A House Full of Gryffindors

Generally speaking, Severus Snape was a happy man. He had a wife he adored, a daughter he loved, and a job he didn’t entirely hate. He hadn’t planned on his life turning out this way. When you join the Death Eaters a happy ending isn’t exactly a possibility, but Snape was pleased that fate, or whatever it was had seen fit to give him a second chance at life. Severus was as surprised as anyone to find himself married to Hermione Granger, but when he thought about it, it did make sense. She was as intelligent as he was, nearly as brave and fiercely loyal. She understood his need to work, and insisted on doing her part to change the world. Annoying though she sometimes was, Severus couldn’t help but admire her dedication. The couple had never planned on children, but one night of frivolity and forgetfulness had lead to the birth of their daughter Sophie Elizabeth Snape. Sophie was four years old and had inherited her mother’s bushy hair, but her father’s nose.

One thing Severus still despised was Gryffindors. He made an exception for the one he was married to, but on the whole he couldn’t stand their damn self righteousness. He loved Hermione, but he thought that accompanying her to Potter’s home was going too far. But she had insisted the entire family come along. Severus dressed in his normal billowing black robes. He knew he would be hot, but the idea of wearing something more casual in Potter’s company was unappealing to him. Despite being married to one of his best friends, he did not like Potter and he did all he could to keep some sort of distance between them. As he finished buttoning his robes, he grudgingly picked up Sophie and apparated to the house.

Being in the company of Potter, Weasley (well, she was a Potter now too) and Granger (as he couldn’t help but call her when she was with her housemates) was driving him up a wall. Severus was not above using his daughter as an excuse, so he decided that she would be bored listening to her mother and her friends tell stories of old times, he took her to a nearby pond. As the pair approached the pond his daughter made her plans known.

“Daddy, take me swimming!” Sophie demanded.

Drawing up to his full height as he did when an irritating first year asked him an equally irritating question, he answered his daughter. “I do not swim,” he said, annunciating every word.

Sophie was not going down without a fight. “But Daddy, it’s so hot out! I’m burning under my robes!”

“Why didn’t you wear something lighter?”

“These are the lightest things I have. It’s just so hot!” At the last word she stomped her foot to make the point. Unfortunately, the ground was muddy and she splashed it over her robes. Severus was torn between scowling at her now dirty robes and laughing at her frustration with him. He compromised by barely turning up the corners of his mouth and taking her hand as she lead him toward the pond.

Though he did not want to admit it, Sophie had a point. It was extremely hot, and he was sweltering under his heavy robes. Checking that Potter was safely inside the house, he removed the outer most layer and folded it neatly. He helped Sophie remove her outer robes as well. She looked much more comfortable, but still sweating under the cloudless sky.

“Very well,” he sighed. “You may go in up to your waist. I will stand by the shore and watch.”

She couldn’t have been happier. She took up at a run, slipping slightly, and headed for the water. Severus tried very hard to conceal his smile as he watched his daughter splash about. After fifteen minutes he heard laughter coming from behind him. Turning around he could see the three Gryffindors making their way down the path, their visit nearly over. Severus immediately picked his robes off the ground and put them on. Using his most commanding voice he said,

“Come out of the water now. Mommy’s here and it’s nearly time to go home.”

“NO!” said Sophie still smiling and splashing. “You have to come and get me!”

Severus again called forward his teaching voice. “Sophie Elizabeth Snape, come out of the water now.”

“No. Come get me!”

He was already devising punishments. Perhaps taking her favorite toy for a week would teach her not to disobey. Even as he thought about it, she took three steps back from him, so that she was now chest high in water. He didn’t have to think about his next move. She didn’t know how to swim and he was not about to let her be so deep in water when she didn’t know what to do. Vowing to arrange for lessons he took four steps toward the water. On the fifth step he hit the same muddy patch Sophie had earlier stomped in. She had escaped with dirty robes, but he was not so lucky. He slipped and lost his balance entirely, falling ungracefully on his back. Sophie laughed as she waded towards him, hoping to help him up.

“That was funny, Daddy!” she giggled.

“I’m glad you find me entertaining,” he muttered as he pulled himself to his feet. Unfortunately, Sophie’s laughter was not the only sound. Behind him he heard Potter, Ginny and Hermione laughing at his mud covered robes. Trying to comport his dignity, he pulled himself up to his full height and turned to face the approaching Gryffindors.

“I suppose you found that entertaining as well?”

“Oh Severus,” said Hermione through her giggles, “I always find you entertaining.” She leaned over to kiss Sophie. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes Mommy,” she said. “But we should go home now. I think Daddy needs a bath.”

“She’s right, Severus, you do need a shower,” Hermione said. Turning to Harry she added “We should get going.”

She hugged her friends. Severus shook hands with Potter and nodded at Ginny. Once again, he picked up his daughter and apparated home.