For the first time in several days, Severus found himself seated behind his desk. However, unlike before, he wasn't grading papers or attending to other school-related tasks. Instead, he was watching a small twelve-year-old standing in the corner, sniffling. In some ways, this was worse than the spanking had been. All he wanted to do was rush over there, embrace his child, and tell him everything was alright. Yet, he had to steel himself and ensure the full ten-minute punishment was fulfilled. He couldn't back out now; it would send the wrong message and confuse Harry.
So, he waited. And as soon as the ten minutes had elapsed, he got up and walked over to the corner as calmly as he could. Though he would never admit it to anyone, especially not Albus, the old saying "this hurts me more than it does you" rang true in this situation.
Slowly, Severus crouched down behind the boy and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, prompting him to turn around. As soon as Harry did, Severus found himself with his arms filled with a small boy, his hands gently caressing the child's back.
"It's okay, Harry. All is forgiven. Just promise me you'll never do anything like that again. When you wake up with a problem, come to me; don't sneak out into the night."
Through quiet sobs, Severus heard numerous promises from Harry to be good and never misbehave again. The man smiled, recalling his own promises to Albus after punishments and how short-lived they often were.
"Shhh, calm down now, Harry. Don't you want to go see how Ginny is doing? Don told me she was asking about you. I think she might have a small crush on you."
A faint blush tinted Harry's cheeks as he buried his head into Severus's soft robes, nodding in agreement. Severus couldn't help but smile, noticing the striking similarities between Harry and Lily in so many ways. It was sometimes almost unnerving. Shaking that thought from his head, Severus gently pulled Harry back, wiped away the remaining tears, and rested his hand tenderly on the boy's cheek.
Severus locked eyes with Harry, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Promise me, Harry—no more sneaking off into dangerous situations, alright?"
Harry hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his shirt. He started to nod, but Severus stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Use words, Harry. I understand why you nod, but I want you to verbalize your thoughts more."
Taking a deep breath, Harry met Severus's gaze. "Okay, Daddy. I promise I'll never do anything like that again. My bottom's still sore, and I don't like standing in the corner."
Severus chuckled at the boy's honesty, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Is it now? Well, if it's still sore at bedtime, I have some soothing cream we can apply to make it feel better. How does that sound?"
Harry bit his lip, then replied, "That sounds good, Daddy."
Severus patted Harry's shoulder. "Come on now, I think your friends are waiting for you in the hospital wing as well."
Before Severus could get up, though, Harry stopped him with a small hand on his arm, looking anxious.
"Daddy?" Harry inquired, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of the words themselves.
Severus, sensing the unease in his son's demeanor, softened his expression and turned his full attention to the boy. "Yes, child?" he replied with a reassuring warmth, encouraging Harry to voice his concerns.
"Do... do you have to tell them that you spanked me?" Harry's face flushed a deep red, and he shuffled from foot to foot, glancing nervously around the room.
Severus shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "No, Harry, it will be up to you what you tell your friends. However, Don, Albus, and Minerva already know. It was difficult to hide it from them when they saw you sleeping on your stomach."
Harry's face somehow turned even redder, making Severus smile a bit more.
"Don't worry, Harry. They won't say anything to anyone. They never told anyone when I was spanked."
Harry's eyes widened as he looked up at Severus, disbelief etched on his face. "You... you were! By whom?"
"Who do you think, Harry? Albus on several occasions, and I believe even Minerva once."
Harry's eyes widened in disbelief as he tried to digest the information. "You? Why?" he asked incredulously, curiosity dancing in his eyes.
Severus smiled wryly, feeling a surge of nostalgia, and shifted in his seat, slightly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to provide Harry with an explanation.
"Let's just say I had a bit of a dangerous streak, much like you do. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask Albus. Those are some memories I'd rather not revisit, if you know what I mean."
Harry nodded. "Okay, Daddy."
Severus finally stood up, relieved that the conversation had ended for now. Although it had been a long time ago, it still made him feel uneasy when he recalled how Albus had taken him in hand.
Severus held out his hand, and Harry took it gently. They walked over to the floo, where Severus threw in the floo powder and called out to the hospital wing. He tightened his hold on Harry's hand, and they both stepped through the floo.
Up until now, Severus had given Harry a stomach soother to help make the journey easier for him. While it was a good temporary solution, it wouldn't help Harry become accustomed to the sensation of traveling by floo in the long term. So, that morning, he had asked Don what the best way to wean Harry off the potion would be. The Healer had suggested letting Harry's body adjust naturally by stopping the potion altogether.
Reluctantly, Severus agreed – though only after much convincing.
Now, Severus and Harry were in the hospital wing, with Severus bent over a dry-heaving Harry, trying to calm him down to prevent a panic attack. He gently rubbed the boy's back and whispered soothing words in his ear, much to the shock and amusement of the others in the wing. As soon as Severus noticed the audience, he glanced up at their faces and scowled. The curious patients and family members quickly looked away, except for two who were too astonished to heed the warning.
