Reading Time:
37 Minutes

Prologue:

Draco Malfoy knelt on the floor in front of the Dark Lord, shaking and gasping through his panicky breaths. His skin was so pale that it was practically translucent, and the forearm of his wand hand was red, swollen, and sore from the number of times that Voldemort had tried to mark him with the Dark Mark. Draco was scared to death.

He was scared for himself and scared for his mother, who was being held in place by his Aunt Bella. On the floor next to her was his father’s dead body. A victim of the Dark Lord’s wrath. Why He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named thought that killing his father would be a better punishment for Draco, he wasn’t sure, but he appreciated it. Fortunately, the House Elves had cottoned on to there being a problem, because Draco could see several of them hiding around the room.

Mimsy, his mother’s personal attendant elf, was hiding just behind where she stood. All they needed was for Bella to let go of his mother’s arm, and Draco knew that Mimsy would pop her out. It was part of the plan after all.

After the fiasco that was the Battle at the Department of Mysteries, the whole Malfoy family had been on edge. Lucius had lost his place as the Dark Lord’s right-hand man to Bella, whom Voldemort had been less than pleased with as well. However, because Lucius was the one who had been tasked with getting the prophecy, the majority of the blame for the failure fell on his shoulders.

Then there was the fact that Lucius had run and gotten free when several others of the Dark Lord’s inner circle had been caught and put back in Azkaban. From there, the summer had been one failure after another by his father until Voldy finally had enough and killed him with an Avada Kedavra. Draco’s mother was doing her best to hide her horror, but the few times that Draco had been brave enough to look up at her, he’d been able to see the tears running down her cheeks. For his part, Draco was finding it hard to be sad as the throbbing in his forearm was a huge reminder that the Dark Lord wasn’t the only one that Lucius had let down. This was the third time that the Dark Mark had been attempted to be branded into his arm. Like Draco was some kind of prized heifer.

“You dare defy me still,” The Dark Lord sneered from his place up on the dais, glaring down at the newly minted Malfoy Lord. Not that Draco suspected they’d realized that just yet. Keeping his eyes directed toward the floor, Draco tried to think of an appropriate response, but his mind was blank. Nothing that was coming to him would do anything but enrage both Voldemort and Bella.

“I give you one last chance before you join your father at Hel’s gates. Bella, why don’t you warm up your nephew for me? I think he has forgotten his place in this home. My home. My manor. My money. My riches. With no Malfoy Lord around any longer to stop me, I claim all that is Malfoy in My Name! All the way back to Merlin himself.”

Almost against his will, Draco’s head whipped up, and a low growl escaped from deep in his chest. Just before his aunt’s curse hit him, his eyes connected with Mimsy’s, and he gave her a sharp nod, knowing she would understand him. The Dark Lord lusted after his mother. Draco wasn’t blind to it. It’s probably why Lucius had been killed first.

“Crucio,” Bella shouted, and Draco couldn’t help but yell as his body felt like it was being stabbed all over. His aunt loved casting the Cruciatus Curse.  It wasn’t the first time one of the inner circle had hit him with it during the summer. So he’d had plenty of others to compare hers to. Her thrill at inflicting the pain was clearly felt as the red beam continued to hit him.

“Enough, Bella,” The Dark Lord ordered with a sick grin. “For now. If he doesn’t accept it this time, then I will let you play with him as much as you’d like before I remove him from this realm.”

“You are too good to me, My Lord,” Bella purred, stepping away from Narcissa. As he lay on the floor sobbing in pain, Draco watched as Mimsy snuck forward and stopped with both of her hands wrapped around one of her mistress’ hands.

“Now, for the last time, Draco Lucius Malfoy, do you accept the Dark Mark and take your place amongst my followers?”

Lifting his head as much as he could, his hands and body shaking from the curse inflicted upon him, Draco locked eyes with Mimsy and gave her the barest of nods, hoping she could decipher the nod from the natural shakes his body was undergoing. When his mother and Mimsy disappeared with a quiet pop, Draco sneered, turning his sights to Voldemort. “Go fuck yourself. Not only will I never join you, I will make it my life’s mission to ensure that you and all of your followers rot in Hades’ realm forever.”

“You will die before your weightless words ever have a chance of coming to be,” Voldemort spat, his red eyes full of rage and hate. “Avada…”

But before he could continue, the chair the Dark Lord was sitting on disappeared, sending him crashing to the ground. Then, as the loyal sheeple shouted and rushed forward, something grabbed Draco’s hand. He prayed to Merlin and Lady Magic that it was his loyal friend. He had just enough time to see Apollo, Draco’s own Personal Attendant House Elf, standing there giving the Dark Lord the middle finger before the ballroom that they’d all been gathered in disappeared.

