on the door. Over all, Draco seemed to be happy with his purchases and that was all that mattered.

Snape smiled softly before closing the door and moving down the hall to Harry's room. After a quick knock and a murmured "Come in," from Harry, he opened the door and went inside.

Harry sat cross-legged on his bed with the blankets pulled over him. He looked up at Snape with a wry grin.

"I'm sorry," Snape said as he pulled up Harry's desk chair and sat down. He glanced around the room and spotted Rook curled up in his bed in the corner, though he knew that he would end up asleep in Harry's bed before the night was over. "I didn't realize it had gotten so late. In the future, I will endeavor to end things at a reasonable hour. As it is, it's really too late to wake Brielle and send her through the floo. Floo travel while half asleep is a bad idea even for adult wizards, but it's a disaster waiting to happen for children. I've asked them to stay over. Is that alright with you?"

Harry chuckled. "That depends. Can the two of you behave yourselves?" he teased. When Snape only raised a brow at him, Harry went on. "It's fine. It's not a big deal, Dad. I know I wasn't exactly open to the idea of Evelyn at first, but she's actually alright."

"You think so?"

Harry nodded. "She makes you happy."

Snape shook his head. "You make me happy," he said, leaning forward so that his elbows rested on his knees. "You and Draco."

"Yeah, sure," Harry said, his grin widening as he pointed to the shirt Snape was wearing. "Except that you're not wearing that blue shirt for me and Draco. You didn't cut your hair for us either."

Snape immediately raised his hand to run through his hair. He had gotten it cut the day before but it had very little to do with anything other than trying something new. Though it did seem that he had been trying quite a few new things lately.

Snape cleared his throat. "I thought it was time for a change, that's all. But meeting Evelyn and beginning a relationship with her, that's just the icing on an already really wonderful cake." He glanced down at his watch. "And speaking of cake; it seems it's your birthday."

Harry leaned back against the headboard and blew out a breath. "This time last year you were still trying to get rid of me."

Snape huffed. "Yes, and you were being a cheeky brat with no regard for rules." He shook his head and lightly shoved Harry's shoulder, pushing him over. "And oh, look, some things never change."

Harry laughed as he shifted further down in the bed. He took off his glasses and passed them to Snape who put them on the bedside table. "So what are we doing for my birthday?"

"You know that I'm not telling you," Snape said firmly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "And you know that I already know."

"You do not." Snape put the chair back under the desk.

"Okay," Harry said with a shrug. "If you want to pretend that I don't know you're throwing me a surprise party, I'll go along with it."

Snape glared. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Harry smirked and rolled over. "Good night, Dad."

Snape squeezed Harry's shoulder. "Good night, Harry. Happy birthday."


Snape got back to his own room just as Evelyn was walking out of his adjoining bathroom. She'd transfigured her clothes into a light pink nightgown that reached just above her knees, and had taken her hair down, letting it fall around her shoulders.

"Are the boys all tucked in?" she asked as she made her way to the left side of the bed and pulled back the dark green comforter before she sat down. She brought her legs up and tucked her feet beneath the blankets.

The movement caught Snape's eyes immediately and he shook his head to focus on her words.

He smirked. "I don't think 'tucked in' is a term they would appreciate, but yes. Draco was already asleep and Harry is well on his way." Snape gestured to the bathroom. "Did you find everything you needed?"

Evelyn smiled. "I did."

"Great." He moved to the dresser and pulled out a pair of dark sweatpants and a white t-shirt. "I'll just be a minute," he said before swiftly walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

Snape took a deep breath as he leaned his hands on the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. "You're being ridiculous," he whispered to his reflection. "There is nothing wrong with her staying here. You're acting as if you've never spent the night with a woman before."

He cringed. It had, admittedly, been a while. And never at his house. Not since Alicia.

Snape cursed himself. Why had he thought about her? This was not the time to be dredging up things that were better left alone. He let out a long sigh and got ready for bed.

This was fine, he told himself. It was all going to be just fine.

He came out of the bathroom to find Evelyn already laying down. Snape thought she looked entirely too good in his bed. He crossed the room, dimming the lights as he went along, and laid down beside her.

Evelyn immediately turned to face him as Snape lay, stiff as a board on his back.

"Is this as weird for you as it is for me?" she asked.

Snape turned his head and raised his eyebrows at her. She didn't seem weirded out at all. In fact, she appeared to be the picture of 'at ease,' and Snape suspected she was only saying otherwise to make him feel better.

Evelyn laughed, her blue eyes sparkling even in the darkness of the room. "You look tense, Sev. I can help out with that."

Snape glared. "You're incorrigible."