Unfortunately, one of the two was Draco, his godson. The other, the youngest Weasley, would have found out soon anyway, but Draco... Severus hadn't wanted to deal with explaining himself to the boy just yet, or ever. Plus, there was the danger of Draco saying something to his father.
Sighing, Severus stood up and led Harry over to the bed where his friends had gathered. He patted Harry on the shoulder, shot a quick glance at the twins, and then set off to find out why his godson was in the hospital wing in the first place.
He strode over to Draco, took hold of his arm – not harshly, but not gently either – and led the boy into Poppy's office, which she gladly vacated for him. She knew that look on his face and, quite honestly, preferred not to cross him when he was like this.
As soon as the two were safely inside the office, Severus closed the door with a soft click and meticulously cast a silencing spell around them, ensuring that no one outside could overhear their conversation.
Severus fixed his gaze on Draco and spoke in a stern but gentle tone, "You must not tell your father or anyone else about what you just witnessed."
It took a few moments, but finally, Draco recovered enough to nod his head, understanding the importance of keeping the secret. "Yes, Uncle Sev," he agreed, his voice trembling slightly.
Severus nodded his head in approval and knelt down before the boy, concern etched on his face. "Now, tell me Draco, why are you here? Are you injured?"
Draco blushed, embarrassment evident on his features, and looked down at his feet while shaking his head. "No, I just keep having nightmares, and I thought Madam Pomfrey could give me a dreamless sleep potion so I could have at least one good night's rest."
Severus let out a sigh, his expression softening. "I'm your Head of House, Draco. Why didn't you come to me?"
Draco hesitated before confessing, "Father says nightmares are for babies, and I should suck it up. I didn't want you to tell him that I was still having them." His voice was barely above a whisper, betraying his vulnerability.
Gently, Severus led the boy over to the couch near the door and sat him down. He then pulled up a chair of his own to sit across from Draco. As he sat down, he studied the boy in front of him. For a while now, he had suspected that Lucius was not the kind parent he showed to others. No, scratch that, he had known that Lucius was not a kind parent; he just didn't have enough evidence to do anything. If Draco had any injuries or confided in him, then it would be a different story.
It hadn't worked last year, but maybe now, with a few gentle prods, he could get some information out of Draco. Last year, he had been ready to take Draco in, but now he had Harry. He could still find Draco a safe home, though. Anything would be better than the boy's current situation.
Gently, Severus reached forward and placed a hand on the boy's knee. "Draco, I promise you I won't tell your father anything about your nightmares. Okay?"
The boy nodded and lowered his head, looking into his lap as if he anticipated the direction the conversation would take. Sighing, Severus removed his hand from the boy's knee and gently placed it on Draco's chin, lifting it so they locked eyes.
"Are you ready to answer those questions I asked you last year?" Severus inquired softly.
Roughly, Draco pulled his chin away from Severus's grasp and looked towards the door, avoiding eye contact.
With another sigh, Severus got up from his chair and moved to sit next to Draco. Very gently, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder but pulled back slightly when Draco flinched at the sudden touch.
"It was bad this summer, wasn't it?" Severus asked, his voice filled with concern.
Slowly, Draco nodded. "He called a Healer to the house so that when you made all of us have our yearly physical, nothing would come up."
"I see. You know, Draco, if you tell me what happened, I can have you removed from your father's custody. I can make it so that he will never touch you again," Severus said, determination in his voice.
Draco's eyes flicked up to meet Severus's. "You... you mean I wouldn't have to become a Death Eater when I turn sixteen?"
"No, Draco," Severus reassured him.
"What about Mother? Would she leave too?" Draco almost pleaded with Severus, hope and fear mingling in his eyes.
Severus sighed yet again. This was the part he dreaded. He knew that Narcissa loved her son very much, and Draco loved her as well, but he had tried to get her to leave so many times it was hard to count them all. She was just too afraid to leave, though, and had opted to stay, leaving her son at the hands of his father.
Slowly, the man shook his head. "No, Draco, your mother is very set in her ways. She wants to stay with your father, but you have a choice. Don't base your decision on hers. She will always love you and will understand if you decide not to go back home."
Draco sat there for several minutes, staring at the door, deep in thought. Severus knew what a hard decision this was, so he let the boy just sit there, waiting patiently for him to snap out of his trance.
Finally, Draco turned to look at Severus again. "Can I talk to her before I decide anything?"
With deliberate care, Severus gave a slow nod of agreement. "Yes, Draco, I can reach out to your mother via the Floo Network at this very moment. Your father is currently engaged in a crucial meeting with the board of governors, so he won't be available to respond," he explained.
"Alright," Draco replied, his voice carrying a note of gratitude.
Before rising from the plush couch, Severus tenderly placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder, offering a comforting presence. Even as Draco involuntarily flinched, Severus maintained his supportive touch, silently assuring him that he was not alone.
After a brief moment, Severus crossed the room to the ornate fireplace, the emerald flames flickering invitingly. He called out for Draco's mother with a strong yet calm voice. As her figure appeared amidst the dancing flames, he took a moment to explain the situation and gently persuade her to grant him permission to escort Draco away from their family home.
