A Bond for the Ages

Chapter 14

Translations:
[English text] Rebenok = [Russian text] Ребенок = Child

[English text] Paidí = [Greek text] Παιδί = Child

[English text] O fílos mou = [Greek text] Ο φίλος μου = My friend

[English text] Moy drug = [Russian text] Мой друг = My friend

********************************************************

Harry stared at the wine, feeling an odd sense of loss at the disruption to the lightness that had fallen over dinner. Leif and Alexei were funny and fascinating, and Harry felt an ease with them he'd never felt with anyone. They seemed to help lift the tension in the manor, even making Snape seem more comfortable to be around. But, of course, Voldemort had to ruin it. Snape hadn't been called for a few days, but, naturally, it had to be this night that he was summoned again.

As he watched the wine slowly spread across the table, he wasn't sure how he felt about Snape in the moment. He was sure he didn't hate Snape anymore, not the way he had for the last four years, but he didn't know where that left him. He didn't like the man, but there was more than just indifference. Sitting there in the silence created by Snape's summoning, he felt the stirrings of concern for the professor willingly putting himself before Voldemort.

"Well, I believe this could be a good time to get to know our apprentices, don't you agree, Leif?" Alexei said, his voice sounding like it was booming as it cut the heavy silence.

Harry looked at the two men. They both had lost much of the joy and playfulness that had previously animated them. Their faces were drawn, jaws clenched, and eyes no longer sparkling with mirth. They looked angry and worried, though they tried to hide those emotions as they looked at him and Malfoy.

"Yes, yes," Leif said, sounding miles away, but he pulled himself back and waved his hand, cleaning up the spilt wine. "Mr. Malfoy, how do you feel about a game of chess?"

Harry looked across at Malfoy whose face was also filled with a myriad of emotions. When the blonde looked at Leif, he seemed concerned, likely about what could possibly change now they'd be alone with the two strangers, but did give a small nod.

"Yes, sir," Malfoy agreed.

"Leif, please. I do not like to feel as old as I am," Leif said, some of his joking tone returning.

Harry watched Leif and Malfoy rise and leave the kitchen, heading upstairs to the library where Harry knew the chess board still lay out. He turned back to Alexei who gave him a smile.

"Shall we sit outside?" Alexei suggested.

Surprised considering it was nearly dark, he nodded. He led the way to the front porch where they both sat on the large porch swing. Despite being mid-summer, the night had grown cool as though mirroring the coldness that had fallen over the manor at Snape's departure. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his new sweater. He had a whole new wardrobe courtesy of Snape who had brought them to the closest Muggle town the previous day under Polyjuice. It had been a surreal experience, actually getting to shop for himself and to have an adult pay. He'd had to do everything himself since entering the wizarding world. It was strange having an adult take care of such things. He revelled in his new clothes, loving every piece if only because they fit for the first time in his life.

He gazed across the grounds, at the path leading to the tall gate. As the sun disappeared, he was surprised to see little orbs of soft yellow and blue light appear in the air all around the property, providing gentle illumination.