Chapter 3 Draco's Mum

Narcissa Malfoy stood on the hearth in the dungeon with her shoulders back and her face bearing a haughty expression. She was dressed in a long white fur coat with white pointed boots that matched her long white hair. Her hands, covered in soft white kidskin gloves, twisted her silver bark wand fretfully about. She had just had a very disturbing meeting with the Headmaster that put her on edge. The so called 'Great' Albus Dumbledore had just duly informed her that her Draco would be in constant danger if he were to continue attending Hogwarts. The demented old fool couldn't even manage to control a bunch of hormonal teenagers from trying to kill her son!

The only suggestion the Headmaster had was to have Draco privately tutored. To that end she decided to turn on her natural charm and get Severus to do her bidding. She knew Severus would never be able to resist her allure and felt almost certain he would tutor her son. She had another motivation for having Severus tutor her son as well; the Potion Master just happened to be one of the richest bachelors in the Wizarding World. With the ministry tying up her funds she would need to find security during these troubling times, especially with Christmas coming up in less than ten days.

So when she stepped out of the floo into the dungeon she was shocked by the scene before her. Her son was in the throes of a common fist fight with none other than that illicit boy; Harry Potter! And standing back with a smile just watching the scene was Severus! He wasn't even trying to stop that nasty boy from harming her precious son!

The moment she laid eyes on that hooligan boy she knew he was to blame for this horrendous fight. It wasn't enough that he had been the reason several 'pureblood' wizards had died, now he was attacking her son! She quickly walked across the room with boots clicking on the stone floor and rightfully shrieked, "Get off him you horrible little street urchin! Let him go!"

As soon as the boys realized Narcissa was in the room they scrambled to stand. By this point both boys were covered in orange pumpkin juice and looked quite disheveled.

"Mum its okay! We were just having fun," Draco quickly declared, humiliated over her insulting remark towards Harry.

"Narcissa," Severus bit out the name in a dark tone, not at all pleased to hear his son being called a street urchin! He took a step closer to Harry.

Narcissa quickly recovered her decorum and realized her mistake. It wouldn't due to call Severus' adopted son nasty names. She had no idea he had become so protective of the boy. "Oh my, I didn't realize it was you Harry. Please forgive my faux pas?"

Harry nodded, but was not at all sure how this woman would react to the person responsible for her husband's death. He looked towards his father and noticed the angry scowl on his face. He slowly backed into the table and reached for his wand … just in case.

At this point Narcissa felt like she had better get on Severus' good side before the man kicked her out. She straightened her shoulders and looked the potion master in the eyes, "Severus it is so good to see you during our time of mourning." She held her hand towards the Professor knowing that his upbringing would require him to kiss her hand. He didn't disappoint her.

"My son and I offer our deepest condolences," Severus stated formally as he leaned over Narcissa's hand and kissed it.

Severus stood up and noticed how nervous Harry looked. He moved to stand next to him while casually bowing his head and whispered, "You are safe." He saw Harry relax a little and loosen the grip on his wand. He was quite certain Narcissa would never attack anyone. She wouldn't dare risk being sent to Azkaban unlike her sister would.

"Thank you Severus. Life has been so unfair to me. My delicate health can not take all this drama surrounding us. Do you mind if I take a seat?" Narcissa asked in a soft voice.

"By all means," Severus said in a lackluster tone and indicated the big leather chair. "Would you care for tea?"

Narcissa sat down primly, "Yes, please." She noticed her son dripping pumpkin juice on the Persian carpet. She gave him an exasperated look before waving her wand at him and making him look civilized once again.

"Thanks," Draco murmured, quite embarrassed by the show his mum was putting on.

Severus did the same spell towards Harry and added a hair combing charm as well. He didn't want his son to look any less proper than Narcissa's son.

Draco saw Harry's hair combed neatly to the side and snickered loudly.

Harry ran his hand over his tidy hair and shot a look towards his father. Severus ignored him and sat down in the chair next to Narcissa. The manipulative woman wanted something from him, he was quite sure. He wished she would hurry up and ask so he could get on with his evening.

