Chapter Five
The rest of the summer past quickly for the three Eltanins. "Surprisingly", Cassius has been approved and was the newest Hogwarts Staff Member. All the past month he had had to leave for staff meetings. The staff found him quite pleasant and liked him quite a bit.
Severus had decided he would be who he wanted to be from now on. He was not overly optimistic or happy but he was not a snarky bastard anymore. He would smile and tell jokes. But he was still stern and still commanded respect. The staff thought he was going to be a marvelous professor.
The three had also purchased a new house with all the money Severus had left to "Cassius." It was a very nice house with all hardwood floors and had very luxurious furniture. All three had their own bedrooms and bathrooms. There was also a nice kitchen, dining room, living room, and swimming pool. Severus spent most of his time in the study though, urging the boys to do summer assignments that Albus had sent to them.
It was the thirty-first of August and Steven and Ash still had to buy their school supplies. Severus had been too busy to take them. They had already received their supplies list and their acceptance letter. They would be sorted after the first years. They had decided to change their birthday to September 22nd, on that date they would turn seventeen years old. Harry was already seventeen and Sirius's was November 14th so they had chose something right in the middle.
The summer had been great for all of them. The boys had grown to really like Severus, even Sirius. They all got along very well and the boys had hardly any trouble thinking of him as a father. He was the closest thing to a father that either had ever had. Severus got along great with the boys also and was proud to call them his sons. Even though Ash was still a little Gryffindor-ish.
Severus was lying in bed the last day of summer, asleep. He had to leave tonight to go to Hogwarts. They had the teacher's welcoming feast, to which only staff was invited. Severus planned to let the boys stay home alone, although he feared what the house would look like when he returned. The two boys seemed to love playing pranks. Severus was dreaming of creating a potion to cure lycanthropy when he fell onto the floor. Steven was standing next to the door with his wand aimed. He couldn't get caught for underaged wizardry because he WAS of age, even if his alias wasn't. The bed had tipped over and caused Severus to fall out.
"Steven Eltanin! May I ask WHAT you think you were doing?"
Steven smiled at him and put his wand up. "Sure, ask away."
Severus raised an eyebrow and then sighed when Steven didn't say anything. "Why did you make the bed tip and push me out?"
Ash appeared behind Steven and grinned. "Because, dad, we STILL have to get our school supplies. We don't have them yet and we have to be on the train tomorrow morning!"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Fine. We will go today, I suppose. Get ready, and you know I better have some tea when I come into the kitchen."
Ash smirked. "Sure thing, pops." He then turned and ran from the room to make tea for the three occupants of the house.
*~*~*~*~*
Two hours later, at noon, the Eltanins were in Diagon Alley, getting their school supplies. It was a beautiful day and the boys were happy about starting school. Severus hadn't told them about him leaving tonight yet, if he did they would be determined to go to a joke shop and find some stuff to improve their last night.
They were in Flourish and Blotts looking at Herbology books when Severus was addressed from behind. "Ah, Cassius, it has been a long time." Severus smirked. He knew that voice. Thank god Dumbledore had filled Lucius in on his plan.
Severus turned and looked at Lucius Malfoy. Next to him was Draco, standing as tall and arrogant as ever before. "Young Mr. Malfoy. Nice to see you again."
Draco looked at him confused. "Sir, I do not believe we have ever met. What is your name?"
Severus smiled. "I am a friend of your father. My name is Cassius Eltanin. The last time I saw you, you were less than a two months old." The three raven-haired men were pleased to see that Draco seemed to recognize the last name and had stopped looking at them so haughtily.
Lucius nodded. "My, my, it really has been a long time, Cassius. Now, are theses your sons? A bit older than my Draco, no?"
Severus smiled. "By a month or two. The one who looks the most like me is Steven and the one that is the male-image of Illaria is Ash."
Lucius nodded. "Ahh, well, Cassius, what are you doing in London? The last I heard you were still in Athens."
Cassius smiled. "Well, when Severus died, I came to the funeral and afterwards I applied for the new potions position. We are living in Bath now."
Lucius smirked. "Hmm, Cassius, Draco still has shopping to do. Would you like to have a drink with me while they finish up?"
Cassius looked at the boys and they nodded. "That sounds fine, Lucius. You may lead the way."
Ash and Steven started to look through the books again when Draco Malfoy spoke from behind them. "I am Draco Malfoy, seventh year Slytherin."
Steven looked at Ash and then nodded. "I am Steven and this is my twin, Ash. We are also starting our seventh year and I do not see how we could be placed anywhere other than Slytherin, we are Eltanins, after all."
Draco smirked and stepped forward, extending him hand. "Nice to know someone around here still minds legacies."
Ash smiled. "Our family has not been at Hogwarts for many generations but I am sure that we are still more Slytherin than anything else." He shook Draco's hand.
