Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 11

Her shoulder wound heals in no time under the watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey and the care of her gaggle of friends. It took ages but her friends had finally stopped fussing over her and Draco. Though nothing could've prepared anyone for what was to come.

Sitting in the common room everyone is doing bits of activities, Lily still trying and failing at learning to knit when they hear a commotion in the hall.

Leaning forward from her place on the couch between Draco and Theo, Lily looks at Pansy. "What's going on?" She whispers nervously, the commotion gets louder and louder. The obvious aggression gives her anxiety as Draco grabs her hand.

He bumps their shoulders. "I'm sure it'll be alright." She leans her head onto his shoulder, "It's most likely just some disgruntled studen-"

He is cut off by the sound of the common room door opening and Lucius Malfoy strides in, his robes billowing dramatically. The room falls into a sudden hush as he walks through the room with Professor Snape. Lucius made his way toward the group of Slytherins, where Draco sat with his friends. As he approached, Draco's gaze met his father's, a mix of curiosity and expectation in his eyes. Kneeling beside Draco, Lucius began to examine him for any lingering signs of injury. His skilled hands moved with a gentleness that contradicted his usual stern demeanor.

"Draco, my boy," he said, his voice carrying a warmth most never hear, "are you truly all right? I heard about the incident with Buckbeak."

Draco offered a small smile, appreciating the concern in his father's eyes. "I'm fine, Father, just a few scratches. Madam Pomfrey took care of it."

Lucius nodded, a relieved expression crossing his face. "Good. I was worried when I heard. Your safety is of the utmost importance to me."

Severus Snape, standing a step behind Lucius, observed the interaction with his usual stoicism, a silent guardian in the background.

Lucius then turned his attention to Lily, who was seated nearby. "Miss Lily," he addressed her with a nod, "I hope you are recovering well too. It seems you were involved in the incident as well."

Lily nodded, her gaze meeting Lucius's. "I'm doing alright, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for asking."

Lucius inclined his head, acknowledging her response. "Please, call me Lucius. Rest assured that I will make sure that the necessary steps are taken to address the situation with Buckbeak. Safety is very important to me, and incidents like these should not occur within the confines of Hogwarts." The room seemed to hush, the weight of Lucius Malfoy's concern creating an unexpected quietude. In that moment, father and son shared a connection that went beyond the usual expectations of the Malfoy name, and the Slytherin common room witnessed a rare display of familial warmth. "I'll handle this matter personally," Lucius assured Draco, placing a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "You focus on your studies, Draco. I am proud of the way you handled yourself." As Lucius rose to his feet, the Slytherin common room resumed its usual activity, but the echoes of this unexpected wholesome moment lingered in the air, leaving behind a subtle warmth in the hearts of those who had witnessed it.

Severus Snape, known for his stern and imposing presence, lingered for a moment longer after Lucius had risen to his feet. His dark eyes softened as he regarded both Draco and Lily with an uncharacteristic touch of warmth. The flickering light from the common room's fireplace played upon his features, casting shadows that emphasized the complexity of his emotions.

Draco looked up at Snape, his expression a mix of respect and familiarity that extended beyond the boundaries of a mere professor-student relationship.

Severus then turned his attention to Lily, who sat nearby. With a gentle air, he extended his hand and set it atop her red-haired head, a gesture that spoke volumes despite the lack of words. It was a rare display of affection from a man who was more often associated with severity and reserve.