~ Chapter Six ~
Marvolo narrowed his eyes at the stranger. He was watching his grandson like a hawk and knew that the presence of this person calmed him more so then his own. Jealousy flared up and he felt like torturing this person until nothing was left but a pile of madness or ash whichever came first. How could this person do what a family member couldn't? Marvolo had no clue. It was just another puzzle to solve though he wasn't too superior with emotions anymore especially when it came to family.
Severus was staring at the 'stranger'. He was positive that Dumbledore had said the person was trying to gain alliances overseas and yet here he was caring for his son like they hadn't only met once or twice in their lives. This positively baffled him. In the short time that he had known him, he hadn't seen this person around Ciaran at all. There were a few occasions but he wasn't present to witness their interactions so he had no idea how they acted around each other.
Charlie Weasley simply sat before his greatly feared Potions professor and the Dark Lord while carding a hand through Harry's hair gently. He had felt Harry's magic rise and call to him begging him to help yet again and so he had apparated directly to Harry's house only to find him with Severus and Voldemort. That wasn't what he had expected especially with his appearance and the fact they weren't attacking him but his relatives however he wasn't going to question Harry's predicament or living arrangements. Harry would tell him if he was in danger where he was and so far it appeared as if he was safe around the Dark Lord.
"It was very foolish to force Harry-"
"Ciaran, his name is Ciaran Marvolo Snape." Severus growled.
Severus didn't want to be reminded of who his son had once been. He hadn't yet accepted it choosing instead to ignore it. His feelings would be dealt with in time what mattered now was his son. Charlie simply nodded and continued.
"It was foolish to force Ha - Ciaran into watching the torture of those muggles. He may not have liked them and had a desire to torture them but doing so as soon as only a few days after his escape was rash. His emotions weren't settled enough to handle that. Now he's going to have trouble yet again controlling his ability."
Severus straightened when he heard Charlie mention his son's ability. He had wondered how Ciaran managed to discover that his 'friends' weren't truly loyal to him. Now it seemed that he was going to find out exactly what it was.
"As you've probably guessed Ha- Ciaran has a special ability that has both aided him and cursed him as most things in his life do. Ciaran is telepathic. I don't mean that he can perform Legillimency without a wand, eye contact instant necessary either. He hears every thought that people have and sometimes can even see full memories if he concentrates. Ciaran spends his time blocking all the thoughts unless he wants to hear them. Normally when his emotions are strongest his ability is hard to control and he hears everything around him and it's too much for him to handle."
"How long has he had this ability?"
Severus and Marvolo needed to know all about this ability if they were going to help Ciaran. Without any knowledge of it they weren't going to be much use at all. Ciaran was paying for their desire to kill the muggles who had hurt him.
"It began during his fourth year before the tournament began and gradually worsened. A week before the first task began I had to escort the dragons to the castle. He naturally gravitated towards me even though he wasn't supposed to know we were there. He told me what his problem was and that I was the first one that he couldn't 'hear'."
"That would be why he isn't good at Occulmency. He is too busy blocking the thoughts of other people to protect his own mind from an intrusion." Severus stated thinking back to last year with guilt.
He should have realized something was stopping the boy from blocking out his attack yet his hatred for Potter was just too much. His son had suffered because he as too stubborn to see Ciaran for who he truly was.
Marvolo on the other hand wanted an answer to another question.
"Why can't he hear your thoughts?"
"I'm a natural Occlumens. That means we can block these abilities without any effort on our part. It helps me to remain calm and uninfluenced around the dragons when they use their own magic that can affect magic folk. We discovered that my ability can completely block Ciaran's own telepathy so he can relax and be normal around me, unlike everyone else."
"What is the difference between natural and learnt Occlumency?" Marvolo asked in research mode. He often went into this mode of thought when he was learning something new.
"A natural Occlumens can block out anyone and anything without having to build the barriers around the mind. There isn't any training its more instinctual. Learnt Occlumency can block other Legillimens but for Telepaths you can only block to some affect. Obviously the stronger you are magically the stronger your shields protecting your mind. Though this is the case you will be able to block some of Ciaran's gift. He will still be able to hear your most recent thoughts but it is worth the privacy. He can't help that."
