Life hits you in the face

''Severus, are you certain you condone this?" The wizened old wizard leaned back into his armchair contemplatively, still mauling over the lengthy parchment in his hands. "It hardly seems your style."

"Albus, this is the best plan we have at the moment." Severus Snape, spy extraordinaire for the light wizards of the magical world, growled in frustration. "It is, however, not my plan." Turning away to face out the window, he continued. "It is the plan of your foolhardy Golden Boy. I agreed to revise it and run it by you for opinions."

"Ah, that explains things a little better." The barmy old codger chuckled, eyes twinkling brighter than before. "You truly believe this to be the best course of action?"

With a drawn-out sigh, the austere man turned back to face the old wizard. "Yes. Do not expect me to repeat myself, and you are not to tell that dratted boy I said so." He glared menacingly at the old wizard.

Appearing lost in thoughts, the old wizard only nodded vaguely. Pursuing the parchment in his hands once more, he voiced his concerns. "There is too much that depends upon the goodwill between you and... Are you certain?"

"Albus! I have every faith in the goodwill you've just mentioned. We need to know where the boy stands in all these... the brat has the right ideas." Looking at Fawkes moving restlessly about his perch, the dark man continued with a twisted sneer. "We also have to finalize matters with his muggle relatives." Outside, the giant squid lazily stretched several tentacles above the lake's waters.

Albus Dumbledore, veteran defender against two Dark Lords in the wizarding world, sighed, looking very much more than his 150 odd years in that instant. From his perch at a side of the headmaster's office, Fawkes twittered his opinions on the matter. The clandestine spy watched with scant amusement as the headmaster seemed to be taking the flaming bird's chirping into considerations.

"Yes, yes, that is all fine, but don't you think the plan too risky, old friend?"

Dark brows shot up into his hairline as he continued watching the exchange, wondering if the aged wizard had finally lost it. "Albus? Are you feeling well?" The silky baritone politely questioned the old coot's sanity.

"Now, Severus. That was not necessary. Fawkes was just addressing his opinions on the matter." The barmy old codger made light of the Potions Master's concerns.

"Surely you jest, Albus. If I may respectfully say so, you've lost your marbles!" The dark man frowned. "Brilliant as Fawkes may be, I do not think even a Phoenix is that intelligent as to understand, much less give advice on the matters at hand!" He gave a pointed look at the smugly preening Phoenix.

"Severus, my boy, that's where you are wrong. You see, Phoenixes..."

--------------------

Silver-Grey eyes casually observed the crowds milling by the unnoticeable café he sat at, sipping a steaming cup of tea, inwardly contemplating for the umpteenth time why his austere godfather had chosen to meet at this quaint wizarding café tucked away on the midst of muggle London. 'Perhaps he is as tired of the incessant scrutiny as I am.'

Dressed casually in fine-cut muggle clothes with his ash-blonde hair lightly tousled, he looked every inch a blue-blood with his aristocratic upbringing and mannerisms.

He had arrived long before the prearranged appointment time to familiarize himself with the place, exploring the muggle surroundings with barely restrained enthusiasm; something he never had a chance to do before. Unbidden, the marvel of how muggles had survived without magic struck him - he had to applaud them for no uncertain amounts of ingenuity. Picking up his cup, he sighed in simple contentment.

--------------------

"Wow!" Tonks whistled low. "That sure doesn't seem like a typical Malfoy behavior. Exploring muggle London..." She trailed off abruptly at the glare Snape sent her way. They had been observing the Malfoy heir since his arrival. Hidden in the crowds, Bill Weasley passed their alcove on yet another round of a fixed patrolling route.

After an hour of careful scrutiny, the trio decided that the Malfoy heir had come on his own, as instructed by Severus. Giving Tonks the go-ahead, Severus randomly scanned the street again for possible dark wizards trailing the young Malfoy. As Bill came by his route, Severus signaled discreetly to the red-head. 'ShowTime!'

