Three heads turned at the sound of an opening door, while a relieved smile worked its way unto the face of one as the pre-teen stood in the doorway. The boy was yawning widely, one hand rubbing at his eye in a cute gesture even as he walked towards the veela on the armchair, flopping bonelessly onto his lap which garnered an "Oof!" from the blonde haired teenager. Harry ignored the sound, snuggling closer to him with a contented sigh.
His 'seat' knew from the lax way the boy relaxed on him, that it would take less than a minute for him to drift back into a sound sleep. Normally he would have left him, but really did not think he could stand the ribbing from his friends in the interim.
"We have company little one," he whispered into the closest ear, chuckling lightly when Harry grumbled sleepily. It was not until he blew a steady stream of air into the boy's ear that Harry cracked an eyelid, shifting until Draco was forced to encircle him with his arms, ensuring that he did not fall off with all of his wriggling.
"Who's here?" Harry mumbled into Draco's shirt as he rubbed at his eye again. When no response was immediately offered, he sighed, leaving the comfort of his mate's shirt to look around him drowsily. He saw that it was his mate's Slytherin friends, sprawled on the carpet, with textbooks scattered around them. It was only then that Harry registered the book digging most uncomfortably into his shin, causing him to shift slightly to relieve the pressure before plopping his head back down against Draco's shoulder.
"Hi Millie, hi Blaise," he greeted. "What 'cha doing?"
"We're making History notes," Millicent replied with a grimace. "The point of it is questionable."
Blaise and Draco laughed ruefully. It was a common known fact that Millicent hated History with a passion. The only reason she was bothering was that her parents would leave her at her great aunt's house over the Christmas holidays if she did not pass everything. And, three weeks with Great Aunt Ida was pure torture indeed. It was motivation enough for her to study, although it did not stop her from complaining.
"How are you feeling Har-Har?" Blaise inquired closing his textbook.
"Better."
"You must still be sleepy," the Italian born wizard noted, as he sat up. "We've yet to get a complete sentence out of you," he finished in a teasing tone.
Harry's only response was to stick out his tongue at the teenager, pointedly ignoring the light rap Draco gave his knee.
"Blaise is right cub," Draco told his mate, rubbing his arm. "Perhaps you need to rest some more?"
"Hungry."
"No wonder," Millicent chuckled, waving her quill idly. "It's one of the few things that wake boys up."
"And you will know this how?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because if I want Blaise before midday on Sundays, I have to waft a bit of food under his nose. He nearly bit my finger one time!"
"That, my dear, was deliberate," Blaise retorted.
"Behave children," Draco ordered laconically, cutting off a potential verbal spar. Looking down at Harry, he continued. "Why don't you go wash up hmm? I'll see about some food in the meantime."
"Treacle tart?"
"I'll see what I can do," Draco reassured, gently pushing the boy off him.
It was several minutes before Harry ambled out of the washroom, considerably more awake than before. He batted at his damp fringe, as he closed the door behind him before stopping short, looking around him questioningly. "Was I dreaming or did we not just have company?" he asked the teenager uncovering a tray.
"They left," the blonde answered as he straightened. "They decided to give us some privacy."
"Oh...they could have stayed for dinner."
"Dinner doesn't start for about another forty or so minutes cub," Draco pointed out, patting the space besides him.
"What?" Harry's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Uncle Severus brought you back down here around half two. It's now a little after five."
"Then why am I so hungry?" he mused, before chewing.
"Perhaps the potions cub."
They lapsed down into silence while Harry ate. Draco had settled for a simple tea plate. He would have ordered the same for Harry but he had a sneaking suspicion that the remnants of the medication would render the boy drowsy a lot earlier than normal and he would not want him to wake in the middle of the night seeking sustenance if it could be avoided.
Draco was enjoying a second cup of tea when a rolled parchment materialised next to the tray. Eyeing it curiously, he swallowed the last of his tea before reaching for it. Harry took no notice of the new item, too intent on enjoying his second treacle tart. So good, he hummed to himself before grinning impishly when some filling leaked out staining his fingers. A quick peep ensured that his mate was not paying attention and taking advantage of it; he abandoned propriety and gave his hand a good long swipe with his tongue almost gurgling in delight at the taste.
