Measured Love

Severus

Severus woke to the sound of the teakettle whistling. The clock next to his bed read 630am. A growl escaped his lips when he pulled the covers back. Could he not sleep in one day? The potion master threw on a dressing robe and walked out of his room. The small two-bedroom house with a basement should have been big enough, but it seems like it wasn’t.

In the kitchen stood the blond that wouldn’t let him sleep. His back was turned away from him.

“Have you been to sleep yet?” Severus asked when he entered. “I thought we talked about you getting some sleep.” 

The brat turned around with a smirk on his face. His hands moved quickly *You talked about me getting sleep. I said nothing, I can’t say anything.* Draco Malfoy signed with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. Severus looked at the younger potion master. There was a scar that ran from the inside of his shirt to the left side of his cheek. 

Severus still felt guilty because he was the reason Draco got that scar. If only he was there that day instead of wallowing in self-pity. 

*Ha ha Draco. You look like shite. You need to sleep.*Severus signed as he spoke. They learned BSL together. It didn’t take both of them long to master it. 

Draco rolled his eyes and poured both of them a cup of tea. *You know I’m still beautiful. You are jealous. You are going into town today, right? We have nothing. You need to go to the wizarding shopping district. I’ve read that there is a nursery that has the plants that we need to help with the new burn ointment and potions.* 

Severus had been avoiding going to the wizarding shopping district. America was progressive, and he wasn’t sure what he would find there. He was set in his ways, and he didn’t want to deal with anyone. Though he could go back to Britain to get what he needed, that seemed worse.

“Fine, after the cup, I’ll get ready for the day and go. You should come with me. I don’t know the last time you left this place since we moved in if you have ever.” Draco ignored him and sat down at the table. “Draco.” 

*I’m very busy today! Go without me.* Draco signed harshly. Severus wanted to push, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to leave the house most of the time, either. He couldn’t blame Draco.

*Fine, see if you can finish up the orders for the rest of the week while I’m gone.* Severus signed before he took a drink of his tea. 

Severus made his way down the sidewalk of the wizarding shopping district. It reminded him of Diagon Alley a bit. He has passed a magical feed store, as well as a jewelry store. Today wasn’t the day to take his time and walk around. They still had a lot of orders to fill for the end of the month. They had an owl order potions business after Draco’s accident. It was significant money, and they didn’t have to see people or talk to anyone. 

When he finally made it to his destination, he looked up at the old brick building. The storefront window was full of flowers. The sign hanging from the door read Azadores Magical Plant Nursery. 

Severus pulled the old wooden door open, and the fragrant smell of the plants assaulted his nose. A bell jingled, signaling his entry. Quick footsteps slapped on the old creaky floors. Severus couldn’t see anyone coming until he felt something collide with his legs. He looked down and saw the top of a black hair toddler. Couldn’t be over 2. The small child held on to his leg so he wouldn’t fall. Most people would think that Severus would kick the child away, but he had a soft spot for children below the age of 11. 

“Silas! What did I tell you about running in the shop?” Severus knew that voice, but it couldn’t be. It was his mind playing tricks on him. He looked down at the child, who was now looking up at him. Severus gasped when he saw the child's features. The only thing that was different was the eye color. Instead of onyx eyes, he had the same brown eyes that haunted his dreams every night. 

“Hi! Want flowers?” The boy.. no Silas asked. It couldn’t be, though. It was once. Then everything was answered when the voice he heard walked into the room. Neville Longbottom, his blond hair longer now, it was shaggy and hooked behind his ears, his eyes still that doe brown. “Daddy! He wants flowers!” The toddler runs towards the man, who was now frozen mid-step.

Severus watched as Silas ran towards Neville, who picked him up and cradled him in his arms. He was shielding the child from him. He would say that hurt him, but he was still too shocked. 

“S..Severus, w..what are you doing here?” Neville stuttered as he moved back behind the counter.

Severus cleared his throat. There was so much to ask. He brought himself out of his head. He was Severus Snape. He could handle this. It must be a misunderstanding. This child wasn’t his. He must have someone else. The thought of Neville with someone else made his stomach turn. 

