AN:

Hi guys, so sorry for the long wait! University's been hectic for me this 2 month….. However, I'm baaaaaaack!

Dedication:

And the 5th chapter of this story goes to…… Captain of L'Emeraude for her enthusiastic review and for being one of my best friends here.

And You Didn't Even Know My Name

Ch.5. Bang a Drum for the Innocence, Lost in Our Youth

"Dear me, never before did I see anything close to this. And believe me; in 25 years of career I do have seen more than one case of abuse. However, this is ….."

Mrs. Greengrass, qualified employee of the Magical Child Protection Service, order of Merlin 2nd class, 52 going on 53 years old, was playing furiously with her wand. She had just come out of the boy's fragile mind and was absolutely terrified by what had been done to him. Those vicious beatings, his cousin's bullying, the neglect, the lack of medical attention when sick, the cupboard, all those days undergone without food or water as punishment, the lack of friends…in times like these Mrs. Greengrass, though a tender nature, could easily sympathize with Voldemort and his cronies.

"Mrs. Greengrass, what can you tell us about him?"

Snape's low voice brought her back to reality.

The woman glanced sadly at the small hurting boy. Relieving most of his worst memories in one afternoon had been way too much for him. Shaking uncontrollably, the child could no longer hold back his tears. They ran down his cheeks, reminding Mrs. Greengrass of the gentle waters of a spring. But should she have kissed them away, they would have tasted like ashes. She pulled a chocolate frog out of her pocket and offered it to him. Bewildered, green eyes watched her for a while. When they made sure it was not going to be taken back, a tentative hand reached for it. The boy fumbled with the paper but couldn't control the shaking of his hands yet and thus he failed to open it.

"Here!" One wave of Snape's wand and the paper was gone. The boy started eating, his eyes speaking volumes of his gratitude. Severus merely nodded.

"Do tell us, Madam, what is his name?"

"His first name seems to be Harry, but I am unsure whether it is his birth name or just a short form for Harold or some other name!"

Snape was shocked.

"No surname?"

"I looked precisely for that and it appears he has never been told."

The two men shared a glance. This was no good news. What if the boy had some other relatives?

"Then his full name must be on the custody papers!"

"When Mr. Malfoy told me of the circumstances in which he had found the child I looked up every possible guardianship or adoption in Surrey. There was none. I even went as far as to talk to the boy's relatives. His Uncle told me the child had been abandoned on their doorstep, no papers whatsoever. Just a letter asking them to take him in."

"Do they still have the letter?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Malfoy. They burned it. The only reason they took him in was that they feared what wizards could have done should they have said no."

"What about the boy's parents?" Severus asked.

The woman looked uncomfortable before answering.

"He asked his Aunt that very question once. He was told that they were drunk and died in a car crash. Then he went a whole day without food or water for asking questions."

"Supposing it was true, though I strongly doubt the word of that woman, then who was foolish enough to leave this child on the doorstep of those muggles?" Lucius spat the word muggles with so much venom that Mrs. Greengrass stilled for a few short moments.

"My theory, Sir, is that it could have been some family friend. He/She might have assumed that since they were the boy's relatives they would gladly take him in. This would also explain the wards."

The Malfoy Senior nodded. It was Snape's time to speak.

"There is my pensive, Madam! Please, put the memories of the abuse in it and I shall revise them later."

The woman nodded.

"Now that we have everything settled down, we shall be ready in no time. Just sign the adoption papers, Mr. Snape."

Severus took his quill and signed the first page.

"Do tell me, Mrs. Greengrass, what are the chances that anyone related to him can take the boy from me once the adoption is done?"

"Close to none, Mr. Snape. They may of course open a trial, but with no real chances of winning."

While Snape was explaining that no son of his will be called just Harry and that the boy's name would have to change to Harald Einar Snape, Lucius took his time to observe the child sitting on the bed. He could hardly believe Harry was actually six going on seven. The boy looked more like a regular five-years-old. His face was tearstained and his breathing hard and irregular but at least he had stopped crying. Small fists were strongly clenching the sheets in a failed attempted at stopping the shaking of his body. Eyes downcast, the boy could easily hide the hurt and the frustration. But the moment he looked up, Lucius was able to read him like you do an open book. Jaded eyes watched in fascination his every move as if observing Lucius would take his mind of whatever he was thinking. Curiosity took the better of Lucius and he took the liberty to slowly enter Harry's mind.

