Lost But Not Yet Broken

Chapter 7: Salvage

An: okay I'm here I'm back and I'm seriously in need of sugar (no not that kind of sugar you perves) lol. Ignore me.

Severus: we are.

Draco: yup.

Harry: I'm mad at you leave me alone.

Lucius: wimp *laughs*

Harry: stop picking on me!

Draco: is it too late to ask to be the bad guy in this fic?

MD: will you shut up! And let me finish my author's notes!!!!

AN continued: anyway well I'm happy this fic is rolling along and for anyone thinking that Lucius and Severus will or might be getting together in a relationship you can crap that idea right now. Although I had thought of it since Snowgrl had asked me about it. But no I like the friendship/alliance they have lol. Anyway enjoy this chapter.

Warnings: More Harry angst. Slightly Different Dumbledore (bastard that he is. Can you tell I don't like him? Lol) Oh yah and maybe a little flashback not sure don't know if I have it in me to write what I'm thinking.

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Dumbass that sues me will be jumped by my posse.

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I'm frightened by what I see

But somehow I know that there's much more to come

Immobilized by my fear

And soon to be blinded by tears

I can stop the pain if I will it all away

                        Evanescence: Whisper

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Harry followed a bouncy pale blond boy out of the manor and into a beautiful garden. Harry had never seen such a garden although he kept his curiosity in check, not wanting to anger the boy in front of him, Harry couldn't help but take in the foliage that surrounded him.

It was almost like a small maze as bushes rose above their heads like walls. Flowers of deepest red to sapphire blue poked themselves out of the bushes. Vines and shrubs entangled across short and tall Rose bushes almost as if the roses were shying away their beauty. Harry noticed the young blond boy stop in front of a bush; Harry remained behind Draco impassively watching the boy. Suddenly the young enthusiastic blond turned his head and gave the raven haired boy an innocent smile that lit his silver eyes brilliantly.

"Look at this Harry, come on!"

Harry moved cautiously towards the boy weary of angering the boy thus incurring the wrath of the dark haired, pale skinned man who had yet to punish him. When the boy motioned for him to look at the bush Harry stared dumbfounded as he watched the most bizarre yet beautiful roses in bloom within the bush. The roses were an almost transparent color that changed colors as if they were covered by a silvery hue that reflected colors off the early afternoon light. Harry was awoken from his stupor by Draco's cheerful voice.

"There called Fallen Angel" Draco said cheerfully before he continued "father once told me about them. Uncle Severus grows them a lot because of his potions. Um, I can't really remember what they do but I know it has something to do with your feeling or something." Draco pouted slightly as Harry remained impassive about the roses and his comments, suddenly a voice from behind caught both boys attention.

"You were very young when I told you about this particular rose Draco." Lucius said as he stepped up behind the boy to look at the roses that continued to swirl in a silvery bright hue. He noticed Harry's distant stance from Draco, 'like a servant who walks a few paces behind his master' mused Lucius silently before continuing to explain the properties of the roses.

"These roses are very rare but quite beautiful. When you touch their petals, the silvery colors that swirl about it will solidify and make the flower one solid color, sometimes it is a mix of two or three colors as it represents the aura and emotions of the one who touches it. Draco, why don't you demonstrate to Harry by touching it." said Lucius as he smiled lightly at his son.

Draco smiled brightly as he reached over to the flower and caressed its petals softly letting his fingers rest there for a few moments until the silver swirls of color began to move faster. The rose had become and light blue mixed with a gentle light yellow.

"Look father they're still the same color as last time I touched it!" cried Draco enthusiastically. Lucius smiled softly at his son, glad to see the colors that represented his son's innocent and cheerful demeanor had not changed. He had always wanted to raise his son away from the cruelty and death that he had endured and not to mention inflicted. His son would not become him. The pale blond remembered the last time he had touched the delicate rose, having been just after Draco had been born. He remembered the colors the rose had shown him; a dark ebony blue, crimson red, and a light aqua. He had no idea that this simple rose's ability to show you your true self could have brought him so much comfort on that day. When he saw that light aqua color flowing freely with the others he knew that he would be at least a capable father. Often he had worried that he would be exactly like his father as the rose had always showed him the dark ebony blue that represented his cruelty and ability to hate and hurt and the crimson red that was his cunning and ambition for power. The light aqua color had destroyed those beliefs because in its own way it had assured him that he was still human, that despite his willful acts of torture and death, he could indeed raise his son to be different than him. Of course that Malfoy arrogance was still there 'what kind of son would he be if didn't have that trait. I mean come on if he's going to be naïve and happy he has to have something of mine. Arrogance is good' thought Lucius mildly before he was interrupted by his son.

