Chapter Nine
Severus had informed Dobby when he had ordered dinner for the boys that they were going to need four rooms next to his quarters cleaned and furnished. He had explained one should be a bathroom, the second should be a bedroom with closet for Narcissa, the third a play room, and the last a bedroom for the toddlers. Dobby assured him that all would be done as requested.
Originally, Severus quarters opened up into a sitting room with dark redwood flooring, covered in several thick cream and dark blue patterned rugs. In the room was a cream leather couch, a black wrought iron fire place, a redwood book case with books for entertainment only, a matching coffee table, and four matching wooden doors on each wall.
Starting from the entrance door and going left along the wall was the large bookcase; then came the first door. It opened to Severus' study. A second door in the study opened to his private potions lab. Back in the sitting room, on the other side of the study door was the fireplace with a beautiful forest-scape painting hanging above it. Passing onto the back wall was the second door, which opened to a luxurious bathroom done in white and black marble, and a third door which opened to Severus' bedroom. Between the two hung a large painting of a snowy mountain field. Crossing over to the right wall was the last door, which led to a small kitchen.
None of this was changed by the new connecting rooms. The only difference was the fact that the kitchen now had two doors. Through the new door lay a hallway with four doors. The first door was across the hall and to the left of the door that led to the kitchen. That was Narcissa's room. The door directly across the kitchen's was the bathroom. The first door to the right was the children's play room and the last was their bedroom.
Both Severus and Narcissa were pleased. The new rooms needed to be decorated and the plain furniture needed to be transfigured into whatever they wished, but that could all be dealt with tomorrow. For now, Narcissa laid a still spelled asleep Draco in one of the twin beds, and Severus laid Harry in the second. He hadn't really cared when Narcissa had specifically requested two beds in the boys' room, but now he was beginning to frown. Something made him uneasy with the arrangement. He shook it off. He was just tired.
He lifted the spell from the children as Narcissa took up the two hand bells the elves provided and spelled them to ring when the boys woke. Severus took the bell Narcissa handed to him and whispered a good night. She nodded her head and they left the boys for their respective rooms and sleep of their own.
…
Harry slowly began to toss. As his subconscious realized he was alone in the bed, he began to have a horrible nightmare. He whimpered and a cold sweat rose up on his skin. Draco began tossing as well and the blonde bolted up right, silver eyes wide, a second before Harry began screaming. Draco climbed from the strange bed, slipping over the rails easily, and ran to his friend.
He looked through the rails to see the baby stiff as a board, screaming as if he were being painfully gutted. Then Harry would suddenly begin thrashing, his whole body arching off the bed as he sobbed. Draco yelled at him to wake up, but Harry didn't hear. He was trapped in his own mental hell. Draco began to cry as Harry went stiff again and the whole cycle started over. The blonde tried to desperately climb into the bed with the baby, but couldn't do it. He wasn't big enough or strong enough. He began screaming too just as Narcissa ran into the room.
She rushed to the bed and grabbed up Harry into her arms, humming to him soothingly. Draco rocketed into her legs, crying, just as Severus came running in as well. He understood instantly and went over to lift Draco so that he could sooth Harry with his touch. Harry slowly quieted and opened unfocused eyes.
Narcissa cooed at him as a still sniffling Draco told him over and over that it was okay. Severus said nothing, but that was okay. Harry could see him standing within reach and that soothed him. He tensed when he looked up at Narcissa, realizing it was she who held him so tenderly, but was too tired to really get upset. Besides, her arms were heaven compared to his dreams. He couldn't quite remember what had happened, but unconsciously clutched at Narcissa's shirt and Draco's hand, still crying softly. It wasn't long before even that tapered off and they held sleeping children once more.
"I think it would be best to have them sleep together. Draco's presence allows Harry to sleep peacefully." Severus said softly, his deep smooth voice sending the children even deeper into their peaceful sleep.
