Voldyismodly: now betaed by Yoaiholic28 they rock.
Disclaimer: Yes I own Harry Potter . . . Ok not really.
Voldyismoldy: Wow the reviews I have gotten for this story are just amazing and I thank you all. I especially want to thank Storyofgreen for their awesome advice and I will try to flush out the characters emotions a little more. To the reviewer who thought Draco and Blaise's reactions weren't believable cause they have spent time with him and that there are holes in the story I am not sure what you meant but thank you for reading and I will try to be better.
This chapter is dedicated to the fabulous reviewers: Witchqueenoftheunderground, Dawningmoon, Katie, and especially Ginosantangelo who demanded I update at once sorry for the wait and please keep reading and reviewing.
Warning: at this point you never know what will happen in this story so I am just warning for everything, ha ha ha.
Chapter 5. What To Do About Harry.
Narcissa waited impatiently in the floo room for Severus to arrive, tapping her foot and holding tightly to a bag of medical supplies. She was glad now that she had excelled in healing while at school and although she had been unable to pursue it, her skills were still as sharp as ever. She had, after all, cared for Draco all through his childhood. She was confident she could see to Harry as well. She just needed him here now.
Her anger over his condition and what had caused it hadn't abated yet. She was looking forward to her later meeting with the Minister of Magic. The man had been reluctant at first to meet with her, but after he heard it was about Harry, the boy-who-had-saved-them-all, he had immediately agreed. He would be arriving within the hour to speak with her. She had wanted to see to Harry first before meeting with him. He had agreed, though he was upset about having to wait, and being left in the dark about their beloved hero.
A crackling in the fireplace alerted her to someone's arrival and she smiled as the potions master of Hogwarts stepped out of the green flames. He held a bag in his hand and looked upset at having been disturbed. Blink hadn't told him what had happened, only that Narcissa needed his assistance. Harry Potter was in need and she knew that he wasn't all that keen on helping the boy; although she was certain that would change once he was told what had been done to him.
"Narcissa. You are looking well," he told her as the woman smiled at him. They had always been good friends and Snape had been made the godfather of her son as well. "What is this I hear about you needing my help with, the-boy-everyone-loves, Cissa?"
"Severus, he has been very badly abused by his family, and his son has not been very well taken care of either. Though he is far better than Harry," the woman explained as she lead him out of the room and down to the one where she had left the boys, a frown darkening her face. "You will have to put whatever prejudices you have against him aside. He is not at all what you or I thought he was. Think of him not as James Potter's son, but as Lily Evan's; if that will make it easier for you. But he needs your help now and you must give it."
Snape said nothing, looking annoyed to do as she wanted but nodded; intrigued in spite of himself to know what had happened to the golden boy. Satisfied with his nod, Narcissa quickly explained all that Draco had told her. By the time she finished, his face was even paler than normal. He had never expected the Potter boy to be abused and for his uncle to do what Draco and Blaise had told. What he had done to the boy was outrageous! He may not have liked him, but he wasn't a cruel man. He couldn't hate anyone who had been treated so wrongly. He himself having come from an abusive home. But his father had never done anything like Harry's uncle had to him.
By the time they reached the room, his opinion of the boy had changed drastically. He now meant his earlier nod. It enraged him that Lily's child had been treated in such a way and he would do all he could to see that he was healed and in a better situation for him and his son. Narcissa must have seen the resolve on his face, for she smiled at him before opening the door and showing him into the room Harry had been brought to.
Inside, Draco and Blaise were sitting on either side of the bed talking to Harry, who was holding a small baby in his arms. The infant appeared to be asleep and quite content in the boy's arms. For a moment, Snape and Narcissa only watched them, not wanting to make their presence known just yet. The man could see that Harry was speaking very little and mostly listening to the two other boys as they told him about what had been happening at Hogwarts while he was gone.
