Chapter Text
10 October 1987
“ Should I be worried on why my husband’s hair looks to have been munched by a kneazle ”
An all too proud three year old stopped her movements, hands tightly gripping dark curls in what looked like it could have been a braid at one point before becoming a mess midway, a mess Severus will surely not be helping detangle later on.
“ Mama! ” Releasing her death grip on her father’s hair, the toddler ran over to her mother. Small arms stretched out and gripped long, black robes, acting all too innocent for what she was just doing.
Severus, letting out an amused sigh, leaned down to pick up his spoiled daughter and held her against his hip. She was growing bigger and bigger each day, spoiled too but that couldn’t be helped. Cassiopeia was their first daughter and she acted very much like the princess she was.
Holding her closer, her arms wrapping around his neck in search of cuddles which Severus was all too happy to provide. The man used this opportunity to turn and look at his husband, somehow managing to hold in his laugh.
Right in front of him sat Regulus Black, a soft blush of embarrassment on his cheeks. His hair, normally long to his shoulders, as heirs and lords of noble houses are expected to, with soft, dark wavy curls courtesy of house Black, was now just a mess of tangles, ribbons and three or four hair clips in random directions.
“ I hope you know I’m not going to help you with that ” A dry comment from Severus was all that was needed to make his husband reply. A soft grunt as he looked down, away from his wife’s intense stare. Ashamed for a lord of a prestigious house to be caught in such a silly position.
“ I didn’t know it was gonna turn out like this ” Was all the defense Regulus could muster, his eyes now drawn to the one year old with black hair on his lap. Little Lyra was very much entertained by a charmed unicorn plushie, which trotted around in the air just barely out of her reach. She hadn’t even noticed the mess on her father’s hair or the fact her mother had arrived home.
Severus raised an eyebrow, expecting more from the shamed man in front of him. “ Now both of us know that’s a lie, Regulus or are you telling me that you have already forgotten the way she cut that doll’s hair a week ago? ”
Of course he hadn’t. Actually, Regulus was very saddened from seeing how his princess cried because her beloved doll hadn’t turned out to look as pretty as she had planned for her makeover result or, how Severus called it, her torture session.
Honestly, how a three year old got a hold of a pair of scissors was beyond him and no matter how much he questioned her, she refused to tell him. Severus prayed this wasn’t how his kid’s accidental bursts of magic were gonna be like it. Otherwise he might have to start to expect knives magically appearing out of thin air.
Cassiopeia was pretty devastated and oh how she had cried like somebody died, insisting that they had to buy her a new one now.
Her mother, having grown in severe poverty and knowing that sometimes you just had to make do with what you had, had seen this as a way to teach his daughter the importance of keeping her possessions intact. So, of course he refused, she still had other three dolls, one less wouldn’t make much of a difference and it wasn’t like she couldn’t still play with it.
Obviously this didn’t please the little girl and smart as she was, too smart in fact, one of the things she had definitely inherited from her mother, had gone to her father, fat tears rolling down her rosy cheeks and the most pitiful of looks on her face.
As always she had the man wrapped around her little finger, it hadn’t taken even ten seconds of pleading before he had promised to buy her a new one the next day. And hold and behold, when the next day arrived, Regulus entered the house with three new dolls.
‘ Just in case something happens to another doll ’ had been his justification and Severus had kept shut. Regulus would learn from his mistake and learn he did when, not even three days later, she had come to him yet again, tears in her bright grey eyes, and begged him to buy her yet another doll. It turns out, once again, the result hadn’t turned out as she hoped.
She had scowled, now truly resembling Severus, and had gone to her bedroom, proclaiming that her father was no longer her favourite person ever. Only with a dark look from Severus had Regulus remain in his seat in his office, after trying to get up to buy the entire stock of muggle dolls their daughter had taken a liking to.
Regulus almost did it, almost wanted to defy his wife but, at the end of the day, Cassiopeia had already forgotten about it and, if during bed time, her father had read to her two extra bedtime stories as apology from having said ‘no’ to her, then she didn’t comment on it.
The one year old shrieked after having finally caught the levitating unicorn, she smushed it close to her face, a happy smile on her and Regulus couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
Severus sighed and taking pity on his husband, offered his hand. Regulus’s smile only grew bigger and after quickly adjusting the grinning toddler closer to his chest, grabbed his hand and got up.
He was pretty sure he heard one or two bones crack. Honestly Regulus needs to take better care of his posture , but he didn’t say anything. His husband was already humiliated enough with that new hairstyle of his.
Sharing a quick kiss between them, Severus took a step back, better accessing Regulus’s messy look.
“ How about this, ” he started “ You go take a nice long bath, do whatever you need to do to take care of that ” he vaguely waved to the mess of his hair “and I’ll keep these two occupied while I get dinner started ”
“ I think I’ll take that offer, love ” Severus rolled his eyes, hiding an amused smile and after another quick kiss on the lips, he gently put down his aspiring hairstylist three year old daughter, causing her to pout until he gave her his hand to hold.
Regulus ruffled her hair, a grin still on his face, before giving little Lyra over to Severus. The youngest let out yet another shriek, at last noticing her mother and with that wrapping her arms around his neck like a baby koala.
With Regulus going upstairs to take care of the result of their eldest daughter’s torture, Severus looked around in the play room in search of a third head but found nothing. Frowning, he looked down at Cassy “ Now where is your brother? ”
Cassiopeia shrugged before lazily pointing upstairs “Riri went to his room a while ago” she looked back up at her mother with an expression that said that was all she was gonna give as explanation.
