Chapter Text
Chapter 21
Harry giggled at the funny story his Aba Chelles was telling him. She always had neat things to tell him about Goblins and family. His daddy had told him his Aba had told him where to find his train in Paris and he’d hugged her very hard when he saw her at Yule. ‘Cause the train was the bestest gift he had ever gotten.
The feeling over his bond with his daddy was one of tension but then there was so much relief, he wanted to laugh out loud. He smiled, his daddy was the bravest man ever and he deserved to be happy. Now, if he’d only come down to take him to where the big snake was, he’d be really happy, too.
The mirror chimed and Aba Chelles answered it. The news was good, he could tell, even though it was in the goblin language. He was learning new words every time he visited so soon he’d be able to talk to all his goblin friends in their own language. That was fun, too.
“Your father is coming down in a few minutes, Harry. The world is a safer place for the rituals enacted today. Thank Gaia.” She said and hugged him.
He hugged back. “We need mowe biscuits. Daddy weally wikes your bwownies.”
“Then it is a good thing I baked last night.” Aba Chelles smiled at him.
“Vewy good.” Harry told her.
They got tea on the table and some of the dark chocolate brownies they all liked. Daddy came in with a soft knock on the door. Aba hugged him and said something too low for him to hear. His daddy just nodded but the look of peace on his face was what their bond felt like so everything was okay.
“Hi, Daddy. You meeting go okay?” Harry asked when he got his own hug.
“It went very well, Harry. I’ve been afraid for some time but the goblins and the Ministry put my fears to rest today. The whole world is a much safer place to be now.” He told him, then his eyes lit up. “Oh, you have brownies.”
Aba Chelles laughed and motioned them to the table. They ate and drank before Daddy said their goodbyes, because they were going to go visit Nagini. They walked down a long tunnel almost like they were going in the carts down to the vaults but not quite. Harry hadn’t been down this way before so he paid careful attention to their route. His daddy told him explorers always made sure they could back track to where they started.
That just made sense to Harry. You always wanted to go home after you explored. It was getting warmer, the deeper they went. Occasionally, a goblin passed by with a nod. Harry waved at each one. He liked the goblins but he wouldn’t want to live underground all the time like they did. He would really, really miss the sunshine.
At last they came to a big cavern where digging was going on. Harry asked what they were digging for and his daddy told him, they dug for gems and also new burrows for them to live in. It would always be nice and warm down here, he thought. Just then, he saw a snake. A really, really big green snake coming towards them.
//Greetings, Speaker.// The snake said.
//Greetings, Nagini. This is my son, Harry. He would like to meet you//. His daddy said.
//Hello, Nagini.// Harry waved at her.
The big green snake reared up to flick her tongue against his cheek which made him giggle. //Hello, little one. You speak very well for someone so young//.
//I like snakes a lot. Do you like it here, in the mines//? Harry asked while petting her smooth scales.
//It is warm and there are many rats to eat. I miss seeing the sun but when it is winter, it is better to be inside a heated place//. She nodded. //Speaker, I felt my master depart this plane. He will not be back//?
//He will not be back. There is much rejoicing Above. You do not need to fear his anger ever again//. His daddy said with joy in his voice. //When it gets warmer, would you like to visit our home Above//?
//Yes, I would enjoy that. But now, I go to hunt. Thank you for visiting//. She laid down flat and began to slither away.
//Bye, Nagini//. Harry waved at her and she waved her tail at them.
“Well, that was fun. Now let’s go home. I have some potions to make this afternoon.” His daddy picked him up and hugged him close. They began the long walk back Above. Harry rested his head on his shoulder and yawned. Maybe a nap would be good until they got there.
***
The day after Voldemort and his horcruxes were banished to Hel, some unintended consequences became known. Everyone wearing the dark mark died in their sleep. Elder Mellic thought the mark had still connected them to the Dark Lord and in that moment when he almost became solid again, he pulled on the mark, thus killing them.
Regina was now a widow rather than an almost divorcee. Which brought up the fates of other widows and children. Narcissa Malfoy, Beatrice Greengrass, and Regina Nott became a visiting trio to ascertain what was needed with each one. Several of the more affluent former Death Eaters created a fund to help the women to transition to a job or more education. Victoria Crabbe and Seraphina Goyle decided to move into together to halve expenses. They chose the Crabbe house to live in and put the Goyle property into stasis for when Heir Gregory grew up to decide what to do with it.
