Pilfered Progeny - Stolen Dreams

Lucius was so happy to see the gates of Malfoy Manor; he didn’t think he’d ever seen anything quite so beautiful. He was feeling rather worn out. This had been quite the day… and his arm still was not responding enough to be used yet. He was sure that it had been more than a stunning spell that had struck him. His arm hurt and felt like it was on fire, and the pain intensified if he attempted to use it. Through the entire trip, Little Alyssa had been very stoic; she had not asked to be picked up at all but Lucius had seen how exhausted the little girl was getting as well and had taken pity on her. It had taken seven apparitions to get them back home, but now the deed was done. He had to get inside, and possibly even get his niece over to ensure his alibi. After all, she would want to see the children they had rescued.



Alyssa now lay snuggled against his shoulder and though she was holding on to him, it was clear she was asleep. “Come, Warrington.” He said, brushing off his weariness and discomfort for the moment. “It’s time to get this child to bed, and to call for Severus to perform your bonding.”



“Yeah, I, um…” he sounded hesitant, clearly not looking forward to what still lay ahead of him this evening. “I got her clothes and her doll. She won’t sleep without it, not through the night, anyway. We had to send her nanny back to fetch it for her that first night.” He said. “I got some stuff for the others, too, pajamas and clothes for a couple of days too. I didn’t really know what they’d need but…”



“I’m sure you picked items that will suit.” Lucius interrupted him, thoughtfully glancing at him. “You seem rather fond of this child. You’ve got a bit of auburn to your hair; are you her father?”



He shrugged, looking away. “No, I’m not important enough or powerful enough to be her father. But they did use my bloodline for her.” He shrugged. “Parkinson and Bebel felt my bloodline would come in handy for her, given what she’s to do. They were disappointed she was female. They wanted the entire circle to be male for some stupid reason. Alyssa has outshined their every expectation, though; she’s become everything they wanted her to be and endured every test she was presented…”



“And what is it about you, Warrington, which makes your bloodline so desirable?”



“Not me, that’s for sure. I wasn’t good at much but potions and charms. My Mother’s side of the family is something else, though. Dad was a wizard, and not that strong of one, but then you knew that. He was only a year behind you in Hogwarts.”



“Ah, I think I remember…” Lucius said as they made their way through the gates and toward the mansion. “Quiet fellow, rather drab wasn’t he? I never heard the slightest thing about him after I left school.”



He smirked. “Drab is a really good word to describe my dad, actually. Kind of dishwater dirty blonde, nothing special in powers, but mum was mad about him. He met her when he was visiting his grandmother out on the Shetland Isles and well; he likes to say it was fate. Mum was a witch, but she has both selkie and siren in her bloodline. My Grandmum was a siren but I never met her. That combination didn’t do me any good; here I am in my forties and still single.” He snorted. “Anyway, they said that the combination would give her powers, and they combined mine with Weasley’s somehow. And there she was… I was really hoping it would be a boy, but nothing ever seems to go the way I want it to.”



Lucius couldn’t help but smirk. “Perhaps, Warrington, that happens for a reason.” He said.



He sighed. “Maybe… but I really have trouble with girls. You know, dealing with them. Especially when they get all teary-eyed…”



“They are a mystery, aren’t they?” Lucius chuckled as he led Warrington inside the house and through to the east wing. He chose the room next to Alerick’s and carried the little girl to the expansive bed.



Jerrod moved forward and pulled the blankets down for him, and then turned and set his bag down on a chair and began rummaging around. He produced a pink nightgown covered with frills and lace and hearts, handing it to Lucius before going back to dig again. “Let me find ‘Thulu now…”



Lucius laid the child on the bed gently, and with a flick of his wand he had the child dressed in her gown. He turned to see Jerrod returning with a stuffed toy the likes of which the older wizard had never seen before. It was a twelve-inch tall plush of a very strange creature with tentacles dangling from its face like a beard and wings sprouting from its back; it was deep green mixed with neon greens and looked rather ominous. The beastie reminded him of his studies of texts written by the author H. P. Lovecraft. He took it, looking at Warrington curiously. “Am I correct in assuming this is supposed to be Cthulhu?”



