Chapter 6: Who is right and who is wrong?
Hogwarts
Head Master OfficeHarry, Remus and Sirius silently made their way to the Head Master's office. Each man was lost in thought, but was surprisingly the same, who thought the day would turn out as it had. Once they reached the Gargoyle, Remus said the password, "Cherry pop" but the doors did not open. Having no choice the men spent the next 10 minutes taking turns guessing random candies both muggle and Wizard. It seemed that at the beginning of the term Dumbledore had given the entire staff a list of possible choices. However these three being who they were refused to look at the list and thus set up a small competition in who could guess the password in the least about of tries. Eventually Harry after 12 rounds of guessing said "peppermint snaps" and the doors sprung open. Sharing a brief smile the men walked in.
Now that the Gargoyle had sprung apart the three men ascended the stairs, upon seeing them the Headmaster smiled and welcomed them in, "Please gentlemen come in and have a seat. Lemon Drop anyone?" As the men sat they shook their heads no, 'I wonder if I will always be the only to appreciate the joys that a lemon drop brings.' Putting his distress out of his head, he faced the men in front of them and spoke.
"Well Gentlemen, I must thank you for the amusement you just provided me, I am sure that Harry won this round after 12 tries. But I am sure that you busy young men did not visit me just to guess by password." Looking to each on for confirmation of his words he continued, "Since it is very rarely that I find myself in all three of your company at one time I must admit I am pensive. In times past it was due to the war or bad news was always involved lets hope that time has changed that. What brings you to my office today?" While sitting behind his desk, Albus Dumbledore examined all three express and came to the conclusion that their bad luck would hold out and what they planed to tell him was not good. To put off their news he asked, "Would any of you like some tea and scones?"
Again all three men shook their head and declined the Headmaster's offer of refreshments.
Seeing the seriousness of the young men Albus asked, "Well then you might as well tell me what brings you three here today?"
"Well you see Albus," having agreed on the way over that Remus would start things off, he quickly launched into his story of today's events. After he was done Dumbledore looked most troubled indeed.
Albus looked Harry in the eye, "Let me first congratulate you on becoming a father. After knowing you for so long and knowing your parents I am very sure that you will be a wonderful parent. But what does worry is that the children's other father is Draco Malfoy. Both of you are very powerful Wizards in your own right, both of you coming from very powerful magical families. Harry, you and Draco are direct descendants of the Malfoy and Potter lines, at no point in either line has Potter or a Malfoy's blood been introduced. Which after seeing the Black Family Tree you know is usual for pureblood families not to be related. Thus after 2,000 years of two lines full of untainted magical powers finally merging your children would be powerful indeed. And an asset to whatever side they choose to fight for. We all know that the Malfoy's are seeped in Dark Arts and it would not surprise me if they were being trained as Dark Wizards." The twinkle in his eyes had shined brightly as Albus voiced his thoughts. But as the impact of Harry having a child with a Malfoy reached him, he understood that a force many times stronger than Voldemort could be rising. With a nod he continued, "I feel it is imperative that we get your children away from the Malfoys and their beliefs and undo any possible taints that has been introduced to them. These children must be raised as light wizards."
"Well in order to get them we have to know where they are, and the only person who can tell us that right now is Snape and he keeps going on about not betraying his son." Sirius growled out.
Albus got up and fire called Snape, "Severus can you please join me in my office?"
"Okay Albus, stand back." Within moments Snape walked through. Looking at those assembled "Ah I see that they have enlisted your help to sway me to betray my son. Well Albus I can tell you now that not even for you will I betray Draco so this is a waste of your time."
Albus narrowed his eyes and showed Severus the man and the power behind the forces of the light. "Severus be reasonable, please tell me what you can about Harry's children."
Severus stiffened his backbone and stared back at his old friend with the look of a mother protecting her young. Sighing, he replied, "I am tired of saying that I know nothing of Potter's children. The only children I know are my Grandchildren and they are not a topic I care to discuss with you.
