Entry tags:
FIC: Fathers' Day, Part 1
Title: Fathers' Day, Part 1
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Snape/Lupin
Word count: 2425
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Warning: AU; introduced several OCs and made a major departure from canon by the end of the Book 5 timeline. (And Snape is a pureblood, since the series was started pre-Book 6.)
Sequel to: Always, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, Phoenix Rising, Aftermaths, The Revenant, Ash's Story, Summer Vacation III, and Scars. (These stories are archived on my website and also on Moonshadow.)
Summary: This was written for Family Fest on
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lupin_snape. Dylan and Theodore decide to celebrate a Muggle holiday with their fathers. Author's notes: For those not familiar with the series, Snape and Lupin adopted two orphaned sons of Death Eaters after the war ended. Snape adopted Theodore Nott as his legal heir, and Dylan Rosier, son of Evan, is their foster son.
And much thanks to:
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red_day_dawning, bonfoi, jbfrancis2000, shipchan, and persevero for giving me some excellent plot bunnies to work with when I had writer's block!***
It was the middle of June, and Theodore had been given leave from his apprenticeship to come home for a few weeks to spend time with his family. They'd had a celebratory dinner at Snape Manor last night, and today Theodore and Dylan had gone to Hogsmeade to meet up with their friends and significant others--or at least, that was the plan. It actually turned out to be more of a double date, since Blaise and Hermione were the only ones free that day. It was Hermione's day off from her job at the apothecary's, and of course as a teacher, Blaise had the entire summer free. But Goyle was busy at his job in Werewolf Support, while Crabbe was busy setting up his new Thestral carriage business with Luna; Draco was helping his employer, Cassidy Sinclair, with some new invention that was probably going to become the next hot-selling novelty item in the wizarding world; Harry was off with Shacklebolt and Tonks on an Auror assignment; Ron had gone to some exotic tropical location with Mr. Greengrass, his future father-in-law, to look for new specimens for the flower shop; and Damien, after years of joking that he would become a Quidditch star someday, had actually been recruited by the Kenmare Kestrels as a Chaser. It was only a reserve position at the moment, but still, he was an officially employed professional Quidditch player.
"His dad still can't believe it," Dylan said with a grin. "For the past two years, he's been lecturing Damien about the need to settle down and be responsible and find a good job, and right out of school, he gets hired by a Quidditch team, just like he always said he would!"
"Well, he's living out his dream and getting paid for it, so good for him!" Hermione laughed. "I guess we all are, aren't we? Even if our jobs aren't as glamorous as Damien's."
"Yes, that's true; we're all doing work that we enjoy," Blaise agreed. "I'm even getting a promotion."
"Really?!" Theodore exclaimed. "You never said anything about that in your letters!"
"That's because I wanted to tell you in person," Blaise replied, grinning proudly. "I'll be a full Professor next term, not just an assistant to Binns!"
Dylan and Theodore slapped him heartily on the back in congratulations, while Hermione said, "That's wonderful; I'm so happy for you! So you'll be planning and teaching the History of Magic classes on your own now?"
"Yes, I'm excited about it," Blaise replied. "Although it's a bit daunting to realize that I'm responsible for all the lesson plans now."
"You did most of the work this past year, anyway," Dylan pointed out. "All Binns did was repeat the same old lectures over and over again, which most of the students slept through, same as always."
"So what will Professor Binns do now?" Hermione asked curiously. "I don't think that you can fire a ghost, and even if you could, I'd feel a bit sorry for him, even though he is rather boring."
"We're just moving the History classes into another room," Blaise explained. "Binns can remain in his classroom and continue to lecture to his heart's content, since he doesn't seem to care if anyone's listening or not. In fact, he actually seems happier lecturing to an empty room with no one to interrupt him. It will be strange not to have the Headmaster around, though."
Dumbledore had announced his retirement at the end-of-year feast on the last day of school, then promptly disappeared on an "extended vacation" to parts unknown before the public or the press had time to make a fuss about it. Everyone was gossiping about the Headmaster's retirement, and Rita Skeeter was already writing a series of retrospective articles chronicling his career. Several of the Ministry Department Heads had proposed a parade and grand celebration in Dumbledore's honor, but those plans had to be put on hold since no one could find him. Even the new Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, claimed to have no idea where he was, and said that he'd left no forwarding address.
