Mo Chridhe

Chapter 5

Marcus Flint made his way towards Gringotts with purpose. He had used the Floo network to get to the Leaky Cauldron, then made his way from the pub to the bank. He had been lucky enough to avoid any of the professors on his way out, he hoped for the same luck on the way back. His dragonhide boots thudded as they moved up the marble steps and into Gringotts. He could still remember his first trip, with his father and grandparents, when he still had a case of hero-worship for his grandfather. He'd been added to the vaults, one day heir of the Flint estate. Which meant when his grandfather finally croaked it. That day couldn't come soon enough, and it wasn't so he could become heir.

Marcus removed his chain, and slid the key off it, before setting the chain in his pocket. There was no point to putting it back around his neck until the key was back in place. "Take me to vault 219," Flint grunted, as he slid the key forward, proof that it was indeed him. That and his magic registering when he entered the bank.

The goblin bared its teeth, before grunting and hopping of his stool and strode off towards the corridor. Marcus easily kept up with the goblin's movements. It took all of a minute for them to reach the cart, and if the goblin had expected any reaction from Marcus, he would be sorely disappointed. For Marcus had gone far faster during his Quidditch games.

Marcus impatiently lurched out of the cart the second it slowed to a stop. Sliding the key into the slot, he opened the vault door. This was the main vault, he was forbidden from taking money out, but items that were in this vault weren't really of any 'real' value. That is to say it wasn't worth keeping an eye on and his grandfather didn't care about them.

Sliding to the side when the door opened, he slid into the vault, there were lots of things in there. Photos, old furniture, jewellery, piles upon piles of books, galleons, every keepsake you could imagine. He ignored everything except the jewellery, pondering on what to use, a ring was too symbolic and people would assume Harry was betrothed. A bracelet could end up falling off, even at that, he couldn't see one that was masculine enough for a pre-teen to want to wear. It was all delicate feminine ones his mother and grandmother had wore and likely dozens of Flint women.

Necklace then, Marcus grinned, reaching out for one hooked on a necklace stand. He could remember that one, it had everything Harry would need. Spelled with pretty much all the spells the heir ring has. His father had bought him it, since he couldn't get the heirship ring and it was an added protection. He'd liked it because of the shape, an intricately designed sun, with spikes coming out behind the sun. There was a time where he was obsessed with astronomy. He still had every single magazine actually, Astronomy weekly, it made the classes exceedingly boring.

Then again, that was a reoccurring problem pureblood children felt whilst at Hogwarts.

Boredom, it was up to the older Slytherins – him included – in keeping them occupied, when they weren't doing homework or having fun with their classmates.

Marcus checked the rune was still active, before nodding silently in determination. This would do until Harry could find one in his own vaults during the summer or something. He'd need to make sure the boy returned this though, it spoke volumes that it was in the vault, he wanted to give it to his own kid one day.

He was unaware that Harry would be wearing it until he passed it onto their firstborn child.

He didn't bother with the original box which was also in the vault, they added value to the item and kept everything tidy. Just thinking about Harry had his stomach twisted in knots. He couldn't believe it, or rather wouldn't believe it if he didn't already know better. Out of all people you'd assume was safe from any sort of abuse, it would be Heir Potter.

Muggles, he'd been abused by filthy muggles.

Thinking of Potter, he needed to get back quickly, he had promised to come back and he absolutely refused to break any promise to Potter. He couldn't do that. Just recalling the look on the boy's face when he yelled out his frustrations to the room. He sounded angry but the reality was, he'd been broken-hearted and despairing. If he ever gained the boys trust, he'd need to do all he could to keep it…for if he foolishly lost it, that would be it.

Harry wasn't the trusting type as it was, at least this was the…impression he was gaining in their one-on-one interaction. From afar? He seemed like any other kid; he was so good at blending in that it was quite scary. Only up close and interacting with him had he seen the signs of abuse so clear as day. Yet amongst his year mates he was perfectly fine. He was quite contradictory, but he knew better than most, that all cases were different.

