A/N: Well, the wait wasn't so long this time. :) Go me! :D Anyway, this part is rather .um slashy. It's nothing graphic, mind. But it is there. It's not a prominent part of the story, just this chapter. If you are uncomfortable with slash, then you should take your leave now. Because the slash I am sticking in here will pop up every no and then.

And *beats head* I KEEP PUTTING *FIFTH* YEAR EVERYWHERE! GRR! Please ignore it. I've written so many fifth year fics that writing a third year fic was kinda hard. And I read through the story last night and smacked myself every time I saw Sirius there. Lol. So yeah. Ignore mentions of Sirius and fifth year at this point.

Sirius will make an appearance eventually. :) No worries.

**A big thanks to all my reviewers! I appreciate every single one of you! And it's wonderful to know that I have 300 reviews. It means a lot to me. Thank you all! :-D**

Disclaimer- Harry Potter characters, events and places do not belong to me. The first set of lyrics belong to Lifehouse (Unknown) and the second set belong to Evanescence (Field Of Innocence).

Enjoy and don't forget to review!!

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The minutes seemed to stretch into eternity as Severus held his son tightly. The boy had stopped babbling mindlessly only seconds ago. Now he was just breathing, and clutching his father's sleeve tightly. Lucius had walked in with Draco at that moment, the elder blonde looked rather angered while the younger looked distraught.

"No one does this to a Malfoy. And certainly not some egotistical half-blood," he spat hatefully as he stroked his son's silver locks soothingly.

Severus nodded absently as he pulled his own son closer, "There isn't anything we can do about it."

Lucius stared at him, "What do you mean there is nothing we can do? We won't let them go!"

"Don't be daft, Lucius. My father is his right hand man. Voldemort will find us, kill us and then take our sons. Do you really want that?" Snape snapped.

The blonde glared at Severus, but didn't say anything because he was right. There was nothing he could do but dissuade Voldemort from wanting his boy.

Emrys looked up at his father, "Father, what's going to happen?"

Severus who usually always had an answer for every single one of his son's questions but this time, he had no idea what to say, he looked down at his son's expectant face, "I don't know, Emrys, I just don't know."

~*~*~

The winter holidays passed without event. Neither Emrys or Severus were summoned by the Dark Lord and both were immensely grateful for that fact. Emrys had buried himself in his school work in hopes to forget about what happened over the holidays. There were pros and cons to this, however. He had isolated himself from his father and Draco, hoping that if he wasn't around, he wouldn't be forced into the anything he didn't want to and Salazar wouldn't be able to find him. The good thing about hitting the books was that his grades were steadily going up.

It was snowing heavily on January 14th, Emrys was hunched over a desk in an abandoned classroom as he worked on his Transfiguration homework. He had two feet already but he was just getting into it and his extra research had helped him explain the subject easier. He knew Professor McGonagall liked thorough, in depth papers.

Just as he was putting the finishing touches on his paper, his arm burst into pain. His hand spasmed and he dropped his quill. He pulled his sleeve back and touched it gingerly.

He stood up and rushed down to the dungeons. He rushed into his father's room without preamble, "Father! It burns! It burns!"

Severus nodded as his own mark flared to life, "Come, Emrys, he is calling us." He wrapped his fingers around his son's slim wrist reassuringly, and together they made their way off the grounds.

~*~*~

Emrys was led into the Dark Lord's chambers by a nameless Death Eater. He hung near the door, not knowing what he was to do. He contented himself with looking around the room. And what a grand room it was. It was a very large room, painted dark green with a black carpet. There was a large, very large bed near the back wall. It had green and silver sheets and many pillows. There was also a large wardrobe, a handsome desk, a few tables and chairs, an impressive fireplace and some glass doors which Harry guessed led to a balcony.

"Emrys so glad you could come " A deep voice purred.

Emrys looked around wildly until his eyes fell upon a man with olive skin, forest green eyes, and messy black hair. Tom Riddle. Only older. Much older. Emrys could see a few strands of grey within the black mop.

Feigning confusion as no one should really have the knowledge that Voldemort is in fact Thomas Marvolo Riddle Jr., he said, "Pardon? I-I'm afraid I don't know you."

