Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, a lot of weird things would have happened: Snape would have been given more space and attention; Remus Lupin would have been given a job, and a certain someone would still be alive…*sobs*

A/N: Hi!!! I like writing this story! I should've written Draco fics a long time ago. Anyway, I'm sorry but I've no interest in Draco pairings, and that's exactly why I focused on Draco alone here. It's more of a reflective, angst-filled, mysterious and even amusing story about Draco and the new identity I bestowed upon him…

And remember, poor Kalasin (That's me!!!) is still trying to remember all the HP facts she's forgotten!

Chapter Four: Damned Memories

Severus Snape was busy working late into the night. It was nothing new, in fact he was far too used to staying up late doing more work than any other person could accomplish during the day. What was unusual, however, was what exactly he was working on.

He had scheduled the night for checking papers and arranging all the sample potions he would need for the next two weeks. However, the moment Minerva had spoken of Draco and since he himself had talked to the boy, his plans had changed.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The potion was not supposed to wear off. Potions made by Severus Snape always worked. Always. That explained why the said professor was up at two in the morning, still mixing his old black cauldron.

There was a hodgepodge of smells in his work chamber, and everywhere there lay scattered an assortment of many things: powdered poisons in red, yellow and gray, packets of crushed beetles, unicorn horn and hippogriff claws, bottles of liquidized goat and boar dung, glasses of herbs submerged in acidic potions.

Every now and then his artful hands would reach for the ladle to stir the potion, or pick up the knife to mince an insect or two. His eyes helped him measure everything precisely with a single look, and his brow was furrowed in deep concentration. He had sent the boy Draco to the Hospital Wing, despite the boy's protests.

There wasn't really anything wrong with him other than the fact that he was having difficulty performing the simplest of spells, but Snape had explained that it was easier for him to avoid inquiries about his sudden weakness in magic if he were to be 'too ill to wave his wand.'

Severus practically had to force feed Draco with a potion that would give him a mild fever, headache, and minor muscle pain so that Madam Pomfrey would let him in the Wing without any more unnecessary questions. After all, while he was in the Wing, he had no need to do magic, and as soon as Snape finished making a batch of the potion that would give Draco his magic back, he would simply visit the boy and give him the potion.

***@***

'I hate the Hospital Wing, I hate the Hospital Wing, I HATE THE HOSPITAL WING!!!'

Draco drummed his fingers on his stomach, as he lay there, wide-awake. He still felt a little chilly and his shoulder blades were hurting because of that potion Snape gave him. Damn the man.

'Oh, no wait I forgot he told me…He's ALREADY damned.'

This was so stupid. Why couldn't have Snape thought of something else? However, that was not the only thing that bothered him. Why had the potion worn off? Wasn't it supposed to be permanent? Maybe he had eaten something. Or he tired himself out to the point that he almost lost the benefits that potion had given him.

'Or maybe it's just me…Maybe my body can't take all this unnatural magic anymore…' He sneered in the dark, seething with irritation. He told himself to shut up. He told himself it was nothing to worry about, that he would never, ever become a full-fledged muggle. Ever.

"I'd rather die first." He closed his eyes and drifted off to an uneasy sleep.

***@***

Narcissa could not get a wink of sleep that night. Beside her lay Lucius, fast asleep. Ah, yes these were the times when she liked him best: When his stupid, filthy mouth was shut. Slowly, and carefully she slipped out of bed, and put on her night robe over her sleeping garments.

It had been so long ago. But it had happened. And for Draco, her son, her beloved son she would have risked it a million times over.

***@***

Narcissa stared at the fire in the hearth. She was almost certain someone was trying to enter the Malfoy household by Floo powder. Which would prove to be difficult for any intruder. Only a few, well-regarded, chosen and privileged persons could access the manor by Floo network.

She stared at the fire again and watched as a shadow passed within it every now and then. She rose from her seat, and put down the cup of tea she was holding. She walked past the young Draco, who had fallen asleep near the fireplace, playing with his toys.

