52Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Lucius's Pov
Luc's feline was on edge. It had been four days. It had started when the new kid Luke arrived at Hogwarts. The kid confused him. Half the time the creature inside him wanted to protect Luke and the other half it wanted to growl and threaten what it saw as an intruder to his territory.
It hadn't been so bad when he had Sev to help balance him out, but his mate was avoiding him. Had been since Luke caught them making out in the common room. Even though Luke had apologized first to him and then later to Sev, his lover was still feeling uneasy. Which meant Sev was keeping his distance until he stopped worrying about whatever bullshit his father had put in his head. Sev's mother was pure-blood and a creature like them, so she understood about mates. His muggle father however didn't. He was disgusted with the idea of his son with another man.
Over the years Luc had to learn to be patient, something new to him, as Sev warmed up to him, but last year Sev had stopped resisting the draw between them and they had started getting closer. It had been fantastic. Which meant it was going to tear him apart when he had to end it.
He hadn't told his father about Sev, and he never would. He knew his father had plans for him. Plans that a mate would interfere with. He had no doubt that if his father learned about his mate, something horrible would happen to Severus. So, he kept it secret. Oh, he let the whole school know they were messing around, but he made sure that was all they knew. It would have been weird if he hadn't taken a lover that wasn't his betrothed. It was an unspoken tradition for pure-bloods males in arranged marriage to fool around with others before they were married. Some nonsense about getting it out of their systems.
Sev knew all of this of course. They had even entertained the idea of running away together, but they knew it would never happen. Abraxas Malfoy was too influential, too powerful, to let his son run away from him. So, Lucius knew in a few short years he was going to be married to a woman he could not stand and that he would lose his lover, his mate, but for now, he was going to hold on to Sev as tight as he could. If that meant giving him space to sort out his head, so be it. Instead of going to his mate when he needed to take the edge off, he went to the Forbidden Forest.
He hadn't even gotten the chance to change his shape when he heard the sounds of a fight. He probably should have turned and headed back to the school, but his curiosity got the better of him. Whatever creatures he had expected to find, it wasn't a Lamassu protecting a werewolf. Nor that of a huge stag and dog attacking what appeared to be a large bear. He backed away when the dog went for the bears throat.
His mind raced as he went over what he saw. He didn't care about the stag or dog, and he had already had suspicions about the werewolf. It was the Lamassu that had him confused. That was his family's creature. It only came from someone with Malfoy blood. Which meant Luke, because he was certain it was Luke, was a Malfoy, but that didn't seem possible. Pureblood families kept perfect records of their families. Even bastards and squibs. He or his father would have known about another member of their bloodline.
He was exiting the trees when he heard someone rushing towards him, he cursed and hide behind a large tree. It gave him a perfect view of Luke's clouded Lamassu form tackling the other new kid Evan.
He had assumed Gryffindor had known about his friend but when the dark-haired boy reached for his wand, he had to bite back a threatening growl. Not that Luke seemed worried. The younger boy just huffed at his friend and rubbed against his cheek. It was something their kind did to comfort family, lovers, or really close friends.
He sighed, when the spotted Lamassu started purring. It seemed Luke held some affection for his friend. Luc wondered if the other boy knew. He was tempted to step out from his hiding place and surprising them, especially when Luke started licking his companion, but before he could Evan spoke.
"Draco?" the boy laying on the ground said, sounding bewildered. Draco? Luc thought.
"That's gross," Evan complained and he tried to shove his friend off him. Luc was impressed, not many would try to shove a creature around. Most feared they would attack if pushed or manhandled.
"Dammit Malfoy!" the boy shouted. "Get Off!" Luc's mouth fell open. So, Luke was a Malfoy, and he knew it. But how? Was it possible his father knew? What if Luke was an illegitimate child? It seemed strange but not impossible.
He missed some of what Evan said next but when the Gryffindor asked if someone was okay, he focused his attention.
"What about...was there a stag or a dog with him?" Was the younger boy asking two he had seen with Lupin? Did Evan know it was Lupin? Perhaps that was why Luke or Draco was protecting him.
