Disclaimer: All characters and recognizable story elements belong to J. K. Rowling.
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oOoOoOoOo
"The wand-maker's shop should be in the next side-street to the left," Remus said quietly, perusing his map yet again. "I think."
El recinto de la magica had turned out to be a fascinating, but also confusing place. And it was very easy to get lost there. They had eventually given up trying to follow Remus' vague memories and asked in one of the shops. Apparently, they were not the only ones to get lost, thus there was actually a map to be had for free. It certainly made sense from the shop-keepers' point of view. They wanted their customers to be able to find them, after all.
"And here I thought you'd been here before," Corvus quipped sarcastically.
Remus flashed him a grin in return. "You know you are starting to sound like your father?" he asked amusedly.
"Wouldn't surprise me," he muttered darkly. He was feeling a tad apprehensive about the whole thing. What if they couldn't find a wand that worked for him? He had to suppress a strong desire to chew on his finger-nails out of nervousness.
The other wizard just chuckled. "Well, here we are. Finally," he admitted with some self-deprecation and pushed open a door, which caused a chime to go off loudly.
The sound brought the wand-maker from a back-room, wiping his hands on a towel and eyeing his new customers with interest. Remus smoothly took over, talking in rapid Spanish with the dark-visaged wizard who looked like he might be a Gitano. The man's dark brown eyes mustered Corvus with open curiosity after Remus gestured in his direction, and he was beckoned forward. The wand-maker then gave Corvus a crooked smile which brought a multitude of lines alive on his sun-bronzed face.
"Pues un Inglés wants a wand for los oficiales not to know, sí?" he inquired with obvious dark amusement.
He gave the man a stiff nod. Corvus currently looked like Remus' idea of what a Mr. Smith should look like, while the werewolf himself was glamoured to appear like an average Spaniard. They wanted the wand-maker to remember a young, not particularly impressive Englishman who needed a wand without the trace, possibly for slightly nefarious purposes. This wouldn't have worked on Ollivander, who always seemed to see through glamours. But according to Remus' information, his Spanish counterpart exhibited no such abilities. He certainly gave no indication of it now. Nor did he object to selling a foreigner a wand that would have no trace.
He conducted his business in a quite different manner as well. For starters, there was no annoying tape-measure. He also didn't ask his customer to try wand after wand. He brought out a collection of wood samples instead, telling Corvus to find the one which 'warmed up' for him. He obediently ran his hand over the differently coloured and grained samples of wood. Some of them felt warmer than others, but none of them stood out until he reached a finely-grained block of wood with a reddish tint. It felt wonderfully warm when he touched it.
"This one," he said confidently.
"El cedro, eh?" the wand-maker commented, pushing the blocks of wood aside and putting a large tray which held several open boxes and bottles in front of Corvus. The boxes contained various animal parts, while the bottles were filled with mysterious ashes and liquids.
"Do not touch," he was ordered sharply. "Only feel for pull from above."
He nodded and let his hand drift an inch above the offered wand-cores. Unexpectedly, he felt a distinctive pull, and it was indeed a pull, just like the wand-maker had said, from two of the core materials. One was, unsurprisingly, a box of Phoenix feathers. The other, a bundle of long, grey hairs. He pointed both of them out to the wizard.
"¿Ambos? Tienes suerte, joven, creo que tengo algo así ya hecho," the wand-maker said with raised eyebrows. He then went on in rapid-fire Spanish, and Corvus could make out little of it. He cast a despairing look at his companion. Who chuckled lightly, but obligingly started to translate.
"He says you are lucky, because he believes he has a wand like that. He made it a few years ago when he was trying to match combination-cores with some of the more unusual woods. Apparently, this is one combination which he felt might work well together, though it's a bit peculiar," Remus told him, while the wand-maker climbed up a small ladder to reach a collection of boxes on a top-shelf. He peered at them, blowing dust off a few labels, and finally pulled one of them out with a satisfied sound.
