A/N: This story was originally Harry Potter Hogwarts Year One by Gandalf Lyonn. I have adopted it with his permission.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters or anything else from the books. I do own the plot and the new characters.
Author's Notes: This is an alternate universe fiction. There will be angst, action/adventure, drama, humor, and romance (eventually). This story is rated R so I don't get myself into any trouble with what I write. Thanks to those unsung heroes who proof read this story. This story will contain child abuse, violence, possible *slash*, suicidal characters, torture, murder, and right now I do not know what else.
( ) indicates a characters thoughts.
Synopsis: Harry returns to #4 Privet Drive after his day of shopping with Hagrid and is attacked by Vernon Dursley. At the same time Lucius Malfoy beats Draco for his attitude towards Harry in Madam Malkin's Robes. These events change the course of history in this universe. Read to find out more.
CHAPTER ONE: CAST ADRIFT
Harry stepped off the train. During the long train ride, he had named his snow owl, Hedwig, having found the name in his 'A History of Magic' book. A cabbie approached him and led him to a car. Hagrid had provided transportation back to the Dursleys'. The cabbie dropped Harry at #4 Privet Drive and set his things next to the front door.
Harry's Uncle Vernon yanked the door open. "Get your unnaturalness off the walk before the neighbours see it!" he bellowed .
Harry struggled to get his things in as his uncle glared daggers at him and searched the street for something.
"Where's that filthy behemoth?!"
"You mean Hagrid?" Vernon snarled at the name. "He had to leave." The words were barely out of Harry's mouth when he realized the seriousness of that statement. He had just made an enormous mistake, maybe the last mistake he would ever make.
Vernon's meaty fist slammed into the boy's face like a sledgehammer. Harry's glasses shattered. Bits of plastic and glass imbedded themselves in his eyes as blood poured from his nose and the cuts that were made, as the remains of his glasses slid off his face. His right ankle twisted as he toppled over his trunk, sending Hedwig's cage flying.
"We're going to beat those abnormalities out of you right now!" Uncle Vernon thundered. His uncle grabbed his left arm and jerked him to his feet. Harry heard a horrible popping and tearing sound in his shoulder as he shrieked in agony. His shoulder was on fire as Vernon's free hand smashed into his chest.
Harry moaned as his uncle dragged him into the kitchen and dropped him. Dudley came charging into the kitchen and jumped on Harry's right arm. He heard the bones break as Vernon jumped on his left leg and Dudley started kicking him in the ribs. Aunt Petunia walked up, a frying pan in her hand, and stood over him. He panicked and screamed as the skillet was raised and came down towards his head.
Arabella Figg burst through the door and yelled, "STUPEFY!" as Petunia raised the frying pan to strike her nephew a second time.
"What are you doing?!?" Arabella screamed as Petunia crashed to the floor.
Vernon aimed another kick at Harry, but Arabella was faster. She stunned the brute and then his pig of a son, not wanting to allow them to hurt Harry any more.
She rushed to Harry's side and began casting charms to stop the bleeding. 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' had been severely beaten. She pulled the alarm whistle from her pocket and blew it. It would be several minutes before anyone would arrive to help. She went about doing what she could to stabalize Harry.
**********
"DRACO!" Lucius Malfoy snarled.
The thin, blonde haired, boy shivered at his father's call. He could tell he was about to get another beating. His father had begun beating Draco when he was six. The first time was for wetting the bed when he was sick and running a high fever. The second time, he had been screaming in terror after being woken by a nightmare. Lucius had stormed into his room and snatched him out of bed. He was tossed across a chair and his pajamas had been ripped off. Lucius had been bellowing that he would not have a son who screamed like a baby as he whipped Draco with a leather strap.
The beatings had only taught Draco three things. His father was a monster that hated him, never show fear to anyone, and how to endure unbelievable amounts of pain.
Lucius grabbed Draco by the neck and flung him onto the floor of his office. Draco felt his right wrist snap as he landed in a heap.
