The Diary Of A Slytherin Prince

Chapter Twelve: Not bad for an old fuddy duddy

Serena looked down at Severus with deep concern as it seemed voices were breaking out. Blaise just stared at his Mother and dare he say it, Father.. He took a calming breath as he looked at his Mother for an explanation. Pansy was at his side rubbing his back trying to keep him calm. Draco was flabbergasted as he had his arms around Hermione who was looking at Severus in question and seemed to be trying to figure out things.

Severus was passed out after having fainted which for him was very uncharacteristic because the man faced years of being a death eater, years of pain wracked his form when he displeased the Dark Lord, years of being a spy and hardening his heart Severus had become a hardened man inside to do what he had to.

Serena continued to lightly pat his face gently and softly in a attempt to revive him. Severus groaned as he took in a long breath and slowly his eyes opened up and he looked at Serena who was the first thing he saw.

“Serena, how can you ever forgive me? I cannot begin to say how sorry I am..”

Severus said this looking at her and he sat up and he looked at Blaise who seemed to him was just barely keeping his temper in check and then finally to Hermione who he knew he had never treated fairly ever due to her being a Gryffindor and so intelligent. He paused a moment as he thought about it and he realized that this was his daughter, this woman who was with his Godson was his daughter and he saw she was looking at him as if studying him and he looked away lowering his head own unable to hide his shame.

“Severus, I forgive you, we were young and you were hurt and I was scared but I should have come to tell you in person. I guess I should explain what I can to our children and perhaps you can explain what you were feeling and doing at the time?”

Severus was only able to nod as he was helped up and Dumbledore cleared his throat. As he did all eyes went to him as Dumbledore looked down as if he was guilty of something and he shook his head.

“Alas, I knew and did not tell Severus due to the fact his work at the time was more vital to saving the world as we know it,I apologize Serena as I made a lapse in judgment. However if Severus had known,we might not all be standing here today. Have a lemon drop would you Severus? It seems they tend to calm nerves that are stressed a bit.”

Severus looked wearied and now a bit older than his thirty five years of age as he regained his balance and he could not keep his temper in check as he looked at Dumbledore and began to rant.

“It is not enough I have sacrificed my life more than once at your guidance and at your standing there telling me it was just a lapse in your judgment? You dare say it was just a lapse in judgment!! “

Severus was angry as he stood there and glared at Dumbledore and he looked at him hard and unfeeling a moment. All the years Severus did his dirty work and to what find out that perhaps he could have had some happiness, all the years alone with his heart closed because he didn't know what he was possibly missing.

Severus looked away and he made his face look impassive a moment as he shook his head. He looked down at Serena who was looking up at him and he saw a gleam of tears filling her eyes. He despite his intense anger began to feel calm and he just wiped a stray tear running down her cheek a moment with the pad of his fingertips.

“I'm so sorry Serena,had I known.. How can you forgive me? I don't understand how you can forgive me for this..?”

Severus was battling with trying to keep his emotions in check and it showed in his eyes as he looked down at her and he felt like he was about to break down and cry.

You will not cry do you hear me Severus Snape! You will not show weakness! I forbid it

“We could have been happy, I could have....”

Severus felt his heart pain him as he turned and saw the fist just in time before it connected with his jaw and the form of his son looking at him with anger in his eyes,Severus just stood there stunned and rubbed his jaw as he knew that perhaps he deserved that and much worse. He turned to look at Draco and Hermione, waiting for her reaction. To his utter surprise she was softly crying but looking at him with a smile. Draco looked at his Godfather with a look of anger but also complete and utter surprise.

“Blaise don't hit your Father! Severus are you alright?”

Serena was asking him as he was just looking at Hermione and he nodded as he just held his hand to his jaw a moment. His pride and his feelings for Serena were battling each other as he tried not to get mad or act without tact.

“I'm fine, I deserved that and possibly worse, I've been through much worse. So where do we go from here then? Isabella.. Blaise, I'm proud of you both as you have grown up strong independent people and.. why are you crying Miss Granger?”

Severus asked as he was alarmed as he was complementing them and Hermione began to cry hard and Draco just held her in his arms and was soothing her hair and rubbing her back gently.

