***22 December, 1986***

Harry's face was scrunched with worry as Lucy handed Thor to Pawpaw.

"Just remember, she likes alfalfa, not Timothy-hay. And she likes to be scratched between her ears."

Harry demonstrated how Thor liked to be stroked on the soft fur between her ears. The bunny protested momentarily, and then settled itself into Pawpaw's arms.

"Aye, I notice how gently she likes to be stroked. I'll be certain to remember." While he continued to scratch Thor behind her ears, Lucy's grandfather indicated with a tilt of his head to the mantle below the portrait of Aunt Ariana, and a familiar set of scrolls. "You left those last week. You might like them back." He put the rabbit down to roam free and acclimate itself to his private rooms. Almost by habit, Harry went to the floor to play with Thor one last time before they left.

"Thank you, Pawpaw. We would have been pulling our hair out trying to find those." The previous Saturday, the family had supper with Pawpaw. Lucy and Severus had shown him the plans for the house. They intended to show them to Lucy's oldest brother, Richard, who was a well regarded magical contractor in the States. Richard had a few contacts in the Isles and Lucy and Severus were hoping he could recommend one.

Lucy took the plans off the mantle under the watchful gaze of her teenaged great-aunt, Ariana. Pawpaw said she rarely spoke, and then only to him. Lucy often wondered why Aunt Ariana wouldn't speak to Uncle Albus, but Mama had long ago mentioned that it was a sensitive subject between the two brothers and whole truth of the matter remained a closely guarded secret.

"Well, I don't know of any use I can have with them." If Lucy didn't know better, she would swear her Pawpaw's voice had an almost—guilty—edge to it. She passed it off as her imagination. It's not as if Pawpaw had anything to be guilty about. "Oh," he quickly added as he went to his roll top desk and took something out of the top drawer. "Be sure to give this to your mother and this one to Arthur and Molly. They're charmed so only they can open them."

Pawpaw handed her two sealed envelopes. No doubt they contained the location of Severus' house, as Pawpaw was now the Secret Keeper. Lucy tucked the envelopes into the pocket of her heavy winter cloak. She gave her great-grandfather a kiss on the cheek and said, "Thank you. Pawpaw, are you sure you don't want to come home with us?"

"But I am home, darlin'." Aberforth said with certainty. "I promise, I won't be pinin' over Christmas and I'll be here when you get back. Don't worry, it will still be Christmastide when you return, we can exchange gifts proper then."

Lucy blew out a heavy sigh, realising that this was a battle she would not win.

"Plus, you three need to get far from here and find some peace until the madness from that article settles down."

Pawpaw was referring to the write-up in the Prophet. No doubt the inside source that confirmed that Severus Snape was now trying to erase all memory of the Potter's by finding a replacement for the sainted Lily, was none other than the ridiculous maitre'd from the night before.

Hogwarts would prove to be the safest haven for the Snape's outside of their home. Amongst the student body, the relationship between their professors was old news and would scarcely raise an eyebrow. However until the Holidays were over, to remain in Britain would be to remain virtual prisoners in their own home.

Severus and Lucy had decided that they would release a formal engagement announcement to the Daily Prophet in hope of alleviating the most lurid speculations, and Albus promised to field any questions reporters might have. With any luck, the worst of the initial rumour mongering would be over by the time they returned. But undoubtedly their lives would be under the scrutiny of a microscope from now on.

If Lucy weren't bound by contract to the British museum for at least the next five years, she would suggest moving to the States. Daddy had already mentioned that the university was looking to expand the Potions and Herbology College. He had already mentioned to Severus he merely needed to submit a resume, and a position would be assured.

While making breakfast (and before Harry rolled out of bed) Lucy half-jokingly remarked that the Prophet was about to make them very rich as her book sales would take off as fast Hippogriff with its ass on fire. People would not care that they were scholarly monographs. It would serve any fanatics right if they couldn't understand three quarters of what Lucy had written about.

