Mockingbirds

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

Seven days to the poison And a place in heaven Time drawing near as They come to take us This is where heroes and cowards part ways thèodore rochfort words this list is gonna kill me

The rebuilding efforts at Hogsmeade had almost reached completion. Many of the shops were up and running again, though there was a subdued and tired air to the shop keepers and those who frequented them. Severus had been on the roster for some building repairs this evening, having forgotten to remove himself in light of what he was currently focussing on. It had not taken him long to finish the restoration on the building he had been assigned to with three other wizards, and so Severus found himself sent off to Puddifoots to see where he could be stationed next as he was still slotted in for another hour and a half worth of work. Unfortunately for the professor, the woman who had been meant to be watching the children had been called away and so, much to Severus’ chagrin, he had found himself saddled with the task of looking over two toddlers and a one month old infant. The toddlers were easy enough to keep distracted. They had formed some sort of bond only little children could possibly understand, and were currently playing some form of game that involved rolling around on their bellies and chewing on their stuffies. Bonus points were seemingly awarded for chewing on each other, if the giggles were any indication. Whenever they got to that dangerously quiet point, Severus would look up from his reading and send a spell toward them that would cause their bears to move. Like kittens, they would sit and stare before tackling the toys with little squeals and going back to their games. Truthfully he was glad of the minor reprieve from the castle, if only because there truly was nothing more he could do but stress. At least he was being productive while he was here, having seen fit to bring the latest defense almanac he was having the trio go through with him in the event of a break during the restoration projects. But of course, all good things had to come to an end eventually. For Severus, the end of his reprieve was heralded by a terrible wailing that brought him instantly to his feet and over to the bassinette that had been transfigured for the littlest one, who was currently suffering some sort of utter fuss. It had been fifteen years since Severus had dealt with an infant this small and it honestly took him a moment of debate before he took action. Starting with a spell, Severus was able to determine – much to his relief – that the problem did not stem from anything diaper related. That resolved, Severus tucked his wand away and reached down, plucking the screaming infant from the crib and taking a moment to tuck her into his arms in a manner that he vaguely recalled as proper. Narcissa had run him through it countless times with Draco and though it was a foreign thing, the logic to supporting someone this small was fairly sound. Placing a hand on the infant’s stomach and rubbing it gently to soothe her as he went over to where he had been informed her bottles were stored – beside the blessed milk for the tea, because that was bloody brilliant and not asking for a prank at all – Severus took out his want again and muttered a warming charm over the only slightly lessened volume of the child’s crying. Setting his wand down on the counter and raising the bottle, Severus brought it up and held it for her, mildly fascinated by the way tiny hands immediately clutched for what was desired and grateful for the near-immediate silence that followed. The toddlers were starting to make upset noises thanks to the wee one’s fuss, so he carefully balanced the bottle and picked his wand back up to set the bears to dancing again. That settled, he tucked his wand into his pocket and lifted the bottle away just enough to adjust the child and keep her from drinking herself to sickness from going too quickly. Moving back to his chair with a huff, Severus sat again and adjusted infant and bottle, humming softly to keep the little one from fussing while the bottle was away. He was so focused on the task of keeping one fed and two entertained that he failed to notice someone had entered the bloody shop amid the madness.

Varon

[Deleted]

Théodore had never wanted to do this volunteer work, but unfortunately his job mandated it. It had been fine for a while, when he still had things to do that suited his interests - wiping clear the memories of those traumatized by the attacks, and tracking down those who knew too much to do the same to them. He had made good use of his time and had expected to be home relatively soon after. Unfortunately that didn't appear to be in the cards. This job had long overstayed its welcome; luckily, so far as he could see, things were almost back to normal and he would be able to go home soon enough.

The main concern now was that March's full moon was nearing - only two days away now - and he could tell that tensions were high. His own nerves felt shot, stressed over the well being of Aimee and Segolene when all hell broke loose inside of the castle. The best case scenario was that none of the students would turn and the castle would be - at least relatively - werewolf free. The worst case was that he would have to get them out of there, and fast. 

His best bet to do just that was to track down Professor Snape who, knowing him, would be understanding and would help the middle Rochfort child find a way to get his younger siblings to safety without drawing too much attention to them. Rochfort had seen Severus' name on the volunteer rosters earlier that day, but did not find him at the post to which he had been stationed. In fact, it appeared that job had since been completed, and so the Obliviator was on the hunt again.