"That is good."
The rest of the day they boys walked around the town, shopping, talking, and eating. They had all got along for the most part though it did irk Sirius a little when Draco would cut down Gryffindors.
The trio of boys was walking towards the Leaky Cauldron at five where they were sure their fathers were waiting for them when Steven started cursing. "DAMN! I forgot to buy new potion vials! I was looking at the Bezoars when you bought yours!"
Draco nodded. "Do you want us to come back with you?" If truth be told, Draco didn't want to. His feet were hurting and he really wanted to have a butterbeer.
Steven shook his head. "No, it is fine. You and Ash go on. I am just going to go buy that real quick." Steven then turned around and ran towards the apothecary.
Steven ran into the store and immediately smashed into someone, knocking him and his victim to the floor. He looked at whom he knocked down and saw Hermione Granger with busted vials all around her, looking horrified. Steven's eyes grew wide and he stood, offering he a hand. "Miss...Granger, I am so sorry, I will pay for everything that is broken."
She took his hand. "Um...Steven, right? Well...it's no big deal. Thank you very much. It is not necessary for you to pay for it, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"I wasn't watching where I was going. I am in a hurry, I forgot to buy potion vials and my brother and father are waiting for me. And I insist on buying what needs to be replaced."
She nodded. "Well, we can get that and my stuff and be on our way then." Steven followed Hermione around the store while she bought what she needed. He also picked up some potion vials for himself. While she was looking at the phoenix tears she turned to him. "So, are you excited about going to Hogwarts?"
"Very." He said with a smile. "Dad says I will love it. He is taking over the new potions position now that...Severus died."
"What house do you think you will be sorted into?" She asked. Hermione hoped it was Gryffindor because he seemed nice and was handsome, too.
"Hmm, probably Slytherin. My family used to be a Slytherin legacy, so I think I will go there." He said nonchalantly.
Hermione tensed. "Oh. Well, I really better be going, I am staying at the Weasleys and they are supposed to be waiting for me at the quidditch store."
Steven nodded. He had noticed her tense. Perhaps it would be a little hard to get her to come around, but he would still try. He bought Hermione's stuff and she thanked him and left. He stared after her. She had changed over the summer.
Hermione was now about three inches taller, standing at a respectable 5'9". She was lean and had long brown hair. It was no longer frizzy, something she had changed during the holidays of last year. Now it was straight, except for the end which had soft curls. Her eyes had turned a more amber color and looked like honey now. Yes, he could get used to Hermione like this. Steven mentally cursed himself, she was his friend, NOT girlfriend material. He then ran off to the Leaky Cauldron.
When Steven walked into the Leaky Cauldron he immediately spotted his father, brother, and the Malfoys. Severus and Lucius seemed to be discussing something while Ash and Draco were talking excitedly. Harry walked over and heard their conversation.
"Oh and the pool is nice. It has three diving boards and a slide. It also sets to the temperature most comfortable to the individual. We could go swimming." Draco said.
"That sounds good, Draco. I just know I will be bothering your house elves for cake. I am in the mood for cake." Ash said, excitedly.
Steven quirked and eyebrow and looked at his father. "Dad, what is going on?"
Severus looked up at him and smiled lightly. "I see you got your vials." He said, eyeing Steven's bag. "And it has been decided, due to invitation from Lucius, that you will stay at Malfoy Manor tonight because I have to leave to go to school tonight and won't be home."
Harry frowned. "You aren't going to be riding the train with us tomorrow?"
Draco shook his head. "Teachers very rarely do ride the train. In fact, I only remember Professor Lupin ever riding it. But, anyway, I will be riding the train and there is plenty of stuff we can do."
Steven nodded. "Okay."
Lucius stood from his chair. "Now, Cassius, I must be going. I have to get some sleep and be at the ministry meeting tomorrow. Could you bring the boys' stuff by for them?"
Cassius shook his head. "Don't worry about that. I will take their trunks with me and just bring pajamas and the clothes they need to wear tomorrow. Is that agreeable, Ash? Steven?" The two boys nodded.
"Okay, Cassius, it was nice seeing you. I suppose we will have to meet at Christmas some time."
Cassius nodded. "I will see what I can do. Dumbledore might try to keep me at Hogwarts."
Lucius nodded and motioned for the three boys to stand, which they did. "Well, boys, let's get home."
Cassius smiled. "Steven, Ash, I will be at Malfoy Manor in about 20 minutes with your overnight stuff."
The boys nodded and then walked with the Malfoys to the fireplace. They then flooed to Malfoy Manor.
Authors Note: I know this chapter was short and I am sorry. The next one will be longer and will include the sleepover and the train ride to Hogwarts at least. Ill try to produce a longer chapter next time. Please, no flames about shortness! Quality over quantity.
