A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, you'll be happy to know I'm almost done
writing the story, or at least getting closer and that means you won't have
to wait for any chapters.
Chapter Five-The Dark Mark
Severus sat in front of a fire in his private chambers, with a glass of wine in one hand he stared at the flames, waiting for eight to roll around, trying hard to think what he was to tell his daughter. Harry had, in the past day or so, seemed to accept the truth and slowly come to terms with it. Severus had only talked to Harry twice since he had told him the truth three weeks ago, and had given the reason for it that Harry simply wanted to be alone for awhile.
It was now mid October, and everyone was excited for Halloween, while on the other hand Severus was excited about December 16th this year. Dumbledore hadn't told them yet, but there was to be a dance for all the students and staff on the 16th, and Severus couldn't wait.
October was its usual month, getting colder now, the students were outside more than they usually were with Quidditch finally under way. Harry was busy, but the boy was handling it seemingly well. Severus attributed Harry's level head to his mother.
As well as it being nice outside and busy on the school grounds, there hadn't been a meeting yet, which relieved Severus, he was desperately hoping that Voldemort wasn't planning anything this year. Although somewhere deep inside Severus knew that wasn't true and that this year things would change, either for the better or worse.
A knock on his chambers brought him out of his thoughts, he placed his wine glass on the coffee table in front of him and slowly walked to the door, surprised when he saw Draco Malfoy standing on the other side. Clutching his inner elbow the boy had tears cascading down his thin pale face. Severus, worried for Draco's safety gently yanked the boy inside and closed the door.
"What happened?" He asked quietly. Malfoy whimpered slightly and pulled back his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark, which looked newly burned and horribly painful. Severus remembered getting his Dark Mark, and had indeed hated it, and the pain it caused.
"Draco, did your father do this to you? Did he take you to a meeting?" The blond boy nodded. Severus cursed under his breath. When Draco had been born fourteen years ago, Severus had been named the God-father, and at first Severus was sure the boy would be just like his father, rude and stuck up. To his surprise the boy only acted that way when he was around other people, however around Severus he often acted as though he were afraid.
"Come sit down," Severus said calmly. Leading the boy towards the couch he sat him down and sighed, he then handed him what little was left of his wine and looked at him.
"Drink this, it'll help," he whispered. He waited until Draco had composed himself somewhat and shook his head.
"Your father isn't like most fathers," Severus whispered, "Accio Wand!" He called forcefully as his wand landed gently in his hands.
"I don't wanna be a Death Eater," Draco whispered. Severus sighed, he didn't want his god-son to be one either.
"Don't worry, I really don't want it either. Draco tell me exactly what happened."
"He threatened me that if I didn't get it he would." Draco stopped. Severus drew in a sharp breath. He had known for years about Lucius hitting Draco, and it was getting down to the last straw. He reached over and pushed up Draco's other sleeve, unsurprised and somewhat angry to see a deep black and blue bruise on his arm, in the shape of a hand print.
"He did that didn't he," it wasn't really a question, more of a demand.
"Yes sir."
"Draco, I really don't want you living there any longer. It's not safe. Between your mother and your father I don't know who hits you more!" Severus was out raged. While Draco wasn't his child, he had been helping to raise him forever.
"My father," he whispered. Severus was annoyed by the answer. Bending down he placed a gentle hand on the blond boy's slim shoulders.
"It stops NOW. I will Not, have your father beating you like you're some little stupid child who doesn't know a damn thing. We're going to see the headmaster, he'll no what to do," Severus said.
"But sir, what if. what if Dumbledore doesn't believe me, or worse sends me back," Draco asked. It was rare for his young side to show, but after the encounter he had just had with his father. truth was Draco loved Severus like a father, and felt he acted much more like one than anyone Draco had ever seen before.
"Draco, you're not staying with your father, and that is final. I will not leave you some place where you will get hurt every summer and on holidays. I will not risk your life. Your father never even deserved you. Now come on," he said.
Draco walked quietly in front of Severus, as if to prove to the tall dark haired man he was still there and still very much alive. Severus stood in front of the troll and sighed.
"Laffy Taffy," he said rolling his eyes. He wondered if the old wizard was sending a letter to everyone in America for candy names, because Severus had only once ever heard of Laffy Taffy, and that was when he was in America thirteen years ago.
Sighing he was pleased to see Dumbledore was sitting calmly at his desk. Severus cleared his throat slightly gaining the older wizard's attention. Albus looked at Severus as well as Draco, and instantly knew this was no social visit.
"Hello Severus, Draco, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked calmly.
"Headmaster, we've got a problem." Severus said as he reached for Draco's arm again and pushed back the sleeve, revealing the horribly ugly mark to Dumbledore, who held his breath for a moment, as though deciding what he should do.
