Disclaimer: The regular disclaimer still stays in place; I owe nothing but the AU and OC. The rest belongs to JKR.
My mind lives in the Harry Potter fanfiction world though my body is still thankfully anchored in the monotonous reality of existence. My themes, plotline, and storyline may, therefore, get indirectly influenced by many of the brilliant fanfiction writers on this site. And I humbly bow to such creative genius who give me much needed literary pleasures to see through the toils of mundane life. Lastly, I don't have a beta, so please be merciful. Reviews would encourage this introvert writer to peep out of her literary closet.

Like I mentioned, Scars deals with the Post War AU situation, where though the Dark Lord had been killed, things had turned grim. Another threat in the name of Greyback had reared its head up. The population of Magical Britain had been drastically reduced and the survivors had to take steps to save themselves. This would ask for huge sacrifices both on personal and socio-economic levels. Foes will have to work together. Our own characters will grow out of their fumbling and faulty teenhood persona, war-hardened. They will carry both mental and battle scars and will learn to heal, find love, affection, and comfort in the oddest of places- in the hearts of long-standing enemies or people they had never looked back to twice. (tt)

Chapter 1

In the night sky of the ancient Black forest, five brooms appeared out of nowhere. Clothed in dark robes, five people smoothly landed on the grass. Two women. Three men. Two of the taller men brought forward two bundles, that they had been cradling close to their chests throughout the long ride from Magical Britain. The younger man was looking around the small clearing they had just dismounted upon. It was quiet. An uncanny quiet even for a forest so dense.

Once each of them had ascertained that not a single soul apart from them was around, the taller and thinner man removed his hood, gesturing the other to follow suit. Severus Snape had walked up to Harry Potter, relinquishing his burden in the young man's waiting arms. Likewise the newly appointed Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt had walked up to Luna, delivering his bundle which the witch cradled carefully on the crook of her elbow. in hushed whispers, the man had mused, "Only once did she wriggle!" Snape murmured," its time, are you sure, Andromeda, we are in the right place?" The older woman replied, "I..I am most certain of it Snape."

"Then, in that case, we better start the ritual."

Andromeda Tonks walked up to her grandson secured within Harry's arms and whispered "Lumos". The tip of her wand glowed in response, throwing light over the face of a tiny baby with small chestnut hair. He only cringed his brows but had continued to slumber. Though the elders around him could feel the air growing chilly. Slowly his grandmother had brought out his tiny fist and left it hanging out of his blanket.

Severus Snape had, in the meantime, approached the sleeping girl in Luna's arms. The young woman had already removed the baby's blanket. The newborn's platinum golden hair shone brightly even if the surrounding was drenched in haunting darkness. With his bony fingers, he carefully freed untangled the tiny fist and had left it hanging outstretched.

When Harry and Luna had stood face to face, letting the outstretched baby fists aligned one over the other, Snape had joined them to form a perfect human triangle. Around those five, Shacklebolt and Andromeda had started humming under their breath, their wands busy, creating patterns on the forest ground. The air had started growing chilly, and a strange bird had hooted from a nearby tree. Luna had been transfixed at the sight of a reddish spiral pattern forming under her feet and looked up at Harry, only to find him equally bewildered.

The Potion Master warned once, "Concentrate, the both of you!", and placed the baby fists one over it other after holding them open. At his cue, Luna had held on to the open palm of the baby girl. And Harry had done the same with Ted Lupin.

"Make sure, none of them pull away, hold it tight." Snape had brought out a needlepoint knife, that he had been carrying with him in a hidden holster under his billowing robes. In the plain moonlight, its golden surface glinted with a dull aura. Clearing his throat in his signature baritone voice, he had begun chanting a spell that morphed into an ancient forest song. Bringing the knife down swiftly on Ted's palm, he made a clean-cut, making the baby screech and wail in pain. The baby girl had woken up at the sudden sound, but undeterred Snape repeated the action on her open palm. Holding the bleeding palms, he had joined them at the wounds, which had started bleeding. With his larger, coarser ones, he nestled them, and Harry and Luna, both placed their free hands over his.