(This is going to be bad.) Draco turned to face his father. It would not help much, but with the look on his father's face he needed very bit of help he could get.
"The one day I don't want you to act like a spoiled, stuck up, arrogant, muggle-hating, prat is the one day you do!" Lucius snarled as he stomped on his son's left ankle, breaking it.
Draco bit the inside of his cheek to keep from screaming and tasted blood.
"You stupid runt. How any child of mine could have such potential and be so dim witted is beyond belief." Lucius kicked his son in the small of the back and snarled as the boy groaned.
"Still haven't learned to keep quiet, have you?!"
Draco laid on the floor, knowing that to respond was to make the beating worse.
"Don't think that I will allow this behavior to continue. You will do and act as I tell you. You can still go to Hogwarts missing an eye, an arm, or a leg."
A shudder ran through the boy's body. His father had never made that threat before.
"You were born to father children for our Master and nothing else. As long as you are able to do that nothing else matters. Oh, don't worry, you won't be sleeping with anyone. Spells will be used to impregnate those who will carry your children."
Draco heard the all too familiar sound of a leather strap being pulled from a pocket. He heard his father whisper the incantation to strip his clothes off seconds before his clothes were ripped from his body. He shivered as the only protection he had from the ice cold floor vanished. He gritted his teeth as he waited for the first blow. The snap of the strap came an instant before the lash connected with his bare flesh. He gasped as the pain shot through his torso.
"Lucius! What are you doing?!" Narcissa shrieked.
"Teaching my son to be a man."
"You'll kill him if you keep this up. Let him be. He's only a child. You've confused him by suddenly telling him to behave the exact opposite of how you've always told him to."
"That doesn't matter! He needs to obey me! Without question!" Another blow landed on Draco's back. "Without exception!" Lucius was now punctuating every statement he made with a blow to his son's thin frame. "Without hesitation! No more of your games, Draco! This is your last warning!"
"Lucius! Stop, you'll kill him!"
Lucius halted the rain of blows he was delivering to his son, to backhand his wife.
"Keep you mouth shut! I'll raise my son how I and The Dark Lord see fit. Interfere again and you won't live to see my triumph! Go to our room! I'll be there when I'm finished!"
Narcissa hurried out of the room. Lucius would take her hesitation out on their son.
"Now we can get down to business, you git." Lucius tossed the strap aside and proceed to kick the helpless boy.
Draco faded in and out of consciousness as the beating continued. Finally, the blows stopped and he breathed a sigh of relief. His father chuckled.
"I'm not done with you yet, boy. I have a little surprise for you."
Lucius turned Draco over as he pulled a tiny pouch from his robes. He opened the bag and dump the gray powder into his son's eyes.
Draco shrieked as the powder burned his eyes. He reached for his face, but his father grabbed his wrists and laughed. Lucius sat down on his son as the boy began to thrash around.
"Now, now, son. I know it hurts, but you brought this on yourself. When the burning stops you will be blind. If you behave yourself and do as I say, I will give you the antidote, before you leave for school. If not, well. . ." Lucius laughed and broke his son's left arm.
His eyes were burning, so bad that he did not feel it when his arm was broken.
"Let me tell you something else, boy. Only four people know how to mix the antidote for that powder. Two of them are at Hogwarts and you will not go near there without my say so. I am one of the other two and the last is The Dark Lord, himself. So you have only one choice, obey me or never see again." Lucius left his battered son laying on the floor.
Dobby entered the office with a blanket and covered his young master. He sat down next to the boy and waited for him to wake up.
Narcissa slipped out of the master bedroom. She retrieved the envelope from its hiding place and headed for Lucius' office.
Entering the office, she was pleased to see that Dobby had followed her orders.
"Dobby, I need you to take Draco to St. Mungo's and give this to Headmaster Dumbledore." She handed the envelope to the house elf.
"Dobby can't, Mistress. Dobby will be punished. Master will not like it."
"I've solved that problem, Dobby." Narcissa held up an emerald green sock.
