“Harry, come out here, please.”

Harry felt himself blanch and swallowed thickly at Lucius’ quiet call. He had foolishly hoped Lucius would forget about his foray outside yesterday. He rubbed his hands on his thighs a few times before getting up from the bed and shuffled out to the sitting room. Lucius and Severus were sitting on the sofa, leaving him to take his chair. Their faces betrayed nothing, making his heart jump into his throat.

“What did we tell you yesterday before the mess with Crouch?” Severus said.

“Uh,” Harry hesitated, “not to go outside?”

“Outside, alone,” Severus stressed, “and where were you?”

“I was outside, but I was with Hagrid so not alone,” Harry argued, hoping it was enough.

It wasn’t.

“And before that?” Lucius jumped in. “After our argument? When you first met Alexei.”

Harry swallowed again. “Technically I had gone out alone, but then Alexei showed up so, again, not actually alone.”

Severus’ eyes narrowed. “You are not getting out of this on false technicalities.”

Harry huffed, feeling angry. “Fine, yes, I went outside alone. I’m still alive. Nothing happened.”

“You really have such little regard for your own life?” Lucius said and Harry sighed.

“What are you talking about?” Harry said, crossing his arms.

“There is someone in the castle who is not who they say they are. This person more than likely entered you in the tournament and may have had a role in Crouch’s death,” Severus said. “Do you realize how much danger is inside the school right now?”

“If they wanted to hurt me or kill me, they would have by now,” Harry said. “No one seemed to care when I was hunting something killing unicorns with Hagrid or when students were turning up Petrified or when I was supposedly being hunted by a mass murderer.”

“There should have been someone to do exactly what we are doing now,” Lucius said.

Harry glared. “Says the one who tried to kill a twelve year old.”

In his anger and confusion, he made himself ignore the pain he felt at Lucius’ anguished face.

“Harry!” Severus snapped.

“No!” Harry shouted. “You can’t just start caring! You can’t pretend to care!”

“When have we ever given the impression that we are pretending?” Severus said.

“You just are!” Harry yelled. “No one has ever cared! No one ever cares so why would you? Don’t pretend to care when you’re just going to forget about me.”

“Forget about you?” Severus said, sharing a frown with Lucius. “What makes you think we’re going to forget about you?”

Harry sniffed, fighting off tears angrily. “Because you will when summer comes and I go back to the Dursleys’. You won’t have to bother with me anyone so you’ll forget you ever did.”

Severus and Lucius sighed.

“That will not happen, Harry,” Lucius said. “We will not forget about you.”

“Everyone does,” Harry said quietly. “Everyone leaves.”

“We are not leaving you,” Severus said. “I promised you I wouldn’t leave.”

“Ron did. Hermione did. Sirius did,” Harry said. “You will, too, eventually.”

“You think so little of us?” Lucius said and found the boy’s green eyes meeting his.

“I-I don’t—“ Harry stuttered. “I didn’t mean—“

“Harry.”

Harry looked at the professor’s sad, but determined face from his chair. He wondered what had happened even though he was sure he knew.

“I’ve told the headmaster your situation,” the professor said. “He’s said you must return.”

“I know.”

“I will not let you return.”

Harry stopped and looked at the two men. Could he really trust them to not leave? He hadn’t believed Sirius could leave and now he had, and Sirius liked him. What was there to keep Severus and Lucius around, two men that had once hated him? Could he trust that the professor would find some way around Dumbledore and the Ministry? They each had big plans that needed Harry as a key part. 

Could he believe that Severus and Lucius actually cared about him?

Harry smiled slightly.

“I know.”

Dear Sirius,

Harry paused and tapped his quill on his parchment. He debated what to write. There was so much to say but what do you say to someone who probably won’t write back?

I wish you would answer my letters. So much is happening this year and I really need to hear from you. I need your help. I’m still getting help from Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy, but I thought I’d hear more from you.

I survived the Second Task. Neville helped me. He found me gillyweed. Good thing, too, because I hadn’t figured anything out. He saved my life. For the task, the merpeople took something we’d miss from each of us. I wasn’t sure what they’d take from me, I don’t have much. Ended up, it was Severus. They had taken Severus and I’ve since realized how much I care about him…and Lucius. They both care about me too. They’re even trying to get me away from the Dursleys.

I know what you think of the both of them, but I don’t care. They’ve been helping me and they care about me and they’ve been taking care of me. They are great men and I’m so glad I have them.

The Final Task is in June. Still some time away.

Do you think there could be a way to see each other at Easter? I’d love to see you. Let me know, okay?

Hope to hear soon.

Love,

Harry

With another sigh, Harry slipped the letter into an envelope and gave it to Hedwig. He watched her fly, chewing his lip. He didn’t react when Lucius sat beside him in the stands.

“Doesn’t Dumbledore wonder why you’re here?” Harry asked.

“Not since he got an important letter from the Ministry, documenting the details of my stay.”

Harry chuckled at the man’s smirk.

“So what is going on?” Lucius said. “We haven’t seen much of you lately.”

Harry sighed. “Just been focusing on classes.”