"Albus will turn up when he's good and ready," she had informed the anxious Ministry officials calmly, without any apparent concern.
"Father thinks that she knows where he is, but has been sworn to secrecy," Theodore said. "He says that Dumbledore will probably turn up several months from now, after all the fanfare has died down."
"Professor Snape must be pleased with his promotion," Hermione said.
"I think he'll secretly miss the old man, although he'd never admit it," Dylan said with a smile. "But he is very proud to be the new Deputy Headmaster."
"Remus is getting a promotion, too," Theodore added. "He'll be the new Head of Gryffindor, and Professor Tsubasa will take over the Transfiguration classes full-time."
"I sort of suspected that Dumbledore was thinking of retiring," Hermione said smugly, looking pleased to have been proven right. "Why else would he have hired a second Transfiguration Professor?"
"He told everyone it was a cultural exchange program, but of course that didn't fool you, Hermione," Dylan said smoothly, leaning across the table to give her an admiring smile.
"You're a shameless flatterer, Dylan Rosier," Hermione retorted, but she still flushed, causing Theodore to roll his eyes good-naturedly.
"He is, but it's not really his fault," Blaise chuckled. "I think it's an automatic reflex, something in the Rosier blood."
"I can't help it if I'm naturally charming," Dylan said loftily, and they all laughed. They chatted a little longer about the new changes at Hogwarts, and then the conversation turned to their plans for the summer.
"So what are you going to do for the Professors for Father's Day?" Hermione asked Dylan and Theodore.
"Father's Day?" they echoed, staring at her blankly. They had both become more open-minded since the war had ended, but their knowledge of the Muggle world was still very sketchy.
"Is that some sort of Muggle holiday?" Blaise asked.
"Yes, it's a day for children to express their appreciation to their fathers," Hermione replied. "It's celebrated on the third Sunday of June; there's a Mother's Day in May, too. There's no equivalent holiday in the wizarding world?"
"No," Theodore said, with a wry, slightly bitter smile. "Perhaps it's considered unnecessary because we purebloods are supposed to be aware of our heritage and honor our bloodlines every day of our lives."
"I see," Hermione said uncomfortably, and Dylan smiled at her reassuringly.
"I've never heard of it before, but it sounds like a wonderful idea," he said cheerfully. "I'd really like to do something for Remus and the Professor, to show them how much we appreciate everything they've done for us."
"I would, too," Theodore admitted, the bitterness draining from his face to Hermione's obvious relief. "So what do Muggles do on Father's Day?"
"Well, when I was a little girl, I used to make my dad breakfast in bed," Hermione said, giggling. "And he was kind enough not to complain about the burnt toast and runny eggs! And afterwards, we'd go to the zoo or an amusement park..."
"It sounds more like Children's Day than Father's Day," Dylan observed with a grin.
"Well, when you're a child, you automatically assume that your father would like the same things that you do," Hermione laughed. "The main thing is to do something together as a family. Of course, when I got older, I'd take him on outings that I thought he would enjoy, like a soccer match. This year I'm getting tickets to a play; Dad belonged to the drama club in school, and fancies himself to be a bit of an amateur thespian."
"I've never been to an amusement park or zoo," Theodore said wistfully. "Though I've heard some of the half-blood and Muggle-born students talking about them. It sounded like fun, but my father would never have been caught dead in a Muggle place."
"The wizarding world doesn't have such things, because it's difficult to hide such a large place from Muggle eyes," Blaise explained. "Occasionally a traveling menagerie or fair might pass through Hogsmeade; my grandfather took me and my sister to one once."
"My father wasn't really the type who enjoyed family outings," Theodore said, some of the bitterness returning to his voice, and Blaise reached out to lay his hand comfortingly over Theodore's for a moment.
"And I wasn't allowed off the family estate until I was thirteen years old," Dylan said matter-of-factly, but there was a hint of wistfulness in his eyes that echoed Theodore's. "And even then, it was only to Hogwarts, or supervised trips to Diagon Alley to buy my school supplies, at least until the war ended."
