It's been so long, I know, that's why I'm posting two chapters today, as a little apology. Anyways, enjoy...


It was a beautiful night. The stars were shining brightly. The moon was glowing softly. There was a light breeze in the air... It was a beautiful night indeed. Not a soul could be disturbed...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH"

Well, not a soul but one...

Orion jumped awake, startled by the loud scream coming from next to him. He turned on the bed, studying his brother. Serpens was thrashing wildly in his sleep, screaming and groaning in pain. His hands were flailing around, mostly trying to aim for his chest area. Orion cursed silently as he started to frantically search for the pain relieving potion. He cursed when he didn't find it. Turning to look at his struggling brother, he made a split second decision and reached for his wand. He aimed a calming spell at his brother, releasing a nervous breath when Serpens finally started to calm down. He moved to sit next to Serpens, brushing the older boy's hair gently as he murmured comforting nonsense, "it's alright. You only have a day of this left. It's alright. The pain will stop soon. I'm here." As he took care of his brother, Orion found himself lost in a memory.

Flashback

"I'll be placing silencing wards over Serpens' rooms temporarily. I don't want to risk your mother hearing him cry out in pain. This won't be easy on him," Tom informed him.

"You'll place wards that will let you know if he's in pain as well, right?" Orion asked.

"Of course"

Silence fell over them for a few moments before Orion broke it, "Father?"

"Yes?"

"How about I stay with Serpens until he heals. I mean, I could sleep next to him, just to make sure that he's alright and that nothing happens during the night"

"That won't be necessary. I'm able to take care of your brother just fine"

"Forgive me, Father, I didn't mean to insinuate that you couldn't take care of Serpens. I'm just saying that should Mother have a rough night, you might feel better knowing that Serpens is not alone," Orion stated. Tom mulled over it for a moment before nodding his agreement.

End flashback

Orion was pulled out of his thoughts when the door to Serpens' bedroom was slammed open and a disheveled Tom entered, looking exhausted and worried, with a potion bottle in his hand. He took one look at his sons and sighed, rubbing his face tiredly.

"I put a calming spell on him... Mother is having a bad night again, isn't she?" Orion asked.

Tom nodded as he moved towards the bed, plopping down inelegantly.

"Just put the potion on the bedside table. I've got this under control. You need to sleep," Orion told his father.

Tom put the potion on the bedside table as he was told, nodding a bit. He glanced at Orion from the corner of his eyes and squeezed his knee comfortingly, "you took good care of the situation and acted like an adult. I'm proud of you"

Orion felt shock for a moment as he registered what his father had said. His shock quickly turned into pride. This was the first time he had heard one of his parents tell him they were proud of him and he couldn't help how happy it made him. Looking up at Tom, who was moving to stand next to Serpens, Orion quickly schooled his features, knowing that a true heir such as him should never show his emotions.

Unaware of Orion's inner giddiness, Tom stroked Serpens' hair lightly, smiling sadly as he did so, and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. He then made his way back to his room, where a peacefully sleeping Bella was. He had had to use a calming spell himself to get her to relax.

He collapsed on the bed gracelessly, turning to look at Bellatrix. He brushed her hair back softly and placed a kiss on her head. "I'm not giving up on you," he told her sleeping form, determination laced with every word. It didn't take much for sleep to take him under after that.


Two mornings after the night with the screaming incident, Serpens woke up feeling better than he had for days. He pat his chest, happiness engulfing him when he realized he felt no pain whatsoever. He looked to his left, a smile on his face, and found his brother snoring lightly. Serpens' scowled slightly, knowing how tired his brother probably was after the ordeal of the past three nights. He decided not to disturb the younger boy and got up, shucking his clothes off as he moved towards the bathroom. He drew a hot bath, sighing with content as he let the steaming water absorb all the remaining aches regrowing his ribs had left.

Serpens didn't know how long passed before he got out of the water. He laughed lightheartedly at his prune-like hands as he put on his robe. He left the bathroom as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb his sleeping brother.

"Why are you out of bed?" A voice demanded and Serpens almost jumped out of his skin. He turned quickly to look at the source of the voice, finding Tom occupying the spot he had spent the past 3 days and nights sleeping on.

"Well?"

Serpens grinned sheepishly, "I feel much better"

Tom narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "get dressed. I'm taking you to Narcissa to make sure you're alright"

Serpens scowled childishly and did as he was told. He dressed quickly in a dark grey shirt and grey slacks. He tried to style his wild hair but failed miserably as always. Staring at himself in the mirror, Serpens wondered if his facial features would ever change to look more like his biological family and less like that of James Potter. He wondered if it was even possible to change it back. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, moving to put on a pair of black Dragon hide boots. He left the closet after he was done, finding Tom standing in the center of his room, ready to go with his traveling cloak in his arms.

Tom cocked a criticizing eyebrow, "where's your cloak?"

"I don't need it"

Tom closed his eyes, reminding himself that Serpens did not have any education whatsoever on proper etiquette, "Serpens, gentlemen wear a traveling cloak when leaving their houses. Go back to your closet and bring one of your cloaks"

Serpens nodded and did what he was told. He just got better and he wasn't in the mood to argue with his father over the necessity of a traveling cloak of all things. Tom studied his appearance once he exited the closet again, nodding with approval. He moved towards the door, motioning for Serpens to follow him. A few moments later, father and son were walking up to Malfoy Manor, Draco greeting them at the entrance hall.

