Author's Notes: I love the next few scenes, especially the last one and I'm excited and nervous for someone other than me to be reading them. Just as a reminder, italics means the person is speaking in the magical Malfoy language (that I invented). Corbin did the ritual so he could speak it but no one other than Cassius knows that.
Getting Some Answers
Corbin woke the next morning because he was too hot - sandwiched between Cassius and Harry. He turned to look at Cassius and Cassius's green eyes fluttered open.
"Morning," Corbin said softly.
"What?"
"You've been asleep over twelve hours, I bet you're starving."
"Beckest?" Harry piped up, "You wan pancaes, Mama?"
"Yes" Corbin smiled, Harry had started asking them questions that he himself would like to be asked, it was very cute. "Daddy, you take a shower, and Harry and I will start the pancakes." Corbin sat up, Harry had already jumped out of bed and was waiting for him at the doorway. Cassius got up from the bed and started towards their bathroom. He stopped Corbin as Corbin crossed the room towards the door. "What?"
Cassius didn't answer. Corbin pushed his hands into Cassius's already messy hair and pulled Cassius's forehead to press against his own.
"My love is never shaken, no matter what tempests you create," Corbin said softly. Cassius huffed a laugh and pulled Corbin close for a hug that made his ribs creak.
Harry and Corbin made the pancake batter together and then Harry sat at the table when Cassius came into the kitchen and the two of them ate pancakes with a great deal of butter and syrup.
"Cassius, maybe you need to rest, you can miss a day," Corbin said gently after all their plates were empty.
"No, I can't," Cassius stood up. "Have a good day at school, Harry, I love you,"
"I love you, Daddy," Harry said as Cassius kissed his cheek.
Cassius walked from the kitchen. Corbin hurried after him, grabbing his arm before he could disapparate.
"I'll meet you at the ministry when you're done with classes." Corbin said, "They end at 4?"
"Yes. I didn't want you to worry."
"You were very successful, I had no idea anything was wrong," Corbin sighed. "Cassius, I would rather you be truthful and cause me to worry than to lie to me."
"So, I should tell you about the pain I have when-"
"I swear to God, you better be joking or I will take you to Saint Mungo's right now!"
"I'm joking! I'm joking!" Cassius laughed.
Corbin shoved Cassius's shoulder hard, "You are a git."
"You wouldn't really take me there," Cassius said, and Corbin was glad to hear how certain he sounded.
"No, I wouldn't," Corbin pulled Cassius close and kissed him for a long time. "I'll see you after classes."
"I'll come home, you don't have to meet me there."
Corbin stepped close to Cassius, "If you're not home by 4:05…"
"You're so pretty when you're threatening," Cassius smiled.
Corbin rolled his eyes, "Malfoys."
Cassius disapparated with a crack.
Corbin didn't know how he'd check if Cassius had an obscurus - he'd never even heard of the word but there were so many things about the wizarding world he didn't know because he hadn't grown up in it.
After dropping Harry off at preschool and before he could lose his courage, Corbin knocked on the large door at Malfoy Manor. If Cassius had an obscurus, whatever it was, Lucius would know.
The door opened silently, and Dobby greeted him with a bow.
"Master, The Mudblood has come to visit," Dobby scampered down the hallway. Corbin could practically hear the capitalization of his 'name' in Dobby's voice.
Narcissa came gliding down the stairs, elegant in her long black robe, "Corbin, what an unexpected pleasure!"
"Narcissa, hello, I'm sorry for just dropping by," Corbin said, feeling underdressed in his jeans and jumper, "I have a question I hope Lucius can answer."
"Oh, he's taken Draco to the zoo. He won't be back for a few hours." Narcissa frowned slightly. "I'm so sorry."
"Narcissa, tell him to ask me this question," Julius Malfoy's voice startled Corbin, and he swallowed down some curse words.
"Julius would like to know your question, perhaps he could help?" Narcissa interpreted politely.
"Oh, um." Corbin looked at Julius Malfoy warily. "I want to know what an obscurus is."
"An obscurus!" Narcissa gasped, her hand coming up to cover her mouth in horror, "No! Surely not Harry!"
"No!" Corbin hastened to reassure her, "No, not Harry."
"What other child does he have that he is concerned about?"Julius asked, looking at Corbin with suspicion.
"Julius would like to know what child you know that you think might have this affliction," Narcissa said politely.
Corbin shook his head, "No, no, there's no other child. Only children have an obscurus?"
Narcissa shuddered, "A child can develop one...and it is very rare for them to reach adulthood."
Corbin glanced at his father-in-law and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head and memories flashed before his eyes - the teapot shattering, Cassius convulsing, Cassius with black eyes, Cassius leaning in... Corbin shook his head violently. Taking his wand out of his pocket, he blindly cast a stinging hex as he stumbled backward. As quickly as it had started, the pain stopped.
"You could have just asked," Corbin said angrily. He glared at Julius, feeling cold satisfaction at the welt he saw on Julius's cheek. "Do not do that again."
"Come, let us continue this conversation in the parlor," Narcissa said, seemingly unruffled by her brother-in-law hexing her father-in-law. The tea-things had been set out by the time they had reached the parlor. Narcissa poured Julius a cup of tea first before she poured Corbin a cup. Corbin took it more out of politeness than desire.
"Well?" Corbin demanded, "Does Cassius have an obscurus?"
"No. Cassius is not an obscurial," Julius shook his head. "Obscurials are those who develop a dark magical force when they are very young. They do so when their magic is repressed - it was common before we separated ourselves from the inferior muggles."
Corbin rolled his eyes, "Yes, inferior muggles and mudbloods, I know your views well. So, an adult cannot develop an obscurus?"
"No," Julius answered. "The magical outbursts Cassius has are not an obscurus. In children we would call it accidental magic. It is rare for adult wizards or witches to do accidental magic, but...After...after, Cassius's magic was injured."
"Yes," Corbin said, "Well, thank you for the information."
"Heightened emotions affect Cassius's magic."
"I know that," Corbin snapped angrily, "but the outbursts have never been this severe."
Julius brushed a hand across his eyes. "My precious son. I worried about him being in the auror program."
"Because you believe he is not capable?" Corbin asked.
"Not capable?" Julius asked coldly, "Of course, he is. How could you doubt him?"
"I do not!" Corbin exclaimed, "He doubts himself. Because of you."
"Because of me?" Julius stared at him.
"He strives to meet the impossible standard you demand! And you have never been satisfied with his efforts. You say he is precious to you, but your actions do not match your words."
Julius lowered his gaze and did not answer.
"You will help him," Corbin ordered.
"I cannot." Julius shook his head. Corbin opened his mouth to argue but stopped when Julius held up his hand, "Augustus can. He helped Cassius before."
"How do I find him?"
"He is a healer at St. Mungo's."
Corbin set his teacup down, he could go to St. Mungo's before picking Harry up.
"I did not want Cassius to marry you," Julius said.
"Yes, I know," Corbin said, standing up.
"It is unthinkable that a mudblood could be worthy of the Malfoy name." Julius stood. They faced each other for a moment, Corbin's hand tight around his wand. "Narcissa, I shall return to my study. Good day to you, Corbin," Julius bowed slightly and left the room.
When Corbin turned to say goodbye to Narcissa, she was looking at him with wide eyes. She quickly schooled her face and stood up, extending her hand, "Good day to you, Corbin."
Corbin shook her hand, "Good day to you, Narcissa."
