|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:26:24 GMT -5
My Child written by Christina E Lupin This is my 2nd or 3rd popular fanfiction on the fanfiction.net. It is a Severitus challenge fic, with some other things thrown in. In the beginning, I was thinking of making Harry a werewolf, but in the end, decided that it would not be wise. Also, Sirius comes back from the dead, which everyone is happy for. ^^ Chapter One: Happy Birthday It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall. His body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backward through the ragged veil hanging from the arch… And Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather’s wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind and then fell back in place.
Harry then approached the veil slowly, not noticing that he was alone now in the empty chamber. The veil seemed to be quiet, the thin material stiff as death. Just as he was nearing it, the fabric flew to life once more, nearly smacking him in the face as a shadowy figure appeared.
“It’s all your fault,” Sirius’ voice croaked, filled with hatred. “It’s your fault that I died. If I hadn’t had to come save you I would be alive, but no… you are too selfish…”
“No…” Harry said, feeling icy hands clench at his heart. “I am not selfish…”
“You only came here to get the prophecy, not to save me. You knew I was safe, locked up inside my parent’s house. You knew and yet you still came here, wanting to know what we were keeping from you…”
“Please… no… Sirius…”“WAKE UP!” Harry James Potter jerked awake, nearly connecting his head with Uncle Vernon, who stood over him, looking angrier than he last remembered. The older man’s face was a dark purple and spit was dripping from his mouth and Harry realized that his face was wet. “GET UP, YOU LAZY FREAK, AND MAKE BREAKFAST! NOW!” Uncle Vernon yelled. He then turned on his heels and stomped out of the small room, slamming the door behind him. Harry groaned and sat up on his small bed, which he suspected to be an old crib mattress, as it was a little small to be a twin-sized mattress. He ran his hands through his messy dark hair and forced himself to stand up, wincing as some of his weight landed on his damaged ankle. Harry vaguely remembered how he managed to damage it (which included Dudley, his cousin, tripping him on the stairs). Once he managed to accomplish getting off his bed, he hopped out onto the second floor landing and descended down the stairs, careful not to place too much weight on his ankle. “Finally!” Aunt Petunia said exasperatedly. She was peeling slices of refrigerated bacon onto a frying pan. “Take over, boy.” She shoved the package into his hands and exited the kitchen. Harry sighed and placed more slices of bacon out on the pan while he got out another pan for making eggs. As he did this, the now sixteen-year-old started up the coffee pot for Uncle Vernon. Unlike Aunt Petunia and Dudley, Uncle Vernon preferred to have coffee with his breakfast, whereas the other two had a glass of milk. After he got the coffee started, he returned to the stove, where he had the egg mixture in one pan on a burner and the bacon on another burner. He put both of them on medium heat and continued to stir the eggs, waiting for the mixture to solidify. While he made breakfast, he let his eyes slide over to the kitchen window. The sun was out and shined brightly over Privet Drive. Harry wondered if his aunt would have him out in the garden today, picking out the weeds from her plants and have him mow their lawn. Even though this year’s summer was hotter than the last, Aunt Petunia continued to usher him out the door so their lawn would be kept nicely, unlike the others, which spoiled and turned a pale yellow. Harry was beginning to dish out the breakfast when his cousin, Dudley, pranced into the room. He rudely knocked into his shorter cousin, causing him to stumble and almost spill the scrambled eggs all over the table and floor. Dudley gave him a nasty grin and parked his fat bottom on one of the chairs. Harry was amazed that his cousin could be so big and still be as healthy as he was. Once his relatives were seated and eating their breakfast, Harry slipped away and headed up to his room to change his clothes, clutching his chore list in his hands. He had been right and Aunt Petunia assigned him to be outside most of today. He let out a sigh and entered his room, only to stop and blink. There was a small gathering of owls perched on his bed, including a few that he recognized. He greeted the owls and began to untie their packages. Most of them left, except for his own owl, Hedwig, Ron’s owl, Pig, the Order’s new owl, Madeline (mostly owned by Lupin, as he found out), and an owl he didn’t recognize. Harry spent the next few minutes opening packages and reading letters sent by his friends. They wished him a happy birthday and said that they would see him sometime in August when one of the Order members came to pick him up. For presents, Hermione sent him a normal-looking journal and Ron had sent him a few of Fred and George Weasley’s products. According to what Ron said in his letter, his twin brothers had managed to rent a shop in Diagon Alley to use for their joke shop. To Harry’s surprise, it seemed the shop was doing very well and taking in a lot of money that the twins rented an apartment in London. After he was done reading the letter, he turned toward the Order letter and knew it was Lupin who wrote. Actually, most of the Order letters were written by Lupin, which Harry much preferred. He knew the older man had to be hurting like he was after Sirius’ death and the letters made the two grow closer. This letter seemed a little shorter but Lupin explained that he would be sent on a mission soon to gather as many werewolves as he could for Dumbledore’s cause. He also told Harry that an Order member would be picking him up within next week to bring him over to Headquarters. Also, enclosed with the Order’s letter was Harry’s Hogwarts letter and was shocked to see a silver badge with a red lion on it, saying Quidditch Captain. The werewolf congratulated Harry on getting the appointment to captain, saying he definitely deserved it. Harry pushed aside the Order’s letter and picked up the last one, his name written in an elegant hand. He slit the envelope open and pulled out a thick sheet of parchment and began to read. My Dearest Harry,
If you are reading this, then what I have feared has come to pass. I can only hope that you are living with a loving family instead of my sad excuse for a sister. If you are living with said sister, then you know how harsh she is. She wasn’t any better when she was young either, my son. I can only hope that you are removed from her care as soon as humanly possible.
There are a few things I want to discuss with you. I am very sure that Dumbledore is either ignorant or has knowledge of what I will be telling you. I swear that man should have been in Slytherin for his cunning and manipulative ways.
First of all, I want to inform you that your father was never James Potter. I know what you are thinking, Harry, but please believe me. The only reason you look like him at all is because of a complicated glamour charm that will begin to slowly degenerate after you turn fifteen. You will begin to notice little things changing, especially your hair. I suspect that you will find it growing longer and not as messy.
Before I tell you the identity of your father, I want to show you some memories. At the bottom of this letter is a word that has been injected with some of my memories I want you to view. Touch this word and say my full name, Lily Marie Evans-Potter, and then it will suck you in.
Also, one more thing before I leave you to view the memories. I don’t know how your first few years in Hogwarts were or how things went for you, but please give your father a second chance, especially if you are living with your mutt of a godfather. He is not a bad man and I love him deeply. You have no idea how much I wish to tell him that he is a father, that he helped me create such a wonderful and beautiful baby. But if I did, he would get in serious trouble and everything he lives for could be jeopardized.
Please get to know your father. I am very sure that he will forgive me and also get to know you as well. In fact, I sent him a letter as well, along with a box of things I wanted to give him, like your birth certificate and a few other things. I also sent you the same thing, only copied.
Remember that no matter what, James and I love you very much, my son. We know that you will be able to defeat Voldemort in the near future. Remember our love. And please say hello to your mutt of a godfather and his pet werewolf.
Love,
Lily PotterHarry nearly dropped the letter in shock, his green eyes going wide. James Potter wasn’t his father? His true father is still alive? As much as his mind screamed, his heart urged him to find out what kind of memories his mother had left for him. That led to Harry’s finger brushing against the word that seemed to shine like liquid and say the password. The owls on his bed gave a startled hoot when they saw the boy disappear, leaving the letter on his bed. dbdbdbdbdbdbdbdb
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:28:40 GMT -5
Chapter Two: Memories
Harry stumbled as he landed on a familiar platform. He glanced around and caught sight of a younger version of his mother, Lily Evans. She had long bright red hair, brilliant green eyes, and looked thin, but happy. She was attempting, and failing, to get her trunk onto the train. Her parents and sister were on the other side of the barrier, heading to their car. It wasn’t that they were cold, but they wanted her to experience everything for herself.
“Need some help?”
Lily turned to face a slightly taller boy with shoulder length silky black hair and dark black eyes. His skin was very pale and reminded her of a fictional vampire.
“Yes, please,” she said, smiling. “And thanks.”
He smiled. “No problem.”
Harry watched as the younger version of Severus Snape, hated Potions Master, helped his mother load her trunk onto the train. It took them a bit of an effort but they got it on.
“What’s your name?” Lily asked, leaning against the train to catch her breath.
“Severus Snape. And yours?”
She smiled prettily. “Lily Evans.”
They shook hands and continued to talk. Harry felt the slight tug around his navel and saw the scene fade away, the darkness taking him toward another memory.
When his vision came to, he was on the Hogwarts grounds. Lily was sitting in the shade of a tree, looking older. Sitting next to her was Snape, who had a large book open on his lap and his wand in his right hand.
