Lone Child

Chapter 40: And it all comes out into the open.

After being set onto a healing table by Triss, James was lost to the world of the living. He woke up early the next morning feeling the worst he'd ever felt in his life. Trying to sit up, James was stopped by a familiar warm weight on his right side, and a weight lying across his legs and stomach.

Open his eyes so he could see fully he found Triss curled up next to him, with Glacier, Triss's cat, and Jewel lying on his legs and abdomen. He was also no longer lying on the healing table, but in a bed in one of the extra compartments of his trunk. "Tessa?" James asked. His voice seemed to be working again, although it did hurt a little to talk.

"Go back to sleep James, you're going to need it," said Triss softly. It seemed that she hadn't been asleep has his side, just lying with him.

"What time is it?" James asked. If he felt that he could go back to sleep with no consequences, he would have, but he knew he had several things to be dealt with before he could relax.

"Barely 7:00, go back to sleep," Triss said again.

"I can't, too much to do," James said, forcing himself to sit up. Just about every part of his body hurt, but that wasn't about to stop him.

"James," Triss growled, sitting up. "Whether you want to admit it or not, you just got your ass royally kicked and you have been seriously injured, so you need to rest!"

"Triss, if I can't relax, I can't rest, and right now, I have some things that need to be taken care of before I can relax," said James, standing from the bed. Reaching under the bed, he pulled out a small bin with a spare set of his clothes, jeans, boxers, a t-shirt, shoes and socks. "I'll be right back," said James, walking towards the small bathroom attached to the bedroom.

Triss was nearly spitting in anger and worry, but she knew as well as he did that he couldn't sleep when things had to be done. A few minutes later James returned, pulling his long raven hair into a ponytail, letting his green eyes show. "You're not going to try and alter your appearance at all?" Triss asked.

"No need. All of this is going to come out no matter what I do, so I might as well get used to this appearance, and this hair," said James. Triss had to admit, he looked nothing like the James she'd become so attached to, but she didn't think any differently of him.

"Where are we going first?" Triss asked. If she couldn't make him rest, than she was damn sure going to follow him and make sure he didn't over exert himself.

"The hospital wing. You need to talk to Derek," said a new voice. Turning, Triss saw Jewel standing there in her human form.

"That's what I was thinking. Poppy might need a hand with him," said James. Between Jewel and Triss, they managed to get James to the hospital wing without him hurting himself. Entering the hospital wing, was another thing altogether. They seemed to have walked in on an argument between Dumbledore, Potter, Snape, Evans, Sirius, Remus and a very sore looking Dragon. He could feel the silencing charm, but just walked right through it.

"You should have told me, Albus!" Lily yelled, her face red with anger.

"Told you what, Lily? I didn't even know about James Cage's parentage until he appeared last night with your father and your niece! You know more than I do!" Dumbledore shouted back.

"What about you Severus?" Potter asked, rounding on Snape.

"Don't look at me, Potter. I've known he was my son for years but I've been under strict instruction not say anything about his mother, or other family," Severus responded. He seemed to be sporting yet another black eye, for what, the trio didn't know.

"So Severus, you say you've known who his mother is?" Dumbledore asked.

James decided to step in at that point, before it got out of hand. "Yes, he's known since the end of first year, and he was under my direction not to say anything. So now that we are all on the same page, how much have you all figured out?" James asked

Dragon was the one to answer. "They know who you're parents are, and that you are very gifted and brought about Voldemort's first downfall," he said.

"Okay, well, that's just about all you need to know. If you don't mind, I am in need of a talk with my grandfather," James said, a minor amount of anger in his voice.

"No, I think we all need to have a talk and figure out what is going on," Lily said, stepping forward. Blazing green eyes met blazing green, but James deiced to back down first, as he didn't want his mother being too stressed with the baby on the way.

"Fine, we'll have a talk, but calm down before you lose another son," said James, giving Lily's belly a look. After everyone sat down, and calmed down, James asked, "So?"

"Why didn't you inform anyone of your heritage upon arriving at the school?" Potter demanded.

"Because I knew how you'd react, either with disbelief or rejection, and I wasn't going to deal with that," James said with a shrug.

"How did you know you wouldn't be welcomed into the family?" Lily asked, her eyes still glaring daggers at him.

Now James was starting to get angry. They were trying to play the blame game, and so far, everything was pointing to him. "Well, mom, you gave me away only minutes out of the womb to people you didn't even know, then erased my existence. What was I supposed to think?" James demanded, his tone a little colder than he had intended it to be.

