The journey to my home was, thank Merlin, gloriously uneventful. The Knight Bus was prompt and we were paid little attention save from a couple of comments from the jovial female conductor ("Quiet little thing isn't he? Is he yours?" and "You ain't kidnappin' him, are you? Not that I blame you mind.") and, apart from an old man who I was sure had passed away without anybody noticing, we were the only passengers.

Draco sat on my lap with his head resting against my chest and sucked his thumb, taking it out only for a minute to sip at a mug of watery hot-chocolate. My godson was still tense and he had not stopped shivering since we had left the manor. Luckily, I had thought to bring a coat, as the only other thing Draco was wearing were his torn pyjamas.

I dreaded to think of the repercussions all this would have on Draco's future life, as all this could hardly be swept under the carpet.

Of course, that would all depend on how far William had actually gone. The thought of his lips forced against Draco's was ghastly enough, but my mind was being constantly drawn to the image of William- hair ruffled, glasses askew…trousers undone.

I physically shuddered and held Draco just a little bit tighter as though, by protecting him now, I could erase all the terrible things that had been forced upon him.

But it was too late. Nothing I could do now, would change the fact that it had happened and we would all have to suffer the consequences.

As much as I tried to force it from my mind, one word plagued me as I watched the world pass by; Rape.

I carried Draco up the street approaching Spinner's End with very mixed feelings. It seemed somewhat ironic, to me anyway, that the house which I had grown to loath so much would, in the end, be used as a place of safety. I was sure there something funny there, but I failed to see it.

There are only seven houses making up the street and only two, at that point, were occupied-, both of which had dim lights glowing from the downstairs windows.

Now, in normal circumstances, a light in the living room would be considered a very welcoming sign, but now it only made my heart sink even lower. I was in no mood to deal with either of my parents tonight.

I traipsed reluctantly through the little iron gate, rusty and half off its hinges, and across the uneven stone paving to the porch.

I fumbled around in my many pockets, trying to locate my key, only to find that I had most definitely misplaced it.

My hand hovered over the brass knocker, nailed just below the number seven. My other hand gripped Draco's shoulder as the little boy leaned wearily against me. Mentally cursing myself for being such an idiot, I rapped three times upon the door and waited for one of my beloved parents to let us in.

As the sound of approaching footsteps became louder, my heart began to race and I held onto Draco a fraction tighter, for my own comfort more than anything.

I heard the bolt being slid across and then the key click in the lock, then the door swung open.

A woman, her arms folded across her chest, dressed in a grey-flannel dressing gown, stood in the doorway and regarded us with one raised eyebrow and a tight, un-amused smile.

"So, the prodigal son has returned," said my mother unsmilingly.

I sighed, "Hello Mother."

"Hmm." Her disapproving glare swept lazily from my face to scrutinise Draco, who was huddling against me. "And what is this?" she demanded, nose twitching. "Another of your strays, Severus? Did I not make it clear that that damnable feline was the last straw?"

"This is Draco," I replied, fighting to keep my voice even. It would not do to be turned out of my home on a night such as this. "You remember; the one I was working with?"

"Yes, the one you were obsessing over not a month ago?" Mother's mouth twitched into a slight, mocking smile. "So you finally had the guts to kidnap him? Well don't think that you're hiding him here, Severus. I'm not having Lucius Malfoy on my door-step making trouble, just for the sake of a child." She took a step back and made to shut the door, "I'm not having it Severus!"

"No!" My hand shot out to stop her. "Just…Just shut up a moment, won't you, and let us in!"

She scowled at me suspiciously, but stepped aside and let us pass.

The hallway was completely dark; the only light coming from the little kitchen just past the stairs. I pulled Draco into the sitting room and flicked on the switch. Luckily the little boy was still too numb to notice the light bulb and various electrical appliances scattered about the place.

My mother led us into the small sitting room, dimly lit by a small, candle-filled chandelier which dangled precariously from the ceiling, casting shadows about the room and making it seem even more ominous than it did during the day.

Nothing had changed.

