Four Fathers
Ch. 2: What a Nightmare
After a week was spent with everyone making themselves comfortable with the other it was like they had never been seperated. They were also happy that their fathers did not treat them as children but as an equal, though they did call them little ones and they couldn't bring themselves to care.
Severus was hardly ever home but he couldn't help that and they didn't hold it against him. He came when he could be missed. On impulse Midnight asked how they had all gotten together and they looked at each other and laughed before starting their wild tale.
Flashback
"Severus, Remus, I need to talk to the two of you," said a frantic Sirius. "Alone. Now," he added.
"What's wrong Siri," Remus asked. Sirius ushered them into a secluded room.
"I like James. And I mean as more then a friend. I don't when it changed I just know it did."
Severus spoke up. "The same has happened for me. I kept quiet because it would not be fair to James to have to pick between us."
"It is very unusual for a werewolf and a vampire to be mates but I have felt the same way the two of you do. We all know when he is sad or happy, and it hurts us when we he is angry."
"So what are we going to do. I'm sure he'll realize something soon. We've all been more overbearing then we usually are."
"I'm not quite sure truly," said Severus to Sirius. "We will have to try to control ourselves better."
"Do you feel the pull on your soul when he's truly happy," asked Sirius. They both nodded. "This has got to be some twisted sense of fate. I've heard of triangles before. It's not all that uncommon for either of our species. But three mates to one person, a group of four. I've never heard of such."
"Nor I," said Severus
"Or I," said Remus.
"But it seems to be?"
"Yes," they both answered.
It was Severus that then asked. "Will we share should he be willing to be shared?" They both gave him a strange look before breaking out into smiles.
"Of course." He nodded.
"Then let's go find James and give him this devastating news come tonight. There is no point in hiding it. We all feel the same way for him and he will feel more betrayed by us attempting to hide it then telling him now that we are all assured of our feelings." They nodded knowing it was true even if it was kind of sudden.
End Flashback
"In short, they found me, drug me outside to the whomping willow and made me hear them out. I think that was one of the most happiest days of my life besides having my children and caring for them before they were taken away from us." They hugged him trying to keep him from bitter thoughts. "Now, if you're still deciding to go to Hogwarts it's time to go shopping. They groaned at the change in topic. They hated shopping unless it was a necessity.
"Well we know where they got the dislike for shopping from. Either Sev or Rem."
"I don't mind shopping Siri if I didn't have to babysit the two of you. You are supposed to be responsible adults, but that has never once occurred in my short lifetime of shopping with the two of you. There is a reason I tend to shop alone and lock the two of you in here."
"Yeah, yeah, we're going shopping," the two sung in a singsong voice.
"I tried," Remus said. "Never say I didn't warn you three about the two of them. Only Severus seems to be able to keep them in line while shopping. I guess I should also warn you that to the wizarding society as a whole the two of them are dead and I am a pining werewolf that has no association with Severus unless it is to get wolfsbane and then we are not polite to one another during this time."
"Why?" They were confused. Remus sighed and pulled the other two back to the couch. "Explain first. Shop later. They need to know this and we've all been skirting around the issue for a week." They sighed and nodded. "Albus Dumbledore heard of a prophecy about a child Severus Snape and James Potter would have that stated quite clearly in his opinion that you were to be the one to vanquish the dark lord, Voldemort. He used your scar as proof to the wizarding world that you were the one to get rid of him when he disappeared some years ago." Shadow growled at the audacity of the man to do such a thing but then slipped his hand to his forehead where rested a lightning bolt.
"What do you mean? I've always had this."
"And Midnight has a crescent moon, while Darkness has a…"
"Sai," answered Sirius, breaking Remus short. "It came to me in a dream vision that it would be your weapon of choice in your older age." He nodded and pulled out a pair of them from the cloak he always wore. "Well, I guess I didn't do too bad then." They nodded.
"Sev carved the lightning bolt for you because that is your element. In time you will learn to control it and call it forth when you are in need of it. You won't ever have to worry about be struck by lightning that's for sure."
"Well that answers a couple of questions for me," Darkness spoke up and Shadow hid a laugh. "Did you enjoy scaring the living daylights out of us sitting in the middle of a storm."
"I was quite content thank you very much. S'not my fault I was comfy at the time." They shook their heads.
