Disclaimer: Yeah, Right. I wish I did own these character's. J.K. owns the lot.

FYI: Chapter10 has been altered slightly because I accidently replaced it. The only major difference is the hiding takes place in the Head's office at Hogwarts after Harry tries to escape via the floo. This way the portraits were able to enjoy it too. hee hee

Authors Notes: Man! I could not be happier with the reviews. I really wanted to break 100. Seeing the little 104 above my story does my heart good, and inspires me to get busy.

Some of you enjoyed chapter 10, and some of you were put off by the hiding. Many of you brought up very good points. Thank you all for taking the time to read and review. I wrote responses to some of you, and in future you can find any extended A/N on my bio page. I'll leave them up for a few days.

s1kitty: Thanks very much for your reviews. You are not the first to suggest I need editing help. I couldn't get your email from the profile page. Shoot me a note if you have a chance. I would like to discuss it. And thanks again for your helpful input.

There is a POV shift in this chapter. You intelligent folks would have no doubt figured that out for yourselves. Enjoy.

Chapter 11

Severus

Severus Snape cast a non-verbal sleeping charm before Obliviating the rodent's memory.

"How could you have allowed yourself to have been duped so completely?" the older wizard sneered, whirling around and questioning the blond boy sternly.

Snape knew he should not berate Draco. He knew it instinctively. Not when the boy feared for his life. The man inhaled a deep breath through his impressive nose, and attempted to control the anger and fear which gripped him. First he'd beaten Potter for the love of Merlin, and now he was making a terrible situation worse for Draco.

Snape could not believe he had done that to Potter. Draco would surely die for the loss of the snake. The wizard was almost certain. And Snape was furious with Potter for having been there in the first place. But now the moment had passed, the bizarre inappropriateness of his violence towards Potter left Snape feeling something akin to embarrassment. Not that he had not wished Hogwart's policy had allowed him to treat the impudent brat in a similar fashion more than once, especially when the boy was younger. In recent years, the tall thin wizard had contented himself with the image of his long fingers tightening ever so slowly around the boy's neck.

The astonishing lack of control that his actions indicated was what disconcerted Snape most. For most of his adult life, certainly during his time as a spy, he'd prided himself on his self-restraint, and mastery of his emotions. Admittedly the Potter brat could crack that restraint more effectively than anyone he knew. If Snape were honest, it wasn't a far thing between throwing the little sneak bodily from the pensive last year, and the slap Snape issued him a few weeks ago. The man had barely restrained himself from striking the boy after the incident with the pensive. The Potions Master just knew the brat had a good laugh with his little friends about how his foul father had humiliated Snape in that memory.

But this most recent incident would prove difficult to defend, especially to Albus. Snape had often feared the tension between he and Potter might degenerate into physical violence. Albus had warned him of it often.

"In many areas you exhibit astounding self control, Severus," the old wizard had chided gently. "Why is it so very difficult for you to show Harry a bit of tolerance?" Snape had looked as petulant as a grown man dared without making a fool of himself, and waited for the interview to be over.

Snape had agreed with the Headmaster. He had long feared that someday the boy would push too far, and Snape would lose control, and begin beating the impudent brat with his bare fists.

Severus Snape was immensely grateful that things had not turned out that way on this occasion. The brutality of using his fists would have seemed somehow unforgivable. Albus would not have forgiven it for certain. He mightn't forgive what did occur at any rate. Snape could hear the old man now. The dark haired wizard would be taken to task, and reprimanded like a fifteen year-old, for having so improperly chastised the sixteen year-old.

Albus simply adored Potter. Snape was still smarting from the stern talking to he'd received via the Angelth for making the mission to find the fake Horcrux so difficult, not to mention the tongue lashing he'd gotten for slapping the boy a few weeks ago.

"You made the task absurdly difficult," the Headmaster had accused, regarding the quest for the fake Horcrux.

"You indicated that you wished to assess the boys skills, Headmaster," the younger wizard defended himself.

"Your jealousy of Harry is most unbecoming, Severus," the Headmaster scolded in a severe tone. "It always has been."

Severus had not dared to argue, particularly since the Headmaster spoke the truth, but also because he had just received the Angelth. He was so grateful to have the Headmaster back, after a fashion, that he couldn't bear for the man to be cross with him. The dark haired wizard had also admitted, to himself if not Albus, he had purposely set the task so that one of them would have to knowingly make the other drink the potion. It had not been deadly. And Snape had the antidote close at hand as he had waited for their return that night. However, he had known without a doubt the Headmaster would not dream of forcing the potion upon his darling Harry.

