The Raven and the spell

"Professor Snape!"

Draco felt a rush of delight and happiness, one it was the relief of not seeing his father and two the even more intense relief and joy of the seeing his favourite Professor.

He trusted Professor Snape with his life. He had helped him many times when he father had been extra brutal. Listened without fault to all his problems, with full confidentiality, and compassion. And compassion was not something the Professor gave easily. Snape was so cold to others, so closed off, but he was different around Draco, and Narcissa, he seemed to let his mask crack a little. Snape had been a school friend of his fathers, and so a strong bond with the Malfoy's had grown, even if the friendship with Lucius had frayed and broken long ago. Draco also knew that the Professor had a similar dark childhood, much like his own. He had never told him, but Draco knew, he could sense it.

He ran at the dark man whose face had spread into a large smile, at least on the Professors terms. He suddenly skidded to a halt though, about to through his arms around the man. Instead he cleared his throat and extended his hand enthusiastically. Severus smirked and took it.

"Professor" he said politely. The Professor bowed his head slightly, the same smirk on his face. The boy had grown into a very polite young man.

He looked up as Narcissa walked over, grinning delicately. He took the woman's hand and gently kissed it, "Narcissa" she grinned. "Severus, you have come at the right time, we need your help"

The Professor stepped back. "I know, your charming house elf told me, well, everything, in incredible detail".

Miriam blushed as she felt all eyes on her.

Narcissa smiled warmly "thank you Miriam, you have been a great help, and rock, through all of this mess"

The elf smiled back.

"I am going to clear everything for you"

Draco frowned "how?"

"Sit down; I have a lot to say to you"

wWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwW

Lucius walked quietly, he had learned not to give his position away.

So his old friend had decided to drop by, how… lovely.

Well as his dear old friend had gone to all the trouble to come here then he couldn't be so rude as to not say hello.

A grin spread across his face that would freeze the very fires of hell.

WwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwWwW

Snape had all ears as he jumped into his story; the concentration on Draco's face was the most intense Snape had ever seen.

"Well, may as well go right into it, I am an animagus"

A silence finished that sentence, not quite stunned not quite shocked, just… a silence.

Severus looked around, starting to feel uncomfortable, he cleared his throat. "Umm, do you want to know more?"

Narcissa snapped back first, "Oh, I'm sorry Severus, that wasn't quite what I expected to hear, that is incredible, when did you learn that?"

"When I was made spy for Dumbledore, he thought it beneficial that I be made Animagus, as an advantage for myself"

Draco starred in awe. "Cool!"

The Professor smiled at the very adolescent word, it made him feel, well, cool.

"Thank you Draco"

"What animal do you become?"

"I can assume the form of a raven, it seemed appropriate, being able to fly is a great advantage"

"Awesome!"

Narcissa flinched a little "Oh Draco, all those diction lessons and all you can come up with is 'Cool' and 'Awesome'"?

Snape tried to hide his large smirk.

Draco looked a little embarrassed. "S-sorry, that's quite astonishing!"

Severus snorted.

Narcissa feigned disapproval, a twinkle in her eyes.

Draco loved being able to joke around again, he hadn't felt this easy going and safe in a long time.

"Anyway, I can become a raven, do you remember that time I warned you about Lucius coming home, drunk?"

They both nodded, off course they remembered, it was before Draco's near fatal attack, and when most of this began to unfold.

"Well I was able to get to you so fast because I assumed my raven form"

"We wondered how you got to us so fast"

He nodded. "Yes, well after that, I got worried, and I couldn't expel my worries, I didn't want you to get hurt again, I needed to do something"

Draco nodded earnestly.

Snapes eyes lowered slightly, "I'm very sorry for what happened to you, I failed you"

Draco looked appalled, him and Narcissa both jumped up "No, no! You didn't! It wasn't your fault!"

The Professor raised his hand for silence, "I failed you, I wasn't going to fail you again"

They both sat back, frowns creasing their foreheads. "Well?"

