A Slytherin's Son

Disclaimer: All the Harry Potter Characters and related insignia are property of JK Rowling.

Summery: What if Harry was TMR's son? Raised by nannies and tutors he is not what his father had hoped for. Now he is being forced to make the choice of becoming his father or being the person he was meant to be, AU. DM/HP

Note: Alright you guys know the drill. This is about half proofed, but I'm so impatient to get it posted I haven't finished going over everything yet. Thanks to all who reviewed! I enjoyed them immensely. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

The alarm that was set the night before rang shrilly and Julian groaned and reached over the sleeping form of his boyfriend to turn it off. He laid back and curled in to the warmth that lay next to him. Today was the day. Snape was going to be accompanying him to research institute that was located in Paris along with his father and all three would go to see a Dr. Etienne Beauvais. Today he would learn for certain whether he was worthy of being the son of the king.

He sat up and stretched and yawned before climbing out of the bed noting that Draco too had begun to wake.

When he set his feet on to the cold floor he noticed that once again his damn sleep brace had come off. With a sigh he limped to his wardrobe and picked up a clean towel before hobbling in to the dark hall and into the dark communal bathroom. When he closed the door the lights slowly began to light.

Five AM he was glad to be alone.

Once in the shower he basked in the wondrous feeling of the water cascading down his chest, shoulders, and back easing the aches he didn't know he had. For a brief moment he was completely calm.

He heard someone enter and assumed it was Draco, coming to talk to him before he headed out. When he turned off the tap he wasn't disappointed to hear the deep voice of his boyfriend. "Were you not going to say goodbye?"

Julian chuckled and began toweling himself off, "well I haven't left yet."

"I know you. You were just going to skulk off, and leave without saying goodbye."

He wrapped the damp towel around his waist and pulled the curtain back to see Draco sitting on the counter next to his sink. Julian walked toward him. "I was not. I wanted to get a shower and let you sleep some more. Anyways you know exactly where I am going to be all day. So what if I didn't say goodbye? It Isn't like I was leaving for good"

Julian grabbed his toothbrush and loaded it with green paste before popping it in to his mouth and starting to scrub vigorously.

Nothing had changed much in the three weeks that the two boys had been, quote un quote, dating. The two had begun spending much more time in their room together, not really doing anything except cuddling while studying or grading interrupted by the occasional make out session. Julian found that he was happiest when he was studying while safely tucked between strong Draco's legs with his head resting gently on his strong chest. Draco was more than happy to comply and had even respected Julian's wish to be left to do his work while in this position. He was content to have the boy to himself and as close as humanly possible instead of perched at their separate desks in their office that was constantly being visited by students wanting help from one of them.

Finishing his brushing the Prince grabbed a wash cloth and wiped his mouth. He turned Draco so that the boy had one leg on either side of his hips and wrapped his arms around blond's torso.

Draco returned the hug and even stole a kiss before letting the boy hide his clean face in his shoulder. "I'll be back this evening."

"I know. I just wanted to pester you."

Julian smiled and turned his nose into Draco's neck and inhaling a beep breath.

"I'm not going to lie. I'm scared,"

Draco hugged him tighter, "you'll be fine. We already know what they are going to tell us."

"What's that?"

"That you're perfect!"

"You know what I mean. What if i'm not good enough?"

Draco smiled at him and kissed the young man in his arms gently, "Julie, we talked about this last week remember what we figured out?"

Julian shrugged. He knew what they had said he just needed the reminder.

"If it's good news or bad you'll come back here and you'll go on with life. Except this time you'll know exactly where you and your father stand. You'll have no more doubts and you'll can move on."

Julian nodded and pulled away from Draco's embrace and walked out of the lavatory and into his bedroom. Draco had lit a single candle giving the room just enough light to make out the general shape of things. Julian picked up a match and lit the three candles on the candelabra his night stand. He couldn't wait until this afternoon when he would finally be allowed to use his wand again. He picked up the unused piece of equipment and smiled slightly.

"Only a few more hours," Draco whispered with a smile.

Julian looked at him nodded, "I hope so."

"I know so."

He opened the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of boxers and slipped them on underneath his towel being sure not to give Draco a show. "You're much more confidant than I am. You forget that it's not up to us."

"You said so yourself, you have been feeling better, that the fluxuations had stopped."

Julian pulled on a pair of black slacks and shook his head, "I never said that."

"Yes you did last week after third year potions lab."

"No I didn't," Julian protested just above a whisper as he zipped his zipper, "I said that I hadn't had any that week. I nearly passed out earlier this week after Quidditch practice."

"That was a fluke, and probably caused by low blood pressure."

Julian pulled on a white undershirt and pulled out a blue Puddlemere United tee shirt that he topped with a tailored vest. "Sure, definitely, there is absolutely no way that it could have had anything to do with the major medical condition that I'm currently suffering from. No, it must be from low blood pressure especially considering I have never had a blood pressure problem before in my entire life."

"There is no need to get snippy."

Julian sighed and pulled his socks from the stack and picked up his everyday brace. He walked to his bed and sat down on it next to Draco. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit worried."

Draco responded by handing Julian his shoes and helping him slip them on over the brace that was now secure, "if you think it is going to be bad it will be. Go in there and own it. The more confident you are the better you will perform."

"That is easier said than done especially considering I don't know anything about this test."

Julian frowned, stood up and walked over to his desk. He picked up a large black bag and began packing it full of papers that he had to take with him to grade. "Can you hand me my pills and wand please?"

Draco picked up the requested items from the night stand and then reached for the robe that was discarded on the bed. "You'll be fine."

Julian turned and took the items that were being held out to him carefully slipped his wand into a carrying sleeve in his bag, "I know. Worst case scenario I'll be classified a weakling and father will start planning ways to raise his new son better than did me."

