Severus and Lily walked over to their son and stood eye level with his knees. "Damien, while I know Draco has been an ass, killing him will only create more problems. Where did you learn how to use Wandless magic?"
"What else do you think we did at Hogwarts during Winter Hols? Played Quidditch, chess, and Exploding Snap?" Hermione asked, smirking. She put a hand on Damien's arm. "Come on, Damien. Your Grandfather's right. Draco's not worth killing. Besides, the entire female and some of the male population at school will kill you for depriving them of their sexiest student. He's isn't called the Slytherin Sex God for nothing, you know."
Draco stared at her in a mixture of revulsion and gratefulness as Damien slowly lowered him to the ground, Hermione and Ron following almost immediately. "Thank you, Granger, and I will pretend I didn't hear you call me attractive."
Hermione smirked evilly. "I said you looked good. I never said I found you attractive. You'll find that, while it's unanimous that people think you're physically appealing, no one even remotely intelligent would have a relationship with you."
"Why the hell not???" Draco snapped, scowling.
"First, because Pansy said, and I quote, 'that you absolutely suck in bed', end quote. Second, because you're an asshole. Third-"
"Enough!" Draco spat. "I'll have you know that I've NEVER slept with Pansy!!! I HATE that bitch!!!!!"
"Enough! Separate yourselves now!!!" Voldemort bellowed, furious. Lucius grabbed Draco, pulling him far away from the three Gryffindors. Voldemort followed, intent on finding a way for his Grandson and the son of one of his most loyal followers to call a truce. Severus and Lily led the three of them down the hall, back into Damien's room. Once they were separated, Lily and Severus started laughing hysterically.
"Umm, Mum, Dad, what- why are you laughing?" Damien asked, confused. He looked to his friends but they just shrugged, confused as well. They made themselves comfortable on the bed and simply waited for the two adults to calm down enough to speak.
After several minutes and they still hadn't stopped their laughter, Damien and Hermione shrugged, grabbed Ron, and walked out of the room. On the way to the library, Damien rubbed his arms at the slight chill in the air and realized that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Looking down, he realized that- HOLY SHIT!!!! Why didn't you TELL me I was only in my underwear???? he snapped mentally, running back to his room.
Ron and Hermione started laughing insanely, collapsing in the hall. Because it was funny- and very attractive- to see you running around without a stitch of decent clothing??? Besides, you look GOOD in only black boxers! Hermione gasped mid giggle.
Ron made a disgusted face. EWWWW! 'Mione, you may think he's cute but he's my BROTHER!!!!
Damien rolled his eyes and ripped open the closet, searching for clothing. Not finding any, he turned to his parents. "I suppose you think this is as humorous as my friends do?" he asked wryly.
Lily nodded, still giggling. Severus smirked. "Do you wish to borrow some clothing?"
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble. I'm kind of cold." And overexposed. Severus walked out.
Hermione called from the library, But you have to admit that the true you is incredibly hot.
Harry laughed, sitting back down on the bed. Too true. I give the Malfoy prat a run for his money.
Dearest best friend, I'd take you over that prat any day. You not only are extremely hot, but you're incredibly intelligent as well. He just has the looks with no brains.
Thanks, 'Mione. I am interested, but...
Completely understood and you father has done a number on the Muggles. Speaking of which, you want in on torturing them as soon as you find some clothing to hide that wonderful six pack?
'Mione, you're making me blush. Please, please quit it with the praise. It is making me uncomfortable.
You're telling us, Har- I mean Damien. You don't see her drooling over your body! I have to stand next to her! Damn it, you two are my brother and sister. Do you HAVE to be attracted to each other????
Thanks, Ron. I really appreciated that visualization of myself. You can be a bastard sometimes, you know that? Hermione huffed.
Would you two stop fighting already and just relax? Damien asked in exasperation. Severus walked back into the room, robes, a pair of pants, and a shirt in hand. Hang on, my Dad's here with clothes. I'll join you two in a minute. Damien gratefully grabbed the button down black silk shirt and the black leather pants, throwing the black silk robe on over it casually. He slid into the black boots with a grin.
"Don't tell me you're going out like that? All black? You look like someone died," Lily asked doubtfully.
"It's better than just underwear," Damien said with a grin, conjuring a mirror Wandlessly and studying his reflection. "Besides, I think I look good," Damien said with admiration.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Great, he's as conceited as Draconis Malfoy."
Damien pouted. "I am not. It's the first time in my life that I've liked the way I looked. Can't I appreciate that I have really good genetics? Anyway, Ron and Hermione are in the Library, so can we head that way?"
Lily and Severus led him to the Library down the Hall. Damien followed silently, taking in the sight of the stone hallway and floor, the expensive paintings and the Slytherin crests all over the walls. "I take it we are in Riddle Mansion?" Damien asked quietly, staring at a particularly detailed painting on Salazar Slytherin and a coiled Basilisk at his side.
"Of course not, Damien. We're in Slytherin Manor, which everyone thinks no longer exists." Lily turned and looked at Damien expectantly.
"What? Slytherin Manor is pretty cool," he said absently, still memorizing the corridor.
"No blowing up? No insults? Damn, you must still be in shock. Are you sure you're ready to be up and walking around?" Lily asked, concerned.
"Nope, and yes, I'm fine. It's just that, with all the insane things that have happened within the last two hours, the existence of Slytherin Manor isn't that big of a surprise. To be honest, I'm just going along with everything right now. Oh, and Hermione said something about Vernon, Petunia and Dudley being here and being given a bit of justice. Do you think I could see some of that?"
Lily and Severus grinned nastily. "Of course, Damien. We'll do that after we are done in the Library. Oh, and you three will explain how you learned Wandless magic, and why your friends are as proficient in telepathy as you are."
"Yes, Mother," he simpered, earning a laugh from his Dad and a cuff on the back of his head from his Mum. They strode into the room at the end of the Hall and Damien stopped, shocked. He was surrounded by books, in a room ten times the size of Hogwart's library. He slowly read the titles of the books on the closest shelf, marveling at the subjects. Dark curses, more dark curses, Animagi transformations, Potions, Transfigurations, even more dark curses, you name it, it's all here.
"Dear, do you want us to continue the story of what really happened or do you want to tell us first?" Lily asked, breaking him from his astonishment.
"Damien!" Hermione yelled, running over and almost knocking him over with the force of her hug. Ron followed at a much slower pace, grinning lopsidedly. Hermione, you almost flattened him. I told you, ease off the chocolate!
But they have such good chocolate and such incredible books and it's all so wonderful! Being an evil bitch has its perks!
Damien choked and started laughing. 'Mione, what would we do without you? he asked, hugging her.
Do your own homework for a change? she shot back, grinning.
Ron grabbed his chest and pretended to die, falling onto the floor. Ohh, you got us, right where it hurts.
Severus and Lily could only watch, amused, as Damien knelt down next to Ron, 'dying' as well. They both lay on the floor, holding their breath and waiting. Hermione stood over them, glaring. "You're not going to make me sing it, are you?" she begged, her cheeks turning bright red. They didn't respond, which, for her, was all the answer she needed. She stood there for almost a minute, shaking her head.
Finally, Hermione gave in. "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, didle dee dee dee dee, there they are, a standing in a row, boom boom boom, big ones, small ones, some as big as your head...," she sang in a pleasant contralto. She kicked Damien in the thigh. "ALL RIGHT, GET UP!!!!!"
Damien rolled to his feet gracefully and, turning, pulled Ron to his feet as well. "Thanks, 'Mione love, you sing beautifully."
Lily grinned. "Monty Python?? When did you watch that?"
"I stole Dudley's DVD set the week after he got it. It didn't matter- he wasn't smart enough to get the jokes and thought it was stupid. I brought them to school and we watched them on 'Mione's computer."
"What's a DVD?" Voldemort asked, the Malfoys in tow behind him. Damien noted, with satisfaction, that Draco's otherwise perfect face had a reddish purple handprint across one cheek.
Serves the arrogant prick right, Damien thought gleefully, even if he is hot. Hermione nodded, Ron looked ill, and Draco stared at the three of them as if they were insane.
Did I hear you correctly, Pott- Snape? You think I'm hot???? Draco snapped.
Oh SHIT!!!! Damien, Hermione, and Ron moaned in unison. He can HEAR us!!!!
Lily, Severus and Voldemort stared at the four of them, shocked. Draco? Lily asked cautiously.
Yes, Aunt Grace? Draco asked in return.
How long have you been able to hear them?
Since Har- Damien woke up two hours ago. It feels weird. Draco rubbed his temples wearily. And it gives me a headache.
Oh, yeah, that's right. Remember how you two had headaches for a month first year? Harry asked, his arms around Hermione and Ron's shoulders.
Yeah, it was awful. But, we got used to it after that. Hermione rested her head against Harry's shoulder happily.
Draco grimaced. "You mean I have to put up with hearing you in my head and it's gonna hurt??? I never agreed to this!"
Voldemort and Lily laughed. "Well, only the mates of a person from Slytherin's bloodline can hear telepathic thoughts. It's always been like that. So, somehow, Draco will be bound to Harry or-"
"Father, we haven't told him yet," Lily warned.
Draco gaped. "I'm not bound to Potter!!!!!"
Voldemort closed his mouth with a snap. Sorry, Lily Grace.
"It's all right, Father. We probably should continue with the story." Severus ushered them further into the Library where there were several couches and comfortable looking chairs situated around a stone hearth. Everyone sat down, Damien surrounded by his parents and friends.
"So, Damien, explain to us how you learned Wandless magic like that," Severus calmly demanded with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Well, Dad," Damien began, grinning. "Second year, with the whole Chamber incident," Voldemort grinned, slightly blushing. "You know, Grandfather, killing students is a bad idea," Damien said abruptly, staring at him.
"Why?" Voldemort asked, taken aback.
"Well, most Muggleborn people have at least one or two witches and wizards in their bloodline. Magic just doesn't appear out of nowhere. So, as there is no such thing as true Muggleborn, you're killing potential recruits."
"The term Muggleborn refers to their parents, not relatives."
"But, still. Why kill those that would keep the Wizarding world from succumbing to the problems of incest? We need all the fresh blood we can get."
"We'll deal with that problem the way we always have- with magic." Voldemort stood up and stretched slightly. "Why did you bring this up? Do you really like Muggleborns?"
"Sir, by your definition, I'm Muggleborn," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Most Muggleborns I know are quite strong. Yes, we have trouble adjusting at first, but, after several years, we usually don't have a problem and live easily in the Wizarding World, with some Muggle appliances and necessities like computers that have been converted to use and benefit magic. I think we would be beneficial to the Wizarding World, not a detriment."
Voldemort and Lucius frowned. "You do realize you're asking us to rethink ideas almost a thousand years old," the Dark Lord pondered.
"Think of it this way- magic had to come from somewhere, right? Muggles thousands of years ago gave birth to the first witches and wizards. That's what Shamans and Tribal priests and priestesses were. They were the first of us. They started out Muggleborn, the same as I am. I just think of myself as starting a new bloodline."
"Why are we talking about this?" Voldemort asked again, scratching his head.
