Snarry - A Certain Kind of Fool (Chapters 4 & 5) Part 2 of 6
To view the header, see "chapter one"
Part Four: A Good Day in Hell
When the house-elf, Belfry, left Albus at Severus's door later that afternoon, the boy grinned shyly and then thrust a brightly decorated envelope into Severus's hand.
"A birthday party invitation, is it?" Severus asked after perusing the enclosed card.
Albus nodded.
"I suppose there'll be Weasleys present?"
"Almost all of 'em." The child said it as if it were a good thing.
Severus grimaced.
Albus's smile faded, just a bit.
"I'll be there," Severus said.
The boy, as he had a tendency to do, jumped into Severus's arms. It was just a good thing Severus had become adept at catching him.
After some time spent brewing (and instructing the child), Severus escorted Albus to the Great Hall. The visit had been scheduled late enough that it was time for the evening meal to commence.
Minerva and Potter both grinned at the sight of Severus and Albus walking in hand-in-hand. Severus only glared at them. What? Was he supposed to allow the boy to run wild through the castle as his father did? The dungeon laboratories weren't the only dangerous areas. Why if Albus made a misstep on a moving staircase….
Severus settled himself at Minerva's right hand, Albus perching in the seat next to him, Potter next to Albus. It was getting silly, really, how they all sat as if their seats were assigned. He wondered briefly if it would be the same once the new term began. With that thought came a slight twinge. He always rather disliked having the students back, disrupting his research, his quiet, his life, but this year the return of the students was even more bitter. With their coming, came Ted Lupin and myriad other distractions for Albus. Severus feared it wouldn't be long before he'd no longer receive first dibs on the boy's time. It was quite unfortunate, indeed, that the thought had become a sour one.
He hesitated in handing Potter the schedule he'd devised. After all, wouldn't it be easier to begin weaning himself from Albus now rather than have the boy lose interest in their friendship later? But Albus asking Severus to cut his brisket shook him from those thoughts. He cut the meat and then handed Potter the parchment. "It's a nuisance to have to formally invite the child every other day or so," he said in explanation.
Potter glanced at the schedule. His eyes darkened, but then he glanced at his son and gave an obviously forced grin. To Severus, he said, "I'll let you know if there are any times he won't be able to keep an appointment."
Potter remained silent throughout the rest of dinner, which seemed to put all those in attendance in a quiet mood as well. Severus hadn't realized until tonight just how adept Potter was at keeping conversation flowing. Without the students in the castle, the other teachers tended to run out of things to say by this time of the summer, but this year had been different. Severus almost missed the chatter.
When the meal was nearly finished, Potter clapped once, said, "Belfry," and nodded at the elf as it popped into the Hall. "Belfry, please take the children to our rooms. I'll be there shortly."
"Belfry is being happy to help with the young masters and miss, sir." She curtsied before hefting Lily onto her hip and leading the boys out of the room.
"A good thing she's rather large for an elf," Severus commented, as he nodded in answer to Albus's goodbye wave. "Otherwise she wouldn't be able to carry the girl all the way to your rooms."
Potter only grunted in answer.
Severus turned toward Minerva and raised one eyebrow in question.
She shrugged.
"If you're done eating," Harry said, glaring in Severus's direction, but not actually meeting his eye. "I need a word in private."
It was in Severus's nature to deny a demand such as this, especially from a young whelp like Potter, but in this case, curiosity got the better of him, so he nodded and followed the man from the Hall. "If you're upset over the schedule, then I must admit I have no idea why," Severus said as they tromped through the corridor.
Potter snorted. "You don't, do you?"
"That's what I said."
Potter stopped walking. He folded his arms over his chest and glared. "What's your game, Snape?"
Severus mirrored Potter's pose. "Game? I'm playing no game."
"Of course you are. I just haven't figured out what you're trying to accomplish."
"Perhaps you should make yourself clear before I walk away."
"Look, Snape, you've never been nice to… well… to anyone, so explain why all of a sudden, you've turned into this caring, doting person toward my son. My son."
"Jealous are you, Potter?" Severus smirked.
Potter dropped his hands to his sides, fisted them. "Is that what it is, then? Are you trying to make me jealous? Trying to steal the affection of one of my children away? That's pathetic."
"I am doing no such thing." Well, in truth, when this had started, he'd been quite pleased to think a Potter spawn might prefer his company over that of his own father, but he'd grown past that. Mostly.
"Then explain this!" Potter pulled the crumpled schedule from his pocket and waved it under Severus's nose. "Suddenly you think you can schedule my child's time, like it's your prerogative to decide where he should be and when he should be there. You bastard! What were you going to do? Try to entice him away? Try to make him want you for his father instead of me?" Potter's face, which had been red with fury, suddenly went quite pale. "Or were you trying to get Albus to care for you only so you could break his heart? Is this some sort of revenge against me? Against my father? Against Potters in general? Merlin, you're an utter shit."
Severus hadn't been this angry in years - since the end of the Carrows' stay at Hogwarts, to be exact. He lunged forward and pushed Potter against the wall, pinning his shoulders against stone, feeling bone and muscle shift under his hand. "I will not be accused of such things. I am no monster, Potter."
The man didn't cower, nor did he physically fight. "Aren't you? You sure didn't have any trouble making my life a living hell while I attended this school. Don't tell me you've changed."
As much as he wished to rage at the accusation, Severus knew it was a war he couldn't win. He had treated a young Harry Potter with disdain, had bullied him mercilessly. He dropped his arms and stepped away. "He's your son, Potter. If you wish for me not to spend time with him, then say the word. It will be up to you to tell him why."
Severus turned and strode away, his fists clenched at his sides, his heart clenched in his chest. This was why he never let anyone into his life, it just got him accustomed to company only to have it stripped away.
~**~**~**~
After his argument with Potter, Severus certainly didn't expect to find Albus at the door of his private laboratory at the time of his next scheduled visit, nor did he expect Potter to follow his son in, looking sheepish.
"Do you got any biscuits?" Albus asked as he skipped past Severus heading toward the door to Severus's private chambers.
Severus hesitated before calling out, "You know where they're kept." It wasn't so much that he was afraid of further angering Potter, but he saw no need for them to rehash the argument, especially with the boy within hearing distance.
Potter leaned his posterior against a worktable. "I didn't have the heart to keep him away."
Severus nodded. "For how long?"
"You have him scheduled for two hours today, don't you?" Potter asked.
Darting his gaze toward the door through which Albus had disappeared, Severus assured himself that the boy was not yet returning, before he lowered his voice and said, "That's not what I meant."
"What, then?"
"How long will you allow these visits before you change your mind?" It took all of Severus's control not to snarl the words, to keep his voice even. "If you're going to have trouble over Albus's visits to me, perhaps it would be best to stop them immediately."
"I…" Potter stopped speaking in a huff. He bit his lip for a moment and then started again. "I don't know how to read you, Snape. I thought I did. Growing up, being a student here, I thought I knew who Severus Snape was - knew that he was a horrible bastard who couldn't be bothered with a kind word or thought for anyone."
"I think the memories I gave…."
Potter didn't let him finish. "Your memories, I know. Yes, you cared for my mum when you were young, but I've never seen any other inkling of how you feel toward anyone. At least anyone you care about. You have no problem letting people know when you hate them."
Severus took a step forward, hands itching to shove Potter again, to push him up against something as he had before, but he reined in that notion, and only stood closer, so his voice would carry to Potter, but not leak to the next room. "As for Lily Evans, that is something I will never speak to you about. But, yes, I am a rather cold man, a distant one, but that doesn't mean I completely lack the kindlier emotions."
"I'd like to think that's true." Potter nodded, his gaze flicked toward Severus's rooms. "I've seen the way you are with him - with Al. You're calmer, gentler."
Severus scowled. Despite whatever truth the statement might hold, he really didn't appreciate being viewed as soft. "Your point being?"
"Do you mind if my son spends time with you?"
"I wouldn't have allowed his visits if I did, much less taken the time to write up a schedule."
Potter nodded. "Don't get angry, please, then, but I have to hear it from your own mouth."
"Hear what?" Severus dreaded whatever might come, even without knowing what it was, he dreaded it.
"You have his best interests at heart. You're not trying to hurt him, or hurt me through him. There are no ulterior motives, you just like spending time with Albus."
Severus grimaced. How he hated emotional declarations. How he hated the need to defend his actions. "I will admit that when Albus first showed some interest in spending time with me, I quite liked the idea that it might make you uncomfortable, but as I got to know the child that stopped being a consideration."
Potter had been staring at him intently as he spoke. When Severus was done, Potter nodded. "I believe you're telling the truth, but I still don't get it. Why? Why spend time with a child who isn't even related to you? It doesn't seem very in character for Severus Snape."
"I don't know how to answer that," Severus said truthfully.
They both turned when Albus burst back through the door, chocolate covering his face and hands. "I found the biscuits," he yelled, as he flung himself at Severus, trusting, as usual, to be caught.
Severus didn't let him down. He swung the boy up to rest on his hip. "From now on, child," he said, fighting a smile, "when you're covered with chocolate, you should only launch yourself at your father. I don't enjoy having my robes soiled."
Albus giggled and pressed his chocolaty palms to Severus's cheeks.
Severus glanced toward Potter. "I truly don't know how to answer your question," he repeated.
Potter smiled. "Don't bother trying to figure it out, Snape. I can see what's happened. Albus's gotten under your skin."
Severus couldn't argue.
