Severus Snape strode out the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his heels tapping out the anger surging through him on the flagstone walkway. The summons from Albus Dumbeldore was no more than the powerful wizard exerting his control of him, reminding Severus of his vow. The urgent meeting had been little more than the headmaster giving Horace Slughorn a forum to exalt his own talents as well as foist his preparatory duties for the new term on him. For Severus to be assigned the duty of preparing the potions bases for Slughorn’s O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. level students in addition to those for his own students was demeaning and designed to put him firmly in his place. To say the atmosphere had been tense would have been an understatement.
Taking several deep breaths, Severus kept walking as the sun hovered at the horizon. He wanted to be out of sight of the castle and its interfering headmaster before he Apparated to the cottage. His chest tightened as Severus thought about his son. Hannah Mays had been more than gracious about watching the toddler for him to attend the unplanned meeting, but Rys had been silent when Severus had left. He wondered if time had meaning for small children as Severus had been gone almost three hours instead of the one he had anticipated. Fear that Rys would be upset made his decision for him and without a backward glance, Severus Apparated home.
Hurrying out the door still clad in his teaching robes, Severus was at the Mays back door in a half-dozen long strides. Hannah looked relieved to see him and ushered him in without a word. Kyler sat in his highchair at the table, his face bearing the evidence of his attempts to feed himself. Severus looked anxiously around for his son, finally spotting him in the far corner by the fireplace. Rys sat with his face buried in his soft unicorn toy, Farsh lying next to him with his head in the toddler’s lap.
“He was fine at first, but then it was as if he decided you weren’t coming back,” Hannah told him quietly.
Severus nodded tightly as he moved to kneel beside his son. The puppy lifted his head and softly growled as if giving Severus his own opinion. Rys lifted his head slowly and Severus was aghast at the haunted look in his son’s red-rimmed eyes. In a blur of motion, Rys hurled himself into his father’s arms and Severus could only press the small trembling body against him. His arms gripped Severus’ throat tightly and he was sure that was what was interfering with his ability to speak. Laying his cheek on the silky hair, Severus rocked back and forth. Silent tears dampened his robes.
A touch on his arm brought Severus’ head up and he met Hannah’s concerned eyes.
“Take Rys home, Severus, we can certainly talk later.”
With a tight nod, Severus stood and made his way back to the cottage, his son holding on to him tightly, the toy wedged between them. Sinking down onto the couch in the darkening sitting room, Severus rubbed slow circles on to Rys’ thin back.
“I told you I would be back,” Severus crooned softly. “I won’t ever willingly leave you again, baby, I promise.”
Rys shifted and Severus eased him back until he could the toddler’s face. The green eyes met his, and Severus felt the barriers he’d held in place for so long slip as his son searched for some reassurance. Severus supported Rys with one hand while the other moved to cup his cheek. Imitating him, Rys brought his hand up and pressed it against Severus’ face.
“Wish, Daddy,” Rys whispered, “wish Daddy here a’ways!”
The anguish in the small voice tore at him. “A part of me will always be with you, sweet boy, I promise.” And Severus wished it to be true with his whole heart.
“Yes, Daddy! Rys wish, too!” His son brightened instantly. “Wish, Daddy, wish!”
The toddler’s face screwed up in concentration, as if his whole being was focused on his wish. Severus closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the child in his arms and the absolute desire that his son always know that Severus was there for him. A flash of heat preceded a sharp surge of magic and Severus’ eyes flew open. His son was haloed in a soft white light that seemed to extend to surround Severus himself, all except the black outlining the jagged scar on Rys’ forehead. In the beat of his heart, the light was gone and Rys’ face lit up with happiness.
“Tank you, Daddy.” Rys settled back against him, his soft toy suddenly back in his hand.
Severus could only sit and stare down at the smooth raven hair as his mind tried to decipher what had just happened. Had Rys evoked Wish Magic? One of the rarest and most difficult forms of magic, it required a deep seated desire and exceptional power to achieve the desired
result. While he had no doubt that his child desperately desired the security of having him there, Severus wasn’t sure Rys had the magical power necessary at his young age to have truly perform wish magic. Surely even a combination of their magic couldn’t have made the flare of pure magic that Severus had seen.
“Daddy, Rys have ‘take?” A small, hopeful voice asked.
Pulling him from his introspective, Severus looked down into the bewitching eyes and smiled. He lifted Rys from his lap and kissed him noisily on the nose before standing in one fluid motion.
“May I have some cake?” Severus reminded his son as he moved towards the kitchen.
“Yes, Daddy,” came the solemn response.
