*Thank you again for your wonderful reviews!*
Chapter 6: The Thoughts of One Potion's Master
Blasted that old coot of a Headmaster! Severus sighed miserably as he paced the small confines of the sanctuary cottage. It had been over two weeks and he STILL had not been able to return to Hogwarts. Merlin's beard, he had potions to finish, he needed to clean up his lab… the list kept piling up. But no… the meddling old man had told him that he could not return until it was perfectly safe.
Bloody Hell, Severus had been a spy for Albus for twenty years and faced MORE danger! So why was he not allowed back… home?
Hogwarts, Severus had decided early on, was more of a home to him than any other place. Certainly Snape Manor and Spinner's End were nothing if not dreary and dour. They both were in bad disrepair, and there wasn't much the potion's master could do about that.
Now however, Severus had his dark shade elf inheritance, so he wasn't quite sure if he could restore the two places into their splendid former glory. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to do that. Hogwarts… would forever be his home.
He spent most of his summers there, spent countless hours peering over his potions, scowling at students who had the misfortune of being in his classes. It was home.
True, the sanctuary of Hogwarts did not come without a debt… and a fierce burden. But Severus had dealt with being a spy and paid his dues every single time he was summoned to face that evil bastard Voldemort. But even then, Severus' guilt of Lily's death didn't fade until Harry killed off said bastard. Even now… when he knew that Harry was not Lily's son… and the only child of a long line of magical creatures, Severus felt indebted to the boy… if not to Lily anymore.
And said boy was now… his mate.
Severus trembled slightly as turbulent emotions tormented his body and soul. He stopped in his pacing and plonked down on the steps leading to the main floor of the cottage. He sighed softly and put his head in his hands, his long, dark leathery wings folding neatly at his back.
He waited until the emotions calmed, before he pulled himself up to go find something to do. He had read every single book in the small library, had worked himself out several times in the exercise room, had taken time to work on his newly formed elf magic.
And yet, he was still going barking mad with boredom.
This agitation was only sated at night, when he allowed himself to dream of his mate… putting his frustrations into sensuous caresses and lust filled pleasure. Harry….. Severus mused, wondering how things had become so complicated.
True, things had been more complicated with Harry bloody Potter being at Hogwarts during school, but now… things had upped the complications to a drastic level. And Merlin knew what was going to happen when the new school year started.
A blasted two more weeks until September 1st, and he would be able to see Harry… no Prince Kaiden with his own eyes… and not his dream eyes. What would happen? Would they be able to keep their hands to themselves? Would they not be able to keep from going at it like a bunch of romping rabbits?
Sighing deeply, the tormented shade almost missed the Headmaster as the old fool came through the floo.
He regarded Albus with a sneer, saying, "It took you bloody well long enough to get here…."
If Albus didn't like the sarcasm coming from Severus, he didn't comment. Instead, he smiled slightly, "I have brought some interesting news, Severus. Would you mind terribly if we sat in the living room?"
Severus sighed and forced himself to stop sulking like a hormonal teenager. The shade stood and walked agilely over to perch on a backless lounge near the fire. The Headmaster's eyes twinkled slightly as he sat down on a soft cushioned chair. "Much better settings, don't you agree?"
Severus grunted, but folded his wings behind his back a bit more tightly. He wasn't comfortable having his wings folded up so tightly, but it was a natural instinct to do so to keep vulnerability at a minimum. Albus noted the action and sighed. "I take it you are getting more used to your powers?"
The shade nodded, idly pushing his long hair back over his shoulders. He then regarded the Headmaster, "Please save the pleasantries and get right to the point, Headmaster."
Albus' eyes twinkled a bit more at the shade's snarky behavior. It seemed Severus was becoming more used to himself being a shade. He was getting back to being the old Severus… in temperament at least. Better that than being overly silent and irrational.
Albus finally said, "I see that you are getting much more… thorny in your use of language. It's refreshing. However, like you said, let's dispense with the pleasantries. There has been some news from Harry."
Severus arched an eyebrow. "Oh, and what does that twit have to do with me?" His words were without heat though, and Albus noted this, but did not comment.
Instead he ignored the phrase and went on, "Harry, it seems, is living in the old Slytherin Castle… known simply as the Castle of Darkness. I am sure you have heard of the place?"
"And how did you manage to find that out? He didn't just right out and say it in a letter?" If he had, then Harry was an idiot, thinking that his messages wouldn't get intercepted. But somehow, Severus knew that Harry hadn't done anything like that. His lover was more clever now than he'd ever been as the boy-who-bloody-lived-to-torment-him-to-no-end.
