Mo Chridhe

Chapter 18

Two days it took to arrange a suitable time for both Arcturus Black and Severus Snape to meet. Not only with Arcturus' illness, which left him incapable of meeting with anyone but Severus' duties as a professor, as a guardian of sorts, which saw him looking after the students under his care, his Slytherin's.

In the end it was a Saturday afternoon they deemed most appropriate. It would allow them both to have a lie in, and meet up once they had breakfast and seen to any last-minute tasks that might need doing. It would also allow Arcturus to be given his potions at the perfect time to allow him to take the meeting unimpeded.

Which is exactly what Arcturus had done, sitting in his private study, awaiting the young Potions Master Severus Snape, to be dropped off via the port-key he'd had created. It was illegally created, naturally, he wasn't about to let the Ministry become aware of his properties, there were only a few they knew about and the rest were unplottable. Which is exactly how they would remain. He refused to dwell on the likelihood of his name and proud lineage ending.

The ding alerted him to the incoming Portkey usage through the wards. It was five seconds – if that – after the alert before it dropped off its passenger. Arcturus stood, refusing to appear weak, even if he looked it.

"Potions Master Snape," Arcturus commented, giving Severus a pensive look. "You resemble you grandfather and mother most ardently." The Prince side of the family was strong in the wizard. Why he elected to take his Mastery under the Snape name when Prince would have opened a lot of doors baffled him. However, the fact he'd made a name for himself not using it, had him respecting the wizard's tenacity. It took a special someone have that strength of character. Too bad his grandchild had not had that sort of character within him.

"Lord Black," Severus inclined his head, his lips unconsciously twisting at the mere mention of the name he detested. "Thank you for inviting me into your home." He knew it was an honour indeed. His gaze flittered around, taking everything in he could without being obvious about it. Naturally the bookcase caught his attention. The titles made him wish to stay here and never leave in the hopes of just getting to read them. They had always said the Black's had the best library in the world, and biggest. He couldn't say biggest, but best? Well, those were all first editions and he was in awe of how well kept they were.

"I do hope my grandson hasn't given you…an aversion to all things Black?" Arcturus questioned, "Please, sit, make yourself at home." Sitting himself down, he knew if he pushed himself too far it would be his undoing. He absolutely refused to show weakness in front of a relative stranger. He had seen the grimace on the wizard's face.

Severus blinked, rather surprised by the wizard's bluntness. "I am not sure whether to be confused or alarmed that you know about me. Most of what you've likely heard won't be good at all." he eased himself into the padded seat, which was moderately heated, hmm, he needed to get one of these for his own office. It would help the strain while he was correcting all the homework. Which is what he mostly did, when he wasn't teaching, not even brewing came close.

Grimacing at the realisation that this wizard knew what Black…Sirius Black called him during his seven long, audacious painful years at Hogwarts. The only light in his beak existence was Lily, and unfortunately, he had gone on a path she couldn't follow.

"Do not worry so, I shall not repeat his vulgarity. Nothing we ever did or said to my grandson ever helped matters." He wasn't sure where they had gone wrong with him. Oh, don't get him wrong, he still loved Sirius regardless of his actions. He had just wished Sirius would grow up. He'd had an entire family to look after. It was his duty as heir, one he'd been trained for.

"I'm pleased to hear that," Severus replied, grateful more like.

Arcturus stared at Severus, a curious and cautious look on his face. "Tea? Or are we going to be inclined towards something far…stronger?" he wasn't entirely sure why he had this wizard sitting before him instead of Harry, or the urgency his missive had produced. Had Lily granted Severus guardianship of her son? He knew they used to be close once upon a time. It would be the last place anyone thought to look.

"Regretfully the second option isn't open for me," Severus replied, genuinely regretful, he did desire something far stronger. however, he would not drink during the week, especially not while he would be teaching. "My time here is rather limited, and I have a lot of information to give you."

"Then let us not waste time on pleasantries today," Arcturus declared, a shrewd gaze roving over the young Potions Master. Pouring him a cup of tea, and one for himself. "Are you Heir Potter's magical guardian?"

Severus blinked, "No," came the blunt reply, understanding why he'd think as such. "I am merely taking care of him."

"He's in Slytherin?" his lips twitching into a tiny smile, "He's taking after Dorea then, I presume?" rather pleased with the information, it's no doubt Dorea and Charlus would be pleased.

