-II-

"Severus, what are you doing here?" Poppy asked when Severus stormed into the room.

"I want to see Harry," Severus explained and looked around. One of the beds was hidden behind a white curtain.

"Harry is sleeping, Severus, and that won't change until this afternoon. He is healing from morning flower poisoning."

"Morning flower poisoning?" Severus racked his brain until he found the information he was looking for. Very painful but not serious. "Has he been in a lot of pain?"

"He is all right now, Severus."

"That wasn't the answer to my question, Poppy," Severus protested.

"That's all you will get before you eat lunch, young man. Alastor is in the Great Hall, and I would hurry down there to eat if I were you." She looked sternly at him while she crossed her arms over her chest. "Harry can tell you all about his accident when you come back here after classes."

Severus sighed. "Yes, Poppy."

-II-

Severus' head was sinking down on his desk for the third time. Professor Binns' monotone voice was too hard to listen to without falling asleep. He had been Severus' teacher the first time around, and he had had the same effect on him back then. Oliver was no help in keeping him awake because he was already snoring beside him. Only the disgusting fear of being drowned in the small pond of Oliver's drool made Severus fight.

"Mr. Snape!"

Damn, he had lost the battle. He jerked up when Binns almost screamed in his ear.

"Mr. Snape, I wasn't fond of your disrespect during your first time at school, and I'm not now either. Maybe now there are people who care if you are taking your classes serious or not. You have detention with me at five to note down what you missed during your nap."

"Professor Binns, Severus is still recovering. I'm sure he wasn't sleeping out of disrespect or-"

"Ms. Block, I can assure you that Mr. Snape knows exactly why I am giving him detention. He has told me very clearly what he thinks about my class and my teaching methods as a student and as a professor, so don't think you can tell me whether or not he is doing this out of disrespect."

Alicia was shocked. She had never seen Binns like this. He almost never addressed them, and she would have sworn that he did not know any of their names, but it seemed she was wrong. There was obviously some kind of feud between Severus and the professor, and now Severus was not in a good position.

"Five o'clock, Mr. Snape. Don't be late. Your guardians will be informed about your disrespectful manner, and I hope Professor Moody will take care of you," Binns said and grinned unsympathetically at Severus.

Severus did not know what to do. He had said good-bye to Oliver and Alicia, but he did not dare to go home. Binns hated him, and he would tell Alastor about his behavior in class. Alastor was a harsh teacher, and disrespect was something he did not like and punished hard. Severus always was happy that he never had Alastor as his teacher, but now things had changed. Binns could pay him back now. Every mock, every disrespectful comment, every sneer he had sent his way. Binns knew Alastor well, and he knew that Alastor would feel responsible and punish Severus, even though he already had detention. Severus had felt very lucky that Alastor had only given him two swats for his escapade in Hogsmeade. His father would have beaten him bloody for what he had done yesterday. Alastor was not like his father, but Severus was still scared to go home. He did not want to be punished. No spanking, no standing in a corner, and no early bedtime or grounding or whatever Alastor would come up with.

Severus was surprised when he found himself at the top of one of the high towers and sat down in a window sill, his legs drawn up to his chest. How was Harry? Severus felt bad for not being there for Harry. He knew how painful a morning flower bite could be, but the fear of facing Alastor was greater.

He did not know how long he had been sitting on that window sill, but when Alastor stepped beside him, his hands and legs felt like ice.

"What are you doing here, Severus?"

Severus could not speak and just looked at Alastor with big eyes.

"Severus?"

"I...I'm sorry."

"Let's go home. You need some warm tea in you or Poppy's hot chocolate."

Severus hid his face behind his knees. "Please don't spank me."

Alastor sighed. "I don't plan on spanking you, Severus. Yesterday was an exception because you did something very dangerous and scared us. It was two swats to make you think about what you did, not a real spanking. You don't have to fear me."

Severus peeked up from behind his knees. "Promise?"

Alastor shook his head in disbelief. "I promise. Now come, or your...or Poppy will worry even more."

Severus reluctantly stood up and made sure his backside was not in Alastor's direction. His father had often promised him things to get him out of a hiding place and then beat him as soon as he got him in his reach. Alastor did not do this, so Severus slowly calmed down on their way back home.

When they entered their quarters, Severus saw Harry sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace with Pomona at his side.

"Severus!" Harry exclaimed happily. "Where have you been? How was Transfigurations? Look at my hand. I was bitten by a morning flower."

"Give Severus time to breathe, Harry." Alastor chuckled while he guided Severus over to the couch and wrapped a blanket around him. A warming spell on the blanket made Severus sigh happily. "I will tell Poppy that I found you." With that, Alastor left.

"What happened, Severus?" This time it was Pomona who spoke.

Severus blushed. "I would prefer to not talk about it."

Pomona frowned. "Severus, if there is trouble again, you should tell me. Your last class was with my Hufflepuffs, wasn't it? Were they giving you any trouble?"

"No, it was Binns. Ehm...Professor Binns." Severus looked down.

"Cuthbert gave you trouble?"

Severus said nothing.

"What did he do, Severus?" Harry asked curiously.

