A/N # 1 – Mpreg. Angst and unhappiness abounds. Not my characters that I'm abusing.
A/N # 2 - No underaged goats were used in this chapter. A few O/C show up in this chapter, and then they'll disappear for a bit. Be patient, there's a reason why they're being introduced, and no, they won't be having sex with any of JKR's characters. ;D
A/N # 3 - Thnxs to Linze and MyMadness for their suggestions.
Gellert Grindelwald patiently waited and watched the skies. Let his gaolers mock him for staring at the world outside his cell, for they had no idea for what he was truly watching. When it came, it arrived on silent wings during the darkest part of the night when his oh so attentive guards' eyes were heavy-lidded.
Carefully, he reached his hand out of his cell, and he managed to brush the Eastern Imperial Eagle with his fingertips. For this spell, he needed only the barest contact with the Eagle's feather to pass on his warning.
The message given to Snezhana's familiar, Gellert returned to his bed.
Warn them. Warn them all, my dear Snezhana.
He had done what he could for his faithful followers and he knew that the sharp-eyed witch would warn the Brotherhood. Unlike the Great and Noble Albus Dumbledore, once Gellert's loyalty was given, it remained given.
Dami, I wonder what you have done to earn Albus Dumbledore's interest. Be wary, my dear friend, as he is searching for you and he is nothing if not determined.
Albus politely requested that a meal be brought to his quarters and after picking at it for a bit, he presented it to Fawkes for his enjoyment The grateful Phoenix tucked right in, eating the choicest portions and then he hopped over to his mage who seem pensive and in need of cheering.
"I've been having the strangest dreams," Albus informed his familiar. His long, limber fingers began scratching Fawkes in that one itchy spot that always drove the Phoenix barmy. "In them, I'm instructing Severus how to dance, and it's not going at all well. For someone with such agile hands… hand… he possesses an abundance of left feet."
Fawkes crooned a suitable response, gently chastising his Mage's less than charitable attitude.
"Yes, patience is a necessary virtue for a dance instructor," Albus agreed. "But the fact that I'm attempting to prevent an extremely uncoordinated Severus from crushing my toes isn't the strangest part of my dreams. He's wearing a full beard."
A questioning trill from the somnolent Fawkes was his familiar's only response.
"Not a proper beard like mine," Albus admitted. "But he's always been clean-shaved. He also has extremely curly hair. He looks different, but I know that it's Severus because of his dark eyes. They peer into my soul, judge me and find me utterly inadequate."
The itch scratched into submission, Albus began to gently stroke his Phoenix .
"I'm guilty as charged, I'm afraid. Guilty of further traumatizing him, culpable of forcing him to handle the situation the way I deemed best, responsible for convincing him of my supposed anger towards him and accountable for a thousand other things. Never-the-less, it's imperative that I find him, Fawkes, before the Aurors and Voldemort do," Albus vowed. "Once I find him, the first thing I'll do is gently wrap him in swaddling and hand him over to Minerva's tender mercies. He'll need his own chambers then, as it wouldn't be proper to have him staying in Minerva's quarters. Perhaps, I can sweet talk the castle into allowing an extension for him so he's located right next to Minerva. Then, that done, I'll Confine him to Hogwarts until next December at the earliest."
After Albus paid him his Phoenixy due, Fawkes decided it was time for bed and flew to his nest, quietly chiding Albus for not joining him. How could Fawkes be expected to sleep if his Mage was still awake? Yes, it was still light outside, but Fawkes was tired after a very exhausting day of being bright and beautiful.
Albus ignored Fawkes' gentle censure, as he had an afghan that needed to be finished. It was knit of the palest green and lightest silver vicuna wool and quite soft to touch. He had paid a great many galleons to acquire enough yarn for the afghan and then still more to have the spicy cinnamon colored yarn charmed into Slytherin colors.
"Perhaps I can start the booties tonight?" Albus wondered. "No, I should start on the dress. I have the emerald green yarn and the pattern's rather complicated."
It was complete and utter bedlam on Curry Mile. Sasha and Oxana seemed completely unperturbed by the milling mayhem, but a jumpy Severus could only admire their equanimity. Waiters were on the sidewalks, loudly cajoling the passersbys into visiting their restaurants.
"We have the best curry outside of Mumbai!"
He got jostled once or twice and instinctively, he reached for his wand that wasn't there for protection. Sasha had steadfastly refused to give him back his wand. One couldn't really blame Sasha for his reluctance as Severus had attempted to magically murder him. But Severus was missing the comforting, familiar weight of his wand as there was an ever-increasing, swelling terror in his soul, as though someone was diligently searching for him. It must be his overactive imagination, as Severus repeatedly reminded himself as he attempted to calm his increasing paranoia.
How could anyone find me in this clangorous, caterwauling, cacophony cauldron of complete curry chaos? I doubt the Dark Lord has developed an unexplained craving for Paneer Pakor, Naan and Chicken Nehari and has sent Peter Pettigrew out for takeaway!
"Easy," rumbled Sasha. "Only a few more minutes, as we're almost there. Try to stay in your skin as you look like you're about to kittens. Speaking of which, I do hope Nadya and Grisha behave while we're gone as I don't want to deal with a litter of kittens in two months. I put her on birthbane but where's there's a penis, there's always the strong possibility of kittens."
Severus wearily nodded his head, not wanting to remark on the fact that while Grisha was quite enthused with his new friend, Nadya didn't return the sentiment. He'd been a teacher at a boarding school long enough to know how that usually turned out.
