Chapter 3
Draco put the last book away and stopped to look around his new room, noting it was only slightly smaller than his room…no, he corrected himself, this was his room now. So it was only slightly smaller than his old room at Malfoy Manner.
The loss of his parents hit him again, hard and he felt his eyes begin to tear up. Furiously he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, refusing to cry. Deciding he needed something to do, he headed downstairs.
Draco looked over at his guardian's office door and found it closed, sighing he headed for the kitchen. Though not truly hungry, at least eating would give him something to do. Draco entered the kitchen and stood, waiting, before sighing loudly. No House Elves. Draco hesitated, unsure of what to do. Sighing again he turned and left the kitchen and headed into the library.
Entering the room, he breathed deeply, the familiar fragrance of old leather, paper and binding made him feel comfortable and brought back memories of happier times. Draco whirled around as a voice spoke behind him,
"Draco? Are you all right?"
Draco spun around to find Severus Snape standing behind a massive wooden desk, holding a book in one hand and putting his wand away with the other. Forcing himself to relax, Draco said,
"Of course Professor. I was just looking for something to read."
Severys sat back down and slowly re-opened his book, watching his god-son the entire time.
"All Right, Draco…help yourself to any book you like."
Casting a glance at Severus, Draco smirked as he said,
"Even restricted ones, Professor?"
Severus raised an eyebrow and answered in the same manner,
"Of course, Draco. I do not believe that ay true knowledge should be withheld. Knowledge is power and possessing knowledge is it's own protection." Draco watched Severus, his face a calm, neutral canvas as Severus continued, "Of course, I can not imagine your possessing a desire to study with school so recently let out. There are a number of simple enjoyment books in that section" and he pointed behind Draco to a section of bookcases with colorful spines.
Draco hesitated, looking at the bookcase, and then walked over to sit across from Severus and said,
"Why did they do it, Sev?"
Sighing, Severus re-closed his book and placed it on his desk, admitting to himself he was buying some time. He began to answer, then stopped and said,
"So as to avoid answering the wrong question, Draco, I assume that "they" are your parents, correct?"
Silently Draco nodded, watching Severus and Severus went on,
"As to the act, are you referring to the most recent action, or a past one?"
Draco gave it a moments thought before saying,
"Both, I think. Why did they leave me and why did they choose him?"
Severus sighed and stood up, coming around the desk to lean on it next to Draco as he said,
"Draco, Lucius and Narcissa love you very much. Doing what they are doing now hurts them deeply, but do they must in order to protect you" Severus raised his hand to prevent any questions as he continued, "No, Draco, you asked in your own manner, allow me to answer in mine."
Draco nodded nad Severus continued,
"As to why they made their past choices, that issue is complicated. Back then, we were so young, so naïve. We thought The Dark Lord was offering us a future free of conflict, a future where our world was separate from the Muggle world. Honestly , I can't remember that far back specifically what we truly wanted, except the power to control our own lives. In retrospect, that was a foolish dream, considering our choices.
But Draco, the long and the short of it is we made our choices and they were wrong choices; but you making them pay for those choices is simply unacceptable."
Draco sighed, getting to his feet and beginning to pace restlessly,
"But there had to be another way, Sev…other than getting themselves killed and leaving me alone."
Despite Draco's jerky pacing, it was relatively easy for Severus to capture him by the shoulders nad foirce him to stand still. Severus looked into Draco's tortured eyes and said, firmly,
"Draco, you are NOT alone…and so long as I have anything to say about it you will not be alone."
Draco looked up at Severus sincere eyes and nodded, but in his own mind, he doubted his guardian's ability to control destiny to keep that promise.