Follow Me

A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed the story so far, and a thank you in advance to all those that will continue to do so. I have to admitt it does an ego good to see the number of people that are enjoying this story.







[...] or {...} = mindspeak

~...~ = parseltongue

'...' = thought

**...** = phoenix speaking





CHAPTER 9





It was almost 9AM when Norische and Chris were rudely awakened by a rather impatient Professor Snape.



“Will the two of you kindly get up… NOW!”



Norische tentatively opened one eye and looked around. “Father?”



“Yes, and you were suppose to be up early today remember. We have quite a few things to do and we need to get them done.”



“Father, I love you but if I am not mistaken, I told you we would be down to the suite after lunch. I absolutely refuse to be up this early, or to force Chris to get up either…. I like my bits where they are thank you.” Norische mumbled.



“That was before I found out we have to go into London. So, get up! Immediately!”



“What? Why are we going into London?” Norische was awake now, no matter how much he hated it. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes.



“We have an appointment with the ministry of magic there, so get up… I think Chris needs to come as well.”



“Crap.” Norische looked over at Chris and saw that sweet adorable face snuggled into his pillow. “Why would they want to speak to me?”



“That is something you will have to ask them. Now get up, I have to go get some things ready so I expect you to be in the suite in 45 minutes, no later.”



“Ok, and father can you make sure to take some of the headache and nausea stuff with us, they may not work great but it is the best I have right now.” Norische sighed and started to try and wake up Chris.



Severus nodded and walked out of the dorm room leaving the boys to get ready.



“What’s all the noise?” Draco moaned.



“Sorry to wake you Draco, my father is demanding Chris and I get up and meet him in the suite. We have been called to the Ministry of Magic in London.”



“London, do you think that Severus would mind me tagging along. I need to pick up a couple of things and I hate going there alone.” Draco yawned.



“Shouldn’t be a problem but he said we have 45 minutes so you had better run to the showers now before I manage somehow to get Chris awake.” Norische reached over and licked the bite mark he had given Chris the night before… as soon as Norische touched the mark Chris’ eyes were instantly wide open.



“Hello luv, I know it is morning and please don’t be mad at me. Father is demanding we come down to the suites in 45, no now 40 minutes. Apparently, we have been called to the Ministry of Magic about something. So you need to get up and get a shower if you are going to take one.”



“Hey, why did I sleep in my clothes last night. I don’t even remember getting in bed?” Draco looked over to Norische.



“After I bit you, you kinda were out of it, so I carried you upstairs and put you to bed.”



“Oh…” Draco had a very confused look on his face, but reached up and put his hand on his neck where the bite mark was, and grinned…blushing at the same time. “Yeah, I need a shower.” Draco rushed around picking out a few things then race out of the room to the showers.



Norische looked over at Chris and realized he was curled up back asleep already. Norische groaned as he threw back the covers to and sat up, hanging his legs over the side of the bed. Norische bent over his trunk and picked out his black velvet pants and his black silk shirt. As he was looking around for the boots he wanted, Norische heard something from the other bed in the room.



“Damn what a way to wake up.” Blaise was lying there watching Norische’s bare ass wiggle as he was digging around in the trunk. Norische looked over his shoulder and realized what Blaise was talking about; grinning Norische shook his head and continued to go through the trunk. After he found his boots, he went over to Chris’ trunk and picked out a pair of black dress pants, and a forest green silk shirt, for Chris to wear. Norische walked back over to the bed and pulled the covers back from Chris who moaned.



“Well since it is taking you forever to wake up. I guess it is a spell for a shower and not a real one. Abstergeo”. Norische waived his wand at Chris. “Now lets get you dressed.” Norische mumbled as he pulled Chris’ legs around and off the bed. Norische knelt and started pulling Chris’ pants on, tugging and jerking here and there to get them on. Chris just moaned and tried to swat him away. Norische couldn’t help but laugh but continued. Then he pulled Chris into a sitting position and somehow managed to slip his shirt on him, amidst the slapping hands and attempts to get back under the covers.



