Chapter 2 – The Malfoys

They landed sharply on neat grounds at the front of a dark black gate. From the two serpent heads on either side of the entrance Damien instantly knew where they were, and sucked in a breath.

"Don't worry," Severus said to him, they will not harm you. In fact, I believe Narcissa will be overly pleased to discover that she now has another child to pamper. No doubt she will be bearing you down with everything from clothes to treats." Severus snickered at this, and although Damien was slightly surprised to hear him laugh, it still did little to ease Damien's nerves as he watched the gate begin to open.

"Oh, and I took the time to contact Lucius to tell him we would be arriving shortly, so they should be well ready to accommodate you." Damien thought about what he said, and wondered what he meant by accommodate him. Wasn't Snape staying as well?

Severus began walking up the path, Damien in tow, marveling at the dark beauty of the house. Narcissa must have had a hand in designing this because colorful flowers of all sorts rose all around the entrance to the house. And despite its towering and slightly dark nature, it was still beautiful. The color was that of a light grey rock, almost marble, with crawling green veins winding their way up to the top stories. Narcissa had done a good job, Damien mused as they reached the front doors.

There was no need to knock, because Lucius Malfoy immediately opened the door. Damien held his composure, wondering what Lucius thought of him standing there, the boy he had supposedly hated for so long. He greeted Severus with a kind but slightly guarded smile, and then turned to Damien, barely keeping the smile intact.

"Severus. Damien," Lucius greeted them. "Please, do come in." Severus entered and Damien followed, remaining silent as he knew was expected of him. The door closed behind them as Lucius headed down the hall, Severus at his side and Damien right behind them. For a time Damien concentrated on paying attention to where he was going, but it was a maze of halls and turns so that finally he turned his attention to the structure of the house. In some ways it reminded him of Sirius' home, with the older antique style, but this one held hints of a more sleek, modern look as well.

They finally arrived in a huge study, where books climbed up to the ceiling and a desk remained in the center. The room opened up to a larger lounge where black sofas surrounded a fireplace, and it was here that they congregated, taking seats.

Lucius called out to a house elf and had wine fetched for the three, and then took it upon himself to serve it to the group. After glasses were all passed around and the door was closed, only then did Snape delve into the story. Damien noted that the stories were very similar as far as the letter went, but he was able to pick up on the hitch in Severus's voice when he mentioned his wife. The entire time through, Lucius remained unquestioning, the perfect listener. When Snape reached the part where he went to Privet Drive before apparating here, Lucius interjected.

"I wondered why you asked that of me at the time but it is all taken care of. However, a plan of action will need to go into effect immediately due to the fact that the ministry will be notified soon. I had a batch of long-term polyjuice potion ready and made it to reflect the Potter's image, having Avery take it. He is now a decoy, pretending to have been in the library at the time this happened and is unaware of the destruction that took place at the house. He knows enough to pose as Harry for a time but he will need much more information in order to continue the facade." He took a moment to pause, before continuing. "We have a few inside men in charge of Avery while he resides at the Ministry, so this will be our chance to get any specific information out to him. However, there is also the matter of the wand…" He turned to face Damien, and Damien confused, turned to look at Snape, confused at what they were discussing. A fake Harry Potter? Destruction at the house?

Snape noticed the look on Damien's face and began to explain. "In order to provide a cover up, Lucius had the house demolished, and a decoy Harry set into place. But there will need to be more work done in order to continue hiding your disappearance until we're ready." Damien nodded, feeling the weight of his decision to step out of his role as Harry Potter once again, knowing that the world would never know him as such anymore. "Also," Snape continued, "we will need to take your wand. After all, it can be tracked, and it is property of Harry Potter." Damien's eyes grew wide, and he slowly withdrew his wand. He felt the weight of it, the familiarity tying him to it, binding him, and shuddered at the knowledge of someone else holding it, using it.

Snape scrutinized him for a moment, wondering if Damien would be able to handle what was to come. After a moment Damien turned to face him, giving him a small smile of reassurance as he passed over the wand. Snape nodded his approval, before turning to address Lucius.

"As you know Lucius," Snape continued, "this is my son, Damien Snape. I am hoping that if all goes well with my own meeting and so forth, he will participate in the training for pledging this summer. I know it will be a struggle, but I am sure he can handle, it seeing as how he has endured everything else thrown at him as the boy who lived." Lucius looked amused as he turned to Damien, addressing him for the first time.

"So Damien, it is good to know that you are well and not in the form of the, how should I put it… degrading Potter boy any longer," he began airily. "I hope you understand I mean well, and I will be glad to welcome you into the Malfoy household. But also understand that I will not fully trust you until you pass the ceremony this summer."

