Chapter Twelve
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters nor the scenery which you could recognise, the only thing I take credit for is the plot.
Pairings: Marvolo/Severus
Warnings: DarkHarry, Dumbledore, Hermione, and Weasley bashing (excluding Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George).
Word Count: 6,675
Date Rewritten: 08/02/2021
Aldwyn stares down into the little mirror trying to take in as much of his new appearance as he can. His eyes moving from the top of his head all the way down to his feet taking in every detail and change that he can spot. His hair has darkened from its original raven-black to a more midnight black, like Severus' he notes, it had lengthened and grown so it sits in manageable waves just below his shoulders. His face had sharpened looking more regal than the Heart-shape it had been previously. His nose was smaller and thinner, and his eyes had darkened to an Avada green as opposed to the emerald green they had been. A gasp escapes his throat when he sees small brown flecks of brown within and a light ring of black circling the outside making the green stand out that much more.
He looks down at his body and notices that his shoulders are broader than they had been before, his clothing feeling unusually tight around his chest. His torso had filled out a little more, his muscle density increasing as well making him appear not as scrawny and small as he had been. He even thinks that the ritual had dealt with his malnutrition. Though he notes that he is still thinner than Draco, and probably most of the boy's in his year group. He is especially pleased to see that he had even grown a few inches, now reaching the same height as Draco.
Feeling extremely satisfied with his new looks, Aldwyn in his seat smiling brightly up at his parents who return the look with ones of intense pride, their eyes shining as they take in the complete appearance of their child. Nodding in approval at their Son.
"It seems that Lillian was indeed correct in her assumptions."
Aldwyn tilts his head to the side, tucking his hair behind an ear (he would need to get used to having hair at such a length) and raising an eyebrow at Marvolo who merely drops a hand to his shoulder and squeezes. He glances to Severus whose eyes hadn't moved from their Son which brings a smile to Marvolo's face.
"I believe that your hairstyle and colour are indeed not from my side of the family; neither are your facial expressions it seems. That black rim around your eyes is not from me either. Your Prince features have indeed been unlocked and the Glamour you were forced under seems to have been broken. You are now the perfect mix of your Papa and I."
Aldwyn grins, bringing the mirror up to gaze at his eyes, he traces the small black rim around his iris before his eyes widen. He gapes at his reflection, free hand lifting up to feel the side of his face, behind his ears and across his face. Aldwyn glances around the floor and giggles excitedly when he finds what he had been looking for.
"What is it, Snakelet?"
Aldwyn focus his gaze on his Papa, one hand pointing towards his glasses on the floor before rubbing his eyes. He blinks rapidly staring up at his parents in wonderment as he tries very hard not to bounce to his feet and jump around.
"I can see! I can see perfectly without my glasses!"
Marvolo and Severus chuckle at their Son's digression and his antics, both nodding their heads in agreement as they each lay a hand on Aldwyn's shoulders looking down at their child with pride and love shining in their expressions. They hadn't really noticed the lack of glasses or rather hadn't remembered that Aldwyn as Harry Potter needed his glasses to see.
"I am guessing it is because Mother Magic and/or Salazar Slytherin decided to fix your eyesight for you during the Adoption, Snakelet, you shouldn't need your glasses at all from now on. Make sure you thank him the next time you see him."
"I will. It is one less thing tying me to Harry Potter. I really am Aldwyn Salazar Slytherin now, I really am your Son!"
Marvolo lifts Aldwyn up, bringing the child back to his position between himself and Severus, hugging him tightly to his side while Severus wraps his arm around the child's back.
"You were always our Son, Aldwyn. Nothing was going to change that, Snakelet. You are mine and Severus' perfect little boy and you always will be."
Aldwyn melts into his parents' embrace, loving that fact that he was now surrounded by people who loved him and wanted him around. He wraps his arms around the ones trapping him and sighs in contentment loving the warmth encompassing him. Aldwyn glances up eyes catching sight of Draco who smiles over at him, he returns the gesture before a thought occurs to him. He sits up a little, or as much as Severus and Marvolo would allow him to, and stares at the Malfoy's in turn.
