Changed Future
Summary: Sequel to Rewriting History. A threat against the Potter family lets them inside the Prince Manor, where Severus Mentis lives… along with a guest in the shadows. Slash.
Pairing/s: AbraxasAstus and some couples from the books.
Warnings: Slash, some violence.
Disclaimers: I don't own Harry Potter.
-o-
Thank you all for the reviews!
Still, those who were worried about Abraxas, not to worry; he's coming here in this chapter!
Enjoy the reading!
-o-
Chapter Three
James apparently couldn't stay still. When they had been sent upstairs again to make themselves at home in their temporary rooms (after having tea of course), he wandered the corridor. Lily knew he still didn't like the fact that a vampire was near. To be honest, she didn't know much about them. He obviously thought he knew more, but when he and Sirius started to talk how to get out she knew she had to put a stop to it.
"He's not going to attack us," she said, interrupting them.
"And how do you know that?" James asked.
"Because he's Astus."
"So you know him so well?"
"He wouldn't hurt anyone like us," Lily said. "He's not like that."
"Well, you haven't known him as a vampire have you?!"
"And why would he change?" she said and grabbed her husband's robe. "Huh? Why would he have changed, just because he drinks blood now instead of eating normally? Do you think Remus is a monster?"
"No, of course not! But-!"
"No buts," Lily replied firmly. "There isn't a difference between Remus and Astus. Being something like that, a werewolf or a vampire, it doesn't change who you are. So stop trying to make Astus look like some sort of evil thing."
"But he's a vampire," James stressed.
"Yes, and we humans can be just as deadly as vampires and werewolves," Lily said. "It all just depends on how we are as people. Astus won't hurt us. He won't hurt the kids. But if you keep talking about him like that, I just might hurt you."
With that she stepped into the room she shared with Hermione again, and slammed the door close.
-o-
Astus heard the door and looked down at Severus again. They were both just on their way to the potions lab, having sent Draco on ahead of them.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
"Only in their mind," Severus replied. "Mustn't keep Draco waiting; Merlin only knows what that boy will find to play with."
"Have you not taught him the first lesson in potions brewing?"
"Don't touch anything?" Astus nodded with a bemused smile. "Well, I tried. It didn't work. He's as stubborn as his father."
"At least Lucius didn't play around with potions ingredients."
"No, he just made sure to annoy me whilst I was holding said potions ingredients." Severus opened the door to the lab, allowing Astus to enter first. "But he did stop after I threw frog's livers at him."
"Anyone would stop at that. Hello Draco."
He wasn't playing with any ingredients, thank Merlin. Nor did it look like he had done anything to the potions already brewing. He was glancing down at one, but was apparently only curious as to what it was.
"You haven't inhaled their fumes?" Severus asked, ever so fussy about his godson.
"No, I haven't. I can't find this one in the book, is it one of yours?" the blonde asked.
Severus took a glance himself and shook his head. "Dad's creation."
"Oh, which one?" Astus looked into the cauldron. "Severus, why are you recreating my potion that turns tongues blue?"
"Because it's a funny one?"
Draco grinned, and Astus sighed. "Very well," he continued. "Recreate away."
They heard footsteps, hushed but harsh whispers, and Astus' face turned sombre.
"They will not hurt you," Severus said. "I won't allow it."
"I know you won't. It's just… I'm still a bit unused to see people look at me like I'm a monster," the man said and fiddled with one of the books that lay upon a bench. "This manor has given me a rather sheltered life."
"Well, I won't let them harass you!" Draco suddenly said and took Astus' free hand. "You're the most awesome vampire in existence."
"Why thank you, Draco," he said with a smile. "Now, is there a potion you wish to make or simply watch me and Severus being our silly selves?"
"Speak for yourself, dad," Severus muttered.
-o-
Lily ventured out later. Hermione had already been picked up by the boys, and they were out exploring. She dearly hoped they wouldn't run into trouble. Those four, even if Harrison and Hermione had some sort of restraint, had a tendency to let trouble find them. Then again, James and Sirius had the same tendency. Remus was the sensible amongst them, serving as an older Hermione and Harrison.
She herself walked down to the first floor. She had no desire to explore, but perhaps to find Severus or someone else to talk to. Anyone really that wasn't her husband. Lily wasn't ready to forgive James just yet, and hoped he wasn't sneaking around looking for an alternative exit they could use in a pinch.
So she ran into Bellatrix and Narcissa first things first. The sisters looked at her, Bellatrix grinning and Narcissa smiling in her innocent, angelic way. Lily was actually more scared of Narcissa in that moment before said moment broke and Bellatrix grabbed her arm.
"It's been too long! Why did you go marry that Potter for, huh?" Bellatrix demanded as she led Lily to what appeared to be a library slash living room.
Narcissa trailed behind them. "Bella dear, don't be so unkind. I'm quite sure James Potter had some sort of good qualities in him."
"Very deep in," Lily said. "Hard to find but I managed. He's just very suspicious against… well, people he doesn't know from families he think he knows."
"That didn't make much sense," Narcissa said as she sat down. "Dear me, what a strange man. Lucius is much more forward."
"Sometimes a bit too much," Bellatrix said. "Your bloody man attacked me again."
"There is no attacking, my dear sister, he merely wants to say hello."
"And what? He's too shy so he sends a hex on me?!"
Narcissa merely put on an innocent face. Bellatrix sat down with a grumble and continued, "Well, where is this husband of yours?"
