A/N: PM me if you want the original version of this fic. Second chapter, where Mr. Draco Malfoy comes into the story. R&R?

Chapter 2: The Dragon’s Dilemma
When Severus awoke, the first sensation that came over him was the warmth of the afternoon sunshine falling across his face. Eyelashes fluttering, he opened his eyes and blinked owlishly up at the ceiling. The Potions Master took a deep breath, than sat up and stretched, working out the kinks in his spine.
“Good afternoon, Severus.” Poppy called softly from where she was working at her desk in her office.
The door of the small adjoining room was wide open, and she had a clear view of her single patient. Severus nodded to her and sank back into the pillows, closing his eyes with a sigh. It felt good, not having to worry about hormonal brats scurrying into the Infirmary and finding him in a moment of weakness.
“You received a letter from Mr. Malfoy when you were asleep.” Poppy said, standing and walking out into the larger, brighter room.
Severus opened one eye and drowsily observed her as she held out a cream colored envelope. The Potions Master extended his hand to accept the missive as Poppy waved it at him impatiently.
“I wonder whatever Mr. Malfoy could need this early into the summer.” Poppy noted absentmindedly as Severus sat up again, leaned back against his propped up pillows, and slit open the letter.
Severus grunted noncommittally and cracked his neck as he unfolded the piece of parchment and began to read.
‘Dear Uncle Severus,
May I stay with you this summer at Prince Manor? My father wants me to meet one of his friends, and I’d rather not. Please reply expeditiously. It would mean a lot to me if you sent a letter to my mother requesting that you come retrieve me without my father knowing.
Thank you. Sincerely, your Godson,
Draconis Lucius Abraxas Severus Malfoy’
Severus stared blankly at the parchment for a moment, then reread it. Then he reread it again. And again. He could sense Poppy’s concerned presence hovering somewhere besides his elbow, but he just couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. Not Draco. Not the boy he’d come to love as a son. Severus closed his eyes for a moment as he slowly folded the letter in half and returned it to his envelope.
“I need to speak to Albus.” He said softly.
Poppy frowned. “Severus, you’re still weak from the Cruc-” Severus cut her off by raising a hand.
“I need to talk to him now, Poppy.” Severus said, his tone low and dangerous.
Poppy sighed in exasperation. “Alright, you stubborn man. But promise me you’ll rest afterwards.” She bargained, smoothing her hands over her skirt.
He nodded and tossed the blankets back before climbing out of the bed. She handed him his wand, and he swiftly transfigured his hospital gown back into his black teaching robes. She smiled at him, and he turned and strode out of the room, cloak billowing.
-ooOoo-
For the third time in less than twenty-four hours, Severus found himself sitting in one of the hardback wooden chairs before Albus’ desk in the Headmaster’s office. He took another sip of his Earl Grey, breathing in the soothing scent of the bitter tea. He swallowed as Albus smiled at him from across his antique mahogany desk, steepling his fingers and looking over the rims of his half-moon spectacles.
“Now, Severus. You received a letter from Mr. Malfoy?” Dumbledore began, his smile brightening.
“Yes. He has requested that I collect him from Malfoy Manor and have him stay with me this summer. He claims that his father wants him to meet a certain friend of Lucius’. I believe he is referring to the Dark Lord.” Severus explained darkly.
Dumbledore nodded, folding his hands together and resting them on the desk surface. “I see. And what do you think we should do to resolve this situation?” He asked, raising both eyebrows.
Severus clenched his hands into fists until the knuckles were white. “I want to go get him! My Godson is not going down the path that I foolishly followed Lucius onto!” The Potions Master snarled, onyx eyes narrowed into slits.
Dumbledore nodded again, brow quirking slightly. “Alright.”
“Alright? What do you want me to do?! Albus, I need help, damn it!” Severus spat, slamming his tea down onto Dumbledore’s desk and standing in one fluid movement. “I can’t do this alone! I need your guidance!”
The lithe black-clad man whirled and began pacing as the Headmaster slowly stood and meandered over to him. “Severus, my boy. I do say you’re becoming quite the force to reckon with when dealing with Mr. Malfoy.”
