Aconite looked at Fisher and Shadow. "In my time Damien Bones grows up to be a fierce International Auror.  His sons and daughter become the most powerful and well respected Aurors in my time. Daniel died in the war but Damien fought to the end and was instrumental in restoring peace to Europe after. His son Edgar and his daughter Amelia were both Heads of the DMLE and both were strong in the light. His second son Edmund died protecting the Queen and the muggle Prime Minister. His granddaughter Susan almost died saving Harry's life... she had the making of a strong defence mistress as well."

"He cast a Killing Curse in the middle of a crowded dorm room filled with children" Fisher said.

"I am not saying to free him completely but... I... we came back to save everyone and really to try and save the wizarding world from its fate.  Damien Bones was hailed in my time as a good man, his children were paragons of light and their entire family sacrificed themselves for the benefit of the wizarding world. I think we will suffer if he is in Azkaban."

"He is obviously not on the path that he was on in your time" Fisher said.

"Edgar can put him back. Edgar is a good man. I have known Edgar and his family all my life, they are good people. Edgar is a very good Head of the DMLE. We put Damien in Azkaban, Edgar and the entire Bones family will be destroyed" Shadow said.

Fisher was silent for a long time and then said "Was it he who put the spells on Regi?"

Shadow shook her head "No, it wasn't him. I suspect it was Dumbledore, the magic binding was done by someone a lot more powerful. Though I do suspect that Damien knew."

Fisher nodded and then walked off; he gave them the signal to follow.

Edgar was in tears, he looked at his son. The boy knew he was going to Azkaban. Damien wanted to die. They both had identical looks of fear on their faces when the door opened and Fisher came in followed by Aconite and Shadow.

Fisher looked at the boy "I want you to answer me honestly."

"Yes sir" the boy said trying to sound brave but failing.

"Who put the spells on the boy Reginald Lestrange?"

Edgar closed his eyes, as the Head of the DMLE he knew the real identity of the Head of the DoM. He knew Fisher was John Lestrange, the man would not be merciful as it was his son who was attacked.

Damien looked at the unspeakables "I do not know..."

Fisher slammed his hand on the table "do not play games with me boy. You are looking at life in Azkaban for casting the killing curse in a room of children and I am not in a mood for games."

Edgar put his hand on his son's arm and said "Please Damien tell them everything. I taught you to be a man of honour, do what is honourable."

"I really do not know but I suspect Professor Dumbledore did. We were not there. Lestrange was boasting that he and Reiner were skilled fighters and had trained together and that they would win the duelling championships. One of the second years I think said there was no way a Slytherin like Reiner could win. Lestrange said that Reiner was the most skilled fighter he had ever seen and that he had been trained by his father and grandfather and knew all sorts of moves. I said that Reiner was trained in dark magic. Lestrange said that Reiner was a strong wizard of light and the fact that his familiar was a phoenix was proof. I said that the phoenix must have been tricked or it would not have chosen a Slytherin. Lestrange said that phoenixes were not bound to the Hogwarts system and that they chose a person for what was in their heart. He said he would fight beside Reiner any day before he would fight with us."

Damien stopped for a minute and then said "I... I told Professor Dumbledore and told him the boy was a traitor to Gryffindors. Professor Dumbledore said he would talk to him. The next day, Lestrange looked sick and dazed. At first I thought Dumbledore had given him a whipping with the cane... he doesn't usually use the cane on the little ones but when he does they usually have this shocked dazed look. But then the days went by and he continued looking dazed.  Then we had the in-house duelling competition and Lestrange lost every match, he even lost to the girls. I knew something was wrong everyone knew Lestrange was a good fighter but... but I said nothing."

Edgar looked at his son "Why?"

