Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related.

"Lucius Malfoy. You are sentenced to stage three kidnapping one count, stage four abuse and neglect many counts, stage one breakout one count. Do you understand these charges?"

Severus listened to the charges being read out. Lucius was standing in the middle of a courtroom, looking terrified. Draco and Narcissa were sitting between Severus and Sirius, who was sitting next to Remus.

Lucius nodded, looking shaken. However, he tried to put on a haughty face, which fooled no one.

Narcissa, who had been horrified to learn what her husband had been up to, was staring down at him in disgust. She had filed for divorce, turning over all the estates and money to her and Draco.

Draco was taking it the worst of them all. He had idolized his father for many years, ever since he was born, never had he imagined Lucius was capable of this. But he was. Harry was proof.

Harry was still in the hospital wing. Most of his bruises and cuts were healed, but he was still far underweight and mentally damaged. He only allowed Madam Pomfrey to touch him so far, although he had let Ron and Hermione hold his hand briefly. He was still nervous and twitchy around Severus, Remus, and Sirius. Draco had learned to stay away, as his face brought back nightmares for Harry. Draco had never wished he looked more like his mother than he did now. He hated knowing he looked so much like Lucius, Harry was terrified at the sight of him.

Severus watched the court take place, only spending about half the time actually paying attention. He had spent the last two days trying to convince Harry he wasn't going to hurt him.

Today was the decision day. Either Harry was going to give it up, or keep the small baby growing inside of him. Harry had promised to wait until Severus was back before making a decision.

"Wait! Please! Don't do this!" Severus jerked out of his thoughts as Lucius' voice raised, pleading with the judge. Two large doors opened and a dementor was let out. Severus heard Draco whimper, and reached out to pull him close. The dementor glided towards Lucius, who was frantically straining against the chains holding him to the chair. Severus turned Draco's face into his shoulder, not wanting the young man to witness this.

Everyone watched as the dementor lowered it's hood, and Severus realized he was quite right to shield Draco's face from this. Rotten skin was stretched over it's face, the only break in it was the gaping mouth that looked diseased. Lowering it's head, it clamped it's mouth onto Lucius' in a perverse parody of a kiss. Severus shivered from the extreme cold. He watched as it sucked Lucius' soul out, leaving the shell of the man to slump in the seat. When it was done, it raised it's hood again and glided back out the door. Two wizards came out and collected Lucius, whose eyes were blank and dead.

Severus felt the shaking body of Draco against him, and rubbed his back to send some comfort. Sirius looked a bit sick, as if remembering that this very well could of happened to him. Remus had his eyes closed, and Narcissa was still staring at the now empty chair.

Draco's sobs were muted, muffled by Severus' robes. Hearing them, Narcissa blinked and turned to them.

"Draco, dear. Don't cry over him." She murmured, petting her son's hair down. Draco slightly turned his face to her.

"I'm not crying over him. I'm crying because I just realized I had lost him many years before, but I never realized it until now." Draco explained, sniffling slightly. Severus understood. He knew what it was like to idolize your father, only to have him turn out to be a monster in disguise.

They stood, Severus still supporting Draco. Narcissa took her son into her arms, who gladly released his hold on Severus' robes. Severus, Sirius, and Remus watched the two, a bit uncomfortable.

"I don't know how I'm going to be able to go there again. First He-who-must-not-be-named, now Father had tainted that house." Draco said, pulling away from his mother. She nodded.

"I will find us somewhere else to live. I have control over the money and lands now. I'll sell the manor and find another home for us. Never did like it, too big and empty for my tastes." Narcissa said.

Sirius cleared his throat. "Er, you guys could stay at my home until you find somewhere new." He offered. Narcissa smiled and Draco grinned.

"We'd like that, as long as we're not intruding." She said, releasing Draco and pulling a now shocked Sirius into her arms. He looked vaguely uncomfortable. Remus laughed.

"Not at all, after all, you two rightfully belong to the Black family." Sirius reminded her, after she let go of him. Narcissa's face fell.

"I hope Andromeda can forgive me." She whispered, thinking of her sister who had gotten into a fight with Narcissa and Bellatrix when she married Ted Tonks.

"Hey." Sirius lifted her chin to look her in the eyes. "You don't have to worry about that. She's forgiven you a long time ago."

Narcissa's eyes filled with tears and she launched herself at her cousin once more. Sirius' eyes were wide and he looked over at Remus, asking what should he do. Remus couldn't help it, he burst out laughing again.

Draco also laughed, seeing Sirius' face. Severus hid his small smile, not wanting to disturb the uneasy truce Sirius and himself had called.

Sirius had came to him and called the truce for Harry's sake, mentioning that he loved his godson and would accept anything that made him happy, even if it was his old school enemy. Severus accepted, also wanting to make Harry happy. And it was worth it, to see the timid smile on Harry's face.

He wondered what Harry was doing now.

*Meanwhile*

No.

"But Harry-" Hermione was cut off by Harry's firm shake. She glared at him.

Ron was busying himself by tidying Harry's blankets and fluffing up his pillow, unneeded but it was something to distract himself. Harry and Hermione had been arguing over whether or not Harry was going to tell them his decision. Hermione was so excited, she couldn't wait, but Harry was adamant about Severus being there.

No sooner than Hermione had opened her mouth, the door opened and Severus, Remus, and Draco walked in.

"How was it?" Ron asked, asking about the hearing.

"It's done. He's got the kiss." Remus said. Harry shrank back into his blankets. Hermione reached out and stopped him from covering his face.

"No, Harry. No hiding. You promised." She reminded him. Harry scowled and dropped the blanket, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What did he promise?" Draco asked, keeping his distance.

