Chapter 9
Tobias and Draco exchanged smirks as Severus scowled at Ron, Hermione and Seamus. It was finally Friday and after this double lesson, Severus would be free to see Remus for the first time in a week, so he was a just a tad more impatient than he normally was – which meant that the lesson was just that much more enjoyable for the Slytherins.
The room was silent bar the sound of quill on parchment and the shuffling and murmuring of their professor. After listening to Severus complain under his breath, Tobias raised an arm, as if wishing to ask a question. The professor heaved an internal sigh of relief. He needed to stay busy so he didn't get so impatient. Walking towards his two godsons, he fingered the box he had hidden in his pocket.
"Yes, Neogennito?" he asked quietly.
"Stop fretting Nonos," Tobias whispered, running a finger slowly down the page before him. "Lykos will love it and he won't reject you. I know you are nervous, but you are disturbing the class and keeping them from working. IF you can't calm down on your own, then I'll have to give you some suggestions. I'll give you thirty minutes to calm down, or you can give us the weekend to complete these notes and the four-and-a-half foot essay on the differences between the different types of healing potion groups, including examples ranging from 'a potato can brew' to 'don't even think of reading unless you are a master'. Then you can leave us here at Hogwarts while you go out for a romantic lunch-for-two with Lykos. Drakontas and I will make sure the snakes complete the task. You have no problems with most of the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students – and who really cares about whether or not any of the Gryffindor goons complete it?"
Severus thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Skotadi. I'll do that, but I'm going to be in terrible trouble for doing this by Dumbledore. I can't afford to lose this job."
Tobias grinned. "Just go to the front of the class and act like everything is normal. I'll take care of everything else." Raising his voice so everyone in the class could hear him, he said. "So using magical vegetable matter grown in a muggle environment rather than a magical one affects the outcome of the potion it is used it?"
"Correct, Mr Black. The same is true for the opposite. Foxglove, for example, is a muggle herb that is extremely dangerous but in extremely small doses can strengthen a weakened heart. If this plant is grown in a magical environment, however, the poison inside the plant reacts to the magical properties of the fertilizers used here, as well as the magic in the air, making it safer to use. This is why dark age muggles found it easy to distinguish our kind from their own, as no healer worth their salt was found without it. IF you're interested in that topic, I can arrange for Professor Sprout to talk to you about it at the end of this topic. She would be the best person to explain the …"
Severus stopped talking and hissed slightly as his dark mark burned. He paled and strode to the front of the room. "I have someplace I have to be now. This class is dismissed for the day. For Monday, I expect you to have completed the work for this lesson, including the recipe for Monday's double lesson. The next two chapters are to be read and you are to hand in a four and a half foot essay on what causes the differences in the types of healing potions we are going to be making with examples. Dismissed!"
As the class left, he caught Tobias' eye. Did he just wink? Severus shook his head and struggled to calm down. He looked up to find Tobias standing in front of him.
"Go to Lykos, Nonos. Give him your gift. Spend some time with him you both deserve it. Don't bother going to Pateras. He doesn't even know that your mark burnt. I'll put the Slytherin papers in the appropriate place, okay Sir?"
Severus nodded and before thinking, he pulled the boy before him into a hug. "Thank you Bi. That you." Almost running, he headed towards the Headmasters office to make his excuses.
Tobias walked into the common room and grinned. "Hello, my lambs. Why are we all here and not in the library?"
Chuckles answered him. "That would be because all the books we need for this assignment are here in our dorm. How else did you think we could get the grades we do without going to the library?" Blaise chuckled.
"I just thought you had your own pet Ravenclaw to do the work for you, Arpakitiko." Laughter rang through the common room for true.
Blaise rolled his pack-name around his mouth, getting the taste of it. "Arpakitiko. I think I like it. What does it mean?"
Tobias grinned. "Predator. Now, let's do as much of this weekend's work as we can. I intend to dislodge a know-it-all beaver from the top student position and I don't intend to loose time with Pateras to do so. Kitten? Can you deliver any books we may need directly to us when we ask for them please?"
"Of course, cub. I will tell you when it is time to leave also."
Tobias nodded and settled down at the transfigured table with his year mates to do his subject work.
