Silver Asters

Title: Silver Asters

Pairing: snupin, LuciusxNarcissa, AndromedaxTed, various implied relationships

Fandom: Harry Potter

Summary: A little more than four years after Severus and Remus' boys are born, comes their next challenge: School…

A/n: The title come from the meaning of Asters, Patience…

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Chapter 2

Harry had gotten more relaxed about going to school, or so they thought because he stopped fighting them about having to go. Then again he’d been there about a year now…

Severus had agreed when five-year-old Sera broke into his lab again, for the sixth time to be exact, that he would train her.

There was the fact that she wasn’t the type to take no for an answer and she was his daughter, her wanting to brew was to be expected.

Even if as a parent he was wary of her using a knife…

Remus would not be pleased it he did, in fact he had forbidden it much to Sera’s irritation which was reasonable so Severus acquiesced easily. Much to Sera’s annoyance but when she tried whinging at him, he threatened to lock down the lab completely so she couldn’t even enter the corridor.

Since it was safer for Severus to let Sera ‘help’ even if it was a silly as bringing him a certain colour vial or fetching an ingredient from a lower shelf in his cupboard. She did enjoy learning how to handle the specific ingredients if only to hand them for him to prepare. As his daughter, Sera was a sponge for potions and she helped him find all the ingredients with ease. They would lay out the ingredients on Sera’s side of the table in order of use, like all of their children Sera could read quite well. If she couldn’t read a word, Sera would sound it out or spell it for Severus to tell her how to say it.

Nemia on the other hand preferred to read so she spent much of her free time while Harry and Cora were at school if she wasn’t visiting a friend like Cornelia Pucey, Adrian’s cousin reading in the library.

Teddy on the other hand was such an active boy that his ‘uncle’ Ted had bought them a huge Muggle playground to keep him entertained.

Of course Remus had to cast a bunch of safety spells before he was satisfied that even Teddy couldn’t hurt himself…

Fili on the other hand wasn’t as hyperactive so he preferred to sketch, paint or even read while Teddy was content to run around all over the play equipment.

Remus usually read his Magical Creature or Charms periodicals while he kept an eye on them. He was actually considering writing a new textbook on both subjects, but he wasn’t sure whether it should be written for Hogwarts age students or the age of the children at Harry and Nemia’s school.

Since it was too dangerous for house elves to Apparate near Severus’ lab, all floo calls were to be brought to Remus’ attention.

So Lolly appeared with a frown, he was instantly alert.

“What is the matter Lolly?

Their head house elf wrung her hands, “Trouble Master Remus. The little Master be crying and the Schoolmistress be wanting his parents…”

Remus closed his periodicals, rising to his feet. “Send the boys to Malfoy Manor. I believe that Laurel, Ned and Gary are there today. I’ll floo to Number Four. If Severus is needed I will call one of you to send Nemia to speak with Severus.

Then Remus headed for the floo in the receiving room.

When he arrived he was escorted to the Headmistress’ office where Remus was surprised to find a fuming Draco holding a crying Harry.

Damocles’ son, Zacharias that he’d helped his sister and her bonded conceive was sitting there looking bloodied but defiant.

Dudley, Greg and Vince growled at him.

The Headmistress was unfortunately Greg’s mother and well Greg didn’t look the least bit apologetic.

Then again neither did Dudley or Vince.

Vince’s mother and Greg’s aunt Alethea looked ashamed and furious but Andromeda soon had Dudley by the either.

“High spirits are one thing but the three of you are all large boys and well-trained. Why in Salazar’s name would you be attacking these two?”

It was Draco who spoke up. “They had locked Harry in a toilet cubicle Aunt Annie and had managed to seal his trousers and his pants before pouring buckets of dirty water on his head…”

Remus had wondered what the wet dog like spell was…

Remus felt sick, his little Harry had just been bullied…

He still remembered back when James Sirius had bullied his mate in school, after Harry had been at that nasty orphanage did he really deserve a bully?

Remus knelt down and held out his arms, “Come here son…”

Harry sniffled, “Where’s papa?”

“He was in the lab with Sera. I thought I’d see if you were alright before I worried your papa.”

Harry’s clothes were dry but stained, Remus was going to have Lolly burn them and then order his bullies to replace them.

Remus pet Harry’s hair, “Honoria, I know that Dudley, Greg and Vince were wrong to attack Zacharias but didn’t he start it?”

Damocles’ son glared at him.

The Headmistress sniffed, “Yes…”

“I would suspend all of the boys involved for a few days with the exception of Harry. I will keep him home a while until he feels safe.” Remus said quietly.

“Zhat could be arranged.” Greg’s mother mused.