"And you love me for it," she shot back immediately, then froze as she realized what she'd said. If the room had been lit, Snape was sure he would see the color draining from her face. "Oh, um, I think I'm actually just going to go…"

She was scrambling away, nearly off the bed before Snape regained his senses and reached out for her, stopping her with a hand around her wrist. In the next instant, the candles around the room were burning once more and Snape looked up at her, searching her gaze for any sign that she didn't want this.

He found none.

"I do," he said softly.

"Really?" she asked.

Snape nodded. "I think I have for a while, I was just too afraid to say so."

Evelyn's gaze softened and she smiled. "Do you want to hear a secret?" she asked.

Snape hummed in response. He shifted so that he could reach out for her hand, intertwining their fingers as he waited to hear what she had to say.

"I've been feeling the same way, but it's too early, right? I mean, we've only truly been dating for a week and–"

Snape shook his head. "Somehow, I don't think that matters." He swallowed hard as he let his free hand brush her hair behind her back, then cup the base of her neck. His thumb traced a trail along her jaw. "I'll be the first to admit that I tend to err on the side of caution and logic, but I don't think there's anything logical about this and I'm tired of being so cautious. I'm in love with you, Evie."

Evelyn's smile grew as she pulled herself closer to him, leaning down so that her face was mere inches from his. She let her palm rest on his cheek and said, "I love you, too."

A second later, Snape pulled her the rest of the way to him, letting his arms wrap around her waist as he kissed her.


The first rays of sunlight creeped through the cracks of the curtains in Snape's bedroom, casting a warm glow across the bed. Evelyn's dark brown hair appeared red where the light hit it and Snape couldn't stop looking at it.

He'd been awake for a few minutes now, accustomed as he was to getting up early, but the idea of moving and waking Evelyn was not something he was willing to do. She lay cradled against his side, her head at his shoulder and her arm draped over his chest. She was so close that he could see the freckles that dotted her face.

Snape wanted to commit this moment to memory. Everything about it from the way that she felt lying beside him down to the color her nails were painted.

Pink. The paint was chipped on her left index finger.

Her hair smelled of coconut shampoo.

Her feet were cold where they pressed against his legs. She really ought to be wearing socks.

Evelyn shifted a few moments later, stretching as she ran her hand down her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes before looking up at him.

"Good morning," he said softly, at last breaking the silence in the room.

Evelyn smiled. "Morning. What time is it?"

Snape looked over at the clock on his bedside table. "Nearly seven."

She let out a long breath before stretching out again, pointing her toes toward the end of the bed before rolling over onto her stomach so that she could look up at Snape while resting her head in her hands. "Are the kids awake?"

"Not that I've heard."

"I suppose I need to wake Brie up so we can floo home."

Snape let his fingers trail down Evelyn's back. "Or you could stay. Have breakfast with us."

She smiled up at him. "Are you saying you want to spend your morning with me?"

"My morning," Snape said, his voice a low murmur as he continued letting his hands run up and down her back and side. "My afternoon. All of my nights."

Evelyn hummed. "As tempting as that sounds, my love," she said, making Snape smile, "I need to go home and shower. But we'll be back in plenty of time for the party."

Snape sighed. "Three o'clock."

Evelyn raised up on her elbows to kiss him lightly. "I'll be here."


An hour later, Harry was waking up in his own room. He groaned as he stretched his arms above his head before relaxing back into the softness of the bed.

This was the second morning in a row that Harry had woken up after sleeping all night long. Not a single nightmare in two days. Harry thought it must be some kind of record. He felt better than he had in weeks!

He sat up and glanced at his backpack that hung on the back of his desk chair. He had two vials of Dreamless Sleep left. Only two more nightmare free nights, and already he was wondering how he could get some more. Harry thought it was probably too risky to try and get more from Sirius, and he didn't know how to brew it on his own. Not that Snape would ever let him anywhere near his lab without him in there to supervise. There were still all those vials in his potion store, but he didn't know how he could get in there either. There was simply no way that Snape wouldn't find out that he had been in there. But after two full nights of sleep, waking up rested, and in a much better mood than he had been in before, Harry didn't see how he couldn't risk trying to get more of the potion.

With a sigh, Harry pushed away the covers and stood up from his bed. It was his birthday and he had much bigger things to think about. He knew he was having a party. He just didn't know when or where. He smiled when he thought about how Snape had pretended last night that he wasn't having a party. Didn't he remember how only a few weeks ago, he had practically begged Harry to tell him what he wanted to do for his party?

Harry hadn't given him any sort of answer, but he knew that Snape wasn't going to let that go. This was his first birthday as Harry Potter-Snape, and he figured that was probably special.

He picked out some clothes from his wardrobe, then crossed the carpeted floor to his and Draco's shared bathroom. A quick knock let him know it was empty and he went inside to get ready for the day.