When the stern woman came through the Floo, Severus walked back over to Draco and gave the boy a small nod. "I'll be outside. If you need anything, let me know."
Severus then shifted his focus back to Narcissa, his eyes locking onto hers with a grave intensity. "I must implore you, Narcissa, to promise me that anything you witness or hear within these walls remains utterly confidential. You must not share even the slightest detail with Lucius. Doing so would not only jeopardize my own life but also put Draco's safety at risk."
The elegant woman, understanding the weight of his words, gave a firm nod before taking a seat beside her son, her hand instinctively moving to offer him comfort.
"I need you to swear upon your very magic, Narcissa," Severus insisted, his voice gentle yet resolute, underscoring the importance of the oath she was about to make.
That caught the woman's attention, and her head snapped back up to look at the man, narrowing her eyes. She seemed more offended than anything that Severus did not trust her to keep a secret.
"I swear on my magic that I will not reveal anything I learn today to anyone."
Severus nodded and left the room. He didn't want to take a chance that Draco would blab to his mother about Harry, and it was also for Draco's safety. If Lucius found out that Draco was planning on leaving, Draco's life would be in even greater danger. Lucius could be vindictive when he wanted to be.
After firmly shutting the door behind him, he quickly sent a Patronus to Albus to inform him of the situation. He would have surely felt Narcissa's presence, and he didn't want him to worry that a Death Eater was invading the school. With that done, he looked over to the bed where he had left Harry and was glad to see not only the children talking and having fun but also the parents keeping a close watch over what was happening.
Quickly, he spotted Harry between his two best friends across from the twins, playing Exploding Snap, and was proud to see that Harry was winning. Not wanting to spoil the interaction by interrupting them, Severus stayed near Poppy's office and waited to hear the silent knock that would inform him to come back in.
Soon enough, the knock came, breaking Severus from his musings and watching his child. Reluctantly, he turned and entered the small office. When he entered, he saw Draco sitting on the couch with tears in his eyes and Narcissa standing near the Floo.
"I have to go now, Severus. Please take care of my son for me and find him a good home. I should have done this sooner, but I couldn't bear to lose him. Thank you for everything."
With that, the woman disappeared into the Floo while Draco jumped off the couch and ran towards it, begging his "mummy" not to leave him. Severus caught Draco before he reached the fireplace and held the boy close to his chest. The sense of abandonment seemed too much for the boy to handle.
"It will be okay, Draco. Try to calm down. You're going to be fine."
Draco's sobs only increased, as did his desperate cries for his mother. Being prepared as always, Severus reached into his robes and pulled out the extra-strength calming potion that was meant for Harry. However, Draco was more in need of it now. He quickly uncapped the top and gently forced it down the boy's throat. Unaccustomed to the effects of the potion and utterly exhausted, Draco fell asleep immediately. It was for the best, as Severus would be able to carry him more easily and it would allow Don to do a quick physical scan.
Carefully, Severus lifted Draco into his arms and groaned when he realized that Draco was at least two stones heavier than Harry. At least his parents never starved him. Hoisting the boy up a bit higher and casting a weight-altering spell, Severus moved out of Poppy's office and started to relocate Draco to the private room next door, where he would now be staying. The boy could no longer reside in the Slytherin dorms; when Lucius found out, everyone would be hexing the poor boy. Once they found someone to take him in, Draco would stay at their home for a few days to let the worst of it pass.
Ignoring the stares he received from the children still out on the beds, Severus carried Draco into the new room and gently set him down on the bed, not bothering to cover him with a blanket, knowing that Don would be redressing him in a moment anyway. As soon as Severus set the boy on the bed, he reached down and pulled the pendant from his clothing to call Don. He then sent a Patronus to Albus, asking him to contact a trustworthy social worker and start the proceedings.
With all that done, Severus sighed and sat down in the chair next to the bed. The next moment, Don came bustling in, closing the door behind him.
"Did you finally get him to talk?" Don asked him. Don inquired, his eyes searching Severus's face for any hint of progress.
Severus shook his head. "No, but his mother asked me to find him a new family, and that was all I needed to hear to evoke my Head of House and godfather responsibilities."
Understanding, Don nodded and picked up the hospital pajamas from the dresser. "Would you like to assist me, or would you rather I fetched Poppy?"
Severus stood and took the pajamas from Don, setting them on the bedside table. "I'd like to help."
"Alright then, Severus. Can you start undressing him? Everything but his shorts, I want to grab some things I think we might need."
Severus nodded and set to work, removing the boy's robes and uniform. After getting Draco down to his shorts, Don came in with a few potions and creams in his hands. Severus turned to look at the Healer with raised eyebrows.
"Do you truly believe that taking all these precautions is necessary?" Severus inquired, his brow furrowing with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
Don shook his head. "I don't know, but I'd rather be prepared than not have something I need right away."
Severus nodded and sat back down in the chair next to the boy's bed. He might not have been that close to the child, but he believed no one deserved to be alone while going through something like this.