Albus shook his head. "No… he did not. He sent an owl to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger a few days ago, which did not explain his whereabouts or what he had found out about himself. The only thing he said was to not worry, that he was fine, and training. No… Harry did not divulge any secret about where he is located. Instead, he sent a peculiar looking creature to me, with the hopes that I could communicate with it."
Albus then reached into his robes and pulled out a small, grey creature with large yellow eyes. "This, is a pixie drake that has been hiding out in the Castle of Darkness with several other unusual creatures. He has… in fact become Harry's familiar."
"Merlin's beard, Albus… this… this creature…." Severus gulped, looking at the strange but cute creature.
"Yes. This creature is from a long line of Salazar Slytherin's familiars." Albus smiled kindly at the creature.
"And you… can communicate with it?" Severus asked, biting back the urge to reach over and pet the creature.
"Yes. It seems to be able to communicate with anyone it touches." Both men watched as the creature looked around, his wide eyes searching for something.
Finally, he spotted Severus. The cub trilled happily and crawled off of the Headmaster's lap and over the arm of the chair, down to cuddle himself in Severus' lap. Severus blinked at him and hesitantly stroked the creature.
The drake purred softly and nuzzled Severus' hand.
"I do believe, he likes you, Severus." Albus then explained, "He was sent not only to me, but to you as well. Harry was smart in believing that any owl he sent with explanations would be a very unwise thing to do. So, he sent the familiar to 'talk' to us."
The Headmaster stood and smiled, "I think I will leave you two alone for a bit."
"Headmaster, I…." Severus faltered, distracted by the pixie drake cuddling more close to his middle.
"I know… Severus. And you will be able to come back to Hogwarts tomorrow morning, if that is convenient?" Albus nearly chuckled when Severus was startled out of his reverie.
Severus exclaimed, "Yes… perfectly alright."
"Good. Then… I will bid you both a good afternoon and I will return for the cub later on tonight. I think… Harry would like to have his little familiar back safe and sound." And with that, the Headmaster left through the floo.
For a moment, Severus didn't do anything, just petted the submissive pixie drake. The creature enjoyed the attention, nuzzling the shade's hand and purring contentedly. Finally, however, Severus mused, "Now how am I supposed to talk to the blasted creature?"
The drake snorted, and a puff of frost coated one of Severus' wings. He shook it slightly and sighed. The drake looked up at him with wide, yellow eyes before crooning, "Master wants Icarus to relay a message to goggle eyed old man with no fashion sense and master's mate."
Severus blinked down at the creature with bemusement. How in Merlin's name could he understand such gibberish at all? It was a bunch of chirps and hisses… some clicks and grunts, but Severus could bloody understand the language!
The creature sighed and nipped at Severus' hand. "Since goggle eyed old man was relayed the message, one message is left for Icarus to speak. You are master's mate. I recognize your scent. It smells of dark sage and po….potions! The creature sneezed, causing frost to gather on Severus' loose fitted pants.
The dark shade elf chuckled, in spite of himself and brushed off the frost. How could anyone not adore this creature? And how in the Hell had the creature smelled potions on him? He hadn't come close to a cauldron in almost three whole weeks!
The creature looked at him expectantly until finally Severus sighed. "Well, Icarus, by all means, tell me what my… mate wants to say."
Icarus blinked up at him for a moment, the drake's eyes glowing slightly before he said very carefully, '"Professor, I am sure you are curious as to what message I am sending you, and don't worry, it won't be some mushy insane crap that will have you running for cover. I just wanted to let you know that yes, our dreams are shared, and yes, I don't mind where they lead one bit. I am currently training with servants that were formerly ones of Salazar Slytherin. You'd find it interesting that demons, wyverns, and drakes are just a small creature setup that makes up my training companions. However 'fun' it is training with these creatures, none can match up to training with wizards and witches. I am finding it more difficult every day to train, and yearn for the day that I can possibly train with you. If you would be interested in sparring with me… possibly with weapons combat, let me know and together we can set up a time to do so at Hogwarts after the start of school.
I am finding out more and more about myself and my lineage, but the more I discover, the more I find that I am vastly ignorant in many things.'"
