Crimson Moon

Disclaimer:: JK owns them..we'll put them back when we're finished maybe..
Written by Calanor & Morganlefay1958 for the 7spells LJ commnunity.

@@@@

Chapter 4

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts took the same path, to the Great Hall, every night before bed. In the midst of the empty room, he raised his wand and a candle would appear in each window of the castle, where many others had been lit over the past two years--a candle to light the path home for his missing children.

He then would stand silently for a few moments remembering the four who had disappeared so suddenly and mysteriously. From the many pockets of his robes, the aging man would always pull out a antique pocket watch, open it and peer down at the faces that moved. A deep pained sigh escaped him as he studied the miniature faces of Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter, as they smiled up at him. The face of Severus Snape also resided next to the others since his disappearance only a few months ago. A single tear tracked down the wrinkled face to rest in the snow-white beard. His greatest wish was for them to come home and be safe.

The twinkle in his eyes had dimmed a bit and both students and staff had begun to notice. The twinkle was being replaced by sadness. Since he had never had children of his own, all the students were his children. Even one ill, harmed or missing pained him.

Looking up at the magical ceiling as lightening streaked across the sky and thunder rumbled in the heavens, he could only plead with his heart once more to the Gods and Goddesses to bring them back home. These four had staked a place in his heart--Hermione; smart and beautiful, Ron; brave and strong, Draco; cunning and sly, and Harry--his wonderful little boy who charmed all those who knew him. Then there was Severus. His youngest professor and closest to his heart, and the son he’d never had. He loved the caustic man and dearly missed him and his snarky personality. He’d disappeared in a trip to the Forbidden Forest to gather potions ingredients. All that had been found were his tattered blood spattered robes.

The Headmaster suddenly felt the magic in the castle change and a wave of it washed over him. The castle was humming---it felt like excitement and anticipation. He frowned, confused. The banners that hung in the hall straighten themselves. He heard the armor in the hallways moving and clinking, as if they were straightening themselves. Whispers. He could hear the portraits whispering. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw house elves moving fast, cleaning every surface.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Albus?" Minerva McGonagall stood next to him in her nightgown and tartan robe, her hair trailing down her back in a long braid. " Albus, what is going on?"

Behind her, Professor Flitwick, Madam Pomfrey, and Mr. Filch, the caretaker, entered the Great Hall. All of them were looking around the room trying to determine why they had been drawn here.

"Hogwarts is happy. Very happy." He replied as he closed his eyes and tried to tune himself more closely into the wards. Someone was coming. Carriages being pulled by black horses.

Albus gasped and his eyes opened. "Arabian horses...the carriages are being pulled by Arabian horses."

"A common horse Albus." Minerva chided.

"Not these, Minerva. Horses of Fire that rode to the Underworld and back to bring our visitors back from the very hands of the Demon himself."

The doors opened silently behind the gathered group of teachers as Severus Snape entered on noiseless feet, as the others followed him in.

"A legend, Albus, nothing more.”

"All legends have a bit of truth in them, Minerva. You should know that by now," Severus quipped.

The Headmaster and his staff, turned suddenly to see Severus Snape standing in the open doorway, surrounded by Hagrid, Remus, Sirius, and Lucius. Severus stood with his arms crossed as if he had never left the school. The effect though, was a bit skewed due to the fact he was not dressed in his usual severe black robes. He wore deep russet traveling robes, his hair hung down the middle of his back, and there was a huge grin on his face.

Never an emotional man until he came into his inheritance, Severus felt tears well up in his eyes. Here was the one man in the entire world who stood up for him in his time of need--the one person who never turned him away.

"Severus?" Albus choked. But he wasn't sure. A hand over his heart, he asked, "Is that you my Boy?"

"Albus," he said simply as he smiled. His eyes glittered with unshed tears.

The old man moved forward, his hand slightly stretched out, reaching out for the younger man. "It is you!"

No one knew who moved first, or who grabbed whom first, only that they met somewhere in between, in a crying hug--both men holding on for dear life. Sniffling could be heard from others in the room.

"Bless the Gods and Goddesses. You are alive!"

Minerva looked to their messengers, still standing at the door, behind the crying men, "Where ever did you find him," she asked walking up to them.

"Well," Remus began. "We didn't find him." Hagrid, Bill, Sirius, and Lucius, joined them. Minerva looked at each of them in question. She didn’t understand.

“What do you mean you didn’t find him? If you didn’t then who did and how is he with you now?” The five men looked at each other, trying to decide how to explain and who would do the talking.

Samael, Tempeste, Caderyn and Dorian, always up for a show-stopper, stepped from the shadows and cleared their throats. "Hello, Professor."

Minerva put a welcoming smile on her face. "And who might you be?"

She looked closely at each of the smiling faces. Yes, they did look familiar.... but it couldn't be... The four continued to smile and nodded at her in confirmation. She watched as one of the young men reached up and pulled his hair back to reveal a lightening bolt scar.

Suddenly, unable to process this unexpected surprise, Minerva's eyes suddenly rolled back and she passed out. Only the swiftness of the four wizards around her kept her from hitting the floor.

"Well that hasn't happen in awhile," Samael muttered. Dorian snickered quietly as Tempeste and Cadeyrn smiled.

Hearing the commotion, Severus released Albus and gently led him over to his mate and new family. Severus waved his wand over Minerva and cast Enervate. Minerva was settled into a chair conjured by Bill.

