Big news for Harry
James and Severus sat a 7-year-old Harry down. "You remember how you said you wanted a sibling like Ron has?"
Harry gulped, he loved Ron's siblings, but the best part was that he didn't have to deal with them 24/7, but he could see in his parents' eyes they were excited, so he held off on complaining. "Sister or bother?" Harry asked.
"A brother. He's a year younger than you " Severus said.
That didn't seem too bad. Harry was hoping for an older brother like Bill but it would be fun having someone to converse with, but at least he has someone to teach and he wouldn't be by himself anymore. "Will I have to share my room?"
"No, he'll have his own room," James said knowing that'd be a very big sudden adjustment.
"Then great." Harry smiled hugging his parents.
The couple were satisfied to hear that. They waited nearly two years for this adoption to be final and Harry being open to it was the best part. Severus agreed to hold on telling Harry until they were sure the kid would be coming home. The worst thing to happen would be for them to get Harry's hopes up.
"When is my brother coming home?" Harry asked.
James looked away to avoid Harry seeing him tear up. "He'll be home in two weeks."
Harry frowned. "That's not enough time. We need to get everything ready. We need a party with cake!"
"There will be plenty of time to worry about that after he starts to adjust to his surroundings," Severus explained to his son. "Do you have any more questions?"
"Can I go tell Ron?"
"Go get ready and I'll take you to his house," Severus said
"Why can't I just use floor powder? I'm old enough" Harry whined.
"Because you ended up in India last time. I don't even know how that was possible." James remembered how panicked he was that day. He was thankful Harry landed in the house of one of his former auror partners. Since then James made Severus cast a spell blocking Harry from leaving without a parent.
Severus interjected, "To be fair we did find those lovely curtains." of all the times in the world Severus wanted to be zen he chose to tease James on this.
"No floo powder," James said with such finality Harry just accepted it and left the room. "What happened to the strict Severus?"
"You said I should relax more." Severus loved playing James carefree attitude against him.
James smiled, knowing he couldn't stay mad at Severus. "I can't wait to have another child with you."
"A sibling? Congratulations, welcome to siblinghood, the worst years of your life." Ron gave a fake smile while sarcastically clapping.
"No this is going to be fun. I'll have someone to play with every day." Harry smiled.
"Someone to invade your personal space," Ron said.
Harry rolled his eyes, "I'll tell him to get out of my way."
Ron snickered, "You think that'll work? I can barely get Ginny to stop staring at us like she is right now."
Harry turned his head only to hear footsteps running into the house. "But my parents will take my side if he's bothering me right?"
Ron shook his "he's the youngest and the youngest get to do whatever they want unless you're me who barely had time to enjoy it before your two." Ron spoke bitterly.
Harry frowned, "I thought they loved me more than anyone in the galaxy?"
"No, they do until you're not special having to compete with twins, a genius, the firstborn, a future dragon tamer, and the only girl for attention and the only attention you get is being scolded." Ron sulked.
"Uh, I feel like you're talking about you more than me. What does daddy call it? Projecting?"
"No im not." Ron sternly said as he sloached against the wall crossing his arms tight.
Maybe Ron wasn't the right person to talk to about having siblings. "Hey let's ask Aunty Lily and Uncle Sirius they have a sibling. Let's get some floo powder and visit them!"
Ron immediately shook his head, "You got lost the last time you did it."
"That was only one time, I had Kulfi for dessert, maybe we'll end up somewhere with good even better ice cream."
"I'll just ask Bill to take us," Ron said getting up.
Harry just gave up begrudgingly accepting his friend wasn't fun enough to risk his life.
As the boys reached the home of Sirius and Lily just in time to see them argue, "It's art, Lily! I thought you loved art!" Sirius defended himself.
Lily scowled at him, "It's perverted, misogynistic and not going on the living room wall!"
"Ooh! I thought you said the female form should be celebrated not shamed."
"Don't you try to twist this around on me! It's not going on the wall and that's that."
"Can I see the painting?" Harry asked. Since Harry was 4 Severus would take him to museums, mostly when he was overwhelmed and needed Harry to be occupied when James was busy. As stoic as Severus seemed Harry could read him like a book, so from then on Harry loved looking at art.