If given a choice, he would have much preferred to have stayed in bed, but that hadn't been an option. Actually, it had been a selection, as long as he didn't mind that dinner would not be served to the invalid. More importantly, he could have had a nice lie in if he dared risk Sasha's annoyance for not being a happy, clappy houseguest. Oxana had thought it would be a delightful experience for him to go to Curry Mile after all his time in bed, and therefore, since Oxana had suggested it, Sasha believed that Severus should eagerly treat this culinary calamity as a true adventure.
Bloody hell, hadn't they ever heard of takeaway? He had even heard of places that delivered the food to one's door. Why drag him out here except to prove to Severus that his disguise was perfect? During the course of their travels from the shop to the Cursed Curry Mile, Severus had seen several extremely unflattering pictures of his former appearance plastered on the front page of "The Guardian", "The Manchester Times" and a half dozen other rags that Oxana had insisted purchasing at a Muggle newsstand. His Azkaban booking photo was even on the front page of "The Daily Prophet" where the image Severus screamed and fought while the guards restrained him. That sight stirred unpleasant thoughts to the surface as he reflected on Ari suffering in Azkaban.
No, the Headmaster wouldn't allow them to return me there until after she's born as the sprog wouldn't survive the ordeal. He'll Confine me to Hogwarts, and I won't be able to leave the grounds unless he gives permission.
It seemed that greasy git Severus Snape was quite the drifter these days as that dangerous Madman Severus Snape was bloody popping up everywhere. London, Surrey, Bristol, Glasgow, Galway, Newcastle Upon Tyne…
Severus remembered once more his time in Azkaban, and he couldn't help but shiver. He would be howling at the moon mad within a week if Ministry put him back into that nightmare. To ensure that he wasn't in arrears for his mother's hospice care, he had broken his parole … didn't that rate some leniency?
Any clemency would be negated by the inescapable truth that he willingly stayed with Damyan Draganov instead of returning back to Hogwarts, tail between his legs, like a whipped cur.
Yet, he's the only one that believes he can get Ari to term. Poppy believed that I needed to be shipped to St. Mungo's posthaste. I couldn't go there, as I wouldn't be safe there… Just ask Broderick Bode, who received a nice Devil's Snare pot plant as a "Don't Get Well Soon" gift from the Dark Lord. Plus the Headmaster's shame would be on the front page on The Daily Prophet, as my expectant condition would be rather quickly leaked.
It's time to stop whinging, and deal with the hand I have been dealt.
"Your ch'i flow is crimped, which is why you're so on edge. Once we get it stabilized and flowing properly, you'll be able to relax," Sasha reminded him. "Oxana will be administering another Reiki treatment tomorrow. She's quite talented at Reiki."
Dutifully, Severus nodded his head, and wearily, he put one foot in front of the other. Bloody hell, they should call this place the Curry Marathon, as the bloody street wasn't a mere mile long, it stretched on and on into infinity.
"We're here," Oxana finally announced. "Looks crowded; let me see if we can get a spot."
Sasha protectively hovered next to Severus, ensuring that he was jostled by the maddening crowd rather than Severus.
"Keep moving the arm," Sasha ordered. "You've been wiggling your fingers ever so often? The nerves are regenerating, so it will hurt, but you need to do it. Remember, I laid the foundation, how much function you regain depends completely on you."
Severus wiggled his fingers in painful acknowledgement and Sasha beamed a grin.
"I do good work," Sasha proudly stated. "There are less than a dozen people that could give you your arm back and none…. NONE of them… would have you with that range of motion so soon! How I wish I could write a paper! No one would believe me and then the furious protests would begin. I was published, you know, in several major periodicals. I had quite the reputation as an innovative Healer-Surgeon. People would come from everywhere for my opinion."
As required, Severus made the appropriate appreciative noises while Sasha grinned like a proud papa. Severus had heard Sasha's speech only twice, but he rather dreaded the part where the despondent Sasha remembered that no one particularly cared for his opinion these days. What could Severus say to a man who had lost his family, his reputation and his sanity in one fell swoop?
All his pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, his pretty chicken and her dam at one fell swoop?
"Good news, Razz is working tonight. He'll get us right in, and I requested a private spot as poor Adrik looks as though he's overwhelmed by the noise," Oxana assured him when she returned.
Abd-al-Razzaq was an older, bright-eyed Pakistani who appeared quite taken by Oxana while being quite respectful of Sasha.
"Yes, I have a private room for you," he assured her. "Your guests are already there and your dinner should be ready shortly. My family is quite delighted that you decided to eat at our new venture, so we're preparing quite a magnificent feast for you. Welcome, my dear friends, to The Alamgiri Gate."
"That's quite kind of you, Razz, and I'm positive that your dinner will be a marvel. Our guests are here already, Sasha. How many of them showed, Razz? They were simply dreadful and they didn't Répondez s'il vous plait like I requested," Oxana's tone conveyed her extreme disappointment at her guests' rudeness.
Severus noticed that both Oxana and Sasha had gone on high alert, and Sasha had taken point, leaving him buffered by Oxana. He was in the middle and absolutely bloody defenseless. He wasn't hearty enough to even attempt to perform the most basic of wandless magic.
"Two showed, and I must admit that I was quite confused when they arrived. One is a very forceful female and the gentleman is quite the gourmet as he requested a Rooh Afza with a twist. Forgive me, but they insisted on joining your party. I knew you had only requested a quiet spot for three, but they were most adamant that they were part of your party. He is?" Razz politely asked, his dark eyes darting toward Severus and then back toward Sasha.
"Aleksandar's grand nephew. Adrik's staying with us for a bit until he gets back on his feet," Oxana carefully offered.