Severus absentmindedly noticed Don moving and beginning to examine the boy with his hands. Glancing up at the Healer, he saw the small frown on Don's face. Sighing slightly, Severus returned his gaze to the boy, watching as Don continued his assessment. A few minutes later, Don reached for some potions and creams.
"It appears the Healer his father had called upon to treat him wasn't the most skilled in his field. While he did heal him to some extent, it was only enough to avoid detection during a cursory start-of-term scan. He has some internal damage that requires immediate attention."
Don looked at Severus. "I'll need you to step out for this part. You brought Draco to me last year, and I'm certain he wouldn't want you to see him in such a state of undress."
Severus nodded and gave the sleeping boy one last glance before rising from his chair. He then turned to Don, who was busily preparing to heal the boy.
"Can you let me know when he wakes up? I'd like to speak with him further, and I know Albus would like to discuss his new living arrangements."
Don nodded and gave Severus a pointed look. "Go on and see how Harry is faring. I'll keep you informed of Draco's progress."
With that, Severus exited the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Upon entering the outer room, he noticed Harry looking at him with a hint of confusion from the bed where they were all resting. Sighing softly, Severus approached the boy, his friends, and their parents, who were all observing him with curiosity. He couldn't help but sigh again, anticipating his dislike for the upcoming conversation. If it had just been Harry, he would have been fine, but it wasn't.
In an attempt to dispel any lingering awkwardness, Severus pulled up a chair, positioning it at a comfortable distance from the bed—far enough to prevent any accidental contact with its occupants.
"Daddy?" Harry ventured, his voice uncertain.
Severus glanced up and couldn't help but cringe as the Weasley parents exchanged knowing smiles. However, as he refocused his attention on his child, he noticed the genuine concern in Harry's eyes.
"Yes, child?" Severus inquired gently.
"What happened to Draco? Why were you carrying him?" Harry's curiosity was evident in his tone.
Severus sighed, recognizing that Harry's questions were ones he'd rather not address in the presence of others. "Well, Harry, I can't disclose all the details, as that information is for Draco alone to share. But I can assure you, he will be just fine."
Harry nodded in understanding, while the other children—save for the twins and the older two—watched in wonder as Snape demonstrated a tender side in his interactions with Harry. They had heard tales of this softer aspect of Snape and a few had even witnessed him caring for Harry before, but it remained an extraordinary and refreshing sight to them.
Eager to alleviate the palpable tension, Arthur cleared his throat to capture the professor's attention. "Professor Snape, may I have a word with you... in private?" Arthur requested, his voice laced with diplomacy.
"Of course," Severus replied, rising from his seat with an air of professionalism. He followed Arthur to a secluded corner of the hospital wing, where they could engage in a private conversation away from prying eyes and ears.
Not wanting to waste time, Arthur quickly broached the subject he wanted to discuss with Severus. "I wanted to thank you for saving my daughter last night."
Severus held up a hand to stop the man. "I didn't do anything except find them. The real person who saved your daughter is Harry over there. All thanks should be directed towards him."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "And how is Harry, really? I mean, he's in a sling, and it seems to be shifting on the bed."
Severus hid a small smile behind his hand as he pretended to cough at Arthur's last statement. Then, composing himself once more, he cleared his throat.
"He's recovering well. The healers successfully extracted all the venom from his arm, and I must admit, I'm partially responsible for his current difficulty in sitting comfortably. However, I suspect the latter is more of an exaggerated display than genuine discomfort," Severus explained.
Arthur raised his eyebrows at Severus's statement. "You spanked him for saving Ginny?"
Severus shook his head. "No, I disciplined him for both sneaking out of his bed after curfew and then putting himself in danger when he should have gone for help."
The man nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry; it seems I still don't know the full story, and it's probably a good thing I don't."
The Professor nodded his head, accepting his apology. "Is there anything you'd like to know about what happened last night? Harry told me everything this morning."
"Not about last night, but I do have one more question," Arthur interjected.
Severus gestured for him to proceed. "Go ahead."
"That was young Malfoy I saw you cradling earlier, wasn't it? Is he all right?" Arthur inquired, his voice laden with concern.
Severus shook his head somberly, fixing Arthur with a solemn gaze. "Unfortunately, the answer to that question is far from straightforward. I reassured the children that he'll be fine, but the truth is, his path to recovery will be a lengthy one... much like Harry's."
Severus observed the man closely as the implications of his statement took hold. First, a flicker of shock registered on Arthur's face, followed by a dawning comprehension as he recalled the numerous occasions he had seen the young boy with his father.
"Is he being removed from his current situation?" Arthur asked, his tone cautious yet earnest.
Severus nodded his head. "We have to be careful, though, as you know his father has high connections. Albus is looking for someone to take him in as we speak, but it has to be a family that will be able to protect Draco and themselves."
