Snarry - A Certain Kind of Fool (Chapters 8-10) part 4 of 6
To view the header, see "chapter one"
Part Eight: Center of the Universe
Severus settled back into his favorite armchair, trying to look more relaxed than he felt. His godson capering about the room, asking questions about every little thing, was unnerving. He had thought his relationship with Albus would, perhaps, temper his usual misgivings about spending time with small children, but it seemed it hadn't. He had to stop himself from constantly nagging Scorpius to not touch this or that. Albus was easy. Albus knew the rules.
"He's not going to hurt anything, Severus." Draco seemed amused by Severus's discomfort. "He's really quite well behaved for his age. Astoria wouldn't have it any other way."
"No matter how terribly you try to spoil him?"
Draco smiled. "A Malfoy heir should be at least a bit spoilt, shouldn't he?"
"I daresay you were."
The smile slid from Draco's face. "Scorpius's childhood is going to be nothing like mine. That I can promise."
Severus nodded. So many of Draco's generation were coddling their children, making their lives as soft and stress-free as possible, as if the elders were trying to recapture what innocence the war had stolen. It seemed as good a time for a topic change as any, so Severus forced his gaze away from the journals Scorpius was running his fingers along, and said, "Does he show any signs of Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic?"
"No. From what I've read, it isn't genetic. It just pops up occasionally."
"Do you remember how your parents dealt with your case?"
Draco took a sip of his tea. "Don't touch that, Scorpius, or Severus might have a coronary."
Scorpius giggled and replaced the journal he'd grabbed.
"It was a long time ago. About all I remember is the forest clearing Father took me to so I could work on expending my magic." Draco nodded to himself. "I was so little and the program worked so quickly, I doubt I did much damage."
"I'm quite sure you didn't."
"Oh." Draco grinned. "I remember how Mother held my hand whenever we were out in public. For months I had to be right at her side, her magic dampening mine, until she was sure I'd gained control. Gods, that was embarrassing. No nine year old Wizard wants to be known as a mummy's boy."
Severus understood now why every semi-recent photo of Harry showed him holding tightly to his wife. She had been his lifeline, the reason he could go out in public. And here the press had so romanticized them: the couple who were so in love, they were always touching. Severus wondered, if only for a moment, how much of a physical and magical drain that had been on Ginevra.
The door to Severus's study flew open and Albus skipped in. The house-elf, Belfry, stood just outside the door, her eyes growing larger when she looked into the room. "You'll be excusing Belfry, sir, but I thought it was Master Albus's time to be coming here and Master Harry Potter is to be helping Professor Hagrid, sir. But since you have companies, I's must have been wrong. I'll take the young master back to his rooms and punish myselfs, sir."
Albus had stopped halfway to Severus's chair. His eyes were fixed on Scorpius, who was staring back at him.
"No, Belfry, there's no need for punishment. I had quite forgotten, but you are correct. Albus is scheduled to be here now. You may leave."
The elf curtsied, and with a soft pop, disappeared.
"What's this, then?" Draco asked. He raised his eyebrows and grinned at Severus. "Potter's younger son?"
"Indeed." Severus watched Albus as the boy, still keeping his gaze on Scorpius, sidled a bit toward Severus. Albus's fingers twitched. Severus had to fight the urge to reach out and grasp that hand, as he knew that was what Albus was attempting: to find contact without taking his eyes off Scorpius.
"Interesting," Draco said. "Why exactly is Albus Potter visiting you?"
Hearing his name spoken by this stranger seemed to shake Albus out of his thrall. He closed the distance to Severus and clutched at Severus's shirtsleeve. "This is my Severus," he said quietly. And then louder, "My. Severus."
Draco bit his lip, then hid his mouth behind his hand, and finally burst out laughing.
Scorpius moved to Draco's side and grabbed his father's sleeve. "My daddy," Scorpius said.
Albus nodded and then smiled. "'m Albus."
"I'm Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy."
"That's a big name." Albus let go of Severus's sleeve and stepped toward Scorpius.
Draco, finally done with his fit of laughter, said, "A bit possessive is he?"
Severus chose to ignore him. "Albus, why don't you show Scorpius your favorite picture books. Perhaps you can keep him occupied."
Albus went to 'his' shelf and pulled down several books. Severus was happy to see he had picked all his beginner potions texts.
Soon the two boys were sprawled out on the rug, on their stomachs, side-by-side, flipping through the books with Albus keeping up a running commentary on potions techniques.
After watching them for a few minutes, Draco turned to Severus. "I suppose I'm going to have to hire a potions tutor for Scorpius now. Unless you'd be willing to teach him."
The 'as you've apparently been teaching the young Potter' was left unsaid, but Severus got the message. He certainly wasn't going to feel badly about giving Albus potions lessons and not giving Scorpius the same advantage. From what he could tell, Scorpius had every advantage already. "I'm afraid one student in my preschool class is all I can handle."
Draco nodded as if he'd expected just such an answer. "I must know how this happened. I imagine there's quite an interesting story."
Severus was not about to tell of Ginevra's prophesy and his apparent part in it. To Severus it seemed as personal and confidential as it must to Harry. Instead, he simply said, "The boy wandered down when he first moved in and I haven't been able to get rid of him since."
"It doesn't appear you want to get rid of him."
Albus looked up at Severus.
"He's proven to be a good companion."
Albus went back to his book, but Draco continued staring at Severus as if seeing him for the first time.
Finally, Severus snapped, "I don't think my friendship with the boy is so peculiar!"
Draco grinned and shrugged. "If you say so."
The next two hours passed quickly. Albus insisted on showing Scorpius his potions equipment, so they all went to Severus's laboratory. When there, Draco got as caught up as the boys in brewing simple potions, leaving Severus to do some work on his own.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." Harry was standing in the doorway, cleaning his glasses as if to prove the point.
Draco stepped away from the boys, but smiled fondly down at them. "For once, I agree with you, Potter."
"Those two look like…" Potter began.
"Younger versions of us," Draco finished for him.
Both men shook their heads.
It wasn't long before both sets of fathers were ready to hustle their sons home. Before he left, however, Draco whispered, "Is Albus the one?"
Harry and Albus were just leaving. Severus waited for the door to swing closed before asking, "The one what?"
"You were asking about Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic for a reason." Draco looked gleeful. "One of the Potter children has it, don't they? Is it Albus?"
"Why are you so happy imagining Potter's children are thus afflicted?"
"Oh, come on, Severus. Where's the vindictive man I love so well? A few months ago, you'd be laughing along with me."
Severus cringed. It was only too true, but much had changed in the last months. "Must I remind you that you once had the same problem? Would you have liked people laughing at you?"
Draco snorted. "I'm sure there were a fair many who delighted in a Malfoy heir unable to control his magic, and a few more who wished it permanent."
Severus remembered the whispered gossip from that time, of how giddy some wizards were at the thought of Lucius Malfoy's son not being the perfect prince he was made out to be. "Regardless of all that, I can assure you that none of Potter's offspring have shown any sign of Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic."
Draco looked positively heartbroken.
Scorpius tugged on his father's shirt. "Is Albus my new friend, father?"
~**~**~**~
Harry held his wand as if it were a particularly nasty rodent. "I still don't like the idea of this."
"Do you or do you not want to learn how to live with your magic again?"
"Of course I do, it's just that…."
"You're afraid of hurting me."
"Well, yeah."
Severus snorted. They'd see Merlin's return before Potter was ever able to harm him. Severus knew more defensive magic than any room full of ten other adept wizards. "I will put up the strongest shield I can conjure."
"But…."
"Do it, Potter. Stop arguing and just do it. Do you think I'd stay in the room with you if I thought I might be in danger?" Severus looked around the room. Together with Minerva they'd made this dungeon area as impervious to magical damage as possible and then lowered the wards on it. In here, Potter would have full use of his magic.
"I 'spose not." Potter sounded like the surly teen Severus remembered him as being. It wasn't a particularly pleasant remembrance, and one he had trouble reconciling with the man, the father, he saw every day.
"I'm not insisting you do this for any perverse reason. I'm not trying to embarrass you or harm you, Potter. You must know that."
Harry nodded, but still held his wand delicately.
"We've gone over the reasons - you must release your magic in order to learn how to control it. Simple, really." Severus was losing his patience. It was laughable that Harry was afraid of harming him. "Start slowly. Just release a little of your magic." Severus cast the shield charm so it encircled him, leaving Harry in a hazy light.
"Sparks, right?"
Severus nodded. Shooting sparks from one's wand was the usual way parents went about helping their children learn to control the intensity and duration of their spells. As red and green sparks started popping from the tip of Harry's wand, Severus said, "Many children aren't sure how to pull their magic back when they are done with a spell."
Harry nodded. "When I first learned magic, it just seemed natural."
Keeping his voice low and his eye on the sparks, Severus said, "Stop the spell now."
The sparks slowed but a few kept trickling out, popping in the air. Sweat rolled down Harry's face, the fingers of his wand hand were bleaching white. "I can't stop them."
Severus had expected as much. Harry had little control over his magic, and the only way he'd get it would be exercises such as these.
"How do I make it stop?" With those words, a torrent of sparks raced from Harry's wand. The room lit and sizzled. They hit Severus's shield and hissed, dying like drops of water in a hot cauldron.
Almost as soon as it started, the rain of sparks stopped. Harry slumped to the floor, breathing hard, eyes wild. "Are you okay?"
