Summer with the Malfoys
Severus lay back on the lounge chair beside the pool and watched over the two boys playing in the water. It was a pleasantly warm day in Wiltshire the sun was bright and there was only a wisp of cloud decorating the blue sky. The sunshade and soft breeze kept the temperature from becoming too warm. Severus allowed himself to relax on the comfortable lounge chair as he watched his young charge splash happily in the pool with a huge smile on his face. Harry and Draco had spent a good portion of the summer outside either in the water or in the air on their new brooms. Severus had been a frequent visitor and he was pleased to see that Harry was starting to fill out a little with the good food exercise. Life with the Malfoys had been good for Harry and Severus finally felt like he had begun to fulfil his vow to Lily.
Harry had been a little wary of the water at first. Petunia had grudgingly paid for the compulsory swimming lessons at the boys’ school, so as not to invite questions about why she paid for one child and not the other. However, while Dudley had been allowed to go the pool with his friends over the summer, Harry had been working in the garden, as such he was not a confident swimmer.
Draco was a strong swimmer; Narcissa had insisted that if they had a pool their child should be able to swim. Therefore swimming lessons had been part of Draco’s pre-Hogwarts education and he had happily taken on the job of teaching Harry the basics. Harry had learned quickly but Narcissa still preferred the boys to be supervised and today, as had become the norm, Severus and Narcissa were on lifeguard duty.
Hogwarts students would scarcely recognise their stern Potions Master at this moment, he was completely relaxed and a smile played at the corner of his mouth. The lines that usually decorated his face ageing him prematurely were smoothed out and he looked much closer to his actual age of thirty-two. He had forgone his usual black robes in favour of dark blue linen trousers and a white linen shirt and his hair was tied back off his face. Muggle sunglasses protected the dungeon dweller’s eyes from the brightness of the sun and his nose was slathered in muggle sunscreen in spite of the whole pool area being under sun protection charms.
Narcissa eyed her old friend with a smile. Severus often spent time at Malfoy Manor over the summer but usually most of his time was spent in their potions lab, working on experiments he did not want scrutinised by Dumbledore. It was different this year; he was spending time with the family, joining them for meals and most astonishingly, he willingly sat by the pool to supervise the boys as they swam.
Since Harry Potter had come into his life just one year ago the change in Severus had been remarkable. She knew that when he was at school, he was the same dour Potions Master most of the students loathed and feared; outside of school, however, he was happy and content. He smiled more than Narcissa had ever seen him smile and he had a sparkle in his eye which to her knowledge had never been present before Harry came along.
Narcissa was thrilled with the change she had always liked Severus even at school when he had been an unpopular, skinny, greasy-haired kid with a chip the size of England on his shoulder and an attitude to match. The marauders had been nothing but cruel to him, they had been the cause of most of his anger and attitude and Lily Evans had been no better by Narcissa’s assessment.
Lily’s refusal to accept Severus’ honest apology had broken Narcissa's heart, as well as Severus’. Unbeknown to Severus, it had been Narcissa who had pushed Lucius into convincing his father to invite Severus to the Yule Ball to meet the Dark Lord. Narcissa did not know now if she had done Severus a favour or not, Harry, though, even in spite of his parentage seemed to be just who Severus Snape needed in his life.
Narcissa pulled out her wand and cast a Tempus charm. When she realised it was early afternoon, she called for the elves to bring them some lunch. Sandwiches and cakes with juice options for the boys and tea for her and Severus were immediately forthcoming.
The food appeared on the table and Narcissa called the two swimmers out to eat. The boys responded quickly to her call, climbing out of the water and heading to the sheltered eating area at the end of the pool, dripping wet and wrapped up in large soft towels. Harry and Draco sat together on the outdoor couch and ate hungrily. Severus sipped his tea and observed them. Harry had no qualms about eating food now, he no longer sat back waiting for permission to eat and his appetite was much improved. After lunch, the boys decided to go flying rather than get back in the pool and they disappeared into the Manor to get dressed.
