A/N: Andrei is not going to be portrayed as an extremely powerful wizard. He is a kid and will be treated as such until he grows up. It is not my intention, nor will it ever be to create an unrealistic character, be it unrealistically powerful, unrealistically smart or unrealistically beautiful.

.

.`.`.`.`~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.

.

"...English..."

"...Bulgarian..."

'...thoughts...'

...Flashbacks and letters...

.

.`.`.`.`~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.

.

Water and Awkward Flight

.

September 1st, 1992.

.

Severus cursed his job over and over again. It was the first day of school and he was to make sure that all the wayward students arrive at the welcoming ceremony. Of course, nothing ever went easy for the Potions master. Most of the students were seated and first years were already sorted. He was supposed to be in his quarters writing a letter to Andrei. This was his son's first year at Durmstrang, and he needed to hear news from his little boy. Of course, if the said boy could hear his thoughts right now he would infinitely argue the unfortunate choice of words. He is now a grown up, a student capable of living in his own dorm, without constant supervision from his family. So, accordingly, he wasn't told of his brother's task to keep an eye on him and report back to both Severus and Alexander. Therefore the only thing that was keeping Severus from his son were two second years who imprudently decided it would be amusing to arrive to school by alternate means of travel. He found the two boys looking into great hall from the outside steps, their trunks behind them.

"There's an empty chair at the staff table... Where's Snape?", the dark haired boy with glasses inquired.

"Maybe he's ill!", was the redhead's response.

"Maybe he's left," said the first one, "because he missed out on the Defense Against Dark Arts job again!"

"Or he might have been sacked! I mean, everyone hates him..."

Severus was enraged by the blatant disrespect from two boys, but he did not really expect any better from Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, and his fateful sidekick.

"Or maybe," he said in a cold voice, "he's waiting to hear why you two didn't arrive on the school train."

Both boys seemed to audibly gulp and Severus tried to keep the dark facade but inside he was beaming at their fright. Like he would ever do any harm to Lily' son... nonsense really... but no need to let the insufferable brat know that.

"Follow me. Leave the trunks."

Usually he would have brought them to his office in the dungeons and made their bones shake with fright, maybe even pull the expulsion card on them. But, right now he did not have time nor patience to deal with them, so he led them to the Headmaster's office to, as he so subtly insinuated, spend their last hours at school enduring Headmaster's disappointed gaze. Severus felt it brought him a weird sense of satisfaction when boys looked ready to cry.

Half way through the castle Potter seemed to gather enough courage to try to get them out of their unfavorable situation.

"Professor, we don't know how, but we couldn't get onto the platform so this was the only way. Perhaps we could discuss it with Professor McGonagall?"

"Oh, I do believe she would arrive shortly too. After all the Head of House must be there if one of her students were about to be expelled. Considering all the options you have conveniently neglected that would not involve the severe breaking of school rules and act of wizarding secrecy I would be packing my bags if I were you... or rather not bother unpacking them." Snape answered with a sneer.

They continued on in silence and Snape could swear he heard two thundering heartbeats behind him. Serves them right, he thought, this is probably the only retribution they will receive anyway.

As soon as he brought them to the Headmaster he excused himself and left without a backward glance, not noticing the curious twinkling eyes following his quick exit. He strode to his quarters determined not to have any more distractions along the way.

As soon as Severus entered the cozy living room he noticed two birds waiting for him. One was a grayish black owl with sparkling black eyes. It was Viktor's pet, Cassius, and it was patiently waiting on the coffee table. The other bird was far more impressive. Andrei acquired it during their trip to Belogradchik. The dark colored phoenix took a liking to little boy who's just celebrated his seventh birthday. Nobody knew where the amazing bird came from or why. Dark phoenix' are extremely rare and for one to just appear out of nowhere and bond with a child was almost unheard of. However the very same phoenix was prancing now, nearly three years later, in front of Severus.