Remerging from his vault, Marcus closed it and waited until he heard the deep reverberating echoing thumping as the locks fell back into place. The vault was truly locked, necklace joining his other in his pocket, along with the key, he sat on the cart and remained silent the entire trip back to the top.

Once his business had been concluded, he inclined his head curtly, "May your gold ever flow." And walked away, hearing the goblins usual bloodthirsty reply. Now this was how they preferred the business be run, especially by an experienced wizarding family. They hated being condescended and looked down upon. They really appreciated the swiftness when it was something that wouldn't gain them more gold.

Marcus made a quick stop at the apothecary, handed the note to the Potions Master and let him quickly gather up all the requested Potions. They probably would recognize Professor Snape's handwriting and ensure he got the good stuff.

"I'll pop this on Severus' tab, shall I?" was asked once everything was individually wrapped or put into a glass vial to prevent contamination.

"Yes, please," Marcus said politely, inclining his head at Jeremy Jiggers, he was only seven years older than Marcus himself. He'd left Hogwarts and immediately sought out a Potions Master and became one himself. Unfortunately, he wasn't quite able to beat out Professor Snape's scores, someone he admired very much and had emulated at Hogwarts.

"A few more years you'll be out of Hogwarts, any plans?" Jeremy queried, as he put all the potion ingredients into a brown box before using magic to wrap it. The strings looped around the box tidily before tying itself together in a bow.

"Can't decide," Marcus grunted, "I'm self-studying in Arithmancy."

"Which means you took Ancient Runes, I'm going to guess you didn't take Divination, any other self-study classes?" Jeremy asked, genuinely curious, a small smile on his face as he pushed the box closer to Marcus, so that he may take it and leave if he was in a hurry.

Marcus smirked, "Quite a few," certainly classes that he'd need to take at the Ministry.

Jeremy scoffed, "Quit any more classes it won't be worth attending," a disgusted sneer adorning his features. The decline in quality education was very prevalent and obvious if one looked, Dumbledore had ensured that with all the cut classes. "Even if it is a tradition."

Marcus nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing, he was seriously considering leaving after his O.W.L'S and being done with it. He didn't think his grandfather would be too happy about it, and his parents wouldn't either, and their opinion held far more weight than his grandfather's opinion ever would. Not even the heirship would have him doing his grandfather's bidding. He was a step away from killing the old bastard and being done with it. Even if it ended up with him in Azkaban.

"It's almost time," Amy Jiggers spoke, her voice soft and wispy, long blonde locks tied back showing her pretty but pale face. "Hello, Marcus," she added, smiling at him. Noticing he'd already been served, then begun to take out the rest of the new delivered Potion ingredients. As long as she didn't brew with them, then she would be just fine.

"Hey," Marcus said respectively, Amy Jiggers was Jeremy's wife, she was older by four years old and a fellow Potions Master. "How are you doing?" giggling when her husband kissed her before descending to the lab, to brew the potions. They brewed them all on the premises, whether they were for a special order or in the shop.

"Good, miss being able to brew though," she confessed with a rueful grin, "So worth it though." Rubbing the barely discernible bump. Her American accent was barely noticeable anymore, having been immersed in the British magical world so long.

"For how long?" Marcus grinned as he plucked the package up,

Amy laughed, "Five more months," she confessed, "I know, I don't look far along, do I?"

"You don't," Marcus told her firmly, "Be careful, don't push yourself too far." Magical pregnancies were quite fragile, for the majority of the pregnancy. A delicate balance especially when it came to magic usage and potion fumes.

"Not you too!" Amy said, amused, "Honestly, Jeremy won't even let me go downstairs, or carry any crates up and down." Not even using magic, she had been smitten to begin with, but now? Well, it was amusing but losing its appeal.

"Enjoy the peace while it lasts," Marcus chortled, "And congratulations," he hadn't seen them for a while, his grandfather hadn't let him get a moments peace from him. In other words, he had been trapped in the manor unable to even go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley for the day. He hadn't even been able to go for his own school things, it had been bought via House-elf.

