Chapter 8
After signing the divorce papers, Severus went to retire to his chambers for the remainder of the day. He placed the most complicated wards that he knew on the door and let his emotions all out. He didn't want to cry. He didn't want to wallow in self-pity like a dejected teenage boy after asking her crush to go out with him. But somehow he found himself casting a silencing charm to muffle the sound of his cries anyway.
He felt as if his heart was being torn away from his body, making every punishment and torture that he ever received in his life seem like nothing. He supposed that he should've known better, that every happiness he would ever had the privilege to have will only be temporary.
It's his fault anyway, letting himself fall for Harry like that. He idly thought of what could've happened if he disregarded him when he appeared at his home at Spinner's End and still proceeded in his plan to go to Prince Manor. That would mean that he won't be enduring the pain being hurt, he won't know the feeling of being loved someone, but most of all, that would mean that he wouldn't have Jamie and his little one.
Severus got up from his bed and made his way towards the window. He looked on the vast forest, his right hand unconsciously making its way to his small bump. He couldn't hide in Malfoy Manor forever, Harry would eventually know where he is. He had been there after all. Besides, he cannot do this to his godson. He won't abuse his kindness and live there.
Perhaps he can still continue his plans. He and Jamie can move in to Prince Manor without anyone being the wiser. He knew that Draco will support him upon his decision and shis display at St. Mungo's is more than enough for him to know that he won't tell anyone where they went.
Severus must've somehow fell asleep while pondering about his next move because the next thing he knew, Draco was yelling at him behind the door, demanding that he'd be let in at once. At the threat of blowing up the door, he gingerly got up from his bed and opened the door, not that his wards will allow that, of course.
The blond only shook his head when he noticed the tear stains on Severus' cheeks. It seems like his godfather had been crying again. He silently cursed Potter, vowing that he'll make the Griffyndor pay for hurting Severus and Jamie. Maybe then Scar Head would realize that the threat he gave him years ago was not merely a threat.
He escorted his godfather to the dining hall, where a very bubbly Jamie was already placing food on his plate. The toddler stopped when he saw them, quickly getting off his chair and running towards his mother. He then began to ramble about how he had missed going to the Manor.
Severus shook his head fondly as his son filled their breakfast with chatter. Jamie's eyes twinkled with glee when his Uncle Draco told him that they could visit the nearby village if his mum approved.
Severus looked at his godson and nodded. He wouldn't deprive his son the freedom of going outside despite of them going into hiding. Besides, the the nearby village was a private one, and he had made friends with the locals way back to his youth.
Lucius, Narcissa and Regulus used to bring him along when they go there. It was their hideaway place whenever they want to get away and relax. They have discovered the village after they have strayed too far from the Manor's wards.
It had been a rough season for the Slytherins since the Marauders (minus Pettigrew and Lupin) had managed to sweep the House Cup with ease by physically attacking them. This goes from jinxing their brooms to "accidentally" bumping into them during matches.
Whenever they try to tell it to Madam Hooch, Dumbledore will somehow intervene and pass it off as an exaggeration or a slight misunderstanding.
One day, the four of them were drinking firewhisky and joking about leaving the country inside the pub at the private village. They want avoid the war since they didn't really care about blood purity. The joke however was taken into consideration, and was immediately turned into a plan.
Lucius had discovered from the goblins that his great-great-great-great-grandfather Armand Malfoy has a property in France that wasn't in the wills and was unclaimed by anyone. Warwick, the keeper of the Malfoy vaults, told him that he could probably claim the property since he was a descendant. The only problem was that he has to be of age to claim it since he was underage and not emancipated.
They planned on leaving the country via international portkey on the night of Lucius' seventeenth birthday. They never made it. Apparently, Abraxas also planned for his son to take the dark mark early. The Dark Lord had ordered him to bring his son alongside his friend to be marked that night.
Voldemort had first heard from his followers about Severus Snape. The boy may be a half-blood, but there was no denying that he had a talent in duelling and potions. He could someone like him in his cause.
Narcissa was spared from taking the dark mark only because of the fact that the Dark Lord rarely marks his female followers. Regulus was marked two years ago after Walburga and Orion Black learned that Sirius finally ran away to live with the Potters. It was their way of reassurance of their allegiance with the Dark Lord.