A silence fell over the group as Severus and Marvolo soaked up the information that Charlie was willingly providing them. It appeared as if he trusted them with Ciaran's protection which was a relief. They didn't want to fight someone over Ciaran that would just push him further away. Even now it would be difficult to gain Ciaran's trust back in the short time that they had earned it.
"What can we do to help him relax here? There are no natural Occlumens or at least none that I know of in the Dark Order." Marvolo finally said.
"Both of you are Occlumens?" Receiving nods of confirmation he continued, "Then that is the best for him. I would check to see which of your followers know Occlumency or are natural Occlumens."
It wasn't good enough for them but it would have to do. They had to protect Ciaran in every way possible and if that meant from their own minds then they would do anything in their power to. If only they could find another natural Occlumens.
"Charlie?"
Ciaran yawned and stretched on Charlie's lap like a cat and looked up at him questioningly. The act was so innocent Marvolo and Severus couldn't help but stare. They had never seen Ciaran relax this easily around them and they were family. It made them jealous and protective. Ciaran belonged with them not with this stranger especially not a Weasley.
"You called me." Charlie said answering an unasked question.
"Oh I see then you told them about my ability."
"Yes."
The conversation was simple but it seemed that Ciaran had asked every question under the sun. It simply proved how close they both were in under just two years of knowing each other.
"May we enquire how you came upon the knowledge that your… friends weren't loyal to you and had been indeed stealing from you?" Severus asked quietly.
Ciaran looked towards his father and blinked sleepily trying to remember what had happened as he slowly sat up. They had been at the Dursleys' and he had just begun to torture Vernon when the thoughts became too much. He wasn't going to even try to remember them. Thankfully however he had to focus on his ex-friends instead.
"It was at the end of last year. Charlie told you that I have trouble keeping my ability in control when I'm emotional. Well Weasley and Granger were trying to get me to forget about Sirius' death which only stirred my emotions even further but at the same time they were only thinking about the bonus they would get if they managed to get me out of my depression. I traced the thoughts to a memory and watched as Dumbledore told them that they would be paid for the test if they accompanied me to the Department of Mysteries."
"When I discovered that they were being paid to be my friends I had to know whether everyone else was the same so I used my ability willingly to look into the minds of Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and the remainder of the Gryffindors. Neville and Luna were willingly my friends but Ginny had a betrothal contract which activated after she turned sixteen. I cancelled it the moment I arrived at Gringotts. The other Gryffindors were watching me on orders from Ron and Hermione who were worried that I was going to get into trouble without them. They don't know anything about the money though. I didn't get a chance to check the headmaster before I left school last year." Ciaran finished.
They could see the pain behind his eyes as he spoke of their betrayal but they would heal that in time as well.
"Well from what you have mentioned about Dumbledore paying Weasley and Granger I don't believe there is any need to scan the headmaster for he is already guilty." Severus said, "It could be useful though if we were to know what he was planning or even what he had to do with Harry Potter."
Everyone thought about it for a while. It would be useful for them to have inside information on the Order but it would be difficult to get close enough to them without gaining their immediate suspicion.
"We shall have to plan it more in depth but until then we must try everything to keep Ciaran's ability a secret. No one else should know what he can do. It would be dangerous for him if the wrong person was to discover it." Marvolo instructed.
A knock at the door silenced them until Marvolo beckoned the person in.
"My Lord."
"Hello Lucius."
Ciaran stiffened and turned to face Lucius curiously. He felt like Charlie though it was slightly different. He wasn't sure if that was normal or not considering Charlie was the only one that he had ever been around before with the natural Occlumens ability. Why hadn't he noticed Lucius' ability before especially since they had spent time together unpacking his father's potions ingredients?
"What's the problem Ciaran?" Charlie asked noticing his stance.
"Lucius, he's a natural Occlumens like you except he's slightly different. I'm not sure how to describe it but he is definitely like you."
