My Father's Shadow
Disclaimer: Same old, same old.
A./N: Look, an update! I've lost my writer's block! Also, read my new story: Blood of a Malfoy
Chapter Eight
Give Me Liberty
Harry ate in his rooms that night-following Snape's jurisdiction. Diablo watched him like a hawk but Harry was having a hard time resenting it. The cobra was his friend, and besides, he just cared about his health.
He cleared his plate, just barely, but he knew that he had to as he was quite sure his nutrient intake was being strictly monitored. Then he curled up and pretended to be asleep. That is until the fire was doused, his father had checked up on him, and Diablo was fast asleep.
Then he crept out of bed and grabbed his pen knife out of the luggage hat had been put in his room. He crept to the bathroom, locked the door, and pulled the knife across his skin with a gasp of pain-filled relief.
...
Then an alarm went off. Harry dropped the knife in a panic and reached to unlock the door when it blasted open of its own accord.
His father loomed in the doorway, his face livid. Harry scrambled backward as far as he could, pressing into the wall, wishing he could use his magic and cursing the binding that sill wound around his arm.
"What exactly do you think you are doing?" Snape hissed.
Harry didn't answer, just squeezed his eyes shut and shook. He didn't like Snape's tone of voice. He had heard that tone many times before and had learned that it was always followed by a beating.
"Answer me," Severus demanded.
"Please, please. I'm sorry. I'll never do it again. Oh God, I'm sorry, please." Harry's eyes were shut and it was obvious he was talking to someone other than Severus.
Severus softened. He felt some of his rage leave him. The boy was hurt and confused. There was evidence of this, Madame Pomfrey had warned him. So why hadn't he considered this sort of self-mutilation before?
But the truth was...he did understand why he hadn't considered it. He hadn't been able to believe that Harry Potter-the Boy-Who-Lived- could sink into such deep depression. Then again, he would have thought Harry Potter would be the last to be abused as well. It seemed as though he had many misconceptions he needed to work out.
He turned his attention back to his son.
"Harry, calm down. It's alright. I was just worried is all."
Harry's shaking eased a little and he raised his wet eyes to meet Severus'.
"I understand your pain Harry, I do. But...I can not condone this. I won't hurt you–I would never. I will have to take that knife though."
Harry started. "No don't, please. Sirius gave it to me, it's all I have left of him."
"I will be taking it Harry," he said sharply, then softened. "But when you are better...you can have it back."
Severus paced back and forth in the headmaster's office. Albus watched him with weary and tired eyes.
"I don't understand Albus," Severus finally said. "He's been through so much, why would he put himself through more?"
"I don't know Severus. I truly don't. Where is Harry now?"
"He cried himself to sleep. He's exhausted, Albus. Too much emotional trauma for one young boy to handle."
Severus collapsed in the chair and stared at the Headmaster-hoping the old man could take away all his troubles. But instead Albus seemed to decide that it was time to add more.
"Severus I know this is a very bad time, but your godson..." Dumbledore trailed off.
"Draco? What's wrong with Draco?"
"He's been disowned Severus."
Severus stared disbelievingly. "Draco Malfoy? Disowned? He's the model Malfoy, what could he possibly have done?"
"He refused his father's orders to kill Harry Potter."
"Voldemort?" pressed Severus.
"Currently I believe he is still adamant that Draco enter the inner circle in February."
Dumbledore stared at the obviously stricken Potions Master. "Severus-I have reason to believe Lucius was under orders from Voldemort when he disowned Draco. Why then wouldh e still want Draco to join him. And why at such a young age?"
"Professor, I think it's time that I tell you exactly what I've been keeping to you."
Dumbledore's eyes widened but he gestured to the pensieve calmly.
"Be my guest."
Flashback
Voldemort looked at his two most powerful Death Eaters, bowing before him . Both were young, and both were powerful in their own right. He could see a dark future awaiting them, following his instruction.
"You are my most faithful servants, are you not?"
"Yes master," a young Snape and a young Malfoy answered.
"You wish your children to be powerful do you not?"
"Of course Master," they chorused.
"Then you will give your oldest to me, will you not?"
"If that is what you wish my lord."
Severus knew even then that you shouldn't make light of a pledge to the Dark Lord.
End Flashback
"So you believe this is what has now occurred. Voldemort will see fit to claim Draco as his own soon. Does Draco have a choice in the matter?"
"I can not be sure," answered Severus. "But the boy should be told about this."