"I give up. Sometimes I really don't know what to do with you."
"You know. Are we quite sure we didn't mix Darkness and Midnight up? I swear he acts more like you Moony than me."
"Well I am the oldest out of us."
"By a short amount of time," Shadow grumbled.
"You know you enjoy luv, don't deny it," whispered Darkness in his ear. He shuddered and crossed his arms.
"Sex is to be had in the bedroom children."
"Sirius," two identical voices chided and shouted. Both Remus and James hit him on the back of the head. They turned back to see Shadow trying to blend into Darkness and hide.
"You can try all you want luv but you can't just seep into my clothes in the effort to hide."
"I can try," he mumbled. They all laughed.
Remus continued his earlier monologue from before he was interrupted. "I carved the crescent moon for you in hopes that mother could protect you not only in all her glory but in parts of it as well," he said to Midnight. They smiled at his reasoning and Midnight moved to hug him.
"You know. I did kind of wonder why you did that," Sirius said.
"Now you know one of the mysteries of life," commented Midnight.
"Supposably, James died in the attack on your family and he was your father, while Lily Evans, was your mother and also died. You will find that there will be two gravestones with these names on them to further Dumbledore's plan as proof. Sirius, while he did fall behind the veil a couple of years ago, Dumbledore should know that the veil was originally created to guide a vampire down the path they choose. Once chosen the veil would return them home. It's actually quite a good thing he fell through."
"Yes, because now I don't have to go search for one."
"I've already fallen through the one at Hogwarts twice thanks. I've had enough of veils for quite some time. You could have just went through that one."
"Not after the tales you told. I don't think so."
"And left us to give excuses for where you disappeared to for three days that was three months to you."
"Be happy is was only that short."
"Thank Mother. Now back on track. Severus was supposed to have hated James Potter in school and was to take out the anger he had for James on you per Dumbledore's orders but Severus will never be able to do it is what Albus does not understand. Severus will never intentionally hurt any of his children. He may have to pretend if it comes to that but I am sure he will explain the situation then." They nodded. "I am to be a pining werewolf that lost his mate Sirius to the veil, that goes to Hogwarts only to receive wolfsbane potions and Severus and I are to hate each others guts because Siri and I were to be James's friends while Severus our enemies. Actually it's usually quite entertaining to bicker with Severus. Its quite enlightening."
"He is one sick bastard. How could he do this and have everyone play along," snarled Midnight.
"This generation of wizards were set up by Albus controlling the parents that this is actually what is was. They will believe it is true because they were taught it to be true. They know no better or that it is a lie. They have been bred to believe what he wants them to."
Shadow's wings ripped out of his back and his eyes turned a glowing emerald. Immediately Darkness turned him around and pulled him against the wall. His own wings spread out to control Shadow's that were trying to pull away so that he could destroy what had seperated their family. Midnight moved to his other side and helped Darkness hold him down. "Damn, he's gotten stronger." Darkness nodded.
"He's more determined also." Thinking they were not paying attention he tried to twist away only to be caught again. Darkness wrapped his legs around Shadow's in an effort to keep them pinned to the ground. He growled at them baring his fangs. He snapped at Midnight who then held his head refusing to let go.
"No biting. Be nice." He growled at them again and Midnight snarled at him. He gave a look to Darkness who nodded back. He would chase and catch him if he had to. One of Darkness' hands became numb and he moved it slightly but that allowed Shadow to twist away. Quickly he pinned him against the wall again and took one hand to each arm and raised them above his head. After realizing what position he was in he whimpered.
"Forgive me," Darkness whispered.
Slowly he relaxed and then his expression turned fearful. Darkness loosened his hold and Shadow slid to the floor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Shh. It is not your fault. Sleep." He whimpered and shook but soon drifted off. Darkness slowly untangled them so not to wake him. He gently picked him up and held him before sitting on a couch. Slowly Sirius and Remus let James go.
"Can you be civil?" He nodded. "They know better than we how to calm him down. He's only been here a week Jam give him some time." He gulped but then nodded.
"I feel so helpless," he whispered.
"Don't, there is nothing you could have done to make it better, and the only thing we can do is hold him back until he calms down. It does not happen often but it is quite detrimental to him when it does."
"Sirius contact Severus and calm him." He nodded and did so since Remus couldn't.