Draco glared at him, "Julian stop this now. You'll be fine. And your father couldn't have asked for a better son. If he doesn't see that then he can shove it up is royal inflated ass."

Julian smiled and allowed Draco to pull him close. "Be safe you. I'll see you tonight."

Julian nodded and shoved Draco back in the direction of his bed, "get some more sleep. Trust me with my classes you are going to need it."

Draco shrugged and blew out the candles by the prince's bed

Julian kissed Draco gently and then hurried out of the room for fear of being late. When he arrived in the entrance hall he wasn't at all surprised to see Snape waiting for him.

"You thought I was going to be late didn't you?"

Snape pointed to the clock that stood on the far wall and smirked, "you are late. But it is nice that it was only by two minutes. You might want to consider covering up those love bites on your neck. I don't think your father would approve."

Julian's eyes widened and he hurried over to the window to try and catch his reflection. Much to his horror Snape was right Draco had left two large hickeys on his neck just below his jaw line. "Shit."

Shape muttered a quick word and the bruises faded. "Draco must have been in a feisty mood last night if he would consider marking you the day before you were set to see your father?"

Julian scoffed and looked at his mentor aghast. "Professor?!"

Snape laughed, "I'm just kidding your life is your life even if it is being spent with my godson."

"How did you know?"

Snape smirked and began to usher Julian out the front door and into the cold morning air. "It's my house and you two are my assistants. Did you really think I would miss it?"

Julian shrugged but knew that his professor was right. There wasn't anything that happened in Slytherin that Snape didn't know about. "We are trying to keep it really quiet. Draco's father wouldn't be at all happy about it."

"I needn't remind you that your father wouldn't be happy about it either."

Julian shrugged, "he won't need me in a few months. His new son can carry on the name and be the heir for all I care."

Snape looked at him pointedly and raised an eye brow, "I think that you have been telling yourself that for so long that you are beginning to convince yourself that it is the truth."

Julian slid one arm out of the straps on his book bag and allowed it to sling forward to the front. "You know that I don't care." He began digging around in the bag searching for something.

"You say you don't care. And you might think you don't care, but believe me when I say that you do care, very much in fact. You are genetically programmed to care about what your father thinks about you."

Julian stopped and paid no attention to Snape as he continued forth. After a moment the man stopped and looked back at his student, "what is the matter?"

The boy looked up and frowned, "I could have sworn that I put them in here."

"What?"

"My meds! I need to go back to get them."

"You can't. We have to hurry you are supposed to be at the ministry to meet your father at five thirty and it is five twenty two. There is no way that you have time to run back. So come along."

Julian looked back at the castle with frustration written on his face before hurrying after the potions master.

When they approached the front gates, flashes of cameras stunned Julian's eyes and forced him to shield his face from them. "How did they find out I was leaving?"

Snape too raised his hands to shield his face from the onslaught and reached in to his pocket to pull out the government issued silver portkey. "There must have been a leak at the Department of Transportation. No one else knew that there was a scheduled departure from the north gate. Grab a hold of the ring I'll activate it the second we step out of the wards."

Julian complied by slipping his hand into the ring and resigned himself to a small smile to appease the relentless flashes. He braced himself for the crowd and nodded to Snape saying he was ready. The professor pulled open the gates and Julian followed him out smiling brightly for the photographers. They were bombarded by questions from every direction. Julian smiled and did his best to not be phased by the sometimes harsh inquisitions.

"Your Highness, there are rumors circulating that you are in a secret relationship with your friend Daphne Greengrass, Could you give us a statement?"

"Julie! Do you mind telling why you are out today?"

"Julian what do you think about your Step Mother finally having a son?"

"Master Riddle, is it true that you are going to be studying in America next year?"

"Prince Julian, what do you say about the reports that you are going to be replaced as Heir?"

Julian didn't answer any questions as Snape maneuvered them through the sea of reporters in an attempt to reach the edge of wards. He smiled and nodded trying his best to give them the best pictures he could there was no use in making a fuss. If his face was going to be on the cover off every paper tomorrow it might as well be of him smiling.

The familiar tug of the portkey being activated couldn't have been more welcome. Julian relished the absence of sound. When his feet found the ground Julian realized with a grimace that he wasn't going to maintain his balance as his leg crumpled beneath him.

Gently he rubbed his leg checking through his pant leg if the brace was still in the correct position. That was when he became acutely aware that he and Snape had not been portkeyed to a private location. Julian looked up from the ground to see the flash of even more cameras.

Snape held out a hand to him and Julian stared at it for a moment before he took it and carefully pulled himself up trying to preserve what little poise remained in him. "Are you alright?"

Julian face was stoic. "I'm in pain and I these cameras aren't helping matters," he spoke just above a whisper and with great force. This was no game. "Please get me out of here as fast as possible."

Snape began looking around for an exit.

Julian looked from face to face and thought about the similarities between reporters and swarming vultures. There was very little he wouldn't give be able to use a few of them as test subjects in his Dark Arts classes.

After a few moments Julian was surrounded by small circle of five aurors and was led to a side room. Julian looked over his shoulder and between the shoulders of the black clad officers to see Snape screaming loudly at an officious looking representative from the Department of Transportation.

Julian felt his leg grew weaker with each step and was relieved when he saw his father standing in the door of a heavily guarded ministry elevator. The Aurors ushered him in and before the doors had a chance to close Julian leaned his back against the wall and took all the weight off of his throbbing ankle.

"Hello father."

Julian looked at his father with pain in his eyes hoping to see a bit of sympathy from hum but was met with only bitter annoyance. "You said in your last letter that you had this leg situation under control."

"I did. I however have not yet had the chance to see how I fared under the stress of a portkey landing. I now know that I can not be expected to arrive in a public place by that means of transportation again. I'm sorry for the embarrassment that this might cause."

