AN: Still here. Still writing. Just very very slowly. This chapter took a little bit of a different turn than I had planned, but I feel like it's going to work out. It's very dialogue heavy though, so I kept it short. Let me know what you think!
"What?"
"Evelyn and I are getting married," Snape repeated. "I've asked her and she's agreed."
The room was quiet as Snape and Minerva stood, facing each other.
"But you've only just started dating. Don't you think it would be wise to wait a while before jumping into this?"
"I'm not jumping into anything," Snape assured her. "I've been thinking of marrying Evelyn for weeks now, I just didn't think I'd have the courage to actually ask her."
Minerva sighed, but before she could reply, Snape went on, "And I know we've only been dating for a short while, but that's entirely my own fault."
"Perhaps the two of you might—" Albus tried to interrupt but it was no use.
"Have you taken the boys into consideration?" Minerva asked. "This decision effects them as well, you know."
"Of course I have," Snape snapped.
"Severus," Evelyn spoke up, glancing between the two.
"What is it, Mum?" Snape asked as he stepped back from the table and tossed his napkin down. "What is your problem with Evelyn?"
Minerva recoiled as if he'd slapped her. "Evelyn is not who I have a problem with." She turned to Evelyn and reiterated, "I do not have a problem with you."
Evelyn nodded and reached out to squeeze Minerva's hand. "I know," she said softly.
"Then what is it?" Snape demanded. "Tell me, but know that no matter what you say, it won't change my mind."
"Severus," Albus said sharply, catching the attention of everyone at the table except for Minerva, who stood up straighter and stepped away from the table as well, moving to stand in front of her oldest.
"I don't want to see you hurt again!" she said, her eyes watching him fiercely. "Because I was there after Alicia. We all were, and we helped you pick up the pieces and because I don't know that you could handle it a second time! Is it so terrible? To not want to watch your heart break again?"
Snape shook his head and let out a sigh. "Alicia didn't break my heart," he said resolutely. "I broke hers. She would have destroyed herself if she'd stayed with me. I was in no place to be able to sustain a relationship, especially not a healthy one." Snape gripped the edges of the chair Harry sat in, his knuckles turning white, though when he spoke again, his voice was much more calm. "I pushed her away long before she finally left. I wouldn't let her in, Mum. No matter how hard she tried, I kept myself closed off and I made it unbearable for her to stay with me."
Snape glanced around the table. He took in the way Harry and Draco looked up at him, and how he hadn't noticed Harry flinch even once during this conversation. The way Brielle smiled softly beside Draco. He took in Remus sitting quietly with his head bowed and he remembered how only a year ago they couldn't be in the same room together without arguing.
He gestured to his family. "Look around you. That's not the man I am anymore."
Dinner had ended soon after Snape's row with Minerva, and though he didn't think she was entirely on board with the idea of his and Evelyn's wedding, she had apologized and everything was alright.
He sat in his armchair with a book opened in his lap, while Draco and Harry — taking advantage of the reprieve from punishment that Snape had granted him in celebration of Draco's adoption — pulled Evelyn and Brielle outside to show them the new, no doubt foolish, stunts they had learned on the skateboards. Snape had seriously considered putting a cushioning charm on the ramps if only to give himself some peace of mind.
"She's only worried about you, you know?"
Snape glanced up to see Evelyn standing in the doorway. He hadn't even heard her come inside.
Evelyn moved across the room and sat down on the arm of the chair before letting her hand rest on Snape's shoulder.
He sighed as he closed his book and nodded. "I know," he agreed.
Evelyn ran her hand through the hair at his neck, her nails scratching gently against his scalp.
"Do you think we're rushing things?" she asked softly.
Snape looked up at her, a frown forming on his face. "If I thought you would agree, I'd find someone to marry us tonight. But do you?"
She shook her head. "No. I know that we've only technically been dating a few weeks, but we were talking for a lot longer, and we're planning to have a long engagement, right?"
"Whatever you want," Snape said with a rare smile.
"I think I'd like a late summer wedding. This time next year, maybe. I want to give everyone time to get used to the idea."
Snape nodded. "Agreed."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box with the ring he'd bought at the jewelers.
"Seems a little anti-climactic now, but I got your ring today," he said as he held it out to her.
