Severus and Narcissa Play a Muggle Board Game

Ever since Astoria Malfoy's death, the Snapes (Harry's Snapes), Glenns, Weasleys, and Malfoys had grown closer as family friends, due in part to the friendship shared between Samuel, Sharon, Young Peter, Rose, and Scorpius. Every now and then, the Malfoys would either host a gathering of the four families, or they would be invited over by one of them; most of the time, Marley and Miles were the hosts on account of Miles's cooking, which started regular visits to Snape Glenn. This year was Samuel's and Sharon's graduations, which of course meant they had to celebrate with Young Peter and Rose and Scorpius (the latter two having been dating since their fifth year), which wouldn't have been a problem if not for Marley and Miles spending the day with Dudley, Lavender, and Draco, and Lily having gone out with Mary Cattermole and Marlene Lupin.

This, naturally, left Severus in charge of the six remaining Glenn children (Thomas, Jerome and Nicholas, Matthew, Philip, and Mary), Nana, Little Enid Pettigrew (not very little now, given she was going into her fourth year), and Hugo Weasley (whose father was busy covering a shift at Cokey's and Railview). And, if that wasn't enough to deal with, Narcissa was also present.

"Look," Thomas was saying blankly to Jerome as he thumbed through a hardcover rulebook, "if you want to be a mouse, just play as a druid. I'm not creating a race out of thin air."

"But Nick and I were gonna be a pair of rogues," Jerome argued.

"You can multi-class; I've already shown you how to do it."

"Oh, come on, Tom!"

"Jerry, it's not complex."

"I can help you with that, if you need me to," Matthew said, eyeing Jerome's character sheet.

"Nah, it's fine," Jerome mumbled as he turned to Nick. "Does a druid/rogue work for you?"

"I've already filled it out," Nick replied. "Wanna copy?"

As Jerome copied, Severus felt Philip tap his shoulder. "Hey, Grandad, did you finish mine?"

"Only just," Severus replied as he handed Philip his character sheet; the seven-year-old had wanted to play as a cleric. He turned to Little Mary, who was sitting on Narcissa's lap as Nana sat by their side, nuzzling her St. Bernard nose into the small girl's arm. "Are you almost ready?"

"Is this right?" Little Mary asked, showing her character sheet to Narcissa. "I think I did the numbers right."

Severus looked it over, ignoring Narcissa's handwriting and focusing on the numbers. While he knew how she'd done, he waited for Narcissa to respond.

"All of those numbers are correct," Narcissa answered, giving the little girl a smile.

Mary grinned widely and bounced a little on Narcissa's lap before slamming the character sheet onto the table. "I'm ready, Tommy!"

Severus leaned closer to Thomas and murmured into his ear, "Make sure to protect Mary."

"I will," Thomas said with a small nod, mirroring his father exactly. He asked Enid and Hugo, "How about you two?"

"I'm a cleric," Enid answered.

"Oh, for a change?" Jerome and Nicholas sarcastically asked in unison.

Enid stuck her tongue out at them.

"Hugo?" Thomas asked.

"I thought I'd try a monk this time," Hugo replied. "Thought he'd be more skilled overall than a barbarian."

"Sounds like we lost our tank," Jerome commented.

"Oi, he's got a better Armour Class than the barbs I've made before!"

"That's great," Nicholas said, "until you get hit."

"Oh, wait," Mary said quickly, "do I need one for Nana?"

"You're a ranger," Thomas explained, "so you control Nana."

"Oh." Mary grinned again and looked back up at Narcissa. "Aunt Cissy, would you please help me with the dice?"

"Of course, dear," Narcissa replied. "You must get your politeness from your mother."

"Mummy says I get it from Daddy, but Daddy says what you just said."

Severus looked down at the rulebooks Thomas had placed before him while the boy finished filling out his own character sheet (he chose to play as a bard). "Are we all ready?" he asked.

Everyone's heads nodded, and Nana let out a gentle bark.

Severus shared a look with Narcissa, or he would have if not for the older woman briefly entertaining Little Mary on her lap, and said, "You all begin your stories in a worn-down tavern..."