Thomas smiled and walked forward slowly, his black robes swirling around his feet, "I should say not. Not many recognize me in this form."

"M-master?" Emrys gasped in fake shock.

Thomas smiled again, "That's right." He moved around so he was behind Emrys and rested his hands on his shoulders and started to massage them slowly and firmly.

"S-sir?" Emrys questioned, tense.

"Shhh " Thomas soothed. "You're so tense, Emrys. Relax."

Emrys barely noticed that he was being led to the bed and that Thomas was now sitting behind him, his arms wrapped around him.

"You are a lovely looking boy, Emrys So much better looking than your father " Riddle purred as he ran his hands up and down Emrys chest and torso.

Emrys gulped, he was becoming very uncomfortable, "T-thank you, s-sir."

"Please, Emrys, call me Tom."

"All-all right, T-tom." Emrys squeaked as a small kiss was placed on his neck.

"Shh, just relax. Just relax. Everything will be just fine." Tom purred.

~*~*~

Severus paced nervously in the parlor. This was taking too long. What did the Dark Lord want with his son? Suddenly, a blood curdling scream pierced the silence of the mansion. The scream was laced with pain, fear and sadness. And then it stopped. The mansion was silent but the scream still rang in his ears. That was his son. His son screamed. Oh, God, what's happened?

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Tom stood in front of the boy before him. The child was clad in nothing, only a piece of the sheet covered his private area. The pale skin was marred with scratches, bruises and bite marks. Emrys was sobbing into the pillow miserably, his arms limp at his side. Tom sat down next to him and pulled the child into his lap and smoothed back the raven locks.

"Shhh, no need for tears, Emrys." He soothed. "Don't worry, that was your first time. As time goes on, it will hurt less and less."

Emrys just continued to sob brokenly, not caring at the moment what the Dark Lord thought.

"It shall be much better next time." Tom assured as he kissed Emrys on the mouth. He placed the child back on the bed and pulled the sheet up to his waist. He walked to the door, took the illusion charm off of himself and exited his private chambers.

As soon as the Dark Lord left, Emrys pulled the sheets up to his chin and buried his face in the green pillow. He felt so dirty and violated and everything hurt, even places he never thought could hurt. Why did this have to happen to him?

He was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of the door opening slowly. He tensed and squeezed his eyes shut, did the Dark Lord come back for more? He shuddered at the thought.

"My God, Emrys!" Snape said, in utter shock.

Emrys eyes snapped open and he gazed at his father, really not seeing him. Severus moved forward, his heart stopped when he saw his son on the Dark Lord's bed, his clothes in shreds on the floor.

He strode forward and removed his cloak, "Come on, Emrys, we're going back to Hogwarts. No, we're going to go to the manor. Some students might be up and about, it's still early."

Emrys whimpered as he slowly focused on his father, "Father " he croaked.

Snape draped the heavy, black cloak over his son, wrapped it around him snugly and scooped him up into his arms, "Come on, we're going home."

Emrys nodded jerkily as his father burnt his shredded clothes.

"We'll make a stop at Diagon Alley during the Hogesmeade weekend and get you some new clothes." Snape said soothingly as he left the room.

"A-all r-right, Father," Emrys whispered, tears coursing down his cheeks.

Snape held his son closer, "God, Emrys, I'll never let anything like that happen again. I love you so much."

"I love you, too, Father." Emrys whispered.

Snape's eyes glittered with his own tears, how could I let this happen?

~*~*~

They emerged from a large fireplace into a dark room. Severus waved his wand and the torches flared to life. He sat down on the bed and cradled his son to him, soothing him the best he knew how.

Emrys pressed himself against his father and began to sob, "It hurt so much...h-he wouldn't stop..."

Severus smoothed back his son's hair. "Shh, shh. It's over now. Shh, it's over now, Emrys. I'm here."

Emrys laid in his father's arms for a long while and only left him when the boy fell into a light doze. He had to warn Lucius that Voldemort was on the prowl. He took a pinch of blue powder and tossed it into the fire, "Lucius Malfoy!"

A blonde head appeared in the fire, "What is it, Severus?"

"Voldemort has taken my son. I fear yours is next."

