Chapter Twelve-The Kidnapping
Christmas was growing near and as it did everyone in the Snape/Potter family seemed to be getting tenser by the day. Jamie was no longer speaking to his family. Harry was giving more notes during class and fewer lectures. Severus was returning to his old rude ways. Alex was lost in his own world, and Hermione was trying to hold her family together.
Severus sighed as he stood in his room putting some clothes into a small bag; Lea came in and looked at him, slightly worried.
"Care to tell me what you're doing with all of that stuff?" She asked him as she came from behind him and began to calmly rub his back. He seemed to relax instantly under her hands.
"Going back to the mansion for a couple days, to recollect my thoughts, get the presents and all out relax," Severus said.
"And why can't you do that here, with me, in bed?" She asked.
"Because I won't be calm with a continual reminder that Voldemort is back and has claimed my youngest grandson," he whispered.
"Honey, why are you really going?"
"To get away, from all of this. Dammit Lea, please don't question me, okay. I need to go, there are things I can only do at home that can't be done here."
"Severus Snape, watch your language, I'm your wife, not some broad you can throw aside!" She bit her hands on her hips. Severus was now facing her, his already grim look, getting grimmer and sad.
"I'm sorry," he said taking his wife into his arms.
"I'm sorry to Sev, I know you need time sometimes. When will you be back?"
"December 24th, that's a promise," he said kindly.
"All right, I'm holding you to that," he smiled and touched her cheek.
"I love you so very much," he whispered. He then turned and grabbed his bag and headed downstairs. Before leaving he saw his grandson, Alex walking towards him, also carrying a bag. His look was a serious one, and held no remorse.
"Where are you going?" Severus asked.
"Away," the boy huffed.
"Away where?" Severus questioned.
"From here!" He said as he headed towards the door. Severus grabbed his hand and stopped him.
"Why?" Severus asked.
"Because no one cares about me, dad is angry, mom cries every night, and I never even talk to Jamie anymore! He's my twin brother!"
"So that justifies leaving?" Severus asked.
"Yes," he said.
"I see, well where were you going?"
"I don't know," Alex said.
"Why don't you come with me, I'm heading to the Mansion till Christmas Eve, you're welcome to join me, may give you a little time to recollect your thoughts. We can owl your father and tell him so he doesn't worry," Severus said.
"Okay," Alex said. He hadn't talked to his grandfather much. He had never truly had much of relationship with his grandfather, not like Jamie's and Maggie's. It wasn't that he didn't like his grandfather, he just wasn't as comfortable at times. However, now the dark Potions Master, and his grandfather seemed ready and willing to not only talk to him, but to spend time with him, and he was the first one to want to in weeks.
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"Hello young one, what news do you hold for me?" Voldemort asked looking at Freddie Riddle.
"Alex and Severus are headed to the Mansion for four days, this is our chance," the boy said.
"Very well, tomorrow we shall capture the three most precious gifts closest to Harry Potter," Voldemort said smiling.
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Alex smiled as they landed in the Mansion, Severus sighed, it was good to be home for a little while.
"Alex go ahead and go place your items in the guest room, and then meet me in the living room, you and I should talk," Severus said. The young boy nodded.
A few moments later the two were sitting in the living room, Alex sitting across from his grandfather.
"Talk to me son, you seemed slightly annoyed when I met you by the doors."
"I was, I can't talk to anyone, not even you sometimes."
"Why?"
"Well, Jamie usually talks to me when something is wrong, you know how I am, shy and very quiet usually. Lately he hasn't even taken notice, truth is that I think maybe he's under a spell of some sort, but I don't know what kind or why."
"What about Harry?"
"Even you haven't spoken to dad in days. He's quiet, he's either yelling or quiet, and I really don't know which one is worse. He doesn't have fun classes anymore, just notes. He's like a shell of his former self."
"Your mum?"
"She cries almost all the time, something is wrong with her and I don't know why. It's frustrating."
"I don't doubt it, tell me, why can't you talk to me."
"I dunno, I never have before and you seemed so angry and annoyed, I didn't want to upset you," Alex explained. Severus sighed.
"Come here," he said gently. Nodding Alex walked towards him, Severus lifted him into his lap and kissed his temple.
"I'm sorry kiddo, for not being there when you needed someone. We're all a little preoccupied right now, by various things, the biggest one being Voldemort."
"I knew he was back."
"How?"
"I sensed it, almost like I sense when it's not the right time to talk to daddy."
"You're clever aren't you," he said smiling at the young child.
"Jamie is under a spell, of that I'm sure."
"Why do you say that?"
"He's not usually like this. Normally he's calm and collective. He doesn't have any focus right now."
"You're also observant. Smart little thing, suppose that's why you should be in Gryffindor."
"The hat was ready to put me just about everywhere. He said I had a little of you in me," Severus smiled.
"That you do my boy, but you've got much more of your momma and dad in you."
"I know, dad is a good guy isn't he?"
"Of course he is."
"So then how come Jamie is so much like him and is in Slytherin?"
"Because Jamie is more ambitious as where your dad was braver."
"Is Jamie not brave?"
"No, I believe he is very brave, but I think he's very ambitious and that ups the bravery."
"Oh, grandpa, is Voldemort gonna win?"
"Not if your daddy and I can help it," Severus said.
"Will you read me a story, I know I'm supposed to be a teen…" he didn't finish, Severus pressed his finger to the boy's lips.
"You are a young boy, on the brink of an emotional break down, the only thing you want is love, which you haven't had much of lately, it is perfectly fine my child, go to your room and chose a book, I shall light a fire and we will spend the rest of this evening in front of the fire," the child nodded and ran for a book. Severus smiled, that had been one thing he had been thankful for, with Harry he had missed out on reading to him and Emily, but thankfully he had caught up a lot.
Two hours later there was a small pop in the living room, and Harry smiled as he observed his father fast asleep in the overstuffed chair, in his lap slept Alex, his head resting against Severus' shoulder, his hand gripping his shirt.
Severus had owled Harry telling him what was wrong with Harry's son, and Harry had felt horrible, so he had quickly decided to come here as soon as he could. Sighing he walked over and lifted the young boy off his lap into his arms, kissing his temple and sighing, as Alex cuddled into his father's arms. Harry gently nudged his father's leg, waking him up.
"Bed time old guy," Harry said smiling. Severus nodded and they took Alex into the guest room, getting him dressed in his pjs Harry tucked him in and gazed at his son.
"He never seemed so weak," Harry whispered, brushing stray hairs from his son's face.
"Goodnight my fireling," Harry said kissing Alex's forehead and standing up.
"I love you," Harry said as he closed the door.
"How are you?" Severus asked looking at his son.
"I'm all right, tired, I'm heading back to the castle, you'll take care of him, right?"
"Of course, Harry, get some rest."
"Yeah, right," with that Harry apparated out of the house, leaving Severus to his own thoughts, and silence.
An ear piercing scream broke the silence, Severus gripped his wand and ran to his grandson's room. Where he found nothing but darkness.
"CRUICO!" A voice called and pain ripped through Severus' body as he collapsed to the ground, screaming in pain.
AN: Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful reviews, it's been a busy couple of days, so updates are slow, however with a few chapters left I will be finished with this trilogy soon, and I can pleasantly say I've enjoyed writing this trilogy almost as much as I enjoy reading the real thing. Thank you all for you wonderful reviews, and I hope you will stay with me as I begin another series of stories, which will be up within the first of the month. Stay tuned, and please give feedback and help this writer keep writing!