"It would be a bad idea to allow him to become dependent on such things." Narcissa answered, but her tone and face showed that she wasn't really protesting. She gently maneuvered Harry into Severus' arms with Draco. The boys unconsciously made room for each other. She smiled and brushed Draco's hair out of his face, and then turned and transfigured the two beds into one queen-sized, like they had up in the infirmary. Severus smiled and lay the boys down. The toddlers clutched at each other, but didn't wake.
"Good night, Narcissa." He whispered as he bowed his head in thanks.
"Good night, Severus." She answered, and followed him out of the room.
…
Just as the sun began to rise, bright green eyes slid open and, not a second later, silver followed. Struck by something only four year old brains could understand, both boys began giggling. Draco was the first to sit up and he yawned sweetly. Harry watched him, but made no move to leave his nest of blankets. The bedroom door opened and the lights were spelled on. Severus walked over with a yawn of his own.
"Good morning, boys. How do you feel?"
"Fine." They both chirped at the same time.
"Do you like you're new room?"
The two boys looked around curiously. Dark green walls and thick white carpeting surrounded them. The bed with soft golden silk sheets and comforter sat in the middle of the wall to the left of the door. Two identical oak armoires sat in either corner against the wall to the right of the bed. One had Draco's name carved intricately into the door and the other said Harry. An oak nightstand sat on the other side of the bed, closer to the door and that was where Harry's glasses had sat before Severus helped put them on the small child. Both boys beamed their approval.
"I'm glad." Severus smiled and lifted the boys from their nice bed.
"Bake-fast ready?" Draco asked curiously.
"Breakfast will be ready soon. We'll eat in the kitchen." He answered taking the boys by the hands, having to bend down a bit to do so.
"We at our new home?"
"Yes." Severus answered the blonde as they stepped into the hallway together. "Your mommy is ordering breakfast now, so first stop will be the bathroom."
Draco was eager to explore, but Harry was reluctant. Draco took care of that, though. The blonde promised that they were safe and Daddy would tell them if there were strangers. Harry didn't struggle as Severus towed him forward, but he did put his thumb in his mouth. They passed the open door of the playroom (thankfully it was all white and empty so it didn't catch the toddlers' attention) and then went into the bathroom. Both of the boys used the toilet and washed their hands good before Severus led them to the kitchen after warning Harry that the lady would be there.
The kitchen had been expanded to allow for a larger table and more chairs; two of which were now highchairs. Severus stared at the sight he thought he'd never see, but he was jerked from his thoughts as Draco ran to his mother yelling his morning greetings. Harry remained next to Severus; one hand worriedly clasping the man's pant leg, the other hand firmly at his mouth. But he didn't cry or demand to be held. That was progress at least.
"Good morning, dragon." Narcissa said lovingly as she lifted her son, kissed him, and set him in the highchair.
She wore a white blouse today and brown slacks that did nothing to hide her beautiful figure. Her long hair was braided and coiled into a bun on top of her head to get it out of her way. She wore simple gold earrings and matching necklace and bracelet. Severus' black T-shirt and slacks looked shabby in comparison. Growling at himself and his wandering thoughts, he lifted Harry into the remaining highchair and took a seat next to him while Narcissa sat across from him and next to Draco. The boys were, naturally, sitting side by side.
Breakfast arrived and they began to eat. Narcissa scolded Draco, informing him of the correct and polite ways to eat. Severus said nothing and just watched the pair. Draco tried to please his mother, but she seemed to recognize when he was beginning to get frustrated and backed off or complimented him. The boy never had a chance to throw a fit. Severus' gaze went to Harry to see if he should do the same for him, but the boy was already copying Draco without prompting.
"Very good, Draco. That's right." Narcissa kissed her son's hand as the boy now held the miniature spoon correctly. Her gray eyes slid over to Harry. "You too, Harry. You're doing so well."
The boy smiled shyly and ducked his head. Draco ginned at him and happily finished his breakfast. He still managed to make a mess, but Narcissa didn't scold him for it. After all, he was only four and a half. She didn't expect anything he couldn't do. As they had discussed before Severus went to get the boys, Severus finished first and wiped his mouth.
