Measured Love

Severus

Severus woke up with Neville in his arms. It was his favorite way to wake up. He was spending more time there than at his home. They haven’t talked about him moving in yet. It was like Neville was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Severus wouldn’t let that happen. He worked hard to get them to this place. There would be nothing that would bring them back. 

Severus brushed the blond hair out of the younger man’s face. He needed to return home for fresh clothes and get Silas’s birthday present. His son was turning three. This was the first birthday that he could be with him, so he was looking forward to it. Severus might have spoiled him with what he bought, but he had years to make up. 

Neville moved in his arms, and those beautiful brown eyes opened. “Morning,” his raspy voice said. 

“Morning pet,” Severus pressed a gentle kiss on his lips. “Did you sleep well?” The blond nuzzled into his chest and he felt small kisses. 

“I did. I seem to always sleep better with you.” Neville mumbled into his chest. Severus kissed his hair.

“I need to get the day started. I have to go home to pick up Silas’s presents, also a change of clothes.” Neville looked up at him with a shy smile.

“Maybe you should bring some clothes over, so if you spend the night. You would have some here. I can make some room for you in my closet and a drawer.” Severus' heartbeat quickened. That was a big step, a significant step, but big.

“Of course, pet. If you would like, I can do that.” Severus ran his fingers through the younger man’s hair. Life was going perfectly. 

“Good. Do you think you have time for a quick shower with me before Silas wakes up?” Neville asked with a naughty smirk on his face.

“I believe I can spare a few minutes for a shower. I think we should get properly dirty first though, don't you agree pet?” Severus pinned the smaller man down on the bed. Onyx eyes looked down into brown. Neville didn’t answer. He wrapped his arms around his neck and slammed their lips together. Yes, there would always be time for a shower with this man.

Hagrid

Hagrid watched as his husband flick his wand, decorations strung around his whole house. This is how it has been each birthday their grandchildren have had. Each year, there were more party decorations. 

This year's theme was sweet it is to bee three. Black and yellow balloons arched over the table filled with bee themed food and treats. Streamers hung from the ceiling. 

“Love, it looks beautiful in here. Ya out did ya self! I thought Topher's wild and three birthday was good but this is amazing!”   

Barnaby walked over to him and pulled him down into a kiss. “Thank you Ruby! My babies deserve the best! I can’t believe how quickly they grow up, Ruby. It makes my heart hurt. It feels great to see them grow.”

Hagrid nodded. “There are days I think about Harry when he was their age. Now he has a Topher and then another one on the way.”

“I want a houseful of grandchildren. Oh Ruby, I can't wait. Do you know sometimes I still can’t believe you finally asked me out? I was getting close to asking you. I knew that my life would be amazing since then.” Hagrid pulled his husband onto his lap. 

“Do ya think there is time before the party? When ya say things like that, Love, I can’t help myself.” Barnaby smirked at him and kissed him passionately. 

“I’ll make time.” The smaller man said right before he popped them away. 

Neville 

Neville paced in front of the floo. Severus should have already been here. All he had to do was to go home and pick up a few things. He hoped nothing happened. What would have happened? Oh, gods, what if something happened in his lab? Severus was working on new potions. 

“Daddy! We go to Pop Pop and Gran?” Silas pulled at his shirt. He couldn’t wait any longer. It wasn’t fair for Silas. Severus will be there. He was excited. 

“Yes Si Si, let's go to Pop Pop and Granda’s.” Neville picked up his son and popped them away. 

When they appeared in the living room of his adoptive parents, a shout of “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” filled the room.

“Yay Happy Si Si day!” Silas wriggled out of his hands and ran toward Hagrid, who picked him up. 

The room was perfect. Barnaby overdid himself again. The entire room was bee theme. It even smelled of honey. Harry walked up to him. There was a concerned look on his face. 

“Where is Severus? I would figure he would come with you.” He pulled Neville into a hug. He didn’t want that dam to break. It was probably nothing. 

