Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A special thanks to The Lonely God With a Box for beta'ing my story.
A/N: Enjoy!
Chapter 29: Holiday Break is Over
Cornelius Fudge took pride in his job. He loved being the center of attention. He was a politician through and through. He loved having the final say in matters of state and policy. He always had to be in the know. He didn't like anything done behind his back.
So, learning that a prisoner was released from Azkaban was not the highlight of his morning. He had a wonderful time in Paris with his wife for the Christmas holidays. When he got back to his office, he saw a parchment stating that Sirius Black—THE Sirius Black—was taken out of Azkaban by none other than Albus Dumbledore.
That man is a thorn in my side, Cornelius fumed. Always believing he was above everyone else.
When Cornelius saw who authorized the release, he was seeing red. How dare she! She'd really overstepped this time.
Amelia Bones was head of Magical Law Enforcement before he became Minister. He hated that he didn't have the power to get rid of her. She, like Dumbledore, was another thorn in his side. She felt she could do whatever she wanted and not check in with him.
Amelia Bones was a busy woman. As the head of Magical Law Enforcement, she dealt with many unscrupulous witches and wizards. Many of Azkaban's inhabitants were there because of her. But during her entire tenure, she never believed that someone would be sent to Azkaban wrongly. When she received information from Albus Dumbledore, she initially believed the Headmaster was mistaken. But it was true when she looked up the past files before becoming the Head of MLE. Sirius Black never had a trial.
After Albus returned to inform her that Black was out of Azkaban, she knew there would be backlash. An inquiry would have to come about, learning how such a slip-up could occur.
It was Boxing Day when Amelia came into her office to start the process of gathering the Wizengamot. She also looked into why, with all the trials happening during that time, Sirius Black had slipped through the cracks and been sent to Azkaban without one.
Amelia was deep in her work when she was disrupted by her door slamming against the adjacent wall. When she looked up, she was greeted by an angry Minister of Magic.
"What is the meaning of this?" Cornelius Fudge roared.
Unfazed by the Minister's attitude, Amelia placed her quill back in the inkwell and placed her hands on her desk.
"Why, good morning, Cornelius," Amelia said calmly, leaning back in her chair. "I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was wonderful, by the way. My sister and her daughter spent the day with me."
"What's the meaning of this?" Cornelius raged, fanning a piece of parchment in his hand. "Sirius Black was released."
Amelia didn't reply. She just looked at the enraged Minister.
"Well," Cornelius huffed, walking towards Amelia's desk, "are you going to answer me?"
Amelia stood up, leaning across her desk to where she was face-to-face with the Minister. Unfazed and unbothered.
"I don't know who you think you're talking to," Amelia said quietly. "This is my office you barged into. What you have in your hand was a courtesy. I do not have to explain anything to you."
"I am the Minister of Magic," Cornelius replied. "You damn well do."
"And the Head of Magical Law Enforcement does not answer to you," Amelia said, never once raising her voice. "Now," sitting back down, "during one of your supposed holidays, you know, the ones you take on Ministry funds." Cornelius paled. "It has come to my attention that a prisoner was put into Azkaban without a trial. I am starting the Wizengamot process to expedite a trial."
"You can't do that," Fudge said.
"Oh, yes, I can," Amelia countered. "And I will. There has been a miscarriage of justice, and I would think that you would want it straightened out. Or do you want it to be known that a wizard from the Sacred Twenty-eight was wrongfully imprisoned?"
Cornelius blanched a little.
"Or, maybe I'll go to the Daily Prophet," Amelia speculated, leaning back in her chair while she looked at Cornelius. "Let the wizarding community know that a wizard…."
"What a minute," Cornelius said, cutting Amelia off. "This can not get out. This must be kept quiet."
"Oh, Minister," Amelia said, sitting up and picking up her quill again. "This will be anything but quiet." She lowered her head and began working on what she was doing before the Minister barged in. "We're done here."
Cornelius knew a dismissal when he saw one. He never thought that, as the Minister of Magic, he would be the recipient of one.
"Close the door on your way out," Amelia said, not even looking up from her work.
Cornelius Fudge turned around and walked out of Amelia's office, quietly closing the door behind him. Amelia put the quill down, leaned back in her chair, and pinched the bridge of her nose. That was a headache, she thought.