"Oh, I wouldn't know. I think he likes to explore this house as much as Draco does."
"He's not going to open one of the locked rooms again?" she asked. "The dust, Cissy, the dust!"
"I've warned him," Narcissa replied. "Never thought the trick with the riding crop would work again."
Lily blushed hearing that, and the sisters laughed at her reaction. "Oh, I see you imagine exactly what happened the last time!" Bellatrix said. "Oh, the look on his face the day after…"
"Shush now, sister dear, you're making Lily uncomfortable."
That's when they heard a bang. Mind you, a muffled one but a bang nonetheless.
"Dear me," Narcissa said, "Severus and Astus are blowing something up again."
The women stepped towards the hall again, where a door near the stairs led to the potions lab slightly underground. The smoke billowed from it and Draco lay on the floor, laughing. He appeared unharmed.
"Draco," Narcissa said gently and kneeled next to her son. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, mother, Sev made sure I was safe. But their faces!"
"Didn't quite expect that one," came a voice from the smoke.
Astus appeared first, or rather he was seen first. He took his robes away to reveal that he had protected Severus from the smoke with the fabric. Severus straightened up and looked back at the door, and smoke that was slowly turning green.
"Slight miscalculation," he admitted. "We shouldn't mix frog livers to that potion again."
"Agreed. What should we do about the smoke?"
"What have you two done now?"
Lucius came up, waving his hand. The smell wasn't exactly rose petals.
"Nothing," they both answered in tandem. Looked at each other. "Anyway, it was his fault."
"Will you please stop speaking at the same time?" Lucius said. "One may start to think you're children."
"How awful," Astus gasped as he waved his hand at the smoke. It began to clear, slowly.
"Saying we are children," Severus continued. "We just might have to punish you for it."
"… I've already run around the manor like a madman once today."
"Then we'll make you do it again!"
Lily hid her laughter behind her hands as Lucius quickly backed up before turning and running away, closely followed by Severus and Astus. Narcissa dusted off Draco's shoulders and sighed.
"They are truly the children of this house," she said. "Draco dear, don't grow up to be like them."
"So I can't blow potions up when I'm an adult?"
"Of course you can, that's not childish at all," Bellatrix said. "It's merely miscalculations, no matter who asks about it."
At that point, the four children tumbled down the stairs and looked at the smoke.
"Something wrong?" Hermione asked.
"Not at all," Lily said. "You kids doing alright?"
"This place is huge," Harry said.
"Got lots of rooms that aren't locked," Harrison continued.
"And most of they aren't dusty at all," Ron concluded. "How does professor Mentis do it?"
"Well, the house-elves of course," Narcissa said.
House-elves were a sore subject to Hermione. They had no doubt she would start ranting about it, even to the great Narcissa Malfoy but before anyone could start saying anything, the girl included, a said house-elf appeared with a small pop.
Click of the fingers, and the smoke disappeared.
"Ah, Minty," Narcissa said in delight. "Is something wrong? Too little food? Didn't Sev tell you of the new guests?"
"Master Sev told us all of the guests," Minty said, "Minty knows and Minty has all the foods she needs. Merely asking if master Astus shall be dining with food, or if Minty shall get some freshly blood in time for supper?"
"Well, I wouldn't know, you probably have to ask him yourself," Narcissa said regretfully. "By the way, young Mr Weasley, him there with the red hair, says there is no dust in the unused rooms. My, he compliments you so shyly, Minty, it's thanks to the effort of the house-elves this manor is spotless!"
Minty blushed and stammered, thanking them all before running back to the kitchen. Narcissa, who had bent down to speak at Minty more at the house-elf's level, straightened up and smiled.
"They are so easy to please that I can't help it," she said to the others. "Now, I wonder what damage has been done to the lab?"
With that she stepped to the door, Bellatrix following. Narcissa waved her hand too.
"The smell does say its part," she added. "Draco dear, what exactly were they doing?"
"Being bored," Draco replied. "Sev moved all the other potions away, so they're safe."
"I should've asked Minty for some refreshening spell," Narcissa said as she wrinkled her nose. "She's much better at it than I am."
"Why do you think Sev hired her?" Bellatrix muttered. "That elf is pure magic when she's working."
Lucius appeared again, rubbing his head, as Severus and Astus followed.
"It reeks," Astus commented. "Really, frog livers are forbidden as of now."
"You mean in potions where frog livers have no business?" Severus asked.
"Exactly."
"Minty asked what you wanted for dinner, Astus," Narcissa said. "Normal food or blood."
"Depends on what shall be served," Astus replied. "I'll find her."
"You're too picky, dad."
"Shush now, son. Going."
In front of their eyes he became more shadow than man, vanishing quickly to the kitchen. Lily and the four kids were the only ones who stared.
Severus waved his wand and the smell retreated a bit. "Have to ask Minty to get that sorted," he said and closed the door. "Where are Potter and the others?"
"You mean Sirius and Remus?" Lily asked and he nodded. "Well, Remus is probably somewhere where there are books. And James and Sirius are probably searching for an emergency exit because they are paranoid and bonkers."
Harrison and Harry laughed at that, already used to their mother's description of their father and his best friend. Severus raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with opening a window and jumping out if they are so desperate?" he asked. "It's not a prison, for Merlin's sake, I don't keep windows locked."
"Well, they aren't really thinking straight," she said. "At least not yet."
"You can inform them that the windows are at their disposal shall they ever feel the need to escape," Severus said, "just that I'm not going to help them if they break their idiotic bones when they reach the ground."