~**~**~**~
Albus didn't miss a visit. Every hour, every minute, that he was scheduled to be with Severus, he was. There was one noticeable change, however. Instead of the house-elf delivering him to Severus's door and collecting him afterward, Potter himself was now escort.
After three visits, Severus said, "Are you still afraid of my motives, Potter? I thought we'd worked that out."
"I'm not afraid at all, Severus." The man cocked one eyebrow as if in challenge, as if to see if Severus would chastise him for using his given name.
"Then why isn't Belfry accompanying the boy, Harry?"
Potter smirked. "Because this gives me a chance to spend a bit of time with my son. The walk down and back is nice - he doesn't have to share my attention with his siblings."
Severus shook his head. He tried to appear disdainful, but in reality, he applauded Potter. Perhaps if his own father had attempted anything fatherly toward him, he would remember his childhood more fondly. He left Potter in the doorway. The man could see himself out. As usual.
Part Five: The Girl from Yesterday
One day, shortly before Albus's birthday, Potter stayed. Instead of leaving Albus in Severus's care, Potter followed them into Severus's lounge and sat in one of the wingback chairs as comfortable as you please.
"Staying for tea?" Severus asked.
"I thought that'd be nice."
"No lessons to prepare, no friends to visit, no James or Lily to supervise?"
"No."
"I see. And will this become a regular occurrence?"
"Probably not."
"Thank Merlin."
Albus pattered on as he ate. Severus answered him as he always did: turning brewing questions back at the boy so he could attempt his own conclusions (and he had many, even at his age), steering him toward the correct answer if Albus got lost, and listening to his tales of castle adventures (and really, that Belfry was taking the Potter children on far too many excursions). If the air was tense between Severus and Harry, the child certainly showed no signs of being affected.
When they'd finished their refreshments, Harry settled back in his chair. "Do you know what Albus said when I asked him why he liked spending time with you?"
Albus cut Severus off from answering. "I told him it was 'cause you don't treat me like a baby and 'cause you're my Severus and I like you."
"And what did you say, Albus, when I asked what there was to like about the Professor?" Harry smirked, obviously delighted by something.
"I said," Albus left his seat and came to sit on Severus's knees, "My Severus is the nicest person I know."
Potter burst out laughing.
Severus only just stopped his mouth from turning up at the corners.
Potter said, "So I thought if I spent a little time with you, I could see what Albus does."
"And have you reached any conclusions?"
Potter stood. He stretched and then moved toward the door. As he passed Severus's chair, he patted him lightly on the shoulder. "I think you might actually be human."
"Quite a miracle isn't it?"
Potter chuckled as he left the room.
~**~**~**~
There were, if it was even possible, more Weasleys in Potter's quarters than Severus had anticipated. He had forgotten how many there were in Potter's generation, and how they tended to multiply like puffskeins. When he first arrived, he tried, in vain, to count them all, but they darted to and fro and blurred together like one huge ginger haze. For once, Severus was grateful for the messy, dark Potter hair, it made finding Albus so much easier.
When Albus spied him, he launched and jumped into Severus's arms. "It's my party!" he squealed.
"I am aware."
Albus pressed his palms to Severus's cheeks. "Where's my present?"
"Albus, you know better than to beg for presents. Sorry, sir." Potter had sidled up beside them.
It was odd, really, that although Severus knew Albus should be chastised for his cheek, he bristled to hear it. Really, when had he shied away from the side of punishing a breach of etiquette? He quickly subdued this uncharacteristic feeling and said, "Your father is right, Albus, you should never demand gifts."
The child pouted.
"But that doesn't mean you don't deserve them. My gift for you is in my laboratory and you may have it when you visit tomorrow."
The child's eyes widened. "Can I…."
"Before you even ask," Potter said, "you cannot leave your party to go to the laboratory."
Severus sighed. "I'm afraid I have much to learn when it comes to small children," he said in way of apology. "I certainly didn't intend to lure Albus from his party - it's only that his gift is laboratory related."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Potions stuff?" Albus asked.
"Yes. Potions stuff," Severus replied.
Hermione Weasley walked up. "What's this about potions?"
"Auntie H'rmione!" Albus said. "My Severus got me potions stuff for my birthday!"
"You sound quite pleased."
Albus nodded.
Hermione tousled Albus's hair. To Severus, she said, "You're a good influence on him."
"Actually," Potter said, "I think that goes both ways."
Severus scowled.
"Where's that birthday boy?" Molly Weasley trilled as she came bustling up. She tried to pluck Albus from Severus's arms, but the boy only clung tighter. "Oh, Severus, how are you?"
"Passable, Molly."
Molly narrowed her eyes. "I do believe you should have been a father. Look at you with this one!"
Severus narrowed his eyes in return. "Given my character, I don't believe fatherhood would have been an intelligent choice. Given my proclivities, I can't imagine I have anything to worry about."
Molly tittered. She gave Severus's arm a playful pat. She was one of the few people from whom Severus would allow such familiarity, but she was also one of the few who never hid ulterior motives under kind words.
"Proclivities? What's that mean?" Potter asked.
"Check the dictionary, Potter."
Hermione laughed. "I'll explain later."
"Oh, please don't, Miss Grang…."
"Hermione, sir."
Severus nodded. He wondered how much it would irritate Potter if Severus called all his friends and family by their given names, but resolutely stuck with 'Potter' for him. "Hermione, then."
"Aunt Hermione," Albus corrected.
Severus had almost forgotten he was holding the boy. "Ah, but she isn't my aunt."
Molly cut in. "Since the sprout seems to be permanently attached to you, Severus, perhaps you can carry him toward his presents and cake." She motioned across a sea of Weasleys to a table situated at the other end of the room. "His cousins are getting anxious."
"Why don't you let your grandmother take you, Albus?"
Albus shook his head.
Severus began picking his way through the crowd, which turned out to be an easier task than he'd expected, as they parted at his coming. Molly remained at his side. "I do believe the child has you wrapped around his finger, Severus."
"So I've been told." He glanced around to make sure Potter wasn't within hearing range, but the man was taking an alternate route, skirting the outer rim of guests. "As loathe as I am to admit it, I believe you may be right. Just don't tell Potter I said so."
Molly smiled and nodded, looking as if she was holding a bigger secret than that of Severus Snape actually having a heart.
Although, come to think of it, that might be the juiciest piece of gossip she'd heard since the day Voldemort fell.
~**~**~**~
The knock on his door came an hour or so after he'd left the party. Severus opened it to find Potter and Albus. "Sorry for the unexpected intrusion, sir, but Albus couldn't wait any longer to see his gift. As soon as all his cousins left he begged to come down."
Severus nodded and stepped back. Albus tugged his hand away from his father's and sprinted directly to the laboratory door. Severus and Potter followed in his wake.
"What is it… oh!" The oh was said so reverently that any doubts Severus had about his gift melted away.
"What'd you find, Albus," Harry asked as he turned the corner. "Oh, my. Severus, this is too much."
"Not at all." Severus bustled up to the low worktable that now stood in one corner of his private laboratory. It was the perfect height for Albus, but could be raised as he grew - to adult height, even - if the boy retained his love of potions. On the table were set three pewter cauldrons in the most useful sizes, a glass stirring rod charmed to be unbreakable, a new beginner's potions book (heavily illustrated), and a small cupboard full of ingredients. Each ingredient had been handpicked by Severus. None were in any way harmful either by themselves or mixed with any other, but all still held their own particular worth. The set-up had cost Severus dearly, and because of it, he'd have to teach a year more than he'd planned, but as it was, he would probably stay well beyond what he had thought before. After all, he wouldn't have some dunderhead teaching Albus Potter.
"It's really all mine?" Albus whispered. He reached a hand out toward the book, but then pulled it back and looked from his father to Severus. "Really?"
"All yours," Severus said. "As long as you are careful and respectful of your tools."
Albus nodded.
Within minutes the boy was so occupied with examining every detail of his little potions workstation that Severus wondered if he realized others were still in the room.
Severus glanced toward Potter. The man was giving him a goofy look, complete with moronic smile. "What?" Severus snapped.
Potter did something Severus had never, not if he lived to be three hundred, thought Harry Potter would do. He lunged forward and threw his arms around Severus, clutching him. Hugging! "Thank you! I… I haven't seen him this happy and excited since…."
Severus was afraid the man might hold onto him all night. He seemed in no hurry to stop expressing his gratitude. Perhaps the evidence of the effect of a man pasted against his body would finally push Potter away. The rather hard evidence. Though it might be a mortifying way to free himself, it would be worth it.
When someone from the vicinity of the doorway cleared her throat, Potter stepped away. The man blushed and refused to meet his mother-in-law's eyes. "I was just thanking Professor Snape for the present he gave Albus. Which reminds me," he turned toward his son, "Al, you haven't thanked the Professor."
It took a moment for Albus to turn away from his potions gear, but when he did, he rolled his eyes dramatically. "His name's Se'brus, not Perfesthor."
"Yes, well, he's given you permission to call him that. I haven't been bestowed that honor."
Albus ignored his father's words, and instead looked up at Severus. "Thank you!"
"You're quite welcome."
Molly came in the room and inspected Albus's gift. "Is he showing particular talent, Severus?"
"Indeed he is."
She smiled and tousled Albus's hair. "Like his mother, then." She looked at Harry, "And like your mother as well."
Harry nodded. "I've heard she was good at potions. Top of her class and all that."
"Second in her class, to be exact."
