Author's note: I had some initial difficulty writing this chapter from Harry's POV, so decided to give Severus's a try. I think it flows better, gives the readers more insight into his POV, and is more interesting overall. Besides, it's been awhile since he's had a chapter, so maybe this is the character telling me it's "his turn." Enjoy!
The next day, Severus received far more letters than usual. As a couple were Howlers-"I should have expected as much, as the OWL and NEWT results were sent out," he'd muttered upon seeing the red envelopes-he sent Harry outside so he could hear the caterwauling without having his child's ears permanently damaged.
While he did receive an occasional Howler based on NEWT results, such was a far rarer occurrence. Severus calmly sipped his tea as the parents whose offspring performed poorly spewed their nonsense at him.
At least, Howlers lacked the particularly unpleasant effects of being yelled at in person. Particularly, bad breath and saliva.
After the Howlers were mere ash and his ears had ceased ringing, thanks to a handy charm he'd invented after his first year as a teacher, Severus sorted through the remainder of the post. A few more letters of invitation, including another one from the Longbottom family (he felt his lips curl at this, and gave a murmur of thanks he'd prevented a meeting during their beach holiday-such would be inevitable at some point, but Severus wished to delay it as long as possible...), past issues of the Daily Prophet and Potioneers Weekly...and a letter from the Tonks family.
Severus froze as he clutched the envelope between his fingers.
Perhaps, he should have expected some correspondence as soon as Harry and Dora had become friendly. It was necessary in his role as a spy to be on good terms with the Malfoy family, especially since their child would be in Harry's year. The first meeting hadn't resulted in a close friendship, but neither had appeared to loathe each other. Fine.
Severus had a vague acquaintanceship with the third Black sister, Andromeda, while a school. Her being a sixth year when he was a first year-and not a Prefect-had meant almost no direct interaction. Unlike Sirius, who'd played the Potters before betraying them far worse than Severus's own actions, she'd actually rejected the family's pure blood idealogy. Andromeda had married a Muggle Born from Hufflepuff, somehow managed to stay alive during the Dark Lord's reign...and produced Nymphadora Tonks.
Had she not defended Harry when the miscreants from Severus's house had threatened to attack him, he would have strongly discouraged their acquaintanceship. But while he had rewarded her bravery with house points, he'd also felt he owed it to...Dora...to give her another chance. Yes, she had a perchance for mischief, which aggravated Severus to no end, but her behavior usually hurt no one-unlike James Potter and Sirius Black. Besides, Severus admitted, she'd become rather better behaved during her fifth year. Less prone to these acts. Perhaps, it was because she'd taken to act as a mentor to Harry and knew it would do no good to lead him astray. Or, it could be due to it being her OWL year. Then again, perhaps she was simply growing up. At any rate, T-Dora caused him no further trouble, and had not been a poor influence on his son.
Still, he hadn't expected a letter from the family.
Carefully, he opened it.
"Dear Professor Snape and Harry,
We hope you are enjoying your summer holidays. As our daughter has entertained us over the past few weeks about her 'adventures' with Harry, we thought it appropriate to extend an invitation to our house for tea.
If this is agreeable, please send us a few dates and times which are most convenient for you.
We look forward to further communication with you.
Cordially,
Andromeda and Ted Tonks."
Severus read through it twice, vaguely appreciating its conciseness.
He inhaled deeply, contemplating. An invitation to tea could be taken one of two (or more) ways by Narcissa and Lucius, who would surely find out. As the "black sheep" of the family, Andromeda had been rejected by both of her sisters due to her marrying a Muggle Born nearly two decades ago. So had said Bellatrix before her imprisonment, at any rate. But Narcissa and Lucius were also convicted of following the Dark Lord, even if they had escaped Azkaban by claiming the use of the Imperious Curse-and donating more money to charitable causes than Severus had earned during his tenure at Hogwarts. While Severus had never seen the Tonks family in public with the Malfoys, nor Draco speak of his sole cousin, it seemed likely that they had reestablished contact. Andromeda was Narcissa's sister, after all. If nothing else, it could be political to remain in contact with her.