Lucius was curious as to what they were discussing. He hadn't ever learnt Occlumeny before. It wasn't needed since he didn't hold anything secret from his Lord but now Ciaran was saying something about him being a natural and he had no clue what that meant. He waited patiently until his Lord addressed him.
"You have an ability that allows you to block Ciaran's ability; no I shall not mention what it is." Voldemort said as Lucius opened his mouth. "I wonder whether the ability is passed down through the bloodline since Ciaran seems to be drawn into scuffles with your son. You shall bring Draco with you tomorrow to test this theory."
Lucius nodded and mumbled a "Yes my Lord" to keep his master in his agreeable mood. However thoughts were travelling quickly through his mind. He desired to figure out what ability Ciaran possessed that needed to be blocked by his natural Occlemency. Of course he already knew what an Occlumens was but he endeavoured to discover the abilities that it could block and from there what Ciaran's ability was.
Marvolo watched Lucius knowing what his faithful servant was planning. He had no doubts that Lucius would be able to pinpoint Ciaran's ability but also to keep it to himself. There was no worry about that.
Severus wasn't paying attention to Lucius or Marvolo though. He was watching his son with Charlie.
"What relationship do you have with my son?"
Ciaran's jaw dropped followed by Charlie's. They were expecting numerous questions about their abilities but they hadn't even thought about how they acted around other people or even each other.
"You think we're in a relationship?"
Severus glared at Charlie but otherwise made no other move to correct him. Ciaran and Charlie simply laughed. It was unbelievable. How could anyone believe that they were in a relationship with each other?
"Father I don't have any feelings for Charlie. I don't know him well enough for something like that. I've only met him a total of five times at the most. Beside Charlie already has someone in Romania he's more like a brother than anything else. He is the brother I've never had."
Marvolo and Lucius had been listening to their conversation and were glad that there wasn't anything between the two. Charlie's alliances weren't well known and would have posed a problem if they were in a relationship. Marvolo desired for his grandson to wed one of his Inner Circle's children. It would further cement him in the Dark Sect and provide his grandson with a suitable heir. However that would be discussed at another time.
"I believe it has been a long night and we should all retire for the night. Lucius your report from the raid can wait till morning. I expect you to be prompt."
Everyone nodded their agreement and stood leaving as a group before departing on their individual ways.
x-x-x-x-x
"Marvolo, is it possible that I can return to Hogwarts this year?" Ciaran asked.
Marvolo looked up from the reports he was currently reviewing. He hadn't seen his grandson since Weasley- Charlie- left. For some reason Ciaran had been avoiding them like the plague. He had seen him for a few minutes when Lucius had flooed over the following day with Draco to test whether it ran in the family or not but he'd looked away to talk to Lucius and Severus and they had both disappeared before he could say otherwise and hadn't been seen since. He still had no idea whether Draco could block Ciaran's ability like his father or not but that wasn't important now.
He didn't want his only heir to return to that retched place. Ciaran should remain here with him. It wasn't that Marvolo desired to keep his grandson from learning. No he just felt that Hogwarts was incompetent compared to his own library and skilled followers. There wasn't anything that Ciaran could learn at Hogwarts that couldn't be taught at Slytherin Citadel. Then there were the houses.
"Have you forgotten who you once were and what house you were in? That's not likely to change if you return." Marvolo answered calmly.
"I'd be a Snape and I won't be sorted into Gryffindor again!"
"How are you so positive that you won't?"
Ciaran smirked and looked calmly at his grandfather though his eyes which revealed his emotions sparkled fiercely it almost reminded him of Dumbledore but it seemed more malicious than the old coot could ever pull off.
"I wouldn't worry about that small detail. You should be more worried that I would go around and kill all those who were unfaithful to me in their sleep and leave their bodies hanging in the Great Hall. Of course there is also Dumbledore and his Order, I can't have them running around either."
Marvolo honestly didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected that answer when he was asked about Hogwarts but at least he knew that beneath the calming facade that Ciaran kept in place, instead of the cold mask of the Slytherins, hid his pure contempt for the Light. It was deceptive and Ciaran used it to his advantage.