"Severus, I know you wish to be loyal but really there is so much at stake. These children are powerful and depending on how they are raised could bring the darkness we all fought and sacrificed for. And as the current leader of the light I will NOT allow that to happen." Albus spoke as the three Gryffindors nodded their head in agreement. "Besides Harry has a right to know his children"
Sneering Severus spoke, "I notice that your main focus seem to be the potential power of a Potter child and not of his need to love and care for any child he might have had." Turning to Harry he continued, "It saddens me that you who was used and abused by the magical world in order so it could keep it hands clean from darkness and murder would contemplate bring a child you conceived into it."
Harry jumped out of his chair, "I will love and care for any children I have. I do not care about potential power it might have that is secondary. But due to your son, I have failed my children, missed precious years of their life and have been denied access to them. So don't you lecture me."
"You really believe the bullshit your spouting? Your whole life has been manipulated my Albus Dumbledore, and as a grown man you still don't see it. And he is still manipulating you, if you did have children how do you hope to protect them if you can't even see the danger? Hell you have only just told him about two children you think are your children who no one has confirmed not even their known parent. And all he is thinking about is their power, the next generation of the forces of lights fighters." Severus stared at Harry in amazement.
Sirius sneered, "Better than the next generation of the forces of Darkness fighters." Remus and Harry nodded.
Albus turned to Severus, the twinkle completely gone from his eyes. "Enough, Severus tell us what we want to know. Tell us about Harry's "Seeing the look of defiance he amended his request. "Find tell us about Mr. Malfoy's children."
Knowing that he would not get out of this without giving away some information. Sighing Severus thought about what he could tell the old man and decided, to give him the basics.
"Well like any proud Grandfather I of course like to brag as well as the next person, but as your aware there is not much I can tell you due to the wizard's Oath I am under. Lets see the twins were born March 22, 1999. The oldest is the boy, who is named Salazar Draco Malfoy and the youngest is a girl Lily Anastasia Malfoy.
I am their grandfather/godfather, it was Lucius and I that supported Draco thought out his pregnancy and for the past eight years. And we support him a 110%, we will protect him against any one who tries to hurt or separate them from each other. The children are home schooled, and from what we have been told by their teachers they are extremely might. Sometimes when I am at the manor we go hunting for ingredients for my potions and once I have taught them how to identify a particular plant or flower then always remember. Yes they are very bright indeed. And that's all I can tell you."
"Can't you tell us about some of your memories of the twins. Please enlighten us on the twins' likes and dislikes. What do they do all day? What are they being taught by Draco and Lucius? What harm could that cause." Maybe he could work the information out of Snape a different way.
Snape being a true Slytherin heard the unspoken questions are the twins being trained in the Dark Arts. 'How dare Albus imply that we would corrupt the children with such foulness? Of course he believes that of all Slytherins. But what amazes me is that he would not even care but for the fact that he thinks the twins are Potter's. "No. I will tell you nothing. I will not betray my Godson as the Potters' were betrayed. My memories are my own I will not share them with you. Besides I doubt I can and its no ones business but the twins and their family as to what they like or dislike. If that is all then I must be going."
Before he could leave Remus reached out and grabbed his arm and shouted, "Please Severus, I know you're their secret keeper. Please tell me where we can find them. Harry deserves to know his children. Please do this for me."
Severus back stiffened and without a word he left.
As Remus stared to the magical fire where his husband just disappeared into he fell to the floor and started to cry. "How could he do this to me. When we figured out how to lead our lives in this complicated mess of him being mated to me yet magically bound to Lucius, he promised that he would never choose between us and look it did and he choose them. What I going to, the wolf in me won't let me leave him, but the man, the friend and the godfather in me can not abide by him and his lies and deceptions for the past eight years." Remus began to sob harder, lose in the pain of the man fighting the wolf within him.
Sirius and Harry fell the floor and crawled over to their friend and family and pull him towards them. Willing him to have strengthen, "Harry whispered into his ears, "Do not worry. We will find away to get the twins back and then we will be a family. Afterwards maybe you will be able to resolve your difference once they are no longer an issue between the two."
Shaking his head, "Don't you see, no matter who has the twins this will always be an issue between us." Looking up to the Headmaster, "I understand that many things he can't tell us because of the wizard's Oath that he took. But I know he is their secret keeper and he would not tell us where to find them. How could he do that? Why won't my mate help me to help my cub."
