Give me one more chance
Chapter 20: Alive and Well
Pairings: James/Lucius
Rating: Kneazle
Disclaimer: The characters of Harry Potter are not mine; they are the property of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
W A R N I N G: This is about male pregnancy (possibly) and male/male relationships. I'm letting you know now what the relationships WILL contain. So, if you are AGAINST such pairings, please find something else more to your liking, you have been WARNED.
Flames will be ignored.
Beta-read by: Jadwiga. Thanks hon! You're the best. Any mistakes after she has done her work are mine.
Summary: Twenty-one year old James Potter finds himself in a precarious situation after he split with his boyfriend. Only his friends and family knows about it, but what happens when his ex-lover comes back?
Special thank you to: Slytherin_vs_Gryffindor yahoo group, and for those who read and didn't review thank you for even taking the time read up to this chapter.
Notes: I would like to thank each and everyone who had participated in the recent polls. The results were more than sufficient for my muses to plot this chapter. I hope you like it.
Remus and Regulus' children:
Samatha (Sam) 13, girl
Amarantha (Am) 10, girl
Rémy 4, boy
Renatus (Rene) 3., boy
Enjoy!
oOoOoOo
As with most pure-blood wizarding families, they prided themselves on their children. And Octavious Snape was no different. Although his relationship had been a bit strained with Severus, he had come to respect his son as a man with a level head, despite some of the poor choices Severus had made throughout his life. Since Octavious couldn't prevent Severus from being bonded to Sirius Black, he and his wife had decided to give Severus one of the Snape properties as a wedding gift—to make up for lost time, among other things.
The five story splendid manor was a gift from Severus' parents, in recompense for their lack of love and attention to him while he grew-up. They had their own way of showing Severus how much he meant to them. Severus for the most part was distant from his parents,even though he had followed in his father's footsteps and become a potion maker—first class with only his father as his rival.
His father was a hard man to get along with and his mother cowered in fear of Octavious. Even in Octavious' worse moods, his mother would at the very least protect Severus from his father's wrath. And Severus had never been so happy as when he had received his acceptance letter into Hogwarts. Needless to say, Severus' beginning years were nothing for him to write home about. He had been constantly picked on by his peers of his own house and the annoying Gryffindor group, the Marauders.
By Severus' second year, he had been recognized by an extremely handsome blond by the name of Lucius Malfoy. Although Lucius stayed out of Severus' and the Marauders' arguments, the blond would aid him when Severus needed pay back against them. Most of Severus' anger was toward one Sirius Orion Black. Even then, Lucius had told Severus, "You know, Severus, this little rivalry you have going on with Black will turn into something… more."
The Malfoy heir had beenin his final year when he had imparted that bit of news to his best friend. Severus had merely scoffed at the idea that there would ever be anything more between Black and himself, other than them simply trying to hex each other. Besides, Severus was only fourteen at the time and he hadn't held any type of romanic interest for anyone, except for the love of his potions. Nevertheless, Severus wouldn't understand his friend's words of 'wisdom' until a year or two later. To this very day, Severus would never admit that Lucius had been correct in his assumption about him and Black.
Once Poppy had declared Severus mentally fit to live on his own, he and the twins had moved into the manor. She checked on him and his children quite frequently. Poppy made a promise to thedown trodden Potions maker that when the time came, she would support him. (
Severus paused in his thinking, fast forwarding a bit to more recent events. No matter what happened, Severus swore to himself that he would not let anything hurt his family and friends, which led him to be Harry's Secret-Keeper.
After Lucius had nearly killed Vernon and Fudge, Dumbledore had Severus keep Harry hidden. None knew where he spent his summers, nor did they know where he stayed over the holidays either. Harry always went to the Headmaster's office and left from there; returning within a week of the new school year. As Harry's end of terms always ended with a bang, Severus just knew that the following year wouldn't be any different.
oOoOoOo
When Harry woke he was back in his spacious bedroom at Snape manor. The dark drapes and coverings of the canopy were a dead give-a-way. He loved the room his godfather had placed him in. It had its own bathroom, complete with a pool size tub, but Harry didn't like all the mirrors as it showed how skinny and underdeveloped he was. The sinks even had gold taps. The room was large enough to hold a dining table with two matching chairs; a China tea set chart was always on stand-by for whenever he wanted a warm drink for himself.