"Boys Severus. You too have a son."
"He has too much on his shoulders as it is," cut in Severus. "He cannot be burdened with this as well."
"This will not stay a secret for long Severus. Harry must be told before Voldemort finds out."
"Not yet Albus. I can't."
"Severus Snape," Dumbledore's voice was stern. "You have an obligation to tell your son about his past. All of his past. This is a large part and you owe it to him."
Severus looked away, defeated. "Very well. Where is Draco?"
"In the Slytherin Common Room. He just got the letter. He's very distraught."
"We're going to have to do something about his living conditions. Slytherin won't be a safe place for him anymore."
"Just bring him down to your rooms for now. If you see fit, explain the situation about Harry-you'll have to tell them both something. Then tell the two of them what you just told me."
Severus left for the door. Dumbledore's voice stopped him.
"Severus-Draco is your ward now. You are all he has left. Treat him as your own son. As far as I'm concerned you have two children now."
Severus found Draco in the Slytherin Common Room, staring blankly at the fire. This pale boy was earning many murderous glares that were only being slightly filtered by Severus' presence.
"Come on Draco," Severus ordered gently. "We need to have a talk."
Draco followed his Godfather silently down to Snape's quarters. There his attention was piqued. "Who's here?" Severus startled.
"How did you know someone was there?"
"Please, I'm a Malfoy, at least I was."
Severus' eyes lit with understanding. Most pureblooded families mated with magical creatures (Veelas, Vampyrs, Centaurs, etc) the blood was thin so not much came out of it, but many of these families had children with their senses enhanced. Severus himself had a keen sense of hearing. Draco must have a keen sense of smell.
"That is my son."
"YOUR WHAT!" came Draco's explosion.
"My son."
"You have a son and you never told me?"
"Actually I just found out myself..." and he proceeded to tell Draco everything, except for the abuse Harry had suffered. That was Harry's choice of whether or not to explain.
"So let me get this straight," Draco said after hearing the story. "Harry Potter- the Gryffindor Golden Boy- is your newfound son."
"Yes," answered Severus simply.
"Great. Who are you and what happened to my godfather?"
At that moment a sleepy Harry decided to make his presence known , an equally sleep Diablo wound around his form. As soon as he noticed Draco though he was wide awake.
"What is he doing here?" He snarled, Diablo hissing defensively.
"That's Harry Potter?" asked an astounded Draco, taking in his schoolmate's new appearance.
"Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter," Snape cut in, watching both squirm at the surnames. "I have a lot to tell you and as you two will both be under my guardianship until you're of age, it would be productive if you would at least pretend to get along."
"Exactly why is Malfoy under your guardianship? For that matter, why am I?" snapped Harry.
"Malfoy is, in fact, no longer a Malfoy. As for your second question. You are underaged and why do you think I am your guardian?"
"Why don't you just send me to the Dursleys—you have every other year."
Severus felt a pang in his heart he wasn't used to s he realized the boy was serious.
"Harry," Snape said regretfully. "I would seriously like to have this conversation with you. But..." Severus cast a glance in Draco's direction. "I'm not sure that now would be the proper time to have it."
Draco shot him a curious glance which Severus pointedly ignored. Harry hadn't even admitted anything to him yet, he would be even less inclined to do so if Severus broke down and told Draco. No, the young Slytherin would have to satiate his own curiosity with something else for the time being.
"Now then," said Severus, as he saw that the tension in the room had decreased a bit. "There is something I need to tell you."
Review Responses:
Thanks to:
Enb2004
Mikito
KristyMalfoy
DyingAngel1
Amber Fyre Riddle-Snape: I'm trying. Anyway, love the name.
Malakani Astral
JE aka Yessina
Amanda
HecateDeMort
Kayla Summers
Lady Lily3
Riley Riddle: Diablo is spanish and it means Devil, and no Snape Sr can not speak in parseltongue, but Diablo can understand all humans, they just can't understand him. This makes Diablo very special (hint hint), Harry just hasn't realized this yet.
Pure Black
Dius Corvus
AJ-Wolf-AJ
Noone: there'll be a lot of interaction between Snape and Harry in the future, I promise.
Opal
Kateri1
Moni
Anarane Anwamane
Nation El-Diablo
Leggylover03
Adenara Yatman
Lady-Indis
Jen
Chips Challenge
Dalamar Nightson
Volleypickle
Starangel2106
Wow. 29. Let's break the record again.