"And I wonder who was first?" Potter tried to look innocent in his teasing but failed at that as miserably as he had at potions.
"I'm leaving soon, Albie," Molly said. "Are you going to come with me tonight as James and Lily are, or would you rather wait until morning?"
Severus's eyes darted from Albus to Potter. Why hadn't anyone informed him that the child was going away? Really, shouldn't he be told such things? He lost the sharpest edge of his anger when he saw sadness in Potter's eyes - he was surely trying to mask it for Molly's sake, but Severus wasn't fooled. The man didn't want his children to leave.
"Can I stay here tonight?" Albus asked Potter.
Potter laughed, though it sounded strained. "Well, you can't stay in the lab, but you can stay in our rooms tonight."
Molly nodded. "I thought he might want to, what with all those new presents and the busy day he's had. I'll send one of the boys around to pick him up tomorrow." She pecked the top of Albus's head. "Snuggle up with that toy owl of yours and get some sleep tonight. I'll see you tomorrow."
Albus nodded, already engrossed in the picture-laden brewing book.
Harry was the next to get a kiss from Molly. "You're doing good, love," she said, pinching the cheek she'd just kissed. "Ginny would be proud."
When Molly turned toward him, Severus took a step back. Did she really imagine him to be in line for kisses? She patted his arm and said, "Remember, Severus, a child doesn't have to be born to you to become part of your family." She nodded toward Harry. "We found that out many years ago."
"I never thought about it that way," Harry said, smiling wistfully.
~**~**~**~
The next morning found George Weasley wandering into the entrance hall just as Severus was walking out of the Great Hall hand-in-hand with Albus. The boy was chattering about playing with his cousins while he stayed with his grandparents. Apparently there was a Rose who he was especially fond of. Severus wondered which child at the party she had been.
Potter walked on the other side of Albus, looking tense, getting only more anxious when he saw George. Potter reached for Albus's free hand and buried it in his own.
"He'll be fine, Harry," George said, striding up to them, stealing glances at Severus.
"How are James and Lily this morning?" Potter asked, still clutching Albus's hand like a lifeline.
George shook his head. "Lily was a bit weepy, but Mum calmed her soon enough."
Potter tensed further.
Severus wanted to suggest that perhaps Albus should stay at the castle. He was certain Potter would agree. But the boy was excited about his visit and it wouldn't be fair to let his siblings have an experience he was robbed of.
"Should she come back?" Potter asked. "Perhaps I should fire-call Molly."
"She's fine, Harry." George clapped Potter on the shoulder. "You could come visit for the day… or for the week, you know. You haven't visited the Burrow since…." He cut his eyes toward Severus and snapped his jaw closed.
"You know I can't."
Severus wondered if Potter was still so broken by his wife's death, nearly a year after the fact, that he couldn't step foot in her childhood home. He hadn't noticed undo grief in the man, but one could never know what went on behind closed doors, or within the mind.
"Fire-call if you want, then," George said, "but it really isn't necessary and it might upset Lily if she sees you. You know how they are at that age, happy enough away from home until they see a parent."
Potter ran a hand through his hair, but nodded. "And James?"
"Following Teddy and Victoire around like a pup."
Potter relaxed and laughed. "Of course." He turned toward Severus. "James hero worships Teddy. I swear he thinks the sun rises on that boy. He'll be over the moon when term starts and Teddy's here with him all the time.
Severus couldn't help himself, he asked Albus, "And what about you? Do you follow Lupin around?"
Albus shook his head.
"Before you, the only person Al ever followed was his mum," George said.
Potter smiled wanly.
Severus felt like a heel. He handed Albus over to his father's care and slid away to the dungeons.
~**~**~**~
Albus was to be gone for a week. Well, all the Potter children were to be gone for a week, but Severus hardly cared about the other two, although he did imagine Potter himself was quite bereft without the trio. By the second day, Severus was glowering at the little workstation in his laboratory. He was mollified, at least, by the thought that the boy was probably itching to begin brewing when he returned.
He tried not to ask Potter at every meal if he'd heard anything of the children (they both knew he meant Albus, but they both kept up pretenses). At the times when there was news, Severus listened intently and filed it away.
All the time, he was wondering how he'd let this little person… this Potter… so deeply into his life. Was this what it was like to have a child of one's own? He'd never know. All he did know was that he'd become a certain kind of fool - one of those who fell in love with a child who could be taken away - one on whom they had no real claim.
The third evening after Albus had deserted the castle, a late-night knock on his door disturbed Severus's peace. He placed a holder in his book and laid it gently on the table next to his chair. He stood, brushed a hand down his robes, and finally walked toward the door. If anyone was going to bother him at this time of night, they'd better be ready for a long wait in the hall.
He stood in front of the door, listening to three more successive knocks, before finally grasping the handle gently, turning it, and flinging the door open.
Potter stood on the threshold, parchment in one hand, a half empty bottle of Ogden's in the other. He hiccupped.
Potter waved a finger at Severus. "I don't drink around the children. Never have. Never will. But they're not here."
Severus stepped aside. Best not to leave Potter in the dungeons in his condition. Who knew what mischief he'd get up to, and Severus certainly didn't want to explain to Albus why his father had gotten hopelessly and forever lost in the maze of tunnels under the castle. Of course… if Severus could then adopt Albus… but no. There were too many Weasleys in line for that.
Potter flung himself into a chair by the fire and took another pull on the bottle before offering it to Severus. As if he'd drink from a bottle that had touched Potter's lips. Severus banished the bottle and summoned a potions vial from his personal stock. He uncorked it and handed it to Potter. "Drink this."
"Whazzit?"
"Sober-Up"
Potter warily eyed the green potion. "Never heard've it."
"Of course you haven't. It's my own brew. A variation of Pepper-Up that not only gives one energy, but also evaporates the alcohol from the system."
Potter shrugged and downed the liquid in one. He smacked his lips and smiled. "Not bad."
Severus watched Potter's eyes closely. It was easy to see the moment his head was cleared of its alcohol-fueled fog. Potter's eyes widened and then closed. "Sorry," he mumbled.
"For what? For ruining a good bottle of Ogden's? For showing up at my door drunk? For disturbing a perfectly acceptable summer night?"
"For all that." Potter waved a hand, but kept his eyes closed.
"Why did you come here, Potter?"
Potter blindly thrust the parchment he was holding in Severus's direction. Severus snatched and unrolled it. "A lesson plan?"
Potter nodded.
"And I should see the Muggle Studies curriculum, why? It's not like Potions and Muggle Studies have any overlap." Severus perched his backside on the edge of the cushion of his favorite chair, not wanting to get too comfortable around an obviously distressed Potter.
"What was I thinking, Severus? I'm going to be a horrible teacher."
Ah. Of course. Severus had seen this before, but this was the first instance in which a new professor came to him for help or advice. Even someone like Lockhart had been smarter than that (and look how he'd turned out!). Severus ignored the liberty Potter had taken in using his given name, and tried to lace his voice with understanding (though he doubted it was actually in his repertoire). "Every teacher has first-job jitters, Potter."
The man finally opened his eyes. They were bloodshot - something Severus would improve on for a new variance of the Sober-Up.
"That's what Neville says, but I've been working on my curriculum for over a month, and it's still horrible."
Severus perused the parchment. It admittedly wasn't the finest lesson plan he'd ever seen, but it wasn't bad for a first-year teacher. "I wouldn't call it horrible. Have you looked at the previous professors' curricula? Perhaps you'd get a better feel for the job that way."
"I didn't want to taint my vision." Potter shrugged. "Stupid, right?"
"Perhaps not." Severus took a deep breath, chiding himself for the words he was about to speak, but this man was now a colleague and Severus supposed he had some sort of duty to encourage him. "When you taught Dumbledore's Army, did you have a lesson plan?"
Potter's head came up sharply. He eyed Severus as if waiting for points to be deducted or detentions assigned. When Severus only kept looking at him, waiting for an answer, Potter finally said, "No. I couldn't keep any notes on those meetings. What if Umbridge would've found them?" He shuddered. "I always knew ahead of time what I wanted to cover and had a loose plan in my mind for the direction we were heading in, but that's all."
Severus nodded. "So perhaps your teaching style isn't so much lesson plans and schedules as it is intuition. Perhaps you should simply jot down some notes on what you want to accomplish in your first few classes and let it go on from there."
A smile was slowly sliding onto Potter's face. He nodded. "I like that. Yeah, that sounds more like me."
Severus couldn't help himself. It was out of character for him to be this nice for this long (or ever, really). "What? You mean unprepared and over confident?"
Potter laughed. "Exactly."
~**~**~**~
The next evening Potter showed up at a more decent hour, this time still clutching parchment in one hand, but the other held a box of chocolates.
"Am I being courted?" Severus asked.
Potter blushed. "Just a thank-you for your suggestions last night." He held out the box. "Minerva said they're your favorites."
They were indeed his favorites. Honeydukes Finest Dark Chocolate Rum Chunks. He took the box and tucked it away. To hell with decorum, he wasn't sharing these with anyone, and especially not with Potter. "Don't tell me you brought your curriculum back again?"
"No. Actually, I didn't. This," he held up the paper, "is a list of all the students who're signed-up for Muggle Studies. I was hoping you could look it over and clue me in on who to watch out for."
Severus raised one eyebrow even as he stepped aside to allow Potter entry. "Are you going to judge these students by someone else's opinion?"
Potter flopped down into the same chair he'd occupied the night before. He chuckled. "No. Not really. But if there are any real trouble makers, I'd like to know in advance."
