How deep it goes

* As usual I own nothing. Thank you everyone for following and liking and the good comments ^_^. As per usual I will also give this disclaimer of I am not a writer I just do this for fun so if you hate my grammar, well then do not read it, simple as that!*

When Lucius Malfoy wanted something, it was very rare that he would not be able to procure it. So naturally when his wife come to him with the information that his long time, associate and dare he say it friend, Severus Snape was shopping in Diagon Alley of all places for children's clothing he had to know the reason why. He had known Severus for a good number of years, he had been the one to first introduce the younger man to the then charismatic Dark Lord. How foolish he had been in his misguided youth and how misguided he had been to have followed the advice of his now late father. While had had just barely scrapped by going to Azkaban by the skin of his teeth he was fortunate enough to keep his hold on his families assets, much to the dismay of many in the Ministry. Glancing at his pocket watch he grabbed his gold tipped snake head walking cane which housed his wand and stepped into the floo with one destination in mind. His son would be turning nine in just a weeks time on June 5th and he knew just how to spoil his son and only heir.

Stepping into Diagon Alley the day was just starting for the sleepy mid summer street, shops just starting to open and the morning crowd had yet to arrive. Lucius contemplating where to go first, he had some simple errands to run for Narcrissa, he could easily get the items she required from Flourish and Botts on his way out. Stepping into the street he made his way down the Alley his eyes scanning over some items of interest. His attention however fell on the black clad figure that had walked past him from the apperation point by Madam Malkin's. It took him a moment to realize who the figure was but before he could call out to the man, he had already entered Gringotts. Lucius huffed gently as he almost followed him in, but the Goblins did not tolerate loitering and while Goblins were beneath him, it was unwise to anger them and even a pure blood such as his self knew better than that. No he would wait for the Potions Master to exit the building and then he would speak with him.

Lucius had not however expected Severus to take so long in the Goblin run bank, he almost gave up his endeavor, as he had been in the Alley for now three hours, two hours longer than he had wanted to begin with. Cold gray eyes fell on the man clad in black. Making a bee line towards the Potions Master a smirk crept onto his lips.

"Severus…how good to see you"

He stated as he saw how the younger man stopped in his stride and tensed. The mask of indifference never leaving his friends face as he slightly inclined his head politely.

"Lucius…good to see you as well"

he lied easily as he placed his hands behind his back which held the files on the accounts of Potter. Severus of course was cautious around Lucius, his mind blank as he looked to the older gentleman. Lucius, being who he was gave his old friend a calculated smirk as he stepped closer.

"Crisa mentioned you have been in Diagon Alley picking up children's clothing…I was under the impression that you had no living relatives Severus" he said staright to the point as usual. Severus gave a nod.

"Yes, well it seems that I am. A dear friend of mine passed and I am now acting as the guardian"

It was not a lie after all. Lucius's brows rose. "Well then…perhaps Draco and your new charge could spend the day together soon…he is after all a young boy in need of friendship…that has not been bought or bribed." Severus felt his shoulders relax as those words were spoken. He of course was still wary but he also knew the older man's veiws had changed a good bit since they were younger. Severus took a breath and spoke.

" I am not sure that would be wise yet. The child had been placed with some muggles prior to my taking him and I dare say he is not in good health. I however will think about it once he is better, Chrystian is rather protective of him at this point." He said as Lucius straightened a bit at that.

"Ah yes…the girl…I hear she is the top in her class and a fine Slytherin to boot" Lucius stated and Severus gave a nod.

"She is…and has been accepted into the Cambridge University Owl classes…so her time will be spent being busy for the next few years" he said proudly as he was very proud of how she had come out. Lucius gave a gentle smile at that, he had always been fond of the girl but worried that she would be more like her grandfather than her parents under Severus's tutelage. He knew that the other man would make her brilliant but he never knew if he could trust the dark potions master.

"Once your ward is stable enough to handle young Draco…you must bring him to the manor" Lucius stated as a matter of fact. His hand reaching for his pocket watch as he tsked.

"Well I must be going…do try to not sequester yourself in those stuffy old dungeons to long" he said as he patted the other man on the shoulder and turned to walk down the alley. Severus of course watched him for a moment before he turned and walked the opposite direction.

Harry quietly watched as Chrystian practiced a spell, his eyes wide and attentive as magic fascinated him. His uncle had always yells about magic and blamed him for doing it, but he had only ever done it be accident. He remembered his one year at school, his first and only year he had some how managed to will himself onto the top of the school after being chased by Dudley and his friends. Harry had been at Hogwarts for nearly three months now. He was still very much as skittish child, too small and too shy but he was getting better. In fact last night he managed to sleep in his bed the entire night. Bobbity of course had guarded him and when he woke safe he had hugged the old toy happily. Bobbity was the one person he could tell everything to, Bobbity would never look at him with pity or anger, and would never yell or hit him. Of course being here with the professor and Chrystian, he had not been hit either and he had lot's of food. He still had tot take yucky medicine but he felt so much better and happy. Getting up from where he had been sitting on the floor he made his way to his room. He still could not believe that it was all his and no one else's. He found his crayons and paper as he at the small table where he usually played with some of his blocks and began drawing and coloring. Bobbity was propped up and watching him as he quietly whispered to the old rabbit that he wanted to make a pretty picture for the dark man. He had seen Dudley to it for his aunty and she had put it up for all to see. He had tried to do the same and she had torn it up and tossed it away, he wanted to see what the dark man did with it. It was another hour before he was satisfied and he heard the older man in the other room as he grabbed the rabbit and the picture and almost ran out with his kitten on his heels as he held up the crudely drawn picture.

When Severus stepped through the floo he was greeted with the sight of Chrystian reading.

"Where is Harry?" he asked but before she could answer the child ran out his face glowing and his eyes happy as he held up a piece of paper. Severus of course took it and blinked down at the rather crude but colorful drawing of Harry, himself, Chrystian and the Cats and of course the rabbit toy. Severus had many of Chrystian's old pictures stored away and he could not help but give a smile at this new one.

" Very nice Harry…would you care to help me hang it?" he asked. He saw Harry's eye grow wide and then the brightest smile filled the boys face as he nodded.

It was of course not the first time but the thought came to the older man's thoughts that he would never let anyone take that smile away from the boy again…no matter the consequences.