Kind, but not gentle
When the night arrives, and the world thrives it
Magic itself, looking for its baby
Shall always reunite a parent with their child
***
— Calm down boy, I don't want to hurt you — Sirius repeated as he squeezed the boy's wound. — Don't touch me, — the boy demanded, he didn't feel safe with the man's touch. What could he do now? The man in front of him was dangerous, a cold-blooded murderer who had escaped from the most protected prison of the world
Why would the stranger save him?, Those who were chasing him were, in a way, Death Eaters, and this man had murdered Muggles. Why would he kill them just to save him? The only logical reason he could think of was that maybe he wanted to extort money from his parents, maybe he felt that since it was late at night, he must live somewhere around there, he was probably short on money, would he be stupid enough to risk kidnapping him? Or did he think he was feared enough that no one would say a word if they saw him?
No, Asterion wouldn't allow it, this guy wouldn't get close to his mother in any way, he had to think of something, get him away from his mother, — What's your name? — Black asked, Regulus knew that for now at least, he should not answer, he had to make it clear that he did not trust him
— Who are you? — Asterion asked, deflecting the question and pretending to not hear anything, he knew he shouldn't anger the man, not at least until he had the advantage in a battle, he needed to heal himself and hide his wand. Sirius, for his part, felt relieved, he believed that the boy, being so young, had no idea who he was, it wouldn't be easy to deal with someone who hated or feared him for a crime that he didn't even commit
— I'm no one, just a homeless man who lives around here —
«Good answer» Regulus thought. Now what should he do? Draco shouldn't take long to arrive, the Patronus must have already arrived at Hogwarts, But he still had to free himself from the man. The first thing was to hide the wand. If the "homeless" decided to take it away, then he was dead
— Where are your parents? — Sirius asked, «Why do you want to know? So you can blackmail my sweet mother?, Forget it!» Regulus thought, noticing the boy's lack of response, Sirius decided to speak again, — I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help you —
— My head hurts a lot — Asterion lied. For a moment he considered transforming into an animagus and running away like a Grimm's pup, but he was too injured and ran the possibility of going blind. The older Black hurried to get behind the rock where Asterion was leaning over to check that there were no serious injuries in the boy's head
It was at that moment that he took the opportunity to hide his wand in the sleeve of his jacket, — It doesn't look like your head is bleeding, but I think we should use your wand to heal you — Regulus was breathing heavily, he needed to take one of the potions he had in his magical pockets, but he didn't think it was a good idea to take it in front of the Stranger
It was convenient for him to have Regulus injured, and Asterion only had one potion, so if Black took it from him, He would have nothing else to cure himself with, and he would be at a great disadvantage. — I'm really thirsty. I want water —, Snape asked. He needed Sirius to turn his back on him, just for a few seconds, but enough to drink his potion, — Uh...sure, I think I had a little left over here —
Black began to look for the old canteen that he had stolen and that had saved him from dying of dehydration, he had to have it there, according to him it still had some water. It was the perfect moment, just while the man was looking for water at the bottom of his cave, Asterion took the opportunity to take one of his potions out of his pocket, the intense red color told the boy that it was the correct liquid, he didn't have much time, so he uncapped it and drank it in one gulp
Which was a very bad idea, because the bitter taste and sandy consistency made Regulus choke, he began to cough like crazy, the older Black was quick to pat him on the back a couple of times, — Boy! What's happening ? —
— Water......—, the boy asked, — Sorry boy, I think I lost my canteen, Can we use your wand? there's a spell that will quench your thirst —
«There it is, Finally,» Regulus thought, The reason to hide the wand, Asterion put on his best face of fear and distrust,
— I don't have it.....Did you take it from me? Are you going to hurt me? — Asterion had to use all his strength not to laugh, «That was very convincing» Asterion thought. Sirius stood up abruptly and walked away from the boy.
— No! I swear I didn't take it! — He shouted with some anger and concern —And I don't want to hurt you! What do I have to do to make you believe me!? —
— Find it then..... —
Black began to search desperately throughout the cave again, thinking that the boy had surely let go of it and was somewhere there, as for the boy, he had to wait for Sirius to turn his back on him again, he was already healed, now he could counterattack without the fear that the "homeless" will jump on him
A few seconds after Sirius' search began, the man completely turned his back on the boy, Snape stood up, and unknowingly raised his wand against his own father
— A single sudden movement, and you are dead —
***
Help Aberforth, Help Aberforth, Help Aberforth, Help Aberforth, Help...
