Making Friends
Avi was lying on his bed reading through the journal Severus had made for him compiling the backstory he had compiled for Avyaan Taran Snape. The slim black book was spelled to only open for either of them, so it was perfectly secure and there were extra pages that could be magically added if they needed to add more details to keep their story straight. His trunk was packed with all his books and games. He had checked and re-checked that the plush navy blanket Severus had bought him for his adoption day was carefully stowed and would not be left behind. It was velvety and shimmered slightly when he ran his fingers over the fur-like fabric. Severus had placed a permanent warming charm on it to help with the chronic cold spells he had been having, and Avi practically wore it around the house like a second skin. He had never been permitted to have a baby blanket like most kids, but now Avi found he could not even sleep at night without the plush fabric wrapped around him and caressing his cheek.
They were supposed to go to the school together in a few days so he could be introduced to the staff before the term began, but Severus needed to go early to start inventorying his stores. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous, especially after the lecture about staying away from the Headmaster at any cost unless his dad was with him. He was also to never meet the man’s eyes. Severus had started teaching him some rudimentary Occlumency, but Avi hadn’t managed it even once yet.
So instead of taking Avyaan with him to the school where they would be alone with the Headmaster, Severus had reached out to an old friend he had shared with ‘Harry’s mother.’ Xenophilius would be the perfect person for Avi to practice interacting with as Taran Avyaan Snape. The man had lost his wife four months back and Severus’ sources told him that the man had become unstable with grief. He wasn’t dangerous, just easily forgetful and confused. So if Avi happened to slip and say the wrong thing, the man most likely would not even remember.
Mr. Lovegood’s wife had been a potions genius and had stayed in touch with Severus even when he and Lily had fallen out. He also had a daughter only a little younger than Avi, so it would seem perfectly natural for Snape to ask them to watch his son while he was at work. Avi wouldn’t be staying with the Lovegoods. Tinker’s Cottage, the potions lab his mother had gifted Snape, was just on the other side of the dense forest separating Ottery St. Catchpole (Where the Lovegoods lived) from their new cliffside cottage in Devon.
Severus had already gone ahead to the cottage to reinforce the wards and release the stasis on the property. Then he would come back for Avyaan so they could move in for the remainder of the summer. In the meantime, he was to review his backstory in preparation.
Sighing, he turned back to the list of basic traits…
Avyaan (Avi) Taran Snape
Date of Birth- September 21st, 1980
Age- 6 years old
Father- Severus Tobias Snape
Mother- Akhira Eshana Singh
Race- Half Indian Wixen, Half Italian/British Wixen
Known Past- Father was estranged (until recently), Mother died in childbirth, Uncle (Kibir) took Avi in, under duress. He neglected and possibly abused Avi in favor of his own son. He eventually made inquiries at the Indian branch of Gringotts and demanded an early inheritance test in the hopes of pawning the boy off on someone else. Severus was contacted, not ever knowing he had a child, and agreed to take him in.
It was odd finding out his birthday only a few weeks back just to have the date moved back almost two months, but a lot of things had to be shifted around legally to hide his former identity. Before the ritual, Harry had to fill out a will knowing he would legally be dead once it was completed. Severus had helped him copy his parent’s unfulfilled will, with the exclusion of Black, Pettigrew, and the donation to the Order of the Phoenix. The former two would be unable to ever claim their shares, so it was pointless to include them. As for the latter, the goblins had discovered that the Headmaster had been abusing his rights as Harry’s ‘magical guardian’ and had been making an alarming amount of withdrawals from the Potter vaults for the past five years. Severus had been furious, but they would be unable to press charges, or demand the gold returned because it would mean revealing his former identity. But his new dad made damn sure the old man never saw another knut.
Severus had Griphook put a freeze on the Potter assets for suspicious activity. Then he had the bank report the suspected fraud to the ministry. Griphook had even slipped the story to a trusted reporter with the promise to keep the information delayed for several months. If the scandal came too soon after Harry’s disappearance, Dumbledore may suspect something. They had also asked for the enactment of Harry’s will to be delayed by a few months to allay suspicion, but everyone on the list would be contacted directly by their family vault administrator, Griphook, to avoid any further interference. All other vaults had been willed to his new name and he would have full access to them once he came of age.
Avi closed the book and rolled over to stare at his ceiling. He didn’t really want to go. He had only just found a home. He would miss his room, the smell of books and herbs that permeated this house, the quiet of the open grounds, and the view of Dublin’s city lights in the distance. He loved it here, he felt safe for the first time in his life and never wanted to leave. Even just going to the cottage felt like he was stepping off a ledge.
Sure Avi was excited that he might get to learn more about his mother, but Severus had been in a melancholy mood ever since reading the message his mother had left for him in her will. He was sure living surrounded by all her belongings was not going to help matters. Severus wasn’t a cheery person by nature and he didn’t, but even so he hated to see the man morose.
Avi’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the floo flaring to life in the foyer. Sighing, he gathered his things and went to meet his father.
***
Severus stood with Avyaan as they waited for the door to be answered. They had only stayed at the cottage long enough to put their things away and eat the simple lunch Omi had prepared. Severus had been caught off guard to realize that the cottage had a house elf. Avi had been enamored with the creature, asking it question after question about his mother, not even realizing that by doing so he had admitted to his former identity. Omi had been overjoyed to finally be reunited with the boy he hadn't seen since he was only a few months old.
