Chapter 8: Lucius

Two weeks passed without any of them noticing it. Harry and Snape had started to actually like each other, which made everything far easier on Draco. They fell into a routine. Severus woke first and make breakfast for the three of them. Then Draco and Harry came sprinting down to the dining area and scarf down their own. After, the three would retire to the library and either read or engage in easy conversation. The boys would move on to working on their summer homework and Severus would make lesson plans.

"Why don't you just do the same thing?" Harry finally asked Snape after two weeks of watching him try to plan when his class of first years studied an Invigorating Draught.

"I would bore of that far too quickly. Plus this makes it easier to weed out the cheaters," he replied, eyeing Malfoy seriously.

"Hey! I only cheated once!" He complained in jest.

"One time too many, if you ask me," Snape said quickly, smirking.

"Oh shut up!" Draco chided.

"Guys! I just wrote 'Too many shut up' on my transfiguration essay!" The boys erupted into laughter and Severus chuckled. Harry tried to scowl but ended up snorting, making Draco laugh so hard he cried. Both students were laying on the floor, grasping at their sides.

"I can't breathe!" The blonde shouted. Harry poked his shoulder.

"Not dead yet!" He called to Snape, who was watching the boys from his chair. Severus smirked.

"If this is how you do homework, Mr. Potter, it's no wonder why you're failing Potions!"

"I have yet to fail!" He challenged.

"Fair enough, though your marks creep dangerously low," he said with a small smile.

"I LIVE!" Draco announced, pulling himself off the floor. Harry smirked and pushed him down again.

"Focus!" Snape chastised and the two returned to their studies.

A few hours ticked by as they worked when a whoosh echoed from the fireplace. Severus stood and motioned to Harry and Draco to pick up their stuff and hide. They sprinted to Harry's room and closed the door so it was only open a crack. "Lucius," Snape said coolly as footsteps echoed through the library.

"Severus," the man replied in a similar fashion.

"How can I assist you?" He asked, betraying no emotion. Harry looked at Draco and saw fear in the icy-gray eyes.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked him, Draco's fear echoing in his voice. He shook his head and gestured to his father and Snape.

"Have you heard anything from Draco?" Lucius asked, trying to hasten the conversation by avoiding the usual banter.

"I can't say I have," he replied bitterly, as though it infuriated him to have not heard from his godson.

Lucius stepped forward and pinned Snape to the wall with his serpent cane. "Don't you dare lie to me Severus," he hissed.

"Why would I lie to you? What would that gain me?" He asked, anger seeping into his tone. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the other man back off.

"Very well," he said, taking a few steps back, allowing Severus to relax slightly. Lucius walked around the library as though searching for something. His eyes fell upon the cracked door and Draco held his breath. Severus blocked the other man's line of sight.

"Is there something down that ratty old hallway that interests you, Lucius?" His eyes lingered on the door a moment longer before he spoke.

"No, nothing." It sounded incredibly unconvincing. Draco looked at Harry, the fear in his eyes doubled. He leaned closer to the raven-head and placed his lips firmly upon Harry's. The other boy gasped but leaned into the kiss. Their lips melted together and for one blissful second, the rest of the world didn't exist. Draco pulled back and Harry immediately missed the contact. A small whimper emanated from his throat and Draco gave him an apologetic look.

"Hide under the bed," he whispered to Harry.

"What?"

"Do it!" He hissed. Harry complied, as silently as possible.

Draco leaned against the door trying to hear any more of the conversation between his father and Severus. "...soon Severus."

"He knows where I am should he need me. And should he end up here, I shall send him straight to you," Snape replied coolly, trying to get the older Malfoy to leave.

"Oh Severus, you truly are the worst liar," he said as he flicked his wand at the nearly shut door. It flew open, revealing Draco. He was shaking like a leaf.

"Father," he said with a quaking voice.

"Draco."

"I'm sorry for running off father—"

"I'll deal with you later," he snapped, disgust in his voice. He turned to Severus as he raised his wand. "If the Dark Lord didn't hold you in such a high light, I'd finish you off right here and now," he spat. "But as it stands, you are 'invaluable' so he says." Lucius stepped closer. "But should you make a mistake and fall from your pedestal, my hand might just slip," he said, enunciating each word. "And you might end up in Azkaban." Severus nodded sharply and gestured to the fireplace. "Farewell." He said, dragging Draco away from him.

Once they were gone, Severus fell into his chair, his breathing ragged. "I wish I could help him."

"Me too," said a small voice behind him, making him jump.

"Harry, you startled me," he said softly.

"Sorry." Severus nodded and dropped his head in his hands. Harry came over to him and put his arms around the man's shoulders. "It's going to be okay. We'll figure this out," he whispered, not knowing what else to say. He was still slightly stunned by the kiss. His lips tingled and his body felt electrified. He longed to hold Draco in his arms and protect him from his arse of a father as Draco did for him only two weeks ago. It pained him to be so powerless. Harry hated to see Snape look that way after getting to know him a bit.

After a few minutes, Severus sighed softly. "We have to wait until the start of the school year," he whispered.

A/N: Sorry for the late update, I'm on vacation with one of my friends and we leave tomorrow. Today has been the first day I've had enough down-time to work on my chapters! I love you all, thanks for bearing with me! I love reviews!