Four Fathers Four Fathers

Ch. 3: Hogwarts

The three walked side by side as they usually did, with Darkness on Shadow's right with his arm wrapped around Shadow's waist. Midnight was the same way on the left. The addition to their typical train though was a panther padding silently along with them on the right while the little wolf pup tagged along by their side on the left. The serpents Elbereth and Lorien were wrapped around Shadow's legs giving the three of them to the appearance of everyone, a deadly group. They had on their school uniform but on top of that they had on their regular cloaks, so it could not be seen. They had the hoods pulled up so no one could see their faces and Severus had to admit that they did look quite dangerous. They stood in the back and he sent them his thoughts. He watched as their heads were held just a bit higher and he smirked. 'Albus, you have no clue what you're getting yourself into.'

Minerva was a little unsettled that three eleven year olds could put her senses on that high of alert, but they were doing a fine job of it. She would speak about the animals when they came up. She didn't want to embarrass them and then lose what respect they may have for her. "When I call your names, please come forward to be sorted," called Professor McGonagall.

"Abbot, Hannah." HUFFLEPUFF!

"Bones, Susan." HUFFLEPUFF!

"Boot, Terry." RAVENCLAW!

"Bulstrode, Millicent." SLYTHERIN!

"Granger, Hermione." 'You are very smart. I believe you would make more friends in Ravenclaw if you can contain your knowledge when it needs to be contained.' She nodded. RAVENCLAW!

"Kuro, Darkness."

He walked them forward with him until he reached almost the front then gently slid his arm from around Shadow. Arena followed him to the stool. Sev had warned them that the hat spoke in their minds so they were prepared. He lowered his hood and sat on the stool. She put the hat on his head. For five minutes he had a pleasant conversation with it before it made its decision. SLYTHERIN! He moved back and wrapped his arm back around Shadow.

"Mr. Kuro, pets are not allowed in the Great Hall. They were to stay with the train and only cats, owls, and toads, are allowed."

"You try telling them that. They are our familiars and do not stray far from us." She turned to Albus.

"It must be allowed, though I would ask that they remain at the doors."

"We will try. They are very stubborn."

"Kuro, Midnight." He slid his arm from Shadow's waist and stood forward the little pup following him. He picked it up as he sat on the stool. SLYTHERIN! He got up and moved back wrapping his arm around Shadow for comfort. He would be sorted next or with the P's, but they weren't leaving till he was sorted.

"Kuro, Shadow nee Potter, Harry." She blinked. What had just happened? The names had moved. That had never happened before. They both slowly slid their arms from his waist and pushed him lightly forward. Regaining his confidence he walked with his head held high and sat on the stool. He sat there for fifteen minutes before the hat finally asked Gryffindor or Slytherin. Out loud he asked the difference and in kind it responded out loud. Shrugging his shoulders then looking at his brothers he said "Slytherin." SLYTHERIN! He got up and they came forward and wrapped their arms around him again and led him to the Slytherin table. Dumbledore looked to Severus.

"I told you he did not associate himself with the name Albus. The boy truly believes he is the Kage Kuro, the Black Shadow." Dumbledore huffed. Just by putting Shadow's name backwards gave whole new opportunities to him to use against Albus. They had given their consent and he planned on using it to its full advantages.

Everyone gawked. They Boy-Who-Lived was nothing like what the stories they had been told were like. They looked to the Slytherin table. No way. It just wasn't possible.

"Mr. Kuro will you please remove yourself from Mr. Kuro's lap," Dumbledore asked.

"I can try if Darkness will let me go."

"Not happening luv," he replied.

"I'd just kidnap you anyway," supplied Midnight.

"No go sir. Sorry. I tried." Dumbledore groaned. The boy was obviously quite comfortable. What had he got himself into? They were a replica of Severus, James, and Sirius, minus Remus. He waved his hand to Minerva. Best to just get it over with. She nodded, obviously agreeing with him.

"Longbottom, Neville." 'Use your courage boy. Use Hogwarts as a fresh start. Don't worry about their stares. Do what you know how to do. Be strong young Neville.' He nodded. GRYFFINDOR!

"Lovegood, Luna." RAVENCLAW!

"Malfoy, Draco." The hat barely touched his head but it did say hello young Draconis before it shouted. SLYTHERIN!

"Parkinson, Pansy." SLYTHERIN!

"Weasley, Ron." GRYFFINDOR!

"Zabini, Blaise." 'Hi.' SLYTHERIN!

Finally. It was over. He gave his announcements and waved his hand. When the food appeared, Shadow looked at them. "Umm, is that actually edible?" Darkness nodded. "I've never seen so much food in my life." "No kidding." Dumbledore watched them. They were just staring at the food. Gawking even. Then he remembered Severus saying that he had appeared ragged and underfed. He never saw the exchange between the three of them and Severus that it was okay to eat or he would have become interested in the situation. He watched as they gingerly picked up food and put it on a plate and then grabbing three sets of silverware started eating from the same plate.

In the short time Severus had been with them he had noticed that they ate this way. They fixed one plate and shared it though Midnight ate the most considering the other two did not really need to eat. With tempting they had started eating a second plate and occasionally dessert. Dumbledore was tempted to call them on this but decided he would watch for a while before making a move. Maybe this is why the boy had said we and our. If he was coming so were they and that just made it all the harder to get the boy on his side if he had close attachments as such to the other two boys. He would just have to change his plans a bit. He would have to get on the other boys' good side but he couldn't allow them to just parade around the hall hanging on to each other. It hadn't stopped Severus, James, and Sirius, but he hoped he could stop this generation of them. While he wasn't outwardly against gays, he didn't exactly like it or agree with it, and he would hinder it in any way he could while still being discreet.