“Very well then. I will take Draco and Harry come with me.”

Andromeda nodded, “While Dudley may have had good motives, you can’t be solving all problems with your fists like some kind of barbarian.”

Dudley hung his head.

“I’m sorry I’m so pathetic…” Harry whispered.

Draco bristled and Harry’s defenders growled again.

Remus rocked Harry, “Pup you’re not pathetic. Don’t let anyone tell you that. We don’t believe that.”

Draco wrapped his arms around Harry’s waist, “Picking on someone weaker is pathetic and it’s a sign of weakness.”

Now it was Zacharias’ turned to act furious and insulted.

Remus considered the entire thing settled as he picked Harry up, and held out a hand for Draco, “Come on boys…Andromeda can you see to Cora?”

Draco took his hand and let Remus lead them to the floos in the school’s atrium.

Remus sent Draco through to Merrivale first before flooing with Harry.

Once they arrived they found Lolly waiting for them.

“Draco and Harry would like a bubble bath. What scent would you like?”

“Blackberry?” Harry whispered.

“Go with Lolly and have your bath. Give them biscuits and hot milk when they are finished.”

Neither boy protested.

Remus checked his watch, he had an hour before Severus and Sera would emerge from the lab.

He turned to floo Narcissa to let her know that Draco was here at Merrivale and why.

She promised to tell Lucius and then Remus swallowed before he trudged down to Severus’ lab.

XooooooX

Severus didn’t like leaving things to the last minute…

So he and Sera always began cleaning up a half hour before they were expected at lunch. After all, Remus was a stickler for meals and Severus was grateful that he and Andromeda kept him and Harry on a short leash like that.

Severus might like when Remus went all dominant Alpha on him and sometimes spankings were erotic but he preferred not to have to be punished. Because Remus didn’t always feel sexual after having to punish him…

Severus already had their potion under a stasis charm and he was clearing his preparation table by sending Sera back their leftover unprepared ingredients to his large walk in closet of a storage cupboard.

He would levitate the dirtied tools with them for Lolly to have cleaned…

His usual ritual was interrupted by a loud authoritive rap on the lab door…

A frown crossed his face as he made sure everything was ready for them to head to lunch.

Severus strode over to the door and opened it to find a seething Remus.

Severus swallowed, “Have I displeased my alpha somehow?”

Remus shook his head, “No. Something happened at school.”

Severus flinched, “Not to Harry…”

Remus nodded sharply.

Severus whispered, “What happened?”

“It was Damocles’ son, the one he sired for Alisa and Orpah Zacharias. He and his friends thought it was fun to strip Harry of his trousers and pants before locking him in a toilet stall and dumping dirty water on him.”

Severus gasped, “Is he alright?”

“He and Draco are going to bathe. I excused them from lunch but ordered them biscuits and hot milk.”

Severus knew which biscuits; Lolly had a recipe for very healthy biscuits that had a lot of vitamins and protein due to their being made with whole grain flour, coconut milk, hemp and chia seeds. Likely the milk was hemp and chocolate flavours not that it mattered to the children.

“Will he be alright?” Severus whispered.

He had memories of being mistreated similarly in both his former Muggle school and at Hogwarts.

Sera popped up with a scowl, “What happened to Harry?”

“He had a bad day at school. Draco is here…”

Sera nodded sharply, “Draco will take good care of him…”

Remus had clearly cast a ‘fresher charm on himself and switched his clothes before coming to fetch them.

Severus let Remus pull him tight to his side and his bonded levitated his dirtied utensils and directed them into the washbasin down the corridor.

Sera grasped Severus’ hand and stayed close to them as they made their way up to the dining room where they met Nemia.

Their baby girl frowned, “Is something the matter? Did something happen to Harry?”

While Sera and Nemia didn’t know details, they knew that after Harry’s parents died Harry had ended up in a place where he wasn’t treated nicely and it made him easily frightened and skittish.

“Harry was bullied at school.” Remus admitted quietly.

Nemia pouted, “Why Harry? He’s so nice and quiet…”

Severus grumbled, “That’s exactly why…”

“He’s not alone is he?” Nemia worried, “Where is Cora?”

“Your sister will be home later.” Remus assured her, “Harry is upstairs having a bubble bath with Draco.”

Nemia nodded, “That’s okay then. There’s something special about a bubble bath…”

Severus blushed.

Remus playfully growled at him and squeezed his arse through his usual brewing robe.

Severus knew better then to bat away his hand.

They had cold chicken and cucumber sandwiches with fresh fruit as a side.

There was milk for the girls and tea for Remus and Severus. 