After Chris was dressed, Norische started to get dressed himself. Blaise groaned as Norische pulled his trousers up over his ass. As Norische was fastening his pants, Draco walked back into the room running a towel through his hair. Norische picked up his wand and called out arefacio aiming his wand at Draco. Draco’s hair was perfectly dry, soft and shimmering as if it had been blown dry. “Thanks, I always forget that one.” Then Draco sat down on his bed and started putting on his boots. “No problem.”



Norische pulled his shirt on and was fastening the buttons when he realized they only had ten minutes and they had to get all the way across the campus. [Father, father are you there?]



{I’m here, now the question becomes where are you.} Severus answered.



[I am putting my shirt on, I need to get mine and Chris’ boots on then we will be over there, oh by the way Draco Malfoy wants to come with us…he needs to pick up a few things in London and I said he could come… is that a problem?]



{I hope not. Get here as quickly as you can we need to leave soon.} Severus didn’t sound pleased but then again he didn’t sound upset about it either.



[Yes sir, I am trying.]



Norische sat down on the bed and pulled his boots on quickly then grabbed Chris’ boots and helped him on with them. Norische grabbed his money pouch and fastened it to his pants then put his wallet in his back pocket and filled his cigarette case and grabbed a lighter. Norische went over to Chris and pulled him up into a sitting position again, leaned down and bit Chris on the same place he had bit him last night. Chris’ eyes flew open and he began to squirm immediately. “Good your awake, we have to go…” With that, Norische grabbed Chris’ hand and started pulling him out the door, Draco grabbed his money pouch and robes and rushed after the two of them.



[Father we’re ready, do you want to meet us at the gates so we don’t waste time?]



{That would be best yes. We are on our way.} Severus responded.



Within five minutes all five of them were standing at the gates of Hogwarts, a few moments later they were standing in the courtyard of the Ministry of Magic. Severus put on his typical Snape face, oddly enough so did Norische. Chris was still very drowsy but he was waking up quite begrudgingly. Severus led the way into the building and down a long hallway. The door stated Department of Magical Defenses. Norische was very leery of all this but followed his father nonetheless.



The room was fairly empty, there were several chairs along the walls and some file cabinets but other than that, the only thing in the room was a bunch of doors and a gentleman with a clip board and a stack of papers. Once inside Severus went over to a gentleman and spoke quietly to him. The gentleman nodded and disappeared through one of the doors only to return a few minutes later, holding the door open for everyone to follow him into the next area. This section looked almost like a conference room or a class room of sorts, there were a few big tables where people were sitting around that had piles of papers and scrolls on them. Then there was a podium where several robed figures were sitting, they looked almost like judges and made Norische very apprehensive.



Severus guided them over to a series of chairs and had them take a seat. Norische was anxious to the point of his fight or flight instincts were kicking in. Right now, all he wanted to do was get the hell out of there. Chris on the other hand was quickly falling back asleep, leaning on Draco who seemed not to notice Chris’ desire to use him as a pillow. Draco was also apprehensive, although he did not appear as anxious as Norische he definitely was not comfortable, but he had that Malfoy air about him so he looked calm and collected. Remus was quietly whispering to Severus who was watching everyone in the room all at once and doing do quite successfully.



An older man, tall and regal although weathered in appearance, pounded a gavel and got everyone’s attention.



“It appears all parties have arrived at this point so lets get these proceedings over with. Professor Severus Snape please step forward and address the council.”



Professor Snape stood up with a cat like grace and walked slowly to the front of the room, where he took a defensive stance with his arms folded across his chest.



“Professor Snape, it has come to our attention that one Norische Renee De LeNoir Snape, claiming to be your son…”



“He IS my son.” Snape interrupted indignantly.



“Well, be that as it may…” The older man huffed at the interruption. “It has been brought to our attention that the young man has certain abilities that may prove useful to this council and the service there in. We would like to speak to your…son… and find out more about him and his skills.”



