Cunning Intelligence

by Jayden Whitehouse

Harry is sick of it. How does a Headmaster have the right to tell him where to spend his summer holidays? The Muggle-living fool has no right and so Harry is taking his life into his own hands. Starting with a negotiation involving one Dark Lord and a magical artefact said to give one eternal life. What does the future hold for Aldwyn Salazar Slytherin?

28. Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight – Plans of Revenge

Aldwyn and Draco are lounging on Aldwyn's bed, their cloaks and shoes discarded somewhere on the floor as they sit in silence. Draco sighs as he flicks through Quidditch Through the Ages for the umpteenth time while Aldwyn is reading one of Gilderoy Lockhart's books. The only other sound permeating the air is the occasional turning of pages and Aldwyn's chuckles as he points out fault after fault with the facts their ne professor has presented.

He had already read through most of his school textbooks and was pleased to note that he had note only understood all of the information but could perform most of the spells as well. His extra tutoring sessions had been really helpful and would leave him with plenty of free time to work on his training grounds and his additional training with his friends.

Flipping to the next page, interested in reading just of the incredible Gilderoy Lockhart managed to escape the dangerous, blood-thirsty vampire chasing him in broad daylight, no less. He sneers at some of the descriptions, the man had used no spells designed to be used against rogue vampires, but simple spells which many third years were taught. His sniggers turn to full-blown laughter.

"He beat a vampire so hard that he could only eat salad!" His chortles catch Draco's attention.

Glancing at Aldwyn over the top of his book, Draco raises an eyebrow at the bright flushing covering his cheeks, and the tears streaming down his face, his chest was heaving with some much-needed breaths as Aldwyn tries to regain his senses. Draco pushes himself to sit up.

"I don't see why you are even reading those books at all. You know they are just filled with utter rubbish."

"I know, but they are great for a good laugh. Even Weasel would know that Vampires would die if they ate nothing but salad for any length of time, even Ancient Vampires. This guys is such an obvious fraud."

"And Dumbledore had hired him to teach us." Draco shakes his head, focusing back on his book when Aldwyn finally manages to pull himself together. He closes Lockhart's book and throws it down onto his bed before he collapses onto his back. He gazes up at the ceiling, releasing a sigh.

"I can't wait for our first defence lesson of the year." Aldwyn mutters a minute later and pushes himself back up onto his elbows. He glances across at Draco who sighs and puts his book down on the bedside table. He gets up and throws himself back down next to Aldwyn, the bed bouncing them both up before he sprawls out on the mattress. He represses a shudder at the glint in Aldwyn's eyes.

"You know, I almost feel sorry for our new professor."

"It is his own fault. He thought it would be a good idea to not only grab me but attempt to maltreat me into taking a photograph with him to heighten his own prestige. He should count himself lucky that I didn't have a wand with me at the time."

"You could have just ignored him."

"I could have, but I also could have cursed him seven ways to the Founders' Era. If Papa hadn't intervened when he did, I was going to kick him in the unmentionables and strangle him, crowds be damned."

Draco doesn't supress his shiver this time, inching away from his friend. Aldwyn could be terrifying when he wanted to be, when he knew he could get away with it. He had seen Aldwyn angry before, never genuinely losing his temper, but it had been enough for him to make a vow with himself. He was never going to get on Aldwyn's bad side, not if he could help it. His friend had a twisted sense of humour and an even more twisted sense of torture.

Whereas his father and papa favoured purely magical methods, Aldwyn had bought up various ideas into conversations about his thoughts of bringing mundane muggle items as well as using magical means to get information out of people. It had been an eye-opening conversation for Draco, and for Aldwyn, as Marvolo, Severus and his own father had explained some of the best methods of gaining the information you were looking for, in the shortest period of time.

"It is a good thing Uncle Severus was there then."

"A real shame, that was. Oh well, I will just have to satisfy myself by imagining his screams."

"Sadistic Git."

