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Severus Snape didn't realize until far too late that captivity is captivity, no matter who held the leash. When a shove from behind snaps that leash, what kind of life might he build? And who else might he save?
Logan had come through for him again.
One advantage to growing up on the bad side of the block was getting to know the people who grew up to be successful criminals.
Corvus Quinn was now in possession of a muggle birth certificate for Nathaniel Rhys Quinn. An inquiry at the bank had produced the name of Pare’s birth father, so the lad would have that for a family middle name like his other boys. And like his other boys, Nathaniel would never have to worry that his father saw him as anything other than a gift from God. It was right there in the name.
But speaking of his other boys…
With all in readiness, it was time for Corvus to have a conversation with his sons about the little brother they hoped would soon join their family. He wasn’t really sure what to expect. One thing he’d learned well in his first year as a father. Kids can surprise you at any time. So when he sat Matty and Thad down he was just hoping for the best.
“So boys, I need to tell you about someone new who will be joining our family soon.” Corvus began, looking at the two not-quite four-year-olds in front of him.
Matty immediately perked up. “Are we getting a puppy? Or a horse? He can sleep in our room, and we’ll take good care of him!”
Corvus blinked for a moment, picturing a horse in the upstairs bedroom the boys shared. Shaking his head to dispel the image while a woman’s warm laughter rang through his mind, he focused on the conversation.
“No boys. Although you are almost at the age to consider a dog. No, this is a little brother who we hope will be joining us soon.” He held his breath and waited for the reaction.
Thad looked sad and scared, while Matty looked determined. “Papa,” Thad began. “Is he someplace bad and scary right now?”
Corvus thought of Azkaban. “Yes.”
Matty looked even more intent. “You go get him. Bring him home. Right now Papa!”
Thad nodded his head firmly. “We need to take him to the altar, before the bad people can hurt him anymore.”
Well this wasn’t anywhere on his list of possible reactions. Corvus was incredibly saddened that his boys still remembered their own trauma. The nightmares had mostly resolved, only surfacing occasionally, but apparently the memories lingered. Maybe he should look into a mind healer. He could ask K’Sern for a recommendation.
“I’m going to get him tonight. But we’re not going to be able to wait to bring him back here to our altar. We’re going to have to borrow another space, that doesn’t have a family any more.” Now both boys looked nervous.
“Will the Lady be able to find him? If he’s not in our space how will they know he’s OUR little brother, and not somebody else’s” Thad was worried about this little boy. He needed to be safe, and strange circles didn’t sound safe to him.
“What if ‘Pona doesn’t hear you call? You should bring him home Papa!” Matty didn’t like this at all. What if someone bad came in? Papa and Avi wouldn’t let anyone bad come into their family space downstairs, but who knew what might come in somewhere else.
“My good boys. Those are very good questions.” Corvus thought about how to frame the answers for such young children. He firmly believed that if you were old enough to ask the question you were old enough to hear an answer. Just not necessarily the complete answer.
“Thad, the Lady can find us anywhere. If we ask her to come, and we do our part correctly, she will come. And if I am there, the Family Magick will hear and welcome him. Family Magick isn’t tied to a place. It’s tied to the people, and wherever they are it will be.”
“Matty, the Lady Epona might not be what your little brother needs. We have to ask, and trust that things will be as they should be. The Lady Cerridwen might have a different plan for Nathaniel, and that will be what is best for him.”
Corvus hoped his boys were old enough to understand. Mathias would be turning four next month, and Thaddeus would turn four in August. Almost a year of intensive speech therapy had left the boys with precise pronunciation and both were intelligent, but that didn’t mean they were ready to understand the nuances of Ritual Magic.
The two boys looked at each other and seemed to come to some conclusion.
“OK Papa. We’ll go pack.” Oh dear! Corvus had taken both boys on short trips into southern France and the Basque countries. They each had their own little trunk they used for these small outings, but they certainly weren’t coming with him to Britain.
“No boys. You will have to stay here with Avi and Destra. You could help Avi decorate Nathaniel’s room.” Both boys looked mulish.
“Listen, when I get home with Nathaniel, we’ll go into our space and you can promise to be his brothers. There’s a special ritual just for that. But I can’t take you with me.” Corvus hoped the boys would let it go, but whether they did or not … neither of his boys was setting foot in England until they were grown enough to defend themselves. Period.
Matthias began to protest, but Thaddeus stopped him. “Papa, is it dangerous? The bad, scary place where Nathan’l is?”
Sighing, Corvus answered his son. “Yes. My Lord Arawn will be protecting me, but I have to be able to focus on Nathaniel tonight, in order to keep him safe.”
Nodding, Thad gave in. “OK. But Papa, Nathan’l will need toys and books and clothes.”
Matty nodded too, a little more reluctantly. “He’s gonna need a cot, an’ a chair, and blankets.”
“You’re absolutely right, my boys. I’m proud of you for thinking of all those things your brother will need. Do you think you can go to the shops with Avi and Destra and help them make good choices for your little brother?” Corvus remembered how pleased both little boys had been to decorate their own room. He hoped the business of helping pick out things for Nathaniel would make them feel more a part of the proceedings and divert them from what he might be walking into.
No such luck.
“Papa, does Lord Arawn know you sometimes go too far into the forest when you are looking for potions stuff? He’s gonna have ta keep a close eye on you.” Matty was firm. Lord Arawn needed to know what he was getting into, agreeing to protect Papa.
Corvus sighed. “It was ONE time, Matty. ONCE.”
Corvus had gone into a previously unexplored area of the forest above them and tumbled into an abandoned mineshaft. K’Sern had had to come fetch him out, and had laughed at him the entire way home, where he had to explain to his father and his sons why he was very late and covered in mud.
Matty still looked a little skeptical, but apparently decided to let it go. “OK Papa. Be safe.”
“I will do my very best. I have much to come home to, after all.” Corvus wasn’t worried about making it home himself. Anyone interfering too much with him would find themselves with a face full of angry hound. But he was very worried about Sirius.
Both little boys hugged their father tight and gave him kisses for their new little brother.
Corvus just hoped he’d get the chance to deliver them.
The boys are too precious! I love that you are making all the names meaningful. My son’s middle name is Nathaniel; I was an “older mom” so he really is a gift from God. I love this story and will continue to read as long as you post – then I’ll look for you on AO3. Thanks so much for posting and sharing with us!
I have really been enjoying where you are going with this story line. thanks!
Forgot that Thad and Matt had grown so they’re much older than the under 2 yrs olds they started out as at the beginning of the story. That makes things a bit easier for Corvus and he DOES have adult help. Another great chapter. Love how the boys are already planning for their little brother.
Good update
excelente!! really enjoying this story — as for deadlines and such, maybe we’ll all be able to post more after midnight. tis my own hope since life kinda kicked me in the nads this month. but either way, this has been a real delight!!