STORIES TO BE TOLD - CHAPTER 53 (Beta'd by Snakeyez82)
I own nothing.
Evan followed Marcus down the path toward Hogsmeade. Being September and late at night, the air temperature was starting to cool down.
"How many others will be there?" Evan asked, breaking the silence.
"Probably about fifteen or so from Hogwarts, there'll be a few adults there as well. No need to worry, they won't say a word to anyone about us sneaking off."
As they entered Hogsmeade, Evan noticed how different it was then from the daytime. All the shops were closed and there were no people walking about on the street. They walked for several more minutes, then turned down a shady alley. Evan immediately tensed, dark looming characters were lurking around. Marcus stopped in front of a door that was labeled: Aparecium.
"I've never been here before. I didn't even know it existed," Evan murmured as they walked through the door.
They walked into the bar and were greeted by Hogwarts students, all being Syltherin. There were tables and chairs off to the left and right, with the bar straight in front of them.
Evan sat down at the bar beside Marcus, and ordered a butter beer.
"Marcus, are you sure it's alright that I'm here? Most of these guys are 7th year Syltherins," Evan said somewhat nervously.
"Yes, it's fine. I had a request from someone to bring you here", Marcus said ordering his drink.
"What? From who?"
Evan felt someone put a hand on his shoulder, "It was I, who requested for you to come."
Evan turned around and found himself face to face with Lucius Malfoy. He grabbed for the wand in his robe, but was stopped by Marcus.
"I mean you no harm, Evan. If I wanted to kill you I could have on the Hogwarts Express. I merely wanted you to come and join in our fun tonight, get to know some of your fellow Hogwarts students," Lucius stated.
Evan pulled his arm out of Marcus' hand.
"Why do you want me here? You hate my family, you even tried to kill my mum on several occasions." Evan said.
"Marcus if you will excuse us," Lucius said, as he pulled Evan off into a booth. "I do not hate you, Evan. And yes, your mother and father and I have a past, but that has nothing to do with you. You have a yearning for learning and power, do you not?"
Evan was silent, he did love being powerful and loved learning, but he was speaking to the man who everyone was fighting to stop and the man who almost killed his mother.
"I see you have inherited your father's personality," Lucius said, as the silence continued. Evan made a face, he was still angry at Severus.
"Ah, family problems? Father being too hard on you, is he? I bet your big sister is his pride and joy, and once she marries Potter and has children, it will only get worse for you."
Evan stared at him blankly. How did Lucius know what was going on with his family? Evan thought his father loved him, but sometimes he questioned it. Adriana and Severus always seemed to have a better relationship, and since their minds were connected, it made their bond that much stronger. For sure, his mother loved him and was always defending him to father, but sometimes that just made it worse.
"It's alright, I don't expect you to confess any secrets to me. But I assure you that when you are ready, your secrets are safe with me. We are a family here, and we would like for you to join us, that is the reason for bringing you here," Lucius said, looking Evan in the eyes.
Evan was picking his glass up to take a drink and immediately froze, did Lucius just offer him a position in his ranks?
"Think it over, my son, I don't expect an answer right now. We will be convening here two more days this week, so come with Marcus and get a feel for things. And then this Friday, if you wish, you can come with everyone to my manor for some weekend fun," Lucius said, genially patting Evan's shoulder, then stood and walked from the bar.
Evan was exhausted the next day, he returned to the castle somewhere around 4 a.m. The effects from a sleepless night and drinking could be seen on his face. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was more unruly then ever.
"Evan, are you ok? Adriana told me what happened with your dad last night," Lily asked as Evan sat down beside her in the potions classroom.
"Yeah I'm fine, just a little tired. I'm going to have to take a nap before our detention tonight, or I'll never make it all the way through it."
Severus glided into the classroom and flicked his wand, writing the instructions for the lesson on the board, "Get to work."
Sitting down at his desk, Severus looked over at his son and his heart sank. Evan looked horrible, his pale skin and dark circles reminded Severus of himself, when he used to get called to Voldemort during the night.
Severus and Hermione had gotten into an argument after the detention last night. She refused to let Severus treat their children the way he was treating Evan. Severus ended up sleeping on the couch, Hermione had warded the bedroom and was refusing to speak to him.
Seeing Evan look horrible, made Severus feel like a failure as a parent. He really did love both his children, he just wanted them to turn out better then he did. From the time Adriana was born, he made a pact with himself that he would never be anything like his parents and he would always be in his children's life.
Right before the bell rang, Severus decided he needed to speak with Evan to make sure he was alright.
"Mr Snape, if I could have a word with you," Severus said as the bell rang.