Dobby's face lit up.
"Dobby, I will give you this sock, but you must agree to be Draco's house elf from now on. I know you want your freedom and to get a paying position. I was told by some of the other house elves, who heard you talking in your sleep."
Dobby started banging his head against the desk and muttered. "Bad Dobby, bad."
Narcissa put the sock in Dobby's hand and the house elf stopped.
"But Mistress Dobby is free now!"
"I know. I trust you to accept my offer. I've written Dumbledore a letter explaining everything. He'll see that you are paid. Please get Draco out of here, before Lucius wakes up. Hurry, get help for my son."
"Thanks you Mistress. Dobby will takes care of Master Draco." Dobby placed his hand on the injured boy and vanished.
**********
Arabella stood back as the mediwizards loaded Harry on a stretcher and raced him towards the edge of the protective wards. As they crossed the boundary, they portkeyed to St. Mungo's.
Harry was rushed into the emergency room and the hospital staff began working to save his life.
Arabella was pacing around the waiting room, waiting for word on Harry, when a house elf appeared, a boy wrapped in a blanket laying at his feet. Blood stains were clearly visible on the blanket
Arabella called for help as she raced to the boy. Welts covered the boys body and blood oozed from numerous cuts.
Mediwitches and wizards appeared and raced the boy into a treatment room.
Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Filius Flitwick, Rubeus Hagrid, Pomona Sprout, and Madam Poppy Pomfrey appeared.
"How's Harry?" Hagrid sobbed, tears rolling into his beard. "I shouldn't have left him with those bloody Muggles."
"Hagrid, no one could have known this would happen," Dumbledore said, patting Hagrid on the back.
"Excuse me, sir. Is you Professor Dumbledore, sir?" Dobby asked, the envelope hugged to his chest.
"Yes, and you are?"
"I is Dobby, sir. Dobby has heard of the Great Wizard Dumbledore. I has something for you sir." Dobby handed the envelope to Professor Dumbledore.
"And who is this from, Dobby?"
"Mistress Narcissa is telling Dobby to give this to you, sir."
"Is that the only reason you are here Dobby? And is that a sock you are holding?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"No Professor Dumbledore, Mistress Narcissa is having Dobby bring Master Draco here. She is giving me this sock so I is free to take care of Master Draco for her. I is even to be paid!" Dobby's face lit up as he shrieked and covered his mouth.
The other professors shook their heads as Albus opened the envelope.
"Why did Narcissa want Draco brought here?" Snape snarled.
"Master Draco is hurt, sir," Dobby replied.
"I knew Lucius was a vicious bastard, but I never expected him to beat his own son," Snape growled.
**********
Lucius Malfoy was standing just inside the master bedroom when Narcissa entered. He slapped her across the face.
"What have you done!?! Where is Draco!?! I know he's been taken from the house!" Lucius hit his wife a second time.
"He's free of you and The Dark Lord! You'll never get your hands on him again!"
"And you're going to pay for that! With your life!" Lucius grabbed his wife and dragged her out of the room.
**********
Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic entered the waiting room. He walked up and greeted the Hogwarts professors.
"I've been informed that Mr. Potter has been severely beaten, by the Dursleys. He will not be going back, Albus. It would be too dangerous."
"I agree, Cornelius. Now we must decide where Harry will live during the summer holidays. And we also have to decide what will become of Draco Malfoy, who also has arrived here, badly beaten. He can not be allowed to go home to be abused again."
"Well, about that, Albus. I've spoken to Lucius and it turns out that Narcissa was the one who beat Draco. I am sorry to say that when Lucius discovered Draco missing, he went looking for Narcissa and discovered her on Draco's bed, dead, I am afraid. She drank poison."
"Well, I believe we need to speak to Draco before making any decision on wether or not he will return to his father," Dumbledore replied.
"If he survives," Arabella added.
"What are you saying?" Snape growled.
"He was barely breathing when he arrived," Arabella whispered.
