Disclaimer: Me no own Harry Potter.

AN: Wow it was hard to start this chapter. I had absolutely no inspiration but when I finally started everything just came out nicely and now I'm back on track. Enjoy!

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"I'm so sorry," Harry said sadly. He placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.

All the other students had come back from the holidays and Harry had been excited to see everyone again. Hermione was excited to talk about spending Christmas with her parents in the muggle world and everyone had been very interested. Many of the others had never heard about what muggles did on holidays. Harry already new about muggle holidays but he had never really experienced one. Normally he would spend it either in the cupboard or cooking the dinner and cleaning up the wrappers from Dudleys' presents. Hermione's' experience with her parents seemed a lot nicer. They had gone sledding and ice skating. They had hot chocolate and a big dinner on Christmas Eve. All in all, it sounded like Hermiones' holidays had been very traditional.

Draco's was another story. Harry had met up with him a few hours after everyone had arrived back. He was walking the grounds with a serious expression on his face. They walked over to a tree near the lake and stood next to it. After an hour of explaining everything that had happened over the holidays between him and his mother Harry couldn't think of anything to say to comfort his friend. Draco let out a sigh.

"I know I never really thought of her as my mother but it still was kind of a shock to hear her actually say it," he explained. Harry nodded silently wondering if he should give his friend a hug. He couldn't help but notice that Draco had started referring to his mother by her name as if she were a stranger.

"I know how you feel," Harry comforted. He thought back to his relatives. Like Draco's mom, they were also supposed to love Harry unconditionally because they were family but instead they hated him. Harry couldn't help but wonder if family ties had any real importance. He had heard on TV and even other people say that family was the most important because they would always be there for you, but from what he saw that really wasn't the case. From Harry's experience, blood ties seemed to be meaningless.

"Why doesn't your dad just get a divorce? It sounds like he wants to," Harry asked.

"He says that he doesn't want my mom to have any custody of me. He needs to have proof that she's unfit to take care of me," Draco explained. Harry frowned thoughtfully. An idea suddenly hit him.

"Why don't you just use your memories of when your mom said she didn't love you as evidence? Like when your dad used my memories of my relatives to prove they were abusing me," he suggested. Draco didn't look at Harry. He sighed and leaned against the tree.

"I've been thinking about that. I think my dad needs something that will prove that Narcissa is a physical danger to me. You see, if my father goes into any court room with things as they are they'll rule in favor of that woman no matter what she said to me," Draco explained bitterly.

"But I thought your father was an important man in the government. Why would the courts not believe him," Harry asked.

Draco seemed to consider his answer very carefully. The grounds seemed dead except for the two boys. It was as if they were alone in the world.

"Do you remember the story Professor Snape told you? About the dark lord that killed your parents," Draco finally asked. Harry nodded. "He had a group of loyal followers. They were called Death Eaters. My grandfather was one of them and later my father join them as well."

Harry leaned against the tree. Mr. Malfoy had worked for the man that killed his parents? That couldn't be true. He was a nice man who would never hurt other people.

"My father didn't want to join but my grandfather made him. My grandfather was a mean, selfish man who hurt and killed many people during that time. He turned the Malfoy's from being a well-respected family into something that is feared and looked down upon by light wizards. My father became a spy for the light side but now, even years later, people still see my father as a murderer. I once overheard Narcissa talking about it. She said that even though the Malfoys retained their power in the ministry, people will always look at my father with suspicion because he has the mark," Draco explained seriously. His face was tight and focused. He sounded years older than he actually was. Harry couldn't help but be a little relieved that Mr. Malfoy hadn't wanted to join the evil group.

"Mark?"

"The dark lord marked his followers with a magical mark that could never be removed as proof that they would always be loyal to him. It's kind of like a tattoo," Draco said looking off into the distance at nothing in particular. "Narcissa said that people trusted her because she didn't have the mark."

Draco shook his head and pushed himself away from the tree. He began to walk by the lake. Harry hurried after him. He hated to see him like this. He wanted to distract Draco from his problems. Even just for a little bit.

"I just don't know what to do. Because of my father's past people will be too biased to see Narcissa for the evil woman that she is," Draco muttered.

"It'll be okay. Your dad's really smart. He'll take care of everything," Harry assured.

"There's got to be something I can do," Draco insisted.

"Not while you're at school," Harry pointed out. "Just relax for a little bit. If you constantly think about it all you're going to do is give yourself a headache."

Draco nodded that he understood and let out a sigh. He was quiet for a little bit before he finally asked Harry how his holidays had gone. Harry told him all about the presents he had gotten. Draco had been more than interested when Harry mentioned his dads' cloak. Harry made him promise not to tell any of the teachers. He didn't know if they would want to confiscate it but didn't want to take the chance. Draco understood. Harry went on to talk about the snowball fights he had with the Weasley brothers. He explained how Fred and George had completely dominated him and Ron. Harry still thought it was unfair. The twins knew spells to magically make as many snowballs as the needed while him and Ron had to use their hands.

