Author's Note: Naturally we all know that I have no ownership whatsoever of Harry Potter and his fellow wizarding mates, or of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Original characters are mine.
Chapter Two
Letters
Glad to get their daughters home, Remus and Severus didn't waste time in ensuring that they were both properly clothed and had nice full bellies and nestled closely near them, not wanting to let them out of their sights.
"I still don't understand how all this could have happened," Remus comments. "I wish I knew who came into our home in the first place. If only I hadn't of fallen asleep!"
He chose to not look at Severus, instead focused his sights on the large bassinet, where the two girls were safely tucked in next to each other.
Severus didn't know whether to sigh or roll his eyes or mildly kick himself.
"This isn't your fault, Remus," he decides to say to the man he helped in creating the twins with. "I know it isn't, if I could take back the words, I would."
Remus gives a small nod to acknowledge the words from Severus, and choosing to not dwell. "Though I would like to know who informed Albus of where we'd be able to find them in the first place."
Severus agrees; "I would like to know that information, too, but we know how Dumbledore tends to only give us enough to what he believes we need to go on. I am just grateful to know that our daughters were found when they were in the circumstance they were in and kept them safe."
Remus nods again, before looking over at Severus, who was seat in a comfortable armchair near the fireplace, head resting softly against fingers of one hand, elbow of the same arm on the material arm.
"You know we ought to really thank Splinter for what he has done," he says.
Severus knew Remus to be right on this, just didn't say it. He didn't have to; Remus knew Severus was agreeing with him.
"How do you propose we do that?" Severus then asks after a moment of silence, save for the slight gurgle like sound coming from one of the twins as she shifted a little, then settles back into her slumber.
Remus thought for a good while before providing an answer. "Well, he's got children of his own, I doubt he's able to find employment because of him being a mutant rat, and there is no beating about the bush when the truth is plain to see on that, even if we don't know the circumstances of how he and his children came to be that way, the obvious is the same. Perhaps providing at least a hamper or something, to help ease some of the burden, even for just a little while."
Again silence arose. Severus looks at their two daughters, going over the events that have happened in the last number of recent hours, and still in his heart was just thankful to know that they were, thank Merlin, safe and sound. All because of the actions of one sole mutant rat who had the decency even some humans seemed to lack. He also couldn't deny that he felt a little sorry for the way they were clearly living.
'In a sewer of all places,' he thought to himself. "All right," he then says aloud, looking at Remus; "We will write out a list of ideas on what we can get, food, items, whatever else, and then take it from there."
A hint of a smile etches on Remus's lips.
###
Splinter didn't realise how exhausted he had been until he settled on to his old mattress with old sheets, in order to settle for the night. His four sons were extra helpful, well as helpful as they could muster, in looking for the rest of what they needed and tidying up the Lair, even ate their pitiful dinner without complaint.
With a soft sigh, he lies on his side and closes his eyes...
It was ever a surprise to wake up the next morning to find two handsome looking barn owls perched on the small upside down box that acted as a bedside table, holding a rather weighted bundle in their beaks; attached was a rolled up parchment with a seal.
Gently, Splinter took the bundle (and parchment); the owls stayed where they were, as Splinter opened up the scroll and read the neat handwriting that was in pearly black ink;
To thank you for your kindness and help toward our daughters, Freya and Athena. (There is a list of the items we placed in with the bundle and the owls have been instructed to stay, the reason is alongside the list within). Thank you again, Severus Snape and Remus Lupin
After reading the words carefully, then looking at the magnificent light green and pale yellow velvet bundle, Splinter could feel his heart lighten a little, and a smile beginning. He decided to take this bundle to the living area, where two of his turtles were seated, eating whatever was left of the slightly bruised apples they had left.
"Are your brothers still asleep?" he asks them.
"Yes, Master Splinter," said Leonardo.
"What is that, Sensei?" asks Raphael, seeing the bundle.