Without looking at the list, Severus said, "All the Gryffindors."
Potter's eyes widened, but then he laughed.
Severus couldn't help the small smile, though he did cover it with a cough.
~**~**~**~
Albus flew into the room and leapt at Severus, who instinctively caught him.
"Sorry, Severus," Potter said, though he didn't look sorry at all. "The kids only just arrived an hour ago, but Al couldn't wait any longer to come and see you." Potter shifted Lily in his arms. "Do you mind if he visits with you for a while?"
Mind? Of course he didn't mind. Severus resisted the urge to pull the child tighter to him. "I suppose that will be satisfactory."
"Daddy just called you Severus," Albus whispered.
"He doesn't know what's good for him," Severus whispered back.
"I've spent some time with Severus while you were gone, and we're trying to be friends."
Severus wished he could deny the validity of that statement, but Albus looked so hopeful, and it was, in fact, the truth, so he only grunted in response.
"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that." Molly Weasley walked in holding James's hand. "The important people in Albus's life should get along."
James actually smiled up at Severus. "Albie talked about his potions stuff all week. Can I see it?"
Albus wriggled out of Severus's grip. He grabbed his brother's hand and chirped, "I'll show him!" before running off in the direction of the laboratory.
"I can't believe you let him get away with that," Potter said. "I bet you've never before let anyone barge into your private lab.
Severus didn't think that statement deserved a response, so he turned to Molly. "How was your week with the children?"
"Wonderful, wonderful," she said. "I do so love having them in the house, but now that they live here, I don't see them as often." Her eyes darted toward Potter.
Potter wound an arm around Molly's shoulders. "You know you can come pick them up any time. I've told you that."
Molly smiled. "I don't want to be a bother, Harry."
Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry. "Or, perhaps, you could escort the children to the Burrow on occasion."
"Oh. Well… the term will start soon and then I won't have much time."
Interesting. Now that Severus thought about it, it was quite odd that Potter never left the castle. He was about to start questioning the man, when Molly said, "Now that the little gentlemen are out of earshot, there's something I would like to discuss with you both." She pulled something from her pocket, and enlarged it. A tattered stuffed owl toy was revealed.
Potter smiled. "Albus's owl. I'm glad you remembered it, Molly. He can't sleep without it."
"There's more of a reason for that than you know," Molly said. She pursed her lips for a moment, and then continued, "Before Ginny passed on, she had a vision."
Potter's gaze darted from Molly to Severus. "You see, Severus," he said, "Ginny was a bit of a seer. She hated admitting it, didn't want anyone to think she was like Trelawney, but she really did have a gift."
Severus nodded. Whether he believed in true seers or not, his life, and Potter's, had been shaped by a prophesy.
"Yes, quite right," Molly said. "I told her she had nothing to be embarrassed about."
"So what's this about, Molly?" Potter asked. "What was Ginny's vision?"
"May I sit, Severus? I'm not getting any younger."
"Where are my manners?" Severus felt a bit of a fool. The first time Molly Weasley had visited his home and he hadn't offered her a chair. "Please, sit." He motioned toward the arrangement of furniture in front of his hearth.
Molly chose Severus's favorite chair, eliciting a smirk from Potter. Potter sat across from Molly, so Severus took a seat on the divan between the chairs.
"As I said, shortly before she passed, Ginny had a vision." Molly dug a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. Potter balanced Lily on one leg and leaned forward to squeeze Molly's knee. "She didn't tell me exactly what she saw, but she sat Al and me down and told us that someone special would come into Al's life, someone who would love him and help take care of him. She told Al that when he saw this person, he'd know them right away."
Severus's stomach fluttered, but he wouldn't let any emotion show on his face. "Are you saying you believe I am that person?"
"I'm sure of it," Molly said.
"Why?" Potter asked.
"Why? Because Albus told me so."
Potter looked confused. "But it's been over a year since Ginny died. I doubt Albus really remembers that conversation. He's so young."
"That's exactly why Ginny did this." She held up the stuffed owl and tickled its tummy. As soon as the bird hooted once, she tickled the left talon. A voice that Severus assumed belonged to the late Ginevra Potter issued from the bird. "Remember, my sweet boy, that you'll find someone who will be another parent to you. You'll know it's them right away. Don't let your father take them away from you. He might not understand at first, but he'll come around. This is very important. And remember, Albie, Mummy loves you very much."
By the time the spell-recorded voice receded, Molly was quietly sobbing and Potter's face was buried in the wispy red hair of his youngest child.
When Potter raised his head, his eyes were clear. "Albus doesn't need another parent." He didn't sound accusing, but Severus still had the urge to defend himself. It wasn't like he'd asked for this. What did it even mean to be a second parent to a young child? Why only Albus? His gaze flickered toward the little girl who was snuggled in her father's lap. She smiled and gurgled. Could it be only Albus, or were the other two part and parcel?
Molly dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. "Of course he doesn't need another parent, dear. You do a wonderful job. But really, a child can't have too much love in their life, can they?
Potter shook his head and stood. His gaze darted toward Severus but then retreated. When he spoke, he focused on a spot on the floor. "I want to be mad at you. I want to take Al and never let him set foot in the dungeons again."
Severus understood. He had a fraction of those feelings when he heard the Lupin boy would be helping care for Albus.
Running a hand over his eyes, Potter said, "I can't… I just can't think right now. It almost feels like Gin betrayed me, like she couldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth." He sighed and his shoulders sagged. "Or to be enough of a parent." As if just remembering who was in the room, he looked at Molly and smiled sadly. "I'm sorry. That's not fair, is it?"
Molly stood and held out her hands to Lily. The little girl wriggled from her father and into her grandmother's arms. Molly settled Lily on her hip and with her free hand she stroked Potter's cheek. "Nothing's been fair for you, my love. Not since you were the age of this one." She bounced Lily lightly. "Don't feel you have to censor yourself around me. I know you loved Ginny. I know you were a good husband to her. But I also know that sometimes you're angry that she died, that she left you with three children to raise, and with… well, with your problem to handle on your own."
Potter's eyes widened. His face flushed, but he kept his gaze locked with Molly's.
"I told Ginny she shouldn't keep this from you. When she told Al and me about it, I said, 'Ginny, Harry has a right to know,' but she just smiled a little and said it would be for the best if you didn't. That you might guard Al all the more if you thought someone might try to take your place."
Potter chuckled. "She was probably right."
"She knew you well."
"Better than anyone."
Molly and Potter smiled at each other. In unison, they said, "Except Ron," and began laughing.
"Why don't you invite him over?" Molly asked.
"Ron?"
"And Hermione. Go fire-call them, spend some time with them. I'm sure between Severus, Belfry, and me, we can handle the children. Divide and conquer and all that."
Potter didn't look convinced, especially when Severus was mentioned, but he finally nodded, kissed his daughter, and left the room.
~**~**~**~
Potter was gone for four long hours. It wasn't that Severus couldn't handle his third of the Potter trio, it was that Molly, for some reason known only to her, had insisted they all stay in Severus's rooms and laboratory. It seemed to Severus that the children might like to spend time with their aunt and uncle, but Molly apparently thought Harry needed time alone with his oldest friends. Severus's rooms had never seen so much commotion - three small children, two adults, and one rather beefy house-elf.
James, after his initial interest in Albus's brewing supplies, had soon wandered to Severus's books. After a moment of sheer terror of having the child destroy some centuries-old tome, Severus, with a flick of his wand, sorted the books. The few that were suitable for children (some first-year texts, a set of fairy tales from Severus's own youth) were all that remained on the bottom shelves. James found one about trolls and leafed through the pictures, keeping up a running dialogue about this one's huge nose and that one's beady eyes.
Lily fell asleep quickly and was tucked into Severus's bed with Molly's assurances that she had put up wards so the child couldn't roll off and injure herself.
Albus brewed his own concoctions for some time before finally curling up on Severus's lap and falling asleep as well.
Molly smiled at them, looking happy enough to burst.
~**~**~**~
Severus hadn't expected Potter to keep up his evening visits now that the children were home, and now that the truth had come out about Ginevra's vision. So he wasn't surprised on that first night, after Potter had finally come back for his offspring, that later no knock sounded on his door. By the third night he was trying to convince himself that it was all for the best. He'd let the little Potter into his life, he most certainly shouldn't want the big one in as well.
On the fifth night, he was finally ready to admit he missed Potter's easy presence.
A week after the children had been home, there was a nine-o'clock knock on Severus's door.
"The kids are all sleeping and Belfry's watching over them," Potter said as he swept into the room. "I've been thinking you should teach me to play chess better. I'm sick of Ron beating me every game."
~**~**~**~
"The students will return tomorrow, Severus." Potter laid his king down in defeat and leaned back in his chair. A week had gone by and even after seven attempts at teaching, Potter was no better at chess than that first night.
"Really? Good thing you told me or I'd have missed it." Severus surveyed the chessboard, looking to see if there were any moves Potter could have made to save himself. There weren't. He waved his hand and the pieces began marching toward the game case.
Potter snorted. "Don't be sarcastic with me, Severus. We're about to be colleagues."
"What difference does that make?"
"Well, I'm sure you treat colleagues with some respect."
Severus raised an eyebrow and uttered one word, "Trelawney."
"Point."
They'd never gotten around to further discussion of Ginny Potter's vision, and Severus believed they never would. Why touch on a deep subject when all their interactions were nothing more than small talk and chess? It seemed Potter had decided to live with the situation and that was all that really mattered.
