Chapter Text
“Lily Luna Potter.”
She tilted her head against the back of her pink high chair and shot Severus a mostly toothless grin. Drool dribbled down her chin.
Severus pressed his mouth into a disapproving line as he reached down to pick up her dropped toastie. He plopped it back on her tray. Lily giggled, pinched it between her sausage fingers, and tossed it to the floor again.
Lyra chuckled, dried the freshly cleaned fry pan with a swish of her wand, and gave Severus a cheeky glance over her shoulder. He crossed his arms then narrowed his eyes, first at Potter’s nanny and then at Lily.
The front door opened on the floor above them. Feet pounded across the ceiling and then down the stairs. James landed with a thump, both feet at once, and raced into the kitchen. Potter’s plodding steps followed.
“Severus!” James threw both arms around him, almost knocking Severus out of his chair. “You’re here.”
“I told you I would be.”
James smiled, released him, and went to beg a lunch plate from Lyra.
Potter crouched down beside Severus’s chair, picked up Lily’s toastie, and placed it on her tray. He looked up at Severus. Eyes tired, shadowed. Hair a bird’s nest. Severus brushed a finger to his cheek, and Potter leaned into the touch. Always so responsive, so beautiful. Lily threw her toastie at Potter’s head. Severus’s lips twitched as Potter sighed and handed it back to her.
Potter eyed Lyra as he pushed to his feet, scratched at an eyebrow, and trailed a hand across the breadth of Severus’s shoulders. A shiver traveled down Severus’s spine. He watched Potter’s arse, snug and glorious in a pair of Muggle jeans, as the man walked to the calendar they kept pinned to the wall. The abused toastie splatted against the ground behind Severus.
“Grace wants to change Jamie’s sessions to twice a week,” Potter said. He flicked his wand and Jamie—Therapy @ 10am appeared in the next few Tuesday blocks. “But, I’ve got that speech to the new recruits. Can you take him next week, Severus?”
“I can.”
Potter added Severus’s name to James’s appointment then tapped his wand against his thigh as he watched Lyra hand James a cup of water and ruffle the boy’s hair. Potter’s lips pursed and his nostrils flared. His eyes darted to Severus then down to his feet. “Grace had something else she wanted us to do.”
Severus arched an eyebrow. With his foot, he pushed out the chair opposite him and nodded at it.
“I can’t.” Potter twisted his wrist to look at his watch. “I have to change for work. I told Robards I’d be back before noon.”
Severus stopped his eyes from rolling by clenching his molars.
Lyra picked the toastie up for the last time, sent it floating towards the bin. She cleaned Lily’s face with a damp cloth and took her empty plate to the sink. Potter scrubbed at his jawline, marched over to Lily, and scooped her up into his arms. Lily smiled wide and smacked at Potter’s chest, babbling.
“Where’s Albus?”
“Napping,” Severus and Lyra said at the same time.
Potter’s brow wrinkled and he plunked himself down in the chair next to Severus. “But it’s so early in the day. He doesn’t usually nap this early, does he?”
Severus only hummed in response then asked, “What was this something else Grace wanted us to do, Potter?”
Potter dug his front teeth into his bottom lip. “A family session.”
“I can’t imagine Lily and Albus have much to add.”
“No. She means me. And you.”
“Me?”
Potter sat back in the chair, carded a hand through Lily’s tufty red hair. “Yeah, I don’t know.”
Severus clicked his tongue, crossed his arms. “If you don’t know, then I won’t bother.”
“Severus.”
“Potter.”
“Jamie,” James called out around a mouthful of bread and cheese.
Lyra came around the table and held out her hands for Lily. “Why don’t I take the kids upstairs so you two can talk?”
Lily happily went to Lyra. Jamie grabbed the last of his crackers, leaving behind a pile of carrot sticks, and skipped out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Once their steps faded, Potter said, “I don’t like her.”
“I know.”
Potter propped his elbows on the table, buried his face in his hands. “It’s fine.”
“It is fine. She is a perfectly acceptable nanny. The kids mind her and are alive and clean at the end of the day.”
“What more could you ask for?” Sarcastic.
Severus did roll his eyes then. “What is your problem?”