His father's red eyes bore in to Julian's blue with traces of fury. "I never said you were an embarrassment."

"You didn't have to."

The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened to an elaborately decorated chamber. Inside were a few familiar faces including Lucius Malfoy, Percy Weasley, Sirius Black and a very pregnant Lillian Snape.

Julian smiled and walked over to her noting that he was completely unable to disguise the limp. "Aunt Lily,"

"Julian."

He threw his arms around the older woman's neck and allowed her to kiss his cheek. "What have you done with my husband?"

Julian smiled and laughed, "He is berating a DoT official. He should be here in a moment."

Before Lily could make another comment the voice of the King rang through the room and forced the woman to take on a much more serious mood. "Weasley, Reports."

Julian backed away from the group of people as the bookish red head began reciting long streams of reports. It appeared that Percy Weasley was much more important than Julian had once assumed. He knew that upon his matriculation the lanky red headed boy used his step father's connections to procure himself a position at the ministry but Julian had no idea that the position was one that was close to his father. Lord Yaxley must have been more powerful than he had once assumed. But Weasley did himself a credit by being able to keep the job that was given to him. The man seamed to know everything about everything. From the state of the negotiation of the goblin strike in Ireland to the emergency cover up operation of vampire exposure to a group of muggle campers in Romania. The young red head weasel looked very much the part of secretary with his horn rimmed glasses but there was no doubting it, the boy knew what was going on.

"that is all well and fine but I'm headed to France this afternoon. I couldn't care less about what the damn cover up teams are doing in Romania. What about the FSR? Surely they must be stirring up some trouble? Is there anything my guards need to know about?" Tom nodded at Snape as he stepped off the elevator and walked toward his wife.

Percy Weasley swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, "The FSR sir?"

"Yes you know the pesky group that keeps stirring up trouble at the government buildings. Wasn't just last week that they, what was it they planted Malfoy?"

"A pipe bomb sir."

"That's it. As these students are potentially dangerous and in the nation state that I'm traveling to a matter of an hour, would you mind giving me a report on them?"

The pale man's freckles began to stand out more than usual. "The French Student Resistance has taken no claim of any of the incidents that have been happening in France as of late, including the aforementioned muggle pipe bomb. We have no evidence that suggests that they have been involved in the more recent events or the attack…" He paused for a moment before continuing, "Or the attack last night."

"What attack last night?" The man seemed to cower a bit in his boots, Julian felt bad for him. He was only the messenger.

"There….th…w...was….well….what I mean to say is….that….well…."

"For Merlin's sake spit it out man!" Snape snapped at him from his wife's side.

Percy Weasley looked pale and searched the room with pleading eyes for help. When Julian locked eyes with him Lucius stepped forward and severed the connection.

"Early this morning, at three-forty seven, a muggle bomb leveled the Mage-American Consulate." He quickly pulled the top sheet from Percy Weasley stack and handed it to the stoic monarch.

Lucius stepped forward again and continued to cover for the stammering young man behind him, "An investigation and cover up team have been dispatched. We let it slip that you and your son would be arriving in France for undisclosed reasons to aid in the media cover up. We have yet to discover who or even if there was an organized task force behind it. So far, all evidence suggests that this bomb was planted and created by a crazed muggleborn that has been under our surveillance for months."

Julian looked at his father and noted that his face was void of emotion. "How many fatalities?"

Weasley pulled out a scrap of paper and began reading numbers, "Thirty-seven American employees, eight French magical citizens, and three French muggle civilians were the human fatalities."

"And the non human fatalities?"

"Seven house elves, three veela, two werewolves and one..." Weasley trailed off.

"One what Weasley!?"

"One dog Sir," Julian watched as Percy began to tremble, "one of the American's was blind. It was his service dog."

"What was his name again?"

"The dog, sir?"

"No you idiot the one behind all of this!"

Percy Weasley regained his composure and tucked his stack of papers under his arm. "Pierre Devereux."

"Is there any particular reason he has not been apprehended?"

Lucius once again covered for Percy Weasley as he began searching through his papers. "First he has proven to be a master of covering his tracks. So far nothing has been traced back to him. And second the French Auror Special Task Force that was assigned to him has done an abysmal job of keeping track of him."

Julian watched his father rub his temples in frustration. This was never a good sign, "He is one man. Are you asking me to believe that one man broke through the wards of the Mage-American's Consulate in Paris, then proceeded to plant a muggle bomb that killed thirty seven Americans, eight Empirical French nationals, three French muggle civilians, seven house elves, three veela, and two werewolves?"

"And a dog, sir!"

Tom looked that the weasel who interrupted him and silenced him with a glare.

"And a dog…..and you ask me to believe that he did it all without being detected!"

Julian looked away from the scene and began to dig around in his bag. He didn't really want to watch what was about to unfold. Well at least he didn't want to appear to be watching.

"You expect me to believe that one man did all of this and we can't EVEN FIND HIM!"

Julian glanced up and almost laughed when he saw Lucius step back and Percy Weasley flinch as his the monarch roared.

"I'll have it taken care of immediately sir."

"You better, because I'm going to have to do damage control all day. When is my meeting with the Americans?"

Lily stepped forward and whispered in his ear.

Julian looked at his papers that he was supposed to grade and felt a feeling of utter inconsequence settle over him. He shoved them back into his bag and watched as his father tried to calm himself. "It seams that the American representatives are already here and are waiting for me in my home office. Apparently the security here is not up to their standards. I can't say that I blame them considering the presumed power of our mudbloods. They are going to want answers. Answers that you have yet to procure for me!

"I'm sorry sir I'm doing my best!"

Everyone in the room turned their head slightly. That was most certainly not the right answer.

"Your best?"

Weasley took stepped backwards until his back was flush against the wall.

