Hi guys
Welcome back to
The Last Heir
Checks reviews, sputters in shock and swoons only to be revived by a grumpy Severus who then hands her a cup of tea makes sure the author is seated this time and glides back into the shadows
Holy reviews, alerts and favorites Batman!
Special thanks go out to viola1701e who granted this story its 15th review
I own nothing you might recognize beyond the idea for the plot twists, the world belongs to Glitter I'm just allowed to wander through and cause a little chaos
Now with the formalities concluded I bring you
Chapter 3.New Beginnings
Skydancinghobbit
Put it down,. We mustn't touch what isn't ours
As his luggage was stowed and the first warning whistle of the train blew Severus stepped inside the open door he encountered. Noise rushed out at him, happy voices, the hoots of owls. Leave taking of parents or younger siblings and the occasional loud sniffle of a few ones who had not reached the age acceptable for the start of their journey. He carefully threaded his way toward the empty hall beyond, grateful beyond measure for the silver walking stick he carried. It did its service by gently nudging those whom he wished to move Thankfully they seemed to realize that a request to the same end would never be properly heard in the dim and had stepped aside or into their cars as he passed with a smile. A gentlemen never rushed, his uncle had said but the roar of sound nearly over-rid his lessons in the quest for a moments peace.
As he gained the next car a sigh escaped his lips as the din behind was muted by the closed door, A soft chuckle sounded to he right and he turned to see the unmistakable golden hair of a Malfoy leaning again a car frame.
"It does get easier, the noise I mean. You must be, Severus Prince?"
Though phrased as a question both boys knew it was mere confirmation of social standing as other heads poked from their doors in interest. Older students curious about the new arrival no doubt. He drew a quiet breath unused to the sudden onslaught of attention. Unaware that in his black robes silver walking stick and ravens he struck a memorable picture,
"Yes I am, and you're?"
"Malfoy Lucius Malfoy"
Accepting the hand offered Severus nodded, taking note of the green and silver tie and prefects badge. Each young man had sat under lessons of the other great houses. Their lines their members and most importantly their connections. School was just another way to network in some sense and they all came well aware of that. The other students seeing nothing of note going on soon returned to their affairs behind closed doors, visiting friends swapping stories or in a the same of a car by the end, a firm game of exploding Snap.
"So your a first year?"
"Yes"
"If you require aid don't hesitate to ask Prince"
He blinked in surprise the sentiment was certainly appreciated but unlooked for, to find an acquaintance so soon made the prospect of reaching school somehow, better, he would at least recognize one face among the throng. He'd be a fool to disregard the offer.
"I'll do that, and Malfoy? Please call me Severus"
A considering nod was the only answer as the older boy left to help sort through the young students leaving Severus alone with his thoughts. Dagger cawed gently fluttering off the stick to fly down the hall jolting him from his musings.
"Dagger you daft sneak get back here!"
The bird paid him no mind whatsoever landing on the windowed frame of the second to last car and rapping on the glass with all the force of the woodpecker after prey in a tree. The reaction was swift. Whomever was inside threw the door open with such force it almost rattled
"Who in blazes is beating on this blasted door?!"
Severus winced, the voice was rough tired and certainly irritated as if the person behind it had been rudely awakened by his birds antics. Saying a quick prayer he wouldn't later regret the feather balls actions he approached.
"Sorry its my feather brained bird, he got away from me".
As if to claim attention and praise for this fact the bird in question let out a pleased caw and a tired chuckle answered. The muttered comment would have been missed unless someone had been paying very close attention.
"Brave ball of feathers that one"
Severus glanced inside and blinked in surprise. A boy not much younger than he leaned against the backrest looking as if he'd spent the last week without sleep or proper meals wearing a threadbare sweater and jeans. A girl with a cascade of red head sat across from him apparently picking up the blanket he'd dropped jumping up in fright.
"I'm sorry to wake you, I'm Severus the dunderheaded ball of feathers is dagger the well behavior one on my shoulder is his brother cloak"
The boy looked surprised at the offered hand as if no one had ever done such a thing in his life before. Slowly however he reached out, taking his in return a timid smile touching his lips
"I'm Remus, nice to meet you Sorry about shouting I'm grumpy when someone wakes me suddenly like that"
The girl rolled her eyes and moved over a seat and patted the one next to her..
"Anyone else would have done the same Silly bird gave us both quite the start. I'm Lily would you like to join us? I think we're starting soon!"
"Sure!"
Almost on cue the train gave a lurch and he scrambled into the car laughing with the other two as they shut the door behind him there was a funny warm feeling in his chest as they teased him as he got settled and cloak landed on Lily knee content it seemed to stay there for the moment.