Severus sighed and decided to leave it be, he will check on his son in a bit, right now he had two toddlers to keep busy and dinner to make.
“ C’mon, I need some help with dinner and if you’re good, maybe you can have some chocolate pudding for dessert ”
An excited grin expanded on Cassy’s face and Severus couldn’t help but think that it was exactly like Regulus’s.
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27 September 1976
Hot
He felt so fucking hot, like every part of his body was on fire. It had started slow, he had woken up probably around two am with a headache and a small uncomfortable warmth. Having assumed it was just the beginning of a fever.
Whatever , he could go to Madam Pomfrey before breakfast, getting a potion or two to reduce the side effects and then he’ll be all good to go but no .
This was bad.
Never had he felt like this. Severus had gotten sick before. When he was at home, especially when he was younger.
His mother would stay beside him on his right, a small trash can on his left for whenever he needed to puke his guts out. She would gently and as softly as possible hum him a song while changing the small, thin dishcloth soaked in cold water on his forehead.
He would only be able to eat cold soup and even then, only the smallest of proportions otherwise it would all come back up and into the trash can.
Eileen would spend the whole day with her son if possible, only leaving to prepare meals or when she needed to babysit the neighbor’s children, in turn for some small change. She would even sleep beside him and Severus would take the opportunity to cuddle with her, away from his father’s judging eyes.
Afterall, to him boys shouldn’t be this soft. This weak .
But this was different. This burning was agonizing. He had even used Aguamenti earlier on himself, trying to ease some of the fever but it was useless. To add to his situation, cramps started around two hours ago and they have just been getting worse and worse. So now he was just a wet mess of sweat and pain.
This was not how he wanted to start his Monday. Actually, correction, this was NOT how he wanted to start his sixth year. He was not even a full month here and he had already been to Madam Pomfrey three times. He didn’t want to make a fourth just yet.
Of course, those times hadn’t been his fault.
The Marauders had cornered him and made his life fucking miserable.
Already last year they had pushed him too far. Not only had Black and his buffoons tried killing him in the Shrieking Shack, causing him to have a life debt to Potter of all people and be forced to keep his mouth shut on the fact there was a werewolf in Hogwarts. What the fuck was headmaster Dumbledore even thinking?
No, of course they had to push him some more. He wasn’t even doing anything! Just making some notes on his potions book when those fuckers decided it was ‘mess with Snivellus’ time.
He hadn’t been fast enough when reacting. He should have grabbed his wand quicker, threw a nasty hex right on Potter’s face and Black’s too! Fuck, even Lupin’s, that idiot always acted all high and mighty, telling his idiot friends to stop but never actually intervene, did he? No.
And Pettigrew, honestly he would probably get too scared and piss his pants, running away with his tail between his legs. Too much of a fucking coward to do anything alone.
Fuck the lot of them
But then Lily appeared, while he was hanging upside down. Absolutely humiliated . And he hadn’t meant it, truly he didn’t but it had come out nonetheless.
And..A-An-
No
He wasn’t in the mood to think about that .
Moving on.
Already on the first day back, Black had thrown a hair color changing hex on him while they were having dinner. He hadn’t even noticed in the beginning until Narcissa gently nudged him with her elbow, pointing with her eyes to the top of his head.
When he touched one of his strands, he flushed bright red. His hair had been turned from his usual silk black to bright, neon pink.
He threw his robe’s hood on and glared at his plate, not even bothering to finish his dinner. He was pretty sure he heard some laughs from the area near Mulciber and Avery, the fuckers , but he chose to ignore it.
He ignored his environment, fumming while thinking on how he was going to solve this without going to the hospital wing when suddenly he heard shouting, very loud shouting from the Gryffidor’s table.
Slowly and discreetly he looked over the direction of the sounds and found that Sirius Black was the one shouting because his hair was on fire. His hair was on fire . Severus' eyes widened in surprise. He quickly put a hand over his mouth to try and hide his smirk.
Potter, in his panic, tried to help and threw the Aguamenti spell on Black and while it did work, it also completely soaked him.
There was a moment of silence throughout the whole room but soon enough laughs could be heard from throughout the four tables, even Severus allowed himself to let out a few giggles.
Black’s blush of embarrassment with a snarl on his face was a look the young slytherin wasn’t going to forget anytime soon.
In the end, the troublemaker gryffindor had cost his house 20 points, taken by an angry Professor McGonagall, before being sent to madam Pomfrey to see what she could do to repair his damaged hair.
He definitely didn’t turn bald but it was apparent for anyone with eyes that the tips of his hair were severely burned. Good .
Remembering that moment always brought a smile to Severus’s face. He couldn’t say the same for right now though. In pain like this very little was making him smile.
“ Now what the fuck is wrong with you? ”
Ah, Rosier . His annoying roommate who was known to be a complete psychopath. How nice, of course it was him that Severus wanted to see when he was in pain like this.
What was he even doing here? As far as he knew, it was currently ten minutes before breakfast ended and he would have thought that Rosier was already on his way to class.
Well, not like he cares. Evan Rosier is the least of his problems at the moment.
“ Just sick ” came his weak reply. Severus didn't even bother to turn around and look at the tall boy. He was busy trying to block out anymore sounds from the growing headache forming.
“ You better not get me fucking sick, Snape ” Rosier growled, already pissed. Honestly, Severus couldn’t give two fucks. Now if only the bastard would get out of the room and leave him alone .