Harry sat on one sofa and Draco sat across from him on the other. Both boys looked as if they wished they

could be anywhere else but here.

"Life has been rather harsh as of late," Narcissa complained. "The ministry has just about taken over our family home. They seem to think I was part of this whole mess. Most of my friends have been touched by this as well, so we all must suffer this together," She pointedly looked at Harry. "So, much loss, so many heartaches. Now with poor Draco being banned from attending Hogwarts, you can only imagine the gossip that surrounds us."

Severus sat silently listening to the tiresome woman complain. He was actually the one that told Albus that Draco was no longer safe at Hogwarts.

"Draco's banned?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Draco is banned," Narcissa sharply snapped. "What did you think would happen to him when he went out of his way to help you?"

"I-I wasn't really thinking about what would happen to him," Harry answered back honestly.

Severus gave Narcissa a glower, "Draco is not banned, and he is merely being kept away until we determine the mindset of the attending Slytherins."

"In other words, see how many of my friends want to kill me," Draco said cynically.

Once Narcissa noticed the harsh glare from Severus directed at her she quickly added, "But thank Merlin my Draco did help you, Harry. You are quite the talk of the town these days Mr. Potter." She quickly changed the subject back to herself and went on and on about the tremendous nuisance the ministry was causing her.

Harry tried to distance himself from the words Mrs. Malfoy spoke but he began to realize he was the sole cause for all that she was suffering. Instead of ignoring her he began to drink her words in, feeling quite chastised for causing so much pain.

Severus sat rigidly listening to the wretchedness this woman spewed forth. She never actually complained about the loss of husband but more about the distress it was causing her to subsist in. He felt more and more bothered by her selfish attitude as he realized she never took Draco's sadness over the loss of his father into consideration.

Thankfully the floo turned green and Albus requested a word with him. He looked towards his son feeling a bit concerned to leave him with this woman. But the anxiety in the headmaster's voice made him decide to speak with the man.

As soon as Severus excused himself and went through the floo, Draco stood up and said he had to use the loo. Harry hoped the Slytherin would hurry because he hated the idea of being left alone with Narcissa Malfoy.

Narcissa watched her son head down the hallway then stood up and walked towards Harry. She primly sat down next to the cautious teen and looked him in the eye.

"How does it feel to be a mass murderer?" Narcissa asked coolly.

Harry's eyes flew open wider and his heart skipped a beat, "Excuse me?"

"I think you heard the question Mr. Potter. We both know you were responsible for nearly fifty pureblood men and women to lose their very souls," Narcissa said in a silky voice as she leaned in closer to Harry.

Harry could feel her breath on his cheek as she waited for an answer. He slid back into the corner of the sofa but she moved forward closing the gap once again. He looked down at his hands feeling quite ashamed for some reason. He finally managed to mumble out, "Sorry, I didn't know… I didn't expect the dementors … to, you know, do that."

"Does that make you less responsible then?" the manipulative woman practically purred in his ear. She was enjoying the discomfort the boy was going through. She lifted her well manicured hand and slowly pushed the hair back on the teens forehead. Her thumb slid across the scar before she lowered her hand.

Harry was at a loss. He wasn't sure what she wanted and he didn't know how to answer her question. She was asking him the same question he had been asking himself ever since the night in the graveyard. She was the only one to actually accuse him of something he felt wholly responsible for. "Erm, I do feel responsible."

"Good, because you should," Narcissa whispered out. "Do you know what you could do for me, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, wishing desperately that his father would return.

"I want you to get your father to tutor Draco. That isn't asking too much from someone who ruined my whole life, now is it?" At this point the boy seemed almost miserable with shame. She knew she had him right where she wanted.

"I could ask …" Harry offered up. His guilt tore at his very soul. At this moment he would do anything she asked. She was the only one honest enough to bring up the crime he had committed.

Narcissa placed her hand on top of his and rubbed the top of his hand with her thumb. She leaned in so close she could smell the teens freshly cleaned hair, "That is a good start … in view of your transgression."