Severus ignored the old man and continued his aggravated journey in circles around the small room. “Then what? What should I do?!” He demanded.
Albus gently placed a hand on his arm. “Follow your heart.”
The ridiculousness of that statement was more than enough to cause Severus to stop and gawk at his mentor. “Pardon?”
Albus smiled cheerfully. “Well, my boy, if your heart is telling you to rush in and kidnap Draconis, I advise you to do so.” The old wizard said calmly, blue eyes twinkling.
“Are you mad?” Severus demanded, even as the twinkling increased tenfold—a sure sign that Dumbledore was planning to manipulate something or someone.
“It’s been known that I have momentary fits of insanity.” He replied merrily, returning to his desk and sitting with a brightening smile. “Severus, my boy, I think it would be wonderful if you went and collected young Mr. Malfoy.”
Severus nodded with an exasperated sigh as he smoothed the front of his robes down. “Well, if you had just said that in the first place I could’ve already been gone to get him.” He said wryly.
Dumbledore smiled again. “There’s no time like the present to make up for lost time.” He announced brightly.
Severus fought the urge to roll his eyes as he swept out the door, not deigning the comment worthy enough of a response.
-ooOoo-
The Floo blazed to life as Severus called, “Malfoy Manor!” and stepped into the emerald flames.
The Potions Master found himself being spat out into one of the many foyers of the Manor, and he was almost immediately greeted by Narcissa. “You received my letter?” Severus asked smoothly.
She nodded, a concerned expression crossing her aristocratic features. “Lucius took Draco somewhere last night, but I never would have expected this! The boy isn’t even fifteen yet!” She whispered sharply.
He nodded, onyx eyes softening with compassion for the frightened woman. “I know.” Severus glanced up the stairs to his left. “Is he ready?”
Narcissa ran her hands over the wrinkled fabric of her dress skirt in a futile attempt to smooth it out. “Yes, I think so. I’ll go get him. Wait here, and if Lucius comes…” She sent him a pleading look, and he nodded.
“I’ll come up with something.” Severus assured the woman who had acted like an older sister to him countless times.
Several tense minutes later, Draco and Narcissa hurried down the stairs and back over to the black-clad man. “Professor!” Draco breathed, dropping the bags he was carrying and throwing his arms around his Godfather’s waist.
The young blonde buried his face in Severus’ chest, taking several deep, trembling breaths. “Thank you!” He whispered, voice breaking with emotion on the last syllable.
Severus nodded slightly and pulled away. “Enough, we must go before your father returns home.” The raven-haired man turned to Narcissa. “If Lucius causes any problems—which he undoubtedly will—do not hesitate to owl me for assistance.” He said firmly.
Narcissa nodded and took a small step forward to lean up and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Severus. I cannot express how much this means to my son and I.” She said, fluttering her eyelashes to bat back the tears welling up behind her eyes.
Severus gently squeezed her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. “I know. It’s the least I can do. But you straighten Lucius’ priorities out, for me, will you?” He said, a smile pulling at the edges of his lips.
She nodded and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Alright.” Narcissa turned to Draco and pulled him in for a hug. “Be safe, Dragon, and listen to what your Godfather tells you.” She said softly, breathing in and out slowly.
He nodded. “Yes, mum. I love you.” Draco whispered.
She smiled sadly. “I love you too, my baby boy.” She caressed his cheek, then released him and stepped back. “Take care of him, Severus.”
“I will.” Severus promised. “Come, Draco.” He ushered the boy towards the still raging Floo.
“Professor Snape’s office!” Draco called before stepping through the flames.
Severus nodded to Narcissa, then followed suit, bringing the boy’s luggage through with him.
-ooOoo-
Severus set down Draco’s bags and surveyed the room. Albus had added another room onto his personal chambers. They were standing in the doorway of a small, but functional, room that was painted a pale beige color. Draco looked up at Severus, who shrugged one shoulder and said, “This shall be yours until we go to my home, I suppose.”
Draco nodded. “Thank you, Professor.” He said quietly, silver eyes alight with gratitude.
Severus glanced away and cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yes, well, here we are. I’ll see if the House Elves can make us dinner.” With that, he turned and swept back down the hall to the living room of his personal rooms.