“Bring it down like this and say the incantation,” Lily instructed, showing him the movement with her hand.
Snape copied her but it wasn’t the same. Before Lily could open her mouth, a loud laugh interrupted them. Snape and Lily looked up to see four boys walk up to them. Harry’s throat closed up when he saw James Potter and his friends stop in front of the two.
“It’s no use, Evans,” James said nastily. “Snape doesn’t understand. I bet his parents are ashamed; to have a son who can’t even cast a simple spell. How else could he cast Dark spells if he can’t master these spells?” Sirius and Pettigrew laughed along. Lupin just stood there, not saying a word, but he smiled slightly.
Lily glared at James. “Leave us alone, Potter, and go find someone else to pick on. At least he is trying and not showing off, like you and Black do.”
“Oh, so you do notice,” he said, puffing out his chest.
She snorted and slammed her book shut. “Come on, Severus, let’s go find some place where Potter and his little gang of miscreants can’t find us.”
James and his friends laughed as the two walked off. Snape was looking down, his face showing no emotion.
“You shouldn’t sacrifice your reputation to help me, Lily,” he said quietly.
“I don’t care about my reputation, Severus. You need help and I will help you until you get it right. At least it will show Potter what kind of person I am.”
The scene changed again and once more, Lily and Snape looked older. They were in the library, several books scattered around them. Every now and then they would turn to the parchment laid out in front of them and write something down.
“Thanks again for helping me out in Potions today, Severus,” Lily responded. “I am very grateful.”
Snape smiled. “No problem. Besides, Black would have messed you up if he helped. Lupin would be an excellent potions master if he…”
Lily looked up when Snape stopped. “If he what? What is wrong with Remus, Severus?”
“I should not say. It’s his business if he tells you or not.”
She growled. “Damn it, Severus. I hate it when you hide things from me. If you don’t want to share things, don’t begin to say it and suddenly decide to not tell me.” She began to shove her things into her book bag, angry.
Just as she walked toward the door, Snape got up and grabbed hold of her wrist. Lily spun around, her green eyes flashing, when he pulled her to him and kissed her. She was so shocked that her bag fell from her hands and her arms went around him, reacting instantly. They kissed, much to Harry’s shock. Is Snape my father?, he wondered. Is this what Mum is telling me? He shuddered at the thought.
He finally looked back when the two broke their kiss, breathing hard. Their arms were around each other, not that they noticed. Then Lily’s eyes widened, reality flooding back.
“Oh Merlin!” she gasped, pulling away. She bent down to get her bag. “This did not just happen!”
“I believe it did,” Snape remarked quietly. “Lily…”
“No! Don’t, Severus. Just don’t.” Lily then fled from the library, leaving Snape behind.
Other scenes flashed by, much faster than Harry thought. He saw images of Lily and Snape together, laughing, kissing, hugging, and dancing. Against his will, he felt himself smile to see his mother so happy, even if it was with his most hated professor. He even saw a scene of Snape and his mother standing by an altar, getting married by Dumbledore. What shocked Harry the most was that the Marauders were attending the wedding along with Lucius Malfoy and a blonde woman Harry knew to be Narcissa Malfoy.
The next scene was with Lily lying with her husband on the couch, both their hands clasped over her swollen belly. They were talking quietly, smiling every time they looked at her belly.
“I love you, Lily,” Snape said, kissing her cheek, stroking his long fingers over the bump.
“Mmm… I love you too, Severus.” She lay against him comfortably. “What should we name him?”
“Him?” he asked, looking puzzled.
She smiled. “I have a feeling we are going to have a son, Sev. So, what should his name be?”
Snape was quiet, his face thoughtful. “I always loved the name Alexander or Stephan.”
Lily smiled. “I like Stephan. It’s not too common but yet not too rare either. Besides, Stephan Snape has a ring to it.”
He smiled back. “It does, doesn’t it? Stephan Severus Snape.”
Harry was once again sent through more memories, coming to a stop at one where his mother was in a hospital bed, holding a blue blanket. Snape was standing by her, looking down with awe and love shining on his face.
“Hello Stephan,” Lily cooed, smiling broadly. Her index finger was grasped by five tiny little fingers.
“He’s so beautiful, Lily,” Snape breathed. “He’s got your eyes.”
“He has your hair too.”
“I certainly hope that he doesn’t inherit your nose,” she teased, winking at him.
He pouted playfully. “There’s nothing wrong with the Snape nose, Lily.”
“Of course not, love.”
There was a knock on the door. Remus Lupin entered, smiling.
“Can I come in and see my little godson?”
Harry’s jaw dropped. Professor Lupin was his godfather? Not Sirius Black? Or James Potter? Or, even, Lucius Malfoy?
“You may, Remus,” Snape replied.
The werewolf approached the bed, his gray eyes bright with joy and love. “Hey Stephan,” he said to the baby. Lily handed him over and the fingers took Remus’ finger.
“He loves his godfather, doesn’t he?” Lily remarked with pride.
More scenes flew by, showing scenes of the Marauders playing with little Stephan and of Lily and Snape watching with pride and love. It was in these memories that Harry found out that all the Marauders and Lucius Malfoy were named godfather, with Narcissa being his godmother. Even to his shock, Lucius and Narcissa were decent people, letting their own son play with him too.
“Your godparents are spoiling you rotten, Stephan,” Lily said on his first birthday, looking around at the toys and clothes scattered all over the place.
“Don’t forget his aunts, uncles, and grandparents,” remarked one of the black-haired men, looking hurt.
Lily laughed. “Sorry, Zachary.”
Zachary Snape grinned. “It’s alright, Lils.” Then he sobered. “Are you sure Stephan should have five godfathers?”
“She couldn’t decide on one,” Severus replied. “So I told her to make the Marauders and Lucius his godfathers. Besides, I didn’t want to make my two brothers also be godfathers along with being uncles to our son.”
“That is very reasonable,” a brown-haired man said, his obsidian eyes twinkling.
“Of course it is, Nathaniel. I was the one who gave her the idea.”
Lily rolled her eyes and looked down at her son. “Your father has a very large ego, Stephan.”
Stephan grinned at her and clapped his hands together, babbling nonsense. Everyone seemed to smile. Sirius, who was the nearest to the kid, picked up his godson and put him in his lap. “Hey, Stephan, can you say Padfoot? Pad foot.”
Remus looked amused. “Now, Sirius, you should know better. That’s too complicated of a word for him to…”
“Pafoo,” Stephan said, grinning up at the black-haired man.
The room was silent before everyone laughed. Snape seemed torn between shock and amusement while Lily crowed in delight. “Severus! His first word!”
Sirius smirked in Moony’s direction. “See? Stephan, say Moony.”
Stephan clapped his hands together happily. “Mooy!”
“How about Prongs, little pup?”
“Ons!” the baby squealed.
Harry found himself laughing along as Sirius coaxed the child to say everyone’s name. He was sucked away from the scene to where Lily was sitting in the nursery, writing the letter to him, tears rolling down her cheeks. James stood next to her, a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s not fair, James,” Lily said, her voice choked with tears. “I know the reason why Severus did it but…”
“He loves you and Stephan too much to see you hurt. Besides, he trusts me to keep you both safe as possible. At least he still sends owls.”
“I know, but it’s not the same.”
There was a commotion downstairs and the two paled. James squeezed her shoulder and headed down while Lily finished the letter and sealed it. She tapped her wand and said a spell that Harry assumed was a time-released spell.
Finally, Harry found himself back on his bed, his finger still on the glistening word. He sat there for a second before he let his tears fall. He cried for the life he could have had, for the family that he saw gathered there at his first birthday party.
--
Severus Snape was busy brewing up Lupin’s Wolfsbane potion when he heard a thump come from his office. Growling about dumb post owls, he tossed in the last ingredient and stalked to the door, knowing that it was safe to leave the potion sit for now.
“Shoo,” he snarled at the tawny owl. It squawked at him and flew through his open window. “I don’t remember opening that window,” he said to himself. He shut it and turned to the letter on his desk.
He paled when he recognized the familiar handwriting spelling out his name on the envelope. He swallowed and slit it, eager to read the parchment.
--
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:30:49 GMT -5
Chapter Three: Memories Restored
Dearest Severus,
I can’t tell you how hard it is to write this letter with the way things are going. You may not understand now, but you soon will be. At midnight on July 31 of 1996, my son, Harry Potter, will turn fifteen and that will trigger a series of events that will change his life and the lives of several other people. Including yours.
Please do not be mean to Harry, Severus. He has had a hard life, especially since he was not raised by those who love him the most. Also, make no nasty comments about his father. He doesn’t deserve that. He never knew his father.