"Because I thought he deserved to be put in his place and because he was easier to handle. He has defied us from day one, always supporting the Slytherin. We ordered him to stay away from them and he would go and sit with them. We gave him all sorts of detentions and the Reiner boy would secretly help him. Then he started turning the others against us. The McGonagall girl started questioning us and... I knew someone had put a spell on him but he became obedient and did not cause trouble and when he stopped hanging around Reiner, the Reiner boy became more subdued... depressed. Professor Dumbledore was pleased and said he was finally showing his true colours and that the phoenix would break free from his hold. I knew it was wrong but it was for the greater good."

Aconite sighed and Fisher looked at him, they both knew that it was all Albus' manipulations. Fisher then looked at the boy and asked "Why did you cast the killing curse?"

Damien cried and said "Dumbledore told us that the phoenix needed to go back to being a chick to be re-born. He told us that the only reason why it was with the Slytherin was because there was a dark magic spell on it... a parseltongue spell. He told us it was probably not the boy Reiner but his grandfather or uncle who put the spell. He told us that the only way to remove the spell was to kill the phoenix and let it re-grow. I didn't think... we tried to catch it so many times and it always escaped. When it came and stood in front of Lestrange, it was still and I... it was an opportunity. I did not think; I am sorry... I didn't think. I am so sorry."

Fisher looked at the boy and then at Edgar and said "We have been monitoring Albus Dumbledore for the last five years. He and Gillert Grindelwald were lovers for a long time and had various nefarious schemes together. On the surface it looks like they have parted ways but we still have not stopped looking at Albus. Morfin Gaunt or the Dark Lord Todeskrieger as he is now known is one of Grindelwald's pawns. Marvolo Gaunt has officially disinherited his son and actually has been working with us to bring him down. Albus Dumbledore seems to be using Hogwarts to recruit for Grindelwald. Not with the Gryffindors but with the Slytherins... the rich powerful pureblood Slytherins. Their last scheme together was one which had them trying to steal the vaults from squibs and orphans, who either did not know or were too young to complain."

"You have proof?" Edgar said.

Fisher shook his head. "We know it is them but they always work in the background and would use pawns like Morfin. We never had enough to arrest them but we know it was both of them. This current scheme of Albus we suspect is to use the Gryffindors to taunt the Slytherins to the point where there would be first, inter-house squabbles and then it would escalate. At school the children are vulnerable and don't have their parents around. By pegging someone like Reiner as dark, the other children have a target. The boy becomes depressed and eventually retaliates..."

"... and becomes dark as some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy" Edgar said in understanding.

"Yes and if all of the Slytherins go that route, they would most likely join Grindelwald. Grindelwald needs them for their wealth, power and prestige" Fisher said.

"As a school teacher he could really influence the children" Edgar said looking at his son.  "Why doesn't the Headmaster do something?"

"Dippet just sees the Order as a Gryffindor Club and only sees what is on the surface and sees all of the conflict as house rivalry and not a threat" Fisher said.

"And therefore the Board of Governors will not be alerted" Edgar said.

Fisher nodded and then said "While we acknowledge all of this, it was not Dumbledore who cast the killing curse in a room of children. Damien is an adult and has grown up in a home where he would know the consequences of using such a curse. The fact that he used it at all, shows to me that he believed himself above the law, which is very disturbing."

Damien cried and Edgar nodded. Edgar said "I... I understand and we know what you have to do."

Fisher nodded "Damien Bones, I should have you sent to Azkaban but I will not."

Edgar looked like he was going to cry in relief but said "I would say I do not want special treatment but I... he is my son."

Fisher nodded "I have another plan in mind. Young man I do not condone what you did. I believe you have put your feet on a path that may lead to disaster but your family has served the wizarding world loyally and honourably for centuries. I believe that if I leave you to them they would ensure that you go back on the right track. I will be issuing a statement to the Wizengamot and to the Daily Prophet that you and your brother had been recruited by the Department of Mysteries as junior agents to uncover a possible scheme at Hogwarts to recruit students to the service of the Dark Lord Todeskrieger. That you cast the killing curse at the phoenix but that you genuinely thought the phoenix was under a spell and was mentally attacking Reginald Lestrange. You will publically apologise to Henri Reiner and to Reginald Lestrange. Now as a junior agent you would not be charged for using the spell but simply fired for your poor judgement."

