DISCLAIMER: HP belongs to JKR. The storyline, all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property. Glorioux

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And the children?

In one instant, they were all mobilized, Narcissa was a lady, but she had been trained like everyone else and she was an accomplished witch. They left Jeanie and Thallia behind. Serpens who was in fine shape, came along. As they were leaving someone was at the front gate banging it.

"Sir, there is peoples at the gate." Announced one of the older house-elves, all other were looking for the little ones, with Pretzel leading and crying. The dogs' behavior was a mystery, they were barking by the front gate, probably at whoever was at the gate.

"Nobody moves, Remus, Severus, come with me, Arthur please go with Pépère where the children were seen last. Grant, would you please stay behind to accompany the ladies, someone should be there if needed." Lucius' heart felt about to give up; Serpens felt the same.

Serpens wanted to take the children and the young families away, maybe to one of their South American or New Zealand hidden homes. He wanted to protect them forever, or at least until they were ready for school. He knew that his heart couldn't stand another tragedy. His son, grandson, spouses, two entire Malfoy generations wiped out, and now the wonderful, beautiful and smart children and their young parents, once again in jeopardy. And all caused by the same individual, a man they had treated as one of their own, Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord.

The Stinky Child Snatcher

The trio Apparated by the front entrance, and what they found made Lucius smile with relief and with some concern.

Severus already knew of this witch, she was known to have an acid tongue and a hunger for fame. She was notorious for not giving a care for the consequences of her actions; she was on her way to the top. Lucius had seen her dispensing sexual favours, just to gain access to privileged places in the pursuit of juicy gossip. She often hanged around the Ministry hoping to catch a whiff of a scandal or two. She had already destroyed a couple of careers, lives, and marriages in her pursuit of fame.

She had made her name during the WWI trials. Rita Skeeter was the reporter's name standing at the gate with one little rascal, in each of her hands, both struggling and kicking to get away.

"Let go, children's robber. I don't apose to go wif strangers, Police help!" Mimi was pulling away, her face red with anger, her hair crackling with angry magic. She was so upset that she was not using her magic, thank god for that. She was quiet when she saw the three men and struggled even harder. Draco seemed relieved and was also flushed with anger and disgust.

"Daddy, Daddy, she stole us. She's taking pichures and saw us. She smells fruity bad, I am chicking," Draco was screaming, pulling and kicking.

All three wizards had to fight the urge to laugh. There stood Rita Skeeter, a blond bombshell, very shapely, all dressed in fuchsia and apple green coloured robes; tight fitting, with gigantic shoulder pads, feathers around the collar, and gaudy custom accessories. The blond hair worn in a cascade of waves just below her shoulders, loud rouge on her cheeks, bright fuchsia lipstick, matching nails, and heavy eye shadow, reminded one of a bird of paradise in full regalia.

As they came closer, a blast of cheap and pungent fragrance reached them, making Severus cough. He was overwhelmed with the strong scent of citrus, tropical fruits, flowers, herbs, oils, musk, and perhaps a dash of myrrh, a strange combination. It was as if the fragrance designer had decided to throw a little of each, oil and essence, just in case. Draco was right, she stunk.

"Lord Malfoy," she said coquettishly, pushing her chest out, while getting kicked and pinched by the children, her silk hose must had been gone by then. "I found your son and his, hmm, mudb," A stern, cold look from Malfoy made her reconsider, "Hmm, Muggle friend—. "

"What makes you think she is a Muggle? I don't recall anybody saying anything." Lucius cut her off.

"She's a little witch, not a mogul." Draco yelled at her.

"Err, your son mentioned that."

Draco answered immediately, "I didn't say nofing, I said don't touch me you ugly witch." Self-righteous Draco responded.

"He said nofing I heard him. Liar, you need time out." Hermione's bossy tone was never more welcome by Remus; he blessed her, dear good girl. Rita's face was the matching colour of her horrendous robes. She was specially irritated by the three wizard's smirks.

"Miss Seeker please let the children go, Thanks so much. Where did you find them, was someone with them?"

"No, I was parked looking to directions to a meeting between the Muggle government and our Minister. I was just getting out for a stretch. And wouldn't you know, the next thing I saw them; they just showed up. Of course, I recognized Master Draco, and I assumed this grand entrance was to Malfoy Manor. I came to bring them to make sure someone wouldn't hurt them," she stood there waiting to be invited but Lucius wasn't about to do that.