Aldwyn chuckles. He props himself back up on his elbow, leaning over Draco with a malicious smirk stretching across his lips, and Draco may actually feel sympathetic towards their new professor. Aldwyn was not going to let this go, and if Lockhart was as stupid as they all assumed, then he wasn't going to stop annoying Aldwyn until he either got what he wanted or Aldwyn killed him.

"I don't know what you mean, Draco dear."

"Of course not, Aldwyn. So, what are you planning for the Weasel?"

"Whatever do you mean, Draco? You need to be more specific otherwise no one is going to be able to understand you."

Draco rolls his eyes, his godbrother could be a real pain sometimes, and Aldwyn knew it as well. He pouts over at Aldwyn, who is smirking down at him with an eyebrow raised, his hair falling over his shoulder before he collapses back on his bed with a chuckle.

"Don't give me that look. I know you well enough, Aldwyn and I know that you are not going to let that Weasel get away with what he said about Uncle Severus."

"Of course, he isn't going to get away with it. He insulted my family and he dare not apologise." Aldwyn falls silent.

Draco grits his teeth and takes a deep breath. He knew Aldwyn was deliberately trying to wind him up. He sits up, crossing his legs as he turns to glare down at Aldwyn who smirks over at him, arms folded beneath his head. Draco cuffs him round the back of the head, scowl deepening.

"Well?"

Aldwyn pushes himself up as well, raising an eyebrow at Draco who is clenching his fists in his lap. Aldwyn knows his friend is mere moments away from diving on him in an attempt to pin him to the bed and force the answers out of him. Snickering to himself, Aldwyn smile maliciously, eyes sparkling with glee.

"Well, what?"

"What is the plan?"

"The plan?"

Draco growls: diving across the bed at Aldwyn he grips the boy's shoulders and pins him down onto the mattress while Aldwyn just laughs. Sitting with his legs framing Aldwyn's hips, Draco frowns down at his friend, hating how the other knew how to push his buttons to get him to react. Maybe Aldwyn had been spending a bit too much time with Blaise.

"I swear to Merlin, Aldwyn, what are you planning to do to the Weasel? If you don't tell me, then I am going to get Blaise. He will get it out of you!"

Aldwyn giggles but finally nods his head in consent. He knows Blaise would stop at nothing to get his plans out of him, and he didn't want that, not just yet anyway. He would tell Blaise of his plans when they were at Hogwarts, safely secreted away in their dorm room. Besides there was someone else he wished to speak to first.

"Well, I was going to try my hand at making a Nightmare potion…"

"The one which makes the drinker see their worst fear?"

"Yes, I am going to ask Papa to help me make it the day before we are due to get the train as my potion's skills are not up for making such a complex potion on my own. We can persuade the Elves to drop it into his food one morning at the beginning of the term."

"What if Uncle Severus doesn't let you make it?"

"Then I will just have to try making it on my own at school," Aldwyn comments with a nonchalant shrug but Draco can see the trepidation brewing in his eyes. He knows Aldwyn wouldn't want to go against his parents' wishes.

"Won't Uncle Severus be furious with you if you try to make it on your own after he has told you no?"

"Maybe but I am not about to let that little blood traitor insult my family. I will tell Papa that, and if he punishes me, then so be it. Besides, as long as I don't make any major mistakes and injure myself then Papa won't find out until Weasley has ingested the potion."

Draco rolls off Aldwyn, pulling the other boy to sit up before he takes his hand and squeezes.

"Then he will have to punished Blaise and I as well. There is no way we are going to let you do any of this alone Aldwyn. We are going to help you make the potion and we will go with you to the elves; that way all three of us will have to be punished together."

Aldwyn glances from their conjoined hands to Draco's determined gaze and he smiles. He knew that Draco would stand by his side in this, even if it meant putting themselves in a situation where his papa would be severely disappointed in them or beyond angry at them. He just hoped his papa would agree to help him make it.

"Thank you, Draco."

"No problem, Aldwyn. Now, do you know what the Blood Traitor's worst fear is?"

"No, but I know two people who would? I was going to try and talk to them when we get back to Hogwarts; hopefully, they would be happy to assist us in pranking their younger brother."

"The twins?"