Before I end this letter, know that I never blamed you for what you did. You did what you could at the time and you should dwell on what happened years ago. Please let go of that guilt and self-pity I know you have on your shoulders.
Love, for always,
Lily Evans-Potter
Severus let the parchment fall out of his slacking hands. How could Lily ask for the impossible? How could she forgive him for such an awful crime that he committed against her and her family? She always forgave people for things they should never have been forgiven for. Beautiful, sweet, loving Lily…
“SEVERUS!”
He whipped his head around, his custom sneer in place, to glare at the fireplace, where the head of his older brother, Nathaniel. The man’s head was floating in the fireplace, looking a little frustrated.
“Thank Merlin I got your attention. You were staring at that letter for so long. Who’s it from?”
“An old friend,” he said quickly. “What on earth do you want from me?”
“Mother is planning another family reunion around Christmas. She wants to know if you’ll finally attend…”
“The answer will always be no, Nathaniel. She should know better than to extend the invitation when she knows I won’t appear. Besides, with the way things are…” Severus trailed off, knowing Nathaniel would understand what he wouldn’t dare say out loud.
The brown-haired man nodded. “Yes. That is true. I’ll tell Mother, then.” He seemed to disappear but he came back, looking nervous. “Severus? Please be careful with whatever you are doing. You have family who wouldn’t want to be told that you are dead.” Finally, Nathaniel’s head vanished from his fireplace.
Severus cursed and he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
--
“Well?” Zachary demanded, watching his older brother stick his head out from the fireplace.
“You heard what he said, Zack. He’s not coming.”
The younger Snape growled. “Arg! When will he finally accept our invitations? The stupid idiot can’t completely refuse to see us.”
“He can, love,” replied Zack’s wife, Anastasia, from her seat on the couch. Her curly blonde hair was swept behind the couch and she had an arm around their eldest daughter, Kelsey. “But someday he will come around.”
“I hope so, for the family’s sake,” Nathaniel said, his face somber. “Mother is worried sick. We all are.”
--
“Oomph!”
Sirius Black fell face first onto a hard surface. He groaned and he attempted to push himself up when he felt himself being lifted. However, he did not see the punch that landed on his face.
“Goddamn it, Padfoot, why did you have to duel your no-good cousin?!”
It took the 36-year-old man awhile to finally know who was yelling at him. His breath instantly quickened and he stared into the face he hadn’t seen since 1981. James Potter still looked the same but his hazel eyes were blazing with fury.
“James Cameron Potter! Put him down!”
“Lily,” Sirius breathed.
Lily Potter looked the same too. She even had her hands on her hips, the ever-present glare in her brilliant green eyes, just like her son’s. Harry… Merlin, I’m so sorry, Harry. I’ve failed you once again.
Lily continued to glare at her husband until James slowly lowered Sirius to the ground, but Sirius didn’t pay any attention. He was too busy remembering the people he left behind. Prongs was right. I should never have dueled Bellatrix. Now I have left Moony and little Pronglet behind. I’m such an idiot. Azkaban didn’t completely kill my rashness.
“Sirius Orion Black! Pay attention!”
He jerked at the sound of his full name (he hadn’t heard it since when his dear Mother was alive). The red-haired witch had her glare turned toward him now and he swallowed a gulp.
The glare softened a little in her eyes but she raged on. “What were you thinking? You completely ignored the signs and once again, your Gryffindor boldness caught up with you. I understand that you were concerned for Harry and for that I am grateful for, but where was your brain? You knew about that stupid veil and yet you charged forward, like always.” Lily stopped to take in a deep breath and it seemed to have staved off some of her anger. “But you will not make that same mistake again.”
“Again?” Sirius asked, looking confused.
James grinned. “Yes, Paddy, again. You are being sent back, since it wasn’t quite your time.”
“But… what about you?”
The younger man sobered up a little. “Unfortunately, we can’t come back with you, Pads. Our time is up, but yours is not. You will go back, no matter what you say.”
“But before you do,” Lily continued, “I want to take a certain charm off of you.”
“I’ve had a charm on me? What type?”
“A Memory Charm.” Lily pointed her wand at him and said the Memory Charm reversal spell.
A jet of gold light sprouted from her wand and hit Sirius on his forehead. He winced a little but he remained standing. Then, he felt as if a load had been taken off his mind and it was then that he remembered everything.
“Holy shit! Stephan!” he suddenly cried. “Stephan is Harry!”
James and Lily smiled.
“But,” he continued, looking sad, “everyone else got Memory Charmed too.”
“Not once the clock strikes twelve tonight,” James said, grinning again. “Once the clock strikes twelve, everything will return back to the way it was.”
“And Severus will remember as well,” Lily added.
Sirius paled at that. “He’s going to blame himself for being a mean bastard to his own son.” Then he got a determined look on his face. “But not if I can’t help it.”
Once he said that, a portal opened up next to him. His black hair whipped in the high wind the portal created.
“Go now, Padfoot,” James said.
“Give our love to Stephan and the others, Sirius,” Lily called.
Sirius nodded and he entered the portal, his mind now on his godson. For now on, he would attempt to be in Stephan’s life, just like the rest of his family would.
--
Harry lay on his bed, staring at the alarm clock that set upon his desk. It was 10 minutes until midnight. He had a weird feeling that something very important would happen. Closing his eyes, he silently wished that every member of his family that was still living remembered what had been forgotten, of the family they had left behind. He wanted to see his uncles and aunts and his godfathers but most of all, he wanted to be with his father, to not have the man hurt him or ridicule him.
As a tear slid down his face, he never noticed that the clock struck twelve.
Around the country, the people who had connected with Stephan so many years ago began to remember the life they had lived but had forgotten. As they did, they all uttered one word: Stephan.
--
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:31:55 GMT -5
Chapter Four: Rescue
Albus Dumbledore was filling out some paperwork in his office that night, humming to himself. Fawkes, his pet phoenix, was sleeping on his perch, his head under his wing. The reason Dumbledore was up so late was because he couldn’t sleep. It was like he just knew something very important and life-changing was about to happen.
The sound of his office door slamming open jerked him from his paperwork and he stared up at his Potions professor, who looked like he had just crawled out of bed.
“Where is he, Dumbledore?” Severus asked, his chest rising and falling in a fast rhythm as he tried to catch his breath. It was a long trip from the dungeons up to the headmaster’s office.
“Where is who, Severus?” Dumbledore replied, watching the man with interest.
“Harry Potter! Where – is – he?”
Now Dumbledore was really concerned. “He’s at his relatives as usual. You know this.”
Severus cursed and he ran his hands roughly through his hair. “I’m going to get him out of there whether you like it or not.” He was about to leave when he turned around. “Did you know, Headmaster?”
The older man tilted his head to the side. “Know what, Severus?”
“Harry’s real identity? Did Lily tell you and not give you a Memory Charm?”
Dumbledore didn’t have to say anything for Severus to know that the old wizard had known. Cursing again, he strode out of the office and outside the castle.
Fawkes, who had awoken from all the commotion, sang out a single note and Dumbledore smiled. “Stephan is now in great hands, Fawkes. He has more family than he’ll ever know.”
--
“Zack, what in Merlin’s name are you doing?” Anastasia asked, throwing on a silk robe as her husband hurriedly got dressed.
“Gotta go get my nephew. I’ll be back, love.”
She watched him leave with Nathaniel, who was already at the door. “But you have no nephew,” she mumbled.
“How did we manage to forget such a thing?” Zack asked his older brother as the two walked toward the end of the Apparation wards. “And how could Severus keep such a secret from us?”
“I don’t think he even knew or he would be boasting about having a son, Zack,” Nathaniel replied. “You know our brother; he loves kids, though he does well to keep it hidden from the rest of the world. Didn’t you see how much he loved Stephan?”
Zack was quiet for a second before he laughed softly. “You know, I think it was rather clever of Lily to hide our nephew amongst the Potter family. I mean, I know that James was one of Stephan’s godfathers but it was well-known that Lily hated him.”
“Up until their seventh year, Zack,” Nathaniel added.
The Snape brothers passed through the wards and they imagined Privet Drive. They knew where Harry Potter lived and, since their nephew was “Harry Potter”, they knew where they had to go. Zack and Nathaniel closed their eyes and Apparated.
--
Sirius cursed as he found himself sprawled outside the veil in the Department of Mysteries. His body protested his sudden movements, but he knew that he had to get to Privet Drive to rescue his godson. He would worry about alerting the Order later.
“I hope those good-for-nothing Dursleys have hurt him,” he growled before he transformed into his Animagus form: a big, black dog, known to some as Padfoot/Snuffles.
After he stretched, Padfoot ran through the Ministry building, scaring several witches and wizards as he did so. If he wasn’t in such a hurry, Sirius would have laughed at their expressions at seeing a Grim in the Ministry. Hang on, Stephan. I’m coming for you. This time, you won’t be alone.
