Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Up is Down

1996

Harry was beginning to feel claustrophobic as they sat there in absolute silence. Knowing his father didn't really want to talk in front of Malfoy, Harry focused on the flame, steady and bright in his mind and tried to direct his storm toward it. The storm as usual, didn't want to cooperate; his thoughts stayed firmly in his own head. Without meaning to, he let out a sigh.

His father glanced over, his eyebrows rising a bit in question. Harry shook his head. Are you all right? The flame flicked the question toward him. Harry nodded. Severus studied him for a long minute. How did he do that so easily?

"Who did you call?" Harry finally whispered, leaning in toward his father. His father's eyes immediately lit with amusement, though his face stayed frozen in indifference.

Ms. Tonks, the flame answered, vibrating with a humor to match the dark eyes. Harry stared at his father, not entirely sure what he'd done that was so funny. And what did he want with Tonks? As far as Harry knew, she was still spending many nights with the Malfoys, keeping them under close watch.

Harry wanted to ask, but he waited dutifully. He didn't have to wait long, as only moments later the Floo roared. Harry straightened up from where he was slouched against one of the student tables. He noticed his father's posture went erect as well, and Draco...well, Draco practically leapt up from his chair.

"Mother," he breathed, and Harry couldn't tell if he was happy or anxious to see Mrs. Malfoy. Tonks stood behind Mrs. Malfoy, her hair a flaming red again and Harry felt sorry for her. She caught his eye and her lips lifted marginally. Harry sort of grimaced in return.

Mrs. Malfoy stepped delicately into the room, her eyes on Severus. "Good evening, Severus," she greeted formally and to Harry, she gave a little nod.

"Good evening, Narcissa," Severus acknowledged.

Mrs. Malfoy then moved toward her son. "Draco, are you all right?" she asked, her cool façade breaking a little, sounding almost breathless as she reached Malfoy. She put a hand up and brushed the back of her hand lightly against his cheek, the gesture so tender, Harry couldn't help but stare. Draco swallowed and nodded.

"Is Father coming?" he asked, his voice unnaturally high.

Mrs. Malfoy shook her head a little before turning to Severus, though her hand strayed down to rest lightly on Malfoy's arm. "What can I do for you, Severus?" she asked, her voice serene again.

Severus wasted no time in coming to the point. "I need your permission to administer Veritaserum."

Harry's mouth fell open, while a spot of color pinked on Mrs. Malfoy's high cheekbones and Malfoy began stammering. Tonks looked between Malfoy and Severus, her eyes sharpening.

"What's going on, Professor?" she asked quietly, her tone completely respectful. Severus turned toward the Auror.

"I found Draco wandering the corridors alone," he answered smoothly. Tonks' crimson brows rose.

"Was Moody with him?"

"Yes," Severus nodded. Tonks whistled, turning again to study Malfoy.

Mrs. Malfoy's fingers had tightened against Malfoy's arm with her distress. "But surely, it was just a misunderstanding," she insisted, her voice wavering a bit. She turned to her son. "Did they leave you, Draco?" The question sounded more like a plea, as though she was telling Malfoy not to give her any reason to collapse. Malfoys' eyes were dancing with anxiety as he looked back at his mother.

"Apparently Draco had plans concerning the Headmaster," Severus interjected before Malfoy could decide whether or not to lie. Mrs. Malfoy inhaled a sharp breath as she stared at her son.