Draco looked at his father and at Harry, he was so confused from what he had heard, and he wanted his father to deny it. He knew his dad was not perfect; he was not young enough to believe that his dad could do no wrong, but still this took him off guard. His father had denied even having a boyfriend in the past, and now this Severus man turned out to be a man his dad was about to propose to. He knew if it was lies, his father would be saying something, but he was just standing there.
Lucius turned to his son, and shared a look with Sirius, and knew both boys would have plenty of questions about what was going on. Lucius had lied to his son, when he asked about the journal, and he was not even sure he had enough conviction in his voice, to convince himself.
Draco turned on his dad when they got back to the rooms. "Who is he dad? Who is he?"
Lucius sighed. "He was your grandfather's foster son, and the love of my life.
Motioning for his son to sit down, he tried to explain about the past, as best as he could. Severus was Draco's grandmother's godson, and abused by his father, spent most of his childhood at the manor, raised by Abraxas. He lived with them when not at school after his mother died, and he and Lucius had become lovers, Lucius planning to propose when they were seventeen.
Lucius sighed. "Your mother was attacked on Christmas eve, stabbed in the arm. She saw the pendant I gave him the year before, and he was arrested for it."
Draco was confused though. "Why would he attack her though?"
He explained the Blacks had been pushing for a betrothal for two years, and Severus had been sure the old man had said yes. He had been refusing that long for he hadn't wanted to divide the two young men, but eventually he would have. The heir of a lord was meant to marry someone of equal stature, not some half blood whose mother had been cast out, and a drunken muggle father. Abraxas had loved him dearly, and Severus had not trusted that enough, that the man would support him.
Harry looked between his dad and Uncle."Then why does Uncle Moony support him like he does? Uncle Moony is a good man."
Sirius nodded. "Your Uncle is, but he also has far too good of a heart some times. He refused to believe a friend he loved from school, would do that."
Severus had always been a push over; he was teased a lot in school, in his house for being a half blood, and for being a Slytherin by others. Lily and Remus had been few of his friends, beyond Lucius, and though he was constantly the brunt of jokes and pranks, he never fought back. He allowed people to fight for him, like in the hall with Ron, or he simply walked away. Narcissa had not only been trying to marry the man he loved, but was also one who often tormented him in school.
Sirius kissed his son on the head. "Your mom and Uncle both believed him innocent, were there for his trial. I don't blame him; he just sees the good in every one."
Draco shot a look at his dad. "How could you believe he did it? I mean you believed my mother over your boyfriend? I don't get it."
Lucius had tried to protect his son from the truth, about the kind of woman is mother was, bad enough she was a cold woman. Looking at his dad Draco told him he knew, knew about her numerous lovers, and the suspicions she had been involved with Death Eaters. He had never understood how his dad never divorced her, they would have both been happier without her around, and his dad could have found love. Lucius had done his duty, he had an heir, he was punishing himself.
Lucius pulled his son into his arms."I'm sorry I failed to protect you more from your mother. I thought I was being a good dad."
Draco held to him. "You have been the best dad, but you don't have to be with her. That woman has never been my mother. Would Grandpa want you miserable?"
No, Abraxas had begged him not to marry Narcissa, even if he did not believe Severus. The old man had spent too many years doing his duty, and he wanted more for his son. Abraxas had been married before Lucius' mother, an unhappy arranged marriage which in fifteen years, produced only one child, a daughter. She could have been heir, but she died in an accident, and his wife a year later. He had loved Lucius' mother with all his heart, but it took years to get there, and wanted Lucius to be spared. The old man begged him to trust Severus, to go to his trial and testify for him,
Lucius held his son. "I wanted a child, a chance to be happy. I don't think I could ever trust anyone with my heart again. You are enough for me Draco"
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In March Severus found himself at the quidditch game, watching from among the students, Remus at his side. It was a Slytherin game, and for the second time in months, Lucius was here at school. He had only the one run in at Christmas, but it had been painful enough for him, and he was not looking for another. Easter was coming in a few weeks, Remus having got the home on the coast, and they were headed for there at Easter. He was happy to see Harry got air time this game and won the game for the team, their seeker was out with the flu.
