Alia: Okay. I'm back. I planned to do this last week but this bitch of a chapter was hard on me. It did not want to be written but I preservered. But before we go on to reviews and then the story... You guys need to know that I might not be here for the next chapter. I don't...just NO. Bell, if you or Audrey want to volunteer do so. Or I'll use the result of reading way too much Yu-gi-oh yaoi...my YAMI.

Reviews:

athenakitty: I'm afraid I can't answer that (smirks) You'll see.

Sarahamanda: Thanks.

aikidobrat: I know more smut time...but it'll take me a while...I haven't done smut since I left anime. And I did a damn good job if I say so myself! Remind me to send you a copy of a story I did. The long one. I'm happy you like it so far! Talk to me next time your online!

Vertigo: I LOVE long reviews. They make me all tingly. You're right. That is good timing. Harry didn't do a good job...you'll see. The third part was actually where the original sequel began but I did things over. You gave me an idea with Severus now. Thanks.

Audrey: (gasps) AUDREY! YOU'RE BACK! (glomps) I missed you so much. (sobs) Thanks for the comments. They're greatly appreciated. And yes you should start writing again. I think I may have a couple plot bunnies to throw your way. But hurry. They're growing awful fast. Bell would never forgive me if I started on ANOTHER story.

Moreso: I know. You can't help but like Julian but believe me when I said it was necessary...We're going to find out about Severus/Raven these next two chapters. Prepare yourself.

TITLE: Second Chances -Because of Answers cont.

AUTHOR: Alia

STATUS/PART: 5

SEQUEL: Raven's Gift

RATING: R (I might raise it again soon)

PAIRING: Severus Snape/ Harry Potter

SPOILERS: All the books

WARNINGS: language, angst, violence, slash, hints to mpreg

DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway or fashion own HP or anything else. I'm making no money from this.

SUMMARY: The characters of HP and Raven's Gift learn that some things won't stay buried.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is 'Because of Answers' Continued because there will be almost three chapters of answering what happened to Julian, Severus, and what Julian told Albus and Harry. This is the second chapter and there will be one more. I may stick more warnings on the next chapter though.

Second Chances- Because of Answers Continued

Raven didn't move nor did he tense when he woke. He somehow knew that he was no longer in his own home but where he was remained a mystery. Severus didn't dare move. He could still feel the waves of pain echoing through him from the Cruciatus. He was just pleased that he could think clearly.

As he lay there, Raven wondered if Julian had gotten away. He needed to be sure that his son was safe. Unfortunately he knew nothing of what happened after he passed out and after Julian flew away. He could only hope that the boy had made it to town uninjured.

Shifting slightly, Severus could tell that he was lying on a hard and rather cool surface. /Ah yes. I would be lying on the damned floor./ Pain spiked through him for a moment before dulling enough for Raven to concentrate on his surroundings again. The potions master breathed slowly with his aching chest and opened his eyes slowly. From the way his head was positioned, he could see that he was indeed lying on the floor. He was on top of a thick rug, the only thing keeping Raven from freezing on a cold floor. He found himself slightly thankful for that. His head was facing a large fireplace. Although it was lit, it provided little heat or comfort. He closed his eyes.

Severus could hear soft whispers from where he lay on the floor. He could hear them coming from his right side, but not too far away.

"So this is Raven Esan?" said a calm voice of an adult that had a rather...cool demeanor to it.

"Yes, sire. That's him." The second voice sounded somewhat like the first. Both were apparently young men.

"You did very well son." Said one voice that was slightly hoarse.

"Thank you, father."

There were a few footsteps in his direction but Severus managed not to panic.

"Not the best looking is he? I would have expected some handsome little doll really. Only the best for that bastard," said the second voice bitterly. "He reminds me of my potions master."

"Professor Snape?" said the first voice.

The third voice laughed. "Ah yes Severus. Now that you mention it, I see it as well. Although Esan is much better looking."

Severus wondered if he should feel insulted or flattered.

"Poor Severus. Died fighting for our lord." At least that's what the third voice believed. Raven frowned mentally. That voice sounded terribly familiar.

"Brother, I thought that Potter and Snape didn't get along? Why would he sleep with someone who even slightly resembled the man?" asked the first voice.