"Yes, Fred and George. With how they were acting in the bookstore and their love of pranks, I am hoping they would be willing to team up with me against Lockhart as well."

"I don't see why they wouldn't. I can't see them turning down an opportunity to prank anyone, even a new professor."

"Exactly, that is what I am hoping. It would be brilliant if we could get them involved. They have a few more years' experience with spell work than we do, so we wouldn't have to limit ourselves to only performing pranks around our arsenals."

"Just what are you two planning now?"

Draco and Aldwyn startle, heads whipping around toward the open doorway, eyes wide. Aldwyn jumps up, shock turning to delight as he dives of his bed and jumps at the man standing at the entrance to his bedroom. The man chuckles and swings the twelve-year-old up off the floor to bring him into a tight hug.

"Bill, what are you doing here?"

"Charlie and I came to see you before we left for the Castle."

"You're going already?"

"Unfortunately, yea. Dumbledore wants us settled in before the term starts and before you little terrors arrive. Your papa refused stating that he was going to spend as much time as he could with his family." Bill drops Aldwyn back to the floor, ruffling his hair just as his younger brother comes into view. He smiles down at the young wizard who grins and throws himself at him. Much like his older brother, Charlie lifts Aldwyn from the floor and wraps him in an embrace, as small arms wrap around his neck.

"Hello, Little Snake. You been behaving?"

"Of course, I have Charlie."

"Not! Charlie, I just heard the little terrors plotting something, and correct me if I am wrong but I do believe that our devilish little brothers may find themselves on the receiving end of Aldwyn's proposition for a prank." Bill responds, raising an eyebrow as he glances from Aldwyn to Draco, both of whom merely smile up at him, an air of innocence surrounding them. He snorts, not believing it for a second. Charlie gazes down at the boy in his arms, smirk dancing at the corner of his mouth.

"And who is the unfortunate victim of such a devious team?"

"I do not know what you are referring to, right Draco?"

"Indeed. We are planning nothing."

"Uh-huh. This wouldn't have anything to do with our youngest brother, would it? Your papa and father told us about what happened in Flourish and Blotts the other day…"

Aldwyn huffs and crosses his arms over his chest when Charlie settles him back down on the floor by his bed. Ruffling his hair as Bill had done, causing the scowl to deepen. Draco pouts up at them as well.

"I swear you adults are worse gossips than Pansy and Daphne." Draco mutters, drawing a laugh from Bill and Charlie.

"Are our dear little brothers being indited into your In Dolus Intortis, Aldwyn?"

"I am not too sure yet. I will need to investigate further before I can make a decision, though we do have high hopes for the pair. I am sure they would work well under your tutelage, Bill; you are my second in command after all."

"You know, I am beginning to regret agreeing to that." Bill states, scratching the back of his neck while the other three break into joyous laughter at his reluctance to teach his twin brothers. Charlie slaps Bill's back, almost sending his brother into the bed.

"Better you than me, eh Bill?"

Their laughter picks up in volume when Bill turns to glare at Charlie before he jumps on his brother. The pair falls to the floor, wrestling around for a few moments, broken laughter emerging from the tangle of limbs. Their flailing makes Aldwyn and Draco yelp before they jump up onto the mattress to escape the thrashing bodies and watch from a safe distance. Their laughter never faltering.

"Papa, Father, would you still love me if I don't get sorted into Slytherin?"

Severus and Marvolo glance over at the son. They had been relaxing in the family lounge after dinner, allowing their food to settle before they begin preparing for bed. A melancholy mood had settled over the room as the dawning prospect of Aldwyn heading off to Hogwarts the following morning registers in their minds. They stare at their son, watching him fidget in his seat as he tries for nonchalance. His fingers fiddle with the corner of the page he is pretending to read, lip reddening under the sharp teeth worrying it. They exchange a glance before closing their books.

"Aldwyn, what bought this on?" Marvolo questions, watching his child with mounting worry. Aldwyn hadn't had an episode in over a week now and it was something which they had continuously praised him over. He hadn't allowed his worries to plague him for long periods of times but looking at the slightly pale pallor of his son's face, he knows these thoughts have been festering for a few days at least.