Crouching near it, she almost let out a scream when Severus Snape burst from the flames. She managed a shriek. "What are you doing here?" She hissed. "Lucius knows you hate leaving the comfort of your new home. He could come back any minute and become suspicious. If he kills my child because of your carelessness—

A long-necked, dark blue bottle was practically shoved into her pale face. Inside it, a dark fluid sloshed about. Snape glared at her from those sharp, secretive eyes. "Well? If you're so scared we might get caught, you might as well take it, Narcissa."

She took it from him, shaking slightly and almost not catching his next words as she looked at the bottle, mesmerized. "Make him drink it every night before sleeping for three weeks. It tastes horrible, I daresay. What I do not, however, is that he will enjoy drinking it."

Narcissa looked up at him helplessly. Gone were the usual bitter lines on her face. "Severus…Thank you." He opened his mouth to snort, no doubt, but stopped once she kissed him, the fingers of her other hand slowly creeping beneath his black locks to caress his nape. He murmured against her mouth and stopped, the moment they felt Draco stir at their feet.

Severus pulled away hastily, and though he tried to hide it, Narcissa could see the relief on his face when they both saw that Draco was only starting to open his eyes just then.

"Mother? I want to go to bed."

Narcissa nodded. She put the bottle atop the mantelpiece. She bent to pick Draco up and almost forgot about Snape when they heard footsteps outside. The child Draco spared a curious look at the Potions Master but because of his exhaustion decided to ignore him, to rub an eye instead. Why wasn't Mother picking him up to put him to bed? He was starting to simper.

Much as he hated crying, he was tired and wanted Narcissa to tuck him in. The woman, however, was staring at the door apprehensively. "Severus," She whispered. "That might be Lucius." She stared at her child's eyes, which were nearing tears.

"Draco's room is down that corridor behind you. Tuck him into bed. I'll go outside to hold Lucius for a while. That should give you enough time to get back by Floo."

Severus would have complained, had Narcissa not shoved Draco into his arms. Ick. He had to carry the kid. Oh, nice. Drool on his shoulder and the kid simpering even more. He wanted to glare at Narcissa, but knew he had to hurry.

He rushed into Draco's room and hastily put the child to bed. He rushed to the door to get back to the fireplace and stopped midway, going back o pull the covers around Draco. 'When you get to Hogwarts, you little brat…' He thought, but had no time left to think any more. As fast as he could, he said his destination in a low voice to the fire, and disappeared.

Just as Lucius and Narcissa walked into the room.

***@***

"Hey. Hey. Wake up. Make haste. Wake up, Draco."

Draco rubbed his eye and glared as Snape continued to shake him. "Alright, I'm awake!" He hissed angrily. He thought sleeping in the Wing was bad enough without being woken in the middle of the night. "What do you want?"

Snape raised an eyebrow at him. "I am halfway done with the potion. However, I want you to drink this." He held out a small, red vial to Draco. "It should prepare your body for the strength of the potion I should have finished by tomorrow night. It's much stronger than the one you drank before, so we need to be more cautious."

In the dark, Draco scowled as he opened the vial. "Tomorrow night? I have to stay here till tomorrow night?!" "Any less effort or time on the potion will not help make it effective, Draco and I suggest that unless you want to lose your magic, you should let it sit until I perfect its composition."

Draco wiped his mouth after taking a swig from the vial. It was an effort not to vomit. "Yeah, okay. Great."

He lay back down, finding Snape even more annoying as the man spoke. "Feel dizzy yet?" He took the glare from Draco as the boy started to massage his forehead as a yes. "That's the effect of the potion you just drank. It should go away in a while."

Draco was already too dizzy and nodded weakly instead. He felt the professor's hands tucking the blankets around him and resisted the urge to tell him to go away.

"Just like that night…when you put me to bed…and I was…I was almost…crying then…"

His words were slurred, but Snape had heard. The professor nodded as the boy fell asleep quickly and straightened up to leave.

"Yes. Just like that night. Sleep well, Draco."

A/N:

I wanna pinch baby Draco and hug him till he chokes! Wheee!!!

Anyway, next time someone joins Draco in the Hospital Wing as a fellow patient. Who will it be? Read on to find out. But until then, REVIEW.