The dark eyed wizard was certain he was in for a lecture of some length and harshness when Albus found out about his most recent transgression against the brat. He'll be livid, Snape realized. Snape's treatment of Harry, had been the subject of numerous lectures when they were all still at Hogwarts. Snape wished he had a galleon for every time the old man admonished him to refer to Potter by his name, and not boy or brat. Snape had once insisted cheekily that brat suited the boy. He was treated to a stony blue eyed glare that few save the Potions Master could elicit from the kindly old wizard.

Still, Snape had to appreciate the irony of the arrogant young Gryffindor being paddled with Gryffindor's sword. Perhaps the Headmaster would not find out, Snape thought hopefully. Potter, to his credit, had not gone whining to Albus after the slap. Snape had regretted that too, after the fact. He had been extremely apprehensive about the old man's reaction to his treatment of the boy. He confessed to Albus himself before Harry had the opportunity. However, Potter and the Headmaster had a bit of a row and the subject of his mistreatment never came up.

That must have been a first, Snape had thought wryly when the Headmaster mentioned it. Harsh words between Harry, wonderful, Potter and the Headmaster were nearly unheard of. Snape had heard about the brat trashing Albus' office at the end of last school year. He was certain the Headmaster had not dealt the boy so much as a frown.

Snape thought back to a similar situation when he was fifteen. He had become distraught over the Headmaster's explanation of what his future responsibilities might entail. Snape had stood up quickly and tipped over his chair in anger. The next few minutes found him in a very painful bodybind, as he stared at his feet apologetically.

"You must learn to govern your emotions now, Severus, if you are to be successful with your future responsibilities," the Headmaster stated in a harsh paternal tone, that never failed to foster docility in the teenage Snape.

"You are never harsh with Harry though, are you Headmaster?" Severus had complained in recent years.

"You are harsh enough with him to make up for my lack, Severus," the old man had countered mildly. "And besides, Harry's disposition is much more manageable than yours was at that age."

Potter's lack of reaction today had been worthy of note Snape had to admit. Snape had struck the boy a full twelve times, and was surprised that the arrogant young man had not fought back. He had his wand for Merlin's sake. The only rationale he could piece together was that much as Potter despised the blond boy, he was disturbed by the possibility of having Draco Malfoy's blood on his hands.

And things were bound to get bloody for Draco. The Dark Lord had been looking for a reason to kill him ever since the boy had failed to murder Dumbledore. He had been looking for a reason before that if the truth be known.

Voldemort had been wanting to punish the boy for Lucius' mistakes at the Ministry the night of Black's death. And punish him he had, as only the Dark Lord could. Snape had tried shield the boy that first time the Dark Lord had summoned them after Dumbledore's death.

Snape told the dark wizard that the young man would have indeed fulfilled his master's orders and killed the old fool. But Snape himself had become impatient and pushed the boy aside. Snape humbly requested that he be punished in the boy's stead, since he was to blame.

The Dark Lord agreed. And the Cruciatus he subjected the man to had gone on for quite a while, as the Potions Master writhed on the stone floor. That of course had not stopped Voldemort from punishing Draco as well. Snape was forced to stand by helplessly as the young wizard's screams echoed horribly off the chamber walls.

Snape wondered numbly if Vodermort had brutalized young Malfoy worse than he may have had Severus not spoken up. After that, while no less protective, Snape had been significantly more cautious.

After doing what he could to heal the nerve spasms brought on by the extended Cruciatus in both himself and the pale haired wizard that first night, Snape had cautioned the young man to keep a low profile.

"Under no circumstances attempt to curry favor with the Dark Lord," Snape had sternly cautioned, while hovering his wand over the boy and incanting a healing charm.

Draco had expressed gratitude to his to his godfather. The boy admitted significant doubt, when they were alone, as to the wisdom of his choice in joining Voldemort. He confessed to Snape that he didn't think he could have killed Dumbledore.

"That's why I worked so hard to repair the two way cabinet that would allow the Death Eaters entrance into the castle," the boy explained morosely. "I prayed one of them would kill the old fool for me. I suppose there's no turning back now is there, Professor?" Draco had asked, as he stared intently into the older wizards dark eyes.

