A Family Extended

Chapter 4

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

After they discussed Cereus’ past, Albus dismissed the Order and told Severus to take Harry and his extended family down stairs that they would be staying with him. Severus led them to the dungeons and he noticed that there was a new portrait of Godric Gryfindor across the hall from his Salizar Slytherin one.

“This will definitely be funny,” Severus muttered and walked to the portrait of Salizar, “Cereus, this is the doorway to mine and Remus’ rooms. I’m taking it that Albus is making Godric’s portrait your doorway. Why don’t you sleep tonight and we will discuss everything in detail tomorrow?”

Cereus nodded, “Good night, Father. I am sorry, Remus, for attacking you earlier. I didn’t mean to.” Remus just smiled and hugged Cereus, whispering that there was no need to apologize and he understood the nature. Sirius hugged him and pushed him towards his door telling him to sleep and that everything would be okay in the morning.

~.~.~

Cereus sat in his living room well after everyone had gone to bed, thinking about how his life was about to change, hopefully for the better. His father seemed so happy to have him back and he had finally met his godfather and Remus. He remembered the smells, something that he shouldn’t have remembered but did nonetheless. They had explained that he had disappeared off the charts because of the change in his blood for normal to creature, which made him legally dead as he originally was born. Albus said that he would try to get the Ministry to change the death certificate. “Well, the wizarding world will have hoped back,” he mumbled, slowly getting up to change and go for his morning run.

He opened the portrait and practically walked into his father. “Hey, you okay?”

“Yes, I was…well I was just coming to see if you want to join us in the Great Hall with the students for breakfast,” Severus said, his eyes shifting between looking at Cereus and the wall to the side of his head.

Cereus nodded, “I will join you once I’ve finished my run. Only if you can deal with a sweaty werewolf.” Severus laughed, “Okay, I’ll have Albus set up some extras spaces. And by the way Cereus, I have my own sweaty werewolf to deal with.” Severus laughed even harder as Cereus tried to shake his head to rid himself of the images that the statement had conjured, while muttering, “TMI.”

As Cereus ran around the lake for three-quarters of an hour, he thought about how he now had two families and both loved him. He had been blessed to find the first one and now blessed again to have his natural one. Walking into the Great Hall, everyone was staring up at the Head Table where his adoptive family was sitting. He knew that some of the students knew of them by band.

“Ah, well everyone since I have your attention,” Albus started, causing some of the teachers to snort into their food. “We have one more guest to introduce you to. Some of the muggleborn students know him as Cereus McCollum, but it has come to my notice that this is indeed Harry Potter.” Everyone’s head swiveled to look at Harry. “Please, I now ask everyone to respect his privacy as he is reacquainted with his family. Eat and enjoy a healthy dose of learning.”

Cereus walked between the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables, hearing the whispers from the Death Eaters’ children and the Order of the Phoenix children, both whispering that it couldn’t be the Boy-Who-Lived. His temper was starting to get high. Remus, Lydia, and Mark could smell it and the teachers and other members of his family could feel the magically waves coming off of him.

Lydia ran to Cereus’ side, “its okay, Rus, let nothing that they say effect you in any way. You are Cereus McCollum first, Severus Snape’s son second, and a number of other things before you even get the Boy-Who-Lived. Come eat breakfast, they have fantastic house elves.” Cereus relaxed into his sister and they walked the rest of the way to the Head Table, where he sat down between Sirius and Severus. Remus reached over and placed a few things onto his plate and Cereus smiled. These were most of his favorite foods. Giving Remus and his father a huge smile, he started to eat. Sirius laughed, “Definitely inherited both your appetites.”

~.~.~

Malfoy Manor, Unplottable, England

Lucius Malfoy spit his tea out of his mouth for the first time in years. Narcissa looked at him as if he had grown a second head. “Read this,” Lucius said, throwing the newspaper at her and running for his study. Flooing to the Headmaster’s office and the walk to the Great Hall had calmed him down. He caught Albus’ attention, which then stood making his excuses and left the hall and walked back to his office with Lucius.

”How did it happen?” Lucius asked, accepting his cup of tea from the Headmaster.

Albus smiled, “He is a werewolf. Been living with Marsha McCollum and her brood since he was five. Haven’t seen Severus smile as much as he is now, if ever.”

”So, the change in status changed him?” Lucius spoke. Albus nodded. “Do you need me to do anything?”

”Yes, I need you to tell the Voldemort nothing of this conversation, but you can tell him that Severus is his father,” Albus said, eyes twinkling madly. Lucius actually dropped his teacup and almost fell out of his chair. “Ah, you didn’t know?”

”Of course, he didn’t,” Severus said, walking in with Remus, Sirius, and Cereus. “Lucius how are you?”

Lucius swallowed, “Why didn’t you tell me? I have been a spy just as long as you have. Did you honestly think that I would betray you?” Luc’s voice had broken during his questions. Severus kneeled in front of his friend, taking his friend’s hands into his. They just looked at each other for a few minutes, their silent conversation was enough for them.

Cereus stepped closer and was assaulted by a heavenly scent. Remus noticed and grabbed the pup, “What are you doing?”

”He smells good,” Cereus said, pointing to Lucius. Sirius groaned before he and Remus busted out laughing.

Severus looked to his mate and his mate’s best friend to find them laughing at something Cereus said. “What in gods name are you two pissing yourselves over?”

Remus sputtered for a few minutes to gain control, while Sirius kept on laughing. “Come here and I’ll tell you.” Severus walked to his mate, who leaned over and whispered, “Lucius is Harry’s mate.” Severus’ eyes went wide before he looked between his son and his best friend, glaring at his mate finally, “Please, tell me you’re kidding.” While Albus took Sirius to Madame Pomfrey and Remus and Severus had their heated discussion, Cereus walked over to the blonde haired man.

Lucius looked up to see Cereus standing over him, “You must the spawn of the man in black?” Cereus snorted, but nodded. “I’m Lucius Malfoy.” He extended his hand and found himself being pulled from his seat and pushed into a bookcase.

”Pleased to meet you, Lucius,” Cereus said before he leaned in and breathed in the scent that Lucius was giving off. “You know, Lucius, you smell intoxicating,” he said, putting his nose to his captive neck, inhaling deeply. Lucius shuddered. Why was he feeling like getting on his hands and knees and offering himself Sev’s kid? He fought the feeling and pushed the younger man away. The black haired beauty pouted but stepped away, if his mate was uncomfortable he would wait.

Severus turned to question Cereus on the smell, but saw that his son wasn’t there. He turned and saw him, with Lucius pinned to a bookcase, smelling his neck. Lucius looked aroused slightly, but also very uncomfortable. Lucius’ hands found purchase on his son’s shoulders and pushed him slightly. Cereus instantly back away, as if he was controlling his instincts and pouted. “Cereus,” Cereus turned to his father, “Please go see if Sirius is okay, I do believe that laughing is good but too much can be bad for one’s health.” Cereus’ pout grew, he wanted to stay with his mate, but also knew that his father would probably help relax said mate. He nodded and left.

Lucius sagged against the bookshelf, “Thank you, Severus.”

”You do know why he did that?” Remus said, coming to help Lucius to his chair and serving him some tea. With the shake of the blonde’s head he continued, “He has found his mate, Luc. You.”