Luke nodded and tilted his head. Luc was impressed when Evan seemed to understand what his friend was asking.
"My dad." What? "And godfather." What? How could two adult Animagus be wondering around school grounds? And why would they be protecting Lupin?
He watched as Luke got off his friend and dragged him by a sleeve back towards the school. Then he sat down on the ground back against the tree and tried to make sense of what he had seen tonight.
First, he was happy to know he was right about Lupin. A werewolf running around the school, he huffed, Dumbledore was insane. Someone could get seriously hurt. Though he had to admit, Lupin was in his 6th year and so far, no one had figured out what he was and no one had been killed or maimed, so maybe the wolf had more control then Luc had been led to believe was possible.
He didn't think too hard about Evan or the two Animagus he had seen. He didn't much care about them. What he cared about was Luke, who was a Malfoy he had never heard about. It caused an anger to build in his stomach, but it quickly faded. If his father had another child, a male to carry out the family name. Maybe he could have Sev? After all his father only needed on heir.
Luc sat there for what felt like hours imagining a future with his mate. One where they didn't have to hide or be afraid of his father finding out about them. He was pulled out of his day dreaming by Lupin limping past him towards the school. He felt pity for the other boy. He could smell the blood and pain on him and he wondered if every month was like this for Lupin. He wasn't sure he would have had the strength to carry on month after month if it had been him.
He sighed and got to his feet. Might as well make sure he makes it back to the tower.
Only Lupin didn't go back to the tower. He headed for the cursed willow tree, and for the second time that night Lucius's curiosity had him walking into the unknown.
He had to wait long enough for Lupin to disappear into the dark entrance and when he carefully followed behind, he was more worried about keeping hidden then listen for anything so he only became aware of the conversation going on in an unseen room when Lupin let out a gasp.
"They keep his werewolf for hurting others… or himself?" he heard and watched as Lupin paled. The werewolf closed his eyes and leaned against the wall of the tunnel they were in.
"Maybe he wasn't that hurt?" Luke's voice carried through the air. Luc shook his head; this younger Malfoy was too free with his feelings.
"You said that thing hurt him. He should be here," Evan said.
"Maybe he is still out in the woods with the freakishly large dog and slightly terrifying stag." Luc saw Lupin's lips twitch at the comment and wondered if the man was going to smile. There was a shifting sound of someone moving and then an "Owww."
Luc smiled at the thought of the younger Malfoy getting swatted for his comment.
"Don't joke about them," he heard Evan snap, though the Gryffindor didn't seem as angry or worried as he had before.
He must have made a noise because Lupin's head snapped around and looked at him. They both froze.
"Not my fault Potter turns into a stag," Luke said from the other room, and Lucius found himself tilting his head to the side. That didn't make sense, Evan had said his father and godfather were the Animagus. Potter was too young to have a son, unless he meant Fleamont Potter, James's father.
Lupin got a panicked look on his face, and Luc was starting to think that maybe Lupin and Evan knew each other. It would explain the ease with which the new kid had fitted in with Lupin and his friends.
"I like Siri's dog form more," he heard Evan joke, and now he was completely lost again, because wasn't Siri, Black's ridiculous nickname from Lupin? How could Black be Evan's godfather?
He watched as Lupin's eyes narrowed and he got a confused look on his face. It seemed the werewolf had questions of his own about what the two boys were discussing.
"I bet my father would love to know about this," Luke said.
"He knows about Remus remember, third year?" Evan snapped. He and Lupin watched each other, waiting for the other to make a move, as they heard Luke sigh, "I'm sorry about that. Alright? We weren't friends then and I didn't know how important he was to you." A sigh, "Not that I think I could have stopped my father."
He was tempted to ask Lupin if he had any idea what they were talking about? If someone knew about Lupin and something had happened in their third year? Sure, the wolf would know about it? He gulped when Lupin's eyes started to glow amber. He wondered how much control over the wolf the sandy haired man had. Then Lupin surprised him by turning towards the room. Luc didn't even think about it; he lunged forward and grabbed the man's arm and slammed him against the wall. Dropping his wand in favor of covering the wolf's mouth.