If he rejected an invitation to tea with his son without a good reason, word would likely reach Narcissa. Then again, word would reach her if he accepted the invite. Severus believed she would be rather more displeased if he rejected the invite without cause than if he accepted it. After all, Andromeda might be a blood traitor, but she was still family.
Even if Narcissa could pretend otherwise.
Besides, there was Harry to consider, and he would certainly wish to see his friend. Unless the only available dates he provided conflicted with family plans, seeing them would be unavoidable.
Well, it could hardly be worse than a Death Eaters meeting.
He strode outside. "You may come inside, Harry," he called.
Harry, who had been on his swing set, jumped off with ease and ran to him, giving Severus a hug.
Once they had settled down at the breakfast table, and Severus had reheated their meals, Harry immediately noticed an opened letter by his bowl of porridge.
"It's from the Tonks family, addressed to both of us," Severus explained, managing a smile. "Go ahead. You may read it now."
Harry's hands shook slightly as he took it. "Is Dora all right?"
"She's fine, owlet," Severus reassured him, squeezing his child's hand. "It's merely an invitation to visit for tea."
Harry smiled, relief evident on his face.
Severus returned to his eggs as Harry read the letter. Finally, the child spoke.
"That's-that's nice of them?" Harry began, rather haltingly, settling it back down.
Severus nodded. "It is. Rather, owlet, it is also rather unusual to receive invitations from parents of students outside of Slytherin. Your friendship with Miss Tonks likely provoked it."
Harry stared down at his porridge.
"Not that I blame you," Severus continued. After a moment, he added, gently, "Would you like to go to their home for tea?"
He chewed his lip. "I...think so? Do you?"
"It would not be my preference to pass an afternoon, but I dare say there are far less agreeable ways to spend one," Severus admitted. Why bother with lying, after all? Harry knew that Dora was not his favorite among Harry's companions, but he did not exactly disapprove of them spending time together. Mostly. "I'll write back and give our acceptance."
Harry grinned, then. "Great! Thank you, Dad!"
It occurred to Severus that this potential visit might be a good thing for Harry to look forward to, especially with the beach holiday behind them. He wrote back that very day, providing several dates. Two days later, the Tonks matriarch offered the following day-and the name of their family home for the Floo connection.
Harry and Severus dressed carefully for the visit. They did not wear dress robes, of course, but they had taken to putting aside a couple of pairs of Harry's robes for such occasions. While Severus had performed Cleaning and Starching charms on his own, he'd only used a Cleaning Charm on Harry's. Children ought not be made to wear uncomfortable clothing. Severus's robes were black, of course, but Harry's were light blue.
"Dad? Do I look all right?" Harry asked, coming out of his room.
"Let me see."
Severus walked around his ward, noting that they would need to buy new robes, as the child's robes were two inches above the ankle. Not too short, but why delay the inevitable? At any rate, this was good-he was growing. They were not too short or tight along his shoulders or sleeves. Of course, they were clean and tidy. Harry's face and hands were clean, as was his hair. The child had washed it last night. Certainly, despite his best efforts, it was unkempt, but that was the Potter genes in play. Short of subjecting the child to hair potions, any attempts at tidiness would be a losing battle.
He smiled, then wrapped his arms around the child. "You look very nice, owlet."
Harry snuggled against him, but when they separated, his face wore a confused expression. "Dad? Your robes are...stiff."
Severus chuckled. "I used a Starching Charm on mine."
The child's face took on a concerned look. "Aren't you uncomfortable?"
Warmth filled him. "I often wear a shift underneath, so, no. I am at ease. Many adults do, including females. Now, are you ready?" At Harry's nod, Severus gently squeezed his shoulders, and they walked towards the sitting room.
They arrived promptly by the Floo network at the Tonks family home. Severus was very much used to this form of travel-his child, rather less so. Harry went first, Severus a second later. He put an arm around his shoulders and squeezed it, as much to comfort Harry as to keep him upright. Immediate, Severus Vanished the soot from both their robes, and almost as soon, Harry was greeted with a warm hug by Dora.
