A/N: I hope this chapter answers some of your questions. If you want your questions answered on an individual basis, please include your emails in your reviews and I will answer them. As for Draco becoming a Snape, well, wait and see. Enjoy! Sylvia
Severus was currently pacing in his kitchen, wondering when Draco would wake up. The child had plenty of time to wake up and get ready, but the waiting was making the Potions Master second guess every other decision he had made that morning, from what to wear (he didn't understand that, really, because he wore the same thing everyday) to what to order for breakfast for himself and Draco. Why did making a life-changing decision have to be so difficult? He turned in the opposite direction and commenced pacing again. The adoption papers were currently in his pocket, and he could feel them with every step. What if the boy said no? What if the boy said yes? Severus threw himself into a chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. Not even eight o'clock in the morning and he already had a headache. Life was not fair.
He looked up as he heard a noise come from Draco's room. It sounded like a body falling out of bed. He watched as the door opened and Draco stumbled across the hallway and into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, a clean and slightly more awake, but still stumbling Draco returned to his room. Snape waved his wand and reheated breakfast. If he recalled his teenage years successfully, the smell of food always acted like a magnet. Sure enough, less than three minutes later, Draco came out of his room, still stumbling around, with his hair everywhere and his tie crooked. Well, at least the boy had tried to make himself presentable. He managed to make it to the table, where he promptly put his head on his arm and went back to sleep. Perhaps the dose had been too strong?
Severus poured some coffee into a mug and added a few pieces of chocolate. He tapped Draco on the head and the boy looked up. "Drink this. It will help wake you up." Draco took the mug and nodded his thanks, sipping a little bit at a time. Severus handed him a plate and waited a few minutes to allow the boy to wake up. He looked over his hair and grimaced. "Going for a Potter look today, Draco?" he asked. Draco looked up and shrugged.
"Not going for a Malfoy look." He answered. Draco turned back to his food, which allowed Severus time to try to choke down some of his own breakfast. He had no idea what was wrong with him. He had never been this nervous about something before, not even when he started spying. He was going soft. He looked at Draco and realized that he didn't care if he was going soft. It didn't matter anymore. What mattered now was Draco. When Draco finally looked fully conscious of his surroundings, Severus cleared his throat, asking for Draco's attention. Draco looked up. Perfect. Now to say something.
"Draco? There is something I, er, wanted to ask you." Draco nodded, motioning for Severus to go on. "I was wondering..." Severus trailed off, not sure of how to continue. Where were all his speeches he had made the night before? His perfectly sound arguments planned to get the boy to agree? Why couldn't he just say what he wanted to say and get the papers signed? What was this so difficult? "wondering if you would, uh, give me the honor of making you my son?" There, that wasn't so bad. Severus looked at Draco. He looked like he'd been hit with a Bludger. "Brilliant, Severus. Way to go. Shock the boy to death!" Severus took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm not trying to replace your parents, especially so soon after your mother's death, but I can give you a home, and be there for you, support, and things like that." Draco was still staring at him. Good going, Sev. He'll probably be the first child to die from shock! Severus noticed that the boy still had not moved. "You don't have to if you don't want to, it's just that I thought you might-"Severus's speech was cut off as Draco launched himself at Severus. The chair tipped backwards and both of them ended up on the floor.
"Would I give you the honor? I was thinking of ways to con you into it!" Draco told him, sitting up and helping Severus to his feet.
"That's a yes, then?" Severus asked.
"An enthusiastic yes!" Severus chuckled and hugged Draco to him.
"That's good. I was hoping you'd say yes." Severus told him. "I was thinking of ways to keep you in my custody had you said no." Draco looked at Severus, one eyebrow raised. "Don't doubt me. Kidnapping, Fidelius, boundary spells. Whatever worked." Draco chuckled at the last one.
"A playpen spell?" Playpen spells were boundary spells, often used by overwrought mothers on their children to keep them in one place and out of mischief. "How would that have helped?"
"I would have kidnapped you, put you under the Fidelius, and placed a boundary spell to keep you in one place, so that I knew where you were." Draco shook his head.
"But a playpen spell?" he asked, a little disgusted.
"Oh, yes. Anything to keep you from that incompetent Fudge and his illusions of right and wrong in this world. Anything to keep you safe." Draco settled for simple staring at that point. Severus was serious. He actually meant what he was saying. He hoped that the man wouldn't have to go to such lengths, though. A playpen spell at his age was a little, well, embarrassing. It wasn't as if he was a Gryffindor, and couldn't stay...never mind. He would stay where he was told, if need be. He knew he could. So long as he kept Harry, Hermione, and Ron away. He could stay in one place. "Should I ask the solicitor to come round?"
