Disclaimer: I hope this chapter clears up a bit of why Lord Knott (Tiberius Sr.) Was not around when he was first brought in and Josiah was informed first as well as it will clear up a bit on the families views on the war. And how they are handling his reappearance. Some of which has come up in the reviews. If you recognize it, I do not own it. I hope this chapter is what you were looking for.
As soon as the meeting ended, both Knott's returned to the manor belonging to their family. Not wasting even, a moments time to get there. Tiberius stood at their arrival, on edge slightly knowing where his brother had gone. He was cut off before a word was said as his father quickly pulled him into a hug. "Tiberius, my boy," Tiberius Sr said. "I'm so happy for you."
"Father," Tiberius said being pulled into a hug. He was surprised with his father's presence, "I did not think you were back in the country yet. You were not due back for another fortnight."
"Yes well, I finished with my business sooner than expected," He stated. While his trip had seemed important at the time, it felt absolutely pointless now. "I apologize for being out of contact, especially with such important news. But none of that matters now. He is truly alive?"
"Yes, he is," Tiberius stated. "It was hard to believe at first. We are trying not to have it hit the papers just yet. There will be an outroar once it is found out."
Tiberius Sr growled slightly. "No doubt. Considering we all know who must be involved for him to have been their precious boy who lived. Dumbledore had to be involved in some way, keeping it quiet for the moment is best. I agree. I suppose that is what you had written to me about. I have not even been in the country a few hours when the meeting was called."
Tiberius nodded, "So it was business for the Dark Lord then," He guessed. His father had been out of town for a few weeks and had been pretty quiet on why he had been done. Seeing as his arrival coincided with a meeting…even with how long he had been believed dead, his father was loyal to the Dark Lord from the beginning. "Aren't you getting too old to run about on his sort of business."
"First I am not old, second, let us not argue on this Tiberius, today is a good day," Tiberius Sr suggested. "It is not every day you find your grandsons alive."
"I'm sorry you learnt it at a meeting," Tiberius said. "However, it is best if those with more connection to the case were informed early, especially with whom my son was believed to be. Emilio and I both agreed we wanted control over how the information was released and I am sure we will be seeing Lord Lestrange amongst a few others shortly and we can take control over the mess this is."
"How I learnt it doesn't matter," Tiberius Sr said. "I am just so glad he has been found."
Tiberius looked to his younger brother. "Josiah, how was the information met? And Since clearly the dark lord knows…I do not wish to fight a war to protect my son and I definitely do not want to fight two." The light was clearly involved in some way with the disappearance though they lacked proof. He did not want to have to worry with the dark families targeting his son for other reasons. There was so much to do with his son's arrival, he felt like he would fail to meet every potential risk or threat in time. As much as he wanted to celebrate, there was a wore and he for good reason, blamed the last one for his sons loss.
"He will not attack yours," Josiah promised. "And if sorts like Malfoy intends to, it will be handled. A few of the others present indicated they would back my play if need be. He will be safe from them." Tiberius did not even bother to hide his sigh of relief.
That however, reminded the Knott family head, just what his idiot son had done. "And you, you Gryffindor idiot," Tiberius sr. said wondering how he failed to ensure his youngest had any measure of common sense. "Even at his best, no one tells the dark lord to do something, no one gives him orders. Are you trying to be killed?"
It took a second for Tiberius to realize just what was suggested, "You did what," Tiberius demanded.
Josiah was not bothered by his family's anger or what he had done. It had to be done. "What I had to, it got my point across," Josiah said. "He would lose all the Knott's in alliance if he attacked one of ours. Something he cannot risk with as little he has currently. I did what I had to, to ensure your sons were safe and I do not have any regrets Tiberius. You are my brother. My only brother. They are my nephews. I love them from the moment they were born. You made me both of their godfathers for a reason. I would die for them brother. I would fight the dark lord himself for them. I will protect them all. He is your baby boy Tiberius...I watched as he was placed in your arms the day he was born. I watched as your heart and spirit broke a bit more each time you looked at his empty bed. I watched as you gave up on everything with his loss. I will not lose you and if you lose either of those boys again. I will lose you brother. You protected me my entire life. You always were there for me. No matter what foolish stunt I did. It is my time to protect you. No matter what it takes."
Tiberius pulled his baby brother into his arms and if Josiah felt his shoulder get wet with tears, he said nothing.
"My boys, if only your mother could see you both now," Tiberius Sr said hugging them both. "Now...where is that grandbaby of mine."
"Here granddad," Theodore said as Gabriel was by his side. Later they would wonder how long they stood there and just what was overheard, but for now, Tiberius Sr focused on the child he had long lost hope on ever finding again. "Gabriel, this is granddad. Granddad this is Gabriel."
Tiberius Sr went to him and pulled him into a hug. Noticing the way, he flinched and just how thin and fragile the young boy felt. His heart broke slightly seeing his fear, especially as he knew the child had good reason considering that Tiberius Sr had met him once before, as he watched him being tortured by the man, he swore his life to. "I am sorry I did not defend you that day grandson, but I promise you now, not even the dark lord will lay a hand on you."
Gabriel did not quite know how to believe that. The idea of being left alone was too foreign. "Thank you sir."
