"...English..."
"...Bulgarian..."
'...thoughts...'
...Flashbacks and letters...
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Betrayal
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December 22nd, 1992
Andrei has been jumpy for the past few weeks. It was now the beginning of Christmas holidays and he was looking forward to it. Every time he spoke to Viktor he was nervous but of course he would never admit it. As far as Viktor was concerned he was as well as ever. Unfortunately Andrei knew better. He kept to his group of friends as much as he could. Maarika, Valentin, Alvin and Rolf were always around so it didn't look suspicious to anyone that he wasn't spending time with his brother. The truth was every time Andrei saw Vik he was reminded of that dreadful voice yelling at him and shoving him back to the wall. 'But it wasn't Vik, he wasn't there, he would never do that!' thought Andrei every time he was thrown into his memories.
Andrei didn't really want to think about the kid who actually did all that or why he did it, but the Headmaster assured him and his family that the whole matter has been taken care of.
He had written to his Dad asking if he could visit over the holidays and got a vague reply which told him Severus wasn't trilled but would go along with the idea. The last time he visited him in England was with Vik, almost four years ago. His father lived in the cottage at Spinner's End during holidays but it seemed to be too small for the three of them, so he took them to Prince Manor. They met some muggle kids and had great time that summer, so Andrei could not understand what the problem would be with his visit now.
He was told to wait for Alexander at headmaster's office. Usually children went home by Durmstrang ship and their parents would meet them at the dock, but since the Krums knew Karkaroff personally they were allowed to use the school's floo a couple of times a year. Alexander took him and Viktor home and then escorted him to the airport where he got on the plane to England, so the wizarding authorities in both England and Bulgaria would remain blissfully oblivious to his whereabouts.
Severus picked him up at the station but never said a word to him other than a small nod in greeting. He apparated them to the Manor and sighed in relief.
"Ok, that's it! What's going on?" Andrei yelled, his brows furrowed, "First you don't even want me here and then you are so obviously relieved we got here safe and sound! Is He back?"
Severus looked at him in wonder. He was a little startled by the use of Bulgarian since Andrei usually spoke English around him, but it only meant Andrei was losing control to his anger. And for the life of him he couldn't honestly answer his son's question. He had his doubts with all the events concerning the Chamber of Secrets this year, but how in the world did Andrei come to that conclusion?
"No. At least I hope not..."
"You hope?"
Severus nodded and tried to relay all the facts to the boy. Whatever was happening it was better for Andrei to know and be prepared. The story didn't upset Andrei that much though, and he was silently going over the situation in his head.
"So that's it? This heir comes out of nowhere and just petrifies a cat, a ghost and a student?"
Severus nodded, although he didn't see it as a just.
"So make a potion and unpetrify them."
"We don't have a mandrake root yet, but I do plan to."
"So you are not upset about potion, but just this self-proclaimed heir?"
Again a nod.
"You're lying."
"Excuse me?" Severus arched a brow.
"You. Are. Lying!"
Severus shook his head in disapproval and stood up to leave the room.
"Don't leave the Manor." he called from the doorway never even turning back and left.
Andrei was baffled. 'What in the world just happened? Did he just ignore a question? More importantly he ignored a disrespectful tone from him. Severus Snape doesn't do that... ever! He sneers, laughs or frowns, never runs away! Unless... he must be really upset about something... but what?'
Andrei followed to the study but was interrupted by a hoot. He saw a large brown owl at the window and reached for a letter. The owl jumped away from him, snapping its beak. Andrei frowned and took out a wand. Owl watched curiously from its perch on the cabinet.
"Oh, you'll give me that letter, like it or not boy."Andrei smirked, "I need the truth, and I'm getting it. Diffindo! Accio!"
The string that attached the letter to the owl's leg severed and the letter flew into Andrei's waiting hand. The owl started screeching and spread its wings in preparation to lash out at him.
"Silencio! Immobulus!" Andrei smirked in a very Snape like fashion, "Had enough, birdie?"
"Andrei?"
Severus' voice carried through the Manor. Andrei started and turned around instinctively. He hurriedly pointed his wand at the letter.
"Geminio." he whispered, making a copy of the letter, and then pointed wand at the owl and said in succession "Finite. Confundo. Sorry, birdie, have a good flight back."
As owl flew out of the window, Andrei took the duplicate of the letter and stuffed it in his pocket.
