Who: Snape and Draco When: Early February Where: Tea Shoppe What: meet and chat Rating/Warning: Low/None Status: Complete!
Severus was glad that Draco had consented to meet him for tea. He didn’t really know the boy in this world, but as the two were so closely joined in the other, he found that it was important for him to continue on his work, to support and protect him in this one. After all, he’d done the unbreakable vow with Narcissa Malfoy, and he wanted to uphold his end of the deal. Not that there was a Dumbledore in this world for Draco to be killing, but…
Anyway, he arrived early to the tea shop, one of those hole-in-the-wall places that barely scraped rent together each month. Whatever their shortcomings, they had the best blends of tea. Natural, organic, grown on premises, and hand harvested. Severus was in awe of the things they could do with a tea plant.
He ordered a pot of the blend of the day, then took his table by the window to wait for Draco.
It was strange to know someone fairly well in your dreams and yet know very little about them in real life. But that was how it was with Draco and Severus. He’d been happy enough to meet up with him again, he was intrigued if he was honest with himself. Professor Snape in his dreams was a fairly cool, collected man yet Draco knew he was a happily married man here. But then of course Draco himself was happily married too which was very different.
Entering the coffee shop he spotted Snape straight away, ordering a tea to be brought over he joined the other man at the table. “Hey, this is a cute little place” he commented, “How are you doing?”
There were a lot of differences between here and the Dreams. Severus’ lineage didn’t come into play in this world. No one cared if he was half of something and half of something else. Even though his father was still an abusive drunk, Severus hadn’t let that slow him down. Once he was out of Tobias Snape’s house, he was free. Falling in love had taken some time, but now that he’d built a life with his wife, he was happier than he could have possibly imagined. And his Dream Life was a nightmare.
“They make the best tea in the county. Besides my own blends, of course.” Severus said, sitting up a little straighter when Draco came and sat with him. “Fairly well. We found out we’re having a boy.” That was the sort of thing that people talked about, wasn’t it? Babies? Especially when one was on the way.
Draco’s dream life wasn’t much better but in fairness a lot of it either came from his pain in the ass family or the fact that he himself was a douche in them.
“I look forward to trying then. I never drank much tea before the dreams. I guess it’s leaked over” he said, “Oh wow, congratulations. You have a daughter already right? Are you excited? I can’t imagine having kids”
“Yeah. Daisy. She’s three.” Severus said. He poured the tea for each of them. This one was a black tea, though it was mixed with hints of vanilla and rose petals, and would be sweet enough without sugar or honey. Severus took his without milk, too, though there was a creamer next to the coffee pot on the tray if Draco wanted some.
“I’m looking forward to it. I have… father issues.” Severus said, though, after Draco’s dreams, he was certain that the young man could relate. “I have to admit I’m a little nervous about having a son.”
Draco nodded, glad he’d remembered rightly. The tea smelt good and he smiled his thanks as Snape poured.
“I get that” he said, “But the way I see it you’re probably gonna be better than anybody else right? I mean you’ll make sure of it. That’s what I do, my dreams remind me of who I won’t ever let myself become. You learn and adapt. And you’re already a dad, sons aren’t much different to daughters. Or so I’ve heard”
“One can hope.” Severus said. He lifted his teacup to blow across the top, then sipped gingerly. It was still quite hot. “I agree with you, though. There are many things about my dreams that I know will never come true in this world.”
“Yep, that’s what keeps me going not wanting to be the Draco from my dreams. I’m a pretty good husband, a brother and a friend and I plan on making sure I stay that way. Apart from the magic and a few little things not much else has leaked over so I think it’s working”
“That’s good.” Severus said, nodding once. He paused. “...so. Magic has leaked over? Are you practicing?”
Draco nodded, “Yep, got my wand and everything. I’m pretty good too. I use it mainly for little things” like relieving him and his husband of their clothes but Snape didn’t need to know that, “Oh and I can apparate too. Not quite as well as Pansy though”
“Pansy… your sister?” Severus asked. Pansy Parkinson was one of his students in Slytherin house. It was strange to him that in this world they were adopted siblings. He wondered what became of her parents here, and why that particular was different between the worlds.
