The Young Ones

Chapter 17: A Name Changed, A Ritual Ruined

Albus was pacing angrily through his office, wondering why the fuck the ritual didn't work. He had done everything correctly. He had used the same name the boy had had since he had been named as a baby. He was there when Harry was named. He knew the boy's name. So why the fuck can't he find him with a ritual that was supposed to work?

He let out a growling scream as he threw trinket after trinket in a rage. The sound of glass breaking didn't stop him. The sounds of Fawkes' screeching didn't stop him.

He needed that boy. And he would have him. He just needed a new ritual. Or something, or someone, who would be able to find him, and those bloody brats that ruined everything.

He would think of something. He was sure of it. He had to. He was the brightest, smartest wizard of the age. He would always win.

…

Xander stared at the magical certificate announcing his new name with awe, and happiness, and a sense of freedom that he hadn't felt in forever. He positively beamed as he looked at his family. At his mum. At Arthur. At his future kids. At Tom. At his friends who were more like siblings. At the Weasley children who were on his side.

He wasn't Harry James Potter anymore.

He was Xander Leo Snape.

He was now who he was always meant to be. And he had a family who loved him. A family who would love him.

He had never been this happy before. He had never been this excited for life before.

It was thrilling.

He carefully placed the certificate on the table before throwing his arms around his mum's neck and sinking into the warmth of the strong hold that embraced him, laughing happily.

"I love you, Xander," his mum said softly, and it was the most amazing thing, along with the kiss placed to his temple.

"I love you, too, mum," Xander said just as softly, his smile never leaving his face as a few happy tears slid down his cheeks. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Xander."

"Yeah, I do," he said softly, kissing his mum's cheek as he pulled back from the hug.

He was very quickly dragged into a hug by his kids, and he fell to his knees, dragging them all gently close to him as they chattered away excitedly.

"It's going to be okay, Sev," Arthur said to Severus gently, smiling at the younger man.

"I hope so," Severus said, his breath catching a little as he watched his son and future grandchildren chatter away to each other, and laugh, and be happy. Truly happy.

He hoped that they could always be that happy. But he wasn't sure they would be able to be. Not for a while anyway.

Hiya, how are you all today?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on everything that has happened so far and where you think the story is going, etc. or for things you might like to see as the story progresses. Even if it is just something small.

Also, I have Tumblr now. My username is marauderingpaige if you want to go and give me a follow over there. I also have one more focussed on personal life and writing, username is paigemakepeacewrites. And I have a Discord server, too, a new one! If you would like the link then feel free to drop me an email (my address can be found on my profile) or message me on social media, or join my Facebook group, and I will happily share it with you.

I have also now started writing a fanfiction for House M.D. It is an omega verse fic with House as the omega and Wilson as the alpha. If you love the show as much as I do then feel free to go and check it out. It is called Lights Will Guide You Home.

I have also started a couple of fics for Good Omens (I can't help myself. I have far too many ideas that need removing from my brain.) They are called House a Love Like You and I, and I Could Find You, Darlin'. Feel free to go and give them a read if you love Good Omens as much as I do.

Also, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of any songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they are going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let me know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. If you would like to go and give them a listen as they are now then you can find me on Spotify under the name Maraudering_Paige. They aren't that long at the moment, but we are making progress and I will continue adding to them the more music I listen to and when I have the time to do so. But still, if you can think of any relevant songs then do let me know.

I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics, life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update schedule for my fics and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, in regards to fanfics, original works, and more things. So if you are interested in joining then I am more than happy to accept you all.

I also now have a TikTok and an Instagram for my fanfic writing escapades. The username is maraudering_paige on both of them so feel free to follow me, and we shall see how often and what kinds of content I can post when I can. But it is another way for me to keep you all up to date if you don't have Facebook and such, and for me to spread the word about other things I am working on and things I want to do and such. So yeah, feel free to join me on those if you are able.

I hope you are having an amazing day!

Kind regards,

Paige xx