DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter series or the characters mentioned within the series. All rights go to J. K. Rowling. Thanks and enjoy!
Chapter One: Informing the Dark Lord and his triplets
"You have, a child." A shocked and cold voice hissed out from the depths of a deep velvet green wingback chair.
"Three, my Lord, my wife and I were fortunate to have triplets." Severus Snape corrected quietly.
"And you have not deemed it pertinent to share this with me before now because…" The Dark Lord demanded.
"I love them more than anything, their presence comes before everything and their safety precedes every decision I make. While I am very proud of their accomplishments, their power and intelligence is well known throughout France; they have only just graduated. The eldest two children and I are also very protective of the little one. Together, the four of us have recently decided to join you as a family, that they were confident enough in their abilities to be able to protect themselves, should the need arise." Severus explained. While he was willing to share his biggest secret, his family, he would always protect his little one, his only daughter.
"I see. When will I meet them? Do the Malfoys know? Why does your… little one, need so much protection?" Voldemort questioned quietly while contemplating the fate of Snape and his children. Triplets were fabled to be more powerful than imagined and while he wanted Severus' children to join him, Severus' constant protection over said little one and it's possible, limitations, that such a nickname implied, would get annoying very quickly.
"My eldest two will be at the meeting tomorrow. If they believe it is safe enough, then my little one will come to the celebratory ball the Malfoy's are hosting for you and your followers the next day. The Malfoy's do not know of my family, no one in Europe is aware. Our familial home resides in France and we shall remain there indefinitely, none of us wish to leave, but we would be more than happy to make the trip to Europe in order to serve whenever you should need us. The little one," Snape finished with a smile. "does not need protection, and tends to become quite annoyed when we insist on giving it."
"The little… thing won't be attending tomorrow!? Why?" Voldemort growled. "There is nothing to fear from my ranks Severus, I don't understand this caution!"
"You'll have to forgive me, My Lord, but my eldest two children would feel much better after a, say, trial run." Severus finished delicately. The two men sat in silence as the Dark Lord thought over all Severus had shared.
"Does Dumbledore and the Order know?" Voldemort finally questioned.
"Absolutely not," Severus hissed, clearly affronted. "They would simply use my children without regard for their well-being. None of them respect me and therefore, my children would be not only looked down upon, but cast aside as chess pieces with no guarantee for protection later. No, Dumbledore will never know of them. You take care of your people My Lord, and while the Order takes care of life, they have often shown blatant disregard for life outside of their small band. Anyone with any relation to the dark mark is considered 'not worth the risk'; I will not subject my children to that." Snape finished his rant angrily.
"Good. Very well then, Severus, introduce me to your children however you feel appropriate. I hope they are all that you have described them to be." Voldemort acquiesced.
THE DAY BEFORE
Severus Snape sat at his desk in his manor in France, contemplating the future of his family. Unknown to all of Europe, Severus Snape was, at one time, married to a beautiful French woman named Abella Belaire. Their relationship and later marriage were kept secret from everyone, The Order, the Death Eaters, and all of Britain. Voldemort and his followers were on the rise, and while the couple supported many of their beliefs, excluding execution and murder, Severus had just been made a spy against the Oder, making his wife's safety a concern. Because of this, they purchased a family home in France and a small town house in Britain that Severus could claim residence should anyone ask. Five months after their marriage, the couple was bless with pregnancy. Pureblood pregnancy rates were rapidly declining and the pair considered themselves lucky. Happiness turned to fear when they discovered Abella was carrying triplets. It was an extremely rare occurrence in the Wizarding World and the last set had died numerous decades before. It is because of this that their fear of anyone from Britain discovering them increased. They spent many months discussing what they would do in order to ensure their children's safety and eventually decided they would live in France, attend Beauxbatons instead of going to Hogwarts with Snape, and cast the Fidelus charm on their home. It wasn't until she reached seven months that Abella became sick. Her illness eventually began to affect one of the babies. In fear of losing the child, Healers induced labor at eight and a half weeks pregnant. The two boys, Mattieu (Matthew) Severus and Nicolas (Nicholas) Philippe (Philip) were born. Their third child, and only daughter, was the only baby affected by the illness. For a long time it appeared the child would die in the womb, but two days later, Isabella Hermione was born. She was very small, even for a premature baby, and from the beginning, was sheltered by her older brothers who slept curled around her in the bassinet they shared. Unfortunately, the strain of such a long labor combined with her illness took Abella Snape's life. From that day on, Severus Snape vowed to protect his children before all else, especially his little one, as he had lovingly named baby Isabella, for they were all he had.
