Severus and Harry Have a Private Dinner
Meeting Harry since the birthday fiasco was something Severus never thought he would have to do (not that he was opposed to it, far from it), and yet here he was, sitting at a table in a Muggle restaurant of all places. This was the first time he'd even had a chance to say what needed to be said, not only on behalf of Marley and Miles, but also on behalf of Lily and himself. Lily had reminded him, and understandably so, that Harry wasn't to blame, and it was a mindset he needed to maintain while the conversation took place.
Severus saw a pair of familiar green eyes meet his own from the entrance, and he stood to get a better view. Harry was led to the table by the waiter, his shoulders deceptively stiff. His son soon arrived at the table with a nod. "Hi, Dad," Harry said, holding out his hand.
Severus looked down at the hand and shook it with a nod. "Harry," he said simply. "Shall we sit?"
Harry nodded and sat with Severus. "I got a bit lost coming here."
"London has changed," Severus agreed. "You're not too late, of course."
"Of course."
A silence fell between them.
"... how are the children?" Severus asked.
"Molly Joanne's learning to talk," Harry answered with a smile. "Arthur and Sam are doing good, too. How's Marley?"
"In general?"
Harry nodded.
"She's well enough," Severus answered. "Tourism's grown more popular recently."
"Good," Harry replied. "... is she still mad?"
"... she's hurt. Truth be told, she and Miles don't know I'm here."
"Gin doesn't know, either. She thinks Sirius and I went to the movies."
"I see." Severus took a sip of water. "Did your mother give you an idea of what we would be discussing?"
"A bit... Look, Dad, you know I had to side with Gin."
"For what reason?"
"She's my wife."
"And Marlene is your sister." Severus set the glass down. "Are you at least aware of why she would be upset with you and Ginevra?"
"You know I don't agree with Gin on Fleur and Gabrielle," Harry said defensively.
"You didn't reprimand her."
"Dad, she's my wife!"
"Since when has that ever been an excuse? If Ginevra disparages your sister's friends at your brother-in-law's birthday party, you ought to respond appropriately."
Harry took a sip of water to wet his mouth. "Do you think Milo responded appropriately?"
"Harry-"
"What's appropriate about him leaving his own party?"
"He was upset."
"What, because his party was ruined? He was being a baby."
Severus felt a pressure building beneath his skin. "Do you honestly believe it had anything to do with his party being ruined?"
"What else would it be?"
"I have no idea," Severus said sarcastically. "Perhaps, and take this with a grain of salt, he was grieving the loss of Cokey. Perhaps, he didn't want to celebrate his birthday, but he chose to so that his children could see their extended family. Perhaps, he was upset that the friends of his wife, the woman who had organized the entire event on his property, were being insulted on his property and in the presence of his wife. And perhaps, he removed himself from his property to avoid doing something he would regret."
Harry didn't respond immediately; instead, he took another, longer sip of water. "Right, that... I should've thought about that."
Severus wanted to push the issue, but he remembered Lily's words. "... Marley misses you."
"Probably not Gin."
"Both of you."
Harry's eyes flickered briefly to meet Severus's before looking around at the other tables. "I'll have a hard time getting Gin to apologize."
Severus nodded. "Marlene wants Thomas to properly meet Molly Joanne."
Harry took a slow breath before nodding as well. "Yeah... yeah, you're right. And I know Arthur and Sam miss Sharon."
Severus felt a small smile creep onto his face. "Sharon misses them too."
"... did I tell you that Gin isn't talking to Ron?"
"That... makes some sense," Severus admitted.
"And Hermione's... well, you know. How does Snarky feel about her?"
"He still hates her."
"Right." Harry took one of the menus sitting on the table and opened it up. "So... what do they serve here?"
"No idea," Severus admitted. "Lily picked it out. She said it's 'fusion' cuisine."
"'Fusion'?" Harry flipped through the menu warily.
... Severus followed suit.