"Duly noted," she replied. "Maybe we should get out of the smell's way for a bit."
"Agreed," Narcissa said. "Library perhaps? One of them at least."
"One of them?" Hermione asked, perking up.
"Oh, it must be at least four in this manor alone," Narcissa said and looked at Severus.
"Why are you looking at me?" the potions master said. "I don't count anymore, books just keep coming. Soon every room will have a library section."
"Even the kitchen?" the blonde woman gently said.
"There already is a section there," Severus said slowly. "With food-orienting books, naturally. And a few on poisons. Don't ask why."
"Are the house-elves going to poison us?" Bellatrix asked in doubt.
"Hardly," Severus replied. "We're much too lovable to kill. Now, a room? One of the living rooms perhaps?"
"One of them?" Lily said.
"Yes. Last time I counted, I had six of them."
"Account that to seven," Bellatrix said. "I remade one of the rooms on the third floor into a living area."
"Oh, which one?" Severus asked as they began to walk.
"The one with the high windows. Well, the curtains normally hid those lovely windows, so I took the curtains away," she explained. "And the dust. And the cobwebs. And the spiders. And the Boggart while I was at it."
"I had a Boggart on the third floor?"
"Well, until last week you had one."
"Where is it now then?"
Bellatrix looked at him. "Where do you think, genius?"
The potions master gazed back at her. "… Second thought, I probably don't want to know."
"Good boy."
They came to a living room ("the main one," Severus explained) which held a reasonable amount of books for just being a living room. Plus some couches, very comfortable, and an open fire-place. There was no fire however, as it was already quite warm due to the hot summer weather.
"There is a little lake as well," Severus said as they settled in (well, the kids went off to the books). "If you want a swim some day."
"It's a very nice lake," Bellatrix added. "It looks tropical."
"That can't be right," Lily said.
"Oh, with magic it's alright," Narcissa assured. "I believe there is a similar one at our manor, isn't it dear?"
Lucius, who had picked up a book near one of the couches, nodded absently.
"The water is always perfect in the summers," she continued. "In the winter it tends to be a little chilly, so at home we use the indoor pool instead."
"Indoor pool," Bellatrix repeated and looked at Lily. "Completely bonkers, they are."
"Shush now, dear sister-in-law," Lucius said and looked up from the book. "You sound jealous."
"I am not!"
"It's not helping if you shout that loud."
"I am not jealous," she growled. "Or would you like me to chase you around the house one more time? I'm sure we'll encounter a hallway we've never seen before, and there I can do all torturous things to you without Severus ever discovering your corpse."
"I happen to know this place a bit better than you," Severus said and looked over at them. "Plus, I had a map drawn years ago when I got lost."
"Where did you get lost?" Bellatrix asked, confused.
"In the cellar."
"That's not big!" she exclaimed.
"I meant the second cellar. Well, there are actually four levels, but I didn't know that when I came to the second level. Had to call Minty to get me out."
"You have four levels of your cellar?" Lily asked. "Why?"
"I have no idea," Severus replied. "Apparently someone in my family thought it was incredible funny to create a mass of labyrinths that serves as cellars."
Astus swept into the room suddenly, startling Lily and the kids with the exception of Draco who continued to read from the book he had found. He was now lying stretched out in front of the hearth with Harrison sitting next to him.
"Decided on dinner?" Severus asked.
He nodded. "I ran into this Sirius," he said. "He ran away."
"Figures he's more scared of a harmless vampire than he is to stray Death Eaters," Severus said.
"I can hardly say I'm harmless," Astus protested.
"You are to him at this point, as you are not going to eat him. Unless he screws it up and does something stupid. Which he won't, because he has a brain and knows how to use it occasionally."
"Severus, that was quite rude," the man said and tapped his son's shoulder.
"Well, you raised me. And you're rude."
"Shush about that little detail of my personality, I'm only rude to people I dislike."
"Which means you must have been very rude to Voldemort," Bellatrix stated.
"I doubt there was anyone who managed to be polite to him."
"Except for the Death Eaters so he wouldn't kill them," she reminded.
"Politeness out of fear isn't honest politeness," Astus replied with. "Besides, I wasn't that rude. I just told him the truth."
"Which, being you, can be rude enough," Severus said.
Astus lightly slapped Severus' head, but he was smiling all the same. "True," he admitted. "But it was so easy to goad Voldemort I couldn't help it."
"Goading the possible strongest dark wizard in existence?" Lily said. "Are you crazy?"
"Possible. And just because he was strong didn't mean he was immortal. See, he died in the end like any other person."
"Still, he wasn't any other person," Bellatrix commented. "As much of a bastard he was, the Dark Lord was quite the challenge."
"Tell me about it," Astus said. "No, wait, don't. I don't want to hear about him today. What else can we talk about?"
Severus soon opened a book he had summoned over, and began to read it as the others settled down. Astus read over his son's shoulder as Lily watched them. So different, yet all the same. Both of them.
It started to calm down. She relaxed back into her seat and watched the kids instead. Draco and Harrison were talking quietly to each other, Draco holding a potions book in his lap. Harry and Ron had apparently found a book they liked, Hermione sitting next to them with a great big tome on her knees. Lily trusted that they hadn't picked any books that weren't supposed to be read by children.
As for herself, she really didn't want to read at the moment. All she wanted to do was relax and…
And she remembered something that made the blood in her veins run cold.
