Alia: (sobs) I'm so tired. I finished this at 8:40 this morning. And when I think about it I had a dream about doing that. (continues to sob) My back aches and my hands hate me. (smirks) Otherwise I'm great! Thanks for the great response on Time, Truth, and Sacrifice. The reviews were one of the reasons I was working on this nonstop since yesterday afternoon. This turned out to be 26 pages in 12 font. This has to be my longest chapter ever but I wanted to thank you guys for being so patient. That's why I put so many goodies in for you. Now when you read further down (especially the end) you'll think that the end is a HBP spoiler. It ain't. It was influenced.
This is still unbetaed but I did go back and fix a few things.
Reviews:
Sinful Wolf: hehe. Don't worry there are times I hate myself. I try not to get too indepth with the self understanding thing. I mean the stuff that I came up with this time really makes you question yourself. You can chain me. I love my baby (comp). What will become of him?...Oh you are really not going to like me.
kyer: (snorts) Yeah right. Try pulling that past Malphas. That is true. Draco...well he didn't do it the fun way...oh god did I just say that? Any you got the idea.
Oya: It's a pride thing. I have it too and it can be so damn troublesome. Thanks for reviewing.
Kamp: Thanks! You should love this chapter.
Linda: You reviewed twice. I love you! Anyway...you'll find out. I can't say anything cause I'll spoil it all. You'll see more of a relationship between Harry and Julian soon though. Probably the next chapter.
trustingfriendship: I'm happy you like it. Thanks for reviewing.
TITLE: Second Chances -Because of Horrific Understandings
AUTHOR: Alia
STATUS/PART: 10
SEQUEL: Raven's Gift
EMAIL: R (just a heavy one)
PAIRING: Severus Snape/ Harry Potter
SPOILERS: All but HBP
WARNINGS: language, angst, slash, violence, mpreg, torture
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: I don't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait until this damn story is over. That is not a good thing coming from the author, ladies and gentlemen. Now I was going to do this two weeks ago in celebration of myfirst Rocky Horror Picture Show experience but things just didn't pan out that way. Also I wanted to warn you that you may not see a lot of this for a while since I may have writer's block anytime soon. And why did it take me this long? I'm lazy. I had this chapter summarized a month ago.
Second Chances - Because of Horrific Understandings
"Albus! Oh Albus, you won't believe it."
Remus and Albus, about to enter the infirmary, stood before the entrance waiting for Minerva to arrive. The woman was rushing down the corridor, what looked like a newspaper in her hand.
She took a deep breath. "Albus you won't believe what's happened!" Minerva shoved the paper into his hands.
Albus had a resigned look on his face before he even opened the paper. Remus cursed silently. He had a feeling that it was exactly what they all feared.
Opening the paper, Albus sighed as he spotted the headline. He read aloud.
BOY WHO LIVED PASSES LEGACY
Ministry officials informed the world yesterday evening that the son of Harry Potter, Julian Esan, dueled and defeated a lone Death Eater that managed to trespass onto the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Death Eater was responsible for leaving the deceased body of another DE polyjuiced to look like Esan. During the battle, however, Esan was believed to have avoided the killing curse. It seems that this was not the case.
Sources have alerted the Daily Prophet that last night Esan was taken from his dorm room into the Hogwarts infirmary after he was found in his room, screaming in pain and scratching at a lighting bolt scar that was reminiscent of his father's.
It appears that with the rumored emergence of a new Dark Lord, the wizarding world now has a new Boy Who Lived, the son of Harry Potter.
Albus shook his head sadly. "I fear that Harry will not take this well at all."
"Can you blame him, Albus?" asked Remus. "Harry hated being the Boy Who Lived, and now the title is being forced on to his son? He'll be furious." Remus was angry about it himself.
"What can we do, Albus?" asked Minerva.
"At the moment, nothing. The media will continue to speculate wildly. There is nothing we can do to stop it." He went to the door of the infirmary and opened the door. The other two professors walked in after him.
Harry sat in a chair beside the bed with a sorrowful look on his face. His elbows rested on his knees and his hands covered his mouth. A sense of defeat echoed around him.
Even with a sleeping potion, Julian continued to sleep fitfully in the private infirmary room. The child had been having terrible visions and had been screaming most of the night. Mostly, he'd been calling for Raven.
Harry leaned forward and laid a hand on his son's forehead. Julian grimaced in his sleep. Harry closed his eyes in pain. "I'm sorry, Julian." He swallowed a small sob. "I'm so sorry."
No one had any idea how it had happened, but that it was there. That damn cursed scar, but Harry blamed himself for it. It was his fault. It had to be somehow. After all, his SON had just received a scar that still haunted Harry and would haunt Julian for the rest of his life. He shook his head sadly.
"Harry, my boy."
Harry's head snapped up. Dumbledore, McGonagal and Remus stood there with solemn expressions on their faces. Remus stepped forward. "How is he?"
Harry shook his head. "Poppy gave him something to make him sleep. It's not helping much though. He still isn't getting any real rest." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and worry.
Harry looked at the two other professors. "What's wrong?" He hadn't missed their hesitancy.
Minerva dropped her eyes and said nothing, so Albus spoke instead. "Harry, have you received the Daily Prophet this morning?" When Harry shook his head negatively with a worried expression crossing his face, Albus handed the younger wizard the paper.
Harry's hands shook with fury as he read. "Shit. This cannot be happening." His eyes shot to his sleeping son then to the others. /Why did this have to happen to Julian? What could he have done to deserve it/ "What now?"
"Do you have any idea how this could have happened?" Minerva and Remus had moved closer to the bed. Remus waited for Harry to answer his question.
"None what so ever." He mumbled.
Minerva said, "I know you are upset but just maybe Julian did inherit it from you."
He jumped up angrily. "That's not possible! There is no way that this could have passed down to Julian!" Harry shook his head. "That connection was between Voldemort and I only! The only reason that I survived the curse was because of my mother!" He shot a look at Dumbledore. "At least that is what is believed."
The Headmaster frowned. "When Julian awakens, we must speak to him. Perhaps he was actually hit by the curse."
