AU: Thanks so much for all of your reviews last chapter; it's really nice to hear from you guys. :)
The months following winter break found a slight change in Draco's life. Snape came to visit the weekend after winter break ended. It was meant to be a short visit, for Snape wasn't supposed to be away from the school, but he came nevertheless. When he arrived, he wasn't surprised to find Draco sitting in his room. He was, however, surprised to see his godson's slightly red rimmed eyes. At first he didn't comment on it, but when Draco continued to be quieter than usual, Snape slowly asked if something was troubling him.
"No, Professor Snape," Draco said. "Nothing is wrong."
Professor Snape? That tittle took Snape aback, for he'd never been called anything but 'Uncle' by his godson. Granted, Professor seemed a much more suited name, and Snape wasn't exactly the familial type, but he wasn't prepared for the seven year old to suddenly start calling him 'Professor'.
"Draco," Snape sat down on the floor (yes on the floor and cross legged too) across from his godson who averted his gaze. "Tell me what is wrong."
"Nothing Prof- Professor S-Snape," Draco whimpered, but this only caused the dark haired man to furrow his brow.
"Have you been crying?" he asked his godson slowly, but he received a quick shake of the head. "Draco, do not lie to me. Tell me what is bothering you."
"Nothing is-"
"Do not lie to me," Snape practically roared, and Draco's eyes widened as he pushed himself against the edge of his bed where he sat.
"It's just... It's just I'm not as good a son as Herulen. I can never be as good a son as Herculen. Even Herculen says he's the best, and he's right! Father got so mad the day before Herculen left, and then when I went to apologize for skating and seeming to be interested in muggle things the next day, he wouldn't listen. He told me that I can only redeem myself through faithful proceedings into my future existence and livelihood," Draco stammered. "I told him I didn't understand and then he told me I should ask my tutor and then he sent me to my room and then a house elf delivered me dinner and I didn't even go down to the table! Finally father came back and said I could have dinner at the table the next night, but he didn't even look at me because we got another letter, and, and Herculen is doing so good!"
"I'm sure your father means well and has your best interests at heart. Now I mustn't meddle in family matters, so I had better leave," Snape stood, his face dark. Frowning, he observed as Draco blinked up at him with large grey eyes, clearly disheartened that his godfather was already saying goodbye. Observing Draco's crest fallen look, Snape continued slowly. "However, I could teach you potions, if you so desire."
"Can you?" Draco's voice almost came out as a plea, and Snape frowned. "Herculen says you're the best potions teacher there ever was."
"Well, now if that is Herculen's opinion," Snape trailed off. "Alright. Come, I know where there is a cauldron from which I can teach you."
Following his godfather, Draco was lead into a room near the library which was normally designated for his tutoring. For the rest of the afternoon, Snape instructed Draco in how to correctly brew a calming draught, until Snape proclaimed that he must leave and return to Hogwarts.
Before he left, Draco asked, "Do you think I should try to point out my good qualities to father so I'm more like Herculen?"
"If you think that best," Snape replied, and then he was gone.
Following Snape's visit, Draco gathered what little courage he had, and one night at dinner he cleared his throat and began to speak.
"So, Professor Snape taught me how to brew a calming draught the other day," Draco glanced at his father as he did his best impression of Herculen's vaguely smug look.
"Did he now?" Lucius almost looked amused as he tucked his napkin into his lap.
"Yes, and since I'm going to be at Hogwarts pretty soon, I figured I should know lots and lots so I can be at the head of my class, just like Herculen."
"It'll be a few more years until you're at Hogwarts, sweetheart," Narcissa's voice graced the dinner table.
"But when I am, I'll be ready because I've been studying potions really hard! Plus-"
"Yes, well we'll see, Draco," Lucius interrupted. "Now I got an owl from Herculen this afternoon and-"
"Wait, I also just wanted to say that Professor Snape said he'll teach me to brew a potion that second years learn so I'll be really ahead!" Draco glanced at his father hopefully, but he quivered when he realized that his father's face was turning red.
"Don't interrupt your father at the dinner table," Narcissa scolded Draco, glancing at her husband anxiously.
"I'm sorry father," Draco spoke, eyes flying between his parents, and finally landing on his father's incensed face.
"Draco," Lucius's voice was quite smooth, but for some reason Draco felt unnerved by it. "One day you may find yourself at Hogwarts, and on that day we will judge how well you can compete with your fellow students. I'm absolutely certain you will be at the top of your class; there is no question about that, you are a Malfoy. However, now you are not at Hogwarts, and Herculen is. Therefore you will not interrupt me, and you will not be disrespectful to your own father at the dinner table. Herculen is an ideal, perfect
Slytherin, as I'm sure you will somehow figure out how to be when the time comes. However, you have yet to prove yourself to me. Now eat your food in silence or go to your room, your choice. I will not have a son of mine disgracing the name of Malfoy, for if you do so in my presence, who knows whose presence you'll do it in next. Now, Narcissa, in Herculen's last letter it says that he passed his last defense against the dark arts test with a grade over one hundred percent!"
Draco played with his food on his plate as his father continued to spout off about Herculen's latest owl, just like almost every other night.
