Severus was damn glad Lucius was gone. The only time that man bothered with his son was to show him off like some show pony or reprimand him like some common elf. It made Severus' blood boil, but he knew if he was too forceful about it, he'd get cut off in the same manner that idiot Black did.

Draco had been inconsolable since his father left. Severus bore witness to Lucius threatening to disown the boy, but the Potions Master knew he was bluffing. Lucius wasn't going to cut off his heir without a spare, especially when that heir was an eleven-year-old boy he was legally obligated to support. It would get him in trouble with the Ministry and also make him look terrible in the papers. Draco, of course, didn't understand that, so he was surprised when the child fought back against his father. It was unlike him. Severus did interfere then. He was afraid Lucius might rip him out of Hogwarts. He shuddered to think what would happen then. Draco needed to be where Snape could keep an eye over him.

Damn Narcissa for honoring her husband. Severus hated Black, but Lucius was a bloody arse. He didn't raise his hand to Draco, but Severus knew all about Lucius' "creative" punishments. Grounding to an empty room for days at a time, bread and water for a week, lines until his hands bled...

Severus would have been horrified to know he and Sirius agreed that Lucius Malfoy was the last thing Draco needed.

"It will be alright, child." Severus brought Draco back to his private quarters instead of the dorm. His little snake needed comfort. He also wanted Draco away from the idle gossip already flying around the Common Room about his family. "Your father didn't mean it. He won't disown you."

"I don't care," Draco whimpered into his pillow. He was lying face down so he didn't have to see his godfather. "Uncle Sirius left me. He said he'd never leave me!"

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. Draco cared more about Black than his parents. He wondered if Draco would be equally upset if Lucius denied him access to Severus. The teacher exhaled a sharp breath. He never thought he'd defend Sirius Black, but he knew Draco would be destroyed if he kept thinking Sirius abandoned him.

He rubbed Draco's back as the child cried. He thought the poor boy would have no tears left by then. "Draco," he said, "I want you to listen carefully. Are you listening, my little snake?" He sighed. "Draco," he said more forcefully. "Look at me."

The tone got Draco to turn on his back. "I'm listening," he mumbled.

"Your uncle didn't leave you. He is still in this castle and I know he'll remain so long as you are here too. He made a decision that your family didn't like, but it wasn't his choice to be cut off from you. You shouldn't be angry with him, Draco. He would never willingly give you up." Severus wanted to retch on all that praise for bloody Black. "This isn't his fault, Draco. He tried to get your father to listen to reason. You saw that."

"It didn't work." Draco wiped at his cheeks. "He wasn't careful, Godfather. He was a Gryffindor!"

Well, Severus couldn't deny that. "Give him some time, Draco. You know he won't rest until he has you back."

Draco shrugged and pulled the pillow to his chest. "Father is powerful. If he doesn't want Uncle Sirius to see me, there is nothing anybody can do." Fresh tears spilled over.

Severus knew his godson's heart was broken. He'd do anything to fix it, even give him Black if he could. "Come here, child." Severus hadn't held Draco in his lap in a long time, but now he pulled the child to him and hugged tightly. Bloody Lucius. Bloody Sirius. He needed to find a way for Sirius and Draco to meet discreetly. The boy wasn't going to believe Sirius was fighting for him unless he heard it from the idiot's mouth.

"I don't want a Charms tutor," Draco whined in his ear. "I want Uncle Sirius!"

The whining really was going right through Severus, but he held back a rebuke. "I know, Draco, and I will do what I can once your father has a chance to cool down." He held Draco so they could look at each other. "Promise me you won't sass your father like you did today. Promise me you will obey him and not speak for Sirius. It will only bring you harm if you defend him, Draco. Your uncle wouldn't want you in trouble. Leave it to us to work out."

Draco wasn't stupid. He was old enough to understand Sirius and Severus protected him from his father's wrath. But now he only had Severus. "He is my real dad," Draco said pitifully, "Titles are just titles. He said so!"

Severus blinked in confusion. "Who said...?" Oh, hell. Of course the man who preferred the Potters to his own parents would tell Draco much the same thing. Noble intentions gone sour. How could Black have been so stupid? "Draco, you may feel that way, but Lucius is still your father and Narcissa is still your mother. Sirius has no rights to you. You need to protect yourself right now. Promise you won't argue with Lucius again."

Draco knew he was right. "He is going to punish me when I go home anyway. You know he is."

"It will be worse if you don't repent, Draco. Little snake, I know you don't want to, but you need to play along for now. Please, Draco. Promise."

Draco let out a shuddering breath. "Alright, I promise. I'll write a note to apologize." But he wouldn't mean it. They could make him say it, but they couldn't make him mean it.