“He said that he would be here. I’m sure he is just running late. He spent the night last night and left this morning.” Harry smiled at him.

“Oh, he is spending the night more often than not now! Then I’m sure he is going to be here soon. Come on, let's see what Barnaby made. You know he always makes the best sweets.” Harry clasped his hand and pulled him over to the table. Maybe a cookie would calm him down. 

Time passed quickly. They waited as long as they could, but Silas wanted to open his presents. Once everything was opened, they had their dinner of mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. 

Harry and Barnaby watched him. The look on their faces was enough to make him break. Silas asked him a couple of times about his Tad, but Neville told him he would be there soon and the toddler would go off and play with Topher. 

When the cake was done, and the boys were cleaned up. Hagrid and Charlie took the boys upstairs to the room they shared. That left Neville alone with Harry and Barnaby. The looks on their faces made Neville worry more. What if there was something wrong with Severus? He has been working on dangerous potions.  

“Neville,” Barnaby walked up to him and he held out his hands. 

“Don’t I’m going to go check on him. I don’t think that Severus would have missed this. I’m scared that something is wrong.” Both of the men nodded. 

“Do you want me to come with you?” Harry asked as he took his hand. Neville squeezed it.

“No, I can go by myself. I’ll call if there is something wrong.” Neville didn’t wait for a reply. He walked over to the floo and called out to his destination. At least he knew that even though he had never been over to Severus’s house. They have floo’d each other before.

Neville walked out of the floo into a bedroom. It had to be Severus’s room. Most of everything in the room was black. Neville smiled when he saw a picture that Silas colored him framed on his side table. Neville wanted to look around more, but he had to make sure that Severus was okay. 

Neville made his way out of the room and down the hallway. It ended in what looked like the front doorway. He looked left and saw a small dining room that was empty, but when he looked right, what he saw made him gasp. 

Severus was holding a man. All Neville could see was blond hair. This wasn’t a friendly embrace. The stranger had his head nuzzled into the potion master’s neck. Just as Neville loved to do it while they danced. Severus wasn’t at their child’s birthday party because he was too busy with another man. 

The potion master must have heard his gasp because he looked over at Neville. Severus pulled away from the stranger who now he could see was Malfoy. Tears flooded down his cheeks. He should have known better. There were so many signs. 

“I can see you are busy. I’m glad that you are not hurt or dead. Don’t bother trying to explain Severus. I’m guessing he was a part of your plan and we were not.” Neville popped away. He couldn’t go back to face Harry or Barnaby. When he popped into his nursery, he fell to the floor.  Why did he allow this man to do this to him again? 

Severus

Severus had a smirk on his lips as he walked out of the floo. The morning he had been one he wished he could have many times in the future. Severus was in love with Neville Longbottom. Completely and utterly in love with him. The potion master never believed that he could love or have a family and he had both. 

Severus quickly changed out of the clothes that he wore yesterday into fresh ones. With Silas’s present shrunk, he placed them in his coat pocket. He should go check on Draco, and see if he has eaten and slept.  

Severus knocked on Draco’s door, there wasn’t an answer. The door was cracked, so he pushed open the door. On the bed, Draco sat with an empty potion bottle in his hand. The younger wizard looked pale. What potion did he take? Was he not feeling well?

“Draco?” Draco looked up at him. His silver eyes were glossy, and his breathing labored. “What’s wrong, what did you take?” Severus walked over to him and took the bottle out of his hands. Hemlock, oh gods. “Accio Bezoar” 

“You stupid, stupid boy! Why would you do this?” The Bezoar flew into his hand. Severus forced the rock into Draco’s mouth. “Swallow now Draco.” Draco didn’t budge Severus held Draco’s nose and his body took over. The smaller man swallowed. 

*We are going to have an endless talk. How could you not have talked to me? Are we, not family Draco? I didn’t know things were this bad!* Severus signed. He couldn't trust himself to talk without his voice breaking. 

Severus watched him as he came to himself. His eyes were closed, but it was working.

