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Hope's Nest

Chapter 6:

When Draco arrived at Snape Manor he was surprised to be greeted by a house-elf and not Severus himself. It was highly unusual for his godfather to leave the Manor's security to someone else.

On the other hand the wards around the Manor were one of the most lethal in the world. Anyone who tried to enter them without being keyed in was due for a horrible, painful death.

Perhaps he is in his lab. Merlin knows nothing short of an attacking army could drag him out of there when he is experimenting.

Draco followed the house-elf to the yellow dining room, by far the most homely of the dining rooms in Snape Manor. He was a little surprised; he remembered that Severus preferred to dine in the bigger, though colder traditional dining room on the second floor.

Dismissing the house-elf Draco entered the warmly lit room. It was all he could do not to let his chin meet the floor at the sight that greeted him.

Not only did his antisocial godfather have a guest, no that guest was none other than the mysterious Nicodemus Stormcrow himself.

"Draco! What are you doing here? Did something happen?" Severus' worried tone helped Draco to focus.

"Do excuse me, Severus; I didn't know you were entertaining tonight. I will come back tomorrow." Draco replied, relying on the manners that had been deeply ingrained in him since his birth to bring his whirling thoughts to order.

What is he doing here? Why didn't Severus mention that he knew him? Don't look at the eyes, Draco; you've already made enough of a fool of yourself.

"Nonsense, Draco. There is no reason for you to leave at all. I understand that you met already, so I won't have to introduce you to each other. Take a seat and eat with us. You can explain yourself later." Severus replied, his dark eyes betraying some of the worry he felt.

"I couldn't possibly intrude…"argued Draco.

It was at this point that Nicodemus felt the need to interfere. "Mr.Malfoy there truly is no need for your apologies. We are both family to Severus after all. Take a seat and share dinner with us as is custom."

Nicodemus' deep voice seemed to reach into Draco's very core and set it alight with a warming fire.

Reluctantly Draco took the offered seat next to his godfather. Not good, not good. How am I to resist looking in his eyes when he sits right across me?

Severus watched fascinated how his godson reacted to Nicodemus presence. Draco had never before let anyone keep him away from spending time with his godfather and now he tried to politely, though futilely, to do exactly that. Interesting, very interesting. I wonder what has him so flustered.

After the house-elves served the next course, he started his interrogation: "So, Draco, what prompted your visit to Snape Manor?"

He was surprised at the fury the question ignited in his godson's eyes. Seldom has a child been named so aptly, a dragon he is indeed.

"I checked the wards at Malfoy Manor and discovered that they had been severely tempered with. Of course this discovery had me checking the whole Manor for spells or damage. Nearly every room and every painting was layered with observance spells, Severus. They broke into the ancestral home of my bloodline and set up surveillance." Draco answered with clenched teeth, his voice colder than ice.

Nicodemus laughed at Draco's indignant fury. When Draco looked into his eyes, his expression promising pain, he said: "Did you really expect people who actively approve of the persecution and abuse of children to respect your privacy or the old laws?"

There was no mirth in Nicodemus' glowing eyes at all. "The ministry and its people truly believe themselves above their own laws. They think only light families have the right to be protected by laws. I didn't build "Hope's Nest" because I wanted to; it was built out of necessity."

Draco noticed how the red lightening in Nicodemus' eyes spread over the rest of his body, shooting off little sparks. Yes, no doubt here, he truly detests the new ministry. No wonder they leave him be. If I were already on his bad side I wouldn't want to anger him any further either.

"That is enough, Nicos. Control yourself." Severus' voice could have cut steel. His dark eyes were shining not with anger, but worry and compassion, as he noticed a magical wind playing with white hair. "If you lose control that easily you are clearly beyond exhaustion. I will not hesitate to write the Duchess if that is what it takes to make you rest."

It was the use of his nickname that brought Nicodemus' thoughts back to his surroundings. He slightly shook his head before bowing to both men. "My apologies, it is a topic I feel quite strongly about. Strong emotions are taxing on my control." The magical wind settled down again and the lightening retreated into his eyes.

Draco noticed that although the wind had settled down there was still a slight breeze waving in Nicodemus' white mane. Trying to keep tempers down he allowed his curiosity free rain. "I didn't know Severus and you were related, Mr.Stormcrow. For that matter, I didn't know Severus had any relations left at all."

