Dec 20, 1998
Severus's Office
"Professor Snape," McGonagall called from outside. "May I come in?"
Severus slid his head down from Komes's lap. He was lying on his back. The young naga stroked his head. He sat up straight, fixed his clothes, and shouted, "Come in."
McGonagall opened the door. "I hope I don't interrupt anything," she said with a smile, her eyes scanning the marks on her staff's neck.
Severus blushed at the sight, sending Komes a reproachful look. 'I told you not to leave any mark,' and Komes acted as if he had done nothing wrong.
"I am glad you're happy," McGonagall said. "I'm here to invite you to the Christmas party at Grimmauld Place. You should go out and celebrate. Don't be cooped up underground."
"Underground, underwater is my home," Severus replied calmly. "And I don't want to ruin the festive atmosphere. They don't like me very much."
"Severus," the headmistress said softly, "that's what you think. Of course I'm not saying everyone is going to like you passionately or anything, but after everyone knows what you've done, I'm sure they'll at least admire you."
Severus snorted. "I don't see any heroic action I've taken, and I did it for the sake of my only friend, Lily. I'm the most disgustingly selfish person. Imagine if the Dark Lord had not gone after the Potters first but had gone after the Longbottoms. Do you think I would have been a spy for Dumbledore? I didn't even care if a little baby died. When I told the Dark Lord the prophecy, all I thought about was the honour I would receive. If the Dark Lord had spared Lily's life, I might have been a spy for the Dark Lord." He didn't deserve any of that credit. He was sick of people looking at him like he was some selfless hero when he knew he wasn't. He might have risked his life for the Order, but it was based on selfishness, not sacrifice.
Komes walked over and held his hand. "They offered their friendship to you; it would be impolite to refuse. Moreover, it is useless to say that if this or that didn't happen, why do you have to say it to destroy your own morale? Every living being has done wrong. Even Aṅgulimāla was born as a human, the most superior creature, came from a good family, and was well-educated. He still killed almost a thousand people. When the Buddha came to teach him, he became an arahant. You are a naga, a beastly god living in a family where your parents fight every day. It is understandable that you would choose the wrong path."
"You were just trying to comfort me," Severus said. "I think I deserved to die anyway. You shouldn't have let Chon help me." And he started crying because he couldn't hold it in.
Komes patted his head to comfort him and pulled him in tightly. "Calm down, Severus."
"I should take my leave." McGonagall said hesitantly. She had never seen Severus cry in front of her before. He was a strong man who didn't shed tears easily in front of anyone. When something like this happened in front of her, she felt quite uncomfortable.
"I'm going to the party," Severus said. After regaining his composure and feeling a little ashamed of crying, it would be good to change the atmosphere a bit. I don't know why I am so moody. If I had a womb, I might think I was on my period.
"Are you sure?" Komes asked. "If you don't want to go, no one will force you."
"I'm willing," Severus said irritably. "Don't think for me in everything."
Komes wasn't angry. He just smiled faintly. "Have you been itching lately? Do you wake up a lot at night?"
Severus nodded, wondering how Komes knew.
"You must be about to molt. When a naga is about to molt, you're moody like this. And itchy. When Chon molted, he was like this. He yelled at me. Luckily, no one heard him, or he wouldn't have survived," Komes explained.
Severus felt worried. He had received enough information about molting from Nathee. Humans might think that molting is no different from changing clothes, which is a very wrong idea. Molting for naga was as painful as giving birth to a child. Severus didn't have a womb. He had never given birth, but everyone said it was the most painful thing a woman could ever do. He wondered if it was worse than the Cruciatus Curse. His worry must have shown on his face because Komes reached out and stroked his head gently.
"You will get through this, Severus." He pulled his beloved in for a kiss.
McGonagall cleared her throat. It seemed the two nagas had forgotten that she was there. She wasn't ready to watch a documentary about the world of animals right now.
They pulled away, Severus blushing brightly, while Komes looked smug.
"I'm going," McGonagall said. "Take it easy. You still have to teach, Severus," and she walked away.
Severus turned to look at Komes, who was smiling at him. "Shall we begin?" Komes asked.
"Yes," Severus replied without looking him in the eye. If he couldn't make it to school tomorrow, there was no doubting who it was.
Dec 21, 1998
"Are you going to the party at Mr. Black's house?" Sevilin asked, looking disappointed.