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The nightmare surged within his mind and even realizing that it was a nightmare did not stop the terror from seizinghim in an iron grip. He was frozen in place, forced into watching in horror as Rys struggle to escape from Albus Dumbledore’s long-reaching grasp. Every time the child would begin to break away, the dark image of Lord Voldemort would emerge like a wispy vapor from the lightning bolt scar, pulling his son away from Dumbledore in a macabre type of tug-a-war. Severus struggled against the invisible spell that bound him tightly, the anguish tearing at his chest.
“Daddy?”
Small fingers prodded his eyes, attempting to open them for Severus as his started awake, his heart thundering in his chest. Silvery tears slid down Rys’ cheeks, gleaming in the predawn light. Seeing his father’s eyes pop open, the child awkwardly patted his face in an attempt to comfort him. Severus reached up, pulling Rys against his chest in a gesture of quiet desperation.
Neither of them had much experience at being comforted, but he was able to recognize his son’s intent.
“Bad d’eam, Daddy?” Rys asked softly, one hand still patting Severus’ cheek.
“Yes, sweet boy, a very bad dream.” Severus told his son as he stroked the silky hair. “But you are here now and all is well.”
Rys slipped his arms around Severus’ neck and snuggled against him with a yawn. “Good, Daddy.”
The toddler immediately fell asleep and Severus slowly calmed down. Trying not to think of the implications his dream held, Severus was finally able to sleep with his son wrapped protectively in his arms.
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“Rys seems to have recovered from his distress.” Phillip Mays commented casually as he sipped his tea.
Severus’ eyes followed his son as he ran through the grass, playing with Kyler and Farsh. Delighted laughter floated back to the fathers as the boys chased each other and the corgi tried to chase both of them at once. His son had seemed to bounce back quickly from the incident two days before; Severus on the other hand was still a bit bewildered. Closing his eyes, Severus could feel the small pulsating kernel of magic that seemed to have taken root in his chest since Rys had made his ‘wish’ on his birthday. The magic reassured him that the child was fine and happy at the moment and was decidedly unsettling to Severus.
“Have you ever experienced wish magic, Phillip?”
The healer looked at him sharply before turning his eyes back on the two boys. “I’ve heard if it, certainly, and have seen a lot of accidental magic in children that is attributed as wish magic.”
“And if I told you that Rys wished on his birthday that a part of me would always be with him and now I can feel a link between us?” Severus still watched his son’s animated face.
There was a pause before Phillip seemed to answer with carefully chosen words. “I would believe with his history that your son is powerful enough and determined enough to be able to accomplish wish magic as well as a familial bond of that type.”
Severus’ head snapped up and he stared at the healer, as the true meaning of the words sunk in. A large hand settled on his arm and tightened slightly as Severus made to yank his arm away.
“You asked me to act as your son’s healer, Severus,” Phillip said quietly, “and that carries an oath as strong as any Unbreakable Vow. I merely put together the facts as I know them, from the inseparable friendship you shared with his mother; to the glimpse of the scar I saw when I examined him. Based on those observations and the strength of the magic young Rys has, I do believe that he could handily accomplish wish magic.”
Taking a deep breath to try and calm his thundering heart, Severus met the pale blue eyes, searching them for any deceit. “He and I have much to lose, as you know from your examination. I will do anything to protect my son.”
“As you should, Severus,” the healer dropped his hand but didn’t look away. “My parents chose to emigrate with my sister and I so that we wouldn’t get caught up in the Death Eaters rhetoric that turned my older brother against our family. My mother was Muggle-born, you see.”
Severus nodded his panic easing a bit at the healer’s words. It was not the first instance he had heard of the Dark Lord’s beliefs ripping families apart. His bastard of a father had his own perverse prejudices, hatred based on religion and genetics - much like Tom Riddle’s insanely
fanatical beliefs of pure-blood supremacy despite being a half-blood. Yet, Severus had made no attempt to hide the fact that his father had been a Muggle, and it had never seemed an issue when he was serving as the Dark Lord’s chief potions Master.
“I remember your devotion to his mother, Severus, and hers to you. You loved her very much, it seemed.”
“Desperately,” Severus admitted softly, seeing Lily in his son’s flushed cheeks and eyes alive with laughter. “She thought her husband dead when she came to me for comfort. Lily would have never knowingly betrayed him.”
“Your son was conceived in love, Severus, which makes the bond that much stronger, despite the unfortunate circumstances of the past eight months.”
“He is desperately afraid that he will be sent back, Phillip,” Severus added, “which would make the wish to be with me always hold so much power for him.”
“Precisely,” nodded the healer as the two little boys shrieked with laughter again and headed back towards them. “His magic is very strong and has manifested itself early, no doubt due to his unique circumstance.”
