Life and Its Mysteries

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Chapter 19



Days had turned into weeks. Time had quickly flown by.



The day after Severus’s proposal, Hermione did quit her job. Of course, her partners and her bosses were still a part of her life since they were all her closest friends, as well as Tobi’s uncles. They were still close and met up regularly, with Severus even.



They couldn’t be happier for Hermione when she told them that she and Severus were engaged. No matter, what Severus’s bad doings with Hermione in the past, it was obvious to them that she still had feelings for the man. They were also pleased for Tobi would be growing up with his father. The three of them were becoming a family overnight.



With work not being a priority for both Severus and Hermione, they spent all of their free time with each other and Tobi. Walks around the city were taken.



Tobi was happy to show his Daddy around his special places, like the baseball field in Central Park and Yankee Stadium of course. Hermione even purchased all the Yankee jersey colors with ‘Snape’ at the back for Severus, so that it could match Tobi’s. And when it came to playing baseball, both father and son always teamed up.



Cricket only became a subject once, before Tobi got mad and threw his bat on the floor. It was never to be spoken of again. Anyhow, it became easy for Severus to adapt and play baseball. He was a natural born athlete, and Tobi did inherit that same gene as well.



Potions brewing was a different subject altogether. That is what both Severus and Tobi enjoyed doing if not everyday, at least a few times a week. Both of them would be so focused on their brewing, that they would be in their own world, with Hermione forgotten. She didn’t mind of course, for it was a special bonding moment between the two.



Eventually after a short time, Tobi didn’t feel so bad about Bill’s loss anymore. He even started to wear his Batman cape again. His nightmares and fear of monsters were still there, but lessened.



Hermione thought that quitting her job would make her unhappy, but she had to admit to herself that she wasn’t. She was happier and felt more content than she had her entire life. Most probably because she had Severus back in her life, and that Tobi had his father in his. The wizarding world could function with one less auror, but she couldn’t function without her family, and that is what mattered to her.



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It was the anniversary celebration in which the light had won, and Voldemort had fallen. As always, Lucius held a celebration for the occasion at his Manor, and it was a private event. The people that were invited were members of the Order, the Hogwarts staff, and a few from Dumbledore’s Army.



Severus, Hermione and Tobi, apparated onto the front entrance of Malfoy Manor. They had just arrived from New York, letting the Hogwarts house elves bring their belongings into Severus’s newly renovated and enlarged chambers.



The three of them were dressed in formal dress robes. Severus and Tobi had identical robes, all black. The only difference was that Severus’s was minus the Batman logo.



“Look Tobias, we’re here,” Severus informed his son, who was in his arms. His face was slightly hidden in the crook of Severus’s as he bit onto the cork stopper of his favorite potion vial.



Tobi shook his head, and whined. He was scared. He was in a new place, and didn’t feel all too comfortable. “Monsters Daddy,” he whimpered.



“No monsters here,” Severus assured his son. “Mummy and Daddy won’t let anything happen to you.” He smiled at Hermione and took hold of her hand as a house elf greeted them and opened the door, allowing them to enter.



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The grand dining room was where everyone was. There was a single long table that stretched across the room, spaciously fitting everyone comfortably as they chatted and ate.



“Severus! Hermione!” Lucius exclaimed happily as he stood from his chair at the head of the table. He quickly approached them as they remained standing near the door.



Everyone’s head turned as their eyes turned towards the arrival of the new guests. Most of them were frowning at the sight of Severus carrying a child, and questioning who he was in their heads. There were a few smiles amongst them for they knew exactly who he was.



“And is this who I think it is?” Lucius asked curiously as he tried to look at Tobi. He chuckled when the curious little one looked at him and arched a single brow. He really loked like Severus and acted like him.



“This is our son, Tobias,” Severus informed him. “Say hello to Uncle Lucius,” he then told Tobi.



“Snake!” Tobi said as he quickly saw Lucius’s cane. His little hand reaching out to it.



“You are a Slytherin aren’t you?” Lucius asked with a smile, he then stretched out his arms towards Tobi. “Come, why don’t you let Uncle Lucius carry you, while you hold onto my snake cane?”



Tobi quickly obliged. His shyness and fear was forgotten right away as he grabbed hold of the cane. He examined the emerald eyes slowly, and it’s fangs, before clutching it to his chest.