Hermione pulled away from him and she turned to Severus and to his utter shock as well as everyone sans for Serena and Albus perhaps, she hugged Severus and wrapped her arms around his middle and lay her head on his chest. Severus looked down at her not sure what to do. After a moment he patted her back and tried to comfort the crying woman as much as he had tried to do with Serena earlier that same day.

“Miss Granger.. Miss Gran.. Hermione..”

Severus was calling her name in question as he looked at Draco then Serena who was crying and hugged him as well. Severus felt lost as he stood there rigid and he let out a long sigh. Blaise looked at his Father and saw how uncomfortable he was, he looked at the man who had been like a Father to him growing up at Hogwarts, the man who checked on each of his students each night though he never knew that Blaise would pretend to be asleep when he came to check them. the man who had done all of that and not known he actually was his Father..

Draco was silent as he went and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and she turned pulling back and looked up horrified at Severus as she had felt she left a wet spot on his shirt. Serena pulled back slowly also and she hugged Hermione and after a moment Pansy came over too tears now forming in her eyes and hugged them both and the three women stood momentarily in the middle of the room crying with each other.

The men stood watching them and Severus turned to look at Blaise as he did he saw the younger man was still quite angry but Severus nodded as he extended his hand and replied.

“Had I known I would have married your Mother, I love her and I would have raised you as my own. I will do whatever I can to try and make it up to you and your sister and especially your Mother from this moment forward I know you are angry with me Blaise, I don't expect you to ever forgive me. I did not know if I had.. “

Severus told him honestly and he was surprised when Blaise despite his anger shook his hand and looked at him levelly and replied.

“I really want to rip you apart right now, however you did not know.. You should have checked! I don't know how I can forgive that but I can try to be civil for their sakes. What do you plan on doing now Father? It seems to me that Mother still must care a great deal for you.. “

Blaise was seething but he wanted to know what Severus was planning on doing. He looked at his mother, sister and now girlfriend in tears and he bit back a curse and a few tears of his own. Severus saw the play of emotions clearly and then he took a calming breath and let it out slowly. He turned his eyes to Serena and he replied truthfully.

“I don't know honestly Blaise. If it was you would would you do, son..”

Blaise thought on it a moment and he replied truthfully.

“Beg and plead,then again I wouldn't leave Pansy. I hope you approve of her because I’m going to someday make her my wife, and even if you don't approve I'm still going to. As for Draco here, he and Bella are betrothed and I have already given them my blessing..”

Draco was silent as he watched it all unfold before his grey eyes and he just looked at Severus and asked politely.

“May I have your blessing as well to make Hermione my wife? I ask as formality of course however, know that not to be disrespectful God Father, I intend to do so if you give me that blessing or not. Also as Blaise gave me his blessing and he was to my knowledge her only male relative,I stand by his blessing as well.”

Draco took a moment and summoned what courage he had as he revealed.
“She also perhaps is carrying my child at least I hope so.”

Severus turned murderous eyes a moment at Draco and Draco just looked back at him a moment holding his own glaring at Severus. Severus opened his mouth to speak but then nothing came out. He closed his mouth and nodded as he felt his throat closing up a moment. He licked his lips as they had gone dry as his mouth and he replied hoarsely.

“Don't make me a Grandfather too soon Draco.. as it is welcome to the family and Blaise, I approve of your choice of future spouse if it is what Miss Parkinson will want. It is your life and you are a man now. I trust your judgment and concede that perhaps you are wiser than I was at your age.”

Serena came over then exclaiming happily.

“Isn't this wonderful! Our whole family together at last Severus! “

Severus actually smiled as he looked at her and Serena hugged him and this time he hugged her back with less hesitation then he had felt before. He finally let a single tear roll down out of his black eyes and he replied in her hair.

“It is wonderful, I... I care for you Serena,perhaps maybe we could talk about a reconciliation of sorts? “

Serena pulled back and leaned up grabbing Severus's head and kissing him boldly. All eyes stopped and stared as Severus allowed himself to kiss her back and for a moment it was a sight for them all to witness. Shock and for at least Pansy and Hermione's parts a happy smile crossed their lips as Severus just threaded his fingers through Serena's hair a moment and then pulled back and he cleared his throat as he stammered.