The rest of the summer past quickly for the three Eltanins. "Surprisingly", Cassius has been approved and was the newest Hogwarts Staff Member. All the past month he had had to leave for staff meetings. The staff found him quite pleasant and liked him quite a bit.
Severus had decided he would be who he wanted to be from now on. He was not overly optimistic or happy but he was not a snarky bastard anymore. He would smile and tell jokes. But he was still stern and still commanded respect. The staff thought he was going to be a marvelous professor.
The three had also purchased a new house with all the money Severus had left to "Cassius." It was a very nice house with all hardwood floors and had very luxurious furniture. All three had their own bedrooms and bathrooms. There was also a nice kitchen, dining room, living room, and swimming pool. Severus spent most of his time in the study though, urging the boys to do summer assignments that Albus had sent to them.
It was the thirty-first of August and Steven and Ash still had to buy their school supplies. Severus had been too busy to take them. They had already received their supplies list and their acceptance letter. They would be sorted after the first years. They had decided to change their birthday to September 22nd, on that date they would turn seventeen years old. Harry was already seventeen and Sirius's was November 14th so they had chose something right in the middle.
The summer had been great for all of them. The boys had grown to really like Severus, even Sirius. They all got along very well and the boys had hardly any trouble thinking of him as a father. He was the closest thing to a father that either had ever had. Severus got along great with the boys also and was proud to call them his sons. Even though Ash was still a little Gryffindor-ish.
Severus was lying in bed the last day of summer, asleep. He had to leave tonight to go to Hogwarts. They had the teacher's welcoming feast, to which only staff was invited. Severus planned to let the boys stay home alone, although he feared what the house would look like when he returned. The two boys seemed to love playing pranks. Severus was dreaming of creating a potion to cure lycanthropy when he fell onto the floor. Steven was standing next to the door with his wand aimed. He couldn't get caught for underaged wizardry because he WAS of age, even if his alias wasn't. The bed had tipped over and caused Severus to fall out.
"Steven Eltanin! May I ask WHAT you think you were doing?"
Steven smiled at him and put his wand up. "Sure, ask away."
Severus raised an eyebrow and then sighed when Steven didn't say anything. "Why did you make the bed tip and push me out?"
Ash appeared behind Steven and grinned. "Because, dad, we STILL have to get our school supplies. We don't have them yet and we have to be on the train tomorrow morning!"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Fine. We will go today, I suppose. Get ready, and you know I better have some tea when I come into the kitchen."
Ash smirked. "Sure thing, pops." He then turned and ran from the room to make tea for the three occupants of the house.
*~*~*~*~*
Two hours later, at noon, the Eltanins were in Diagon Alley, getting their school supplies. It was a beautiful day and the boys were happy about starting school. Severus hadn't told them about him leaving tonight yet, if he did they would be determined to go to a joke shop and find some stuff to improve their last night.
They were in Flourish and Blotts looking at Herbology books when Severus was addressed from behind. "Ah, Cassius, it has been a long time." Severus smirked. He knew that voice. Thank god Dumbledore had filled Lucius in on his plan.
Severus turned and looked at Lucius Malfoy. Next to him was Draco, standing as tall and arrogant as ever before. "Young Mr. Malfoy. Nice to see you again."
Draco looked at him confused. "Sir, I do not believe we have ever met. What is your name?"
Severus smiled. "I am a friend of your father. My name is Cassius Eltanin. The last time I saw you, you were less than a two months old." The three raven-haired men were pleased to see that Draco seemed to recognize the last name and had stopped looking at them so haughtily.
Lucius nodded. "My, my, it really has been a long time, Cassius. Now, are theses your sons? A bit older than my Draco, no?"
Severus smiled. "By a month or two. The one who looks the most like me is Steven and the one that is the male-image of Illaria is Ash."
Lucius nodded. "Ahh, well, Cassius, what are you doing in London? The last I heard you were still in Athens."
Cassius smiled. "Well, when Severus died, I came to the funeral and afterwards I applied for the new potions position. We are living in Bath now."
Lucius smirked. "Hmm, Cassius, Draco still has shopping to do. Would you like to have a drink with me while they finish up?"
Cassius looked at the boys and they nodded. "That sounds fine, Lucius. You may lead the way."
Ash and Steven started to look through the books again when Draco Malfoy spoke from behind them. "I am Draco Malfoy, seventh year Slytherin."
Steven looked at Ash and then nodded. "I am Steven and this is my twin, Ash. We are also starting our seventh year and I do not see how we could be placed anywhere other than Slytherin, we are Eltanins, after all."
Draco smirked and stepped forward, extending him hand. "Nice to know someone around here still minds legacies."
Ash smiled. "Our family has not been at Hogwarts for many generations but I am sure that we are still more Slytherin than anything else." He shook Draco's hand.
