Age of Innocence

~~Chapter Seventeen: Was It All Worth It?~~

'We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of two wonderful souls, James and Lily Potter...'

The dark haired man looked down at the freshly dug graves with a heavy heart. It pained him to think he would never seen his best friend again, and the loss cut into him deeper than a knife. How long he stood there he didn't know, until a hand on his shoulder made him come back to reality.

'It's time to go, Severus. Everyone else has gone now,' a soft, quite voice said behind him.

'Have they? I hadn't noticed,' Severus replied in a dull voice as he turned up to look at the grey winter sky for a moment. In truth he had known full well everyone else had left the grave site, mainly because he hadn't dared approach during the funeral itself because of certain circumstances.

'I was told to tell you that a solicitor wants to see you,' the person behind him said whilst looking off into the distance.

Severus turned round and looked intensely at the man behind him, questions in his eyes. 'A solicitor wants to see me? Whatever for, Lupin?' he asked.

Remus shrugged and turned back to look at Severus. 'I don't know, he wouldn't say. Only that you, me, Sirius and Peter were to go to his office now.'

Severus scowled then with a sharp nod turned back to the graves, a fleeting look of sadness and loss on his face. 'I'll be there in a moment,' he said gruffly.

Remus nodded at Severus's back out of habit, then briefly put out his hand onto Severus's shoulder. 'It's all right to grieve for them, Severus. Not even you are made of stone,' he said softly.

Severus didn't move nor acknowledge Remus's words, however he did something that he hoped wouldn't be considered a bad tactic; he reached his hand up and covered the one that was on his shoulder, holding it tightly for a moment. 'He was a fool...but a good fool,' he said with a sigh.

'He was a father and a husband, and he only wanted what was best for his family, Severus. No one can fault him for that,' Remus said quietly.

Severus nodded again then reached his other hand out and dropped the single yellow lily that he had been holding in his other hand. 'May you find in death the freedom you couldn't have in life my friends. Gods go with you,' he said quietly, then turned round to face Remus again. 'Let's go.'

Remus didn't answer, though he was very aware that Severus till had not let go of his hand, nor did he until they reached the carriage waiting for them at the gates of the Godric's Hollow Cemetery. Before they alighted into the carriage however he stopped and turned to face Severus, questions now in his own eyes. 'You really cared for him, didn't you,' he said.

Severus scowled a moment then glanced round, as if suspecting there was some sort of hidden trick to this question. When he was satisfied that they were indeed the last two people left at the cemetery he sighed deeply and nodded his head. 'He was my brother, Lupin, in all sense of the word. I know you don't want to believe that but- '

'I do believe it,' Remus said cutting in and giving Severus a look of sympathy. 'James told me the truth about the two of you, amongst other things. He told me everything, Severus.'

Severus looked up at Remus in surprise, then disbelief. 'Everything? What exactly did he tell you?' he asked in a half whispered voice.

Remus reached out and clasped Severus's hand tightly himself now, as if that explained everything. 'When you're ready...I'll be there, Severus.'

Severus looked at Remus and found to his dismay he could no longer hold back the unshed tears. With a slight groan as if a dam had burst and Remus's words were a release he pulled Remus into his arms and held him tightly. 'I've been ready for years, Remus Lupin, I just didn't think you would ever want someone like me,' he said through his tears.

Remus sighed softly as if he'd come home at last, then wrapped his arms round Severus's waist in a loving fashion. 'You're not the only one, Severus Snape, but I think we need to see the solicitor before we make any future plans hmm?' he said with a trace of happiness on what should have been a miserable day.

Severus couldn't help it and the tears were stopped and replaced by a smile and a soft chuckle. Daring himself he lightly kissed Remus's temple and stepped away, taking Remus's hand into his once more and nodding. 'Yes, though I haven't a clue why he would want to see me. Do you know what he wants?'