"You better be ready for the Albus," Amelia whispered before returning to work.
_0_0_0
"Riddukulus."
Severus watched as the boggart of Harry's uncle disappeared. So many thoughts ran through Severus' mind. Knowing that what scared his godson was a boggart made it a little easier. All he needed to do was capture the boggart and seal it.
"Snape," Remus greeted. He was a little surprised to see Severus. The last place he would have thought Severus would be was back at Hogwarts. Seeing Severus with a son proved that Severus was doing okay despite what happened during their time in school.
"Lupin," Severus replied.
"Didn't think I would see you," Remus confessed.
"Yes, well," Severus said. "I'm sure Albus is waiting for you. If you'll excuse us—"
"Who is that with you?" Remus asked, cutting Severus off.
Severus didn't want Harry to meet Lupin this way. The last thing he wanted to deal with was explaining to another Marauder how he was Harry's Godfather, but the situation could not be changed now. He leaned over and whispered into the child's ear.
After several assurances that his uncle was not standing in front of them, Harry peeked around Severus and saw a different man standing at the door. His safety was right—his Uncle Vernon wasn't standing at the door, but the man standing there seemed different. Harry stepped further away from Snape to get a better look at the man.
Remus knew accepting Albus' offer to teach at Hogwarts meant that he would see Harry Potter. The timing was right for Harry to be at the castle. If he was truly honest with himself, the thought of seeing Harry was why Remus ignored Albus' missives.
"Harry," Remus gasped quietly to himself. Seeing that Harry gave the werewolf mixed emotions.
"Mr. Potter," Severus said. "This is Professor Lupin."
Harry waved at the man while stepping back against Severus. "Nice to meet you," the child mumbled.
"You too, Harry," Remus replied more calmly than he felt. "Well, I will leave you two. I have a meeting to get to." Remus walked away from the pair and headed up the stairs.
Harry watched as the man walked up the stairs. He looked at his Godfather and said, "You know him, Professor?"
"Let's get to your Head of House," Severus said, ignoring Harry's question. He didn't want to get into how he knew Lupin.
_0_0_0
The last person Remus expected to see was Severus Snape at Hogwarts. He didn't know where the man was. All he knew was that Snape would send his Wolfsbane potion every month. He was surprised when he received the first one with a note promising that a new potion would arrive each month.
Lost in thought and walking from memory, Remus made it to the stone Griffin that guarded the Headmaster's chambers.
"Pumpkin Pasties," Remus said.
"It's good to see you again," the Griffin said before sliding to the side, revealing spiral stairs behind it.
Without saying anything, Remus climbed the stairs. Before he reached the door, it swung open on its own. Remus saw the Headmaster sitting behind his desk.
Albus smiled as his former student walked into his chambers. "Welcome back, Remus," holding out his hand, offering Remus a chair
"Hello, Headmaster," Remus greeted, sitting down. "Are you sure about this?"
"All will be fine," Albus assured. "Severus agreed to make your Wolfsbane. Safeguards will be placed around your chambers so you can stay in the castle during your transformations."
"I don't think that is a good idea," Remus said. "I would rather stay at the Shack. Keeps the children safer that way. I will not have another incident while in this school. I will leave before someone else is put in danger."
Albus nodded. He hated that Remus blamed himself for that dreadful day. It wasn't Remus' fault; he didn't know what Black had planned. It was just another thing Albus' negligence caused. During Remus's time in school, Albus promised his safety, but because of his complacency, several people were affected.
_0_0_0
"To what do I owe this audience?" Minerva asked as she stepped aside, allowing Severus and Harry to enter her chambers.
Severus nudged Harry's shoulder, prompting the child to speak.
"Mr. Potter wanted to ask you something," Severus said evenly.
"Really," Minerva said, smirking. "Well, come sit."
The three walked over to Minerva's sitting room. Severus and Harry sat on the sofa, and Minerva sat in her high-back chair.
Minerva waved her hand, and a tea service appeared on her coffee table, along with juice and chocolate-covered biscuits.
She saw Harry's eyes light up when he saw the treats. She smiled at Harry and said, "Help yourself, Harry."
