Finally finished with my papers! YAY! I wrote this during a class, so I hope you enjoy it. I think I'm going to start the next HP & TWS chapter now!

A Mother's Love

By Koinaka

"Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love."

Hamlet. ACT II Sc. 2.

Chapter Five
In which Kallias finds himself in a very unwanted position

"Are you certain, Severus?" queried Dumbledore, blue eyes staring fixedly at the Potions Master.

"Yes...no...I don't know. The boy could be nothing other than a Prince so uncanny is the resemblance there, but..." The words died on his tongue. It was late and fatigue weighed heavy on Severus.

"Yes?" Dumbledore urged him on quietly.

"But in the relatively brief time we spent together, I noticed that the resemblance was remarkably similar to Lily's as well," Severus sighed and lowered his face into his hands.

"Well," said Dumbledore, rather agreeably, almost too agreeably Severus thought. "There's no reason both statements can't be true, is there?"

Widened eyes fixated on Dumbledore. "Surely - surely - you are not insinuating that Lily Potter and my uncle had some... illicit affair, are you? Even you could not stoop so low as to think-"

But Dumbledore cut Severus off firmly with a raised eyebrow and a disapproving look on his face. "No, I insinuate nothing of the kind. However, Severus Prince is not the only one with the... genetic material that would produce such a result. Indeed, no. You, my dear boy, are a Prince as well, and you greatly resemble your uncle. I knew him when he was a boy, of course, but I have not seen him in many many years."

The look on Severus' face was almost comical when realization began to sweep over the man. "But...but..but..." he sputtered nearly incoherently. "There were no survivors, you said so yourself. The Dark Lord killed all three of them that night."

Dumbledore's expression turned serious. "I believed so," he said, simply. "Or, rather, I assumed he was dead because what chance did an infant stand against Voldemort? There was no body, but it was inconceivable to me that he would survive. The house was destroyed beyond recognition. Only their bodies were spared, and you know the reason for that. The only way for him to have survived..."

"Is if he was never there in the first place!" finished Severus. He turned an accusatory gaze onto Dumbledore. "You lied to me," he snarled.

"I did not lie, Severus, you merely -"

"A lie of omission is still a lie," spat Severus.

Dumbledore looked appropriately subdued. "Indeed it is. But tell me Severus... is there a chance that the boy could be yours? Were you and Lily... involved in a relationship?"

Numbly, Severus nodded. "Yes," he breathed. "Only for a brief period, but yes - we were. When the meetings began to escalate, along with my involvement, she ended things. She was married to James within a month, and within the year, had given birth."

"And she never spoke a word to you? Never gave you any indication that the child she carried, that she gave birth to, was yours?" inquired Dumbledore.

"I never spoke to her again, as well you know. She died, taking her secrets with her."

There was a twinkle once more in Dumbledore's eyes. "Not all of them."

"You still have not answered the key question, Headmaster. If this boy, Kallias Prince, is my son, Lily's son, how did he ever come to be with my uncle?" Severus demanded.

"A parent - particularly a mother - would do everything in their power to protect their child, to preserve their safety. Lily Evans always was a remarkably bright and cunning girl, was she not, Severus?"

And Severus Snape, for once, was speechless.

The first thing that Kallias was aware of upon waking was that he was alone. In a stranger's bed. Not that Kallias was unaccustomed to waking up in beds other than his own, but he wasn't particularly accustomed to doing so in the bed of a man he barely knew, no matter what the gossip magazines published about him, and he most assuredly was not accustomed to waking up alone.

The second thing that Kallias was aware of were the raised voices coming from outside the bedroom - if the room could be called that. The voices were muffled at best, but at least one of them belonged to his cousin, the other to a Mr. Sirius Black. The identity of the third was yet to be revealed.

"- only a boy," said the third, calm, voice.

"He's of age," Sirius cried, indignantly.

"So I am," said Kallias, drly, as he entered the room, eyeing the those gathered in said room. His cousin was standing stiffly, his obsidian eyes glaring daggers into Sirius who was still half-dressed. Kallias' eyes lingered on the lean muscles of the man's chest for a bit longer than necessary before sweeping his gaze to the third unknown party. Tattered robes, mousy brown hair, amber-hued eyes. Wolf. Werewolf. "My, my, what interesting company you do keep, cousin. Care to introduce us? It seems only fitting that I know your name since you seem so exceedingly interested in my private, personal, affairs, wouldn't you agree?"