“I don’t have a problem.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“You are being very irritating, Potter.”
The man groaned and sat back. He rolled his head towards Severus. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Did the session not go well?”
Potter shook his head.
Severus crossed his legs and shifted his body towards Potter. “Grace said it would be a process.”
Potter nodded, pressed a fisted hand against his mouth.
“I’ll go with you from now on.”
Potter closed his eyes and nodded. Severus traced the lines and shadows of the man’s face with his eyes. Gave into the urge to do it with a finger.
Potter opened his eyes to meet Severus’s. “I love you.”
Severus kissed him then whispered against his mouth, “Don’t be an arse to the nanny.”
Potter chuckled, kissed him once more, and stood up. “Was I an arse? I thought I hid my feelings pretty well.”
“You have never hid a feeling in your life, Potter.”
Potter smirked, bent down for another quick press of lips. “What are your plans today?”
“I promised James a trip to the park.”
Potter smiled. The first real one Severus’d been granted that day. His heart lurched through a few beats as he soaked it in. It would never not astonish him that he could be the source of such a sparkling, shiny thing. Nothing in the world was as beautiful as Potter. Severus didn’t even care anymore about the soppy, saccharine thoughts that tumbled around in his brain when he thought of the man. He’d take what Potter gave for as long as he was fool enough to give it.
He stood, took Potter’s face in his hands, and kissed him again.
**********
Severus stood with Lily on his hip. He’d dressed her in a green cotton romper with brown bunnies dotted across the whole of it. It seemed appropriate for the venue. He tugged the edges of her white woolen sweater closed against the chill breeze. She helpfully patted his hand then pointed at Severus’s buttons.
Weasleys and their many hangers-on populated the garden, chatting and laughing. White clouds blanketed the sky above. Wind shook the canopy the family had set up for yet another birthday party. Severus seemed to be here every other weekend celebrating some trifling milestone or other. No wonder James confused his mother’s wake with a mere party.
“Severus.” Arthur smiled then tickled Lily’s cheek. “Hello, hello, pretty girl.”
Lily flapped an arm in his direction and screeched. She did it with a smile though so Arthur only chuckled in response. Severus envied her. There were numerous occasions when he would have liked nothing more than to scream and wave his arms at people.
“Shall I take her around to see everyone? Give your arms a break?”
Severus’s arms didn’t need a break, but he nodded and gave her over to her grandfather. The flat of his hand lingered on her back a moment before he withdrew, crossing his arms. With a nod, Arthur took her to make their rounds, something Potter would usually handle at these events.
Of course, Potter was at work.
On a Saturday.
But James would not be denied an opportunity to consume birthday cake, regardless of his father’s schedule. Which left Severus standing awkwardly in the Burrow’s garden, celebrating whatever birthday this was for whichever Weasley cousin.
Percival’s daughter. Lucy. Maybe. It did not matter.
Not so long ago, Severus would have been paid to handle Potter’s children on the weekend. Now, evidently, it was part of the cost of having the Savior for a boyfriend. And what a lovely boyfriend Potter made. Acres of smooth, golden skin. Lean but strong. Eager. Powerful. Severus smirked. Really, it wasn’t such a hardship. He went in search of a drink.
A gaggle of children rushed him as he tipped a glass of punch up to his lips.
James grasped Severus’s robe with both hands. “Severus, Severus, Severus.”
“What?” Severus lifted the glass away to a safe distance. “What’s happened?”
A red-headed girl, bouncing on her heels, burst out with, “Al puked in the orchard!”
“Yeah.” James took Severus hand and tugged him forward. “And he’s crying.”
Severus banished the drink from existence, followed. Frog-marched James into a quicker pace.
As Severus reached the edge of the orchard, Molly emerged from the tree line, Albus in her arms. The boy reached for him, his face covered in snot and tears and substances of which Severus did not want to give too much thought.
Severus wrapped his arms around the small, shaking body and pulled him in close.
Molly gave Severus a smile, patting the boy’s hair. “He’s feeling a bit poorly, I think.”
Severus arched a brow at her over Albus’s head. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Calmed himself and asked, “May I use your kitchen, Molly?”