"Your uncle is a remarkable man. I credit him for saving my mother's life," Razz cheerfully explained. "He was willing to honor her request for traditional healing."
"Yes, I have often had the benefit of Aleksandar's extensive knowledge," Severus dryly admitted. "I doubt that I would be standing here if it wasn't for him."
"Tosh! You're embarrassing me," protested a bashful Sasha.
Razz showed them to the door of the private room, then quickly disappeared. Sasha held up one finger.
"I open the door then I go in. Anything happens… Rada…" he instructed Oxana as he completely dismissed Severus' aid as inconsequential.
"I know," muttered Oxana. "I run like hell, barricade the two of us in the shop until Adrik can be extricated and then the two of us plus the two fuzzies are Paradise bound. Any idea on which old girlfriend of yours might be looking for you because you're arrears in child support?"
Sasha's green eyes shifted so slightly toward Severus that he almost didn't catch the gesture. Severus would have to weasel the information out of Oxana later.
"Yes, it could be her based on Razz's description, but the odds are so long as to be doubtful. How would she know you were here with him?" Oxana intently questioned. "But pull your wand if it is her. Stun, don't kill as Razz doesn't need the plod here. We can Obliviate and send her on her way."
A curt nod of Sasha's head was the Dark Wizard's only response and then he put his hand on the door. His lips moved as he mouthed a spell. For a moment he appeared perplexed when the spell resolved, and then he shook his head.
"Oh for the love of little blue grey furballs named Grisha and Nadya, what the hell are those two doing here?" Sasha growled. "My bloody cell is here. Quick words of advice, Adrik, keep your mouth shut, do not volunteer any information especially about you know what and you know them. If that plan doesn't work, appear quite confused. The look you're wearing now? Perfect."
Sasha opened the door and stormed in. There was a loud sound of exuberant greetings from the room and Severus looked to Oxana for guidance. Bloody hell, whoever they were, they were friends of Damyan?
"I don't understand," Severus admitted to Oxana. He might as well get it bloody tattooed on his head, maybe that way he'd stop saying it.
"You're about to meet two of Sasha's old friends. They're dangerous, but there were two types that joined Gellert's Glorious Revolution. These two genuinely wanted to make the world a better place, unfortunately by whatever means necessary, and then there were those like Sasha."
Severus looked at her, wanting more information on his benefactor and she sighed.
"He wanted to watch the world burn. His favorite saying was 'Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature's mandates'," she quoted. "His treatment by the Bulgarian Aurors left him slightly unhinged. They Collared and Cuffed him before they Boxed him, which is why he's a touch claustrophobic."
The Collar and the Cuffs were used to completely restrain a magical prisoner, but to put him in the Box? To be placed in solitary confinement with no light and no sound, while also being completely restrained except for your racing thoughts? No wonder Damyan had gone utterly astray in his head.
At Severus' alarmed look, Oxana quickly added, "You can see that he's much better now."
"Destruction as a mandate?" Severus dryly retorted.
The witch sighed before she began to explain, "Marquis de Sade? You can't tell me that you weren't required to take any philosophical courses at your fine institution of higher learning? Careful, they're both highly educated and quite proud. Don't insult them, as they'll wipe the floor with you. I don't know why the bloody hell they're HERE. The organization of the Brotherhood is cells, three people usually. The leader of the cell knows how to locate someone in a cell below and above him or her. There are only two people that know where everyone is located. If Sasha didn't tell them to meet him here, then one of those two higher-ups called this meeting as cells don't get together for a cheery chinwag over stout and crisps."
Severus wasn't sure what to expect when he entered the room. Two Dark Wizards, both rumored to be quite dead, certainly, but he wouldn't have expected the rather prickly and aloof Sasha to be warmly embracing them. But that is what he found when he entered the room. When the trio of Dark Wizards finally disengaged themselves, Severus was able to sort them out. One was an extremely tall wizard, a head and shoulder above the not-particularly short Sasha. He had closed cropped white hair and he wore an eye patch over his missing right eye. The darkly tanned witch was shorter, but still tall for a female. Her short, bristly hair was more silver than gold and she had a fierce expression on her face.
He prayed that they didn't see his tremor of fear when he recognized them.
Ari, I've fallen into dangerous company, Toma Filipov and Rada Dafovska! Perhaps it would have been safer for you I had stayed with your father. These two oversaw the Siege of Leningrad! Your father would be furious if he only knew what dangerous company I've been keeping…
"I was told to meet you here," the witch tersely stated. Her voice was exotic as it was a mixture of assorted accents. "I see you've brought two of your strays. Where's the boy's wife?"
I'm married? Severus looked quickly at Oxana who gave him only the slightest nod of her head.
"Home," Sasha explained. "She and the child weren't feeling up to spicy food, so she's home. But you were both told to meet me here?"
"This room has been thoroughly warded, so let us speak freely, using our real names. Damyan, please be so kind enough to introduce us to your… great nephew… Adrik," the witch requested. She reached for Severus, grabbed his face by his chin and then pulled his face this way and that in order to closely inspect it. Rada nodded her head in approval. "Toma, you must agree that he does look a great deal like Adrik."
Who is Adrik? Severus wondered and Oxana shook her head. She doesn't know either?
"Yes, his appearance is quite similar to Adrik, Rada," Toma agreed.
"His bone structure was similar, and it's easier to Build an Appearance if the caster can mentally visualize it," Sasha explained. "No one in this bloody country would have any idea what Adrik looked like, so I thought it would be safe."
