AN: I want to thank my three wonderful reviewers for letting me know that someone's reading and that they like it. I really, really appreciate it. Just a quick reminder/assurance. This will NOT be slash. It's going to focus on the parental relationship between Snape and Draco (you know, father and son). So please review and look for another chapter tonight.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
~~Chapter 3~~
A GodfatherLate that night, Draco opened his eyes sleepily. He looked around and realized that he was alone in the hospital wing. He could hear Madame Pomfrey in her office and Professor Snape was nowhere to be seen. Shivering, Draco pulled the blankets closer to him. He felt sick and in pain and hot and cold all at the same time.
He was glad to be alone, so he could have the peace and quiet to think. He had so many questions and almost no answers. The main question was where was he going to stay? What would happen to him now? He had no home, no family, and no money. Tears filled his eyes and he rubbed at his eyes. He was alone now, abandoned. His parents had never been warm, caring parents but the house elves had taken care of him. When his father had beaten him, they had cleaned and bandaged his wounds and helped make him comfortable. When he had been ill, they had given him medicine and kept him cool. His father had liked to starve him and lock him in his room and the elves, Linky and Winkle, made sure he had food. They had cared about him and now were probably free and as far away from here as possible.
The tears began to fall from Draco's body shook as the sobs wracked his weak body. He felt so alone and dirty. No one would want him; he was so dirty and disgusting. He was tainted and damaged. He buried his head in his pillow, sobbing now uncontrollably. He was crying so hard that he was unaware when a strong pair of arms scoped him up. He buried his head into the stranger's cloak. The cloaks smelled of herbs and potions. Draco felt oddly comforted as the unknown person rocked him back forth, whispering gentle and soothing words of comfort.
He cried for a good 45 minutes before the tears began to subside. Even through the tears stopped, he clung to his comforter, refusing to let go of the feeling of safety he had acquired. The figure held him tightly, seemingly understanding his need for contact and comfort. Finally, exhausted, Draco relinquished his hold and the stranger laid him down.
"Are you okay?" Snape asked gently.
Draco nodded. He was quiet for a moment before asking, "Professor, what's gonna happen to me?"
Snape hesitated, searching for the right way to say it. "For the time being, you will remain here with the professors until school starts. In the meantime, guardianship will be transferred to your godfather."
The confusion showed clearly on the boy's face. "But I don't have a godfather."
Snape sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Actually, you do. After you were born and Lucius became heavily involved with the Dark Lord, your mother, as cold and uncaring as she was, thought that even for tradition's sake you should have a godfather. That way should something happen to them, they wouldn't seem as cold and heartless as they really were." Snape paused before taking a deep breath. "I'm your godfather, Draco."
Draco stared at Snape unsure of what to say or do. "Wh-wh-why was I never told?"
"Your father was afraid that if you knew, then you would come to me when he tried to mold you into being perfect and that you wouldn't be as easy to manipulate. I knew what he was doing to you but I couldn't say anything because I knew he would think you told me and kill you. That's why I sent Linky and Winkle to watch over you. I told him they were a gift to watch you when he didn't want to."
Draco laid back. There were so many thoughts running through his head that he began to get dizzy. He had a godfather… the elves were there to take care of him…Snape knew everything. The potions master looked on worriedly as Draco paled and began to turn green. Too many thoughts floating in his head and the room was beginning to swim. Snape quickly summoned a bucket in time to catch Draco's vomit as the young boy threw up. Silently, he rubbed Draco's back and when he was finished, Snape handed him a potion to settle his stomach. Then he cleaned his godson with a flick of his wand as Draco groaned exhaustedly and closed his eyes.
"Get some rest, Draco," Snape said gently, pulling the blankets up around the trembling boy. "I know you've been through a lot."
Draco nodded and within seconds was sound asleep with Snape sitting beside him.
TBC…