“Um, yeah. That’s her ‘Thulu.” He shrugged.



Lucius remembered the viciousness of the beast in the stories and even the plush toy looked rather baleful. “Who in Merlin’s name would give her such a toy?”



“Hey, she likes it.” He said defensively as Lucius’ smile grew. “How was I to know what girls liked?”



Lucius chuckled softly. “Quite the interesting choice.”



“I got it for her when she was little, smaller than the Dark Prince is. I’d only seen her once before that when she was born. They tell me she won’t sleep a wink without it.” He shrugged. “She doesn’t know about me and I prefer that she don’t, really… it would make things more complicated.”



“As you wish.” Lucius set the toy down beside the girl and she reached for it reflexively and smiled in her sleep, clutching it close. He smiled and pulled the covers over the girl, tucking her in. “We must see to the binding first, and then we will get the others settled.”



“Sure.” Warrington said, picking up his bag once more.



“Severus is probably with the children, if I know him. He will want to talk to you regarding their bonding ceremonies.” Lucius said, leading the man to the makeshift nursery.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Severus looked over as the two entered the room. He was standing and watching as the group of four children interacted; they truthfully acted very little like children. The only one who behaved in any sort of a child-like manner was the Dark Prince. At this moment he was happily sitting on Alerick’s crossed legs like a throne, holding his arms around him. Alerick was quite happy as well, listening to the twins and the toddler, more than content to simply be with them again.



“You did not bring your wife?” Lucius asked Severus as he approached.



“She is not my wife, she is Lupin’s. Must I keep reminding you of that?” Severus asked sourly, rolling his eyes. They had this discussion constantly. He was sure that Lucius did it just to irritate him.



“You should wed her and make your bond into a triad.” He said stubbornly, but then he let the subject drop at a warning glare from Severus.



“She had business at the Ministry to attend to; although she should be here any moment.” He answered, eyes returning to the children for a moment. “And unless I have counted incorrectly, you seem to have forgotten a child as well; we only have four.” He commented dryly.



“I have not FORGOTTEN any of the children, Severus.” He returned in the same tone. “She was simply exhausted; I have put her to bed.” Lucius couldn’t help but smile. Nymphadora would be here and his alibi was perfect. “I need to avail you of your services, Severus. This is Jerrod Warrington, and he is to be permanently bound to me as my servant.”



Severus turned his eyes to the man the same age as his godson. He seemed to remember this fellow, from when Harry and Draco were in school. He hadn’t been too unpleasant a person, he recalled, just quite involved in protecting himself. “And this is something you wish?”



“It’s better than dying.” He shrugged, glancing over at the kids.



Malfoy found himself watching the children for their reaction to this man that he had brought along; he had not gotten a very good feel for how he had interacted with them at all. He did know about their education and all the details that had been necessary, but was he cruel to them? Their reaction and Alerick’s as well, would tell him a lot. Alerick gave the man no more than a passing glance; clearly the man was not important or unimportant at all to him.



Lucius’ smile grew. That was an excellent reaction, and he knew that he had made the correct choice at that point. Not only did the man speak up and save one of the children, he had also not been one that had abused them. He would have Severus sort through the man’s memories and ensure of this, but he was fairly sure there would have been some sort of reaction from the children if he had been abusive.



“Let’s get this done, then; we should go somewhere a bit more private.” Severus suggested.



“The children should all be in bed already. It’s way past their usual bedtime and they have been kept to a very strict routine.” Jerrod said, glancing at the nannies who were all seated close together, allowing the children to interact without any interference. That was NOT normal for the children and they were definitely taking advantage of the fact. “The nannies know that...”



“The children can wait a bit more; they look like they’re quite happy for the moment.” Lucius gestured for him to follow and he did after a long moment, pulling his eyes away from the kids. Severus followed behind as Lucius led them back out and to the study to perform the bonding per Lucius’ wish.



Snape instructed Warrington to face Lucius and he did so, his nervousness clear on his face. "You do understand, Jerrod Warrington, that this is not a casual bonding? This bonding will last until your death, or until Lucius chooses to release you.”



