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Thou Shalt Not!	By : KusanoSaku Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 17650 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights for the creation of the Harry Potter novels go to J. K. Rowling. I make no money from this piece of fictional writing

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Title: Thou Shalt Not!
Fandom: Harry Potter
Notes: Post-Battle of Hogwarts fic in part. Non-Epilogue compliant. AR/AU. Evil Dumbledore.
Summery: Severus Snape survives the war, only to realize he has nothing left to live for. While musing what he might have done differently, he is interrupted by the arrival of Dumbledore who is doing some 'housekeeping'. A duel begins and in an attempt to save himself, Severus does the unthinkable and breaks one of the greatest tenants of Magic!
What has he done and where has he gone?

The Past – Ch 6

Aurelius was at dinner when an owl he recognized arrived, Lucius' father's owl Ebony.
He held out his hand for the bird to land on, offering it a bit of rare steak.
The owl accepted the treat and held out the letter.
Aurelius opened the vellum envelope and unfolded the letter.
'The Dark Lord is anxious to meet you. We will be arriving by floo at ten.
Also I have arranged a 3 o'clock at the Head of the Department of Magical Family Services with Eltanin Rosier. Do not be late. Rosier has no patience with those who fail to observe social niceties.
Abraxus
The 40th Lord Malfoy'
Aurelius sighed; sadly the best tactic to take with his former master was complete honesty. A state he abhorred.
Still grumbling, Aurelius summoned a house elf. He ordered Abraxus' favourite wine, the Dark Lord's favourite whiskey and his own scotch to be ready when they arrived. He ordered his elves to treat the Dark Lord as courteously as they would receive a descendant of Slytherin for that's what he was. He just hoped Tom Riddle was saner…

XoooooX

Aurelius was up early; he bathed and dressed in his grandfather's clothes. He would have as ask Abraxus to recommend places to shop for a pureblood wizard. He chose a cologne he admired, sandalwood. It was simple yet elegant and Lucius had often wore it. He hoped he was right and Andromeda would still elope with Ted.
He wanted Lucius badly; he would do the honourable thing and wait until the youth was of age. He would begin his courtship as soon as Andromeda broke the betrothal contract. Knowing Lucius as intimately as he did without being his lover previously would no doubt prove to be a benefit. He knew Lupin was bi and if he could convince his younger self to consider him then he would have Lucius to himself. Remus Lupin had been good looking in his own way, just because the werewolf was detrimental in a potions lab didn't make him any less brilliant.
Aurelius went to finish the inventory of the contents of his grandfather's potions lab. He had an alarm charm set to remind him to be present in the parlour to receive his guests.

XoooooX

The alarm charm went off, Aurelius sighed, he wasn't even a third of the way done. He spelled away all the dust and winkles incurred by his little project. He exited the storage cupboard in the cellar of Merrivale and made his way back up to await his guests. He opened the parlour floo and sat back to wait.
At two to ten the floo began to crackle with green flames.
A tall man with a heavy blonde braid emerged first.
Abraxus…