"Chapters 6 and 7"
Part Four: A Good Day in Hell
When the house-elf, Belfry, left Albus at Severus's door later that afternoon, the boy grinned shyly and then thrust a brightly decorated envelope into Severus's hand.
"A birthday party invitation, is it?" Severus asked after perusing the enclosed card.
Albus nodded.
"I suppose there'll be Weasleys present?"
"Almost all of 'em." The child said it as if it were a good thing.
Severus grimaced.
Albus's smile faded, just a bit.
"I'll be there," Severus said.
The boy, as he had a tendency to do, jumped into Severus's arms. It was just a good thing Severus had become adept at catching him.
After some time spent brewing (and instructing the child), Severus escorted Albus to the Great Hall. The visit had been scheduled late enough that it was time for the evening meal to commence.
Minerva and Potter both grinned at the sight of Severus and Albus walking in hand-in-hand. Severus only glared at them. What? Was he supposed to allow the boy to run wild through the castle as his father did? The dungeon laboratories weren't the only dangerous areas. Why if Albus made a misstep on a moving staircase….
Severus settled himself at Minerva's right hand, Albus perching in the seat next to him, Potter next to Albus. It was getting silly, really, how they all sat as if their seats were assigned. He wondered briefly if it would be the same once the new term began. With that thought came a slight twinge. He always rather disliked having the students back, disrupting his research, his quiet, his life, but this year the return of the students was even more bitter. With their coming, came Ted Lupin and myriad other distractions for Albus. Severus feared it wouldn't be long before he'd no longer receive first dibs on the boy's time. It was quite unfortunate, indeed, that the thought had become a sour one.
He hesitated in handing Potter the schedule he'd devised. After all, wouldn't it be easier to begin weaning himself from Albus now rather than have the boy lose interest in their friendship later? But Albus asking Severus to cut his brisket shook him from those thoughts. He cut the meat and then handed Potter the parchment. "It's a nuisance to have to formally invite the child every other day or so," he said in explanation.
Potter glanced at the schedule. His eyes darkened, but then he glanced at his son and gave an obviously forced grin. To Severus, he said, "I'll let you know if there are any times he won't be able to keep an appointment."
Potter remained silent throughout the rest of dinner, which seemed to put all those in attendance in a quiet mood as well. Severus hadn't realized until tonight just how adept Potter was at keeping conversation flowing. Without the students in the castle, the other teachers tended to run out of things to say by this time of the summer, but this year had been different. Severus almost missed the chatter.
When the meal was nearly finished, Potter clapped once, said, "Belfry," and nodded at the elf as it popped into the Hall. "Belfry, please take the children to our rooms. I'll be there shortly."
"Belfry is being happy to help with the young masters and miss, sir." She curtsied before hefting Lily onto her hip and leading the boys out of the room.
"A good thing she's rather large for an elf," Severus commented, as he nodded in answer to Albus's goodbye wave. "Otherwise she wouldn't be able to carry the girl all the way to your rooms."
Potter only grunted in answer.
Severus turned toward Minerva and raised one eyebrow in question.
She shrugged.
"If you're done eating," Harry said, glaring in Severus's direction, but not actually meeting his eye. "I need a word in private."
It was in Severus's nature to deny a demand such as this, especially from a young whelp like Potter, but in this case, curiosity got the better of him, so he nodded and followed the man from the Hall. "If you're upset over the schedule, then I must admit I have no idea why," Severus said as they tromped through the corridor.
Potter snorted. "You don't, do you?"
"That's what I said."
Potter stopped walking. He folded his arms over his chest and glared. "What's your game, Snape?"
Severus mirrored Potter's pose. "Game? I'm playing no game."
"Of course you are. I just haven't figured out what you're trying to accomplish."
"Perhaps you should make yourself clear before I walk away."
"Look, Snape, you've never been nice to… well… to anyone, so explain why all of a sudden, you've turned into this caring, doting person toward my son. My son."
"Jealous are you, Potter?" Severus smirked.
Potter dropped his hands to his sides, fisted them. "Is that what it is, then? Are you trying to make me jealous? Trying to steal the affection of one of my children away? That's pathetic."
"I am doing no such thing." Well, in truth, when this had started, he'd been quite pleased to think a Potter spawn might prefer his company over that of his own father, but he'd grown past that. Mostly.
"Then explain this!" Potter pulled the crumpled schedule from his pocket and waved it under Severus's nose. "Suddenly you think you can schedule my child's time, like it's your prerogative to decide where he should be and when he should be there. You bastard! What were you going to do? Try to entice him away? Try to make him want you for his father instead of me?" Potter's face, which had been red with fury, suddenly went quite pale. "Or were you trying to get Albus to care for you only so you could break his heart? Is this some sort of revenge against me? Against my father? Against Potters in general? Merlin, you're an utter shit."
Severus hadn't been this angry in years - since the end of the Carrows' stay at Hogwarts, to be exact. He lunged forward and pushed Potter against the wall, pinning his shoulders against stone, feeling bone and muscle shift under his hand. "I will not be accused of such things. I am no monster, Potter."
The man didn't cower, nor did he physically fight. "Aren't you? You sure didn't have any trouble making my life a living hell while I attended this school. Don't tell me you've changed."
As much as he wished to rage at the accusation, Severus knew it was a war he couldn't win. He had treated a young Harry Potter with disdain, had bullied him mercilessly. He dropped his arms and stepped away. "He's your son, Potter. If you wish for me not to spend time with him, then say the word. It will be up to you to tell him why."
Severus turned and strode away, his fists clenched at his sides, his heart clenched in his chest. This was why he never let anyone into his life, it just got him accustomed to company only to have it stripped away.
~**~**~**~
After his argument with Potter, Severus certainly didn't expect to find Albus at the door of his private laboratory at the time of his next scheduled visit, nor did he expect Potter to follow his son in, looking sheepish.
"Do you got any biscuits?" Albus asked as he skipped past Severus heading toward the door to Severus's private chambers.
Severus hesitated before calling out, "You know where they're kept." It wasn't so much that he was afraid of further angering Potter, but he saw no need for them to rehash the argument, especially with the boy within hearing distance.
Potter leaned his posterior against a worktable. "I didn't have the heart to keep him away."
Severus nodded. "For how long?"
"You have him scheduled for two hours today, don't you?" Potter asked.
Darting his gaze toward the door through which Albus had disappeared, Severus assured himself that the boy was not yet returning, before he lowered his voice and said, "That's not what I meant."
"What, then?"
"How long will you allow these visits before you change your mind?" It took all of Severus's control not to snarl the words, to keep his voice even. "If you're going to have trouble over Albus's visits to me, perhaps it would be best to stop them immediately."
"I…" Potter stopped speaking in a huff. He bit his lip for a moment and then started again. "I don't know how to read you, Snape. I thought I did. Growing up, being a student here, I thought I knew who Severus Snape was - knew that he was a horrible bastard who couldn't be bothered with a kind word or thought for anyone."
"I think the memories I gave…."
Potter didn't let him finish. "Your memories, I know. Yes, you cared for my mum when you were young, but I've never seen any other inkling of how you feel toward anyone. At least anyone you care about. You have no problem letting people know when you hate them."
Severus took a step forward, hands itching to shove Potter again, to push him up against something as he had before, but he reined in that notion, and only stood closer, so his voice would carry to Potter, but not leak to the next room. "As for Lily Evans, that is something I will never speak to you about. But, yes, I am a rather cold man, a distant one, but that doesn't mean I completely lack the kindlier emotions."
"I'd like to think that's true." Potter nodded, his gaze flicked toward Severus's rooms. "I've seen the way you are with him - with Al. You're calmer, gentler."
Severus scowled. Despite whatever truth the statement might hold, he really didn't appreciate being viewed as soft. "Your point being?"
"Do you mind if my son spends time with you?"
"I wouldn't have allowed his visits if I did, much less taken the time to write up a schedule."
Potter nodded. "Don't get angry, please, then, but I have to hear it from your own mouth."
"Hear what?" Severus dreaded whatever might come, even without knowing what it was, he dreaded it.
"You have his best interests at heart. You're not trying to hurt him, or hurt me through him. There are no ulterior motives, you just like spending time with Albus."
Severus grimaced. How he hated emotional declarations. How he hated the need to defend his actions. "I will admit that when Albus first showed some interest in spending time with me, I quite liked the idea that it might make you uncomfortable, but as I got to know the child that stopped being a consideration."
Potter had been staring at him intently as he spoke. When Severus was done, Potter nodded. "I believe you're telling the truth, but I still don't get it. Why? Why spend time with a child who isn't even related to you? It doesn't seem very in character for Severus Snape."
"I don't know how to answer that," Severus said truthfully.
They both turned when Albus burst back through the door, chocolate covering his face and hands. "I found the biscuits," he yelled, as he flung himself at Severus, trusting, as usual, to be caught.
Severus didn't let him down. He swung the boy up to rest on his hip. "From now on, child," he said, fighting a smile, "when you're covered with chocolate, you should only launch yourself at your father. I don't enjoy having my robes soiled."
Albus giggled and pressed his chocolaty palms to Severus's cheeks.
Severus glanced toward Potter. "I truly don't know how to answer your question," he repeated.
Potter smiled. "Don't bother trying to figure it out, Snape. I can see what's happened. Albus's gotten under your skin."
Severus couldn't argue.