Remus shrugged. 'I reckon we'll find out shortly,' he said, then saying nothing else stepped into the carriage, Severus directly behind him.

~~~~

'Ah good, you're all here. He's waiting in his office for you, please go in,' the secretary said with a nod and pointed towards a set of double oak doors.

Sirius, Peter, Remus and Severus walked up to the doors and went inside, wondering what on earth was going on. 'Ah good, your all here. Come in, come in, don't be shy,' a man said from a large chair that was behind a rather oversized oak desk. 'Amarie, we'll discuss this later,' he said to a woman in a sharp looking suit. The woman looked at the four men, wrinkled her nose, then nodded at the man at the desk and went out, closing the door sharply behind her. 'Well now, terrible day all round isn't it?' he said indicating for the four men to sit down.

'If you don't mind, say what needs to be said and let's get this done and over with,' Severus said sharply as he sat down on a small settee next to Remus.

'I agree, today wasn't exactly the day for whatever you want of us, Mr. err...' Remus began.

'Dollop. Anthony Dollop at your services, Mr. Lupin,' the man said with a flashy smile. 'I am...er...was James and Lily Potter's solicitor.'

'You're a Muggle,' Sirius said, irritably stating the obvious.

The man chuckled. 'Not exactly. A squib sad to say, hence why I moved into the Muggle world. I happened to have met James and Lily last year when I...err...well we did some business together is all,' Dollop said as he gathered up a file on his desk.

'What do you want with us, Mr. Dollop? You do realize today was their funeral,' Peter said with a hitch in his voice.

'Yes, yes, of course I do. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend myself since it was held in Godric's Hollow, and without invitation one cannot enter that place these days,' the man said. 'Not of course that anyone would have invited me in the first place. But no matter, I've asked to see you because of their will.'

'What?' Sirius asked in astonishment. 'They had a will?'

Dollop nodded quickly. 'Of course they did, it was at Lily's insistence.'

'Mages do not leave normally wills behind you have to understand,' Severus said skeptically. 'So why would they have done so?'

'Lily was a Muggle-born keep in mind, Mr. Snape,' Dollop said in rebuke. 'She was the one as I said who was quite adamant that they had one when they realised that they were being sought after.'

'So what's in this will and why did you need us?' Sirius asked curiously.

'Patience, Mr. Black, I'm getting to that,' Dollop said and opened the folder in front of him. Eyeing all four men carefully he got up and came to the front of his desk, a sheet of paper in his hand. 'This will affect all of you, so listen to their words carefully. Once I'm finished reading this off you can have your say or dispute anything written.'

'Oh just get on with this man, we haven't got all day,' Severus scowled,

Dollop sniffed as if he knew full well the attitude the cold Potion Master could have and cleared his throat, then began to read from the paper in his hand.

~~The Last Will and Testament of James and Lily Evans Potter~~
Witnessed by: Albus Dumbledore
Dated: September 30th, 1908

We, that being James Artimus Potter and Lily Marie Evans Potter, declare that at the time this was written were both of sound mind. These are our last expressed wishes should anything happen to us as we fear it will.

Our remains we wish to be buried side by side in Godric's Hollow Cemetery, where every Gryffindor heir for over a thousand years has been buried. Where Godric himself resides even.

Should our son Harry James Potter survive us, our entire fortune belongs to him. The keys to both mine and Lily's Gringott's vaults (numbers 613 and 212) will be held by Albus Dumbledore until Harry is old enough to need them. Any funds that will be needed for his care and upbringing can be taken from either vault.

As for the upbringing of our son, we have both agreed that we want Severus S. Snape, my blood-brother, as his caretaker. We know Harry will thrive with his 'Uncle Severus', and we know Severus will take good care of him in our place. Any funds Severus will need can be gotten from Albus Dumbledore.

As for Godric's Hollow, until Harry is old enough to take claim, we turn temporary title over to Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Since Sirius's home was destroyed we know he will treat our home with love, and keep it in good care until Harry is ready for it. Should the Hollow be destroyed somehow, wait six months then return. The Hollow is the ancestral home of the Gryffindor's, it will be rebuilt on it's own since it has the same magical properties that Hogwarts itself has.

As for our possessions should they survive, each of you can have whatever you like. However, my Invisibility cloak will be held in secret by the person who already has it until Harry is old enough to have it. I know that the person who has it now will keep it safe until that time, and we trust that person to know when the right time for Harry to have it will be.

As to what we leave Remus J. Lupin is simple. We leave him with the task of helping Severus raise our son. We haven't been blind all these years, and we know that you will make Severus very happy, Remus as he will make you happy. Raise Harry well and teach him not to fear what others do; show him he doesn't have to fear the darkness.