"I need to check on something for a minute. Will you be alright here with your mommy, Draco?"
"Yeah." Draco nodded with an angelic smile adorning his food spattered face.
"How about you, Harry? Will you be alright with the lady here and not me?"
"Call me Ms. Malfoy, Severus. They need to learn proper addresses." Narcissa interrupted.
He slid his eyes to her and then back to the little boy, "Will you be fine with Ms. Malfoy, Harry?"
Harry looked from one to the other and then to Draco. The blonde was mouthing that Harry should answer yes, but Harry was obviously reluctant to give that answer. Severus reached over and ran his hands through the thick black hair before lifting the boy's face so he could see into his expressive green eyes.
"It's alright if you're not okay with that." He said with surprising gentleness. Narcissa's eyes burned on the side of his face, but he tried not to notice or squirm. "Just tell me and I'll try to make it better."
Harry smiled tearfully and reached for him. Severus obediently lifted him from the highchair and held him in his lap, his arms securely wrapped around him. Draco frowned and began to moodily hit his spoon in his remaining food. Narcissa quickly stopped him before it went everywhere and murmured in his ear.
"It's okay, dragon. These things take time. You don't want to force your friend, do you? That's not good at all. You have to let him adjust at his own pace so it doesn't hurt him. Understand?"
"Yes." Draco sighed, but it still had a hint of petulance. "Mommy not hurt him, right?"
"No." She smiled and kissed his head. "I won't hurt him, but how can he know that for sure?"
"I tell him!" Draco said and slapped his little hand on the highchair tray. "That's how know."
"I'm sure he trusts you, Draco. But sometimes you can't convince your feelings of something they don't want."
"What you mean?" He asked curiously.
"Well, you said that the blonde man you saw a picture of was bad. Remember?"
"Yes."
"You trust me, right?"
"Yes, Mommy."
"What if I told you he wasn't bad?"
Draco screwed up his face into a frown and argued, "No, is bad!"
"You're right." She nodded, "But even though you trust me, you couldn't change your feelings. Harry can't change his feelings by telling them to change either. Now do you understand?"
"Fink so." Draco mumbled. "Okay. Give Baby time. But you good Mommy."
"Thank you, dragon. Now finish your breakfast and milk."
Severus looked down to see green eyes looking up at him. He smiled and ran his hand again through Harry's hair. Harry smiled back and leaned against him. The green eyes slid across the table to Narcissa and he sighed out a shaky breath.
"I'm fine. Ms. Mofoy don't touch me?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"Malfoy." Severus corrected absently. "You're fine with her as long as she doesn't touch you?"
"Yes." Harry nodded. "I not bad?"
"Harry, listen to me." Severus lifted him so that he sat on the table facing him. "You are not bad. It's not your fault that you are afraid. Don't ever think it. Listen to how you feel and trust yourself."
"You love me even when I 'fraid?"
Severus choked. Love. That was a word he had never used without derision. He'd never told another person that he loved them. And here was this innocent and fragile child who needed exactly that in order to survive. Severus took a shaky breath, his hands tightening around the boy's waist as they began to shake. He stared into the waiting, vulnerable green eyes and nodded. Would that be enough? It looked like it would be. Harry smiled brilliantly and leaned forward to wrap his arms around Severus' neck.
"Love you too, Daddy."
Severus wrapped his arms tight around the little body. Oh, god. It felt like his chest was going to explode. What the hell was this feeling? And why did it hurt? Or was that pleasure? Merlin, he didn't even know which. Shakily, he pulled Harry from him and set him on the floor. Narcissa was watching all of this with shocked, wide eyes.
"I'll be back soon, Harry." He promised, ruffling the black hair once more before leaving the room. It was a miracle his shaking legs carried him out the door without falling.
"Are you done, dragon?" Narcissa asked and Draco nodded. She lifted him from the chair and put him on the ground. The boy immediately ran to Harry and wrapped him in an angry hug.
"You love me, too, right, Baby?" Draco demanded. Narcissa smiled at his possessiveness.
"Love you, Ray." Harry answered without hesitation and kissed the taller boy's cheek.
…
The boys had fun with Narcissa. She let them dictate to her what they wanted their play room to look like. Not only did she change the colors of the walls, ceiling, and floor at their direction, but she also added cushions, climbing bars, a small cube maze (far more spacey and convoluted then it apperated from the outside), an art corner, toy storage corner, and shelves for books they might acquire. All of which, she summoned from either Malfoy Manor or storage.
She allowed the boys to change the color of everything at least two dozen times. The only condition was that this was the last day to do it. When they went to bed that night, they would have to live with their decision. It was a subtle lesson in consequences. And she found it was a lesson for her as well.
Narcissa had to watch carefully. Little Harry too easily submitted to Draco's choices. She was quite pleased Draco was the one in authority of the two, but she was starting to care for the shy brunette as well. So she made sure to ask Harry's opinions and lectured Draco that he was living with another for the time being and that he should be sure the other person was content or it would lead to problems for him later on. It was an important lesson for the Lord Malfoy to understand. Someone with such power needed to know not to dissatisfy his acquaintances and to learn that sometimes the biggest rewards came with conceding. And of course Harry could do with some self-confidence.
Fortunately, Draco took to the lesson with very little resistance. When he had truly been four, it wouldn't have been so easy for him to allow another's preference over his own; especially in an area that he possessively claimed as his own. She wasn't sure if this dissimilar attitude was due to knowledge he had retained from his life before the spell, or if it was because of his strong feelings toward Harry.
Eleven o'clock came and only the promise of a snack dragged them from their decoration project. So far the room had green spotted yellow walls with a pink and blue stripped ceiling. The floor was a deep purple and it only increased the blinding effect of the neon colored furniture. But she followed the rules; she neither made her opinion known nor subtly guided their choices. She couldn't bring herself to do so even if she were inclined to break the simple rules. It was great fun watching the boys run around tagging walls and furniture, yelling out colors.
Draco led them to the kitchen. He had tried to run, but Narcissa stopped him with a look and a lecture. Such behavior was appropriate in the play room, but not within their home. He was Lord Malfoy and should carry himself so. "Yes, Mother," he answered with only a small pout. He straightened his back and held his head proudly. She praised him for still striding ahead of them. It was only fitting, due to his higher status.
When they got to the kitchen, Draco lifted his arms patiently and Narcissa placed him into the highchair with a kiss to his head. She turned to Harry, but the boy was hovering in the doorway. His eyes were hidden behind his glasses and hair, but she didn't need to see them to know the boy was uneasy and preparing to bolt.
"Come, Harry. I'll lift you into the chair and then back away. I promise not to touch you any longer than that." She said carefully, but wisely did not approach him.
Harry didn't move.
"Baby, hav'ta eat snack." Draco said and hit his tray, but not in anger. He was just expressing how serious he was.
Harry visibly cowered. He knew an order when he heard one and, trembling, made his way to the empty highchair. Narcissa waited until he stilled a bit before taking a step toward him. The little boy shook his head violently and shot up and then dropped into the highchair within the blink of her eye. She quickly back-stepped as she watched his eyes behind his glasses widen in equal surprise. Clapping broke the growing tension.
"Good baby!" Draco yelled and his face was suffused with such pride and joy that both Narcissa and Harry relaxed. But still Harry looked uncertain, so she added her own praise, however little it was worth.
"Yes. Very good, Harry. Magic is a very special and wonderful thing. That was a great accomplishment. I'm so proud of you."
"Good! Good Baby!" Draco repeated grinning ear to ear. Harry blushed adorably and ducked his head. Draco took pity, though he didn't stop sending the smaller boy affectionate and happy glances. "Snack now, Mommy?"
"Yes, my dragon. It's snack time."