As much as she would like to visit more with her great-grandfather, it would be time for them to leave for Charleston soon and they still had to make one more quick stop at The Burrow. "I'll hold you to that, Pawpaw. Harry, say goodbye to Thor and Pawpaw. It's time to go."

Harry got up from the floor and ran over to Aberforth, surprising the old wizard by giving him a bear-hug around his waist. "Thank you for taking care of Thor, Pawpaw."

Lucy's great-grandfather leaned over and patted Harry on the back, pressed his bearded cheek against the top of Harry's head and smiled. "Now there's the best Christmas present I can have, right there."

Aberforth had explained that Harry was now his eighth great-great-grandchild, and the first he had ever met, making Harry a very special little boy. Harry had mentioned that he never had a grandpa before, and Pawpaw was the first one he had met. Lucy's grandfather reminded Harry that he had already met Lucy's parents, but Harry said that didn't count, because his mummy and daddy weren't engaged yet. Ever since, Harry had followed Lucy's example and began to call Aberforth 'Pawpaw,' much to the old wizard's delight.

Harry pulled out of Pawpaw's embrace and picked up a large box in a metallic red wrapping and a hand-knitted Christmas stocking from the coffee table. Lucy had previously enchanted the package with a Feather-light Charm so they could carry it. Lucy gave her grandfather one last hug. "I love you, Pawpaw, Merry Christmas."

Lucy pulled Harry close to her as they entered the Floo and Harry handed Lucy the larger package. "Merry Christmas, Pawpaw," Harry said happily, copying Lucy's Americanism.

As Aberforth nodded and said, "And to you." Lucy saw her great-grandfather's blue eyes glint with moisture and a beatific smile cross his features, before she and Harry were whisked away in a flash of green flame.

*** 3:26 p.m. ***

"Lucy...We have to activate the Portkey in less than five minutes!"

"I'm coming," she called back as she raced down the stairs as fast as she could with one hand on the railing and the other over the baby. Damn her bladder! "I'm sorry, but this one we can blame on the baby."

She and Harry had run late from getting back from the Burrow. They had dropped off their Christmas gift for the family. Harry had made the last minute decision, with some not-so-subtle prompting from Severus and Lucy, to share the absurd amount of candy he received from his godfather the night before, with his friends. For the entire Weasley clan, they had bought a wooden game box that opened up rather like a Chinese puzzle that contained fifteen Muggle games. The whole family would love the games and Arthur was certain fascinated with the puzzle box.

Lucy and Harry returned with three squishy packages, wrapped in slightly faded paper, perhaps recycled from the previous year, and a promise that they would not open their presents until Christmas morning. Molly also replaced the sweets from Honeydukes with a basket of homemade goodies of her own.

Knowing that there were going to be enough candy and cookies at home to last until Easter, Lucy put the gift basket in the kitchen an spelled it to keep until they came home. She did, however, manage to knick a couple of scones slathered with pumpkin butter while she rushed around with last minute preparations. Molly must have known that Lucy's cravings were kicking at her almost as hard as the baby.

As much as Lucy could have scarfed down the entire basket, she reluctantly restrained herself to only two of the fluffy confections. Her worst fears had come to pass, and then some. At twenty-five weeks, Lucy thought she looked as though she swallowed two Quaffles. If she tried hard enough, she might recall the last time she saw her feet, but it wasn't worth the heartache and headache it took to try.

Three nights ago, she cried in Severus' arms, complaining of how fat and ugly she had become. As always, Severus had said exactly the right thing. "If you're fat, then I'm morbidly obese. And frankly, I don't care if you become fatter than Churchill, you will always be beautiful to me." After she blubbered for another ten minutes, Severus applied the stretch-mark salve to her belly that Pawpaw had made for her, then gave her a back massage.

And he wondered why she loved him so much.

Lucy couldn't wait to get home to see her family, but admittedly, it would not be too much of a vacation. Along with the usual Christmas festivities, Lucy and Mama would be shopping for her wedding dress. That would prove quite interesting, considering they had no clue as to what Lucy's size would be, come July 19th.