"Agreed, but let us focus on the important matter that you didn't request that we join you here?" Rada intently questioned. "I received a note that said that you desired a meeting and this was the location."
"I was also under the mistaken impression that you had sent me the invitation," Toma growled. "You didn't?"
"No, I didn't. I left information on where we were heading for dinner in case it was necessary to contact me. We took public transportation, so we have been gone from the shop for over an hour. That means…" Damyan ceased talking and then turned towards the closed door.
Rada shook her head, and then held up her hand.
"A mage has just entered the restaurant," she whispered. She then sniffed. "I smell the faintest whiff of Aloeswood."
Japanese Incense? She smelled Japanese Incense midst of all the pungent aromas in a Curry Bar? Merlin's scrote, the witch's nose must be quite keen!
"Well, this is a sticky wicket, it appears that we're up for deletion," Toma calmly stated. "The cell gets called together under mysterious circumstances and then we're all conveniently removed. When the door opens, it will be Byakko sent to dispatch us to the Afterlife."
"I concur," Rada agreed. "Byakko's wand is Aloeswood."
"It has been an honor, Rada and Damyan. I regret that I will not get to know you better, Ekaterina, perhaps your opinion of me might have improved. Adrik, have consolation that at least your wife and child will live on. Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life."
Having spoken his peace, the burly wizard removed his wand from its hiding spot and he placed it on the table.
"I hope Byakko will let me finish my drink first," Toma then dryly quipped. He raised his drink. "Death never takes the wise soul by surprise; one is always ready to go."
Sasha quickly grabbed a glass for the toast. The three wizards clinked their glasses together and then drank.
"Let it be said that I met my death with dignity," Rada calmly stated as she also placed her slender wand next to Toma's ebony wand. "To die with honor when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death of one's own free choice, death at the proper time, with a clear head and with joyfulness. I am content."
Sasha placed his wand on the table and nodded. "I'm afraid I can't think of anything poetic to steal so I can utter them as my final words of wisdom. Alas, that's all, folks, doesn't carry much gravity."
"Oxana?" Severus questioned. This was madness! The three Dark Wizards had toasted their deaths and were now calmly waiting to be 'removed'. If had been one of the Death Eaters, they would be fighting until their very last breath.
"We can't Side-along Apparate, as you wouldn't survive it in your current condition, and I'm certainly not running, leaving you two here. Stand behind me, and I'll attack Byakko," Oxana tersely explained. "He'll easily take me out, but you run like hell, boy. I don't know anyone besides Sasha that can help you, I'm afraid, but I pray that you'll find someone."
"You don't need to attack Byakko; he's just here for the three of us," Sasha easily explained. "He knows the current situation and you and the rest will be set up someplace new."
Bloody hell is my current condition the subject of everyone's conversation? Ari is a personal, private matter!
"There's someone at the door," Toma whispered.
The door swung open and an older Japanese man stepped into the room. Ignoring the increasing tension in the room, he slightly smiled, bowed once and said, "Konbanwa!"
He was quite surprised to find Oxana's wand at his throat when he straightened from his bow.
"Hello, Oxana. Would you mind removing your wand from my neck?" the Japanese man politely requested. His cold, dark eyes flickered from the various people in the room and then his eyes focused on the three wands on the table. "Oh my goodness, I'm not here to delete your cell. Snezhana needed to get a message to you three and I thought it would delightful to meet up for dinner. It's been a good five years since I saw the three of you together."
Oxana had not moved her wand the slightest, and Byakko repeated, "Oxana? Could you please remove your wand from my neck?"
Oxana looked at Sasha who nodded his head. She warily put her wand away, and then the Japanese mage smiled.
"I assume that this is Adrik? I am Ishikawa Byakko, please, call me Byakko. We'll talk about the reason why I brought you together after dinner. I haven't had good Pakistani food in so long," Byakko admitted. "Do you know if they serve Badam Ki Barfi?"
With Sasha on one side and Oxana on his other, Severus felt as safe as was possible in the situation. The Dark Wizards Chinwag didn't require his input, so he was content to merely slip further into himself. The world around him seemed to fade, and he felt like he was watching a pickie. Lily's parents had taken her ragamuffin friend to a matinee once, and he had stared transfixed at the screen. That's exactly how he felt now.
Derealization, Oxana called it.
Whatever it was called, it was a blessed relief, as he preferred to feel numb rather than terrified. By all rights, he should be petrified as he was dining with some of the most dangerous Wizards known to Magickind. Yes, he had often broken bread with his fellow Death Eaters, but the legends surrounding these particular individuals made Bellatrix LeStrange look like a petulant child. And the fact that the slight Japanese mage was deemed capable of single-handedly executing the unholy trinity of Damyan, Toma and Rada meant that Severus was absobloodylutely in a hell of a lot of trouble.
If the Headmaster found him and saw him sitting here with his newfound friends, he'd be furious with Severus for needlessly risking Ari.
No. He couldn't think of that as he'd obsess on that thought until his soul bled. He needed to focus on something besides the presumed reaction of the angry Headmaster. For example, Toma's booming laugh was quite contagious and it seemed the acid tongue Rada was quite the wit. He didn't understand her humor, but even Oxana was laughing. So he tried to listen, tried to comprehend the conversation taking place over and around him, but he just couldn't.
It was the accents, he finally decided. They were so strong… that's why they sounded garbled.
Ari needed him to eat, and so he mechanically ate whatever was put in front of him. Oxana kept his plate full plus she was kind enough to cut his food for him so he shoveled the various delicacies into his mouth. At last, he could eat no more as he was completely stuffed to the brim and he was drifting in a contented, blissful warmth. Let them enjoy their conversation, he was happy merely to float in peace. Oxana protectively put her arm around him and whispered, "Go ahead, it's alright if you doze. You've been ill, they'll understand."
