Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Or his friends. Or his enemies. Or the many other random people he met during his adventures. Or Hogwarts. Or the ministry.

AN: Wow that took a long time. Working full time while going to school full time is NOT easy. Luckily my boss doesn't care if I do homework at my desk during the weekends(As long as I still get my work done of course). Anyways I finally found the time to write. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

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Severus calmly sat down in his couch. He looked down at the tea he had just made and fingered the cup. The warmness of it soothed him. He brought the cup to his lips and took a gentle sip. To anyone who didn't know better, Severus probably looked peaceful. In truth, he was so frustrated he had literally gone full circle. Severus hoped the tea would calm himself down enough for him to think properly about his latest meeting with the headmaster. He had hoped the man would have at least looked into the Quirrell situation but it seems his concerns fell upon deaf ears.

"Headmaster, I need to talk to you about one of the faculty," Severus said as soon as he entered Dumbledore's office. The headmaster looked up from his paperwork.

"Severus I'm concerned about you. You never relax during the school breaks. Everything's business with you. Lemon drop," the man offered.

"No thank you, and I can assure you I relax well enough but I can no longer ignore this," Severus declined.

"Very well, which of my staff members is giving you trouble?"

Severus didn't even bother commenting that they were technically the schools staff members not his.

"Professor Quirrell, did you know that man's been trying to break into the third floor corridor? I don't think I need to tell you why that should be something of a concern," Severus explained.

Dumbledore furrowed his brows. Severus relaxed a little. At least the man seemed to be taking it seriously.

"Okay, I shall have a talk with him. You're free to go," Dumbledore finally said making a shooing motion with his hand. Severus didn't move. He was floored.

"That's it? You're just going to talk to him? Don't you remember what's down there? Don't you realize what will happen if the wrong people get their hands on it," Severus asked feeling his face get hot.

"I am well aware Severus. I'm sure the man is just suffering from curiosity. He is aware of the over the top security in the corridor it is only natural he would want to know what we are protecting," Dumbledore explained calmly.

"You're actually going to tell him what's down there," Severus asked. How idiotic could this man be?

"Of course not, I was just going to explain the mirror of erised. He won't go down there just for an artifact that often causes men to go mad. It will explain our secrecy and safety precautions and extinguish any curiosity the man has," Dumbledore explained.

"You don't understand," Severus yelled slamming his hands on the desk.

"You will calm yourself professor," Dumbledore said in a low voice. "You will remember who you are talking to."

Severus sighed. He had to calm down, this lunatic was his boss after all.

"Now Severus, what was it I don't understand."

"I believe Quirrell is a follower of the dark lord," Severus announced after a few more calming breaths.

"As were you Severus," Dumbledore reminded. All of Severus' earlier efforts to calm himself were ruined with that one sentence.

"I was never a true follower and you know it. Lucius and I risked our lives to bring the light as much information as we could. I'm telling you, I believe Quirrell is a current follower of You Know Who," Severus growled. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"That is impossible. He doesn't have the mark and if he was you would have noticed when I hired him."

"I did tell you there were too many holes in his past when he first came here. I told you it was suspicious but you said I was being paranoid," Severus pointed out. "As for me not recognizing him, there was a close follower of the dark lord who worked as a spy so he wasn't marked. He would floo directly into the dark lords' office so no one other than the dark lord himself knew who he was. I believe I mentioned this to you during the war."

"And why are you so convinced that poor Quirrell is this dangerous spy? Being curious of the third floor corridor is no grounds to accuse the man of anything."

Severus had predicted Dumbledore would ask this.

"I had a talk with my ward young Potter. He mentioned that he had a hard time concentrating in Quirrells' class because his scar would hurt," he explained.

"I don't understand," Dumbledore said looking confused.

"You don't think it's odd that that Harry's scar, a product of the dark lords' own curse, would start to hurt only in the presence of that man? Harry told me it had never hurt him before and now it only really hurts in that class," Severus explained.

Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a while. Severus waited patiently. He hadn't really wanted to tell Dumbledore yet another piece of information about Harry's life but it was unavoidable. It was more important to get rid of Quirrell. There was not a doubt in Severus' mind that Quirrell was up to no good. That whole poor stuttering, clumsy façade was clearly a fake. He noticed Dumbledore's face become grave. Maybe he had finally faced the truth and would look into the situation.

"This is very sad," Dumbledore sighed. Severus became very confused. "Harry had been so starved for loving and caring attention with his old relatives he must be desperate to get your attention."

"Excuse me," Severus asked. What was this man talking about?

"You must be patient with him Severus. He probably didn't mean to lie. You must spend more time with him so he feels loved. As his new guardian you must watch over him until he knows he doesn't have to go to such lengths to get our attention."

Severus was too stunned at first to even feel the rage from Dumbledore's words.

"Are you accusing Harry of lying for attention?! How dare you! You don't even know the boy and you think you can make such accusations about his motives? He doesn't want attention he just wants to be normal," Severus screeched.