"Here, try this," he ordered curtly, after depositing the box in front of Corvus and taking the lid off.
He peered inside. It contained a polished red-tinted wand of middling length. He plucked it out … and immediately felt a comfortable warmth spread along his arm. When he gave it a wave, he was rewarded with a wild shower of gold and silver sparks. He followed that promising performance with a lumos … which lit up the wand-tip brightly. It certainly felt like his magic was flowing easily through the wand. He smiled at it, taking note of the carved handle, which gave a good grip, and the beautiful sheen of the polished wood.
The wand-maker gave Corvus a very satisfied look and launched into further explanations. Once again, Remus took pity on him and translated, because the man was speaking way too fast and unclear to make out more than the occasional word.
"Right. Now the wood is cedar, which is for those with strength of character, but who are also perceptive and hard too fool. It is well suited for wizards who will protect their loved ones fiercely, and should not be crossed, because they will defend strongly. It does well in combat … especially under pressure. Which … really sounds like you, cub."
The wand-maker had paused to allow Remus to finish his translation, continuing animatedly as soon as the werewolf stopped.
"As for the core … you should know about the Phoenix feather already, I guess. It makes for a very versatile and magically powerful core … if somewhat choosy and temperamental. He says the combination of Phoenix feather and cedar is particularly good for protective spells. However, in this wand it is also plaited with Demiguise hair, which aids with transfiguration and the more subtle arts. He added that because apparently the wood is sometimes drawn to powerful Occlumens for some reason."
"Oh. So … still a wand which will do well for defence, only also suited for Occlumency?"
"Well, it is the defence of the mind, after all."
"Guess I can't argue with that," Corvus said, shaking his head in wonder and clutching the comforting length of wood tightly.
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oOoOoOoOo
Fortunately Remus remembered that he wanted Corvus to get a couple of wand-holsters before they left the shop, and so they spent a few more minutes finding a well-fitting model. Once their purchase was complete, they retraced their steps to a fancy tailor they had passed during their fruitless search for the wand-maker.
"You have to admit, those robes just scream style. And foreign as well," the werewolf commented when they paused to look at the display in the shop-window before entering. Their reflections in the window-glass were back to looking like themselves.
"Sure, but have you seen the price-tags?"
"There aren't any, cub."
"And you know what they say about shops without price-tags?"
"I also know how much money Severus gave me to spend on this, Corvus dear. He ordered me to get you something fancy."
"Ugh. Didn't he pay for all the stuff in London as well?"
"Yes, cub."
"But ..."
"You know your father is a rather famous potions master? I believe he holds a number of patents for some very popular potions, too. Plus I think he had an inheritance from his mother's side. I also don't expect he ever spends much money, living at Hogwarts and all ..."
He looked at the other man in dismay. He certainly wasn't used to anyone lavishing a lot of money on him … much less on something like a wardrobe. There had been the Firebolt from Sirius, of course … but that was about it. Until now.
Remus put a hand on Corvus' arm and looked him firmly in the eye. "Cub, do not question this. Go with the flow. To some extent it is probably guilt on his part, but mostly it is simply necessary for your disguise. And from what Sirius said, once you are Lord Black, you will be loaded. You cannot go around getting upset about spending money. That would be very much out of character for Corvus Black, you know?"
"But you understand ..." he began, looking at the older wizard imploringly.
Who nodded, and patted his arm consolingly. "Sure, I do. But don't think about it. The old guy, he was this poor orphan raised by stingy relatives. The new one has never lacked for anything. So this is all part of the show. Now come on and let's see what we can find."
He sighed unhappily but allowed Remus to lead him into the fancy tailor-shop. Which was … full of richness. In colour, and fabric. In design and execution. Some of the robes were more works of art than clothing, at least in Corvus' eyes. Fashioned from beautifully woven damasks of heavy silk and cotton, smooth, flowing satin and delicate lace-work, embroidery wherever you looked, and enough buttons to make even Snape happy.
