How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

DISCLAIMER: JKR owns everything that is in reference to the Harry Potter world if it is in one of my works of fiction. If it is not found in one of her creations, then it is mine unless otherwise stated. I am not making any profit from the writing of this story.

A/N~ I do apologize for this chapter taking so long to get out. I’ve had a hard time with exactly the mood I wanted to convey after the last chapter. Not only that, but I was not available to write as much as I normally am due to travel and some unavoidable issues concerning one of my children. This chapter was started and scrapped four times before I decided this one felt ‘okay’. The good news is that I kept everything else I did and most of it will appear in the next chapter or two when the mood is lighter. I didn’t feel I could go right from torture to fluffy and make it work. Thank you all for being patient. To those who have asked how many more chapters there will be….I honestly have no idea, this is a perpetual story, so it is anyone’s guess.

Harry woke the next morning with the sunlight washing over his body in a warm wave, squinting his eyes he made a note to himself to get something on the window beside their bed by nightfall. Their bed. He turned onto his side and sure enough, his husband was sound asleep on his side facing him.

Harry had fallen asleep waiting for Severus and Lucius the night before, and had not stirred when Severus had finally come to bed shortly after midnight. He reached out one hand to stroke the stubble on Severus’ cheek before he leaned down and kissed his forehead tenderly. This was the man that had killed to keep his family safe from harm, Harry’s chest hurt from the overwhelming emotions within. He carefully slid out of bed and wrapped his robe around him before he wandered into the kitchen to see if anyone else had beaten him to the tea pot.

Their house was still sparsely furnished as they had only put in what they knew they would need for themselves and their guests. Any serious decorating would happen in the days to come. Harry let his fingers run over the smooth wood of the small kitchen table under one of the windows that overlooked the pasture behind the house. He did like this table and Damon was quick to point out its sturdiness for extracurricular activities. Harry blushed as he remembered the time in the kitchen of the farmhouse, he knew exactly what Damon had been referring to.

He stood at the kitchen sink, staring out the window for a few minutes before his mind registered what it was he was seeing. Damon was walking in a circle around the milking shed, his wand held in his outstretched hand and Harry could see that his lips were moving in time to proscribed rhythms. Damon was cleansing the area of any residue left of Morgan Taylor. He wondered just what ritual the old Dom was using, but he didn’t really feel like getting dressed to go out and ask, besides, Damon would be in soon enough for coffee. Harry set the tea kettle on the hob and then turned to the coffee maker they had purchased the morning before.

He sat down at the small table and picked at roll he’d taken from the bread box as he waited for the kettle to whistle. Lost in thought, he stretched his legs out before him and stared at the green socks that were on his feet, socks he had not gone to bed wearing. Smiling to himself, he realized that once again Severus had looked after him as one of the last things he did before succumbing to his own sleep. He remembered how the socks came to be and found it hard to believe that anyone could care enough to see to it that his feet were warm at night. He’d never told Severus that his feet got cold at night, he supposed he didn’t have to after the first few nights they shared the same bed and Harry had used the older man as a foot warmer. He had been hit with a curse during the last battle that affected the circulation in his hands and feet. Although his hands bothered him some during the winter, it was his feet that bothered him the most. At night he could never keep them warm with his habit of sticking his feet out from other the bed clothes and he would wake in the mornings before he began wearing socks to bed in varying degrees of pain. His Severus had begun slipping socks on his feet and it had become a ritual for them each night they stayed together. At Hogwarts they were unable to share quarters, but most nights found Severus making a late night visit to Harry’s chambers to see to it his socks were securely on his feet and the younger man was comfortable.

Every time Harry thought of Hogwarts and the secrecy they had been forced to live behind, he felt a twisting in his gut and once more thanked the deities that they had made the move to the States. He knew that Severus had worried about him making the decision to leave the school, that he was taking his young husband away from his friends and only real home he’d ever known. Harry had been honest each time Severus had asked him if he was sure about their move. Home was with his husband, no matter where they may live, the locale was unimportant as long as they could be together and raise their children in peace.