In parting we have this to say. Sirius, Peter...stop hedging and admit to each other how you both have felt since we were teenagers. Remus, Severus...if I have to come back from the afterlife to get you two together...you better hope I don't have to. Take care of our son, live life to the fullest, and be happy till the very end. Don't think we've fully left you all, we haven't, in your hearts we'll always be there when you need us.

Don't grieve for us, and don't run from who and what you are. Take care of yourselves, and be safe. We love you, and above all...make this world a place that you can be free of the restrictions. We want no fighting between the four of you, it's time to put aside old grudges and accept each other's faults and friendships. I know you will all make us proud, and we know you will all do what's right.

Dollop sniffed as he read the last line of the will and collected himself, then carefully looked at all four men in the room. 'Well, there you have it gentlemen. These were James and Lily's expressed wishes for what they want done.'

'You're...you're not serious...are you?' Severus said in a hushed voice.

'Quite so, Mr. Snape. The Potter's were very particular about these wishes, and I am to make sure they are met,' Dollop said firmly. Walking round his desk again he pulled out two envelopes, handing one to Sirius and one to Severus. 'In yours,' he said looking at Sirius, 'you will find a temporary deed to Godric's Hollow, made out in the names of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.' Turning to Severus he said, 'In yours you will find a Certificate of Guardianship for one Harry James Potter, made out in the names of Severus Snape and Remus Lupin. For the keys to the vaults you will need to see Albus Dumbledore of course.'

'You're serious then,' Peter said in awe.

'I do not joke on matters of legalities, Mr. Pettigrew,' Dollop said. 'Oh, and there is one stipulation that must be met or you will lose what you've been given.'

'What stipulation?' Remus asked in bewilderment.

'That each of you must get along,' Dollop said matter-of-factly. 'James was quite adamant in the fact that some of you,' he said non-chalantly glancing at Sirius, 'would balk at the decision to leave young Mr. Potter in Mr. Snape's care. From what I'm led to believe there was a tense history between some of you and Mr. Snape, and James wanted no anger or resentments at his decisions.'

'Well...er...that is...' Sirius began and looked at Peter, then towards Remus and saw the looks on their faces. 'Oh very well, I don't exactly like it, Harry is my godson after all, but if that's what Jamie wanted...well I'll live with it,' he muttered.

'Now that's the spirit, Mr. Black,' Dollop said jovially. 'The arrangements have already been made for Mr. Potter to be picked up from...ah yes, a Dursley family in Surrey. He should arrive this evening at Hogwarts, I assume that will not be a problem, Mr. Snape?'

Severus shook his head. 'No, it...er...shouldn't be,' Severus said still a bit dazed. 'Are you quite sure this is what James wanted? For me to raise Harry?' he asked skeptically.

Dollop nodded. 'Oh yes, very sure, Mr. Snape. He was very adamant that he wanted you and Mr. Lupin to raise his son.'

'Even in death Jamie outsmarted us,' Remus said with a slight chuckle as he looked at Severus. 'He knew all this time.'

Severus looked up into Remus's eyes and oddly enough a tender smile spread across his face. 'I'm glad he did,' he said quietly. Turning back to the solicitor however a slight frown creased his brow and he said, 'You are aware however that I am a Professor at Hogwarts school ten months of the year.'

Dollop nodded again. 'Not a problem at all,' he said with a grin then pulled out a second piece of paper from the folder on his desk. 'This is from Albus Dumbledore himself. Your Professorship was indeed taken into account, and by Dumbledore's words he expresses that he, nor does the rest of the staff, have any problem with young Mr. Potter being raised during the year at the school. In order to accommodate Mr. Lupin's presence as well in both you and Mr. Potter's life, arraignments have been made for him to live at the castle and share your living quarters during those times.'

'At...at the castle? In Severus's rooms?' Remus asked startled then turned to look at Severus. 'Is...are you sure you want that?'

Severus scowled for a moment. 'If you have to ask me that...then I suppose I will have to prove how much I don't mind later on,' he said with a slight upturn of his lips.

'Egads, Snape, the last thing I want to hear about is your sexual habits at the moment!' Sirius muttered. 'I think we get the point so let's drop it.'

'Oh do shut up, Sirius, I think it's sweet,' Peter said with a grin. 'I'm glad for the both of you, really I am. But what about us now, Sirius? What's going to happen to us?' he asked hesitantly and looked at Sirius. 'Do you...you really want me err...I mean...'

Sirius stared at Peter a moment then broke into a huge grin. 'I'll be bold enough to say that I'll second what Snape said a moment ago, Petey. That answer your question?'

'Now who's calling the cauldron black, Sirius eh?' Remus said with a chuckle. 'What will you two do now though?'

Peter shrugged. 'I reckon I'll stay at the accounting firm in Knockturn Alley for a while.'

'Absolutely not, Pete!' Sirius said sharply. 'They overwork you there, they haven't given you a pay rise in years, and I won't have you freezing your arse off every fucking day of the winter because they're too cheap to provide you with coal. You're going to quit there tomorrow.'

'But...but, Siri, I can't just quit like that! We may have run of the Hollow, but we'll still need money!' Petey argued. 'I can always take Malfoy up on his offer you know.'