It also involved trying on creation after creation. Robe after robe, brought by a helpful assistant who seemed quite taken with her handsome young customer. At least if her lingering glances were anything to go by.
He paused while doing up the golden buttons of yet another fancy creation, this one in a dark green damask with stiff embroideries in actual gold bullion at the neckline and the hems. He studied the face looking back at him. He really looked like a cross between Bellatrix, Sirius and Snape. Fortunately he seemed to have gotten all their best features. Even he had to admit he was handsome. Far too handsome. He stared into his own dark eyes. The eyes that were like his father's.
Which brought back a memory from earlier that day, when he'd taken his leave from Inez Moralez. She'd asked him to call her Inez, on the grounds that if she could gift him her memories, she could certainly allow him to use her name. She also complimented him on his looks … and just as he left, she told him he had his father's eyes. With a cheerful wink. So much for keeping that from her.
"This robe is very impressive," Remus commented from behind him, interrupting his thoughts. "Something for really formal occasions, though."
"Well, it's likely I will get invited to some of those, no?
"As Lord Black? Oh, yes. Society will be more curious than a litter of kittens."
"Joy," Corvus said, rolling his eyes sarcastically, and pushed a few loose curls back while arching his back and posing dramatically in front of the mirror.
"Do you intend to keep growing the hair out?"
"Hmm," he assented, starting to unbutton the robe again. "It took some getting used to, but now I rather like it. At least when it's tied back."
"It makes you look more like her though ..." Remus seemed somewhat at a loss.
"I guess so. But it's also very different from Harry."
"True."
"I think we'll take this one. Just don't tell me how much it cost, please."
He could do this as long as he didn't think about little details like that ...
"Of course, cub. So there was that lovely one in burgundy, the short black one with the silver embroidery, and the midnight-blue with the seed-pearls. And this one," the werewolf said, tallying up their selection so far. "Good thing these are mostly cut quite loose, with your slender build you ought to be able to wear them for a while."
"Yes. Certainly an advantage of the cut. It makes me feel less bad about the cost," Corvus agreed, making a face. "Now I guess I'll have a look at those simple silk robes they had in the front. Those should be good for more casual wear, or summer. Well, I say simple by comparison ..."
He paused again with his hands on the last buttons, considering his whole reflection. He did rather look like a prince out of a fairy tale, with his long black locks and this beautiful robe. Snape … would very likely approve, given the other clothes he'd gotten for his son. Inez Moralez … would definitely approve, given her memories. Ron … would not understand, or be jealous. Hermione … actually, he had no idea what she would think. Not really. But the rest of Hogwarts … most would be left with their mouths hanging open. As for the girls' reactions … he didn't even want to think about that one.
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oOoOoOoOo
After a short break at an ice-cream parlour, they went to tackle a book-shop. Remus was going to look for a good selection of school-books, preferably used to add verisimilitude. Corvus meanwhile browsed through the literary shelves. With the help of one of the assistants, he soon had a sizeable collection of popular novels. He added several books on Spanish geography and culture, and a rather hefty tome on important wizarding families of the country. It would not do to be totally ignorant of that, in case he ever ran into someone knowledgeable. It might also help him understand some of Inez' memories better, if he knew a bit more about the people in them.
The book-shop also had a large stationary department. He fell in love with the shop's collection of quills, made from exotic feathers and coloured glass. They had matching ink-bottles of exquisitely blown glass, and he added several of each to his growing pile of knick-knacks. Such as an intricately inlaid wooden tray for writing implements, and a matching box with several drawers for parchments and papers. Or like that paper-weight with an open hibiscus flower forever frozen inside. For once, he did not hesitate in getting something nice for himself.
After all, those beautifully crafted things would be part of his disguise, and they had a perfectly utilitarian purpose, too. He would be able to use them for a long time. Additionally, they would be his first … souvenirs. They would remind him of this week every time he sat down at his desk to write something. As would the many prints and posters he picked from the shop's large selection. If he ran out of wall-space, he could always use the rest as gifts. In fact, there was one he had chosen with a particular target in mind ...