"Then why didn't it rebound to the Death Eater that cursed him?" asked Remus.
"I am not sure. Maybe it does have something to do with the connection between Harry and Voldemort. Perhaps the connect passed to both your children and reestablished itself?" Albus shook his head, trying to find more ideas. "We do not know the answer for now, Harry, but I promise that we will find it."
Harry frowned but nodded.
Albus continued, "When Julian awakens I believe it will be best if we head to Grimmauld Place. The Order will need to hear of all this and I believe that Shacklebolt has some information from the ministry."
They all jumped as Julian suddenly began screaming in his bed.
A couple of hours later, Julian laid back wearily against Harry's chest. His face was streaked with sweat, his hair also wet. Julian didn't open his eyes. The light only hurt them.
The child groaned in pain, unknowingly causing his father to remember the many days he felt such a way. Harry cringed as he remembered all those nights and the visions that came with them. It had felt like he was dying every morning after suffering the curses Voldemort forced upon his victims and followers. /Is that happening to you Julian/
Julian's breath hitched and Harry wrapped his arms tighter around his son. /Could it have been a curse, the protection from my mum? It's a gift, I know, but if it did pass down.../ Harry shook his head and proceeded to think of something else. His thoughts were coherent but not straight. It wasn't working.
"It may not be true." Harry whispered softly as he placed his chin upon Julian's black hair. /Maybe it didn't pass down. Julian was so sure that he hadn't been hit by the killing curse. I'm certain that he would notice it./
Julian shifted within his arms and his breathing increased, only ever so slightly to let Harry know that the boy was about to awaken. Julian's head fell back so that his face was looking up at Harry.
Weary brown eyes gaze up at him. Harry brushed the dark hair from Julian's sweaty forehead. Worry was etched deeply on the face of the former Boy-Who-Lived. "Julian?" Harry whispered softly to his son, not knowing how the boy would react to it any louder.
The young Esan opened his mouth to reply and a croak was all the abused throat could offer. Harry frowned and shifted slightly. Slipping his wand from his robe pocket, he levitated a glass of water to him.
"Just a little. Don't choke."
Julian, with Harry's help, sat up slightly and sipped carefully at the water before him. Harry pulled it away after a few moments and Julian sighed in relief. He leaned heavily against Harry.
"How are you feeling?" asked Harry, although he had an excellent idea from experience.
Julian softly croaked, "Like I spend a month cataloging Papa's store. What a nightmare that was."
Harry smiled weakly at his son. "You'll have to tell me about that. It couldn't have been that bad."
Julian closed his eyes. "Lets just say I learned a lesson that day."
Harry raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Do I want to know what you did?"
Julian smirked and Harry shook his head with amusement. He then looked more seriously at the boy. "Julian...do you know what is going on?"
The boy frowned. No, he didn't really know what was happening. Julian knew only that it was causing his pain. He shook his head negatively.
"I see." Harry turned his green eyes from Julian's brown. "The headmaster is outside. We need to speak to you."
"About what?" Julian looked up at Harry warily. /What's going on now/ The boy thought with exasperation.
"Julian..." Harry paused, wondering if there was a better way to explain this to Julian. There wasn't. "You have a scar, Julian."
Julian's face held confusion so Harry grimaced, and brushed away his bangs from his forehead. Julian's eyes widened with realization. "That's not possible," he whispered hoarsely.
"It is." He looked into Julian's frightened eyes. Harry's heart ached for his son. "It shouldn't be Julian, I know that, but it is. You have the same scar as I do."
"But I wasn't hit by the curse!" cried the child. Harry lightly squeezed Julian, trying to hold off the boy's panic attack.
"Are you absolutely sure? You must be Julian."
"I AM!" he screamed, frightened and slowly reaching hysterical. Harry pulled Julian tighter into his chest and rocked his child, whispering softly to him, trying to sooth the boy's nerves. After a few minutes, Julian's breathing began to slow and the Slytherin relaxed.
Harry bit his lip for a moment before asking, "What were you dreaming of last night?"
Julian flinched visibly. He then took a deep breath and straightened himself. "Papa. They were torturing me in front of him."
A flash of hot anger rushed through Harry Potter for a moment before he forcefully pushed it away. He then thought of the corpse left in the Great Hall. /Damn those bastards./ Harry had a very good idea what something like that would do to Raven. "What then?"
"Voldemort killed me."
Harry clenched his teeth then thought hard. A weak theory came to mind but with so many holes in it, he banished it from his mind.
Two heads of dark hair turned toward the front of Julian's room as the door opened. Dumbledore stuck his head in and a huge smile came over the Headmaster's face. Julian smiled back weakly.
Albus walked into the room and joined the father and son on the bed. "How are you feeling my boy?"
Julian smirked and told Albus the same thing he'd told Harry. Albus chuckled, his eyes twinkling madly. "Oh. That bad, eh? And you didn't even do it this time."
Harry shook his head. "I'm definitely afraid to ask."
Julian and Albus laughed until Julian began to cough. Both wizards hurriedly comforted the child. Julian waved them off. "Just give me a minute." He coughed a few more times before calming.
Harry was relieved that the boy was fine.
A serious look was on Albus's face, however. "Julian?"
The boy leaned back against Harry unconsciously, making his father smile. "No, I didn't get hit with the killing curse."
Albus didn't even blink in surprise. "Are you absolutely sure, child?"
"Of course. I fell backward and managed to avoid it." He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly at Albus. "If I had been hit, wouldn't something have happened."
"You did get up a little slowly."
"That was because I hit my head on the ground. It made me a little dizzy," Julian replied adamantly.
Albus gave him a gentle look and closed his eyes. Harry and Julian watched him silently. They knew Albus was trying to come up with some sort of theory as to what was happening.
Harry cleared his throat to gain Albus's attention. "Yes?"
"Albus, I was wondering if Julian's dream could help you." Harry gave his son an apologetic look but Julian had a curious look upon his face rather than angry.
Albus nodded. "Yes, it would be a great deal of help. Julian? Can you tell me your dream?"