Narcissa ordered them cut up watermelon, dry cereal, and a sippy cup of milk from the kitchen. Absently, she taught Draco how to eat properly while her mind was occupied elsewhere. It wasn't unusual for a wizarding child to display magic, even at this young age, but for it to be so controlled and precise was unusual. Childhood magical bursts were wild in nature and usually demonstrated how powerful the child would become. A normal four year old that had done as Harry just had would possess below average magical power. It took power to levitate your own body, but over such a short distance the feat was not very impressive. Except for the control.
Not a thing in the room had shaken or even left its place. More impressively, the highchair had remained standing. Was that precise control due to extraordinary magical strength, or was it because he retained some knowledge from his Hogwarts education. She'd have to ask Severus' opinion. She was undecided at this point. Maybe she should question Draco herself to see how much he remembered. But after their nap. It was never wise to upset a child before their sleep period. And it was easier than normal to upset them when they were tired.
Sticky handed and faced, Draco was placed on the ground. She looked at Harry, but the boy merely stood and jumped over the side. He fell, but at half the speed he should of. He landed hard enough that he staggered, but didn't fall. Draco was there to steady him and they walked to the bathroom. Slowly, Narcissa smiled. Draco had remembered her earlier admonishment. She followed them and waited in the doorway for them to use the shrunken toilet and sink (the perfect size for the toddlers). She made sure they washed hands and face thoroughly before leading them to the bedroom for a nap.
"Read to us?" Draco asked with a yawn as she placed him beside Harry (the smaller boy had already levitated into the railed bed).
"Of course, dragon." She kissed his cheek and settled into the chair she summoned. She waited for both boys to settle, curled up around each other, before beginning a silly tale of a dragon and a unicorn.
…
The Great Hall was filling with students hungry for dinner. Hermione was one of the last to arrive. She had a lot of homework to catch up on, neglected because of her worry for Harry. Neville and Ginny were sitting together and smiled at her in welcome, but her eyes traveled further down to where Ron was sitting with Dean and Seamus.
"Ron?" She asked, coming up behind the redhead.
"What do you want?" Ron turned to face her. Dean and Seamus had seen the flash of hurt that had crossed their friend's face and didn't protest at the way he was treating Hermione. Obviously something was up that they didn't know about. They shared a glance and agreed to stay out of it.
"Ron." Hermione said softly, her warm brown eyes tearing up. "I'm sorry. We weren't thinking clearly either."
"Too late for that now." He spat, but his face softened. He still hurt from her betrayal, but was not enjoying watching her hurt in return. "I just need time to get over it, 'Mione. Maybe we can talk later."
"Okay." She answered and went to take her seat with Neville and Ginny. They both patted her back and hand sympathetically, but didn't offer words of comfort and question her on what had been said. They were good friends and knew that would have been unappreciated. They also pretended they couldn't see her silent tears, though both tried to make her feel better.
…
Severus came into his chamber feeling exhausted. He had not come back to his Slytherins too soon. They were frightened by Draco's absence and feeling threatened by the Gryffindors' strange behaviors. Something was up and they had learned that when it involved Potter, death and disaster weren't far behind. And not knowing the details made it worse. Plus, those with aspirations to join the Dark Lord were feeling they had to find out the truth to tell their future Lord, possibly gaining favor or saving a family member from punishment with it. So the dungeons were tense with boiling conflicting pressures. Maybe Narcissa would have some idea what to do about the Draco concerns.
He walked into the kitchen and smiled as Draco shrieked his welcome. Narcissa smiled and scolded the blonde for raising his voice, but it was half-hearted. Draco grinned as he apologized. Severus ruffled his soft hair as he passed and dropped into the chair by Harry. The brunette was silent, but was smiling with heart stopping sweetness. His eyes shone under his wild messy hair with uncomplicated joy while his small arms reached for Severus; his little hands open and needy.
"Finish your dinner. You're almost done." Severus said gently and ruffled his hair too. But Harry was having none of it.
"Done, Daddy." He said softly, reaching farther by leaning over his plate. Severus opened his mouth to tell him to sit until Draco was done, but the happiness had dimmed in those extraordinary eyes and they were now shadowed with uncertainty. Severus sighed and stood to lift the small boy into his lap.
