Previously…

Arriving at the scene for the muggle hunt, the Death Eater's would have seen a rare sight for Ciaran's jaw was hitting the floor beneath his mask. Of all the places to choose from… he knew that his grandfather would choose this place specifically. As he looked up at the street sign he felt rage flow through his system. He never wanted to return to Privet Drive again.

~ Chapter Five ~

Ciaran didn't want to be there at all. Sure he wasn't against hunting muggles or even torture (unless they were children) but he didn't want it to be here were his memories were the vilest. He would have much preferred to remain at Slytherin Citadel and read a book or even sleep. Anything was better than being at Privet Drive, the area of his childhood. However there was obviously a reason behind his grandfather that had brought him here today and Ciaran was determined to discover why that was. There had to be a point to all of this besides the obvious revenge.

The Death Eaters were standing together behind them with Lucius and his father standing slightly in front revealing their high rank. Inner Circle Death Eaters stood not far from them leaving the Outer Circle to be even further behind them. Sometimes Ciaran questioned the nature of the ranks. If there were only two then what happened to those that recently joined? Oh well he guessed that would be yet another question he would have to have answered later.

The group of wizards were currently standing near the small park that Ciaran used to sit in during the day when he wasn't assigned an endless list of chores to complete. It had been a place of sanctuary when at the Dursley's for the summer. Now it suited a different purpose. In the dark it provided them cover before they moved in and began their fun. There was something that they were overlooking though and it wouldn't do them any good if Ciaran hid the information from his… family.

"Before you actually begin the torture I should warn you that Mrs Figg across the street is a squib and she works for Dumbledore. If you want to remain here for any longer than five minutes I suggest disposing of her beforehand otherwise she'll alert the Order." Ciaran said watching as the cats in front of her house meowed quietly.

They were probably trying to alert Figg about what was occurring without rousing the rest of the street. He had always believed that those cats weren't normal. Now he had proof especially since one he could identify as a kneazle.

Marvolo nodded in acceptance. He wanted to enjoy this as much as the others even more so since he would be getting revenge on his grandson's abusers like he did with his own. There was no way he would allow anyone especially a squib to ruin his chance.

"Very well McNair take care of the squib. Make sure she doesn't alert anyone."

"Yes my Lord." The man said bowing lowly.

Ciaran watched as the dark figure of McNair disappeared inside Figg's house. Everyone was tense for a few moments until he returned without a sound and nodded his head. Evidently it had been a quick and clean kill without magic to fool the wards surrounding her house. Now that she was out of the way the only obstacle was the blood wards surrounding number four and then they would have free reign on the entire street for as long as they desired.

Rabastan Lestrange stepped forward and began to work at the wards that would alert Dumbledore to the disturbance then focused his attention towards the ill intent aspect. The wards around Privet Drive were actually simple compared to the Fidelius Charm. Only a blood connection was needed to sustain them yet there would also have to be an emotion tying it all together.

Basically as long as the wards were up no one would be able to enter the premises without alerting Dumbledore or harming anyone inside. Pity they didn't work. To begin with there wasn't a blood connection to base the wards on. Then, knowing Dumbledore, the wards would have been based on love which wasn't present when Ciaran or rather Harry was concerned. No these Blood Wards didn't work at all.

Carefully but swiftly, Rabastan broke through the remainder of the wards. He was well skilled in breaking through wards and it showed as in less than thirty seconds he had broken the wards and nodded towards Voldemort before moving back in line. A sadistic grin spread across the Dark Lord's face.

"Now my friends we shall have our fun!"

Cheers rose up from the Death Eaters and they ran down the street eager to cause mayhem through the small suburban street. Many began to enter houses and disturb the muggles who were calmly sitting around with their families. Some were dragged outside to join in groups while others remained inside and away from the terror that was now littering the once peaceful street.

They were finally going to enjoy an attack which was relaxing to them in a bizarre way. It calmed them from the negative thoughts they had on the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix otherwise they would have attacked people in daylight and be caught. None of them would allow that to happen though which was why everyone enjoyed a raid every now and then. No one entered number four as ordered leaving it for their master.

"Lucius you shall run everything here while we are preoccupied inside, understood?"

Even though Lucius knew of the abuse Ciaran had suffered at their hands it was decided that he would remain to alert others to changes around the area and keep others from moving too far away. It was only Privet Drive that was going to be attacked tonight and they needed to keep up an appearance of being organized so the Order believed that they were maniacs and not simply insane. That wouldn't aid them in the future when they took over wizarding Britain.

