The Family Jewels

Chapter 32
Heir Apparent

Draco was starting to wonder if anything he had ever been told was the truth. He was pretty sure that his parents had actually sired him, if only by virtue of the fact that he was the spitting image of his father and he had seen his mother’s c-section scar; actually she had always been bitter about the fact that he had scarred her perfect flesh. Any decent Healer would have been able to vanish the scar forever, but she had never done that. Draco was sure that was because she would give up her favorite grievance against him if she did. Yep, definitely his parents.

He wished that he had time to go see Severus now, but he didn’t want to be late to Quidditch practice. This was one of his last chances to beat Potter to the Snitch, and after the duel in the corridor, Draco wanted it, he could taste it. The world could fall down around him; he was going to catch the Snitch first on Saturday.

Draco was proud of how hard his team had worked. Each member had their own dream to win against Gryffindor, especially the Seventh Years that were dating girls from the other houses. They were going to show everyone that Slytherin could win on skill alone. Miles Bletchley didn’t let Parvati Patil out of his sight except for Quidditch practice and the few classes they didn’t share. Theo Nott followed Hannah Abbott around like a puppy. However, put them on broomsticks with their pride on the line, and they became the Green Machine.

Practice went well, but not well enough to make him nervous. There was such a thing as too perfect, and Draco was notoriously superstitious. He advised his team to remember to eat well and sleep as much as possible. The prize was theirs for the taking. They were all tired and sweaty, but it was a nice change of pace that their Captain was not yelling at them for being lazy arseholes.

The Slytherin team arrived late to dinner, but Professor Snape had made arrangements that they would have hot food sent up to the table from the kitchens when the team appeared. Blaise had waited for him, but Draco assured him that he was fine, that he should go and do whatever he needed to. After eating, Draco knew that his next stop should be Snape’s quarters. Draco needed his godfather now, maybe more than ever before.

Draco made his way down to the dungeons, and the answer to his knock seemed to be inordinately late. He was just about to give up when he heard the terse, “Come” from inside.

He opened the door to find his godfather very casually dressed in a fine cashmere tunic and drawstring linen pants in a golden wheat color. Draco had never seen Snape is any color but black. His surprise at Severus’ appearance must have shown on his face. “Close your mouth, boy, that’s not a good look for you.”

Draco grinned at him, wondering why there was color in Severus’ cheeks. But he had business to discuss. “Uncle Sev, Blaise told me what he found in the diary, and he seems to think I might be in some danger.”

“No, Draco, I know that you are in danger from your father. Lucius is most insistent that you take the Dark Mark. I had initially thought that this was his misguided loyalty to the Dark Lord. The real reason makes more sense if you know him well; he is trying to save his own sorry hide.”

“If I take the Dark Mark, I will also invalidate the code de famille, but I thought that the Dark Lord only took those that would show him undying loyalty?”

“You are a powerful wizard, Draco, and a very wealthy one. The Dark Lord would not turn you away, and he would be willing to assist your father in any schemes he has to bring you to his side.”

Draco thought for a moment. “There are no other claimants to the Malfoy fortune. Even if I took the Dark Mark I would inherit, isn’t that so?”

Severus Snape looked at the young man seated so calmly in the chair next to his. “Perhaps, but there is a principle involved in this. Where do your loyalties really lie? As a student, you have not been forced to make a public choice. When you leave these walls, you will not have that luxury. The Ministry will not rest until they recapture your father, and if they find him in any of the Malfoy properties, I can assure you, they will not hesitate to prosecute you for harboring a fugitive and acting as an accessory to murder.”

Draco merely raised an elegant eyebrow. “That is what we have solicitors for, Uncle Sev.”

“Damn it, Draco, you won’t always be able to hide behind your wealth. Take a stand now, and half your house will follow you. Slytherin will not be the breeding ground for Death Eaters it once was if its leader stands for the light side.”

Draco shrugged. “You give me too much credit.”

“I don’t think he does,” a voice behind him stated, his mother stepping out into Severus’ office.

Draco’s head whipped around and he stared at Narcissa for a long moment, before turning back to Severus. “Did she get to you too, then?” Draco asked with a sneer.

Severus’ black eyes grew cold with anger but Narcissa’s hand on his shoulder kept his silence. “Severus has been loyal to me for many years, Draco. If I had that same loyalty from your father, we would not be in this situation now.”

Draco stood up; he had no intention of listening to her lies any longer. “We will continue this discussion when you are alone. Good night, Professor.”

