CHAPTER 11

Harry finally crawled out of bed around ten o'clock on Saturday morning.

"I was wondering if you planned on getting up today," his dad commented when Harry flopped down on the couch.

Harry looked up into the study: "I stayed up last night to finish my weekend math assignments," he told his dad.

Snape came down from the study and sat on the arm of the couch Harry was on.

"We have been invited to one of my friend's houses this afternoon," his dad informed him. "Their son is the same age as you."

"Would we be back by dinner?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Albus said he would have time to show me the portraits of the most famous witch and wizard he knew from Italy right after dinner tonight."

"We're going for a luncheon. We would be back by two at the latest."

"Go get cleaned up and dressed. We have to leave the wards of the school in order to aspirate, so we will be walking to Hogsmead," his dad explained.

Harry lazily dragged himself into a hot shower.

"What am I supposed to wear?" Harry bellowed from his doorway.

"Pants and a jumper, it's chilly out today. No jeans," his dad added.

Harry was smartly dressed in black dress pants and a green jumper that matched his eyes.

"I take it that Minerva's lessons in table etiquette will be required," Harry quipped and rolled his eyes.

"Get your cloak," his dad ordered.

Neither spoke until they exited the castle, then Harry asked: "Are your friends Death Eaters?"
Snape had expected to be asked this earlier.

"Lucius was, he may still be, his wife Narcissa is not," Snape related. "At no time should you be alone with Lucius."

"I have my portkey," Harry smiled and rubbed his chest.

"That is why I'm not to concern," Snape gave a tiny grin and a nod.

Harry felt queasy when they disapparated and he was sure he was going to be sick the second they apparated in front of Malfoy Manor.

Snape, who had Harry in his arms, put the boy down and crouched down next to Harry, handing him a potion vial.

"Drink this," Snape ordered Harry.

As soon as Harry felt the potion slide down his throat, he noticed the sick feeling left him.

"Better now?" his dad asked.

Harry nodded.

Snape stood back up and took Harry's hand. They walked up on the porch. A house elf opened the door before Snape even knocked.

"Mistress waits for you in the parlour, sirs. Please follow Debby," the house elf bowed to them.

The huge two story doors opened bring light to the dimly lit foyer. There were many arched doorways; double doors were closed in most of the doorways. The massive marble staircase stood center of the foyer. The elf led them to the right of the stairs, to one of the few doorways that didn't have its doors closed.

"Mistress, your guests have arrived," Debby reported. "Debby will fetch tea now." With a pop the elf was gone.

A woman of striking beauty and silky white blond hair stood when Harry and Snape entered the room. Harry had never a woman more beautiful then Narcissa and his eyes remained fixed on her as she approached them.

"Severus," Narcissa smiled, adding to her radiance. "And who do we have here." She bent over to meet Harry's eyes.

Harry found himself lost in her shimmering grey blue eyes.

"This is my son, Harry," Snape announced proudly.

"It nice to meet you," Narcissa said warmly, holding her hand out to Harry.

Harry took the slender hand and gave the back of it a little kiss: "I'm pleased to meet you," Harry smiled.

"He adorable," Narcissa mentioned to Snape as she stood back up.

"His eyes remind me of..." she paused, her eyes now piercing Snape's, "Lily," the name softly slid from her tongue.

"Yes," Snape answered, with his mask of no emotion.

"Tea Mistress," Debby announced, placing a silver tray on the coffee table.

"Debby, take Harry to play with Draco," Narcissa ordered.

"Yes, Mistress," the house elf replied, scurrying over to where the three of them where still standing.

"Severus," Narcissa waved her arm, offering Snape at seat in one of the wing backed chair situated near the coffee table.

"Come with Debby," the elf gave Harry's arm a gentle tug.

Harry looked up at his dad.

Snape gave Harry a quick sharp nod, and then Harry let the elf lead him out of the room.

"Now I understand why Lily was insistent that you play mid-wife," Narcissa said as she poured tea. "She wanted you to deliver your son, to be the first to look upon him, before she hid him away from you."

Sitting back, with tea in hand, Narcissa gazed over at Snape: "I know how much you loved each other, but I never understood why you let her marry James."