It was difficult to find alone time when they had three sets of twins about two years apart each…

They ate quietly, then Sera led Nemia away to the library so that their dads could go check on Harry…

They made their way up to Harry’s room that he still shared with Cora.

They found Harry curled up on his bottom bunk wearing underwear and shorts. Draco was spooning him from behind.

There was nothing sexual about their behaviour, but there was something about how Draco calmed and soothed Harry that worried Remus.

Severus sat on the edge of Harry’s bed and reached out to run his hands through their adopted son’s messy black hair, “Harry?”

Harry whispered, “Papa am I in trouble?”

Draco snorted but didn’t say anything.          

Severus frowned, “Why? Should you be?”

Harry hid his face, “I was asking for it…”

Severus sputtered, “What? You were cornered in the loo, had your trousers and pants taken away before being shoved into a toilet stall where you had dirty water poured on you? How could you ask for it?”

Harry burst into tears, “I knew you’d be mad at me…”

Remus’ large but gentle hand joined Severus’ to card through Harry’s hair, “Oh Harry, we couldn’t never believe that…”

“Zacharias said I was just like papa…that I wanted to be bossed around and mistreated…”

Remus growled, “I would never mistreat your papa, he’s my mate and I care about him very much. I only push him to take better care of himself…”

Harry whispered, “Why did they say that then?”

“Because they are immature bullies…” Severus hissed.

“I don’t want people to think I like being treated like that…” Harry said through tears.

Draco hugged him tighter, “You don’t deserve it kitten…you should be treated with respect. Someday when you’re ready then some lucky bloke will sweep you off your feet and treat you like a precious treasure.”

Remus was not okay with that at all, sure he was suspicious that Harry was bent like they were but he wasn’t okay with anyone being sexually involved with Harry. Harry had been mistreated as an infant and he should not have to be put through any sexual reminders of that terrible time.

Harry sniffled, “I just want to be like the other boys…I want to be treated with respect.”

Draco kissed his hair, “You do deserve that kitten and I’ll do my best to see that you get it…”

Draco’s promise soothed Harry and Lolly arrived with Accalia who curled up on the bed with him.

Remus asked Lolly quietly, “Where was she?”

He was slightly ashamed that in his hurry to look after Harry that he’d forgotten the boy’s dog.

“Locked in a cupboard at school…” the Head Prince house elf muttered.

Sandwiched between Draco and Accalia, Harry soon drifted off to sleep with both his dads carding their fingers through their hair…

Once they were certain the boys were asleep, they tiptoed out of the bedroom.

When the door to the bedroom that Harry still shared with Cora was shut, Severus fell apart in Remus’ arms. Having been abused by his own father and bullied through out school he wanted better for his and Lily’s children.

What Harry might have been like if he’d never ended up in that horrible place was useless to speculate. Harry was Harry and just like Remus had spent six years building him up as a person, they had to continue helping Harry.

Remus did his best to comfort Severus even going so far as to take him into a bath to comfort his mate with sensual caresses, snogging and his cock.

Once he’d knotted, Severus relaxed.

Remus put his mate to bed, kissing him gently and then left him to sleep reluctantly.

Severus reached to squeeze his hand, “Make sure that Teddy, Fili and Cora get home safely.” Then dropped his hand as exhaustion took him…

XooooooX

Remus was just entering the downstairs corridor when he heard the sounds of their eldest daughter Cora complaining that no one was telling her again, Teddy was clearly bouncing and Fili was ordering him to cool it.

Heading towards the receiving room, Remus found not only Andromeda with Cora but Narcissa with his youngest boys. Lucius, Ted, Marcus and Ayla were there along with Pansy, Laurel, Ariel and Dudley.

Remus frowned, “What brings all of you to Merrivale?”

“I contacted Atlantia,” Lucius said gruffly, “it is a Wizarding resort that is part of Blaise’s inheritance and is in Greece. While normally I would agree with Andromeda that Dudley’s behaviour was quiet wrong, I decided that the family needed to get away. Severus’ brothers Xenos and Sancus will meet us there with their families. I managed to receive a few portkeys from Atlantia that will accommodate us all. Where are Draco, Severus and the rest of your children?”

Lucius had never been as close to him as he was to Severus not that Remus was jealous.

Remus sighed, “Draco, Harry and Severus are asleep…I am unsure where Sera and Nemia are but I do hope they aren’t in the lab…”

“Dad!” Sera’s voice was icy, “I promised papa faithfully that if he taught me potions then I wouldn’t go in the lab without him.”

Remus shrugged, “Did I say you were in the lab unsupervised? No I did not. Your uncle Lucius has decided to spring an unexpected vacation on us.”