The dour man gave another quick scan down the street as he crossed over to the café, noting Tonks settle inconspicuously into a corner of the café in disguise. Inwardly, he fervently hoped that the blonde youth would understand his choice of allegiance, and make a matured choice independent of his father's influence.

--------------------

"Severus!" The young man stood to greet his godfather, passing a critical eye over the elder wizard's clothes. He noted with clear approval at the man's simple, elegant taste of a well-fitted black shirt with tapered pants and leather boots.

Looking up from his assessment, he saw his godfather smirk, amused by his open scrutiny. Mock-glaring at his godfather, the young man sat back, gesturing to a waitress to attend. After the tea order was placed, Draco noticed himself the object of his godfather's silent contemplation. Curious, the blonde spoke up.

"Severus? Is anything wrong?"

Steeling himself for the task at hand, the austere man answered. "I am well, Draco. Just thinking about some things." He made a dismissive gesture. "How have things been for you?"

"I am learning. Management of the family estates, thankfully, is a straight-forward enough process. Staying away from father's... associates... however, is another matter." The blonde truthfully replied. "I've had weekly visits from several of them, hoping to enroll me into the Dark Lord's services." He fidgeted, looking down at his lap. "So far, I have evaded them successfully, but I believe not for much longer." The unasked question of 'What should I do?' resonated in the ensuing silence.

Severus drew in a shaky breath. They had approached the topic far quicker than he had anticipated. 'Draco must really be at his wits end, to so openly seek my advice.' Allowing the moment to stretch as the waitress sat down his tea, Severus decided to lay his cards out.

Clearing his throat, he waited for the young man to look-up before speaking. "I am glad you are able to take your family matters in hand without much trouble, Draco." His subtle compliment did not go unnoticed.

"However, I am more concerned about the other matter." He paused. "I will be frank with you and I sincerely hope that you will hear me out to the end before taking a stand." Taking the blonde's silence in stride and murmuring a silencing spell, he continued. "This is privileged information, and I hope you will give it due considerations."

The young man gave a hesitant nod.

Picking up his tea, he took a sip to gather himself. Then launched directly into the heart of the matter.

"I am a spy. For Dumbledore and the side of the Light wizards."

Seeing the rapidly paling face of his godson, he hastily held up a hand. "Don't judge me yet. Hear me out, Draco. Please." At the blonde's acquiescence, he continued. "I became a spy during the Dark Lord's first reign of power. I had various reasons for choosing this course of action; some which I choose to share with you today."

Steadying himself, he soldiered on. "The Dark Lord is a half-blood. His mother was a descendent of Salazar Slytherin, and his father a muggle who deserted the then pregnant witch when he discovered her magical heritage."

Obsidian eyes held its steady gaze on shocked Silver-Grey.

"He grew up unhappily in a muggle orphanage, triggering his mad agenda for eradication of muggles and muggleborns from wizarding society." Seeing the disbelief reflected in the depths of the youth's eyes. "This is not a baseless claim, for the Dark Lord's actual name is TOMMARVOLO RIDDLE."

He sipped his tea, clutching its warmth within unsteady hands. "The Dark Lord cares not for the purity of blood, as proven time and again by his punishments and torment of even his most pureblooded of loyal followers." Drawing a long breath, he continued. "His sole purpose is to achieve his own agendas and grandiose schemes; making empty promises of power to keep his followers enamored. He will ruthlessly cut down anyone in his way, irregardless of lineage."

Looking out at the afternoon crowd milling about in the afternoon sun, he softly continued. "I regretted my decision once I came to realize the truth. The only choice I had left was as a spy for the Light-side, a position brokered by our esteemed headmaster, in exchange for his protection."

Obsidian eyes stared at his dexterous hands, seemingly seeing the blood-stains of his past.

"For your sake, Draco, I ask that you choose wisely. I will not force a position on you, nor make the decision for you." Locking gazes with the silver-eyed blonde. "Whatever you choose, I remain your godfather, unless you decide otherwise." Softly, he added. "All I ask... is that you make a decision you can live with for the rest of your life. Have no regrets."

