Putting Trust into the Wrong Man

Chapter 14: The Aftermath

Light flooded into the potions classroom as Snape opened the door wider. Poppy pushed Draco away from her and her mind was racing as to what to say to her father. Draco fell into a desk and caused a stool to crash, he immediately grabbed his wrist in pain.

"Dad, um, this is, well you know Draco Malfoy. We were talking about homework for Monday!" Poppy was blanking not knowing what to say, they were too close together to hide it.

"Homework for Monday? Draco, you may go. Perhaps visit Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing, my daughter knows how to shove quite hard," Severus smiled but watched Draco as he stumbled out of the classroom.

"Ya know, your mother and I loved this classroom, this was where we first met," Severus walked back to the table and saw the initials carved, seems so long ago now, he continued to look around the classroom, memories flooding his mind.

"Yeah, Draco and I usually meet here to do homework-"

"And other things, I suppose?" Severus interrupted cracking a smile.

"Dad, that was nothing. We're just friends thats all. He's really helped me find my place at Hogwarts," Poppy rambled on.

"Who else have you made friends with? More than Draco, I hope,"

"Yeah, there's Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter," Poppy just about whispered the last name, she didn't know what her father knew about the Potters.

"Harry Potter? Haven't heard that name in a long time, how is he? Does he ever mention his parents?" Severus paced the front of the classroom, being patient with Poppy and only asking the necessary questions.

"He's, well, he's definitely interesting. He always talks about his parents working and how they're saving loads of people-"

"Saving them? Saving them how? Lily and James are..." he trailed off.

"Are what, dad?" Poppy looked at her father, hoping for answers to the questions she's been asking since Halloween.

"Are interesting as well. Look, Poppy, stay away from Harry and for that matter, Draco as well. They're not safe, don't believe everything they say. Now, let's go back to the Great Hall. Catch up before I leave tomorrow," Severus opened the classroom door, looked back once more at his beloved classroom and closed it behind him.

They were mostly alone in the Great Hall; it was later in the night and most students were in their common rooms drinking butterbeer or sleeping in a food coma.

"Dad, how come you dont want me near Harry or Draco? I mean, what have they done that I can't believe them?" Poppy needed answers, what really happened that night?

"Poppy, just trust me on this. They will hurt you more than they will help you. Draco, he's a fine young man, but he has much to learn; Harry is just not who he says he is, Poppy, you must learn to find the truths among people," Severus talked quietly to his daughter, wanting the best for her.

"But dad, what if I liked one of them more than a friend, you know?" Poppy felt like crying; being told she couldn't see the guy she truly liked.

"Well, be sure to know who they really are, Poppy. You deserve the truth and the full truth, you deserve all the love in the world and if one of them can give you that, then you have my blessing," Severus sighed, "I just can't believe were talking about relationships and boyfriends. I mean, this is your mother's job, I know nothing about teenage boys except they are stupid and clumsy," Severus couldn't help but laugh.

Poppy smiled and hugged her dad, "thanks, dad," she whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Well, I must be getting to bed. You should check on your friend in the hospital wing I think you did some damage on his arm," Severus kissed Poppy on the forehead, "goodnight, love you always."

"Love you always, goodnight," Poppy smiled and ran off the second Severus exited the Great Hall.

She ran down the hall to the hospital wing, she needed to see Draco. Madam Pomfrey gave her a hard time saying visiting hours ended hours ago.

"Please, I need to see him," Poppy begged the nurse, telling her shed be out of there in 10 minutes.

"10 minutes." Madam Pomfrey sighed and Poppy smiled and ran to Dracos bed.

"Draco," she whispered, his eyes were closed, "Draco, its Poppy," she traced her fingers on his arm and hand until his eyes opened slightly.

"Poppy? What time is it?" Draco started to come around but immediately sat up and look terrified, "your father? Hes going to kill me. What did he say?" Draco asked tons of questions and Poppy thought his head would go blue.

"Draco, calm down, we talked everything out. He doesn't know exactly about us, but he gave his blessing with certain circumstances. How's your wrist? I'm so sorry I pushed you," Poppy looked apologetic.

Draco chuckled and lifted his hand, "all good here, wouldnt want to get in a tussle with you in the future, though."