A Predicament

Well my lovelies, I cannot guarantee that the next chapter will come as quickly as this one has, but I am doing my best to update more often. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, your encouragement means a lot to me.

Jessie


Draco’s day had been going so well, he had woken up curled up with Severus, had a good breakfast, had been able to snoop around the ground floor of the house on his own. The deliverymen had come around ten thirty, and he had diligently begun unpacking and setting up the new potions lab.

Then he had dropped a cauldron and everything had gone all screwy. He had come up the stairs and seen Severus Snape, the Gryffindor’s Bane, holding a toddler, and looking almost affectionate. Had he gone through a looking glass without noticing?

Draco’s gaze shifted from Severus and the little girl in his arms, to Harry. He started when he noticed the little boy peeking shyly around Harry’s leg. He blinked and cleared his throat, “I seem to have missed something. Where did the ankle biters come from?”

Harry scowled, “Please don’t call my children ankle-biters, it’ll probably give them ideas.”

Severus snorted, which made Lydia giggle, and said, “Something to keep in mind.”

Draco’s eyes went wide again, “You have children?”

Harry smiled, “No, they’re just figments of your imagination, Draco.”

Draco scowled at him, “No need to be an arse, Potter. I’m just a little stunned is all.”

Luke and Lydia giggled and Harry leveled a stern glare at Draco, “Watch the language, Malfoy, there are innocent ears in the room.”

Draco took a deep breath and nodded, “Fine, whatever, I’ll mind my tongue.”

“Good. Luke,” Harry pulled the little boy out from behind him, “Lydia, this is Mr. Malfoy. Draco, these are my children, Luke and Liddy.”

Lydia waved and bounced in Severus’ arms and Luke smiled shyly and waved, “Hi, Mr. Malfoy.”

Draco smiled a little, “Luke, Liddy, it’s nice to meet you, and you may call me Draco.”

Luke grinned, “I like your name.”

Draco looked at the child warily, “Thank you.”

Harry bent down and picked Luke up. “Well now that that is all over, how about lunch?” he headed toward the kitchen, Severus and Lydia, and Draco all following.
Draco shook his head in wonder, following the other two men into the kitchen. Draco stopped in the doorway when a dreadful thought occurred to him, “How long are they going to be staying here, Potter?”

Harry sat Luke in a chair and started rummaging in the refrigerator, “I don’t actually know, Draco.”

“But why are they here, you never mentioned this, or them, when we were discussing the arrangements.”

Harry sighed, “They’re here because their grandmother isn’t feeling well. Molly had a stroke last night. She and Arthur were going to keep them while I was holed up with the two of you, but that isn’t really possible at the moment. After lunch I’ll have to figure out where I am going to put them.”

Severus scowled, thinking. He sat Lydia down and when she pouted he leaned over and whispered, “I’ll be right back, just need to ask Draco something in private.”

She sighed, “Okay…”

Severus smiled and left the room, pulling Draco out with him. “Why don’t we offer the twins your room? That way Potter won‘t have to be separated from them.”

Draco’s eyes widened. That had stung. He couldn’t believe Severus wanted him to move downstairs, to be farther away from him. Had he done something wrong? He looked down at his shoes, “If that’s what you want. I’m going to go finish in the lab. I’ll come up for lunch in a bit.”

Severus scowled when Draco tried to sweep past him. Something was wrong with Draco, and he wanted it nipped in the bud, now. “Draco, stop,” Severus commanded, “Turn around and look at me.”

The younger man stopped in the middle of the hall and seemed to hesitate for a moment before he turned around and raised his head to stare at Severus’ chest. His voice was hollow, emotionless, when he spoke, “What is it, sir? I have a lot still to do downstairs.”

Sir? Draco hadn’t called him Sir since Lucius had died. Severus walked over to him and pushed him against the wall, “Draco, what has gotten into you? Why are you acting like this?”

Draco continued to stare at Severus’ chest, “I don’t know what you mean, sir.”

Severus grabbed Draco’s chin in one hand and pulled his face upwards, “Look at me, Draco. Right now.”

Draco raised his eyes to Severus’ cheek, he didn’t dare look into those eyes. If he saw anger or coldness or something worse, it would break him.