“Yes, we should discuss this more in depth. I will .. Yes I have to go mail an owl I’ll see you at dinner then Serena?”

Severus asked as the need to flee and think on his own hit him hard as he swallowed and Serena kissed his cheek and nodded smiling.

“Go work it out,I’ll be here when you return and we will have a nice chat Severus. “

Severus just nodded and left not sure what else to say and as he left his robes flowing behind him as they usually did Serena grinned and she replied a moment sounding much younger than her Thirty five years of age.

“He still has it.. still can make an entrance and an exit with a strong statement. Darlings, I think I will have a lay down and I'm glad that this all worked out..”

Serena began as she tried not to look too happy about leaving the others and to her own satisfaction,she kept herself walking calmly until the door of the Headmasters office closed then she sprinted down the stairs and she saw Severus had stopped and was as if he knew she would be right behind him. He just silently extended her his arm and they began to walk dignified to the dungeons and as soon as the door to his chambers were closed. Severus went to his room and he came back with the letters and Serena nodded as he had refolded them and he showed her the box where he kept them and then after a moment, he kissed her on his own accord.

Soon they were in his bedroom kissing and he found himself letting go of all the past need to hide his emotions as he groaned when she pulled his shirt off and he sat down to unlace his boots and soon both were hot and naked and celebrating in their own way, neither shared a word of love in the midst of their passion and as the tremors subsided in them Severus just curled Serena in his arms holding her as if she was his most treasured possession and kissed her forehead a smile caressed his face.

“I knew the man I love was still inside there somewhere Sev, good to see you come back. How is it possible it's better than before even..?”

Serena asked as she looked up into his eyes and kissed his lips a moment gently and smiled herself as Severus for a moment just took her smaller left hand in both of his and he looked at it a moment if studying it.

“I’m not sure but, it was.. loving you always was incredible Sere. Not bad for an old fuddy duddy was it?”

Severus replied calling her his old pet name for her and she lay her head on his chest and he couldn't help the chuckle that resounded deep from his chest and spilled from his lips. Serena just smiled and kissed his chest and he raised an eyebrow at her as she moved to look at his face.

“Not a fuddy duddy but a handsome and incredible lover.. I love you Severus I have never stopped.”

Severus eyes shone as he gathered her hair a moment in his hands and he leaned her forward to kiss her and he whispered against her lips.

“Stay with me.. My.. my lo..Serena please!”

Severus just couldn't say it and Serena understood as she nodded and she kissed him and then told him.

“Let's take our time this time Severus,just day by day and see what happens? “

Severus could agree to that, it was logical after all and he had no reasoning to deny her that. So he just kissed her gently and he wrapped his arms around her holding her with her head over his heart and just caressed her gently and lovingly. He knew the words were damned up in his chest as he closed his eyes and tried to release them but to his frustration they would not come out. Serena saw he was struggling and just whispered to him.

“You don't have to say it yet Sevy,I can feel how you love me and you just showed me so it's okay.. Besides if you weren't just a tab bit guarded at least a bit afraid of letting me in again then you wouldn't be Severus Tobias Snape.. So I do know how you feel it's alright. “

She just went quiet as they both let the haze of their mutual coital release wash over them. Severus just held her without a word and just allowed himself to let down his guard. He let his heart beat in his chest as the shackles that bound it were falling away and he just relaxed letting his love for her wash over him. He was astounded at how good it felt to let go of all the bitterness he had accumulated over the years.

He looked down at Serena as she lay now her eyes closed and he just watched her amazed at how he felt and how the feelings he long suppressed were surfacing as she was asleep trusting him to sleep in his arms. He kissed her forehead tenderly and sighed wishing he had as much faith in himself as the woman he was holding.

Severus smiled as he closed his eyes and relaxed and for once didn't feel the need for an elixir or to tire himself out to sleep and as he fell asleep the images that normally plagued him did not come, he began to drift in a calm and peaceful rest.