"You should have at least said something! I don't know about you, but I really didn't appreciate having a student around me for so many years, and then on day find out that he is my son!" Lily yelled. James now knew where his temper came from.

"Well whose fault is that?" James asked, perfectly calm.

James hadn't even had time to react before he felt a strong stinging sensation on his cheek. "You will not speak to me like that, Harry James!" Lily growled, after she had slapped him.

James looked strangely at her for a second, then he realized that's what his name would have been had he been a Potter. "I'm sorry, but you have absolutely NO claim over me whatsoever, so I can talk to you any way I like," James growled back, his anger finally starting to show.

Potter now decided to step in. "You will not talk to anyone in this room like that! We are all your elders, and deserve your respect!" he yelled, standing over James as if trying to intimidate him.

James stood from his chair to his full height, a good 6 inches over Potter. His eyes glinted with anger. "Look, Potter, I didn't come here to fight with any of you. At this moment, I am still recovering from my little party with Voldemort. If anything, you should be kissing my shoes for returning Lizzy unharmed. However, I am not interested in that either. What I am interested in, is how you plan on dealing with Voldemort and my appearance," James hissed. He was whispering, but his voice echoed around the room as if he had yelled. Potter sat back down, looking rather intimidated.

"What do you mean your appearance?" Derek asked. For the time being, James pushed back his anger at the older man, for he knew that he was one of the few in the room he could trust unconditionally, but James vowed to have a talk with the man later.

"Voldemort was draining my power through our link. I had to put up a block to keep him out, but it is blocking me out as well. It will be at least 6 months before I have the power to take down the block and keep him out at the same time. James Cage can disappear for a while, but that still leaves what I'm going to do about my education and coming back once I get my powers back in working order. I can't leave Triss here either, she and I are bonded, I can't stay far from her for very long, or it will drive us both insane. I need to know what you want me to do," James explained.

Dumbledore looked intrigued. "Tell me, does your normal wizard magic still work?" he asked.

James nodded. "Yes, with a wand. It doesn't come from the same pool of magic as everything else. Why?"

"I was thinking, how about you becoming a teaching assistant for a while? You could pose as Jim and Lily's long-lost son. We can say you are here for the final part of an apprenticeship. Then, when your powers come back no one will question it," Dumbledore suggested.

The words were hardly out of his mouth when Evan stood from her seat. "No. I won't allow it. He is no son of mine, nor will he ever be," she growled with more venom than Jewel's fangs. With that, she stalked out of the infirmary, Potter in toe.

"Ow, that stung," James growled sarcastically. In truth, it did hurt him, and quite a bit at that, but he was more than used to rejection. After all, he'd known his mother would reject him once the truth came out since he'd been told her name. James could see Dragon's reason for not telling James that he was Lily's father.

Triss squeezed his hand reassuringly. She'd felt his sting of pain at Evans's words through their ever-strengthening bond. "Does anyone wish to hear my opinion?" Derek asked.

James nodded. "How about you come as Severus's son? If what I've heard is true, he's mean enough that no one would dare question him, especially after a prized Slytherin's disappearance. As far as you sudden arrival, you started school early, and have finished, but your mother died just this year, and because you are still underage, you have to stay with your father for the year," said Dragon.

"Sounds like a plan, but what about Triss? I don't know about you, but I won't leave her in the dorms by herself. There are too many Death Eaters in Slytherin, willing or not. I won't risk her being taken because Voldemort thinks she would know my whereabouts," James said firmly.

Dumbledore nodded. "You can share a room off of Severus's quarters. This brings us to our next topic. Your temporary name," said Dumbledore.

"Damon. It's my middle name, the next name of the line," Severus answered. James nodded, thanking every deity he knew of that that name was only temporary.

"One problem though, won't anyone think it's weird that I disappear every night, right after my boyfriend disappeared?" Triss asked.

"What about you drop in on it as well? You are a Metamorphmagus, you can change your appearance to suit your needs, and they could say the real Triss Summers is grief stricken, and is staying with her guardian for the time being. Though, if you do that, you both would have to come as apprentices," Derek said.

"Sounds good to me. What do you think Tessa?" James asked.

"Better than the first. What will we do for the time being though? Just chill around the school?" Triss asked.

"No, you're coming home with me," said Derek. "You haven't been back home in a very long time. Plus, it's safer than anywhere else, being in the Elven realm, a place that Voldemort can not access."

"Sounds good. I take it we will be leaving today?" Triss asked. Derek nodded, sitting up from the bed. Dumbledore tried to make him sit back down, but was shoved off.

