I Am Dansmesyeux Riddle

Chapter 6

SIX: Pranks and More Fun

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Previous Chapter: "ENOUGH!" Severus yelled. The children all jumped but stopped talking. "That's better. I'm going to let that go because I'm in a good mood and on a tight schedule. I'm taking you all with me to Hogwarts for a few weeks. Pack everything you may need including your clothes and any money you may have. Theodore, I want you to also get anything that Draco and Dan may need. Everyone got it?" With a few nodes Severus sent them on their way, telling them to meet him in the main hall one they were done.

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Severus got many different reactions when he walked through the Great Hall's doors that morning, but Severus was more shocked  (though he hid it well) to see who he saw sitting by the Headmaster. None other than James Potter, his wife: Lily Potter, and their son: Harry.

James's hazel eyes met Severus's black ones and an idea struck the Potion's Master. He bent down to Jane and began to whisper something. She smiled evilly and the children huddled up to plan their latest prank. As they did this Severus made his way to his seat at the teacher's table, glad like always that the students were off on vacation.

"Hello, Potter, Mrs. Potter," he greeted, taking a seat. Lily smiled and her son looked at him with brilliant green eyes. Though James didn't take his eyes off of the Slytherin, Severus had turned his attention to a plate of breakfast. Severus looked up as Draco came running into the hall, dragging Dan by the arm. I guess even the nurse couldn't keep Dan in the Hospital Wing that long, Severus thought. 

Violet picked up a plate off of the teacher's table and only Severus noticed as she motioned to Draco who whispered something to Dan before helping him to a safe location (a chair at the Ravenclaw table). He then ran to meet his friends in the middle of the hall. From the head table Violet nodded and suddenly the children (with the exception of Dan) all ran as fast as they could to where she stood. In a swift movement they all picked something up and threw, flung, and/or chucked it at James.

James jumped up from his seat and in a matter of seconds he was covered in so many different foods that it was almost impossible to tell who he was. He licked his lips and turned his gaze upon the children. Lily was trying to restrain her laughter but some of the Professors showed no such control.

"Uncle Sev said to!" the children exclaimed as one when James turned his gaze upon them. Severus could help but grin as all eyes turned to him.

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"Severus, could we talk?" Dumbledore asked as he stepped into Severus's private chambers. Severus nodded as he threw some covers over Draco and Dan who were asleep on a chair near the fireplace. Violet, Blaise, and Pansy were asleep on his bed while Jane slept on the floor (she had refused to sleep anywhere else). Theodore, Gregory, and Vincent were all scattered in various places whether it was upon the floor or near the fire.

Dumbledore watched his fatherly display, eyes twinkling, and Severus finally turned to face him. "They really adore you."

"And I just can't figure put why," Severus said with a shrug.

"Uncle Sev, when can I see my dad again?" came Dan's tired voice. Severus turned his head and walked toward the small child, waving his hand at Dumbledore to indicate that he would be right back.

"I'm not sure, kid," he said, pulling a lock of Dan's black hair out of his face. "But if you really want I could take you to visit him if Dumbledore wouldn't mind." He bent down to Dan and whispered, "Why don't you go ask him?"

"Kay," Dan yawned as he cautiously slid out of bed and ran to the Headmaster. Even though he felt Dumbledore's eyes on him he tugged on the wizard's robes and he stuttered, "Mr. Doubledore, sir, can Uncle Sev take me to see my daddy?"  

Dumbledore smiled when Dan had mentioned 'Uncle Sev' but Dan's brilliant turquoise eyes (that reminded him of his old student: Tom Riddle) made it difficult to explain his negative answer. Before he could reply Severus saw his facial expression that would have gone unnoticed by anyone else and decided to help him out. 

"I don't think seeing you're father anytime soon will work out, Dan," Severus said. The sound of his voice made Dan turn around and search for where he stood. "But I'm going to try and help you cope with not being able to see."

"I don't wanna cope with it, Uncle!" whined Dan. "I wanna see daddy and play with Barty!"

"Barty Crouch, Jr?" Dumbledore asked, interrupting Severus and Dan's small argue.

Dan's head tilted to the side in confusion as Severus replied, "Yes. He, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy are the ones that helped to raise Dan from when he was still too young to walk." Dumbledore seemed a bit surprised at this information and Severus sneered, "Yes, Headmaster, though as hard as it is to believe Slytherins can be compassionate."

Though it was meant as an insult Dumbledore smiled warmly with that twinkle in his light blue eyes. Dan yawned. The Headmaster looked down at the small boy and said, turning back to Severus, "I believe it's time for Mr. Riddle to follow his friend's examples and get some rest." Before he heard Severus response Dan was fast asleep in the warm embrace of his "uncle's" arms.

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  (Dan's Dream)

"One…two…three!" Barty said as he threw a two-year-old Dan into the air then caught him moments later. The Riddle heir squealed in delight, putting a smile on Barty's handsome face.

"If you drop him I'm not taking the Cruciatus," Severus stated from a velvet chair near the stone room's fireplace. A thick muggle novel sat upon the ex-Death Eater's lap and his black eyes hadn't bothered to even glance up as he had previously spoken his peace.

"Oh shut up, Severus, you over grown bat," Lucius sneered as he entered the room, closing the door so the draft from the other room wouldn't follow him in. Barty smirked at Severus as he put Dan onto the carpeted floor.

"Da!" proclaimed a little Draco from Severus's feet. He had a small children's book in his hands.

"Is that right, Dragon?" Severus asked the boy, setting aside his book so he could pick Draco up.

"Da!" Draco repeated excitedly. He wasn't sure what he had said but he loved the idea of getting more attention.

"If he's really saying dad I'm going to have to kill you," said Lucius, glaring at Severus and Barty (whom found the situation funny).

"Oh no you won't!" Narcissa snapped. The three men jumped, having forgot that she was in the room.

"Thank you!" Severus said after regaining control of his nerves.

"Not in front of the children," added Narcissa with a teasing smile. Severus glared at her, not trusting himself to speak in front of the young ears.

Barty sighed when silence took over and decided to start conversation, "So…has anyone heard from the master?"

"He won't be back for a few weeks," Lucius said, though it didn't really answer Barty's question. Severus grunted and Draco repeated the sound as if he knew it would annoy the Potions Master. Lucius raised an eyebrow and was about to comment when a small, timid voice said:

"Daddy!"

The four adults in the room looked to Dan who was crying, clutching to Barty, and repeating his new word over and over…

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"Dan! Come on! Get up!" came Draco's demanding voice.

"Hmm? Wha?" asked Dan sleepily.

"Get up! The others and I want to pull a prank on one of the goodie goodies that our fathers told us about!" Draco said. "So hurry up."

"Ok," Dan said though he would rather go home. His father was right. The world outside of the castle was different and even scary from the world he was used to.