Hi, everyone! So happy to move forward with our story! Hope you like it!

Lori

********** Chapter 4 **********

Severus opened the note from his secret lover. "Visit my godson before my dinner with him? I just saw the boy at his party last night! Dobby!"

Dobby appeared.

"Why does Lord Black want me to visit Draco? Has something changed?" Severus Snape asked.

"Yes, Master Snape. Young Master be cursed!" The elf blurted out.

"What?!" Snape charged out of the room and hurried over to the castle.

When he got there, Voldemort stood at the door to Draco's room.

He greeted the man he served with a bow. "My lord..."

"Severus…" The other man spoke in a quiet but deadly serious tone. "You and the servants may see him…the elves may bring him whatever he wishes… but he's not to leave his rooms. He has angered me." At that, he turned and walked away.

Severus swallowed trying not to show the fear he was beginning to feel as he turned the doorknob. "Are you here, Draco?"

"Oh, Uncle Sev!" The young prince ran into his godfather's embrace.

The older man was shocked at the boy's behavior for he'd never been so openly emotional before. He picked his godson up and placed him in his lap. "What did you do, Draco? What is it that has angered him so?"

"I refused to accept his last gift to me, last night, Uncle Sev." Draco's expression was one of disgust. "He's betrothed me to himself! He wants me to marry him on my sixteenth birthday and I said no."

Severus Snape stared at the twelve year old. "Oh, Draco!"

The boy before him had such distress written on his features. "Now, he's placed a horrid curse on me, Uncle Sev, and I don't know how I'll endure it!"

"You will endure it with sadness…" Severus schooled his own expression as he lifted the boy's face so their eyes could meet; "but also with dignity and grace, Draconis…because that's how a Malfoy would endure such a thing…"

The boy nodded as tears ran down his face.

"Draco, I believe the time has come for you to learn the art of occlumency." Severus told the boy as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.

"What's that, Uncle?" The blond asked wiping his face with a sleeve before noticing the piece of cloth his uncle was handing him.

"Occlumency is the practice of self control." Severus told him placing the handkerchief into his godson's fist. "You will learn how to keep your face from showing emotion during horrific scenes. You will also learn how to calm yourself and not allow tears to show themselves…even when you feel like your life is over. Your Guardian is not a kind man, Draco. Over the next few weeks you will learn some of his atrocities and, when I am done, he will never be able to gain pleasure from your weaknesses again."

"I want that, Uncle Sev…" Draco sighed as another tear leaked from his left eye. "I really want that…"

The first lesson was to clear his mind before bed each night. Severus explained that to clear one's mind he needed a mental focus; one that could drive a mental attacker away from one's true thoughts. The boy set to work. First he imagined a creature that would stand guard and chase away the attacker, but Severus was able to get around that with ease. The creatures got bigger and bigger but still Severus got past them.

"I've an appointment, Draco; I want you to work on this while I'm gone." Severus told him. "Now, before I leave, I need to know what kind of curse Riddle used last night."

"I don't want to talk about it, Uncle Sev." Draco shook his head in horror.

"Then think about it and I'll read it in your thoughts…" Severus suggested gently. "I need the details if I'm to find a way to save you."

Draco felt a mental nudge and allowed his godfather to see his memory of the night before.

Severus watched the magic pull Draco's spirit from his body and transform into a corporeal dragon. He'd known that Voldemort was powerful, but this was beyond his worst imaginings. "Oh, Draco…This will take a miracle!" He said softly.

"No, Uncle…It will take a kiss from my true love." Draco sighed longingly. "How will I ever find him?"

"Him?" Severus looked up at the boy's face. "You've never mentioned a gender before, Draco…You believe your true love to be male?"

Draco blushed. "I've been dreaming of him for a while now, Uncle Sev. The first time was just after my eighth birthday. He'll be gorgeous…with brown hair and green eyes…" He trailed off with a smile.

"Occlude!" Severus snapped.

Draco blinked.

"You cannot keep him so clearly in your mind, child! Riddle will see his face and then find and kill him if you don't protect your thoughts!" Severus looked intently at the grey eyes of his godson. "Green eyes, you say…"

Draco nodded and then closed his eyes. Suddenly, Draco pictured a flaming silver sword and as Severus peered into his godson's mind he was repelled.

He gasped wordlessly at the object that now protected Draco's mind. Riddle would never see Draco's thoughts again if the Sword of Godric Gryffindor was its guardian. "You've found your focus, child…it will defend you well."

Draco opened his eyes and there was a slight sheen to the silvery orbs. "Uncle…I've drawn pictures. Should I destroy them…so my guardian doesn't find them?" He didn't want to give the drawings up but he sure as Fiendfyre didn't want to endanger his green eyed boy.

"No, Draco…give them to me. I'll protect them with my life." Severus swore.

