Chapter 14.

3:53 pm, June 24th, 1993

Short Interlude, Draco Malfoy

Draco watched as the dark-haired man sitting on the other couch drank down a bottle of Invigoration Draught. Draco wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to feel toward Severus.

The Severus Snape that Draco knew didn't seem like a man that Father would be close to. All Father's close friends such as Mr. Macnair and Mr. Avery that Draco knew of were cunning and decent purebloods who could never stand a stain on their exquisite robes. Severus was cunning and powerful for sure, but he was a half-blood, his mother was a laughstock among purebloods, and he himself didn't respect any social etiquette, either - he didn't even clean his hair and robes properly. However, Father and Severus were indeed allies for many years, maybe it was because they both spoke Parseltongue so that they couldn't tell direct lies to each other.

And then, Severus REVIVED Father. Even in the tragic plays, people tried to resurrect lost lovers, not dead allies or friends. Draco could hardly describe his gratitude and shock toward Severus' great deed.

Today, Father told Draco that he suspected Severus was emotionally hungry, so if you treated him with true friendship and goodwill, that man would return your favor hundreds folds. Father had recognized life debts owned by House Malfoy toward Severus, and proclaimed Severus as his brother in all but blood. Draco was told that he should treat Severus so. Draco had no problem recognizing the life debts, but to treat the unkempt potioneer as a real uncle, that would still take some adjustment.

Then Father also told Draco that he had invited Severus to be his godfather. Draco was so astonished that he almost checked if Father was an imposter. Draco knew Father really believed in pureblood supremacy. How could Father possibly invited a half-blood to be a Malfoy godfather? Father quickly assured Draco that since he was going to reach his magical majority within the next week, Severus wouldn't have any legal power over Draco, but Severus would protect Draco with his life anyway.

-OK, that is definitely Father.

And there came this man sitting in front of Draco, freely offering information that would help Draco redeem Slytherin, even the lot that Draco had deemed as hopeless. "Miss Parkinson might not be sharp, nor kind, but the Parkinsons have a reputation to be obedient to their head of house. A young Mr. Parkinson will enter Hogwarts this September. I have seen the boy once or twice, he might not be beyond redemption. Miss Parkinson would probably follow the next Head of Parkinson House's suit with some nudge in the right direction."

Draco duly nodded, and listed the young Mr. Parkinson as one of the persons he needed to talk to in the beginning of next semester.

Maybe Draco had spent too much time with Harry and Hermione, he started to feel that the way Father tried to use Severus wasn't really fair for the black-haired man. If he were to become Draco's godfather, Draco needed to treat him fairly, and it was not exactly the way that Father considered fair.

-OK, Severus is keen on redeeming Slytherin as well, so maybe I should work our relationships up from here. And I do need to send him better robes, toothpaste, and shampoos. Hopefully, Severus won't murder his new godson for sending him shampoo, will he?

Just as Draco was pondering if he could cut down cost somewhere so that he could buy Severus a house elf that was ridiculously expensive these days, the door of the suitcase opened, and Harry stepped out.

Severus quickly stood up from his couch, and glanced at Father on the bottom of the suitcase. Draco also stood up, and Father seemed to be OK.

Severus then turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, I need to talk to you in private as well. And in the meanwhile, I wonder if Narcissa could be here. She is a strong witch who is good at healing spells."

Draco looked at Harry expectantly, and some warmth toward Severus also rose from heart. Draco knew the time that his whole family were allowed to be together was quite limited, but he'd better not offend Harry by nagging. And Severus had just asked a difficult question that Draco wasn't sure how to ask.

Severus' request seemed to surprise Harry a bit, but the Boy-Who-Lived soon agreed to let Mother come here as well.