When Harry first arrived, he was scared to touch anything as he was taught that he didn't deserve nice things. It was embarrassing the first night in the room—Snape came to check on him only to find the bed empty and discovered that Harry had tucked himself away in the armoire. Surprisingly enough, Snape had lifted Harry out of the dark confines of the wardrobe and gently laid him in bed.
Being a maternal male, Severus knew exactly what Harry needed since James was not there, the Potions master filled that void of offering Harry a safe environment. Severus for his part, stayed with Harry until he became used to living in the manor.
Not many knew of his location, and Harry was extremely grateful for that peace of mind, he just wished that he could have contact with his brother or at the very least his father and grandfather. Harry relaxed, snuggling down into the plush comforter and bed linen, knowing that he was safe and beyond the Minister's reach.
He didn't remember much after the Dementor attack, buthe insisted to Hermione he had seenhis mother. But it couldn't have been true. His father would have said something or the Headmaster would have told him, or maybe Snape would have mentioned that his mother was alive and well. However, Harry's mind was muddled with confusing thoughts, tiring him again, but no sooner had Harry started to doze back off to sleep his door opened.
"Good morning, young man," said the light alto voice.
Unable to make out who was standing next to his bed, Harry fumbled to put his glasses on to bring everything into focus.
Wide disbelieving eyes fell upon the last person that he thought he would see again. That meant Harry wasn't dreaming. He had seen his mother when he was in the infirmary at Hogwarts!
"Mum?"
"Yes, Harry," James replied,then found himself with an armful of his thirteen-year-old son, crying.
(Sobbing) "I knew you were alive—I just knew. Oh, Mum! It's really you," Harry cried on James' shoulder.
"Shh… shh… It's okay, Harry. I'm right here," James softly whispered, gently patting his son on the back, offering as much comfort as he could to his teen-aged son.
Harry finally calmed himself and pulled away. He looked at his mother with bright green eyes.
"Wh-Harry, your eyes-what happened to them?"
The young Gryffindor's face instantaneously turned red, ashamed that he no longer possessed his stunning quicksilver eyes. "That git Fudge, mum. When I was little he had some wizards cast some kind of spell on me—it changed me—made me look like this-"
"The Wizengamot was wholeheartedly convinced by Fudge that Harry was your and Lily's son and placed a paternity concealment charm on him," Lucius explained,coming fully into Harry's room and sitting down on the other side of the canopy bed.
"How? I mean anyone could look at him could tell he's your son, Lucius."
"Whatever Lily did to protect Harry from that Killing Curse that night fused with his magic. Lily's magic is a part of him; so naturally, when a paternity test was done it was based on…"
"Harry's magical core," James summed up.
"Correct! Lily's magic was so powerful that our magical signature barely read. With you being Harry's mother, your strain of magical properties manifested before mine," Lucius replied, remembering how Severus and Madame Pomfrey reconstructed the test. Lily's name surfaced first within minutes, then James' name floated to top of the magic contained sphere and lastly, Lucius name appeared an hour later.
The blond was brought back to the conversation when James said, "Why wasn't a blood test requested?"
"Fudge felt that there was no need," Lucius sneered. "What was the point of performing a blood test when a magical one worked just as well?"
James turned tear filled hazel eyes to his son. "I'm so, so sorry, Harry. This is my entire fault."
"You are so damn right on that account," Lucius snapped.
Turning to stare at his husband, James was on his feet. "I didn't plan on getting mugged that night and how was I to know that I should have brought my wand with me?"
"No, I don't mean that—I mean this!" Lucius shoved a piece of parchment right under his spouse's nose. James sucked in a breath of air, shakily sitting back down on the bed.
"I… I forgot to change my Will," James dejectedly said.
"An inconvenient oversight, yes, but the damage has been done to our son and to this family," Lucius said.
"Mum, Dad," Harry tried to stop them from arguing, but he was ignored.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" James hissed, fuming about what his husband had said to him.