"I'll ripe that bastard limb from limb!"
"Severus, calm down. We will deal with Lucius when the time comes. We need to make sure that both boys are allowed to fully heal before any decisions on where they will live can be made," Albus cautioned.
Severus nodded as he paced around the waiting room. A mediwitch came out and approached the waiting withes and wizards.
"Who is here for Harry Potter and who is here for Draco Malfoy?" the witch asked.
"Madam, we are here for both boys," Professor Dumbledore answered.
"How are they?" Arabella asked.
"They are stable but they are both still unconscious. We removed bits of glass and plastic from Harry's eyes. He will have to keep his eyes covered for about two weeks, so that they can heal. Draco, however, has been blinded by some kind of grey powder. We do not know if we will be able to restore his sight."
"Did you find any of the powder?" Severus hissed.
"Yes, we did."
"May I see it. Albus, will you come with me?" Severus said.
"Of course Severus. Minister we can continue this once the boys are awake and strong enough to speak with us," Dumbledore said as he followed the mediwitch and Severus down the corridor.
"We were not able to collect much, but here is what we found." The mediwitch handed a small vial containing a tiny amount of grey powder to Professor Snape.
"Was there any smell to this or Draco?"
"I was not there. I will ask the staff that took care of Draco."
"We need to talk to Dobby about what happened. If this is what I think it is, it will take two months to brew the antidote." Severus stormed out of the room and returned to the waiting room.
"Dobby," Snape bellowed.
"S-S-S-Sir," Dobby stammered.
"Did you smell, hear, or see anything before you brought Draco here?"
"Dobby heard Master Draco scream before his father left him. Dobby smelled burned hair and rotting eggs when he covered Master Draco."
"Did you have access to Lucius' work area?"
"Dobby is, sir."
"Has he been brewing a periwinkle colored potion for several weeks? It would smell of lilacs."
"Dobby is seeing that."
"How long has he been brewing it?"
"Over a month."
"I can't believe Lucius would use Dust of Burning Darkness on his own son."
Dumbledore shook his head as the other professors gasped in horror.
"Can you make the antidote?" Minerva asked.
"It is harder to brew than Wolfsbane Potion. It will take ten days to mix and then it must simmer for sixty days. It must be taken hot, right from the cauldron or it will not work. Albus, I must get started on it. Keep me appraised of his. . . .their conditions."
"Of course Severus. If you need anything, I will make sure you get it."
Severus Snape rushed out of St. Mungo's as the other professors started discussing the recent tragedies.
**********
"Minister, I must insist that my son be released to me immediately," Lucius growled.
"I'm sorry Lucius. I can not force St. Mungo's to release your son. There is also a solicitor that has filed papers to have Draco removed from your custody, permanently."
"I won't let that happen. And who hired this solicitor?"
"It appears that Narcissa hired the woman and she is highly respected throughout Europe."
"I want my son back. Ensure that I get him, Fudge, or you'll regret it."
"Is that a threat Lucius?"
"No, Minister. I will see my son returned or ensure that things change so that I get him back." Lucius Malfoy stormed out of the Minister of Magic's office.
**********
Harry groaned as he tried to open his eyes. When he could not he tried to check them only to discover that he was strapped down. He cried out in fear.
"Harry, it's okay. You're safe. You're at St. Mungo's Hospital," a woman told him.
"Who are you? What happened? Why can't I move or open my eyes?"
"I'm Julie Newstone, a mediwitch. You've been seriously injured. We have you strapped down, so you do not hurt yourself. Your eyes are bandaged to help them heal. You had glass in them."
"My uncle!!!" Harry shrieked.
"Yes, Harry, your uncle hurt you, but you are safe now. Drink this, it will help you sleep."
Harry drank from the cup that was pressed to his lips and fell asleep.
A blood curdling shriek of pain and fear woke Harry several hours later. He listened as Julie talked to the patient in the next bed.
"Draco, it's okay. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."
The other patient sobbed and Harry could tell it was another boy.
