Deserving (Final Chapter)

Title: Deserving
Author: Moon of the Sea
Beta: Ellie perverted.intellectual@gmail.com
Chapter 14


That night when they reached the bedroom Severus took Harry’s hand and kissing it said “thank you.” Harry closed his eyes and took in a deep breath then led Snape to sit on the bed beside him.

“First off, you must always remember that everything we do is for Richard’s sake. Is that clear?”

“Yes, husband, very clear.”

“Second, I must admit that you have acted in a totally different way from what I expected and you have done so from the beginning.”

Severus’ eyebrows twisted in question.

“I really expected you to challenge me from day one,” said Harry, answering the unspoken question. “I believe that Richard has been transforming you from the moment he was conceived. That is the only explanation I can think of. He is a special little boy and you become this unknown person when you are around him. Sometimes I even forget you’re the greasy git that you truly are.”

Severus didn’t understand half the things that came out of Harry’s mouth. He had to constantly remind himself that he was alone in a house where he was hated, much like the house where he grew up. And that his human nature tended to see things that were not really there. Like when he was a kid and tried to see his father’s love where there was none. NO, Harry was not complimenting him, he chastised himself. Harry was in fact reminding him what an ugly, sour, git he was. That was the fact he reminded himself.

“You are his Papa and I don’t want you responding to any other name he calls you. If we repeat it enough he will learn it.” This explained why Harry had used the term all through the evening: “Papa, pass me the soup bowl.” “Papa, what did you and Richard do today?” “Papa, why can’t Richard stay up a little longer today?” …

Richard had yet to use the term and was still calling out for ‘ape’. Severus couldn’t help but think how much banter his husband could have derived from the name, yet he did not do so. He tried not to read too much into this, after all Harry had explained why: Richard.

It took Richard three days of Harry’s ‘papa this’ and ‘papa that’ for him to finally utter the word. There was no celebration when it happened. No dancing around the room.

***

A couple of weeks had gone by and they had settled into a routine. They had just put Richard down for the night and Harry was reading while Severus was knitting. It took Severus by surprise when Harry put down the book and asked:
“What are you knitting?’

“A baby blanket,” answered the marked man, placing his knitting on his lap.

“Why? Between you and Molly, Richard has all the blankets he could ever need.” The mention of Molly made his heart give whacky beat. She had been coming to tea with Snape every Tuesday and making sure she left before his arrival.

Severus wasn’t sure if he should be totally honest with his answer but decided to brave it.

“It is for Molly’s new grandchild who will be arriving shortly.”


“Who will be giving her a new grandchild?”
“Her youngest son or should I say his wife Mrs. Hermione Granger,” answered Severus looking for his husband’s reaction.

“What is she having a boy or a girl?”

“Boy.”

Harry got up from his chair and touched the blanket on Severus’ lap.

“You have gotten very good at this. You do know you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

Severus didn’t know but he was happy to hear that it was one less punishment the Guide was imposing; although it stopped being a punishment the moment Severus actually learned the art.

“Can we get them something else?” Harry asked hopefully.

Severus didn’t dare answer. Harry understood the silence. No, they could not get them something more; it would not be well received. Surely they would take the blanket that Severus made but nothing more. Not from Harry. The young man got up to go back to his seat with his head hanging low.

“Perhaps some children books,” came the voice from behind Harry. He straighten up and turned on his heals.

“Hermione would surely like that. We can get them some of Richard’s favourite books. You know we can get him the one of the little bunny that doesn’t want to go to sleep so he says good night to everything in sight...”

“Good Night Moon” provided Severus.

“Yeah, that’s the one. And the one with the five little ducks that go out each day and they keep getting lost but it’s not really a sad story because at the end they all come back to their mum.”

“Five Little Ducks”

“Yes, but we have to get it with the CD so they can hear the song. Richard loves that song.”

“Indeed he does.”

“Some ABC books will be good and some counting books. What is the name of the one that all the letters fall from the palm tree?”

“Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom”

“Yes, and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear? Richard loves it when I make the animal noises and I am sure Ron would be great at them.” But the mention of his old friend brought him down from his euphoria. His best mate or should he say his best ex-mate was going to be a dad and he was not going to be there when it happened. He had always thought that the trio would stay together forever but life had thrown him for a loop and once on the ground he had no idea how he had gotten there.

Severus saw how his husband’s whole demeanour had changed and tried to get the over enthusiastic kid back.

“Do you think you can order some kind of Muggle gadget that can entertain the father?”

Harry was shaken out of his thoughts. “What?”

“Yes, something that is for the child but that his dad will also find entertaining.”

“Snape, what are you on about?”

“I am sure that Mr. Weasley, being born and raised in the Wizarding World, has no idea of all the astounding Muggle toys out there.”

Harry pondered Snape’s words, while the Marked One continued his pitch.

“We can make a basket with the blanket, some books and the Muggle toy.”