"Oh! You never told me what roles Father gave you during the ritual."
Aldwyn exclaims, voice rising a decibel as he collapses back against his parent's chests, he has a feeling that they were going to be very cuddly and protective of him from now on, but he wasn't complaining. It meant that they cared enough about him to not want him getting hurt or being put in harms way. It made warmth explode through his chest. Lucius clears his throat and Aldwyn frowns when he catches the slight red rim around his blue-grey eyes, the Malfoy patriarch had been crying.
"I was asked to be your Godfather."
Lucius answers with a small smile, his voice a little hoarse as Aldwyn reaches forward and happily pulls him into a hug and embrace which Narcissa is quick to join as she settles down next to her husband. She places a gentle kiss to Aldwyn's cheek.
"I was asked to be your Godmother."
Nodding his head, Aldwyn turns his gaze to Draco who is now seated in front of him his hands held out in offering as he waits for Aldwyn to take hold, which he does after a moment. However, just as Draco is opening his mouth to respond, his friend tugs him into the group hug, wrapping his arms around Draco's shoulders while Draco's wrap around his waist.
"I was asked to be your friend and companion; to stay by your side no matter what. Your Father said that he entrusted your safety to me, Godbrother."
Aldwyn can feel the tell-tale signs of tears as his eyes begin to sting and his throat closes up to prevent a sob of pure joy from escaping. He takes a deep breath before his tears begin to spill down his cheeks. Pulling Draco into a tighter embrace, Aldwyn laughs through his tears as he wraps his arms around Draco's neck, burying his face in the other's shoulder. Tears roll rapidly down his cheeks when he feels strong arms wrapping around his waist, squeezing him comfortingly in return. Aldwyn laughs louder, never had he felt so happy; never had he felt so loved and now he had an entirely new family who would love him unconditionally and a best friend and brother who had promised so much to him.
"I love you all so much. I can never begin to thank you enough for all you have done for me in such a short period of time. I don't even know how I could ever repay you."
His tears spill faster down his cheeks his face splitting into a wider grin as he slowly extracts himself from Draco's grip. He takes a deep breath before he finds himself being enclosed in another, equally as tight, embrace between Severus and Marvolo.
"We love you just as much, Snakelet. Never forget that."
Severus drags a hand through Aldwyn's hair, kissing his head as he tightens his grip around his Son, ensuring not to hurt Aldwyn as his own emotions threaten to overwhelm his system.
"You don't have to repay us, Son. We all love you as well. Besides you have given all of us something much more precious than anything else we could have wished for. Some more special than some material objects we could purchase."
Aldwyn glances up at his Father a question gleaming deep in his speckled eyes. Marvolo places a soft kiss to his forehead, smiling down at Aldwyn before gently brushing some of his tears away.
"Your Love. Aldwyn, you love each of us unconditionally, no matter what we may have done previously and that is the most precious gift of all."
Severus chuckles as he opens the doors to his potion's lab allowing Aldwyn to whizz past him arms spread wide as he spins around taking in the grandeur of the dank dungeon like room. Large glass jars line the walls holding various potion ingredients, some of indescribable parts while others resemble body parts of animals or humans, Aldwyn isn't too sure but he marvels them all the same. Marvolo steps through the door a second later, hand brushing casually against Severus' waist in teasing as he walks over to his Son.
As soon as they had all finished conversing in the ritual room, Marvolo had asked Aldwyn if there was anything he had wanted to do for the rest of the day and he had been pleasantly surprised when Avada eyes had pleaded with him if they could practise brewing some potions with his Papa. One glance at Severus' ecstatic face had made his mind up before he had considered it. Besides, Aldwyn squeal of delight had been worth it.
Aldwyn runs over to one of the potion benches, struggling to climb up onto one of high stools, eyes sparkling in anticipation as he watches impatiently for Severus to close the door and for his parents to make their way over to him. He bounces in his seat, body vibrating at getting the chance to spend some quality time with his Papa and Father over something he knew they both enjoyed. He watches as Severus pulls a 'Potions for Beginners' tome from one of the many bookshelves, slim potion stained fingers sifting through the pages eyes scanning the potions for something in particular.