Amazingly, there had been money left after the tailor's. It wasn't even all gone after they went crazy in the book shop and the stationary. Fortunately, he had his new trunk to pack all their purchases away, because it had accumulated to quite a pile. And since there was still some time before they had to leave, Remus gave him a gentle push towards the Quidditch shop when Corvus gave it a longing look.
It was always nice to look at brooms, of course. It was also good to know what brands of brooms were used in Spain. It was bound to come up, since Slytherin had its share of Quidditch fanatics. And even though Corvus Black wasn't going to be a Quidditch star, he still ought to have a favourite team like any young man. So he selected a Spanish team which seemed both popular and successful, and bought some of their merchandise. And a couple of books on Quidditch in general and the teams of Spain in particular.
Quidditch would also hopefully give Corvus Black at least one topic for civil conversations with Ron Weasley, best friend of Harry Potter.
Remus met him outside the shop afterwards, and pushed a small wrapped package into his hands with a smile. Corvus gave it a dubious look, inevitably reminded of the last bundle Remus had given him.
"No blood-quill this time, cub," the werewolf said with a breathy laugh after he stood there almost frozen for long moments.
"Ehm. Yeah. Sorry, didn't think so," he protested a bit lamely.
He was still tentative about opening the package. Of course it wasn't a blood-quill. It wasn't even the right shape for one. It was simply the wrapping which had reminded him. What it was … was a lovely carved small ivory figurine of a heron taking flight, its wings half spread. He ran a finger over its tiny head, staring at it in wonderment.
"So do you like it, cub?"
"It's brilliant, Remus."
"Just a little reminder of our time here. Which unfortunately ..."
"Yeah."
"Well, put the rest of your stuff away then. Do you remember the portkey office well enough to apparate by yourself?"
Corvus closed his eyes and nodded reluctantly, his fingers still stroking the little figurine. Remember, yes. Want to, no. Because he really didn't want to go home yet. Though at least now he had a home. One where he was welcome.
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oOoOoOoOo
He managed the apparition quite easily. So he would be able to take his test after the emancipation, and get his licence early. Which would be nice. And using his shroud of clouds, he didn't even stumble when they took the international portkey from Madrid. Another improvement. The London office was every bit as dreary and boring as the first time. Though it was rather busier at this time of day. Which happened to be late afternoon. He was almost home now. Home … but not as Harry Potter.
And that was the main reason why he was hesitating in front of the floo. Because once he stepped through, he would irrevocably be Corvus Black. He would officially be there. Openly. And since people had been made aware of him, and had a week to stew in their curiosity, there would be visitors. Until now, the only ones around had been his fellow conspirators, who knew what was going on. But after today he would have to meet people who didn't know he'd been Harry Potter, and that he already knew them. People who would expect him to be a stranger, and possibly confused. Or maybe even hostile.
They wouldn't be looking at his scar and seeing the myth of Harry Potter, the Saviour. Instead they would look at his face and see the legacy of his mother, the Death Eater. At best he'd be seen as a Black, which wasn't all that much better. But there simply was no escaping the fact that he was, indeed, the offspring of Death Eaters.
But …
Putting it off would not help. He had chosen this on his birthday, and it was too late for second thoughts now. He turned to Remus with a pained smile. The werewolf gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then simply held out one of the containers with floo powder for him.
As they were spun away by the floo, he saw several heads turn who'd heard them name the 'Black town-house' as their destination. And thus the rumours would start ...
Mrs. Black was overjoyed to see him again, which made Corvus feel unexpectedly guilty. Fortunately she loved the present he'd gotten for her, which was a large wizarding print of a blooming garden with a fountain and butterflies fluttering from flower to flower. It would give her something to look at, and might even improve her temper. Of course people would wonder why he'd brought it for her, when he'd not known about her presence beforehand … but then he had bought quiet a few of these prints. It wasn't unreasonable he might want to sweeten her up by giving her one. In fact, he could even use that to explain why she had taken to him so soon.
