Look at me go, two chapters in two days. That's a pretty big accomplishment...it's another long one, too. Enjoy!


8. Problems Created With Crayons

Severus knew trouble. He was a professor at a boarding school for rule-breaking teenagers, a spy/double-agent, and he was raising two small boys. However, he apparently didn't know trouble until he watched the floo flare to life that Sunday afternoon. It had all started yesterday with a fight between Harry and Draco.

"Harry, I wanna play with it! It's my turn!"

Severus groaned and tried to soothe his impending headache. The boys were about to have another fight over a toy; this was the third time this week. Actually, it was always Draco that started these fights. He always wanted to play with what Harry had and usually Harry let him. However, there were five toys that Harry liked to be the only one to play with: his stuffed duck, Bill, his stuffed dog, Paw, his toy broom, his red train, and the scented crayons Severus had bought him on an outing in Diagon Alley. Even though Draco had plenty of other toys to play with, for some reason, he always wanted Harry's. Severus rose from his chair and made his way to the living room to break up the fight.

"Harry, I wanna draw with the crayons! You hafta share." Draco whined.

Harry shook his head. "Draco, I said you could play with my magic pencils. I wanna draw with my crayons."

"Well, it's my turn. I wanna draw with the crayons!" Draco threw one of Harry's pencils down and crossed his arms with a pout on his face.

"Draco, these are my special crayons. I don't want anyone else to use them. They mine." Severus, even though he valued sharing, was quite proud of Harry. The green eyed boy needed some things that were his and only his. Harry respected Draco when the Malfoy heir told him to leave a toy alone, but Draco wouldn't do the same for Harry.

Severus watched, unnoticed in the doorway, as Harry finished his picture and hopped down from his chair. "I drawed Sev'vus a picture. I'm gonna go give it to him. Don't touch my crayons." Severus moved away from the doorway a little, so he wasn't seen. He watched as Draco got down from his chair and went over to take Harry's crayons. Harry heard Draco get down from his chair, and he spun around to face his blonde god brother. "Draco, don't take my crayons! I said you couldn't play with them."

Draco gave Harry a smug smile and took the package of crayons. "Well, too bad. Finders, keepers, losers, weepers. I'm gonna play with them now."

Harry stomped over and swiped the crayons from Draco's hands. "No, Draco. You're being mean."

Before Severus could stop him, Draco pushed Harry. Harry fell to the ground with a thud, falling on his back and hitting his head on the ground. "Draco Lucius Malfoy." Severus said sternly as he walked into the room. "We do not push people. We use our words." Severus knelt down to where Harry was sitting and helped him sit up. Harry, who had tears rolling down his cheeks, looked at Severus, then at Draco, and then quickly got up and fled from the room, leaving his picture and box of crayons behind. Severus sighed and looked sternly at Draco. "Draco, that was not a very nice thing to do. You really hurt Harry's feelings. I think you just earned yourself some corner time for that."

Draco crossed his arms and stomped his foot. "No! I don't wanna stand in the corner! I wanna play with the crayons."

Severus shook his head. "Draco, those are Harry's crayons. He was nice enough to let you use his pencils even though you have your own things to color with. Now, I believe you earned yourself five minutes of corner time."

Draco still looked at him defiantly, refusing to move. "No. I'm not standing in the corner."

"You just earned yourself another minute, Draco. I suggest you go stand in that corner right now like the big boy I know you are, or no dessert tonight. Corner, now." Draco looked as if he was going to refuse again, but he just stomped over to the corner. Severus grabbed the little sand timer and turned it. "Six minutes, Draco."

Severus watched to make sure Draco kept his nose firmly planted in the corner before leaving the room to find Harry. He found Harry in the living room, surprisingly, in the arms of Minerva McGonagall. Minerva was rubbing comforting circles on his back as Harry cried. Severus walked over and placed a hand on Harry's back causing the boy to flinch; an action which made Severus frown. "How are you doing, Harry?" he asked in a quiet, gentle voice.

Harry turned his face into Minerva's neck not looking at Severus. Minerva spoke instead. "The lad seems rather spooked. I was just coming to give you some papers when the poor boy ran into me. He seems to have been through quite the traumatizing event today."

Severus sighed and nodded. "Draco tried to take his crayons, but Harry said no."

"They is my special crayons." Harry mumbled. Minerva nodded.

"So Draco tried to take them?" she asked.

Harry nodded and turned his head, so he was facing the adults rather than hiding. "He always wants ta use them, but they are my special ones. Sev'vus gave them to me. I let him use my pencils, but he wanted to use my crayons. I drawed a picture for Sev'vus, and I was gonna give it to him, but Draco tried to steal my special crayons. I tell him no, and he pushed me. Head owie now." Harry rubbed the back of his head with one hand and wiped the tears and snot away with the other. Severus shook his head and got out his handkerchief and used it to wipe Harry's face. Minerva moved Harry's hand out of the way and began rubbing it.

"Where is Draco now, Severus?"

