Hi everyone I am back. I won't explain here because I think we should get on with the story.
OoOo
There were three more Aurors outside the room. Everyone filled out and the twelve guards closed in. The space was rather empty. There were a few small benches scattered about as this was a reception and arrival room. The alcove for apparition and Floo were off to the left side of the exit doors. Harry moved over to his wife. Reaching out she took him in her arms and pressed her into his shoulder.
"I don't want to do this."
His mouth was pressed into her hear and muffled his words, "I know my love yet we need to if asked. I hate the idea of being the one with the power over another but at least I have you to keep me back."
"You are not your Uncle. You will be everything he was incapable of being."
"Shall we escort the Goblin out now Minister?"
"No Capitan Eyer. We will need him to oversee the final signing of the banking papers should the enslavements be consented to." Mrs. Hashly stated with a solemnity that Draco had never heard before.
Bill smiled a little. Though the woman had done little to recommend herself in that room she clearly did not need a reminder of what she could and could not do. Steering Daphne by the shoulder he found his way to Fleur.
With a touch to much joviality that caused harry to flash a glare as the Minister announced, "Well, let us be off. Capitan send someone a head and let them know that we are coming."
Capitan Eyer snapped a look at one of the younger looking and very familiar men, "Macmillan go quickly now."
With a swift smile the man turned and ran from the reception area with lighter than expected footfall he disappeared down the hall that they all at a slower pace walked towards.
"Come we shouldn't keep them waiting."
"Eager to punish us Mr. Hearhome?"
Daphne couldn't keep it in any longer. She was sick of a man that her father had considered a friend to be so cruel. Alan Hearhome whipped round. His robe spiraling out. Bill gripped her shoulder hard sending pain though her body.
"Ow"
"I assume she will be punished the moment you are officially her master?"
"Yes."
The answer was as tight as the grip he had on her shoulder. He had spent years moving packs of materials needed for cures breaking and climbing though broken tombs. He had admittedly underestimated his strength and the thinness of her body. Still he did not let up; he wanted her to feel the pain if only to silence her. Sharply he forced her to face him.
"Daphne you need to stay quiet and if I am made your master I will be forced to make you answer for this."
"I say she be silenced before we go any further. What do you think Lord Longbottom?"
With a swiftness that seemed normal Neville shut down the line of thought.
"She is not a slave yet Alan. She has signed the preliminary finical transfer documents it is true and the display in there was only the likely beginning. But until the vote she is still the Lady of house Greengrass though she is under the equivalent of house arrest and detainment and bond."
That shook Daphne to the core. She had been in fear all night only now to learn that she could have gone home and seen her family one more time. That she could have held her sister and shown them that she was okay. Yes there would have been the inconvenient factor that Bill would have been needed but if one could get past that she would have been home.
"What she says or does right now may require sensor but I can tell you that you have no right to demand her punishment. It would not do well to walk in there with her gaged."
Tuning Neville looked very closely at the woman and continued in the same mild tone. "I know that we had nothing to do with one another at school and you have little motivation to listen to me but I need to stress to you that antagonizing the situation is only going to make this process worse for you. Bill is a reasonable man and I am sure Alan would find it in his heart to not push the matter if it stops now but keep on this road and you will be putting a great deal of harm out on everyone. I ask that you please do everything in your power to not make this more painful."
Leaning closer. "We don't have the votes to save any of you assuredly. We need to convince a few more to go against this."
Struggling to hold back the tears she nodded her head. The hat had been right she really should have gone to Gryffindor. She knew she could be cunning but the trauma of first seeing Ron's leer followed by Ginny's kindness to Arthur's sympathy then being dumped a Bill's and now this. She almost wished she was back in the cells because that fear she had at least come to terms with.
"I am sorry I spoke without thinking."
After few beats more they lurched en masse back on track and Neville moved causally back to the minister's wake. Alan glared once more before setting off to join the minister and his second in command. The walk was quick enough and soon they were all getting in one of the garish gold elevators
"We will be going to courtroom 10. I think you have been there before Lord Potter." Announced Alan Hearhome.
"I have though I do not remember that room fondly."
"Well perhaps you will feel differently today. There have been many renovations made to it over the last few years. That is why we have been meeting in room 7 for the last little bit. Today is the first day we will be back in our home."
