Chapter 2
Talking to Lucerys made Aemond forget about the concept of time. Hearing his nephew’s little voice creates a different world for Aemond, and he would be proud to admit that he will get lost in that world. Although Aemond spent his Christmas together with the Velaryon, it seems he would never get enough of his nephew. He still feels sad about the fact that Lucerys did not write him any letters between holidays.
They were talking for hours, and Aemond does not feel tired or bored talking to Lucerys. When he saw someone behind his nephew, Aemond quickly felt sadness and he looked at the time, snapping him back to the reality that it is time to go, it is time to say goodbye for now.
“Sorry, Aemond but I think someone must prepare himself for bed,” Rhaenyra said and she tried to give Aemond a sincere and apologetic voice.
“Of course sister. Thank you so much for giving us time” Aemond replied, and he smiled at his sister softly. Rhaenyra would always fall for Aemond’s gentleness. Lucerys tried to protest, but Aemond says “Lucerys, if you sleep on time right now, you will sleep early and we can still talk tomorrow” Aemond’s promise excites Lucerys, and his nephew bids farewell. Before the fire died out, Lucerys playfully give a flying kiss to Aemond, and when no one was looking, Aemond pretend to catch something in the air, catching the kiss Lucerys gave him and putting it on his cheeks.
Aemond stands up and gathers all the unread letters he received from Lucerys. He put it in the bag, and neatly placed it under his drawer, wanting to read it for later.
–
Days went by like seconds, at least that is how Aemond feels. He spent most of his summer vacation with Lucerys. Alicent was too shy to let Aemond stay at Rhaenyra’s house for too long, luckily her step-daughter assured her that Rhaenyra appreciated Alicent for letting Aemond to sleep at her house, She and Daemon were flattered with the trust Alicent and Viserys would give.
Daemon was used to seeing Aemond around much, one time he joked about adopting Aemond. It made Lucerys cry, and no matter how much Daemon apologize, Lucerys would not stop crying. The reason for his sadness? If Aemond and Lucerys become siblings, Lucerys would not be able to marry his uncle. It made Lucerys sad big time, and it put so much guilt on Daemon’s conscience.
To win the good side of his son again, Daemon agreed to have a “fake wedding” in their backyard. Lucerys emphasized that it was not a fake whereas clearly, Daemon emphasized on the invitation card that it was only a mock wedding.
Lucerys wore something like a dress, and Aemond wore something for the groom. Corlys and Rhaenys were in the front seat together with Daemon and Rhaenyra. While Otto, Alicent, and Viserys were on the other side of the front seat, watching their son and grandson. Laenor, walk his son to the aisle, giving his hand to Aemond.
Otto was the mock person to officiate the wedding. After they exchanged vows, Lucerys was prepared to kiss his uncle on the lips because in Lucerys’s defense, that is how he sees his mommy and daddy’s wedding, referring to Rhaenyra and Daemon. The adults scream, stopping the young Lucerys and Aemond laugh. Instead, Aemond kissed Lucerys on the cheeks, and they all smiled for the photo.
Jacaerys and Rhaena were found crying on the corner, seeing their baby brother “get married” even though it was only a joke wedding. Anyway, it was an excuse for Aegon to appear “like a knight” for jacaerys to cry on.
Of course, a wedding without a reception is unacceptable. So Rhaenyra and Alicent made a small tea party for the family only. Aemond and Lucerys would dance on wedding waltz, while Viserys would snap pictures to cherish the memory.
From that moment, Daemon learned a valuable lesson - not to mess with a children’s crush, because their crush is not silly as Daemon hope so.
-
And the day the children are all waiting for - September 1st. The Targaryen and Velaryon children were all sitting in an enchanted extended car. It might appear small on the outside, but it has so many spacious rooms outside. Viserys was the first one to introduce this, knowing his family is big and his children would be many, later on it was adopted by many magical families.
Alicent, Rhaenyra were all suddenly crying sending their sons and daughters to Hogwarts. Daemon and Viserys, as usual would pat their wife on the back, saying they will be back soon. Sooner or later, the house would be in chaos again. Rhaenyra, Laenor, and Daemon felt relieved sending Lucerys at Hogwarts, knowing all the older Targaryen and Velaryon were there to protect Lucerys.
Harwin also made a trip to Hogwarts train, bidding goodbye to his three sons. He also bring them scarfs, sweets, and toys, just in case they got bored. Harwin also gave Baela and Rhaena gifts, as well as Alicent’s children.