Marcus avoided all other possible conversation, avoiding anyone he knew, as he made his way back to the Leaky Cauldron. He handed over seven knuts for a pinch of Floo powder to return to the castle, calling out, "Slytherin common room, Hogwarts!"

Unbeknown to most the common rooms and professors' offices were all linked to the Floo network. Severus ensured his students privacy with a few well-placed charms. Which means Dumbledore wouldn't be aware that he'd left the school grounds. Nor could he find out if their parents got in touch and prevent it, which he would do, Dumbledore hated Slytherins with a burning passion that he didn't bother to really conceal.

"Marcus, what's up? Everything alright?" Higgs called out, giving their Quidditch Captain a look of genuine worry that you'd never see grace a Slytherin's face outside of the houses common room.

Marcus nodded curtly, "I'm fine, everything is fine. I'll talk to you later."

"You actually mean that?" Higgs asked, well aware of Marcus' propensity to disappear and avoid him if anything too personal came up.

"You have my word." Marcus informed him.

"Alright," Higgs leaned back inclining his head, relaxing now that he had Marcus' word, which he could trust fully. Once given, Marcus would see through whatever it was that he had said. Higgs got back into his work; his free period wasn't going to last forever after all. Best get this all done before the crowds returned.

With that Marcus departed Slytherin common room.

He only came across a few lost Hufflepuff's presumably looking for their common room. Marcus set them in the right direction. Even he had gotten lost in Hogwarts the first few weeks while in school, and that's saying a lot since he grew up in a manor. He didn't stop to make sure they were going the right way, but continued on until he got back.

He returned to an unconscious boy and a professor that looked like he'd aged a decade in a sparce half-hour.

"Sir?" Marcus ventured, his tone quiet, he couldn't quite recall seeing his professor quite so…defeated. It was the only way he could accurately describe how his Head of House looked at this very moment in time.

Severus' gaze jerked up, and Marcus realized he'd actually caught his professor off guard. He barely refrained from gulping, only the decorum that had been built into him stopped it. "You've returned."

"Yes, Sir," Marcus agreed, wary to the extreme, his professor looked very, very dazed. "Has anyone else been here?" wanting to make sure that somehow Dumbledore hadn't come here and done something to Professor Snape. He doubted it, there was nobody better than Professor Snape, especially in the mind arts. He had ways to protect himself, in more ways than one.

Severus gave Marcus his patented exasperated look, which made Marcus relax a little. "Never fear Potters' worst fears being realized. I would know if my mind was altered even slightly within twelve hours." He'd feel it while he strengthened his mental barriers at night before sleep. It's the only thing that dampened the nightmares he had. He would also know if his Slytherin's minds were tampered, unbeknown to everyone, he had a few spells up in Slytherin common room, nothing invasive, just to ensure their mental wellbeing such as Obliviate spell or worse, Imperius. He'd created it himself, thus Dumbledore had no idea.

The Ministry would have died to have the spells Severus' had created in their arsenal. Especially during the end of the wizarding war with Lord Voldemort whom they call You-Know-Who out of fear. To know who was under the Imperius and who was lying? It was a revolutionary spell.

Marcus would never admit under normal circumstances that it had been his fear. Although, Severus knew him well enough to know him relaxing was a big as a confession. "I got a pendant; I think it will be best for him." he explained. Removing the one for Harry – which didn't fit him anymore – and attaching his key to his own pendant and putting it back on.

"Good, I'm pleased," Severus murmured, "Especially since the boy will need to remain here until he wakes, at least." Which could be a long time there was no way to know.

"Sleeping draught?" Marcus questioned, glancing briefly at the boy, who looked relaxed and curled up on the sofa.

"A sleeping charm," Severus corrected his presumptions, "I suspect it was for the best, I do not think that boy trusts a single soul in this world." Every move he'd made, had been watched carefully, this was the child he'd vowed to care for, protect. This boy, on the cusp of becoming this feral thing that would bite the hand off anyone showing it kindness thinking it was a trick.