Seeing the inside of the walls of the ward room, Draco made several attempts to stand, having to eventually have Apollo and Hades, another of his Elves, help him to his knees. Casting a cutting curse on his wand hand, Draco thrust his bloody palm at the ward stone for the manor. He could already hear shouts and yells from outside the door but didn’t let that stop him.

Lowering his left hand, Draco felt a ring slip on his finger, and Hades nodded sharply before stepping back. “I love you, you bloodthirsty little bastard.”

Hades grinned a big, toothy grin as he nodded. “You say such sweet things to Hades. Gonna make him blush, but better hurry. We no can hold off the Death Munchers forever.”

Nodding, Draco turned back to the stone, watching the blood from his cut hand flow freely through the grooves and ruins carved into it. “I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, do claim this manor and this stone by right of the death of my father and previous Lord, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. As Lord, I cast custodes belli acerrimi  [extreme war wards] upon this place and all of those within it. I cast out all of those except myself, my mother Narcissa Mafoy, and my elves from within its walls. I declare this dwelling impenetrabilis [impenetrable].

“My house, you snake-faced, half-blooded liar,” Draco spat angrily. Losing his grip on the stone for a moment, he found himself crashing down to the ground, crying as his body was wracked with pain.

“Master Draco!” Apollo called, shifting to look down at his Master and Lord. “Please let us get you help!”

“Have to finish,” Draco murmured, and Hades nodded fast at Apollo.

“I can feels that the wards will not let help through in they current state.”

Once more, the two House Elves reached out to help him to his knees, making Draco shout with pain at just their touch.  Slicing his hands once more, Draco whimpered but let the blood flow again as this time both hands were placed on the stone.

“I cast amicus familiae [friend of family] and declare the following people friends to the House of Malfoy and be welcomed within these wards. “Narcissa Malfoy, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom, Gragin Gentleheart, as well as outside House Elves, Rosabelle, Kronos, Jordy, Rosewood, and Romano. In addition, I declare anyone wearing the Mark of the wizard known as Voldemort, formerly named Tom Marvolo Riddle,  hostis familiae [enemy of family] with the exception of Severus Snape. All others may only enter with my permission through floo or a physical entrance to the manor unless they enter while in contact with either myself or someone declared amicus familiae [friend of family]. Apparition is banned except for myself and Narcissa Malfoy within the walls of this dwelling. So mote it be.”

As if his body knew his duties were done, Draco collapsed again with a shouted cry as the elves rushed to him again, neither being able to be in contact with him while he was conferring with the magic of the ward stone.

Carefully, Apollo and Hades levitated Draco using House Elf magic and floated him out of the room, through the dungeon, and up to the rest of the house. As they floated through the manor, heading to Draco’s room, Narcissa came running up, calling to the elves as she ran. “Apollo, what happened to your master?” She snapped before gently taking his hand and taking over the levitation spell, continuing the journey to the bedroom.

Apollo wasn’t upset by her tone as he knew how close the mother and son were. “Master Draco took over the Lordship for House of Malfoy, then raised the highest war wards he could. Once that was done, he declared the Death Munchers hostis familiae [enemy of family] and added peoples for amicus familiae [friend of family].”

“Did he add Severus?” Narcissa asked as they reached the room and bed, where she carefully laid Draco down, who was whimpering, only faintly conscious as he murmured pleas to make it stop.

“Him did! Him did!” Apollo nodded quickly as he bounced on the balls of his feet. “Can Apollo please go get the Godfather?” The House Elf asked, and Narcissa nodded quickly.

“Yes, yes, hurry, Apollo.”

Without another word, Apollo popped out and found himself at Spinner’s End. “Who be there?” Jordy called, popping in, and was surprised to see the Malfoy Elf there.

“No has time to explain. Need you master now!”

“I am here, Apollo. Has something happened? Did the Dark Lord try to brand Draco again? I tried to be there today, but he would not allow it.”

“Did! Big happenings. Old Bad Master Lucy is dead. Death Munchers kicked out of manor, but not before they hurt Master Draco badly. Crazy Aunt put him under her favorite curse and then afterward Master Draco cut him hands badly talking to the magical stone! Hurry! Come quick! Master Professor Snapy and House Elf Jordy is approved to come and go as needed.”

“Narcissa, is she hurt as well?” Severus asked as he ran to his potions lab to grab several potions that he had been stocking up for this potential event. “Jordy, go pack me a bag quickly now. We do not have any time to wait.”

“Mistress Cissy is ok. Dark Luster wants her too much to hurt her. Voldymort make Master Draco very mad. Try to declare manor and all monies and vaults going back to powerful wizard Merlin his! Apollo flip him right off, yes, he did!”