After speaking rather briefly to a seventh year slytherin, he was alerted to the fact that Severus had, quite hilariously, taken over babysitting a few toddlers and a young infant at the teashop. Though Théodore knew full well how paternal Snape could be towards the children he presided over, the idea of him with a child was not one that the recent Hogwarts graduate had ever quite entertained. Making his way towards Madam Puddifoot's, Theo pushed through the door with a grin on his face and wandered towards the sound of muffled children's laughter. 

"I must say, sir, you look absolutely parental right now," He grinned, speaking without any sort of formal greeting. "I'm not sure whether to be impressed or amused, quite frankly." He strolled forward and picked up one of the toddlers and his teddy bear, playing casually with the child as he perched against his hip. The wizard's lips curled into a wide grin as the little boy cooed, laughed, and reached up to grab at his cheeks and his nose, exploring the unfamiliar face the only way he knew how. Theo wrinkled his nose in his unadulterated excitement to hold such an innocent child. At that age their blood status didn't matter to him. They were young, they were untainted by the ways of the world, and they were simply perfect. 

Théo was truly at peace when he was surrounded by children. 

Bouncing the toddler slightly and keeping a steady hold on him, the former slytherin turned to the professor. Handing the stuffed bear to the child who gripped it tightly with a grin on his face, he cast a spell to prevent the eavesdropping of anyone who might wander in. "I've come to speak with you about getting Aimee and Segolene out of the castle come the full moon. I feel it is imperative that they are taken to safety prior to the attacks. I pity the other children but they are my blood and I have to keep them safe." He bit the inside of his cheek. "I need your help to do so without raising suspicion amongst the others of our organizations and the other staff and students within the castle. Please, Severus." 

There was something in Theo's tone that he hoped Severus would not ignore. There was a need - a mighty, mighty need to keep the younger Rochforts safe that he could not suppress. Snape had always understood that before, and the young obliviator had faith that he would continue to do so now. The real question was whether or not Snape was willing to aid him during such an uneasy time. Things were hazardous at best, and with what was coming looming over the heads of those in the know, it made everything more difficult. Theo could not and would not expect his former professor to lay down his own cover or good standing within the castle just to help him, but he could certainly hope that there was enough goodness in the man's cool heart to do so. 

CODED BY DELL AT BTN:V5

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

Seven days to the poison And a place in heaven Time drawing near as They come to take us This is where heroes and cowards part ways thèodore rochfort words this list is gonna kill me