With a flick of his wand, Severus banished the shield and strode over to Harry. "I am fine, of course." He held out a hand, and when Harry seemed too drained to even take it, he squatted down and hauled the other man to his feet. "It's best to stand for a bit after - it can distress your body to expend so much magic all at once. If you lie down immediately, you may go into shock."
"You didn't tell me that."
"It's a very rare occurrence."
"But if it's going to happen to anyone…."
Severus sighed. "It'll happen to you." He fished a vial of pepper-up from his robes and held it to Harry's mouth, making sure the whole of it was ingested.
Within moments, Harry was able to support his own weight, though he was still shaky. He went to tuck his wand away, but then pressed it into Severus's hand. "Keep this until our next lesson, yeah?"
"It would be counterproductive for you to be afraid of your wand. In fact," he handed it back to Harry, "I expect you to begin carrying it with you at all times. You must get used to the feel of it again."
"I can't! What if something like this happens in front of the students, or my children? What if I really hurt someone next time? What if they can never be fixed?"
Severus grabbed the arm of Harry's robes and dragged him from the room, canceling the privacy charms as they went. In the corridor, he let go of Harry and folded his arms over his chest. "Cast."
"Excuse me?"
"The castle wards are set to dampen any magic you cast. Test it."
"Put up your shield." Harry looked up and down the empty corridor. "Do students ever come down here?"
"Students go everywhere in this castle, but they rarely find their way to this particular corridor. It's too deep and too chilled for the liking of most." Severus remained as he was, not moving to cast as Harry'd asked.
"Your shield, put it up."
"That's not necessary."
Harry folded his arms over his chest, mimicking Severus's stance. He raised an eyebrow in a pale comparison of Severus's sneer. "I won't cast until you do."
Severus huffed, but finally cast the shield. He had better things to do than engage in a battle of wills with Harry Potter.
Potter cast his spell, but only a faint wisp of smoke emerged from the wand tip.
"Try harder," Severus said.
Harry screwed up his forehead and pursed his lips, but the smoke would not morph into sparks.
"End the spell."
It took a few moments, but the smoke stopped and Harry lowered his wand, a grin spreading across his face. "The wards really do work!"
"You doubted them?"
Harry shrugged and began walking, holstering his wand and then patting it as it hung at his side. "I didn't dare trust it."
Severus fell into step with Potter, but only harrumphed in answer. The Hogwarts wards should always be trusted, but he supposed Potter was too young, too unsure, to understand that.
Harry grabbed Severus's arm. "Did you see that, though? I was able to stop the spell. I mean, I know it wasn't a strong spell and the castle was helping, but I really did stop it."
"With practice, you'll get your magic completely under control."
Harry squeezed Severus's arm, but didn't take his hand away after, as Severus had supposed he would.
Severus was a bit surprised how not-uncomfortable it felt to have Harry touching him.
Part Nine: You Are Not Alone
With the school year in full swing, Severus didn't have time for as many mini-potions lessons with Albus as he had over the summer, but on weekends they most always found hours to spend together in the laboratory. Instead of growing bored with brewing, as Severus was afraid Albus would do, the boy tended to get more excited with each new utensil Severus taught him to use, with each new ingredient he was trusted with.
Harry occasionally stayed for a while, watching Albus concentrate on counting his stirs (Albus's counting skills had increased along with his brewing prowess - potions and numbers hand-in-hand).
"He's counting as well as James, now," Harry mentioned one day. "Being more than a year older, James isn't happy with the fact."
"He says I'm a know-it-all." Albus's hand stilled for a moment, but then he shrugged and went back to stirring.
Severus extinguished the flame under his own brew, and turned, resting his hip against the worktable. "What thought have you given to the children's education?"
"They'll go to Hogwarts when they're eleven, of course. What else would they do?"
"Of course, Hogwarts, but what about before? They need to learn to read, and basic maths, and some science and history." Severus was warming to the subject. How had he not thought of it before? "Although they're young, James and Albus are ready to delve into children's literature as well, I'm sure."
Harry sat in Albus's small chair. "They might be ready, but I'm not sure I am. They're still my babies."
"I'm not a baby," Albus chirped.
"If James were Muggle, he'd be in school already."
"I know," Harry said softly. "And Hermione keeps reminding me."
"It is time."
"How can I send him off to school every day? James isn't ready for that. I'm not ready for that."
Severus summoned the chair from his desk and set it facing Harry's. When he sat, Albus counted his final stir and then climbed into Severus's lap. "This is the only school I wanna go to," Albus said.
"You should be with other children your age." Severus hated saying the words. In truth, if they were talking about Albus being ready for school, Severus would be as hesitant to send him as Harry was about James.
"There's kids everywhere here," Albus pointed out.
"They're older than you."
"Not Lily."
Severus chuckled. "No. Not Lily." To Harry, he said, "Do Ronald and Hermione have a child old enough for school?"
"Not yet," Harry answered. "Their oldest, Rose, is Albie's age, but Hermione's already researching primary schools."
"Schools for young wizarding children are rare." Severus didn't realize he'd pulled Albus tightly against his chest until the boy's elbow inadvertently poked him in the ribs. He relaxed his hold.
"That's what Hermione said." Harry nodded. "She said most wizarding children are either taught at home or sent to a magical primary boarding school. She wants to send hers to school, but Molly and Ron are both against it. I guess Weasleys are always taught at home."
"In my day," Severus said, "many children went to local Muggle primaries. We had to learn early to keep our magic a secret."
Harry laughed. "James is so proud of every little spark of magic he does, that I doubt he'd be much good at keeping it secret." He fell silent for a moment, and Severus remained so as well, giving him time to think. It was clear that Harry had thought about this before, although he might not want to admit it. "I… I suppose I could hire a tutor, perhaps."
"Why would you do that?" A plan was already forming in Severus's mind, and it didn't include strangers coming into Hogwarts to teach (and probably badly) the Potter children.
Harry's gaze rested on Albus. "I can't send them away. You have to know that."
Severus nodded. He looked down at the warm weight on his chest. He couldn't imagine Albus being sent away, either. As tenuous as his hold on the boy sometimes seemed, he knew it really did run deep. For both of them. "You live in a castle full of teachers. You are a teacher. Why would the children need a tutor?"
A smile slowly slid onto Harry's face. "Oh. But, I wouldn't want to… it'd be wrong to ask the other professors to take on more work."
Severus waved his hand dismissively, his mind already churning through the possibilities. "Do you believe Molly would teach them reading? That will be the task requiring the most patience and skill, and since she already taught all her own…."
"She'd be over the moon if I asked her," Harry said, grin still in place.
Severus nodded. "She could Floo in twice a week. As for the other subjects, I believe I should take the maths and science."
"I'm good with history, so I could teach them that. And maybe the literature," Harry said, though he seemed unsure of the idea.
"Minerva inherited Albus's… Dumbledore's… extensive collection of Muggle children's literature. All she'd have to do is spend an hour here and there reading to the boys and then discussing the books. I'm certain she'd do it."
"Do you think this would really work, Severus?"
Severus nodded. He'd see that the Potter children all had the best education. "As for their socialization with other children, they do have their myriad cousins, and Draco brings Scorpius around for a visit at least once a month. I suppose that will suffice."
"Scorpius is my best friend," Albus interjected.
Harry laughed, but then said, "And as they get older, they'll near the ages of the younger children here. They'll have them as well." Harry's eyes were lit with excitement. "But are you sure you want to teach all three? I know you're fond of Albus, but James can be a handful, and Lily won't be ready for classes for a few years yet. It's a lot to expect from you. A long-term commitment."
Severus doubted Harry realized that Severus's life had been nothing more than a series of long-term commitments, though rarely of the emotional type. "As long at they attempt to learn and behave while they are in class, I have no problem with it." In truth, he had no doubt that Albus would be a model student. After all, the boy's concentration and dedication to potions already proved him to have a gifted mind. The other two would have to fall into place, that's all. "We will wait until the Christmas break to begin. That will ensure both you and the children are settled well enough and ready to handle more."
"Wait until I tell Hermione. She's going to be so jealous." Harry chuckled.
"I am not," Severus said, "teaching any Weasleys before they turn eleven."
~**~**~**~
When a knock sounded on his classroom door, Severus checked the time. It was nearing curfew, too early for Harry to visit, rather late for a student. Instead of spelling the door open, Severus strode over and yanked it, hoping to scare any wayward student who thought it wise to bother him.
Ted Lupin stood in the corridor holding a nearly-hysterical Albus.
Severus pulled them into the classroom and shut the door behind them. Before he could question Lupin, Albus was wriggling away from the older boy, moving toward Severus, arms grasping. Severus enveloped Albus in his embrace, cradled him against his chest, felt the boy's strangled sobs.
"What's happened? Is he injured?" Severus tried to examine the parts of Albus he could see. The boy looked well enough, though flushed and tense.
"He's really upset, but he won't tell me why," Lupin said. "Harry is giving detention and I didn't know if I should bother him. Then James told me I should bring Al to you, that you'd be able to calm him down."
Severus patted Albus's back. "Shhhh," he whispered. "Tell me what's wrong."
Albus's sobs were less pronounced. His breathing hitched and he snuffed his nose, but he didn't speak.
"Did I do the right thing, sir?" Lupin asked. "It's just that this is my first time watching the kids for Harry, and I don't want him to think I can't handle it."
Severus badly wanted to point out that Lupin hadn't handled it at all, but he was loathe to upset Albus further. Instead he asked, "Who's watching the others?"
"Belfry." Lupin stood a bit taller. "I wouldn't leave them alone."
"You've done fine, then. Leave Albus with me and go back to the other two. I'll take him to his father."