“Of course, of course.” She bustled after him as he turned for the house. “Probably a bit too many sweeties.”
Albus did not overindulge in sugar. The boy was an obsessive rule follower. Severus rubbed circles against the child’s back, brushed his jawline to the boy’s riot of dark hair, and whispered comforting words.
The kitchen was warm and quiet, the other children having vanished back to whatever mischief they’d been making. Severus placed Albus next to the sink. Molly handed him a damp cloth and said, “Let me find a clean shirt for him.”
Albus sniffled and rubbed at his eyes as Severus cleaned him up as best he could.
Severus bent his knees until he was looking the boy in the eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Bad.”
“Do you want to go home?”
Albus nodded and held his arms out to Severus.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Molly came up behind them. Scooting Severus aside, she tugged off Albus’s old shirt and tugged on a new one. “He’s just a bit peaky. Children get peaky, Severus.”
“He’s ill.”
“He’ll feel better soon enough.”
“He wants to go home.”
Molly waved him off. “Pish posh. I promise you, he will be fine faster than you can blink. Kids are very resilient. They get a bit excited about friends and cake and presents. Overdo things a little.”
Severus had his doubts. Albus had been to more parties in his two years than Severus had been to in his entire forty-eight years. Birthday parties were as banal as a trip to the park for Albus.
“I’d still like to take him home.”
“Nonsense.” Molly lifted the boy into her arms. “We never get to see Ginny’s little ones anymore.”
Severus clenched his hands into fists, unclenched them, and shook them out. Molly headed for the door. Albus peeked back around her arm at Severus before they disappeared back out to the party.
**********
“We will need twice as much Pepper Up as we’d originally ordered. Mrs. Norris and a mouse had a bit of an incident in the storage cupboard.”
“Mrs. Norris?” Severus arched an eyebrow pointedly in Minerva’s direction and smirked.
She tossed a handful of ginger snaps at his head.
He leaned to the left and they thunked against the back of his chair. Severus stood up, brushed biscuit crumbs from his shoulder, and moved over to the other chair in front of her desk. “Very mature.”
“I do believe you started it.”
Fair enough. “The Pepper Up won’t be a problem. I’ll have it to Poppy within the original time parameters.” Severus sipped his tea. “This could have been conveyed through owl though.”
“Perhaps, but then I would not have been able to see your lovely visage.” Severus snorted as Minerva continued, “The Potters have been keeping you busy.”
“The Potter children keep me busy. Potter never rests, therefore, I never see him.”
“I thought you and Harry hired a nanny.”
“He did, but he loathes using her for reasons known only to him. He takes James to his appointments with the Muggle therapist, but that seems to be all he can handle. I am the one at parties, at playdates, at the pediatrician. My name is on their bloody family calendar. ‘Severus—Tax Appointment’ is wedged between ‘Albus—Dragon Pox Jab’ and ‘Potter—Charity Event’. It’s ridiculous. And I’m not even paid for it anymore.” Severus huffed. “I don’t know how I arrived here.”
“Harry and his kids have wormed their way into your little, black heart.”
He grunted, ignoring the coo of agreement from the painting behind Minerva. Severus had crept to the edge of his seat during his rant. He sniffed, straightened his back, and primly scooted his arse back to resettle in his chair.
Minerva said, “So things with you and Harry are going well then. How is the business?”
“Enough to comfortably support myself, if need be.”
“Good. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted too much.”
“I wouldn’t allow it to come to that,” Severus replied, slowly, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. I only mean you’d go around the bend if all you were was Harry Potter’s househusband.”
“I would make a stunning trophy wife, Minerva.”
Minerva chuckled, but what an atrocious thought. The headlines he’d have to endure each day would be enough to put him off his breakfast every morning for the rest of time.
The debt he would owe Potter for lugging his arse through life, for supporting him, caring for him, it would be unimaginable.
He’d never be able to repay the man.
“Keep your head up, Severus. Don’t allow yourself to become lost in this.” Minerva leaned forward. “I do miss you when you don’t come around.”
“I’ll keep that mind.”