Not to mention dresses for the brides maids needed to be chosen, along with tuxedos (Severus and Harry were just going to love that), cake, catering, entertainment for the reception, and photography. Just thinking about it all was enough to make Lucy nauseous and no amount of Severus' or Daddy's potions could take that sick away.

That was the drawback of having a big family. Every occasion turned into a huge event. If it wasn't for the fact that Daddy was so looking forward to escorting Lucy down the aisle, she was ready to consider a quick elopement. This was her second wedding planned inside a year, and damn it, Lucy was tired of wedding talk. She just wanted to be married to Severus and get on with their life.

Fortunately, the venue was already chosen. Lucy's Muggle grandfather had been a priest for the oldest Episcopal Church in Charleston. Her brother, Danny, had followed in their grandfather's footsteps and had become fully ordained the year before. He only knew of about a dozen other ordained wizards, and one witch, in the entire Anglican Communion.

Mama and Daddy had been married in the old church, along with all of her siblings, with the obvious exception of Allen. Lucy and Severus would simply be continuing a family tradition. Being the sister of a priest had certainly made it far easier to reserve the church on such quick notice, and Danny offered to officiate the wedding.

At first, Lucy had been concerned, because in all honesty, she had not known where Severus' spiritual convictions lay. If she were honest with herself, sometimes she questioned her own. But as it turned out, much to Lucy's surprise, Severus' early upbringing had been much like her own...baptised at birth (his due to the adamant insistence of his deeply devout Muggle grandmother), but never confirmed into the Church of England.

Lucy's parents had left that intensely personal decision to each of their children. Mama had been disappointed at first when Lucy chose not to become a full member of the Church, but Lucy had her reasons. She kept those reasons between her and her god, and she was quite sure God understood.

Severus had stopped attending services at the age of seven, when his grandmother died. Though his father was technically a full member of the Church, Tobias was a true agnostic, along with Severus' mother. It wasn't as if Severus actually lost interest in going, his parents simply considered religion waste of time. Severus thought little of his religious training and simply considered it as a part of his long nearly-forgotten early childhood. Like Lucy, he was neither deeply religious nor fully agnostic. However, he was certain that wherever his nana was in the afterlife, she would be happy to know he was having a church wedding and he, himself, had no objections with the decision –as long as they were legally married and Lucy was happy.

Her insides where turning. In less than five minutes she would be home—or at least at the International Portkey Terminal in Mount Pleasant.

"Here I am," Lucy called out. Severus was standing in the middle of the living room with Harry tucked in one arm. They were all dressed in Muggle attire, as was custom in the majority of the United States. Lucy held the satchel that contained their shrunken luggage. "Do you have the Portkey?"

"Right here," Severus impatiently waved the postcard with a picture of Fort Sumter in the harbour. "If you don't hurry, it will leave without us."

Severus was exaggerating, but she knew his meaning. The Portkey would go nowhere without the spell being cast; however, they would be cutting their reservation time for arrival close.

Severus held out the postcard to Lucy and she grabbed an edge with two fingers. "Grab on to an edge, Harry," Severus instructed curtly.

Harry did as he was told and Lucy offered her apology...of sorts. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but Portkey travel is uncomfortable enough without a Quaffle sitting on your bladder."

Severus half rolled his eyes, and snorted. He chose not to say anything, probably to avoid a senseless argument on the first day of their vacation. Lucy wished she knew a spell that could squeeze his bladder to half the size of a snitch then perhaps he would know what she was going through. But she did not want to argue either, and he was still stressed from last night and the casting of the Fidilius. So this time she decided, 'less said—soonest mended.'

Severus irritation seemed to melt and his demeanour softened. "Do you remember the incantation, Harry?"

Harry nodded excitedly and looked to Severus, then Lucy for assurance, then shouted, "Portus!"