He continued to lick his fingers clean, discretely keeping an eye on Draco whose expression grew more and more puzzled.
"This is odd," he murmured half to himself.
"What is?" Harry inquired as reaching for the last piece of the tart he had placed on his lap.
"This note is from Uncle Severus. He asks for me to bring you to Professor McGonagall's office if you wake up before eight. If not, we're to see him in the morning in his quarters."
"That is odd," Harry agreed, after he had swallowed.
"I know. He said that you would not be needed. Perhaps something else came up. I'll tell him we'll be there shortly. There's no point in delaying."
"Okay. I'll go change."
"Just wash up and put on a robe," Draco directed as he summoned a quill. "There's no sense in you changing out of your pyjamas just to put them back on."
"I thought you said never to go out in them?"
"That was when you lions had the bright idea to have a pyjama day," Draco deadpanned. "Besides, your robe will be closed."
"Oh yeah," Harry muttered, recalling the event in their second year. It never did come off as Professor McGonagall had been waiting patiently for her lions in the common room. One look into the woman's glinting eyes had sent the students racing back to their dorm rooms to change. Somehow though, the Weasley twins had escaped her notice much to the school's amusement. Not even the detentions they had received stopped them from bragging.
"Go on Harry, it won't do to keep them waiting."
"Well it's not like they know I'm awake yet," Harry grumbled as he left. After securing his robe, he went to his dresser to neaten his hair. He emitted a light yelp when an insect of some variety nipped his hand lightly.
"Bad bug!" he scolded the retreating creature as he scratched at the spot that itched slightly.
It was only a mild irritation, pale in comparison to the first years itching powder and...Harry froze with his hand hovering over the brush he had been reaching for. Wait...it couldn't be that, could it? His mate had said that Harry's presence was unnecessary, so could it be that he was being summoned for another matter, something bad enough that Uncle Sevvy would demand their presence as soon as possible.
What if the first years had found a way to successfully blame him for the pranks, and the Professor believed them this time. If that was the case, she would have called for his Uncle – any disciplinarian matters with him and Draco fell under their Uncle's jurisdiction. But maybe the first years hadn't found out about him but instead had caught the twins?
He doubted that they would rat on him, but still...the possibility was there that she could have gleaned it from their minds if they were broadcasting it loud enough. And once confronted with that they would have no choice but to confess... And if the Professor knew about his part in it, then she would also be aware that he had lied to her earlier when she had questioned him.
This was not good.
"Harry!" Draco called from the other room, drawing him from his thoughts.
"C-coming!" he shouted back, hoping the quiver in his voice had not been noticed. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was going to get into trouble, and not only with his head of house or Uncle. Once Draco found out, he would press further, asking why Harry had helped pranked them, and once he had admitted why, all hell would break loose from there.
As Harry left the safety of his bedroom and grasped some of the floo powder he was offered, he couldn't help but wish he had some way out of what was about to occur.
When Draco had replied to the missive, the deputy head mistress had added their fireplace temporarily to her floo network, wanting them there are quickly as possible. The teachers turned to the transportation hub when the fire suddenly flared before turning green. Immediately afterwards, the Malfoy heir stepped through graciously, nimbly stepping aside for his mate who stumbled out, gripping Draco's proffered arm to steady himself.
Harry took the opportunity to press his face to Draco's arm for a few seconds, drawing some comfort from it before he faced the occupants of the room. His heart rate increased incrementally when a glance around the room confirmed his fears. Seated on the other side of the room in transfigured seats were all of the first years whom had harassed him and whom he in turned had pranked.
All of them were eyeing him, and as he glanced to each one of them, he was slightly perplexed at the lack of animosity or malice in their eyes. Instead, he saw an emotion in their depths that he could not readily identify and so continued around the room until he saw Dean and Seamus.
