A New Family For Harry

Please read and review! I'd love to hear what you think, or any questions you might have.



applesauce_N_soysauce, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but let's just say that the story is listed in this particular pairing for a very good reason. *grins* Lilith, I'm thrilled that you like Ron being brought into the story -- and if you think he should turn up at points as the boys learn more adult games from Lucius, I'll seriously consider it! tribebohemian, I'm so glad to hear it seems the boys so far have kept a kind of innocence, even as they skirt more mature behavior as they explore. Nice also to know that you think the Malfoys are portrayed aptly -- I thought of you as I wrote the opening scene of this chapter, so I hope you like seeing a bit more of their social interactions with a family friend. Tina109, that's a question I'm toying with myself as I continue this, how involved Draco might become with Lucius (though I already have plans for him with another character). EnvyButterfly, your review totally cracked me up -- I'm happy to know that I'm the "purest form of evil"! *beams at you like Harry does at Lucius* Many thanks to reviewers who keep commenting loyally no matter how many updates I've been inflicting on you all, like celestialuna, the ebullient manx65, Leentje, and speedie234!



In this chapter, we have some new developments, and a familiar face, at Harry's ninth birthday. On to the fic!









_________________________________________











The morning of Harry's ninth birthday party, Severus Snape came early, as Lucius had requested.



"Did you come to help celebrate, Severus?" Harry asked in excitement when Severus was shown in. They were all four of them still lingering over breakfast on the terrace, though Narcissa had absently begun to sort through the morning's owl-delivered messages while Lucius's eyes skimmed over The Prophet headlines.



"That I did," Severus drawled. Harry beamed at him, and then turned to grace Lucius with a bright smile, as though in thanks already for the party yet to come. Lucius touched Harry's head as though fixing his mussed fringe, but when he noticed that both Narcissa and Severus were already focused on Draco's excited greeting of their family friend, went ahead and petted the boy's hair until the child fairly purred under his touch.



It had taken some time, when Severus had first been properly introduced to Harry, for Lucius's old acquaintance to cease being as stiff as he normally was around people he did not like or trust. But when Lucius laughed at him and said, "Do you really think he can be a thing like his father, having never known the man?" Severus had huffed. The talk obviously took effect, though, for in his subsequent visits, Severus gradually allowed himself to be won over by Harry's friendly manner.



Harry, it seemed, had just been waiting to showcase his charms, for as soon as Severus made more cautious encouraging overtures in his directions, Harry had taken to the man as though he were a favorite uncle.



In fact, that was more or less the position Severus occupied in the Malfoy household. There had been some coldness between him and Lucius when the Dark Lord had disappeared, but they had gradually become amicable towards one another over the years. Surprisingly, Harry's entry into Lucius's household, though at first it seemed it would drive another wedge, ended by strengthening Lucius and Severus's friendship.



After disentangling himself from Severus's cloak, Draco tried to tug him off into the house, exclaiming, "I made something with My First Potions set, and Mama said you could tell I have the makings of a Potions Master! Let's go look at it!"



"Patience, Draco," Severus admonished him. He turned to take Narcissa's hand in his, pressing a kiss to it reverently.



"Severus," she acknowledged him, a smile playing on her lips.



"So," Snape said as he gave Harry a keen look. "This is to be a small affair, as I understand it? Only a few guests, and fewer games?"



"No!" Harry laughed uproariously as he slid out of his chair and ran over to Snape. "We're to have as many children as were at Draco's party, and there will be games all day!"



"You had better prepare yourselves, then," Severus advised the boys. "You don't want to get tired at the start, and miss out on all the fun."



"He's right," Draco said seriously. "Perhaps we ought to play chess until the guests come."



Harry nodded, and the two boys took hands as they went back into the house.



"A morning without the boys running about and shrieking at each other in anticipation of a party? Severus, you're a wonder," Narcissa trilled.



Snape bowed. "I live to serve."



"Well, I must get myself ready," Narcissa said as she rose. "Everyone begins to arrive in only a few hours."



"One cannot improve upon perfection, Narcissa," Severus said to her with a short bow.



Narcissa left, smiling to herself.



"I can't imagine you find children's parties to be of such very great interest to you, and yet you attend without a murmur, even arriving early," Lucius observed.



Snape snorted. "For any other family but yours, Lucius, I would have made a thousand and one perfectly crafted excuses."



"You honor us, old friend." Lucius clapped him on the shoulder. "Come, now, let me show you the recent volumes I have acquired," he suggested, beckoning Snape to follow him inside to the study.



There they spent a pleasant morning examining some of the Dark Magic texts Lucius's agent on the Continent had found for him.



"This one in particular is quite rare," Snape breathed at a musty book. "I have read of it, but have never held a copy."



"Yes," Lucius agreed, coming around the desk. "See, here, the illustrations are such quality that it may in fact be the original."



"How marvelous," Severus murmured as he carefully turned a page.



"It truly is." Lucius studied his friend as he bent over the volume. "By the way, Severus, there's something I've been meaning to inquire of you."



"Go ahead," Severus said, not looking up.



Lucius smiled. "Are you Narcissa's lover?"



Snape's head snapped up, and, if it was really possible, went even paler than usual.



"I -- no, of course not," he sputtered.



Lucius examined his expression and then smiled again. "She looks so well of late, though of course she has always been lovely. But there has been such a particular glow to her, I simply assumed... but do you know, I believe you?"



"Of course -- you must -- it's the truth," Severus said, his eyes slightly wild. "I would never trespass upon you in that way."



"Hmmmmm. I see. Well. She could do worse." Lucius acknowledged.



Severus took a deep breath and put down the book. "Lucius are you...in some way approving me to approach your wife, and sleep with her?"



"Oh, no, I would never actively encourage anything so crass," Lucius protested. "All I am saying is, that if you were, well. I find you discreet and trustworthy. And Narcissa deserves such qualities in a lover, were she to take one."



Snape swallowed, seeming utterly at a loss.



"Lucius!" Harry hurtled into the room, Draco close on his heels. "The guests have started arriving! And just like you said he would, Mr. Weasley let more of the children come this time! Two of them are twins, exactly alike!"



"You should see the crowd swimming with heads of hideous red hair," Draco put in, but he laughed when Harry scowled in his direction.



"Yes, well, you must go greet them, as you are for all intents and purposes our host for today."



Harry drew himself up importantly, and said, "Come on, Draco!"



"Shall we follow?" Lucius asked mildly as his son and ward raced each other from the room.



"What? Yes, of course," Snape said in a slight daze.



Lucius guided his old friend towards the commotion and arriving guests, a small smirk on his lips.