Damien burst into tears and Edgar held him.

Fisher continued "I am going to put a magical binding spell on you which will stop you from revealing anything we said today. I will then send you back to Hogwarts where you will finish your schooling, I know examinations start next week. It will be up to Dippet if he takes your Headboy badge. Now young man... you will not be getting away with a slap on the wrist. You will not get life in Azkaban but serve a life of community service.  You will not be entering the Auror programme. Publically you will go on a year-long trip around the world and when you return you will decide to settle down and become a farmer, living on a quiet farm in Kent."

"And in reality?" Edgar asked.

"One of my unspeakables has retired and I have been having a dickens of a time finding a suitable replacement. You will spend the year in training" Fisher looked at unspeakables that stood behind them and then looked back at the boy. "You will train with Aconite and Shadow. They both believe I should give you a chance, so I am giving them the job of making sure you do not stray from the right path. Edgar, I trust you can keep your son Daniel in check and if he proves himself I may decide to recruit him as well" Fisher said.

Edgar thanked him and Fisher nodded.  Fisher then looked at the young lad and said "I am giving you a firm warning, if you continue to side with Albus Dumbledore or if I get any hint you are working with him or spying for him; your family will not be able to help you. You will disappear and Azkaban will seem like a day at the beach. You understand me young man?"

"Yes sir" Damien said quickly.

Fisher nodded "Edgar you may take your son home. Damien good luck in your NEWTs, unspeakables get nothing less than O's."

Fisher, Aconite and Shadow walked out.

Edgar held his crying son in his arms.

............

Harry slept with Fawkes in his arms, he woke when he felt a familiar magic next to him. He looked up and saw the dark hooded unspeakable sitting next to him in his dorm room. None of the other Slytherins woke, not even Fenrir who smelt trouble.

Harry whispered "Dad". He hugged him tightly and then whispered "Is Regi okay?"

Aconite nodded and making sure he had his privacy spell up he spoke to his son.

Up in the Headmaster's quarters Fisher had a talk with Headmaster Dippet.

............

The next morning Headmaster Dippet announced that Damien Bones would be returning to Hogwarts and explained that the boy had been approached the summer before by the DoM as a secret undercover agent to try and find out about a secret recruitment plan by the German Dark Lord. He indicated that it was Damien who had in fact called in the Unspeakables to investigate Reginald Lestrange's attack.

Dumbledore sighed; he knew that Edgar Bones got his son off and out of prison. Part of him was feeling guilty. He knew Damien was really a good boy and did not deserve Azkaban. The Slytherins were upset but Harry seemed to forgive the boy so they did not press the matter. The Gryffindors looked at Damien with higher respect.

Daniel was called home for the weekend and he and Damien came back to school the following Monday. Damien publically apologised to Henri Reiner and Reginald Lestrange and Fawkes. He indicated that what he did was wrong and even though he had been given a certain level of responsibility he had in fact abused it and had put the Gryffindors in danger. He apologised to them as well. He offered to turn in his Headboy badge but Dippet said it was not necessary.

Albus was pleased, however it quickly became obvious to him and to the Gryffindors (and the rest of the school) that Damien and Daniel wanted nothing to do with him again. There were no more schemes, no more attacks on Slytherins and Damien quietly studied for his NEWTs.

The end of term and end of Year one for Harry came. Harry came in fifth in his year but that was mostly because of an abysmal Transfiguration mark. Sarah and Severus had a welcome home party for Harry, Marcus and Fenrir.

They then explained to the four boys that this year they would not be taking any muggleborn for the orientation programme but would be taking an apprentice for their real job. Marcus and Fenrir had been enthralled when they realised that Sarah and Severus were unspeakables. Fenrir had not been so surprised as he had smelt their presence when the unspeakables had come to Hogwarts, but he still found it cool.