-o-
"I can't believe it!" she hissed once in the hall, Severus and the adults following her.
"Can't believe what, dear?" Narcissa asked.
"Petunia!" She turned to them. "Petunia doesn't know."
"I don't think she needs to know you're in danger," Bellatrix said.
"No, it's not that I'm worried about! They want us dead, yes? Once we're out of sight, won't they turn to the closest family? James has no one left, but it's common knowledge that I have a Muggle sister. Muggle sister, meaning unable to defend herself against any magical attacks."
They looked at each other.
"Severus, Lucius," Narcissa spoke calmly before turning to them. "Go and fucking get her now."
"Yes, ma'am, on our way, ma'am," Lucius said, saluting. "My wand…"
Severus held out a hand, Lily felt a surge of magic and Lucius' cane and another wand came speeding through a hallway. They caught their wands, Severus tucking his into his sleeve and Lucius gripping the cane.
"Well then," the blonde said. "Let's go."
"You know the way?" Lily asked.
"Course we do," he said. "Who do you think show up every year on her birthday and wreck havoc on the house?"
"The wrecking is all you," Narcissa said. "The others tend to be a bit more civilized."
"Liar. Severus, the Apparition point?"
"This way."
-o-
They almost landed in Petunia's rose bushes. Lily caught her balance, watching the two men do the same and Lucius glanced back.
"Wouldn't have wanted to fall on those," he said and straightened up. "Petunia would've killed me for it."
Severus was already on his way to the house. Petunia lived not too far from central London in a quiet neighbourhood, with the exception of the curious neighbours. Part of the house was more for her paintings than herself, and Lily followed after the two men as they stepped in through the kitchen door that led outdoors. They didn't want to enter through the front door if anyone of the neighbours would be looking. No need for them to see robed men walk around.
"Petunia?" Severus called out. "Are you home?"
"Doesn't sound like it," Lily said. "Petunia, please! Or she could be listening to music."
She ran upstairs to Petunia's bedroom but there was no one there. She took the stairs back down three steps at the time, and walked to the front door.
"Her shoes are gone," Lily said. "The comfortable ones she use when she's in London the whole day. Damn!"
"Then we have to track her," Lucius said. "Severus, if you mind…"
The potions master took out his wand but didn't do 'Point me' which Lily had expected. Instead he waved it in front of him and to her surprise, a map of London showed up in thin air.
"Lucius."
The blonde removed his wand from the cane and twirled it around before holding the tip to the floating map.
"Show me Petunia Evans," he said.
The wand moved. Lily bit her lip as she watched the wand track her sister's movements.
"Why of all days did she decide on a shopping trip?" she said. "Oh, I should've told her from the start and gotten her to safety."
"Well, she appears fine for the moment," Lucius said. "Otherwise we wouldn't be able to track her. Wait a minute, there…" The wand had stopped. "Grab onto me."
Lily grasped his shoulder as Severus put a hand on his arm. A moment later they moved, blackness and tight all around them before she was more or less thrown into a wall. She heard Severus and Lucius slam in on either side of her.
They stood up straight on the street, but Severus tensed.
"Magical people," he said and pointed at a group of five badly disguised men.
"I recognize one of them," Lucius said. "He's on the Ministry's wanted list."
"Where is she?" Lily hissed.
"There, at that window." Lucius boldly turned Lily around and Petunia's profile was seen before her head turned back to the glass. She was apparently looking at a dress.
Severus moved past them, but not in his robe. It seemed to have vanished, leaving him in black slacks and a white shirt, his hair up. Lucius whirled the wand over himself and he transformed before Lily. The long hair vanished into a shorter hairstyle, his dark green robes became a green shirt open at the neck with a pair of elegant white slacks.
"That will have to do," he muttered and made the cane vanish with a snap of his fingers. "Better get to Petunia before they do."
Lily stumbled after him just as Severus crossed the road and reached Petunia before the others did. She saw their wands out, wanted to get out her own but Lucius took a hold of her arm.
"Go to your sister," he said. "Once they know who I am, they will most likely leave. If not, I will make sure they do."
Lily ran over to Petunia, not needing anything more convincing than that.
"Lily?" Petunia already looked enough surprised to see Severus, and now gripped her sister's arm. "What's going on?"
"We'll explain in a bit," she said. "You're not safe."
"What's wrong? Sev, what's wrong?"
"A lot of things," he replied. "Let's go. Lucius will catch up."
Petunia followed without complaints, kept up with their brisk pace but did glance behind her back a few times. They made sure to mix with crowds, Severus leading the way and Lily keeping close to her sister, one hand on her wand. There were a lot of people on the streets, and finally Severus pulled them to the wall of one building.
"We'll wait here," he said.
"Can someone explain what's going on?" Petunia asked.
"People from our world," Severus said. "They're being a nuisance."
"More than a nuisance," Lily continued. "Bloody annoyance. They attacked us not so long ago."
"What?!" Petunia turned to her. "Are you all alright?"
"We're fine. I just didn't think until now that they would try to do anything against you. Apparently they were planning it."
"What, I was being followed?"
"Yes," Severus said. "That's why I said Lucius will catch up."
He looked down the streets to see a flash of white blonde hair and Lucius' face but for Lily it took too many minutes before the Malfoy showed up. He glanced behind himself and held his wand without caring who watched.
"Quick," he said. "We're not going back to your house, Petunia. Me and Severus will go back and lock it down, but I think they went back there."