'One day,' Draco promised himself, 'He'll sit here talking about my successes at Hogwarts. One day my father will hear about all of the great stuff I've done, and then he'll see I can be just as good as Herculen. One day my father will hear something that'll change his mind forever!'
However, Draco didn't really believe that. He knew better than to think he'd ever be as good as his elder brother.
"Herculen is a perfect Slytherin," Lucius concluded his nightly declarations. "Mark my words, he is completely perfect."
And indeed he was. It was determined by the end of the final tests that Herculen's first year had gone swimmingly with him passing far beyond the rest of his class. And of course Slytherin had received the most points during the year ensuring the house victory. Even as a first year, everyone knew he'd one day be prefect, and all the other houses were visibly jealous that the 'little genius' wasn't in their house; especially the Ravenclaws.
All of the teachers loved him too, and so he'd made sure to give them all chocolates at the end of the year- even the teachers he couldn't stand so he had to put on an act for! Herculen had even received a few chocolates from professors sneaked under the table himself as he left the classrooms on the last day. Even the teachers who hated Slytherin loved him, although he inwardly didn't necessarily appreciate their presences'; the only teacher who didn't like him was the pesky McGonagall, and he couldn't stand her at all. In fact he despised her; no matter how angelic he behaved, she saw through his act as if it was an invisibility cloak- despicable woman.
His parents couldn't have been prouder when they received five owls from teachers- including one who favored Hufflepuffs who Herculen thought was completely ridiculous- asking if 'dear Herculen' had arrived home safely. A perfect Slytherin, absolutely perfect.
"Welcome home dearest boy, what's she think I am, five?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh don't think I don't love mother, but honestly! I'm technically a second year now! At least father had the decency to present me with this new tie pin! Isn't it splendid Draco? It's just like the emblem of my house."
"Your house?"
"You know, Slytherin? In any case, how has you last year been, Draco dear? I never seem to get owls from you, not like from father."
"I've been alright," Draco murmured, admiring the silver snake pin that his brother had placed into his hands. It really was sort of nice, and it even seemed to slither a bit under one's touch.
"Just alright? Tell me all about your year, goodness knows you've heard all about mine from father, the braggart. You know sometimes I almost wish he would shut up, but only almost."
"There isn't much to tell, really," Draco handed the tie pin back to his brother and watched as Herculen waved his wand and his suitcase flew open, the clothes immediately sorting themselves into neat, folded piles and then floating to their designated drawers.
"Pishposh. What has been occupying your time? How's father been? How's that dapper old tutor you have? When's the birthday party?"
"You only want to know when the birthday party'll be because our birthdays are on the same day so the parties'll be on the same day."
"Pishposh," Herculen declared quickly.
"Well, anyway, father says it'll likely be on Saturday."
"And the answers to the rest of my questions?" Herculen muttered a spell, and then his suitcase carefully tucked itself into the closet.
"Well, I've been learning lots of potions and some spells too. Uncle, I mean Professor Snape has been coming to teach me potions!"
"Well, perhaps that's where he goes some Saturdays. Of course, Professor Snape is always mysterious about his whereabouts. So, Saturday you say? It's hard to believe we have a whole summer together; I've almost forgotten to think of the manor as home. Eight years old, Draco, can you believe it? It seems like only yesterday that you were my scrawny kid brother, not that you aren't still scrawny. Why don't you eat more, get some muscle? Oh don't look so depressing, dear brother, it's called a joke. Oh dear, I do believe that that's mother calling us. Now what in the world could she possible want?"
Draco dutifully followed his brother from the snake green bedroom and down a flight of magically shortened stairs. Indeed, Narcissa was waiting there for her sons, a smile upon her face.
"So, your father and I have been discussing, and we have decided to do something special for your birthdays. You have always said that you wanted to visit France and see the ancient wizard structures built there, Herculen, so your father has arranged for a beautiful trip into the French countryside."
"Oh mother, that's magnificent," Herculen beamed. Turning to his brother, Herculen was surprised when Draco didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm.
"I thought we were having a party on Saturday, here. Uncle Snape was going to come!" Draco spoke up, horror stricken.
"Well, plans change now don't they my little dragon?" Narcissa brushed her younger son's worries aside. "Unless Herculen doesn't want to go, of course. You father might make an exception, although it did take quite a bit of work to set everything perfectly so we could see all the sights, and all the shops."
"No, it'll be great fun, don't you agree Draco?" Herculen urged his younger brother, who hesitated.
"But, but I thought we were going to see Uncle Snape," Draco protested quietly.
"Don't complain, Draco."
Draco spun to see his father standing in the parlour doorway, his arms crossed. Three strides later, he was standing beside his wife.
"I was just talking to the owner of a genuine inn of the 1400s, and we shall have the whole top floor to ourselves. I know Herculen has looked forward to this little vacation; you will not complain about such a grand opportunity, will you Draco?"
"No father," Draco murmured, immediately recognising the glint in his father's eyes that screamed 'don't argue, drop it'.
"Your Uncle Snape will be around to visit after the vacation," Narcissa agreed. "Now, let's all go get ready!"
