The Summer Festival
Snape remembered longing to go to Cokeworth summer festivals as a child. It always looked so fun. He remembered walking near it once with his mother. He was about 5. He saw a teddy bear there. It looked sweet, it had a little ribbon tied around it’s neck he remembered pointing to it. “Mummy, look.” She nodded at it. They both knew they didn’t have the money for it but the look on her sons face, oh she just had to. One of her favorite things about her son was his little innocent black eyes. They reminded her of a doe’s. The way they glittered as he saw the bear. She wanted to see those eyes glitter more.
Once the man who was operating the overcharged game that was obviously a scam as it was practically impossible to win, left for his lunch break. She snuck close to the booth and stole the bear and handed it to Severus as the two of them ran back home. She saw the glitter in his eyes as he held the bear tightly and she smiled.
That was one of his few good memories with his mother.
He didn’t have many as the woman went mad a few years later and than passed while he was still at Hogwarts. Leaving him to fend against his father by himself.
And now here he was back at the same fair, there were games set up and concession stands. It wasn’t too crowded which was a relief for Severus who did not want to deal with any crowds. It was a bit quieter as well. He knew he’d only tolerate it for a bit before having to go sit at a park bench to collect himself if it was too much. But thankfully the odds were in his favor today.
He pushed his thoughts away as he looked down at the two little boys who looked excited. He made sure he held the boys hands tightly so they didn’t run off. He walked with the boys and Lupin.
“So..what do you want to do first?” Severus asked. The two of them looked at each other and thought about it. Draco had been to wizarding fairs but not muggle fairs he wasn’t too sure if they were anything a like and Harry well the Dursley’s never let him come. He remembered being envious of Dudley who would bring back toys that Uncle Vernon had demanded from the people operating the booths to give to Dudley.
Noticing that the two boys seemed stumped, Remus chimed in. “They have games, food, you can buy some things as well.” He added and Snape half glared at him. Of course had to mention all the things you could buy. Snape was always a bit stingy with money due to how he grew up.
But he’d buy things for the boys if they asked. A part of him wanted to spoil them rotten.
At the mention of games both of the boys competitive streak came out. They looked to each other grinning before looking up at the two men.
“Games!”
Snape sighed knowing this could only end one way. Though he was curious to see who would win. Funny how his only entertainment would be the competition between two six year olds. Oh what his life had come to.
They first started off with ring toss which Harry won. The green eyed boys hand eye coordination was always better than Draco’s. Which further proven when Draco accidentally hit the man operating the stand with a ring.
They moved onto bowling and Draco won. Harry knocked over half the pins. It was harder for him to push the ball. Draco somehow pushed it and got it right in the middle.
The blonde boy was rather triumphant with his victory.
They moved on to bean bag toss which Harry won, though it had been close that time. But Remus was certain he had to teach Draco to throw considering the boy hit another operator but this time in the face.
After some apologies they moved on to darts. They were plastic darts and Draco won.
Surprisingly.
This boy had horrible hand eye coordination but surprisingly he was good at this. “Father had me play darts with him one time. They were magical and when you hit the target right in the middle they’d light up!”
Draco explained to Harry in hushed voices, since Snape explained to them earlier they were around muggles and had to dumb down why they couldn’t talk about magic in front of muggles.
They decided on one final game before getting lunch.
Hook-a-duck.
Funnily enough this was the exact game Severus had gotten his bear from, hell it seemed to even have the same man operating it. Snape and Lupin watched as the boys tried to pick a duck.
From what the operator told them, if the duck had a red star on the bottom you got a small prize, if the duck had a green star you got a medium prize, and if the duck had a blue star you got a big prize.
This had got to be the biggest scam Snape had ever saw. He watched as the man smiled as he swindled two boys. Shaking his head.
Both boys got red and were given two small rubber ducks. Draco’s seemed to be an astronaut and Harry’s had a top hat, the two promptly traded.
They were about to walk away when the older man called out. “You two blokes want to give it a go?” He asked grinning. Obviously wanting more money in Severus’ opinion.
“No-“ Snape began before being cut off by Lupin.
“Yeah sure c’mon, Snape.” Lupin grinned like a little kid while Snape scowled and rolled his eyes.