Then came the familiar features of the Dark Lord who was younger then he remembered and a bit saner.
Aurelius prayed that he was a lot saner then he had been in his memory. He smiled, "I'm arranged refreshments."
The Dark Lord Voldemort, aka Tom Marvolo Riddle took in the surrounding.
Aurelius spotted a bit of jealousy, "You are welcome to help yourself to the whiskey my Lord.".
Voldemort stared at him, "You not only receive me graciously, you know my favourite spirit and you address me properly."
Aurelius nodded, "You could say we've met prior in my estimation and yet not in yours."
Voldemort poured himself a whiskey, "Explain."
Aurelius wandlessly and nonverbally poured himself scotch, "By your estimation I would not be joining your ranks until I am eighteen and a graduate of Hogwarts. Lucius would have been a Death Eater for five years."
His guests started visibly.
Reluctantly, Aurelius drew back his left sleeve baring his arm, "So you see I already bare your mark." He wore high-necked fashions because the scars from his near death by Nagini.
"So your knowledge of the future stems from," the Dark Lord began.
Aurelius sighed, "The fact that I lived to see the end of the war between you and Albus Dumbledore. It ended with atrocities on both sides. Dumbledore is mad, or perhaps he will be. I know not. I would offer my experiences and memories as proofs."
Abraxus was appalled, "To travel back in time is against the laws of magic."
Aurelius grimaced, "Trust me, I know. There are some things I will hold back and others, which I shall be completely honest about. You sent me my Lord to spy on Dumbledore; I did such until you determined I had outlived my usefulness. Perhaps you were right, however I had a failsafe and survived the battle."
Voldemort was thoughtful, "Tell me, who won?"
Aurelius sighed, "Would it not lessen the pleasure of trying to change the future to know? I would much rather we strive together to strengthen the Wizarding World against the pollution of Muggle ideas." He turned to the Dark Lord, "My Lord, hide them better, so that they cannot be used in the future against you. For your own protection tell no one where they lay and do not place them in meaningful places."
Voldemort's eyes narrowed "Are you referring to,"
"Your assurances of immortality. I recommend not making anymore. You would not like yourself if they must be used." Aurelius warned.
Voldemort glanced at Abraxus, "Leave us. I would speak to Lord Prince alone."
Abraxus let himself out of the parlour.
Aurelius casted the privacy spell of his own creation. "Now we are alone. What would thou with me?"
Voldemort stared at him, "Name. Birth date."
Aurelius nodded, "I suspected you would insist on total honesty. I was born January ninth, nineteen sixty to Prince heiress Eileen and her Muggle husband Tobias. Unknown to me until yesterday, my mother bore another child a girl. Her name was Lillian Anastasia. We were raised in the same village, became friends and eventually went to Hogwarts together. I was Sorted into your old House. I met Lucius at the Welcome Feast but we became closer when he saved me from James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew."
"So like me you're a Halfblood."
Aurelius nodded, "Yes. I know about your growing up in an orphanage and for that I am extremely sorry. Your mother did wrong by you as mine has by me. I know about your Horcruxes for Albus told me about them. I know where they were hidden. I know he has one as well but I have no knowledge of where it was hidden or when it was made."
Voldemort was thoughtful, "So tell me about our seemingly virtuous Headmaster."
"He was once in love with the Dark Lord Grindelwald. His sister was a powerful witch who had no control over her magic due her being tortured by a group of Muggle boys. His brother Aberforth hates him. Dumbledore betrayed me twice, he allowed my best friend who I learned recently was my sister and then murdered her son. I cast the Killing Curse once at his behest because he attempted to destroy the Horcrux that resided in your grandfather Marvolo's ring. Thus being affected by the curse you'd laid on it. It was killing him slowly, I attempted to use my gift at potions to cure him but I merely managed to contain it in that arm." Aurelius admitted.
"You spied for him as you spied for me. Tell me Severus,"
Aurelius winced. "Yes my Lord."
"Would you serve him again?"
Aurelius shook his head, "Never my Lord. He murdered my nephew and attempted to kill me. I arrived here in this time, my past a few days ago and I am still getting my feet beneath me."
Voldemort stared at him very hard, "Who knows who you really are besides myself?"
Aurelius once again choose honesty, "My younger self, young Remus Lupin who was sired by Fenrir and Young Lucius Malfoy who will die in your service." He knew that to be true for Lucius was Kissed, even if Lucius had been less them completely loyal.
"I see. Are they trustworthy yourself and this Lupin?"
Aurelius nodded, "Lupin is loyal to death in regards to his friends."
"What about yourself?"
Aurelius nodded, "As long as no harm is brought to my sister or her family I will remain loyal."
"Who killed your sister?"
Aurelius glared at him, "You did, however there might be a way to prevent it. If my nephew is raised at your side how could he ever be a danger to you? If he were properly raised would make a fine lieutenant. He was beaten and starved by his adopted aunt and her family. His education was sabotaged so he would get mediocre marks, though he was actually brilliant. However you'll nearly die if you try to kill him. Then you'll spend fourteen years as a spirit but less then a ghost. Something I doubt you'd enjoy. Word of warning, do not mark Peter Pettigrew; he is a coward and a turncoat. He's a pathetic wizard who has no understanding of loyalty. He'd betray his own mother to save his own skin. He framed his friend for his own crimes as well as betraying someone who trusted him enough to make him Secret Keeper. He wanted you to murder his friend's child."
Voldemort nodded, "I see. Anyone who threatens your sister or her family will loose you. Therefore since you're are magically strong enough to not only travel backwards in time but to survive it, I shall give you my word that your sister shall never be harmed by myself. I would like to avoid death. Since you have not yet betrayed and obviously learned from that mistake I shall ignore it. Be mindful I shan't forget that you are capable of betrayal."
Aurelius shrugged, "So are we all."
"I shall support you as Lord Prince. About this pup of Fenrir's, have they ever met to your knowledge?"
Aurelius shook his head, "No. Dumbledore won his loyalty by allowing him to attend Hogwarts. However, the Headmaster lied to him about it being the only educational institution that might accept him. I know for a fact that Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have them attend. However they are watched very closely and are flooed to a safe location from the night prior to the full moon to the night after."
"I see. By the old laws, this Lupin belongs to Fenrir. Why were they kept apart?"
Aurelius shrugged, "I suspect because Dumbledore wished to create a spy. However Remus wasn't cut out for it. I believe he manipulated Sirius to turn him into a spy however he never gave any indication that he would be open to it and had to settle for me. I think Dumbledore had him entombed in Azkaban for twelve years mostly as a punishment for not being a good pet."
"Fenrir will want to meet your Lupin."
Aurelius nodded, "I suspected as much. I listened to him rage for years about it. I would do him a good office if I could."
"Tell me who won?"
Aurelius winced, "You really want to know?"
Voldemort's eyes gleamed, "Yes."