“Are you sure that’s all?” Lucius said. “Seems you’ve been avoiding us ever since we said we’d get you out of Privet Drive.”

Harry dropped his head, his hands fidgeting.

“Do you think we won’t do it?”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know. I know you’ll try and that you want to, but I’ve gone through this before.”

“You have?”

Harry nodded. “End of last year. Before Pettigrew escaped. Sirius asked me to live with him. He was going to get me out of Privet Drive, too, but it didn’t happen. I’m still there and he’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“Haven’t heard much from him lately,” Harry said. “I just haven’t had much luck getting away from the Dursleys.”

“Harry, we—“

Harry looked up when Lucius stopped suddenly. The blonde man was staring towards the school where three robed men were heading through the front doors. Lucius had a worried and confused expression.

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked.

“Those are Aurors,” Lucius said.

Harry frowned. “Why would they be here?”

“I have no idea.”

Harry quickly followed Lucius into the castle. They rushed through the corridors until they found, not just the Aurors, but also Dumbledore and Severus in the Entrance Hall. Harry felt his stomach twist as he recognized the worry in Severus’ face. He unconsciously stepped closer to Lucius as Dumbledore and the Aurors turned to face them.

“Mr. Malfoy,” Dumbledore said, “we were just about to look for you.”

“Obviously no need,” Lucius said. “What is this about?”

“Mr. Malfoy,” the tall Auror in front said, extending a hand. “Gawain Robards, Head Auror.”

Lucius shook the man’s hand stiffly. “Pleasure.”

“Mr. Malfoy, we have been sent to inform you of the pending investigation and to tell you that you are restricted to the Hogwarts grounds until the investigation’s conclusion,” Robards said.

Lucius frowned. “Investigation?”

Robards nodded. “The Ministry has opened an investigation in regards to the Death Eater attack on December twenty-fifth and the death of Draco Malfoy.”

“What does this have to do with me?” Lucius said.

Harry felt his stomach twist tighter.

“You are under investigation for involvement,” Robards said and slice rang.

Harry looked up at Lucius, fear running through his body. They had to be joking. They honestly thought Lucius was involved in the attack, in Draco’s murder? What were they going to do?

“You can’t be serious?” Lucius said. “You’re accusing me of murdering my own son?”

Robards shrugged a shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mr. Malfoy. I’m only following orders. Please, do not leave school premises until the investigation closes.”

“Fine,” Lucius said shortly.

Robards nodded again, inclined his head to Dumbledore, and then left the school.

“Mr. Malfoy,” Dumbledore said and everyone turned to the headmaster. Harry narrowed his eyes at the lack of emotion in the old man’s eyes as they stared at Lucius. “Shall I arrange some rooms for you?”

Lucius’ face hardened. “No, thank you. I will stay with Severus.”

“Very well,” Dumbledore said and then swept away.

“What is happening?” Harry said, looking between Severus and Lucius.

“It must be Fudge,” Lucius said.

“I thought you basically controlled him?” Severus said.

“Not me,” Lucius said with a small sigh, the three of them beginning to slowly walk to the dungeons. “It was all Narcissa. She’s the one that paid off everyone. A trait she learned from her mother.”

“Now she’s gone, he’s stepping up,” Severus said and Lucius nodded.

“He’s going to try and take me down now. He’ll use my position as a Death Eater,” Lucius said, sitting in his usual spot on the sofa.

“He can’t do this,” Harry argued. “You haven’t done anything.”

“They’re just investigating, Harry,” Lucius said. “That doesn’t mean they’ll find anything.”

“What if they do?” Harry whispered, pained. “They’ll take you away. You’ll leave.”

Lucius gave him a gentle look. “I’m not going to leave you, I’ll always be with you.”

Harry met the grey eyes and nodded, but he knew his heart wasn’t in it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this would not be ending in a good way.

Alexei looked at the case file in his lap, frowning as he read. He knew Fudge was corrupt and a coward, but this was absolutely insane. He was really trying to bring down Lucius Malfoy and, from the looks of things, he had a strong case to succeed.

He sighed and sipped from his goblet. He hoped he could find something to stop the investigation into Lucius. So far, he had nothing. He glanced at Harry who was sitting in that same chair and doing some homework. The boy had been despondent ever since they had learned about the investigation. When asked, Harry would say he was fine but they all knew better. He was convinced Lucius would be found guilty and would be taken away.

Sadly, as of now, the boy wasn’t wrong.

Alexei’s perusal of the file was interrupted when a brown envelope popped into existence in front of him. The special symbol in the bottom left corner immediately told him what it was, making him smile. He took the floating package and opened it, pulling out the papers to review. His smile turned bittersweet as he put aside the investigation. At least he was still able to fix some things.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, getting to his feet. He sighed again when Harry didn’t even react, let alone respond.

Alexei walked around the sofa and to one of the other doors. He knocked and went inside, knowing he had been heard. He watched quietly as Severus finished up the last few steps of the potion before putting it in a stasis.

“What is it?” Severus asked, wiping his hands and the countertop.

Alexei held out the papers. “Something better. I hope it helps Harry at least a little bit.”