Severus was almost surprised the boy didn't argue. The children were his charges, he shouldn't be leaving them with anyone else without Harry's permission. Perhaps, when Albus was settled, Severus would speak to Harry about it. But then Lupin nodded. "Harry told me it was okay for any of the kids to go with you, so I suppose that's fine. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Thanks, Professor."
Severus pushed by the boy and opened the door to usher him out. As Lupin passed, he said, "I didn't believe James when he said how close Al is to you." He shrugged. "I guess he was right."
After shutting the door, Severus settled into a chair and asked Albus what the problem was.
"Mummy's gone."
Was the child only now understanding his mother's death? Being as young as he was, it wasn't impossible. "Yes, Albus, she is."
"Can't we get her back?"
Severus sighed. As much as he valued Albus's dependence on him, he wasn't at all qualified to handle this conversation.
Albus held up his stuffed owl. "Mummy won't talk to me anymore. You can get her back, can't you?"
Oh. Well, of course, no spell such as the recording in the owl would last indefinitely. It must have run its course, but that wasn't much help to a boy who now felt as if he'd lost the very last bit of his mother. "It won't talk anymore?"
Albus went through the motions of tickling the toy, but it remained mute.
"The spell your mother put on has worn off."
"Get it back."
"I can't, Albus. The spell could only last so long. There's nothing I can do."
When Albus fell into another bout of sobbing, Severus lifted him and carried him into the corridors, heading toward Potter's classroom. As they walked, he talked to the boy, "Perhaps your father can record a new message. He could tell you about your mother - about how much she cared for you."
Albus sniffed a few times. "It wouldn't be the same."
"No, it wouldn't. But your father loves you and he'd want to help in any way he can."
As they reached the more populated areas of the castle, Severus noticed that what few students were in the hallways, were giving them odd looks and talking behind their hands. They probably thought he'd hurt the boy. He'd have loved to set them straight, but he had to stay calm for Albus's sake.
The boy was in better shape when they reached Potter's classroom.
One look at his guests and Potter dismissed the two sixth-year boys who were sitting detention.
After Severus handed the boy to his father and explained what had happened, he thought about sneaking out of the room, giving the two time alone, but truthfully, he wanted to see the end of this, wanted to make sure Albus would be fine.
"I wanna hear Mummy talk," Albus said, his voice raspy.
"I know, love," Harry said. "But the spell has ended. We can't bring it back. But I bet you've listened to it enough that you'll always remember what she said." He glanced at Severus and smiled wanly.
"'s not the same."
"'course it's not, but there's nothing I can do. I wish there was." Harry held Albus tightly, rocking slightly back and forth, hand rubbing soothing circles over the boy's back.
"Severus said you might make my owl say something new."
"It wouldn't be in your mother's voice," Harry warned.
"I know."
Harry caught Severus's eye again, and said, "And I'd need help with the spell."
Severus nodded.
It was a half hour before they reached the Potters' rooms, sent Teddy off to Gryffindor Tower, got James settled for the night (Lily was already abed), and could attend to Albus's owl. Harry nodded at Severus. "I know what I want to say."
Severus cast the series of spells that would record Harry's voice into the owl and let Albus access the recording whenever he wished. He changed the procedure, however, thinking it might be easier on Albus if he didn't do the same moves to get his father's voice from the owl as he had his mother's. To hear Harry, he'd only have to tweak the beak and then wave the left wing.
"My dear Albus," Harry began, "your mother loved you so very much. She hated the thought of leaving you and James and Lily. But she knew that I love you, too, and that I'd take care of you. And she knew you'd find someone else, someone very special, to love you and care for you as well." He glanced at Severus and smiled. "I know life has been rough for you, but remember, part of your mother will remain in your heart, and Severus and I will always be here for you."
As soon as Severus finalized the spell, he patted Albus's head and left. Really, after that, he just didn't know what to say.
He believed Potter understood, if the soft look he was giving meant anything.
The image of Harry cradling his child stayed in Severus's mind. The feelings he'd gotten from witnessing the scene were stronger than even the visual. He had wanted to reach out to them both, not just Albus. He'd wanted to wrap them up and keep them safe. He wanted to assure Harry that he was not alone, not in anything. It was ridiculous, this sudden desire to be close to Harry Potter, to be a family, to actually love the man, and so Severus quashed it down.
~**~**~**~
Albus began carrying the owl with him everywhere. It seemed as if now that his mother's voice was gone, he felt no need to keep it private. He played Harry's message at the most inopportune times: in the Great Hall during those odd quiet moments, when Severus was concentrating on a potion, in the hallways where the sound of Harry's voice rang off the stone.
It seemed everyone in the castle had heard the words, had heard their cranky old potions master could actually hold affection for someone.
Severus made it abundantly clear to his students, however, that he certainly hadn't gone soft.
One day, when Albus was visiting and had played the owl's message for the tenth time in a row, Severus was almost ready to blast the thing (Albus's reaction the only thing that kept the bird intact), Albus whispered, "Is it true?"
Severus scooped boy and owl into his arms. The journal he was reading could wait. It wasn't as if he could concentrate with the owl's constant chattering. He settled Albus onto his lap. "Is what true?"
"What daddy said." Albus pinched the toy's beak and then flapped its wing. When Harry's voice sounded, Severus took the time to actually listen to the words again.
When the bird finished, Albus hugged it against his chest, but placed his free hand on one of Severus's cheeks. "Do you love me like daddy says? Are you like another daddy to me?"
"I don't believe your father would want you to think of me as another father."
Albus shook his head. "I asked Daddy the same thing. He says you are."
"Your father said I'm like a father to you?" Well, if that was true, then Harry must have come a long way in a short time. Perhaps the time they'd been spending together was softening the man. "Then I suppose I am."
~**~**~**~
Harry held his wand aloft, the green and red sparks flying from its tip changed slowly to blue and silver. Harry smiled. "I'm getting it. Finally."
"One large burst and then make it stop," Severus prodded. After several sessions, Harry was able to control his magic better, but stopping could still be tricky.
Harry nodded. His forehead creased as his mouth set in a hard line. Sparks flew from his wand tip, a rainbow of color filling the room. Severus watched as Harry took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. The sparks diminished quickly until there were only a few (all of them blue, oddly enough). It took several more moments until they too had disappeared and Harry holstered his wand. "Why can't I just turn it off like everyone else?"
"You're doing much better than before," Severus offered.
"But I'm still not quite there, you know. I need to have full control before I can trust myself again. If I can't stop a spell, then I don't have control."
Part Ten: Life in the Fast Lane
"Professor Severus?" James looked contrite, a clue that he was either up to no good or wanted something.
Severus looked up from his breakfast.
"I was wondering if…."
Harry patted his son's shoulder and nodded when the boy glanced at him.
James chewed his lip and then said, "My mum used to take me flying on her broom sometimes. I miss it. Daddy says you're a good flyer and Albus says you'll take me if I ask."
"'course he will," Albus said through a mouthful of porridge. Albus was eating enough now that the nutrition potions were no longer necessary, and Potter assured him that the boy got plenty of sleep.
Severus grimaced. "I don't fly often."
"It would mean a lot to James." Harry smiled. "I'd do it if…." He went silent for a moment, but then continued, "And it's Saturday. Surely you have the time."
"Of course he does," Minerva piped in. "His Hogsmeade chaperon weekend isn't for another week yet."
James sent an almost blinding smile Severus's way. "You'll take me flying, then? You really will?"
"'course he will," Albus said again.
Severus pushed away from the table and stood. "Meet me at the entrance in a half hour. He pointed at James. "Don't be late."
James wasn't late, and neither, it seemed, was most of the student body. A Slytherin versus Gryffindor match hardly drew this large a crowd. As they walked out into the sun of a mid October morning, Albus slipped his hand into Severus's. "And I suppose you want a turn flying as well?" Severus asked.
Albus shrugged.
Severus resisted the urge to pick the child up. He wasn't one for such displays in front of the students. "Do you not like to fly?"
Harry fell in step next to them on the other side of Albus. He took Albus's free hand. "Ginny used to take him up for short rides on her broom, but he's never taken to it the way James has."
Severus squeezed Albus's hand. "Not everyone enjoys leaving the earth. There's nothing wrong with that, though there is something to be said for attempting to overcome your fears." Severus wondered how the three of them looked like this - like a family, perhaps. It would be so easy to fool even himself.
When they reached a nice flat area, Severus halted, hoping the throng of children behind him could stop en masse before plowing him over. He let go of Albus's hand and turned to James, who had been walking on his other side. For the first time since he'd met the boy, James Potter looked nervous. He smiled shakily up at Severus. "I'm ready."
Severus seated himself on his broom and then helped James to sit in front of him. Before taking off, he whispered, "If you'd rather not fly, I'll make up an excuse. No one will know you changed your mind."
He felt James take a deep breath. "I'm ready," the boy repeated.
Severus held the broom with one hand and James with the other as he kicked off from the ground. They gained altitude as they reached the Quidditch pitch and were soon weaving around the goals. James was stiff at first, but then relaxed against Severus and whooped whenever they took a hard turn or a sudden dive.
As they flew, Severus forgot the throng of watchers, forgot that the child with him was another James Potter, that he wasn't supposed to be enjoying this. He forgot it all in lieu of remembering how, at one time in his life, a time when he was still young and decently innocent, he'd loved the feel of the air rushing past.