"Papa," (Daddy,) a quiet call from the threshold of his study brought Severus back. Looking up he smiled hwen he noticed Isabella standing in the door. Seventeen years later, his little one was the spitting image of her mother, with deep, black, silky curls that fell to her waist, a pale and delicate complexion, with rosy lips and the most vibrant purple eyes he had ever seen.
"Bonsoir Isabella, avez-vous et vos frères voyez ma note?" (Good evening Isabella, did you and your brothers see my note?) He asked with a smile. Had anyone from Britain, not to mention Hogwarts, seen him now, they would have sworn he was being impersonated. The truth, however, was that only his children were shown his loving personality. His students feared him, the Order believed him to be dark and Voldemort and his Death Eaters believed him to be cunning and cruel.
"Nous avons, me voudriez appeler Matt et Nick bas?" (We did, would like me to call Matt and Nick down?) Isabella questioned in her quiet, feminine tone.
"Ce serait un joli petit." (That would be lovely little one.) One of the many powers that came with a triplet was the telepathy between the three. While very impressive, it could become rather creepy when Severus would walk into a room to find the three of them silently staring at each other, only to break out in loud raucous laughter at the same time.
"Ils viennent maintenant papa. Est ce que quelque chose ne va pas? Je crains toujours lorsque vous visitez la Grande-Bretagne, mais vous ne nous avez jamais laissé une note avant. Qu'Est-ce que c'est?" (They are coming now Daddy. Is something wrong? I always worry when you visit Britain, but you have never left us a note before. What is it?)
"Je suis désolé de vous avoir inquiété, Isa." (I am sorry to have worried you Isa.) Severus eased, using the nickname her brothers had before they could pronounce Isabella, watching as she was immediately soothed. "Je tiens simplement à vous présenter une idée de la mienne, et je voudrais votre entrée." (I merely wish to present you with an idea of mine and would like your input.) Before either could continue, Mattieu and Nicolas swept in, looking every bit the debonair gentlemen they were brought up to be. Both had the same deep black hair as Isabella, though theirs was styled into a short style. They had also inherited Black eyes from the Snape line, and thankfully the understated nose for Abella's family. All three were fit, the boys from playing quiditch both in and out of school, and Isabella because of her sickness at birth and natural genes that kept her smaller than the average seventeen year old girl.
"Bon Père de soirée. Bonjour Isa." (Good evening Father. Hello Isa.) they said in union before placing a kiss on the sister's cheek at the same time, one on either side as they loved to do. Severus chuckled as we watched his daughter roll her eyes at her brothers' display.
"Mattieu, Nicolas, s'il vous plaît vous asseoir avec votre sœur et écouter, je dois quelque chose à proposer à tous les trois." (Matthew, Nicholas, please sit with your sister and listen, I have something to propose to the three of you.) Severus commanded in a fatherly tone. "Je vous remercie. Maintenant, vous savez tous de mon rôle dans la guerre survenant en Grande-Bretagne. Normalement, je ne voudrais pas vous inquiéter en mettant en place, mais un plan a été mis en branle plus tôt ce soir et je crains qu'il finira par mettre fin à notre paix ici en France." (Thank you. Now you all know of my role in the war occurring in Britain. Normally I would not wish to worry you by bringing it up, but a plan was set in motion earlier this evening and I fear it will eventually end our peace here in France.) Severus continued in a grave voice, looking first at his two serious and determine sons. The three shared a look, one they often shared, that ensured they were each willing to do whatever it took to keep Isabella alive and healthy. Isabella Hermione Snape was exceedingly talented, proclaimed as the smartest witch of her age, had recently graduated Beauxbatons after being named Valedictorian, and was assured that her test scores beat all others. Because of this, she never missed the looks her brothers and father shared when they thought she wasn't looking. When she was younger, Isabella believer their need to save her was purely a lack of belief in her knowledge and magical abilities. She eventually questioned her father, and he told her the story, the story he had shared with her brothers when they were young so they could help keep her safe, he told her of her birth; of how close he was to losing her, and how because of that, he would always strive to keep her safe. While the boys always understood, the idea never took root until the summer after their first year when Isabella almost drowned. From then on, she was rarely left alone and the men in her life kept her as safe as possible. Seeing the look they shared now, Isa knew it was about to happen again.