"My potential bondsmate is Muggleborn, which is why I brought it up. She was one of the people petrified during the last attack in our second year. It was because we didn't know whether or not I was Slytherin's Heir that we started studying Wandless, Elemental, and other forms of Arcane Magic, as a means of protecting ourselves, and because classes were ridiculously easy and boring. It was a plus that all three of us mastered Wandless magic by fourth year, when we found out that you and I have brother wands. The point is that she's more powerful than most purebloods I know. Speaking of wands, where's my wand, trunk, and other stuff?"
"It's safe. Here's your wand," Voldemort said casually, handing over the cherished wand. "I did some tests on it. Dumbledore didn't do anything to it, which is surprising, other than a tracking charm."
Damien took it, caressing the wood. Draco and Hermione, almost involuntarily, watched his fingers, shivering. Lily watched them, silently sniggering. Well, well, well. That was interesting, she thought extremely privately to her soul mate.
Severus stared at the three of them. Indeed. Why did he get two soul mates? It isn't fair!
Damien was blissfully unaware that he was being talked about and ogled as he sat there, holding his precious wand. Finally, Ron broke the silence. "Eh, mate, are you all right? You're doing some pretty suggestive things with that wand, you know."
"And how many are drooling?" Damien asked, causing Hermione and Draco to choke, Lily and Severus to chuckle, and the Malfoys to stare at their son with extreme confusion. Voldemort was the only one to remain impassive, as he had figured out what his grandson was doing, almost as soon as he had started.
You should have been a Slytherin, he thought wryly. Damien just laughed and nodded, Hermione, Ron and, surprisingly, Draco as well, albeit reluctantly.
"Two- Malfoy Jr. and Hermione," Ron finally answered.
Draco seethed. "I was not drooling!" he spat defensively.
"It's not that difficult to understand, Malfoy. He is pretty hot," Hermione said with a smirk. "Even straight guys will find it 'hard' to not stare," she explained, with a slightly suggestive smirk. Draco's cheeks turned a faint rose color and he stood up, muttering about finding a book.
Damien watched him leave with a smirk that faded to a slightly pensive, foreboding look. He chewed his lip worriedly, his mind a whirl and a thousand miles away. Lily tried to read him, but Hermione stopped her with a look. "Don't," she said, chewing her lip as well.
"Why not?" Lily, surprised, asked.
"When he's like that, we call it the spin cycle. His mind is moving a thousand times a minute and anyone else, if they get sucked in, will wind up incredibly nauseous."
Lily grimaced. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Besides," Hermione continued. "You don't want to see those thoughts. They're of Vernon, Petunia, Dudley and probably Malfoy and Voldemort and Dumbledore. The only thing to do is wait till he comes out of it and then deal with the damage."
Draco walked back with an enormous tome on various medieval torture methods and their modern counterparts and curled up in one of the overstuffed chairs, apparently engrossed. Hermione, not to be outdone, quickly found a book on the theory behind the Unforgivables and their variations and sat across from him, also apparently engrossed. Ron, completely bored, found a book by the title of "One Thousand and One Ways to Cheat at Quidditch (And Not get Caught!)" and sat down next to Hermione, occasionally chuckling to himself at the variety of scenarios and how to make the most of them.
Hermione looked up and, seeing what Ron was reading, huffed. "For someone who should have been in Slytherin, Ronald, you pick the stupidest topics in which to become engrossed."
"Oh, 'Mione, lay off, will you? You hound us during school to read, and now that I'm reading, you nitpick the topic. Will you ever quit? Besides, I've found several that the Slyths used against us... not that it did them any good. With Damien as our Seeker, we took the House Cup every year."
Draco glared at him from over the top of his book and stuck up his middle finger at the redhead.
Ron laughed. "I don't think you want ME doing that to you, Malfoy. 'cough cough Damien cough cough'."
Draco's scowl deepened, and they could all hear "mother fucking bitch" come out of his mouth.
"We don't want to hear about your sex life, Malfoy," Hermione said absently, turning a page.
Lily and Narcissa stared at each other before dissolving into unladylike giggles. Malfoy Senior and Severus stared at the three arguing incredulously. Voldemort absently tallied another point to the Golden Trio on a piece of parchment. So far: The Trio five, Malfoy Junior zero.
Draco scowled, furious. "You're just jealous, Mudblood. You couldn't get laid if your life depended on it!"
Damien came out of his trance and turned to stare Draco straight in the eye. "Go ahead, Ferret. Keep talking. We love it when you have to eat your words."
Ron let out a squeal of shock, the same time that Hermione's jaw dropped and Damien started hitting his head against the table.
"You two did- WHAT????? WHY?????" Ron yelled at the top of his lungs. Damien paused briefly in the slamming of his head against the table to look at Hermione ruefully.
"Whoops. Sorry, 'Mione," Damien muttered, ready to resume slamming his head against the aforementioned table.
"Damn straight, you're sorry. Not like that'll do any good, you bastard," Hermione grumped.
"Bitch," Damien muttered, his forehead against the table.
"I told you not to call me that!" Hermione yelled at him angrily. Draco's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and Ron fell over in shock.
"At least not in public," Damien snidely shot back, then clamped a hand over his mouth, a 'just shoot me now' expression on his face.
Hermione tackled him, hitting him repeatedly. Ron just covered his eyes, muttering about foreplay.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! 'Mione stop! Ow! Ow!" Damien yelped, trying to shield himself from the blows. Draco watched avidly as Slytherin's Heir was almost bludgeoned to unconsciousness by his girlfriend.
"You two... damn that's kinky. I didn't know Gryffindor's Golden Boy- whoops, guess you aren't that anymore. Anyway, Snape, I didn't know you had it in you." Draco buffed his nails against his robes. It's strangely enough a turn on. He didn't even bother hiding that last statement.
The two of them stared at him with calculating gleams in their eyes. You know, Draco, Hermione began suggestively, her eyes bright. You could watch... more.
Maybe, if you like what you see, you could join, Damien suggested with a smirk.
Draco stared at them, his mouth suddenly dry.
Damien smirked and started laughing. Did you actually think we were serious? Damn, Malfoy, that is pathetic.
Ron stared back and forth. Ummm, this is none of my business, but that was MEAN. Now I've gotten that from my system, you ONE UPPED MALFOY!!!!! Cool!
Draco turned around, for some reason, incredibly hurt. He quickly schooled his features into disdain and arrogance to mask his true feelings. From across the room, Voldemort watched with a calculating eye. Hmmm. Young Malfoy does care, oddly enough. He cares a great deal. That could be used in the future.
"Um, Damien, Hermione, how long have you two been shagging?" Ron asked, still unable to process what his best friends were doing.
"FYI, Ron, since Siri died, well, since the start of sixth year, so a little under a year," Hermione huffed angrily. Damien pouted and held out his arms. She sighed wearily. "Well, since they all already know and I don't hear any complaints, why not?" she jumped onto his lap lightly, snuggling into his arms with a smile on her face. Draco wished momentarily that he could be over there, with the Gryffindor half on his lap- Wait, since when do I want to snuggle with the Mudblood????
Hermione and Damien smirked. Maybe because you finally realize that she's absolutely perfect and too good for you? Damien remarked snidely.
Then how the hell did she wind up with you??? Draco countered nastily, for some reason not bothering to deny the remark.
Hermione hissed at him, in her anger turning into a beautiful tawny mountain lion with golden eyes. Draco jumped back in surprise and fear. Damien sighed and scratched Hermione behind the ears affectionately. "Love, you need to move. Your claws are digging somewhere that's really painful." Hermione blinked and settled across his lap, her claws safely clear of hurting anything important. Damien let out a breath in relief and stretched.
"Yes, we are all illegal Animagi. We learned how to transform in out fourth year. What of it?" Ron asked Draco with a sneer.
Draco blinked and transformed himself; a beautiful albino panther with pale blue eyes taking his place. Damien sighed, Hermione moved from his lap, and he transformed as well into an ebony jaguar with emerald eyes. The three enormous cats stared at each other, Hermione affectionately rubbing her head under Damien's chin.
Ron, not to be outdone, transformed into an enormous reddish brown wolf. He prowled over to Damien and they playfully wrestled and chased each other around the Library and down the hall. Hermione followed, chasing after the two boys. Lucius, Severus and the still feline Draco followed sedately at his father's side. They rounded the corner to find all three of them in human form, unconscious in the middle of the Hallway. Draco transformed back into his human self.
"Oh great. The Golden Trio has Narcolepsy. That'll be fun to hold over their heads-" Draco was abruptly cut off by an enormous black dog bowling him over. "DAMNIT!!!!" The dog immediately transformed back into the person's normal human state.
"I'm sorry, they saw me and they passed out and is that my GODSON???" Sirius Black yelled, staring at Damien. "Holy SHIT!!! Is that Har- Damien???"
Lily walked over to Sirius and smacked him across the back of the head. "You dolt. You're supposed to be dead- at least, everyone else thinks you're dead. You can't just go traipsing around the castle like you own the place!"
"I'm really sorry, Lily. I couldn't help it. I heard that they were here and I just had to see them again. You know that Damien is my Godson. I promised I would be there for him, and I can't do that if I'm thought of as dead, now can I?" Sirius tenderly picked up the still unconscious Damien from the floor and carried him back into the library, leaving Lucius and Severus to deal with the other two.
They lay the three of them down on the couches and cast enervate. Damien, Ron and Hermione opened their eyes, blinking the world back into focus. "Umm, could someone get me a Muggle psychiatrist? I'm having delusions," Damien asked quietly, staring at Sirius Black strangely.
Hermione and Ron whimpered slightly, their eye wide. "Sirius? Is that really you?" Hermione asked.
Damien stared at them worriedly. "All right, how many people can see him?"
Draco sighed, exasperated. "We all can, Snape. Therefore, it isn't a delusion."
Hermione stared at Draco thoughtfully. "Not necessarily. It could be a mass delusion triggered by one individual. Since we are all telepaths, the likelihood of this being simply the product of one person's psychosis has increased exponentially."
Everyone except for Draco and Damien stared at her, confused. "Um, 'Mione, in English, please," Ron whined.
"She means that because we are telepaths, it is likely that only one of us is crazy-" Damien began.
"And sharing the delusion with everyone else. However, that is improbable because my parents are not, to the best of my knowledge, telepaths as well and they can see Sirius Black," Draco finished smugly.
Damien turned to stare at him thoughtfully. "Yes, but how well can a telepath influence the thoughts of a nontelepath?"
Hermione grinned, astonished. "Hey! There are some brain cells in there after all!" she exclaimed, staring at Draco with amazement.
Draco smirked. "Yes, rather astonishing, isn't it. Beauty and brains, what a combination. Really, Granger. You only manage to beat my grades by half a percentage at best, with Po- sorry, Snape, only a point behind me."
"We always thought you must be at the least paying off the teachers," Ron commented off handedly.
Draco stiffened, highly insulted. "I'll have you know, Weasel, that I've earned every grade I've received."
"Yes," asked Damien before he could stop himself. "But how have you earned them?" Hermione slapped him across the arm, scowling.
If looks could kill, the scorching glare Draco leveled at Damien would have made him spontaneously combust. "The same way you have, Snape."
"Oh, so you save the school as well every year?" Damien asked snidely. Draco blinked. "Oh, come off it, Malfoy. Do you actually think I TRY in classes? Why bother? The grades, except for Potions, are just going to be handed to me along with House Points for incredibly stupid acts of bravery. What's the frigging point to actually doing work? I bet I got perfect OWLs, even after falling asleep in one, having a vision in another and blowing up a cauldron in a third."