Together they had chanted along with the Potion Master, and were soon joined by Shacklbolt and Andromeda who had been standing right outside the glowing pattern, with their wands pointed at the human triangle formed by the other five. Their strong voices, the howling wind around, the swaying trees about had succeeded in masking the paining wails of the babies inside this other protective magical field. Snape had repeatedly pressed on the tiny palms, and soon he could feel the trail of blood flow over his large hands and hit the glowing ground below. The ground started vibrating. The patterns below their feet had started glowing. A deep crimson ray started forming right where the drops of blood had fallen. Very soon, it started rippling outwards. Only once had the ripple grew tight and the next moment it had exploded, sending the other older onlookers off their feet.

Shacklebolt and Andromeda were asked to wait for this moment itself. Picking themselves up hastily, they had taken a few steps forward, still pointing their wands ahead. They screamed, " Versiegeln Sie die Bindung" ten times. Their voice oddly mingled with the song Snape had continued chanting, finding his pauses and filling the gaps to complete the spell. Snape felt the vibration quake in his bones and shaking slightly, barely managed to keep standing. He let go of the palms he was so long gripping on from below.

The younger couple, still holding the crying babies in each of their arms, stared at the thinner and paler man in awe. Shaking his head once and then twice, "I too did not expect it. A half veela and a half-werewolf to become soul bound. I clearly sang the archaic magic spell for blood protection…"

Shacklebolt had wiped off the sweat forming over his bald head and walked in closer. "What is done, is done. Magic still knows ways to surprise us," then shifting his gaze from the babies to the ones holding on to them, he said, in a solemn voice, "That's it then, we better leave. Or else, our absence will be noted. I wish you both a happy married life, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Madam Tonks do take care."

"Kingsley, not yet." Severus Snape swiftly pocketed the needlepoint knife inside its dedicated holster, that he wore under his billowing robes. Then he brought out a phial. Kneeling over the blood splatter still wet on the ground, he siphoned some off it into the phial and put the stopper back in place. Sending a long remorseful look at the baby girl, he pocketed it. Next, he had brought out a longish sack and handed it to the older woman.

"Andromeda, there are phials of healing potions and specific potions for infant ailments, you might require. There are a couple of basic caldrons, herbs, potions, ingredients, some clothes and other regular needs you all might require to set up, Poppy was kind enough to arrange for baby formulas, those are supposed to last long enough," he once turned to Shacklebolt and then looking back at the emotional old woman, he continued, "in case, I am not available, contact Mr. Neville Longbottom."

The woman had walked up and then hugged the man with all her might. He stiffened at the sudden contact and clumsily patted the others back.

"I don't know how to…"

"Don't Andromeda, I was always a duty-bound man, remember..."

Untangling himself from her fierce hug, he turned to look at the young man. Giving him a piercing look, he had brandished his wand and walked off to the nearest trees. In moments, he transfigured them into long logs and in half hours' time, a decent cabin stood in the small clearing.

Swallowing once and taking a deep breath, Severus Snape, renowned for his hatred for Harry Potter, hugged the man mindful of the baby boy, in his arms. Blinking away, tears, he whispered close to the bewildered man's ears, "Lily would have been proud of you. And so am I, Harry. Consider that cabin, as my gift and my token of gratitude." Squeezing the man tighter for one more second, he let go of him.

Next, he walked up to the young woman. She gave him an encouraging dreamy smile and had held out the still whimpering baby girl. Carefully, he took her in his long bony arms. Running one long finger over her chubby cheek, in a soft loving voice, he had murmured, "Forgive me, little one, I know that did hurt a lot. But Godfather will always watch over you." Placing a chaste kiss over her brows, he had handed her over back to the young woman.

Giving the five of them a long look, he nodded curtly and walked back to Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had already picked up their brooms. They swiftly mounted their brooms, when the young man called out from behind.

"Minister Shacklebolt, Professor Snape, if you ever so wish your owls to find us, in future, remember to address your parcels to either Mr. Heimrich Claysmith or Mrs. Launa Claysmith or Madam Skontas."

A second later two brooms rose a couple of feet high, hovering over the clearing for a while, disappeared in thin air.

The five magical people left behind had kept staring upwards into the night sky, when a howl of a lone wolf in this quiet Black Forest of Germany, greeted the new dwellers for the first time.