The elves appeared to clear away the leftovers and plates, while Narcissa and Severus followed the boys inside. The two adults headed down to the lab to work on a few experiments. Harry had unceremoniously presented Severus with the Philosopher’s Stone days after arriving home from Hogwarts. It was currently stored in a locked box in the lab and Severus and Narcissa were working together on creating the elixir of life.
Lucius, Narcissa and Severus were all painfully aware that the Dark Lord was out there somewhere. He was currently alone to the best of their knowledge and there was a strong chance he might arrive at the Manor any day and demand the elixir be made for him. Neither Severus nor Narcissa had done such a thing before and they needed time to research and experiment. Severus spent long nights in the library reading and researching, so while the boys were not in the pool he and Narcissa could take some time to work on their experiments and learn everything they could about the elixir of life.
They spent the better part of the afternoon preparing what they hoped would be the base of the elixir, once they worked out the alchemy. Severus had just finished stabilising the potion when Fawkes appeared and Severus was summoned back to the school.
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Albus Dumbledore was not having a pleasant summer. News had leaked out about the arrest of Vernon Dursley and the Headmaster had found himself caught up in the furore surrounding the man’s trial. Fortunately for Dumbledore, the tiresome muggle, had only been officially charged with extortion and threatening the existence of the Magical World. However, rumours abounded about the alleged abuse of Harry Potter and the supposed investigation by the DMLE. Albus had not been able to find out if this rumour was true or not. None of his contacts knew anything about any investigation or if they did they were not forthcoming with the information.
The outcry that had followed the revelation of Harry’s new living arrangements, meant that all the parents gathered at Kings Cross to collect their children were keen to get a glimpse of Harry. They all wanted to see for themselves the condition of the boy who lived and most of them had been very disturbed by the sight. Harry was small and far too thin, he looked not more than ten years old. That combined with the rumours of abuse by his muggle relatives, had caused a rise in anti-muggle sentiment in the Magical Community and demand for answers from the Headmaster.
There had been howlers sent and not just by Molly Weasley. Albus had lost a number of high-profile supporters as a result of the Dursley trial coming immediately after the shock of Harry's appearance at King’s Cross. Albus was now scrambling to find the support he needed to push Arthur Weasley’s Muggle Protection Bill through the Wizengamot. He needed to get the bill to pass both to try and win back favour with Arthur and to remind people that Death Eaters were the true enemy, not him.
Dumbledore had spent much of the summer trying to whip up a frenzy of fear around the imminent return of the Dark Lord. It was his best hope to make people forget about their concern for Harry's health and well-being.
As the Chief Warlock, he had the power to command the floor in the Wizengamot and he used this to make several lengthy speeches, highlighting the dangers still posed by the Dark and those who practised the Dark Arts. He reminded people of the need to stay vigilant to guard against evil and continued to talk about the inevitability of Voldemort's return. The need to search former Death Eaters' homes for such artefacts was, he insisted, a matter of urgency. Declaring to all who would listen, that all dark artefacts needed to be tracked down and destroyed, lest they fall into the hands of unsuspecting Muggles. He gave interviews to this effect at least once a week to any publication who would write an article.
The bill would require all former Death Eaters to allow ministry officials into their homes to search for anything that might cause harm to Muggles if it somehow came into their possession. Lucius was furious. He understood that wizards or witches who lived in the muggle world and who died there without magical heirs posed a problem. This problem was the reason for the existence of The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department. It was Arthur Weasly's job, as head of the department to keep an eye on Wizards using magic in the Muggle World and to respond to these situations. His department was supposed to attend estate sales of such people, locate such items, and keep an eye on antique stores, secondhand shops and lawn sales.
However, there was no possible way muggles could ever find themselves in possession of anything Lucius might have in his home. He lived in Wiltshire in a large Manor with no Muggle neighbours behind twelve-foot high fences with muggle-repelling charms on every inch. Not to mention he had a son, who was a wizard, who would inherit his estate.
Arthur had long been a thorn in Lucius’ side, and he sometimes wondered if Arthur was in fact in full possession of his senses. The fool was obsessed with all things muggle and he was well known to tinker with muggle objects, doing exactly what he was supposed to stop others from doing as the Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department.