Getting out on the level Daphne knew that they were not far. A short walk and one more staging ground to go.
Severus moved behind Lord Potter. The man walked arm in arm with his wife. The field of purple danced with the crest of A Lilly flower underlined by two lightning bolts felt almost alive. He wondered at the crest it was not the one he remembered for House Potter. There had been a time when it had been a crest of the poppy above the sea. There was so much he realized he didn't know about his almost guaranteed master.
The stone was not so warm here and the place was grand and had been enlarged to show off even more. The space and cold grandeur shot through with dusty purple veins that made all look in low in comparison except for the Wizingamot robes which were highlighted. The arch of the granite stretched above and made Daphne feel small. She looked at the back of Bill. He was dressed in the dark maroon of his house but lacked the over robe that Harry and Hermione had.
She disliked being so close to so many Aurors but it couldn't be helped as she swiftly followed the group. Had it been her choice she would have been further up with Draco and Severus but they were walking quickly behind Harry and Hermione and she had been shuffled to the back. The anger that still simmered in her was so close to the surface. Every fiber bent in rage at the thought of having to stand and take the accusations of the Great Families that she was personally familiar with in many ways.
Neville felt the deep thrum of the ministry wards. They were close and he was listening to the power of that stone turning the lines over as they walked. He had never assumed that he would have such an affinity for the work of runes but here he was. The clattering made by their group should have echoed and resounded on the stone but did not. Deveron led them down to courtroom 10.
Just before the last set of bends right were Daphne and Harry and Hermione knew it would Neville stopped and the group came to a halt.
"Minister?"
With that he stepped back and all eyes fell on the minister.
"Right yes this is how it will work. There will be three rounds of voting one for each of the confirmation or rejection of enslavement. It will be a simple yes no vote. We will tell them what you will be allowed to do and clarify any points then the vote. There will be a limit of no less than 30 minutes and no more the 60 for any discussion unless it is deemed that a question would need a fuller answer. You are allowed to vote Daphne which means you will need your wand back."
At this Bill pulled her wand from inside his undetectable extendable wand holster that was strapped to his thigh.
"I would caution using that right."
"Before we set off I think we should explain for those that may not have been here before how the room is laid out."
"Oh, yes Neville very right. So there is the main exit/entrance and that is where we will be coming in. The voting members have several entrances afforded to them. On your left will be the public gallery and that covers one half of the room. There are multiple security wards and most of the Auror core will be monitoring that side. The speaking floor has a Sonorous charm on it so you can be heard all about without shouting. The witness gallery along with the press gallery and the support staff will be directly opposite of the entrance. The Left side is for the houses to sit in. The Great houses are along the lower levels with main ministry officials in the first two rows. The voting members that are not great house are on the upper levels."
"Master Law Bearer Griphook I have made sure that you will have a seat next to me in the administration section." Said Mrs. Hashly.
Griphook only nodded his head once and Bill had to admit the lady was coming along. Maybe she had simply not needed this level of protocol in a while and that was why she had put in such a bad showing before.
Severus found the whole thing very rushed and quite insufficient. He knew how to give good instructions even in a rushed moment. He had little knowledge of the Minister so he could not say if the man was really this absent minded or it was just front.
A swell of noise welled up though the hall. Serverus's wrinkled his nose in annoyance. Did they really not have the muting ward already in place? He glanced up for just a moment and managed to catch Neville glaring at Hearhome. The voices of the full Wizangamot, press and public reverberated and pounded. So the man had not fully activated the security wards. As they entered the roar of nose that tidal waived over them at their entrance causing Mrs. Hashly to slightly flinch.
Draco felt the noise of the wards blowing apart. He looked his mother how she was bent clutching her head. The assault was violent and even as the fall back holder he felt the pounding assault in his head.
"Mother give me control! Hurry."
The full force of the ward control slammed into him. Rapidly he began activating the fallback wards. He had always been a stellar student but he was not convinced that he would be able to get everything up quickly enough. Whoever was out there was skilled and there was more than one. The wards even in their shattered state were still trying to hold their shape. It was no use they were coming to quickly.
"Feather!"
The last house elf they had popped into existence.
"Take Mother away and guard her. Do not seek me. As commander of the wards do it now."
