A Motherly Intervention.

Title: An Unexpected Invitation.
Author: pekeleke
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter.
Challenge: Prompt 3 (Picked from an online seasonal prompt list): Holiday Music.
Word Count: 1002
Content:Chapter 3 of my Christmas Series: A Motherly Intervention.
Warnings: Getting Together. Enemies to friends to lovers. Mild Angst. Romance.
Disclaimer: The characters, setting, and the HP franchise are owned by JKR and not me. I make no profit from writing this piece of fanfiction.
A/N: Unbeated. Posting one chapter a day from December 1st to the 25th.
Summary: "Severus looks positively gobsmacked, and Molly swallows her overwhelming desire to hug him to death. As soon as she's sure he won't run away screaming, she is going to mother him within an inch of his life."

An Unexpected Invitation.

Molly has been to The Simmering Cauldron a few times, yet she feels a frisson of new excitement as she walks through the door today. She is here on a mission. Hopes to intrigue a prospective member of her growing family into stepping close enough to let her hook him. Severus's store, like the man himself, is meticulously tidy. A peaceful haven in the middle of Diagon Alley that remains defiantly untouched by the wave of Christmas Spirit taking over the neighboring businesses. There is no seasonal lighting in the store yet. There's no holiday music either. There isn't even the usual collection of extra-strength hangover potions that most apothecaries stock around this time of the year gracing Severus's pristine shelves yet.

Molly frowns. She doesn't know Severus well enough to assume the absence of holiday cheer reveals a Grinch-like personality. There might be something else dulling his Christmas spirit. Seasonal invitations might be hard to come by, now that Severus is no longer at Hogwarts. Yule is a family celebration, and Molly doesn't remember seeing him at Ginny's last year. Maybe Draco had decided to entertain him on his own like he'd done with his healer colleagues. It's also possible that Severus had been invited to the general soiree, alongside Draco's school friends, but refused to attend. Molly hums under her breath. She has to speak to Draco about Severus. He is her most natural way into this reclusive man's inner circle.

"Mrs. Weasley. How may I help you?" Severus greets her, appearing from behind the curtain that separates the quiet store from what Molly suspects is a well-appointed lab. She wonders what, precisely, Harry sees when he looks through the shop's window. Does he peer inside, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive potioneer only to be disappointed unless Severus is serving customers? Her heart clenches in sympathy for her poor son.

"Call me Molly, please, Severus. Now that young Scorpius has finally arrived, we're practically family. Draco tells me he's asked you to be his godfather."

Severus's dark gaze turns wary, "If you've come to object-

"Nothing of the sort, dear," Molly hurries to interrupt him before he says something he'll regret. Severus is a prickly soul. He tends to defend himself and asks questions later, "My son-in-law's unwavering trust in you when it comes to his firstborn's welfare speaks highly of your character. You're Draco's godfather, Severus. He knows exactly how well-suited you are for that role."

Severus looks positively gobsmacked, and Molly swallows her overwhelming desire to hug him to death. As soon as she's sure he won't run away screaming, she is going to mother him within an inch of his life; cuddle him until he replaces his wary frowns with pleased smiles, and feed him relentlessly until he gains at least twenty pounds. Harry should still be able to pin him to a wall and lift him up in the air the way he seems to like, even if Severus puts on a bit of weight. The man looks like an underfed waif, for Merlins' sake!

"I haven't agreed yet," Severus confesses, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. Molly edges closer to the shop's counter, chubby fingertips aching to rub soothingly up and down Severus's arm.

"Why not?"

"I've been meaning to speak to Ginevra about it but haven't had the chance yet. She might have someone else in mind."

Molly sighs inwardly, "You didn't visit her at the hospital?"

"She was asleep when I arrived. I didn't want to disturb her," Severus explains tightly, and Molly's heart goes out to him. This man needs to learn that he's not an imposition on the members of his inner circle, posthaste.

"Why don't you come over to the Burrow for tea tomorrow? Everyone shows up for family dinner on Fridays. It's an established Weasley tradition. Ginny and Draco will be there. You could talk to her then."

He gapes, understandably startled by her unexpected invitation. She's never issued one before. Molly has been following Draco's cues when it comes to merging his inner circle with the rest of the family. Draco has, so far, opted to keep both sides firmly apart. But that approach no longer suits Molly with regards to Severus. Harry will never get a chance to interact with the man before they both die of old age if things continue as they are.

"I'd rather not intrude," Severus replies faintly, and Molly instinctively flashes him her most charming maternal smile. This poor soul is in desperate need of a mother, and she is eagerly applying for the job.

"Nonsense. I'll bet Draco will be delighted to have you there. And Ginny too. We've heard all sorts of stories about your god-parenting adventures. Scorpius is in good hands with you, Severus. My daughter has no doubts about that."

"I— work late on Fridays."

"That's not a problem. We'll wait for you."

Severus's thin lips press together. His dark gaze shifts uneasily towards the door, and his pale fingers curl tightly around the edge of the counter. Molly reads his increasing discomfort in the lines of his rigidly-held body. He feels trapped and doesn't much care for the feeling. Molly is sorry indeed for cornering him like this. Still, she is finally allowing herself to see the man Draco so openly admires, and she is impressed. Harry's taste in heroes to idolize is much better than his taste in sexual partners. That is for sure.

"I'll be there, then. Thank you for the invitation," Severus concedes defeat with barely a hint of hesitation. He's a master at concealing awkwardness. Molly must remember to be careful with her pushing.

"Excellent! We start around six-thirty. Feel free to Floo in whenever you're ready, Severus," Molly says, flashing him such a delighted grin that he forgets to inquire about her reasons for entering his shop. Molly is sincerely relieved by that oversight. George keeps her medicine cabinet perfectly supplied. She's after Severus himself. And she's one step closer to catching him.