Snape hadn't understood at all why Dumbledore had agreed with the muggles that Harry shouldn't return to Hogwarts after the baby's birth. Certainly, the boy could have taken care of the child with the help of his friends, while he also attended classes. It would have been better for him to be in the wizarding world; where people could keep an eye on him. Obviously, no one had in his family. Or at least, not the kind of help and attention he needed. He wondered if the muggles had even bothered to help him with the birth of his son. Or if he had been left on his own. He was certain the boy had not been taken to St. Mungo's, or the Daily Prothet would have written a story on Harry's new son.
Looking at the smaller boy now, he could see the clear signs of abuse. The bruises that speckled his pale skin, his unnatural thinness, and the dark circles under his eyes; that were wary and uncertain. There was a fear in his eyes, and a deep pain that until now, he had been able to hide. There was also a tenseness to him, too. He barely moved as he listened and watched the two other boys. His face remained expressionless, even as they smiled and laughed. He was holding the baby very close to him, too, almost as if he feared someone would try to take the child from him or hurt him. He would need help if he was to overcome the abuse he suffered; and learn to trust again. Snape wondered if any of the others had realized yet just how much help he needed.
"Hello Draco, Mr. Zabini, Mr. Potter," He said, interrupting their conversation. The boys stopped speaking in surprise and turned to look at them. He saw Harry grow tenser as he tightened his hold on his son. "I take it this child is your son, Potter?"
"Yes, sir. This is Sirius," Harry said quietly, relaxing his hold on the baby as the infant began to squirm a little in his arms. Snape frowned at the name, thinking of the mutt that had had it before the baby. "Why.....are you here professor?"
"I am here because Narcissa asked for my help. And it would seem that you need it, Po-...Harry," Snape told him. The boy's eyes widened at the use of his first name. He moved closer to the bed and Harry tensed again, the surprise being replaced by a well-learned fear. "Harry. I won't hurt you. I am not your uncle. I am here to help you."
"I. . . I'm sorry, sir," the black haired boy replied, lowering his eyes in shame over his actions. Yes, this boy had been very badly abused indeed. Snape felt a surge of anger go through him as he thought of what had brought him to this point. "Why do you want to help me, sir?"
"Because I was asked to, and because I don't like to see any child abused. I was abused myself, you know," Severus replied. There were several gasps at his words from the boys though Narcissa was quiet, having already known this fact. Harry only stared at him, looking like he wanted to lie about his abuse but unable to with the proof on his body. "My father had a very nasty temper. Cost my mother her life....I am sorry you had to go through that as well. Will you let me tend you, Harry? Perhaps in time, we can even put our animosity aside. I think we have much we can talk about. I think we have more in common than either of us suspected."
"I . . . I think I would like that, sir, thank you," Harry said quietly. He looked at Draco and to his surprise the blonde boy reacted instantly, taking the baby from him so that Snape could tend him. "I guess you know what happened to me."
"I know some of it; what Narcissa has told me. And from what Draco and Blaise told her, but I am sure there is much more that we will talk about later," the potions master told him, setting his bag down and taking out some potions. Without missing the green eyed boy's frown, though, he said nothing about it. "For now though, let us see about getting you healthy again. Then we can worry about the rest. Though I assure you, your family will be punished for what they have done to you."
Harry's face paled at that. His body started to tremble slightly, but he said nothing; almost as if he didn't trust himself to speak. Snape examined him carefully, growing angrier with each passing moment. The boy was terribly underweight and far too short for his age. Which lead him to believe that he had suffered from malnutrition for years. The bruises went from black and blue to a sickly yellow as they went from new to old. There were scars on his back, that he was certain came from a belt or some other similar implement. There were some old burn marks on his arms as well and some external injuries, especially around his lower area. His left wrist was rubbed raw from something binding it, and his chest was discolored. He was certain he had at least some cracked or bruised ribs.
