Disclaimer: I do not own anything you can connect to J.K. Rowling. But if anyone is willing to let me play…grins…Story time.

A/N: I am so excited over all the reviews. I am still waiting for someone to guess. Here is the next chapter because I have had so many people call me evil for leaving a 'little bit' of a cliff hanger…lol. I wrote a new story named Dying with the Moonlight if anyone gets bored and wants to read something new. Enjoy this and give me a couple of days before I update again.

P.S. The mark/symbol I use belongs to a fellow author and friend of mine named foxfire666. I have explicit use to use it.

"Father, we don't know." Draco stated as he bent down to help his new found brother. "He just shook Sev's hand and collapsed."

"Severus, do you have a calming draught or any pain relieving potion?" Lucius asked, pulling Ryider into his lap to help control the seizures.

Handing the Draught to Lucius, Severus staggered back in surprise. Though never drawing the attention of the Malfoy's, he moved back to examine a new marking that appeared magically on his right wrist.

A thin, black circle lay in the middle of his wrist, with a blue star inside; each star point gracing the circle's inner edge. Silver lines connected to each point and extended about ¼ inch past the circle's edge. In each space, between the lines, was a different letter. 'D' was present in both of the top slots available. A sideways 'D' was present on the left hand space while a sideways 'P' was in the same position on the right-hand side. In the final space, on the bottom of the star was an upside down 'F'. Every letter was a striking black.

Sev tore his gaze from the mark, in time to see he calming draught being coaxed down the teen's throat and the seizures begin to diminish. He sat back quietly and listened intently, as only a spy could, to the conversation between father and son.

Ryider slowly cam back to conscious thought. Looking around, memories flooded his mind with the rapidness of a dam breaking. He pulled himself from Lucius, pain evident on his tired face, and drew his knees to his chest. He was mumbling softly, more to himself than those present in the room. "I'm sorry. Promise not to do it again. No more pain. Please, I'm so sorry." Ryider seemed to be pleading with ghosts from a very difficult past.

Lucius waved Draco over silently. Draco sat behind his brother and pulled Ryider's unwilling body against his chest. Severus was still observing and he could easily see the fire in his friend's eyes. Someone was going to die; if they were lucky.

Black eyes met their counter--silver-- as a silent exchange took place. Severus and Lucius both rose gracefully and walked from the room; leaving Draco to watch over Ryider.

Hall

"Luc, you look about ready to murder someone." Sev deadpanned.

"I am. Those people destroyed my son and now he fears I am going to beat him at every turn. He acts normal around both Draco and I until a panic attack happens; then he believes he will be punished for something he cannot control. For once, I do not know what to do." Lucius admitted, albeit grudgingly. Sev had once been his love and now a brother, of sorts. He could admit anything to Severus without worry of reprisal. The blackmail went both ways.

"Firstly, you need to tell me about this son of yours."

"It will be easier to let you use a pensieve. I will have mine sent to you at your rooms in Hogwarts to see at your disposal. Is that acceptable?" Severus nodded his agreement and both men turned back towards the room.

Room

The teens were found sitting in chairs by the small window, seemingly in deep conversation. Both heard the adults enter but reacted as quite opposites. Draco continued talking in a calm, almost soothing whisper but Ryider grew visibly tense; his eyes never wavered from Draco.

"Ryider." Severus' rich voice was soothing to the tense young man. "Would you join me for some talk and tea?"

Ryider looked up at his father, almost a plea for him to seay no but gave in to defeat at the nod of acceptance Lucius sent his way. In a shaky, timid whisper, he responded "Yes sir." He rose from the chair, kept his head down, and followed the professor to the library.

Library

Ryider looked around discreetly and could tell that a house elf had brought them the tea Severus had promised. "Go ahead and take a seat." Severus said quietly.

Ryider (Harry) was completely thrown off by the actions of the man sitting in front of him. There had been no scathing remarks or cut downs about his actions. He had just remained a quiet observer. Everything he had witnessed as 'Ryider' was the total opposite of his encounters as 'Harry'.

The man he had watched for the past five years was different. That was the man who had protected him, saved him, and even unwittingly helped him realize he was gay. That man, the same who would never want him because he had predestined mates and hated him as well.

"Who are you?" The question startled Ryider though it was asked in the same quiet, collective voice.

Ryider raised his eyes, to meet the impassive stare of Snape, before answering. "I am Ryider Kiernnan Black-Malfoy. Only a sixteen year old and just getting to know my father." Snape's eyebrow quirked at the mention of his name but no comments were made beyond the silent inquiry.

"Why have I not seen you before?" His voice hinting at slight curiosity.