The boy agreed and without going into details, told Albus what he'd dreamt. He told the Headmaster about his crying father, about Lord Voldemort, and about an older man that looked like Draco Malfoy torturing him.
Harry and Albus gave each other worried looks. Both wizards instantly thought about the corpse that was found in the Great Hall. /But how could that have caused all this/ thought Albus.
Dumbledore turned to them both. "Harry, will you stay here with Julian? I must go to Grimmauld Place and meet with the rest of the Order. I believe Kingsley may have some information from the Ministry."
"I thought you wanted us to go?" asked Harry.
"Stay with Julian. He needs you."
The boy gave both men annoyed looks. "I am here, you know." Albus laughed and apologized to the child. "Don't they need to...ask me some questions...like last time?"
Albus hesitated before saying. "Yes, that is true. But I think you need time to heal."
"I'm just a little tired. A few aches aren't going to kill me." Julian's eyes dropped for a moment. He'd felt Harry flinch behind him. The boy lifted his head proudly and said, "Let me go too."
"Julian, the Headmaster is correct. You need to rest."
Julian gave Harry a rueful smile. "I can rest later." He saw their doubtful looks and visibly rolled his eyes. He slowly pulled away from Harry to sit up. With his voice working better, Julian called out to Madam Pomfrey.
Harry chuckled. "If you think that we're unreasonable, you'll find that Madam Pomfrey is worse."
Julian smirked at him. "We will see."
Albus blinked in surprise when the absolutely devious look on Julian's face changed instantly to sad, sorrowful and yet hopeful. He glanced quickly at Harry, wondering just who the child got it from.
Julian stumbled out of the fireplace in to Harry's arms. The young boy groaned. "I have to ask Papa how he does that without almost falling."
Harry laughed. "When you do, share the secret." He stood and both straightened out their clothing. When the fireplace flared again, Harry pulled Julian out of the way so that Albus could come out.
The old wizard was quickly hiding a small pouch in his pocket. Julian's eyes narrowed at him as the boy coughed a little from the ashes. "Hiding your stash, Headmaster?"
Albus smiled at Julian innocently. "What do you mean? I'm not hiding anything!"
Julian snorted. "Fine. Don't admit it. I'll get it sooner or later." Albus looked a little nervous. Harry shook his head as he tried not to laugh at the two.
"Shall we find the others?" Dumbledore and Esan nodded and the three turned to find the Order only to have a fiercely worried Molly Weasley come charging into the room.
Before Julian could do a thing he was in her clutches being squeezed within an inch of his life. "Oh you poor dear! I was so worried about you. I can't believe that all of this is happening. Are you all right? Do you need anything! Let me take a look at you."
Julian soon found himself being jerked this way and that as Molly checked him over, muttering at how thin he was. "Honestly, what are they feeding you! They obviously aren't taking care of you. Harry, you should be more careful with his diet. He's a growing boy."
Julian blushed as a few other Weasleys stood in the doorway. The twins were snickering at him and Ron was shaking his head in pity. /This is so humiliating. Just strike me down now./
Harry sighed. "I'm afraid that's hereditary, Molly." He wondered how he could get her to let the boy go. "I was rather thin at that age, and I think that Raven was as well."
Molly scoffed at him. "Nonsense. The boy needs something to eat! When was the last time he ate something anyway?"
Harry felt a headache coming on. "Before bed last night." Since it was now past lunch, he knew Molly was going to have his head.
She glared at him but before she could say a word, Julian quickly intervened. "Shouldn't we go ahead and start, Albus? I'm getting tired."
Mrs. Weasley instantly started rushing him to the Order meeting room and a chair. The twins trailed them, their laughter becoming louder. Albus, Harry and Ron followed.
As Julian walked through the house, he wondered why someone just didn't buldoze it down and start over again. /This is terrible, but it's their headquarters./ He knew that Harry didn't live here although he owned the house. When asked, the older man had told him the house held bad memories.
Somehow, Julian managed to get away from Molly, and was able to sit between Albus and Harry. The two were the only ones in the room other than Ron and Hermione that he felt comfortable with.
Gathering everyone's attention, Albus started off saying, "I believe that everyone knows why we are here." Nods were seen all around.
"Activity with Voldemort's former supporters is rising, rumors are growing louder in volume day by day, and people are becoming understandable frightened. Then there are the secrets that the Ministry is keeping," he paused to nod his head toward a grim looking Shacklebolt, "and the final reason..." He looked at Julian who had his eyes fixed on his hands in his lap.
Julian looked up at Albus before reaching up to brush the bangs away from his forehead. Molly released a little sob as the group saw the lightening bolt that looked exactly like Harry's. Julian dropped his hand quickly and dropped his head. Harry laid a hand on his son's back, offering comfort.
"Let us begin."
Julian watched the Order curiously as they argued and debated on what to do about Voldemort's supporters and sympathizers. They'd been going at it for about an hour. Julian found himself dozing off in sheer boredom at the endless circling. /Didn't Papa tell me that these meetings had been boring/
Harry smiled as Julian fell asleep with his head resting on Albus's shoulder. The Headmaster looked a bit surprised but found himself smiling as well. With a chuckle, Albus called a halt to the talking.
"I believe we have bored our young guest to sleep," he said softly.
"He should still be resting, shouldn't he?" asked Tonks.
Albus and Harry smiled at each other over Julian's head. "He will be just fine, Tonks. Don't worry." Harry answered.
"Speaking of the boy," said Moody, "Shouldn't we be asking him a few questions? We need to know how he got that scar."
"Let the boy rest for a moment, Moody." Arthur smiled at the child. The boy looked completely relaxed as he slept on Dumbledore's shoulder.
"Perhaps this would be a good time to go over what happened at the Ministry, Kingsley." Hermione wanted to draw the attention from Julian so that the child could rest.
Kingsley grimaced. "I'm afraid that I don't have any good news. I suppose everyone read the paper this morning?"
When they all nodded, he continued, "Then you read what the Ministry said about the Death Eater."
"That they had no information just yet," said Ron.
"Exactly. But that isn't true at all. They gave him veritaserum. The Ministry now knows that it is not Lord Voldemort that has risen but his son. The man's name is Malphas."
