Born in Frustration

Author's Note: 11th, Feb, 2008: I am going to take a moment to respond to a few things: Firstly, over 200 reviews. THANKS SO MUCH! Secondly, a few feel Snape and Harry are OOC. I agree to a point. Snape will appear more like his old self from here on out, unless he catches the boys, umm, you know. In my story Snape is Draco’s godfather. So put your self in his shoes, he caught Draco snogging his worst enemy’s son. I think he was entitled to a bit of a melt down. Call it artistic license. Now, Harry… I am going to disagree with anyone who calls him whiny or snivelling. I don’t think he is. What he is is a tired, abused, neglected boy, wracked with guilt, who has just discovered that someone truly does care for him. I think he shows strength when needed. And try to remember that this takes place after Sirius has died and Harry does blame himself. The boy, and he is a boy, is suffering. He does appear week at first but he does not remain so.


Now I don’t normally do this either but I would just like to say thanks to those who continue to read and review, you know who you are and so do I. I appreciate your consideration.

This chapter is unbeta’d I will update with the beta’d chapter when I get it.

Author's Note: 11th March 2008, just adding the beta'd chapter. Sorry for the wait.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


See chapter one for disclaimer.

This fiction is beta'd by Shadowites, most especially WeasleyWench.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~Chapter Thirty-One: When At First We Plot to Deceive…~

Severus Snape was beyond exasperation. The Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, was the sole point of his annoyance. The too-thick-for-his-own-good old coot was sitting in a chair in the Dursleys’ parlour, face set in stubborn determination as the dark-haired man paced back and forth in front of him. The Potions master’s level of frustration was at a point where he was ready to murder the older man. But Severus was right. He had seen the bond form, and it was a True Soul Bond. Unbreakable even after death. To attempt severing the bond would kill both Harry and Draco, and it was illegal, punishable by a fate worse than death. Now if he could just convince the old codger of that simple fact…

Snape had never been a trusting person. He was a Slytherin, after all. When he had discovered the boys, he had taken time to think about how he should proceed. He was now supremely thankful he had not contacted Albus Dumbledore immediately, and he had, in fact, sent word to Narcissa Malfoy and Remus Lupin. He had then waited one half hour before notifying the Headmaster. Narcissa and Remus would be better able to protect Harry and Draco than Snape could.

When Snape had confronted Albus about Harry Potter’s situation, he had been astounded by the Headmaster and his plotting. The Headmaster had admitted to knowing about the Dursleys and their treatment of the boy, and that he had, in fact, counted on it when he had placed Harry with them all those years ago. It took every ounce of self-control that Severus Snape had not to throttle the old wizard.

Snape had further been shocked and dismayed when Dumbledore had justified his actions, saying that he needed Harry to be complacent and obedient when he finally arrived at Hogwarts. That the misery, neglect, and abuse Harry had suffered before Hogwarts would allow Dumbledore to shape the boy into the perfect weapon against Voldemort. Dumbledore had gone further, saying that Potter was the only one who could defeat the Dark Lord. Harry’s suffering had been second to this goal.

“The end justified the means,” Dumbledore had said.

The boy had needed to be shaped and moulded as the Headmaster had seen fit, and the only way for that to be achieved had been for Harry Potter to be as mild-mannered and obedient as possible. Dumbledore had known the Dursleys would see to that; he had even encouraged them to do so. Dumbledore’s plan had been to make the transition from the Muggle world to the wizarding world be the greatest single thing that had ever happened to the child: the Light would have a weapon that would want nothing more than to please, to gain acceptance, to do anything to remain and never have to return to the Muggles.

Snape could not deny that the Headmaster had got what he wanted. Potter was only too willing to please Albus Dumbledore. But the method was just too black and white. ‘The ends justify the means’ was Dumbledore’s mantra.

Snape had been arguing with Dumbledore, asking for his patience in this matter for a good while, and did not know how much longer he could distract the Headmaster. He could only hope Narcissa and Lupin would arrive soon. Until then, he would do what he could to stall Albus from interfering with the bond.