Severus jolted awake at the sudden flash of heat and light in the room he and Remus were in. He was just thinking of going back to sleep when he heard a soft giggle.
"Isn't there a room that is generally used for this type of behaviour, Sev?" The famous Malfoy drawl made him jump to his feet, tipping his lover onto the floor and waking him up.
"Sev? What's the matter?" he asked sleepily.
"Well, Lykos, the problem is that you and Nonos decided to have your private dance lesson in the sitting room that we were scheduled to arrive in. Now that isn't a bad thing, but you both fell asleep before you could use a cleaning charm or get dressed and/or covered. Good thing none of us are prudes in this house and as much as my Pack is enjoying the view, I don't think it is appropriate for men of your age to appear like that for dinner."
Remus yelped when he heard Tobias' voice behind him. Transfiguring robes for both him and Severus they both left red with embarrassment. Tobias laughed softly before leading his pack to the rooms they would be staying in for the weekend so they could all prepare for the evening meal.
The Pack entered the dining room as one mass – Something that didn't surprise Severus in the slightest. What did surprise him, however were the four additional redheads. His, and many other Death Eaters, jaw dropped when their Lord almost bounced over to his son and enveloped him in an enthusiastic hug.
"Congratulations Gios and you too Draco. I hear you are courting at the moment. What was the first gift? Who's courting whom? Have you slept in the same bed yet? When do you want the bonding ceremony? How long are you going to be betrothed? Oh, yeah – How's school? Is Albus giving you any trouble? If he is, can I punish him? Can I come to the school yet? Do I have to wait for parent/teacher night?"
Tobias started to laugh. "Pateras, did you read the instructions on the potion before drinking it?" Voldemort shook his head, grinning like a loon. Tobias shook his head sadly. "This, my friends, is why it is important for all instructions to be read thoroughly before doing something. Pateras, please tell me how you feel."
"Well, I'm happy, and bubbly, and can't stop grinning, bouncing or talking. Food sounds good right about now and I feel like I should be angry with you, but I can't be bothered being upset at the moment."
Tobias raised a hand and his father closed his mouth, giggling slightly. Digging around in a pouch on his hip, Tobias called for a house-elf. "I need one of the small vials from nonos rooms and hurry up about it!" He then started pulling vials of liquid from various pockets in the pouch.
"What, Mr Black, exactly is wrong with our Lord?" Greg's father sneered. "And wouldn't it be best for someone who knows what they are doing to cure him?"
Tobias ignored him and continued to remove vials until he removed a blood red one. He looked around for the house-elf and growled when he couldn't find it. Flashing out, he left a still giggling Dark Lord, worried Death Eaters and an amused Pack. When he returned he had hold of the vial he had requested and was muttering dark thoughts towards house-elves in general. Everyone watched in fascination as he added drops of multiple liquids to it. Shaking it lightly, he handed the vial to his father.
"Down it Pateras."
Voldemort complied.
Looking around while waiting for the antidote to start working, Tobias nodded in Greg's direction. Greg, whose hand was wrapped around his own father's wrists bowed to him in respect. A pained moan drew his attention to his father once more.
"How do you feel, Pateras?" he asked, handing him a glass of water.
Voldemort swallowed half of it before starting to sip at it. "Like I've just been pulled through a field by a Hippogriff tag-team. Why do I feel so sick? Can I have something for a headache and nausea?"
"No. This is your own fault, Pateras, and you need to deal with the consequences. I sent you exact directions for that potion – ONE teaspoon before bed every day until it was finished. Now I need to brew more for you," his voice dropped to a dangerous purr that made Draco shiver with delight, "and I do hope that you will follow my directions this time."
Severus, Lucius, Remus and Narcissa hid their grins at the lecture, having been through one before, but not even they could hide their astonishment when their Lord bowed his head in shame and whispered, "yes Alpha."
Tobias turned dark green eyes towards Greg and his father. "You may release him, Skia."
"Yes Alpha." Greg released his grip and moved back to his position – behind and slightly to the left of Draco. Tobias' eyes went AK green. Remus whined and Severus and Lucius gulped.