***22 December, 1986-1:02 a.m. ~The Ashley House, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A. ***

A gangway magically extended out from the water taxi to low, wooden boat landing. Lucy held Harry's hand as they stepped out. Severus was paying the old Captain Marion. The old wizard had been navigating the waters around Charleston since before Lucy's mama was a born.

The International Portkey Terminal was located in Mt. Pleasant, just north of Patriot's Point on the Cooper River. As much as Lucy would have loved to have given Severus and Harry the driving tour of Charleston, she had a real phobia when it came to crossing the old Grace. The bridge had been obsolete long before Lucy was even born. The dilapidated cantilever bridge had no shoulders on the road and it was essentially a straight drop from the road lane to the depths of the Cooper River. Had she driven, Severus would have to pry her fingers off of the steering wheel after the crossing.

Lucy instead, opted for Captain Marion's water taxi. As an added bonus, they had the best view of the city and Battery Park as they rounded the Charleston Peninsula and entered the mouth of the venerable Ashley. Harry had been enthralled as Lucy regaled the city's old ghost stories, especially those of the great Yorktown, permanently moored in the harbour.

From the corner of her eye, Lucy noticed Severus down one of his potions. He had looked slightly puce before he had done so. She wondered if he had ever been on a boat other than the one that ushered him to Hogwarts for the first time.

The farther they went up the Ashley, the faster Lucy's heart raced as the familiar sights and smells of home invaded her senses. The palmettoes that lined the shores of the harbour gave way to the tall cypress trees that stood sentinel along the banks of the river.

Although it was atypically warm for December, there was no sweet smell of flowers because it was winter. Of course, the scattered conifers kept their green foliage, adding to the loamy, earthy aroma of the blackwater which let her know that she was indeed home.

After reaching their destination, Severus shook hands with Captain Marion, stepped off the boat and joined Lucy and Harry on the small landing. He looked up past the thick flora to the Georgian, native-clay brick house that lay about seventy five yards from the embankment.

"You live here?" Severus asked with carefully veiled awe. The house looked like a film-set plantation house, because in actuality, it was, right down to the double porches that wrapped around three sides of the house.

Lucy cheekily corrected, "No. My parents and brother live here. I live with you."

Harry asked impulsively, "Are they rich?"

"No, this house has been in the family for only four generations. Mama's granddaddy was a lawyer and bought this house at auction sometime around the turn of the century," Lucy explained as they began to walk up a lane lined with bare willow trees. She continued to hold Harry's hand with her left hand as she swung the satchel that contained their luggage to and fro with the other. "The taxes and upkeep of this property are paid for by a trust set up by my great-granddaddy Price. My folks are by no means poor, but they couldn't make the expenses of a house like this on their salaries alone."

"I thought Pawpaw was your mummy's granddad. When did he buy this house?" Harry asked curiously.

"Mummy is referring to your grandmother's other grandfather, Harry." Severus explained. "Most people have two grandmothers and grandfathers."

"Why don't I?"

"Because my parents died some time ago."

Harry nodded his head in understanding. Lucy inwardly marvelled at Harry and how keenly observant he was of the slightest of details. He was never hesitant to ask questions of things he did not understand and understood readily once something was explained to him. In many ways, Harry reminded her of herself when she was his age. Perhaps that is why they bonded as quickly and as closely as they did.

They continued up the path as Lucy pointed out the spot along a small peninsula that jutted out into the river where sweetgrass reclaimed the old rice paddies. Indigo still grew wild in some places.

Lucy did not know much about the land's sad past before her great-grandfather bought the property, only that it had changed hands twice between the end of the Civil War and 1900. She had too many happy memories from her own childhood. She was afraid if she delved into its shameful history, it would sully those innocent memories. As much as she abhorred the idea that the property once held other humans in bondage, she could not change that she was born and raised in the house, nor change the fact that she grew up here-happily. That past was long ago and the guilty family was not hers. But sometimes...just sometimes...the very notion that such a beautiful place hid such an ugly past made her feel guilty for loving the place so.

As they approached the portico, the front door opened and the large frame of Lucy's younger brother filled in the open doorway.

