Play Date
Baby Harry was bored. Sure, he had lots of fun with dada, mama, pafoo, moony, Gampa Sal and Vica. But he was still bored. Little Harry needed someone his age. All the grown ups were old and boring. So, he began his mission to find his mama. Well, he didn't go that far. His mama had puted him into his play park, with no way out. At least Gampa Sal was there and Vica.
& What is wrong my little snake? Do you need mama?&
Harry looked at his grandpa and nodded. &Bored gampa. Want mama and play.& Salazar chuckled. He had noticed of course that Hadrian looked bored and lonely. He was wondering if Hadrian had any friends his age. Beeing locked up in a house with four adults, a painting and a snake wasn't the best company for a toddler. With a nod, he send Vica to find Lily, maybe she could help. She is after all his mother.
Lily came up a few seconds later. " What's wrong darling? are you lonely?" She picked up her son and cuddled him. Harry snaked his little hands, over his mum's neck. "Bored mama. Lonely. Wanna play". Lily kissed his head. "Lily dear. Hadrian needs to hang out with children his age. It's not good for him to hang out only with us and Vica. He needs social skills and he's lacking them, beeing locked up in here. I know you are worried and scared. But the danger is long gone now. I'm not saying to throw a baby party with 100 kids. I think two would just do. Hadrian looks miserable, I hate seeing my little snake like that." Lily was convinced. Besides Sal was right, Harry was bound to go to Hogwarts in a few years, he needed the social skills. Perhaps it was time for some company and Lily knew the perfect one.
"You are right Grandpa. Harry would you like to meet a new friend and play?" The baby nodded excitedly. Yes it was time to send a letter to Alice Longbottom. Harry and Neville were godbrothers after all. Besides she had created powerful parseltongue wards, no harm would be coming to any of the boys. With that thought in mind, she put her baby back into his playpen and went to James's office to write a letter.
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Alice Longbottom was on her Manor's garden, playing with some flowers, her little Neville on her lap. When an owl approached. She put the little flower crown on the side so the bird could land. Neville shierked happily to the owl, her little man loved animas.
After she scaned the letter for anything harmfull and finding nothing, she opened it.It turned out, that it was a playdate invitation from Lily, so their boys could spend sometime together. No objection came from Alice. She had infact missed Lily dearly and of course her Godson Harry. She lifted Neville on her arms and went inside to find her husband.
Frank Longbottom was in the library looking for a book about the uses of Herbs and Flowers in warding. When his beautiful wife and son came in. Honestly, if you asked Frank who was the most beautiful woman in the world, he would answer in a heart beat. And his answer would always be the same. Alice.
"Darling. Lily just send a letter"
"Oh Merlin! Did something happened? Are they okey? Should we call the Aurors?" He was essentially panicking. Alice fixted it by pecking him on the lips. "No silly, Everythings perfectly fine. She is just asking, if we would like to arrange a play date for the boys. She says in her letter, that Harry is a bit bored and lonely and between the two of us, I think Neville is a little bored to. Love it would be good for the boys and for us. The danger is over. It is time to go back to normal. In a few years both Neville and Harry would go to Hogwarts. They would meet new people and it would be scarry.
They would definitely need someone familiar to be with them. Besides they are Godbrothers for Merlins shake, we can't keep them appart. And I know you have also missed James Sirius and Remus as much as I have missed Lily. We will be safe Frank. Please". He had to admit it. His wife was actually right, like always.
"I suppose it is not a bad idea. You are right darling, it would be good for the boys and yes, I've missed those three. I guess it's a date then. Huh, what do you thing little man?" He said picking his son up and tickling him. Producing those delicious giggles.
Alice smiled to her husband and son. "I'll write the response and send it today". She then walked out of the library, leaving her two wonderful boys together. A play date was exactly what they needed to return to normal.
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James Sirius and Remus where in the garden, practicing. Not magic no. They were practicing parseltongue. Something none of the Marauders ever thought would happen.
Sirius was attempting to flirt with Remus. He failed.
&My beautiful fur. You hot I. Eyes you beautiful.& He actually, ended up sending the werewolf on the ground. Laughing so hard, that he had to clutch his stomach, while tears were streaming down his cheeks. James had trouble breathing from laughing so hard.
"B-beautiful fur. I can't breathe. Oh padfoot I can't breathe!"
Remus managed to whisper " You hot I. Oh Love I think I'm dying!" Sirius tried to pout. Unsuccessfully. He was laughing too. "Alright Prongs your turn." James was actually confident.
&Well padfoot. If you wanted me to kick your ass, all you have to do was ask!& That actually shut the others up. Sirius was shocked. "OK how in Merlin's name did you do that?!" Remus practically screamed.
"Well boys. If you must know, I'm married to Lily who talks in her sleep. When angry cusses in parseltongue. Also she's giving me special lessons".
Sirius smirked. "Well Moony. I guess we should ask Lily flower for some private lessons too." Remus agreed. "SIRIUS BLACK YOU WOULDN'T DARE!" The dog animagus laughed. "Oh but I would Prongs. But unfortunately Lily is not my type." Remus rolled his eyes wondering why did he chose to marry that one!.
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Frank Alice and Neville arrived later that day. Both young boys were very excited. They started blabbing the moment they met. They cuddled and laughed. Alice and Frank were looking around, when their eyes landed on the portrait.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S HAIRY BALLS IS SALAZAR SLYTHERIN'S PORTRAIT DOING IN HERE??!!" Frank's yell actually startled the boys who were now crying. Two angry mothers were glaring at him, including an actual snake and Salazar Slytherin himself. "Lord Longbottom you've scared my grandson. I was expecting better manners from a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House. But I'm disappointed. If you raise your voice again I will stick Vica on you!".