Harry was in the throes of confusion. He knew she was manipulating him but he felt so liable for all that had taken place. He tried to move his hand away from hers but she fiercely grabbed it and dug her nails into the palm of his hand. He winced as she dug in harder.

Narcissa leaned into the panicking teen and quietly whispered in his ear, "Don't tell anyone of our conversation. Do you understand?"

Harry roughly pulled his hand from hers, "No, I won't tell. But only because I choose not to, not because you asked." He grabbed his cane and stood up. She stood as well.

Just then Draco came back into the room and froze when he saw how close his mother was to Harry. He knew something terrible had just been said, he could tell from the look of fury on both their faces.

"What's going on Mum?" Draco asked, knowing full well that his mother was especially spiteful.

"Nothing is going on, my love. Harry and I were just having a lovely conversation, weren't we sweetie?" Narcissa spoke in a kind voice, infused with caring. "Poor Harry, he deserves to have a mother in his life to help him through these troubling times. Don't you agree Draco?"

Draco had no idea what had passed between the two but it certainly wasn't a motherly talk. He noticed the Gryffindor avoiding his stare. "Are you alright Potter?"

Harry gave a curt nod, "I'm fine Malfoy." He sat down once again and Narcissa went back to sit in the chair.

Draco watched his mother suspiciously, knowing full well how verbally cruel she could be.

The floo turned green and Severus stepped back through. He looked towards his son and Harry looked away. Poor boy probably had to listen to Narcissa complaining the whole time he was gone.

"Please forgive my absence," Severus stated before continuing, "May I offer you another cup of tea Narcissa?"

Narcissa knew this was her cue to leave. She didn't wish to over stay her welcome but she had to put her request forth first, "Severus, may I ask you for a small favor?"

"By all means."

"Would it be a terrible inconvenience for you to offer Draco guidance from time to time? Now that he has no father figure …" Narcissa let the sentence trail off.

"Certainly Narcissa. Draco is my Godson. I would be honored to be his mentor."

"Good, I'm glad you said that because there is one more favor I must ask," without waiting for a reply she continued, "Draco will need help with his studies as well. Do you think you might be willing to help tutor him?"

"Narcissa, I am quite busy these days. I could recommend a good tutor but I can not give Draco the attention he would require," Severus declared. He noticed Narcissa pout but was unmoved.

"Perhaps a few lessons during holiday then?" Narcissa asked insistently.

"Perhaps, however I shall need to get back to you with a time," Severus stated, ready for this visit to come to an end now that he knew what she wanted from him.

"When?" the aggressive woman asked. "I was hoping we could come visit you at the manor for Sunday supper?"

How could he decline that lovely offer, he thought contemptuously. He really had no interest in the arrogant woman but …she was Draco's mother. He could tell the Slytherin boy was already replete with humiliation over his mother's antics. Poor boy had nothing to do with this farce she insisted upon.

"Very well then. We shall see you on Sunday for supper. Draco why don't you arrive a few hours early with any questions you may have regarding your studies," Severus said and purposely moved towards the floo so the Malfoy's would leave.

"Yes sir," Draco blandly stated, quite ready to get out of there before his mother disgraced him even more.

Narcissa made a big show of hugging first Severus and then Harry. She practically cooed at the Gryffindor as she hugged him tightly, "Oh Harry, we are all so happy you are safe."

Harry stood with his arms at his sides, not offering to embrace her back. She left her scent of expensive perfume on him and he suddenly desired a shower.

Once both Malfoy's were gone Harry started towards his bedroom.

"Where are you going?" Severus asked. "I have something important to speak with you about."

Harry turned back around, "I have potions homework to finish. My Potions Professor won't accept any lame excuses for not handing it in on time. He's a real stickler for those kind of things."

Severus smirked, "He must be very wise."

Harry gave him a sneaky grin, "That's debatable."

Severus swatted at him with his long arm. "Funny," he said in a dry tone. "Come back and take a seat. You will have time to finish up your homework later."

