AN: As always, I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter done. I've just been feeling so uninspired lately! I'm hoping that my muse is back though and that it won't take too long to get the next one done.
Thank you to everyone who is still reading this. I know the pay off is hardly worth it for such short chapters, but I appreciate you all so much.
When Snape left Harry's room, he had every intention of going straight to bed, though just as he reached his bedroom door, he heard the floo roar to life.
Snape could count on one hand the people who had access to floo into his home unannounced, and since his parents would have the decency to use the front door, or at the very least send a note ahead, it could only be…
"Sev?"
Remus.
Snape rolled his eyes before turning away from his room with a sigh and heading back downstairs.
"What could you possibly want, Remus?" Snape asked when he entered the living room.
"I heard about what happened at the tournament," Remus said as he took a seat in one of the armchairs. "Is everyone alright?"
Snape nodded. "Everyone is fine. A bit shaken up but that's to be expected." He took the chair opposite Remus and waved his wand silently. A bottle of Firewhiskey and two tumblers appeared on the table between them and Snape poured them both a glass.
Remus took the proffered glass before reaching into the pocket of his robes and pulling out a copy of the morning paper. He passed it to Snape and said, "The Daily Prophet sent out an early edition. Do they know who cast the Dark Mark?"
Snape glanced down at the front of the paper, a picture of the Dark Mark writhing against the early morning sky and shook his head. "No. All the Death Eaters disapparated the moment the Ministry arrived, but the damage was already done. They caused the panic they wanted."
Remus took a long swallow of his drink before leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I suppose we should just be grateful no one was terribly hurt, but I can't help but feel like this is only the beginning."
Sighing, Snape nodded. "I know what you mean," he said before they both grew quiet, each lost in their own thoughts of both present and past.
They sipped their drinks until at last, Remus stood. "I better get back," he said. "You should get some sleep."
"Remus," Snape said, causing him to turn back. "I've already told the boys, and I'm sure by now all the Weasley's know, so you won't be the first, but you can be among the first to know…"
Remus looked at him in confusion, his brows raised nearly into his hairline. "What are you going on about? First to know what?" he asked.
Snape ran his finger along the edge of the glass as he spoke the words that he still couldn't even believe were true. "I asked Evelyn to marry me," he said softly, "and she said yes."
Snape glanced back up at Remus only to find him smiling brightly.
"Sev, that's wonderful news!" Remus retook his seat, though he sat on the very edge and faced Snape. "I take it Harry and Draco took the news well?"
Snape inclined his head. "Mostly," he said. He didn't want to get into anything more tonight, though he did add, "Change is hard for Harry, but he's alright."
Remus nodded. "Of course he is. It'll be a transition, but he'll be fine once he gets used to the idea. When are you planning to break the news to Mum and Dad?"
Snape's brows creased and he sat his glass down on the table with a soft thunk. "Oh, I don't know. I hadn't really—" He trailed off and looked away.
Remus laughed. "You're afraid to tell her."
"I'm not," Snape said firmly.
"I don't think you need to worry," he said as he stood once more. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled. Probably."
"I suppose I could lead with the formal adoption of Draco," Snape mused.
Remus's eyes widened, though he recovered quickly. "Well, well," he teased, "for someone who was so intent on staying a bachelor, domestication sure suits you well."
Snape huffed as he stood. "Time for you to go," he said, ushering his brother toward the fireplace.
"Now, don't get upset, Sevy," he said with another laugh. "All I'm saying is—"
"Dinner, here. Tonight. Seven. Do not be late." Snape shoved Remus lightly into the floo and threw down some floo powder as he said, "Remus Lupin's Flat."
Remus disappeared with a laugh in a rush of green flames.
The sun was already high in the sky when Snape awoke, and he groaned as he pushed the blankets away and sat up. He wiped the sleep from his eyes as his bare feet met the cold wood floor.
The clock which hung on the opposite wall told him it was already a quarter past one in the afternoon and he'd promised Harry he would wake them up around lunch time.
Though as he stood to make his way to the loo, he heard Harry and Draco moving toward the staircase, laughing and talking as they headed for the kitchen. Rook's paws tapped against the floor as he no doubt followed after them.
"Alright then," he murmured.
Snape got ready quickly and when he entered the kitchen ten minutes later, the table was spread with eggs, sausages, toast, and jam. His own place was empty aside from the Daily Prophet which sat beside his plate.
"Morning, Dad."
"Morning, Uncle Sev."
