---

Severus watched as Rys ran across the lawn with Weasley and Parks, who were kicking a ball between them, making sure that Rys could keep up. It was a warm, cloudless day for the middle of May and Severus was taking a break from marking. Rys had been restless and Severus didn't want to be snapping at him to sit still. It was a Hogsmeade weekend and many of the older students where there, while the rest seemed to be scattered about the grounds in small groups, enjoying the nice weather.

"Kick it to me, Rys!" Weasley called as Parks tried to steal the ball while they all ran towards Severus.

Rys' eyes sparked and his cheeks were flushed as he managed to kick the black and white ball towards Weasley. He cheered and chased after the other boys as they continued to swap the ball back and forth. Although still slender, Rys had filled out a bit and gotten taller in the twenty-two months he'd been with Severus. He still flinched at sudden movement and angry voices, but otherwise seemed to be a well-adjusted, happy little boy.

Boisterous laughter from further down the lawn drew Severus' attention. He saw Celeste Adstrum standing beneath one of the ancient trees with a group of casually dressed boys. She seemed to be poised seductively against the trunk, her robes decidedly lower cut than those of other female teachers, and Severus narrowed his eyes. The students were all seventh years from different Houses and all of them were pure-bloods. While he'd not heard any rumors of improprieties, Severus knew that there were teachers who preyed upon sixth- and seventh-year students. Students who were of age, but still immature and vulnerable to an older authority figure.

During Severus' student days, Horace Slughorn had been rumored to help both girls and boys who were willing, almost all of them from old families. Severus himself was never included in Slughorn's Slug Club, despite his aptitude for Potions. Lily had been Slughorn's favorite, but she had always laughed off anything he'd done that might have been inappropriate. Severus remembered Regulus Black and Artemus Bastian had also been part of the Slug Club.

It was worrisome that there had been no new leads in finding Bastian. Even more so when Severus had learned that it had been Bastian's employer who had reported him missing, not his family. Kingsley hadn't specified where he'd been working, but just that he'd been employed by the Ministry of Magic could have caused an adverse reaction from the Bastian family.

"Get the ball, Rys!" Weasley's voice rang out.

Severus turned his head in time to see the ball bounce away from Rys and towards the group under the tree. Adstrum flicked her wand towards it and the ball shot backward. As if in slow motion, Severus watched in horror as the ball struck Rys in the face with so much force that he was driven to the ground.

Moving before Rys came to a stop, Severus cast a silent Levicorpus at Adstrum, not bothering to watch as her outraged screeches filled the air. He slid to his knees, one hand splaying across Rys' chest, as much to feel his heart beat as to keep him from moving. Fear gripped him when Severus saw that Rys was unconscious. He reached to brush the fringe from Rys' forehead as Weasley and Parks flung themselves down beside him. Rys groaned and Severus pulled his hand back, panic filling him as he saw his fingers were bloody.

"Altor!" Severus moved to keep Rys' head still, looking at the boys. "Get inside!"

The elderly house-elf appeared instantly. "Master—"

"Please, take us to the hospital wing!"

Altor pressed his finger to Rys' chest and Severus felt a pull similar to a Portkey as their surroundings blurred. In the next instant, he was standing in the doorway to Poppy Pomfrey's office.

"Thank you," he told Altor, who nodded.

"I'll send Masly, Master Severus." The house-elf disappeared with a crack.

"Severus!"

The matron's voice sounded behind him and Severus swung around to see Poppy hurry towards him. "Adstrum hexed a ball and it stuck him in the face!" Severus ground out, still holding Rys' neck and head as still as he could.

"Put him over here!"

Poppy indicated the bed closest to her office and immediately began casting diagnostic spells. Severus carefully seated himself on the bed, never removing his hand from Rys' head as he watched Poppy work. He held his rage at bay with difficulty, focusing on his son. The Heritage bracelet around his wrist had heated to almost unbearable, but Severus didn't even notice as Poppy brushed Rys' fringe back to look at the bleeding scar. The skin around it appeared bruised and raw as blood seeped from area around it. As best as Severus could see, the scar itself didn't appear to have taken a direct hit from the ball.

Poppy worked in silence, her expression grim as her wand flew back and forth down Rys' still form in a complex pattern. A flick of her wand sent several potion vials sailing her way from the cabinet near her office. Severus supported Rys' head and shoulders as the mediwitch poured them down his son's throat, before she stepped back with a frown. The bracelet around his wrist had cooled slightly, but still pulsed with hot flares.

"No fracture, Severus, but definitely a concussion," Poppy told him, not taking her eyes off Rys. "Unfortunately, it looks like the blow may have caused his brain to bruise. There appears to be some swelling starting there."

The words were like a physical blow, knocking the breath out of Severus. Masly appeared beside him with a quiet pop, his hand reaching out to brush Rys' fingers.

"Masly, please see if Healer Mays is available to come to Hogwarts." Severus was amazed that his voice sounded halfway calm.

Nodding, Masley vanished with a crack of displaced air at the same time as the doors at the far end of the room opened. Albus Dumbledore strode inside, the tap of his boots on the floor covering the sound of Rys' soft breaths.

"Severus! I understand there was an accident?" Dumbledore's voice had just the right amount of concern laced through it to make Severus grind his teeth.

"This was no accident, Headmaster, but rather an assault on a toddler by that bloody bitch!" Severus snapped without raising his voice.

"Now, Severus, I'm sure that wasn't the intention—"

"I can't speak to intent, Albus, but I can tell you the amount of force that was put into the spell was enough to inflict serious injury!"

Poppy didn't bother to even look up to see the flash of irritation pass over Dumbledore's face but Severus did. He narrowed his eyes and was about to respond when Altor appeared next to him.

"Headmaster Albus! The castle is not liking what the lady professor is doing! She is being held in your office, sir!"

Dumbledore frowned at the house-elf. "Held? What do you mean, held?"

"Hogwarts has banished her property and she be bound in your office," Altor explained. "The house-elves reported the attack on Master Rys as well as the forgetful students she has ritualed with in the Dark chamber under her office."

Severus felt a rush of rage as he interpreted Altor's words. Adstrum had been Obliviating students after performing some type of ritual with them in a secret chamber under the castle. He didn't even want to know what she'd done to them; his mind was supplying possibilities for him, all of which disgusted him.