Lily and Severus blinked. Sirius, sitting in a large chair across from his Godson, started shaking with laughter. Voldemort stood up and walked off, shaking his head, furious. Lord and Lady Malfoy looked at each other and walked off as well.
"Sirius, presuming that that is really you and not just a delusion I seem to be having-" Damien was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Oh, no, Snuffles is most definitely alive," Remus announced with a grin, plopping down next to Damien. "You are Damien Alexander Snape, I presume?"
"Professor Lupin!" Damien, Hermione and Ron exclaimed happily.
"Yes, I'm in on this, too. So, Padfoot, have you explained how you are still here to them or have you neglected that part of the tale?" Remus asked with a wry grin.
"Considering that they just woke up after passing out from shock- all three of them-, no, he hasn't told his part of the tale yet," Voldemort smirked, sitting back down. "Oh, and Damien, I'm going to kill Dumbledore."
"I know," Damien replied, surprised. "What else did he do to bring that on, Grandfather?"
"Well, not only has he made your life a living hell, but he gave you grades!!!!" Voldemort barked, affronted. "No Grandson of mine is to skate through school, no matter HOW many times he keeps the establishment from blowing up!"
Draco snickered, unable to help himself. Damien glared at him. "I'd like to see YOU master Wandless magic, you prick!" he snapped.
Voldemort smirked. "Indeed, Damien. And YOU and Hermione and Ron will be the ones to teach him, as well as your parents, Draco's parents, Sirius, myself, and Remus." Damien, Ron, Hermione, and Draco gaped at him.
"But- but- but-" Damien protested, finally finding his voice.
"No buts. You've mastered something that hasn't been done in over five hundred years, since the Founders of Hogwarts. You sill teach us how and you will start lessons tomorrow. Do I make myself clear? Oh, and Damien, I will be assessing where you three are in your schoolwork and will be attending to your lessons personally, along with Severus, Lily and Lucius, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Damien muttered, sulking. Hermione and Ron still stared at the adults, their mouths hanging open.
"So, Sirius, how did you pull this one off?" Damien asked, shifting his attention to his Godfather.
"It's simple, really. The Veil doesn't really do anything to anyone. Voldemort knew this because Grindenwauld developed it and never got the blasted thing to work right. I basically went through it and sat on the other side for six hours, waited for the entire clamor outside to die down and then Apparated here. I've been here ever since." Damien's eyes hardened and Hermione got up to sit on his lap.
"Damien, you have to calm down," Hermione rationalized, and then smacked herself in the forehead. "What the hell am I saying???? Scream at the asshole! He put us all though the worst hell imaginable!!! You tried to kill yourself twelve times because of his stupidity!!!" Hermione slid off of his lap and stalked over to Sirius. "You BASTARD!!!!!" she yelled, her face contorted. "Do you have ANY idea what he's been through?? What we've ALL been through???"
Sirius stared at her, shocked. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd take it like that."
"You KNEW how the Dursleys were treating him. YOU had to know! He depended on you taking him from them and fighting for custody!" Hermione turned to glare at everyone, furious. Even Voldemort wilted under her lethal gaze.
"I- I -I-" they stammered incoherently.
"But no! All of you let him down! We've been trying to keep him sane and alive and no one has helped us! We've done everything on our own and now, after he's been put through inconceivable hell, does anyone do ANYTHING to help! You're his family!! Where were you????"
Damien curled into a ball, hugging his knees to his chest. He stared at Hermione's back with a sinking, sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. They weren't there because they don't want me, a nagging voice jeered in the back of his head. Stop it! he protested, trying to block out the nagging little voice. It refused to quiet, and only grew louder. They don't want me, they never wanted me. That's why they didn't come for me at the Dursleys. They hate me.
Hermione turned back around and wrapped her arms around him, kissing the top of his head. Love, that's not true. It's not true. They do want you and they want you to be happy. Come on, look at me.
Damien raised dull emerald eyes and met honey brown eyes. How do you know that, 'Mione? How do you know?
Because I do and you have to just trust me. You are wanted and loved.
Harry sighed and transformed, Hermione following suit. They curled up on the rug in front of the fire, accidentally disturbing a slumbering Nagini, who hissed at them. Damien playfully grabbed the snake across the middle, curling up next to and around the suspicious reptile. After a few reassuring hisses from Voldemort, the enormous snake fell back asleep, basking in the warmth of the two enormous cats. Ron curled up in between and motioned for Severus and Lily to do the same. They playfully cuddled next to the jaguar and mountain lion, scratching behind their ears. Damien and Hermione started purring, a deep rumbling sound that filled the air.
Voldemort stared at the cats with a sad smile. "Damien, I am truly sorry for what it's worth. We left you there for two reasons, the first being solved by Miss Granger's Finite Incantium. The second is that we thought that Dumbledore would have treated his weapon well. We never dreamed that the man would have you harmed. Your survival and flourishing would make more sense to ensure loyalty. We thought you were safe and happy."
Damien transformed back, curling up in between his parents. "You thought wrong. They've treated me horribly for as long as I can remember."
Hermione transformed as well. "I think, since we're all here, could Damien hear what really happened that night?"
"First I want you to call a truce with Draco." Damien was about to protest, but Voldemort held up a hand. "No, hear me out. You are on the same side and have common goals. You will have to work together in the future and will have to trust each other, possibly with each others' lives. You need to draw a truce, if we ever will have a chance in hell of succeeding."
Draco and Damien nodded reluctantly and stared at each other, unreadable expressions on their faces. Finally, after several long minutes of uncomfortable silence, they stood and took each others hands. "Truce?" Damien ventured insecurely.
Draco nodded minutely. "Truce."
Voldemort nodded. "Very well, where did we let off?"
"With discovering who had Damien and where he was hidden," Hermione inserted with a small smile, sitting once again on Damien's lap. She leaned back against his chest and he started playing with her hair.
"Let's see, October 31, 1982," Voldemort began. "We had planned to attack that night, hoping that James and the false Lily would be at a party and only a babysitter were at Godric's Hollow. No such luck. We stormed the house, eighteen Death Eaters and myself, to find Lily, James and Dumbledore in waiting. Dumbledore took off to get Aurors and Order members, and James tossed you to the Auror, Andromeda Tonks, who was posing as Lily, and told her to get out of there. I hit him with the Avada Kedavra and he fell, what I thought to be dead, and I concentrated on the imposter. She had you, a wand pointed to your tiny body. I told her to give you to me and she refused. Lucius stunned her, knocking you to the floor and I killed her.
"I was about to pick you up when James stood up and pointed his wand straight at you, shouting Avada Kedavra. I dove into the blast, trying to protect you and forgot to cast a shielding charm. So, my spirit was ripped from my body and it was only through force of will alone that I didn't completely die. I watched, helpless, as he leveled his wand at you again, screaming Avada Kedavra. The curse sped towards you and, instead of it killing you, a golden glow surrounded your body, absorbing the blast. You turned impossibly huge eyes up at your 'father' and you sneered, the glow expanding rapidly. James had such a comical expression of terror on his face as he Apparated away from that house. It was hilarious. But, seconds after he left, you blew up the house. My Death Eaters were forced to evacuate, certain you had died in the blast. I alone knew you were still alive, but I couldn't tell anyone. I watched as Dumbledore handed you to Hagrid, telling him to take you to the Dursleys. With that, I left, heading for Slytherin Manor. I had to find a body to possess so I could get word to Lily and Severus that you were still alive and were at the Dursleys."
"So the voices I hear whenever Dementors get too close are of James Potter and Andromeda Tonks?" Damien asked.
"What voices?" Lily asked worriedly.
"I hear them die whenever Dementors are near me," Damien explained in a whisper. Lily's eyes filled with tears. "I hear James screaming for Lily to take the baby and run, and then Voldemort demanding she hand me over, and her refusing. Then, I hear someone yell Avada Kedavra and see a green light. Then, I hear it being screamed again and something hits me and I pass out." He buried his face into Hermione's hair, feeling like he was going to cry. When he finally raised his head and looked around the room, everyone else looked as if they were fighting back tears as well, even the three Malfoys. Draco in particular looked incredibly guilty.
"For what it's worth," Draco offered quietly, "I'm sorry we dressed up as Dementors and tried to scare you from your broom in third year."
Ron rolled his eyes, wondering what would happen if he turned Malfoy Junior's hair rainbow colored. He smirked to himself and, seconds later, Draco unknowingly sported multicolored locks.
Damien looked up again and his eyes widened. "Um, Malfoy, what have you done with your hair???" he asked, choking back a laugh.
Hermione started giggling as Draco ran a hand through his hair. "What? Snape, I swear, you're mental!"
"No, really! What did you do to your hair??" Ron asked, choking back a laugh.
Muttering curses about idiotic Gryffindors, Draco conjured a mirror. "See, not- WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he screamed, his face twisted in open mouthed horror. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME???????" he shrieked. "CHANGE IT BACK!!! SNAPE YOU BASTARD, CHANGE IT BACK!!!! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!!!!!!" He shot to his feet and grabbed Damien by the robes, shaking him.
"I didn't do it!" Damien protested, breaking Draco's grip easily and shoving him away. Kinda cute with the clown hair, he mused. Makes him look human instead of the Ice Prince.
Draco snorted. "Whatever, Snape. Just change back my hair! I look bloody ridiculous!"
"I didn't do it, I swear!"
"Bullshit! Change me back!"
"I can't! I don't know what spell was used!"
"Bullshit! You cast it!"
"No I didn't!" Why are you blaming me???" Draco found himself floating in midair and struggled to get his feet back on the ground.
"Damien Snape, put me down!!!!" he howled, swimming through midair frantically.
"I'm not doing this!!!" Damien yelled, finally getting angry. "Stop blaming me and fix it yourself!"
Ron snickered, turning as red as his hair. Draco stared at him, his face turning equally red. "It was you, wasn't it???" he accused. "You did this to me!!!"
Ron nodded, laughing helplessly. Damien glared at Ron. "It's all your fault, Ron." Ron nodded vigorously, laughing harder. "You turned his hair multicolored and now he's floating!" Ron started howling with laughter, falling off his chair and floating himself. He waved his hand and Draco's hair, in addition to being multicolored, was now frizzy curly and stuck out in every direction.
Lucius glared at the almost hysterical Weaseley. "We can send you home, you know," he threatened.
Ron stopped laughing immediately and waved his hand. Draco's hair returned to normal and he stopped floating. "Please, sir, don't send me back," Ron begged. "I won't do it again."
Severus remained impassive, his face going blank, while Lucius and Voldemort looked at each other with identical raised eyebrows. An unspoken agreement was made between the two to find out exactly what had happened to Ron to make him fear returning home to the point of promising to stop teasing Draco.
"All right, you four," Lily said, exasperated. "Go outside or something. Lessons will begin tomorrow, so enjoy your last day of freedom."
Instantly, the four of them scattered, taking off for parts unknown.
"Well, that was easy," Lily remarked aloud. "You'd have thought that I told them it was their last day living or something. Now, on to business."
Voldemort steepled his fingers. "The toys are still alive in the dungeon and, sadly, will need more treatment before they realize the errors of their ways. They still blame Damien rather than their own stupidity and horrifying actions."