"Any last name?" asked Harry as he heard the name of his new enemy.
"I suppose that it could be Riddle but none has been mentioned."
"Please continued," said Albus as he heard his suspicion confirmed.
"The Death Eater also told us that Lucius and Draco Malfoy work closely with the Dark Lord." No one had a pleasant reaction to the knowledge that both Malfoys had lived past the war. "The prisoner also told us that the man had been raised by the Malfoys apparently."
"Was there no information on his other parent?" asked Albus.
"The only thing he could say was that his master kept his mother nearby. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to provide us with any information on the location." Kingsley went on. "The reason he was at Hogwarts was because Voldemort had ordered him to take the body so that Julian would see it. Apparently, the faux Julian had been tortured to make Esan promise to follow Malphas's plan."
Harry felt his body tighten as Kingsley grimaced. Shooting a quick glance at Julian to make sure that his son was not yet awake, he gave Shacklebolt a sharp look. "What plan?"
"We don't know...He wasn't able to provide us with any real information except...It seems that Malphas wants an heir, Harry. And he's going to try to get one through Raven."
Harry gripped the arms of the chair so tightly that a few people were worried that he would break it. The former Boy Who Lived closed his eyes and took deep breaths. After a few moments, he was somewhat calm. "I see." He glanced around. "Julian doesn't hear about this." It was anything but an request.
Everyone nodded. Albus looked very worried but merely turned his head. "I think that it is time for us to wake Julian. It's time for us to figure out how he has obtained Harry's mark."
Harry shook his son slightly causing a few grumbles. Julian tried to get comfortable on Albus's shoulder causing the Headmaster to laugh. "Julian?" whispered Harry.
"Atticus, if you don't leave me alone, I'll hang you from a Quidditch post naked."
That caused the room to burst into laughter. Julian jumped from Albus in surprise, all thoughts of sleep gone. "What in the..."
Still laughing, Ron told Julian that he'd been sleeping. Julian had a sheepish look on his face until Arthur told the boy that it happens when you are tired. Julian looked around at the expectant looks. "So what now?"
"We need to ask you to go through exactly what happened yesterday, Julian. We must see what is true and what is false before we can think of a theory to explain what is happening to you." Albus truly didn't know where to start. There were so many possibilities.
"Alright." The boy shifted nervously in his seat. "Well, I went to classes that day but when I was in History of Magic-,"
"Say no more," muttered Ron. Hermione smacked him.
"I felt my...well I guess I could say my alarm went off." Julian ended softly. Albus's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean by your 'alarm went off'?"
Julian glanced at Harry nervously out of the corner of his eyes. "Well, um...ever since I was little, when something really bad was about to happen..." Julian let his eyes slide in Harry's direction once more before dropping his gaze to the floor. "A certain spot on my forehead would start to ache."
The room was quiet for a moment. Harry stared at his clasped hands as he whispered, "That long. It's been hurting you that long."
Julian shook his head quickly. "No! It doesn't hurt or anything really. It's just a little ache. Like if you hit your hand on a desk but not too hard. It's all centered in one spot on my forehead. It's helped Matt and me a lot when we were kids. We always knew when not to go somewhere or not to do something because it would go off."
Harry looked at his son appraisingly. /I guess that's all right if it's kept him safe. Did that have something to do with the scar appearing now? We'll find out./ He then nodded for Julian to go on.
Julian proceeded to tell them that he and Matthew went to speak with the Headmaster and tell the older man that Julian felt something was wrong. He then went on about how they'd gone to the Great Hall for lunch when they'd found the faux Julian.
Harry paled at this part of Julian's story. He'd never forget finding the supposed body of his dead son. It had been the worst experience of his life. Julian lying cold and mutilated on the floor of the Great Hall. Not a bit of his son's wild spark of life visible. Harry had felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest. The memory of failing his child and his father had been devastating to the Hogwarts professor.
He was taken from his thoughts by an loud exclamation. "YOU TOUCHED IT!" Ron and a few others looked a little ill. "Julian..."
Julian rolled his eyes at them, shaking his head slightly. "I don't know why. It was like some sort of sick fascination."
Moody was silent before asking, "Where did you touch the corpse, lad?"
"On the..." Julian blinked in realization. "On the forehead." That gained a few exclamations from the Order.
Albus had his eyes closed in contemplation. /Julian has assured us that the curse did not hit him. So that leaves his 'alarm' and the corpse./ His brow furrowed. /But how could that have caused Julian to receive a scar? Hmm...but is that possible/
"Shacklebolt?"
He turned to the man. "Yes?"
"What happened to the fake Julian's body?"
"It's at the Ministry. After a while, it turned back into the Death Eater."
"Do you know how he was killed?" Everyone's attention was on the auror.
"It was the killing curse."
"I see." Albus contemplated the members of the Order before saying, "I believe I have an idea of what is going on."
He turned to Harry. "When it comes to Julian's 'alarm', I think that you managed to pass Lily's protection down to him. It served a different purpose than your scar did, however, because Julian was not in such a great danger although it would alert him if danger was near." Albus let that sink in before he continued. "Perhaps now, that protection feels that it must evolve in order to protect Julian."
Julian had a hard time believing the love of his grandmother protected Harry. Personally, when Papa had told him that, Julian hadn't believed a word of it. He personally thought Lily Potter was good at dark magic. He didn't think it would go over well if he said so though.
"So it's like my own mark before Voldemort was killed."
"Yes."
"But Voldemort and I had a connection through my mark."
"I believe that Julian's connection is slightly different. You told me that you were forced to see things through Voldemort's eyes. Julian saw things through the eyes of the Death Eater." He shook his head. "I will need more information before I say anything else however."
"Headmaster," Hermione paused, "Do you think that the curse passed through the corpse into Julian on purpose?"
"I'm not quite sure. More information is needed. Until then we can only guess."
Julian closed his eyes wearily. Harry stood. "I think it's time to get you back to the infirmary."
Julian growled low in his throat as he was brutally poked in the side. /Whoever it is dies! I swear./ thought the young man. Slowly, frowning at the sunlight around him, Julian opened one eye. It immediately snapped shut.
