"...English..."

"...Bulgarian..."

'...thoughts...'

...Flashbacks and letters...

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Warnings and kind strangers

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June 5th, 1993

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It was the last day of exams and Andrei has not felt so relaxed since the school year started. No more early mornings and whiny fellow students around. Not much has happened during this term and Andrei was happy for it. He was rather preoccupied with the joined project he has just finished to worry about anything else. It was a challenge he had been looking for since starting school.

Viktor, who suddenly became nervous about the impending arrangements, was getting frustrating and if even possible more unbearable then he was during his celebrity stages. The plan was already made for this summer: right after the exams Alex will come for him and take him to the training session with Bulgarian national quidditch team. He was practically counting hours until the event and in turn Andrei was getting short tempered himself in his presence.

The reason Andrei couldn't stand his brother's current fidgeting was not so easy for others to see. All he could think about was that the second Viktor leaves will be the second Andrei will have to face his worst nightmare ever since Christmas. Alexander and Sofia will have to be with Viktor the first few weeks he is away so Andrei will be staying with Severus. Andrei did not have any part in that decision.

So, if it wasn't for his upside down life outside of Durmstrang he would be joining Viktor in his countdown.

Andrei was packing his trunk in his dorm, with Rolf (who was currently using Andrei's shower) as company. Alvin, Valentin and Maarika all had an exam and would be joining them shortly. When the door opened Andrei assumed it was their friends.

"How was it, guys?" he asked not raising his head, stuffing his clothes haphazardly in his trunk.

"How was what, Krum?", Konstantinov squeezed through his teeth.

"Oh, sorry, I thought it was Alvin."

"Well, it's not!. Got a problem?", Tolia slurred threateningly.

"Would you help if I did?" Andrei rolled his eyes.

He turned around and to his amazement saw a wand pointed at him, and beyond it there was an angry face of his roommate.

"Well, have you actually learned any spells yet or are you just waving that around?" Andrei indicated the wand. He did not feel confident at all but he was on his knees, his wand was in the holster and he couldn't reach it fast enough if Konstantinov decided to attack. So he figured he might get lucky and an angry jerk just might become a distracted jerk.

Fortunately, Konstantinov lowered the wand and smiled.

"I won't make the same mistake Lisovskii did, Krum." he sneered and looked Andrei straight in the eyes. Suddenly he threw something at Andrei. Acting on instinct Andrei caught it. It was a small gray ball. It was cold and glowing. The surface rippled under his touch and it reminded him of a remembrall he once saw.

And then images flashed in Andi's mind. Darkness. And then branches coming at him as if he was making way through the forest. A flash right in front of him made him stop and through the air thick with fog he saw something approaching. He nearly screamed when the snake dropped from the branch above him as the figure made it's way closer. He shut his eyes tight as if it would stop everything. It did. The ball dissipated in a cloud of smooth gray smoke.

"Treason to our Lord can not be left forgotten, Krum." he whispered maliciously so only Andrei could hear

Andrei stared at him. Still on his knees, he watched Konstantinov walk out and close the door after himself.

"Hey, what's up?" Rolf's voice came from the other side of bathroom door.

"Konstantinov. I have to see my brother!" he said and nearly ran straight into Maarika as he fled from the dormitories.

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"Viktor!"

Viktor was on his way to join his friends when his little brother collided with him and pushed him into a classroom nearby.

"Hey, why aren't you packing?"

"Konstantinov had this ball..." panted Andrei. He lowered his voice so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Andi, calm down..." Viktor requested trying to understand what Andrei said...

"I saw some foggy place, a snake fell out of a tree and there was a dark figure in the background. I did not imagine it, Viktor!" he snapped when he saw Viktor observing him like he was some sort of a madman.

"Well then would you calm down already, and explain everything so it makes sense!"

"Merlin, if you were that fast on the broom I really would have something to be worried about. Konstantinov came to my room and threw this ball at me. Then those images appeared."

"And you think what you saw was for real? Andi..." Viktor was careful with his words and Andrei resented it. It clearly meant Viktor was not taking it seriously.

"Even if they weren't it's what he said afterwords."

"Which is?"

"He said that treason to Riddle won't be forgotten. He called him 'our lord'."