Harwin even promised Laenor, Rhaenyra, Daemon, and Alicent that he would always look for the children, as he owned a pub in Hogsmeade. When it was time for them to get on the train, Jacaerys and Lucerys received a kiss from their three fathers, and Rhaenyra. Baela and Rhaena hugged Daemon tightly, and Daemon whispered to his girls “looked for one another remember that” and Baela would nod his head. She was the most responsible one, and Daemon reminds him of so much of their mother.
They were about to go inside the train, but a woman came rushing to them. When they turned their back, they were surprised to see Laena chasing them.
“Mom!” Baela and Rhaena screamed, and Laena excitingly hugged her daughters.
“I would not let you leave without me sending you off” Laena said, obviously exhausted as he was currently working in Paris, as one of diplomat for the Ministry.
Rhaenya and aAlicent quickly hugged Laena. Laenor kissed his sister on the cheeks, and Daemon hugged her.
All of the Targaryen and Velaryon and Strong adult stepped outside, and help their children to get inside the train. The feeling of sending your kids to school, watching them grow in front of your eyes made the adult’s heart happy, but at the same time, the thought of seeing them go scares them…
When they were done, Harwin carried Joffrey. Even though the child is too big, he will be always Laenor and Harwin’s little strong.
“Sooner my boy, we will send you to school too,” Harwin said, and Laenor kissed Joffrey on the cheeks.
“I hope so! So I can protect stay with uncle Daeron there!” Joffrey innocently shouted, making everyone happy. The people at the station were slowly leaving, and they left too.
–
The long train ride was tiring. Lucerys felt exhausted and if not for Aemond letting him lay on his lap, Lucerys would have had a bad neck cramp from leaning on the window to sleep. When the train slowly stops, making every student realize that they arrived near Hogwarts, all the exhaustion wipes out on Lucerys’s face, seeing that they are in Hogwarts now. All the students stepped out off the train, and the first year was all excited about the castle.
Aemond holds tightly of Lucerys’s hands, not wanting his nephew to get lost. When Hagrid spot another first year among the crowd of the upper year, he quickly stopped Aemond, and that made the young Targaryen very angry. He argued with Hagrid that Lucerys does not need to have that boat ride like any other first year. Aemond is there as well as Jacaerys, Aegon, Hel, Rhaena, and Baela! Lucerys would not be lost.
Every argument went back and forth, until Lucerys tugged his uncle’s robe, and says “Aemond… I want to experience that boat ride too… can I please join Hagrid?” Aemond melted. He was whipped, and even though it was against him, he let go of Lucerys and let him joined Hagrid.
Aemond nod his head, and watched as Lucerys excitingly join Hagrid and another first-year for a boat right. On a rare sight, Jacaerys hold Aemond’s shoulders, encouraging him. “Lucerys will be okay, he is with Hagrid”
Rhaena and Helaena pulled Aemond, to distract him for a while. The fact that Lucerys is not around, Aemond would feel a little gloomy.
As for Lucerys, he was very excited to step on the boat. He asked for a paddle or an engine to turn on the boat, and to his surprise, the moment he and Hagrid stepped in, the boat magically swam by itself. He is very impressed, and Hagrid laughs at Lucerys’s reaction.
Lucerys is also friendly towards Hagrid “He is so tall!” Lucerys said in his mind, and even though his neck hurts from looking up while talking to Hagrid, it did not stop him from talking to the gentle giant.
He and Hagrid talked a lot. Hagrid memorized every Targaryen or Velaryon kid in Hogwarts, and upon seeing Lucerys, he quickly spotted the Targaryen features on him or that, other Targaryen kids were overprotective of him. What made Hagrid and Lucerys felt closer during the short duration of the boat ride, is their love and passion for dragons. Hagrid said that he always wanted one, but the school governor deemed it to be dangerous for the students, to which Hagrid agrees.
He tried to have a visit to Romania, but his work as a gamekeeper is not a great qualification to let him enter the Dragonpit. Lucerys, the kind boy he is shared that his family partly owns the rehabilitation in Romania. If Hagrid would like to visit, he can come with him if he wants to visit Vhagar and Arrax, two of Lucerys favorite dragons.
Hagrid felt so much excitement, that it causes the boat to rock in a dangerous way, if not for Lucerys not having a tight grip on the boat, for sure he would fall down on the lake. Hagrid shook Lucerys’s hand frantically, chanting grateful words to the Velaryon kid. Seeing Hagrid smile, bring warmness to Lucerys, and he was glad he offered his help to the gamekeeper.
When they arrived at the castle, Hagrid pulled Lucerys to the side and he cough awkwardly. He said, if ever Lucerys wants to have tea or a friend that would listen to him, Hagrid’s hut is always welcome for him. Lucerys accepted the invitation eagerly, and cannot wait to have a lovely evening with the gentle giant.
