Lost But Not Yet Broken

Chapter 3: Silent Agony

MD: Ah well another chapter another day. You know as much as I enjoy apathy, it's really hard to convey it in a character. There's only so much a thesaurus can do. Well BDL is driving me bonkers like usual. It's amazing how one can fight constantly and be in a state of entertainment. LoL. Well enough of my rambling.

Draco: it's about time.

Harry: zzzzzzzzz

Severus :  *trying to stay awake.

MD: grrrrrrrrrr. UP! NOW! *blows a whistle*

Harry and Severus: I'm up. I'm up!

Disclaimer: Don't own, wish I did, will, as soon as I find something to Blackmail J.K. Rowling with. Muahahahahaahah

P.S : Lucius is really OOC. In this story but he does play a role so I need him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I tried to kill the pain

But only brought more

I lay dying

And I'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal

I'm dying, praying, bleeding, and screaming

Am I too lost to be saved

Am I too lost?

                        Evanescence – My Tourniquet

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry and Severus appeared in front of grand manor. Harry couldn't but stare at the giant double doors that adorned the entrance to the manor like a castle gate. However, whether the boy was shocked or amazed was lost in his expressionless eyes.

Severus muttered a few calloused words and the doors opened on their own accord. Harry followed silently behind as the dark haired man entered, a grace in his steps that were undeniable. Severus led the boy into one the manor's many living rooms. There were two sofas opposite each other, made of deep blood red velvet, and a high back black velvet chair that lay near a roaring and welcoming fire. Harry however did not even bother to sit, merely standing where he had stopped next to one of the armrests of the sofas. 

Severus was at a lost. He had absolutely no idea what to do with the boy. However, while he had lead the boy into the manor he had decided that it would be unwise to inform Dumbledore that he had removed the boy from the Dursley's, the old man would either place the boy in an orphanage or keep him in the castle where he would be equally neglected. Now, Severus knew that by not telling the old man he had basically condemned himself to take the boy in thus, his current predicament in how to go about the boy and his *conditioned* state. 'Well if I must start somewhere I might as well get him to realize his bloody name' thought Severus as he turned to acknowledge the boy.

"Boy." said Severus.

Harry responded by looking up.

"I want you to understand something. Whatever those muggle fools told you it is a blatant lie. Understand." Severus kept his tone indifferent and his face remained a piercing ice cold which he noticed that Harry did not seem intimidated by it at all.

"I don't understand sir." Said the boy indifferently so, Severus decided to go in another approach.

"Boy your name is Harry Potter. From now on you will respond to that name and not boy understood."  

'If the boy won't listen to reason then use his own upbringing against him' thought Severus.

"Yes sir." answered Harry.

Severus, satisfied that at least he had gotten the boy to accept his birth name, though it may have been done in a very manipulative way, he continued to tell Harry that he would be staying here.

"From now on Potter you will remain here. You will not be returning to those muggles."

"Yes sir."

Suddenly, the last words of the fat insufferable muggle resounded in Severus mind 'the boy had his talents'. The curiosity and apprehension of the disgusting excuse for a human being meant overwhelmed Severus and he decided to find out. However, how to get the boy to answer, he obviously wouldn't answer the question if the muggle had told him not to say but what if …. 'It's underhanded and wrong but I am a Slytherin and I do need to know'.

"Potter, show me what Dursley meant by you having talent."

"Yes sir" as soon as the words left the boys mouth Severus cursed his Slytherin mind.

Harry had walked up to Severus. He stared momentarily into Severus black eyes which had remained expressionless and knelt down in front of him. Severus had gone into momentary shock as the boy began fumbling with his robes but quickly recovered and moved away from the boy swiftly. Severus' mask remained in place but his mind was reeling. 'Bloody Hell! Damn. I should have just asked! I'm going to need help if Potter is to recover from this shit.'

During Severus' mental rants he didn't notice Harry was still knelt and looking at him with a confused look marring his face. Finally leaving his musings the pale man looked at Harry the remnants of shock and revulsion in his eyes vanished in an instant as he spoke to the boy.

"Get up."

Harry stood "I don't understand sir, you ……" he was cut off by a sharp snap from the dark haired man in front of him.

"I know very well what I said Potter. Stay here, I shall return shortly." Ordered Serverus not bothering to wait for the detached *yes sir* that usually came from the boy. He quickly left the boy in the living room and headed outside, pass the anti-apparation wards, and apparated leaving a very confused and lost Harry Potter to wait patiently for his return.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Severus stalked hurriedly towards an enormous manor. Its walls remained dark and foreboding even in the mid-afternoon sun. A beautiful garden adorned the long stretch to the entrance which provided a striking contrast of dark and light through out the estate. Severus approached the entrance of Malfoy Manor, his hand lingered on the iron ring on the door before he let out a soft sigh and knocked on the door using the ring.

The doors suddenly swung open and a bedraggled house elf stood in its place. "Good day Mr. Snape ." said the small creature as it allowed Severus into the manor.