"What of Dumbledore? He isn't as naive as the remainder of the staff. Aren't you concerned that he will know who you are and try to manipulate you again?"
"Grandfather he won't be a problem."
Marvolo startled at that. Ciaran had never called him grandfather before it had always been Marvolo and to hear it for the first time was something he'd never forget. It was familiar and made him feel something he hadn't truly felt in many years though he wasn't sure he could pinpoint what that emotion was anymore.
Thinking deeply, Marvolo agreed that compared to Ciaran, Dumbledore wouldn't be a problem however he still wasn't convinced that he would be anywhere but Gryffindor. Ciaran definitely wasn't a Hufflepuff nor did he study like a Ravenclaw. Slytherin was out even though he was the heir to line. He'd never shown any Slytherin cunning or ambition, at least not that he had seen. That just left Gryffindor the house that he'd been sorted into originally. So much like his mother…
With that in mind he wasn't that confident that it was about to change but it seemed that Ciaran had a plan… a plan he would support if it meant acceptance from his family.
"Very well but the instant I perceive that you are in any danger you shall be removed and taught by myself and some of my more trusted followers. Severus should be able to manipulate the headmaster into allowing you to attend Hogwarts this year."
"Alright, may I go with Draco and Lucius to Diagon Alley to get my supplies then?"
Marvolo hadn't realized that while Ciaran hadn't spent his time around them that he had spent his time with the Malfoy's who could both block Ciarna's ability as well as Charlie. Ciaran was correct in believing that the ability didn't run in the family. Where he could feel the emotion of Draco's thoughts he couldn't hear them but with Lucius he couldn't hear at all. They also had a different feel to each other like Lucius and Charlie. That would also explain why none of the Weasley's could block his abilities apart from Charlie.
While he had been living at Slytherin Citadel with his family he had spent most of his time with the Malfoys. He felt comfortable around them more so than his family which he hadn't told them. Lucius and Draco didn't expect much from him since they realized one person couldn't change drastically over the span of a few months. It relieved him to not have that pressure on him to do what others desired.
"Severus shall also be accompanying you on your trip."
Marvolo wanted at least two adults with his grandson knowing what danger he attracted. It seemed that trait belonged to Ciaran alone whether he was 'Harry Potter' or 'Ciaran Snape' since only last week Ciaran had been cornered by three Griffins in the nearby forest and almost trampled to death.
Ciaran simply nodded his head at this decision. He knew that no matter how much he complained that it wouldn't do any good. Marvolo and Severus were protective of him even if he could take care of himself. With the final answer Ciaran turned and went to inform his father of his task.
x-x-x-x-x
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, two thirds of the Golden Trio, were walking calmly down Diagon Alley with their heads held high. Even without Harry present they needed to hold a united front to make everyone believe that everything would eventually be alright. Harry would be returned to them and they could continue to be the perfect Golden Trio they once were. Nothing would stand in their way.
Harry would defeat Voldemort and become the most powerful wizard the world had ever seen, celebrate for years to come. Ron would make it onto a well-known Quidditch team and Hermione would make her way into the Ministry both after their terrible loss of their 'best friend'. No one would expect them to murder their 'friend' within months after he defeated the greatest dark wizard of their age and yet it would happen when he was returned to them.
With their heads held high they walked into Gringotts without a care in the world. They had enough money to keep them going until Harry returned and then they would have to wait until Harry's return to collect their next payment from Dumbledore. After all they wouldn't be paid this month since they had neglected their duty and payed more attention to their relationship. That was their fault and it wouldn't happen again.
"I would like to make a withdrawal from my vault please." Hermione asked politely.
"Key please," came the usual bored reply from the goblin.
Hermione reached into her pocket and withdrew her key and handed it over to the goblin. The goblin looked at the key before checking something against a scroll and sneered at her. She cringed back. The goblins always looked intimidating when they sneered. How she wished that they would replace the goblins with some wizards instead. There were so many things that she would change when she entered the Ministry.