**********
Severus rocked the chair forward then back. His leg crossed. His arms full of Lily’s talcum-scented weight. He ran a finger down the length of her nose and her eyes fluttered shut. Severus brushed a knuckle to her cheek, cooed nonsensical things, and willed her to fall asleep.
Her bedroom door was ajar. The sounds of James crashing cars together echoed down the hallway. Albus, still not feeling well, was tucked up in bed, napping.
Lily peeked her eyes open, found Severus’s face, and smiled before her eyes drifted shut once more. Severus’s shoulders tensed.
It was amazing. Unfathomable.
In her mind, she was safe and sound in his arms.
That trust, so misplaced, niggled at Severus.
Helpless and precious, small and so fucking trusting of the man that killed her grandparents, that orphaned her father and made his young life a misery. One day her eyes would turn on him with fire and betrayal, and Severus would pay for those sins all over again.
Her breathing evened out, her arm slipped from her belly and flopped to the side. Out like a light. Severus rose, carefully, and placed her in the atrociously pink cot.
He closed the door, set up the monitoring charms, around Lily’s room and Albus’s both, and walked down the hall to the toy room. James grinned at him. He dropped the cars and bounced over to the door.
“Can we make something special for lunch?”
Severus turned on his heel and made for the stairs. “Special how?”
“Like maybe a hamburger.”
“Perhaps.”
“Yay!”
“But only if you make peas on the side.”
“Okay!”
“And eat them.”
“Alright.”
The day was a bit special. For a Monday. Severus should be working in his lab at Spinner’s End and Lyra should be here, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave Albus when the boy was feeling so poorly. Potter should also be here, but alas. The Wizarding World would fall apart without their Boy Savior at the helm of an Auror squad.
Severus thunked a package of hamburger meat on the counter. James dragged his stool over and climbed up beside Severus. “Can I pick the spices?”
Severus’s taste buds twitched. “Yes.”
James grinned at him again. “I’m glad you’re here, Severus. I like when we cook together.”
“Oh.” Severus’s eyes darted from the boy’s happy face to the red, bleeding square of meat and back again. “Good.”
James hummed a little tune and reached for a jar of oregano.
**********
A picture of Ginevra, one that had very much not been there before, graced the wall beside the family calendar. Dressed in a yellow, flowery sundress, she cheerily waved at Severus. Severus narrowed his eyes, finished making his note about a conference in Berlin the next month, and glanced over his shoulder at Molly Weasley.
“I told Hermione not to bother with the Muggle preschools, but…” Molly lifted her eyebrows in Potter’s direction as she handed him a patterned casserole dish. “Some things have to be learned for yourself, I suppose.”
Potter nodded, popped open a corner of the dish, and sniffed. He hummed appreciatively and said, “G-Ginny said the same thing when I wanted to send Jamie.”
“It makes sense in theory, but then the poor dear child quadruples his share of the biscuits in front of some stunned teacher and well.” She brushed her hands off. “Anyway, I’ve made you a nice noodle dish there. It will help Albus with his little flu, and it’ll be gentle on his stomach. Severus dear, how are you?”
Severus sat down at the kitchen table. “Well.”
“Good, good.” She looked at their calendar. Nodded. “Well, I’m off to the market. Do you boys need anything?”
“No, Molly.” Potter closed the fridge door, the nice noodle dish tucked safely away. “Thanks, but Lyra’s been doing the shopping for us at the end of each week.”
“Oh, yes. I’m sure it’s nice to have a female presence again.”
Potter’s brow furrowed as he sat down beside Severus.
Molly waved her hands and added, “I don’t mean anything by that, of course. Just, well, you know.”
“It’s a bit of an antiquated way of thinking. Severus and I do the shopping sometimes, too.” He squeezed Severus knee under the table. “And Severus is an amazing cook.”
Molly nodded. “I’m just going to run upstairs and kiss the little ones goodbye, then I’ll be out of your hair. Enjoy the rest of your day!”
He and Potter’s eyes met. Potter smiled as he gave Severus’s knee another squeeze. He tilted his head towards the calendar. “Berlin?”
“Yes. I’d rather not miss it. I haven’t been able to attend since before the war.”
The floo whooshed in the sitting room upstairs. Molly was gone. Severus’s shoulders unwound.