A giggle came from the bottom of his bed followed by a quick hush. "Sorry." Someone whispered softly in reply.
Julian again opened one eye and this time gave it time to focus. He could see robes by his bed but knew that they didn't belong to either Harry or Albus. /Good. I won't regret killing them./ Julian opened his second eye and blinked in surprise as a blond head hovered over his own.
Dillon smiled broadly at him. Julian glared back. "Did you poke me?" He grumbled, his eyes still focusing.
Dillon chuckled and shook his head. "That was Clara."
"Yeah, you bunch would send the evil one after me," said Julian, figuring that all of them were there.
Matthew's laugh drew his attention to his left. His best friend sat on the edge of his bed laughing at the expression on Clara's face. She stood beside the bed against the wall.
Matt shook his head. "I told them that when you were tired, you slept like a rock. Clara decided to take extreme measures."
"Did you tell her I was gonna kill her?" he asked seriously.
With the same mock seriousness, Matthew nodded. "I tried to warn her. But what can I say? Girls never listen to us."
"That's because you never have anything good to listen to. Are you alright?" Clara asked.
"We were so worried about you, Julian." Atticus and Minny had found chairs and were sitting at the foot of his bed. Minny had a relieved look on her face. Atticus looked rather calm.
"I'm fine."
Matt raised an eyebrow. He pointed to the scar that was hidden on Julian's forehead. "Don't you mean other than that?"
Julian grimaced.
"Friends with the Boy Who Lived! Well, the part two version anyway. This should be very interesting," said Clara.
Julian glanced over at her. "I hate you."
"I know."
Dillon laughed. He tilted his head slightly. "Can we see it?" Everyone shot him a rather disgusted look. "What?"
Julian shook his head and sat up in bed slowly. Matt sat tensed, ready to help his friend if he needed it, but Julian managed fine on his own. "I don't mind, Dillon. I know how curious you are." He glanced at Minny who he knew had been trying not to ask. Only Atticus had kept her quiet.
He brushed his bangs aside to let the mark show. It was only slight red and didn't look to vivid across his forehead.
"That's it?" said Minny disappointed. Everyone laughed at her. The girl blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry."
"It's alright."
"Are you sure you're okay, Jules? Atticus told me you were hurt." Matthew was giving his friend the fifth look over. He'd been doing it since they'd snuck into the room.
"I'm fine."
"You were screaming your head off. That doesn't constitute as fine," snapped Atticus. Julian smiled reassuringly at his friend. He had a strong feeling that he'd frightened Atticus.
"Really. I'm alright. Just a little tired." He looked around at the pleased faces. "So what's going on?"
Matthew, Clara and Atticus exchanged looks. Dillon and Minny were looking everywhere but at him. Julian sighed. "Okay. Let's have it. What's going on?" He looked at Matt.
His friend frowned. "It's happening. Kind of like your dad told us,remember? About how the war was in the beginning. People are starting to panic man. A couple of Hufflepuffs were even taken out of class."
Julian frowned. "I can understand the panicking but isn't that going a bit far. Nothing has happened yet."
Clara shook her head. "You've been in here for the last two days, Julian. It's like someone was waiting for all of this to happen. There have been a few Death Eater attacks in small towns and villages. Some people have been killed in the raids."
"Most of the parents lived through this, Julian. They're paranoid." Atticus had begun getting letters on his well being from his parents more than once a day.
"Yes, but to be this bad so soon?"
"Jules, what would your dad do if he was here?"
He smiled sadly thinking of his father. "He'd have taken me out of Hogwarts and out of the country."
"Exactly," said Matthew, glad that he had made his point.
"There are some that aren't too worried though," said Dillon. "Once people saw the article about you received that scar, they felt they had some defense against Voldemort. Especially since you managed to stop that Death Eater." His own parents had told him to stick close to Julian although the boy figured he would anyway. Julian was a friend.
Julian snorted. "I might have the stupid brand on my head, but I'm no hero and have no intention of becoming one. I'm not risking my neck for anyone."
Matt raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Julian was grateful.
"But isn't it your duty or something," said Minny.
"The hell it is. How the hell is it the duty of a teenager to do a grown man's job?"
"Good point." Atticus nodded.
"Thanks." Julian yawned. /I don't care if it's noon. It's too early./ He didn't understand why he was so tired. He did have a feeling that the scar had something to do with it.
Atticus stood. "We won't keep you. You obviously need to go back to sleep." He herded Dillon and Minny from the room, both waving goodbye.
Clara followed suit after a quick goodbye. Matt sat beside Julian for a moment longer before standing. "Dad told me to tell you that he's going to send you a few things from your house. He thought you might want to take them with you in case Professor Potter goes to his home or something."
"That's great!" He hoped that she would send his board. His dad had help him make it.
As Matt walked toward the door, he said, "By the way. Momma said that if you pulled another stunt like that thing with the Death Eater, she was going to be the next one to duel you. I'll see you later."
Julian grimaced. Willow would tear a strip off of his behind. She'd done it once when they were younger. His papa had only laughed at him. Although Julian did have it coming. /It still wasn't funny/ cried the memory of a six-year-old Julian.
(Alia: Also known as the scene from Rosemary's baby)
Raven whimpered as he felt a shiver run through his entire body. /What's happening/ He tried to see but his world was nothing but a wild blur.
His head felt unnaturally light, his body almost unreasonably sensitive. His clothes were beginning to bother him greatly.
Severus knew something was not right. His senses should not be so sensitive, but the potions master found it impossible to concentrate. While he didn't feel entirely comfortable, he didn't feel bad at all.
It was almost a peaceful state he was experiencing. And except for the strange sensitivity of his body, he had never felt so utterly relaxed. What should have shocked Raven was that the quiet arousal he felt in his state didn't bother him.
Something softly brushed the right side of his face. Raven unconsciously arched up into it. A small smile on his face.
"My sweet little Raven. You'll give into me now, won't you?" whispered a deep voice.
Raven shifted among the covers as the hand trailed slowly down his body, pressing gently here and there, pulling small whimpers from Raven's lips.