Frustratingly, Albus’ fear-mongering won the day and Arthur had got the numbers. The bill passed with a larger-than-expected majority. Albus Dumbledore was still Albus Dumbledore after all. He had defeated Grindelwald and most in the Magical World believed that he was essential to keeping them safe from the Dark Lord.
Unfortunately for Albus, Arthur, while he was grateful for his support with the bill, was still angry with the Headmaster. The use of his son to bully and harass Harry Potter was in no way acceptable to the Weasely patriarch. Nor was the debacle at the end of the year which had seen Ron go after the Philosopher’s Stone, only to be knocked out playing life-sized wizard chess!
Lucius left the ministry fuming and slightly panicked, he would have to do a thorough inventory of his home and make arrangements to hide certain objects from the inevitable ministry inspection. He left the Ministry with his trademark scowl in place refusing to speak to any reporters and giving a hard glare to anyone daring to ask about Harry.
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It was early evening when Lucius arrived home. Narcissa put down the ancient tome she had been reading when her husband swept into the library looking agitated and started searching shelves. She approached him slowly and placed a gentle hand on his arm, he turned to see her worried face.
“Lucius, what's wrong love?” she asked concern etched on her face.
Lucius' features softened at the look on his wife's face and he raised his hand to cup her face. “Hello, darling, I am sorry I didn't see you there,” he said giving her a soft kiss on the lips.
“It is alright my love, but what has got you so upset?” she asked him.
Lucius sighed deeply. “Arthur Weasley got his bill passed today, We will need to do a thorough inventory of all our darker items and that stone will need to go back in Harry’s school trunk for the time being,” he told her.
Narcissa’s eyes went wide. “They would really dare to come here and search our home?” she asked incredulously.
“They would yes, we must prepare for an inevitable raid I am afraid. The Goblins will help with storing some items but we need to get them there without attracting attention,” he told her distractedly pocketing a small leather-bound diary.
“You could store them at my place,” a voice said from the door. “Sorry,” Harry said, flushing as his parents turned to look at him. “I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just… I heard Dad come home and I wanted to talk to him. But well, they won't search Harry Potter's house for Dark Artefacts will they?” he asked with a shrug.
Lucius smiled fondly at the young man standing in front of him. “They won't no, I will keep that in mind, Harry, thank you. Now what did you wish to see me about?”
“Ummm, well it’s just that I wanted to go and look at my vaults. Just to see what's in them you know. It's not really important. I can wait if you're too busy,” Harry told him.
A thoughtful look came over Lucius' face, “That is a very good idea Harry, you ought to know what is in your vaults. It might be best if Severus takes you and I might send one or two things along with you, for you to leave in there hmm?”
Harry grinned “Of course father, anything you wish,” he said politely.
Narcissa frowned “Oh, I am afraid Severus had to return to the school. The headmaster requested he return to do some brewing for the hospital wing. He will be back in a few days though and I am sure he will be glad to take you then,” she told them.
Harry looked disappointed “That’s alright I can wait. I will see him in a few days then,” he replied and left the room a little despondently.
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Minerva McGonagall stared at Albus from her seat at the staff room table. “You cannot be serious Albus? That man is a fraud and the worst kind of Wizard. The only thing he has going for him is that he can cast a decent obliviate and he has used that to great effect I hear,” her Scots accent thicker with her indignation.
“Nonsense Minerva, he has written books about every dark creature known to Wizard kind. Surely he has learned something in his travels,” the Headmaster replied calmly. “He will set his own books as texts, and you have been saying our textbooks needed updating,” he went on, with an infuriatingly smug grin on his face.
The deputy headmistress opened her mouth to respond but she found no suitable words to say to the smirking old fool standing in front of her. Fortunately for the Headmaster, the door to the staff room opened before Minerva could gather her wits and Severus stepped inside. Seeing the look on Minerva’s face he stepped fully into the room and braced himself to hear something ridiculous leave the Headmaster's mouth.
“Severus, dear boy. We were just discussing the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor,” he said with a bright smile.
“Really Albus, and who have you decided to employ this year?” he asked sounding not at all interested.
“Gilderoy Lockhart,” Albus replied with a satisfied expression on his face.
