Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
"I wonder why they want us to come here," Draco said as he and Hermione used the fireplace in Snape's quarters to floo to Grimmauld Place. They had gone to babysit Harry and found a note inside telling them to meet Snape and Harry there.
"Maybe so Harry can play with Ron," Hermione suggested as Draco threw the floo powder down. "Sometimes Mrs. Weasley brings him there."
"Maybe," Draco said as they entered Grimmauld Place. "I've never been here before," He said as he looked around the room.
"It looks better than it did," Hermione observed. "Mrs. Weasley has been cleaning for the past few months."
"Mione! Dwaco!" Harry squealed as he ran over to them. He lifted his arms up for Draco to lift him.
"Hey runt," Draco said as he carried Harry across the room. He paused when he saw a scruffy black dog in the middle of the room. "Uh, why is there a mangy mutt here?"
"That is what I ask every time I come to this house," Snape said as he entered the room.
The dog gave an indignant huff and transformed back into a man.
"Whoa," Draco said with wide eyes. "Sirius Black!"
"Who is this?" Sirius demanded.
"This is your second cousin, Draco Malfoy."
"Oh," Sirius said, eyeing him suspiciously. "I should have guessed by the hair color."
Draco narrowed his eyes at him.
"Give me my godson," Sirius said, holding out his arms.
"No," Draco cuddled Harry protectively. "You might have fleas." He spat.
Instead of anger, amusement flashed through Sirius's eyes.
"Of course, he doesn't have fleas," Snape said briskly. "He does, however, have a tendency to chew up the furniture."
Draco glanced around distastefully. "That explains things." He muttered.
Sirius threw his head back and laughed. "You might be all right after all, Draco." He chuckled.
Draco looked surprised but a smile quirked at his lips. Harry squirmed in his arms so he set the toddler down.
"Be doggy again," Harry said as he toddled over to his godfather.
"I've been a dog all afternoon," Sirius sighed. He loved playing with Harry but he was tired now.
"Be doggy again!" Harry demanded. "Now!"
"Harry, you are being rude," Snape scolded. "If Sirius says no, then it is a no."
Harry pouted.
"He needs a nap," Snape said as he checked the time. An overtired Harry was a cranky Harry.
"No nap!" Harry shrieked.
"Calm down, pup. You don't have to take a nap if you don't want to," Sirius said, giving Snape a defiant look.
"He will get even more cranky if he does not have a nap," Snape retorted. "I am his guardian and he is taking a nap."
Sirius scowled.
"How about I read you a story," Draco offered Harry. "I'm fairly certain Hermione brought some books with her." He grinned at her. He liked to tease her that she couldn't go from one room to another without bringing books with her.
Hermione smirked at him and dug out a copy of The Toadstool Tales, handing it to Draco. "Here you go."
"Yay!" Harry clapped his little hands. "Pafoo', want to hear the story?" he asked eagerly.
"Sure pup," Sirius said easily.
Hermione sat with them, reading her own book but occasionally giving smiles to Draco as she watched him read Harry a story.
HP
Snape was making tea in the kitchen when Dumbledore arrived.
"Albus," Snape greeted. "Lemon in your tea?"
"Yes, thank you," Dumbledore said as he seated himself at the table. "Where is everyone?"
"Draco is reading a story to Harry while Miss Granger does her own work. The mutt is with them."
"His name is Sirius," Dumbledore said in amusement.
Snape merely raised a shoulder in response.
"Have you spoken to Draco about denouncing Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked, growing more serious.
Snape flinched slightly at the name. "No, not yet. It will be a big decision for him as it will undoubtedly cause his parents to disown him. It will change his life." he said with a sigh. "He will also be labeled a traitor by many of his peers."
"He has people who will stand by him," Dumbledore pointed out.
"Yes," Snape agreed. "He does."
Giggling interrupted their conversation and the two men went into the sitting room. Snape couldn't help but give a chuckle when he saw what Miss Granger was laughing about. Draco was still sitting on the couch with the book in his hands, Harry leaning against him sound asleep. And next to Harry, Sirius sat with his head back against the cushions, snoring softly.
"Good. Two cranky toddlers taking a nap." Snape smirked.
Draco slid carefully off the sofa, careful not to wake Harry. He put a blanket over both Harry and Sirius and then joined Dumbledore and Snape, Hermione joining them. They went to the kitchen and sat down to tea and biscuits.
"Isn't there a house-elf around here?" Draco asked curiously. Most of the older, pure-blooded families had at least one house elf.