A dark chuckle. "Yes. I do believe you will." A few whispers and Severus suddenly found his skin chilled. He shivered and curled up onto his side to gain warmth. The cooler air danced across his bare back.
"Don't worry, Raven. I'm here."
Raven closed his eyes as he shifted against the warm aroused body behind him. A little gasp escape him as a large hand slid around his waist to the front of his body.
"Raven?" When he didn't answer, his name was called again.
"Yes?" he whispered softly.
"How do you feel?"
Not sure that he could describe it, Severus shook his head slowly.
There was another chuckle from behind him. "Don't worry. It will be alright."
Raven released a sound of protest when he was turned and shifted. He blinked hazily as he found himself straddling someone's hips. Squirming slightly, he knew it was a man from the arousal beneath him and the deep groan that came.
"Touch me, little Raven. Come on."
A frown slipped over his dazed features. A displeased growl came before he was pulled down and brutally kissed. Severus gasped in surprise and found a tongue forced into his mouth. The kiss was uncomfortable.
Raven pulled back in shock. "Xanthus?" he asked in confusion. His auror hadn't been so dominating with him before.
A pause then a laugh came from the man beneath him. "It's alright, Raven. Come here."
Without thinking, Raven pressed back against his lover.
The next day, Severus woke with a slightly nauseous feeling. He felt an uneasy throb in his head and his body ached all over. /I feel like I was drinking all night. What happened/ He looked around the room slowly but could not find anything out of place.
Shifting onto his side to look more behind him, he gasped as he noticed that he was without clothing. Raven automatically sat up, but released a cry of slight pain and shock. "No..."
Raven found himself aching in places he shouldn't have. /What the fuck is going on/ Slowly, Severus slipped a shaky hand between his thighs and choked as he felt a sticky substance between his legs that should not have been there. /Malphas.../
"That sick bastard..."
"As I said, my Raven. That is no fault of mine."
Raven jumped in surprise as a fully clothed Malphas exited the bathroom. He glared at the Dark Lord. "How could you-,"
"You left me no choice if I remember correctly, Raven."
"There is always a choice you sick-,"
"Enough!" Malphas growled, raising a hand to silence the angry man. "I warned you but you didn't listen, so I did things my way." He smirked darkly at Raven, leaning against the doorway of the bath. "And I must say that it was a good thing I did."
"Damn you, Malphas!"
As Malphas straightened and stalked toward the bed, Severus tried to decide whether to cover himself or run. Unfortunately, the moment he stood from the bed to run away, Malphas had grabbed his forearm and tossed him bad onto the bed.
Severus cried out in fear as Malphas quickly climbed on top of him. "Get off me!" He tried to strike Voldemort but found both his wrists grabbed. He continued trying to fight Malphas.
The son of Tom Riddle laughed wickedly. "Yes, fight me, Raven. You're just as fierce a fighter as you are a lover." Raven almost screamed in rage. "Oh but you writhed and cried out under me for hours, Raven! You begged me for more. Over and over!"
"Damn you, Malphas! Get off of me!" Severus had never truly know helplessness until he'd met this Lord Voldemort and he hated it more every time he experienced it. Raven couldn't believe just how close to tears he was.
Malphas laughed once more before pulling away from Raven and the bed. Severus turned away from him. His hair, which had begun to lengthen, tried to hide his face.
Smirking, Malphas headed for the door. "I will be back later. I have an appointment to go to. Can't be late." He paused at the door and casually said, "I'll be sure to tell Julian that you said hello."
The door slammed shut just before Raven's cry could reach him.
Julian ignored most of the school as everyone whispered and pointed at the newly appointed Boy Who Lived. It had become rather easy over the last couple of days. Harry had told him that it would always be there but it would quiet down soon. Julian couldn't wait.
He walked down the Slytherin table, stopping behind and arguing Clara and Atticus. Rolling his eyes, Julian purposely sat down between them. He made certain that his head was in the way so they couldn't see each other. Both glared at him before turning to their meals.
Julian glanced around and blinked in surprise. "Why is everyone packed up?"
Clara rolled her eyes. "Honestly..."
"It's time for everyone to go home, Julian."
"Oh. I guess, I lost track of time. Are you guys going?" asked Julian as he fixed his plate.
"We're staying." It was said at the same time in the same tone. Julian smirked at them but didn't say anything.
Clara looked at him. "Since I'm sacrificing my Christmas for you, I expect a present."
"I don't have any money."
Both Atticus and Clara dropped their utensils in disgust. Atticus sighed. "Julian...you do know that your father has the Black and Potter family fortunes right?"
Julian blinked. He'd forgotten about that. "I meant money to spend on you two."
Clara snorted. "Well never mind that. Do you think you can convince him to take us to Hogsmeade? One of the older Slytherins had this really nice dress I saw and I wanted to see how much it was and could I get it in a different style. I was thinking maybe a lighter color than-,"
Tuning out Clara, Julian turned back to Atticus. "I would love to go to Honeydukes. How about you?"
"I think some of us are suffering from chocolate withdrawal. We need to talk to the Headmaster. This could be dangerous."
Julian nodded seriously.
Harry, for the seventh time, tried to figure out how Julian managed to talk him into this. He'd brought the young man and three of his friends- Atticus, Clara, and Matt- to Hogsmeade so they could get a few things. "Remember, you only have half an hour. I need to be back at the school soon."
The four nodded before they all took off toward Honeydukes. Harry shook his head. /Chocolate withdrawal.../
Harry found himself seated in the back of the Three Broomsticks waiting for the children to return. He drank lazily from his butterbeer as he leaned back in his chair. /I never knew how nice quiet was until I became a teacher./
Closing his eyes, yet unconsciously keeping his hand close to his wand, Harry dozed lightly. It wasn't a real sleep. He was resting his eyes more than anything. After the first war, he would never sleep where he could be attacked.
A scream, filled with fear, pierced the air and caused all those in the Three Broomsticks to jump in shock. Harry jumped up, wand in hand, and ran for the door. /Julian/
As Harry stepped out, he found himself almost frozen in shock as he watched a nightmare unfold before his eyes.