Harry woke up startled and covered in cold sweat, in his dreams he had heard a voice asking him for help, the voice was familiar, not that familiar, but it was surely someone he already knew, who could it be? It was a voice that in a normal situation would be deep and calm, but in the message sounded frantic and somewhat afraid
Hmm...., Who could.....?, Asterion, the name came to his mind as if someone else had answered his question, that's when it hit him, The voice was Regulus Snape's
Harry got out of bed and went to Ron's bed, he thought about waking him up like he always did, but he closed his hand and walked away, he knew he probably wouldn't help him, Asterion was his......, Harry hesitated so hard. just thinking about finishing that sentence, Was he his friend?
The Gryffindor thought about it for a few long minutes. Yes, Asterion was his friend, but only his friend, he was not a friend of Ron or Hermione, and he would not wake them up, because in the end, Regulus, before being a friend of Harry, he was Snape's son
He took his invisibility cloak and carefully left his common room, it was late at night, but not late enough for the castle to have that dark appearance that it adopted in the early mornings
He walked carefully under the protection of the cloak, it was late for the students, but not for the teachers, there were still many hanging around, he was heading to the common room where he had been a year ago with the polyjuice potion for...., ..For what? To save Snape's son? To see that he was safe?
Well, he supposed he owed Snape for saving him from dying at Quirrel's hands the first year. He continued walking and curiously passed in front of Snape's office, he approached to see if he could catch if Asterion was there, Severus was talking to someone, it was not his son, but another adult
Harry got as close as he could to the door, just to see if he heard anything from Regulus, he couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but he could make out parts of the conversation between Snape and....Was that Lupin?
«I understand that you don't believe me, but then believe your son, why would he lie about the appearance of the man who attacked him?»
«Asshole» Snape roared, «Of course I believe my son, but I still don't understand what you've told me. Why would that man attack him?»
«And what do you lose if we investigate it, if we catch the rat, don't you think it would be the best for your son? If you and I work together, it would prove the innocence of Asterion's father»
The question was not answered, but was followed by a couple of seconds of silence, «Please Severus, you know that I am not looking to harm your son, he is my nephew, you should also know what is best for both of you»
Harry decided to walk away, it was all he needed to hear, besides, Asterion was not there, The innocence of Asterion's father, parts of the conversation stayed in Harry's head.
So, that could only mean one thing, Regulus's father is alive and in some kind of legal mess, He's my nephew, also played over and over in the Gryffindor's head, so, somehow they are related, that makes a lot of sense, that's why Professor Lupin seems so attached to the boy
Harry would cut off his arm before he even thought that Professor Lupin and Snape were related, so in Harry's head that could only mean one thing
Asterion is not a Snape, but a Lupin, and Regulus is the son of the defense against the dark arts professor's brother
He decided to continue on his way to the Slytherin common room, avoiding all the teachers who were still walking around, he arrived at his destination not long after, it was then that he realized that he had to think of a way to enter the green room
And as if the universe was determined to help him, just at that moment the door opened, and out came none other than Draco Malfoy, dressed very warmly and casually perfect for going out. —Where are you going? — Harry asked, still under the invisibility cloak. Malfoy was extremely startled, taking his wand out of his pocket. The Gryffindor took off his cloak, startling Draco even more.
— Potter! What are you doing here at this time of night? —
—Touché, what are you doing here? —
Draco looked both ways as if he was making sure no one could be listening. — It's Asterion — the blonde said, and Harry's face couldn't reflect anything but fear. He paled. Once again, he had been right and that wasn't good
After all, his visions were never a good omen — Where did he go? — Harry asked, — A village, not far from here, but he's in trouble, he needs me and I'm going —
—Wouldn't it be better..., I don't know, I guess we should tell Snape, or even Dumbledore —
Draco sighed deeply, somewhat exasperated, — Maybe you wouldn't understand, Potter, because you've never had a brother, but his Patronus came to me, not to Severus, not to Dumbledore, to me, he wants me, he needs me, so I'll be the one who goes, and you can't do anything to stop me —
Harry stared at the blonde very carefully, he still hated him, he was hateful and a dumb crybaby, but at that moment he couldn't help but feel nothing but respect and admiration for the loyalty and devotion that the Slytherin showed towards his little brother
Harry nodded quickly, — Okay, then let's go — Draco stared at him as if he had said the sky was green, narrowing his eyes and judging the green-eyed one.
