A Godfather\'s duty

Title: A Godfather's duty

Pairing: Eventual Severusx?, parental snarry

Fandom: Harry Potter

Summary: Lily's dead. Harry's missing. Severus' Magical bond to Harry as a godfather is screaming at him to protect him. Severus is in mourning. How does Severus mourn Lily and follow her wishes when everything is against him? He contemplates what to do with the rest of his life when fate takes a hand. Good Malfoys, Good Dumbledore/Dumbles-bashing,

Chapter 2

Andromeda returned with news at Lunchtime.

"What news Annie?" Narcissa asked immediately as her sister entered the Family Dinning Room

"Amelia will hear your stories. She has agreed to meet you at the Potters' cottage at ten tonight. You are to arrive with Ted and myself. I think due our entreating on your behalf she was moved to listen. She is expecting you to hand over your memories regarding your being Marked as well as your spying activities."

Severus didn't care about that at the moment. "Any news on Harry?"

Andromeda shook his head, "Sirius was arrested. He is accused of betraying and conspiring for the murders of James and Lily Potter, the kidnapping of Harry Potter, the murders of Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles."

"What about Harry?"

"Sirius claims that upon exiting the ruins of the Potters' home he was met by Rubeus Hagrid who demanded the child on Dumbledore's orders. Dumbledore apparently made arrangements for him to stay with Muggle relations."

Severus was incensed, "With Petunia? With that Horse-faces, magic hating bint? She hated Lily! They haven't spoken since their parents' funeral! Petunia blames the deaths of their parents on Lily. Petunia is an abusive woman. She has no conscience and frightened Lily at times. How could he place him with her?"

Lucius slapped him, "That's enough. No Slytherin suffers from Hysterics. We know where he'd been sent. Do you know where they live?"

Severus rubbed his cheek, "Little Whinging, Surrey. I don't know the exact address."

"Annie, it's illegal to bypass the Department of Magical Children. How could he do so?"

Severus frowned, "He must know who Harry's godfathers were: Sirius who stands accused of horrible crimes and myself…a spy. He must think that I'll be imprisoned or too crushed by Lily's death to be bothered."

Lucius clasped his shoulder, "You're a Malfoy. We are not that susceptible to grief. We mourn yes but not is an obvious way that we might be mocked for it."

"The Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Children is Lady Greengrass. She's Bonded to Lady Lovegood. Both of whom are neutrals in this conflict between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters. She'll help us if she can be brought to see that it's in her best interests." Andromeda said with a smirk.

Severus was stunned, "You'll help me?"

"Of course. You're a Malfoy and so is Cissy. That makes you my family. Harry is Sirius' godson. James Potter and I were cousin, his mother was my Great Aunt Dorea. Harry is family either way. I am doing this for Cissy's sake. You must be a kind Bondmate or else she would not have felt she could contact me."

Narcissa shared a look with Lucius before replying, "Annie I did nothing that my Bonded would find fault with me for. I allowed him to do as he wished. When he was attacked as his bonded I summoned a honourable healer."

"Do not be late. Amelia is sticking her neck out for you two." Andromeda said sharply.

"We'll be there with bells on." Severus said automatically.

The others gave him strange looks.

He said quietly, "It's something I picked up form Lily's mother…."

"I see. Well I've got to run. I'm due for a staff meeting at St. Mungos'."

Andromeda vanished as quickly as she came.

Severus' melancholy increased. Harry had been sent to Petunia, had Dumbledore lost all his vaulted wits?

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?