"This vault has been closed." He stated before crushing the key and returning to his work.
Hermione was too shocked to even stop him. That couldn't be possible. Dumbledore had opened the account and explained that all her payments would go straight into that vault from Harry's vault. It had to be a mistake. No one except herself, Dumbledore and Harry could close the vault and since Dumbledore originally opened the account and Harry didn't know of its existence it had to be a mistake.
"I'd like to see Crosshatch then." She said with determination.
"Crosshatch was dismissed this morning for authorizing several illegal withdrawals from one high priority account. If you'd like I can pass you onto the goblin that authorized this change."
Hermione nodded her head angrily, waiting for the goblin to come. Who could have done this to her?
"My name is Griphook, what do you need?"
Hermione thought the name was oddly familiar but all goblins had similar names or so it seemed to her. That was just another reason to be rid of the creatures.
"Why did you close my vault?"
"The vault was closed due to a lack of funds."
"I had over 19,000 galleons in that vault!" Hermione huffed drawing a scene.
Everyone desired to know why a goblin would close one of the Golden Trio's accounts. It made for excellent gossip especially if you were at the scene at the time for the real details that the paper often left out.
"Those funds were proven to have been taken from the Potter vault illegally and as such were demanded immediate return by the owner of the vault. None of that money belonged to you or was authorized to be removed by the owner. However there are still several hundred galleons that are owed to the vault that you shall begin to pay once you have a job whether in our world or the muggle world."
As Hermione listened she paled. Someone of the Potter line had closed her vault and as far as she knew that person could only be Harry since he was the last descendant. Harry had discovered somehow that they had been stealing from his vault. Stepping back she motioned Ron forward.
"Ron I think you should check your vault." Hermione said.
Griphook interrupted before he could even draw a key. He wasn't going to put up with this nonsense it wasted time and time was money.
"There is no need. I shall give you a list of all the closed vaults due to this occurrence. Closed vaults include: Vault number 778 belonging to Hermione Jane Granger, Vault number 721 belonging to Ronald Billius Wealsey, Vault number 725 belonging to Ginerva Molly Weasley, Also a certain number of galleons have been removed from the Weasley family vault, McGonagall family vault, Fudge family vault as well as the Dumbledore family vault. The Weasley and Dumbledore vault have been completely emptied to repay the debut. The McGonagall and Fudge vault still have galleons though not very much."
"What? That shouldn't have happened Dumbledore promised that these vaults would never be touched by anyone but us!" Ron shouted gaining everyone's undivided attention.
Now that it was proven that they had been stealing from their friend's vault no one desired to come to their aid especially since they were stealing from the Chosen One who was currently missing. They all felt for their lost hero who was being misled by his friends.
"The original owner of the money, Harry James Potter, decided that transferring his money from his vault was cause enough to request this change. He has every right to decide so."
Ron and Hermione began to shout at the Goblins until they were thrown out. No one listened to them anymore. Who would listen to someone who degraded their beloved saviour? Unfortunately for them, four males had witnessed the entire scene as they were leaving the bank with smirks on their faces. Ciaran looked towards Draco as his ex-friends were dragged away and dumped on the steps outside.
"That was entertaining." Draco said.
"Shall we go and get the stated items on our lists then?" Ciaran enquired as they walked away from the bank.
Lucius and Severus were trailing behind them watching them as they talked and shopped. When they entered a store their fathers would follow. Exit a store and trail down the street and they would follow. It was like a never ending game of follow the leader or a mother duck with her hatchlings in reverse. Honestly Ciaran had never witnessed something so annoying yet alone lived it. He didn't know how Draco put up with it constantly.
The only place he wanted to visit was Weasley Wizarding Wheezes knowing that neither Lucius nor Severus would step one foot inside that store. As he knew neither of their parents entered the 'frivolous store for it wasn't up to their standard' as they put it. Draco and Ciaran had rolled their eyes and left them on the doorstep to wait until they were done.
