"Talking"
"Parseltongue"
Chapter 11: …And One Step Back
The next morning dawned with rain and clouds. Draco had fallen asleep in Severus's room the night before and spent the night on the couch.
Draco woke up early, as was his custom, but instead of going to train; he snuck into his godfather's room and cast a simple spell to wake up said godfather.
"Aah! What the Hell!" said godfather screamed and jumped out of bed with his wand pointed straight at the little imp.
"Rictasempra" and Draco fell to the floor laughing when the tickling charm hit its mark.
Finally, Severus released his spell and Draco raced out of the room and towards his own in order to dress for breakfast. Severus shook his head at his godson's antics before stepping into the shower.
Twenty minutes later found Damien knocking on the Dark Prince's door to head to breakfast with him. Unfortunately he was well aware of the fact that they were running late and while it was never a good idea to be late, today was one of the worst. "Severus, hurry up! If you aren't out here in thirty seconds than it might be better to just skip breakfast and I can assure you that that will not go over well with Alex."
"I'm coming, I'm coming! It is way to early for breakfast!" Severus complained as he come out and the two of them headed for breakfast.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! The boys are usually up and training by now, they are so used to getting up at this time that they decided they didn't need a lie in on their birthday and as it is their birthday everyone must suffer the early wake up as well. Now come on! And pray we are not the last ones down today."
They had finally reached the doors to the dining room now, when Severus turned to Damien, who was reaching to open the doors, and asked, "Why does it matter whether we are last or not?"
Just as he finished his question, the doors opened and they were both covered in a sticky substance dumped from a floating bucket.
"That is why you do not want to be last," answered the person sitting closest to the door as everyone laughed at them. Their appearance also heralded the beginning of the annual breakfast food fight. The two generals of the Dark Army had to go without breakfast as very little was edible once the food fight started.
After breakfast was the annual Quidditch game, followed by lunch and presents. The presents were much the same as they had always been, but this year Alex also got a gift from Nagini, who had left soon after Alex had gotten comfortable with his surroundings to be with her master.
"Greetingsss young massster."
"Greetingsss Nagini. What brings you back to the nessst?"
"It is your birthday, and soon you must return to the mugglesss. Alssso I believe it isss time I give you a presssent to protect you. Come out youngling, I wisssh to ssshow you to your new massster."
Suddenly a new voice joined the hissing conversation, this one was much younger than either Nagini or Alex. "Are you the one who will be my massster? The new voice came into view and slowly slithered towards Alex." It was small, not quite a foot in length, and beautiful. Its scales seemed to shimmer and change with every movement.
"Yesss, I believe I will if you wish to be bound to me." The statement was almost a question. Alex knew that it would be more effective if the younger snake were there of its own freedom, and not coerced.
"Yesss, thisss isss my wisssh. I will protect you alwaysss."
"And I will care for you alwaysss, Joltanisss. Thank you Nagini, he is beautiful."
"Your welcome young massster."
After all the gifts had been opened and the house elves had cleaned everything up, they had tea. While everyone else was enjoying his tea, Severus was growing more and more uneasy. He had not had a gift ready for either Draco or Alex and although neither had said anything, he knew that they had both noticed. He was not worried about Draco, no his godson would understand and he could probably make it up later, but he wasn't sure how to make it up to Alex. The Dark Heir obviously had everything and Severus could think of nothing that would make up for being present-less even if had not known in advance. He had also shown up to the manor unannounced and uninvited. Finally, he made up his mind.
Standing, he glanced at Damien and felt a slight wave of reassurance pass through him at the knowing look in his eyes, and walked over to where Alex was sitting, discussing something or other with Jason Black. He stopped a respectful distance away and waited to be acknowledged. Eventually Alex ended the discussion, which had turned into a rather heated argument, and looked at Severus, raising one eyebrow to let the waiting man know he was listening.
Severus swallowed his nervousness and said, "My lord, if I may have a word… privately."
Alex looked at Severus appraisingly before nodding once and getting to his feet. "Of course, lead the way."
Together they left the sitting room, but once outside Severus did not stop, instead he continued onward until they reached the doors to the private throne room. At the doors he stopped and looked at Alex. Alex once again paused to look at Severus, before he opened the door and continued forward to sit on the throne.
Once the Dark Heir was seated, the current Dark Prince moved from where he had stood waiting just inside the door. He approached the throne until he was about three quarters of the way to the dais before he knelt and crawled the rest of the way. Once again the ceremonial dagger appeared on the edge of the dais, and the Dark Prince took this and cut his left wrist, just as Damien had cut his right. Then in a clear voice he spoke his vow.