"Did you not lose your friendship with her, when she discovered Lucius was a Death Eater?" Snape retorted.

"Yes, but she loved you and was obviously pregnant with your child when she married James," Narcissa remarked.

"I was a Death Eater and if I tried to denounce my loyalty to The Dark Lord and take Lily as my wife, she would have been in danger. You and I both know Lily would have never crossed over to the dark side," Snape explained.

"And in all these years, you have never found another to share your love?" Narcissa queried.

"To share it, no," he replied, taking a drink of his tea. "Did you invite me here to inquire about my love life, or did you have another purpose," he added coldly.

"Lucius has been gone for some weeks now; I merely wished to have someone to talk to. The wives of most of Lucius' friends are submissive to the point they cannot have a conversation that may lead to a debate or require personal opinions," she sighed. "Some may see it as improper to have you here when Lucius is away, but I care little about their inclinations."

"As do I," Snape gave a hint of a grin. "You are a dear friend, Cissy and I would never soil your reputation."

Snape thought he saw disappointment in her eyes, but he shrugged it off as wishful thinking on his part.

"So tell me about Harry," Narcissa bore a pleasant smile as she refilled their tea cups.

"Master Draco, sir," Debby called out into the yard. "Mistress is wanting yous to entertain her guest's son."

"Harry," Harry whispered to the elf. "My name is Harry."

"Yes Master Harry. Forgive Debby, she is not knowing your name," Debby bowed to Harry.

Harry watched as a blonde haired boy steered his broom down towards them. Harry was awe struck, he didn't know someone his age could fly a broom. As far as he knew, you had to be eleven and Madam Hooch would teach you how to do it.

Draco touched down, dismounted his broom and approached Harry and Debby.

"Draco Malfoy," the pale white blond haired boy said, thrusting his hand forward.

Harry took the offered hand, shook it and said: "Harry, Harry Snape.

"I didn't know my godfather had a son," Draco replied with a very shocked expression.

"Until this summer, neither did he," Harry snickered.

Draco let out a small chuckle.

"Debby fetch a broom for Harry," Draco ordered the elf.

"I've never been on a broom before," Harry admitted.

"It's easy, I'll show you," Draco grinned.

Debby handed a broom to Harry and disappeared.

"Put your hand over the broom and say up," Draco said to Harry and demonstrated.

"Up," Harry commanded and the broom instantly obeyed. "Brilliant," Harry beamed.

"Mount it and push off the ground," Draco said and was in the air.

"Easy enough," Harry remarked to himself and did as shown.

Easy enough, until you lose your grip and fall.

"Harry," Draco screamed and dived quickly towards Harry.

SPLASH.

Harry found himself in the pool, his arms flailing about. Harry knew as much about swimming, as he did about flying.

Draco skimmed the water, grabbing hold of Harry arm and dragging him to the pool's edge.

Harry clung to the edge while Draco dismounted his broom.

"Use the ladder," Draco said, pointing a few feet down along the pool's edge.

Harry kept hold of the edge and slowly made his way to the ladder.

"Debby," Draco bellowed, loud enough to wake the dead.

Debby took one look at Harry and disappeared, returning seconds later with a warm blanket, the disappeared again.

Draco helped Harry wrap himself in the blanked. Then Harry sat on the ground shaking house. Snape came racing out to them, Narcissa mere steps behind him.

Snape scooped Harry up, wiping Harry's face off with a corner of the blanked.

With Harry in his arms, Snape headed back towards the house.

"Draco what happened?" Narcissa barked at her son.

"He fell in the pool," Draco answered as Debby returned with another blanket.

Narcissa took the blanket from the elf and wrapped it around her son.

"I'm fine mother," Draco remarked, trying to refuse the blanket.

"You're wet and will catch a chill," she scolded and slapped his hands as he tried to push the blanket off.

Conceding to her, Draco let her hold him close to her side and escort him into the house.

"How did you fall in the pool?" Snape asked, hold Harry tight to his chest.

Snape set Harry down on a sofa and with the waved his wand, instantly drying Harry, his clothes, the blanket and himself. Then Snape sat down and pulled the frightened child close.