With Colletta Bulstrode, they opened a tea shop in Diagon Alley. It was a Stewart property and Severus rented it to them for a galleon a year for their first five years. They would have made a go of it by then or failed. But he thought it would be a success. The ladies were motivated to succeed on their own. The upstairs apartment, became all three’s home and a child care center for their children. Whoever wasn’t cooking or waitressing that day, took care of the little ones.
Since the Bulstrode Estate had been falling down around their ears and it bordered on Potter castle land, the Potter estate bought it for five thousand galleons. Severus put the money in the Potter vault and promptly hired the goblins to include it in the wards which protected the Castle. The werewolf packs took a good look at the place and decided to rehabilitate the house for another pack which had requested sanctuary.
When the new pack arrived from Ireland, they found sawdust everywhere but also light and airy rooms which were water tight and had working fireplaces. They had no sooner settled in then two of the mothers gave birth. Severus and Harry visited to welcome them and Harry was fascinated by the baby cubs. Which led to a nervous rather vague explanation about where the cubs came from.
He thought he’d have a few years before having to explain child birth, although now that Narcissa was showing her pregnancy, some questions were being asked. She’d laughed at him when he panicked at those questions but magnanimously volunteered to answer them from the children in their group. Yes, he was a wimp and he didn’t even want to think about the girl/boy or boy/boy questions which were coming many, many years down the road.
Maybe he’d make Sirius answer those questions. He was the other godfather so he should do that.
Severus’ schedule had gotten busier after the defeat of Voldemort. The Wizengamot work had ramped up headed for the trial of Dumbledore. He was still a threat and Severus didn’t want to completely let his guard down until he was safely locked away in Azkaban. People were still going in to have their cores checked and inheritance tests done.
Gringotts was a bee hive of activity and the curse breakers were extremely busy. Every time Severus dropped in, Ragnok was smiling. Brexit had taken on the publishing side of Ravenclaw Castle and the profits were beginning to pile up. The books copied and sold were best sellers, even though some of them were thousands of years old. Mr. Botts from Flourish & Botts was giddy with all the new titles coming in.
Every time Severus went into the bookstore, mainly to find new books to read to Harry, the owner came out and shook his hand. Yesterday, he had diffidently asked if he might be able to visit Ravenclaw Castle and Severus had gotten out his weekly planner, of which he and Regina had identical copies, and they’d figured out a date a week out. He would come to the store and apparate them both there. It had been a while since he gone to visit so he was glad to have an excuse.
Today though was the Wizengamot and he was armed with a good Harry hug. It was a play date at the Malfoys today and he was sure to come home talking about their horses. He was looking forward to picking him up later. The trial of Albus Dumbledore was starting today and he’d studied the pretrial documents which every member had received three days before. It was a timeline with events in Dumbledore’s life and the consequent changes in the wizarding world.
It was a cautionary tale which Severus thought should be taught in every year of school. The laws alone would take months to go through and disentangle. What they had thought were unintended consequences turned out to be cleverly designed as one law built upon another. Every session they untangled a few more and voted away the bad laws. Like Hercules’ labors, it felt like they’d never be done. But Lucius assured him they were making good speed and the end would be in sight shortly.
He shook himself free of his thoughts at the sound of the bell signaling the start of the session. Minister Bagnold gaveled their beginning and Lucius stood to speak.
“Fellow Wizengamot members, we are here today to end decades of abuse of our world. Albus Dumbledore took those years to gather all of us into a society of his making. We have had two dark lords trying to rule us. I know we all rejoiced when the end of Voldemort was announced and I can assure you he is gone and will not be coming back.” The murmur of relief swept through the chamber and he smiled upon all of them. “But he was brought to life by events which were orchestrated by the former Headmaster. Of all the crimes of Dumbledore, his limiting and hexing of the children under his care, stand out most to me. Whatever our backgrounds and family, he blocked our cores and layered hexes on almost everyone. We were eager young minds, wanting to learn and grow to take our place within our society. He perverted and stunted our abilities while pretending to be a genial grandfather to the world.”
Severus nodded and saw most of the other members also nodding. Every face he’d come to know over the last few months looked resolute and ready to pass judgement on their former leader.
“Let the trial of Albus Dumbledore begin.” Lucius sat down.
Minister Bagnold gaveled again and a door opened from the side which led to the Auror holding cells. Severus suddenly didn’t want to see his former mentor and he closed his eyes, only to open them at the shocked murmur which raced around the chamber. The man brought out shuffling between two aurors was not the man he’d ever seen before.
