Lucius continued to stare at Draco in complete silence, although a word hadn't been said in what seemed like an eternity Lucius could see the tension radiating in his sons shoulders.

"Is there a reason for your abrupt arrival?" Lucius finally asked, raising a brow at his son.

Draco frowned and took a breath to compose himself, he tried to ignore the familiar twitch in his father's hand but the familiar motion only made him feel sick at what it meant.

"The trial was never about me, was it?" Draco finally asked, although he met Lucius' gaze he was met with empty eyes.

Lucius scoffed "doesn't that suit you perfectly, son?"

"Ideally I wish my mother was alive and my father wasn't a. . ." Draco stopped himself as Lucius began to laugh.

"She's dead because of you, son" Lucius replied waving his hand dismissively.

Draco shook his head and watched as his father got to his feet and made his way closer to Draco.

Draco instantly flinched but Lucius only walked past him and began to stare at the portrait of Narcissa on the wall.

"That's not true" Draco whispered as he took a breath to compose himself.

"She is dead because of you" Lucius repeated as he continued to stare up at the portrait.

"She's dead because of Voldemort-" Draco began but there was a small gasp as the back of Lucius hand swiped him clean across the face.

"The Dark Lord does what he feels is necessary and he felt it necessary because of you" Lucius spat.

Draco held his face as his eyes met his father's once more.

"Of course the trial wasn't about you" Lucius said silkily as he returned to his armchair "you have made your side clear so you are no good to me"

"How did you know that Harry would be there?" Draco asked simply.

Lucius laughed lightly "the golden boy was always going to get what he wanted and he was going to want to be wherever you and Snape were"

"He's not some spoiled brat!" Draco snapped defensively.

"Not like you, you mean?" Lucius hissed.

Draco shook his head but didn't reply.

"Nothing to add, Draco?" Lucius asked as he sipped his whisky.

"I hate you" Draco muttered as he looked up at his father.

Again Lucius was on his feet and he lunged at Draco.

Draco gasped for breath as Lucius lifted him clean off the floor by his collar and pinned him against the wall.

"Get off" Draco gasped.

"How dare you disrespect me in my own home!" Lucius shouted.

"Get off!" Draco screamed.

Lucius held out his hand "accio belt"

"No!" Draco cried out as he desperately tried to escape his father's grasp.

With a thud Draco hit the stone floor and he gasped as the belt bit the back of his legs. Draco kicked out frantically to avoid the continuous blows but he missed continuously.

"You should have died that day with your mother" Lucius hissed as he towered over the now shaking boy on the floor.

Draco closed his eyes as the belt was thrown into the air once more.

"Don't you even think about it" a deadly voice threatened from the doorway.

Draco flinched at the sound of the belt landing on the floor next to him and instinctively he curled in on himself.

"Get out, Snape" Lucius spat.

In a few long strides Snape had moved across the room till he was face to face with the senior Malfoy.

Lucius looked down at the wand clenched in the former death eaters hand and he sniggered "you won't use that against me, Severus" he said silkily.

Draco flinched at the audible crack and he felt the impact of another body hitting the floor. He opened his eyes to see Snape towering over his father; Lucius was holding the side of his face looking completely shocked.

"If you ever lay a finger on Draco again I will kill you" Severus growled pointing his wand down at the fallen Malfoy.

"That's enough, Severus" Dumbledore said softly, with a flick of his wand Lucius was bound in thick black ropes "leave him to the aurors"

Almost instantly Severus took his eyes off Lucius and moved towards Draco who was still on the floor, "Draco?" asked said softly.

Draco only continued to sniffle lightly.

"Can you open your eyes?" Severus asked as he ran his fingers gently through the teen's hair.

After a few seconds Draco opened his eyes and looked up at his godfather "I'm sorry, Uncle Sev" he whispered.

Severus nodded, Draco's impulsive decision to visit Malfoy Manor was a discussion they would be having at a later date but right now he needed to make sure he was okay "let's get you home"

Draco flinched lightly as Severus helped him to his feet but he didn't protest as he was led towards the floo. Although Draco didn't look back at his father he glanced up briefly at the portrait of his mother hoping that wherever she was, she was watching over him.