Severus just managed not to freeze. /SHIT/ If Potter was the reason he and his son were here...

"Perhaps Potter had a few fantasies about buggering him. Merlin, even I had one or two."

"Oh?" said the third voice with a bit of amusement.

The second voice coughed leaving the first to laugh cooly.

"My, my brother. We're learning new things everyday." said the first voice. The second seemed to sigh.

"Was it difficult to get them here Draco?"

It took all of Severus's will power not to jump at the revelation. /Draco! Draco Malfoy! Then that means the third voice is Lucius.../

Draco gave a growl. Severus could hear someone begin to pace. "Harder than we expected. Esan here killed most of the men I took along!"

"Really?" said the first voice. He seemed impressed.

"It was amazing to say the least. And that little bastard of his almost escaped us."

Raven cursed mentally. Julian hadn't made it. /So where is he/

"Not what you expected, hmm?" said Lucius.

"Not at all."

"Don't underestimate your enemies, Draco." The first voice sounded closer to Severus than before.

"Yes, my lord."

/Well at least I have some clue of who...Voldemort/ If there was a god, Raven hoped not. He didn't think he could take anymore of that snake faced bastard.

"Go and fetch the boy here please Uncle?" Although the first voice said please, it was a command.

"Yes, my lord."

Severus pondered just for a moment why the first voice called Draco 'brother' and Lucius 'Uncle' but both Malfoys called the man 'Lord'. It didn't seem to add up.

"Come now, Mr. Esan. You can stop pretending to sleep now." The first voice sounded completely sure. He heard Draco's barely audible gasp in the background.

Severus flinched but did slowly open his blue eyes. He didn't turn his head until the man said, "Don't be afraid. Look this way, please."

Turning his head, Raven looked up at the figure before him. The first thing he noticed were red eyes. /Sweet Morgana! I thought he was dead/ But then Severus took a closer look. No...this couldn't be Voldemort, but the man didn't look possessed at all to him. Nevertheless, the eyes were enough to scare the hell out of him. Severus shifted onto his side and began to move slowly away, back toward the fireplace.

The red eyed man smiled at him in amusement. He was rather handsome if one ignored the red eyes. Tall, strong features that blended well together, and dark brown hair. He was someone that you wouldn't really notice, looks alone, if you saw them on the street. However, Raven could tell that this man before him stood as proudly as Voldemort himself once had, power and danger radiating from him.

Severus pulled as far away as possible without going into the fireplace.

The red eyed man chuckled. "There's no reason to shy away, Mr. Esan. Even if you did kill quite a few of my men."

Raven glared at him. /If he thinks I'm going to apologize.../

A laugh issued. "Now, now, Mr. Esan, do not be that way. You are my guest."

"I find it hard," Severus growled, "to believe myself a guest when you snatched my son and I from our home."

The man shrugged. "I would find it a bit hard to believe that you would have come voluntarily."

Severus had to admit that he had a point. "Who are you? Why have you brought us here? Where is my son!" he cried angrily.

He didn't expect Draco Malfoy to jump forward and strike him across the face. Apparently, neither did Malfoy's 'Lord'.

"DRACO!" He thundered and Severus swore the ground shook for a moment. Looking up, Severus watched Draco cower under the look in the man's red eyes. "Do not ever do anything like that without my permission again. Do you understand?" It was said calmly and smoothly. It had been years since Severus had been so terrified.

Malfoy took a deep breath. "Yes, my Lord. I understand."

"Good." The man turned dark red eyes back to Severus. "I apologize for being such a terrible host Mr. Esan." He gave the man a small bow. "I am Lord Voldemort."

Raven froze. "Y-you can't be. Potter killed Voldemort years ago!"

The man looked at him for a long moment. /Yes...this one is very strong. Most still aren't able to say that name. Nice choice, Potter./ "Yes...Mr. Potter," the loathing, even in the calmly said voice, was prominent, "did kill Voldemort. The first one..."

Raven shook his head. "What are you talking about? The first one?"

The man leaned over slightly toward Severus, causing the potions master to lean back. "Let me try again. My name is Malphas Riddle. The first Voldemort was my father of course."

It was like being hit with a brick wall. Actually, it was much, much worse. "You're Voldemort's son!" cried Severus in disbelief.