"You, Mr Goyle, are an idiot and I believe that I am not the only one who thinks so. Over this summer, Severus had drilled me in potions until I could make them in my sleep. Since I have been returned to my real home, I have received Salazar Slytherin's talent at the subject. Do you honestly thing that I would harm Pateras? And do you not think that if Nonos knew what to do and I did something wrong that he would not stop me?"
"Just be thankful that your son did not inherit your stupidity and stopped you as you raised your hand to me. If you had of followed through and touched me – well, attempted to touch me – you would have been hit with multiple hexes, up to and including cruciatus. What can I say? My Pack is protective of me, as I am of them." He turned to the congregation. "I am sorry to say that this night's celebration must be cancelled until tomorrow night. I cannot allow it to go on while Pateras is nursing the negative symptoms of an overdose of the potion he took. You may all stay for supper, but Pateras will be going to sleep this off. I, as well as those of my pack that wish it, will be eating in our own chambers before heading to the library to complete our weekend homework. Severus? Our assignments are in their normal position on your desk. The password is Gillyweed. The key word to release anyone who tried to move or sabotage them from the curse they are under is mittens."
Tobias bowed to the room in general, shot his father a dark look until he left for his bed chamber and left, all of his pack following him out.
The Pack had been in the library for just over an hour before they had their first interruption.
"Neogennito? How goes the study?"
Tobias stretched and grinned, thankful for the break. "It is going well, Lykos. WE are all just about finished over last assignment. Would you like to join us for tea? My Pack's parents may also join if they wish."
Remus thought for a moment and nodded. "I think that would be enjoyable. I will ask everyone – Is there any particular room you wish for us to congregate?
Tobias nodded. "The glass room please Lykos. We will be there once we have finished this last assignment."
Remus smiled and bowed slightly. Tobias smiled.
"Let us complete this assignment."
The next morning everyone watched in bemusement as Tobias and Draco completed their morning ritual of courtship. Voldemort had a proud smirk on his face as he watched the exchange. The Pack, with the exception of the four elder Weasley's just ignored them, as if this was a regular occurrence.
Once both Draco and Tobias were seated, Severus appeared with Tobias' potion. Once more the members of The Pack continued to do their own thing. When none of them bated an eyelid at the enthusiastic way the potion was drunk, many of those around them realised just how common this occurrence was. Severus wasn't the only person there to watch him drink it with sorrow in his eyes.
"Gios? What was that potion you sent me and why did it affect me the way it did?"
Tobias sighed and helped himself to fruit and yoghurt. "It was called elixir en jeune plaisir – or elixir of youthful pleasure. Taken correctly, it would have slowly interacted with the magic in your body and change your appearance to what it was like when you were younger. Don't take this the wrong way, Pateras – but you were damn good looking in your youth. In fact, you could have passed as my older brother. The reason it had that effect on you was because you drank the whole vial at once. You, sir, got stoned. One of the main components of that potion is muggle cannabis grown in a magical environment. This meant that the effects of the drug intensified."
Blaise felt his jaw drop. "How much of that stuff did you put into that potion, Alpha? For the type of reaction you got last night, I'd say that you had to have used a full plantation!"
Tobias grinned, easily sliding into the teaching roll he used when someone was having trouble understanding an assignment. "If I had used muggle grown cannabis, that would have been the case, Arpakitiko, but if you think back, I said 'muggle cannabis grown in a magical environment.' This combination creates a more … potent ingredient – much more potent than magical cannabis. As for how much I used in the potion – it is three seeds and a bud for 25 litres."
Tobias helped himself to more fruit as Blaise's eyes widened. Draco blinked in surprise. He hadn't noticed that Tobias had been eating while talking. As the meal progressed, no one failed to notice the shy, tentative touches shared between the two boys.
As the adults discussed their plans for the day, The Pack completed their meal. Before they left the room, Voldemort called Tobias to him.
"I wish to talk to you, Gios. Meet me in my study in an hour." Tobias bowed and left the room.
Names
Neogennito – Cub
Nonos – Godfather
Lykos – Wolf
Drakontas – Dragon
Skotadi – Darkness
Pateras – Father
Arpakitiko – Predator
Gios – Son
Skia – Shadow
elixir en jeune plaisir - elixir of youthful pleasure