Arthur nodded and gave a quick glance over at his wife. "We'll take Draco in if he wants us. Bill is an expert duelist and curse breaker, Charlie handles dragons so nothing is a challenge to him, Percy, I hear, can defend anyone when he wants to, and as you know, the twins can fend for themselves. We would need to strengthen our wards a bit, but we have been meaning to do that anyway. I know we are not the richest family, but we can provide him with a loving, supportive family, and that's what matters, isn't it?"
To be quite honest, Severus was a tad bit shocked that the man in front of him was offering to take in the child of someone who had made his life miserable for the last ten years. The offer was genuine, though; he could see it in the man's eyes. Even though Albus was looking for a home for Draco to stay in since Severus was his godfather, the final decision rested in his hands, and Arthur's proposal sounded like the perfect solution. He knew that there would be some animosity between the youngest Weasley boy and Draco at first, but he also knew that once they all saw everything Draco had projected last year had been a mask, they would be fine.
"Let me talk to Albus and get his input. Then, when Draco wakes up, I'll let you know what his decision is. You should also discuss this with your children and wife to see what they think. Although you and Molly might be welcoming, some of your younger children might not like the idea."
Arthur nodded. "All right then. How much should I tell them, and should Harry be present as well?"
"Harry can hear whatever you tell your children. You shouldn't reveal too much, though—just the basics. Explain that Draco has been severely hurt and cannot return home. Also, tell them that sometimes people say and do things out of character to stay safe."
"I'll go have a conversation with them, then. Are you on your way to see Albus now?" Arthur inquired.
"Yes, Don will contact me as soon as Draco regains consciousness, so if you notice me hurrying back, there's no cause for alarm," Severus reassured him.
With a mutual nod, the two men parted ways. Severus treaded the familiar path towards Albus's office at a measured pace, while Arthur set off to discuss the prospect of welcoming another child into their family with his own children. Deep within, both men fervently hoped for a favorable outcome.
An hour later, Severus reappeared in the hospital wing, this time accompanied by Albus. The headmaster intended to confer with the Weasleys regarding the installation of more robust wards at their residence that very evening, as well as to assess Draco's current state.
By a fortunate coincidence, Don was just emerging from the room where they had situated Draco, gesturing for Severus to join him. As he neared the partially open doorway, Severus paused to converse with Don.
"How is he faring?" Severus inquired, a note of concern coloring his voice.
Don sighed. "He's healing, but it will take some time. The deeper I scanned, the more I found. It seems that the Healer who tended to him didn't actually heal anything but suppressed it. Magic can do strange things, and this is one of them. I've never seen this happen before. It appears he has a deep infection in his lungs, but symptoms that should have shown wouldn't have for at least a few months, and by that time, he would be gravely ill. The same goes for his other injuries. Instead of lash marks on his back, there are cuts in the muscles inside his back. It's very odd, but I've healed all the injuries I feel comfortable addressing for now. Tomorrow, I can heal the rest. Has Albus been looking for a place for him to stay? I don't really feel comfortable leaving him here in the busy hospital wing."
Nodding, Severus pointed with his head to the people over his shoulder. "The Weasleys have offered to take him in, and I think they would be good for him. They could provide him with everything he hasn't had in his short life. I want to ask Draco what he wants first, though. I don't want to force anything on him."
The Healer reached out and patted Severus on the shoulder. "Then, you should ask him now. He just woke up. He's still pretty upset about his mother."
"Thank you." With that, Severus followed Don back into the small room. It would have been nice for this to be a more private conversation, but he understood that Don felt some calming magic might be in order to help Draco relax.
Approaching cautiously, Severus sat on the edge of Draco's bed near the top, as Draco looked at him warily.
"Hello, Draco," Severus greeted softly.
"Hi, Professor Snape," Draco responded hesitantly.
"Draco, you know better than that," Severus gently chided, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You've been calling me Uncle Sev for years."
A blush crept up Draco's cheeks as he averted his gaze, focusing on his lap while absentmindedly toying with the quilt.
"Mother left me," Draco whispered, his voice barely audible.
Severus reached out and placed a gentle hand on the boy's knee. "She was doing what she thought was best for you. She knew that if she had run too, it would have put you in more danger. This way, we can hide you with a family and keep you as safe as we possibly can."
Draco nodded, though his expression remained clouded with concern over the entire ordeal. "But who would want me?" he asked, vulnerability evident in his voice.
Giving the boy's knee a small squeeze, Severus continued as gently as possible. "The Weasleys have asked whether you could live with them."
That caught the boy's attention, and his head whipped up so fast Severus could have sworn the boy would get whiplash. "Even after everything I said last year?"
"Yes, it was them who brought up the idea. And before you ask, I have already set up an account with the Headmaster to establish a monthly fund for them so that the extra cost will not be a burden."
Even though Draco did not openly show it, he was quite frugal with his money and was very concerned about how much the family would spend on him. Severus supposed it had something to do with how his father spent money recklessly with no concern. Draco truly was the opposite of his father in every way possible.
"Are you sure?" Draco inquired hesitantly.
"Yes, Draco, the funds will be drawn from my account, and you know that I have ample means to cover the expenses," Severus reassured him.
