Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Students whispered and muttered. Information spread. Questions asked. Details provided. People pointed at. Nods given.

And through it all, Joseph Woodard remained adamant. He had seen what he had seen. He had heard what he had heard. And he offered a visit to a seventh floor room and a pensieve for any who doubted him. No one really did, but what he said was… unprecedented.

At least where the Headmaster was concerned.

Up at the staff dais, it was a similar situation. Staff and guest were all abuzz with the afternoon’s events. Some were stunned at Snape’s actions. Some were stunned at the result of the game and that final catch. Some were stunned at the knowledge of some of the guests identities.

All were stunned at the display that the youngest Professor has put on.

Everyone, students, staff and guest were wondering where the Headmaster, Professor Rowan-ash and Professor Weasley were and if they actually planned on attending the feast.

Only a few minutes before the feast was due to begin, the massive doors of the Great Hall swung open. The three men at the centre of speculation entered.

Silence rang supreme.

Yes, Professor Weasley held Professor Rowan-ash’s had, just at they did whenever the two men were together. But tonight…? Professor Snape’s hand rested gently on Professor Rowan-ash’s shoulder as he directed the two younger men. And to make matters worse? Professor McGonagall was smiling at them. Not her usual pursed-moth smile, but a soft-face gentle, almost maternal smile.

It worried quite a few of the older students.

But the three men paid little attention, they strolled the length of the Hall and climbed the few steps to get to the staff dais. Raven cast a brief smile over his shoulder at Snape as he and Charlie went in one direction, while Snape went in the other.

As Raven passed the Longbottom’s, a hand reached out and snagged Raven’s robes, pulling him to a halt.

“Professor?” Alice Longbottom’s voice was still soft and gentle.

“Mrs Longbottom.” Raven replied.

“Thank you, N-Neville told us about what you offered. I would like to meet your dragons.” She said.

“Me, too.” Frank Longbottom’s voice was rough and cracked, but like his wife’s it was also very gentle.

“I would be delighted to introduce Opal to you. Perhaps, over the weekend. Give us all a chance to recover from today’s excitement?”

“Yes, please.” Alice whispered.

Raven bowed and continued to his usual seat between Remus and Charlie.

“What was that all about?” Remus asked.

“I asked Nev, earlier today if his parents were allowed pets. I though that maybe one of Opal’s babies might take a liking to them.” Raven replied.

“Oh… that might work.” The werewolf admitted.

“I hope so, anyway.” Raven stated.

Snape stood and waited patiently for students to turn their attention his way.

“While I know that today is not the… traditional… last night of term, this year has had some… disturbances… and I know that we are all pleased that those… disturbances… are at an end. We have had… additions… to our faculty and many students are… pleased… with those additions. I… and my staff… are also pleased with those additions.” Snape paused and let his words sink in. “While tonight is not… the end of term… there will be no classes tomorrow. Tomorrow… we will have yet more guests… for the first of what I hope to yearly events. Tomorrow… Hogwarts is to host… a Duelling exhibition. We have duels scheduled… from 9am, through to 5pm. All levels are welcome, students included. However… Students under 17 will only be permitted to compete against other students… regardless of parental permissions. Until the Hogwarts Express leaves on Saturday morning, you are still my responsibility and thus under my judgement.”

A whisper of anticipation flowed through the students.

“Professors Flitwick and Rowan-ash will assess all students and determine their… competition level. Students are reminded that as classes are… dismissed, uniforms are no longer required… but good manners are. Professors Lupin, Weasley, McGonagall and Babbling will be available from 7am… here in the Hall… for any student that wishes to register their names… registration will cease at 8.30am.”

More whispers and many nodding heads.

“Today has been a good day. We have all enjoyed it. I would have that continue.”

He snapped his fingers as he said the word ‘continue’ platters popped into being, spread out across the tables. Cold meats, roast meats, sausages, vegetables, cheeses, breads, rolls, sauces, soups, salads, fruits and pastries. Luscious foods and simple dishes. Rich gravies and clear broths. A selection that had mouths watering.

Remus leaned in close to Raven.

“What made you late? Sn-Severus?” Sometimes his tongue started to say things he didn’t want it to.

“Nope. Charlie decided to have a last-minute snooze.” Raven answered.

“So why is his hair wet, then?” Remus’ curiosity got the better of him.

“Mr Woodard popped into my office with a couple of questions from students, Severus popped in and helped answer those. But when we went upstairs, Charlie was stretched out on the sofa, snoring up a storm.”

Remus winced at the image. He knew Raven had wanted to talk to Alice and Frank before dinner. Now, thanks to Charlie…?

“Yeah, not nice, that. But Sev had a marvellous idea…” Raven’s wicked little smirk made Remus raise an eyebrow.

“Bloody pests, the pair of them.” Charlie muttered on the other side of Raven.

“What did they do?” Remus had first-hand knowledge of Snape’s retaliation skills.

“Aguamenti. They both used Aguamenti on me.” Charlie pouted.

“Consider yourself lucky. I ran afoul of Severus in 2nd year. Rictusempra, but he set a time limit on it. 10 minutes.” Raven chuckled at Remus’ sour tone. “Oh, you can laugh, brat, but I was almost unconscious at the end. I couldn’t breath properly for days, every deep breath felt like bludgers to the ribs. Mind you… he got Malfoy one better, in his 1^st year, slipped a Lumos from his wand to Malfoy’s, but because it come from Severus’ wand, his wand had to cancel it. Malfoy was stuck like that for an entire weekend, after he landed Severus in the hospital wing for three days. Beautiful.” Remus’ expression was fond.

Charlie and Raven looked at him and shook their heads in amusement.

“Rowan-ash.” A voice said at Raven’s shoulder.

When he turned he saw Draco Malfoy standing there, with one of the Greengrass daughters.