"I just… Well, I am the Heir to the Slytherin family; I am supposed to go to Slytherin. What if I get sorted somewhere else? Would you be disappointed in me?"

"Of course, we wouldn't be disappointed in you, Aldwyn. You are our son, our child before you are the Heir to our houses. If the Hat doesn't sort you into Slytherin, then that means you are best suited somewhere else. We could never be disappointed in you, nor will we love you any less."

"Really?" Aldwyn glances up at his parents, eyes nervous as he tries his best to believe his papa's words.

"Truly, Snakelet. You are our son. If you do not go into Slytherin, then so be it. Just because you are the Heir to the Slytherin House, does not mean you are best suited for Slytherin. We will be proud of you no matter where you end up."

Aldwyn remains quiet for a moment, mulling over their words, his mind processing them before he nods his head, he allows himself to believe their words. He didn't know why he had been so worried; he knew that his parents loved him and that they wanted what was best for him. He was their son in blood, magic, and soul. He was as much their son as Draco was his parents' child, despite him not being birthed by his father; it was still strange to think that his papa was in fact his biological dad instead of James, but that didn't matter much now.

Marvolo and Severus had adopted him, they had welcomed him into the Prince and Slytherin families with open arms, and he was immensely proud of the fact. He was proud of his papa, the youngest potions master in the world, and of his father, the Evilest Dark Lord in British history. Yes, he was very proud of them just as they were of him.

He smiles to himself, settling back down into his armchair, content to relax back and read now that his parents had dealt with his main worry. Aldwyn still had a few concerns niggling at the back of his mind, small anxieties which always came when eh was about to face an unfamiliar situation, but he couldn't do much about them until he faced them.

He would be getting on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow with Draco and Blaise, and the rest of their friends and he hopes that the journey would pass by without incident. The things that worried him the most was that he was going to be away from his father for three months, but nobody could help that. At least he had his mirror so he could talk to the man whenever he needed to. He was also going to call the man to visit the Chamber when he had done it all up for his training.

Aldwyn doesn't notice the two sets of eyes watching him, nor does he see the relieved smiles shaping his parents' expressions as they content themselves with settling back against each other. Severus drapes his legs over Marvolo's lap, leaning his head on his shoulder and opens his book to where he had left off. Marvolo wraps his arm around Severus's waist, drawing the man tighter against his side while his other hand cracks open his tome. The room descends back into a calm silence. Until Aldwyn speaks once again.

"Oh, Papa. I have a request for you."

Severus lifts his eyes from the page, refusing to move from his comfortable position against his partner; he smiles across at his son. The Weasley brothers had warned them that Aldwyn and Draco had been plotting something to do with their youngest brothers, and how they had been planning to try and recruit the twins into helping them. He dreads to think what they could be plotting, but he would help his son seek his revenge if needs be.

"What is it, Snakelet?"

"Well, Draco and I were talking the other day and we wished to play a prank on someone. I would like to ask you if you would help me brew the Nightmare potion?"

Severus and Marvolo raise their eyebrows at the request, watching as Aldwyn begins to fidget again. They had a feeling that this was just the first step in their plans, but they couldn't bring themselves to care much, not if Aldwyn and his friends didn't get themselves caught. If someone other than Severus or the Weasley brothers saw them, then there was nothing he could do to stop them from being punished.

"Alright, I think I may have some in storage if you would like to take those with you, or if you would prefer to brew it, then we can do so the first weekend after the term has begun."

"Hmmm. I would have liked to brew it myself, but I think it would be best to take the premade ones this time round. I could always brew it again myself later on if I need to."

"Alright, I will bring them to your room just before you go to bed; that way, you can have them packed and ready for tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Papa but why are you just giving them to me? Aren't you at least going to ask me what I want them for?"

Severus exchanges an amused look with Marvolo before they turn back to their son, who is staring between them with an eyebrow raised, a slight frown down turning his lips.

"Well, Snakelet. If I would have refused to help you make them or given you the ones I have in my store, I have no doubt that you, as well as Draco and Blaise, would go behind our backs and do it regardless. Am I correct?"