By the time they landed, most of the students had filtered away, the newness of seeing Professor Snape on a broom quickly wearing off. Belfry had arrived, and must have brought Lily out, for Harry was holding his daughter. The man looked happy, and healthy, and radiant - and Severus wanted him. He wanted Harry Potter on so many levels, for so many reasons. Again, Severus had a moment of wishing this family was his, that he had a place amongst them more permanent than Albus's faux-parent.
He helped James off the broom, rather more gently than would be his norm.
James whirled and hugged Severus around the waist before skipping off toward his father, yelling, "Did you see us? Did you see when Severus did that barrel roll?"
Two days later, at breakfast, a blushing, stammering Potter, said, "Would you take me for a ride on your broom?"
Damn that Minerva for snorting her tea.
At least Harry had spoken so quietly only his children, Minerva, and Severus had heard his request.
Harry blushed all the more. "Er… I meant, would you take me up on your broom sometime? I'd really, really like to fly with you."
Severus nodded. Not quite sure how he felt about having Harry pressed against him or having the two of them flying wild and free. His body rather liked the idea, but then again, Severus had already concluded that his body was a treacherous beast.
So as not to cause quite so much of a fuss, Severus and Harry arranged their flight for an afternoon when they both had a free period, but the students would mostly all be in class. On the way toward a secluded area of the grounds, Harry chattered as Severus remained silent. His mind was working furiously, reminding his body that it really musn't react to having Harry pasted against him, Harry's arms around his waist, Harry's chin on his… well, hell, this wasn't working.
He almost told Harry he'd changed his mind, had some urgent appointment, heard Minerva calling for him, was suffering from a bad case of hemorrhoids… anything, really, to ensure this broom ride didn't happen.
But they were already at the clearing, Harry was already reaching for Severus's broom, his eyes alight. "I never flew with Ginny. It was too much to ask from her to fly and try to dampen my magic at the same time."
"Impossible, I would think."
Harry's hand shook a little as it clasped Severus's broom. "But this will be okay, right? Minerva said the wards go several hundred feet up, woven into those that repel people who try to fly in." He gazed at Severus's broom and whispered, "It's just been so bloody long since I flew."
Severus cleared his throat. "Mount up. Your magic won't interfere no matter how high we venture."
Harry beamed. He let the broom hover next to him and swung his leg up and over, settling near the tail. When Harry was seated Severus joined him, sitting as far to the front as he dared, testing the balance.
"I think we need to meet more toward the middle," Harry said, his voice so close over Severus's shoulder that Severus felt warm breath tickle his neck. "It's a nice broom, but it isn't really meant for two adults."
Severus snorted. His broom was not nice. It was old and ratty - much like its owner felt when in the company of the decades-younger Harry Potter.
They sorted out the balance issues and were soon flying over the forest. Within the first few minutes, Severus was able to relax. Harry's glee over flying made him seem so immature, so much like a student instead of a teacher, that Severus's libido was kept mostly in check.
After they'd landed and dismounted, Harry patted down his wild hair and smiled. "Thank you. That was… that was brilliant. Bloody brilliant."
~**~**~**~
"It's high time you went out in public again." Severus put away his wand and watched Harry's expression.
"I'm not ready for that."
"Of course you are. Every time you've attempted to stop your magic today, you did so almost immediately. You have control. Your magic is yours again."
Harry scuffed his foot on the stones. "What if I get nervous when I'm out? What if things go wrong? I don't want to hurt anyone."
Severus unwarded the door and opened it, ushering Harry into the empty corridor. "Take Arthur or one of the Weasley boys. They'll be able to help if you have problems."
"What?" Harry swung around, his eyes large, his mouth hanging open. "Why won't you go with me?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I won't go unless you go."
Merlin, did this particular corridor breed stubbornness? "You can't use me as a crutch."
Harry slumped a little. "Just the first time, okay? I'll feel better if you're with me."
Severus shook his head. He knew there was no way he'd win this argument. The man could do stubborn as an art form. "Fine. We'll go out the first time together. Hogsmeade should be a good choice, not as busy as Diagon Alley."
Harry nodded. "Good. Maybe the third or fourth time we go out it can be to Diagon." He saluted Severus and began striding up the corridor.
"Potter! I said the first time only. Nothing more."
~**~**~**~
Severus tried avoiding the incredulous gazes, but it wasn't easy. Though the streets of Hogsmeade were somewhat quiet, there were still enough people to gawk at the Boy Who Lived and the Death Eater. "Must you hold my arm?" Severus hissed.
Harry tightened his grip. "Yes. I must."
"You have sufficient control over your powers. There's no need to act as if you don't." Severus shook his arm a bit, but the man's hand, wrapped around Severus's bicep, remained firmly in place.
"Am I embarrassing you?"
"Yes."
As they strolled past the stores, several shop owners came out to join the passersby in gawking. Harry waved to a few, grinning happily. The moron. "You'll just have to get used to it, Severus. I have no intention of letting you go." He bumped his hip against Severus's.
The statement and the contact did odd things to Severus's heart and stomach. One pounded, the other fluttered, both determined to misconstrue Harry's statement, even though Severus's brain, at least, knew the truth. "The gossip will be horrible."
Potter shrugged, and, if possible, leaned closer. "I've lived with gossip almost all my life. I'm used to it."
"Well, I am not." Severus tried to put some distance between them, but Potter was glued to his side. If he didn't know for a fact that he hadn't, Severus might have accused Potter of using a sticking charm. He understood better than ever why Harry and Ginevra had always seemed so close in photos. "I'd rather not be fodder for the masses."
Severus steered them into the book store, anxious to be out of sight. It wasn't as big as Flourish & Blotts, but it was acceptable in a pinch. The inside of the store was no more private than the street, however, as several customers stopped what they were doing to stare. The on-duty clerk dropped a heavy tome. A dozen or so nosey Parkers followed them into the store.
Harry looked around. "Well, I suppose we should get our supplies and be on our way, then. I have to pick up a Quidditch book for James. They're over this way, I think." He tugged at Severus's arm.
Severus followed, though reluctantly. It'd make more of a scene to wrench his arm from Harry's grip. "We would get out of here much sooner if we went our separate ways," he murmured.
"No. No. Wouldn't want any problems, now would we?" Harry asked, closing the discussion and dragging Severus to the Quidditch section, followed by the picture books, and finally to the potions section where they both reached for the same book at the same time.
A flash bulb popped just as Severus withdrew his hand. Wonderful, they'd be front-page news by evening. Severus glared at his companion. "This is turning into a circus."
Harry grabbed the book they'd both been after, A Children's Encyclopedia of Potions Ingredients, and said, "I've got all I need. Your turn now."
Instead of the casual perusal of scientific and magical theory journals Severus had intended, he dragged Harry to the counter, quieting the cashier's twittering with one scathing look.
He'd have never thought he'd be so glad to leave a book store.
Unfortunately, the crowd left with them. Honeydukes was a replay of the book shop, except accompanied by the odor of chocolate. Even Harry seemed to be reaching the end of his patience, for as soon as he'd purchased a selection of sweets for the children, he pulled Severus out the door and down the street toward Hogwarts.
They were followed all the way to the gates. At least no one was hollering out inane questions as Severus had contended with at the very close of the war.
After they crossed the wards, Harry let out a long breath and slumped against Severus's side, still clutching Severus's arm. "I didn't expect all that."
Severus remained where they were, not wanting to approach the castle with Potter hanging off him. "What did you expect? I'm sure they all think we're dating."
"It was never this bad with me and Ginny, at least not as soon as the end-of-war stuff died down." Although he still kept his grip on Severus's arm, Harry took his weight back onto his own feet, nearly causing Severus to go off balance with the rapidity of the move.
"Ginevra was a female. A female who fought on the side of the Light," Severus pointed out.
"You fought on the side of the Light as well, and I don't see what gender has to do with anything."
Severus snorted. "Gender has to do with everything. If you'd gone into town with a woman, you would have gotten some interested looks, but people would have thought, 'Oh isn't that sweet, Harry Potter's finally getting on with his life,' and that would have been the end of that."
"I don't need a woman to get on with my life." When Harry's hand tightened around Severus's arm this time, Severus doubted it was intentional. "I get so damned sick of everyone's pity. I have moved on with my life. I have my children, and my friends, and my job, and… and, well, I have you."
Severus didn't care to think about what it meant that he apparently wasn't included in the friends category. After all they'd been sharing, all the time spent in training and evenings in Severus's rooms, did Harry still see him as just an acquaintance. A co-worker? "It's the way of people," Severus finally said, not allowing himself to be stung too badly. He leaned against the stone of the gateway, appreciative that if any of the crowd were still outside the gate, they'd not get a view inside. The wards prevented Peeping Toms. "They think no one can be happy unless they're paired off."
Harry let go of Severus's left arm only to step around him to lean against the same bit of wall and grab his right.
"We're within the wards, Harry." Severus's left arm tingled from the blood rushing back in. His right arm, well he didn't want to think about why that was tingling.
"Minerva was supposed to fix the wards down here after that incident with Hagrid, but she might have forgotten."
There was no use arguing with Potter's myriad excuses, so Severus didn't even make an attempt. "We had best return to the castle, where you know the wards are strong. I'm sure your children are waiting."
Harry sighed and pushed off from the wall. He pulled Severus with him, only dropping his arm when they came into sight of the castle.
The Evening Prophet's front page headline was as bad as Severus had expected: Harry Potter's Death-Eater Death Grip. The photo was most damning, however, showing the two of them, Harry's hand on Severus's arm, leaning in, seemingly only having eyes for each other. If Severus wasn't in the photo himself, he would think they looked like a loving couple.
