Chapter 30

Azkaban was every bit as bleak as Tahvo had imagined it would be, even without the presence of the Dementors. It was colder and darker than could be accounted for by its physical location alone, especially in the middle of the summer. There was magic at work here.

Tahvo didn't know if it was wards that were designed to contribute to the oppression of the prisoners, or if it was simply the result of being the place where so many magical souls had met their tortuous ends on this plane of existence; at some point in his life he would have been curious, now he couldn't bring himself to care.

He wasn't really surprised when a few of his fellow Death Eaters 'liberated' him from the prison, a little over a month after his incarceration. At least by his count. He realized that he wasn't a particularly reliable witness- if asked to swear to it, he couldn't have been certain if it had been a week, or if it had been a year.

His cell had simply been opened and he'd been expected to follow his liberators. And he did, along with Lucius, and a few others. He wasn't going to object to being broken out of prison. But the consequences were very troubling, he would be expected to repay this 'kindness' in turn.

He feared for his family. Then again, he only knew a very small portion of Calliope and Theodore's circumstances, maybe they could benefit from his presence. Maybe he could turn this into something positive.

It would be foolish to alert The Dark Lord to his doubts either way.

So he walked out of the prison- he couldn't say he was disappointed, but he was very concerned about the consequences- without a protest.

When they arrived at the Dark Lord's current residence- which he immediately recognized as Malfoy Manor- they were led to the main receiving room. He could not imagine how humiliating that was for Lucius, but Tahvo couldn't have cared less, he could only hope his children were safe.

The Dark Lord brought him and Lucius forward immediately, though he could see Bellatrix practically frothing at the mouth in protest that they were being given the honour of their Lord's attention. Tahvo hated Bellatrix, but he also thought that her fall into insanity was pitiable.

"Well my loyal servants," The Dark Lord breathed theatrically, "you have failed me. So I expect you to deliver on my next mission. Your children," he nodded at them both, "have been good boys. But now we know that your daughter," he looked at Tahvo," has returned to us, I understand her unusual circumstances, but I also understand that she has taken to both her betrothed and brother well. I expect you can further her ideas onto our side."

"Of course, My Lord," Lucius immediately genuflected.

Tahvo knew he didn't have a choice. He imitated Lucius.

After they rose, Severus Snape stepped forward and offered a book, which was clearly a portkey. He took hold of it, as did Lucius. They arrived at the Malfoy home on the Cote D'Azur, Tahvo recognized it immediately from happier times vacationing with their families.

Lucius' presence meant that they hadn't disturbed the wards, so they hadn't awoken the residents of the villa. Lucius immediately went in search of Narcissa. Tahvo eyed Severus. A talented wizard, Tahvo just wished he could pin the other man down.

However, before he could think on it too long, Lucius reemerged with Narcissa, who made a fuss over all of them and insisted on getting them settled. She anticipated his objections about wanting to see his children immediately, by reminding him that it was the middle of the night, and that he would probably be better received in the morning when he had cleaned up and they were well rested.

He couldn't deny that he was happy for a hot bath and a few solid hours of sleep. But he was up bright and early. He was happy to find Lucius and Narcissa already seated at the breakfast table when he arrived. Severus quickly joined them.

"How are they?" Tahvo asked quietly.

"The children?"

"I'm not sure you can call them that any longer, Cissa," Lucius chuckled fondly.

"I suppose not," she sighed, "but that was your question, was it not?"

Tahvo could only nod. They were no longer children. Calliope's childhood had been stolen from him, and he'd hidden away for most of Theodore's.

"They're well. They all adore each other, just as they always did."

As if on cue there was a shriek and the slamming of a door.

"Do not drop me, Theodore!" A female voice ordered.

"That would be the twins," Narcissa explained with barely concealed amusement.

"Are they always so…loud?" Asked Lucius.

"No, that's purely to annoy Draco." She smiled and took a sip of tea. "But they always were exuberant."

Tahvo heard the pounding of feet on stairs accompanied by giggles.

"Seriously, don't drop me Teddy!"

"I won't. You weigh nothing. Unless you tickle me and then you'll deserve it!"

And then they walked into the breakfast room, or rather Calla was riding on Theo's back. Nevertheless, it was the first time Tahvo had seen both of his children in the same place in more than ten years.

Calliope was beautiful, so much like her mother, but also different. Just the sight of her made him so proud. And Theodore….he looked much like he had the last time Tahvo had seen him, except better, happier, and Tahvo immediately knew that the presence of his twin had reawoken something in him.

Theo froze in place when he caught sight of Tahvo and Lucius, Calla's mouth dropped open, and it could have been comical, except that it wasn't at all. Because this was obviously not a happy surprise, they both looked horrified.

Calliope slid off of her brother's back and took a place at his side.

"Calliope," Tahvo was barely able to breathe out the four syllables of her name.

For a moment she seemed unaffected. But then she narrowed her eyes.

