Measured Love

Charlie

Charlie walked into Justin’s office. He wasn’t here for therapy. Charlie goes to a different mind healer since Harry and Barnaby adopted Justin. 

“Hey, Charlie! This is a pleasant surprise. Everything okay?” Justin stood and walked toward him. Charlie smiled at him and nodded.

“Yes, everything is okay. I’ve stopped by to let you know that family dinner is on Sunday. If you don’t have plans. I told Harry and Barnaby that I would ask because I know how they can guilt anyone into coming over.” Charlie was only half kidding. His husband and father-in-law had their ways of getting what they wanted. 

“Oh, I’d love to, but I’m going out of town this weekend. Do you have it every Sunday? ” Charlie felt bad for his friend. He has talked a little about his family. 

"We have it every Sunday. You can come next weekend.” The other wizard smiled at him. 

“Of course, I'll be there next weekend!” 

“Good, then my husband will be happy with me when I tell him. I should go. I have my appointment with Ross in a few minutes. I’ll see you later, Justin.” Charlie squeezed Justin’s arm and walked back towards Ross’s office. 

Draco

*Draco, I need to talk to you.* Severus signed and spoke. Draco didn’t feel like talking today. It was Sunday, his day off. He rolled his eyes and sat down beside the only family he had left. 

*What Severus? If this is about brewing, I will do it tomorrow. It’s Sunday* His hands moved swiftly. Severus shook his head. The older man looked different. 

*I will not be home as much. I want to know that you will be okay. I’ve been worried about you.* Draco hated that Severus felt he had to stay with him. He knew the potion master felt guilty for what happened to him, but it would have happened even if Severus was there that day. It was just a freak accident. 

*You don’t need to be worried about me, Severus. You are hardly home at night now anyway.* Severus leaned over and set his hand on his knee. Draco didn’t want to feel anything. It’s better to be numb. 

*I have a son. Neville had my son after he left Hogwarts. I am trying for a relationship with Neville and Silas.* Draco’s eyes widened. He couldn’t have heard right. Severus couldn’t have a son, could he? He knew the older wizard had a thing for Neville but didn’t know it went anywhere. 

*Hold on, I don’t think I heard you right. Neville is here, and he had your son?* Draco raised his eyebrow as he signed quickly.

*Yes, Draco. I have a son named Silas, and Neville is here. He owns a plant nursery in the wizard shopping district. Today I’m going to have a Sunday family dinner with him and his adoptive parents. I need to know that you are okay though Draco.* He didn’t want pity from Severus or obligation. 

*Severus, you have a family now. Which is fucking weird, by the way. You don’t need to worry about me. You do not have an obligation to be here. I’m an adult Severus and I don’t need babysitting. Your family is more important.* Draco signed aggressively. He wanted this conversation over with. 

*You are my family too, Draco.* That was very uncharacteristic of the older potion master. 

*Yes Severus we are but I’m fine. You should go get ready. You need to look and be impressive today. I need to start my new book.* Draco lied as he  shooed Severus away. The older man squeezed his leg one last time before he left him alone. He wished one day that he would have someone someday. Who would want him now? He couldn’t speak and had a huge scar. 

Neville

“Daaaaaadddddyyyyy!” Silas bellowed. Neville was looking at himself in the mirror. He had lost little of the baby weight he gained when he had Silas. He wasn’t a small man, to begin with, but having the extra weight made him self-conscious. Harry told him he needed to do his affirmations. He doesn’t do them every day, but it might help if he did it today. 

“I’m good enough. I love myself. I’m in the bathroom, Si Si!” The giggles bounced off the walls. Silas ran into the room and he looked adorable with his green khaki shorts and floral button-up shirt.

“Daddy! I ‘ee Tad?” Silas cocked his head to the side. Neville picked up his son and cuddled him tight.

“Yes, Tad is coming to have family dinner, with Pop and Granda and Unca Harry, Unca Charlie, and Topher! We should get going. See if Pop Pop needs help with dinner.” Neville hooked his blond hair behind his ears. Okay, this is as good as it's going to get. 

“Let's go, my sweet mandrake.” Neville picked up Silas and made his way outside. He could have taken the floo, but it wasn’t far. He needed to clear his head. Silas sang a song that Neville couldn’t tell what it was. That was another thing his son had in common with Severus. It is strange that Severus loved to sing but oh how his voice melted him.

They walked up to the porch and pushed open the door. Silas ran into the room. Tooth and Fang looked up from their bed. 

