Thanks to everyone for the reviews!

Metallica at the beginning... Actually the first few lines that he was singing I got from Nightmare Before Christmas..I was on a NBC kick when I started this fic.

Ell - Thanks so much for your review! I love getting reviews like that so I know what to think about and fix as I continue. With a son like that, who need Voldy!? That bit was amusing. I will try and work on the spelling and grammar, but bare in mind I am writing this on the FF.N Quick edit because I am using a relative's computer who doesn't have anything but notepad.

Also, he did contriadict himself, but I find myself doing that a lot in real life and I suppose that's the bit of me in the story.

As for the rest...

Beeline to Ginny; I had him pick Ginny because she's in Gryffindor and she's familliar. He may not be able to continue his friendships with Ron/Hermione/Ginny/ect.. but this way he has a little contact with them which, I think, is better then nothing and being completly detatched from them.

Because dark creatures CAN'T get in.; I'll tell you how they got in the school grounds in this chapter or one of the chapters to come.

Lupin; I had planned to have him find out. I love Remus! Besides, Snape may be his father but that still won't make up for the five years of being a slimy git to him even if Nikolas will look over it. one of the Mauraders who despised Severus... I may be wrong, but I don't think Lupin ever despised Severus. Sure he never went to help him, probably because he didn't want to loose his first and best friends, but in the memory we saw Lupin didn't aid in cursing him or laugh at him.(He sat off to the side reading) Not to mention how he acts in the books when around Snape, he is always kind to Sev as well as everyone else. best friends with James Even so, he was friends with Lily as well, and he cares for Harry so I'm sure he'll be upset about the fact that Sev is the real father, but Remus, in my mind, would decide that as long as Harry is happy then he could deal with it.

Pertaining to the image Nikolas will draw below. Sorry if it seems a bit odd.. I have the image in my head! Had to share the thought!

Chapter 12

"Severus, we need to talk."

"Talk? Lupin, unless you're going to tell me how those creatures got in, I don't care. I have that insufferable nurse to help, my son to check on, and a check of the school grounds and wards to do along side Albus and the Aurors. Now, is this about the attack?" Snape asked, his ill-temper rising as he stared at the other man.

"No, it's about your son." Lupin replied.

"Is he dying?"

"No but-"

"Then it can wait. I will check on him in a moment." Snape interupted. "I'm assuming that is all, and I'm sure there are plenty of things to do so go make yourself useful." Severus said as he turned his back on Remus and dissapeared into the Great Hall before another word could be said.

-0-

Nikolas yawned and awoke in the the Great Hall. He frowned at the familliar after taste one gets from sleeping draughts. He stretched out on the bed a bit before turning to look around. It was silent, and judging by the ceiling it was also dark out. He sat up slighty and glanced around noticing he was one of a few that were awake. Some sat in bed reading or staring into space, but most were still asleep. Slowly he lifted himself out of the bed and walked around. Ron and Ginny each lay in a bed, and Hermione had fallen asleep beside Ron. Surprisingly enough though, Ginny wasn't alone either; Neville was asleep at her side. Nikolas smiled and turned away happy for his friends even if he was a bit envious of them as well. He shook away the feelings and turned to leave the Great Hall. He chuckled softly to himself as he passed Madam Pomfrey, whos snores were louder then even the great lump Dudley. He silently slid through the crack in the doors and made his way to his father's chambers, where the elder would most likely be at this time. Another soft laugh passed his lips at that thought. He had thought of Snape as his father...Not as the irritatable potions master, but as his father. He smiled.

Nikolas reached Snape's chambers and knocked on the door. He was soons soon greeted by the dark potions master who nodded slightly before stepping aside to allow Nikolas to come in. Nikolas entered quietly, and looked back only when he heard the door close. His father drifted back over to the plush green sofa by the warm fireplace, his robes forever billowing in their bat-like manner behind him. It was only after this that he recognized a familliar smell that had set off a sudden voice in the back of his mind that screamed 'Go! Hide! Vernon!'

