I am so so so sorry for the long wait. I've been on the college search and that has taken priority for me over writing, as sad as that is for me. I know this update is short, but I wanted to give you guys something. Thank you so much for all of your kind words over the past few months, they have motivated me to try and write this whenever I get the chance!


Severus Snape tapped his fingers impatiently against the door frame, establishing an irritating rhythm. The potions professor was not one to wait patiently for other people, even if they didn't know they were being waited for. He had business this morning, and a slow, clenching feeling in his gut told him it wouldn't be an easy job. Nothing concerning Draco Malfoy was ever easy, though, so this shouldn't have come as much of a surprise.

Snape had always prided himself on his observation skills. He could decipher almost anything about a person; the way they held themselves in reflection of their mood or the way their eyes flickered when telling lies. It was an effective skill that he often used to his advantage over his students, and in his services for- or rather against- the Dark Lord. Last night was no different. Upon glancing up from his meal- an unappetizing portion of green peas and pork- Severus had immediately honed his gaze in on Harry Potter. Anxiety and a heavy sense of foreboding had poisoned the normally jovial air around him and his posse of Gryffindors. At first, he had passed it off as nothing. However, when he picked up on the same gloom hanging over several students, many of which had no regular association with each other, something began to tingle his mind's senses. A selection of his Slytherins were in the same state, even- inexplicably quiet and subdued. This would have to be investigated.

His gaze flicked over a few of his students: Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle weren't eating- that in itself was concerning- and the same was for Millicent Bulstrode. Pansy Parkinson was staring at her plate while Blaise Zabini attempted to coax her into eating, but even he was pushing food around his plate. Tracey Davis was making lame conversation with Daphne Greengrass, who appeared to be lost in thought, a pensive if not slightly devious look on her face. Theodore Nott was quiet, nothing unusual there, though he was watching Daphne with concern etched on his features before he stood up and exited the Great Hall.

Snape did not fail to notice the fact that Draco had not shown up to dinner. He wasn't foolish enough to not recognize the coincidence. Though what that coincidence may be, he had no idea. And Severus hated not knowing something.

Eventually, he had to stop his finger tapping, if only for his sanity's sake. His patience was running extremely thin, and if the young blond didn't show up within the next minute so help him-

Draco rounded the corner, and Snape put a lid on his mental tirade. Apparently, Draco hadn't noticed his professor lurking in the shadows yet, for his gaze was cast downward. Snape frowned as he took a moment to study the boy. His skin had taken on a somewhat grey pallor, his hair oddly askew and clothing far from immaculate. Snape's frown depended, knowing that Draco held his appearance in great pride at all times.

"Mr. Malfoy," he said shortly. It was enough to make Draco stiffen. Slowly, the blond raised his head to meet the dark eyes of his professor, and his mouth immediately went dry. Draco involuntarily clenched his jaw, instantly feeling defensive.

Apprehension crinkled the corners of the grey eyes. "Good morning, Professor," Draco managed to grind out between his teeth. His jaw was set firmly, teeth gnashing together as if to keep his lips from trembling.

The dark man cocked his head to the side slightly, as if considering how to best approach prey.

"It is rather convenient that you are here early this morning."

"Professor?"

"Come with me."

"Professor, with all due respect, I don't think-"

"It wasn't a question, Mr. Malfoy!"

Draco flinched and Snape's features twisted into a cringe at his antics. He hadn't missed Draco's reaction, and a heavy feeling settled inside him as the boy submissively slunk into his office.

Snape quickly gestured for Draco to sit in one of the arm chairs. From the way Draco looked at it, one would have thought that the chair was a rabid animal attempting to tear his limbs to shreds. Rolling his eyes, Snape put his hands on Draco's shoulders and forcibly shoved him into the chair. Draco let out a noise of surprise and dropped like a dead weight onto the cushion, eyes wide and body suddenly taut with tension.

Taking the seat opposite of Draco, Snape cleared his throat and said in a low voice, "Tell me what has gotten into you and the rest of your house," he demanded, his dark eyes boring into Draco's light ones. The boy seized up slightly.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He sniffed, though his fingers had begun to play frantically with the hem of his shirt. It must have been a subconscious reaction, because Draco didn't make any signs of noticing it. Snape noticed, though, and he knew that the young Slytherin was lying.

"I wish that were the case," Snape hissed. He leaned forward slightly, inwardly wincing when Draco pressed his back fully to the back of the chair. "Even Potter was off last night, and you were missing from dinner. Do not try and tell me that nothing happened. So I will repeat myself, what is going on?"