"She leaves, Dumbledore, or we do!" Severus ground out. "If you want Rys to trust you, then show him he can!"

Masly's reappearance, with Phillip Mays in tow, diverted Severus' attention immediately.
"Phillip!"

The healer clapped a hand on Severus' shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Masly said that Rys was attacked?"

"Adstrum," Severus spat out as Phillip moved around to join Poppy on the other side of the small bed, turning his back on Dumbledore.

He watched as Poppy handed Phillip the parchment with the results of her scans, a grim look coming over his face. Exchanging glances with Poppy, Phillip cast his own spell over Rys, concentrating on his head and frowning at the results. He turned toward Severus.

"The impact has caused a large bruise to start to form on the back of Rys' brain," Phillip told him, meeting Severus' eyes. "There is an experimental potion that would dissolve the bruise and prevent a blood clot from forming. But it must be administered with in the first two hours of the injury."

"And it has to be brewed," Severus guessed by Phillip's expression.

"Yes," Phillip said softly. "I have the recipe and can help, but we have to start it now as it will take at least an hour to make."

As loath as he was to leave his son's side, Severus knew he had to. As he stood up, Poppy gave him a nod to let him know she would stay with Rys. Altor had disappeared as Phillip had given his diagnosis, and Dumbledore, a nervous look on his face, had quietly left the infirmary. Severus leaned down and brushed his lips across Rys' forehead, before turning and leading the way down to his personal lab.

Sirius met them halfway down to the dungeons, clearly out of breath from running. "Severus! The baby—"

"Hospital wing with a head injury." Severus couldn't believe the relief he felt at seeing his old nemesis. "Protect him!"

"With my life!" Sirius growled before sprinting up the stairs.

Entering his rooms, Severus pointed Phillip towards the door to his lab as he shrugged out of his cloak and outer robes. He paused for a moment, before taking a deep breath and placing his hand gingerly on the tapestry.

Please, help me to have the steady hands and the concentration I need to make the potion perfect, Severus thought desperately.

Have faith in yourself and your magic, young wizard, and know that your son is very strong. The sooner he drinks the elixir, the easier his recovery will be.

Severus allowed himself a second to feel the warmth the tapestry seemed to impart before turning abruptly and joining Phillip in the lab. The potion wasn't difficult to make and the contents were similar to those in the standard Bruise Paste, but the viscosity was radically different, thinner and drinkable. The other difference was the amount of magic that was infused into the potion during the brewing process. His bracelet still throbbed with heat and Severus used it to focus all his energies, magical and emotional, in order to successfully brew the potion.

"How long?" Severus asked in a clipped voice as he carefully decanted the hot liquid.

"Just under an hour," Phillip told him quietly.

Capping the top of the large vial, Severus cast a Stasis Charm over the remainder and they both hurried towards the hospital wing. Ignoring the few students in the hallways who stopped to gape at them, Severus only slowed his steps as he pushed open the doors to the ward.

As he stepped around the privacy curtain, Severus could see Sirius sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Rys' hand while Poppy hovered. They both looked up with hopeful expressions, but Severus didn't see them. His eyes were focused on Rys, lying pale and still against the pillows. Handing the potion to Poppy, Severus took Sirius' place on the bed, as Phillip moved around to speak to Poppy in a low voice. Severus brushed the fringe off Rys' forehead and carefully kissed his cheek. Sirius stood at his shoulder, a silent support for both of them.

"Severus, I'd like you to slide in behind Rys and support his head and neck against your chest as we try to get this potion into him," Poppy told him as Phillip measured a dose out into an eye dropper.

Moving carefully, Severus helped Poppy lift Rys and reposition him against Severus, Rys' head in the crook of his arm. With the dropper, Phillip squirted the potion into the back of Rys' throat and then smoothed his fingers along Rys' throat, encouraging him to swallow. Sputtering a bit, Rys managed to get down the majority of the dose before he started coughing and began to cry. Severus held him fast, muttering soothing words to keep him still. He could feel Rys' magic start to build around them, the bracelet heating even more as Rys struggled to wake up.

"Shhh, sweet boy. Daddy is right here and has you," Severus crooned in a low voice. "No one is going to hurt you again, little one."

Rys made a mewing sounds, turning his head into Severus' throat as he stopped struggling and went back to sleep. Severus kissed his temple before looking up at Phillip and Poppy.

"He's in a healing sleep, Severus," Poppy said softly, her wand running over the toddler. "You don't want him awake and in pain, do you?"

Severus wanted nothing more than Rys to be awake, but he had no wish for his son to suffer and shook his head. Sirius dropped into the chair next to the bed when Severus made no move to put Rys down. The small hand on Severus' chest gripped his robes as he moved into a more comfortable position.

"When will you know whether he took the potion soon enough?" Sirius asked the question Severus couldn't.

"The inner-cranial pressure is still rising, but at a very slow rate." Phillip frowned. "Theoretically, it could be hours until we know whether the potion is working." He laid a hand on the top of Rys' head for a moment. "Poppy will continue to monitor him while I finish my rounds and I'll be back in time for the next dose."

Severus nodded. "Thank you for coming so quickly—"

"Goes without saying, my friend. I'll be back as soon as I can." Phillip patted him on the shoulder.

Poppy walked Phillip out as Sirius leaned forward and pulled the light blanket up over Rys. Severus nodded his thanks as he continued to hold onto Rys and worked on clearing his mind of the anger he felt towards Adstrum, knowing his son could feel it.
Concentrating, Severus closed his eyes and focused on the bond Rys had created between them, feeding his magic and love through the link to help the healing process. He knew that Sirius would keep them safe.

A gasp brought Severus back to awareness, but he was unprepared for Rys to go ridged in his arms. Tightening his arms slightly, Severus lowered his head to whisper reassuring words in Rys' ear.

"Man hold Rys?" A tentative voice whispered.

Severus frowned. Rys sounded different, almost as if he didn't remember Severus. "Daddy's here, sweet boy, does your head hurt?"

"Rys' daddy?" The toddler tried to look at him, but Severus held him firmly. "M'head hurts," Rys told him, slipping his finger into his mouth as he stopped moving.

"Yes, sweet boy." Severus carefully kissed his temple. "Sirius, please get Poppy."

