Disclaimer: not mine

Hope's Nest

Chapter 5

It had been several days since Draco's visit to Snape Manor and Severus was still puzzled about his godson's near obsession with "Hope's Nest".

True, Draco possessed a natural curiosity that drove him to learn the why behind things, but that should have been sated by the information Draco's investigators presented him. His duty in regards of his former housemates' offspring was fulfilled; their habitation had been proven better than acceptable.

So, why was all Draco talked about in his letters "Hope's Nest"? The generous donation to the orphanage could be written off as further helping Slytherin children.

It wasn't suspicion that kept Draco's mind on "Hope's Nest", either. He was fully convinced that it was just an orphanage for the outcasts of society.

Well, perhaps Nicodemus had an idea where Draco's obsession stemmed from. He would have to remember to ask him about it, when he came over for their weekly dinner. The young man had a quite unique sense of kin, which didn't allow neglect of those he regarded as family. Not even on occasions when emergencies had left him tired beyond reason or one inch short of a complete breakdown.

A warm glow crept into Severus' obsidian eyes as he contemplated the extraordinary man he was proud to claim as family.

The hardships of war had left many scars and forced changes on Nicodemus' soul and heart, but his outer appearance had undergone the most drastic changes of all. Yet, in the end it had proven to be a blessing in disguise. There was no chance at all for anyone to find out who Nicodemus had been before, unless he chose to tell them, of course. So far Severus was the only one to know of his old identity.

Severus didn't have to wait longer than was usual for Nicodemus to arrive, as always, by stumbling out of his fireplace. Nicodemus' white hair was sticking up in every direction and his black and violet robes were flaring around him in that invisible wind that always seemed to surround him after travelling by magic.

A small smile stole onto Severus' face at the sight of the one person that was even more precious to him than his godson.

Seeing the harried expression in Nicodemus' eyes, worry replaced the joy in his eyes. If Nicodemus' possessed any character flaw at all, it was his inability to stand still, to rest, to take a break of his work, not even in his mind and thoughts.

In that regard Nicodemus' eyes truly mirrored his very soul, the purple magical lightening in his violet eyes an eternal burning fire, wild passionate, dangerous and ever changing.

"Sorry, I'm late. Duchess Stormcrow wished for my presence. She is convinced that if she doesn't ensure I take a break, in her very presence mind you, I wouldn't take one at all. She seems to forget that I'm 23, not three and therefore in no need of a keeper." Nicodemus explained exasperatedly. Yet there was no real anger in his voice and his eyes glowed warmly at the mention of his Head of family.

"So, what was her choice of torture this time? Did she order you to eat more? Again? No, wait, she called you a faithless changeling to neglect her as you did, didn't she?" Severus teased amused.

"Wrong and wrong. Seems to me that old age has weakened your sharp intellect at last."

Together they walked to the dining room, not too far from the living room. The hallway was barren of any pictures, quite unusual for a magical home. Spies couldn't afford to be spied on themselves and Severus had seen no need to change that after the war. The new ministry tried to keep taps on all the black sheep of society and former spy and Head of Slytherin House certainly belonged to them.

"It was much worse." continued Nicodemus.

At Severus' inquisitively raised eyebrow, he elaborated: "She wanted to know how Charlie is and why I didn't bring him with me."

Severus' mouth curled into an evil smirk. "Which undoubtedly led to you having to confess that you haven't been together for nearly four years now and explaining exactly why you didn't inform her of your mutual break up in the first place."

"That's right, laugh at those more unfortunate than you. Just so you know she still fishes for information regarding your non-existent family planning. She even showed me the cradle she hand crafted for you firstborn. "countered Nicodemus, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

"Now you know why I never go on vacation. If I keep myself busy at Hogwarts I simply haven't got the time or opportunity to visit her on the continent." Severus replied artfully, his enjoyment of the banter visible in his grin and relaxed posture.

They arrived at the dining room where the house-elves served the first course as soon as both wizards were seated.

At Malfoy Manor Draco was beyond irritated, he was furious. How dared those incompetent, pretentious, hypocritical ministry goons try to spy on him, at his ancestral home, no less.

Of course the observation spells and magical paintings had been removed immediately, but it was still outrageous. The ministry had no right, no right at all to enter the ancestral home of the old blood lines without invitation. The law that stated it was part of the original Ministry Charta.

Draco paced in front of the fireplace in the living room, his blue eyes nearly spraying sparks. He felt vulnerable and exposed in his own home and he didn't like it one bit. He seriously doubted that he would be able to eat here much less sleep at night.

A sigh escaped his lips. There was truly no other possibility; he would have to ask Severus for his hospitality. If his own home wasn't safe anymore he wouldn't risk an inn, where anyone could slip something in his food or break into his rooms at night.

He had hoped such paranoia wouldn't be needed after the war.

At least there was no chance in hell that anyone had been able to break into Snape Manor to place any spells, paintings or other spying objects.

Well, knowing his godfather he could use a little company.

TBC