Harry looked up at Professor Snape, silently asking permission. After receiving a small nod, Harry reached out and carefully picked a biscuit. The child couldn't keep the smile off his face while enjoying his treat.
When Harry finished his biscuit, Minerva asked, "So, Harry, what would you like to ask me?"
Once again, Harry looked up at Severus as if asking permission or if Severus would ask it instead of Harry. Minerva wasn't sure. But the silence didn't last long as Harry spoke up.
"Uhm, Professor," Harry meekly said. "Can I stay with Professor Snape when classes start back?"
"Harry," Severus interrupted, "I agreed to a couple of days."
"Harry," Minerva pipped in, "what about your friends? Don't you want to be with them?"
"What if Uncle Vernon comes back?" Harry blurted out. "I want to be with my safety. I know he'll protect me."
Both Professors were shocked into silence by Harry's outburst. So much needed to be taken from that statement. Minerva looked questioningly at Severus about what Harry was talking about.
Ignoring Minerva's questioning look, Severus stood Harry up so he could stand the child in front of him.
"Harry," Severus said. "I told you. It wasn't your uncle."
"But he could come back," Harry said vehemently, his voice getting louder and louder. "He'll put me back in that closet," he said, looking from Minerva to Severus. "I don't want to go back. I'll never go back."
Severus and Minerva looked around, realizing things were starting to vibrate.
Severus could feel Harry's magic rolling off the child. He knew he needed to calm his godson down before another burst of accidental magic would destroy Minerva's chambers like Griphook's office at Gringotts.
"Harry," Severus said firmly, shaking the child slightly to get the child's attention. "Harry, listen to me. You are never going back to your relatives."
"He's going to come back," Harry pleaded.
"No," Minerva chimed in. "No, Harry. Your uncle won't come. He can't."
"He did," Harry said, looking at his Head of House. "He was just here."
Minerva was taken aback by that and looked at Severus for an explanation.
Severus gave Minerva a slight shake of his head before addressing Harry.
"That was not your uncle, Harry," Severus assured the child. "That was what is known as a boggart."
The items around Minerva's chambers began to quiet down with Harry's questioning gaze. "A boggart? What's that?" Harry asked.
Severus was silently happy that he had calmed Harry down enough to stop the child's overflow of magic. He answered Harry's question: "It's a form of poltergeist that materializes a person's fear."
"It–it really wasn't Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked, though it really wasn't a question.
"Five points to Gryffindor," Severus smirked.
That brought a face-splitting grin to the boy's face.
"Mr. Potter," Minerva said. "About you staying with your Godfather—"
"Can I please?" Harry pleaded, cutting Minerva off. "I won't be any trouble. I'll do anything."
"Mr. Potter," Severus said.
"Harry," Minerva said, reaching out to grab Harry's arm, bringing the child closer to her. "Like I was saying, your House is set so you can build relationships and friendships amongst your peers. That can't happen if you're not in your House."
Deep down, Harry knew it was a long shot asking if he could be with his Godfather. He had hoped that if he had asked, they would have said yes. Not wanting to show his disappointment, Harry squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and did not let his hurt show on his face. He learned how to when he would drum up the courage to ask his relatives something, and they would turn him down. Hard.
"Mr. Potter." Severus' voice cut through Harry's thoughts. Harry looked over at his safety.
"Were you paying attention to your Head of House?" Severus asked. "Of course, you weren't."
Harry looked from Professor Snape to Professor McGonagall. He saw she was smirking at him.
Before he could ask what she said, Minerva said, "I was letting you know your conditions for staying with your Godfather."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. The conditions for staying were conditions, which meant he could. They were saying yes, letting him do something. Once again, Harry was lost in his thoughts.
"Trouble indeed," Severus muttered, reaching for the child and pulling the boy towards him. "Mr. Potter, I'm tempted to take your points back."
"Sorry, Severus," Minerva said, smiling. "No can do."
Severus grumbled something that resembled meddling old cats but continued talking with Harry. "Professor McGonagall has permitted you to come to my office and chambers, but—-"
Surprising the adults in the room, Harry snatched his arms from his Godfather's grip and launched over to Minerva, wrapping his arms around her neck. Minerva was stunned momentarily before wrapping her arms around the small boy. The Transfiguration professor couldn't help but choke up when she heard what Harry was whispering in her ear: thank you, thank you, thank you.