The sound of another’s voice breaking out over the sound of the children as they played brought Severus’ head up immediately. His posture stiffened slightly, though rather than appear ashamed or alarmed, his instinctual response was to tuck the infant in his arms closer to his chest as he took note of just who had joined him. One of his alumni was hardly likely to cause him too much trouble, so Severus relaxed incrementally even as he shrugged one shoulder slightly in response. “I am not completely unfamiliar with children, Thèodore,” Severus saw fit to point out mildly, perhaps to remind the younger man of the times in which Severus had tended to him in his childhood. Though Hogwarts students were much older than the children he was currently keeping eye over, the age of a child did little to alter Severus’ quiet willingness to protect them. If anything, he was more intent the younger they were – though he kept himself clear of children this young for almost precisely that reason, he had helped raise Draco from the day of his birth. Infants and toddlers were no stranger to him, though he could see how that realization could come across as both surprising and appalling, depending on the one discovering it. Watching as Thèodore made his way to the children and casually plucked one up to begin playing, Severus found himself grateful for his arrival. With his arms full, the other two could have started to cause a fuss and things could have fallen out of hand quite quickly. Having another adult around kept the potential for trouble at a much lower rate. As Thèodore bounced the chosen toddler, Severus bowed his head and focused on his current charge to ensure she did not drink too swiftly and that the bottle remained at the best angle for her. When Thèodore spoke again, Severus listened quietly and without comment. He was unsurprised at what reason the young official had for coming to him, though he did have to admit that it was bold. "As much as I would like to help you mister Rochfort, I am afraid that there are too many factors at play for it to be possible.” He did not look up as he carefully declined what he knew was a heartfelt request, utilizing the surname to create a touch of distance in the moment of doing so. Thèodore was still young and his attachment to his siblings was admirable, but his choices had made him a fool and would continue to do so if he did not learn to recognize the mistake of his chosen loyalties. “The Dark Lord’s position is absolute. Come the full moon his plan will come to play and any who are not party to it who should be will be counted as traitors.” The Rochfort children were marked, expected loyalists who may have escaped scrutiny had it not been for the near constant presence of their affiliated brother. Though Severus did not deign to glance over and see if this realization had been recognized, or to see how it was responded to in the event that it was, he imagined well enough the younger man’s displeasure. “The school is on high alert – Mulciber discerned the Dark Lord’s plan and there have been many preparations put in place. Any students who miraculously happen to not be present on or around the days of, or leading to, the full moon will be placed under immediate suspicion – as to will the entirety of their families and known associates. I can afford such scrutiny no more than you can.” Setting the bottle aside, Severus adjusted the infant so that she was positioned properly at his shoulder as he patted her with a careful firmness he only dimly recalled as necessary. Meeting Thèodore’s gaze, Severus allowed the final and most terrible blow to fall. “Furthermore, the Dark Lord did not explain to those he enlisted just what they were slipping to their fellow students. Aimee, despite having a sister in Slytherin, was targeted as much as the entirety of her house was,” That Slytherins enjoyed traumatizing Hufflepuffs was no secret. “If something happens to her now, the safest place she can be is at the school that is prepared to deal with it.” His tone was cold and absolute. Severus did not approve of targeting children – this was a well known truth amongst the Death Eaters. He would provide the Dark Lord with nefarious potions and was as cruel as any against men, but never would his wand raise against woman or child. His loyalty was enough to keep his opinions at bay, though it was clear enough what he didn’t say. The Dark Lord didn’t care about the who or the how. Only the resulting chaos would satisfy him. He would work to get those who turned to him and would capitalize on the political fires that would explode into ferocious blazes as a result of this event. The children of his followers were meaningless and petty sacrifices. His cause was greater than some insignificant child and far be it from anyone to dare and indicate anything different to him. This was who they followed and this was the weight of their loyalty. If Thèodore had a problem with it, that would be for him to deal with in his own time and on his own terms but no matter how disapproving Severus was, he would not alter the Dark Lord’s design. Or perhaps, if Thèodore took particularly careful note, he would realize that Severus could not change the design even though he wished to. This plan was one none could escape - not without becoming a traitor to the Dark Lord.

Varon

[Deleted]

As Severus finally addressed his request and his concerns at a positively glacial pace, every last emotion he posessed had passed over the young death eater's face. He had long since realized the severity of his allegiance, but he had never before grasped the danger it put the remainder of his siblings in. Yes, Rosalie was as much at fault as he was,but she had never been the parental kind. Théo's heart and soul went to his family, even when his skin marked him as a pawn in Lord Voldemort's games. Théodore hovered, invariably, and therefore Théodore worried. By the time Snape had finished speaking, the Obliviator had a few grey hairs and tears welling in his eyes.

The young man looked to Snape as he blinked back the seemingly scalding saline that burned at his eyes, mouth dry and stomach twisted. While there was some part of him that was glad that his old mentor was not looking at him and would therefore not see weakness, there was also further pain to be had as the notion crossed his path. There was still a child inside the boy, and that child was looking - whether he acknowledged it or not - for reassurance.  Swallowing to ensure that his voice remained as level ashe was capable of keeping it, Théo let his grip on the toddler in his arms tighten slightly, trying to keep his hands from shaking.

"So I am meant to sit and question the safety of my sisters." It wasn't a question, though it very easily could have been. Instead it came across as little more than a statement of submission and realization. His head hung. His own safety was at risk as well, and while that was still a pressing concern, he did not by any means put himself above the young girls. He would do what he could to encourage them to stay in their dormitories or in places of isolation if at all possible, but even that ran the risk of raising suspicion - there were too many lives on the line to do that, his own included. The ideas of lycanthropy and Azkaban were equally terrifying, each in their own rights.

When finally Severus looked up, Théodore's face was flushed from holding his breath and biting back tears and angry outbursts. 

"Fine then," He barked, perhaps a bit more viciously than he had meant to. "Have you no suggestions, then? Nothing I can tell them? Nothing to help even a little?" There was desperation there again, clear in the crack in his voice. He took a deep breath and set the child back down with the other. The boy took a seat on the floor, pulled his knees to his chest, and pressed his face to his palms as he did his best to breathe and regain composure. There were things he would have to accept, especially when it pertained to his Dark Lord. Betrayal was not an option any longer - jumping ship now would destroy everything. These were the things he reminded himself as he his his red eyes, flushed cheeks, and pouted lips from his former professor. 