"Yes, there is one named Kreacher. But he and Sirius hate each other so Sirius rarely summons him," Dumbledore said.
"Draco, there is something the Headmaster and I want to talk to you about," Snape said.
"My Father will disown me, there is no doubt about that," Draco said quietly after hearing Snape tell him about Dumbledore's idea. "And Mother won't fight him on it."
"It is an option that will keep you away from your parents," Dumbledore said. "So they don't hurt when they fail to catch Harry."
Draco nodded. "I understand that. And the truth is, I've been fearing going back home. I know my Father is pushing for me to take the dark mark as soon as possible."
Hermione gasped.
"I don't want to do it. I won't do it," Draco said fiercely. He looked at Snape. "Will I stay at the castle for all the holidays?" He asked hopefully. That way he wouldn't have to find a new home until he graduated.
"What's going on? Why would you stay at the castle for all the holidays?" Sirius asked as he entered the room, his eyes still slightly blurry with sleep.
"Draco is going to publicly denounce you-know-who," Hermione told him as he joined them at the table. "He will be disowned by his parents for doing so."
"You're really going to do that?" Sirius asked in surprise.
Draco nodded. "Yes."
Sirius leaned back in his seat, observing Draco thoughtfully. "That's a very brave thing to do," he remarked.
"You do have options," Snape told Draco. "You are welcome to stay with me, although I do stay at the castle more than my home. You can stay with your Aunt Andromeda, she is a good person and would gladly welcome you. Or," He made a face. "You can stay here, with your cousin."
"With me?" Sirius asked in surprise.
"You are family," Dumbledore pointed out.
"That's true," Sirius looked at Draco with a considering look. He nodded. "If you don't mind living in this hovel, you are more than welcome to call it home." he offered.
"This place isn't that bad, I suppose," Draco said, glancing around. "It just needs to be redecorated."
"Have at it," Sirius said with a shrug. He had never cared for the house, it held a lot of bad memories for him. If Draco wanted to redecorate, he had no problem with that.
Draco's face fell. "I won't have money," he said softly. He wouldn't be able to buy any new textbooks, clothes, or anything.
"I have plenty," Sirius waved his hand airily. "You'll be in my care so I will take care of your needs. You can also have – what is it called?" He snapped his fingers as he remembered. "An allowance."
Draco stared at him. "You really don't mind?"
"Not at all," Sirius said. "Believe me, I know what is it like to be disowned by your parents."
"Finally someone to keep an on you and make sure you behave," Snape remarked.
"I behave," Draco said in an insulted voice.
"I didn't mean you," Snape smirked.
Sirius made a face. "Oh, very funny Snape."
HP
Draco looked up as his Father's owl flew towards him in the Great Hall. Here we go, he thought grimly. He had sent a letter to his parents the other day, denouncing the dark lord and telling them he would never take the dark mark.
"Draco, you got a howler!" Crabbe exclaimed. "You never get howlers!"
Draco ignored him and opened the envelope, wanting this over with. His father's voice roared out.
How dare you! Shame of my flesh, traitor to your name! You are a blood traitor and not fit to be in my family! We disown you, Draco. If you ever show your face again around the manor, I will kill you!
Silence rained in the Great Hall after the red envelope tore itself up.
"You've been disowned? Why?" Blaise asked.
"Because I have no wish to follow the dark lord or become one of his death eaters," Draco said bluntly.
"I knew it!" Theo spat. "I knew you were a traitor!"
Draco rolled his eyes.
"That's pretty brave of you," Daphne Greengrass said, giving Theo a dirty look. Not all Slytherins wanted to be death eaters.
"Brave? It's stupid of him!" Pansy snarled. "You are joining all the blood traitors!" She accused.
"It's my choice," Draco said. "I know what is right and what is wrong. Becoming a slave to that madman? Killing innocent people? It's wrong and I don't regret my decision."
"You will regret that decision," Pansy hissed. "You'll pay like all the blood traitors will. Like Potter will!"
Draco slammed his fork down and glared menacingly at her. Pansy paled and scooted further away from him. Draco stood up and stalked away from the table. He had a feeling he would be eating his meals in the kitchens or in his dorm from now on. Or maybe he shouldn't stay in his dorm anymore. Was it even safe to stay in Slytherin?
"Draco!"
Draco turned with his wand in hand and then relaxed when he saw Hermione.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked in concern.