Death Eaters rush about Hogsmeade cursing left and right while others fought against those with enough bravery and knowledge to fight back. People were running madly trying to get away, some trying to find a place to contact the aurors.
In the midst of the chaos were Julian and his friends. And right before the four of them was a man with red eyes. Harry felt his heart stop. "NO!"
He ran faster than he thought it possible, cursing Death Eaters as he went.
Julian glared hatefully at the man before him. Matthew stood to his left. Atticus and Clara behind them. All four children were understandably frightened, only a fool wouldn't be, yet they all stood with some amount of bravery.
"So, it's true. I'm sure Raven will be very unhappy that his son has taken up his father's title, but I suppose it is necessary."
"What do you want?" growled Julian. He wanted to rip the bastard's throat out but he knew that the man could kill him instantly. He wasn't stupid and wasn't incompetent like that Death Eater that he'd found at Hogwarts.
"Merely to deliver some news and to make a statement to the general populous." Malphas waved a hand around the area.
"Say what you want and leave!"
Malphas raised an eyebrow. "A rather demanding child, aren't you? But I suppose you get that from Raven."
Julian sneered and Malphas laughed coldly at him.
"Oh yes. That you get from your father." He then smirked. "I wonder what else you inherited, but you are too young even for me."
Julian paled. /WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN/
"Malphas!" growled a voice from behind them hatefully. Julian turned and had never been so happy to see Harry Potter as he was at that moment.
"Professor!" cried the other three students.
"Ah. The great Harry Potter. Finally we meet." Green and red eyes clashed fiercely.
Not looking away from Voldemort's hateful eyes, Harry pointed to the post office. "Go inside. Now."
Matt, Clara, and Atticus instantly obeying, but Julian found himself hesitating. Harry cursed. "Now, Julian!"
"Oh no, Potter. I think it imperative that your son stay. I have something to tell the both of you." Malphas took a step forward and Harry grabbed Julian, forcing the boy behind him. Julian's hand tightened on his own wand, ready to help if it was needed.
"What do you want?"
Malphas smirked and leaned to the side slightly to see Julian. "Your father says hello, child."
Julian's eyes darkened with hatred but the boy was smart enough not to step away from his paternal parent.
"I wanted to tell you something as well although I'm sure that Raven wanted to keep it a surprise."
"What?" snapped the boy.
Malphas smiled brightly. "You should be expecting a little brother or sister in about nine months."
Julian jerked back in shock and disbelief. Harry damned the man for saying it because it only confirmed what the Ministry had found out. Malphas wanted an heir and he was using Raven to do it.
He glanced behind him to see Julian. The child was crying silently, his eyes still wide as he acknowledge the full repercussions of what Malphas had told him. The boy's face suddenly filled with rage and Julian rushed at him.
Harry managed to grab his son in time but had a hard time of holding Julian as the boy fought to get at the laughing Dark Lord.
"Damn you!" cried Harry. Julian stopped fighting and slumped into his father's arms. He sobbed silently. /Papa...Papa.../
Malphas's laugh slowed into a deep chuckle. "Damn me." His smile turned sinister. "Oh Mr. Potter, you have already damned me. And all this and more will be my revenge. Avada Kedavra!"
Harry and Julian ducked the curse by moving swiftly to the side. It hit a running Death Eater but the three wizards paid it no mind.
Pushing Julian behind him, Harry and Malphas began dueling. Neither held back dark or forbidden curses and both used the Unforgivables.
It was reaching a pinnacle when sudden as Malphas shouted a curse...nothing happened. Both wizards stopped shocked. Julian peered around his father with wide eyes.
Malphas stared at his wand before pointing it. "CRUCIO!" Nothing. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" Not a spark came from the wand. "NO! Not now!" He pointed his wand at Harry and began yelling any spell that came to mind. "Engorgio! Expelliarmus! Impedimenta! LUMOS!" Still nothing.
Harry narrowed his eyes at Malphas and raised his wand, but before he could shout a curse, someone called out the killing curse at him from his blind spot. Had Julian not grabbed the back of his robes when he did, Harry would have been killed.
He quickly gave his son a smile of thanks before turning back to Malphas. The man had pulled an amulet from his robes. Voldemort sneered at him. "This isn't over yet!" With that he disappeared with his portkey.
Raven winced as he heard another scream echo through wherever they were. For nearly a week, Lord Voldemort had been on a rampage through the hall of Severus's prison.
The Dark Lord had spend a great deal of time torturing and killing innocent victims or his own followers. Raven, thankfully, was not sure.
Malphas hadn't come near him since that day and that pleased Severus greatly. He needed time to heal from what Voldemort did to him. Not physically because there was little to heal from. Raven had to heal mentally and emotionally.
It wasn't easy. First Malfoy and then Malphas. It wore on Raven and held him down but it was his stubbornness that got him through. That and the anger and hatred he held for both men.
Another cry of unbelievable pain echoed through the walls. Severus laid on the bed and tried to sleep. Further down in Raven's prison, a young healer tentatively knocked on the door of Malphas's torture chamber. A bloodied Draco Malfoy came to the door.
The man didn't have a scratch on him so the poor healer turned Death Eater had a feeling that it was from the poor bastards that they were torturing.
Draco glowered at him. "What?"
"Forgive me, sir. But I brought news for our Lord."
Raising an eyebrow, Draco stepped back to allow the Death Eater to enter the room. The healer gasped in surprise.
The room was larger than a ballroom but what caught the man's attention was the sunken floor in the center. It wasn't in a square shape but a long thin rectangle. Inside of it lay burning coals and sitting on those was a long red hot, metal beam.
At the end of the room was Lord Voldemort. He held a sobbing man by one arm. Voldemort growled. "I warned you. More than once and still you failed me. No More."
"My Lord, please!" The man had fallen to his knees groveling. The healer shivered as Malfoy chuckled beside him.
"I am giving you one last chance." The Dark Lord pointed toward the beam. "Cross it, completely. If you do, all shall be forgiven."
The man turned white with fear at the sight but somehow managed to stand and walk forward. The healer, as he watched, figured the man would run across. It would mean less damage. All he had to do was keep his balance and the beam was wide enough.