"A thank you gift from the fathers of the two girls we helped," Splinter replied. He already summed up that is what they were, (though still very unsure of what relevance the third man who was with them had), and given he didn't know the details of how it was even possible; he decided to not dwell or concern himself. Instead just looked at the positive of knowing two babies are safe and loved.
"We can go and wake Mikey and Donny if you need us to?" Leonardo offered, jumping up from the sofa, Raphael followed suit.
"Just don't be too rough," Splinter sternly told them, more to Raphael, than to Leonardo.
He watched them make their way out of the area, before sitting on the couch they had just gotten off of. Moments later all four turtles were now entering the living area, Donatello and Michelangelo rubbing their eyes and yawning.
"Leo says you wanted us?" said Donatello.
"That is correct," said Splinter. He had set the bundle on the small table. "The parents of the two girls wanted to thank us again for helping Freya and Athena. They sent us this bundle with two owls."
"Owls?" one of the turtles echoed with surprise and awe.
Splinter nods. "They are still here, in my sleeping area. No, I forbid you to go and see for yourselves at this moment!" Spying two of them looking as though they were about to hurry out of the area, so hearing the prompted 'no' caused them to stay put.
"May we see what is in the bag?" Michelangelo asks; eager to see what was in it.
With that, Splinter untied the bundle and let the opening part open, making it look like a sack. The first thing he pulled out was two folded parchments, one was the list and the other the second letter mentioned in the first smaller letter.
He read the note which explained that the owls were specially tasked and assigned to allow Splinter and his sons to send letters if they wished to Freya and Athena - 'As a way for us to make good on our word to allow the contact to continue if you are comfortable to do so. All you need to do is give them names of your choosing, and they will know the rest' - was part of the letter.
"We have our own owls?" cried Michelangelo with excitement.
"That is cool!" Raphael exclaims.
"Can we name one of them Rhodium?" Donatello asks.
"Or Sora?" says Leonardo; "Which means sky."
The Father Rat holds up his hand and speaks firmly and kindly; "I know what Sora means, Leonardo, and I don't know if Rhodium is a good name for an owl, Donatello. I do not know if we are going to keep them, I would like to really think one this before its final. However, while I am in the process of thinking this through, there is nothing stopping us from seeing what we have been given."
The surprised, yet pleased, expression said it all when the items were revealed. Fresh fruit, including apples, bananas, strawberries and pears; fresh carrots, celery and tomatoes; bread, milk – even a litre of chocolate milk ('for the boys, if this is permitted for them') and various snack foods, spreads and cereals. This was not all 'each of the boys are given their own new colour-in books, with colour pencils and crayons and a new blanket and pillow, including pillow case'.
Seeing the four perfectly clean blankets, each one in the colour to match up to the bandanna of the new owner they were meant to go to, and each one bearing its own animal.
"Oh sweet, I get a dragon on mine!" Raphael grinned.
Splinter had not been forgotten, he, too, got a lush new blanket and pillow, and brand new mug that had packets of tea and coffee resting inside, 'in case you do like your tea or coffee'. The gesture certainly put a bigger smile on the rat's face.
He also made sure he didn't miss anything from either of the letters or the list, and glad he did relook them over, because he nearly missed a little note right at the bottom of one of the parchments...
###
Dear Remus Lupin and Severus Snape,
My sons and I are very grateful for your generosity and thank you kindly. I have accepted the proposal of keeping in contact, naming the two owls Blade and Charm, (Leonardo and Raphael naming Blade, while Donatello and Michelangelo agreeing on Charm for the other). I also know my sons have asked if the girls are doing well. I, too, have wondered.
I have also seen the 'hidden' messaging within the notes and the clues. I am going to be honest with you. I may not know how special Athena and Freya are, or the details, obviously, but I do sense that someone you know isn't to be trusted. I am unsure if you may have figured that out or not – but I saw something that didn't match with either of your handwritings, after seeing that you've each written a letter each, so finding a few extra different styles that, I assume, are meant to have gone unnoticed or were meant to be seen, I don't know. I have added what I am trying to explain with this letter.