Looking through his potions, he had Harry take: a pain reliever, a nutrient potion, a blood replenishment to be safe, and several other healing potions for his wounds and hurt ribs. Harry took them all grudgingly, and his nose crinkled in distaste a time or two. He made no complaint about them. Narcissa used an ointment on some of the other bruises and scars though the scars would probably never fully fade. Then Snape gave him a sleeping potion that he looked reluctant to take as he glanced at his child Draco still held.
"Don't worry, Harry. We'll take care of Siri, I assure you. I have a great deal of experience with children," Narcissa said kindly. Harry hesitated a moment longer and then nodded. downing the potion. Within minutes, he was asleep as he slumped down into the bed. She pulled the blanket over him to cover him fully. "Come; the minister will be here soon and we need to be ready for him."
Narcissa left the room and the others followed her, leaving Harry to sleep, Draco still holding the baby. Siri was still sleeping, the little stuffed owl clutched in his tiny hand. He seemed undisturbed by being in the young man's arms. Severus was surprised and pleased by his godson's tenderness towards the infant. That was so different from his father. Lucius had never held Draco as a child or showed any kind of warmth when with him. He was glad to see that Draco wouldn't follow his example even if the child wasn't his own.
Blaise seemed no different, as he kept his eyes on the baby and looked upset that he wasn't able to hold the small child himself. It was a quite amusing really; to see how these two normally cold and stern boys were arguing silently over a baby. Draco, however was not going to give up the child that Harry had entrusted to him. Blaise was left to fume and keep his eyes on the child. Snape would have chuckled at their antics if he was a man to chuckle and was sure it was Harry and his son who had brought about this change in them.
Narcissa brought them to the sitting room while they settled to wait for the minister. Snape was surprised that the woman still had enough influence to get the minister to come to her home instead of having to go to his office. He was pleased by how strong she was without her husband. He had never cared for Lucius and didn't like how he treated his wife and child. He had been worried about what would happen to the woman after her husband had been arrested, but Narcissa had rose from the ashes of his defeat and kept her family going.
The minister arrived a few minutes later and was brought to the room by Blink, who bowed before leaving the room. The man looked a bit flustered and his eyes widened when he saw the baby, but he sat when Narcissa told him to and took the tea she offered him. They spoke pleasantries first, the goings on at the ministry and how their family was doing, before Fudge decided he had waited long enough to find out what had happened to the golden boy.
"You told me you wanted to speak to me about Mr. Potter, Miss. Black," He reminded her as he sipped his tea. The woman nodded, nothing on her face changing at his words. "Tell me, then, what is wrong with our savior and how did you come to know of it?"
"I think, Minister, it would be best if my son and his friend, Mr. Zabini, explained it to you; as they were actually there when Mr. Potter was found," Narcissa replied, nodding to Draco and Blaise, who straightened in their seats as the minister turned to them. "Draco, dear, would you please tell the minister what you and your friend witnessed today at Harry's home?"
Draco nodded and then launched into the story, explaining from the moment they got Blaise's letter back till when they brought Harry to the manner. Blaise added details here and there and his face flushed when Draco told of how he'd had to snap at him to get him moving out of his shock. Snape felt his anger rise again as he heard what the boy's uncle had told him and how he treated his nephew. Fudge's face paled in shock as he fiddled with his green bowler hat.
"That . . . That's outrageous! How dare they!" The man shouted once they had finished their tale. Siri awoke, crying at the sound of his loud voice. Draco hushed him and called Blink for a bottle, who brought it at once. "Those muggles will be punished to the full extent of our laws, I can assure you of that. I will send aurors to arrest them this minute and will have a date set for the trail as soon as I can make it."
"Thank you, Minister. But could I also request that you bring Albus Dumbledore in for questioning as well," Narcissa asked sweetly, a pleasant smile on her face. The man looked surprised at that and was hesitant to allow such a request. "I am sure you know, Minister, that Dumbledore was the magical guardian of Mr. Potter. It was therefore his duty to keep an eye on the boy; see that he and his baby were well taken care of. A task at which it would seem, he has failed quite miserably. I would like to see just how much he knew of the abuse and what defense he has for not checking up on the boy, as he was supposed to."