"He gave me detention and threatened to tell Alastor so he would..."

"So he would what?" Alastor asked from near the painting that led into Poppy's office.

Poppy was standing beside him looking even scarier than Alastor.

Severus gulped and quickly looked down again.

"Family time I guess," Pomona said and stood up. "I'm glad you are feeling better, Harry. Next time I expect from you to pay more attention in my class. Being irritated by your classmates shouldn't make you careless."

"I know, Professor. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"I hope so," Pomona said friendly. "Severus, I'll see you tomorrow. Please stay after class so we can talk about the Herbology club. Neville is also coming over to the greenhouse, and he wants to speak with you before Friday."

Severus nodded without looking up.

"So what did Cuthbert say?" Alastor asked when Pomona had left.

"He made it very clear that he can remember every comment I ever made about his class and his teaching methods. I think he is very glad to have me in his clutches again, and he hopes you will punish me." There was no need to hide that fact because Severus knew Binns well enough to know that he would have made it very clear to Alastor what he wanted him to do.

"I decide for myself if and how I punish my sons."

"I'm not-"

"Don't finish that sentence, Severus. Still that reminds me of something we need to speak about."

"Alastor, we shouldn't just overlook the fact that Severus did not come back home and that Cuthbert had a problem with him."

"Poppy, half of the students fall asleep in his classes. You don't expect me to take that seriously, do you?" Alastor asked, puzzled.

"No, but I want you to take it seriously that Cuthbert is obviously taking advantage of his position against Severus now and that Severus hid from us."

"First, Cuthbert has every right to give Severus detention for sleeping in his class. Severus knows that. Until now, Cuthbert hasn't down anything out of line, and I don't think he will. Second, Severus is all right. He was a bit scared, but we cleared that up, haven't we?" Alastor asked in Severus' direction.

Severus nodded, looking insecure at Poppy.

Poppy sighed. "Well, I just hope you two really have straightened everything out. I want you to be back in our quarters after class, Severus. You can meet your friends afterward, but first I want to see you. Is that clear?"

"Yes," Severus said quickly, hoping this all would be over soon.

"Fine, now let's sit down and speak with them, Poppy." Alastor led his wife over to the couch on which Severus sat. "Come over here as well, Harry." Alastor waved Harry over and soon both boys were sitting between their guardians.

"We already told you that we took custody for you two. That means we are your guardians now. Unfortunately, Kingsley made us aware of a little problem."

"It's not just a little problem, Alastor," Poppy scolded her husband.

Alastor sighed. "Well, it is a big problem, boys. The Ministry isn't taking it well that we are hardly impressed by their threats and not even Kingsley can protect us from everything. There is a loop in the contract of being your guardians. They are working hard on getting you two out of our care."

Severus and Harry both looked shocked. Their worlds were breaking down around them again.

"Don't panic before I finish. As guardians, we won't be able to fight the Ministry completely, but if you two would agree to an adoption, we would be finally out of their reach. I know adoption sounds very big, but it wouldn't change anything between us. For us, you already are our sons; you two know that. You could also keep you names. It's just a sign under a parchment."

"But what if someone finds an antidote?" Severus asked.

Alastor and Poppy both looked confused at Severus. "Severus, do you have one of those headaches again? Do you feel strange?" Poppy asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"We already told you that there isn't an antidote, Severus." Alastor frowned at Severus.

"But they could still find one. Maybe later, in a year or so."

"No, they won't. We told you that the potion is too unstable to create an antidote. Nobody is even attempting to find one. It would be too dangerous. You need to grow up again, Severus. There is no other way." Alastor fixed his eyes on Severus. Why was he still hoping for an antidote? Two days ago, he seemed to have accepted it.

"I don't want to be a kid! I hate that everyone can make decisions for me. I hate it that I have to be afraid of the Ministry and Binns. I don't want to be a kid!" Alastor grabbed Severus before he could flee the room and pulled him down on his lap.

"Calm down, Severus." He pulled Severus tightly against his chest until the boy stopped struggling. "I know you are scared, but neither the Ministry nor Cuthbert will hurt you. We will make sure of that. I already told Cuthbert that I will not punish you for falling asleep in his class and that he should be careful of how much he lets his hurt ego influence his interactions with you. As for the Ministry, we can solve that problem with an adoption and godfathers for the two of you. Is that so bad?"

Severus shook his head. "No, but...I hate being a kid."

Alastor sighed and patted Severus' head. "I know, my boy, I know."

"What about you, Harry?" Poppy asked Harry and pulled him into a hug. "Would it be okay for us to adopt you?"

"I just want to keep my name."

"Of course, Harry. We would never think of forcing you to take ours."

Harry looked up, puzzled. "But you two have different names."

Poppy smiled. "Many families took that path during war, Harry. Alastor and I decided to keep our names different in public, but I have taken his name as mine on the papers."

"Oh, so you are Poppy Moody." Harry grinned. "That sounds funny."

Poppy raised an eyebrow. "Does it?"

Severus snickered in unison with Harry. "Yes, it does."

"I'm glad my name amuses you two. So, the adoption is settled?" She looked from one boy to the other. Both nodded.