"Harry! It's good to see you!" Dora gushed, resulting in a smile from his child. Promptly, Dora extended a hand to Severus. "Hello, Professor."
Severus took her hand, allowing a slight smile. "Hello, Miss Tonks."
Two adults came into the room, each smiling. Dora gestured, rather unnecessarily, towards them. "Harry, Professor, these are my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Tonks."
"Andromeda and Ted," the male added, stepping forward and shaking both their hands. He was rather round in the middle, something that could not be hidden by his brown robes, but far from corpulent. Likely as not, this was a testament to Andromeda's cooking, as they likely no longer owned one of the Black house elves. "It's very nice to finally meet you, Professor Snape."
"Likewise...Ted," Severus said, rather awkwardly managing the man's first name, as he took his hand.
Mrs. Tonks-Andromeda-stepped forward, then. She took Severus's hand first, then Harry's. "It's lovely to meet you both. Please, do have a seat wherever you wish." Andromeda nodded as she lead them to a collection of well-maintained furniture in a variety of earth tone colors.
Severus and Harry took spots beside each other on the couch, as was their usual way of seating in a new home. They sat close enough for Severus to be able to place an arm around Harry's shoulder, should he need any reassurance-or simply wanted to feel closer to his guardian.
The three members of the Tonks family settled themselves into plush armchairs. Sitting across from the adults-and with Dora to his other side-Severus was able to study them. Ted was reasonably ordinary looking, with sandy brown hair and a face that, while not handsome in the Black or Malfoy standards, was pleasant enough in its own manner. Andromeda, despite the fact that she must be closer to forty than thirty, was lovely. She rather resembled Bellatrix, but while the former's beauty had been fierce, the latter was more-Severus hated to use the word, yet found it the best fit here-pure. Her hair was light brown, a bit wavy, and reached past her waist. Her face showed the aristocratic features of the Blacks, not dissimilar to Narcissa's, from her delicate eyebrows to her precise chin.
Previously, Dora had never appeared to be a great beauty-not that Severus spent large amounts of time evaluating the looks of his students. However, upon seeing the teenager next to her mother, Severus could detect some resemblance. Dora's face was more heart shaped than her mother, but her eyes were the same. Her face was free of acne, thankfully, and perhaps in a few years, the resemblance between the two would be more prominent. Or, perhaps not. Like her mother, Dora's robes were violet in color, with wide sleeves and a wide skirt.
"Dora tells us you have been friends for the better part of her fifth year," Ted began, after sending around the tea tray, and his wife urging them to help themselves to sandwiches and biscuits and cakes alike.
"Yes. The two have taken to exploring the castle together." Severus took a sip of his tea. "Although I suspect that she's been more of a guide to my son than a fellow explorer."
Dora grinned. "We discovered a few new corridors together, Professor."
"I stand corrected," he amended, nodding.
Andromeda laughed. "My friends and I passed many an afternoon exploring, and found new rooms and corridors well into our sixth year."
"That was how she discovered the Room of Requirement!" Dora piped up, nearly jumping in her chair.
"Indeed, although we encountered that particular delight during my third year," her mother added, her smile widening. "And no, I won't tell you. Not until your seventh year, if you haven't discovered it before then."
Dora groaned. "Moommm!" She turned to her father. "Dad?"
But Ted shook his head, his mouth forming a smile. "Sorry, duckling, but I defer to your mum on this."
Dora heaved a heavy sigh, causing Andromeda to put an arm on her shoulder. "As I understand from your travels, you're not far off." Dora brightened at this, and, once satisfied by her response, Andromeda addressed Harry. "How do you fancy living in the castle, Harry? I expect it might feel quite intimidating, between the size of it, and being rather younger than even the first year students."
Severus was struck by her insight. Not that the concern hadn't occurred to him-multiple times-but Andromeda was all but a stranger.