He looked ancient. They’d shaved his beard and cut his hair which was pure white. His face was seamed with wrinkles upon wrinkles. His eyes were mere slits within the sagging skin. He was hunched over like he could no longer stand upright. His hands were gnarled with swollen joints and he truly looked as though he wouldn’t have fallen without the help of the aurors. They sat him in the Judgment Chair and the shackles wrapped around him.
The aurors stepped back but not away and their eyes kept moving over the members as if watching for an attack. The Minister, Amelia Bones, and Lucius were not surprised by Dumbledore’s condition but everyone else was. Bagnold motioned to Amelia and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement stood.
“I know some of you are dismayed by the defendant’s condition but his deterioration was speeded up, we think, because of the mass unblocking of everyone’s cores and the removal of all the curses. He has been using our energy, our life force to supplement his own life. Every person who got cleared left him with less power. What you see is the pathetic man before you. His core died yesterday so he is now less than a squib. His mind has been deteriorating at the same rate. He no longer knows his own name or where he is. St. Mungo’s healers have told us he will be dead within the week. We need to know what you want done with him.” And she sat back down.
Severus felt like a weight had been lifted off him. The boogie man was gone, his threat extinguished. Before he even realized what he was doing, he stood and asked for the floor. It was granted.
“Send him to St. Mungo’s under guard. When he is dead, let him be put through the Veil so he can not be resurrected at some future time.” He sat down in the silent chamber and swept his gaze over his fellow members.
“Do I have a second?” Minister Bagnold asked and Gerald Greengrass seconded. “All in favor of the motion?” Every wand lit up. “Those against?” Not a light showed. “Motion is carried. Madame Bones, if you would see to the transfer and guard. At this time, I would like to thank the members who have dealt so well with the abrupt disruption of our society. I’m part of the old guard who needs to be thanked and sent on our way.” She smiled what looked like putr relief. “I hereby tender my resignation as Minister. It’s time for new blood and new ideas. If I can help, I will but I can already see at least five of you who would make wonderful Ministers. We also need to elect a new representative to the ICW. So take that under advisement. I’ll stay on until the election so I can hand over this gavel to my successor. It has been my pleasure to serve our society but it’s time to go. Thank you.”
The entire Wizengamot began clapping and everyone stood to bow to the Minister who’d finally gotten them through the perilous times just lived. She stood and bowed back before slamming the gavel onto the desk. “This session is hereby closed.”
While this was going on, Dumbledore had been carried out. Conversations began all over the room and Severus nodded to those who wanted to shake his hand. What a strange few months it had been but the end was in sight. What the future might hold would no doubt begin to manifest soon. That reminded him, he needed to pick up more candles for their Imbolc festivities. And to celebrate the return of the sheep’s milk at this time in the old days, a block of cheddar cheese, maybe some Gouda. He wondered if he should get some other different kinds. He thought Harry would like to try some more exotic ones. Smiling to himself, he knew he’d like to also.
“That is a silly smile, Severus on such a momentous day.” Regulus clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m thinking about cheese and Imbolc.” He told him.
“How very odd but also rather fitting.” His friend smiled. “We’ve been held down to very few choices in our world these last few years. Maybe trying some new cheeses would benefit all of us. And some nice wine to go with it. The Black cellars have some good vintages which would go nicely with cheese and crackers.”
“Capital idea, Severus and Regulus. We should bring all the families who are part of the play group together and celebrate. We have new lambs already and the children would enjoy seeing them. I offer our ballroom for February 1st. And afternoon of toasting our new world and what we plan to build for ourselves.” Gerald Greengrass offered.
“Agreed. Perhaps we could offer to include those most affected by this war, I know Arthur Weasley is floundering with the destruction of his old life. He is a good father and someone who would give us a very different point of view of our world.” Severus gave his thoughts speech. “And the widows and orphans left by the recent death of the Dark . . . Riddle. They need to have input as well. I don’t want anything from the past to prey on our future.”
“I agree, Severus. I’ll have Narcissa contact the ladies she’s been ushering about the Alley.” Lucius said before excusing himself to go and talk with the Minister.
“Severus, my wife and I are in need of the potion you’re making for Narcissa.” Gerald looked both excited and scared at the same time.
“Congratulations, Gerald. What is the conception date?” Severus pulled out his planner and made a note.
“Our Yule celebration turned out to be extra prolific.” He shrugged and also blushed a bit.
