"So what's going on, then?" Sirius demanded once they were all seated around the table. His arms folded angrily across his chest "What is this all about?"

"I would appreciate it if you kept your voice down." Dumbledore reminded him evenly, pouring the tea, "But, of course, I can understand your concer-"

"If you understood, you wouldn't be sending him here!" Sirius snapped, "You cannot seriously believe that Malfoy's parents knock him around, can you? I mean, just look at him, he has always been a spoilt, selfish, arrogant bully. That is not the situation of an abused child!" But no sooner than the words were out of his mouth, than Snape leapt furiously to his feet, anger conveyed from every atom of his being,

"Shut your mouth until you know what you're talking about!" He snarled, "You haven't been there! You haven't seen it! Well, I have! So don't you ever accuse Draco of lying about something like that!"

"And why should I believe anything you say?" Sirius retorted, glaring mutinously at Severus, "Last time I looked, Snape, you weren't exactly the most…trustworthy of people, weren't you?"

"You two haven't started already, have you?" They looked around to find Lupin standing in the doorway, watching them amusedly, "They've been here for, what? No more than ten minutes? And all ready you're at each other's throats! Really Sirius, you could've at least waited an hour." Sirius glowered at him and sat back down, Severus slowly copying him with Lupin close behind. Dumbledore smiled his greeting and past Remus some tea, which the were-wolf received gratefully,

"Anyway," The old wizard continued, "The reason I do not want Draco and Hermione to stay at Hogwarts is because, in my opinion, it is no longer safe for them."

"Yeah?" Sirius scoffed, although his expression was one of deep curiosity, "I thought Hogwarts was supposed to be the safest place/"

"For the most part it is." Albus admitted, taking a ginger newt and nibbling it thoughtfully, "But for situations such as these, it is not the case. And yes, Sirius," He gave the dark man one of his 'Looks', "I do believe Draco. And, although he never came to me as a student, I want to do my best to influence him whilst he is six."

"Excuse me, Professor," Hermione raised her hand, "When will Draco go back to being his normal age again?"

"Well…it's been just over a week so, I'd say give it another seven or eight days." The brunette gave a long-suffering moan,

"But he's so cute as a baby! (I'm not a baby!) Why can't he just stay like that?" Everyone shook their heads and proceeded to ignore her.,

"Why did Draco turn six anyway?" Lupin asked, directing it at Dumbledore, but Snape answered him instead,

"Deaging potion."

"But isn't that a really stupid thing to do?" Sirius cut in, somewhat smugly, "Why would he do something like that?"

"That is none of your concern." Severus growled. Seriously not wanting to go through it all again,

"It is if he's going to live in my house!"

"If Draco wants you to know, then it's up to him, not me!" Hermione, Remus and Dumbledore all sighed and rolled their eyes simultaneously, all saying silently,

'Oh, for god sake!'

Luckily at that moment, when tension was about to reach ridiculous levels of extremity, Tonks burst into the room,

"Draco's…un-under the bed…" She gasped, collapsing into the nearest chair, trying to catch her breath, "And-and…he won't come out…" Instantly Severus was at his feet. He grabbed Tonks' hand and dragged her from the room,

"Where is he?"

"Upstairs, fifth door on the left."

Draco crouched, trembling, under the large four-poster bed of the spare bedroom. One again, he felt the familiar sense of fear that always consumed him when he knew he'd been disobedient, overwhelm him until he felt as though he was going to be sick.

Draco knew, also, that his fear was completely irrational. He knew that Snape, Izzy and Hermione would protect him from his father's punishments.

But still…

"Poppet?" The blonde head instantly shot up as he heard his Aengel call him, "Poppet, are you okay?"

"Y-yes." Draco managed to get out, his voice small and shaky, "I-I…" Slowly, the boy crawled out and into Issabella's waiting embrace,

"What happened, Dragon?" She asked softly, running her slim fingers through Draco's baby-fine hair, "You seemed so happy just now. What changed?"

"We was just…just talkin' an'…she-she said that her mama was my mama's sister an' then I asked her who her papa was an' she said he was a-a-a…muggle." Draco burst into tears and hid his face in his hands, "I-I know I shouldn't be s-scared anymore but…but I am an'-an' I can't help it." Izzy cuddled the little boy close as he sobbed into her dress,

"Don't worry, Poppet." She soothed, "It's only normal that your fear and memories are still there. No one's going to be angry with you for being scared, I promise."

" 'Kay." Draco sniffed, wiping his eyes on the back of his sleeve, " 'Kay.'

Severus and Tonks burst into the room, causing both Draco and Izzy to jump and look up confusedly. Within half a second, Snape was by his side, concern radiating from inch of him,

"Draco…" He gasped, utterly breathless, "What…what happened?"

"Tonks said she was a half-blood an' I got scared 'cause I'm not allowed to talk to her. I'm sorry for being s-silly and causing trouble," He continued, lowering his eyes meekly to the ground, "I-I didn't mean to…I justI just panicked 's all…"

"Don't worry Dragon, you're not in trouble. He can't get you here, I promise you, things can only get better from now-" But Tonks cut him off quickly,

"Umm…Severus? I wouldn't say that quite yet. I'd wait till after tomorrow." Snape frowned,

"Why?"

"Because, Alastor Moody's gracing us with his presence tomorrow."

A/N: Yo! Next chapter will be good, heh heh...

>Ahem Chocolate icecream to-

Hogaboom, Ilya of Smeg, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, lindylulu, Harry Potter Princess H, PerfectPureblood, lilmissgullable, Sailor Hecate, Tamika DanarDraco, IvybyMoonlight, 13BlackAngels.

Thankyou! Love Lilyxxxx