A/N: I'm so glad people liked the bracelet. I saw a show on TV that had a bracelet like that, and I loved the idea, and incorporated it into this story! Also, Heather, they did share a bed until they left for Hogwarts, and while there is technically nothing going on between them, there soon will be. Draco can't keep his hands off his little lion. :D also, I'm glad everyone thought the bracelet thing was adorable. And yes, it did hurt when Harry fell in the shower, but he's strong, and he has a hard head. :D the Malfoy family is not a deatheater family, because I want them to stay home with Harry and Draco, plus, I don't think Sweetgrass, who is a witch, would let a deatheater family foster Harry Potter. And this story will not be like incest, sorry for the confusion about that. Also, Narcissa never adopted Harry because she was sure Draco and Harry would get together.
This author's note is 163 words long. How insane is that?
Chapter 4!
"Lucius. I'm telling you that something has changed." Severus was telling his best friend. "I know isn't it sweet?" Narcissa cooed. Lucius smirked. "You know, Lily and Narcissa would talk for hours on how their sons would fall in love, and they would be related by law." Lucius remarked to Severus.
"I know." Severus said, rubbing his temples. Narcissa smiled sweetly. "I know Lily would love this arrangement."
Lucius looked at his long-time friend. "Well, what do you suggest?" He asked, and Severus shrugged, looking from Narcissa to Lucius. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts before speaking.
"I think you should let it progress without any interference." He finally said, causing Lucius to break into a relieved smile, and Narcissa to pout. "But I wanted to play matchmaker." She said, before her eyes glittered.
"I know! I'll play matchmaker with you!" She squealed, and Severus looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"No, anything but that!" He said, and Lucius laughed. "I'll even help her." He said, causing Severus to scowl.
"You wouldn't." he stated, causing the other man to smirk in a rather disturbing fashion.
"But, my dear friend, you know I would." He replied, and Narcissa stepped in. "Are you sure it's going to be romantic? They are only eleven, you know." She asked, and Seveus stared. "I have seen lovesick students for almost ten years. I think I know what it looks like." He said rather coolly, causing Narcissa to placate him.
"I didn't mean it like that Severus. I was merely asking if you are sure it is more than a platonic relationship, like brothers." She said, and Severus slumped into his seat.
"No. Draco is already possessive, and Harry is much more affectionate than any of the siblings we have at Hogwarts, barring the Weasley twins. Those two are closer than most, but they are twins." Severus said, looking thoughtful. Lucius looked troubled.
"But what will happen now?" He pressed, causing Narcissa to send pleading looks at Severus. "You will not interfere, Narcissa." He said firmly, and Narcissa grinned wickedly.
"Fine, but I expect compensation. I'll get you a date for Sunday lunch." She said, sweeping from the room. Severus groaned as Lucius laughed in the background.
Oh, the misfortune. Severus thought with a sigh.
Meanwhile…
Harry and Draco were sitting on the raven-haired boy's bed. They were discussing what had happened earlier.
"The nerve of those women. To send you howlers." Draco was saying, bristled like an angry cat. Harry, who still had precariously balanced self-esteem, didn't understand why Draco was so upset.
"Don't worry." Harry said, unconsciously shrinking from the quickly angering boy. Draco seemed to notice and moved forward, hugging Harry tightly. "I'm not mad at you." Draco said, kissing the top of Harry's head. Harry leaned into Draco.
He loved how protected he felt when Draco just took him in his arms. He felt love toward him whenever Draco, Narcissa, Lucius, or even Severus held him.
But for some reason, hugging Draco felt different than hugging anyone else. There was a certain heat, a certain love that wasn't there any other hug. And when Draco innocently kissed his head, it was different than when Narcissa or Lucius did. ( A/N: Do you really think Snapey-poo would kiss someone's head? Honestly?)
Harry mentally shrugged it off and smiled at the blonde across from him. Draco smiled back, his eyes bright. He leaned forward and whispered something into Harry's ear, causing him to shiver. Draco seemed to notice and smiled at Harry.
Harry smiled back, nodding. Draco's eyes got bigger. He laughed, and Harry found himself laughing along.
Later, Severus's quarters
"No, Lucius, I refuse." Severus said, and Lucius put on his puppy eyes. "Won't work." Severus said, and Lucius pouted.
"Pweety, pweety, pweese?" Lucius asked, mentally berating himself for sinking so low as to talk in a baby voice. Severus cringed and said "That really doesn't suit you, but fine."
Lucius cackled and left the room, leaving Severus to ask himself how he was going to handle this new embarrassment. He sighed and owned a glass of firewhisky, pouring another. He decided to be a little buzzed, to help him through the night.
