Sorry for the delay with this chapter. Thanks for the reviews risi, Retaro0 and minoki! I'm really glad people are enjoying this.
written
flashbacks
dreams
'thoughts'
Warnings for child abuse, language, rape, violence, self-harm, suicide, insanity, murder, character death and torture.
I only wanted a happy family.
The sun was shining brightly, so brightly it seemed to bleach all the colours in the garden to pale pastels. Draco laughed, catching the ball his father had thrown.
"There's my Dragon!"
Narcissus smilled, brushed a disobedient strand of hair out of her sons face and pulled him into a hug.
Husband and wife sat together on the couch. Their hands seemed to intertwine so naturally. Their faces were content.
"I'm so proud of you son. I love you."
"Draco, please... wake up."
Severus' left eye was swollen shut. His robes were in tatters. He crouched down beside the fragile looking boy who lay on his side, curled up in a foetal position on the floor. The teenager was too thin, seemed practically covered in wounds.
"The holidays are over. I've come to take you back to Hogwarts."
"Please wake up. Can you hear me?"
"I'm so sorry..."
"Can you hear me?"
"Of course I can Dad."
"I'm so sorry I hurt you Dragon."
"That's ok Dad, you weren't well."
"My big boy!" Narcissus exclaimed, kissing him maternally on the forehead. "I've just baked fairy cakes. Why don't you get your daddy and we can all have one?"
"Look at that sunset dear. Isn't it beautiful."
Laughing mischievously Lucius pulled his wife onto his lap. He kissed her softly on the lips. "Not as beautiful as you."
"You're a wonderful boy!"
Poppy Pomphrey's voice was sad. "I don't know what's wrong with him. I've treated his injuries. He should be awake. Enervate's not having any effect. Could this be some kind of spell or curse?"
Severus looked at the faint smile on the sleeping boy's face. "No. He doesn't want to wake up. Why would he?"
The forked tip of the whip bit into his back. He'd given up trying to count the strokes.
"Don't worry son. It was just a bad dream."
"Uncle Sev, could you pass the potatoes?"
Smiling he handed the boy the bowl. His clothes were suited to the warm weather, not heavy shapeless black from his neck to the ground.
"I love you more than words can say!"
"Would you like to play a game of quiddich after dinner Dragon?"
"I'd love to."
Laughing he flew his broomstick straight up into the sky. The clouds were rainbow coloured with the light from the sun.
"I'll never hurt you again."
Strong hands held him down.
It was dark in the hospital wing. The candles had been snuffed out for the night. Snape sat on a chair beside Draco's bed, watched him twist uncomfortably in his sleep.
"It's just a dream."
"I know."
Severus stiffened in surprise. His godson's expression was of fear and his eyes were closed. But he had clearly just spoken.
"You deserve a real life," he said, careful to keep his tone calm.
For a moment he thought the boy would not respond. Then, in a semi-conscious mumble, he replied "but I don't want to wake up."
His parents sat at the table, playing a friendly game of wizarding chess. Narcissus was loosing abysmally but she didn't mind.
"You're such a good boy."
"You mean so much to us."
"I love you Mum and Dad."
"I love you Mum and Dad but you're not real."
He felt so so warm when they hugged him. So safe.
"I'm so proud of you Dragon."
"I love you son."
"I love you..."
He opened his eyes.
But I don't get to have that.