Disclaimer: I don't own anything you can legally tie to J.K. Rowling. However, I felt like pulling them out of the closet to play with.
A/N: We are sorry for taking so long. But on the bright side, you get four new chapters to make up for it and all the other chapters are now Beta'd. Again, sorry and would still love to see some reviews. Enjoy.
Chapter 8 (A Father's Wrath Over a Child's Plea)
Lucius silently fumed but managed to keep his mouth closed while Severus proceeded with the healing. He knew as soon as the barrier had accepted Severus that this was the mate that had given his son up to death. He desperately wanted to murder the bastard, regardless of personal history. But first, he would find the answers he wanted then he would worry about the next step.
When the potions had been ingested by Ryider, Severus turned to see an unreadable expression on his friend's face. There was an eerie sense of trouble but he dismissed it as the anger bubbling desperately in the pit of his stomach. He had some issues with the boy in front of him and seeing him in such a state was not helping.
Severus nodded to Lucius to indicate that he was finished and proceeded to leave the room. Lucius followed behind, closing his son's door in the process. This would make for an interesting discussion.
They reached the main room without a single word being said. However, Severus turned just in time to see a fist connect with his jaw. He knew Lucius must be upset because he rarely resorted to physical violence, preferring magic, and never on those he considered family.
"You bloody bastard. You did not see fit to tell me that you were the one who sentenced my son to this condition. You rejected him and now he will die as a result. He will not make it past holiday and that is your fault Severus." Lucius exuded anger. It rolled off in palpable waves and for once, Severus feared for his life from the man he considered a brother.
"I did no such thing and I am not his mate."
"Do not argue with me. There is an instinctual barrier that encases a Veela's body as the magic begins to destroy the sanity and magical core. Family and friends cannot break the seal or enter, no matter how great their magic. A true mate is the only one allowed entry in hopes that acceptance is found and the body can heal. You are his mate and you rejected him." His tone was cold and factual. There was no inflection beyond the sharpness of his words.
"Lucius, your son lied to me. He fooled me and then decided to call me his mate without an explanation. How was I supposed to take it?" Snape dropped heavily onto the expensive couch and stared blindly at the fireplace. "I trusted him and he lied. It is hard to forgive that. Never mind the fact that he is Harry Potter…" He drifted off and waited for some response.
"Severus, as a man, I see your point and understand it but you forget that I am Veela as well. The creature in me is desperate for retribution at seeing its son in such a state. Second, he was known as Harry Potter. In reality, he is nothing more and nothing less than Ryider Black-Malfoy. He is my son, Draco's brother, and your mate. I know you have come to respect my son so why does that change with his name." Lucius sighed. He was desperately trying to hold his temper and connect with his figurative brother but it was becoming difficult. A silence stretched between the two men and only the sound of pecking on the windowsill brought them out of their collective reverie.
A Snowy owl with black tipped feathers sat patiently outside the window, a warped piece of parchment tied to his leg. Lucius walked briskly to the window and let the bird in from the bristling cold. It nipped affectionately at his hand as he untied the parchment, covered in familiar scrawl.
As Lucius reached for the parchment, green sparks emitted from it and duplicated itself, falling from the hand of the startled blonde. Now where one had lain, addressed to the patriarch of the Malfoy family, was two; each addressed to the suspicious men in the room.
The owl had disappeared in midst of the magical altercation.
Severus reached down cautiously and grabbed the two letters, recognizing the familiar scrawl as he handed one to Lucius. The parchment itself was spotted with tear stains and seemed to give off a depressing aura from within. Severus stared down at his. He instantly knew what it was for. This was the one letter he had refused to read after he sent Ryider away, calling him a liar and almost positive he had broken the young man. The guilt tore at him even more when he felt a strong sense of pulling that made him open the letter immediately. He stared unblinkingly at the parchment as the letters formed the words to break his heart.
Severus,
I'll be honest, there is so much that I desperately wanted to write, to say but none of it seemed to measure up. I was so tempted to put my mate or dearest just so I could imagine the sneer plastered on your face while your eyes were lit with amusement, just like they are right now. I know you are staring at this, wondering why I am rambling on about nothingness so I will jump to it, I am dying. This was spelled to arrive for year when my days grew short and my breathing labored.