"Of course my Lord, it shall be done." Lucius said bowing before moving away for his own fun.

Marvolo nodded and moved towards number four followed by Ciaran and Severus who stood beside his son for support. Ciaran's thoughts were on the small group currently with him. Even though they were his blood they didn't truly feel like family to him. Neither Marvolo nor Severus openly showed their affections which proved difficult when trying to figure out his own emotions.

He didn't know whether he should allow them to be close to him. Ciaran only accepted those who he knew were loyal and loved him. Since neither of them had actually showed their love for him he wasn't willing to take a chance and allow them to be near him like a true family was. Of course it wasn't likely that they would show him any emotions apart from apathy in the near future considering his past and if he accepted them too early it would only hinder his mindset. He didn't want to accept them only to have them turn on him once again. That experience would not be repeated.

But what did they think of him? Obviously they might still have some resentment for Harry Potter which in a way he still was. Harry Potter was dead though and he wasn't going to be that person any more. He was Ciaran Marvolo Snape and that wasn't about to change. Ciaran would just have to take all the affection that they were willing to show and live with that since there wasn't much of anything else to hope for. Then when he was certain they wouldn't turn on him he would allow them to see the true person he was. But there was something still bothering him.

What was this supposed to be then? This little excursion as a – dare he say – family was like nothing he had thought. He didn't understand what Marvolo desired to achieve during these hours. Sure they were going to torture and probably kill the Dursley's. What was that going to prove? Was it a bonding experience? Ciaran severely hoped not. Torture and mayhem were the last things he wanted to bond over.

Ciaran didn't even realize they were actually at the door until the house loomed above them. Without a second thought, Marvolo opened the door and entered the Dursley residence. Not surprisingly the three of them were sitting in the lounge room in front of the TV. Vernon was drinking deeply of what looked like scotch while Petunia simple sat reading not even paying attention to what was happening around her. Dudley however was stuffing his face with chips, chocolate and soda even though it was evident by the dishes that they had recently eaten dinner.

Vernon began spluttering upon seeing three figures dressed like the freak. "W-who are you? What are you doing in m-my house? If you don't leave I'll be f-f-f-orced to c-call the police."

"By all means call these police you talk about. It shall be entertaining to see what they think of our fun outside." Marvolo drawled.

The door behind them closed with a flick of Marvolo's wrist and locked securing the house and the people inside. They wouldn't get away from him not that it mattered. If one of them managed to get away then they would be subject to the numerous Death Eaters already outside having their own fun.

"You… you're freaks just like the boy!"

That caused Petunia to look up at the people who had just entered their home and begin to quiver at the looks they were giving them, full of disgust and hate. She often had nightmares of Lily looking at her the same way. Of course it would come to fruition. Just like Lily always screamed at her, they would pay for harming her little boy.

"Indeed Vernon they are just like me."

Petunia gasped upon seeing Ciaran. Having been home most of the time she had spent the most time around him and recognized him as 'Harry' her nephew, after all the eyes were a dead giveaway. However little did they realize what he was here for. Dudley hadn't even realized what was happening. He was still glued to the TV that might prove humorous later when he realized that his life was on the line.

"BOY! You cost us our payment this month after you disappeared!" Vernon shouted upon realizing that the boy before them was Harry Potter.

"What payment?" Severus enquired.

"W-we get payed for keeping the boy here and e-extra when he is returned if we b-beat him." Petunia said fearfully.

She recognized Severus from the few times she had seen him with her sister and knew that he wasn't entirely a 'good person' unlike that Dumbles person. There was no way that lying to this man would spare their lives for she could tell that the group already knew of the abuse that Harry had suffered under their roof. They were as good as dead.

"That bloody freak deserved it! He was always causing us trouble, doing his freakish nonsense in our house when that Dumbleduck person told us that he wasn't allowed to. He told us that we would be able to punish the brat in any way we wanted as long as he came back alive! I don't see why you are so upset about that." Vernon spat.

Severus traded looks with Marvolo. It was obvious that the muggles were scared not that it mattered they weren't going to live after this night was through. What worried him though was Ciaran's reaction to everything. So far he was calm but that could change at any time. It was situations like these that made him regret never truly getting to know Harry Potter. He didn't know how to comfort anyone and if the situation turned bad then his son would definitely need comfort. But no one present truly knew how to look after him.

Severus knew that even though he had told Ciaran that he'd left the past behind them it still remained. Marvolo enjoyed being close to his heir but he didn't know what to do with an emotional teen. Neither of them was suited to actually care for an emotional teen at the moment considering they didn't have the experience. He prayed that Ciaran would be able to keep control during this.