Lily steepled her fingers as well. "Father, have they said what they did to my son?" she asked soberly.
Severus laced his fingers behind his head. "I managed to get Dudley to admit to something called gang banging. I have to look up what that means, as it is most probably a Muggle slang expression."
Sirius blanched. "I, um, know what that means," he muttered. "I'm not sure you want to know, though."
"Tell me!" Lily snapped, glaring at him.
"Lily, if they truly said that then they deserve to be castrated and hung up by the bloody stumps."
"TELL ME!!!" she howled.
Sirius sighed, his cobalt eyes flashing like sapphires. "It means that a group of people find one person and every member of the group takes a turn abusing the person sexually, including, but not limited to rape. Usually, in the worst case scenarios, the person is treated that way, captive, for years."
Lily, Severus, Lucius Voldemort and Narcissa paled. Remus whimpered, closing his eyes.
"I see," she said faintly. Abruptly, she stood and walked out, Severus at her side. Everyone else just looked at each other and shuddered. They dispersed, unwilling to talk about anything further.
The Next Afternoon, Slytherin Manor
After lessons, which included how to brew one of the most toxic poisons known to man, Damien approached his mother. "Mum, could I visit the Dursleys?" he asked politely, his hands behind his back.
Lily looked up from the tome she was reading. "Of course. Now?" she asked, putting the book down and getting up.
Hermione and Ron accompanied him to the dungeons, Draco tailing behind them. The lone Slytherin watched as the Golden Trio laughed and joked and had an excellent time and, for not the first time or event he hundredth time, he wished fervently that he could have been included in their happiness. Especially now that Hermione has grown up and become incredibly beautiful and Damien is one of the hottest guys I've seen... STOP thinking, BRAIN! he snapped, ready to pound his head against the nearest wall.
Damien and Hermione stared at him, shaking their heads. Wouldn't you have to START thinking in order to stop? Ron asked curiously. Hermione and Damien started to quietly laugh, causing Draco to turn beet red.
Lily glared at Ron before rolling her eyes. "You are SUPPOSED to be on the same side," she said pointedly. "Apologize."
"I'm sorry," Ron said easily, not meaning a word. Draco just sneered. They rounded the last corner and stopped, a heavy oak door in front of them. Lily waved a hand idly, having taken to Wandless magic instantly, and the door burst open. Damien, intrigued and excited, walked into the room immediately, Hermione and Ron trailing behind him. The room was about twenty feet by forty and had rows of manacles on the walls. In the center of the back wall, Vernon hung by his wrists, both shoulders dislocated, his eyes bloodshot and filled with agony. Petunia hung next to him, her face also filled with indescribable pain. Dudley had been too heavy for the manacles to hold, Damien could see. There were gaping holes in the wall where the manacles had been. Instead, Dudley was chained on the far wall; spread eagled to prevent him from pulling free. All of them looked as if they were in agony. Vernon's unseeing stare finally centered on Damien and he sneered.
"Come to poke fun at us?" he hissed, his beady eyes slanted and angry.
Damien grinned and transformed back into Harry Potter. "No, just come to see that you've been punished properly for what you've done to me."
Vernon's eyes widened. Petunia looked up, hate blasting from every pore. "You FREAK!" she screamed. "It's all your fault! Why wouldn't you just die like you were supposed to???"
Damien strode forward and backhanded her across the face. "You bitch," he hissed half in Parseltongue. Hermione and Draco shivered involuntarily. "You worthless excuse for a person. How dare you call me a freak when you participated in the breaking and abuse of a helpless child!!" He turned back, transforming again. He walked over to his mother, burying his face in her shoulder and she wrapped her arms around him.
"She lies, baby," she said softly, stroking his hair. "She lies because she hates what she doesn't know and is jealous because we are powerful and she is not. That's why we fight and why we have to hurt them. Because they hate us for being powerful."
"I don't want to see any more," Damien said dully. Lily led them out of the Dungeons, still holding her son close.
Three Days Later, the gardens of Slytherin Manor
Damien, Ron and Hermione lay on the grass idly, watching the clouds roll by. Draco sat a few feet away, working on his Wandless magic. "Mione, Ron, I never got the chance to ask. How long have you been here and what happened when the Death Eaters picked you up?" he asked suddenly, rolling onto his stomach.
"My parents weren't home like always, and your mom walked in on my favorite pastime," Hermione said sarcastically.
Damien grabbed her arm and pulled up sleeve of the black long sleeved shirt she was wearing. Sure enough, there were new pink lines on her wrists and forearms, intermingling with hundreds of older, white lines. Draco stopped what he was doing and stared, shocked. "Mione, you promised."
"It got so hard, Damien," Hermione whispered, a lone tear trickling down her cheek. Damien gently brushed it away, kissing her softly. "They were so horrid and I couldn't take it any more. I had to stop the pain and that's the only way I know how."
"Tell me," Damien ordered, settling her on his lap, Ron next to them and playing with her hair comfortingly.
"Mum told Dad she wasn't coming back, that she was leaving the trash in her life behind. Then she told me that if I wanted to come with her, I had to hand over the trust fund- you know, the one set up by my Great Grandmother."
"The last witch in your line," Ron said knowingly.
"The one that pays for Hogwarts and my books. She said there was plenty in there still, and if I wanted to go too I had to give up the abomination," Hermione spat. "She was leaving with Steve, and he doesn't know that I'm a freak and she didn't want to lose him like she did Greg."
"Was Greg the one who-" Ron stopped talking abruptly, his eyes shining with pain.
"You can say it, Ron. It doesn't hurt any more. Yes, he was the pedophile, the one who liked little girls. Thank God he never touched me like that, though he did try." Hermione ran her fingers through her hair distractedly.
"You sent him through a wall, right?" Damien asked. Draco's jaw was almost brushing the ground, unnoticed by the trio.
"It was a concrete wall three feet thick, and I was glowing, too. He ran away and never came back. Last I heard he was in prison for kidnapping, raping, and killing a little girl."
"So they got you without a problem then?" Damien asked quietly.
"Yes. I just grabbed my trunk and left with them. Your mum is nice."
"He knows," Ron whispered suddenly, his eyes filled with tears. "Your dad knows, although I don't think he told anyone. He knows about Fred and George and what they've done."
"Oh Ron," Damien murmured, hugging the distraught boy close. "Did he say anything?"
Hermione drew her knees up to her chin. From almost twenty feet away, Draco watched them from the corner of his eye, more than slightly worried. What did they do to him? he wondered silently, shielding his thoughts impeccably. It sounds worse that what Hermione just admitted to going through.
"He didn't say a word when he saw them tou- tou- hurt me like that. It's pathetic- I can't even say it. He threw them through the kitchen wall and grabbed me, taking me out of there. They didn't even grab my wand. Professor Lupin took me to Diagon Alley to get another one, my true wand. My parents still don't know what the twins have done, and they were the only ones in the house with me when the Death Eaters came. Mum and Dad must be so worried. We sent them an owl, you know, telling them that we're safe."
"I can't say it either, Ron," Damien admitted. "I can't even say the word. Even thinking it almost sends me into hysterics." Hermione hugged them both, and they lay their heads in her lap.
"My boys, my brother and my soul mate. We are going to get them back for what they've done, you know," she promised, her light tone belied by the steel underneath.
Draco shuddered at the sweet malice in her voice. "Wow," he softly breathed. "I pity them." Hermione shot a look at Draco and he stared back. I promise, Hermione, he thought directly to her. I won't say a word to anyone about this.
That's not the problem, Draco. The problem is that you now understand. You know. No one besides the three of us has ever known, understood and done anything about it. You've done all three for us, and for that we thank you. You didn't have to rescue us but you did.
Draco blushed faintly. You're welcome, but I don't know what else I would have done.
Hermione smiled, hugging Ron and Damien.
Two Days Later, Hogwarts
Remus stood in front of the gargoyle, wracking his brain for the password. Not that I actually want to talk to the asshole. But, I have to keep up appearances. I hope Voldemort discovers a way for me to effectively 'die' so I can disappear like Paddy without any question. he suddenly stiffened, his hypersensitive hearing and nose picking up on a person, The false Snape, the one, who, suspiciously, smells like someone I used to know. If only I could place the smell, walked up the corridor behind him.
"Lupin," he sneered. "Come to report on a possible lead on the Potter brat and his friends? Or did you simply miss the Headmaster and come to take up more of his busy schedule?"
Remus scowled. "Just open the damn door already, would you? I can't remember the password!"
"Blood pops." The gargoyle swung around and Remus walked quickly into the Headmaster's office. "Yes, Albus?" he asked once he was inside.
"Ah, Remus. I was wondering. Do you have any leads on the whereabouts of our students?" Albus gestured for the werewolf to sit down. "Would you like some tea?"
Remus sat down cautiously, accepting a cup. Hmmm, what did he dose in it this time?" Thankfully, the Headmaster didn't know that his lycanthrope condition protected him form most toxins and potions, including the calming draughts, Veritaserum, draught of the living death, as well as a few others. He cautiously took a sip of the burning liquid. Ah, Veritaserum. I knew it.
"So, Remus, is there anything I should know about the whereabouts of the Golden Trio?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling madly.
"Voldemort most definitely has them, sir," Remus intoned, faking the effects. "That much I am certain. Where he is keeping them and his intentions I have not been able to ascertain. However, they are still alive."
"Very good, Remus. I need you to find out more for me, as well as make a portkey to the Great Hall. Give the portkey to Harry as soon as you can get in contact with him."
"Of course, Albus," Remus intoned, allowing some enthusiasm, all faked, of course, to creep into his voice.
"Good, get on it!" Albus shooed the werewolf out the door and Severus walked in past him.
Remus stalked out of Hogwarts with a barely contained growl. Trust that meddling, manipulating, evil bastard to try and take away the only happiness my pack has known. He let my pack get hurt and I'll kill him for that. He reached the edge of the Antiapparation Wards and quickly Apparated back to Slytherin Manor.
Slytherin Manor, twenty minutes later
"What did the bastard want now?" Lucius asked, sitting comfortably on a stone bench as Remus stumbled into the gardens.
"The asshole wants me to make a portkey to the Great Hall and give it to Damien- excuse me, Harry Potter- when I see him." Remus grimaced and sat next to him. "I'll never get used to the taste of Veritaserum," he groaned.
"Doesn't he know that you're immune to it?" Lucius wondered, confused.
"No, and don't you DARE let it slip. He'll kill me," Remus groaned, resting his head in his hands.
"Not if we kill you first," Voldemort said comfortingly, walking up the path.
"You mean it?" Remus raised his head hopefully.
"Lily Grace, Severus, Damien, Hermione, Draco, and Ron came up with a plan, and, I think your portkey will come in nicely, but much later on. Damien wants to go back to Hogwarts, if only for a minute or two, just to give the old man what's due to him."
"Well?" Remus asked. "Explain it, please!"
"How about we go inside and let the genius masterminds explain. They do a much better job than I do."
With that, the three of them walked back inside Slytherin Manor and found everyone else inside the Library, finishing up the last of the plan. The sat down and listened in.
"I still say we don't need to kill him, per say!" Draco snapped, banging his fist on the table.