Severus sighed and gently kissed the younger man’s lips. He leaned against Draco, whispering against his ear, “Please, mia anima, tell me what‘s wrong?”

Draco trembled in fury, “Tell you what’s wrong? You want me to move down here, to be farther away from you, you don’t want me with you, and you want me to tell you what’s wrong?”

Severus sighed in relief, “No. No, tesoro, I don’t want you to move down here, I want you to move into my room.” He placed a hand on either side of Draco’s face and kissed him again, “Do you truly think I could send you away so easily, now that I finally have you back?”

Draco sighed in relief and melted into Severus’ embrace. Then he looked up at the older man, puzzled, “Are you sure? Even when we lived alone together at Spinner’s End, you wanted separate spaces.”

Severus smiled, “Let’s just say I have learned the value of a companion. I missed waking with you curled up with me,” He leaned down and kissed Draco, wildly, “Now that I have you back, I don’t intend to let you go any time soon.”

Draco smiled again, “Good, cause you’re fairly well stuck with me. For the next few years at least. Longer than that if I have any say in the matter.”

Severus smiled, “We shall see. Now let’s go back into the kitchen and talk about bedrooms with Potter.”

Draco nodded and pulled Severus tight for a brief moment, then he let go and let Severus lead him into the kitchen.

Harry looked up from cutting the crusts off a ham and cheese sandwich, “Everything alright?”

Draco nodded, “Where are the kids.”

“Here,” came a tiny petulant voice.

Draco looked over to see the two small children sitting in front of one of the kitchen appliances, pouting, as they watched the timer on it count down. He looked at Harry, confused, “What are they doing?”

Harry stirred the tomato soup on the stove, “They’re in time out.”

Draco looked to Severus who shrugged, “What’s time out?”

“They were being bad so I sat them down in front of the microwave. They have to sit there for three minutes, and every time either of them asks to get up or how much longer they have, they both get another thirty seconds. That’s what time out is.”

“Oh.”

“Potter, we have a solution to one of your problems,” Severus spoke up after staring at the twins for a moment, “Draco is going to move into my room, so you can put the twins in his room.”

Harry’s head snapped up, “Really?” he eyes darted between Severus and Draco, “You’re okay with this, Draco?”

Draco grinned and nodded, “Perfectly fine with it.”

Harry sighed, “Thank you. You have no idea how much easier this makes things. Thank you, both of you.”

Draco smirked, “You’re welcome, Harry.”

The timer on the microwave beeped and both the twins cheered and scrambled down from the chair. Lydia ran over to Severus and tugged on his pants until he looked down at her. The she raised her arms again, “Up.”

Severus smiled indulgently and picked her up. She giggled and leaned across his chest so she could stare at Draco. “You’re pretty.”

Severus laughed and Draco stared at her, unsure whether to be amused or offended. Amusement won out in the end and he leaned over and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, “So are you.”

She giggled.

Luke watched the whole scene with a scowl of disgust on his face. Harry looked down at him, “What’s wrong, Luke?”

Luke pointed at his sister and the two men, “Mushy girl stuff.”

Harry laughed, “Yep, mushy girl stuff. Can you do me a huge favor?”

Luke nodded, “’Acourse I can.”

“Go tell Severus, Draco, and Liddy that lunch is ready.”

Luke scowled again, but did as his father had asked, shuffling over to the other three and mumbling, “Lunch is ready.”

Draco looked down at the little boy, “Thank you, Luke.”

Lydia sat between Draco and Severus during lunch, while Luke and Harry sat opposite them. Luke was pouting and Harry couldn’t for the life of him figure out why.

Harry leaned over, “What’s the matter, Luke?”

Luke scowled into his tomato soup, “They don’t like me. And Liddy doesn’t like me no more neither.”

Harry smiled a little sadly, “That’s not true, Luke. I’m sure they would like you a lot if you would talk to them. “

Luke looked up at him hopefully, “Really, Daddy?”

Harry nodded his head, “Really. Why don’t you try talking to them after lunch?”

Luke nodded, “Okay.”

Harry finished his sandwich and took his plate and bowl into the kitchen. When he came back he found Luke sitting on the table in front of Draco, Liddy in front of Severus, and both twins were babbling to the older men about something, Harry couldn’t quite understand what they were saying.