'You have.' Ryider thought; biting his tongue to stop himself from admitting it. "I lived with other people as I did not know of my father's true identity or whereabouts."

"How…" Severus began, only to be cut off by a bold and unexpected reply.

"I am sorry for my actions thus far and they shall be disciplined. I will answer any question, barring a few, that you ask of me. I assume it would be far easier to obtain the information from Lu…Father." The slip had been well disguised but the longtime spy easily heard it.

"You call him Lucius. Any particular reason why?"

"I do not wish to mislead you. It is true that Lucius is my father but I have not had adequate time to allow us to get to know each other for me to comfortably call him father." even as his voice remained even, his mind was in chaos. His answers were true but could not be shortened. His mind compelled him to answer as though overdosed on Veritaserum.

"Why do you believe you will be disciplined for you seizures? From what I am told, that was not the first time." Severus was genuinely curious and showed it. He knew Lucius would never harm his son, or sons, and it was a question he wanted answered. This teen intrigued him far more than he was willing to admit. There was a srtange trust, and familiarity--similar to that he had with Lucius. One that had taken years to obtain. He decided to forgo waiting for an answer to his question because one overrode all other curiosities. "Have we met before?"

'Yes…Answer Yes.' His mind screamed at him. He stubbornly stared dwn the Potions Master with innocent eyes until a new thought could be spoken to avoid the self imposed ban on lying. (A/N: Severus is not suspicious enough to use Legilemens.) "I believe we should head back to father. Should you have the time, I would enjoy if you could join us for supper. I have been told by Draco that you are a Potions Master. I would enjoy hearing about and seeing your intellect and passion for the subject should you find me acceptable company." He was not expecting a yes but hearing the man speak for five years made persuasion very simple. He was truly starting to sound like a Malfoy. Years of fighting with these people had unspoken benefits; such as fooling those who knew the hero.

"I may allow you to join me at some point in the future. Do you enjoy potions?"

This piqued his interest. It was rare to find a person so young who had a true talent and love for the art. Even his 'nephew' Draco, who was quite good, did not have the heart for it.

"I have always found it thrilling to study both theories and the practical parts of potions but I need much more study. My teacher of past years was not 'kind' and made the study of the art quite difficult. I was damn near the worse student in class. I am fine when it is me and the ingredients. No restrictions or guidelines to hinder me. I find it quite similar to muggle cooking."

"That is a surprise. If you are an intuitive brewer, as I suspect, then it shall be quite interesting to watch you work. However, I have yet to hear a Malfoy refer to anything muggle, especially cooking. It is considered a house elf's job."

"As I have said, I was not raised by Lucius. I always held a fascination for practical lessons, in certain subjects, over theoretical. Cooking was a way to improve my potions work." Well, it wasn't a total lie.

"Thank you for being open with me when I am only a stranger." Severus stated humbly.

"You are a friend to my family so I find no problem trusting you." 'And I have respected you for far longer than you realize.'

"I shall accept your invitation to dinner and ask Lucius' permission for you to visit my lab this summer. I would like to know you as I do Draco. A piece of advice, never presume on the reactions to your reactions or mistakes. Lucius may very well surprise you." Severus offered a rare smile, never seen before by Harry; or, probably, anyone else. Together, they walked in a peaceful silence to the awaiting Malfoy Duo.

Main Room

"Father, Severus has graciously accepted my invitation to dinner should you be agreeable. Also, I believe he wished to talk with you, so may I be excused to walk the grounds before dinnertime?" Ryider desperately wanted to be out of that room. Ever since Snape had arrived, he had been feeling sick. A burning was evident in his stomach and he could feel his wings beating against his skin, from the inside. He knew he was still compelled to tell the truth, though he only felt it with Severus. He was thoroughly confused and in dire need to sit and think about what had happened so far, so fast. There was quite a lot that he was avoiding to tell them before he knew what it truly meant.

His reservoir of thoughts was broken by Lucius' far off voice. "That is fine with me."

Ryider saw Severus, out of the corner of his eye, unconsciously rubbing his left arm. His own arm burning horribly, as if he had the mark, though his head felt fine.

Lucius began talking again, pretending as though he didn't feel anything. "Severus and I have some business to attend to. One of the house elves will fetch you for dinner.

He could see Draco watching him as he responded. "Thank you." He stated respectfully. He left the room for the garden; fairly certain visions would assault his aching body.

A/N: Thank you for staying with me. Sorry it took so long. I promise to update as fast as possible. Holidays are hectic so forgive me but I will not leave this story to hang. Luv all the reviews and reviewers. Thank you.