Evan let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Lily grabbed his arm and gave him a warm smile, that caused Evan to smile back. "I'll see you in the common room," Lily said, kissing his cheek. Evan blushed and nodded.
Evan then slowly packed up his belongings and walked toward his father. Severus studied him for a moment before speaking. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright," He said softly.
Evan just nodded. He was shocked, he was sure Severus was going to yell at him for last night, and give him some awful punishment. They stood there in silence for a moment, before Evan spoke up.
"Is that all, father? I need to get to the common room to study for a test," Evan stated in a flat tone.
Severus was stunned, Evan just called him father. His kids were never this formal with him, he was always dad or daddy.
Severus nodded, afraid to speak, and watched Evan walk out the door.
After the last class of the day, Evan and Lily were on their way back to the Gryffindor common room. As they walked inside, they saw Lily's younger brother Nick, the two Weasleys, Justus and Jeremy, and Mason Malfoy huddled around the fire.
"Hey Evan, Adriana is looking for you, her and James just came by," Nick said, looking over in Evan's direction.
"What did she want?"
"She said your mum wanted to talk to you down in her's and your dad's chambers."
Evan sighed and turned to Lily, "Hopefully this won't take long, I will see you at dinner."
"Alright," Lily said, looking at him and smiling. Evan looked into her face for a moment, before they both started blushing, then he left to speak to his mother.
Hermione was finally speaking to Severus, more like yelling at him.
"You are going to end up pushing Evan away Severus, if you keep acting like this!" Hermione yelled, her face turning red.
"I don't mean to, I just don't want to be like my father! " Severus finally said angrily, sitting on the couch.
"Severus, you are nothing like your father. He was never there for you, neither was your mother, you had to rely on your sister. Evan has his sister and his two loving parents, you are nothing like that man!" Hermione said, sitting down beside him.
"I know, I love Evan and Adriana, I'm just afraid I'm not good enough as a father," Severus anxiously replied, running a hand through his hair.
Hermione took Severus' hands, "Severus, you are a wonderful father, and your kids love you to death. Evan is just mixed up right now, and he's pulling away from us. You have to be more gentle with him right now or we are going to lose him. Listen, Evan is getting ready to come down here, I'm going to have a talk with him. So make yourself scarce for a little while so I can get him to open up. Tonight at detention try talking to him, in a civilized and calm manner."
Severus nodded, "I will be in my office if you need anything, I will come back down here so we can go to the Great Hall for dinner."
Hermione nodded and gave him a soft kiss. Severus exited, to go to his office, and Evan came in about five minutes later.
"Mum, you wanted to see me?"
Hermione smiled and got up and hugged him, "I just wanted to see how you were, your sister and father were worried about you. They said it looked like you hadn't slept last night, and it appears they are correct."
Evan gave Hermione a weak smile, as she studied his face. She flicked her wand, enlarging the couch, and pulled Evan to lay down with her.
Hermione was laying against the back of the couch, with Evan cuddled in front of her. "Now, what's going on Love? You have been acting strange lately, and you've never spoken to your father the way you did last night, no matter how mad he made you," Hermione said, gently running her hands through Evan's hair.
"He's so mean to me sometimes. He's always getting on me about something, even if it was Adriana who did it or started it in the first place. I know he doesn't love me as much as Adriana, I just wish he wouldn't be so mean to me all the time."
"Severus Evan Snape, your father does not love your sister more than he loves you!" Hermione said sternly, but then softened. "I know it may seem like that, but he loves you both equally. I spoke with him earlier, he was just afraid he was going to turn out like his own father. You remember what we told you about him, right? He was never there for your dad and Aunt Elizabeth."
"Yeah, I remember."
"He's thinks that if he doesn't criticise you, then you will end up doing something you will regret. Your dad just wants to be a good father, he just doesn't realise he overdoes it sometimes. He really loves you Evan, he's so proud of you. He's always telling Uncle Draco that you outrank him in his potion projects, your dad thinks your skills are almost better then his own. You should have seen him and Uncle Harry the other night, your dad was bragging about how you are a way better seeker for Gryffindor then Harry ever was."
Evan smiled, "Really? Well, why doesn't he ever tell me any of this stuff?"
"I don't know love, give him a little bit of time. If not, I will beat it out of him."
Evan laughed and closed his eyes.
"Why don't you take a nap with me, I'm sure you're going to need it to deal with your father tonight," Hermione said, conjuring a blanket and pulling it over them.
Severus walked into his living room at six o'clock to get Hermione for dinner. He found Hermione and Evan cuddled on the couch, asleep.