Draco’s pale face showed more color. *I need help, Severus.* Draco signed tiredly, tears fell from his eyes. 

“Why didn’t you tell me, Draco, that things were this bad?* He signed as he spoke. Draco bit his bottom lip and shrugged. Severus sat down with him on his bed.

*We are going to get you to help. I’m going to be there for you. I know I have a family now, but you are still my family. I’ve known you since you were born Draco.* The smaller man's shoulders bounced as he sobbed. 

*I’m tired, Severus.* Draco's hands shook as he signed. *I can’t feel this way anymore.*

Severus reached over and placed his hand on the smaller man’s. “Then we will get help, Draco. You are going to go get help. We won’t go to St. Mungo, we will go to the hospital that is here.”  

Draco shook his head. *Severus* 

“Draco.” Severus wasn’t backing down. “It is your choice, but I made a promise. Do not make me break that promise again.*

Draco closed his eyes and then nodded. *Okay* Severus sighed in relief. *Can we wait for a bit before we leave?*  Draco asked, his eyes still closed. Severus pulled him into his arms.

“Yes, of course, Draco.” Severus's heart broke for many reasons. Draco tried to take his life,  as well as missing Silas’s birthday party. Neville would understand they could have their own birthday party. The biggest birthday party. Neville will understand he is good, not like Severus. 

Severus held Draco as he cried. It seemed like hours had passed. 

*Severus I think I’m ready now.*  Draco signed as he stood up on shaky legs. Severus nodded and stood up next to him. They walked into the living room. Severus would bring the things he is allowed to have once he gets settled. *Thank you Severus for everything.* He was caught off guard when the blond pulled him into another hug. It had been a long time since Draco was so tactile. When he was a little boy, he loved hugs and cuddles. 

“You don’t need to thank me, Draco. You are my family.” Severus heard a gasp, and he turned to see Neville. Tears fell from his eyes, then he spoke. 

“I can see you are busy. I’m glad that you are not hurt or dead. Don’t bother trying to explain Severus. I’m guessing he was a part of your plan and we were not.” Neville popped away. 

Draco touched his arm. *Go to him!*  Severus shook his head. 

*He won’t talk to me tonight. I fucked up. Let’s get you to the hospital.* 

Draco pushed him and shook his head. *I will go to the hospital. You go get your family. I promise Severus.* 

Severus made sure Draco floo’d to the hospital. He would go check on him after he figured everything out. 

Severus went to Neville’s home, but no one was there. He popped over to Barnaby and Hagrids.  Harry opened the door with a confused look on his face.

“Severus, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Is Neville okay?” Harry walked out of the house and closed the door.

“I’m guessing he isn’t here. I have to go.” Severus left Harry as he popped into his shop.

When he looked into the shop, he saw Neville on the floor. Severus knocked on the door. “Neville!” 

The younger man looked up from the floor with a sneer. “Leave me alone Snape! Go back to Draco!” 

“It’s not what you think. Neville, please open the door so we can talk about this!” Severus tried to magically unlock the door but couldn’t get through. 

“You are wasting your time. You can’t get in. Charlie’s brother Bill built the wards. You will not get through. Just leave Snape. Please, I don't want to talk to you.” Neville sobbed. 

Severus would not give up; he couldn't give up. Neville left him before and he did nothing. He would not let it happen again. 

“You are running again, Neville! I am here to talk to you and you are running away!” Severus leaned against the door as the rain started. Of course, it would start raining.

“I’m not running Snape. I just don’t want to talk to you! There is nothing to say!” Neville yelled through the door. 

Severus felt his anger taking over. “What about Silas? You can’t keep him away from me. I am his father! You already kept him away from me before and I will not let you do that again!” Severus wiped the water off his face when he looked back. Neville was standing by the door.

“I will not keep Silas from you because he loves you! I just don’t have to see you. You can have him any day except Sundays. Starting Tuesday, you can take him after you are finished with work.” Neville barked through the door before he ran towards the back room.

Severus leaned his head on the glass of the door as the rain fell down. How did things go so wrong?