"Nearly missed the boat there Severus!"
"Almost but it was a train so, perhaps that was In my favor"
Laughter rang out again and the funny warm stayed in the pit of his stomach to these two he wasn't prince the lordling of the manor and last of a dying house he was just Severus and for some reason that felt good.
"Here, hold still a moment Severus, there's something in your hair"
He froze as the scent of raspberry invaded his nose as the red head moved closer to pluck something out his hair which had come loose from its short cue in the scramble to get in. She withdrew quickly and held up two loose feathers with a smile.
"Here,,,,he's your familiar so I think these are yours."
Severus was quiet for a long moment just looking at the two, a lesson his uncle taught him ringing in his ears as the covenant within gave a nudge to his thoughts and he could almost smell the applewood logs of the great room fireplace where they often chatted.
"Severus my boy these ravens are far smarter than any mere bird, its said that if you follow them they can lead you to your fate, so listen well my boy there are many kinds of bonds in the world beyond that of your bespoke one., a feather is the greatest gift of the birds, once bestowed they are a token of friendship that can only be removed if the bond created is broken. If given in trust the people around you are worthy of your friendship regardless of their status in the magical world, trust your ravens"
Blinking back to the present he ran a hand through his hair, and smiled at the two friends who now looked a little worried and embarrassed warmth rushed into his cheeks.
"Sorry just lost in thought, as to the feathers, there part of an old legend in my family its, silly I just got lost remembering it when you held them up is all"
"Oh that sounds interesting please tell me! Or us Severus you must come from one of those old wizarding families! Remus was just explaining before his nap….there are...20….24?"
"Originally there were 28 known as the sacred 28 and well you sure you want to, I mean, you won't laugh?"
He was surprised by the gentle hand that reached out to take his.
"We'd never do that Severus, I'm just surprised you want to hang out with us at all. I didn't even know the magical world existed at all before my letter appeared frightened my sister half to death I can tell you"
Severus took a breath and closed his eyes and reached out to the family magic attempting to ask if this was wise or even necessary information to give. The response was a wave of emotion that would have knocked him sideways if he'd been standing, truth in its purest form welled up from his being. He raised lily's chin gently where she'd dropped it in shame at the admission with a gentle finger.
"That doesn't matter me at all Lily. Your my friends now if you want to be that is muggle or not same for you Remus, the family magic is never wrong."
"Really?"
Glancing over Severus saw the glitter of tears in the boys eyes, the nearly desperate tone he 'd uttered the single word was almost heartbreaking.
"Yes Remus..., and after I hold the feather out to it, if you accept them a bond of friendship will form, that if you want it to can last our entire lives, at least that;s what my grand uncle says, but he's been dead for nearly 100 years so who knows"
Lily frowned deeply and his heart sank to his boots for a moment until he realized the foolishness of jumping to the wrong conclusions as she was only commented on his phrasing not on the offer. Seeing the look on his face she suddenly gasped and rushed to reassure her friend in typical lily fashion.
"Wait if he's dead then how?….never mind I don't even want to know the magical world is just weird sometimes"
"But of course I'll be your friend Severus! Why wouldn't I? Your so different then anyone else I know!"
He barked out a laugh at her description.
"Well thank goodness for that then Remus?"
The boy scrambled off the seat and eagerly held out his hand the expression of timid joy wiping the exhaustion from his face and the tired brown eyes now held a sparkle that made him look like the boy he should be.
"Of course! If you want me I'll be your friend! I'm just as different as anyone else is!"
Severus then accepted the feather and picked up his ebony wand flicking it and muttered the words he's uncle taught him and a warmth flowed through his fingers like he'd just sunk into a hot bath on a frigid winters day and the feather gave a slight silvery glow in the light as he held them out a full smile tugging at his lips. Two sets of eager hands shot out and grabbed them the minute he nodded. Lily gasped as she pulled it against her almost hugging the feather in her joy. Remus had such a tight grip on his that the knuckles in his hand showed white even as the warmth of the new friendship lit his face.
Thus did a Lord, a women and a wolf begin one of the oddest friendship the magical world had ever seen, little did the three know the changes that one meeting would bring in their world.
Or the challenges that lay just outside the door.
So ends Chapter 3-dodges the thrown snowballs-
So what did you think loyal readers? was it an interesting twist or did it stray too far?
Whomever grants this story its 30th review shall earn chapter 3's dedication
Stay tuned for Chapter 4. Hogwarts.
Skydancinghobbit