"Lord Nott, Lord Malfoy," she looked between him and Lucius, the coldest smile he'd ever seen on anybody adorning her face. "I wish I could say that it's nice to see you, but considering that the last time I saw you both, you were trying to murder me, that would be a lie. Congratulations on failing to kill six school children, by the way."

She turned to leave but instead she ran into Draco, who was just entering the room, and upon touching him, instead of fleeing again, she just clung. And Tahvo's heart, which he had already considered broken beyond repair, broke about a thousand more times.

In the space of less than a minute it had become absolutely clear to Tahvo that he would be lucky if his daughter ever spoke to him again; he would certainly not be the man she went to for comfort. He averted his gaze from the scene he knew he had no right to interfere in, no matter how much he wanted to.

"Calliope," he heard Narcissa beg, "please, come to breakfast, I just thought we could have a nice meal."

Lucius sniffed, though Tahvo didn't know if it was in derision or self-defense. Tahvo saw his daughter take several deep breaths. Draco leaned down to murmur into her ear. Tahvo heard something about going back upstairs and it was clear that Draco's only priority was Calliope, he acted as if there was nobody else in the room.

Calliope clutched at Draco's shirt for a few moments while Theo looked on.

"It's okay," she finally said. She looked up at Draco and some understanding passed between them.

Approval, anger, Tahvo didn't even know what else roared up inside of him at the sight of them together, taking comfort in each other, he gripped at the table to keep from reacting. He wanted to go to her- to them both- but he knew that it wouldn't be welcome.

Draco placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the table, pulling out a chair for her. He watched in fascination as they helped each other fill their plates. Calliope teased Draco about some chocolate spread he was using on….everything, and he buttered some toast for her, while she divided eggs between the two of them.

"How are you Calliope?" Tahvo eventually ventured to ask.

She put her fork down purposefully. "I'm fine."

"That's it?" He couldn't help himself, he needed to know more.

"Well I'm trying to recover from a major injury."

"We were led to believe that you would be fine." He glanced at Snape.

"Physically I'm sure I will be," she sent Snape a tight smile and then took a shuddering breath. "But the thing is, I'm heartbroken, and when it comes down to it I don't think that I'll ever really get over that."

Tahvo's eyes drifted to Draco.

Calliope snorted. "Don't look at him! I bet you wish it had been him. I was talking about you."

"Calliope-" it was Lucius who tried to interject this time, and Calla sent her godfather such a look of utter loathing that Tahvo physically recoiled and he had to fight the urge to close his eyes when she set her gaze back on him.

"I grieved for you, you know," she continued, her eyes- that unmistakable cinnamon color, searing him- "I didn't know what I was mourning, because I didn't remember you. But I longed for you, for you all," she looked around the table, "and then I woke up and I had you back."

She looked away and swiped at her eyes.

"Except what I got was a couple of monsters who thought it was acceptable to murder a handful of teenagers. Those beautiful memories I got back of the pair of you are nothing but lies. I wish my grief had been real, I wish you were dead because that would be less painful than this."

She stood up suddenly, sending her chair skidding backwards. "I'd call the French aurors but I just think that would make things more complicated. They obviously can't keep you locked up where you belong." She took a deep breath and looked between Draco and Theo. "I need to go into town today, you're both welcome to come, but I completely understand if you'd rather stay here. I know you both worry, but as far as I can tell the two biggest threats to my safety on this side of the Channel are sitting across the table from us."

"Calla," Tahvo called quietly as she was turning to leave the room- he knew this posture very well, he'd seen it so many times when Daisy was angry with him. But this was different. He sensed that this was not something he could wait out, she would not just get over this. This was his one shot.

Draco had risen to go after her within seconds, and Theodore was looking torn about doing the same thing.

"What?" she asked, without turning around.

"What can I do to get you back?"

"I'll never be that little girl again."

"I know. That's not what I was asking." He took a deep breath. "What can I do to be a part of your life?"

She spun around and pressed herself close to Draco but fairly hissed at them "You want to know what you can do. Fix this"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean fix it. Make it so that I- or Draco or Teddy - won't be beholden to your supposed Lord. Then we can talk about what happens next. Otherwise- she glanced at Draco, obviously looking for his agreement, we have contingency plans. We can disappear. We wouldn't want to be an embarrassment to you and your disgusting agenda." She rolled her eyes.

Draco brought her closer. "Do you need time to think? I'm not certain I feel safe staying here, but we can leave an owl who knows how to contact us.

"You ask a lot of us Calliope," Tahvo said tiredly.

"I ask the bare minimum. Parents are supposed to protect their children from monsters. But it turns out that you're the monsters," she let out a bitter little laugh, "I used to think that you were perfect. I understand now that nobody is perfect. But was it too much to ask for you to be decent? I just- I want to be happy to see you again. I want to have a nice reunion instead of feeling like I should grab Draco and Teddy and run, because I can't trust you. They want to, and I feel like they need protecting from you. So there's your answer- fix it."