Julian gulped and tried to force himself to do something. To protect the scared boy but he couldn't.

"Your best isn't good enough."

"I'm sorry I'll do better."

"Oh you most certainly will. CRUCIO!"

Julian jumped up from his seat and watched as the grown man before him fell screaming in agony to the floor. The pain that was once coursing through his leg was now dwarfed to that of a splinter.

When the spell was released the only sound that remained in the room was the whimpering man before him.

Julian had cast this spell hundreds of times on animals. Never once had he seen in on another human. It horrified him. How could something so terrible be legal to use. So what if it wasn't permitted to the general public but Aurors had permission, high ranking government officials such as his father were permitted.

Weasley got up and began collecting his papers that were scattered about on the floor, "I'll personally go to France and see what his keeping us from getting Devereux. He'll be in custody by tonight."

Tom hummed and took the papers that Weasley was presenting to him. "I'll see you this evening Weasley."

The boy nodded and ran from the room choosing to use to the stairwell without even glancing at the elevator. Julian wanted to flee the room too except he had no where to go.

"Lucius please get Crouch and tell him to bring me everything on this mudblood Devereux as well as anything he has on the FSR, I refuse to believe that one man is behind all of this. Especially one of his caliber."

The blond nodded and hurried off.

"Sirius, my boy, what is it that you wanted?"

Sirius Black looked old and tired, his hair flecked with sliver already. Julian remembered him from when he was in primary school as being tall and foreboding. He was only a shadow of his former self. "I was told to come today to speak with you about Phoebe."

"Who?"

Black looked confused for a moment before responding, "your eldest daughter?"

Tom nodded and stalked forcefully into the large doors that opened behind him and into the large regal office. "Julian, please come here!" Julian grabbed his bag and followed his father and the Snapes along with Black into the office.

Julian didn't stop when he entered instead he walked over to the French doors and flung them open to step out on to the balcony that had a view of the park. The sun crept over the horizon slowly and flooded the waking city with light and the park in the fall colors of yellow, orange, gold, and vibrant red.

Julian listened quietly to what the man had to say about his little sister who had just begun school a few months ago. Apparently she had started the nasty habit of talking too much in class and that it was an issue that needed to be addressed. Why the headmaster was telling his father all of this he didn't know. It wasn't like he was going to do a damn thing about it.

"If it continues I'm afraid that we are going to have to place her and a special class."

Julian knew about that class. It was for kids with behavioral issues. It was the class for the children who couldn't handle being around other students. It was the remedial class.

Julian stepped back into the office and waited for his father's protest to come. He never once even looked up from his work that was on his desk.

Infuriated Julian shot the Headmaster a glare, "are you joking?"

"Excuse me?"

"You have to be kidding. Because you are too afraid of punishing my brat sister for something that is obviously at fault you are going to place her in the remedial class. I don't know if you have noticed but my sister is extremely intelligent. If your teachers can't control their classes then I suggest that the teachers be the ones reprimanded not the students or the parents. Are you really going to sit here and waste my father's precious time with your discipline issues? Good god man, if you didn't catch what was just discussed out there in the hall then i think maybe you should seek medical help. We have a very serious situation on our hands and you are talking about how my four and a half year old little sister is talking too much in class!"

Black stood from his seat and walked over to where Julian was standing, "I'll not sit here and be lectured by a child. Especially one that caused as much trouble as you did."

"Excuse me sir but I am not a child anymore. I know I was a reicheous terror. I also know that I was bored as hell in all of my classes! I knew what those damn teachers of yours were going to say before they even thought about saying it."

"You don't know the first thing about running a classroom, and if you did you would know for a fact that it is the obligation of the parents to handle behavioral issues of the child. It cannot be the responsibility teachers."

"I'm well versed in how to run a classroom and if your teachers aren't keeping their students attention and are they forced to have a side conversations to keep themselves amused, then you obviously aren't challenging them enough. I would recommend looking in to the caliber of your teachers Mr. Black and not at the supposed issues of the child!"

Snape stepped forward, "Black go back to your little primary school, and stop picking fights with teenagers. Especially ones who know more about teaching then you would ever hope to know."

"You still are a pansy Snivellus. Hiding behind your students now?"

"And your still a bully. You couldn't handle boy what makes you think you could handle me?"

"If you have forgotten, I can handle you better than you can handle yourself."

"Sure just as long as you are hiding behind James Fucking Potter!"

"Don't you dare mention his name, you aren't half the man that he was!"

Tom stood and placed his hand on Black's shoulder to scilence him. Severus placed both hands on Julian's shoulders. Julian could feel the tension in the man. "Sirius, I feel that my son is right. The girl might just need to be challenged a bit more. Please test the girl and see if she needs to have her grade level adjusted. If that is the case then the problem is solved. If there is a continued issue please have my wife address it. I know that dealing with her instead of me will be a bit of an adjustment for you, but I no longer take care of that sort of thing. I assume you know the way out?"

Black looked at Snape with fury in his eyes before nodding and heading out of the room with a nod.

Once Black vanished from sight the professor walked back to his wife who was looking a but more and agitated. Julian turned and walked back on to the balcony and basked in the warm heat from the suns rays. He smiled at his father when he joined him on the balcony. "It's beautiful. I can't believe I've never been up here before."

When his father grunted in response Julian felt a hand descend upon his shoulder and turn him towards his superior. "I'm going to go over with you what is going to be happening today."

Julian rolled his eyes and looked back out over the town.

"First we're going to go defuse this bomb situation. That should take me no more than ten minutes. I just have to introduce them to Barty and he'll take over. Then we are going to be portkeying to a research facility where you will take a series of tests."

Julian nodded, "are they bad?"

"Define bad."