"It wasn't fair that you were exiled for your father's crimes," Hermione said quietly.
"Well, life isn't fair," Dylan said philosophically, then smiled. "But everything's all right now. I'm no longer a prisoner, and Theo and I are happy living with the Professor and Remus." He turned to his foster brother. "So should we take them to the zoo for Father's Day?"
"You don't think they'll find it too...well, childish?" Theodore asked hopefully.
"Remus will like it," Dylan said confidently. "He's the sentimental sort, so that should appeal to him. If he's already been to the zoo as a child, he'll get all nostalgic about it, and if he hasn't, he'll be eager to try out a new experience. The Professor will probably roll his eyes and grumble a bit, but if it makes Remus happy, he'll go along with it. And he'll secretly be pleased that we're doing something special for them, although he'll never admit it."
"You know them too well!" Hermione laughed. The others laughed along with her, and then Theodore and Dylan resumed planning their Father's Day outing with increasing enthusiasm, as Hermione and Blaise offered suggestions.
"His dad still can't believe it," Dylan said with a grin. "For the past two years, he's been lecturing Damien about the need to settle down and be responsible and find a good job, and right out of school, he gets hired by a Quidditch team, just like he always said he would!"
"Well, he's living out his dream and getting paid for it, so good for him!" Hermione laughed. "I guess we all are, aren't we? Even if our jobs aren't as glamorous as Damien's."
"Yes, that's true; we're all doing work that we enjoy," Blaise agreed. "I'm even getting a promotion."
"Really?!" Theodore exclaimed. "You never said anything about that in your letters!"
"That's because I wanted to tell you in person," Blaise replied, grinning proudly. "I'll be a full Professor next term, not just an assistant to Binns!"
Dylan and Theodore slapped him heartily on the back in congratulations, while Hermione said, "That's wonderful; I'm so happy for you! So you'll be planning and teaching the History of Magic classes on your own now?"
"Yes, I'm excited about it," Blaise replied. "Although it's a bit daunting to realize that I'm responsible for all the lesson plans now."
"You did most of the work this past year, anyway," Dylan pointed out. "All Binns did was repeat the same old lectures over and over again, which most of the students slept through, same as always."
"So what will Professor Binns do now?" Hermione asked curiously. "I don't think that you can fire a ghost, and even if you could, I'd feel a bit sorry for him, even though he is rather boring."
"We're just moving the History classes into another room," Blaise explained. "Binns can remain in his classroom and continue to lecture to his heart's content, since he doesn't seem to care if anyone's listening or not. In fact, he actually seems happier lecturing to an empty room with no one to interrupt him. It will be strange not to have the Headmaster around, though."
Dumbledore had announced his retirement at the end-of-year feast on the last day of school, then promptly disappeared on an "extended vacation" to parts unknown before the public or the press had time to make a fuss about it. Everyone was gossiping about the Headmaster's retirement, and Rita Skeeter was already writing a series of retrospective articles chronicling his career. Several of the Ministry Department Heads had proposed a parade and grand celebration in Dumbledore's honor, but those plans had to be put on hold since no one could find him. Even the new Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, claimed to have no idea where he was, and said that he'd left no forwarding address.
"Albus will turn up when he's good and ready," she had informed the anxious Ministry officials calmly, without any apparent concern.
"Father thinks that she knows where he is, but has been sworn to secrecy," Theodore said. "He says that Dumbledore will probably turn up several months from now, after all the fanfare has died down."
"Professor Snape must be pleased with his promotion," Hermione said.
"I think he'll secretly miss the old man, although he'd never admit it," Dylan said with a smile. "But he is very proud to be the new Deputy Headmaster."
"Remus is getting a promotion, too," Theodore added. "He'll be the new Head of Gryffindor, and Professor Tsubasa will take over the Transfiguration classes full-time."
"I sort of suspected that Dumbledore was thinking of retiring," Hermione said smugly, looking pleased to have been proven right. "Why else would he have hired a second Transfiguration Professor?"
"He told everyone it was a cultural exchange program, but of course that didn't fool you, Hermione," Dylan said smoothly, leaning across the table to give her an admiring smile.
