Attacked In Malfoy Manor
It was an average day for Atlas Snape who would be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that year. Despite having to wait a year behind the time he was supposed to go, meaning he was closer to twelve than eleven, due to his father being worried Dumbledore and the other members of the Wizarding community would find out what he and Lily had done. He would be attending with Draco, his best and only friend so far. Both were more than likely to be Slytherins and go on to achieve great ambitions. That is not what we shall talk about today, for this day; was the day that Atlas Snape learned what self-loathing was. Pity too, that such a young wizard should learn such a hard truth.
He was walking through the gardens of Malfoy Manor admiring the beautiful white peacocks and thinking how much they reminded him of his best friend and his family. He walked and walked until he found himself in the more secluded part of the Malfoy family's vast lands. He walked onwards, thinking nothing of the sky growing darker as well as the clouds. Atlas didn't mind the rain, in fact, you could say that it was often his favourite weather. He loved the rain. The introverted ten-year-old walked down the path, picking occasional wildflowers for Narcissa Malfoy's dinner table as his own mother was dead, although they had a speaking portrait of her in their home in Spinner’s End, so he thankfully knew of her. Something that he did not know, was that there was someone lurking in the shadows was a vampire, a vampire lord that sought revenge on Atlas's father for 'disloyalty to the Dark Lord'.
He snuck out of the shadows and appeared as he usual charming self. His name was Lawrence Amara and he was one of the most dangerous of the dark creatures known as vampires. He had killed hundreds of thousands of mortals. Muggle, Half-Blood, Pureblood, you name it. However, this was not the first revenge mission, but it was one he had been anticipating for months. "Hello little boy. A fine day isn't it?" he smoothly asked the pale dark haired ten-year-old.
"Yes sir, a lovely day indeed." he shyly answered with a smile. He didn't talk to many people.
"Ah, you're picking flowers. For you mother?" he asked smugly with a Pureblood sounding drawl.
"No sir, my mother is dead, I do have my Papa though, and people say I’m a lot like him. I'm picking them for a dear friend of mine's mother though." Atlas answered with a smile.
"Yes, I heard about your mother’s passing. Alright, I had better let you be on your way. Nice to meet you, young Mr. Snape." He answered coldly with a coy note to his voice, a sinister smirk on his lips.
"How... How do you know my... my name, sir?" Atlas shakily answered with worry in his wide green eyes.
He smiled coldly, flashing his fangs, "Ask your father. Now...run." Lawrence whispered coldly in a deathly sinister tone.
Atlas bolted away from the unfamiliar frightening creature, he had seen his fangs and knew that he was a dangerous dark creature, a monster.
Lawrence chuckled smugly as he walked after the running ten-year-old with little trouble. He caught him in about ten minutes and that was just him torturing his future prey. He smiled wickedly at him and whispered, "And do tell your father that his old collegue Lawrence says 'hello', won't you little one?" he whispered to her in a snarky snide voice filled with contempt.
Atlas was scared and couldn't run, nor could he hide. He was everywhere. The little boy tried to take shelter in a tree, but he caught him. He screamed loudly in case Draco or Lucius or even the house elves would hear him.
A deathly cold hand snaked over her mouth, Lawrence tutted and whispered, "Now, now little one, there'll be none of that." Lawrence felt his fear and panick. He breathed it in like his favourite scent in the world.
Lawrence had known for years that Severus Snape was a dirty rotten traitor as well as a snitch to Dumbledor to the Dark Lord himself and wanted revenge because the Dark Lord seemed to know this and let him get away with it. 'Well,' thought Lawrence, 'Taking the one person he loves will be fun!' He bit down on the young wizard's throat, just above his jawline and make a nasty scar that couldn't be healed with magic but would scar and remain there, scarring the handsome little wizard was fun for the vampire too. He started to drink his blood down like a starving man until he felt a sharp jolt like a Stinging Spell come into contact with his head. He turned her quickly, throwing his now immortal body onto the ground harshly to deal with whoever had interrupted his revenge. 'I'll bet it's the father.' Lawrence though merrily to himself. He turned around and smirked with satisfaction to who he thought had been Severus Snape.
A small blond boy with grey eyes and pale skin stood before him, holding his new wand like a young prince, ready to defend the lesser off boy with his weapon to slay the fearesome dragon. The Malfoy boy, no doubt. He had been watching the young Snape for days and knew how close the twe were. It simply had to be the young Malfoy.