The Professor breathed in deeply, "So I did something about it"

Realization slowly began to dawn on Draco, such an incredible rush, such an immense feeling; it took the breath form his throat.

"You?" he couldn't say anymore, he couldn't believe it, Severus had cast the spell on his father!

Snape saw the shock on the boys face, saw the questioning buried deep in his eyes, he seemed to be frozen.

"Yes, Draco, I cast the spell"

Narcissa herself had frozen, "Severus, how?"

"Well, this is another gift from Albus, the 'Backarta' spell, when cast it creates a bright red light that must be aimed at the victims head, the effects are as follows: If the victim tries to cause physical harm on anyone, he himself will be hit with a pain that rivals the cruciatus, and will only stop when skin contact is broken, I assumed my raven form…."

Flashback

Severus felt the familiar rushing feeling he experienced every time he transformed, he felt the sensation of wing and feather then took off in a swirl of smoke.

Flying high he saw the manor; taking in his position he shot toward the window he knew to be Lucius's own bedroom.

Yes! The window was open, he had to do this quickly, and he had to do it right.

He soared in with a beat of his ebony wings; he was watching the stirring form of Lucius as he descended, becoming his human form. He walked toward the blonde man; he needed to get his head in better range. He kicked the dresser. Lucius looked up, sharply, if it wasn't so dark he would have seen Severus for sure. It wasn't enough! He spotted a goblet, grabbing it he sent it flying into the wall, producing a loud crashing noise. That was enough. Lucius shot up. As Snape grabbed his wand he was happy to see the man looked afraid, he raised it, aiming well he yelled the spell out "Backa!" The blood red light shot out hitting Lucius in just the right place, the temple, he fell limp. Severus smiled as he became raven once again in a swirl of smoke, and flew out into the night.

End flashback

"- and so I succeeded"

Draco's shock turned to delight, "Wow! It wasn't me, it was you! Oh I can't thank you enough Professor!"

This time Draco held no hesitation at throwing his arms around the shocked potions master.

Snape stiffened, then relaxed, slowly prying the teen from him. Draco continued.

"You've solved my problem! He'll never hurt me again!"

Narcissa, who had just taken all the information in and also witnessed the exchange with a warm heart, spoke the flaws of Draco's hope.

"Draco, what were we talking about earlier? A spell isn't going to make this go away"

Draco sighed, frustrated "I know, but it certainly helps! Right Professor?"

His smile faded when he saw the regret in the Professors dark gaze. "No Draco-"

"But-"

"Draco" he raised his hand again, which brought silence once again. "This Spell isn't permanent, I'm so sorry"

Draco's face fell instantly, he felt cold, like a sharp gust of a bitter winter wind.

Narcissa heart leaped, "Oh Draco, I'm so sorry"

"I'm sorry Draco, I just wanted to help, but this spell will fade tomorrow"

Draco inhaled sharply, burrowed in his mothers embrace, all happy feelings he had previously experienced had vanished, all hope, was gone.

Snape continued, "But we will solve this, were not going to let this continue, you are safe, I'll protect you, no matter what"

Draco smiled, "I know, thank you"

A man watched by a crack in the door, "How touching" he sneered.

"No matter what, eh Severus? I'll have to take you up on that"

He chuckled darkly, like Satan's song.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Dun dun dun! Uh oh…

Again, I'm very sorry for the wait! I take a while to update but I do get there in the end! Lol. Hope you liked this one! I tired to explain the spell and everything. Please tell me if I'm not making sense or things aren't adding up! I need to know! Lol. This chapter is a bit longer then the rest, what is Lucius going to do! Expect a fight in the next chapter:D Please keep reading!

HUGE thanks to my reviewers!

Ladylilymalfoy, Cmtaylor531, Lilprongschicky, Iceangel89, MarcellaJole'Mercilee and CatriHowlman-Carthakispy.