"You're a shameless flatterer, Dylan Rosier," Hermione retorted, but she still flushed, causing Theodore to roll his eyes good-naturedly.
"He is, but it's not really his fault," Blaise chuckled. "I think it's an automatic reflex, something in the Rosier blood."
"I can't help it if I'm naturally charming," Dylan said loftily, and they all laughed. They chatted a little longer about the new changes at Hogwarts, and then the conversation turned to their plans for the summer.
"So what are you going to do for the Professors for Father's Day?" Hermione asked Dylan and Theodore.
"Father's Day?" they echoed, staring at her blankly. They had both become more open-minded since the war had ended, but their knowledge of the Muggle world was still very sketchy.
"Is that some sort of Muggle holiday?" Blaise asked.
"Yes, it's a day for children to express their appreciation to their fathers," Hermione replied. "It's celebrated on the third Sunday of June; there's a Mother's Day in May, too. There's no equivalent holiday in the wizarding world?"
"No," Theodore said, with a wry, slightly bitter smile. "Perhaps it's considered unnecessary because we purebloods are supposed to be aware of our heritage and honor our bloodlines every day of our lives."
"I see," Hermione said uncomfortably, and Dylan smiled at her reassuringly.
"I've never heard of it before, but it sounds like a wonderful idea," he said cheerfully. "I'd really like to do something for Remus and the Professor, to show them how much we appreciate everything they've done for us."
"I would, too," Theodore admitted, the bitterness draining from his face to Hermione's obvious relief. "So what do Muggles do on Father's Day?"
"Well, when I was a little girl, I used to make my dad breakfast in bed," Hermione said, giggling. "And he was kind enough not to complain about the burnt toast and runny eggs! And afterwards, we'd go to the zoo or an amusement park..."
"It sounds more like Children's Day than Father's Day," Dylan observed with a grin.
"Well, when you're a child, you automatically assume that your father would like the same things that you do," Hermione laughed. "The main thing is to do something together as a family. Of course, when I got older, I'd take him on outings that I thought he would enjoy, like a soccer match. This year I'm getting tickets to a play; Dad belonged to the drama club in school, and fancies himself to be a bit of an amateur thespian."
"I've never been to an amusement park or zoo," Theodore said wistfully. "Though I've heard some of the half-blood and Muggle-born students talking about them. It sounded like fun, but my father would never have been caught dead in a Muggle place."
"The wizarding world doesn't have such things, because it's difficult to hide such a large place from Muggle eyes," Blaise explained. "Occasionally a traveling menagerie or fair might pass through Hogsmeade; my grandfather took me and my sister to one once."
"My father wasn't really the type who enjoyed family outings," Theodore said, some of the bitterness returning to his voice, and Blaise reached out to lay his hand comfortingly over Theodore's for a moment.
"And I wasn't allowed off the family estate until I was thirteen years old," Dylan said matter-of-factly, but there was a hint of wistfulness in his eyes that echoed Theodore's. "And even then, it was only to Hogwarts, or supervised trips to Diagon Alley to buy my school supplies, at least until the war ended."
"It wasn't fair that you were exiled for your father's crimes," Hermione said quietly.
"Well, life isn't fair," Dylan said philosophically, then smiled. "But everything's all right now. I'm no longer a prisoner, and Theo and I are happy living with the Professor and Remus." He turned to his foster brother. "So should we take them to the zoo for Father's Day?"
"You don't think they'll find it too...well, childish?" Theodore asked hopefully.
"Remus will like it," Dylan said confidently. "He's the sentimental sort, so that should appeal to him. If he's already been to the zoo as a child, he'll get all nostalgic about it, and if he hasn't, he'll be eager to try out a new experience. The Professor will probably roll his eyes and grumble a bit, but if it makes Remus happy, he'll go along with it. And he'll secretly be pleased that we're doing something special for them, although he'll never admit it."
"You know them too well!" Hermione laughed. The others laughed along with her, and then Theodore and Dylan resumed planning their Father's Day outing with increasing enthusiasm, as Hermione and Blaise offered suggestions.