"Father! Pay attention, I'm your son so you can't ignore me!" whined Draco.

'Ah see, there it is, Malfoy arrogance you have to love it' mused Lucius before he responded to his son's call. "Yes?"

"Can Harry touch the flower please!?" asked Draco enthusiastically.

Lucius looked at Harry whom had not moved one inch since Lucius had appeared behind them.

"Harry?"

"Yes, sir." came the indifferent reply.

"You can touch the rose if you'd like." Lucius wanted to reassure the boy that he wouldn't get punished but didn't want to deal with his son's curious questions about the statement either. 'Ah, damn you know screw tact. I'll just order him to do it. It won't hurt to do it just once will it I mean it's not like he cares…...wow talk about insensitive.' while Lucius had been silently musing to himself about what to do. Draco had taken matters into his own hands and had grabbed Harry's wrist and moved the startled yet impassive boy towards the bush. Placing the submissive hand on the flower's petals he waited and then removed the hand as the colors began to swirl.

"Father, why is Harry's color black?" asked Draco, confused.

Lucius couldn't believe it this boy actually had no defining aura or emotion in his being. Black was a neutral color that represented a void, a lack of emotion towards anything and anyone. Either this boy was really good at suppressing emotions or all feeling had conditioned out of the boy and if it was the latter then it would be very hard to help him recover those emotions.

"Draco, why don't you show Harry the rest of the garden." it wasn't a suggestion but a silent command that his son knew meant to follow without question.

"Come on Harry, let's see the rest of the garden!" shouted Draco as he bounded down another trail of foliage.

"Yes Draco, sir" said Harry apathetically not even giving a mind to the roses at all.

Lucius decided to follow silently just in case.

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Severus leaned against the cold stone wall, arms crossed over his chest as he stared silently out the window of the Headmaster's office. The old conniving man had offered a seat but the tall pale man had declined, preferring to stand.

Albus Dumbledore stared intently at the raven haired man before him his eyes twinkling madly as he regarded his potion's master. Severus and him had had a very trusting relationship since Severus had come to him all those years ago asking to spy for the light. All though the old man knew that trusting was far from what this partnership was.

"Well Severus, my dear boy, what news have you?" asked Dumbledore in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"The boy is still at his muggle relative's house." Severus spoke very carefully keeping his tone cold and impassive only giving information that would not help the old man.

"And of his magic?"

"I performed an analysis as he slept. His magic is fine; apparently your 'golden boy' has other talents."

"You mean to tell me Severus that Harry Potter has been able to somehow suppress his magical outburst for over a year now?" Dumbledore narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Severus sneered "No. I am saying headmaster. That the boy is fine and has had no need for such displays, evidently the boy is pampered and………." Severus could barely contain his yelp of pain as Dumbledore had thrown a mild but quite painful curse at him.

"Listen to me Severus. As much as I do trust you, you must understand that I do not like lies from you." Severus continued to stare at Dumbledore his eyes as cold and hard as ice. "You cannot expect me to believe that the most important asset to the light has not shown any traces of magic in over a year – because he is happy." said Dumbledore calmly as he walked over to the tall man who was leaning heavily against the wall, the curse having practically slammed him against the hard stone. Dumbledore placed his wand under Severus chin, lifting it so that the raven haired man was looking directly into the old man's eyes.