They were however a bit taken back when the apprentice turned out to be Damien Bones. Damien had been shocked when he found out who his trainers really were. He knew however that he would not let his family down again. Severus had him physically and mentally training very hard and for the first two weeks it was gruelling but Damien wanted to prove himself. It was easier since it was only Severus and Damien at Reiner Manor. Severus had him in between Reiner Manor and the DoM.

The third week of summer however, they went to Willow Castle. Damien was greeted warmly by Sarah however was met with the cold glares of Harry, Fenrir, Marcus, Tommy and Fawkes (who was not yet an adult). He knew he was in trouble.

Damien's day started before dawn with running around the very large Estate, it was following by hours of physical training. He had magical training and potions training and training in healing and duelling and transfigurations and language training and more academic studies than he ever thought possible. He was shocked however when the young boys would join him at times. Coming from a family of Aurors he knew that sometimes parents would train their children however he was surprised at how much the boys knew; especially Harry.

Sunday came and Damien got a day of rest. He was surprised when Harry and Tommy invited him to go swimming with them. He had to admit that the boys were not as bad as he thought. That is until the boys bound and gagged him, when he drifted off to sleep on the lake shore after swimming and a picnic. He struggled when Fenrir picked him up but he started fighting the binds when he saw where they were taking him.

There were some areas of the castle that Damien knew were off limits, the stairway with the snake pillars was one of them. When Damien saw the glass wall with the serpentarium he screamed for his life (as much as he could scream). Tommy looked at him and told him that he could not expect to attack them and get away with it.

Damien screamed when Harry hissed and the door to the serpentarium opened. There was a large boa waiting by the entrance. Harry hissed and the boa nodded. Damien screamed.

There was a loud pop and Marvolo came in. He hissed and closed the door. The boa hissed and Marvolo hissed back angrily. The boa went away. Marvolo immediately told Fenrir to put Damien down. The werewolf complied and took off the binds.

Marvolo then looked at his grandsons. He grabbed Tommy who was closest and gave him two stinging swats on his backside. Harry got three. Even Fenrir got two. He asked Damien if he was okay and the boy nodded. Marvolo then hissed at his two grandsons angrily and told them to march upstairs. As the boys passed him, they got another swat each.

None of the boys had ever seen their father so angry. It didn't help when Harry said he told Karina to just scare Damien and to make sure that none of the other snakes hurt him. Severus screamed at him. Even Damien who was still shaken by the incident was scared for the boys. Severus wailed on their backsides. Even Marcus got a spanking as he confessed knowing of the plan but had not actually taken part in its execution.

Severus stood looking at Tommy as he slept on his stomach, his face streaked with tear marks. Sarah came in and touched him on his arm. "Am I making a difference Sarah?" Severus said out loud.

"I think you are?"

"There was an incident when Voldemort was a child, he would have been Tommy's age. He tortured two of the orphanage children with a snake. Am I really making a difference?" Severus said.

Sarah nodded "was Voldemort punished for the torture or was he allowed to do it again. Tommy has something that Voldemort did not have; someone to show him right from wrong. Someone to hold him accountable for his actions and someone to pull him back when he goes down the wrong path."

Severus sighed and Sarah asked him "Do you still love Tommy?"

Severus looked at her "Of course I love Tommy, he is my son."

"Well Severus Reiner you have your answer. No child who is truly loved would become the Dark Wizard you fear" Sarah said.

"I hope my love is enough" Severus said.

"It is not just your love Severus; it is my love, Harry's love, Marvolo's love. Surrounded by all of our love, there is no way Lord Voldemort will exist."

Severus nodded and gave his wife a kiss. He then tucked the covers over his sleeping son and kissed the boy's forehead. "Love you my little cobra."

Tommy did not move but Severus saw the small smile and peaceful look on the little boy's face.

-------------

It would be a long time before Damien allowed himself to trust the boys but he actually found himself liking the Slytherin Lord. Marvolo told him the best way to get over his trauma was to face it. Damien used all of his Gryffindor bravery to go with Marvolo and Severus into the serpentarium. Harry and Tommy were also in there but were cleaning out the large room as part of their punishment. Marvolo explained that Karina was unofficially the snake in charge and that she would not have hurt him unless he was attacking the boys. Damien was hesitant but Marvolo went through with him the nature of each snake.