"What exactly did you do to 'punish'… Harry?" Severus ground out.

It was the only thing he could do for his son, demand answers. There was nothing else that he knew how to do. Everything else was useless. He couldn't offer emotionally or even physical support.

"Nothing the freak didn't deserve anyway. At first it was simple stuff just a cuff on the ear or smack but nothing seemed to work on the boy. Then we sent him to his cupboard without food-"

"What is this cupboard?" Marvolo interrupted upon seeing an opportunity to learn more.

Severus watched as Ciaran stiffened. It was apparent that he'd never wanted that particular piece of information to escape from his past but it was too late now. He knew that his master wanted to know everything that had happened to the boy. However he wasn't positive that was the best course of action with the Ciaran sitting in the same room. Ciaran looked mutinous already and not only towards the Dursley's. Severus was certain this piece of information would put a dent in their slowly growing relationship.

"Well it wasn't like he was worthy enough of living like a civilized person. So he slept for the first ten years in the cupboard under the stairs like the animal he is. But then that Dumbles person found out and he said that it wouldn't work any longer and that he should have the smallest room in the house in case someone discovered it. The freak made Dudley give up his second bedroom just so he could sulk in his room when not doing chores!"

Vernon continued to rant about his past experiences; beginning with the accidental magic and then continuing through the random acts of abuse that he'd caused by simple things like burning bacon. Of course he justified every punishment with magic outbursts even if they didn't truly occur. Firstly there was a slap across the face for breaking a cup. Then there had been a lashing for using magic on Dudley (which had been to protect him from the dementors). The more he continued the angrier Marvolo and Severus got. Ciaran had been punished for the simplest of tasks and no one had known. Where normal children were scolded, Ciaran had been abused. They felt rather foolish for not discovering anything mentioned.

Throughout the interrogation Ciaran hadn't even moved a muscle. He'd wanted nothing more than to run out of the room and take out his anger on some unsuspecting muggle on the street or even a Death Eater. He no longer cared which.

How dare they? They should have believed him! But no they had to go and interrogate these worthless muggles just to gain the answers they were looking for. It was the same as Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. No one listened to him. No one believed him. What was he supposed to do to get people to trust in him? Ciaran no longer knew. All that went through his mind was the mistrust in which his family had in him.

"Well it looks like we'll have to repay you for taking such wonderful care of my grandson, won't we." Marvolo said as Vernon ended his rant.

That had gained his attention. He would deal with the interrogation later right now he wanted to see justice. Reliving these nightmares was something that only brought more fury to him. Today he would leave this place for the last time sated in his revenge.

Ciaran watched as Vernon's eyes lit up believing that he would get payed since they weren't getting the money from Dumbledore anymore. Of course if he had known what was going to happen to the three of them he might have tried to run or beg instead of sitting there looking as if Christmas had come early.

Marvolo didn't give any warning as he whipped out his wand and pointed it at Dudley.

Ciaran watched in fascinated horror as Dudley began to shake then just as soon as it began he stopped and looked fearfully towards Marvolo. Then with an ear piercing scream his skin began to split as cuts decorated his body in an exact replica of what was on Ciaran's own body.

It began with small things such as the slaps that he had received when he was four or five leaving Dudley's jaw bruised, swollen and red. Slowly it progressed as slaps became punches and kicks which decorated his body black and blue. So far he looked as if he'd simply gotten into a fight with the local kids and came out the worst of it. Not that precious Duddykins could ever do anything wrong, Harry thought scornfully. It was actually rather pathetic to see. He was already whimpering in pain on the ground and Ciaran couldn't hide the sneer of disgust upon his face.

Then there came the first snap which signalled the breaking of his very first bone at age ten. Ciaran remembered the near silent gasp that had escaped his mouth at the time… it was nothing like the ear piercing scream that Dudley let echo around the room. Had he been desensitized to pain by then through all the smacks? Well that was lucky for him but not for Dudley as several more bones broke under the pressure of the spell.

"What is happening to Dudley? What are you doing to him? What are you doing to my precious baby boy?" Petunia screeched since Vernon was in disbelief.

"I'm paying you back for all the abuse you gave my grandson while in your care. It is only fair that your own son suffer for your mistake." Marvolo was completely concentrated on the spell work and on Dudley's withering form.

"Father, how is Dudley remaining conscious through all of the pain?" Ciaran whispered, curiosity getting the better of him.

