Slytherin Pride

Year 1 Chapter 1

A small little boy almost six years old was standing with his fidgeting hands folded behind his back, tears staining his pale cheeks. His soft raven hair that reached mid-way down the boy's back was neatly plaited out of his face. His normally stoic father, Severus Snape, dressed in formal robes was kneeling before him tying the boy's black tie, tears also staining the man's pale cheeks no better than the little boy's.

After finishing off the tie, straightening the boy's dress robe and brushed a loose straight of hair out of his son's eyes. Severus went to stand back up but not before he gently pulled his son into a gentle hug bringing them both back to uncontrollable tears. "Daddy, why did mummy have to leave us?" the boy sniffled. "Sometimes people in our lives need to go away but that doesn't mean that they no longer love us or will ever leave our hearts" Severus replied "I miss her Daddy," Astaroth said sadly "I miss her too son" Severus replied equally as devastated.

Severus Snape stood back up and gently grasped his son's hand in his own before lifting his wand and with a swish and a flick both were gone from the room with a flash leaving only a cloud of dust. With a flash, seconds later they appeared out the front of an ancient moss-covered stone building with beautiful old oak wooden doors that were decorated with extravagant wrought iron welded vines, leaves and intricate flowers.

Severus gave his minute to compose his stomach knowing side along apparition was horrible, especially for kids. They walked up the stairs to where a small group of people were standing also dressed in suits and formal robes. Severus leads the little boy to a man and a woman with a boy not much older than Astaroth. 

The Malfoy family was run by the head of the family Mr Lucius Malfoy, a self-assured, confident man with shoulder-length platinum blonde hair, incredibly expensive robes and a new low-level member position in the ministry. His elegant wife by his side Mrs Narcissa Malfoy née Black a well-known, successful healer at St Mungo's and the mother of the young blonde boy by her side, Draco Malfoy, the youngest and only heir to the Malfoy line.

Severus Snape holding his son's hand, walked over to Lucius Malfoy who pulled his friend into his arms. Severus wrapped his arms around his best friend, burying his face his Lucius's robes as he cried over the death of his wife and his son's mother leaving him to raise his son alone. He realised his son was probably very nervous clinging to his robes, Astaroth had never met the Malfoy family before. He was already distraught and didn't take to new people very well, he had never been one to make friends easily.

After a few minutes, Severus pulled back and gently pulled his son forward. Astaroth nervously hid behind his dad's sleeve "Astaroth, this is the Malfoy family." He introduced his son to the family. "Lucius, Narcissa, Draco this is my son Astaroth." The man said watching his son, who was nervous but pulled his shoulders back anyway and walked out from behind his cloak with fake confidence he had learnt that skill from his father.

Having been taught the proper etiquette he confidently strode up to Mr Malfoy first, and strongly shook the man's hand. Then he turned and bowed to Lady Malfoy and finally, he shook Draco's hand as an equal. Draco saw the boy's tears and pulled him into a tight hug. Silently promising to protect his new friend. Surprisingly Astaroth didn't fight the physical affection from a stranger and instead, melted into the hug and continued to weep. All the parents knew that this friendship would be almost impossible to destroy and they wouldn't want it any other way.

Not long later, the ancient wooden doors creaked open and guests slowly filed into the building and took their seats. Severus, Astaroth and the Malfoy family were at the front of the room as they walked through the room, Astaroth's eyes were attracted to the breathtaking, timeworn paintings all over the wall. the paintings depicted the process of resurrection. The group made their way to their seats. Draco sat by Astaroth's side throughout the entire ceremony except for a few minutes where he let his new friend say a final goodbye to his mum

After the funeral ceremony only close friends and family of Helen Deverill - Snape were invited to the remembrance feast at Malfoy Manor. After arriving Severus politely accepted condolences and gave out his own wanting nothing more than to be curled in bed with his wife and son. His son was now hiding in a corner somewhere. Mrs Malfoy had found the boy and watched him with a sad smile, his mother was a lovely woman, it was a shame for her to be gone so soon. Mrs Malfoy quietly went to go get her darling Draco "Dragon, dear I think Astaroth needs some company?" The woman said with a soft smile. The blonde boy nodded and followed her to Astaroth's hiding place.

"Thank you" Little Draco smiled up at his mum who smiled back as he calmly crawled into Astaroth's hiding spot. Draco quietly sat next to the other boy who did not look up at the blonde's presence. Both boys sat in silence until Draco felt small shakes followed by quiet sobs. Draco felt useless he didn't know what to do to help his friend. So he did the only thing that he could think of, he pulled the crying boy into his arms. Astaroth started uncontrollably sobbing into Draco's shoulder.

Eventually, Astaroth's sobs died down as the boy calmed and nearly fell asleep on his new friend's shoulder "I miss my mummy" he whispered rubbing his eyes "I miss her cuddles and how she made me feel safe" he continued to whisper. Draco had no clue what to say so he just hugged the boy tighter they sat like that until they both fell asleep and were picked up by their parents. Severus, Lucius and Narcissa knew they wouldn't be able to keep the boys separated for long. With a sad smile, Severus apparited both him and his son back home and carried him up to bed, tucking him in with a gentle kiss on the forehead. Severus went to head downstairs when a tiny hand grabbed his own larger hand "Daddy, can you lay with me, please?" Astaroth yawned, sadly "Of course, son," Severus said, sliding into the bed and cuddling into his son "rest well my son."