Hopes and Wishes

Chapter 7: We’ll Be Here When You Wake Up


Whilst Poppy and Harry had been busy creating mischief and mayhem in the bathroom, Remus and Severus, having regained their composure, had been busy making preparations. When they returned to their quarters in the Dungeons, they found that Dumbledore had been busy organising their lives still further.

Their previously fairly cramped residence had been expanded to over twice its original size. In addition to their bedroom and living room, there was now a bedroom for Harry, a study/library for the men to do their work in and a kitchen/dining area. The new rooms were like blank canvases and this in itself posed a problem for the two men. How would they get everything ready by the time Harry had finished his bath?

A sharp crack filled the silence and Remus and Severus looked down to find two pairs of round, tennis ball sized, eyes looking back up at them. The two pairs of eyes were set into two equally leathery faces with large bat-like ears. The similarities ended there, however, as one face displayed a round, dimpled golf ball-sized nose; the other, a tapered cylindrical one, ending in an upturned point. House elves.

“Headmaster Dumbledore is sending Chirpy and Drizzle to be helping Master Snape and Mr Lupin sirs. We is to be organising the new rooms for you. Chirpy and Drizzle is being honoured to be helping sirs to get ready for the little master. What shall we be doing to help?” squeaked the smallest of the two elves.

“Mr Lupin and I would like the study set up with two desks and then the bookshelves and books from in the living room transferred there also. The books should be arranged in categories please. Similar to the categories in the school library would be suitable I believe.” began Severus.

“Drizzle is doing that for Sirs straight away.” said the larger elf in a slightly less squeaky voice; obviously the male of the pair.

“A table and chairs are needed in the kitchen and the shelves will need to be stocked with provisions.” Severus ordered next.

“Chirpy will be happy to help sir.” she bowed.

This division of tasks left Severus and Remus to tackle Harry’s new bedroom together.

“We shall, of course be decorating the room in green and silver,” Severus began “perhaps some potions motifs would look nice and the walls also?” he queried.

“Unless you wish me to change it to red and gold as soon as your back it turned,” retorted Remus “you will come to a compromise with me. I suggest a sunny yellow for the walls and maybe a dark green for the carpet?” he offered.

“Yellow? You wish us to have yellow walls in our quarters? Sunny yellow?” Severus scoffed.

“Pale yellow then. It’s got to be something light and bright Sev, he’s lived in a dingy cupboard for the last two years. He needs something special. Please?” Remus pleaded.

Severus scowled. Remus knew he couldn’t resist that look or tone of voice. He caved, “Pale yellow, dark green carpet and potions motifs around the wall.” he bargained

Remus grinned. “You know I love you, right?” he queried, moving forward to wrap his arms around Sev’s neck.

Severus’ scowl melted away. Trying to maintain his stern persona he attempted to inject a note of disdain into his voice, “I don’t…” he failed “I know.” he finished Leaning forward; he brought their lips together in a soft kiss, hand cupping Remus’ stubbly cheek.

The kiss lasted for several long moments. Neither tried to deepen it but rather used that soft caress to reaffirm their feelings for one another. Finally Severus pulled away.

“Stop pawing me and let’s get this finished.” he grouched, keen to regain his former aloofness.

Remus smiled indulgently but followed in the wake of his love. Sometimes he didn’t quite know why he loved the irascible Potions Master so much; he just did.


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By the time that Harry had walked out of the Infirmary bathroom, along the corridor and down the first flight of stairs his little legs were exhausted. He let go of Poppy’s hand and sat on the landing floor with a plonk.

“Come on sweet pea, we’ve got to go and find Severus and Remus.” Poppy said brightly.

Harry looked up at her from under his eyelashes and shook his head firmly, his lower lip protruding. He clutched Teddy to him tightly and rested his head on his bent knees. Poppy bent down to him.

“Are you tired darling?” she solicited. His little head nodded emphatically. “Shall I carry you?” she continued. Again his head bobbed. Poppy scooped him up into her arms and, once again, positioned him securely on her hip.

“T’ank you” Harry whispered as Poppy continued their journey down to the dungeons. “You’re welcome sweetie” Poppy replied.

It only took them a few more minutes to reach the door of Severus and Remus’ rooms. Poppy knocked on the door in a rapid tattoo. It opened; standing just inside was Remus, rather rumpled, quite flushed but beaming broadly.

“Harry! Teddy! Hey guys. Do you two chaps want to come and see your new bedroom with me?” he asked, holding out his arms.

Harry nodded shyly, he green eyes peeking out from behind his messy fringe. Poppy passed Harry over and Harry wrapped his arms tightly around Remus’ neck.

Bouncing Harry lightly as they walked through the living room Remus chatted away cheerfully. “Now this is our living room. This is where we can all sit down and play together and that big cupboard at the end…” Harry stilled his cheerful face drooping “…is where your toys are going to be. You, me and Sev are going to go shopping tomorrow to get you some new clothes and then we’re going to visit Twitter’s Toy Emporium and get you and Teddy some great new toys to play with. That a good idea?”

