Disclaimer: We own nothing that can be tied to J.K. Rowling or otherwise. We are two poor girls from the country…okay, city, but we can dream. That which you don't recognize is ours.
A/N: I hope the Dumbledore questions were at least touched in this chapter. Anyways, enjoy and please review…It keeps my machinery moving.
Ch. 11 (Dream Lit Bonding and Hired Truces)
…………Dream Sequence……………….
Ryider found himself watching Voldemort once more. It was so common now that he had it down to the second. First ten minutes, screaming and ranting before Crucioing those who were late. Well, all but Severus though Ryider had yet to figure out why. The next twenty minutes were an alternation of reports and torture. It was quite entertaining on those like Bellatrix. Then for the next four minutes and 38 seconds, Voldemort would ask about the seventh years joining and hiss in parseltongue just to watch the fear flash in his follower's eyes. Then he would Crucio the lower ranking Death Eaters before calling an end to the meeting. Oh, and every third meeting Muggles were killed as initiation tactics. It was all quite boring by now.
"You know Tom, you need to work on you predictability. It may get you killed one day." The dream Ryider hissed.
"And who are you?"
"Ouch, feel the love in this dream. You think you would know the man you tried to kill, what, five times now." He smirked.
"Potter."
"No, Malfoy."
"Indeed?" At the inquiry, Ryider gave a slight synopsis of his parentals and Dumbledore's manipulations. "I see. What do you want of me?" The Dark Lord was definitely interested now.
"I want three things. Firstly, I will not bow down to you. I will respect you and you will me but I will not bow before you."
"We shall see." Lord Voldemort smiled a grim smile.
"Second, you have marked both my mates. I want their marks stripped. I will not have them marked by another."
"I must be able to call them."
"I believe I can key mine into your calling with a little of my blood. They will still answer but they will be my marks."
"Who are your mates?"
"You will find out when I reveal myself. There is much you do not remember."
"And
thirdly?"
"I want Bellatrix Lestrange and Wormtail to die a traitor's death and Rudolphus to take their place in the inner circle."
"That is a high price. They are not traitors to me."
"That is my only price. When I give you my peace offering you will understand their betrayal to you and your cause. Do we have a deal?"
"I will answer you by the next meeting."
………………End of Dream…………………
Ryider's dream slowly faded and he awoke to find himself lying horizontally at the foot of the bed.
His body was soaked in sweat but he was trembling from the cold. Ryider slowly sat up, lucky to only felt Crucio once this evening. He kicked his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He decided he might as well take a shower before going back to bed.
When he got to the bathroom, the light was on so he peaked inside. Sure enough, Severus was in the bath, presumably soaking his muscles, while Remus took care of him, in more ways than one. No wonder they hadn't seen or heard what happened.
Ryider opted not to disturb them and carefully made his way to his room. It was the door next to Draco's and there was a door connecting the two rooms but Ryider was not about to take the chance of walking in on anything again.
He showered and then collapsed into bed exhausted, the pounding in his head reminding him of the meeting.
It wasn't until a couple hours later that Severus and Remus even knew he wasn't in their room.
….….
Both men were worried about him and why he left but they knew him well enough to leave him alone. Each figured he would be back soon enough. So Severus took this time to get to know his son.
Severus slipped over to Isaac who was staring blankly into the fire.
"Are you ok, son?" He said, putting down his book.
The brown haired boy looked up at his father. "Severus, I'm not sure about all of this. I, er…mean, well, you are still the same man you have been these last five years. Right now, I don't know who I can trust. I have been hurt before, sir, and I am just waiting for someone to tell me it was all a sick joke they played on me for their enjoyment." He spoke, his words belying the fact that he didn't know who "they" were. Severus put his arms around his son cautiously.
"I promise," He whispered, his emotions bare to all, "you are my son." He sighed. "I was a cruel bastard and I am first to admit it. I was hard on you for both being frightened and a Gryffindor. But, never would you have had to suffer that had I known you; had I known the truth. However, that chance was ripped from me a long time ago. It is I who is sorry. I love you Isaac. While Neville is of your past, no one is going to tell you that this is not real. I promise." Isaac buried his face in Severus' chest.