The red eyes gleamed with amusement. "Yes."

Raven shook his head. "I-I-,"

"Don't believe it? Well it certainly surprised some but is true." He smirked and Severus felt icy chills roll down his back. "I grew up here in France you see after my mother gave birth to me. No one knew about me except for father, mother, Uncle Lucius, and Draco here. However, it appears as if my existence will be more common soon." He turned away and started walking in the opposite direction.

Severus looked around. It seemed as if he were in an oversized room. The floor and walls were of stone, tapestries hung sparsely on the walls and large rugs lay on the floor. Two large doors stood on Severus left. There was nothing else of furniture except a simple chair. /A throne/ thought Severus as he watched Malphas take his seat.

Suddenly the two large doors opened. Lucius Malfoy was the first to enter. It seemed like very little had changed about the man except for one thing...a ragged scar ran from the top of Malfoy's head, down the side of his face, and across his throat. Raven momentarily wondered what had caused that before something caught his attention. What was behind Malfoy.

Three men entered, all dressed as Death Eaters. Between two of them was a small body being held up by its arms and dragged toward where Malphas now sat. And even though Severus could not see the person's face, he felt confident that he knew his child from anyone else.

"Julian!"

The boy's head tried to lift for a moment but all the child managed was a weak 'Papa?'.

Malphas pointed toward him and despite the roughness in which they deposited his son into his arms, Severus was just grateful to have Julian with him.

He shifted his child carefully in his arms, trying to check the boy over. He immediately found darkening bruises on his son's arms, legs, back, belly and chest. A large darkening bruise the shape of a hand on his cheek. Everywhere. When Severus felt the blood on the back of Julian's head, indicating that his son had been knocked out forcefully, he almost lost it but managed to stay as calm as possible. He'd been around powerful wizards and witches for too long to do something stupid.

He glanced at the group and could only hear the hiss of whispers as the men spoke with their lord. Severus turned back to Julian and tried to wake the boy up. "Julian? Julian, wake up! Julian?" He shook the boy slightly but received no response whatsoever. Unfortunately, the attempt to awaken his injured child caused Malphas's attention to turn back to them.

His eyes narrowed at them. He turned to one of the men in Death Eater garb. "Heal him. I want the boy awake."

Raven pulled the boy closer into his arms and was about to pull away when he saw a frown mar Malphas's face. He didn't dare move or the man would try and kill the boy just to spite him. That's certainly what the original Voldemort would have done.

The man moved swiftly toward them and knelt beside Severus and Julian. Raising his wand to the back of the child's head, he began whispering a chant that Raven unfortunately could not hear the words exactly. It didn't matter much however when brown eyes cracked opened to look up at him. "Papa...where..."

Raven watched the Death Eater step away from them and move back to Malphas's side. He turned to the child. He didn't bother asking what happened and why Julian was here. He didn't even bother asking if the boy was alright as that was a moot point. Instead he held the boy tighter and turned to listen to Malphas and his men.

The new Lord Voldemort did not sound happy. "Ah yes." He turned away from Draco, whom he'd been conversing with, to the Death Eaters. "So you had...difficulties capturing a man and a child. Difficulties? From what I am hearing, you nearly lost the BOY!" Raven felt a cold shiver. Malphas hadn't even raised his voice but the malice that was there made him clutch his son closer to him.

The one's whose voice Raven remembered from early that night echoed through the room. "My Lord, forgive us. We underestimated both Esan and his son."

Malphas simply raised an eyebrow. "Oh you underestimated them? I believe that is the understatement of the year. Thanks to you we lost over half the men we sent!"

"My Lord we did not know that Esan had a werewolf at his aid!"

"Yes, but how do you explain the 'other' men?" Silence.

Malphas sighed. He closed his eyes almost wearily. "You are not worth my time. Uncle Lucius will you take care of him for me? I wish never to see his 'face' again."

Severus felt ill not only at the emphasis on face, but the growing smile on Lucius's face and the eager one on Draco's. Looking down at Julian, he saw the boy stare, shocked at the red eyed man on the throne. /Never saw this coming./ thought Severus. /The sons of the two greatest enemies of our lifetime in the same room. And it seems as if the situation still hasn't changed with generations./

The man was lead from the hall by his fellow Death Eaters, kicking and screaming for mercy. Malphas didn't have any real expression on his face. It was as if the event had never happened. Finally, it was just Voldemort, the Malfoys, and the Esans.

