Severus lifted the boy into his arms and smiled when he felt Draco relax a little. Soon enough Draco was asleep in his arms.
A/N: Not sure how this chapter is going to turn out.
"Wasn't it just a little harsh today?" Severus asked Lucius when he was sure Draco was asleep.
"You know how Draco suffers without Leo as well as I do!" Severus scolded. Lucius just snorted.
"It's about tome the boy learned to deal with things like this" Severus counted to 10 in his head before continuing. "He's only 5 for Merlin's sake!" Lucius slammed his muggle coffee mug on the table and glared at the other man.
"Severus, you're being too kind on the boy" he hissed in the other man's face. "Tomorrow, I expect you to act like a proper tutor; I will not tolerate disobedience from a child!" A wicked smile wormed its way onto Lucius' mouth as he spoke.
"Yes Lucius" Severus muttered, feeling like he was back at school.
"Oh and Severus, tomorrow, I would like you to start teaching Draco basic manners." Lucius smirked again making Severus feel sick. He nodded and trudged up the three flights of stairs to his room on the third floor, opposite Draco's room.
Severus awoke at 6:00 AM. He bathed and dressed and was ready at 6:50 for Lucius' prompt breakfast at 7:00AM. Severus made his way calmly down the stairs to the ground floor, running his hand over the mahogany banister as he went. He sat down in one of the plush dining chairs and read the paper until Lucius arrived. The proud blonde arrived just as the clock struck seven. He gave a quick nod and resumed his place at the head of the long table. Severus was seated at the right corner of Lucius where he usually did and Lucius' wife Narcissa, sat on the left. Narcissa had been away on one of her trips to France that she enjoyed so much, whether it was to get away from Lucius or Draco, Severus was not sure. Lucius stood up and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "How lovely to see you again my dear, how was the trip?" he asked her.
Narcissa rambled on about how nice it was there, how amazing the high quality shops were and how spectacular the view was. Halfway during her ramble, the double doors opened at Draco came through. He looked tired and dishevelled. He walked with a limp, grimacing as he went. The five year old clambered up onto the high chair of the dining room at the opposite end to his father. He was roughly about seven or eight chairs away from Severus. Lucius was the first to speak.
"You really should put more effort into your appearance Draco, what if we had guests?" he sneered.
"Sorry Sir" Lucius frowned slightly before finishing up his breakfast.
Draco left the room first, leaving Severus and Lucius alone.
"So Severus, I trust you have a series of exercises for Draco today." Lucius said casually. Severus's throat tightened, but nodded anyway.
"Good" Lucius nodded seeming satisfied. Severus excused himself from the table and went off in search of Draco. He found the boy in his room clutching Leo like it was his only chance of survival. The older man's heart melted again at the sight of the boy. He bent down and stroked the boy's cheek with one of his bony hands in which he hoped was a comforting way.
"Lesson's start in five minutes." Severus whispered gently. "Why don't you get ready? I'll be back in a moment" Draco nodded but did not make any effort to move. Severus walked briskly to his room next door and brought out; several thick heavy books, a couple of empty glasses. At that moment Lucius popped his head through the door.
"Ah Severus, about those lessons..." he stepped forward into Severus' room.
"You might need this, Draco can be very disobedient, I expect you to use it." He smirked, handing Severus a long black leather belt. Severus stared at the belt in horror, it was worn from use. Lucius nodded and left the room, leaving Severus alone. He felt sick; he would never hit a child! He plodded back to Draco's room. He found sitting on the bed, looking at him intently. Severus hid the belt in his trouser pocket and forgot about it.
"Today, Draco, you will be practising, walking straight, with your head straight. All Malfoy's have mastered this skill, so you should have no trouble with it" Draco's lip quavered, by he nodded. The books were heavy on his head and he kept dropping them on the floor. Severus was thankful Lucius wasn't here to see this disaster.
Unfortunately, Lucius had decided to see how progress was coming along. He made a tutting noise in the back of his throat in disappointment. "This is the time when you use this!" Lucius reached into Severus' back pocket, where the belt was hanging out of. He cracked the belt on the floor, grinning like a mad man, before quite abruptly; slapping the unsuspecting boy with is sharply. Draco's sharp cry of pain, made Severus flinch.
"Now, it's your turn" Lucius said, handing the worn belt over to Severus.
"I – I – I can't" he stuttered, eyes transfixed on the belt. Lucius' eyes narrowed.
"Just remember who's paying you" he hissed dangerously. Severus gulped...
A/N: What will Severus do? Will he hit Draco for the money? Or will he not? Review and tell me what you think :)