***
"Do you and Remus have any plans for next Sunday, Father?" Theodore asked casually during dinner, with such an innocent expression on his face that it immediately aroused Snape's suspicions. In his experience, that look on a Slytherin face was usually a foreshadowing of trouble to come.
He exchanged a glance with Lupin, who shrugged. "Not really," Snape replied cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
Theodore and Dylan grinned at each other; yes, they were definitely up to something. "It's a surprise," Dylan said with his most charming smile, which only made Snape even more suspicious. "Would you mind keeping that day free?"
"Of course," Lupin agreed immediately, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He clearly had no more idea what the boys were up to than Snape did, but being a Gryffindor, he was always up for a little mischief. Honestly, the werewolf still acted like a child at times! Snape was trying his best to be irritated, but he had to fight back a smile as he remembered how Lupin had initiated a snowball fight at Snape Manor during their first Christmas together with the boys.
Snape looked over at his mother, who was still eating her dinner calmly, showing no sign of surprise or concern, and he relaxed further. If Lady Selima knew about the boys' little scheme, it couldn't be anything that bad. She had little tolerance for pranks or horseplay, or for anything that might put the Snape family in an embarrassing light. Besides, Dylan and Theodore were sensible young men. Whatever mischief they had in mind was probably harmless.
"Very well," Snape said, and the boys beamed, looking smugly pleased with themselves.
"So what do you think they're up to?" Snape asked Lupin after dinner, when they were alone in their room. "It's nowhere near your birthday or mine."
"I have no idea," Lupin laughed. "But I'm looking forward to finding out! Hmm...you don't suppose that Dylan wants to announce that he and Hermione are getting married, do you?"
"Merlin forbid, they're much too young for that!" Snape exclaimed.
"Well, James and Lily weren't much older when they got married," Lupin pointed out. "And Evan and Ariane moved in together straight out of school."
Snape scowled disapprovingly. "I thought they had agreed to put off marriage plans until they both completed their apprenticeships. An engagement, I can tolerate, so long as they put off the actual ceremony for a few years. They need to concentrate on their careers right now."
"Well, it was just a guess," Lupin said cheerfully, patting Snape on the shoulder. "We'll find out soon enough what their surprise is."
But now that Lupin had put the idea into his head, Snape knew that he wouldn't be able to keep from brooding about it all week. Stupid werewolf.
Dylan and Theodore had enlisted Selima's approval, in order to ensure that everything went smoothly. She had mellowed considerably over the past couple of years, but she still held to most of her pureblood prejudices, so they hadn't specifically mentioned that they were celebrating a Muggle holiday. All they told her was that they wanted to show their appreciation to their adoptive fathers, and Selima thought that was a fine idea, saying that it was always proper for a son to show filial respect.
"We should do something for Grandmother, too," Theodore told his foster brother. "Not quite as elaborate, perhaps, but we could take her out to lunch one day, and maybe to an exhibit at a museum or art gallery." The Snape matriarch had a fondness for fine art.
"Yes, you're right," Dylan agreed. "I wonder if Muggles have a Grandparent's Day? I suppose I should do something for Uncle Math and Aunt Goewin, too. Well, first things first; we still have to finish arranging our Father's Day plans."
They grinned at each other conspiratorially. The two of them had planned a series of events for that day, culminating in a special surprise for their fathers. Hermione had very gently suggested that perhaps they might want to scale down the celebration to something simpler, but Dylan had protested, "But we have so many missed years to make up for!"
"How can I argue with that?" Hermione had replied, giving in with an affectionate but slightly sad smile that seemed to say that she didn't have the heart to argue further.
"Do you think Granger was right?" Theodore asked now, sounding a little worried. "That we made things too complicated?"
"Nonsense!" Dylan said confidently. "I have everything planned down to the last detail. What could possibly go wrong?"
Afterword: Sorry, I'm not quite done with this yet, but I needed to get at least the first chapter up today to make the Family Fest deadline! I'm almost done with Part 2, and I expect it will probably run to about 3 or 4 chapters, which I think I should be able to finish by this weekend.