"A bit, ma'am," Harry answered, truthfully, looking from his half-eaten sandwich back to her, "but I expect I'm getting used to both, and Dora's always really nice to me."
Dora grinned at this assessment, then took a large bite of one of her own sandwiches.
"You'll know the castle very well indeed by the time you're a student," Ted encouraged, grinning. "Mind, your teachers will expect you to arrive at your lessons on time from the first day."
Harry smiled. "I already have lessons, of a sort, sir."
"Oh?" Andromeda prodded, kindly.
"Yes, most of the teachers come to our quarters for an hour or so once a week," Harry explained. "I can't really do magic, yet, but they teach me a bit of the theory behind it. I even had tests before the end of the last term."
Severus wrapped an arm around Harry. "He did exceptionally well on those tests, too."
The child leaned into him. "Thanks, Dad."
"That's wonderful," Andromeda praised. "Sounds rather like the homeschooling curriculum that Mathilda Bagshot developed for children before entering a magical school. We used it for Dora, but I rather suspect that most parents-even those from wizarding families-do not utilize them."
"There's no doubt that our Dora benefitted from them," Ted spoke up, placing a hand on his daughter's, "but I never felt very behind for not having had them."
Dora spoke up, then. "I don't know, Dad. I reckon I understand the theory, especially in Charms and Transfiguration, a lot more than Elizabeth or Sarah. They're the two Muggle-Borns in our year," she added quickly.
"Well," Andromeda said, briskly, "we can certainly agree that education before attending Hogwarts can be very helpful. On that note, Severus, Dora performed exceptionally in her OWL exams, even up to your standards, and you shall see her in your NEWT class."
Severus managed a smile. "What happy news...Dora."
The girl blushed. "Er, thanks. Mum's exaggerating, though. It's not as though I got ALL Outstanding results."
"Oh, an Exceeds Expectations in History of Magic is hardly something to be ashamed of," her mother replied, almost sternly. "Particularly since no further lessons are available past fifth year."
"You received Outstanding in all of your other examinations, then?" Severus queried.
As he was not Dora's head of house, he would not be automatically informed of all of her results. Merely Potions-should she decide to continue her studies. And, based on her mother's comment, this appeared to be the case.
"Yes, sir." She blushed, slightly. "Nine OWLs in all, and eight were Outstanding."
"Well done," Severus praised. He would have tempered his words had her parents not been present. Besides, Dora seemed almost embarrassed by her results. "Then, I shall see you in Potions next term?"
"Yes, sir," Dora repeated. "I wish to become an Auror, and my head of house told me last year that a high NEWT in Potions would be essential. As well as Defense Against the Dark Arts," she added.
"She's quite correct. Such work frequently requires brewing and testing potions. Dark witches and wizards utilize poison frequently." Severus squeezed Harry's shoulders lightly, then drew him closer, sensing the child's unease. "We shall study this in considerable detail during your sixth and seventh year. If you continue to perform to your usual high level, Dora, you will be well prepared for the NEWT and, of course, the Auror training program."
"Thank you, sir," Dora answered, simply, yet sincerely.
Ted spoke then, changing the topic to asking about what Harry and Severus had done this summer. This led to a recap of their beach holiday. The Tonks family, likewise, had been on holiday to their beach house (Severus realized from this that they were quite well off-though, likely, not as much as the Malfoys) for two weeks at the very start of the holidays, and planned to return for another two or three at the beginning the following week.
"Please, do have some more food if you are hungry," Andromeda pressed, sending the tray around again.
Severus and Harry each accepted another small sandwich and a biscuit. They were quite delicious, certainly up to the quality of Hogwarts feast food. It was easy to see why Ted was not as slender as his wife and daughter.
Dora began to fidget a bit, and a quick, pleading look at Harry gave Severus the same impression. When Andromeda suggested Dora show Harry her room while they chatted, Severus readily agreed. Not that the room of a teenage female would likely provide much in the way of amusement for his son, but it would give Harry a chance to stretch his legs.