Lucius gaped, "How? How did he get your boy? He was inside castle, correct?"

"Yes, I am unsure, but I am fairly certain that it has something to do with the mark on his arm. It is different from ours, obviously. And I think he took into consideration that they cannot Apperate and can't get off of the grounds easily."

Lucius nodded, "Yes, that must be it. Have you informed Dumbledore of their initiation? I wouldn't want them to be wrongly accused."

"I haven't, but I shall have a word with him before it is too late. But since my father seems to be dropping by more often, I'm sure he has an idea or an inkling of sorts," Severus replied.

Lucius suddenly looked pained, "After all the precautions we took, and he still got our sons. What can we do now?"

"Be there, and if you'll excuse me, I need to be with my son," Severus said as he glanced towards the living room.

"Of course. I'll be writing my son immediately. Good day to you, Severus." Lucius Malfoy disappeared.

Severus inhaled deeply before hurrying back into the living room. His son had awoken and was curled up on the bed, silent and staring into the fire. Sitting next to his son, he pulled the boy into his lap and tucked his under his chin.

Emrys clutched his father's robes as fresh tears coursed down his cheeks, "I-I tried to say no, Father. But but he wouldn't listen."

"Hush," Severus soothed, "he's the Dark Lord, he listens to no one. I'm here now and it's over. Shh."

Emrys whimpered. "It hurt so much, Father."

"I know, I know and I'm sorry. I wish I could have been there to bring you back."

Emrys nodded against his chest, "I don't want to go back, Father. I don't want to do that again."

Severus felt a lump form in his throat, he tightened his hold on his son, "I know, Emrys, I know, and I wish I could keep you here. But I can't, there is no escaping Voldemort now. He has you and I in his grasp. And with my father lurking about, we have no room for error. I'm sorry, Emrys, I wish I could be a better father, a better protector to you."

Emrys looked up at his father, "I don't think you are so bad."

Severus let a small smile grace his features, "Thank you, Emrys. I-I you don't know how much that means to me."

Emrys favored his father with a watery smile, "I think I have an idea."

Severus stood up, with his son in his arms, "Come on, let's get you a nice warm bath, heal what injuries you may have and get you to bed."

Emrys let himself be carried to the bathroom and undressed. His father's stoic expression didn't change as he examined his son's injuries. Scratches, bruises and anal tearing. He gave the boy a potion that would heal the scratches and another that would heal the bruises.

"I have to apply a salve to heal the rest."

Emrys swallowed nervously but nodded. Severus sat down and laid the boy over his legs and applied to cool cream to the abused opening. He fought to keep his hand steady as he listened to his son choke back sobs of embarrassment and the loss of his innocence. Once Severus was satisfied, he pulled his son up and encased him in a hug. It didn't bother him that the boy was naked, all that mattered to him was to make his son feel a little better.

"Hush, hush," Severus soothed as he waved his wand and warm water started to flow in. It was soon accompanied by soothing bath oils.

Once the tub was filled with warm water, Severus lowered the boy into the tub, "I'll be right back with your pajamas, all right?"

Emrys nodded with a sniffled as he stared at the water blankly. Severus frowned, lifting his son out of the pit of despair the dark lord and forced him into would be hard and tiring, but, as the boy's father, he was willing to do it. Lily would already be with him, coddling him until the sun came up, and he wasn't going to let her down.

Not that he was going to coddle the boy, or anything.

~*~*~

A half an hour later found Severus Snape and Emrys Snape in Emrys' large bedroom. The fire was crackling cheerfully in the fireplace as Severus leaned against the headboard with his son resting against his chest.

He sighed, Lily would be laughing if she saw him now. Coddling their son. He ran his hand down the boy's back and rubbed in small, soothing circles. The boy was sleeping now, but he wanted to make sure no nightmares came to him on this night. He could have given the boy a dreamless sleep potion, but he knew they were addictive and if the boy did have nightmares, he didn't want to have to break him of a nearly unbreakable habit.

Carefully, he slid off the bed without waking his son and tucked the covers around the slight frame snugly.

He brushed away a tendril of hair, "Good night, my son, and may pleasant dreams befall you."

Turning, he walked to the door and turned around, he watched his son sleep for a moment before leaving the room.

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