Upon entering they were whisked away from the front by the twins and pulled towards the back away from the large crowds. The four of them had noticed that Ron, Hermione and Ginny had turned up in the store not long after them. Surprisingly after their humiliation they were still acting high and mighty as if everyone would bow down to them.
"Hey Gred, Forge, how is the shop doing?"
"Business is booming my friend!" Fred and George said at the same time.
"How are you dealing with your new life?" George asked.
Ciaran looked around and noticed that everyone nearby was too busy with the products but he could never be too careful.
"It's been difficult but I'm slowly getting accustomed to it. At times both Father and Grandfather revert back to their usual selves and act as if I was still… Him… but I'm not any longer. It's going to take some time but we'll get there eventually."
Fred and George could see the toll that the change of lifestyles was having on their friend but they knew that it wouldn't be long before he was back and taking control of his life again. They decided the change the topic of conversation.
"So how has that little devil Citren been handling the change? Causing mischief I assume…"
They continued to talk and were discussing quietly about the shops progress when Ron interrupted them rudely.
"Hey how much is this?" Ron shouted across the store while holding up a packet of Instant Vanishing Powder. Honestly didn't he believe in being polite or being quiet?
"Two Galleons" was the instant reply.
"But I'm your brother! How much would you charge your brother?"
"Two Galleons."
They weren't going to make any profit if they continuously let their family get free products especially if it was Ron. He seemed to figure that he could take anything that was free regardless of the toll it took for the shop. Ron seemed to huff and grumble under his breath as he turned away but replaced the Powder back on the shelf.
"Gred, Forge, how much is this?" Ciaran asked looking at a pot of coloured ink that wrote the truth only. They could be useful for his grandfather's reports though he would have to test it first on numerous things.
"For you my friend everything in this store is free. You shan't spend any money in this store." George informed him. Ciaran would never take anything in large quantities since he owned a third of the store. They had attempted to grant their investor with half of their profits but he had insisted if he must be given some profits from the store he would only take at most a third.
"What? Why does he get special treatment! I'm your brother!" Ron said angrily as he moved towards them steadily turning red in anger.
"Yes we know we are unfortunately related to you however Ciaran is our investor and shouldn't have to pay for anything he invested in to begin with. Just doesn't make sense does it?" Fred said mockingly.
Ciaran knew that Ron was going to argue the fact that his brothers wouldn't allow their own family to at least get everything half price and then allow a complete stranger free range of anything so he thought it would be better if he simply left for the day.
"We'll see you guys later. Come one Dray let's leave the brothers to their little spat."
Fred and George nodded their heads in understanding before turning back to their store. Even they weren't going to put up with a whiny little brother and his obnoxious girlfriend.
"You never told me that you were one of the people that had invested in their store!" Draco exclaimed once they had left their fathers once again trailing behind them.
Ciaran didn't even glance up at his friend to answer.
"Actually I'm their only investor but that isn't important. They were just beginning their idea and had a few products that I'd seen work when they were still in school and I believed that it was a good investment and I still do. Besides I didn't want the money and I didn't need it either."
Severus couldn't believe that his own son had given away any money while he was known as Harry Potter. He had thought that no matter what Potter was selfish and treated like royalty. He'd believed that the money had gone to something ridiculously expensive that their saviour would never need again. However he was wrong. Everything he had originally believed was crashing down around him leaving him with a sense of emptiness that Ciaran was beginning to fill slowly yet steadily.
"What money did you give them?" Lucius asked curiously.
"I gave them the Triwizard money."
Lucius and Severus exchanged glances and knew why he had given that money away without even considering keeping it. He hadn't wanted any money from the Tournament that had cost Cedric his life. Marvolo and Ciaran hadn't discussed that topic either and probably never would. It was a sensitive subject much like James and Lily's murder. Draco however didn't understand his reasoning.
"You gave them One Thousand Galleons! Are you mad? You could have done numerous things with that money. Why did you give it away like that?" Draco said.
"I wanted to get rid of that money as soon as possible so I gave it to the people I believed needed it the most. Now can we stop talking about it? I don't like remembering that year."
