E Pluribus Unum

A/N - In answer to your questions: Yes, Gray and White is finished. No Dawn Breaking is not, but it has been put briefly on hold while I make sure I get EPU started up enough that if I take time off to work on DB I will still be able to post a chapter a day. Kate, as ever, my light in the darkness of grammatical night. tamargirl, sorry, I meant Droxy\'s husband not yours, but \'Potter Porn\' has become a giggle trigger in our house now. Thanks to all my reviewers. And finally a concious Severus!


Chapter 4 – Awakenings

Severus woke from a pleasant dream where Kathryn had been there with Ryan. He had wanted to stay in the dream; he had been missing her so much, in the last week especially. Molly had abandoned him to his own devices when Ginny had been inconsiderate enough to come down with Swan Flu. Since then he had been summoned twice and suffered under too many Cruciatus curses. Severus rose and staggered weakly to Ryan’s bassinet, his limbs still trembling from the aftermath of the last curse.

Ryan lay curled up in a different sleeper than the one Severus knew he had put him in. The baby was clean and fast asleep. Severus wondered if Molly had come back last night. With a puzzled frown he headed downstairs to make his coffee. He was the only coffee drinker in the house, so he had to brew his own every morning.

He hit the bottom landing and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee hit his nose. Who had made a pot? Kingsley occasionally drank the black brew, so maybe he was here today. A soft clatter of dishes, Remus’s voice coming from the library and Tali’s answering call informed him that the couple was awake and moving about. The light slanting though the sitting room window told him that it was late and he had somehow slept in.

He stepped into the kitchen and stopped in shock and burgeoning hope. A familiar fall of brown hair was being pushed back as a woman was leaning over the stove, frying eggs and bacon while Albus sat at the table sipping tea.

“I wasn’t dreaming last night.” He realized with a start. Kathryn turned and smiled at him. She grabbed a cup of coffee from the pot she had brewed and then pressed it into his hands with a soft kiss to his mouth.

“Good morning.” He set the cup aside and grabbed her against him. Coffee could wait; he needed to assure himself that he really wasn’t dreaming. Her mouth against his, warm and passionate, brought him more awake and he clung hard to her.

“How long can you stay?” His words were whispered into her hair, but Albus replied from across the room.

“We get to keep her this time.” Albus chuckled at Severus’ confused expression.

“Madam Chanel released me, Severus. I am no longer an Agent.” There was a touch of sorrow in her eyes, but her arms around him were holding on as tightly as he was.

“What will you do then?” Severus still felt groggy and slow.

“Well, I thought maybe I would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Full understanding burst into his mind with little happy streamers and confetti. He found himself grinning like a loon and kissing her all over her face, while she laughed and kissed him back.

“You are coming back to Hogwarts.” He breathed out, feeling knots loosen from about his heart.

“Yes, I am coming back to Hogwarts.” She answered and placed a kiss on the tip of his nose.

“Good, because people were starting to think that the Defense post was cursed.” He was giddy with delight and sat down at the table in front of his coffee. Kathryn plunked down beside him and Severus caught Albus smiling with a deeply contented look. “What did you have to promise the Americans to get Kathryn back?” He asked, suddenly curious. Of course, he would pay anything to have his lover by his side but he liked to know the price.

“I had to promise to attach her to the Order.” Albus replied with an airy wave and Severus wondered how that was a benefit to the Americans. “Now, we should all get ourselves off to Diagon Alley while we are here. I am sure that we all have plenty of shopping to do,” Albus was doing his Father Christmas impersonation, all jolly smiles and sparkling eyes. Severus was instantly alarmed.

“What’s your ulterior motive?”

“I think it is time for you to be seen with Kathryn and Ryan in a more public place.” Albus was watching him closely from over the rim of his half-moon spectacles.

“Why?”

“I would like Voldemort to see that Kathryn has returned to you and accepts the baby.”

“Do you accept the baby?” He turned and caught a look of surprise on her face.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“Because he is Bellatrix Lestrange’s son.”

“He is your son, Severus. I would love him for that, even if he wasn’t cute as a button.” She was grinning at him with an amused glint in her eyes but he could see no subterfuge in her. He relaxed a little more inside knowing that she was okay with Ryan. He didn’t know that he could have stood having to choose between them.

“You’re being an idiot again, aren’t you?” She teased and kissed his cheek softly.

A tiny wailing started up and Kathryn was out the door and gone before he could even drag himself to his feet.

“When did she get so fast?” Severus marveled.

“Since you fixed her leg and she got back into training.” Albus chuckled.

Remus and Tali wandered into the room in search of the teapot and some sugar. Tali smiled sweetly at Severus and he nodded in return.

She had bloomed over the last few months, growing in confidence and poise. Remus had grown stronger and more confident as well, as though apart they had been half a person each and now, together, they were far more than the sum of their parts. Remus even looked younger and less ragged.

Kathryn joined them a moment later, carrying a happily drooling Ryan, who she cooed at with an expression of pure adoration.

“Who’s my little man?’ She gurgled and nuzzled the child, who waved a tiny fist in joyful agreement. “Who’s my honey bear?” A little bubble of spit might have been an answer, but Kathryn wiped it away with a corner of the blanket she had him wrapped around him.

“That is going to be the most spoiled child ever to walk the earth.” Remus said with amusement. “Molly treats him like a little prince and Kathryn is wrapped around his finger so tight, she’ll never get free.”

“His father is rather doting as well.” Tali said softly, with a shy glance as Severus.

“I doubt he’ll be spoiled.” Kathryn shook her head at Remus. “However, he will know that he is the most loved baby to ever walk the earth.”

Severus reached for his son and Kathryn relinquished him with some reluctance. There was a very specific scent to a baby, a combination of sour milk, baby powder and something primal that roused his protective instincts. His son grabbed at his finger and Severus inserted it into the infant grasp. Ryan made a soft noise like a gurgle and clung tight to the pale digit.

“So, Diagon Alley?” Kathryn reminded him.

“As you say, there are things we need to buy.” He was running low on formula and some more nappies would be necessary soon.

“Like a sling.” Kathryn mused absently.

“A what?” He peered at her curiously.

“A baby sling -- you can’t carry him all the time, your arms will fall off.” She said with assurance and as if he would naturally understand.

“You will have to show me, Kathryn, I haven’t a clue what you are on about.”

Diagon Alley was crammed to bursting with people. The summer was drawing to a close and the August sun was informing people that fall was coming hard upon its heels. The shops were already filling with ‘Back to Hogwarts’ specials and Severus found himself being taken to portions of the Alley he had never imagined going to before.

He was dragged into a yellow brick store with gleaming windows and an interior décor that made Severus think the pastel fairy had exploded all over it. There were cutesy displays of baby things and miniature couches for the wee ones to perch on, all done in shades that would make Mother Nature horribly ashamed.

The Widdle Wizard and Witch, a disgustingly precious name that nauseated Severus, stocked all the baby necessities and had a sling in stock that Kathryn bought with a happy smile. She handed the baby off to Tali and adjusted the loop of fabric to encircle Severus’s torso at a diagonal. He watched with interest as she slipped Ryan into the sling, adjusting it carefully and leaving him with both arms free.

“Ingenious.” He muttered when she was done. Her hands were confidant and quick when she handled the baby. She was quite a wonder. He bought more nappies and formula, glaring fiercely at the young witch behind the counter who had been a particularly bad Potions student he recalled. A Hufflepuff -- what was her name? Ah yes. “Good day, Miss Terrell” He nodded as he took his change and watched with satisfaction as she blanched. Kathryn rolled her eyes and smiled at the young woman but Severus swept from the horrible little shop with relief.

He found himself being towed with Tali and Remus through other baby shops, where small purchases were made to add to the child’s growing wardrobe, and then to Madam Malkin’s for Kathryn to buy some new school robes. Kathryn also quietly dropped some Galleons on Remus and Tali when Remus’ back was turned. Severus was impressed at how easily her training could be twisted to help out a friend. When had he started thinking of Lupin as a friend?

Unlike other women he had been shopping with, most notably Narcissa who could try on everything in a store and still not know what she wanted, Kathryn was decisive and didn’t linger over her purchases. She marched in, found what she wanted, bought it and left. Soon they found themselves at Flourish and Blott’s and they were quickly sucked into the stacks. Here her swiftness was undone as the two of them browsed happily, heads together, over various volumes that interested them.

Remus had been dragged off to Florean Fortesque’s by Tali, who had developed an addiction to ice cream.

“Professor Snape?” Severus turned around to meet Draco Malfoy’s interested gaze. “Professor Leblanc!” Any further speech was halted by the sight of the baby sling and its wriggling occupant. Draco’s mouth went round as he gazed at the baby. It was Draco’s first sight of his baby cousin and he had a slightly awed expression.

Draco had shot up another inch or so over the summer, he was now getting close to Kathryn’s height, though he had a while to go before he reached Severus’, still, he could peer into the sling quite easily.

“Mr. Malfoy.” Kathryn smiled at him and looked around. She spotted Narcissa and waved her over brightly. Let the games begin, thought Severus grimly, exchanging a knowing look with Draco.

“Kathryn, darling!” Narcissa drifted over and smiled with tooth-aching sweetness at the adorable picture they must make. “And this must be little Orion! Oh isn’t he precious? You are so lucky, Severus, he doesn’t look at all like you!” Kathryn ground her teeth beside him and Draco rolled his eyes behind his mother’s back. Severus merely gave a small smile. Narcissa then turned to Kathryn. “What brings you back to England, my dear?”

“I am going to be teaching at Hogwarts again this year.” Kathryn replied and Severus watched as Draco grinned broadly and pumped his arm up and down. He did all this carefully out of Narcissa’s line of sight.

“Really? How lovely!” Narcissa’s eyes were speculative and Severus could see her tiny little mind trying to figure out how to react. She flipped a wave of black hair off her shoulder in a gesture designed to show off her diamond pendant and earrings. Her sapphire robes and understated hat, also blue with a small sparrow pinned to it that magically fluttered, were tasteful and elegant. Kathryn looked so smart in her pantsuit and black robes though, that she made Narcissa seem gaudy and posed in comparison.

“I quit my other job and decided to stay on at Hogwarts permanently.” Kathryn tucked an arm into Severus’ and leaned against him lightly, batting her eyelashes at Narcissa. They surely made for a very domestic scene. Severus watched as thoughts ticked slowly over in Narcissa’s brain.

“Oh, how terribly sweet!” Narcissa smiled and was distracted by a clerk bringing her some more choices and a cup of tea. She drifted away to do some more shopping.

“Welcome back, Professor.” Draco nodded to her, with eyes dancing.

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I hope you have kept up with your studies over the summer; I would hate to see you do poorly this year.” Kathryn was using her best teacher’s voice, but her eyes were filled with mischief.
“Not to worry, Ma’am.”

“Oh and Malfoy, could we please win the house cup this year?” Severus muttered with some annoyance. It was getting old, this coming within a handbreadth of winning and then having it whisked away from them.

“I think you’d be better off waiting until after Potter graduates.” Draco whispered to him and Severus was forced to admit that he was probably right about that.

A large pile of books found their way into Kathryn’s shopping basket and soon they were purchased, shrunk, tucked into a pocket, and Kathryn and Severus were on their way home.

“Narcissa will report the whole thing immediately so no need to linger.” Severus commented as they stepped through the front door of the Leaky Cauldron and entered Muggle London.

A short while later, they were back at Grimmauld Place and Ryan was being settled down to sleep. Kathryn went downstairs to start lunch and Severus stood, just watching Ryan sleep. Ryan was becoming his favorite spectator sport.

Severus noticed a pair of bright eyes studying him from under the couch.

“Good afternoon, Kreacher.” Severus was always polite to the house elf -- first off because he was a pathetic thing who had been shat on by Blacks for even longer than Severus had been; secondly, because he had the twisted house elf to thank for finally doing in Sirius Black. For that alone, he would love the little homunculus forever. Done in by his own house elf, the amusement value was priceless.

“Good afternoon, Master Severus.” The filthy, ragged thing pulled itself from under the couch and stared at where Severus was standing over the baby. “How is Miss Bellatrix’s baby?” Severus started and looked down at the house elf in surprise. Not only did the creature rarely talk to him, he wasn’t sure it had been sane enough to form a question coherently.

“Quite well.”

“He’s the last of the Blacks if Miss Bellatrix doesn’t have another; the last one, and he’ll be raised to be a blood traitor because there aren’t any more like my poor Mistress. How she would scream if she knew.” Kreacher shook his head and sighed, his muttering voice deep and frog-like.

“I hadn’t realized, Kreacher, but you are correct.” Severus looked at his son and realized that when he reached his majority he would likely be the inheritor of the family name and titles.

“He’s Lord Black, he is, yes, the mistress would want him to be cared for right. At least he’s pureblood, yes, that is good, and not a stinking half-blood like nasty Master Sirius would have foisted on her.” Severus nodded. So he had been right about that girl Sirius had liked.

“He is pure and he will be raised well, Kreacher.” Severus watched the wizened elf stomp away, still muttering and swearing. He knew that Ryan would not be raised well by Kreacher’s standards, but he would be taught to be proud of his heritage. The Snapes were ancient, if not as high ranking as the Blacks.

Sirius, of course, had left no will, unprepared and shortsighted as he was. The entire Black estate had gone to the three cousins: Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda. Narcissa and Bellatrix had been disqualified because of their connections to the Death Eaters and Andromeda had produced only a female child, Nymphadora, so while Andromeda and Nymphadora could share in the wealth and keep the house, they could not inherit the titles or anything attached to the Entail of the estate which was stipulated to go to only a male of the line. Andromeda had passed on the house; her memories of her time there not conducive to fond recollections, so technically Tonks owned it.

Tonks had accepted it on the understanding that as soon as it was safe to do so she was selling it. Her dislike of the Black side of the family extended to the house. Severus wondered if she would sell it to him, for Ryan. It was his ancestral home as well, it seemed.

That Severus Snape’s son could stand to inherit Sirius Black’s honors and dignities made him want to laugh. The irony was really quite delicious.