The ground had started rumbling once again. Wands drawn, the three adults had immediately taken up a battle stance. Though the nestling babies unaffected by it were merrily cooing within the arms of the young couple.

Andromeda was the first person to notice the shimmering apparition behind them.

"Harry, Luna…look."

Hoisting his godson closer to his chest, Harry had stood in front of Luna, who too was guarding Theadora by holding her close to her chest, caution rippling through her body.

Gaping down the sinking sense of foreboding, Harry had inched closer to Andromeda, his wand still pointed at the now hazy mirage of an old cottage.

"That would most certainly be, Gran Grezel's cottage…this magical field around us is ancient, old, and forgotten…yet how fascinating."

Luna, who was watching the gradual reveal of a forgotten dwelling, whispered in awe, over Harry's shoulder," Magic recognizes, it's true blood."

Andromeda had turned back and nodded, her face overjoyed, "Yes, dear, Old Magic recognizes us as protectors of its future masters," glancing down at the two babies, who too were peering at the glowing cottage," we are safe now, truly safe."

The ground had vibrated for a couple of moments. The after-effects of the residual magic exploded through the surrounding forest, sending ripples of energy through its expanse.

Another howl of a wolf ripped through the quietness, making the new people shudder.

To their utter amazement, the moment both Harry and Luna, Ted and Theadora still held protectively in their arms, had crossed the outer mark of the cottage, the throbbing magical presence died down. The cottage was now as real as the Log House, standing next to it.

Andromeda gushed with excitement, "Never in my dreams did I imagine I would stand and would also have the opportunity to live in a mythical cottage." Turning to the young couple, she exclaimed as if remembering a very important point. "Now, now, why don't the two of you wait here. I will just go and arrange your rooms for the night."

With that she turned and had walked down the small path. Unlocking the front door, she stepped into the Log house.

Once, inside, the old woman, who had lost too many family members in this war, leaned against it and allowed her body to quake. Outside, she had to be strong for that frightened young couple. Here, alone and all by herself, she could loosen her armour. She could weep a tear or two, she could cry. This, the whole of this was a voluntary exile. To stop another Evil from rearing its head up. Pushing down another approaching set of cries, she chastised herself, "Not now. There will be time for all this."

Standing straight she walked further into the room, and had given it a closer inspection. Snape did magnificent work. Minerva would be so proud of him if she ever got the chance to lay her eyes on this masterpiece.

Rising her wand, she brought out her beads bag. This one was similar to the one Hermione Granger had carried on their Horcrux expedition. The girl had gifted this one to the old woman before they had left for Germany. She had also helped her pack a few of the items, she thought they all would need in order to settle down.

Squaring her shoulders, she had left the bag open on the floor before her, and muttered to herself, "It's time." Then a little louder and in a clear practiced voice, she had uttered, "Accio Harry's bedroom Items."

She levitated a four-poster bed, two dressers, bedside tables, and such similar household furniture. She had also brought out candles, several of them, and placed them around the room. Next drapes, curtains, bed linen of burgundy red, and rich royal blue shades had flown out of the bag and had soon wrapped themselves around their designated places in the cosy space. A small Persian rug had unrolled itself at the foot of the bed. Two armchairs had settled themselves next to the now blazing hearth. Above, the ceiling had an artistic chandelier with everlasting candles lit up, lazily hanging above, throwing soft light around the room.

She noticed two doors on the furthest wall and opened them one by one. One was a bathroom complete with a shower and a mirror and washbasin. The other was an extended walk-in closet. She shookn her head in utter disbelief and had smirked, "The man wears only black, and still, knows what a house requires! Ever the perfectionist."

Harry gestured Luna to follow him, and together they sat side by side with the two babies settled in their laps. Harry conjured up two orbs of blue light and had left them hovering above the four of them. Luna in return gave him a small smile of appreciation.

"I…so much happened…this... all of this is so overwhelming. I never thought I would live…"

Luna turned her face at him, and hummed," Nor did I".

She had looked down at the drowsy baby girl in her lap. "I don't know how to manage a baby. And I will have to…I mean…we are expected to…take care of both of them…and this marriage…"

"I know, but trust me, Luna, I will try, I know, I am not the most patient person, but I know how important family is…I will try, for all of us."