Severus looked at the floor to cover his horror. Gilderoy Lockhart was a fool and fraud. He had made a name for himself writing books, that Severus felt, were better suited to the fiction section of the library than school textbooks. Severus had no idea what he was supposed to say to that announcement, so he decided to ignore it. “I see, Well that's all very interesting. However, I came here to let you know I finished brewing the required potions for the hospital wing and so I am going back to Malfoy Manor for the rest of my holidays,” he told the Headmaster, his tone brokering no arguments.
“Oh, of course, Severus,” Albus said his grin fading slightly. “You have not said much about young Harry while you have been here. How are things going for him with his new family?” he asked trying very hard not to show his distaste at the thought of that family.
Severus did not smile brightly, but he did take great pleasure in his response to the Headmaster’s question, not that anyone would know to look at him. “Quite well Albus. He was looking very healthy when I left. He has learned to swim and he has been out flying on his new broom quite a lot. Naturally, the food is very good at the Manor and Narcissa has been seeing to it that he is well fed. He has finally begun to fill out a bit. He almost looks like a normal twelve-year-old,” the potions master said calmly and without evident emotion.
Albus winced at the reference to Harry’s weight and size. His summer had been made very difficult because of the Magical Community’s concerns about the saviour. As much as he hated that the Malfoys would be given the credit for Harry’s health, he hoped word spread quickly of the improvement and people would stop sending him owls.
“Well that can only be good,” Minerva replied when it became apparent Albus had nothing to say. “Perhaps people will stop talking about how underfed he is now,” the Deputy Headmistress said pointedly. Minerva had warned Dumbledore about the Muggles he had insisted on leaving Harry with, she knew exactly what type of people they were having sat and watched them for a whole day.
Minerva was still a little bitter about Harry Potter not being sorted into her house, but she had eyes and she could see what the Headmaster refused to acknowledge; Harry Potter had not been well-fed or well-cared for while living with his mother's sister. She would never admit that Harry had been better off in Slytherin with Severus, not for all the tea in Scotland but she could not deny he was better off living with the Malfoys.
Severus, having nothing more to say, inclined his head and left the room to prepare for his return to Malfoy Manor, although he had not been gone for long, he was keen to return. It had only taken a few days to renew the hospital wing’s stock of dreamless sleep and calming potions. Poppy was an adequate brewer for simple potions such as pepper up and mild pain relievers. However, the more complex potions especially those that could be addictive were best handled by a Potions Master. He had also made a batch of blood replenisher, skelegro and bruise paste while he was there. Severus did not mind brewing these potions, he wanted the students to have the best care if they were injured but he was pleased to be finished.
Severus had just shrunk his case down and was about to step into his floo when there was a knock on his door. He suppressed a groan and opened the door.
“Severus, my boy so glad I caught you. I was wondering if you might have a word with Lucius about Harry doing an interview with the prophet, just to let people know he is okay, people ahh…well people are interested…” he trailed off.
“I will mention it Albus, but as Mr Potter’s legal guardian I can’t imagine Lucius will agree, not with the upcoming trial of his Uncle and the possibility of a further investigation,” Severus told him.
“Hmm, I don't suppose you know what might be happening with regard to that further investigation?” Albus asked trying to sound casual.
“I am afraid I am not privy to such private family matters Albus, I am just a guest for the holidays,” Severus told him firmly.
“Oh come now my boy, they invite you every summer holiday and every Christmas you are surely a trusted family friend,” Albus pressed.
“Not with their children's legal issues Albus, if that is all, I am expected,” he told the man in a clipped tone.
“Yes, yes I am sorry to have imposed on your holiday Severus,” the old man said with a thoughtful look at his spy.
Severus did not delay he threw floo powder into the heath and stepped into the flames.
The Headmaster took his time leaving the quarters of his potions master. He ran his eyes over the room. He noted that Severus did not seem to have a personal study. Most staff had a personal study, unless it was hidden of course. What would Severus have to hide from him he wondered. He thought more about this mysterious Magical Guardian of Harry’s he did not see how it could possibly be Severus. Who would have appointed him?