Albus looked at Remus, although he wanted to get the children away from the darkness even he could not believe that Remus would ask his mate to break a secret keeper charm after what happened to James. But from hearing his words now he sees that Remus did indeed do that. Although he would have asked him to do so eventually he needs to make Remus understand. He owed Severus at least that. "Child, although I can see that you had good intentions when you asked Severus to break his confidence, surely you must see that Severus was right not." The two other men sitting with Remus gasped at the old wizards words.
"What you asked him to do was akin to what Voldemort asked Peter to do. Not that exactly same, because you do not intend to kill the Malfoys as Voldemort intended for Lily and James, but akin to it. Put yourself in Severus' place, what if it was Harry in hiding with his and Draco's children and Severus asked you to betray Harry and tell him where to find Harry. Would you?"
Without thinking both Remus replied, "Of course not Harry is my Godchild, he is like a son to me, I would do anything to protect him. I could never betray him like that!" Remus' words pouring from his heart. Sirius nodded as well, "I will never allowed my family to be hurt or betrayed again." After a few minutes the men's words sunk into the three brains and it truly dawned on them what they had asked and accused Severus of. Looking at each other the silence deepened.
Nodded gravely seeing that they understood what they had done, Albus continued, "Well that is what Severus is doing for the boy that he is his own Godson and considers to be him child. And since Severus is married to Lucius, Draco is his child."
Now horror flashed across all three men's face, their arrogance and self-righteousness dawned on them. They ignored his connection to the situation. Severus was being torn in two but like any good parent, he chose his child. Remus realized that it was him that was guilty of totally disregarding his mate's feelings and morals because he believed that his cub's feelings and desires were more superior in this matter. When Severus' reasons were just as valid as their own, the protection of his cub and I am sure that he consider the children his cubs as well considering that he has been their since day one. "Oh Merlin! What have I done?"
The Twinkle in Albus eyes dimmed, "I am sure with time all shall be well. Now I believe we must summon the Order members that are close to us and this issue to see by what means we can get custody of the children away from the Malfoys."
Snape-Lupin rooms:
Soon after Severus left the meeting.
Severus returned to his rooms beyond angry, 'that blasted mutt and his godson have once again come between Remus and I. Sometime I wonder why I fought to be with him. Granted he loved Lucius beyond imagination and he was so much easier and lovable. But still Remus brings as much and spice into their life' Sitting down Severus pulled out a piece of parchment and wrote his beloved a letter.
Dear Remus;
This situation is unbearable and I can't live like this. I am moving to Malfoy Manor, please do not look for me. When we both have had time to calm down, we will speak gain.
Severus
Snape made once last sweep of the rooms and then cast the purifying and cleansing spells on the room. Then without a backwards glance went to the tin of floo power grabbed some and threw it into the fire, "Three Broomsticks." Once he arrived he checked and removed from himself all the tracking, tracing and monitoring charms and hexes on him, shaking his head, did they think he was blind and dumb. Hell he would have to be in order to not have seen Harry casting the spells on him while he was in Albus' office. And it was down right funny when he felt Albus also add some of his own. He will make sure to have both Draco and Lucius also check him over. After taking care of that Severus apparated to the Leaky Caldron, making his way to the darker more eviler sections of the area and then went to the poison shop and from there he floo'ed to Cobblestone Ally – The darkest place in England and then activated the blink {1} to Malfoy Manor.
Walking into the Manor Severus searched until he found Lucius and Draco in family room door. Draco was playing with the children, reading them a story; while Lucius was reading the evening edition of some paper. After pouring himself a strong glass of fire-whiskey, al the time the family watching him, he flopping down into the armchair and said, "I have left my mate; what's for dinner?"
A/N: I have little use for fools so I could not let the Gryffindorks arrogance go on and even though Albus wants the children, he is still a friend to them all and he realize that they might need Severus before the end is reached.A/N: Looking for a good beta: anyone interested please let me know. This has not been betaed so if there are problems let me know in the review and I will edit it.
A/N: Since I can't answer reviews in the story, if you want a response then please leave your email address and I will response.
A/N: I love reviews, and I am begging for them. So let me know what you think. And thank you for all of you that have reviewed already. It is you guys that make me write.