“ And what are you even doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class or are you already trying to fail herbology? ”
Now maybe Severus shouldn’t have said that because Rosier isn’t exactly known to be the most nice guy. Actually, the pureblood is very popular from being from a rich, noble family and because he fights anyone and anything if they look at him even a bit weirdly.
Severus really should have expected to be hit right on his face just for that comment alone. So when Evan turned around to face him, having crouched down to pick up a fallen book near his bed. Severus closed his eyes tightly and waited for the pain to come.
….
………
Silence
………….
………………
Severus slowly opened one eye and was met with a shocked Evan Rosier and now wasn’t that a site, barely anything could shock the mad teenager.
Opening his other eye, he turned a bit on his side to better access Rosier’s reaction. Now why the hell was he making that face?
“ You.. ” Evan started but seemed unable to finish his sentence. His mouth opened and closed, as if he wanted to say something but it just wouldn’t come out. His eyes were incredibly wide, almost as if he truly couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“ What? ” Now Severus was just getting annoyed.
Why the hell was Rosier reacting like that? Honestly, if he hadn’t known Evan for quite some time now, he would have thought the boy crazy with how drastically his moods change.
Letting out a short huff, Rosier began to frown, face returning back to that constant annoyed look that Severus was pretty sure he was born with.
He stood up and took a few steps towards his bed, looking the sick teenager up and down before letting out another huff. Those were starting to annoy Severus .
“ Honestly Snape, if you wanted to die so badly, why the fuck do it here? I don’t want your fucking ghost staying here! ”
What the actual fuck?
Severus’s eyes widened. Just what was the other boy talking about? Couldn’t people be sick?! He’ll be all better tomorrow. Merlin, how could Rosier be so fucking dramatic he would never know.
“ I’m just sick! Not like I’m going to die ”
“ Yeah right! ” came the taller boy’s snarky response “ Have you even seen how you look like? You look paler than a ghost ” Now surely that’s an exaggeration.
Before Severus could reply, Evan continued.
“ I’m gonna get Madam Pomfrey and you better stay the fuck put! Unless you want me to beat you senseless! ” he growled out “ Why the fuck do these things always happen to me? And it’s only Monday too…FUCK! “
Okay, now he was going back to being the normal Evan Rosier, who thought first with his fists before using his brain. If he ever used his brain at all.
But ‘helping out’ another student, if this could even be called helping, was new.
Now what was Evan trying to get at? Trying to have Severus own him a debt. Fuck that, he already did his schoolwork from time to time, in order to keep Rosier off his back and out of his line of attack. He didn’t need this!
When Severus turned around to yell at Evan or stop him. Whatever came first honestly . He was met with the door closing with such force, Severus was pretty sure it shook the whole room.
Severus couldn’t have been more confused even if he tried but before he could think of anything else, another strong cramp came through and he had to bite his lip until it bled in order to not cry out in pain.
Great, fucking great.
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Long arms wrapped around his waist, a warm chest against his back and a chin nestled on his shoulder, a mouth gently nipping on the side of his neck, causing a light blush to appear on his cheeks.
“ I see the bath did you good ” Severus commented, cheek rubbing on wet hair. Regulus should have dried it better. He didn’t want any of that water getting on the carrots he was cutting.
“ It was awful . An actual pink ribbon fell out when I was washing my hair, Sev ”
Severus believes he did an amazing job not having giggled out look when picturing that. His husband seemed to think otherwise by the whine he let out.
“ It’s not funny! I’m never doing that again! Or I’ll be bald before I’m thirty five ” Yeah, that giggle Severus couldn’t suppress, he had to let it out.
“ It wouldn’t be a bad look on you ” A glare was what he got from Regulus, he didn't even have to look up, and a sly smirk was what his husband got from him.
Severus gently put the carrots on the pan. Cassiopeia enjoyed some roasted carrots and it was one of the few ways to get her to eat some vegetables.
Lyra on the other hand ate basically anything they put in front of her but she has been starting to follow around her sister more and whatever big sister did, of course Lyra would repeat it. Gods give him patience .
Regulus gave him another peck on his neck before turning to look at their two children. He kept a hand on his hip, giving it a firm squeeze. Severus decided now was a better time than any to ask about something that has been bugging him.
“ I hope you can tell me why our son was in his room when I arrived home and still hasn’t come out “
A sigh came out behind him. His husband let go of his hip to lean on the counter beside him, facing Severus but still being able to keep an eye on their daughters.
“ Something might have happened but I don’t want you freaking out “
And wasn’t that reassuring.
Severus gave his husband a dark glance before turning his attention back to their dinner. It should be ready fairly soon.
Regulus seemed to try and think on how he was going to say next before another sigh escaped his lips.
“ You know how I’ve been visiting Sirius, right? “
This was already starting horribly.
His husband has recently been trying to revive the old friendship he had with his dunderhead of a big brother. Why? Severus had no idea but Regulus seemed hopeful, optimistic even.
He had always gotten this dark look whenever he talked about his relationship with Sirius. It was complicated at best.
They had been attached to the hips once, together facing against Walburga’s cruel punishments and Orion’s neglect. It changed though. At some point Potter had become a better brother for Sirius and Regulus, the favourite son of the cruel Black couple.
It didn’t help when they were sorted into different houses and it had only gotten worse from there, his and Reg’s marriage not helping to the equation.
But besides everything his husband had always hoped to get his brother back, to fix their relationship. He missed him .