~**~**~**~
Albus didn't miss a visit. Every hour, every minute, that he was scheduled to be with Severus, he was. There was one noticeable change, however. Instead of the house-elf delivering him to Severus's door and collecting him afterward, Potter himself was now escort.
After three visits, Severus said, "Are you still afraid of my motives, Potter? I thought we'd worked that out."
"I'm not afraid at all, Severus." The man cocked one eyebrow as if in challenge, as if to see if Severus would chastise him for using his given name.
"Then why isn't Belfry accompanying the boy, Harry?"
Potter smirked. "Because this gives me a chance to spend a bit of time with my son. The walk down and back is nice - he doesn't have to share my attention with his siblings."
Severus shook his head. He tried to appear disdainful, but in reality, he applauded Potter. Perhaps if his own father had attempted anything fatherly toward him, he would remember his childhood more fondly. He left Potter in the doorway. The man could see himself out. As usual.
Part Five: The Girl from Yesterday
One day, shortly before Albus's birthday, Potter stayed. Instead of leaving Albus in Severus's care, Potter followed them into Severus's lounge and sat in one of the wingback chairs as comfortable as you please.
"Staying for tea?" Severus asked.
"I thought that'd be nice."
"No lessons to prepare, no friends to visit, no James or Lily to supervise?"
"No."
"I see. And will this become a regular occurrence?"
"Probably not."
"Thank Merlin."
Albus pattered on as he ate. Severus answered him as he always did: turning brewing questions back at the boy so he could attempt his own conclusions (and he had many, even at his age), steering him toward the correct answer if Albus got lost, and listening to his tales of castle adventures (and really, that Belfry was taking the Potter children on far too many excursions). If the air was tense between Severus and Harry, the child certainly showed no signs of being affected.
When they'd finished their refreshments, Harry settled back in his chair. "Do you know what Albus said when I asked him why he liked spending time with you?"
Albus cut Severus off from answering. "I told him it was 'cause you don't treat me like a baby and 'cause you're my Severus and I like you."
"And what did you say, Albus, when I asked what there was to like about the Professor?" Harry smirked, obviously delighted by something.
"I said," Albus left his seat and came to sit on Severus's knees, "My Severus is the nicest person I know."
Potter burst out laughing.
Severus only just stopped his mouth from turning up at the corners.
Potter said, "So I thought if I spent a little time with you, I could see what Albus does."
"And have you reached any conclusions?"
Potter stood. He stretched and then moved toward the door. As he passed Severus's chair, he patted him lightly on the shoulder. "I think you might actually be human."
"Quite a miracle isn't it?"
Potter chuckled as he left the room.
~**~**~**~
There were, if it was even possible, more Weasleys in Potter's quarters than Severus had anticipated. He had forgotten how many there were in Potter's generation, and how they tended to multiply like puffskeins. When he first arrived, he tried, in vain, to count them all, but they darted to and fro and blurred together like one huge ginger haze. For once, Severus was grateful for the messy, dark Potter hair, it made finding Albus so much easier.
When Albus spied him, he launched and jumped into Severus's arms. "It's my party!" he squealed.
"I am aware."
Albus pressed his palms to Severus's cheeks. "Where's my present?"
"Albus, you know better than to beg for presents. Sorry, sir." Potter had sidled up beside them.
It was odd, really, that although Severus knew Albus should be chastised for his cheek, he bristled to hear it. Really, when had he shied away from the side of punishing a breach of etiquette? He quickly subdued this uncharacteristic feeling and said, "Your father is right, Albus, you should never demand gifts."
The child pouted.
"But that doesn't mean you don't deserve them. My gift for you is in my laboratory and you may have it when you visit tomorrow."
The child's eyes widened. "Can I…."
"Before you even ask," Potter said, "you cannot leave your party to go to the laboratory."
Severus sighed. "I'm afraid I have much to learn when it comes to small children," he said in way of apology. "I certainly didn't intend to lure Albus from his party - it's only that his gift is laboratory related."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Potions stuff?" Albus asked.
"Yes. Potions stuff," Severus replied.
Hermione Weasley walked up. "What's this about potions?"
"Auntie H'rmione!" Albus said. "My Severus got me potions stuff for my birthday!"
"You sound quite pleased."
Albus nodded.
Hermione tousled Albus's hair. To Severus, she said, "You're a good influence on him."
"Actually," Potter said, "I think that goes both ways."
Severus scowled.
"Where's that birthday boy?" Molly Weasley trilled as she came bustling up. She tried to pluck Albus from Severus's arms, but the boy only clung tighter. "Oh, Severus, how are you?"
"Passable, Molly."
Molly narrowed her eyes. "I do believe you should have been a father. Look at you with this one!"
Severus narrowed his eyes in return. "Given my character, I don't believe fatherhood would have been an intelligent choice. Given my proclivities, I can't imagine I have anything to worry about."
Molly tittered. She gave Severus's arm a playful pat. She was one of the few people from whom Severus would allow such familiarity, but she was also one of the few who never hid ulterior motives under kind words.
"Proclivities? What's that mean?" Potter asked.
"Check the dictionary, Potter."
Hermione laughed. "I'll explain later."
"Oh, please don't, Miss Grang…."
"Hermione, sir."
Severus nodded. He wondered how much it would irritate Potter if Severus called all his friends and family by their given names, but resolutely stuck with 'Potter' for him. "Hermione, then."
"Aunt Hermione," Albus corrected.
Severus had almost forgotten he was holding the boy. "Ah, but she isn't my aunt."
Molly cut in. "Since the sprout seems to be permanently attached to you, Severus, perhaps you can carry him toward his presents and cake." She motioned across a sea of Weasleys to a table situated at the other end of the room. "His cousins are getting anxious."
"Why don't you let your grandmother take you, Albus?"
Albus shook his head.
Severus began picking his way through the crowd, which turned out to be an easier task than he'd expected, as they parted at his coming. Molly remained at his side. "I do believe the child has you wrapped around his finger, Severus."
"So I've been told." He glanced around to make sure Potter wasn't within hearing range, but the man was taking an alternate route, skirting the outer rim of guests. "As loathe as I am to admit it, I believe you may be right. Just don't tell Potter I said so."
Molly smiled and nodded, looking as if she was holding a bigger secret than that of Severus Snape actually having a heart.
Although, come to think of it, that might be the juiciest piece of gossip she'd heard since the day Voldemort fell.
~**~**~**~
The knock on his door came an hour or so after he'd left the party. Severus opened it to find Potter and Albus. "Sorry for the unexpected intrusion, sir, but Albus couldn't wait any longer to see his gift. As soon as all his cousins left he begged to come down."
Severus nodded and stepped back. Albus tugged his hand away from his father's and sprinted directly to the laboratory door. Severus and Potter followed in his wake.
"What is it… oh!" The oh was said so reverently that any doubts Severus had about his gift melted away.
"What'd you find, Albus," Harry asked as he turned the corner. "Oh, my. Severus, this is too much."
"Not at all." Severus bustled up to the low worktable that now stood in one corner of his private laboratory. It was the perfect height for Albus, but could be raised as he grew - to adult height, even - if the boy retained his love of potions. On the table were set three pewter cauldrons in the most useful sizes, a glass stirring rod charmed to be unbreakable, a new beginner's potions book (heavily illustrated), and a small cupboard full of ingredients. Each ingredient had been handpicked by Severus. None were in any way harmful either by themselves or mixed with any other, but all still held their own particular worth. The set-up had cost Severus dearly, and because of it, he'd have to teach a year more than he'd planned, but as it was, he would probably stay well beyond what he had thought before. After all, he wouldn't have some dunderhead teaching Albus Potter.
"It's really all mine?" Albus whispered. He reached a hand out toward the book, but then pulled it back and looked from his father to Severus. "Really?"
"All yours," Severus said. "As long as you are careful and respectful of your tools."
Albus nodded.
Within minutes the boy was so occupied with examining every detail of his little potions workstation that Severus wondered if he realized others were still in the room.
Severus glanced toward Potter. The man was giving him a goofy look, complete with moronic smile. "What?" Severus snapped.
Potter did something Severus had never, not if he lived to be three hundred, thought Harry Potter would do. He lunged forward and threw his arms around Severus, clutching him. Hugging! "Thank you! I… I haven't seen him this happy and excited since…."
Severus was afraid the man might hold onto him all night. He seemed in no hurry to stop expressing his gratitude. Perhaps the evidence of the effect of a man pasted against his body would finally push Potter away. The rather hard evidence. Though it might be a mortifying way to free himself, it would be worth it.
When someone from the vicinity of the doorway cleared her throat, Potter stepped away. The man blushed and refused to meet his mother-in-law's eyes. "I was just thanking Professor Snape for the present he gave Albus. Which reminds me," he turned toward his son, "Al, you haven't thanked the Professor."
It took a moment for Albus to turn away from his potions gear, but when he did, he rolled his eyes dramatically. "His name's Se'brus, not Perfesthor."
"Yes, well, he's given you permission to call him that. I haven't been bestowed that honor."
Albus ignored his father's words, and instead looked up at Severus. "Thank you!"
"You're quite welcome."
Molly came in the room and inspected Albus's gift. "Is he showing particular talent, Severus?"
"Indeed he is."
She smiled and tousled Albus's hair. "Like his mother, then." She looked at Harry, "And like your mother as well."
Harry nodded. "I've heard she was good at potions. Top of her class and all that."
"Second in her class, to be exact."
"And I wonder who was first?" Potter tried to look innocent in his teasing but failed at that as miserably as he had at potions.