— What do you mean with "let's go"? Of course not Potter, I'm going alone —
—If you don't let me accompany you, then I will tell Snape — They looked at each other for a couple of seconds, both exasperated by the other's presence,
— Fine! — Draco shouted, — Nosy — he whispered a few seconds later, Harry stuck out his tongue at him mockingly before covering them both with the invisibility cloak
— What are you doing? — Malfoy asked, — Trying not to be seen — he responded, as if Draco were stupid. The Slytherin complained a little more before resigning himself and beginning to walk carefully next to Harry, — Where should we go?—
—There is a passage not far from here, it will take us very close from the town where we should go —
***
— Mrs. Céline? — He asked scared, he had woken up a little late at night, his blonde hair fell over his shoulders as he walked down the stairs, his babysitter was always there when he had nightmares, but this time there didn't seem to be anyone there
— Miss Céline? I had a nightmare, and I'm very afraid — He continued walking through the small, old house, looking for the nanny who had taken care of him since he was a baby, Darius Jade Lupin had a lump in his throat, he really wanted to cry, the cold and the darkness were really scary to him
He walked down the stairs very carefully, his yellow duck-print socks making noise against the carpet, he heard a soft song coming from the living room, he approached silently, he was afraid, although he didn't know why
He arrived at the living room only to notice that there was no one either, the singing came from the old radio that was turned on at the top of the small fireplace, and that since it was so late at night it only broadcast classical music on those stations that only the elderly people heard, Jade had to stand on tiptoe to turn off the radio
A few minutes later, as he passed by the house, he began to think that it had been a very bad idea, the dead silence that filled the house was much worse than classical music, he breathed as quietly as possible, as if he were afraid that someone would catch him, but yet at the same time he wanted to be heard
— Céline? Where are you? I'm really scared! It's true! — Céline couldn't leave him alone, she shouldn't have and she never had. He continued hanging around the house, even going to the guest room where she slept. It wasn't until he passed next to the kitchen that he caught a strange smell, — Céline? — he asked with a broken voice
A foul smell began to spread throughout the kitchen, Darius retched several times, it was horrible, it came from the small warehouse where they kept the food, the kitchen no longer seemed like that homely place where his mom made waffles and sat him at the table to taste the chocolate mix
It was dark, it was cold and it smelled terrible, — C...Céline? — he asked one last time, he finally decided to approach the warehouse, he tried to open the door, but he couldn't, there was something that was behind the door and prevented Darius from pushing it, Darius used all his strength to push the door
When he was finally able to open the door, he wished he hadn't, the scene in front of him was beyond grotesque, especially for a child of barely ten years old, Céline was no longer complete..., she would never hug him again, and the food that was there would never be eaten again
He wanted to scream, he really wanted to, but he couldn't, it just got stuck in his throat, he couldn't do anything but walk backwards, as if he were trying to escape, when it finally seemed like he was going to make a sound, he couldn't either, because a big hand covered his mouth and another stopped him from moving
—What a surprise, The traitor had a son after abandoning our Lord —, Behind him were two men dressed all in black with yellow masks, they were wearing dark purple gloves with a black scorpion
— What do we do with him?— asked one of the men
The man holding him tightened his grip, — I think it's obvious, he will end up just like his mother — Darius tried to kick the man holding him, but it was no use, he was just a little boy who didn't even know how to do intentional magic, much less could fight two grown men with wands, — What are you waiting for!?, Kill him! Or it will happen like the other one and he will escape —
—You kill him, I'll hold him—
Darius tried everything, but the man's grip only strengthened, the other man pointed his wand at the little boy, the brown eyed boy could do nothing but think of his sweet mother and beg for him to come save him
He closed his eyes waiting for the final blow, and yes there was a blow, but fortunately it was not against him, the kitchen door was slammed very hard, and from it a tall blond man with a black cane, who was also dressed in black entered, he wasn't wearing a tunic, but a very elegant suit
— What the hell are you two doing? —, the man roared, whoever he was, he was really upset with the two men, — Lucius Malfoy — called one of the men, — What are you doing here? — asked the man holding the child
— My job, I was sent here to make sure you do yours — Lucius looked at the whimpering child, his eyes widened in a very exaggerated way, «He looks just like Draco» he thought, but his thoughts were interrupted when he saw the massacre they had done with the woman
— What is this? What did you do! — he shouted, scaring the child, —We hunted down the traitors, just as our Lord told us to do —
—This is not the way to do things! I ordered you that they should all be executed by a Avada kedavra, without this carnage! —
Both men made faces under their yellow masks, — And what do we do with the child?, He is the son of the traitor —
Malfoy looked at the boy, He was very similar to his son, with the only difference being that he had beautiful honey-colored eyes. Lucius thought about his son and his godson. He knew very well that Snape had betrayed them for many years
He knew that his allegiance had changed, even though Severus still believed that Lucius had no idea. What if one day they discovered it? Would Severus and Asterion ever be in the same situation?