Draco scoffed. "Please, spare us both the efforts of you actually pretending that you care."

He received a sharp glare and Snape growled. "This has to do with your father, doesn't it."

"What do you know," Draco shrugged, making to get up and leave, but Snape snapped a hand out and grabbed his arm.

"Sit." He ordered roughly, and obediently Draco sat back down, looking much more apprehensive than before.

"I happen to know that your Defense Against the Dark Arts class is studying boggarts," Snape started slowly, leaning back in his chair again. There, he thought, as the corners of Draco's eyes crinkled in unease and his mouth tugged downwards. He knew that he had Draco now, it was only a matter of getting him to talk. "I wonder what yours was, hmm?" Snape grinned maliciously, knowing that this would push Draco over the edge one way or another.

"Leave me alone," his voice sounded much smaller, even more so now that he was beginning to tremble in trepidation. "He put you up to this, didn't he. He knows." The absolute terror shining in Draco's eyes made Snape's breath get caught in his throat. The boy's fingers were now tugging aggressively at his shirt's buttons. Snape feared that he would pull them off completely.

"I'm trying to help you," Severus stood up and rose to his full height, many intimidating inches over Draco.

"I never asked for any," he spat back viscously, though his eyes were glistening wetly in the low light.

"That's the problem with you Malfoys, never willing to accept help when you need it," Snape shook his head in irritation. He didn't know if it was what he had just said or if it was the circumstances of it all, but Draco stood up sharply.

"You have no right to even talk to me!" Draco wheeled around and snapped. Snape was taken aback by the sudden show of ferocity. He schooled his features into an image of calm, but at seeing the wild look in Draco's eyes, his fingers were making their way to his wand in his back pocket.

"Draco-" Snape began cautiously, but Draco physically pushed him away, sending the shocked older wizard back a few steps.

"No, you don't get to act like you suddenly care when you never have before! Just leave me alone and forget about whatever you think you heard, or know, or saw. You used to be so good at that," the Malfoy heir sneered, giving Snape one last hateful glare before storming out of his office, making sure to knock down chairs and papers as he passed.

Snape could only stare after him, dumbfounded by the strong reaction. His mouth set in a firm line as the door slammed shut. With a wave of his wand, all of the things that Draco knocked down were righted, but Snape was left with a feeling far worse than before. He sat down heavily in his chair, head dropping into his hands as he thought. At least his provocation had proved some of his fears were well founded. Snape sighed deeply. Draco didn't trust him, and he couldn't blame him. Snape knew he had never given the boy a reason to place his confidence in him, but that didn't mean that he didn't care. True, the two had gotten off to a rocky start, but past mistakes made several years ago couldn't still be preventing Draco from opening up to Severus now, could they?

Yes. Yes they could, Snape thought to himself, feeling more than a little dismayed. Seeing the fear that was dragging Draco in a downward spiral made him want to help. Not that Draco would accept it, after all of these years of ignoring him when the boy needed his attention and care most. But didn't Snape owe it to him to try?

FLASHBACK

"Severus, how kind of you to drop by on such short notice." Lucius Malfoy's silky voice sent chills coursing through Severus' spine. He subtly tugged his black cloak tighter around himself as he followed the blond man through the labyrinth of Malfoy Manor. Lightening flashed outside in white streaks and rain slanted against the arched windows when Lucius led him through the halls. He was going on about something or other dealing with his son, who was only a few months old. Or maybe he was a year. Either way, Snape didn't really care.

"Narcissa doesn't know the first thing about child care, and the house elves are all occupied with planning that Ministry party we're hosting this evening, and I have some… errands to run." 'Errands', Severus scoffed silently to himself. He wondered briefly how many muggles Lucius had tortured today.

Lucius continued to mutter, unaware with his acquaintances train of thought. "Apparently society frowns upon leaving a child to fend for himself, though I scoff at society."

'And its morals', Snape added to himself. He was having bursts of pride about his internal commentary when what Lucius was saying hit him.

"I assume you want me to watch over your kid for you," Snape groaned. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was children. He supposed that it maybe wasn't one of his best ideas to go into education.

Lucius looked genuinely surprised. "No, I just said I scoff at society, did I not? Do pay attention, Severus, I hate to repeat myself."

They entered a room that was only lit by a few candles. Rain hashed against the windows outside, and the wind howled in a haunting scream. The flickering of the flames only enhanced the sinister feeling emanating around the room. But aside from the weather, there was another, much smaller sound. It almost sounded like a dog whimpering pathetically.

