Little, tiny bit of gore towards the end.
Thank you for the reviews/favorites/story alerts!
"Well." Leila growled lowly. "I do hope you are all pleased with yourselves, treating a youngling so atrociously."
"What do you mean?" Lucius hissed. "We did nothing to the boy."
"No Lucius." Severus sighed as he sank into his chair pulling Draco onto his lap when he sidled up to him in agitation. "She's right. I know I failed to mask my own shock at Raevyn's unexpected gift. It was… unnerving to hear those sibilant tones once more. And you must remember what the child has faced. He is most likely terrified of losing what bonds he has created with us and our lack of personal control has now probably exacerbated the matter."
"Indeed." Nikodemus said with a disturbingly pleasant smile. "Raevyn surely noticed the looks of, dare I say disgust and fear, on all of your faces while he was conversing with Eirene's snake. It is pitiable, that such great wizards would cower at mere words. And from a small boy at that."
"You have no idea! None at all of what the Dark Lord was..." the elder Malfoy said shakily.
"Oh believe me Lucius I do." Nikodemus said glaring coldly before turning to his feline friend. "Leila please go after him. It's not safe to leave him alone so distraught. Linny go with her and come fetch me once she's found him. Aunt…"
"Hmm?" she broke the gaze that had been trailing after the retreating form of her nephew.
"I apologize. I had no idea my little one had such a gift or I would have been more…selective about those who discovered it and when."
"No. it's probably a good time for this to happen. It would have occurred sooner or later. Have you any idea though, where such a gift could have come from?"
"I think I have a few theories." And Nikodemus sat a bit heavily and accepted the cup of tea Timmons had brought. "Though only one has any real evidence behind it. Ask any questions you may have now. Once Leila finds Raevyn I will be leaving to help calm him down."
"Is Raevyn going to be okay?" Draco asked hesitantly.
"It depends Draco, are you still willing to be his friend and protector after what occurred?"
"Of course!" Draco said indignantly.
"Well then I'm sure he'll be fine."
"So what are your theories Nikodemus." Lucius asked. Seeming to have calmed himself and now looking as regretful as the Malfoy patriarch could.
"You all know that Charlus Potter married Dorea Black. The Blacks have had metamorphmagi blood for generations. Raevyn has the strain, though it isn't very strong. This enabled Raevyn to accept the changes from the experiment far easier than would be normally possible. He certainly recovered more quickly than I expected. I believe, and this is certainly more of a wild guess than anything, that when the Dark Lord was defeated little Harry's metamorphmagi genes came into contact with a bit of his DNA. Passing along a few of his traits, like parseltongue. It's also possible that the Potter's, or even Lily if she wasn't truly a muggleborn, had the ability of parseltongue in a dormant state and contact with the Dark Lord awakened it."
"Viable theories. But which one contains the truth? I wouldn't doubt that Lily wasn't a muggleborn. She was exceedingly gifted. And it's not a stretch to imagine she was in no way related to that horse-faced detestable muggle." Severus commented.
"Only time and further study will tell. And, unfortunately, they must have been related in some way, or the blood wards would not have held."
"Quite."
Naricissa had been looking distracted during the explanation and once the conversation quieted she spoke up.
"It's because of those…muggles that Raevyn reacted so poorly to our shock isn't it?"
Nikodemus nodded.
"Isn't there anything we can do? Not only have they harmed a wizarding child but they have caused lasting emotional trauma. They deserve some form of retribution."
"I agree. However I fear if anything came to light that Dumbledore would actively seek to hide the truth seeing as he was placed there by the man himself. And we all know how influential that old coot really is. Even if he feigns the role of simply a well-meaning headmaster. And drawing any attention to Harry Potter would also alert the public of his disappearance. Making things more dangerous for Raevyn than need be."
"But Nikky." Eirene said gazing at Lucius while she spoke. "Imagine what would happen if death-eaters learned of their location. Even if they didn't know of the boy's treatment, even if they knew he wasn't there. They would kill them for the simple fact that they had once housed the one who destroyed their Master."
Nik's eyes widened and he smirked. "Indeed. And such an attack would be more than possible now that the blood wards have been severely weakened by the absence of Harry Potter. Especially if you factor in his blood adoption. Oh and not to mention the resulting investigation would more than likely reveal how weakened the wards were before Harry's absence and the cause behind it. There would be no hiding the facts then."
Severus then piped up. "And Harry Potter could have been lost in the attacks. With no evidence it will just be assumed that he has been kidnapped and summarily dealt with at the hands of the insane remnants of the Dark Lord's reign."