“Lupin this is a children’s game, and it’s obviously rigged, I’m not spending money on it.” Snape argued and realized the look the operator gave him. “No offense to you, of course…” he murmured and the man’s smile came back.
“Than I’ll pay. Just come on. Afraid you’ll lose?” Lupin smiled and his eyes were almost pleading as well as teasing.
Severus muttered an oath and something about raising three kids instead of two.
“Fine, fine.” He growled. He and Lupin pulled out two ducks. Lupins was red and Snape’s was green
“Look, Snape you got a green one!” Draco pointed. Snape nodded not caring as much as the other three did.
Lupin got a sailor looking duck and Snape was handed a stuffed monkey. He smirked and they thanked the man before leaving.
“I’m naming him Jimmy.” Lupin said talking about his duck. At first Snape thought he was being silly and talking to the boys before realizing the boys were talking amongst themselves.
Snape looked to Lupin and rolled his eyes. “You’re such a child.” He frowned.
“Whatever, what are you naming your monkey?” He asked and Snape shook his head.
“Nothing, I’m just giving him to the boys anyway.” Snape said sternly.
“He looks like a Bob.” Lupin stated ignoring Snape’s tone.
“Fine his names Bob, happy?” He asked and Lupin nodded.
The three of them walked over to a concession stand to get fish and chips. The woman handed the the food to the boys who looked excited and thanked her. She smiled and looked to Snape and Lupin.
“Your sons are adorable. You have a lovely family.” She smiled and Severus was about to correct her when Lupin cut him off again. The second time today.
“Thank you.” He said softly before grabbing Snape’s arm gently as they walked away. Snape’s eyes widened. “Why did you say that?” He asked confusedly. “It was a compliment.” He smiled and Snape was not in the mood to argue with a wall so he just scowled and put it out of his mind.
They all got some and went to go sit in a quiet part of the park on Severus’ suggestion.
Even though it was quieter and less crowded at the fair Snape felt a bit drained. They all ate their fish and chips quietly. Until Draco asked a question. “What are we doing after this?” He asked as he ate a chip. Snape shrugged. “Probably go home and enjoy the rest of the day there.” He said simply but Harry frowned. “But what do we do there?” He asked and Remus jumped in thankfully.
“Well you boys can help me bake a cake. I bought some ingredients when I went to Tesco.”
The boy perked up and grinned at the mention of cake and Snape put down the chip he was about to eat and gave Lupin a quizzical expression. “When did you got to Tesco?” He asked confusedly.
“When you and Draco left to go to the cafe.” Lupin said nonchalantly. “How did I not notice?” Snape asked aloud and Lupin grinned. “Well you haven’t been making dinner as of late.” He teased. “Well- it’s not my fault you always just start it first- so I just let you do it.” Snape said feeling a bit called out.
“Why did you even buy ingredients for a cake anyway?” He asked irritated and Lupin shrugged. “Chocolate cake is one of the best things ever I’ll have you know. In all honesty I’ve been craving it.”
Snape rolled his eyes. The man’s obsession with chocolate was strange.
After they finished Lupin took their rubbish and went to go look for a bin. Snape was relaxed until a man came up to then. He was a thin man with blonde hair. He had rather large ears that stuck out and a thin face. But something about him was unsettling. He held a stuffed bunny in one hand.
“Hello there! My names Tom, how are you all today?” He asked cocking his head to the side. Something about the man seemed forced. It looked almost like the man was under the imperious curse. But they were in a muggle town. He must have been imagining it.
“Fine..er- did you need something?” He asked a bit rudely.
“Oh no, I was just curious if one of your sons wanted this bunny? You see I won two and I gave the first one to that mother and daughter over there.” He gestured to a mother and her daughter who were walking across the street.
Snape looked to the boys and Harry nodded.
As soon as the man handed Harry the bunny he grabbed Harry and took off running. Snape immediately reached for his wand before realizing he was surrounded by muggles. He couldn’t just start firing spells. But Harry was just taken! He needed to do something.
He removed his hand from his pocket and immediately was about to start running until he saw Lupin running, Lupin caught up with the man quickly and tackled him sort of like a rugby player.
