Darkness Shadows Light 2

Chapter Ten - He Who Laughs Last, Thinks Slowest

Snape entered his classroom with his usual dramatic flair. It was only slightly marred by one hand on his protruding stomach and the distinct hint of a waddle in his stride. Still, the class immediately quieted. Except for Matthew, who blatantly ignored his father and continued to talk at his “friend” Cronus. Cronus, at least, had the good sense to look nervous.

However, even Matthew stopped, open-mouthed, as a white-blonde wizard, dressed in dark blue robes, strode confidently in Snape’s wake.

Once at his desk, Snape leant both arms on it and let his dark eyes sweep the classroom. Draco stood just behind him, looking almost bored, his arms folded. Only Ashanti noticed that his grey eyes flicked around restlessly, his gaze frequently coming back to rest on Matthew. Her own eyes narrowed in suspicion as she took an instant dislike to the rather arrogant looking stranger.

All this happened in a matter of seconds.

‘This is Professor Malfoy,’ Snape began. It was a credit to his control that the only reactions were a few gasps and some muted exchange of wondering glances. They were too young to remember Voldemort and his Death Eaters, but there were certain names that could not be forgotten. ‘He will be taking over for me for the rest of the school year. However, for the next two weeks you will receive the benefit of both of us.’ He smiled thinly, somehow conveying that they had all better be on their *best* behaviour as now there would be two pairs of eyes watching their every move. Naturally, they all looked a little nervous. Well, except for Matthew, who stared belligerently back at his father.

Draco raised an elegant eyebrow at the child’s behaviour. This, also, did not go unnoticed by Ashanti.

As Snape went through the register and her own name was called, Ashanti felt her new teacher’s gaze fall upon her. Coolly, she returned the stare. If she were not too much mistaken, she thought he looked rather puzzled.

As the lesson progressed, Ashanti became more and more suspicious. It was clear that their new teacher found Matthew fascinating by the amount of time he was spending close to him. He observed Matthew’s technique, made helpful comments and praised him when his potion turned out well. Matthew was lapping up the attention, clearly well on the way to a severe case of hero worship.

To the rest of the class, he acted with a certain flair that indicated he was a prodigy of Snape. Ashanti had heard many tales from her mother’s childhood about how Draco Malfoy had had praise heaped upon him while she was looked upon only with scorn, despite her high test scores.

Snape didn’t know whether he was pleased or sad that Matthew had taken an instant liking to Draco. He *knew* that Matthew was aware of exactly who he was. It seemed just typical of his contrary manner of late to immediately get on with someone who was considered by the majority to be rather dark. Anyway, it definitely made it easier for Snape to show his disapproval as planned. The hope was that Cronus, or another of the Slytherins (though Cronus had Snape’s personal vote), would report this new affiliation to whomever was involved in the latest plot.

‘Well that was a refreshing change!’ Matthew said brightly to Ashanti as they left the potions classroom.

Ashanti was not sure which surprised her more. The fact that Matthew was speaking to her rather than his so-called best friend or the fact that he was cheerful after Potions. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked curiously.

‘I mean Professor Malfoy, of course,’ Matthew replied. ‘He was really helpful and seemed truly interested in me. Not like Snape.’

‘Don’t call him that,’ Ashanti admonished for what felt like the hundredth time. ‘He’s your father.’

‘No he’s not,’ replied Matthew sullenly and far too loudly. ‘He forfeited that right when he slept with Remus.’

‘Say that a bit louder!’ Ashanti hissed. ‘I’m not sure Hagrid heard in his hut.’ Luckily, the noise in the corridor appeared to have drowned out Matthew’s ill-timed comment. ‘Anyway, I think you ought to remember *exactly* what Professor Malfoy used to be.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ Matthew asked impatiently.

‘He was a Death Eater!’ Ashanti hissed, not a little impatient herself.