Severus heard Sirius' footsteps retreating; however, his focus was on the incredulous look on his son's face and the silent tears that coursed down his cheeks. Rys kept mouthing the word daddy over and over.

"What happened, Severus?" Poppy was beside the bed, her wand already casting a diagnostic spell.

"He woke up on his own, but it's like he doesn’t remember me," Severus said, pushing the words out through the lump in his throat.

"Memory loss can be a consequence of a concussion," Poppy murmured quietly as she laid a hand gently on Rys' shoulder.

Rys flinched at the touch, and Severus tightened his arm reflexively as he whispered reassuring words. Kissing his temple, Severus began to rock slightly from side to side, a motion he'd learned calmed Rys whenever he was upset. Rys relaxed against his chest, but didn't release his hold on Severus' robes.

"Tissing Rys?"

A small voice whispered, prompting Severus to lean down and kiss his cheek. "Always, sweet boy, I love you."

"Here, Severus, this will help his head." Poppy handed Severus the potion he'd created for children. "I need to do another scan of his brain as soon as that takes effect."

Nodding, Severus sat Rys up a bit before thumbing off the stopper. "Drink this, sweet boy. It will make you feel better."

Rys tilted his head up slightly and after a moment's hesitation, opened his mouth. Tilting the contents slowly, Severus made sure that Rys swallowed all of it. As he started to pull the vial away, Rys stiffened and Severus dropped the vial, tightening his grip. Instead of the seizure he'd feared, Severus heard footsteps approach just as Dumbledore spoke.

"And how is the child, Poppy? All his bruises healed?"

Rys turned his head slightly, enough to bury his face in Severus' shoulder. The reaction comforted Severus, knowing that Rys remembered enough to know that he didn't trust the Headmaster. Gathering Rys closer, Severus looked up as he heard Sirius push back the chair he sat in and stand, his face reflecting both their anger.

"Is that bloody bitch in custody?" Sirius spat as Dumbledore came around the privacy curtain.

Severus tightened his arms as Rys flinched and resumed rocking him gently, side to side. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has taken the appropriate action, Sirius."

Dumbledore nodded, a benevolent smile on his face. "Of course, Celeste has been turned over to the custody of the Aurors for an interview."

"Interview?" Severus ground out, doing his best to suppress his emotions as Rys moved restlessly against him. "What about the students she victimized or the house-elves who were unwitting witnesses to whatever she was doing?"

The smile didn’t waver as Dumbledore nodded. “They have all the necessary facts, Severus. I’m sure the Aurors will sort it out and Celeste will be appropriately dealt with."

Anger surged through Severus and he could see it reflected in Sirius as they exchanged an incredulous look.

"As I've owled my Injury to a Child form to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I'm sure they will." Phillip's voice carried from the door of the hospital wing.

Poppy nodded at her colleague as he walked up. "I have submitted mine as well, Headmaster, as I was sure you would want me to."

"Yes, yes, of course," Dumbledore agreed quickly, but his smile had faded.

Phillip stepped around Dumbledore and moved up beside the bed. "How's the little one doing?"

Poppy appeared at his elbow, maneuvering so that Dumbledore was just outside the curtains. "He woke up a little while ago and complained that his head hurt. Severus was able to get him to take half a dose of the special analgesic."

"He—" Severus had to clear his throat. "He didn't seem to recognize me."

Phillip frowned, his wand flicking over Rys. "It looks like the swelling is still there, but it hasn't gotten any worse." He moved gently fingers over the back of Rys head. "We'll give him another dose of potion and we should see further results after that."

"And the memory loss?" Severus forced out through his tight throat.

"May or may not be permanent, we won't know until the swelling goes down."

---

Something woke Severus from the light doze he'd fallen into. He continued to lie perfectly still, allowing his senses to assess the room. He could hear deep, steady breathing which told him Remus had replaced Sirius to watch over them. The coolness of the air told him it was sometime in the early morning hours. He had no feeling in his wand arm, no doubt because Rys was sleeping on it. Nothing else seemed to be stirring as Severus felt his son's chest rise and fall against him. Even his bracelet was only slightly warm now.

A slight shift of weight alerted Severus to the fact that Rys was awake and he sat up slowly. Rys stiffened in his arms, one hand clutching at the front of his shirt. Remus sat forward as well, setting aside the magazine he was reading.

"Severus?"

"Rys woke me," Severus told him quietly as he shifted the child against his chest, trying to get feeling back in his arm.

Remus flicked his wand at the torches and Severus watched as Rys slowly tilted his head back, looking up at his face. "How do you feel, sweet boy?"

"M'head hurts," Rys whispered, grimacing. "Daddy?"

Severus felt a rush of relief flood through him. "Yes, Rys?"

"Pot'on?"

"Yes, we'll get you a potion, sweet boy."

"Not until I have checked him over, Severus." Poppy stepped through the curtains, tying the belt on her dressing gown. "It's also time for his next dose of Phillip's potion as well."

Severus nodded, sitting up as he moved to lay Rys down, but the child would not relinquish his grip on Severus' shirt. With a sigh, Severus rearranged them so that Poppy could take her readings. A sharp tingle in his abdomen told him that she'd also cast the spell that vanished the liquid in his over-full bladder, for which Severus was grateful. It seemed apparent that Rys remembered him now, but Severus didn't think his entire memory had returned, as he still clung tightly to Severus' robes.

Remus touched his shoulder. "Sirius let me know that Kingsley has been assigned to Adstrum's case and he spoke to Bernard."

"Thank Merlin," Severus muttered, watching as Poppy checked the parchment in her hand. "Sirius came back?"

"No," Remus replied, reaching into his pocket. "Small mirrors charmed with a communications charm."

Severus looked at the small hand mirror and then back up at Remus. "I want one."

Remus smiled. "Sirius just found these in his old school trunk. He's working on replicating the charms for a few more mirrors, so that we can all have one."

"Severus," Poppy interrupted their conversation. "The swelling is finally going down."

Relief flooded through Severus and he buried his face in Rys' hair. A small hand reached up and patted his cheek.

"Daddy?"

Severus turned his head and pressed a kiss into the palm of Rys' hand. "Yes, sweet boy?"

"Why's my head hurt?"

"You were hit with a ball when you were playing, Rys," Severus told him. "You were playing football with your friends."

Rys looked up at him with a frown.