"Now, I don't want a sound," my mother said, moving dusty cushions uselessly around on the thread-bare sofa. "Not from either of you. I would have set up the spare room, if you'd given me a bit of notice, Severus," she continued, glaring at me as though I had done her a great injustice. "You know we're tight for space…"

"I would've owled, but it was all a bit…well, sudden," I tried to explain, as I attempted to manoeuvre a dozey Draco onto the sofa. The boy sat where I had put him- unmoving, unblinking- his face had taken on a slightly green tinge that suggested he might throw up any moment.

My mother would not be happy.

She regarded him, her sharp face taking on a suddenly pensive expression. If I hadn't known better, I would almost have taken it for motherly concern. But, as it happened, I did know her better.

Then she turned on her heel with an abrupt, "Help me with the tea, Severus."

I nodded brusquely to her back, then looked anxiously to Draco. "Will you be all right? I'll just be in the next room."

"Yeah," he breathed, slumping against the worn cushions and closing his eyes sleepily.

I waited for a moment, just to be certain, the rose quietly and went to the kitchen where my mother was filling a kettle with water.

She did not turn from her task when I entered; instead she spoke with her back to me, "Explain."

A feeling of minor apprehension came over me. She had always appeared terribly sinister to me, particularly as a small boy. Although she had never done anything which would cause me to fear to outwardly fear her, I had always regarded her with the same wariness and reserve.

"I had to bring him here, "I tried to explain, pulling out one of the four rickety wooden chairs that were placed around the small table. "It won't be for long, though. His father will be coming to pick him up tomorrow."

"I see…" She walked across to the little stove and lit it with a snap of her fingers. "Get some mugs from the cupboards, won't you?"

I did as she bid, setting two chipped cups down upon the side board.

When the tea had been made, we sat at the table in silence; I fiddled uncomfortably with the cuff of my right sleeve, feeling my mother's dark eyes bore into me.

It shouldn't have been that awkward, I remember think to myself. She's my mother for Merlin's sake!

Suddenly, her sharp, clear voice cut through the silence, just as it was becoming unbearable, "I knew you would do it eventually."

"Hmm?" I raised my head. "Do what?"

She smirked slightly and sipped at her tea, "Kidnap that boy, of course. Lord knows you've gone on about it enough."

"I have not kidnapped Draco!" I retorted waspishly. "Something….something happened and Lucius needed me to take Draco somewhere safe-"

"So you came here?" Mother cut in, a single dark eyebrow raised in subtle amusement.

"Yes. As I said, it was all very sudden. I didn't really have time to think properly." I sighed and rubbed my eyes, setting down my untouched mug of tea back down on the table. "I need to talk to him," I mumbled, rising. "I have to…I have to sort this out. I have to know…"

My mother leaned forward on her elbows. "Now, I don't know what has happened. I don't know what you want him to tell you. But by the looks of things, that little boy is n no fit state to tell you anything." There was no mocking undertone, no snide expression. I appreciated that in a way that is difficult to describe.

I gave a moan of frustration and helplessness. She was right, of course. Even if Draco did mange to speak to me for more than three sentences without being sick, whatever he did say would, admittedly, be worth very little. I imagine that Draco was as confused about the past couple on months as I was.

"There is a way though," she continued, suddenly thoughtful. "There is a way you could get him to talk."

I raised my head wearily, willing to take on board any suggestions. I was just so tired!

"Veritaserum."

"What?"

"Veritaserum," she repeated as though I was deaf. "A couple of drops in a glass of water, just to encourage him."

I considered this; for one thing, I wasn't sure that Lucius would be happy if he found out that I had drugged his son, and for another…well, truth-serum was extremely potent and using it rashly on small children could be extremely dangerous…

But I had to know, and I had to know soon. If this was the only way…

"Fine," I said grimly. "But just a drop."

A/N: Thankyou for the feedback, but I figured, considering I've got my prelims due, I'll just update as frequently as I can...sorry about that.

As ever, thankyou for the reviews!!!!

Lily xxx