"It is granddad," he returned gently. "I think you are a bit too old to call me g'ampy anymore but if you feel like it, I don't mind. Now where is that Gryffindor son in law of mine. I need to see him. At least he is not so reckless as my Gryffindor son. Hopefully you take more after your papa then your uncle in that matter," the last part was said teasingly and Gabriel untensed slightly. He did not seem as gruff and scary as he had in the graveyard.
"Here father," he said being pulled into a hug as well.
"My family, all together again, does an old man's heart good," Tiberius Sr. said.
It was a little while before the kids were sent off to bed. "So, you going to tell me what you were doing in another country for so long with hardly a word father, seeing as you left just shortly after the dark lord was given a body once again," Tiberius stated.
His father sighed, "Tiberius son."
"Because it has been over a decade since the last war, and you are far from young now father. And if you are off running the same nonsense as before, you are going to get either killed or join the others in Azkaban," Tiberius said. "And I am not losing you too. You agreed not to make me lose anyone else and not to be foolish."
"First, I am not as ancient as you seem to think son and we all made our choices. I still stand by mine. I know you wished for neutrality in the last war, but we are not made for that. We all agreed not to allow our fighting the world influence our family."
"That is before our friends suffer in Azkaban and now, I have my son back as well. I may believe in his intentions, but I do not believe in his methods and never have," Tiberius said. "And I sure as hell am sick of never knowing where my father and brother are off, whether they are dead or alive. I have just gotten my son back. I do not wish to lose you both too. All I want is our family to be left alone."
"Tiberius, you know that is even more unlikely now, seeing as whom he was placed as, then it was before," Josiah reminded. "You're the Slytherin of us."
Tiberius glared. "Perhaps I am not so ready to forgive the fact that a man you both followed, crucio'd my son and tortured him, ridiculed him, and tried to duel him to the death. I am willing to bid peacefully but what sort of wizards tortures a child, even if he saw him as 14. 14 is still a child. You were both there."
"He was half insane from the rebirth ritual," Josiah said. "He has agreed to leave Gabriel alone. And if he breaks that agreement, then I will never again follow him but years of loyalty, of devotion to the cause, cannot end with a single spell. Am I pleased by his actions no. But brother, he has regained his sanity and his power. If anyone can protect your son it is him."
"And the rest of the world will target them," Tiberius said.
Both flinched, knowing a part of Tiberius had blamed them for the fact no one cared to look for his child because of the fact they were suspected death eaters. Tiberius had never taken the mark, though he supported them. He chose neutral. But he was the one who suffered the most.
"Enough," Emilio ordered causing them to all look his way. He had been silent through most of this and had returned after tucking in the boys. "The past is the past and arguing over it will do nothing. Yes, they are Death Eaters and Loyal and yes, the dark lord has made many mistakes. However, all of you blaming each other and yourselves for the actions of others does none of us any good and I have had it. This is a time of celebration not pitting blame. Tiberius, we chose not to be involved with the war, anymore then necessary. So, we have no right to their business as they do their part. And It is none of your fault the auroras did the bare minimum in searching for our son. That lies on their shoulders."
"I am sorry," Tiberius said. "It has just been…a long decade waiting for answers. And now that we have him home, we should be happy, and celebrating but it is like waiting for the next curse to hit us."
"I do not know about the Dark Lord and his plans, as long as my sons are left alone. At the end of the day, the dark families searched for our son. The aurors, many of whom were once my classmates, some even friends, chose to hate us for being dark and ignoring he was innocent. That is not because of who we supported in the war. It is always going to be because the family is dark. AS long as the war avoids us, I am happy. And I do not want any more talk of it in this house. Both of our sons are sneaky and overhear things they should not. I want them protected from the truth of the fighting as long as possible. Gabriel wants nothing to do with the fighting, so as long as the dark lord leaves him alone, nothing more needs to be said of the past. The graveyard none of it."
"It is not so easy to be forgiven for standing by while your grandson is hurt," Tiberius Sr said.
Emilio sighed. "Considering what has been done to him by the light side and Dumbledore specifically, he is by far the lesser evil. Just enough. The war and everyone else will be expecting us to fall apart. We need now more then ever to actually stand together."
"Your right," Tiberius said kissing his husband chastely.
"I am always right," Emilio returned. "Now, we will at least pretend to be a normal family for even a moment and I want to hear no more talk of the dark lord or Dumbledore."
"Tell me of your son," Tiberius Sr asked. "Of Gabriel."
"He has not been here long," Emilio stated. "We have hardly had a chance to truly get to know him. He is a very sweet child though. He enjoys animals and creatures. He is extremely bright and forgiving. A bit mischievous, and very good at listening in and getting a good view of things before getting involved. We have gotten him a healer, that was our first priority because he has not had a good life. But he is here, he is alive. And we can ensure the rest of his childhood is free of war and fighting, curses and pain."
"I will do everything in my power to ensure neither boy ever suffers," Tiberius Sr said.
"I know, that is what I am afraid of," Tiberius said. "Exactly what you will risk ensuring it."
"And I am a grown man and despite being a man yourself. I am still responsible for myself and my choices. And in this, I will listen to your husband."
Tiberius sighed. "Just, come to me if you need help. Both of you. I may refuse to take the mark, but I worry about you both."
Neither responded and they just sat silently for a bit before leaving as it was very late. Though both Tiberius Sr and Josiah had to see Gabriel once more, just to remind themselves he was there. Alive.