"But how else can we get him without Dumbledore being suspicious???" Lily yelled, exasperated. Severus hugged her and she melted into his touch, resting her head on his shoulder.
"What else do you think we did at Hogwarts during Winter Hols? Played Quidditch, chess, and Exploding Snap?" Hermione asked, smirking. She put a hand on Damien's arm. "Come on, Damien. Your Grandfather's right. Draco's not worth killing. Besides, the entire female and some of the male population at school will kill you for depriving them of their sexiest student. He's isn't called the Slytherin Sex God for nothing, you know."
Draco stared at her in a mixture of revulsion and gratefulness as Damien slowly lowered him to the ground, Hermione and Ron following almost immediately. "Thank you, Granger, and I will pretend I didn't hear you call me attractive."
Hermione smirked evilly. "I said you looked good. I never said I found you attractive. You'll find that, while it's unanimous that people think you're physically appealing, no one even remotely intelligent would have a relationship with you."
"Why the hell not???" Draco snapped, scowling.
"First, because Pansy said, and I quote, 'that you absolutely suck in bed', end quote. Second, because you're an asshole. Third-"
"Enough!" Draco spat. "I'll have you know that I've NEVER slept with Pansy!!! I HATE that bitch!!!!!"
"Enough! Separate yourselves now!!!" Voldemort bellowed, furious. Lucius grabbed Draco, pulling him far away from the three Gryffindors. Voldemort followed, intent on finding a way for his Grandson and the son of one of his most loyal followers to call a truce. Severus and Lily led the three of them down the hall, back into Damien's room. Once they were separated, Lily and Severus started laughing hysterically.
"Umm, Mum, Dad, what- why are you laughing?" Damien asked, confused. He looked to his friends but they just shrugged, confused as well. They made themselves comfortable on the bed and simply waited for the two adults to calm down enough to speak.
After several minutes and they still hadn't stopped their laughter, Damien and Hermione shrugged, grabbed Ron, and walked out of the room. On the way to the library, Damien rubbed his arms at the slight chill in the air and realized that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Looking down, he realized that- HOLY SHIT!!!! Why didn't you TELL me I was only in my underwear???? he snapped mentally, running back to his room.
Ron and Hermione started laughing insanely, collapsing in the hall. Because it was funny- and very attractive- to see you running around without a stitch of decent clothing??? Besides, you look GOOD in only black boxers! Hermione gasped mid giggle.
Ron made a disgusted face. EWWWW! 'Mione, you may think he's cute but he's my BROTHER!!!!
Damien rolled his eyes and ripped open the closet, searching for clothing. Not finding any, he turned to his parents. "I suppose you think this is as humorous as my friends do?" he asked wryly.
Lily nodded, still giggling. Severus smirked. "Do you wish to borrow some clothing?"
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble. I'm kind of cold." And overexposed. Severus walked out.
Hermione called from the library, But you have to admit that the true you is incredibly hot.
Harry laughed, sitting back down on the bed. Too true. I give the Malfoy prat a run for his money.
Dearest best friend, I'd take you over that prat any day. You not only are extremely hot, but you're incredibly intelligent as well. He just has the looks with no brains.
Thanks, 'Mione. I am interested, but...
Completely understood and you father has done a number on the Muggles. Speaking of which, you want in on torturing them as soon as you find some clothing to hide that wonderful six pack?
'Mione, you're making me blush. Please, please quit it with the praise. It is making me uncomfortable.
You're telling us, Har- I mean Damien. You don't see her drooling over your body! I have to stand next to her! Damn it, you two are my brother and sister. Do you HAVE to be attracted to each other????
Thanks, Ron. I really appreciated that visualization of myself. You can be a bastard sometimes, you know that? Hermione huffed.
Would you two stop fighting already and just relax? Damien asked in exasperation. Severus walked back into the room, robes, a pair of pants, and a shirt in hand. Hang on, my Dad's here with clothes. I'll join you two in a minute. Damien gratefully grabbed the button down black silk shirt and the black leather pants, throwing the black silk robe on over it casually. He slid into the black boots with a grin.
"Don't tell me you're going out like that? All black? You look like someone died," Lily asked doubtfully.
"It's better than just underwear," Damien said with a grin, conjuring a mirror Wandlessly and studying his reflection. "Besides, I think I look good," Damien said with admiration.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Great, he's as conceited as Draconis Malfoy."
Damien pouted. "I am not. It's the first time in my life that I've liked the way I looked. Can't I appreciate that I have really good genetics? Anyway, Ron and Hermione are in the Library, so can we head that way?"
Lily and Severus led him to the Library down the Hall. Damien followed silently, taking in the sight of the stone hallway and floor, the expensive paintings and the Slytherin crests all over the walls. "I take it we are in Riddle Mansion?" Damien asked quietly, staring at a particularly detailed painting on Salazar Slytherin and a coiled Basilisk at his side.
"Of course not, Damien. We're in Slytherin Manor, which everyone thinks no longer exists." Lily turned and looked at Damien expectantly.
"What? Slytherin Manor is pretty cool," he said absently, still memorizing the corridor.
"No blowing up? No insults? Damn, you must still be in shock. Are you sure you're ready to be up and walking around?" Lily asked, concerned.
"Nope, and yes, I'm fine. It's just that, with all the insane things that have happened within the last two hours, the existence of Slytherin Manor isn't that big of a surprise. To be honest, I'm just going along with everything right now. Oh, and Hermione said something about Vernon, Petunia and Dudley being here and being given a bit of justice. Do you think I could see some of that?"
Lily and Severus grinned nastily. "Of course, Damien. We'll do that after we are done in the Library. Oh, and you three will explain how you learned Wandless magic, and why your friends are as proficient in telepathy as you are."
"Yes, Mother," he simpered, earning a laugh from his Dad and a cuff on the back of his head from his Mum. They strode into the room at the end of the Hall and Damien stopped, shocked. He was surrounded by books, in a room ten times the size of Hogwart's library. He slowly read the titles of the books on the closest shelf, marveling at the subjects. Dark curses, more dark curses, Animagi transformations, Potions, Transfigurations, even more dark curses, you name it, it's all here.
"Dear, do you want us to continue the story of what really happened or do you want to tell us first?" Lily asked, breaking him from his astonishment.
"Damien!" Hermione yelled, running over and almost knocking him over with the force of her hug. Ron followed at a much slower pace, grinning lopsidedly. Hermione, you almost flattened him. I told you, ease off the chocolate!
But they have such good chocolate and such incredible books and it's all so wonderful! Being an evil bitch has its perks!
Damien choked and started laughing. 'Mione, what would we do without you? he asked, hugging her.
Do your own homework for a change? she shot back, grinning.
Ron grabbed his chest and pretended to die, falling onto the floor. Ohh, you got us, right where it hurts.
Severus and Lily could only watch, amused, as Damien knelt down next to Ron, 'dying' as well. They both lay on the floor, holding their breath and waiting. Hermione stood over them, glaring. "You're not going to make me sing it, are you?" she begged, her cheeks turning bright red. They didn't respond, which, for her, was all the answer she needed. She stood there for almost a minute, shaking her head.
Finally, Hermione gave in. "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, didle dee dee dee dee, there they are, a standing in a row, boom boom boom, big ones, small ones, some as big as your head...," she sang in a pleasant contralto. She kicked Damien in the thigh. "ALL RIGHT, GET UP!!!!!"
Damien rolled to his feet gracefully and, turning, pulled Ron to his feet as well. "Thanks, 'Mione love, you sing beautifully."
Lily grinned. "Monty Python?? When did you watch that?"
"I stole Dudley's DVD set the week after he got it. It didn't matter- he wasn't smart enough to get the jokes and thought it was stupid. I brought them to school and we watched them on 'Mione's computer."
"What's a DVD?" Voldemort asked, the Malfoys in tow behind him. Damien noted, with satisfaction, that Draco's otherwise perfect face had a reddish purple handprint across one cheek.
Serves the arrogant prick right, Damien thought gleefully, even if he is hot. Hermione nodded, Ron looked ill, and Draco stared at the three of them as if they were insane.
Did I hear you correctly, Pott- Snape? You think I'm hot???? Draco snapped.
Oh SHIT!!!! Damien, Hermione, and Ron moaned in unison. He can HEAR us!!!!
Lily, Severus and Voldemort stared at the four of them, shocked. Draco? Lily asked cautiously.
Yes, Aunt Grace? Draco asked in return.
How long have you been able to hear them?
Since Har- Damien woke up two hours ago. It feels weird. Draco rubbed his temples wearily. And it gives me a headache.
Oh, yeah, that's right. Remember how you two had headaches for a month first year? Harry asked, his arms around Hermione and Ron's shoulders.
Yeah, it was awful. But, we got used to it after that. Hermione rested her head against Harry's shoulder happily.
Draco grimaced. "You mean I have to put up with hearing you in my head and it's gonna hurt??? I never agreed to this!"
Voldemort and Lily laughed. "Well, only the mates of a person from Slytherin's bloodline can hear telepathic thoughts. It's always been like that. So, somehow, Draco will be bound to Harry or-"
"Father, we haven't told him yet," Lily warned.
Draco gaped. "I'm not bound to Potter!!!!!"
Voldemort closed his mouth with a snap. Sorry, Lily Grace.
"It's all right, Father. We probably should continue with the story." Severus ushered them further into the Library where there were several couches and comfortable looking chairs situated around a stone hearth. Everyone sat down, Damien surrounded by his parents and friends.
"So, Damien, explain to us how you learned Wandless magic like that," Severus calmly demanded with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Well, Dad," Damien began, grinning. "Second year, with the whole Chamber incident," Voldemort grinned, slightly blushing. "You know, Grandfather, killing students is a bad idea," Damien said abruptly, staring at him.
"Why?" Voldemort asked, taken aback.
"Well, most Muggleborn people have at least one or two witches and wizards in their bloodline. Magic just doesn't appear out of nowhere. So, as there is no such thing as true Muggleborn, you're killing potential recruits."
"The term Muggleborn refers to their parents, not relatives."
"But, still. Why kill those that would keep the Wizarding world from succumbing to the problems of incest? We need all the fresh blood we can get."
"We'll deal with that problem the way we always have- with magic." Voldemort stood up and stretched slightly. "Why did you bring this up? Do you really like Muggleborns?"
"Sir, by your definition, I'm Muggleborn," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Most Muggleborns I know are quite strong. Yes, we have trouble adjusting at first, but, after several years, we usually don't have a problem and live easily in the Wizarding World, with some Muggle appliances and necessities like computers that have been converted to use and benefit magic. I think we would be beneficial to the Wizarding World, not a detriment."
Voldemort and Lucius frowned. "You do realize you're asking us to rethink ideas almost a thousand years old," the Dark Lord pondered.
"Think of it this way- magic had to come from somewhere, right? Muggles thousands of years ago gave birth to the first witches and wizards. That's what Shamans and Tribal priests and priestesses were. They were the first of us. They started out Muggleborn, the same as I am. I just think of myself as starting a new bloodline."
"Why are we talking about this?" Voldemort asked again, scratching his head.
"My potential bondsmate is Muggleborn, which is why I brought it up. She was one of the people petrified during the last attack in our second year. It was because we didn't know whether or not I was Slytherin's Heir that we started studying Wandless, Elemental, and other forms of Arcane Magic, as a means of protecting ourselves, and because classes were ridiculously easy and boring. It was a plus that all three of us mastered Wandless magic by fourth year, when we found out that you and I have brother wands. The point is that she's more powerful than most purebloods I know. Speaking of wands, where's my wand, trunk, and other stuff?"