“Daddy!” Rys squealed, throwing himself at Severus as the corgi nipped at his ankles.
Catching the little boy, Severus swung him around in a circle, his son’s jubilant laughter bringing a smile to his face. Rys wrapped his arms around Severus’ neck, giggling madly as his silky hair stuck to his damp forehead. Kyler ran around his father, dropping into the grass where the puppy jumped on him and began licking his face. Phillip Mays chuckled at his son’s antics as Severus ran his hand down Rys’ back, finding his shirt damp with sweat. The child needed play clothes like the light weight shirt and sturdy shorts Kyler was wearing, as well as a pair of trainers. Rys wiggled in his arms, leaning over to give Severus a sloppy kiss on the cheek.
Phillip bent down to pick-up his squealing son, groaning as he settled the barefoot three-year-old on his hip. “I’m going to be in trouble for letting him get this wound-up so close to tea time,” the healer muttered to Severus. “Next time I am home, I’d like to examine that scar a little closer, Severus, if I may – there is something odd about it, almost as if there is foreign matter imbedded in it.”
Severus nodded as he noisily kissed the toddler on the nose. Phillip reached over and patted Rys on the head before throwing Severus an encouraging smile and disappeared through the hedge, Farsh dancing at his heels. Rys turned his head and lifted his hand in a hesitant wave as Kyler waved enthusiastically back.
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The owl soared in through the open door as Severus was giving Rys his bath, the sleek black eagle owl as dignified as its owner. The bird perched unruffled on the edge of the tub as his son cooed and stroked the soft feathers with wet fingers. Wondering with a touch of apprehension at what his solicitor wanted, Severus took the thick scroll tied to the owl’s leg. Slipping it into his pocket, he wrapped the squirming toddler in a towel and headed for the kitchen as Rys had deemed it his responsibility to dispense owl treats. Socrates followed obediently and Severus smothered a smile as he gingerly took the slightly soggy treat gently from the small fingers.
It wasn’t until Severus had read Rys a story, something Hannah had suggested he try as a way to ease the child into sleep, and tucked him in that he remembered the message. Retreating to the sitting room, Severus poured himself a finger of firewhiskey and settled into his chair before he opened the scroll. is eyes
His eyes scanned rapidly through the salutation and the short paragraph that followed before blinking in surprise and going back to reread the missive slowly.
It seemed someone wanted to buy his interest in Grunnings. Severus’ eyes narrowed at the carefully worded message, reading the unstated urgency in what wasn’t said as he learned that an appointment had been made for the first thing in the morning. Summoning a quill, Severus used the back side of the missive to quickly pen an acknowledgement, before whistling for the owl
who was still loitering in the kitchen. Fastening the parchment securely, Severus leaned back in his chair as he stared unseeingly at the last rays of the setting sun. Something about this news made him fear for his son’s safety and Severus shuddered as his mind conjured up possibilities.
Shaking his head, Severus stood and set his empty glass on the side table. Sitting here would not dislodge the dire thoughts swirling in his mind, but brewing might and he still had all the base potions to make for the coming term. A couple hours of concentration would keep his mind and hands busy, leaving him little time to dwell on nefarious, and imagined, plots. Rys needed some additional clothing and Severus wanted to get him some books as the toddler has been enthralled by the books Hannah had loaned them. How easily Severus forgot the existence his son had endured for the past eight months would have been devoid of anything that would have enriched him or encourage his intelligence.
Flooing directly to the Leaking Cauldron the next morning, Severus held Rys tightly against his chest. His son whimpered softly at the effect the prolonged spinning had on his empty stomach. Severus stepped gracefully out of the fireplace, keeping the light cloak in place that he’d used to protect Rys from the soot and marched out the front door into Muggle London. A wave of noise and unpleasant smells assaulted him as Severus moved determinately down the walk. Once he was sure they were no longer in sight of the pub, Severus slowed his pace. Lifting the cloak, Severus wasn’t surprised to see the wary green eyes that blinked up at him. A muttered spell shrank the cloak and Severus shifted the toddler to his hip to brush a hand reassuringly through the straight, raven hair so like his own.
“Daddy?”
“It’s all right, sweet boy,” Severus told him quietly, straightening the simple white shirt. “Is your stomach feeling better now?”