"To think of all this at once is frightening, but we can take one step at a time…can't we?

Meanwhile Andromeda had come out of the log house and stood at its threshold. Her eyes had welled up as she quietly watched the two young people trying to function as a family. She had to be strong. They knew nothing of life. And at every step from now on, they would turn to her for guidance. Blinking her tears away, she had walked back to them.

She appeared from behind and replied on behalf of all of them, "Yes, one step at a time, sounds promising. Now, why don't you go in after all…"

Harry got up, mindful of snoozing Ted, in his arms, "Aunt Dora, why don't we help you settle in first."

"In that case, we need two bassinets for these two munchkins," the older woman had pointed out. She pointed her wand at some nearby tree stumps. Giving the wand a couple of flicks, she successfully transfigured them, into rocking bassinets. Harry handed over Ted to his grandmother. He undid his navy-blue scarf and had transfigured that into a baby blanket. Walking up to the two bassinets he brought them over, and had placed the blanket inside one.

Luna too followed suit and had transformed her pink cowl. A pretty pink blanket, with dancing unicorns at its borders now lined up the insides of the other bassinet. Satisfied, that the new furniture held on to their transfigured properties, Andromeda levitated them, while Harry opened the front door to the Cottage.

"Well, for now, let us just get these two sleepyheads settled in." Once all of them entered the magical cottage, the fire in the hearth had set ablaze on its own. The candles on the sconces around the big space had lit up. The kettle over the small kitchenette came alive. There was a table of six, with chairs around it, a couch and a centre table. On the left hand, they noticed a room. Stepping inside, they found out it was a rather large bedroom. Gently placing the two rocking cots near the king size bed, they walked back into the living space. Apart from the bare necessities already present, they had found two adjoining doors. One was a moderate bathroom, with old pipework. And the other could work both as a storeroom and a pantry.

Andromeda had left Snape's Sack on the couch. She would have time, later on, to sort out all the items he had packed for them. Right now, she needed Harry and Luna to retire for the night. They hardly had much time left.

She walked up to them and had drawn them together in a motherly hug. She took the time to whisper into their ears, "Take care of each other. I know things are not ideal, but this night will come in your lives only once, make the most of it."

She dragged the thoroughly blushing couple out of the house and walked up to the entrance of the Log house. Placing Luna's hand into Harry's firmer ones, she nudged them towards the log. Though after a moment, she had called out, amused, "By the way, what should we call, Snape's gift?"

Harry shrugged "I would hardly know, I have started my life in a cupboard under the staircase, and then Hogwarts was like my forever home…" He looked at Luna, expectantly.

The new wife had stared at the house dreamily. A while later, she tugged at Harry's hand and said, "Tiny". Harry and Andromeda couldn't help laughing aloud. The older woman quipped, "I would assure you Mr. and Mrs. Claysmith, nothing about our elusive potion Master is just simply 'Tiny'. Their laughter eased away the heavily weighing tension biting at their conscience for the last couple of days. The young couple] turned back and pleaded, "Let us help you settle the babies, first…"

Smiling back, Andromeda just shooed them away. She dragged them instead, in their new house, "Tiny." A swift flick of her wand had peeled off their heavy cloak and robes. Underneath both of them were still wearing the marriage ceremonial tunics. They both had looked back at her bashfully. With a fond smile she ordered, "Oh, my young love! Now! remember, take care of each other." And turned and walked out. A second later she locked the door from outside with a powerful locking spell. Least those two still thought they could delay the inevitable.

When she had turned and started walking towards the cottage, she noticed a hunched-up shadow at the periphery of the clearing. Two yellow eyes watching her. She gulped down and simply nodded at the figure. Walking faster, she entered the cottage and had locked it. Fearing for her life and those she was supposed to look after, she had put up a strong locking spell and strong warding spells on the doors and the windows. She peered through the smoky glass of the window. The pair of yellow eyes were still watching the cottage with rapt attention. Wiping her face with her shaking hands, she whispered to no one particular, "Merlin! Let that be Schwarze Nacht".

A/N: Schwarze Nacht in German means Black Night. Versiegeln Sie die Bindung in German means seal the bond. I could be wrong, just following the 'google translate' here. 😊