"That is up to you, Dragon," Snape said after a pause, reverting to the boy's childhood nickname, as he placed a gentle hand on the pale head.

Draco had studiously adhered to his former professor's warning to maintain a low profile. Given his experience with Voldermort's wrath, obedience came easily. But the Dark Lord continued to seek him out. He would constantly give Draco responsibility for little assignments that were certain to fail. And punishment was certain to follow, and without fail it did.

The decoy wedding had been one such example. Of course none of the Death Eaters save Snape knew it was a decoy. All were there in hopes of capturing Potter and presenting the green-eyed wizard to their master. The young blond had been given the task of carrying Voldermort's pet snake and the rodent, Pettigrew to the wedding.

Young Malfoy was to warn the snake to summon their master if anything should happen at the event. However, he was not to dare disturb him for anything trivial. Did that mean the man should be warned only if battle broke out? Young Malfoy dared to seek clarification.

"Fool," Voldemort hissed, and crucioed him. "For his stupidity," the man hissed a snake like laugh for the amusement of his gathered followers.

Apparently the rodent was to bear none of the responsibility for what constituted warning the Dark wizard. But the boy was to bid Pettigrew transfigure should the need arise. Draco had learned the morning's lesson well enough not to request the Dark wizard be more specific.

Snape ground his teeth in silence. The boy was certain to face punishment, no matter what he did. Still he would keep an eye on the young man, and promised to bear as much of the burden he dare.

To make the boy more susceptible to assault, the Dark Lord insisted on an age charm, thus making him potentially more vulnerable to attack. Snape bade the boy take a seat near the rear of the gathering. The older wizard had at first not noticed what he assumed was an elf polyjuiced as Arabella Figg, as she took a seat next to his godson. Snape realized that she must have used a strong notice-me-not charm, but vaguely wondered at that because she was already disguised. Snape had hastened to follow, when polyjuiced Figg began to lead the boy off, but had been too busy dodging elf hexes to catch up immediately.

When Snape reached the backdoor of the Weasley home, he found a very put upon looking Dobby, masquerading as Molly Weasley. The elf had been magically bound to Serverus Snape just prior to the Headmaster's death. No one in the Order questioned how Dobby got his information, as it had been part of Dumbledore's final instructions. They were all simply grateful to still have a spy to tell of Voldermort's actions.

The Headmaster had thought the Elf would be an asset to both Snape and the Order, and thus far the plan had bore fruit. Albus had gone on and on thanking the little creature for temporarily sacrificing his freedom. However, as far as Snape could determine, the little elf didn't seem to mind.

"Dobby," the tall wizard addressed himself to the elf. "Do you know the identity of the elf who led Draco away?" Snape had earlier ordered Dobby to see to it that Malfoy was unharmed.

Snape watched in confusion as the little creature was shocked from his polyjuice form and began banging his head against the porch railing. Only with quick-brewed polyjuice could one be shocked or frightened into losing their form. Every since Snape had spied the golden trio in Diagon Alley purchasing potions ingredients he had his suspicions as to how the Order had managed to lay it's hands on so very much polyjuice in so little time.

"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!" the little elf wailed plaintively, as he viciously slapped back his ears.

"Dobby, stop it at once," the tall wizard ordered, grabbing the creature's hands.

"Bad, Dobby," the elf ground out, through tightly clamped teeth, as he strained for control.

"The elf who was leading young Mr. Malfoy, Dobby," Snape interrogated intently. "Need I be concerned for the boy's safety?"

"Harry Potter would not permanently harm Master Malfoy," Dobby explained, and then began to roughly slap the side of his head.

"Harry Potter," Snape questioned darkly. "Is here?"

"Dobby... Dobby... promised..." the elf began in a halting stammer. He was obviously torn between the wizard who was his new master, and the one who granted his freedom.

"Allow no one to enter," Snape ordered in a dark tone, as he entered the back door.

Snape had been shocked to find Nagini dead, though he couldn't yet work out how it happened. Potter's faltering explanation hadn't helped much. He had babbled something about swords and Horcruxes. Snape agreed with the Headmaster's theory that Nagini was probably a Horcrux. But Potter's plan seemed haphazardly formulated at best, in spite of Potter being armed with Gryffindor's sword.

The irresponsible brat had mentioned something about memories and using his wand. Had the foolish boy been attempting to extract memories from the snake and in the process had killed her. Snape was uncertain. However, there was one thing Snape was certain of. Potter had been brash and reckless as usual, and Draco would be paying the price.

