Chapter 3
-
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Cypress had just walked into the family room off of the kitchen where all of the Weasleys, Sirius, Remus, Hermione, Harry, and even Kreacher were standing. Presents were off to the side while everyone in the room was surrounding a cake which had floating candles above it.
Cypress gasped, “Oh! Thank you! How lovely” He walked over to where Harry was standing and pulled him into a hug.
“Happy birthday Harry!,” Said boy squeezed him tight, resting his chin on the top of Cypress’ head. Cypress looked over to where Remus was standing, “Can we do presents first?”
Remus chuckled, “If that’s what you want. It’s your day.”
“Kreacher!”
“What can Kreacher be doing for pretty Master?”
Cypress flushed at the elf’s nickname for him, “Could you grab the presents from under my bed, please?”
Kreacher nods and pops out of the room, “How did you get him to like you?”
Cypress leveled Sirius with a look, “I treat him with respect.” Before Sirius could answer Kreacher popped back in with the presents. Cy thanked Kreacher and picked up the presents walking over to Harry. “Here,” he handed the box to his brother, “Open it.”
Harry could barely contain the excitement he felt at getting presents. Sure, he had gotten gifts from the Weasleys, some professors and even Sirius but never has he gotten presents from his family. (He’s not counting the dirty sock from his first year or the cloak the Headmaster gave him because it was from the Headmaster and not really his Dad) This is an actual gift from his brother. His twin brother, and that makes him feel very warm inside and automatically makes the gift even more special, regardless of what is in it. Opening the gift, he sees a bunch of clothes and shoes. He looks questioningly at his brother and Cypress flushes shyly.
“The other night when you told me about your time with…our Aunt, it got me thinking. I thought you deserved your own clothes. Never worn by anyone and will only be worn by you. There are robes, cloaks, and casual clothes. It’s a full wardrobe with self ironing and repairing charms on them. I’ve heard about the great Harry Potter adventures,” at this his eyes drift to Sirius, “and I can imagine you might be ruining your clothes after crashing into whomping willows and dealing with dementors.”
Harry smiles softly, before grabbing Cypress in another hug. “Thank you Cy,” he whispers in his ear, “I hope you got yourself something too.”
Giggling Cypress nods, “Of course, my body is different and I love shopping so I got a new wardrobe too. Along with an owl” Harry runs to the back of the room, before picking up and carrying over a large box. When Harry hands the box to him, there is rustling and movement from inside the box. Cypress looks at the box warily, before setting it on the ground and kneeling down to open it.
When Cypress opened the box, he gasped reaching in the box to gently pick up the jackalope hopping around the box. “Oh, Harry, he’s beautiful,” he reached out, grabbing Harry’s hand and tugging him to the floor with him. The jackalope was brown in color, with baby antlers. “I’m gonna name him Hopper.”
“Because he’s hopping?” Hermione pipes up from where she’s standing watching.
“No,” Cy laughs, “Like Harry Hopper.”
Harry flushes in embarrassment, “You’re gonna name your rabbit after me?”
“It’s adorable, and that way you’ll always be with me, even when we’re in different houses.”
“How are you so sure you’ll end up in different houses?” Ron speaks up from next to Hermione.
“My name may have changed but my values haven’t. I still value ambition and resourcefulness. Self preservation is important to me as well, something I wish my brother had more of.” Cypress answers, side eyeing Harry after the last declaration. Harry turned slightly red, looking sheepish, running a hand up and down the back of his neck before shrugging, because he has a point.
After that statement, it was silent until Remus and Sirius stepped forward handing the twins their packages. It was easy to tell what Remus got for the boys, as it was a broom shaped package. Both boys opened it, excitedly, paper flying around before their new brooms were revealed. Cypress was the first to jump up and hug Remus. The man laughed as the little body of Cypress barrelled into him, “I’m glad you like them, hopefully the Quidditch games will be even more exciting between you two.”
Next Sirius stepped forward and handed Cypress and Harry smaller packages. When Cypress opened his, he was a bit confused to see a dainty golden heart shaped locket with an Asiatic lily etched on the front. When he opened the locket he gasped, on the left side were two babies laying next to each other. One had a shock of red hair while the other brown hair sat atop their heads. On the right side, was a moving photo of his parents on their wedding day. Cypress slowly trailed his finger along his parents' faces, they looked so happy there. Cypress spent a little while longer staring at the locket before getting up and cautiously walking over to Sirius.
He handed the locket to the man, turning around with his back to him, “Can you put it on me?” Sirius slowly moved to clasp the chain around the boy's neck, worried that any sudden movements might scare him away. As soon as the locket touched the center of his clavicle, Cypress was enveloped in warmth, trying to keep the tears at bay he quickly spun around and threw his arms around Sirius’ waist burying his face in the older man's chest. His whispered thank you, that only Sirius and Remus heard, filled Sirius with warmth. With his long lost godson finally in his arms, Sirius silently vowed to do whatever it takes to protect him from further harm.
