Part 6

Part Six – Severus

I still can't believe how I've been acting lately. For the last week, I've been going to visit Potter after his children have gone to sleep. We've talked about a lot of things, and even when I'm speaking about my past, I feel that I'm at ease. Perhaps all I've needed all along is a friend like this. I've not felt this relaxed with anyone since Lily. It's as though he doesn't judge me for growing up poor. In fact, he lived a life similar to mine before he went to Hogwarts. Bloody Petunia and her great tosser of a husband mistreated him from the time he was left on their doorstep. He, too, had clothes that didn't quite fit him...hand-me-downs all.

We've got a lot in common. I'm glad that I decided to start over with him. He's not what I thought him to be at all, and it feels like I have a friend again. Not a friend like Lucius was for me, but it's sort of like having Lily back. He's not James, never was. Only my prejudice blinded me in the past. Although, I do smirk when I think about the expression on James' face as he "sees" his son and me share a six-pack of beer and talk like old friends.

From the way Potter acts, he's been just as lonely as I've been, needing someone to talk to about private things and living with guilt over things we simply couldn't control. Even our choice in women is comparable. Today is the first day that I'm going to his suite while his children are still awake. I've agreed to be introduced to them, and while I'm a little nervous, I've been assured that they will be able to keep my existence a secret.

Ah, it's time to go there now. With a last glance in the mirror, I Disapparate to the corridor in his hotel that's right outside his room, knowing only Wizarding families are allowed on his floor, so I don't have to worry about being seen by a Muggle. After only a single knock on the door, Potter opens it.

"Hey, I thought you might have changed your mind."

"Not at all." I look around him and see the kids in the background. "Have you?"

He grins and opens the door more widely. "Come on in." He turns to face his brood and says, "Look who's come for a visit."

"Oh! It's Samael," Lily says brightly, tossing the magazine she'd been holding aside. "Dad, you didn't tell us you found him!"

"It's a surprise," Potter says.

I stare down into the girl's face, and now that I know of her parentage, I can still see Lily in her, but I see a lot of Ginevra as well. "Hello, Lily, staying safe I hear?" I arch an eyebrow as she nods, her red hair swaying lightly.

"How are you?"

This comes from her brother Al. His green eyes sparkle brightly, and I feel myself smile. "I am well." The boy has black hair, untidy and shoulder length, much like his father's.

"So this is the bloke who scared off that wanker...er...prat who wanted to lead Lily down an alley, eh?"

Those words are from the older boy, who looks very much like Potter...down to his glasses...but has hair of a much lighter shade. "You must be James," I say, proud that I can say the name without sneering. "I am happy to meet you."

"Kids, I have a confession to make," Potter says. "I've known this man for most of my life, but I've not seen him for years."

"So he is a wizard," Lily said. "I thought as much. How else could those flowers stay in bloom so long?"

"I am."

"He... Before I tell you, I want your word that you'll not speak of him to anyone. He's living here in privacy."

"If anyone understands the need for privacy," James says, "it's us."

"All right then," Potter agrees with a nod. "Meet Severus Snape."

All eyes widen, and I can feel myself being measured. What I haven't been expecting is the warm welcome that comes next. I mean, hasn't Potter ever told them how horridly I treated him and his mates when they were my students?

"You're alive! I'm so glad," Lily says, hugging me tightly. "Dad's always wished you'd lived."

"I thought it was right suspicious they never found your body," James says. "Didn't I, Dad?"

"Oi! I'm named after you. Wicked! Dad said you're one of the most powerful wizards he ever knew...besides Dumbledore anyway. Is it true you made your own spells when you were just a student?"

Lily snickers. "Dad said he cheated in Potions with..."

"Hey, I never cheated!" Potter denies. "I just followed his advice."

"I knew you had that book!" I say triumphantly. I turn to the teens. "I do hope you give your professors less trouble than he and his friends did."

"I'm in Slytherin," Al said proudly, puffing out his chest.

