Severus Weasley and the Cuckoo's Call
Rating: Explicit
Content/Warnings: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friendship, Pining, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Boys In Love, Found Family, The Burrow, Weasley Family, Fish out of Water, Family Drama, Healing, Mystery, Second Chances, Transmigration, Age Regression/De-Aging, Magical Accidents, Secret Identity, Identity Reveal, Coming of Age, Growing Up, Self-Discovery, Teenagers, Coming In Pants, Hormones, Inappropriate Erections, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Final Battle, Post-War, Past Character Death, Character Death, Hurt/Comfort, Grief/Mourning, Survivor Guilt, Dealing With Loss, Goodbyes, Humor, Quidditch, Pranks and Practical Jokes, Banter, Top Severus, Bottom Harry, Bisexual Severus, Bisexual Harry, Resolved Sexual Tension, Forced Proximity, Sharing a Room, Sharing a Bed, Sexual Tension, Making Love, Virgin Harry, First Time, Angst with a Happy Ending, Bittersweet with a Happy Ending, Happy Ending, All the Feels, Complete
A/N: Thank you, mods, for hosting this event! Harry is eighteen years old in this AU. Written for Snarry-a-Thon 2024.
Cross-posted on AO3. Cover art can be viewed on AO3.
Summary: Severus unexpectedly finds himself in Ron Weasley's body during the Final Battle. After the Dark Lord's defeat, he joins Harry and Hermione to search for clues about Ron's disappearance. As he witnesses the Weasley family coping with Fred's death, Severus adjusts to life as an adopted Weasley and the challenges of being a hormonal teenager once again. Along the way, he learns what it truly means to be part of a family.
A Captured Heart
Perhaps two pinches of ground Talonspike, rather than—
"Severus, would you care for some more quiche?" Molly Weasley asked, interrupting his train of thought.
He looked at her and caught a hint of sadness in her eyes. Severus then glanced down at his hearty, half-eaten slice, freckled with bacon, and glimpsed his hands—now also freckled—holding his knife and fork.
"No, thank you. I'm quite all right."
"Are you sure? Bacon-and-leek is one of Ron's favourites."
"Molly," Arthur gently reminded her from the head of the table.
"Oh," she said, catching herself. "I'm sorry, Severus." She blinked rapidly, then offered a small, weak smile. "Old habits."
Severus gave a slight nod before setting down his cutlery to take a sip of tea, moistening his dry mouth. Sharing a table with the entire Weasley clan, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger included, sometimes felt more uncomfortable than when he had done the same with his fellow Death Eaters.
He suppressed a sigh. Since the Battle of Hogwarts, a month ago, they had continually cast furtive glances his way—or, more precisely, towards Ronald Bilius Weasley's body, which he now inhabited. Seeing such affectionate gazes directed towards him made the pressure inside Severus' chest nearly unbearable at times. Over recent years, he had become accustomed to being met with respect or fear and, in his distant past, with disdain and ire. Yet now, constantly being treated with unwavering love and care, being a Weasley, he found the concept almost too perplexing to comprehend.
Recalling his earlier revelation about the potion he had been contemplating, he quickly confirmed his thought: Yes, two pinches of ground Talonspike Cactus quills should do the trick.
Satisfied, Severus brought a forkful of pastry and savoury custard to his mouth and examined those around him.
Charles, his scarred and brawny arms on full display, ate his meal with swift and purposeful movements. While chewing, his gaze would sweep the room as if he were still guarding a nest of unpredictable dragonets at his dragon sanctuary.
Sitting side by side, Percy and George presented a stark contrast in their choice of attire. Percy had donned smart robes, while George sported casual black jeans and a shirt with an embroidered logo of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. However, both were hunched over their plates as if a Dementor loomed over them. Their faces were greyish, likely due to their struggles to come to terms with witnessing Fred's death.