"But you're looking after Potter now, too. What about him?" Draco pressed, his concern genuine.
Severus offered the boy a small, comforting smile. "Indeed, I am taking care of Harry as well, but I don't want you to fret over that. I have sufficient resources to support you, Harry, and myself."
Draco nodded tentatively. "I guess I'm okay with that if they are."
"They are, Draco. Would you like to speak with them yourself?" Severus asked, giving Draco the option.
Draco shook his head. "I'm really sleepy. Can I talk with them later?"
"Yes, of course, you can. Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep, or would you prefer I leave?" Severus inquired, attentive to the boy's needs.
Draco blushed as Severus rose from his seat and adjusted the bed, allowing him to lie down comfortably.
"Could you stay?" Draco requested, his voice soft.
"Of course, I can, Draco. Now, lie back and close your eyes. I'm right here," Severus responded, his voice gentle and soothing.
Slowly, Draco obeyed his godfather's words and closed his eyes. After just a few minutes, Severus let out a small breath in relief as he finally saw the boy's chest rise evenly in sleep. The man then turned to Don, who gave him a small nod.
"I think that's as close to a yes as you're going to get. Let's go warn the Weasleys about what they have gotten themselves into."
Severus got up and nodded. With one last glance at the boy on the bed, he sighed and followed Don out of the room to speak with the Weasleys and their children.
As they both approached the family, Severus noticed that Hermione Granger was still in the group of children. He supposed it was okay for her to be here, as he knew how close she was to the family and would likely be spending more time with them since her parents were Muggles.
With a nod to Arthur, Severus sat down in the chair he had occupied earlier and prepared himself for the conversation ahead. He needed to prepare this family to welcome the real Draco without revealing anything too personal about the boy. He then felt a hand rest on his shoulder, accompanied by calming magic. Glancing over his shoulder, he gave a grateful look to the Healer, who simply smiled in response.
After taking a deep breath, the Professor looked at the two adults and noticed them exchanging glances of worry or pity; he couldn't tell which.
"Are you both certain you want to do this?"
They shared another glance and nodded. Molly was the one who spoke up. "So, has Draco agreed to come live with us?"
Severus was about to answer, but a shout from the bed interrupted him.
"What do you mean a dirty, filthy Slytherin is coming to live with us?"
Looking over, Severus saw the youngest Weasley boy's face all red with fury as he shot angry glances at both his parents. The children around him seemed to be trying to calm him down; even Harry was patting his shoulder in an attempt to soothe him. Severus opened his mouth to scold the boy, but once again, an angry voice cut him off. This time, it was Molly who was doing the shouting.
"Ronald Weasley! What did we just finish telling you?"
Ron crossed his arms and looked away, ignoring his mother. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately for the boy, he was sitting rather close to her. She stood up and grabbed her son's chin none too gently, forcing him to look at her.
"Do not ignore me, young man! Answer me, or else you will find yourself with a sore bottom."
Severus saw the young boy blush as he began to open his mouth to answer his mother. No doubt, he was embarrassed that she had implied the type of punishment he would receive if he did not comply.
"You just told us that it doesn't matter what house anyone is in and that we should treat everyone equally, but Mum, it's Malfoy!"
"No buts, young man. He is a human being and deserves to have a loving family. I want you to be at least civil to him when he comes to live with us, or else I will not hesitate to take you over my knee. Is that understood?"
Ron looked down at his lap as his mother let go of his chin. "Yes, ma'am."
"That goes for the rest of you too. No pranks, no teasing, and treat him as you would family. I want you to welcome him; he has been hurt and needs all the support we can give him."
Molly was met with a chorus of nods and a few murmured agreements. Satisfied, she nodded and looked back over to Severus.
"I believe you might have wanted to tell us something more?"
Severus nodded. "Yes, I wanted to tell you a little about Draco—the real Draco. You see, the Draco you all encountered last year is merely a mask. He is not the snobby, rich kid you all came to know him as."
The man took a small breath and looked almost pointedly at Harry. "When we fear something or someone, we tend to adapt to how we think they want us to act. We play the role we assume has been laid out for us and hide who we really are. I hope that you all get to know the real Draco. If at first, he does act the part he played all last year, know that he is only doing so because he is afraid or uncertain. Treat him kindly, and he will eventually let his guard down."
All the children in front of him nodded again, except for Harry, who was looking at him thoughtfully. Severus made a mental note to talk with him later in private.
Just as Severus thought the conversation was over, one of the twins spoke, perhaps Fred?
"Can he brew with us tomorrow?"
Ginny gave her brother a blank stare, but the rest seemed to know what he was talking about, and the older children, along with his parents, gave him looks of approval.
"That would be a great idea, but I think he will still be in bed. Maybe next week if he agrees."
Severus then looked over at the two elder Weasleys. "I was hoping that Draco might be able to go to your home and rest for a few days if that is okay with you?"
"That would be fine, Severus. I actually think that would be a good idea; it would give us a chance to get to know one another better."