--
Harry found that he couldn’t go to sleep. His green eyes looked out the barred window at the night sky. For some unknown reason, he knew that something or someone was coming for him. As he stared out at the world, he never noticed the subtle changes of his body, how his hair was now longer and not as messy, his fingers thinning a little and growing longer, or how he grew a few inches, pushing 6 feet in height. The changes weren’t much, but all appearances of James Potter were erased, leaving a pleasant blend of Severus Snape and Lily Evans.
Just as he watched a bird fly underneath a streetlight, his scar started to itch. Not again, he thought as his vision began to blur and black out.
--
“Remus, where do you think you are going?”
Remus running down the stairs at Grimmauld Place, buttoning his shirt hurriedly as Mrs. Weasley followed him. Remus was constantly berating himself, thinking about his godson, Stephan Snape. How could he have missed it? He was suspicious when he first scented Harry in the boy’s third year but couldn’t find out why. The werewolf had passed it off as that he recognized the scent since he knew the boy since he was born.
“I forgot, I had urgent business to attend to,” he said, loud enough for Molly Weasley to hear as his feet touched the main floor. He finished buttoning his shirt, checked to make sure he had his wand, and opened the door, leaving Mrs. Weasley staring out after him.
Though Remus had no doubt that Stephan’s other family members were probably at Privet Drive by now, he knew that he had to be there. Besides, he had a right to be there. He only wished that Sirius could be there to rescue his godson as well. As the werewolf readied himself to Apparate, a single tear slid down his cheek.
“I won’t let you down, Padfoot,” he whispered then he concentrated.
--
Lucius and Narcissa sat in their parlor, nursing glasses of wine in their hands. Their son, Draco, was still asleep, having no idea what was going on. Perhaps it was better he was oblivious until they needed to explain everything.
“All this time,” Lucius said, staring at the dark red wine in his glass, “our godson was hiding under the disguise of Harry Potter, our most hated enemy.” He snorted. “Lily was always clever. It makes me wonder how she ended in Gryffindor and not in Slytherin.”
“If you remember, dear, she almost was in Slytherin,” Narcissa replied, taking a sip of her drink. “So, what are we going to do?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, Cissa?”
She frowned at the nickname. “Don’t call me that horrid name. And you know what I am talking about. What are we going to do about Stephan? I have no doubt that his father, unless, and godfathers are collecting him as we speak, but we are his family too, Lucius. Should we reacquaint ourselves with the boy or continue as always?”
“That is a very good question.” Lucius took a drink, his silver eyes locked on the roaring fire in front of them. He toyed with the furred edge of his night robe. “Personally, I think we should get to know our godson, even if it means betraying the Dark Lord.”
Narcissa smiled. “Love, you were thinking of leaving old Snakeface anyway.”
The older man stared at his wife and he laughed, a deep, rich sound that made her heart speed up. “I had forgotten all about your wit, my dear wife. But, yes, I was thinking it, wasn’t I?” He swirled the liquid in his glass.
She leaned forward and put a dainty hand on his. “Whatever you do, I am with you, husband.”
He captured her hand and squeezed it.
--
A loud knock downstairs woke Vernon Dursley from his sleep. After glancing to see if his wife woke up as well, he slid out of bed and sleepily made his way down the stairs. He wondered who would be wanting to talk at this time of night until he opened the door.
“Mr. Vernon Dursley, is it?” a tall, thin man asked.
“W-what do you want?” Vernon asked, squinting in the darkness at the man. The streetlights seemed to have gone out, the shadows cloaking the man’s identity.
“I was wondering if I could talk to your nephew, Harry Potter. Is he around?”
Just hearing the boy’s name made his rage come to surface. “There is no Harry Potter here, sir!” he barked, his fat hands reaching out to shut the door.
Unfortunately, a shout down the street distracted both men and they glanced down the street as two men came their way.
“Severus!” one man called.
The dark man at Vernon’s doorstep, supposedly named Severus, turned to them, raising an eyebrow. “What are you doing here, Zack, Nathaniel?”
“Same reason as you, I suspect,” said the other man, who had brown hair. He pulled out a thin stick and pointed it at Vernon. “Let us in, Dursley, or you shall suffer the consequences.”
The first man, who seemed to have the same features as Severus, chuckled. “Forgive my brother, Dursley. He doesn’t put up with bullshit, or hard-headed Muggles who stand in his way.” He also took out a stick and leveled it at him. “But you should get out of our way.”
“I tell you, there is no such boy living under my roof!” Vernon said, but he could feel himself weakening.
“What a load of rubbish,” the brown-haired man snarled. “The entire wizarding world knows you house Harry Potter under your care. Now, let us pass.”
Vernon felt himself move aside to let the three wizards in. Just as the men entered, a loud bark could be heard as well as another man shouting. One of the dark-haired wizards went to find out what was going on as the other two searched the house.
--
Remus nearly fainted at the sight of a familiar black dog, which had caught up to him as soon as he Apparated onto Privet Drive. “S-Sirius?” he rasped.
The dog wagged its tail, a pink tongue hanging out of his mouth. He then propelled himself up on two legs and put his paws on the werewolf’s shoulder, the tongue now licking him.
“Okay, okay, get off, Snuffles,” the defenseless werewolf choked, laughing and trying not to cry. Sirius was alive! He was alive!
“What on earth is going on out here?” a drawling voice called.
Remus and Snuffles turned to see Zachary Snape peering out from Number Four Privet Drive, a small smile on his face as he watched the two.
“Long time no see,” Zachary said. “Decided to join the party? You’re missing the action.”
Snuffles let out a noise that sounded like a laugh and Remus found himself smiling as the two walked up to the house. “Nice to see you again Zack,” he replied. “Who’s in there?”
“Nathaniel and Severus,” Zack said, stepping aside so the two could enter. “Welcome back, Sirius,” he said to the dog, who nodded his head, tail wagging. “They are upstairs…”
He was cut off by a loud scream that did not sound like either of his brothers. Exchanging a look with the two Marauders, they took off toward the stairs, bounding up. Vernon was still by the door, in shock.
Remus instantly knew which door to go to, having been in the house once before. He led Zack and Snuffles into the smallest bedroom and the wizards stood in the doorway, jaws dropping in shock.
Nathaniel and Severus were holding down Stephan’s thrashing body, the boy screaming like he was under the Cruciatus Curse. Zack was the first to snap out of his daze and he went to help his brothers. Eventually Remus joined them, with Snuffles leaping onto the bed and sitting gently on the boy’s chest, whining and licking the boy’s face. None of them, or dog, noticed that Stephan was no longer looking like Harry Potter. They only saw the boy they viewed as family in pain.
“This must be one of his visions,” Remus shouted above the screams. “I never knew what they were like.”
“But why would he have one on his birthday?” Nathaniel asked.
“I don’t know, but knowing the Dark Lord, he is either on a raid or he is having a meeting.”
Zack looked over at his younger brother, eyebrow raised. “Then why haven’t you been summoned, Severus?”
Before Severus could answer, Stephan gave a final scream and he stopped moving. The men were worried until they could hear him breathe. Remus ushered Snuffles off the boy’s chest and he leaned over so that Stephan could see and hear him. “Stephan? Are you alright, cub?”
Stephan opened his eyes, brilliant green meeting worried amber. “P-professor?” he croaked.
Remus smiled and he could hear everyone let out a sigh of relief. “You know better than to call me that, cub. But you haven’t answered my question. Are you alright?”
The boy let his eyes roam, taking in the sight of who was around his bed. The werewolf could tell that he recognized every one of them, which let Remus know that he knew the truth. “I-I was looking outside when I felt my scar itch. I was pulled into a vision and Voldemort was having a meeting. It was just him and a couple of other Death Eaters. He was berating them about failing a mission and he was.. torturing them.”
“That must be why he was screaming,” Zachary murmured to his older brother, who nodded.
“Uncle Zack? Uncle Nathaniel?” Stephan asked, his voice still cracked from his screaming.
Nathaniel smiled and brushed a lock of black hair from his nephew’s face. “You bet, Stephan. You didn’t think we wouldn’t remember you?”
Zachary rolled his eyes. “Typical.”
Then the boy turned his gaze onto Severus, who froze instantly. Severus was terrified of what his son would say to him, considering what he had done to the boy when he was known as Harry Potter.
“Dad,” Stephan said. “I… I don’t blame you, for what you did to me. You didn’t know.”
The other men hid smiles when they saw how touched the Potions Master was.
“But that doesn’t change of how I treated you in school,” Severus replied, sitting down at the boy’s side. “However, that will change this year. I may have to be hard on you, considering that you are my son…”
“As touching as this is, we should get Stephan out of this place,” Nathaniel interrupted. “Besides, I think a certain someone needs to show his face to the world once again.”