"I have something for you." The older man stated, pulling something from his pocket. It was a fine, pure silver chain with a charm. Looking at it closely it was more of a collage of pictures. A small angel baby had his wings extended. From the bottom of the baby, a snake circled around the body in a protective motion, the head coming to rest at the halo. On the back of the wings were two eyes that looked very reminiscent of a werewolf's eyes. Each eye was a jewel, along with the one eye for the snake. The snake's eye was ruby, for his July birthday. The left werewolf eye was Sapphire to represent Severus and the other was Garnet to represent Remus. It looked like it had been specially made for him. On the back was tiny cursive letters spelling out "To my son: With all my love, Dad."
"I had this made for you when I found out Remus was pregnant with you. I never got the chance to give it to you." He gently placed it in Isaac's hand and closed the unresisting fingers around it.
The teen twisted it between his fingers and looked up with a watery smile. "Thank you. I love it."
Effectively breaking the moment, Remus rushed into the room in all his glory. "My two favorite boys. Wait, where is the other one? He hasn't returned yet? No matter, you two should come with me." He smiled and Severus could be seen trying very hard not to laugh.
Isaac watched rather shocked as Severus stood and walked over to Remus and dipped him down for a kiss. His eyes widened fractionally before he started laughing uncontrollably.
"And what, pray tell, do you find so funny Mr. Lupin-Snape?" Severus drawled.
"Well, you see, Mr. Snape, good Mr. Lupin was in quite a hurry and now I believe that while he still is…it is for a whole new reason. Not very good if we are to find Ryider. Alas, I do not wish to see you two with your tongues so far down each other's throats that I would need to worry about how you are breathing. You know I am abysmal at Potions and I'm sure you do not wish for me to save you should you pass out…" Isaac smiled innocently but stared intently at both his…fathers.
"Insolence." Severus growled, only amusement in his voice.
"Well yes. Just because I am your son does not make me less Gryffindor. As such, I have no desire to know what you get up to behind close doors...or on any surface in which you do not believe I am in the same room, because that just reminds me that Ryider is with you and I do not need that image in my head."
"You think yourself funny don't you?" Severus smiled.
"Oh, be still my dying heart. The greasy git can smile." Isaac said, showing his acceptance and amusement.
"Alright," Remus butted in before Severus could retort. "We need to find Ryider."
"Well, where does he normally go? It's Friday and definitely not a Hogsmeade weekend." Severus inquired, not really sure where his mate actually went in his free time.
"The Astronomy Tower." Isaac quietly responded. His demeanor had changed quickly. If he thought about it, he knew Ryider was up there. Ryider always went to the Astronomy Tower for some quiet time and usually spent a few hours there. Isaac used to join him. Over the last year or so, they had become closer than the original Golden Trio. They could just sit in silence and understand each other. He wasn't sure if he should have told his parents where Ryider was. Usually, it was better just to leave the teen be and talk to him later.
Severus noticed the change. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, er, not really. He always goes up there when he needs to think and be alone. I was the only one who would follow him and even I have not done that in some time." Issac's nervousness was coming back in full force as his parents shared a look with each other. The kind of look that meant he was either in trouble or Ryider was.
"Do you know why he would go up there?" Remus was curious, and a little upset that his mate was carrying his burdens alone.
"No."
"Issac…" Severus said in a soft warning.
"I don't know. Alright? We would never talk about it and I never asked. If he wanted to talk to me he would have. What more do you want me to say! I don't know and I probably shouldn't have told you anyway." Issac was shaken and pissed.
"Do not raise your voice at me." Severus's voice resembled his professor voice quite well.
"I told you what I know and yet you make it sound like I am lying to you. I couldn't lie to you even if I tried, professor."
