Severus heard Draco before he saw him as the boy greeted the headmaster politely before walking up to him. Severus had expected a 'how are you feeling now' or a 'hello' or at the very least a 'good evening professor' but Draco just stood there in silence, resolutely staring at a spot above his shoulder. Severus sighed and said, "Sit down, Draco."

"I'd much rather stand, sir, if that's okay."

"No, it is not, please sit down." Draco sat down and moved his chair further away from his godfather.

"Did you eat?"

"Yes sir."

"How was the meal?" Severus tried to make small talk.

"I ate everything the house-elves spelled onto my plate, sir."

"I know that Draco, I would have been alerted otherwise. I meant, did you enjoy the food? Any favorites?"

"When you're forced to eat, you don't generally think about enjoyment, sir."

Severus wanted to change the tone of the conversation and tried, "how about some dessert?"

"I'm not hungry, sir."

"Come on, I'll get you a cheesecake." Severus almost cringed, hearing himself bribe the child.

Draco looked like he was going to refuse but then he said, "Blueberry." Normally Severus would have punished the child for such atrocious manners but decided to pick his battles and called for the cheesecake. When the house-elf appeared with their dessert, he directed Dobby to take some to Albus too, wanting to avoid the drama Albus would cause by pouting about not being included in the dessert plans.

"How are you feeling, child?"

"Sad, angry, frustrated, lonely."

"Because?"

"Nothing. I don't know. I'm fine."

"Draco, talk to me. I can't help if you don't talk to me."

"You have generally been making things worse."

"You know that isn't true." Severus tried to keep the hurt from his voice while also thinking that he would never have gotten away with saying such hateful things to Albus.

"Draco, if you continue like this, you will hurt and suffer and likely end up in more trouble. I understand that things are hard and different and confusing. Talk to me, let's discuss how to navigate the situation."

"Will you promise to never spank me again?"

"Will you promise to never break a major rule again?

"I'll try."

"Same."

"But that's not fair!"

"How come?"

"Well, you just shouldn't spank me, even if I break a rule."

"Those rules are important, Draco. That's why I need to reinforce those lessons with physical chastisement."

"But I hate it!"

"I know, hence I use it sparingly. But it is effective." Severus cringed as he said it, remembering his own spanking from earlier that day.

"Of course you think that, you aren't the one suffering."

"Oh Draco, if only you knew."

"What?"

"Nothing. This is a part of growing up, Draco. It is a privilege to have someone around who cares enough to hold you accountable. I will always hear you out, will never punish you in anger and will always comfort you afterwards. It will serve you well to accept your punishments with good grace, learn your lesson and move on."

Draco didn't say anything but took another bite of his cheesecake.

Severus noticed Albus standing at the door to the kitchen and they exchanged a smile.

"So, how was your day, child?" Severus almost held his breath, not sure how Draco would respond.

"Other than the fact that my bottom really hurts," Severus rolled his eyes at that as he could see Draco sitting comfortably, "and that I was forced to eat food, it was actually pretty interesting. We learnt a really cool new spell in transfiguration to turn solid things into liquids. I'm going to try it on everything!"

Severus smiled as Draco rambled, he had his godson back.

"Uncle Sev?"

"Yes my snake?"

"May I have a new broom?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, "and what is wrong with your current one?"

"There's a new really cool Nimbus 2000. It is way better than my old Nimbus."

When Severus just raised his eyebrow again, he continued wheedling, "and I've been really sad lately and it feels like everything is going wrong and it would be really nice to have something new and fun. Might take my mind off things."

Severus almost smirked. The audacity of that child trying to manipulate the head of Slytherin. But this also meant that he was feeling safe and comfortable and that made Severus really happy.

"One month of no getting into trouble and all grades are to be an E or O."

"Except History of Magic."

"Alright, I'll accept an A in History of Magic but I will be talking to Professor Binns and he better give me a glowing report of your conduct in class."

"Fine. You know that father would have sent me the broom if I had only mentioned it in my letter. It's not nice of you to make me work for it."

"And we can clearly see how little you care about your current broom that your father just sent you. Trust me, after you have worked hard and earned this broom, you will care about it and cherish it a lot more."

"Like I cherish the snitch I earned by getting an O in Potions my first year?"

"Yes, just like that." Severus smiled, then added, "That reminds me we haven't brewed together for a while. Would you like to assist me sometime?"

"Am I allowed into your lab?"

"When I'm there and I am inviting you, yes you are."

"Will we make something fun? And you won't make me just scrub cauldrons?"

"When have I made you do that outside of detentions? If your memory is failing you already then whenever we brew for fun, I always take care of the cleaning up."

"I know, uncle Sev! I was just pulling your leg. That makes those brewing sessions even more fun for me." Severus mentally smirked, how easy it was to manipulate his godson into enjoying things that Snape wanted him to enjoy.

"Will you also fly with me?"

"Don't you live with a whole dorm of boys who would love nothing more than to zip around on their brooms?"

"But I want to fly with you, Uncle Sev! And this has to be just a way we spend time together. It is not a reward, don't make me do anything for it."

"Alright, alright, we can go for a picnic on Saturday and we'll take our brooms along. I know a lovely meadow with a lake where we can fly."

"That sounds lovely!" Draco suddenly got up and hugged Severus. When Draco moved to pull away, Severus held him tighter and continued to hug him for a few more moments.

Eventually he said, "Alright then my naughty snake, time for bed."

"Awww"

"Whining is the opposite of behaving for a month."

"Uncle Sev, that will be impossible to do! You only said no getting into trouble. So only the big stuff should count."

"And who decides what is big and what is small?"

"Well…"

"Don't worry, we'll work it out. For now, get ready for bed if you want a story. Both of us have had a long day and I'd like some cuddle time with you before a long, deep sleep."

"Yes! I love story time!" And Draco ran towards his room in Snape's quarters which was accessible from Dumbledore's quarters too.

When he heard Draco leave, Albus walked up to Snape and said, "I'm so proud of the guardian you are becoming. You handled that really well."

"All I did was channel you."

"If only my charge was as polite and willing to accept his mistakes and punishment like Draco."

"What? I am way more polite than the boy! …" Snape kept mumbling as Dumbledore walked away, laughing.