By the time Harry and Draco returned to the castle it was time to go to their dorms for the night. They each went their separate ways saying their goodnights. Harry decided he wanted to get a good night's rest before classes started the next day but he couldn't help but feel worried for his friend. He hoped Draco would be alright.

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Severus took another drink of firewhisky. He sat in his barely used armchair. He wished he could sit down on his couch. It wasn't that the chair was uncomfortable, it's just that the couch was his favorite place to sit. It was in the center of the room and it was also in front of the fireplace. The armchair was off to the side and faced the portrait entrance to his private rooms. Yes, it was still in front of the fireplace but it didn't face it and the positioning of the chair made Severus feel like he had been placed in the corner. He glared at the reason he couldn't sit in his usual spot as it spread across the entire couch. Lucius laid on his stomach with his head facing Severus. He had already had a few shots of firewhisky himself.

The old friends had just finished explaining to each other what had happened to them over the holidays. Severus felt a rage in his heart when he heard what that bitch had said to his godson. He found himself contemplating how to make a potion that would suck the life from her without leaving a trace as to who gave it to her. Lucius had also been appalled by how Dumbledore had reacted to Severus' information about Quirrell's activities. He raged that he was showing blatant negligence. Lucius suggested that Severus filled out some forms that would show that he did warn the headmaster about his suspicions. That way if anything happened the ministry would have reason to investigate Dumbledore.

"I'll send you the proper papers tomorrow. As much as I hate to say it, this could be beneficial to us if something were to happen," he admitted. Severus didn't like it either but he had to agree. He just hoped that none of the students would be involved. Severus did a quick shake of his head. He didn't want to think about that again.

"So, do you have a plan for what you're going to do with Narcissa," he asked. The tearful kicked puppy expression Lucius gave him told him his answer.

"I came to you because I come up with all my best ideas when I talk them out with you," Lucius explained quietly.

"Yes, but that's with politics. With Narcissa you've never had a clue what to do. You usually come to me with some kind of idea and we just fine tune them," Severus pointed out. He realized too late that it probably wasn't the best thing to say. Lucius looked close to tears.

"It's just not fair. No matter what they'll always see me as a murdering Death Eater all because of this stupid mark," Lucius cried.

"Yes, it doesn't seem to matter how many people we saved with our spying. People can't see past our marks," Severus agreed bitterly. He hated the horrid thing. Every time he looked at it, it would remind him of the dark days when he spied on the dark lord. To maintain the man's trust he had to do horrible things. Lucius and him were forced to torture innocent people in order to please the madman. Sometimes Severus would still wake up to the screams.

"The worst part is that I don't think it would be a problem if we both had the mark," Lucius admitted. "As it is, they would only see a Death Eater and a mother fighting over a child. It doesn't matter what Narcissa said about not loving Draco. They'll just say that she said it in the heat of the moment and give her custody anyways."

Severus hated to admit it but Lucius was right. Narcissa was seen as innocent compared to Lucius. Then a thought hit him. The mark. It was a symbol of the Death Eaters loyalty to their master. Narcissa had been very faithful to the dark lord. She had prided herself in her services to him. She may not have been like her sister and become obsessed with him but she was still very loyal.

"Why didn't Narcissa have a mark," he asked out loud. Lucius sighed and collapsed onto the couch. He buried his face into the cushions.

"I don't know. She never spoke about it," he murmured.

"No I want you to think about it. Narcissa was just as loyal to the dark lord as her sister was. She was also very proud of her position in his inner circle. Why did she not have the symbol that would have proven her status?"

Lucius lifted his head and gave Severus a thoughtful look. He seemed to realize what Severus was getting at.

"You think she has one? But I've seen her forearm myself. There's nothing there. It was designed so that it could never be covered by magic. The aurors even ran test to see if she covered it up with muggle make-up. They didn't find anything," Lucius explained but Severus could still see he was thinking.

"Lucius, do you remember that American witch who joined the death eaters," he asked. Lucius nodded.

"Yes, wasn't her name Brittany Anderson," Lucius asked. He sat up and looked at Severus with curiosity and hope. He must have realized that he remembered something.

"She had a brief sexual relationship with the dark lord before he grew tired of her. I'm sure you recall that she was able to flee back to America after his downfall right?"

"Yes, I've always wondered how she did it. They were checking everyone leaving the country for marks and I know she had one. She wouldn't shut up about it the day she received it," Lucius recalled.

"Well, that's because everyone was only checking the forearms. One night after getting drunk Ms. Anderson told me that the dark lord had put the dark lord had put the mark on her inner thigh. She then proceeded to make an obscene joke about always feeling him between her legs," Severus remembered. He couldn't imagine why had had forgotten all about this piece of information until now. He probably just didn't want to remember what the obnoxious woman told him about an insane tyrants bed habits.

"Are you saying that Narcissa actually has a mark," Lucius asked looking at Severus as if he was a starving man and Severus was holding a sandwich. Severus nodded.