"Don't let him hurt me. Please, don't let him," the boy pleaded.
"We won't let him hurt you."
"Where am I?"
"St. Mungo's."
"Why can't I move?"
The boy's voice sounded familiar to Harry.
"We had to strap you down so you wouldn't hurt yourself. You were dreaming and thrashing around."
"How long have I been here?"
"Two days."
"My Mother! Where's my Mother!"
"I'll find out, Draco. Now you need to drink this sleeping potion and get some rest."
"No. I want to see. . . .talk to my Mother first!" the boy wailed.
"Drink this or I will not go for her. You can talk to her when you wake up."
"I want to talk to her now!"
"I'm sorry Draco, but I can not get her until you have taken this."
"Fine," Draco snarled and drank the potion. He was asleep in seconds.
Harry remembered where he had heard the boy's voice before, in a shop in Diagon Alley. He took a deep breath and began coughing. Julie came to his bed and made him drink another potion. He fell asleep as she left the room.
**********
Draco woke to someone nearby mumbling about not wanting to be hit again. It sounded like the boy he had met in Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions.
(Just great. I would have to wind up in the hospital with a kid I gave Father's speech to. Wait a minute. I'm not calling him my father anymore. He's not and never has been.)
"What's wrong with you?" Draco asked, not wanting to mention what he had heard.
"What do you mean what's wrong with me you git? Can't you see I've been beaten? Now leave me alone!" Harry snarled.
"Well, come to think of it, I can't see you at all. I'm blind, you prat." Draco shot back and choked back a sob.
"I'm sorry about that, but I really don't like you. I think you're an arrogant, spoiled, ass."
Draco snorted.
"What was that for?"
"I thought you wanted me to leave you alone."
"I do, but I'd like to know why you're such an ass."
"Because of my fa... Lucius. That's how he wants me to act. Like a stuck up, spoiled, arrogant, brat. Then the one time I act how he's always telling me to, I get beaten and blinded for it."
"Who's Lucius and why'd he beat you for doing what he told you to?"
"He's my f... f... father and he wanted me to play all nice and sweet and muggle-born loving for Harry Potter, so I could make friends with him. You never told me your name. What is it?"
Harry was stunned by what he had heard. He had never considered that the boy had been just spouting what he heard at home.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so just call me Harry."
Draco gasped and started to cough. He felt a pain in his side and started spitting up blood. Someone came over and tried calming him down. Neither boy recognized the man's voice.
"Take shallow breaths, Draco. You'll be alright. As soon as you stop coughing, I'll cast a charm to stop the bleeding."
Draco stopped coughing and the mediwizard cast the charm. Both boys were given sleeping potion and fell asleep before the wizard left their sides.
* * *
Albus Dumbledore was waiting in the hall when the wizard left the boys' room.
"How are they, Martin?"
"They're both in serious trouble, Albus. I'm surprised that one or both of them were not killed by the beatings they received. Draco was just coughing up blood."
"Both of them are very strong, Martin. They will survive this. I believe it would be wise to have someone sitting with them at all times, if you have no objections."
"Albus, I don't have the staff to do that or it would already be done."
"Then, I will find the people to watch them."
**********
Severus spun as he heard the door to his lab open. Albus Dumbledore stepped in and closed the door.
"Any word on Draco...and Potter?"
"They have both woken but are still in serious condition. I am setting up a schedule for people to sit with them, so that they are not alone the next time the wake."
"I can not help. I have this potion to brew."
"Severus, Harry is not James, Sirius, Remus, or Peter. He is a young boy who has just gone through a very bad experience. The same experience your godson has also just gone through. Do not deny your godson your help, just because of Harry's father and his friends."
"I can not leave this potion unattended."
"Severus, I know this potion almost as well as you do. You are at the stage were the ingredients most sit for six hours before you can added anything else. Go, sit with your godson. I will watch the cauldron."
Having been backed into a corner by Hogwarts' Headmaster, Professor Snape nodded and left the lab.