"It's safe. Here's your wand," Voldemort said casually, handing over the cherished wand. "I did some tests on it. Dumbledore didn't do anything to it, which is surprising, other than a tracking charm."
Damien took it, caressing the wood. Draco and Hermione, almost involuntarily, watched his fingers, shivering. Lily watched them, silently sniggering. Well, well, well. That was interesting, she thought extremely privately to her soul mate.
Severus stared at the three of them. Indeed. Why did he get two soul mates? It isn't fair!
Damien was blissfully unaware that he was being talked about and ogled as he sat there, holding his precious wand. Finally, Ron broke the silence. "Eh, mate, are you all right? You're doing some pretty suggestive things with that wand, you know."
"And how many are drooling?" Damien asked, causing Hermione and Draco to choke, Lily and Severus to chuckle, and the Malfoys to stare at their son with extreme confusion. Voldemort was the only one to remain impassive, as he had figured out what his grandson was doing, almost as soon as he had started.
You should have been a Slytherin, he thought wryly. Damien just laughed and nodded, Hermione, Ron and, surprisingly, Draco as well, albeit reluctantly.
"Two- Malfoy Jr. and Hermione," Ron finally answered.
Draco seethed. "I was not drooling!" he spat defensively.
"It's not that difficult to understand, Malfoy. He is pretty hot," Hermione said with a smirk. "Even straight guys will find it 'hard' to not stare," she explained, with a slightly suggestive smirk. Draco's cheeks turned a faint rose color and he stood up, muttering about finding a book.
Damien watched him leave with a smirk that faded to a slightly pensive, foreboding look. He chewed his lip worriedly, his mind a whirl and a thousand miles away. Lily tried to read him, but Hermione stopped her with a look. "Don't," she said, chewing her lip as well.
"Why not?" Lily, surprised, asked.
"When he's like that, we call it the spin cycle. His mind is moving a thousand times a minute and anyone else, if they get sucked in, will wind up incredibly nauseous."
Lily grimaced. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Besides," Hermione continued. "You don't want to see those thoughts. They're of Vernon, Petunia, Dudley and probably Malfoy and Voldemort and Dumbledore. The only thing to do is wait till he comes out of it and then deal with the damage."
Draco walked back with an enormous tome on various medieval torture methods and their modern counterparts and curled up in one of the overstuffed chairs, apparently engrossed. Hermione, not to be outdone, quickly found a book on the theory behind the Unforgivables and their variations and sat across from him, also apparently engrossed. Ron, completely bored, found a book by the title of "One Thousand and One Ways to Cheat at Quidditch (And Not get Caught!)" and sat down next to Hermione, occasionally chuckling to himself at the variety of scenarios and how to make the most of them.
Hermione looked up and, seeing what Ron was reading, huffed. "For someone who should have been in Slytherin, Ronald, you pick the stupidest topics in which to become engrossed."
"Oh, 'Mione, lay off, will you? You hound us during school to read, and now that I'm reading, you nitpick the topic. Will you ever quit? Besides, I've found several that the Slyths used against us... not that it did them any good. With Damien as our Seeker, we took the House Cup every year."
Draco glared at him from over the top of his book and stuck up his middle finger at the redhead.
Ron laughed. "I don't think you want ME doing that to you, Malfoy. 'cough cough Damien cough cough'."
Draco's scowl deepened, and they could all hear "mother fucking bitch" come out of his mouth.
"We don't want to hear about your sex life, Malfoy," Hermione said absently, turning a page.
Lily and Narcissa stared at each other before dissolving into unladylike giggles. Malfoy Senior and Severus stared at the three arguing incredulously. Voldemort absently tallied another point to the Golden Trio on a piece of parchment. So far: The Trio five, Malfoy Junior zero.
Draco scowled, furious. "You're just jealous, Mudblood. You couldn't get laid if your life depended on it!"
Damien came out of his trance and turned to stare Draco straight in the eye. "Go ahead, Ferret. Keep talking. We love it when you have to eat your words."
Ron let out a squeal of shock, the same time that Hermione's jaw dropped and Damien started hitting his head against the table.
"You two did- WHAT????? WHY?????" Ron yelled at the top of his lungs. Damien paused briefly in the slamming of his head against the table to look at Hermione ruefully.
"Whoops. Sorry, 'Mione," Damien muttered, ready to resume slamming his head against the aforementioned table.
"Damn straight, you're sorry. Not like that'll do any good, you bastard," Hermione grumped.
"Bitch," Damien muttered, his forehead against the table.
"I told you not to call me that!" Hermione yelled at him angrily. Draco's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and Ron fell over in shock.
"At least not in public," Damien snidely shot back, then clamped a hand over his mouth, a 'just shoot me now' expression on his face.
Hermione tackled him, hitting him repeatedly. Ron just covered his eyes, muttering about foreplay.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! 'Mione stop! Ow! Ow!" Damien yelped, trying to shield himself from the blows. Draco watched avidly as Slytherin's Heir was almost bludgeoned to unconsciousness by his girlfriend.
"You two... damn that's kinky. I didn't know Gryffindor's Golden Boy- whoops, guess you aren't that anymore. Anyway, Snape, I didn't know you had it in you." Draco buffed his nails against his robes. It's strangely enough a turn on. He didn't even bother hiding that last statement.
The two of them stared at him with calculating gleams in their eyes. You know, Draco, Hermione began suggestively, her eyes bright. You could watch... more.
Maybe, if you like what you see, you could join, Damien suggested with a smirk.
Draco stared at them, his mouth suddenly dry.
Damien smirked and started laughing. Did you actually think we were serious? Damn, Malfoy, that is pathetic.
Ron stared back and forth. Ummm, this is none of my business, but that was MEAN. Now I've gotten that from my system, you ONE UPPED MALFOY!!!!! Cool!
Draco turned around, for some reason, incredibly hurt. He quickly schooled his features into disdain and arrogance to mask his true feelings. From across the room, Voldemort watched with a calculating eye. Hmmm. Young Malfoy does care, oddly enough. He cares a great deal. That could be used in the future.
"Um, Damien, Hermione, how long have you two been shagging?" Ron asked, still unable to process what his best friends were doing.
"FYI, Ron, since Siri died, well, since the start of sixth year, so a little under a year," Hermione huffed angrily. Damien pouted and held out his arms. She sighed wearily. "Well, since they all already know and I don't hear any complaints, why not?" she jumped onto his lap lightly, snuggling into his arms with a smile on her face. Draco wished momentarily that he could be over there, with the Gryffindor half on his lap- Wait, since when do I want to snuggle with the Mudblood????
Hermione and Damien smirked. Maybe because you finally realize that she's absolutely perfect and too good for you? Damien remarked snidely.
Then how the hell did she wind up with you??? Draco countered nastily, for some reason not bothering to deny the remark.
Hermione hissed at him, in her anger turning into a beautiful tawny mountain lion with golden eyes. Draco jumped back in surprise and fear. Damien sighed and scratched Hermione behind the ears affectionately. "Love, you need to move. Your claws are digging somewhere that's really painful." Hermione blinked and settled across his lap, her claws safely clear of hurting anything important. Damien let out a breath in relief and stretched.
"Yes, we are all illegal Animagi. We learned how to transform in out fourth year. What of it?" Ron asked Draco with a sneer.
Draco blinked and transformed himself; a beautiful albino panther with pale blue eyes taking his place. Damien sighed, Hermione moved from his lap, and he transformed as well into an ebony jaguar with emerald eyes. The three enormous cats stared at each other, Hermione affectionately rubbing her head under Damien's chin.
Ron, not to be outdone, transformed into an enormous reddish brown wolf. He prowled over to Damien and they playfully wrestled and chased each other around the Library and down the hall. Hermione followed, chasing after the two boys. Lucius, Severus and the still feline Draco followed sedately at his father's side. They rounded the corner to find all three of them in human form, unconscious in the middle of the Hallway. Draco transformed back into his human self.
"Oh great. The Golden Trio has Narcolepsy. That'll be fun to hold over their heads-" Draco was abruptly cut off by an enormous black dog bowling him over. "DAMNIT!!!!" The dog immediately transformed back into the person's normal human state.
"I'm sorry, they saw me and they passed out and is that my GODSON???" Sirius Black yelled, staring at Damien. "Holy SHIT!!! Is that Har- Damien???"
Lily walked over to Sirius and smacked him across the back of the head. "You dolt. You're supposed to be dead- at least, everyone else thinks you're dead. You can't just go traipsing around the castle like you own the place!"
"I'm really sorry, Lily. I couldn't help it. I heard that they were here and I just had to see them again. You know that Damien is my Godson. I promised I would be there for him, and I can't do that if I'm thought of as dead, now can I?" Sirius tenderly picked up the still unconscious Damien from the floor and carried him back into the library, leaving Lucius and Severus to deal with the other two.
They lay the three of them down on the couches and cast enervate. Damien, Ron and Hermione opened their eyes, blinking the world back into focus. "Umm, could someone get me a Muggle psychiatrist? I'm having delusions," Damien asked quietly, staring at Sirius Black strangely.
Hermione and Ron whimpered slightly, their eye wide. "Sirius? Is that really you?" Hermione asked.
Damien stared at them worriedly. "All right, how many people can see him?"
Draco sighed, exasperated. "We all can, Snape. Therefore, it isn't a delusion."
Hermione stared at Draco thoughtfully. "Not necessarily. It could be a mass delusion triggered by one individual. Since we are all telepaths, the likelihood of this being simply the product of one person's psychosis has increased exponentially."
Everyone except for Draco and Damien stared at her, confused. "Um, 'Mione, in English, please," Ron whined.
"She means that because we are telepaths, it is likely that only one of us is crazy-" Damien began.
"And sharing the delusion with everyone else. However, that is improbable because my parents are not, to the best of my knowledge, telepaths as well and they can see Sirius Black," Draco finished smugly.
Damien turned to stare at him thoughtfully. "Yes, but how well can a telepath influence the thoughts of a nontelepath?"
Hermione grinned, astonished. "Hey! There are some brain cells in there after all!" she exclaimed, staring at Draco with amazement.
Draco smirked. "Yes, rather astonishing, isn't it. Beauty and brains, what a combination. Really, Granger. You only manage to beat my grades by half a percentage at best, with Po- sorry, Snape, only a point behind me."
"We always thought you must be at the least paying off the teachers," Ron commented off handedly.
Draco stiffened, highly insulted. "I'll have you know, Weasel, that I've earned every grade I've received."
"Yes," asked Damien before he could stop himself. "But how have you earned them?" Hermione slapped him across the arm, scowling.
If looks could kill, the scorching glare Draco leveled at Damien would have made him spontaneously combust. "The same way you have, Snape."
"Oh, so you save the school as well every year?" Damien asked snidely. Draco blinked. "Oh, come off it, Malfoy. Do you actually think I TRY in classes? Why bother? The grades, except for Potions, are just going to be handed to me along with House Points for incredibly stupid acts of bravery. What's the frigging point to actually doing work? I bet I got perfect OWLs, even after falling asleep in one, having a vision in another and blowing up a cauldron in a third."