“I could ask you the same thing. I guess you would rather work in a dingy nursery than work with children. I guess I could see the appeal.” Severus watched Neville blink a few times before he whispered something in his child’s ear. Whatever he said, the boy nodded, his black hair bouncing. The blond put the toddler down, who dashed through the swinging door.

“I love my job.” Neville swallowed and stood straighter. Severus wanted to smirk at the defiance in his eyes. “What can I help you with? I’m assuming you didn’t come here for a chat.” 

Severus wanted to demand who that child was, but did he really want to know? What if it truly wasn’t his child? Not that the child didn’t look like Severus, but he could be seeing things. 

“You have a son?” Okay, so he didn’t demand he asked that was different, right? Neville glared at him. So it wasn’t different. 

“Yes, I have a son. Now, is there a plant or flower that I can get you?” The blond moved from behind the counter towards one of the many displays of flora. “Wolfsbane possibly? Poppies?” Neville asked as he picked up each plant. 

“Who’s the father?” Severus moved closer to him, maybe he could intimidate him to answer. He never had trouble doing it before.

“You heard him call me Daddy, so I’m not sure why you are asking Severus. Now if you don’t have...”

Severus questioned before he could finish. “So you have a wife? Girlfriend?” 

Neville ran his fingers through his hair, he looked at Severus in defeat. It was too much like the face he had that morning when he left.

“No, he doesn't have a mother. If you are not going to buy anything Severus, please leave. I'm very busy.” Neville tried to walk past him but Severus caught him by the wrist and pulled. The blond flung back and crushed into his chest. The weight and smell of the younger man pulled him back to that night when he danced with him. 

“Then who is his other father?” Severus questioned. Neville looked up at him, his brown eyes were glossy with tears.

“I think you know Severus,” Neville answered him before he tried to pull away. Severus held him to his chest. It felt so right with him in his arms, though he didn’t deserve to have him in his arms. 

“Tell me,” Severus commanded. He felt the younger man shiver in his hold. 

“Y…Yours! Okay, Severus, he is yours. I don’t have the habit of sleeping around. Or have one-night stands!” Neville shouted, it shocked Severus enough to let go of his hold. “Now either get something or get out.” 

“Leucospermum Catherinae, I need a small bunch.” Severus watched as pain flashed in the smaller man’s eyes before he went over and sheared off a small bunch of the orange pinwheel flower.

“Take them and get out.” Neville turned his back and walked towards the swinging door. To their son. 

“I need to pay for the flowers,” Severus stated he couldn’t leave yet, even though he should leave. What good could come from this? The boy looked happy. His heart stuttered. A part of him knew he wanted to be the father he didn’t have. 

“Severus, you owe me nothing. Remember, I’m just taking care of it for you since you don’t have the time to. Now leave.” Neville didn’t turn around to look at him. He remembered the lie Severus told him on his birthday. 

“What about the child?” Severus asked before Neville walked through the door. That got the man to turn around.

“We will discuss this when he is not around. Silas doesn’t need to be around this. He is just a baby. Barnaby will have him in a couple of days. I'll be able to talk then.” That is all he said before he left Severus alone.

The potion master wanted to ask who Barnaby was until he remembered that was Hagrid’s husband. With flowers in hand, Severus walked out of the store. A son, he had a son.

Neville 

Neville has told no one of the visitor he had in the shop yesterday. Though he was meeting Harry and Topher for story time at Goldstein and The Three Bears Bookshop. Anthony Goldstein, a Ravenclaw from Neville’s year, inherited the bookstore when his grandmother passed away. Harry and Barnaby brought him into their family, as always. They hated he was so far away from where he grew up. 

Neville pulled on Silas’s jumper, his black hair stuck up. “Look at you! You look like Unca Harry with that hair. We are going to go see him today and Topher. You excited?” Neville asked as he put on his son’s trainers. It was hard with an excited boy. 

“Tophy… Tophy…” Silas babbled. “ ‘Arry ‘Arry” The toddler giggled as Neville picked him up. He tickled the wiggly boy. 