Harry sat down on the sofa once more and Severus sat next to him.

Severus looked towards his teenage son and noticed the boy avoiding his eyes, "What is it?"

Harry shrugged; surprised the professor even noticed he was distressed.

"Did something else happen? Did your fever come back?" Severus pressed a hand against Harry's forehead.

"No, it's not that. I feel fine now," Harry answered with a small nudge of guilt over lying about having a fever in class today.

Severus could tell something was definitely troubling the boy, "Was it Narcissa? You shouldn't listen to anything she has to say."

Harry shook his head, "I just hate the way I feel about everything that happened … you know … at the graveyard," the reluctant teen confessed.

Severus knew how troubled the young man was over the deaths. He immediately felt guilty over letting Harry hear all the complaints Narcissa had due to the death of her husband. He should have known that Harry would feel responsible, "You are not responsible for what happened that evening, no matter how much you try to make it so. You had no control over the dementors, Harry." The boy seemed to flinch at the very mention of the beasts.

"I didn't even try to stop them. Dad, could I ask you a question, and promise you'll answer truthfully?"

"I should hope by now that you know I would never lie to you," Severus said in a serious tone of voice as he leaned in closer to his son.

"Right," Harry sat up straighter and looked grimly at his father, "Do you think I'm different now?" At the confused look his father had, Harry went on to explain, "Do I seem more capable of doing something dark? I mean, when people look at me with those big expectant eyes I almost feel like they see someone dangerous and with Voldemort's dark magic inside me I almost feel like they're right."

Severus felt his heart speed up at hearing that, "Do you feel like you want to do something evil, Harry?"

"No! It's just that… I've already killed and nobody seems to mind. I mean they treat me as if it was the greatest thing in the world but … it shouldn't be. No matter how evil the bastard was, I still ended his life."

"So, you feel as if you should be punished for doing that?"

"I'm a murderer now…I think maybe …" Harry abruptly stopped talking as the floo turned green and Albus stepped through. He hung his head, feeling almost relief over not saying what he was just about to say.

Severus felt as if Harry was on the brink of unraveling his deep seated guilt. If the boy was truly feeling this bad over killing Voldemort then it was no wonder he hated being reminded every time someone congratulated him or looked at him with awe. This was a big step in their relationship as father and son. The teen was actually opening up.

Severus looked towards the Headmaster with irritation over being interrupted.

"Good evening Severus, Harry." the headmaster said cautiously, feeling as if his timing could have been better. "Did I interrupt anything?"

"No sir," Harry quickly answered.

The headmaster looked from one to the other and knew he had definitely interrupted something important. "I must let you know that we will need to postpone the extraction of the curse this evening. It seems that I was remiss in thinking I would be ready by this evening."

Harry's shoulders slumped even more than before.

"What is the problem, Albus?" Severus asked curtly upon seeing the disappointment on his son's face.

"Just a small oversight on my part," the headmaster said, trying to say as little as possible on the subject. "I venture to guess I will be ready before the weekend is over."

"Bloody hell, another two or three days with this 'thing' inside me," Harry kicked the leg of coffee table.

Both men looked toward the scowling teen. Severus spoke up first, "Harry, the Headmaster is doing his best. I should think a little gratitude would be in order."

"Sorry sir," Harry begrudgingly said. He stood up before saying, "Thanks for trying. If you don't mind I think I'll finish my homework."

Severus watched his son limp down the hallway with his head hanging down. He couldn't help but feel for the boy. He knew how much this curse was bothering him. He only hoped Harry would be able to control his emotions until they could expel it from him.

Albus waited until he heard the boy's bedroom door close before asking, "Did you tell Harry about Charlet?"

"No, we were discussing other things."

When the potion master didn't expand on what those 'other things' were Albus continued, "You must prepare him for the worst Severus. If Charlet's parents are not found within the next few days she will be coming to stay with you for the holidays."

"I know Albus. For Merlin's sake, I know!" Severus snapped back. He had just received the disheartening news that the arrogant girl would be a house guest for an unspecified duration of time. Apparently he was now her closes relative. He found himself hard pressed to reveal that bit of news to his son. He wasn't sure how Harry would take it.