The professor lead the way for them, and they were welcome in the main hall of Hogwarts. Lucerys saw his uncle Aemond and Aegon on the Slytherin table, his brother and sister in Ravenclaw, and his other sister in Gryffindor. Helaena is seated at the side of the Hufflepuff table, so she stands up and waves at Lucerys excitedly.
One by one, each student was called. Out of all the magic-enhanced things in this school, the stool is the only one that looks normal in Lucerys’s eyes. Students would sit on the stool, and Professor McGonagall would place a hat on their heads. It was very exciting for Lucerys, the talk was talking and laughing the whole time.
It would sit on the head of students for a second, before announcing the house where it belongs to. Lucerys does not really mind where he would be sorted, but he deeply hopes he would be sorted in the house of his uncle. He cannot wait to try it on.
His name was called and everyone quickly made a path for Luke. When he sat on the stool, and the professor put the hat on his head, it quickly welcome him, causing him to be startled Lucerys.
“Another Targaryen! And a Velaryon too!” the sorting hat said as he laugh, and he quickly dives into the mind of the little one.
“A heart of a lion but also a kindness of Hufflepuff? The mind of a Ravenclaw? But you have the determination of Salazar! Where to put you dear one?” The sorting hat asked. It was rare for a single student to possess all the traits of the houses, a very rare thing. The sorting hat only witnesses this type of student on rare occasions only.
“Please put me with uncle Aemond please please I do not want anywhere else but with my Aemond,” The young Lucers said in his mind.
“Oh no! Begging to be in Slytherin eh? Not the proudest quality bearing the house of Salazar. But I can put you in Ravenclaw, just like your older brother! He did very well in that house you know. It earned them enough points, almost beating Slytherin!” Lucerys was shocked that the hat can read his mind. The thought of him being with his brother is okay, but deep inside, Lucerys knew he does not fit in the house of his brother, he fit somewhere else - he was destined to be with his uncle.
“No!” Lucerys mentally shouted. His tone sounded very angry and frustrated, but the hat quickly laugh it off. He was used to students being frustrated when it comes to houses. Lucerys realize what he sounds like, and he quickly apologizes for his childish behavior.
‘Well, well a child who won’t take no for an answer? Very cunning if you ask me. You remind me of a Targaryen I sorted last year” The hat said “and he wore a green robe now!” The hat added.
“But following a student eh? Not the quality known for the noble house of the snakes” Sorting Hat cannot decide the right house for lucerys. No matter how deep he dives into the Velaryon’s mind, he was clueless where to put him. The students start to look at each other, and even the professors start murmuring. It was exciting for the student of course, it is a rare thing to witness a hatstall.
Jacaerys looked worriedly at his brother, luckily Rhaena was there to assure Jacaerys, as she hold his hand. Aemond looks so nervous and scared, that his nephew might be sorted in a house differently from him -
It’s okay, he can handle that. The different schedule does not stop him before - he can survive Lucerys being sorted into a different house. But a little man banging on Aemond’s chest, hoping for his nephew to be sorted in his house.
“You are destined for greatness that is what I see, but where to put you, where to put you?” the sorting hat asked.
Professors are beginning to worry, as the sorting hat has been sitting on Lucerys’s head for more than 5 minutes. Even professor McGonagall, who was known for being a hat stall during her younger years heavily worried for the child. Lucerys has been sitting on the stall longer than Professor McGonagall.
Aemond looked at his older brother, his eyes screaming for comfort. Although it was not very Aegon to comfort his brother, he hold his arm and assured him that everything will be okay.
“Perhaps, they are taking time because our nephew is very special. But why the hat takes so long to sort him? Aegon whispered to his brother. Aemond does not know whether his brother is comforting him or mocking him. Aegon and Aemond were sorted easily. It only took a few seconds before placing them in Slytherin.
“Even I, who is missing an eye knows my beloved nephew belongs here with us” Aemond commented, trying to keep his cool.
“I will not choose any house but the house of uncle. I do not see myself in a different house” Lucerys said, this time it was kinder.
“Cunning and determined little one! You really remind me of someone with white hair, and very much your blood related” The sorting hat laughs “besides, I think green robes would look good with you…” sorting hat seems to be of Lucerys as he rarely listens to the student’s suggestion, but he cannot deny that Lucerys Velaryon made a very good point.
“You confused me little one. You are one of the toughest work I ever had! A challenge, I would love to see someone like you again.” Professors were now anxious, as Lucerys Velaryon now hold the longest hat stall of their time.