A sharp blink and the elf was off to his mother. "Dra-"and they were gone. He turned to the business of rapidly sealing the house and the rooms that ought not to be entered. He could not hold them back so instead focused on the table his wand and hand rapidly tracing runes in the air. His mind pounding along the house line slamming doors shut and sealing them with his blood right.
Neville activated the ward the Alan had conveniently forgotten to wrenching Draco out of the memory.
Bill looked up the where his father sat though he did not go to join his father in the right hand place. Instead he slogging followed the guard across the floor to the first four benches sat to the voting lords' right. He hated that the press were sitting so close to them. They sat just behind the galleries they were being lead to. There would be no privacy today. Every look and word was going to be analyzed. Behind them were the pages and assistance's to various offices and people in a few cases.
Swiftly Bill pulled Fleur into the first row. He wanted as much space between him and the press as he could manage. Daphne quickly followed, not just because she felt that that was a good look but she too wanted as much separation from the press as possible.
Harry meanwhile had slowly walked up to his seat. He was not that far off the floor sitting in the 5 level and close to the stairs. The stone was firm underfoot. A few members leaned out to say various things. He couldn't bear to look about so he kept his eyes dead and walked without sight to his seat.
Daphne looked at him with an intense amount of masked jealousy. Her seat was only one level further up and along the stars that ran next to the entrance. She wanted to be up there; in all truth she could simply go up there; she was under house arrest but not yet legally bound. Until then she could still stand in her house's place.
Draco had softly followed the lady of his dreams. He saw her looking up and the rigidness of her back. He thought about saying something to her but the closeness of the press stilled him.
"Sit Draco we have enough room."
He sat quickly. Then he noticed that Severus was not on the same bench. He could only assume that the man was just behind him alone at the back of the gallery. Severus sat a rigidly. It was strange to be sitting when such trouble was coming down. Had this been Voldemort he would have been on his knees with his head thrown back so as to allow the man to enter his mind at any time. He of course would never let the man in but he had made the best show ever of doing so.
Lady Bones stood. After the war and a bit of recuperation she had taken back her old mantel of head of law enforcement. She had sadly not been able to call back the use of her office and its resources from hunting those who were innocent and seeking peace in new lives. These three were the hopefully enough sacrificial lambs that would take out the anger and rage and sate the populace. She had at least one that battle over taking these three out of the new life they should have had.
"There shall be order in the court. I declare that this judgment is open and that all right and rules shall be respected and followed or the violator shall face the full censure of the court. The process shall be thus. First we shall spend 2 minutes ahead of each trial covering what the terms of that proposed enslavement shall look like both financiallyand physically. The first to be addressed shall be one Severus Snape and the matter of if he shall be given over to slavery under Lord Harry Potter. The second case shall address if one scion Draco Malfoy shall be given over into Slavery under Lady Hermione Potter. The third case shall decide if Daphne Greengrass Head of House Greengrass shall be given over into slavery. Head of Weasley has elected to invoke his head of house rights and pass the ownership of one Lady Greengrass to William Weasley. Each trial shall be given no less than 30 minutes and no more than one hour unless it is deemed that more time be taken. At the peal of the bell the floor shall open on the two minutes the next peal will start Severus Snape's case proper. All the rules of the court will be in effect and no quarter given to those that would disrupt these proceedings." With that she raised her hand and the ministry ward pealed a low mournful bong.
Almost at once Lord Shton stood up and quickly took to the floor. "I think the first question I think should be answered is what the present armament that they arrived here by is. They seemed very subservient already. Has the minister taken the route of convicting and holding trial after?"
"No Lord Shton I have not. It was recommended that the families take care of the house arrest and control of these till today. They were not however delivered into the houses control till late yesterday."
"Who's recommendation?"
Shton was known to be less then magnanimous to the minister. He was old enough to see that the man was not always as kind or stupid as he looked.
The minister looked hard at the Lord. "As minister under the founding rules I am bound to protect those in the Auror department that come to me in confidence. Do you have any thoughts on the situation of the accused?"
"How is he to be bound? How are they all to be bound?"
At this Neville stood. "The bond that has been chosen for all of them is Bellazar's binding with the spell being altered to have an end date component. The addition of this end date component means that some of the nature of the spell is weaker. The bond does not allow the master to closely monitor slave's mood or will. This also will negate the full truth component though it will prompt that the truth is a desirable thing."
Before he could continue House Tannor cut in.