“My son has no intention of being a pawn for this council or any other department of the Ministry of Magic, he is barely sixteen years old and I refuse to allow you or anyone else to use or manipulate him.” Severus growled.



“Professor, at no time did we state we wished to either use or manipulate him, we merely wish to see his level of skill to better understand what options we have that we can offer the young man, and may I remind you that the Ministry of Magic has precedence when it comes to such matters and we can remove Mr. De LeNoir from your care if we feel that it is necessary.”



Norische had just about enough of this. Norische made his decision and shrugged off his cape, and with every ounce of calm and dignity that he had available to him Norische rose and walked across the room to stand behind his father. “I believe my father has made our wishes quite clear. So if you will excuse us, we have some more important things to do.” Norische glared at the individual who had been speaking to his father.



“You are Norische De LeNoir, I presume.”



“Norische De LeNoir Snape, but yes. And I have no idea who you are, nor do I care. We are leaving.” Norische took a defensive stance next to Severus, as if he was waiting for someone to attempt to stop them.



“Young man, do you have no respect for this committee? Do you know who we are?”



“Respect is earned not demanded, and based on your treatment so far of my father and myself no, I have no respect for this committee, and I don’t care who you are, I never asked.” Norische was beginning to ruffle more than just a few feathers. Although he could hear his father snicker under his breath as he stood next to him.



Another one of the individuals up on the podium spoke out, this time it was a very old, very worn out old man, who appeared to be getting quite red with frustration at the young man’s words. “See here, this is the exact reason why this boy should be removed from Snape’s care. If these reports are correct then allowing him to stay with Snape is both ignorant and dangerous.”



Norische shook his head and grinned. “Father I think we need to head out, I am getting a little hungry, besides we have got some shopping to do.”



Severus looked over to his son, and raised an eyebrow. [Father I don’t like this at all, I can smell their fear and I know they are going to do something foolish. We have to leave and leave now.]



Severus nodded at his son, turning towards Norische, he placed a fatherly hand on his son’s shoulder and they started to walk away.



“You were not dismissed! If we have to place you in contempt we will and we will have both of you locked in a cell faster than you can say Azkaban. Young man you will turn around and you will address this committee with proper respect.” The tone began to get threatening.



Norische glanced over at Chris who was now wide awake and on the edge of his seat, Chris looked as if he wished to rip the man’s throat out with his bare hands. Draco was sitting there with his hands clasped in front of him the only thing you could see that indicated his mood currently was the fact that his eyes were narrowed and glaring.



[Father they are not going to allow us to leave quietly, there are two of them on the sides that have their wands out… if they start shooting get Remus out safely and I will be fine…so don’t wait for me.] Norische whispered to Severus.



[Chris, I don’t like this at all, I think we are going to end up fighting to get out of here. If anything happens get Draco and get out, father will take care of dad, and I will meet you guys later…]



Neither responded but Norische could tell both had heard him. Out of the corner of his eye Norische saw the one man in black lift his wand… [right side father!] was all he said before Norische heard the incantation. ‘Stupify’. Before the curse could manifest Norische had his wings out and wrapped around his father and himself. Norische could hear people all around him jumping up and running away from him. [I am going to release you father, get Remus out of here, I will be right behind you.] Severus nodded, cursing under his breath, with his wand in hand he indicated to his son he was ready. Norische opened his wings and turned in the direction that the curse had come from. Severus rushed to Remus and grabbed his arm, Chris had Draco up and standing next to Remus before Severus made it too them.



“Stupify!”



“Stupify!”



“Stupify…”



The curses were flying from every direction, but Norische simply ignored them and walked slowly up to the podium. In one swift movement, Norische flapped his wings and pounced up on top of the podium. He crouched down and looked at the man who had addressed him earlier.



“I said we were leaving and I meant it. I suggest you allow us to do so with out further delay or I WILL get pissed. Your actions have already cost me one of my favorite shirts so I strongly suggest you stop this foolishness and stay out of our way.” Norische used the tip of his wing to lift the man’s chin so that they could look eye to eye.



“You dare threaten me?”



