Chapter 25: The Malfoy heir
The Dark Lord ordered Severus to spy on Dumbledore from afar. It was, he pointed out, Severus own fault that the task had become harder due to his inability to get the potions job. Severus was glad about the assignment. That way he could meet the headmaster to pass on information and learn more occlumency (the art of fighting legilimency or even lie to a legilimens). Severus thought he hadn´t much to offer the old wizard. As he never was part of any attacks, he only could provide him with snatches of conversation overheard at meetings, but the old wizard was content with that.
"I was able to warn some of our people in time," he said in September. "You saved some lives, Severus. Emmiline Vance and her husband asked me to express their gratitude for them."
Severus paled. "You didn´t tell them about me!"
"Of course not, my boy. They know I have a spy, but they have no idea about your identity. They just want the unknown saviour to know they´re grateful."
Severus smiled weakly. It felt good to know that he had helped somebody. For the first time in what seemed like forever Severus felt useful.
-x-
In October, Lucius and Narcissa asked another favour from Severus.
"I feel strong enough to try again," said Narcissa, "to give my husband the heir he desires."
"Congratulations," smiled the potions master. They were having dinner before a meeting together, again. "Do you need that strenghtening draught I brewed last winter again? I´ll gladly provide it."
"I will," said Narcissa. "But it´s not as simple as that. I lost not only the baby," her voice fainted as she spoke about the painful events, "but also was seriously injured in my fall. It seems I have trouble to conceive." Her voice ebbed away.
"Narcissa´s healer gave us the name of a potion that could help. Can you...?" Lucius handed Severus a slip of parchment.
"I read about it. It´s not hard to brew, but it needs some very rare ingredients," said Severus.
"You name it, I will get it for you," Lucius said firmly.
"We´ll make a list of what is needed after the meeting," Severus suggested.
"Thank you," whispered Narcissa.
-x-
Lucius spent a small fortune on potions ingredients such as "hair from the tail of a female polar bear", "penguin feathers", "sea cucumbers picked by a virgin mermaid" and "royal blood". Not to mention the more common ones like phoenix tears, unicorn tail hair, doxy droppings, carrots and lemon juice.
Severus brought a bottle of potion for Narcissa two weeks after their conversation.
"You have to take one drop, and one only, before every meal. Don´t be disappointed when it doesn´t work at once. The text says that it may take some months. The bottle holds enough potion for nearly a year, and I´ll brew more if it´s needed. Once you are with child, you can´t stop taking it at once. You should exchange it for the strenghtening draught only after two months."
"Is there anything else I can do?" asked Narcissa. She held the bottle like a little treasure.
"No alcohol. It won´t react well with the potion."
"I will remember it," smiled Narcissa.
-x-
Time went by quickly with spying, brewing and practicing occlumency.
Once Severus had gotten a hang of the latter, he improved quickly. Dumbledore sung his praise at the rare opportunities they had more lessons. The headmaster had come up with the idea to tell Voldemort that he, Dumbledore, had gone on a trip and Severus had followed him to find out where he went and whom he met, while in reality they were at a room at the Hog´s Head, practicing mind magic.
The Dark Lord approved of Severus´ efforts. He listened patiently to tales of Dumbledore going to spas and enjoying massages.
-x-
It was another Christmas spent at the Malfoys´. It was like any Christmas at the Malfoys´. Until Lucius opened his present from Narcissa. It contained a pair of light blue baby shoes.
"Really?" Lucius cried and Narcissa nodded. The blond hurried to hug his wife, lift her and spin her around. The witch laughed and jubilated in turn.
"Sorry!" Lucius cried suddenly and lowered his wife on the sofa gently. "Did I hurt you?"
"No!" laughed Narcissa. "I´m well."
"I´m the happiest man on earth!" Lucius stated. He looked at Severus. "Thank you, my friend. Thank you so much."
-x-
The Malfoys, Severus was informed, invited all family – including Bellatrix and her husband – to share the good news for New Year´s Eve.
It was a clever move. Although Bellatrix never had apologized for cursing Narcissa, the loss of her nephew seemed to have gotten to her. She acted very protective of Narcissa and the baby ever since she learned of the new pregnancy.
As a result, she and Rodolphus were welcome at dinner again. Bellatrix behaved and never said a word against Severus. When Narcissa started to show in March, she even thanked him for providing the potion that helped Narcissa carry her child.
The Dark Lord became aware of the truce between his potions master and his most devoted by Easter.
"Tell me, Bellatrix, what did Severus do to convince you of his devotion?" the man asked in one of the rare meetings without any prisoners.
"I learned that he has nothing but friendship for my sister, my Lord," said the witch.
"How come?" The Dark Lord was bored and Bellatrix had a very entertaining way of telling stories.
"I learned he brews a strenghtening draught for her to help her with the baby."
"A baby? Lucius, you didn´t tell me!"
The blond wizard stepped forward. "I was afraid of sharing the news when it isn´t sure that my wife will be able to carry the child to term," he explained.
"So when are congratulation in order?"
"In late July, if everything goes well, my Lord."