Severus noted down Dec 21. “I’ll have the potion ready by Friday. I can simply bring it by on the 1st when we come for the celebration.”
“Thank you, Severus. How much will it be for each dose?” Gerald asked.
“Well, I traded eight months’ worth of potion for Dobby, our house elf. So probably 5 galleons a month for eight months.” Severus did the calculations quickly.
“Excellent. I’ll pay for the whole lot on the 1st. Now, I need to be off to pick up a book order for Beatrice. She doesn’t want to wait for an owl delivery. We’ll see you on the 1st.” Gerald shook his hand and waved goodbye to some of the other members.
A note from Regina popped up just then in his planner and he started. It was already time to pick up Harry. He made his way towards the members’ entrance, stopped now and then by another member wishing to thank him for his suggestion on Dumbledore. It still felt unreal to him. The old man was simply that, an old man without magic or mind. This story definitely needed to be told to every generation about the perils of aggrandizement.
But it was a truly fitting end to a man who reached too high.
***
Imbolc, or first milk which came in when lambing season started, was celebrated with a marvelous brunch with 35 different kinds of cheese. Everybody brought two kinds and interestingly enough, no one brought the same ones. Harry thought the softer cheeses like the French Brie were icky, but he liked the dryer Gouda a lot so Severus made a note of that one for their own table. He liked the Dutch Edam and made another note.
The children played games after coming in from the stables where three ewes had their lambs staggering around on spindly little legs. They’d been a big hit but now they were inside while the grownups talked. Severus knew everyone in the room and he marveled at how far he’d come in three months. He had friends, true friends who were there for him and who valued him for who he was. Shrieks came in with the little ones who appeared to be escaping from a long Chinese dragon which was roaring. Harry was laughing so hard, he ran into his daddy’s legs and landed on his behind.
“Harry, are you alright?” Severus lifted him into his arms to check and see if there were any tears.
“Dwagon, Daddy. They tuwned into a dwagon.” He pointed to the moving green shape with four pairs of feet poking suspiciously out of the green cloth.
“Boys!” Arthur dropped his head and sighed. “You’re scaring the kids and where did the green cloth come from?”
Gerald was chuckling when he clapped a hand onto Arthur’s shoulder. “The house elves got it for them, Arthur. It’s all right and I think playing rather than scaring was what they were going for. All of the little ones are just fine.”
“No scawy, Unca Awt. Fun!” Harry reassured the older father.
“I’m glad you weren’t scared, Harry. But maybe telling stories would calm things down. I know some good dragon stories.” Arthur was chuckling now and smiling at sheepish sons. “Where is Percy?”
“I’m here, Dad. I was taking Draco to the loo.” The middle son was the quiet one in the family but Draco was holding onto his hand with a smile as if he’d known him for a long time.
“Thank you, Percy. I appreciate you helping him.” Lucius said calmly. “I think some stories and some hot chocolate would be wonderful for everybody.”
An hour later, the littlest ones were sound asleep and the party broke up. With goodbyes, they flooed out of the Greengrass estate to home. Severus laid Harry down and covered him up. Dobby picked up a few toys left out and Severus thanked him before heading for his study. He needed to figure out his schedule for the upcoming week.
Regina and Regulus were waiting for him there. They were holding hands and smiling so he chuckled. “Am I about to lose my assistant?”
“Not for a while. We’ll wait the year of mourning for Mr. Nott. The estate is small but Reggie thinks we can get some of our things out now that the trials and everything are over. I’d like to stay in the cottage until we marry. Then whoever takes my place can live in like I have.” Regina smiled.
“Alright, that gives me time to find someone. I thought about taking an apprentice but not right away. There are still so many things to go through. We still haven’t gone down to the Emrys or Le Fay vaults and I really want to see what is in them. Gringotts has no inventory at all.” Severus sighed. “Whoever the heirs were, they never once came in over the long years.”
“Perhaps they didn’t know they were heirs. The wars following Arthur’s death decimated the population and sent everyone scurrying for safety.” Regulus offered an explanation. “I want to go too when you set it up.”
“Me, three.” Regina held up her hand.
They all chuckled before beginning to plan out the next few months.
***
Four days later, Dumbledore died and the majority of the Wizengamot watched while his body was slid through the Veil. Severus wasn’t the only one who took a deep breath of relief. Finally, the wars were ended. He’d never been a political person but he would never again let others do his thinking and deciding for him. If he had to sit through boring meetings, he would do so. Harry was going to inherit a much better world than he’d been born into.