Rys nodded, leaning into his father’s side as he looked around curiously, content to let his father carry him in this unfamiliar place it seemed. There were a fair number of people already walking briskly along the sidewalk, all dressed similarly in dark suits and Severus barely
contained a sneer at the Muggle sense of convention. Rys’ hand tightened where it rested on the sleeve of his frock coat and Severus felt a stab of guilt as he stepped back into the flow of pedestrians. A walk of several blocks brought them to the front of an elegant old building with a small Parisian-style café on the sidewalk. The morning was warm, despite the early hour and Severus chose a table in the far corner which would give him view of anyone walking along the sidewalk.
Seating the toddler beside him, Severus ordered a light breakfast from an impossibly cheerful girl no older than himself who fawned over Rys in excess. His son moved back from her when the girl looked like she was going to pat him on the head, both relieved as she walked away. Severus reached over and laid a reassuring hand on Rys’ arm and his son turned uncertain eyes on him. The apprehension visible in them was palatable and Severus couldn’t help but wonder if he was actually feeling the backwash of Rys’ anxiety through the bond the boy had initiated between them.
“It will be fine, sweet boy,” Severus reassured him quietly. “We will eat a bit and then go to my appointment. After that, I am going to take you shopping and we’ll get you some shorts like Kyler’s, all right?”
Rys nodded, his face lighting up and Severus was relieved to see some of fear fading from the green eyes. Did the boy think he was being sent back? He spoke quietly, pointing out all manner of things to the child who hung on his every word. Severus tried not to bristle at Rys’ obvious unfamiliarity with everyday sights and sounds. The smallest things seemed to matter the most to Rys, like Severus sharing his porridge and fresh fruit, allowing his son to ‘feed’ him. It was relatively easy to entertain the child even as Severus kept an alert eye on the crowds that flowed pass the café. The engaging, playful child that emerged from behind the wall of fear warmed Severus’ heart.
Leading Rys up the two flights of stairs, he stopped in front of the highly polished wood door, which delighted the toddler as it opened to Severus’ touch. The interior of the solicitor’s office reflected the lucrative practice that spanned both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Rys
had a bemused look on his face as he sank down into the thick carpeting and gazed around at the antique fill reception room. Edging closer, his fingers tightening around Severus’, the child leaned against his father’s leg as a well-dressed man appeared in front of them.
“Good morning, Severus and who is this very handsome young man with you?”
Pride surged through Severus when Rys didn’t shrink back from the solicitor, his grip tightening on Severus’ trousers the only sign of his discomfort. “Good morning, Bernard, I would like you to meet my son, Rys.”
Severus hand smoothed the hair on the back of the toddler’s head as the other man crouched down.
“I am pleased to meet you, young Master Snape,” Bernard said formally and Severus felt Rys’ head nod against his leg, but the boy didn’t relinquish his grip on Severus’ hand.
His former house-mate stood and ushered them into his elegantly appointed office. Bernard McBride represented his clients in both the wizarding and Muggle world and did it very successfully. He’d been a year ahead of Severus at Hogwarts and had managed the Snape family funds since they had passed into Severus’ control on his father’s death four years ago. Although trained as a solicitor, Bernard had a remarkable insight into money management and Severus had profited steadily over the years. It had been Bernard’s wise investments that had enabled Severus to have the funds to free his son from his abusive situation. Settling himself in the comfortable leather couch, Severus lifted Rys to sit beside him as Bernard set tea and a plate of biscuits on the low table in front of him.
“He seems to be adjusting, Severus,” the solicitor handed him a teacup.
Severus took it with a nod of thanks and blew across the surface, before taking a cautious sip. “Slowly, there was even more…damage than I had thought, but he seems resilient.”
McBride sat back in a matching leather chair and carefully sipped his tea, his eyes never leaving Rys face. The child sat quietly, hands folded in his lap as he carefully looked at the room from under his lashes, amusing Severus with the show of curiosity. Leaning forward, he chose a shortbread biscuit and extended it to his son. The boy flashed him a small smile before carefully taking it and leaning back against him, looking around the room more openly.
“You said you had an offer for my shares of Grunnings?” Severus prompted the other man as he brushed crumbs off his fingertips.
“Ah, yes,” Bernard set his tea down and summoned a file from his desk.
A flick of his wand at the door, and Severus knew that a strong silencing charm had been cast it. He raised an eyebrow at his companion.
“The offer I received is for over twice the amount you paid, Severus.”
That surprised Severus as he had paid well over the market value for his fifty-five percent of the manufacturing company just over six months prior.
“Have they developed some sort of revolutionary new type of drill?” Severus didn’t try to keep the scorn out of his voice.
“Not that I am aware of,” Bernard replied dryly. “Also, the offer was made through Pollux Burke, without naming exactly who he is making the offer for.”
A frown furrowed Severus’ brow. “Pollux Burke? The pure-blood squib who is related to the Blacks and the Malfoys?”