With tears seeking an escape, Harry voice cracked: "I fell off the broom." The tears came moments after the words.

Snape picked Harry up and sat him on his lap.

Harry put his head on his dad's chest and wrapped his arms around the man tightly.

"What the hell were you doing on a broom?" Snape's voice boomed angrily, but Harry remained nestled.

"Draco wanted to teach me to fly," sobby mumbles came from Snape's chest as Harry held tighter.

Snape stroked Harry's head, rather than scold the boy on his stupidity.

Draco timidly approached Snape and Harry: "Is he okay?"

Snape's eyes were cold and piercing when he looked down at Draco, his tone held no mercy either: "He's a little shook up."

Draco stood with his hands behind his back, looking into Snape's dark and angry looking eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have let him try my beginner broom, instead of a proper broom."

Snape glanced up, seeing Narcissa remaining in the doorway.

"It's not all your fault Draco," Snape remarked, his glare softening. "Harry knew he shouldn't have been on the broom. I imagine he didn't want to disappoint you."

Snape felt tiny nods come from Harry.

Narcissa came over and place a hand on Harry's back and softly asked: "Do you want to have some lunch or would you like your dad to take you home?"

Harry looked up at her: "Lunch please," he mumbled and wiped away the last of his tears.

"We'll be in the solarium when you're ready," she smiled at Harry, then Snape.

Draco strode off at his mother's side.

Harry leaned up, taking in his father's facial expression when they looked at each other.

"Are you mad at me?" Harry questioned, hesitantly.

"Yes. But we'll discuss it later," Snape told him, standing Harry back on his feet and placing the blanket on the sofa next to him.

"It was an accident," Harry mentioned as his dad stood.

"I said we'd discuss it later," Snape stated firmly.

Harry silently walked beside his dad.

Narcissa remained seated and Draco stood when Harry and Snape came to the table.

"Are you feeling better?" Narcissa questioned Harry with a warm smile as he and his dad sat.

"Much, thank you," Harry returned the smile. "The water was rather cold."

"Cold water is better than a hard patio," Snape added his witty retorted.

"Not if you can't swim," Harry mumbled under his breath as he placed a few finger sandwiches on his plate.

"You can't fly or swim?" Draco snickered.

"Draco," Narcissa snapped, catching both the boy's attention.

Draco's giggles came to an abrupt stop. "Sorry, Harry," he said to the boy beside him.

"How is school going, Draco," Snape decided a change of subject was in order.

"It is hard to judge, it being so early in the year. I will of course be top of my classes by year's end," Draco reported with a pretentious air about him.

"Would you like to do my math?" Harry grinned at Draco.

"Are you any good at English essays?" Draco responded.

"Yeah. I'm two grades ahead in English," Harry stated proudly. "But I really suck at math."

Snape and Narcissa exchanged glances.

Once lunch was over the boys went up to Draco's toy room. Harry had never seen a room devoted to just toys. To Harry it looked more like a toy store.

"I just got this new Quidditch game," Draco dragged a long rectangular box into the middle of the room.

Harry watched as Draco unfolded the box. It was at least five feet long and unfolded to make it three feet wide. Post with holes in them popped up at either end of the playing field. Another box contained small figurines, mounted on brooms. One set of figurines where wearing red outfits, two of which had small bats of wood in their hands. The other team was dressed in blue.

"These two are chasers," Draco held up two of the blue figurines. "These two are beaters," he held up the two with bats in their hands. "This is your seeker and this one is the keeper. Wait a minute," Draco put the last two figures on the floor. "Do you have a wand?"

"It's not like my dad's but it can do stuff," Harry replied, pulling his wand out of his back pocket.

"Let me see it," Draco demanded, pulling it out of Harry's hand.

Draco pointed Harry's wand at the red figures and commanded: "Positions."

Harry watched in awe as the figurines hopped off the ground and floated in their starting positions on the playing field.

"Yup, your wand is one of the newer models. The old ones won't work for this game," Draco noted and gave Harry's back his wand.

"You have to use your wand to control your players," Draco explained.