When Harry got downstairs to the kitchen, Snape and Draco were already sitting at the table. "Where is Evelyn?" Harry asked with a cheeky grin as he walked around to pick up Rook's food and water bowls. He filled them and put them back down so that they were ready for Rook when he came back in from outside.

"She has gone home," said Snape from behind his issue of the Daily Prophet.

Draco looked up curiously. "Evelyn was here?" He asked.

Harry grinned even wider. "Oh, yeah," he said, "Dad and Evelyn had a sleepover last night."

Snape let the corner of the paper drop so he could glare at Harry. "We did not have a sleepover," he said. He looked at Draco. "You and Brielle had fallen asleep. It made no sense to wake her up just so that they could floo home."

Harry laughed. "Sure, whatever you say, Dad." He sat down and the table filled itself with all of Harry's favorite foods. Beans, toast, jam, eggs, and sausage.

"So, what are you boys doing today?" Snape asked, setting his paper aside.

"Can Harry and I go into town?" Draco asked quickly.

Both Harry and Snape looked at him curiously.

"You want to go into Mageport?" Snape asked. "Why?"

"Just to explore a bit. It's not a big deal, Uncle Sev. Normal teenagers get to do this sort of thing all the time." He took a drink of his pumpkin juice before going on. "Plus, we haven't gone since last year for the concert."

Snape glared. "The concert that the two of you snuck out to in the middle of the night."

Draco blushed. "Well, yes, but this time is different because we're asking, right, Harry?"

Harry felt a little like he was watching a tennis match as he turned his head back and forth between them. "Er, right." He didn't know why Draco suddenly wanted to go into town, but he was all for it.

"See," Draco said. "And this time there aren't any murderers after him, so it's even better."

"Sirius wasn't a murderer," Harry felt obliged to say.

"You didn't know that," Snape cut in immediately. He turned back to Draco, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair. "If I were to allow you to spend some time in town today," he said in his usual slow tone, "how would you get there? We are not within walking distance."

"We could fly?" Draco offered.

"No." Snape shot that option down so fast that Harry was certain he hadn't actually even considered it. "Mageport has too many muggles to risk someone spotting you on your brooms."

"You could apparate us there?"

"I hate apparition," Harry muttered, earning him a glare from Draco.

"Do you want to go or not?" he snapped.

"Right, sorry." Harry turned back to his food. He didn't want his breakfast growing cold just because Draco suddenly wanted to get out of the house. He took a bite of his eggs and was pleasantly surprised that Snape had cast a heating charm over the table so everything was still steaming.

"Please, Uncle Sev?" Draco went on. "I swear we won't get into any trouble."

"That's a relief," Snape said sarcastically. But then he sighed and Harry knew he was about to give in. "You'll keep your wands on you at all times."

"Yes, sir," Harry and Draco said in unison.

Draco grinned.

"I'll apparate you there, and in two hours– exactly two hours– I'll meet you back at that spot and you will both be there, ready to come home."

"We will," Draco assured him.

"And if anything happens, anything at all, you'll use your portkeys immediately."

"Nothing is going to happen, Dad," Harry said, barely stopping himself from rolling his eyes. At the look that Snape sent him, he added, "But we promise. We'll use them straight away."

Snape pierced them both with a long look, as if deciding at that moment whether or not he could trust them, though finally, he nodded. "Alright, then finish your breakfast and get your chores done, then after lunch, we'll go. But I mean it boys, any trouble and it'll be a very long time before I allow you to go alone again. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Understood."


True to his word, Snape gave the boys exactly two hours to explore Mageport before apparating back to the alleyway that he'd left them in. He had to commend Draco on his acting abilities. Even though Snape had known beforehand that he was going to ask if they could go, Draco had really played his part well in convincing Snape to say yes.

While they were gone, Snape decorated the Manor for the party and set up the cake and food. Then the guests started to arrive and suddenly there were more people in the Manor than there had ever been before. Far too many people as far as Snape was concerned. When Albus and Minerva arrived, it suddenly dawned on Snape that at some point he was going to have to introduce them to Evelyn properly, as his girlfriend.

So then he did what any man in his position would do. He left to go get the boys.

It wasn't that he didn't want to introduce them. The opposite in fact. Snape wanted to tell the world that he and Evelyn were officially dating. What he didn't want was a million and one questions from his parents about it. He didn't want Minerva asking him why he hadn't brought her round for Thursday morning breakfast, and he didn't want Albus feeding her candy with every embarrassing story he could think of.

Harry and Draco were standing in the alley when Snape appeared. They each had a bag in their hands which Snape shrunk down to pocket size so that they wouldn't have to hang on to it while they apparated back.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked when they had moved to stand on either side of him.

"Yeah, we did," Draco said. "Thanks for letting us go."

"You're welcome," Snape answered. "Hold on."

Draco and Harry each grabbed hold of Snape's arms and in the next second they disappeared.