His confusion grew as all of the negativity that he usually associated with the first years hit him when his gaze met them. What on earth? Never before had his year mates looked at him like that. True, they were not particularly close, nor did he really consider them as his friends, but still, why the blatant dislike?
Still mulling on that thought, Harry turned to the teachers. His head of house's lips were compressed in that way that implied that she were highly annoyed. Moreover, her fingers tapped against the desk in an agitated motioned that quickened when her gaze wondered to the side of the room where the Gryffindors sat.
Wait, she was annoyed with them? That didn't make sense, Harry pondered. All her annoyance should be levelled on him, not them.
It was the same with his Uncle Sevvy. The thunderous expression on his face was obviously directed at the other students. That was confirmed when he looked at them and the lines on his face relaxed considerably...although...was that a flash of disappointment when their eyes met? Harry could not be certain.
Next to him, the veela noted the obvious tension in the room, and briefly wondered about the first years' presence. He shrugged after a second, dismissing them. Probably Finnegan and Thomas had done something against them too. They weren't his concern in the least, only Harry. That being said...
"Good afternoon Professor McGonagall, Uncle Severus. You sent for us?" he greeted politely.
"That we did Mr. Malfoy," the Gryffindor witch responded with a small nod. "How are you feeling Mr. Potter?"
"I'm feeling better ma'am," Harry said cautiously, waiting for the scolding to begin.
Draco put down the odd note in Harry's voice to the presence of Finnegan and Thomas. Of course his mate would be cautious after what they had perpetrated against him earlier. It was best to hurry this along so he could get Harry back home for a nice relaxing evening.
"Might I inquire as to our presence Professor? Uncle Severus had stated that it would be unnecessary."
"That was true Draco," the potions master replied before the deputy headmistress could even open her mouth. "However, while investigating, Professor McGonagall uncovered something that necessitated your presence." Even though the man had been addressing the veela, his cool gaze was on the other boy the entire time, nothing the way he shied away from his gaze.
Here it comes, Harry thought, toe snubbing against the floor.
"Mr. Potter," his head of house called, causing him to raise his head.
"Ma'am?"
The two professors shared a speaking glance before she addressed him once again. "You've seen the other students that are here right?" A nod. "Very well, can you tell is why they would be here?"
The odd question drew a confused sound from one mate while the other nipped his lip.
Harry knew that he should just come out and say it and get it over with, but didn't have the courage to back up the thought. Thus he tried to deflect away from what he thought the primary issue was.
"They're here because they pranked me in Charms," he answered, pointing at the two third years glaring daggers at him.
Draco hissed at the pair. The warning cowered them and they lowered their gazes.
"That is one of the reasons," the lion professor agreed. "Now, can you answer about the first years?"
Too concerned about his upcoming statement, the odd wording of the professor' response was lost to him.
"Mr. Potter?" she repeated.
"Um...I..."
"Just answer cub," Draco whispered, rubbing Harry's back soothingly. He shot a questioning look at his Uncle who gave him a 'wait and see' one in response.
Taking a deep breath, Harry said the damning words. "Because of the pranks against them?"
His eyes widened in shock when she did not pounce on him but instead nodded. "Partly right. A most serious and might I add dangerous prank has been pulled on the first year students...and yourself," she finished.
"What? The Charms thing?"
"I'm afraid Harry," his Uncle stated, folding his arms. "What happened today is naught but the tip of the ice-berg."
"Um..." How did he respond to that?
"Uncle Severus, just what is going on here?" Draco asked, tired of all the double meaning statements that he could not decode.
"Perhaps Harry should tell you," Severus suggested. "Go on Harry, tell your mate why the first years are here...and what they have done to you."
A cold shiver ran over Harry at the last words. Wait, he had misunderstood. The first years weren't here because of what he had helped do to them, they were here because of what they had done to him. But he could feel no relief at that realisation because now the entire thing would be revealed to Draco, who would no doubt try to attack the first years, the very thing he had wanted to avoid.