"Aha, I think this one should be fine. What do you say, Aldwyn? Do you think you can manage this one?"
Severus questions, placing the book on top of the table sliding it over so Aldwyn can read the ingredients list, methodology and short description of what the potion would do once brewed correctly. Aldwyn's eyes scan the page lighting in recognition at the brewing instructions, he glances up at Severus with an eager expression.
"We learnt this potion last year, didn't we?"
Severus nods his head, ruffling Aldwyn's hair in silent praise.
"Would you like to gather the ingredients you are going to need from the potions store? Your Father and I are going to be just a little ways down working on some potions for the infirmary."
Aldwyn jumps down from his stool almost tripping in his haste to gather his ingredients, in a second, he is back and Marvolo shakes his head in exasperated fondness when Aldwyn quickly grabs the book and scampers off. Severus chuckles,
"He reminds me of myself when I was first beginning to understand the arts of potions, so eager to learn and prove that I could do it."
Marvolo nods his head, wrapping an arm around Severus' waist to lead him towards their own brewing station.
"I believe the ritual may have unlocked some hidden passions our Son possesses as well. He certainly seems more interested in potions than he did before."
"That may have been my own fault. He could have had this passion when he started Hogwarts, but I fear I may have squashed it to dust during his first lesson. I was not the nicest professor to the Gryffindor students but Aldwyn received the brute of my distain."
Marvolo turns Severus to face him, placing a hand under his chin to guide him into looking up into his eyes, he smiles gently at the potion master and can't resist placing a soft, chaste kiss to his pouting lips. Marvolo raises his other hand and strokes Severus' cheek with the back of his fingers.
"I do believe you underestimate our Son's capacity to forgive one so deserving, Sev. Aldwyn doesn't hold your behaviour towards him against you, he has forgiven you for it and is proud to call you his Papa. He loves you dearly Severus and I can't say that I blame him. You are wonderful with him. Severus, my love, don't sell yourself short. You are here for him now and you can teach him everything he could possible wish to know about Potions."
Severus kisses Marvolo back, a subtle lips before they are broken apart by Aldwyn running back across the laboratory arms ladled down with all the ingredients his potion requires. They watch in silence as Aldwyn carefully fills his cauldron with water, setting the heat on a low boil before he gazes down at the text carefully reading over the steps before nodding to himself. Severus smiles gently at Aldwyn.
Aldwyn remains unaware of his Father and Papa watching as he picks up the wormwood and using all his strength slowly begins to crush it into a fine powder. As soon as he hears the water beginning to boil gently, Aldwyn tucks his hair behind his ear trying to keep it out of his face as he adds the crushed concoction to his cauldron before stirring slowly anticlockwise. He chops the Valarian into thin 3mm strips trying to get them as equal as possible before he drops them into the cauldron as well. He turns the heat on high and watches in satisfaction as the potion turns a soft brown.
Sighing, Aldwyn tucks his hair back behind his ear wishing he had a band to tie it back with so it wouldn't keep obstructing his vision. Glancing down at the brewing instructions again, Aldwyn grimaces as he picks up his Flobberworm, juicing it until he has two measures of its mucus. Shivering at the feeling of the slim in his hands, Aldwyn is quick to drop it into the bubbling liquid before he vigorously stirs it mindful not to spill any on the work top. He turns the heat back down to low and stirs the potion again.
Picking up a separate knife to the one he had used to chop his Valarian, Aldwyn chop the Sopophorous bean into quarters and drops that into the cauldron just at it turns a vivid shade of green. He stirs the mixture clockwise quickly, giggling when small sparks crackle in their air around him, it hadn't done that last time he had attempted to brew the potion. He drips the stirring rod once he had finished and is about to tuck his hair back behind his ear when a pair of hands carefully drag through his hair.