"Good God! Make her forget to show him what she saw. He'll hate me once he knows. He'll leave me once he finds out what a freak I am." Then as if triggered by those thoughts a memory of his Uncle plaid itself in Harry's mind.

Flashback

"You unworthy being! How dare you ask if you are allowed to go to school with our Dudley? Do you really thing I'll spend more than necessary on you?" roared Vernon.

"My school is one where only good boys go." Sneered Dudley.

"I am a good boy too." Was little Harry's weak reply.

"You are not! Mum and dad say that you are not!" cried Dudley while Vernon only laughed. A cold and cruel laugh.

"If you are such a good boy, than where are your parents? They got themselves killed to get away from you. Nobody even wanted you. Nobody! They left you on our doorstep like you leave a bottle of milk! Freak!"

End Flashback

And just like that the memory was over leaving only random words such as Nobody, Freak and Bad Boy and a downward spiral of raw emotions cascade his brain. Lucius found himself beyond anger. "Filthy mudblood! How dare they talk in such way to a wizard? Outrageous!"

It was a good thing Harry could not talk otherwise he would have screamed. His eyes focused on Lucius' grey ones, shock and amazement written all over his face. "What's going on?" his mind raced.

But Lucius barely took notice of the change in Harry's emotions. "When I'll be done with that fat, good-for-nothing muggle, he will be begging me to kill him!"

Once he was over the shock, Harry was fascinated. What was going on? How come he could hear what he was sure it was the voice of his blond savior? Was it possible that the man called Lucius could hear him too? There was only one way to find out!

It took Lucius all the will power he had and all his years of training to muster his surprise when he heard a tentative voice ring inside his head.

"Sir?" There was fear behind the interruption and the skilled legilimens that was Lucius Malfoy felt it immediately. He lost no time wondering how it was possible for a child who had never had any contact with magic and knew nothing about Legilimancy to do what it took Lucius years to learn. He molded carefully his thoughts so the boy would feel no difference what so ever.

"Fear not, little one!" Lucius smiled at him. "Wizards can do many things, mind talking among them!" he saw no need in explaining that most wizards resumed to reading alternatively each other's thoughts and rarely did mind talking.

"Really?"

"Of course, child! And you are one young but very powerful wizard."

So he was not mad. It was possible! But he could not understand. Had the man just said he was powerful? But there was nothing special about him! Young he was, but powerful?

Lucius would have laughed at the goldmine that was Harry. So young and so in need of guidance.

"Guidance, sir?"

"Yes, Harry! On how to use your powers. Yes, you are very powerful but inexperienced and it might take a while until you learn how use them properly"

Harry's eyes shadowed. He had disappointed yet another person. There was no use to being powerful if you were stupid. Lucius' clear laugh rang in his mind.

"It is all right child! I am not disappointed in you. It was expected of you not to know given the fact that you grew up with those muggles."

"Muggles?" Harry's heart was beating faster and faster. For the first time in his life he was allowed to ask questions and there was someone to actually answer them.

"Non magical people" Lucius explained briefly, leaving the phrase 'inferior to us' for another discussion when they would have more time.

"Oh" Harry cast a glance at his soon-to-be father and all his fears came back as if they had never left in the first place. He was going to be rejected again and he knew it. Everybody used to avoid him like plague when he was back in Surrey. He was used to it. This would be no different. But then why did it hurt so much?

"Hush child! No such thing will happen. Severus has already decided to take you in. What else do you think all this paperwork is about?"

Again Harry had no answer for what Lucius had just said but: "Oh."

Lucius merely chuckled.

"Tell me, little one, care to share a secret with me?"

"A secret with you, sir?"

"Yes."

"You mean a secret no one else will know but the two of us?"

"Yes, generally that's what a secret is."

"Ok then. But, sir," he chewed slowly on his lower lip. "I have never shared a secret before. What if I screw up?"

At this point Lucius could barely hold back his laughter. So innocent. It was good Severus was busy with the social worker otherwise he would have questioned Lucius' strange amusement.

Harry pouted a little. They had been talking for ten minutes and it looked like he had already made a habit of making Lucius laugh. Not that he complained, if anything, it was a welcomed change to being insulted or punished. But he couldn't help not feeling a bit frustrated over the man's laughter.