Marvolo showed Damien certain snake fighting techniques and showed him how true Slytherins learnt from the snakes. Marvolo would fight but then turn into a snake and then back again. Damien would watch the man in human form move in the same serpentine manner that he did as a snake. There were things only parselmouths could learn but there were many things that ordinary wizards could learn if they took the time.

Severus then showed the boy how to look at other animals and to copy their movements. Damien watched as Fawkes took flight and moved in the air. He then watched in amazement as Severus also took flight and moved just like Fawkes did. Damien watched as Harry too took to the sky on his broom and moved in the air as his father had.

In the month he had been at Reiner Castle Damien learned more than he had in his life. He considered what they had done as students with Dumbledore and had seen the big difference. As students they really had not learnt anything. Aconite had been right; they were children and had no place in war.

The end of July saw a few changes. The boys started looking more and more at Damien and his training with Severus, Marvolo and even Sarah and slowly came to respect the boy. Tommy and Harry genuinely apologised to him and their treatment of him changed. After speaking with his father and Fisher, Damien asked Severus if his brother Daniel could join them in some training as well. Severus agreed but with conditions. The training would be secret.                                                    

It was two days after Daniel joined their brood when Marcus knocked on Severus' office door. The man was working on an article for the potions journal and looked up curiously at the boy who looked really nervous.

"Hmmm can I speak with you Severus?" Marcus asked.

"Sure anytime Marcus" Severus said.

"Hmmm I was wondering if...." Marcus looked uncomfortable and was silent for a few seconds. Severus did not press him, he knew the boy would talk when he was ready. "My brothers would be eleven now and I know they had magic as well. Is there any way we could check on them?"

"Of course Marcus, I will call John and if you want all three of us could go and check on them" Severus said and Marcus smiled.

Shacklebolt was angry when his son came home, looking like a young Lord but then slowly his anger dissipated as he realised that Marcus really was getting a good education. His son was tall, healthy, well dressed, spoke proper English and was obviously intelligent. Shacklebolt looked at his twin sons Joseph and Joshua and then at Marcus and nodded. John said he would make the arrangements and said he would keep the family and ensure they got the medical treatment they needed. Marcus asked Severus if he could stay with them to help them settle and Severus told him of course.

After testing the two Shacklebolt boys academic ability, it was decided to hold the two back from Hogwarts for a year and use the year to properly train them. It was already less than a month before school started and neither boy knew how to read or write. Marvolo hired Shacklebolt as an assistant in his business. They helped the Shacklebolt family build a small three bedroom house not too far from Marvolo's house in Little Hangleton which was now his business workshop. Marvolo now had a floo and Sarah had no problem in teaching the two boys, so they would floo to Willow Castle or Reiner Manor.

The second week of August the McGonagall family came to spend a week and Damien and Daniel found themselves with three more mischievous boys to deal with and two girls who kept giggling at them. Sarah just laughed when Severus sarcastically told her that she was the one who wanted a large family. Then to Harry and Tommy's delight Uncle Thomas came over for a few days.

Thomas was by now very accustomed to the gasps and astonishments when people found out he was a muggle. Damien and Daniel accepted Sionn and Maggie as they were what they expected muggles to be, pleasant but poor and relatively uneducated. However, Thomas looked like a Lord and spoke with big words and even made fun of their ‘ignorance.' He was like anyone from an old wealthy pureblood family, except he was a muggle.

As an amusing change to their training, Severus had Damien fight with Sionn without magic. Sionn got the notion that the boys were training to be in the ‘army' so was willing to help out. Damien lasted twenty seconds. Daniel seeing his brother get creamed didn't even bother to try and looked at the huge man in fear and respect.

