Chapter 21 - Harry's Love letter

Draco staggered into his godfather's office with a look of horror etched on his face. Snape observed the parchment clutched in his hand and raised a questioning eyebrow waiting for Draco to speak.

"He's… He's…" Draco stammered.

"Oh for goodness sake." Snape snapped and snatched the parchment form Draco's hand. Snape quickly read the letter.

Draco,

Whatever are you on about in that letter?

You seem to think I would become a Malfoy if we were married. I'm sorry but you have it around the wrong way. With a marriage of two males in the wizarding world, it is the elder family that takes precedence. The Malfoy family is relatively new to the magical world in comparison to the Potters. Why the first Malfoy, a muggle born, was a scant seventeen generations ago. The Potters date back beyond the time of the founders of Hogwarts to the very founding of the wizarding world. I would not become a Malfoy if we were married, you would become a Potter. Draco Potter, do you like the sound of that? I am sure you will grow accustomed to it given time.

As far as my not working for a living, I must inform you I will work because I wish to, not because I need any money. I am thinking of becoming an Auror, so I can bring down the dark wizards that threaten our world. I already have some experience with this, don't I? It would be a worthwhile career that would benefit both myself personally and the wizarding world in general.

As far as producing an heir goes, I assure you I am more than capable of doing the job myself. In fact as the last Potter it is my responsibility to re-establish the family as quickly as possible. Seven or eight children would be a good start, don't you think? I like large families. Look at the Weasleys for instance, seven of the finest wizards and a witch that you could meet. I know such a large family is often a handful but with love and care the rewards would be worth it. It must be said with such a large family one of the parents is needed at home full time being the primary care giver to the children. As you seem to not have any career plans, perhaps you could fulfil this role while I go hunt the dark wizards as an Auror. It would be difficult I know. Unfortunately being a founding member of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (SPEW) I can't have any house elves in my home to assist you but I am sure you would find a way to manage. All the cooking and cleaning would help to keep you occupied while I am at work.

Speaking of a home perhaps I should mention that I will be buying a house in muggle London to live in. It would be an adjustment for you I know to live in the muggle world but I am sure once you get to know the neighbours and make friends, you will find the benefits of the muggle world worth it. I myself can help you adjust to things like muggle electricity and doing the shopping for things in a muggle supermarket.

The children could go off to primary school to learn about the muggle world and we could teach them at home about the magical world. Doesn't that sound great?

Finally about Voldemort being a half blood. 'The source' that told me was Voldemort himself on two separate occasions. Once during our second year in the Chamber of Secrets when he told me his original name was Tom Marvolo Riddle (if you rearrange the letters it says I am Lord Voldemort) and also after the triwizard competition in the graveyard of the Riddle mansion (his fathers old house). I was tied to his father's headstone on the grave as the bone of the father was extracted to resurrect Voldemort. Wizards aren't buried in muggle style graves but are always cremated to prevent their bodies being used in dark rituals like this. So I can assure you that Voldemort or Tom Riddle is indeed a half blood. (Don't ever call him Tom to his face. It pisses him off something awful. I know from personal experience. ) Also don't ever think you can forbid me saying or doing anything ever again.

I look forward to your reply.

Harry

"I can't live with those disgusting muggles." Draco exclaimed, "And I am certainly not taking care of the children. He wants eight of them, all his for Merlin's sake."

"Really Draco." Snape sneered, "Can you not see what Potter is up to. I thought you were a Slytherin."

Draco gave his godfather a questioning look. Snape sighed, "He set out in this letter to make the prospect of being his life mate as difficult for you as possible. I am frankly amazed at his deviousness. It is almost worthy of a Slytherin."

"So it's all lies then." Draco replied.

"Well not exactly." Snape conceded, "The Potter family is certainly the elder, so he is correct that if you were to follow tradition you would become a Potter. But that tradition is not followed often these days. You could remain Draco Malfoy if you chose to."

"Thank Merlin." Draco exclaimed.

"The heirs are the real problem. You could produce your own but Potter being the elder family of the marriage would be expected to produce his heirs first. You would have to persuade him to limit the number of children. Eight is clearly excessive. You must try to gain dominance over Potter in this union or he could well do those things he describes in this letter." Snape said.

"But he's immune to my veela powers!" Draco shouted,

"Draco, there are other ways than your powers to ensnare the senses and bewitch the mind." Snape replied glaring at the blond.

"A potion? Do you think that will work?" Draco asked.

"My potions always work." Snape replied haughtily. "But we must proceed cautiously. Most so-called love potions have only a short-term effect. We will require one with longer and subtler effects. And once you can convince Potter to lower his resistance to your veela influence he will be yours. Yes, I do believe I know the potion to use but it will not be easy to either brew or to administer to Potter. It requires regular minute doses over a long period of time while the subject is solely concerned with the intended mate. Which means you must draw Potter out. You must convince him to meet with you face to face and meet regularly. Yes, that is were it must start."

"But how?" Draco complained.

"The reply to this letter obviously. Do you have a copy of the letters you sent to him as well as all the letters he has sent to you?" Snape asked.

Draco pulled two letters from his robes and handed them to Snape. Snape quickly read them both and snorted at Draco's letter. "Of course Potter isn't going to respond well to your letter. It is entirely the wrong approach to order him around as you would a woman. Potter is an arrogant, strutting glory hound. You must play to those weaknesses. Get some parchment and I will dictate what your reply should say. Potter will eat up the praise I assure you. Ready? Then take this down. 'My Magnificent Harry," Snape stopped for a moment looking ill but he pressed on regardless.

Snape dictated the new letter that Draco took down word for word. When it was finished and checked over Snape gave a nod of approval. "Send that and the brat will start to look upon you as one of his adoring fans. Soon you will be admitted into his pack of sycophants and there you can go about overthrowing the boy wonder with more direct means. He will not be able to resist this letter, I assure you."

"Good, thank you godfather I really appreciate the help." Draco said smiling. His trust in his godfather's abilities was absolute.

"Whereas I am not thrilled with your choice of life mate, I will always do whatever I can for my godson, Draco." Snape said with the closest thing to a friendly smile he could manage.

Draco nodded. "There is just one more thing. What Potter said about the Dark Lord was all lies was it not?"

Snape shifted uncomfortably. He motioned Draco closer and in a bare whisper said, "What I am about to tell you must never be repeated to anyone. Is that clear? We would both be killed if it were to reach the Dark Lord's ears."

Draco eye's widened in surprise and he nodded his agreement.

"Potter is essentially correct. The Dark Lord's father was indeed a muggle," Snape whispered quietly.

Draco gasped in surprise. "But… But how…"

"You must understand Draco that the Dark Lord and his death eaters are about power first and foremost. The means to gaining it are irrelevant. Belief in the cause is for the masses not the leaders. It is all merely a means to an end. And the Dark Lords end is absolute power." Snape whispered.

Draco was horrified. The glorious leader he had believed would lead the purebloods to ultimate victory was a mudblood just as Potter had said. Draco was speechless.

"Not a word to anyone, Draco. Both our fates are in your hands now. Think well on what I have said then we shall talk of your future but I will not again mention the matter we have just discussed. It is too dangerous to risk." Snape continued.

Draco just nodded and walked out the office door without a further word. He had a lot to think about.