My sons have also decided to add a colour-in page each from their new books to give to Freya and Athena to decorate their room, so I have been told.
Sincerely, Splinter.
Severus and Remus each looked at the extra contents that were added to Splinter's letter; the drawings from the Turtles and the different handwritings on the parchments that had contained the letter and list.
The daughters of Severus Snape and Remus Lupin were not for you to collect. They were meant for someone else. Now we will have to find some other way to make sure they are given to the intended parties ... and they would be just as interested to know about you and your... sons? If that is really what you call them.
Are you really going to accept the true story of their existence?
Do you really want to risk the lives of your sons if you choose to continue the contact with Snape and Lupin?
We strongly recommend that you keep a closer eye on those girls of yours, Severin and Roman.
It was reading the very last sentence that caused Severus to drop the parchment, paling as he did so.
"Severus, look at me!" Remus said, getting the other man to look directly at him. "We are no longer in that place! We are here! Safe! At least Splinter told us where he didn't have to do any of that."
"Yet whoever took our girls wants them there!" Severus cried out.
Remus stayed as calm as he could muster, for he too, could feel his insides burning with fear. "I read that too, you know. Each and every one of those sentences. I would love to know who is out to get our girls! Other than the obvious with the last line that was clearly intended for us to read. But we are not going to end up back there!"
"You hadn't told your friends have you?" Severus then questioned.
"Severus, the entire Order knows," Remus said with a slow sigh.
Severus glowered.
"Albus Dumbledore believed that it was for the best to ensure everyone knew that our daughters do exist." Remus explains carefully, who wasn't happy either.
"Yes, because everyone really, really needs to know!" Severus seethed a little.
"You know full well that this was done after we specifically asked to not be exposed. His word of explanation of going against our request was belief that the more people on our side who knew of this, the more people would be willing to accept," Remus defended.
Severus wanted to say a retort, but couldn't. Instead drew his eyes back to the parchment on the floor.
"What do we do now?" he asks.
Remus shakes his head. "I wish I could provide an answer Severus. Other than the obvious, we do what we can to make sure they, we, never end up back there."
"Do you think we ought to really warn Splinter?" Severus then decides to suggest, after a small deep in thought moment. "As much of a prick we know I can be, we both know that I do give a crap on what happens to nice people... which I guess includes mutants."
"I think if we are going to write to Splinter it would be in a way that ensures that no one intercepts it," Remus agrees to this.
Upon this, they were interrupted by the stirrings of one of their twins.
"I believe that it is my turn," Severus says without hesitation. "You can start on what we can try and say to Splinter."
###
"You really did say you were going to come!" spoke a very excited Michelangelo, dropping his pencil by accident when he saw Splinter opening and then allowing Remus and Severus, (carrying their two girls, of course), into their home.
"We are not in the habit of breaking our word," said Remus, with a kind smile.
Though the two men were surprised by the living conditions of Splinter and his sons, they could just as understand as to why things had to be a certain way.
"We also would like to really thank you for the food!" said Leonardo, smiling politely. "The rolled oats Master Splinter cooked for us was super nice."
"And the strawberries, too!" said Raphael.
"The blankets are also nice and comfortable, as well," Donatello says, looking up from the book he was reading, on his section on the floor.
"You are most welcome," said Remus, while Severus simply observed the entire area.
"May I offer you a drink?" Splinter offers politely.
"Not at this moment, thank you," Severus says.
"Water would be just fine," was Remus's reply.
Splinter goes to the kitchen area after offering them men to sit if they would like. Severus chooses one of the three nearly worn for wear armchairs, where he could just feel a spring or two, Michelangelo approaches with caution and interest.
"How is... er... Freya doing?" the young turtle asks, looking at the baby who was wide awake and looking about the place.
"This one is Athena, and she is good," said Severus, keeping an even tone. "Freya is doing just as well."