Startling, Aldwyn quickly glances over his shoulder to see Severus standing behind him, a gently smile on his lips as he gazes down at his Son. He gestures towards the ingredients, not wishing for his Son's potion to become unusable because he had been distracted by his Papa's actions. He watches as Aldwyn adds his asphodel petters to his mortar and grinds them into a fine powers.
While Aldwyn is adding the newly powdered asphodel petals and a dash of essences of nettle to his cauldron Severus cards his hands through Aldwyn's hair, dragging it back and securing it to the base of his neck with one of his own leather hair ties. He checks the tightness of the band ensuring that it wasn't tight enough to pull Aldwyn's hair uncomfortably but tight enough to secure his hair out of his face. Smiling he places a gently kiss to Aldwyn's head, resting his hands on the boy's shoulders as he stands content in watching Aldwyn finishes the last steps of his potion.
Aldwyn rises the heat once again, stirring slowly clockwise this time before waving his wand over the cauldron to finish it off. Smiling at the purple liquid, Aldwyn turns the heat off completely and, grabbing some dragon hide gloves lifts the bubbling cauldron off the heat to allow it to cool down before he can bottle it up. He glances over his shoulder, grin widening when he sees Severus and Marvolo both standing behind him watching as he works. He raises a hand up to his head stroking a hand carefully over his hair.
"I thought it would be easier to brew if your hair was tied back."
"Thank you, Papa."
"You are most welcome, Snakelet. If you wish we could always cut it back to how you had it before, so it won't keep bothering you."
Aldwyn shakes his hair, giggling when his hair tickles the back of his neck, he tilts his head back leaning against Severus' chest.
"No, I like my hair like this. I will just have to buy my own hair tie so I can keep brewing with you, Papa."
"You can have this one, it was one of the ones Marvolo gave me when I first joined his ranks back when I was just seventeen."
Severus smiles, jumping a little when arms drape around his neck, hooking together over his abdomen. Glancing over his shoulder, Severus isn't surprised to see Marvolo's smirking face as Aldwyn giggles at the paling of his Papa's face.
"Why Severus, I didn't know you cared about me even back then. I am flattered that you kept my gift."
"Of course, I did, Marvolo. When the Dark Lord presents you with a personalised, hand-crafted gift you make sure you treasure it. I was delighted and surprised when you informed me that you had not only made the bands yourself but also charmed them to withstand any potion fumes. I have kept them with me ever since."
Severus responds with a teasing smirk of his own and Aldwyn can't help but notice for the first time that his Papa's hair was tied back with a leather band much like the one he had put in Aldwyn's hair. He gingerly runs a finger over the tie looking up at his parents.
"I can't take this if it is so special to you Papa. Father did make it specially for you."
"He did, Snakelet and I would like for you to have one of them. Not only would it never disintegrate or corrode away from the potions fumes we will most likely be brewing in the future but I will not allow you to dip into your trust fund to purchase a tie when I could have provided you with one."
Aldwyn smiles sheepishly, not used to being mothered by anyone but he likes the feeling that washes over him at Severus' firm voice. He nods his head, hugging his Papa relenting to keeping the leather hair band, he grins knowing that he was going to treasure it. It was essentially his first, real present from someone who hadn't been obliged to gift it to him because they had to. Severus had wanted to give it to him.
"Thank you, Papa. I will treasure it."
"I know you will, Snakelet. Now, how about we check this potion hmmm?"
It is dark. That's the first coherent thought to enter into Aldwyn's clouded mind. Completely pitch black and he doesn't like it. It preludes his vision every which way making it virtually impossible for him to verify his location, making it difficult for his muddled mind to figure out how on Mother Earth did he manage to get wherever it was he is. Especially since the last thing he remembers is the comforts of his Father's bedroom, the strong arms which were wrapped around his small body from both sides before he slept.
What was more disconcerting, is the immense pain which is coursing through his body; sharp shooting pains running mercilessly through the back of his head, the feeling of his body being set on fire. Panic begins to settle in as Aldwyn tries to calm himself down, his muscles clenching painfully as fiery needles continue to assault his already exhausted body. He hadn't felt this bad since the beginning of Summer.
