Sorcerer's Sweets

Chapter Three: Knowing Me, Knowing You

Severus had been amazed at the quick support of Harry's friends and extended family, although he was quite sure that Granger and Weasley had had something to do with it. Ron and Hermione, he chided himself, as they had both told him to call them that once the engagement was announced to the pair of them. The fact that he was Draco's godfather and surrogate uncle, as well as former Head of House, had also assisted in the process of smoothing things over, as Ginny was head over heels for the former Slytherin prince, leading Severus to be quite confident that the pair of them would do well together.

Severus had also expected various individuals throughout the Wizarding World turning to him once Kingsley's announcement was made, in an effort to procreate once certain ages, or other afflictions, traditionally prevented them from doing so. The article in The Quibbler was very helpful as well, and, quite soon, Severus had enough orders to last at least until Easter. It shouldn't have been surprising to Severus when he received an urgent owl from the Minister of Magic himself, just one night before he and Harry were due to be bonded, and had agreed to meet him at an inconspicuous Muggle pub called The White Swan.

When Severus found the Apparition coordinates already logged for the area, he wondered why that was, until he arrived there, the snow falling around him. He quickly deduced that Hermione and Ron had established it, due to the fact that they lived so nearby. The ache within him at the prospect of his fiancé being so close practically beckoned him, but he wouldn't stand for a breaking of tradition, no matter how much he wanted to see Harry. Shaking his head and pulling his long winter coat around him, he made his way out of the alleyway and towards the pub. It was an appealing building constructed from white stone, and seemed to have been there for quite a while.

Stepping inside, Severus immediately knew that it was warm and welcoming, with the bar to the right of the entryway, and warm colored wood accenting the establishment. Looking around, he quickly spotted Kingsley, ensconced in a booth towards the back yet still beside a window, before he nodded to the proprietor and went to join the minister. Hanging up his coat on the hood provided, he was pleased that his Transfiguration spell had worked a little too well in turning his cloak into a coat for a Muggle establishment.

"Minister," Severus greeted him.

"Severus, come now. We are old friends, you know, and have been on the same side for nearly thirty years now," Kingsley responded. "First name basis and all."

Severus inclined his head. "Very well. How are you, Kingsley? Harry and I seem to be in agreement that this law was not something you wanted to come to pass."

Kingsley sighed, his broad shoulders slumping at Severus's pronouncement. "No, you're right, Severus, and I did my best to put a stop to it, I swear it," he said gravely.

"And your unexpected romance with Andromeda Tonks?" Severus asked.

The minister sighed, looking a great deal older than his near fifty years. "I was betrothed to Emmeline Vance before her murder for a great many years," Kingsley informed him, and Severus raised his eyebrows. "Nothing was sordid about it; our families were friends and comrades in arms, so they believed it was a good match. Although we neither of us were in love, we agreed to make a relationship work, but then..."

Severus nodded. "Yes," he responded, "but then. I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Kingsley responded. "Emmeline knew that I'd always harbored an attraction for men as well, and when she discovered that Alastor and I were meeting secretly, she told me that she didn't mind in the slightest. The marriage would be in name only, after all, and we would have children, as was expected of us, but it wouldn't be anything more than that."

Severus blinked. "She seems to have been a terribly tolerable young woman."

Kingsley gave Severus a rare, secret smile. "She was, yes. In actuality, as Emmeline later told Alastor and I, she never harbored an attraction for, well, anyone."