Chapter Text
24 year old Harlan Potter-Black smiles as he watches his 3 year old Godson, Teddy Lupin-Black, run around with the Weasley Twins, Rose and Hugo, both 4. He looks up as one of his best friends, Ronald Weasley, sits down next to him, handing him a beer, “Thanks mate.” He says, smiling. He smiles back and they turn to watch the kids. It’s been a year after the war and everything went along just fine. They found out Sirius Black hadn’t actually died and that Teddy was actually his and Remus’ son, not Tonks’. Remus had survived, but, Tonks hadn’t, Dumbledore was never killed by Snape and said Potions Guru survived the war and was forced to live with his parents, Lord and Lady Snape.
The Malfoy’s were actually spies, the same with Bellatrix LeStrange, who, contrary to popular belief, was never insane. She took a Potion to make her appear to be insane, whereas her so called husbands were founded to have beaten and raped her multitudes of times, which had made nearly everyone in society angry. Unfortunately for Snape, though, he is still ridiculed by society and often slandered because of the first war.
Now, though, Harry and Ron are enjoying a few beers while watching the kids while Hermione, Remus and Sirius are at a conference to do with Hermione’s job. Harry laughs when Rose jumps up on her dad’s lap and pulls his fiery hair. Ron winces and disentangles his daughters hand from his red locks and begins to tickle her, just as the floo flares and outsteps Albus Dumbledore, his expression grave. Harry and Ron are instantly on alert and the Saviour stands, walking over to the trembling Headmaster and hugging him close, “Albus, what’s wrong…?” Said Headmaster takes a deep breath before pulling away slightly, looking up at the young man he sees as a son, “Have you seen the midday Prophet?” They shake their heads and he hands his surrogate son said Wizarding paper.
Harry takes it and gasps upon seeing the front page headline;
Former Professor Severus Snape and youngest adult child of the Snape Family up for Courtship
Lord Thadius Snape and his wife, Lady Lucetta Snape, announced today that they were putting their youngest son, Severus Snape, up for Courting. They say that seeing as he’s a worthless Death Eater, people should choose if they want to have him or not; even for just a useless bang.
Lady Snape has commented that they don’t care who Courts him, as long as they don’t have to see him ever again. They want nothing to do with him and have decided that, if by the end of the year, he hasn’t had a single suitor, they will sell him to a Brothel. They aren’t expecting many takers, and say that if there’s even one, they’ll have to acknowledge that their good for nothing son is worth more than a speck of dirt.
If anyone is interested, contact Lord Snape via Owl Post.
This is Agatha Merman singing off.
Courting Ritual’s Accepted: pg. 8
Harry swallows down his rage and shoves the paper into Ron’s hand, who quickly skims it and scowls after a few minutes, “That’s barbaric…” He whispers, outraged. Harry nods and hugs Albus again, knowing how hard this will be for the older male, who thinks of Severus as a son, “What’s been going on with him Albus?” Said Headmaster takes a breath and sighs before sitting down heavily in a chair, Harry following suit.
“Severus was fired after the trials because, due to new laws, he wasn’t allowed to be hired. I didn’t want to let him go, but, I had to… He understood and I allowed him to live at Dumbledore Cottage on the outskirts of Sussex for a few months before he was kicked out by Aberforth. Afterwards, he lived with the Malfoy’s for a time, but, was kicked out of there too, by none other than Astoria Greengrass, Draco Malfoy’s now ex-wife.” Here, he pauses and turns to Harry after hearing an angry outburst, “It’s Lord and Lady Malfoy’s house! They could’ve overruled her!” He exclaims and Ron shakes his head, “She was the new Lady Malfoy, seeing as Lucius stepped down and gave the Lordship to his son, Draco.”