"You mean they weren't discouraged by your charming, cold manner?" Severus said.
"Not really," Lucius replied. "But I did manage to curse one of them before they took the hint and left."
"We didn't hear anything," Lily said.
"I know, I made sure of it. Let's go, somewhere where we can Apparate."
Now Petunia led the way, more familiar to Muggle London than they were. She soon found them an alley that was secure enough. Lucius still cast a spell on either side of the alley so people wouldn't notice them.
"Grab onto us," Severus said. "We know the exact landing for the manor."
Lily grabbed Lucius' arm as Petunia took Severus'. A moment later the world spun around and soon they returned to the manor, Petunia still with her shopping bags and loosely fitting clothes for a relaxing day.
She knew her way around though, and Lily wondered just how much her sister hadn't told her. She had her own room in the manor. And she spoke to Lucius and Severus like they never grew away from her.
What Lily hadn't expected was Bellatrix's and Narcissa's reactions on seeing her sister. The twins, Ron and Hermione stared in shock as the two women crowded Petunia, Narcissa taking the bags and Bellatrix ushering upstairs. Lucius and Severus watched them.
"Women," Lucius said finally. "Shall we go and secure Petunia's house?"
"We shouldn't be more than an hour," Severus told Lily. "Perhaps you can make sure no one destroys anything."
"I'll try to find everyone," she said. "And Petunia, does she have any clothes here or the like?"
"If not, Cissy or Bella will already be on their way to get her some," Lucius said. "They can never pass on a chance on dressing her up."
For some reason, he grinned at Severus who mumbled something under his breath and then moved away. Lily looked strangely at him. Lucius only shook his head a little and followed.
James, Sirius and Remus had heard the women from where they had been on the third floor, and by the time Petunia was ushered down again they had all gathered in the living room. Remus had engaged Sirius in a game of chess while James glanced around at the books, looking still a bit suspicious. Astus was sitting on one of the couches, one leg over the other and his hands clasped around his raised knee. Draco had seated himself next to him this time and was reading a book with no title. Lily hadn't really wanted to ask what book it was, but a glance had told her it mostly looked like someone had personally written the text.
"Doesn't she look absolutely wonderful?" Narcissa said as she dragged Petunia into the room. "I really would like to do a hairstyle, but we might wait with that until tomorrow."
Petunia rolled her eyes whilst most of the others in the room stared at her. She was dressed in a white, fluttering dress with bare shoulders and arms, the fabric going around her neck with no visible seam anywhere.
"Every bloody time," she told Lily, "I'm telling you. Soon they're going to tell they just enjoy undressing me."
"Those clothes really weren't your style," Narcissa said. "When are you coming to live in the magical world and just forget all that normal silliness?"
"And she sounds like that always; soon I'm going along with it just to have her stop nagging at me."
"Why do you think I've been nagging all these years for?" Narcissa said. "Soon your defence will fall, and I'll win."
"No wonder your husband never wins."
"Lucius? Oh no, he got used to lose against me while we still were in school," she said happily. Then she turned to the rest of the people in the room. "Now, who would like some tea?"
-o-
The first night arrived after a lovely dinner (Minty didn't have any troubles with an additional guest, as she had already prepared double amount of the food they actually needed) and some quiet hours spent wherever they wanted. James and Sirius had calmed down a little, was still uneasy, but Remus had taken to play a few matches of chess against Severus.
Astus retired rather early, almost floating up the stairs and despite Lily knowing his vampirism it was still spooky to not hear his footsteps on the otherwise creaky stairs.
Lucius and Narcissa sat close to each other near the windows, she with a glass of wine and Lucius with a glass of whiskey. Draco sat at their feet, leaning against Lucius' legs whilst reading the same book Lily had seen before. This time, she knew what it was. It was actually a notebook of Severus' from when he was young and in the end stages of becoming a potions master.
Her own kids were with Ron and Hermione at the hearth of the fire, Harrison and Ron with a chess board and Hermione with a book. Harry was playing around with a snitch James had gotten him.
Bellatrix and Petunia was pouring over some books, wineglasses in one hand and quite often laughing. Lily found the sound reassuring. She herself was quite tired after their day of being thrown into a life they thought they knew the routines of. At least her husband and Sirius thought they knew.
Severus rose up after eleven and said:
"I'm going to bed now. Don't worry about any time you need to be up on; the house-elves are quite used to deliver breakfast at different times."
"Just because we like to sleep in," Narcissa said, "while you get up at dawn."
"I don't dally around in bed," Severus replied, "which is both your favourite time of the day."
"Breakfast in bed," Lucius said and spread his arms while he smiled at his friend, "I was practically raised that way."
"It's because Abraxas spoiled you."
"I know that better than anyone. Did you tell Astus he's coming in a few days?"
"No, must have missed that," the potions master said. "I'll tell him tomorrow. I wish you all a good night."
They heard him leave before the manor settled in its quietness again. Lily didn't think the kids would be far behind, as Harrison was already yawning at the chess board. Ron was winning, again. If there was something he was quickly turning an expert into, it was chess.
The later it got the more they separated. The Malfoy family left shortly after midnight, Petunia and Bellatrix not far behind.
"What do you say, Hermione, shall we retire?" Lily asked.
The girl looked up from the book she had found and nodded after a bit.
"I trust you kids will soon follow," she told her sons and Ron as she kissed Harry and Harrison goodnight.
"We will, mum," Harrison said, and Harry nodded.