"You will calm yourself," Dumbledore commanded. "Now this is the last time we will discuss this lunacy. Quirrell is not a deatheater and you best keep your attention on your job and new ward!"

"Headmaster."

"I SAID WE'RE DONE HERE," Dumbledore yelled. Severus grew quiet. "You are excused."

Severus walked out of the office and silently made his way to his rooms. He didn't even look at the people he passed in the halls.

He hadn't even made a sound as he entered his sanctuary and made himself some tea and that was where he was now, sitting on his couch staring blankly into his magically lit fireplace. How could Dumbledore just dismiss everything he said? Even to go as far as to accuse Harry of lying for attention. Severus agreed that Harry did seem to draw attention to himself wherever he went but anyone could see that it was all unintentional. Severus glared down at his teacup. Quirrell was hiding something. Even if it wasn't necessarily related to the dark lord it was still a serious issue. There was something dangerous about him and Severus wouldn't rest until the man was out of Hogwarts and away from his students. Severus couldn't help but smirk as he thought of how shocked his students would be if they found out the most hated professor in all of Hogwarts actually cared for them. Severus' thoughts went back to Dumbledore. The man was almost being reckless with his actions. Severus normally wouldn't care but this time he was gambling with students' lives.

Severus sighed and gulped down the rest of his tea then placed the cup on the table. He leaned back into the soft cushions of his couch. He listened to the crackling of the fire. He had to do something, but for now, he just needed to relax. Perhaps he would brew a few potions for the hospital wing.

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Draco wasn't really paying attention as he walked back to his room. He was too tired. He already had on his pajamas but had wanted to finish the book he was reading. He only had one chapter left and his mind wouldn't let him rest until he was done. Now he was satisfied he looked forward to just collapsing in his bed. Draco had been so lost in thought he didn't even noticed his mother standing in the hall waiting for him. He stopped short leaving a few feet of distance between them.

"Good evening mother. Was there something you wanted," he asked in a monotone voice. He hoped she was just stopping to say hi or something.

"Actually, I would like to talk to you about something," Narcissa said in a fake sweet voice.

Damn it, Draco thought to himself.

"What is on your mind mother?"

"I'm afraid I found out that a certain Boy Who Lived was allowed to enter this house as I was gone and I would like to clear a few things up so you don't get confused," Narcissa explained with an odd look on her face. If Draco had to guess it was supposed to be a concerned expression.

"What do you mean," he asked.

"You're father seems to have his priorities mixed up at this time. He doesn't understand that as Malfoys we have to set an example. You see sweetie there are some wizarding families that are better than others. We wouldn't want to lower ourselves by making friends with the wrong sort now do we?"

Draco just looked at his mother. So that is what this was about. This was another 'what it means to be a pure blood speech.' He had heard many of them from her before, they were often long and filled with hatful words that he didn't always understand as a child. Afterwards, his father would take him aside and explain to him why the things his mother said were wrong. Draco often wondered why his father didn't simply correct his mother.

"Do you understand my son? As the future head of the Malfoy house it is your job to set an example to all the other pure blooded children. So that means you must promise me that you will no longer talk to that Potter boy," Narcissa finished. Draco stiffened. Not talk to Harry? He couldn't do that. Harry was his friend, they had gotten their first wands together, they shared their secrets with each other, they hung out all the time on the weekends. Harry was fun and nice. There was nothing wrong with being his friend.

"No," Draco mumbled.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no. Harry's my friend. It doesn't matter what family he's from or if he's pure-blood or muggle-born, I don't care about that. Your birthright has nothing to do with who you are as a person," Draco said sternly.

"How dare you. Don't you disobey your mother," Narcissa growled.

"Are you my mother," Draco shot back. "You've never acted like it before so why now?"

"You are my son," Narcissa snapped.

"No I'm not! You have never called me your son unless you're introducing me to someone. What am I to you really? Just something you can sometimes use to your advantage," Draco asked. He had often wondered about his mothers' true feelings but Draco had never been brave enough to ask. For some reason he felt like this was the time to ask. He saw his Narcissa's face calm. She let out a sigh. Draco felt his chest lighten, perhaps she would tell him that she indeed loved him, but just didn't know how to express it.

"You should know Draco. I love you. As the first born you will always be my most prized possession. I will do whatever I can to protect you and teach you to be the perfect heir," she said stroking Draco's cheek. Draco shoved her hand away.

"Are you saying, I'm a thing to you? I'm not a possession. I'm a person. I have my own opinions and beliefs. You can't just make me into whatever you want me to be. Can't you just see me as I am? Can't you just love me for me and not what you want me to be," Draco begged feeling tears in his eyes. Narcissa's eyebrows furrowed. She stood up straight so she towered over Draco. Draco felt his chest ache. Narcissa looked down at him with a look that reminded Draco of a noble sending a prisoner to execution.

"How could I love a spineless worm that would lower himself to associating with filth? Now you will do as your mother says or so help me I swear you will regret it," she said in the coldest tone Draco had ever heard the woman use. Draco felt a shiver pass through him.

