Princes in Exile

Okay! Here's chapter eight. I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to leave a review, even if it's bad. I live off them!


Marti


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Twenty-five minutes later, Toby pulled into the driveway of Miss Marian Marcus, the woman Mina had met within minutes of moving to the small town and had struck up an instant friendship with. She’d been their friend for three years before divulging her secret to them; that she was a Squib and recognized them from Wizarding newspapers. She’d never told anyone else and for that, the two of them had been eternally grateful.

The woman about ten years older than Toby came out the front door and waved to father and daughters with a smile. Jenna got out first and hugged Marian, followed quickly by Emily. Toby got out of the car slowly, advancing on the Squib with a rueful smile.

“Hello, Marian. How are you today? Did that Potion I brewed work?”

“Your home remedy, Toby?”

“I got an owl from Minerva yesterday. We’ve been found. The girls know everything and that you’re one of us. Did it work?” Toby had brewed a sleeping potion, something to help the woman overcome her insomnia which was cutting into her productive time during the day. The potion was meant to balance her circadian rhythm and bring it back to a healthy sync.

“It’s working wonders, Toby. Thank you. How are Mina and the rest of the brood?”

“She’s handling our outing, but she’s a bit out of sorts. I left her home with the twins and Serenity for a nap.” Toby kissed the woman on the cheek and hugged Emily against him and then followed Marian and Jenna into the older woman’s house. The girls had always been fascinated by Marian’s home, loving the flowers blooming throughout the small building. It was walking outside without the chance of getting rained on or finding some wild animal roaming around. Well, besides her cats, but they were so lazy, they’d never attack a visitor’s feet unless those feet had food on them.

“So, the two of you know about your father and mother’s past?”

“Yep. Daddy told us last night. Are you really a squid?”

“Squib, Emily,” Marian laughed, “Squib. My mom and dad were magical, along with my older brothers, but I was born without a lick of magic. So, I was sent out in the Muggle world to learn how to do things the non-magical way.”

“But, you know magical stuff?” Jennifer asked from behind their honorary aunt. She’d always been there to celebrate birthdays and Christmas. She’d been there when each of the four younger girls had been born.

“I watched my brothers practice magic from the time I could watch them, and when my parents knew I wasn’t going to be a witch, they were very supportive of me. It’s very difficult for magical folk to interact with Muggles sometimes, especially if they’re pureblooded.”

“Pureblooded?”

“I think you can hold your questions for Marian until later, girls. Why don’t you go find the cats.”

“Oh, yes, Patches had a litter of kittens last week. They’re all like their mother.” Marian laughed as the girls raced into the backroom where the cats lived. The kittens would find good homes in the magical people nearby since they were actually part Kneazle, like Mina’s old familiar.

Watching his oldest two daughter race through the house, Toby was reminded of when they were smaller. They’d been around magic then, when some of Marian’s friends would be at her house, but they didn’t remember. His use of magic this morning had been the first in three years, since the twins’ birth and he had forgotten how easy it was to just wave his wand and see something done. He wasn’t sure he wanted his children to know how easy that was. In the Muggle world they worked for every bit of their achievements and felt proud at finishing something with their own two hands.

“How is Mina, Toby, really?”

“She hasn’t said as much, but I know this is hurting her. We had been able to forget about everything and carve out our own niche here in America. Now, the Weasleys are trying to meet Jenna and I’m not sure how she’s going to take it. I don’t want her hurt again, and I don’t want Jenna hurt either.” Toby sighed and raked his fingers through his shaggy salt and pepper colored hair. “I’d prefer it if they’d never found us.”

“You can’t change that, barring a Time-turner trip, but you can make the future less traumatic. You know that, Tobias.”

“I know. Laying my woes on your shoulder was not my reason for this visit. I’ve come to use your floo and an owl. Jennifer has expressed an interest in attending Hogwarts this coming school year and I thought we’d go visit this Sunday.”

“You know you’re more than welcome to my floo, young man.” She laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently before walking ahead of him into her office. She was like a Muggle/magical post-mistress liaison, and had been for over thirty years. “What about the Weasleys? You should talk to them, Toby. I knew Arthur a long time ago and although his wife’s got some tight apron strings, he’s still got a mind of his own and if he’s determined to meet Jennifer…” she let the statement hang, knowing he’d fill in the obvious response.

“I need to talk to them in person. This isn’t something I can put in a letter. First, Minerva, and then I’ll consider flooing to the Burrow, if you won’t mind watching the girls.”

“I have no problems watching those angels. Besides, they need to pick out their cats. You did promise them kittens the last time they were here.” Her eyes twinkled like Albus Dumbledore’s and Toby closed his eyes and moaned. He’d forgotten about that. Well, if Jenna did go to Hogwarts, she’d have a familiar with her.

Ten minutes later, Toby tied the parchment to the waiting owl’s leg and carried it to the fireplace. He tossed the Floo Powder in and called out Minerva’s office, tossing the owl in to the green flash of light.

“There. That should keep her busy for a little while. Now, I believe I’ll take you up on that offer, Marian.”


“Don’t worry. The girls will be fine here. And once you explain yourself to Molly and Arthur I’m sure they’ll be more understanding of your feelings.” Marian patted his shoulder as he stood there, taking in deep breaths to fortify himself. “I’ll go see how the girls are. Don’t take too long, though. Mina is home with the other half of your brood.”

“I know. And I promised them a night out. I’ll be back soon.” Toby turned to the fireplace and tossed in a handful of powder, “The Burrow, England,” he called out before stepping through the green light and smoke.

He appeared in the homey living room of the Weasleys an instant later.