"Over here, Dad. An owl came."
"I thought I heard some noise. Who is it from?"
"I don't know. It doesn't say."
Andrei offered the letter to Severus who took it with a shaking hand.
"The owl let you take it?" he asked suspiciously.
"No, I cut it and summoned it." he decided the truth would be his best defense, "I wanted to see what it said because you wouldn't tell me the truth." he frowned.
"If I chose not to tell you it has nothing to do with you, Andrei. Please, trust me on this." Severus left the room rigidly squeezing a letter in his hand.
Andrei left to his room. 'If Dad won't speak the letter will'. He spelled the door locked and sat on his canopy bed. He carefully ripped the wrapping and saw a bit messy handwriting.
.
We need to speak in person. I won't let it end this way. I don't care what obligations you have tomorrow, this is important, or at least I think so and hope you agree. I will come to your place at noon, wait for me there.
Please, give us a chance, I love you.
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Andrei stared at the note. There was no name, but for the letter of this nature it was obviously not necessary. 'He is seeing someone. How could he not tell me! This is what's bugging him! Not some stupid heir or chamber or some potion... not even what happened at Durmstrang or the reason for my visit! He has a lover!' and that's when a thought occurred to him.
"That's why he didn't want me here...so he could be with this guy..." he whispered.
Andrei's eyes involuntarily filled with tears. 'Why am I crying! I don't care! I see him once or twice a year. So what if he's seeing him! I'll just ask Alex to go back home earlier... Damn! Don't cry, Andrei!' But tears left his eyes anyway and the sobs soon followed. He crumpled the letter and pointing a wand at it burned it. He cried until his eyes dried up. His chest hurt from the racking sobs so he turned in his bed and soon fell asleep.
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December 23rd, 1992
When Andrei woke up the first thing he did was send a letter to Alexander, telling him tomorrow he will be taking the first flight home. His eyes were a bit puffy from crying, but if asked about it he could claim it was from sleep. Making himself presentable and tidying his room a bit he went to join his Dad for breakfast.
"'Morning."
"Good morning. I made some pancakes. Milk?"
"Pancakes? What happened to toast?" he smirked trying and succeeding to look positive. After all he was a very good actor, or should it be a liar, apparently it was in his blood.
"I won't be home until lunch so I want you well fed."
Severus noticed a long time ago his son would stuff anything tasty in his mouth and decided to keep him on a healthy diet every time he visited. That way he would at least have the satisfaction of knowing he tried to save his son from too much cholesterol at this early age.
"Oh... ok... Where are you going?" Andrei asked pouring himself a cup of milk.
"My presence is needed at Hogwarts." he said simply.
Andrei just nodded and smiled.
"Will you tell me, please, what else is bothering you?" Andrei chanced.
"No, Andrei! And, please refrain from asking any further!"
"Ok. I won't." he met Severus' gaze across the table and held it."If you don't mind I would like to return home tomorrow. It will be easier for everybody. You won't have to worry about me that way and could concentrate on your work for Hogwarts and I'll have some more amusing company in Vik. No offense, Dad, but you are not exactly the most cheerful guy right now."
Severus seemed to observe him all through the explanation. It sounded so formal, so... unlike Andi.
"Are you sure? You seemed eager to come here."
"I am certain, Dad. I prefer one bird in hand then two in the bush." he smiled.
"All right. I do believe it is for the best. I will take you to the airport tomorrow morning."
"Great. Thanks, Dad."
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Andrei sat in the living room, reading 'Liquid Danger'. It was half past five and his Dad still hasn't returned. 'Maybe they'd made up and lost track of time... Or maybe he really did go to Hogwarts afterwards... Couldn't he just spend the last few hours of the visit with me?'
Andrei was leaving for his room when the floo activated. He has never seen his father like this. It made him angry... no, it made him furious! He ran away before Severus noticed him. Not that it would be an easy task judging by the state of his mind. Dreamy eyes, flushed face and the serene smile on slightly bruised lips told Andrei all he needed to know. His Dad rather spent the last day he was here with his lover then with him. Jealousy was making him scream in rage and it took all of his control to suppress it.
He found a Dreamless Sleep in the cupboard in his bathroom, downed it and dressed into his PJs. At least he'd be well rested in the morning for his flight and wouldn't have to deal with his father tonight, he thought.