𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 12

Draco was mutely finishing his dinner, and occasionally casting secret glances over to a certain Gryffindor, when fate decided to throw a complete hissy fit at him. The doors to the Great Hall opened with a loud groan and Lucius Malfoy stalked into the room like a man on a mission. He stared at his son with an open glower of such contempt, that the younger Malfoy's heart doubled in speed from fright.

Severus stopped arguing with Dumbledore and stood, looking down from the teachers table at the menacing blonde man. The Headmaster pushed his chair back and stood calmly as the whole room went deathly quiet.

"What can I do for you, Lucius?" Albus Dumbledore asked politely.

"I will be taking my son," Lucius responded primly, now glaring at the Headmaster. "Something that should have been brought to my attention by you," he stated icily, "I had to hear from other sources. It seems my son is not getting the proper care or supervision in this school and I intend to rectify that." This time his eyes locked on his sons and Draco was pinned like a butterfly on display.

"Let's go to my office to discuss this and..." Dumbledore didn't get a chance to finish as Lucius interrupted him angrily with a wave of his hand.

"No discussion. Draco, come with me now."

This was not meant as a request and Draco knew it. The blonde teen started to panic and his eyes darted around the room looking for a way to get past his father and make a run for it.

"Get up now," Lucius growled out again. "Do not disobey me."

Draco stood, fear causing his knees to shake, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder preventing him from going to his father.

Severus Snape, after descending from the staff table behind Draco, looked down at the confused teen and then boldly met the ice grey eyes of the father with his smouldering black ones. "Mr. Malfoy isn't going anywhere," he stated in the voice he used to inflict terror in his student's hearts.

"Stay out of this, Severus. This is between me and my son." Lucius emphasized the word 'my' and gave the potions master a calculating look. "Even if you have always wanted this boy to be your son, he is not, and nothing you can do will change that." The older Malfoy then returned his icy gaze directly to Dumbledore. "None of you have any legal basis to stop me from taking my son home. So step aside," he brought his eyes back to Snape challengingly.

Severus had gripped Draco's shoulder almost painfully when Lucius had told all and sundry of his private wish and Draco looked up to the tall, pale man in surprise, a questioning, searching gaze in his eyes. Snape continued to lock wills with the elder Malfoy and then removed his wand from the pocket of his long robe, pointing it straight at the blonde Death Eater.

A collective gasp could be heard from all in the Great Hall and crying from some of the first years. Many students took the opportunity to try and exit the room in all haste, especially the ones surrounding the trio as Lucius Malfoy raised his wand towards their Potions Master.

"Gentlemen, stop this at once," McGonagall cried out, rising from her seat. "Albus, do something."

"Severus, lower your wand." Dumbledore ordered. "There is nothing I can do. He's right. We have no cause to stop him from removing Draco. The boy is a minor, living at home. We cannot interfere with his parental rights."

"As I thought," Lucius responded smugly, still keeping his wand trained on the tall Potions teacher. "Come here, Draco," he commanded the frightened teen.

"You can't just let him take him," Harry yelled out in distress. He had been sure the Headmaster wouldn't allow Lucius to take Draco away, but now he could see he had been far too naïve in his trust in the old man. The-Boy-Who-Lived leapt across the tables until he was standing beside his Potions Professor, his wand also trained on the elder Malfoy. Everyone looked at Harry in disbelief. What did the boy think he was doing?