Marvolo came over that evening and told Damien and Daniel that their problem was that they depended too much on their magic and their wand and only developed one half of their being. "Have you ever seen a snake fight with a wand? No. Or a Lion or even a magical creature like a unicorn? Have you ever seen a unicorn backed in a corner, it will use its hooves and its horns and then its magic."

"Or use it in combination" Sarah said and Marvolo nodded.

Later that evening they watched Sionn and Severus fight. Severus did not use his magic and used skill not to defeat the man, as Sionn was not only big and strong but was very skilled, but to hold his own. After they fought for a few minutes (and then a ten minute break) Severus told Sionn he was going to use some magic but not to harm him but as a teaching lesson, Sionn agreed.

Damien and Daniel (and all of the young boys and Minerva) watched Severus and Sionn fight again. Severus did not use a wand but flew up in the air and used wandless magic to create shields and to try and slow down Sionn. Sionn then picking up on the principle of Severus' lesson, picked up a tree branch and used it like a staff. It was amazing to watch and the McGonagall children cheered on their father as he wore Severus down. Severus however was an old warrior himself and turned to magical martial arts. Sionn laughed heartily when Severus turned the branch into a fish. Sionn then threw the fish at the magically exhausted Severus. It was obvious Severus was magically exhausted but he did not give up and got back up. Sionn put up his hands and said the lesson was over.

Severus was exhausted and nodded.

Daniel then said "But if you had a wand..."

"Not every time you would have a wand or your wand could break" Sarah said "you cannot allow yourself to be dependent on only one item."

"And as you can see we muggles are not helpless victims. We have guns for instance that can cause a lot of damage" Thomas said.

"Are you saying a muggle with a gun can beat a wizard with a wand?" Daniel said in disbelief.

"My first husband was injured because of a muggle with a gun" Sarah said and Daniel looked at her apologetically.

Marvolo looked at Daniel. "The first mistake a hunter makes Mr. Bones is thinking its prey will not fight back. And a word to the wise Mr. Bones, the female of the species is often the more deadly, especially when it comes to her young. If I were to attack the McGonagall children it would more likely be Maggie who would kill me than Sionn. Sionn would attack yes, he would try to hurt me and push me away, have me flee. Maggie would take a knife and stick it in my back and not blink. A mother defending her child will probably be the most powerful opponent you will face."

Sarah saw Severus look at Harry.

"You better believe it" Maggie said and they all laughed.

----------

The following day Thomas left for most of the morning and came back in the evening with a set of pistols. Using a vase as a target, he asked Damien (on Severus' count) to cast a magical shield. The vase shattered before the boy could cast the shield. Then Severus had Damien throw his strongest shield over the repaired vase. It took three shots but the shield broke and the vase shattered. Both Daniel and Damien were quiet for the rest of the day.

That night Severus saw Sionn sitting by the lake alone, smoking a pipe. The big man looked up at him and smirked "I have a lot of faults Maggie tolerates, she can't stand the smoke though."

"She is a good woman" Severus said.

"Aye that she is, as is your Sarah" Sionn said.

"Yes, I was blessed with Sarah, she makes me happy" Severus said.

"No plans to add to your brood?" Sionn asked.

Severus gave a far out look and then said "Not yet."  After a few minutes he said "War is on its way."

Sionn nodded "Maggie is worried, she does not have the eye like her Nana but she would look to the East and tell me the wind smells of death."

"I may have to go soon to the East. Sarah is a battle maiden and will fight as will Harry and Tommy. A little one will complicate matters" Severus said.

Sionn nodded and said "I fought in the last war. Me and my brothers, I was the only one to return. When we left we couldn't wait to fight, it was our honour to fight for King and Country as the Scotsmen of old. My brother Duncan would say no German Viking would get the better of a Highlander" Sionn said with a laugh and then got serious. "Before Maggie and I got married I went back and got their bodies and buried them in the highlands. I don't want to bury my sons or have my sons bury me not until they become men."