Aurelius sighed, "Dumbledore. He let me kill him and resurrected himself. He hid in the shadows. Harry nearly died killing you after all your Horcruxes were destroyed. Dumbledore murdered him. And then came after me. He knew I'd survived and that I knew what he'd done. He tried to kill me. I cast a bunch of spells and woke up near the Black Lake on Saturday."
Voldemort nodded, "I believe you, for now. Why don't we let our friend Abraxus in?"
Aurelius ended his privacy spell and used nonverbal, wandless magic to open the parlour door. "Abraxus?"
The blonde current Lord Malfoy entered.
"Our private interview is at an end. Now is the time for discussion. I am satisfied in Aurelius' loyalty and his suitability to join our ranks."
Abraxus poured himself some wine and sat down to join them, "I see."
"Now, I believe your first desire Aurelius is for your great niece and nephew to be in your custody?" Voldemort began.
Aurelius nodded, "Yes my Lord, although I have to admit that the couple raising my niece are good people Muggle or not. She has no idea that she is adopted and I doubt her sister does either."
Voldemort was thoughtful, "It is possible that they have not adopted her. Those whose parental status is questionable were often raised by well-to-do couples as their own but not adopted."
Aurelius listened, "I had planned to visit their birth mother and the Evans tomorrow. As their nearest Magical relation the Ministry will grant me custody. I can prove that Eileen is unfit."
"How?" Abraxus asked.
Aurelius winced, "Eileen drinks and lies abed all the time. The house is filthy unless Severus is present to clean it. Tobias is a mostly unemployed drunk. He beats them both and forces Eileen to satisfy his sexual needs even if she's comatose. He hasn't yet but he will try to lock Severus up for a few days in a small space hoping he will perish in the summer heat. I don't understand why she married Tobias or stays with him. If she'd returned to the Magical world, she would bloodtraitor or not, be allowed a small income to raise the next Lord Prince. She wouldn't have needed to give up her daughter."
"What if the children were blood adopted at birth?" Voldemort asked.
Aurelius was incredulous, "What are you saying?"
"Why would she stay there if she could return to the magical world? Unless she left to escape something?" Voldemort continued, "If she'd been raped, it would explain why she believes she deserved to be treated the way she is. She never raises a finger for her son and gave up her daughter somehow? I knew a woman who used magic to win the father of their child and when they discovered what she was, they abandoned her in spite of her pregnancy. She died giving birth but lived long enough to name them."
Aurelius knew though he was sure Abraxus did not that the Dark Lord was talking about himself. "Yet the original family tapestry claims that their sire is Tobias."
"If they were properly blood adopted yes it would. You say that her husband mistreats her? Perhaps, he knows she did something to him but can't understand what so he punishes them both."
"Why would she pretend that her husband was the father of her children if he was not?"
Abraxus spoke up, "He had funny tastes, you didn't know? He was your brother wasn't he?"
Aurelius paused, "I lived in my potions lab."
"Always was one for young girls. Your sister in law was quite young, fifteen and died in childbirth after having a second daughter. Evelyn committed suicide when she was sixteen and Eileen the elder ran away. I was suspicious that they were closer then they should be as father and daughters. He had hands where they shouldn't be when he picked them up at Kings Cross. I was a bit older then your niece but I remember."
Aurelius stammered, "Are you implying my gra…my brother raped my nieces?"
Abraxus shrugged, "Probably didn't begin that until you disappeared. If Eileen was pregnant when she left home I can see why she would have taken up with the first guy she met. Even convincing him that they were his. A Dark Witch as smart as she was would have attempted the most complete blood adoption she could. Trying to erase all taint of her father from her children. By giving up the daughter even if her father found her the girl would be safe. Being a product of incest she might have hoped you would be a squib."
Aurelius snorted, "So they're not Halfbloods or Muggleborns they're the product of rape? Just what those poor kids need."
Voldemort smirked, "This is great news."
Aurelius blinked, "What!"
Voldemort sneered, "Proves I am smarter then you Aurelius. We can put another spin on it. She fell in love with her uncle. You disappeared in a potions accident. You were going to ask your brother's permission to Bond to her. She found out she was pregnant without being Bonded and her lover gone so she ran. Already ruined in name she seduced a Muggle, married them and forced him to blood adopt her children. The Muggle was poor and she bore twins. She gave one away."
Aurelius nodded, "I see, so I am to pretend to be the father? When it was my brother?"
Voldemort snorted, "What need anyone to know that? It will elevate their status from that of Muggleborn or Halfblood. They were conceived as purebloods."
Aurelius rubbed his chin in thought, "How does one reverse a blood adoption? I've never come across such a thing?" he would prefer to be the pureblood he pretended to be then a 'dirty Halfblood' as Bellatrix put it.
Voldemort sighed, and then muttered a spell swishing and flicking.
Aurelius felt a bit of pain and then his magic shifted. He lay there gasping, "What did you do to me?"
"Reversed your blood adoption." He turned to remove the memory from Abraxus as well as the part when Severus admitted to being from the future. "Now my good friend Lord Prince, you have time to visit your niece and convince her to agree to this story. You will give her a small place of her own and a house elf to care for her if she signs custody of her children to you. I would grant her a small income as well. You can then go visit the Evans as you call them. Explain the situation that you are Lily's true father. That you just learned that your fiancé was pregnant and that you've been away for years. That you had heard she'd died and just returned to Britain to discover it wasn't true. Eileen is moving back to the magical world. You understand that they've raised your daughter had have no doubt gained an affection for her."
Aurelius nodded, "I see. So we agree to split custody? She spends a month in the summer with them, and remains my charge legally?"
Voldemort steepled his fingers, "Yes. As for Severus, since he already knows who you are I suspect you'll have to tell him the whole truth. Between you, you can decide how much Lillian deserves to know. You'll have to file the change of guardianship with Hogwarts."
Aurelius winced, "I forgot that. Perhaps, I can just deal with his Head of House Slughorn. I detest the man."
Abraxus stared at him, "Why?"
Aurelius sneered, "He's a fool. He likes to be flattered. He pursues acquaintances with those who might reward him for the attention in the future. He gets easily jealous of any wizard whose brewing exceeds his. He enjoys trying to ruin their potions. I'm sure he does it to Severus. It I had my way I'd remove them from Hogwarts and send them to Durmstrang to get a decent education."
Voldemort smirked, "You could do that. Since you aren't active on the Board of Governors and your young relatives are already tagged as Muggleborn and Halfblood at Hogwarts changing school might be smart."
"I think Remus would profit from a Durmstrang education as well." Aurelius agreed.
"That would be up to Fenrir." Voldemort said pleasantly.
"I would like to speak with him after I've got everything settled in regards to Severus and Lillian."
Abraxus rose finishing his wine, "We'd best be going. You've got only a few hours to speak to Eileen and Lillian's Muggle guardians."
XoooooX

