"Focus, Harry. You must focus or you will gain nothing."
Harry sat panting.
"I'm trying, Dad."
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.
"I know. Look, we'll try again tomorrow night. Floo Lucius, he should be able to give you some tips."
Harry nodded and stood.
"Night."
"Goodnight, son."
He went back to GryffindorTower. Severus sighed and went to his own room. He had just changed into his pajamas when Jimmy wandered in.
"You're supposed to be asleep, little man."
"I had a bad dream," the boy whimpered, clutching the stuffed lion Sirius had given him.
Severus scooped up his little boy and took him to bed. He told him a story until he fell asleep. The potions master kissed the child's forehead and started to leave. He stopped in the doorway to look at his son. The tyke still held the lion. He carried it with him everywhere. Severus still wasn't happy that Sirius had given him the toy but didn't have the heart to take it away. He had, however, put his foot down when Jimmy wanted to name the lion Snuffles, after Black's Animagus form, so his son had reluctantly settled on Roary. Sighing softly he turned off the light and shut the door.
The next day Jimmy spent the day outside watching Hagrid teach his Study and Care of Magical Creatures classes. Severus had been reluctant, though he knew the half-giant would never allow any harm to come to his youngest, but in the end he had agreed. During lunch and dinner, Jimmy chattered happily about all he had seen and heard during the classes.
"Daddy, can I spend the night with Grandpa Albus?"
"If he says it's all right."
The boy rushed over to the Headmaster and asked to spend the night with him. Dumbledore smiled and agreed. He loved the child dearly and openly doted upon him.
"Of course, little one. I always enjoy having you."
However, Dumbledore was awakened in the middle of the night by gentle shakes. He woke blearily and found the gaze of Jimmy.
"Grandpa, I don't feel so good," the boy whimpered.
Dumbledore sat up, now awake, lifted the child onto his lap, and felt his forehead. He was burning up.
"Oh, my poor one. I'll go get Roary, and you may sleep with me tonight. Aunt Poppy will check you in the morning."
He had taken not five steps when a soft thump made him turn back around. Jimmy was laying on the floor.
"Jimmy!"
The Headmaster scooped him up and Flooed to the Infirmary. Severus soon joined him in hovering worriedly as Poppy tended to the boy.
Days later, many witches and wizards gathered in the Malfoy Manor.
"My son reports that Severus worries over his adopted son, my Lord. He spends every spare moment at the boy's side," Goyle Sr. said.
"And the nature of this boy?"
"Muggleborn, my Lord."
Many Death Eaters sneered.
"What... prompted Severus to take him in?"
"He told the students he found the boy outside his home one night, beaten, apparently abused by his father," answered Crabbe Sr.
Voldemort nodded. He was one of the few who knew that Severus himself had been abused as a child by his muggle father, Tobias Snape, and thus had a soft spot for the abused, wizard or muggle.
"And still no sign of Lucius?"
"No, my Lord. Draco still attends Hogwarts but will only say that his parents are safe. He gives no hints to where they are and sends no letters."
"We must assume that Severus will be no help either. He and Lucius were always close, but if Lucius truly has betrayed me, I doubt he would tell Severus where he was going. We will be patient, the traitor will reveal himself soon enough."
Meanwhile said traitor was pacing at Grimmauld Place number 12 until a shoe connected with his head.
"Ow! Sirius!"
"Look, if you're so worried about Jimmy go see him. Old Snake Face won't go poking around Hogwarts for you. Besides, you're driving me crazy with your pacing!"
Narcissa was now at her husband's side, a hand on his arm.
"He's right, love. It will do you good to see him for yourself."
Lucius sighed. He knew they were right.
"All right. I'll go see if Remus wants to come."
He jogged up the stairs in search of the werewolf.
"Finally no more pacing."
Narcissa smiled as she settled down beside her cousin.
"He loves that boy almost as much as he loves Draco. He loves Harry that way, too."
Lucius and Remus Flooed to Hogwarts and went to Infirmary. A weary Severus greeted them.
"How is he?"
"He wakes just long enough to go some soup in him, then he's out again. I'm so worried about him."
The two men gave what comfort they could to their friend, all three looking at the small, prone figure on the hospital bed, each sending up a prayer that he would recover. The next morning, Severus awoke to a small voice.
"Daddy?"
He blinked and saw Jimmy was awake and looking much better.
"Hey, munchkin. How do you feel?"
"Better?"