Albus cast his eye over the wall of Severus' sitting room and he was about to run his hand over it searching for a hidden room when an owl arrived and landed in front of him. It was a Gringotts’ owl, could it be for Severus? He decided he should check, he approached the owl and removed the letter. It was addressed to him, and it was a final demand for the return of Lily Potter’s journals before further action would be taken. Damn and blast he could not afford more trouble he would have to send them back. He put the problem of Severus on hold and went to find the journals.
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In the days following the passing of new Muggle protection legislation, Lucius had been very busy familiarising himself with the details of the laws. He needed to decide how best to advise his clients to act in the face of the laws. Personally, he had decided he would take Harry’s offer to store some of his more interesting items at Potter Manor and in the Potter vaults. He would need to look into the Black vaults himself, if any of the vaults might contain Dark Artefacts it would be the Black vaults. He had just decided to call it a day he said good afternoon to his admin assistant and was heading to the Floo exit when he heard his name called.
“Lucius,” the voice echoed across the reception area of the Ministry.
The lawyer turned and saw the Minister following him his finger raised up in the air as he bustled towards him at a fair speed through the crowd of people leaving for the day.
Lucius stopped and waited for the man to catch up. “Minister?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “I was under the impression our business was concluded for today.”
“Yes, yes, it’s just I was hoping well…I would like to bring young Harry into the Ministry Lucius. You know get his perspective on some current issues like these charges his uncle is facing and the searches for the dark artefacts. It would be good for him to show his support for Ministry publicly,” Fudge said thoughtfully.
“You want Harry to publicly support the Ministry? What makes you think he would agree with the Ministry’s actions?” Lucius asked.
“Oh, come now Lucius, all those letters he wrote to the Prophet? We all know which side the boy is on. You can't hide him from us Lucius he is our Saviour, you can't stop him from speaking out,” Fudge blustered.
Lucius rolled his eyes and counted slowly to ten, it would not do to hex the Minister for Magic in the Ministry atrium. There was little point in arguing with the man, he would just have to learn for himself. “Very well Minister, Harry will be in next week with his legal representative to speak with Amelia in regard to his treatment at the Dursleys. I will arrange for him to stop by your office and you can ask him yourself how he feels about the Ministry,” Lucius said with a smirk.
“Oh, good, good. Yes, very good, next week. I will chase up Amelia for a time then and I will have my assistant mark that in my calendar, thank you and good evening, Lucius,” Fudge said as wandered off.
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The Dark Lord sat in the mouldering ruins of his filthy muggle father's ancestral home. He had found an outlier supporter after he fled from Hogwarts, the man was not marked but he had helped him complete a ritual using Nagini to return his body. It was not ideal, the wretched man while keen to help was not Severus, not by any means. He had, however mostly succeeded and as a result the Dark Lord had a body and could sit down now.
He thought about Harry Potter, the boy had double-crossed him and he had taken the stone himself. Voldemort was not sure why he was surprised to learn the boy was on the side of the light after all.
Something about that thought did not sit right though. Harry had sought him out and offered to help him. He had asked Severus to help him. He had proven himself worthy to be considered as an equal and he had seemed to be genuine in his desire to align with him. So what had happened?
Voldemort was not used to dealing with children, he didn't know how they worked. Adults, he could deal with, they all wanted was power and as such they were easy to corrupt and easy to manipulate. Harry however was a child, a mere eleven years old, how did he think? Did he see things the way Voldemort had assumed?
The boy still intrigued him, he was powerful, very powerful. Voldemort would prefer to have him as an ally rather than an adversary. He had gotten the distinct impression that Dumbledore had messed up somehow and he had lost the boy's allegiance. Did that mean that the boy who lived’s allegiance might just be up for grabs?
Voldemort did not know, and he did not know who to ask. Severus was the boy's guardian perhaps he would tell him the truth. Severus though, was slippery. He was a spy and a good one, Voldemort was not even sure whose side he was on. No, not Severus then, Lucius. Yes, Lucius was the boy's legal guardian and he was easier to understand. Lucius wanted power and influence, and Voldemort could work with that, he would wait for Harry to return to school and then he would seek out his former inner circle followers beginning with Lucius.