"Yes. If only they were aware."
Lucius let out a rather feral looking grin. "And where did you say you picked little Raevyn up from?"
"Surrey. Number four Privet Drive to be exact."
"Excellent."
Raevyn huddled further against the rock wall he was pressed against. He had changed back once he'd reached his hiding spot, knowing Leila always found him easier when he was in his shadow panther form. When he had fled, he had gone to the one hiding spot he had never shared. A small rocky outcropping on the eastern edge of the island.
He wasn't ready to face his mum or Nikodemus. A part of him realized that he might have over reacted but the rest…the rest could only picture the looks of revulsion that he had been so used to at the Dursley's.
And while it had hurt when Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia regarded him as something not fit to even step on, Raevyn had known he didn't belong there. That the Dursley's did not, and would never love him.
But when the Malfoy's, Severus and even Draco had looked at him like that it felt as if his heart broke into a million pieces.
He had come to love them, the first people who had ever acted like they cared for him.
And he was afraid, so very afraid that he was going to lose them.
And as he broke down into shuddering sobs once more, curled into a ball with his shadowy tail wrapped closely around him, he missed the faint pop as Linny went to fetch Nikodemus.
Nikodemus huffed irritably as he nearly stumbled once again over the rocky terrain, eye twitching minutely every time Linny wrung her hands at his slow going. Leila of course was already at their destination, having travelled swiftly through the shadows once they knew where their little one had disappeared too.
He had been in such high spirits what with the party and how well Raevyn was adapting. It was truly fascinating to see the reticent boy break out of his shell bit by bit. And while he knew there was still quite a bit farther to go until his little one felt emotionally and physically secure his progress had exceeded his expectations. The boy was a genuinely loving and forgiving person.
It was a pity he had been wasted so long on those muggles. And it was more than a pity that their progress was now damaged because of what should have been cause for praise. Such a gift as parseltongue could only benefit his little one. As long as they took precautions with who learned about this talent. As today's unfortunate events showed.
Really, was it too much to ask that three fully grown Slytherin's contain themselves? Granted it was a shocking ability to discover considering the talent had all but died out. Not to mention the Dark Lord had a habit of using his gift to instill fear and pain.
There was nothing quite like parseltongue spells for inducing all-consuming agony.
But that was beside the point. What was done was done. It would fall on their heads if their relationships with his little Raevyn were now damaged. If they wanted to fix it they would have to put forth the effort. And while he knew that they were now repentant and had held no true desire to harm, Nik would not seek to help them back into the boy's good graces. He had much more important things to worry about and it would be a good reminder about the importance of control for his dear cousin, her husband and Severus.
Nikodemus sighed and paused as Raevyn's hiding spot came into sight. Even more jagged rocks. Oh joy. He would really have to speak about the safety of his little one playing around in such an area. He also knew he had to put aside his frustration before dealing with Raevyn. And while blasting the path before him clear with a few well placed spells might make him feel better he really ought to have better reign over his emotions. His little one always did manage to pull more out of him than he had thought was possible, and with little to no effort most times.
Raevyn resisted his mother at first, struggling away from her attempts to sooth and comfort. But it was getting late and it was starting to get chilly and soon he found himself clutching her tightly and messing up her lovely soft fur with his tears.
"Come now youngling. It's alright. You merely shocked them is all. And Nikodemus already gave them a severe scolding for their behavior and they are very sorry to have upset you."
"They…they didn't look just shocked." He mumbled into her side, remembering clearly their expressions. "Lucius, aunt Cissa and even uncle Sev looked scared."
"I imagine they were. Lord Voldemort could speak to snakes and all three had close dealings with him. It probably brought back old memories like what happens to you sometimes. Remember when you played hide and seek with Draco? And how he pushed you in the broom closet so Linny wouldn't find you both?"
"Yeah. It was scary. I thought I was back at the Dursley's in my cupboard."
"Did Draco mean to hurt you?"
"No! He was trying to help me and he felt really bad afterwards."
"It is the same thing with your new gift. You didn't mean to scare them, and they weren't scared of you. Just the memories."
Raevyn bit down on his lip doubtfully. "Are you sure?"
"Of course youngling. After all, I am your mother and I always know best." And Leila stuck her nose in the air and sniffed delicately, causing Raevyn to let out a watery chuckle.
After a few moments enjoying each other's warm embrace two sets of ears twitched as they heard the quiet mumbling of Nikodemus.
"Is everyone still here?" Raevyn asked Nikodemus after his father had apparated them back home.
