Disclaimers: See Chapter One

Okay people I review your stories so review mine it is just polite to leave constructive criticism, how are we supposed to get any better, now I don't mean flames………never have I flamed and they will be dealt with accordingly so please R&R k…..

thanks the bandit.

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Blood Lines

Chapter Three

Severus groggily blinked at the morning sun as he clutched his left arm.  He looked down to the evil looking skull before groaning, and rolling over, the cursed thing had hurt for weeks after he had received it.  He was met by a load shriek as Naliaà protested his sudden weight. 

"Massssssster," came the muffled cry, he quickly rolled off of his little familiar.

"Oh I'm so sorry Nalia are you okay." He gave a concerned glance at the little boa constrictor, who in turn shot him a rather nasty glare for one so small.

"Yesssssssss I'm fine no thankssssssss to you Sssssssseverusssssssss."  She turned away haughtily.

"You know I didn't do it on purpose I………" he stopped as he notice the calendar on the wall.  Nalia do you know what day it is?" he cried excitedly.

"No and don't really care." She grumbled as she tried to go back to sleep.

"It's the thirty first of August.  I go to Hogwarts tomorrow, and today we are going to Diagon Alley!"  He jumped from the bed and rushed to get his clothes, "We have to hurry.  Oh aren't you excited?"

"Thrilled sssssssimply thrilled masssssster." She grumbled sleepily, he shot his tongue out at the small snake.

"You silly snake you have to come with us." He hissed as he snatched her from her covers. He was answered by a very disgruntled yelp and a glare, as he bounded down the stairs to breakfast.

The dinning room was empty when he arrived so he passed the time by talking to the paintings on the wall about their days at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This is were Lavienth found his charge an hour later, he watched the interchange between the pictures and the boy and smiled.  Severus for the most part was a chipper and happy child but there were times that he frightened even Lavienth, sometimes he would just get a look in his eyes, he shook these thoughts his mind from these thoughts as he entered the room plastering a smile on his frowning face.

"Having a nice chat Severus?" he smiled warmly as he ruffled the black hair.

"Oh yes sir they were just telling me all kinds of fascinating stories.  Do you know that the ceiling in the great hall looks like the sky?  And the stairways move on you as well." Severus continued to chatter all through breakfast while Lavienth just sat and listened patiently as he watched Severus feeding Nalia.

"Well I guess we really should get going you ready?"

"Of course!"

Lavienth smiled as he grabbed the boy's hand and then they were gone.

***

Never before had Severus seen so many people in one place at one time.  Stores lined the streets, while vendors pushed their goods to the people passing by; he simply stared wide-eyed at all of the commotion around him.  The only thing that made the day even better was that he was spending time with Master Lavienth.  The older man joked and played with Severus as they wandered the Alley gathering everything they needed for Severus as well as some supplies for the older wizard.  He would calmly explain the uses for the odd things they came across in their wanderings, hours seemed like mere minutes to the pair.

"Okay just one more stop and then we can get your wand Severus."

"Wand?" Severus pulled a face, "why do I need a wand.  It's not like I need one."

"Okay how about this, it helps one focus their power allowing them not to destroy the entire eastern end of a particularly lovely garden."  Severus looked a little sheepish at this, as Lavienth ruffled Severus raven tresses.

"Um I was kind of hoping you forgot about that."

"Heh no such luck my boy.  Ah here we are I just need to get a few things and then we can be on our way." He grinned at the boy as they entered the store. "Now Severus please don't touch anything."

"Yes sir." Came the reply as Lavienth made his way over to the creepy wizard behind the counter.  The young wizard decided he simply had to explore every corner and set off to do so.  Soon he found himself standing before a lifeless black stone set simply in a silver chain, shoved on the back of a shelf.  For some reason he could not bring himself to look away.  As he approached slowly he noticed that it seemed to be glowing faintly, and sound was beginning just far enough in the background that it couldn't be ignored but he tried anyway.  The light however was a different story he couldn't seem to look away what had begun as faint pinprick was quickly growing and pulsating very much like a heart beat, he was completely unaware of his name being called, until he heard a gasp behind him.  The light died away as soon as he broke his concentration and looked at the source of the gasp.

"Severus are you okay?"  Lavienth looked the boy over for any injuries.

"Of course I am why do you ask?" he looked confused at the older wizard, but he had begun to shake.

"How did you do that?" came the shaky question of the shopkeeper.

"Do what?"

"Make that blasted thing glow.  It hasn't even so much as reflected light for me since it got here last year."

"What is it?" asked Lavienth curiously.

"Don't know, no one does.  It was dug up in Romania, and the ex-owner brought it back.  It was sold here as part of his estate when the poor bloke died.  I'll make you a good deal on it if you want." He added eagerly.

Lavienth noticed that Severus still hadn't let go of robes he had latched onto and that he seemed to be shaking.

"Severus, Sev you sure you are okay?"

"Yes, yes sir I'm fine."

"Did it startle you?" he nodded his small head as a yes, "How did you make it glow?"

"I'm not sure."

**

Severus was still fingering his new amulet when the pair arrived at Olivander's Wand Shop.  Three hours later Lavienth had almost given up hope the Severus would actually find a wand that suited him when they came across it the perfect one, ten inch holly, with a unicorn tail core.  Severus was still waving his wand around when they sat down to two double chocolate double nut banana splits at Madam Sugarplums, Confections and Ice Crème Shoppe.

"Do you think I will like Hogwarts, sir?" Severus asked around a huge bite.


"Yes actually I think you will.  The library alone is absolutely huge why it…" he didn't continue as a shadow fell across the table.

"Well if it isn't old Butrard." Sneered an ugly voice, the two seated wizards looked up the owner of the voice.

"Hello Moody, to what do we owe this pleasure?" came the friendly reply.

"Hmmmmmm what do we have here?" Moody grabbed one of Severus' school bags, "Dark paraphernalia no doubt."

"Actually, they are Severus school supplies if you don't mind." The Auror sneered as the bag was jerked from his hands, and then turned his attention to the boy across the table.

Severus just stared at the older wizard as the leaned in, "Smells wrong this one," he leaned in closer, " Not what you seem are you child?"

Severus just glared at the old wizard "Who is?" came the simple reply.

Moody sneered, "I'll be watching you boy, and you." He turned to Lavienth "watch your step I am not as easily fooled as the ministry." And with that he clomped off, the look that was thrown from Lavienth Butrard was one of pure hatred as he watched the retreating form, but it soon softened as he turned back to his ward.

"Severus do eat up your split is melting."  Forgetting Moody the two talked about the Hogwarts until it was time for Severus to retire to dream land, the exhausted child was carried to bed and was soon followed by an equally tired wizard.


à Nalia is based on Severus' familiar in "Pawn to Queen" personally I think she is perfect for him, while the animal idea is Riley's I am striving to make her characteristics my own so Riley, please don't get mad I love Nalia and simply must have her.  ^_^