Disclaimer: Harry Potter's world belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter Three. Find the Lion's Cub

Godric woke early the next morn to leave in search of the son he never knew he had begotten. He was no fool. His choice would be unpopular to Salazar and Rowena but his morals forced him to consider first his responsibility. Helga Hufflepuff had been right: he could never live with himself knowing he had left the boy out on the street.

Elizabeth stirred sleepily and smiled up at him as he dressed. He nodded curtly and she rolled over with a contented hum.

Godric finished dressing and in the early morning light made his way to his children's chambers. Meagan slept peacefully with little Luther tucked under her arm. He bent over and kissed first Meagan's brow then Luther's.

"Pappa?" Meagan opened one eye dazedly.

Godric ran his hand through her hair. "Pappa has a job to do. I'll be away for a few days."

Meagan sat up in bed careful not to disturb her little brother. She eyed Godric's muggle attire sceptically. "You're not wearing a cloak, Father."

Godric kissed her brow once more. "My journey will take me into the muggle world."

"Oh." Meagan glanced over him thoughtfully. "Is this to do with the ginger haired boy? My older brother?"

Godric blanched and suddenly recalled the many times early in Meagan's childhood where she had drawn the family always careful to add an older brother. Despite her mother's protests that she didn't have an older brother Meagan insisted 'Leo' would be angry to hear that. Her strong belief did not make her popular with Jenelle Ravenclaw but he had to admire how she held fast to her belief. Sighing he realised she had been right all along.

With a small groan Godric perched on the edge of the bed. "It seems you were right, Meagan. You have an older brother."

Meagan's glanced clearly said 'I-told-you-so' but she hugged Godric fiercely. "And now you are bringing him home where he belongs."

Godric patted his daughter's back and smiled gently. "I will bring him home."

"He's awfully stubborn, Father," Meagan stated bobbing her head. "You'll have to coax him. He'll probably run away from you to… you're quite imposing… but I'm sure you will convince him to stay… if not mention the food we serve here."
"Thankyou, little darling, I will remember your advice." Godric stood slowly and crept towards the door.

Godric nearly made it too the front Entrance Hall before being accosted by Salazar Slytherin. Godric huffed upon seeing the co-founder and tried to keep walking past him as if he had not seen him.

However, Salazar had other ideas. He shot out his arm and caught Godric's elbow. "Where are you going at such an early hour?" Slytherin hissed.

Godric wrenched his elbow from Slytherin's grip. "Last time I checked I did not have to seek clearance from the likes of you to leave the castle."

Slytherin hissed in anger. "I asked you a question, Gryffindor."

Godric waved his hand about carelessly, he knew he had to face Slytherin sooner or later. It might as well be sooner he reasoned. "I'm doing as my conscious dictates."

"Typical," Slytherin hissed stepping aside. "You're a fool Godric. He's a thief the book clearly says so…"

"And by the time we reach the castle he won't be…"

"Are you so deluded you think changing his thieving habits is that easy?"

"I don't profess to know his heart," Godric returned. "I only know my own."
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Godric didn't expect to have company as he walked to the fringes of the Hogwarts grounds. However before he passed through the front gates he was joined by Gowan Ravenclaw.

Gowan out of respect for his master walked by his side silently his eyes trained to the ground. Godric appreciated the gesture however. He had always held a special favour towards Gowan, he was not especially brave but he held his head in difficult situations. He strove to do the right thing, he admitted his faults, he was a sensible lad with a good head on his shoulders which he never failed to use. All in all he was a good example for the young Gryffindors or indeed apprentices to follow.

Godric reached the apparating point and turned to Gowan. He knew the boy had followed him this far for a reason.

"Mother will come around soon, sir," Gowan said with a small smile. "She will understand why you must go and find this son of yours."
Godric nodded curtly. Gowan had known he needed to hear this.

"I look after your apprentices while you are away if you like," Gowan offered.

Godric swallowed painfully and wordlessly nodded his gratitude.

"And you'll bring this lad of yours home in a presentable manner?"

Godric stopped. Indeed he had not formulated a plan. He assumed he would apparate to where his son was and apparate back. But Gowan was right. It would be easier in the long run if they returned in a neat orderly manner…

"And you won't force him to come with you? You'll treat him with respect and dignity?"

"And what am I suppose to do to convince him?" This advice was starting to sound awfully like Meagan's.