All their children would.
***
Fawkes flashed into the play room one bright morning three weeks later and trilled to Severus and Harry.
“Oh-h-h, pwetty bu’d, Daddy.” Harry looked up and smiled.
“He is pretty. Do you have a message from Minerva?” Severus asked.
A slip of parchment drifted down into his lap and he opened it, while watching Harry carefully stroke the brightly colored head of the phoenix.
Severus,
We’re at the point where we can take a look for the Chamber and the basilisk. You’re the parsel expert so I’d like you to come visit. Please bring Harry, too. I haven’t seen him in weeks and I need a Harry-hug. Let me know when you can come.
With love,
Minerva
He thought about it for a few moments then addressed Fawkes. “Are you able to flash us to Hogwarts? And would you do so in a few moments?”
The phoenix nodded then bumped Harry’s hand for more petting.
“Dobby and Maffet, to me.” Severus said and the house elf popped in. “We’re going to Hogwarts today, Dobby. I’d like you to come with us. Maffet, I’d like you to let Regina know where we are when she and Theo return. Thank you.”
Maffet nodded while looking wide-eyed at the colorful phoenix. Harry beckoned her over and she petted the bird with trembling fingers before stepping back. She would have something to brag about tonight when the elves got together for hot cocoa.
“Let’s use the loo before we go, Harry. We’ll be back in a few moments, Fawkes.” Severus gathered Harry up and they went upstairs to their bathroom. He also wanted to get one of Harry’s day robes since they’d be at the school and it was only proper. While Dobby was helping Harry, Severus also put on one of his nicer robes rather than the lounging robe he’d been wearing. And it didn’t seem odd anymore to have more than four robes to his name.
Bless Narcissa’s shopping help!
They went back downstairs and with Dobby holding onto Severus’ robe while Harry was in his arms, Fawkes flashed them out of Potter Manor and into the Headmistress’ office. Minerva looked up with a glad smile.
“Welcome Severus and Harry. And Dobby, too. I’m so glad you could come to visit.” She rose and circled her desk, plucking Harry from his daddy’s arms into hers. “I need a Harry-hug, little one.”
“Hi, Nana Minnie.” Harry smacked her cheek with a big kiss and hugged her tight.
“Ah, now that’s the greeting I was waiting for. Lunch first so I can show off my favorite potion master and his son before we go basilisk hunting.” Minerva started out of the office, still carrying Harry.
Severus followed, bemused at being someone she wanted to show off. They arrived at the Great Hall and Harry oohed and aahed at the ceiling. “Pwetty, Nana Minnie.”
“It’s enchanted, Harry. If we went outside, it would look just like this ceiling.” She told him, taking her place at the head table and setting him into the high chair to her right. “You’re next to Harry, Severus.”
“Greetings, Severus and Harry.” Filius Flitwick arrived and sat on Minerva’s other side. “Some of my kin will join us after we eat to go snake hunting with us. They are bringing Nagini with them to see if she could be a companion for our lonely snake. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m hoping she will still be sane enough to know we mean to help and not to hurt.” Severus served Harry some green beans and a little diced beef. The little boy hummed as he took his first bite.
The food as always was delicious and Severus spoke with several of the teachers on his end of the table. He asked Pomona Sprout if she would give him some of her expertise in the walled garden at Potter Manor. She had known Sebastian Potter when she was young and agreed immediately, anxious to get a look at what had been the premier potion ingredient garden of his time.
They also talked about getting extra instructors for each class by level and their excitement was good to see. Hogwarts was going to be alright. He could feel her all around them, her loving warmth caressing everyone in turn. It was so different than his years here and Severus was glad his Harry would go to this school rather than the fearsome place where he was pranked so mercilessly.
Lunch over with, the students dispersed to their classes while they met with the goblins who had brought Nagini to Hogwarts. Making a stop in the Headmistress’ office, they picked up Salazar’s portrait and Fawkes to go with them. Fawkes flew ahead to Moaning Myrtle’s lavatory and then hovered over a faucet next to the sinks. Severus spotted the snake and hissed, //Open//.
The sink fell away and showed a filthy hole with what looked like a slide rather than stairs. And while Harry would probably love sliding down it, Severus was not so inclined. //Stairs//.
And stairs appeared, corkscrewing into the darkness. //Scurgify//.