“Pop Pop! Gran Gran!” Silas sang loudly. Hagrid walked into the room with an enormous smile.

“Silas!” The half-giant leaned over and picked up the toddler. “I’m so glad ya here! I’ve missed ya!” Hagrid said dramatically.

Neville rolled his eyes and walked over to hug him. “You just saw him yesterday, Granda. You are getting as bad as Pops.” 

“HEY! I’m not bad. Even if we saw him yesterday doesn’t mean we didn’t miss him. We missed you, too!” Barnaby pulled him into a tight hug. “So, where is that man?” 

Neville chuckled. “Be nice Pops. He will be here. Si Si and I wanted to come early to see if you needed help.” Barnaby waved him off when he took Silas from Hagrid, who kissed both of them on the forehead before he walked over to his easy chair. 

“I don’t need help. Everything is done anyway. Harry and Charlie should be here…” Just as he said that. The door opened again and Topher ran over to him. The toddler pulled at his pant leg.

“Unca Nevy up!” Topher raised his hands up. Neville picked up his nephew and kissed him all over his face.

“I’ve missed you, Topher,” Neville said as they gave nose kisses.

“You just saw him yesterday!” Barnaby teased and stuck his tongue out at him. 

“What did we miss?” Harry asked as he hugged and kissed everyone. 

“Ruby said that he missed Silas, and Neville said that we just saw him yesterday. Then he saw my Topher and said the same thing. He is lucky he is cute.” Barnaby took Topher from him and walked both boys over to their granda.

Neville rolled his eyes and was pulled from the room by Harry.

“So he isn’t here yet? I can’t wait to see Pops and him together!” Neville glared at his adopted brother. He was about to speak when Silas’s voice yelled.

“TAD!” Harry raised his eyebrow at him. 

“Tad?” Neville shrugged.

“We told him last night. There is a lot I have to tell you. I’ll come over after dinner tonight and we can talk.” Harry gave him a look like you better before they walked into the room.

“Severus.” Neville walked to him and nervously hugged the older wizard, who had his hands full of Silas. 

“Hello, Pet.” Severus bent down and kissed his cheek. He heard a giggle behind him and it wasn’t from his nephew. 

“Neville, are you going to introduce us properly?” Barnaby interrupted. Neville hid his face in Severus’s chest. 

“Pops, you know him. You met him a while ago.” Neville whined, no, not whined. He stated. 

"Yes, but that was before. I would like to meet my Silas’s Tad.” Severus kissed his hair and pulled away.

“I’m Severus, it’s nice to meet you again, Barnaby.” Severus took the smaller wizard's hand.

“It’s nice to meet you again, Severus. Fresh start Severus, I’d hate to be the boyfriend's crazy parent. So we are going to start anew and until you do something that might change that.” Barnaby glared at him and then smiled. “Welcome to the family.” 

Severus

Severus found himself in a crushing hug from Barnaby. The man was too much. Though they treated Neville like their own.

“Thank you.” Severus was pulled away by Neville. He looked at the blond and smiled in a thank you.

“Pops, you are going to smother him. Sorry, Severus, this family is full of huggers. You will get used to it.” Severus doubted he would get used to it. Neville squeezed his arm before he pulled him towards what looked like the kitchen. 

“Yes, I’m sure I will.” Neville rolled his eyes. 

“Is it time to eat? I’m starving.” Harry said as he pushed past up into the kitchen. “Severus, I hope you don’t have any allergies. It looks like Pops went overboard today. Oh, gods, is that your homemade peanut butter pie? Charlie, did you bring my spicy chips?” Severus raised his eyebrow as he watched the redhead pull out a bright orange crisp bag from the backpack he carried. 

“I don’t leave the house without them, Little Pixy. I’m sure Barnaby had some here if I didn’t.” Barnaby walked into the kitchen and Hagrid followed with his arms full of his grandchildren.  Severus had never had a family like this. It was strange to him. It was loud. He had a tightness in his chest. The potion master didn’t like to think about his childhood or lack of one. 

“Of course, I have those chips. I’m still finding salt and vinegar chips hidden around when Neville was pregnant.” Neville blushed and shook his head. Severus perked up at the mention of Neville’s pregnancy. They talked a little about his pregnancy.  

“Gross, I never understood how you ate those, Nev.” Harry wrinkled his nose as he took the lid off a simmering pot. “Oh, is that your meat sauce? Pop, please tell me you have meatballs?” 

