Chapter 6. Disclosures.

Severus had to admit to being a little amazed at how Chandos had mellowed over the years. He had found a peace that had always been denied him when he was working for the order years ago and he had apparently come into his own being the head of a family of three children and the head of his extended family of six other adults and four more children. And what children they were too. Elementals all of them although only LeAnn and Chandos were elementals as far as Severus knew of the adults. Each of the kids was smart and respectful although they could all turn mischievous at the drop of a hat. Each was willing to help the other with school work or house work or anything else that needed to be done. Each was a joy to be around unlike the children he had to teach. If his students were even half so willing as these were then he wouldn't be as bitter as he was. He was even getting along with Ice after the child had gotten over his fear of Snape returning him to his father. He was going to miss them all when he left for home tomorrow.

Dumbledore would not be happy with him either because he had not been successful in recruiting Chandos back into the order and although he had spent time with each of the children he could safely say that the elusive Potter was not one of them. Shadow might have been but Albus had assured the members of the order that the brat would always be recognizable from his scar so although this boy had the black, messy hair and green eyes he couldn't be The Boy Who Lived. No scar and besides, genetics would make him arrogant just like his father and Shadow was definitely not arrogant.

Still, although Severus had not achieved any of his objectives he couldn't count the trip as a waste of time. He had fun. He renewed old friendships and made new friends and he had garnered an invitation to visit again. For the first time in a long time he was looking forward to Christmas vacation.

After breakfast Shadow asked for and was granted permission to take his hawk out and do some flying. He promised to be home before lunch and to stay away from the park. After his promises were delivered he went outside with his red tailed hawk and changed into a beautiful golden Lammasu. The lion like grace of the animal left Snape breathless as he watched the two launch themselves into the air and wing out of sight.

"Wow, I've heard of them but never seen one. A Lammasu is it not? Snape asked Chandos. Before Chandos could answer Snape he was asked in rapid successions. "They have a natural magical immunity of some sort don't they? How did he develop a magical animagus form? Don't the feathers confer some sort of magical protection against evil?"

"Slow down my friend. Yes it's a Lammasu, yes they have some natural magical immunity and yes the feathers confer some magical protection but only if willingly given. And last but not least he has 5 magical forms and no, I'm not going to tell you what they all are. Ask him yourself." Chandos said.

Snapes jaw dropped. "F F Five magical forms? How is this possible?"

"Every wizard or witch has an animagus form. Some just aren't strong enough to access it but with an elemental for some reason they develop a magical form for each element they can master. They also have a normal animagus form which is nonmagical. Believe it or not that one's usually the hardest one for them to access." Chandos explained. "I myself have three magical forms plus my nonmagical one."

Snape snickered, "Three forms, then that means your son is stronger than you are magically doesn't it."

Chandos shook his head, "If you're trying to make me jealous don't bother. Every parent wants their children to be better than they are. I don't feel jealous of Shadow. I feel proud of him."

Snape's face took on a serious look, "You've done well with them all you know. You have a wonderful family here."

"It wasn't just my work you know? We all work together to keep our family strong. These children are a wonderful blessing to us. They remind us of the goodness in the world worth fighting for." Chandos said.

"If you feel that they are worth fighting for then why don't you fight anymore? Why turn your back on the one group that fights to keep darkness at bay? I know you share our values." Severus asked. He really was confused by Chandos refusal to return to the order. "I know that Albus hurt you in the past. He made a serious mistake with your family but it was a mistake. Will you hold that against him to the point of turning your back on the one force that can stop the evil of the Dark Lord?"

"How to explain…" Chandos sighed, "It's not so much the mistakes he made with my family, and it's his total disregard for human life and dignity. He puts on a good act but that's all it is…an act. He is willing to use you till you have nothing more to give and then when your used up its all 'For the Greater Good', His intentions were in the right place in the beginning but now I feel that he is as much a problem as Tom Riddle, perhaps even more so because how do you fight someone who is believed to be so good. Dumbledore lost his humanity long ago and I for one will not sacrifice my family to his great ego."

"I don't quite understand how you can believe that about Albus." Snape said.

"Think about this for a moment. He knew that Tom was abused in the orphanage he lived in and yet he allowed it to continue. He knew that Rubeus Hagrid was innocent of opening the Chambers of Secrets and yet he allowed him to take the fall for it. He knew your parents were abusive and yet he never interfered with them. He knows that Fudge is corrupt and he allows him to continue to take bribes from known Death Eaters. Here's something else he does. He takes 10 of the student fees paid for tuition and uses it to fund his war. He has allowed three families that I know of to die just so he could get his hands on their Gringotts accounts to fund his war. A war that should have never happened and would have never happened if he would have helped a young boy who was being abused about 50 years ago. When you get home look up some of the laws that were passed after he was elected Chief Warlock on the Wizengamot and look to the changes in the curriculum of Hogwarts. He's crippling the wizarding community by allowing laws to be passed that limit the freedoms of half bloods and by refusing to allow the children to develop their true potential. It wasn't until he became headmaster that children had to buy their wands from Ollivander's which are monitored I might add and what's this shit about them not being allowed to practice over the summer? He puts out that the kids need to have a break from study but the truth of the matter is that as their powers develop they need to constantly use them or they don't become as strong as they have the potential to become. It antropies away without constant use during their magical growth years, and for normal children those years are from 10 to 16 years old." Chandos looked bitter as he finished his rant and Snape looked dumbfounded.

"Surly you must be mistaken…Someone would have caught onto some of this before if you were correct." Snape could not believe what he had been told. "Where did you get this information Chandos. I need proof before I can credit it."

"If you question him just remember he is a master of the memory charms." Chandos rubbed his eyes tiredly, "I did a lot of research. Most of it wasn't easy but the sources are there if you dig hard enough or deep enough."

(Riddle Manor)

Voldermort looked around the manor. It was filthy but until he could build up his powerbase again it would have to do. Perhaps he would use some of his Death Eaters to clean. It would be a good lesson in humility for those worthless dolts who could not find even one young boy for him. Voldermort snickered. He would take a line from his potion master for a suitable detention for their failure. Something to damage their pride without doing to much damage to their bodies. Yesss. With that last thought he conjured up several toothbrushes and a whip then he summoned about half his death eaters to a meeting.

After his followers apperated in and greeted him they knelt down in front of him awaiting instructions. "Who has found me information about the boy?" He waited in silence for an answer and when none was forthcoming he shouted; "Fools, all of you are fools. Do any of my followers have any information of Dumbledores plans? What of the Order of the Phoenix? Has it been recalled?" Still no answers. "Lucius my pet, I believe that you can all use a little bit of incentive to do your jobs so here is what you will all do. Strip down to your undergarments then all except my pet here will take up a toothbrush and begin cleaning. If Lucius does not think you are giving me your best effort then he will use the whip on you. After you are done cleaning to Lucius' satisfaction I will inspect this room and if it is not done to my satisfaction then the rest of you will use the whip on Lucius. This is the last time I will show you mercy. The next time I call you I had better have results or I will kill one of you."