The Dark Lord scrutinized the younger wizard. "A child as the seventh month dies, Lucius? Did you defy me? Thrice?"
"My Lord!" Lucius was scandalized. "If you suspect me of defying you, I failed to make my devotion to you known." He fell to his knees. "Everything I own and am is yours to use for your noble cause, my Lord."
The Dark Lord ordered Lucius to stand with a short gesture. From that day on, Lord Voldemort mistrusted his servant Lucius Malfoy.
-x-
As the weeks passed, the Dark Lord became suspicious of having a spy among his deatheaters. Too many targets escaped their attacks. Too many times they found homes deserted. Lucius was on top of the Dark Lord´s suspect list. He even used cruciatus to find out whether Lucius had given information to the enemy.
It was hard for Severus to see his friend suffer but it couldn´t be helped. The only thing he could do was make sure to give away information that Lucius didn´t have. That way, he hoped, the Dark Lord would leave the blond alone.
His hope was crushed, when the Dark Lord started asking Bellatrix whether Lucius had been asking her about things the Dark Lord hadn´t told him.
"Never, my Lord!" the woman assured her master. "He knows his place and never asks for information my Lord doesn´t share personally with him. Lucius is a loyal deatheater, Master!"
Despite Bellatrix´ reassurances, Lucius was sent out of the room several times at meetings. The blond set his teeth. Being excluded in his own house was humiliating. Severus told himself that he was making it up to his friend by helping Narcissa with the baby.
-x-
It was early in June, when a meeting was disturbed in the most unprobable way. Dobby, Lucius´ house elf, appeared out of thin air in the midst of the deatheaters.
"Master Lucius!" the little creature cried. "It´s the lady! She asks for Master Lucius to come quickly!"
"Oh my God! The baby!" Lucius turned on the spot and ran. "Forgive me, my Lord," he breathed before he disappeared.
"It seems I blamed him for nothing," said the Dark Lord. "Severus, you know about remedies. Go with him."
Severus bowed and followed his friend.
Narcissa was in pain. Her eyes were big and frightened. "It´s too early, he´s not ready!" she moaned as Lucius knelt by her bedside. "Lucius!"
"I´m here, beloved. I sent Dobby for the healer."
"What can I do to help?" Severus asked from the door.
"I don´t dare give her potions without consulting the healer. But I´d be grateful if you could prepare what can be used to save a premature baby. Use my lab."
"Send Dobby, if you need me." Severus started brewing several potions at once. A blood replenishing potion for Narcissa. Strenghtening draughts for children. A potion to help the child breathe.
Dobby appeared two hours later. "The healer asks Master Severus to come upstairs to tell him which potions she needs."
The potions master ordered the elf to stir one of the cauldrons while he confered with the healer.
Narcissa was still in pain and whimpering all the time. Lucius held her hand and was deadly pale.
"So you´re the resident potions master," said the healer, an elderly, very skinny woman. "When did you get away from Horace Slughorn, the old codger? Last year? – Anyway, I need these." She handed Severus a list. "And it would be fine if you could provide one for the pain without any belladonna in it."
Severus produced a vial from his pocket. "Your pain killer. It´s based on phoenix tears and should be harmless for the child." He read through the list and produced two more vials. "The blood replenishing potion and the strenghtening solution."
The healer took the vials. "They´re still warm. You brewed them today?"
"I started when Lucius asked me for help."
"Lucius, you didn´t call me immediately?" the healer asked sternly.
"Of course I called you as soon as I was notified there was a problem," said the pale wizard.
"Impossible! You can´t make these potions in two hours!"
"In fact I can, Madam. Better tend to your patient than tell me what I can and can not do. I´ll bring you the rest within the hour." That said, Severus returned to the lab.
Narcissa gave birth to a very weak little boy in the morning of June, 5th. Her mother and sister came to support her.
Severus found the three women sitting side by side in the bed when he brought another vial of potion for the baby. Narcissa was holding the small bundle.
"Mother," the blonde witch said, "he´s so small! I fear every breath could be his last. My dear little boy!"
touched her daughter´s cheek lightly. "Be brave, my child, as is he. He fights for his little life although it is hard. And don´t forget, never tell him his name!"
"I won´t, mother! I´d keep calling him boy until the day I die if I knew it kept him alive."
"I wish I could do something." Bellatrix looked at her tiny nephew and for the first time ever Severus thought he saw despair in her face.
The potions master cleared his throat. "I´m sorry to intrude, but I have another vial of strenghtening solution for your child, Lady Narcissa."
The blonde witch giggled. "Since when are we on formal terms, Severus? My sister knows you are a close friend, and my mother will be honoured to meet the man who made my small miracle possible. Mother, Severus brewed potions for me to help me with the pregnancy nearly every day. My little one wouldn´t be here if it weren´t for him." She took the vial from Severus.
Mrs. Black smiled at the young man. "Thank you, Master Snape. You are a true friend to my daughter and her husband. Speaking of your husband, my child. Where is he?"
"Trying to get hold of babel fish scales," explained the potions master. "The healer suggested a draught for the baby where they´re needed. Babel fish is extremely rare."