Harry giggled. “Toys for Teddy?” he asked.

“Yep! Toys for Teddy, toys for Harry and maybe even some toys for Sev and Remy.” Remus replied. Harry giggled again, his face nuzzling against Remus’ neck.

“Are you going to hog Harry and Teddy all afternoon Remus or do you think I might get to show them their new bedroom?” Severus asked, his voice only slightly caustic.

“I think Sev is getting grumpy,” Remus half whispered to Harry “what say we go and see him and cheer him up. Let him show you your new room, eh?”

They walked over to the doorway where Sev was standing and he moved back to allow them into the newly decorated room. The carpet was a rich verdant green; several shades darker than Harry’s eyes. The walls were Happy daze; a pale, rich and creamy shade of yellow that looked like freshly churned butter. Decorating the walls were images of tiny cauldrons that steamed and fizzed and bubbled; flasks of different coloured potions danced to an imaginary tune. Chests of drawers and shelving units lined the walls of the room, all decorated in a slightly deeper shade of yellow. The small bed in the centre of the far wall was covered in soft blankets and sheets, in various shades of green.

Placing Harry on the floor, Remus allowed him to explore his new room. He looked behind the door, under the bed and underneath the lampshade of his special nightlight. Finally he climbed up onto the bed. Severus sat down next to him and gently bounced up and down.

“Hey Teddy” said Severus “do you like bouncing on beds?”

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, “Teddy don no” he replied.

“Shall I show him?” Severus asked, receiving a wary nod in reply. He reached his hand out to take Teddy and Harry reluctantly released his strong grip on the toy. Severus pantomimed bouncing Teddy up and down on the covers before raising the bear to eye level.

“Did you enjoy that Teddy?” Severus enquired. He pressed the teddy to his ear and nodded, making various little hums and noises of agreement. Bringing Teddy away from his ear once more Severus said “Teddy says it was great fun and he thinks that you should have a go too Harry. If you hold Teddy’s hand and I hold your hand you can both bounce up and down together. What do you think?”

Harry took Teddy and raised him to his ear too. Softly he said “’kay” before lifting his hands for Severus to hold. Together Harry and Teddy bounced on the bed, holding tight to Severus, until Harry was flushed and gurgling with laughter. Severus pulled Harry into his arms for a cuddle and planted a soft kiss on Harry’s sweaty forehead. They stayed snuggled together for several minutes as Harry’s heartbeat slowed and his eyelids began to droop. Severus pulled Teddy in for a kiss and once again pantomimed talking to the bear.

“Teddy says that he’s tired now Harry and wants to have a sleep in your new bed. Why don’t you lay down with Teddy and keep him company?” Severus suggested. Harry nodded; eyelids drooping more persistently now.

“Teddy need jamies.” Harry yawned as Severus tucked him under the covers, he held Teddy out for Severus to fix. Sev thought for a moment and then waved his wand. Teddy was now dressed in green pyjamas, like Harry’s but even better as these ones were covered in wriggling silver snakes. Severus waved his wand again and the little bear’s eyes changed from brown to green and a tiny, lightening-bolt shaped line appeared on his forehead.

Tucking the bear back under the covers with Harry Severus murmured quietly “Now both my special boys are tucked up in bed. Sleep well angel.” He leaned forward and gave both Harry and Teddy a kiss before rising from the bed and making room for Remus.

Remus too leaned over Harry and briefly traced the scar on his forehead before anointing it with a soft kiss. He repeated the action with Teddy and straightened up. “Sleep tight cub. We’ll be here when you wake up.”

With that both Severus and Remus exited the room, pulling the door all but closed and leaving the nightlight burning gently to scare away the dark.

AN

This chapter seems to have taken me ages to write and I STILL haven’t got to the bit about revenge! On the plus side I have kinda plotted it out now. Subtle, psychological and vaguely humiliating is the way to go I feel. Anyway it’s gone 2am and I’ve got work tomorrow. I just really wanted to get this finished and posted tonight. I haven’t reread it yet so I apologise for any glaring errors; I will fix them up tomorrow!

As I said, I’m back to work tomorrow (I was off all last week) so posting might not be quite as regular from now on. I still hope to post every couple of days but I’ll have to see how it goes.

Reviews are motivating and the only reason that I am still up at this ungodly hour! *hint hint*

Review Replies

Tambrathegreat: Thank you! I hadn’t heard of that site before but, having had a quick peak, it looks like I should investigate it further!

Anonanon: You are very welcome. I will post as often as I can. I hope this chapter is up to scratch!

Bones: Thank you for both reviews. *cookie for you*

Arcee1000: I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading your reviews! Thank you. I think you get extra cookies for so many reviews!

Hello: Thank you!

Kurai: Perhaps normalcy in itself is hard to disrupt but there are certain things that spells can do to make normal people seem less so. Well, there are if you have a cunning plan and access to a Latin dictionary!