If the adults in the Tonks family wished to reprimand Severus for his treatment of their only daughter, now would be the time to do so. Severus straightened himself further, steeling himself for an incoming attack. Howlers were one thing-they were certainly louder than any mere human could speak-but there was something about being a guest in a person's home, with his son upstairs, that put him on edge. Yes, Severus outright favored Slytherin, and Nymphadora Tonks met more of his ire than most not in his house, but had she not deserved it over the years? Besides, he'd been decent ever since she'd become friends with Harry.
Severus could have brushed off a Howler from the Tonks family, but a reprimand here would sting in another manner. The last half hour or so gave him only a glance into their family, yet he could sense it was a close-knit one. He'd long since rejected any pure-blood superiority notions he'd once held, and besides, the Tonks family consisted of a pure-blood, a half-blood, and a Muggle-Born. All the same, they were united, not simply by blood and the magic within, but by a powerful love for each other. Respect, too. Yes, Dora clearly loved and respected both of her parents, and doing well in school was certainly one path towards her earning their respect. Her admission of "only" receiving Exceeds Expectations in a lesson few took seriously demonstrated this. They were proud of her, and Dora worked hard to earn this, but Severus had the distinct impression that they would love their only daughter even if she needed to do her fifth year over.
How had they seen him before their only daughter befriended his son? Likely as not, as the dreadful Potions master who favored Slytherin and sent the other children to their common rooms in tears, or in anger. Dora Tonks had been among those who had reacted with mischief. All this has ceased the past year, and perhaps, the Tonks adults might take this into account if they chose to vent their feelings towards him now...
"Professor Snape? Would you care for more tea?"
The kind voice came from Andromeda as she hovered the teapot over the table.
"Yes, please," he answered, taking hold of his empty mug.
A moment later, warmth filled his hand as the steaming liquid filled the cup. He took a sip, and smiled. "It's lovely. Thank you."
"You're most welcome." Andromeda refilled her own mug, then her husband's, before speaking again." Do you know, Professor, that Ted has distant relatives in the United States? They are far less fond of tea than we are. His second cousins say that many Americans practically inhale coffee." She laughed pleasantly. "I expect it keeps them awake long past our bedtime."
"Have you ever tasted it?" Severus asked, politely.
She winced slightly. "In a way, Professor. I once sampled it in the form of a Bertie Bott's Every Flavored bean. I recall that it was extremely bitter. Ted's cousin says the beverage is an acquired taste, and many temper it with cream and sugar."
"Or milk, instead of cream," Ted put in.
"Or milk," Andromeda agreed, with a small smile.
Severus was again struck by her resemblance to her younger sister. Andromeda's features more closely resembled the elder, at first glance, but there were aspects of Narcissa in her. Then, also, was the fact that the youngest Black (now Malfoy) modeled pure blood decorum. Bellatrix had never been a savage, exactly, but her devotion to the Dark Lord certainly would have made her mother flinch at her manners.
Andromeda may have rejected the idealogy, and certainly brought up her daughter in a liberal manner, but no faults could be attributed to her manners or appearance. Severus found himself relaxing, as it was unlikely a reprimand would be forthcoming. This was meant to be a social visit, unmarred by yelling or whispering of his past mistreatment of their only daughter.
"More sandwiches, Professor?" Andromeda asked, kindly, hovering the still mostly full tray of food in front of him.
"Or biscuits?" Ted added, grinning. Patting his stomach slightly, he added, "You don't look like you need to watch what you eat."
"Thank you." Severus added two small sandwiches and one biscuit to his own plate. "They're quite tasty."
She smiled, one that reached her eyes. "I love to cook, even though I hadn't learned until I was married. We had a few house-elves," she added, simply, "and I rather took for granted what it took to keep a house."
"Not that you'd know it after the first year," Ted put in, proudly. "Andy can even make the socks fold themselves!"
"That's quite impressive," Severus agreed. He'd never attempted such a feat, but this was the first he'd heard of it.