"He promised he was going to stop hiding every time there are a lot of people in the room. He needs to get used to it if he's going to continue his school. Plus, he needs to realize no one here will hurt him, not even you." At this last part, her eyes narrowed at the blonde, who smiled and raised his hands in surrender.

"I'll be on my best behavior." Draco promised. "But does he really want to continue school?"

"Yes." Hermione said at the same time Harry shook his head no. She glared at him, he stuck his tongue out at her.

Ron chuckled. "Those two have been arguing ever since we got here. If it wasn't about going back to school, it was about his decision." Pomfrey came out then, nodding in the newcomers direction.

"So, have you made one, Mr. Potter?" She asked, her voice brisk. Harry nodded. "What have you chosen?"

Harry scribbled something down, then clutched it to his chest when she tried to take it. He shook his head and pointed to Severus.

Pomfrey sighed. "Severus, I think he wants you to read it and tell us."

Severus widened his eyes, but stepped forward and took the piece of parchment that held Harry's child's fate. He read it quickly, unable to stop the tears from springing into his eyes.

"Well? What did he write?" Hermione demanded, fearful because Severus crying was never a good thing…

"H-He wants to keep it. He wants to keep it and me." Severus looked up at Harry, who blushed and looked down.

…until now. Hermione squealed and hugged Harry, causing him to squirm and fidget until she let go. Harry motioned for the parchment back and wrote something when Severus handed it over. He showed Hermione it, who scowled and said, "I am a girl!" She huffed and moved closer to Ron, who had also read it and was now laughing.

Harry had written Gee, Hermione, you sound like a girl on the parchment. He showed everyone, who laughed, secretly pleased that Harry was opening up more.

"So, Mr. Potter, do you feel ready to go back to classes?" Pomfrey's voice was now soft, worried for him. Harry thought about it, his brow furrowing in deep thought.

He slowly nodded as he wrote something down.

Yeah, I think I am, but I don't know if I'm ready to sleep in the dormitories yet.

"Understandable. Where would you feel safe at?" Pomfrey asked. Harry blushed again and wrote With Severus. He makes me feel safe.

Severus' heart nearly burst with joy. He made Harry feel safe! Pomfrey bit her lip, obviously not really wanting him to stay with his professor, but eventually she nodded.

"I'll talk to McGonagall and let her know of the arraignment." she said, smoothing down her apron.

Where is Sirius? Harry wrote and showed to Remus.

"He is with Narcissa. They went to move her and Draco into his place until they found a new home." Remus said, smiling.

Why do they need a new home?

"That house has too many bad memories now. We needed to get away from it." Draco answered, pleased when Harry didn't flinch looking at him. It had only been two days since he was rescued, but he had improved majorly.

I'm sorry.

Draco waved a hand. "Don't be."

Sirius suddenly walked in, his arms full of the giggling one-year-old named Teddy. "Hey, Harry, Ron, Hermione." he said, stopping in front of Harry's bed. "What did I miss?"

"Harry's decided to keep it." Hermione blurted, grinning.

"Congrats!" Sirius said, turning to pass the toddler to his father. Harry reached out, asking with his arms and face if he could hold Teddy. Sirius smiled and handed the boy off to Harry.

Harry pursed his lips, as if cooing to Teddy, who giggled again and changed his hair to match Harry's. Everyone watched as the change took place on Harry's face, brightening as he played with Teddy. It was at this moment, Harry almost seemed….normal. This was the moment when everyone was reminded of just how much Harry's been through, but he's still one of the best people they've ever met.

Pomfrey, who had left to go find McGonagall, came back and stopped by Harry's bed.

"It's settled, Mr. Potter. You may move your things into Severus' rooms. However, you must continue to bring up your health and come here every third Saturday for a monthly checkup. On the fourth visit, I will be able to perform a blood test that will say who the other father is." She gazed sternly at him. He nodded and handed Teddy off to Remus. He started to get up from the bed. He was still only dressed in Severus' robes.

"Here." Hermione reached over and picked up a uniform off the table next to Harry. She handed it to him, he walked over behind a curtain and got dressed, walking back out. It was obvious that he was still underweight, but he had a lot more color to him.

He smiled timidly and motioned for everyone to walk in front of him out of the room. He followed at the back of the group, looking around as if he had never seen Hogwarts before. Draco excused himself and walked off, headed towards the Slytherin common room.

"So, Christmas is just around the corner." Sirius said, grinning.

"Oh, I can't wait. My parents are traveling to France this year, but I don't know if I will go with them or not." Hermione bit her lip, deep in thought.

"Why not?" Ron asked. She blushed.

"Because it will be our first Christmas as an engaged couple," she explained. Now it was Ron's turn to blush.

"Right. Well, I don't want you to miss out on a chance to visit France."

"I won't. They go there every other year. I went there in my third year." She turned to Harry. "What are you going to do?" She asked him.

He wrote something quickly. If it's okay, I'd like to spend it with both my godfathers and Severus.

The three men smiled. "Of course it's okay," Remus said, shifting Teddy in his arms. He didn't want to put him down, because Teddy was learning to walk and would try to take off.

Harry tried to stifle a yawn, but everyone saw it. He wondered how he was still tired, after spending all that time in the hospital bed.

"Your body needs proper rest. Come." Severus almost reached out for his arm, but remembered at the last second and pulled back.

Bidding everyone goodbye, Severus and Harry left for Harry's new living quarters. As they were walking, Severus felt a feather-like touch on his hand. Harry was walking behind him, lightly touching his hand. Severus hid a grin and continued as though he felt nothing. He didn't want to scare the boy after all.