"Wait," he growled. "I already had suspicions about you, and could care less about Potter or Black. However, I am mostly curious about these two." Lupin looked unsure, but he gave a small nod and Luc let him go and backed away.
"What's wrong?" They heard Luke ask softly.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this," the other boy replied
"We have no choice," Luke said. "Until we find a way home. We are stuck here. Blending in and staying out of trouble," a snort, "is the only way that's possible." Curiosity was eating at him. Nothing the two boys said made sense and from the frustrated groan Lupin let out, the wolf felt the same.
"I'm sick of blending in! I'm sick of having to stare at Pettigrew's disgusting face every morning, knowing what he will do, what he will become. I'm tired of having to sit and listen to him talk and joke with my father and my godfather like he isn't the one that is going to destroy their lives. Like he is their friend. All I want to do is tell Remus, protect Sirius, stop him before he makes the biggest two mistakes of his life. I want to tell my parents not to trust Dumbledore, warn them about what's going to happen to them, or hell, ask my father what is bloody going on with me because I feel like I'm going insane." Wow, he thought. The little Gryffindor had a lot of anger inside him.
"You think I don't have questions! My father is shagging my godfather! And don't you think I want to warn them too. Tell father how miserable he's going to be with mother, or about the stupid mind games my grandfather is going to play with him. How he is going to end up trapped and cowering to madman all because of power…but we can't." Luc's stomach dropped. Something inside him screamed that he was missing the obvious. That what these two were saying was important and what they were talking about was life altering but it didn't make sense.
"Harry," Luke was quiet now. "I know how badly you want to save them. To save everyone. But we can't. If we warn them, we risk changing the future in ways we can't imagine. Remember? You were the one to tell me that."
Save everyone? How were two boys supposed to save anyone, and why did Evan think it was his responsibility to save them. He must have missed the rest of the conversation, because Lupin grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the tunnel caught him by surprise. They rushed out and ducked down behind the tree. Evan and Luke walked out just seconds after they had hidden.
They waited there in silence as the two disappeared back into the castle, and just when he thought he could breath, the tree started to move. He heard Lupin curse and they both dodge an incoming branch. They got lucky. They had been fast enough to roll away from the tree and put enough distance between them and it, that it couldn't try and hit them again.
Standing a few feet away from the tree he looked at Lupin. The wolf was extremely pale and looked wobbly on his feet. Lucius remembered that the wolf was hurt and rushed over to him. He saw the surprised look on the other teen's face, when he took Lupin's arm and put it over his shoulder, but neither said a word.
He helped the Gryffindor back to the school and then into an empty classroom. It was strange how light the wolf was. Sure, he had enhanced strength due to his inheritance but still he felt the other boy should have weighed more. He didn't comment on it. It wasn't his place, just helped Lupin into a chair and then dropped down into the empty one next to the wolf.
"What the hell?" Lupin asked after a few long minutes.
He snorted, "my thoughts as well." They fell silent again. It gave Luc time to get his thoughts in order. Not that it did him much good. There were still too many things that didn't add up. He looked over at Lupin, who was staring at the floor, maybe if the two of them worked together they could put together so of the pieces.
"Potter and Black they are Animagus?" he asked. Lupin raised his head, fear in his eyes. "I said before, I don't care. I am just trying to understand." The other teen gave him a curious look, sighed, then nodded. "James is a stag, Sirius a dog."
"Before the tunnel. I heard Evan talking. He told Luke that they were his father and godfather?" He wasn't sure if he was saying it as a statement or a question, but Lupin seemed to understand because he opened his mouth in surprise.
"That's not possib-" The wolf slammed his mouth shut. His eyes widened and he looked back at Luc. "Time tuners," he whispered. Luc had no idea what Lupin was talking about and he went to say so, but Lupin must have read the confusion on his face because he talked on, "Siri likes to snoop," this was said with a smile. "Bones in Ravenclaw, her grandmother works at the Ministry and she wrote a letter, that Siri got a hold of, it was about a new device the Unspeakables have been working on. It can supposedly take a person back in time. Only a few minutes, but they are trying to expand on that."