“As well as the majority of the pure-blood Wizarding families, yes.”
It felt like a huge hand had taken his chest in a crushing grip as Severus’ mind whirled at the implications. If any of his former associates had found the whereabouts of Harry Potter, the Dursleys would be in jeopardy along with his secret. If Albus Dumbledore became concerned about his precious Boy Who Lived, then he and his son could be in danger themselves. An insistant tugging on his sleeve brought his focus back outward and he tried to offer Rys a reassuring smile. The toddler gave him a solemn look as he crawled up into Severus lap and leaned against his chest.
“How did they find out?”
Bernard shot him an incredulous look. “Do you think that the likes of Lucius Malfoy wouldn’t have been searching for the boy since that night in Godric’s Hallow? That the Dark Lord’s most avid supporters would take his demise philosophically and not try to exact revenge on the person who caused? What did you think they would do?”
“As my paramount concern was staying out of Azkaban, even as I was trying to ensure the safety of my son,” Severus said softly, bringing his arm around Rys. “I had also been revealed as a spy by Albus Dumbledore, which didn’t invite contact by the remaining Death Eaters.”
Bernard nodded his understanding before setting his teacup down retrieving a Muggle-style file folder. “There were those to whom galleons were means to exoneration and freedom, Severus. It is those same wizards, I am sure, who are now offering you an exorbitant amount of money for controlling interest in a Muggle manufacturing company whose director happens to be the uncle of the Boy Who Lived.”
“Exorbitant?”
“A bit over 300,000 galleons - after my fee, of course.”
“Of course,” Severus agreed automatically, his mind trying to sort through the more subtle meanings in offering such a staggering amount, even as a feeling of disquiet stole over him. “They believe they have found him.”
“Dumbledore’s placement of the child was no secret, my friend, but at the same time, the old bastard made it clear that the protections he had in place were too strong for anyone to break.”
Taking a deep breath, Severus concluded that it was now just a matter of time before someone attempted to breach the blood wards that Dumbledore had erected around the house in Surrey. “You accepted the offer, then?”
A shrewd smile curved the corners of Bernard’s mouth as he tapped a well manicured fingernail on the top of the folder. “Not the first offer, this is actually the second and yes, I accepted it on your behalf.”
With that kind of money, Severus wouldn’t have to be concerned about providing financial security for his son. It would be one less worry for him, especially after liquidating the majority of his assets in his scheme to gain custody of Rys. Now, if he could just be assured that same custody was irrevocable, Severus would feel more secure. It wouldn’t matter what Albus Dumbledore demanded if Severus’ claim was solid and gave him the upper hand. Regardless of the solidity, the money would also provide the means needed if an escape became necessary, Severus thought grimly.
“I took the liberty of splitting the funds and putting half in your Gringott’s vault and the other half in the Muggle bank account you have.”
Severus looked at his former housemate, wondering briefly if the man was a Legilimens. “Excellent idea, Bernard, and thank you for utilizing your exceptional negotiation skills, again, which leaves the only thing left to secure is that I am indeed Rys’ biological father.”
Leaning forward and wrapping himself protectively around his son, Severus tried to communicate the urgency he felt. “Is there a way to do that, Bernard? Have the Muggles come up with a way to establish paternity as a certainty? We need to do this quickly, before anything is found amiss in Surrey.”
The solicitor tapped his finger against the file folder thoughtfully. “There are some new tests that I recently had done for another case which use blood typing to determine paternity. I used it successfully in an inheritance challenge. I also think it a wise idea to place a copy of the abuse you witnessed and the condition you found him in as Pensieve proof is readily accepted if copied by a healer certified in mind healing.”
Shuddering at the idea of subjecting his son to Muggle needles and himself to a mind-probe, Severus nevertheless was determined to use any means available to him. “Can you make the arrangements?”
“Yes, I actually use an excellent Muggleborn healer from a private clinic here in London who can do both. I’m sure I could have her here by tea time.”
Rys squirmed in his arms and Severus lifted him out of his lap. The child slid off the couch to stand next to him, edging slightly towards the plate of biscuits. Completely oblivious to the seriousness of the discussion, the toddler was nevertheless staying close to Severus leg, even as he looked wistfully at the treats. So much had been denied the boy in his short life that Severus reached out and drew the plate closer, giving his son something he’d not often experienced, a choice. A shy smile lit the little face as Rys carefully chose a chocolate digestive. He looked up through a strand of hair to make sure Severus approved, before nibbling on a corner of the biscuit.
“Go, Severus, and enjoy your son,” the solicitor said with a smile. “I will see you at tea time.”