"I never realized," He spoke, tone muffled by the press of his hands. "Just how fucked up this game we're playing is." Théodore had very few qualms when it came to his position among the death eaters. He was pleased to curse any man or woman equally. His line was drawn at those who were young and who were - at least relatively - helpless. He had been utterly displeased to hear of this Hogwarts Infiltration; even the attacks at Hogsmeade had been too close to home. This was going to make him physically ill, he could feel it.

With a long sniffle, the wizard finally raised his head. There was an understanding of the finality of Severus' words in his eyes when he looked at the Hogwarts professor, and a rueful disapproval etched across his features. "This changes nothing, Sir." He said, voice oddly assured. "I stand behind the Dark Lord and his cause." A quick glance was spared to the arm where his mark writhed beneath the skin and his dress shirt. "Unfortunately I am playing at this whether I like the rules are not." The confidence he had fostered faltered considerably at his next words.

"The end will justify the means."

And with that he tried to dismiss his pain, fear, and doubts. It was quite clear that he had not done so, both by the way his lower lip quivered and the ache that made his toes curl and his stomach churn. His eyes closed again as he shook his head and let out a breathy, almost distraught laugh.

"And the end had better fucking come soon."

CODED BY DELL AT BTN:V5

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

Seven days to the poison And a place in heaven Time drawing near as They come to take us This is where heroes and cowards part ways thèodore rochfort words because thats what our feels needed

“Yes.” Severus’ response could not have been more blunt and unfeeling if he had refused to respond at all. For all the emotions that had gone through the young man’s face in that short period of time, Severus could hear the determination laced behind the words and knew that nothing yet had changed for Thèodore. His loyalty to the Dark Lord was not yet shaken, and Severus cared too much for the younger Rochforts to wish for anything that would change that. That Thèodore barked out his acceptance of matters, Severus laid his hand on the stomach of the infant he was holding as she fussed at the loud noise. Hair falling to shield his face as he ducked to tend to her, making soothing sounds until she settled, Severus wished that there was more he could do. Everything that could be done had been, but it didn’t feel like enough. He knew that nothing would ever be enough – not for this. Looking up from the child, Severus found himself stricken for a moment by the look being levelled at him by Thèodore. For a flickering second, Severus saw an eleven year old boy, frustrated by his scores and missing his family, glowering because of course he had not been crying. Closing his eyes to shut away the memory, knowing that unlike then, he had no advice or comfort that he could give, Severus rose slowly to his feet as Thèodore spoke into his hands. “This is the life that we chose,” Severus pointed out as he bowed over the bassinette to set the infant inside. It seemed the boy agreed with that assessment, his assurances and confidence less comforting than he may have realized. “Of course you will support the cause to its end,” There was a coldness in Severus tone as he tucked a blanket about the child. “You lost the ability to change your mind the moment you took the Mark.” Straightening, Severus looked down at Thèodore coldly. “It doesn’t matter what you think, or how you feel. That individuality is lost to you now. If you had attachments such as these you should have thought about them before you committed yourself to a cause such as this. The grander the goal, the greater the sacrifice. Simply because you hold the winning hand does not mean you will come out of this unscathed. You can work your way to the top, but if your siblings falter, so too will you be struck down. You’ve committed yourself, as they have, and in so doing you committed your younger siblings. In so doing all of you committed yourselves to the success and failure of one another. More than that, you have committed any children you may or may not have. The end better come soon” Severus spat. “How daft are you, child? This war will not be one in days, or even in a few years. Think on that, before you get it in your mind to become a father. You worry about your siblings now, imagine the fate you’ve set in store for the future of your line. You have no right to sit there and look so despondent. You swore yourself. If you failed to think about what that meant to everyone around you it merely proves you were too young to be playing at war games. But it is no matter, because it is done. You are sworn. You do not get to pout, you do not get to cry, and you certainly do not get to grieve. So get up,” He barked, ignoring the way the toddlers turned to look at him. “Now, Rochfort.” Severus could not save every foolish child, nor was he mad enough to imagine that he was responsible for each one that fell. His order was imperious, the voice of a superior officer. Severus had always been Thèodore’s professor. When he graduated, Severus permitted the boy to continue to contact him for guidance, as he did for any other Slytherin that came under his wing. When he took the Mark, nothing had really changed. There was still the childish respect, the youthful arrogance and a cocksure casualness. Thèodore had never seen Severus in the acting capacity of a Death Eater before. What he knew of Severus’ reputation beyond that of spy would have come through word of mouth alone. The soldier in Severus, the man who had stood over the graves of brothers and waged battles against aurors with a vicious ferocity was not a side the boy had been privy to until this moment. If there was any hope for Thèodore now, it would be born in the realizations hidden in Severus’ words. Severus stood before Thèodore as an active member of the Inner Circle, an elder and a leader he had known all his life. The boy knew full well what Severus was like with his serpents, had seen for himself just now the way he could and did tend to the needs of any infant. There were things that could never be faked so purely, and a paternal nature was among them. Yet there was no denying a clear and obvious fact – Severus had nothing at his side. No significant other, no siblings, no children. He stood alone, his attachments to even those in the Inner Circle distanced enough that when they fell, he stood tall. Eric Avery had been devoured upon the Malfoy table by Fenrir, and Severus was still counted as completely, undeniably loyal by the Dark Lord himself, whatever doubts others may whisper. This was what Thèodore needed to see. What he needed to understand. He could not have a family, and be a Death Eater. Not even if they, too, were Death Eaters. When Rabastan failed, even Rodolphus was punished. When Lucius failed, his entire family was cast into disgrace. Thèodore had taken his mark, but there was still a choice. The path he took now would define him for the rest of his life. Either the cause meant more to him than his family and he was willing to sacrifice them to further his ends no matter what, or he loved and needed his family enough to put up a front and do whatever necessary to protect them. There was no inbetween.