Bewildered, Luc sat forward on his sit, "The magic that must take-"
"Is exponential," Lupin picked up. "It is one of the issues they are apparently having. The further back they wish to travel the more power it takes." Then he ran a hand through his hair, "But if Harry and Lu-"
"Draco," he corrected automatically, because he knew the name. It was important to him, and if his hypothesis was right, he had picked it.
"Draco," the wolf said with a nod, "are from the future, then it is possible the Unspeakables have perfected these Time Tuners." He paused, "Though I can't imagine they travelled this far back intentionally."
"They appear to be stuck," Luc added.
"Hell," Lupin whispered, leaning back against his chair. "Could you imagine the temptation?" The wolf whispered. Luc wasn't sure if Lupin even meant to ask the question out loud.
"I believe that is what they were fighting about," he said pushing to his feet. He couldn't sit still right now. His mind was running wild as it tried to process the idea that he had a son. A teenage son. That had somehow travelled back in time, and who was horrible at concealing his emotions and was friends with a bloody Gryffindor. There was also the comment about him bowing down to a madman, it rang in his ears, because he had a sinking feeling who Draco had been talking about, and it scared the hell out of him.
He was ripped out of his thoughts by Lupin bursting into a sudden loud laughed. He stopped his pacing and turned toward the man. He raised an eyebrow when Lupin looked up at him.
"It seems James gets the girl," he said chuckling again. Luc didn't drop his brow because he had no idea how the wolf got to that conclusion.
"Evan," Lupin said. "Harry is using Lily's last name as his name." Oh, Luc thought. That made sense.
"Luke," he whispered with a smile. His nickname, though it was only used by him and Severus. It was strangely comforting known his son was using his name. He hoped it meant their relationship was better, closer, then his own with his father.
Then his heart stopped. Narcissa. He knew logically of course that he would someday marry her. It was already agreed upon and planned out, but seeing the proof of their marriage and future life together was different. He was filled with the urge to hex something. The filling of joy he had at having a son, one that seemed brilliant was quickly drowning in the heartbreaking ache of knowing he wouldn't find a way to keep Sev.
He walked back over to his chair and sat back down.
"Are you okay?" Lupin's quiet voice asked. He looked at the wolf and noticed his eyes had changed to the wolf's amber. He glared at the man.
"Sorry," Lupin said. "I can smell your emotions. Tonight, it's harder to ignore then other days."
He understood, though he didn't like the idea that the wolf knew what he was feeling. Instead of telling the wolf off though he replied, "Draco. Seeing him, it just shows my father gets what he wants."
"Narcissa," Lupin muttered in understanding. "I'm sorry."
Hating the idea of pity, he growled and was about to tell Lupin to mind his own business when he noticed the look in the man's eyes. He realized Lupin wasn't pitying him. The wolf understood.
"Black?" he asked and watched as Lupin's eyes widened in surprise, then they closed and Lupin nodded.
"Does he know?" he couldn't help but ask. Lupin shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Because he is an idiot," Lupin said with a sad smile. "He has already pulled away from his family. Even stays the summers with James. If Walburga found out about me. She would disinherit him. Blast him off that bloody family tapestry...and he would let her." Lupin sighed. "I want to be selfish and tell him. To have him, but the laws around wolves stops me from being able to hold most jobs, I can't even own property in England. Siri would lose everything, and a disinherited pureblood," there was a sneer to the word, "has about as much of a possibility of getting a job as I do." Lupin's head dropped, "I can't be the reason he has nothing."
Luc didn't know what to say. He had been raised to believe that werewolves were monsters less than wizards, hell his father put them below muggles, but the teen next to him wasn't a monster. He was kind and loyal. Top of their year in most of their classes and hurting himself to protect his mate.
"I am sorry," Luc muttered after a second. Lupin gave a small smile without moving or opening his eyes. "Me too."
"If it helps," Lupin added after a moment, "I don't think you lose Severus." Luc froze. He never said Severus name.
"What do you mean?" he asked, cautiously.
Lupin opened his eyes and sat up, looking Luc straight in the eye the wolf said, "Draco said you were shagging his godfather." Lupin grinned. "I think that means you kept Severus as close as you possibly could."