The man flushed. "I didn't... that is to say... of course, my apologies, Mr. Prince. I am Remus Lupin, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

A quirk of his lips, a raise of his brow. "Is that so?" The tone was mocking, very much so. "Lupin... what a fortunate name you possess, or rather unfortunate, I should say. Well, fate always did have a sense of humor and irony, so it would seem. A teacher, are you? And do you teach your students how to defend against creatures such as yourself?"

But Lupin didn't seem very amused. He paled, dramatically. "You know?"

A scoff, an incredulous look. "Of course, I know. How could I not? Your eyes give you away. Do try not to look quite so put out, Mr. Lupin, I care very little what sort of blood, human or none, runs through your veins."

At this, Sirius paled considerably as well. "He keeps a glamour on them," he said in a near whisper.

"Of course he does," said Kallias, soothingly, as if speaking to a child. "But it is not so difficult to see through them, however, if you've the proper training, which I so happen to have. Although, I suppose, if you were schooled at Hogwarts, perhaps you have not been educated in the methodology of the deceptionary magics and the identification of said magics. Pity, that. It's quite a useful skill to have. Now, where was I?" He paused. "Oh, yes, I do thank you, Mr. Lupin, for your unneeded and, in fact, very much unwanted, concern over this, or any other, sexual encounter I may choose to have. I am of age, and you'll find, very much able to make decisions on my own."

"Mr. Prince," started Severus. "If you would come with me, I'm afraid we really must speak."

Kallias scowled. "I've told you to call me Kallias."

"Very well," sighed the Potions Master. "If you would come with me, Kallias."

"And with such a tempting offer as that, how could I ever disagree? Not easily, of course, yet I find myself doing so. I'm afraid, cousin, that any discussion - needed, wanted, or otherwise - will really have to wait until I am showered, appropriately attired, and have had no less than two cups of coffee," Here he cast a sly grin at Severus. "I really am useless before then. So, perhaps you would like to show me where I to stay? I assume my belongings have already been taken there."

Severus' look was one of resignation. "Of course. Black, Lupin," he said to each man.

Kallias trailed a hand over Sirius' arm, enjoying the sight of the muscle found there trembling beneath his fingertips. "Shall I see you again? At breakfast?"

Dazed, Sirius nodded. "Great!" said Kallias, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then I can look forward to at least one person who is sexually satisfied there." He gave Sirius one last lascivious grin and a wink before he followed Severus out the door.

--

When Kallias meet Cousin Sev - though he had been forbidden upon pain of death to ever utter that phrase - at the door of the small but otherwise acceptable room he had been given, there was no trace of the muggle clothing he had donned before. Kallias may be more comfortable in muggle clothing, but he was used to keeping up appearance, and it was required - even in a school as lax as the Conservatorio - to wear robes. His robes were quite a bit more stylish than those he would find here, he knew, as Italians were legendary for their skills with fashion, muggle and wizard alike. He wore a floor length black robe, however, it was a bit different than the very unflattering black robes his cousin wore. It was more of a coat than a robe, opening at the front to reveal a pair of snug black trousers, and dark blue button down shirt. His ebony locks, save the few errant strands that fell around his face, were gathered at the nape of his neck with a silver adornment that perfectly matched the buttons on his robe.

"What?" he asked at the Severus' raised brow.

"Your attire is shockingly appropriate. I was uncertain if you even owned a robe, given your propensity for muggle clothing," replied the man lightly.

Kallias scowled furiously. "Whatever you think you know about me, I can assure you, is wrong. You would do well to remember that. I may feel more comfortable in clothing such as what I wore yesterday, but I know, very well, in fact, the appropriate attire to wear to most any occasion. I have been schooled quite proficiently in wizarding etiquette and culture as was expected of the Heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Prince."

"And yet," Severus said with a sly look at Kallias, "you seem most eager to disassociate yourself with your heritage."

"I will not live a lie," hissed the enraged boy. "If being associated with my "heritage" means that I must pretend to be someone I am not, marry someone I do not love, and sire children I do not want, then yes, I bloody well will disassociate myself with anything to do with my heritage."

"Calm yourself, Mr. Prince. I mean no offense. I was simply making an observation," said the Potions Master.

Kallias took a deep breath. "Besides, it may not even come down to that. I don't believe my father would make that sort of stipulation in his will. He may not have agreed with my choices, but he did love me. That much I know. I'm sure my solicitor will find a way out of the marriage clause."

"Solicitor?" asked Severus.