"Harry," Severus said.
Harry released Minerva, but not before a final squeeze. He walked over to his Godfather.
"The condition," Severus continued, "is that you can spend one night a week of your choosing. And since Friday afternoon is your study period, you may come into my office to study, and we will have dinner in my chambers."
"So," Minerva said after a beat. "Severus, now that matter is settled, don't you think it's about time you introduce Harry to the rest of the family?"
Harry's eyes widened with excitement. Family? Harry had always wanted a family.
Severus looked at the Transfiguration Professor and saw she had the cat that ate the canary look on her face. He couldn't believe Minerva would do that. Well, that wasn't not true. It was so like her to do things that would make Severus uneasy.
Severus had his reasons for not telling Harry about his relationship with Albus. No, he wasn't ashamed of Albus. On the contrary, he was ashamed of himself—of how his life turned out since everything went from bad to awful to horrendous. Having Harry in his life was the greatest thing that had happened to Severus since that fateful summer when he was nine when a red-headed angel pulled him from the darkness that was his life.
"Who's your family?" Harry asked, bringing Severus from his disparaging thoughts.
Before Severus could open his mouth, Minerva piped in, smirking, "Me and Professor Dumbledore."
Severus was about to snap at the old cat for what she was doing, but the words couldn't pass his lips from the shock of Minerva including herself as a part of his family.
Severus wanted to tell her she was wrong, but she was there for him at all the times he came back and when he really needed someone. Seeing that realization stunned Severus.
"You don't think Professor Dumbledore minds having a freak like me?" Harry asked.
"Oh, Harry," Minerva sighed sadly. "You're not—"
"Mr. Potter," Severus sternly said, finding his voice. "What have I said about my godson?"
"But I am," Harry argued. "Who else but a freak would see Uncle Vernon when he couldn't come here?"
"Harry," Minerva said.
Harry sucked his bottom lip between his teeth. He couldn't free his fingers because Professor Snape was holding his hand.
"First of all," Severus started. "You were not the only one who saw that thing. Second, I've explained that what you saw was a boggart. Lastly, if I have to remind you about my godson, I will make you write, "I am not a freak. I am Harry Potter," until it gets inside your thick skull."
Severus put both of Harry's small hands in one and freed the poor gnawed lip between Harry's teeth.
"Now, to explain," Severus said, shooting Minerva his fiercest glare, "Professor Dumbledore adopted me in the middle of my sixth year here at Hogwarts."
"Is that why they came Christmas morning?" Harry asked.
"Those two feel like they can just bombard themselves on me whenever they want."
"And he loves every bit of it," Minerva teased, smirking.
"I do not," Severus denied. "I like my privacy."
_0_0_0
Charlie walked into the kitchen and saw his mum making dinner while Ron and Ginny sat at the table, cleaning the vegetables.
Molly Weasley knew how hyper and rambunctious her children were. If she saw her brood roughhousing too much to where it could turn into a fight, she would find something tedious for them to expel their energy. Usually, the twins would take that spot, but it was the younger siblings this time.
Ron and Ginny were arguing about who the best Quidditch team was. Ginny normally supported the team that would most likely go the distance to the League Cup. This season, it was the Wimbourne Wasps. They were a vicious team known for being brutal on the Quidditch pitch. Ron, on the other hand, was a die-hard Chudley Cannons fan. It didn't matter that they were at the bottom of the league; Ron would support that team.
They were quietly murmuring to each other, trying to keep their voices low so their mother wouldn't hear them.
But it wasn't working.
"Enough, you two," Molly said sternly. "I don't want to hear another word about it. Finish your work."
"Mum," Charlie spoke, getting everyone's attention.
Ron and Ginny were about to greet their brother but stopped when they saw he had his bags packed, leaning against the front door.
"Where are you going?" Ginny asked.
"It's about time for me to head back to the reserve," Charlie said. "I wanted to ask," talking to Molly, "if these two could be put on parole so we could play one last game before I head out?"
Molly smirked at her son's thinly veiled attempt at manipulating her. Normally, she wouldn't let something like this slide, but there was no harm. Ron and Ginny weren't doing anything too bad; they were just arguing. She hadn't planned on them staying much longer anyway.