"Very well. I will send some aurors for Dumbledore, as well. And I will have him questioned about what has happened to Mr. Potter," Fudge agreed as he stood up and returned the hat to his head, placing his now empty cup on the table. "Now I must wish you all a good day, as I must return to the ministry to see this is taken care of. I will inform you of what happens, and of the date of the trail by owl later."
"Thank you, Minister, and a good day to you as well," the woman replied as she and Severus stood up. The two young men were preoccupied with feeding the baby. "Blink will show you out."
The man inclined his head and followed the elf out of the room. Snape bid them goodbye as well, needing to return to Hogwarts for more potions, plus he wanted to be there when the aurors came to bring the aging headmaster in for questioning. He was sure it would be quite the show and he, for one, was looking forward to it. After everything he had allowed to happen to Harry. Once he was gone, Draco and Blaise returned to Harry's room while Narcissa left to continue with her redecorating while the boy slept.
Blaise and Draco played with the baby while they waited for Harry to wake up again. Siri giggled, happily shaking his rattle and making little sounds as they tickled him and tried to get him to crawl to them. Neither one of them had siblings, so they didn't have much experience with children, but Siri was just so cute and innocent. Except when he started to smell, of course. Thank God for house elves and magic, or they would have actually had to change his nappies by hand. And what a horror that would have been.
Eventually, they tired the baby out and as Blaise was putting him down in his crib for a nap, Harry began to stir, waking from his slumber. His eyes fluttered open and quickly turned to the crib, a small smile coming over his face as he saw that his son was safe and sleeping. Blaise put the baby down and then joined Draco at the bed, both of them eager to tell Harry what the minister had said. They were sure he would be glad to know that his relatives were going to get what they deserved for treating him so badly.
"How do you feel, Harry?" Draco asked as he sat down near them. The boy certainly looked better, the bruises having faded away and some color having returned to his skin during his sleep.
"Better. There's no pain," he told them with a small smile, as if that was more than he had ever expected and was content just to not feel pain for once. "Was Siri any trouble?"
"No, he was a little angel, of course," Draco told him, sounding almost affronted that Harry would even think the baby had been anything but. "But listen Harry; we talked to the minister while you were sleeping and he is going to have your family arrested and put on trial. As well as have Dumbledore brought in for questioning. I told you they would pay for what they did to you."
"B-but I didn't want that, th . . . They'll be so angry with me! And Dumbledore, too," Harry replied, his face paling. His body beginning to tremble. Much to their surprise; they had thought he would be happy, not terrified. They didn't know what to do for him now. "I . . . I didn't want anyone to know what was done to me. And now, it will be in all the papers and everyone will know how dirty and worthless I am. They'll hate me and take Siri from me."
"Hush, Harry! No one is going to hate you! You aren't dirty or worthless," The blonde boy told him while his friend nodded, eyes wide with alarm at his words. Draco did something then that neither of them had expected. He wrapped his arms around Harry and brought him to his chest, rocking him slightly to calm him. "And no one will take Siri from you, ever. We won't let them. All right?"
Harry gave a slight nod of his head but didn't stop trembling as he clutched Draco's shirt and buried his face in his chest. Draco continued to rock him, not knowing what else to do as soft sobs came from the boy. He felt a dampness seep into his shirt and touch his chest. He had never been in this kind of situation before; except for the one time with Blaise, and was working off instinct for what to do to comfort him. He looked at Blaise for help but the other boy only shrugged, a small smile on his face as he watched them.
Blaise only stared at the two of them silently, while running his hand over the black-haired boy's head to add his comfort. The two ex-rivals looked good together, as he had known they would, and he was happy for them. Even though they didn't know it, their relationship had already started; and it wouldn't be long now before they realized their feelings for each other. In a way, he was jealous of them and how comfortable they were with each other in such a short time. Harry had instantly turned to Draco for comfort, without hesitation, and Draco had given it just as quickly. Neither one of them really thinking about what they were doing; just doing what they already knew was right.