"I wish to speak with Lucius immediately."

"Master Lucius is in his study sir."

"Then I will meet him in there." Severus brushed the lanky creature and heading straight towards the study on the third floor. Positive that Lucius would be in that particular study, he didn't notice the house elf disappear to inform her master of his visit.

Not bothering to knock, Severus stormed into the study startling the tall, pale, silver blonde man.

"Why Severus, what can I do the honors of your attempting to give me a heart attack?" snapped Lucius.

"I know very well that your house elf came and informed you of my presence Lucius. So, please stop with the hyperventilating act."

"Very well. You never could take a joke Sev." Lucius smirked at the death glare he received from Severus at the childhood nickname.

Severus finally let out a defeated sigh and sank into one of the soft chairs in that resided in the study. "I need your help."

"Oh… how so?" asked Lucius, curious to know what would possibly lead the great Severus Snape to ask for help.

"It's a child; he's around 8 years old."

"And this has to do with me how?"

"He's been severely abused his entire life and he has some mental programming that needs to be taken care of." said Severus easily as if this kind of thing happened on a regular basis.

"Hmm…..Wait let me guess. And you are completely lost."

"No."

"Oh please Severus. Obviously you need me for something and you've never handled children with ….well, care." Lucius tried desperately to hide the smirk that threatened to dawn his face.

"I know perfectly well how to take care of a child. However, this boy I don't know how to go about him. Evidently, I know he needs to be shown compassion but….."

"….you don't know the meaning of the word." Lucius chuckled at the cold piercing glare that he received from his long time friend.

"As I recall you seem to lack some of that as well."

Lucius's face hardened "I may not have shown mercy to my enemies Severus but I am not heartless. Especially with a child, or else how would I be fit to raise my son."

Severus sighed "Forgive me Lucius; you are a good father that I must admit. It is just this boy – I honestly don't know where to begin with him."

Lucius softened and placed a hand on his troubled friends shoulder "you know Severus, you make so many believe you to be heartless. And hear you are swallowing your pride and asking for my help. Sometimes I wonder if I really do know you my friend, even now you keep your eyes as cold as stone…."

"This is who I am Lucius compassion is something I rarely give" said Severus icily.

Lucius smirked "well enough with this, we are wasting time now, tell me everything from the beginning."

Severus recited everything he had seen and done upon arriving at number four privet drive. However, he kept the identity of the boy hidden, wanting to be sure that Lucius would genuinely provide him the assistance that he desired. Severus notices Lucius' reaction shift from impassive listening to shock to revulsion and finally a faint sadness that lingered in his eyes.

No one except his family and Severus really knew the true Lucius Malfoy. He presented himself as a cruel man, powerful and ambitious, a white devil that destroyed anything that stood in his path. However, though power, ambitious, and a driven man, Lucius Malfoy was not cruel. Even though, he followed the dark (voldie) and killed without mercy, he possessed a kind disposition under the fierce cruelty. Furthermore, the malice he exerted was also a warning to any and every one. Once Lucius Malfoy hands you his trust never betray it or you'll find yourself six feet underground.

"Well Severus, you really got yourself in a bind this time."

"Thank you for pointing the obvious." Snapped Severus

"Well think of it this way if we can't rehabilitate him then he'll make a good house keeper." Lucius laughed at the incredulous look on Severus' face.

(An: did I mention he has a very cynical sense of humor lol.)

"You wouldn't?" said Severus frostily.

"May..be." Lucius said mischievously.

Severus sighed noticing that Lucius was in one of his teasing moods. "Yes. Well shall we be going then?"

"Floo or apparate?"

"Floo it is quicker."

Lucius nodded and gathered up some grayish powder while Severus did the same. The Silver blonde stepped into the large fireplace and just as he was going to yell out the name to his destination and disappear, he remembered the small detail that Severus had neglected to mention.

"Severus who is the boy?" Severus waited until the split second before Lucius disappeared to answer.  

"Harry Potter."

The last image of Lucius before he disappeared was of his eyes widening in shock and him spluttering "what!?" before vanishing into the depths of the green flames.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

MD: TA DA! I'm done.

Harry: why are all you authors so cruel to me?

Draco: cause they are sadistic bitches.

MD: what did you say? *points tip of her Katana at draco's neck*

Draco: because you love harry but you have a twisted way in showing it.

MD: much better.

Severus: *mutters* I wonder if that spa is still open?

Snowgirl: MD is a whore!

MD: am not!

BDL: Yup!

MD: shut up! You're more of a whore than me!

BDL: bitch!

MD: slut!

BDL: tramp!

MD: Hoe!

BDL: *indignant look* Yuki!!!!!!!!

Severus: *attempting to do the killing curse on himself*

An: damn muses damn them all anyway that's chapter 3 hope you like so far don't worry harry will get better and draco will show up soon. Remember REVIEWS motivate me to write!......... SO REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!!!!