Aurelius Apparated to the safest place he could near his former residence Spinner's End a place he hated. He used an unlocking spell and nearly choked on the smell. He muttered a few cleaning charms he knew. He found Tobias passed out drunk on the couch. He cast a deep sleep charm on him and went into his mother's room; he banged loudly, "Eileen? Wake up. No use hiding in bed like a coward. You're a Slytherin and a Prince. Acting like a cowardly Hufflepuff is beneath you."
His mother sat up and let out a screech, "You can't be! You're dead."
Aurelius snorted, "Actually I'm very much alive. You and I are going to have a nice long talk mother."
Eileen Prince blinked at him, "You can't be my son…"
Aurelius laughed, "Sorry to disappoint you but I am. I'm a man who has made mistakes and I've got a chance to fix them. By my reckoning I was born about forty years ago, by yours eleven and a half. Now we're going to have a nice long talk. I met the Dark Lord, he reversed your blood adoption. I'll be reversing it on young Severus and his sister Lillian who happens to be his best friend."
Eileen's eyes widened "Reverse…no!"
Aurelius smirked, "Yes Eileen. We're going to come up with a story. A nice story that everyone will believe. Why? Because your children deserve better then to be tormented and called Mudblood or that dirty little Halfblood. If you hadn't had them blood adopted or gave away your daughter that wouldn't have happen. Now you will listen as I tell you how we are going to fix this. First off you will never call me Severus. My name is Aurelius."
Eileen whispered the name.
Aurelius nodded, "I see you know it good. The story is you and Aurelius fell in love. He proposed and was going to ask your father, his brother for permission to bond to you. He had a potions accident that knocked him forward in time. However, soon after you discovered you were pregnant. Afraid of your father's reaction, you ran away. You took up with the first man you met. You cast magic on him to make him believe they were his child. You had twins and due to your belief that you couldn't afford to raise them both you let one go. Isn't that right?"
Eileen's eyes filled with tears, "Only the giving away the girl…"
Aurelius snorted, "Well we can't exactly tell the whole truth can we? Now you are going to pack. I'm going to select a nice Prince residence and house elf to look after you. You'll be granted a small income and treated as an estranged wife. Your children will grow up my heirs. To truly bond to you would be wrong, seeing as how you are truly my mother. I won't let you neglect hurt myself again so until you get your head on straight you'll be kept from them. Nothing here is worth taking so you will be removed immediately."
Eileen shook, "I shan't return to Merrivale."
"Then I shall choose another Prince residence." Aurelius said in a short but firm voice. "You will admit Severus and Lillian are both your children yet you will claim that your uncle Aurelius is their father. You may go to Shropshire or France, your choice."
Eileen stammered, "France…"
Aurelius snapped his fingers summoning an elf, instructing them to Apparate their mistress to the family Château after the Mistress' rooms were readied. What was left of her wardrobe must be adjusted to fit her. After she had quite recovered her equanimity a French tailor from the Rue de Leon would she that she was dressed appropriately. Retrieving some parchment and ink her held it out to his mother, "You will write a confession. Acknowledging that you are the birth mother of Severus Aurelian and Lillian Anastasia. That you were unwise enough to enter your uncle's bed, you discovered you were pregnant after he disappeared. He was to approach your father for your hand. In your shame you left your home for fear of your father's wrath. Thoroughly disgraced you married the first Muggle you met. You convinced him that they were his children. You bore them alone and felt that you could not afford to raise two children so you left her at the local church. Asking them to find her a loving home and you would retrieve her if you could."
Eileen stared at him, "How did you know what I did? They were father's but Uncle Aurelius was going to take me away, we were to be bonded in Scamander. He was gone and there was no one to protect us. We were planning to live abroad and Evelyn would live with us. I did convince Tobias that Severus was his and used him to blood adopt them. I couldn't trust father wouldn't find me so I gave Lillian away. I never expected she would be kept in the parish. I knew or hoped that his friend Lily was his sister but I didn't want to know. I gave her away and wanted to keep her safe." Her eyes filled with shameful tears, "I didn't want her to suffer as Evie and I did."
Aurelius shook the parchment at her, "Write the confession. Give me leave to reverse the blood adoption. Your children deserve better then to be treated as less then they are. They are purebloods with Prince on both sides, they are bullied and tormented because they are falsely perceived as having dirty Blood when it is as pure as yours and mine."
"I hope Severus grows up to be a man like you. He deserves a decent father figure." Eileen said taking up the paper.
Aurelius coughed, "I'm no father figure. I am a product of yours and Tobias' neglect. My House bullied me. When I was sixteen I came home to find my parents' bodies. Lily helped me to move past it. Later I had to bury her and her husband, sixteen years later I watch her son die. I have no wish to let such thing mark your son. You will assign me custody. You will also write a letter to the parish priest, telling him that you conceived out of wedlock, you believed the father was dead. You ran and took up with the first man you met and gave them his name. You were afraid the children would suffer and kept the younger. Now your children's father has returned, you cannot marry with your husband living but you are being sent away. Your son is to live with his natural father. You wish to them to pass on this letter to the family raising Lillian. Since she belongs to her natural father. You plan to live in seclusion to pray for forgiveness for your sins."
Eileen winced, "I don't believe in this Muggle notion of sin and repentance."
Aurelius sneered, "Nor do I despite my attending with Lily's foster parents. Now by Wizarding law if I were truly Aurelius then we might Bond. However since in truth you are my mother and that would be distasteful for all of us you shall go to France leaving your children to me for it was to be a Bonding of convenience. I have my sights set on the eldest son of Lord Malfoy. Which would be a sight more agreeable."
Eileen sighed, "He preferred men too, he just wanted me and Evie safe. I often wondered if Father killed him…"
Aurelius snorted, "According to the family tapestry he's still alive for what it's worth."
Eileen handed over the two confessions, "Perhaps, someday I can meet my children and speak with them…"
Aurelius shrugged, "We shall see. I promise nothing."
Eileen fixed him with a look, "Would you be so kind as to summon my wand? It's wards against me at present."
Aurelius shrugged but did as he was asked.
Eileen gave it a few short swishes and muttered an unfamiliar incantation.
A board moved and uncovered a hidden space.
Eileen whispered, "Accio pendant." She handed it to him, "This will serve as proof. Lillian has the other half. I kept Evie's but gave Lily mine." She held out the pendant.
Aurelius held the pendant; it was a silver half circle and bore a golden serpent. He remembered Lily wearing a similar necklace that must be it's other half, "This one has snake with emerald eyes, and Lily's has ruby's doesn't it."
Eileen shrugged, "So you've seen it."
A house elf reappeared, "Everything be ready my Lord."
Aurelius waved his hand dismissively, "Take her and be gone."