"Well, yes," Kallias said, sarcastically. "You didn't think I'd just take your word for it, did you? I contacted him last night. Mr. Black was kind enough to allow me to utilize his fireplace to make a floo-call. Don't worry, cousin. I was going to inform you of the meeting this morning. You are required to attend as well as my father did seem to make you officiator of his will."

Severus did not look comforted by that information at all.

--

Kallias was not a morning person, he also had a deep-seated hatred for inane chatter. So, suffice it to say, he was currently in his own personal circle of hell because he was seated in between Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin, both of which were incredibly enthusiastic for such an early hour. Plus, he did not like the looks he'd caught Dumbledore leveling on him on more than one occasion throughout breakfast. Nor did he appreciate the topics of conversation.

"Hogwarts has an excellent library, Mr. Prince, I'm sure your cousin would be willing to escort you there, or perhaps I could have a student do so. The Head Girl, Hermione Granger, is a very capable - and friendly - student," The Headmaster told him.

"I'm sure your library is... adequate, but I'm afraid I must decline your offer. I've a meeting with my solicitor immediately following breakfast," said Kallias.

"Perhaps later, then," conceded Dumbledore affably.

"Perhaps," Kallias echoed.

"So, Rome, that must be an interesting place to study in," commented Lupin.

"Quite," he replied as he poured his third cup of coffee.

"What is the curriculum like at your school, Il Conservatorio, is it? You mentioned deceptionary magics, are they taught there?" he asked. The table grew quiet, then, all eyes turning to land on Kallias.

"Varied and excellent, of course," he stated, not bothering to mask the irritation in his voice. "It has been in the business of educating witches and wizards since the 10th century BC."

On and on the questioning went. Had he studied the dark arts? The Unforgivables? Necromancy? Blood magic? Until at last, Kallias had had enough. "Shall I submit my wand to you for verification, Headmaster? I assure you you'll find nothing untoward on there," he snapped.

Abashed, Dumbledore had murmured his apologies.

--

His solicitor, the very same man with which he had graced the covers of news papers with, greeted him with a smile and a lingering kiss.

"Absolutely delectable, as always, my sweet," said the Roman wizard fondly before catching sight of Severus. "Ah, you must be Mr. Snape. Well, do make yourselves at home. The fine owner of this establishment assured me complete privacy, but of course, I added on my own security measures. Now... about this will, I'm afraid, Kallias, that Mr. Snape is quite right in his interpretation of it. In order to obtain the title Lord Prince and the various properties and monies associated with that title, you must marry. However, there is no time period placed on this marriage. Just that you must agree to do so, at some point in the future. Unfortunately, if you decide to postpone your marriage, you are required to remain here prior to your twenty-first birthday."

"That really, truly, will not be necessary Raphi, as I will not be staying for any amount of time. I would like to formally reject my inheritance and return to Rome forthwith," said Kallias, smoothly.

"That simply is not possible, Kallias," Raphael said, regretfully. "When you assumed control of the vaults on your seventeenth birthday, you accepted your inheritance - and all that it entails."

"I most assuredly did not accept this!"

"No, it would seem you did not," agreed Raphael. "Your father changed his will some time after your assumption. Not commonplace in Roman society at all, as it is quite an underhanded thing to do, but it is an accepted practice here in Britain. The Head of the family's word is law, and because your father made these changes, I'm afraid you've no choice but to acquiesce to his desires. The contract you signed acts as an Unbreakable Vow. If you choose not to follow his wishes, then... your life is forfeit."

"And my education?" said Kallias, hollowly.

"Can be finished at Hogwarts," Severus said, in a quiet tone.

Kallias let out an empty laugh. "Many of my subjects are not offered here. What of those? And my Apprenticeship? I am very near Mastery, surely I cannot be expected to simply give those up!"

"Of course not," said Raphael, aghast. "Tutors will be provided for subjects not taught at Hogwarts." This was aimed at Severus, but it was not a question. Severus gave a slight nod. "As for your mastery, well, perhaps, your cousin could be persuaded to allow you to finish under him. He is a fairly well known Potions Master even though his talent lies in a different area than yours."

"I don't think so," sneered Kallias. "You will make it so that I can complete my apprenticeship with Master de Medini, through correspondence, if necessary."

Raphael nodded. "Very well, I'm sure that he will be pleased to help in any way he can. He says often how promising a student you are."

Severus' eyes widened. Sade de Medini was a world renowned Potion Master whose specialty was in those potions used in Alchemy.

Raphael's expression turned serious then. "Now, there is one more matter I must speak with you about..."