Note: I do not own anything other than the story line and my own thoughts. Yes, some ideas may not seem original, but that doesn't seem to be something new in fanfiction. Writing that is in italics is parselspeech. If any other distinctions become needed I will make a note of it. Enjoy.
Chapter Seven
Harry, no he was Alex, didn't know quite what to make of the situation. His mind was still sleep fogged, but he was listening to what the two adults were telling him. What he could make out so far as he nibbled on a cookie was that Professor McGonagall was his grandma, Professor Snape was his daddy, the man accused of killing his mom and apparent uncle was actually his grandfather, said grandfather was stuck between life and death, and the kindly looking headmaster was the cause of it all. He picked up his cup, sipping at his hot chocolate as he thought about the information. It made some of the things Aunt Petunia had said when he was young make sense, as she was family while not actually being his aunt. While most of it went over his head, a few things stuck out that had him in awe. One, he had living family. Two, that family loved and wanted him. Three, they were going to do everything they could to help and heal him. He already felt better from the potions the nurse had given him, and he was told more was to follow till she had him healed properly. Alex smiled as he set his cup down and went back to nibbling on a cookie.
They watched their little one with smiles, taking a little time to put their worries on the back burner and just focus on the little boy before them. Yes, they had plans and things to carry out, but sometimes there were more important things to do. They felt assured through the bonds that Tom and Severus had as heirs through the castle that it would protect Alex as long as he remained within its walls and grounds. Minerva had told Severus about the letters she had written. It was that reason and the time that the three separated. Severus had hugged his son and told him good night before he left with his grandma back to the tower to help avoid suspicion. Severus went to the owlery to send the letters. Minerva took Alex to the common room, telling him quietly to pretend nothing had changed until their plans worked out for his own safety. They would make time for him, but it would have to be done covertly. With that they were all soon in bed with the letters flying off to their destinations, mother magic herself holding her breath as her children worked to right the wrongs.
Lucius Malfoy was the first to receive his letter, to say he was shocked was an understatement. He wasn't quite sure what to think, let alone do with what he had just been told. Despite his shock and confusion, he found himself unable to believe it as flase if Minerva McGonagall was even writing his lords name. As for the Severus and Harry situation, he felt he had a source he could trust for information. That in mind he went to see the portrait of his mother and father painted and enscribed with their memories of the time till it had been painted. There was less chance of it being tampered with while still providing answers. Taking a deep breath he bowed his head in respect to his parents. "Father, Mother. Father, I wish to ask you a question about Charlus Potter and Eileen Prince." When his father merely nodded while looking interested he took it as permission to continue. "If Charlus was to have twin sons, would it be feasible that he would allow and offer one - presumably the younger - to Eileen to raise?"
"Hmm, interesting question. I know Eileen ran off with some Muggle when her parents tried to marry her off to some ancient wizard shortly after we all graduated. I do remember her being friends with Dorea more than Charlus but, if the circumstances were right I could see Charlus allowing her to raise one of his children. Why do you ask?"
"I received a letter from Minerva McGonagall stating that Severus was in fact Charlus' son, though he had let a friend adopt the child. I just thought to verify a bit of what the letter stated before making a decision that could mean the life of my wife and son if I should make a mistake. I doubt that the Dark Lord would be pleased if I made the wrong choice in how to act to the letter I received."
His fathers portrait self laughed at the mention of how a letter from Min could cause problems with the Dark Lord. He shook his head. "Lucius, my son, if that woman asks you to do something and it in some way concerns Tom, I would recomend doing whatever she says without question. They hid it quite well, but those closest to Lord Voldemort know that Minerva was his consort. If she has sent you instructions I would hop to it and get things done son." He watched his son nod and leave to do as he had been told. 'Hmm, I'll have to compare with an older portrait of myself and see whats been going on. Something just does not seem right.'
Meanwhile, another letter had reached it destination. While Lucius Malfoy was rushing to the ministry, Remus Lupin was rushing about his small excuse of a country cottage to pack what things he would need for a trip to Hogwarts. There had been surprise when he read the contents of the letter from Minerva, but despite its confusing contents there was a clear point in his mind. His pack had been harmed and from the sounds of it, there were things that needed to be fixed and soon. Over the years since he'd effectively lost his pack he had been trying to cope, to learn to coexist with his beast. It was anything but easy and some days he just wanted to quit. The only problem was that it simply wasn't an option. Things in his mind weren't right, as if they had been played with. Some intensive study had led him to the conclusion that he had nearly stamped out his beast to the point he was ill with how strained their connection was. With a last look to make sure he had everything he nodded, turned the letter to ash, and left his home for the place where his cub resided.
The third and longest letter took the longest to reach its destination. More than a day had passed since they had been sent out. At Hogwarts Alex had landed in a few detentions with both Minerva and Severus so that he could spend time with his father and grandmother. One detention even landed him getting to know Draco better. In London Lucius Malfoy was making his way slowly but surely through the ministry as he sought to have first a retrial, then a trial, for Sirius Black. It had been disturbing to find out that the man had never received a trial at all. While he had discovered that, it didn't appear he was the only one to receive such treatment. Thinking of how wronged Black had been had him wondering if Lupin even knew his friend may have been innocent or not. The man in question was working his way secretly into the castle, taking his time not to be noticed. While these things were going on the third owl had made its journey to the Flamels. To say the poor thing needed a rest after the flight would have caused many to snort at the obvious fatigue the bird had shown.
This letter held the most information and its recipients had cause to read it five times before the information began to sink in. They had known Albus wasn't quite right, yet they had never suspected his mind was that courrupted. The couple could only be thankful that they had never placed the real stone anywhere the man could ever find it. That was one thing they never felt safe in trusting to anyone. As they took in the information they took to the library, knowing they had plans to make and things to research and plan if they were to help those that Albus had wronged. While they knew it wasn't their responsibility, they felt a need to help not only a small family, but to bring balance back into the world of magic. Albus had been skewing the balance to the point that it would destroy their world if things weren't fixed and soon.
Note: Sorry for the wait, still trying to figure out his resurrection among other aspects. Any advice would be appreciated and taken seriously. Thank you and enjoy.