“Better go see what the boys are up to.” Potter rose. “And Lily will wake from her nap soon, you think?”
Severus nodded and followed Potter up the stairs to the playroom, the former site of the Black library. Severus was yet to be entirely over the tragic loss, the indignity of its transformation.
“Oh,” Potter sniffed. “Smells nice up here. Like flowers or something.”
Severus’s foot hit the first floor landing and he lifted his nose. It did smell pleasant. Floral. Feminine. “What is that?”
“Molly’s perfume maybe.” Potter shook his head and disappeared through the doorway. He called back. “It’s nice.”
Severus scowled, sniffed. It was not Molly’s perfume. It was something else.
He scanned the shelves of the old Black relics still lining the walls.
A bag of potpourri, maybe. Perhaps, a candle.
His eyes jerked to a halt.
Another smiling Ginevra wiggled her fingers at Severus from the confines of a wooden picture frame.
Severus’s scowl deepened, his lips parted then shut with a grunt. He glanced down the stairs, then back at the playroom doorway. His eyes darted from side-to-side before finally settling back on the picture. Ginevra entwined her fingers together in front of her and shrugged her shoulders.
**********
“Ugh.” Potter, arm thrown over his eyes, sniffed wetly. He coughed, his back lurching off the bed. “I feel bloody awful.”
Severus scrubbed at his hair with a towel before tossing it at the hamper in the corner. “You look contagious.”
Potter made a very rude gesture.
Severus smirked, ran his fingers through his hair, and threw open the doors of their now shared wardrobe.
Potter sat up, wiped his nose. “You’ll still sleep in here with me though, yeah?”
“Well, I’m certainly not sleeping on the couch.” He pulled a sleep shirt over his head. “No potion in the world could fix my back after that.”
Potter’s lips tilted up in the corners. He looked atrocious. Hair a riot. Skin a pale grey-green with the red tinge of fever brightening each cheek. Glassy-eyed. He’d bundled himself up in layers of jumpers but still trembled with chills.
“I think I caught Albus’s cold,” Potter said, needlessly.
Severus arched an eyebrow. He popped back into the bathroom, undid the protection charms on the medicine cabinet, and grabbed a couple vials. Fever potion and a sleep draught. He returned to sit on his side of the bed, back against the headboard. He handed the potions over to Potter then pulled the blankets up over his lap. Potter swigged both of them, banished the vials, and nestled himself up in Severus’s arms.
Severus hugged an arm around his waist, tucking him in close. Potter’s slim body burned through all the layers of clothes between them, heating Severus’s skin. He pressed his lips to the bird’s nest of hair at Potter’s crown. “You’re on fire.”
“Feel terrible,” Potter mumbled against Severus’s chest.
Severus shifted them until they were flat in the bed, Potter still curled around his side. “You need to take better care of yourself.”
Potter coughed, shaking the both of them. Severus carded his fingers through the man’s soft hair. Potter purred and nudged his head against Severus’s palm. “Thank Merlin for you, Severus.”
“Don’t you dare throw up on me.”
Potter huffed a breathy chuckle. Coughed. Severus tightened one arm around the man, and continued to pet him. Potter’s breathing evened out, wet and rough as it was. His chest heaved and struggled, and Severus pressed a hand to the man’s sternum. Counted his heartbeats.
It was just a cold. The flu. The season for it was upon them.
Potter would be fine. Harry would be fine.
Harry’s fingers, curled around Severus’s ribcage, twitched. The public saw Harry Potter as something infinitely strong, infinitely powerful, their hero, but the real Harry was small and vulnerable. Harry Potter was a soft, fleshy mortal like the rest of them. And, for some unfathomable reason, Harry trusted him, Severus Snape. He entrusted his heart and well-being to the man that ruined his life. Harry Potter was a reckless little twit with a penchant for terrible decisions.
Severus ran a finger down the jagged scar on Harry’s forehead. Pink, smooth, cool to the touch now with the fever draught hard at work. He drew the finger down the length of the man’s nose, watched it wrinkle and wriggle. He tilted Harry’s face up, softly kissed his open mouth. Harry hummed, smiled in his sleep. Severus’s heart danced around in his chest. He closed his eyes and held Harry close.