“I spoke to Ted and he agreed that the best thing for Harry would to be to get away for a while to clear his head. Normally I would be against them missing school but with five students suspended and three on voluntary leave in their class, Horatia decided that it was best to declare a holiday so they will not be missing lessons.”

As much as Remus hated to admit it, Lucius was right. Harry could use the holiday…

He sighed, “Oh very well. If you can wrangle Cora and the boys, I will have Lyall fetched and we’ll take a portkey ourselves bringing Harry, Draco and Severus as well as Sera and Nemia.”

Lucius seemed satisfied; between himself, Narcissa, Andromeda and Ted they soon had the children surrounding them arranged.

“We’ll see you at the resort.” Narcissa winked.

 

Remus watched them portkey out before ordering the Prince elves to pack for them as well as sending one after Lyall.

To his surprise, Lyall arrived quickly with Ceres at his heels.

His grandfather was scowling, “What’s the matter Remus?”

“Harry was bullied at school…” Remus admitted growling.

“Really? Who dared with his army of friends?”

“Damocles’ son with Orpah surprisingly.”

“It’s the Belby blood.” Lyall snorted. “Why do you need me?”

“I have two sleeping boys, a sleeping mate, a dog and two girls to get out of Merrivale.” Remus grumbled.

“I see, so you need me to take Harry and Draco as well as keep Accalia in line?” Lyall drawled.

Remus nodded sharply, “That’s about the size of it.”

“Well get along then. I’ll worry about Harry, Draco and Accalia. You can focus on Severus, I can’t imagine he took this well…”

Lyall was more perceptive then Remus liked but the man came through in a pinch and he was good with Remus and Severus’ kids even if his grandfather had largely been an absentee workaholic father and very absent grandfather. At least the man seemed to be making up for lost time by trying to have a relationship with him, Harry and Remus’ other kids…

He paused in his musing to tell Nemia and Sera to wait in the receiving room for them.

Then he hurried back upstairs to his own bedchamber to fetch Severus…

 

XoooooooX

When Remus arrived back downstairs he found Lyall with both Accalia and Ceres leashed with the loops on his wrists and a sleeping boy with their head lolling on his neck.

Severus was curled up in Remus’ arms; his head pillowed on his right shoulder, Remus coughed, “Are we ready?”

Lyall snorted, “I’m sure we are.” He must have attached the boys to him with sticking charms because he let go of them to wandlessly summon the portkey and fished his wand out of his side holster.

Sera and Nemia scurried forward to take hold of the portkey.

Remus adjusted his hold so he had a free hand…

Once they were all grasping the portkey, Lyall tapped it with his wand.

They were immediately dragged by the naval from cool autumn Britain to warm Greece.

Narcissa waved them over, “Come on then. How Lucius does it I shall never know.” Her face was alit with pride in her Bondmate, “He practically rented out the entire resort…you and Severus have your own bungalow. Marcus will stay with us; Ayla is to stay with Maia, there is another for Sera and Nemia; Cora is going to share with Pansy, Luna and Daphne. I believe that Aria will stay with Sancus and Aurora…”

“I’ll look after Teddy, Fili and Laurel…” Lyall offered surprising them.

Teddy clearly would have flung himself at Lyall but seeing Draco and Harry in his arms had the boy checking his leap.

Ariel coughed, “I can look after Dudley, Draco and Harry…”

Ted patted him on the back, “You’re an excellent big brother.”

Ariel blushed, “Dora and Tonks expect me to look after them…”

Tonks was a Fourth Year and Sam just started at Hogwarts in September…

Somehow it made strange sense that Andromeda had the eldest of their circle’s children…

“I’ll show your bungalow and then I’ll show Nemia .” Narcissa beamed, “Lucius put Marcus down for me. Annie went to show Cora and her friends their bungalow.”

Ted drawled, “Ariel and I will show you where Draco and Harry are staying before I escort you to the one you’ll share with Teddy, Fili and Laurel…”

Remus felt guilty about letting Harry go but was grateful to find that the bungalow that had been chosen for him was close to the ones that were indicated for each of their children but distant enough that they could be somewhat private…

He slipped into their bungalow and lay Severus down on the bed, before joining him and pulling his mate into his arms. He wouldn’t allow his beloved to wake up alone in a strange place.

Remus hoped their impromptu vacation really was what Harry and Severus needed.

They hadn’t really had a real vacation with three pairs of twins all roughly two years apart.

Hopefully with all of the adults around and Lucius practically renting out the entire resort it would be alright...

 

 

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What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?

Anon - I wouldn't call it cute right now? I hope despite the bullying the family bonding and the proposed vacation/holiday will make you fogive me for treating Harry badly