“I believe Sir it is you and your ignorant committee that threatened me and my father first. I don’t do well with threats.” Norische could hear alarms going off and individuals running into the room but he ignored it all and focused on the man in front of him. “Now me and my family have some things to do. Perhaps we can chat again sometime when you wish to be more respectful and polite.” With that, Norische jumped down and started walking towards the exit. He made it about six feet when the man yelled out “Stop him!!”



Curses of all types were flying from every direction. Multiples of the same thing as well as many different ones hit him all at once. Norische absorbed the energy being thrown at him over and over again. Finally, with an almost deafening roar Norische reared back his head and blasted all the energy back to its source. One right after the other individuals fell hit by their own spells returned to them.



Norische turned and walked back to the man at the podium who appeared to seriously need a change of trousers right about now. “I think sir that I have answered all the questions you were going to ask me today. If you wish to talk further with me I suggest you learn how to beg really sweetly, perhaps my father can be persuaded to talk. Oh and yes, I was aware that this was a test to see how I could defend others and myself and how I would react. I don’t like tests, any more than I like threats. If you have a question you may ask…but I highly suggest you get some lip balm because you are going to be needing to do some serious ass kissing to my father now….” Norische turned and walked out of the room. No one tried to stop him, as he reached the doors, Norische folded his bruised and injured wings back inside so that he would not draw as much attention.



Norische walked down the hallway to the entry way and no one attempted to interfere although he did get several rather peculiar looks. As he walked out of the building Norische called to his father. [Father, where are you.]



{We are in the coffee shop two blocks down to the right. Are you all right?}



[Eh…I’ll live. Be there in a few] Norische could hear the concern in his father’s voice so he hurried down the street, it only took a few moments for Norische to spot the sign for the coffee shop. Norische smiled at Chris and Draco as he walked in to the shop. The scent of exotic coffees and fabulous teas filled the air, as soon as Norische walked in the door he started drooling at the rich aromas, pausing to inhale deeply Norische grinned his best little boy grin and walked over to the table where every one was sitting.



“Are you ok son? What happened after we left?” Severus was very business like but Norische could hear the concern in his voice.



“I will tell you everything but can I have a coffee and some cheesecake first?” Norische smiled.



After he placed his order for a cinnamon vanilla double espresso latte and a slice of German chocolate cheesecake Norische started explaining things to everyone.



“As to am I ok, yeah I guess. I would appreciate it if you could check out my wings though. I think they got burned in a couple of places.” Norische winced as he moved his shoulders a little. “As to what happened. Basically, it was all a big test. They wanted to see not only what I could do, but also how I would react under pressure, and how you would react with me under fire. So I guess it was a test for both of us. Unfortunately, they didn’t fair as well as I did, so I might be in some trouble but I don’t know…they didn’t say. I didn’t use any magic really…I just reflected what they did… they kinda got knocked out by their own curses. So really no one that wasn’t attacking me was hurt in any manner.” Norische thanked the clerk when she brought him his coffee and immediately started in on his cheesecake. Out of the corner of his eye Norische could see both Chris and Draco eyeing his desert. At first he ignored them then he finally gave in.



“Good grief if you two were any more obvious.” Norische cut a small piece from his cheesecake and fed it to Chris, then did the same for Draco; both boys were smiling and licking their lips. They tried giving him the puppy dog looks again but Norische turned away this time. “Mine!” he said as he licked some of the sticky fudge from his fingers.



After two more bites Norische couldn’t stand it any more “Here…” he handed Chris his wallet that had muggle money in it. “You and Draco go get what you want and quit staring at my cheesecake.” Chris smiled and grabbed the wallet, and then he and Draco went over to the clerk at the counter and started looking at the succulent deserts. A few minutes later they came back, each of them had two deserts and a drink. Chris gave Norische his wallet back and thanked him with a caramelized kiss. After Norische licked the excess caramel from Chris’ sticky bun from his lips, he continued telling Severus and Remus exactly what had happen.



“You really didn’t tell the Head of the Ministry of Magical Defense to get some lip balm did you?” Draco asked as he took another bite of his death by chocolate cheesecake.