. . .

"Draco!" Harry called as Severus and Draco stepped through the floo at Snape Manor.

Silently Severus signalled to Molly to keep Harry out the way as he led Draco upstairs and into the teen's bedroom, he heard Harry protest and sigh before dropping onto the couch.

Draco sat on the bed still shaking as Severus left the room for a brief moment before returning with a case of various potions and salves.

"You have to tell me what happened" Severus said softly as he kneeled in front of the teen.

Draco shrugged "I just wanted to understand" he said simply.

"Understand what?" Severus prompted.

Draco shrugged and sighed heavily "I wanted to know if it really was just a plan to trap Harry" he said wiping away a stray tear "he used me to get to Harry"

Severus sighed "I know he did" he said simply.

"I wanted him to know how much I hate him" Draco muttered.

Severus sighed heavily "we'll have this discussion at a later date" he said simply "how hurt are you?" he asked.

"Not bad, I'll be fine" Draco said simply.

Severus gently lifted the teens head so their eyes met "I'm not going to let you be in pain when I can prevent it" he said simply, although knowing he could only heal the physical pain with potions left him feeling more than helpless.

"He hit me across the face" Draco muttered.

Severus turned his head to the side and he sighed at the bruise that was already forming, gently he applied the bruising balm as the room fell to silence.

Draco watched as Severus screwed the lid back onto the bruising balm and placed it back in the case.

"I'll need to make sure he's not left any injuries with the belt" Severus said softly.

Draco shook his head "they don't hurt" he said simply.

"You flinched when you sat down" Severus said simply "if you let me check what type of wounds they are I can give you the correct salve or potion and you can apply it while I collect more potions and return this case" he suggested.

Draco nodded and with a small sigh he got to his feet.

After giving Draco instructions on how to apply the salve Severus made his way towards his potions lab.

"Is he okay?" Molly asked catching Severus completely off guard.

Severus frowned "where's Harry?" he asked.

"Outside with Remus" Molly said simply and she didn't miss the faint smile on Severus' face.

"He's hurt but they're injuries I can have healed by this time tomorrow" Severus said simply "I'm more worried for his emotional state"

"Do you want me to speak to him?" Molly asked.

"Once I've given him his potions that might be a good idea" Severus said simply "I'm going to take these up, you should come" he offered and he was grateful when Molly nodded.

Severus gently knocked the bedroom door and after a few seconds Draco called for him to come in. He was happy to see the teen had already tucked himself into bed and seemed happy enough to rest.

"Did you manage?" Severus asked and Draco nodded lightly "I'll need to check again tomorrow"

"Hello, Mrs Weasley" Draco smiled already forgetting about the newly inflicted wounds.

Molly sat on the edge of the bed and gave Draco's hand a tight squeeze "I have no idea what you were thinking" she sighed.

"I don't know" Draco shrugged "I was just so mad"

"Draco, Severus loves you dearly" Molly began locking eyes with the teen "as do I, so if you ever need to talk or you want to know anything please come to one of us"

"I know I should have" Draco sighed.

"I know, sweetie" Molly said softly as she moved his fringe from his eyes.

Severus held out the first vial for Draco to take "pain relief" he said simply.

"Oh no" Draco muttered, he held his nose and he quickly downed the contents of the vial.

Draco almost rolled his eyes as Severus held out another vial for him to drink "what's this one?"

"Dreamless sleep" Severus said simply.

Draco shook his head "I don't need this"

"You do" Severus said softly as he passed the vial to Draco.

After Draco had downed the second vial he sunk back into the pillows listening as Molly told him one of the twins' latest pranks on Percy.

Draco looked up drowsily at Severus "'m sorry I put myself in danger" he mumbled before closing his eyes and falling into a peaceful sleep.

There was a small bang and a squeal from the kitchen and Severus rolled his eyes "these two are aging me by the day" he muttered to Molly as the quietly left the room to see what trouble Harry had gotten into with Remus.

. . .

The next day Draco woke with a stir and groggily he opened his eyes, surprisingly he wasn't in much pain.

"Hey" a voice said softly.

"Harry" Draco smiled.

"Guess what?" Harry said, he was grinning lightly and Draco rolled his eyes.