The smell of alcohol. He looked to his father and stumbled back a step. He could feel a small tingle in the back of his head as he wondered if his father enjoyed the drink as much as his Uncle.

"Come sit." Severus called softly before covering his mouth as he yawned. He was way beyond tired, but seemed to be suffering from the ever common insomnia. Nikolas sat down on the couch and looked at Severus curiously.

"Do you drink often?" He asked simply, attempting to keep his face void of emotion as he spoke.

"No. I drink only after a particularly horrid day, and even then I hardly take much." Snape replied as he looked to the teen. "Why?" Nikolas meerly shrugged and the two sat in silence afterwards for a short while.

"Professor Lupin knows." Nikolas said suddenly.

"I suspected as much when he wanted to speak to me about you." The elder replied, resting his head in his palm.

"He saw my patronus. I forgot...I was helping get rid of the dementors and didn't think anyone would care even if they saw it because of everything gowing on..."

"Just be glad Lupin was the only one to see." Severus said. "The last thing we need now is people finding out who you really are. Especially now that we have winter holidays to worry about." Snape closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "The dark lord wishes to see my newly found son."

"What? I can't!"

"You can and you will. We have no other choice."

"No, I mean I really can't. If he touches me, or even comes to close it hurts more then you'd know. It'd be a dead give away as to who I was if he came close and I started clutching my head." Nikolas argued.

"We'll have to find a way around it then. I'll modify a numbing potion or something...You may bring your snake to keep the death eaters away from you if you wish." Snape looked at him then stood. "It's getting late. Get to bed, just don't get caught on the way there." Snape made a shooing gesture and turned toward his own room.

Nikolas stared at him for a minute thinking that Snape should be as exahusted more often. He was so much nicer this way. The younger laughed quietly left the room making his way to the Slytherin Common Room, and eventually into his own room where he lay on the bed, restless.

Dawn found Nikolas in the Astronomy Tower. Unable to sleep he had decided to wait to watch the sunrise and chat with Nyx. He lay on the ground on top of a simple green blanket, his hair tied back, his robes flared out around him, and Nyx curled up on his chest.

"Winter holidays I have to go to a deatheater meeting. I want to take you with me, but Voldemort will be there too. He can talk to snakes as well, you can't tell him that I'm able to speak with you. Okay?" Nikolas asked the serpent who hissed in agreement. "Thanks."

He waited for Nyx to slide off of him before turning on his stomach and pulling open his sketchbook. He flipped through the pages until he reached his most recent drawing. It was one of Draco. The blond had left his door open one night when insomnia had taken Nikolas. In the sketch the young Malfoy looked so innocent with his hair falling in his face lightly, black blankets covering his form as he lay on his side, and one arm tucked under his head acting as a second pillow. Nikolas stared at the sketch for a moment and decided to add something more to the picture then there was in real life. With a few soft strokes angelic wings began to emerge from the Slytherin's back; they were torn in some places and bound by a large serpent that coiled around them.

"What do you think Nyx? I may not like him, but he makes a good model." Nikolas smiled as he stared down as his finished sketch. "I think it needs some color though"

"I like it." Came a voice from behind. "And if you think about it more the snake binding his wings could mean he is bound by his house. Perhaps saying that without the Slytherin and Malfoy names to uphold he could, in fact, be as innocent as he appears in that picture." Nikolas stood and looked at a gently smiling Remus Lupin.

"Hello Professor." Nikolas greeted.

"Call me Remus...No need for the title unless we're in class." Moony looked Nikolas over his expression saddening. "You look so different...The only thing that hasn't changed at all are your eyes. All traces of James seem to have vanished from your appearence."

"It was only a potion that made me look like him...No one was supposed to find out who my real father was..." Nikolas replied.