Using a copy spell, Aurelius, after his mother, no Lily and Severus' mother had been Apparated away, he write a 'Dear John letter' to Tobias.
'Tobias,
We are fundamentally unsuited. You are a lazy, drunk with a temper and frankly I'm sick of being used to work off your anger and sexual needs. The truth is Severus was never yours. I took up with you because I know my fiancé died. He's returned but he's now engaged. His fiancé will be informed about his child and they will raise him as theirs. I am being sent away by Severus' father to make a new life for myself. You are welcome to file for divorce if you can afford it. Since I have no plans to marry again I shall merely live like a widow alone for I've had my fill of men.
This is goodbye and you shan't be missed
Eileen Prince'
Aurelius decided it was sufficiently biting and exactly what the man deserved seeing how he would or was it Eileen? Well whoever died first mattered not, for it wouldn't happen. Eileen probably shot his father and then herself because she hated what she had become.
Now it was off to St. Catherine's to see the priest, bishop or whomever presided over the parish. He couldn't rightly remember what denomination the church the Evans went to.
Sighing he made his way out of Spinner's end down Mill road to the church.
It was apparently part of the Anglican parish.
He let himself into the rectory and was greeted by a man he recognized, Doug Niems who was the sexton at St. Catherine's. He stopped himself before he greeted him as if they'd met before. "Good morning," he called out in the local dialect, his Welsh was rusty.
The man held out his hand and shook it, "You sound like a native though I don't believe we've met. Doug Niems, I'm the sexton at St. Catherine's."
Aurelius shook it heartily for he had liked Mr. Niems for his carrying ways the man had sometimes taught Sunday school when he could get away. "Aurelius Prince. I've come with some urgent business. Is the Father around? I would love to spend more time in this lovely town but I have an appointment in London that I must not break. I'll be flying out of Cardiff to be back in time."
"Father James should be in his office. I'll go see if he's busy."
Aurelius let the man scurry off and calmed himself, he'd have to meet a few people he knew as a child. It felt odd to be of an age with the people had had for better or for worse looked up to."
Doug Niems returned to Father James Mauklin. "This is the gentleman Father."
Aurelius held out his hand, "It's nice to meet you. It's a lovely parish you have here and I wish I could see more of it. If we could talk privately…"
"Yes, of course. Thank you Doug." Father James gestured for Aurelius to follow.
Once the door to the Father's office closed, Aurelius withdrew Eileen's 'confession', the one intended for the clergy of St. Catherine's. he sighed, "I feel quite loathed to do this but I fear I must. You know of course the Snapes?"
Father James nodded, "Yes, it's pity. Eileen was such a beautiful young woman…I can't understand why she would take up with someone like Tobias. He's as fallen from the path of righteousness as can be. I pray for that family often."
Aurelius handed over the letter, "This should explain much."
Father James took the letter and skimmed it, "I heard from Father Thomas about a baby left before the altar. We're a small church but we leave the chapel doors unlocked for those who need to come in. Sister Dorothy used to come in, god bless her and care of the altar most mornings. She discovered the babe, wrapped her up and carried her to the rectory where she beat on the door for Father Thomas' wife Belinda. They exclaimed over the child and the note was found. There were suspicions that little Lily was Eileen's. I see it was so. You can give proof?"
Aurelius nodded, "I can prove that I am Eileen's uncle and my blood maybe tested to see if we might share a blood type. Other then that I can offer little proof, I am already engaged and I cannot call it off. My relationship with Eileen was imprudent and very wrong given that her father and I are so closely related. I thought she was dead, her father told me so. I've been out of the country and only just returned. I tracked her down when I discovered she was not. She told me about the children. The best I can do for her is move her some place quiet and let her live like a widow. Since given the type of man Tobias Snape seems to be, he might as well be dead the way he lives. Heaven pardon me for it."
"I'll call up the Evans. With no way to contact the mother, I merely knew that Father Thomas asked them to raise the girl and that if the mother ever came forward that she would be told that formally giving her up might be best but if you are the child's father, she would belong with you."
Aurelius folded his hands in his lap, "True. Yet after raising her for going on twelve years they no doubt are attached to one another both child and parents. I would consent to her visiting them during the summer. I am sure that Severus would be pleased to find out he has a decent father and a sister. I pity the girl for I doubt she has any idea that her parents aren't her parents."
Father James shook his head, "The girl knows. We spoke about it, she had been offered a scholarship to a prestigious school, the same one young Severus attends."
Aurelius nodded, "Both their mother and I also attended that institution." Which was true, "I shall be repaying the school for the scholarships, they don't need the charity and it would best be served to offer a place to others who can't afford it."
"I know they told her for they questioned me whether they should tell her before she went away to school. Such a tender age, this school must be odd."
Aurelius shrugged, "Every educational institution is different. I can promise you they would receive no better education. As pleasant and hard working as the teachers are here."
Father James reached for the phone, "I'll call the Evans. I'm sure they will wish to speak to you."
Aurelius checked his watch, "Would you like me to step out?"
The parson should his head, "Shan't be necessary."
Aurelius nodded, turning his attention seemingly elsewhere"
"Mrs. Evans? Is your husband going to be there for lunch? He is? I'll be right over. I have someone who'd like to speak to you."
Aurelius heard a gasp.
"Is it?"
"No it's not Lily's birth mother."
"Oh well come along over."
"We should be there in ten minutes."
Aurelius could have made it in seven knowing a short cut but he was assuming the role of stranger and not former/current resident of the parish depending on how one viewed it.
They did arrive in less then ten minutes for they spent the walk in silence because they had not the time for admiring the town.
Father James knocked the painfully familiar door.
Aurelius wished he were Severus that he might throw himself into her arms…
The door was opened by their mother Rose….
"Come in Father. We're just about to sit down for lunch. Have you eaten yet?"
Aurelius remembered Mrs. Evans cooking fondly, he said quietly, "I wouldn't want to impose…"
"Impose nothing, I cook as if Lily's still here bless her heart." The woman's voice cracked, "I've got plenty. We're just having tea and cold chicken sandwiches."
They followed her into the kitchen, "This is Steven."
Aurelius put out his hand to shake, "Aurelius…Prince."
"And you are?" the man asked stiffly.
Father James spoke before he could reply, "Why don't we sit down and discuss this like Christian folk?"
Rose said quietly, "Yes of course." Pouring two more cups of tea and handing out plates of sandwiches.
Aurelius reached into his pocket and set the other half of Lily's pendant on the table, "I hate to ask this but have you seen anything like this before?"
Rose Evans let out a cry, "It…looks like Lily's…"
Mr. Evans shook his head, "It does not, this is some dragon snake thing, Lily's is,"