He snorted and refolded the paper.
"Part 11"
Part Eight: Center of the Universe
Severus settled back into his favorite armchair, trying to look more relaxed than he felt. His godson capering about the room, asking questions about every little thing, was unnerving. He had thought his relationship with Albus would, perhaps, temper his usual misgivings about spending time with small children, but it seemed it hadn't. He had to stop himself from constantly nagging Scorpius to not touch this or that. Albus was easy. Albus knew the rules.
"He's not going to hurt anything, Severus." Draco seemed amused by Severus's discomfort. "He's really quite well behaved for his age. Astoria wouldn't have it any other way."
"No matter how terribly you try to spoil him?"
Draco smiled. "A Malfoy heir should be at least a bit spoilt, shouldn't he?"
"I daresay you were."
The smile slid from Draco's face. "Scorpius's childhood is going to be nothing like mine. That I can promise."
Severus nodded. So many of Draco's generation were coddling their children, making their lives as soft and stress-free as possible, as if the elders were trying to recapture what innocence the war had stolen. It seemed as good a time for a topic change as any, so Severus forced his gaze away from the journals Scorpius was running his fingers along, and said, "Does he show any signs of Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic?"
"No. From what I've read, it isn't genetic. It just pops up occasionally."
"Do you remember how your parents dealt with your case?"
Draco took a sip of his tea. "Don't touch that, Scorpius, or Severus might have a coronary."
Scorpius giggled and replaced the journal he'd grabbed.
"It was a long time ago. About all I remember is the forest clearing Father took me to so I could work on expending my magic." Draco nodded to himself. "I was so little and the program worked so quickly, I doubt I did much damage."
"I'm quite sure you didn't."
"Oh." Draco grinned. "I remember how Mother held my hand whenever we were out in public. For months I had to be right at her side, her magic dampening mine, until she was sure I'd gained control. Gods, that was embarrassing. No nine year old Wizard wants to be known as a mummy's boy."
Severus understood now why every semi-recent photo of Harry showed him holding tightly to his wife. She had been his lifeline, the reason he could go out in public. And here the press had so romanticized them: the couple who were so in love, they were always touching. Severus wondered, if only for a moment, how much of a physical and magical drain that had been on Ginevra.
The door to Severus's study flew open and Albus skipped in. The house-elf, Belfry, stood just outside the door, her eyes growing larger when she looked into the room. "You'll be excusing Belfry, sir, but I thought it was Master Albus's time to be coming here and Master Harry Potter is to be helping Professor Hagrid, sir. But since you have companies, I's must have been wrong. I'll take the young master back to his rooms and punish myselfs, sir."
Albus had stopped halfway to Severus's chair. His eyes were fixed on Scorpius, who was staring back at him.
"No, Belfry, there's no need for punishment. I had quite forgotten, but you are correct. Albus is scheduled to be here now. You may leave."
The elf curtsied, and with a soft pop, disappeared.
"What's this, then?" Draco asked. He raised his eyebrows and grinned at Severus. "Potter's younger son?"
"Indeed." Severus watched Albus as the boy, still keeping his gaze on Scorpius, sidled a bit toward Severus. Albus's fingers twitched. Severus had to fight the urge to reach out and grasp that hand, as he knew that was what Albus was attempting: to find contact without taking his eyes off Scorpius.
"Interesting," Draco said. "Why exactly is Albus Potter visiting you?"
Hearing his name spoken by this stranger seemed to shake Albus out of his thrall. He closed the distance to Severus and clutched at Severus's shirtsleeve. "This is my Severus," he said quietly. And then louder, "My. Severus."
Draco bit his lip, then hid his mouth behind his hand, and finally burst out laughing.
Scorpius moved to Draco's side and grabbed his father's sleeve. "My daddy," Scorpius said.
Albus nodded and then smiled. "'m Albus."
"I'm Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy."
"That's a big name." Albus let go of Severus's sleeve and stepped toward Scorpius.
Draco, finally done with his fit of laughter, said, "A bit possessive is he?"
Severus chose to ignore him. "Albus, why don't you show Scorpius your favorite picture books. Perhaps you can keep him occupied."
Albus went to 'his' shelf and pulled down several books. Severus was happy to see he had picked all his beginner potions texts.
Soon the two boys were sprawled out on the rug, on their stomachs, side-by-side, flipping through the books with Albus keeping up a running commentary on potions techniques.
After watching them for a few minutes, Draco turned to Severus. "I suppose I'm going to have to hire a potions tutor for Scorpius now. Unless you'd be willing to teach him."
The 'as you've apparently been teaching the young Potter' was left unsaid, but Severus got the message. He certainly wasn't going to feel badly about giving Albus potions lessons and not giving Scorpius the same advantage. From what he could tell, Scorpius had every advantage already. "I'm afraid one student in my preschool class is all I can handle."
Draco nodded as if he'd expected just such an answer. "I must know how this happened. I imagine there's quite an interesting story."
Severus was not about to tell of Ginevra's prophesy and his apparent part in it. To Severus it seemed as personal and confidential as it must to Harry. Instead, he simply said, "The boy wandered down when he first moved in and I haven't been able to get rid of him since."
"It doesn't appear you want to get rid of him."
Albus looked up at Severus.
"He's proven to be a good companion."
Albus went back to his book, but Draco continued staring at Severus as if seeing him for the first time.
Finally, Severus snapped, "I don't think my friendship with the boy is so peculiar!"
Draco grinned and shrugged. "If you say so."
The next two hours passed quickly. Albus insisted on showing Scorpius his potions equipment, so they all went to Severus's laboratory. When there, Draco got as caught up as the boys in brewing simple potions, leaving Severus to do some work on his own.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." Harry was standing in the doorway, cleaning his glasses as if to prove the point.
Draco stepped away from the boys, but smiled fondly down at them. "For once, I agree with you, Potter."
"Those two look like…" Potter began.
"Younger versions of us," Draco finished for him.
Both men shook their heads.
It wasn't long before both sets of fathers were ready to hustle their sons home. Before he left, however, Draco whispered, "Is Albus the one?"
Harry and Albus were just leaving. Severus waited for the door to swing closed before asking, "The one what?"
"You were asking about Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic for a reason." Draco looked gleeful. "One of the Potter children has it, don't they? Is it Albus?"
"Why are you so happy imagining Potter's children are thus afflicted?"
"Oh, come on, Severus. Where's the vindictive man I love so well? A few months ago, you'd be laughing along with me."
Severus cringed. It was only too true, but much had changed in the last months. "Must I remind you that you once had the same problem? Would you have liked people laughing at you?"
Draco snorted. "I'm sure there were a fair many who delighted in a Malfoy heir unable to control his magic, and a few more who wished it permanent."
Severus remembered the whispered gossip from that time, of how giddy some wizards were at the thought of Lucius Malfoy's son not being the perfect prince he was made out to be. "Regardless of all that, I can assure you that none of Potter's offspring have shown any sign of Juvenile Uncontrolled Magic."
Draco looked positively heartbroken.
Scorpius tugged on his father's shirt. "Is Albus my new friend, father?"
~**~**~**~
Harry held his wand as if it were a particularly nasty rodent. "I still don't like the idea of this."
"Do you or do you not want to learn how to live with your magic again?"
"Of course I do, it's just that…."
"You're afraid of hurting me."
"Well, yeah."
Severus snorted. They'd see Merlin's return before Potter was ever able to harm him. Severus knew more defensive magic than any room full of ten other adept wizards. "I will put up the strongest shield I can conjure."
"But…."
"Do it, Potter. Stop arguing and just do it. Do you think I'd stay in the room with you if I thought I might be in danger?" Severus looked around the room. Together with Minerva they'd made this dungeon area as impervious to magical damage as possible and then lowered the wards on it. In here, Potter would have full use of his magic.
"I 'spose not." Potter sounded like the surly teen Severus remembered him as being. It wasn't a particularly pleasant remembrance, and one he had trouble reconciling with the man, the father, he saw every day.
"I'm not insisting you do this for any perverse reason. I'm not trying to embarrass you or harm you, Potter. You must know that."
Harry nodded, but still held his wand delicately.
"We've gone over the reasons - you must release your magic in order to learn how to control it. Simple, really." Severus was losing his patience. It was laughable that Harry was afraid of harming him. "Start slowly. Just release a little of your magic." Severus cast the shield charm so it encircled him, leaving Harry in a hazy light.
"Sparks, right?"
Severus nodded. Shooting sparks from one's wand was the usual way parents went about helping their children learn to control the intensity and duration of their spells. As red and green sparks started popping from the tip of Harry's wand, Severus said, "Many children aren't sure how to pull their magic back when they are done with a spell."
Harry nodded. "When I first learned magic, it just seemed natural."
Keeping his voice low and his eye on the sparks, Severus said, "Stop the spell now."
The sparks slowed but a few kept trickling out, popping in the air. Sweat rolled down Harry's face, the fingers of his wand hand were bleaching white. "I can't stop them."
Severus had expected as much. Harry had little control over his magic, and the only way he'd get it would be exercises such as these.
"How do I make it stop?" With those words, a torrent of sparks raced from Harry's wand. The room lit and sizzled. They hit Severus's shield and hissed, dying like drops of water in a hot cauldron.
Almost as soon as it started, the rain of sparks stopped. Harry slumped to the floor, breathing hard, eyes wild. "Are you okay?"
With a flick of his wand, Severus banished the shield and strode over to Harry. "I am fine, of course." He held out a hand, and when Harry seemed too drained to even take it, he squatted down and hauled the other man to his feet. "It's best to stand for a bit after - it can distress your body to expend so much magic all at once. If you lie down immediately, you may go into shock."