"That is good," said Michelangelo.
"Yeah, we were trying to help Splinter make sure they didn't get too cold. He was also very worried about those cuts they have on their sides, wasn't sure how to heal them, so he had to just make sure they were comfortable until there was a way to make sure they went to whoever they could go to," Leonardo pipes up.
"Thing is those cuts didn't look like cuts, they looked like gills," said Donatello frowning. "Which is impossible, because normal humans don't have gills?"
Severus and Remus looked at each other when this was revealed by this young turtle in purple. Splinter had entered with a tray will glasses and cups of drinks at this point.
"What Leonardo has said is true. We saw what we believed were cuts, as the girls were completely naked when I found them and when the light of the day came, it allowed for me to examine them just a little better, to see if they were ill or really hurt," the Mutant Rat explains with careful wording, a little worried about causing Remus and Severus to be upset.
On the contrary, the two fathers could understand why this would have caused confusion and deep worry for Splinter.
"They're not cuts," said Remus, not seeing the point in withholding, not with the simple fact they are talking to a giant human sized rat, with four toddler sized children turtles. "They are, as... what is your name again?"
"Donatello," said Donatello.
"Donatello said just earlier, they are in fact gills," said Remus.
Splinter had placed the tray on the coffee table, so this allowed him to look up at Remus, and then look over at Severus, who was nodding to back what had been said.
"But... they're human!" said Donatello, confused. "You're also human, too... though I am confused as to where their mother is, because in most species girls have the babies."
"Does it matter, Donny? Freya and Athena are loved, just like Splinter loves us," said Michelangelo, looking at his brother as he said this, before looking back at the baby Athena still nestled in Severus's arms.
Donatello shakes his head.
"How old are you?" Severus decides to ask.
"We're all four," said Leonardo.
"How did they get their gills?" Raphael asks.
"They were born with them," said Remus.
"Can they breathe underwater like fish?" the turtle in red couldn't help asking.
Splinter notices a shift of discomfort coming from Severus, and had a feeling it wasn't from the seat, either.
"We believe they can, but we're not going to test that out right now," Remus replies, also sensing the other father's discomfort. "We just know that they're comfortable around or in water."
Accepting this answer, Raphael goes back to his blocks.
"May I have a hold, please?" Michelangelo asks. "I'll be really careful!"
Remus and Severus look at each other.
"Michelangelo's always had a deep affection toward the young, to the point of begging me to help him feed a stray kitten that wandered into our home not too long ago. He's never been rough, except when it is toward his own brothers, which I can assume is simply a sibling thing," said Splinter.
"Hey, we all helped with that kitten!" Raphael called out.
"What happened to the kitten?" Remus asks, looking around expecting to see a little feline bounding about.
"We don't know, it only stayed for a few days, and then it left," said Leonardo. "But it really liked Mikey, letting him have a hold and made sure it wasn't hurt."
As if convinced enough by this Michelangelo was instructed to sit down and within a few moments, with Remus not leaving his kneeling position on the floor, was holding a sleeping Freya in his arms.
"Hello Freya," he cooed. "I was going to call you Sprite, but Splinter said Asami was a better choice."
"Still heaps better than naming them after poison!" said Raphael, when he learned a little more about arsenic and fluorine were when he asked Donatello about it not long after the twins had gone home.
"I thought that it would show that they're not to be messed with," Donatello shrugs.
"Sounds like a fair justification," said Severus, though with a hint of sarcasm was laced with amusement.
Athena started to make noises of needing attention.
"Would it be alright if we used your stove or whatever you use to heat up?" Severus politely asks, retrieving a baby bottle from the bag he had with him.
Splinter didn't object and showed him where to go.
"It is time for me to sort the Turtles their lunch, anyway."
There was a quiet understanding between the three, as much as certain exchange of information was needed to be transpired, it had to wait until it was sure the Turtles weren't to be listening in. It just wasn't for their innocent ears yet.