Harry sighs and gestures for Albus to go on, “He went back to his shabby house at Spinner’s End and lived there for a month before being forced to move back into Snapdragon Manor; his families Ancestral Home and where he currently resides. His parents have provided for him, which is the reason why he’s their only Human House-Elf. I’ve tried to see him numerous times, but, they haven’t let me or the Malfoy’s anywhere near him. Not even Bella…”
Harry nods thoughtfully before asking, “What entails in a Courting?” Albus steeples his fingers together before replying, his tone thoughtful, “Order pends which one you’re referring to.” Harry glares at him and he smiles slightly, “Why are you asking Harry?” He asks and said young man smiles slyly, his Slytherin side coming out to play, “You’ll see Al, you’ll see…” Ron glares at him and Albus rolls his eyes, while Harry just smirks and stands before exiting via floo.
*****
Severus Thadius Snape sighs forlornly as he listens to his sister’s-Agnes Parkinson, Pansy Parkinson’s mother-bragging about her wealthy, influential and handsome husband, “And Dicky is taking Pansy, me, our brother Dermit and his wife Celia, their daughters Kara and Madison, Leona and her husband, Demetrius Greengrass and their daughter’s, Daphne and Astoria to Fiji for the holidays. So sorry you can’t come brother dearest…” She smirks in his direction and he sneers before standing and exiting the Library, his book in his hand. He arrives at his rooms and enters, to find his nieces; Pansy Parkinson, Kara and Madison Snape, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, waiting for him.
He smiles a watery smile before sitting down before breaking down in tears. His nieces rush to him and hold him close, and if they can’t hug him they either stroke his hair or back or just hold his hand. He continues to sob for a few minutes, before calming down and sagging against Pansy. She kisses his slightly greasy hair, noticing she’s going to have to get him to wash it again; seeing as his parents-their ‘Grandparents’-never taught him proper personal hygiene. She sighs sadly and grabs his book and begins to read aloud, unbeknownst to them that a certain green eyed young man will save them all.
*****
An hour later sees Severus dressed in black, ripped and stained jeans, same-in-condition-shirt and worn boots, scrubbing the parlour clean for their mysterious guest, when suddenly, there’s a knock from the front door. He stands-groaning in pain with his protesting back-and hurries to answer the door. When he does, he nearly keens over in fear and shock, “P-Potter…” He stammers fearfully and said Potter looks at him coldly, “It’s Lord Potter-Black to you, Snape.” He says coldly and Severus gulps, looking down, missing the guilty, worried and concerned look Lord Potter gives him. He shows the young Lord in, his 5’10” frame small compared to Harlan’s 6’1” build. He shows him into the newly cleaned parlour and offers him a drink.
Lord Potter-Black thanks him and asks him for a Riesling. Severus hurries out of the parlour-after vanishing his cleaning supplies-and quickly calls his assistant House-Elf, Simmons, to him and telling him what Harlan wants. He rushes up the flight of stairs and turns left, heading down the corridor to the very end, where he knocks on his father’s study door. He enters and bows, before righting himself and announcing their guests arrival. They smile happily-looks more like a Hyena smiling-and order him to dress in his finest robes; which are his least torn and stained teaching robes.
He does so as they head down and once in his rooms he dresses, washes his hands and face, brushes his hair and ties it at the nape of his neck. He turns to look at himself in the mirror and swallows nervously, quickly turning away before he becomes upset at his ugly appearance; hooked nose from being broken by his father numerous amount of times, lanky and greasy hair, shallow skin and too thin body. He rushes out of his rooms and bumps into his eldest niece, Pansy, “Uncle Sev… Where are you off to in a rush…?”
He swallows nervously and tells her about their guest, and, to his surprise, her face lights up, “He came…” She whispers and smiles before tearing down the corridor and then the staircase, leaving behind a very confused Severus. He arrives minutes later to find Pansy sitting coldly next to Lord Potter-Black, not really understanding what’s going on. He sits in an armchair away from his parents, trying not to show any emotion, but failing miserably, his fear, trepidation and hopelessness shining through.
Lucetta, Thadius, Pansy and Harlan talk politely to one another while they wait for the others to arrive; which, after ten minutes, they do. Lucius, Nacrissa and Draco Malfoy, Agnes and Richard Parkinson, Dermit, Celia, Kara and Madison Snape, Leona, Demetrius, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass and Hermione and Ronald Weasley arrive. They all sit down-the Weasley’s next to Lord Potter-Black, with said young man turning serious, “The reason why I have asked for an audience with you all today is because I would like to ask for Severus’ hand in Courtship.”
