Severus was glad it was the month of October. Counter to his other Head-of-Houses, Severus took this month to inform first-year parents how their children were adjusting. While this was usually considered tedious and annoying to go on about children and put on an act with the few purebloods he would receive that year, this so happened to coincide with his need to speak to one, Narcissa Black.

Severus did not need to speak with Lucius. The man had already heard how much of a bully his son had become and got nowhere in his behaviour correction. Still, Severus hoped that the mummy's boy would listen to Narcissa. At the very least, she needed to be informed, as was her right as a parent.

Severus had scheduled her for one of the first appointments available this afternoon. He was already waiting in his office with his floo activated and waiting when said woman gracefully entered from the flaring fireplace. She had dressed elegantly, as was her usual, and Severus took a moment to stand and welcome her to the seating arrangements that had become a constant in his office.

"Good afternoon, Severus. Thank you for inviting me for a meeting."

Severus inclined his head and stood, waiting for her to take her seat as was proper. She sat primly, but Severus was almost positive that would not last long. "Welcome, Cissy. It is nice to see you outside of the odd meals we have taken at the manor."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, that manor. I don't know why you both want to live there. I spent nine years there under Abaraxus Malfoy's hand. That man was always spouting his purist views and tainting Draco with his ideals. Poor Lucius was so scared of the man that he let him walk all over him. We would have never been able to divorce if he hadn't died two years ago. That house is a horror, and I don't see how you both put up with it."

Severus snorted. "Well, it is an ancestral home, Cissy, and you have seen the labs."

She smirked. "Ah, yes, the potions labs are quite extensive. But, sadly, it holds no appeal for me. Such is my loss, I suppose."

Severus used his wand to conjure the tea set, gesturing for Narcissa to help herself first. She did so and seemed to realize the obligatory niceties were ending somewhat shorter than usual. As much as Severus enjoyed her company, he had much bigger topics to discuss. He busied himself with making his own cup of tea before settling himself in for their chat.

"Cissy, I apologize to cut our ramblings short, but the matter I wanted to get to is that which concerns Draco."

She pursed her lips. "Yes, Lucius had mentioned a few incidents. Apparently, he is unhappy with staying with the two of you."

Severus felt his jaw clench. "Yes, he has made that abundantly clear. We had hoped he understood, but it seems he believes I have driven you from your home."

She sighed, her eyes going heavenwards. "We had discussed with Draco that I was moving of my own volition. I wanted to move in with Kinglsey, as we have been together for a year or more. We didn't want to separate, but I dreaded living in the manor with the memory of Abaraxus living in the walls."

Severus snorted. "Well, that is quite far removed from his thoughts on the matter. I have practically chased you out by fire. The way he speaks to us, Cissy. I had hoped you could take him this holiday and speak to him."

Her eyes softened, and she patted his hand. "Of course, Severus. I am sure Kingsley will hardly mind. He has wanted to spend more time with Draco. I just worry about how Draco will act around him."

Severus took this time to pat her hand in comfort. "He is infatuated with you, Narcissa. There is no reason to think Draco will chase him off. The man has the temper of a saint and the hero complex of any Gryffindor, not that he is a Hogwarts alumnus."

She smiled. "You are right, of course. However, the dear man will probably take this more so as a challenge to win Draco's affections."

Severus smirked. "Yes, well, there are other matters to discuss regarding his behaviour."

She gestured him on with a slight wave. "Continue, Severus."

"Has Lucius mentioned Draco's behaviour toward other students?"

Narcissa's eyebrow raised as she sipped her tea. "Should he have?"

Severus almost scoffed at her dramatics, but it was a more serious affair than that. "Yes. On the first day of classes, I caught him berating and physically hurting another first-year boy. I wasn't aware of this at the time, but he has been bullying the boy for the past month. Harry finally told me due to it coming to the attention of Filius."

Severus had never seen Narcissa so pinched in the face. She was obviously displeased with her son, and Severus felt no regret for the little creatin. He had been giving Harry a hard time for too long, and the boy needed no others to do so after years of abuse. Draco may have been his godson and his love's son, but the boy needed to shape up before he ended up just like he and Lucius were at his age.

"I'll speak with him, Severus. I want to blame Abarax for everything, but I know Lucius and I spoiled the boy. We are striving to change, but it has been trying."

Severus nodded at her pronouncement. They changed how they treated their son and others. Still, Draco was obviously slower in evolving along with his parents' behaviours. Severus could only hope their united front would help the boy become the young man Severus knew he could be. "I am sure myself and Draco will appreciate it, as the weeks of detention we had at the beginning of the year were quite taxing."

Narcissa nodded, going back to her tea with a conniving look in her eyes. "So, Harry, Dear Severus?"

Severus groaned aloud. "Really, must you pry woman?"

She smirked, settling into her chair more. "Spill, Severus Snape."

Severus shook his head in resignation and settled into his own chair. "I have taken guardianship of Harry Potter."

Severus was convinced he was now the only person to ever cause Narcissa Black to become speechless. "I beg your finest pardon, Severus? I do believe I misheard you."

Severus smirked, sipping his tea. He could feel her eyes roaming over every inch of him in surprise. "I do not think you are hard of hearing, Narcissa dear, but I will endeavour to repeat myself. I have taken guardianship of Harry Potter. Recently, of course. Lucius helped, as well as your sister."

Narcissa didn't allow any more surprise to be shown on her face, too much decorum in one woman for two displays of shock. "So, what of the muggles, Lily Potter's sister, wasn't it?"

Severus felt his jaw clench at the mention of Petunia. She had gotten what she deserved, but Severus could not help but think she got off easy compared to Harry, who still had so far to go in the way of healing. "That... woman wasn't fit to breathe the same air as the boy."

Narcissa's eyebrows rose for a moment before descending into a glare. "Abuse. They abused the child, didn't they?"

Severus nodded tightly. His hands clenched his cup so hard he felt the handle cracking. He placed the cup down before he risked creating a mess and used his hands to rub at his aching temples. "It was one of the worse muggle cases I have seen to date."

Narcissa nodded. "And what can we do about them? Surely the ministry will back the boy in a case if he wished it?"

Severus sighed, glaring at nothing in particular. "Albus would ruin any hope of doing that, and Harry is not ready for that kind of attention if we could go around the old fool. Minerva has helpfully cast a few retribution spells on the whole family. For now, we work to help Harry mentally and emotionally."

She nodded and set her cup down on the table. "I am sorry to say I must leave, Severus. I have another appointment in an hour or so. However, I will speak with Draco and Kingsley about the holiday. I can expect we have to schedule some joint family affair for Yule?"

Severus nodded and stood from his seat. "Of course. Lucius would throw a fit if he did not get to see Draco on his favorite holiday."

She spared a slight chuckle. "Yes, what a terror Prince Lucius would be." Severus smiled and saw her out the floo before waiting once more for another parent to come to discuss their child. October would now be a long month.