Lucius smiled down at the boy. To Harry it seemed like an eternity until the man spoke again.

"Now, little one, care to find out the secret?"

The boy nodded eagerly.

"Our mind-talking sessions. Tell no one about them. Not at least until I can properly teach you how to use this skill"

Harry was confused and his eyes shadowed a little. He shouldn't have worried about unintentionally giving away their secret seeing as he could not talk. He was glad Lucius had faith in him, but still…

The Malfoy Senior smirked.

"Now, now, child, you heard the lady talking to your father there. Once you are over the shock you suffered from the dog's attack you will start talking again."

"But it might take ages. And ages is an awfully long time." The boy pouted sweetly.

Just then Lucius heard Severus thanking the social worker.

"Time to close our connection, little one!"

The boy nodded, not asking for a reason.

"Severus, my friend, I trust everything went well?"

"Of course, Lucius!" the wizard in question answered smoothly.

"Very well, because I have one small favor to ask of you."

The Potions Master narrowed his eyes.

"What is it?"

"Oh, nothing complicated I assure you. I was merely wondering if you would allow me to become the boy's godfather."

"I do not know to what extent is this possible?" Severus danced carefully around the subject. He did not like one bit the idea of Lucius being connected with his new son.

"But of course it is possible! I may even have the right papers with me."

Damn that social worker. He sighed.

"Very well, Lucius, then sign in. I have no objection to it!"

As Lucius signed his name near the word GODFATHER, Severus watched him closely. If the smirk on the man's face was anything to go by, he looked like he just owned Merlin himself. Severus wanted to wipe that expression from his face with a passion, but he knew that it was neither the time nor the place.

Mrs. Greengrass bid them good bye and left.

"Thank you, my friend!" Lucius said graciously. "I suppose I should be going too. Narcisa would kill me if I failed to take Draco to that Quidditch match today."

Severus merely inclined his head.

"I also present you with my gratitude, Lucius. Your efforts to stop that law from being enforced were remarkable."

Lucius smirked. It hadn't been easy, but with the right type of persuasion and some financial support he had managed to convince Fudge. It was a small price to pay if, on the long run, he managed to get young Harry's respect and gratitude.

"Think nothing of it, my friend!"

He ruffled Harry's hair once and then he disappeared with a POP.

Once Lucius was gone, Severus fed the boy some chicken soup, changed his bandages and took extra care of the wounds on the boy's forehead. One of them looked particularly nasty against all the potions, creams and healing spells he had applied. A dark-red lightening-shaped wound. For some insane reason it made Severus shudder every time he saw it. He gave the boy some more Pain-Reliever and not bothering to change the child into pajamas Severus made him lay down.

Apprehensive eyes watched him all the while. He did as told when Severus asked him to cover and sleep. He was not bothered by the man's harsh tone. Part of him wished his new dad had staid for a little longer when he heard the closing of the door to his room. The other part however was grateful because this way he was free to cry his heart out. Cry for all he had been through so far, cry for the happiness he felt and cry for being foolish enough to hope that maybe, just maybe things could start changing for him.

Hours later, when Harry had finally surrendered to an uneasy sleep, Severus came into his room, a troubled look on his face. He had just finished viewing the memories Mrs. Greengrass had left in his pensive. No child should have lived though so much. He hated Lucius for making him be a father to a child who obviously needed love, affection, reassurance that life could be different. None of which he could or knew how to offer. And he hated Lucius for making him relive his own childhood through this boy.

Soon enough he noticed the child's troubled sleep. He wasn't sure whether it was the alcohol he had drank in order to calm himself or something else he didn't want to think about, but he reached out and caressed the boy's tiny head. The child seemed to relax and leaned into his touch. Welcoming as it was, the small gesture scared Severus, but he stayed there all the same. Though he was not ready to admit it, that boy had more in common with him than his own son might have had. They had both lost innocence when very young. If he was to do one thing for that child, it would be to make sure the boy would not repeat his mistakes. And as his thoughts kept on traveling down that path his hand moved out of free will and stroke the boy's cheek.

"Good night, Harald Einar Snape!" he whispered, tasting the words. And for some silly, unjustified reason he liked the sound of it.

Th-th-th-that's all folks:) Again sorry to have kept you waiting for so long.

Hope I haven't lost my touch! So…. You know what to do.