A Motherly Intervention.

Title: A Delightfully Slippery Slope.
Author: pekeleke
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter.
Challenge: Prompt 22 (Picked from an online seasonal prompt list): Sledding.
Word Count: 680
Content: Chapter 22 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: "So things are going well between you two?" Molly asks, and the blush on Harry's cheeks alone would have told her the answer, but the besotted sigh that leaves his lips is too lovely a sound to miss. Molly is ecstatic to hear it.”

A Delightfully Slippery Slope.

Ginny calls in around six on Wednesday afternoon. It snowed overnight in Wiltshire heavily enough to cover the slope of some small hill that's part of the Malfoy state with a perfect layer of fluffy snow, ideal for sledding. Ginny wants Molly to inquire around and see if any of the children are up for it. Today is one of Draco's rare days off, and they'd be delighted to entertain.

As soon as they hear the news, Teddy, Victoire, and little Rose gang up on their parents, demanding they'd be allowed to go. Harry, who'd spent all day already with Teddy at the zoo, gets roped into delivering him to Malfoy Manor since Andromeda is already there, having enjoyed her grandson-free day with her sister. Hermione Floos in to explain that Ron is working late, so she'll be the only one attending. She's grateful for the opportunity to take the kids out somewhere where they can spend some energy under the watchful eye of multiple family members. Young Hugo is turning out to be quite the hellion. It's hard for Hermione to cope with both kids at the same time when she's on her own.

George is up for any kind of snow-related shenanigans any time of the year, and Charley's boy can't wait to see Hugo again, so they agree to show up too. Molly turns to Arthur, eyebrows climbing up her forehead inquiringly. He wiggles his hole-filled socks towards the warmth coming off their hearth and sighs. Molly knows he'd been looking forward to a quiet evening, but she also knows he can tell she wishes to go. All her grandchildren will be there, laughing like monkeys while sledding down the slope. She can't possibly miss it. They grow up so fast. One second you're singing them Lullabies, and the next you're dancing at their wedding.

"We'll go, don't you worry, Molls," Arthur tells her softly, "Half of them will leave Britain before we blink. I'll have plenty of time to toast my feet come January."

Molly kisses his papery cheek, thankful. He's growing old, her Arthur. But he's still the same kind man she fell madly in love with. He knows her like nobody else does. He's her best friend in all the world.

When they step off the Floo and into Ginny's 'casual' parlor, there's a gaggle of Weasleys already milling about. Ginny rushes in to welcome them, explains that Draco has bent the manor's wards so they can see the hill through the window without having to go physically there, and directs them to a side room where the household house-elves are laying a lovely spread of cold meats, delicate pastries, and tempting fruit platters.

George waves them over and hands them a mug of mulled cider each. Arthur spots the nearest wing-back chair and makes a beeline for it. Molly wants to see the children, though, so she takes her drink, burrows deeply inside her jacket, and braves the cold air outside.

The evening air is rather crisp, but the walk toward the hill is short and well illuminated. Draco must have ordered the elves to enchant the delicate orbs of light currently floating in mid-air. The effect is both practical and lovely. The simple magic is helpful, understated, thoughtful, and effective, as is the case with most of the things Draco does. Sometimes her daughter's husband reminds Molly more of Severus than Narcissa. She never knew Lucius well enough to tell, but Molly sincerely doubts that man had a thoughtful bone in his entire body.

Molly hears the giggling before she catches sight of the sled, running at break-neck speed down the hill. Charley and his husband are standing by the foot of it, wands at the ready in case it becomes necessary to cast a hasty cushioning charm. Up at the summit, Molly spots Draco himself. And Severus. Molly wonders how he found out about the impromptu meeting and instantly dismisses the thought. She doesn't care either way. She's thoroughly delighted to see him.

Harry shows up about fifteen minutes later. Tired smile encouraging a wildly excited Teddy to go forward and join the rest of the kids. He stops beside her, gloved hands curling around his own mug of mulled cider, and takes a long, grateful sip.

"Merlin! How is he still going? We've been running around muggle London since ten-thirty," He groans, and Molly laughs under her breath.

"Children always have energy left, Harry, dear. Are you sure you still want one of your own?"

Harry's amused smile turns beautifully dreamy, "Of course I do. Severus is great with children. He should be around, somewhere. He didn't open the store today because he was here, visiting Scorpius.”

"He’s such a doting godfather," Molly smiles, "You better watch out, Harry. Severus is going to spoil Scorpius rotten. It won’t take long before you lose the title of coolest godfather, now that he’s entered the rink."

"He talks about the baby non-stop. It’s been so long since Draco was little that he claims to have forgotten how wonderful it was to be around such a young child. He’d do anything to help too. Scorpius has been colicky since last night. Ginny called Severus in a panic because Draco was at work and the mediwitches couldn’t locate him right away. Severus brew a potion for Scorpius that must be taken every two hours and showed up here, ready to administer it himself. Today, he didn't open the shop and canceled on me even though Draco is home and Scorpius is doing better. We were supposed to have dinner together this evening," Harry explains.

"So things are going well between you two?" Molly asks, and the blush on Harry's cheeks alone would have told her the answer, but the besotted sigh that leaves his lips is too lovely a sound to miss. Molly is ecstatic to hear it.

"He is— everything I hoped, Molly. I keep pinching myself every hour to make sure I'm not asleep somewhere, having the best dream of my life."

"He has agreed to date you, then?" Molly inquires. She has her suspicions, but it's never a bad idea to confirm such things.

"Yeah. It's early days, and he wants to take things slowly, but— we're together. I'm the happiest man alive."

Molly's heart fills with exuberant joy. She's so thrilled for him. For both of them, really. She'll try her best to encourage their nascent romance to grow strong roots. The first few weeks are such a fragile time in any relationship. The boys have managed to come together despite a past riddled with animosity and a decade-old misunderstanding. Molly doesn't think there's anything out there that can rip them apart. Still, she'll keep an eye on them, just to be sure.