Lucius had been released finally. He was upset he had to stay as long as he had. He had healers who could have taken care of him at home. He was worried. He was worried about Draco. He had seen how his son reacted to him being in bed. And he was worried about Jade. He knew his precious must have been so scared. He had not meant to be gone so long. Severus would have been home. But Jade would not speak to him. He reminded himself that Dibby would take care of him. Dibby was quite fond of Jade. No matter which he was, Jade or Harry, he seemed to have a way with house elves.
He arrived at Spinner's End. He was surprised to find it quiet. He thought Severus must have been away. He looked around the place. He even looked under the beds. There was no sign of his precious. He had no idea what was going on. He found Jade's books were missing. He summoned Dibby.
He looked at his little elf who was sobbing. "Where is he? Where is Jade? I left you watching over my precious."
Dibby was sobbing. "Master Severus be taking Jade. Master take Jade to school. He be saying Jade be in his care when you be in hospital."
Lucius was irate. He could not believe his brother was doing this. He had not taken Jade to school to keep an eye on him. He had taken him. He had taken him to keep him from Lucius. Severus knew the risk of Jade being at school. He knew that Albus had tried to kill Jade. But he still took him. He knew his brother's wards were strong and that Albus might not know Jade was there. But there was no way for Lucius to go in demanding his return, And Severus knew that. Severus knew he would not risk Jade. His brother knew how much he loved his precious sweet little one. He would not risk Jade for anything. And his brother was using it against him.
He had never thought Severus would pull this. They had always stood together. Severus knew how much he loved Jade. He could not do this. Damn him he could not do this. Jade was his. Jade was too gone to go back to being Harry. And it was not safe for Harry anyways.
He looked at Dibby. "You go to Severus and you tell him that if he wants his house still standing he better come here now."
Dibby bowed his head. "Yes master. Right away master."
He could not believe this was happening. And Severus damn well better be coming. If he thought that he was joking about burning the house down he had another thing coming. He knew how much the home meant to his brother. He had come to live here with his Aunt. Severus would not want it destroyed. But Lucius would. Lucius wanted the most precious thing he had, other then his son, back. And he was not taking no for an answer. Jade was his. He knew Severus would come. And he knew his brother would put up a fight. But he would get him back. He would.
He was not surprised when only moments later Severus came storming through the floo network. His brother looked no happier then he was. He was not surprised. They may have been brothers in all but blood, since they were eleven but they had both sides of that. They fought like cats and dogs as well.
Severus sneered at him. "Glad to see my house is still standing. I will be taking one of your manors if you think to even touch this place."
Lucius smirked. "We both know you have dozens of homes if you ever get your head out of your ass and accept the Prince estate which is yours."
His Uncle had died some years before and Severus had inherited the Prince estate. He had numerous homes and he was filthy rich. But he refused to touch the money or properties that came from the family. The family had turned their back on his mother when she married a muggle. And the only one who had acknowledged his existence had been his Aunt who left him this home. He only inherited the money because someone had been too lazy to remove him from the will. His mother had been but his grandfather had never removed her children from the line of inheritance.
Lucius looked at him. "I do not know what you're playing at but I want him back. You can't just take him from me. We agreed on this."
Severus shook his head. "I agreed while the war was going he was safer with you. I always intended to have Harry free of you when the war was over."
Lucius screamed and tossed a book at him. Severus was the only one he ever allowed himself to lose his temper around like this. He was the only one who could push his buttons enough really. He could not believe his brother had been plotting this from the start.
Severus stopped him. "Harry is not an animal. He deserves to be free Lucius. I know you love him but you can't seriously take your control as him loving you."
Lucius stopped him. "He does care about me and I love him. And we both know he is not safe where he is. He will be killed by Albus. Or he will be your prisoner."
They both knew it was true. He saw it in his brother's face. He reminded Severus. He reminded him how much Jade loved to curl up in the sunlight. How much he loved his walks. He knew Harry was in the dungeons. Harry was not going to be free either way. At least with him he could have walks, and enjoy the sun and have the freedom he had enjoyed with Lucius. He would be safe and cared for.
Lucius looked at him. "You can't tell me Jade is not asking for me. You can't tell me he is not desperate to come home. You're torturing him and you know it."
Severus sighed. "You might be right but given time he will come around. We have to give him a chance."
Lucius was pale. "I love him Sev. I love him. Please. Look at him when you get home. Watch him. Ask yourself where he will be happier. I want my precious back."
His brother left and he hoped he had got through to him. He could not even start to wonder what little one must be feeling. Jade was so used to having him around. He must be so scared. It broke his heart to know Jade was going through this. Dibby swore to report to him and tell him how Jade was. He just prayed his precious would be returned soon. Severus had to know that Jade was happier and safer with him. He had to.