"I'm leaving soon, Albie," Molly said. "Are you going to come with me tonight as James and Lily are, or would you rather wait until morning?"
Severus's eyes darted from Albus to Potter. Why hadn't anyone informed him that the child was going away? Really, shouldn't he be told such things? He lost the sharpest edge of his anger when he saw sadness in Potter's eyes - he was surely trying to mask it for Molly's sake, but Severus wasn't fooled. The man didn't want his children to leave.
"Can I stay here tonight?" Albus asked Potter.
Potter laughed, though it sounded strained. "Well, you can't stay in the lab, but you can stay in our rooms tonight."
Molly nodded. "I thought he might want to, what with all those new presents and the busy day he's had. I'll send one of the boys around to pick him up tomorrow." She pecked the top of Albus's head. "Snuggle up with that toy owl of yours and get some sleep tonight. I'll see you tomorrow."
Albus nodded, already engrossed in the picture-laden brewing book.
Harry was the next to get a kiss from Molly. "You're doing good, love," she said, pinching the cheek she'd just kissed. "Ginny would be proud."
When Molly turned toward him, Severus took a step back. Did she really imagine him to be in line for kisses? She patted his arm and said, "Remember, Severus, a child doesn't have to be born to you to become part of your family." She nodded toward Harry. "We found that out many years ago."
"I never thought about it that way," Harry said, smiling wistfully.
~**~**~**~
The next morning found George Weasley wandering into the entrance hall just as Severus was walking out of the Great Hall hand-in-hand with Albus. The boy was chattering about playing with his cousins while he stayed with his grandparents. Apparently there was a Rose who he was especially fond of. Severus wondered which child at the party she had been.
Potter walked on the other side of Albus, looking tense, getting only more anxious when he saw George. Potter reached for Albus's free hand and buried it in his own.
"He'll be fine, Harry," George said, striding up to them, stealing glances at Severus.
"How are James and Lily this morning?" Potter asked, still clutching Albus's hand like a lifeline.
George shook his head. "Lily was a bit weepy, but Mum calmed her soon enough."
Potter tensed further.
Severus wanted to suggest that perhaps Albus should stay at the castle. He was certain Potter would agree. But the boy was excited about his visit and it wouldn't be fair to let his siblings have an experience he was robbed of.
"Should she come back?" Potter asked. "Perhaps I should fire-call Molly."
"She's fine, Harry." George clapped Potter on the shoulder. "You could come visit for the day… or for the week, you know. You haven't visited the Burrow since…." He cut his eyes toward Severus and snapped his jaw closed.
"You know I can't."
Severus wondered if Potter was still so broken by his wife's death, nearly a year after the fact, that he couldn't step foot in her childhood home. He hadn't noticed undo grief in the man, but one could never know what went on behind closed doors, or within the mind.
"Fire-call if you want, then," George said, "but it really isn't necessary and it might upset Lily if she sees you. You know how they are at that age, happy enough away from home until they see a parent."
Potter ran a hand through his hair, but nodded. "And James?"
"Following Teddy and Victoire around like a pup."
Potter relaxed and laughed. "Of course." He turned toward Severus. "James hero worships Teddy. I swear he thinks the sun rises on that boy. He'll be over the moon when term starts and Teddy's here with him all the time.
Severus couldn't help himself, he asked Albus, "And what about you? Do you follow Lupin around?"
Albus shook his head.
"Before you, the only person Al ever followed was his mum," George said.
Potter smiled wanly.
Severus felt like a heel. He handed Albus over to his father's care and slid away to the dungeons.
~**~**~**~
Albus was to be gone for a week. Well, all the Potter children were to be gone for a week, but Severus hardly cared about the other two, although he did imagine Potter himself was quite bereft without the trio. By the second day, Severus was glowering at the little workstation in his laboratory. He was mollified, at least, by the thought that the boy was probably itching to begin brewing when he returned.
He tried not to ask Potter at every meal if he'd heard anything of the children (they both knew he meant Albus, but they both kept up pretenses). At the times when there was news, Severus listened intently and filed it away.
All the time, he was wondering how he'd let this little person… this Potter… so deeply into his life. Was this what it was like to have a child of one's own? He'd never know. All he did know was that he'd become a certain kind of fool - one of those who fell in love with a child who could be taken away - one on whom they had no real claim.
The third evening after Albus had deserted the castle, a late-night knock on his door disturbed Severus's peace. He placed a holder in his book and laid it gently on the table next to his chair. He stood, brushed a hand down his robes, and finally walked toward the door. If anyone was going to bother him at this time of night, they'd better be ready for a long wait in the hall.
He stood in front of the door, listening to three more successive knocks, before finally grasping the handle gently, turning it, and flinging the door open.
Potter stood on the threshold, parchment in one hand, a half empty bottle of Ogden's in the other. He hiccupped.
Potter waved a finger at Severus. "I don't drink around the children. Never have. Never will. But they're not here."
Severus stepped aside. Best not to leave Potter in the dungeons in his condition. Who knew what mischief he'd get up to, and Severus certainly didn't want to explain to Albus why his father had gotten hopelessly and forever lost in the maze of tunnels under the castle. Of course… if Severus could then adopt Albus… but no. There were too many Weasleys in line for that.
Potter flung himself into a chair by the fire and took another pull on the bottle before offering it to Severus. As if he'd drink from a bottle that had touched Potter's lips. Severus banished the bottle and summoned a potions vial from his personal stock. He uncorked it and handed it to Potter. "Drink this."
"Whazzit?"
"Sober-Up"
Potter warily eyed the green potion. "Never heard've it."
"Of course you haven't. It's my own brew. A variation of Pepper-Up that not only gives one energy, but also evaporates the alcohol from the system."
Potter shrugged and downed the liquid in one. He smacked his lips and smiled. "Not bad."
Severus watched Potter's eyes closely. It was easy to see the moment his head was cleared of its alcohol-fueled fog. Potter's eyes widened and then closed. "Sorry," he mumbled.
"For what? For ruining a good bottle of Ogden's? For showing up at my door drunk? For disturbing a perfectly acceptable summer night?"
"For all that." Potter waved a hand, but kept his eyes closed.
"Why did you come here, Potter?"
Potter blindly thrust the parchment he was holding in Severus's direction. Severus snatched and unrolled it. "A lesson plan?"
Potter nodded.
"And I should see the Muggle Studies curriculum, why? It's not like Potions and Muggle Studies have any overlap." Severus perched his backside on the edge of the cushion of his favorite chair, not wanting to get too comfortable around an obviously distressed Potter.
"What was I thinking, Severus? I'm going to be a horrible teacher."
Ah. Of course. Severus had seen this before, but this was the first instance in which a new professor came to him for help or advice. Even someone like Lockhart had been smarter than that (and look how he'd turned out!). Severus ignored the liberty Potter had taken in using his given name, and tried to lace his voice with understanding (though he doubted it was actually in his repertoire). "Every teacher has first-job jitters, Potter."
The man finally opened his eyes. They were bloodshot - something Severus would improve on for a new variance of the Sober-Up.
"That's what Neville says, but I've been working on my curriculum for over a month, and it's still horrible."
Severus perused the parchment. It admittedly wasn't the finest lesson plan he'd ever seen, but it wasn't bad for a first-year teacher. "I wouldn't call it horrible. Have you looked at the previous professors' curricula? Perhaps you'd get a better feel for the job that way."
"I didn't want to taint my vision." Potter shrugged. "Stupid, right?"
"Perhaps not." Severus took a deep breath, chiding himself for the words he was about to speak, but this man was now a colleague and Severus supposed he had some sort of duty to encourage him. "When you taught Dumbledore's Army, did you have a lesson plan?"
Potter's head came up sharply. He eyed Severus as if waiting for points to be deducted or detentions assigned. When Severus only kept looking at him, waiting for an answer, Potter finally said, "No. I couldn't keep any notes on those meetings. What if Umbridge would've found them?" He shuddered. "I always knew ahead of time what I wanted to cover and had a loose plan in my mind for the direction we were heading in, but that's all."
Severus nodded. "So perhaps your teaching style isn't so much lesson plans and schedules as it is intuition. Perhaps you should simply jot down some notes on what you want to accomplish in your first few classes and let it go on from there."
A smile was slowly sliding onto Potter's face. He nodded. "I like that. Yeah, that sounds more like me."
Severus couldn't help himself. It was out of character for him to be this nice for this long (or ever, really). "What? You mean unprepared and over confident?"
Potter laughed. "Exactly."
~**~**~**~
The next evening Potter showed up at a more decent hour, this time still clutching parchment in one hand, but the other held a box of chocolates.
"Am I being courted?" Severus asked.
Potter blushed. "Just a thank-you for your suggestions last night." He held out the box. "Minerva said they're your favorites."
They were indeed his favorites. Honeydukes Finest Dark Chocolate Rum Chunks. He took the box and tucked it away. To hell with decorum, he wasn't sharing these with anyone, and especially not with Potter. "Don't tell me you brought your curriculum back again?"
"No. Actually, I didn't. This," he held up the paper, "is a list of all the students who're signed-up for Muggle Studies. I was hoping you could look it over and clue me in on who to watch out for."
Severus raised one eyebrow even as he stepped aside to allow Potter entry. "Are you going to judge these students by someone else's opinion?"
Potter flopped down into the same chair he'd occupied the night before. He chuckled. "No. Not really. But if there are any real trouble makers, I'd like to know in advance."
Without looking at the list, Severus said, "All the Gryffindors."