Stephan was confused until he saw a large dog at the end of his bed. His eyes widened and the dog stared at him with familiar pale eyes, tail wagging wildly.
Remus smiled. “This is Sirius, Stephan. He came back to us.”
The dog gingerly walked up to Stephan and licked the boy’s face. Stephan rose up a bit to hug the dog. To the men’s surprise, the dog transformed back into Sirius Black as his arms folded around his godson. Sirius looked up to smile at his werewolf friend.
“Hey Moony,” he said.
“I’ll hug you later, you great mutt,” Remus replied, wiping a tear from his eyes.
Nathaniel shook his head, a smile on his face. “C’mon, guys, I mean it. We need to get going.”
“Spoilsport,” Sirius said good-naturedly, pulling back enough to pick Stephan up. “Merlin, what have you been eating?” he joked at his godson. “Or, should I say, not eating?”
Stephan looked away and the men knew the answer to that question. The Snapes clenched their hands into fists and Remus and Sirius growled.
“Revenge later,” Zachary ground out. “For now, let’s get out.”
While Sirius handed Stephan to Remus, Zachary went in search of Stephan’s things. Then, soon after Stephan’s thing were found and Sirius transformed back into Snuffles, the five men and one boy left, passing by Vernon, who was still by the door. The fat man shivered at the looks the men gave him.
“You haven’t seen the last of us, Dursley,” Nathaniel growled. “We’ll be back.”
--
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:32:37 GMT -5
Chapter Five: Stephan and the Return of Sirius Black
“Where should we go?” Zachary asked as the group left Number Four behind them.
“Let’s head back to Grimmauld Place,” Severus said to Remus, who nodded in agreement.
“Yes, it would be better.” The werewolf turned to the other two Snape brothers, careful not to jostle his godson. “I’m afraid that you’ll have to do a Side-Along Apparation with your brother to the Headquarters. Severus, Sirius, and I trust you to keep the location of the Order secret.”
Nathaniel looked amused at Severus. “I never knew you had that much faith in me, brother.”
“Oh, shut up and get going.”
The other adults withheld their laughter as they got ready to Apparate, especially Remus. He knew he had to be very careful to not wake up his dozing godson. He waited until everyone left before he Apparated. The werewolf felt the familiar feeling of being stuffed into a tight tube and he clutched Stephan closer to him.
Remus opened his eyes when he felt the sensation fade away and the familiar sight of Grimmauld Place filled his vision. The others were standing in the street and they turned around when they saw him.
“You made it,” Zachary said, relief obvious in his voice. Snuffles, at the man’s feet, wagged his tail.
“Obviously,” Remus replied. “Severus, why don’t you go and let us in?”
Severus nodded and went up to the row of houses, waiting for Number Twelve appeared. Once it did, he used a charm to open the door. Nathaniel and Zachary were curious.
“Why didn’t he knock?” the older Snape asked.
“There is a portrait we would rather not wake up,” Remus murmured as they entered the house. He was shocked to hear that it was quiet. Apparently Molly must’ve gone back to bed. “Right. I’ll go put Stephan in his room and I’ll be down in the kitchen later.”
Once the front door closed and Remus was gone, the dog transformed back into his human form. Sirius straightened his robes and took a glance around as they made their way down to the kitchen.
“Not much has changed,” he observed.
Severus snorted. “We were too busy packing up whatever we could until Po… uh, Stephan claimed the house. We weren’t sure if one of your more unsavory relatives would get the house.”
“Mmm. We’re going to have to redecorate as soon as possible. This house is going to make me depressed.”
“Or go mad,” Zachary added, grinning. “Nate and I will help, Sirius.”
Nathaniel scowled. “Zack, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? I only tolerate Mother calling me that horrid nickname.”
“What about Nathan?”
Sirius burst out laughing at the older Snape’s facial expression while Severus simply looked amused. After years of hiding his emotions, he found himself blocking his true emotions without knowing it. He would have to change that, especially around family and friends. The Potions Master shuddered at thinking of Black and Lupin as friends, but they were his son’s godfathers.
“So,” Nathaniel replied after they all calmed down and Remus joined them at the table, “how should we deal with the Dursleys?”
The atmosphere completed changed and everyone at the table wore expressions of hatred and disgust.
“We can’t kill them or else we will go to Azkaban and we don’t be around to nurse Stephan back to himself,” Sirius spat. “I think a spot of well-deserved pranking is needed. We could even use the Black library to see if there is anything that is promising.”
Zachary looked worried. “Isn’t most of that library dark magic?”
“Not all,” Remus assured the younger Snape. “Or else, if Padfoot still has the notes that he had from school, we could use that.”
The dog Animagus perked up. “I might still have the Marauder’s book of Pranks even, Moony.”
“That would be perfect.”
So the five men got to work on planning their next visit with the Dursleys, which would hopefully be the last until they filed for abuse charges against the family.
--
Dumbledore had closed his eyes for a little rest when he heard a knock on his door. Fawkes let out a trill and the old man waved his hand, opening the door. “Come in, Lucius.”
Lucius Malfoy, along with Narcissa, walked into the office, striding toward the desk.
“I believe you know all about Stephan Snape, correct?” he asked, one hand clutching his snake-head cane where he sheathed his wand.
“Yes, I do, Lucius. I just got done talking to Severus and he and the boy’s family has him secured and away from the Muggle family he was staying with.”
Narcissa scowled. “Albus Dumbledore, don’t tell me that you placed Stephan with Lily’s sister. I have met that horrible woman and it’s a wonder how she is related to Lily. She absolutely loathes magic and I have no doubt her son and husband share the same ideas.”
Dumbledore bowed his head. “I made a terrible mistake but Stephan has been taken away and his family wishes to press charges.”
“And we both agree,” Lucius ground out. “We are, after all, his family too, or have you forgotten, Dumbledore? If they are not charged, well…” He fingered the silver snake head on his cane.
Narcissa smirked at her husband while the older wizard didn’t look fazed. “You will be no use to your godson if you are in Azkaban, Lucius. He will need his entire family to help him heal from the damage from the Dursleys.”
The former Black witch narrowed her eyes. “What damage, Dumbledore, and don’t go all vague on us.”
Dumbledore gulped. He knew he should have shut his mouth. Not many have seen this side of the Malfoys except for their friends and family. Lucius and Narcissa made a formidable pair when they were angered.
“Never mind,” Lucius interrupted. “Where is Severus?”
--
By the time the house started to wake up, the five men were still deep in their plans that they didn’t notice the house’s occupants until it was too late. A shrill scream jerked their attention to the door where they saw Hermione Granger in a nightgown, her mouth being covered by her hand.
“S-Sirius?” she gasped, her eyes wide. “What… Professor Lupin, what is going on? And who are these two men?”
Remus’ mouth opened and closed in an imitation of a fish while the other four men tried not to laugh at the werewolf. Sirius stood up and walked over to Hermione, smiling.
“I am real, Hermione. I was dead but I came back.” He transformed into his animal form to reassure her, but was not expecting her to throw her arms around his dog form and cry, while lightly punching him.
“How could you? How could you have died like that? Do you have any idea what you did to Harry? And to Professor Lupin? They went through hell while you were probably getting chummy with past friends and other people!”
Sirius was astounded as he listened to Hermione’s rant. He knew that Remus and Stephan would be upset, but not to the magnitude that the girl was reciting. If it weren’t for the two of them owling each other, they probably would have been lost in their grief.
By the time she was finished, the entire Weasley clan (except Percy, who wasn’t talking to them any more) had entered the kitchen and was watching the scene with curiosity and suspicion. It took Sirius almost an hour to prove that he was really alive and he found himself pulling into a crushing hug by Molly Weasley.
“Does Harry know?” Ron asked.
Sirius stiffened, as did the other four men who were seated.
“He doesn’t know?” Ginny asked, getting angry.
“He does,” Remus replied, “but it’s… complicated. He’s here right now.” He held up a hand to stop Hermione and Ron from running to find him. “Stay here, you two. You need to hear us out before you go to him.”
“What’s so important that you have to stop us from seeing our friend?” Hermione asked.
--
While the five told the Weasleys and Hermione the truth, Stephan woke from his doze, blinking up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Then he remembered overhearing that his family had taken him to Grimmauld Place. He felt his heart sink a little. He hated this place as much as his dark-haired godfather.
A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. “Come in,” Stephan called as loud as he could, his voice sounding hoarse to his ears. He smiled when he saw Remus enter his room. “Hey, Remus.”
Remus smiled. “Hey, cub. How are you feeling?”
“Much better now that I am away from the Dursleys.”
The older man sat on the edge of his bed. “That’s good. Listen, Stephan, we just told the Weasleys and Hermione about your true identity.”