Viktor was deep in thought. He turned to the door and cast a silencing spell.

"Who was the figure in the background?"

"Take a guess!"

"This is not a joke, Andrei!"

Viktor's head was in his hands. He was shaking slightly.

"Don't tell dad." Viktor said after a long moment of silence.

"WHAT! Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND!" Andrei yelled at the top of his voice. "You said it yourself, this isn't a joke! We can't keep this from him! Who knows who gave Konstantinov that ball!"

"I don't know! The kid or someone else probably made everything up! If the Death Eaters were reforming we'd be the first to hear about it!" Viktor explained, angry that everything was going the wrong way.

"We are the first to hear about it! From Konstantinov!" Andrei was livid.

"We'd hear from Sev, not some snot nosed brat!"

'Like he would notice anything around him with that guy around!' Andrei thought. He took a deep breath but could not keep anger from his voice.

"Fine! Let Dad decide about it.",

Viktor stopped his reply for a moment wondering if Andrei meant Sev or Alex. Alex was always their dad but if Severus was somehow mentioned in the same conversation, to Andrei Alex would be just 'Alex' or 'father' and Severus would be 'Dad'. When he thought about it, during the past few months Andrei hasn't really mentioned Sev at all. Shaking off those thougths Viktor just assumed his brother meant their 'mutual' dad.

"Andrei, if Dad hears we'd just go hiding to the Lodge! I won't put my life on hold over something that kid said!"

Andrei's eyes widened in understanding.

"Quidditch? Are you insane?" he whispered, not believing anyone would even think about this, "You'd put all our lives in danger so you could fly around on that blasted broom?"

"There's no danger! Just because you don't understand quidditch...", he trailed off and sighed, "Just trust me on this, Andrei! Please." he bagged with pleading eyes.

"Whatever. If anything happens you will be the one responsible, Viktor. And just for the record, Vik, he did not make that ball by himself." Andrei gave up and left feeling even worse then before.

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Once again Andrei landed on the Heathrow airport. The only difference this time was that his father wasn't there to greet him. Alexander said Severus would be here and Andrei looked everywhere for him. Even went as far as asking the clerk behind the information desk if 'a man with slimy hair was here' only to receive a quite unpleasant 'no' from the woman.

Well, he knew the address so all he had to do was take a cab. Sure, he didn't have much money with him, but then again his Dad would pay for the trip... if he was home. Or he could just send a letter with Hoof, but that would be the easy way out and would entail talking to his dad. Begging to be picked up didn't sit well with Andrei, not when he wasn't the one at fault.

He dragged his suitcase behind him ('This would be much easier with the featherlight charm') and walked to the first car he saw in front of the airport.

"Good afternoon, sir."

The man on the driver's seat turned to look at him through the window.

"Hello there. Going someplace?"

Andrei thought about it for a bit. 'If he is not here he is probably not at the Manor either...And I can't just tell him to drive all the way to Spinner's End... Should I try Diagon Alley? No way... Damn! Ok... calm down, Andi! I need a floo. Where can I find one? At any wizarding place... and this man knows none.'

"Hey kid, you all right?" the cab driver asked seeing Andrei wasn't answering.

"Yes, sir, just thinking where it was my dad said we should meet."

'Think, Andi! Ok... Hogwarts is a wizarding place. I obviously can't go there... but children go there from King's Cross station, so there must be a floo there, right?'

"Can you take me to the King's Cross Station, sir?"

"Can't get enough of traveling, kid?" the driver smiled and motion for him to get in the car.

"Apparently." Andrei said as he sat in the back seat.

Andrei was rethinking his decision. Why would he go to his Dad's place at all? That thought started the train of others. Why did this always happen to him? He wished Viktor was here. Even if he was being a git this year he still missed him. 'Stupid quidditch! What's so fun about it anyway?'

Unlike Viktor he never liked flying. It wasn't the fear of heights because he enjoyed sitting on the roof back home in Bulgaria, but the thought of the sore butt from sitting on the wooden stick did not appeal to him. Quidditch even less. The crowds yelling from the stands and players all full of themselves. Only once he attended a game during this year at Durmstrang and it was only because Viktor wanted him to be there.