Potter's eyes widened, but then he laughed.
Severus couldn't help the small smile, though he did cover it with a cough.
~**~**~**~
Albus flew into the room and leapt at Severus, who instinctively caught him.
"Sorry, Severus," Potter said, though he didn't look sorry at all. "The kids only just arrived an hour ago, but Al couldn't wait any longer to come and see you." Potter shifted Lily in his arms. "Do you mind if he visits with you for a while?"
Mind? Of course he didn't mind. Severus resisted the urge to pull the child tighter to him. "I suppose that will be satisfactory."
"Daddy just called you Severus," Albus whispered.
"He doesn't know what's good for him," Severus whispered back.
"I've spent some time with Severus while you were gone, and we're trying to be friends."
Severus wished he could deny the validity of that statement, but Albus looked so hopeful, and it was, in fact, the truth, so he only grunted in response.
"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that." Molly Weasley walked in holding James's hand. "The important people in Albus's life should get along."
James actually smiled up at Severus. "Albie talked about his potions stuff all week. Can I see it?"
Albus wriggled out of Severus's grip. He grabbed his brother's hand and chirped, "I'll show him!" before running off in the direction of the laboratory.
"I can't believe you let him get away with that," Potter said. "I bet you've never before let anyone barge into your private lab.
Severus didn't think that statement deserved a response, so he turned to Molly. "How was your week with the children?"
"Wonderful, wonderful," she said. "I do so love having them in the house, but now that they live here, I don't see them as often." Her eyes darted toward Potter.
Potter wound an arm around Molly's shoulders. "You know you can come pick them up any time. I've told you that."
Molly smiled. "I don't want to be a bother, Harry."
Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry. "Or, perhaps, you could escort the children to the Burrow on occasion."
"Oh. Well… the term will start soon and then I won't have much time."
Interesting. Now that Severus thought about it, it was quite odd that Potter never left the castle. He was about to start questioning the man, when Molly said, "Now that the little gentlemen are out of earshot, there's something I would like to discuss with you both." She pulled something from her pocket, and enlarged it. A tattered stuffed owl toy was revealed.
Potter smiled. "Albus's owl. I'm glad you remembered it, Molly. He can't sleep without it."
"There's more of a reason for that than you know," Molly said. She pursed her lips for a moment, and then continued, "Before Ginny passed on, she had a vision."
Potter's gaze darted from Molly to Severus. "You see, Severus," he said, "Ginny was a bit of a seer. She hated admitting it, didn't want anyone to think she was like Trelawney, but she really did have a gift."
Severus nodded. Whether he believed in true seers or not, his life, and Potter's, had been shaped by a prophesy.
"Yes, quite right," Molly said. "I told her she had nothing to be embarrassed about."
"So what's this about, Molly?" Potter asked. "What was Ginny's vision?"
"May I sit, Severus? I'm not getting any younger."
"Where are my manners?" Severus felt a bit of a fool. The first time Molly Weasley had visited his home and he hadn't offered her a chair. "Please, sit." He motioned toward the arrangement of furniture in front of his hearth.
Molly chose Severus's favorite chair, eliciting a smirk from Potter. Potter sat across from Molly, so Severus took a seat on the divan between the chairs.
"As I said, shortly before she passed, Ginny had a vision." Molly dug a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. Potter balanced Lily on one leg and leaned forward to squeeze Molly's knee. "She didn't tell me exactly what she saw, but she sat Al and me down and told us that someone special would come into Al's life, someone who would love him and help take care of him. She told Al that when he saw this person, he'd know them right away."
Severus's stomach fluttered, but he wouldn't let any emotion show on his face. "Are you saying you believe I am that person?"
"I'm sure of it," Molly said.
"Why?" Potter asked.
"Why? Because Albus told me so."
Potter looked confused. "But it's been over a year since Ginny died. I doubt Albus really remembers that conversation. He's so young."
"That's exactly why Ginny did this." She held up the stuffed owl and tickled its tummy. As soon as the bird hooted once, she tickled the left talon. A voice that Severus assumed belonged to the late Ginevra Potter issued from the bird. "Remember, my sweet boy, that you'll find someone who will be another parent to you. You'll know it's them right away. Don't let your father take them away from you. He might not understand at first, but he'll come around. This is very important. And remember, Albie, Mummy loves you very much."
By the time the spell-recorded voice receded, Molly was quietly sobbing and Potter's face was buried in the wispy red hair of his youngest child.
When Potter raised his head, his eyes were clear. "Albus doesn't need another parent." He didn't sound accusing, but Severus still had the urge to defend himself. It wasn't like he'd asked for this. What did it even mean to be a second parent to a young child? Why only Albus? His gaze flickered toward the little girl who was snuggled in her father's lap. She smiled and gurgled. Could it be only Albus, or were the other two part and parcel?
Molly dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. "Of course he doesn't need another parent, dear. You do a wonderful job. But really, a child can't have too much love in their life, can they?
Potter shook his head and stood. His gaze darted toward Severus but then retreated. When he spoke, he focused on a spot on the floor. "I want to be mad at you. I want to take Al and never let him set foot in the dungeons again."
Severus understood. He had a fraction of those feelings when he heard the Lupin boy would be helping care for Albus.
Running a hand over his eyes, Potter said, "I can't… I just can't think right now. It almost feels like Gin betrayed me, like she couldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth." He sighed and his shoulders sagged. "Or to be enough of a parent." As if just remembering who was in the room, he looked at Molly and smiled sadly. "I'm sorry. That's not fair, is it?"
Molly stood and held out her hands to Lily. The little girl wriggled from her father and into her grandmother's arms. Molly settled Lily on her hip and with her free hand she stroked Potter's cheek. "Nothing's been fair for you, my love. Not since you were the age of this one." She bounced Lily lightly. "Don't feel you have to censor yourself around me. I know you loved Ginny. I know you were a good husband to her. But I also know that sometimes you're angry that she died, that she left you with three children to raise, and with… well, with your problem to handle on your own."
Potter's eyes widened. His face flushed, but he kept his gaze locked with Molly's.
"I told Ginny she shouldn't keep this from you. When she told Al and me about it, I said, 'Ginny, Harry has a right to know,' but she just smiled a little and said it would be for the best if you didn't. That you might guard Al all the more if you thought someone might try to take your place."
Potter chuckled. "She was probably right."
"She knew you well."
"Better than anyone."
Molly and Potter smiled at each other. In unison, they said, "Except Ron," and began laughing.
"Why don't you invite him over?" Molly asked.
"Ron?"
"And Hermione. Go fire-call them, spend some time with them. I'm sure between Severus, Belfry, and me, we can handle the children. Divide and conquer and all that."
Potter didn't look convinced, especially when Severus was mentioned, but he finally nodded, kissed his daughter, and left the room.
~**~**~**~
Potter was gone for four long hours. It wasn't that Severus couldn't handle his third of the Potter trio, it was that Molly, for some reason known only to her, had insisted they all stay in Severus's rooms and laboratory. It seemed to Severus that the children might like to spend time with their aunt and uncle, but Molly apparently thought Harry needed time alone with his oldest friends. Severus's rooms had never seen so much commotion - three small children, two adults, and one rather beefy house-elf.
James, after his initial interest in Albus's brewing supplies, had soon wandered to Severus's books. After a moment of sheer terror of having the child destroy some centuries-old tome, Severus, with a flick of his wand, sorted the books. The few that were suitable for children (some first-year texts, a set of fairy tales from Severus's own youth) were all that remained on the bottom shelves. James found one about trolls and leafed through the pictures, keeping up a running dialogue about this one's huge nose and that one's beady eyes.
Lily fell asleep quickly and was tucked into Severus's bed with Molly's assurances that she had put up wards so the child couldn't roll off and injure herself.
Albus brewed his own concoctions for some time before finally curling up on Severus's lap and falling asleep as well.
Molly smiled at them, looking happy enough to burst.
~**~**~**~
Severus hadn't expected Potter to keep up his evening visits now that the children were home, and now that the truth had come out about Ginevra's vision. So he wasn't surprised on that first night, after Potter had finally come back for his offspring, that later no knock sounded on his door. By the third night he was trying to convince himself that it was all for the best. He'd let the little Potter into his life, he most certainly shouldn't want the big one in as well.
On the fifth night, he was finally ready to admit he missed Potter's easy presence.
A week after the children had been home, there was a nine-o'clock knock on Severus's door.
"The kids are all sleeping and Belfry's watching over them," Potter said as he swept into the room. "I've been thinking you should teach me to play chess better. I'm sick of Ron beating me every game."
~**~**~**~
"The students will return tomorrow, Severus." Potter laid his king down in defeat and leaned back in his chair. A week had gone by and even after seven attempts at teaching, Potter was no better at chess than that first night.
"Really? Good thing you told me or I'd have missed it." Severus surveyed the chessboard, looking to see if there were any moves Potter could have made to save himself. There weren't. He waved his hand and the pieces began marching toward the game case.
Potter snorted. "Don't be sarcastic with me, Severus. We're about to be colleagues."
"What difference does that make?"
"Well, I'm sure you treat colleagues with some respect."
Severus raised an eyebrow and uttered one word, "Trelawney."
"Point."
They'd never gotten around to further discussion of Ginny Potter's vision, and Severus believed they never would. Why touch on a deep subject when all their interactions were nothing more than small talk and chess? It seemed Potter had decided to live with the situation and that was all that really mattered.
"Chapters 6 and 7"