"A bird, a Phoenix. This is the other hand to it, Mrs. Evans is correct. In our family the Phoenix is given the eldest daughter and the serpent to the second eldest. When Evelyn died the serpent passed to her. So when Lillian was born she left the phoenix with her daughter. She intended to use the serpent to prove who she was. As it happens, sad to say Eileen was already pregnant when she married Tobias but he didn't know. I was away on business and her father, my much older brother told us both the other had died. I returned recently to learn that Eileen had fled the family home. I found her and she told me the truth."
Mr. Evans snapped, "Have you come to take her away? We raised her for eleven years. She's our daughter in every way that counts."
Aurelius cast a light sleep charm on the parson,. "Now we can talk." Casting another to make the parson unaware of their conversation. He lay his wand on the table beside the pendant, "I'm going to trust you. The truth is, Lily's mother is Eileen Snape, which makes her Severus' sister. They get their magic from their mother and father. I am sure you love her dearly just as she loves you. I don't intend to take her away for good. I am willing to agree to share her."
Mrs. Evans let out a joyful cry.
Mr. Evans was shocked.
Aurelius continued, "Now, if you acknowledge that I am her father, her guardian I shall take care of everything in the Wizarding World as it were. I will allow her to spent the month of July but in August she shall come to Merrivale where I live. We shall go over summer homework, go shopping in Diagon Alley and I shall cover all her expenses for school. I shall be repaying Hogwarts for her and Severus' tuition. If the thought it would not upset you I would repay you for the care you've given both children."
"We took her in and baptised her. The parson of St. Catherine's Father Thomas insisted she be taken to the hospital for she had a cold. We said that she was my sister's baby and that my sister had taken very ill. We were going to look after her. We just raised her like our own and we requested that the church treat her like an Evans. Not even Petunia knows. We told Lily when we decided she would go to Hogwarts, she cried. We told her we loved her and couldn't be more proud. I gave her the necklace her mother left for her and promised to tell her if I heard anything." Mrs. Evans said quietly.
Aurelius was shocked, "So she knew the whole time she was technically adopted? Petunia has no idea?"
Mr. Evans was forceful, "What should she? Whether Lily is our daughter by blood or not we couldn't love her any more or less then we do. The moment she opened those green eyes of hers, we were in love."
Aurelius said under his breath, "If Petunia knew she would have sent Harry off to the nearest orphanage. A basket on a doorstep, abandoned baby, history repeating itself. Not if I can help it." then he spoke in a more audible tone, "If Lily spends so much time in our world, how will you explain it to her sister?"
Mr. Evans looked like the air had been let out of him, he seemed to collapse in on himself, "I suppose we'll have to tell her. I had hoped no one would come to try to claim her so she'd stay ours. It was selfish but my Rose can't have more children and Lily was like a gift."
"Was she given a last name? In Eileen's letter?"
Mrs. Evans shook her head, "No. does it matter?"
Aurelius felt cold all over, "What name was on her letter, what surname?"
Mr. Evans blinked at him, "Evans…why?"
Something was wrong terribly wrong adopted or not Hogwarts wasn't fooled, it would when a magical child was born their name appeared in the book of students. Not all magical children born in England, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland and Scotland as well as the rest of Britain attended Hogwarts. Some were privately tutored, some weren't Squibs but not magically strong enough either, and some attended smaller magical schools.
Aurelius was shaken, "Magically her name was still Snape, that would have been the name inscribed when she was born. So why would her letter be addressed to a Lily Ann Evans when her name would be Lillian Anastasia Snape…" when she was born it would have read Prince but it would have changed quickly to Snape.
"What do you mean 'magically'?" Mrs. Evans asked quietly.
"I told you I'm her father. Through magic there is a way to change the father of a child so it resembles the new father. It's common when a child is sired with someone you're not married to. Such as if one spouse is infertile, the child is then adopted so they belong to both parents."
"So if she was a Snape, her letter should have read Snape?" Mr. Evans said understanding.
Aurelius had no explanation for it, he'd been Headmaster, not for long but he had been. He knew how things were supposed to work and clearly something was wrong. "It's a custom of Hogwarts to send a staff member to explain things. Who came?"
Mrs. Evans smiled, "Why Headmaster Dumbledore, he was ever so kind about explaining things."
The cold feeling sunk deeper into his bones, "Did you read the letter?" his voice had a sharp edge, "Who signed it?"
"No need to raise your voice sir."
Mrs. Evans was quiet and then replied, "It had the Headmaster's signature."
"That's impossible! The letters are supposed to have the Deputy Headmistress or Headmaster's signature. Mine did!" then he caught himself, "My apologies, it has been a trying day." Why had he not asked to see Lily's letter? He would have know something was wrong then...
Mr. Evans coughed, "For all of us concerned it has been. So are you implying something was wrong with her letter?"
Aurelius sighed, "I can't say wrong just yet. However, I can say with a certainty that it was highly irregular to have her letter addressed the way it was and from who. Who took you into Diagon Alley?"
Mrs. Evans was still in a bit of shock, "Professor Slughorn. Called himself Head of Slytherin House whatever that is. I didn't quite understand. He offered some money to cover her expenses but Steven insisted on changing some of our own money at the bank knowing Lily would want more books then just her textbooks."
He remembered that, Professor Slughorn showing them around. "I see. Thank you. I have much to do and I have an appointment that is pressing. I must get to London." Aurelius quickly but politely finished his sandwich and drank his tea. He put away both wand and pendant before waking the parson.
Father James sat up and rubbed his eyes, "Dear me. Did I drift off? My apologies. I guess slept more ill then I realized." He then tucked into his lunch.
Aurelius stood.
Mrs. Evans got up and escorted him to the door, "You'll come back when you know more?"
Aurelius nodded, "Yes. Don't speak to anyone about this until I return. Until we can prove there is no dishonesty in the Headmaster don't trust him."
Mrs. Evans turned white, "Is Lily in danger?"
Aurelius patted her shoulder, "Not if I can help it. Severus is there at her side. Trust me, he'll not let her be hurt."
Mrs. Evans smiled, "He's a dear boy. I once hoped…never mind. I'll look at it this way, I'm not losing a daughter but gaining a son."
Aurelius remembered clearly all his fondness for her, "Trust me, he already does and always will look up to you both. You've showed him that there are good people and parents out there. They were both extremely lucky that Lily came here."
Mrs. Evans stared at him, "You talk as if you know them."
Aurelius laughed, "In a way I do. It takes a very special woman to take in an abandoned child and raise them as their own. It even more to take pity on a lonely boy and include him out of the goodness of their hearts."
"Who are you?"
"Someone who owes you more then they can ever repay." Aurelius said quietly before slipping out. He'd have to guard his tongue. Rose Evans was too perceptive. She'd known things weren't good at Spinner's End. She'd always made a habit of cooking extra in case he came by and more then once she'd make up the couch for him so he wouldn't have to ask to stay.
XoooooX