‘That was never proved!’ Matthew said vehemently. ‘Besides, even if he was, it doesn’t mean he hasn’t changed.’ After all, Matthew thought, his Papa had been one. Yet, everyone knew that he was really a good guy who had risked his life to get information about Voldemort… Matthew shook his head at that unintentional thought. He had no wish to remind himself what good Snape had done when he was so determined toe hie him.

Meanwhile, back in the Potions classroom, there was another heated talk going on.

‘Who exactly is Ashanti Black?’ Draco demanded as soon as the last student was safely out of earshot. His tone brooked no argument.

‘She’s the daughter of Hermione Granger and Sirius Black, and also Harry’s and my goddaughter. I would have thought you’d have known that,’ Snape replied rather condescendingly. ‘I assumed your research before coming here would have covered Matthew’s schoolmates.’

Neither of them acknowledged the appearance of Harry at the classroom door, looking rather concerned. He had actually come to see how Draco had got on with Matthew. However, he appeared to have walked in on a *whole* different conversation.

‘Of course it did,’ Draco replied irritably. ‘It just didn’t cover the fact that that child is no more a Black than you are!’

‘Ah yes,’ Snape replied calmly, rather impressed by Draco’s instant perceptions. ‘I had forgotten your mother was part of that clan.’

‘Exactly!’ said Draco triumphantly. ‘Certainly not something I care to advertise. Yet, I do know enough to be able to tell whether we share the same blood. Plus,’ he added. ‘I’m more than capable of doing the simple math’

‘Ashanti is none of your business,’ Harry interrupted fiercely. ‘You’re here to find out what the plot is involving Matthew. My goddaughter has nothing to do with that!’

‘I need to know all the facts,’ Draco argued. ‘I don’t want to blunder in because information has been kept from me.’

‘Ashanti’s biological father is Ron Weasley,’ Snape said calmly.

‘Severus!’ Harry exclaimed, giving his husband an accusing look at his betrayal. Draco merely looked confused.

‘I thought Weasel had the hots for Potter?’ he said, giving Harry a derogatory look that clearly said he didn’t know what *anyone* saw in him.

‘It was a one time thing,’ Harry said hotly. ‘Ron was upset about me and Severus. Hermione had just found out that Ron wasn’t Matthew’s father and was comforting him. It just got a bit out of hand…’

‘That’s one way to put it,’ Snape interjected dryly.

Draco wasn’t sure whether to be amused or appalled at this latest revelation. He did know that he was unhappy that no one had told him this before.

‘Didn’t you think it might be important for me to know that Matthew’s friend is the daughter of a known Death Eater?’ he demanded. ‘One who disappeared off the face of the earth twelve years ago!’

‘Ron was never a Death Eater!’ Harry exclaimed hotly.

‘And how do you know that?’ asked Draco, his silvery-grey eyes looking at Harry appraisingly. Suddenly his tone sounded interrogatory. ‘Have you heard from the Weasel?’

‘N-no, of course not!’ Harry stammered. Even though he was speaking the truth, he still felt guilty. Pulling himself together, he looked Draco straight in the eye. ‘Ron is dead, I’m sure of it. Voldemort used him and then had him killed.’

‘Harry is speaking the t,’ S,’ Snape said, making both younger wizards jump, as they had forgotten he was even there. ‘At least what he believes is the truth,’ he amended, giving Harry an apologetic look. ‘I can also assure you that Harry has had no contact with Ron Weasley.’

‘How can you be sure?’ Draco asked, his focus turning to his former teacher.

‘Harry would be unable to hide something so important from me.’

Harry looked at Draco’s plainly puzzled face, exchanged a look with his husband and then just blurted it out. ‘Severus and I are mentally bonded. We can’t hide much from each other and certainly not if I had seen Ron.’

Draco looked stunned. ‘How is it that this isn’t common knowledge?’ he asked.

‘Really Draco, you don’t think we’d want something as important as that to be common knowledge?’ Snape replied, looking disappointed at Draco’s lack of perception. ‘How are we ever to keep ourselves one step ahead of our enemies – and that does include the students – if they know everything about us.’

