Little Talks
It wouldn't be until Yule break that Severus could sit with Quirinus and his Father. He purposely kept himself busy to avoid this talk. Yet, as the break came and there were only Professors and a few students, he did not have as many things to keep him busy. So he took a deep breath and knocked on the door lightly.
"Come in." He heard the voice of Quirinus call out.
Opening the door, he saw the same rooms that he was familiar with when it came to his friend. He saw the many shades of purples, blues, and a few bits of bronze. Which made sense since the man was a proud Ravenclaw, and his favorite color was purple. He sat in the recliner that he usually sat in when he and Hadrian would visit. It made him think of his son's words before flooing to his godbrother's manor for the day.
"Hear him out, Dad. I have a feeling that many things aren't as they seem."
So Severus told himself he would hear both Quirinus and his Father out. He sighed as he rubbed his face before looking at them. He could see his Father's disfigured face through a mirror.
"Let me begin by saying I will do most speaking as My Lord is still weak. However, I have seen his memories." Quirinus said, putting a cup of tea down on the coffee table. "The week before your Father ended up at the Potter's doorstep, he had received a letter from Lily, James, and Regulus. Here," Quirinus hands an old piece of parchment. "He had me retrieve the letter."
Lord Slytherin,
I know your son, Severus Prince, is the Father of my son, Hadrian Prince. I ask for safety away from Godrics Hallow for myself, my son, and my friends. Albus Dumbledore has found us and has also discovered Hadrian's true parentage. I need help. Please.
Lily Evans
Severus felt tears run down his face as he recognized Lily's handwriting. He may not have been in love with her as he once was, but she was still the Mother of his child—his sweet son. As he finished crying, he nodded.
"I will allow you to grow a relationship with your grandson. However, he is not one of your Death Eaters. Remember that. He is your grandson." Severus says seriously, with an underlying threat in his eyes and tone.
"He says he understands," Quirinus says quietly.
"Good," Severus says before leaving for his own quarters to decompress.
Meanwhile, Hadrian Prince was dealing with his own issue: Hermione Granger, who just talked down to Ron for not knowing that a spell given to him by the twins was not real and, thus, a prank. He and Draco had long since returned from the Manor and were with the others of their group who chose to or had to stay at Hogwarts for Yule.
"Excuse me," Hadrian said in a deathly calm voice. "But who are you?"
"Hermione Granger." She says in a know-it-all, borderline snobbish tone. "First witch in my family."
"Doubtful." He says with a scoff. "Most muggle-borns come from a line of what we call squibs. They are people born from magical parents with unusable magic. That being said. I should now ask: Who are you to be talking to, my friend, like that?"
"Well, the spell sounds absolutely ridiculous! But, of course, it would be fake!" She says with a sneer.
"His brothers are fierce pranksters, firstly. Secondly, we are eleven." Hadrian says, stepping up to the girl. "So I will need you to curb that know-it-all tongue, Granger."
"Or what?" She asks snidely.
"Or I will give you a detention." Said Minerva McGonagall. "The way you are treating Mister Weasley is inexcusable."
"P-Professor!" Hermione stuttered, turning around.
"In fact, I expect better of my lions." She said, causing Hermione to turn pale. "You will have two nights of detention with Professor Prince. Speaking of," She locked eyes with her pseudo-grandson. "Your Father is requesting your presence in his quarters."
"Your Father is a Professor!" Granger exclaimed angrily.
"Yes, you thought it to be a mere coincidence that we shared a last name?" Hadrian asked snidely. "Almost the entire staff is like family. Now," He turned to his friends. "Shall we meet later in the room?"
He watched the others nod before walking away toward his Dad's quarters. He knew his Dad had the meeting with his Grandfather and Uncle Q earlier that day. However, he could not help but wonder how it went. Was his Uncle truthful? Was there more to the story? His thoughts continued all the way until he walked into the sitting area of his Dad's quarters. His Dad sat on the two-seater that often shared when he was younger as his Dad would read stories to him and sometimes his Godbrother.
"Dad?.." He asked softly. "Is everything alright?"
Severus sat with his eyes trained on a paper in his hands. Hadrian sat next to his Dad with his brows furrowed together.
"You were right. Your Mother had written him, your grandfather, for assistance in leaving Godrics Hollow with you, Potter, and his spouse." Severus said softly, mourning them all. "I am going to help your Grandfather. No, you may not assist. Your mind cannot successfully keep out the Headmaster."
"I know," Hadrian replied easily. "I also know that my Heir ring keeps him out regardless, and you are simply trying to keep me from possibly getting hurt. I'm not a Gryffindor Dad. I only ask that you and Uncle Q be careful."
Severus nodded as he pulled his son into a hug. The two had been on their own for a good portion. That's not to say they didn't have the staff, there was a reason Hadrian called them such familial titles, or that they didn't have other's such as Lucius and Narcissa, but in terms of blood they truly only had each other.
At least for now.
-Edited August 17th, 2024-