Tenderness
Tonight's thunderstorm was worse than the night before, and the night before that, which resulted in Severus being confined to the chair beside the bed while the children (and Rory) took his place. Harry was the closest to Lily, the half-Kneazle curled up by his feet, while Marley was snugly between him and Neville. Alice had the spot at the edge of the bed, where the only thing preventing her from rolling out was Severus's crossed arms, which he used as his pillow (or would, once he was tired enough). Only Lily and Harry slept, while the other three were wide awake and huddled together. Thunder pealed outside, which caused Alice to shrink beneath the covers, while Marley buried her face into Neville's shoulder. Neville forced his eyes shut and pulled the covers over his mouth.
"Papa," Alice asked quietly, "is lightning going to hit us?"
"Of course not, dear," Severus answered quietly, kissing her forehead. "The house has wards on it."
"Promise?" Marley asked.
"I promise."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Really really?"
"Really really really," Severus affirmed. "Your mother and I set up the wards especially to protect you from the elements."
"And Snarky?" Neville asked.
"Snarky's too spiteful for lightning to hit him," Severus joked.
The three children smiled, which soon vanished as another peal of thunder filled the air. All three ducked under the covers this time, which prompted Severus to rub the top of Alice's head, before moving to Neville and eventually Marley.
"It's only thunder," Severus reassured them.
"It's scary," Marley whined quietly as she popped her head back out.
"Yes," Severus admitted softly, "but I'm scarier."
"Scarier than thunder?" Alice asked, her voice muffled by the covers.
"Positively terrifying." Severus noticed the fear in Marley's eyes at the admission, and he added, "And I love you too much to let anything as silly as lightning hurt you."
"Promise?" Neville asked.
Severus nodded. "Always."