Suddenly a small crack of light appears along the floor as if spilling in from under a small door, his eyes squint as they try to focus, blinking rapidly behind wire-framed glasses in the now dimly lit room if it could even be named as such.
Heart fluttering to an almost grinding halt in his chest before it begins to beat at an alarmingly rapid pace as green eyes flicker hesitantly around the enclosed space. A small crib-like structure sits innocently against the far wall, holey blankets lie scrunched up on the blood stained, filthy mattress; a small shelf of cleaning supplies sits just above where a pillow should have been. Tiny soldiers, horses, broken crayons and other discarded and broken toys litter the available space; a childish sign hanging proudly on the back of the door declaring the small space to be 'Harry's Room.'
Aldwyn almost sobs out of despair as his surroundings quickly become the all too familiar layout of his first bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs. Seconds pass: seconds where Aldwyn tries to gather his jumbled thoughts, get his breathing under control when he recognises the sounds of his overly large cousin jumping up and down on top of the stairs surface, directly above his head. His movements causing plaster, sawdust and an assortment of insects to rain down upon the young boy as the darkness continues to impair his vision.
He feels the small ticklish legs of spiders crawling across his arms, legs and face though he does his best to ignore them as he is almost certain they are attempting to make themselves at home upon his unwashed body, weaving their webs within his birds-nest hair.
Aldwyn feels his eleven years as he listens to his cousin's cruel laughter seeming to penetrate the creaking floors of the staircase louder than he remembers, taunting Aldwyn as a foreboding shiver travels down his spine, though he still has to wonder how the whale had not yet fallen through the floor. Though he was also glad he hadn't, no doubt he would be blamed for the incident.
Bringing his small bony knees as close to his chest as he can, Aldwyn wraps his stick-like arms around them before resting his chin on top his knees. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly. An impending sense of dread washes over the small wizard filling his chest so much that it is almost painful, pulling uncomfortably as he shivers more insistently. Aldwyn tries to convince himself that nothing is amiss, that everything he is witnessing is just a bad dream; that he is still safe in bed, at Riddle Manor, with his Papa and Father sleeping right beside himself. He will wake up soon and be surrounded by that warmth, that feeling of love and safety he had come to adore.
His inner thoughts are broken when the banging above his head abruptly stops, small footsteps scurrying back up the stairs and Aldwyn tracks them. Listening until they stop in what he presumes is Dudley's first bedroom. He tenses again, however when the sound of newer, additional footsteps lumber down the stairs at an uneven pace, the rickety stairwell creaking under the increase of weight making Aldwyn's breath accelerate. His eyes widen in terror as the footsteps travel down the hallway, stopping directly outside his cupboard door. He shakes his head in denial.
Aldwyn feels his body seize completely, he can't move, can't speak and really can't comprehend any of what is happening around himself. He barely recognises the sounds of the deadbolt pulling back nor does he hear the small cupboard door being thrown open, the sounds echoing down the empty hallway. All the young wizard can do it clutch his hands to his ears, crossing his arms desperately over his face trying to ward off any unwanted violence; his voice breaking the unbearable silence as he peeks out from behind his protective wall at the red face of his uncle.
"Please, please don't! I'll be good, I'll be good, I promise!"
"Now you little freak, you are going to get what you deserve for going to that freakish school of yours!"
The only thing which breaks Aldwyn out of his fear-stricken thoughts is when his small frame is unceremoniously thrown onto the floor of Dudley's second bedroom. He doesn't even recall how he had gotten here, how his Uncle had dragged him up the stairs. He can't fight back when he feels a large meaty hand viciously grabbing his own, dragging him across the floor before he feels a sharp piece of rope being secured around his wrists. Being tied much too tight until they are bound above his head, just like they had been several times previously.