There was not way around it he knew. All eyes were on him and even now, Draco was reaching down and turning him to face him with gentle hands. Moments later he felt fingers under his chin that lifted his head so that he was looking into confused blue eyes.
"Cub?" Draco asked carefully. "What does he mean by 'done to you'?"
Harry closed his eyes just to avoid his mate's gaze. There was concern in Draco's tone, but within the next minute, Harry had little doubt that he would be privy to Draco in all his adolescent veela glory.
He knew his time for thinking was up when Draco's grip moved to his shoulders where they flexed against his flesh.
"Just say it cub," Draco urged.
"You'll be mad," Harry whispered.
He could feel the tension increase in his mate before he replied.
"Just tell me."
Taking a deep breath, Harry obeyed the mild command. "The first years are mean to me." There it was out in the open. Today was a day of surprises, Harry thought seconds later when an angry screech did not erupt from his mate. Indeed the only noticeable reaction was the way the fingers on his shoulders tightened.
"Define 'mean'," Draco said levelly.
It was easier to respond now because consciously or unconsciously, Draco was exerting his powers as dominant, compelling Harry to respond to his directives. Thus the words finally flowed from him in a steady stream.
"They say hurtful things to me."
"Like?"
"I'm an evil wizard, I have the school bespelled..." By the time he was done reciting the list, Draco's grip was almost painful. Harry gave a slight whimper indicating his discomfort. He was released instantly. Restraining the urge to reach up and rub at his flesh, Harry instead reached out through his bond, trying to gauge Draco's emotions. He expected to find anger and rage...what he didn't expect to find however was an overwhelming feeling of hurt and betrayal.
His head rose sharply and Harry analysed his mate's face. On the surface Draco's face was almost blank, retaining the cool expression he had been schooled to wear on occasions like this – occasions when he was close to losing the aloof nature that the Malfoys were notorious for wearing in public, one that Harry never quite managed to put on. No, Draco was not trying to harness in anger or even his natural instincts. Harry could see no signs of a partial transformation from his mate and now that he had accessed it, all he felt was those two dreadful emotions.
"Draco?" he whispered hesitantly, completely forgetting about those around him.
His whispered call caused Draco's mask to crack slightly and Harry heard the strain in the older boy's voice when he spoke next. "How long Harry?" he inquired, his eyes dulling slightly. "How long has this been going on?"
Draco's tone shocked Harry to the core. Never before had there been that odd defeated quality in it. "The entire term," he choked out, feeling his own emotions rising as the emotions Draco felt reflected themselves in his eyes, sending pangs straight into Harry's heart.
"Almost three months?"
Harry could do nothing but nod, as that aura around Draco increased. His mate's next words hit him hard.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I-I didn't want to involve you in it," Harry managed to say. "I thought that I could handle it."
"Did a great job of that didn't you?" Draco scoffed.
"I..."
"I can't stay here," the blonde said suddenly, shaking his head.
"We're leaving?" Harry asked softly.
"No," Draco said, pinning him with a glance. "I am."
Harry could only stand there stunned when his mate turned away from him, addressing the Professors.
"Forgive me, but I have to leave."
The two teachers were surprised by the change in events and could do little more than nod as the blonde strode to the door.
Harry shook himself out of his reverie when he saw Draco's hand on the door handle. Was Draco really leaving him here, alone?
"Dominant!" he called, voice cracking half way through.
Draco did not turn, speaking to Harry while opening the door. "Whenever you're dismissed go back to our rooms," he ordered shortly. "I be there...eventually," he added before leaving, shutting the door with an audible click.
That click echoed in Harry mind as he realised that his mate had left him here alone. His veela didn't want to be near him. That thought had tears welling up in Harry's eyes as his breathing increased, growing choppy.
He heard footsteps approaching him and looked up through tear blurred eyes when his Uncle was inches away from him. Under other circumstances he would have threw his arms around the man, but now he could still read disappointment in the man's expression as the potions master waved his wand at him. Seconds later Harry found himself calming slightly, although the urge to weep remained. A cheering charm, he noted, as the man pocketed his wand.