"Now Severus, I trust that you will not lie to me again, after all I am the one who gave you a second chance instead of letting you wither away in Azkaban. I should hope that I will not have to place you there as a traitor to the light – will I?" It was all Severus could to keep from ripping his face out of the man's hands and cursing him with every dark curse known to man. Eight years he had lived under this man and he often wondered if the Dark Lord and he were any different. Dumbledore had never actually tortured him physically, except for a minor curse here and there, meant to keep him in line, but the old twinkle eyed bastard loved to play his mind games with him. Always reminding him on just what a short leash he had the potion's master and how easily he could discard him to the aurors should the raven haired man prove to be useless to his cause. Yes, it was indeed his cause, Severus had long ago figured that Albus Dumbledore had his own dark agenda for having the light win this war and he would go to any lengths to do it. Everyday Severus cursed himself for turning over his soul to yet another devil that denied him his freedom.

"No. It. Will. Not happen again. Headmaster." said Severus coldly trying not to wince from the small ache that radiated through his back. Dumbledore smiled softly and removed his wand from the potion's master's chin. The old man slowly and gently began guiding the pale man to a soft chair and then sat himself at his desk.

"Now, my dear boy, why don't you really tell me what is wrong with the boy." it was a gentle tone but laced with an underlined warning that Severus knew all too well.

Severus sighed but kept his voice as stoic as before "The boy seems to be very indifferent which would explain why his magic has not reacted for so long. However, I do not know exactly why it has lasted for so long."

"Do you have any theories?"

"I believe perhaps he has been impassive because of an inherent loneliness. The boy is very withdrawn but I believe as he grows older his magic may very well surface again. He is still a child and will clearly become angry or frustrated at some point."

Dumbledore looked at him for a moment and smiled sweetly "very well Severus. I shall continue to monitor the boy. You are dismissed." Severus stood, nodded and turned to leave he was however detained by the headmaster's voice again. 

"Oh, and Severus…"

"Yes."

"I do hope you have not lied to me again. For, if you have it will be most unpleasant for you. Do you understand – my dear boy." said Dumbledore sweetly emphasizing the last part as a reminder of just who was in charge.

"Understood." with that Severus exited the office, striding down the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was seething in suppressed rage. 'Damn! I might as well declare myself dead if he finds out I have Potter. I finally rid myself of one devil only to end up the pawn of another. Merlin, the killing curse is looking pretty good right about now. I'll have to duplicate the boy's magical signature……..I need to speak with Lucius' thought Severus as he exited the castle and passed the apparition wards in order to apparate to Snape Manor.

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MD: Yay! I have finished this chapter.

Severus: A bit short don't you think?

MD: shut up.

Draco: are you sure I'm not on crack of something?

Harry: I think I've had too much …….

MD: shut. Up. Grrrrrrr. Or do you want to die!

Severus: You know what I am not appreciating having to deal with two bastards.

Harry: well see you are on a leash. I mean come on first Voldie then Dumbledore.

Draco: you'd think he'd learn *laughs out loud while Severus glares daggers*

Severus: …………… I hope you die.

*harry and Draco start laughing*

MD: hey you aren't suppose to laugh *inject sedative into Harry*

Harry: -_-  damn.

An: anyway not that I've shut them up. I'd like to say something.

One:  I'm sorry that this chapter is decidedly shorter than usual but it was actually very hard to write and I'm not exactly happy with it. Basically it was mostly to get the Severus and the old codger scene out of the way. Yes I know Dumbledore is a fucker but there is reason to my madness muahahahah.

Two: Next chapter I will try to have out sooner but I've been working a lot and haven't really had time to write. Now, next chapter it'll be good. I'm continuing the garden scene with Draco and Harry and trust me there will be more Harry angst in that scene and maybe some Draco cuteness. More Lucius and Severus interaction ….always love those and the beginning of Harry's recovery.

Three: I need suggestions for chapter nine though. See I don't want to go through every year. What I want to do is do small caps on years one through four you know the sorting, first meetings, Sirius, return of voldie and yadi yada . year five is where the story actually progresses more. Yeah the story will write itself from year five and on muahahahhahah I can't wait. So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to how I should go about years one through four. please post your ideas in your reviews.

Thank you and enjoy

Oh yeah REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE TO REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR THE MUSES. LOL