**********
The Hogwarts' Famed Potions Professor entered the hospital room where his godson and the son of his nemesis and his friends lay recovering. Professor Flitwick was sitting in a chair at the foot of the beds.
"Oh, Severus. I see Albus has snared you for this assignment as well," the tiny professor said, hopping off the chair.
"Filius. How is. . .are they doing?"
"Sleeping soundly, thankfully. They both are having horribly nightmares, Severus. They are just eleven years-old and have gone through so much, in such a short time." Professor Flitwick shook his head sadly.
"Yes, quite disturbing," Snape whispered, sitting in the chair as Filius left the room. He was angry because a Potter was once again making his life miserable.
Severus leaned back and watched his godson, bandages encircling his head of white-blonde hair. Several hours passed quietly before both boys woke up.
"Hello Draco."
"Uncle Severus?"
"Yes, I'm here." Severus was not Draco's uncle, but Narcissa had encouraged her son to call him uncle.
"Where's Mother?"
"She's taking care of a few things right now."
"Don't lie to me! He killed her didn't he?" Draco sobbed.
"Yes."
Harry was stunned. He didn't really like Draco, but his lose hit Harry hard. He knew how the boy felt.
Severus moved to his godson's bed and stroked his hair and face as he tried to comfort the boy. He heard a noise from Harry and looked over at the boy. He could see the boy's chest jerk as he silently sobbed. Severus' surprise at Harry's crying vanished as he remember that the boy was one of the few people who could fully understand Draco's loss.
Severus reached out and touched Harry's shoulder without thinking. The boy's sobbing tapered off as did Draco's.
Albus Dumbledore, two women and, a man entered the room.
"Severus, Draco, Harry, we need to speak with you. Martina Johnson is with the Ministry of Magic's Court Division. Katherine Cook is a solicitor with MacPherson, Dickens, and Churchill. Roger Clayton is a financial advisor, planner with MacPherson, Dickens, and Churchill. Katherine and Roger are on retainer to Harry and have agreed to represent Draco as well. Martina is here to record the boys' statements as to the cause of their injuries."
Severus' eyes bulged at the mention of MacPherson, Dickens, and Churchill, one of the most prominent wizarding and muggle law firms in Europe.
"Albus, the potion!" Severus gasped.
"Madam Pomfrey is watching it. We have a meeting to attend shortly. Hagrid is coming to sit with the boys while we are at the meeting. Mrs. Johnson you may begin," Dumbledore said as Snape sighed and relaxed.
"Since we do not need any confirmation statements from Mr. Potter, we, will start with Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy, this is not a deposition, we just need the answers to a few questions before the courts can proceed," Mrs. Johnson said.
"Okay," Draco croaked.
"Mr. Malfoy, how did you sustain these injuries?" Martina asked as Cornelius Fudge entered the room
"Lucius Malfoy beat me," Draco replied flatly.
"Are you sure it was Lucius Malfoy and not Narcissa Malfoy?" Mrs. Johnson asked.
"My Mother never hurt me! She was there the last time he beat me!" Draco bellowed, a sneer creasing his face.
"All right, Mr. Malfoy. I was just confirming your statement. It was suggested to the authorities that polyjuice potions may have been involved."
"He never allowed her access to a cauldron. She never would have been able to brew it without his knowledge. You can ask Dobby, he'll tell you," Draco growled.
"I am afraid that will not be allowed, Mr. Malfoy. The word of a house-elf is not even allowed in official statements. Now I want this cleared up, so that Draco can be returned to his father as soon as he is well enough to leave," Fudge interjected.
"I am sorry Minister Fudge, but Draco Malfoy will not be returning to his father or Malfoy Manor before the end of the school year, if at all. We have already spoken with the doctors and they will not allow Draco to be returned to his father. His Honor Richard Blackwell has also issued orders preventing Lucius Malfoy from coming within two kilometres of Draco and naming Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape as his temporary guardians until a home can be found for him." Martina glared at the Minister of Magic.
