Title: Silver and Cold

Pairing: Draco/Harry

Rating: Overall R

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K Rowlings unless otherwise noted. It is for entertainment purposes only.

Warnings: spoilers for books 1-5 just to be safe. Eventual non-con. OOC for most characters as I'm not too good at writing Snape or Dumbledore to well.

AN: Thanks to Artificer for beta'ing all 7 chapters at once!

Chapter 5

Severus sat in his personal quarters, sipping on a glass of firewhiskey. Having finally gotten rid of the mangy werewolf, he had a few moments to himself to ponder many things. It didn't do to dwell on things, but considering all that has happened, Severus felt he's earned the right. After all, life is always made more complex by those who live it. Leading a double life as a spy for the 'Light,' only served to make his life more complex than most.

Ever since he was small child, Severus had been informed of who and what he shall become. "You will not fail the Snape name and desecrate our family's reputation, Severus. Remember that. Once you've passed your NEWTs, you will serve our Lord and make the Snapes a credit to his Lord's cause."

His potion's talent became apparent early on, even before attending Hogwarts. Severus knew he had to excel at potions; it was the only thing he was proficient enough at that earned him the praise of his father; the only acknowledgement he would ever receive from the cold-hearted man.

Having been born late into his parent's lives, his mother died shortly after childbirth. It had been too much for her aged body to handle. Severus grew up with the knowledge that his father resented him for causing his mother's death. Severus had always been alone in his childhood; he had grown up lonely, timid, and afraid. The few time he did see his father, it was only to be ridiculed and belittled, despite his potion's talent.

Even now as an adult wizard, Severus was resigned to the fact that he would never be more to anyone than a potions master. He knew he was not an attractive man, nor did he care to be. Severus also knew he was not a nice man, but he couldn't change that part of himself. To do so would only invite others to try and take advantage of him.

Severus knew that, at his age no, other wizard would still be untouched. He could never surrender that much of himself to anyone else. The only thing that saved him from the Dark Lord's advances had been that his pure state would allow the Dark Lord access to potions that no one else could brew, let alone another potions master. It was unheard of for a potions master to remain untouched by the end of their apprentice years.

Severus sighed softly as he took another sip of his firewhiskey. Despite the protests he had made to Lupin for the past twenty-odd years, he had always wondered what it would be like with another male. Severus had never been of the female persuasion. He had known at a very young age, his third year in fact, that he preferred the male anatomy. Severus had also learned that casual occurrences and one-night stands would not live up to his standards. He had figured that tidbit out during his sixth year.

Lucius Malfoy had been one year ahead of Severus and spent his entire seventh year shagging his way through Slytherin House. Severus watched silently as boy after boy had been used, abused, and then thrown away. It was Claudius Zabini who made Severus realize that he could not let anyone have any part of himself. Needless to say Claudius, Severus, and Lucius had been close friends once upon a time. Unable to resist the Veela charms, Claudius let himself be seduced into Lucius's bed.

Severus frowned as he remembered how callously Lucius had treated their close friend. Claudius assumed he had been Lucius's mate and had been exceedingly happy. Claudius had constantly gushed to Severus how wonderful his relationship with Lucius was. That is, until Lucius kicked Claudius out of his bed and moved on to anther unsuspecting boy.

It was Severus who held his heartbroken friend, who sobbed until he fell asleep from exhaustion. Claudius had been devastated for months. While Severus had felt sorry for his friend, he vowed to never let another have such power over his emotions or his heart.

Severus smiled as he thought about his old fiend. To this day the Zabini family remained neutral in the war because Claudius would not join any organization that welcomed a Malfoy among their ranks. The Zabini's could not claim the Light side, as no one from the Light would trust them. Though Claudius had always reassured Severus he would support him in any cause he chose.

Despite all of his musings, not once did Severus ponder why Lucius's Veela charms did not work on him. Nor did he feel compelled toward his godson. If he had, he would have realized that being a life-mate to a werewolf had made him immune to any other creature's charms. The pounding at the door interrupted Severus' thoughts from progressing further. The noise had startled him enough that, had he not been a Death-Eater-turned-spy, he would have dropped the glass he was holding.

Severus made a face of frustration. It could only be one person and frankly he was sick and tired of listening to the Headmaster talk. Severus headed for the portrait entrance, pretending he wasn't doing anything as childish as stomping his feet like a toddler. His schooled his face into his usual cold mask, before throwing open the portrait dramatically.