Draco begrudgingly acknowledged the logic in this statement. He was also secretly proud that they had taken him into their confidence.

‘Okay, I believe you,’ he said evenly. ‘However,’ he looked from one to the other of the wizard couple. ‘I don’t want any more secrets. I want to know anything and everything to do with Matthew, no matter how insignificant it seems. And that includes how you managed to defeat Voldemort.’

Harry and Snape looked at each other. Only their closest family and friends knew most of the truth and not a single one of them knew the whole truth, especially not about Snape’s ancestors.

‘This could take a while,’ Harry replied wryly. ‘Maybe we should go to somewhere more comfortable.’

Several hours later, Draco was sitting looking dumbfounded on Harry and Snape’s couch. They had told him everything: the amulet that saved them; the unplanned bonding; Matthew’s increased distancing; the near complete collapse of their marriage; and everything else they could think of.

‘Well, no wonder the kid’s so mixed up!’ Draco eventually stated in disgust. He fixed them with an accusing look. ‘You two have been seriously bad parents.’

Harry reached for his husband’s hand and squeezed it. ‘We know,’ he admitted quietly. He knew he should have been angry at his nemesis for his censorship. He couldn’t because he knew how right the blonde was. ‘But how do we save him?’

**********
*Two weeks l*
*

Matthew was more than excited. He had persuaded Harry that it would be good for him to spend Easter with the Blacks. Now here he was on the Hogwarts Express, heading towards London. The only downside was that both Harry and Snape were with him, ostentatiously to see their friends before heading off to see Snape’s parents. Matthew knew it was rather that they wanted to keep an eye on him until he was under the *safe* care of Hermione and Sirius Black. Little did they know he already had made some plans.

He had communicated several times with Ron over the past two weeks and was eager to see him. He had seemed particularly interested in Draclfoylfoy. Matthew was keen to tell him all about his new friend.

The trip to London and then on to Hermione and Sirius’ home was without incident. Matthew had waved goodbye to his friend Cronus with barely a thought. With the advent of meeting Draco Malfoy, he had begun to realise how pathetic the other Slytherin was in his need to be seen as Matthew’s best friend. Draco had pointed out – ever so casually – that Cronus was like a pet dog, always following him around and doing his best to please. It was really rather amusing. Consequently, he had been spending more time with Ashanti, as he knew she would never act like that around him. That was the advantage of practically having grown up together. She felt no need to treat him any differently than she did her own two siblings. He almost wished he could tell her about Ron. Yet he knew she would immediately tell his parents – or hers – and that would be it for his newest friend.

**********

‘So when exactly *are* you going to tell Ashanti?’ Harry asked exasperatedly.

‘Well we would have told her at Christmas, but it didn’t seem particularly appropriate after your little bombshell!’ Sirius said, glaring at Snape, who glared right back.

It was late. The children were all in bed. More tirrom rom their long journey than they would have admitted. It was also the first opportunity the adults had had to see each other since Christmas. Sirius was obviously biting any any comments on Snape’s extended girth, no doubt due to a lecture by Hermione beforehand. Hermione, however, was definitely having difficulty keeping her own enthusiasm at bay. It was clear she was just itching to touch and ask questions.> Snape was glad that his glare still worked on her. Instead, they had ended up discussing Ashanti and Sirius’ reluctance to tell his daughter about her natural father. Harry was especially keen since Draco had found out the truth. He didn’t trust him not to tell the young witch just to see the fallout.

‘Well, it’s been four months. I don’t think you have that excuse any more,’ Harry pointed out acidly.

‘We’ll see how it goes these holidays,’ Sirius said quickly, unwilling to commit to any more than that. The truth was that he was terrified Ashanti would take the news as badly as Matthew had when he’d found out about Remus and the new baby. He saw how the young wizard still barely had a courteous word for Snape and knew from Harry that things had been very bad since Christmas.