Severus had almost become the bad guy, not that he wasn’t. He had wanted to tell Regulus to stop this foolish idea. Black had changed, he was no longer the six year old brother who would hug him whenever he had a nightmare and came running to his bedroom.
No, he was a horrible human being, almost a murderer if Potter hadn’t intervened.
Severus didn’t want Regulus to be hurt any further but as much as he wanted to stop him, he knew that Reg needed to learn the harsh truth on his own.
No matter how many times he told his husband that his brother wouldn’t be better, wouldn’t be back to his old self, wouldn’t be the big brother that he once was. Regulus would fight back, insisting that they had grown up, that surely Sirius Black, the Sirius Black was better.
So, once more, Severus would keep quiet and when the time came that the asshole Black hurt his younger brother yet again, Sev would make sure it was for the last time.
Lucius and Narcissa had already offered their assistance and hopefully burying a body wouldn’t be that difficult.
“ Yes. I’m aware “
“ Well, ....” another sigh “ We had scheduled to meet at the park today. Thought it would be good to burn some of the kids’s energy and they could spend some time with him, ya know “
Cassiopeia made friends easily. She was quite the extrovert and Severus had no idea where she got it from because he and Regulus had been introverts and Sev refused to believe that she got it from Black of all people.
So it wasn’t surprising when she first met Sirius, she immediately accepted the idea of having her uncle ‘Siri’ in her life. They had been two peas in a pot, much to his husband’s delight and Severus’s distraught.
When Lyra, their shy daughter hadn’t been as trusting, Severus tried to hide his delight but just couldn’t stop the grin from plastering on his face.
Corvus however was different. A bit more complicated.
Severus blamed Walburga and Orion for that. Bastards were still alive when he was born and tried to take the reins on his education because surely a disgusting half-blood mother couldn’t do it and seeing as Regulus had married him, surely he would fail Corvus too.
Both Severus and Regulus blamed themselves immensely. They couldn’t have done much. If they fought much against the Black couple, custody would be given to them. The Ministry would always be on their side no matter what.
And while they died when Corvus was just nine months old and he couldn’t even remember his grandparents anymore, his parents felt like the damage had already been done.
The guilt only grew.
So, when Corvus met his estranged uncle, he had only spared him a glance before going to spend time with his younger sister, who also wasn’t that pleased to spend time with a random stranger.
Regulus and him didn’t force him to interact with Sirius and Severus made a point to the idiotic mutt not to push his son’s boundaries, unless he wanted an earlier death. Regulus’s warning had been much softer but a warning nonetheless.
“ But it seems like this time Sirius had company with him…company he didn’t think to warn me beforehand “ This really wasn’t going well .
“ What company? “ If Black had brought one of his one night stands girlfriends, Severus was going to murder him.
Regulus gave him a look, almost as if knowing what his wife was thinking before deciding to continue. Arms crossed over his chest and a solemn look on his handsome face.
“ It seemed Sirius had to play babysitter at the last minute “ Now was Severus’s turn to sigh “ I had no idea he was watching over Potter’s kid, if I knew- “
“ It’s okay “ It actually wasn’t but Severus wanted to hear the rest of the story before he made any more comments.
Regulus took as his sign to continue and continue he did. “ Introductions went well, actually. Even Lyra seemed curious about Harry ”
Severus sensed a ‘but’ coming soon.
“ But … ”
There it was.
“ I was talking with Sirius and Harry and Corvus seemed to be okay playing together and I thought everything was going great but then all of a sudden I heard shouting and when I looked Corvus was already hitting Potter on his face “
Severus’s eyes widened and he looked up at his husband, momentarily forgetting their meal.
“ Me and Sirius were able to break them up. Potter wasn’t really hurt, he was more shaken up than anything “
Corvus definitely wasn’t one to use physical violence. Actually he wasn’t one for violence at all. He could give a nasty glare though. One that would definitely make you run away scared shitless.
“ I don’t think I've ever seen him so mad, Sev. It was surreal “ He began taking out the plates, preparing the table for dinner. Severus turned off the stove, food was ready.
“ Me and Sirius decided to call it a day. I got the kids home as soon as possible and Corvus immediately beelined to his bedroom and hasn’t come out since “ Reg gave Lyra a kiss on her forehead when he passed by her side of the table, causing her to let out an adorable giggle while he secured the little one better. She seemed to have a talent for getting out of her seat.
“ I tried to go talk to him after getting these two to nap but he wasn’t really having it. So I’ve been giving him some time to calm down “ He helped his wife put the food on the plates “ Kinda thought he would have come out by now but I guess whatever happened must have really annoyed him “
Severus finished putting the last bits of food on his plate before putting the now empty pan on the sink. He used a quick charm for the dishes to start cleaning themselves already. He would do it manually but he had a son to comfort.
“ I’ll go get him. See if he wants to talk now “ with a quick kiss on Reg’s cheek, he began to walk towards the stairs “ You two be good to daddy! I’ll be right back “ Giggles were their response and a soft sigh from his husband made him smile all the way upstairs.
Severus was glad that Regulus had given their son space. On the first few times similar situations had happened, when Corvus had retreated to his bedroom to calm down. Regulus had wanted to insist on talking to him but Sev had intervene.
‘ Give the kid some space ‘ He had warned ‘ He just needs to calm down, he’ll come out when he’s ready ‘
Sev understood why his husband wanted to insist. Too many times had he been locked alone in his room under Walburga’s orders when he lashed out or defied her orders or simply made a honest mistake.
Nothing but perfection should come from her sons and all and any mistakes should be severely reprimanded. Regulus didn’t want any of his children to feel alone, abandoned. That no adult cared about them.
