~ Chapter Three ~

"I have finally located you…"

Ciaran didn't have any time to register what had been said as he was apparated away from Diagon Alley. He felt himself squeeze through a very small tube and couldn't breathe properly until his feet hit the ground below him. There was no way he was ever doing that willingly.

"… my son."

Ciaran stumbled out of the embrace and almost fell onto the dusty wooden floor of the building they had apparated directly into. Citren growled loudly at being dislodged for his perch for a second time that day but immediately went to scope out the room. If she wasn't worried about whom he was with then it couldn't be that bad.

Catching his breath and feeling the nausea settling, he let out a sigh of relief. It wouldn't be very picturesque if his stomach brought up his lunch before whoever had apparated him. Standing straight he turned around and came face to… chest (damn his short statue) to his father, Severus Tobias Snape. He instantly took a step back afraid of what he was going to say but then his last two words registered… 'my son'.

"You know that I'm your son… you know who I once was." Ciaran said in shock.

He was shocked and couldn't be bothered hiding it. He hadn't thought that Snape would take it this well. Or perhaps he wasn't and was simply being calm and hiding behind his many Slytherin masks? That would be cause for worry.

"Indeed I know that you were once Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One or Gryffindor's Golden Boy," he sneered. "However that isn't who you are now. Who you are now is Ciaran Marvolo Snape, heir to Slytherin, my son and the Dark Lord's grandson. No longer should you carry the name you once held incorrectly. You can finally come home."

Ciaran held his breath as he asked, "Does that mean that you accept me?"

Ciaran watched Snape cautiously as he fought moving towards him. Snape actually wanted him. His hope soared. No one had ever wanted him for anything but defeating Voldemort not that he planned on doing that now. He wasn't about to kill his only family. This was a chance to have something that he had desired for a long time, his desire to have a family that actually cared about him and not the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Indeed I accept you for who you are and not who you once were. I'd say we both agree that I hold no love for Harry Potter however you, Ciaran, you are my son and as such I accept you regardless of who you once were. Come we shall sit in a more comfortable room to discuss recent events."

Ciaran followed his father as he walked out of the room, robes billowing behind him as always. He still couldn't believe that Snape had accepted him so easily. It wasn't that he thought it impossible for his potions professor to actually care… but to care for him. Everything was changing so quickly and he hadn't had any time to catch up emotionally. Looking around he surveyed the dusty corridor that they were walking down. It was obvious that his father didn't spend most of his time in this particular house. Snape opened a door to his left and with a flick of his wand the room was spotless before Ciaran could even blink.

As Severus sat down in the lounge room, he studied his son. As always he was still short, he would have to look into that since both Lily and he had been rather tall. Ciaran's hair had remained raven much like his own but a little longer. At least he knew that the hair he had once thought to be a Potter trait was his own. His face had taken his general structure with high aristocratic cheekbones though he had Lily's nose which had also come from her father as well as her ears and her emerald eyes. Severus was glad that those hadn't changed at all.

He was wearing muggle clothes that appeared to be of a certain style beneath his robes which irritated Severus, his son was not a muggle so he wouldn't be caught in those clothes again. Severus would need to speak to the Dark Lord about that but he was certain that his son would have a fresh wardrobe by the end of the day of entirely wizarding items. Apart from that though he looked healthy, it never occurred to Severus that his son was wearing a glamour.

"There is much to discuss but firstly I would like to see your birth certificate." Severus said.

Ciaran reached into an inner pocket of his robe and bought out the letter and the birth certificate. He handed over the certificate though he kept the letter. It was after all the only thing he had of his mother's at the moment and he wasn't willing to give that away to anyone relation or not.

Severus viewed the certificate with joy. He really was his son; no sign of James Potter was on this certificate at all not even as godfather. That thought made Severus smile. The remainder of his childhood bully was gone and he no longer had to have a single thought about him. He read through the certificate and could say that he was pleasantly shocked at the choice of godparents Lily had chosen. Who would have thought that Lily would chose a Death Eater and a Death Eater sympathizer?

"You truly are my son." He finally stated.

"Yes and I'm also Voldie's grandson but you already know that."

"Forgive me, I needed to make sure you were or else I couldn't have brought you to safety and that is no way to treat your grandfather." He scolded like the parent he was though it seemed to fall on deaf ears as his son spoke.