"That would be because Severus and I are not related by blood. Severus' only living relation is the Duchess Noctifer Aurelia Stormcrow, Head of the House of Stormcrow and Keeper of the Line of Old. Nearly 500 years ago Severus' ancestor was born as Duchess Stormcrow's younger half-brother.

The Duchess took me under her wings after the Old Blood in me awakened. I was the only one left of my Line, so she adopted me into hers. Severus was ordered to look after me as long as I stay on the British Isles."

Severus only just managed to keep the surprise off his face and his eyebrows down. Nicodemus never talked about his past or family, never. Even Charlie had only known that Severus and Nicodemus were friends, he still didn't know about the duchess or the Old Lines. I may be getting old, but I am still not blind and with my eyes I see two young men behaving in quite unusual patterns around each other. Aunt Noctifer will be ecstatic.

Dinner progressed in a civilised manner. It was when dessert was served that all hell broke lose, again.

The amulet around Nicodemus' neck started to glow in an ever stronger growing blue light. Soon it shone like a little blue sun and chiming could be heard.

Without saying a word Nicodemus vanished in a short burst of magic and wind.

"Dear Circe, not another. "whispered Severus. His face had lost its last bits of colour and in his black eyes stood despair.

"Severus, are you alright?"asked a concerned Draco. At Severus weak nod, he continued: "What happened? What was that light and chiming?"

Severus raised his glass of whine and took several sips. Slowly the despair in his eyes was replaced by cold burning anger and deep seating contempt.

He looked into the questioning face of his godson and answered: "That was Nicodemus' emergency charm. It starts glowing whenever a child wearing a necklace with the Stormcrow crest is in danger or activated its portkey functions. It starts chiming when the child in question is severely wounded or near death."

For several minutes Draco was silent, then he stated: "That wasn't the first time the charm was activated, was it? What is happening here, Severus? And how can I help?"

"What is happening? Most of the British Wizarding World has obviously gone mad. How you can help? First you make sure not to become a target yourself. It has been some time since a wizard was stupid enough to disregard the Potter life debt; if you don't tread carefully they might try something hoping the life debt's magic has dissipated. Fools that they are.

If you want to do more, you will have to ask Nicodemus. "Hope's Nest" is the only place where the victims are cared for and safe."

A hard look entered Draco's icy eyes and he nodded. "Than that is what I will do. Will you be alright here, alone?"

"I am no invalid, thank you."was the acid reply.

Draco smiled slightly, stood up and walked to the door. His godfather's next question made him pause, then turn. "Where are you going?"

"To "Hope's Nest", to help."

In the infirmary of "Hope's Nest" Nicodemus stood next to the healers who tried desperately to safe the young girl that had arrived not ten minutes ago.

She was small, surely no older than fourteen years and there was blood all over her body. The bones at her wrist were visible where she had fought to free herself of chains or rope. Her face was so swollen and discoloured it was impossible to make out her features.

She was dangerously thin and clothed in near to nothing dirty old rags, that managed to cover only just her chest and upper thighs, where there weren't holes or tears.

One of the healers walked over to Nicodemus to report, his face grave: "She will live for the night, but if she continues to do so is up to her and after what she had to live through I doubt her will to live will be strong enough to stay with us.

She's got a concussion though luckily no brain swelling or fractures in the skull. Three of her ribs were broken, as were her hipbones, the bones in her right forearm and both ankles. I don't expect there to be complications with any of the breaks, they will heal.

However she suffered much more serious internal damage. Her kidneys are bruised, her liver is swollen. Her uterus has been nearly destroyed. There will never be a chance for her to receive a child.

There were countless inner bleedings that we managed to stop, but she has lost a dangerous amount of blood and we dare not give her another potion, it would put her body into shock.

It is of outmost importance that she rests, without the aid of potions. The only ones strong enough would interfere with the healing."

Nicodemus nodded, the lightening in his eyes intensifying in his silent rage, fighting with tears.

Then he signalled the healers to leave and settled down in a chair next to the girl's bed. When the healers had left he allowed his magic free reign. Red lightening danced out of his eyes and skin and sank into the girl's body, strengthening her, making her feel safe and protected.

It was a form of magic that was as old as the world itself. It was powerful and dangerous magic and could only be safely wielded by those chosen few of Old Blood.

Retreating deep into his magical core, Nicodemus let his very blood become life giving magical fire, felt his very being become one with the origin of all magic.

"The Duchess will kill me if she learns of this, that is if I don't manage to kill myself with it first."

TBC

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