Severus raised his eyebrows. "I don't want to go either, but the headmistress invited me herself. It would be rude not to go."
Sevilin fidgeted with his feet. "I already have an appointment. Stewie is taking me to his house to celebrate."
Severus snorted, while Komes tried to hold back his laughter but failed.
"You're so close to him, you even call him Stewie, and you even went to celebrate Christmas with him."
Sevilin blushed. "Actually, he asked me to date him, but I refused at that time. I see that the war isn't over yet, but now..."
Severus felt like he was going to faint. His son was only 13. Why was he growing up too fast?
"Bring Stewie to celebrate with us," Komes suggested.
Severus turned around, looking displeased.
"Keep him in our sight," Komes whispered. "At least he'll have some respect for us."
"Alright then," Severus said through gritted teeth. "Bring him to our celebration. I'll see if he's good enough to date my son."
Sevilin brightened up immediately. You will like him," he said confidently.
'Well then,' Severus thought. 'We'll see.'
December 25, 1998
Hogwarts was almost deserted. Apart from Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher who looked after the few students, there was hardly anyone else, because everyone had gathered at Sirius's house.
"How's being headmistress?" Molly asked. "Is it harder?"
"A little bit," McGonagall replied. "The only problem is finding a replacement teacher. We haven't found a head of Gryffindor yet. And Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I am teaching Transfiguration now. And Severus taught Defence Against the Dark Arts," she sighed. "I'll have to find replacements soon."
"I want to retire too," Sprout said. "I want to have a peaceful life, without having to deal with dunderheads." She glanced at Severus briefly.
"Really?" Neville said, barely able to hide his joy.
"You don't have to be so happy," Sprout said.
"No, I'm not," Neville quickly explained. "I just really like herbology. I'm happy to pass on my knowledge to the next generation." He glanced at his grandmother uncertainly. He wondered if she would be disappointed that he had decided to become a teacher instead of an Auror like his parents.
"Do what makes you happy, Neville," Mrs. Longbottom said. "I've been forcing you your whole life. You make your own choices for the rest of your life."
Neville smiled brightly. He turned to Professor McGonagall. "I'd like to apply to teach. Can I?"
"You'll only teach first year to third year," McGonagall decided, then turned to Sprout. "You won't retire immediately, Neville. You're very talented, but you're only 18. You can't control teenagers."
Sprout nodded. "I'll keep teaching for another two or three years, but it's good to have someone help."
"What about Defence Against the Dark Arts?" Snape asked. "I can't teach two subjects."
Everyone turned to look at Remus, who looked uneasy.
"I'd love to," Remus said. "But now that I have Teddy, it's hard to…"
"Aww!" the little boy squealed happily, giggling.
"What's up, little wolf?" Nymphadora teased her son.
"He's so cute," Fleur said, rubbing her slightly bulging belly. "I wish my child could be as cute as him,"
Sirius laughed. "No one else could be as cute as little Moony. I have Harry and Teddy; I don't need to have my own children."
"It's strange that Lupin didn't choose you as his son's godfather," Snape said sarcastically.
"I didn't choose Sirius as godfather of my son because he's not a good guardian. He's like a big boy. Harry is more mature than he is."
Severus laughed loudly. The whole table laughed too, except for Sirius, who blushed.
"Remy," Sirius cried. "Show me some respect!
"But Professor Snape's son is so quiet," George said. "He hasn't said a word."
His twin smacked him on the arm. "How could he talk, George? His mouth is working."
"Is the food so delicious that he can't stop eating, Fred?"
"No, they're just kissing nonstop," said Fred.
Severus turned to look at his son, and rightfully so. He was kissing the Ackerley boy. "Stop it," cried Severus. ""Have some shame! There are people around."
The two of them pulled their lips apart. Sevilin's cheeks were a little pink, while Stewart looked smug.
"Then let's go find a room," Stewart said slyly, taking Sevilin's hand. "Let's go, Villy."
"No," shouted Severus. "You can't take my son anywhere."
"Then, father-in-law, allow me to date Sevilin," said Stewart. "I'll be in your sight at all times."
Severus gritted his teeth. He was extremely displeased, but Komes had another opinion.
"I will," Komes said. "But if you ever make our son sad…" He narrowed his eyes. "You will suffer a worse torment than death."
"Komes," cried Snape in shock. "Sevilin can't date him. He's not like us. He is so different from us."
"I know that Sevilin is a naga," Stewart said firmly. "He told me. I love Sevilin and his naga nature."