The ropes burn, cutting into the delicate flesh of his wrists as Aldwyn fights as hard as he can to break free of his restraints, adrenaline forcing his movements to become almost frantic. Unwillingly, tears spring to his emerald eyes as he twists his body around as much as his binds allow, until he meets the looming form of his uncle standing above him. A vindictive smile shaping his features causing Aldwyn to swallow thickly.
Vernon sneers down at the boy he has bound, watching in delight as the child trembles on the floor by his feet, a long brown leather belt held loosely in his overly large hands. As he places a well-aimed kick towards the child's abdomen causing the young boy to cry out in pain, unable to withhold the noise.
"So, you think you can run away, do you?"
His uncles voice, devoid of every emotion but loathing breaks through the room, speaking over Aldwyn's whimpers of pain without a care. Vernon places another solid kick to Aldwyn's ribs making them shift painfully, straining under the immense pressure.
"Do you really think that you would deserve to be loved? To have a family?"
This time Vernon tightens his grip on the belt, bringing it down in an experimental arch before it slashes painfully against Aldwyn's thinly covered back. The sickening sound of leather hitting skin pulling a disturbed smile form the overweight man as he grins down at the defenceless child trembling on the floor at his feet completely at his mercy.
"You are nothing but a Freak! Freaks don't deserve clothes, don't deserve food, don't deserve a family."
His uncle mercilessly brings the belt down once more, raining slash upon slash against the red back and chest of Aldwyn, tears now streaming down the boy's face as his hand continue pulling desperately at the robes binding him under his uncle's ministrations.
"You burden my family with your freakish nature and then run off with those other freaks? Have the torture my perfectly normal family because we gave you exactly what you deserve."
Another slash catches Aldwyn's ribs drawing a loud, pain-filled scream from cracked lips, his hands, by now, red raw; the skin being torn viciously away by the tight ropes, his clothing lying in tatters around his shivering form. Welt, cuts and bruises can be seen littering his small chest and back, along with the skin of his upper arms as he tries his best to protect himself from his uncle's anger. The tears streaming down in rapid succession mixes with the blood on his chest as they drip to the floor.
He feels so cold, so alone; the darkness once again closing in around him, surrounding him as his uncle's malicious laughter fills the now pitch-black space. His mouth forming words that won't reach his own ears, but he knows he is pleading, trying desperately to stop the tirade of abuse he can feel raining down upon his already broken form.
"Papa, Father, please."
Severus wakes with a start, his years of working as a spy for his Lord and subsequently Dumbledore having taught him to wake up at the smallest indication of distress. He had become an extremely light sleeper as a result. Casting a quick Tempus, he blinks rapidly as the bright red glowing figures appear in front of him informing him that it is just 06:39 in the morning. A time he realises he would never usually wake up at meaning that something else had drawn him from his slumber. A noise or movement within the room.
Deciding to lie still for a moment, Severus strains his senses and immediately feels the tell-tale signs of people lying in the bed with him, both still sleeping if the even breathing is any indication. He smiles. The events of the previous evening fluttering through his mind reminding him that he finally had the family he had been craving for since he was a young child.
Marvolo had not only asked him to become Aldwyn's Papa but had also shown him evidence that he had been the boy's biological Father from the very beginning. He had a Son who he could love, cherish and protect, just like he had always dreamt. Thinking of Aldwyn, Severus slowly and carefully pushes himself to sit up, trying to not wake the members of his family. He glances down at the small figure tucked safely between Marvolo and himself a frown quickly tugging his lips.
Aldwyn is fidgeting in his sleep, his eyebrows furrowing as his eyes seem to flicker behind closed eyelids as if searching for something. His fists are clenching in the duvet a Severus instantly knows that something is wrong.
Continuing to watch his Son carefully Severus feels his heart clench as Aldwyn curls in on himself his breathing picking up as his small, frail frame begins to shake in what Severus assumes to be fear. Becoming alarmed that Aldwyn is trapped within a destressing nightmare, Severus quickly flicks on the bedside lamp earning a quiet protest from his bedfellow. He watches anxiously, his gaze flickering between Marvolo and Aldwyn as Marvolo's brown eyes slowly open letting his sight adjust to the sudden light before he too pulls himself up.