"Fine," Molly acquiesced. "Their time was coming to an end, anyway." Ginny and Ron jumped from their seats and rushed out of the kitchen quickly. "Behave, you two," Molly called out after them. Then, to her second oldest, she walked over to her son, waving her wooden spoon menacingly. "Don't think I will let that happen all the time."
"I've done nothing," Charlie said innocently. He tried to keep from smiling. "I'm your favorite."
"I have no favorites," Molly teased, lightly tapping Charlie's arm with the spoon.
Charlie laughed, moving away from the offending spoon, then leaned down and kissed his mum on the cheek before rushing out of the kitchen.
Molly chuckled at the antics of her children. Every day, they seemed to do something that made her fall more in love and proud of her children.
_0_0_0
Severus and Harry saw Remus walking down the corridor on their way back to Severus' chambers.
"We meet again," Remus said.
"Hi, Mr. Lupin," Harry said, giving the man a small wave.
Harry had never liked meeting new people. He never knew how they would take him. Would they believe his relatives about him? Would they not like him? But that didn't happen while he was in Hogwarts, like when he met Ron and was invited to join the House Quidditch team. Harry was nervous about meeting the rest of the Weasleys, and even they were great. But there was something about this man. He had scars but didn't seem scary. He almost had a calm nature about him.
Severus sighed inwardly when he saw Lupin heading their way. He didn't want to deal with another Maurader giving his two cents on why he shouldn't have Harry with him. He had enough from Black to last a lifetime. Even though Severus didn't care that Remus Lupin would be the new Defense Professor, it didn't mean he wanted the man to know that he was named Harry's Godfather.
He knew it was inevitable for them to talk. He didn't think it would be so close after what he had just dealt with in Minerva's office.
"Why don't we go talk?" Severus said.
The three wizards walked into Severus' chambers to the floo flaring.
"Severus." A woman's voice could be heard throughout the chambers.
Severus recognized Molly Weasley's voice. She'd been calling about once a day, checking in on Harry's progress.
"I'm here, Molly," Severus replied, kneeling by the fireplace.
"Charlie's heading back to Romania tomorrow. They're having a Quidditch game outside. I wonder if Harry could come over."
Hearing the Weasleys wanted him to come over, Harry became overly excited. "Yes, please," Harry piped in.
Severus turned and looked at his godson. Harry was literally vibrating with excitement. This was one of the first times Harry had shown enthusiasm towards anything since he was found in the forest. Severus would not deny the child. Plus, it would give him time to talk freely with Lupin.
"Of course," Severus replied. "Leave the floo open, and I'll drop him off."
Severus got off the floor. "Go get your winter robes, hat, and gloves."
Harry rushed towards his room to get his items. He came back just as fast, struggling to get them on.
"Just hold them," Severus said, halting Harry's progress. "You can put them on when you get to the Weasleys." He looked at Remus and said, "I'll be right back. Take a seat."
Not a minute from dropping Harry off and assuring his godson that he would bring him back for supper, Severus returned to find Remus sitting on his sofa.
Severus sat down in his high-back winged chair, looked at the man, and said, "So, are you going to say anything about the fact that Potter is with me?"
"No," Remus answered calmly. "I'm glad Harry's with his Godfather."
For the second time today, Severus was not expecting what he had just heard. First, hearing Minerva consider him family was one thing, but Lupin being glad Harry was with him was something else. Remus Lupin already knew Severus was Harry's Godfather.
Now, Severus was confused. Remus knew Lily had put him in the will and that he was named Harry's godfather. Things were not adding up.
"Harry's looking good," Remus continued. "You've done amazingly with him. Healthy. Happy."
"Alright, stop," Severus said. "You knew I was named Harry's Godfather?"
"Yes. I was a witness to the Will," Remus said. "I was there when Lily adamantly wanted you as one of Harry's Godparents."
PAST
"Why Snape?" James whined.
Lily entered the sitting room with an eight-month-old Harry on her hip.
James was sitting behind his desk, finishing up some work. Remus was sitting on the sofa. Lily walked over to Remus and lowered baby Harry to Remus.
"Severus Snape will be the Godfather to my son, James Charles Potter," Lily snarled.
"Harry already has a Godfather," James argued, looking at the several parchments on his desk.