Severus gave the vampire a curious glance before looking down to read the papers. He felt his heart jump at the words, feeling joy fill him.

This document states that one

Severus Tobias Snape

has legally taken permanent guardianship of one 

Harry James Potter

and will hereby be responsible for all parental duties in regards to his ward.

“You just need Harry’s signature,” Alexei said. “Proof that he understands and agrees, and hasn’t been coerced in some way.”

“That may be more difficult now,” Severus said, tossing the guardianship papers on the table. “He’s convinced he’s going to be left alone.”

Alexei sighed. “Is he wrong?”

Severus sat on his stool. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “There’s a lot against Lucius and it’s not all lies, so it can be used. It will be used.”

“Fudge is only trying to convict him of the Christmas attack and Draco’s murder,” Alexei said. “That means we only have to prove him innocent of that. Fudge is trying to convict him of the notion that he could do it, not that he did do it.”

Severus nodded. “So we have a chance.”

“We do,” Alexei agreed, “but we might not have it until after conviction.”

Severus ran a hand through his dark hair, agitated.

“Forget about it for now,” Alexei said. “Have dinner with the boy and show him that you’re not leaving him.”

Severus let out a heavy breath and tapped the papers contemplatively before nodding. Grabbing the package, the two of them left the lab. Back in the sitting room, Harry had put his homework aside and was staring blankly at the empty fireplace. Alexei took his file and said goodbye—with no response—before leaving the Potions master’s rooms.

“Harry,” Severus said, receiving only a minute head twitch from the boy. “Let’s have some dinner.”

After a few moments, Harry must’ve decided he was still hungry despite his sadness and left his chair. He shuffled silently behind his professor into the kitchen, sitting heavily. They were quiet for some time as the food appeared and they ate. Severus observed the boy. If the investigation went the way he and Alexei were thinking it would, Harry would start a downward spiral again, similar to after Ron died. The child needed to know he had someone to help him.

Severus reached over to grab the papers, sliding them in front of Harry. The boy glanced at them, disinterestedly, and returned to his food. However, a few seconds later, he paused and looked at the forms again, this time reading. He slowly picked them up, his eyes quickly scanning. He flipped through the sheets almost violently and then looked across at Severus with wide eyes.

“What is this?” he asked, clenching the pages tightly.

“That,” Severus said, “is a permanent guardianship document.”

“For…”

“For us,” Severus confirmed. “If you sign, you will officially be my ward. I will be your guardian.”

“Why?” Harry whispered, sounding genuinely confused.

“I don’t want you to be alone,” Severus said gently. “I want to keep you with me. I care about you and want to help you.”

Harry blinked, tears in his eyes as he read the papers again. With a sniff, he put the package down and returned to the sitting room. He was back only seconds later, this time holding a quill as he sat back down. He turned to the page that required his signature while still re-reading the first page over and over.

Is this what he wanted?

It’s a guardian, a potential family. This is what you have always wanted, Ron’s voice in his head said.

Was it? Sure it was. He knew that. He had always wanted someone who cared about him and could take care of him. He wanted his own family. Severus was offering just that and he knew Lucius and Alexei came along as though part of a package deal. He liked them all, cared about all of them. It had real potential to become something. So why was he holding back?

Sirius, Ron said.

Right. Sirius. Since last year, it had been Sirius he thought he would be doing this with. It was Sirius, his godfather, he thought would be his guardian, would be taking him in. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Severus, it was more that…

That, maybe, Sirius doesn’t want you, Ron said quietly.

All of a sudden, a loud crack sounded out and the castle shook. Harry flinched and shrunk in his seat, gaining a concerned look from Severus.

“Sounds like a bad storm,” Severus said. “I take it you don’t particularly like storms?”

Harry shook his head. “The thunder would shake the house. It would make the stairs creak, dust would fall down, and the door would rattle. Always sounded like the house would collapse around me and the cupboard. I never had anyone to go to in the night.”

Severus gave him a gentle gaze. “Go in the sitting room. I’ll start a fire and bring some tea.”

Harry gave a small nod and gathered the guardianship papers. He put them on the coffee table and huddled into his chair. He tried to focus on the sounds of Severus making tea, tried to ignore the roaring and cracking outside. He flinched each time the thunder rumbled.

Severus soon came in and lit the fireplace. He handed Harry a cup of the steaming tea.

Harry warmed his hands on the cup of tea as he curled up on his chair. The storm raged outside. How he hated storms but, as he watched the flames, listened to the wood crackling, and felt Severus’ presence, he felt he was…safe here.

“Tell me about your godfather,” the professor said, holding his own cup of tea.

A pause.

“I haven’t talked to him since he went into hiding,” Harry said, finally admitting it. “I’ve sent letters.”

“Has he replied?”

“I haven’t talked to him since he went into hiding.”

With that, Harry set his jaw and flipped through the guardianship forms. He found the right one and quickly signed his name on the blank line.

Dropping the quill, he left his chair and sat beside Severus on the sofa. Still holding his tea, he brought his legs up and leaned into the professor’s side as he—his guardian—draped an arm around his shoulders.