The Noble Retainment
Soren Snape, a young man born into a family he was never supposed to be in wondered when everything began to go wrong. It must have begun at the time when he himself began to have the doubts that the people around him began to have.
"Draco honey, this person is your little brother. His name is Soren and you'll take good care of him won't you?"
Draco stared at Soren and Soren stared right back, then Draco turned to his mother. "Mummy, why is his hair like that? I thought Malfoys didn't have anything but yellow hair."
Narcissa laughed lightly, and Soren looked at her too. He never thought of her as an cruel or mean person but she wasn't a nice person either. "Yes, I suppose that the lies we adults tell stick to you children the most."
She knelt down and kissed Draco on his cheek and left a slight stain from her lipstick. "I have to go now Draco, please be good for your father and Severus, I'll see you again."
Draco watched his mother leave and looked back to Soren. "Are you really my brother? Your eyes look like my daddy's eyes."
"My mummy told me that your daddy and my daddy are the same." Soren replied.
"Then, I guess we can be brothers! I'll take care of you." Draco smiled. "Okay, Soren? Soren? Soren?"
"Soren!"
Soren jumped slightly as he came back to reality. "What?"
"You dozed off," Harry said. "You had such a deep frown on your face."
"Sorry about that. I didn't realize." Soren laughed.
"I can't believe you managed to help me get dressed like this with such an absent mind." Harry grinned.
He wore a emerald green shirt and pressed black pants with dark green dress robes. His hair had been managed for all of seventeen seconds until it went back to it's usual messiness. He was surprised to see himself in the mirror but he was happy even if it was for something he wasn't to happy to do.
"Okay, so what do I have to do at this dinner?" Harry looked at Soren who stared beyond the window. "Soren?"
Soren looked at him and smiled, "sorry, I've gone off daydreaming again, what did you ask?"
"What will be required of me tonight?" Harry laughed.
"I might have exaggerated when I said many people. Draco's mother and father as well as my mum and the man who sent you here, Draco's grandfather, will be attending this dinner. They will be surprised that you have rejected the heir but don't let it bother you too much. I would worry because eventually you will have to put on the ring and agree to this marriage. At this point, there is no escaping it."
Harry frowned but what other choice did he have? He had no where to go, these people wouldn't allow him to escape and they were offering him a new life. But this dinner would be the deciding factor. If his had no means of escaping, he would choose death.
"Fine." Harry frowned. "It seems like I have no choice anyway."
"You really don't." Soren shook his head.
"You're supposed to be comforting!" Harry groaned and Soren just laughed.
"Now follow me, I have to give you a crash course in etiquette before dinnertime."
So for two hours, Soren and Harry practiced with dinnerware and china, as well as the proper order and ways to ask for things. "The Malfoys are very particular with everything. You might get away with screwing up once or twice but after that you won't be able to ignore the looks they'll give you."
"I'm slightly scared now." Harry sighed. They continued to work, unbeknownst of the watchful eyes of the prince at the door.
"You're ready." Soren smiled as he folded the towel with silverware they practiced with.
"I'm glad," Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair. "That was difficult."
"I pray you won't slouch like that when dinner is done and you thought that was hard? Imagine when I have to teach you about attending parties as a wife."
Harry frowned, "I don't like it. That term."
"Learn to like it," Soren frowned as well, "you aren't here for the mere purpose of being seen. You are beneficial for this family and that term will apply to you after you take this Malfoy name. Draco will be your husband and your will be considered his wife so you will have to learn what it means to be a wife of a Malfoy and the image you will have to uphold." Soren took in Harry's disgruntled features and sighed. "Perhaps I was too harsh. I know you were thrown into this suddenly and you may be a bit confused but I know that the sooner you accept this, the easier it will be for you."
There was a pop and a house elf appeared with a bow. "I have been asked to bring the young master Malfoy's bride to the dining hall. Master Malfoy and Master Snape have arrived." The gesture was slight and nearly unnoticeable but Soren's features brightened at the mention of his mother and father. Lucius Malfoy, on the outside, had treated Soren like any other outsider but when in private, he embraced his second son with the same affection that a father should have.
A nine year old Draco Malfoy stomped away from his father's study in fury. He walked in to ask his father a question when he found his supposed brother being hugged tightly by his father that didn't hug him at all.
"Draco!" Lucius called out.
"Why Father? Do you love him, that thing more than you love me? Your own son?"
Lucius held back a laugh as Soren watched from the study. "He is my son too Draco, and your brother. So you do not call him a thing. Do you know why I have refused to give you hugs and caring gestures as such anymore?"