"You didn't tell me that."
"It's a very rare occurrence."
"But if it's going to happen to anyone…."
Severus sighed. "It'll happen to you." He fished a vial of pepper-up from his robes and held it to Harry's mouth, making sure the whole of it was ingested.
Within moments, Harry was able to support his own weight, though he was still shaky. He went to tuck his wand away, but then pressed it into Severus's hand. "Keep this until our next lesson, yeah?"
"It would be counterproductive for you to be afraid of your wand. In fact," he handed it back to Harry, "I expect you to begin carrying it with you at all times. You must get used to the feel of it again."
"I can't! What if something like this happens in front of the students, or my children? What if I really hurt someone next time? What if they can never be fixed?"
Severus grabbed the arm of Harry's robes and dragged him from the room, canceling the privacy charms as they went. In the corridor, he let go of Harry and folded his arms over his chest. "Cast."
"Excuse me?"
"The castle wards are set to dampen any magic you cast. Test it."
"Put up your shield." Harry looked up and down the empty corridor. "Do students ever come down here?"
"Students go everywhere in this castle, but they rarely find their way to this particular corridor. It's too deep and too chilled for the liking of most." Severus remained as he was, not moving to cast as Harry'd asked.
"Your shield, put it up."
"That's not necessary."
Harry folded his arms over his chest, mimicking Severus's stance. He raised an eyebrow in a pale comparison of Severus's sneer. "I won't cast until you do."
Severus huffed, but finally cast the shield. He had better things to do than engage in a battle of wills with Harry Potter.
Potter cast his spell, but only a faint wisp of smoke emerged from the wand tip.
"Try harder," Severus said.
Harry screwed up his forehead and pursed his lips, but the smoke would not morph into sparks.
"End the spell."
It took a few moments, but the smoke stopped and Harry lowered his wand, a grin spreading across his face. "The wards really do work!"
"You doubted them?"
Harry shrugged and began walking, holstering his wand and then patting it as it hung at his side. "I didn't dare trust it."
Severus fell into step with Potter, but only harrumphed in answer. The Hogwarts wards should always be trusted, but he supposed Potter was too young, too unsure, to understand that.
Harry grabbed Severus's arm. "Did you see that, though? I was able to stop the spell. I mean, I know it wasn't a strong spell and the castle was helping, but I really did stop it."
"With practice, you'll get your magic completely under control."
Harry squeezed Severus's arm, but didn't take his hand away after, as Severus had supposed he would.
Severus was a bit surprised how not-uncomfortable it felt to have Harry touching him.
Part Nine: You Are Not Alone
With the school year in full swing, Severus didn't have time for as many mini-potions lessons with Albus as he had over the summer, but on weekends they most always found hours to spend together in the laboratory. Instead of growing bored with brewing, as Severus was afraid Albus would do, the boy tended to get more excited with each new utensil Severus taught him to use, with each new ingredient he was trusted with.
Harry occasionally stayed for a while, watching Albus concentrate on counting his stirs (Albus's counting skills had increased along with his brewing prowess - potions and numbers hand-in-hand).
"He's counting as well as James, now," Harry mentioned one day. "Being more than a year older, James isn't happy with the fact."
"He says I'm a know-it-all." Albus's hand stilled for a moment, but then he shrugged and went back to stirring.
Severus extinguished the flame under his own brew, and turned, resting his hip against the worktable. "What thought have you given to the children's education?"
"They'll go to Hogwarts when they're eleven, of course. What else would they do?"
"Of course, Hogwarts, but what about before? They need to learn to read, and basic maths, and some science and history." Severus was warming to the subject. How had he not thought of it before? "Although they're young, James and Albus are ready to delve into children's literature as well, I'm sure."
Harry sat in Albus's small chair. "They might be ready, but I'm not sure I am. They're still my babies."
"I'm not a baby," Albus chirped.
"If James were Muggle, he'd be in school already."
"I know," Harry said softly. "And Hermione keeps reminding me."
"It is time."
"How can I send him off to school every day? James isn't ready for that. I'm not ready for that."
Severus summoned the chair from his desk and set it facing Harry's. When he sat, Albus counted his final stir and then climbed into Severus's lap. "This is the only school I wanna go to," Albus said.
"You should be with other children your age." Severus hated saying the words. In truth, if they were talking about Albus being ready for school, Severus would be as hesitant to send him as Harry was about James.
"There's kids everywhere here," Albus pointed out.
"They're older than you."
"Not Lily."
Severus chuckled. "No. Not Lily." To Harry, he said, "Do Ronald and Hermione have a child old enough for school?"
"Not yet," Harry answered. "Their oldest, Rose, is Albie's age, but Hermione's already researching primary schools."
"Schools for young wizarding children are rare." Severus didn't realize he'd pulled Albus tightly against his chest until the boy's elbow inadvertently poked him in the ribs. He relaxed his hold.
"That's what Hermione said." Harry nodded. "She said most wizarding children are either taught at home or sent to a magical primary boarding school. She wants to send hers to school, but Molly and Ron are both against it. I guess Weasleys are always taught at home."
"In my day," Severus said, "many children went to local Muggle primaries. We had to learn early to keep our magic a secret."
Harry laughed. "James is so proud of every little spark of magic he does, that I doubt he'd be much good at keeping it secret." He fell silent for a moment, and Severus remained so as well, giving him time to think. It was clear that Harry had thought about this before, although he might not want to admit it. "I… I suppose I could hire a tutor, perhaps."
"Why would you do that?" A plan was already forming in Severus's mind, and it didn't include strangers coming into Hogwarts to teach (and probably badly) the Potter children.
Harry's gaze rested on Albus. "I can't send them away. You have to know that."
Severus nodded. He looked down at the warm weight on his chest. He couldn't imagine Albus being sent away, either. As tenuous as his hold on the boy sometimes seemed, he knew it really did run deep. For both of them. "You live in a castle full of teachers. You are a teacher. Why would the children need a tutor?"
A smile slowly slid onto Harry's face. "Oh. But, I wouldn't want to… it'd be wrong to ask the other professors to take on more work."
Severus waved his hand dismissively, his mind already churning through the possibilities. "Do you believe Molly would teach them reading? That will be the task requiring the most patience and skill, and since she already taught all her own…."
"She'd be over the moon if I asked her," Harry said, grin still in place.
Severus nodded. "She could Floo in twice a week. As for the other subjects, I believe I should take the maths and science."
"I'm good with history, so I could teach them that. And maybe the literature," Harry said, though he seemed unsure of the idea.
"Minerva inherited Albus's… Dumbledore's… extensive collection of Muggle children's literature. All she'd have to do is spend an hour here and there reading to the boys and then discussing the books. I'm certain she'd do it."
"Do you think this would really work, Severus?"
Severus nodded. He'd see that the Potter children all had the best education. "As for their socialization with other children, they do have their myriad cousins, and Draco brings Scorpius around for a visit at least once a month. I suppose that will suffice."
"Scorpius is my best friend," Albus interjected.
Harry laughed, but then said, "And as they get older, they'll near the ages of the younger children here. They'll have them as well." Harry's eyes were lit with excitement. "But are you sure you want to teach all three? I know you're fond of Albus, but James can be a handful, and Lily won't be ready for classes for a few years yet. It's a lot to expect from you. A long-term commitment."
Severus doubted Harry realized that Severus's life had been nothing more than a series of long-term commitments, though rarely of the emotional type. "As long at they attempt to learn and behave while they are in class, I have no problem with it." In truth, he had no doubt that Albus would be a model student. After all, the boy's concentration and dedication to potions already proved him to have a gifted mind. The other two would have to fall into place, that's all. "We will wait until the Christmas break to begin. That will ensure both you and the children are settled well enough and ready to handle more."
"Wait until I tell Hermione. She's going to be so jealous." Harry chuckled.
"I am not," Severus said, "teaching any Weasleys before they turn eleven."
~**~**~**~
When a knock sounded on his classroom door, Severus checked the time. It was nearing curfew, too early for Harry to visit, rather late for a student. Instead of spelling the door open, Severus strode over and yanked it, hoping to scare any wayward student who thought it wise to bother him.
Ted Lupin stood in the corridor holding a nearly-hysterical Albus.
Severus pulled them into the classroom and shut the door behind them. Before he could question Lupin, Albus was wriggling away from the older boy, moving toward Severus, arms grasping. Severus enveloped Albus in his embrace, cradled him against his chest, felt the boy's strangled sobs.
"What's happened? Is he injured?" Severus tried to examine the parts of Albus he could see. The boy looked well enough, though flushed and tense.
"He's really upset, but he won't tell me why," Lupin said. "Harry is giving detention and I didn't know if I should bother him. Then James told me I should bring Al to you, that you'd be able to calm him down."
Severus patted Albus's back. "Shhhh," he whispered. "Tell me what's wrong."
Albus's sobs were less pronounced. His breathing hitched and he snuffed his nose, but he didn't speak.
"Did I do the right thing, sir?" Lupin asked. "It's just that this is my first time watching the kids for Harry, and I don't want him to think I can't handle it."
Severus badly wanted to point out that Lupin hadn't handled it at all, but he was loathe to upset Albus further. Instead he asked, "Who's watching the others?"
"Belfry." Lupin stood a bit taller. "I wouldn't leave them alone."
"You've done fine, then. Leave Albus with me and go back to the other two. I'll take him to his father."