"Albus. I think I'm dreaming."

Sirius popped his head over someone's shoulder. "Nope. Not dreaming."

Hagrid blew his nose into his handkerchief then wiped his eyes. "We foun’ the young'ns, Hea’ master."

Albus stumbled, but Severus hung on. "Albus, it's really them."

Four young people stood side by side. He could see the resemblance now.

Samael stepped forward. “I am Samael Ardius Marceau, formerly known as Harry James Potter.”

Each of his companions stepped up in turn and introduced themselves.

“ I am Cadeyrn Aedh Taran, formerly known as Ronald Bilius Weasley.”

“ I am Dorian Brencis Mazentius, formerly known as Draco Lucian Malfoy.”

“And I am Tempeste Alacoque D'Arcy, formerly known as Hermione Jane Granger.”

As one, the young men bowed and Tempeste curtsied, then they stood silently as they waited for this revelation to sink in for their mentors. The sound of a body falling quickly broke the silence. Minerva had fainted again, her body slipping from the chair she had been placed on. Sirius and Remus were quick enough to cast a spell to cushion her fall.


"That was a bit.... dramatic, don't you think?" Severus asked, an elegant eyebrow raised in question.

"We've had practice, Uncle Severus," Dorian answered, smirking. He clearly was enjoying the drama.

"Harry?"

Samael smiled. "Yes, Headmaster," he said. He couldn't stand still any longer. With long strides, he was holding the older man and more tears were falling. "I've waited so long for this."

Albus pulled back with Samael still at his side and he beckoned the others to him. "All my children are finally home and safe! Blessed be." Samael smiled as he watched his kin enveloped in a loving hug. Tempeste, Dorian, and Cadeyrn shed their own tears as they were held.

"Harry? Hermione? Ronald? Draco?" The four moved from the Headmaster toward his second-in-command. Minerva had seated herself in the chair again and was studying the faces she had missed so much. It was odd to be addressed by their old names, but they lined up in front of her and gave her time to look them over. Hands reached out, touching, wiping tears.

“My lions…and our little snake… you are finally home!” Sirius and Remus helped her stand as she reached out to touch them. She batted them away. "I'm not old and feeble." She reached out and pulled the four of them into a crushing hug and proceeded to sob her joy as they hugged her in return. The rest of the staff gathered around them, touching and exclaiming their surprise and gratitude that all five had been returned.

Severus motioned the caretaker to his side. "Owl the Weasley's immediately. Enclose portkeys for all. He waved his wand over two coins he had pulled from his pocket and handed them to the caretaker. “ Yes, Professor, right away.” Mr. Filch nodded and hurried away, followed closely by Mrs. Norris, his familiar. The cats tail twitched in earnest as she tried to keep up.

An old House elf had appeared wearing the colors of old. "Lords and Lady have returned. Hogwarts said you had finally come home as promised!"

"Ah," Samael exclaimed. "Hogwarts hasn't forgotten us." Everyone turned to see what Samael was looking at. The tables of the great hall had disappeared and one long elegant table appeared, it’s surface covered with food.

Cadeyrn’s eyes lit up. “Mmm…if I remember correctly, there never was better food then the Hogwart’s elves could make!”

Tempeste rolled her eyes. “Cadeyrn, you aren’t 17 anymore. Remember your manners, or Angelina will have your hide!”

"And that I will, young one. Mind your manners." A deep rich female voice spoke from the shadows. Everyone, but the recently arrived, turned to see who had spoken.

Samael smiled as he senses Angelina's presence before she stepped from the shadows. Severus looked at her, rolled his eyes and huffed.

Dorian snickered. "You're in for it now, Cadeyrn!"

Angelina strode gracefully across the room and stopped in front of Albus. “Blessing be upon you, Headmaster Dumbledore. I am Angelina Nadia Constantinescu. I am the personal servant of My Lord Samael Ardius Marceau, and his mate, the Little Master, Severus Snape.”

Severus snorted under his breath. ‘Little Master indeed,’ he thought. Angelina turned her head and smiled at him.

"Little Master, Severus?" Minerva asked under her breath.

“Mate?” exclaimed Filius.

Severus glared. Dorian snickered. There were several smiles among those who were already familiar with Angelina’s antics.

"Albus," someone proclaimed. "We came as fast as we could." Molly Weasley, with her family trailing behind her, came striding into the Great Hall. Bill and Cadeyrn both turned, standing side by side. There was no denying who he was.

"Ronald?”

"Mum." Cadeyrn smiled as Bill shoved him in the direction of their mother.

"Oh my BABY!" She rushed forward and pulled her youngest son into her arms, and began to sob uncontrollably.

"Bloody hell, Ronnie boy!” Exclaimed the twins in unison.

Percy squinted at his brother trying to absorb the reality that his brother was alive.

“Ron!” Cried Ginny.

Arthur was speechless. He wrapped his arms around his wife and youngest son and quietly cried. Percy, Ginny, and the twins had joined the group, when behind them, in walked Charlie. Bill approached him and quickly explained. Charlie’s face broke into a huge smile and he waded into the mass of bodies to get to his baby brother. Soon Cadeyrn was engulfed in a full family hug. Their son had returned home.

Tbc....

A/N::short yes... but it's the story to a point.. we needed for this prompt..