A/N: Sorry that this one is so short. I just felt the need to post something, but separate it from the big drama of the next chapter. So to all of the loving fans: here you go! Keep posting those hilarious comments that you do.
Chapter 6: Not Alone
It was late at night when Severus and Ra finished with their lessons. They had managed to create basic sentence structure after Severus had memorized some words and their signs. He could now sign out things like his name, his age, and some sort term form of goodbye and hello. He had discovered that the boys had no future tense in their system of signs, a sad reality check for the situation they had been in. There was a past and there was a present, but no future.
When they decided to stop for the night, Severus walked with Ra back to the dining hall. Severus didn't say anything, keeping his gaze staring straight ahead. The boy next to him was humming quietly, one of the two sounds that he was allowed to make. Severus didn't recognize the song, but it was pretty, mostly staying in a lower key and melodic.
As they approached the dining hall, sounds swelled to a great volume. Severus scowled and rolled his eyes as he caught a glimpse of blond hair streaking past the open door. Ra only grinned as he grabbed Severus's hand and dragged him into the hall.
Draco and surprisingly Bellatrix were chasing young Sprite around the room, the boy laughing silently. He dodged around other Death Eaters who milled about, quietly speaking among themselves. Sliding under the dining table, Sprite leapt up and resumed his race, Draco hot on his heels.
Feeling a slight tug on his sleeve, Severus glanced down at Ra. The teenager smiled and nodded, motioning to Sprite and the others. Rolling his eyes a little, Severus stepped over towards Tom. The Dark Lord was standing beside the other three boys, watching with fascination as they signed complex sentences to each other.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" Tom asked as he continued to watch the boys.
"It is. Ra was teaching me some of it and it's surprisingly simple once you learn the basics," Severus replied.
"So you'll be able to read what they're saying?" Tom asked.
Severus nodded. "I figured that it would be easier than having them write out everything on paper."
"Did you make any progress on the runes used in their contract marks?"
"A little, but nothing substantial."
Tom gave him a sideways glance, eyes narrowing. "Did anything else happen, Severus?"
"No."
"You're lying to me."
"I'm not."
"Yes you are old friend. What happened?"
Severus glanced uneasily around the room. "Now is not the time, Tom."
Huffing, the Dark Lord shook his head and patted the Potions Master on the shoulder. "It was what he was trained to do, Severus. Don't take it personally. You're getting soft on keeping up your guard. I can see holes in your mental walls."
With a snarl, Severus quickly fixed his shields, running his fingers through his dark hair. Beside him, Ra had taken to chatting with Sprite, who had finally worn out both Draco and Bellatrix. Neither of the boys seemed to be listening.
Suddenly, Lucius Malfoy came running into the room. Everyone looked up as the blond man rushed towards Severus and Tom, a piece of paper clutched in his hand. The usually clean and orderly man was disheveled, his hair wild and slightly tangled. Soot clung to his robe from the fireplace he'd just come through and the collar of his shirt was strangely wrinkled.
"Important news, my Lord!" Lucius panted as he handed the piece of parchment to the Dark Lord.
Taking it from the blond, Tom unfolded the paper and started to read. His eyes grew steadily wider as he read, peaking the interest of everyone around him.
"You're sure about this?" Tom asked, glancing over the top of the parchment at Lucius.
The blond nodded wildly, the signature Malfoy composure completely gone. Folding the paper, Tom sighed a little, running his fingers along the crease. He glanced over at Ra, who tipped his head to the side in a silent response. Handing the paper over to the mute boy, Tom nodded in encouragement.
"It's good news."
Ra started to read, frowning in confusion. The tip to his head became more pronounced as time slowly passed, everyone eyes glued on him. When he came to the end, Ra let out a squeak and dropped the paper, backing away from it. He started to wildly shake his head, clutching his hands over his ears. While Tom moved to pick up the paper, Severus wrapped Ra in a tight hug, ushering the boy back over to the Dark Lord.
Tears were flowing freely over Ra's face, even though his green eyes were squeezed shut. Tom watched the boy sadly, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Severus's grip on Ra tightened as the boy thrashed a little before settling down.
"Harry," Toms said softly, "Isn't this good news?"
Looking unsure, Ra opened his eyes and glanced up at the Dark Lord. The tears were still coming, although they were slowing a little. Raising his shaking hands, he made a series of signals, whimpering slightly.
"I'm sorry, Ra, but I don't enough yet to translate that," Severus murmured.
Snatching the paper from Tom's hands, Ra looked around for a quill. A lower Death Eater approached, holding a quill out to the boy and holding a small pot of ink in the other hand. Dipping the quill in the ink, Ra quickly scribbled a note on the back of the parchment, holding it out to Tom. Reading, Tom sighed and nodded. He reached out and ruffled Ra's black hair.
"Clearly they didn't though, did they?" he asked. "They remember and they want to see you. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Slowly, Ra nodded and snuggled back against Severus. The Potions Master ignored the nice feeling that the small, but warm body gave him, focusing all of his attention on the immediate concerns.
"Would you like to see them?" Tom asked.
Ra nodded before he buried his face in Severus's black robes. Turning to the Death Eaters, Tom drew a steady breath and said, "We will be welcoming some important guests soon and I want you all to leave them in peace while they are here. They will be our heir's guests and deserve all of your respect. Severus, you will meet them at Spinner's End and escort them here."
"Who is it?" Severus asked tentatively.
Tom glanced down at Ra, his gaze soft and kind. "It seems that not everyone in Harry's family has abandoned him. They will be at Spinner's End tomorrow, they said. We'd best prepare ourselves for them."