Directly opposite Severus sat Hermione. Her mahogany gaze pierced him the fiercest. Nevertheless, he bore it because their intellectual discourse offered a welcome distraction from his other worries.
"Severus," Fleur called out for his attention.
"Yes?" Severus asked, needing to bend forward to see her past George and Percy.
"Bill and I, we 'ave finished ze new warding framework for our 'ome. Could you perhaps take a look?"
"Certainly," he replied, disregarding William's expression of amused disbelief at observing the visage of his brother—who had been far from studious—agreeing to such a task. "I shall allocate time for it on Wednesday."
"Excellent. Merci!"
Resuming his meal, he glanced across the table to his left, where Miss Weasley sat. She had eyes only for Harry, who was seated beside Severus. Distractingly, he could feel Harry fidgeting in his seat under her intense, lovesick gaze, the teasing movement and heat of Harry's body affecting Severus' own.
As a nearby cuckoo clock began to play, Harry abruptly stood up. "Er, I reckon I'm done." He glanced to his left and said, "Thanks, Mrs Weasley. The food was delicious. I'm going to head up for a bit of a lie-down."
"Of course, dear," she replied warmly, a touch of concern in her voice. "It's been a taxing few weeks. Make sure you get some rest. And if you need anything at all, you know where to find me."
Harry gave him a pointed look before starting towards the stairs.
Severus deftly placed the final morsel of his quiche into his mouth, quickly chewed and swallowed, then rose to his feet. "Indeed. The meal was commendable. I believe I shall retire upstairs for a while as well."
She nodded at Severus, her eyes softening. "Well, you're welcome to come back down whenever you wish, Severus. There's always tea on the hob."
After giving her a small, awkward smile, he made his way after Harry.
As Severus ascended the stairs, he mused over the staircase's debatable aesthetic appeal. It was steep and narrow—while some might say it was cosy—and the walls, covered in framed moving photographs—many displaying his current façade—were garish, although others might describe them as homey. Either way, one thing was for certain—the stairs were a death trap waiting to happen.
Severus cautiously avoided the trick step that Fred and George had hexed when they were just six. Arthur had fondly reminisced while warning him about the hazard; they had innocently done it to protect the family after he had read them Muggle fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. Severus questioned the supposed innocence of their actions, considering the grave consequences a single misstep could entail.
Alone with his thoughts, a pang throbbed beneath his ribcage as he remembered the twins.
As an only child, sharing quarters with his Slytherin housemates had offered him the closest semblance to having siblings, albeit with scant, if any, warmth amongst them. Severus could not imagine what it was like for George to lose such a never-wavering confidant. For Severus, Lily had been… She'd been his best friend, but they hadn't been able to overcome their differences. They hadn't been able to accept each other as they were.
But living with the Weasleys, being smothered by their care, despite them knowing about his past deeds, he was beginning to understand what it was like to have a genuinely loving family.
Upon reaching the second-floor landing, he swallowed when he spotted the door to Ronald's bedroom, now the room he and Harry occupied.
With apprehension, Severus raised a hand towards his head, expecting to find shoulder-length locks; instead, he found himself reaching further to run his fingers through his hair. After lowering his arm, he noticed a red strand caught between two fingers, the colour of the hair evidence of his sad circumstances.
He quickly Vanished the distressing reminder.
Severus inhaled deeply, exhaling in a long sigh, delaying the inevitable just a bit longer. Since finding himself in the body of an eighteen-year-old, it seemed to have a mind of its own—and the room before him felt like a nexus of teenage hormonal urges.
Steeling himself, he opened the door.
Late morning sunlight streamed through the lone window, highlighting the space. Vibrant, orange-themed posters featuring the Chudley Cannons adorned the walls, while practical yet well-worn furniture—two beds, a wardrobe, and a small desk—crowded the tight quarters. The bedroom remained largely unchanged, except that it was no longer cluttered. Quidditch magazines, books, keepsakes, and even some of Severus' personal belongings were now organised with care. Besides underpants, he had not bothered to bring any clothing; the thought of Ronald Weasley's body draped in his sombre robes was too unsettling to entertain.