He should stay awake. Constant vigilance! That was the only way to keep Ari….safe… Must keep his eyes… open… yet Oxana was there…he could trust her… because he had to trust her…
"He's out cold," Oxana softly announced. "He won't wake for thirty minutes."
"Thank you," Byakko said. "The reason why I called this meeting is because of him. Snezhana was finally able to get a coherent message from Gellert. It seems almost five weeks ago, Albus Dumbledore paid an impromptu visit to Gellert. His line of questioning was unclear, but Gellert has reason to believe that you have attracted his interest, Damyan. Gellert believes and Snezhana concurs that Albus Dumbledore is searching for you."
"Probably because of your strays," Rada inserted. There was no bitterness in her tone, just serene acceptance. "Why did you take him in, Damyan?"
"It amused me to do so," Damyan calmly retorted.
"Oh yes, and indulging your amusement is paramount among our concerns," Toma drawled. "What happened to him exactly? If you look at the boy's eyes, you can see that Adrik's been out with the fairies too long, if you know what I mean. If Oxana hadn't put the food on his plate, he wouldn't have tucked into our little feast. Damaged and gutted, that's what he is. Damyan, charity? Your well earned reputation will be in shreds if the rumors start spreading that you're actually merciful and compassionate. Please, don't tell me that you've gone SOFT, Damyan, I'll start believing in Father Christmas first!"
Rada barked a harsh laugh and even Byakko smiled.
"Adrik was a triple agent in the current struggles between Albus and this era's Dark Lord. He and his family ended up worst for the deal, so they took flight. I found them in the alley outside my shop of all places, as they had done a Blind Jump to escape," Damyan explained.
"A Blind Jump?" A impressed Rada then whistled her amazement. "Merlin was smiling upon him else there would be bits and bobs of them all over the alleyway."
"Yes, I was rather impressed by the sheer amount of desperation needed to Blind Jump. I then offered them sanctuary as I believe that is a great deal of potential in Adrik. He's a Potions Master and has created several new Charms that are in use in the current Spell Lexicon. I thought if I treated him and his family with respect that hopefully he'll transfer his loyalty to us," Damyan stated. "There are extenuating circumstances that makes it highly probable that Dumbledore is moving heaven and Earth to get Adrik and his family back. Those same situations make Adrik leery of returning to Dumbledore. He's savvy and informed on the current political atmosphere which is helpful as most of our contacts are decades dead."
Toma and Rada discussed it quietly among themselves and then they agreed that Adrik could be fine addition to the Brotherhood.
"Snezhana agrees with Damyan's reasoning, but the safety of the Brotherhood is paramount. Therefore, I must regretfully inform you that your cell is being expelled from the Brotherhood." Byakko calmly announced the ritual proclamation of banishment from the Brotherhood.
It was a measure of their loyalty that they did not protest Snezhana's decision. Instead they took it with an equanimity that would have surprised Albus or Voldemort as their followers tended to quibble. But for these three, The Botherhood was not just everything, it was absolute. For the Greater Good of the Brotherhood, they would fall upon their swords.
"Temporarily! I must assure you of that! Your expulsion is only temporary until we can confirm that you can be safely brought back into the fold," Byakko quickly explained. "Has Adrik been Charmed?"
"If he runs and is picked up by anyone, he'll be unable to reveal anything that he knows. They'll rummage through his mind and they'll find nothing but confusing memories. For good measure, after all their Delving in his mind, they will discover a rather racy bit regarding a completely starkers and rather short-wanded Albus and a much-abused and quite underage goat," Sasha promised.
"Those randy Dumbledore boys and their goats," Rada chuckled. Toma roared his hearty approval and even Oxana quirked a brief smile.
"I hate to interrupt the jolly mood, but there are more bad tidings; we believe that Voldemort has inserted a spy among Gellert's jailers. He might be aware of Dumbledore's interest in you so be wary, Damyan. Snezhana was most insistent that I remind you all that if you need help, you can be assured that the Brotherhood will respond," insisted Byakko. His dark eyes narrowed as he glanced at Oxana. "Understand that offer extends to you also, Oxana. Toma, as always, your family will be protected. They've been relocated again and your eldest son has been informed that you have been called away for a few weeks. Fortunately your family hadn't unpacked much, as I swear there were easily a dozen more family members than we had moved yesterday!"
Toma murmured his sincere appreciation for his family's safety.
"Sister Rada? Would you mind putting up my brother Toma at your location until I can welcome you all back into our family?" Byakko requested.
"Always, my home is yours, Toma," The witch assured the wizard.
"Thank you, Rada. Bermuda is simply lovely this time of year, plus it will be nice to have a vacation from the family. They're just so numerous and loud," the one eyed mage happily announced. "Will you and your strays be staying in Manchester, Damyan? Or can we convince you to join our fun in the sand, surf and sun?"
"I can't move my strays yet, as they're too ill to travel though I think the tropical sun would Adrik some good. Byakko, please extend my everlasting and undying appreciation to Snezhana. I greatly value Snezhana's generosity in the matter of defending Oxana," Sasha quickly added as it was obvious to all that Oxana wasn't about to thank Byakko.
"Naturally we would come to her aid, as she is your woman, Damyan," Byakko offhandedly explained.
Oxana's eyes blazed at that rude comment and Rada sighed, "Byakko, in all these years you haven't changed at all."