“Well,” Harry said from the doorway, grinning, “It looks like the four of you have made fast friends.”

Liddy nodded, “More fun here, Daddy. I love Gram. Still more fun here.”

Luke nodded in agreement and rubbed one eye with his small fist.

“Severus, Draco, would you two mind watching them while I go upstairs and make up their room?”

Both men shook their heads. Draco said “No problem, they can finish telling us their story.”

Harry nodded and sprinted up the stairs. When the two of them got tired enough they would get cranky, and he didn’t want to subject Draco and Severus to an tired tantrum just yet.

He quickly got all of Draco’s clothes into a box and levitated it and the ebony dresser into Severus’ room. Then he went to work changing the walls from black to a soft green. He unsealed the windows and put cream colored curtains over them. He laid a thick cream colored carpet on the floor and started unpacking the box Ron had given him.

When all their things were in place he went back downstairs. He was just in time to see Luke curl into Draco’s arms and rest his head on the blonde’s shoulder. Liddy was already passed out against Severus.

“Perfect timing,” he whispered, “I’ve just finished their room. Lets take them up and let them get some rest.”

“Here, Harry, take Luke, I need to get back to setting up the lab.”

Harry nodded and took Luke from Draco’s arms, leading Severus up the stairs and into the twins room. He tucked Luke in and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Severus doing the same with Liddy. When both children were in bed they crept out of the room and closed the door.

“Thank you Severus.”

Severus looked at Harry for a long moment, “We need to talk, Potter. Now.”

Harry’s eyes shifted to the door, it had to be about the twins. He nodded, “Ok, do you mind if we do it in the kitchen while I clean up?”

“Actually I do mind. Let’s talk in my room, or yours, whichever you would prefer.”

Harry scowled, “Yours.”

Severus nodded and led the way into his room. He motioned Harry to sit in the loveseat and, once he had, sat next to him. “You don’t know what this is about, do you?”

“I assume it’s about the twins.”

Severus smiled, “No, Potter, your children are charming. I do not have any problem with them being here, nor does Draco.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I wanted to talk to you about last night.”

Harry’s heart sank. Bugger, he’d forgotten about that, “Look, Severus, Draco kissed me. I stopped him. I’m sorry that it happened, but as far as I know I didn’t give him any indication that it would be welcomed. If you have a problem with it, then you need to talk to him.”

Severus smirked, “You seem to be under the impression that Draco kissed you in order to make me jealous.”

Harry scowled again, “Didn’t he?”

“No. He kissed you because he wanted to know how you’d react. Whether or not you’d be open to the idea of being with another man. I must say your reaction surprised both of us.”

“It was a fucking test? I’ll strangle him.” Harry started to rise off the loveseat.

“Potter. Stop.” Severus commanded, “If you’re angry with anyone, it should be me.”

“You? Why you?”

“Because I wanted him to kiss you.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to kiss you,” Severus smirked again, leaning over and pressing his lips to Harry’s.

Harry’s eyes fluttered shut. Severus’ mouth was a gentle, but firm pressure against his own. The older man’s lips parted, his tongue tracing Harry’s lower lip. Harry whimpered and Severus pulled back slightly.

Severus whispered against Harry’s lips, “Open for me, Potter.”

Harry sighed and his lips parted, allowing Severus’ tongue to thrust between them. One of Severus’ hands went to the back of Harry’s head, fingers tangling in the thick black hair, the other caressed down Harry’s throat, down his chest, and finally curved around his waist.

Both of Harry’s hands went to Severus’ shoulders. He was moaning into Severus’ mouth when the older man finally pulled away. Allowing them both some much needed oxygen. Severus pressed his forehead against Harry’s, “I want you, Potter.”

Harry moaned, “What about Draco?”

“He wants you too.”

Harry moaned again, louder this time. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t do meaningless sex, Severus.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“No. I can’t fall in love with anyone else. I won’t put you at risk like that.”

“I don’t mind, I’ve been at risk for years, so has Draco.”

Harry pushed Severus off of him and stood. “No, Severus. It’s not an option.”

Severus watched as Harry walked out of the room, a plan beginning to form in his mind. He’d have to work some of the details out with Draco, but Harry Potter was in for a rough time.

Severus lay down on the bed, deciding that he needed a nap as well.