Author's note: First of all, I would like to thank you guys for taking your time to read this story. Any comments and constructive criticism are welcome, of course. :)
As you have probably figured out by now most of the story will revolve around Severus and Andrei. There will be more canon characters involved since it is important for the storyline, so bare with me.
There will also be a couple of new characters in this chapter (not too many) and don't worry if you can't remember them all, most are not crucial for the plot.
Hope you enjoy reading! :)
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"...English..."
"...Bulgarian..."
'...thoughts...'
...Flashbacks and letters...
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Sleepless night
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October 31st, 1992.
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Andrei Krum was bored, and that was never a good thing. He was sitting in the Durmstrang common room in a warm chair, practically swallowed by it, writing his Potions homework, due in two days. Having a Potions master as a father certainly had its benefits, and Andrei's interest in subject only made things even easier for him. Andrei could safely say that he know knew more about potions then even Viktor did. Of course if he was honest with himself that didn't say much. Anyway this was far too easy so he finished it quickly. Having done his other homework too, this with quite a bit more effort, he was left with little to do. Of course that called for some desperate measures. He was planning to occupy himself in some breakfast diversions tomorrow with some of the friends he made here, but they were all engrossed in homework and in panic due to the possible Dark arts exam.
"Hey, Val, are you done here yet?"
"Bug off! It's not my fault you're a bloody genius!"
"Nope. The only thing I'm better than you at is warming a chair... but still, I hope we'll start on some more advanced stuff soon..." he teased.
"MORE advanced? Are you freaking insane? Leave me alone, I gotta study!"
"Ok... You don't have to yell... geez what a temper..."
He just got an angry glare in response. Valentin Rangelov was his friend from back home. There were a lot of Bulgarians at Durmstrang so it was relatively easy to communicate, and many of them he's already met. Classes were held in English, so everyone would be equal. Other than Bulgarians there were plenty of Scandinavians, Russians and students from other Slavic speaking areas. Andrei didn't so much care where they came from as long as they spoke some semblance of English, so it would be possible to understand them. So far he had three best friends, Valentin included.
Rolf Christiansen was a chatterbox blond prankster. He's Norwegian but fluent in English. Andrei met him on the ship while trying to hold a conversation with another first year... Hanne something or other... who insisted on speaking in pure Norwegian. Andrei was already nauseous from the constant rocking of the ship and this girl was not making it any easier. Rolf came to his rescue and snapped at the girl, who ran off at the opposite direction. Naturally they hit it off from the start.
Maarika Lepp, an Estonian girl who seemed to know every irrelevant fact in the world charmed Andrei as soon as he set his eyes on her. He was talking to Rolf after the welcoming dinner fiasco, and she was the only one who didn't seem impressed. When confronted by Andrei, who by the way was quite intrigued by her indifference, she simply stated that most phoenixes in their early life cannot coordinate their flight so well, so it was not really funny, but quite imprudent to try so.
At the moment Maarika was studying Dark Arts, and Rolf was panicking about his Wards homework. Both were obligatory classes at Durmstrang, and also the hardest, which pretty much meant no fun with these two tonight.
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Andrei left the joined common room and entered the dormitory wing. He stumbled into the room he shared with two other boys from his year. They never really talked much. Usually they would just sleep there, and then in the morning, would go their separate ways. Therefore, Andrei was surprised to see a blond head with dark blue highlights peak from the covers of one of three beds.
"Hey... what's up?"
"Oh... nothing, Alvin... I thought this place would be empty." Andrei answered as he took a seat on his own bed.
"Hm... yeah..." his roommate answered.
"So what are you doing?"
"Nothing. Trying to sleep."
"Why am I not buying that?"
The boy blushed and covered himself over the head with comforter, probably fining sleep. Andrei decided to let it go. He took a book Viktor gave him earlier and started reading.
"What are you reading?"
"'Hunter's chronicles'. You?"
The boy looked confused. He frowned and sat up in bed.
"Why are you reading that crap?"
"Not a fan?"
"A fan? Sure, I love reading about some idiot who tortures werewolves and kills them for the fun of it!"
"It's not about loving it; it's about the reality of it." Andrei corrected.
"Well if less people read that shit, world would be a bit more peaceful place for all creatures in it."
"Pretty passionate on the subject, aren't you?" Andrei joked, but sobered as he saw the dark look on Alvin's face, "In order to prevent it you have to know more about it."
"Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Want to prevent it."
"No, I just love reading about the bloody massacre of wolf cubs!" Andrei answered sarcastically.
The long silence followed. Andrei was reading his book and the other boy was staring at him, propped up in bad under the covers.
"Sorry, I just assumed you were like that bigot who wrote that thing."
"I'll accept your apology under one condition: tell me what it is you're hiding under the covers."
If the boy could blush any more he would resemble an overgrown tomato.