Snape pulled out his chair and took a seat, his coffee appearing in front of him. "Good morning, boys. Did you get enough sleep?"
He began to fill his plate as both Harry and Draco nodded.
"Good," Snape said. He took in the pajamas the boys were wearing as he spread a bit of raspberry jam on a slice of toast, and said, "I've got a few errands to run today so you need to be ready to go soon."
"I'm grounded," Harry said quickly, at the same time that Draco also spoke up.
"I can stay here."
Snape put down his toast and raised a questioning eyebrow at Harry first, who squirmed in his seat.
"No one wants to go on errands, Dad. It's boring. And besides, I am grounded, remember? That's supposed to mean I'm not allowed to go anywhere."
Snape turned to Draco, who shrugged.
"I just think that we're fourteen, Uncle Sev. We're old enough to stay by ourselves for a few hours. We'll behave. I promise."
Snape sent them both a pointed look before turning back to his food. "In the future, you might try simply saying you don't want to go. Believe it or not, I actually agree that you're old enough to stay alone sometimes. I do hope I'm not misplacing my trust in the two of you."
Snape glanced up to see them both sporting reddened cheeks as they turned their attention to their food. He smirked before taking a sip of his coffee and retreating behind the paper.
Harry and Draco talked as they ate, and Snape pretended not to notice the way Harry kept sneaking food to Rook, who sat by his side.
It was just as well for Snape, who had no shortage of things to think about. Summer was nearing an end and they would be heading back to Hogwarts in the coming weeks. Aside from that, there was Draco's adoption, telling his parents about Evelyn and the wedding, a mountain of lesson plans he had been avoiding, which was in itself highly unusual. Normally Snape would have had his lessons and classes prepared no later than the end of July, and here it was nearing September already!
"So when is Draco's adoption party going to be?"
Harry's question pulled Snape from his thoughts, but before he could answer, Draco spoke up.
"I don't want a party."
Snape raised a brow as he lowered the corner of the Prophet so that he could see the blonde boy to his left. "You don't?"
Draco shook his head. "No way. We only just had a party for Harry's birthday. Then before that it was mine, and before that was for Harry's adoption."
"Too bad," Harry said with a smirk. "If I had to have a party, you should, too."
"Harry," Snape said sternly as he put down the paper, his full attention now on Draco. "You don't want to be celebrated?" he asked.
"It's not that," Draco assured him. "I just don't want to make a big deal out of it."
Snape sighed. "The chances of Mum not already having a cake made is highly unlikely, but perhaps it would be okay to only have a family dinner instead? We're already having dinner together here tonight anyway."
Draco nodded. "Sure. Then the attention won't only be on me when you tell them you and Evelyn are getting married," he added with a grin.
Snape narrowed his eyes. "Cheeky." He pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. "Alright. I haven't got a lot of time. Dinner is at seven. I expect you both to look presentable. I'm going to the Ministry to file Draco's adoption papers, and then to the jewelry store."
He moved toward the doorway as he continued talking. "Don't leave the manor for any reason. Anyone who has any business being here can come through the floo, though I don't expect they'll get here before I return."
"What about anyone who's not supposed to be here?" Harry asked, grinning as he followed Snape into the parlor.
Snape paused and turned to face them. "I would be alerted immediately, however should an imminent threat arise, you both have your bracelets, which will bring you straight to me. I expect you to use them better than you did last night, Harry," Snape added sternly.
Harry blushed as he ducked his head. "I was only joking," he murmured.
"I'm not." Snape glared down at them both, his arms crossed over his chest. "The wards are strong, but should anything get past them, you are to use those bracelets immediately. Am I understood?"
Draco barely resisted rolling his eyes as he nodded. "We've got it. You don't have to worry about us. We'll be fine."
Snape sent them one last nod before reaching for the front door handle and stepping out onto the porch. He disapparated on the spot, leaving the boys in the manor alone.
Two hours later, Snape finally entered Bertram's Jewelry Shoppe. He'd spent longer than he had thought possible at the Ministry, filling out the necessary forms to get Draco's adoption underway, and while it wouldn't be as difficult as Harry's had been, it wouldn't be a walk in the park either.
Snape had the papers Narcissa had left, naming him as Draco's sole guardian, however it seemed the Ministry was set on finding fault in them. As if Snape had somehow forged the documents. Not that he couldn't, but that was beside the point.
Eventually, the situation was sorted and Snape was on his way with the official adoption forms that Draco and Snape would need to sign. Once that was done, they would owl them back to the Ministry, and assuming the dunderheads there didn't screw anything up, they would be filed and Draco would officially be Snape's son.