James kissed her at the door. "Goodnight, love."
"Don't do anything stupid," Lily warned.
"I won't. If I do try, I'm sure Moony will stop me."
"I'll hold you to that," Lily told Remus who only smiled.
-o-
Lily poked her head out in the hallway eight the next morning, yawning a little. Hermione was still asleep so she closed the door silently. Judging from the magic around her, most were asleep just like the girl.
But just then, one of the doors opened and Lucius stepped out. In his night clothes. And a bedhead. Lily couldn't decide which one looked more hilarious. He closed the door and found her staring.
"Ah, good morning," he said. "Going for breakfast?"
"Yes…"
"Cissy prefers breakfast in bed, so I thought I'd surprise her. I'll only join you to the kitchen."
"That's alright."
They walked down the stairs and Lily asked:
"Do you think Severus is up?"
"Sometimes I doubt he even sleeps." Lucius glanced around. "I smell cooking. Severus has probably already eaten."
They didn't meet him on their way to the kitchen, but the small army of house-elves was more than happy to cook more food. Lucius made his request of breakfast on a tray, and insisted he could carry it himself. Minty was the one who objected.
"See, I can't even make them let me carry a tray!" Lucius said. "Come on, I'm not going to drop it."
"But it's our jobs to carry things," Minty replied.
"Not all the time. Please? I will be very careful."
Minty stared at him long and hard. "As you wish, Master Lucy," she said finally.
"Lucy?" Lily asked, voice a little choked. She was trying not to smile.
"They refuse to say my full name," Lucius replied. "As soon as they can, they give us nicknames. Except for Astus. I don't know, they adore him too much or something."
It didn't take the house-elves long to fix a breakfast for Lucius, Narcissa and Draco. Minty held the tray over her head so Lucius didn't have to bend so much, and then she said:
"Minty put a spell so the tea won't spill."
"Oh, thank you dear, that's very kind of you."
Lily was then served breakfast in the dining room, at a large table she rather felt strange sitting at. Luckily she didn't have to sit there alone for long. Bellatrix and Petunia filed in and Petunia sped to get the seat next to her sister.
"Good morning," she chirped, sounding awfully like a teenager instead a woman of her age. "It's been so long since we've had breakfast together!"
"You sound very awake," Lily said with a smile. "Have you been eating sugar all night?"
"No, I'm just so happy to be with everyone," Petunia replied. "The house does get lonely from time to time."
"Yeah, I guess. But how often are you here?"
"A couple of times a year," she said as she poured coffee for herself. Bellatrix sat down next to her and looked around for the teapot. "When I'm not celebrating Christmas with you guys, I do it here."
"With Severus and Astus?" Lily asked.
"Well, we tend to gather," Petunia said and looked over at Bellatrix. "Last year we were at the Malfoys."
"With a lot of Firewhiskey," Bellatrix added. "A lot."
"You and Lucius were the only ones who puked at the end," Petunia reminded. "When will you two stop having contests with each other?"
"When the earth stops turning," the woman replied with. "I am not losing to that platinum-blonde freak."
"He's not platinum-blonde," Petunia said. "He's just blonde."
"Who carries a cane. Who does that, even in our world?"
"Apparently he does. But admit that he does it good."
Bellatrix thought about it for a bit. "Yeah, alright, you win. Just the fact that he has one makes people stare. Which is strange considering how shy Lucius used to be."
"He was shy?" both sisters asked.
"Yes, I mean it!" Bellatrix replied. "It was only when he got older that he started getting confident. He was a real sweet kid you know. Abraxas can tell you all about that later."
"Speaking of which, am I right in saying he and Astus has a thing together?" Petunia asked.
The black-haired witch grinned as she stirred her tea. "You would be very right, Petunia. Oh, they look so perfect together."
"Wait, what?" Lily said. "You mean, Severus' father and Lucius' father are… a couple?"
"Yes, of course," Bellatrix said. "Really, the sexual tension between them has always been there."
"Oh god, are we ready to hear this?" Petunia asked. "You're not going to get into details, are you?"
"You think I spy on them in the bedroom?"
"Yes, I do."
"And you would be right," Bellatrix said. "Always wanted to see two guys in action. Unfortunately you can't hide from a vampire. They have both good hearing and they can smell you. I don't stand a chance. Although they do tend to get into some really heavy kissing when their kids aren't looking. And in Abraxas' case, his grandkid."
"So you haven't seen them in the bedroom I hope," Lily said, blushing while she was at it.
"Not yet. But still, the kissing is nice." Bellatrix looked up at the roof, and then at the sisters. "I think I need a life."
"Yeah, so do I," Petunia replied. "In the meantime, scones?"
-o-
The women had been joined by the others except the Malfoys and the two Mentis, and so conversations differed widely around the table.
However, on their way out and in the hall, they at least found Severus. He seemed to be on his way to the potions lab but had stopped near the stairs to read from a book. He glanced up when they came closer.
"Morning," he said. "If anyone is interested there is a training ground outside for those who want to be outside."
"And for those who doesn't want to train?" James asked.
"There's a lake," Severus said, turning page in the book. "And lots of grass, if that's what you're asking."
"Don't forget the forest," Bellatrix added. "There is a bloody big forest too."
"Yes, there is a forest."
Severus stopped and frowned just as Lucius came walking down the stairs, dressed for the day. The potions master turned to look at him, and Lucius stopped.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm not sure…" Then he looked up. And sighed. "Dad, what are you doing?"