Draco stared at his father with anguish and unshed tears. "It is because you are you Draco. You, as the heir of the Malfoy family, need to be strong and unmovable, so that people cannot push you around. Soren does not have those same responsibilities but perhaps I was being unfair." Lucius got down and held his oldest son as tightly as he could. "I should not have cut you off from the things you wanted most. Even if they are as simple as hugs. I will continue to give you your desires if you continue to do well as the Malfoy heir. Do you swear it?"
"Yes father, I swear it."
"Soren? Hello?" Harry waved his hand in front of his caretaker's face. Soren blinked down at Harry and grinned sheepishly.
"I don't think I've gotten enough sleep." Soren smiled. "Come, let's go and meet with the Malfoy seniors."
Harry watched Soren as he led the way but didn't comment on his weird behavior.
Soren led Harry to the entrance hall and bowed to his mother and father. "I'm glad you were able to make it here safely."
Harry could only imagine that the tall, handsome blonde was Lucius Malfoy as per what he's seen from every Malfoy he's met. The man's aristocratic air made Harry tremble in his shoes and his eyes wandered to the dark haired man that stood next to him.
Severus Snape looked at Soren with a blank face but the softness of his dark eyes showed the love radiating toward his only son. Harry's gaze must have been noticed because dark eyes immediately met his own. Harry flinched and moved slightly and Soren caught his arm.
"This is Harry Potter," Soren introduced as he moved Harry into their line of view, "Draco's intended."
Harry bowed his head too and kept his gaze to the ground. He missed the affect his name had on Severus as the man jerked at his name. Lucius held onto his love and pulled him close, the blonde's lips close to Severus' ear, near silent words being whispered intimately. Severus nodded and a light blush colored his pale cheeks.
"So this is the fiancée that was chosen for my son?" Lucius stepped forward and gripped Harry's cheeks. He moved the poor boy's face from side to side before he paused to stare at enchanting emerald orbs. "My father has an eye for looks but horrible consideration for history." Lucius clicked his tongue and released Harry. "Soren, come and show me to Draco. Severus, wait for me in the dining hall."
Soren nodded, "I'll be back Harry."
Harry nodded as well and the awkward tension he felt in the presence of this unknown man was nerve wracking. He jumped as Severus cleared his throat and swallowed. "Well then? Are you going to stand here in the middle of the entryway all day?"
Harry looked at Severus and the man had a condescending smirk on his face. He was handsome no doubt and Harry was glad for that because he had imagine Severus Snape as a man who had aged well beyond his years and wasn't the prettiest of people even though he would be standing next to a man like Lucius Malfoy.
"I apologize, I still don't know my way around.." Harry replied meekly.
Severus frowned and reached forward. Harry flinched and shut his eyes expecting the worst. His hand was grabbed and he opened his eyes to stare at Severus who was scrutinizing his hand.
"The bond is not here where it's supposed to be. Has Draco not offered to you the bond?" Severus questioned.
"No, he did." Harry responded. "I refused it."
Severus raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You refused?"
"Well of course, why would I agree to marry a spoilt brat like him and someone I just met no less? That's madness to demand something like that of me!"
"You are something else, Harry Potter, but what else would I expect from you?" Severus chuckled. "You do realize it's madness to refuse a Malfoy of something they desire?"
Harry sighed and pulled his hand away. "I understand that and I also understand that I don't have a chance of getting out of this. I just wish I had been given more time. I just lost my godfather for pete's sake! It's so unfair to me."
Severus was at a loss. He wanted so badly to have some reason to bully the child as retaliation for the horrid years of Hogwarts he had to deal with because of the bully that was this child's father. He supposed he'd have been unfair in doing that and seeing the devastation he was facing at having to marry Draco, Severus couldn't bring himself to be cruel. His mind flashed the taunting face of James Potter and realized his pride wouldn't allow him to be completely nice either. He sighed. Harry Potter was the spawn of the man he hated, that didn't mean he would turn out the same way, not married to Draco he wouldn't.
"Well," Severus responded snidely, "I can't particularly help you there. I do know that the Malfoy men are not the best when it comes to tardiness so I suggest that we await them in the dining hall. I'm sure Lucius will have questions as to why you rejected the bond."
Harry frowned but nodded and followed Severus to the dining hall to wait.
"Dinner is served."
The air was tense and silent beside the light clanking of forks and knives on a plate. Abraxas Malfoy had come at his pre-mentioned time, just before dinner had begun. Narcissa Malfoy also made her appearance and suddenly Harry felt awkward. He sat surrounded with Draco on his left next to Lucius and Soren on his right next to Abraxas, Lucius and Abraxas at the heads of the table. Severus sat next to Lucius to his left like a queen consort would to her king and Narcissa next to him but closer to Abraxas.
