E Pluribus Unum

A/N - Thanks to Kate, my beta for putting up with multiple revisions of EPU. Thank you Lady Aidil, your support means a lot to me. Droxy - Thank you, Ghaeth - I know someone just like her. :) and deblovesdragon - Patience, my precious.

Chapter 6 – Facing Facts

Severus went to his room and cuddled his son against his chest. He walked him back and forth, trying to calm his frantic cries. What right did that adolescent brat have to judge him? How many times had he saved the ungrateful little larva’s life? How dare he make such assumptions? Those assumptions being, of course, the very same ones that everyone would make when he showed up at the school with Ryan.

Severus sat down hard on the couch and curled up in a fetal position with his son, who whimpered against his chest. The need to protect Ryan from pain was overwhelming and his inability to do so was tearing him apart. What made him think that this would be easy? Why did he think he could waltz in with Ryan and there would be easy acceptance of the boy? Hadn’t his entire life taught him that people were always prepared to believe the worst?

He could see his child’s life stretching before him: a long road of rejection and disgust. His son was doomed by accident of birth before he had even spoken his first word.

Kathryn entered the room and her hand began to stroke his face gently and tenderly.

“Severus?” She slid an arm around him and laid her head upon his shoulder. “Don’t tre yre yourself, love. He’s just an ignorant boy.” Her soft words trickled down into the pit of despair he had crawled into and that, along with Ryan’s little hiccupping whimpers, were the final incentive to uncurl.

Kathryn took Ryan from his arms and carried him to the shelf where the bottles stood in soldierly rows. She plucked one down and began to feed Ryan who suckled gently, in between giving little shuddery cries.

“There are a lot of ignorant people, Kathryn.” He buried his head in his hands and tried to ignore the sound of Molly Weasley screaming at her youngest son.

“Most of them can have House Points deducted.” She pointed out with a gentle smile at him. He laughed softly and raised his head to look at the woman he loved.

“I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Well, you will never have to find out, so stop worrying. Don’t destroy yourself for something you have no control over.” She shifted the baby to her other arm. “We will raise Ryan to be strong and confidant, to know he is loved and wanted. We will give him the best life we can, Severus, but there is a limit to what we can do.”

“I don’t want him to suffer the kind of adolescence that I suffered.”

“I don’t think we can determine what kind of adolescence he will have. All we can do is love him and teaim aim as best we can.”

“This is where I bow to your greater experience.” Severus sighed and gave in. She was obviously not going to let him wallow in misery, so he might as well cheer up. She was relentless and there simply wasn’t a way to outlast her; like a terrier she just held on until you gave in.

“Good. Your capitulation is duly noted.” She gave him a mischievous smile and turned all her attention to the baby. She soon had him burped, changed and set down for a nap, all with practiced efficiency. Severus marveled at the sure, confident way she moved around the nursery.

“I am very glad that I have two experts in the field to teach me.” He gave her a lopsided smile and she dropped onto the couch beside him and proceeded to kiss him senseless.

He was considering slipping into the bedroom with her when there came a knocking on the door. Kathryn sighed gustily in frustration.

“Damn it, just when I was going to have my way with you!” She grumbled and stood up, straightening her clothes.

“Funny, I was going to have my way with you.” He murmured seductively into her ear.

“You and your damn voice.” She muttered, looking flustered.

“Enter.” He called and the door opened to admit Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. He groaned and rolled his eyes, but Kathryn gave a happy cry and hugged the Potter boy and Miss Granger with joy.

Potter had shot up too; he was still shorter than Draco, but clearly taller than he had been in June. His clothes consisted of an oversized sweatshirt, trainers and jeans that hung on him like a circus tent. Granger was neatly dressed in skirt and tank top, barelegged and wearing a pair of strappy sandals; Severus suspected that considering how she had developed over the summer, Weasley was in for some competition this year. Her bushy brown hair was pulled into a tail at the back of her head and she sparkled with good health, unlike Potter who looked half-starved and ill.

“I am so glad to see you both!”

“Mrs. Weasley says you’ll be teaching again this year!” Hermione was bouncing with joy. “I learned so much last year, I can’t wait to see what you’ll teach us next!”

“What about the bindings?” Harry asked cutting across Hermione’s exuberant glee.

“All taken care of.” Kathryn shot Severus a sideways look and gave Harry a nervous smile. Severus watched as Harry gave her a puzzled glance. “So how was your summer?” It was a transparent attempt to change the subject.

“What bindings?” Severus growled. Hermione, who had wandered through the room to look at the books, was now drawn to the bassinet.

“Whose baby is this?” She asked. “He’s adorable.”

“He’s my son. What bindings, Kathryn?”

“Oh Severus, it’s nothing.”

“Your son?” Harry squeaked and went to look at Ryan as he slept.

“It’s not ‘nothing’ or you wouldn’t be avoiding the subject. Yes, my son.”

“He’s cute.” Harry commented and stroked the baby’s face softly. “I’m sorry sir.” Potter’s words brought Severus around abruptly.

“For what?”

“For whatever you had to go through to get him.” Potter was looking up at him with Lily’s clear eyes and he found himself stilled inside by the impulsive kindness of the boy as well as his insight.

“He is not at fault for my mistakes.” Severus said softly and hardly noticed Hermione’s gasp of dismay.

“No, sir, he’s himself; he’s not his parents.” Severus reeled from the blow, so gently delivered.

“Touché, Mr. Potter.” His voice was far gentler than he had ever used with James’ son and Harry was looking at him with something akin to understanding. It was unnerving to be so in accord with the boy. He had carried his grudges for so long that they seemed a part of him. He still hated James and Sirius, but perhaps Harry could be spared, even as he hoped Ryan could be spared the legacy of Severus’ mistakes.

“What is his name, sir?” Hermione asked.

“Orion.” Hermione smiled at the name, but Harry stiffened and stared at him with dawning understanding.

“Narcissa or Bellatrix?” He asked softly.

“Bellatrix.” Severus sighed.

“I will remember that he is Sirius’ cousin and forget who his mother is.” Harry choked out, as though he were commanding himself.

“Right now she is an insane vicious beast, Mr. Potter, but she was kind when she was little. I hope that nurture, not nature, was responsible for her transformation.” Hermione had finally put two and two together and was looking at the baby rather sadly.

“I take it she didn’t want him?”

“I want him, Miss Granger; it will have to be enough.” Hermione nodded and Harry gave him a wry smile.
“I’m sure it will be, Professor.” Harry Potter’s vote of confidence was both disturbing to receive and very welcome. The coming year would be very interesting indeed.