“Hey, they were delicious! I still love them. I just don’t dip them into coffee ice cream.” Severus felt like he was in one of those muggle television shows. He didn’t think a family could act this way naturally. 

“It is my meat sauce, and yes, we have meatballs. Now everyone sit down. I know I’m ready to eat.” Severus walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for Neville. Who looked down at the seat and then up at him? The younger wizard blushed and sat down, not making eye contact with anyone in the room. 

“Oh, a gentleman.” Barnaby teases. “That gets you brownie points.”  

The dinner was loud and messy. The two toddlers were covered in noodles and sauce. Severus answered all the questions that were thrown his way. They weren’t too personal. He couldn’t lie it was all getting to be too much.

“Neville, how about ya take Severus for a walk before dessert?” Hagrid suggested the half-giant knew him well. “I’ll clean up Silas.” 

“Oh, great idea Ruby.” The smaller man gave the half-giant a loud kiss on his mouth. 

Neville looked up at him and blushed again. “Sure, umm, we can go see the greenhouse.” Severus followed Neville out of the house. When he stepped on the porch, he took a deep breath. 

Neville chuckled and shook his head. “I know they can be a lot. When they first adopted me into their little family, it was a culture shock, to be honest. You know how my Gran was. They are the total opposite. When they love, they love fiercely. I hope it wasn’t too much for you.” 

Severus reached for Neville’s hand and interlaced their fingers together. “You are right, they are loud. I can tell that they love you. I’m glad that you had the support system that you needed.” Guilt sat like lead in his stomach. He wished that he could have been there for Neville. 

The blond looked down at their hands and the corners of his mouth left end in a small smile. “Come on, let me show you my greenhouse.” 

Neville didn’t let go of his hand as they walked down a dirt path toward the greenhouse. They walked in silence, but it wasn’t awkward. When the path stopped, it was in front of a huge greenhouse. This wasn’t what he expected. 

“When you said greenhouse, I didn’t expect this.” Neville’s eyes glimmered in the setting sun. Those damn eyes, he thought to himself. 

“I didn’t want to take up this much room but Barnaby said what was the point in making a small greenhouse when we had room for a big one. That man is too much.” Severus only met the man twice but he could tell once the man thought of you as  family you are family. 

Severus placed a kiss on the back of Neville’s hand. “Well, show me the inside.” Neville huffed and rolled his eyes. Neville let go of his hand and pushed open the door. 

Severus’s mouth opened as he saw the rows and rows of plants. It was clean and organized. They were not that different from each other. Neville’s greenhouse was the equivalent of his potion lab.

“Silas has his own table.” He nodded towards the back of the greenhouse. “I’ve been thinking, Severus, I... I want to trust you more when it comes to him. I know Silas loves plants. I was thinking, if you want, you can take him to your lab.” 

Severus' breath hitched. He did want to brew with his son but he wasn’t ready to talk about Draco. He knew Silas would mention Draco. A part of him knew that he needed to talk to Neville about the real reason why he left. Then he would have to relive the guilt of what happened to Draco. 

“I’d love that Neville, but I’m working on some very dangerous potions right now. If you don’t mind I could bring over a beginners potion kit and do it at the nursery or at your house?” Severus hated that he could lie with such ease. He didn’t want to lie to him.

Neville frowned, “I didn’t even think about that. Of course, you can bring that. I wouldn’t mind you doing it at the house. Tomorrow then after work you can come over to the nursery while I close up and pick up Silas and bring him back here to brew.”  Severus cupped Neville’s cheek, his thumb brushed his skin. 

“Thank you, Neville. I appreciate you giving me a chance.” Severus wanted to kiss him but he didn’t want to push it. “Will you allow me to take you out Wednesday?” 

Severus felt the skin under his fingers heat. “Y…Yes I’d like that Severus. Will there be dancing?” 

Severus smirked at the smaller man. “Of course, there will be dancing. Why wouldn’t I want you in my arms.” Severus watched as Neville moved closer to him. He could lean a little further in and their lips would touch. When a patronus ran through the room. 

“Hope you are decent. The babies want dessert. You better come before we eat it all.” Barnaby chuckled. Neville pulled away from him and grabbed his hand.

“Come on I really want a piece of that pie before Harry messes it up with his hot crisps.” Severus sighed and allowed Neville to drag him back into the madness. 

“It better be good pie.” The potion master said under his breath.