Wow. The idea was brilliant and Harry knew exactly what to get Ron... um... Ron’s son.

***

The next day when Harry arrived from work he found a huge box from Amazon.com in the middle of his sitting room. Severus was standing on the other side of the box with Richard in his arms.

“Sir, we did say we would send them a basket, did we not?”

Harry looked at the box taken aback by the sheer size of the carton. It did not seem that big on the computer. He saw that there was a little box on top. Those must be the books. He opened that box and handed them over to Snape. Then he took out his wand and made the big box disappear revealing its contents. It was, to Snape’s utter horror, a remote control 4X4 truck.

Harry looked up at Snape: “it’s remote controlled and it does come with rechargeable batteries,” trying to justify his blunder.

“And the size of this basket should be...?” responded the man still carrying Richard, who seemed to find the whole situation giggle worthy.

Harry dropped his head in admittance of his blunder. He looked like a child who had tried so hard but yet failed.

“Kreacher,” called Severus bringing Harry out of his wallowing.

When the little creature appeared Severus handed Richard over to Harry. While Harry greeted and played with his son, Severus asked Kreacher to get his money bag upstairs. In a snap the little elf was back handing Severus his money bag.

“Please go to Diagon Alley and purchase a reduction box,” he asked the elf.

“What are you doing?” said Harry in a stern voice making Richard frown in what looked like the early stages of a crying bout. This made Harry restate his question in a whisper. “Why are you using your wh... your money pouch? Didn’t I tell you never to use it?”

Severus realized he had crossed his husband and tried to justify his action.

“Sir, if I am not mistaken, you said I was never to use the money on Richard.”

“And do you really think it is alright to use that kind of money on my best friends’ child?” said Harry, still whispering.

No of course not, reflected the Marked Man, how inappropriate of him. He had no words to justify his actions, so he merely shook his head. Harry grabbed his money bag and tossed it over to Snape. “Give creature what he needs,” was the simple order.

Severus took the bag and taking out some coins gave them to Kreacher. The little elf popped out of sight and moments latter came back with the small wooden box.

“Do you think that will do the trick?”

Severus, still feeling ashamed, simply nodded. Harry cast a reduction spell and placed the toy in the box. It dawned on him that the toy now looked to be the appropriate size for a baby.

“How will they know to resize it?” he asked Snape.

“The box will automatically resize it once it is opened.”


Harry loved the magical world.

***

One night Harry woke up to an empty bed. He went to Richard’s room, praying that his son would be alright. To his relief, Richard was sleeping peacefully and Kreacher was snoring in the corner. When he closed the door to the nursery he heard voices coming from the sitting room. When he reached the steps he was able to hear clearly what was being said. Apparently Snape had firecalled Poppy.

“Poppy, please, do it for me.”

“Severus, do not ask me for this. I can not stand the sight of him and you know it.”

“Every time I take Richard for his appointments you scan my body for injuries. You know very well that you have found none. He has changed. He takes his vows seriously.”

“Oh he does; does he? Can I see your wand then? I am sure that now that he has become a model husband he has given you back your wand and magic.”

Severus bowed his head.

“Severus, Harry Potter was the only guide that was given the privilege of restoring his charge’s magic if he so deem appropriate. YOUR magic Severus. He is keeping you from your magic,” she admonished, trying to shake some sense into her friend.

“He is trying to be a good father. A good father to my child. Can you not see this? He just wants to go to Richard’s routine check-ups and I would really like it if he could be there.”


“A good father indeed. How can he be a good father if he is such a dreadful husband?”

“HE IS NOT a dreadful husband. You have no idea what you are talking about. I know you all get together to talk about our private lives. I assure you your efforts would be better directed at Marked Ones that are being mistreated.”

Pomfrey saw the hurt in her friend’s eyes and knew that it would not be wise to lose his trust.

“You know this is Albus’ fault. He nurtured this attitude in you. I told him many a times...”

“Poppy, must we go there? My husband has no idea...”

“How long do you think it will take him to figure it out? Severus, you are a strong man. When are you going to understand this? You need no one. And certainly no one of the likes of Harry Potter.”


Severus hated the fact that the witch knew his secret. She had kept Albus so many times from catering to his needs. He knew she meant well but he still hated it. He was brought back from his musing.

“Severus, I can not stand the sight of a man who endangered your life and your child’s life. There is no way I can be civil to him if he visits my office.”

Severus saw a way in and snatched it.

“I am not asking you to offer him tea. I am simply asking you to allow him entrance. We want to go as a family to our child’s medical exam as so many others do.”

“Severus, you have this romanticised vision of what a family is. Most families can’t afford to have both parents accompany their children to the healer. One parent is usually working.”

Severus knew that the medi-witch was right but he also knew that Harry could take time off from his job to be with his son. And what was even more important, he wanted to do so.

