Your Family
He was warm. And loved.
He was being hugged by his husband. Tenderly.
He was getting used to their new routine. They haven´t really settled during their short marriage. First a week in Paris, then a week in what they were now calling Sirius’s bachelor flat. Now, on their second day at Black Manor, they were falling on their new routine.
Severus would wake up ensconced in Sirius’s arms. Then, Sirius would pepper him with kisses, and they would chat about everything and nothing until Cosmo would pop in to tell them it was time for breakfast.
All of them were happy to get their breakfast by the pool, being glad to be outside near the pool during summer times. Sirius and Regulus were confined to Grimmauld Place during the whole year, avoiding muggles. Now, Grimmauld Place would be only the Town House that Lord Black and Sirius would use when attending business in London, not their principal residence.
Sirius liked to fool around in the mornings, he would follow him to the bathroom where he would demand to be allowed into his shower, until now Severus always got him to leave after a few kisses. He didn´t like to share his showers but he appreciated his shared time with his husband in the big bathtub that was in the corner of the room.
Today, he put on some dark brown trousers, a white frilly shirt, and a light blue vest. His hair was framing his face although he had tied half of it.
He went out to the garden with Sirius, who was wearing a dark brown suit.
Already in the table, Lord Black was sat at the head of the table and Lady Black in the other end. Regulus was sitting at the Lord’s left while Sirius and him would sit to his right.
During breakfast, Walburga would fuss over Severus and Regulus while Sirius talked in hushed tones with his father. In the middle of the breakfast, Lord Black would talk to Severus and Regulus about their plans for the day before dismissing everyone.
While Sirius went with his father to learn about his responsibilities as a Lord and Manager of all their businesses, Severus would try to distract himself.
Today, his distraction was haunting him.
A piece of parchment was laying in front of him. He had already written some letters, but he was not satisfied. So, he gathered all his courage and went to the chimney that was in the receiving hall of the Manor. A handful of Floo Powder later and he shouted “Malfoy Manor.”
Severus step out of the chimney to be received by an elf, Dally, if he remembers right.
- Master Severus, welcome! Would you like to meet with Mistress Narcissa or Master Lucius? – Said the elf excited.
- I would like to meet both of them, are they occupied? – He seemed to realize how rude it was to come without warning.
- They are in Master Lucius’s study, I’ll ask first – The elf popped away leaving Severus to himself.
He had been many times to Malfoy Manor. Lucius was keen in letting him stay since the moment his father died.
He had spent many weeks away from Spinner’s End, but he knew that he shouldn´t impose that much. Lucius was his best friend, there was no doubt. He had spent part of his allowances in clothes and books for Severus, he was especially active during winter, worried about his continued existence away from frostbites.
Once Narcissa entered in the equation, she became a good friend. The downside was that they both like to mother him, he was dreading this upcoming conversation. Narcissa was lovely and spent lots of time with him when Lucius graduated from Hogwarts. She also was overseeing his intake of food most of the time. When she had told him about the possibility of becoming a secondary bride for Lucius, he knew that she was worried about him, about his life with no connections or money to thrive. She knew that he didn´t harbor any romantic feelings for Lucius, but she was willing to allow him to cross the line for his wellbeing.
When she appeared in the hallway followed by Lucius, she seemed anxious, fearing the worst probably. Lucius was looking straight at him, inspecting him for injuries. Now, that he thought about it the only times he has ever appeared here without an invitation he had been badly injured. Now, the expressions of them were funny, a slight widening in Lucius’s eyes and a disbelieving look in Narcissa’s eyes.
- Severus, dear, we were not expecting you, is there something wrong? – she said taking his hands in hers. Scanning his face for a sign of something out of place.
- Narcissa, love, leave him breath, it is a pleasure having you here Severus – he said slowly, he looked at him from top to bottom before raising a perfectly trimmed eyebrow – is there something you would like to tell us?
He felt small for a second under his friends’ stare, it was like telling his parents he broke an ancient vase that has been in the family for generations. He fiddled a little with his fingers before being admonished by Narcissa.
- Severus, I thought we have already explained to you that stalling is unbecoming – she said sternly – It leads us to presume things, for example, if I were to take your stance, your guilty eyes, and those expensive clothes you are wearing… perhaps you’ve allowed a man to take you in as a mistress – she said accusingly. He was stunned for a second giving an opportunity to Lucius to add something.
- That is totally unacceptable, Severus Snape – he approached to poke his head with his manicured finger.
- I am no Mistress! – he shouted embarrassed – I would never be a mistress; you know I’ve got propositions before, and I turned them down – he tried to defend quickly.
- Oh, but then you were not so desperate, if you haven’t become a mistress then explain to us, where did you get those clothes and you are rosy as if the spring have come to your life – she squinted her eyes waiting for an explanation.
- We don´t have all day, young man! – Lucius said sternly.
- I, I… – he stuttered – I’ve gotten married! My husband and his family have provided everything I needed, including these clothes.
- You’ve done what? – Lucius was flabbergasted, he even let his mouth hang open for a second.
- Severus, dear, when we told you that you had to tell us if something of importance happens, a marriage was absolutely between the list of important matters to share! – she looked at his left hand and notice there was no ring.
- Which man was such a dunderhead to marry you and not provide you with a proper ring? Does that family have no manners to allow this? Tell me, which family is it? – she said so fast that he could only answer automatically.
- Yours.
- What did you say? – Lucius was out of it – Who did you marry? Regulus is out of question, the only bachelor left in the Black Family is Alphard Black.
- I cannot and will not believe that my uncle married you and didn´t give you a ring – she denied vehemently.
- Well, I’m sure he wouldn´t – he said sheepishly – but Sirius did.
At that point, he really thought he broke their minds.