"The spell was designed to force the person under it to remain conscious until the spell ends. After that depending on the attacks the person would either die or be permanently crippled. Though there have been several cases of a person going insane as well." Severus answered not looking at him.

Ciaran's mouth formed an 'O' then promptly closed as another scream filled the air. Dudley was now going through his school years which were the worst by far. He remembered this part. It was the accidental magic on Dudley's eleventh birthday when he'd set the snake loose at the zoo. Vernon had beaten him unconscious. Dudley didn't have that pleasure.

Dudley moaned as Ciaran's third year approached and the punishment started for blowing up Marge. The lashings which had decorated his back began to split open in replica to his first hits. Blood flowed freely from the wounds and into the cream carpet staining a deep red. Ciaran was positive that Dudley was still screaming through all of this but he'd tuned it all out. He didn't care if Dudley was in pain. Iin fact he really wanted to see it but the screaming was simply a bit too much. Deafness from screaming in pain was not on his to do list.

Finally there was the dementor attack. This was by far the worst punishment he had received. More lashing wounds opened over the others and tore his back open. Everyone in the room could see the flesh beneath his skin as larger pieces of skin fell away from his body having nothing to keep it attached to his body. The pieces fell with a splash into pools of blood surrounding his body. At some point Petunia had fainted and then came back around after his father had revived her. The living room was a mess and covered in blood and skin.

Finally the spell ceased and Ciaran knew that Dudley was dead. There was no way that he could have survived all of that and lived. Petunia was crying over her dead son's body that lay ominously on the ground. The gore that surrounded it was forgotten even if the smell wasn't. Marvolo couldn't help the smirk that covered his face at seeing the area. It was the perfect scene for mayhem and knew that his Death Eaters were causing the same outside if not worse by the sounds of the screaming and laughter.

Severus now turned to Petunia who was still sobbing over her dear 'Duddykins'. It was now his turn and was going to act as planned. He would repay that Merlin awful woman who tortured his son.

"Since you simply ignored Harry you don't need to suffer any physical pain. However you have already suffered from emotional pain so you are of no use to us. Avada Kedavra." He hissed.

The infamous green light lit up the area and a thud was heard. Once the light had faded the four remaining people could see Petunia's motionless body lying beside Dudley's carcass. Vernon who seemed to be in shock finally woke up and noticed that he was the only one left now.

"Now we're left with the main offender. Whatever shall we do with you?" Severus hissed angrily.

Ciaran noticed the first stages of Vernon getting angry. His face went from red to purple from holding his breath too long. Vernon had his fists clenched as if he were ready to hit one of them not that it would actually happen. Ciaran had believed that Vernon was smart enough to realize that getting angry at the people who literally held his life in their hands wasn't an excellent idea. He thought wrong.

With a mighty roar, Vernon lunged towards Severus who already had his wand out. Two steps later and Vernon was thrown against the TV with a crash. Ciaran almost cringed at the loss of the expensive TV before realizing that they weren't ever going to use it again. Damn his Gryffindor tendencies. They were still present. No matter how hard he tried to hide them deep within his mind they continued to resurface.

Marvolo used a levitation charm to move Vernon from the wall to the centre of the room close to where Petunia and Dudley remained dead. Of course this was done to mentally cripple Vernon further once he woke up.

"Why am I not allowed to participate in this?" Ciaran asked.

"The Ministry has a tracer on your wand still stupid child. It will be removed once you turn seventeen. Until then any spells will show up on the registry and you will be given another hearing for the miss-use of magic in the presence of muggles. This time Dumbledore won't be able to aid you." Severus sneered.

Once again Ciaran was reminded that his own father had despised him at one stage in his life and took that tone to mean he was meant to watch and not speak. He was used to it though after all that was what the Dursley's always told him. "Don't ask questions!" He should have guessed that the same terms would apply to this dysfunctional family. But he'd been hoping that it would be different, hoping that he would be accepted. Hanging his head in shame, he decided to not speak unless spoken to. It was for the best after all.

Severus had snapped at his son and as soon as he'd spoken he'd wanted to take it back. He'd seen the crestfallen face that hid beneath his son's inky black hair. Ciaran's whole body was screaming misery. He knew that position all too well from his own childhood and had now put his son through something that he'd promised not to inflict upon those he cared about. Looking at the Dark Lord confirmed that it was his fault for the reaction. He'd be punished later for his words, away from Ciaran's eyes.

Marvolo nodded when Severus had received the message. No one hurt his grandson even his own father and got away from it. Now all he had to do was deal with the remaining muggle.

"Now the fun shall begin." Marvolo said after reviving him.