Lily and Severus blinked. Sirius, sitting in a large chair across from his Godson, started shaking with laughter. Voldemort stood up and walked off, shaking his head, furious. Lord and Lady Malfoy looked at each other and walked off as well.
"Sirius, presuming that that is really you and not just a delusion I seem to be having-" Damien was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Oh, no, Snuffles is most definitely alive," Remus announced with a grin, plopping down next to Damien. "You are Damien Alexander Snape, I presume?"
"Professor Lupin!" Damien, Hermione and Ron exclaimed happily.
"Yes, I'm in on this, too. So, Padfoot, have you explained how you are still here to them or have you neglected that part of the tale?" Remus asked with a wry grin.
"Considering that they just woke up after passing out from shock- all three of them-, no, he hasn't told his part of the tale yet," Voldemort smirked, sitting back down. "Oh, and Damien, I'm going to kill Dumbledore."
"I know," Damien replied, surprised. "What else did he do to bring that on, Grandfather?"
"Well, not only has he made your life a living hell, but he gave you grades!!!!" Voldemort barked, affronted. "No Grandson of mine is to skate through school, no matter HOW many times he keeps the establishment from blowing up!"
Draco snickered, unable to help himself. Damien glared at him. "I'd like to see YOU master Wandless magic, you prick!" he snapped.
Voldemort smirked. "Indeed, Damien. And YOU and Hermione and Ron will be the ones to teach him, as well as your parents, Draco's parents, Sirius, myself, and Remus." Damien, Ron, Hermione, and Draco gaped at him.
"But- but- but-" Damien protested, finally finding his voice.
"No buts. You've mastered something that hasn't been done in over five hundred years, since the Founders of Hogwarts. You sill teach us how and you will start lessons tomorrow. Do I make myself clear? Oh, and Damien, I will be assessing where you three are in your schoolwork and will be attending to your lessons personally, along with Severus, Lily and Lucius, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Damien muttered, sulking. Hermione and Ron still stared at the adults, their mouths hanging open.
"So, Sirius, how did you pull this one off?" Damien asked, shifting his attention to his Godfather.
"It's simple, really. The Veil doesn't really do anything to anyone. Voldemort knew this because Grindenwauld developed it and never got the blasted thing to work right. I basically went through it and sat on the other side for six hours, waited for the entire clamor outside to die down and then Apparated here. I've been here ever since." Damien's eyes hardened and Hermione got up to sit on his lap.
"Damien, you have to calm down," Hermione rationalized, and then smacked herself in the forehead. "What the hell am I saying???? Scream at the asshole! He put us all though the worst hell imaginable!!! You tried to kill yourself twelve times because of his stupidity!!!" Hermione slid off of his lap and stalked over to Sirius. "You BASTARD!!!!!" she yelled, her face contorted. "Do you have ANY idea what he's been through?? What we've ALL been through???"
Sirius stared at her, shocked. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd take it like that."
"You KNEW how the Dursleys were treating him. YOU had to know! He depended on you taking him from them and fighting for custody!" Hermione turned to glare at everyone, furious. Even Voldemort wilted under her lethal gaze.
"I- I -I-" they stammered incoherently.
"But no! All of you let him down! We've been trying to keep him sane and alive and no one has helped us! We've done everything on our own and now, after he's been put through inconceivable hell, does anyone do ANYTHING to help! You're his family!! Where were you????"
Damien curled into a ball, hugging his knees to his chest. He stared at Hermione's back with a sinking, sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. They weren't there because they don't want me, a nagging voice jeered in the back of his head. Stop it! he protested, trying to block out the nagging little voice. It refused to quiet, and only grew louder. They don't want me, they never wanted me. That's why they didn't come for me at the Dursleys. They hate me.
Hermione turned back around and wrapped her arms around him, kissing the top of his head. Love, that's not true. It's not true. They do want you and they want you to be happy. Come on, look at me.
Damien raised dull emerald eyes and met honey brown eyes. How do you know that, 'Mione? How do you know?
Because I do and you have to just trust me. You are wanted and loved.
Harry sighed and transformed, Hermione following suit. They curled up on the rug in front of the fire, accidentally disturbing a slumbering Nagini, who hissed at them. Damien playfully grabbed the snake across the middle, curling up next to and around the suspicious reptile. After a few reassuring hisses from Voldemort, the enormous snake fell back asleep, basking in the warmth of the two enormous cats. Ron curled up in between and motioned for Severus and Lily to do the same. They playfully cuddled next to the jaguar and mountain lion, scratching behind their ears. Damien and Hermione started purring, a deep rumbling sound that filled the air.
Voldemort stared at the cats with a sad smile. "Damien, I am truly sorry for what it's worth. We left you there for two reasons, the first being solved by Miss Granger's Finite Incantium. The second is that we thought that Dumbledore would have treated his weapon well. We never dreamed that the man would have you harmed. Your survival and flourishing would make more sense to ensure loyalty. We thought you were safe and happy."
Damien transformed back, curling up in between his parents. "You thought wrong. They've treated me horribly for as long as I can remember."
Hermione transformed as well. "I think, since we're all here, could Damien hear what really happened that night?"
"First I want you to call a truce with Draco." Damien was about to protest, but Voldemort held up a hand. "No, hear me out. You are on the same side and have common goals. You will have to work together in the future and will have to trust each other, possibly with each others' lives. You need to draw a truce, if we ever will have a chance in hell of succeeding."
Draco and Damien nodded reluctantly and stared at each other, unreadable expressions on their faces. Finally, after several long minutes of uncomfortable silence, they stood and took each others hands. "Truce?" Damien ventured insecurely.
Draco nodded minutely. "Truce."
Voldemort nodded. "Very well, where did we let off?"
"With discovering who had Damien and where he was hidden," Hermione inserted with a small smile, sitting once again on Damien's lap. She leaned back against his chest and he started playing with her hair.
"Let's see, October 31, 1982," Voldemort began. "We had planned to attack that night, hoping that James and the false Lily would be at a party and only a babysitter were at Godric's Hollow. No such luck. We stormed the house, eighteen Death Eaters and myself, to find Lily, James and Dumbledore in waiting. Dumbledore took off to get Aurors and Order members, and James tossed you to the Auror, Andromeda Tonks, who was posing as Lily, and told her to get out of there. I hit him with the Avada Kedavra and he fell, what I thought to be dead, and I concentrated on the imposter. She had you, a wand pointed to your tiny body. I told her to give you to me and she refused. Lucius stunned her, knocking you to the floor and I killed her.
"I was about to pick you up when James stood up and pointed his wand straight at you, shouting Avada Kedavra. I dove into the blast, trying to protect you and forgot to cast a shielding charm. So, my spirit was ripped from my body and it was only through force of will alone that I didn't completely die. I watched, helpless, as he leveled his wand at you again, screaming Avada Kedavra. The curse sped towards you and, instead of it killing you, a golden glow surrounded your body, absorbing the blast. You turned impossibly huge eyes up at your 'father' and you sneered, the glow expanding rapidly. James had such a comical expression of terror on his face as he Apparated away from that house. It was hilarious. But, seconds after he left, you blew up the house. My Death Eaters were forced to evacuate, certain you had died in the blast. I alone knew you were still alive, but I couldn't tell anyone. I watched as Dumbledore handed you to Hagrid, telling him to take you to the Dursleys. With that, I left, heading for Slytherin Manor. I had to find a body to possess so I could get word to Lily and Severus that you were still alive and were at the Dursleys."
"So the voices I hear whenever Dementors get too close are of James Potter and Andromeda Tonks?" Damien asked.
"What voices?" Lily asked worriedly.
"I hear them die whenever Dementors are near me," Damien explained in a whisper. Lily's eyes filled with tears. "I hear James screaming for Lily to take the baby and run, and then Voldemort demanding she hand me over, and her refusing. Then, I hear someone yell Avada Kedavra and see a green light. Then, I hear it being screamed again and something hits me and I pass out." He buried his face into Hermione's hair, feeling like he was going to cry. When he finally raised his head and looked around the room, everyone else looked as if they were fighting back tears as well, even the three Malfoys. Draco in particular looked incredibly guilty.
"For what it's worth," Draco offered quietly, "I'm sorry we dressed up as Dementors and tried to scare you from your broom in third year."
Ron rolled his eyes, wondering what would happen if he turned Malfoy Junior's hair rainbow colored. He smirked to himself and, seconds later, Draco unknowingly sported multicolored locks.
Damien looked up again and his eyes widened. "Um, Malfoy, what have you done with your hair???" he asked, choking back a laugh.
Hermione started giggling as Draco ran a hand through his hair. "What? Snape, I swear, you're mental!"
"No, really! What did you do to your hair??" Ron asked, choking back a laugh.
Muttering curses about idiotic Gryffindors, Draco conjured a mirror. "See, not- WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he screamed, his face twisted in open mouthed horror. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME???????" he shrieked. "CHANGE IT BACK!!! SNAPE YOU BASTARD, CHANGE IT BACK!!!! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!!!!!!" He shot to his feet and grabbed Damien by the robes, shaking him.
"I didn't do it!" Damien protested, breaking Draco's grip easily and shoving him away. Kinda cute with the clown hair, he mused. Makes him look human instead of the Ice Prince.
Draco snorted. "Whatever, Snape. Just change back my hair! I look bloody ridiculous!"
"I didn't do it, I swear!"
"Bullshit! Change me back!"
"I can't! I don't know what spell was used!"
"Bullshit! You cast it!"
"No I didn't!" Why are you blaming me???" Draco found himself floating in midair and struggled to get his feet back on the ground.
"Damien Snape, put me down!!!!" he howled, swimming through midair frantically.
"I'm not doing this!!!" Damien yelled, finally getting angry. "Stop blaming me and fix it yourself!"
Ron snickered, turning as red as his hair. Draco stared at him, his face turning equally red. "It was you, wasn't it???" he accused. "You did this to me!!!"
Ron nodded, laughing helplessly. Damien glared at Ron. "It's all your fault, Ron." Ron nodded vigorously, laughing harder. "You turned his hair multicolored and now he's floating!" Ron started howling with laughter, falling off his chair and floating himself. He waved his hand and Draco's hair, in addition to being multicolored, was now frizzy curly and stuck out in every direction.
Lucius glared at the almost hysterical Weaseley. "We can send you home, you know," he threatened.
Ron stopped laughing immediately and waved his hand. Draco's hair returned to normal and he stopped floating. "Please, sir, don't send me back," Ron begged. "I won't do it again."
Severus remained impassive, his face going blank, while Lucius and Voldemort looked at each other with identical raised eyebrows. An unspoken agreement was made between the two to find out exactly what had happened to Ron to make him fear returning home to the point of promising to stop teasing Draco.
"All right, you four," Lily said, exasperated. "Go outside or something. Lessons will begin tomorrow, so enjoy your last day of freedom."
Instantly, the four of them scattered, taking off for parts unknown.
"Well, that was easy," Lily remarked aloud. "You'd have thought that I told them it was their last day living or something. Now, on to business."
Voldemort steepled his fingers. "The toys are still alive in the dungeon and, sadly, will need more treatment before they realize the errors of their ways. They still blame Damien rather than their own stupidity and horrifying actions."