Lily whispered loudly, "See what I mean! If Harry saw that Severus would kill us." Lily said barely exaggerating.
"It's.. drying." Sirius said in the interest of keeping himself un-maimed.
Harry sighed, "Well can I ask you two a question?"
"Oh sure come here and sit," Sirius told the boys. He wondered why Harry showed up with Ron and Bill instead of his parents. He hoped this wan'I want to talk to my awesome uncle because my parents don't understand type of talk rather than an 'I think my parents may be getting divorced' talk again.
Harry took Ron by the hand to sit on the couch with him, Sirius and Lily while Bill stood behind the couch. "Well, my parents are adopting another kid. I just wanted to know did your siblings became your parents' favorite.
Sirius scoffed, "Favorite? They acted like the brat was the only child."
"Of course that made Harry feel worse "Uh Auntie Lily?" Harry looked up at her.
Lily shifted a bit being reminded of the shattered relic that was the relationship with her older sister. "Looking back I can see our parents unfairly favored me a lot more than they should. I wished we had spent more time together to reconcile but she started calling me a freak and that bridge was broken like the branch Severus nearly killed her with." Lily said solemnly.
Harry snickered thinking she kind of deserved it,
"Harry that's not funny," Lily said despite the fact she wished it hit her on the head and made her personality a little more tolerable.
"It's hilarious. Wish I saw that part of Severus early on." Sirius smirked. "Look Harry you're an amazing kid and your parents are nuts about you. You should've seen how happy they were when you were born."
Harry thought of a solution to his sibling's problem. "What if I get to him first and we become so close he that really wants my approval? He'll be like my minion!" Harry smiled.
"Thank heavens Severus and James never had siblings," Lily mumbled under her breath.
Bill chimed in, "How about you just be a guardian to him like me and Ron."
"Hmm? No, I think I prefer the minion plan." Harry said feeling much better.
Ron huffed, "Good luck with that. Ginny doesn't do anything I say."
Harry groaned, "You're not going to be happy no matter what aren't you."
Ron didn't even disagree he just nodded his head.
"You know if you just be nice to your brother your parents would be proud of you," Bill said avoiding Harry turning the kid who probably already had a hard life into his partner in destruction.
"I know how about you make him something to welcome him to the family," Lily suggested.
Harry smiled, "I'll make him a necklace. If he likes jewelry he can help me convince Dad to let me light bolt earrings."
Ron pulled miscellaneous items out of his pockets. "Can these go on the necklace?" In his hands were a toy hat, a piece of candy, a plastic ring, and an old bandaid.
"Yes thanks, but I think I'll save the ring for when I propose to you," Harry said.
Ron rolled his eyes and went with Harry to Lily's jewelry-making kit.
Severus was setting the table while James was preparing dinner. As a child the closest Severus ever thought he'd get to a family dinner was setting out an empty plate and fork and pretending he was the child of whatever family that was on TV. "Harry might invite Ron to stay the night," Severus said.
"Already thought about that. I think that boy slept over 5 nights in a row now." James said. "Either Harry really wants a brother, Ron's itching for some time away from his brothers, or both like me and Sirius when we were kids which credits my theory he'll be the suave Gryffindor falling for the witty, stoic Slytherin."
"But he has a redhead friend, which could mean he'll settle down with rambunctious Gryffindor star boy"
James chuckled, "Tell ya what let's make a bet. If I'm right you have to wear the costume on Christmas." James smirked
Severus groaned, James have been trying to get him to wear a certain outfit since they've been married. "What happened to simple bets? Loser makes dinner for a month?"
"I love your food, but my idea is more fun," James said.
"I accept. If I win you have to give me a back massage."
"A back massage? I can just give you a back massage tonight. You have to think of something more challenging than that."
"How about a back massage without you turning it into sex."
James scoffed, "That's not my fault your the one who can't stop moving your hips."
"This is unfair because there is nothing you don't want to do," Severus said.
James laughed knowing he was right. "Fine, if I lose you tell me what to do for 48 hours."
Severus was about to say no, but he got an idea. "Sounds like a deal."
"Seems like I'm a winner no matter what. Let me guess you want to see a play and have me assist you with potions?" James said.
Severus smirked, "Yes but luckily our son's godfather is an expert in pranks and making you tick."