"There's more Albus, Lucius beats the boy, frequently." Severus explained. Albus slowly shook his head and touched Draco's shoulder.
Harry hadn't been the only one to change over the summer; Draco was now close to six feet tall, his blond hair was no longer long and slicked back, but short and spiky, adding to his handsome features. He voice deeper, his face only changing slightly.
"Well, I suppose we could explore a couple of options, of course it would neither be safe or smart for you to remain in the care of your father, as well as attend the Meetings, I will not allow that. I don't believe your God-father will either."
"Can I stay with Professor Snape," Dumbledore looked over Draco's head to Severus, who looked torn. Albus looked at Draco and sighed.
"Let's sit down Draco, I believe we need to discuss a few things," Dumbledore led Draco over and sat him on the couch, Severus perched himself on the arm of an overstuffed chair nearby.
"What I am about to tell you, is not to leave this room," Dumbledore explained. Draco looked over at Severus' with curiosity.
"Okay," Draco said.
"We're serious Draco, it will come as a huge surprise, but if you tell a soul, you will be dealing with me, do I make that clear?" Severus stressed.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Draco, you cannot remain in your God-father's care, for a number of reasons. First being it might cause your father to go after him, and Severus is of great value to us at this time. Second, Severus has recently gained a family, and must in essence begin to raise them, which will not be easy."
"Who?"
"Harry and Emily are my children," Severus whispered. Draco's eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he heard this comment.
"Harry Potter?" He asked. Severus smiled slightly.
"Yeah," Severus responded.
"How did he take it?" Draco asked.
"Amazingly."
"Then who shall I be staying with Headmaster?" Draco asked, now looking at Dumbledore.
"Well, the next safest person at this point is Professor Lupin, now I understand you have never really gotten along with him, but hue is nothing to fear, and he is a good man."
"LUPIN! He hates me!" Draco yelled.
"I assure you Draco, he far from hates you," Severus whispered.
"What if he doesn't wanna take me?"
"Then you would be placed with another teacher, one with less experience as Lupin," Severus explained.
"Well, I'll do it as long as he's willing, anything is better than my father."
"Good, it's done then, you shall remain here, I'll call down to Remus. Severus I believe you have to be somewhere," Dumbledore said. Severus looked at his watched and cursed quietly, heading out the door and back to his own chambers.
A/N: Please review. Oh and a question for anyone who can answer this, are the Aurors and the Order of the Phoenix the same thing? Please let me know in a review or something.
Chapter Five-The Dark Mark
Severus sat in front of a fire in his private chambers, with a glass of wine in one hand he stared at the flames, waiting for eight to roll around, trying hard to think what he was to tell his daughter. Harry had, in the past day or so, seemed to accept the truth and slowly come to terms with it. Severus had only talked to Harry twice since he had told him the truth three weeks ago, and had given the reason for it that Harry simply wanted to be alone for awhile.
It was now mid October, and everyone was excited for Halloween, while on the other hand Severus was excited about December 16th this year. Dumbledore hadn't told them yet, but there was to be a dance for all the students and staff on the 16th, and Severus couldn't wait.
October was its usual month, getting colder now, the students were outside more than they usually were with Quidditch finally under way. Harry was busy, but the boy was handling it seemingly well. Severus attributed Harry's level head to his mother.
As well as it being nice outside and busy on the school grounds, there hadn't been a meeting yet, which relieved Severus, he was desperately hoping that Voldemort wasn't planning anything this year. Although somewhere deep inside Severus knew that wasn't true and that this year things would change, either for the better or worse.
A knock on his chambers brought him out of his thoughts, he placed his wine glass on the coffee table in front of him and slowly walked to the door, surprised when he saw Draco Malfoy standing on the other side. Clutching his inner elbow the boy had tears cascading down his thin pale face. Severus, worried for Draco's safety gently yanked the boy inside and closed the door.
"What happened?" He asked quietly. Malfoy whimpered slightly and pulled back his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark, which looked newly burned and horribly painful. Severus remembered getting his Dark Mark, and had indeed hated it, and the pain it caused.
"Draco, did your father do this to you? Did he take you to a meeting?" The blond boy nodded. Severus cursed under his breath. When Draco had been born fourteen years ago, Severus had been named the God-father, and at first Severus was sure the boy would be just like his father, rude and stuck up. To his surprise the boy only acted that way when he was around other people, however around Severus he often acted as though he were afraid.
"Come sit down," Severus said calmly. Leading the boy towards the couch he sat him down and sighed, he then handed him what little was left of his wine and looked at him.
"Drink this, it'll help," he whispered. He waited until Draco had composed himself somewhat and shook his head.
"Your father isn't like most fathers," Severus whispered, "Accio Wand!" He called forcefully as his wand landed gently in his hands.