“Madame Pomfrey, will you allow my husband access to your office?”

Poppy could see that Severus was determined. That ‘Madame Pomfrey’ did not bode well.

“Very well, Severus, he may come, but I assure you he will not enjoy the experience.”

Severus gave a triumphant smile said his good nights and headed to the stairs. Harry decided it was wiser to disappirate then to try to tip toe to the room undetected.

***

It was Richards nine month appointment. Harry came to get them to take them to the appointment. Severus decided that Harry should carry Richard through the floo. This way Poppy would have to at least talk to him to ask for the child.

“Severus, I am so glad you see you. How are you?”

“I am fine, Madam Pomfrey, thank you for asking.”

“Severus, will you please place Richard on the table,” said the wise witch.

Severus gave her a disapproving look which she countered with a smirk.

The ignored Gryffindor placed the baby on the table and stepped back to give the witch her working space.

“And how is my boy doing?” she asked in her most motherly voice.

“Up, up” said Richard showing off his newly acquired vocabulary.

“Kreacher and his father have taken to levitating everything in sight for his delight,” explained Severus.

“Kreacher must be thrilled to have a little one in the house that he can entertain,” she said ignoring the second part of Severus’ statement. “What else can he say?”

“He can say dada and ‘each are’ for Kreacher and ‘pahpah.’ That is what my husband has thought him how to call me.”

“Where is papa?”

Richard immediately turned to Severus and stretched out his arms: “pah pah”

“Very good,” she said as she scanned the child with her wand. “Can he stand?”

“He is lifting himself up, but with support,” reported Severus.

“Good, good” she said as she put her wand away. “Anything else I should know?”

Severus simply stated, “Twinkles.”

Poppy’s eyes grew and Harry straightened out. He did not know what had been said but whatever it was it had shocked a seasoned witch like Madame Pomfrey.

“Severus, I have never known you to fib. I know you are very proud of your little one but to make such a claim; really.” She seemed lost for words.

“Madame, I can assure you I am not fibbing. I can show you if you would like.”

“Wait, what are we talking about here? What are twinkles? Is this good; is this bad? Someone has to explain,” demanded the Gryffindor, opening his mouth for the first time.

“Husband it is nothing to be worried about. Let me show you.” He stood in front of his son. He lifted his hands above his head. “Looking up” then brought his hands down, “Looking down. What do we see all around?” Then he brought his fingers to a loose fist in the middle and opened them at the same time as to show an explosion. “Twinkles all around” and right there and then it happened, Richard also flared his fingers and tiny little lights exploded from the tips of his fingers. Harry and Poppy were amazed for different reasons but still amazed.

“Do all magical babies do that?” asked Harry not blinking for fear of missing something.

“No” responded the witch as if in a daze. “Only some and this usually happens from twelve months to sixteen months and then it stops. Never in my history as a healer have I seen it done at such a young age,” still not able to move her eyes away from the child in front of her.

Severus was beaming. He did know that twinkles at that age was amazing but he loved hearing his friend say it. And to say it to his husband, that was just the icing on the cake.

***

Once in their house, Harry kept on going on and on about Richard’s abilities.

“Didn’t I tell you? I told you right. I told you he was special. I knew it from the moment he was born. I could tell. He’s brilliant!”

Severus couldn’t remember the last time he felt this content. Harry was proud of Richard. He would always be proud of Richard. His son would never have to struggle to obtain his father’s approval. Harry loved Richard and would always let him know it. It would all be worth it if at the end his son had everything he never had, and apparently he was well on his way.

***

Harry walked into the nursery to say good night to his little prodigy and found Richard feeding. He approached the rocking chair and crouched down to his son’s level.

“Does it hurt now that he has teeth?” he asked not moving his eyes from his son.

“No, I pull away if he bites so he has learned not to do so,” said Severus, also looking at Richard.

“Will you miss it when you can no longer feed him? I mean, you seem to like it now. You always seem so serene when you are feeding him,” said Harry, still looking at his son’s mouth

“I do not have to stop feeding him when he turns one. It will not have to be a traumatic process for him. I will do it slowly till he no longer asked for it.”

Harry thought about this and he figured it made sense. Richard would surely cry if Severus just stopped feeding him one day, but of course Snape wouldn’t do that to Richard. His main goal in life was to make Richard happy. He put his finger next to Richard’s mouth and pulled the teat away. Richard was asleep. He took him in his arms and placed him in his crib. He leaned over the crib and whispered:

“You have had a very exciting day. It is not an easy task to impress a century old witch like Pomfrey.”

Severus cleared his throat.

“Ok so she is not that old but she is very difficult and I am glad you impressed the twigs off her broom. But you must understand something; even if you were a squib your parents would still love you. This is something you can’t ever doubt.”

Severus sat back softly rocking and taking in the moment.


A/N
Can I get a smiley face if you enjoyed this chapter? =0)