"Are you calmer now?"
"Yes."
"Then we can continue," he said as he turned, resuming his place.
The transfigurations professor was not sure how to proceed but after the potions master nudged her, she put the departure of the veela to the back of her mind, and instead forced solely on the matter at hand.
"Harry," she began, dropping formality under the circumstances. "I won't ask you to go through what has been done to you as we have already accumulated a list."
"Yes ma'am."
"However," she continued, hating the despondent tone in the boy's voice. "I have to say that although the first years are fully culpable for their actions, they were influenced into doing so."
"I don't understand," he replied, struggling to push aside thoughts of his mate so he could focus. He had been trying to reach Draco but somehow the veela had managed to dampen the bond and was not responding to his calls.
"When Mr. Finnegan and Thomas were sent here for questioning, they at first, insisted that it was a mere joke. Based on the recent circumstances with the first years, I was led to believe that they were responsible for that as well. Quite interestedly, Mr. Thomas inadvertedly stated that they would never do something against the first years. When pressed, he continued that they were useful.
"Now, his choice of words were quite interesting and after some persuasion, they admitted to having duped the first years into hating you."
"What?" Harry was confused. First, his two year mates for some reason hated him, and now, they had turned the first years against him. "How is that possible? And why?"
"It seems Harry," Severus answered. "That they bear some animosity for you since you first year here."
"Why?"
The answer came from Seamus who snapped, "You're a damn menace that's why."
"Language!" his head of house chided even as Dean continued.
"Since the day you came here the school has been bending over backwards to please you. And all because you aligned yourself with a greasy snake!"
"Yes, everything was 'Potter this' and 'Harry that'," Seamus continued. "Oh, Harry's only nine and look, he can make a feather dance. What makes you so special? Nothing."
"Enough!" Severus ordered, noticing how Harry was cringing away. The boy was not in his good graces currently, but that did not mean that he would allow the boy to be intimidated.
Withering under the glares directed at them, the pair continued in a more normal tone. "We were tired of Potter running around like if he ruled the school and we decided to put him in his place. Where best to start than with first years who had never met him."
"We overhead a conversation with him and the Weaslette last year. He said he was looking forward to the incoming students. Something about he would finally have people his own age to hang out with. He was oh so chipper, blabbering about showing them around the school and all the fun they would have together."
Next to them, several of the first years were squirming, some regarding Harry remorsefully.
"We thought it would be grand to set it up so that Potter got the shock of his life when term started. It wasn't hard to convince the first years," Finnegan smirked. "They were so eager to please an upper class man, they bought it easily."
"Potter's face was hilarious that first time," the other stated.
"It was easy from there to get them to do the other stuff. It turned into a grand affair, especially when it became obvious that Potter wasn't going to go squeal to anyone because he didn't want his mate to put him on lockdown once again."
"Why Charms?" McGonagall interjected, moving the conversation along. The only lion currently in her favour was standing there woodenly, no doubt processing all that was being said. Worse yet, it appeared that he had little support in the room currently with his mate gone and Severus somewhat peeved with him.
"He humiliated us today, we wanted revenge."
"How?" Harry asked plaintively, breaking his silence. He could not believe what he was hearing. It was hard to comprehend how people he interacted with daily could bear such grudges against him, for things, he could not really even control. He could not help it if people liked him, and the teachers had to keep an extra eye on him. How could they fault him for that?"
"That I will have to take some blame for," McGonagall revealed with a sigh.
"Ma'am?"
"When I kept them back after class, I used you as an example of a student to emulate. Even with the slight disadvantage you have in terms of age, you still manage to complete all of your assignments with high quality. They somehow interpreted that as you slighting them and wanted revenge."
"So they pranked me?"
"Or tried to. Professor Flitwick's spell interacted with theirs. The jinxes they had cast would not have hurt you, simply leave you in an embarrassing position. However, it interacted badly with the Charms Professor's charm creating a burst of energy that struck you."
