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Corvus	By : LadyFreak Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 23963 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor to I make any money from this story. These characters are JKR's, I just play with them.

Chapter List
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(9) Growing up Lestrange
After their meeting with Severus, the boys met up often during the week for training and lunch. Each boy had a wand that was compatible with their own magics. These wands were borrowed from the family vaults. They weren’t perfect matches, but they were well enough in tune that they worked without strain. When Corvus and Draco asked the adults about getting their own wands, they were told that would happen when they turned 11. They were also told that the family wands would be theirs to keep as secondary so that the ‘idiot ministry’ and ‘imbecilic Headmaster’ wouldn’t know.
Now that they had their own wand, or as close to their own until they got older, Bellatrix, Rabastan, and Lucius began to teach the boys elementary magic such as wingardium leviosa and diffindo, along with some cleaning charms. These practical lessons only took place once a week, with the duo learning one spell a month. Even when they picked up the spell easily, they would not move on to another until the new month.
While they worked with some magic, most of what they studied was theory.
On any given day, the boys would be found in one of the family libraries. If they weren’t at Malfoy Manor Library, they were at the Lestrange Manor Library. And if not in either of those places, they were in Corvus’ personal Library.
Corvus’ Library now wrapped completely around his study. Where before the bookcases were limited to standing on either side of the fireplace, there was now one on every free wall. There was still plenty of empty space, but soon as the youngest Lestrange got a new book, he would find a place on his shelves for it. He also had his fireplace enchanted so that the wall would act as a door to a private study. Here he stored the ancient books of LeFay and Ravenclaw. He didn’t even share these with Draco, somehow feeling wrong letting anyone else see.
Should the boys not be found in any of the Libraries, or if Draco was being particularly moody, the boys could be found on the Quidditch pitch at Malfoy Manor. Corvus didn’t care so much about the game, but reveled in the feeling of freedom he got flying on a broom. The wind in his hair and the feeling of adrenaline rushing through his veins as he flew hundreds of feet above ground was what kept him going back.
Still, mostly the boys could be found reading one book or another. It was an equal mixture of pleasure and academia. They would even borrow books from the different libraries, with the permission of the adults, and the promise to return each within a weeks time.
The most amazing discovery to Corvus after he turned 9, was a collection of books on languages at Malfoy Manor, including his most sought after Gobbledygook. Lucius explained that they had a family member many years passed who was obsessed with learning as many languages as he could and the family kept the books in honor of his perseverance and thirst for knowledge.
When he returned home after that discovery, Corvus studied the books intently. After months of reading and reviewing, he knew he could go no further on his own and asked his mother to set up an appointment with Ragnok. When Bellatrix asked why, he smiled at her and told her she would find out.
()
“Good morning, Madam Lestrange, what can we do for you today?” Ragnok greeted roughly.
“Actually it was my son who sought an audience with you,” Bellatrix responded, gesturing to her son.
“Greetings Master Goblin,” Corvus spoke up, speaking in Gobbledygook. He withheld the smirk that wanted to take over his face at the shocked expressions. “I am honored to greet you this day. May your halls be filled with mountains of gold.”
That line was repeated often in his study materials about greetings. Corvus knew what it meant and the respect it would convey. It was the rest of the conversation that would be difficult to speak.
“Greetings young Master Lestrange. It is an honor to greet you as well. May I ask of your reason for this visit?”
Corvus focused on trying to translate what was said before answering slowly, “I would like to learn your language”
“You seem to be doing well.”
Corvus replied in English “By books alone, one cannot learn the true love of a language. Ever since my first visit I have been fascinated by your language. I only chanced upon some tutorial books at the library of a friend. I would be honored if you would teach me.”
The goblin looked up at Bellatrix, “I have no problem with this, Madam. I could set up a tutoring session weekly with young Corvus.”
She looked down into her son’s pleading eyes. “You don’t need puppy dog eyes with me Corvus.” She turned back to Ragnok. “Would Saturdays at 2 work for you?”
“That would be perfect.”
“I am honored, Master goblin,” Corvus spoke again, bowing respectfully at his waist.
When he stood again, the goblin smiled at him. “The honor is mine. I shall see you in a couple of days.”
()
The training was hard work. Goblins were definitely a no-nonsense bunch and strict in all they did. Along with the language, he also learned traditions of the old race as well as some weaponry (with permission from his parents, of course).
Within a year and a half, Corvus was fluent in Gobbledygook and a favorite among the goblins. When he entered the bank, most stopped what they were doing to greet him, which he returned in kind. At a little over 10 years old he was the most respected wizard that entered Gringotts.
Corvus was not a spoiled child, outside of his desire for learning. He asked for things he needed and was given all access to the family library. With full bookcases in his own study, the copies from the Ravenclaw and LeFay vaults, and access to the two family libraries, he would want for nothing.
()
December 14 1990- 10 1/2 year old Corvus
A week before their third Yule holiday together, Bellatrix, Rabastan and Severus had a surprise for Corvus. Used to the odd shops in Knockturn, he didn’t blink an eye when Bellatrix dragged him into another seemingly shady shop.
When they entered, Corvus’s jaw dropped. The inside was much bigger than the outside and was a magical menagerie of animals. Eggs of all types, snakes, birds, cats, kneazles, krups… the list went on and on.