Stephan winced. “How did they take it?”
The werewolf smiled. “They took it well, but they were more worried about you and also happy.”
He frowned. “Happy?”
Remus smiled and ruffled his godson’s hair. “That you finally have a family of your own, though Molly was a little disappointed and jealous.”
Stephan sighed. “I know she would feel that way, since she considers me a son to her.”
“Something that we are very grateful for,” Remus replied. “If it weren’t for her, I don’t know what would have happened or what would have been changed.” Then he smiled again. “Enough about that. Anyway, they have been asking for you and I wanted to come up and see if you were up to seeing them. You don’t have to see them if you are not up to it, cub.”
Stephan shook his head. “I want to see them, Remus.”
His werewolf godfather smiled wider. “Alright, cub. I’ll go tell them that they can come up.” He leaned down and kissed his forehead before he left.
Stephan lightly touched the spot where Remus kissed him and he felt a smile spread across his face. He could never remember feeling any kind of familial love in his life, but he certainly felt it now. It warmed his hardened heart that someone cared for him deeply.
--
Lucius peered at the area, trying to hide his disgust. “So, this is where the ancestral home of the Blacks is?”
Narcissa rolled her eyes at her husband. “Cut it out. It was clever of Uncle Orion to hide his house in a Muggle community, where no one would suspect.” She pulled out the small slip of paper and handed it to Lucius. “Look at this and burn it, love. I don’t need to see it, since I am of the Black bloodline.”
The older man did so as Narcissa faced the houses, envisioning Number Twelve. She smiled when it appeared to her eyes and she knew her husband saw it too, as he gaped. She strode forward and lightly tapped her wand on the door. When it was safe, she opened the door.
Lucius licked his lips nervously before following. His mouth formed a smile when he looked around at the entrance.
“I bet Sirius absolutely hates the decorations,” he replied dryly.
“What makes you think that, Lucius?” Narcissa said sarcastically. Her attention went toward the stairs as someone came down, but she smiled when she saw Remus. “Hello, Remus.”
Remus paused. “Narcissa, Lucius, what a lovely surprise. What are you here for?”
Lucius cleared his throat. “Dumbledore gave us the location so we could see how our godson is doing.”
“Ah. He is doing fine. He’s a little shocked about finding everything out and he’s also recovering from the treatment his relatives gave him.”
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at the snarl she heard in the werewolf’s voice. “He’s not seriously hurt is he?”
“Not really. He’s got bruises and is severely malnourished.”
“I always knew Petunia was a rotten apple and should never be trusted with children, especially magical children.”
--
Severus stood up when he saw Lucius and Narcissa enter the kitchen, following Remus. “What are you doing here, Lucius?” he asked his old friend.
“Relax, old friend. I’m here to see my godson and to tell you that I offered my services to Dumbledore to help in the war.”
Everyone in the room was silent. The Weasleys and Hermione looked distrustful while the five men who had known the Malfoys before smiled.
“You made a wise choice, Lucius,” Zachary replied.
“I thought so too. Besides, I believe Stephan will need all the help he can get as well as getting to know his family.”
“We’re his family, Malfoy,” Ron growled, “not you.”
Arthur Weasley glared at his son as the elder Malfoy turned to look at the sixteen-year-old.
“You, Weasley, are nothing more than his friend and you have known him longer than his true family, yes, but you are not his family. While I would like nothing more than yell at you, I realize that you are my godson’s friend and I must be courteous.”
“He really is a nice man, Ronald,” Narcissa said, shooting her husband a look. “We merely are concerned for Stephan. He will need as much help as he can get.”
“But we don’t know how to help him,” one of the Weasley twins said. “None of us know the true content of that prophecy.”
“Yeah,” the other twin added. “All we know is that he has to fight You-Know-Who.”
“Dumbledore must know,” Ginny said. “I don’t think Harry heard it when it smashed in the Department of Mysteries and I know Mr. Malfoy doesn’t.”
“I was merely to retrieve it and present it to the Dark Lord,” Lucius said, leaning against a wall and he stroked a finger on his cane. “And the battle was too loud to proper hear it anyway.” He glanced toward the Snapes and the Marauders. “We should ask Dumbledore to tell us what the prophecy contains if we are to help protect Stephan.”
Sirius grinned. “Perfect… blackmail.”
--
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:33:19 GMT -5
Chapter Six: “Family Sticks Together”
While the Weasley children and Hermione were taking turns visiting Stephan (and reassuring him that they weren’t going anywhere, even if he was the son of a hated Potions professor), Sirius, Remus, and the Snape brothers were leafing through a thick book. Lucius, who was seated, looked curiously over at the men.
“What are you looking at?” he asked.
“Ways to prank the pathetic excuses for Lily’s family,” Zachary replied, turning a page. “What about this?” he pointed at the appropriate page.
Sirius and Remus chuckled while Severus and Nathaniel looked amused. The older blonde leaned forward and he smirked.
Narcissa rolled her eyes. “I do agree that those monsters should get what they deserve, but I do not approve of pranking. A few evenings in the Malfoy dungeons would fit more nicely.”
Arthur Weasley paled. He had heard stories but had not seen the dungeons himself. “Uh, Mrs. Malfoy, why do you think so?”
She smirked, just like her husband. “There is much more potential down there than there is to humiliating them.”
“But, dear, couldn’t we prank them and then bring them to the dungeons afterward?” Her husband asked.
“That could work,” Nathaniel replied, looking thoughtful. “What do you guys think?”
--
Meanwhile, the twins, Ron, and Hermione were up talking to Stephan, who was still restricted to his bed.
“I can’t understand why they won’t let me stretch my legs,” he complained, but he secretly admitted that he liked the attention.
“You are still hurt, Stephan,” Hermione said gently. “Besides, they are acting as any family would.”
The young Snape smiled. “I do have a family, don’t I? An actual family.”
“That you do, mate, and we’re very happy for you,” Ron replied, smiling, “but don’t forget your adoptive family, who have been there for you since the start, ‘cause family sticks together, no matter if they are related or not.”
Stephan’s smile widened. “It feels nice; a nice change from what the Dursleys gave me. I used to sit back and watch them and I would get jealous, because they are together and they are happy, even if they were happy torturing me. But they were a family, and they shared love.”
“You know we all love you, even all your godfathers, uncles, and father,” Hermione said softly, grabbing a hold of one of his hands. “And, if we have to, we will smother you until you no longer can stand us.”
Stephan laughed, his green eyes shining with amusement. “I don’t think that is possible, Mione.”
The bushy-haired girl giggled. “Oh, you think so, do you?”
“Uh-huh.”
She was about to open her mouth when Mrs. Weasley peeked her head in. She gave them an apologetic look. “Sorry, dears, but we should leave Stephan to rest.” Her eyes turned to the young boy and she smiled. “I am so excited for you, dear. But remember, you will always have us.” She then ushered her children and Hermione out.
Stephan got ready to close his eyes when he noticed the Malfoys walk in, minus Draco. For a moment, he had forgotten that both of the Malfoys were his godparents and he sent them an angry glare.
“What do you want?” he snarled, then he offered them an apologetic look. “Sorry…”
Narcissa held up a hand. “No need, young Stephan. It will take some time to get used to this situation, from the both of us.”
“Though it does help that you look nothing like James Potter,” Lucius added, grinning.
Stephan tried to hold in his chuckle when Lucius’ wife smacked her husband. “Lucius, be nice.”
“I am!” the blonde-haired man whined, putting his arms up to protect himself should his wife attack again.
Narcissa rolled her eyes. “Don’t mind your godfather, Stephan. He isn’t always composed and calm as others seem to think.”
“Or cold-hearted,” the man muttered. He finally lowered his arms but he still eyed his younger wife. “And don’t worry about being sold out to the Dark Lord. I know your father wouldn’t dare bring you before him and I will do what I can to protect you.”
“Because I am a Snape?” the boy asked, his voice bitter.
Narcissa shocked Stephan when she moved toward him and pulled him into a strong hug. “No, Stephan. Severus is a close friend, yes, but we are your godparents. It may take us awhile until we get used to you and even love you, but nonetheless, we will protect you with our lives.”
“What she said,” Lucius added.
She rolled her eyes again. “Make up your own ideas, Luc.”
He smirked. “Where is the fun in that, darling?”
--
While Stephan slept, his newfound family strode down Privet Drive, cloaked and their identities hidden. They walked in a single line, taking up the entire street. Severus had borrowed Dumbledore’s PutOuter and had taken the lights from the streetlights so no one could see them.
“Too bad tonight isn’t a full moon,” Remus snarled as they approached Number Four, “or I would do a whole lot more damage.”
“That kind of punishment is too light,” Zachary replied. “You would kill them before you even started to punish them.”