"Safety? I'm not returning to the Order." Ciaran frowned.

"I know. I've been ordered by Dumbledore to make sure you return safely to them however your grandfather has ordered you to be brought to him unharmed. Since there have been two requests made for your immediate return I shall have to choose your grandfather as he is of your blood and can demand that you return to him regardless of who you are with."

"You mean I can't be forced back to the Dursley's?"

Severus scowled at the look of hope in his son's eyes obviously the damage that had occurred there had been more than he had anticipated from muggles. He was going to think long and hard about how to approach this subject for a lengthy discussion later.

"Seeing as they aren't your blood relatives you will never be returning to them again. We will also be discussing their treatment of you at a later date."

That seemed to make his son uncomfortable proving his earlier thoughts. Something had happened there that he didn't wish to talk about.

"Do I have to talk about them?" Ciaran said further proving his point.

"You will either tell me of their treatment or you tell your grandfather."

Ciaran cringed at that thought. There was no way he was discussing the Dursley's with Voldemort, they wouldn't live a day afterwards though he didn't really care about them. He just wanted to get back at them as well. "I will discuss it with you later."

Severus nodded and left the matter alone for now. He didn't want his son losing his calm facade before they left Spinner's End. However there was one thing that irked him, "Why are you so willing to join the Dark Side? I highly doubt the death of that mu- Black was what tipped you over."

Ciaran scowled at the mention of Sirius. He had faced the fact that he wasn't returning but would it hurt for some people to actually respect the dead?

"I figured out at the end of last year that my 'friends' didn't really care for me. They are using me as is Dumbledore. They all have an agenda that needs to be dealt with and I can help them accomplish it. Only a few people in the Order actually possess some form of positive emotions towards me the others are all negative."

"How did you figure that out? Surely they didn't explain it to you."

"No… I don't think I can explain it at the moment… maybe later."

Severus scowled. He desired to know how is son had figured out his past friends weren't faithful to him. Of course he knew since he had been in the Order meeting and had seen their 'friendship' displayed first hand. Ciaran however was a mystery. He hadn't been to any meeting or Moody would have informed them and the only time he had left the house was this morning. That left the school time but between exams, going to the Department of Mysteries and losing Sirius Black he hadn't really been around his friends that much. It was a complete mystery to him and one that he would figure out but at a later time he had to prepare his son.

"At headquarters you must understand that you will not be treated like the Boy-Who-Lived. You fame won't mean anything to them."

Ciaran relaxed and let out a breath of relief that actually had Severus' lips twitching in a hidden smile. He had noticed that Harry Potter hadn't liked his fame as much as he had first believed and this just further proved it. Not that anyone else had noticed it. That would help to further disassociate Harry Potter from Ciaran Snape.

"However since you are the master's grandson you will be treated with a certain amount of respect by the others but that is only because of your lineage. If you want them to see you as more than that is up to you to make them see."

Ciaran seemed to think this thought over. He didn't precisely want nor need the attention the Death Eaters would give him. Though he guessed that it would be useful especially if they were also linked to the Ministry, they could help him cover his identity so there wouldn't be any loopholes or missing facts.

"Alright, when do we leave?"

"As soon as I have collected everything I own from here then we may depart." Severus answered, overjoyed that his son had agreed to come with him.

With that done, Severus stood and began to move around the house using magic to summon everything that he owned. There was no way that he was leaving anything behind in this house anymore since Dumbledore knew where to locate this house. He couldn't risk anything 'dark' being located in this house. It would just give him a one-way ticket back to Azkaban and leave his son without a father.

"Why are you taking everything with you? This is your house, why can't we simply remain here?" Ciaran asked when he noticed that all of his father's belongings were being packed. He had believed that his father was only going to pack a few essentials but he was actually packing everything in sight.

"Your grandfather and I believe this to be an insecure location for a lengthy stay what with Dumbledore knowing of its location. The Dark Lord does not desire to have his grandson taken from him at the current point in time or ever. With that in mind, I am your father meaning that I as well have to remain close by in case someone discovers your lineage and decides to use me against you." Severus explained not taking his eyes away from the packing objects.

Once everything of value and importance was packed, he summoned sheets to cover the furniture that he wouldn't be taking with them. There was no need to take old, musty furniture when the Dark Lord provided his followers with the best of everything, though they weren't positive how he managed to find the money to do so since his vault had remained untouched for many decades. Shrinking the trunks he placed them in a spare pocket in his robes.