“That’s Uncle Lucius’s cane, not yours,” Hermione told Tobi as the four of them walked towards the table. She knew that Tobi would probably take the cane as his own, and not want to give it back. She had to tell him before hand that it wasn’t his to keep.



“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Lucius started his announcement, “I’m sure many of you are wondering who this little lad is.” When he saw nods, he continued. “Tell your name to everyone,” he told Tobi.



Being shy yet again, Tobi shook his head and started to bite on the head of the snake.



“He is a shy lad, my apologies. Which reminds me of his father,” Lucius smirked as he turned to Severus before looking back at the crowd.



People gasped around the table. Severus was the boy’s father? Then that had to mean that Hermione was his mother. It was the only possibility that made sense.



“His name is Tobias Ethan Snape, and he will be turning five years old soon, if I am not mistaken. He’s been with Hermione in New York-“



“Santa!” Tobi shouted aloud as he saw a man with glasses and a very long beard. He squirmed in Lucius’s arms until he was lowered onto the ground. He ran as fast as he could on his little feet, dropping the cane along the way, but keeping hold on the potions vial. The billowing Batman cape behind him wasn’t missed by anyone. It was so Severus like.



“Well hello there Tobias,” Albus smiled brightly as he picked him up, setting him down on his lap. “I am your Grandpa Albus, and that there,” he said pointing at Minerva who was seated next to him, “is your Grandma Minnie.”



“No, you’s Santa!” Tobi said stubbornly. “I want a snake cane… a new baseball bat… a new cauwdwon…”



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“Merlin’s balls!” Sirius whispered to Remus. “He looks exactly like Severus. Let’s just hope that he isn’t an annoying bugger like his father.”



“Shut up Sirius!” Harry hissed at him. “Can’t you be nice to the kid?”



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Little Daniela had her eyes on Tobi for sometime since he had entered the room. She had slid off her Mummy’s lap and hopped happily to Minerva, and pulled herself up on her lap. Soon enough, she was kneeling on the older witch’s lap, smiling brightly at Tobi.



Tobi stopped telling Albus his never ending list of gifts that he wanted. He saw a little blond girl in front of him, and crossed his arms over his chest, scowling at her. “I was first!” he barked. He wasn’t finished with talking with Santa and didn’t want someone to disturb him.



“Tobias, this is Daniela Malfoy,” Minerva said.



“Hi!” Daniela waved at Tobi.



Tobi didn’t say anything but, arched a brow up again.



“Kiss!” Daniela said. She then moved forward, firmly planting a sloppy wet kiss on Tobi’s lips.



The most horrified and disgusted expression was on Tobi’s face when Daniela pulled away. People laughed and thought it was funny. Sadly, to Tobi, it wasn’t. He rubbed his mouth and started to cry out loud. “Daddeee! Cooties!”



“Not again,” Severus muttered, before he walked briskly to Albus and carried his crying son in his arms.



“And what pray tell are cooties?” Albus asked Minerva in a whisper, right after Tobi was taken from him.



“It’s an American word that children use, referring to disease or illness. They think that if they are kissed by someone of the opposite sex, that’s how it is transmitted.”



“Ah,” Albus nodded in understanding. “Little ones and their odd, and yet, hilarious vocabulary.”



Severus excused himself as he decided to bring Tobi out to the gardens until he calmed down. He didn’t see that his son stuck his tongue out to Daniela, even though he still was crying.



“Sorry Lucius, he tends to cry a lot, especially when he has nightmares about the monsters, ever since Bill’s death,” Hermione said softly.



“It’s quite alright,” Lucius said. “Though it is interesting to see just how he and Severus have bonded closely.”



“Yes, it has,” Hermione agreed.



Lucuis offered his arms, wanting to take Hermione to the closest available seat so that she may sit down. Standing up for some time would cause her knee to have some pain, he knew. “My word!” he gasped when his eyes caught a shiny glow on her finger. Right away, he saw it was a diamond engagement ring. “Is this what I think it is?” he grinned.



“Yes, Severus proposed,” Hermione replied with a slight blush.



“Another announcement,” Lucius said aloud, so that all eyes would focus on him yet again. He raised Hermione’s left hand in the air so that everyone would see the magnificent diamond that shined on her finger. “May I represent the future… Mrs. Snape!”



Cheers, claps and whistles quickly bounced throughout the room.



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AN – Happy, happy all around! The end is around the corner… Review!