"Just do it, Jamie," Remus piped in while he made silly faces, making Harry laugh.
"No," James said, looking at Remus. "Sirius is his Godfather. He's been here since Harry was born."
Remus just shook his head. He knew how important it was to Lily to have Severus in her child's life. He knew a lot about Severus and Lily's relationship, more intimate details that he only learned during their seventh year at Hogwarts. It broke Remus' heart that he was part of that friendship breaking the way it did. He urged Lily on many occasions to reach out to Severus, but something seemed to go wrong all the time.
James was working on paperwork from his job when he went to redip his quill in the inkwell. Everything on his desk was ripped to shreds.
"What the—" James started but quickly silenced when all he saw was the business end of his wife's wand. Glancing up, he saw pure rage in his Lily's green eyes.
Standing up, Remus said, "Come with me, Harry. Don't want you to see your mother kill your father. Too much blood," picking up Harry's toy broom.
"Remus," James called out.
"You're on your own, Jamie," Remus said, leaving the living room. "Don't make too much of a mess," he called back to Lily. "He is an Auror."
When the Potters were alone in the living room, James pleaded, "Lily, please."
The only reaction James received was Lily arching an eyebrow.
"Lily," James said.
"Severus will be Harry's Godfather," Lily said again. "He was my friend."
"Was being the operative word," James clarified.
Instantly, the wooden desk that separated the young couple disintegrated into shards and splinters, and Lily was upon James, poking her wand in his chest.
"And whose fault was that?" Lily growled.
"He called you that word," James argued. "OUCH!" James leaned back in his chair, trying to alleviate the pain Lily was causing by pressing her wand into his chest. "Lily cut that out."
"If you and Sirius hadn't bullied him, it wouldn't have happened!" Lily yelled, her eyes swelling with tears as she remembered that day.
Trying to contain her rage, Lily stepped back and closed her eyes, lowering her wand to her side. She took a few steps back. She couldn't do it. She was tired of fighting this.
"Remus," Lily called out, sounding defeated.
"Lily," James said, standing up. He could see Lily was upset and hated seeing her cry. "Talk to me."
Lily stepped back from James, holding her unarmed hand and preventing him from coming closer.
Remus walked back into the living room, expecting Lily to have James hanging upside down. He didn't expect to see his friend on the verge of tears.
"What did you do?" Remus growled, his whole demeanor changing.
This caused Harry to start crying. Lily walked over to Remus and grabbed her baby.
"Get me out of here," Lily whispered to Remus before leaving the room.
Remus watched Lily walk towards the stairs. He assumed she was going to pack up a few things for Harry. Remus looked at one of his first friends and shook his head.
"Is it so hard to name Severus as Harry's Godfather?" Remus asked, trying to keep his own rage down. Because he and Lily had gotten so close during their seventh year, he hated seeing her so upset. It was a constant during that time.
"It's Snape," James argued.
"I'm not Sirius," Remus spat out. "That argument won't work on me."
They were silent for a moment. Lily returned with a small satchel on her shoulder, and Harry bundled up in her arm while her outer robes hung on her arm.
"Remus," Lily hoarsely said. It was clear to both men she had been crying. "Can we go?"
"I'll be right there," Remus replied, then turned back to James. "Is not naming Severus as Harry's Godfather worth you losing your family?"
Remus shook his head as he left his friend alone and escorted Lily and Harry out of the house.
PRESENT
Severus couldn't believe what he just heard. Once again, Lily surprised Severus. He had no idea how Lily felt and believed she never wanted anything to do with Severus again. How much of his life would have been different if he'd known? Sadly, by then, it would have been too late. He was already ankle-deep in the Death Eaters.
"I wasn't worth it," Severus quietly confessed to himself.
"She believed you were," Remus stated. "It broke her heart that you two couldn't reconnect. Making you Harry's Godfather was to start building that bridge you once had."
_0_0_0
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed when he saw his best friend standing at the door, running towards his friend.
"Hey, Ron," Harry said.
"You just got here?" Ron asked, grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him towards their Quidditch pitch.
All Harry could do was nod before being pulled.
"Oi, Harry," Fred and George greeted. "Whatcha doing here?"
"Who cares?" Ron said. "He's here. Let's play. Charlie's leaving tomorrow," Ron told Harry.