The Professor nodded. "I was thinking that as well. I have to warn you, though, Draco is not the most touchy-feely child. Don't hug him unless he invites it."
Severus could just imagine the woman giving the boy a bear hug the moment she saw him, just as she used to do to him. Luckily, after a year or so, she had taken the hint, and she didn't run up to hug him anymore.
It was unfortunate, but true that Draco was not used to physical contact. Both his parents had not shown him much affection. Yes, his mother loved him, but not experiencing the small touches or hugs herself, she just didn't know how to give them to Draco.
Molly gave a small nod. While she disliked Severus telling her how to handle a child when she had so much experience, he was obviously just trying to help.
"Is there anything else we need to do paperwork-wise?"
Albus had been sitting in the background, letting the adults and children work things out among themselves, but now he again made his presence known.
"I have taken care of most of the paperwork. All that needs to be done is for both you and Draco to sign the documents in the presence of a social worker. I have contacted a trustworthy social worker, and if you want, she is willing to come by today. If that is the case, I need to talk to you in private more about all the procedures."
Arthur looked over at his wife, and she gave him a small nod.
"We would like to do everything today, but I think Draco should be present when we sign the papers. I want to make sure he is okay with everything."
Albus nodded and then turned to Don. "Do you think he will sleep for the rest of the day or will he be up for lunch?"
"He hasn't been sleeping well, so I expect he will sleep through lunch. He might wake up sometime later this afternoon, though."
The Headmaster nodded. "Maybe after he wakes up, we can move him back to the Burrow, and we can take care of all the technical aspects there. I believe Severus and I were going to go over today to help strengthen your wards."
Molly and Arthur nodded, while Bill chimed in.
"I can help with the wards as well if you need me. I've been working at Gringotts, and the Goblins are willing to help. Nothing is stronger than wards set by Goblins."
Albus thought for a moment. "If you think they will agree, then that would be a very good idea. Today, Severus and I will set some up so that Draco can go home, and then tomorrow they can come and set theirs."
Bill nodded. "I should go and set that up with them. You know how long it can take to bargain with a Goblin."
When Bill saw Albus nod, he got off the bed. He came over and kissed his sister's forehead and then hugged all his brothers, including Harry and Hermione.
"I'll see you guys soon. No more getting into trouble."
With a sharp look at the twins, the eldest Weasley left through the Floo to head to Gringotts.
After his brother left, Charlie got off the bed. "I should be going as well. I left a baby Dragon down with Hagrid last night, and if you don't want another Norbert, I should probably go get him sooner rather than later."
Most looked at Charlie with confusion except for Albus, who had a twinkle in his eye, Harry, Ron, and the twins who looked a bit guilty, and Severus who was looking at the young man incredulously.
Recovering from his shock after a moment, Severus looked over at Harry. "So there was a Dragon here at Hogwarts last year. It appears that I owe Mr. Malfoy an apology, and someone owes an explanation."
Albus reached out and patted the younger man on the shoulder. "Now, now, Severus. I shall tell you later what happened, but for now, what is in the past is in the past. Am I right?"
Sighing, Severus nodded. "You are right, Albus, but you will tell me what happened. Understood?"
Smiling, Albus nodded and absently noticed the look of relief on both Harry and Ron's faces. He may act like an old coot most of the time, but when it came to the safety of the castle and its students, Albus knew everything that went on. There was nothing more important to him than the safety of his students, and if he had truly thought that the baby dragon posed a danger, he would have stepped in immediately.
Brightening, Albus clapped his hands. "Now, I believe it is time for a little lunch! Why don't you children go and look at the end of the hall here and see what the house elves brought you? Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Potter, please stay here for a moment, though, so that Madam Pomfrey can give you a once-over."
All the children eagerly complied with the Headmaster's request, and Charlie quietly moved to the door to avoid any further questions about the dragon he had picked up at Hogwarts last year. As everyone was busy following Albus's instructions, Madam Pomfrey emerged from her storage closet, having heard her name being called. Approaching the bed, the Headmaster gestured vaguely, and Poppy nodded, understanding at once.
"Go hop into the other bed, Mr. Potter, and I'll be with you in a moment."
Harry nodded and jumped into the bed next to Ginny's. While he did so, Poppy began running scans over the young girl, double-checking that she hadn't missed anything earlier. Fortunately, this also gave her a few moments to explain to Ginny what had happened, as no one had told her anything yet. After her scans confirmed what she had expected, Poppy sat down on the side of the girl's bed.
"Dear, has anyone told you what happened last night?"
She knew very well that no one had, but Ginny didn't know that, and sometimes it could be disconcerting if Poppy jumped right into recounting the events.
When the young first-year shook her head, the nurse gave a small nod in understanding. She then began to explain everything that had occurred the previous night. It all went well until Poppy started describing how Voldemort had tampered with Ginny's mind, making her forget things and controlling her actions. The poor girl started to panic at the mere mention of seeing a Mind Healer, and it seemed as if she began to shut down. Her whole body became rigid, and her eyes turned glassy.