“Holy shit!” A male voice gasped from the couch, causing Toby to raise his wand instantly. “Professor Snape?”

“It’s Prince. Toby Prince now, Potter. Where are your in-laws?” Toby stepped from the fireplace, brushing ash from his jeans. Potter sat on the couch with an infant on a blanket before him. The child was no more than two or three weeks old, and a male as evidenced by his nakedness. The baby waved his hands above his head then pulled one to his mouth to suckle noisily. A nappy lay beneath his bottom, but Potter held the front in his lax hands as he stared at his former teacher and husband of his best friend.

“They’re in the kitchen. Where’s Hermione?”

“My wife, Mina, is home with our younger daughters napping. I need to see Arthur and Molly, Potter. Oh, and you might want to—never mind.” Toby smirked as the infant decided to pee on his father, an arching fountain of urine that landed perfectly on the face of The Boy Who Lived. It was an image Toby wouldn’t soon forget.

“Ugh, Brian James, that was completely uncalled for. I can’t believe your mum said a boy would be easier. Your sister never christened me like that.” Potter wiped his son down quickly and thrust the nappy on haphazardly. Toby strode through the living area and headed into the kitchen, noting the setting set and remembering the time difference between England and home for the first time. Oh well, if they wanted to hear what he had to say, they’d forgive his imposition.

Thankfully, only the two elder Weasleys were in the kitchen, sitting at the table with cups of tea before them. Molly gasped when she saw their visitor, her hand going to her chest in surprise.

“Severus!”

“My name is Tobias now, Mrs. Weasley. I’ll thank you to remember that, as well as my wife’s name, Mina. Mina and I have spoken with our daughter after telling all of our daughters about their magical heritage. Jennifer is considering attending Hogwarts this coming school year and has expressed an interest in visiting the school, which I am planning on this weekend.”

“We can see her then?” Molly looked hopeful. Toby shook his head, causing the woman to bite her lip from commenting.

“I will speak with Mina. What happened was horrible and traumatic. We left the wizarding world so we could heal and be left alone. Your son was an animal. He hurt Mina to the point of almost killing her. Do you think I want her to go through that again when she sees your sons, all of whom look like her rapist? I understand that biologically Jennifer is your granddaughter, but… you’re asking too much of us.”

“We’re concerned about Herm—Mina, also. With her parents gone, well, we’ve always thought of her as one of our own. We were worried about her, not only because of Percy, but because she’s a member of this family.” Molly twisted her napkin in her hands, giving her fingers something to do in her nervousness.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen, Molly, Arthur. Jennifer is my daughter, though. I’ve raised and loved her, and I’ll not have the lot of you extolling the virtues of the man who assaulted her mother.”

“Snap—Mr. Prince, Toby,” Harry came into the kitchen behind his former Potions professor, his son resting against his shoulder. He came around Toby and stood behind his mother-in-law. “How’s Mina?”

“Until yesterday she was quite happy. Now, your father-in-law has decided to throw her past in her face.”

“That’s unfair! We just want a chance to know our granddaughter!” Arthur jumped up from the table, his hands flat on the surface. Toby sneered at the Ministry worker.

“What’s unfair is that my wife and I were happy, raising our daughters as Muggles, until we got a letter from Minerva inviting Jennifer Weasley to Hogwarts. I’m just glad she didn’t get the damn thing before I got to the owl! What’s unfair is that my daughter will now question me about a man I loathe.”

“That’s what we could do, Tobias. Do you think we’re proud that our son was a Death Eater and rapist? We just thought that… something good came from him and we’d like a chance to know her.” Arthur’s anger left him in a second, having confessed his and Molly’s deepest regret. Toby closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, a move familiar to Harry from his years as a student of the man.

“I will have to talk with Mina. I won’t have her becoming upset, or regressing. We have a good life together, raising our children, and I won’t have it destroyed. I love her too much. I love my daughter too much to see her harmed.”

“I can understand that. We have nine grandchildren between the six of our children.” Molly intentionally left out Percy. “I’d never wish harm on them. Please consider our request, Sev—Tobias. That’s all we’re asking.”

Toby stared at the three of them and took a deep breath before nodding his head slowly. They hadn’t done anything beyond missing their son’s deviant behavior. But the boy had been so uptight and had distanced himself from his family so soon after leaving the fold that no one had known his true personality and allegiance during the war. Everyone had just assumed that he’d be like his brothers and sister and fight the Dark Lord. Not even he had known that Percy Weasley had been a Death Eater, having lost some of his standing with the Dark Lord prior to his death.

“We’ll be at Hogwarts this Sunday. If Mina and I decide to meet you, we’ll send an owl. I think the first meeting, if there is one, should be just the two of you.” Toby turned away, starting back into the living room before turning to look at the Weasleys again. “Oh, and our younger daughters don’t know anything about this and we wish it to remain that way. If you mention any of it, or treat her different, you’ll never see her again. Mina and I will go to ground and hide in the Muggle world so thoroughly that you’ll be looking for us until Doomsday.”

With a flourish, Tobias Prince whirled around and left the three of them to gape after him. They remained silent until they heard his activate the floo then Molly released the breath she was holding. She smiled at Harry and extended her hand for her youngest grandson. Harry handed Brian over after kissing his forehead softly.

“He still knows how to make an exit.”

“And he still has a biting tongue. But, he’s considering letting us meet her.”

“I wish I cold see Hermione. Ron and I thought she was dead, and now we find out she’s a mum and happy with the greasy git.”

“She was happy with Severus before the incident, Harry. I’m glad she’s happy now,” Arthur whispered and took a sip of his tea. His heart was heavy as he remembered his middle son, the one he hadn’t understood as well as he thought he had.

tbc...