"Papa, qu'est-ce? Vous et Matt et Nick me tenir à l'abri de toutes choses, si je sais que cela ou non. Quelle est la particularité de ce que vous avez appris que vous a fait sentir la nécessité de nous mettre en garde?" (Daddy, what is it? You and Matt and Nick keep me safe from all things, whether I know it or not. What is so special about what you learned that made you feel the need to warn us?) Fear for her family evident as Isabella held both her brothers' hands in her own.
"Le Seigneur des Ténèbres souhaite étendre son «empire» que la guerre en Grande-Bretagne a jusqu'ici été longue et infructueuse. Il signifie d'abord l'expansion à Paris." (The Dark Lord wishes to expand his 'empire' as the war in Britain has so far been long and unsuccessful. He means to begin expansion in Paris.) The room was silent. While Snapes were relatively safe from British knowledge, they were very well known in France. Any expansion into the country would result in the knowledge that Severus Snape had children; powerful, well-known, intelligent, wealthy, and beautiful children.
"Vous devez nous présenter à Lui maintenant, alors. Nous nous comme une première étape dans le pays. Il ne doit pas savoir par tous les moyens autre que vous papa, ou vous sera lésé." (You must introduce us to Him now then. Us us as a first step into the country. He must not find out through any means other than yourself Dad, or you will be harmed.) Isabella responded quietly. Severus lowered his head into his hands and thought.
"Vous savez qu'elle est juste Père." (You know she is right Father.) Matt stated.
"Non Isa, introduire Matt et moi, mais la laisser hors de lui." (Not Isa, introduce Matt and I, but leaver her out of it.)Nick responded quickly.
"Vous ne pouvez pas Nicky et vous le savez." (You can't Nicky, and you know it.) Isavella replied. "Car il finira par connaître chacun d'entre nous annonce que nous savons comment il recueille femmes puissantes. Narcissa Malfoy et Bellatrix Lestrange sont les deux seules femmes au sein de l'Inner Circlepour une raison. Les deux pratiquer la magie puissante et sont très intelligents. Il doit au moins me rencontrer, car si il entend de moi de quelqu'un d'autre et décide qu'il veut que je sein de son cercle, il serait tout simplement furieux." (For He will eventually know of all of us ad we know how he collects powerful women. Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange are the only two females within the Inner Circle for a reason. Both practice powerful magic and are very intelligent. He must at least meet me, for if he hears of me from someone else and decides he want me within his circle, he would be just furious.) She warned with quiet conviction.
"Amende. Mais le Père prend Mtt et je premier. Nous allons voir comment il traite les femmes et si elle est respectueuse, et comment vous méritent d'être traités peu Isa, nous allons vous amener à lui, mais alors seulement." (Fine. But Father takes Mtt and I first. We will watch how he treats the women and if it is respectful, and how you deserve to be treated little Isa, we will bring you to him, but only then.) Nick responded with finality. All three children then looked to Severus, only to find his head still in his hands. Isabella stood gracefully and moved to kneel before him. Removing his hands from his face and holding them in her own, she stared up at him with big violet eyes.
"Tout ira bien papa. Vous et les garçons pouvez me garder en sécurité. Je vous fais confiance et Je t'aime." (Everything will be okay Daddy. You and the boys can keep me safe. I trust you and I love you.) Isabella said, eyes full of compassion.
"Je t'aime aussi, mon petit." (I love you too, little one.) Severus replied, smiling down at her. "Et vos frères sont corrects, vous ne viendrez pas à la prochaine réunion." (And your brothers are correct, you will not be coming to the next meeting.) He finished sternly, knowing of her stubbornness and defiance from previous experience, many previous experiences.
"Très bien papa, tout ce qui fait de vous sentir mieux." (Very well Dad, whatever makes you feel better.)
"Merci Isabella. Maintenant mangeons avant votre prochain lot de prétendants doivent être détourné." (Thank you Isabella. Now let us eat before your next batch of suitors need to be turned away.) Severus stated, all three men suddenly looking serious and possible murderous at the thought of some boy attempting to take their Isa. Isabella Snape simply giggled in response before following her brothers to the dining room on her father's protective arm.