Severus nodded "I buried both my parents, Harry's mother... when we left our home, everyone was gone... everyone. We are working hard to ensure another war does not happen again... but there are some things you can't fix with a wave of a wand" Severus said.

They were quiet for a while and then Sionn said "I have been thinking of selling the farm."

"Why?"

"My boys... Angus is eleven. He doesn't have any magic... none of the boys do. Heather she shows the sign. I know he was hoping but Maggie says the magic only came to the women. He however wants to go to boarding school like Minerva. He was hoping Father Augustus would have recommended him to the Catholic boy's high school in Edinburgh but the man says he is not smart enough for a scholarship and well we would not be able to afford the fees. Duncan is really smart and could get a scholarship and Malcolm is smart but likes to play... keeps telling me he would stay and work on the farm."

"I would gladly pay for them Sionn" Severus said.

Sionn laughed "I have my pride Severus. What kind of man would I be if I allow another man to mind my sons? No. I was thinking of selling the farm. I already got an offer, the money would pay for Angus to go to school for seven years, for Minerva as well. If Duncan gets a scholarship it would be good. Maggie has an uncle who works in a copper mine in Cornwall and he says the pay is good. It would be more than I get with the farm and I would be able to afford for all the children to go to school. Hopefully by the time Heather is ready Minerva would be almost finished. I want more for my children Severus. Angus wants to be a doctor like Thomas, I don't want to deny him. I do not want that when he is a man he says I could have been great but my father could not provide."

Severus nodded he understood. He looked out on the lake and thought of his own father; he would have been a lucky man if he had someone like Sionn as his father.  He had loved and considered his Minerva as a mother. This man was more his grandfather than Tiberius Prince. "What does Maggie say about all of this?"

"I know she doesn't want to leave the farm but she says it's best for the children."

Severus was quiet and then said "What if you could have both?"

"In what way?"

"The boy Damien... well it is difficult to explain but in essence the Ministry is looking to set him up with a farm. My boss was thinking Kent but Scotland wouldn't be too bad. We buy the farm from you but you work it as a manager of a sort, at least for a year or two. Damien has a year of training to do and then..." Severus ran his hand through his hair thinking of how to explain.

"I was in war Severus, I know a spy in training when I see it" Sionn said and Severus chuckled.  "That and Minerva went on and on about Damien and Daniel the junior undercover agents for weeks" Sionn said.

Severus shook his head "to the public he messed up and was fired and to avoid disgracing his family, he would not become an Auror like his dad but after a year of travel would decide to become a farmer."

Sionn shook his head "He looks like he never even seen a cow."

Severus laughed and then said "Allow us to buy the farm. Manage the farm and help train the boy to keep his cover."

"And to fight for longer than twenty seconds" Sionn said and Severus laughed.  Sionn put out his pipe and stood up "If you are serious, I will talk to Maggie and see what she says."

Severus went the next morning to talk to John. John said it was a better deal than he was thinking and offered Sionn the price he was getting for the farm but in galleons rather than pounds. He also spoke to Edgar who offered Sionn a very attractive salary to manage the farm. Thomas spoke to one of his friends from Cambridge who was on the board of Alumni at Mechiston Boys one of the best boarding schools in Scotland. It was more expensive than Sionn catered but the school was really good and the offer the Ministry gave him made it possible. The school took in boys as young as eight, Sionn and Maggie decided to send both Angus and Duncan but decided to keep Malcolm home for a little while longer.

The night before the boys and Minerva were to return to Hogwarts. John came over and went immediately to Severus' whisky.

"You want to tell me what happened" Severus said.

"I just got word from Germany... William Heinzer is dead; murdered. So were all at the German High Council of Wizard Lords. Morfin supposedly attacked and he and his army have taken over the Ministry. Hitler was named Chancellor this evening" John said taking another glass of whisky.

Severus looked at his friend "So we are heading for war? I had hoped we could have spared the world."

John looked at Severus and said "There seems to be some things you cannot change."

Severus thought of his son Tom and said "There are some I have to. For my sons I will change the future or die trying."