Lawrence laughed coldly, "Don't even try, young Malfoy. It's useless for you could never harm me with your pathetic little stick." He coldly told him with a smirk and a smug expression. He spoke before Apparating away, "Your little boyfriend needs to see a Healer, or he'll die. Wouldn’t want your precious father seeing how you feel about him, now would you?” he taunted.
Draco went into a state of panick, not wanting to lose his best friend, but the taunt had been effective, and it was true, he didn’t wnat Father knowing that he didn’t just feel friendship for the redhead. Shakily, he picked Atlas's now limp unmoving body into his parent's house. "Father! Mother! Quick, Atlas is hurt!" he shouted, throwing open the back door to the Manor.
Lucius rushed his godson to the nearest ward in St Mungo's knowing if Severus came back to his house from teaching to find his pride and joy dead, the world would go up in flames by the Potions Master of Hogwart’s flame like wrath. Severus had been an amotional wreck after losing Lily, so if he lost his son too, the world would be up in smoke with his anger and grief.
It was about five hours later, and the Malfoys were growing impatient as to the regards of their closest thing to a second son, and the best friend of the their heir.
"Father, I'm worried. Will he wake soon?" Draco impatiently asked for the ninth time since they had brought Atlas Snape to St. Mungo's.
He was in hospital bed with a clean pale green cotton nightshirt and grey shorts on, provided by Narcissa because the hospital gowns weren't good enough for someone that is practically her secondary son. The boy was sweeter and softer than her little dragon, booksmart as he was shy. And now, he might not wake, and poor Severus would raise hell itself. His eyes were closed peacefully, his face was ashen white and there were changes going all through his body – the vampirism kicking in.
Suddenly, a large Apparition pop entered the room and you could have heard a pin drop as Severus stalked over gracefully to their pride and joy. There were angry tears beginning to burn in Severus’ eyes, "Lucius, you are to explain immediately what happened to my son." he gritted out sharply, cradling his sweet son's head close to him. Iris kissed her son’s forehead with worry, she whispered,
Atlas remained as still as a corpse. Severus gasped lightly when seeing the large cut that would obviously scar and couldn't be healed with magic. He practically growled when he saw the bite marks on his neck, signalling that the creature he had been attacked by was a vampire. Severus only knew one vampire that would do such a dastardly foolish errand as this, Lawrence. How Severus wanted to cast the Cruciatus on him for ever hurting his sweet little boy that already was a genius at Potions.
His best friend, Draco, was most worried about his best friend and most loyal companion. Unlike the other witches and wizards that Draco had been introduced to at his ripe young age, Atlas wasn't catty, vain, arrogant, snooty or interested in him simply for the future they may share. Atlas cared for his health and his happiness and he about his in return. That's why he was so worried. He sadly looked at his parents and godfather, "Can I have a moment alone with my best friend, please Father, Mother and Uncle Severus?" Draco asked with a sad look in his eyes.
"Of course, Draco. Come Narcissa, let us take our leave." Lucius answered taking his wife delicately by the arm.
Severus just nodded sullenly and Iris kissed their son's head whispering to him 'This could be the moment you've waited for' to her sadly. They closed the doors after them left. "I know you might not be able to hear Atlas but listen, I'm so sorry for what's happened. Please... Please, wake up... I need you." he whispered to her, his voice breaking on the last sentence. He kissed his forehead like he had seen respectable Purebloods do that to people they cared about.
A small flicker was met by this touch. Atlas stirred. He didn't wake, but he stirred. His left hand subconsciously reached for his hand. It was a reflex to Atlas, who woke up with renowned senses and a fierce hunger he feared. His senses were attacked by the most wondrous smell in the world; mint, crisp sour green apples and leather; the smell of Draco. He inhaled it close and tried not to hear his heartbeat, like a drum to his ears. He straightened his head and fluttered his emerald green eyes open. He weakly smiled at the other boy and croaked, "How long have I been out for, dragon?" he asked curiously.
"You’re awake! Thank Merlin, you're awake. I was so worried Atlas that you wouldn't wake. I need you in my life, prince." Draco answered happily with a broad smile. He hugged him close and called his parents and his godfather back into the room. They were amazed to see that he was awake.
A Mediwitch was close behind Severus Snape who returned to his son's side, no emotion in his face and eyes but sadness, Lucius had explained everything he knew of that happened, but he knew the truth, he knew who was to blame for his son’s injury.
The Mediwitch spoke softly to the quartet, "If everyone but Professor Snape could leave, please." The Mediwitch named Claire asked politely.
Draco had to literally be dragged out by his mother with the promise that Atlas would be alright.
The Mediwitch gave a large dark bottle full of liquid labled; Bottomless Bottle Of Blood, Type O-.