"It's all right, you might not be able to remember right now," Poppy told him as she handed Severus the dropper containing the bruise potion. "If you take your potions like a good boy, Rys, then I'm going to send you back to your room with your daddy so that you can rest."

"M'k," Rys told her, still looking at Severus. "S' okay, Daddy?"

"It is absolutely okay, Rys." Severus' relief threatened to drown him as he helped Rys take the bruise potion and then another dose of pain potion.

"I believe the worst of the injury has been mitigated, Severus," Poppy said in a cheerful voice. "I'd rather Floo directly down to you than keep you here, as you might be bothered by the comings and goings."

Severus looked up at Poppy and caught the glint of anger in her eyes. "Whatever you think is best."

"I've no desire to have either one of you interrogated by whomever the Ministry might send in the morning. It might disturb any other patients I might have."

Severus nodded, grateful for the mediwitch's forethought. "I'll keep him with me until you deem him completely better."

Remus went with him, helping him settle Rys comfortably in Severus' bed, before he Flooed back to Sirius' house in Hogsmeade. Severus checked on the potion he'd made to renew the Stasis Charm, before he lay down with Rys to get a few hours sleep. He would need to decant the potion first thing in the morning to make sure it retained its potency. Returning to his bedroom, Severus stripped his clothes off, gathered Rys against his chest and fell asleep.

---

Rys was able to recover undisturbed over the next few days in their rooms, much to Severus' relief. Bernard and Kingsley arrived in the early afternoon the day after the incident, greatly amused as they recounted the sour look on the Minister of Magic's face as Fudge swept into the hospital wing that morning to find Rys absent. Lucius Malfoy had been at Fudge's heels as Dumbledore led them to where Rys had been and then tried to explain where he had gone. Poppy, having suspected the invasion, had retired to her rooms for a well-deserved sleep and left St. Mungo's on-call should anything come up.

Kingsley took a Pensieve copy of Severus' memory of the incident, as well as taking the time to interview Altor and other house-elves about Adstrum's activities. Bernard stayed with Rys so that Severus could accompany him to the chamber under the Defense classroom as Altor described what sounded like orgies to them. Altor made a passing reference to another chamber under the castle where a monster slept, something Severus made a mental note of to ask about later. Taking all the evidence he'd gathered, Kingsley Flooed directly to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement without making a report to the Minister. Bernard stayed to keep Severus company.

Phillip had Flooed in several times to check on Rys and sat with him while Severus decanted the special potion, giving half to the healer and setting the rest aside for Poppy's stores. Severus kept Rys in bed all week, declining Dumbledore's offer to cover his classes, instead sending his students to the library with research and essay assignments. Minerva, Sirius, Remus, and Poppy had all visited, setting Severus' teeth on edge with their comings and goings. Even Masly seemed to be in a cranky mood, giving Severus a wholly unhouse-elf like look when he picked at his food. Rys had reverted to the quiet, insecure child he'd been when Severus had first rescued him.

Severus had just fallen asleep late Friday night when a shrill cry from Rys' room had him out of bed and across the hall before his eyes were open. In the glow of the nightlight, Severus could see Rys struggling to get out of the tangle of bedding.

"Rys!"

"Daddy!" Rys cried, reaching for him. "That mean lady hurt me with the ball! Are my friends a'right? Bill and—"

Scooping Rys up, Severus hugged him tightly, kissing his temple as he felt himself tremble with relief. "Shh, sweet boy, your friends are fine!"

"You sure, Daddy?" Rys trembled as Severus carried him out to the sitting room.

"Yes," Severus told him reassuringly, waving up the torches. "How did you remember?"

"I had a bad dream." Rys snuffled, his hand gripping the front of Severus' pajamas.

Relief flooded through Severus as he realized that Rys had his memory back. He Summoned his pillow and wandlessly cast a Cushioning Spell on the floor in front of the fireplace. Standing, Severus wrapped them in the duvet from the couch.

"Would you like to stay out here and sleep by the fire with me?"

Rys lifted sleepy eyes to look at Severus. "Like at the ocean?"

Severus smiled, thrilled that Rys remembered the several time the boys were allowed to sleep under the stars last summer. "Yes, like when we sleep on the beach, under the stars."

Rys gave him a broad smile and snuggled against him. Severus felt a ridiculous hot prickle behind his eyes as he realized it was the first smile his son had given him in almost a week. Gathering Rys against his chest, Severus closed his eyes and savored feeling Rys’ heart beating against his.

---

Severus sighed as he pushed the last of his grading away from him and capped the inkwell of red ink. Rys made a soft noise from his play area in the corner of Severus’ office as he played with his Quidditch action figures. The students had left the day before and even the castle seemed to embrace the silence. Severus had completed the inventory of potion ingredients, supervised the house-elves cleaning of the classroom, and placed the supply order for the new term.

A tap of his wand sent the stack of essays into the cabinet in the corner of his office and Severus turned his attention to the grade ledger in front of him. He knew that once he cast the spell, the master grade ledger in the Headmaster's office would be updated and Dumbledore would know he was finished. Severus was not in the mood to be summoned to tea. He was planning on taking Rys on a walk around the small rose garden and then have tea in their rooms before they started packing. He had one last staff meeting in the morning and then they were off on holiday.

The soft crack of displaced air announced the arrival of a house-elf and Severus looked up with a scowl to see Altor standing in front of his desk. The usually calm Altor seemed agitated.

"Altor? What's wrong?"

"Master Severus, Master Rys is needed in the kitchens to serpent speak!" Altor shifted from foot to foot as he looked at Rys.

"To what?" Severus frowned, turning to look at Rys as well.

Rys was grinning at Altor and scrambled to his feet as Severus waved him over.

"To serpent speak, Master Severus! A serpent be lost in the kitchens, scaring the young ones."

Severus beckoned Rys to him, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We will help in any way possible, Altor, but I don't understand serpent speak."

Altor snapped his fingers and one of Rys storybooks appeared on Severus' desk. "If Master Severus will allow me—"

"Yes, yes, go ahead." Severus lifted Rys into his lap.

Altor stepped closer and flipped open the book to the picture of a colorful snake coiled in tropical foliage. "Master Rys, please to say hello to the serpent."