Frank was shocked. What was he supposed to do? Thankfully James came to his rescue "Grandpa Sal. Please forgive Frank. He didn't mean to scare Hadrian, he was just surprised." Salazar looked at him narrowing his eyes "Very well. But make sure this never happen again. Now away with the four of you. Me and Vica will take care of the boys."
Frank was confused. Alice put Neville down and kissed both his and Harry's heads. "Be good for grandpa Salazar boys. We will be right outside." She then turned to Lily "Who is this Vica?"
Hearing her name, she slithered from the couch, presenting herself.
"This is Vica. She's a snake and the best nanny in the world". Said snake was glaring so hard at Frank. That if she was a basilisk Frank would be dead.
&That future food scared my hatchling. He mad my hatchling and new young hatchling cry. I should eat you for that!&
&Vica please. Harry and Neville are both OK. No need to eat Frank. Don't worry I intend to have a biig talk with him, so he would learn his lesson.& Lily glared at him.
The snake looked satisfied and she curled herself around Neville and Harry. The Longbottoms were shocked. "Lily. You are a Parselmouth. How? What is going on?" Alice looked concerned. But Lily smiled. "I am going to explain everything Alice. Don't worry. Let's go to the Kitchen, to get you a nice cup of tea and everything will make sense. I promise Neville is going to be safe with Vica and Grandpa Sal looking after him."
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Once in the kitchen Alice started bombarding them with questions. "How are you a Parselmouth? Why did you call Salaz Slytherin Grandpa? How? Since when do you have a snake? Why are you having Slytherin's portrait in your home? I have so many questions and I need answers Lily. James how come you're not freaked out about this?"
Lily was patiently drinking her tea. "If you would please calm down and listen to us, we promise that everything would make sense." James then looked at Lily and noded.
" Some weeks ago Albus payed us a visit. He wanted to speak with James alone. He demanted that we abandone Harry to my muggle sister Petunia. James of course threw Albus out. Now the thing is that Albus was kinda obsessed with Harry. Tha didn't sit right with us, so we went to Gringotts to take an inheritance test. What we discovered changed evereything. Turns out Albus had put blocks on Harry. Blocks Alice! He put blocks on my baby! Not only that, but we discovered that Harry was....He....He was a Horcrux. Voldemorts Horcrux, and Albus knew about this and did nothing. He didn't even tell us!
That is not the only thing. Harry has Inherited a few Vaults and abilities from me. Before you say something, yes I know How can I have any vaults. So we asked if I could also take an Inheritance test. Turns out I am a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Trust me when we found out I was in shock. We found his portrait in his vault and that was when I figured out I was a Parselmouth and so is Harry. We agreed to take his portrait here, best decision ever. And it turns out he is my sometimes great Grandfather. I know, I couldn't believe it either. So, that's why." Alice and Frank were sitting there, with their mouths wide open.
Once Alice came out of her stupor she answered " That is even crazier than the time we caught Professor Sprout high dancing with a Mndrake. This isn't a prank right?". This time it was James who answered " No Alice, it's not a prank. That is why we wanted to talk to you. Things are complecated now and I know that Albus has approached you too. I don't know what he's planing, but I know it involves our children. And I'll be a damn fool if I let him get away with it."
Frank nodded " I agree. The boys are what is more importand right now. Lily, James I;m sorry for reacting the way I did. If Albus is planing something, then we have to be prepared. Lily, Alice said you have Parseltongue wards around your home. Is it possible to use the same wards around our home too?" Lily smiled " Of course Frank, we are family and I am going to do something even better. I'll teach you Parseltongue, if you want to of course." Frank's eyes widen.
"Is this even possible? Can you actually learn it?"
Lily nodded " Yes, I;m actually already teaching the guys. You both are welcome."
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While the grown ups were having a chat, the little youngsters were having a blast. Harry had in fact empied his toys on the floor and was playing war with Neville. They had divided the toys in teams, half belonged to Neville's army, half to Harry's.
Comander cuddles was on the frond row, comanding the soldiers. While Sargent Prongs was leading the attack. Soldiers Padfoot and Moony were using the canons, to take down the enemy's tower. Fox, Snakey,Crow-Crow, Badger and Lion were holding the line. Both boys were giggling like crazy, playing with their toys. They had used the the pillows from the couches to creat fords.
Neville was using the fruit bowl as a helmet and was holding a kid sword. Harry had emptied a flower pot and was using that, as helmet, he was also holding a tiny sword. They both were shouting orders to their soldiers. Salazar was enjoying the show. Until a bright idea came to his mind "Boys. Would you like to listen to a story?".
Both boys droped their weapons and went to sit in front of the portrait. They had also brought their stuffed friends wit them, to listen to Grandpa Sal's story. "Story, story,story,story" They chanted, waiting for him to start. Salazar smiled to the two, inocent boys. Last time that he was that happy, was when his own grand childer were alive. Good times, but it is not good for the soul to dwell in the past. In fact, as he thought about it, he had the perfect story for the boys.
" Once upon a time. High up in the mountains, in a big magical castle. There lived four friends.........
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The parents realised that it was to qiuet. So they went to check on their boys. What they saw, warmed their hearts. Both boys were asleep, cuddle to eachother, surronded by stuffed animals. They were covered by a blanket and Vica was wraped around them protectively. Salazar Slytherin was telling them a story abouth the Founders and Hogwarts. Not that the boys knew it. Salazar saw them and put his finger in front of his mouth, to signal them to be quiet. Yes this play date was going to be the first of many from now on.