**********
Albus cried. Tears streamed down his fever-bright cheeks. Shining wet with snot, drool, and tears, he buried his face in Severus’s robes and rubbed. Severus closed his eyes with a groan.
“A cold bath, Severus,” Molly said, face circled by flames. “It’ll bring down the fever, even when potions can’t.”
Severus patted Albus’s back. James, leaning over the arm of the sofa, added his hand beside Severus’s. Severus sighed, met Molly’s eyes. “I’m more concerned that the fever has returned.”
“That happens sometimes. It’s likely spread to his ears. Ear infections cause fevers. How is Harry?”
“Sick.”
James plunked himself in front of the sitting room fire. “He hasn’t gotten outta bed all day, Grandma.”
Lyra came around the back of the sofa, damp dish towel in hand, Lily on her hip. She handed it off to Severus then she sat beside him, eyes on Albus.
“Albus.” Severus brushed fingers through his hair. “Look at me, child.”
Albus obeyed and Severus pressed the towel to his forehead. The boy whimpered, but closed his eyes and nuzzled against the cool cloth. Severus held it there while continuing to rub comfortingly between his small shoulder blades.
“I can come through,” Molly said. “Or take Lily and James for the day.”
“No. I have Lyra, Molly. That’s the whole point of her.”
“Well. I don’t know about that.”
“I’m happy to help,” Lyra said. “Cook dinner, stay late,” she caught Severus’s eyes, “if you need. I won’t even charge extra.”
She better not charge extra. Potter already paid her an arm, a leg, and a few toes.
“Alright. Well, promise me you will try the bath.”
Severus and Lyra’s eyes met again. He sighed, nodded, and said, “Yes, Molly. I will bathe the child.”
“Cool water. You don’t want to turn him into an ice lolly, just break the fever. And, Harry—“
“He is a grown man with a cold. He’ll be fine.”
Molly’s lips pursed. “You have the pediatrician’s floo address?”
“I taught the pediatrician Potions in 1989, Molly.”
Lyra tucked her chin, suppressing a chuckle. Severus’s lips twitched in the corners.
Molly said, “Well, I don’t see how that matters.”
Severus pulled the cloth, warm now, from Albus’s forehead. “I know how to reach the pediatrician.”
Albus nestled his face back against Severus, closed his eyes, and settled in. Lyra took the damp towel from him and stood. She hoisted Lily up higher on her waist. “Come, Jamie. Help me run a bath for your brother.”
“You know how to run a bath.”
“But I’ve never run one with lavender bubbles.”
James hopped up, took her hand, and led her from the room.
“She’s lovely with the kids,” Molly said.
Severus held the back of his hand to Albus’s damp forehead. Pressed a curled finger to a round, red cheek.
Molly continued, “You are very lucky.”
“Potter doesn’t think so.”
“Yes, well, Harry wouldn’t.”
Severus’s eyebrows drew together.
“If you are sure, Severus, I will let you go to take care of my boys. Do not hesitate to call if you need me, yes?”
Severus nodded and waved the floo connection shut.
**********
The sun rose on a grey, overcast day the next morning. Severus fetched a snotty Albus from bed, sent a sleepy-eyed James off to entertain a cooing Lily, and returned to he and Potter’s bedroom on the second floor. Potter had slept through their alarm, through Severus’s shower, through the kids shuffling awake over the monitoring charms. The man was on his back, limbs akimbo, mouth open, snoring and wheezing.
Severus sat down at Potter’s hip. The man’s cheeks were still flushed with fever. Sweat glistened on his brow. Severus swept a tangle of dark hair behind a warm ear. He cradled his face in one hand, rubbed a thumb along a stubbly jawline.
“Potter.”
Potter hummed, rolled onto his side, facing Severus.
“Daddy.”Albus pointed. “Daddy asleep.”
Potter’s eyes eased open. He glanced between Albus and Severus in the hazy way he had when he wasn’t wearing his glasses. He smiled, his eyes drifted shut again. Slightly slurred, he croaked out, “Morning.”
“How are you feeling?”
Potter squeezed his eyes shut until his forehead wrinkled, swallowed loudly, and licked his lips. “A bit better.”