"What are the financial armaments for Snape?"
Shton acknowledged to speaker change and retreated from the floor. Neville remained standing and took the question.
"All assets that belong to the Snape and Prince fortunes will be acquired by Lord Potter and fall directly under his control. There are limits that will exist in accordance with Gringotts law and under the temporary binding nature specific actions that may not be made to ancestral property that are defined under the temporary enslavement acts of 1365 updated in1552 again in 1869 which is that last time the code was updated and therefor will be used to define actionable items. Those items may be used but must be left in serviceable condition."
"I think we would all like to know what Gringotts law? We are not in the Goblin nation."
"No but we bank with them and therefore any money they move about must be done in accordance with their law. In this case upon gaining his freedom Lord Potter must agree that Mr. Snape will be provide with five years' worth of liquid assets that would be enough to sustain life. We have also surpassed time and therefore we shall no move to the direct case of to enslave or not enslave Severus Snape."
Thus finishing his speech Neville smoothly sat down and waited. There was a lull as the various houses fell into personal conversation. It was strange to see such swirling of mood. Severus hid behind a blank mask. Looking at the back of Draco's head he wondered if anyone would stand and come to his defense. He resisted the temptation to stand and defend himself and prayed that he would not be asked to the floor. Embedded in the low wall the separated the galleries from the speaking floor the hourglasses ticked down.
Across from the Lords and behind a no active muffling spell the observer gallery was alive with conversation. The Wesley's were an obvious pack sitting high and to the far left away from the main door. Ron was firmly tucked between his mother and Gorge. He would be needed in due time but Arthur had again invoked his power to keep his son under guard.
Ginny sat directly behind him her wand hidden in the fold of her skirt. She knew that Ron was suffering from the fallout of the war. He had changed and seemed to be no going back.
Further up the risers almost hidden in the corner was Dowager Greengrass and Astoria. Both had wanted to come they had taken great pains to arrive with as little fanfare as possible and were trying very hard to blend in with the wall. Astoria was still unhappy with Daphne over her pulling her from Hogwarts. There was, she admitted her sister had reason to be afraid. There had been many things that had gone wrong and now there seemed to be no way to fix most of them.
Severus kept his eyes fixed on the hourglass's as the almost certain last dregs of freedom slid by.
"I think we should hear from the man that we are all talking about."
Snapping his head a quarter turn Severus felt the world fall out from under himself at Arthur's voice. Why could the man not allow him to quietly fall. The time a flown by so fast that there were mere minutes left. He understood that the man was acting only in what he thought was a good way. Arthur was incapable of malice. He was only a through and through Gryffindor and a Gryffindor would of course get up and defend himself.
Harry only just restrained the sigh of annoyance that threatened to come out. This was not the time to drag a man that was all but condemned into the spotlight. He knew there were not enough votes to stay the process and the grater fear was that he would be forced to speak on the subject. He had no love for this and wanted it over with.
"Mr. Snape please come to the floor."
Lady Bones was not happy. She had known the man long enough and was by this point astute enough to know this would be impossible for the man.
Rising he walked out the Grey clothing unfamiliar and the surroundings disorienting. He considered on what to say and so stood still for a moment eyes lowered.
"I know you want me to have the opportunity to defend myself Lord Weasley yet..."
He was not going to go any further. What point was there? They would not listen and more importantly he wanted no one's pity and no one's involvement in his feelings. He had had enough explaining of his feelings to last many life times. Enough violation of his personal space and almost assuredly soon he would have someone that he could not lie to.
Resolutely he stood with his arms crossed almost daring any to try. Clearly Arthur had taken the hint as he did nothing more than look hopelessly down on the man and let Lady Bones return him to his seat after a few painful minutes with her next words.
"Thank you Mr. Snape. As it is time to vote I must ask that you clear the floor. I do not think that we need more time and so after 30 minutes I bring this matter to a vote. You all know the actions needed so to you the Wizangamot I charge you vote with clear minds."
High clear chimes began to ring one peal cascading over another. Daphne felt her wand in her hand. She thought about casting a vote. It was still her power. Gently she lifted the wand and while thinking her vote. A chime indistinguishable from the rest carried her vote on. A lower bell sounded telling that half the votes were cast. The chimes continued to ring with less and less speed before the last few died and no more came save the toll that said all votes had been cast.
