Fears

Sighing, Severus set aside his quill, stretching out his cramped hand. He was finally finished filling out the paperwork to become Abigail's temporary guardian until the necessary year was up and he could legally adopt her. He had been signing things for more the an hour for the third straight day in a row. It was as if the Ministry thought you weren't worth to become a guardian unless you went through signing a stack of papers that was as high as he was tall.

Secretly, he almost regretted his somewhat rash decision to be Abigail's legal guardian. Almost, because the potion master feared he might do as poor a job as his parents had down with him. Not that he would ever hit the girl in anger, or at least he prayed he wouldn't, but he also knew there was more to raising a child than simply supplying a few material comforts and necessities. Could he be what Abigail needed? Did he want to be a father figure to a five year old girl?

Leaning back, Severus closed his eyes and wondered if he could get away with taking a nap in the middle of the day. At least it was Friday, and he didn't have to worry about students bothering him until at least after dinner time. And he didn't have anything to do till Abby arrived in a few hours, who had now been given a clean bill of health now that she gained back her weight and energy and was to stay with him.

"Severus?"

Damn.

Mentally cursing himself, Severus stood and turned to his fireplace, kneeling in front of it and nodding. "Hello, Lucius," he, raising an eyebrow. "What can I do for you today?"

"Would it be so much of a surprise if I said nothing?" sneered the man, tinted green from the flames that harmlessly licked his face. "But if you must know, Narcissa has insisted that I invite you over for dinner tonight. Says we need to check and make sure you're actually eating. And not for the first time, I agree with her. I haven't see you in person since Christmas, and you've only talked with me once since then. What is going on, Severus, that's kept you so busy?"

"I actually work for a living, for one," said Severus with a roll of his eyes, deliberately leaving out the fact that he been kept busy by a certain little girl. "And then there are the many potions I'm working on -"

"All of that meaning you need a break," Lucius interrupted. "Come over tonight at six for drinks, and dinner will be a seven as usual."

"That will be impossible, Lucius," said Severus, trying to give a legitimate reason not to go. "I'm having a guest over tonight." If one could think of Abigail as a guest.

"Bring them along," said his friend, waving off his excuse. "Narcissa would be happy to see that you actually talk with others beside your students and colleagues." Lucius fixed him with a look. "It isn't a student or a professor, is it?"

"No, its not." That certainly was truthful.

"Good. Then we will see you and your guest at six." And with a nod of farewell, Lucius disappeared, the green flames fading to their original orange-red colour.

Standing up, Severus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was not good. He wasn't ready to inform his friends about his new ward. Especially with their feelings about Muggleborns and certain Half-bloods, never mind the fact that no one for certain knew of her blood. And while he was good with friends with them and godfather to their son, Draco, he wasn't certain how they would treat Abigail, and how she would react to them.

Pushing those thoughts away for now, Severus gathered up the paperwork he had been working on minutes ago and got them ready to send off to Dumbledore, who would give them to his Ministry contact.

"You have visitors," said the Slytherin portrait sometime later, just as Severus managed to force all the papers into a slim box, making it easier for transportation. "The matron and that girl. Shall I let them in?"

"Please do."

"Mr. Severus!" said Abby happily as she raced into the room, wrapping her arms around his stomach. "Thank you for letting me stay here!" She wrinkled her nose. "Madam Pomfrey's real nice, but it's not fun staying in the infirmary."

"The infirmary is not suppose to be fun, Abby," chided Pomfrey as she followed. "Otherwise, students would want to get sick more often." She set down Abby's small trunk, which held all her possessions, and smiled at him as Abby ran over to the chair where her toy, Mr. Dragon, was sitting. "She's gaining back her weight, and other wise seems in good health."

"I'm sensing a 'but'," said Severus dryly.

Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "But, she did just go through a traumatic experience, the second in less then a year. I'd watch her carefully for the next few days." She gave a brief hug. "Good luck, Severus," she with a knowing look before leaving them alone.

"Alright, young lady," said Severus, motioning for his new ward to sit down in her chair. "There are a few things we need to go over. Rules for you staying here with me." He held up a single finger. "The first and most important rule. You are not allowed to wander off unless you've informed me or Queenie beforehand where you are going." Another finger. "Second, you are not allowed in my lab unless I am with you." A third finger. "No going outside unless you are accompanied by an adult or at least a fifth year. Meaning that you can go with Miss Hammond or Mr. Fleming, if you wish and they are willing to take you. Understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Severus, sir," said Abby with a nod of her head.

"Now, there are some other things." Severus held up four fingers. "Schoolwork, chores, rewards, and punishments. But we will talk about those later."

"P-Punishments?" whispered Abby, pressing herself into the chair and clutching Mr. Dragon.

Sighing, Severus picked her up. "Yes punishments. But I think there's someone I need to talk to before I decide what. Just follow the rules I have so far, and everything will be alright. Now, there's one more thing. Friends of mine, the Malfoys, have invited us to dinner tonight. Would you like to come? They have a boy your age." More or less, since they didn't exactly how old she was.

Biting her bottom lip, Abby nodded after a thought. "I'd like to meet your friends, Mr. Sev... Um... What do I call you now?" she asked suddenly. "I mean, since you're gonna adopt me and all..."

Severus blinked. He didn't think of that. "Err... What do you want to call me?" he said, stalling for time.

A light pink blush on her cheek, Abby buried her face in his robes. "Can I call you... call you my daddy?" she mumbled.

Another blush dusted Severus' cheeks, and he cleared his voice before saying, "I...I would like that. But maybe not outside of the room, at least until the paperwork goes through. Alright?"

Lifting her head up, Abby smiled, for a moment, Severus swore he saw something very familiar in her face. "Yes... Daddy."

And in Severus chest, something fluttered, like someone had transfigured his heart into a butterfly for a short moment. And as his thin lips twitched up into a small smile, he decided that he would like to have that feeling again, sometime very soon. "Now, why don't we look at your new room, mm?" he said as he stood, shifting Abby so that he was holding her in his arms.

"I have my own room?" asked Abby with clear surprise.

"Of course." Carrying her to the room that McGonagall had (unfortunately) helped him with the day before, he pushed it open, almost smiling as he heard Abby's gasp of shock. "Do you like it?"

It was an average sized room that Hogwarts had made suddenly appear the day that Abby returned to Hogwarts after her kidnapping, as if it knew what Severus had planned. The walls were a warm green, a colour that Severus picked despite McGonagall's glare, and the furniture was all a stained dark brown. A four posted bed, much like the beds that the students had, was in the center of the room, decorated with a bed spread that was pink with green accents, suggested by the old Transfiguration Professor. On one side of the room was a small desk and chair, on the other was a series of small bookshelves that sat next to a charmed window that also a had seat that would hold whatever she wanted inside it. A trunk for toys was placed at the end of her bed, and a wardrobe sat near the door, to be filled with clothes that they would have to buy soon, with whatever else she would need. The room was finished with a rocking chair on corner, on the off chance that Severus would have to sit with her in case of a nightmare. He remembered his mother doing just that...

"Its... its all mine?" Abby said in a whisper.

"Did you think I would let you sleep in the guest room all the time?" Severus shook his head. "Please, every child needs their own - ack!" Arms had been flung around his neck, so tight that he almost couldn't breathe, and the stuffed dragon once in Abby's arms bounced to the floor. "Child, I need air!"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Abby happy, sniffling as she tried not to cry. "I love it so much. Thank you, Daddy."

Sighing even as his heart felt strange again, Severus hugged the girl gently. "You're welcome, Abby."

"Child, its time to go," Severus called a few hours later, running a hand over his robes. They were finer they what he was use to, but Narcissa would have a fit if he didn't wear them.

"Coming!" Racing into the room, Abby stopped in front of him, smiling. "Do I look pretty, Mr. Severus?" she asked, twirling on the spot for him. She wore a dark green dress that went well with her eyes - to the dismay of the Head of Gryffindor, he was sure, since it was a Slytherin color.

"You look acceptable," Severus stated, and Abby smiled brightly. "Now come along, we can't be late."

"Are your friends nice?" Abby asked as Severus lead her through Hogwarts, to the Apparition point since they wouldn't be able to use Floo travels to go anywhere outside the castle unless they went to Dumbledore's office. And he'd rather not do that.

"You'll find out, won't you?" said Severus as he reached the edges of the wards. He picked her up, not trusting the girl quite yet to hold on during the Apparation. "Now, hold on tight. And make sure to keep your eyes and mouth closed. If you feel sick at all when we exit, tell me. Understand?"

In answer, Abby buried her face in his shoulder and nod. "I understand."

"Good." Clearing his throat, Severus spun on the spot, and with a tug to his navel, they were off.

A few moments later, Severus was glad when he landed on the edge of the Malfoy Manor, the spinning world around him coming to a halt. He immediately look to the girl in his arms. "Are you alright?" he asked Abby, who hadn't lifted her head yet.

"Don't feel so good," Abby mumbled.

Cradling Abby with only one arm, which was easy to do with her still being so light, Severus grabbed a vial of stomach soother from within his robes, brought exactly for this purpose. "Here," he said, holding it out to her once he removed the cork. "Drink this – slowly." As she did that, he started the trek up to the front doors. "And if you start to feel sick later, tell me at once."

Abby nodded as she sipped at the potion, grimacing a few times.

The doors opened before he even had a chance to knock. "Missi welcomes Master Snape and guest!" squeaked the house-elf as Abby finished off her potion, the creature dressed in a pillowcase with the Malfoy symbol - a black snake intertwined in a large silver M. "Please come in and Dobby will take your cloaks.

"Just a moment." Severus gently let Abby down on the hard wood floor, pulling out his wand and banishing both the now empty vial and any dust they might have gained from traveling before helping her out of her cloak. "Now I know you will behave, but I don't want you to let their son, Draco, push you around. He's a bit... spoiled. Alright?"

Abby nodded.

"Good." Severus handed the other house-elf, Dobby he thought, their cloaks. "Be careful with these," he ordered, and the house-elf nodded rapidly before squeaking that he would.

"I will take Master Snape and guest to Master Malfoy and family?" asked Missi.

"Lead on, Missi."

"Yes, Master Snape!" said the house-elf with a bow. "Please follow me!" With a snap of her fingers, the nearby doors shut behind them without a sound, and Dobby disappeared with their cloaks.

Following Miss the house-elf, Severus watched as Abby glanced around with wide eyes, sometimes even gasping at the marvelous halls that made up Malfoy Manor. The many paintings that decorated the walls looked down at her, ancestors of his friend, mystical beasts, famous places. Marble busts, priceless items. But Severus knew that they were all for show. They were things that were collected over many generations, and this generation didn't care about them.

"In heres, Master Snape!" Missy squeaked, snapping her fingers and opening the doors to the living room. Inside sat three people with blonde hair, all different shades, from light to dark. The two males, Lucius and his son, both shared bright grey eyes, eyes of the storms that their personalities were like, always changing, and yet there was always a calm before their anger. Sitting across from them was Narcissa, with eyes like rain, sometimes seeming heartless and cold, but always giving. They were bright, like suns, while their two guest were dark like the nighttime sky. Almost total opposites.

"Severus, you came!" said Narcissa in delight when she spotted him.

As Severus expected, Abby hid behind his robes almost instantly.

"Uncle Severus!" The platinum blonde boy leapt down from the couch with a large smile and raced towards him. Severus braced himself as Draco wrapped his arms around his legs. "You came!"

"Hello, Draco," said Severus with a small smile. "Of course I came. And while I am happy to see you, please, compose yourself - I do have a guest."

Scrambling back, Draco had a faint blush on his cheeks and an apology on his tongue when he frowned, probably looking for the adult that came with his godfather. When Abby peeked out momentarily, hiding again after she saw him, his godson tried to look around Severus without moving from his spot. "Who's that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"That's a good question, son," said Lucius as he stood and came over, a drink in hand and an eyebrow raised at the little girl hiding behind him. "Who is that, Severus?"

"My guest, of course," drawled Severus. He placed a hand on Abby's shoulder and gently pulled her into view, who let him even as she shrank under the many gazes. "Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco, I would like you to meet my new ward, Abigail."

There was silence for a long moment, until Narcissa finally stood, dressed in light blue robes that moved easy as water when she glided over. "Its a pleasure to meet you, Abigail," she said with a warm smile. She glanced to him. "Oh, Severus, she is just adorable!"

Blushing, Abby tried to ignore the two male Malfoy's gazes, studying her, as she answer, "Its nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy. Um, thank you for inviting me over for dinner. Its really nice of you. And you can call me Abby."

Practically ready to squeal in happiness, Narcissa managed to compose herself as she grabbed her son and gently pushed him forward, until he almost ran into Abby. "This is my son, Draco. Dear, why don't you show Abby around while we talk? Just make sure your back before dinner, or I'll send a house-elf after you."

"Yes, mother," said Draco with a huff, sounding like it was the last thing he wanted to do. "Please, follow me," he still said dutifully.

"Be care what you show her, Draco," said Severus. "Abigail know little about the wizarding world."

"Alright..."

"Go on, child," said Severus, giving her a nudge. "Follow Draco."

Looking up to Severus, who gave a little nod of assurance, Abby nodded in return and trailed after his godson, glancing around nervously.

"I don't know what the reasons were for this... sudden decision, but congratulations, Severus," Narcissa said as she pulled him into a brief hug. "Abby is such a sweet little girl." Her eyes sparkled, much like Albus' when he had an idea, and for some reason, Severus felt the urge to apologize to Lucius. "I'm sure they will get along just beautifully."

"I'm also a bit curious about this," said Lucius, his eyes flickering with suspicion as he handed Severus a drink and motioned for him to take a seat with them on the couch. "Never did I expect for you to take in a... child. Did Dumbledore somehow arrange this?" he asked with hesitation. "I can certainly imagine him doing something like this."

"He may have had a hand in this in the beginning," admitted Severus as he sat down, taking a sip of his drink. "But no, he did not force me into this decision, I came into it all on my own." Carefully, he explained how Abby was found outside the walls of Hogwarts, how she almost froze to death, and so on. While Lucius was silent through out almost the entire tale, Narcissa made appropriate sound at the right times, shaking her head in horror. He only paused to sip his wine, or when he had to tell them about Meyer's plan, which both the Malfoys reacted to with anger.

"How awful," said Narcissa when he was finished, ending with his plan to adopt Abby. "That poor girl."

"And Abigail has shown no sign of gaining back her memories?" asked Lucius curiously.

"Nothing of significance," said Severus with a shake of his head. "There were a few times were she said something promising, but she had no idea where it came from. The girls mind if like a fortress, hiding all her horrible past memories behind a brick wall."

"Well, I think you're doing a wonderful thing," said Narcissa, patting his forearm with a gentle smile. "And if you ever need any help, don't hesitate to ask us."

"Actually, that's one of the reason's I decided to come tonight." Severus fiddled with drink, trying to figure out how to say what he wanted. "This is my first time taking care of child that wasn't a student," he went on. "I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I'm hardly "Father of the Year" materiel after all."

"Oh, of course, Severus," said Narcissa with some glee. "I would love to give you some tips!"

Suddenly, Severus wished he hadn't asked; the look in those blue eyes was a little frightening. Still, he asked his questions and was happy to learn some things from Narcissa, with even a few things from Lucius. All was going well until the doors opened, and an house-elf came barging into the room, dragging in a child behind him.

"Master and Mistress Malfoy, young Master doing bad things!"

"Um... you have a very nice house, Draco."

Huffing, Draco continued to ignore at Abigail - or as she liked to be called, Abby, who sighed sadly and bowed her head as she returned to look at the books. He had disobeyed his mother - something he hoped she didn't find out about - and had only taken the guest on a tour to the library. Then he had flopped onto the couch and ignored her, which wasn't very hard since she was very quiet, barely talking at all. She was almost a mute.

Maybe she was a Muggleborn.

While he didn't like disobeying his mother, Draco disliked the girl even more. Uncle Severus was his! And now Abby was trying to take him away! He had wondered why his uncle had been ignoring him and his family for the last month and a half, and now he knew the reason! It was all because of this stupid girl! She was probably taking up all his time, keeping his godfather away from him!

Crossing his arms, Draco sneered at Abby, who was still staring up at the bookcases He had to get her away from his uncle before she took him away from her forever! But how?

A minute later, a wicked grin appeared on Draco's face as a plan came to mind. It might now have been perfect, but it was the best he could do. And that was good enough. Replacing his grin with a sincere looking smile, he spoke up and said, "Hey, do you wanna see something really wicked?"

Looking back towards him, Abby tilted her head to the side, looking a little curious. "Like what?" she asked.

"Uh... its something magical," Draco spoke truthfully as he leaped down from the couch. "Come on, let me show you before we we have to go to dinner."

"Alright..." said Abby, sliding off the chair she had sat herself in, carefully smoothing out her robes before silently following him out of the library. Draco glanced at her a moment, noticing how small she was, even though they were suppose to be the same age. Despite that, she kind a pretty actually, for a girl anyway. Maybe he was wrong and she was pure blood, and perhaps she had some elf in her blood like he had Veela, way back in their lines, before their -great-grandparents were even born.

The two were quiet as they made their way through the halls, Draco leading the way to another room. One room he wasn't suppose to enter until his parents said it was safe, but he had to get rid of the girl before she stole his uncle away.

"In here," Draco said, opening it and gesturing her inside. Abby hesitated, and he sneered. "What are you, afraid? Come on."

"It looks scaring in there," Abby whispered.

"Just come on," said Draco, practically yanking her inside when he grabbed her by the arm. She resisted only a little, pulling her arm away from him once they were both in the room. "See, its not that bad in here." He looked to the nearby standing wardrobe. "Go open that."

"Why?" asked Abby, with now more hesitation. "What inside?"

"I told you, something really wicked." Draco pushed her towards it, and she stumbled forward until she could reach out and touch it. "Go on, open it!"

Pausing, Abby glanced up at the wardrobe. "Are you sure..."

"Of course I'm sure," Draco almost snapped. "Just open it!"

Hesitantly, Abby reached forward with a shaky hand and slowly opened the wardrobe door, showing the that the inside was pitch black. "I don't see anything, Draco..."

A dark chuckle filled the air, and out of the wardrobe stepped out a familar tall figure, dressed all in black with a cruel look on his face that Draco had never seen before. Abby stepped back, eyes wide in fear and confusion. "Daddy?"

"Don't call me that, you stupid girl," sneered Severus. "I am not your father." He stepped forward, startling Abby to step back again, only this time she fell onto her bum. "I will never be your father. Ever."

"Bu-But you said you wanted to adopt me," whimpered Abby. "Dad -"

A hand whipped out, and even Draco flinched as a slapping sound filled the air, Abby's head snapping to the side as she cried out in pain. "I said not to call me that," hissed Severus as he towered over her, and for a moment looked like a large, shadow that shouldn't have looked so solid, but he did. "You disgust me. You're weak, always running away and crying. I don't want you anymore. Get out of my sight, you little brat!"

Fat tears rolling down her face, Abby sobbed as she scrambled up and ran off, holding her injured check in her hand. As she disappeared, Draco paled, now starting to realize what he done, letting a boggart loose, Severus turned to him, eyes glowing as he started to change into what he most feared -

"Yous will not hurt Master Draco!" A snap of long fingers, and the boggart was shoved back into the wardrobe, the doors slamming shut the moment it was inside. As Draco breathed a sigh of relief, a hand wrapped around his arm and started to drag him down the hall. "Must take Master Draco to Master and Mistress Malfoy!"

"Let go of me, Dobby!" yelped Draco, struggling to get free from the house-elf's grasp, which was surprisingly strong. "I demand you let me go!"

"Dobby is sorry, Master Draco," squeaked Dobby. "But Masters say that Dobby must bring young Master to them when young Master do something naughty." The house-elf whimpered. "Dobby will be punishing himself later for pulling young Master. Dobby is sorry."

"Let me go, let me go -" Draco continued to repeat as he was dragged along. Why wasn't Dobby listening to him? He always listened to him before!

With a snap, Dobby opened the doors to the living room, interrupting the conversation between his parents and his uncle. "Master and Mistress Malfoy, young Master doing bad things!" he cried. "Dobby is sorry, Dobby will iron his hands!"

"What is going on here?" Lucius asked as he stood. "Dobby, an explanation, now!"

"Young Master Draco went into the bad room and opened the bad wardrobe!" sobbed Dobby, and Draco winced as he was tattled on. "Dobby is sorry, Dobby should have watched young Master better!"

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, what did you do?" Narcissa asked sharply as she stood and grabbed her son by the ear, shooing off the house-elf so that he disappeared with a 'pop'. "Did you open the wardrobe with the boggart in it? The one I told you not to go near till we could get rid of it?!" Her grip tightened and Draco yelped out in pain. "I can not believe you, you could have been seriously harmed!"

"Ow, Mum, let go!" cried Draco. "You're hurt me!"

"I'll do more then twist your ear, young man -"

"Draco, where's Abigail?" said Severus suddenly, standing up. "Why isn't she with you?" As Draco paled for the second time that night, his uncle cursed. "Damn it, Draco, what happened to Abby?"

"Um..." Draco gulped, they yelped again when his mother twisted his ear once more. "She saw the boggart, and it turned into you, Uncle Severus!" he rambled. "Then she ran off! I don't know where she went!"

Paling, Severus didn't say another word - his lips pressed into a thin white line before he quickly left the room, off to search for Abby, Draco was sure. His stormy eyes burned with tears, finally realizing what he done was wrong. This wasn't going to let him keep his uncle, it was just going to push him away.

"I don't know why you did that, Draco," said Lucius in a calm tone, even as he gave his child a stern look, "but believe me son, your mother won't be the only one punishing you tonight."

"I - I just didn't want that girl to steal my Uncle Severus," sobbed Draco, unwilling letting fat tears running down his cheeks. "She was gonna take him away from me!"

"Oh, Draco," the young boy heard over his sobs. A familiar pair of arms wrapped around him, lifting him up and cradling him gently. Any other time, Draco would have protested being treated like a baby, but now, he just buried his face in his mothers shoulder, loud cries filling the room. All he wanted now was his Uncle to forgive. He would even he would promise never to get Abby hurt again. Anything to get his Severus back.