Aldwyn's mouth drops open, his cheeks colouring at having been caught out on his plans, especially when he had only just come up with them with Draco the other day. They had only discussed it once and that was when no one else was in hearing distance. He didn't know how either of his parents did it, but they always knew what he was thinking or when he was plotting something.

"How did you know?" He questions, his voice quivers a little wondering if they would be upset with him.

"Because we were once young as well, Snakelet and I know that this has something to do with our trip to Diagon Ally. Your papa and I will not stop you from seeking your revenge, nor will we push you for the details. The only thing we ask is for you to be careful."

"I will be, Father. I have people helping me, and if all goes my way, then I may have some unusual candidates for my In Dolus Intortis."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"You are not going to tell us who they are, are you Snakelet?"

"Of course not, Father. That would ruin the surprise when I announce them. You will not be disappointed, Father, that I can promise you."

"Your papa and I will be looking forward to it then."

"You know Severus, that it is not just our son that I am going to miss starting tomorrow." Marvolo breaks the silence as they sit in the family lounge. They had just sent Aldwyn off to bed, tucking him and wishing him a good night before they had migrated back down for another hour or so.

"I know, Marvolo. As I will miss you." Severus responds, closing his book he places it down on one of the coffee tables before turning his attention to his partner.

"I just don't know what I am going to do with myself once you both have left. It is going to be ever so quiet around here." Marvolo confesses, his eyes distant. He really didn't know how he was going to cope without his son and partner around to remind him that he truly wasn't alone anymore.

He had spent so much of his childhood and early adult years believing that he was going to be forever alone with no one around who could love him for who he was. He had his most trusted followers, but with his mind in the state it had been, he couldn't think of them as friends, he could barely even think of them as anything other than people he could trust to do his bidding.

He could recall treating Severus with a little more care than anyone else, and he knew that even in his state he had been drawn to the young genius; that he had been fascinated and intrigued by the seventeen-year-old who had lived through a similar childhood as himself. He always remembered how he explicitly trusted Severus despite him constantly being under Dumbledore's influence, despite him being a spy within the Order. No matter what Severus had been through, no matter where he went or who he spoke with the Dark Lord had always trusted him.

It had taken him very little convincing once he was returned to his own body to begin thinking of ways, he could draw Severus's attention to himself. To have Severus fall for him as he had for him all those years ago. He had been surprised yet delighted to know that his feelings hadn't dissipated even marginally after almost a decade. He was even more elated when Severus didn't just receive his flirtations but actually responded in kind.

"Marvolo, my love, I am not going to be far from you. Never will we be apart again. The years you vanished were some of the hardest in my life. I had to live with those fools as they constantly celebrated your demise in front of me, it was as if they were dangling your death in front of me. I thought I was going to be alone from then on. For the past decade, I felt my heart grow colder, my thoughts growing darker, and I could scarcely take it much more."

Severus settles back against the sofa, taking Marvolo's hand gently between his own. He traces the lines on Marvolo's palm, eyes glazing over as he thinks on the dark times in his life. He had thought about ending it all, of just vanishing one day and never returning, but something had been holding him back.

"When I realised it was you who had possessed Quirrell, last year I cannot tell you how elated I was. You had return to me. After all these years, you had come back, and I knew right then that I would do anything to keep you here this time. I would take my place back by your side as your trusted follower and nothing else unless you requested it. I realised that my feelings for you had grown in your absence, but I was willing to brush them to the side if it meant I could stand with you once again."

Marvolo is stunned, he hadn't realised just how much his absence has affected his potions master, and he knew he would take it all back if he could. He would reabsorb his Horcruxes earlier if it meant he would regain his mind and therefore allow himself to pursue Severus all those years earlier. He would never allow his Severus to leave him ever again, and he would do his best never to put his love through that type of pain again.

"My dear Severus, I am truly sorry for all the suffering I have put you through. I would never wish for you to feel anything like that, you know this. I was happy, the happiest I had ever felt when I realised that you were still as loyal as ever to my course and it gave me the hope that we could on day become more than just a master and his servant. With Aldwyn in the picture, it became easier and easier for me to picture us together as a family. You standing by my side as we ruled the world together with our son."