"I'm saying it's worth a shot, but you do know what this means right," Severus asked.

"What," Lucius asked cocking his head to the side.

"You're going to have to find a way to see your wife naked."

Severus spent the next half hour laughing at the look of horror and disgust on Lucius' face.

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The next few months passed peacefully. Harry continued to do well in his school work and spent much of his free time with his friends. He still didn't see Draco that much since he was in another house but that was fine. When he did see him they would often talk and make jokes. Harry was relieved that his friend was doing fine despite the drama of his home life. Harry did wish that Ron and Draco could get over the family feud so they could all hang out together. It wasn't so much Draco as it was Ron refusing to admit that Draco was really a nice guy. The twins however seemed to warm up to Draco and they would often talk about potions. At first Harry thought they were talking about their potion assignments but after a while he figured out that they were talking about potions that could be used in pranks.

Harry was happy when the cold weather started to warm up and the snow began to melt. He loved spring. He especially loved that first day where it was warm enough to go outside in a short sleeved shirt. The only thing that was really bothering Harry was his scar. It was not only hurting in DADA but it was not starting to hurt at random times throughout the day. He couldn't help but feel like something very bad was going to happen. Hermione tried to get him to go to the hospital wing to have him checked out. He refused since he knew it wouldn't help.

It was the weekend and there were only four weeks to the end of the school year. Harry happily walked down to his guardians' private quarters. Professor Snape had asked him to meet him after dinner. Harry couldn't help but be curious about what he wanted. He had never asked Harry to meet him in the evening since he didn't want Harry to be out after hours.

"Ah There you are. Sit down, I just need to finish grading this essay," Snape explained. Harry sat down next to him. He looked down to see the essays were covered in red marks from Snape's corrections. He held back a chuckle. The man was a perfectionist when it came to students essays.

"Harry I called you down here because I have some news," Snape started as he finished marking the essay in his hand.

"What is it?"

"Your aunt and uncles' trial ended and the judge gave his ruling."

Harry felt his chest tighten. He hadn't thought about what had happened to them. He had told Snape that he didn't want to have anything to do with the trial. His testimony was in his memories and that was all the court needed.

"Harry, do you want to know what the courts decided? You don't have to if you don't want to. The whole thing was carried out quietly so it won't be in the papers or anything," Snape said putting a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry thought about it then shook his head. He had to know. He didn't want to hide from it.

"What's going to happen to them?"

"The judge ruled that they will each spend thirty years in a medium security muggle prison for child negligence and abuse. Your cousin will be living with his aunt permanently. You won't have to see either of them again," Snape stated.

Harry almost cried. With this he was free. He would never have to spend another second with those hateful monsters. He was now going to live with a man who truly cared for him. Snape had done so many wonderful things for him. Harry could only wish that he could return the favor one day.

"I'm happy," was all Harry could say.

"It has also been made official that I am your new legal guardian. So instead of going home on the train with your friends when the term is over you will stay behind with me and we will go to my house. Unfortunately Draco's mother is still at their manor so we can't go there," Severus explained.

Harry felt a bit confused. He understood from what Draco told him that going to the manor when his mother was there wasn't a good idea but why did Snape not want to return to his house. Snape seemed to understand Harry's thinking because he went on to explain.

"I live in Spinners End. It was my family's home but it isn't exactly the warmest place. That's why I spend most of my time at Lucius' manor."

"I still don't understand. What's wrong with your house? Isn't it your home," Harry asked. Snape shook his head.

"Just because it's a house doesn't mean it's a home. Did you ever think of the house where you lived with your relatives as a home," Snape asked. Harry thought about it then shook his head. From what he knew a home was a place where you felt safe and warm. Harry felt neither of those things living in that place. "Once you see the house you'll understand."

Harry decided to take the man's word for it. He really didn't care about where they lived, as long as he would be safe and happy from now on and something told him that if he stayed with this potions master he would be. Harry and Snape didn't continue talking because soon the professor was escorting him to the door threatening to take points if he didn't get to his dorm before the curfew.

Harry started the walk feeling very happy with everything that was going on in his life. At first he didn't notice the ache in his scar. The further he walked the worse it got. Harry stopped and leaned against a pillar. He could barely see straight. He was starting to get sick to his stomach. There was no one else around to help him. He hoped that a prefect or maybe Snape would come by and help him. He slid down the pillar and collapsed on the floor. This was bad. He needed help. He felt like sobbing in relief when he heard footsteps approaching him. He turned his head to see who it was.

"Professor Quirrell. I need help. You need to take me to the hospital wing," he pleaded.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I need you to come with me Potter," the professor explained pointing his wand at Harry.

There was a bright flash of light. Just before everything went black Harry wondered, "What happened to his stutter?"

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AN: Heehee. Cliffy. I hope you guys enjoyed that. Please review or else I will be sad. And no one likes it when I'm sad. Anyways, thanks for reading!