He fell back against his chair. He felt relieved? But still conflicted. He didn't want Sev as just a friend. Though maybe it was better than losing him all together. He sighed and stood up again.
"Perhaps it's time we return to our rooms," Lupin sighed and tried to stand. He wavered and Luc's found himself reaching out to steady the other teen. Again, neither spoke about it. It seemed Lupin understood it wasn't to be talked about. Malfoys would never help anyone who wasn't blood, especially a werewolf.
When Lupin seemed stable, he let go and turned heading for the door. He reached for the handle when a gasp echoed through the room. It sounded gut-wrenching and he spun around panicked.
Lupin stood shaking, his hand was on the back of the chair Luc had been sitting in and the color had gone from his face, his mouth open and Luc could see tears in his eyes. Confused, Luc took a step towards the other boy.
"Ja...mes," Lupin stammered. "James... he's dead." He looked at Lucius like he was begging him for it not to be true.
"I do n-" Luc started was cut off.
"Harry knows nothing about his inheritance," Lupin told him. "James would never have not told him. He would have made sure Harry knew everything and warned him about the possibility of being submissive. He would have made sure Harry understood. He-." Lupin let out a soft sob. "He looked so surprised when James lent him his family book. Like he had never seen it before." Lupin's eyes darkened. "What did he say about Peter? Something about him destroying his friends." Luc watched on, alarmed as Lupin put the pieces together.
Was it possible? He wondered. Could that be why Harry sounded so angry, so desperate when he ranted earlier.
"Lupin-" he started, unsure what to say, but the teen just shook his head.
"Peter wouldn't," he said, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself. "He wouldn't," he muttered again. Luc wasn't so sure. Pettigrew disgusted him. The man was a coward and trailed behind the only people nice enough to let him. He had no doubt the teen was capable of hurting someone, if it got him something he wanted.
"We do not know. The details," he said, moving to grab Lupin shoulders. He had no doubt about Potter's death. Lupin was right, those pieces fit, but that didn't mean they knew the how and why of it.
"What do we do?" Lupin asked him, sounding desperate.
"Nothing," he replied. "We can't. You heard Draco. If we change anything it could alter the future in ways we cannot predict."
Lupin frowned. "Aren't you tempted?"
Luc let go of the teen's shoulder and backed away, making sure they could see eye to eye, because he needed Lupin to see him, to hear him. He needed this to be clear. "No." Lupin's eyebrows went up. "Because I could lose Draco," Luc continued. "I see him and I am proud." He smiled. "I have a son, a son who is brilliant in his studies, protective of his friends, and kind hearted enough to check on a werewolf in the middle of a full moon because he is important to someone my son cares about. A son who is strong enough to support his terrified friend and stubborn enough to kept himself together despite his own fear. Yet, he is cunning and clever enough to survive being trapped in a different time. I see Draco and know that no matter what my future holds, I did a better job than my father." He took a breath, "I hate that I won't get to have Severus and that my child will never know the love I have for my mate, but if I have to sacrifice my love for my child, I'll do it...gladly."
Remus's Pov
He stood there watching Malfoy speak and he felt stuck. The way Malfoy spoke, the emotion and passion with which he spoke about his future son had Lupin at a loss. He'd never imagined Lucius Malfoy capable of it. Not that he thought the other teen was emotionless, just distant, but it seemed the blonde was just incredible at hiding how he truly felt. The words rang in his ears and he felt conflicted. He could understand Malfoy point and even applauded it, but could he risk James life for Malfoy's son? Bloody hell was he even debating it. He shook his head. How would he look at James again, if he didn't do anything? He wanted to cry or throw something, because how would he look at Harry if he did.
"I understand," he whispered to Malfoy. The man gave him a slow look, like he was deciding if he believed him then with a quick bow of his head he turned back towards the exit. It seemed they were done for the night. Lupin was grateful, he felt raw right now, like an exposed nerve and he wasn't sure he could talk about it anymore tonight.
"Will talk again tomorrow," Malfoy said as he opened the door. The platinum blonde didn't wait for his reply just walked away, leave Remus alone to break down.