The young Malfoy heir sat in contemplative silence, vaguely observing his astute godfather. Deep down, he knew he had made a decision even prior to his godfather's confession. Looking out the windows, into the warm afternoon, he tried to muster a neutral face.

"What comes next, Severus?"

The man laid a hand on his forehead, slowly retreating back into his mask of indifference. "If you choose to side with the light, you are assured of the Headmaster's protection from... everything..."

"Do I have any other option?" The blonde wondered aloud bitterly.

Severus paused, considering the boy's words. "You could choose to remain neutral, but that leaves you without any form of protection from both sides." He sighed shaking his head lightly. "I refuse to think of any other choices. I do not want you to risk your life playing both sides." A brief pause. "Surely even you are not so naive as to seek the ministry's protection?"

"Why now?" Soft tones belied the need to know.

"I had to be sure..." Looking directly into Silver-Grey eyes. "You had to make a matured decision, away from your father's influence. I want the decision be based on your own merit." His voice softened. "As Draco, not just as a Malfoy." Sincerity resonated in its clarity.

From a corner, an Auror silently applauded the enigmatic Potions Master, knowing how much the revelations had cost the private, proud man. Increasing her respect for the man. Shifting slightly, she deftly pocketed the shimmering sphere she had been cradling just moments earlier.

--------------------

"Mr Malfoy."

"Headmaster."

"I assume you have made your choice?" A definite nod from the blonde. "Good, good. I would suggest that you be prepared to come to Hogwarts two days before the start of school." Dumbledore paused, looking directly at the young man before him. "You do understand what you are risking?" Steady blue eyes beheld Silver-Grey.

"Yes Sir. Professor Snape promised sanctuary, and by extension, your protection." The youth understood the implied question. "My parents and I were never... close..."

Nodding, Dumbledore replied. "I see." Looking at the solemn Potions Master, "Severus, I believe you have other things to inform Mr Malfoy of, and arrangements to make?" At the man's curt nod, he continued. "I will leave you both to it then?"

Both Slytherins moved to the door. "Oh, and welcome to the Light side, Draco." His blue eyes twinkling madly as the blonde looked up, surprised by the warmth in the headmaster's voice. Draco grinned, relieved, as he followed his godfather out of the office.

--------------------

The sound of the heavy oak door closing reverberated eerily within the dungeon quarters of the Potions Master. To the silver-eyed blond, it seemed to have been slammed shut upon the end of his old life. He is standing now; on the decision he'd made and the start of a new phase of life. Mind reeling, he sat weakly on the couch; trying to sort out all the additional information he'd been given.

"Wait here, Draco." Was the last thing the blonde heard before his austere Godfather disappeared down the hallway to find his other godson.

He was not too sure what to make of the present situation. Although on the surface it seemed that he hated Harry all-out, in truth, he had no true ill-will against 'Saint Potter'.

He felt himself more mature than that, well, not initially, but after a few years, he had matured enough to see what his father and mother thought were not necessarily what he thought or agreed with. It didn't mean he accepted muggles unquestioningly or would automatically be nice to everyone around him though: he is still a dark wizard.

'Yet, had he not been taught to heed only the Dark Lord? Had he not been told that the Dark Lord wanted only the best for the pure bloods?' Draco shoved away those swirling thoughts. He knew it redundant to think them; he had agreed, and sided with his godfather. Nothing would change that.

--------------------

"Harry?" The usually acerbic tone was absent from the dulcet tones of the Potions Master. His breath caught lightly in his throat as he peered into his rooms. Framed by the flickering flames of the fireplace, the seated young man seemed a twisted blend of both light and dark. 'A wizened soul trapped within a young body.' The epiphany fazed him.

"Yes, Severus?" The bespectacled boy turned to face the man leaning against the half-opened doorway. Bits of parchment lay scattered on his lap, forgotten in his earlier musings.