Everyone else looked up to see Astus staring down at them.
"I perceive a deeply disturbing problem," Astus said seriously, arms crossed.
Severus stared at him, as did the others. Astus tilted his head to his side, awaiting an answer from someone of them. When nothing came, he raised an eyebrow. The potions master cleared his throat.
"Dad, I hope you're aware of the fact that you're standing in the ceiling," he finally said.
"Oh, am I?" Astus said and looked around. He dropped to the floor gracefully and straightened up. "Well, I thought you looked rather odd."
"Right. Are you alright, dad?"
"I need my Abraxas," the vampire stated. "Where is he?"
"Coming soon," Severus said. He and Lucius shared a look. "Did you have to say he's yours?"
"Yes," Astus dead-panned, "I really had to. I want to snog him."
"Dad, no one says snog anymore," Severus groaned. Lily stifled her laughter whilst Bellatrix and Petunia made no point in hiding it.
"Am I embarrassing you?" Astus asked sweetly. "I might sing the word until Abraxas arrives if it does embarrass you."
"About your general statement about my father yesterday Potter, I change my mind. He is evil," Severus told James. "Completely and utterly evil."
"Oh please," Astus said, "I'm an angel."
"No, you're not. You're evil, and way too horny for your age."
"Severus, such language!" Astus reprimanded. "That's my job, saying things like that. You're supposed to be the well-behaved part of the family."
"He?" Lucius said and laughed. "He blows potions up because he thinks it's fun!"
"I don't!"
"Yes, you do."
"I do not!" Severus insisted.
"Calm down, children, calm down," Astus said and the two men glared at him whilst James and Sirius apparently took turns in looking shocked. "What? Don't look at me like that. I got all the embarrassing photos of you as children; don't make me become a blackmailer."
"As if we behaving would stop you," Severus muttered.
"That is very true," Astus pointed out. "I guess I am evil after all. Now where is my Abraxas?"
"He's not here yet!" both Lucius and Severus said while the others stared at the three of them. Harrison was the only one of the kids present that was grinning.
"Oh, I know that very well. I just thought he would get here quicker if I kept nagging on about it."
"Well, it doesn't," the potions master said.
"It doesn't?"
"No," Severus said. "Are you going to cry about it?"
"No, of course not. I've passed that stage," Astus huffed. "However, I might just blow something up."
"Target practice outside," Severus said with a stern look. "Bellatrix has already done her practice on Lucius inside. More than once."
"Oh, what happened to her?" Astus asked, clapping his hands together.
"The first time? Nothing much," the potions master said. "Just hung her upside-down in the dungeon until she learned her lesson. Yesterday I just needed to warn her with the dungeons, and she behaved. Mostly."
"And you call me evil," Astus muttered. "Practice outside then. Shout if my Abraxas gets here."
"Will you stop saying he's yours?!" Lucius and Severus shouted after the man.
"Never!" Astus slammed the door shut behind him.
-o-
Lily was actually the one who witnessed Astus' and Abraxas' meeting. The others had spread out in the manor, Severus going to his lab and Lucius vanishing deeper into the manor. Narcissa and Draco joined Bellatrix, Petunia and Lily in the main living room. James, Sirius, Remus and the kids was still exploring the complicated mass of Severus' manor, finding the oddities that made the potions master into the man he was today.
She was quite certain they hadn't spotted her when she came to the entrance hall only to see the doors open and spot Abraxas stepping inside. He hadn't aged. The same hairstyle, the same young face and alert eyes, the easy smile on his lips. One could easily mistake him for Lucius' brother, and not his father. In fact, little had changed about him since she last saw him which was when she was still in school.
Astus came rushing down the stairs, apparently having returned from the outside grounds. He was grinning. Abraxas had barely time to catch him, and they hugged tightly, Abraxas gripping Astus' hair and the other clutching at his back. Lily wasn't sure whether to back or just announce herself. Then Astus withdrew, took the blonde's head in his hands and kissed him deeply.
Suddenly, Lily felt like she was intruding and most definitely shouldn't announce herself. They didn't snog each other, as Astus had stated he would do earlier, but the kiss was intimate, more intimate than anything she had witnessed before. Abraxas' hands stroke down the vampire's chest, resting on the thin hips as they gently explored each other's mouth.
Then they separated, leaning their foreheads together.
"I missed you," Astus breathed out finally.
"I was gone for barely two weeks," Abraxas replied. "Surely I can't have been that missed."
"Oh hush, you." Astus stroke his face, kissing him again. "I was lonely."
Abraxas laughed breathily, kissing his nose. "Liar."
"Okay, so I managed without you but I prefer it when you're around."
"That's more like the truth. And I missed you too, love. What are all the noises in the house?"
"We're protecting the Potter family with their friends," Astus said. "Surely you remember Lily Evans, now Potter? She's standing right there."
Of course he knew. Lily smiled a little as Abraxas turned to look at her.
"Oh my goodness," he said, "Lily? I haven't seen you in years."
"Hi. Same to you I guess. I've only heard what others have told me. If you want to meet your son, I'm not sure where he went at this time…"
"In his room," Astus replied. "Or their room. He's reading."
"That's right. Narcissa never said anything about your room," Lily said. "Or do you…?" She looked at Astus, suddenly embarrassed.
"Of course I sleep with Astus, silly," the blonde said with a smile. "He would be lonely without me, wouldn't you?"