Sirius being quite serious now asked, "May I ask what just happened and I don't mean why he got that way but what happened after." Darkness gulped and shook. Midnight came up to him. "Why don't I tell them what happened and you two get some sleep." Darkness shook his head and Midnight growled lowly. "There is no need for either of you to relive what happened to you in detail. I can explain. Go," he stated venomously. Darkness shook but would not budge. "Ani, please do not make me. I do not want to have to force you. Please go." Finally he nodded and slowly stood and gave him a pleading look.
"I will lay with him when he starts to awaken and you can tell them what I have not." He nodded and disappeared into the room they had been given. Midnight shook. "You may wish to sit." They nodded to him and did so. Severus stepped into the room and immediately a hand was held up by Midnight. "I think you need to hear me out. Right now Darkness will allow no one to touch him until he starts to awaken and then I will take care of him while he stays out of sight." Severus looked at him. "Sit and I will explain." Sev joined the others on the large couch.
"I won't let them tell you this because you know that vampire's relive what they tell and I don't want either of them to do that. Shadow was repeatedly raped by his uncle before he got away and his uncle was truly a sick man. Not even a vampire or werewolf would have done many of the things he did to Shadow. Shadow is scared to the point of being petrified of being pinned at all, but once Darkness pinned his arms above his head he remembered things he didn't need to but it is sometimes the only way to stop him from his rage, he has quite the temper. He may be the youngest but he is stronger than us and is very possessive while we are protective. It may seem a little odd but we look to him for what to do. We trust his senses more than we do ours."
"Darkness sometimes hates being the oldest. He tries to look out for us best he can. He lost his innocence a long time ago. None of us had a pleasant childhood but Darkness had no roof over his head at all. He was left in an alley and he had to survive by himself. He saw things and did things he didn't want to do. When Shadow wakes he will be frightened of Darkness and it tears him apart to be either of our fears but it is a necessary evil that I wish he did not have to bear but he was the one to find Shadow and sustain him, not I. We've lived on the streets for a time now that it was now our home but we finally found what we were searching for and I think that is what frightens us most."
"What if we are not good enough to be your children? What if we mess up? Will you still love us after that?" A single tear slid down his cheek. "We fear that more than anything. No one loves us. We're freaks. We don't deserve love. We deserve what we get for being who and what we are. We believe this with our very souls. You've shown us that it is possible to be loved and love in return and that scares the shit out of us more than we want to admit." He looked to see Darkness pull back like he had just been struck. "You know it is true." He nodded and silently whispered a 'hurry' before handing Shadow over. Shadow whimpered as he switched hands. "Shh! It is okay. Go back to sleep." He calmed and did so and he felt Darkness let out his breath. He hugged him. "Be safe. May mother watch over you."
"And you Mid. May mother be with you." Straightening up with resolve he nodded. "I'll be fine." Midnight nodded knowing he would stand strong and disappeared into the room. He took up the place Midnight had just risen from. "There's not much you can do for us really. Just as long as you're willing to keep us around, we'll stay."
James broke him off. "You are our children. We have finally found you. I will never let you go again unless it is your wish for us to do so." He looked Darkness straight in the eye begging him to understand what he was truly saying.
"Why would you want us? All we are is broken goods. Used and abused. There is nothing we could give you in return for what you have given us. You have given us a home, your patience, your…acceptance of who we are, your…" He looked away and whispered, "Your love. Why? Why do you give us these things when we do not deserve them?"
James and Sirius moved towards him. James turned his face toward him and forced him to look at him. He tried to pull away but James held firm. "There is no duty for why we love you. You are our children, our blood, and our family. We love you because we care for what happens to you. So you may believe yourselves to be dirty…" He flinched and tried to pull away again but James refused to let him. "But to us you are just as beautiful as you were the day you were born. I cannot make you understand the amount of love we have for you but I hope that in time you will understand that it is real and comes not just from the heart but from our very souls as well." He let go and pulled him into a hug and Darkness flung his arms around his waist and refused to let go for some time. Eventually he pulled back only for Sirius to pull him into a hug. When he was calm, he pulled back and turned away. "Thank you." James pulled his face back to them, holding it once again. "You're welcome." He caressed his face and smiled when he leaned in to his soft touch.