"Whenever you're ready." Draco said, He looked up at the clock. "It's almost time for class." Severus nodded, righted his chair, and looked Draco over. He reached out and fixed Draco's tie, while Draco tried to escape his hands. "Sir, I'm fine! I look fine!"
"Just let me fix that hair!" Severus said. A quick wave of the wand later and Draco's hair lay more or less flat against his head. Draco rolled his eyes as Severus handed him his schoolbag. "Let's go." He said, shooing the boy out the door. "I'll see you later." Severus said, squeezing Draco's shoulder. Draco nodded and waited until Severus had left before turning towards his own class. Time to meet Harry and Hermione in their first class.
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Dear Harry,
I know you have a Hogsmeade day this weekend. Why don't you and your friends meet Matthew and me in the Three Broomsticks? We can all have lunch together and talk, so we can convince your friends that I'm not evil. Sound good? Send a reply back.
Love,
Tom
Dear Tom,
That sounds great! I would love to see you and Matthew! Noon okay? Send a reply back if it's not. Can't wait to see you guys!
Love,
Harry
Hermione had a break and was in the library, frantically searching rough a book for something that would help her finish off her essay on Muggle/Wizard relations. "Yes!" she whispered to herself when she found a book entitled i Can We Get Along? A Study of Magical and Non-Magical Relations /i . She flipped to the section on blood and immersed herself, wondering if she would be able to find some proof of magic having its start in Muggle blood.
Like Muggles, the wizarding world also maintains a way to claim family through the exchange of blood. Like the Muggle "blood-brother" ceremony, the exchange of blood allows the wizard whom carries the blood to claim familial relationship to another wizard, regardless of the fact that the other wizard in the relationship does not have to carry the first wizard's blood.
For blood ceremonies involving Muggle and Wizard participation, not only must both...
"Hermione?" Hermione looked up to find Draco standing next to her chair. Draco looked really excited for some reason. "Can I talk to you?" She nodded and motioned for him to sit down. "Er, I was wondering if we could go for a walk?"
Hermione smiled. "Sure, Draco. Give me a minute to pack up." Hermione shoved her books into her bag and took the library book up to Madame Pince to check it out. She could finish it later. When she returned to Draco, she found that he had already taken her schoolbag. She shrugged and allowed him to lead the way. It seemed that chivalry was not dead in the wizarding world. Draco led her outside, where he started around the lake. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Draco seemed to think for a while before answering. "Severus wants to adopt me." He said, smiling a bit. "He said that he was willing to kidnap me, put me under the Fidelius, and set up boundary spells to keep me from the Ministry." Hermione giggled. "What if it is too soon? Is it?" he asked. Hermione looked at him, knowing he was speaking of his mother's death.
"What do your feelings say?" Draco paused, stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and laid his head on her shoulder. She reached up and stroked his hair, now free from any styling products. "It's okay to be wanted and loved by parents, Draco." Draco pulled away and nodded.
"Thank you, Hermione." She hugged him and stepped back.
"That's what friends are for, Draco." She smiled. "Especially Gryffindors. Would you like to go meet Ron now?" She asked.
"Only if you're willing to protect me." He said, Hermione smiled and started pulling him along to the castle.
"He'll probably just try to convert you to the firm belief that making your own candy is the only skill you honestly need in this world." Draco stopped.
"Where'd he learn that?" He asked as Hermione tugged him up the stairs.
"Dumbledore. He taught Potions yesterday. I have the notes if you want them. They might be a little sticky, but they're still legible." Draco shook his head in disbelief.
"The one day I miss, and he teaches candy-making. That is not fair!" He said. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Why do I have a feeling that you and Ron are going to get along just fine?" She mumbled to herself and stopped just long enough to give the password to Gryffindor tower. The pair entered Gryffindor tower to find Harry reading and Ron talking to Neville. Harry looked up and saw him first.
"Hey, Draco! How's it going?" Draco went over and plopped into a seat.
"Good. You?" Draco asked, toying with a throw pillow.
"Weirs Commune." Harry said, holding up his book. Draco rolled his eyes. It seemed that Harry had an obsession with that writer.
"In other words, all is well in the world." Draco said. Harry laughed and nodded.