“Sit down,” his godfather barked at him, waiting for Draco to drop unwillingly back into his chair. “Your mother wishes to explain a few things to you.”

Draco wouldn’t look directly at his mother, but he noticed how small and fragile she appeared. “Draco, you know that your father and I had an arranged marriage, but you may not realize that I loved him dearly when we were first wed. He was so handsome, and he treated me as if I was the reason that the sun rose every morning.” Draco made a disbelieving noise in his throat.

“I assure you, darling, it is the truth. The Dark Lord has taken my husband from me; I will not allow him to have my son as well.”

Draco actually looked into her face this time, as was shocked to find a thin scar on the right side of her face from her temple to her cheekbone. “What happened to your face, Mother?” he asked softly.

“Your father wanted to remind me of my place when he escaped from Azkaban to find that I had sent you where he could not easily get to you. You were meant to take the Dark Mark this summer; that was the whole reason for his escape. Your grandmother told me of the diary and the jewels that were never in my possession.” Draco’s head shot up at this, and she laughed shortly, “Yes, dearest, I know of the jewels.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me think that you were disappointed in me for not taking the Dark Mark?” Draco was letting some of his hurt show.

“There are spies in this school, most of them in your own house. Would you have been able to keep up the act every second of every day that there was a rift between us?”

Draco wanted to say yes, but in the end, he shook his head in a defeated fashion. “So why are you here now?”

“Your father is growing desperate. You know the truth now. Your father may have his blind spots, but he realizes that you are a resourceful young man. I am sure that he feels his time is growing short to save himself if you find out he has broken the code.”

“I am still safe here at Hogwarts, surely?” Draco looked to his godfather for confirmation of this fact.

Severus merely smiled bitterly. “Your father is a brilliant man, and he has many resources. He has not come to the school for you yet, but I have heard through other Death Eaters that your safety here at school may be an illusion.”

“Will there be an attack on Hogwarts?” Draco’s head was spinning. How would he protect Hermione if the Death Eaters attacked? She was a well known Muggle-born witch; she would surely be at the top of their list.

“I do not know what is planned. This is your father’s personal business, so the Dark Lord has not interfered.” Severus leaned back in his chair. Draco was not sure if he had ever seen him look so shattered.

“What do we do now then?” Draco asked. It was not in his nature to wait, he wanted to do something. Unconsciously, his fist tightened around the Talisman of Mars around his neck.

Both Severus and Narcissa noticed the small gesture. Narcissa reached out and touched the red silk wrapping on the amulet. “Who are you bound with?” she asked.

“Blaise Zabini and Hermione Granger,” he answered, looking Severus straight in the eye.

“Miss Granger?” Severus asked thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t have thought she would have need of your protection. Potter and Weasley would come to her aid in an instant if there was danger.”

“I felt the need to offer her my protection,” Draco said.

“Indeed,” his godfather said, pausing a moment. “Why?” he asked simply.

“I am in love with her.” Draco held his head up. He had wanted to say these words, and now was apparently the time. He was unprepared for the smiles from both his godfather and his mother.

“Keep her close and keep her safe, then, dearest,” his mother said, kissing his forehead. “I must go, go to Severus if you have need of me.” She kissed the palm of Severus’ hand before giving him a chaste kiss on the mouth and walking to the fireplace and throwing some Floo powder into the flames. “18 Coleherne Mews, London,” she said before she disappeared into the flames.

“Where has she gone?” Draco asked, looking confused.

“Your cousin, Nymphadora Tonks lives there, and will keep her safe,” Severus answered, looking into the flames wistfully.

“Is that what you’re doing, Sev? Keeping her safe?” Draco asked with an impudent smile playing around his mouth.

“I would keep her safe with my life,” Severus vowed, and Draco was ashamed of his comment. “I will keep you safe, as well. You are more precious to me than if you were my own son.”

“Is that why you never married, Uncle Sev, because of Mother?” Draco asked in a small voice.

“That is part of the reason,” Severus answered, a shutter falling over his features, and Draco knew this interview was over.

Draco stood up. “I should go, it’s getting late.”

“Do not underestimate your father Draco. He has much to lose, and as I’m sure you you’ve heard him say it over and over again, Malfoys do not lose.”

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A/N – I am having a great deal of trouble with my ISP. I will do my best to get my chapters up. Thank you so much for all that have read and left me a review. I am having a wonderful time with this story.

DevotedFan – Most of the review responses I have gotten have been positive. I suppose it is just human nature that I respond to the ones that are less than complimentary.