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Three hours later, Severus had a new respect for the unlimited energy wasted on small children. Rys tackled their shopping trip with seemingly boundless energy as he skipped around his father as they walked a number of long blocks into the heart of London’s shopping district. Still too quiet for a toddler, Rys had finally understood that Severus wanted him to indicate which clothing he liked better. The biscuits he’d consumed in Bernard’s office no doubt fueled some of the exuberance, but Severus himself was to blame when he discovered Rys had never before tasted ice cream. It was worth the price to watch the boy become alive.
Furtively watching the antics of other children in the posh London department store, Severus was appalled at the permissive behavior of some parents. A child of undetermined gender launched into loud screaming tirade when denied an expensive bobble of some kind. The boorish behavior had Rys clinging to his trouser leg in fright. Thank Merlin it was their last stop, Severus thought as he lifted his son into his arms.
It was only then that he noticed the hideous lime-green tee shirt that Rys had grasped tightly in his hand. The garish color made Severus’ eyes water and he opened his mouth to offer a scathing opinion of the shade, just as the toddler turned towards him with hopeful eyes. Hesitating, Severus realized for all Rys’ enthusiasm the child had not asked for anything all day. He had immediately deferred to everything Severus has suggested and it dawned on the Potions master that his son had never been allowed to ask for anything and had no idea how to.
“Would you like this shirt, sweet boy?” Severus asked softly.
Rys’ nodded, his green eyes huge in his solemn face. “Pwease, Daddy?”
Severus could feel the stiffness in the little body and knew that his son was terrified that he was somehow in trouble for daring to ask.
“If you are sure, son,” he held the toddler closer, “or you may chose another of any color you would like.”
“’tis one, Daddy.”
An over-helpful chit of a sales clerk encouraged Rys to wear the shirt out of the store and his son fairly glowed with happiness when Severus capitulated. It wasn’t until the toddler put it on that Severus saw the picture of a snake on the front, Severus rolling his eyes over the little boy’s head. It was only when Rys stumbled that Severus noticed the exhaustion etched into his face. Stepping into a shadowed alcove, Severus quickly charmed one bag with wizard-space and slid the other bags into it before lifting Rys into his arms. The little boy sighed and melted against him, rousing himself enough to kiss Severus on the cheek.
“T’ank you, Daddy.”
It was a relief to get back to the cool cottage outside Hogsmeade and Severus sighed as he stepped out of the Floo with Rys still sound asleep in his arms. Carrying Rys up to his room, Severus gently laid the toddler down, sitting on the edge of his bed to take off the new trainers. Leaning closer, he brushed a strand of fine hair away from the jagged scar on his son’s forehead. The angry redness of the mark had drawn the healer’s attention just as it had Phillip May’s and Severus had become suddenly concerned for both their safety as the woman bent to examine it closer. Bernard had stayed his wand hand and pulled him aside to assure Severus of the witch’s Unbroken Vow of Silence to him. It had been reassuring at the least.
Rys stirred in his sleep, throwing his arm out across the duvet and making the small puncture wounds in his skin visible. The slightly raised areas had some faint purpling and would soon fade. His son had taken the needle jabs in stoic silence, his hand tightening around Severus’ fingers the only sign of his discomfort. The healer’s dark eyes had softened at Rys’ shy manner and easy acceptance of her. Severus had been proud of the toddler’s composure and his heart had swelled at the way Rys had basked in his quiet praise. Severus was equally thankful when the child fell asleep as the healer began the preparation to copy the memories that were so critical to their case. It had been hard enough for Severus to pull them forward and relive them, reminding him of his failure to protect his son, even as Rys lay sprawled beside him on the couch, sleeping peacefully.
The witch had been appalled and angered by Severus’ tight-lipped descriptions of the scenes she was to copy, her own mouth set in a hard line as she used Bernard’s Penseive to verify each memory before sealing them in separate, marked vials. Severus was relieved by the professional demeanor the healer, introduced only as Lotus, displayed but he could see the stain of red displeasure beneath her dark skin. A terse reminder to him to check the toddler’s immunizations, both Wizard and Muggle, brought Phillip Mays’ name to his lips almost defensively and the witch had given him a slight smile as she nodded her approval. Severus made a mental note to check with the man as soon as he was able.
Leaning down, Severus kissed Rys’ forehead, before rising to begin to put away the clothing he’d bought. The thoughts that he had managed to suppress since that morning forced their way to the surface: Lucius Malfoy meant to kill Harry Potter. The implications were staggering and potentially deadly for them both. Purchasing the drill manufacturing plant was the first step in getting to the Boy Who Lived, as Severus knew. Had he not taken the steps he had last December, his son very possibly would have disappeared without anyone the wiser.
