Severus and the Thunderbird

All Good Things

"Welcome home" Seren wrapped her arms around his waist as they unpacked their belongings, ready to settle back into home after being abroad for a week selling books and potions

Home. A small apartment with thrifted and vintage furniture, floor to ceiling books and herbs, seated above their shop entitled "Books and Brews." Muggles and magical folk alike flocked to the quaint shop where they specialized in "eclectic" books and homeopathic remedies. Or potions as the wizards called them. Hidden and thriving amongst the eccentric and ancient magic of the French Quarter.

"I'm happy to be home" he kissed her forehead, holding her tightly, body languid inside her embrace, the memories of the past ten years bonding them together

Life was easy and full. Adventure in turn but mostly blessed security.

The moment quickly ended when the excited shrieks of their five year old twin girls Acacia and Hazel rang through the apartment, the stomping of excited feet tearing into the room.

"Daddy!" they yelled simultaneously, hopping onto the bed, and then flinging themselves onto Severus' body, latching on like magnets

He broke out into a grin, squeezing them tightly, spinning around, their tiny legs spread out like wings. The giggles erupted, cherub faces glowing with happiness.

"Did you miss me?" he asked seriously, raising his eyebrow

"Yes!" they chirped, arms around his neck like miniature lassos

Seren smiled, the joy that emanated from the three of them flowed down like a geyser of spring water. Severus had been terrified when she got pregnant; ruminating for the whole nine months on how he had no framework with which to be a father. That he would ruin everything with his zero experience at family life.

But, the second those girls were laid in his arms, a fierce protectiveness and devotion formed unlike any she had ever seen. The four of them cuddled up in their own corner of the world. Four explorers grounded in a loving home. 

"Oh mommy! I missed you so much my heart could explode!" Hazel gasped, wriggling down from Severus' arms, clutching at her heart when she suddenly realized that there was another adult in the room

"Well it's a good thing we came back" Seren teased back, squeezing her daughter tightly, wispy light brown pigtails brushing her cheek

"Nana said you weren't coming back until tonight but you're home early!" Acacia explained their exuberance, hopping down from Severus' to give her a hug too

Her mother and sister jumped at the chance to gain a fresh start after the war. Not that they knew it had happened. But, she and Severus needed a place to lay low, and what better than a town full of tourists, never the same people for long. Magic in plain sight but never noticed.

Surprisingly, Severus and her mother got along like old friends. She never questioned it, but rather chose to muse at the odd pairing of a bubbly bleached blonde who served her rigid and quiet partner margaritas on Wednesday nights, as well as the fact that he seemed to enjoy them.

She worried sometimes that perhaps she was stealing a bit of his life: the necessity for true freedom. Being able to walk around unafraid of discovery. He assured her it was a tiny price to pay for the peace of mind that he now had.

He said he was happy to live under the radar, no one knowing his real name, in spite of the fact that the papers had exonerated him but he chose not to return. They refused to declare him dead, simply circulating his picture a few times a year; asking for him to return.