Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter 13

On December 24, 1983, it was the first time that Alice McGarden, then an Auror, decided to host a Christmas party. The previous year, she had spent it intimately with little Harry, and the year before that had been a year of mourning. But this year, she was determined to organize a nice party, one of those the Muggles love. On the morning of the 24th, she set to work decorating.

"Okay, on my list, I've written... a Christmas tree, with decorations on it." She looked around her living room, one hand on her hip, her gaze thoughtful, while holding baby Harry, who didn't seem to care much about the preparations but rather about tugging at his godmother's hair, which he was trying to pull playfully.

"Is your list long? I have things to do at my place..." said Severus, sitting at the table behind her, his tone detached from the dynamic radiating from the young woman.

"Sev'..." Alice looked at him, an annoyed expression on her face.

"I obviously have nothing to do at my place, Alice, I'm just teasing you..." He raised an eyebrow. "You're on edge, my word. How do you want me to help?"

Alice sighed before turning toward him. "Sorry, I'm stressed right now... Harry is having trouble sleeping through the night, and Bagnold has a ton of official outings, so..." She lowered her gaze as if the words were slipping away from her. "It's complicated."

Severus leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "The life of a workaholic mom doesn't suit you. Well, if you ask me, it doesn't suit anyone." He shrugged as if to emphasize the obvious. "You should ask for more leave. She likes you a lot, the minister, doesn't she? And she could make your hours more flexible..."

"I'm not his mother, Sev'... just... well..." Alice paused, clearly a little lost in her thoughts.

"Just his godmother, the godmother who changes his diapers, watches over him all night, sings him ridiculous lullabies, gives him his bottle, worries more than she should when he has a simple colic..." Severus fixed her with an intense gaze. "Yes, that's true, you're not his mother, but your responsibility in his life is almost the same. And that must count for something."

Alice stared at him, a bit unsettled. "It's just a title... It doesn't really matter in the end. And why do you care so much?"

Severus briefly looked away, as if searching for the right words. "I don't care." He sighed, more seriously this time. "It's just that, if you're going to do all this work, you might as well have the title you're entitled to, especially if you're going to take care of him all the way."

"The one who deserves that title is Lily," Alice replied, her gaze lost in thought. "Harry already has a mother." She paused for a moment. "You're suddenly so involved in my relationship with him, Sev'... Are you trying to build me a family, is that it?"

The young professor nearly choked on his sip of coffee. Alice's gaze didn't change, unaware of the double meaning her words could take. Severus, his cheeks flushed, avoided her gaze and cleared his throat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. He didn't answer, preferring to change the subject, wanting to escape a conversation he hadn't seen coming.

"And your leave, then?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"The Christmas tree, where do you think I should put it?" Alice didn't seem to be paying attention to Severus's question, her mind already elsewhere. She was scanning her living room.

"Are you listening to me?" Severus raised his voice, irritated by her lack of focus.

"Hold Harry for me, would you?" Alice handed the baby to him without really looking at him. Harry, seemingly not too bothered by the situation, waved his arms and let out a small cry.