"One last rematch," Charlie said, tossing Harry a broom. "I know I'll probably lose, but it's so much fun to try." Charlie winked at Harry.
Harry couldn't help himself from giggling. He mounted his broom and kicked off the ground.
"Alright, all," Bill called out. "This is the last one for a while. Make it good." He tossed the Quaffle and the Snitch into the air before kicking off himself.
Molly let them play but didn't want them outside too long. Even though Harry was recovering, she didn't want the child to get sick again. When she saw Harry catch the Snitch, she called out, "Okay, everyone, come inside."
"One more game," Ron pleaded when he flew towards her.
"Not today," Molly said. "Supper is almost ready. You all have to get cleaned up. And Professor Snape will be here to pick up Harry soon. I think you would like to do something inside and warm up before Harry leaves."
Harry was glad when Mrs. Weasley came out. He was getting cold. He didn't want to stop the game, and he was glad that he caught the Snitch. But he was getting too cold.
Everyone landed. The younger Weasley children and Harry ran towards the house. Charlie stayed to put the brooms away.
"Well, hello there," Charlie said when he left the shed. Standing on a stack of logs was Scabbers. Charlie picked the rat up. "Where have you been? Let's get you inside. There's a small boy who's been missing you."
Ron and Harry were on the floor in Ron's room playing Gobstones when Charlie got to the room.
"I've found someone," Charlie said.
Ron looked up to see his rat in his brother's hands. "Scabbers," Ron exclaimed, jumping up from the floor.
"Keep better watch of him," Charlie warned, handing Ron his rat.
"I will," Ron said, bringing the old rat to his chest. "Thanks, Charlie."
"Harry," Molly called from the bottom of the stairs. "Professor Snape is here."
Harry's face lit up as he stood to grab his things. "See ya back at school," Harry said as he rushed out of Ron's room.
"Bye, Harry," Ron said.
"Break's over," Charlie said, giving his brother a one-arm hug before they left the room.
When Ron and Charlie got downstairs, they saw the flames flashing green, indicating that Harry had just left.
"I'm leaving, too," Charlie announced.
Molly walked out of the kitchen. "Wait until your father comes home. We can have dinner together."
"Boy, I would love to," Charlie said. But I have to get back by tonight." He walked towards his mum, kissing her on the cheek. To her, he said, "Love you, ma."
"Don't you stay away this long again," Molly softly chided, giving her second oldest a strong hug. "I love you so much."
"I won't," Charlie promised. "I love you too."
"Leaving without saying anything."
Charlie turned to the new voice and saw his older brother and dad standing at the front door.
"On my way to you," Charlie said, smirking and walking towards Bill.
"When are you leaving?" Bill asked.
Before Charlie could answer the question, Arthur asked, "Can't you stay for supper?"
From where he stood, Arthur could see the tears forming in his wife's eyes. It didn't matter that Charlie, or Bill, for that matter, was of age; he would still be Molly's baby, and she didn't want him ever to leave.
"I wish I could, Dad," Charlie said. "I got to get back."
Molly walked over to Charlie and grasped him in a fierce hug, whispering, "Don't stay away too long this time. I don't think I could take another five years without seeing my baby."
"I love you, Mum," Charlie said as he kissed her cheek.
Charlie walked over to get his things when he was tackled from behind. When he fell, his head barely missed the wall. He knew precisely who was on him. He guessed it was payback for him doing the same to them when they got home from Hogwarts.
"Fred, George," Arthur said. "Let your brother up."
"Yeah," Charlie said. "Get off."
"You can't–"
"Just leave–"
"And not–"
"Say anything," Fred and George said together.
Standing up, Charlie looked at his family, "Boy, you would think I was trying to sneak out in the middle of the night," Charlie smirked. "I'm going to say goodbye. And I promise it won't be five years before I return."
_0_0_0
Severus and Harry sat at the table, finishing up their dinner. Severus was reading a roll of parchment while drinking some of the mulled wine Mrs. Weasley brought over.
"Professor Snape," Harry said, picking at the food remnants on his plate.
"Yes, Harry," Severus said.
"Professor Dumbledore is your dad," Harry asked, though it came out more as a statement than a question.