Phineas Black was also pleased to have his great-something-grandson back. Apparently, Corvus' manners had improved quite a bit during the last week … without doubt helped along by Inez' memories. And being around his father and Remus, who frequently engaged in battles of witty banter, had sharpened his ability to hold his own in a conversation. Phineas also appeared to have mellowed somewhat towards Walburga. It seemed she'd taken Corvus' advice to heart and behaved better.
Another small victory.
He soon pleaded exhaustion and escaped to his room. His new room, which Dora had cleaned out last week. It was larger than his old one, and at the moment horribly bare. But tomorrow would be soon enough to start changing that.
A long shower and a change of clothes later he felt ready to meet the world again. Fortunately it was still his small world tonight. Remus was there of course, and Dora showed up for dinner. Which gave him some amusement during the meal, as he could fairly easily get one or both of them to blush by dropping innocent little comments. There were also sidelong glances thrown when they thought the other wasn't watching. Well, he would certainly not mind a 'cousin' Remus eventually. If they ever got past the 'blushing at each other' stage.
His father had sent his excuses, though he hoped to come by later. Apparently, he was held up in Hogwarts as Dumbledore needed to show him what he'd done with those new wards. He found himself actually a bit disappointed Snape wasn't there for dinner. A couple of weeks ago, Harry Potter would have been happy about the same thing. But Harry Potter seemed to be getting lost more and more every day. And somehow he didn't even feel particularly bad about that fact.
Because Harry Potter just wasn't all that real anymore.
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oOoOoOoOo
After dinner he went to visit Hedwig, who was happy to see her human again. After a few minutes of basking in each other's presence, he got her to step on his arm and took her out into the garden. He'd brought the play snitch along, and was contentedly watching her chase after it when Dora came out to join him.
"Hey, Dora," he greeted her lazily, his eyes following Hedwig's dives after the softly glowing snitch.
"Hey, yourself. So did you have a good holiday?"
"Wonderful. Really great. Absolutely loved it. Oh, and thanks for watering my seedlings," he told her. They all seemed to be doing well. Which was good, because he didn't want to disappoint Neville. At least not in this.
It wasn't as if he could change the fact that he was suddenly the son of a woman who Neville hated most fervently.
"Any time, cousin dear. So … you had a good time, and with Snape and Remus no less. I think I'm envious."
"About me having a good time with Snape?"
"Remus, anyway. But mostly you going on a ho-ly-day," she singsonged. "I want one of those, too!"
"Maybe we can arrange something in case we go back for Christmas. I could always plead the need for added security," he suggested, giving her an amused smile.
"Hmm," she said with a dreamy expression. "I believe I'd like that."
"We'll have to see then. So how was your week?"
"I have to say … interesting. I was lurking here a fair bit, showing myself to who-ever was on guard. It was a great opportunity to practise my moping," she told him with a happy grin. He gave her a dubious look in return. "What? I was perfectly successful. I even got Mrs. Weasley to show up and bring me some chocolate cake because I clearly needed 'cheering up'!"
"Oh, dear. How did that go?"
"I think she wanted to come anyway and tell Harry about you, dearest cousin. She seemed to assume no-one would have told 'Harry' about 'Corvus' being brought here, and thought you should know. It was really hard not to laugh in her face."
"Why, what did she say about 'me'," he asked curiously, halfway dreading the answer. "I was there when they first found out about it, which was pretty bad. And Snape told me about her display at the Order meeting ..."
"Frankly, it went pretty much in the same vein. About how she couldn't understand how they would let this suspect stranger have Sirius' inheritance and letting the son of Death Eaters come here and what a risk it all was, and so on," Dora told him, rolling her eyes.