Remus realized that his pup hadn't said anything about himself but he got the notion that he was somewhere in between the two's horror story. Severus looked to the door where Shadow and Midnight were and Darkness shook his head. "It would only hinder him at this time. Leave him be please. He is already frightened of me. There is no need to make it harder for you to gain his trust." Severus nodded.
"I must return to Hogwarts. Be safe all of you and may mother be with you." They nodded and Severus kissed James before disappearing.
"Stupid order of the flaming phoenix. Its not like they know what they're doing anyway," James grumbled.
"Calm down, he only just left last week, we still have the entire school year to go through," Remus said. James growled lightly and grumbled under his breath. Remus just then realized that he had thought that if Darkness and Midnight accepted this as their home that Shadow would, but that wasn't truly the case. The two would only stay if Shadow was truly happy here and they gained his trust. Shadow had been broken and they all had to put the pieces back together. They thought of him as the strongest but yet he was not. They let him seem as if he was in control of his life.
Three days later when everything was considered safe by all company involved they made their trip to Diagon Alley. They had wardrobes made for the each of them and got all their required items. The biggest shock came at the pet shop. Upon entering they had each went their separate ways yet all still keeping an eye out for each other. James was shocked when he turned and could not see Shadow anymore so went around to where he had last saw him to find him sitting on the floor speaking to two snakes that seemed quite happy to be out of their cages. They were of a respectable length and James shrugged. It wasn't up to him what type of animal chose his son's or they chose. This was their gift.
Shadow turned to see him about to leave and he beckoned him back. He pointed to the serpents. "May I have them?"
"If they choose you or wish for you to take them, you may." The smile that lit up his face was one James wanted to see more often.
"Thank you." He smiled. Turning back to the serpents he hissed. 'Are you sure you wish to travel with me?' They bobbed their heads up and down and nudged his hand. He pet them and said, 'Then let's go.' The serpents slithered up his legs and curled there. 'I guess you can be used as decoration and I can still use my hands without worrying about dislodging you.' If snakes could smirk James thought that that was exactly what they were doing. 'I guess it is quite rude of me, may I ask your names?' Even to the snakes he was polite. He had three wonderful children. 'Elbereth,' one spoke up. This was the one curled around his left leg. 'Lorien,' the other input curled around his right. 'Kage or Shadow.' 'Which do you rather,' Elbereth asked. "Kage means Shadow so whichever is easier for you.' 'Hello Shadow.' As soon as that had been spoken two bright blue flashes occurred and Shadow turned to James about to panic.
"Calm down. They are bonded to you now. You should be able to speak with them using telepathy." He nodded. James moved off to see how everyone else was faring, leaving Shadow to talk to his two familiars.
Midnight moved to the back where he could hear a soft pining. Upon closer inspection he found a small wolf pup. He poked his head out and pointed to the room telling Darkness he would be in there. When he received a nod he went back to his inspection. The pup was so little it could sit on his shoulder if it wanted to. Not fearing being bitten he gently stuck his hand through the small cage opening to let the pup sniff him. As soon as it touched his hand there was a blue glow and he stared at it. 'I guess that means you want to come with me little one.' The little pup nodded and then fell back asleep quite content that he would take him with him. He took the little pup out and moved back to the front of the shop. Darkness passed him and smirked at his choice and then smiled and walked behind the curtain he had previously come from behind.
He moved silently following whatever pull it was that was leading him. When he came to a cage he inhaled sharply. Inside was the most beautiful little panther he had ever seen, then again, it was the first one he had ever really seen. He gently landed on his knees and opened the cage and as soon as he had done so it was out and curled up in his arms looking up at him. "Hello beautiful. What's your name?" A bright blue flash followed and he heard her whisper, "A silent night. He by darkness shall name me." "Arena." (A-ray-na) not (a-ree-na) "Thank you." With that she stood and padded noiselessly by his side.
The shopkeeper stood in shock. "It's been some time since any of our animals have bonded. They are free of charge as they rightfully belong to you." They paid for their other purchases such as food and whatnot and made their way home. They didn't want to talk about the disaster that was the wand shop.
Severus was proud. His son's seemed to be getting on with his family quite nicely. His only regret was that he wasn't there, but once they got to Hogwarts, they likely wouldn't like to see him afterwards. He told them about what going to Hogwarts entailed and they smirked at him, ready for the challenge that was Hogwarts.