"Big sister!" Allen cried and hurriedly stomped his way down the front steps. Lucy was afraid he would crush her in one of his customary bear hugs, but as she held her arms out to him, he stopped directly in front of her and smiled. "You look beautiful," he said reverently before he embraced her.

Lucy snorted as she hugged her brother. "I look like I swallowed a beach ball." She could tell by the way Allen trembled slightly that he was almost to the verge of tears and he drew himself out of the embrace before he could shed any.

"Severus, Harry, it's real good to see ya'll again," Allen said cheerfully as he enthusiastically shook Severus' hand. "You couldn't have timed it better. Mama and Pop just got back from services."

Harry tugged at Allen's sleeve. "You're my uncle now."

Allen grinned at Lucy and Severus, and then knelt down to Harry. With an impertinent wink he said, "I know. And as your uncle, it is my job to spoil you rottener than a fat house cat, then give you back to your folks when I'm done."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, little brother," Lucy said slyly. "You don't want me and Severus to 'thank you' later when you have a few of your own."

Before either Severus or Allen could reply, Lucy's heart jumped at the sound of her mama's voice.

"Are ya'll coming in, or are you camping outside tonight!"

Lucy's mama stood on the porch, her blue eyes shone with eager anticipation.

Lucy exclaimed softly to herself, "Mama." She shoved to satchel into a startled Severus' arms and said, "Hold this."

She ran to the steps and into her mother's outstretched arms. Lucy buried her face into her mother's almond scented hair and squeezed her eyes tight to hold back the tears. Her heart clinched tight as the sudden realisation of how much she missed home overwhelmed her.

***24 December, 1986***

Mummy and Daddy knelt down on the floor and tucked Harry into his sleeping bag.

Mummy kissed him on the forehead, but not on his scar. Harry didn't like people to touch his scar and Mummy knew it. Daddy said, "The sooner you go to sleep, the sooner Father Christmas will arrive."

His mummy asked, "Are you comfortable enough, Harry? Do you need another pillow?"

Harry nodded. "I'm fine." He was just a little bit scared, but not too scared. After all, his cousins were all in sleeping bags too, with their mummies and daddies kissing them goodnight. Harry was a big boy. If they could sleep in the library and not be scared, so could he.

For the first couple of nights they were at Grandma and Grandpa's, he had slept in Uncle Daniel's old room, but now his cousins and aunts were all here, the grownups slept in their old bedrooms and the kids slept together in the library.

It wasn't all bad. In fact, part of it was kind of fun, because before bedtime, Grandpa told them the story, T'was the Night Before Christmas. Grandma cast a spell so they could all see the story happening in the air. It was really neat because the people in the story sort of looked liked ghosts and everybody glowed and you could see through them. Harry had seen lots of magic since he came to live with his daddy, but he was sure that story was the most magical thing he had ever seen.

The first two days they were there, Harry got a chance to help Grandpa, Daddy and Uncle Allen in the basement potions lab. But it was mostly Harry and Grandpa as Daddy, Mummy, and Grandma were making plans for the wedding. Grandpa would tell Harry what he needed, and Harry would get it for him. Grandpa said Harry's job was very important and he called Harry his 'seeing-eye kid.' Uncle Allen said that made Harry very special because that is what Grandpa used to call him when he was little.

His cousins had only come earlier that day and they were only staying for one night because they could all go home by Floo. Harry found out he had seven cousins. Aunt Terri was Mummy's big sister and she had four children; Frank, Charlotte, Lizzie, and Lisa. Frank was the oldest. He was eleven. He had brown hair like Aunt Terri and was a bit bossy because he was the biggest, but he was not as mean as Dudley had been. Harry reckoned there had never been a kid meaner than Dudley. Charlotte and Lizzie and Lisa were eight. They were triplets. Harry found out that meant they were born at the same time, like Fred and George. But unlike Fred and George they didn't look the same.