"I believe so. They were quite worried after you ran off." And Nikodemus ran his fingers through shadowy black hair as Raevyn clung to his neck a bit tighter as his father carried him down the hall.
"I'm sorry father." Raevyn said quietly. "I didn't mean to worry anyone."
"I know Raevyn. And it isn't you who should be apologizing. You are young and circumstances have given you many more difficulties to work through. Hopefully with time we can help you work past them and you will have no more reason to fear for your place here."
Raevyn nodded, not quite understanding but a warm feeling filled his chest. "I understand why they got upset. Mum told me."
Nikodemus frowned minutely. "And what exactly did she say?"
"That me talking to the snake brought back bad memories about the Dark Lord." And after hesitating for a moment Raevyn asked. "Is it a…bad thing to talk to snakes?"
"Some would say so." Nikodemus said honestly. "Speaking parseltongue, the language of snakes, enables you to use parselmagic. By nature it is a dangerous and deadly magic. But it also lends great powers of concealment. It can be cast quickly and often times there is little one can do to defend against it. Also many prominent dark witches and wizards in the past have been parseltongues. Including Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort. The talent is very rare nowadays. I do not know of another who can speak it."
"So I shouldn't use it?" Raevyn said after he took this all in.
Nikodemus then stopped and sat Raevyn down on top of a side table in the hallway and grasped his chin firmly. "Never forget little one, that magic is magic. There is no good or bad to magic itself, merely the intent behind it. Most of wizardkind believe it is an evil talent, good only for dark lords and their ilk. But that is not so. Parselmagic is first and foremost the magic of snakes and grew and developed so they could survive. So they could eat, stay hidden, and protect their lives and the lives of their young. Tell me child, are those evil desires?"
"No."
"Correct. You have been given a gift Raevyn. One you would be most remiss to waste. And I have every intention of helping you learn to exploit it. Do not be afraid of it. Do not be ashamed of it. The only thing we must be careful of is who we let know about it. People are judgmental. And often strike out in fear to those things they feel threatened by."
Raevyn frowned but nodded. "Okay. Should I not do it in front of Uncle Sev, Aunt Cissa, Draco and Lucius? And what about Aunt Eirene?"
Nikodemus then smiled a bit evilly. "I do not think there would be any problem at all. My aunt will be delighted to have a parseltongue in the family and I'm sure Draco will find it absolutely fascinating. As for the rest of the adults, now that their initial shock had worn off I'm sure they will view it as a marvelous talent for you to have. And if they continue to act as ignorantly as they did earlier well, it might be fun to see them squirm a little."
Raevyn frowned for a moment before giggling. "I don't think that's an entirely 'good' way to use my parseltongue. I should tell Linny you're being naughty again."
"Nonsense!" Nikodemus said with wide eyes. 'I can't think of a better purpose. And you wouldn't really tell Linny would you? Last time she wouldn't let me have any dessert!"
Eirene leaned back in her sinfully squishy but horridly patterned chair that Timmons had fetched from her suite of rooms here at the chateaux, ignoring the horrified looks the adorable little Malfoy was shooting the piece of furniture. It had belonged to her dear grandfather who had had an eccentric taste that would match even Albus Dumbledore's. But it was her favorite. Despite the lurid green and blue checkers. Her grandfather had shared stories that filled her young, foolish head with wonders as she perched on his lap in that chair. And had whispered comforting words and a shoulder to cry on during the holidays after some her more trying times at Hogwarts. After the man had passed she had still found comfort in the old thing and she dreadfully missed it on her long and frequent absences from home. It was a pleasure to feel it at her back again.
Merlin was she tired. And from the irritated hisses from the bright green coils in her lap, it appeared her familiar Rasui was as well. Though she suspected he was also a bit put out by the lack of attention he was receiving from her nephew. It wasn't often Rasui could find anyone intelligent to share conversations aloud with. Rarely did they run into another snake who was a familiar and the wild ones minds were often more occupied with thoughts of breeding and food than any intellectual pursuits. Luckily for her snaky friend Nikodemus had claimed Raevyn to be quite intelligent. And if said child gained any of her nephews more…entertaining personality quirks from the blood adoption Rasui wouldn't lack for entertainment for a long while.
"If I bite them do you think they will go away? I want to speak with the hatchling!" Rasui's mindvioce whispered.
"Leave them alone love Mr. Cranky. I'm sure they'll cease their fretting shortly and you will have plenty of time in the near future to pester the young speaker. I'm thinking of having the child help organize my notes and new acquisitions. Nik would be no help at all and the house elves already have their plates full. Plenty of time for you to converse with him then." She replied, eyeing the group before her with a smile in her lips and running a calming finger along the emerald tree boa's scales. Raevyn was currently being fussed over by Narcissa and the Shadow Panther mother both, while the three adult men looked on with amusement.