The group arrived at the doorstep of Number Four and Nathaniel knocked lightly on the door, though he wanted to bring the door down.
“How are you so calm?” Narcissa asked, looking curious at the older Snape.
“I’m not necessarily calm, Narcissa. I’m just reining in my emotions until I can let them out.”
“Smart choice,” Lucius murmured.
Before anyone could say anything, the door opened and revealed Vernon. Stephan’s family held in their growls, just for a moment anyway.
“Can we please come in?” Sirius asked in a forced calm voice.
Vernon squinted at them, his face starting to redden in anger. “Who do you think you are, coming to MY house at this godforsaken hour?”
Finally, Remus could no longer handle it. He shoved the fat man into the house, growling fiercely. “We are here to extract our revenge, Muggle,” he snarled. This time, no one chastised him for his behavior. “You nearly killed Harry Potter and therefore, you will suffer, just like he had to.”
“There goes our plan to have a nice little chat before we did anything,” Zachary murmured to Severus, who only smirked.
As they entered the house, they could hear loud thumps come down the stairs as well as a shrieking noise from the kitchen.
“Let me take care of their bastard child,” Lucius replied smoothly, gesturing for his wife to follow, but she stood there.
“No, Luc,” Narcissa said. “I want to teach Lily’s sister a lesson.”
Zachary grinned and joined Narcissa as Nathaniel went off with Lucius toward the stairs. Severus, Sirius, and Remus decided to torture Vernon, as they had known Stephan (as Harry) longer than the others did.
“I cannot believe what you have done to him, Dursley,” Severus said, shoving the man into the living room. “He did nothing to you…”
“He burdened our family with his ungrateful life,” Vernon snarled.
Sirius whipped out his wand, growling just like his animal counterpart. “You were lucky to have such a boy under your roof.” He flicked his wand in the fat man’s direction and Vernon collapsed down onto the couch, only to have vine-like bonds snake around him, holding him down to the chair. “What shall we do with him, gentlemen?”
--
Narcissa and Zachary entered the kitchen, closing the door behind them. Petunia backed up until she hit the cupboards, her face pale.
“S-stay away!” Petunia shrieked.
“Why should we?” Narcissa asked coolly. “You, after all, couldn’t seem to hold back any of your hatred for your sister and you took it out on the only thing left of her: her son. I could never understand why you would do such an atrocious thing to such a sweet boy, the last living link to Lily. Did you hate her that much for being accepted into Hogwarts and you weren’t?”
“SHUT UP!” the thin woman screamed.
Zachary waved his wand and the woman stopped screaming. “Much better,” he said calmly, pocketing his wand. “Now, will you listen to us?”
The older blonde woman smiled at the younger Snape. “Thanks, Zack. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the treatment of Lily’s son. First of all, you will no longer be taking care of Stephan. He’ll be with his loving family from now on, so don’t even think of setting up any visitations. The wards will no longer be needed, as he has his father now instead of you.” Petunia looked panicked and Zack and Narcissa smirked. “Now, what should we do, Zack?”
Zack smirked and he raised his wand. “I have an idea.”
--
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:34:09 GMT -5
Chapter Seven: Familial Comfort
The seven adults exited Number Four Privet Drive, feeling satisfied with their work. When the authorities would pick up the family, the spells would have worn off so no trace of magic was left behind.
“Now we have to wait for the trial and Stephan should be rid of those disgusting Muggles,” Sirius responded as they walked down the street, not quite ready to Apparate back.
“That will be a relief,” Severus said. “I always hated Petunia since I met her. It made me wonder if she truly was related to sweet Lily.”
Narcissa snorted. “Just look at how different Bella, Andy, and I are, Sev. Sisters are usually completely different from each other, mostly personality-wise.”
“Same to Reg and I,” Sirius murmured, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“I get it,” the Potions Master grumbled, glaring at his older brother, who was beginning to open his mouth.
Nathaniel grinned. “You know me too well, little brother.”
Zachary rolled his eyes. “Of course we do. It’s required when you have siblings.”
Lucius glanced to Remus, his gray eyes sparkling. “Thank Merlin I had no siblings. What about you, Lupin?”
The werewolf shook his head. “Nope. I almost had a baby sister but she was a miscarriage and my mother could no longer have children afterward.”
The group continued to chat until they felt it was time to head back to Grimmauld Place. The six wizards and one witch quickly Apparated, the sound lost within the sirens of approaching police cars and other emergency vehicles.
------------------
“So, Stephan, did you get your homework done over break?”
Stephan turned to look at Hermione, eyebrow raised. “Do you honestly believe that the Dursleys would let me have my trunk in my room, where I could do magic as I pleased?”
She blushed. “I’m sorry, Stephan. I didn’t mean to….”
The younger boy waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, Mione. Since I might be bedridden for the rest of the holiday, considering that my new family is strangely overprotective, I can get caught up.”
Ron choked, whipping his head away from the chess game he was playing with Fred to look at his friend. “Please don’t turn into a Hermione, mate. One of her is quite enough.”
Hermione huffed. “Excuse me for wanting you both to be on your game. Since I don’t know your O.W.L scores, I think you would do the same thing you always do: put homework off until the very end.”
“Is there something wrong with that, Granger?” George asked, grinning wickedly.
“As long as you get it done, it shouldn’t matter when we get it done,” Fred finished. He sent a command down to one of his chess pieces. “Your turn, Ronniekins.”
Ron’s ears reddened. “Stop calling me that.”
“But if you need any help,” Hermione spoke to Stephan, “let me know. I have a feeling that we will be here the rest of the summer hols. We can always ask but…”
“You will be staying here, Miss Granger,” a soft voice replied from the door to Stephan’s room.
The group in the room turned to see the adults standing in the doorway. Hermione blushed again under Snape’s stare.
Sirius rolled his eyes. “Honestly, Sev, you shouldn’t surprise the girl like that. You could have given her a heart failure.”
“I believe Granger is in perfect health, Black, so I know that she won’t have any trouble with my sudden appearance,” Snape said.
Lucius sighed. “Children, let us act our own age, shall we?”
Narcissa let a small giggle slip from her mouth, causing Snape and Sirius to glare at her. Stephan’s green eyes lit up with laughter, watching the scene unfold before him. Remus, who had glanced back to his godson, smiled. He hoped that more smiles and laughs came out of the kid this year. Stephan deserved to laugh, considering who he grew up with.
“If you children don’t mind, we would like to talk to Stephan in private,” Snape said politely, folding his arms across his chest.
“Of course,” Hermione said. She ushered the Weasley children from the bedroom and shut the door behind her, cutting the protests off from the boys. Stephan held in a smile.
“That family is devoted to you,” Narcissa remarked, staring at the closed door.
“We owe them thanks,” Remus said, sitting down on Stephan’s bed and smoothing out the blankets. “If not for the Weasleys… well…”
“I would have been a different person, probably a Slytherin,” Stephan responded. His eyes displayed his amusement as the adults looked at him in surprise. “It’s true. If I had not seen what Draco was like and if Ron didn’t tell me about the bad reputation the Slytherin house had, the Hat would have had his way and put me in Slytherin.”
“Lily was almost put in Slytherin,” the dog Animagus said. “And your father was in Slytherin, so I guess I can see why the Hat would want you in Slytherin.”
“Also, the Hat had said that I had a thirst to prove myself. I mean, after hearing that I was famous, I wanted to prove that I could live up to my nickname, the Boy-Who-Lived.”
Lucius chuckled, startling all of the room’s occupants. “And yet you were sorted into Gryffindor. If you had so much Slytherin traits, you would have gone in, argument or no.”
Suddenly, Stephan looked uncomfortable, his eyes lowered to look down at the blankets covering him.
“Cub, what’s wrong?” Remus asked, with concern in his voice.
“Will I have to be re-sorted, since I am now Stephan Snape?” the boy asked softly.
“It would be the ideal thing, considering that you would be entering Hogwarts for the first time, as everyone would believe,” Narcissa responded, leaning against the four-poster bed. “It would be suspicious if you took a seat at the Gryffindor table like you belonged there.” She peered down at her godson. “Why do you ask, little one?”
“Are you scared to see what the Hat would say about you now?” Sirius questioned, taking a seat and grabbing hold of Stephan’s hand.
Stephan nodded, his eyes still lowered so no one could look him in the eye. It proved useless, though, as a gentle but firm hand touched his chin and slowly moved his head up so he could look into his father’s dark eyes.
“You shouldn’t be scared, Stephan,” his father remarked. “If anything, you should wonder if the Hat would change his mind about you, having sorted you years ago.”
“When I was in Dumbledore’s office in my second year, the Hat said that he stayed by his original decision.”