"We've adopted a pet dragon?" Draco teased.

Harry shook his head "Severus got custody" he grinned "Dumbledore came round last night but you were asleep"

Draco's eyes widened "so I get to stay?" he gasped.

"For good" Harry grinned as his eyes twinkled with excitement.

Draco returned Harry's grin "now we can focus on quidditch"

"And schoolwork" Severus added catching them both off guard as he entered with more potions.

Harry didn't fail to notice Draco's face had dropped at the mention of going back to school.

"I feel fine today, Uncle Sev" Draco said simply as he sat up with barely any pain.

"Well you'll feel even better after a few more potions" Severus said simply as he passed Draco another pain relief potion and the same tub from yesterday

Severus patted Harry lightly on the shoulder "let's let Draco get ready while you walk Cody" he said simply.

"Okay" Harry said as he got off the bed and made his way towards the door.

Draco frowned realising Harry was already dressed "what times it?" he asked.

"Half past eleven" Severus said simply "we thought you needed a bit of a lie in" he smiled simply and to his surprise Draco didn't protest.

"Can I have pancakes?" Draco asked simply.

Severus heard a small pop from downstairs and he rolled his eyes "I think Dolly is already on the case" he said simply as he got off the bed "if you need help just call" he said as he closed the door gently.

. . .

After finishing his pancakes and a stern talking to about taking it easy, Draco had run off to find Harry. The boys had only been gone for an hour and Severus was lost for what to do with himself, he was back in an empty house again and it made him feel smaller by the second.

He had a moment of panic that he had imagined the entire thing and he had spent his summer alone, after seeing the belt marks on Draco's body he also couldn't shake the thoughts of his old bedroom and his father and although he couldn't explain why he needed to see the room.

After a moment's thought made his way to the third floor of the manor, it looked a lot more dated than the other floors; he didn't like anyone coming up here so he never bothered with keeping it modern. He walked down two hallways and finally reached a door at the very end of the second one. He put his hand on the door knob and inhaled deeply before forcing the door open, the familiar creek of the door sent shivers down his spine. He was going to put this nightmare to bed so he could move on and enjoy his life.

The room was a lot colder than the rest of the house; he took two steps in and took in the sight of the old wooden bed frame and the chest of drawers. He could already hear his own screams echoing off the walls but he walked further into the room turning on the light. The house elves had still kept it remarkably clean. He looked around at how bare the room was, it still had a few textbooks and pictures placed on the set of drawers.

The familiar crack in the window was still letting in a small breeze that chilled his spine, he drew his wand to fix the crack but couldn't bring himself to do it, instead he sighed deeply and looked out the window at the view; it looked different now, almost like a dark cloud had finally lifted from the manor.

He caught sight of the boys running by; Harry was chasing Cody who had a ball in his mouth and Draco was waving his arms in frustration; he was clearly unable to keep up and had grown bored of the game.

'So much for taking it easy' Severus thought to himself as he laughed lightly as the lanky blonde teen dropped to the ground in a strop and crossed his arms. What am I doing sitting in this old room when I could be outside having fun with my kids?

A new feeling began to overwhelm Severus' entire body and he gasped. He felt physically lighter and warmer and he couldn't work out what it was but suddenly he didn't feel as trapped by the pain anymore. He could tell by the tightness in his chest and his skins uncomfortable tingle that he was still severely uncomfortable in his own skin and in this room but that didn't matter anymore, it was in the past and it was time to move on.

He looked back at the bed and for the first time he didn't feel weak, he felt strong. Another laugh from the boys outside sent a warm tingle through his body. He looked at the photo on the shelf; it was a photo of him and both his parents, Severus looked into his younger, fearful eyes and sighed before his eyes moved to his father's stern glare and for a second he held his breath.

"You don't get to control me anymore" he said quietly "I have a family now and even in death you have nobody" he said putting the photo back down before moving back to the window , he muttered a few words and the crack in the glass fixed. He smiled down once more at the teenage boys running around outside, is this what moving on feels like? He quickly left the room closing the door behind him and made his way downstairs.

Harry noticed Severus walking towards them both "Catch!" he shouted kicking the ball towards him but Severus immediately ducked out the way as the ball flew past him. "Dad you're meant to pass it back!" he shouted and ran to get the football.

"You kicked an object at my face what do you expect me to do" he said waving his hands in defeat.

"It's a football…and you're supposed to head but it?" Harry said sarcastically passing it to Draco who kicked the ball up and down with his foot; Draco was a natural at football and quite happy to show off his newly discovered talent.

"And if it's a football why am I using my head?" Severus asked confused by Harry's eye roll.

"You don't know how to play football?" Harry asked simply.

Severus returned his eye roll "do I look like the type of person to play football?" he asked sarcastically.

Harry shrugged his shoulders "good point"

The three of them stayed out all afternoon while Harry taught them both the rules of football, Draco took to it naturally and was dribbling the ball past Severus who couldn't manage to kick it without tripping over it and cursing at it.

Harry and Draco played one on one with Severus in goals although he tended to run away from the ball more than actually catch it. Draco scored goal after goal and Harry barely got a touch of the ball; he never had been very good at football.

"I bet you are terrible at quidditch" Draco laughed and Severus scowled at him.

"I am not!" Severus said picking up the football and throwing it at Draco's head. Draco head-butted it back and Severus jumped out the way, they both laughed jokingly as Severus ran to get the ball.

. . .

That night Severus left his study at just after 11, he had finished working on the lesson plans and was academically prepared for another year of students trying to blow up the dungeon. He stuck his head into Harry's room and the boy was fast asleep peacefully curled up into a little ball with Cody at the foot of his bed, he carefully pulled Harry's covers up further in case he got cold before leaving the door open slightly. Draco was also completely passed out; showing off his new talent had left the boy exhausted.

Once Severus entered his own room he collapsed into his own bed expecting the dark thoughts to take over his mind and he began to wonder when Albus would appear, to his surprise the thoughts never came. He fell into peaceful sleep thinking about how he was going to spend the last few days enjoying every second with his boys.

. . .

A few days later it was early evening and Harry was dragging his trunk downstairs and into the entrance hall, it was a lot heavier than the previous years as Severus had made sure he was well equipped. "Dad, help" he shouted when he couldn't move the case any further. Severus appeared and lifted the case easily down the final few steps and left it sitting by the front door.

It had been a relaxed final day at home; Harry had spent the early afternoon with Sirius, who was almost fully healed, and Draco had spent some quality time with Severus.

"Draco, have you started packing yet?" Severus shouted up.

"No!" Draco shouted back and Severus rolled his eyes.

"If you're not packed in the next 20 minutes I'll be taking your broom" Severus threatened.

"Fine!" Draco mumbled and they could both hear the bangs of the drawers opening and closing.

"Is he that worried about going back?" Harry asked and Severus nodded.

"All his friends are the children of death eaters or pure bloods at the very least, it's not going to be easy for him to slot back in" Severus explained.

"He always has my friends" Harry said confused; he was expecting Draco to hang around with him most of the time and his heart shrunk when he remembered Draco would be at the other end of the castle in the dungeon.

"Make sure he knows he has your friends" Severus said softly and Harry nodded.

Draco stomped down the stairs dragging his trunk behind him and placed it beside Harry's and Severus' before stomping into the living room and sitting on the sofa.

Harry followed him in and they both sat on opposite ends of the large sofa. Harry could already feel how tired he was but he was buzzing with excitement to get back to Hogwarts. "It will we okay, Draco" he said reassuringly and he was surprised when the blonde offered him a small smile.

Severus entered a few minutes later with three giant mugs of hot chocolate.

"I'm going to miss these kinds of nights" Draco said sipping the hot drink and instantly feeling warmer.

"You can always come down to my quarters and have one" Severus offered and they both smiled. The sun quickly began to set outside as they all curled up on the sofa together with Cody at their feet while they read a book.

Severus knew he had to savour these final moments because soon they were going back to Hogwarts and the chaos would surely start all over again, but for once he felt ready for it.

Aaaaand it's time to go back to school!

I'm acting in a show for the next week or so and RL is still tough but there should be a chapter up in the next few weeks when things (hopefully) chill out a bit!

Until then, I hope you're all well!