He sighed unhappily. "From her perspective, and given that she doesn't know Corvus is me … it's not even so unreasonable. Unfortunately. I mean, if I really had the background we are creating for me, I would be rather a dark horse."
"Yeah, but to assume you'd automatically be evil just because your parents are Death Eaters?"
"I know. I think you need to be a Gryffindor to really get that prejudice. You kind of get spoon-fed on anti-Slytherin and anti-anything-Dark propaganda in that house. There is also the general assumption the younger generation will follow their parents without question."
"Meh. Just consider our family. I think we are the proof that's not true."
He looked at her thoughtfully. "It seems rather divided, doesn't it? What with your mother and Sirius ..."
"And Uncle Alphard, and Great-Aunt Dorea who married a Potter, and so on."
"Hmm, yes. Unfortunately, the Weasleys are so very Gryffindor. I fear my old house can be extremely … unforgiving. And they are wearing blinkers half of the time, too. I'm not saying you should give everyone a second chance. Heck, some probably didn't even deserve their first one. But to condemn someone unseen just for who their parents are ..."
"Yeah. I fear it's not going to be easy for you with them. Anyway, I told her Dumbledore had already informed me. You, I mean. Harry, even," she concluded with an exasperated roll of her eyes.
He chuckled at her. "It took some of the wind out of her sails?"
"Oh, yes. She'll still be very suspicious of Corvus, of course."
"I know. The meeting tomorrow should be great fun."
"Yeah. Can't wait for it, really."
"Somehow, I don't believe we have quite the same idea of fun, Dora."
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oOoOoOoOo
When Snape showed up a while later, his cousin immediately excused herself and went to look for Remus.
"Was she fleeing my presence or so eager for the wolf's?" the wizard said, looking after her with amusement.
"Both? It's good to see you well, Padre."
"I am sorry I could not come earlier, we encountered a few unexpected snags with the new ward," Snape told him sombrely. "And before you have to ask, yes the meeting with the Dark Lord went well enough. After he heard my news he was so … distracted I got away almost unscathed."
"Just a Cruciatus or two then. Nothing to worry about, eh?"
His father shot him an irritated glance but continued fairly placidly: "It was worth it. Compared to what he normally dishes out to the bearers of news which displease him, it was a pittance indeed."
He looked away and hugged himself, shivering slightly. He heard Snape sigh and then an arm came to rest across his shoulders.
"It really was not so bad, Corvus."
"This time."
"School is about to start. He never calls me much then, since he does not want to compromise my cover. And he believed my story about the new ward … which means he has to keep me in reasonable health and willing if he wants anyone marked to enter the castle ..."
"Which makes you safer, and still lets us know about them?"
"Yes. That idea of Remus' turned out to be very useful indeed. He was quite alarmed at the idea of those wards … until I dropped the other bomb."
"How did they react?"
"I will have show you the memory. The look on her face was … indescribable," Snape said with a malicious expression of delight which was just a bit disturbing.
But maybe understandable. Who was he to judge, anyway. He, who had tried to crucio the woman … who was his mother. He suppressed another shudder with some difficulty.
"Did you really have to tell him about me?"
Because the idea that they had discussed him, and likely in unfavourable terms, was quite disconcerting. Nor did he want to think about the way Snape had to act at those meetings ...
"He would have learned of it as soon as you went to the Ministry. As such, he gained no advantage from it, and it helped establish me as his spy. If I can do that feeding him essentially useless knowledge ..."
"Sorry, you are right of course. So she was … shocked?"
"Utterly. So was everybody else at first. Then the Dark Lord started to question her … and it did not help her that she had no memory of it. The very idea she might have kept this from him greatly incensed him. The brothers Lestrange did not appear very happy, either. I suspect she is in for an unpleasant time. They already had to endure the shame of her constantly cuckolding her husband, but to actually bear a child for someone else …"
"I'm very happy it was someone else, Padre."