"What is going to happen now?" Ciaran asked as they moved out of the lounge room and into the dusty corridor again.

"I shall take you to our current headquarters before the Dark Lord reveals our next location."

This confused Ciaran. They were already moving once from Spinner's End to the Dark Lord's headquarters. But now even he was moving. "Why is he moving locations?"

"He's moving for your safety of course." Seeing the look of confusion of Ciaran's face he continued. "The Dark Lord was concerned that his current headquarters weren't protected enough to ensure the safety of his heir or his followers."

Ciaran couldn't help but blink at that information. Having Voldemort concerned over his safety was something that he'd never have dreamed of hearing. If it had been said a month ago he would have sent the person to St. Mungo's for sure. Now however he still didn't believe it but he wouldn't send the person to St. Mungo's since it could be highly possible that he did indeed fear for his heir.

"He thought this place to inferior to house me because of the wards and now even his headquarters? Surely the wards are sufficient enough to keep me from harm? I know that I get into trouble but I'm not that troublesome." Ciaran saw the disbelief in his father's face and decided to drop the matter. After all, his father had witnessed most of his stunts.

"How is he going to react to me?" he wondered, suddenly curious.

That had never been discussed before and he was worried that he wouldn't exactly be accepted by one of his family members, though he couldn't really blame Voldemort if he didn't. Harry Potter was hardly a name that many of the Dark Sect enjoyed hearing. Severus thought about this question before replying.

"Well he won't be like a typical family member. He hardly lets his most loyal followers see his emotions so I wouldn't expect him to be kind and caring. More than likely he will be strict but you won't have to remain in his presence unless he requires it after all you are my son and it is up to me to see to your welfare."

Silence fell upon them as they continued towards the front door. Citren having sensed they were leaving had crawled out from her hiding place and jumped into Ciaran's arms. Once they were outside, Severus directed them to the local park that was hardly ever used since there weren't any children in the neighbourhood anymore. Turning to his son he asked, "Do you have everything that you want to take with you?"

Ciaran didn't even have to think about that. Nothing that he had cherished had been left behind. He knew anything that he had left behind would be burnt as soon as they realized that he was no longer there which should have been early this morning when Petunia went to wake him. After all they didn't want freakish things cluttering their wonderful home.

"When I left the Dursley's I didn't leave anything behind except the rags they had me wear for most of my life. Everything else I placed into my trunk and shrunk that so I could carry it easily. The only thing I didn't pack was my wand, Citren and Hedwig was let out of her cage. She'll probably return when I have settled." Ciaran answered looking unconcerned.

Severus however was trying desperately to calm the rage that had spiked at the mention of what his son had been wearing since an early age. Those muggles were going to pay whether they realized why or not they were still going to pay by either his hands or his masters. As long as they got what they deserved it didn't bother him who did it.

"Very well come here."

His strained response wasn't noticed by Ciaran who knew what was going to happen next. With his arms wrapped around his son they disappeared with a pop.

x-x-x-x-x

"I hate bloody apparition." Ciaran said cursing as he lent into his father.

The nausea was back once again with a vengeance. At least he still managed to keep his food in his stomach. He hoped that the next time they moved was by floo, portkey or something that he could handle like flying. At least that particular transportation method he was good at.

"Language." His father admonished as he listened to his son's creative curses probably taught to the boy by Black. Damn the mutt's terrible influence.

"It's English." He replied cheekily.

"You should listen to your father's words. Pureblood's dislike hearing curses uttered in such a vulgar way."

Ciaran stiffened when he heard the all too familiar voice. Turning he saw his grandfather, Voldemort sitting patiently on his throne. Auburn hair framed the pale face where glowing red eyes were still present. He had regained his nose as well which made him look partially human again. There were still many aspects of his appearance that were snakelike. Obviously the possession at the Department of Mysteries had caused this but how he didn't know.

Ciaran watched as his father bowed but new by instinct that he wasn't meant to bow to his relative. Not that he had ever bowed willingly before Voldemort anyway. He wasn't even sure how he was supposed to react to Voldemort now.

"Welcome home Ciaran Marvolo Snape. I am the Lord of house and as such there will be several rules you will have to follow. They will be different from the ones Severus gives you." Voldemort began smoothly.