"This is your entire fault freak! You should have died with your parents-"

"Crucio!" The screaming was instant.

Ciaran watched through veiled eyes as Marvolo put all of his hate and disgust into the spell. Vernon twitched and his arms flailed around as his nerves were attacked. He rolled around in his son's blood while his arms and legs hit the furniture in the room. His left arm hit the glass coffee table causing it to shatter from the pressure and imbed fragments into his skin making him howl in agony. A lounge chair was hit with Vernon's right leg and cracked. The bone had snapped. Rolling around with the force of the spell must have been pure agony though he felt no guilt. After thirty seconds the spell was called off.

Ciaran noticed that compared to wizards, muggles tolerance for the spell was near existent as Vernon was already bleeding from the mouth due to internal injuries. He wouldn't last much longer.

"F-f-freak… should have l-left you in a-an or-orphanage… useless runt… just d-d-drowned you… idiot boy… don't d-deserve anything w-we gave you…"

Somehow Vernon still managed to string along a few words to make sense. It was quite impressive though it angered Ciaran as he still managed to insult him. Marvolo and Severus looked as if they wanted to keep Vernon for an experiment but that wasn't what they had come here for! They were there to kill Vernon not to play with him. They were here for revenge! Ciaran simply wanted him dead and out of the way so he could move on in life. His family would give him this whether he had to kill the man himself.

His magic kicked to life as he began to have visions of his life at the Dursley's. Beatings in his room… lashings facing the wall… numerous chores that didn't make sense… so hard for a five year old child…

He was losing himself to his anger. Not that it mattered. If he let it consume him then Vernon would die and he wouldn't have to ever return to the house again. Thoughts kept running through his mind on the perfect way to kill him forgetting that there were two other people present in the room. There were many ways in which Vernon could be killed.

Getting hit by the Knight Bus… that was an instant death though…

Having a vampire rip out his throat and watching as he sluggishly bled to death… that would simply take too long…

House collapsing on him…

It continued with the spells.

Avada Kedavra… to simple… not enough pain…

Crucio… would be insane and unfortunately still alive…

Why couldn't Vernon just DIE?

Suddenly the room began to shake with the amount of magic Ciaran's anger was causing. He didn't notice, too consumed with the thoughts of Vernon's imminent death. However Marvolo and Severus were watching Ciaran closely. His eyes were glazed in thought but his smile was maniacal and almost as bad as Marvolo's on a particularly ruthless day. They wanted to do something for their relative but they didn't have much knowledge about what was happening or what they could do to help. In the years of knowing Harry Potter, they had never seen the boy accomplish anything of this magnitude.

"You can't go in there!"

"Someone stop him!"

"The Master will not be pleased."

Voices were calling from outside and they knew someone had arrived to help though they weren't sure how they knew that. It was a feeling. How could someone not arriving now have nothing to aid in this situation?

Sure enough a robbed figure with the hood pulled up over his head burst through the door and ran immediately to Ciaran disregarding the mess and the remaining people in the room. This person obviously male, didn't bother to pause when Severus and Marvolo turned their wands on him. He was only concerned with one thing and that was Ciaran.

"It's alright Ciaran calm down. I'm here and everything is going to be alright." The stranger began to whisper in his ear.

No one made a move to stop them, not even Voldemort. Whoever was holding Ciaran close was trusted deeply by him even more so than any single person in the entire room since his magic was calming down and the room had ceased the ominous shaking. The stranger had now picked Ciaran up in his arms and was carrying him out of the house. Marvolo and Severus followed leaving Vernon in shock upon the floor. Nothing was more important than their relative.

Just as they reached the road, the house collapsed earning a small hysterical laugh from Ciaran. The group didn't even pay any attention to the numerous bodies that lay amongst the blood on the ground beneath their feet. The road appeared as if it had rained blood while a group of lions attacked. It would be interesting to see how the Ministry tried to cover this up once they were alerted.

"We shall return to Slytherin Citadel, our fun is finished here. Morsmordre!" Marvolo instructed leaving his Dark mark above where number four had once stood.

Several other Death Eaters also cast the mark before disapparating from the scene. Both Marvolo and Severus grabbed the stranger and apparated back to Slytherin Citadel to a private room where Ciaran could rest and they could interrogate the stranger. Marvolo and Severus seated themselves down after the stranger arranged Ciaran to rest on him before pulling back his hood.

"I think it's time I explain a few things…" the stranger began.

Yoyo another chapter~ Thanks for all the support and reviews!

~MidnightEmber