She was immensely pleased with Nikodemus. After she had received his letter she was not ashamed to say she had been worried about how her nephew would take to fatherhood. And she had been worried that the strangeness of the situation would only make things worse for the boy Nik had taken and changed so drastically. Especially given the child's past.
But it seemed that whatever the unorthodox parents had done to calm the boy had worked. While Raevyn still seemed a bit hesitant and had a somewhat brighter shine to his eyes, the fear was gone. Replaced with a mildly indignant look as Leila tongue washed behind his ears and Narcissa put his robes back in order with nimble fingers.
"We are all very sorry for upsetting you Raevyn." Narcissa said rather quietly but firmly with the last gentle rearrangement of the boy's robes. "All of us," and then she looked up a Lucius and Severus with a glare that filled Eirene with pride. "Especially on your birthday."
The two wizards shifted uncomfortably, neither used to apologizing. And after a few brief moments Severus let a hand slip to the boy's shoulder and he gave it a gentle squeeze. Little Raevyn bit his bottom lip rather cutely before turning around and hugging the man about the knees. Eirene almost giggled despite her best efforts at the expression on the normally dour potion master's face.
"Despite our earlier…reactions Raevyn, be assured that all of us consider it a great gift for you to possess." Lucius Malfoy stated looking distinctly uncomfortable.
"It's okay." Raevyn said quietly. "I'm sorry too."
Nikodemus then drew everyone's attention by clapping his hands together.
"Well now that that is out of the way why don't we spend the rest of our evening indulging in the pleasantries that brought us here in the first place. After all I'm sure our guests must be leaving soon and we must end the day with something fun. Raevyn, Draco do either of you have any games you wish to play?"
Raevyn scrunched up his face thoughtfully and shared a glance with Draco whose attention had finally been torn from the hideous monstrosity Eirene Velius was currently reclining in. "Um, do you like pin the tail on the donkey? I remember my cousin playing it once at one of his parties and it looked like fun."
"Is that anything like pin the tail on the dragon? Because I love that game! At my last birthday we had a charmed dragon that blew out purple fire every time it was pinned! It was brilliant!" Draco said excitedly.
"That sounds great! My relatives just used a poster with a donkey but your way sounds much better. Would that be an okay game father? And would you play with us?"
Nik's eyes twinkled and he shared a glance with his aunt catching her amused gaze. "Of course! I'm sure Lucius here can transfigure up something for us to use for the dragon and tail. Right Lucius? I seem to remember you were particularly gifted in the art."
"Of course!"Lucius said with smirk. Twirling his cane he asked. "Where would you like it set up?"
"Wonderful! I think getting rid of the table and setting the game up in the middle of the room would be best. Linny? Remove the table temporarily please and send Raevyn's new things to his room. And Lucius, be sure to conjure up enough blindfolds for all of us adults as well. That is if you're all going to play. You are aren't you?" and Nik smiled serenely at his guests. "Wouldn't want to disappoint the children now." And Nik's hand fell to the back of the dark haired boy who was standing next to Draco, both staring at Lucius with pleading eyes.
Lucius faltered and his wife giggled at him. "Of course not." He mumbled giving a long suffering sigh. And then he grinned. "But only if Severus goes first."
The Potions Master scowled and Eirene cackled from her ugly chair of delightful squishiness.
August 3rd, 1989 4 am
All was quiet in number four Privet Drive, if you discount the shuffling and faint grunting of the overweight nine year old boy making his way to the kitchens for his usual midnight snack. His mummy had prepared him some chocolate pudding and its call was more than enough to tempt him out of his warm bed.
As he opened the fridge and wrapped his chubby little fingers around the large glass bowl of chocolaty goodness he paused, turned his head and squinted his beady little eyes in the dim light. He thought he had heard something.
After a moment he snorted, turned his attention back to the bowl and removed its cover. Not deeming a spoon worth the hassle of waiting he dipped his digits and soon his slurping covered any and all noises that might have provided warning to the boy.
"Incarcerous" Came a cold whisper and soon the glass bowl fell to the floor and shattered.
"Mummy! Daddy!" Dudley wailed.
"Oh do shut up!" Said an exasperated feminine voice. "Silencio. If I want to hear a pig squeal I'd go to a slaughterhouse." And Dudley quaked in fear as he noticed the three cloaked figures in his kitchen.