Part 2
Part 3
"Do you and Remus have any plans for next Sunday, Father?" Theodore asked casually during dinner, with such an innocent expression on his face that it immediately aroused Snape's suspicions. In his experience, that look on a Slytherin face was usually a foreshadowing of trouble to come.
He exchanged a glance with Lupin, who shrugged. "Not really," Snape replied cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
Theodore and Dylan grinned at each other; yes, they were definitely up to something. "It's a surprise," Dylan said with his most charming smile, which only made Snape even more suspicious. "Would you mind keeping that day free?"
"Of course," Lupin agreed immediately, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He clearly had no more idea what the boys were up to than Snape did, but being a Gryffindor, he was always up for a little mischief. Honestly, the werewolf still acted like a child at times! Snape was trying his best to be irritated, but he had to fight back a smile as he remembered how Lupin had initiated a snowball fight at Snape Manor during their first Christmas together with the boys.
Snape looked over at his mother, who was still eating her dinner calmly, showing no sign of surprise or concern, and he relaxed further. If Lady Selima knew about the boys' little scheme, it couldn't be anything that bad. She had little tolerance for pranks or horseplay, or for anything that might put the Snape family in an embarrassing light. Besides, Dylan and Theodore were sensible young men. Whatever mischief they had in mind was probably harmless.
"Very well," Snape said, and the boys beamed, looking smugly pleased with themselves.
"So what do you think they're up to?" Snape asked Lupin after dinner, when they were alone in their room. "It's nowhere near your birthday or mine."
"I have no idea," Lupin laughed. "But I'm looking forward to finding out! Hmm...you don't suppose that Dylan wants to announce that he and Hermione are getting married, do you?"
"Merlin forbid, they're much too young for that!" Snape exclaimed.
"Well, James and Lily weren't much older when they got married," Lupin pointed out. "And Evan and Ariane moved in together straight out of school."
Snape scowled disapprovingly. "I thought they had agreed to put off marriage plans until they both completed their apprenticeships. An engagement, I can tolerate, so long as they put off the actual ceremony for a few years. They need to concentrate on their careers right now."
"Well, it was just a guess," Lupin said cheerfully, patting Snape on the shoulder. "We'll find out soon enough what their surprise is."
But now that Lupin had put the idea into his head, Snape knew that he wouldn't be able to keep from brooding about it all week. Stupid werewolf.
***
Dylan and Theodore had enlisted Selima's approval, in order to ensure that everything went smoothly. She had mellowed considerably over the past couple of years, but she still held to most of her pureblood prejudices, so they hadn't specifically mentioned that they were celebrating a Muggle holiday. All they told her was that they wanted to show their appreciation to their adoptive fathers, and Selima thought that was a fine idea, saying that it was always proper for a son to show filial respect.
"We should do something for Grandmother, too," Theodore told his foster brother. "Not quite as elaborate, perhaps, but we could take her out to lunch one day, and maybe to an exhibit at a museum or art gallery." The Snape matriarch had a fondness for fine art.
"Yes, you're right," Dylan agreed. "I wonder if Muggles have a Grandparent's Day? I suppose I should do something for Uncle Math and Aunt Goewin, too. Well, first things first; we still have to finish arranging our Father's Day plans."
They grinned at each other conspiratorially. The two of them had planned a series of events for that day, culminating in a special surprise for their fathers. Hermione had very gently suggested that perhaps they might want to scale down the celebration to something simpler, but Dylan had protested, "But we have so many missed years to make up for!"
"How can I argue with that?" Hermione had replied, giving in with an affectionate but slightly sad smile that seemed to say that she didn't have the heart to argue further.
"Do you think Granger was right?" Theodore asked now, sounding a little worried. "That we made things too complicated?"
"Nonsense!" Dylan said confidently. "I have everything planned down to the last detail. What could possibly go wrong?"
***
Afterword: Sorry, I'm not quite done with this yet, but I needed to get at least the first chapter up today to make the Family Fest deadline! I'm almost done with Part 2, and I expect it will probably run to about 3 or 4 chapters, which I think I should be able to finish by this weekend.
Part 2
Part 3
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Oh you poor, stupid boy! Haven't you learned not to every say that? So, who trys to kill/frame/kidnap them this time?