"I now close the voting on the matter of Severus Snape being bound into service of Lord Harry potter."
Glancing down she paused a moment to let the magic of the room tally the votes.
"Of the 78 voting houses 50 voted in favor 20 voted against and 8 abstained from the vote. If I may please have Lord Potter and Severus and Master Law Bearer Griphook come to the floor for the binding."
Reluctantly Harry stood. He was angry. He wanted nothing to do with the man that had made his life a living hell. 'I am not my uncle' he chanted in his mind. The rage at the people around him blinded him. Fifty had voted to convict. This did not bode well for the next two rounds. For if the man that was seen as most heroic in the eyes of the public was convicted by such a margin then what would happen to the children of two Death Eaters? They had had many more assurances than the present 20 that they would vote against the enslavement. People had either lied or been persuaded to be in favor of the binding. He was going to find out who.
Waving her had a small table appeared next to Madam Bones and the Goblin lost no time in swiftly laying out the finical documents.
"Sign here Mr. Snape." He said while pointing at a specific place at the end of the document.
Not being familiar with the Goblin Severus did not immediately sign. He felt no concern that the document was anything less then what had been agreed upon. It would be foolishness to sign without at least checking things over, especially in light of the fact that he would not be able to authorize or prevent any changes for the next 5 years.
As everything was in order. Hiding his unhappiness Severus signed.
"Thank you Sr. now you Lord Potter."
Harry signed the offered document without reading. He knew Griphook well and was certain that the document was in order. His breath ever so slightly unsteady he straitened and felt the old wounds in his back flaring. Even with the best medicine and magic it could not take away all the pain that came from those beatings as a child. The pain was always there.
Turning to Severus Harry spoke directly to him, "I promise that I will do my best to be fair to you and I want you to know that you will not risk death or maiming by me while in my house.
Speaking with deep regret Madam Bones held out her hand, "Now just the binding left. I will need you to surrender your wand Mr. Snape."
"He hasn't got it, I still have it."
"Oh then we shall go ahead then. Lord Potter please point your wand at him and read this paper out loud."
"Adiuro Severus Snape ad servitium…"
Severus closed his eyes pleading one last time to the gods that his not happen. This would be a far more binding act then when he had served the Dark Lord. There he could have fled and been fine. Oh yes he admitted he would have spent the rest of his life checking over his shoulder but otherwise fine.
"…me Domine Potter enim tempus quinque annorum."
A soft golden light spread from the tip of his wand a smoothly snaked over Snape's body when it reached his head it shot back at Harry.
Then it was over and Harry shivered slightly as he felt a muted set of feelings in his mind that were not his. It was disconcerting and he struggled to shut them off. Severus did not really feel that different. Looking at his now master he say that the young man was struggling to focus and seemed to be turned inward. He didn't know how to interact with him without antagonizing the man. Should he reach out and steady the man or let him be. Why did such a raw and vulnerable moment need to be carried out here in the public eye?
"Master, would you like to return to your seat?"
Severus kept his voice low to try and preserve the privacy that he felt the moment deserved. The whole room heard anyway.
"Yes but I don't want your help. Come."
The anger that simmered underneath the words stung though who the sting was directed at Severus wasn't sure.
Hermione observed the trauma that Harry was taking on. She knew he was going to suffer some horrific nightmares tonight. Now it was here turn to be put through hell. It was almost enough to make her want to call for a recess but the sooner this was gotten over with the sooner they could all leave and she could see to her husband.
Severus slowly followed Lord Potter back up the steps. When they reached the set he stood in a small lowered alcove that existed behind the chair. Folding himself inwards he tried to keep his feelings placid and still. Harry was meanwhile trying to shut off the emotional connection between himself and his servant. It was distressing to feel his sadness and anger being compounded by that of his servant. Although he knew that it was misplaced he wanted to strike the man if only to get it to stop.
"Again at the peal of the bell the floor shall open on the two minutes to discuss any finical arrangement in regards to scion Draco Malfoy. After that we will start scion Draco Malfoy's case proper. All the rules of the court will be in effect and no quarter given to those that would disrupt these proceedings." With that she raised her hand and the ministry ward pealed a low mournful bong.