Severus reached into his inner breast cloak pocket and brought out a picture. He slid it across to the table, it was a picture of Harry and Marcus together in Severus' quarters. It was clear that Harry was the focus of the picture. Since Marcus' profile was only caught from the side.

Arcturus' mercury eyes roved over the picture. Greedily taking in the sight of the child. He had many subtle indicators of his Black ancestry. Except for one glaring obvious distinction. "Has he been sick?" he was rather short and thin, none of the Potters or Blacks for that matter had gone to Hogwarts looking eight or nine years of age.

A moue of disappointment gripped him for only a second. It appeared Heir Potter had been sorted into Gryffindor, how odd though to see a Gryffindor and Slytherin friends. Especially since it was a first-year student who didn't usually deviate from the status quo.

"I wish it was something so simple." Severus replied, pleased that he'd noticed nonetheless. It was disconcerting just how…oblivious everyone appeared regarding Harry's height and weight.

Arcturus' gaze sharpened, narrowing in on the professor, "I am much too old to put up with the gentle lead to where you wish for me to be. That's a young man's game, and quite frankly I'm much too tired for such happenings." He told Severus firmly, it was true enough, even now his energy was beginning to flag.

"Very well," Severus replied, unsurprised by the words if he was fully honest with himself. The wizard looked like a gentle breeze would knock him over. Which he knew wasn't accurate, he had strength enough to kill off the entire Vance family. He had seen the newspaper, Albus had been near inconsolable, and had taken off to 'mourn' the family.

"It is much appreciated, now tell me everything," the older wizard declared, his salt and pepper shoulder long hair brushed back with a crow clip band keeping it in place. Picking up his cup of tea and drinking it now that it was cooled significantly. It had been 'drinking' temperature when Severus appeared and cooled a little now since it was poured.

All Black's look very alike, luckily though, Arcturus while his grandson resembled him, he was too old for Severus to see his bully in his eyes. Not that he'd much care, for Harry's safety was far more important.

"As you're no doubt aware, Dumbledore had let people know that Harry is well looked after. Taught his place in the magical world, and wanted for nothing." Severus ventured; he was unsure of how the elder Black would take this information.

Arcturus arched a brow, giving a nod, yes, he was aware. Setting his half drank cup aside, he had a feeling he wouldn't like what news would come next.

"We were, all of us, deceived." Severus confessed, an angry slavering beast glimmering through his eyes. He was still furious, and for the first time he let it be known. He was far away from the school, from Harry, so that he didn't have to worry about the child sensing it.

Arcturus straightened up, alarmed by the rage he was seeing from the wizard sitting across from him. It vividly reminded him of his own recent betrayal, he had killed those who had betrayed him and made sure he understood what he'd wrought on himself and his family by that betray. "How?" there was no way Dumbledore would allow any harm to Heir Potter would he? Or had the child died and someone else put in place? Was Severus here to tell him that there wasn't a Potter left? Had he lost his great nephew as well?

Honestly, Arcturus could already tell he was going to regret getting up this morning. He was tired of hearing about the deaths of his family, friends, acquaintances, it's like his punishment was to stay alive and see the death of his family name after believing for so long that it was more important. He had nobody left in the world, except Narcissa, Lucius and young Draco. He honestly didn't know if they were just occasionally indulging him in the mistaken hopes that he would give Draco the heirship.

"Dumbledore dropped Harry Potter off with Lily's muggle sister and her husband after what happened that night." Severus replied tersely, "Before Bla—" he glanced at Arcturus unsure how to continue, he wasn't sure he could say his tormentors name without being sick.

"You may refer to him as Black," Arcturus answered, clearly Severus had never been given leave to use his grandsons name. although, he was aware there may be a different reason for his referring to Sirius by his last name. Not only was he aware of the friction between them, but if Severus believed Sirius guilty and being friends with Lady Potter (or once upon a time, naturally he didn't know that much after Sirius ran from home) would cause unimaginable rage at Sirius.

"Before he was arrested, in fact, as I've understood, Hagrid went to Godric's Hollow almost directly after it happened. Somehow being convinced to hand over his godson and was arrested early the next morning. By then Harry was already at his relative's house, left in a basket with a letter on the front steps in the cold November. I believe it was in an attempt to force Petunia to bring him up." He'd been getting as much information as he could gather over the past few months since Harry became another charge to him.

"Force?" Arcturus' voice was thinly veiled contempt, not at Severus, no at what he was hearing. He truly didn't like the sound of this at all.