There were many dishes to be eaten but Harry's stomach did so many flips he didn't think he could keep anything down. His eyes flickered to those who were eating, even Soren, who fit in perfectly to the role. He reached with shaking hands for his drink before pulling them back with the fear he would spill it. Dinner was going to be a long process.
He sighed and Draco accidentally brushed his hand. He shivered and pulled his hand away. He met Draco's eyes and looked away immediately. He felt strange and tucked his hands in his lap. He couldn't find the hunger within himself.
No one commented as they moved from the dining room and sat in different chairs. Harry remained standing awkwardly until Soren pushed him to sit next to Draco in the love seat. Soren took his own place leaning on the wall as the others found their places.
Abraxas cleared his throat first. "It seems that there are things that need to be addressed." He turned his piercing eyes to Harry who tensed. "I see you have rejected the bond. Why?"
Harry didn't see the same man that had visited him in the hospital at that moment. He saw a frightening person that did not like that things did not go according to plan. He trembled in his seat and Draco watched him from the corner of his eye. Abraxas frowned at the silence. "I'm waiting Harry."
Unlike his usual quick and witty comebacks, he felt like he was standing in the presence of his most hated bully, the person he feared the most. Abraxas sighed, "I suppose it would be silly to scare you off now, at least-"
"I can't..." Harry interrupted, "I can't just sell my life away like that! Not to him," he pointed to Draco, "not to anyone! No matter what, I can't." He wiped his face frustrated that tears began to fall. "I hate being forced into this situation, I hate that I can't fit in, I hate that I'm losing everything and I have no one family to love me and being pressured into yours, it isn't fair!" He took a deep breath, "I suppose I don't have a choice now do I? I just wanted to be at peace and I would have been fine, even if it meant death for me."
The rest of the occupants stared at Harry in shock. The raven hadn't even realized he was standing at this point and Abraxas smirked.
"You're a true catch, Harry Potter." Abraxas stood up and held out his hand to Harry who stared at him wide eyed. Even Lucius was shocked that his father made such a move like that. "I hope you'll accept this invitation to join this dysfunctional and difficult Malfoy family. Maybe this is exactly what you're looking for."
Draco stared at Harry with interest and a small smile played at his as Harry took Abraxas' hand as if he were under a compulsion charm. He would definitely enjoy this raven haired prize that had been delivered to him.
"If only things could be just as nice on the inside of this dysfunctional family."
"Huh?"
Harry was confused as Abraxas gave a smirk and looked over his shoulder to his only son. "I wondered how you would tell me but I suppose it was better to learn the truth myself, wasn't it Lucius?"
Lucius tensed in his seat and Severus had a bad feeling. "What do you mean, Father?"
"I thought I raised you to be smarter than this Lucius. You are a Malfoy for Merlin's sake, don't play dumb with me. When did you think you were going to tell me about this second grandson of mine?" His gaze was hard as he pushed Harry to sit back down.
Lucius didn't beat around the bush, "how long have you known?"
Abraxas gave out a short laugh, "how long you ask? I've known since the day he was born! You must take me for an idiot to ask me such a stupid question." Abraxas pulled out his wand and pointed it toward Soren. "Soren Snape," he sneered, "seventeen years is a long time Lucius. Tell me son, would you allow this boy to die in exchange for seventeen years worth of lies?"
Harry stared wide eyed as Lucius remained silent. He looked at Soren who retained a straight face but Harry could see his legs trembling, whatever was about to happen, he had the horrible feeling that Abraxas wouldn't hesitate to hurt Soren.
Severus opened his mouth to say something, anything to save his own son but no words would form. Abraxas smirked and turned back to Soren when Harry grabbed his arm and held it at an odd angle so the wand was pointed away from Soren.
"I can't let you do what you're about to do!" Harry cried out, "whatever it is, I won't let you hurt Soren!"
Abraxas tried to shake off Harry but the raven was relentless. Only after a moment of struggle, Abraxas gave in and dropped his wand to the ground. Harry stared at it in shock and back to Abraxas who had the same eyes he had back at the hospital, the eyes Harry had trusted. The raven released the blonde man and stepped away they stood on calm, even ground.
"You truly are something else." Abraxas commented.
"I want to believe that you're not that kind of person who will hurt someone for nothing, especially not someone who is related to you. I want to believe that but just now, I was scared for him so I acted."
Abraxas smirked and picked up his wand. "Accept the bond Harry Potter because we Malfoys are more unexpected than you think. Take good care to notice that more than anywhere else, you might just fit in here." He nodded to his son and grandson before departing.
Draco looked at the trembling raven and smirked. He would have so much fun being in control of that fire, he was sure of it.
Well, that escalated quickly..