Severus nearly laughed every time he saw the gracious animal simply for the sake of it's name. Apparently Andrei named him after his favorite character from a fairytale Viktor used to read to him all the time. A black unicorn named Hoof. Viktor did his best to save the poor animal from the dreadful name, constantly arguing with his little brother that the name just wasn't right for any bird, and for a phoenix it would be a sacrilege. Andrei would not even hear about it. His son has inherited his stubbornness from Severus and that was saying something.

At the moment Hoof was flying in circles in the middle of the room, so Severus took Viktor's letter first. It was written in neat, almost printed handwriting, but he still noticed smudges in few places as he started reading.

Hi, Sev

I'm writing this letter in a joined common room, with Andi breathing down my neck (smudge). He is trying to take the pen but is failing (smudge) miserably. He was practically the main event at the welcoming ceremony.

Unlike every NORMAL student in the school, he would not be satisfied by simply walking into the great hall. He thought it wise to just fly over the entire student body and drop into his seat. As you may have guessed Hoof, the poor soul, carried his weight all the way from the Entrance hall. The whole event may have even appeared spectacular (and it would be deemed so by Professor Radanov) if Hoof did not shake him of straight into headmaster's lap. Needless to say Karkaroff was less then pleased and has already sent a complaint letter to dad. It was ridiculous, but, if (smudge) I may say so, quite amusing.

I was relieved other students thought my brother was so courageous, if a little reckless, as opposed to just plain stupid. How he came to this silly idea, knowing of Hoof's temper, is beyond me.

As for Andrei, he finally let me finish this letter and I believe he started his own. I hope you will read this one first, or you may have a stroke reading his (hopefully it was mildly explained. With Andrei around me constantly my judgment is not so clear on that account any more).

Sincerely,

Viktor.

Severus read a letter three times, just to make sure he hasn't misinterpreted Bulgarian letters. Coming to a conclusion that he read everything correctly he let the feeling of embarrassment overwhelm him. There were times he was so proud of that boy that he thought his heart would burst. This was not one of those times. As smart as his son could be this was not one of his brightest moments. Severus faced so much trouble and fears with him that he thought he practically got used to everything. But somehow Andrei would always find a way to surprise him.

Sometime during his musings Hoof found a perch on the side of the couch Severus had sunken into. Sev took the letter from his beak and started reading it. Just like Viktor's it was in Bulgarian so it took a bit longer to comprehend it.

Hi,

you've already read Vik's letter so I won't explain much (if you're wondering why Hoof wouldn't give you mine first, it is because I told him so). Well, you know of my first day at school. It was exciting and I'm not expelled so I guess it all went well.

Before you say anything: yes, I DO know you do not agree, nor approve. However, I believe all this to be a very good beginning and to ease your fears I will let you know I do not plan on any similar stunts.

There is something I need to tell you. Vik knows, but he said it wouldn't be safe to send it with Cassius, so I decided I should send it with Hoof instead. After all he wouldn't let anyone see this. I saw someone at the port and he was staring at me. I told Vik and he said to keep walking and so we did. I believe this man was observing us until we boarded the ship (By the way, the journey here has been awful, I got sea sick and almost threw up on some poor Norwegian girl. I still don't understand why I couldn't just go by floo!). Viktor says he wants to write something so:

(In other handwriting)

It was the same man I saw at Sozopol.

(Switch to Andrei's handwriting)

Ok, I don't have a clue what that was about but this man had gray hair and harsh look to him. I wouldn't complain not to ever see him again. I'll ask Vik to explain it to me if you approve, I hate to be left out.

Well, whatever happens, I want you to know that I miss you and wish you could be here to see the ceremony, if for no other reason then just to see the Headmaster's speechless rage. :)

Don't let those dunderheads at Hogwarts upset you! Hope to see you soon,

Love,

Andi

As carefree as his son's letter was, Severus knew he was deeply upset about the encounter at the port, and couldn't blame him at all. Severus remembered perfectly that vacation they spent near the town of Sozopol on the Black sea coast, Victor was referring to. Naturally since Andi was only two and a half he doesn't remember it. In more ways than one it was a memorable holiday. Even though Andrei's conscious memory didn't reach that far he still had constant reminders of it. Severus was never more afraid in his entire life, although some of that dread returned after he read Andi's letter.

