I'm back! It doesn't feel like I've been away as long as this story says I have been, but better late than never! Reminder, I do not own any character you recognize, but as far as I know the plot is my own and none are feeding me my words.

Previously:

"That was all Hadrian's idea" Severus chuckled. "We talked before he began school about the possibility of Voldemort returning and my role as a spy. I was ready to retire as a spy and just be a father and teacher, it is Hadrian that decided that I should continue to spy and created what he affectionately refers to as 'the hate game'. Until Voldemort was defeated for good, we would pretend to hate each other and any time one of us wanted to talk or just spend time together we would arrange a detention. Most of the detentions that Hadrian has found himself in with me have been covers to spend time with my son without our masks."

"Severus, do you mean to tell me that all this time not a single person in the castle managed to figure out your game?" Professor Sprout demanded, utterly shocked at what has been going on right under their noses.

"Quite right my dear!" Spoken not by Severus or any other individual on the couch, the words came from the doors and everyone turned to see yet another person, one they never imagined they'd see, arrive at the hall.

Looking back on that night, many would describe this moment as 'hilariously movie like' due to just how slow it seemed everyone was to turn. But they would be speaking the truth, it was as if someone had cast a freezing charm upon the hall and no one could turn towards the door with any amount of speed, forced to turn slowly and causing the suspense to build. It will only be later, that those within the hall will swear to have figured it out as soon as they heard his voice; after all, it was a voice many of them heard throughout their entire time at Hogwarts. Still, it was a shock to many and not a sound could be heard in the hall as jaws dropped and eyes bugged out to look at the person standing in the doorway.

He stood tall, his robes a deep blue and nearly fashionable. That is to say, they would be fashionable if it wasn't for all the little sea creatures that swarm around the robes as if it was made from the ocean itself, the creatures stitched in all colors of the rainbow. The robes alone convinced many that he was who they were seeing, no one else would appear in public in such atrocious a thing. He was smiling, as he was oft to do, and his twinkling eyes could be seen through the entire hall. Though, none of this was what truly caught their attention. No, that would be the bright pink and purple streaks in his hair and beard.

"Father," Severus spoke from his couch, breaking the silence of the hall but leaving those in attendance even more in shock at the revelation presented before them. "I'm glad you could join us, I would apologize for leaving you to rest for so long..."

Severus paused and looked with a smirk at his youngest. "But Hadrien convinced me you could use a longer rest, said it would allow you to spend more time with your Grandchildren when you are awake."

Hadrien, though upset about being thrown under the bus, knew exactly how to ensure his Grandad was not upset with them. He rose from the comfort of his father's arms to race and hug Albus, grabbing the elders hand and pulling him to where the rest of their family was waiting.

"We have missed you Grandad." Nico said as they approached, rising long enough to clasp Albus' shoulder before returning to his seat. Leaving many to wonder why the young man would greet his father and brother with such affection, yet have not but a clasp for his grandfather.

"Hmm, as if I could believe that sweat Hadrian would do such a thing, Severus." Albus said, though his voice gave away the fondness he held for this little family and showed he was not truly angry with their actions. "Now, it seems you have already fought the battle."

Albus paused to look around the great hall, looking into the faces of his former students and giving a nod at professors that still gaped at him in shock.

"So, what in the world are you all doing in the Great Hall? One would think you would all want to be with your families or at least asleep at this hour."

Surprising, or perhaps not considering the backbone he discovered today, Neville was the one to speak up once again.

"Oh, I'm sure we all want to be home." Here he looked directly at Severus and his boys, once again sitting together on the couch with Harry in his father's arms, truly not caring what he must look like to his friends and peers. "But not nearly as much as we want to hear this story. Headmaster Snape has been telling us about how he saved us all and somehow it started with how he got Harry and his scary looking brother."

"Ha!" Nico proclaimed, pointing directly at Neville. "I like you kid, not many have the balls to say that to my face. Hare-Bear, why don't you date him instead of the annoying red head?"

"I resemble that remark!" Fred exclaimed, jumping to his feet and yanking Harry out of his father's arms and into his own. "I only annoy those who need more laughter in their lives, and besides, it's up to Harry who he dates and he loves me! Right, love?"

"Of course Fred." Everyone in the hall could hear the fond exasperation in his voice, making it clear this conversation has been had many times before. "However, I love sleep even more and we'll never get that if we don't let Papa finish the story."

"YOU'RE DATING A BOY?" No one had noticed that the loud mouth Ronald was once again awake, though the shiner on his eye was a nice reminder of why he was asleep in the first place. "THAT'S DISGUSTING! NO BROTHER OF MINE IS GOING TO…."

Once again Ronald found himself unconscious on the floor of the hall, courtesy of one of his many brothers. Though, this time he was given a broken nose to go with his shiner and the brother standing over him was the least likely brother. Percy Weasley stood over Ronald with a scowl that would make Professor Snape proud, shaking out his hand and shaking his head as he turned away, glancing at his mother with a look that clearly said he had no regrets.

"Shall we get back to the story, then?" Drawled Nico in a perfect imitation of his father.

"Lets, where were we?"

"You just told them about how Nico found me and brought me to you." Hadrien piped up, nearly bouncing. "But that's boring! You found me, nursed me back to health, adopted me and raised me my whole life surrounded by love and my life was better with you. We came up with a plan for while I'm in school, detentions were so we could see each other and Grandad was introduced. Oh, everyone, he's our Grandad because he decided Papa needed a father so he kind of adopted all of us. Anyways, skip all of that and just tell them about the potion so we can go home."

Seeing many in the hall hiding smiles and even more nearly falling asleep, Severus nodded and took one last sip of his firewhiskey before beginning his tale anew.

"I created the potion, quite by accident, right at the end of the first war. You see, I was trying to...