"What do I have to make them do?" Harry questioned, as his players fell to the ground after Draco handed him back his wand.

"Are you telling me, you don't know anything about Quidditch?" Draco frowned.

Harry shook his head.

"Where has your dad kept you, locked in one of his potion closets?" Draco huffed loudly.

Harry shook his head.

"I've had this game for weeks and still haven't been able to play it because it needs at least two players. So I guess I better explain Quidditch to you," Draco sighed heavily and sat on the floor.

"Cissy, I have known you since primary school," Snape commented.

"Yes, many wondered whether you would choose Lily or myself," she grinned.

Snape refrained from comment on that subject, choosing instead to carry on with what he wanted to ask: "I assume you invited me here for a purpose. You have never invited me to your home without your husband being present or my need in some urgent matter involving your husband."

"The last time I asked you to help my husband, you told me in no uncertain terms, that you would never come to his aide again and," she paused briefly, "if you knew Lucius was away, why did you accept my invitation?" Narcissa scowled.

"You invitation was written by a very shaky hand," Snape remarked. His tone and facial expression hidden behind his emotionless facade.

Narcissa quietly rose from her seat and began to pace in front of the parlour's large window. She stopped at the centre of the window: "Lucius is in Azkaban," Narcissa said softly, kept her gaze out into the dull grey early fall afternoon.

Snape walked up behind her, keeping only inches between them: "I don't know how I could possible help him," Snape declared.

"It is not him that needs your help," she continued to speak softly.

Snape noticed her take in a long deep breath.

"I have no doubt, he will buy his way out," she added. "I do not wish to be here when he returns. You are the only person I know that would help me leave here and not cave in to his demands to know my where abouts. I have filed for divorce; the paper will be delivered to him on Monday."

"You know I would never turn my back on you," Snape replied, closing the gap between them and sliding his hands down her arms.

Narcissa leaned her back into his chest. "He will not accept my filling for divorce."

"I want to know what led to this decision of yours," Snape requested.

"Two weeks ago I learned I was pregnant. He said he would not play father to some bastard child. I have never shared my bed with another man," she took a shaky deep breath.

Snape spun her around: "What did he do to you?" he demanded, fury raging in his onyx eyes.

She turned her face from Snape.

"I lost the baby," she answered after a few moments of silence.

"Because of Lucius?" Snape's temper was not abating. "Remove the glamour you are hiding behind," he demanded.

She snapped her head back around and glared into Snape's eyes.

"Do not glare at me in such a manner. I have no need of Legilimency your emotions at present make your skill of Occlumency falter," he explained.

"I do not wish you or anyone else to see me at present," she stated fiercely. "You can surmise my condition in knowing he left me for dead. I was only released from St.Mungo's yesterday. While unconscious, the investigators took pictures into evidence of my condition and Lucius was arrested. He is being charged with his brutal attack on me, as well as causing the death of our unborn child." Her glamour could not hide her tears.

Snape held her tight, and gently rubbed her back.

"He will try and take Draco from me," her tears flowed heavier. "I beg you, take Draco from here tonight."

"I will take both of you from this place," Snape told her. "Once you are safe, arrangements will be made to remove your things from this place."

Snape helped her sit down, and then knelt before her: "What does Draco know about this?"

"I collected him from Protective Services yesterday and I told him they were unable to contact his father when I fell ill," she explained. "I don't know how to explain things to him, he is only a child." Snape pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed her eyes.

Snape resumed his seat; sitting on its edge to get as close to her as possible and suggested: "Perhaps you should let Draco spend the night with Harry and I, we'll arrange a guest suite for you at Hogwarts. You might want to take some time for yourself this evening and talk to Draco about you and Lucius tomorrow. I will arrange everything with Dumbledore. As for Draco's schooling, he can attend classes with Harry. I'm sure Remus won't mind," an evil smirk began to cross his face, as he envisioned Remus with two rambunctious ten year olds.

"Remus?" Narcissa queried. "You let a werewolf teach your son?" she looked horrified.