Severus made his way down to the sitting room and poured himself two fingers of scotch before collapsing into his chair. Leaning his head back against the high back, Severus stared at the unlit hearth. Albus Dumbledore had not check on Harry Potter since the night he’d left the fifteen-month-old on a cold doorstep in the middle of the night. It was just as obvious that whatever bloodwards the headmaster had set on the house didn’t depend on the child being there. Given that, there was no reason to believe that Dumbledore or anyone else would discover what Malfoy was up to, any more than he’d found out that his son had been gone for weeks.
Although something told Severus that a man of Lucius’ cunning would not simply stop at buying a controlling interest in Grunnings. Severus’ worry was the length that a trusted member of the Dark Lord’s inner circle would go to in order to seek revenge. Alice and Frank Longbottom’s fate flashed through his mind and Severus shuddered. He would go to any length
to keep his son safe, Severus vowed, including going into hiding in the Muggle world far from Scotland.
His mind whirled with possible contingency plans as he tried to calculate how much time they had before Rys was discovered missing and how quickly he could put the necessary arrangements in place. Severus was unaware of the passage of time until a slight warm weight wiggled its way into his lap. Looking down, Severus found his son had divested himself of all his clothing with the exception of his new shirt. A pair of red shorts in the toddler’s hand told Severus what had happened and he felt inordinately thrilled at the absolutely normal thing for a two-year-old to do.
“Daddy?”
“Even new shorts require pants underneath them, son,” Severus said gravely, allowing a smile to curve the corners of his lips as he banished his frantic thoughts to the back of his mind.
Rys blinked uncertainly for a moment before erupting in giggles. Severus embraced him tightly, his heart swelling as the small arms slid around his neck, hugging him back. Cupping the back of the small dark head, Severus found he needed to take several deep breaths as long unused emotions welled up. They would manage, the two of them, Severus knew as he felt the strength of the love they were building and of the unspoken bond between them.
Standing, Severus patted the small arse gently. “Well, my son, shall we see to pants and then some tea?”
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The next week passed quickly but quietly, despite the unsettled feeling that kept Severus’ sleep restless. Knowing that the acquisition by Lucius could well be completed within days and the man wasn’t known for his patience, Severus began immediately with his own arrangements. Whatever nefarious plans were being laid, Lucius Malfoy would strike with the swiftness and
deadly accuracy of the cobra the Dark Lord was always fond of. Severus knew he had to be ready.
It took three days to brew the potions he felt necessary and pack essential equipment. An owl to Bernard brought soothing reassurances that everything they had discussed was being taken care of and an elderly house-elf who transported Severus’ specialized potions and ingredients to a place his solicitor had deemed safe. A conversation with Hannah Mays reassured Severus that his son would have gotten his most important inoculations during his first year and Phillip would bring the few Rys had missed on his next weekend off. Those items with special meaning went into a small rucksack that Severus had charmed with Wizard space. Rys thought it great fun to put all his clothing into the bag with his Daddy’s.
Picking up on Severus’ worry, Rys had been clingy and Severus had done his best to assure his son that everything would be fine. One particularly stressful afternoon, Severus had lost all patience and snapped at the toddler and Rys had backed himself into a corner, silent tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight had brought a spasm of pain to Severus’ chest, and he’d joined his son on the floor, explaining as best he could the situation in. The little wizard narrowed his eyes at the possibility of someone separating them and Severus could feel the magic stirring in him.
“No, Daddy ‘tay with me!” His son insisted, climbing into Severus’ lap. “My Daddy!”
“Yes, sweet boy,” Severus hugged him. “I will always be here with you.”
“Good boy!” Rys patted his cheek, mimicking Severus and pulling a smile from somewhere deep inside him.
Saturday dawned bright and unusually warm, prompting Severus to put aside everything else and spend the morning in the garden with Rys. It was a relief to see the toddler running across the bit of lawn, chasing a small butterfly as Severus watched. The Mays were due home from London that afternoon, Hannah having taken Kyler there to meet Phillip. Severus had invited
them all for tea, much to Rys’ delight, although he suspected it was as much for the fairy cakes and finger sandwiches he’d made up as for the company.
The babble of toddler-speak washed over him as Rys tried to coax the butterfly closer and squealed as it flew away. Severus took a deep breath, savoring the fragrance of the flowering herbs and bushes. Bernard had owled him an emergency Portkey yesterday, Severus’ fingers sliding into the pocket of his trousers for the hundredth time, to reassure himself it was still there. It was reassuring to him, knowing he had a method of escape should the worse happen. There had been no word from either Severus’ or the solicitor’s contacts in the Ministry and enough time had elapsed that Severus was feeling chagrined at his initial panic.