He took the boy into his arms, holding him close. Jimmy fell easily into his father's cuddles as Poppy came out of her office.
"Oh, good. You're finally awake."
She checked him over and declared him good as new. Jimmy was sent to Dumbledore's office with Luna escorting him so he didn't wander. On the way, they were met by Umbridge.
"I see you're better, little one."
"Yes, ma'am. Daddy and Aunt Poppy made me better."
Luna, insightful as she was, gently tugged the boy's hand.
"Come along, Jimmy. We mustn't keep the Headmaster waiting," she said in her airy voice.
Luna dropped Jimmy off the Headmaster then left for class. That evening, Harry and Cho were brought in with Umbridge, Fudge, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and John Dawlish.
"Here, Cornelius. It says 'Dumbledore's Army'. It's proof he's trying to overthrow the Ministry."
Jimmy scuttled towards his brother only to be grabbed by Umbridge.
"You knew, didn't you? You knew they were helping him," she said, shaking the boy a little.
"Unhand him!" Dumbledore snarled, all gentleness gone.
Umbridge was so surprised by his harsh tone that she did just that. Jimmy flew into Harry's arms, seeking comfort from his big brother. With intervention from Fawkes, Dumbledore evaded capture.
"Round up the others from Potter's group. They must be punished."
The students of D.A., including Draco, were furious when Umbridge even punished Jimmy with them, despite them all declaring the boy had had no idea of their Defense group. Finally, Ginny sent her Patronus to find Snape.
"Miss Weasley, how dare you?"
Ginny gave Umbridge a glare that would have made Snape proud.
"I won't let you unjustly punish a little boy. He is innocent."
"Stop trying to protect him!"
The doors burst open to reveal a furious Snape. All the students took one look at his face and thanked God they weren't the ones it was directed at. He looked set to kill. For once Umbridge finally realized just why students did their best not to cross this man.
Severus marched into the room and plucked Jimmy up.
"What do you think you're doing, Severus?"
"Saving my son from a punishment he does not deserve. Even if he did know about this group, it is not within your authority to punish Jimmy seeing as he is not a student. Students, put down those quills. Your detention will be served with me."
"You can't do that."
Snape pierced her with another glare.
"May I remind you, Dolores, that Blood Quills are illegal? The Minister will be hearing of this."
"Are you threatening me, Snape?"
He smirked rather wickedly.
"Oh no. I don't threaten,... I promise."
The students followed their potions professor out the door. He led them to the classroom where he treated their hands.
"You will retrieve it for me," Voldemort said.
"I'll die first," replied Sirius defiantly.
The Dark Lord chuckled evilly and turned to the second kneeling figure.
"What about you? If Black won't, perhaps you will. If you get it for me of your own free will, I'll let you back in among my followers. What say you, Lucius?"
The Malfoy patriarch sneered.
"Never. I have seen the light, and I will never go back to the dark. I'll die before I rejoin you, you madman!"
"Have it your way. Crucio!"
Lucius groaned, just barely holding back cries of pain between clenched teeth.
Harry gasped and panted a little, causing everyone to look at him.
"Harry? Son, what is it?"
"Uncle Lucius,... and Padfoot."
Snape sent the rest of the students to the Infirmary.
"What did you see?"
He told him his vision.
"I'll contact the others. Go back to your dormitory."
Harry left, but he, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny, Luna, and Neville all made their way to London on Threstals. They made their way to the Department of Mysteries only to be intercepted by Lucius, who had agreed to go ahead to find the children before the rest of the rescue team Severus was putting together of the Order members.
"Dad!" Draco cried happily, hugging him.
Lucius hugged him back then delivered a stinging swat to his backside.
"Ow!"
"Are you insane?! What do you kids think you're doing coming here by yourselves?!"
They all look down, ashamed. Lucius sighed and hugged Harry, also giving him a swat.
"You need to think before you act. Harry, you saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see. He sent you a false vision. That is why your lessons are so important."
Neville had moved away to look at something that had caught his eye.
"Uh, Mr. Malfoy."
"Yes?"
"This has got your name on it."
They all stared at the boy, and Lucius looked at the prophecy's tag. It read; Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, Voldemort. He swallowed and slowly picked up the orb. Sybil Trelawney's voice echoed in his ears.
"Two who have walked the dark road shall return to the light. They will join forces and defeat the one who knows not the powers of his equal."
He was stunned. It wasn't Harry who was meant to defeat Voldemort. It was Severus and himself.
Sorry for the wait.