Chapter Text
“Don't take too bloody long, we don't have all day” Remus took a deep breath before he continued reading
“Don't be confused, I'm not blaming you. There are so many things that contributed to my decision. My father for one, You know exactly what he was like to me. After so many years, I finally understand the things he did to me were wrong” Remus felt a sense of dread wash over him. What kind of things did the Snape patriarch do to his only son?
“What things?”
“I don't know Pete, It doesn't say.”
“Hurry up Moony” Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius' words.
“Don't be impatient, Padfoot.” James said with exasperation, Remus ignored both boys as he continued to read
“Today as I pack my bags, I am never willing to forgive him. I will never forget, In saying that, I will not forgive Albus Dumbledore or those shitty golden Gryffindors” James let out a huff
“After all the things they put me through, after all the times I almost died, there will never be forgiveness in my heart. Not for them”
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Harry, Neville and Draco's birthday turned out well. Lucius and Narcissa hosted at Malfoy manor and all the children were playing quaint little muggle games. Severus spent the majority of his time hiding between Bellatrix, Narcissa and Regulus.
Catching up with Regulus was fun, a letter every other month was ok, but it was nothing like seeing him in the flesh. He’d not changed much, still rather stoic but with less of the moody hormones or stress of his family situation hanging over his shoulder.
“They’ve been watching you like hawks,” Regulus whispered discreetly. He could feel eyes boring into him, he knew who it was. He knew what it meant, what it felt like but he ignored it. The hardened stare, accusing him of criminality, blaming him for something done.
“Cool. I would say I don’t care but honestly, It’s leaving me a little on edge,” Severus whispered back,
“Like I'm some kind of new, undiscovered species. What’s up with that, anyway?” He asked Regulus who pursed his lips.
“Well, you’re not really the same as you were y’know. I mean, I’ve seen you sporadically over the years but to them, you’re like this rare and protected artifact. Seen in passing.” His words left Severus confused, and uncomfortable
Across the room, James and Remus watched as Severus dodged them, dancing around the room, eluding them. 1 hour, 2 hours and finally Severus made his way over. Remus watched curiously as Severus slowly took a seat beside them.
“Erm, Hi.” Remus smiled at Severus
“Hello Severus, it's good to see you again” He said softly.
“Well, I wish I could say the same but I still don't like either of you.” Severus looked at James and Remus. James frowned.
“If you don't like us, why are you bothered to talk to us?” Severus let out a long suffered sigh dramatically.
“I'm being forced against my will to suffer your horrid company for 'the children's sake' united fronts and all that crock of shit. Anyway, four eyes, introduce me to Lily's son while I'm here” He said expectantly. James called a rumpled and pink harry from his game of wizards chess.
“Harry this man is Severus Snape, you met a few days ago” Harry nodded and smiled up at Severus. For a moment the man's breath stuttered as he looked down into those familiar eyes.
“Hello sir, it's nice to meet you.” He was a shy little thing and so cute. His pale cherub face, cherry red lips and peach cheeks. Severus kneeled down and pulled an old leather bound book from his satchel and held it out to the child.
“This was a written work of progressive potions your mother and I worked on together in our teens. There are a lot of un-finished pieces inside but I think in time you can finish them.” Harry looked sheepish as James looked on them in astonishment.
“I'm sorry sir but I'm not very good at potions. My concentration isn't very good” Harry said sadly. The look drew a soft smile from Severus, it reminded him so much of Lily.
“Well, it's something for you to work on then. Now why don't you run along, us adults have something to talk about.”
“Um, thank you sir. I'll be off then” Harry ran off and Severus turned to see both Remus and James looking at him in question.
“What?” Severus asked
“Nothing,” Severus rolled his eyes at them.
“Well, why didn’t you put it in the pile with all the other presents?” James asked.
“I didn’t bring a present for the young Mr Longbottom. And I’m sure Lily would want Harry to have it anyway” Severus said.
“That doesn't matter right now. More importantly... Where are Black and Pettigrew?” James and Remus looked between themselves awkwardly.
“Um, Sirius will be a bit late but ah,” James trailed off awkwardly,
“This is a little awkward for us to explain, I'm not even sure I believe it.” Severus tilted his head to the side
“I'm waiting Lupin” Remus frowned at him.
“He's in Azkaban. He joined Voldemort after your departure. We presume in 1975 or 1976 sometime” Shock and disbelief plagued Severus' face as his brows shot up.
“Why in the good name of Merlin would he do that? And so young too,” James smiled abashed at Severus' words.
“Well, he blamed us for it.” He said.
“what exactly did you do, what could you have possibly done to make him do something stupid like that?” Wide eyed and flushed, Severus shook his head.
“He spied on us for years, back in our Hogwarts years. When I asked him why he joined them, he said he might see you again.” Severus looked confused and grossed out.
“Why would he see me again, why would he want to.” Both men flushed in embarrassment.
“If you had joined the dark side then he could be with you and for why. Well, he was kinda in love with you I guess” Severus inhaled deeply and growled.
“Ok first. How fucking rude. I'm not and never have been a death eater. Secondly if you loved someone you wouldn't automatically assume the worst of them” He hissed at them. Before their conversation could continue, Draco stomped over pouting petulantly at him.
"Severus, do you love me?" The man smiled down at his godson, masking his initial affront.
"Of course I do. Why?"
"How come Harry got a present before me?" Draco whined and Severus smiled at him.
“I gave him his first because I didn’t bring a gift for your other friend, Mr Longbottom. And it’s not really a gift, I’m more or less returning something that partly belonged to his mum” Severus said as he pulled a wrapped package out. Draco tore into it revealing an emerald and navy cloak and glove set encrusted in diamonds.
"Oh, thank you sooo much! I love it." Draco never left his side for the rest of the night, no matter how hard Severus tried to shoe him away. By the time night ended, he had a lot to ponder.