"You have to promise me you won't tell anyone."
"Fine."
"Promise first!"
"Like it matters, a promise is not exactly an unbreakable vow, you know? I promise I want tell anyone."
"Git! I meant for you to mean it, not just say 'promise' and be done with it."
"I don't do promises." Andrei smirked.
"Fine, then you better go to sleep, 'cause I'm not showing you anything."
Andrei shrugged and lay back on his bed, preparing to sleep earlier then he usually did, so he actually wouldn't be late for class in the morning. Thirty minutes passed in silence and then Alvin started shifting on his bad.
"Do you like boys or girls more?"
"Hmm... Boys, I think. I'm ten, a bit too young for a relationship, though."
"Come here." Alvin whispered.
"Umm... Alvin, I'm not sure I..."
"Just shut up and come see, idiot!"
Andrei inched closer and as he approached Alvin's bed he saw a magazine under the cover. Of course judging by blonde's flushed face it didn't take long to figure out what it was. He sat on a bed and listed through a few pages, his eyes widening every once in a while.
"Umm... How did you get this into school?"
"Is that all you can ask? What do you think about it!"
Andrei was a bit uncomfortable, which didn't happen too often.
"It's... impressive?"
"You think?" Alvin said rolling his eyes.
"Have you ever..." he motion to the poster picture of the naked couple in the middle of the magazine.
"As you so eloquently put it, I'm ten!"
"But you think... it's... cool?"
"Sure! Older guys wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't!"
"Umm... Do they all... you know...?"
"I think so. My brother gave me this. He said so..."
"Ok... well... I think I'll return to my bed now..."
At that moment the door slammed open and the remaining inhabitant of their dorm, Anatolii Konstantinov or Tolia for short, entered.
"Hello. What are you doing?" he asked a bit disinterestedly, his sharp accent prominent.
"Oh, just looking at something." Alvin replied unfazed.
Andrei stumbled into his bed without a word. He didn't trust Konstantinov as far as he could throw him and it seemed Alvin shared his opinion. It was a good thing that classes at Durmstrang were held in groups of twenty students and even better Konstantinov was not in his. Andrei was in group with Rolf and, he was glad to say it now, Alvin too.
Andi fell asleep thinking about everything he saw and learned from his roommate and wondering why Viktor never mentioned anything about it before.
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While Andrei was troubled by the discovery of more physical side of love and its implementation, Severus had a few troubles of his own on a similar matter. He's recently discovered that leading a romantic life has its own consequences. Ever since Andrei's birth Severus thought his love life was over in every possible aspect. And how wrong he was!
He'd harbored affection for this man for a long time, denying and suppressing it every time it tried to surface. The man apparently had a crush on him too, since he wouldn't stop sending him presents all year long. Finally, a year ago he couldn't handle it anymore so he confessed his feelings to the object of his interest. And right now, while sitting behind his desk, he was cursing that exact moment.
The passionate man that he fell in love with did not like his current position in the relationship. He wanted to be more involved... less secretive... more secure... more familiar with his partner's son... Those were things he couldn't go on without and the things Severus was not ready to give him.
Clearing up his table he told himself he must make this life changing decision after tonight's feast. Usually he would make some excuse and find an appropriate solution to his personal problem, but it was Halloween and his presence was required at the Great Hall by Headmaster himself. With nothing else to do to prolong his absence he headed for the Hall, his long robe spectacularly swirling behind him.
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"Andi, wake up." he heard a whisper above his head.
"Wha'?", Andrei mumbled.
The room was dark and the only thing he saw was a bright spot shining into his face.
"Wake up..."
"Yeah, yeah... I'm awake already... What d'you want?"
"Come with me."
"What time is it?"
"Never mind that! Come on!"
The shiny spot moved to the door but now Andi could recognize it as a tip of his brother's wand. He threw away his comforter and silently followed him. At the entrance to the common room Viktor turned to face him.
"Where's Hoof?"
Andrei shrugged.
"Call him!"
Andrei's sleep muddled brain was a bit slow at processing his request. He was still rubbing his eyes and wondering what came over Victor.
"It's the middle of the night!" he whined.
"So? I need him for something!"
"Ok...what for?"
"Just call him!" Viktor raised his voice.
"Stop yelling at me! What's wrong with you and why should I?"
"Andrei just call the bloody phoenix!" Viktor said grabbing Andrei's hand in a hard grip.
"Let go! It hurts!"
"Do it!"
"No!"
Viktor pulled out his wand and two things happened at the same time. Andrei realized it was not his brother's wand at all and he heard a whispered "Imperio!"