Draco went to his dresser and pulled out a sketch pad. He lifted the cover and took a last look at his love's face before handing it to his uncle. "This is him…I don't know if he even exists…but I feel so loved by those emerald eyes."

Severus looked down and thought he was looking at a detailed likeness of James Potter. Then he noticed Lily's eyes… "Those eyes!"

"I know! They're so intense! So deeply intent…and in my dreams it's like he can see into my soul." Draco placed a fist above his heart.

"Perhaps he'll have to…if he's to save you, Draco." Severus knew Draco had drawn what Harry Potter would look like in four or five years' time. "Keep that fiery sword as your focus, Draco. Feed the flames with your feelings for this boy. You will endure this curse and Riddle will rue the day his plan took shape!"

Draco's grey eyes shone as Severus folded his drawings and hid them in his robes.

"I'm off to my appointment. Practice your occlumency and I'll see you for lessons at the usual time." The dark-haired man said quietly.

Draco nodded and took out one of his texts to study. "I'll need to look like I'm doing something else though, right?"

Severus nodded curtly. "You've caught on quickly. Good work, Draco; I'll see you soon."

Sighing slightly, Draco peered out the window as his uncle went on his way. He missed the companionship of the older man already and the simple presence of the pictures he'd drawn was usually enough to stave off some of the loneliness he felt at times like these.

Still occluding, Draco brought to mind the green eyed boy. He smiled at the mere thought of him and walked to lie on his bed to be more comfortable. He soon drifted into a light slumber, untroubled by spirit changes.

********** LTF**********

Severus hurried away from Malfoy Castle. First he went home and did some research on the sword that had once belonged to Godric Gryffindor. He found many background details but nothing to tell him all of the different powers it held nor its whereabouts. He waited impatiently until dinnertime and then he visited Sirius Black.

Sirius was waiting at his door and as soon as his lover rang the bell, he opened it. They embraced until Severus broke the silence.

"I've much to tell you, Siri." Severus' voice shook. "The curse Draco is under is a spirit-curse! His spirit leaves his body each night and takes the form of a corporeal dragon. This will continue until the day his true love kisses him or he takes marriage vows with Voldemort!"

"This is bad… Draco's barely twelve! Can he endure it?" Sirius asked as he tried to comfort the other man.

"I will teach him how to do so...but I feel for the boy. He dreams, Siri...Draco dreams of Harry!" Severus divulged as they separated slightly and walked to a couch while holding hands.

Sirius stared at Severus. "Harry dreams of him as well! He saw the event that led to the curse and called me to him. He doesn't know Draco exists; nor does he know his name…but he sees Draco in his dreams just the same."

"It is the same with my Draco." Severus said squeezing his lover's hand. "I've begun to teach the boy occlumency, Siri. He's already found his best focus."

"Really? So young?" Sirius frowned.

"I was shocked too." Severus nodded and stroked the other man's hand. "At first he started as we all do… animals or creatures and even people. The best occlumens know that what you really need as a focus is a true weapon, right?"

Sirius pictured his own mental focus; a sharp dagger. He'd drawn it once to show James and his best friend had one made for him as a Christmas gift almost two decades ago. "Yes…What has he come up with… a dagger; perhaps a bow and arrow; a sword?"

"It's a sword but… Oh Siri, it's not just a sword…" He paused for effect. "It's Harry's sword."

Sirius frowned. "I don't understand."

"The legendary Sword of Gryffindor…" Severus kissed Sirius' cheek. "Flaming blade and all…manifested itself inside Draco's mind when I explained that Voldemort would want to kill his true love if he were able to identify the boy."

"I wonder…" Sirius thought for a moment and then proceeded to get up and summon a cloak. "Stay here. I have to see to something."

"Will you tell me if it's there?" Severus smirked.

Sirius nodded and grinned back. "Kreacher will give you dinner and I'll eat when I return."

Severus ate in peace and waited as patiently as possible for his lover to rejoin him.

********** LTF **********

Sirius handed the head goblin of Gringott's – and incidentally, a friend of his – the key to the royal vault of Scotland. When the door opened for them, he asked to be allowed inside alone.

The goblin simply nodded. "As the guardian of the Heir-Apparent, it is allowed."

He took a step inside and waited for the door to close behind him. He cast a non-verbal Lumos spell and went further. The chamber was very large – much bigger than the Black Vault he was in charge of. He looked around. There were chests of galleons, sickles and even knuts, but what he wanted to see was the stock of heirlooms. He saw jewels and vases, shields and mundane swords; he saw portraits and furniture as well as musical instruments. Desks and armoires lined the cavern. Suits of armor were scattered throughout the collection also.

Suddenly, Sirius noticed one portrait that was in an odd placement. It almost seemed to be overlooking the whole vault. He went over to it and knocked on the frame. "Hello? May I please speak with the occupant of this frame?"

"That depends on who it is that's asking…" A deep voice answered.

"Begging your pardon, sir; my name is Sirius Orion Black." He told the painting. "I'm the guardian of the current heir to the throne."

"And why does the heir need a guardian? What's happened to his parents?" The voice asked.

"A dark and evil wizard has killed them. They bade me get young Harry to safety before they met their untimely end so I was unable to fight for their lives." Sirius' voice rang with the guilt he felt.

"Well, Black; you've done well in keeping the heir safe." A man emerged from the left side of the frame. "But what can you possibly seek here?"

Sirius was shocked to see before him the likeness of James' oldest ancestor: Godric Gryffindor. He calmed himself as he bowed and ordered his thoughts quickly. "I seek only to confirm the whereabouts of your legendary sword, my liege. In the coming years, your descendant – Harrington James Potter – may have need of it. If it lies within these walls, that would be a great comfort…"

The man looked down at him with deep blue eyes. "It does not…"

Sirius sighed.

"Do not despair, Black…When he needs it, it will find its way to him…" Gryffindor told him. "Teach the boy well, Lord Black… and give him a gift for me."

"Of course, my liege; what would you have me give to him?" Sirius asked.

"Three items rest on the chair, there." He pointed to a large ornate throne-type chair. "The box holds a few items my heir will need when he marries. It will only open if a drop of his blood is placed upon the lock. The shield that rests against the side of the chair will help him in whatever quest he finds himself on. The sword is mundane but is sturdy and sharp. It will serve him well until the sword of my making presents itself. Take them and go."

Sirius obeyed, shrinking the items to be hidden in a pocket.

When he emerged, the head goblin looked at him knowingly. "The vault records will show what was taken. Gryffindor has never before given permission for visitors not of his own blood to remove his personal possessions. Your charge is a lucky boy."

Sirius remained silent as he nodded and boarded the trolley.

********** LTF **********

He reached his home quickly and ate a small meal before joining Severus in bed.

"Was it there?" Severus asked as he laid his head on Sirius' chest.

"No, apparently it will find its way to him when he most needs it." Sirius proceeded to tell his lover what had transpired in the vault. "I suppose I'll have to teach Harry the sword over the next few years…"

"Yes, that would be a good idea, Siri." Severus agreed.

"What shall I tell him about Draco?" He asked. "He will not like to be put off or ignored."

"Give him vague facts." Severus suggested. "Tell him the blond boy is real; he lives in England and is a year or so younger than him. Tell him you haven't confirmed any further details such as name and exact location."

Sirius nodded. "That should keep him happy…for now. I'll write to him in the morning."

"I'm going to tell Draco about his parents soon." Severus said nodding softly. "Once he's learned to occlude, he'll be ready to hear some of Voldemort's crimes against him."

"You're not going to tell him about Harry though, right?" Sirius asked.

"No, Siri…I want him to keep hope alive but specifics can wait." Severus took his wand from the night table and waved it. Draco's drawings floated across the room and into his hands. "Look at these. Draco drew them."

"That's James!" Sirius gasped at first glance…and then he saw the eyes. "Oh, James…you didn't know how right you were! James got his wish, Severus. The day Harry was born he said to me that – if he had his way – Harry would look just like him, but he'd have Lily's eyes…"

Severus smiled softly. "This is what he'll look like in a few years, Siri…"

"My Harry will soon come to save his beloved Draco…and when he does, I'll have trained him to be the prince he was born to be…" He kissed his lover and drifted off to sleep.

********** LTF**********

At dawn, on the other side of London, a twelve year old boy was readjusting to his own body from a restless night as a dragon.

Draco's eyes fluttered open to see beautiful green eyes and a lopsided smile. "You!"

The green eyed boy just let his grin become broader. "You…" He whispered.

"Who are you? Where are you?" Draco asked as he sat up and allowed the green eyed boy to wrap his arms softly around him. "I need you!"

"Hush, my love, it's not time yet." The green eyed boy said in a quiet voice. "Neither of us is ready."

Tears sprang to Draco's eyes. "But…"

"I will come for you, my love…" The green eyed boy held him tightly for a moment longer and then stood to leave. "…when it's time…"

Draco reached out to his green eyed boy. "Wait! Please!"

"We are both too young for what I'd like to do right now…" The green eyed boy bent as Draco stood. "But perhaps a small taste…" Their lips were just about to brush when Draco was startled from sleep by the sounds of Dobby setting up to serve breakfast. With another sigh he checked his mental defenses and got dressed before sitting down at the table.

********** LTF**********

On Harry's next birthday, Sirius gave him the chest and the shield from Godric Gryffindor and told him he'd be learning to use a sword in addition to his other subjects. Harry asked Sirius to hold the small chest until he was older but was very excited about the sword and shield and proceeded to learn all his subjects very diligently over the next three years.

I know it's short again but I promise we're getting to the good stuff!

Lori