"'Ware, our stray is waking!" Toma quietly announced. Then in a louder tone, he said. "Adrik, we waited to order the afters until you woke. I understand that the Kheer is a house specialty."
The man known as Adrik sleepily blinked and then nodded his head.
"We have repeatedly been up and down this street of insanity, Minerva," Horace reminded her as she turned around to march up the street again. "I haven't seen anyone that looks the faintest bit like him, and even you must regretfully admit that Filius' medallion seems to need an upgrade. We kept returning here, and now it's not responding anymore."
Her students believed that the stern Minerva McGonagall was pragmatic to a fault. She was rumored to be completely without emotion, a medical miracle as she was born without a heart, and many of her students would fall over dead in shock if they only knew that underneath her crusty exterior lurked a kind, sensitive soul.
"I have to find him, Horace," Minerva protested. Her voice was shaky and she wiped her eyes, refusing to let her damning tears fall. "He's in so much trouble."
"I know, I know," Horace gently assured her. "Let's have dinner, Min. You can't help if you collapse, and besides, I can't return you to Hogwarts with you not having eaten. People will talk and the rumors will be scandalous. I don't want to face an angry Albus who believes that I deliberately seduced you and then didn't even bother to feed you. You're well aware that I'm have a well deserved reputation of being a man of many appetites, and I prefer if all my rumored passions are all properly satisfied."
That quip caused Minerva to laugh and she put his hand on his arm. "Let's have dinner, Horace. I have enough Muggle money to pay."
"Madam! I insist on paying! You, as the fair maiden, get to chose where we will dine."
She wrapped her arm around his, and the two mages strolled down the street, looking like two slightly eccentric tourists. Glancing at the various restaurants, Minerva felt herself pulled to one spot in particular.
"There," Minerva regally decided. "That is where we will enjoy our dinner. The Alamgiri Gate sounds quite exciting. Will it match your formidable reputation?"
Truly, she was fond of Horace even though there were the frequent occasions when she wouldn't mind strangling him.
"The Alamgiri Gate is the main entrance to Shahi Qila, the citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, my dear lady," Horace explained. "I'm sure it will be quite the escapade. No doubt, it will add a suitable dash of scandal to your sterling reputation to be seen there with me."
They were warmly greeted by a Abd-al-Razzaq, who took them to a secluded table for two. They were in the process of ordering their meal when a group exited a private room. It wasn't polite to stare, but it was such an odd assortment of souls that Minerva felt it truly required a second glance. For a moment, her heart jumped a beat, as there was a hook-nosed, dark haired man, Severus-height in midst of the group. She almost didn't see him as he was blocked by a one-eyed man who appeared almost Hagrid-sized.
No, on closer inspection, the hooked-nose man didn't look at all like Severus, plus he had a shock of curly hair that was liberally laced with grey. Oh, Dana, the man had a left arm, cast and slung, but still he had one. To her embarrassment, the man saw that Minerva was gawking at him and in response, he quirked his left eyebrow in a gesture so damn familiar that her heart leapt once more. That was before he scratched his nose with his left hand, and Minerva flushed before she looked away.
"What's the matter, Minerva?" Horace asked. He put his large hand on top of hers, and gave it a friendly squeeze.
"Just saw someone that strongly reminded me of him," she admitted. She wiped her tearing eyes with her fingers and shook her head. "It's not him, as he had a left arm. He scratched his nose, and…"
For one overwhelming moment, she had believed with her whole heart that the man had been Severus, until she saw the gentleman scratch his nose with his left hand. Poppy had said that the amputation site had been deliberately allowed to get gamy so to make it impossible to re-grow the arm to a functional state. But damn it, the Arched Eyebrow of Amused Condemnation was so bloody Severus. Severus would have gifted her with That Look if he had caught Horace and her sneaking out to have a nice intimate dinner together.
"Now, now, take my handkerchief," Slughorn gallantly insisted when Minerva began to weep.
Minerva McGonagall had been in the bloody Pakistani Palace of Paratha and Puri with Horace Slughorn!
Severus had to look twice because first of all, he hadn't expected to see Minerva in Manchester and secondly because he couldn't believe that his Minerva would never be having such an intimate soirée with the wizard who was both his predecessor and successor. The witch looked up at the wrong instant, saw him staring at her and she had appeared to have instinctively recognized him in spite of his new appearance.
For a split second, Severus had been truly delighted to see Minerva while mock horrified by her choice in dining companion. Then the reality of the situation came crashing down upon his weary shoulders.
For the Greater Good, Damyan and his friends would massacre Minerva and Horace to keep their secret safe. He and Ari were part of the secret now, and therefore, he had to quickly convince Minerva McGonagall that he wasn't Severus Snape. The best way to do that was by scratching his nose… with his left hand. Because it was a well established fact that Severus Snape would never ever possess a left hand again. It physically hurt to raise his arm far enough to scratch his nose, but it was nothing compared to the gaping emotional wound in his soul when he saw Minerva's expressive face crumble in disappointment. The last glance Severus had of the witch was of her sobbing into a sympathetic Slughorn's handkerchief.
But what else could he have done? He obsessed on what could have been, what he should have done until Oxana interrupted his dark thoughts.
"Dinner was quite enjoyable, wasn't it, Adrik? Wonderful food, good conversation and old friends make for the best times," Oxana gently said, while Sasha softly debated what stop on the Metrolink would get them closest to home. "Plenty of takeaway for tomorrow. You seemed to have a very hearty appetite tonight, but you were very quiet tonight."