Severus turned his head and grinned at the smaller being before deciding to pack his ingredients knowing that Draco would let him use his own lab if he needed something he didn’t have readily available. Opening the lid, he cast a spell to pack the rack of ingredients then turned to Apollo.

“So, he was hit with the cruciatus curse by Bella and cut one if not both of his hands? Is his arm still sore and inflamed?”

“Yes to both, Master Professor Snapy,” Apollo said with a bow as he twisted the cloth of his uniform shirt between his hands anxiously. Snape for his part growled softly ignoring the burning in his arm as he was called to the Dark Lord’s side.

“No chance in Hel,” He muttered as he carefully picked up a bottle with a glowing white pearlescent liquid inside of it. Carefully he tucked it into the inner pocket of his robe knowing better than to use any magic on it. The potion had taken two months to brew and was a cleansing potion that would allow the Dark Mark to be removed from his body if he truly regretted taking it. It was his key to freedom, and he would not risk damaging it by letting his unclean magic touch it at this point in time.

Just after his potions ingredients were done packing, Jordy ran in pulling Severus’ bag behind him as he ran. “I pack yous and mes stuff in same bag so we no have to come back here unless we forget something before Hoggywarts start again.”

“Good thinking, Jordy,” Severus nodded as he picked up both the trunk with the ingredients and the bag holding his potions. “Let us be off. Can I apparate in, Apollo?”

Rapidly the Elf shook his head negatively before he rushed out of the lab and heading to the floo with Severus and Jordy close behind. “Only floo or physical entrance. Apparition can only be done by Master Draco and Mistress Cissy. Apollo recommends you floo over.”

Nodding, Severus tossed some floo power into the floo allowing the two House Elves to go before him before hurrying in himself. Once inside the manor room, he hurried off letting Apollo and Jordy follow him as he raced to his Godson’s side.

“Severus, thank Merlin,” Narcissa praised as he ran into the room. “He’s in a great deal of pain. Do you know if Poppy is in or is she still in Romania visiting her cousin?”

“She is back,” Severus advised as he sat on the bed placing his potions bag down in front of him. “I am sure she would come if you send Jordy after her. Is he allowed to come and go as needed?”

“Yes,” Draco grit through his clenched teeth. “I opened the wards for you, Theo, Pansy, Blaise, Neville Longbottom, Remus Lupin, and my accounts manager, along with any attached House Elves that I am aware of. Sev,  it hurts so bad.” Draco declared as tears poured down his face.

“I know I know, Draconis,” Severus murmured as he took one of Draco’s hands in his, casting a healing spell on it before doing the same for the other and then giving him a blood-replenishing potion. “Tell me what else I need to know. It will take your mind off of the pain. Why Neville Longbottom? Since when are the two of you friends?”

“This year,” Draco grunted and cried out loudly as his muscles spasmed painfully.

“When Umbridge got so bad, I apologized to him. She gave him detention one night and made him write lines with the blood quill while I watched. Afterwards, I convinced him to come with me, and I snuck into your stores and stole your dittany. Once we talked we agreed to a truce and passed information back and forth. S’why Dowager Lady Longbottom convinced the Board to force Dumbledore to let the Dragons in to look at the ward and inspect the castle for any curses.”

“Is that why we haven’t been let into the castle for the last month? Does this curse inspection include the DADA position?” Severus asked as Jordy led Madame Pomphrey into the room.

“Severus! What happened? Your House Elf said that Mister Malfoy had been hurt badly and that I had to come quickly.”

Severus nodded as he turned away from Draco for a moment to address Poppy. “I need you to run your strongest set of diagnostic spells on Draco. He’s been hit with the cruciatus curse several times this summer, as well as having to undergo being forced to try to accept the Dark Mark. It didn’t work and so the Dark Lord kept trying.”

“The Dark Lord!” She cried looking around nervously but Draco spoke up through still clenched teeth.

“S’not welcome here anymore. Kicked his snake-faced arse out of my house.”

“Good for you, lad!” She complimented before casting the requested spell then gave Severus a nod.

“There is definite damage done to him from the curse. Mister Malfoy, have you been having an issue with your hands shaking? I am glad that I got here when we did. It may take a while but I think in time we can get it to stop. I am afraid though that it will take a good portion of this school year to fix at least. I also see that he is severely underweight and malnourished along with having some muscle damage. Draco, have your thoughts been sluggish?” She asked and Draco nodded before accepting from his Godfather the first of what he knew would be several potions.

After he had taken potions for pain, muscle damage, and nerve soothing he was debating with Pomphrey about the dreamless sleeping potion she wanted him to take right then. “I am not refusing to take it at all,” Draco said after she lectured him about needing a good healing sleep.

“I am saying that I need to do some things before I do because as tired as I am I am sure I will be out for possibly a full day. Sleep has been hard to come by this summer, Madame. For one my father is laying dead downstairs and I will not force my mother to deal with that considering how he has treated her at least since I returned from school.”

“If you will not go to sleep right away then I want you to eat something. When was the last time you ate?” She asked and Draco had to consider the question.

“Day before yesterday if you mean an actual meal. I picked at some fruit and some meat and bread yesterday and the day before but couldn’t get much of it down. Bella cast the cruciatus on me because father made her mad. And I agree with the meal. I am not intentionally not eating but it’s hard to eat when you are forced to sit at a table with the Dark Lord and your hands shake so badly that you can’t get the food to stay on your fork. He forbade Demeter from fixing me my own food that I could pick up with my hands or use a spoon on.”

“You poor lad,” She said, shaking her head as she cast another diagnostic spell and this time copied it to parchment that she summoned, giving it then to Severus. “Severus this is the results of the nutritional and health scan you will need for the potions I know you will want to customize for him. I would like him to eventually see a full healer as there are things that I am not allowed to do or don’t know how to do. I do not want you to leave this bed for 48 hours at least. I will return later this evening to check on you and again in the morning.”

“Thank you, Madame,” Draco praised clenching the bed linens in his shaky hands as another albeit weaker muscle spasm hit him. “Just call for Apollo and he will come retrieve you. He can bring you through the wards as you won’t be able to get in by yourself. And just so you know… it will be Lord Malfoy when I get back to school. Not trying to be an arrogant arse about it, but just letting you know.”

“Of course, Lord Malfoy. I should have guessed once you told me your father had passed. My condolences on your loss. I will have a form for you to fill out to give me permission to share information with a private healer if you have one when you return. I do recommend that you have one given what you’ve been through. I will be back later, gentlemen. If someone can help me back to the floo I can see myself out.”

“Hades can dos that,” The tall and beefy House Elf agreed before showing her out. Closing his eyes Draco whimpered softly as he waited for the potions to take effect and eventually turned his grey eyes onto his Godfather. “Please tell me that you can stay.”

“I have brought all of my things with me,” Severus agreed as he moved to sit on the side of Draco’s bed once more. I am sure Jordy is setting us up in our usual room near your mother. Now, tell me what you need to do. I would recommend that you have someone go get Madame Bones first to deal with your father’s body.”

Draco nodded and called for Ares who popped in immediately. “Ares, I need you to go to Madame Bones and tell her what has happened and bring her here.” Taking the lordship ring off of his finger he held it out for Hades’ twin to take to the DMLE head who had just barely managed to escape an attack on her house with her life and Susan, her niece’s life.

“I can help you with some of this,” Narcissa protested and Draco nodded looking up at the canopy above his bed.

“Can you summon some pillows and help me sit up. I don’t want to be laying down as I deal with people. You are going to have to talk to Madame Bones, because on second thought I am not sure I can get up to show her to the body. I wanted to protect you from having to do that. I know he has been treating you abominably this summer.”

“He has been treating us both horribly, Draco,” She said sharply with obvious frustration at not having been able to protect her only child better. “You were as much his victim as I was. Let me take care of this. What else do you need to do? Like Severus I am curious as to your plans.”

“Well the second thing I need to do now that you have agreed to take care of Father, is talk to Neville. Rosewood!” After a few moments the small female House Elf popped in wearing a flowered dress with the Longbottom crest on her chest.

“Master Draco! Yous hurt! Dos you need Master Neville?”

“I do. Can you tell him to come right away? He can use the floo here in my room. Tell him the floo address is Draco’s  Bedroom Malfoy Manor. It’s imperative that I see him right away.”

“Yes Master Draco right away!” She agreed before popping out and Severus just stared at his Godson with a smirk on his face. Eventually, Draco arched an eyebrow at him as if to say, “yes?”

“Who all knows that you and Mister Longbottom were acting like spies and how did you manage to convince him to do it? That boy is scared of his shadow and barely magical. How he got put in Gryffindor I will never know.”

“He’s not,” Draco denied with a huff and sighed with relief when a tea tray popped in. His mother immediately fixed him a cup in an oversized cup that the elves had been having him use. Wrapping both hands around the mug to try and not spill it all over himself, Draco took a deep sip before continuing.

“He’s scared of you, Severus, which is why he’s so bad at potions. Plus, he was using a wand that wasn’t his, it was his father’s. Dumbledore convinced Augusta that Nevile didn’t need one of his own. So, he had to fight it all the time, which is why he had so many problems. The best thing that came out of that damned battle at the DoM was that that blasted wand got broken forcing his grandmother to get him a new one.”

“I had no idea,” Severus sighed and Draco huffed.

“You couldn’t have but it shouldn’t have taken knowing for you to treat him better than you do. I know you had a role to play, and I won’t begin to act like I knew what you should have done or could have done. I just hope now that you won’t have that mark on your arm that you will be nicer to your students that aren’t Slytherins.”

Before Draco could speak though a tray popped in at nearly the same time that Ares popped in. “Master Draco and Mistress Cissy, Madame Bones is down in the floo room. I left hers there and advised someone would be down.”

Narcissa leaned over placing a kiss on Draco’s forehead before standing and heading toward the door. “Please advise her I am on my way down, Ares. Severus, I leave Draco in your care.”

Severus nodded, running a basic scan on Draco to see how he was doing, then gave him a nod of approval before turning his attention back to his Godson. “It looks like some of the meds are starting to kick in. I see your numbers coming down. So, your pain level must be coming down as well. Tell me,what else do you need to do?, running a basic scan on Draco to see how he was doing then gave a nod of approval before turning his attention back to Draco. “It looks like some of the meds are starting to kick in. Your blood pressure is coming down. So, your pain level  must be coming down. Tell me what else you need to do? Can I help with anything?”

Draco nodded as he tried to pull himself up a bit straighter, only to be forced to ask Severus to help him. Once he was settled, he gave his Godfather a nod. “I need to talk to Theo. Could you floo call him and see if he can come over? I want him to touch base with me before I go to sleep. I also want to offer him a place to stay if he needs it. I am worried that whatever reason they had to mark me will fall upon him. His father will be all too eager to step into Lucius’ spot. I won’t allow what happened to me to happen to my Godbrother.”

“I understand your concern and support it. Hubris Nott is pushing to take over Lucius’ position in every way. I think that the only thing that is holding him back from pursuing Narcissa is the knowledge that the Dark Lord wants Narcissa for himself. Theo is definitely in danger if you ask me.”

“Merlin knows I have plenty of room for him here,” Draco pointed out just as the floo flared up and a nervous looking Neville stepped through.

“Draco?” He called and swallowed heavily at the sight of Snape sitting on the bed.

“Neville! Thank you for coming.”

“I can’t stay long. Gran doesnt know I’m here.” He advised coming over to the bed looking as if he were waking to his execution. “What happened to you? Hello, Pro… Professor.”

“Mister Longbottom, do not mind me. I thank you for coming to see Draco. He was most insistent he needed to talk to you.” Standing, Severus handed Draco the bottle of dreamless sleep. “I am going to go down to the potions lab and set up so that I might begin to work on your nutrition potions. That is if you do not mind me using your space.”

“Of course not. Can you call Theo first though?”

“Ahh yes, I nearly forgot,” Snape said with a nod and headed to the floo as Draco turned his attention to his visitor, patting the empty bed next to him.

“Please come sit, Nev. This shouldn’t take long. Do not worry avout being discovered by someone here. The only other beings in the manor are Mother and my House Elves. Voldemort was here but he made the mistake of murdering Lucius.

“For some reason he thought that would leave the House of Malfoy without a Lord and he could just step into the Lordship. I don’t know if he believed I didn’t inherit until I went to the bank or what. But as you and I both know I became Lord the second father died. Going to the bank is only a matter of ceremony. I already visited the wardstone and did the succession ritual.”

“Did h… He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named do something to you? You look awful, Drake.”

Draco nodded quietly as he absentmindedly played with the comforter covering him. His mind wandered for a moment considering everything and nothing as he watched Severus stand from the floo and leave the room. “It has been a rough summer thus far.” Draco uncovered his red and raw forearm showing Neville.

“The Dark Lord has tried to mark me three times, but it wouldn’t stick. So as punishment he let Aunt Bella cast the cruciatus curse on me whenever she felt like it, and eventually killed father. It’s hard to eat when you have Voldyfart and his Death Munchers staring at you and your hands shake so badly that you can’t keep the food on your fork. Madam Pomphrey says I will eventually recover from the shaking in my hand, but that it will most likely take most of the school year to accomplish. What is up with you? Your magic feels… different.”

Nevile grins shyly before nodding happily. “I came online as a Guardian not long after getting home from school. Gran was so pleased she cried and she told Great Uncle Algie that he wasn’t allowed to pick on me anymore because even Dad never came online.”

“I am so happy for you, Neville,” Draco said, a big smile on his face reflecting the truth in his words. “And insanely jealous, but very happy for you nonetheless.”

“You shouldn’t give up hope,” Neville insisted and Draco let loose a deep sigh.

“There hasn’t been a Protectorate or Guardian in the Malfoy line since Merlin himself.” Draco reminded and continued on with a rush because while he was truly happy for his friend, he was absolutely insanely jealous. “Can you let those on your side know what has happened here? I don’t know were the Dark Lord will go from here, but he won’t be living at Malfoy Manor. I have raised custodes belli acerrimi [extreme war wards] then I set both amicus familiae [friend of family] and hostis familiae [enemy of family]. Obviously you have been added to the list of those allowed through the wards as well as has Rosewood.”

“Thank you, Draco. That means a lot to me. I will spread the word about what happened. I need to write Harry anyway. Last I heard he’s been moved to the burrow with the Weasley family.”

“At least they didn’t leave him locked up with those horrible muggles you told me about like they did after Cedric died. How they could leave someone they see as the savior of the wizarding situation I can’t fathom. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that he;s at least being neglected with how horribly skinny he is when he returns to Hogwarts, and with the rags they give him to wear. He’s  certainly not the pampered prince that Dumbledore convinced Severus he was. Oh, speaking of…

“Severus is going to denounce the Dark Lord and have his magic cleansed of the Dark Mark and the stain that it left on his magical soul. That is for your ears only. I don’t want it to get around before he is ready for it.”

“Wow that… that… Do you think he’ll be nicer at school?”

Draco nodded and yawned before answering. “I hope so.”

“Well that would be interesting to see,” Nevile said standing. “I can see that you need some sleep. So, I am going to leave you to it.”

“See you Neville. I will send you a letter as soon as the shaking in my hands calms down a little.”

“I look forward to it,” Neville assured before heading to Draco’s personal floo, and after throwing some of the green powder in, he called out the name for the floo at Longbottom Estates, heading in with a last-minute wave.

Draco must have drifted off because the next thing he knew, Theo was standing by his bed. Startled, Draco’s muscles tightened up, and he gasped in pain, panting heavily as he scrunched his eyes together so tightly that he saw stars. “Drake! What happened? Do I need to call someone?”

Carefully, Draco shook his head and gradually began to relax his body, sitting himself up again. “No, I’ve already had my meds, and I am not due any more until after dinner. As to what happened, the Dark Lord and my Aunt Bella happened. I am sorry that I have not been more open in my letters, but until a little bit ago the Dark Lord and several of his follower were camped out in my home.”

“I knew that. Father told me. About that part. I think that he was upset that he could not offer up Nott Keep, but it’s not really big enough. Did they… did they hurt you?”

Draco nodded and called for some tea for himself and Theodore. Waiting until he could take a sip from a fresh cup, Draco nodded and then responded. Quietly at first, he began to speak, giving Theo the whole story about how his summer had been spent thus far. He shared his father’s failures, the curses thrown at him anytime he left his room and the difficulty eating when Voldemort was sitting at the table.

Draco showed Theo his forearm and told him about the damaged nerve endings, shaky hands, muddled thoughts, and the malnutrition that he’d been diagnosed with. “I’m worried about you Theo,”  Draco confessed when he got done taking his Godbrother’s hand in his.

“You and I both know that it’s only a matter of time before your father gains the spot in the inner circle that he wants. Trust me when I say that will do nothing good for you. I know that he is already dragging your older brother Alexander into things, but it’s only a matter of time before he lays expectations on you, too. Come stay with me here at the manor. We can go to Gringotts and talk to them about emancipation, or we can discuss it with my lawyer. Please, Theo.”

“I don’t want to be a Death Eater,” Theo whispered, clenching his fingers together tightly and painfully. “But if I leave, he’ll disown me and then where will I be?”

“Safe and alive with me. You know that I will take care of you. You’re my brother in all but your last name. Theodore, I couldn’t stand it if you fell into the same trap that I was thrust into. Please, you’re smart and could do anything that you want with your future. You have my word that I will pay for any schooling you want, Hogwarts and beyond.”

“I need to think about it. Let me go home and talk to Alexander. I trust him not to go to Father unless I give him the ok. I’m not saying no, I just… if it was just leaving Father behind, I wouldn’t care, but Alexander actually cares for me.”

“I understand,” Draco said with a tired nod. Theodore stood and looked down at him.

“I will let Pansy and Blaise know what happened. Get some rest Draco. You deserve it.”

After wishing his friend goodbye and good luck, Draco took the stopper off of the last potions bottle. Swallowing all of it. Draco pulled out a pillow to lay slightly flatter then, holding it in his arms let is eyes shut as sleep overcame him. He had done all that he could. If a lone tear rolled down his cheek as sleepy thoughts of better times with Lucius filled his head, Draco just rolled his head to one side and let the pillow take it. Hopefully when he woke up things would look better.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The summer had been rough for Harry Potter. Time with the Dursleys was never anything good. It was days on end of abuse and neglect locked in his room, or being expected to do endless lists of chores while Dudley sat around on his fat arse. The positive was that he’d been retrieved to stay at the Burrow, which normally would have been a good thing. The problem was that Harry and Ron weren’t on the same page that summer, and if Harry was honest with himself they hadn’t been for a while.

Harry had forgiven Ron after his temper tantrum before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament when Ron had refused to believe that Harry hadn’t found a way to put his own name in the Goblet. Harry had decided to let bygones be bygones and put the issue behind them, but then 5th year had happened and Ron had decided to show his arse again arguing with Hermione all year and being mad at Harry because he didn’t pick a side.

Harry had been hurt and angry that they were having to deal with Ron’s anger and jealousy issues two school years in a row. This time he hadn’t found it as easy to just forgive and forget like he had the first time. So, he’d gone into the summer visit unsure of what to think about his supposed best friend.

At some point though he’d determined that he needed to make the best of it, otherwise they’d all be miserable. Ron hadn’t made it easy though. He wasn’t the only Weasley that Harry was friends with. The twins were still living at home because they were still scouting places for their shop. Anytime that Harry wanted to hang out with them instead of Ron, there was a temper tantrum thrown. Which led to their current situation.

The twins had heard about a shop front in Diagon Alley open and available for a new owner, and wanted to check it out. Being concerned about Harry who had been much quieter than normal, not only because of Ron. Sirius’ death was weighting heavy on Harry’s heart and soul, and was making it hard some days for Harry to even function.

So, when they decided to go check out this possible location for their shop, they asked and received permission to take Ron and Harry with them.

When they reached the alley, Ron make it clear that he had no interest in looking at an empty shop and took off to explore on his own. He’d wanted Harry to go with him, but Harry was interested in the shop location and wanted to go with the twins. This resulted in Ron stomping off angrily declaring Harry to be a shite best friend.

Now even more frustrated with his friend, Harry just shook his head and brushed it off not willing to let Ron’s jealousy issues ruin his afternoon. It was the first time since Sirius’ death that he’d been excited about something and refused to let his excitement be dashed by a piss poor attitude. Not to mention that the twins were willing to take him to the bookstore so that he could get some books about being a Lord.

Neville Longbottom had suggested some titles for Harry to read, and offered his copies, but harry wanted his own. If Harry was completely honest with himself, Neville had been a much better friend to Harry during 5th year than either Ron or even Hermione had been. Neville had stuck by Harry’s side advising him that it’s what a Godbrother did in the magical world.  Harry for his part had been thrilled with the idea of a Godbrother and had taken the relationship serious.

So, when Neville recommended the books, Harry knew that he was going to get his own copies. After checking out the shop location and then perusing the bookstore coming out with more books about being a Lord, the Wizengamot and the Ministry, and pure blood traditions and etiquette, Harry and the twins headed off to find Ron. Who really had made himself scarce, and it took a long while to find him.

Unfortunately, when they eventually did it wasn’t because they’d found him in a shop or just sitting in the alley enjoying the day. No, it seemed that Ron decided to show his arse one more time . Now, Harry had heard rumors off and on at school that there was more to the Slytherins being bullies than the students and teachers wanted to admit. But Harry had always brushed those rumors aside not believing that anyone within Gryffindor would bully any underclassmen let alone first and second years.

However, when they finally found Ron, it was because the second year he was with was weeping loudly, obviously scared because Ron had his wand pointed at her. Ron was threatening to hex her and calling her horrible names saying that she was an evil Death Eater and suggesting that he would be doing the world a favor if he got rid of a no-good Death Eater Slytherin. To say that Harry was horrified was putting it mildly. And he wasn’t the only one.

The twins were so mad that they aparated Ron and Harry home right that minute so that Molly could be informed of what her youngest son was up to. For the rest of the day, Ron and his mother had been arguing with each other. Molly was horrified what one of her children was doing. Ron was upset and angry that no one, specifically Harry, understood why he did it and was backing him up. As far as Ron was concerned there was nothing wrong with what he was doing because “no one likes those lousy Slytherins”.

“That’s not true,” Harry snapped, finally having enough of Ron and his attitude. “Not all of the Slytherins are bad. I’ve had to work with both Theo Nott and Blaise Zabini due to projects in classes, and both were perfectly fine to me. Even Draco Malfoy was better last year than he had been. As you know Snape made us be Potions partners all year, and I got the best grades than I have ever received in that class because of him. He even apologized to me, Neville, and said that he intends to apologize to Hermione too! So, no. They aren’t all evil future Death Eaters.”

“You,” Ron started, his face turning an ugly shade of red as he stared at his best friend in horror. “You no good traitor! I should have known. I mean you are one of them after all. When you told me that the sorting hat wanted to put you in Slytherin I should have known that you were nothing good. I bet you’re just in Gryffindor to spy. Have you been friends with them all along? You Death Eater spy!”

“Ronald Bilius Weasley!” Molly shrieked horrified. “Up to your room right this second! How dare you talk to Harry like that! What has happened to you? I didn’t raise you to be like this!”

“I’m going outside,” Harry muttered and headed to the backdoor. When Molly told him to not go any further than the orchard, Harry agreed saying that it sounded fair. Once outside, Harry decided that the orchard would be the perfect destination remembering the large rock cropping at the back of it that made a good place to sit.

Eventually, he heard someone coming, and while he;d expected the twins, he was surprised to see Charlie, who was staying at the Burrow while he was back home to help with the war. Warily, Harry watched the second eldest Weasley sibling join him on the rock.

“How are you doing, Harry? I know this place can be a lot sometimes, and I have a feeling that the chaos may be too much at times for you with everything that you have going on. I can’t even imagine how you must feel having lost Sirius, but I want you to know that we’re all here for you, no matter what happens between yourself and Ron.”

Harry’s gaze turned away sharply from where he’d been looking at the stars to Charlie’s face. Despite the darkness, the look of understanding was easy to see on his face. “Maybe this is just a rough patch and the two of you will get over it, but maybe it isn’t. The twins and I have talked about it and we wanted to make sure you understood that you are family Harry no matter what. I know that we can’t replace Sirius and mum and dad aren’t your parents but we love you an awful lot.

“I wish I could say that I was surprised by the way that Ron is acting but I’m not. Not the way that mum is. Ron and Ginny have always been her weak spot. She’s always spoiled the two of them as much as she could making excuses for the way that they act. I think that Ginny is doing better. Bill got her mind healing through the bank with one of the Dragon Mind Healers before you got here, and that seems to have helped a lot. Ron though…

“I’m not sure Ron can be reasoned with right now. He’s going to have to come to some realizations on his own that  I’m not sure he’s at a place to do so at this time. You’re not the first person in this family that has been friends with or dated a Slytherin.”

“Do you know that Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Draco Malfoy sent me letters of condolences or came to me and told me how sorry they were for my loss, but Ron never said a word? Theo and Blaise both sent me letters this summer while I was at the Dursleys to check in on me and see how I was doing. I got one letter from Ron complaining about being made to do his summer homework, but not once did he ask if I was OK.

“I had plenty of time while I was at the Dursleys to think and Sirius was at the forefront of my thoughts. I know… I know that he wasn’t OK mentally. Sometimes I wonder if he forgot that I wasn’t my father, and in fact he called me James that night that he died. So, as much as I loved Sirius, I also know that he wasn’t perfect. I mean, if you can only use one example it has to be his relationship with Professor Snape.

“I may not like everything that Draco Malfoy has done in the past, but I hope to Merlin that when we’re in our 30s we’re not still arguing about things that happened to us at school! I hope that my heart is never filled with as much hatred for one specific House as Ron and Sirius felt for Slytherin House. It’s stupid and juvenile and while I can’t excuse their actions I can say with some certainty that we have no idea what they have grown up with. How they were treated, the rules that were forced upon them, and the limitations they had to abide by.”

“That’s very mature of you, Harry,” Charlie praised. “You’re a good kid. Would you ever be friends with Draco?”

Harry hummed as he considered the question. Lifting his eyes he gazed up to the sky where the stars were visible. “If he follows through and apologizes to Hermione I think I would. I have so many other things going against me, and I was being serious when I said that he was a lot better to me this year in Potions. He was still a snarky prat and I didn’t like that he was part of Umbridge’s Inquisitorial Squad. But on the other hand with his fathers politics, I’m not sure that he could have turned it down either. I just know I’m tired of fighting with him when there doesn’t seem to be a reason to any more. Ya know?”

“I do, Harry, I do,” Charlie assured and gave a supportive smile. “You never know what could be waiting for you in that house of snakes. Draco Malfoy could turn out to be the best friend that you’ve ever had.”

“Pretty sure that’s Hermione,” Harry said with a laugh and Charlie grinned back at him. “Speaking of, I should go in and write her a letter about what happened today and what I’m thinking. You’re… sure that it will be OK if Ron and I aren’t friends anymore?”

“You’re family, Harry, and family sticks together even when they don’t like each other so much.” Charlie assured, getting up off the rock and holding a hand out to Harry who accepted the help. As he headed back into the house, Harry realized that his mind was already made up about Draco. He didn’t know what that would mean for his friendship with Ron and suspected that it might be the final nail in the coffin, but if that was so, then so be it.