— Leave him, I will take him and he will spend his days as a servant of the dark lord —
— Do you really think he will be loyal after what he has seen? — asked one of the men with a dangerously haughty tone
— He doesn't have to be loyal, he's afraid, that's enough —
The man released the boy, who hurried away from him, unconsciously staying close to Mr. Malfoy, — If something goes wrong with this brat, I will make sure our Lord finds out that it was your fault, and you and your family shall answer for it —
Both men left after Malfoy forced them to clean up, Lucius began to regret what he had just done, he had put his family at risk for a boy he didn't even know, now he had to think about how to explain to his wife that he was going to return home with a small child
— If you dare to do anything that I don't order you, I will kill you —
Darius simply nodded his head nervously, and together they began walking towards Malfoy Manor.
***
— Boy, lower your wand, we can discuss it —
— There is nothing to discuss, Sirius Black, I don't know what your intention was, but you can forget it —
The Man's malnourished face lost its color again, he had genuinely believed that the boy had no idea who he was
— I already told you that I don't want to hurt you!, What should I do to make you believe me? — he shouted, this time with fury, he was tired of being treated like a maniac
Regulus let out a small sarcastic laugh while still pointing his wand, — Give me just one reason to believe you, you are a murderer who betrayed his friends —
«Or at least that's what everyone says» Regulus thought, what he had asked was really true, if Black could give him a good reason, then he would listen
— Listen to me then! — he shouted as he stood up, — I didn't do it!, I'm innocent! — Asterion looked directly into his father's eyes, the man was as furious as he was desperate, how could he truly believe him?, Most criminals feigned innocence until their last breath, why would this man be any different?, «This man saved your life» a voice sounded in his head
Sirius was standing, but had not made any move against the boy, Asterion thought about what he should do, should he shoot and hand him over to the dementors? Or should he listen to him and give the man a chance to prove his innocence?
But how could he know that he was telling the truth? Regulus was very good at Occlumency, but he had to admit that he sucked at Legilimency, there was no way he could read Sirius' mind, not without the risk of destroying it in the process
«Think Asterion, you have to think about it carefully, you know the damage that not listening does», And it was true, his mother had never been listened to, so many that he knew and that had never been listened to, so many tragedies that had happened because of someone who just hadn't wanted to listen, he wanted to listen, but he also wanted to know that Sirius was telling him the truth
«Think Asterion, you're a Snape, you can figure it out», It was then that the boy remembered, when he began his search for the man who attacked him, Asterion thought he would have to resort to unorthodox methods to catch the red-haired rat, so he "borrowed", «Stolen, sorry mom, I'll return it later» a bottle of Veritaserum
Still aiming, Regulus reached into his enchanted pocket, looking for the vial of green liquid, the sound of the glass bottles colliding with each other made Sirius nervous, a few seconds later he finally took the small vial of potion out of his pocket, Asterion approached Sirius and handed him the flask
— What is this? —, the older Black asked, — Veritaserum, just one drink will make you tell me even your dirtiest secrets. I'm more than willing to listen, but I want a guarantee that I'm only going to hear the truth, so if you're really innocent, drink this, and then I'll believe what you say —
Impressed by the boy's determination, Sirius smiled, not in a sarcastic or mocking way, he smiled genuinely, unlike many adults, this boy was giving him a chance, and although the boy couldn't be older than thirteen, he had chosen be the bigger person and listen, if only the adults in charge of his trial twelve years ago had been half as considerate as this boy, maybe now Sirius would have a family with the man he loved so deeply
With pleasure, the man drank all the liquid from the bottle, Asterion looked horrified as Sirius took the entire bottle at once, — Oh, when I told you just one drink! I meant it literally! — Regulus claimed while waving his arms comically, «I had planned to return the rest of the liquid so that mom wouldn't notice, now I'll have to prepare one myself»
— Oops — Sirius apologized, — Ready to listen? —
— Before that, do you want to hurt me? — Regulus asked, now that the man was under the influence of the potion, he could know if he was safe with him
— No! I didn't want to hurt you, ever! —
— Why did you save me? —
— Because it was the right thing to do, and because I hate Death Eaters —
Regulus smiled to himself, finally lowering his wand and sitting on a nearby rock, he made a gesture with his hands and sighed, — Very well, then I'm ready to listen — it must have been a very funny scene, after all, Asterion was still completely stained with his own blood