Some of the Slytherin's and even the other houses were watching the three. Never once did they argue over what they wanted to eat or did their forks collide. They seemed quite content together and some of the older ones found it cute while some found it disgusting or revolting. Girls were squealing about it and boys were drooling over it. Everyone watched as some Slytherin said something that none of them could hear and they watched as one of them grabbed his wrist and quite clearly said, "Do not touch what is mine or you will regret your decision with your life." Everyone stared.

"That was my threat Midnight," Darkness drawled.

"I only borrowed it for a bit you can have it back now." His tone had changed drastically. From the terrifying deep growl to a low playful sound.

"I feel so loved you know. First you're fighting over me and now I'm being ignored."

"Never ignored luv," breathed Darkness in his ear. Someone from another table spoke up.

"That is so gross."

"That is of your opinion is it not, not mine." The boy balked at being blatantly put down. "Still hungry," he asked the two. They shrugged and he filled another plate and they dug in once again. Once dinner was done and everyone was getting ready to head up or down, depending on where they were going, Midnight scooped up Shadow and carried him bridal style.

"I'm not made of porcelain you know. I can walk." Midnight shrugged. "Put me down." He was about to be forcefully dropped when he added, "And don't drop me." He was caught and he sighed. "Put me down on my feet gently. Please."

"Nope, I think I rather like you this way." He groaned and settled in. There was no use fighting. He would only be tossed from one to the other if he did. He pouted. "You'd better stop pouting luv."

"I don't wanna," he muttered sticking out his tongue. Too late he realized his mistake. Midnight kissed him and didn't let him get away. "That's what, the third time I've fallen for that?"

"Try sixth luv," answered Darkness.

"Damn. That wasn't fair."

"All's fair in love and war and…"

"Don't you say it. Don't you dare."

"What? What can't I say?"

"You very well know what. Don't you dare finish that sentence." Looking around he added, "Especially in front of the children."

"Fine. You win for now."

"Damn. Why can't I just win altogether?"

"That would be giving up luv, and I haven't done that yet."

"Damn. Fine." He crossed his arms and refused to speak again. Midnight just shook his head.

"You know your gonna give that up soon anyway so you might as well start talking now if you plan on sleeping." He turned his head away and snuggled down into the arms carrying him. Just as he got comfy again he was tossed. He just kept still not even worrying about flailing his arms and legs, they would catch him anyway. They tossed him back and forth a few times before he was thrown over Darkness' shoulder. He wanted to protest but those walking behind him saw him glaring and click his mouth shut. They knew they never would have that type of resolve. Once they were in the Common Room he was dumped on the floor. He glared but picked himself up then sat down where he had been dropped cross-legged. They both chuckled and wrapped arms around him.

Snape walked in shortly after from where he had been watching them. He had saw the Sirius side of Darkness come out picking with Shadow as he was. He knew also that he didn't think he even had that much trust in his mates that when Shadow was tossed he merely opened his eyes and just let himself fall. They had ultimate trust between them and he was happy for them and proud of them. He stepped around Shadow and sent him a puzzled look. "He's refusing to speak so I dropped him on the floor and that's where he sat," responded Darkness to his inquiry. He gave his speech about what it entailed to be in Slytherin and whatnot and sent them all on their way. He turned to Shadow who sent a smirk at him before clearing his face once again. Sev shook his head and left them to it. 'Come to me if you need me.' They responded in kind.

Midnight spoke up. "I'll barricade us a room if you let me borrow Arena." He waved his hand and she followed Midnight. There was a first year dorm for those that didn't feel like fighting the older students up until midnight for a bedroom. Once midnight struck whoever was in whatever room was where they slept. Darkness sat behind Shadow and pulled him into his lap. Some of the other Slytherin's came back out to watch the display between them since they knew no one could get into their rooms now that they had spelled them to themselves. Darkness started singing.

They don't know

They can't see

Who we are

Fear is the enemy

Hold on tight

Hold on to me

'Cause tonight

It's all about us

-All About Us song lyrics

Eventually Shadow relaxed and fell asleep. Midnight looked at him. "Do I have to tell him he won that round?" Midnight chuckled. "He'll go getting strange ideas that he can beat me."

"The scores 47 you, Uno (1) him now for silence. Let him bask tomorrow."

"Damn. And here I thought I was in the lead." Midnight hit him.

"You are. Unfortunately," he grumbled.

"Huh?"

"Not a thing. You can finish your sentence now though." He shook his head.

"I'll finish it in the morning." Midnight laughed.

"Only you Kuro. Only you. I'm going to bed."

"Night little brother."

"Hey! The youngest one's asleep already."

"Exactly why I called you such." Midnight stuck his tongue out. Darkness moved quickly and kissed him. "Not fair."

"And I've gained two points since we've been here."

"I've got one." He almost stuck his tongue out again. "Remind me not to stick my tongue out at you any more."

"You enjoy it."

"Shh! Don't alert the media. Shadow will get mad," he chuckled.

Darkness shook his head. "Go to bed."

"And so now you don't want my company."

"Mid, GO TO BED."

"Fine fine. I'll sleep with Shadow and you can sleep on the floor." He stuck his tongue out and ran.

Darkness shook his head. "Why me? What did I do to deserve this? …..He just said I could sleep on the floor. Ooh! Just wait till you wake up Mid. Payback's a bitch." Turning to the other occupants of the room he waved, "Ja, I'm going to bed now. Don't stay up too late." He disappeared and everyone sidled off back to their rooms now that the show was over.

For some people dawn came a little too early in the shape of three very hyper eleven year old scary Slytherins.