Ciaran simply nodded his head. How was he supposed to act around someone who has tried to kill you multiple times? But at least he wasn't actually bringing that topic up for discussion at the present time… that would definitely lead to an argument.

"You can't change your name nor marry without my consent. You will not move away unless you have my express permission since you are in need of such protection that I can provide for you. Your mail will be checked before you are allowed to view them. I can't have you being cursed or portkeyed away. If you disrespect my people or I, than I will be forced to punish you regardless of the reason. Do not misunderstand you will be allowed to discuss all of the above with me but it is I who have the final say in all matters regarding yourself."

Ciaran's mouth barely stopped from falling open. Going from the Dursley's to this was different and yet it was something he didn't ever think he should have done. These rules were almost ridiculous. However he guessed they were simply something he would have to live with being a pureblood and all.

"What about… father?" He still felt uncomfortable saying it even if he used it when thinking.

"He does not share our blood. He merely married into it and isn't held under my jurisdiction."

Ciaran couldn't help but nod again. Everything was moving so fast. He didn't understand anything at the moment. Hopefully there would be a calm moment when he would be left alone to think all of this through and catch up emotionally. He didn't think that staying with the Dark Sect would be any different from staying with the Order. They may be different sides of the war but they were still human and still acted the same. Nagini who was curled around Voldemort seemed to sense his discomfort.

"Relax young one. You shall be well treated here with your family. We shall not harm you like those who call themselves the Order."

Ciaran blinked. That was not something that he had expected. It appeared as if his grandfather hadn't expected Nagini to talk to him either since there was a small amount of surprise written across his face.

"How did you know that?" He asked eventually.

"I know many things about you young one. Your ability will be useful in many ways but we won't exploit you like the Order do. We see it as a talent and as such you can use it to help us. It is always your choice. Do not fear though I shall not tell anyone else without your permission."

"What about…." Ciaran couldn't help but believe that Nagini was tied to his grandfather like his Death Eaters. If that were true than Nagini would have to inform him of 'the power the Dark Lord knows not' though it was a power the Light didn't know of it either.

"Marvolo is not my master. I owe him no explanation of what I do with my time or of what I discover about his followers unless I decided to. Since you are family you should also call him Marvolo unless you feel like calling him grandfather."

Nagini had just told him to call his grandfather, Marvolo. Nodding his agreement he knew that he wasn't ready to call Voldemort 'grandfather' so he would just use Marvolo for the time being. Ciaran looked up to see Voldemort glaring at Nagini though he knew Voldemort didn't mean it. He truly was family. That bought a small smile to his face for the first time in weeks.

"Severus, summon him a hooded robe to cover him. We have a spy amongst our group and I will not risk revealing my heir until he is found."

Ciaran knew immediately that they were getting ready to move headquarters and that he was going to summon every single Death Eater he had marked. That sent a shiver down his spine. He really didn't want to see them all just yet.

"Yes my Lord."

Severus did as he was order and summoned a hooded robe for his son. Instead of giving it to him to put on though he helped his son into it as if he were four instead of sixteen. Ciaran could feel Voldemort's smirk behind him. Truly he didn't mind this since no one had ever done this to him before but it was definitely awkward at his age. Once the robe was on and covering his face, Ciaran moved to stand beside his grandfather but was motioned into a chair that had been transfigured while his back was turned. Sitting he waited while Voldemort pressed the mark on his father's arm and waited for the Death Eaters to arrive. Exactly ten seconds after he had pressed the mark, the Death Eaters all apparated into the throne room and bowed while standing in perfect ranking lines.

"My faithful… I have summoned you here today for a special reason. We have a traitor in our midst and I need to dispose of them now." Voldemort's voice lacked any of the warmth or calm that he had been using only seconds before.

The Death Eaters shifted under the fierce gaze that their master gave them. It was apparent that this had happened on a number of occasions and they were already used to it. Ciaran could believe it. Dumbledore made being a spy for the Light appear to be something grand, something to be proud of. In all honesty it would just get you killed.

"I have often believed that I was a worthy leader yet this person thinks otherwise if he is running to Dumbledore. The question is why? Why have they decided to run to the pathetic 'Light'? Is it for safety? Reassurance? I believe that this person thinks that I shall lose this upcoming war… how pathetic. I shan't lose this war. Not with Dumbledore's Golden Boy lost to him. No one shall ever find the Potter brat again. He is no longer in our way."