Evelyn opened the lid and gasped when she saw the Moonstone ring. "Oh, Sev, it's stunning!"
Snape took it out of the box and slid it onto her finger. "It feels a bit more official now."
Evelyn smiled. She held out her hand and admired the way the light glinted off the stone.
"I can't wait to show it off," she said with a laugh. "My sister is going to be so shocked." Evelyn sat up straight with a gasp. "I haven't told her! You haven't even met them yet!"
Snape reached out and put his hand on hers. "You will tell her, and we can meet soon. Tomorrow even if that will make you happy."
Evelyn nodded. "You're right. I'll tell her tomorrow. Brielle is going back home for the last couple weeks of summer. Maybe we can have dinner with them one evening next week?"
"Of course," Snape replied.
She leaned back against the chair, her hand once more carding through Snape's hair. "It's settled then. I'll find out what day is good for them and let you know," she said as Snape leaned into her touch with a contented sigh.
They sat together for a little while longer before Evelyn broke the silence. "We should get going soon. It's getting late."
Snape nodded. "I've got to get those boys back on some semblance of a schedule or else they'll be staying up til all hours of the night when they get back to Hogwarts."
Evelyn laughed. "As if they don't already. Honestly, Sev, don't kid yourself."
Snape glared, but as Evelyn stood up, he followed suit and together they walked toward the kitchen and out the back door.
"Brielle, it's time to go," she called as they stepped outside.
Immediately all color left Snape's face as he caught sight of the three teenagers.
Brielle stood off to the side of the skate ramp, while Draco stood on the ground, his wand pointing at Harry who was levitating high above them while on the skateboard.
Evelyn's call had startled them, and Draco's spell faltered, sending Harry in a free fall towards the ground.
Harry yelled out, though Snape was quick to raise his wand and catch him, lowering him gently to the ground.
"To me," he said every bit as sternly as he always did, as he pointed to the space directly in front of him.
Both boys exchanged a glance before slowly walking toward him, with Brielle following behind.
"Brielle," Evelyn said, "what were you three doing out here?"
Before Brielle could answer, Harry spoke up, "She didn't have anything to do with it."
Brielle turned sharp eyes to Harry and said, "You don't have to lie for me, Harry Potter!" She then looked back to Evelyn and said, "We were just doing tricks. It was only a bit of fun."
Snape could see Evelyn softening at the girl's words, and he knew he would have to remain firm with them, otherwise he was certain Evelyn would let them get away with anything.
"Fun that could have gotten someone hurt," he said with a pointed look to each of them in turn. "And using magic outside of Hogwarts? Can I assume that was your idea, Draco?"
Draco blushed. "Yes, sir, but you've let us use magic over the summer before, and—"
"Only ever when I've been present to supervise," Snape interrupted. "And I would certainly never allow you to levitate each other on a skateboard! If you'd wanted to fly, you should have gotten your brooms." He held out his hand, palm up. "I think I'll hold on to your wand for a while, Draco. We've been over this often enough that you ought to know better by now."
Draco sighed but passed his wand to Snape without argument, though he snapped it into his hand with more force than was necessary.
Snape turned to Harry and raised his eyebrow in silent question. He wondered if Harry would admit to also using magic or if he would keep it to himself. After all, only Draco had been caught.
Harry groaned, rolling his eyes before he pulled out his own wand and held it out for Snape to take.
As frustrated as he was with the teen, Snape couldn't help the feeling of pride that welled up inside him at Harry's honesty.
"And this is exactly why you're not allowed your wand during the summer, young lady," Evelyn said, frowning at Brielle.
Snape turned toward her with a frown of his own. "You don't let her keep her wand?"
Evelyn looked back at him curiously. "Her parents don't, but I agree. Why on earth does she need her wand outside of school?"
"For safety, obviously," Snape countered.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at him. "If that's the case, why are you taking them from the boys?"
Snape shook his head and gestured to the manor. "I'm taking them for a day or so at most, and because they're not going anywhere without me. If they were, I would most certainly give them back."
"If they don't have them to begin with, they wouldn't be tempted to use them."
"If they don't have them and something happens, how do you expect them to defend themselves? I would have been more upset tonight to find that Harry and Draco didn't have them at all."
"Er, hello?" said Harry. "We're still here."
