The Hidden End

Chapter 5: Settling in Part 2/ The WWCPC

 The smell of eggs and sausage rouses the children from their sleep. Harry is quick to roll out of bed and pull on some slippers. Feeding Hedwig, he gives her some pets and opens the window so she can leave. Turning around, Lily crawls groggily out of bed, Ceba swinging in her curly hair. Padding down the stairs, they freeze at the sight before them.

Severus Snape is standing in his kitchen, cooking. This is the first time either child has seen him dressed down. His sweatpants and dark sweater don't have nearly as flabbergasted as his hair pulled back into a ponytail. Turning around, he gasps with a start at the sight of the two children.

"Have a seat, " he says, gesturing to the table. As they sit there, he fixes them plates of sausage, eggs, and toast. There is also tea, milk, juice, and coffee for them to choose from, as well as muffins, porridge, and fruits.

Looking around the table, their mouths watered, but they remained patient. Severus sits, and they hold hands as he says the blessing, and then they begin their feast. After eating their fill of the delicious food and working together to wash the dishes and clear the table, they all moved to the sitting room. Severus relaxes into his recliner, looking to the children as they enter.

He shifts awkwardly, "I am sorry, I do not have a telly quite yet, though I will be getting one for you soon. You are more than welcome to pick out a book; there are some board games in the closet, anything you would like." They nod, looking around, "Tomorrow we will go into town so we can get some things from the shops and so you can see all that is around. However, later today, the WWCPC will be stopping by with some of the best healers from St Mungo's to check on your progress and make sure this is a suitable living space for you both." Seeing their nervous exchange, he is quick to reassure them. "Everything will be completely fine, I am sure of it. I have ensured that everything in this house is fit for children; all of the dangerous bobbles I used to have strewn around carelessly have been housed elsewhere. As for finances and equities, I have a stable job and solid income, so that should be no issue. So, for now, let us just rest and worry not."

Nodding, they both walk back to their bedroom. Harry immediately opens his trunk, rifling through it, and pulls out all his school books and papers for his summer homework. Lily follows his lead as well as a blanket gifted to her by Mrs. Weasley, and as she pulls on one of Draco's sweaters she stole, Harry likewise pulls on his Weasley sweater. When they get cold, their wounds feel sort of like they burn. So they've taken much more care to keep their backs warm, Harry's pyjama pants never far away, hiding away the gouges on his upper legs.

Trodding back downstairs, Severus is surprised at the boy and then at the girl trailing behind him, wrapped in a blanket that swallowed her whole. If safety had a shape, it would likely look like that: small, quiet, and bundled up to the nose in a fortress of fleece. He does not comment until they set up all their school supplies at the coffee table. "You do not have to do your schoolwork if you do not wish to. I do not want to make you feel like you have to just because I am your professor. Yes, the summer homework will need to be done, but there is time."

Harry smiles. "Oh, no, we want to. I haven't been able to start on my summer work this early; I've missed it."

Severus furrows his brow, "Whatever do you mean?"

Lily says, "Auntie and uncle would never let us do our school work, touch our books, or even talk about magic, the entire summer. So I would usually start the second we got it, so there would be much less to do on the train ride back to school."

This gives Severus an epiphany, which explains why Harry's essay always seemed so rushed. He did all his school work in the last week of summer. Things meant to take two or three months he did in mere days. This breaks his heart, and they all sit silently, working respectively.

Rising from his chair, Severus disappears into the kitchen, though the children pay no mind. It isn't until he re-enters the room with a light lunch of sandwiches and two letters that he tells the children his news. They have been re-invited to the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys and Malfoys, respectively. "I will allow it on the condition that you write and tell me all about your trip, as well as take plenty of salve and swear to apply it every few hours so your wounds will continue to heal properly."

Excited, they both readily agree.

A few hours later, the WWCPC comes by and searches the house. They interview the children before approving and leaving with a clean report. The Potter siblings now officially and permanently live with Severus Snape. After showing them out, Severus grabs a new book on the shelf and settles into his chair, reading quietly. Lily asks him if he would read out loud for them, and so he does. She and Harry pause, listening attentively. Before long, they both fall asleep leaning against his legs. Closing the book, Severus looks from one sleeping child to the other. Having once felt so grey and empty, his life now seems so bright and promising.