Andrei felt dizzy. He was already struggling to keep his eyes open but now it felt like every rational thought left him. He was supposed to call Hoof. That's what the voice was telling him. Not remembering why he would need his phoenix he saw no point in it but he knew that's what he should do. Feeling like his head was going to blow up from pressure he did what the voice told him to do. He saw a ball of smoke and blue flames and then the phoenix appeared.
Andrei's mind couldn't follow events that happened so fast. Hoof spread his wings and swooped down at Viktor. There was a loud screech and a scream. Andrei's head was pounding and his ears were buzzing but the pressure was relieved. He fell to his knees and stilled himself there trying to figure out what the hell happened. The seconds passed but he was still dizzy and unfocused, unaware of the crowd that quickly gathered in a common room.
"Andrei! Answer me!"
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and even though he heard the plea he couldn't bring himself to respond.
"Espen, get a healer and Igor! I'll stay with them, hurry!"
Potions professor hurried to find the headmaster leaving a frantic Dark Arts professor, Anton Melnikov, with two students, one curled in on himself, unresponsive and other, his brother by the looks of it, with scratched up face and ripped clothes that blood was seeping through.
Very soon, students gathered around whispering and some offering their help, but Professor Melnikov told them all to step away. He tried to focus his attention on Viktor since he couldn't do anything for Andrei at the moment.
Anton heard a yell he recognized as the one belonging to one of the senior students, "Hey! You're all right!" and then the loud chattering started.
He turned his attention from Viktor to look up and saw... Viktor!.
"What's going on? Who is that, 'cause he sure as hell isn't me!" Viktor yelled, his voice still rough with sleep.
Melnikov stood up and backed away from both Viktors. He pointed his wand at the one bleeding on the floor and mumbled something. The disfigured face on the floor shimmered and broad shoulders narrowed, revealing a fifth year student, whom Melnikov remembered well from his class.
"Why would he-"
"Go to your brother Mr. Krum!" professor interrupted.
Viktor turned to the crowd looking for Andi, but then saw his friend looking wide eyed at something behind him. It took Viktor less than a second to realize it was his brother on the other end of the room, hunched down with head in hands. He strode across the room and crouched next to him.
"Andi? Are you ok?"
Andrei flinched from him and started shaking.
"Andi, it's ok... it's me, Vik..."
Viktor started checking his brother for injuries as a young woman with blond hair dressed in healers robes swept passed him and rushed to the other student lying in the puddle of blood. She was followed by Karkaroff who stood momentarily stunned at the entrance way.
"Anton, what happened?" she asked the Dark Arts professor.
"That phoenix scratched him, probably defending young Krum. Igor, he was polyjuiced as Viktor Krum."
Healer started casting different spells and eventually told Melnikov to levitate him to the hospital wing. Karkaroff joined Viktor next to Andi and motioned to her to leave them to him, so she followed her colleague outside.
"Viktor, tell the students to get back to their dorms." Karkaroff said.
"But..."
"Please, do as I asked." he turned to Viktor's friend "Ms. Runesson, stay here." he told another student.
Viktor turned and started pushing his peers across the room, back to dormitories.
Meanwhile, the headmaster tried to reason with the confused first year on the floor. "Andrei, it's ok. It's over now. Look at me, please." Headmaster whispered in a soothing tone. Andrei raised his startling blue eyes and stared at Karkaroff.
"Viktor?" he asked.
"It wasn't Viktor, Andrei. It was the polyjuiced student. Can you tell me what happened?"
"Where's Viktor?" Andrei asked timidly.
"He'll be back soon. Do you remember what happened Andrei?"
"He wanted me to call Hoof, I wouldn't and he used Imperius."
Karkaroff nodded and cast a few diagnostic spells on him.
"Ms. Runesson will stay with you until Viktor comes back. Infirmary won't be necessary."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Andrei whispered.
Karkaroff left the room just as Viktor entered.
"Andi!"
In a rush of adrenaline Andrei ran to him and sagged in relief as he felt the safety of his brother's arms.
"It wasn't you." he kept whispering as if trying to convince himself of it. Viktor just tightened his hold hoping he could offer enough comfort to get over tonight's shock.
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Severus was looking forward to leaving the feast. He had more important things to deal with. But it seemed it just wasn't meant to be. Students were piling at the end of the hallway some whispering, others shouting.
Severus followed behind Albus and came to a stop when he saw the writing on the wall "THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE". Next to it he saw a cat hanging on the wall. All in all he thought it was a pretty pathetic attack for the heir of Slitherin, a cat... he would probably laugh if the situation wasn't this serious, or at least if Albus didn't think it was. He was examining the cat and then picked it up. Severus was getting quite amused by Filch's screams and accusations. Apparently he was dumb enough to blame the golden boy for the murder of his insignificant filthy feline.