The comment was met with the sound of a smack throughout the rooms. Issac's hand came up to touch the reddening cheek. "Never again will you raise your hand to me." Issac didn't try to hide the fury.
"I-I…" Severus' just couldn't find any words.
"No."
The older man looked at Remus before he dropped his head. "I'm my father." His voice was void and dejected.
"You must have learned it somewhere." His voice cold. But it was when he saw the pain in his father's eyes that his mood changed. Almost as quickly as it had come, it disappeared. He looked up with fear in his eyes as he realized everything he had just said to them. "I-I…sorry." He whispered and tore into his room before either man could blink.
Severus sighed and looked at Remus, lost. He had no idea how to deal with their son and Ryider was still alone. "He hates me love." Severus dropped onto the couch, his shoulders slumped and his head in his hands.
"He doesn't hate you. He is still adjusting."
"I scare him. I hit him. I just lost it and there is no way he will trust me now and I cannot blame him. He will never think of me as his parent. I'll always be the bastard he hates and you'll be his dad. I don't know what I can do. Merlin, I'm so lost Velve."
Remus wrapped his lover in an embrace and rested his head on Sev's shoulder. He nuzzled the defeated man's neck before whispering against the skin. "It will work out. Remember, you will always be his dad."
"Not if he has his way." Severus pulled away and stood up again, his eyes downward. "He will never accept me Velve. I love that boy but I could never expect him to love me." Now Severus was not only defeated, he was angry. "I'm leaving."
"Wait, where are you going?" Remus' eyes were wide and anxious. This was not supposed to happen. Remus stepped forward in an attempt to grab his lover again but the Slytherin slipped from his grasp.
"I need to go for a walk. I would give up my parental rights if I knew the Ministry would let you raise him and there was no secrets needing to be kept. I'll be back later. Issac will probably be relieved that I am gone." With that, he took off through the portrait guarding their room.
Remus sighed and figured he might as well try to fix some things while Severus was gone. He went to his son's room and knocked. He didn't hear any movement, though he was still adjusting to the reduction of his hearing. Now, he felt almost deaf because he was so used to the hypersensitivity.
He turned the know and found it unlocked. He pushed the door open slightly, moving inside without a sound. He found Issac sitting on the window sill they had put into his room. It was charmed to see the outside. He was sitting there quietly and Remus could see slow tears marring his features.
"Cas…"
Issac's face shot towards him, his eyes showing recognition. His voice was almost hollow. "I was one the first time he called me that. He lifted me onto his lap and kissed me on the forehead. Then, he lifted me into the air and showed me I could fly. I remember you sitting there watching, laughing at all the fun I was having. Then he threw me in the air. You were so mad and I was a little frightened but he caught me and held me close. "I'll always catch you Cas." That was what he said to me." He stared back out the window. "I'll never forget that. I used to think it was a dream I made up because me 'parents' were incapacitated but it wasn't. That was what I remembered most when I was told the truth. That was why I accepted it, though I was still shocked. I remember his smile. His smile always made him less frightening."
Remus smiled at that. He had always thought the same thing.
"I didn't mean to make him leave." His tears had started to fall again. "I've only cause trouble between you two. When he hit me, I th-thought about Grams. I didn't want to be weak. And then when he started to get irritated it just reminded me of Potion's class. I'm finding it hard to separate Professor Snape from Dad. It's just so confusing. On top of that, I feel like I am lying to the world."
"Issac is who you are and always have been. Everything else is just an addition to that. As for Severus, he really does mean well. He just has trouble showing he cares." The room went silent for several minutes before Issac made a statement that one would never associate as true with Professor Snape but question with Severus.
"He's afraid isn't he?"
"What?"
"He's afraid." Issac tried again. "I used to see it in Ryider all the time. He would get most upset when things were going okay, or as okay as they can, because he felt he didn't deserve it. He finds it easier to push me away then think I may hate him in the future."
"I suppose you're right. He is worried about you and how you are fairing with what you have discovered. He always wanted someone to love and now he has. Unfortunately, in his mind, his only child is the same person he belittled for five years. That does not sit well with him."