***********

Matthew crept out of his room just as the grandfather clock struck 1am. It was obviously a Sirius clock, as it didn’t so much chime as bark the hour and the pendulum looked strangely like a wagging tail. Hermione has been trying to get rid of it for years, but it seemed impervious to all spells. No> matter whether she sold it or gave it away, it always turned up like a bad penny.

Matthew paused, listening for any sounds that slledlled someone might still be awake. All was quiet. Too quiet. The young wizard recognised at least two silencing spells.

‘Well, at least someone’s having fun,’ he muttered sourly. He still couldn’t understand how Harry could let Snape touch him, let alone purport to love him.

He crept silently down the stairs and headed for the side door (which had less locks than the front door). A quick ‘Alohamora’ and he was on his way.

The street lamps cast a dull glow on the quiet avenue. Matthew walked quickly towards the park where he had met Ron for the first time at Christmas. He saw a figure sitting, hunched over, on one of the benches. He approached quietly, letting his wand slip from its hiding place in his sleeve into his hand.

At his approach, the figure looked up. Matthew sighed with relief and relaxed his grip on his wand as he recognised his friend.

‘You’re late,’ Ron said in mild rebuke.

‘Sorry, the parents were up late talking with Aunt Hermione and Uncle Sirius. I had to wait until it was safe to sneak out.’

‘Obviously a skill you got from Harry,’ Ron said with a smile. His smile twisted, turning ugly. ‘But not Snape or I’d never have heard you until you were right next to me.’

Matthew managed his own bitter smile. ‘Not so much these days,’ he commented. ‘He’s six months pregnant and waddling. All the students are getting away with *murder* at the moment!’

Ron flinched at Matthew’s phrasing.

Not noticing, Matthew continued. ‘Well, I should say they *were* getting away with murder. That was until Professor Malfoy turned up. He is so cool!’ enthused the young wizard.

Ron’s interest suddenly peaked. He had heard Draco Malfoy was taking over from Snape. He had wondered about this bizarre appointment. He assumed it was another of Dumbledore’s attempts to bring the lost sheep back into the fold. He was also well aware of Malfoy’s continuing interest in the Potter-Snape’s. His wish for revenge for his father being sent to Azkaban was no secret. It was common knowledge in the circles that Ron now moved in. Ron realised his attention had wandered when he saw Matthew was looking at him enquiringly.

‘Sorry, what did you say?’ he asked.

‘I said you went to school with Malfoy and asked if you got along?’

Ron grimaced at that idea. ‘No, Malfoy and I never got on,’ he replied with distaste. ‘In fact, we loathed each other.’

Matthew looked put out. ‘Well, I like him,’ Matthew said stubbornly. ‘He listens to me and doesn’t treat me like a stupid kid.’

Ron frowned. It sounded to his suspicious mind that Malfoy was trying to do the exact same thing he was – gain Matthew’s confidence for his own nefarious purposes. He wondered whether his and Malfoy’s plans might match. There was only one way to find out. He needed to meet his former nemesis and find out what exactly his plans were. If, by some happy accident, they matched, it would make things much easier for him. He would have someone on the inside to keep Matthew off the straight and narrow. The weakest part of his plan had always been the lack of consistent contact with Michael. The long gaps between their contact times opened up a chance that the boy would make amends with his parents. With this in mind, he said, ‘have you ever heard what Snape said about your Aunt Hermione in the fourth year, just after she’d been cursed to make her front teeth grow absurdly long?’

Matthew shook his head, eyes wide…

Longer her he had sent Matthew on his way - ears ringing with all the hateful things that Snape had done and the burning rage fresh in the young boy’s mind - Ron sat on the bench deep in thought. Finally, he made up his mind. He needed to see Draco Malfoy. If Malfoy’s plans conflicted with his own, then he would just have to make sure the other wizard was out of the picture.

The years had made Ronald Weasley ruthless. He had to be to survive this long. Revenge had kept him motivated. It was all he’d been able to think about for too many years. Little did he know that that was all about to change.

TBC.