"He doesn't." Marcus agreed, a dark frown adorning his features. "He makes a good attempt to blending in with the rest of the Gryffindors." By good attempt, he meant bloody brilliant, but he knew what to look for whereas most others didn't. He honestly didn't know how the boy was able to so easily allow anyone at his back.

"He does." Severus agreed with a twisted look on his face, "Stay with him, I have somewhere I need to be."

"I'd like to take a look at it," Marcus said, his tone firm. He knew under normal circumstances that Professor Snape would have been pissed at him for being so presumptuous. However, when it came to these situations? He wasn't Severus' student. He was a protector, a Carer, and worked with Severus for the betterment of whichever student that required their aid.

Dark eyes stared at Marcus, who was taller than any other of his classmates. Taller than most of the seventh years actually, from all houses. So, Severus was able to look him in the eye without any difficulty, for the first time, Severus displayed signs of being unsure. "The information contained within…are particularly distressing." He told his snake, the abuse they were used to dealing with was nothing like this.

It was usually spells, not physical damages, and they were 'healed' afterwards, so their medical history and the students' words were usually the only proof they had of something happening. Not that it was lacking, far from it, it was all they needed but this medical scans? It was too much for him, he'd be having nightmares for months if not years, he did not wish to see Marcus similarly afflicted.

"I want to see it." Marcus stated determinedly.

Severus inhaled sharply, "Stubborn boy, I am trying to protect you from this." It's all he ever wanted to do, was protect his snakes. Protect everyone, but he could only do so much, he was only one man after all.

"I know, Sir," Marcus said, his tone changing entirely, it made him want to reveal everything to his professor. However, he knew how it would end, and he would not risk Professor Snape for him. It's unlikely he'd be left alone again next year, and if his parents tried to insist? Well, he would simply get a job, or run away for the summer holidays. Hell, he knew professor Snape would allow him to help during the summer holidays without any questions asked. "Go do what you need to, I'll watch over him, I promise." Marcus swore. He reckoned he knew what Severus was about to do, go digging into Potter's life. If there was anything to be found.

Severus glanced at the parchment clenching his hand into a fist, squashing the paper as he did so. He really shouldn't, the boy was going to have a difficult time trusting them as it was.

However, he acknowledged they need to know everything in order to help the boy.

"Do not let him see this," Severus warned seriously, dark eyes glittering, "If he finds out his trust is being betrayed in such a manner…regardless of whether it's to help…he will refuse all aid." He was speaking from experience; he wouldn't have forgiven it and he hadn't had such a horrific childhood.

Marcus frowned, his scowl making him look pissed off, instead of the thoughtful he really was, "I'll read it then put it away." He finally agreed.

"You can burn it, it's a copy," Severus told Marcus, before he walked out of his quarters, with a parting, "Information on the table, do not deviate."

On the table was a whole slew of potions, and instructions on when to give them, all set in their vials ready for consumption by the too small young boy.

Marcus slumped down beside the kid on the sofa, brushing his hair out of his face, only to find Harry's hand wrapping around his own in a tight grip. Magic seeking out magic, unconsciously it would seem as if Harry did trust him. Marcus swallowed thickly, he hadn't expected that at all. Then again, just because Harry's magic trusted Marcus (and sought him out he could feel Harry's magic mingling with his own) didn't mean the child trusted him.

A/N – hmm so the flying lessons, the dragon, the three-headed dog, the mirror, and of course, Quidditch and the meeting with Voldemort. Will Harry still see his parents in the mirror? Will he even get to play quidditch with both Severus and Marcus cautioning him? Will he even go after Voldemort? Hmm will Harry actually show his friendship with the Slytherins or will it be something done later on in the story? Am I forgetting anything? It's likely 😉 haha I do want to have at least the first three years written out in 4/5 chapters like I was originally going to do with the contract…not funny if you're laughing how do I know? Because I'm laughing too 😉 hehe