Aurelius found a safe place to Apparate and Apparated to Diagon Alley. He'd order a stiff drink at the Leaky Cauldron before flooing to the Ministry. He had an hour to kill before his appointment with Rosier. He disliked the man's son and no great opinion of his father but he needed the man's good will. He'd get his drink and pick up some ingredients at Slug and Jiggers'. There were a few items he preferred to use that didn't keep well. He'd also set up an account there, they could sent his bill to Gringotts. Merlin help anyone who attempted to cheat the goblins.
XoooooX

Still sober yet calm Aurelius made his way to Rosier's department. He would be fifteen minutes early when he arrived.
The door to Rosier's office opened at five to three.
"Ms. Johnson! Is there a Lord Prince waiting?" came the voice from inside.
The young woman, his secretary moved to the door, "Yes sir. Shall I send him in?"
This Miss Johnson put him in mind the Miss Johnson he'd taught, must be her aunt or great aunt.
The voice he recognized sounded again, "Yes."
"Lord Rosier will see you now." The statuesque black woman said pleasantly.
Aurelius was quite pleased he'd taken don't be late to mean be early. He stood, brushed lint from his robes as Lucius would have and strode into the office with confidence he didn't truly possess but had schooled his face into the infamous Slytherin mask.
"Sit!" Rosier said briskly.
Aurelius did but gracefully lowered himself into the chair before the desk. He would imitate Lucius as an adult if it killed him. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I shall have to thank Lord Malfoy for troubling himself on my account."
Rosier ignored his greeting, "You're claiming to be one Aurelius Prince, uncle of Eileen and Evelyn Prince? Younger brother of Amphion Prince?"
Aurelius nodded, "I've satisfied Gringotts, Our Lord," lifting his sleeve enough to give Rosier, a frighteningly loyal Death Eater a glimpse of the Dark Mark, "Lord Malfoy and my niece of my right to claim Headship of the Prince Family. My niece could verify in person but she is currently in seclusion in my Château in France." He withdrew the 'confession' of his, Severus and Lily's mother, "I offer this as proof as well as this." Holding out the parchment his mother wrote and Evelyn's pendant.
"I recognise that, the pendant. It's been in the Prince family for generations." Rosier said shortly.
"Of course. The other half is worn around Eileen's daughter's neck, she was blood adopted by Eileen's Muggle husband against his knowledge or will. Therefore her name should be Lillian Anastasia Snape yet her Hogwarts letter was sent to Lily Anne Evans and she's believed to be a Muggleborn when she was born the child of two purebloods of the Prince Bloodline." All embarrassingly true.
Rosier read the letter, his voice cold when he spoke, "You're telling me that you are Severus and Lillian's true guardian. That a Hogwarts letter was misaddressed and someone knew that Eileen had a second child and I was not informed?"
Aurelius nodded and then sneered, "Her letter was signed and delivered by Dumbledore himself rather then signed by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall or delivered by a less important staff member."
The Head of the Department of Family Services or whatever this ridiculous and pretentious Department was sniffed at him, "Headmasters' don't sign Hogwarts invitation letters, even a house elf knows that!"
Aurelius sneered back, "Even I know that! My experiences with Hogwarts were clear on that. I don't need you to tell me, I who served as," he cut himself off before he said something true like he'd been Head of Slytherin or Headmaster for Aurelius Prince never had been but Severus Snape had but probably wouldn't. "I mean attended that institution. Now I know Muggles don't have any standing in legal grounds but we could summon my niece and ask her if you insist. From what I know of her, she's saved her letter. Now all I want is you to declare that both the so-called children Severus Snape and Lily Ann Evans are my wards, my children as it were who should be referred henceforth as Severus Aurelian and Lillian Anastasia Prince. I would like the forms to register them as they should have been years ago." That would be tricky, the forms were had to be filled out properly, no matter, he'd glamour them to read Aurelius rather than Amphion.
Rosier summoned the forms, binding ink and the proper quill.
They landed on the desk in front of Aurelius.
Aurelius unstoppered the inkpot and dipped the quill expertly in the in ink before filling in the requisite information.