'Not in your dreams, Petey,' Sirius said firmly. 'We'll find a way, any other way than to crawl over to Malfoy's goons. Don't you worry, we'll manage.'

Peter sighed. 'All right, Siri, I trust you. You're right, working for Malfoy wouldn't be a good idea. He scares me anyway,' he said with a slight shiver.

'Ah, you're talking about Lucius Malfoy?' Dollop asked curiously.

'Yeah, you know of him I take it,' Sirius said.

'I've not had the pleasure of meeting him no, but I've heard quite a bit about him. He owned all those illegal places, not to mention he was that Voldemort bloke's right hand man yes?' Dollop asked.

'Something like that. He delved into the Muggle world on his own accord you could say, behind Voldemort's back,' Severus said dryly.

'Ah, I see. Well than, you haven't seen today's edition of the London Times I take it,' Dollop said.

'We've been at a funeral today in case you've forgotten,' Severus said with a touch of rebuke in his voice.

'Quite right, forgive me for being callous,' Dollop said sheepishly. 'Perhaps though you should see something however.' Going over to his door he poked his head out and said, 'Angie! Angie the paper please! Spit spot, yes, the London Times if you would,' he then called out, and moments later closed the door again and walked back to the group, handing the paper to Severus. 'Read that.'

Severus looked down at the paper curiously, then his breath caught in his throat. In a shaky voice he then read the headlines:

BODY OF LUCIUS MALFOY AND WIFE FOUND IN THAMES

Lucius Malfoy, owner of many illegal speakeasies, gambling houses and bawdy houses, and his wife Narcissa Malfoy, were found dead earlier today. Apparently the victims of a jealous rival their bodies were found floating in the Thames by a man walking his dog early this morning.

'Scariest thing ever did see. All white and pasty faced they was. Knew right away they was dead though when I fished them out of the water. Could have bowled me over when I realised who it were. Imagine finding such a man dead in your hands eh? Well good riddance to bad rubbish I say. That man nearly had my son going over to the side of the Devil with his gin and pretty women. Feel bad for the wife though, she didn't deserve that,' Thomas Applebee said in an interview.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are survived only by their one year old son Draco Malfoy. Apparently the child has already been turned over to an old man dressed in strange blue garments who said that the child would be raised amongst people would care for him.

A group calling themselves 'The Marauders' has also already stepped forwards to claim the rights to Malfoy's vast underworld empire. It is unclear of their goals at this time, however a red-headed man known only by the name of Arthur said that things will be changing for the better. We at the Times can only hope this will mean that the illegal speakeasies and houses of ill repute will become only a lost blemish on our history, and that London will once again be restored to the glory it deserves. Here's to the Marauders and to good times ahead!

'So, he's dead,' Severus said quietly.

'I don't get it, who are these Marauders?' Sirius said curiously.

'I believe I can answer that,' a new voice said quietly as a man stepped out from a side door of the office.

'Albus? What on earth are you doing here?' Remus asked in surprise.

Albus Dumbledore smiled and walked into the room, a small bundle of blankets in his arms. 'James would be proud of you all you know.'

'What is going on, Dumbledore?' Sirius said. 'Did you have anything to do with this?' he asked pointing to the news article.

Albus chuckled and looked at Sirius, a startling twinkle in his eyes. 'Yes...and no. However, now isn't the time to go into the whys and whatfors, that is for another time. Right now I have another task at hand.'

'And what would that be, Albus?' Severus said warily.

'You know me too well I think, young Severus,' Albus said with a grin and turned to face Severus. 'What I require from you is very simple actually.'

'From me?' Severus asked skeptically. 'What now, Albus? What more is expected of me?'

'Now, now, Severus, nothing so terrible,' Albus chuckled. 'In fact, something quite wonderful really.'

'Will you stop being cryptic for just a moment?' Severus said irritably. 'What is it you want me to do?'

'Very well then, I shall tell you. As you can see I have with me a very special package. One that I feel would benefit highly in your capable hands,' Albus said. 'Severus, meet Draco Malfoy,' he said and held out the bundle of blankets for the four men to peer inside.

'Oh no, no no nono, Albus. You are not thinking what I think you're thinking!' Severus said stepping away from the older man in horror. 'One is quite enough, thank you!'

'Oh, Severus, don't be so hasty,' Remus said quietly as he looked down at the sleeping child. 'He is kind of cute.'

'He's a Malfoy, he can't be cute,' Sirius said then looked at the child himself. 'Well...all right, he is a bit cute,' he said with a slight grin.

'Severus,' Albus said in a firm tone of voice.

'Albus,' Severus replied wearily.

'I'm sure you and Remus will have no problem raising Draco along side of Harry. They will have a good life with the both of you, with all of you that is,' Albus said.

'I take it we have no choice in this matter?' Severus said dejectedly.

Albus chuckled. 'It won't be so bad, Severus, you'll have all the staff of the castle at your disposal. I'm sure two children won't be so hard to handle...'