James gulped quickly thinking of possible future Slytherin kids Harry could start having playdates with or a way to get Ron into Slytherin.
Suddenly a loud boom and the unmistakable sound of two 7-year-olds running into the kitchen. Harry almost ran into the table and Ron just barely saved himself from hitting the wall. Severus didn't even bother to tell them to slow down. The two were hurricanes of chaos. Luckily he could handle two of them. If there were three he'd lose his mind.
"Daddies! Can Ron stay tonight?" Harry pleaded.
"Wait I thought you already asked and they said yes?" Ron said clearly upset. His
"Well, I'm asking now." Harry waited for his parent's answer.
"Have a seat and remove your shoes your father just cleaned the floor," Severus told the boys. The two obeyed him and before they could sit down Severus said "I want your hands washed first."
Seeing no point in arguing Ron already went to the bathroom. "Um... I already did." Harry smiled.
"Hmm? So in the 15 seconds from when you returned home and entered the kitchen, you washed your hands?"
"I washed them at Ron's house. You said you wanted them washed first you didn't say when."
"Now," Severus said not falling for another one of Harry's loopholes.
Harry sighed slugging upstairs with Ron.
"Now you know how I feel when Harry calls one of our old games 'juvenile'" James said.
"That child is a perfect argument for nature and nurture."
"I wonder if he'll start showing any signs of acting like Lily." One of the reasons James believed Lily was a perfect surrogate was her being someone who cared about Severus so much and vise versa, he'd love for if his child would have to inherit traits from its biological Mother it'd be her.
"Speaking of Lily we should ask if she, Remus or Sirius are available to watch Harry for the anniversary. To bribe them I already made a Felix felicis potion for Sirius and Drought of Peace for Remus, and I brought Lily a giant stuffed dragon toy."
James froze mid-sip of his wine. How could he have forgotten his and Severus' anniversary? "Oh yeah, I got you the best gift anniversary gift ever. I just have to pick it up from the... place tomorrow."
Severus tsked, "Our anniversary isn't even this month James." Severus explained.
"Oh that's a relief" James sighed. "Then what anniversary is it?"
"It the the anniversary of you catching your first dark wizard. You stopped him from killing that family. You were It was most impressive. The kid you saved is graduating soon."
"Even I forgot the date of that." James blushed a bit. Of all the millions of things Severus had to remember every day he remembered this.
"Well, I want to take you on a date tomorrow for that and all the other things you do. You're a great husband and I don't think I show you enough."
"Trust me I know." James left the head of the table to kiss Severus."
"Ew!" Harry called out.
Instead of pulling away like they usually do. James kissed Severus anyway.
"Uck." Harry spat before sitting down.
"It's kinda cute," Ron said teasing Harry.
Harry hus head in his hands hating his life.
James laughed and went back to his seat. "Harry if you eat your peas you get some rice pudding."
Harry didn't need ro be told twice. "Veggies are essential Dad. You should eat some too." Harry said.
"Are you kidding me peas are disgusting," James said continuing to eat his shepherd's pie.
"James, you have to set an example for Harry," Severus said.
"He already likes vegetables. Hell the kids more mature than me."
"You said it not me," Harry mumbled.
James turned to Harry "What was that?"
"Um... I said I love peas." The boy smiled.
"And there's nurture taking effect," Severus smirked.
Becoming lovingly annoyed with his husband and child James decided to talk to Ron. "So Ron do you still like quidditch?" James asked.
"Do I! This year is going to be the Chudley Cannons year!" Ron cheered.
James smiled, Harry also loved quidditch but Ron lived and breathed quidditch. "I was offered the spot of a seeker on Chudley Cannons and some other teams when I graduated."
Ron's mouth dropped, "Really! Why didn't you take it? We could've won!"
James didn't have the heart to tell Ron even with him on the team it would take two miracles and divine intervention for that team to win. "Quidditch was more of a game for me than a real occupation and a lot more urgent matters came up." Like the wizarding war. "And my real passion was being an auror and taking care of Harry."
"Wait you were an auror?!" Harry gasped.
"Yeah, for a while," James said.
"That's so cool how many dark wizards you destroyed!" Harry leaned forward eager to listen to what James had to say.
