Chapter Text
Severus Snape sighed as he looked around his new house, he had been asked by Dumbledore to take care of the Potter girl… and for Lily's sake he agreed. He got himself a four bedroom house in Hogsmeade so he could commute to and from work during the school year, his room was set up and the girl was laying in a crib fast asleep. His expression was sad. Lilly Potter… his dearest friend. He had known her since childhood, been friends with her throughout their schooling but he could never tell her of his feelings for her, and he sat by as she was snatched away by Potter. He was supportive of her of course, was there at her wedding and when Harriet was born. James and him had come to an understanding during that time, they’d never gotten past their resentment from the past but they hadn’t been hostile towards each other before his death, something he knew Lily would’ve been glad of.
There was a knock on the door and he frowned, slowly he got up out of his chair and went to answer it. Who was calling at this late hour? Opening the door he found himself face to face with another old school rival. “Where is she?” Sirius black demanded of him.
“Hello to you too Black.” Severus said crossing his arms. Sirius pushed past him into the room in search of his goddaughter. “Yes you can come in, please make yourself at home.” His voice dripped with sarcasm as he closed the door and followed him to the crib Sirius stopped at. “What do you want Black?”
“To raise her, I’m her godfather.” He answered shooting a glare at him.
“Have you spoken to Dumbledore about this? She was given to me.”
“I don’t give a rats ass if you think you’re raising her on your own.” Sirius growled.
“What are you going to do about it Black? Move in?”
HPHPHPHPHP
“I’m surprised Sirius.” Remus Lupin said as they sat on his couch. Nymphadora had their son Teddy, and Harriet and they were playing together. “Normally you’re not so responsible.” Sirius snorted.
“Yeah well, if it weren’t for Hattie’s sake I wouldn’t think about ever stepping foot in Snape’s house.” Sirius said resentfully. “I’ve tried to get Dumbledore to let me be her primary caregiver, but he won’t hear a word of it.”
“He has his reasons.” Remus said taking a sip of his tea. “But I think that he is grateful for having you here Sirius. Otherwise he wouldn’t be able to keep his job.”
“But the slimy git would never admit to it.”
“No, he won't. Not verbally at least.”
“He nearly cursed me when I told him you were coming for a visit.” Sirius said relaxing as his eyes moved to Hattie. “Said it was a risk to her, and I pointed out that you have a son, and that Teddy was perfectly safe with you around.”
“How’d he try to argue it?”
“He’s still mulling it over.” Sirius snorted. “But there’s no way in hell you’re not going to be in her life.” Remus smiled.
“Has he had any company that you disagree with?”
“Course he has, though I don’t believe for a damned minute that Lucius Malfoy has truly come over.” Sirius rolled his eyes. “Narcissa is trying to be civil though, she at least wants nothing to do with the Voldemort and his lot. Told me she dropped contact with Bellatrix and started trying to make up with Andromeda. She’s still taking Ted’s death hard.”
“Dora is as well.” Remus said glancing at his wife. “She brings Teddy round to see her three times a week and on the full moons.” They were quiet for a few moments watching as Teddy’s hair turned from Orange to Hattie’s black, and Hattie tried to connect some muggle blocks to make a shape. “What are you going to do now?”
“Oh hell if I know.” Sirius sighed. “I don’t need to work of course, but I doubt that I’ll enjoy sitting around here all day, even with Hattie as a distraction.”
“You never were one to sit around.”
“Maybe I’ll open a shop.” He said. Remus smiled.
“And sell?”
“I don’t know Moony.” He answered.
“How about potions?” Remus offered. Sirius snorted.
“You know I was never good with those.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to improve.” He pointed out. “And Severus might agree to brewing for you, when he’s not busy at Hogwarts.”
“I doubt it.”
“You’ll need to be at an understanding with each other.” Remus said. “For Hattie’s sake, it’s not good for a child to grow up around dislike or hate.” Sirius didn’t reply, he knew he was right of course, but that didn’t make him like the idea.
HPHPHPHPHP
Narcissa sipped her tea as Severus walked around his kitchen preparing lunch for them all. Draco and Hattie were sitting in highchairs babbling to each other. “It’s not a bad idea you know.”
“Helping him run a potions shop?” He asked skeptically. “He’s dreadful at Potions.”
“You can teach him.” She pointed out.
“I spend enough time teaching adolescent boys how to sturr potions at work, I don’t need to start doing it outside of work as well.”
“Would you rather him attempt to sturr potions here, with Hattie around and no proper guidance?” She questioned. He was silent.
“When it’s put in that perspective I can see the benifits of me teaching him.” She chuckled and he set the food down in front of the two children before sitting across from her and picking up his glass of tea. “But I don’t know Cissy, Black was my tormentor at school.” He said.
“It’s been years Sev.” She said softly. “Sometimes you have to forgive and move on. And you are living together now.” She pointed out. “It’s better not to have the hostilities between you both. You’re a parent now.”
“I know,” He waved his hand in an offhanded way.
“Would you be so blase about it if it were Remus or James?”
“James would be worse.” He admitted, though their hostility had died in the years after graduation and leading up towards his death. Lilly was insistent on keeping them both in her life. Had it not been for her… “Remus is a different story.”
