Full Summary: How does a spy's son live in a war-ridden world? Severus has an answer: he doesn't. If you don't look for trouble it does not have much chance of finding you. So, trusting his friend with his most prized possession Severus plays cards he has been dealt and tries to make the most of it. Follows the events in books until GoF.

Pairings: SS/?, SS/BW, VK/HG ...

Warnings: slash, mpreg (if any of it does not suit your taste, please read no further)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K Rowling's characters, or the magical universe in which the following story takes place. I do own Andrei and his friends, though.

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"...English..."

"...Bulgarian..."

'...thoughts...'

...Flashbacks and letters...

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A note for Albus

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It was almost noon when Andrei decided to leave the bed. It was a hot day so his sheets clung to him but memories from yesterday were still vivid and he wanted to just stare at the ceiling and replay them in his mind.

It was a bit weird his dad hasn't shown up to wake him yet. 'Perhaps he is brewing in his lab'. Just to make sure he threw his sheets off and got up. That was the only motivation he had to face this extra-sunny day. He walked down the stairs still in his night shorts and sleeveless shirt.

Entering the kitchen first, he squinted at the blinding light coming from the closed window. 'Could it be any warmer!' Snow, rain, storms, fog, clouds and nice sunny days, he had no problem with, but this was just too much. He barely got up and was already drenched in sweat, with headache on the way. He tried to open the window to let some air in at least, but it wouldn't budge.

One look at the table told him that either his Dad forgot to make breakfast or he thought Andrei has had enough for three days last night, which was unlikely. He got used to the warm breakfast in the past few days. Confused he made his way to the lab, only to find it locked. Locked! 'Why would he do that?'

A frown marring his face, Andrei wondered what else this hellish day would hold. Barefooted he paced to the foyer, and grabbed doorknob to check the yard. Locked. 'What the hell!' His Dad was nowhere to be found and he was locked inside with nothing to do. Checking bathrooms and the bedroom he made sure he was really alone. What was worse there wasn't even a note that might give him a clue where his Dad left this early in the morning. Well, maybe it wasn't that early, but still...

Well, if he couldn't leave, at least he could get some info on the situation. It turned out more and more like those muggle candid camera shows and it freaked him out. Making his way back to the kitchen he took a pen and a peace of paper.

"Hoof!"

He wrote a short message for his dad in Bulgarian and it showed just how he felt at the moment. His semi good mood was completely ruined now. Folding the note he reached to put it in Hoofs beak. But the phoenix was nowhere in sight.

"Hoof!" he yelled more urgently.

No answer. Andrei blinked. The heat was annoying him and the lack of draft, which was constant in the manor, wasn't helping any. Making his mind he ran upstairs to his room. At least the windows were open here. He picked up his wand. There wasn't a trouble he couldn't get out of with a little help from magic.

"Accio broom."

Nothing. He sighed. 'Now what?'

Walking downstairs again he made his way to the broom cupboard. All that walking up and down was tiring him. He tried to get the broom but that too was locked.

"Alohomora."

The door was stll locked. He turned on his heel and walked to the kitchen window.

"Alohomora!"

The window remained stubbornly closed. There was only one thing he hasn't tried yet and it was the fireplace. 'But then again where would I go?' Just so he could make sure he wasn't completely cut off in the house he threw the floo powder in. The flames turned green and he threw his scribbled note in it.

"Diagon Alley" he said, not really caring who would read it. After all it only said he was locked and couldn't get out, no indication who sent it or who should receive it.

It didn't matter anyway since the note was still floating in the green flames.

"Knockturn Alley! Kings Cross! Leaky cauldron! Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, Headmaster's office!" he screamed, annoyed.

The flames erupted and engulfed the peace of paper. The next moment it was gone.

"Yes!" Andrei exclaimed. Finally something happened although after yelling Kings Cross he wasn't really expecting it anymore. And now his note was safely in the hands of Albus Dumbledore. 'Well, it's not my fault he locked me in and made me do this...' Andrei thought when his Dad's furious face appeared in the back of his mind.

At least he could go to Hogwarts if something happened. 'Something like the rugs catching on fire from all this heat.'

Andrei walked back to his room and just to confirm his theory stuck his hand out the window carefully. First there was a warm feeling that could be contributed to the hot summer day but a bit further it turned to the scolding hot air barrier. 'He put up the wards. Paranoid bat!'

He raised his wand and started chanting, trying to bring down the complicated wards. But his meager first year knowledge on the subject wasn't enough to even put a scratch on it. A few seconds later he gave up.

Throwing himself back on the bed he wondered why he even got up, it certainly wasn't worth the try. Waiting for his Dad to return he went back to ceiling staring he interrupted earlier.