Snape waved his wand in the snake's direction and cast an Incendio, while Draco wrinkled his nose in disgust. If the snake was a Horcrux, it would need to be burned. They all would, once he and the Potter brat found the remaining Horcruxes. When nothing was left of Nagini's remains, Snape gazed intently at his godson. When their eyes met he noticed the young wizard looked vaguely ashamed.

"You're right," the young man began. "I shouldn't have let myself be so easily fooled."

"I regret that I said that," Snape told the boy. He knew he should not have berated the boy about allowing himself to be taken in by Potter. "I will alter your memory so it matches the rat's," he explained to Draco. "You will both have the memory of waking up with the snake and the woman having disappeared. Perhaps if it appears as though you have both been fooled, Pettigrew may share the burden of the Dark Lord's punishment."

Draco dared to look a bit reassured, as the older wizard cast a non-verbal sleeping charm followed by an Obliviate.

"That bitch," Pettigrew spat, looking around frantically as Snape re-entered the room and canceled the sleeping charms. "She must have stolen Master's snake." he turned his rat like eyes on Draco.

"Wha...," the boy began in confusion. "How could she?" Draco asked groggily. "Did you see her when you came in?" the boy asked Severus. Draco was slightly less frantic than he had been after having witnessed Potter kill the snake.

"I saw no one," Snape lied smoothly. "However, you were both under a sleeping charm when I entered.

"Ooooh," Pettigrew cackled, with entirely too much glee. "Master isn't going to be pleased with you is he?" the rodent giggled cruely.

"As I indicated," Snape sneered menacingly. "You were both asleep. I have no doubt the Dark Lord will be displeased with you as well."

The rat looked slightly uncertain, and fell silent, as Snape canceled the bodybinds Potter had placed on them earlier. Snape disillusioned the three of them before they made there way outside. The battle was drawing to a close. The elves had transported some of the Death Eaters to Azkaban, while others had apparated away to lick their wounds.

Snape canceled the charm when they reached the edge of the wards, and the rodent was quick to apparate. As Snape made to follow, Draco bade him to wait a while.

"There was nothing I could have done today that wasn't going to get me crucioed," the boy looked at his godfather expectantly. "Was there?"

"No, I don't think there was," Snape agreed, studying the boy.

"If I survive today," Draco began in a strained voice. "I think I want to... I think... I might like to fight for the light. Please here me out," the boy said holding up a hand to forestall his godfather's interruption. "I just know there's more to what happened with you and Dumbledore than your letting on," he accused. "I heard you that night."

Snape looked at the boy sharply. He thought he knew what the boy was referring to, but how could the pale haired wizard have heard? Snape had held his tears at bay as long as he dared. Then casting an extemely complex silencing charm, he had cried himself into the night. The man had cried in grief, regret, and no small amount of shame, for having been capable of carrying out the terrible orders of the finest wizard he ever knew.

"Wormtail was laughing," Draco explained. "You told him to shut his miserable mouth, and that he wasn't fit to kiss the hem of Dumbledore's robes."

Snape let out a relived breath as he realized the incident the boy was referring to. He had rounded on the rodent in a darkly menacing way, and for the second time that night he thought he might manage an Avada Kedavra.

The blond boy began to pace a bit. "You can't tell me that at least part of you doesn't regret killing the old fool," the boy looked at Snape intently. "And what the bloody hell was he begging for? Since when does Dumbledore beg?"

Snape gave his godson a look that was equal parts of shock and pride.

"Please don't look at me like that," he said, misinterpreting the man's expression. "Maybe I'm wrong," he paused in thought. "Father always said being a Death Eater was supposed to make us powerful and honorable. But Vol.. Volde... Voldemort," the boy looked up defiantly upon managing the name. "He's just a sick sadistic bastard and we're his bloody slaves," Draco took a deep breath. "I want out," the young man said, in a determined voice. "I have to find a way out. Now I'm not asking that you come with me, but please don't stand in my way."

Severus raised his hand to the boy. Draco shrank a bit, thinking perhaps he had gone too far, and his godfather meant to cuff him for his insolence. But instead, strong thin fingers laced through the soft hairs at the back of the boy's head, and Severus gave Draco's neck an affectionate squeeze. The gesture reminded Draco of days gone by, when he had been Dragon, and the wizard who stood before him was Uncle Sev.

Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.