It was about seven years ago that Alexander and Severus decided it was time to go on a vacation as a family. Sofia wholeheartedly agreed as she loved spending time with kids. Viktor was a bit pale since he had a little cold that spring, so a little bit of sunshine would have done him good. Severus, on the other hand, just looked forward to spending time with his son.

.

June 24th, 1985.

The sound of waves hitting the shoreline... sand beneath his feet... warm sun heating his skin... light breeze caressing it... cheerful squeals and laughter of overexcited children... to Severus it was a dream come true. Alexander, Sofia and he were enjoying cool beverages on a sandy beach with very few visitors. Viktor and Andi have already found a few playmates and were running along the shore, the cold water splashing their feet with every new wave. Severus has almost forgotten what those moments of pure bliss felt like.

They spent the day talking and teaching the boys to swim. Severus was reluctant to take Andi any further then the shallows, but the boy had so much fun anyway. Never would Severus imagine himself sitting in his trunks in the wet sand holding an enthusiastic little boy within his reach. But nevertheless here he was, and couldn't be happier. Well, he could, but refused to think about what he'd already lost.

Viktor and Andi have immediately hit off with other children nearby even though none of them spoke the same language. There were three American boys, all around Viktor's age, and two French siblings, girl around three and a slightly older boy. While Severus and Krums were resting the kids were building a sandcastle. Viktor, Adam and Joshua, the oldest kids in the group, were trying to build it higher and the younger ones were giggling every time a 'tower' crashed. The last time Severus checked on them Andi was sitting between Vik's legs while the older boy was helping him gather the sand around them in their bucket.

Alexander's deep laughter caused him to turn back to the married couple next to him.

Severus has never seen Alexander as relaxed as he was right now. Sofia and he were laughing telling him everything he has missed with Andi since his Christmas visit half a year ago. Sitting on the towel and listening about his son's adventures he was completely unprepared when the feeling of dread overwhelmed him. He couldn't tell why, everything was the same as a moment before, but he couldn't shake it.

Noticing that his friend's attention was elsewhere Alex nudged his wife who was engrossed in her story.

"Sev, what's wrong?"

"I don't know..." just in case he turned around to see if the children need anything but kept on talking, "I just have this strange feeling, Sofi..." he trailed off.

Alex learned long ago, during the war to trust Sev's instincts. So he turned towards the kids just to hear a question that made his blood freeze.

"Where's Andi? Alex, I can't see him!"

Both Krums' now on full alert stood up and frantically turned, looking around the beach. When they still didn't see the little boy, Alex turned to Severus and put his hand on his shoulder trying to calm the now hyperventilating man.

"I'm sure he's fine Sev! He's probably just wondered of somewhere..."

When Sofia squeezed Severus' hand, Alexander ran to where the kids were still playing. They were all there except for Andrei.

"Viktor!" he called, half way there.

The boy turned and seeing his father right next to him now, staring around with wide eyes scared him a little.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Vik, where's your brother?" Alex tried unsuccessfully to hide the trembling in his voice.

"He was bored so he went to look for some shells and pebbles. Why?"

"Viktor, where? Where did he go, son?" Alexander could no longer hide his worry. The boy was not on the beach.

Viktor stood up. By now all of the adults have noticed something was wrong. Some were approaching them, while others went towards his mom and Uncle Sev who was yelling his brother's name. Viktor looked around but couldn't find his little brother anywhere.

"Viktor! Tell me! Which way did Andi go?" Alexander was losing what little composure he maintained up until now.

Viktor pointed towards the reef, not knowing what else to do. Tears pooled in his dark eyes.

Alexander on the other hand picked his son up and ran towards his wife and friend. He could have sworn that just moments before there weren't so many people on the nearly deserted beach, and now he cursed them all for there was no way to perform the tracking charm with so many Muggles around.

"Severus! He went to the reef!" Alexander shouted.