Severus was growing tired of the entire incident and frankly was growing concerned for his absent godson. He needed to make sure that he was not of doing something rash. He had some sympathy for his brat, but still, he had brought this onto himself.
"Since everything has been revealed now Minerva, shall we move on to the matter of punishment. I grow weary of this."
"Very well," the woman agreed, understanding his hidden reasoning for the request.
She decided to start with the first years. They looked shaken by what the upper years had stated. It was a life lesson for them she noted. She knew that being used to inflict hurt on another would leave a lasting effect on them, and hopefully leave them more cautious in their relations with other students. She felt for them, she truly did, but that would not stop her from handing them punishment. No matter the reason, bullying someone else was not acceptable. Hopefully, they would understand that someday.
Focussing on the eleven year olds, she cleared her throat and began. "Although your actions were influenced by others, I cannot condone it. Yes, you were misled, but somewhere along the line, I am sure that you saw the hurt you were inflicting on Mr. Potter.
"Insulting him, maligning his name, none of these actions should have been done against any student, no matter who they are or what you believed that they did. You represent the courageous and noble house of Gryffindor, but currently, I seriously wish you had been sorted into Hufflepuff, where no doubt you would have learnt more about the importance of loyalty and understanding.
"That being said, I hope you learn from this entire experience. I am assigning each of you three weeks of detention to be served with Mr. Filch, Professor Snape and myself. Secondly, I am restricting you to the Tower for that entire period. Outside of detention, you are only to leave Gryffindor for meals and classes. Any one found breaking this will be restricted to the dormitories for an extra week. I trust that I need not say that since the Quidditch match occurs within this time, you will not be attending. Lastly, letters will be sent to you parents."
As expected the last statement garnered the largest reaction from the group and more than one squirmed on their seats. Minerva knew that she could expect requests for several of her lions to be sent home for an evening or weekend.
"Are there any questions regarding your punishment? No? You are dismissed."
One by one, the eleven years old stood and left. Some looked towards the floor as they passed, although one or two shot Harry apologetic looks that the boy never noticed.
"As for you two," she said, as the last first year left. "I am ashamed of your behaviour, especially to one in your very own house. Were it not for the fact that Gryffindor would be in the negatives for years if I remove the amount of points you deserve, I would take them. Lying, turning students against a fellow housemate for naught more than petty jealousy, I am ashamed of you both.
"I am placing the both of you on disciplinary probation," she told the stony-faced pair. "Any wrong doings, even a step out of place and you will receive automatic suspension. You are banned from all extra-curricular activities inclusive of Quidditch matches and Hogsmeade trips for the remainder of the academic year. You will serve a minimum of a month's detention. After that I will revaluate and decide if the time should be extended.
"Like the first years you are restricted to the Tower, more specifically your dormitory as you apparently cannot be trusted around the younger students. I will ensure that any materials you may need are delivered to the room. You are not to approach Mr. Potter in any form or fashion, nor the other first years. Your parents will be informed of this as well. I hope you use this time to re-evaluate your values young men. You have set yourself on a very dangerous path."
There were no words from the students, except for a twin set of glares directed towards Harry. No doubt they still held Harry culpable for everything.
"Another week of detentions is added for both of you," Severus snapped, noticing the looks, "and note that I will add another week each time I see you looking at Harry with any hint of malice. Understood?"
"Yes sir," they muttered, withering under his gaze.
"Dismissed," McGonagall snapped, sighing in relief as they shuffled out, muttering to each other. The door closed none to quietly behind them, leaving on a pale faced Harry who had wrapped his hands around himself. The lion professor eyed the boy for a minute or so before speaking in a gentle voice. A part of her knew that she should administer the boy at least a mild scolding at least for letting the matter escalate to this point, but looking at the dejected expression on his face she couldn't manage it.
"Harry, I will leave you here to talk with your Uncle. I will see you in class next week."
"Yes ma'am," the boy whispered, not raising his head.
