Disclaimer: I obviously don't own it. It's all for fun.

Summary: This is a response to the fanfiction challenge at Third Floor Corridor. What happened when Severus and Draco escaped from Hogwarts? Events are set in motion that will either save Severus or get him killed. No Slash. HBP compliant.

Mak is of course my beta; who is amazing.

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Fighting For His Freedom

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They had apparated so quickly he hadn't had time to really know what was going on. His eyes widened in shock as he saw where he was. They were in, what he assumed to be, a muggle neighborhood. Draco turned to his professor and was about to make a rude comment when he realized the man beside him looked very uneasy. Draco had never seen Severus Snape show any emotions other than cold indifference or anger.

Severus was thinking about what had transpired and knew his life was over. No one would forgive him for killing Albus Dumbledore and he deserved that, he told himself. Tucking his wand into his pocket he quickly took off his robe and told Draco to do the same.

Once Draco had complied he asked where they were. "My home," Severus replied. "Come," he said as he started to walk quickly down the street.

Draco really was in shock now. Severus lived in a muggle house. He was starting to wonder about the man beside him. Draco noticed "the look" was back on his face and that he shouldn't ask something too stupid before they reached their destination.

Walking up to a small house Severus pulled out a key and unlocked the door. Draco really didn't know what to think now. He lives in a hole! "You live here?" he asked in shock. Severus glared at Draco before he looked out the window.

"Yes," was his terse reply. Satisfied no one was around he turned to Draco. "I truly am sorry this isn't as lavish as Malfoy Manor," he hissed in a mock apology.

"Hmph," Draco replied, folding his arms and sinking angrily into the couch.

Severus ignored him and strode into the kitchen to pour his self a stiff drink. Drinking it in one unsteady gulp he poured another before dealing with the ungrateful brat sulking in his living room. The first drink took the edge off a little; enough to deal with Draco, he thought as he walked back to the living room.

Settling into his favorite chair he simply looked at Draco who was glaring at him. "A temper-tantrum is unbecoming of someone your age," Severus stated.

"Why did you do it?" Draco asked avoiding Severus's eyes.

"Does it matter? What's done is done." Severus took a sip of his drink as he awaited Draco's reaction.

"Well, it…"

"You could not do it Draco. I had to do it to save us both."

"It didn't save you, did it?"

Sighing heavily Severus replied, "From the Dark Lord it did."

"You hope," Draco said bravely.

Little bugger is too smart for his own good, Severus thought.

"They will flay you alive for it," Draco continued.

Severus gave Draco a dark look. "I know what will happen to me because of it you little shit!"

Draco was about to respond when there was a knock on the door. Severus rose quickly from his chair and walked to the door. He opened it slightly and Draco couldn't hear the hushed conversation. Severus opened the door just enough to let the visitor in. Once the door was closed the hooded guest took off their hood.

Draco jumped up and ran straight into his mother's opened arms. He clung to her and she ran a trembling hand through her son's hair. Narcissa gave Severus a grateful look over Draco's shoulder. He simply nodded and walked away to start a fire.

Draco pulled away from his mother, looked down in shame said, "Mum, I just couldn't do it."

Narcissa took his chin in her hand and made him look her in the eyes. "It's alright son; you shouldn't have been given such a task." She checked her boy over to see if he was injured.

"What happened?" she asked as she guided him to the couch.

"The headmaster knew I couldn't do it. He told me he knew and that I was better than that. Then Professor Snape stormed in and he….he killed him," Draco finished in a whisper.

Narcissa gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, looking at Severus with wide eyes. "Oh Severus," she said sadly. Narcissa was one of the few people who knew Severus well. The old headmaster had come to mean something to Severus and she knew it must be tearing him up inside. She stood and crossed the room to her friend, who was leaning against the mantle staring contemplatively into the fire. She pulled him into a hug he didn't return.

Draco looked on shellshocked as his mother embraced his professor. Draco was surprised Severus didn't push her away and was glad that he didn't return the gesture. He didn't really respect his father right now but it made him slightly angry to see his mother embracing another man. He watched as Severus laid his chin on Narcissa's head. His eyes were closed and Draco could see the agonizing look on the man's face. From afar he could hear his mother whisper, "I'm so sorry Severus." When he didn't respond she pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Thank you for saving Draco from this. I know this will not make your life any easier but know that Draco and I will help you as much as we can. "

"My life has never been easy Narcissa," Severus said seriously.

"What happens now?" Draco interrupted.

"You and your mother will go into hiding," Severus replied as he walked away from Narcissa. Severus looked back to see two sets of eyes looking at him in shock.

"We can't!" Narcissa exclaimed.

"You will," Severus said sternly. "Draco will be punished because of his failure. You know this Narcissa; even you will be punished. You must be gone before I am summoned."

"Where will we go?" Draco asked. He knew his professor was right. The man in front of him was going to be punished anyways and he didn't want to be responsible for more pain he would possibly sustain.

"You two will have to travel with limited use of magic and stay away from the magical world as much as possible."

The two Malfoy's didn't like that idea one bit but knew they had to do it. "You must take on new identities and change your appearances."

"Whatever you say Severus," Narcissa said.

"Good. Now, I need you both to seal that in an Unbreakable Vow." Severus knew he was asking a lot but Narcissa owed him big time and if things worked out they would end up saving him.

"Very well, Draco go ahead," Narcissa said giving him a nod.

Draco gave one look to his mother before walking up to Severus. He took Severus's hands and Narcissa pulled out her wand; waiting for Severus to begin.

"Draco, do you swear to remain away from the wizarding world until I give you the signal to return?" Severus asked looking at him in the eyes.

"I will," he replied as his mother waved her wand over them.

"Will you promise to remain incognito until I give you the signal?"

"I will." Narcissa waved her wand again.

Severus released Draco's hands, who switched placed with his mother. Severus asked Narcissa the same two questions. She was about to stand up when Severus squeezed her hands, stilling her. "Draco put a silencing charm over us." Severus said staring straight into Narcissa's eyes.

Draco looked at her; she simply nodded her head. Draco cast the charm and watched silently as Severus spoke to Narcissa. He desperately wanted to read Severus's lips but didn't; he felt he at least owed privacy to the man who saved him from becoming a murderer. Draco saw his mother's eyes widen and her mouth drop open. For a long moment Narcissa gazed at Severus before saying those two words.

Draco waved his wand over their hands. Severus asked another question and Narcissa replied immediately. Draco waved his wand again then removed the charm. Severus stood and walked into his bedroom. Narcissa followed, wanting to speak with Severus about the vow. The door closed in Draco's face and he heard his mother throw up a silencing charm angrily. Whatever the two were discussing it wasn't meant for him to hear. It didn't matter; he would get the necessary information from his mother in time.

Twenty minutes later Narcissa rushed out of Severus's room. "We must leave now Draco!" Draco followed his mother and saw Severus stride out of his room with his robe on and a mask in his hand. Draco knew they were leaving and that Severus was being summoned. Narcissa looked out the window cautiously before closing the curtains shut. "It looks clear," she said looking at Severus.

He opened the door and let Draco and Narcissa exit before he locked the door. The trio walked down the street before crossing and going into a wooded area. Narcissa looked at Severus and said, "Stay safe." He simply nodded his head and replied, "Don't fail me Narcissa. My life depends on it." Before she could say anything else he apparated away.

Draco just looked at his mother as she pulled out an old sock from her pocket. Draco took hold of it and in thirty seconds they were whisked away.

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This is a one-shot but if there is interest I will continue it. I wrote it so that I could write more but I won't do it unless people review and ask for it to go on. Let me know what you think either way. Thanks!