They engaged in similar talk for the next quarter hour or so. By then, Severus felt he had a reasonably good idea of both of the adult members of the Tonks family. Andromeda had not "thrown out the baby with the bath water," to borrow a Muggle expression. She might have married a Muggle-Born, but in no way rejected wizarding society. (Although her sisters might differ in this assessment.) This involved being polite to those she invited to her home.
By the time Severus excused himself to collect Harry, he couldn't say that Dora Tonks would receive the same treatment of his snakes, but he would continue to treat her as her actions warranted.
The two were reading together on a couch when he came upon her room. Severus allowed himself a small smile, enjoying the image. The story was a Muggle fairytale, not one from their world. Severus mentally rebuked himself for not finding such titles for Harry's collection. It was a good thing his birthday was soon approaching.
He waited until the end of the story-Cinderella had lived happily ever after with her prince, and the stepsisters were appropriately disfigured for their poor treatment of her-before softly clearing his throat.
"It's nearly time to leave, Harry," he said, gently.
The child never objected when visits were about to end, so Severus was far from surprised when he nodded. However, he was slightly taken aback when Harry hugged Dora fiercely.
"See you in September?" he asked, almost tremulously.
"Of course." She returned the hug, then smoothed back Harry's hair-not unlike the way Severus did. "I'll come downstairs to say goodbye."
Harry left the room first, immediately standing by Severus's side and holding his hand. Severus squeezed back.
Once downstairs, they bid a quick-but genuine-goodbye to the Tonks family. There was the shaking of hands by Severus and Harry with Ted, but when it came time for Andromeda to say goodbye to Harry, she asked him if she could give him a hug.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, shyly.
The matriarch wrapped her arms around him, and when they parted, Harry had a small smile on his face. Dora shook Severus's hand, gave Harry a final hug, and then, they were off.
Severus was not at all surprised to find Harry barely able to hide his yawns when they returned, but he was surprised to find that he was quite tired as well.
"Let's change into our night shirts, and have a good rest," Severus suggested. "Did you have a nice time?"
Harry yawned again, then nodded. "I thought everyone was really nice. I was surprised that Mrs. Tonks wanted to hug me."
So was Severus. "It was very polite of you to allow her to."
"She gives good hugs. Like Dora. Yours are the best, though," Harry added, quickly.
He chuckled. "Come, off to your room before you fall asleep standing up."
A few minutes later, they lay in Severus's bed, relaxing under the covers. Despite the summer day, it had grown unseasonably cold-perhaps there would be a downpour of rain later-and the covers were welcome over Severus's summer night shirt. Harry, of course, nestled against him. Severus placed one arm around his frame, and carded his hair with the other. Harry's sweet, young face soon wore a contented expression, and if he were a cat (like Calla), Severus was certain he would be purring.
Not that he was far from feeling this way, either. If Harry felt like a cat, he felt like a human stroking a fluffy cat's fur. Indeed, Harry's hair had been especially soft since they switched to a shampoo and conditioner meant for children, even if it was as messy as ever.
Severus felt his eyes begin to grow heavy.
Author's note: Andromeda Black Tonks is a minor character who fascinates me. What we do know about her is positive, though, and she's even a Slytherin who married a Muggle-Born from Hufflepuff. While I don't foresee her becoming a major character in this work, I will add more of her in the future.
Yes, Severus is becoming a total softie where Harry's concerned, but I don't think this is unbelievable. He and Harry chose each other, Harry is a good kid (but he has trauma that they are dealing with-at this point, mostly offscreen), and Severus is not only finding purpose in his life, he's finding happiness. Sure, being a parent is hard work, but there are fun parts. And not only is Harry out of diapers and the like, he's at the age where he doesn't have to be supervised continually.
Next up: Harry's birthday. If you have any ideas for games magical children would play, let me know. (I checked online and found a couple of idea) Also, should Dora be there? She wouldn't be the only teenager, as one of the older Weasleys would be there.
As always, I greatly appreciate constructive feedback! :)