Remus noticed the camera hanging on her neck. The lens was uncovered, a sign of its use.

He moved by Lucius and asked, "Please excuse us for a second."

Severus raised his eyebrow and moved forward to get the children, while body blocking Skeeter who was trying her best to come in. The children jumped on Severus and held on to him. Once inside, the wizards gave them a quick hug.

"Lucius, what is she doing around here? And the camera lens uncovered, she must be taking pictures. We need to take the camera away." Remus advised.

"Ms. Skeeter, I am thankful for bringing the children. I will let your bosses know, and will be sending you a little something." He had pulled his wand out and in one movement, "Accio camera." And Lucius had the camera.

Severus was already walking the children back to the house. One stern look, that is all it took for the children to quiet down, and follow him like little soldiers.

"Miss Skeeter don't move, what were you doing with your camera around my home. I am sorry but I am keeping your camera, and don't move. You will get it back. Remus, please go and see if that car is hers. Miss Skeeter, since when do you drive a Muggle car, and it looks very familiar, indeed it does. Are you perchance driving Avery's auto? Remus, do check it; and also look inside her handbag, maybe she has any more undeveloped tubes. If so, please bring them over. I think we will be surprised."

"You don't have the right to touch my property. I am going straight to the Ministry, and I will report you, have no doubt. Better, I will tell the Minister today. Imagine, you are a known Death Eater, and I am a good citizen." Lucius casted "Silencio" and her voice could not be heard anymore; and followed it with a lip sticking charm for good measure. She would be without food, water and quiet as a tomb for a good day or so.

Severus and Accidents

"What happened, how did you end up outside?" Severus asked Draco, while carrying the two children who were 'too tired' to walk.

"You two, quit touching and pulling my hair, NOW." He growled much too loud. Both were running their grubby hands through his dark hair, just playing. If Severus had been just a little more observing, he would have noticed the adoration in their faces. Both children played with the hair of their parent's hair since touching was a a sign of affection.

At once, heartfelt tears and sobs started, his angry voice did it. Severus didn't like crying children, and that is exactly what happened, huge big sobs, and a torrent of tears. Why could not Remus have taken care of the children? He was better at it. "Let's try again, why were you outside?" he asked them a little softer.

"It was his fault." Mimi responded with big fat tears on her eyes; she pulled the lapel, of Snape's robe to blow her nose and dry her tears. Severus rolled his eyes, reminding himself to have the robe cleaned. Draco followed right behind, by blowing his nose really loud.

Snape bit his tongue; he did not want them to cry louder by his ears. This was just disgusting. Why didn't they use their own clothing, or ask for a hankie, all the same, he didn't have one.

"It wasn't mine, you pushed me." Draco was assertive.

"I didn't silly; I was grabbing you." She was showing Severus with her hands, "He fell inside Alice's rabbit hole."

"We don't have an Alice bunny." Draco said as a matter of fact.

What dunderheads, Snape thought, and aloud, "it is a book Draco, a story. Did you fall in a rabbit hole?" They both went," Aha,"and nodded their heads.

"Kinda, more a slide I fink, right Traco?" Mimi wanted his support and to make him feel important, smart little witch.

"Aha, and we wents fast, fastest, and we laughed and ascreamed. It was a little scairdy, and then we fell on our bums by the lady with the funny dress." Draco was very animated.

"Traco says she stinks," concluded Mimi.

Snape nearly let out a laugh and bit his cheek not to say anything. Hmm, what was up with his right arm? It was uncomfortably wet. He tried to look, and Draco following his eyes excused himself right away, he had a pitiful grimace.

"I'm sorry, an accident, I was scaird." And he started crying again. Snape was swearing he would never, ever, have a child as long as he should live.

"Traco sweetie, it's ok. Accidents happens, my mommy always packs extras. I also had a little accident." Mimi caressed his hair.

Snape nearly dropped the children. Then he smirked, this was the type of thing to be stored for use later in the future. It might come in handy to remind adolescents, and he could exchange silence for a favour. Although, the master spy, Severus Snape, did not forget important information, for now, he needed a full bath. This was another reason to stay single.

He was nearly at the Manor when Pretzel and Axel Pop, and appeared by them. "The childrens, Mr. Snape gives them to us." They were both smiling and happy to see them.