He was shocked at first, he felt guilty. He should have gotten to Harry quicker. He should have taken out his wand. He should have done anything. Anything at all but he was a coward and stood their.
He was so stupid. He should have done better. So much better.
Snape stood frozen. Now another matter pressing into his brain. He knew Lupin was much more in shape than he was. Snape was skinny and relied heavily on magic to defend himself but Lupin was the opposite. He wasn’t bulging with muscle but he was toned and went for jogs often. He had a rather nice body was what Snape had noticed. As Lupin took Harry back as well as the bunny. He gave the man a stiff kick in the ribs before walking away towards Snape and Draco.
Snape felt warmth rush to his cheeks and immediately shook his head. He shouldn’t be focusing on Lupin. Harry was almost kidnapped!
As the boy started to cry Snape took him from Lupin and immediately tried to console him. Draco started to cry too so Lupin picked the boy up and consoled him as well. The two men sighed and started there way back home.
Snape was so confused on how Harry was almost kidnapped. Just the other day a man attempted to take Draco, how had this happened again with Harry so suddenly.
It was odd. He’d bring this up to the headmaster. How..this was so strange.
He knew a lot of people had a some sort of vendetta against Draco and Harry was the chosen one, the dark lords followers were obviously not going to be happy that the child who took their master away.
But still to hurt little boys? So quickly?
They made their way home consoling the boys as they entered through the door which Snape promptly shut. He was now very grateful that Lupin bought ingredients for a cake since it got the boys’ mind off the event that just occurred.
Lupin went to the kitchen and the boys dropped their new toys off in the living room. Snape inspected the bunny with his wand to make sure it didn’t have any tracking devices or anything it shouldn’t have on it. It didn’t thankfully.
This was so confusing. How could this have happened?
He decided to just lay on the sofa for a bit while Lupin baked with the boys. Snape was so tired. And confused. Mostly about the second attempted kidnapping but also about Lupin.
He always knew the man was fit but watching him tackle that guy..well it made Severus blush and he had no idea why, he had never done that before. Blushed over Remus Lupin! Idiocy!
He put a pillow over his face groaned. Why was he such an idiot?
He just laid on the sofa and looked around the sitting room for a while. He eventually got a book and started to read a potions journal.
Other than free housing, Lupin also got free wolfsbane from Snape himself. It did seem a bit silly to live with a potions master and not have him take advantage of the prospect. He knew that the potion worked but he wondered if it could be improved. Many potions like this that were used for medicinal purposes weren’t often revamped.
Especially for werewolves, Severus did know of the prejudices of the creatures. Especially since he had used a lot of derogatory language against them in his youth. Hell even now, if he was losing an argument he’d insult Lupin’s lycanthropy. He felt the guilt flow through him like a river and he sighed deeply.
He knew better, especially now not to use that sort of language. He learned the lesson well by that faithful day by the lake when he called his best friend a ‘mudblood’. He thought about that day a lot. How he insulted her and didn’t even think about it.
Sure he was embarrassed about what happened and he couldn’t deny that look she had, like how she wanted to smile while he was being humiliated but..how could he? How could he call her that disgusting word?
With the crowd of soon to be deatheaters that he hung around the word was so common, it was something that was said even more than pleasantries. It desensitized him from it and it slipped out in the worst possible moment.
He put the book close to his face sighing. How could he have been so stupid? He regretted ever uttering that word, every single day.
Nothing he could do now would change that. He had to accept that.
He looked own at his book and tried to read up on the properties of wolfsbane.
He was reading for only a few short moments until he dozed off.
They hadn’t been out for very long but he was dead tired after what they did do.
He was asleep for around an hour. Thankfully he hadn’t had any concerning dreams, he had been using a dreamless sleep potion for the past few weeks, he assumed it was still in his system.
His memories had been in his dreams. Especially the ones he didn’t want to think about.
The comfort of the pillow and sofa was dragging him down and he doubted he could be pried off the couch. He felt so heavy and safe.
He was so exhausted he didn’t even realize the quilt, Lupin put on him.
Remus had a rather good time baking with the boys. They were all really excited to try the cake. Now that it was in the oven he smiled at the boys.