Julian carefully pulled his body up on to the railing and sat down so that the insistent pain, which had returned with the argument with Black, would stop. "Long, painful,"

"leet's just day that the pain is forgettable."

Julian was going ask several more questions but Lily walked out looking at her watch with a frown on her face. "Your majesty, we're behind schedule."

Tom nodded and looked Julian up and down, "what are you wearing?"

Julian looked down at his outfit and frowned. He saw nothing wrong with it. The only thing that looked like it could be causing offense was the blue tee shirt that he wore instead of a button down. He had absolutely no intention of changing it. "I have been listed in Witch Weekly's top ten best dressed for eight weeks now. Six of those I was ranked number one."

"I don't care, when we get to the manor I want you to go and change that shirt. If you have nothing suitable then you shall borrow something of mine. If you insist upon wearing ridiculous outfits at school I can do nothing to interfere, but while you are with me you will look and the part of the Royal Prince that you are."

Julian rolled his eyes and was shocked to have his father grab his shoulders with enough force to bruise.

"None of that insolence. I don't put up with it from my wife, and I most certainly will not put up with it from my son."

Julian nodded quickly and clinched his teeth together to prevent himself from saying anything further.

Tom released his grip and then walked back into the office, "Now come along."

Julian did so grabbing his discarded bag along the way. He didn't want to tempt his agitated father anymore today.

----------

Julian slowly became aware of his surroundings and was pleased that his eyes were not being assaulted by medical lights. Dr. Etienne Beauvais stood above him scribbling away in a file. Slowly he sat up and noted that he was no longer in his clothes. The old man didn't even have the deventcy to give him one of those horrid hospltal felt quite embarrased to be sitting out infront of this man wearing only his boxers and his socks and brace. He was hardly ever this naked infront of Draco.

Julian noted that his head felt as if it had been split open with a dull rock, the sound of Dr. Beauvais very French voice rang through the small room. "Well Mr. Riddle, what an enigma you are?"

Julian looked at him incredulously, "enigma?"

"Oh I did not mean it in a condescending manner. No, zis just 'appened to be ze longest session I 'ave ever 'ad to do. Your mind is what ze Greeks would call a labyrinth. It waz quite a challenge to break into it. Tell me doez it 'urt?"

Julian rubbed his forehead and hummed in affirmation, "what did you do? Throw me off a cliff?"

The man handed him a potion vial which Julian noted contained a standard pain relief potion before downing it quietly. Its effects were more than effective in removing the pain from his head but also from his agitated limb.

With a streatch Julian stood from his seat on the examination table and walked over to where his clothes were all hanging neatly on hooks. "So when do I get the results?"

"Now if you like."

Julian nodded and quickly set about to getting into his pants.

"Well as I 'ad suspected, you 'ave scored in the top ninety ninth percentile. Meaning that you could score no higher. You have set the new corner stone for my research."

Julian dropped the shirt he was reaching for to the floor at the statement. "You must be joking."

"Oh and you expected zomzing different?"

Julian was shocked but somehow managed to shrug.

"You are ze youngest to have gotten through zeir majority unscathed. Of course you are ze most powerful sain wizard in ze world. But you and I both know zat zat title means nothing without a drive to do zomzing wiz it. I 'ave dozens of patients who are extremely powerful and zey choose to be merchants or housewives. I also 'ave a good handful of patients who could potentially destroy zis entire room with a thought but zey can't even spell zeir own names."

"So I'm the most powerful..."

"no you are the fifth most powerful person in the world. Ze other four however cannot function outside of zis hospital."

Julian looked at the man trying to figure him out, "And my father? what is his rank?"

The man shook his head, "oh no, I cannot tell you about him. You may wield more power but he knows what to do with it where as you do not. Have no doubts he is the singularly most dangerous person in the world."

"But you just said that I...."

"You have the most raw power, the most natural potential. However I don't recommend that you use it."

Julian sighed in frustration, "Not use it?"

"Oui, Power is dangerous. especially if you aren't aware of your power which you are not. You best run along, Your professor has been waiting for quite a while."

Julian looked around the dimly lit sterile room and paused. "You can't tell me my father's results because he asked you to?"

"No, because he is an adult, and you are not his legal guardian."

Julian was still very confused. the last thing he remembered was eating breakfast with his little sisters at the manor and now he was here talking to a man who had been working on his scantily clad body for an un known amount of time. "What time is it?"

The man looked up from his scribbling and pulled out his pocket watch, "about four thirty, my wife will most certainly be angry wiz me when I return home. It is going to take 'ours to get through all of your data." He laughed and picked up the quill that he had discarded before continuing to scribble in the candle light.

Julian wasn't amused by the statement. He had lost approximately ten hours of his life to this man and his tests and he had no clue as to what he had done, "what kind of data do you have to go through?"

The old psychiatrist laughed and pointed to the large tomb that was sitting by the door. "don't be so paranoid. all of the information is in zat book right zere. Everything i did was carefully recorded for you to see."

"For me?"

"If you don't want it leave it and we'll have it filed but I think that you should take it with you. If not for yourself then for your father. I'm sure he would be glad to take it."

Julian was stared at the man gob smacked, "You mean to tell me that like you can't discuss him with me, you can't discuss me with him?"

The old man nodded, "you are legally an adult. I can not discuss you as person with anyone. Your results are confidential. What you do with zis knowledge is your own decision. I would like to thank you for your participation in my study; your data will of course remain anonymous in any public records and future publications."

"So I don't have to tell my father if I don't want to?"

The man laughed, "If your father was my father I would tell him the second I saw him."

"Why?"

It was the doctors turn to look confused, "well, I'd be afraid what he would do if I refused to give this information."

Julian thought about what he said and looked around one last time, "My father is quite intimidating isn't he?"

The man nodded.

"Well, is that it? I'm fine? I can practice magic again?"