Child's name: Severus Aurelian Prince
Gender [M, H, B or G]: Male
Order of birth in relation to sire: Third (Glamoured of course to read as first)
Order of birth in relation to bearer: First
Sire: Amphion Rigel Prince (Read as Aurelius Nihal Prince)
Bearer: Eileen Marcia Prince
Date of birth: 9 January 1960
Place of birth: Cokeworth, Wales

Child's name: Lillian Anastasia Prince
Gender [M, H, B or G]: Female
Order of birth in relation to sire: Fourth (Glamoured of course to read as second)
Order of birth in relation to bearer: Second
Sire: Amphion Rigel Prince (Read as Aurelius Nihal Prince)
Bearer: Eileen Marcia Prince
Date of birth: 9 January 1960
Place of birth: Cokeworth, Wales

He signed them as Head of the Prince Family, Lord Severus Tobias Prince (Glamoured to read as Aurelius Nihal Prince)

With a smirk he handed them to Rosier, "Might I have two sets of copies as well?"
Rosier swore at him but copied the birth registry documents, "Why would you need them?"
Aurelius shrugged, "One set to file with Gringotts and the second to prove my case with Hogwarts. I am thinking that irreparable damage has already been done to their reputations at Hogwarts. I was considering sending them to Durmstrang or even Beauxbatons where they might receive a more through education."
Rosier scowled, "Hogwarts under Dumbledore has become quite narrow in its curriculum. He had too much influence on Dippet and now has all the authority of its Headmaster. As if his other titles aren't ridiculous enough."
Dumbledore had been head of the Wizengamot as well at other Wizarding Political bodies for years. How he managed to fool them all was quite beyond him.
Aurelius had always been the time to pride himself on his perception and he was still plagued with prejudice and pride. Misjudging Albus the first time nearly broke him, his blinkered state had him reacting to Harry as if Lily's son had been cursed by the Cassandra Curse but his taking the Dark Mark nearly cost him his life and believing Albus was dead cost Harry his life.
The silence of his thoughts was broken harshly.
"Is there anything else? Or do you plan to annoy me by brooding?"
Aurelius pocketed the copies, "It's been a pleasure. I may have to summon you to verify my proofs."
"To whom and why?"
Aurelius smirked, "Why to the Hogwarts Board of Governors of course. It should be no problem to summon them. That is if the Governors haven't changed; Longbottom, Diggory, Crouch, Burbage Potter, Black, Malfoy, Weasley and wasn't it Lovegood and Prewett?"
Rosier sneered, "You forgot Bones."
Aurelius shrugged, "No matter, who is the current head of the Council?"
"Black I think."
Aurelius winced, "Yes, Lady Walburga."
"An estimable woman." Rosier said with a smirk.
"If our lord had more then one of her, she would bring the opposition to their knees." Aurelius said with a forced smile; he had Walburga and Bellatrix but thankfully not Umbridge. He detested that woman…
"Send me word. Until then I'd like my office to myself."
Aurelius flooed to Merrivale closed the floo and went to the battlement where the owls perched. He tugged out ink and parchment, sending a letter for the Dark Lord written in Parseltongue a language he could reach but not truly speak. He sent it Care of Abraxus.
'My Lord,
More revelations arose then expected. Would like an interview at best convenience. Spoke to Lily's Muggle Guardians, to Eileen and filed birth registries with Ministry. Will be requesting audience with Board of Governors.
Will need to file a will with Gringotts and arrange vaults for twins. Plans to sit exams for Potion Master first class. Still considering whether to transfer children to Durmstrang. Will discuss with them.
Aurelius'
He also went a letter thanking Abraxus for arranging the meeting with Rosier. Requested an audience with the Board of Governors and information regarding the Potion Master exams.
He sent a quick note to Griphook asking him to name a time to discuss Prince matters.
Aurelius must arrange for their inheritance, Lily's upon her marriage to Potter and Severus when he came of age. Lily as a Prince Heiress would deserve a more fitting Bonding ceremony and other things then she'd received last time.
There was much to do before revealing himself to Dumbledore.
Aurelius sneered; he would strive hard to keep Severus, Remus and Lily from that man. Where Lily went, James would follow. He could only hope…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
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