Remus headed to see his son, Sirius unable to come, and Remus wanted to congratulate his nephew. He had not had any contact with the boys since Christmas, nothing new, but he had taken even more care to avoid the boys. He knew Lucius would have told Draco his side, and Draco likely thought him a criminal.
He was headed inside when he spotted Ron who was terrorizing Mrs. Norris. He actually spoke up for once. "Leave that cat alone."
Ron sneered at him. "Or what? You will rub your greasy head all over me and give me dandruff?"
The other boys were laughing but suddenly the water balloons they were throwing at the cat, began to pelt the boys. They were running away for safety, and though he noticed the twins, who had their wands out, he knew they had not been alone in attacking their brother. Severus was shocked when he turned around and saw Draco.
He nodded curtly to him. "Mr. Malfoy.""
It was not until back in his room he realized Draco followed him. "Did you truly try to kill my mother?"
Severus turned to look at the young ma, and wondered why he would have come, surely he was loyal to his own mother. If he was going to hex him, he would have done it already, but there was something about the look on his face, which told him Draco was not as he thought.
Severus turned. "I am sure your father told you what happened. I spent ten years in a black cell. I am a convict and this is the best that I can do."
Draco came over to him. "I don't think you did it. I know Harry's Uncle believes you are innocent, and I know the kind of woman, my mother is."
Looking at Draco, he was reminded so much of Lucius, and not only because he was the spitting image of his dad at that age. He had the same spirit as Lucius had when they were kids, and the same light in his eyes. Abraxas had told his son he should be a lawyer, he could talk his way out of any trouble he found himself in.
Severus motioned towards the door. "Well that makes two people who believe me. It doesn't matter any more, but you remind me of your grandsire."
Draco went to leave but he turned back. "Both I and Harry know you are innocent, and we're going to prove it for you. We will clear your name for you."
When the boy left Severus was in shock, for he had not expected such a response from him, and Harry included in it. If his name was cleared, he could do his master test and could reclaim his life, but he shook away the thought. Remus had spent ten years trying to prove he was innocent, the boys could not do any better. Remus was surprised when he came later, not really in his nephew, but in Draco at least.
Severus knew that it would never happen but he managed a small smile. "It is wishful thinking, but it's nice to have a Malfoy who believes in me again."
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It was summer, and Harry was staying with the Malfoys for a few days, for his dad was away. He was spending a few weeks with Remus later in the summer, at the home he had managed to buy a few months before, but not until after his birthday. His dad and Uncle seemed to be doing better, and he had not forbid Remus his time that summer like he tried at Christmas, not punishing Remus for Harry being at school. If nothing else, he seemed to realize, it would hurt his son as well.
Harry and Draco were of same mind, they were going to prove that Severus was innocent, and hopefully get the two men together. Draco had hated his dad was still with the woman he refused to call mom, and he was sure she was involved, she had not been confused.
Draco found what he was looking for in the attic. "Look there he is, I thought it odd that there were no pictures of the man."
Harry pointed at the pendant he was wearing around his neck."That must be the pendant your dad was talking about."
There was something about the pendant, given from his dad to Severus a year before the stabbing, which bothered Draco for some reason. Remus had told them Severus reported it missing almost two weeks before the stabbing, and it had never been found, but she claimed he wore it.
Draco took the photo with them. "I don't know where, but I am sure I have seen that pendant before."
Harry stopped him. "Are you sure about this? I want to help him, he's my Uncle's friend, but your mother could wind up in prison."
Nodding, Draco assured his friend that he knew that, but the woman was no mother to him. He wanted to clear Severus' name and get him and his dad back together, for he knew his dad still loved him. Harry thought Lucius would have competition from Remus on that, but he wanted to help clear the man still.
Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "I know where I have seen the pendant before. I know who has it."