Severus looked sharply at the nurse, "You couldn't possibly be thinking to shove that down my son's throat?” his voice was deadly but calm.
"He'll die if he doesn't drink this, sir. He needs to. Once this is drank you have my permission to cook up whatever Potion comes to mind to help hIM. After all you are all the family he has, you know best." Claire answered truthfully, putting a large decanter of the violently deep crimson liquid was put to Atlas's lips.
He drank it down with an unpleasant expression. Atlas lay down and spoke to his father, "Papa, I don't want the vampire to come back and kill me. I'm scared... What if he finds me?" Atlas held his father's hand closer than necessarily needed but he didn't seem to mind.
“There’s no reason to worry, little prince. He will not be coming back." Severus soothingly answered, moving to sit down on the hospital bed and gently hug his son, who hid his head in father’s tall frame.
A small head of blond hair could be seen from the door, waiting to be let back in again.
Severus smiled at his godson and the unknown attraction blossoming between his son and godson would someday realise and probably, or hopefully, act on, despite the blond’s family planning his life out for him. How they reminded him of he and Lily, best friends who loved each other in some way or another.
He smiled at his father and held him close, seeing the small blond boy at the door. He asked |hsi papa to let his best friend in, "Can you let Draco in please, Papa?"
Severus looked down at him from their hug as he asked gently, "If you think that you're ready to see him. How do you feel?"
Altas looked down at the bed as he mumbled, “Like a monster.”
Severus put a finger under his son’s chin as he spoke sternly, “You are not, nor ever will be a monster, my son. You are so like your mother, and that’s a wonderful thing. Sweet, a little hesitant to talk to most and more interested in books than conversation, but a monster? You could never be, little prince.” he assured him.
He looked softly at him and sniffed, wiping his tears as he replied, “Thank you, Papa. She’d be proud of you, you know.” he softly spoke, looking up at him with his green eyes, his mother’s eyes.
Severus nodded slowly, “I can only hope that she would approve of how I brought you up, little moon prince. Now, let me go and get the little dragon.” he smiled, going to get Draco.
When the young blond was let into the room, he immediately started talking, "Atlas! Are you alright?!" Draco worriedly asked him.
"I'm alright now, thank you Draco." Atlas answered him. hugging him close. He didn't want to let go, he had protected him and he valued that, because it showed how strong their friendship was, enduring danger. Atlas thought to himself, ‘He had carried me into the house, into safety. He had stunned the vampire. He's so brave! So kind and caring…’ Atlas smiled at him and hugged him close. "Thank you for helping me. If you hadn't been there, I probably would still be in your garden.” He thanked the other boy with a kind smile, hugging him close and going on to talk a bit with his friend about this and that.
Only time can heal some wounds, you see. About three months later, when our young Half Blood was going to Diagon Alley to collect his school supplies for his first year at Hogwarts, hoping upon hope to be Sorted into either Slytherin like his father was and how his best friend would most likely be or, half fearing that he would end up in Gryffindor, worried that her blond friend would never talk to her again, labelling him a blood traitor or some other such nonsense. Atlas was in Diagon Alley buying his things for the new school year.
By now, he had been through three new moons. They had been torturous and painful; but he had survived. With his Papa's help and Potions skills, he was healed from self-inflicted injuries and brought to a warm bed afterwards. He was walking through Diagon Alley with his best friend Draco Malfoy. He was quite happy to be with him right now. They went into Flourish and Blott's book shop. Atlas walked straight to the Potions section and scoured through the selection of books. Draco chuckled at him, to which he answered with snark. "What? There's a new potions book out today and I'm excited!" Atlas smirked at him and rolled his green eyes at him.
"You and your Potions." Draco muttered searching for the new book as well, he loved Potions and Atlas knew it.
"Admit it, star boy; you're excited too." Atlas smirked at him.
Draco rolled his grey eyes and smirked back at the other young wizard with a nod of his blond head, making the young half-vampire laugh, his shoulder length hair moving with her head. They bought what they needed to and went back to Spinner’s End, where Atlas’ house elf had prepared a pot of tea and scones for them. He grinned and thanked the elf. Draco stayed for a bite to eat, but then went home via the Floo Network.
Atlas showed his father the book and they both read it excitedly, in anticipation of what new potions would be in the book. They were pleased to know, that Lawrence hadn’t alerted anyone to his existence, like the hospital had, thank Merlin. It was vitally important that neither Dumbledore or the Dark Lord knew of his son’s existence, or either learned, it would hopefully be when his son was at Hogwarts, so he could hope to keep him safe.