“Okay, we are going to be late if we don’t leave now.” Neville summoned the diaper bag. 

“ Tevey..Tevey…Peas!” Silas beloved toad stuffy Trevor, named after Neville’s own toad, who he lost shortly after he graduated. Neville summoned the toad and gave it to an open armed Silas. 

When they popped outside of the bookstore, Harry, Topher and Barnaby were waiting for them. “Pop, my Pop!” Silas wriggled out of his hands and ran to Barnaby. Barnaby and Hagrid were Silas’s grandparents, and Neville was so thankful that he had them. 

“My Silas! I’ve missed you! I can’t wait to spend all day with my boys tomorrow!” Barnaby cooed as he kissed each cheek.

“Pop Pop I ‘ee Pop Pop an’ Si Si!” Topher leaned towards Barnaby that now had his hands full of his grandsons.

“Let's go, the story will start soon!” The older wizard took both boys into the store. 

Harry looked at him with his eyebrow raised. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me nothings wrong. I know you Nev and you know I’m more sensitive to people when I’m pregnant.” Harry placed a hand on his flat stomach. He found out only a week ago. 

“I can’t talk about it right now.” Neville sighed and opened the door for his best friend. Who didn’t fight the subject, but knows he would later.

“You are coming back to my house after this. The boys can have lunch and nap time together. While they sleep, we will talk. I know Pops will want to know as well.” Harry demanded, and Neville nodded. He needed to talk to him about this.

Neville sat with Silas in his lap as Anthony read them a story about an Acromantula that loved to throw tea parties, but no one would come because they were afraid of them. By the end of the story, Silas looked up at him with his big brown eyes.

“Hungy Daddy! Eat wif Tophy?” He cocked his head to the side and his fringe fell into his eyes. Trevor was in his tight hold.

“Of course, we will eat with Topher, Unca Harry and Pop Pop.” Neville pressed a kiss on his forehead.

Neville and Harry gently placed both boys in Topher’s crib. They held their breaths as they walked out of the room. 

“I have tea ready. Come sit down and tell us what is going on!” Barnaby walked into the living room and the tray floated before him.

Neville sat on the couch and faced both of the men he now proudly called his family. 

“I had a visitor at the nursery yesterday. Of course, Silas ran towards the door after the bell went off. When I walked from the back, I saw Severus Snape in my shop. With Silas looking straight at him.”

“Oh, Shit!” Barnaby gasped, his teacup halfway to his mouth.

“Are you okay?” Harry leaned over and placed his hand on his. Harry always held his hand through everything. He truly had the world's best, best friend.

“I don’t know. I mean, of course, he asked me who Silas’s father was, and I told him I was. Then he asked if I had a wife or girlfriend and I said no. He finally asked who the other father was and I said you know who the father is. I told him that if he wasn’t going to get anything, he needed to leave. He ended up getting a flower that meant something to me.”

“The Pinwheel flower he got you for your birthday?” Harry asked as he interlaced their fingers. 

“Of course, it was those damn flowers. I’m telling you if I ever see that man again. I’m going to tell him how I feel about him. Thinking he could hurt my son how he did!” Neville smiled a watery smile at the older wizard. Barnaby loved and protected fiercely. 

“Before he left, he said he wanted to talk, and what could I say? He saw his son, who I hid from him. So tomorrow when he is with Barnaby, we are going to talk. I don’t know why he is in America or why he was in my shop. All I know is that I’m talking to him tomorrow.” Neville bit his bottom lip; this was going to be a disaster.

“I don’t like that you are going to talk to him alone,” Barnaby said with a huff.

“Though he should talk to him, Pop. There is a lot to discuss. Severus is an asshole, but Silas is his son, and if Neville wants to talk to him, I support him. I’ll be with him every step of the way.” Harry wrapped his arms around him. Neville held in a sob as he burrowed into the other man. 

“He will have everyone’s support. You are our family and we love you.” Barnaby moved behind him and wrapped his arms around him. Neville doesn’t know how long he sat in their arms, but he finally let himself cry.