"What?" He demanded of his visitor, somewhat surprised it was not Albus like he had thought. He looked down to see the Granger girl, who had the youngest male Weasley in a death grip.

"Good evening Professor. We're terribly sorry to bother you, but we were hoping you had a few free moments so we may talk? It concerns Harry and Draco," Hermione stated calmly.

Severus looked between the two students, contemplating on whether or not to let them in. He noticed that Granger seemed to be studying his facial expressions. Severus was secretly amused. He would hear them out, if only to know what Potter's friends made of the situation.

"If Mr. Weasley can manage to stomach it, then do come in," he said with a smirk before backing away to allow them entrance to his quarters. Severus would have giggled at the small whimper that escaped from the red head if he had not been present among students.

Once inside he ushered them to the common area. "I do not have an abundance of time to spare so get right to the point, if you will."

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. "You see Professor, it's like this…"

Once again, Draco found himself in the Headmaster's office. Sitting across from the old man, Draco scowled. He was steadily growing more agitated at the stony silence that had settled between them and he was trying very hard to keep his anger at bay. He didn't want to waste any time away from his mate, who was still bed-ridden.

Resisting the urge to hex the headmaster, Draco continued to scowl at the old man. He would not be intimidated into speaking first. He would not play any of Dumbledore's mind games. Draco knew the Headmaster had a way of manipulating anyone into doing anything he wanted, and you wouldn't realize what had happened until it was too late. Draco sat completely still, wincing every time his godfather fidgeted in his chair.

"Albus! I believe you've kept us in suspense long enough. Why have you called my godson here?" Professor Snape groused, irritated. He knew first hand just how stubborn Draco could be. Draco would not break the silence first.

Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat. "My apologies. I am merely waiting for the Ministry Official who is supposed to be flooing here at any moment," Dumbledore began. "They are doing me the favor of coming here to speak to you, Mr. Malfoy, before taking you into custody. If it were anyone else, they would have already been arrested and taken to Azkaban."

Draco's face paled at the mention of the Wizard's prison. He turned to look at his godfather, hoping for an explanation for what he had done wrong.

Professor Snape sighed. It would have come to this eventually. He knew that, at some point, the Ministry would have to be involved. After all, Minerva did go to the Ministry to request Aurors be sent to Potter's place of residence. They would have happened upon the burning house and would have investigated. Any damage done to Potter's muggles relatives would have traced back to the magical signature that caused it: Draco's.

"It's all right, Draco. Even if those pitiful excuses for human beings are dead, it would matter naught. There is nothing the Ministry can do to you. Those muggles beat him and left him for dead. Had we not rescued him, he would be. There is no law they can accuse you of breaking, do not worry." Severus spoke soothingly, in order to keep Draco calm.

He looked to the Headmaster. "Of course, none of that applies to you, does it Albus?" Severus inquired, mock-innocently.

Headmaster Dumbledore frowned slightly as the twinkle in his eyes dimmed. To have Severus be sarcastic toward him was disconcerting, especially with what the potions master was implying. There had to be something he could do to salvage the situation. He just needed to figure out what it was. He could make Harry trust him again. He just needed to get Harry away from that Malfoy brat, who was currently scowling at him once again.

Dumbledore stared at the Slytherins. He would find a way; he couldn't let over sixteen years of planning go to waste. There was no way he was going to allow a Malfoy to get the better of him. It was merely a matter of finding the correct method. It would have to be something unorthodox. He couldn't get to Harry, not with Malfoy barring any from entering their private quarters and Dumbledore knew he would have to separate Draco from Harry first.

How does one go about separating a Veela from their mate? It was simple; you don't. You get the Veela to do it. The twinkle was back in full force as the idea formed. Draco's weakest link was now Harry, but Harry's weakest link was still himself. Dumbledore didn't have to get Harry away from Draco. He needed Harry to do it himself. It was only a matter of proving to Harry that being a mate to a Veela would take away his freedom. I believe Malfoy, that, for once, you're about to find out that heritage won't help you, Dumbledore thought gleefully.

"I don't know what you're talking about Severus. We, the staff at Hogwarts, have always had Harry's best interests to heart. We've always done what we could for Harry."

Severus was not placated, but remained silent.

It was in that moment that they heard the floo fire up and a man burst out from the flames. He stood to brush off the ash from his robes. He glanced around to see all was in attendance.

"Hello, Lucas Periwinkle. Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures; Beast division."

Edited Jan. 06, 2006