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That night Harry was plagued with nightmares of dementors attacking him. He woke up several times covered in a cold sweat and feeling as if dementors were actually in the room with him. After waking up the third time he dragged a blanket out to the hallway and sat against the wall by his father's room. He was able to sleep the rest of the night through without anymore nightmares.

Severus woke up earlier than usually and showered and dressed before leaving his room to check on Harry. He found it encouraging that he hadn't heard Harry wake with nightmares last night. Just as he stepped from his room he almost tripped over the pile of blankets on the floor. When he saw the blankets move he knew he had been wrong about those nightmares.

Harry startled awake to find his father's concerned face peering down at him. He looked up and said, "Don't say anything, okay? I'm fine."

Severus saw the blush creeping up on his son's face and knew how mortified the boy was feeling over being caught. He chose to ignore the whole incident and went into the dining room for breakfast. His thoughts were wholly on the subject of having Charlet come to stay with them for the holidays.

Harry got to his feet and was eternally grateful to his father for not making a big deal of him sleeping by his door. After showering and dressing in his school uniform he joined his father for breakfast. He noticed the uptight look on the potion masters face and asked, "Severus, what's wrong?"

Severus stopped stirring his tea, "Nothing is wrong. Just eat up and get to class before you are late. I'll not be giving you any late passes if you are tardy."

Harry looked at his watch and noted that he wasn't even close to being late. He suddenly remembered the conversation his father wanted to have with him last night but never had. "What did you want to tell me last night?"

Severus waved his hand, "Nothing of importance. Stop dawdling and eat." Hopefully he wouldn't ever have to reveal that unsettling news regarding Charlet to his son.

He didn't press his father any further because he could tell the man was ready to snap at him. He ate a piece of toast and said goodbye.

Out in the hallway he ran into a group of seventh year Slytherins. They were obviously talking about him because when he walked by he heard his name and then sudden silence. He kept walking with the intent of ignoring them. Within seconds he knew they were following closely behind. He gripped his wand and readied himself for a fight.

Before he had a chance to react, his book bag was kicked from behind and the contents went sprawling down the steps. He turned around with his wand out in front of him, "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" His anger boiled and his leg throbbed even more, sending sharp pains up his spine.

"Shut it, Potter. Tell us what really happened at the graveyard," the tallest Slytherin asked.

"None of your business," Harry said in a low threatening voice.

"My uncle's dead Potter. Therefore it is my business," the tall Slytherin said.

Harry frowned, totally caught off guard over hearing that. He knew he'd inadvertently killed some of his schoolmate's parents but other than Malfoy he'd yet to come face to face with any of them. All the Slytherins with parents that died that night had yet to return to Hogwarts. Severus said some of them wouldn't be returning at all. His anger was gone, replaced with a healthy dose of guilt.

"I'm sorry," Harry said and lowered his wand slightly.

"You're sorry?" asked the tall boy incredulously. "You're bloody sorry? Is that all you've got to say for yourself? You killed the greatest man I ever knew and all you've got to say is 'I'm sorry'? I should beat the bloody hell out of you!"

"Go ahead," Harry said in an ominous tone.

"Yeah sure, you'd like that wouldn't you? Then you could go running off to tell dear old Daddy!"

"I hadn't planned on telling Severus anything." He actually didn't want Severus getting angry at the grieving seventh year. He felt bad enough for taking someone special away from the Slytherin. He knew exactly what it felt like.

The seventh year student raised his wand, pointing it threateningly at Harry's chest. Harry waited to see what curse would be thrown at him. He knew he could counter curse anything this bloke could conjure.

The Slytherins hand shook before deciding against doing this. He shook his head and walked away with his group of friends following behind. Harry could hear derisive comments made about him but could hardly blame the guy.

He awkwardly bent down and began picking up his books and quills off the steps while trying to hold onto his cane. This whole experience put him in a rather foul mood. He walked into Transfiguration ten minutes late. His friends gave him a questioning look that he didn't have time to answer just then. Professor Mc Gonagall had her stern gaze pointed at him.