Charlotte and Lisa had blonde hair like Mummy and Lizzie had black hair like their daddy, Uncle Jimmy. Uncle Richard and Aunt Karen had two sons, Ricky, who was five, and Mikey, who was three. They both had sandy hair. Even though Ricky was younger than Harry, he was bigger than him, but Harry was still faster. Way in Grandma and Grandpa's back garden was a little river that branched off from the big river. There was a small white footbridge that went across it. Harry beat everybody but Frank in a race to that bridge and back earlier in the afternoon.

Uncle Danny and Aunt Nicole's baby, Brian was the littlest. He wasn't even a year old. Even Mummy had met him for the first time today. It was Brian's first Christmas. Harry felt a bit sorry for Mikey and Brian. They were too little to camp out with the big kids and had to sleep in their Mummy and Daddy's rooms.

What Harry had liked most about his cousins, is that they did not know who he was. At home, everybody treated him so strange. They were too nice to him before the even knew him and they always stared at his scar. Ricky had asked how Harry got his scar and Lisa told him it was rude to ask such things and the subject was dropped. Harry was sure he would tell them someday, but right now, he did not want to ruin a happy time with such a sad story.

More than anything else, Harry's cousins were fascinated with his strange accent. Though, truth be told, Harry thought it was they who had the strange accents. They were also a bit jealous because Harry actually knew their great-great-grandfather when they had only heard tales of Pawpaw and his goats.

After they returned from an afternoon Christmas service at Grandma and Grandpa's church, they decorated the tree and it would stay up for twelve days.

Harry had lots of fun with his cousins today. They helped decorate the big Christmas tree in the sitting room. Grandma and Grandpa gave each of their children's families a special bobble for the tree. Each had been of a different colour and on one side they read, 'Charleston-1986.' One the other side was the family name with everybody's first names. Harry, Mummy and Daddy's bobble was silver with green lettering. On the other side it read, 'Snape-Severus, Lucy, and Harry.' Grandpa said that they could take the ornament home with them and put it on their own tree next year, if they didn't come back to Charleston, that is. Harry hoped they would come back to Charleston.

Last year had been Harry's first real Christmas, but this year felt even more special. Last year, it was just Harry and his daddy, but this year, they part of a whole new family. A family that would always be theirs.

They had a simple supper of soup and sandwiches, because Grandma, Mummy, the aunts and even Uncle Allen were busy making special preparations for Christmas dinner. Grandpa helped the children make cookies and popcorn balls. They had to make a lot because they need to make sure there was enough left for Father Christmas. Harry's cousins called him Santa Claus. Daddy helped the other uncles put up the rest of the decorations.

With all of the wonderful smell of food and Christmas pine and the bright lights, candles, and holly. Harry thought Grandma and Grandpa's house had to be prettiest place in the world. It was even prettier than Hogwarts. No wonder Mummy liked it so.

Shortly before bedtime, Daddy had taken Mummy outside on the porch to be alone. Harry knew why. He was going to give Mummy her special present. Harry knew what it was because he found it. Daddy was going to give Mummy her 'n'gagement' ring.

Harry went to a jewellery shop with Daddy in Muggle London not long before school let out. Harry had picked out a broach for his mummy that had the white face of a lady. Daddy said it was called a 'cameo.' But while Daddy was talking to the sales lady about diamond rings, Harry spotted a different ring. Without knowing why, Harry knew it was special, as there was no other ring like it. The ring was silver coloured, but instead of a diamond in the middle, it had a dark pearl. Harry thought the pearl looked dark green, but the sales lady said it was a 'natural black pearl.' On either side of the pearl was three small diamonds. Daddy liked it right away. He said the ring was 'beautiful, simple, and rare,' just like Mummy. Harry had agreed. After talking to the sales lady for a long time and signing some papers, Daddy got the ring.

His Daddy and Mummy did not seem to notice that everyone was peeking at them from behind the curtains. And if the kiss Mummy gave Daddy was any indication, she really liked the ring.