Severus lowered the glass in his hand. "Professor Dumbledore adopted me, yes."
"Can we go see him?" Harry asked.
Severus did not expect Harry to ask that question, but judging by Remus and Minerva's surprised confessions, what Harry requested shouldn't seem so difficult.
"When I went to see Hedwig," Harry continued, "Professor Dumbledore said I could come to his chambers and we could have Hot Chocolate."
Albus offering hot chocolate was not a new thing for the Headmaster. There were plenty of nights when Albus would insist on them having hot chocolate. And giving the idea some thought, having Harry try one of Albus's variations of hot chocolate would be a wonderful way to end the holiday break.
"That will be fine," Severus said.
"You're coming too, right?" Harry asked.
"I'll come," Severus sighed. He had to figure out how to help Harry overcome his fear of walking the corridors without him.
+0+0+0
Severus and Harry walked down the corridor where the stone Gryffin was at the end.
When they approached the stone statue, it said, "Isn't this a surprise?"
Harry was startled when the statue started to talk. He secretly berated himself. He was in a magical castle. The portraits moved and talked. Why not stone statues?
"Pumpkin Pasties," Severus said.
Harry looked up at his Professor, breaking him from his thoughts. He wondered why Professor Snape was saying a dessert.
Before Harry could ask, the statue said, "I'm surprised you would come on your own. Usually, Minerva or Albus would have to—"
"That's quite enough," Severus growled.
Harry covered his mouth, unable to contain a snicker, listening to the banter between his safety and the statue.
"If you don't let us enter," Severus said, quirking his eyebrow.
"Come through." The statue slid to the side, revealing a spiral staircase behind it.
If a statue could smile, Harry believed it was doing so right now. Harry's shoulders shook in a silent giggle as he was propelled to the stairs. More laughter emerged from the child when Harry heard Snape grumbling as they climbed the stairs.
When they reached the top of the stairs, the grand mahogany door opened on its own. Harry looked up at Severus in question, and Severus answered the unasked question, saying, "Professor Dumbledore knew we were standing by the statue."
"Come in, my boys," Albus said, welcoming. He stood from behind his desk and walked over to Harry and Severus. "What do I owe the honor of your visit?"
"It seems you promised Mr. Potter some hot chocolate," Severus said as they sat on the over-plush chairs across from Albus' desk.
"Ah, yes," Albus said, smiling. "Young Harry, don't let Severus fool you; he loved getting hot chocolate from me all the time."
Albus waved his hand over his desk. Simultaneously, the loose parchments stacked themselves to one end of the desk, and three huge hot chocolate-filled mugs topped with a mound of mini marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate syrup took its place.
"Wow." Harry couldn't believe his eyes. He had never seen anything like it. He enjoyed his first mug of hot chocolate at the Weasleys but didn't even know how to drink this one.
Albus' eyes twinkled as he watched Harry's reaction to the mug before him. It reminded him of Severus' first reaction when they shared a mug many years ago.
"Having hot chocolate any other way is criminal," Severus said.
Albus tilted his head back and laughed. Hearing Severus tell Harry the same thing he told him brought joy to his spirit. He knew how much Severus hid his feelings about people, especially the ones he deeply cared for.
Harry took a sip from the mug and couldn't contain his glee. It was better than the one he had at the Weasleys. He was definitely going to have to have Ron taste this.
"So, Severus, Harry," Albus said after sipping from his mug. "How can I help you?"
"You're Professor's dad?" Harry asked, putting his mug down and wiping the melted marshmallows and syrup from his mouth.
Severus lightly popped Harry's hand before conjuring a warm, damp flannel and wiping Harry's hand and face.
"I adopted Severus," Albus confirmed.
"Honestly, Harry," Severus grumbled. "Ill-mannered."
Undeterred by Severus' grumbling, Harry continued, "Do you mind having—"
"Harry," Severus said sharply. "What did I—"
Having had dinner with Minerva earlier, Albus knew about the meeting between Minerva, Severus, and Harry. She apprised him of what would be happening during the next school term. They also discussed Harry's fears.
Not wanting to have a repeat of what he heard happened earlier, Albus said, cutting off Severus, "Welcome to the family, Harry."
TBC
A/N: Thank you to everyone who favored, followed, and reviewed my story.
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Mandancie