The breach of secrecy would probably be fine, Severus reasoned. House elves were magically bound to keep all secrets for the families they served. Not even the most skilled Legilemens would be able to breach their defenses. He would just have to make the elf aware of the dangers, so he knew never to mention it outside of the house where prying ears might be trying to listen in.
Xenophilius opened the door taking them in with a blank expression. It was clear he had forgotten their scheduled visit. A small hand snaked around to tug on the man’s sleeve. “Daddy? You agreed to let Mr. Snape’s son visit for a couple of days while he sets up for school. Don’t you remember?”
An elfin girl with features so similar no one could mistake her for Pandora’s daughter poked her head out from behind her father. Severus’ heart clenched at the sight. The child looked exactly like Pandi when he first met her at Hogwarts. The only differences, were her slightly smaller stature, slightly distant gaze, and the striking blond hair she must have inherited from her father. That hair was so distinctive, that no one with eyes would ever miss Xenophilius’ relation to the Malfoys.
Xenophilius had been Lucius Malfoy’s younger brother, but he had been disowned by their father when he was sorted into Hufflepuff as a first year. Severus had never really known the man while in school, too worried about concealing his own Half-Blood status to even consider associating with someone so disgraced. He hadn’t tormented Xeno as many of his house had, he honestly hadn’t noticed him until Pandora had stood up for the man in their fifth year. After that Xeno had followed Pandi around like a love-sick puppy, hanging on her every word. Severus thought the man was pathetic, but Pandora must have seen something he didn’t. They eventually married, Xeno taking her name a few months after graduation.
After a beat too long Xenophilius nodded his head and turned and walked back into the house without another word. Avyaan looked at Severus in question, but the girl stepped forward confidently and took his hand. She tugged him into the house, her voice cheery as she said, “Don’t worry. You’ll be safe here with us.” She then shut the door in Severus’ face.
For a moment Snape just stood there, unsure if it was a good idea to leave his son here. It would be fine. Avi had a portkey in his pocket to take him back to the cottage if something happened and a bracelet with a charm that would alert him if Avyaan was injured in any way. It would be fine… Probably.
***
Avi followed the younger girl into the house. She reminded him of a doll, with her blond hair, porcelain skiing, and wide vacant blue eyes. He would have never guessed that someone so delicate-looking would have such a firm grip. She towed him into the kitchen where she began rummaging through the cupboards. Avi watched him bewildered for a few moments as she pulled pots and cream and chives of all things out and began making some sort of odd soup.
Avyaan cleared his throat politely, “I’m sorry, but I have already eaten lunch.”
The girl giggled, her voice reminding him of jingling bells. “It’s not for you silly.” With no further explanation, she brought the concoction to a simmer and poured it into a low glass bowl, like a dog dish. “Come along,” she commanded, as she took the bowl and walked out the back door.
Avi had to scramble to catch up as she headed off into the woods. They were so dense that the leaves blocked out the light making everything look like night, but with an eerie green tint to everything. Avi tripped and stumbled over roots as he followed the girl, but he dared not turn back for fear he would never find his way back out again without her. Finally, he broke the silence. “If the food is not for us, what is it for?”
“You’ll see,” she answered in a dreamy voice.
They came to a clearing hidden in deep shadow. Even the grass appeared to be dull and grey. The girl sat cross-legged on the grass in the middle of the meadow, with the bowl in front of her. “I’m Luna, by the way,” she said in an offhanded comment. “I’m glad I finally get to meet you, Harry. My mother talked about you a lot and I was always curious about what you were really like.”
Avyaan froze. He must have heard her wrong. “I-I’m sorry. My name is Avi, not Harry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Luna shook her head solemnly. “You are a terrible liar, Harry. You’ll have to fix that if you’re going to be the son of a Slytherin.” Avyaan choked on any resonance he might have had, while Luna just turned back to the forest and let out a low, mournfully wavering call. “It’s alright though. I won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.”
She patted the ground next to her and still in shock, Avi sat. They waited for a long time before they started to hear rustling in the brush. Black skeletal horses began to emerge from the shadows. Their thick leathery skin stretched tight over their prominent bones. They had broad beak-like mouths that they used to chitter to one another in a manner that sounded like old bones rattling together.
Suddenly a smaller one broke from the pack and ran forward to nuzzle Luna’s cheek, clacking happily before crouching down on unsteady legs and lapping up the mixture with a long reptilian tongue. “What are they?” Avi asked, cautiously reaching out to pat the creature on the flank while it ate.
Luna watched him curiously. “Their Thestrals,” she explained. “I’m glad you can see them. Not many can. Although, I probably shouldn’t be. It’s nice not to be alone, though.”
The baby finished the milk and chive concoction and nuzzled Avi’s hand. “They're kind of cute once you get to know them. Why shouldn’t you be glad I can see them?”
An older one, maybe the mother came over to sniff Luna’s hair, nibbling the ends. “You can only see Thestrals if you have witnessed Death. I’ve only been able to see them since my mother died. She died right before my eyes.”
“I’m sorry,” Avi said. They patted the creatures in silence for a long time. “My parents died when I was one. I don’t really remember it. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you.”
Luna turned to look at him in curiosity. “If you can’t remember it, how can you see them? You have to fully comprehend the death you witnessed in order to be so deeply changed in that moment.”
Avi swallowed thickly. He tried not to remember that day. He didn’t want to think about the park, or the man with the missing dog, or the car. He shook his head and stood abruptly, startling the foal who ran back to his mother. “Can we go back now?”
Luna stood as well. “Sure,” she said, completely unfazed by his abrupt change. “I’ll lead the way back.