At least, that was what he thought before he saw the way Voldemort smirked behind the man's back.
Malfoy leaned over the healer's shoulder. "It's slick." He whispered. "He'll never make it across. He'll just keep falling and falling."
The man had starting running forward. The healer closed his eyes just before he heard a piercing scream of unbelievable pain.
Malfoy laughed loudly, drawing Voldemort's attention. Malphas glared at the healer. "What is it?"
Making sure to keep his eyes away from the unfortunate Death Eater, the healer hurried forward and knelt before his lord. "I bring news, Master."
Malphas stared at him. "And that is?"
"The results from Esan's blood test, my lord. They were positive. Esan is with child."
An utterly delighted look came over Malphas's face. "That's fantastic!" The Dark Lord smile brightly at the healer than turned to Draco. "Go and make sure Uncle knows, Brother. I must go and tell Raven the good news."
He glanced at the Death Eater, who despite third degree burns on his legs,arms and back was trying to crawl back to the beam. Malphas pointed at him as he looked at the healer. "Take care of that, will you?" With that, both men vanished from the room. The healer rushed toward his fellow Death Eater.
A devastated Raven was dragged down the hallway by an excited Malphas. Two Death Eaters flanked them. "You'll enjoy meeting Mother. I've wanted you two to meet for sometime but I wanted to wait for this first. Mother will be so excited."
Severus couldn't say a word. He was sick to his stomach by what Malphas had revealed to him just half an hour before. /Pregnant by Malphas. Oh God no. Why is this happening? I can't possibly have this baby! Malphas will turn it into whatever he is./
Even in his despair, Raven couldn't help but wonder who Malphas's Mother was. /Is it Narcissa? Both Draco and Lucius are here. I never knew what happened to her after the war...I wonder...could this be an old Malfoy estate/
Speech intruded on his thoughts and forced Severus back to attention. Before them was a large steel door. From what Raven could see through the window, the entire room was padded. /That is not a good sign./
A guard opened the door and Malphas rushed through pulling a stumbling Raven after him. Severus sighed with relief as Malphas released him to hurry to a corner of the cell. "Mother!"
Raven could see a curled up figure in the corner pulling back frantically toward the wall to get away from Malphas. /Why would he get that type of reaction/ The real question was did Raven want to know.
Without moving Malphas called him over. "Come and meet Mother, Raven." He then threw a dark look over his shoulder. "And might I suggest you not try anything." He turned back to the whimpering figure that curled up against the wall.
Raven cursed him slightly. That had been exactly what he'd been thinking. He moved slowly, not wanting to startle the curled up figure any more than necessary. The figure had white hair but it was cut terribly short. /This can't be Narcissa though.../ The figure wasn't right. It seemed more like a man's. /But Malphas call her Mother./
"Aren't you excited Mother! You're going to be a grandparent soon and you get to meet my baby's mother." Malphas grabbed Severus's hand and forced him to his knees next to them.
"Look Mother. This is Raven." When the figure didn't move, just continued whimpering, Malphas snarled with impatience. "I said LOOK!"
A terrified face turned toward them and Severus gasped in shock. /I don't believe it/ He couldn't see how he'd missed it before. The shaking figure was missing a hand. /The figure, the hand...Oh god Pettigrew/
Pettigrew looked terrible. The man's hair had gone white over the years. His skin was pale and his face bore years of pain. He seemed horrifically thin and bore the most horrendous scars from torture. /How did this happen/
"See Mother. Isn't he nice? Of course, he's having problems accepting the baby and our situation but he'll get over it." Malphas's demeanor suddenly darkened toward the figure. "Of course, he'll betray me just like you did Father, eh Mother?"
He suddenly struck Pettigrew in the face. The man whimpered pathetically and tried to move closer to the wall. Malphas glared hatefully. "If you had only tried to help, Father would have lived and I wouldn't have had to do this to you. But that's the way things are I suppose."
Raven paled. /To his own.../
The door opened to the room and Lucius entered. Pettigrew whimpered again as Malphas stood. The two men whispered for a few minutes before Malphas turned to Raven. "I must go, my Raven. The guards will take you to our room in half an hour. Till then, why don't you and Mother talk." With that, he left with Malfoy.
The room is silent for a long time. Severus tries not to look at the destroyed figure of Peter Pettigrew and thought about his own problem. /I have to do something. I can't let Malphas turn this child into a monster like he is./
"...baby whole..."
Raven blinked in surprise as he looked at Pettigrew. The man's eyes were still off but seemed to focus slightly on Severus. He whispered again.
"...baby whole..."
Raven frowned as he tried to understand what Pettigrew was saying. "Baby hole?"
Pettigrew nodded a little. "...my baby... not whole no more..."
/My baby...Malphas./ "Whole?" Severus still couldn't understand. "Why isn't your baby whole?"
"...my lord...he took half of my baby and added it to him...was to make him stronger..." A sound of mourning came from Pettigrew's lips. "...didn't work...wasn't done right!..."
"I still don't understand. What did Voldemort take from Malphas?"
And just for a moment, what seemed to be complete sanity returned to Pettigrew. He looked Raven in the eyes and whispered, "...soul..." He eyes suddenly went partially hazy.
Raven felt his jaw drop.
"...now...my baby...wants half of your baby's whole...but baby is too young to have half...so baby goes away..."
Severus slowly tries to put the pieces together.
"My father was nothing but a fool. Look what he has done to me!"
"...my baby...not whole no more..."
"His foolish plan to defeat Potter has in turn almost destroyed me as well!"
"...my lord...he took half of my baby and added it to him...was to make him stronger..."
"Yes, my Lord. Seven days after the child is born, you can perform the ceremony."
"...didn't work...wasn't done right!..."
A horrified look came over Raven's face. "Soul...Malphas needs the baby's soul to make him whole again."
"...but baby is too young to have half...so baby goes away..."
/He's going to kill the baby./
TBC
Alia: Yes, I'm evil. You know it, I know it, and Severus knows it. Now be good to me. I think I deserve plenty of these this time. REVIEW.