Draco smirked slightly at the man’s antics and entered the room, picking his bags up and then setting them on the bed. The room was furnished with only the necessities—which included a twin-sized bed, a dresser, a full-length mirror, and a small adjoining bathroom.
The bed’s comforter was a robin’s egg blue, the pillows white. It was soft as his own bed back at Malfoy Manor, and Draco thought absentmindedly that he wouldn’t mind taking a nap there. The dresser was crafted from cherry-colored maple, the mirror’s frame also fashioned from the same wood.
Peeking inside the small bathroom, Draco found that it included simple toiletries—a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hair brush, towels, and a razor—along with a toilet and small shower. Draco smirked at Dumbledore’s coddling and closed the door to the room.
He began unpacking, folding his clothes and placing them in the dresser mechanically. The more personal items he’d chosen to bring—a figurine of a Norwegian Ridgeback, his school things, some books, and his Nimbus 2001—were all stored in the nightstands or on top of the dresser. The broom he propped up next to his bed.
After surveying the room and finding it acceptable, he turned and exited, closing the door behind him. Directly across the hall was Severus’ room, and down the hallway to the left was his personal Potions lab. To the right led to the kitchenette, separate bathroom, living room and breakfast nook.
The place was cozy enough, all done in deep greens and beiges. Most of the walls of the living room were covered in bookcases, which held hundreds of books. It was like half the library. Shaking his head, Draco walked into the mini kitchen and sat down at the small circular table.
“Thank you for collecting me, Professor.” Draco said quietly.
Severus glanced up from the House Elf he was speaking to. “You’re welcome, Draco. Just bring us whatever they’re serving in the Great Hall.” The Elf nodded and Apparated with a sharp pop.
The Potions Master sat beside his Godson and said, “Just call me Severus while we’re here, Draco. There’s no need to be formal when we aren’t in school.”
Draco nodded. “Alright, Severus. Can you keep a secret?” The blonde wanted to damn himself the second the words were out of his mouth as Severus elegantly raised an eyebrow, lips quirking in amusement.
Yeah, that’s the way to impress him! Very adult, Draco! He chastised himself. “Well, last night, my father took me to meet the friend I told you about in my letter.” Draco swallowed and felt his silver eyes grow dark at the memory.
“Yes, and who was this ‘friend’?” Severus prompted, folding his hands in his lap and fixing Draco with an inquisitive stare.
“It was You-Know-Who.” Draco blurted, squeezing his silver eyes shut. “Please, I don’t want to be one of his-”
Severus silenced him by raising a single, slender finger. “Draconis, I’m very proud that you contacted me and allowed me to assist you. It was very grown up of you to ask for help.” Severus paused and lowered his finger. “What happened?”
“Well, he wanted to know what sort of things I like to do…like Quidditch and what types of books I like, what’s my favorite subject in school…stuff like that.” Draco replied, fidgeting slightly. “He even wanted to know what my sexuality is.”
Severus resisted the urge to face-palm. “Bloody fool.” He muttered, mostly to himself as two House Elves returned with their meal.
When the Elves were gone and the two were eating, Severus said, “Well, that’s to be expected. He wants to know who he’s recruiting.”
Draco frowned. “But I don’t want-”
“Did they brand you with the Dark Mark?” Severus asked before Draco could even finish his sentence.
“N-No…” Draco said, rolling up his left sleeve and showing his arm to the older man. “All we did was talk.”
“Did the Dark Lord ask you anything that really made you uncomfortable?” Severus asked, raising both eyebrows.
“Uh…he asked whether or not I would kill animals. That kind of freaked me out.” Draco responded. “The whole time he just kept looking at me like I was some sort of treat.”
Severus frowned. “I know the feeling. I believe I saw you enter with your father last night. I had been under the Cruciatus curse, so I couldn’t stop and chat.” He said, watching as Draco’s silver eyes went wide.
“Are you okay?” The blonde demanded, eyes flashing.
“I’m fine. Madam Pomfrey took care of me. Now, let’ actually eat before the food goes bad.” Severus said, picking up his fork.
Draco nodded, and the rest of the meal was conducted in a companionable silence.
-ooOoo-