NOTE: Lucius Malfoy didn't get arrested at the end of DoM in this story. Sorry for the long overdue update!

Chapter 10

Albus pushed the law papers aside, after finding the one he was after. He then pulled a parchment towards him. It contained shocking news. News that wasn't related to Harry for once.

Severus burst into the office. "Albus, I have an idea." He was interrupted by Albus's hand. Severus sat down in front of Albus's desk and waited impatiently for him to get done reading the parchment in his hand. Finally, Albus set the parchment down and looked sadly at Severus. Instead of jumping Albus on his idea, he stared at him questionably. "Albus, what is it?"

Albus picked up the parchment and handed it to him. "It's about your godson."

Severus looked up, startled as he took the parchment from Albus offered hand. "Draco?" Albus nodded silently. Severus looked down at the parchment. His eyes widen in surprise before looking at Albus for answers. "Disownment papers. Why is Lucius disowning Draco?"

Albus sighed tiredly. "I was hoping you had some idea. No one seemed to be able to find out why."

Severus shook his head as he laid the parchment back on the desk. "I really have no clue Albus. The last time I talked to Malfoy was after the last Death Eater meeting and he didn't say anything about this." Things rarely surprised Severus but this was a real shock to him. For all, the Malfoy's were known to be very cold and formal. Serverus knew that they loved each other very much especially their son. "Do you have any ideas as to why they would do this, Albus?"

"No, this is very surprising to me to. I can make a guess or two but I don't think it would help. Hopefully things will become clear to us soon. And young Draco will be ok." Albus took the parchment and put it on top of a stack already on his desk. "Now, how about some refreshments and you can tell me what had you rushing into my office." Albus said then he called for a house elf and asked for some tea a biscuits. When he was finished he turned back to Severus.

Severus took one last look at the disownment parchment before turning to Albus. "Well, Albus, I've been thinking of a way to get Potter into Lupin custody. In the laws it says a werewolf cannot get custody or raise a child. Potter is not fully a child anymore. He's a young man. I don't know how good this would work, but it's worth a try."

Albus nodded his head. "Yes, I've been thinking of the same thing. It's not much, but it's something to fight with."

"Maybe if we can get his relatives to sign an agreement to let Lupin take care of Potter. That might help to our favor as well."

Albus lend back against his chair. "That might work. Harry is still considered to be under their charge. He will be until the hearing later today or until they decide who will take him."

"We'll need all the help we can get." Severus picked up the disownment parchment again. He was still confused about it. "In the meantime, I'm going to try and talk to Lucius about this."

Albus Dumbledore entered the infirmary to tell the news to Remus.

Remus Lupin was back on his bed, reading a book. Harry was still sleeping on the bed next to him. He looked up when Albus entered. "Albus." He said as a greeting. He placed the book down on the bed next to him.

"Remus." Albus said as he walked over to him. "I hope your day has improved?" Remus nodded and gave the 'tell me why you're here' look. Albus sighed and said, "Severus and I have found a way for you to get custody of Harry."

Remus perked up. "How?" He asked his eyes holding hope.

Without answering Albus handed him the law parchment. "Read here." Albus said pointing at the parchment.

Remus read. "It says I can't raise a child." He said confused. What did this have to do with Harry? Remus read the law again. "Child." He said starting to understand what Albus was getting at. "Harry's barely a child anymore."

Albus nodded. "We will use that and Severus has come with another way, a backup plan, if you will. We can try to get Harry's aunt to sign an agreement to allow you to be Harry's guardian." Remus scowled that the thought of seeing them again. "Now, now, Remus." Albus said seeing his scowl. "We need all the help we can get. If we are going to take that approach we should do it before the hearing."

"That means doing it today." Remus said angrily. Albus nodded. Remus sighed and got out of his bed.

"REMUS JOHN LUPIN, GET BACK IN THAT BED RIGHT NOW, MISTER!" Madam Poppy came out of nowhere and started yelling at Remus.

"Poppy, Remus is fine." Albus said, sending her anger towards him. Taking the opportunity to escape, Remus snuck through the Infirmary doors.

Severus Snape sat on the couch at Malfoy Manor waiting for his old friend, Lucius Malfoy. Their house elf, Grimy, told him it would be a minute.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, Lucius came into the sitting. Lucius had his mask on…his emotionless mask on. It was almost like the fact that he was disowning his son didn't bother him.

Severus stood up to greet him. "Lucius." He said with a nod of the head.