— I didn't kill anyone — Sirius began with a melancholic tone, very different from the rage with which he spoke recently, — I didn't betray my friends, I would never do it. It was someone I considered my partner, my friend —
— Who? —
— Peter Pettigrew, The Potters put their trust in him, not knowing that his loyalty had already changed long ago, he sold them, Pettigrew handed them over, and killed all those people, then the coward cut off his finger so they would believe he was dead —
— How did he escape? —
— He was an animagus, he turned into a rat and escaped—
When Black finished his explanation, there was only silence, neither of them dared to say anything, — Why? —Asterion asked, Sirius only gave him a look, asking him to explain himself better, — Why were you imprisoned?, Why wasn't there an investigation? —
The Gryffindor shrugged and sighed, — Wanna know the truth? I don't know, I guess they just needed a culprit, and with the fall of Voldemort, who better than a pureblood? —
— I'm sorry — Regulus said, Sirius smiled softly, — Why? You couldn't have done anything, it was twelve years ago, you were probably a baby —
Asterion also smiled, — Twelve years? I wasn't even born, I was in my mother's womb —
— You're only eleven years old? I thought you were thirteen. What's your name? —
Regulus doubted it, now he knew that this man was not evil, but even so, getting involved with him was still dangerous for him and for his mother, his mother, his precious mother, Asterion prayed that Draco had understood the message and not told him. He wouldn't have said anything to Severus, his mother didn't deserve all this extra emotional stress, no, he shouldn't involve his mother
—Robb, my name is Robb Stark—
— Well Robb, I think you know my name, now tell me, what was a little boy like you doing alone in the woods at this hour? —
— That doesn't matter, why did you decide to escape now? I mean If you could always do it —
— The man I told you about, Pettigrew, is close to here, I can't allow him to hurt the last people I still care about—
—It must have been very hard for you and your family when they imprisoned you for no reason. What do you think they thought? —
— I don't know, and if I'm honest, I never got to start a real family, I know it doesn't look like it, but I was very young when they locked me up, I was full of dreams, the person I wanted to start with probably hates me now, there is no greater pain than losing the person you imagined yourself with forever —
— I think I can understand you to a certain extent, I don't know anything about my father, so it's always been my mom and I, I can't imagine what it would be like to leave him behind —
Sirius, curious, decided to approach the boy to sit right next to him, leaning on the same rock. To his surprise, the boy did not move away — What happened to your father, Robb? —
— Do I confess you the truth Mr. Black? Actually, I hope he's dead —
Sirius was taken aback by the answer, — Can I ask what makes you say that? —
Asterion sighed deeply, — If he is dead, then that means that leaving was not his choice, if he is dead, that would mean that my Father, whoever he was, once felt a deep love for my mother, and that he did not abandon him because he wanted, but because life took him away —
— If he is alive, it means that he left voluntarily, and that he abandoned my mother, I don't like to think that, my sweet mother deserves that someone loved him, even if that means that my father and I will never even know each other's names —
—Your mother must be very kind for you to think like that —
— He is, although most people would hang up on me if they heard me say that, my mother is kind, he has sacrificed too much for others, he has dedicated his life to a good cause, he is kind, but he is not gentle, and he doesn't have to be, he is a traumatized person whose life has damaged him since the day he was born, he is full of resentments and broken dreams. And that's okay, his attitude may not be correct, but his actions have compensated it beyond measure —
Sirius watched as the little boy wiped away his tears, — And most importantly, I know how much he loves me, and how much he has done for me — Hearing the boy speak, the man's thoughts turned to Severus, «Robb's mother reminds me a lot of my Severus, kind, but not gentle. That's how he was.»
— We have both had many difficult times Robb, but we still have people to move forward for, you have your mother and I have my godson and my love —
Asterion nodded, «This man has suffered too much, it is my duty to help him, after all, That's what they taught me»
— And what is the plan? —
— Sorry? —
—To catch Pettigrew, what are we going to do to catch the rat? —
— I don't want you to get involved, child, it's dangerous —
«I'm not just doing it because it's the right thing to do, I'm also doing it because if my hunch is right, it's the same son of a bitch that attacked me» the boy thought,
— The system has failed us both, Mr. Black, you are an innocent man, and as a human, it is my duty to help you —
— It's dangerous, child, if you help me, you will have a lot to lose and nothing to gain —
— If that's what worries you, then let's make a deal. I will help you catch Pettigrew and prove your innocence, and in return you will help me to find your brother, Regulus Black —