Disclaimer: I own nothing! If I did, I would be sitting in a master bathroom taking a bubble bath in a big claw foot tub while writing this. Which I am not. I swear.
Chapter 1.
Severus Snape opened the front door of his manor to see Narcissa Malfoy standing there with her young son, Draco, in her arms. She had mascara running down her face, as though she had been crying. He raised his brow in suspicion.
"Hello, Severus. I need a favor," she said in a slightly shaky voice.
"Would you like to come in?" he said stepping back away from the door.
She nodded. "Thank you."
Snape shut the door behind them and motioned for her to sit down on the couch. She obliged, setting Draco down next to her. He snuggled up close against her hip, and she gave a half smile.
"Would you like some tea? I could have one of the elves—"
"No, that's quite alright, Severus. I won't be here long."
He nodded his understanding and sat across from her in his favorite leather armchair. "What is it I can do for you, then. I wouldn't want to keep you from whatever business it is you have to attend to."
She got right to the point. "I need you to watch Draco this afternoon. It shouldn't be too long, I hope, depending on….no, it shouldn't be too long," she said, a little distractedly. "Maybe until 8:00 at the latest." She looked at Snape with hopeful eyes.
He looked back at her with wide eyes. She knew, of course, that he had never sat for a child before and that he didn't particularly like children, but he looked absolutely terrified at the prospect of watching Draco.
He realized that he was staring, and he shook his head. Clearing his throat, he said, "You know, Narcissa, I would love to sit for Draco, being his godfather and all, but…you see, I have just started this new potion, and I really can't leave it alone—"
"Severus, please. It's just for the afternoon. I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't really important," she said, leaning forward.
"Yes, Narcissa, I realize that. I would love to sit for you, I really would, but my potion, you see….and I wouldn't want young Draco to be harmed in the lab," he said hurriedly, hoping the thought of harm coming to her son would be enough to make her reconsider.
They stared at each other for a moment before she blinked and turned her gaze toward her sleeping son. "Yes, I….I see, Severus. I'll just….I'll try to find…" she said, standing up and carefully removing Draco from the couch. "I'm sorry I bothered you," she said, trying to hold back tears. "I will show myself out."
She was almost to the Apparation point on Severus' drive when he called her name. She turned around to see him standing in the doorway.
"Alright," he said with a sigh. "I will watch him."
She smiled and made her way back up the walk.