"Sir, could you take me to the nearest hotel, please?"

"Changed your mind?"

"Yes. I'm not looking for something expensive, though."

"There's this Inn not far from here."

"Thank you, I'm sure it will be fine."

"Where are you from? Your accent is a bit strange."

"Russia." he lied. It wouldn't do to tell any unnecessary information.

"Really! My sister went to St. Petersburg this winter. She said it was amazing."

"I'm sure it was. Did she go to Ermitage?"

"No idea. Probably. She went on and on about the hats and beverages, though."

Andrei chuckled. He could just see the appalled faces of his Russian friends from Durmstrang.

"I'm glad she had a nice time."

"Well, we are here."

Andrei handed driver the money and thanked him on the way out. The place was not impressive, but it would do. Considering the amount of money he was carrying it was perfect.

He took a room with a single bed and made himself comfortable. He sent Hoof with a letter to Alexander telling him where he was and not to worry, but that his Dad should consider picking him up soon. He was pretty sure it would cause an uproar with his step-dad but that was exactly what he was hoping for. A bit of trouble for his esteemed father.

Finally after refreshing himself he made his way to the entrance hall and took a seat there. He enjoyed just watching people and thinking up stories about each of them. He was observing an old lady with a little girl skipping around her when someone spoke to him.

"Hallo there, may I join you?"

Andrei nodded and the elderly man took a seat beside him.

"That's my wife." the man said, noticing where Andrei was looking at.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

"It's quite all right, child." he smiled and a few of his wrinkles disappeared "That's my granddaughter with her. She is so restless." the man sighed.

Andrei nodded.

"How old is the girl?"

"She will be four next week." the man stated proudly "My wife and I thought a trip to London would be a good birthday present for her."

"I don't mean to sound rude but where are her parents, sir?"

"Do not worry, son, you could not be rude if you tried." the man smiled but that smile very soon disappeared as he answered the question "My son remarried and left Lucy with my wife and I."

Andrei frowned in thought.

"Doesn't he care about her?"

"I am sure he does. I just wish he would show it to her more."

"Sometimes life's just not fair." Andrei shook his head, his eyes still on the jolly girl.

The man looked at Andrei and asked something that seemed to be bothering him.

"What are you doing here all alone, son? Where are your parents?"

"My Dad is on his way. He forgot to pick me up at the airport." Andrei spoke bitterly.

The man just let out a long breath at that.

"I do not understand people today. Children should be our greatest treasure and the source of joy, not something to push away and forget about at first chance."

"Try telling that to my father and he would probably explain how deeply disappointed he is you would think such a thing about him." Andrei struggled to keep a casual expression. For a first time since he received that letter at Durmstrang he felt the tears burn his eyes. He refused to cry then, but his facade was reaching it's breaking point.

"I am sure your father is very sorry for what happened, little one. He is coming to get you and you will sort it all out." the man said trying to comfort him.

"Just like your son and granddaughter will, sir?" Andrei rubbed his eyes and looked at the man that held so much hope "I won't beg him to love me, sir. If he doesn't then it is his loss."

The man shook his head.

"He does. And if he didn't you would both have a lot to lose. Do not let that happen. Don't let yourself become bitter. Give him a chance and learn from his mistakes. Never let your child feel the way you do now." the man gave him a reassuring smile.

"Would you forgive your son for abandoning his daughter for his new wife? Because that's pretty close to what my father is doing."

"Oh, lad, I'm sure he did not abandon you. He will be here soon. He is willing to try things with you around. Don't waste that chance, it is one my Lucy may never have."

Andrei politely nodded but didn't seem convinced.

"Andrei!"

Hearing his father's voice he looked once again at the stranger. The man nodded his head in direction of his granddaughter. The girl was reaching up to her grandma asking to be carried. The woman shook her head and petted her auburn hair as she pouted.

"Thank you." Andrei said when the man stood up to join his family.

He cupped Andrei's cheek and smiled. Nodding his head he silently walked away. He only turned once to see the tall man rushing to the boy he was talking to. With the stern face he did not give away a feeling of an easy going man, but with son as bright as that boy, he was hoping they would sort out their problems.