Using James as a support Derek said, "I will be taking my grandson, and soon to be granddaughter home now. Owl us when you want us. Portus!" Derek yelled. With a bright flash, the three disappeared, along with all evidence that they were there to start with.

Jim Potter slowly made his way up to Dumbledore's office, sporting a few more bruises than he'd had when he'd left the hospital wing. Entering, he saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk, deep in thought.

"So what is the plan?" Jim asked.

Dumbledore jumped at his voice, but calmed immeadiatly. "I'm not sure. Hagrid is going to try and enlist the Giant's help. I think Remus will be going to Romania for the Werewolves. James Cage and Trisstessa have gone to there home with Derek Evans. They are going to come back as teaching assistance next school year. James will be going as Snape's son.

"How is Lily taking all of this, by the way?" Dumbledore asked.

"Not very well. I'm afraid she's going to lose this child as well," Jim said, running a hand through his unruly hair.

"Don't worry Jim. She'll pull through. At this moment, I'm actually more worried about our current Minister problem," said Dumbledore.

"What Minister problem?" Jim asked.

"I've just been informed the Fudge has been removed from office, replaced by Christopher Umbridge," said Dumbledore.

"You're kidding?" asked Jim.

"No, I'm not. That's why I'm sending Remus and Hagrid out of the country. I give it a few days before he issues a law about non-humans and muggle borns. As it is, we have been assigned a High-Inquisitor for the up come school year, his wife I think," responded Dumbledore.

"The wizarding world is doomed."

"Ready to go back to school?" James asked on the morning of September 1st. The summer had been uneventful. He, nor Triss, had gone anywhere. They just spent time with Dragon, as James fine-tuned his wand using abilities and learned how to become an Animagus, per Triss's request. While shifters weren't supposed to be able to become Animagi, James and Triss were exceptions.

The two had also gotten use to their 'new' names. Triss's had been temporarily changed to Christina Spencer, while James's had changed to Damon Snape. Triss would be posing as James's fiancé, which wasn't that far from the truth.

Triss rolled to face her Soul Bond. "Not really, but I'll live. I'm really not comfortable with only Snape, Dumbledore, Evans, Poppy, Sirius, and Remus knowing who we really are. Everyone, even our friends, think you're dead, or worse, and think I've gone home with Dragon," said Triss.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine, it always is," said James, giving Triss a lingering kiss.

The two were startled by a knock in their door. "James, Triss, get up! It's 10, and you guys still have to get to the station!" Derek's voice yelled. James and Triss both jumped up, throwing on clothes as they went. A few minutes later, they met Derek in the kitchen, trunks, with their new initials, trailing behind them.

Triss had already changed her appearance. Instead of being a red head with blue eyes, she now had wavy blond hair that came just to her shoulders, and alert blue/green eyes. She had kept her height, but filed out some, getting rid of her washboard abs, and opting for a thin, but strong appearance.

"You two ready?" Derek asked.

"Yeah. We'll see you soon Dragon," said James, giving Dragon a strong hug. After a very long talk between James and Dragon, everything was normal between them. Triss hugged Dragon as well, before wrapping an arm around James's waist before he apperated them away.

They arrived at the station at 10:55, having had to walk from the apperation point several miles from the station. As a last minute thought, James had conjured a small, platinum engagement ring for Triss the wear.

They found a compartment fairly quickly, as very few people wanted a seat in the very back of the train. "Did Dumbledore say if we had patrol?" Triss asked.

"Yes, as we are the only supervisors on the train this year," James groaned.

"You're kidding?" asked Triss.

James shook his head. "Nope. Dragon said something about Dumbledore wanting to test our abilities on handling children. No worries, we can handle them. We have wands, and we know how to use them," said James.

"Right. Let's start now shall we? I'll take the back of the train, you take the front. Meet back here in 15 minutes?" Triss asked.

"Sure thing. See you in 15," said James, giving Triss a soft kiss on the cheek before heading down his section of the train.

The train ride was totally uneventful. There had been no fights, no arguments, and no cursing each other, at least from what James and Triss saw in their once an hour checks. They were very grateful when they arrived at Hogwarts, bored out of their minds from the long train ride.

They entered the hall with the students, James finding it rather hard not to just announce himself as being back right there and then. Many faces, especially those of his friends were solemn. Kat and Gin looked like they hadn't stopped crying in days, while Mel looked particularly pissed off. Then her eyes fell on him, and a knowing glance passed between them.