Fortunately, Don had stayed nearby in case this happened. While Madam Pomfrey was a wonderful school nurse, she didn't have the natural ability for calming magic. Swiftly, the Healer sat on the other side of the bed and gently placed one hand on Ginny's forehead and the other on her chest, easing her down onto her back as he did. Carefully, the man sent as much calming magic into the child as he thought she could handle and was greatly relieved when the color in Ginny's cheeks began to return. While this was happening, Albus had to almost restrain the distraught parents from trying to comfort their distressed child. He genuinely understood how hard it was for parents to see their children hurt, but he also knew how crucial it was for the Healers to do their jobs.
Once Ginny was calm enough, Don took over explaining about the Mind Healer she would have to see. Unfortunately, his hands were full with all his patients, so he had to refer her to someone else, but despite the guilt he felt, he thought it might be for the better. Sometimes, girls felt more comfortable talking with a woman, and vice versa.
Eventually, the young first-year girl nodded her head, indicating that she understood everything the Healer had told her. He had assured her that no one thought she was crazy, contrary to what her brothers had led her to believe about anyone who saw a Mind Healer. He also had to assure her a few times that it was quite normal to see someone after such a traumatic event. After those reassurances, the poor girl had calmed down and finally relaxed back into her bed.
With Ginny now at ease, Albus gave a small nod to Molly, signaling that she could give her daughter the tray of food the house elf had brought. Eager to finally do something for her child, Molly picked up the tray and settled down on the side of the bed that Don had vacated for her.
"Do you want some soup, Ginny?" Molly inquired tenderly, her maternal instincts taking over.
Seeing that the youngest Weasley was now in good, capable hands, Poppy and Don turned to Harry's bed. Don had spoken with the Healer who had performed the surgery, but he really wanted to see for himself that the incision was healing nicely.
The two approached the bed where Severus was already sitting, comforting the young boy. It seemed that they were having a serious conversation, with Don catching a few mentions of Draco. He placed a gentle hand on Poppy's arm to hold her back so they could finish their discussion.
In just a few minutes, Severus noticed the Healer's presence and waved them closer.
Within a few minutes, Severus became aware of the Healer's presence and gestured for them to come closer.
"Don, Harry has a question about Draco. I believe you might be the best one to provide an answer," Severus said, turning to the Healer.
Don nodded in agreement and moved to sit on the other side of the bed.
"What is your question, Harry?" Don inquired, his tone kind and approachable.
"When is Draco going to be all better?" Harry asked, his concern for his friend evident in his voice.
Don gave a small smile at the innocent question. He knew from what he had heard last year that Harry would not have cared one bit about his rival's recovery, but things change when you find out that you have more in common than you knew. Although, this was something you never wished to have in common with anyone.
"Everyone heals differently, Harry. He will heal in time, but let's focus on you right now. Ok?"
Harry reluctantly nodded.
"Now, let Poppy do her scan, and then the House Elves brought you something to eat. You don't have to stay in bed, but I thought you might want a little space from your friends."
Another nod came from the boy, and he shifted slightly on the bed, prompting Don to give a small smile.
"I also assume it's more comfortable than a hard chair."
This time, Harry's nod was not reluctant or small; it was large and vigorous, causing everyone nearby to smile.
"That's what I thought. Now, hold still for a moment so Madam Pomfrey can cast her spell."
Harry did as he was told, and Poppy cast a simple diagnostic spell over him. After just a few moments, she looked up from the paper the spell had produced and nodded to the Healer.
"Everything looks fine. There's a little magical exhaustion, but he should recover by tomorrow."
Both Don and Severus nodded happily. Don then reached forward and gently started to undo the sling.
"Do you mind if I have a quick look, Harry?"
Slowly, Harry shook his head, so the Healer continued to unwrap his arm. Then, very gently, he rolled up the sleeve and pulled back the bandages to take a quick look at where the Healers had operated. Don was pleased it looked pink and healthy. With a small smile, he wrapped it back up, rolled the sleeve back down, and placed it back in the sling.
Don looked up and smiled at the boy. "It looks great, Harry. You'll only have a small scar that no one will ever notice."
As Harry gave another nod, Severus came over and placed his tray of food on his waiting lap.
"Try to eat everything here, Harry, and don't forget to drink all your milk first."
"Yes, sir."
As Harry began to eat, Don turned to Severus. "I spoke with Pam today. She said that she would like to come over sometime this afternoon to go over Harry's schoolwork. He still needs to catch up, and missing yesterday and today isn't helping. Also, it will give you some time to go over to the Burrow with Albus to set up the wards."
Severus gave a small nod. "That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for thinking of everything, Don."
The Healer just smiled at Severus. "Go now, I see Albus beckoning you over so you two can leave. I'll stay here and make sure Harry eats enough."
The man gave another nod before turning back to Harry. "I'll be back later, Harry. Pam will be by soon so that you can study some."
Taking another bite of his food, Harry nodded. Seeing the small nod, Severus turned and started to walk towards Albus, who was already heading to the Floo with Arthur.
The Hospital Wing