"I don't wanna be a Death Eater," Draco whispered. Severus sighed, he didn't want his god-son to be one either.
"Don't worry, I really don't want it either. Draco tell me exactly what happened."
"He threatened me that if I didn't get it he would." Draco stopped. Severus drew in a sharp breath. He had known for years about Lucius hitting Draco, and it was getting down to the last straw. He reached over and pushed up Draco's other sleeve, unsurprised and somewhat angry to see a deep black and blue bruise on his arm, in the shape of a hand print.
"He did that didn't he," it wasn't really a question, more of a demand.
"Yes sir."
"Draco, I really don't want you living there any longer. It's not safe. Between your mother and your father I don't know who hits you more!" Severus was out raged. While Draco wasn't his child, he had been helping to raise him forever.
"My father," he whispered. Severus was annoyed by the answer. Bending down he placed a gentle hand on the blond boy's slim shoulders.
"It stops NOW. I will Not, have your father beating you like you're some little stupid child who doesn't know a damn thing. We're going to see the headmaster, he'll no what to do," Severus said.
"But sir, what if. what if Dumbledore doesn't believe me, or worse sends me back," Draco asked. It was rare for his young side to show, but after the encounter he had just had with his father. truth was Draco loved Severus like a father, and felt he acted much more like one than anyone Draco had ever seen before.
"Draco, you're not staying with your father, and that is final. I will not leave you some place where you will get hurt every summer and on holidays. I will not risk your life. Your father never even deserved you. Now come on," he said.
Draco walked quietly in front of Severus, as if to prove to the tall dark haired man he was still there and still very much alive. Severus stood in front of the troll and sighed.
"Laffy Taffy," he said rolling his eyes. He wondered if the old wizard was sending a letter to everyone in America for candy names, because Severus had only once ever heard of Laffy Taffy, and that was when he was in America thirteen years ago.
Sighing he was pleased to see Dumbledore was sitting calmly at his desk. Severus cleared his throat slightly gaining the older wizard's attention. Albus looked at Severus as well as Draco, and instantly knew this was no social visit.
"Hello Severus, Draco, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked calmly.
"Headmaster, we've got a problem." Severus said as he reached for Draco's arm again and pushed back the sleeve, revealing the horribly ugly mark to Dumbledore, who held his breath for a moment, as though deciding what he should do.
"There's more Albus, Lucius beats the boy, frequently." Severus explained. Albus slowly shook his head and touched Draco's shoulder.
Harry hadn't been the only one to change over the summer; Draco was now close to six feet tall, his blond hair was no longer long and slicked back, but short and spiky, adding to his handsome features. He voice deeper, his face only changing slightly.
"Well, I suppose we could explore a couple of options, of course it would neither be safe or smart for you to remain in the care of your father, as well as attend the Meetings, I will not allow that. I don't believe your God-father will either."
"Can I stay with Professor Snape," Dumbledore looked over Draco's head to Severus, who looked torn. Albus looked at Draco and sighed.
"Let's sit down Draco, I believe we need to discuss a few things," Dumbledore led Draco over and sat him on the couch, Severus perched himself on the arm of an overstuffed chair nearby.
"What I am about to tell you, is not to leave this room," Dumbledore explained. Draco looked over at Severus' with curiosity.
"Okay," Draco said.
"We're serious Draco, it will come as a huge surprise, but if you tell a soul, you will be dealing with me, do I make that clear?" Severus stressed.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Draco, you cannot remain in your God-father's care, for a number of reasons. First being it might cause your father to go after him, and Severus is of great value to us at this time. Second, Severus has recently gained a family, and must in essence begin to raise them, which will not be easy."
"Who?"
"Harry and Emily are my children," Severus whispered. Draco's eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he heard this comment.
"Harry Potter?" He asked. Severus smiled slightly.
"Yeah," Severus responded.
"How did he take it?" Draco asked.
"Amazingly."
"Then who shall I be staying with Headmaster?" Draco asked, now looking at Dumbledore.
"Well, the next safest person at this point is Professor Lupin, now I understand you have never really gotten along with him, but hue is nothing to fear, and he is a good man."
"LUPIN! He hates me!" Draco yelled.
"I assure you Draco, he far from hates you," Severus whispered.
"What if he doesn't wanna take me?"
"Then you would be placed with another teacher, one with less experience as Lupin," Severus explained.
"Well, I'll do it as long as he's willing, anything is better than my father."
"Good, it's done then, you shall remain here, I'll call down to Remus. Severus I believe you have to be somewhere," Dumbledore said. Severus looked at his watched and cursed quietly, heading out the door and back to his own chambers.
A/N: Please review. Oh and a question for anyone who can answer this, are the Aurors and the Order of the Phoenix the same thing? Please let me know in a review or something.