"Be your usual charming self, sir," Gowan winked with a shrug of his shoulders. "If that doesn't work you could confound him."

"I'll do my best, Gowan. That is all I can offer you," Godric replied rubbing his temple. He already was beginning to develop a headache.

"That is all I can ask of you, sir," Gowan said before turning on his heel and leaving Godric alone at the apparating point.

Godric watched the younger Ravenclaw leave and felt something in his guts squirm. He was about to come face to face with Aimee's child. Aimee's child whom he had sired. He didn't know if he was ready for such and introduction.

Sighing Godric closed his eyes and cast a locating spell thinking of the name of the person he wanted to find 'Leonis Godric De Saville, Leonis Godric De Saville…'

Eventually he was drawn to a small village in Wales. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Typical! Aimee would flee to the extremes to hide herself from… well whatever she was running from.

In his mind's eye Godric found a safe looking place to apparate. Then with a distinct pop he was gone…
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Leonis found himself shackled and roughly lead to the chieftain's house. He thought he was going to be physically sick at his grim prospects for his future. Thievery was not looked kindly upon and he knew the consequences were harsh. Suppressing a shudder Leonis refused to look at any faces as he was frogmarched towards his awaiting trail.

Leonis was swiftly taken from the road and down and ally way. A door opened and he was propelled through with a rough shove from behind. He fell, his wrists catching his fall. He grimaced at the pain that shot up his arm and blushed in fury at the rough chortling of the men behind him. He pursed his mouth shut however, knowing that mouthing off would only land him in trouble.

It was with surprising quickness his guards navigated the small hut and forced him through yet another door.

A man sitting on what he could have easily mistaken for a wooden throne stared down at him with bulging eyes as he entered the room. Leonis could not help but stare at the chieftain. He had heard gossip about this man: none of it pleasant. And it was true! He was sitting on a throne eating roast peacock!

Leonis shifted his stare away from the luscious looking peacock and stopped himself from licking his lips. He had never tasted the delicacy but he was sure the flavour was good as the tantalising smell that teased his nostrils so cruelly.

One moment he was standing the next he was flung onto the floor forced to prostrate himself in front of this man. Leonis flushed again in anger but dared not say anything or give any indication of his fury. He was frightened the ends of the guard's spears might run him through if he was not careful.

"What have we here?" The booming voice called out from the throne like chair. Leonis shivered and flattened himself closer into the stone paved floor.

"Answer boy!" The malicious voice demanded.

Leonis swallowed involuntarily knowing that he must answer the chieftain. And yet even he did not wish to admit to himself his crimes.

"A thief, milord," Leonis squeaked.

"A what? Speak up, boy!" the chieftain sneered.

Leonis was fully aware that he was being toyed with. "A thief sir," he repeated biting his tongue so that he could taste the bitter copper essence of blood in his mouth.

"Ah, a little thief, eh?" the chieftain asked almost gleefully. Leonis lifted his chin an inch off the stone floor only to have it pushed roughly back down by the butt of a spear. "What shall I do with you thief?"

Leonis was nearly in a state of panic. He knew he had to say something in his defence but no words were formulating in his mind.

"Answer me you half wit," the chieftain barked.

In the next moment Leonis heard a door opening. He restrained himself from trying to look back as firm footfalls clicked on the floor. The guard's spears were removed slowly.

"I can tell you what to do with him," a silky voice suggested briskly.

"Oh? What's that?" Leonis could almost see the chieftain leaning forward to hear the gruesome punishment of the new comer.

"Give him to me." The stranger sighed.

"Give him to you?" the chieftain repeated incredulously. "Why would I do that?"

"Because I am the one he stole from me… an eye for and eye a tooth for a tooth. Let me deal with him. Upon my word by the time I finish with him he won't be thieving anymore."

There was a moment pause. Leonis closed his eyes and prayed for redemption.

Then the back of his collar was grabbed and he was lifted into the air by the scruff of his jerkin. He locked eyes with the stranger desperately trying to stop himself from crying out.

The new comer was dressed solely in expensive leathers. A soft camel shirt was covered in a long dark brown jerkin with silver buttons and attachments. The man's short beard was well trimmed his hair brushed tightly back. Regal eyes bore into his. Dark brown almost black and they were devoid of any emotion.

"Ah!" the stranger said. "So we come face to face at last…"