"Lily's so-called sister allowed our son to be abused for thirteen bloody years! That bitch and her fat arse husband nearly killed our son with their hatred of anything magical! Not only that, Severus lost the next line of Black's heirs-"
"What about me and the child I lost because of this!"
Lucius was stunned at learning hewould have been a father for a third time. "You were pregnant?"
"STOP IT! Just stop, please," Harry was on the verge of crying again.
James and Lucius were so taken aback by Harry's outburst, that they now realized what had been said.
"This isn't your fault, Mum. This is all Fudge's fault—he didn't listen to Dad or Grandpa or Professor Dumbeldore—he is the reason that I had a miserable childhood. And he is the reason why Uncle Sev is… um, snarky—not you. I'm just glad that you're home and we can be a proper family."
Both adults stared at their son, amazed at how mature Harry was atjust thirteen.
"We apologize, Harry for fighting in front of you, that was wrong of us," James said guiltily.
"That's okay, mum, but I think you and dad need to talk. I'm going back to sleep. All the day's excitement has worn me out," Harry declared. He promptly rolled over and was back in dreamland.
Standing, Lucius pulled James to his side, draping an arm around his waist. Since it was Saturday, Harry could afford to lounge in. Draco, Orion and Sheridan would be at the manor in a couple of hours for dinner.
The Malfoy couple left their son's room, quietly shutting the door behind them. Waiting outside Harry's chambers were Sirius and Severus.
"You know, if you two yelled a little bit louder, I'm quite sure our neighbors in Scotland could have heard you," Severus smartly said to the couple.
They glowered at the Potions master, but made no comment on the remark, knowing full well that Severus spoke the truth.
"Why are you here anyway?" Lucius asked his friend. "Shouldn't you be terrorizing or at the very least, torturing the students at Hogwarts?"
"We live here—OUCH! That bloody hurts, Siri."
Sirius elbowed his husband in the ribs.
"Calhoun firecalled, the hearing has been moved to this coming Monday. He wants you, James, and Harry there," Severus answered still rubbing the sport where Sirius jabbed him.
"I don't want Harry exposed to what will be a media circus," James admitted. "Because that's what it will be! It's bad enough to find out that Harry's been made an icon as the 'boy-who-lived'—who thought of that codswallop?"
"Jamie, I know you didn't just ask that question," Sirius said,slapping his friend on the back.
"Oh, don't tell me… Fudge?"
"You got it," Sirius answered,smirking as he stood next to James.
"But, love, we may not have a choice. If Calhoun thinks that this will help our case then Harry will have to be there," Lucius replied, escorting his mate down the hall toward the stairs, continuing with their conversation.
James allowed Lucius and Severus to pass him as he pondered of actually consenting to Harry to be in court. It was bad enoughto have his son subjected to being placed under a parental charm for his 'own good',but to be under scrutiny again... The former Gryffindor sighed, everything was happening so fast.
"Where's Moony? Is he all right?" James attentively inquired. Lucius hadn't been very forthcoming with any useful information on his friend and James thought it was best if he just asked Sirius.
Sirius walked James to the room he was sharing with Lucius and closed the door behind him. Lucius and Severus proceeded to the sitting parlor for drinks while waiting for the arrival of their children.
"He resigned his post as the Dark Arts professor when the Ministry got wind of his altercation with Octavious. Personally, I think Wormtail told someone at the Ministry. At any rate, Dumbledore has been doing his best to keep Remus, but the school governors, minus Lucius, won't budge on wanting him sacked. Ever since that thing with the Chamber of Secrets, the governors don't trust Lucius—not that I blame them, though. Lucius is not a wizard to be crossed. My brother and his family are now living at Number 12."
"You're kidding! Padfoot, please tell me-"
"'Fraid not, mate. Regulus stays at home with the little ones, Am, Rémy, and Rene. Am will be starting Hogwarts in September, joining Sam, but…"
"But they still need money to survive," James vented, appalled at hearing about his friends living conditions. Everything went straight to hell in a hand basket while he was out of touch for the last thirteen years, obviously.
"Remus works odd jobs to keep food on the table and they just found out that Regulus is expecting again," Sirius said in a hushed tone.