"I need you to get him to shut up," a sharp tone sounded right next to Severus' ear, and he almost jumped in alarm at the disgust laced within in.

"Excuse me?" Snape asked, bemused.

"You're excused," Lucius waved his hand airily. "Whatever it takes, a spell, a potion, hell, you can even shake him if it will get him to stop-"

"Stop what?" Snape interjected dumbly. Lucius cast him an annoyed look.

"Crying. He's a constant, non-stop burden, and the ungrateful brat won't even shut up," the man threw the hand he had previously been waving into the air in pure astonishment. At this point, Snape realized that they were talking about the newest addition to the Malfoy family, their son.

"Have you tried feeding him?" Snape asked mildly. He knew it was a dumb suggestion and that Lucius would probably smack him with his serpentine cane for it but-

The blond stopped moving. "What?"

Oh boy.

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose, not quite believing it. "When was the last time the boy was fed?"

Lucius had the grace to look mildly troubled. "I'd have to consult Narcissa. I'm not the one responsible for seeing to his every, greedy little need," his nose twisted in disapproval.

"I thought you were feeding him," a voice said in surprise from the doorway. A beautiful, willowy figure emerged from the door frame, her body draped in only the finest of silks and jewels.

"Narcissa, a pleasure as always," Snape ground out between his teeth. The woman gave him a smile that any other man would have found seductive, but it just gave Snape chills. He knew what this witch was capable of, and her actions often rivaled Lucius' in immorality and heinousness.

Lucius scoffed once more. "Don't be daft, Narcissa, of course I haven't. I have better things to do than tend to that thing," he jerked a thumb over to a crib in the corner of the room. Snape's eyes were drawn to the small, shaking form within the crib. It was a baby, whose face was streaked with tears as little noises escaped his throat. With a start, Snape realized that this was the sound that he hadn't been able to place earlier. The child stared at him with wide, silver eyes, his bottom lip trembling, obviously in distress. He looked neglected and afraid, and positively desperate for any kind of attention.

Reluctantly, Lucius approached the crib, and the baby held his arms outstretched, begging to be picked up. Grumbling, Lucius scooped up the child, whose cries stopped immediately as he nuzzled into the fabric of his father's cloak. The elder Malfoy stared down at his son in disgust, as if he were a piece of scum and not his own blood.

"I don't have time for this," the man growled, and the baby whined when Lucius' grip noticeably tightened. "Do something, anything. I don't care if it's a curse for Merlins sake just shut him up!"

Abruptly, Lucius handed the child over to Snape, and the whimpers returned, only louder this time as Snape fumbled to hold the small body without hurting him. He had never held a baby before, and wasn't familiar with the technique behind it.

"Lucius, a spell or potion on a child this young could severely harm him. His body is too small to take that amount of magic," Snape said slowly, still struggling to get a good grip on the now wailing child. Lucius looked thoroughly irritated.

"Then don't use magic. Use force," he responded shortly, and Snape's eyes widened as he almost dropped the baby.

"Excuse me?" he asked for the second time that day, though this time, it was in shock.

"You heard me," Lucius spat, looping an arm around his wife's waist. "We have a Ministry event to attend to, I trust you'll do what's necessary?" He watched Snape sternly for a moment before the other man reluctantly nodded. "Good. This may come in handy," Lucius held his cane out to Severus, who merely stared at it. Sighing, Lucius instead propped it up against the crib, and with another meaningful look at Snape, he disapparated with his wife with a pop.

The baby made a small moaning sound in Snape's arms. He shifted the child in annoyance, wondering idly what his name was. He didn't remember if Lucius had ever mentioned it- it seemed too sentimental a thing for the way his parents had reacted to seeing their newborn son.

The crying had stopped. It happened sometime between when Snape had picked him up and when he had begun smoothing a hand through the baby's matted hair. Little tremors still coursed through the small body every now and then, but it appeared that he had found himself perfectly content resting his head against Snape's chest, cuddled up in his arms. Snape breathed a sigh of relief- the crying had been giving him a pounding headache.

When he went to drop him back in the crib, small fists clutched at the his robes desperately, and the child clung on for dear life as Snape tried to shake him off. With a pang, he realized that the child didn't want to be left alone. Round silver eyes stared at him hopefully, already brimming with tears as Severus gently detached the boy from him and lay him back down in the crib.

The sobs returned once more as Snape cast a silencing charm around the room and closed the door.