"You are well enough to resume casting and to continue your education. Don't do any thing too strenuous for a few days. You'll be fine. Oh and don't forget zat book." The man looked at him and pointed to a scroll that was on the table

Julian picked up the heavy tome with two hands and held it close to his chest.

"Please be careful, Mr. Riddle. A power like yours can be quite dangerous. My door is open to you at any time. Come and see me again. I always love a good puzzle."

Julian felt a very odd sensation run through his mind. And so with a smile and a nod Julian backed out of the door thinking he was stepping into a hall. He was disappointed. He had actually stepped into a small cramped office that had four men each hunched over a cramped and cluttered desk. Each was scribbling away on scrolls of paper that had his name written on the top. He didn't remember seeing them when he came in but then again he didn't really remember anything before a few moments ago. Slowly Julian began to attempt to read what was being written on the papers, Fracture dans les fondat. Julian didn't get the chance to finish what the young scientist was writing, because the man looked up and hopped from his seat, being sure to flip the piece of parchment over when he did.

The man spoke with a clear American accent. "Mr. Riddle, I'm glad to see that you have completed the tests. Please allow me to escort you out."

What an American was doing in a French research facility Julian could only venture to guess.

The two walked out of the office and into a long hall. They walked in silence until Julian heard the sound of a woman scream,

"Where are we?"

The man looked back and smiled, "you don't a remember thing do you?"

Julian shook his head. The man smiled simpathetically brfore answering Julian's question. "L'Hôpital de saint Morgan pour Cliniquement Insensé"

"What was that?"

The man responded in English without missing a beat, "St. Morgan's Hospital for the Clinically Insane. It's an asylum."

Julian blinked a couple of times before accepting it and questioning it. "Why are Dr. Beauvais's research facilities located here?"

"That's easy, He is a world renowned psychiatric healer. They pay him a fortune to keep him here. And they let him study the patients. All of his case study subjects are here. Some of the empire's most powerful witches and wizards are kept right here on this floor. Most of them wouldn't harm a fly when they are happy and calm, but we wouldn't dare let them near anyone not trained to handle them when they're in one of their moods."

"Why?"

"Well, let's just say that at times the can be bit difficult to control."

Julian heard muffled noises every once and a while. "So most of the people here became this way?"

The doctor nodded, "this floor is reserved to patients who sufferd moderate to severe damage from PMM."

Julian looked in one of the windowed doors and saw a pail ginger man stairing out back at him. Julian paused for a moment before smiling hesitantly at the man who then began to scream loudly.

The doctor turned on his foot and pulled Julian from the view of the man.

"I'm so sorry, i just smiled at him!"

A group of wizards came running from around the corner and burst into the room.

"No, that was Nigel. He is very afraid of people in general. You id nothing wrong. The fact that he even saw us with out having a fit means that there is some improvement."

Julian heard the sounds of the screams die down and that was when he decide that he didn't like it here, "where's my father?"

"He saw you up this morning and asked for you to be delivered to Master Snape when the testing was completed. He said something about needing to take care of some state affairs."

Julian nodded, that was a typical answer. "Where is Professor Snape?"

"I'm taking you to him. We are almost to the elevators." They walked in silence for several more minutes when they passed a window Julian took in the view. It was then he realized that they must have been at least twelve stories off the ground. He hoped that none of the patients were afraid of heights.

Julian smiled when he saw the promised elevator. The doctor smiled at him and began to remove his medical robes. When he traded them out for a long white lab coat he explained, "We are going to entering into the Muggle part of the hospital. Will you please remove your robe. You may carry it with you in one of these," held up a brown paper bag before continuing, "The other floors are much cheerier and active. We don't have to confine the patients you see. Most of them are completely harmless."

He nodded in understanding and did as he was asked. He walked in to the clean over sized elevator and the man, who still hadn't introduced himself, pressed the bottom button that had a white star next to it. Julian felt the room around him begin to move in an unfamiliar manner. The elevators at the ministry were much different. Each floor they passed was indicated by a number. How appropriate that the magical wing was the 13th floor.

When the doors opened Julian smiled at the sight of happy yellow walls. He stepped off of the elevator and noticed the presence of children and even families.

A small boy with almond shaped eyes ran toward them and threw his pudgy arms around the Doctors waist. "Bonjour Docteur Riley!"

Julian smiled at the boy who was obviously not "normal." But all the same he was sweet. Dr. Riley stood after talking to the boy for a moment and then sending him back to his nurse, "That was Thomas, he's an orphan from one of the orphanages for "gifted" children. He has Downs Syndrome so therefore couldn't receive the "special" education they offered there. So we brought him here and are teaching him how to best control his "urges". he'll never be on his own but we'll never have to lock him up on level 13 either. He's very sweet and has lots of friends."

Julian nodded and followed the man across the hall and through a door. Once inside Julian noticed that it was a library and that Snape was sitting at one of the desks grading papers.

"Thank you again for coming. I know that the testing proceedure can quite distressing. I also know that seeing level 13 can also be quiet distressing, especially if have never been there before. If you have any questions about the report please don't hesitate to write or to call. If you ever need me my name is Dr. Patrick Riley. and you can contact me through the hospital."

Julian shook the man's hand and watched as he hurried out the door to where a group of children had congregated to greet him.

He hurried over to where his professor was and quickly took the seat beside him. "Bonjour Professeur Snape!"

Julian laughed when the man looked up.

"What, pray tell is so funny?"

"You have red ink on your lip." Julian laughed and pointed at it with his finger indicating where the splotch was.

Snape quickly rubbed the stain out and began picking up his work.

"I see you dug through my bag."

Snape arched an eyebrow and nodded, "I don't know when you thought you would have time to go over these but none the less I was glad to have something to do."

Julian nodded and took his bag from his professor and tucked the thick book in with the rest of the parchment.