~~~~

CRASH!

'Oops...I don't think we should have done that...'

'Don't blame me, I thought you were getting it!'

'Nope, I thought you said you were getting it!'

'Doesn't matter, let's make a run for it before one of 'em catches us in here!'

'Right!'

The two boys didn't get but a few feet when they ran into what appeared to be a brick wall. Or rather two adults who certainly didn't look very happy.

'Care to tell us what this was about?' the dark clad man said with a scowl at the two boys.

'Err...well...that is...' the first boy began hesitantly.

'We didn't mean to break the jars,' the second boy said hanging his head down.

The brown haired man sighed and shook his head. 'Detention, both of you. And ten points from both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Understood?'

'Yes, we understand,' the black haired boy said with a sigh. 'Can we go now?'

'You may go after you tell us what you were planning on doing with those ingredients,' the first man said firmly.

'We wanted to...that is...err...' the black haired boy began.

'We wanted to make an Animagus potion, Father,' the silver haired boy said with a slight smirk. 'Uncle Sirius and Uncle Peter told us what to get so we decided to- '

'To steal from my store room?' the dark clad man said with a twitch of his lips. 'Oh for the love of Merlin, put those damnable ingredients down, and I will have a few short words for those two as well. You are not going to learn that potion until I say you can.'

'But, Uncle Severus! Then we'll never get to do it! Please? Uncle Remus can't we?' the black haired boy asked with a pout.

'Don't pout, Harry,' Remus said. 'You're uncle is right, that's a very complicated potion, and last thing we need is either of you screwing it up. Especially when Sirius and Peter are the ones helping you,' he said wryly.

'But they did it when they were at school and had no problems. I don't see why we can't make it too,' Draco grumbled.

'Draco, there will be no more discussion on this. Now go to supper, and stay out of my store room,' Severus said irritably.