It reminded him of the times he had spent with Daphne, the Slytherin girl he had once believed he loved, but didn't love him. He hoped that one day he would find someone to love like they had. Someone he would feel completely comfortable with and who he could lean on, and have lean on him in times of need. He gave a soft sigh and was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Draco looking back at him. They shared a look and after a moment, Blaise nodded, a smile returning to his face, understanding what Draco wanted to tell him.
Eventually, Harry stopped his sobs, forcing himself to calm and Draco loosened his hold on him. It was then, that Blink arrived with a meal, and another nutrient potion for the boy. Harry ate both willingly and then Siri woke up again. He fed his son with the bottle the elf gave him. Once his son was settled down, Snape returned with another dreamless sleep potion for him to take. Harry took it reluctantly, but only after Draco and Blaise had gotten the older man to tell them about what had happened with Dumbledore.
Flashback
Snape and McGonagall were sitting in the headmaster's office, discussing the next term after the Christmas holidays, when the aurors had arrived. The black-haired man smiled to himself as six men, including Shacklebolt and Scrimgeour himself, came marching into the office without so much as, 'how do you do,' to them. Fawkes trilled worriedly at their arrival and Dumbledore rose from his seat in surprise.
"Gentleman! I wasn't expecting you, but you are welcome in our school," he told them with his kind smile and ever present and annoying twinkle in his eyes. "Just what is it that has brought you to Hogwarts today?"
"I am afraid, Dumbledore, that we are here to bring you in for questioning regarding the serious abuse and neglect of Harry James Potter by his relatives," Scrimgeour told him, wasting no time or words. The headmaster's face paled and McGonagall jumped to her feet in concern, though Snape showed no reaction to what was going on. "He and his infant son, Sirius James Potter, were rescued just today from his home by Mr. Malfoy and his friend, Mr. Zabini. As his magical guardian, we must now determine just how much you knew of what was happening to them. So I suggest you come willingly with us Albus. Best not to make a scene; even if it is the holidays and most of the students are gone."
"Yes, of course I will come with you. The poor boy...," Albus agreed, moving away from his desk to accompany the men out, who looked relieved at his cooperation. "I can't imagine how this happened. I am glad to know they are being taken care of now. Minerva, please take care of things while I am gone."
"Yes, of course, Albus," the woman agreed with a nod. Albus quickly followed the men out of the office, leaving the two teachers behind. "I told him not to leave the boy with those muggles, but he never listens."
"Did you, Minerva?" Snape asked rising from his chair. McGonagall looked startled, not knowing she had spoken out loud, but nodded. "A pity he didn't listen to you. He could have saved that boy a great deal of pain and suffering at the hands of his relatives."
"Have you seen him, Severus?" Minerva asked, already knowing the answer as the man nodded, moving past her to leave the office. "Are he and the child well?"
"They are well enough, given the circumstances. It will be some time before Harry is back to full health and strength," the potions master replied before inclining his head as he reached the door. "Good day, Minerva. I have things I need to attend to."
End flashback
Draco and Blaise grinned in satisfaction over what had happened and assured Harry that Dumbledore would be held accountable for his actions now, as would his family. The smaller boy only looked worried and somewhat fearful, but said nothing as he took the potion from the man. Carefully, he drink it and within minutes, was fast asleep again. The three men then left the room after placing a charm on the baby to alert them to when he woke up. They left the two to sleep, undisturbed.
A/N: Okay. I know not much happened in this chapter, but it was a necessary chapter to set up what is going to happen next. Next chapter: The trial of Harry's relatives and Dumbledore's questioning. I hope you liked this chapter, and that Draco and Harry's relationship isn't going too fast. Poor Blaise; but he will have someone soon. Promise. Oh, and just a few more chapters until Ron sees the baby; and is forced to admit he's a father. But just what is he going to do about it? You'll have to wait and see. Anyway, please continue to read and review. Hope you enjoyed!