Completely lost in his thoughts and dreams, Harry didn’t notice as Lucius entered the spacious kitchen and stood looking down at him with something akin to a smirk on his handsome face.

“Harry, where is your house elf? The kettle is making some sort of noise,” he said as he pulled out another chair and sat down to face Harry. Harry on the other hand, nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of the other man’s voice, quickly gathering his wits about him; he stood and crossed over to the cooker.

“We don’t have a house elf. I take care of things for Severus,” Harry said as he went about making tea for Lucius and himself. He refilled the kettle and set it back on to boil for his husband’s tea before he laid the table for the morning meal. “Would you like milk or sugar for your tea?” At the shake of blond hair, Harry put the milk back in the refrigerator and set a plate of muffins on the table before the elder Malfoy with his tea.

“No house elf, really? I would have thought Severus would have made sure the one bearing his children was well taken care of,” he said with a raised eyebrow as he studied Harry. After watching the young man for a moment, he spoke again. “I shall speak to him this morning and we will find one suitable to your needs. A Snape wife, or in your case, consort does not do menial tasks.”

Harry clutched his mug in both hands as he stood by the sink and watched the blond aristocrat pour his tea and sip it quietly. He didn’t need a house elf. He liked taking care of Severus, it was something he did for him just as Severus held him after bad nightmares. He studied Malfoy covertly and noticed for the first time that the man was still in his night shirt and robe. Severus had been right when he’d told Harry that Lucius was like a brother to him and they tended to simply be family while within each other’s company.

It did not escape Lucius that he was under study and after a moment he fixed his pale grey eyes on Harry. “I meant no offense Harry when I spoke of a house elf. In your condition, you will find it increasingly difficult to do the simplest things here and after the babe is here, you will need a hand with everything.”

“I understand, it is just not a subject we’ve discussed yet,” Harry said as he lifted the whistling kettle from the hob and set his husband’s tea to steep. Placing a simple breakfast on a tray along with the tea, Harry quietly excused himself and went back to the bedroom he shared with Severus. Placing the tray on the small table beside their bed, he sat down on the edge of the mattress and ran his fingers through the soft, black hair of his lover.
Severus stirred slightly under the light touches and opened one eye to peer up at the young wizard perched beside him on the bed.

“Good morning Husband,” Harry said with a gentle smile as he poured him the first cup of strong black tea. Severus merely grunted and pulled himself up to where he was propped in a sitting position against the headboard, taking the cup and drinking deeply. Grunting again, he held his cup out for a refill and drank again with Harry waiting for him to be ready to speak.

“How are you this morning, Harry?” he asked with a jaw cracking yawn that was followed by another pull at the tea cup. He rested one hand over the top of his husband’s and studied his face for any indication of revulsion or regret for yesterday’s activities.

“I feel good Sev, no morning sickness. I slept good, but I wish you had woken me when you came to bed,” he said reproachfully as he buttered the scone that was resting on the small plate for Severus to eat.

“It was late Harry, I wanted to let you sleep,” the older man sighed as he took the piece of crumbly scone offered by his husband. “and I needed to think.” He added as he stuck it in his mouth and chewed.

Harry moved further onto the bed and sat himself cross legged to look at his Dom and husband. Handing him another piece of scone, he waited until Severus’ mouth was full before he spoke. “I understand Husband, I really do. What you did yesterday had to have been one of the harder things you’ve ever allowed yourself to do. I know you value your morals above all else, and I thank you for what you did to keep us safe.” After he had said his peace, Harry looked at his husband and waited. Severus calmly swallowed and drank a bit more tea while regarding Harry quietly.

“I would do it again with no hesitation if it meant keeping you safe or our children safe. I will confess to being slightly apprehensive of your response to the violence from yesterday,” Severus said as he broke off another piece and stuck it in Harry’s mouth this time. “But you are right in the fact that it was a difficult thing for me to deal with last night, the fact that once again I had killed.”