"I think I understand now. I truly didn't want him to leave."
"I know son but he will be back."
"Can I wait for him in your room?"
"Sure, but I don't know when he'll be back. Do you mind if I go find Ryider?" Issac shook his head. "Alright, I'll be back soon." Issac followed him to the portrait. Remus pulled the teen into a hug. "Remember, you will always be our son."
"I know. I'm just being stupid."
"No, you're not. You're dealing quite well with this actually."
Issac made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat but otherwise remained silent. He stepped forward and gave Remus a hug, surprising the older man. "Give me time." He pulled back from the embrace and moved to go wait for his father. He settled down in the silence as the portrait hole closed.
…………Astronomy Tower……………
Remus found Ryider lying on his back staring at the stars. It was so peaceful and loath as he was to disturb him, Remus could feel his mate was upset.
"You know, locking charms were invented for a reason."
Remus was startled by the cool voice of the teen. The boy's eyes had never left the night sky. "Ryider?"
"Did you know I woke up alone? I dreamt about the meeting last night and I hoped at least one of you would be there to help me. I'm sure my screams were loud enough to wake the dead." His reply was nonchalant and impassive. His tone gave nothing away.
Remus paled. He knew Ryider had left but he hadn't known why. "We didn't hear you. We would have never left you."
The creature in Ryider attached itself to those words but he wouldn't give in. "Oh, I know. In fact, the show I found was quite entertaining, for you. Imagine my hurt, when you both accepted my claiming and then forgot me. You forgot me so much that you didn't hear me plead for it all to stop and then trying to save your sorry arses." Ryider smiled. "It is amazing how much you see when no one knows you're there. Though I wonder, how long before you realized I was gone. Was it in the morning after you woke and called my name or was it that very night and you both celebrated my leaving?"
"Ryider stop. Please, we both love you. I admit when Severus got home that he was sore and I figured a bath would help him. I cast a silencing charm so we wouldn't wake you and I probably should have checked on you. I admit my mistake but I will not admit to anything about forgetting you. Never." Remus vowed, his words filled with conviction.
"Admit what you like. I know what I do. As much as it will pain me, I will be in my room for a little while; my Slytherin dorm. I will come to feed but nothing more. It will give me time to sort this out."
"Ryider…"
"Give me space." His words were hard and direct.
He stayed unmoving until Remus finally left. He would work things out with them…eventually.
………….Back in Severus's Chambers……………
Severus finally came back to his rooms nearly 4 hours later. He slipped through the hole to find the rooms quiet and vacant, not that he really expected anything else. He sighed. The walk had cleared his head but now that he was back in the castle, his mind was clouded with endless memories of his childhood. He had sworn to never lay a hand on someone he may care about and he had done just that. Severus knew he no longer deserved to have his son and he didn't trust himself or his future reactions.
He moved to his bathroom and discarded his clothes. He figured he may as well clean himself up and go to bed before the others. A hot shower would help clear his mind. When he finished, he dressed for bed and moved across the hall to enter his room.
There, curled up tight on the bed, was his son. His son. Severus shook his head and mentally scolded himself. This was not a way to start things. In all his thoughts, he never saw the figure stir on his bed and the bright brown eyes watching his movements.
"Are you going to stand there forever?" Issac asked, a tired smile on his face.
Severus stared blankly at him. "Why are you in here?"
Issac's smile dropped from his face as he sat up fully. "Sorry." Severus mentally kicked himself.
"No, no. That is not what I meant. I was just wondering why you would want to be near me after…" He trailed off, knowing he didn't need to repeat the events from earlier.
"It's okay. I really didn't know what I was saying and everything caught up with me at once. I have no excuse for what I said except that I am sorry dad."