"That is good."
The rest of the day they boys walked around the town, shopping, talking, and eating. They had all got along for the most part though it did irk Sirius a little when Draco would cut down Gryffindors.
The trio of boys was walking towards the Leaky Cauldron at five where they were sure their fathers were waiting for them when Steven started cursing. "DAMN! I forgot to buy new potion vials! I was looking at the Bezoars when you bought yours!"
Draco nodded. "Do you want us to come back with you?" If truth be told, Draco didn't want to. His feet were hurting and he really wanted to have a butterbeer.
Steven shook his head. "No, it is fine. You and Ash go on. I am just going to go buy that real quick." Steven then turned around and ran towards the apothecary.
Steven ran into the store and immediately smashed into someone, knocking him and his victim to the floor. He looked at whom he knocked down and saw Hermione Granger with busted vials all around her, looking horrified. Steven's eyes grew wide and he stood, offering he a hand. "Miss...Granger, I am so sorry, I will pay for everything that is broken."
She took his hand. "Um...Steven, right? Well...it's no big deal. Thank you very much. It is not necessary for you to pay for it, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"I wasn't watching where I was going. I am in a hurry, I forgot to buy potion vials and my brother and father are waiting for me. And I insist on buying what needs to be replaced."
She nodded. "Well, we can get that and my stuff and be on our way then." Steven followed Hermione around the store while she bought what she needed. He also picked up some potion vials for himself. While she was looking at the phoenix tears she turned to him. "So, are you excited about going to Hogwarts?"
"Very." He said with a smile. "Dad says I will love it. He is taking over the new potions position now that...Severus died."
"What house do you think you will be sorted into?" She asked. Hermione hoped it was Gryffindor because he seemed nice and was handsome, too.
"Hmm, probably Slytherin. My family used to be a Slytherin legacy, so I think I will go there." He said nonchalantly.
Hermione tensed. "Oh. Well, I really better be going, I am staying at the Weasleys and they are supposed to be waiting for me at the quidditch store."
Steven nodded. He had noticed her tense. Perhaps it would be a little hard to get her to come around, but he would still try. He bought Hermione's stuff and she thanked him and left. He stared after her. She had changed over the summer.
Hermione was now about three inches taller, standing at a respectable 5'9". She was lean and had long brown hair. It was no longer frizzy, something she had changed during the holidays of last year. Now it was straight, except for the end which had soft curls. Her eyes had turned a more amber color and looked like honey now. Yes, he could get used to Hermione like this. Steven mentally cursed himself, she was his friend, NOT girlfriend material. He then ran off to the Leaky Cauldron.
When Steven walked into the Leaky Cauldron he immediately spotted his father, brother, and the Malfoys. Severus and Lucius seemed to be discussing something while Ash and Draco were talking excitedly. Harry walked over and heard their conversation.
"Oh and the pool is nice. It has three diving boards and a slide. It also sets to the temperature most comfortable to the individual. We could go swimming." Draco said.
"That sounds good, Draco. I just know I will be bothering your house elves for cake. I am in the mood for cake." Ash said, excitedly.
Steven quirked and eyebrow and looked at his father. "Dad, what is going on?"
Severus looked up at him and smiled lightly. "I see you got your vials." He said, eyeing Steven's bag. "And it has been decided, due to invitation from Lucius, that you will stay at Malfoy Manor tonight because I have to leave to go to school tonight and won't be home."
Harry frowned. "You aren't going to be riding the train with us tomorrow?"
Draco shook his head. "Teachers very rarely do ride the train. In fact, I only remember Professor Lupin ever riding it. But, anyway, I will be riding the train and there is plenty of stuff we can do."
Steven nodded. "Okay."
Lucius stood from his chair. "Now, Cassius, I must be going. I have to get some sleep and be at the ministry meeting tomorrow. Could you bring the boys' stuff by for them?"
Cassius shook his head. "Don't worry about that. I will take their trunks with me and just bring pajamas and the clothes they need to wear tomorrow. Is that agreeable, Ash? Steven?" The two boys nodded.
"Okay, Cassius, it was nice seeing you. I suppose we will have to meet at Christmas some time."
Cassius nodded. "I will see what I can do. Dumbledore might try to keep me at Hogwarts."
Lucius nodded and motioned for the three boys to stand, which they did. "Well, boys, let's get home."
Cassius smiled. "Steven, Ash, I will be at Malfoy Manor in about 20 minutes with your overnight stuff."
The boys nodded and then walked with the Malfoys to the fireplace. They then flooed to Malfoy Manor.
Authors Note: I know this chapter was short and I am sorry. The next one will be longer and will include the sleepover and the train ride to Hogwarts at least. Ill try to produce a longer chapter next time. Please, no flames about shortness! Quality over quantity.