"Hello Uncle Tom, Serpens," he nodded politely, "please, take off your cloaks. Misty! Take their cloaks! Anyways, I assume you're here for a check up on Serpens' health. I'm afraid Mother and Father are quite busy this afternoon. They've decided that they needed some private bonding time. If you're in a rush though, Uncle Sev is here. I can call him"

Serpens snorted as Draco shuddered. Tom rolled his eyes, he didn't remember going through a dirty-mindedness phase, but then again, he was a really peculiar child who grew up in an orphanage. He tuned out the rest of the boys' conversation until they reached the living room.

"Draco," Tom called, continuing when he had the teenager's attention, "do call Severus. I'd like to have a few words with him"

"Of course," Draco nodded, leaving quickly. He returned a few moments later with Severus at his heel.

"My Lord," Severus bowed politely, not rising until he had the Dark Lord's permission.

"Rise, Severus," Tom spoke.

Severus nodded and rose, he remained standing in front of the other man, unsure of whether he was supposed to take a seat or not. Tom sighed, "take a seat, Severus"

Severus took the seat facing Tom, knowing that it would make having a conversation easier.

"Serpens! Pay attention, this conversation will be important for you," Tom ordered sharply. Serpens gulped and nodded, Tom would accept it for now. He turned back to Severus.

"You've received my message. I want answers," Tom demanded.

"I've asked all the other professors. Pot- the Dark Prince has been barely acquiring Acceptables in most of his subjects, he's even gotten a number of Trolls. The way he's going currently, he has no hope of getting Exceeds Expectations on his O.W.L.s, let alone Outstandings. From my assessment of his brother's capabilities along with his own, I can tell you, from a Professor's point of view, that he will need at least six months of hard work and intensive courses if he wants Es in his O.W.L.s, another six of he wants Os"

Serpens flinched. He'd known he wasn't doing well in school, but he never thought it was that bad...

Tom sighed, "I figured out as much. That's why I've decided to pull Serpens out of Hogwarts for a year"

"What?! You can't do that!" Serpens exclaimed angrily, he winced and shrank back when Tom sent him a sharp look.

"Yes, I can actually. I'm having Lucius pull some strings to let you have a year off Hogwarts, under the guise of 'healing and adapting to all the new changes'. Come September, Orion and Draco will go back to Hogwarts while you stay here. Severus, I want you to plan a schedule for Serpens, one that would ensure he gets enough lessons and training before his O.W.L.s and accommodates to your other responsibilities. Draw up two different schedules for the summer and the school year if you have to. Also take into consideration that there will be some lessons devoted to teaching him proper manners and etiquette. I will not have a bohemian for a son. Furthermore, I want him to at least start practicing Occlumency. He can't be completely vulnerable to mind attacks"

"Of course, My Lord, I'll start working on it immediately"

"Good. Now, I want to know how Orion's education has come along"

"Orion is quite the prodigy. He has already surpassed N.E.W.T. level material in all Hogwarts subjects, including electives. He mastered Occlumensy at the age of nine, and is currently working on healing. Narcissa says that he's surpassed basic healing and has moved on to more complex healing procedures and wounds. He's refused to be taught the Dark Arts by us, though. His reasoning was that we have not mastered it as you have and that he'd rather be taught by you. I do believe he's started on his own, though"

Tom smiled, pride gleaming in his eyes. He sat silently for a moment, taking into consideration everything he was told. Serpens, meanwhile, had his head hung down dejectedly. Draco, who had been extremely silent, looked up anxiously when he heard the next question. "I assume Draco is on the same level of achievement as Orion?" Tom asked, and Draco could see the gears turning in his head.

"Not quite," Severus started, "Draco has achieved N.E.W.T. level mastery in all Hogwarts subjects, although it took him more time. He's still not on the same level as Orion. Draco has also not been successful with healing, and Orion remains ahead when it comes ti control and dueling"

Draco held his breath and turned back to Tom. At that moment, Lucius and Narcissa finally made an appearance, both sporting goofy smiles. They stopped dead on their tracks when they saw everyone. Tom looked like he was deeply considering something; Severus looked a cross between tired and proud; Draco looked relieved to see them there but also worried; and Serpens looked like a kicked puppy. Tom turned to look at the Malfoy parents, cocking an unimpressed eyebrow. He motioned for them to take a seat.

"Narcissa, how long will it take to check up on Serpens?"

"Only a few moments"

"Good. You'll do that as I brief Lucius on his new assignment"

"What shall I do, My Lord?" Lucius inquired.

"Patience, Lucius, I'll inform you in a few moments," Tom wondered how the mood shifted from friendly to formal, but then again, when he was involved, that tended to happen a lot.

"I've decided to start teaching Draco and Orion the Dark Arts," Tom told them. He watched as Lucius and Narcissa looked to each other, seemingly having a silent conversation before breaking into equal grins. "There is no greater honor, My Lord," Lucius spoke.

Tom nodded then turned to Narcissa, "you can start your check up now. Lucius will inform you of the other things you need to do"

Narcissa nodded elegantly before starting to fret over her nephew. Meanwhile, Tom briefed Lucius on everything he had discussed with Severus. A while later, Tom and Serpens left Malfoy Manor, Serpens with a clean bill of health and a new goal.


Welp, the next chapter will be posted in a few...

Reviews welcome as always...