"So am I, son of mine. In any case, he did of course attempt to verify my information … fortunately it has gotten relatively easy to fool him. All those years without a body have definitely left him damaged. But he was so upset with Bellatrix that he quite forgot about me afterwards. Aside from ordering me to find proof that you were really Bellatrix' son. And to discover who your father is, as well. I believe the first will be surprisingly easy, while somehow I will completely fail at the second ..." Snape looked rather amused at the thought.
"But enough of that. How did things go in Spain after I left?"
"The memory-transfer went well. As far as I can tell. At least there don't seem to be any problems with assimilating them. And most of the memories she gave me were social interactions. You know, of her dealing with well-behaved males."
"Which means you basically got an instant crash-course in how to behave as a well-bred Spanish gentleman?"
"Sort of. And an insight into what a female thinks of that behaviour, too, at least based on her reactions."
Snape appeared very amused now. "Most helpful," he commented slyly. "Especially at your age, when one tends to be clueless about the female gender."
Corvus gave him a dark look but continued: "It certainly gave me a basis to model my behaviour on. I now also know which knife to use when, because I remember using it. And I have plenty of examples of polite conversations in Spanish, which should help me with that, too."
"So another good idea of the wolf? At this rate, we shall be much indebted to him."
"Just remember that when he turns into your nephew-in-law," he said cheekily, which made Snape look rather pained. "But yes, I think it was really helpful. It makes me feel a lot more confident about being able to pull this off."
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oOoOoOoOo
A while later, when it had gone dark outside, Corvus took his father up to his new room to show him their purchases. Snape had already examined his son's new wand, of course. The retelling of the wand-maker's explanations about the cedar wood and the Demiguise hair regarding its suitability for an Occlumens caused some raised eyebrows. But all the man would say was a quiet 'I really should not be surprised anymore about anything where you are concerned', followed by congratulations on an excellent new wand. He also approved of their selection of robes.
Which led to the inevitable discussion about the money.
"You didn't have to ..."
"Yes, I did. And no, it was not a bribe … or an attempt to make up for five years of bad treatment. More like … making up for sixteen years of missed presents ..."
Corvus lowered his eyes and fiddled with one of his buttons. "I suppose I'm not used to presents either ..."
"As I am not used to giving them. We will find a middle ground with time."
He looked back up into the dark eyes of his father. "All right. But so you know … I don't expect anything. Really. And ..."
"It makes you uncomfortable. I realise this … now. Much too late. Another misconception, I fear, left over from when I thought you spoiled," Snape said with a rueful expression. "If it makes you feel better, simply think of this as part of your disguise."
"Remus already said that ..."
"And he was right," he was interrupted firmly. "Just as you were right when you told me that you tend to brood. Put this from your mind. Please. You have much else to occupy your thoughts … and no time to waste pondering whether I can afford a few trinkets, however expensive they may be. Or if you are worthy of them. You can always 'pay' me back for them by doing your very best … both in your new life and in school."
"Quite the extortionate price … if I wasn't planing on doing that anyway," Corvus retorted with a smile at the irony.
"Yet it is the only price most parents will ask from their children, isn't it? Or do you think it normal that parents should provide for their offspring, and then demand the cost back later?"
"No. Of course not," he admitted with a heavy sigh. " But I didn't exactly have the best role-models for a normal family, did I?"
"Indeed. Forget anything those moronic, neglectful Muggles showed you. You are my son, no matter that we did not know this for so long. No matter how I treated you in the past, it was always my duty, and my privilege as your father, to provide for you. So given how I failed to do so until now … please indulge my desire to make it up to you. Especially when doing so will improve our chances of success."
Corvus gave his father a long, considering look. There was no arguing against that logic. He could not afford to cling to a stupid, pointless pride or an equally stupid desire to be independent. Because for Snape, the money likely really did not matter. Behaving differently, however, did. And the man had sacrificed his own pride several times over the last week, for his son's sake. To prove he was being serious. So this wasn't a case of being bribed or bought. It was merely necessity … with a hefty dash of guilt.