Severus moved to the bed and sat down, reminiscent of what he had done earlier that morning. Merlin, this day was an emotional rollercoaster and was about to reach its peak. "Issac, there are some things you should be told about why everything happened. I give no excuse and I swear it won't happen again." He reached a hand out towards Issac and caught him watching it warily. He dropped his hand. " I wouldn't…"
Issac caught his dad's hand and held it in his own. "I'm not afraid of you. Your actions just brought back some demons I had thought to have been exorcised."
"I, as well, was dealing with a not so pleasant past."
"Will you tell me about it? So I can understand more." He saw the darkening look on Sev's face and hastily added, "You don't have too."
"No, you deserve to know. Especially if you are here of your own free will than I at least owe you that."
"You owe me nothing more than being who you are….and a soothing balm." He added cheekily, smiling when he received the desired effect; confirmed when he heard the older man chuckle slightly.
"I was four when I first understood my place within my family. I was outside playing in the gardens and didn't return to the manor until after dark. Even then I loved the flowers my mom would plant, especially nightshade. Unfortunately for me, my father had just come from a meeting and was waiting for me. He was not someone to be kept waiting. When I came into the house I was dirty, but I didn't know any better. When he saw me he became even more enraged." Severus shuddered. This was not his worst memory, in fact it seemed tamed. Still, it hurt to remember.
"He grabbed me firm by the collar and tossed me against the couch. I don't even remember what he said. All I understood was that he was really mad. He picked me up again and went to throw me into the wall but he missed. I landed in the fire. My shoulder was scalded and my lower back was burned. I jumped up and tore my robes off. All my father did was laugh at my misfortune and smacked me for ruining my robes."
Severus pulled himself out of his thoughts. He couldn't even look his son in the eye. "I still bear the scars from that day. That was one of the easiest punishments he ever gave me. It hurt, but I learned when to stay out of his way from then on." Severus's eyes were watery, he simply turned his head so Issac could not see his weakness.
Issac turned Severus' head back so there eyes met. "I am sorry. I understand a little more now. No child should be made to go through that and I hold no anger towards you. I worked my way through that before you came back." He gave his father a hug. "I am glad you allow me to see you, as a human. Forgive yourself as I have and it will be in the past." Issac smiled before getting up. "Rest well."
"You as well son."
"Always, dad."
That night, they both slept with a smile on their face.
………………
The following day found the teen waking to a rambunctious house elf telling him he was expected in the Headmaster's office. Sighing, he got ready and made his way down the empty halls. Issac entered the office wearily. He had not been at the school very long but he knew his presence was guarded by the faculty. The students wouldn't know he was there until Sunday night. He was being sorted at dinner.
He was told to have a seat and peripherally he could see three aurors. It was unnerving to say the least.
Dumbledore spoke. "There has been an accusation against you and the aurors are here to sort it out. Now open you mouth and they will administer the Veritaserum. As his eyes glazed over, the questioning began.
"What is your name?"
"Issac Snape."
"Who are your parents?
"Severus Snape and Sumer Punil"
"Where did she go to school?"
"She was self taught for most of her life. Beyond that, I do not know."
"How long have you known your father?"
"All my life"
"Why are you at Hogwarts?"
"My Mother passed away and this was my only place to go."
"Do you know of the disappearance of Neville Longbottom?"
"No. I have heard of it but nothing more."
"What have you heard?"
"That he was pulled out of school because someone discovered he was abused."
"Are you friends with Ryider Malfoy?"
"Yes."
"How Close are you?"
"We are very good friends."
Dumbledore managed a few questions before the Auror silenced him. "What is his connection with Severus Snape?"
"Snape is helping him."
"With What?"
"I do not know."
"What about Remus Lupin?"
"He teaches Ryider's best subject. Professor Lupin helps him with his dueling techniques."
The Auror turned to Dumbledore. "That will be enough. There is no evidence to the claims we are here to investigate. Now, if you would be so kind, please do not call us again for such bogus reports." He turned to Issac. "You may return to your rooms."
Issac nodded his head, still slightly under the effects of the Veritaserum.
As he left the office, he never saw the angered look Dumbledore gave him or the sickening smile that graced the old face as he came up with a truly heinous plan.