Severus and Sofia broke into a run, followed by Alex, holding a crying Viktor. Severus did not know how he got his legs to move at all. He was numb from fear. All he could think about was in what state he would find his son, and he literally couldn't breathe anymore. His own heartbeat was deafening to his ears.

Sofia wasn't faring much better, but what she saw as they approached the reef made her come to an abrupt halt. Both man followed her gaze and saw the little boy on the edge of the reef standing on slippery rocks with his back to them. They both yelled to get his attention.

Severus, with his heart in throat watched in slow motion as the toddler turned to them and slipped on a wet rock. Severus ran into the water while Alexander lowered Viktor to the ground and headed for the reef. Sophia watched in morbid fascination as her baby fell head first into the deep water while Viktor clung to her legs.

Alexander climbed the reef and stood carefully on the ledge. He saw Severus dive and resurface two times. Turning to the side so no one would see him from the beach he put a wand on his hand and whispered "Point me Andrei Krum". The next time Severus resurfaced he told him where to look.

This time Severus came back up cradling a small boy. His lips were blue and he was unresponsive. Casting a water repellant and then drying charm on the rock, Alexander motioned Severus to bring the boy to him. Alexander pulled him out of the water and, casting a cushioning charm on the rock, carefully laid the boy at his feet. Checking for a pulse he felt none so he started pressing his fists firmly to the boys ribcage before breathing into the child's mouth.

Severus pulled out of the water and watched with a baited breath. He was shaking from head to toe, whether from cold or shock, he wasn't really sure. All he knew at the moment was that he was praying to anything and anyone he ever heard of to save his baby. Tears were streaming down his face but he wouldn't even blink. If he did his child might slip away. Alexander was crying silent tears too, he noticed. Alex's wand was under his hand and he just itched to cast an Enervate on the boy. But if he did and Andrei, by some slim chance, woke up and still unable to take a breath panicked it would be even worse.

After what seemed like hours Alexander checked for pulse and found a faint one. He nodded at Severus who scooped the boy up and ran to the other side of the reef away from the prying eyes. Alexander was casting a drying charm on the slippery rocks all the way until Severus apparated to the hospital. Alexander returned carefully to his wife and son and taking a sobbing Viktor in his arms steered Sofia away from the beach. Curious, timid voices of other tourists followed them asking questions which Alex gave no notice.

"Daddy, is Andrei ok?"

"He will be, baby. I promise."

Viktor turned in his arms to offer Sofia a reassuring smile but she was looking back at the few people that followed them. As if she didn't find what she was looking for, she turned her red rimmed eyes to her husband.

"Yaxley." she whispered.

Alexander broke into run for who knows what time today and ran with his wife in toe to the closest secluded area. He apparated them near the Muggle hospital, which was hopefully the one where Severus was.

Severus was sitting in the waiting room, filling in the form a nurse gave him, when he heard hurried footsteps. The Krums entered and Alexander approached him, looking around franticly.

"Sev, where is he?"

Severus pointed towards the door, but he was too exhausted to say anything else. He put the form on the seat next to him and rubbed his eyes.

"Severus, once they make him better we must return home."

"They'll probably keep him here for a few days." Severus answered, not wanting to even think about the 'what ifs' that have been going through his head since he got here. Andrei was still unconscious and wasn't breathing when he brought him here.

"No! As soon as they're done we're leaving!"

"What? Alexander if they think..."

"Sofia saw Yaxley, Severus!" he quietly argued, so no one would hear him.

Severus was not sure weather he was going to yell or cry from all the emotions swirling inside him. Desperation, helplessness, anger, rage, love, hate, pain... but most of all fear. Overwhelming and all consuming fear. He was terrified for his baby's life, scared that if he lived someone would be after him, frightened that all his efforts to hide him were in vain. Through all that chaos in his head, tightening of his chest, fighting the nausea, all he managed to do was nod at his best friend.

The door to the ER finally opened and the young doctor in her thirties walked out.

"Andrei Krum?"

"Yes, how is he?"