Severus was almost surprised the boy didn't argue. The children were his charges, he shouldn't be leaving them with anyone else without Harry's permission. Perhaps, when Albus was settled, Severus would speak to Harry about it. But then Lupin nodded. "Harry told me it was okay for any of the kids to go with you, so I suppose that's fine. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Thanks, Professor."
Severus pushed by the boy and opened the door to usher him out. As Lupin passed, he said, "I didn't believe James when he said how close Al is to you." He shrugged. "I guess he was right."
After shutting the door, Severus settled into a chair and asked Albus what the problem was.
"Mummy's gone."
Was the child only now understanding his mother's death? Being as young as he was, it wasn't impossible. "Yes, Albus, she is."
"Can't we get her back?"
Severus sighed. As much as he valued Albus's dependence on him, he wasn't at all qualified to handle this conversation.
Albus held up his stuffed owl. "Mummy won't talk to me anymore. You can get her back, can't you?"
Oh. Well, of course, no spell such as the recording in the owl would last indefinitely. It must have run its course, but that wasn't much help to a boy who now felt as if he'd lost the very last bit of his mother. "It won't talk anymore?"
Albus went through the motions of tickling the toy, but it remained mute.
"The spell your mother put on has worn off."
"Get it back."
"I can't, Albus. The spell could only last so long. There's nothing I can do."
When Albus fell into another bout of sobbing, Severus lifted him and carried him into the corridors, heading toward Potter's classroom. As they walked, he talked to the boy, "Perhaps your father can record a new message. He could tell you about your mother - about how much she cared for you."
Albus sniffed a few times. "It wouldn't be the same."
"No, it wouldn't. But your father loves you and he'd want to help in any way he can."
As they reached the more populated areas of the castle, Severus noticed that what few students were in the hallways, were giving them odd looks and talking behind their hands. They probably thought he'd hurt the boy. He'd have loved to set them straight, but he had to stay calm for Albus's sake.
The boy was in better shape when they reached Potter's classroom.
One look at his guests and Potter dismissed the two sixth-year boys who were sitting detention.
After Severus handed the boy to his father and explained what had happened, he thought about sneaking out of the room, giving the two time alone, but truthfully, he wanted to see the end of this, wanted to make sure Albus would be fine.
"I wanna hear Mummy talk," Albus said, his voice raspy.
"I know, love," Harry said. "But the spell has ended. We can't bring it back. But I bet you've listened to it enough that you'll always remember what she said." He glanced at Severus and smiled wanly.
"'s not the same."
"'course it's not, but there's nothing I can do. I wish there was." Harry held Albus tightly, rocking slightly back and forth, hand rubbing soothing circles over the boy's back.
"Severus said you might make my owl say something new."
"It wouldn't be in your mother's voice," Harry warned.
"I know."
Harry caught Severus's eye again, and said, "And I'd need help with the spell."
Severus nodded.
It was a half hour before they reached the Potters' rooms, sent Teddy off to Gryffindor Tower, got James settled for the night (Lily was already abed), and could attend to Albus's owl. Harry nodded at Severus. "I know what I want to say."
Severus cast the series of spells that would record Harry's voice into the owl and let Albus access the recording whenever he wished. He changed the procedure, however, thinking it might be easier on Albus if he didn't do the same moves to get his father's voice from the owl as he had his mother's. To hear Harry, he'd only have to tweak the beak and then wave the left wing.
"My dear Albus," Harry began, "your mother loved you so very much. She hated the thought of leaving you and James and Lily. But she knew that I love you, too, and that I'd take care of you. And she knew you'd find someone else, someone very special, to love you and care for you as well." He glanced at Severus and smiled. "I know life has been rough for you, but remember, part of your mother will remain in your heart, and Severus and I will always be here for you."
As soon as Severus finalized the spell, he patted Albus's head and left. Really, after that, he just didn't know what to say.
He believed Potter understood, if the soft look he was giving meant anything.
The image of Harry cradling his child stayed in Severus's mind. The feelings he'd gotten from witnessing the scene were stronger than even the visual. He had wanted to reach out to them both, not just Albus. He'd wanted to wrap them up and keep them safe. He wanted to assure Harry that he was not alone, not in anything. It was ridiculous, this sudden desire to be close to Harry Potter, to be a family, to actually love the man, and so Severus quashed it down.
~**~**~**~
Albus began carrying the owl with him everywhere. It seemed as if now that his mother's voice was gone, he felt no need to keep it private. He played Harry's message at the most inopportune times: in the Great Hall during those odd quiet moments, when Severus was concentrating on a potion, in the hallways where the sound of Harry's voice rang off the stone.
It seemed everyone in the castle had heard the words, had heard their cranky old potions master could actually hold affection for someone.
Severus made it abundantly clear to his students, however, that he certainly hadn't gone soft.
One day, when Albus was visiting and had played the owl's message for the tenth time in a row, Severus was almost ready to blast the thing (Albus's reaction the only thing that kept the bird intact), Albus whispered, "Is it true?"
Severus scooped boy and owl into his arms. The journal he was reading could wait. It wasn't as if he could concentrate with the owl's constant chattering. He settled Albus onto his lap. "Is what true?"
"What daddy said." Albus pinched the toy's beak and then flapped its wing. When Harry's voice sounded, Severus took the time to actually listen to the words again.
When the bird finished, Albus hugged it against his chest, but placed his free hand on one of Severus's cheeks. "Do you love me like daddy says? Are you like another daddy to me?"
"I don't believe your father would want you to think of me as another father."
Albus shook his head. "I asked Daddy the same thing. He says you are."
"Your father said I'm like a father to you?" Well, if that was true, then Harry must have come a long way in a short time. Perhaps the time they'd been spending together was softening the man. "Then I suppose I am."
~**~**~**~
Harry held his wand aloft, the green and red sparks flying from its tip changed slowly to blue and silver. Harry smiled. "I'm getting it. Finally."
"One large burst and then make it stop," Severus prodded. After several sessions, Harry was able to control his magic better, but stopping could still be tricky.
Harry nodded. His forehead creased as his mouth set in a hard line. Sparks flew from his wand tip, a rainbow of color filling the room. Severus watched as Harry took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. The sparks diminished quickly until there were only a few (all of them blue, oddly enough). It took several more moments until they too had disappeared and Harry holstered his wand. "Why can't I just turn it off like everyone else?"
"You're doing much better than before," Severus offered.
"But I'm still not quite there, you know. I need to have full control before I can trust myself again. If I can't stop a spell, then I don't have control."
Part Ten: Life in the Fast Lane
"Professor Severus?" James looked contrite, a clue that he was either up to no good or wanted something.
Severus looked up from his breakfast.
"I was wondering if…."
Harry patted his son's shoulder and nodded when the boy glanced at him.
James chewed his lip and then said, "My mum used to take me flying on her broom sometimes. I miss it. Daddy says you're a good flyer and Albus says you'll take me if I ask."
"'course he will," Albus said through a mouthful of porridge. Albus was eating enough now that the nutrition potions were no longer necessary, and Potter assured him that the boy got plenty of sleep.
Severus grimaced. "I don't fly often."
"It would mean a lot to James." Harry smiled. "I'd do it if…." He went silent for a moment, but then continued, "And it's Saturday. Surely you have the time."
"Of course he does," Minerva piped in. "His Hogsmeade chaperon weekend isn't for another week yet."
James sent an almost blinding smile Severus's way. "You'll take me flying, then? You really will?"
"'course he will," Albus said again.
Severus pushed away from the table and stood. "Meet me at the entrance in a half hour. He pointed at James. "Don't be late."
James wasn't late, and neither, it seemed, was most of the student body. A Slytherin versus Gryffindor match hardly drew this large a crowd. As they walked out into the sun of a mid October morning, Albus slipped his hand into Severus's. "And I suppose you want a turn flying as well?" Severus asked.
Albus shrugged.
Severus resisted the urge to pick the child up. He wasn't one for such displays in front of the students. "Do you not like to fly?"
Harry fell in step next to them on the other side of Albus. He took Albus's free hand. "Ginny used to take him up for short rides on her broom, but he's never taken to it the way James has."
Severus squeezed Albus's hand. "Not everyone enjoys leaving the earth. There's nothing wrong with that, though there is something to be said for attempting to overcome your fears." Severus wondered how the three of them looked like this - like a family, perhaps. It would be so easy to fool even himself.
When they reached a nice flat area, Severus halted, hoping the throng of children behind him could stop en masse before plowing him over. He let go of Albus's hand and turned to James, who had been walking on his other side. For the first time since he'd met the boy, James Potter looked nervous. He smiled shakily up at Severus. "I'm ready."
Severus seated himself on his broom and then helped James to sit in front of him. Before taking off, he whispered, "If you'd rather not fly, I'll make up an excuse. No one will know you changed your mind."
He felt James take a deep breath. "I'm ready," the boy repeated.
Severus held the broom with one hand and James with the other as he kicked off from the ground. They gained altitude as they reached the Quidditch pitch and were soon weaving around the goals. James was stiff at first, but then relaxed against Severus and whooped whenever they took a hard turn or a sudden dive.
As they flew, Severus forgot the throng of watchers, forgot that the child with him was another James Potter, that he wasn't supposed to be enjoying this. He forgot it all in lieu of remembering how, at one time in his life, a time when he was still young and decently innocent, he'd loved the feel of the air rushing past.