Then Lady Malfoy rose. Draco felt the world fall away and now more than ever he wished that his father had not been the bastard he had been and taken the punishment like a man. Why was he being forced to deal with the fallout? Though he knew that he would rather it be him then his mother. She had deserved so much better. Coming down to the floor she looked right at the minister.
"What are the financial arrangements? Should I start packing my things?"
Neville waited to see if any wanted to take the question but none did so with a small sigh he stood again.
"Lady Malfoy the arrangement is that half the fortune will go with Draco along with any business holding or property excluding Malfoy manor."
"How is he to be treated during his enslavement?
"He will suffer not permanent harm my Lady and will receive the five years sustaining income. Due to the business and investment interests the law of actionable items will also be in effect. We have now reached time My Lady if you could return to your seat."
Nodding she did and then everyone waited. This time there was no sudden leap of lord or lady. The hall seemed to wait choosing to look either at Narcissa Malfoy or at Draco and Daphne without making to horribly obvious that they there waiting for one of them to crack first.
It was with some shock that Ginny chose to raise her wand and signal that she wanted to speak.
"I see we have a request from the public gallery. I recognize your request and allow you to enter the floor." Madam Bones called.
Ginny stood and her mother gave her an agonized look though she did not see it. Instead she was focused on shuffling most of the length of the bench and getting to the main stairs to take the floor. All around her she heard murmurs of get him and destroy the boy. Harry felt an uptick in worry and closed his eyes willing these other emotion to go away. He internally debated stupefying the man just so that he could have some peace.
An Auror brought down the barrier at the entrance to the floor and for one moment the noise of the spectators pored though with her. Then it stopped and all that could be heard was the softest swish of her maroon skirt. Coming to the middle she looked over at Draco and then back to the houses.
"Thank you Madam Bones. As you know I was harmed by Malfoy senior in my first year at Hogwarts. I think I should have some say on this family as judgment is passed."
More to handle her nerves and to keep her voice strong she slowly started to pace.
"I saw Draco at many points during my schooling, much of the recommendation that he made of himself was not positive to those outside his house and sphere. In the time after school and with coming to know his fiancée a bit better I can say that Draco is less like his father then I once would have thought."
She walked closer to the gallery and looked Draco in the eye for a long moment before turning back to the houses.
"I did not have the luxury of appreciating how much he had to bend to his father and to Greengrass senior. I would like to see him exonerated and allowed to take up his place in society again and show you all what I have seen in private."
Harry was blindsided by the whiplash emotions of his slave. It was amazingly disorienting.
Draco felt the world wobble around him. A Gryffindor with as strong a background as hers and more than enough reasons to dislike the name Malfoy coming to his defense. Had they all gone mad? If anyone he had expected her to be condemning him. He wanted to thank her to hug her. She had spoken for him and it he hoped would be enough to turn the tide back. Maybe he would be able to walk out of here a free man and the incarceration and fear would be in his past. He could reforge the Malfoy name.
Daphne felt an unbidden spark of hope. She quickly tied to distance herself from it. She wondered if she should get to her feet and speak. Then after a moment decided that it was a bad idea. The hope she felt would only be dampened by her words. As much as it sucked they needed heroes, this was Gryffindor fight. Bold words and outward bravery were needed and none had seen how brave her mentor had been. He had been dragged out there to defend himself. She knew he had been just as brave by not tossing himself on the nonexistent mercy of the Wizangamot.
With the smallest of curtsy Ginny turned and made her way back to the public gallery. Her fire and a spark had set off shock waves in the court.
Ron started to shiver with anger and Gorge who was preeminent with non-verbal spells cast a light sedative and calming charm on his brother. He hated to yet what choice was there. Ron had changed over the course of the war. He was not the goofy awkward boy that Gorge had known. Something had bent that none of them were sure would ever straighten.
Narcissa Malfoy slowly roe to her feet. She was still getting used to the power of voting and it was hard to sit here looking at the son and do nothing. It was time to talk about what had happened behind closed doors. She delicately stepped out onto the speaking floor again.
Severus looked down at the woman that he admired and feared. She was not the most cunning that was never why she had been in Sytherin. She had been there for her quest for power and her ambition. She had always wanted a girl. He knew how much her inability to have more children had cut her. Three miscarries a horrible pregnancy that had almost killed her more than a few times. Draco and his mother were both lucky to be alive. He wanted to reach her now so badly he started to bend a knee so as to take step. Then it came back. The realization that to even go to a woman that he considered a friend he would have to ask his Master.