Thankfully, most of the dirt of centuries disappeared and the goblins politely but insistently went first. Three of them carried Nagini and Filius went next, followed by Severus with Harry, and finally Minerva and Fawkes, perched on her shoulder. At the bottom, they lit the torches which lined the walls and crunched through layers of old bones of various prey on their way to the giant doors carved with snakes.
Taking a deep breath, Severus said, //Open//.
And they opened slowly to reveal a profound darkness. Waving his hand with a wandless, ‘Light’, the torches lit one by one. The space just kept getting bigger and bigger. Huge stone pillars held up the ceiling and Severus wondered where exactly this chamber was located. The walk might have taken them outside of the castle proper completely. So those pillars wouldn’t be holding up the castle. He hoped that was the case.
//Athena, please come forth to greet us//. Minerva had resized Salazar’s portrait and he called out to the basilisk who had not yet made her entrance. //Athena, old friend, it’s Salazar, your master. When you come out, please lower your inner eyelid. I’ve brought new friends to greet you//.
A faint hissing sound came from the open mouth of a dusky tunnel. No light shone within but something was moving along the floor, making faint swishing sounds. Nagini moved up beside Severus and Harry, looking intently into the darkness. Perhaps her eyes could see better then human eyes in the dimness.
//Master Sal? It has been so long. I’ve missed you. Your heir was very strange when he came to visit. I didn’t like him at all. He hurt someone//. Her voice trembled and Harry looked like he was going to cry at the plaintive tone.
And that was when she emerged from the tunnel. And kept on emerging until she took up most of the room. Enormous, was all Severus could think. She was the largest animal he’d ever seen. What in the world had fed her all these years? Filius and Minerva held up Slytherin’s portrait and the Founder spoke soothingly to his former familiar.
//He was a very bad heir, Athena. My current heir is much better. I think you’ll like him. This is Severus Prince and my heir, Harry Potter. Harry loves snakes and brought you a friend so you won’t be so lonely//.
//Hi, Athena, I’se Hawwy and dis is my Daddy. You is da biggest snake evew//. Harry spread his arms wide to show how big he thought her.
//Greetings, Harry. You are very small so I just look bigger to you. And is this my new friend//? She asked eagerly.
//I am Nagini and I would like to be your friend, Athena. We shall have many stories to tell each other, O Queen of Hogwarts//. The green snake raised up and touched her head to the basilisk’s mottled brown and green scales.
//Greetings, Nagini. I look forward to new stories. Will you stay for a while, Sal//? She asked, rubbing her nose against the much smaller snake.
//I promise to stay for a time. I have stories to tell, too. The others here with me are the new Headmistress McGonagall and her Deputy Flitwick. The bad old headmaster is gone and Hogwarts is finally getting some new blood. She can tell stories too but I’ll have to translate for her//. Salazar said.
//Or I could just tell them myself, Athena. I had many years to study while not doing much else and I learned parseltongue and goblin and lots of other languages//. The Castle chimed in and Minerva began to laugh.
“We all have many stories to tell and we will do so when we have more time. It is a pleasure to meet you, Athena. We will learn much from each other, I am sure.” Minerva magicked a sturdy easel and they put the Founder’s portrait there so Athena and Nagini could see him.
//Athena, would it be alright if we collected your shed skin while we tidy up the place//? Severus asked.
//Certainly, Salazar always collected it for use in his potions//. She replied.
//I am a potion master as well and I would love to have it for my lab//. Severus was elated.
//There are more down that tunnel. I outgrew it and just left everything there when I could no longer go down. It was my way outdoors and I’ve been subsisting on what could make it down that tunnel into my lair. Could you make it bigger so I could go outside again//? She sighed.
The goblins nodded at each other and headed for the tunnel. Digging and making spaces bigger sounded like something they could do for this magnificent creature. Filius magicked up some chairs for all of them and they sat down to converse with the basilisk. Severus thought no one would ever believe him when he told this story. Harry settled on his lap and Dobby created a small stool so he could sit as well. Severus hugged his son tight and sat back to listen to stories from the past.
Their future looked brighter than ever. Both the old men who had tried to rule their world were gone and they were creating a new world with goblins and elves and even a 1000 year old snake. Life was great and would just keep getting better. All because he rescued a little boy who then rescued him from the fate projected in front of him by one of those old men. What would their world look like a year from now? Severus couldn’t wait to find out.
***
The end of the Redemption of Severus Snape, to be continued in Future's Beginning