The hissing sounds Rys made as he stared at the page hit Severus like a blow to the chest and raised the hair on the back of his neck. Rys pointed at the page and continued to speak Parseltongue, telling Severus something about the picture. Taking a deep, calming breath, Severus reached down and lifted Rys' chin so that he could see his face.

"It appears you like the snake," Severus said carefully and Rys nodded. "Do you want to go help Altor?"

"Yes, Daddy."

Rys slid down to the floor and Severus stood behind him as Altor took hold of their arms and transported them to the kitchens. Severus was relieved, not wanting to chance an encounter with Dumbledore in the corridor. He was still trying to assimilate the information that Rys had acquired a rare magical ability most likely from the Dark organic matter lodged in his scar.

It was immediately apparent where the intruder was as there was a ring of house-elves surrounding it. A loud hissing was audible above the whispers Severus heard. As they approached, the crowd parted and Rys followed Altor with Severus right behind him.

Rys looked over his shoulder at him. "She's scared, Daddy!"

Severus gasped as he saw the snake, it's arrowhead-shaped skull identifying it immediately as an adder. Rys had already squatted down and was hissing softly to the agitated creature. He crouched down, a hand on Rys' shoulder so that he could rip his son away if the snake struck out.

"Master Rys, please be telling the serpent that we mean it no harm and can give it food if it would like."

Rys continued to hiss at the snake, which seemed to calm down as he spoke to it. Severus tensed as it slithered closer, his hand tightening as he prepared to make a move, but the snake just seemed to be tasting the air around Rys. He tensed as Rys leaned forward to pet the triangular head gently with his finger, before turning his head to look at Severus over his shoulder.

“Daddy, she’s sick and got lost,” Rys said in a rush. “You have to help her, Daddy!"

"Of course, sweet boy, but we'll need to take her to Hagrid. He'll know what she needs," Severus told him. "Altor? Do you have a box we could use?"

"Yes, Master Severus," Altor said, moving closer. "I be sending an elf out to bring Friend Hagrid inside." He wrung his hands, unusually agitated. "Master Rys, please ask the serpent if it was born of the slumbering monster in the hidden stone chamber."

Rys frowned, looking at Severus.

"Ask her where she came from, where she lives," Severus said softly as Altor handed him a small wooden box lined with a flannel.

Rys hissed to the snake as Severus reached down, slowly bringing a finger up beside Rys' to stroke the cool scales. He held his breath as the forked tongue lightly touched his knuckle, watching as the snake hissed.

"She likes you, Daddy!"

"Tell her I'm going to lift her into the box and we are taking her to a friend who will help her."

Rys followed his instructions as he helped Severus lift the snake into the box as they talked. Motioning Rys to stand up, Severus settled the box in his arms, making sure it wasn't too unwieldy for the almost four-year-old to carry. Severus beckoned Altor to follow them as they started out of the kitchen towards the Entrance Hall.

"Snake says she lives in the rocks outside, Daddy, an' a aminal with big teeth tried to bite her! She crawled into a crack and ended up in the kitchen." Rys looked at Altor. "She says that all the snakes know about the serpent king sleeping in the rock chamber."

Altor smiled, clearly relieved and Severus arched an eyebrow as him. "I take it this serpent is large?" He asked softly.

"The serpent is as long as the Great Hall, Master Severus, if it could fit through the doors."

Severus felt his eyes widen as his brain supplied him with an image of a gigantic snake slithering through the corridors as Altor continued to speak in a low voice.

"It was released when I was serving Hogwarts, eating house-elves and killing a student with only its eyes. Friend Hagrid was accused of setting it free, but it were not him!" Altor said fiercely. "The elves know!"

"Professor Snape!"

Hagrid's voice cut through his thoughts and Severus saw that they were in near were almost to the Great Hall. "Hagrid! Thank you for coming so quickly." He pointed at the box Rys held onto tightly. "The house-elves for a sick snake in the kitchens and we are hoping you can fix her up."

"What's this ya got, Rys?" Hagrid lowered his voice as he went down on one knee in front of them. "Bloody – Professor, that's venomous!"

"She won't bite you, Ha'drid," Rys told him as he held the box out towards the half-giant. "Her tummy hurts. Can you fix her?"

Hagrid looked at Severus, who gave him a nod, before accepting the wooden box. Rys reached in and petted the snake's head, hissing softly. Hagrid watched with a slight frown and Severus could see that he was wary of the sick reptile.

"It'll be fine, Hagrid," Severus told him in an attempt to reassure him. "The snake knows you are going to help her and won't bite you."

"I hope yeh're right, Professor," Hagrid answered in a dubious tone, watching as Rys continued to hiss as he petted the snake. "Isn't that cute! The little tyke is pretending ter talk ter it!"

Severus put his hand on Rys' shoulder. "Tell her you'll come down and see her before we leave tomorrow, sweet boy."

Rys spoke to the snake, stroking her head before he stepped back. "She's ready, Ha'drid."

Hagrid gave Severus a nod before carrying the box outside. Severus could feel the tension in Rys' shoulder and reached down, lifting Rys up. His son wrapped his arms around Severus' neck as he carried him down to the dungeon. Bits of conversation spun around in Severus' mind, bringing up half remembered facts and legends, like pieces of a Muggle puzzle, but he just couldn’t put them together. Rys kissed his cheek before laying his head down on Severus' shoulder, feeling his agitation. Perhaps they could still take that stroll in the gardens once he'd packed.

It didn't take long, Severus found, especially since Masly had already taken care of the majority of the apartment. While Rys was sent to gather up his toys, Severus packed up the potion ingredients that he needed for the summer, along with his potion journals. As he Summoned the last of his journals, a piece of parchment slipped out and fluttered to the floor. Severus swore under his breath as he bent to pick it up and made to tuck it back into the book, when it dawned on him that it was the partial Horcrux removal potion. He skimmed it quickly, more out of habit than anything.

Basilisk venom

The ingredient seemed to leap from the page and Severus gasped, as suddenly all the pieces fell into place. The king of the serpents, the monster slumbering in the hidden stone chamber, was a basilisk.

"Altor!"

A house-elf appeared instantly, giving Severus a low bow. "How can Altor help Master Severus?"

Severus kept his voice low, not wanting Rys to overhear. "When we were in the kitchen earlier, you mentioned a slumbering monster in a hidden chamber. Is that monster a snake as well?"