“Draco Malfoy.” Raven’s voice was polite and slightly warm. “I did say you could use my name, didn’t I?” He added.

“You did.” Draco replied. “I would like you to meet my fiancé, Astoria Greengrass. Astoria, my dear, Raven Rowan-ash was one of Sev’s private students.”

“Oh, that explains much. Delighted to meet you, Professor Rowan-ash.” The black-haired witch said.

“Please, Raven. Rowan-ash is such a mouthful at times. Raven is far easier.” He smiled.

Astoria matched his smile and looped her arm through Draco’s, leaning slightly on the blonde man.

“That was a spectacular display today.” She said.

“It really was.” Draco mused. “You know, I was Slytherin seeker against Potter and I thought he could fly. I doubt he could have done what you did today. I mean… I saw him ride the beast, but never fly with him on a broom.” He paused. “I never knew one could fly with them, until you and Charles told us about the game. But rest assured, Astoria, it is not something I plan on trying.” He smiled at the young woman at his side.

“Good.” Was all she said.

“Your loss.” Raven grinned.

“No. definitely not.” Draco corrected.

The couple stayed and chatted with Raven, Charlie and Remus for a few more minutes, before making their way through the Hall and into the courtyard.

"What was that with your parents, Neville? Did they recognise Raven?" Hermione asked, leaning in to talk to the other apprentice.

"I wondered that, too, but no. Mum thinks that he's got a beautiful smile and he reminds her of her cousin, Michael. Dad thinks he's a cheeky sod, but has a heart of gold, for offering to see if one of Opal's babies likes them." Neville replied.

"Oh, that's good."

"Yeah. I hope one of them does like them. Raven says that we can teach them the parseltongue charm, so they can talk to the little one. And Severus says that over the summer, Mum and Dad can come here and re-learn how to use their magic. The healers are really pleased with their progress and think that they won't need any more treatments. The rest is just a case of how far they will push themselves."

"We'll help them as much as they want, Neville." Hermione offered.

In the centre of the staff table Snape was talking with McGonagall and Flitwick.

“Severus?” McGonagall started. “Please tell me that you’ve convinced Raven and Charles to stay?”

“Oh, yes.” Flitwick added. “That would grand.”

“They are. Raven assures me that both of them consider the castle home and even went as far as to say that they would fight to stay here.”

Both McGonagall and Flitwick sighed in relief.

“That is good new, Severus. I worried that they might find the last few weeks difficult.” The witch said.

“No, Minerva. Raven and Charles will be staying. Remus? I’m not completely certain of. He has voiced a hesitation to teach his own children and while I am not a parent, I can understand it, in theory. Neville suggested that a solution might be to increase staff numbers and decrease class sizes.”

“It would create a distance between them. Allow Remus to be a parent, not a teacher. Same for the Weasley’s.” Flitwick mused.

“And for Raven and Charles when they decide to have children.” Snape added.

“They plan on children?” McGonagall asked.

“Oh, yes. Raven raised the subject sometime ago and said they would, when the time is right. I queried about adoption and was told that Gringotts have a better procedure. It takes genetic material from both wizards and with it, impregnate a witch, but only if she volunteered. After the child is born, the witch’s genetic material is removed from the child, leaving only that of the two wizards. He did say that it wouldn’t work in reverse… for two witches. Something to do with female genetics being more traceable than males. And Miss Lovegood has already stated that she intends to carry their child.”

“Goodness.” McGonagall said.

“I wasn’t quite so… polite when they told me.” Snape muttered. “But as Raven reminded me, he is Head of House for the Rowan-ash Family. He does at some point need an heir. And while there are more than enough Weasley’s to go around, he is the sole member of his bloodline.”

“Did he say when they’re likely to do this, Severus?” McGonagall asked.

“No, but he assured me, that they would inform me before they started the procedure and that regardless, they would see that the child is born during summer break and that they would employ a nanny to care for the children when Raven or Charles must be in class. By that time, it’s possible that theirs might not be the only children being tended, here. After all Hermione and Mr Weasley are to wed next month and Neville and Miss Abbott are planning a Yule wedding.”

“Oh, yes, I had forgotten that.” McGonagall smiled fondly.

“Severus? Do you know…? There was a pool going, on Hermione and Fred.” Flitwick said. “I had heard that people were wagering on when she would inform him that they were getting married. What was the result?”

Snape smirked.

“I always wondered about the twins, I felt they would have done well in Slytherin.” He replied.

“What does that have to do with the wagers?” McGonagall asked.

“Everyone was wagering on when Hermione would tire of their… courtship. But did anyone think that it might be Mr Weasley that would take action? No, they didn’t.”

“Fred?”

“Indeed, Filius. We all seem to forget that both twins have brilliant minds. He knew exactly what was going on and I now wonder, just how much of it he planned.”

“Fred?” Flitwick asked for a second time.

“Fred.” Snape stated. “I don’t know the details, but Charles was stunned, he said that Fredicus even caught Hermione by surprise. Dinner, romance, ring, the whole cauldron’s worth.”

“Fred?” Flitwick couldn’t get his head around it.

“You’re fond of Raven, aren’t you, Severus?” McGonagall asked.

“I’ve always been fond of him.” Severus paused, humming. “I think… he is the closest I will come to a son.”

“He looks up to you.” McGonagall added.

“He does.” Snape acknowledged.

“Family doesn’t always have to share blood, you do know that? The family you chose can be stronger than the one you are born into.” Flitwick told them both.

“Yes.” Snape admitted. “And he is my family.”

“And this is our home.” Raven added as he wandered passed, heading for Hermione.

“It is.” Snape agreed.

Both men exchanged smiles.

A family to love and a home to live in?

Life in Hogwarts was going to suit them just fine.