Glancing around the room trying to disconcert the reason behind his early waking, Marvolo locks gazes with Severus and offers his partner a tired smile which is returned instantly if a little stiff which Marvolo doesn't fail to notice. He studies Severus for a moment longer.
"My dear Sev, are you alright?"
The potion master nods his head silently, reaching a hand across the bed slowly he tucks a soft strand of hair behind Marvolo's ear before squeezing his hand asking for a small amount of comfort as he flickers his eyes back down towards Aldwyn who is now shifting and whimpering softly in his sleep. Following the other's concerned gaze, Marvolo frowns at his Son's slight thrashing and the small terrified whimpers now reaching his ears as he catches sight of Aldwyn's tearstained face, his features the perfect picture of pain and horror.
Turning his head to Severus once more, Marvolo is surprised to see his eyes wide, face paler than usual and panic-stricken. Marvolo shifts over, pulling himself and Severus closer to their son, offering him as much comfort as they could while his free hand settles on top of Aldwyn's head, stroking his soft midnight locks away from his sweat soaked forehead. His eyes narrow in concern when a terrified scream break free of his son's lips resulting in Severus tightening his grip on his hand.
"No, please… I'm sorry."
Aldwyn's words are soft a stark contrast to his scream of pain but his voice is no less pain-ridden, no less hoarse as he continues to plead with his tormentor, thrashing further as he pulls his trembling hands towards his chest in what Marvolo assumes to be a defensive manoeuvre to ward of further attacks.
"Freaks don't deserve a family… don't deserve to be loved…"
Aldwyn's words sound defeated to his Parents, their hearts tugging painfully as they watch their Son wondering the best way to extract him from his nightmare. The defeated tone of Aldwyn's speech brings tears to Severus' eyes, he could remember feeling so resigned in the fact that he would never find a place for him to belong, that he would never find people who would care for him.
"Snakelet?"
Aldwyn's soft murmurs halt for a moment, his violent thrashing calming down as his eyes flutter more rapidly behind his eyelids searching the darkness surrounding him looking for the source of the voice calling out to him.
"Snakelet? Wake up for me little one."
Marvolo cards a shaking hand through his Son's hair, once, twice, thrice trying to coax a reaction from his still sleeping child. He releases a deep breath he didn't know he had been holding when Aldwyn subconsciously leans into the gently touch instead of flinching away as he had first feared. Maybe they were closer to waking him than he had thought.
"Come on, Little one. You are home; you are safe."
Severus watches Marvolo in awe for a few seconds longer before he too reaches out slowly. He wraps a hand around Aldwyn's shaking and still clenched fists, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles across the taunt, white knuckles, his voice soft and gentle matching Marvolo's own perfectly.
"Please Snakelet, I need you to wake up for us."
Aldwyn's parents watch as their son's eyes flicker some more, fighting to open his eyes, to rid himself of his tormentor but the nightmare holds tight forcing him to relive what they assume to be some of his worse memories of his life with the Muggles. They renew their efforts, carding hands through Aldwyn's hair, rubbing his back and sides soothingly trying to reach their terrified Son, attempting to pull him away from his night terrors.
"Aldwyn, my Son. Please wake up. Father and Papa are right here with you, no one is going to hurt you anymore. You are loved little one, so loved. Come back to us."
Marvolo's breath catches in his throat at the thick emotions coating Severus' voice as he leans over Aldwyn's prone form, muttering softly into his ear. He startles to notice silent tears running down his partner's cheeks as he tries to coax their Son into awakening. His heart swells with appreciation for the man and he squeezes his hand.
"Please Aldwyn, our precious little boy. Our beautiful child, you are so loved. Wake up now, Snakelet."
Bright green eyes peel open slowly, blinking rapidly at the bright light filling the room, he glances around his surroundings before focusing on the worried faces of his parents. Fresh tears spill down his cheeks as he looks from Severus to Marvolo, a sob forcing its way past his lips. They were still here with him; they hadn't left him; hadn't given him back to the Dursleys.
