His Wife | Severus Snape x OC

seventy-seven

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‹ MiraaChe ‹ has posted a new chapter!- ͙۪۪̥˚

┊❛ welcome to chapter seventy-seven❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

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The warmth of the fire filled the room, casting a golden glow over the holiday scene unfolding within Grimmauld Place. Harry stepped quietly into the doorway, his eyes taking in the sight before him. 

The enchanted snow fell gently over a large Christmas tree in the corner, shimmering as it floated down, while the Firebolt soared gracefully over his friends, who sat among a pile of animated wrapping paper, laughing as it flew by.

Nearby, Fred and George were playfully tossing bits of wrapping paper at one another, while Ginny, her eyes alight with Christmas cheer, teased them about their aim. Arthur sat contently by the fire, a peaceful expression on his face. As he glanced up, he caught sight of Harry in the doorway and raised his glass in a quiet gesture of gratitude.

Harry, still guilt-stricken from the events surrounding Arthur's attack, tried to smile back, but his heart felt heavy. The holiday spirit around him felt so distant from the turmoil still swirling in his mind. As he lowered his gaze, his eyes were drawn to the opposite doorway, where another figure stood quietly watching the scene: Sirius.

Sirius' smile was shy, almost childlike, as if he was witnessing the kind of Christmas he had never known. Their eyes met, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them—a connection, a shared understanding of loss and longing. Harry felt the warmth of that moment, the closeness to Sirius, like family.

As the scene played out, Severus and Rosabelle entered the room with their son, Alaric, bundled in Severus' arms. Alaric's eyes were wide with wonder, his tiny hands reaching out toward the twinkling lights on the tree. 

The usually stern expression on Severus' face softened as he cradled his son, the small infant giggling in delight. Rosabelle, standing beside him, smiled warmly, her hand resting on Severus' arm as they shared in the simple joy of watching Alaric's fascination with the decorations.

Severus caught Harry's eye from across the room and gave a subtle nod. It was not often that Harry saw this side of him—the father, the man who found comfort in the small moments of peace.

As the family settled into the room, Ginny quickly made her way over to Rosabelle and Severus, cooing at Alaric. "Look at him, all bundled up! Can I hold him, Professor Snape?"

Severus gently handed the giggling baby to Ginny. Rosabelle smiled warmly, adding, "He's fascinated by lights these days, so be prepared for him to stare at the Christmas tree the entire time."

Alaric's tiny hands immediately reached for the twinkling stars on the enchanted tree, his eyes wide with delight as Ginny cradled him. Fred and George, noticing the scene, wandered over with grins.

"Starting him young, I see," Fred quipped, nudging George. "He's already got an eye for shiny things."

Severus, despite himself, smirked slightly. "Much like his mother," he murmured under his breath, causing Rosabelle to nudge him.

Meanwhile, Harry's gaze drifted back to Sirius, who had moved to stand by the doorway, his eyes still tracing the scene before him, absorbing the rare sense of warmth and family. Harry approached him, catching his eye once more.

"It's good to see you like this," Harry said quietly.

Sirius glanced over at him, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I never thought I'd have something like this again," he admitted, his voice soft with emotion. "It's... strange, but nice."

The two stood in silence for a moment, before Harry's eyes wandered to the tapestry in the hallway, the faded family tree of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. As he approached it, he traced the sprawling branches of the family lineage, his eyes landing on the scorched mark where Sirius' name had been.

Sirius joined him at the tapestry, his face darkening as he regarded the blackened spot next to the names of Regulus and Bellatrix.

"My mother did that," he said quietly. "After I ran away."

Harry looked up at him, a question in his eyes. "Where did you go?"

Sirius smiled, a wistful expression softening his features. "Your dad's and Rosabelle's. They took me in. I was always welcome at their house."

His gaze drifted toward the Snapes by the fire, and a shadow of sadness crossed his face. "But not anymore," he added quietly, his smile faltering. "After everything that happened with Snape... I wasn't welcome anymore. I guess I deserve that."

Harry asked quietly, "Did you ever regret it?"

Sirius blinked, slightly taken aback by the question. He followed Harry's gaze to where Rosabelle stood with Severus, gently teasing their son. His smile faded into something softer, more reflective, as he looked down. "Every second of the day," he answered quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow.

Harry furrowed his brow, still confused. "Then why didn't you—?"

"Because it wasn't my place, Harry," Sirius interrupted gently, his eyes clouded with old memories. "Rosabelle made her choice, and I had to respect that. She and Severus... they have something that I never could've given her."

There was a heavy silence between them as Harry let those words sink in. He could see the pain etched into Sirius' face, the way his eyes lingered on Rosabelle and the life she had built. Yet, despite the regret, Sirius seemed to have come to terms with it, accepting what could never be.

"I was a fool back then," Sirius said quietly, his voice distant. "Snape... he was everything Rosabelle ever wanted. I never stood a chance. I wasn't even in the race to begin with. Never had been, never would be."

Harry's heart sank as he saw the sadness in Sirius' eyes, but also a quiet acceptance. He knew how hard it must have been for Sirius to let go of that part of his life, to watch from the sidelines as Rosabelle and Severus built their family together.

Sirius cleared his throat, trying to shift the mood slightly. "But this," he gestured to the room, the laughter, the decorations, and Harry by his side, "this makes it all a little easier."

Harry nodded, but the turmoil inside him hadn't eased. His mind returned to the dream, to the attack on Arthur, and he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Sirius... when I saw Mr. Weasley attacked, I wasn't just watching. I was the snake." 

His voice wavered with fear. "And afterward... in Dumbledore's office, for a moment, I felt... angry. What if I'm becoming more like Voldemort?"

Sirius turned to him, his face serious. "Harry, you are not a bad person. You're a very good person who bad things have happened to."

Harry's eyes glistened, his emotions raw. "But what if something's gone wrong inside me? What if I'm becoming... like him?"

Sirius gently placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, his gaze steady. "We all have light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."

Harry looked up at his godfather, deeply grateful for the words of comfort. Without a word, he leaned into Sirius, hugging him tightly. Sirius felt the dampness of Harry's tears soaking into his shirt, and without hesitation, he wrapped his arms tighter around him, holding him close, gently trying to soothe the quietly crying teen.

"Time to go, Harry," Hermione's voice called softly from the doorway, bringing Harry back to the present.

Harry nodded, before wiping his tears away, "It feels like we're always saying goodbye."

Sirius smiled, though sadness flickered in his eyes. "It won't always be this way. When this is over, we'll be a proper family. You'll see."

With no one left, Harry was all he had. Sirius silently vowed to himself that he would be there for Harry, every step of the way, no matter what.