Varon

[Deleted]

In all the years that Théodore had known Severus Snape, he had never once seen him act this way towards... well, anyone he regarded as one of his own. Surely he had seen aggression in the other's eyes when Gryffindors or a rogue Hufflepuff stepped out of line, and he had heard his voice raise only once or twice even then. This side of Snape was one that he did not appreciate, especially not in his time of vulnerability. He felt belittled by it, and it only served to break him down further. If that was Snape's goal, he had succeeded.

Blind rage took hold of Théo before any other emotion could. His tears still burned his eyes as he shuffled quickly to his feet, wand drawn with the swiftness of a viper's strike. It leveled immediately in Severus' direction, vision blurry and eyes narrowed as an utterly inhuman snarl ripped from the broken boy's chest. "Who do you think you are?" He barked, tone biting and harsh. "Telling me not to cry and not to grieve? You are not my Lord and not my Master and I shall never obey you."

As quickly as the defiance had filled him, it had left. His voice cracked audibly on the 'you' and his wand lowered slowly, hand shaking. His fingers released the grip on the wood of their own volition, letting it clatter uselessly and carelessly to the ground. It

The young obliviator knew better than to threaten his former mentor, regardless of rank. He was far more capable than Théo was, all natural prowess aside. Snape had more experience, and Snape was a man to be respected. The Hogwarts Professor was of the inner circle - among Voldemort's most trusted. He could ruin Théo with little more than a few words, and the idiot boy had thought it wise to threaten him with a raised wand? The middle Rochfort boy had come here, had taken a huge risk in asking for help, and had deigned to throw a tantrum when his request had not been met. 

If Severus did not feel merciful, the boy may as well have signed his own death warrant. 

Théo's stomach churned as he bounced on the balls of his feet, nervous energy moving now from his hands to spread through the remainder of his body. He trembled, swallowed, clenched and unclenched his fists. A hand pulled through thick tufts of dirty blonde hair, messing the usual style and structure of it. "Fuck."

A blind man could have seen the boy's anxiety. His paranoia had overtaken him now, even as the rational side of his mind tried to remind him that nothing had happened yet. He had time to warn his sisters, to ensure that they found sanctuary somewhere deep within the castle where no werewolf would find them.

The irrational side of his mind was winning, however, taunting him with sickening images of Aimee and Segolene strewn out across the dungeons, their blood staining the floors, walls, and the pictures that hung there. He could almost see it - the thought made him gag. The boy had to slap a hand to his mouth out of pure reflex to keep the sound (and possible bile) choked down.

Terrified eyes flickered upwards, staring at Severus and trying to gauge his reaction to all this. The man was displeased; that had been obvious long before the wand had been raised and the silent threat had been made. Théo hung his head and cast his glance away in a desperate display of submission he could and would never admit to. 