“The one and only” he confirmed with an affectionate smile. Draco had his own theory on that, in the dreams he and Pansy dated but of course here he was very much batting for the other side so he figured whatever controlled the dreams wanted them to still be connected so made them siblings. A romanticised idea maybe but one he liked.
“Strange how the two of you are not siblings in the dreams, and yet here you are.” Severus said, watching Draco’s face closely for any signs of … anything. He wasn’t using Legillimency, he was simply being aware and curious.
Draco nodded slowly, wondering briefly if his mind was being read but then dismissed it. He’d been taught occlumency in the dreams and so was pretty well armed. So he told Snape his theory, “I mean it’s probably not that” he added once he’d finished, “But it’s the nicest theory I can come up with”
“I suppose that makes sense.” Severus wondered for a moment about Lily. About where she was, what she was doing. Why she wasn’t by his side the way Pansy and Draco were together. But it wasn’t that big of a deal. It might have been too painful, actually, to have Lily there. “There are no real answers to these questions.”
"Nope there aren't so until anybody can prove otherwise I'll just keep believing what I want to" he grinned.
“Good. You go ahead.” Severus said, and lifted his tea for a sip. “I was thinking. Perhaps it’s time for us to start some sort of magic school. For those of us who have magic from the dreams and want to work on it. And for any possible offspring we may have. That they may learn our ways.”
"Can't take the teaching out of the teacher huh?" he grinned, before he looked thoughtful, "Will your kids have magic here too do you think?"
Severus paused. “I never wanted to be a teacher.” He said, softly. “That came after. And yes, I hope they’ll have magic. I don’t know about them so far. After all, they are half Time Lord.”
“Really? I didn’t know that” Draco admitted, “Wow, your kids are gonna be like magical geniuses”
“Yes. Well, Romana is a Time Lord in her dreams. She has two hearts.” He commented. “It’s certainly interesting. Daisy doesn’t have two hearts, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see what she dreams about. If anything.”
“That is pretty impressive if a little weird, no offence” he added quickly, “But it’ll definitely be interesting to see if your kids dream”
Severus chuckled. “None taken. I have no idea if they will. They don’t exist in either of our Dream Worlds, so what would they dream about? A third, unrelated world?”
“Maybe or maybe they’ll just inherit the magic without the dreams” Draco suggested.
“That I would prefer.” Severus said, thinking on it for a moment. He didn’t want Daisy to have to live in his world. And who would be her parents there? No, he’d much prefer for her to remain his and Romana’s, and simply live in this world with magic.
Draco nodded, “Let’s hope for that then” he said with a smile, “If it’s any comfort I’ve not heard of anybody very young having the dreams”
“That is a bit of a comfort.” Severus said. He nodded once. “...How’s the tea?”
Draco smiled before answering, “It’s good actually. You were right, they do have great blends here” which was something he’d never have said before the dreams, his liking of tea had definitely changed with them.
“You’ll have to purchase some to take home with you.” Severus said. “I’ve got quite the collection myself.” And he sipped.
“I think I will. Surprise Zuko with them” he grinned.
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy them.” Severus said. “I’ll have to bring some home to Romana, too.”
“Tea for the better halves” Draco grinned, “I’ll let you know what he thinks”
“Good. Please do. Some day you will have to bring him over for dinner.” ...how awkward. A double date with a former student? But Severus didn’t seem to mind. He was happy to cook for people. And it was easier to bring people over lately than to go out. Especially with Romana in her current condition.
“Sure, he’d like that. We both would. I’ll bring the dessert” Draco smiled, strange yes but it would be nicer to have a better relationship here than they did in the dreams. And they could maybe help remind each other not to let the dreams touch their lives here too much.
“Good. We’ll make plans.” Severus said. He lifted his teacup as if in a toast, and then sipped down to the dregs.