"You know me well, friend." Draco shook his head. He would never understand Harry's obsession with that book. "You know me very well. How's Professor Snape?" Harry wondered why Draco's eyes lit up.
"He's great." Draco leaned forward. "He wants to adopt me!" Harry stunned face met his for just a second before Harry let out a small cheer.
"That is brilliant!" Both boys looked up to find Ron standing there.
"Hi, I'm Ron Weasley." Ron said, sticking out a hand.
"Draco." Ron nodded and sat down near them.
"Anyone up for a game of Exploding Snap?" All four Gryffindors spent an hour trying to avoid the explosions of the card game.
"Hey guys. It's dinner time." Hermione said, bringing them out of the game.
"Aw, Mione!" Ron complained. Harry rolled his eyes. Ron either loved this game too much, or he wasn't hungry. Harry seriously doubted that the latter was possible where Ron was concerned.
"Come on, Ron Shepard's Pie tonight." Draco said, reaching out a hand to help Harry up. "You alright, mate?" he asked when he saw Harry's pale face.
"Yes. It's almost time for my meds, that's all." Draco nodded, while Ron looked guilty. Harry saw it. "If you even try to apologize again, I'll hex you six ways from Thursday." Harry told him. "I'm fine. It's Professor Snape you have to worry about." Ron paled at the thought of meeting the Potions Master again.
"Don't worry, Ron. Harry and I will protect you." Draco announced. "We're used to dealing with him." Hermione had collapsed into giggles since Harry's mention of Professor Snape and continued to Draco's comment. "What is with her?" Draco asked.
"From who, exactly, does Mr. Weasley need protection?" Harry and Draco both spun around. Professor Snape was standing just inside the portrait.
"Dobby." Draco responded without guilty. Professor Snape merely raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Indeed. Potter, your dose." Harry nodded, downed the dose, and handed back the vile. "Well done. Now, you lot, get to dinner." Hermione led the three boys out and down to the Great Hall.
"Well, that provided the perfect cover." Hermione said once they were away from Professor Snape.
"Huh?" Hermione gave a small evil grin. "Oh man, Draco! Are you as scared as I am?" Harry said, catching her look.
"I'm petrified. What's going on?" Draco demanded of her.
"Just a prank, time-released of course that I did at lunch. Should happen right before we walk in." Ron's mouth dropped open.
"Since when did she start that?" he wondered.
"Don't know, but she's quite good." Draco informed him. The group walked to the Great Hall, talking about Quidditch, Hermione lecturing on study habits. They looked completely normal. They reached the Great Hall to find pandemonium running amok as all the Slytherin robes had changed to Gryffindor colors and all their hair dyed red and gold. A flashing banner above the Slytherin table scrolled a message.
This prank courtesy of Tabby, Leo, Serpent, and Ferret!
"Ferret!" Draco hissed. "What possessed you?"
"Fourth year." She said. "No one would dare suggest you even thought of that name." The four of them did as any normal teenager would when walking onto such a scene. They laughed. When they recovered, they looked up to find Professor Snape staring at them.
"You're responsible. I don't know how, but you are." He said, hands clenched while his Slytherins ran around in confusion behind him.
"Don't look at me! I just got back today!" Ron said, throwing up his hands in surrender.
"Professor, how could we? We were just with you!" Hermione said. His eyes narrowed, and he turned away without further comment. The four of them found their seats as Professor Snape started to lead his students out of the hall and towards the infirmary. Seamus Finnegan stood and raised a glass.
"To the Bludgers, our resident pranksters, for the way they come, hit their target, and speed off again." Most of the Gryffindor table lifted their glasses to the newly named Bludgers. Hermione looked like she had won a gift certificate to Flourish and Blotts, while Draco merely smiled. Ron ducked under the table, and Harry made yet another mental note to tell Tom everything that weekend.
A/N: I know, it was short, but I figured you all would like smaller, more frequent updates, as opposed to once a month long updates. I am willing to put it to a vote if a lot of you feel differently. Also, I realized that this seemed a little choppy. Sorry about that. I have a creative writing class that is making me think that I'm not such a great writer. I'm planning on ignoring the teacher's un-encouraging attitude in the long run, but it is still wreaking havoc. Everything I write for this professor feels forced, while this and my original fiction (yes, I have orginial fiction) flows like Niagra Falls. I don't understand it. I also have an idea for another story. If you'd like a synopsis, email me and I'll send you one. I want some opinions before I post it. That's all for now. Until next time! Sylvia