"Indeed." The same quiet voice who whispered the first spell drawled. The speaker then addressed a large burly looking figure "Run upstairs and fetch the parents." Before turning to the smaller figure on his right. "How much time did you say we had?"
"The temporary hold I placed on the wards alarms will only last about fifteen minutes or so. That is if I managed to find them all." The feminine voice said. She then added morosely. "Not nearly enough time to give these filthy muggles all they deserve if all you've told me is true."
"Hmm." Was the reply. Both cloaked figures then chuckled when they heard the screams.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE! UNHAND US THIS INSTANT! YOU WON'T…"
It was only a few moments before the burly one returned and levitated the still and bound forms of Vernon and Petunia Dursley until they were sitting on the living room floor.
"Did you silence them?" the tall one asked and his burly companion merely grunted in reply. "That is unfortunate. I'm sure their screams would have been quite pleasing. However we are on a time limit so…" and he pointed his wand at Vernon Dursley's stomach.
"It looks as if you could stand to lose a few pounds. Defodio" and Vernon's face contorted in pain and silent screams as a hole as large as a basketball tore through his abdomen. Spattering blood and chucks across the carpet all the way to the far wall.
"Ooh how lovely!" the cloaked woman crooned. "A much more tasteful colorscheme for a living area if you ask me."
"Thank you my dear."
Ten minutes later the trio exited the house. After a brief pause wherein the large one cast Morsmordre over the home they each disappeared with a pop. Right on time to avoid the arrival of one Albus Dumbledore and a group of aurors headed by Amelia Bones.
"It really is too bad we had to leave the little pig alive." Alecto Carrow, a small dirty blonde haired, plump witch said.
Lucius sighed "I know Alecto but it was necessary. We needed the ministry to have his altered memories. Dumbledore must think for certain we have Potter is either dead or in our possession. At least you were able to play around with that horse-faced muggle."
Alecto sighed dreamily. "That I did." She then turned rather guiltily toward Thorfinn Rowle. "Sorry for taking most of the fun with that one Finn."
"It is fine." The tall muscled wizard replied. "Watching your handiwork was more than a pleasure."
"Thank you!" Alecto exclaimed and beamed at him.
Thorfinn smiled in return before glancing at Lucuis. "You have not yet told us what has become of the Potter boy. While I'm sure our Lord would be most please with our avenging acts towards those muggles I am not certain he would take kindly to us harboring the boy."
"I assure you our Lord will be most pleased with the child's placement."
Both Thorfinn and Alecto frowned before nodding. "We will trust your judgment." Alecto said. "Now, I think tonight's activities deserve a bit of a reward. I'm sure you have something special in that wine cellar of yours Lucius."
"Of course. Would a bottle of Ogden's 1805 suffice?"
TETETETETETE
Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think.
Voting is closed for Raevyn's house. It was close but out little Raevyn will be a RavenClaw.
Possible Spoilers
Aliengirlguy- I like the idea of a Sev/Nik. It's definitely a consideration.
Dark Serpent Cat- I haven't honestly thought about what specific kinks I'll have Raevyn and the twins indulging in. That's quite a ways away at this point. But I've always been fond of a bit of bondage myself…
Anyways could you send me a link to that fic Whore? I couldn't find it and I'd like to read it.
And Raevyn will definitely be spending plenty of time in the Forbidden Forest so he'll be getting to know a lot of its inhabitants.
As for relationships before the twins. I don't think so. It might come up, maybe a few one sided things but Raevyn and the twins figure out they like each other fairly early.
HumorIsReasonGoneInsane- Hi Kinz! Thanks for the wonderful review and no, I haven't seen either of the Deathly Hallows. I already cried my eyes out reading the book I figured I didn't need to make a scene at the theater.
Pretty Kitty was the same for me! It got me hooked on both the pairing and kitty Harry. It's an awesome fic.
And I'm not offended by your review at all! I love it when I get suggestions from my readers. Sadly, Raevyn is going to be in Ravenclaw but I do like the idea of Slytherin twins. I'll have to think on it.
As for the humor I'll be trying. I've never written anything particularly humorous before but I think I'll do the twins justice. They are going to be a bit different from canon though. (The picture of Raevyn's temper falling on the heads of everyone's favorite pranksters is delightful!)
I hope to hear more of your opinions!
YoungDarkPegasus- Nikodemus is Greek and it means 'people's victory'
ZoeyExtreme- Raevyn is pronounced just like raven. I just like names with a 'y' somewhere in the middle. They look better to me.
Sneak Peak- We see a little bit of everybody, including the twins.