“Albus needs to go to St. Mungo’s.”
“What?” Potter sat up, wincing. “What’s wrong?”
“The fever is back. I’ve done potions, cold baths. He’s been up half the night.”
“Did you call Dr. Warner?”
“Yes. She thinks its an ear infection.”
“Right. Yeah. That’s a simple enough fix, right?” Potter took Albus from him. He pressed their cheeks together. “Do you feel bad, Al?”
Albus nodded. “You feel bad too, daddy?”
“I’m alright.” Potter forced a smile for his son.
Severus lifted an eyebrow, but did not contradict Potter. “The appointment with Warner is at ten.”
“Alright. Good.” He pressed a kiss to Albus’s brow. “The doctor’s going to heal you right up, Al. Right as rain in no time. Speaking of.” He searched around the side table for his glasses. “What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty. You have plenty of time to shower and have breakfast before you go.”
“What?” Potter passed Albus back over to him. “No, I have to be at work by nine.”
“Work?”
Potter slid out of bed and walked over to the en suite before looking back at Severus. “Yeah. It is Monday, isn’t it?”
“You are ill.”
“The very reason they invented Pepper Up.”
“So that one day you could play the martyr?”
Potter rolled his eyes and disappeared through the door. Severus stood, marched over, and planted himself at the threshold as Potter banished an newly-empty potion vial. The man met his eyes in the mirror and reached for his toothbrush.
Severus said, “The people at Mungo’s dislike when I bring the children in. They are rude and dismissive and the children do not receive the care they deserve.”
Potter spit paste into the sink, ran the water, and met his eyes in the mirror again. “That’s never stopped you from getting things done before.”
“Take the fu—“ Severus closed his eyes, inhaled. Tightened his hold around Albus. “Take a sick day, Potter. The world will continue to spin if you don’t run around playing Auror for one day.”
“Playing Auror?” Potter pushed past him towards the wardrobe, covering a phlegmy cough with the back of his hand. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just insult me like that. Severus, I have to work.”
“So do I.”
Potter swung his red Auror robe over his shoulders, tugged his arms through each hole. “Please, Severus. I’ll call the office. I’ll tell them you are acting as guardian.”
“I’m already listed as a guardian in their file. The fact that I am, indeed, not their guardian is not the problem the staff has with me.”
“I know. Look. It’ll be fine. Warner will look at his ears, confirm what he thinks, and prescribe a potion. You’ll ignore the prescription and brew it yourself.” Potter gave a half-smile. One that quickly dropped when it encountered Severus’s sour humor. Potter sighed, sniffed, and began to button the robes closed. “Have Molly take him, then. Problem solved.”
Severus’s mouth pinched into a thin line. He shifted Albus to his other side. He hoisted him up higher. The boy hugged his arms around Severus’s neck and coughed a millimeter away from his ear drum.
Molly would do it, too, if he asked. Everyone bent to Potter’s whims, his demands. Whatever Potter wanted, Potter received.
The world was the boy’s oyster.
It didn’t matter that Severus had a stack of potion orders piling up. That just because he could withstand the hateful looks of the Mungo’s staff meant that he wanted to.
Potter’s shoulders were too full, his head too far up his arse, to accommodate such mundanities as the needs of others. And people thought Severus stunted. But it was ridiculous of Severus to want or expect more from Potter than the man could give.
Severus should know better. He should know much better.
Men like him would never come first, or second, or even tenth, in men like Potter’s lives.
“Fine,” Severus said, letting his features go blank. “They are your children. It will be as you wish.”
“Don’t be like that. You know I don’t mean anything by asking Molly to help.”
That didn’t mean it didn’t irk Severus. “You have a nanny.”
“Lyra can stay here with Jamie and Lily. I assume that’s who is with them right now.”
“Look at you.” Severus sneered, wanting Potter to feel the sting of the same lacking Severus felt. “You don’t even know.”
Potter’s jaw flexed, his Adam’s apple bobbed. “I can’t know what they are doing every second.”
“Of course not.”
His eyes darted over Severus’s face. He rolled his shoulders back. “I have to go.”
Severus shrugged and let him leave.