"What happened to Regulus' trust fund? That-"
"That was seized by the Ministry along with mine and every other Black account in Gringott's when I was thrown into Azkaban. Remember, Jim, I'm the Black heir; Regulus wouldn't get a thing unless I died, but since I have at least one male heir the family fortune goes to Orion. The Ministry can't get their grubby paws on Number Twelve or the money or sell any property, simply because of the blood wards. If nothing else, my family was smart enough to put that type of protection on what they owned."
"Oh, Sirius, what are we going to do?"
"We aren't going to do anything. You my friend aregoing to take a nap and wait for Draco and the twins. Then we're going to have a nice family dinner. Let Calhoun worry about the legal stuff and I'll deal with the Ministry when the time comes," Sirius advised, directly sending James to bed and snuffing out the candles, engulfing the room in semi-darkness.
Yawning a bit, James complied. "Wake me when they get here?"
"Of course, mate."
oOoOoOo
Through the years, Octavious managed his anger a bit better and Severus at least couldadmit that after he had bonded with Sirius and gave birth to the twins, his parents were a little bit more caring. And being grandparents, they spoiled the twins to no end.
Severus owled his father asking if they could visit; and possible stay a while,in order for Sirius to get to know the twins. Octavious' answer was immediate…
Dear Severus,
While I hold no love for Sirius, I do understand the importance of him of reacquainting himself with Orion and Sheridan. It was unfair to him to miss out on the important years of their lives, aswell as not being fair onyou for having to raise two infants by yourself. You have made me proud, son. Besides, I will always welcome my grandchildren at any given time. I know that it may sound harsh, but I do what I can to make sure that they are happy, and if that means allowing your spouse here under my roof then so be it. But know this; I am aware of the type of affect Black has on you. I see it in your eyes every time you look at him or when someone says his name. You love him and there is nothing wrong with that. And I'm sorry that it took me this long to figure that out.
Your mother and I look forward to having you and your family here.
Always,
Octavious Tobias Snape
The young Potions master nearly fell out of his chair once he was finished reading the letter from his father. Although Octavious didn't come out and say that he loved Severus, the man did hint at it. And that made Severus smile.
"And you're smiling… why?" Lucius asked as he downed his shot of Firewhiskey.
"My father responded to my letter of letting us visit," Severus said, slipping the letter back into the envelope.
A dark, finely shaped brow rose in question.
"Don't give me that look, Lucius. I want Sirius and the kids to get away from all this madness. And I need a break of sorts myself."
"Indeed. You haven't been looking quite like yourself, Severus. Is everything-"
"I'm fine, Lucius, really. I'm just tired." Lucius noticed the darkening blush on his friend's cheeks.
"I see. Well, if that's the case then maybe Jay and I should retire back at Malfoy manor. My father would love the company," Lucius teased.
"Don't be an arse, Lucius. I'm sure that you didn't put off on reaffirming your marital bond with James once you retrieved him from wherever he'd been living for the last thirteen years," Severus taunted.
The ex-Slytherin wisely kept his mouth closed. Lucius was not going to admit to not taking his husband straight to bed, although the impulse raged greatly to claim James as his again, Lucius hadremained absolute by keeping his lover at an arm's length. It was James who hadjumped him after being home for nearly a week.
Obviously, it was the same for Severus. Sirius probably couldn't hold out a moment longer. After seeing how stunning Severus looked, Lucius probably would have had him stretched out in the potions classroom too. Fortunately for Severus, he wasn't Lucius' type or else Lucius would have claimed the dark-eyed beauty when he first met Severus.
"Well, my friend, I shall see you in the morning," Lucius said, leaving the younger wizard to his thoughts.
"Good night, Lucius," Severus replied, sitting back down behind his desk, reviewing notes of his most recent potion that was currently brewing in his lab.
oOo TBC oOo
A/N: So, how was that?
I do apologize for this extremely late update. I've been had these chapters wrote out since the summer, but my computer had crashed and I have not be able to fix it or purchase a new one. So, please be patient with me. Thank you.
Nemesis
oOoOo Teaser for Chapter 21 oOoOo
"If the tribunal and defense would pay close attention at the branch of Lucius Malfoy—you will see what has been hidden for fourteen long years," Calhoun stated.
The scroll floated by each member of the Wizengamot and all gave a startled gasp.