"I, Severus Septimus Snape, Dark Prince of the Death Eaters of the Dark Lord Voldemort, pledge to faithfully and loyally serve you, Alexander Marvolo Riddle Voldemort, as the son of my Lord and Master deserves. To protect and serve you as I served your father with mind, body, and soul, should they be demanded of me. Obeying no one over you, save the commands of your father, to bear myself as befitting one of my station, and to command my men as would serve you best."
Alex noted the difference between the one the Commander had given and the one the Dark Prince had just given. He decided that the changes were for the better and so before the magic thought he had rejected the vow he spoke his acceptance. "I, Alexander Marvolo Riddle Voldemort, accept you, Severus Septimus Snape, Dark Prince of the Death Eaters of the Dark Lord Voldemort, my father. I accept your vow of faith and loyalty, understanding your duty is first to my father, second to myself, and then and only then to yourself. May the powers acknowledge, confirm, and bless this bond given in good faith and may they punish those who would swear their fealty falsely."
The powers accepted the oath and soon a silver snake showed on Severus's right wrist, intertwining with the green one that had been there before. Slowly, weak from loss of blood, Severus crawled forward and kissed the hem of the Dark Heir's robes before rising and standing to his right.
The sound of footsteps made Alex look past Severus and he saw Draco walking forward looking as if he would repeat the actions of his godfather, but Alex raised his hand to stop him. Draco stopped and looked up, puzzled. Alex stood up and walked down to meet Draco, when he reached him, he said, "Not now Draco. Not yet." Then he continued back to the sitting room, followed by Severus and Draco.
Later that evening, after everyone had finished eating dinner, Severus, Damien, Draco, and Alex, retired to Alex's study where they stayed up discussing their plans. Finally, the adults took their leave, allowing Draco and Alex time alone to say goodbye.
The two boys talked idly, reliving their favorite memories, until Draco finally worked up the courage to say what was on his mind. "Alex?"
"Yes Draco?"
"Why wouldn't you let me follow my godfather and pledge my loyalty? Do you doubt me? Are you having second thoughts that..."
"Enough, Draco" replied Alex somewhat sharply. "Look at me, I do not doubt you, nor do I want any other at my side. The reason I stopped you is neither of us are ready for that commitment. Heck, I'm not even sure exactly which capacity you will fill and once you have taken the oath, you cannot change the wording, no matter how much I wish it or would prefer you to have taken a different oath."
"How can you say we're not ready? You let Severus and the Elite pledge. How is that any different on your end," pouted Draco.
Alex sighed, "Now you're just being difficult. The difference is they're already secure in their role and are already bound to my father. In the case of the Elite, they are just renewing the vows they took when I was born. They were simply accepting my authority as the Dark Heir; their oaths do not give me nearly as much power over them as yours will. Also, what would you swear? To serve as my Commander? I have no Elite, and I'm not sure if my Elite will take the same form as my father's. Or would you swear loyalty as the Dark Prince? I have no followers, and am not ready for them yet. Do you understand now Drake?"
"Yes, My Lord" and with a deep bow, Draco slowly backed out of the room, at peace with the decisions his future Lord had made.
The next morning Draco returned home so that he would be able to be at home when his Hogwarts letter came. After saying their goodbyes in the Entrance Hall, Draco and Severus left together for Malfoy Manor. Draco had been restricted to taking only one trunk full back with him, leaving the majority of it in his rooms at Riddle Manor.
When they had left, Damien turned to Alex, "my Lord, it is time for you too to leave."
"Yes Damien, I know, but it is not something I am looking forward to."
"I understand your hesitation my Lord, but your father believes this to be the best course of action. Here are the old clothes we transfigured. Once you are changed you will leave with Jason. I am sorry I cannot take you, but I am unable to do magic, and therefore unable to protect you properly. I also need to go and make sure Lucius understands exactly what Draco has gone through."
"Yes, I know. Goodbye Damien, see you soon I hope." And with that simple goodbye Alex walked into the bathroom to change and Damien let himself out of the study and allowed Jason entry. Jason stood waiting for his godson and when he reemerged dressed in rags he had a difficult time keeping his face blank.
Together, they Apparated from the Manor to Private Drive, just outside of the wards, and walked to Number 4. When a very fat man opened the door to tell them to go away and leave them alone, Jason raised his wand and flatly intoned,
"Obliviate"
AN: Nagini left after Alex was comfortable with the Elite to be with her bonded. She came back from where Voldemort is sulking in order to help/ comfort him. She came back to help soften the blow of having to go back to the Dursley's and to give the gift of a young snakeling.