"Yes." Altor nodded his head. "The monster is a huge serpent that eats rodents and house-elves. It be much feared by all!"

"How large is this serpent?"

Altor seemed to shudder. "It is said to be as long as the Great Hall and as tall as the ceiling in the Entrance Hall."

Severus swallowed hard, thinking of the panic such information could cause. "You said it was slumbering?"

"Yes, although it was awoken once in my younger days, when Friend Hagrid was a student here. A student died." Altor shifted from foot to foot and Severus could tell he was uncomfortable discussing the subject.

"Thank you, Altor," Severus said quietly, his mind whirling with the implications.

After Altor left, Severus sat quietly for several minutes, putting his thoughts into a semblance of order. Moving to his desk, he penned a note to Bernard and then called Masly to deliver it discretely. The potential benefits from finding a living basilisk could outweigh the risk of taking his life in his hands by trying to confirm it existed. As long as he was able to get some venom for the potion that would destroy the Horcrux in Rys' scar without killing his son.

They had a quiet evening, with Rys reading Severus a story from his school text. It was slow and his son stumbled a bit here and there, but Severus was very proud of him as he preserved and made it through. Severus praised him, giving Rys a hug and a kiss along with a cup of hot cocoa as a treat before bed. It was a sleepy Rys who snuggled into his chest as Severus carried him to bed and tucked him in.

When he came back into the sitting room, Severus searched his bookshelves for a book from his childhood, one of the few non-Muggle books his mother had ever given him. Spying its unmistakable red cover on an upper shelf, Severus Summoned Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamandee. He settled down to read up on the creature he was convinced slept in a stone chamber deep beneath the castle.

That night, Severus tossed and turned, his sleep filled with dreams of gigantic, venomous snakes chasing him and Rys through dark caverns. He woke up early, bleary-eyed and with a lingering headache. A hot shower helped, as did a Pain Relief Potion, and Severus felt almost human by the time Rys stumbled out of his room, rubbing his eyes. The sight of his small son made Severus smile and he scooped him up for a morning hug, loving the way those little arms circled his neck and snuggled close.

Moving to the table, Severus set Rys into his chair. "Are you all ready for our holidays, sweet boy?"

Rys reached for his fork, nodding his head. "Yes, Daddy! Do we get to go swimming in the ocean today?"

Severus smiled as he poured a small glass of milk while Rys began to eat his breakfast. "I don't know if we'll get to the beach today, Rys. We'll have to see what the weather is like first."

"I hope it's warm," Rys told him between bites and Severus smile at the eagerness in his voice.

"I do, too, son."

The staff meeting turned out to be mercifully short and Severus took Rys down to Hagrid's hut to check on Rys' newest friend. Hagrid was delighted to see them and Severus diverted his attention from Rys while he spoke quietly to the snake. He did seem strangely reluctant to discuss the circumstances surrounding his expulsion from Hogwarts. It was only after Severus reminded Hagrid that he could be trusted, did Hagrid tell him the story in a hushed voice.

Severus was deep in thought as they walked back up the yard, glad that Rys was chattering away about how much better his snake was and how nice Hagrid was treating it.

---

The Headland house was warm and welcoming as Severus Apparated them through the wards. Masly had opened all the windows and a fresh sea breeze ruffled the curtains. A few wispy clouds skittered across the blue sky and the ocean crashed invitingly onto the beach below. The sitting room sparkled as they walked into the house and Severus smiled as Rys ran up to his room to put his special things away. It was a new habit that Rys had picked up, insisting that he help Masly by taking care of his own things. Severus found it endearing, although it reminded him that Rys would be four in just a few weeks.

Time seemed to be flying by and Severus knew that too soon, Rys would be entering Hogwarts as a first-year. There was so much Severus had to do, so many things that needed to be figured out before he'd be sure that Rys would be safe. Eradicating the threat of the Dark Lord was the first priority, because with that threat gone, Albus Dumbledore would have no interest in his son. Severus knew he had his work cut out for him, but he'd do anything to keep his son safe.

"Daddy, will you play with me?" An excited Rys clutched his ball to his chest.

Stripping off his teaching robes and waistcoat, Severus led the way out to the front yard as he rolled his sleeves up. The sea breeze was refreshing and Severus loved the way Rys laughed loudly as he kicked the ball back to Severus, who tapped it back at him. His son's eyes sparkled with excitement as he raced to retrieve the ball. Severus found himself smiling in return, a bit of the weight lifting off his shoulders for a while as they played.

Severus marveled at the improvement in Rys' coordination as he caught up with the ball and managed to stop it with his foot, without falling over. It wasn't as graceful as when Rys was on a broom, but, then again, Rys flew like the broom was an extension of his body. Severus hadn't seen many who had the same level of natural ability, even within the professional leagues. It was heartwarming, though, to see the strides Rys had made in the last two years, from a malnourished, withdrawn toddler to a sturdy, happy little boy.

They stayed outside long enough to sunburn both of their noses and to wear his son out. It was a relief to carry Rys up to bed scarcely an hour after dinner, with the sun still shining. Summoning a flannel and basin, Severus quickly gave Rys a bath and spread aloe vera gel on his nose to keep it from hurting. He still cast a one-way silencing spell and asked Masly to keep an eye on Rys before going back downstairs. Severus had given up on casting spells to keep Rys from hearing what was said during impromptu meeting with his friends, as they never seemed to work.

He'd just put together a tea tray when Severus heard the Floo activate. Carrying it into the sitting room, he wasn't surprised to see Bernard and Kingsley already seated on the couch. Phillip arrived before Severus could set the tray down, followed closely by Sirius and Remus.

"Rys in bed already?" Sirius asked as he nicked a piece of shortbread off the tray.

"Yes, he wore himself out running after his ball in the yard this afternoon." Severus handed him a cup of tea.

"Good," Bernard said, leaning forward to accept the next cup. "I know that Rys seems to be able to penetrate both the Silencing Charm and the Muffle Charm."

Severus nodded. "Annoying that, but I suppose it just shows that he will be a wizard to be reckoned with."

"Just wait until he's a teenager!" Remus quipped as he sat on a chair he'd Summoned from the kitchen.

Rolling his eyes at the thought, Severus sat down and exchanged pleasantries with Phillip, before catching Bernard's eye. He quirked an eyebrow towards Kingsley, who was engaged in conversation with Sirius. Bernard grinned back at him, a flush coloring his cheeks, and Severus snorted in amusement. It was about time his friend found someone who met his exacting standards.