They landed on the front lawn of the Manor and Snape immediately reached out to steady Harry, who nearly lost his footing on the soft grass.

"I hate apparating," Harry grumbled for the second time that day.

Snape laughed. "Eventually, you'll get used to it."

"Let's hope that happens before it's time for you to take the test and get your license," Draco teased as he began walking up to the front door.

"Maybe I'll just floo everywhere," Harry shot back, following him.

"Boys," Snape scolded them mildly. He waved his hand at the door and it unlocked, then he stepped aside to allow Harry and Draco to enter first.

"Surprise!"

Harry grinned brightly as people jumped out from behind any available hiding spot they could find.

The foyer, kitchen, and parlor were all decorated with balloons and streamers in a multitude of different colors. There was a large banner hanging above the mantle that read 'Happy Birthday Harry,' and magical confetti fell endlessly from the ceiling to land at their feet.

Rook barked excitedly from where he stood next to Ron and Hermione. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there with the rest of the kids– Fred and George were slipping something behind their backs that gave Snape pause.

Sirius smiled at Harry from the doorway into the kitchen while Remus wolf-whistled from behind Snape's armchair. Hagrid dabbed his eyes with a tablecloth sized handkerchief, taking up an entire corner near the library door, while Dean, Seamus, and Neville had popped out from behind the couch.

Brielle waved from her place beside the grandfather clock, and at last, Snape's eyes landed on Evelyn, standing near the back of the room with Albus and Minerva. Snape groaned.

"Thought I wasn't having a party?" Harry asked, looking up at him.

Snape scoffed. "Of course you're having a party. Don't be ridiculous, Harry."

Harry went off to see his friends with Draco while Snape walked over to Evelyn and his parents. He casually let his hand rest on her back, drawing her attention to him.

"Hello, you," she said, looking up at him.

Snape couldn't stop himself from smiling as their gazes locked. "Mum, Dad," he said, not looking away from her, "you remember Evelyn?"

"Of course," Albus said, beaming. "We were just catching up."

Minerva smirked. "Though we could have caught up on Thursday at breakfast, but you didn't bring her, Severus."

Snape cleared his throat. "She was working, Mum."

"No, I wasn't," Evelyn said, crossing her arms. "Didn't you want me to come, Sev?"

"Er, I…" Snape felt heat creeping up his neck and he tugged a bit at the collar of his shirt. "I think it's time to cut the cake."


Over the next hour or so, Harry enjoyed the best birthday he'd ever had. He had a wonderful chocolate cake with chocolate and caramel frosting. There were fourteen candles on top but every time he tried to blow them out, they relit themselves. It wasn't until Fred and George fell over laughing that he realized they had switched out the real candles for trick ones.

After everyone had eaten their fill of cake, Snape made Harry sit down in front of everyone while he passed him present after present. Harry had never felt such a strong mix of embarrassment and gratefulness.

Harry had gotten so many cool things; the last, and also his favorite being a pocket knife from Snape. It was pure silver with a handle that was carved from antler. There were two engravings on it. The first one, etched into the handle was a small lily. The second was engraved onto the blade itself. "Harry James Potter-Snape."

Harry looked up at Snape who gave him a small smile. "It's enchanted so that it can never be lost," Snape said, leaning down so that he was eye level with Harry. "No matter what, it will always appear back in your pocket. It can also cut through anything and the blade will never dull. You can use it for slicing up an ingredient for a potion or for cutting through steel. It will always be exactly what you need."

Harry admired the way the light caught on the blade as he tilted it this way and that in his hands. "Thanks, Dad," he breathed, feeling a swell of emotion rise up in him.

Snape clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You're welcome."

Snape stood back up and turned to everyone. "There's one more present, though it's really for both Harry and Draco. If you'll all follow me out back."

Harry and Draco exchanged looks, and Draco shrugged his shoulders.

Snape waited for Harry and Draco at the back door, and when they were standing beside him, looking up at him curiously, Snape said, "I know that when you can fly hundreds of feet in the air on a broomstick, most other sports fall a bit flat in comparison, but I thought you might enjoy this anyway."

And with that he opened the door and they stepped outside. For the first time Harry and Draco saw the newly transformed back garden and they both let out a gasp.

"I didn't know you were going to do all this!" Draco exclaimed as he looked around at everything.

At the same time Harry pointed to the ramps and asked, "Are those for skating?"

"They are," Snape answered, "as long as you're completely covered in protective gear."

"Wicked," Ron said from behind them. "Can I have a go, Harry?"

Snape waved his wand and in the next instant, there were enough skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, helmets, and pads for all the teenagers.

Another wave of his wand and all of the adults had chairs to sit on and fresh drinks in their hands. They each settled in, prepared for the fact that it would be quite a while before any of the kids were ready to leave now.