"Ari has a taste for spices," he lied. It was better than telling her the truth, which was that he only vaguely remembered what he had eaten. 'I also really didn't have much to say tonight."
She smiled at him, and leaned toward him in a conspiratorial fashion as the Metrolink swayed on its tracks. "We were fortunate that there were plenty of clothes that fit you at Barnardo's. Sometimes charity shops don't have a wide selection, so one has to salvage and rummage through their offerings, but tonight, it seemed you were in luck."
Luck had nothing to do with it, as Severus was sure that there were plenty of swishing, flicking and staccato wand motions involved with his new wardrobe. It was bad enough that Sasha had to assist him try on the clothes due to his current infirmity, but he had panicked like a frightened first year when Sasha had been assisting him out a jumper. The fabric over his face had caused him to flash back to something he had long since repressed, three strapping six years ganging up on the dirty little first year in the Slytherin showers.
Sasha had gotten Severus back to rights and then the two of them had sat on the floor of the changing area. Severus then had to listen to his very own personal Agony Aunt aka Dear Dangerously Deranged Damyan, remind him that he was a normal person reacting normally to a series of extremely abnormal events.
He could help but bitterly chuckle when he realized that the Deranged Dark Wizard and his Dark Consort were far more decent to him in the current situation than most of own comrades would have been. Lucius certainly wouldn't have helped him for fear of angering the Dark Lord. The Headmaster… well… he gave nice presents to Severus and the sprog. His generous offerings were mixed with sweet sounding lies liberally seasoned with the knowledge that Albus Dumbledore would stop being so kindly disposed towards the embarrassment with the burgeoning belly if Severus didn't settle down right quick and immediately behave.
Not so Sasha.
The Dark Wizard let Severus the Sad Sack snark, and have the sulks on a regular set schedule up to a certain point. Once Severus reached that predetermined level, a no-longer amused Sasha would slap him down hard. Then the entire process would begin anew. The acid-tongue Sasha seemed to relish verbally sparring with Severus, yet whenever scriking Severus had the screaming abdabs, it was Sasha just as often as it was Oxana who would settle him down.
The Headmaster had never attempted to calm or console Severus during one of his scriking sessions. No, more often than not the Headmaster had been found vainly and loudly protesting to a skeptical Minerva that he wasn't the motivating factor behind Severus' latest emotional collapse.
Oxana was close emotional kin to Minerva, sheltering him but steadfastly insisting that he stand on his own feet, while Sasha was a polar opposite to the Headmaster. Sasha didn't expect Severus to behave, because Sasha didn't behave. The Deranged Dark Wizard said what he wanted, in the manner that he wanted to say it, and he expected Severus to do the same. He wasn't sane, not by a long shot, but then again, neither was Severus.
Well, yes, the Dangerous Duo bought him things as the four stuffed bags from Barnado's demonstrated, but they were most assuredly not presents. He was expected to pay them back. Sasha had handed him a copy of the receipt and told him payment would be forthcoming out of his wages.
His clothes from Barnado's were plain and sensible. No silk, no fancy embroidery, nothing finer than he deserved because his benefactor, who was from the rarified air of high society, was mortified by Severus' taste in clothes. What with the expense of his mother's Hospice Care, it wasn't like he could just saunter down to Madam Malkin and order a silken robe. No, he had to save and scrimp and while Dumbledore had often bemoaned the fact that the soles of Severus' shoes were a tad worn, it wasn't like Dumbledore had increased his pay sufficiently to pay for both the increase in the cost for his mother's care plus new shoes.
Oxana had only the two requests; his new clothes were to be in any color other than black as he was in hiding, and that his new clothes be a bit too large, so she'd be able to cast the required expansion and disguise spells on the excess fabric. That way when after Ari burst forth from his all too fertile loins, Oxana would be able to get his clothes back to their proper shape.
Hopefully Sasha would be able to use the same spells to put his stretched and abused bits back where they belonged.
"Tomorrow, you'll meet with Oxana and she'll discuss your wages with you. Room, board, medical care among other expenses will be deducted from your pay. When she's done with your orientation to Serendipity, you can have a spot of tea. Then it's off to work with you," Sasha curtly explained. "I've got quite the backlog thanks to you so you will be working hard."
Severus nodded his head in weary agreement.
"Come along now, the St. Peter's stop is next, then only a few blocks to walk until we're home," Sasha tersely stated, and Severus abruptly realized that his tone was due to the mage's intense claustrophobia. "I hate riding the Metrolink. It's abnormal to be moving in a large metal can. I much prefer to walk."
The two of them helped him stand, and he staggered after them. Fortunately, they were carrying all the packages, so all he needed to do was concentrate on putting one foot down after the other. When they stopped walking, he stopped after bumping into Sasha. To his surprise, he felt Sasha guiding his head down, and he realized that he was being placed in a cab.
"We're taking a cab," Sasha softly said. "You look like you've been beaten, Adrik. You don't need to walk the last few blocks."
Albus Dumbledore was walking undetected through the halls of Hogwarts. He had rarely made use of this particular skill through the years, but lately, whenever he was unable to sleep, he would cast a Disillusionment Charm so he could walk undisturbed through the various corridors and hallways. First stop was always at the Slytherin dorms, so he could keep an eye on Severus' students and make suggestions to Horace on what he had witnessed. That way, once Severus returned, as he must return, as he had promised to return, Albus would be able to assure him that Horace had protectively overseen his Snakes.