“Had a fun time at the fair?” He asked. The two boys nodded. “What was you favorite part?”
“Ducks.” Harry said holding his astronaut duck in his little hand.
“The fish and chips.” Draco smiled. It was interesting how the boy was finally coming around to muggle cuisine now. Earlier he would have asked for some complicated wizarding food neither he nor Severus could even attempt at making. But now the boy was happy to get fish and chips.
Though he was still a Malfoy and that couldn’t be quashed out of him. He washed his hands very throughly and often and always checked his appearance. Even at a young age, he wondered how young the Malfoy’s start with this sort of teaching.
“Hey Remus, guess what!” Harry exclaimed looking excited.
“What?” He asked smiling back at the boys wide grin.
“It’s almost the full moon. It’ll be in a week.” Harry said pointing to a calendar that had Snape’s cursive handwriting on it.
“Oh. Yeah..cool.” Remus sighed. In a week he’d be a monster again. He’d have to take a couple days off from the taking care of the boys. He felt sick to his stomach at the thought.
How would they do this? He’d ask Snape some time before the full moon. He was grateful the man was making the wolfsbane potion for him. He’d find some way to pay him back for all of his kindness.
“Let’s go see, Severus, he’s been by himself for a while.” Draco said pointing to the sitting room and running towards it with Harry close behind.
Remus nodded wanting to take his mind off of the full moon.
The three of them saw the sleeping Snape, with the quilt Remus got out of the cupboard on top of him. He smiled at the man. He looked so peaceful while he slept. That coldness and hardness in his face always made him seem a bit older than he was.
But his face relaxed the youth he still had was shown. The tranquil expression made Remus feel something in his chest. He pushed it down as he saw Draco get on top of Snape’s legs.
The man’s long black hair covered his hair, this face Remus the thought of Snape in a pony tail, or perhaps a bun. Though he doubted the man would ever do that. Maybe when he would brew potions?
The thought wasn’t entertained for long when Snape woke up startled that all three of them had been watching him sleep. A faint blush grazed his cheeks as he sat up and took Draco in his arms.
Before Remus could speak the timer went off and it was time to take the cake out. The boys than ran after him. Remus got his oven mitts and opened the oven. He heard Snape’s cool, soft voice that now had the slightly sleepy and groggy undertones to it call out.
“He careful it’s hot.”
Remus knew the man was talking to the boys but to pretend that he was talking to him and cared for his safety made a flutter go through his chest.
They let the cake cook and covered it in frosting before he cut the boys a piece and one for him a Snape.
As the boys are messily at the table, Remus ate the cake quietly watching Snape who looked skeptical, his critical professor eye judging the dodgy decorating with the frosting.
“Come now, Severus it’s good.” He smirked gently. The cold black eyes softened for a brief moment before signing and taking a small bite.
He could see a twitch in Snape’s mouth indicating a smile and how the man took another bite of the cake. He enjoyed it.
“Good.” He said simply. Remus would take a ‘good’.
Remus’ eye caught the calendar and his heart sank. He looked to Snape who was still enjoying the cake. “What about the full moon.” He whispered although the boys had no interest in their conversation and were too occupied with their food.
Snape looked up. “I have a space where you can transform comfortably. I’ll be helping you of course.”
Remus felt guilty that Snape had to take time out of his night to come help Lupin with his condition. The man was already tired as it was, he always looked ready to doze off at any moment.
He felt a slight touch on his arm. Snape’s hesitant hand gripped Lupin’s shoulder in an almost reassuring way. “It’s going to be ok, trust me.”
Those words and that touch made all the worries melt and seep out of his body. For an awkward man who never really got social cues he was surprisingly good at comforting Lupin at this current moment in time.
He smiled and he hoped Snape would take that as a thank you.
The two looked away from each other uncomfortably (they had never really been good at feelings or talking about them.) They watched the boys and the two men glanced at each other once again. Neither wanted to tear their eyes away but eventually did again.
It was odd how this situation had brought them closer together. Remus felt rather safe with the boys and Snape like he’d never be judged. And although he’d never admit it, Snape finally had a proper family. One to be proud of.
This was a good memory. It truly was.