A woman briefly smiled at Severus and proceeded with her report.

"He gave us all quite a scare" she said trying to express the seriousness of the boy's condition "It was touch and go for a while, but we have him stabilized. Are you his father?" she asked Severus.

Severus was about to respond 'yes!' but Alexander jumped in before he could protest.

"No, I am. Alexander Krum." he said extending his hand in greeting "this is my wife, Sofia and Viktor, our eldest. Severus is a very good friend of mine. Now, please tell me how my son is doing."

"Dr. Mila Todorova." she nodded to Alex in greeting, "As I was saying, Andrei's condition is currently stable..."

"Can we take him home?" Alex interrupted.

"No, I am afraid that would not be possible. We have him intubated, since he still can not breathe on his own. His lungs were filled with fluid for a longer period then I'm comfortable with. It may have even caused the onset of pneumonia, but we won't know for certain if there is any damage to his lungs until he starts breathing on his own."

"What kind of damage?" Alexander asked anxiously.

"Scaring of lung tissue is not uncommon in cases of drowning, Mr. Krum. Andrei may have some shortness of breath or difficulty breathing as a result. But let's cross that bridge if we get to it."

"How long would he have to stay?" Sofia asked.

"I believe he should wake up and try breathing on his own by this time tomorrow, but I would feel more comfortable if he stayed for a couple more days to do some tests. Do not worry, Mrs. Krum, we will do all in our power to make your son as comfortable as possible." doctor assured her.

"Can we see him?" Severus asked.

"Yes, as soon as we have him situated in his own room. I believe it is on the second floor. I'm sure he will appreciate familiar faces once he wakes. If you need anything else at all, do not hesitate to ask one of the nurses, and if necessary they'll know how to contact me."

As the doctor walked out of the room, Viktor raised his head to look at his dad.

"Did that man hurt Andi, daddy?"

Alexander looked at Sofia, not knowing how in a world his son would come to that conclusion. 'He couldn't have even noticed Yaxley, he doesn't know him for Merlin's sake!'.

"Vik, what man? What did you see?" Sophia asked gently as she knelt in front of her son.

"That man with gray hair. He was looking at us and then he smiled, but I didn't like it. He had a wand, like daddy's. He scared me, mummy!"

"When was he looking at you, Vik? When you were playing or... later?" Alexander asked.

"When we were building a castle. But he wasn't there when Andi left. But then mummy said a bad man was at the beach and I thought it might be him."

Sofia looked at Severus and Alexander.

"Alex, he could have used a controlling curse to lead Andi to that reef. Andi knew not to go that far."

Alexander nodded but was hoping against hope Andrei just wondered off.

There was no doubt in Severus' mind that Yaxley was somehow involved in this. Unable to do anything else at the moment they found Andrei's room, spelled their clothes on and keeping a firm hold on their wands settled in for a sleepless night.

.

.`.`.`.`~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`.`.`.`.

.

Fortunately, they have not seen nor heard from Yaxley or any other Death Eater since then, but unfortunately the doctor was right. There were some long term consequences for Andrei. His breathing would become labored sometimes, but it was fortunately not that often. Which was even worse, Severus thought, was that Andrei was terrified of water ever since. A few months after the ordeal it was still hard to get him to bath. He would start screaming and scraping at the tub as if he was drowning. It was breaking Sophia's heart to put him through it every time she cleaned him up. During the years the fear abated a little, but Andrei still wouldn't go anywhere near the pools, or any kind of beaches, and Severus was convinced he really didn't have such a great time on the Durmstrang ship.

After reading the letter, Severus didn't know what to do. He had to let Alex know, so he could protect the boys. Perhaps even Karkaroff should be warned. He was at the loss. 'If Yaxley was after Andrei, was it because he was Alex's son or did he know something more? Why is he back? What interest could he have in Andrei?' And Severus had to assume it was about his son.

Determined that he should at least let Alex know everything, he sat at his study and started writing a letter. He would send it with Hoof. It was the safest way and the only thing he could do for now.