"I really must compliment you. Your students are doing exceedingly well."

Julian smiled and thanked him, "it's really their own doing. I just answer their questions."

"So did everything check out? Are you the next Merlin?"

The boy shrugged, "Everything checked out fine and I'm allowed to practice magic again."

"Fantastic I want you in the lab with me starting tomorrow."

"hold on there for just a moment. Dolohov will want me, so will McGonagall, Flitwick, and Everret. You really are going to have to learn how to share." Julian smiled and nodded of course before bombarding his professor the question of his life, "where is my father?"

Snape led Julian out in to the hall and out to where several guards were waiting for them. "He left here shortly after noon. Really Julian did you have to take so long?"

Julian shrugged, "I don't see how I had any control over the situation. Don't even remember most of this morning."

Snape raised his eyebrow and began filling out a form that was handed to him by a short fat lady behind a large desk, "what is the last thing you remember?"

Julian thought for a moment and then nodded, "father taking me to the meeting with the Americans. and then sitting doen for breakfast with the girls."

"That makes since, they must have slipped something into your juice."

"Why in the world would they do that?"

Snape handed the clip board to Julian who began filling in all of the blanks that Snape had left. "With a lot of the psychiatry potions they prefer to give them to patients without their knowing."

"Is that legal?"

Severus nodded, "if you signed off to the procedure then yes. Which you have, it is annoying I know but there is little that you can do about it now. Legally they have to keep a very thorough record of what they do to you while you are under and give it to you after the effects of what ever potion they give you wears off. Please tell me they did because if not we are going to have to track them down."

Julian signed the last line and handed the clipboard back to the blond woman behind the desk. "yep I have a rather lengthy book that they gave me."

"This place is reputable enough to be certain that they cross all the T's and dot all the I's. they will most certainly "

Julian nodded and followed his professor into the bright sunshine of the afternoon. "What next?"

"I'm supposed to Apperate you into Paris to meet your father. He wants to see hear the results over dinner. He has reservations at La Tour D'Argent."

"Well that is certainly a change. Normally he tries his best to get away from me." Julian noted the look he received from one of the guards at the comment but he didn't really care. "Anyway Halloween in next week shouldn't he be getting ready for some grand gala or something?"

Snape shook his head and held out his arm for his pupil to take. They had reached the outskirts of the apparition wards, "Be glad that he is making time for you considering the state of things right now. We are going to the French Ministry political person apparition chamber let them know we are arriving."

Two of the six guards nodded and quickly disappeared.

"How was everything?"

"It wasn't so bad. I don't remember it after all."

"You say that now but I have a feeling that it may come flooding back to you when you go through that transcript."

Julian shrugged, "it can't have been too bad or else father wouldn't have."

"What put you through it?"

Julian didn't need to think any further about it. He knew his father would have put him through any test no matter how painful if it would help him decide if he really was a worthy son. Cassie would most certainly do nothing to protect her own son from the test when the time came if it meant that there was irrefutable evidence that her son was superior.

"Let's not talk about such things."

Snape agreed and readied himself for apparition. "Well let's make a good day out of this and try to enjoy ourselves in Paris. Oh and your father wanted me to remind you that the Paparazzi is out in force today. So be sure to be on your best, or worst, behavior. Just make sure they get some good shots."

Julian laughed, "Did he really say that?"

Snape laughed too, Julian noted it made the man look his age. Which was a very good thing, "oh yes, The American's are doing their damnedest to turn the media's eye toward the covered up bombing and it is your duty as Prince to make sure that doesn't happen."

The Prince smiled and nodded, "Anything to keep real news out of the papers."

---------

It was almost ten when Julian made it back into the common room. And it couldn't have been more welcome. He was so glad to be back he didn't even care when Nate started pestering him about the muggle Tuxedo he had been forced into for the "small dinner" for fifty eight. At the American's request the dinner had been held in a muggle returaunt, mush to the chagrin of Julian and a Lily.

Julian quickly spotted Tracey and Colette laughing next to their boyfriends in his group's usual spot. He was pleased to see that they the rest of the group was there as well.

Berta was the first to notice him, "what the hell are you wearing?"

Julian looked down at the suit and pulled off the jacket and carefully hung it on an unoccupied chair.

The group turned and looked at him, each one doing a rather poor job of masking their opinions.

Daphne smiled and hurried over to give him a hug, "you look great."

Theo smiled and nodded, "I quite like it. Unusual but nice."

Julian smiled at Draco who had a look on worry on his face. Most of the group knew about the reason behind his outing but Draco was the only one who knew of the anxiety he had been dealing with in anticipation of it.

Tracey got up from her seat and sat in Vincent's lap, "come sit down tell us all about Paris!"

Julian complied and began telling them about the huge dinner he had been forced to sit through, the horrid designer he had to deal with and concluding with the droves paparazzi. "I swear. There must be signs above my head that say, Julian Riddle is here. I hate it."

Colette smiled sympathetically, "they are just trying to do their job, and you can't really blame them."

"Are you kidding? You can't possibly be defending those vultures." Theo commented.

"No I mean it. They are just pawns. If you want to blame someone blame the papers for paying serious bank for good shots of him." Colette tried to defend herself but it appeared that the whole group agreed with Julian.

Daphne defused the potentially bad situation with ease, "well I certainly can't blame them."

Draco looked at the girl with confusion written on his face, "What are you talking about? You hate those damn people more than Julian does."

"What I was saying before I was interrupted. was that I can't blame them when the subject they are shooting is as adorable as Julian is!"

The whole group laughed and Julian felt the feelings of guilt that had been building in him all evening ease just a bit.

The conversation drifted to a fro at the whim of the girls, every time the boys tried to bring up sports they quickly found themselves talking about the latest music releases or complaining about one of the professors.