"In the corner. He has about a minute left and then he is going to apologize to Harry. It was a very mean thing to do." Severus put the cloth away and made his way into the kitchen where Draco was. He could hear Draco sniffling in the corner. Pulling a chair out from the table and turning it so he was facing Draco, Severus cleared his throat. "Draco, your time is up. Come here please."

Draco, who also had tears running down his face, slowly walked over to Severus and stood in front of him. Once there, Severus gently grabbed Draco's arms. "Draco, what you did to Harry was very mean. You know he doesn't want you to play with his crayons."

Draco nodded sadly. "They look like fun, Uncle Sev. I just wa—wanna try 'em."

"I understand, but those are Harry's special crayons. If you would like some of your own, you only needed to ask, and I would have got some for you. However, you decided instead to try and take Harry's, and when he wouldn't give his to you, you pushed him. Harry is out in the other room, and he is very sad right now. Is it nice to make other people feel sad?"

Draco shook his head and had more tears running down his cheeks. "It's not nice to push people. I sorry, Uncle Sev."

Severus nodded. "I know you are, Dragon, but now you need to go and apologize to Harry. You hurt him, and now you should tell him you're sorry."

Draco wiped a hand across his face. "Can I have a hug now?"

Severus lifted Draco onto his lap. "Always, Draco."

The two sat and cuddled for several moments until Draco was calmed down. Once Severus had wiped his face off, they decided to go and find Harry, so Draco could apologize. Harry, who had calmed down since Severus had left the room, was now sitting on McGonagall's lap with Bill telling her about all the adventures Harry, Bill, and Paw had experienced the previous day. Severus gave Draco a small nudge in Harry's direction. When Harry saw Draco, he went quiet and hugged Bill.

"Harry, I'm sorry that I pusheded you and tried to steal your special crayons. I was being a meanie. I'm sorry."

Harry looked at Draco, and then Minerva, who gave him a small nod of encouragement. Harry slid off of Minerva's lap and the couch and hugged Draco. "It's ok, Draco. Just don't try and take my special crayons again."

Draco nodded enthusiastically. "I promise. Let's go play with the blocks now."

"Ok." The two boys ran off into the other room, and Severus took a seat next to Minerva.

"Some days, Minerva. I tell you."

Minerva just laughed.

Severus, who had been putting a puzzle together with Harry on the floor, quickly rose to his feet when the floo flared to life. He wasn't supposed to pick Draco up from the Zabini's for another hour, and he was the one that always came to retrieve him. He didn't want any of these former death eater families finding out about Harry yet. Granted, most of the wizarding community knew that Severus was raising two boys, not many knew it was Harry Potter. Severus felt his blood run cold as he watched Madame Zabini step out of the floo with Draco.

"Hi, Uncle Sev. I'm home," Draco ran over to the man and hugged him. Severus just patted his head, never taking his eyes off of Maura Zabini.

"I see that, Draco. Why don't the two of you and play in your room while I talk with Mrs. Zabini." Severus said trying to avoid using Harry's name.

"Okay." Draco said brightly without a care in the world. "Come on, Harry."

Severus inwardly groaned. Well, that plan was shot. He waited until the boys were in Draco's room before he put up a privacy ward. He ordered his house elf to bring them some tea before he sat straight-backed in his armchair. He motioned at the seat across from his. "By all means, have a seat, Madame Zabini. You clearly wish to discuss something with me."

She took her seat just as the tray of tea appeared. Severus prepared them both cups and handed one to her. She accepted it with a nod. "Severus, how many times have I told you to use my first name? Our boys are friends after all."

"Are they still? I must say, I am curious to hear what you have come to say to me." Severus said never taking his eyes off of her.

Maura sighed as she set her cup down. "When were you going to tell us, Severus?"

"Tell you what? There are several things I have not shared with you."

She chuckled. "Ah, you still play these word games, Severus? Well, you and I both know what I am talking about. How long has Harry Potter been living with you?"

Ignoring the question, he asked, "Who told you? How did you find out?"

She motioned towards Draco's room. "Draco told me. The boys were coloring today in the kitchen when I happened to walk by and catch part of their conversation. Draco was telling Blaise about a fight he had yesterday with a Harry over some crayons. I asked him what he was talking about, and he told me he got into a fight with his god brother over a package of scented crayons. He told me the boy's name was Harry, and that he has been staying with the two of you for several months. Why is it, Severus, that I am just hearing about this now when he has clearly been with you for several months?"

Severus cleared his throat. "Isn't it obvious?" he drawled. "I'm protecting him."

"From what, Severus? People like me? People like the Goyles, Crabbes, and Parkinsons? What are you protecting Harry Potter from Severus, if you are loyal to the Dark Lord?"