“Yeah, I mean if he wants to talk to me or father again he is going to have to do some serious ass kissing, so he might as well be prepared.” Norische smiled at Severus, who still looked concerned.



“From the paperwork I saw on the desk, I think they are wanting me to do something undercover, it said ‘covert’ and had something to do with you too. It had a couple of other names with it too, but I didn’t recognize them.” Norische stated.



“Do you remember the names?” Remus asked.



“Well one of them was Lucus or Lucius, something like that” Draco’s head jerked up. “… I didn’t see a last name I don’t think. Then there was something weird… that kid at school, the Gryffindor… ah, Harry…Harry Potter. Why would the have some kids name in a ‘confidential’ file with the Ministry?” Norische asked as he sipped his coffee.



“Mr. Potter is a very unique individual. However, I don’t like the sound of that. I think I know what they are planning.” Severus practically growled.



“Well what ever. Father do you have anything for burns and something for pain, and is there anywhere that we can go for you to look at my wings, they are really starting to hurt.” Norische whispered.



The expression on Severus face changed, “Yes of course, there should be a lavatory around here somewhere. Come with me.” Severus got up from the table, as did Norische who flinched as he rose, but didn’t say anything.



After they made sure no one else was in the loo Severus had Norische take his shirt off. “Damn that was my favorite black silk too.” Norische mumbled.



“All right Norische, take out your wings and lets have a look at them.” Severus had already noticed several large bruises on his son’s chest and back, but since Norische appeared more concerned with his wings that was were Severus was going to focus. Norische arched his shoulders and the wing flaps that were normally dormant and sealed, opened and allowed his wings to escape. Norische couldn’t help but groan as his wings unfolded.



“Well, there is definitely some damage. Bloody Hell what did they hit you with?” Severus asked as he looked over Norische’s wings



“Well most of it just dissipated into my wings, but then some genius there got the bright idea to start shooting lightning and that shit hurts. So far the only thing that I have found that can penetrate my wings is elementals. I really didn’t want anyone to know that either so I just pretended not to notice the hits, but I have to confess it hurts really bad right now.” Norische braced himself against the wall for support.



“There are at least four major burns here. Two are third degree at least, I can put a potion on them to stop the pain but we will have to work on them when we get back to the suite.” Severus pulled out a vial from his cloak and grabbed a paper towel; gently he applied the potion to the major burns. Norische inhaled deeply trying not to let his father know how much it hurt. “Owwie!” Norische exclaimed as Severus accidentally touched a very sensitive spot.



“Owwie?” Severus raised an eyebrow. “Son you just took on the Ministry, including at least thirty Aurors and you just said Owwie.”



“Well it hurt….” Norische mumbled. It took a few minutes for Severus to cover all the damage, but once he had applied the potion to all the areas, Norische’s wings were definitely feeling better. Before they went back to join the others Severus gave his son a rather strong pain potion. Norische pulled his wings back in carefully and then got dressed. Heading back to the table Norische guessed he looked a little paler than normal because Remus looked at him with concern.



“Severus how bad was it?” Remus asked.



“It will take a couple of days to heal properly and the he has some second even third degree burns in a couple of places. Although most of the damage is superficial, I gave him a rather stout pain draught so he will be fine until we get back to the suite.”



“Father is there anyway we can make a side trip. Since my shirt got ripped I was hoping we could go by Black Rose Emporium it is over by the tracks in the Stables Market.”



Severus looked slightly frustrated but nodded his head. “Great! Thanks…I have wanted to show Chris that place anyway. Hey Draco have you ever been there?”



“No, it doesn’t sound familiar.” Draco answered as he sipped on his coffee.



“I don’t know how much you like the darker side of fashion but the place is fabulous.” Everyone could hear the excitement in Norische’s voice.



“Very well then, lets go. Norische can you apparate there or do we need transportation?” Severus asked, trying not to sound bored with it all.



“I can get us there, no problem.” Everyone got up and headed out side.