As Harry was closing his eyes for the night, he reflected on how special the day had been, and it wasn't even Christmas yet. It felt good to be a part of such a big family.

Although Harry would not recognise the feeling at the tender age of six, somewhere deep down, he knew that this Christmas would remain one of his most special.

***25 December, 1986***

Severus just entered the library to wake the children just as Frank began to shake Harry out of his sleep.

"Harry, wake up!"

Harry shot up out of his sleeping bag from a dead sleep, as if he had missed out on Christmas. "Whazzit! I'm up!" Harry's hands scrambled around the floor in search of his glasses. "Where're my glasses?"

"They are right here," said Severus as took the small glasses from the pocket of his housecoat. "You gave them to me last night so that you wouldn't roll over and break them. Remember?"

Harry wasn't the only child to run to Severus. He was suddenly greeted with a chorus of "Uncle Severus!" and bombarded with what seemed to be a thousand questions from all directions.

"Did he come?"
"Are there lots of presents?"
"Is there one shaped like a Cleansweep?"
"How full are the stocki...?"

"Just one moment," Severus had to shout over the throng. The room became instantly silent. "I know I may be new here, but Grandma did tell me the rules. Breakfast first."

Severus knew Esther had a wonderful breakfast awaiting them in the dining room and normally the children would probably make a run for it like ravenous hounds.

Severus frog-stepped the lot of them out of the library and into a large washroom with two sinks.

He had only intended to give Harry his glasses. How was it he suddenly had charge five children, four of which he only just met, yet had the gall to call him 'Uncle Severus?'

Then it dawned on him. He was 'Uncle Severus.' He supposed he would be labelled the 'mean uncle' as he was forcing them to wash and eat breakfast before they opened presents. It wasn't fare really. It was Esther's rule. With the exception of Harry, Severus didn't care if the lot of them passed out from hunger in favour of opening a few gifts.

Though Severus must admit, a 'few' gifts was definitely an inadequate description. There were five families in the house at present and one could barely step into the sitting room for the amount of gifts. Some years ago, Severus had spent a Christmas with Lucius Malfoy. That was the only other time in Severus' life he had ever seen so many packages assembled in one place.

Severus had to admit to himself, he was enjoying his holiday and his new in-laws had been as pleasant as the mild weather. Even Teresa's husband, James (of all names), who seemed to have as much in common with Severus as a chimney sweep to an Oxford scholar, found common ground in their love of chess. True, James could not tell the difference between monkshood and aconite, but neither could Severus tell the difference between a V-8 and a Slant-6 engine.

Severus did enjoy the company of his new family as they chatted over breakfast, but if it wasn't for Harry, Severus truly wouldn't have much interest in the rest of the celebration.

He already received his Christmas—the smile on Lucy's face when he put his ring on her finger. Severus needed no other gift for himself. He would be paying on credit for that ring for quite some time, but once he saw it, nothing else would compare. True, it wasn't a diamond, but no diamond called out to him. They all seemed so ordinary and Lucy was anything but ordinary. He had been afraid that Lucy would not realise the sentiment behind the black pearl, but he should have realised that she would know straight away.

As they ate and talked, Severus and Lucy held hands under the table. He felt reassured by this, and did not feel quite so socially awkward around these strangers in whom he now called 'family.'

The more time Severus spent with Lucy's family...his family, the more he could see how Lucy was a product of her upbringing. Richard and Esther had only set two expectations for their children. 'Do what you love' and 'put your heart into it.' Richard said he wouldn't have cared if one of his children became a street sweeper. As long as long as they took pride in their work, he would take pride in them. The couple had recognised the special talents and interests in each of their children and encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

Lucy had been especially hard on them. She had been an exceptional child with a near photographic memory. There was little that Lucy had to read or be told twice. She excelled early in academics and magic, and though they were afraid that she might be denied her childhood, they were also afraid that if they held her back, she would become restless and bored, then eventually give up trying.