“Are you worried I may become leery of you, Severus?” he asked as he took a sip of tea from his own mug. Severus only nodded in response and waited. “Sev, you of all people know what I have done in the past. You of all people know that I am a killer as well. You of all people know that the reason I killed was nowhere near as noble as protecting my unborn child or husband.” Harry said as he watched his husband for a reaction.

“Harry, I will say this in all honesty. There have been times in the past while we were in battle and your actions literally made my blood run cold, but you cannot say what you did was not noble. Saving the world from Voldemort was one of the most selfless acts anyone could do, especially when that anyone was thrust into the role as a child,” Severus chided gently as he reached out to stroke his fingers along Harry’s cheek, stopping only to pull him in for a kiss that soon deepened as they clung to each other in the morning sunlight.

Long moments passed as the couple used precious words to reaffirm that as a couple they were still okay and only going to grow stronger. The embrace ended as Harry settled with his back against his husband’s chest with the two of them under the light blanket on the bed. Severus looked up from where his hand held Harry’s, his thumb playing gently over his wedding ring, to find Lucius standing in the doorway to their room.

“Severus, Harry, I do not mean to intrude, but it is getting a bit tiresome in the kitchen alone,” the tall blond said with a shrug as he watched his oldest friend snuggling with his spouse. He was content with the knowledge that Severus would not be spending his life as a bitter loner, he had already seen major changes in his friend’s behaviour since he had arrived.

“Somehow I doubt that Luc, but come in anyhow, the chairs are quite comfortable,” Severus said with a laugh and a wave of his hand. He’d noticed the slight stiffening of his husband’s body, but he wanted the two to learn to be in the same room without argument or hostility. Lucius graciously crossed the threshold and made himself comfortable in the chair closest to the bed. Harry just watched him with wide green eyes.

“I wanted to thank you, Sir, for helping with everything yesterday,” Harry started, his hands held tightly by his lover. He wanted to be sure Malfoy knew he was appreciative of his actions, but he didn’t know if there was a proper social protocol he needed to follow for the occasion. He was startled when he was on the receiving end of one of Lucius Malfoy’s genuine smiles, much like Severus, the man was very guarded with his emotions.

“Harry, please understand that you are now part of the family since you are Severus’ consort. Just as Severus would act to protect my child or grandchild, I am always ready to defend you and your children as they come along,” he said with another smile and then looked at Severus who only snorted and shook his head.

“We are still not naming the baby for you Luc,” the raven haired wizard laughed as Harry just looked between them, confused.

“I still have several months to convince young Harry of the suitability of Lucius as a name,” Malfoy laughed as he sipped from the cup he’d brought in with him.

“I don’t think a little girl would like having Lucius for a name,” Harry said softly as the other two men went on talking about other things. He tuned them out and relaxed with one hand draped protectively over his slightly swollen tummy. His attention was drawn back to the conversation as he heard Taylor’s name mentioned.

“…I told you, Sev, no one had reason to believe that he didn’t die in the fire. I took care of that detail,” Lucius said as he helped himself to the scones on the tray. Harry listened with wide eyes as he realized Lucius Malfoy had gone to great lengths to keep Taylor’s whereabouts a secret from the muggle world.

“I am indebted to you, Luc. What will be done with…” Severus’ voice trailed off as he became aware that Harry was paying attention to what was being said. His husband was still unaware of the Weasley spawn’s involvement in Taylor’s life and what was planned for their daughter after Harry had given birth. He gave Lucius a knowing look and got one in return, both men were masters at secrecy when required.

“I’ve made several subtle inquiries and will follow up on the information once I return home,” Lucius replied smoothly, when in fact he knew exactly where to find Percy Weasley and his wife Cho. He would deal with them as a favour to Severus. They would not be a problem again, that much was certain.

“How long will you be staying?” Harry asked as he picked at the blanket covering his legs. He smiled as he felt the arm of his husband wrap around his waist and rest on his tummy, he felt protected and safe.