The first few times Severus had also been like that, waiting to comfort their son immediately but after those times, both him and Reg learned. He just needed some time alone, time to gather his thoughts and calm down.
Corvus himself had reassured them that was what he needed and that he knew they were there for him, no need to worry. They didn’t insist after that but it was impossible to not worry when one of your children was hurting.
Giving two soft knocks on the dark oak wood door, Severus awaited a reply. He almost went to try again. He would give his son space but he had to eat some food, like it or not.
However before he was able to do it, Corvus’s muffled voice came through.
“ Come in “
Taking a deep breath, Severus mentally prepared himself for what he was about to find out and tried his best not to think about going to beat up James Potter because surely this was the cunt’s fault somehow.
He calmly walked into the room, silently closing the door behind him. He took a look at the room, neat like usual. Corvus had always been very organized and tidy.
It was funny sometimes, especially when Cassiopeia started playing around with toys and would leave them all over the living room. Her big brother had frowned before cleaning up the toys, only for her to mess everything all over again.
Regulus and he began teaching her to clean up her toys after playing with them, just to give their son some peace of mind.
“ Dinner is ready. Beef casserole with roasted carrots “ He walked closer to the bundle of blankets on the bed that had his son in the middle “ Even got some chocolate pudding for dessert that Aunt Cissy made “
The young boy of six hummed in reply, not really looking up at his mother who had sat beside him. Hand rubbing up and down his back, even with the thick blankets around him, he could still feel the gentle movements.
Severus took a good look at his son and smiled. Corvus had looked like a mini version of Regulus, from his wavy curls, now a mess of waves, to his beautiful grey eyes, even a big part of his personality was Regulus’s all over.
The only thing he really had inherited from Severus was his pale skin and that terrifying glare, along with an extensive sheet of snarky comebacks when someone annoyed him too much.
Seeing that he wasn’t getting much of a response, Severus calmly laid down beside him, engulfing his son in a warm hug. The child cuddled closer, face burying against his mother’s chest.
“ Sweetheart, talk to me. Tell me what happened, please “
As much as he wanted to give his son more space, this was a bit worrying. Never before had he attacked another child like this. Severus needed to find out the root of the problem. He needed to know what caused such a scene.
After a beat of silence, Severus thought that Corvus would resist. Would still keep silent after it and they wouldn’t be able to truly resolve the problem, just ignore it for now.
“ Harry is a idiot “
A snort came out of him before he could stop it and a smile began growing back on his face.
“ I believe it’s genetics, the poor boy can’t help it “ he lightly teased. Well, as lightly as Severus Black could muster “ His father is an idiot as well “
He had wanted to bring a laugh from his son, even just a little giggle. It seemed it had the opposite effect as a sigh left Corvus’s lips.
“ He talked shit about you “
Now Severus would normally reprimand his son’s words. You shouldn’t curse . He would say and he should have said it. Even if he was upset, he shouldn’t talk like that.
But
Why the hell was Potter junior talking about him and he was sure this was James Potter fault and when he got his hands on that fucker, he would strangle the living shit out of-
Anyways
He had a son to comfort, killing Potter would be left for earlier. He needed to contact Lucius first anyway, he needed a way out of Azkaban first and foremost.
“ What did he say “
Frowning further and glare intensifying, growing darker. Almost as if Harry was there and those eyes alone could destroy the boy right then and there.
“ We were talking about our parents, “ he sighed one more time. Sev didn’t like how much he did so. Made him seem like he was carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders. No child should feel like that.
He really was going to kill Potter .
“ He said his dad is an auror and locks up all the bad guys and how cool that is “ James Potter’s heroism mentality truly had no bounds “ And how his mum provides potions to Saint Mungo’s hospital “
And the glare began to intensify once again and Severus couldn’t help but lean down to press a kiss on top of his head, the strands of his hair tickling against his chin.
“ But when I talked about you and dad and how cool your jobs are “ An owner with a small shop in Diagon Alley wouldn’t exactly be his definition of ‘cool’ but perhaps one could see the appeal of being the lord of an ancient, noble house “ he said my parents don’t count because we used to be bad guys, like the ones his dad locks up. That you guys were evil and cruel “
Okay, now he can understand Corvus’s reaction.
He was still sensitive about his and Regulus’s past, which neither of them tried to hide. It had been a part of their life and during the first few months of Corvus’s life, they still would have been considered ‘bad guys’.
While Cassiopeia and Lyra had been saved from that and so comments like these wouldn’t have exactly affected them. Corvus had always been more sensitive, more protective of his family.
Other people didn’t understand what they had gone through, so why should they open their big, fat mouths and try to comment on it.
“ My love, please look at me “ Corvus seemed reluctant to do so but still, he slowly looked up at his mother, chin resting against Sev’s chest.
A tender smile on his face, Sev gave another kiss. This one on his forehead, lingering for a bit before he moved away.
“ While, yes, Potter junior was a complete idiot “ his son let out a snort, much like he did so earlier but he chose to ignore it for now “ I would appreciate it, if you tried avoiding beating up anyone who talks about mine and your father’s past “
Before the boy could protest, and he was going to by the way he was opening his mouth, frown back on, a look from his mother shut him up. A look that said that he still wasn’t finished speaking.
“ Corvus, people are always going to speak about it. There is no other way around it, it is public knowledge after all “ he caressed the child’s cheek, thumb brushing his round cheeks, still with some baby fat that didn’t seem to go away.