Snape's son.
Snape couldn't help the way his heart seemed to jolt at the thought. How could Snape, a man who arguably didn't deserve anything good, somehow hit the proverbial jackpot? Not only had he been able to adopt one child, but a second one as well. And on top of all that, he was about to buy an engagement ring for the woman he loved, and who loved him in return.
Snape wasn't sure how he'd gotten so lucky, but he was certain he couldn't possibly deserve this much happiness.
"Can I help you, sir?"
Snape glanced up to see an old, grey-haired wizard, with dark eyes and an impish smile. He stood behind a counter filled with displays holding beautiful gold and silver jewelry. Gleaming diamonds and magnificent rubies twinkled from where they lay against satin pillows.
Snape cleared his throat and stepped up to the counter. He was wearing a disillusionment charm so he was certain he wouldn't be recognized, though he still felt awkward about buying a ring. What did he possibly know about picking out something like this. He should have asked Evelyn to come with him so she could be sure to get something she would like.
"I'm here to buy an engagement ring," Snape said at last.
The man smiled and spread his hand out across the counter. "What did you have in mind?" He pointed to an extravagant diamond ring that sat proudly atop a gold band. Smaller diamonds encircled it, giving the whole thing the appearance of a halo.
Snape shook his head. "No. I'm looking for something more elegant. Timeless."
"Of course," the jeweler replied, inclining his head as his eyes moved swiftly across the case. "What about this?"
Snape followed his gaze to a silver ring with a singular, tear shaped diamond. This one diamond was bigger than all the diamonds from the first ring combined. It was beautiful. Exquisite even, but it was not Evelyn.
"Why don't you tell me about her?" he asked.
Snape sighed. He moved further down the counter, his hands clasped firmly behind his back, and leaning over it slightly so that he could see.
"Evelyn is smart, and kind. She's soft and caring, and yet she's not afraid of anything. She speaks her mind, even if her voice shakes. She's amazing and wonderful, and lovely, and completely mental to have said yes to me." Snape paused. He looked back to see the jeweler smiling.
"And yet, she did," he said.
Snape nodded. "She did." He turned back to the counter. "I have no idea wh—" Snape pointed at a ring nestled near the back corner of the case. "That's it."
The jeweler opened the case and pulled out a ring. It was white gold with a smooth, oval, blue-white stone in the center. Two small diamonds sat on either side.
"Moonstone," he said. "Excellent choice, sir."
Snape sat in his usual place at the head of the table that evening while everyone clapped and cheered as a red velvet cake that was much to big for their small gathering, appeared in mid-air, hovering only a moment before gently setting itself on the table.
Draco sat in his usual place to Snape's left, while Harry sat on the right beside Remus. Brielle sat beside Draco with Evelyn on her other side, across from Minerva, and Albus took the remaining seat at the other end.
Snape reached his hand out and gently squeezed Draco's shoulder, smiling when the teen seemed to lean into the touch. They had each signed the adoption papers before dinner since Draco didn't want to make a show of it, and they were already on their way back to the Ministry, in the care of Snape's owl, Aegis.
"We're official brothers now, right?" Harry said as Minerva cut a slice of cake and passed it to Draco.
Snape wondered how she knew red velvet was his favorite.
"Thanks," he said, settling it in front of him. He turned to Harry with a broad grin. "If someone had said I'd be big brother to Harry Potter last year, I'd have thought they'd gone mental."
Everyone laughed except for Harry, who said, "Oi, already with that "big brother" stuff. What rubbish. We're the same age!"
"I'm older," Draco countered.
"By a month!"
"And twenty-six days."
Harry opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Remus leaned down and said, "Don't waste your breath, Harry, they never give up."
Harry rolled his eyes at Draco's smug expression but turned his attention back to the cake Minerva had given him.
When everyone had nearly finished their cake, Snape stood up, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. Though it was Evelyn's eyes he couldn't look away from as he said, "I know this evening is to celebrate Draco, but since we're all here, I suppose now is as good a time as any to make one more announcement."
Snape glanced at everyone in turn, taking in the smiles of encouragement from Harry, Draco, and Remus, then the looks of confusion from his parents.
"Mum, Dad, Evelyn and I are getting married."
Albus's eyes lit up behind his thin framed glasses and he clapped his hands together in excitement. "What wonderful news!" he exclaimed.
Minerva's smile, however, didn't appear as she looked between Snape and Evelyn. "What?"