She hummed and sipped her tea again. “Well, what you decide is up to you. But i suggest finding a middle ground between the two of you, if it’s potions let it be that.” There was a long moment of silence, aside from the children’s talking. “Where is he?” She wondered glancing at the clock, it was nearly seven.
“Off with Remus and Nymphadora.” Snape answered. “Lucius still at work?”
“He’ll be getting home soon.” She nodded. “I have Dobby preparing a dinner for us, for when we return. Still not fond of Kreacher?”
“He’s… unpleasant company. I don’t know why Black doesn’t just send him away.”
“Probably doesn’t like cleaning after himself.” She offered. Severus chuckled.
“I suppose that could be true.”
HPHPHPHPHP
It turned out that one of the only times Severus and Sirius weren’t glaring daggers at each other was when they were mixing potions. Sirius wanted it to work out, so he kept his mouth shut and did as he was told, getting better with each potion and Severus’s guidance. Severus kept his snide comments to a minimum, partly so they could just get it over with and partly because Hattie seemed to know when the two of them were bickering, even if she was far from them when they were.
Sirius worked on potions in all of his free time, borrowing books from Severus and re-writing potions with the modifications so that he could more easily read and make them. Severus was admittedly impressed by his devotion to this until he accidentally found out why a year into their living together. He had got home from work in low spirits, it had been a bad day. Not because of the kids nor because of any school related problem, but because of this day. Nymphadora was there with Teddy dressed up and getting Hattie in a stroller to take them trick-or-treating. “Hello Severus.” She greeted.
“Tonks.” He returned the greeting, knowing she hated her first name. “Remus and Black here?” She looked at him for a long moment then shook her head.
“They’ve gone to Godric’s Hollow.” She said quietly. Severus nodded, he understood. “Will you be joining us?” She wondered.
“Where will you be taking them?”
“To Andromeda's village.” She answered. “Narcissa and Lucius will be meeting us there if you’d like to come.”
“I’ll meet with you.” He answered. “There’s something I need to do first.” She nodded knowingly.
“I’ll see you later then.” He watched them enter the fire and disappear. Severus went to change out of his work clothes and get into some muggle clothing for his outing. When he reached Godric’s hollow the stars were already brightly lighting up the sky. He didn’t look up at the statue as it transformed but moved past it and walked into the graveyard next to the church. He could see Remus standing with his hands in his pockets in front of the grave and as he got closer he saw Sirius crouched in front of the marble with his hand pressed against the stone. Severus slowed as he approached then stopped as he caught the words.
“...I trusted that foul rat.” Sirius was saying. “I was such a fool.”
“We all were Padfoot.” Remus said. “Who would’ve guessed Peter, of everyone in the order.” He shook his head. “Peter was the last any of us would’ve suspected.”
“If I hadn’t convinced James to switch to him he and Lilly-”
“There’s nothing that can be done Sirius.” Remus said quietly. “It’s over now. We cannot change the past.” Sirius’s hand balled into a fist. “James wouldn’t want you beating yourself up over it.”
“I know.”
“And Lilly would scold you,”
“I know.” He repeated.
“They both would-”
“Damnit Remus I know.” He said looking over at the man. “But knowing doesn’t change that it was my fault they were killed. It doesn’t change the fact that I lead them to their deaths by making them trust that Filthy Rat. It won’t ever change my guilt.” He covered his face with his free hand and took a moment to breath. “The hardest part, is seeing Hattie’s glowing face each day, and knowing what was taken from her because of that mistake. And knowing that I’ll have to tell her how her parents died, betrayed by one of James’s old friends…” There was a long moment of silence. “And knowing that he’s still out there.” Remus was silent.
“They’ll catch him.” Remus said quietly.
“And do what? Azkaban can’t hold a rat hostage. I’ve been there, he’d slip through those bars.”
“There are ways to keep an Animagus trapped.” Remus reminded him. After a long moment of silence he spoke again. “How are you holding up?”
“I keep distracted, it helps.” Sirius answered. “Between Hattie and learning those potions Snape keeps giving me, I’m busy enough.”
“And the shop?”
“I have a place bought on the main road.” He answered glancing at him. “And I’ll be taking the qualifications test next month. But I’m not going to start it until she’s a bit older I have a few more years to try again if I fail.”
“Why wait so long?”
“I don’t want to constantly rely on you, Narcissa or Andromeda to babysit her each day while I’m at work. If she’s a bit older she can come to the shop with me and help out, or play with the village kids.” Remus nodded. Severus thought now would be a decent time to appear, not wanting them to see him lurking. He started forwards and after passing another lane Remus noticed his approach. He turned getting Sirius’s attention. The man stood narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
“Severus.” Remus greeted, he acknowledged it with a nod as he joined them. They were all quiet for a long moment looking at the grave, keeping a moment of silence for their lost friend. Then after a long period of silence Remus spoke. “Dora will be wondering where we are.” He said quietly, breaking the tension. Sirius started walking and Remus followed. Severus stayed for a moment, taking out his wand and magiking flowers in front of the stone before following the other men out.