Before long the common room was empty and Julian noticed Draco across from him beginning to nod off. Deciding to help his boyfriend out Julian yawned loudly.

Colette looked at him with concern, "oh Julian, you must be exhausted!"

Julian stretched and protested, "It's not so bad."

"No." Tracey took over by standing and pulling Vince up out of his seat too, "we're all tired, Right?"

The group agreed by feigning exhaustion and standing up too.

"Go to bed. We'll see you tomorrow." Julian hugged Tracey and made the rounds hugging each of the girls goodnight. It had become a ritual of sorts for him to do so. Draco would occasionally do the same but tonight he wasn't up for it.

Draco stood waiting for him by the stairwell holding the black book bag that Julian had forgotten he had discarded. Julian picked up his tuxedo jacket and waved a final farewell to the group and walked with the tired blond down the stairs and to their room. When they entered into the room Julian happily pulled out his wand and lit the candles in the room for the first time in months.

Draco set the bag down at the foot of Julian's four poster before he flopped onto the bed with a sigh. "So I take it that the test went well?"

"Yeah."

Julian looked into Draco's gray eyes before turning sharply and starting to get undressed. Draco instantly woke up and stood and walked over to him, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he brushed the hand from his shoulder and continued to strip.

Julian felt the stormy eyes burning into his skin as he tried to ignore the questions.

"The test went well didn't it? You're casting again, and I assume that the doctors didn't find anything wrong."

Julian nodded and sat down to try and take off his shoes and socks. Draco bent down to help and Julian flinched away from his touch, "Draco, I can do it."

Hurt was written on his face and Julian instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry. The tests were fine. More than fine actually. Hell…at least now I know that what they say about breeding isn't just a bunch of bullshit."

Draco looked at him incredulously.

Julian sighed and slipped off the brace from his somewhat bruised and injured ankle. "I'm unofficially the most powerful individual in the world. Not that that means anything."

Draco sunk down on to the bed next to him, "what did your father say?"

Julian looked at the floor and focused on pulling off his socks. "I didn't tell him."

"What!?"

Julian looked at his boyfriend who looked shocked. "I didn't tell him."

"And he just accepted that? no questions asked?"

Julian limped over to the wardrobe and threw all of his clothes into the hamper, "of course not. I told him that I scored in the ninetieth percentile group."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I'm well above average but not as powerful as him or Dumbledore."

Julian sat down on the bed and allowed Draco give him a foot massage. "What happened then?"

"He said that he was surprised and then he asked if I was allowed to return to my studies."

Draco almost laughed, "That's all?"

Julian shrugged and frowned, "he was disappointed, Drake. More than disappointed. I could see it in his eyes. It was like failed him." Julian paused for a moment before continueing, "I never failed him before. I uesd to think i disappointed him but it was different this time. Because this time it was something outside of my control. He couldn't blame it on me."

"But that is a good step in the right direction."

Julian shook his head, "No, it's not that simple. I lied and I hurt him…"

Julian couldn't hold back the tears that were forming in his eyes, he let them fall but refused to let his voice hitch, "I feel so guilty, but I couldn't help it. It was my only way out. All wanted was to be free."

Draco pulled the smaller boy to him and into a hug, "what do you mean?"

"If I told him the truth, I would be forced into more classes. There would have been more demands, and as soon as Cassie's boy proved to be inferior in any way I would be named the heir. And my life would be over." Julian pushed Draco away from him and looked him in the eyes, "I never wanted any of this Drake. Today I realized that if I were to become him I would have to be everything I'm not."

Julian thought back to this morning and shivered, "I don't want to be someone just because that's what is expected of me. I'm musician not a diplomat. A a teacher not monarch. I could never do what my father did tonight. I can't even remember all of my students' names, father knew everything about everyone in that room and half of them were foreign dignitaries and their wives. And if I were to become my father I would have to marry someone like Cassie."

Draco frowned, "That's not true and you know it."

"But it is," Julian bit his lip, "I loathe to admit it. You and I both know that father would never let me marry a man if were heir. Even if that man was you."

"It's so stupid. Genetically there is no difference."

"Let me finish," Draco paused and looked at Julian carefully,

"I hate hiding. You know how much I hate it. I'm me and all I want is for people to except that."

"I know."

"Today I was able to get away from the photographers for about an hour. Severus and Lily took me to the Eiffel tower, and for a brief moment, I just another person looking out over the city. And it was glorious! The only time I have ever been that free is when I'm safely tucked away behind gates and wards. And even then a thousand eyes are watching me."

Julian reached out and picked up his boyfriend's hand and squeezed it gently, "Then after the tower we went to a muggle park and I saw these two men sitting on a bench, holding hands." Julian smiled and laughed gently at himself, "It's stupid I know. We've been together for less than a month and I have no clue where this going, but I do know that at some point we aren't going to want to hide anymore."

Draco looked scared, not exactly the emotion that Julian was looking for. "Please don't tell me that you lied to your father for me."

Julian smiled, "No I did it for me"

"What if he finds out?"

Julian shrugged, "Then we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I made a choice, and I refuse to regret it."

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Nice and long…..just the way I like the,. Thanks to all the reviewers. Your comments really made me feel better. If you don't normally review please do I'm a sap who loves to hear your opinions good or bad. Really, I love constructive criticism. Just don't be an A-hole and write mean things just because you can. I hope you enjoyed it because I know I enjoyed writing it. This one was a blast to write, because it has a bunch of plot set up. (hint! hint! hint!) Also for those who are interested, the reason this took so long is because my big sister had a baby and I was busy seeing family for the past week and a half. This is the first baby of the new generation in my family so naturally we were all very excited and busy. Expect and update…..i don't know soon-ish. Spring break is coming up so I'll have time to write. Thanks again for reading.

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