From Hermione, Cypress got a stuffed Niffler and from Ron and Ginny, he got a bunch of candy. From Molly, he got a knitted sweater, and from Arthur, he got invited to go with them to the Quidditch World Cup. He also squealed and hugged Arthur because of that, and finally from the twins he received a coupon for one free prank on anyone they wanted. The twins got a smack on the back of the head from Molly, but she didn’t try to take it away. Percy wasn’t around because he was busy with his internship at the Ministry. After everyone had sung happy birthday to the Potter twins, they finally were able to cut into the cake Molly made.
While everyone was scattered around eating cake, a copper colored tawny owl, holding a tall package wrapped in burlap, flew to the window and began tapping, waiting to be let in. “How did an owl find us? I thought this house was covered in the Fidelius charm?”
Sirius answered Hermione as he walked over to the window to let the bird in, “It must be someones owl who is permitted to know the location of the House, or someone who is apart of the Order”
When the owl was let in, it flew over to where Cypress was, setting the package down in front of him. Cypress carefully opened it, gasping when he saw the mini tree standing in front of him. Carefully unwrapping the note that was attached to one of the branches, he looked it over,
Dear Cypress,
This is a Cypress tree. It has a preservation charm on it so there's not too much upkeep you’ll have to do to it. Cypress trees are said to represent immortality and hope, so hopefully this will remind you that your parents live on with you even after Death. If you ever need someone to talk to, I am available. Happy Birthday!
Neville Longbottom
Heir to House Longbottom
It was Harry’s voice that brought Cypress out of his thoughts, “Who is it from?” Cypress tried his best not to blush but he felt the tips of his ears flush and he knew they were red. “Neville”
“Longbottom?” Harry asked, shooting confused looks at Ron. Cypress rolled his eyes at his brother, “What other Neville do you know?”
“He didn’t send me anything,” Cy giggled at the petulant tone his brother took on. “Maybe he’s already aware of who the better twin is”
“Hey!” Harry looked affronted, before tackling his younger brother and trying to tickle him into submission. While the boys were playing and rolling around on the floor, they missed the fond looks Sirius and Remus were giving them. The sound of their laughter filled everyone in the room with affection and warmth for the Potter twins.
-
Cypress was pacing. He had been walking back and forth in front of Severus’ private quarters for about 10 minutes. He knew the man wasn’t in there because he had wards set up to alert him when someone was at the door. He took a deep breath and sighed hoping the password would be the same as it was at the end of the last term.
“Asphodel”
The door opened and Cypress cautiously entered the rooms. He looked around noticing nothing had changed much. But what he hadn’t detected before was the frame on the mini table next to his uncle’s favorite chair. When he got closer to the table, his breath caught when he noticed what was in the picture frame. In the frame were two kids, around age 8 or 9, one boy with black shoulder length hair and the other child, a girl with red hair and freckles. Immediately, Cypress knew he was looking at a picture of his mother when she was younger.
So distracted looking at the photograph, Cypress didn’t hear Severus enter the room.
“Who are you and how did you get in here?” Cypress started, but turned around still holding the frame. He leveled Severus with a look before answering, “I think you know who I am Uncle Sev”
Severus looked at the boy who looked so much like his Lily but also Potter and who called him Uncle Sev and all of it was jumbled inside of his head but the boy was right, he knew who it was.
“I had wondered why I hadn't been invited to the Manor yet this summer.” Cypress swallowed, “Did you know?”
Severus’ eyebrow twitched a little and it’s only Cypress’ intense knowledge of his Godfather that allowed him to catch it.
“I did not know you were the missing Potter twin. They did not advertise your disappearance but it got around. However, I found the timeline a little odd because I knew the Malfoy’s baby was a bit sickly but I had yet to make that affiliation until you came in here looking like that. It’s not as if you looked of anything besides the perfect Malfoy heir.” Cypress swallowed hard, the sick feeling in his gut twirling up again as he was reminded of his previous appearance.
“What were His plans for me?” Severus’ eyebrow twitched again, this time in frustration.
“The Dark Lord bragged about securing a catamite…to cow his enemy into submission. I did not make the connection until now that it was you.”
As soon as Severus finished, the temperature in the already cold dungeons dropped several more degrees and Cypress turned, bent over and retched what little breakfast he consumed onto the floor. With a twitch of his hand, Severus vanishes the vomit off of the ground before either of them can really figure out what to do from there.
“You knew,” Cypress stands upright and says, “You knew and-”
“Draco-” Severus says, taking a step forward.
“It’s Cypress” he snarls, and if Severus were a weaker man, he would’ve taken a step back at the vitriol in the boy’s tone. Instead he sighed and motioned for him to sit in the chair, while Severus took the seat across from him.
