Part IX: Solution
Severus Snape sits in his office marking students work. He doesn't seem to be in a particularly bad mood like he usually is. His door is open, and Hedwig flies in and lands on his desk. She drops the letter on his desk, looks at him and squawks then flies back out the door.
Severus looks down at the letter having recognized the owl to be Hedwig. He thinks to his self.
What could Harry have possibly done now?
He opens up the letter, and reads.
Professor Snape,
I know you know about Draco and I, and we need your help. Lucius had promised to give me a second chance, but he has turned on Draco, therefore turning on me. I don't know how you can help, but in any way you can, Draco and I will be forever indebted to you. Please, you're our only hope.
Harry Potter
Severus stared at the letter for a long time before he pulled out a piece of parchment of his own. He addressed it to Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy,
It has come to my attention that it is Draco's time to serve Lord Voldemort, however, I think that you need to wait until he is older. He is by no means ready for it. I need to speak with you immediately in person. Please send an owl with a time and date for our meeting.
Severus Snape
Severus called for an owl, and sent the letter off. He continued to mark the papers, however he had a different disposition. He was no longer in a good mood, but seemed rather distraught.
Time had passed, and Severus had finished marking. He stood in front of his desk pacing, awaiting the arrival of an owl from Lucius. He waited and waited, but nothing came. It was getting late. He decided that he probably wouldn't get an answer until the next day so he shut off his desk lamp, and proceeded towards his sleeping quarters. Just then a large barn owl swooped in and landed on the desk. It dropped a letter, but didn't fly away. It was expecting an answer right away. Severus hurried back to his desk, and picked up the letter and opened it.
Severus,
At first I thought you had no business telling me these things, but then I had remembered that not only did my dear wife ask you to protect Draco, but that you and the Dark Lord were very close. I'm not so sure about meeting however, as I suspect this may have something to do with that stupid boy Harry Potter. I couldn't be more ashamed of my son for involving him with scum like Potter. You know as well as I do that his parents were no good and so is he. So don't humour me, Severus. There is no way that I am waiting to convert Draco. And forget about meeting with me, that won't be necessary. I thought better of you, Severus. I guess I was wrong, and be sure that the Dark Lord will be hearing of this.
Lucius
Severus stared back at the letter and re-read it several times, dumbfounded. No one dared talk to him like that, not even Lucius. Severus went back to his desk and pulled out another piece of parchment in an attempt at a response, but his mind was blank. It didn't help that the barn owl Lucius had sent was staring at him barely moving at all.
Lucius Malfoy,
If you think that I would stoop so low as to
I don't
To think that I would
I would never
There is no way that I could
What good would it be to
After many attempts to write a response to Lucius, Severus crumpled the piece of parchment and threw it into the waste bin beside him. He then proceeded to pull out another piece of parchment.
Lucius,
It is complete idiocy to think that I would ever try to protect Harry Potter. He is the last person on my mind. I am only looking out for Draco's well being. Please, we need to meet as soon as possible.
Severus Snape
Severus the folded the letter neatly, and handed it to the owl. The owl sharply flew off the table rustling some of the papers on Severus' desk. Severus put his face in his hands, his greasy hair falling over his hands. He sat straight again one hand coming up to his mouth making him appear pensive. His next task was to protect Draco and Harry in any way he could, and no matter how much he tried to ignore, or be cruel to Harry, he somehow cared for him very much.
Severus and Lucius sat glaring at each other in the back of the Hog's Head. There were only two other people there, but they were clearly very drunk.
"I knew this had something to do with Harry Potter. Severus, I told you in the letter, I will not partake in my son's foolish games. He needs to be converted now. We need him, what with Lord Voldemort coming back. And we need you too, Severus." Lucius was holding his staff too preciously, like he were ready to pull out his wand at any moment.
"Lucius, I told you he is not ready. Wait until the summer if you must." Severus sat with his arms crossed. Lucius just glared at him.
"What good will that do? The war might very well be over by now, Dumbledore that fool is working fast isn't he?"
"He is, however, the war will not be over by the summer, it won't even have begun by then." There was silence for quite some time, until Lucius answered Severus.
"Very well, but Harry is not coming into my home for the Christmas holidays. I will not allow it. Ever."
"What do you mean?" Severus said coldly.
"Draco invited Harry to our home for Christmas. And I will not allow it." Severus looked at Lucius, studying his expression and body language before responding.
"You will allow him into your home. You will welcome him with open arms. If you want any chance at converting your only son then you had better respect him, or else he may run away from home. You wouldn't want that now would you, Lucius." Severus coolly grinned at Lucius, knowing he was completely right.
"And act like nothing is wrong? My son should be with a girl. Marry and have children and pass on the Malfoy name. He's the last hope of this family."
"What Draco feels is nothing you can change, all you can do is support him in any way you can. After all he is your only son, what must happen before you realize that if you lose him, you will have nothing." If anyone could here Severus talk they'd have thought he had gone mad, for how much he was defending Harry Potter.
"Foolishness is what it is. Men are not meant to be with other men." Lucius crossed his arms and legs sitting back in his chair.
"Love is blind, Lucius. I'll be the first to admit that I dated a few boys when I was at Hogwarts, but it doesn't mean I stayed that way, Lucius. Even if I did that would be no one's business. Draco might be going though a phase, and even if he isn't it is up to you to support and love your son no matter what, because he may not always be there for you if you do screw things up. Remember what happened when your parents did that to you, Lucius. You ran away and never looked back, didn't you?" Lucius was silent. He merely stared at Severus, his eyes wide, his nostrils flared, and his mouth pursed. For the most part, Lucius could not believe what Severus had just said to him.
"Severus, I cannot believe what you just said." Lucius went silent for another few moments before he spoke again. "But, you are absolutely right." Lucius unfolded his arms. "He is my only son and I cannot afford to lose him. I'll have to endure it."
"I'm glad you feel that way Lucius, now if you'll excuse me, I have classes to attend to." Severus got up from his seat and with not another word from Lucius or himself he walked out the door and went back to Hogwarts.