Severus chokes up, he would be the first to admit that he hadn't expected the Dark Lord to express his emotions so openly to anyone before, because he would have thought it was admitting to weakness and the Dark Lord didn't have any weaknesses.

"I must admit that I was confused when you first trusted me with Aldwyn at the end of his first year and then again to administer the potions for him upon his rescue. I was delighted when you began opening up to me and allowing me into Aldwyn's life as more than just his potions professor and healer."

"You were amazing with him, Severus. I had never seen Aldwyn as calm with another as he was with you, and I loved watching the two of you together. How you treated him with love and care; how you treated him as your own son had me falling in love with you even more, Severus. I couldn't picture myself with anyone else." Marvolo flips his hand around, taking Severus's in his own. He lifts the appendage up to his lips and brushes his lips across Severus's knuckles.

Severus can feel his throat tightening, his eyes burning with tears as he watches Marvolo. He was overwhelmed with emotions, and he couldn't formulate the words his wished to tell his partner in return. Coughing the clear his throat, Severus tries to remain eye-contact with Marvolo's which are shining with so much love that he almost has to look away.

"I was terrified to interact with Aldwyn the way I wished to in the beginning. I feared you would think I was trying to take Aldwyn away from you, but I only ever wished to give him everything he had been denied earlier in life. I wanted nothing more than to be a family with the two of you, even if it were just in my own mind. When you told me you were happy that Aldwyn thought of me as his papa I couldn't describe to you how I was feeling, but it was at that point when I knew I had already fallen evocatively in love with you Marvolo."

Marvolo smiles, the softest Severus had ever seen him, and he leans into the hand which strokes down his cheek. He loved when Marvolo did this, always loved every little touch the man deemed to bestow upon him because he knew how much the other loved his personal space, knew just how much his partner dislike touching other people. He felt honoured and privileged every time Marvolo would act so gentle with him. He relished in it.

His thumb brushes against Severus cheek, tilting his head up to allow his to stare into his partner's onyx eyes sparkling with tears and an unwavering amount of affection and love for him. He closes his eyes for a moment, resting his forehead against Severus as he attempts to regain control over his raging emotions. He couldn't believe how much he could feel for one individual, but he wouldn't change it for the world. He was happy, for the first time in his life he could admit that he was happy.

Opening his eyes, Marvolo glances down at Severus's parted lips, his breathe ghosting against his own cheeks as Severus breaths slowly, as if savouring the moment himself. Sighing, Marvolo slides his hand through Severus's hair to rest against the back of his neck and draws the man closer. He leans forward, taking one final breath before he presses his lips against his partners.

It wasn't a deep kiss, nor was it sexual by any means. It was a simple press of lips, a confirmation of their feeling for one another. A reaffirmation that they were both here, together; that they were both alive and well and, in each other's arms, as they should have always been. If Marvolo didn't know any better, he would have admitted to finding his soulmate. To finding that one person in the world who was his perfect match.

Severus draws in a shuddering breath, pressing his lips firmer against Marvolo's. he moves his lips, brushing them against his partners and Marvolo is quick to follow. Tangling his fingers in Severus's hair, he angles the man's face slightly so he could fit their lips together more comfortably as he continues to move their lips together.

They don't take it much further, merely enjoying the feel of the other beneath themselves, their hands resting against and part of the other they could reach in case they moved away too soon. Their eyes were closed in order to savour the moment for as long as they could. Eventually, Severus draws back, his lips reddened from the pressure.

He leans forward, tucking his face into Marvolo's neck and presses a kiss to the skin. He feels Marvolo sighing at the contact which draws a smile to his lips, arms wrap around his waist and pull him closer, almost settling him in his partner's lap.

"I truly am going to miss you, Severus."

"As I am going to miss you, my love. I promise that I will open my Floo to you whenever you wish to see me or Aldwyn. You are welcome to my quarters whenever you wish, Marvolo."

"And you said that Dumbledore will not be able to sense my presence?"