“I have only loved three people in this world. My mother, Lily, and you. When Narcissa and Lucius named me Draco’s godfather, and I held you for the first time, I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I am sorry that you had to find out the way you did, but I promise you had I known, I would have done everything in my power to return you to your family.”
Cypress sighed and slumped back in his chair in a way that was very unbecoming for his upbringing but he just couldn’t bring himself to care. He wanted to snap back at Severus but the man was showing a kind of vulnerability that wasn’t typical for him and he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. And despite his conflicting feelings inside, warmth unfurls in his chest and he feels a bit better after hearing Severus’ words because for better or worse, Cypress believed him.
“I got a new owl in Diagon. His name is Severin and now that I think about it, he looks a bit like you.” Severus’ eyebrow twitches again, this time in annoyance but the small tilt of his lips gives him away. And Cypress yelps slightly when he feels the small stinging hex that is sent his way. But Cypress sobers up rather quickly and looks back down at the photograph still in his hand, “She mentioned you in her will. Said she was sorry and she forgave you, and left her old potions notebook to you, along with custody of us.”
Severus looks comforted and a bit sad at the thought of that, “What happened between you two?”
-
When the Headmaster dropped Cypress off after what was a hard but gratifying conversation that ended in hugs and tears (though Severus would never admit it), Cypress felt tired and drained. But he wasn’t done quite yet, so when he didn’t see Sirius or Remus downstairs, he headed up to their rooms.
When he entered, Harry was already there. Good, Cypress thought. They had a lot to talk about and he wouldn’t be able to rest comfortably until everything that was weighing on his mind was out in the open. Sirius and Remus were sitting next to each other on the bed while Harry was sitting in a comfortable looking armchair near the window across from them.
“Good evening Cypress, how was your evening at Hogwarts? Did you find everything you were looking for?” Remus asked when he saw the boy enter the room.
Cypress tried to smile, but he could tell it didn’t really reach his eyes. “I think I did. I spoke to Severus.”
Sirius stands, “Why the hell would you talk to that greasy bat?” he shouts angrily.
Cypress scoffs, “He’s my godfather”
This only proves to make him angrier, “I’m your bloody godfather! Not that overgrown greasy bat!”
Cypress frowns and almost stomps his foot but he’s past the respectable age oforf temper tantrums. He’s trying not to get overly worked up, but the frustration of being yelled at, especially by someone who didn’t give a toss about him until a few weeks ago was getting to him.
“Well, he’s also my Godfather, and don’t you dare call him that. Why are you so upset that I’ve spoken to him? What’s the big idea?”
“Harry’s told me how he’s treated him. I don’t want him filling your head with whatever crap Snivellus is capable of,” This time Cypress did stomp his foot and he was spitting mad. That ‘nickname’ was detestable and he didn't want to hear anymore of it.
“Don’t you dare call him that. The only thing he’s been filling my head with is how you really feel about Slytherins. I wonder, would you have treated me like that if we went to school together? Tell me Godfather,” the word coming out like a curse, “did you treat Severus like that because he was a Slytherin or because he was a half-blood with less connections and money than you?”
And maybe it was because Cypress grew up rich, and essentially getting everything he wanted, that he over indulges and doesn't know when to stop because he turns to Remus, who looks a little sick and lays into him as well.
“And you! You just sat around watching him torment others, along with our Dad! How could someone who everyone says is so good and heroic act like that? There’s a line between pranking and bullying, and you guys lost sight of that. Do you wonder why people might be scared of werewolves when they’re sent off to get attacked by one?” Cypress finishes his tangent chest heaving, and eyes blazing. He looks just like Lily when she got angry, is a thought that goes through Sirius’ mind as he watches Cypress leave the room slamming the door behind him.
The room is silent until Harry stands up, startling the two older men because they honestly forgot he was there, and they watch him cross the room, clearly avoiding eye contact with either of them to follow his twin. Cypress is fuming as he makes his way up to the third floor where his room is housed. For once he doesn’t feel bad for having his room be so out of the way because he’s itching to be distant from everyone. He’s about to enter his room when he hears a noise behind him. When he turns, he finds Harry there staring at him.
“What was all that down there, Cy?”
Cypress sighs, resting his forehead on his door, before fully turning his body to face his brother. “Why don’t you ask them Harry? And really talk to them about their time at Hogwarts and their relationship with Severus. I understand you don’t like him, but he has been an important male figure in my life for as long as I can remember. He’s always been there for me, even if he is not the most expressive man on the planet. He means a lot to me. You do bear an uncanny resemblance to Dad, and it’s definitely not an excuse for the way he’s been treating you but I think you might understand him better if you knew what their school life was like”
Harry doesn’t say much but he nods, “I’ll talk to them,” he pulls Cypress into a hug before turning around and going back down the stairs. He has a lot to think about before he can go in there and face his godfathers again.