The little tyke pouted then smiled. He continued to eat his breakfast with vigour, the promise of visiting the village making him giddy with excitement. The last time he went there was last Christmas, when his father had a last minute breakthrough on a case, leaving them alone to celebrate.
His mum had then decided for them to go to see the Christmas program and parade. Never in his life had he seen a place so lively and bright that day. It's such a shame that his father didn't get to come with them. He would've loved to experience everything they did with him. Sadly, all his father does now is to make his mum cry. He wasn't even at the house most of the time.
Jamie soon finished his breakfast and ran upstairs to change from his pajamas. Draco and Severus were left at the dining hall staring at the empty seat where Jamie had sat.
"Uncle Sev, not that I'm prying but, how in the world did Jamie knew about the village? I mean, it took me six years before I noticed that beyond the forest was an illusion, and that's considering that I've lived here for the most of my life."
"I took him there last Christmas. That's the first time we spent the holiday outdoors. You should've seen the smile on his face when the fireworks began. I would trade anything just to see my son smile like that again."
"What about Potter?"
"Potter? He was suddenly called that night, an "emergency" he said. I'm not quite sure if he was telling the truth, considering what has happened to our marriage now." Severus looked at him with mixed emotions.
Draco can see sadness lacing the angry eyes of his godfather. He cannot fathom how long it is since he last saw him smile genuinely. He was wary at first when he learned that Potter was dating Severus. It wasn't common knowledge, but his godfather was fragile and soft on the inside. His father and mother had made it their mission to protect Severus until they lost their lives in the final battle.
Now that they're gone, he had promised himself that he would continue what his parents did, considering that Severus was like an uncle to him. Now that Potter had broken his heart, he cannot help but to want to hex the Griffyndor to oblivion. He cursed him for the fifth time that day, wishing that he hadn't been more lenient about the situation.
But by the looks of it, it won't be long until Jamie becomes like his godfather. The child had already been ignoring his father, hating him and settling an unhealthy grudge because he makes his mother cry. Severus had also mentioned about the time when Jamie's accidental magic had kept Potter from touching them after an argument.
"I'd say he was a cheating bastard right from the beginning, after all, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." He sneered, subtly referencing Sirius Black's reputation among women and men alike.
"Come on, now, Harry's not that bad."
"Not that bad?! Have you forgotten how he slept with that chit at your anniversary Uncle Sev? He doesn't deserve you,"
"I haven't forgotten about that Dragon, it's just that I don't think he really meant to cheat on me. He's young...and attractive...I've known long before that he may get bored of me one day. I'm not such a great catch, afterall."
"Uncle Sev, don't think of yourself like that. You're beautiful, just the way you are, inside and out." Severus snorted at the reply.
"I have a mirror, you know. Don't try to fool me with those lies now. It may have worked with Lucius and Narcissa, but I'm now quite sure that I'm not pleasant in any way that you speak, just like how my father told me..."
Draco was gonna argue, but then Jamie had come rushing down with his best clothes on. The toddler's smile made his heart break a little. It seems like his Uncle wasn't lying about him being that happy about visiting the village.
"Mama! Mama! Let's go! I wanna see the fireworks!" Severus chuckled at his son's response, if only he would smile like that all the time.
"Jamie, it's still morning, sweetheart. Besides, it's not Christmas yet for another three months." Jamie pouted at his mother, disappointed that he won't see the fireworks display.
"It's alright, mum. As long as you're with me, I'm happy." He smiled, hugging Severus tightly as though he would disappear.
Severus eyes softened when he heard his son whisper the words that made him shiver.
"Don't ever leave me, mum."
He dropped down to his son, and returned the hug with all his love. A lone tear fell down his cheek as he gently carded his fingers on his son's hair. He would never ever abandon his son, even if it means fighting against the Boy-Who-Lived for the custody of his children.
After a while, both mother and son parted and waved goodbye to Draco, promising to return before sunset. Severus held his son's hand and walked away towards the direction of the forest where the illusion holds to protect the village.
Draco stood, watching the scene with his fists clenched, anger and determination running through his veins. Without a second thought, he immediately went to the floo to meet up with their family lawyer with the intent of solidifying Sev's annulment against Potter. He would make sure that that Pot Head will never hurt his godfather nor Jamie ever again.