Severus ran his palms self-consciously down his sides, feeling soft wool and cotton. He hadn't worn T-shirts, jumpers, and jeans in years and was still growing accustomed to wearing them again.
Inside, Harry was lying on the bed next to the window. Severus saw he had once again forgone a shirt—which was understandable, seeing as the boiler room was below them. But considering Harry was a wizard, and a cooling charm would suffice...
On hearing Severus' arrival, Harry sat up and grinned at him. "What took you so long? Did Arnold attack your ankles again?"
Arnold was Miss Weasley's Pygmy Puff, a purple monstrosity that seemed to be on a mission to bring about Severus' demise.
Severus opened his mouth to respond, but Harry's smile had instantly disarmed him, as did his fit torso and rosy nipples.
He cleared his throat. "Luckily, no," he said, going to sit on his own bed and feeling Harry's eyes on him with every step.
"Do you truly wish to nap?" asked Severus.
Harry chuckled, then shook his head. "No. I merely needed to get away for a moment." He reclined on his side and propped his head up with his hand, obliviously alluring. "So, do you want to return to Hogwarts today or tomorrow?"
"Today," Severus answered immediately. "As soon as possible."
"All right," Harry agreed with a crooked grin. "But before we leave, I've got to use the loo."
Harry climbed off the bed and started for the door.
The thought of Harry wasting another evening of his precious time with him made him grimace.
"You need not accompany me if you do not wish to," Severus offered. "You are under no obligation."
Pausing with his hand on the doorknob, Harry said incredulously, "With uncaptured Death Eaters still at large?"
"I am perfectly capable of protecting myself, and I shall be Apparating directly to Hogwarts without detours."
Harry's frown deepened. "Severus, I don't mind spending time with you. I…I actually enjoy it quite a lot."
But is it me you're actually wanting to spend time with? Severus wondered.
"I'll be right back," Harry said with emphasis, ending the discussion.
Sighing, Severus walked to the desk and sat in the humble, slightly wobbly chair. He quickly thumbed through his neatly stacked notes until he found the appropriate parchment. After pausing to collect his thoughts, he began jotting his latest insights in the margins.
However, his focus soon shifted. He scowled, sensing that more than enough time had passed for Harry to use the facilities. To confirm his suspicion, he glanced at his Transfigured wristwatch, which had formerly been his prized pocket watch.
More than ten minutes had elapsed.
The Burrow seemed held together with wishes and whimsy, so Severus wouldn't be surprised if Harry had fallen through the floor and simply become stuck.
Best to check.
Severus scooted his chair back and rose, Ronald's long legs swiftly carrying him across the room in just a few strides.
But he instantly froze when he partly opened the door and saw the scene before him.
Miss Weasley and Harry stood close, her face red, tears trailing down her cheeks. Harry, struggling with his own feelings, could barely meet her eyes.
"Is it…is it Hermione? Now that…" her voice broke as she angrily wiped a cheek.
"No," Harry answered, his tone filled with sadness.
"Then why?" she softly sobbed.
Still abysmal at controlling his emotions, guilt flashed across his face.
"So there is someone else," she concluded, her tone sharp.
A tense silence hung between them before Harry nodded. "Yes," he admitted. "I'm sorry, Gin."
"Who is it then, Harry?" Ginny's voice softened, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that demanded the truth. "Who is it that's captured your heart?"
Severus' eyes widened at Harry's answer, his heart pounding like a frantic drumbeat inside his chest. Harry's words echoed in his mind as he quietly closed the door. Drifting in a daze, he made his way to his bed and sat down, his thoughts racing. Severus exhaled hard, the weight of his discovery enveloping him like a beguiling shadow.
What am I to do now? he wondered.