Severus' lips twitched in pleasure, glad to see that he was intelligent. Then again, if he had read every single book, he could see in his office he definitely was. Too bad Black hadn't followed his relatives' footsteps. "Having to rehash this again is turning my stomach, unfortunately, it's not my first case nor will it be my last with a little bit of luck."

Arching a brow, Arcturus took a biscuit of the plate, and bit into it. "I am not going to like this am I?" he found it difficult to swallow, glancing at what was left, deciding against eating it, seeing the look on Severus' face.

"Nobody with a conscience would," Severus replied, a sneer showing on his face as he thought on Dumbledore.

"Meaning?" a look of deep offence on his face, presuming that the sneer and comment was aimed at him. Did Sirius go around telling lies about the family to make them look utterly heartless?

"I came prepared," Severus explained, handing over yet another piece of folded parchment. He made no move to eat anything on display, despite how lovely they looked. Likely some of the rarest meat in the world in those little sandwiches. It was a pity, for he would have liked to taste them. Regretfully, when discussing this, one must do so with an empty stomach.

Arcturus accepted the paper and unfolded it delicately. The size alone telling him more than he'd like. The child was eleven, and the parchment, once done unfolding it was roughly six feet. He greatly disliked all this hoopla. He wanted answers promptly and succinctly.

At least he wanted that until he didn't. The results were sickening, even to a wizard of his stature.

"How is he still alive?" Arcturus asked, stomach rebelling dangerously, and all he had in his stomach was potions and a piece of toast to appease the house-elves since one of his potions require it to be taken directly after food. He immediately turned it over, not even seeing a third of his injuries. Quite frankly he'd seen enough, and they wondered why he hated muggles? Who thought it was a good idea to leave a child with them?

"Sheer stubbornness," Severus confessed, slumping back in the seat, shaking his head, he truly didn't know.

"No doubt my letter has proven to be doubly confusing for the child." Arcturus winced, the poor child, he likely sounded like a pompous windbag as his grandson had called him once in a fit of anger.

"He's…receiving a crash course and is doing rather well given everything that's happened." Severus slowly replied, "Harry has been rather taken with Marcus who has agreed to help him."

"The Flints are…mostly a good family," Arcturus answered, pleased by his great nephew's ability to make good friends. "Certainly, could have done worse in a friend."

"Marcus is more than just a friend," Severus corrected Arcturus' misconception. "Regardless, I'm not sure anything could separate them." Not even Dumbledore, when and if he tried.

"Meaning?" Arcturus questioned thoughtfully, "I wouldn't have thought James would cater to any betrothals for his son so young." Once more wrongly assuming.

"Not a betrothal, a grounder," Severus corrected politely.

Arcturus' jaw dropped, understanding all too well – as well as all the old families would – what exactly that meant. "He's an empath?"

"A fully fledged empath, and has been one for some years." Severus informed him, proud of Harry and how he'd survived. Severus wasn't sure he would have, should their situations be switched.

Arcturus' eyes widened, impossibly still, "I reiterate my earlier question…how on earth is he still alive?" breathless at what he had just learned. A full empath? Was such a thing possible? Usually, they didn't become full empaths until adulthood.

"When I went to visit them…I felt everything Harry did while he lived with them." Severus told the wizard, a haunted quality to his voice. A shudder wracking his spine, he never wished to experience that again. "I will not fail that child again."

Arcturus' eyes glimmered with determination; it was quite possible that Harry was key to bringing Dumbledore down. If he had allowed that child to be abused…the magical world in its entirety would quake on its very foundations. "We might be best bringing Narcissa in on this conversation. She is very closely related, and at a young age that the Ministry would feel comfortable about Harry going to them."

Severus snorted derisively, "If you believe that would work, you're more deluded than me." Not even remotely apologetic for treating a Lord in such a way. "Dumbledore has his claws too deeply imbedded in much of the Ministry that I fear not even the staunchest would agree to send Harry there for apparent obvious reasons." Truth was Lucius would never harm anyone that was under his care, whether it be a ward, his son or even Harry Potter. He wasn't stupid enough to do it for a start, one doesn't defecate where they live.

"I had led to believe that Lucius' reputation was much recovered?" Arcturus asked perplexed, frowning at Severus but unable to take offense to his statement.