Instead of going to the Great Hall for dinner, Severus decided he would make dinner in his chambers. About an hour after entering his chambers, Hermione woke up.
"Mmm, what is that smell?" Hermione said, getting up slowly, so she wouldn't wake Evan. She walked into the kitchen, where she saw Severus standing over the top of something cooking on the stove, and Adriana, James, and Lily sitting at the kitchen table.
"Shouldn't all of you be getting ready for a detention?" Hermione asked, glancing at the kids and walking up to Severus.
"This is their detention, helping me cook dinner and then eating," Severus said, kissing Hermione and then turning back to the stove.
"What about Evan?"
"He's serving his detention right now, then he will eat with the rest of us," Severus commented.
"Severus, Evan is asleep on the couch."
"I know."
Hermione turned around and looked at Adriana with a confused look on her face. Adriana just shrugged.
"Don't question it mum. But, we think dad might have been slipped a potion," Adriana said, whispering to Hermione, as she sat down with the kids.
Severus turned around and smirked at them, then went back to cooking.
"See, he's in a really good mood for some reason. Last time he was like this was when grandfather slipped him some potion in his coffee, remember? He was giddy for a week," Adriana commented, and the rest of the table laughed.
"Severus, you haven't been around Albus today have you?" Hermione asked, laughing at the memory.
"No, I haven't," Severus said, still smirking.
Just then, Evan walked into the kitchen, with his hair sticking up and the imprint of the couch on the side of his face.
"Well, isn't that a pretty picture," Adriana said sarcastically.
Evan glared, "Shut up…", he stopped, and blushed once he saw Lily.
"Aw did you realise your..", Adriana started to say, but was cut off when her mouth wouldn't open. She looked up and saw her father had his wand pointed at her.
"Yes, that's better," Severus smirked, and everyone else laughed.
"Dad! Undo the hex!"
"I will, when you can keep your mouth shut."
Evan looked down at his watch, and over at the food. He was starving, but he knew if he was to make it to detention on time he would have to shovel it down.
"Welcome to detention," Severus said, looking at Evan and then turning back around to the stove.
"What?" Evan said, looking as confused as Hermione did.
"This is your detention, love. Come sit down with us, the food is almost done," Hermione said.
Evan sat down next to Lily, "What are we doing for detention?"
"Eating," Lily said. Evan looked at her confusedly, but before he could say anything, Severus sat the food down on the table.
Everyone was serving themselves and starting to eat.
"Dad! My mouth!"
Severus laughed, "I guess I can give you the liberty of using your mouth now," he said, and pointed his wand at her, undoing the hex.
Evan was just staring at his food and looking around at everyone else.
"What's wrong, Evan?" Severus asked.
Evan looked up at him, "This is our detention?"
Severus nodded.
"What's in the food?" Evan said, eyeing his plate.
Severus smirked, "I didn't poison it, Evan. Besides if I wanted to poison us, I'd just have your mother cook."
Evan smirked, and James choked on his food, causing Evan to laugh.
"Severus Snape, just you wait until these children leave!" Hermione said, glaring.
Everyone burst out laughing, wondering what Hermione was going to do to her husband. The detention went over rather well, everyone enjoyed each other's company.
"Alright, you four need to get back, it's almost curfew," Severus stated.
Hermione and Severus kissed both their children and watched them leave for their dormitories.
"I'm proud of you, Severus," Hermione said lovingly, wrapping herself around him.
"For what?" Severus asked, as he wrapped himself around Hermione.
"For not being a jerk, and trying to make it up to your son."
"I was going to try to apologise to him tonight, but I didn't want to push him," Severus said, resting his head on Hermione's forehead.
"Give him a little bit, I'm sure he will be accepting. Hexing Adriana's mouth shut gave you big points with him, I'm sure."
Severus smirked, "I do what I can."
Evan decided to join Marcus for the two remaining evenings at the pub in Hogsmeade, he was still curious about what was going on with the group. He returned again around 4 a.m. the following morning from each visit.
"Ah, out for a late night stroll," Albus asked, walking up to Evan as he came in the main doors.
"Erm, yes Grandfather. Sorry, I know it's past curfew.." Evan said, somewhat nervously.
Albus waved his hand, "It's alright, I understand sometimes you just need to get up and clear your head."
Evan nodded.
"How is everything with your father? Your mother filled me in on the happenings between you two. She said Severus was trying to make it up to you."
"Yes, he is. He said when I was ready to talk, to come see him."
"Yes, Severus has a very good head on his shoulders, just lets his temper get in the way sometimes. You should have a chat with him, he loves you very much," Albus said, putting an arm around Evan and walking him to his common room.