"Not at all. Even if he were to be stood outside my door. I have warded my quarters with every single privacy ward I am capable of casting. You will be perfectly safe with me Marvolo and we will not be disturbed either."

Marvolo chuckles, tightening his arms around Severus. He knew he was going to make good use of that Floo connection both to spend time with his son and to remind Severus that he was loved, and someone was thinking of him constantly.

"Come on, love. I believe it is time for us to head to bed. We have an excitable little snake to get ready for his train journey tomorrow."

"You are correct, Marvolo. Aldwyn is going to want to wake up early so he can find Draco and Blaise at the station before the crowds arrive."

The pair detangle themselves from each other, before standing up from the sofa and linking their finger back together. They traipse through the silent corridors, hands swinging between themselves as they head to their bedroom. Changing into their pyjamas and preparing for bed, Marvolo pulls Severus into his arms and drops a kiss to his lips.

"Good night, my dear Severus. I love you."

"And I love you as well, Marvolo. Good night."

He couldn't sleep. He was much too excited. His heart pounding in his chest as he lies in his bed, eyes staring into the abyss, the darkness intruding on his vision so he couldn't tell whether he was genuinely looking up at the ceiling or not. That was always the thing about the darkness that baffle him; despite his knowledge of gravity (thanks to muggle primary school) and that he was sure he was standing on his own two feet, he was always confused in the darkness. He had memorised the distance as soon as he had arrived at the Mansion; it always seemed to make some distances seem much further than they were, or others seem shorter than they had during the day.

He shuffles around, unable to find a comfortable enough position to sleep in, and it frustrates him to no end. He knows that he will pay for it dearly if he couldn't drop off to sleep soon. He sighs, rubbing his tired eyes. He was tired, exhausted even. His eyelids felt heavy, his mouth felt stuffed with cotton wool, and his muscles were lethargic and yet, he still couldn't fall asleep. He had tried every trick he could think of as well and still nothing seemed to work. He sighs again.

Pushing himself to sit up, he glances in the direction of his bedroom door. Aldwyn bites his lip, contemplating his next move. He could do it. He was sure it wouldn't be much of a problem, but still. Would he get in trouble? It had been explained to him that he could if he needed to, and his sudden bout of insomnia seemed like a good enough reason to him. Checking his surroundings to make sure Phanex was still resting on his perch sound asleep.

Steeling his nerves, Aldwyn makes up his mind with a nod. Slipping to the end of his mattress, Aldwyn places his feet down on the cold floor; he shivers when he pushes himself to his feet. Reaching out to slip his sleep robe over his shoulders and his slippers on his feet, Aldwyn slips out of his bedroom. Walking through the darkened corridors of the Mansion was creepy, not in a fear-inducing way though. Aldwyn hadn't really been scared of the dark for years, but it was in a more anticipation-inducing way. He felt as if something was going to happen any minute, and his muscles tense as he waits.

Halting outside his parents' bedroom door, Aldwyn takes a deep breath before he twists the handle, making sure not to make any noise as he slips through the tiny crack. He stands with his back pressed against the door, glancing around the room his eyes narrow as he tries to see into the darkness, trying to locate his parents' bed. He had never entered their bedroom at the Slytherin Mansion before, the last time he had slept in the same bed as them, had been after his adoption ritual. When the sound of rustling sheets reaches his ear, and a soft light floods the room, Aldwyn lifts a hand up to cover his eyes from the sudden assault.

"Aldwyn? Are you alright, Snakelet?"

Peering through his fingers, Aldwyn blushes when he meets the sleep-ridden gaze of his papa, then man having just woken up and guilt instantly fills his gut. Stone forming in his stomach at the thought of waking up either of his parents. Though it was probably too much to hope for that he could slip into their bed without waking either of them up. He nods his head silently, shuffling across the room when his papa holds a hand out to him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up, but I couldn't sleep."

Severus leans over and picks his son up to settle him on the bed between himself and Marvolo, who rolls over his brown eyes slowly opening at the movement. He drags a hand down his face when he spots Severus holding Aldwyn in a loose embrace. He brushes his tangled hair from his face, covering up a yawn.