……………………
Issac made his way back to his room, offset from his parents room until he was sorted. He found his dad in the main room reading and his father was in the workroom stirring potions. He enlightened them as to what had happened but they were both helpless.
"Do you know what the accusation was?" Severus inquired.
"No, neither of them said. I figured it had to be about "Neville." Issac offered. That was the only conclusion he had come to.
"Alright, we'll just need to be extra careful. Keep a watch on Dumbledore."
"I agree." Severus inclined his head as he spoke. "We'll look into it."
Issac nodded before going back to his room to read.
……………
The next day, to no one's surprise, found Ryider in the same position Issac had been in not 24 hours ago.
"Please enter Ryider." The Headmaster said falsely.
"What do you want Dumbledore?" Ryider was in no mood to play games with the old man. He had something planned for his mates and he was far from feeling like wasting his time with the old coot.
"Lemon Drops?" Dumbledore asked, both ignoring the question and setting down a cup of tea in front of him. Ryider sighed, knowing what was to come of this. He took a sip of the tea and almost instantly felt the effects of the Veritaserum.
"What is your name?"
"Ryider Black-Malfoy."
"Are you or have your ever gone by the name Harry Potter?"
"No. Harry Potter is dead if you remember."
"Who did you grow up with?"
"I grew up in an orphanage?"
"Where?"
"Scotland."
"Who are your parents?"
"Lucius Malfoy and Sirius Black." Ryider kept his face impassive but he was smirking on the inside. Dumbledore's face had gone ashen at his answer and he was struggling to remain calm.
"That is not possible. You do not exist. I took you from them at birth. Who are your parents?"
"I told you already." This was getting better by the moment. Dumbledore knew the potion was wearing off so he managed a couple more questions.
"How did you find your fathers?"
"I asked. Seems you were sloppy in obliviating."
"Why are you here?"
"Ah ah ah." Ryider waggled a finger at him. "What would be the fun in telling you that. Now as you have so illegally verified, I am not Harry Potter and I am a Malfoy. Now do not try that again professor or I shan't be so kind next time." Then, he was gone.
………………………
The week ended quickly as the remaining four days passed with ease. Dumbledore had left them alone, for the most part, which was kind of worrisome but none paid attention.
It was now Sunday night and time for his sorting. His eyes were glued on the Gryffindor's table as he watched his old friends. None of them were acting out of the ordinary. In the last week, 'Harry Potter' had died and 'Neville Longbottom' had been taken out of school and none of them cared. Issac definitely had some issues with his ex-friends.
He stood back near the teacher's entrance. He could not be seen easily but if someone looked then he was definitely hiding. He watched Dumbledore stand, though to those who knew him, the tell-tale spark was missing from his eyes.
"Students, quiet down please." He raised his hands and the Great Hall went silent. "We have a new student joining us at Hogwarts. He is new to the area and I expect you all to treat him well. Will Issac Snape please come forward so you may be sorted."
Taking his queue, Issac walked forward. He was perfectly aware that the whole place was staring between him and his dad with either pure shock or intrigue written on their face. Issac sat on the stool as the hat was placed on his head.
'Back again I see.'
'No thanks to you.'
'You have spent far too much time with your father.'
'Dad and yes. Now I do believe leaving the old man in suspense may cause heart attack. Oh wait, I have no objection.'
'Definitely too much time with Severus.'
'Will you just sort me already. I would like to eat.'
'Fine then. Well, you would do good in…'
'Yes, yes. I understand now please sort me.'
'Fine, you want a heart attack. I sort you into…' "Ravenclaw."
Issac hopped off the stool and made his way to his new table. Later, he would swear that he could have heard a pin drop in that room. Hundreds of students and not a single sound. Surprisingly, even the Slytherins let there masks drop. Everyone expected Severus' son to be a shoe-in for Slytherin. Guess the world was coming to an end.
Dumbledore stood, composing himself slightly. "On that, let's eat."
The rest of the school year was going to be interesting.