Voldemort made it sound as if he were dead, not that he was complaining. If everyone believed that he was dead then he didn't have to continue to keep up falsehoods about his new appearance. No one would believe that Ciaran Snape was Harry Potter if he was dead. Underneath his hood, Ciaran smirked. It would be too easy to fool the Order.

As Voldemort stood and addressed his Death Eaters, Nagini uncurled herself and moved. Even if it was summer the stone floor was still freezing and to a snake it was probably very uncomfortable so she moved to the next heat source, Ciaran. Many of the Death Eaters were watching as she moved and almost let out a sigh of relief that she didn't move towards them though they did believe to wonder about the person who was so high up in Voldemort's favour that he was allowed to sit beside him. Citren who had remained with him instead of wandering off, wasn't too pleased at having to share her master and glared at the interfering snake who continued to coil herself around Ciaran.

"Do not fear me young one I only wish to seek your warmth." Nagini said as she continued to slither around him trying to avoid his lap where Citren was curled.

He had now attracted the attention of nearly everyone in the hall as Nagini finished curling and laid her head on his shoulder so that they could speak without being obvious. Voldemort smirked smugly at the image they made. It was truly something to behold. Ciaran would indeed make an excellent heir.

"Do you do this to the Death Eaters as well when… Marvolo moves?" Ciaran wasn't as confident speaking about Voldemort as he would have liked but using Marvolo was better than using grandfather at the moment.

"Indeed I wrap around the closest heat source I can find. It proves amusing when they stiffen in fear of attack. Marvolo doesn't reassure them that I won't bit either."

"I bet you don't help on that account either."

"No I do tend to have a tight grip upon them."

Ciaran had to lower his head to stifle a laugh at that. He really did enjoy talking to Nagini much to his grandfather's pleasure. As he looked up, his eyes met with one of the Death Eaters before he looked away hastily but that was all it took. Whoever this Death Eater was, he was the betrayer. Voldemort who had been pacing before his followers noticed and followed his gaze towards…

"Pierre Nightly, come we shall test your loyalty."

The man walked forward slowly and bowed while the others in the room looked positively murderous. Everyone knew that he definitely was the traitor. He was married to a mudblood and they had a few children. Of course he would want to protect them with whatever it took even joining Dumbledore. The Death Eaters knew that is punishment would affect his family somehow and were looking forward to it. He would pay for his betrayal.

"Pierre Nightly, why have you returned if you are so insistent on joining Dumbledore's side? You know how I treat betrayal and yet you still seek to make me believe that you are faithful? Do you take me for a fool?"

"No my Lord, of course not-"

Nightly didn't even get a chance to explain himself. They all knew why he had betrayed them.

"We shall see soon enough! Legilimens!"

The screams echoed around the chamber eerily as Voldemort ripped through his memories without any emotion. Ciaran watched and didn't feel sorry for him at all. Dumbledore would be just as nasty when it came to betrayal except he would hide it beneath his grandfather facade when someone asked what had happened to the person. No one would ever find out what Dumbledore did to his betrayers… except for Ciaran.

As soon as Voldemort had finished viewing every memory Nightly had, he cancelled the spell and called upon one of his Inner Circle. "Bellatrix, have fun with him but don't kill him."

Everyone in the hall knew what he meant. The man wouldn't leave this place sane by the end of her torture. That was the price of his betrayal. His family would never get to see the man sane again and would know what had occurred. They would be visiting the same ward Neville's parents currently resided in. After they left the hall, Voldemort turned to address the remaining Death Eaters.

"Now that we have dealt with the traitor we shall have to move locations as he has revealed our current headquarters to one of their associates. Collect everything within the house that you own and be ready to depart in ten minutes. Those who have their own homes will return there until they are called. Go."

Ciaran watched as they all left and couldn't help but realize that even if Voldemort was 'dark' he at least was truthful. Dumbledore as always was a lying bastard. Even if the beloved headmaster somehow thought up an excuse over the loss of his money or the mistreatment at the Dursley's hands, Ciaran would know exactly where the headmaster thought he should stand. Ciaran was no pawn on a chess board and he would show the headmaster as much. Looking at the commanding way in which his grandfather ordered his followers, he knew though that he had made the correct decision.

Woohoo another chapter done~ Thanks for all the reviews.

~MidnighEmber