Another sob falls from his lips as he feels a warm hand carding through his hair comfortingly while another strokes the back of his knuckles just outside his range of vision. Looking up Aldwyn sniffles trying to stop his tears offering a shy smile to his Father and Papa.
"I'm sorry."
Aldwyn winces at how hoarse his voice sounds and how much his throat hurts as he manages to choke his words out. He wonders just how loud he had been to wake both his parents up in the early hours of the morning. Closing his eyes in pain he waits for the berating he is sure he is going to receive now.
"Whatever are you apologising for, Snakelet? You have done absolutely nothing wrong."
Marvolo's voice is barely above a whisper as he guides Aldwyn to sit up, resting him back against the headboard as he tucks the covers around his legs. He wraps an arm around his Son's still shaking form pulling Aldwyn tightly into his side.
"But I woke you up. The Dursley's never like it when I woke them up, Vernon would always shout at me and hurt me. I'm sorry."
Despite his timid voice and hesitant body language Aldwyn still leans into his Father's warmth tightening his grip on Severus' hand. He is quick to pull his Papa close to his other side. Aldwyn sighs in contentment as the three of them sit silently for a moments basking in the affection cloaking them; Aldwyn sandwiched between his parents.
"You will never have to apologise for having a nightmare, Son. If you ever need us, morning or night then you are more than welcome to come and find us. We are here for you, Snakelet."
Aldwyn looks frantically between his parents looking as if he were trying to convince himself of the truth behind Severus' statement, it isn't that he didn't believe his Papa, but he had never been allowed to just disturb anyone because of a simple nightmare before. He opens his mouth to protest but before he can utter a single sound Severus cuts him off, voice firm but gentle.
"Even if you have to wake one or both of us up. This is what we are here for Aldwyn, your Father and I are here to help you, care for you and love you. Do you know why?"
Aldwyn shakes his head, mouth hanging open in surprise. He wonders how Severus had known exactly what he had been thinking. His eyes widen in incomprehension as his Papa uncertainty shining in his eyes, body subconsciously leaning into his parent's embrace as he glances from Severus to Marvolo.
"It is because we love you unconditionally, Aldwyn. You are our whole world and we would be devastated if something were to happen to you. We are nothing like those despicable Muggles who called themselves your family. We are your family and you are never going to have to deal with something like this again on your own. You have Lucius and Narcissa who care for you deeply, and young Draco who I dare say is already highly fond of you."
Marvolo finished for Severus. Aldwyn blushes, ducking his head when his Father chuckles. He soon looks back up at Marvolo, then Severus, then back to Marvolo as tears once more fall from his eyes. Twisting around Aldwyn launches himself at the pair wrapping his arms around their necks face burying in their shoulders.
"I love you a lot as well Papa, Father."
Aldwyn laughs breathlessly when two sets of strong arms wrap around his small figure in return gathering him into their chests, holding him protectively as if to showcase their complete adoration for him. Aldwyn sighs happily nuzzling further into their embrace loving the feeling of acceptance bubbling in his chest.
"How are you feeling now, Snakelet?"
"Much better, thank you Papa."
"Do you feel like you may be able to get a little more sleep?"
Marvolo mutters dropping a kiss to Aldwyn's hair while Severus places one on his cheek, the young wizard giggle at their ministrations. He pulls back from their arms and turns back around settling his legs back under the covers. Aldwyn ponders the questions for a moment, hands slipping into his Father's and Papa before he nods his head.
"I think so. You will stay with me though? In case I have another nightmare?"
In answer, Severus and Marvolo slide down so they are lying under the duvet pulling Aldwyn with them as he grips their hands tightly. He giggles once more when Marvolo wraps an arm around his torso, hand curving around Severus' waist enough to pull the two of them into his chest. Severus responds by wrapping his arm around Marvolo's back, enclosing their Son between their bodies in a comforting hug. Snuggling down between his Parents, Aldwyn can feel his eyes slipping closed as the bedside lamp clicks off.