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Again Severus did not speak until they were at the safety of the Manor.

"Who was that man?" he snapped at his son.

Andrei shrugged his shoulders and quickly concluded it was the wrong thing to do. Severus' glare would send most man running for their lives.

"You don't know? How could you be so irresponsible... "

Andrei tried holding back his temper but at that he failed miserably.

"I was being irresponsible? And where were you during that time?"

Severus continued the staring match they started. Neither would look away and neither would back down. Finally, remembering the old man's advice Andrei caved.

"He was there with his wife and granddaughter. We just talked."

Seeing that Severus had nothing to say he tried to start a different topic. The one that has been bothering him for a long time.

"Dad... I want you to know something..."

"Now what did you do?" Severus snapped.

Andrei reminded himself to stay calm, but it was bloody hard. How were they supposed to have a civil conversation if they were both on edge.

"Please, just listen." when Severus took a seat and waited for him to go on he did, "If you ever... and I'm not saying you do now, but... if you ever want to be with someone... you know... in a more serious relationship..." Andrei gulped and looked at him, but his dad's face was unreadable, not that he was expecting anything else, "...well... I guess... I wouldn't mind it... if it made you happy that is..." he finally allowed himself to trail off.

"You wouldn't mind?" Severus asked passively. His face betrayed nothing and it unnerved Andrei more then ever.

"No, I wouldn't." he confirmed adamantly.

"And why would you think it so important to inform me of this new resolution of yours?"

Andrei observed his father's face. 'Not a twitch!' he thought, got to admire the man for that.

"I explained everything in that letter a few months ago."

'No way I'm the one who's apologizing again! Either apologize, Dad, or just don't mention it.' Andrei thought.

"The one that so graciously arrived in the middle of the Great Hall in front of the whole student body?"

"Yes, that is the one." Andrei answered. Deciding to play his father's game he put his best blank mask on.

Severus eyed his son suspiciously.

"The one I answered and you never sent a reply back?"

"Yes."

"Will you answer my question now?"

Andrei was confused. 'What question?'

"No, I think it is time you gave me some answers."

"How, may I ask, am I to answer any questions if you do not even trust me enough to stay away from my mail?"

"You told me to stay away so you could keep secrets from me."

"Secrets I am entitled to keep."

"And you ask why I do not trust you? I am simply asking you to put some faith in me. Trust me that I will listen and understand. You do not protect me when you keep secrets, Dad."

Severus leaned back in his chair and smirked.

"Did Alex tell you that?"

"He raised me. It is only expected of me to learn a few things from him I wouldn't normally from you."

Severus nodded and didn't look so amused at that.

"You are correct. You would not have learned it from me, Andrei. I have secrets. I always will. And unlike Alex, I believe I am protecting you by keeping them."

"Let me rephrase that, Dad. You can not protect someone you lost."

Severus went rigid, even Andrei noticed it.

"It is up to you. I can't be here if you don't trust me. I will be in my room if you wish to talk." Andrei said as he moved to stand up.

"Wait." Andrei sat on the edge of the chair "please, sit."

'Finally!' , Andrei reclined back.

"All right. We shall talk. What is it that you want to know?"

"Tell me about your relationship."

Severus was about to deny again but Andrei clenched his fist around the armrest and one look at it told Severus there was no use in hiding anything any more. He nodded.

"I didn't know how you would react if I told you." Severus stated with uncertainty.

"Which is why I told you that I would be fine with it. I admit, a few months ago I wouldn't have been." Andrei closed his eyes and chewed his lip but decided to tell the whole truth." A few hours ago I would still be mad you chose him over me, but not anymore."

"What?"

"Please, just tell me now. It's all right, I promise."

"Is that what you thought all this time?" Severus asked, eyes wide. He leaned forward in his seat so he could see his son better. "That I would choose someone over my own son?"

"Well you did spend the last day of my visit with him. What was I supposed to think?"

Severus was at the loss.

"If you knew I wasn't at Hogwarts why didn't you say something?" Severus asked defeated.

"I lied to you. I opened your letter, how was I supposed to talk to you? I tried to convince myself it didn't matter. And when Vik said I should discuss it with you , you blew me off."