Harry clung to him, wrapping those surprisingly strong arms around his neck as if he would never let go. Severus could feel the boy smiling contentedly against his neck, felt a smile cross his lips in answer. He was baffled by how good it felt to hold Harry, but didn't fight the warm feeling. He let all the tensions of the day drain away as he felt Harry's heart beat against his chest and listened to Draco chatter away about the playroom. Narcissa cut in as soon as she could without hurting Draco's feelings or making the blonde feel unimportant. Severus was impressed with her skill.
"How was your day?"
"Stressful." He answered casually. "The Slytherins are missing their favorite classmate badly. I will have to tell them something soon."
"I will think on it." She answered. "Harry hasn't spoken all day until now. Not counting shouting out colors as he participated in the decorations."
"Baby made the seal-wing blue with yellow stars." Draco told him happily. "It looks pwetty wi've my purple walls wi've silver dwagons."
"I bet. I can't wait to see." Severus smiled.
"It was fun." Narcissa agreed, but her face was serious and Severus stiffened, preparing for the bad news he was sure was to come. "Harry won't let me touch him. This was fine for the most part. He is very well-behaved, as is Draco. But we ran into problems for snack time and lunch."
"And nap time! Baby did it then too! He is very good!" Draco yelled proudly.
"He levitated himself delicately into and out of the highchair and bed." Narcissa elaborated.
Severus looked down and met Harry's worried gaze and the child burst into frightened tears. Severus was shocked and cuddled the trembling body to him carefully. Draco's mouth had fallen open in surprise as well and worried silver eyes met his mother's worried blue. Severus rocked Harry gently and soothed him. It took several minutes to get the boy to quiet.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
"You not mad?" Harry begged tearfully, clutching at Severus. "I not a f-f-freak?"
"No, Harry." Severus said softly, cradling the child's head to his shoulder as he realized what was wrong. Memories of Harry's childhood in the Dursley's home swirled through his mind and he hunched over the boy protectively. "You're magic is amazing, Harry. You took care of the problem without mishap or making the situation more difficult. I'm very proud of you. Very proud." He sent a glance Narcissa's way that told her he'd want to question her more later.
She nodded and continued, "Now that you are here, I am going to go shopping. They need clothes and other such things. I'm thoroughly sick of seeing them in those shirts."
"Will there be discrete shops open this late?"
"Yay! Pres'dants!" Draco clapped in the background, though most of his attention was still on Harry.
"Yes." She smiled, answering them both. "I will be back in a couple of hours."
"What about Malfoy investments? You need to have temporary control shifted over to you."
"I took care of that after lunch. I only had to have Draco willingly press his ring into a contract granting me Regency power. I'll think on your Slytherin problems as well."
"So will I." He nodded and set Harry down on the floor as Narcissa kissed her son before flooing away. He lifted Draco free of his chair and the blonde kept his hands clear of Severus' robes. As soon as he was on the floor, he was running. Harry blinked in surprise (Severus would have to ask Narcissa why he would react that way) and then chased after his friend.
Severus sighed (he'd been doing that distressingly often lately) and thought longingly of his usually quiet nights in his office. He would have done work and gotten a few hours sleep before he did his rounds of the castle and sleeping some more. But he didn't linger long in these thoughts, and though he didn't know it, he was smiling as he helped give the boys a quick bath. They were both dirty from their sweaty play that afternoon.
…
Ron slipped from the dorm room. The others were asleep and even if they weren't, none of them had tried to stop him or question where he was going. He met up with no one in the halls and went into the abandoned classroom where again Crabbe and Goyle were waiting for him. The three boys gave each other nods of greeting and went straight to work.
First, they made a circle about three feet in diameter. At each compass point, they placed their object of calling that Ron provided. The main thing the summoned object was made of is parchment, so they placed blank paper at the north point. Something relating to the makers sat west. Ron gave them a drawing of the four Mauderer's animagus forms. At the east point, something the true owner of the summoned object had an emotional attachment to was set. Ron gave them Harry's photo album. And last, to the south, was a second representation of what the object was made of. Ron put ink in that position.