“Daddy? ‘M hungry.”
Rys leaned against his leg and Severus reached down to finger comb the tangled hair back into place. “I think a bit of lunch and then a nap would be good before Kyler arrives to play with you.”
Nodding enthusiastically, the toddler ran ahead of him and up the stairs to wash his hands. Severus headed into the kitchen to warm some of the stew they’d had for dinner the night before.
“Severus!”
Albus Dumbledore’s urgent voice rang through the cottage and Severus’ heart froze in his chest. Rys! His son was still upstairs with the most powerful wizard alive standing between them. Dropping the bowl onto the counter, Severus took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway to find his employer pacing uninvited in the sitting room.
“Professor Dumbledore, what brings you here?” Severus quickly checked his Occlumency shields as the piercing blue eyes turned on him.
“There seems to be a problem in Surrey, Severus,” Dumbledore spoke in an even voice just tinged with urgency. “I’d very much appreciate it if you would go sort it out.”
Severus slid his hand into his pocket, grasping the Galleon and forced out passed the heart now thudding in his throat. “A problem?”
“A source in the Ministry has advised me that the Dursleys have vanished, their house has been abandoned, and of Harry, there is no sign.”
A Ministry official, indeed. Severus knew Lucius’ handiwork when he saw it. He casually eased along the wall towards the stairs, keeping an impassive mask in place as Dumbledore began to pace again. If he could just get closer to the stairs, Severus knew he could grab his son and be gone in an instant, knowing that Rys had to have over-heard the older wizard’s raised voice.
“It seems the house was sold and vacated in the middle of the night…” Dumbledore said, as if it were beyond belief.
“What of the bloodwards?” Severus tried but failed to keep the sneer out of his voice, all the time slowly edging towards the steps.
“There was apparently no overt threat to trigger them, Severus. The protections in place had nothing to do with the Dursleys’ choices or actions, only something that directly threatened the boy’s wellbeing.” The blue eyes narrowed at him. “I need you to go immediately to Little Whinging and attempt to locate Lily’s son, Severus.”
Wincing at the pointed reminder more out of habit than anything, Severus inclined his head. “As you wish, Headmaster.”
“This is of the upmost urgency, Severus, and I do mean immediately.”
There was no benevolence in the usually jovial wizard’s demeanor and Severus drew his hand out of his pocket, Portkey held tightly against his palm. He was not leaving without his son, no matter what it took to get up the stairs. A movement midway up caught Severus’ eye and he silently pled with his son to stay hidden.
“Severus? Is there a problem?” Albus Dumbledore stopped his pacing in front of the hearth and turned to face him.
“Not at all, Headmaster, I simply need to get…”
Without so much as a blink from the old wizard, Severus found himself immobilized and the prod of forced Legilimency. Grasping the surge of panic and using it to augment his shields, Severus was able to withstand the agonizing probe. A gasp of pain from his left startled both of the adults and Severus struggled desperately with his frozen muscles.
“Hurting Daddy!” Rys stepped into sight, arms held rigidly by his side and his eyes fixed on Albus Dumbledore.
The blue eyes flickered over his son’s face, ready to dismiss the intrusion as unimportant until Severus saw the edge of lightning bolt visible through a strand of hair.
“No wonder you were reluctant to go check on your beloved son, Severus,” Dumbledore brought his wand up as he took a step towards the toddler. “You have already broken your vow to Lily and to me, which is unfortunate and ill-timed, but it does save me from looking for the boy. I will see that he is returned to the Dursleys without any memory of this adventure or you.”
Severus’ eyes shifted between the raised wand and his little boy, a sharp pain piercing his chest. Rys lost all the color in his face and his eyes seemed to glow with the anger Severus could feel welling inside him. The wand twitched just as Rys threw out his hand towards Albus Dumbledore.
“No! Go away!” The toddler screamed.
A look of bewilderment flashed across Dumbledore’s face and he was thrown back into the fireplace where he disappeared in a burst of green flame. Suddenly free of the body-bind, Severus dove for his son, scooping him into his arms as he sprinted up the step. Muttering reassuring words quietly in the trembling toddler’s ear, Severus summoned the soft toy Rys had dropped and shoved it into the rucksack. Slinging one strap over his shoulder, Severus held Rys tightly and pressed the Galleon against his hand as he whispered the word to activate it.
“Lily!”
A familiar tug behind his navel told Severus that he had succeeded in getting them safely away. Now, all he could do was hold on and wait to see where the Portkey took them.