“Albus, you cannot break this bond!” Severus snarled furiously. “You know as well as I do that Harry may very well already be with child.”

“As long as he doesn’t know about it, his possible condition is irrelevant,” the Headmaster replied, unconcerned. “Harry must face Voldemort, and I will not have him distracted by this. I will have this bond severed now, Severus!”

“No, you will not!”

Both men turned toward the female voice and watched as a very determined and angry Narcissa Malfoy strode into the room, followed closely by an equally angry Remus Lupin, and a half-naked Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy.

The Headmaster sent a glare toward the dark-haired wizard. Severus merely smirked back with a twinkle in his dark eyes that normally appeared in the blue eyes of Albus himself.

‘Thank, Merlin! Now,’ Severus thought to himself, ‘let the games begin.’

“Narcissa, how lovely to see you,” Dumbledore said blandly. “I see Severus has contacted you about this unfortunate situation.” Turning his attention to Lupin, he said, “Ah, Remus, you as well. Lovely.” The Headmaster shot Snape an angry look that would wither a normal man. “My, my, Severus you are full of surprises tonight.”

“Do be quiet, you insufferable, meddling old man,” the elegant blonde snarled back. She turned her back on the old wizard. “Severus, please tell us what has occurred,” she demanded politely.

“Gladly,” he replied with great relief. The night had already been too long for his tastes.

Severus spent a few moments explaining what had been happening over the past week, beginning with Draco’s discovery of the abuse that Harry had had to endure, the boys growing closer together, the alarm, his arrival on Privet Drive, and to his witnessing of the bond.

Harry gasped at Severus’ words, his face paling with the realisation that his most hated professor had borne witness to his bond with Draco.

“Too late for the blushing-virgin act, Potter,” Snape said silkily. “Especially as you have chosen to parade yourself about in nothing more then a greying pair of skivvies…”

Draco growled low, flashing his godfather a scathing look. Snape glared peevishly back, but spoke no further.

Everyone was silent for a few moments, digesting all that Snape had told them, when Remus Lupin, surprisingly, broke the peace.

“What I don’t understand, Headmaster,” he ground out angrily, “is why you are even contemplating severing the bond.” Lupin pinned the old man with a glare that would freeze hell in Snape’s estimation. The elderly wizard had the audacity to smile benignly at the werewolf before responding.

“Why, Remus, it is what is best for Harry.”

Before the wolf or anyone else could respond, Harry, still holding Draco’s hand, stepped from behind the tall blond and shouted, “What’s best for me?” His face darkened with fury. “That’s a laugh,” he growled.

“Now, now, Harry…”

“SHUT UP!” the boy yelled, his magic flaring wildly around him. “Don’t say another word!” Harry gestured between himself and Draco. “We were in the hall listening, Headmaster. You knew,” he said acidly. “You knew what the Dursleys did to me.” Draco reached out and tried to pull Harry to his chest. The boy fought for a moment, then, realising he was losing control of his magic, allowed himself to be pressed into the comfort and safety of his lover’s embrace.

“Calm down, love,” Draco cooed softly, his arms winding around Harry. “Calm down before your magic goes out of control, Harry.”

The adults in the room stilled as the wild magic surrounded the young men before slowly seeping back into the smaller of the two. Severus knew the Potter boy was powerful magically, but to witness the uncontrolled power first hand, he was flabbergasted. Glancing about the room, he saw that he was not alone. Only the Headmaster seemed unsurprised. Anger at the old man flared brightly again within Snape’s chest as he came to the abrupt realisation that THIS, this power, was what Dumbledore had been hoping to control.

“You knew about my cupboard, the beatings, the starvation — all of it,” Harry continued, his voice tinged with sadness. “You knew, and did nothing.” He buried his face in Draco’s shoulder as his anger shifted to despair. Snape could see the boy’s heart breaking with the knowledge that the person he had thought he could trust, had come to look to as a mentor, had betrayed him in the worst way imaginable.

“We heard everything,” he whispered bitterly, before allowing Draco to guide him to the settee, shielding Harry from full view.