The Snape’s and their added families gasp, with Pansy sending a discreet wink at Harlan. He smiles slightly back before obtaining his impassive mask again, “Are-are you sure Lord Potter-Black? We know he’s not much to look at and that he’s quite… disgusting… so why would you want to Court him?” Lucetta asks flirtatiously. Harlan smiles tightly and coldly, before replying, tilting his head to the side slightly, “It’s not a means of looks, more of Heir’s… I’m completely gay, you see, and find myself in need of someone to carry an Heir for me…” Lucetta and the others-minus the children-if you looked closely-and Severus-‘smile’ in delight. A shiver runs up Severus’ spine, the feeling not good. He swallows nervously and continues to listen, knowing in his heart’s heart that there’s no-way out.
He sits back slightly and sighs sadly, before tuning back into the conversation, “Of course my Lord… We have the Courting Ritual picked out and-” She’s interrupted by Hermione, who is Harlan’s Lawyer, “I’m sorry my Lady, but, we have a Courting Ritual picked out.” She hands them said document and sits back, smirking slightly. They take a look at it and their eyes widen;
The Papilio Courting Ritual
The above mentioned Courting Ritual is as follows, and must be followed to the correct decorum;
Stage 1: Permission from the Parents/Guardians of the Courtier.
Stage 2: Formal Introduction within a Formal Setting; must be a whole Family dinner. (At least 2).
Stage 3: Immediate Family get together; must either be a family picnic or day out. (Family must attend or the Courtship will be prosecuted).
Stage 4: Chaperoned 1 on 1 dates. (At least 4)
Stage 5: Vacation with chosen ‘chaperones’.
Stage 6: Proposal and Marriage.
Note* In-between all stages, the Courter must give gifts to the Courtier.
Lucetta’s and her husbands, Thadius’, eyes widen at the Courting Ritual, the one they had picked seeming pathetic compared to this one. They raise their heads simultaneously and stare at the three people in front of them before looking back at the parchment. They talk quietly for a few minutes before nodding and signing, not knowing what they’re getting themselves into. Harlan, Ron and Hermione smirk maliciously, while Pansy hides a smile behind her hand. Severus takes a breath before looking over at the two Weasley’s and one Lord, before startling when warm, jade green eyes land on him, their worry and concern for him showing through. He gulps, surprised, before turning to see his eldest niece smiling softly at him and giving a discreet nod in return. He sighs and nods discreetly back, waiting to see what Mother Fate and Mother Magic has in store for him this time.
*****
Half an hour later sees Harlan, Thadius, Lucetta and Hermione going over the finer details while Ron, Pansy, Severus and his nieces-Draco isn’t allowed to see him due to a ban from his ‘Grandmother’-sit and talk amongst themselves; okay, while Ron and his niece-not that they know-Pansy talk, “Is he really doing this for Uncle Sev?” Ron smiles at her and she smiles back, knowing her other Uncle is in safe hands, “I knew it…” She whispers and Ron chuckles. They stand when the parlour doors open, to find Harlan storming out with a thunderous look on his face and Hermione scowling maliciously. Pansy looks at Ron in confusion and he shrugs, confused as well.
“Ron, we’re leaving… I just had an owl stating that Teddy’s hurt himself while under his Great Aunt’s watch while Sirius and Remus went to St. Mungos to check on Minerva’s progress.” Harlan growls and Severus gasps, concerned, “Is Teddy oaky? And when was Minerva injured…?” He asks and Harlan shakes his head, “They don’t know if he’ll be alright, and, no, she’s just ill. Would you like to see her?” Severus nods and grabs his coat while Harlan, Hermione and Ron talk, “How badly injured is Teddy?” Ron asks and Harlan sighs before replying, “He fell and hit his head on the corner of the coffee table because Andromeda didn’t have the brains to stop him from running in circles. He stopped, tried to walk, was too dizzy and tripped, thus hitting his head on the corner of the coffee table. He’s now in the ICU at St. Mungos. They don’t know if he’ll make it. When I get there I am going to blow a gasket at that despicable, hopeless woman! Third time this week, eighth time in two, and tenth time this month!” Harlan growls, “No wonder Remus and Sirius are reluctant to leave him alone with her!”