Millicent had begun to thrive under the supervision of Filius Flitwick and Poppy Pomfrey, and she was no longer cutting. He had spoken to several of her instructors and they had assured him that they would keep their eyes on her to ensure that she wouldn't be able to slip back to her old coping mechanisms. One day, he had even given her House Points in recognition of Pomfrey's glowing report of her skills, and Millicent had just simply stared at him, utterly gobsmacked that the Headmaster had given her, a Snake, points.
Her look of stunned disbelief and the matching faces of the rest of Severus' snakes had affected him deeply, so he had doubled the points he had awarded to her then and there.
The Snakes appeared peacefully asleep, and so he returned back to the Entrance Hall. A drawn looking Minerva McGonagall was being squired into Hogwarts by a concerned Horace Slughorn, and the two were met by Filius and Poppy.
"She needs a Calming Draught," Horace explained. He kept his voice low, so Albus was required to cast an Aid to Hearing spell. "It's been rough for her."
Whatever happened? Hadn't their little assignation gone well? Albus paused, debated the issue and admitted to himself that he was quite interfering and meddlesome plus having absolutely no right to pry into Minerva' personal life. Whomever she decided to dally with was just fine with him. Their passionate relationship had long faded into dust… Yes, he was concerned, as she was a very close friend, and truly, if Horace Slughorn had done anything to upset Minerva, well, then as a worried friend, he had the right to remind Horace how to behave like a proper wizard.
Deliberately, he ignored that small still voice that snarkily reminded him on well he had cocked up the entire Severus Snape incident by behaving like a proper wizard who would support their progeny.
"I can't wear this anymore," Minerva explained. She took a chain off her neck and handled it to Filius.
"The medallion didn't work then?" Filius softly questioned in a disappointed tone.
"We ended in Curry Mile in Manchester," Horace explained, as he looked nervously about the room. "We really need to have this conversation some place where we can be assured of privacy. We don't want HIM hearing us."
"Headmaster or not, I'll tempted to give him the rough side of my tongue. First Severus, and now Minerva's in a state," protested Filius.
"I felt him," Minerva tearfully explained. "He was terrified, Filius. Something happened, and Severus was terrified and then… then… he just shut down. Whatever happened, just completely overwhelmed him, and he just couldn't process anything more. I have no idea what that could be, he's always been so bloody strong, Filius!"
"You didn't tell me that, Minerva," Horace protested.
"Take her to her quarters, and I'll meet you there with a Calming Draft. Be quick, we don't want Dumbledore involved," Poppy ordered. "I'm canceling her classes tomorrow. You need a nice lie-in, Min. You've been running yourself ragged and you'll have a complete physical collapse if you don't rest."
"Don't make me drink it," Minerva whispered. "I have to be available in case we find Severus. I have to buffer them…If I'm fuzzy…If I'm non compos mentis…I won't be able to mediate them. Severus needs me to buffer Albus…He rarely bloody listens to me, but I have to try, damn it!"
"We Slytherins pride ourselves on our chivalrous nature, and Severus will be quite vexed if you work yourself in prostration." Horace Slughorn said that quite forcibly. "The honor of Slytherin House must be maintained. Besides, I've already slipped something into your drink at the restaurant. You'll just sleep better if you take the second Calming Draught."
Minerva looked stunned for just a moment, and then she softly laughed.
"Oh Horace, how can a poor Gryffindor like me hope to prevail against such a sly and devious Slytherin?"
"We're home!" Oxana joyfully informed the two little fuzzballs that loudly purred their welcomes. The two familiars then acknowledged Severus' arrival by attempting to murder him by twisting themselves around his ankles and tripping him.
Yes, Severus decided, as he gracelessly collapsed onto the couch. This is my home.
Yes, he had promised that he'd return back to the Headmaster… return back to Hogwarts so that the Headmaster could seize the very best of him. Severus Snape put his right hand on his belly, and decided that he had given enough to Albus Dumbledore, thank you very much.
And he'd give no more.
But he'd need help from someone barmy enough to spit in Albus Dumbledore's eye and loudly snicker his derision. There were only two men in all of creation that matched that description, and Ari would not to be raised by Aberforth as no daughter of Severus Snape would be drinking straight from the taps of the Hog's Head Tavern.
That left one person who would really need someone to settle him down to ensure that that the sprog was fed and her nappies were changed. Fortunately, for the world at large, the soul in question had such a dedicated soul looking after him.
"Damyan Georgiev Draganov?" Severus softly questioned. "I… would be… honored… if you would consent to be Ariana's Godfather."
"Can't you read? We're bloody closed," Aberforth Dumbledore roared. He was giving the last table at the Hog's Head a lackadaisical wipe down, as in his mind, it would just be dirty again tomorrow so why put too much of an effort into it? He wanted to go home and give Mattie, the abandoned goat kid, a bottle while he told Mattie a bedtime story. It was always the same bedtime story, the one that Ariana had liked so much.
"I don't wish a drink," his brother softly informed him.
"My, my, my, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure? Why are you slumming, Albus?" Aberforth questioned.
Albus Dumbledore sat on the bar stool, facing his brother and slowly, he removed his half-moon spectacles. He looked tired and quite despondent, and Aberforth wondered what grand scheme of his had gone all pear shaped.
"I want you to break my nose," Albus softly requested. "I want you to tell me how much I failed our family and how you wish that I'd rot in deepest dark hell with my sodomite lover. Tell me how much you hate me, Aberforth, how our parents are ashamed of me, and how I have repeatedly failed anyone that ever made the mistake of depending on me, and then, I want you to break my nose again."
Really, an opportunity like this was too rare to let it pass by, so Aberforth Dumbledore raised one large fist and landed a picture perfect punch on his brother's crooked nose.