Severus snorted about that last part, but he allowed Icarus to go on. The drake sighed and spoke again, '"I find it harder every day to keep a glamour over my appearance. I wonder if you are having the same problem. I didn't have much of a problem when leaving the Dursleys and going to Gringotts. It was sort of a futile attempt since the goblins knew exactly who I was as soon as I stepped up to their pedestal. But at least I hid myself adequately from other beings that might want to do me harm. But now, I feel it increasingly difficult to mask my appearance. The books in Slytherin's old library say only that my elemental magic might be waning due to not being able to find a regenerative source nearby. Severus, I am so confused at times… it feels like I am getting nowhere, and yet… I am getting somewhere. My emotions are high strung… moreso than normal, and the only time I am calm… is when I dream with you. Ok, enough of the sappy stuff, I need to get going. If you wish, you may tell Icarus what your reply is, and he will retain the message. I hate having to send him on a mission like this when he's only a cub, but he was the safest route."'
So… the brat was having similar problems to himself. Severus sighed and stroked the drake for a while, musing over what Harry had said. The boy may have turned into a confident submissive man, but he was still young and confused. Harry… no Kai… needed his help.
It was just up to Severus if he wanted to give the submissive help.
It wasn't yet dinnertime, when Severus found the answers to their little problems. He sighed and scanned through an old book he had acquired from Hogwarts through owl post. Severus absently stroked Icarus' head, finding the rumbling purr soothing and pleasant to hear. Finally, Severus told the drake a return message for Kai.
The creature repeated it back to him a few times to get it right before it was time for Dumbledore to come calling. The Headmaster didn't disappoint and was stepping through the floo by the last stroke of seven.
"Ah, Severus… I see you have figured out how this little one manages to speak to us?" Dumbledore gently took the creature up in his arms.
The drake snorted some frost, not liking being pulled away from his new friend, but snuggled into the Headmaster's robes. He wanted to go home soon and cuddle with his master. Icarus blinked with yellow eyes as Severus nodded, "Salazar Slytherin put a spell on all of his servants, no matter what kind of creature to have them able to understand and be understood by wizards and witches."
"Yes, that's right. What also is curious is that Icarus here, speaks only parseltongue. So… in a strange sort of way, we can understand the complex snake language." Dumbledore mused.
Severus nodded. "I figured that out myself a few hours ago." The shade then bid the Headmaster good night and gave the drake one final rub before the two left.
Now alone, Severus shivered, feeling… lonely. Not… alone… but LONELY. He was yearning for something. And he didn't really want to think about who… he was yearning for. He concentrated on eating a small dinner and packing up to leave for Hogwarts the next morning.
He couldn't wait to get out of this blasted retrieve. He wanted to get back to his potions… and to normalcy… as best he could.
Still, in the dark hours of the night, he envisioned his lover huddled in his arms, just taking comfort in the embrace.
As Severus closed his eyes, he dreamed of gentle caresses and silver soft hair.
Kai watched as the fire in his floo died down to a pale orange, his familiar now in his arms. The cub crooned and nuzzled his chest, taking warmth against the Ashitar's soft skin. "Missed… master." Icarus hissed, burrowing closer if possible against Kai's chest.
Hasajji snorted a bit at the action, but Kai didn't mind. "Your mate is well?" The spotted demon asked.
Kai nodded slowly, listening with rapt attention at the message his mate had sent. Severus was indeed fine, just going a bit stir crazy in the cottage he'd been forced to take sanctuary in for a bit. The man had also found out what sort of regenerative source they both would need in order to keep up their glamours during school.
It seems that dark shade elves needed to touch their mate physically once during the day to keep their powers charged. With Ashitars, it was a bit different. Since Kai was more of a… rare creature, he needed… regeneration by the kiss… of his mate.
And though Kai knew that there was a possibility that these kisses could be just pecks on the lips, he also knew… that he'd do anything… just to have the chance at having a soul fucking kiss like in his dreams with Severus.
Severus had also commented that the high string of emotions was also something he had to deal with. It was a part of their inheritance, and would settle down once they came into close contact with one another during school. But for now, they would have to deal with the mood swings. As for sparring, Severus found it 'something to look forward to… being able to finally whip his arse'. Kai chuckled softly at that.
Feeling more content, Kai got ready for bed, the prospect of dreaming of his lover… thick in his head. He yearned for him… and Kai… wasn't so sure… if he should resist it.
Maybe… wanting Severus was something that was just as natural as breathing for Kai.
And maybe… just maybe… Kai… would have a chance… to build a happier existence.
*There ya go, a bit more of Severus' side. The next chapter deals with revelations that will leave you stunned! I hope to have it up on Monday. Oh, and I fixed the spelling errors for Slytherin. Thank you to those who have pointed it out that the name is spelled Salazar, not Salthazar. Also, thank you for those of you who have pointed it out that Malfoy's wife is Narcissa, not Narcissus. I had no idea why I put it 'Narcissus', but it's fixed now in the later chapters too.*