As I have written this now, am I correct in assuming you have rejected me? That you let old prejudices towards a man who is no relation to me, but once your friend, dictate your answers. I can feel the tears and I solemnly watch them drip down towards the paper as I think of how it could end. I knew you would let insecurities bind you. Did you ever wonder why it took me so long? I know even know, that I cannot tell you any sooner than needed because it would hurt too much. I don't even want to believe what I am saying but I know I am not wrong.
My nightmares are haunted with your face. The same face I admire and watch because of its beauty. I see it contorted with disgust and your beautiful eyes are lit with a fire of anger. A creature inside of me weeps for you.
Believe what you may about me, I have long fallen in love with you. When I saw your pensieve, for which I am still sorry, I saw a human and I saw my protector and hopefully, a friend.
"Ryider" helped me discover who I am. I am him. He gave me a chance to be your friend. It was a chance to dream for something I knew I would never have.
I know I am rambling and professing a love you may never believe, I can still see you standing there, murmuring "insufferable brat," and being watched by Lucius.
I have never lied to you. I may have avoided certain things, but I never lied to you and I never shall. You are my mate. You are the mate to my Veela side. You complete a part of me. It was never about romantics, or declarations of love from you, it was simply survival.
However, I do not want just survival with you. I want you to willing chose to be with me. I swear on the honor of all the Malfoys that no harm will come to you or your own should you chose someone else. I do not and will not begrudge you for following the heart I know you have.
I will always love you, my mate, but I refuse to become your new master because nature deemed us compatible.
Goodbye My Heart,
Your Insolent Gryffindor/ Slytherin
Severus smiled slightly through his tears as his grip tightened on the thin parchment. He looked over towards Lucius, silently motioning for him to read his own.
Lucius glanced down and also noticed the tell tale tears that smeared the ink on the parchment. It was clear that it had been painful to write, lending credit to the thought that it would be impossible to read. Several words were smeared with the salty emotion but every word stood clear through his denial.
Father and Draco,
I have known you two since I was eleven years old. One, a man who had it out for my blood, and the other, a boy to whom I refused a friendship. The more I got to know you, the more I realized the mistakes I made when I followed the world's ideals before my own and never asking questions.
From my birthday to our Christmas I have received the only joy I ever wished for. You both accepted me into your family. In the short time since the truth was revealed, I have caused each of you more trouble and worry with my personal demons than I ever did against the Dark Lord. Yet, through all my doubts and misconceptions, even my fears, kindness, acceptance and certainly love was all that was ever offered to me. While that and the occasional Smirk. You gave me everything I ever dared to dream for and never have deserved.
As I write this letter, a sense of peace calms me because I know fate is my downfall. For once, I am out of everyone's control. I grew to love you both as people. Lucius, I call you my father and never doubt that I mean every bit of the emotion behind it. Draco, I call you my brother, one who helped me through a half blind world, and I call you both My friends.
Do not mourn me for I will be free. I swore when my Godfather died I would never again be a burden to anyone nor would I manipulate those around me. I have had enough of that for a lifetime. I will not force myself on anyone; including, and most assuredly, my mates.
Yes, I mean every word, so quit glaring at the parchment daddy. Same to you Dray, surprise does not suit you as well as the smirk.
I swore on the honor of the Malfoy name that neither of my mates, nor the person they should ever choose to love, would be harmed should they chose a life without me. It pains the creatures in me, but I am still Ryider and I say it is up to him or her. Yes, I am pretty damn sure you have figured it out and I will haunt you forever should you harm a hair on my MATE. Do not make me a liar.
I love you both. Good Luck with the elfness Draco and make me proud by kicking some arse. Father, please hurt Dumbledore where it will affect him the most. Consider it a Last request. Thank you for everything.
Goodbye my Family,
The Ultimate Slytherin
Lucius dropped the parchment, unaware of the silent tears snaking down his cheeks. They had started when his boy had called him daddy and the lump in his throat remained. The emotion he felt was foreign to him, at least to this extent. Realization had hit him, Ryider had finally said goodbye.
Lucius had known that there was only a three days left before his son's body would give out. The first Christmas they would spend as a family would be their last.
A/N: Sorry it is so short but it seemed right to leave it here. We will try and post again soon. Please stay tuned.