"Narcissa, did you just threaten our son?"

Draco looked over at his father. He couldn't stop himself from childishly running to the mans' side. He didn't care what that woman thought of him anymore. He buried his face into his fathers' robes.

"There's nothing wrong with punishing your child for disobedient," Narcissa explained coolly.

"There's a difference between parental scolding and dangerous threats. I suggest you go back to your rooms before this escalates," Lucius growled. Draco could feel his fathers' magic envelop him in a protective cocoon. It was warm and comforting. He didn't hear Narcissa say anything back but he heard her heels click against the black marble floor floors as she walked briskly away. After she was gone Draco felt his father start to stroke his hair.

"I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. Are you okay," he asked.

Draco pulled away and looked up at his father. Seeing the man's face full of love and concern Draco couldn't take it anymore. He started to cry. He felt himself begin to sob and instinctively wrap his arms around his fathers' neck. He had known that his mother didn't like him but she had never told him as such. To hear his mother tell him that she not only didn't like him but that she didn't even love him was heartbreaking. He clung to his father as he continued to cry.

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Lucius gently picked up his sobbing son and carried him into his bedroom. He hated the sound of Draco's crying. Every time he heard it it felt like his insides were being torn up. Lucius quietly shut the bedroom door and walked over to Dracos' bed. He sat down on the large canopy bed and situated himself so that his back was against the headboard and Draco was lying in his lap. Lucius couldn't think of what to say to his son. He wanted to tell him that Narcissa hadn't meant what she said but he couldn't. There was no sense in lying to the boy now. Lucius stroked his sons' hair in an effort to calm him. He had never, under any circumstances liked Narcissa before, but now he knew that she was a true monster. How could anyone say something so cruel to their own child?

"It's not fair," Draco whispered after he had finally calmed down enough to talk. Lucius tightened his hold on his son.

"No, it's not," he agreed.

"Why did she have to be my mother," Draco asked looking up at him.

"As the heir to the Malfoy family, it was tradition to have an arranged marriage set up by my parents. I had no choice in the matter," Lucius explained bitterly. He knew it wasn't the answer the child wanted but it was the only one he had. Lucius looked down at Draco's face and couldn't take it anymore. His son, who was the most important person in his life, had a look of utter despair in his eyes. Lucius felt as if he had failed Draco. How could he have let Narcissa say such things to their son? He knew she was going to corner Draco into a fight, why hadn't he been keeping a closer eye on her? This whole thing was his fault.

"Dad?"

Lucius brought his hand up to his face and wiped off the wet feeling. He hadn't realized he had been crying. He quickly wiped away his tears. This was not the time for him to break down. This was about Draco, not him.

"I'm sorry," he said in a strained voice. "I wish I could wave my wand and change that beast into the mother you deserve but I can't. Draco, I want you to remember something."

Draco lifted his head up higher to listen.

"Whatever your mother says about you is wrong. You are the most brilliant and sweetest boy I have ever seen. No one could ever ask for a better son. Your mother is a miserable woman who is an idiot for not seeing it."

Draco was quiet for a while. He still had a sad look on his face but he had stopped crying and didn't seem as depressed. Lucius could have been imagining it but it seemed like his sons body was getting heavier as he laid there.

"She's not my mother," he mumbled quietly.

"Draco."

"No. If she doesn't want me then why should I want her? It's not like I need her anyways. I have you. I have Uncle Severus and Harry too. I have plenty of family around so I don't need her," Draco said confidently. Lucius couldn't help but smile. He pressed his lips to his sons forehead for a quick kiss.

"Yes, we are all here for you. Your family and friends will always be here for you," he assured. Draco nodded before he let out a yawn. Lucius chuckled. Now that he thought about it, it was passed the boys bedtime. He slid Draco onto his bed and got up.

"I think you've had enough excitement for one night. It's time for sleep," he said tucking him in. He hadn't done this since Draco was nine when the boy insisted he was too old for it. It felt nice to do it again.

"Dad," Draco asked.

"Yes?"

"Why don't you kick her out," he asked. He looked like he was trying to will his eyes to stay open. Lucius let out a sigh.

"Because if I do she'll probably demand custody of you. Being you mother she would most likely become your main guardian and I would only get to see you on the weekends. I…I don't know what would happen to you if that were to happen. I just need more time. Sooner or later she will do something that will prove her an unfit guardian and I can get full custody of you," Lucius explained putting a comforting hand on Dracos' shoulder. Draco nodded his head in understanding before finally allowing his eyes to close. Lucius stayed there until he was sure Draco was asleep. He looked so peaceful now. Lucius wished he always looked like this. This was why he never gave up. No matter what Narcissa did to him or what she said, he had to endure it all. He would bear it, to protect that expression on Draco's face. He wouldn't let Narcissa destroy it. Lucius bent down and kissed his sons' head.

"I won't let her hurt you again."

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AN: Well, there it was. Next chapter everyone comes back from break and continue the school year. Meanwhile Professor Quirrell comes up with an evil plan. Muahaha!