"So!" James said. "You only won the House Cup by twenty points."

"A win is a win."

"He's right," Lily agrees. "Don't be a sore loser, James."

"Well, we still beat them in Quidditch, so I'm not complaining."

Potter looks at me and then shrugs. "The rivalry continues."

"Indeed."

"Hungry?"

"Just so happens, I am. Have you something?"

"Maybe we can go someplace. Any ideas?"

"Ever hear of Bubba Gump Seafood?"

He shakes his head. "Can't say that I have."

"Oh, I saw that place! It's across from the Hard Rock Café in town."

"So it is," I say. "The food is excellent. I'm partial to the Shrimp Po-boys."

"Say no more," Potter says. I can practically see him licking his lips. "Let's go."

Dinner was pleasant. I listened to the three teenagers speak about their classes and friends back at Hogwarts. Not once was I bored, uncomfortable, or annoyed with them. Shocking, even to me. What surprises me most, however, is the fact that Albus Severus and Scorpius Malfoy are best friends. It seems that Draco and Potter get along well enough to let the boys have home visits.

Things have definitely changed, and I wonder what the public reaction would be to me after all this time has passed. I find myself toying with the idea of visiting home more and more. All too soon it's time to return to the suite, and once there, the kids amuse themselves as Potter and I go to his room to sit on his balcony.

"Do you think it's wrong of me to allow it? You know, Scorpius and Al?" he asks after our second beer.

"Whatever do you mean? I think it's good that you and Malfoy have moved beyond the rivalry you once had. It seems the Dark Lord's death is still working miracles for all of us...me not hexing you for one, me being friendly with you for two, and me not minding dinner with your chattering trio for three."

Potter laughs. "Severus, Albus Severus and Scorpius are not only best friends. They're an item."

My mouth drops open in shock. "Sorry?"

"They're in love."

The last sip of beer that I took threatens to come back up now as I splutter, "How did that happen?"

"I'm not sure," he says nonchalantly.

"And you allow this?"

"I suspected it at first, the way they look at each other, so I asked him one day, and he admitted that he cares for Scorpius that way."

"What does Draco say of this?"

"He didn't like it much, but he's come around now."

"I can't believe it."

"What? That our boys are in a relationship? Got something against someone gay, Snape?"

"Of course not! I wouldn't have worked for Dumbledore for all those years if I did, Potter. It's just surprising that a Potter and a Malfoy are actually..."

"Dumbledore and Grindelwald, I never would have thought that he loved the enemy that way. Maybe there's something to that... loving what we perceive to be the enemy: like a Potter and a Malfoy."

"A Montague and a Capulet you mean."

"Who?"

"Muggle literature. I doubt you've read much Shakespeare."

"Oh, right. Romeo and Juliet. Some, but you're right. Not much."

"You'll find that I'm often right about most things." I grin at his incredulous expression.

He shakes his head and chuckles. "You know, I think Ginny would have approved. She's always liked Scorpius."

I finish my beer without saying anything else about it, though I wonder what Lucius thinks about his grandson and Potter's boy. This causes me to smirk. He probably approves of the relationship. After all, it only betters his family's standing, doesn't it? A Potter, son of the Wizarding hero, part of the family!

"Well," I rise, "I suppose I should go. It was... nice. I thank you for the invite."

"My pleasure," he says, rising as well and extending a hand.

I grasp it firmly before spinning to leave. "Have a good night."

"Snape," he says, causing me to turn around.

"Yes?"

"You don't... You don't think differently of Al now, do you?"

"Of course not. One's sexual orientation doesn't offend me. I believe if someone cares for someone, so be it."

The relief I see in his expression is staggering. Did it matter so much to him what I thought of his family? I'm not sure why, but I say, "Would you like to come for a walk with me tomorrow after I close my shop?"

"Oh, all right. What time?"

"Dusk," I say and glide away towards the living area to bid the children good evening.

AN: Thanks go to beaweasley2 and rdholmantx for reading through this for me!