Fifteen minutes later, Draco's room, the dungeon dorms
Draco was sitting on his bed reading a potions book. Harry was looking into his star globe. He was locating different constellations, and was singing a lullaby softly. Draco didn't recognise it, and he was about to ask where he had heard it, when there was a knock on the door.
Draco called for the person to enter, looking up as his godfather stepped in.
"Hey, Sev." Draco greeted. Harry smiled. "Yes. Your father wanted me to find out-" He cleared his throat, "how deep the relationship between you is." Severus said, and Draco smiled.
"He's my little baby." He said, causing Harry to flush. "How about you?" Severus asked Harry, who blushed redder. "Nevermind." Severus said, causing Harry to shy away and Draco to pull him into his arms.
Severus watched, before hugging the two boys and leaving. Draco looked down at Harry, suddenly impure thoughts running through his mind. No, he wasn't thinking about sex…yet, but he was imagining kissing Harry, waking up to Harry in his arms.
Harry was thinking along the same lines, but didn't say anything. Draco kept quiet as well. Draco made a silent vow. He would protect Harry, keep him safe, and be there when he had nightmares.
He was a little sad that Harry still thought they might give him back to the Dursleys if he was impolite or messy. Draco thought it rather tragic, and though he understood, he still was a little hurt that Harry would think that.
He squashed that thought angrily. His little lion may still be a little cracked, but Draco knew that they could love him back together. They had started doing just that when Harry had been home. The poor dear was ashamed of his magical outbursts, apologising over and over and expecting punishment.
They, of course, had never really punished him, but Harry had been worried for years. He had eventually relaxed a little, but he was nowhere near normal during childhood.
Lucius had scared the child on a number of occasions, and Harry was slow to forget. He had a good heart, a sweet child, very shy, and normally silent, which was probably from the monsters he had to live with before.
While Lucius and Narcissa were mostly the ones to pick up the pieces, Draco was there to put them back together, better than when it broke. Harry had always sought Narcissa and Draco for comfort, but Lucius was the one he liked to discuss stars with.
Draco was great and all, but he liked potions better, and didn't know a lot of constellations. Lucius, however, did, more than Harry did, and would teach him during the night, pointing out the constellations and telling Harry their names.
Narcissa taught Harry to cook and charms, while Draco and Severus taught him potions. Harry was scared of potions. He didn't like buckets of water, bathtubs, or anything else you could fill with water and was bigger than a goblet.
Draco remembered the first time they had tried giving Harry a bath after Lucius lost his temper.
Flashback
Narcissa led Harry to the bathroom, and the small bath Draco used. She filled it, never noticing Harry's eyes filling with fear and resignation. She began to set Harry in the bath when he came alive.
He screamed and kicked, pleading not to be pushed under, that he would be a good boy. Draco, who was right beside her, looked at Harry wide eyed as Narcissa set him down, where he became calm and silent once more. Narcissa looked shocked, and she reached for Harry to scoop him up.
Harry, thinking it would be a blow, scrambled back into a corner, away from the two. Draco ran over and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Baby, Mummy won't push you under. She just wants you to be not so dirty anymore." Draco explained. Harry looked at the bath and began to shake. Draco took Harry's hand and led him to the bath, entering and holding his hands out to Harry.
"Please?" Draco asked, and Harry entered the tub. Narcissa was scrubbing them with a soft cloth when Lucius entered.
Harry screamed and was off like a shot, out of the bathroom and out into the corridor in a second flat. Lucius looked dumbly at the spot where Harry was. Narcissa looked at the bathwater, her eyes moving to the door, and she was out of the room, trying to find Harry.
She finally found him in a closet, still naked as a newborn, with his arms wrapped around his knees. She had lifted him into her arms and carried him to the kitchen. Harry tried to get away when he saw Lucius, but Narcissa wouldn't let him.
Lucius approached and kissed Harry on the head. "I never meant to scare you." He said, and Harry looked at him wide eyed for a second before he stopped struggling. He wouldn't let Lucius hold him yet, but Lucius expected that.
Present time, Draco's room
Draco pulled himself out of his memories and kissed Harry once more, this time on the cheek, close to his lips. Harry smiled and kissed Draco chastely on the nose, before settling down with an astronomy book.
"Dray?" Harry asked, looking at Draco intently.
"Huh?" Draco asked, shaking his head to disperse the memories. "Are you alright?" Harry asked, looking deeply into the grey eyes. His heart fluttered.
"Yeh, I'm going to get some sleep. Night." Draco said, climbing into bed and snuggling into the covers. Harry followed suit, and as Draco lay awake, Harry's breath evened out. Draco let himself fall into a restless sleep.
A/N: Things are beginning to be moulded, but remember people, roses have thorns.