"I'm sorry," He rasped eventually, his breathing still quick and shallow. "Please just... forgive me. I didn't mean to-- it was reflex." All the former slytherin could do was pray that his former relationship with the man before him would be his saving grace, and that Severus would remember the temper and know, even just deep down, that Théodore had meant him no true disrespect. The ministry worker took a deep breath through his nose and slowly raised his head in a relatively meek but hopeful display.

"My feelings own me when it comes to my sisters. You must understand. I will... try to swallow back my doubts and concerns - I know better than to think there is a place for them in the war we wage. I know so much better..." He raked his fingers through his hair again. "I am a fool for acting this way, and I wouldn't blame you for calling me one, sir."

CODED BY DELL AT BTN:V5

[SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE]

Seven days to the poison And a place in heaven Time drawing near as They come to take us This is where heroes and cowards part ways thèodore rochfort words because thats what our feels needed

As soon as Thèodore began to rise to his feet, Severus flicked his wrist, his wand falling to his palm and levelling straight toward the boy’s heart without a hint of wavering. Tears stained the youthful face, weakened the vision and painted the young man vulnerable as he challenged the man who stood unmoving before him. For all the desperation on Thèodore’s face and all the bitterness in his voice, Severus did not flinch nor did he strike. He stood, his posture ready not for battle, but an immediate blow to the fall. Severus did not prolong fights – he ended them swiftly and viciously. Had the boy even tried, it would have been the end of whatever amicable nature they shared. Thèodore was not a fool, despite his actions and his words, and his wand was lowered. Severus remained impassive, his own wand still steady at the boy’s heart even as the beautifully crafted wand fell with a clatter to the floor. Realization settled upon the young obliviator visibly, the rise of his anxiety levels impossible to miss as he dragged at his hair and cursed, forgetting the little ones half asleep at his feet. Through it all, through the stress and the fear, through the way Thèodore grasped at his mouth to withhold his own bile, Severus stood still. A whisper of sound could be heard, dust stirring and moving itself away from the elder wizard as though some wind pushed it though there was not even a flicker in his robe. It wasn’t until the bassinette slid away, the children pushed back along the floor upon their bottoms, much to their amusement, that the movements became clear. Not a word spoken, not a motion made, the sheer force of Severus’ wandless magic was making itself known even though he held his wand in hand. Shields rose between the men and the children, placing the little ones on the safe side of a barrier born without a sound. All the while, Severus’ wand did not lower its steady aim at Thèodore’s heart. The apology bore no response but a wind that snapped through Severus’ hair, drawing it back even as a thick selection of it got caught across his face in the wake of it. Silence reigned long and heavy, the tension in the air so thick it had a presence all its own. “Greif, no matter how strongly you feel it, will never bring back the dead Thèo.” The words, when they came, were too cruel to be kind. The only thing that kept them from being a physical blow was the use of the young man’s childhood nickname, indicating some manner of amicability remained between them. “Speak out of turn to one less patient and you won’t have a chance to make your excuses, I can promise you that.” Severus could have killed the boy in at least eight different ways by this point. Death Eaters – particularly those of the older crowd – were not known for their patience toward the insolent. Even now, his wand remained trained on the boy as his free hand fell open. There was a blur, nothing more, as Thèodore’s fallen wand was summoned to his palm. This remained at his side, impassive – casual, almost. It wasn’t necessary for it to be anything else – it was beyond clear who had the upper hand here. “You play a role in their fates as their brother. Every connection you make, every web you weave, is one our Lord will use. If they die, if they are turned, that will be your cross to bear. If it is not one you wanted, you should have found other means to support your beliefs.” The hand was a heavy one, the words darker still as the air between them seemed to settle. Severus lowered his wand at precisely the same moment he tossed Thèodore’s back at him. “If you do not learn to control your emotions, you will never be able to rise to anything capable of protecting that which matters to you.” Lowering the shields, Severus moved to where the children had begun to sniffle, disliking the tension and the lack of attention. The infant slept on as Severus picked up both toddlers, tucking one on either side of himself, supporting them against his hips with a natural ease as he moved toward their pen to set them down and tuck them in. Their mothers would be here for them in a few more minutes, and he could take his leave. Turning his back on Thèodore after all of that – tending to children after so charged an exchange – proved something, at the very least. It proved that however displeased with the young man Severus was, he did not think him stupid enough to try and attack – nor did he think him the kind of man to risk the welfare of toddlers.

Varon