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Albus Dumbledore was not having a much better morning then Andrei Krum. He was woken by the ministry owl delivering the news of the first escape from Azkaban prison in history. Since then he went to the Ministry, read McNair's, Fudge's and some nameless guard's report on the subject. Even read Daily Prophet's article on the vicious murderer on loose. Once he returned to his office he was accosted by his staff trying to find out what was happening in the ministry. When the 'staff meeting' was dismissed the only ones left were Severus, Minerva and himself. He made a firecall to Arabella Figg warning her to keep an eye on young Harry's house. A long morning indeed.

"Albus, do you think Mr. Potter should go to the Burrow this year? With Black on the loose..."

"No, Minerva. The Weasleys have left for Egypt this morning. Harry is safe as long as he stays at his Aunt's house." Albus said, no sign of twinkle in his eyes.

Ever since he went to the ministry this morning Albus was wondering about Sirius Black. His thoughts drifted to the boy's Hogwarts years and he just couldn't make a connection with a man he turned into. Sirius Black he knew would never betray his best friend's trust, and simply adored young Harry. How could this happen to them? So many young lives ruined. He himself took all the necessary measures to protect both Potters and Longbottoms when they went into hiding. If there was any way to avoid the dreadful prophecy he would have done it. And he did his best. Condemning a child to such a fate was simply not right. It was only fortunate that both Neville and Harry survived the attacks. He wondered how Harry's life would have turned out if he lived with a loving godfather as was his parents' desire. But it was not to be. Albus wished he had at least suspected Sirius' duplicity at the time. He might have been able to stop the tragedy then. But Sirius was never anything but loyal to his friends and Order. How could he change so much? Why did he change at all?

"And what measures will be taken to protect Potter while in school?" Severus asked.

"I am sure the Minister would think of something." Albus frowned.

"I have no doubts in that myself, Albus. What I wanted to know is what exactly we would be subjected to this following year."

"I honestly do not know Severus, and neither does Cornelius right now. He is not the most organized person I know."

"So you have your own plans, correct?"

Dumbledore smiled at his colleague.

"I do have something on my mind. Or rather, someone."

Albus could practically see the wheels turning in Severus' head, and clearly saw a moment when it all clicked to place.

"Lupin?" he snarled.

"I do believe Mr Lupin is between jobs right now, and as far as I remember he was quite proficient in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Minerva took one look at Severus and couldn't hold back anymore.

"Don't you think you should offer that position to Severus, Albus?"

Severus looked at her bewildered and Albus chuckled at the suggestion.

"And why would I do that, my dear Professor? I was under impression Severus was satisfied with his current position."

"And what in the world gave you idea I would want to be around those wand waving dunderheads, Minerva?" Severus asked, appalled.

"Well, students were saying..."

"You are a deputy headmistress, woman! Don't you think you would know if I applied for that ghastly position?"

"Well... I suppose I would..."

"If there is nothing el..."

Albus was interrupted by the swooshing sound from the fireplace. Severus jumped from his chair and had his wand trained on it. Albus simply stood and turned towards it, although there was caution in his graceful moves.

The only thing they hadn't expected was to see the small note. Albus walked towards it, Severus still pointing his wand at it, just in case. Casting a few charms on the peace of paper Albus deemed it safe to be picked up.

He looked at the writing on one side, noticing that it was written in hurry, even though the script itself was neat. What amazed him was that the note was written in Bulgarian.

You locked me in! I am hungry and hot! Where are you anyway?

"Hm... interesting."

"Albus?"

"It appears I locked someone." Dumbledore looked up from the note, puzzled, but clearly amused.

"What?"Severus asked through his teeth.

"Albus, what in Merlin's name are you talking about?" Minerva asked.

"And apparently I forgot to feed them." Albus said, his face scrunched as if he was trying hard to remember if he really did.

Albus handed the message to Severus so he could see.

"It translates to..."

"That stupid little...!" Severus started but took off towards the fireplace.

"Severus?" Albus asked now truly intrigued.

Severus sighed, his hand in the bag of floo powder.

"Never mind, Albus. The note is for me."

This truly was interesting if Severus Snape had someone who would send a note like this. And a foreigner at that. Albus opened his mouth to ask more but it seems Severus anticipated this.

"I have a friend's son visiting, Albus."

"Ah, of course, Severus." Albus beamed.

"Albus, whatever you're thinking..."

"Thinking, Severus? Whatever would I be thinking? If you said it is a friend's son you are babysitting then I believe you."

"I am not babysitting! He is more then capable..." he broke off "Good bye, Albus, I have more pressing matters to attend to."

Severus threw the powder into the fire and said in a clear voice a destination that had Albus' twinkle return full force.

"Prince Manor!"

Albus watched him leave thinking how there is always a thing to brighten your day when you look for it hard enough. Unknown to him, there was an upset young wizard not too far away who did not share his opinion.

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A/N: This will be the last update from me this year so I wish you all happy hollidays and a veeery HAPPY NEW YEAR!