'Fine, come on Harry, let's go see what Ron and Hermione are up to,' Draco said in defeat.

'Are you ever going to let us do the potion, Uncle Severus?' Harry asked hesitantly.

Severus sighed. 'I'll make a deal with you both. If you can stay out of trouble for one week, that means no detentions, no pranks, no anything, then I'll think about it.'

'Really? We can do that! Right Draco?' Harry said jubilantly.

Draco nodded and grinned. 'Yup, I know we can!' he replied. 'Come on, Harry, let's go tell Ron and Hermione!' he said whilst happily grabbing Harry's hand then flew down the corridor.

Remus watched them go and chuckled as Severus only groaned and shook his head. 'Tell me, what did I just get myself into?' he asked Remus.

Remus laughed. 'A hell of a lot of trouble, Severus. On the upside, for the next week we won't have pink hair or purple polka dotted faces hopefully.'

Severus snorted. 'And who's side was it to tell them about Muggle egg customs at Easter, Remus? I believe that was your brilliant idea.'

'Well fine, next time you can tell them about the Muggle holidays when they ask you,' Remus said with a roll of his eyes.

Severus muttered an oath under his breath. 'I think I liked it better when they weren't able to ask us questions like that, or any questions at all,' he said wearily.

'They're seventeen now, Severus, they're inquisitive about a world they've never entered, you can't blame them for that. We're the one's who've sheltered them all these years, only going into the Muggle world on rare occasions.'

'For their safety, Remus. There's nothing in the Muggle world they needed to see anyway,' Severus said firmly.

Remus rolled his eyes. 'I can think of a few things. Remember that villa in Italy we rented over Yule holiday?' he said with a grin.

Severus turned and looked at Remus intensely a moment, then broke into a grin. Glancing down the corridor to make sure it was empty he then reached out and pulled Remus into his arms then kissed him passionately. 'That villa is waiting for the next time we can break away you know,' he said now in a low, husky voice.

Remus chuckled and looked deeply into his lovers eyes. 'Have you noticed anything going on between Harry and Draco as of late, Severus?'

Severus scowled a moment. 'Do they always have to come up in the middle of a romantic moment, Remus?' he asked irritably.

Remus laughed and brushed his lips against Severus's for a moment. 'That's what I'm trying to tell you, Sev. I think that we may not have to worry about the two of them much longer.'

'What gives you that idea?' Severus asked as he began to kiss Remus's neck.

Remus sighed softly and said in a low voice, 'Because I think they're going to move in together after the Leaving Feast in June.'

'What?' Severus said as he looked back at Remus surprised. 'What do you mean?'

'Oh come off it, Sev, you can't be that blind can you?' Remus snorted. 'They've been 'together' for months now.'

'What do you mean 'together', Remus?' Severus demanded.

'Oi, do I have to explain this to you? Honestly, Severus,' Remus grinned. 'Together as in 'together'.'

'Holding hands you mean,' Severus said in a hopeful voice.

Remus snorted. 'Did you want to just hold hands at the age of seventeen, Sev?'

Severus thought that over a moment then shook his head, a slight grin on his face. 'No, actually I wanted to kiss you and make love to you until neither of us could move at that age. Sadly I never did,' Severus said.

Remus looked at Severus with nothing short of pure love in his eyes, although there was a slight trace of sadness. 'We were stupid fools back then, Severus. Beholden to houses and hatreds. They aren't. Let them have whatever it is they have together, they deserve it. Personally I'm grateful for having them both in our lives, and I hope they take full advantage of whatever is they can.'

'Oh? And why is that, my dear wolf?' Severus said once again leaning in to kiss Remus's neck.

Remus moaned slightly and fell into those kisses. 'Because my dear Potion Master...I'm very much looking forwards to going back to Italy...without the kids this time,' he said in a voice laced with deep passion.

'Mmm...now that sounds like the best idea you've had all day,' Severus said with a grin. 'You know, Remus, somehow I get the feeling that everything turned out just how it should have.'

Remus nodded and smiled at his lover. 'I think you're right, Severus. Everything has turned out as it was always meant to be.'