Hermione pats his back and he takes a breath before wrapping an arm around Severus’ too-thin-waist-frowning and making a mental note to fix that later-and Apparates to St. Mungos, Hermione and Ron trailing after.
*****
They arrive just inside the Entrance Hall of St. Mungos and head straight for the ICU, where they find Remus, Sirius, Andromeda, Albus, Molly, Rose, Hugo, Arthur, Bill, Fleur and Charlie waiting in the waiting room outside of Teddy’s personal room. Harlan sighs as he sees Remus sobbing into Sirius’ chest and Andromeda trying to help sooth him. Harry snaps at the sight and strides up to her, before she stands and begins to explain, but he’s had enough, “How dim-witted are you? Remus, Sirius and I have trusted you with my Godson, their son, and you’ve allowed him to be hurt 21 times this past month? He is a little boy by the age of 3, and his dim-witted, dunderhead, idiot of a Great Aunt has allowed this to happen. As Lord Potter-Black, I hereby renounce all seeing rights to Theonis Harlan Lupin-Black. So mote it be.” His voice is soft and rage-filled, and there’s a white line of magic thread between Andromeda and Harry, before it snaps; the same happening between Sirius and Andromeda, and then Remus and Andromeda. She begins to sob before she suddenly disappears.
Harry snarls and Hermione quickly hugs him around the waist, not seeing the worried, concerned and slightly jealous look on Severus’ face; but, surprisingly, Ron does, “Mione… Let Severus do that…” He murmurs to her on his way over to Remus and Sirius. She pulls away, kisses Harry’s cheek and heads over to her husband and honorary father’s. Severus takes a breath before approaching Harry warily, tapping him on the shoulder once he’s behind him. Harry turns around slowly from the looking glass and wraps his arms around Severus, sighing when long, thin arms wrap around his waist and they stay like that for a time before Harry pulls away and brushes a lock of greasy, raven hair behind a pale ear, “How about I take you to see Minerva? I know she’s been asking for you…” Severus hesitates and looks to Sirius and Remus, who smile and nod, indicating he should go. He nods himself and Harry takes his hand and leads the way.
*****
They arrive at Minerva’s personal room and knock on the door. She looks up from the comfortable armchair she’s sitting in by the window, and her sickly pale face lights up when she sees Severus, “Severus! Oh my, how good it is to see you!” She opens her arms and he rushes into them, being drawn into the woman’s lap. He snuggles close and Harry smiles slightly, “I’ll see you later Severus. Your sister, Celia, is coming to talk to Minerva before she takes you home. Due to the Courting Ritual, I can’t really be alone with you… I’ll contact you sometime this week, okay?” Severus nods, slightly nervous, and watches with sadness as Harry smiles before leaving.
He snuggles closer to Minerva and she sighs, “How come he’s Courting you honey? Are you together or something?” She smiles slightly his way and he shakes his head, watching as Minerva’s smile fades and she frowns in concern, her hold tightening, “Explain please dear…” She murmurs and he tells her all about what had transpired during the day. Once she was up to date with everything, she was shocked and angry; but not with Harry. She knew why he was doing this and it had nothing to do with his ‘saving people thing’ as all of his friends fondly call it. She knew her surrogate son is in good hands, but, that didn’t stop her from wanting to maim Severus’ parents, sister’s, brother, and family-in-law’s.
She looks down to find Severus sound asleep and she smiles softly, He’ll always be my little Sevvie… She kisses his brow and grabs the blanket from behind her on the armchair, before wrapping it around them both and picking up her book and reading silently. She looks down every few minutes to make sure he’s okay, but, that afternoon was relatively quiet.