Draco thought back to the Tournament and realized what he was saying and cringed under the emotionless gaze Ciaran gave him. That event would definitely cause trauma and just because Ciaran no longer looked like Potter didn't mean the memories had been forgotten as well. Sometimes he tended to forget that. Draco guessed that Ciaran was simply embracing his Slytherin side.
Seeing the look on Ciaran's face invoked the desire to comfort the younger boy (even if it was only by a month). But he had spent the past few days trying to patch up the friendship that they created by explaining the way they had reacted to each other from the past five years. It was a slow road but now they were friends and he didn't want to ruin it by expressing the feelings he felt for the young Snape. He was suddenly glad that Ciaran was blocked from his mind. The only thing he could do was wait.
The group walked down Diagon Alley to slip into Knockturn Alley for a few items that they couldn't get from the normal stores. All the items were for Marvolo since he couldn't exactly walk out on the streets but it didn't matter to them. Ciaran was family and he normally did everything he could to help them even if they didn't care for it.
"How could you give my brothers one thousand galleons?" Ron demanded walking towards them.
Severus and Lucius were inside Borgin and Burkes while Ciaran and Draco were waiting patiently outside. It was safe for them as they were marked by the Dark Lord and as such could safely travel in Knockturn Alley without any problems. Ron on the other hand was in danger since he followed the Light. The Order weren't welcomed in the Alley something he would be learning soon enough.
"What are you talking about?" Ciaran asked.
"You could have given that money away to anyone you rich bastard but no you chose some pathetic purebloods who liked jokes instead of me! I am the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived! Does that mean anything to you?"
Ciaran narrowed his eyes at Ron.
"I would watch what you say about your brothers. They are good people who know not to waste the gift I gave them. Now what has the so called Chosen One got to do with what I bestow to people?"
"I should be the one to gain money for being his best friend. What Dumbledore is paying me isn't enough for the trouble! He drags me into dangerous situations-"
"Ah but if I hear correctly, you willingly follow him around like lost puppies Weasel. It's unbecoming and a true Pureblood would never bend so low." Draco sneered knowing that Ciaran would not be hurt by his remark.
Ron turned red as he thought about what was being said and took a step forward. Unfortunately for him several of the inhabitants of the Alley had overheard what was being discussed and noticed who the light wizard was talking to. Quietly they had drawn closer to keep an eye on their young lord. When Ron had stepped forward two of them had grabbed his arms keeping him at bay.
"Young Lord Snape is there a problem here?"
"We could deal with him if you'd like…"
"You wouldn't have to worry about anything."
At that exact moment Lucius and Severus walked out of the store and right into the scuffle. Ciaran knew that his father would not be pleased that he caught the attention of the youngest Weasley male but he would have to deal with it they were going to be at the same school after all.
"What do we have here Mr Weasley? It's not every day you find a Gryffindor Light supporter foolish enough to enter Knockturn Alley of their own will. Dangerous things are said to happen around here especially to known Light supporters such as your family." Severus sneered.
Ron blushed turning his face as red as his hair was.
"This bastard here tried to make me look like a fool in front of my own family and the entire store!" Ron shouted knowing that Snape would take his side since he was a spy for the Light. How wrong he was.
"You will not talk about my son in such a vulgar way Mr Weasley. Do I make myself clear?" Snape snarled darkly.
Ron simply nodded his head as he waited to be released. He couldn't believe that Snape actually had a son that appeared to be his own age as well. Why hadn't Dumbledore ever been told? He would have to do something about that. Maybe he could convince the boy that Malfoy was a bad influence and take him beneath his wing of power further boosting him along in fame.
"You shall return Mr Weasley here to Diagon Alley immediately." Lucius ordered them cutting through Ron's train of thought.
Lucius, Severus, Ciaran and Draco all turned away not bothering to make sure that he was returned in one piece. After all who cared if he was scraped a little against the wall carelessly? With that the small group apparrated back to Slytherin Citadel.
Hiya~ Thanks for all of the wonderous reviews!
~MidnightEmber