Before he knew it Severus found himself in Lockhart's office. While Gilderoy was bragging, Filch sobbing and Potter fidgeting he leaned against the wall and studied the cat. He didn't realize before but now it was quite obvious. It was petrified. Nobody at the school could have done that, Severus was certain, and that was exactly what made him feel uneasy. Has someone broken into Hogwarts? And why petrify a cat; surely that wasn't the goal, right? , he thought.
"She's not dead, Argus", Albus said softly.
And there it was again, Filch blaming Harry for all the wrongs in a world. 'The boy couldn't even cast proper Impedimenta, and yet this squib was blaming him for petrifying someone'. Severus focused back on a conversation, if he could call it so.
"I never touched Mrs. Norris! And I don't even know what a Squib is."
"Rubbish!" snarled Filch. "He saw my Kwikspell letter!"
Severus barely contained his laughter this time. He's never heard of Kwikspell but he could guess what it was. Potter was certainly as oblivious as he was before he read the aforementioned letter. He finally decided Potter could use a bit of help with Filch, but it wouldn't do to let the Marauder's son relax too much.
"If I might speak, Headmaster," Albus nodded, "Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here. Why was he in the upstairs corridor at all? Why wasn't he at the Halloween feast?"
Severus listened to their explanation about the Deathday party. Only Lily's son would attend such an event. Something didn't make sense in their story, though.
"But why not join the feast afterward? Why go up to that corridor?"
"Because...because... because we were tired and wanted to go to bed" Potter answered.
Severus didn't buy it.
"Without any supper? I didn't think ghosts provided food fit for living people at their parties."
"We weren't hungry," said Weasley, but his stomach was quick to disagree...
'Right, tell that to Lockhart, he might believe you!' Severus thought and smiled.
He tried to make a point and ban Potter from Quidditch pitch imagining the outraged expression on his father's face, but Albus and Minerva crushed his fantasies. 'The way the day's going I should have gone to bed right after lunch...'
He was just paying enough attention to the other occupants of the room to hear Lockhart volunteer to create a Mandrake draught. 'What an idiot!' The day has suddenly gotten a lot worse, Severus was seething.
"Excuse me," he said "But I believe I am the Potions master at this school."
With that he left the room after the three second years and hurried to write a note to his lover. He has had it with everything and couldn't wait to finally drift off to sleep.
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Love,
I wish I could see you and talk to you about this face to face. There has been a development at Hogwarts and it would not be an appropriate moment for me to leave. I do believe the word of the recent event will reach you soon, if not I would be very disappointed in students' gossiping skills.
I know you want me to give more to this relationship, to take risks. I am sorry to say there are some risks I will just not take and you know perfectly well what they are.
If you deem our love impossible then I shall just have to accept it. Regardless, you should know that letting you go would be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but I fear worse outcomes.
I beg your forgiveness and hope for your further affection.
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He left the note unsigned and sent it off hoping for at least some understanding. He watched the owl as it disappeared from sight and then turned to leave the room and get some much needed sleep.
But it was not to be.
Flapping of wings alerted him to another correspondence he hasn't been expecting. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself but this was just too much for one day. Slowly he turned around and saw Cassius staring at him from his perch.
He ignored the owl's raised leg and went past it, towards the cabinet. Only after a glass of scotch did he feel enough confidence to take the scroll and read it. After a few lines he was sorry he didn't take time to prepare himself more.
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Severus,
This night Cassius came to me baring some disturbing news. Viktor described to the best of his ability what took place at Durmstrang common room, only hours previously.
Andrei was attacked. Viktor assures me he is fine, and has just fallen asleep when he wrote the letter, but I will believe it when I see him tomorrow morning. I am sure you wish to know of the incident but I am not quite certain about the details myself. All Viktor told me was that an older student, Lisovskii, took a polyjuice and used controlling curse on Andrei. I understood that Hoof defended him but not much more. It is also the reason this letter couldn't reach you sooner. Apparently Hoof is reluctant to leave Andrei, so we are forced to use Cassius for time being.
What worries me, Severus, is that Lisovskii was a name of Dark Lord's great follower. With Yaxley at the port and a son of a famous Death Eater at school I am contemplating bringing the boys back home. Sofia is distraught and I can't make any sense of all this, Sev.
Please respond as soon as you are able, I look forward to your advice.
Alexander
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Once Severus finished the letter he was pale and his eyes wide with fear. Nothing was the way it was supposed to be. He gave his son up with intention to keep him safe and now he is anything but. He had no idea what brought this on. He needed more information than the letter provided, but would have to wait for Alexander to visit Durmstrang for that.
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Alexander,
do not pull the kids from school. Karkaroff is well aware of the scandal it would cause, so use it as a bargaining chip. I cannot tell you anything further before I have more facts, but I am worried for the boys' wellbeing as much as you are.
As soon as you see Andrei and get the full story send a reply with Hoof. Do not use Cassius.
Let me know how your sons are doing.
Severus.