Neither Severus nor the boy moved until after the woman dismissed herself, graciously surrendering her office to them. By now the effect of the Cheering Charm was wearing off and with it, the bulk of Harry's emotion was once more pressing down on him, causing him to sniffle noisily.
The nasal sound broke the silence in the room and by the third little sniff, Severus' reserve broke. Sighing, he gathered the child to him, lifting him to sit on the edge of the teacher's table. Reaching for a handkerchief, he dabbed at the stray tears that had leaked from his bratling's eyes before covering his nose and pinching slightly.
"Blow you miserable child," he ordered shortly.
When the boy obeyed, he wiped his nose deftly before banishing the bit of cloth. He was toying with the idea of casting another charm on the child, if only to stop the water works that threatened to recommence. He tapped the small chin, and responding to the unspoken request, doleful emerald eyes rose to meet his. It took only one look at Harry for the last of Severus' anger to dissipate, leaving only that feeling of disappointment with the child. He forcibly shoved those emotions aside for now. The child needed him now; his own feelings on the matters were currently secondary.
"The situations you find yourself in," he said with a shake of the head. He pulled the boy to his chest, smiling slightly when he felt Harry's hands curl into his robes.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "I don't mean to..."
"I know, it just happens."
"But look what it did! Draco's left me!"
"Well," he said honestly, "I'm not entirely pleased with you at the moment myself."
His words had the boy tensing against him. Severus could have cursed when he raised the child's head, he saw that tears were once more shimmering in his eyes.
"You are too emotional," he declared, lifting Harry and settling him against his hip. He vaguely wondered how much longer he would be able to lift the boy in such a way. Eventually either Harry would grow too tall to make the gesture possible, or he would start to protest against it. Best to cherish the opportunity while he could, he thought, shifting him to a more comfortable position.
"Yes Draco left, and while I do not agree with his actions, he has his reasons for doing so. I suggest you and he talk about it." To emphasis his point, he tapped the boy's nose. "Now hang on tight, I'm flooing us back to your rooms."
Harry's reply was a tightening of his hands around the man's neck. His grip remained constant even as the man walked him into his bedroom and deposited him on his bed. The potions master turned away from him then and retrieving the shrunken potions kit in his pocket, he combined a sleeping potion with a dreamless sleep and fed the boy it.
As he waited for it to start working, he pushed his brat to lie down, covering him lightly with his coverlets. "I want you to clear your mind Harry. I know it is difficult but try to put your mate out of your thoughts. That's it little boy, now close your eyes. There we go. You've had an eventful day and it's taken its toll. No, no, do not worry, I will proof read your essay for you before I leave. Mind you I will not add anything, just fix any spelling errors. Yes, yes, Draco will come back once he has sorted himself out. Yes, I am still peeved at you, but it does not mean that I do not love you. Yes bratling, I would love you even if you blew up the school...no that is not something to try out. Now enough of your grumblings brat, breathe deeply. There you go, such a good boy."
Severus' words tapered off when Harry's chest rose and fell steadily. Good, the bratling was asleep and would remain so until morning. Tucking the cover more firmly around his torso, Severus hesitated only slightly before kissing the child's forehead tenderly. "Sleep well beloved brat," he whispered before leaving, closing the door behind him gently.
As he settled on a chair with the boy's essay, he reached for another item hidden in his robes. Now to check up on his other charge. Rolling his eyes at the ridiculous password, he stated clearly. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
As the school materialised on the parchment, he spoke to the enchanted material again. "Locate Draco Malfoy." The figures on the map rearranged themselves before zooming in on the Astronomy Tower. Hmm, Severus debated with himself about going to him but ultimately decided against it.
If his godson had gone to that remote area of the school, he definitely wanted privacy and he would honour that. Besides, Draco's name glowed yellow showing that although his emotions were unstable; they were not at a critical level. A quick check indicated that Harry's was the same. Ultimately, he decided to let the boys resolve their issues on their own. It was for the best.
With that thought in mind, Severus rolled up Harry's corrected parchment and set it on his table before leaving to write a few letters.