A/N hey I know it is short but I wanted a bit of interaction between Aidan and Severus before the big action starts. I know it is similar to the conversation with Narcissa but they serve a similar purpose and are slightly different questions.
Chapter Four
Aidan and Severus Interlude
"Aidan, can I talk to you in my lab for a moment?" Severus called to the younger wizard.
"Sure, what do you need to talk to me about?" Aidan asked his surrogate uncle while walking with him to the lab he had been given years ago by the Malfoys.
"I just wanted to know how you are holding up, tomorrow is September first." Severus explained.
"Everything is in place and I know how to get everyone together. I geuss I am a bit nervous that no one will bother to listen to me." Aidan said truthfully.
"Why wouldn't they?" Severus asked gently.
"Everyone has been fed lies for so long I would imagine a lot of them are sick of the treatment. I'm afraid they think I am either another Voldemort out for power, or a Dumbledore in it for glory. I don't want either. Yet I know to make peace for the wizarding world I am going to put my fighters through pain, and manipulation, just like the other two. So am I really any different? Is it worth it to make every follow me when it will still be exactly the same?" Aidan said frustratingly. His mother would not have understood this side of his worries. He was talking to the only one of them to have personal dealings with both Voldemort and Dumbledore. If anyone were to confirm or deny Aidan's worries it would be him.
"Aidan I am not going to lie to you, yes you will have to do both those things. That does not make you as bad as them. Be honest with your fighters. Do what neither the Dark Lord nor Dumbledore ever did and that is give a choice." Severus put an arm around Aidan's shoulders realizing just how tall Aidan had grown.
"Is a choice really that important when lives are at stake?" Aidan asked morosely.
"Absolutely, choice is everything Aidan. It is our choices that shape our destiny. A prophecy was broken because of choices, and a prophecy will be fulfilled because of them as well." Severus said pointedly.
"But I will have to sit back and watch them die!" Aidan screamed out in frustration.
"Yes, some of them are going to die, that is unfortunately the nature of war. Don't let their deaths be in vain let them help you fight harder." Severus said holding tighter to the frustrated wizard.
"Why did Fate put their lives in my hands? Hell my own family got rid of me." Aidan said voicing his most common thought.
"Would you really have been happy with them? Aidan you saw how your siblings turned out and now look at yourself. No child should be abandoned for their reasoning, but you came out all the stronger for it." Severus said as his hand kept Aidan's chin up not letting him look down.
That was all it took for Aidan's restraint to break. He soon had Severus wrapped in a tight hug. A hug he would normally reserve for his father. This was the one adult that was his constant. He would never forget the night he had been taken from Hogwarts to the Dursleys. Lucius had been a wonderful father, but there would always be a gap there. He had missed those crucial younger years with the Malfoys. There were just some things that were saved for just Aidan and Severus.
"It's getting late, you have to catch the express tomorrow you should get some sleep." Severus half commanded.
"I don't think I am going to be able to sleep. What have you been working on in here?" Aidan asked hopefully.
"Alright you can stay up and work with me, I have just been filling the order from Madame Pomfrey. All she needs now is Burn Salve and Pepper Up, if you could brew the slave I can finish up the Pepper Up." Severus allowed easily.
Please Review!