"Severus." Lucius greeted back. "Please, sit." Lucius said waving his hand towards the couch. Once Severus was seated, Lucius sat down on the chair across from the couch. "Now, Severus, my old friend, what brings you here?"

"The fact that I'm going to be in custody of my godson soon." Severus answered, leaving the unasked question in the air.

Lucius eyes flicked over to a corner of the room before settling on Severus once again. "Ah, my friend, that's not really why you're here, now is it?"

Severus opened his mouth to disagree when he saw the look in Lucius's eye. The 'play-along' look. "No it isn't, but you can't blame me for being curious. I'm here to look at your potion that you brewed. You know as much as I do that you…for lack of a better word, are a disappointment when it comes to brewing a good batch of potions." Severus said playing along. Lucius's potion lab was the only place where Severus could think of that wouldn't have any supervision. No one would be able to hear their conversation there. A conversation that Lucius didn't want anyone to hear.

Lucius stood up and Severus followed him. "Yes, I know, but you can't blame a Slytherin for trying." Lucius led Severus out of the room. "As for Draco, he displeases me on his beliefs."

They walked into the lab. Once the door was closed Lucius's act dropped. He leaned back against the lab table and his face slackened into despair.

"Lucius, what is going on?" Severus asked.

"I may not like Albus Dumbledore, Severus." Lucius started to say, not looking straight at him. "But I don't like what the Dark Lord has become even more." He looked at Severus. "I don't want my son to become a slave to him."

"Disowning him won't stop the Dark Lord from trying to recruit him. You know that, Lucius." Severus responded.

Lucius nodded his head. "I know, but it would stop him from trying too hard and Draco would be with you at Hogwarts. He'll be safe there with you and Dumbledore. As much I as hate it."

Severus nodded his head in agreement. "Why couldn't you tell me out there?"

"Nott is here. He's on the run from the Minister and he's been listening to every single conversation. This lab is the only place he can't listen into."

Severus walked over to Lucius and leaned on the lab table next to Lucius, with his arms folded across his chest. "Does Draco know about this?"

"Yes. I brought him in here a few days ago and told him. He didn't want to go through with it, but agreed to it in the end." Lucius looked at him with hopeful eyes. "I know you aren't completely loyal to the Dark Lord anymore, Severus. I know you send reports to Dumbledore, which is why I trust you with this information. But I do feel inclined to ask anyway, Will you do this for me, my dear old friend?"

Remus stood at the door to Privet Drive Number Four, again. This time Remus knocked on the door, instead of barging in. He held a piece of parchment in one hand as the other hand knocked on the door fiercely. He really didn't want to be here. His leg still hurt from the last time he was here.

The door opened and Petunia Dursley popped her head out. She squealed in fright when she saw who was at the door. She tried to close the door on him, but Remus put his foot in the way.

"We don't want your kind here, you…you beast!" She yelled.

Remus pushed the door open and forced his way into the house. "Mrs. Dursley, this would be one of the last time you'll have to see one of us. All you have to do is sign this agreement." He said holding out the parchment to her. Seeing her hesitation, Remus spoke again. "If you don't look at this now, then I'm going to come over every single day until you do." He threatened.

She glared at him, but he could see the fear in her eyes. Petunia snatched the parchment out of Remus's hand. She looked at it before asking, "This would make sure that…that boy would never set foot in this house ever again?"

"Other than to gather up his stuff. Yes. It also means you shouldn't ever see any wizards or witches around this neighborhood again."

Petunia narrowed her eyes. "Give me a pen." She snapped.

Harry woke up to the brightness of the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was already to check on him.

As she looked him over, Harry let his eyes wonder around the infirmary. The beds were, of course, empty. Even the one next to him…Remus! Where was Remus? Harry looked around the room desperately before snapping his attention to Madam Pomfrey. "Where's Remus?"

Madam Pomfrey's eyes flashed angrily. "That man walked out of here an hour ago. Without my permission! With his leg still hurting!"

"Oh." He said sadly. "Can I leave now?" Harry asked quickly, changing the subject and ignoring the pain in his chest. Remus didn't wake him up to tell him he was leaving. It hurt.

Madam Pomfrey glared at him but didn't say anything until she was done. "I say you are well enough to leave…"

"YES!" Harry jumped out of his bed.

"BUT…" Madam Pomfrey said loudly, grabbing Harry's attention. "…you are not leaving until someone comes to pick you up."

Harry groaned, but sat back down on the bed.