The other reason why he struggled with his new wardrobe was quite simply that he wasn't used to running around in fancy clothes. They still made him uncomfortable. But it was all a show. The new clothes were nothing more than costumes. Just as he'd gotten used to the damn curls, he would get used to the clothes. It wasn't as if dressing well was suddenly going to turn him into someone spoiled or greedy. So it was all a matter of being sensible, and not letting this get in the way. Because it was really stupid. Just a stupid habit, drilled into him by Lily's stupid relatives. It would be discarded. Eventually. Until then, he'd have to disregard and suppress it as best as he could.
"So, what insights did you find on your latest cloud?" Snape's voice was full of his usual dry sarcasm.
"Oh, nothing noteworthy. Only lots of stupid habits," he admitted with a dismissive wave of his hand. "They shall be thrown overboard as soon as I find the time to do so."
"Were you always this sarcastic or are you picking it up from me?"
"Hmm. Probably both. After all, I did just spend a week with you and Remus engaged in happy banter," Corvus said with a sideways look at the older wizard. "And I guess I was always more so than I let on."
"Why hide it?"
"Partly because of my friends. Ron wouldn't understand sarcasm if it bit him in the … behind, and Hermione always got huffy. But mostly … being sarcastic is not the best idea when people tend to misunderstand and misconstrue everything you say in any case. If I'd started going around saying things which could be taken the wrong way … the Prophet would have had another field day. I spent too much time as a prospective Dark Lord as it was."
"Which was the main reason you hid as the Golden Gryffindor," Snape said with raised eyebrows and an expression of sudden understanding.
"Can you imagine what everybody would have said, if I had gone into Slytherin when I was eleven?"
"Unfortunately … yes. I suppose I really cannot fault you for denying the hat … even though you did it mostly for the wrong reasons."
"Probably. But as I said, I didn't know any better. And it worked out for the best … mostly. At least no-one will be upset or surprised if Corvus Black ends up in Slytherin. As they would have been for Harry Potter ..."
"Yes, indeed," Snape agreed with a distracted look on his face. "Speaking of upset and people being surprised, I did want to let you see my memory ..."
"Will this involve Occlumency?"
"Certainly, son of mine."
"Oh, great. I was missing my daily headache."
"Only practise will make that go away," his father told him without sympathy.
"I know, I know. And you don't get to see dumbfounded Death Eaters every day. That should be worth a headache."
"Believe me, this one is worth far more than that."
"Like a Cruciatus or two?"
"Whatever shall I do with you, Corvus?"
"Stay alive, please?"
"I promised, didn't I?"
"Actually no, you did not quite."
His father sighed. "I cannot promise you I will succeed. Because life … is never without risk. But I promise I will do my utmost not to die. Will that suffice?"
"Hopefully."
At least his forlorn declaration got him another almost hug. But Snape was unfortunately right … some promises simply could not be made.
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AN: Thanks for all the reviews! And further thanks for everyone who told me they enjoy my style of writing! Every aspiring writer likes some validation and encouragement to keep going. Oh, and thanks for the helpful suggestions regarding the shopping as well. As for my question regarding Ron, as expected I received some vastly differing viewpoints and thoughts on what I should do with him. Which still helped me make up my mind, so once again thanks. I hope I have thanked everyone enough (and not too much), but the response to the last chapter was just so very nice.
I have decided Ron will initially not react very well to Corvus, but for actual reasons. Such as suspicion (the guy is a stranger and the son of Death Eaters!), resentments (Corvus is rich, handsome, and talented. He is also an exotic stranger and thus all the girls coo over him), jealousy (all the girls AND Hermione coo over him), and finally a dash of prejudice (he went into Slytherin!). However, it will not be a stupid or horribly immature Ron. Therefore he will eventually come around. That's not saying they will be great friends, but that Ron will at be least civil and not consider Corvus evil. We'll see how soon, though. I leave that up to the mysterious parts of my brain who actually do the writing.
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