"I will have to speak to Lord Blackwell, then. Good day." Fudge stormed out of the hospital room. He did not have the authority to overrule a judge's orders.
"Draco, do not worry about anything. Your mother has had accounts set up to provide you with financial security through your years at Hogwarts. Harry, you are also financially secure," Mr. Clayton informed the two boys.
"What's going to happen to my aunt, uncle, and cousin?"
"Your aunt and uncle are in prison and your cousin is in a juvenile corrections facility. You do not have to worry about your financial situation either. Your aunt and uncle received £25,000 when they accepted you into their home. They have been receiving £1,500 pounds a month to provide you with everything you needed and wanted, plus £3,000 pounds a year for birthday and Christmas presents. They used the money on their son and themselves. We have recovered all of the money. It totals £350,000 with interest and penalties added," Roger said.
Almost every jaw in the room was hanging open. After years of having nothing and being told that he was taking things away from Dudley, Harry was stunned to discover that the Dursleys had been given a small fortune to cover his expenses and had not spent anything on him.
"Harry, Draco I'm sorry to say that Severus and I must go to a meeting with Martina, Roger, and Katherine. We will return when it is over. Hello, Hagrid," Albus said as Hagrid entered the room.
"Draco, we will be back as soon as we can. Hagrid take care of my godson," Severus said before following Dumbledore from the room.
**********
Albus, Severus, Katherine, Martina, and Roger entered the conference room. Lord Richard Blackwell and a court reporter were sitting at the table. They made their way around to the far side of the table and sat down.
"Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape we will begin this hearing as soon as the other party arrives," Lord Blackwell said.
"Who are we waiting for, Lord Blackwell?" Severus asked.
"Cornelius Fudge, Lucius Malfoy, and Mr. Malfoy's solicitor Mr. Lawrence Leeds," Lord Blackwell replied as the three individuals entered the room.
They took seats across from Dumbledore, Severus, and the others.
"When do I get my son back!?!" Lucius snarled.
"Not until and if I decide to allow him to return to you. With your present attitude and tone, it will be a very long time, if ever." Lord Blackwell glared at Mr. Malfoy.
"Now, now, Lord Blackwell. Lucius is just concerned for his son," Fudge added.
"Minister, you have nothing to do with these proceedings. I have the responsibility to make sure that Draco Malfoy has a safe, secure place to live. That is my only concern."
"Forgive me, Lord Blackwell, I was only trying to avoid a confrontation," Fudge replied.
"Professor Dumbledore, have you found suitable homes to place Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in?"
"I have spoken to several families and have found one family that is willing to take both boys, at least for the time being."
Lucius sneered at Dumbledore.
"Very well. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Leeds, Mr. Fudge your presence is no longer required here. Please leave," Lord Blackwell said.
"Do something, Leeds. I want to know where my son is going. I'm his father. I have the right." Lucius growled.
"No Mr. Malfoy, you do not have that right at this moment," Lord Blackwell replied. "Draco is presently in a highly agitated and precarious state. The doctors agree that his returning to the place of abuse at this time could result in a complete breakdown and permanent psychological damage. I can not allow this. Draco will be allowed to recover at his own pace. This will occur more quickly, if he is not in the presence of his abuser."
"I did not beat my son. My wife, his mother, beat him, disguised as me," Lucius screamed.
"If that is true, sir, then I am correct in my decision. Draco will then have to come to grips with that fact and come to the realization that you did not beat him. However, placing him with you at this time will only make matters worse. If you truly did not abuse your son, then you will understand and accept that Draco will need time to come to terms with what happened."
"Will I be able to at least owl my son?"
"Yes, but please send all letters through my office."
Lucius nodded and left, the Minister of Magic and Mr. Leeds following him.
"Well, that went better than I had hoped. I expected Lucius to be much more aggressive and stubborn. Now Albus, what family have you found to take my young charges in?" Lord Blackwell asked.
"The Weasleys of course," Dumbledore replied as Snape's jaw dropped open.