"They need to be changed—," he was stopped, "We had an accident, " the children reported as a minor detail, and before they got down, they both kissed him; big sloppy wet kisses on each cheek, "Thanks, I love you." They both said and jumped down. Axel saw his big smirk and smiled himself.

As soon as they were out his view, Snape casted a cleaning spell, and decided that he would ask Lucius for a robe. He was displeased with the contact of children's body fluids; he pulled his already messy robe and wiped his cheeks as well. The kisses were ok, though, maybe one could get used to children. Hmm. And the love part was not bad at all.

Beggining an Alliance

"I had heard of such tunnels to escape the Manor during times of trouble. They were blocked long time ago. Others could get in the same way you went out. Who knows what they moved to activate it. I recommend we do a survey of the property and identify such points." Serpens remarked and the others concurred.

"Moreover, I would like for everyone to consider moving out the country until the children are ready for school. This must be taken into consideration. Or at least everyone should live inside a protected area; after all, they are too many variables and dangers."

Lucius agreed, it would make it easier, but just looking at Grant and Jeanie's faces, and also Remus', he did not think the idea stood a chance, at least not yet.

"Now we have an extra problem, the Daily Prophet. I think Skeeter has been following me since the park. I hope not, but it is possible. I took the film away, however, how knows what else she has. "

"Obliviate her," Arthur and Snape said at the same time.

"I already did," said Remus, "and gave her a compulsion to drive back to her home. The problem is that we don't know how many she has already informed, and what other films she might have. Someone has been watching the house. Arthur we saw you, it wasn't you or Avery's car, and that was the one Skeeter had today, She gets around, and why with Avery, he cannot remember, or is this a coincidence?"

"We cannot worry about that," said Narcissa, "Unfortunely, we will have to wait for her next move."

"So Arthur, you will inform us of your contacts into Azkaban. You will see what we talk about no later than tomorrow. "Lucius said.

"Severus, could you please arrange for a meeting with Dumbledore, I will come with my Pépère and Remus. Remus might loan me some credibility." Lucius had taken charge and was ordering around.

"Arthur, please find out if there are reports of magic events originated by an Animagi with unrecognized magic signatures and where. Or if someone knows of a large rat with a missing paw, or maybe a finger, it has very shinny hair." Remus asked, he needed to find about the rat. And then he talked to Severus.

"Will do, a rat that will be hard, we can check at the shops first."

"Severus, also ask around for the address of the child, of Harry. Maybe Minerva or one of the others might have heard."

Snape was looking thoughtful, he was remembering, "Petunia was going out with Dermon, no Herman. It will come back; I don't remember well, Bernie? Never mind. They lived in Private something Little Wind or something?"

"We will check that lead, it should be easy for my Father or Jeanie's." Grant offered, finally being able to help with something.

Remus paled. "Priut, Privi, those were Mimi's words last night. It made no sense, she was talking about a nasty boy at the play, and she said porrarry, and the Dooley in privit. What nasty boy?"

Grant and Jeanie just sat there looking very worried and listening. Both were wishing they had never met Draco, but then what about Mimi. She had powers that needed to be controlled and they had no idea how; this was bound to happen sooner or later, and at least they had some help. At the end of the day, half of their problems were brought about by Rose. Yes, Rose, another loose cannon.

"There was a heavy set nasty boy behind us. The mother was thin, with brown-reddish-hair. "Jeanie offered. Severus kept his eyes on the good looking Muggle; of course all the nice ones were married. It did him no good to be looking at another taken female. This one was very hot, nice curves, and her eyes, Merlin she was tasty.

"Petunia, it was Petunia, sounds like that and was the husband a burly man?" Severus was sure of that. And he smiled at Jeanie, which caused Remus and Lucius to raise their eyebrows. Was Snape flirting?

Maybe, since Grant was glaring at Snape. Here we go again, thought Lucius.

After describing Petunia, Snape said it could be them. A lot of coincidences, it was as if somebody was pressing buttons behind. Remus was thinking about the silvery shadows, and he felt they were orchestrating some of this drama.

Before disbanding the group, it was agreed that Arthur would find out what judge had handled Sirus, and as much as possible on Azkaban.

Xox

Hope you all liked seeing Severus and his conflicted reactions. I laughed imaging how disgusted he would be. Hope you are all having fun.