“I think you need a familiar,” Bellatrix said. Corvus opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off. “Consider it your Yule present. Plus, if you get one now you will have time to bond before school starts.” She smirked as he closed his mouth and nodded. “Now. Close your eyes and let your magic feel out for your familiar. The connection should be clear in a form of a thread of energy. If you don’t find one, do not worry, your familiar just may not be at this location. But I have a feeling that it is.”
Corvus closed his eyes and did as directed. He could ‘see’ different color threads pulling him in different directions. He followed a bright green strand and found himself standing before the snake area. ::Me! Me!:: he heard all the snakes calling out to him. He couldn’t help but laugh.
::I wish I could take all of your home, but for today I search for my familiar.:: He told them.
Snakes were making hissing noises that could be compared to whining and groaning, making Corvus laugh again. He put his hand out before him and felt for that strand of magic again, trying to find what was pulling him so strongly.
His hand landed on an egg that was approximately the size of his small fist. It was white with blue and bronze veins flowing all over it. It was warm to the touch and he smiled at the feeling.
Bellatrix stood behind him, amazed at the sounds flowing from the boys lips. A greying, kind faced man stood beside them. “Basilisk egg. My first and last. Some have tried to hold or touch just this egg and have been burned by the shell.” The adults all looked at the newcomer with confusion. “I can see that you can touch the egg. Can you pick it up young Master?”
Corvus didn’t know what to think about being the only one to touch the egg, but he obliged. He held the egg in his hand and felt the warmth spread throughout his body. He gave a bright smile to all the adults surrounding him.
“She has definitely chosen you child. Take her, she is yours.” He handed a dark green velvet pouch with a long string attached to Corvus. “She needs to be kept close to you. Place the egg in this pouch so it will stay warm and near. It’s uncrushable too.” Corvus nodded and thanked the man. He placed the egg in the pouch and strung it over his head. He was worried about the weight of the egg sitting around his neck, but it was barely there. He could feel enough of it to know it was there, but instead of a heavy weight, it was a comfortable weight and warmth.
Corvus closed his eyes to see the other tendril, this time bright red, that had been tugging at him, but this one was moving around. He frowned in thought for a minute and mentally tugged on the line. He felt claws grip his shoulder as a sharp beak nipped at his ear. “Hello there,” he said to the Raven now sitting on his shoulder. He held his hand to his shoulder and the crow jumped onto it. Holding the bird in front of him, they assessed one another.
The bird was about a foot tall with shiny midnight black feathers. His beady eyes seemed to look straight through Corvus, and the young wizard let them. They sat staring for a full minute before the bird leaned forward and gently tugged his hair in his beak. Corvus returned his hand to his shoulder, where the Raven bit his ear sharply, drawing blood.
“Umm... Ouch?” he said, to the amusement of all the adults in the room, if the snorts were anything to go by. The Raven but its head against his cheek and seemed to puff up. “I’m taking this to mean you are coming home with me?”
The bird nodded. He felt a small whisper against his mind and focused on it while looking at the bird on his shoulder. /Hello young master/ came a young male voice.
“Hello,” Corvus replied shyly with a smile.
“Ah, another bonded!” The shop owner smiled happily.
“I need everything you have for my two new friends.” What an odd man to have in Knockturn… Corvus thought to himself as the shop owner smiled and was off again to collect what was needed.
They all returned home, packed down with bags. Corvus set up a corner of his study with the perch for his raven. He also set up a table for the Basilisk which he had to wait on to hatch. The owner was sure to remind him to keep the egg close to him at all times.
Once everything was set up and put away, Corvus pulled out a book on familiars he had picked up and began reading about his new bonded.
**Basilisks:
Basilisks are the most loyal familiars, but also the rarest. Once bound to a witch or wizard, a basilisk will only answer to those of the same bloodline. A basilisk will bond with a witch or wizard by biting and injecting their magical essence into the wound. In this way, the person will be able to understand their familiar’s snake speech. They will also be able to connect mentally over distances as the bond grows.
A snake speaker, or Parselmouth, is also a rare occurrence. It is said that every time a parselmouth is born, a new basilisk egg comes along. Whether this is myth or truth is hard to know due to the rarity of each occurrence.
Basilisk skin is impervious to most spells, and was once commonly used for armor and dueling robes. In addition to spell resistance, the basilisk's skin can take huge amounts of physical force without damage, even high powered muggle guns and cannons have trouble to make more than a small dent that is healed again within seconds. The physical protection of the eyes is about the same as for magic.
A basilisk’s stare is lethal, except to their bonded. However, there is a way to control their gaze. A basilisk has three layers of eyelids that control the force of the gaze. With the inner two (transparent) eyelids closed they can still see but their gaze has no effect on any person, being, or animal looking at them. With just the bottom, or third, eyelid closed, the gaze will petrify, but not kill, which can be cured by drought of Mandrakes. With all lids opened, a met gaze immediately kills. The inner eyelids are almost as spell resistant as the basilisk skin; the outer eyelid is as much as.
The only 'accessible' weak point of a basilisk is the inside of its mouth, barring the teeth. The teeth reflect magic back to the caster and are filled with venom that will kill within minutes.
The only known cure for Basilisk venom are the tears of a phoenix, willingly given. While store tears will work, they work slower and may not be fast enough to save the victim. It is said that the tears are most potent when they are being cried over the wound itself and work immediately through the body.
There are animals that are known to be immune to the stare of a Basilisk:

1: Phoenix: both basilisk and phoenix are reported to be unaffected by the gaze, but a basilisk is noted to be more aggressive to the presence of the magical bird.

2: Unicorn: A unicorn will not make a move against a basilisk, and a basilisk will not attack a unicorn. Through research it was discovered that basilisk blood will smoke and boil when tested with willingly given unicorn blood. It could be this that keeps a Basilisk from biting the majestical creature

3: Dragons: Though not affected by the gaze, like most creatures a Dragon is susceptible to the venom.
()
Ravens:
Ravens are often falsely noted as being omens of death and ill will due to their status as Carrion and Scavengers. A raven is a messenger and a teacher-spirit. They are known to be very intelligent. The raven is a familiar who can carry magic across great distances at night, and because of its color, blends with the night and was able to travel undetected.
Being ravens are such intelligent creatures, they are very particular with what witch or wizard they bond with. They are also known to stick closer with Dark witches and wizards more so than light, though it is not an unknown occurrence.
()
“Hmm. Well I definitely feel special to know you’ve chosen me. Now, for names…” Corvus said, thinking out loud. He turned to his feathered friend “I’m sorry I should have asked if you had one already.”
/It is alright, young Master. I am not yet named./
Corvus stood up and took a book from his collection. “I have an idea…” he said, leafing through an old Mythology book. “Here! Okay. ‘Huginn and Munin travel the world bearing news and information to Odin. Huginn is "thought" and Munin is "memory". They are sent out at dawn to gather information and return in the evening. They perch on the god's shoulders and whisper the news into his ears.’”
/Odd names for sure, but feels right…/
Corvus hummed softly as he returned to his seat. “I think Huginn is appropriate, for thought.”
/I think that’s appropriate as well/ the bird said with a puffed out chest.
“Ego much?” Corvus asked playfully. In answer he got a nip and tug of his hair. “Alright. Huginn. And our serpent friend?” he asked as he pulled the egg from his pouch. “When shall you join us my little friend? And a name? Serpens is too… predictable. I think this will take some thinking. Shall we wait for her to join us Huginn?”
/I think that is best. Lest she dislike the name you choose./
Corvus hummed again and returned to his reading.
()

{Edited 9-17-15}

A/N: **The Basilisk information was based off an essay posted by Anders1, with permission from the author. “Basilisks” by Anders1, can be found at fanfiction.net. The information on Ravens is self created using various mythological references
This chapter is longer than what i'm used to, but its better than having one chapter of less than a thousands words. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the jump to 10 year olds wasn't too bad :) Thanks!!

Review Replies:
Luminari Lilium: You're too cute. You can't steal my Sev, but you can borrow him ;)
Shadowwolf03: Thank you for continuing to read my story. I'm glad it is good enough to have you go looking for it. Please keep reading and let me know how i am doing :)
asiacheetah: thanks for popping by. I agree that Corvus deserves the happy family, finally. Even if some of their history is questionable.
cocobyrd87: Thank you! I’m glad you like this story. I’ve read a lot of ‘wrong-boy-who-lived’ stories and just had to add my own. I hope i can twist it enough to make it different from the others. Please keep reading
wirra: I understand completely what you mean about the gaps. For now, even though i’m 9 chapters in, i’m still establishing a base for the story. Action will be forthcoming, however. As the story continues, there will be less action gaps. For the time being, i’m trying to get through child hood and up to school days. You did not dig yourself a grave, i love the critique and it will now be something i will be looking for in the future. I’ve actually gone back and read some of what i have to make sure i’m not leaving too many gaps. Thank you!!
dominique1: Thanks!!
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Corvus