Giving the girl a wink, James walked up to the Head table, hand in hand with Triss. After he'd sat down, he noticed the glares Gin and Dray were giving him. They were soon followed by those of George, Fred, Hermione, and Roman. James ignored them, knowing he'd explain it to them later, and surveyed the head table. Sitting at the opposite end of the table, was Evans, followed by Potter, then the Divination professor, Professor Vector, a woman James nor Triss could identify, Dumbledore, Severus, the Ancient Runes professor, the Muggle studies professor, Hagrid, the Astronomy professor, James and Triss.

Dumbledore stood and gave his customary welcoming speech, after the students had been sorted. The sorting hat, being it's mysterious self, had given them a warning, but hadn't specified what it meant. When he stood, the hall went silent. "Welcome everyone. Now that you are all fed and watered, let me make a few announcements. First, I would like to welcome Professor Snape's son, Damon Snape, and his lovely fiancée, Christina Spencer. Both will be teaching assistance this year, before they start university next fall, if not sooner." Before Dumbledore could finish, there was the sound of the unidentifiable woman clearing her throat. Examining the woman, James couldn't help but notice her uncanny resemblance to a frog.

Almost everyone in the hall shot her a glare. No one interrupted Dumbledore, whether they liked the man or not. Most of the students were too shocked to even speculate on the fact that Snape had a son. Casting his own glare, Dumbledore continued. "Also this year, we have been assigned a High Inquisitor, whom will also be serving as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge." He was again cut off by the woman clearing her throat.

"If you don't mind, I have a few words," she said, not even waiting for Dumbledore's answer before she stood and started talking. About 5 minutes into her speech, James got bored, and with a little help from Triss, proceeded to make the woman croak like a frog. She didn't notice it, thanks to a little swish of Triss's wand, but the students did. With wave of James's wand, a spell was cast making Umbridge think the students were watching obediently, soaking up every word, instead of rolling on the floor with laughter.

Fifteen minutes later, Umbridge sat down looking quite pleased with herself. Once all of the students had gathered themselves, James undid his spell, while Triss undid hers. Dumbledore shot them a look, but they both saw the approving twinkle in his eye, he didn't like the woman either. "After that interesting speech from Professor Umbridge, I think you all are ready to retire. Prefects, please lead the students to their respective dormitories," said Dumbledore. Sniffling chuckles the students left the hall, ready for bed in preparation for the next day's classes.

"Damon, Christina, I bid you good night, Severus will take you to your rooms," said Dumbledore. James nodded, not quite ready to retire. God knew that if he didn't go talk to his friends the proverbial shit would hit the fan.

"Dad, we'll come down to you rooms later and you can show us where ours are. Chris and I want to explore a little," said James, almost choking at calling Severus dad. It was very unfamiliar, even if they had gotten along for a very brief period of time and James had addressed him as such.

"Very well. Be to my rooms no later than 10:30," responded Severus, stalking out of the hall, robes bellowing the whole way. As the two started to follow what was left of the students, James noticed Umbridge's glare, cast directly at Triss. Looking closely, James spotted her two perfectly pointed ears showing for the world to see.

Leaning over, James whispered, "Your ears are showing." He leaned back with a cat like grin, and Triss, playing along, gave him a playful slap, blushing and very discreetly fixing her ears.

Opening a secret passage to a meeting room that only a few people knew about, James and Triss weren't surprised to see the large group waiting for them, including Lizzy, sporting her brand new Ravenclaw robes. James still thought the look on Potter's face when he was told Lizzy was a witch was priceless.

"Hey guys," James said.

"You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do Cage," Mel growled, glaring at him. The only ones that didn't seem to be too angry were Draco and Lizzy. Lizzy because she'd known about this whole thing from the start, and Draco because he'd probably pieced it together already. Everyone else looked like they would peal the flesh from his bones if only asked.

"I know. Giving you a very shortened version, Voldemort attacked me after the tournament. He'd been draining my powers for a while, and had grown a new body. I got my powers back, got my ass kicked, and rescued Lizzy and Dragon, after killing Pettigrew. At current moment, I can't use my powers, as I am not powerful enough to take them off of lock up with out Voldemort taking them again. I should be back to myself before the end of the year though," James explained, making it short and to the point. Everyone didn't seem as mad anymore, but they all looked questioning.

"Why did you decide to come back though? You can't be totally safe here," said Gin.

"Because I need to keep an eye on everything. Think of it as my life long obligation. Before you ask, I didn't come back as myself because without my shifting ability, the truth would have to come out. Evans is in denial about my existence, so I figured it'd be best for everyone if I just said I was Severus' son, and left it simple," James explained.