The adults remained where they were in silent revelation each contemplating what Harry’s outburst could mean. Snape, having come from an abusive home himself, could imagine the absolute undoing the dark-haired young man was feeling. The fact that the man Harry had trusted had knowingly set up his entire life, plotted, and had planned it all so that he had his ultimate weapon – well, no amount of excuses or apologies could make up for what Dumbledore had done.

Snape had no doubt that Harry would fulfil his destiny; the boy was too much of a goody-two-shoes Gryffindor not to. Snape had to admit, begrudgingly, that Harry honestly did have an irritating sense of right and wrong, an annoying habit of rushing headfirst into danger if it meant helping someone else (regardless of his own personal safety), and a sickeningly enormous capacity to, Snape shuddered, love. All too Gryffindor. Harry Potter would fight the Dark Lord, but he would do it on his own terms now, NOT Albus Dumbledore’s terms.

The old fool had just lost complete control over Harry Potter. Severus felt he could giggle like a school girl if it would not tarnish his image. ‘Oh, the tangled webs we weave…’ he thought with absolute glee.

Snape glanced at the other occupants in the room. Harry’s face was still buried in Draco’s chest, trying to regain his composure. Draco was glaring icily at the Headmaster, an expression of complete loathing on his face. Narcissa had her eyes trained on the two boys, her expression unreadable, and Lupin looked as though he were about to commit an act of murder.

The Headmaster had the good grace to look repentant, but Severus could see the steely determination in his blue eyes. Dumbledore was resolved to get his way. Unfortunately for Albus, he had never gone head to head with an angry Narcissa Malfoy, and judging by the look on her face as she turned away from her son, Mrs Malfoy was about to unleash her wrath on the old coot.

“I did what I thought best at the time,” Dumbledore began to explain.

“Harry told you to shut up,” Narcissa stated harshly. “If I were you, Headmaster, I would do as he wishes.”

Narcissa walked over to the boys, and she knelt in front of them, smiling kindly at Harry, and running her elegant fingers over her son’s cheek. Both Harry and Draco regarded her closely, an air of uncertainty clouding their faces.

“Draco, do you understand what has happened?” she asked calmly. The boy nodded.

“Are you happy with this, Draco? Is this what you want?”

Draco kept his eyes on his mother’s, and with no pause or hesitation said, “Yes, Mother, more than anything.”

She arched an elegant eyebrow then looked into the younger boy’s eyes. “Harry?” The troubled boy nodded resolutely, his gaze never faltering.

“I see,” she said softly. She ran her hand soothingly down Harry’s back, still smiling at the skittish young man. “Why don’t you two go and put on some clothes, and when you come back, we can make some arrangements.”

Draco hesitated. Snape knew the boy did not want anyone making decisions about his or Harry’s life without their input. Narcissa seemed to realise this as well, as she turned to both boys and said sweetly, “Don’t worry, darling. We will wait for you. However, I do believe Remus and I have some issues to discuss with the Headmaster.”

Draco beamed; he knew, as Severus did, that the Headmaster would be lucky to leave Privet Drive in possession of his manhood. He rose and prodded gently for Harry to follow. Potter looked to Lupin; the werewolf gave the boy a nod of encouragement, and Harry let Draco lead him out of the room and up the stairs, just as the other boy’s mother turned her full attention to the elderly wizard.

“As for you, Albus Dumbledore, you will say nothing further about severing this bond. I know you are not so foolish as to believe that it could be so simple.”

Dumbledore, for all his years and wisdom, was silly enough to think that he could sway a mother protecting her child. Snape grinned triumphantly, knowing that the coming confrontation between Narcissa and the Headmaster would be enjoyable, as the meddlesome old fool was seriously underestimating Narcissa Malfoy. Dumbledore was about to find out whom really ruled Malfoy Manor.

“Narcissa, be reasonable.”

“I believe you were told to shut up!” Remus Lupin barked. Snape raised a dark brow at the wolf’s outburst. Remus never questioned Albus. This was unprecedented.

Dumbledore sighed.