“I had thought we might spend a week imposing on your hospitality. It has been sometime since your husband and I have spent any significant time in one another’s company,” Lucius answered as he waited to see how Harry would react to the news that his son would be in close proximity for an extended period. Severus however, had known of the length of the visit and would have been happier if the stay was longer. Harry gave Lucius a look that if it had been several years ago would have been taken as insolence, but now the blond recognized it for what it was; worry.

“I hope you and your son enjoy your stay here, please let me know if there is anything that can be done to make your visit more enjoyable, I will take care of it right away,” he said, hoping Severus heard the sincerity in his voice. He did want his husband to be proud of how his guests were received in his home, he made a silent vow to be charmingly polite regardless of anything said to him.

“Speaking of you doing things, Harry,” Lucius murmured as he turned his gaze on Severus. “When do you plan to acquire a house elf to take care of things?” Severus only looked at him and then looked at Harry thoughtfully. He realized a house elf would make life easier on Harry in terms of housework, but he also knew Harry needed to feel like he was doing something.

“I hadn’t planned on a house elf for personal use Luc, but I had been giving thought to having one at my shop once it opens.” Harry looked up and twisted his hands.

“I wouldn’t mind helping in the shop Husband. I would enjoy it, I think,” he said as he thought of endless days stretching out ahead of him alone rattling around the house attacking dust bunnies and water spots. Apparently he’d given the answer Severus was hoping to hear as he saw a slow smile appear on his face.

“Good, but we will have to have a discussion about a house elf at some point Harry. The baby, house, shop and myself will become overwhelming and I am not going to place myself in a position of being married to a ill-tempered brat,” Severus said as he gently pushed Harry off his lap and sat on the edge of the bed. Looking at Lucius, he nodded toward the window.

“Damon is taking care of it,” Harry said as he correctly surmised the look the two men had passed between them. What to do with the mess that they had made yesterday. Both men looked at him for an answer and Harry shrugged as he got up from the bed and rummaged around for some clothing. “I was watching him earlier from the kitchen. It looked like a scourgify spell, but I am not familiar with the gestures he was using.”

“We didn’t expect you to be Harry,” said a new voice from the doorway. They all turned to see Damon standing just inside the door with a satisfied expression on his face. “but I am surprised you knew what type of spell it was.”

“I could see your lips moving when you came around the end of the shed,” he shrugged as he walked into the small bathroom off the bedroom and shut the door behind him.

“I am impressed,” he said to the others and shook his head. Severus stood up and stretched before replying.

“He’s that good Damon, he really is.”

“So I see,” the old man said thoughtfully. “Grant wanted to know if anyone wanted breakfast.”

“We had tea,” Lucius spoke, raising his empty cup.

“I said breakfast boy, not something you soak your socks in,” Damon growled as he glared at the tea cup as if it had personally offended him. “My husband is planning to make breakfast if anyone wants to eat.”

“I’m eating,” Harry sang out from behind the closed door, “especially if there is going to be biscuits and gravy.”

“I don’t believe I am familiar with this sort of dining,” Lucius said looking down at his manicured nails, feigning disinterest and hoping it covered his ignorance. Severus snorted in laughter and pulled his jeans on before stripping off his night shirt.

“We’ll eat Damon, please tell Grant thank you for us. Don’t worry Lucius, you’ll love it.”

Harry came out of the bathroom then and glared at Severus with his arms crossed over his chest. His husband looked at him in concern and waited. “These jeans won’t fit anymore. I’m too fat,” he snapped, failing to see the humour when the other men dared to crack a smile.

“Allow me, Harry,” Lucius said as he pulled his wand from his robe pocket and waved it in Harry’s direction, quickly resizing his clothing for his expanding figure. Giving a wiggle to test for comfort, Harry beamed at Lucius before he stuck his tongue out at his husband.

“Thank you Lucius. This is all Sev’s fault, you know,” he laughed as he walked out past the men to help Grant in the kitchen.