The boys inscribed the circle with a triangle. The bottom of the triangle lay tangent to the north pint with the sides were at an angle to the east and west points, and didn't even touch the south. The main caster took the south position, facing both the south and north points and objects, while the supporters stood straight across from each other at the east and west points. For this particular spell, they would not need to incant with the caster. All they needed to do was stand relaxed and allow the caster to draw strength should it be necessary.
They had accomplished the set up fairly quickly, but argued for a few minutes on who would be the caster. Eventually, Ron gave in and allowed Goyle to cast since he was the one who suggested the spell in the first place, and he had seen it done before. Crabbe and the dissatisfied redhead took up their supportive positions. If all went well, they'd have the map before dawn.
…
After washing the boys, Severus let Draco drag him to the playroom. He gave them the reaction they wanted and he put them to bed. He was just finishing grading some papers when Narcissa returned carrying two bags filled with shrunken packages. Severus helped her with them. Most would go in the playroom, but a good dozen boxes held clothes they would put in the armoires in the boys' bedroom in the morning. As they organized the playroom with the new things, they talked quietly.
"I think we should tell the Slytherins a bit of the truth." Narcissa said thoughtfully. "Maybe Harry learned a new spell during training and in anger cast it at Draco. Harry hadn't mastered it yet and we somehow got a temporarily youthful Draco while Harry is alive, healthy, and still away training."
"How did he get to where Harry is supposedly training? Why would Draco, who has made it clear he is neutral, antagonize the Champion of the Light?" Severus pointed out.
"Hmmm…" She thought for several long minutes. Severus doing the same. "Alright. Draco followed someone through the floo to Harry. Needless to say, that mode of travel to Harry's training ground is now nonexistent. Maybe he followed Harry's Gryffindor friends. But in any case, Draco stepped into the middle of a training session and a stray curse struck him. The results were unexpected and Harry feels indebted to Draco for the mistake. It is a mild dept, due to the fact Draco had intruded where he had not been invited, but Harry owes him a debt none-the-less because Draco had no ill intent. The Slytherins should be pleased with this because Draco was doing his level best to gather information for them."
"Plausible." Severus admitted. "So we show toddler Draco to the Slytherins, tell the story, and then have him floo out with you. You're furious it has been kept from you so long and would have been in the dark even longer had I not recovered and found out what was going on and contacted you. But where will you hint you will be staying? If you say the Manor, it will be attacked. And we can't admit to keeping him here for obvious reasons."
"I will hint at a secret retreat all my own that has no connections to either the Black or Malfoy families."
"Good." Severus nodded. "We'll do this tomorrow before dinner. What do you think about Harry's magic use?"
"I am unsure." She frowned. "It was a below average working, power-wise, but the control was high above average. I don't think they have enough memories to consciously use the knowledge of Hogwarts lessons, so I'm inclined to believe that it was a normal demonstration of an over-emotional, powerful, wizard child."
"He refuses to let you touch him?"
"Absolutely. He obeys Draco when Draco's serious, but is growing more comfortable asserting himself. That's due mainly to Draco's completely sincere encouragement."
"And he doesn't speak. Not even to Draco."
"No. Although, I'm sure he would speak to Draco if he felt he needed to. It seems that Draco understands him without Harry having to voice anything, so he just stays silent. I doubt he would talk to me for any reason, however."
"But he allowed himself to be left alone in your presence." Severus murmured. "That's progress."
"I suppose." Narcissa smiled. "Now, we should go to bed. The boys will be up in a few hours and you have your Slytherins to steady."
"Good night." He stood and made his way to the door.
"Good night, Severus." She laughed, loving the changes she was seeing in the man. He might turn out to be a friend after all.
Chapter end.
A/N: Hi! So how do you like? I have another question for you guys. Do you foresee a growing friendship into a possible romance between Severus and Narcissa? Or do you foresee a growing friendship that shatters back to a tense acquaintance due to differences?