Draco watched as his brother and mother scurried from the room, however his father placed himself grandly upon a velvet love seat against the wall.
"You seem to prefer spending time with Snape rather than with your own family," Lucius spoke evenly. "Why?"
"Well, he is my family. He's my uncle," Draco replied honestly.
"He is your godfather, not your uncle. He is not your family."
Draco blinked, surprised by the venom in his own father's voice.
"There are three important things in this world, Draco: blood purity, keeping your honour, and keeping your family name. In addition, keep your family close, and don't disappoint them. Don't you disappoint me Draco."
"I won't father," Draco shook his head.
"Good. Now remember, Snape is in fact a friend of mine, and I make an exception for him, however, he is not a pureblood."
"Really?" Draco's eyes widened.
"No, he is not. It is all well and good having him around, after all he is an excellent potions master, a decent Slytherin, and a, er, high ranking position of an organization we used to attend, however I will not have my son thinking of a half blood as family. There is a place we, as Malfoys, must draw the line. I am not saying that you should discontinue to associate with him, he can teach you much, but he is not your family. Do you understand me, Draco?"
"Yes father," Draco murmured, turning this new information over inside of his head.
"Good. Now, go pack, and don't you ever forget what I just told you. Without those rules, you are nothing."
"Yes, I mean, no father. I'll go pack."
Lucius watched as his son scurried from the room, and then he called for a house elf to pack for him.
Draco was stuffing jackets into his suitcase when a soft knock sounded on his door, and Draco turned to see Snape standing in the doorway. Surprised, Draco dropped his jacket, though Snape was quick to levitate it into his suitcase.
"Your brother fire-called me," Snape spoke. "He said you wished to see me prior to your vacation to France. I wanted to wish you a good birthday, and say that I'm sure you will enjoy your vacation. Your father has worked hard to arrange it, I'm sure. Do not complain about it Draco. I'm certain you will have an excellent time. I brought you a present to keep you entertained, should you become disinterested in any particular part of your vacation."
Handing a small, silver present to his godson, Snape spared a tiny smile, but the look he was met with was unusual for Draco.
"What is it? Are you honestly that upset about this vacation?"
"No," Draco hesitated, placing the present on his pillow. "My father was talking to me today, just now, and he said... He said you're not a pure blood."
Snape blinked twice, his face void of emotion.
"Is it true?" Draco stared up at the dark-haired professor, his voice undeniably betrayed. "Is what my father said true?"
"I- It is true. I don't know the context of your exchange, however, I hope you realize that I support what your family stands for. Perhaps I should leave. I don't believe your brother asked you father's permission for my visit."
"Oh, don't leave! Please Uncle, I mean, Professor Snape! Please don't leave!"
"No, I'd better go. Enjoy your present, Draco. I'll see you again, sometime. Be sure to keep up with your potion studies, you hold great promise in that subject," Snape spoke haltingly. "I will see you again, sometime."
Draco was then abandoned with his silver present, a lump growing in his throat. He wasn't exactly sure why, but he had never before felt so alone.
Slowly unwrapping the present, Draco tossed the ribbon onto his bedside table and the wrapping paper into his bed.
Inside of a long, black box sat a tiny silver dragon toy. Standing and stretching, the dragon looked at Draco, and then gave a small yawn. It's left ear was a key, and still sitting inside the box was a thin, green book labeled 'My Potions'. Lifting the book, Draco watched as the little dragon flew over and unlocked it. Flipping it open, Draco found that that it was a book filled with simple potions and pages in the back to add one's own discoveries.
Noticing something inscribed on the inside of the front cover, Draco read the carefully written script.
'For Draco, the Malfoy dragon:
I know how much you enjoy potions, and so I hoped this book might allow your love to grow. I hope you enjoy your time with this book and your newest little dragon. All of the best. I give you my wishes for a happy birthday.
Uncle Snape.'
Unable to swallow, Draco felt the lump in his throat grow in size until he could no longer help himself. A sob escaped him, followed by another and another. He didn't want to cry, he was the Malfoy dragon, and yet the tears wouldn't stop. Soon he, and the well loved plush dragon he'd snatched from his shelf, were salty and wet. Finally, the sobs turned into quiet sniffles, and when his brother came by, knocking on the door and asking how his packing was going, Draco was able to speak in a clear and normal voice saying he was all ready to go.
"Good, it'll be lots of fun. I trust your visit with Professor Snape went well?"
"Yes, Herculen. Thank you for inviting him," Draco's words were slow and he paused between each nervously. His brother almost laughed at his unusual manner of speaking.
"What was that, your impression of him? Anyway, good. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I'll be down stairs with father."
Draco nodded, watching his brother disappear from the room, and then Draco again extracted his plush dragon from under the covers, giving it a final hug.
AU: Again, thank you all so much for commenting on the last chapter, the response was wonderful! It got me to update this now rather than farther in the future :-) Thanks!
Anyway, not much Herculen in this chapter, I'll probably have more about him next time. I just wanted to show some of Draco's life here while Herculen was away at Hogwarts, and do a little bit of Draco's relationship with Snape. So, do you think I should show what happens in France, and how the vacation goes?
Please, again tell me what you think :)