Severus was devastated. He never thought Andrei would come to those conclussions. When that letter arrived telling him his secret was out he was only concerned about his own feelings. Never did he think how Andrei felt. What affected him the most now, was the fact that no father would behave the way he did. Without a single thought to his son. To his defence he did have Andrei's wellbeing in mind but he could also see now how he had hurt him in process.

"I thought I was protecting you... and... I was frightened.." Severus whispered. "I am sorry. I never meant for you to go through that." he pulled back, carding his fingers through his black hair. "I did everything in my power just so I wouldn't lose you. And it all went wrong."

"Because you wouldn't say the truth when I practically begged you." Andrei insisted.

"I will now. Please, forgive me." Severus found it harder now to keep his voice from shaking.

Andrei nodded. It nearly brought tears to his eyes but now he knew everything would be fine. Viktor was right, they just needed to talk. 'It wasn't easy though...'

"Tell me."

Severus sighed.

"I met him while he was a student at Hogwarts." seeing Andrei frown he hastily added "Nothing happened until he graduated."

"So, what, he is twenty years younger then you?" Andrei arched his brow. This was unexpected.

Severus chuckled.

"Hardly, you little brat. Eleven."

"Ok, I guess he at least looks old enough to be called step-dad." Andrei shrugged.

Severus was unbelievably relieved his son was taking it so well. It felt like the huge weight fell of his chest. As for Andrei he was honestly surprised this came so easy for him. Since he was assured his Dad loved him, this man didn't pose such a threat.

"We could ask him, but I don't think he would mind being called that."

Andrei looked at him startled. 'We?'

Severus wondered if he went to far, but then Andrei relaxed a bit noticing his Dad included him in his plans now.

"So, tell me more and then I may actually want to meet this mysterious admirer."

"He is a pureblood..."

Andrei huffed. At Severus' inquiring glance he explained.

"Like I care... Unless he is a bigoted fool? Oh, Merlin! He is a new generation Death Eater, isn't he? That's why you didn't want me to..."

"Slow down! He is nothing of a kind."

"Oh... then why did you mention it?"

"Because it would explain why he wanted to meet you so much." Severus stated plainly.

Andrei was gobsmacked.

"He wants to meet me?"

"Of course. Family is important to him."

"And how exactly does he know you have a son?"

Severus was silent for a bit, but he reluctantly tried to answer to the best of his abilities.

"After a while he wondered... why I wouldn't... get to know him better." Severus seemed satisfied with his own answer so he nodded to himself. 'It would suffice'.

"You mean have sex with him?" Andrei asked truly puzzled.

Severus sputtered.

"So how come you told him about me?" Andrei asked with a frown, not looking even a bit flustered by his Dad's reaction. Severus took his time to recover.

"You're ten! You are not supposed to... talk like that!", what went through his mind was more along the lines of 'not know about that' but Andrei obviously did.

"Oh, come on, just call it what it is. It clears up the confusion. And I'm eleven."

Severus sighed and resigned himself to explain.

"I had a responsibility to let him know I could become pregnant. Since there wasn't any way to know that unless either my father gave birth to me or it had already happened to me I took the liberty of telling him about you. So, he knows I have a son, but nothing more."

"So he wants to meet me, but he doesn't even know my name." Andrei stated, wondering about the twisted logic of the whole thing "By the way, what's his name?"

Severus was looking at him straight in the eyes. Without a single emotion displaying in his voice he answered.

"William."

Andrei waited for the last name, but since none came he decided to let it go for now.

"Ok. So when do I get to meet Will?"

"It's Bill. I will arrange a meeting at an earliest convenience, if you are amenable."

"Sure. The sooner the better." he waited a bit and when it was apparent Severus had nothing to add he asked "So I'm not getting a little brother soon, am I?" he asked disappointed.

Severus arched an eyebrow, stunned by his son's audacity. Knowing the only way to stop this nonsence was to go along with it he smiled.

"Is Viktor not enough for you?"

"Yeah, you're right. Sometimes even having Vik around is too much." he laughed "So it better be little sister then."

"Why not? Perhaps, unlike my firstborn, she would learn to respect her elders." Severus said as he left the room, after all these months, his heart finally in the right place.