Damien nodded his understanding. "However sir," I am afraid I do not know what the ceremony is." Lucius smiled at this, resting his chin under his fingertips.

"It is only the same ceremony that Draco will be participating in to become a part of Voldemort's service. It is a ceremony that shows where your true loyalty lies, and everyone is family after that." Damien nodded again, and then scrunched his forehead in thought.

"Speak your thoughts aloud Damien."

"Will Draco..."

"Draco will be glad to know that his best friend is alive and well. It will take him time to look past seeing you as Damien Snape and not Harry Potter, but he is wise. Don't take offense to him, but don't take anything either." Lucius winked and Snape laughed at this.

"I think it high time that Narcissa retrieve Damien and then we must depart." Lucius called to a house elf again, and asked that the glasses and wine be taken away. Then he asked for the elf to call for Narcissa. As he did this, Damien looked up questioningly at Snape, not sure if it was all right to ask the question.

Snape seemed to read his mind however, and a small grimace crossed his face. "I must meet with the Dark Lord," Snape replied steadily, but there was no missing the slight trembling of his hands before they disappeared beneath his robes. "As you know…I must explain my behavior, and amend my wrongs." Damien's eyes grew wide, and he opened his mouth to speak. But at that moment Narcissa appeared, her face lighting up as Lucius quickly relayed the information that Harry, not Damien, was the long lost child of Severus and Arina.

Without another word, Narcissa grabbed hold of him and pulled him out of the room to Snape and Lucius's amused expressions. Damien turned back once to glance at his father, and was met with a nod, and softened expression, yet very guarded against everything else. When he turned back he realized that Narcissa was now chatting aimlessly about coursework for the summer and Draco, attempting to fill him in. He was grateful for the distraction, but as soon as his stomach rumbled Narcissa changed her rant to one about food and him needing to eat.

"If I ever see the muggles that did this to you, they won't know what's coming next," she hissed.

He swore her pace quickened as he suddenly found himself in a great dining hall, and was instructed to sit near the head. Slightly shaking from her ecstatically pushing him forward, he walked towards a seat near the head and sat down. Narcissa called for a house elf to fetch food and Draco, before taking a seat herself. While they waited for the elves to prepare something, Narcissa had Damien talk to her about his favorite colors for robes until Draco arrived. He had never had the luxury of really giving it any particular thought, and was stumbling to provide any decent answers. Damien was half-relieved, and half-weary when Draco finally walked into the room, the same air of confidence he held as a first year etched across his features. After greeting his mother, he took a seat across from Damien, and took a moment to look him over, a slightly intrigued look on his face.

"Draco, I don't know if your father has informed you, but this here is—"

"—Damien," Draco finished. His eyes had never once left Damien's and the two regarded each other silently for a moment. Damien wanted to speak but could think of nothing to say, and so he sat quietly, waiting for the tension to snap.

Draco was the first to speak, his gaze unflinching. "As my father said, it'll take some getting used to but I think a quidditch welcome is in order after lunch," Draco stated, breaking eye contact. Damien let out an inaudible breath as Narcissa spoke.

"You have studies to attend to Draco and Damien will as well. So today will be your only weekday off," Narcissa interrupted. Draco nodded and looked towards Damien.

"Well, quidditch you say?" Damien was simply pleased that he wasn't getting hexed, and graciously accepted the offer of quidditch. Draco smiled, extending his hand across the table in a sign of camaraderie. Clasping his hand with Draco, Damien remembered the first time Draco had extended an offer of friendship. Oh how times had changed, he thought. The food arrived soon afterwards and everyone tucked in, Damien attempting not to scarf it all down at sight. With extreme control he managed to take bites instead of swallowing the sandwiches whole. He ate fewer scones than he wished, and attempted to dab in between in order to remain neat. The meal was enjoyable though, with Narcissa throwing stories around to keep the mood high. When Draco and Damien had their fill, they dismissed themselves from the table and hurried off.

Draco led Damien outside one of the back doors, and took them to a hidden quidditch field on the grounds. As they walked to the back, for a moment Damien wondered what would happen if Draco decided to turn on him. After all, he didn't even have a wand anymore. But as the reached the field, all such thoughts were plunged aside, as Damien stared in awe at the full-size quidditch field. Draco handed him a firebolt, much like his own and some quidditch gear. The two hurriedly changed, jumping onto their brooms as soon as possible. As Damien kicked into the air, the familiar feel of air hitting his face as he flew through the sky caused him to smile. Draco was right behind him, a snitch in his hand and he waved for Damien to come over.

"Let's see who's a better seeker now Snape!" Damien yelled from across the field. Damien sped up in reply, thinking that he just might really enjoy his summer now.