Malfoy Child

Allies and Story Time

Draco slowly walked back to his seat at the table, continually glancing back at Harry worriedly.

Snape waved his wand and cast a Silencing bubble around them, so that there was no possibility of them being overheard. Harry was a little surprised that Snape was willing to have this discussion in the Great Hall, but was pleased, nonetheless, that the man wasn't taking him out of Draco's sight. Draco was scared enough as it was, and maybe Snape realized that, too. Harry wasn't sure if he was actually in trouble or not.

"Now, would you care to tell me what had you so angry that you decided to attack the wall?" Snape asked quietly, in a low but very dangerous tone.

Harry knew immediately that if he didn't have a very good reason for his anger, and if it had no relation to Draco, then he was in some serious trouble. Maybe he was wrong, but it seemed to Harry that Snape might be willing to overlook his behaviour, more interested in finding out if there was a concern regarding Draco. The reminder of exactly why Snape wanted to talk to him brought Harry's simmering anger boiling to the surface again. His anger was very much on Draco's behalf, adding to the hatred he already had for Lucius Malfoy.

Harry deliberated, turning away from Draco and keeping his head down so the little boy wouldn't see the dark expression Harry knew was gracing his features again. "In all likelihood, Voldemort will help his Death Eaters escape soon, and then I'll have an easier opportunity to fucking kill Lucius Malfoy," he said furiously.

Harry didn't register the shock that crossed Snape's features for a few seconds, but many others around the Hall did. Snape gave a tiny shake of his head, and then stared intently at Harry.

"Pray tell me, why it is that you suddenly wish to commit murder?" he asked smoothly.

Harry glared darkly at his professor, but for once Snape seemed to recognize that the glare wasn't being directed at him, and let it slide. Harry would have been extremely surprised if he knew that Snape was wondering if it was a good or a bad thing that Lucius wasn't there in front of Harry at the moment.

"That man doesn't deserve to call Draco his son," Harry spat.

Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What exactly have you learned?"

"Not as much as I'd like, if I intend to help Draco, but so help me, I'll do whatever I can to help him regardless," Harry said. Snape glared and Harry went on to explain what little he knew. "Draco woke up screaming from a nightmare last night. He was absolutely terrified. I talked to him, but all I could get out of him was that it was a nightmare based on something that had actually happened. I calmed him down and said we'd talk about it today."

"And Blaise?" Snape questioned.

"Blaise doesn't know much but he wanted me to be aware that Draco still has nightmares pretty frequently. He said the only reason he knows what little he does is because Draco has forgotten to put Silencing charms around his bed a few times."

"What else?" Snape asked, eyes narrowing even more.

If anything, Harry's expression became even darker; his fists tightly clenched at his sides. "The fucking bastard has been punishing Draco severely, at least since before he turned four. Blaise didn't know anything more, except, the couple of times he heard Draco having his nightmares, he could hear him pleading to his father for mercy. No child should have to plead for mercy from their father."

Snape looked a cross between horrified and absolutely livid. It wasn't a pleasant combination. He ran a hand through his hair agitatedly, just as Harry had earlier.

"Why didn't I know about this?" Snape asked. His voice registered both his growing fury and his frustration. Harry knew how angry he was himself about this, and could only guess how Snape was feeling. Draco was his godson, and yet he hadn't known that Draco was going through nightmares because of his father. They didn't even know exactly what Lucius had done to Draco.