“ I know it’s hard but you gotta learn to ignore those comments. You can’t go around having fights with anyone. That’s something your mutt of an uncle does “ Now that brought a disgusted scowl from Corvus and Severus couldn’t be prouder to know that his son didn’t enjoy the company of idiotic weirdos, or in other words, Black and his group of bullies.
“ Then what am I supposed to do? Just let them talk like that about you guys?... “ he groaned, frustrated with his predicament “ I don’t think I’m able to do that even if I tried, mum “
“ Oh no, baby. You don’t need to do that “ A confused look crossed Corvus’s face and Sev couldn’t help but smirk “ Gryffindors are known to not excel intellectually and while Slytherins are no Ravenclaws “ his smirk grew “ We can destroy anyone with our silver tongues “
Realization seemed to slowly be coming to the boy “ So,... “ he began, eyes shining with mischief and a smirk similar to Severus’s appeared “ I just basically need to insult them enough until they apologize? “
“ That’s a way, I suppose “ he chuckled, giving another quick kiss on the child’s forehead, who now gave him that sweet giggle of his that Severus wanted to hear for so long “ Now c’mon, dinner is going to get cold and I’m pretty sure your dad is already at his wits end with your sisters “
And sure enough, when Severus and Corvus both walked downstairs for dinner, they encountered quite the funny scene. A giggling three year old with a half finished plate, a smiling one year old with food all over her puffy cheeks and Regulus with food all over him and in desperate need of another bath.
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Would it be too late to change schools? Actually, scratch that , would it be that bad if he just dropped school entirely? Severus was pretty sure he could make some sorta profit from selling his potions to various shops in Knockturn Alley.
Of course it would be for a much smaller price than his potions are worth but surely he could make a living out of it. Even if he had to suffer the first few weeks. He was no stranger to poverty and starvation after all.
…..
Fuck , what was he thinking? He couldn’t do it. No matter how much his situation sucked. He couldn’t just get up and leave. Not after all the sacrifices his mother was making to get him to graduate school.
Plus, he is pretty sure the ministry would get involved if a minor wizard just disappeared out of the blue and he certainly didn’t want to get them involved.
“ Mister Snape, I do hope you are paying attention! I will not be repeating myself just because you decided to scowl “ Madam Pomfrey’s voice snapped through his trail of thoughts.
Onyx eyes looked up at the adult witch, warm blankets over his body as he stayed lying down on the bed. He had been moved to the hospital wig. Apparently while waiting for Evan Rosier to play hero and get Madam Pomfrey, Severus had actually passed out from the pain.
Not that he remembered it but the pain he did remember, quite vividly too. It seemed that Rosier wasn’t being that dramatic, it did feel like dying. An experience he honestly didn’t want a repeat of.
When Severus woke up he was a bit confused before realizing where he was, this part of Hogwarts he was unfortunately too familiar with.
However, when Pomfrey showed up, he had expected to be told he was just sick. A cold gone bad because of his malnourishment. It would surely pass through but no. Oh no.
It was much worse.
Much much worse.
It seems like his body had gone through a transformation of sorts, was still going through it, and while Severus thought that it sounded like a dramatic definition for puberty, he couldn’t be more wrong.
The correct term was a male carrier . Men with the ability to give birth and while the concept wasn’t entirely uncommon in the wizarding world, it wasn’t the most common either.
The number of male carriers currently in Hogwarts alone could be counted with just two hands. Apparently most already promised to someone else, the beauty of arranged marriages , or with a number of suitors after them.
Known for bearing powerful wizards, male carriers were very much sought after, even half-bloods like him.
Amazing. Great. How nice.
Just when his life couldn’t get any worse .
It wasn’t that Severus was uncomfortable with his new growing body parts. Not really, no.
Well, it was kinda weird mostly because he never thought it could happen to him. While his mother had told him about male carriers and how they even had a few in the Prince line, mostly a few centuries ago. He just never thought it would be him going through this.
He didn’t want to be the center of attention and he certainly didn’t need to have horny teenagers or controlling purebloods trying to get into his pants. Well, that last part probably won’t happen.
One good look at his face and anyone would run away from his sneer, no one would want an ugly thing for a bride, much less a mother.
“ This information will be confidential, mister Snape. While your parents and the ministry will be contacted, there is- ”
“ Wait! What? Why?! “ He didn’t want anyone to know about this, much less his father. He would beat him black and blue, if he didn’t first kill him. And that was if he read the letter, he might just kill the delivering owl first with how much he hates anything magical.
“ It’s the law, mister Snape. Your parents as your legal guardians must know and all male carriers are registered in the ministry as a means of protection! Because your transformation happened at Hogwarts, it is the headmaster duty to notify the ministry “
Fucking fantastic! Headmaster Dumbledore just kept fucking him over again and again. Groaning, he covered his face with his hands, a bit dramatic but who can blame him? This was honestly the worst Monday he ever had.
Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes before continuing “ You will be staying here for a week, by then the transformation should be over. It is normal to feel pain and temperature changes. Your body is after all making a whole new organ”
She calmly put two potions on the little bedside table on his right. “ You will be taking these everyday. Once in the morning before breakfast and once before dinner, along with a Calming Draught near bedtime, understood? “
She didn’t wait for a response before passing the two potions to him. He didn’t recognize them, which got him intrigued. He did want to be a potion master but right now that curiosity would be relevant at a later date.
He drank them without problems, the last one tasting particularly foul before giving the empty vitals back to Madam Pomfrey. Before she left him to eat and rest, a small breakfast magically appeared on his right, she looked at him up and down and spoke.