"I am protecting him. It is as simple as that. It is not that I do not trust any of you; I allow Draco to visit your homes and play with your children. Lucius and Narcissa seemed to trust you, and I trust their judgment. However, if you or anyone else threatens to hurt either one of my boys—"

Maura cut him off with a laugh. "Your boys? Oh, Severus you have changed. Not only that, but you have failed to answer a single one of my questions. Now, how long has Harry Potter been staying with you?"

"Several months now," Severus answered honestly.

"Why haven't any of us heard of him before now? I had heard rumors that you had another little boy that you were looking after, but I had assumed it was a son that no one knew about or something of that nature. I never dreamed it was Harry Potter. Why has Draco never mentioned him before?"

"Draco was given instructions not to tell anyone of Harry. He could mention that there was another boy here but not who he was. I told Draco it was to prevent making Harry upset. I told Draco that Harry was still getting used to us, and I didn't want to frighten him with new people. As the months passed, I told Draco not to tell because Harry had his own friends, and it was hard enough for him to get along with the friends he had; I didn't want him to deal with a lot of new friends. Then I told Draco that they could have separate friends, and he wouldn't want to upset his friends by mentioning Harry a lot. It has worked for quite some time now but not anymore."

Maura laughed again. "You manipulated your own godson? Oh my, what would Lucius and Narcissa say?"

Severus glared at her. "They would understand the situation that I'm in. They would understand that I'm doing my best for their son. They would understand that I am doing the best that I can."

She waved him off. "We all know you have feelings for Harry's mudblood mother and that is why Harry is in your care.I have no doubt that Narcissa and Lucius would think that you're doing your best. Now we must focus on the situation at hand."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "What do you suggest?"

"None of us are foolish enough to harm the Boy Who Lived right now." Maura leaned forward. "All of us wish to stay out of Azkaban. You shall not have to worry about my family or the Parkinsons; we wish to remain neutral if another war occurs. However, I would watch out for the Goyles and Crabbes; the ladies will not do anything, but the lords will. Make sure you tell Draco to watch what he says around those families. You are lucky it was me he let it to rather than one of them."

Severus shook his head. "I still do not understand. Why are you here? What are you trying to tell me?"

"It's a political move, Severus." Maura leaned back and smiled. "Your boy, Harry Potter, will help keep my family out of jail if the Dark Lord comes back. I'm trying to play my cards early. Besides, you know how much I like to gossip; I just wanted to know if it was true or not."

Severus knew growled; he knew she was playing him, but he couldn't figure what game she was playing. "What do you really want?"

"To hold this information over you. I have finally outsmarted the great Severus Snape. Never fear, Severus, I shall keep your secret safe for now. There is a war coming, and we both will need all the help we can get." She laughed again. "I wish to see him."

"No. I will not allow it." Severus sharply stated. "I am grateful that you will keep our secret, but I am still going to protect him."

"I won't hurt him, Severus. You will be here the whole time," She smirked as she took a sip of your tea. "Please, Severus."

Severus, even though his entire being was telling him not to, cancelled the privacy ward. "Harry, would you come here?"

They heard movement in the other room, and Harry soon appeared. "Sev'vus?" Harry asked him questioningly.

Severus gestured towards Maura. "Harry, this Madame Zabini. She is the mother of one of Draco's friends."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." Harry said politely and held out his hand.

Maura gently laughed and shook the offered hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Harry. You have very good manners, young man."

Harry's face lit up. "Sev'vus teached me. He says that I should always make a good in-inperson."

"Impression, Harry," Severus corrected quietly.

"Yeah, that."

Maura laughed at the boy's antics and, with one of her red polished finger nails, moved Harry's fringe to the side and gazed at the famous scar. She frowned a little. "I really don't wish any of you harm, Severus. I could never hurt Draco; he reminds me too much of his parents. They were really good friends, especially Narcissa. I would never hurt Harry either." She looked up at Severus's face. "I know that there'll be another war, Severus. I need to protect my son, too."

Onyx eyes stared at her in understanding. "I understand, and I shall be there when the time comes. I refuse to serve that monster again."

Harry looked up at Severus. "What monster, Sev'vus? Is he scary?"

Severus nodded. "One of the scariest and meanest, Harry." He placed a kiss on top of Harry's head. "Go and play with Draco, Harry."

"Kay. Nice to meet you," Harry said to Madame Zabini as he slid off of Severus's lap and skipped off to Draco's room.

"I wouldn't mind having him over to the manor sometime or allowing Blaise to come here. I think the three boys would make good friends."

"Maura, I will protect them at all costs." Severus told her seriously. "If you cause us any harm, I will not be afraid to fight back."

"I won't hurt your family, Severus. We're allies now, after all."

Severus held out his hand. "Maybe we could be friends. Narcissa and Lucius would want this, and I bet Lily would be fine with it, knowing that you shall keep her son safe, and I shall keep yours safe as well."

Maura, who was teary-eyed, took his hand. "Thank you, Severus."


Yay, now Harry has another friend! I shall be introducing the Weasleys soon. I don't plan on corrupting poor Harry; I just think he needs more friends. :) Thanks for reading and please leave a review before you go!