Broken

Chapter 8

The weeks went by quickly after that night at the Dursley's. Harry slowly got better with everything new that was being thrown his way, including Severus being his godfather.

He was still cautious around the man, though, and never stayed in a room long if he was there. Each time this would happen, it felt like a slap to the face for Severus. He knew this was his own fault, so he was working hard to earn the trust of the boy. Even if it would take a long time.

Draco and Harry were closer than ever, Draco taking it upon himself to protect the smaller boy from anything and everything. Going so far as to do many sleepovers in Harry's room if he had any nightmare.

Harry felt happy for once in his life even more so when Narcissa and Lucius had sat him down to discuss adoption. By the end of the conversation, it was made official.

Harry would become a Malfoy the very next day.

He used to imagine what a real family would be like, and now he seemed to have one just because he had a panic attack in the loo.

Narcissa always fussed over him like he thought a mother would. Lucius was always that strong presence that would do anything for their child like a father should be. Even Draco felt like an older brother, constantly there when he was needed.

Severus was slowly becoming a caring presence, always a floo call away. He would take Harry aside for one hour each day and work with him with any subject he needed help on. Though it was still a strained relationship with them, it did seem to be getting better the more effort Severus put in.

Harry was realizing it was a perk to having professors as a godfather and godmother. Minerva was constantly visiting and joining in on the tutoring after she had a sit down with Harry. She apologized profusely for not paying attention to her house and for not taking better care of her students. After that, they were a lot better, and she spoiled him and Draco every chance she got.

Harry even liked the idea of getting re-sorted at school. Lucius had mentioned the idea to Minerva on one of her visits, and she thought it might be for the best after she had learned of the Gryffindors' behavior towards him. They had made a trip to Hogwarts during the summer and got Harry re-sorted. He was now happily apart of Slytherin house. At the beginning of the next school year, he would be in the snake den.

He had to be honest with himself, though, despite being happy, he was terrified of how the snakes would react to him. Severus had told him they would be fine, but he didn't believe it. He even brought it up with Draco one night when they were studying in the library.

"Dray? The Slytherins hated me just as much as my old house did. How will they react to me being in your house now?"

Draco frowned and looked at him, placing his book aside. "I'm not going to lie. I'm not entirely sure. I'll explain to them what happened while we're on the train then go from there, okay?"

That was not reassuring to Harry at all.

He felt a bit better about the situation after the adoption went through. When it was approved and after the papers were signed, Lucius pulled him aside. He explained that he and Narcissa had the idea of a blood adoption as well. After explaining what it was about, Harry was excited. He was going to be theirs in blood as well? He agreed. He just had to wait for the potion to be made.

The downside was that the potion wouldn't be done until right before they left for Hogwarts. He could wait that long though.

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A couple of weeks before the boys were to leave for school, the family made a trip to Diagon Alley, collecting the things the boys would need for the new term.