Albus stopped in front of the portrait that led to the Gryffindor common room. "Evan, you may confide in me as well, you know that. And, I will let this little late night endeavor slip, and not mention it to your mother or father," Albus said, smiling and giving Evan a hug.
Friday evening after dinner, Evan was walking the grounds of Hogwarts. He still hadn't decided whether to join everyone at Malfoy Manor. Knowing who Lucius Malfoy was, he knew it was a bad idea, but he was interested in what Lucius was providing; power, knowledge, and a second family.
Evan rounded the lake, and saw Adriana sitting in front of it.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?" Evan asked, going over and sitting down beside her, "Are you crying?"
Adriana sniffled and looked up at Evan.
"What's wrong?" Evan asked, putting an arm around her, "You and James didn't break up, did you?"
"No, Evan, I screwed up bad, I think mum and dad are going to kill me."
"It can't be that bad, and dad would never kill you, I can assure you of that," Evan said, trying to lighten the mood.
Adriana half smiled, "Evan, I think…I think I might be pregnant."
Evan's mouth gaped open, "What!? Are you sure? I mean, how do you know?"
"Well, no, I'm not sure. But I missed my period, Evan, I need to go to Poppy, but I know she's going to tell mum and dad or granddad or grandmum."
"It will be alright, mum and dad will flip out at first, but they will come to terms with it. They know you and James are having sex anyway, well dads in denial about it but mum knows."
"Yeah, but they don't expect me to be popping out a kid anytime soon!"
Evan stood up and held his hand out, "Come on, lets go to mum and dad. I will go with you, I need to talk to dad anyway."
Adriana nodded and got up, Evan put his arm back around her, and together they walked down to the dungeons.
"YOU'RE WHAT!?" Severus bellowed, jumping up from the couch. Hermione sat there with a blank expression on her face.
"I don't know for sure, dad. I need to go to Poppy and find out, but it's a possibility," Adriana said nervously, gripping tightly onto Evan's hand.
"This is just fantastic. One of my kids won't even talk to me, while the other one is making babies with the damned Potter boy!" Severus spat.
"Dad! It was an accident!"
"So you accidentally fell into bed with James, with no clothes on!"
"Severus sit down, this isn't helping," Hermione said calmly.
"I'm going to fucking kill that Potter boy!" Severus muttered, grudgingly sitting down.
Hermione stood up and flooed Poppy, asking her to come to her chambers. When Poppy arrived, Hermione, Severus, Adriana, and Poppy walked into the master bedroom.
"It will be alright," Evan said comfortingly, squeezing Adriana's hand before she went.
Ten minutes later, Poppy emerged from the bedroom and flooed back to the infirmary. About twenty minutes later, Severus came out of the bedroom.
"Dad, I need to talk to you," Evan said, standing from the couch.
"Evan, not now," Severus said, still angry at Adriana's situation.
"No, it has to be now. I know this isn't a good time, but I need to speak with you," Evan said pleadingly.
"NO! Evan, I have had enough for one night, this has to wait," Severus said shortly, walking into the kitchen.
"It HAS to be NOW!" Evan said, raising his voice and grabbing Severus' arm.
"Boy, do you have a death wish?" Severus said furiously, about an inch from Evan's face.
"Why all the yelling?" Hermione asked, coming out of the bedroom.
"Mum, I need to speak with dad, well, you and dad."
"I said not now!" Severus bellowed.
"Evan, he's right, not right now."
Evan was becoming more and more angry. He knew he needed to tell them about Lucius and all his encounters. "MUM! You don't understand!"
"SEVERUS EVAN SNAPE, YOU WILL NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME! Your father and I have had enough for the evening, go back to your common room!" Hermione barked out.
Evan's face turned red, and he fought back tears as he stalked out of the chambers. Hermione had never yelled at Evan like that for no reason, he knew they were still upset about Adriana, but it still hurt him.
I wonder if she is pregnant? Evan thought. He was reminded of what Lucius had said to him in the pub, once Adriana has James children, Evan would be out of the picture. It appeared Lucius was right.
It was almost 11 o'clock now. Evan walked up to his dorm, removed the robe Lucius gave him for the party at the manor tonight, and put it on. He walked to the front gate, and met Marcus Carrow.
"Can you apparate?" Marcus asked.
"Well, I know how, but legally I can't," Evan replied.
"Alright, we'll do side-along then," Marcus grabbed Evan's arm and they apparated outside of Malfoy Manor.
"Oh, before I forget, you will need this," Marcus said, handing Evan a mask.
Evan looked down, and saw a skull-shaped mask staring back at him.
Review!! I want to know what everyone thinks of this chapter.