Harry growled out an apology just as McGonagall announced, "Your father spoke to the professors about not giving you special treatment. Therefore, you will be expected to report to Mr. Filch for detention today during lunch."

"During lunch?" Harry asked, knowing that the teachers never gave detention during that time of day.

"Yes, Mr. Potter. Seeing how this is the last day of school before winter holiday I would you to serve your detention before you depart with your father after supper."

Great way to start a holiday alone with his father, he thought bitterly. He knew his dad was going to get angry when he heard about this.

During class he explained to his friends the reason he was so late. They sympathized with him but both Ron and Hermione encouraged him to tell his father about the Slytherin. They were very concerned that the seventh year would retaliate in some way.

Harry refused and made them promise not to bring the subject up in front of Severus. They finally agreed but decided to stick close to him for the rest of the day.

Right after Transfigurations he had Potions down in the dungeon. He walked as quickly as he could with the cane slowing him down. He entered the classroom mere seconds before his father came in. The professor was in a dreadful mood and took points from two houses before the lecture even began. Harry had a hard time concentrating; his mind kept wandering back to the seventh year. He was responsible for the sorrow this guy was now going through. If he hadn't of lost Sirius last year he probably wouldn't have sympathized with the Slytherin so much. He knew exactly what that guy was feeling though. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Severus call on him several times.

Severus finally got his son's attention by snapping his fingers in front of Harry's face.

"Are you even prepared today?" Severus asked sternly. The tests the students were taking today were rather important and he would be quite upset if his own son failed.

"Yes sir," Harry answered back completely oblivious to what he had just missed.

"Then where is your paper, Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked around and noticed everyone else had their reports out and were handing them in. He quickly grabbed his book bag and rifled through it for his report. He didn't see it in the bag but he knew he had put it in there this morning. He pulled out all the books he had stuffed in there making a mess on his table. His father stood before him with his arms crossed and an angry scowl on his face.

"We do not have all day Mr. Potter," Severus acerbically stated. He tapped his wand on his arm annoyed with the production his son was displaying.

Harry was in a panic as he continued tearing apart his bag as he looked for the blasted report. "I know I put it in here, Dad," he unconsciously said, then caught his mistake, "I mean Professor."

"I've seen enough. Ten points from Gryffindor and detention during lunch," Severus stated and began walking towards the front of the room.

"Um, sir?"

Severus whipped around and stared down at his son, "What?"

Even though he had just fought the most evil wizard of their time, it took all the courage Harry had to get the next sentence out, "I already have detention during lunch."

"With whom?"

"McGonagall."

"Why? What did you do?" Severus could feel a headache coming on behind his eyes and pinched the bridge of his long nose.

"Erm," Harry could see the vein throbbing in his father's temple and knew he was in big trouble. "I guess I was late to class."

"Impossible. You left with plenty of time."

Harry looked around the class and noticed every eye was on him, "Could we talk about this later?"

"No. You will get no special privileges Mr. Potter. Now explain yourself."

The last thing Harry wanted to do was to lie to his father but the man gave him no choice. He wasn't about to tell what really happened. "Um, I forgot something in my room in Gryffindor Tower and it took a little longer than I thought to get it."

Severus leveled a glare at him that felt as if the man could see straight into his very soul. Harry quickly looked down to avoid locking eyes.

Severus could tell his son was lying to him and it bothered him more than words could say. He thought they had gotten past that. "I would like a three foot parchment on dishonesty before the weekend is up."

Harry sat on his chair completely shocked over the strict punishment. He was going to argue but changed his mind. He'd already made quite a spectacle of himself in class. The rest of the potions class went dismally as he messed up his potion for the test. He couldn't concentrate and his leg was throbbing worse than ever.

As soon as class ended he shoved his books in his bag and limped out the door, completely ignoring his father. Whoever heard of assigning detention over winter holiday anyway!

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Hope you liked the chapter +)