"There is no need for you to apologise, Snakelet; we will always want you to come to us if you are having trouble. Even if you have to wake one of us up."

"Your papa is correct, Snakelet. We would rather you wake us up than suffer on your own." Marvolo pushes himself up and places a kiss on Aldwyn's forehead. "Besides, this just means I get an extra cuddle in before you leave me for Hogwarts."

Aldwyn giggles and cuddles between his parents. Marvolo shakes his head, at his son wrapping his arm around Aldwyn and settling it against the small of Severus's back. He draws them both close just as Aldwyn settles back, relaxing into his parents embrace and the feeling of safety that surrounds him.

"I'm nervous."

"We know, Snakelet. Many things have happened in the last couple of months, some of which have turned your life a complete 180 than what it was before. It is alright for you to seek comfort, especially seen as you will be away from your father for the first time since coming to us. You are allowed to feel this way, Snakelet."

"Besides, I won't be that far away, Aldwyn. We have our mirrors; I know it won't be the same, but you are welcome to talk to me whenever you wish. I will be able to apparate into the Chamber of Secrets if you wish to see me. I am also coming to see what you do to the Chamber once you have finished redecorating it."

"You will also have Bill and Charlie there with you. Despite Charlie being the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, you may still speak to him if you wish, and Bill is going to be one of your professors anyway. If anyone questions your relationship with Bill and Charlie, then you can inform them that they were two of your tutors over the holidays to ensure you were up to speed with the rest of your peers."

"Alright, Father, Papa. I think I am feeling a little better now, thank you, but may I stay here with you tonight, please?" Aldwyn looks imploringly from his papa to his father, eyes widening as he bites his lower lips. He had only slept between his parents after his Adoption so they could keep an eye on him, but it had been one of the best nights sleeps he had ever gotten. Besides, it was like his father said, he wanted to spend as much time with them as possible before he was expected to board the Hogwarts Express tomorrow morning.

"Of course, you may, Snakelet. You need not even ask."

Aldwyn smiles, settling down. He lets his parents fuss over his before they settle back down on the mattress. Marvolo secures the covers around them as they cuddle close and he finally allows himself to close his eyes, feeling his exhaustion hitting him when his head hits the pillow. A thought has his eyes snapping open.

"Papa, will I be able to stay in your quarters with you occasionally?"

"I do not see why not. Dumbledore will have no say in the matter, not that he would be able to find out, and I can ask Hogwarts to add a bedroom to my private quarters. As long as it is not all the time."

"It won't be, I promise. I will feel better if I know that I have somewhere to go if things get a little much. I have never liked crowds, or a lot of children. May we have dinner together at the weekends as well?"

Severus chuckles, shifting onto his side so he could wrap his arm around Aldwyn's waist, hand brushing against Marvolo's side as he does. His cheeks flame up in the darkness when he feels Marvolo tugging his hand to wrap around his waist further, tugging himself and Aldwyn closer.

"I think I will be able to arrange that, Snakelet."

"You are making me jealous, my dears. Am I to be left out of these entertaining family meals?"

"Oh, I am sure someone will find a way to persuade me into allowing you to use my fireplace, Marvolo but it depends if our son is agreeable to you intruding in on our Papa and Son bonding time."

Aldwyn giggles at the playful teasing between his papa and father. He had never expected for his potions professor to be so animated, not from what he had witnessed last year during his lessons. Then again, Dumbledore had been watching the two of them closely, controlling their moves through careful manipulation and harsh expectations. With small amounts of blackmail in his papa's case as well.

"Hmmm. I don't know. What will I get out of this deal?"

"Ah, our little Slytherin is bargaining with me Sev. Is seeing your favourite Father not enough of a reward for you, my little Snakelet?"

"One, you are the only father I have and two, nope, it is not. I demand at least one hug and one kiss per visit."

"You do drive a hard bargain, Snakelet but I think I may be able to manage such a request." Marvolo answers, dropping a kiss to his son's forehead as Severus manages to flick his hand towards the bedside lamp and switch off the light plunging them into darkness.