"I ensure he has a supply of Wolfbane and he is not a werewolf during the day. I needed someone that would treat Harry as a student, not bow to his fame. His tutor also needed to be trustworthy and willing to protect Harry if necessary," Snape explained.

"I will go pack a few things," Narcissa said, getting to her feet.

"I will check on the boys and tell Draco he is spending the night with Harry," Snape also rose.

Before Snape could walk away, Narcissa gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she spoke as soft as her had been, turned and walk away.

Snape stood in his spot, waiting till she had left the room before he went up to the boys in the toy room.

"Harry," Snape called into the room.

"You can't take him now," Draco snarled and stamped his foot down heavily. While Harry whined: "We haven't even started to play yet."

Snape took on a stormy glare that would make any of his students run in fear. "And you won't get to play if you two don't cease your tantrums this instant," he warned with a very harsh tone.

Both the boys lowered their heads and remained quiet, hoping Snape would say what he came to say, then leave so they could play.

"Before you two start whining or stamping your feet," Snape stated crossly, "I want you to clean up the game and pack up a few other toys. Draco you will be coming to spend the rest of the weekend with Harry and I."

Smiles quickly replaced pouts and Harry's sparkling emerald eyes darted up to meet his father's.

"I'll be in the parlour," Snape said and left.

"We can play all night," Draco said excitedly and began placing the figurines back in their box.

The playing field folded down to five feet long, but only one foot wide, with the figurines secure inside. Draco took hold of the handle on the long side of the box and exited the room with Harry beside him.

"We're ready," the boys chimed, joining Snape in the parlour.

"We have to wait for your mother," Snape told Draco.

"She's having a sleep over too?" Harry looked perplexed.

"She will be staying in one of the guest suites at Hogwarts," Snape explained.

"But Draco is staying in my room, right?" Harry questioned his dad.

"Yes," his dad replied as Narcissa entered the room.

"I flooed Dumbledore and asked him to open his fireplace for us to floo directly to his office," Snape told the group.

Snape leaned over and whispered to Narcissa: "He apparently knows about your condition."

Narcissa gave a slight nod.

"To use Dumbledore's floo line you must state your destination and then your name," Snape clarified. "Cissy." he waved the woman to go first.

As soon as all four of them where in Dumbledore's office, Snape told Harry to take Draco to their place. "Narcissa and I need to talk to Albus."

Harry looked over at the Headmaster.

"Perhaps next weekend would be a better time for us to talk to the portraits," Albus eyes twinkled as he smiled at Harry.

"Yes sir," Harry replied.

As soon as the boys closed the door behind them, Albus turned to Narcissa: "You are welcome to stay as long as you wish. I assure you; Lucius will not come here and cause trouble. I will also help you petition for custody of Draco."

Narcissa felt Snape's arm around her as he carefully lowered her into a chair.

"Thank you," was all she could presently think to say.

"Severus, perhaps you should tend to the boys, while I escort Narcissa to her suite and make sure she is comfortable," Albus suggested.

Snape walked into his living room, almost tripping over the coffee table that had been moved to make room for the Quidditch game.

"Shit!" Draco snarled when his keeper missed the ball, giving Harry's team the first point.

Harry could see his dad standing behind Draco and immediately lost his concentration, causing all his players to crash to the ground.

"Draco," Snape snapped and Draco jumped to his feet, turning to face Snape.

"Sorry. It slipped out," Draco responded, looking up at Snape's scowl.

"If it slips out again you will find yourself in your mother suite for the night," Snape's shapely stated.

"Yes sir," Draco answered before lowering his head.

"Harry help Draco take the game into your room," Snape ordered.

"Kay," a timid Harry answered.

Snape went to Harry's room while the boys gathered up the game. With a wave of his wand, Snape turned Harry big double bed into two smaller ones and placed them on opposite walls. A night table now stood next to each bed and the desk between the night tables, leaving the middle of the room open for the game.

Harry took one end of the game and Draco the other and they carried it still partially open.

Once the boys were behind Harry's closed door, Snape went over to his desk. He pulled a bottle of brandy out of the bottom drawer, poured himself a hefty glass and sunk it back in one gulp. Then leaned back in his desk chair and closed his eyes.