Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


Epilogue

According to Wizarding tradition, babies were named by their fathers, or a senior member of their bloodline, at an informal ceremony, one month to the day after their birth. The gardens of the Manor house had already been the setting for several such ceremonies beginning with little Edward Weasley or Teddy as he was commonly called.

On this particular day three babies were due to be named. Neville and Ginny’s baby girl being one and Severus and Hermione’s twins being the others. In Hermione’s opinion a month was much too long to wait. Her irritation was heightened by her suspicion that her husband had already made his mind up about the names and was taking great pleasure in holding out on her.

The two families had agreed to have a joint reception in the Refectory after the ceremonies had taken place but Severus had put his foot down about their ceremony being as private as possible. Consequently the Weasley and Longbottom families with all their numerous guests had taken over the water garden and Severus had pitched camp in the rose garden.

The Snape ceremony could not take place until after the Longbottom one as Ron was to stand as Godfather to Number Two. Severus grudgingly allowed Harry to attend also although he had insisted on having Draco as Godfather to Number One. The only other guests were Hermione’s parents and sister. Mike Granger sat in the garden with the olk olk and his infant daughter whilst Liz Granger had the traditional role of escorting her elder daughter back to her husband’s care.

Severus had arranged for Madam Malkin to call the day before with a selection of new summer robes for Hermione to choose from and Harry had provided some expensive silk gowns for the boys to wear. The Grangers had bought a Muggle style double buggy so Hermione would be able to take the twins out for walks. Severus had looked dubious at the sight of it but had eventually admitted that it was a practical device.

It was mid day when the ceremony was due to begin. The day was warm and the sun bore down on the formally attired men waiting in the garden. Hermione and her mother left the stables with the twins in the buggy. It was the first time she’d been outside since giving birth and it was also the first taste of fresh air for the twins.

Hermione was amazed to find herself nervous about the whole affair. She forced herself to walk quicker. ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ she scolded herself. ‘It’s only Severus.’ For the first time she was glad he had limited the numbers so strictly. It was fully a ten minute walk down to the rose garden and she was very slightly breathless by the time she reached the gate. Liz lifted the elder twin out of the buggy and handed him to Hermione. Hermione clutched the sleeping boy, took her courage in both hands and pushed open the gate.

The gate squeaked as it opened and Severus turned to face her. He took three steps towards her and extended his hand. She noted that he was wearing the same outer robe he had worn for their wedding the previous year and that his posture echoed the moment when he had led her to the chalk circle on that day. She moved forward to him and took the hand he held out. He bent his head down to hers and whispered,

“ome ome home.”

Hermione’s mind went blank. She knew it was her turn to speak but she couldn’t remember what she was supposed to say. After a rather awkward silence he touched the baby’s head.

“Whose child is this?” he prompted.

“I’ve brought your sons for you to name,” she said. Not quite right but it would do.

“Give me the child. Is he the first born?”

“He is,” she said handing the baby over to him.

He looked at the child carefully for a moment and said in a carrying voice,

“I accept this child as my heir presumptive. I name him Michaelus Mamillus Snape in acknowledgement of my father-in-law and in deference to the naming traditions of both our families.”

Draco stepped forward then and Severus put little Michaelus Mamillus into his arms.

“Take heed my child,” said Severus softly. “This man Draco is your first friend in this life. May you grow to love and trust him and may you always be able to rely upon his help.”

Draco bent his head and dropped a kiss on his Godson’s forehead as Severus turned back to Hermione who was now holding Number Two in her arms.

“I give you your second born son to receive his name,” she said, getting back on track.

Severus smiled and took the baby from her. Again he made a show of examining the baby before speaking,

“I acknowledge paternity of this child, and commit myself to the duties and responsibilities of fatherhood until he comes of age.”

Everyone who knew the script for this ceremony was looking confused. This was not routine. Severus ignored them all and continued to speak.

“In consideration of the fact that my wife’s line has no male heir I give her our second son to continue her line. I name him Alexander Leontes Granger in acknowledgement of my great grandfather and in deference to the naming traditions of our families.

Hermione stood dazed as Ron moved forward to meet his Godson.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


“Have you just done something really outrageous?” asked Hermione on the way to the Refectory.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he said deadpan.

“A pureblood former Death-Eater naming his sons after Muggles.”

“I suppose it could be seen as unusual,” he said with a smirk.

“Be straight with me. What message have you given the world by doing this?”

“I have declared that I regard your family and bloodline to be of equal standing with my own. Had you been a Muggle-born male you would have founded a line, as it was however, you had little choice but to marry me and let your name die.”

“I don’t quite know what to say. Thank-you doesn’t really seem adequate.”

“You gave me an heir and I have given you one.”

“Does that mean you want me to change my name back?”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t. You are my wife and I like the world to know that you are mine. Your family name shouldn’t be buried though. You playehisthistoric role in our war when you were a mere child and it’s wrong not to allow your name to continue into the future. These children are meant to form a renewal in our society and you should have descendents of your own.”

“Is that why you wanted such a small ceremony?”

“I will never be a gregarious man Hermione. I feel that these ceremonies are distorted by playing to a crowd and I didn’t want dozens of people to witness something so intimate. I’m happy to have the reception but to be honest I’d rather slip away with you and the children and let them get on with the merry making in our absence.”

“Do you know I could be persuaded. Let’s just introduce them and get something to eat and as soon as Michaelus starts to cry we can retire.”

“How do you know it will be Michaelus who cries first?”

“Experience. Believe me after a couple of nights you’ll know too... That is if you’re going to be sleeping with us.”

“Your place is in my bed Hermione. The twins will share our room until they can sleep through the night.”

“I’m glad. I’ve had enough of this separation business. Even with the visits I missed you terribly.”

“As I missed you. I love you Hermione.”

“I love you too. Are you ready to face the music?”

“I can handle it.”

They walked into the Refectory through the French windows to a burst of applause.


Thank you to everyone who has made the effort to leave a review.