Lucy's grandmother, Mary, was certain Lucy had early signs of rivalling Albus one day if she so chose. But unlike Albus, Lucy's passions were not in the pursuit of power through magic, but rather power through knowledge. Albus might be the superior magus, but Lucy had quickly proved herself the superior scholar. If, in fifty years, Lucy was in the Headmistresses chair, it would not surprise Severus. Learning and teaching what she learned was Lucy's life and gift. And it was all due to Esther and Richard and their heart wrenching decision to recognise that Lucy had to spread her wings at an early age.

Severus did not know if he would have the courage to let go of Harry if the situation should arise. If he was half as successful at raising his children as Richard and Esther were at raising theirs, Severus would feel it a job well done.

"Whoa! A real volcano! Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Grandpa!" Harry ran over to Lucy's mama and wrapped his arms around her neck in a tight hug. He then did the same to her daddy.

"My, but you know how to hug a body," Harry's new grandma cheerfully noted. "If you think you can finish it before you go home, you and Grandpa can work on it downstairs starting tomorrow."

"I can't think of anything I'd rather do," Daddy said, "What do you say, Harry?"

"If we get it done before we go home, I can show it to Ron and Fred and George straight away."

Lucy asked curiously, "What about Percy and Ginny? Can't they see it too?"

"Of course they can see it, they..." before Harry could finish his cheek and land himself in trouble on Christmas morning Lisa ran up and grabbed him by the hand.

"Come on, Harry! Frank's gonna try out his broom. Maybe he'll let us try."

Severus got up quickly, "I think a little supervision may be in order."

Lucy grabbed his hand and yanked him back down in his seat. "Don't worry about them Severus. Terri and Richard are out there. They won't let anything happen to the children."

"There's no harm in watching the kids fly," Daddy said "Come on, Severus. You can be my eyes for a while."

Severus arose and said, "Why don't you join us, darling?"

Lucy placed on hand on the arm of the couch and the other in the small of her back as she arose. Severus noticed her struggle and help her up. "I would, but someone needs to help Mama."

"I think you need to go upstairs and rest, dear." Coming from Mama, it was more of an order than a suggestion. "I have plenty of hands to help when I need them. You men go outside. I'll see Lucy to bed."

Lucy awoke in a cold sweat not long before dinner. She cursed herself for sleeping the day away, but she had been ever so tired.

She had the strangest dream. She tried to remember the dream but all she could recall was a sense of loss followed by a feeling of comfort. No images came to mind when she tried to come closer to the core of the dream, yet her conflicting emotions remained as she rose to dress for the rest of the festivities. As uneasy as she felt over the dream, she decided not to dwell upon it. After all, it was only a dream.

***9:32 p.m.***

Christmas night was clear and chill as three generations of family enjoyed the rest of the holiday outside. The children gathered close to the river to watch the parade of gaily lit yachts slowly drift their way down the river. Daniel and Richard had already left with their families. Their young ones had become tired and restless and needed to be put to bed. Teresa and her family would leave after the boat parade. At present, Teresa, James, and Allen were down on the boat landing with the children.

Severus sat on a front porch swing with Lucy curled up with her head in his lap. Severus' attention was not on the boats or the children, or even Lucy, but rather he was engrossed...no...enchanted with his in-laws.

Richard and Esther sat in companionable silence on an identical porch swing on the opposite end of the portico. Richard had his arm wrapped around Esther, his face buried in her hair as Esther leaned into him. Severus could not remember ever seeing two people so in love. He wondered if he were to gaze into a crystal ball, would he see the same vision of himself and Lucy? Everything he felt for Lucy, he saw mirrored in Richard and Esther. Would this be a vision of their life in thirty or so years, sitting in the garden, watching their grand-children at play, proud of the legacy they were leaving to the world?'

Severus stroked Lucy's hair and looked out to the boat landing as he heard Harry's laughter chime along with that of his new cousins. Severus did not need to wait thirty years, or twenty, or one. He leaned over and kissed his sleeping Lucy on her head. If he were to die right at this very moment, he had every reason to be proud of the legacy he would leave behind.