"You have all the logistics worked out, Severus?" Bernard asked.

Severus smiled and nodded. "Hannah and the children will be here at the first of the week. Narcissa and Draco a few days later. Miss Lucy arrives whenever she gets here. Sirius and Remus will share a room, leaving one room for you and Kingsley share."

"I suspect that most of us will be in and out throughout the summer," Remus observed. "I think we'll be comfortable enough."

"Yeah," Sirius agreed, his eyes on Severus. "What is it that has you rattled enough to ask us here just days before we are all due to descend on you?"

Severus looked around the circle of wizards and took a breath. "There is a basilisk hibernating in a stone chamber under Hogwarts."

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, but Severus just gave him a quelling look and the laugh faded as all of them looked at him.

"Are you serious?"

Biting his cheek to stop the irrational urge to laugh at Sirius, Severus nodded. "Yes, according to the head house-elf and tentatively confirmed by Hagrid. It seems he attended Hogwarts when Tom Riddle was there and became another of Riddle's victims. It was Riddle who woke the basilisk fifty years ago and a student died as a result."

"Hagrid was a student?" Sirius asked, surprised. "And who is Tom Riddle?"

"Voldemort," Remus interjected, leaning forward.

Severus winced at the frisson of fear that always accompanied hearing that name. "You do know that name is cursed, don't you?" He tried not to grind his teeth. "The Dark Lord cast it to alert him anytime someone was talking about him and allowed him to Apparate to them."

Remus looked startled. "I did not know that."

Bernard leaned forward, setting his cup on the table. "How would Riddle, a student, even find out about a secret chamber, not to mention let loose a bloody giant snake?"

"Those sorted into Slytherin were told that Salazar Slytherin had built a secret chamber somewhere when Hogwarts was built," Severus told them, Bernard and Kingsley, both former Slytherins, nodding. "Riddle always claimed to be the last heir of Slytherin, so he must have gone looking for the chamber."

"But a basilisk, Severus?" Phillip asked. "How in Merlin's name would he, a teenager, have control a gigantic snake?"

"Riddle was a Parselmouth."

"A Parselmouth! That would be a handy ability," Kingsley joined in.

"Doesn't that Horcrux killing potion Narcissa found call for basilisk venom?" Remus asked.

"It does," Severus acknowledged, dreading the direction he was sure the conversation was going.

"Well, that's great, but I can't see us knocking on the door of this hidden chamber and asking a great bloody basilisk!" Sirius exclaimed, pushing to his feet, arms waving. "I guess it would be helpful if we had our own Parselmouth!"

Severus sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. "We do."

"We do?" Sirius blinked at him.

Severus nodded, sitting back in his chair. "Yes."

"No!" Phillip and Bernard said in unison, Bernard jumping to his feet.

"Severus, you can't let anyone else know! It will mark him!"

Severus leaned forward to lay a hand on Bernard's arm. "I know, Berny, I know." He used his best friend's old nickname in an attempt to calm him as he Summoned a bottle of firewhisky from the side cupboard. "I'm well aware that most people equate Parseltongue with being Dark, so I've no plans to advertise the talent."

"It's from the Horcrux," Phillip interjected. "Unfortunately, it makes sense for Rys to possess many of the same magical traits that the bastard did. Will you tell us what happened?"

Severus poured some of the whisky into his tea and sat back, cradling the cup in his hands as he watched the others follow suit. Once they were all settled, Severus told them the story, starting with the sick snake in the kitchens and concluding with his discussion with Hagrid that morning. He emphasized that Rys didn't seem to know when he was speaking Parseltongue, but responded to the snake hissing at him. When he finished, Severus sipped at his drink as the rest stared at him for several long minutes.

"So—" Remus began and then stopped, before beginning again. "So, we have a source for basilisk venom, a resource that would allow us to talk to it, but still don't know how to get to it."

"Not necessarily," Severus told him. "I'm sure Altor could probably take us to the chamber. Although, if it is something that Salazar Slytherin constructed, then I would have to believe that it will take a Parselmouth to open it."

"I agree," Kingsley spoke up. "My family has sorted Slytherin for generations and my grandfather considers himself quite the expert on Salazar. He once told me a story about the Chamber of Secrets and said Salazar built it for his heirs, who would probably have inherited his Parseltongue abilities."

"Perhaps you could see what insight your grandfather might have into the chamber, Kingsley." Bernard turned to him. "I know that there have always been rumors told in the Slytherin common room about it, but I don't know anything specific."

"Nor do I," Severus said, "but I think we need to gather more information before we try to take any action."

"It's bloody difficult to not want to rush down there and see for ourselves, seeing how the basilisk venom would destroy the Horcruxes we’ve found," Sirius observed, taking a long drink.

"Speaking of Horcruxes, I believe we need to recreate Riddle's movements from the time he left Hogwarts, in order to locate the rest of them." Bernard's expression was grim.

"Yes, we need to dig into his background, especially how he is connected to Slytherin," Remus agreed. "If he has used one artifact, he may have used another in making the foul things."

They all were in agreement with this and, between them, decided that Sirius and Remus would try to track Riddle's movements after leaving Hogwarts, while Bernard and Kingsley would look into the Dark Lord's background. Kingsley put forth the idea of a scouting expedition when Severus went back to the castle in August, if he felt Altor would show them where the chamber was. A lively debate ensued as to what, exactly, woke the basilisk from his hibernation, a prospect that made Severus very uneasy.

"Severus?" Remus stopped just as he and Sirius were about to Apparate back to Hogsmeade. "Did Hagrid actually see Rys speaking to the snake?"

"Yes." Severus nodded as everyone stopped to listen. "Although, he believed that Rys was just mimicking the snake, not actually talking to it."

"Which is fine, unless he lets it slip while in a conversation with Dumbledore." Bernard's expression was hard. "Dumbledore has a way of ferreting things out and Hagrid—"

"Couldn't keep a secret in a bucket!" Severus finished with a sigh. "Let's hope that conversation never comes up."

"I'd be prepared for it," Bernard told him. "You know how Dumbledore is."

Severus nodded, indeed he did.