Lily steepled her fingers as well. "Father, have they said what they did to my son?" she asked soberly.
Severus laced his fingers behind his head. "I managed to get Dudley to admit to something called gang banging. I have to look up what that means, as it is most probably a Muggle slang expression."
Sirius blanched. "I, um, know what that means," he muttered. "I'm not sure you want to know, though."
"Tell me!" Lily snapped, glaring at him.
"Lily, if they truly said that then they deserve to be castrated and hung up by the bloody stumps."
"TELL ME!!!" she howled.
Sirius sighed, his cobalt eyes flashing like sapphires. "It means that a group of people find one person and every member of the group takes a turn abusing the person sexually, including, but not limited to rape. Usually, in the worst case scenarios, the person is treated that way, captive, for years."
Lily, Severus, Lucius Voldemort and Narcissa paled. Remus whimpered, closing his eyes.
"I see," she said faintly. Abruptly, she stood and walked out, Severus at her side. Everyone else just looked at each other and shuddered. They dispersed, unwilling to talk about anything further.
The Next Afternoon, Slytherin Manor
After lessons, which included how to brew one of the most toxic poisons known to man, Damien approached his mother. "Mum, could I visit the Dursleys?" he asked politely, his hands behind his back.
Lily looked up from the tome she was reading. "Of course. Now?" she asked, putting the book down and getting up.
Hermione and Ron accompanied him to the dungeons, Draco tailing behind them. The lone Slytherin watched as the Golden Trio laughed and joked and had an excellent time and, for not the first time or event he hundredth time, he wished fervently that he could have been included in their happiness. Especially now that Hermione has grown up and become incredibly beautiful and Damien is one of the hottest guys I've seen... STOP thinking, BRAIN! he snapped, ready to pound his head against the nearest wall.
Damien and Hermione stared at him, shaking their heads. Wouldn't you have to START thinking in order to stop? Ron asked curiously. Hermione and Damien started to quietly laugh, causing Draco to turn beet red.
Lily glared at Ron before rolling her eyes. "You are SUPPOSED to be on the same side," she said pointedly. "Apologize."
"I'm sorry," Ron said easily, not meaning a word. Draco just sneered. They rounded the last corner and stopped, a heavy oak door in front of them. Lily waved a hand idly, having taken to Wandless magic instantly, and the door burst open. Damien, intrigued and excited, walked into the room immediately, Hermione and Ron trailing behind him. The room was about twenty feet by forty and had rows of manacles on the walls. In the center of the back wall, Vernon hung by his wrists, both shoulders dislocated, his eyes bloodshot and filled with agony. Petunia hung next to him, her face also filled with indescribable pain. Dudley had been too heavy for the manacles to hold, Damien could see. There were gaping holes in the wall where the manacles had been. Instead, Dudley was chained on the far wall; spread eagled to prevent him from pulling free. All of them looked as if they were in agony. Vernon's unseeing stare finally centered on Damien and he sneered.
"Come to poke fun at us?" he hissed, his beady eyes slanted and angry.
Damien grinned and transformed back into Harry Potter. "No, just come to see that you've been punished properly for what you've done to me."
Vernon's eyes widened. Petunia looked up, hate blasting from every pore. "You FREAK!" she screamed. "It's all your fault! Why wouldn't you just die like you were supposed to???"
Damien strode forward and backhanded her across the face. "You bitch," he hissed half in Parseltongue. Hermione and Draco shivered involuntarily. "You worthless excuse for a person. How dare you call me a freak when you participated in the breaking and abuse of a helpless child!!" He turned back, transforming again. He walked over to his mother, burying his face in her shoulder and she wrapped her arms around him.
"She lies, baby," she said softly, stroking his hair. "She lies because she hates what she doesn't know and is jealous because we are powerful and she is not. That's why we fight and why we have to hurt them. Because they hate us for being powerful."
"I don't want to see any more," Damien said dully. Lily led them out of the Dungeons, still holding her son close.
Three Days Later, the gardens of Slytherin Manor
Damien, Ron and Hermione lay on the grass idly, watching the clouds roll by. Draco sat a few feet away, working on his Wandless magic. "Mione, Ron, I never got the chance to ask. How long have you been here and what happened when the Death Eaters picked you up?" he asked suddenly, rolling onto his stomach.
"My parents weren't home like always, and your mom walked in on my favorite pastime," Hermione said sarcastically.
Damien grabbed her arm and pulled up sleeve of the black long sleeved shirt she was wearing. Sure enough, there were new pink lines on her wrists and forearms, intermingling with hundreds of older, white lines. Draco stopped what he was doing and stared, shocked. "Mione, you promised."
"It got so hard, Damien," Hermione whispered, a lone tear trickling down her cheek. Damien gently brushed it away, kissing her softly. "They were so horrid and I couldn't take it any more. I had to stop the pain and that's the only way I know how."
"Tell me," Damien ordered, settling her on his lap, Ron next to them and playing with her hair comfortingly.
"Mum told Dad she wasn't coming back, that she was leaving the trash in her life behind. Then she told me that if I wanted to come with her, I had to hand over the trust fund- you know, the one set up by my Great Grandmother."
"The last witch in your line," Ron said knowingly.
"The one that pays for Hogwarts and my books. She said there was plenty in there still, and if I wanted to go too I had to give up the abomination," Hermione spat. "She was leaving with Steve, and he doesn't know that I'm a freak and she didn't want to lose him like she did Greg."
"Was Greg the one who-" Ron stopped talking abruptly, his eyes shining with pain.
"You can say it, Ron. It doesn't hurt any more. Yes, he was the pedophile, the one who liked little girls. Thank God he never touched me like that, though he did try." Hermione ran her fingers through her hair distractedly.
"You sent him through a wall, right?" Damien asked. Draco's jaw was almost brushing the ground, unnoticed by the trio.
"It was a concrete wall three feet thick, and I was glowing, too. He ran away and never came back. Last I heard he was in prison for kidnapping, raping, and killing a little girl."
"So they got you without a problem then?" Damien asked quietly.
"Yes. I just grabbed my trunk and left with them. Your mum is nice."
"He knows," Ron whispered suddenly, his eyes filled with tears. "Your dad knows, although I don't think he told anyone. He knows about Fred and George and what they've done."
"Oh Ron," Damien murmured, hugging the distraught boy close. "Did he say anything?"
Hermione drew her knees up to her chin. From almost twenty feet away, Draco watched them from the corner of his eye, more than slightly worried. What did they do to him? he wondered silently, shielding his thoughts impeccably. It sounds worse that what Hermione just admitted to going through.
"He didn't say a word when he saw them tou- tou- hurt me like that. It's pathetic- I can't even say it. He threw them through the kitchen wall and grabbed me, taking me out of there. They didn't even grab my wand. Professor Lupin took me to Diagon Alley to get another one, my true wand. My parents still don't know what the twins have done, and they were the only ones in the house with me when the Death Eaters came. Mum and Dad must be so worried. We sent them an owl, you know, telling them that we're safe."
"I can't say it either, Ron," Damien admitted. "I can't even say the word. Even thinking it almost sends me into hysterics." Hermione hugged them both, and they lay their heads in her lap.
"My boys, my brother and my soul mate. We are going to get them back for what they've done, you know," she promised, her light tone belied by the steel underneath.
Draco shuddered at the sweet malice in her voice. "Wow," he softly breathed. "I pity them." Hermione shot a look at Draco and he stared back. I promise, Hermione, he thought directly to her. I won't say a word to anyone about this.
That's not the problem, Draco. The problem is that you now understand. You know. No one besides the three of us has ever known, understood and done anything about it. You've done all three for us, and for that we thank you. You didn't have to rescue us but you did.
Draco blushed faintly. You're welcome, but I don't know what else I would have done.
Hermione smiled, hugging Ron and Damien.
Two Days Later, Hogwarts
Remus stood in front of the gargoyle, wracking his brain for the password. Not that I actually want to talk to the asshole. But, I have to keep up appearances. I hope Voldemort discovers a way for me to effectively 'die' so I can disappear like Paddy without any question. he suddenly stiffened, his hypersensitive hearing and nose picking up on a person, The false Snape, the one, who, suspiciously, smells like someone I used to know. If only I could place the smell, walked up the corridor behind him.
"Lupin," he sneered. "Come to report on a possible lead on the Potter brat and his friends? Or did you simply miss the Headmaster and come to take up more of his busy schedule?"
Remus scowled. "Just open the damn door already, would you? I can't remember the password!"
"Blood pops." The gargoyle swung around and Remus walked quickly into the Headmaster's office. "Yes, Albus?" he asked once he was inside.
"Ah, Remus. I was wondering. Do you have any leads on the whereabouts of our students?" Albus gestured for the werewolf to sit down. "Would you like some tea?"
Remus sat down cautiously, accepting a cup. Hmmm, what did he dose in it this time?" Thankfully, the Headmaster didn't know that his lycanthrope condition protected him form most toxins and potions, including the calming draughts, Veritaserum, draught of the living death, as well as a few others. He cautiously took a sip of the burning liquid. Ah, Veritaserum. I knew it.
"So, Remus, is there anything I should know about the whereabouts of the Golden Trio?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling madly.
"Voldemort most definitely has them, sir," Remus intoned, faking the effects. "That much I am certain. Where he is keeping them and his intentions I have not been able to ascertain. However, they are still alive."
"Very good, Remus. I need you to find out more for me, as well as make a portkey to the Great Hall. Give the portkey to Harry as soon as you can get in contact with him."
"Of course, Albus," Remus intoned, allowing some enthusiasm, all faked, of course, to creep into his voice.
"Good, get on it!" Albus shooed the werewolf out the door and Severus walked in past him.
Remus stalked out of Hogwarts with a barely contained growl. Trust that meddling, manipulating, evil bastard to try and take away the only happiness my pack has known. He let my pack get hurt and I'll kill him for that. He reached the edge of the Antiapparation Wards and quickly Apparated back to Slytherin Manor.
Slytherin Manor, twenty minutes later
"What did the bastard want now?" Lucius asked, sitting comfortably on a stone bench as Remus stumbled into the gardens.
"The asshole wants me to make a portkey to the Great Hall and give it to Damien- excuse me, Harry Potter- when I see him." Remus grimaced and sat next to him. "I'll never get used to the taste of Veritaserum," he groaned.
"Doesn't he know that you're immune to it?" Lucius wondered, confused.
"No, and don't you DARE let it slip. He'll kill me," Remus groaned, resting his head in his hands.
"Not if we kill you first," Voldemort said comfortingly, walking up the path.
"You mean it?" Remus raised his head hopefully.
"Lily Grace, Severus, Damien, Hermione, Draco, and Ron came up with a plan, and, I think your portkey will come in nicely, but much later on. Damien wants to go back to Hogwarts, if only for a minute or two, just to give the old man what's due to him."
"Well?" Remus asked. "Explain it, please!"
"How about we go inside and let the genius masterminds explain. They do a much better job than I do."
With that, the three of them walked back inside Slytherin Manor and found everyone else inside the Library, finishing up the last of the plan. The sat down and listened in.
"I still say we don't need to kill him, per say!" Draco snapped, banging his fist on the table.
"But how else can we get him without Dumbledore being suspicious???" Lily yelled, exasperated. Severus hugged her and she melted into his touch, resting her head on his shoulder.