"Whatever, just remember, you owe us a lot of house points," Fred growled, his prankster twinkle going full speed ahead.

James shook his head. "Sorry, but Dumbledore didn't authorize us to give points." Fred and George glared at him, but more or less everyone was happy with his minimal explanation.

"Whatever. I need to go to bed. We have classes in the morning," said Kat, giving James a quick hug before leaving the room, Rome in toe.

Everyone else agreed, and soon only James, Triss and Lizzy were left in the room. "James, or should I say Damon, do you happen to know where the Ravenclaw common room is? And what the password is?" she asked innocently.

"Don't I always?"

(A/N: Hi everyone. Because of the resent hurricanes, I haven't gotten to work on this story much. Hopefully there won't be any more coming this way. If there are, well, I really can't do anything about that. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon.)

Review responses:

Shadowface: Well, that's one of the quickest reviews I've ever gotten. 5 minutes after posting…fast.

Japanese-jew: I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do as far as everyone finding out. The main group, the order of the flying turkey, Dumbledore etc. need to know, but not the rest of the world. I think I may stop everyone, as in the world, from finding out until after Voldemort goes boom.

Michaelrccurtis: Thank you!

Musicstarlover: Personal thought, J.K. must have been on crack when she killed Cedric. Why Cedric? Why not Harry? Cedric has more character than Harry I tell you! And a better name! LOL. Was that a cliffhanger? I didn't think so. O'well, I couldn't really go on much further from there without spoiling the effect…

Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw: Thanks.

Athenakitty: Yes, James will get his powers back, and he will be able to block Voldemort. No, it doesn't take that much to confuse Potter.

QuicksilverWitch: I wouldn't worry about the motherly thing at the moment, it won't happen for a while. They really don't get along right now.

Maxennce: James is telling him this for a reason. It all has to do with the order. You'll see.

Katlyn: Well, I'm one of those people who goes swimming in 17-degree (yes, it gets that cold in Florida) weather for no other reason then that I can. You are right, it is very cold in the North of England and Scotland, but for the fact that James is an Elemental, lets just say he cast a warming spell on the water. I'll have to fix that part when I go over everything again with my sissy.

Fat Cow: Thanks.

SiLvErFaTeD: Thanks.

Jessica Potter 5: Thanks. Tybos? Tis spelled T-Y-P-O-S.

Etre-loup de Madame: Look up.

Lily Megan Potter: Yay! Another person who writes as they go!

Gaul1: James will recover, even if his powers are on hiatus.

Jennifer: Thanks.

C. Rose: I might toss the name Harry Potter around a little, but the truth is, Harry Potter doesn't really exist in this story, or not the one you are thinking about. Hold on, I've just had a spark of inspirational brilliance. I have an idea! Must go apply. I've never been very good at description, I'm kind of counting on J.K.'s books for that. I'm trying to give all of the characters major parts in different areas. Don't worry, Mel, Kat, and Dray still have theirs coming. One of the reasons I started writing fan fiction was to improve my writing skills. Several of my teachers commented on such as well, they think it's their teaching methods… As far as James explaining his abilities, it's a mind control method. If you want someone to leave you be about something, you tell them all they think there is to know. It's rather useful. It will also help him in his manipulation of Dumbledore. Also, it isn't that Dumbledore isn't being a 'pure light wizard', it's that he is trying to play the hand in his favor.

Hermoine21: Thanks.

Lacy: Thanks.

Anna Banana: Will do sis, see ya at school.

Leeanna-Marie-Malfoy: I am going to after I finish this one. I have an idea and everything, all I need to do is write it out. I'm just gifted like that…

M'Lady: No one, yet.

Mah-angel-frum-heaven: Thanks.

Treskell: Ummm…okay. I wasn't aware I gave anyone permission to do that, but whatever, so long as no one tries to copy my ideas.

ZorGone: Thanks.

Pheonixelemental: Thanks for the offer, but I think I have it under control. When all is said and done, and I finish this, I'm going to go over it and put out a final, fully edited version, but that probably won't be until next summer. However, on my next story I would be grateful for some help. I haven't fully decided if I'm going to commit to it or not, but if I do, it will be a spin off of this one, where James does die, and Triss goes on a homicidal rampage. That's just a basic thought, I'm going to get this finished before I think about thinking about writing another story. I also may put out a different story that I've been working on, since before I started this one actually, as it's a totally unused idea, from what I can tell. Is your e-mail yahoo or something else?