"Lucius´d do anything for his son," Narcissa pointed out.
"Narcissa," Severus asked, "may I ask you a question? I heard you say that you won´t use the baby´s name. Why´s that?"
"It´s an old wizarding belief," the witch explained, looking down at the tiny baby lovingly, "that a soul can´t leave when it doesn´t know what it´s gravestone will say. So by not telling him his name I make sure he has to stay here with me until he learns."
Severus smiled. "If Lucius can get hold of a babel fish, your little boy will soon be able to hear his name. It´s a very powerful potion the healer suggested." Wizarding belief or not, Severus just hoped that Lucius hurried. The child didn´t look as if he cared for his name.
-x-
Lucius came back with a tiny scale of babel fish. "It´s all I could get," he sighed. "Is it enough?"
Severus shook his head. "The recipe speaks of three scales. But I will try to prepare only a third of the draught. It may work. I don´t know. Assist me with the ingredients?"
The two men chopped and squeezed and sliced ingredients in silence. When Severus started the actual brew, Lucius sat and watched.
"If it worked, this should turn silver when I add the scale," Severus explained. He carefully dropped the last ingredient into the cauldron.
The men waited with bated breath. First the brew turned green and the two wizards looked at each other in despair. But then a small cloud of steam rose from the cauldron and the potion glittered silver.
"Green and silver," whispered Lucius.
"Slytherin colours," added Severus.
"A good omen! Let´s take the potion to my son!"
Severus filled the potion into a flask and the two men went upstairs.
-x-
They found Narcissa crying.
"He´s dying," she sobbed. "I can´t make him take his potion! He´s too weak!"
Her mother and sister looked devastated.
"We brought a better potion," Lucius cried.
"Don´t you understand?" screamed his wife. "Whatever it is, he won´t swallow it! He´s too weak!"
"Narcissa, beloved!" Lucius kneeled by the bedside and tried to hold his wife´s hand.
The witch withdrew her hand. "You should look for a more worthy wife! I´m too weak to give you your heir," sobbed Narcissa. "Leave me and find happiness elsewhere!"
"How can you say that! My happiness lies with you!" Lucius reassured her.
Severus watched his friends with sorrow. He handed Bellatrix the flask. "Unstopper that for me." Then he took the bundle from Narcissa´s lap. He dipped his finger in the warm potion and held it to the lips of the barely breathing child. Gently he forced his finger between the pale lips. He moved his finger a bit to wipe some of the potion on the tiny tongue. "More!" he ordered and Bellatrix held out the flask.
"What are you doing?" Mrs. Black asked anxiously.
"Trying to save the baby. – More!"
Severus was putting his finger into the tiny mouth for the fifth time when he felt a reaction. The child was trying to suck the finger.
"He reacts!" the young wizard cried. "More!" He added another drop of potion.
Lucius and Narcissa stopped their quarrel and watched in awe.
"I think we can risk a spoon," Severus ordered.
Carefully Bellatrix filled a tiny spoon with potion and handed it to Severus. The potions master administered the draught with equal care before he handed the baby back to Narcissa. The child´s cheeks had gained colour instantly and his breathing was stronger now.
"Lucius! Tell the healer!" Narcissa cried happily. "Quick!"
-x-
The healer congratulated Severus. "To be honest, I never thought he´d make it. He´s just too small and weak, but you saved him. Congratulations Lord and Lady Malfoy. Your child will live. I´ll give your friend here another list what to brew for him."
Malfoy Manor hadn´t seen so happy people in years. Lucius was beaming like a lunatic all the time. thanked Severus for saving her only grandchild repeatedly and even Bellatrix was in a good mood. She whispered to Severus that her other sister had started a blood traiterous liaison shortly after Severus had met her at her uncle´s house and that the Malfoy baby was her mother's second grandchild. Lady Druella wasn´t ready to acknowledge the other brat, though.
In the evening there was a small feast and Severus was the second guest of honour. The first one slept in his crib, which stood between Narcissa and Lucius´ chairs. After the meal Lucius tapped his glass with his spoon and the witches and wizards fell silent.
"Dear family and dear friend," the blond bowed to his guests, "I want to use this festive occasion to thank you, Severus, for saving my heir." There was a warm round of applause. "And to finally speak the name we chose for him. First, we wanted to name him after the Head of the most noble house of Black." Lucius rose his glass to Narcissa´s uncle, Orion. "But the circumstances of his birth showed us that an other name is fit for him." Lucius turned and picked up the sleeping baby. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Malfoy heir. Draco Malfoy!"
The guests clapped again.
Orion rose and lifted his glass. "Although I´d have considered it an honour to have this fine young man named for me, I must congratulate you to your choice. It´s a good, strong, wizarding name."
"He fought for his life like a dragon," beamed Narcissa lovingly and took the baby Lucius was handing her.
-x-
Barely two months later disaster struck. Lily gave birth to a little boy on the last day of July. The Dark Lord let his followers know that he considered this child the child of the prophecy. Several of his servants pointed out that the Longbottoms had gotten a boy only the day before, but the Dark Lord wasn´t interested in the aurors´ child.