---

The weather was only partially cooperative the next afternoon, with blue skies and warm temperatures, but gusty winds that whipped up the ocean waves. So Rys' birthday picnic had not included time at the beach. The children from the village school Portkeyed to the house with Sirius to attend to attend the party. The older children spent time flying on children's brooms, Ari riding with Sirius, and kicking balls across the wide expanse of yard. Hannah and Miss Lucy entertained Maya, who wasn't interested in the brooms yet, but she joined in running after the balls.

All the children had gasped when Masly appeared with Rys' birthday cake, a small sandcastle with blue icing waves ebbing and flowing around it. Rys threw his arms around the stunned house-elf and gave him a hug. Severus smothered a smile as Masly looked like he'd never been hugged in his life, at least not by a wizard. Despite Rys' request that no one bring a gift, each child had made him a card and a homemade treat. Rys carefully opened each one and exclaimed his delight in the sweet. It was a relief to Severus to know that Rys' hadn't become spoiled in the last two years.

After three hours of trying to curtail the unbridled energy of seven young children, Severus had developed a new respect for Sirius and Remus, as well as a headache. He Summoned an Analgesic Potion from his stores as he ushered Rys, Kyler, Draco, and Maya into the house for much needed naps. Using the time to start the base of the potion for Remus, Severus headed upstairs to shower the fumes off. Their extended family was gathering tonight for dinner to celebrate and Severus was looking forward to giving Rys his special birthday surprise.

Severus came out of his bathroom with a towel around his waist and another he was using to dry his hair. A movement at the edge of his peripheral vision startled Severus and he whirled towards it, only to see that Rys had crawled onto his bed while he was showering. Moving closer, Severus could see tear tracks on his son's cheeks and surmised he'd had a bad dream. Severus Banished the towel in his hand back to the bathroom and combed his fingers through his hair as he sat down beside Rys.

Brushing a strand of hair out of Rys' face, Severus leaned down and kissed his forehead. Rys stirred, turning into his touch, and smiled as his eyes opened.

"Daddy," Rys whispered sleepily.

"Did you have a bad dream, sweet boy?"

Rys nodded and Severus picked him up, cradling Rys in his lap. He rubbed his hand down Rys' back as he rocked side to side as Rys buried his head in Severus' shoulder.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

Rys snuffled and tilted his head back to meet Severus' eyes. "A giant snake was trying to eat Altor and he wouldn't listen to me, Daddy!"

Severus smoothed back Rys' hair. "Altor is a very wise house-elf, sweet boy, and I'm sure that he'd be able to get away. House-elves have their own powerful magic and Hogwarts takes care of them, just as they take care of her."

"Oh—" Rys started, only to be interrupted by a sudden flash of golden fire and Fawkes was hovering over them.

"'lo, Fawkes!" Rys smiled at the phoenix as he reached towards him.

Fawkes trilled softly and drew the brown box he carried on his talons away from Rys. He dropped a card into Severus' lap and lowered his head so that Rys could pet him. Picking the card up, Severus recognized the loopy handwriting and ripped the envelope open.

Happy Birthday, HarryRys!
I hope you enjoy your new pet – I'm sure Hagrid can help you with what he eats and how to take care of him.
Albus Dumbledore

Severus gritted his teeth in irritation. Dumbledore knew, probably courtesy of Hagrid and his tendencies to ramble, that Rys was a Parselmouth.

"Daddy? The box is talking."

Severus looked at Rys and frowned as he listened intently. The hissing was faint, but definitely sounded angry. "I think that snake is unhappy."

Rys nodded, pointing toward the box. "Somebody took him away from his home and he's mad!"

"I would be as well," Severus told him, turning his attention to the phoenix. "Fawkes, I think you need to take this gift back to Hagrid so he can release him." Another thought struck Severus. "Would you know how to get into the secret chamber under the castle?"

Fawkes brushed a wingtip over Rys' head before inclining his head in what Severus took as an affirmative answer. He nodded his head in understanding, quietly thanking Fawkes as he trilled softly. Leaning down, Fawkes rubbed his eyes against Rys' forehead in an affectionate gesture, before disappearing in a burst of scarlet flame. Rys exclaimed in delight when he noticed that Fawkes had left behind a long, slender feather for him.

Severus ignored the looks that Bernard was shooting him during dinner and birthday cake, hoping the others were too engaged to notice his preoccupation. Narcissa and Hannah were entertaining the children, all engrossed in Rys' new puppy, and ably assisted by Miss Lucy, when Severus nodded toward the kitchen. The men followed him as Severus Summoned the firewhisky, pouring a finger of fiery liquid in each a glass. He tossed his back with a flick of his wrist and stared at the glass as it burned down his throat.

Severus coughed to clear his throat and then looked at the men gathered at the table. "Dumbledore knows."

"What?" Sirius leaned forward.

"Fawkes delivered a quite angry snake in a box just before we came down for dinner," Severus told them. "I'm sure Hagrid must have said something about Rys appearing to talk to the ill snake we took him."

Bernard nodded. "It wouldn't take much for Dumbledore to put it together."

"Especially if he was looking for it," Remus said softly.

"Because he knows the scar is more than it appears," Severus finished.

"Bloody hell!" Sirius swore, reaching for the firewhisky. "What did you do with the snake?"

"I had Fawkes take it back to Hogwarts and deliver it to Hagrid. I don't think Rys needs two new pets."

"Especially one that only he can talk to." Sirius poured himself another small shot. "What does this mean?"

"Well, I did confirm that Fawkes knows about the hidden chamber and where it is."

Bernard drew a breath as if to interrupt him, but Severus forged ahead. "I also spoke to Altor before we left Hogwarts and he will also help us access the chamber."

Philip shook his head. "You're going to try and go after the basilisk venom for the potion."

Severus nodded, watching the faces of the men. "If we use the unmonitored Floo in the kitchen, with Fawkes' and Altor's help, we might be able to get in."

"It'll be a suicide mission if you wake up the monster," Kingsley observed, swirling the liquid in his glass. "When are you thinking of doing this?"

"I'm hoping to take sufficient precautions when I go and it would need to be done prior to the staff returning in late August."

Sirius raked a hand through his hair. "Merlin, Snape, you don't do things in half measures, do you? Count me in."

Sirius' volunteering was echoed by each of them to a man, for which Severus was grateful. And then, they all gathered around to plan the mission.

---