“ Headmaster Dumbledore should be writing the letters for the ministry and your parents and afterwards he will be coming down here to speak with you. I’m not sure professor Slughorn will be present but he will also be notified about your condition ” with one last look, she left him to his misery.
So, not only did he have to deal with Dumbledore but Horace Slughorn as well. Great, how nice.
Truly fucking fantastic.
“ Sev? ”
What now?
“ Yes? ” he turned to look in the direction of the new voice.
With an air of confidence and superiority, Narcissa Black appeared. Though for others she may appear annoyed, she was one of his closest friends and Severus knew that that look showed nothing but secret worry.
“ I heard from Rosier you passed out ” she crossed her arms over her chest, eyebrow raising “ Mind explaining it to me “
Fuck Rosie and his stupid fucking mouth.
“ Nothing serious, just a bit sick “ Technically he wasn’t lying. If he didn’t feel like it was something serious, then it wasn’t. Narcissa could see through his bullshit though.
“ Really? You passed out on your bed, after Rosier went to get Madam Pomfrey because, and I quote, ‘ He looked fucking dead and I didn’t want a rotting corpse stinking my shit ‘ “
“ I wasn’t really going to die. Rosier is such a drama queen “ he huffed. Good luck trying to get him to do his work now, Rosier.
“ I could care less about Rosier. What I want to know is what is going on? “ Now she looked properly mad, this was dangerous territory.
From the three Black sisters, one easily thought of Bellatrix as the most dangerous one and while they aren’t entirely wrong, Narcissa had a venom all of her own. She could be giving you the most angelic smile while stabbing through your chest with such a brutal force from a trained assassin.
In other words she was fucking terrying when angry and Severus wanted to avoid that as much as possible.
With a sigh, he relented. Narcissa was his friend and she knew about his personal life. About his mother. About his father . She would understand and she would know the importance of his privacy.
“ Fine but you can’t tell this to anyone! Not even Lucius ”
She gave him a nod as a promise, he wasn’t too sure on the Lucius part though. He had a feeling the man was going to know. He somehow always knew things, it was like he was a magnet for gossip and secrets.
Well, here goes nothing.
“ It seems that I’m a male carrier “
…
….
“ Narcissa? “
“ What? “
Narcissa was a lady, soon to be lady Malfoy. She had even been educated on how to react to certain situations. So, having her here with a blank face that radiated confusion and shock was a bit worrisome.
“ I-I’m a male carrier..” he spoke, now a bit unsure because what the hell was that reaction.
Another pregnant silence before Narcissa closed her eyes and let out an exhausted sigh. A bit unfair since he was the one with pain so severe he had blacked out but he wasn’t going to say that to her face if he valued his life.
She made her way to the chair on his left and sat down like she had just ran here. A hand rubbing her temples before she finally opened eyes, eyes alarmed and almost as if screaming in worry.
It was unsettling and gave Severus a feeling of dread.
“ You realize what this means, right? “ She began, a sigh escaping her.
“ That people will be trying to get in between my legs, so that I can give them powerful magical babies “ he murmured, now getting annoyed and reckless.
“ Severus, it’s much, much more than that “
“ What do you mean? “
“ It doesn’t just mean that people are going to be after you” she turned to look directly at him and that unsettling feeling only grew “ It means that purebloods will be going after you. Marriage offers will be made, that is if there isn’t already a marriage arrangement in the Prince family “
Now it was Severus’s turn to be annoyed “ I’m no Prince. That side made sure of that after my mother was disowned “
“ Honestly, Sev, are you slow or what? “ Ouch , okay no need to be that mean, Narcissa “ It doesn’t matter if she was disowned. A male carrier is much more valuable, even if from their rebellious daughter who married a muggle “
Narcissa grabbed his hand and gave him that look that showed how serious this was, it always made Severus shiver and this time it wasn’t any different.
“ They will know about this once the ministry registers you, Severus, and it is most likely that they will try to contact you, if they don’t show up here to meet you in person “ her grip tightens and Severus anxiety spikes.
“ They will probably want you back in the Prince line, with your mother or not. They are probably not above getting your custody with no care for your or your mother’s opinion and they will most likely than not want to get an marriage contract with you “
“ N-Narcissa, you’re scaring me “ Living without his mother… He couldn’t think of it. She had done so much for him, she loved him so dearly and he loved her as well. She was the only family he had, not counting the violent mess his father had become over the years.
He just couldn’t imagine living without her and on top of that be forced to marry someone he didn’t even know. He heard the horror stories. How sometimes it was men so old they could be your grandfather or from such snob houses that because you weren’t of their blood, you would be treated like a pig.
It was terrifying.
Narcissa’s eyes softened and she leaned over, enveloping the trembling boy in a tight hug. Just when had he started trembling? He didn’t even notice but he could care less. It seems like his problems just kept getting bigger and bigger.
“ I’m sorry “ she sighed, her voice was a bit shaky, like it was holding too much emotion and trying not to explode “ I just don’t want you to be surprise with what is gonna happen, I don’t want you to feel unprepared “
Her hug tightened and Severus couldn’t help but hug her back, face burying against her neck.
“ I’m sorry “ she said for a second time and Severus didn’t know if she was sorry for his situation or for having said anything about what could very well be his future soon enough.
Either way, she just hugged him and didn’t say anything else when tears began running down his face.