Raven flinched as those red eyes turned back to him and his now conscious son. Julian still looked a bit out of it though. The boy was repeatedly shaking his head but he wasn't sure what was going on. Severus thanked whatever god for that small mercy.

"Back to you Mr. Esan. I suppose you want to know just why you are here." said Malphas.

"It would be appreciated."

Malphas smiled at them. Severus hated the man changing expressions. Not one had made him comfortable...or slightly less terrified and ill. "You have a very powerful child there. Who knew that someone his age would be handling dark spells and managed to almost successfully duel adults?" He continued before Raven could comment. "But you are a powerful wizard all on your own are you not Mr. Esan...Raven? You managed to get rid of quite a few of my men."

"What does that have to do with why we are here?"

"Tell me Raven," he said the name with a soft purr in his voice, "do you think all the boy's power came from you...or from Mr. Potter?"

Raven grimaced. He knew it. He knew this had to do with Potter. /When I get out of here you little bastard/ "We have nothing to do with Harry Potter."

"Now you don't honestly expect me to believe that do you? Besides, it's rather easy to find out..."

Severus lowered his head slightly in defeat. Julian's eyes were still a bit glazed over but the boy seemed to be trying to listen in.

"This child," Malphas pointed at Julian, "is Harry Potter's son." He didn't have to ask. It was obvious that he knew. How he knew, Raven wasn't sure.

Malphas stood and walked down toward him. Raven glared at him, holding his son tightly in his arms. "And if he is? What does it matter? If you know everything, then you know that we want nothing to do with Potter anymore!"

"Ah but does he want nothing to do with you?" Malphas knelt before them. "What would Harry Potter do if he knew that I held not only his child," whispered Lord Voldemort. He moved his hands towards Julian's face and just barely caressed the disoriented boy's cheek. Raven wanted to snatch his son away but didn't dare.

"But what if he knew, that I also held that child's mother as well?" His hand moved from Julian's cheek to Raven's. Softly caressing his cheek while onyx and red eyes clashed fiercely. "Does he still wish for that powerful spirit that bore him such a powerful child?"

Severus was shaking. Malphas was much too close for his nerves.

Seeing Raven's discomfort, Malphas backed away chuckling but never once broke contact with the potions master. "You and your son will stay here."

Raven shook his head. "No! You can't!" he shouted.

"Oh, no? What's stopping me?"

Severus stared at him hatefully. Malphas frowned not liking Raven's look.

With a sharp movement of his hand, Draco stepped forward with three Death Eaters behind him. "Take Mr. Esan and his son to the dungeons. Wake the boy up totally, and," he gave Draco a sly look, "show them a little hospitality, Brother?"

Severus cried out as his son was ripped from his arms by two of the Death Eaters. Draco Malfoy and another Death Eater grabbed him and dragged both prisoners from the room to the dungeons. Severus tried to look around and see where he was, perhaps even find an exit. Nothing. The walls were bare and none of the doors seemed to lead outside.

When they finally arrived at a cell, Raven was immediately thrown in. His son however was held while a Death Eater poured something down his throat. Even in the bad dungeon lighting, Severus could see that it was simply a weak healing potion. It would be just enough to return Julian to consciousness. As soon as the boy swallowed he was tossed in.

Julian shook his head furiously then looked up at his father with clear eyes. Raven gave a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin!" He hugged Julian to him.

A cough made their attention snap to the open cell door. All four men still stood there. Malfoy stood forward.

Severus and Julian scrambled to their feet and Raven pushed his son behind him despite the boy's silent protests.

Draco raised an eyebrow with an arrogance that screamed 'I'm an arrogant Malfoy bastard.' "Mr. Esan, I'd hate to disturb this..." He seemed to look at Raven's protection of his son with disgust, "reunion. But I believe that you and I have some business to attend to."

Raven's heart could have stopped. / Oh no.../ "What 'business'?"

Draco gave a slow, frightening smirk.

TBC

Alia: Um…yeah. Review okay. I mean it this time! Besides, I need encouragement for the next part. A lot of it too.