"Then we need to talk about godfathers. You each need one in order to get the Ministry off completely. We already spoke with the two we would choose for you. Of course, you can still discuss it with us, and if you are against it, we will look for someone else." Alastor helped Severus to sit up a bit. "Kingsley would like to become your godfather, Severus. What do you think?"

"That is fine." As soon as he had said it, he laid down on Alastor's chest again. He knew it was childish, but it was so calming to lay there and listen to Alastor's heart beat.

"For you, we asked Remus, Harry." Poppy smiled at the mop of black hair that quickly nodded close beside her.

"That's great!" Harry said, excited.

/

"How was your detention?" Alastor asked when he came to say good night. He had not been there when Severus had come back because he was occupied with Kingsley.

"Okay," Severus said. "He was grumpy and made me write down what I missed. Then I had to write fifty lines. My hands hurt, but Poppy already put a salve on them, and I was allowed to skip my healing session with Maria."

Alastor frowned. "Severus, you need those sessions. You shouldn't be happy about skipping it."

"But it hurts, Alastor," Severus whined.

"I know, but it will become less painful after a few sessions. Running away from it won't make it better."

Severus sighed. "I know."

Alastor shook his head. "Things will become less stressful and confusing in a few weeks, Severus. Try to trust us. How was the training for Harry's potion?"

That made Severus more awake. "It went well." Severus leaned over to speak softly. "He doesn't like it, but I will take good care of him. I can apply the injections easily. I have an emergency kit with me all the time from now on."

"Big brother, ey?" Alastor ruffled Severus' hair.

"Yes," Severus said proudly and ignored the hair-ruffling.

"Good, then you two should sleep. Tomorrow is a long day again. I hope I will finally find the time to speak with Draco. I feel bad for having no time for him."

"Will he come back?"

"I still need to speak with him and Albus. I will at least try to arrange for you to meet with him."

Severus smiled. When Alastor tried to stand up, the young wizard grabbed his hand and pulled him back on the bed again. "Alastor? I...I wanted to..."

"What is it, Severus?" Alastor asked, worried by Severus' behavior.

"About that name changing...I..."

"We already told you that you can keep your name, Severus. What's the problem? Did you forget already?" Alastor let his magical eye roam over Severus.

"No, I didn't forget, but..." Severus quickly looked over to Harry and was relieved that he was occupied by Poppy. "Iwouldliketochangeit."

"Excuse me?"

Severus groaned. "I would like to change it, Alastor."

For a moment, Alastor was stunned. His magical eye was the only part of his body that was moving because it twitched almost unnoticeable. "You want to assume my name?"

"It was stupid. I'm sorry. Good night, Alastor." Severus turned around so Alastor would not see his red face. How could I have been so stupid as to say it aloud?

"Severus," Alastor said and laid his hand on Severus' shoulder. "Come on, turn around again."

Severus did not budge. He was too embarrassed.

Alastor sighed. "Severus, I would be honored if you would assume my name. I was just a bit surprised. As an adult, you always seemed to be very proud of your name."

"It's the name of my father and of a Death-Eater," Severus said bitterly.

"That's not entirely true, Severus. It also is the name of a war hero and a man I'm very proud to have known."

"I don't want that name anymore. I hate it."

"Do you notice that you use the word 'hate' very often, Severus?"

Severus groaned and turned around to look at Alastor. "You are not the first one to notice that."

"Then you should think about it, my boy."

"Please let me change my name to yours, Alastor. Since you told us about the adoption, I can't think about anything else. It would make me belong here."

"You belong here with or without my name, Severus. I'm a bit worried that you will regret this decision later. When you were an adult, you were very independent and-"

"But I'm no longer an adult! You told me so, and you told me there is no hope of turning back."

"But you will get older, and then maybe you will regret giving up your name completely. No, no more protest," Alastor said when he saw Severus taking a quick breath to argue. "I have an offer for you. You can keep both names. There are three ways. You could choose a double name: 'Moody-Snape' or 'Snape-Moody.' Another choice would be to combine your name and mine without a hyphen. The first last name would just be there on papers. You could sign with it in combination with the second last name, but not without it." Seeing Severus confused face, he explained it differently. "Okay, for example, Severus Snape Moody. You could sign with 'Snape Moody' or just 'Moody' and it would be legal. The only thing that would not work would be signing with just 'Snape.' That would not be legal. People will address you as Severus Moody. If you switch the two last names, it will be the other way around."

"A double name is stupid. It's as if I'm married to you," Severus said and screwed his face.

Alastor grinned. "What an idea."

Severus glared at his guardian. "Why not just Moody, Alastor?"

"Because I think you are trying to run away from something, Severus. It's not healthy. Like I already said, it would make me very proud if you would choose my name, but I still want you to remain a Snape as well because you can be proud of being a Snape. A combination will be the best solution." He looked seriously at Severus.

"Fine, you win. Then it will be 'Snape Moody,' but you need to tell all the teachers to address me as 'Moody' when the adoption is through."

"Now I see. You just want to annoy your teachers." Alastor grinned.

"No, but it is a welcome side effect," Severus said, smirking.