Just what the fuck was his life?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Getting ready for bed was a routine of his that always calmed him down from the exhausting days he had. Taking care of three children wasn’t an easy task and these routines were a godsend. Whatever allows you to keep your sanity is nothing short of a miracle.
He calmly brushed his long hair. It was starting to become too long, Lucius Malfoy type of length, and already was starting to irritate him when making potions. He needed to cut it but just hasn’t found the time and again he wanted to avoid scissors in his home, especially near Cassy.
He glanced at his bedroom’s door when it opened, revealing a newly washed Regulus Black, already in his nightgown. The man walked up to his wife and tenderly kissed his forehead.
“ Just checked on the kids, all of them are already asleep “ the proud father proclaimed. Severus wanted to tell him to shut up and not jinx it but they were already used to one or two troublemakers, if not all three, getting into their bed in the middle of the night.
They should avoid bringing Lyra though. It had taken far too long to get the toddler to sleep a whole night in the nursery. She always slept far better next to her parents but they needed her to get used to her own space. Her parents desperately needed their own.
It took three whole weeks of lots of crying and trying to climb out of the crib, even forcing him and Regulus to take turns to sleep next to the crib before she finally slept a whole night there.
Ignoring their back pains, the proud parents counted that as a victory in their book.
“ I take it the talk with Corvus went well “ Regulus brushed a few stray strands of black hair behind his wife’s ear before giving him another kiss, this time on his lips.
His husband always loved to show his affection and love for his wife but tried to keep it more to when at home or when they were alone. Afterall, Severus wanted to keep up his image of a brutal, cold and gifted potion master.
He couldn’t exactly do that when he had lord Black kissing him at every turn or cuddling, or hugging, or trying to shag him the second they were alone. Honestly he was pretty sure Regulus libido never went down, not even a little bit.
Not that Severus was complaining much, he absolutely fucking loved it and he adored knowing that he made his husband so horny for him. Incredible for his self esteem to be honest.
“ Yes and I have found out that the root of the problem has the name of James Potter “ Immediately Regulus frowned.
“ I told Sirius to keep a rein on his friends, if he is inca- ”
“ I’m afraid that even if Sirius wanted, he would be unable to keep Potter’s mouth shut “ he got up to put away his hair brush. Regulus went to his side of the bed, more than ready to get a goodnight’s sleep.
“ Potter always said first before thinking and no matter what, Sirius can’t control Potter like Potter can’t control Black “ He hated to admit it but it’s true, sometimes he couldn’t blame the mutt for everything. No matter how much he wants it.
“ What did he say? “ His husband questioned, joining Severys while he started getting inside the bed, thick covers over them.
“ It seems that Potter senior might have made some unsavory comments about our… past “ he sighed, snuggling closer to Reg “ Especially how we are ‘bad’ people, ‘bad’ people that Potter normally arrests “
“ Merlin “
“ Anyways, I believe the situation is resolved. I have spoken to Corvus about other ways to handle the situation and how we don’t resolve issues with fists ” Regulus wrapped his arm around his waist, bringing his wife closer “ At least most issues anyways “
“ Really? And what did you suggest? “
….
……
“ Sev? “
“ Yes? “
Regulus chuckled before insisting “ What did you say, my love? “
“ We are Slytherins, we don’t use physical violence to solve our problem” he looked up at his husband and smirk, black eyes that showed how amused he was with all this “ We have a silver tongue for a motive “
Regulus gave a full belly laugh, arm tightening around Severus before he leaned down to press a passionate kiss against his lips. Sev couldn’t help but melt into the kiss and his touch.
“ So instead of beating them up, he should make them cry? “
“ If that’s what he chooses to do, then that’s what he’ll do “ with a smirk he confirms “ As long as it’s not my son coming home upset, I don’t really care much “
Regulus moved to his back, bringing his wife to rest sorta on top of him. Pressed to his side but with his head on his chest. Reg hand gently rubbed up and down, almost identical to how he was doing earlier for their boy.
“ You truly are something else, Sev” Amusement could be heard in his voice.
“ I believe the word you’re looking for is amazing “ he closed his eyes, enjoying the cuddle session. These days it was rare to have some time with just the two of them. It felt incredible .
“ And how was your day? “ Reg continued, eyes getting heavy. They basically had spent the day separated. Severus had to take care of an emergency at his shop, it seemed like the supplier had forgotten fire seeds and was insisting that Severus had never ordered them.
Basically calling Severus Black, the youngest potion master in Europe, a liar and Severus was absolutely not going to let that happen.
If the supplier left six shades paler and with tears on his eyes, along with a promise to a full box of free fire seeds during the next shipment, then no one pointed it out. Maybe Corvus could truly learn a thing or two with his mother’s ways.
Meanwhile, Regulus used his free day of lord duties and business meetings to spend some time with his family. Which turned to watching over three kids under the age of ten for three hours alone but managed. Ignoring the little hiccup between Harry and Corvus, he believes the day went rather well.
“ Nothing interesting ” Severus mumbled, his own eyes feeling heavy. Both were truly tired “ The issue with the supplier was resolved, I gained free fire seeds and the supplier will think twice before speaking in my presence “
“ You are truly terrifying, my dear “ Regulus lazily chuckled, cuddling closer to Sev, just about to fall asleep.
“ I try to be “ a yawn escaped his rosy lips “ Had to give them one last scare before leaving for the next few months “
“ Oh? Why is that? “ Even his tongue felt heavy, he was just about to enter the world of dreams.
“ Working with potions while pregnant can be dangerous “
“ Oh right “
….
……..
“ WHAT ?! ”