"I've thought about this change in you all night...My first thoughts were selfish. I wished that you hadn't changed, and that Severus wasn't your father; not because of how hard it would be for the two of you, or because I didn't think Severus could be a good enough father...Instead I wanted the old you back because you were the last link between me and James. Looking at you, seeing how much you looked like one of my first best friends, would remind me of everything good about my years at Hogwarts...I didn't want to loose that..." Remus paused and gave a weak smile. "But I then thought of you. You have the chance to have a father. A chance to be loved. I'm happy for you." Remus said.

"Thank you." Nikolas replied simply. Then the teen embraced Lupin lightly. "I have to go now...Lessons."

"Lessons? This early?" Lupin asked. "It's only five-thirty."

"My father is teaching me spells to better arm myself." And with that he set off down the stairs.

-0-

Time passed quickly between lessons with his father, his normal classes, chats with Lupin (Secretly, mind you.), and trips to Hogsmead. Soon the time came that he was dreading most of all. Winter Break. He watched everyone leave one morning, and dreaded the meeting that he had to attend the very next day. His lips curled into a slight smile, however, as he saw Ron and Hermione pass. He still wanted so badly to talk to them, and to tell them everything. He was so close to his first and best friends, but they didn't even give him a second glance. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see the long pale fingers of his father.

"Come along then. We still have work to do before we leave." Severus said quietly and the two walked back to the castle dungeons.

Nikolas sat in front of a bubbling cauldron, watching the vile brown liquid swirl around. He cast a glance to Nyx, who lay curled up sleeping on his arm.

"Do I actually have to drink this? It looks disgusting." Nikolas complained. Severus only nodded and continued writing. It was nearly an hour later when the potion was finished, and Nikolas was pleased to find that it had gained a slightly more attractive appearence. He filled a flask with the liquid and dropped it in his pocket after taking a swig of the sour liquid. Then both he and his father informed Dumbledore of their departure, and with the aid of floo powder went to Malfoy Manor.

"Good Afternoon Severus...And Nikolas, correct?" Lucius greeted, stepping back a bit as Nyx hissed distrustingly at the blond from his keeper's arm.

"Afternoon Lucius." Severus greeted in return.

"And Nikolas, I see you've brought your pet.... Well we better get going. Don't want to be late." Lucius held out an old trophy and the three of them took hold of it and were transported to a run down house. Nikolas scowled and looked around. He recognized this place. It was the Riddle House. He walked up the stairs until he found himself standing at the same door as the poor muggle who had fallen upon Voldemort three years ago. Nikolas walked in behind Lucius and his father, but could see Lord Voldemort in front of them.

"Severus, Lucius...Right on time. As usual." Came the voice of Voldemort. Nikolas scowled as the voice rung in his ears. It was a sound that haunted his nightmares at night. He was thankful for the numbing potion now. Though his entire body tingled uncomfortably, his head didn't feel like it was going to split open. On the contrary, it felt more like a bee sting at the moment, which he could handle. "Severus, where is this long lost son I am to meet?"

"Right here, my lord." Severus replied stepping aside to allow Nikolas to move between himself and Lucius.

"What is your name?" Voldemort asked, his wide red eyes examining Nikolas both outside as well as mentaly. Nikolas was sure to leave some thoughts open so not to appear suspicious.

"Nikolas Snape." He replied in a calm manner.

"You are not frightened of me?" Volemort questioned, fixing his red eyes upon Nikolas.

"I am, but I work hard to keep my emotions in check." He replied. Voldemort laughed, the same high pitched laughter that made Nikolas want to curse the bastard where he stood. As the dark lord began to interogate him further, Nikolas could feel his scar begin to tingle... Soon the tingle became a throbbing pain... Then finally the potion's effects completely wore off and stumbled. He wrapped his arms around his father's waist, hiding his face within the elders cloak as he let out a muffle moan in pain. Once more he could feel the horrid pain that made it seem his head would split in two. It was all he could do not to fall to the floor and grasp his forehead in pain.

He could hear Severus talking...Something about being ill...Then Nikolas heard the three kindest words Voldemort had ever said. " You may go." That was all he could remember before passing out.

I meant to put more, but decided to update instead... Hope you liked it!

Review too please!