"You are young," Severus said. "You are a human. One day you will grow old, die, and die before us. I don't want my son to…"
"Everyone dies," Sevilin said. "As long as we are happy now, why should we think about the future? Nothing is certain. I might die before Stewie."
"But he will grow old before you. Do you really want to be with him? One day he will be an old man while you are still a young man," Severus said. "At that time, you will be the ones who will be sad."
Sevilin smiled. "I know, Dad. But as long as he is alive, I will love him. I don't care if he has a crooked back, a broken tooth, or anything. I will love him."
Stewart grabbed Sevilin's hand and held it. "I will be by his side. Even if I have to crawl."
"There is a way to help Stewart live longer," Komes said. "The Vidyadhar's elixir will help extend his life, but on one condition."
"What is it?" Stewart asked. He was eager to spend as much time with Sevilin as possible.
"You must observe the Five Precepts on weekdays and the Eight Precepts on Buddhist holy days," Komes said. "That is, no killing, no stealing, no adultery, no lying, and no drug use of any kind. Buddhist holy days are when the moon is full and half. In addition to the Five Precepts, you must also not eat after noon, watch shows, decorate your body, or lie in bed, and you must observe celibacy."
"What is celibacy?" Stewart asked curiously.
"Abstain from sexual intercourse," Komes explained. "Even with your own partner."
"It's difficult," Stewart said. "But I will try."
"You can't try; you have to do it," Komes said firmly. "The Vidyadhar's elixir has infinite benefits and great harms. If you break even one of these rules, your lifespan will be reduced, and you may die sooner."
"If that's the case, just stepping on an ant would bring bad luck," said Ron. "Horrible, Ackerley. Don't do it."
"In our precepts, if it's unintentional, it doesn't count as a sin."," said Komes. "The precepts aren't broken that easily."
"You should try to keep the Eight Precepts," said Severus. "Especially the one about celibacy."
Komes laughed brightly. "Talk all you want. I'm afraid that if I really do, some Naga won't be able to stand it."
"Enough," Sirius interrupted. "Both of you, if you want to be sweet to your boyfriends, go somewhere else. Not my house. It's annoying."
Everyone laughed. Severus never thought this day would come, the day he would laugh heartily, not just force a smile. Right now, he had Komes and Sevilin, and he didn't really want to admit it. There was Stewart. Stewart was a fifth-year student who was about to take his O.W.L.S. exam, and he had to admit that even by his standards, the chances of this boy continuing his studies at the N.E.W.T. had a high chance. At least this child was someone he could entrust to Sevilin. But if he dared to hurt his son, the Cruciatus Curse would become a recreational activity.
"You won't get past me easily," Severus hissed. "I will keep an eye on you. If you cross the line... I will take Sevilin back to the Underworld, and you will never see him again."
Stewart swallowed. Whether Snape Sr. was a man or a snake, he was equally scary. But whatever, if you love his son, you have to be patient. If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get a tiger's cub. Even in this case, you have to change from a tiger to a snake.
"Yes, Professor Snape. I will do my best," Stewart replied.
"I will see to it," Severus said in disbelief. "Remember, not even a little."
Suddenly, he started to itch, as if a whole colony of fire ants had bitten him. He looked down at his hands and saw that they had turned into snake scales instead of human skin.
"Gosh!" Severus exclaimed. "I'm going to molt."
"Is there a room here?" Komes turned to ask Sirius. The animagus nodded and pointed the way.
Komes picked up Severus and carried him. "Hold on, Severus," he comforted. "It won't be long. Trust me, I'll be by your side." He walked into a room with a sign on the door that said, "Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black."
Komes felt that Regulus' handwriting was quite similar to his own, but he didn't have time to look closely. He carried his lover, who was now half a snake, into the room and laid him down gently. Severus groaned, both in pain and itching.
"It's okay," Komes tried to comfort him. "This too shall pass."
It was going to be a long day for them.
Come to think of it, I still haven't found new teachers," the headmistress said. "But never mind, I'll worry about it after Christmas. Let's celebrate first!"
The whole house was filled with joy, except in Regulus' room.
'Why do I have to molt today?' Severus thought angrily. 'Will Ugly do anything to my son?' Part of him wanted Komes to go and see, but another part of him was afraid of having to molt all alone. He was confused. 'Oh well, he wouldn't dare do anything to my son. I have to trust Sevilin.' The day was still long.