“Let me tell you a little secret… even without your suggestion, I would have placed you in Slytherin! You are a Velaryon! Slytherin and Velaryon are the longest of friends. Velaryons are the sea… Slytherin is the serpents. Together, you will form the strongest bond” Even after all these years, sorting hat still remembers the tale of water and the serpent, he uses it every time he would place a Velaryon in the noble house of Salazar.
“You are the sea Lucerys, and I already know who will be your serpent is…” The sorting hat took a long pause, and it finally spoke again.
“You will be great in SLYTHERIN!” the sorting hat shouted. Helaena from Hufflepuff cheered for her nephew, she somehow already see that her Lucerys would be placed there.
“Nephew” Aemond welcomed Lucerys. He sounds very cd to Lucerys, but in Aemond’s defense, he just spent his entire minute anxiously watching the love of his life.
“Uncle! So good to be in your house! Finally!”
Aemond gently hold Lucerys in his waist and placed him on the side of other older Slytherins. He was welcomed by Aegon and other older students. Lucerys was seen as bubbly, talkative, and gentle by his other housemates. It was odd for someone as cheerful as Lcuerys to be placed in Slytherin, but his housemates do not care. They see Lcuerys as someone they need to protect, the bundle of joy that will always bring happy moments for them.
Instead of letting Lucerys sit with another first year, Aemond took the liberty to grab his nephew again and sit him between the older years. Deeply, Aemond starts to fantasize about the idea of him helping Lucerys throughout his studies. Accompanying him in his classes, enjoying their break or lunch together, or at some point picking him up after his classes.
“Another Velaryon! A pleasure to meet you” a boy greeted Lucerys. Luke was confused if this boy is his family too. His hair is white like his mother's and father, but he never met him before.
“H-hello. Are you a Targaryen too?” Lucerys said as he accept the handshake of the boy.
“Oh goodness no! Not a Targaryen, afraid not” the boy said “Draco, Draco Malfoy” Draco introduced himself, and broke the handshake between them. He is very handsome in Lucerys’s opinion, and his hair is one of the most styled hairs he has ever seen.
He reminds Lucerys of Daemon’s teenage years. His other papa also had an obsession with presenting his hair with elegancy. When Aemond turned around and saw his nephew being friendly with another Slytherin, out people, it has to be Malfoy. Aemond put his pumpkin juice on the table put Lucerys on his side.
Draco realized what just happen, and laugh at his friend. “Very territorial there Targaryen? Oh my oh my” Malfoy teases.
“Get your own brunette Malfoy” Aemond says with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“Actually I have my own brunette and he is eating treacle tart there. But you already know that right Targaryen?” Lucerys looked around to see who was the other brunette Malfoy was referring to. And to his surprise, he was definitely a good-looking lad too! He wore glasses, and his hair is untamed like his hair. He is small, probably the same height as Lucerys and his doe eyes look lovely.
Aemond smiled and shared a toss with Malfoy. Aemond let Lucerys switch seats for a while, to meet other Slytherins. He was confident to let Lucerys go as Aegon was there, protecting their little nephew.
He and Malfoy have… odd friendship. They appear fighting in front of others, or always challenging one another but deep inside, they treat each other with so much respect and more than a housemate, they consider each other as a friend, a close confidant other than their family. Malfoy always wanted to have siblings… but sadly he never got one. When he met Aemond who is in the same year as him, he quickly finds brotherhood with Aemond. Later on, Aegon and the other Targaryen welcomed him so easily. Perhaps it has something to do with Draco’s being a blondie (Jacaerys told him that, and the nickname sticks).
Draco switched his sit, and he is now sitting with Lucerys.
“You watch Potter, and I watch your Lucerys. Do we have a deal?” Malfoy discreetly whispered, offering another handshake to Aemond. Of course, the Targaryen agrees.
“You already know I will watch Potter for you,” Aemond says.
“Thank Merlin! Because! I cannot last another year seeing girls throw at him. Can you believe it? I thought girls will be my only problem until boys starts to give Harry letters too!” Draco dramatically says, and Aemond just pats his friend on the back comforting him.
“You and your love drama,” Aemond said, and shake his head.
“Wait till people start knowing about the existence of Lucerys… Aemond have you seen his rosy cheeks? Not that I am looking at him for too long but any day now, I swear you would find your little luke receiving letters and chocolates left and right” Draco said.
It seems to tip off the wrong side of Aemond, as he stared at his best friend with madness in his eyes.
“Hey, look I am just being honest here. But don’t worry about people stealing our doves from us. You being a Targaryen… me being a Malfoy? Do you think people would really do something like that?” Sometimes, Aemond finds entertainment in his friend being so overconfident, but he agrees most of the time.
After all… who would attempt to steal a Slytherin’s property?