Snape scowled at them before pointing to the door. "Inside. All of you."
Harry, Draco, and Brielle slid past the adults and into the kitchen, but before Evelyn could follow after them, Snape caught her elbow and held her back. "I'm sorry," he said. "How you take care of Brielle is none of my business, but I would caution you to remember that we don't live in a perfectly safe world."
"She's only a child, Severus."
"And without her wand, she's a completely defenseless child, Evelyn."
Evelyn glanced between Snape and the door, before at last giving a small nod.
Once Evelyn and Brielle had gone home, Harry, Draco, and Snape went back to the living room. Draco took one end of the couch, and Harry flopped down on the other, before reaching over and tapping the table twice.
Their tea set appeared instantly and Harry kicked off his shoes before filling his cup.
Snape, who stood by the fireplace, glared down at them. "The two of you look awfully content considering I just took away your wands." He held them out for them to see before tapping them with his own wand and making them disappear.
Harry and Draco exchanged looks before Harry sat up straighter in his seat, though he kept his feet on the couch, burrying them between the cushions. "We're sorry," he said sincerely. "We shouldn't have been using magic without permission."
"Even though sometimes you tell us to, so you're being a bit hypocritical," Draco added.
Harry and Snape both turned to the blonde. Harry with a dark look and Snape one of surprise.
"Draco," Snape said lowly.
"Sorry," Draco replied, looking down at his tea cup.
When the silence stretched out, Harry decided to change the subject in an effort to take Snape's attention away from Draco. "So do you think Grandma will come to the wedding? Was she really upset with you?"
Snape glanced over to Harry, then with a sigh, he sat down in his armchair. "Yes. She will come to the wedding. There's no need to worry anything. I think she was caught off guard, that's all."
"When is the wedding going to be?" Draco asked. "Soon?"
Snape shook his head. "Not until next summer. Certainly not anytime soon." He pointed his wand at the tea pot which rose in the air and filled a cup before settling back on the tray. Then the cup rose and drifted to Snape's outstretched hand.
"What's going to happen after you get married?" Harry took a sip of his own tea before adding, "I mean, where will we live? Here? Or are we going to have to move into Evelyn's flat?"
"I'm not sure—" Snape started.
"She's got less stuff than us," Draco said. "She should have to move here."
"Draco's right. And what about when we go back to Hogwarts. Is she going to stay there with you?"
"I hadn't thought—"
"Before they get married?" Draco waggled his eyebrows at Snape with a grin. "Bet you'd like that, wouldn't you, Uncle Sev?"
Harry kicked lightly at Draco's leg. "I meant after, you dolt."
"Boys—"
"Who says they have to wait?" Draco turned back to Snape then. "Are you two going to have more children?"
Snape nearly spit out his tea, while Harry looked up in surprise.
"What?" Snape asked, sure he'd misheard.
"Well, you have us," Draco said, "but Evelyn doesn't have any children of her own. Maybe she wants one."
"I… She hasn't said," Snape answered. "I think perhaps we should all sit down together and discuss this. All of this," he rushed to add. "We're having dinner with her sister and brother-in-law one evening this week, maybe afterwards we can all have a family meeting. The two of you can spend the next few days coming up with any questions or concerns, and we can talk about it all together."
Harry and Draco exchanged looks before they both nodded in agreement.
"Very well," Snape said. "Now finish your tea and get ready for bed. You two have become far to accustomed to staying up all night, and we'll be back in Hogwarts before you know it."
Both boys groaned, but they didn't protest much. Harry was feeling quite tired, anyway.
He was the first to abandon his tea, bidding Snape and Draco goodnight, before climbing the stairs to get ready for bed.
Back in the living room, Draco sat quietly as he stared down at his empty tea cup.
"Is something else on your mind, Draco?" Snape asked.
"It really is official now, right?" he asked softly.
Snape sighed as he nodded. He stood up and crossed the room to sit beside Draco, putting his down on the tray and vanishing it to the kitchen. "It really is," he answered. "How are you feeling?"
"Relieved." Draco swallowed hard before looking up at Snape. "He can't change his mind, though, right? They can't make me go back?"
Snape reached up and placed his hand on Draco's neck, giving it a light squeeze as he said, "If they tried, they would get one hell of a fight, and then they would lose."