"Tell you what. If you both go to bed on time I'll tell you a story in the morning."
"And by on time, you mean?"
"He means your normal bedtime, Harry," Severus said.
"But Ron has a different bedtime. He's a guest and I can't ask him to change his routine." Harry tried to negotiate.
"Nice try. Ron is practically a bonus son at this point and he can go to bed at the same time as you." James said.
Ron tried to follow Harry's lead "If we promise to be quiet can we get an extra 30 minutes to watch cartoons." Ron asked. Since he and pretty nearly every other wizard didn't have a TV and barely knew what a TV was being at Harry's house was one of the few chances he got to watch cartoons.
James smiled, "alright 30 minutes. You don't even have to keep it down just stay in your rooms."
"And the cartoon you watch must be educational." Severus chimed in.
Harry really wanted to watch Spiderman, so he gave James a pleading look to convince Severus otherwise.
James chuckled"Sorry kiddo educational only."
Harry nodded and went back to his meal. While making idol conversation Harry elbowed Ron and whispered in his ear.
"Can we have dessert when we're done?" Ron asked.
"Okay, I hope you like ice cream," James said.
Harry whispered something else in Ron's ear.
"Can it be served with a treacle tart?" Ron asked.
Even though he knew the request was made by Harry, James heated some frozen tarts and coated them with treacle. "Here you go, boys," James said. As he was not in the mood for dessert James took his now empty plate to the sink.
"James you go rest I'll see to the dishes and make sure the kids brush their teeth," Severus said.
James wasn't going to do the dishes anyway he was just putting his in the sink, but he thanked Severus anyway.
Later that night the couple were in bed pretending they couldn't hear Harry and Ron sneaking into the kitchen making a snack. Even Severus didn't want to interrupt their fun.
"Soon enough we'll be hearing two sets of footsteps every night," James said while giving Severus a back massage.
"It would be nice." Severus said, "I never asked, but do you ever miss your old lifestyle? I know the primary reason for you being a stay-at-home parent was for Harry's safety, but you know who is dead and there seem to be no signs of death eaters. I would understand if you would want to try working again. Not to say being you're not already working. I'm sure being an auror is probably less work than managing Harry and another." Severus remembered doing a week of what James does daily and he was completely drained.
"Are you kidding? I miss the adventure of capturing dark wizards, but I love staying home with Harry, I never felt more pride in my entire life. And yes it's much more nonstop work than I was used to being an auror, but it's not thankless. I'm glad you appreciate what I do and help out."
"It's no trouble, James. You're my husband not my maid of course I don't mind helping with tasks." Severus said.
"You don't think I notice but I love it when hide my favorite candy and little love notes around the house for me to find."
"You're not the only one in the relationship who can be in a relationship who can be romantic."
James worked his way down to Severus' lower back. "You're so beautiful all calm like this." He chuckled when Severus' pale neck turned red.
"Shut up Potter."
"Ouch, you're pulling out the 'Potter' card just because I'm acknowledging how gorgeous you are. Every day you get more beautiful. Even when we're full of wrinkles you'll never stop being beautiful to me." James gave Severus a light kiss on the shoulder causing Severus to roll his hips. "See what I mean! You just moved your hips."
"Oh shut up I was just trying to get more comfortable and you kissed me, so technically you still turned this sexual."
"I didn't kiss you five minutes ago," James smirked.
Severus was mortified, he hoped James didn't notice. "You caught me. I am aroused." Seveurus admitted defeat.
"Once I finish the ache in your back will get rid of the ache in your pants."
"We should wait til the kids go to sleep," Severus said.
"Haven't you been listening? They went back to Harry's room and that shitty puppet show is still on meaning they aren't awake to change the channel."
"Well, what are we waiting for then? Go lock the door just in case."
"Already did," James said.
"You've been hoping for this?"
"I wouldn't say hoping I would say 'praying and drinking Felix felicis for the past two months for this to happen.'"
Severus turned around kissing James on the lips. "I hope you aren't too upset waiting so long."
"Honestly I'm just happy I get to see you more often now that it's summer. All those months I can't cuddle with you make me feel so lovesick" James placed a kiss on Severus' neck "I love the scent of this oil. Which one is it again."
"Fresh pine."
James smiled, "Ready love."
"Ready."