"Naturally," Astus said. "And now, as I haven't slept, I want to take a nap now. With you as my pillow."
"Have you been locking yourself up in your room again?" Abraxas said. "That's not good for you."
"I've endured many looks since my vampire nature became known," the man said, "but it had been a bit too much yesterday when people in this house stared at me like I was the freak of the month."
"My husband," Lily quickly explained. "Frankly, about this… well, he's a dick. He assumes like an idiot that Astus is evil, despite accepting Remus who is a known werewolf."
"Ah, James Potter. He's been trying to give the Malfoy family a lot of grief," Abraxas said. "Tell me, if you think so, why did you marry him?"
"Because when he's not a dick, he's nice," Lily said. "And I'm trying to retrain him."
"You've been doing a rather good job," Astus said. "He hasn't insulted Severus yet. Or rather, not in a way that has irritated Severus."
"And if I get to decide, he won't do it. Not to anyone. He was very insensitive towards you Astus, but I won't stand for it."
She looked at them both, and realized they looked very good together. Contrast, yes, but in a nice way.
"You wanted to take a nap, Astus," she said. "You better go so James or Sirius sees you and does something stupid… again. You have my permission to smack them on their heads if you do happen to run into them, and they aren't nice."
"Understood," Astus said with a smile. "Come on, Abraxas."
"As you wish, my dear."
She watched as they walked up the stairs, smiled a little to herself and considered telling Bellatrix about it. Then, remembering what the woman had said, Lily figured Bellatrix already had more than enough of those two kissing and so went back to the living room without telling anyone.
-o-
In the meantime, Astus and Abraxas did get to bed. They just didn't take a nap first. Abraxas' robe was draped over one of the chairs in the room. As it was the master bedroom, it was larger than the others, much larger, and had its own walk-in closet.
Astus lay under Abraxas and traced the man's face with his fingers.
"I missed you," he murmured.
"So I gathered," Abraxas replied quietly. He made sure not to put too much weight on Astus' thin frame, although he knew his weight wouldn't hurt his lover. "Have you been getting upset about those people, love?"
"They only arrived yesterday," he said. "And they're not so bad. I mean, once you get used to them."
Abraxas hummed and kissed Astus' forehead. "And seeing them again? Not being part of it, I mean."
"It's… fine. I'm fine. But I didn't have a twin last time. Feels more like Harry is the person I would have become had my parents survived, and Harrison is an echo of who I really was. A faint one, mind, he seems to like Severus and I never did during my school years."
"Shush now, that's not nice to say such things about your own son."
"Well, when I really was eleven, he wasn't my son. He was the devil incarnated," Astus said and twisted so he lay on top.
"Really now?"
"We used to call him the bat of the dungeons," he said. Then he laid down his head on Abraxas' shoulder and sighed. "Can't believe it now. I mean, he's best friends with Petunia, and she loves magic. That alone twists my whole world. Wait, Lucius and Narcissa, and Bellatrix are friends with her. My world has been blown apart in shock."
Abraxas laughed lightly and kissed Astus' temple. "It's not so bad, is it?"
Astus smiled and moved so they lay side to side. Abraxas turned so they could look at each other. Their shoes were already off along with their robes. The blonde unbuttoned Astus' shirt and revealed the pale chest. The scars he had received before becoming a vampire stood out white against the slightly coloured skin. Abraxas traced one of them before they moved closer. Astus' body was cool and he drew the covers up around them.
"I don't want you to get cold," he murmured and nuzzled Abraxas' neck.
"I won't. It's summer."
"Doesn't matter."
"Sshh," Abraxas soothed. "I won't be cold now. Sleep. I'm here. Maybe we'll go outside tomorrow. Watch the others play around. You know Draco loves the lake."
"He's not the only one. Even Lucius loves it."
Abraxas hummed. "I know. Now, sleep."
Astus wrapped his arms around his lover and held on tightly, allowing his eyes to slip shut. He felt Abraxas caress his back, stroke his hair, and smiled even as he sank into his sleep.
-o-
Around dinnertime Lily had just showered and was on her way to the dining room when Severus came up the stairs. He was carrying a tray in one hand, and a wineglass filled with what appeared to be blood.
Lily couldn't help but look at the glass. He stopped briefly when he saw her, and then explained as he nodded towards his father's room:
"They wanted to eat dinner in private."
"Understandably. They seemed to have missed each other. And, Astus might be uncomfortable eating in front of us. Or, drinking."
"Yes, that might be part of it," Severus confessed. "It took him several months to get used with us sitting in the same room. The first month he starved though."
"Why?" she wondered.
"He didn't want to drink," the potions master replied. "I had to convince him. According to him, he felt like a monster."
"Which he isn't," Lily said. "He's Astus Mentis. I don't think he ever was a monster."
"You're right. It's just hard to convince dad the same. He didn't exactly have the best childhood." Severus looked at his father's door again. "I better get going."
"Of course."
She looked after him as he walked down the hall. Before he even reached the door it was opened by Astus. His long hair was free, framing his face perfectly. He smiled at his son, pulling the door open wider and Lily caught a glimpse of Abraxas sitting on the bed. They were both dressed but from the looks of it they had actually been sleeping.
Before one of them took notice of her, Lily walked down the stairs with a small smile on her face.
Tbc…
Another chapter done!
Chapter four: A relaxing few days at Severus' manor, the Light gets to learn the dark. But not all things are alright, as the Order tries to find those wanting the Potter family dead.
Until later,
Ja,
Tiro