"You came into my home while the two of us were eating dinner. You shattered the wards and forced my son to take the attack. Forced him to choose between escape and familial duty. I have not seen or been able to communicate with him in weeks. You hid him from me! Now the first time I see him he is on trial for crimes he never committed."
Waves of regret washed over him. There had been so many times had had been forced to participate in the sick games for the Dark Lords joy. The regret and anger were causing his master to feel physically ill.
"Believe it or not I and his father tried so hard to keep him out of everything. I just want my son back. Lady Hermione you can have everything anything I just want my son back. Ask Severus if you want to know how precious he is to me."
It was all too much Draco vaulted the low wall and ran for his mum. He wanted to hold her just once more. Even after weeks of captivity he was fast. He had to get fast to avoid The Dark Lord. That man had been a sadist and Draco had been a popular play thing.
"Forgive me."
Was all Severus said as he fled from the alcove and Harry's shadow. He arrived at the floor and Narcissa who was sitting on the stones holding her son. Severus watched the Aurors how were looking at Madam Bones await orders. He looked back up at Lord Potter who was standing looking thunderous with his purple over robe dancing lightly on an unseen wind. He knew that things were about to get worse then he had ever imagined if he could not get mother and son to let go of each one another.
Crouching down he hurriedly spoke to in Narcissa's ear, "You need to get up. Please for the love your son and family pride get up and let him go."
Four Aurors were beginning to make their way out onto the floor. Severus saw them and a very angry Lord Potter making his way down the steps. Hermione was standing though she had not headed for the floor just yet. He bent down and not caring if the whole room hear pleaded with Draco.
"Draco please get back to the Gallery things are about to get bad. Please go back to your seat."
Harry had reached the bottom step and the Aurors were half way to them. As they showed no signs of parting he reached down apologizing in his mind to both mother and son and wrenched them apart. Narcissa howled in pain as Draco was pulled violently out of her arms. Severus didn't care. He shut down the feelings inside and turned them inward. Holding Draco with an iron grip he dragged the boy away.
Lady Malfoy surged to her feet and began yelling, "Where do you think you are taking him Severus? He is my son how dare you d-"
"Dare Narcissa? I am a slave again and My Master this morning asked me to do everything I could to keep your son safe. He went to school with Draco and knows his penitent to act before thinking. I was there from the time he was born and know that trend well. I am fulfilling my duty I was charged with by both you and him even though it is likely to cost me much. For the love of Merlin take the advice I gave to Draco last night and heed it better then him. Do not make this harder use your head and think."
Draco had gone limp with the receding of emotion and fear filling him. What it must have looked like. This would either rebalance the scales or destroy any chance there had. Why could he not just think? He knew why. Mum had been the one to help him after every bad experience. Their separation had been so traumatic he had only thought about showing her he was okay, except things were now even more not okay.
Gently Hermione held out her hands for her old adversary, "Give him here Slave."
Softly she pulled in the weeping man and sat him on the bench before leaving his side to go back to the low wall. Harry was coming and bringing a storm.
Madam bones paused the run of the timer as Harry bore down on Severus. Hermione knew that with happed next would be unpleasant. Franticly she signaled Neville demanding that the Sonorous spell be canceled out. She could not block the world from seeing but she could stop them hearing. Neville swiftly activated the wards needed to grant her request. He watched with deep worry as Harry was nearly on the man with his wand rising.
OoOo
Author notes:
I am so, so, SO sorry that this has taken so long to update. I am in the middle of my senior year at university taking more than full time classes Lacrosse and work. I have not forgotten about you all and have tried to fit in writing any chance I can get. In case you couldn't tell this actually a really complicated story to write. I have to be thinking very hard about absolutely every part of it and the individual players and how they all mesh. I now have an outline that will hopefully help a lot with direction and speed of writing. Until next time and thank you.
In case you cannot tell I DO NOT have a working understanding of Latin. Please don't kill me for online translation flubs but do feel free to tell me how to improve.
My understanding of what I translated is:
Adiuro Severus Snape ad servitium me Domine Potter enim tempus quinque annorum
Approximates (I think)
Charge Severus Snape to service me Lord Potter for a period of five years
P.S. Next time should be in the next few days as I have about 75% of it written already.