"Lucius is bribing the Minister for magic. And all other attempts? Donating to St. Mungo's? Various departments in the Ministry? That aside, nobody believes he was under the Imperius curse. Nobody believes any of them were under the Imperius curse." Severus answered bluntly, he'd gotten lucky when the Dark Lord didn't truly die that night. For if he had, he would have ended up in Azkaban and Dumbledore would have conveniently forgotten to vouch for him.

Arcturus pursed his lips, wondering whether Lucius was playing dumb or if he truly thought he'd been able to buy his way out. He was nonetheless very displeased with this news. Perhaps he should find more people to talk to, for having one sided information was detrimental indeed. "I see," was all he had to say about it. "You were very quick to dismiss them." Suspecting a few things but nothing concrete.

"I've been through every outcome and scenario possible." Severus told him, "As you're likely aware, the Dark Lord was 'defeated' but most people don't seem to understand the concept that defeat doesn't mean dead." Lip curling, people's lack of intelligence was pathetic, he hated it. Even Dumbledore for all his power was just like everyone else, he didn't have an ounce of logic or much intelligence, he just liked to sound it.

"I'm aware," Arcturus fully understood.

"I swore an unbreakable Vow to protect Harry, no more than an hour after his mother died." Severus said, "From the very wizard who had made me break that vow for over a decade unknowingly." His teeth gritted painfully at the mere thought of it.

A speculative look lit up Arcturus' eyes, that was interesting. Naturally, able to read between the lines. "You intend to return to his services? Wouldn't that ultimately interfere with your vow regardless?"

"Bold of you to assume Harry will want anything to do with the war, or better yet, become the 'light' side figure Dumbledore will likely attempt to turn him into." Severus said with a bitter grimace, "He never learns, he forced the Dark Lord to return to the orphanage during the war. I, too, had once pleaded for aid, for fear of my life if I returned to my father. I am baffled by the notion that he believed something different would become of Harry." Hence his desperation to keep the students safe whilst he was a professor under Hogwarts roof.

Arcturus conceded the point, dipping his head respectfully. "Perhaps he didn't."

Severus made a moue with his mouth, "You think he may have done it on purpose? To have Harry turn dark?" it's certainly an idea he'd contemplated but discarded, especially seeing Albus' plans for Harry.

"More along the lines or malleable and desperate perhaps?" Arcturus speculated, "It is only a theory." Who knows what that old fool thought? He'd never cared for him, abstractly he could respect the manipulating he did, but not when it went against all his own beliefs. Not when it allowed magical children to be abused.

Severus snorted wryly, "Indeed," they could speculate all night and still come away with nothing concrete. After all, none of them, not even he, could know what was going on in someone's mind.

"You need someone else to take guardianship, someone you can trust to an extent, and one that will go head-to-head with Dumbledore." Arcturus sighed, leaning back, figuring out why Severus was here, "While my mind would love nothing more, I am afraid my body is too tired. I do not have long left now, but I do hope to see Sirius freed and my great-nephew before I pass into the good night." He couldn't say he was entirely unhappy with the prospect. Not when he would see his wife again, his son, his grandson, he still didn't know what happened to Regulus either. Just one day they noticed he was 'dead' on the family tree, they never even found a body to bury to give him his last rites.

"Yes, about that, who have you seen in an attempt to get well?" Severus asked, far more interested now, leaning forward black eyes gleaming with curiosity.

A look of utter admonishment met Severus' question. Both at the way he asked, and his sheer audacity. "I went to different healers, all of whom specialise in different areas." He was firm in his statement, was he furious that they couldn't help him? Yes, but he never doubted their skills.

"But did you go to a potions specialist?" Severus asked almost impatient at the admonishment.

A/N – I did have a plot idea for regarding Severus for this part of the story, but my mind is drawing blank completely. I can't remember where or what the muse was it's rather alarming to be honest, I don't think I've ever forgotten a muse that's been written into the story especially since it wasn't that long ago I updated this.

Hours later A/N - I think it had something to do with potions, perhaps Dumbledore keeping possible clients from him but I'm a bit iffy on that, since its likely Severus gets mail…if it's been mentioned in the story it's definitely not that so I'll give it a re-read and decide for certain. Then figure it out, whether Severus' is making money from his potions as well as secretly being Lord Prince (he's not silly enough to give Dumbledore any more ammunition) so yeah, I think that might be it but I'm honestly at a loss…not sure what else it could be a surprise and a betrayal where it comes to Arctucus *shrugs* meh what can you do when it just won't come to you? It will come to me in the most inconvenient moment just you wait! LOL R&R please take care everyone x