"Yes. I expected it, honestly," Draco said. He tried to act unaffected by the whole thing. "It's not like I was close to my parents, not really."
"That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt," Hermione said gently.
Draco rubbed a hand over his face. "It does hurt," he admitted. "Even knowing it would happen, it still hurts."
"Of course it does," Hermione said sympathetically. "Despite what they've done, they're your parents and you love them."
"I don't love what they are," Draco said darkly.
"No, not what they are, not the things they've done but for the simple fact they are your parents," Hermione said softly. "I know it means nothing, but I'm proud of you."
Draco was quiet for a moment. "That's not true," he said finally.
"What?"
"That it means nothing," Draco said, looking at her. "It means something to me. Thank you, Hermione." He said sincerely.
Hermione smiled.
HP
Several days later, Snape answered the summons from the dark lord. He left the castle, leaving Harry with Draco and Hermione, and apparated to Malfoy Manor. It appeared the dark lord had taken up residence with the Malfoys. Snape occluded his true thoughts and entered the mansion.
"Severus," Voldemort said, his red eyes on him.
"Master," Snape bowed.
"So Severus, Draco has turned against me," Voldemort said, absently reaching out to pet Nagini. "I'm sure you heard."
"Yes, Master. It is a surprise to us all," Snape said smoothly.
"Perhaps he has become enamored with the mudblood," Bellatrix smirked.
"I don't know why," Snape said distastefully, keeping his true thoughts occluded.
"I should have known he wasn't strong enough to go through with the plan to befriend her." Voldemort spat to Lucius.
"I had no idea he was so weak. He is no son of mine. Not anymore," Lucius said coldly.
"It is such a shame that my death eaters raise such weak children," Voldemort said maliciously.
"If I had had children, I would have made sure they grew up loyal to you Master," Bellatrix simpered. "If they didn't, I would happily kill them."
"And you, Lucius? Will you kill Draco for his betrayal?" Voldemort asked, twirling his wand casually.
"The very first chance I get," Lucius said bitterly.
"Good. Make sure he suffers first," Voldemort turned to Snape. "It is now on you to find out when Potter will be returning to the castle. I want to intercept him before he reaches Hogwarts."
"I am waiting for Dumbledore to let the professors know when he will be returning," Snape lied. "I believe it will be a few days yet. They want to make sure he is fully over the Goblin's Cough."
"I've had some of my followers stake out the Dursley house," Voldemort stared at him. "No sign of the boy there. No sign of his guardians being worried."
"Of course not, he is likely being confined to his room as he recovers," Snape said. He smirked. "And from what Dumbledore has told me, he is not liked very much by his relatives."
Voldemort slowly smiled. "What a pity," he murmured.
Bellatrix cackled.
"Perhaps when Potter is grabbed, Draco can be brought here as well," Voldemort said thoughtfully.
Snape hesitated. "I am not sure how to make that happen, my lord. Draco is now being kept safe at Hogwarts. Dumbledore has even arranged for private quarters for him, to keep him safe from his peers." Draco had expressed concern about staying in the Slytherin dorms and he and Dumbledore had agreed he should be moved.
"Of course, he has," Voldemort snorted. "The old fool. As if that will be enough. Besides, I do not require you to deal with Draco. That is Lucius's job."
"Mine?" Lucius asked in surprise. "The boy is nothing to me now."
"Use your brain, Lucius," Voldemort snapped. "You can send for him, tell him you want to talk with him. To work things out. Then when he arrives, you will bring him to me. He must be made an example of."
"Of course, my Master," Lucius agreed.
Voldemort stood up and began pacing. "I want this over with. Potter needs to die soon. Then I can let the wizarding world know I am alive and they will realize they have no one to protect them. They will join me or die."
Snape nodded approvingly but inside all he could think was that Voldemort would get his hands on Harry and Draco over his dead body.
"Oh, Master! I can't wait!" Bellatrix said with a happy sigh. "Please, can I torture Potter before you kill him? I want to make him scream."
Voldemort chuckled. "Of course, Bella. My most loyal followers may have their fun before I finally kill the brat. You too, my dear Severus. You deserve a turn after having to put up with him in your classes." He laughed.
"Thank you, Master. That is most generous of you." Snape said in a pleased voice.
"I will expect to hear from you soon, Severus," Voldemort said, his eyes eager. "As soon as you know how Dumbledore plans to retrieve Potter."
"Of course, my Master," Snape replied. "Anything you wish."
TBC: