Severus heard the distinct sound of his fireplace admitting someone into his home and jumped from where he was sitting, his wand drawn as he raced into the sitting room. When he entered the sitting room he came face to face with not only Albus Dumbledore but also Minerva who had both of their wands drawn on him before he could blink an eye.

"Severus, is all well here?" the Headmaster asked aloud, never lowering his wand.

"Everything is fine Albus why do you ask, and why have you come here in the middle of the night?"

"We have both been discussing things, and when Dobby appeared outside the gates of Hogwarts we grew worried."

Severus put his wand away and sank down in the chair by the fire, Minerva and Albus joining him in the chairs opposite him. Without being told Lucy came into the room bringing three cups and a kettle of tea, and then disappeared with a pop.

"How much do you know?"

"Dobby was quite agitated, but we did gather as much that Narcissa Malfoy is dead. What happened Severus? Is Harry all right? Is he hurt?"

Severus could see they were both genuinely concerned, each one staring at him waiting for answers he was not truly ready to give. Taking a sip from the tea Severus looked to the door where Harry and Draco were sleeping.

Two hours, and three more cups of tea later Severus had told them the story, and now he felt drained, as he waited for their reactions, and he didn't have to wait for long.

"Severus! You killed her. I understand why but people will frown upon it, perhaps even try to send you away to Azkaban for this," Minerva exclaimed.

Severus flinched slightly at the mention of prison for what he had done. "I did it to save my son, and if they do not see that fact, then I really don't care at this point. Harry is safe, and that is all that matters."

"What of Draco, Severus? What will you do with him?" Dumbledore prodded.

"What is there to do with him Albus? On one hand he almost got my son killed, but on the other is he not also a victim of Lucius and Narcissa's cruel upbringing?"

"You can't possibly be saying you wish him anywhere near Harry." Minerva complained. "He is the very reason the child is harmed, and you brought him into your home. What if he tries again to harm him Severus? What will you do then?"

"What would you have me do Minerva? Yes, he tried to hurt Harry but he is nine years old. Should I gather him up to take with me to Azkaban?" Severus was tired. He had spent the earlier hours blaming himself as he watched over Harry, tending his wounds, and now to know all of it could have been in vain. It was too much, and Severus lowered his head into his hands.

Albus left his seat on the chair and placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder. "I will do all I can to help you. The circumstances must be brought to light, but I shall not let Harry be taken away to some orphanage. I will raise him if necessary."

All of them turned when they heard the hiccupped sob, and Harry running towards Severus.

"They can't take you away Dad. We can leave, you can take me far away where they could never find me. Tell me they won't take you away Dad, please."

Severus gathered the boy into his arms, noticing that he was slightly feverish, and that his wrist had come out of the sling. He wrapped his arms around him whispering comforting words into his ear till the sobs subsided a bit, before he pulled the tear stained face to meet his. "I will not leave you Harry, not now, not ever."

Albus and Minerva stood at hearing this. "I will go and try to resolve this Severus, but we must talk again about what to do with Mister Malfoy, and you may be called in for questioning along with Harry."

Both of them stood up, Minerva patting Harry before she followed Albus into the floo and disappeared, but Harry only buried his head deeper into the folds of his father's nightshirt. Once they were gone Severus picked Harry up sitting him down on the couch, and pulling a blanket off the back to cover him.

"Harry we need to talk. I need to know how you feel about all of this."

Harry lifted his eyes to meet those of his father. "Are they going to take you away?"

Severus mulled the question over before answering. "There will be an investigation, but I will not let them take me from you. As for Draco I do not know what will become of him."

Harry's eyes brimmed with a fresh set of tears at the mention of Draco's name. "Why did he do that Dad? Why would he hurt me like that and leave me there?"

Severus had no easy answers for Harry, so pulling the boy closer to him, he tried to explain.

"Harry, I don't think Draco really understands about family. His family has not been a very good role model. To him you had everything he was missing it seems, but to his true motives I can't really be sure. Are you willing to hear from him why he did it?"

Harry visibly shuddered. "Can I think about it?"

Severus pulled Harry closer, "You can think about it Harry, and I will not make you listen, but I do hope you will give him a chance to explain."

Harry didn't reply back, and Severus could see the boy was exhausted. "You really need a potion to keep that fever at bay, but I think it will pass with a good night's rest. I will take you back to your bed."

Harry didn't make a move to get up, so Severus leaned down to pick him up. "I don't want to go back to sleep in there."

Severus then understood Harry's fear. "Is it because of Draco?" Harry nodded his head yes in answer, and Severus sat back down.

"Would you feel better if you slept with me just for tonight?"

Harry launched himself at his father. "You are the best Dad ever," he said, laying his now throbbing head on his father's shoulder.

After Severus laid Harry down he could see the child scrunching his eyebrows up. "Dad, my head really hurts."

"Stay here and I will get a potion for you." Severus left and gathered the potion for Harry but stopped in the sitting room and called for Lucy. The house elf appeared in seconds.

"What can Lucy be doing for Master Snape?"

"I would like you to make sure Mister Malfoy does not leave his room tonight. Should he wander out of it I want you to come and get me immediately. Is that understood?"

"Oh yes Master Snape sir. Lucy will make sure he is not leaving his room."

Now satisfied that Lucy would let him know if Draco tried to leave Severus went back into his room to find Harry half asleep. "Here take this it will help with the pain," he said, handing the vial to Harry.

Harry took it in one gulp, not even flinching at the taste, and laid back down on the pillow. "I am so tired," came the groggy response.

Severus kicked off his slippers and crawled in beside Harry. After tucking the covers in around him Severus dared to close his own eyes in exhausted sleep again. It was the, "I love you Dad," whispered as Harry drifted off that put his mind at ease and placing one hand on his wand under the pillow Severus drifted off.