"Yeah, I got that part." He said, pulling up his sleeve. His arm bore the markings of several bonds already. "I\'ve been through this a time or two before."



Snape studied them with narrowed eyes. He whispered softly, tracing his wand tip down one of the scar-like marks upon the man\'s right arm. Warrington hissed as pain lanced up his arm, wincing. "Do you HAVE to do that?!" he asked petulantly.



"My mistake; the revealing of who is involved in a bond usually does not cause pain." Severus said as a sort of off-hand apology. "The pain you felt is due to the one that bound you, not me. You already bear three bonds, I see..."



"Three?" Lucius looked at him questioningly.



"I told you already I was bound to Parkinson." He answered the inquiring look with a shrug, still holding his arm out.



"Yes, that would be who this one is connected to." Snape said, though he did not touch the bond marking again on the man\'s arm.



"The second bond is to the Circle, to keep the children safe and protect them. The third is to the Dark Prince... I must keep him safe even if it means forsaking the others and giving up my own life." he said softly, eyes on the marks that crisscrossed and wound their way about his forearm. Severus found himself wondering if they would find the dark mark emblazoned upon his shoulder as the children had been marked. Even if he had no mark, he was clearly no free man and had not been for quite some time.



"As Parkinson will not be alive long that is not a problem in my estimation. The other two I can surely live with." Lucius said with a shrug. "Proceed, Severus."



Severus looked the younger man square in the eye. "You will likely feel quite a bit of pain while we do this; any other bond that conflicts with Parkinson\'s will give you that same pain you felt, but magnified."



"Great." He grumbled, though he did not withdraw his hand, still willing to proceed.



"I do not know, however, if this pain will be transferred to you as well, Lucius. I do not believe it will." Severus warned.



"That makes no difference. Proceed." He agreed.



Severus began the binding, casting the spell to make Jerrod Warrington a servant at the bid and call of Lucius Malfoy. He recited the words for the bond and the two men spoke the words as instructed by Snape. As the bond began to twine its magical cords about their hands and settle against the skin, Warrington cried out, his knees almost buckling as he fought against the agonizing pain shooting up his arm and through his entire body. He clamped his eyes shut and gritted his teeth, forcing the words out despite the pain. Snape did not falter, proceeding with the spell until it was finished. Warrington sank to one knee, panting hard; cradling his arm that felt like it was on fire.



"Your other bonds, it seems, have a dark purpose." Severus said dispassionately, watching the man a moment. "Lucius, do you have any of that soothing ointment I made for you...?"



"Yes, of course. Mimsy!" He called. A house elf appeared, bowing low. "Mimsy, take Mr. Warrington to a spare room and bring him the soothing ointment from my bed stand. See to his needs and ensure that he can rest comfortably through the night. We will have quite a bit of business to attend to tomorrow."



"Yeah, of course. Thanks, Malfoy." he mumbled, getting shakily to his feet.



"Now to see to the children." Lucius said, turning to go but Severus caught him by the arm. "What...?"



"No, you need to be tended to, and you need rest as well. There are nannies that can take care of the children and nurses as well. Potter, Draco and I can handle the children for the night. You are to go to Cissa and see if she can help you with that arm; if not, you are to have your doctor come."



"Severus, really, you\'re making a big deal..."



"If you don\'t want that arm to be useless for the rest of your life, you will do as I say." Severus growled softly, his eyes narrowed. He knew that the injury to his friend’s arm had to be more than just superficial.



“The children must know who is here to care for them, and I will first make sure they are bedded down comfortably and properly. THEN I will go and be tended.” Lucius said stubbornly. “Alerick will not wish to be separated from the Dark Prince and I will not stress the children by forcing any of them apart. There must be beds for all, and I wish at least one nanny to be housed in the room with them to monitor them and care for their needs through the night, and…”



“Must I tell Cissa of your injury?” Severus said in a threatening tone.



Lucius scowled at him; calling in his wife was simply foul play. “Severus, she’s not going to change my mind.”



“Change your mind about what, dear?” Narcissa asked softly. She had moved in without being heard, one of the twins nestled in the crook of her arm. She had not seen her husband yet and had decided to bring little Remmy along as she checked on him.



“Ah Cissa my dove, is little Remus giving you trouble tonight?” Lucius asked moving to give her a loving kiss.



“Just a little restless; he will be fine I’m sure.” She smiled at him, touching his cheek gently. “Are you all right, Lucius…? You were gone a lot longer than we expected you to be…”



“I’m all right.” He said shooting Severus a warning glare that Narcissa, unfortunately, did not miss.



“Are you truly? If you’re injured…”



“A stunning spell is all; it grazed my arm. I wasn’t hit with anything serious…” he admitted reluctantly, not liking one bit the expression of worry on her face.



She turned to their friend. “Severus…?”



Severus met Lucius’ eyes and gave an innocent shrug; there was no point in trying to cover when he wanted his friend to be taken care of as well. “He will be perfectly fine, if he gets himself treated tonight. The sooner the better.” He answered truthfully.



“Come along, then, love. You will have a bath while I summon our personal healer.” She said in a tone that brooked no argument.



“I will ensure that things are set up as you desire for the children, Lucius. And when the doctor has finished with you we will be expecting you to rejoin us, correct?” Severus said with a bit of his characteristic smirk stealing onto his lips.



“Naturally…” Lucius agreed, moving along with Narcissa now.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Severus returned to the playroom; most of the other children had been taken off by the nurses and settled into their beds for the evening. Angel had crawled up into Harry’s lap and snuggled in his arms, dozing lightly on his lap as he sat and watched these children who did not act like children. Severus moved over to join him. “They should be settled for the night… would you prefer I set up the room for them? Lucius prefers that they be housed in the same room tonight, until their bonds settle at least. Their powers are still sending out fluctuating waves right now...”



“Yeah, I’ve noticed. Even Angel has noticed that; she says it was giving her a headache.” Harry said, stroking his daughter’s hair gently. “How has Draco been? He was so stressed when I left, but I had to get these kids out and safe…”



“Draco has come to grips with the situation, as I knew he would. My godson has a very good head on his shoulders. You ought to know that by NOW, Potter.” Severus answered with a smirk.



“I know, but with him pregnant…”



“There is nothing to fret over. Honestly, you are getting as bad as your friend Ronald.” Snape rolled his eyes, turning away. “I will prepare the room, if you can get those nannies moving and the children on their way, it would be of great assistance.” He said, strolling off.



Harry half chuckled; maybe he was being too much of a worrier. He just wanted everything to go well this time, he couldn’t help but think about every little thing that could go wrong and focusing on that was getting in the way of his enjoyment of the moment. He rose, adjusting Angel to be lying on his left shoulder. She sighed sleepily, not waking fully, trustingly laying against him without clutching at all.



He noticed that one of the nannies looked over, watching him. He was struck by how similar the three women were to each other; all three had black hair pulled back in proper buns, all three had the same type of facial structure with high cheekbones and wide eyes. The only difference in them seemed to be that one had a pointed nose, one had a tiny mole just beneath her eye, and the third had bright blue eyes while the other did not. She was the one who had been near the Prince when they had arrived, and she was the first to respond back at the house when he had ordered them to prepare. Harry gestured to her to come over and she moved over hesitantly.



“Yes, sir?” She asked quietly. Harry realized he’d not heard a single one of them do any more than whimper or scream today.



“I know it’s been a really strange day, but it really is past time for the kids to be in bed, isn’t it?” He asked.



“Yes; it’s quite a bit past, sir, but… but where do we…?” She asked, her gaze lingering a moment on Harry’s face before she flushed and lowered her eyes.



“We have rooms for them, and you as well.” He reassured. “Let’s get them rounded up. The red-haired girl is already asleep.” Harry used his gentlest tone; these women needed to know they were as safe here as the children were.



“Yes, sir. Of course sir.” She turned back to the others. With a bit of spoken encouragement, she got her two compatriots moving and they got to their feet, moving over to do what they were accustomed to doing.



“Bedtime, My Dark Prince, Alerick…” the one that had spoken to Harry said in a firm tone.



“No!” The Dark Prince scowled at her, holding on tighter to Alerick. “No! Stay! Mine!”



“You get to stay with him, nothing to worry about little Prince.” Harry said reassuringly. “It is simply time to rest.”



“Stay with…?” he seemed to ponder this for a moment, then nodded and released his grip on Alerick’s arms, rising to his unsteady feet. He turned away from the nanny and to Harry, lifting his arms up. “Up!” He commanded.



Harry chuckled softly and knelt, scooping the boy up with his right arm, careful not to disturb Angel as he did so. “Of course, little one…”



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Severus allowed Harry to gather the children and manage the nannies, moving on to the room that Lucius had told him that was being used by the boy Alerick. He walked in, glancing about a few moments and considering exactly what was needed. The dragon bed’s mattress was set down into the floor to look like the dragon was guarding the sleeper within its nest. It would be more than suitable for both Alerick and the baby; he doubted that they would be able to separate those two tonight or for several nights to come. But the other children must be considered.



He turned and waved his wand and transfigured the two chairs on either side of the entry door into child size beds. That would do; especially for the two guardians. They would wish to be in positions that would indicate they guarded their little Prince. That would cover the four on their way, but there was the other girl to consider. Although she was asleep in her bed in the room just down the hall, he doubted it would be long before she found her way here. And she would probably just sleep on the floor if there were no other place, so he would provide something just for her. He transfigured the settee near the window to be wider and deeper, and then called for the house elves to get the beds ready for the children.



The house elves had just vanished when Alerick and the Dark Prince moved into the room, still hand in hand. “This is where I have been sleeping, my Prince…” he said, pointing at the bed. “And that’s my…”



The baby stopped, eyes wide, and then a huge grin spread across his face. “Mine!” He squealed, excited as he pulled out of Alerick’s hand and toddled as quickly as his chubby little legs would let him to the bed. He reached up toward the dragon’s head which was just out of reach. He giggled, then jumped onto the bed and rolled about, laughing happily.



Alerick moved over toward him then paused, looking back at the two adults. “Can he really sleep with me? Please, my lord…?” he asked, eyes wide and pleading and full of hope.



“I’m not about to tell him no.” Harry smirked, chuckling.



“Thank you!” Alerick said, excited as he moved quickly over to join the baby.



“All right, my Lords and Lady, it is time for you all to get ready for bed.” The blue-eyed nanny said, glancing at the others as she approached the children. What were they to put them in to sleep…?



“I believe Warrington has clothing for them.” Severus commented, and then called for the house elf to retrieve the children’s clothing. Toodles appeared with the clothing moments after she vanished, arms laden with clothing for each child, even Alerick.

“She got me my clothes!” He murmured, eyes wide, hurrying to get his own from the house elf. She beamed at him and he looked at her rather surprised. House elves were actually intelligent things…?



Tonks moved into the room, glancing about at the children. “Hey, Severus; did you get them all?” She asked.



“Every one of them.” He agreed, watching the Dark Prince march over and take his pajamas from the house elf.



He spotted his nanny and turned to her, holding it out to her. “Now! Mine! On!” He demanded of her.



“Of course, my Prince.” She agreed, kneeling to help him change.



“Demanding little tyke, isn’t he?” Tonks chuckled softly, watching.



“Ah, Dora.” Lucius smiled as he walked in, quite pleased to see her there. His little deathtrap back in Romania should be rocking their world right about now. His arm was resting in a sling. “I am glad you could join us.”



“Good evening, Lucius.” She greeted, eyes flicking to his arm for just a moment. “It wasn’t an easy retrieval, was it?” She asked.



“Nonsense; it wasn’t difficult at all. We just walked right in and picked them up.” Lucius smiled.



“Really, now…?” She smirked slightly, gesturing at his arm. “That didn’t happen during your little rescue operation?”



He glanced at it. “What, this…?” He scoffed. “I was working my new stallion. He’s a bit spirited.”



“Oh come on. I’ve gotten pretty good at telling when I’m getting hippogriff shit thrown my way, Lucius; and something tells me I should have worn my wellingtons to come over here tonight.” She smirked.



“The children are safe, that’s all that is important.” He said dismissively. He moved over to the bed, pulling his wand and resetting the wards not to react to children or to those bound to them, such as the three nannies.



“Good night, Lord Father Malfoy.” Alerick said, giving him a courtly bow. He looked more than happy to be dressed in his own pajamas; a pair of silk breeches of deep green with oriental blossoms in the silk, a button-down top to match. The overall effect was almost feminine, but suited him quite well.



“Rest well, my boy.” He said.



The baby toddled over to the bed and flopped on the springy mattress with a happy squeal. “Mine!” He giggled.



Alerick looked over and moved to join him, clearly delighted at his reunion with the boy. He plopped down beside the child on the mattress, making him squeal again with laughter.



“Once the children are asleep I will need a blood sample from each.” Severus said softly.



“Yes, though I do know the parentage of one of them already. I would still prefer to see it confirmed; it would give me more confidence in the word of my newest bonded servant. I’m curious to know who their mothers were…” Lucius said.



“We will know by morning. I’m going to go and find Draco.” Harry smiled, stroking Angel’s back. “And of course get this one to bed. Call me if you have any need of me.”



“We can handle the children, nothing to worry about.” Lucius assured.



The twins were dressed by one of the nannies, in identical pajamas of plainest black but in the same cut and style as Alerick’s. Neither of them for one moment took their eyes off of Tonks and Severus, or Lucius for that matter. The twins allowed the nannies to set them in their beds but both of them refused to lie down.



“I’ll need to have a copy of their paternity tests for my report, of course…”



“You’ll have them. I have the potions prepared as we speak, awaiting their samples.” Severus answered, glancing at Lucius. “I think we should leave so that they will be able to settle down.” He suggested, eyes drawn to the dragon bed where Alerick was jumping on the bed to make the baby bounce and laugh.



“All right, Alerick. It is time to settle. You must rest to be as strong as you wish to become.” Lucius smiled. “You can play more in the morning.”



Alerick pouted slightly, but he plopped down to a seat on the bed. “I can’t sleep, Lord Father. I’m much too excited and happy to rest.”



“Well perhaps some warm milk and biscuits will help…” Lucius smiled, calling for Tootles.



“My lord, they should not have sweets so late…” the nanny with glasses spoke up timidly.



Lucius turned, cold eyes on the woman, face an expressionless cold mask. “Who are you to tell me what I may or may not give to my child?!” he demanded, snarling.



She paled, shrinking away from him. “I’m sorry, my Lord, I’m… I did not mean, I…” she backed away, covering her face with her hands and bowing in total submission.



“It seems that Parkinson has trained his nannies as well.” Severus commented, watching the behavior of the girl. “She’s only following his idiotic rules, after all Lucius.”



“They will be re-trained, or I will dispose of them.” Lucius said coldly.



“Then we retrain them.” Snape agreed. “Warrington will undoubtedly need a firm hand in training as well.”



“We have a lot of work ahead of us, my old friend.” Lucius sighed.



“Yes, we do; but fortunately for me, I don’t live here. You, your lovely wife, and your son and Potter can handle most of it I’m sure.” He said as the plate of requested milk and biscuits appeared on the table.



“They’ll be gone by the end of the week if you don’t give me a hand with them. I can guarantee that.” Lucius growled softly, glaring at the still bowing girl who hid her face in her hands as if awaiting punishment.



“Lucius Malfoy, you will do no such thing. You have to give them a chance.” Tonks said reasonably. “Besides, you might anger the little Prince if you take away his servant.” She commented as she watched the boy. The Dark Prince had taken a seat on the bed, with Alerick at his side, holding hands as their nanny fed them both cookies and milk. The twin girl was eating some as well, but not the boy. He continued to stare at them with clear suspicion.



“Come; let us allow the children to settle.” Lucius turned toward the door.



“You will tell us when they are asleep.” Severus ordered the nanny who waited on the Dark Prince. She nodded to show her understanding, but did not for a moment turn her attention away from the children that she tended to. Severus, satisfied with that, followed the other two out of the room.