"Are you ready?" He eyed those bits of parchments warily, knowing some of them to contain thoughts and plans of the young man before him. He wondered when the youth had matured; perhaps away from everyone's notice?

"As much as I can ever be, I suppose." A nonchalant shrug. "It won't be easy. We've been at opposing ends for too long." Pushing his spectacles higher up onto his nose. "Let's get the worst over with, shall we?"

Silently, the austere man held the door open. Putting the bits of parchments aside for later, one mentally exhausted young man stood shakily. Expediently shoving the last visages of his introspections behind his mental defenses for later perusal. His Slytherin Godfather was too perceptive.

--------------------

"Potter..."

"Malfoy..."

"Ahem." Both sets of eyes turned to face the side where the irascible Potions Master stood impatiently tapping his foot, arms folded with his trademarked raised eyebrow.

With a long-suffering sigh, Harry stuck out his hand. "Harry."

Eyeing the proffered hand, the young Malfoy briefly toyed with the idea of ignoring it. He knew it was not an option. Reaching out, he clasped hands with Potter for the briefest moment, enunciating a low "Draco".

They locked gazes; the tensions palpable.

Clearing his throat again, Severus looked at both 'his' boys. He had their attention. "I shall leave the both of you to sort things out. No wands, no hexing. Play nice!" Shaking his head, the pernicious Potions Master left the two youths to their devices. He had a 'muggle-bashing' session to plan for. The evil grin that appeared would have sent even the devil running, tail tucked between legs.

--------------------

End of Chapter

OK! It's me, Gekisou! Azer and I are stressing a tad (for me anyway, Azer is stressing badly) on our assignments but that isn't stopping us from giving you guys a great quality chapter. I've noticed that not many people have reviewed the chapter. Why? Was it that bad?! Sob... Anyway, here are my answers to the reviews posed previously. Enjoy them while I sulk in the corner.

Lily and James Potter: 'Dumbledore is bonkers he is.' & Stupid Git...harry I mean.

Gekisou: ... yeah, we try our best. :)

Me: Is it just me or do the chapters read like they are out of order?

Gekisou: It's just you... Joking! As I have mentioned in previous reply to review segment, Azer and I thought that the first arc of our story should move forward yet keep various information from the readers til we reach a flashback. Thus, odd number chapters deal with ongoing matters and even number chapters deal with flashbacks. With this present chapter, we have ended that and we are going into a linear storytelling style... I think.

athenakitty: Harry finally got one of the two people that he hate? Will Severus be Harry's new guardian? Not nearly enough of Dursley torture. Will Vernon and Petunia get hit by an accidental infertility spell by some random person? Will what happen Harry sort of leak out? Will Snape do some shopping?

Gekisou: ... I... I... ok, that first remark is so homosexual (no offence to those who are, of course) and no, this isn't becoming a slash fic. Severus should Harry's new guardian... in private. It is not public knowledge, how that affects them in the long term is another matter... for Azer to deal with. You really have a thing against the Dursleys don't you. Not that I am against that, they are gits, just neccessary gits... I guess. And no, no plans for infertility spell... why did that even come up? Information about Harry leaking out? You never know... Snape? Shopping? Huh? Black is, so, his colour deary.

Keia: What this fanfic has made me do:

1) invest in a better dictionary on standby next to com where mi well thumbed oxford has not helped much in keeping up with the authors' language prowess...sigh...

2) invest in the whole series of harry potter books to understand better what these 2 are writing. has not helped much , since i am still at beginner's level , having cleared only bk 1 and movie 3(-- but ohh.. the new movie is so much darker and thought provoking,and everyone seems human n not fairytale.must watch!!) but from the bits i have figured out , this fanfic has taken an interesting turn , whether in terms of character manipulation or storyline, keep up the excellent effort.. i 'll TRY to catch up soon...=] gd luck!

Gekisou: Ok. Thanks for the kind words. Hope you're with us for the full run...

Please! For the love of Hermione, send reviews! Thanks and good bye! - Gekisou

- Cast in the name of God, ye not guilty