“But things have changed a lot since then, Stephan,” Zachary pointed out. “You know things that you didn’t then and your life has changed drastically since then too.” The older man put a comforting hand on his nephew’s knee. “You’ll see.”
------------------
|
|
|
Post by Christina E Lupin on Jul 14, 2009 13:35:17 GMT -5
Chapter Eight: Owls upon O.W.L.s
A loud shriek woke the entire house from their slumber. Stephan and Remus, who were one of the early risers of the day, covered their ears as Hermione found three envelopes on the table, addressed to Hermione, Ron, and Stephan (though as Harry). Hermione fanned herself, staring down at the letters.
Remus chuckled. “Calm down, Hermione.”
“Calm down? Calm down? I can’t calm down. What if I messed up on an exam or what if I failed?”
“I am sure that you did not fail any of your exams, Miss Granger,” came a silky voice from the staircase. The three turned to see Snape framed in the doorway, a dark shirt thrown over black pajama pants. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to gain some more sleep.” He climbed back up the stairs, leaving the others in silence.
“Severus is right, Hermione,” Remus replied once Snape was gone. “You are a smart witch for your age. I believe you passed every exam, maybe not with an O in every one, but you passed all the same.”
With that in mind, Hermione snagged her envelope and tore into it eagerly. Stephan’s godfather passed an envelope to his godson, who turned pale. He had stopped eating as soon as the envelopes were dropped by an owl earlier that morning. Now Stephan eyed the letter nervously. Remus smiled.
“Come on, cub. I am sure that you did fine,” the werewolf reassured the younger wizard. “Especially your Defense O.W.L.”
Stephan let out a small smile and opened his letter. Remus leaned back, waiting, until he heard Hermione shriek in happiness.
“I got mostly O’s and one E!” she screamed, jumping up and down. “No A’s or lower.”
“Congratulations,” Remus said, his eyes still on his godson, who had the envelope open and was reading the letter. “Well, cub? How did you do?”
“I passed everything except for History of Magic and Divination,” Stephan replied quietly. “I got an O in Defense…”
“I knew you would pass Defense,” the werewolf said, clapping Stephan’s shoulder. “What else did you get?”
“I got E’s in Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology. I got an A in Astronomy.”
“Those are good scores, Stephan,” Remus replied. “Do you have an idea as to what classes you will take for next year?”
“Oh no!” Hermione screeched. “We have to decide what classes to take?”
“Good going, Uncle Moony,” Stephan said, rolling his eyes. “You should have seen her when we had to decide what electives to take for third year. She took all of them.”
Remus winked at his godson. “I should have done that, but I thought most of them would be pointless, especially Muggle Studies, unless one had no knowledge about the Muggle way of life.”
“What is all this ruckus about?” Sirius responded, coming into the kitchen.
“We’re talking about classes for next year, since the kids just got their O.W.L. results.”
The dog Animagus immediately plopped down next to Stephan and pulled the letter to him, his gray eyes roaming over the paper. Stephan rolled his eyes to his werewolf godfather, who snickered.
“Sirius never was eloquent until his stomach was full of food,” the younger Marauder said.
“What’s that, dear Moony? Did you just insult the incredible Padfoot?” Sirius said, his eyes still on the paper.
Remus mock gasped. “I would not do such a thing, Padfoot. It is completely unheard of.”
Sirius noticed Stephan’s look of confusion and he winked. “It’s in the Marauder Code Book, young Stephan.”
Hermione, who was looking between the remaining Marauders, raised an eyebrow. “There is a Marauder Code Book?”
“Sure,” Remus replied. “Each one of us had a copy of the book and we stuck to them.”
“Lest you wanted to be pranked for breaking a code,” Sirius added, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Speaking of which, Moony, there is a code or two that has been broken by our dear Wormtail.”
“What code is that?” Stephan asked curiously.
“Code One: Marauders are loyal to each other until the end,” both Marauders recited in perfect unison.
“All for one and one for all,” Hermione muttered and Stephan stifled a laugh.
Remus winked at Hermione and Sirius looked bemused. “It’s from a Muggle movie, Padfoot,” the werewolf responded.
“Oh,” Sirius said, then he turned to his godson. “I am incredibly proud of you, pup. These are excellent scores.” He hugged the boy to him.
-------------------
Eventually the rest of the house had woken and made their way down to the kitchen for breakfast. Ron went pale when he saw the envelope with his name on it, but he tore it open and read his scores.
“Well Ron?” Mrs. Weasley asked, tapping her nails on the table.
“I passed most of my classes, except a few,” he replied. “I did better than I thought.” He looked to his two friends and smiled. “At least I won’t be in Potions anymore. Ol’ Snape wouldn’t let me in his N.E.W.T. class, since I got an A.”
He had clearly forgotten that Stephan’s father was, in fact, in the room, because he jumped when Severus’ voice responded to his comment. “You are quite right, Mr. Weasley. And since there were so few students that had properly passed the exam, I lowered the requirement to an E.” His eyes flickered to his son. “May I please see your scores, Stephan?”
Sirius, who was still hogging the piece of paper, slid the sheet over to Severus. “Don’t worry, Snapey, your son will be in your class,” he responded.
Almost immediately after he made that comment, Remus reached over and smacked the older Marauder over the head. Sirius yelped and rubbed the spot while everyone except the Snapes laughed. Stephan just smiled and Severus was too busy reading his son’s scores.
“What was that for, Moony?” Sirius asked, his gray eyes widening a little and growing a little moist.
“Don’t you dare use the puppy dog eyes on me, Padfoot,” the werewolf said. “They never worked on James and they never worked on me. Besides, you needed some sense knocked into your thick head.”
“I do not!” the dog Animagus whined.
Remus remained silent but he winked to his godson, making the teen smile. Sirius pouted, crossing his arms across his chest, much to everyone’s amusement.
Severus finally looked up from the parchment he held in his hands and made eye contact with his son. His face broke out into a smile, a true smile. “These scores are extraordinary. Maybe I was wrong to label you as incompetent, as I used to call you.”
Lucius snickered and he made no move to cover it, even when his friend glared at him. Narcissa looked at her godson and rolled her eyes, rapping her fist on her head. Now both men were glaring at the former Black witch, who only grinned.
“It’s true,” she said in defense.
Before anything happened, Mrs. Weasley came in with several plates and bowls floating behind her. No one spoke for awhile, as they were too busy dishing their plates full of food, especially Sirius.
“I love your cooking, Molly,” Sirius said honestly. “I never knew how much I missed it until…” His voice broke off at the end but everyone knew what he was going to say.
Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat and smiled. “Thank you, Sirius.” She took a seat next to her husband.
Small conversations were made and Stephan listened in to a few of them, but he noticed something was wrong. It seemed as though everyone’s voices were growing fainter and fainter, as if they were moving farther from his hearing. He frowned and rubbed at his ears.
“…you….okay?” Hermione asked, her voice faint.
Stephan blinked and was about to answer when a sudden searing pain flared in his scar. He cried out and clamped a hand to his scar. He never saw or heard everyone’s exclamations, for he fell into darkness.
Stephan tapped his long fingernails on the arm of his chair, his eyes roaming around the antechamber. Several of his followers stood in a circle, their children behind them in plain black robes. His eyes narrowed at a few of the open spots in the circle, two of them more noticeable than the others.
“Where are Lucius and Draco?” he asked out loud.
Mr. Nott stepped forward. “We do not know, Lord. Lucius is not in his mansion and neither was his wife. Their son, Draco, was still there and doesn’t know where his parents went.”
Stephan growled and was about to ask another question when the antechamber’s doors opened and revealed Snape, Lucius, and Draco. Stephan leaned back in his chair, narrowed eyes following the progress of his tardy followers.
“I called for you several minutes ago,” he spoke softly, “and neither of you answered. Why?”
“We were rather busy, Lord,” Lucius answered, bowing. “Dumbledore had called us in for a meeting and we could not get away soon enough.”
“Fair enough, but get here sooner next time.” Stephan turned to the rest of his followers. “I am proud to see that you have brought your children before me, my faithful servants. It pleases me greatly. Now, please align your children before me.”
The children of the Death Eaters made a line inside the circle and their robes still cloaked their faces, which suited Stephan fine.
“You are here to pledge yourselves to me, your new Master,” Stephan spoke. “Before you come to receive your Mark, you must be able to show your loyalty to only me and to no one else. You must abandon any spare thought of your families, your friends, or your lovers. You are to respond to every summoning with punctuality and in the right attire. There will be no Muggle clothing underneath your robes. Once you are accepted into the circle, you will receive a mask to wear out in public during raids and missions. If you still want to bear my Mark, please step forward and pledge yourself to me.”
Stephan watched with pride as each child stepped forward one by one, bowing to his or her knees. He marked each of them and he took satisfaction in seeing them wince at the burning feeling.
--------------------------
|
|