By the time they landed, most of the students had filtered away, the newness of seeing Professor Snape on a broom quickly wearing off. Belfry had arrived, and must have brought Lily out, for Harry was holding his daughter. The man looked happy, and healthy, and radiant - and Severus wanted him. He wanted Harry Potter on so many levels, for so many reasons. Again, Severus had a moment of wishing this family was his, that he had a place amongst them more permanent than Albus's faux-parent.
He helped James off the broom, rather more gently than would be his norm.
James whirled and hugged Severus around the waist before skipping off toward his father, yelling, "Did you see us? Did you see when Severus did that barrel roll?"
Two days later, at breakfast, a blushing, stammering Potter, said, "Would you take me for a ride on your broom?"
Damn that Minerva for snorting her tea.
At least Harry had spoken so quietly only his children, Minerva, and Severus had heard his request.
Harry blushed all the more. "Er… I meant, would you take me up on your broom sometime? I'd really, really like to fly with you."
Severus nodded. Not quite sure how he felt about having Harry pressed against him or having the two of them flying wild and free. His body rather liked the idea, but then again, Severus had already concluded that his body was a treacherous beast.
So as not to cause quite so much of a fuss, Severus and Harry arranged their flight for an afternoon when they both had a free period, but the students would mostly all be in class. On the way toward a secluded area of the grounds, Harry chattered as Severus remained silent. His mind was working furiously, reminding his body that it really musn't react to having Harry pasted against him, Harry's arms around his waist, Harry's chin on his… well, hell, this wasn't working.
He almost told Harry he'd changed his mind, had some urgent appointment, heard Minerva calling for him, was suffering from a bad case of hemorrhoids… anything, really, to ensure this broom ride didn't happen.
But they were already at the clearing, Harry was already reaching for Severus's broom, his eyes alight. "I never flew with Ginny. It was too much to ask from her to fly and try to dampen my magic at the same time."
"Impossible, I would think."
Harry's hand shook a little as it clasped Severus's broom. "But this will be okay, right? Minerva said the wards go several hundred feet up, woven into those that repel people who try to fly in." He gazed at Severus's broom and whispered, "It's just been so bloody long since I flew."
Severus cleared his throat. "Mount up. Your magic won't interfere no matter how high we venture."
Harry beamed. He let the broom hover next to him and swung his leg up and over, settling near the tail. When Harry was seated Severus joined him, sitting as far to the front as he dared, testing the balance.
"I think we need to meet more toward the middle," Harry said, his voice so close over Severus's shoulder that Severus felt warm breath tickle his neck. "It's a nice broom, but it isn't really meant for two adults."
Severus snorted. His broom was not nice. It was old and ratty - much like its owner felt when in the company of the decades-younger Harry Potter.
They sorted out the balance issues and were soon flying over the forest. Within the first few minutes, Severus was able to relax. Harry's glee over flying made him seem so immature, so much like a student instead of a teacher, that Severus's libido was kept mostly in check.
After they'd landed and dismounted, Harry patted down his wild hair and smiled. "Thank you. That was… that was brilliant. Bloody brilliant."
~**~**~**~
"It's high time you went out in public again." Severus put away his wand and watched Harry's expression.
"I'm not ready for that."
"Of course you are. Every time you've attempted to stop your magic today, you did so almost immediately. You have control. Your magic is yours again."
Harry scuffed his foot on the stones. "What if I get nervous when I'm out? What if things go wrong? I don't want to hurt anyone."
Severus unwarded the door and opened it, ushering Harry into the empty corridor. "Take Arthur or one of the Weasley boys. They'll be able to help if you have problems."
"What?" Harry swung around, his eyes large, his mouth hanging open. "Why won't you go with me?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I won't go unless you go."
Merlin, did this particular corridor breed stubbornness? "You can't use me as a crutch."
Harry slumped a little. "Just the first time, okay? I'll feel better if you're with me."
Severus shook his head. He knew there was no way he'd win this argument. The man could do stubborn as an art form. "Fine. We'll go out the first time together. Hogsmeade should be a good choice, not as busy as Diagon Alley."
Harry nodded. "Good. Maybe the third or fourth time we go out it can be to Diagon." He saluted Severus and began striding up the corridor.
"Potter! I said the first time only. Nothing more."
~**~**~**~
Severus tried avoiding the incredulous gazes, but it wasn't easy. Though the streets of Hogsmeade were somewhat quiet, there were still enough people to gawk at the Boy Who Lived and the Death Eater. "Must you hold my arm?" Severus hissed.
Harry tightened his grip. "Yes. I must."
"You have sufficient control over your powers. There's no need to act as if you don't." Severus shook his arm a bit, but the man's hand, wrapped around Severus's bicep, remained firmly in place.
"Am I embarrassing you?"
"Yes."
As they strolled past the stores, several shop owners came out to join the passersby in gawking. Harry waved to a few, grinning happily. The moron. "You'll just have to get used to it, Severus. I have no intention of letting you go." He bumped his hip against Severus's.
The statement and the contact did odd things to Severus's heart and stomach. One pounded, the other fluttered, both determined to misconstrue Harry's statement, even though Severus's brain, at least, knew the truth. "The gossip will be horrible."
Potter shrugged, and, if possible, leaned closer. "I've lived with gossip almost all my life. I'm used to it."
"Well, I am not." Severus tried to put some distance between them, but Potter was glued to his side. If he didn't know for a fact that he hadn't, Severus might have accused Potter of using a sticking charm. He understood better than ever why Harry and Ginevra had always seemed so close in photos. "I'd rather not be fodder for the masses."
Severus steered them into the book store, anxious to be out of sight. It wasn't as big as Flourish & Blotts, but it was acceptable in a pinch. The inside of the store was no more private than the street, however, as several customers stopped what they were doing to stare. The on-duty clerk dropped a heavy tome. A dozen or so nosey Parkers followed them into the store.
Harry looked around. "Well, I suppose we should get our supplies and be on our way, then. I have to pick up a Quidditch book for James. They're over this way, I think." He tugged at Severus's arm.
Severus followed, though reluctantly. It'd make more of a scene to wrench his arm from Harry's grip. "We would get out of here much sooner if we went our separate ways," he murmured.
"No. No. Wouldn't want any problems, now would we?" Harry asked, closing the discussion and dragging Severus to the Quidditch section, followed by the picture books, and finally to the potions section where they both reached for the same book at the same time.
A flash bulb popped just as Severus withdrew his hand. Wonderful, they'd be front-page news by evening. Severus glared at his companion. "This is turning into a circus."
Harry grabbed the book they'd both been after, A Children's Encyclopedia of Potions Ingredients, and said, "I've got all I need. Your turn now."
Instead of the casual perusal of scientific and magical theory journals Severus had intended, he dragged Harry to the counter, quieting the cashier's twittering with one scathing look.
He'd have never thought he'd be so glad to leave a book store.
Unfortunately, the crowd left with them. Honeydukes was a replay of the book shop, except accompanied by the odor of chocolate. Even Harry seemed to be reaching the end of his patience, for as soon as he'd purchased a selection of sweets for the children, he pulled Severus out the door and down the street toward Hogwarts.
They were followed all the way to the gates. At least no one was hollering out inane questions as Severus had contended with at the very close of the war.
After they crossed the wards, Harry let out a long breath and slumped against Severus's side, still clutching Severus's arm. "I didn't expect all that."
Severus remained where they were, not wanting to approach the castle with Potter hanging off him. "What did you expect? I'm sure they all think we're dating."
"It was never this bad with me and Ginny, at least not as soon as the end-of-war stuff died down." Although he still kept his grip on Severus's arm, Harry took his weight back onto his own feet, nearly causing Severus to go off balance with the rapidity of the move.
"Ginevra was a female. A female who fought on the side of the Light," Severus pointed out.
"You fought on the side of the Light as well, and I don't see what gender has to do with anything."
Severus snorted. "Gender has to do with everything. If you'd gone into town with a woman, you would have gotten some interested looks, but people would have thought, 'Oh isn't that sweet, Harry Potter's finally getting on with his life,' and that would have been the end of that."
"I don't need a woman to get on with my life." When Harry's hand tightened around Severus's arm this time, Severus doubted it was intentional. "I get so damned sick of everyone's pity. I have moved on with my life. I have my children, and my friends, and my job, and… and, well, I have you."
Severus didn't care to think about what it meant that he apparently wasn't included in the friends category. After all they'd been sharing, all the time spent in training and evenings in Severus's rooms, did Harry still see him as just an acquaintance. A co-worker? "It's the way of people," Severus finally said, not allowing himself to be stung too badly. He leaned against the stone of the gateway, appreciative that if any of the crowd were still outside the gate, they'd not get a view inside. The wards prevented Peeping Toms. "They think no one can be happy unless they're paired off."
Harry let go of Severus's left arm only to step around him to lean against the same bit of wall and grab his right.
"We're within the wards, Harry." Severus's left arm tingled from the blood rushing back in. His right arm, well he didn't want to think about why that was tingling.
"Minerva was supposed to fix the wards down here after that incident with Hagrid, but she might have forgotten."
There was no use arguing with Potter's myriad excuses, so Severus didn't even make an attempt. "We had best return to the castle, where you know the wards are strong. I'm sure your children are waiting."
Harry sighed and pushed off from the wall. He pulled Severus with him, only dropping his arm when they came into sight of the castle.
The Evening Prophet's front page headline was as bad as Severus had expected: Harry Potter's Death-Eater Death Grip. The photo was most damning, however, showing the two of them, Harry's hand on Severus's arm, leaning in, seemingly only having eyes for each other. If Severus wasn't in the photo himself, he would think they looked like a loving couple.
He snorted and refolded the paper.
"Part 11"