“Thank you, Remus.” Narcissa smiled brightly at the wolf. “Now, Severus has said that this is a True Bond, Dumbledore. There is no way to sever this bond without hurting both boys.” She turned her full attention to Albus, staring eye to eye with the man. Severus shuddered to himself as her eyes turned silvery and cold, her face set in unwavering authority. There would be no disagreeing with the petite blonde, if the Headmaster were wise, that is.

“I will not allow you to hurt my family, and most especially not my son,” she stated very clearly. “By all laws in existence, Harry is now a Malfoy, and thus MY family.” She leaned down until she and the Headmaster were nose to nose, her eyes glacial. “Do you understand me?” she growled.

“You do not understand, Narcissa,” Albus argued. “Harry has a job to do. He must face Voldemort.” To Snape’s surprise, Narcissa Malfoy did not even flinch. “He cannot be distracted from this task.” Albus attempted to rise from his chair only to be forcibly pushed back down.

“You are the one who does not understand, Dumbledore,” Narcissa spat.

Undeterred, the Headmaster ploughed on, “In all likelihood, Harry IS pregnant, and I cannot allow IT!” he raged.

Remus growled dangerously. “You have no say in this, Albus. It is out of your hands.”

“Remus, do not interfere; this does not concern you!” The old wizard glared viciously at the werewolf. Lupin did not give an inch.

“You are mistaken, old man,” he snapped. “Harry is my ONLY concern.” Lupin snarled predatorily and leapt toward the Headmaster, his teeth bared.

“Enough,” Narcissa interjected as she grabbed Lupin’s arm before he could do any damage.

“Now, as I see it, Albus, you have been remiss in your duty to protect Harry. That is unacceptable, therefore, that self-appointed duty will no longer be yours to bear, and this is not negotiable.” Narcissa removed her cloak and sat casually on the chair opposite Dumbledore’s. “Obviously the Malfoys will be changing alliances.” She glanced up at Snape. “Lucius will need to be informed of what has happened.”

Severus nodded. “He will not be pleased.”

‘That is an understatement of epic proportions,’ Snape thought. He had known Lucius for thirty years. The man was one of the most devoted to the pure-blood cause. But Snape also knew that Lucius’ family came before anything else, and that Lucius had been growing weary of the Dark Lord’s intentions as of late. The two had discussed the evil man’s increasingly apparent insanity many times, as well as his single-minded obsession with Harry Potter. Perhaps Lucius would not be too averse to his son’s bonding, after all.

Albus had yet to give up, however, drawing Severus from his thoughts. “Listen here! I will not be ordered about. You will do as I say, or so help me…”

“DO NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE, DUMBLEDORE,” Narcissa snarled venomously. “Harry Potter is no longer your concern. The boys are bound, and it is beyond your ability to ever alter that. They are, for all intents and purposes, MARRIED!”

“Albus, do not threaten Harry again,” Remus said, his voice ragged with rage. Severus could see that Lupin was having difficulty keeping his wolf at bay. “Narcissa is right. You would be wise not to make any further – demands,” he said coldly, his amber eyes burning furiously. Snape had never seen the wolf so animated, and found it fascinating, only too glad that the anger was directed elsewhere.

Narcissa leaned closer to Dumbledore, sneering at the older wizard. “Do not seek to anger me further, or I shall contact the council immediately and have you behind bars and your soul sucked out before you can bat an eye. Be thankful that I am not insisting on Azkaban, Dumbledore.” Her words were spoken softly, but not kindly. There was no doubting her meaning. If Dumbledore continued to threaten the bond, he would not survive Narcissa’s wrath.

“There is no need to contact the council,” Remus interjected, looking toward the doorway. “They are here,” he said lightly, a wicked smirk spreading across his face.

Severus, Narcissa, and Dumbledore all turned to see three men standing in the entry to the parlour, three very angry men.

“Gilgamesh,” Dumbledore all but spat.

“Greetings, Albus,” the oldest of the three spoke, “I do hope my ears were deceived,” he said merrily, though his face betrayed the tone. “For you cannot truly be that foolish.”

Dumbledore had the good sense to realise this battle was lost, though Snape was not naïve, he knew the man would not give up completely. For now, Draco and Harry’s bond was safe.