A Black Rose In A White Bush

A Black Rose In A White Bush



“Sarah, Draco. It’s time that you two woke up. Hurry, or you’ll be late for breakfast.” Severus Snape stood in front of the two teenagers who were still somewhat asleep on the couch. The two of them had fallen asleep on the couch for the night, instead of simply taking a short nap.

Sarah sat up and stretched, followed by a yawning Draco. They both stood up and made their way to the guest room, returning in the front room in clean school uniforms ready to go.

“Come on, you two. It’s time for breakfast.” Severus turned on his heel and headed for the door, Sarah and Draco following.

When the three of them arrived in the Great Hall, the few students that were there in the early morning stared at them as they entered, eagerly whispering to their neighbors. Sarah grabbed Draco's hand tightly, not liking their stares or the whispers.

“It’s ok, Sarah. Just relax.” Draco whispered. She relaxed just a little and was still grasping Draco's hand when they sat down at their table. The few other Slytherins kept taking glances at them, as they whispered to their neighbors; a few of the girls sending glares at Sarah as they always did when Draco sat next to her.

“Draco, I’m not liking this. What are they whispering about?” Sarah asked nervously. Draco shrugged, ignoring the voices. Sarah and Draco both looked up as the early mail came in. Draco held out his arm as his Eagle Owl flew towards him. He landed gracefully on his arm and dropped a red envelope on the table, hoping down next to his plate, snapping up a piece of bacon in his beak.

Draco paled, thinking that if he could run fast enough, he could open the howler outside of the Great Hall.

He had just made it to the door when it burst open, coming within an inch of his face, screaming,

“DRACO DAMION MALFOY! HOW DARE YOU! DO YOU REALSIE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO OUR NAME?! OUR BLOODLINE IS SHAMED BECAUSE OF YOU AND THAT BITCH! HOW COULD YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU COULD GET OUT OF MY GRASP?! IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE! I WILL FIND YOU AND I WILL KILL YOU!” the well-known voice of Lucius Malfoy still echoed in the Great Hall and through the corridors outside of it as the howler ripped itself to shreds.

Draco turned stiffly looked at everyone in the hall over his shoulder. They all stared back at him, some of them gaping at him. He looked to the head table and found the Headmaster looking at him, a surprised look on his face.

He turned back around and made a run for the dungeons; Severus close on his heels, having stood up when he saw Draco receive the howler. As he left the sight of those in the hall, all eyes turned to Sarah. She kept her eyes trained on the table in front of her, her heart beating rapidly again her ribcage. She felt the Headmaster lay a hand on her shoulder.

“I think it would be best if you came with me, Sarah.” He whispered gently. She nodded and stood up shakily, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. As she walked past the tables, they started to break out in whispers. Sarah's eyes filled with tears as some of what they said reached her ears.

“I heard she asked for it-” a Slytherin.

“They say she wanted it even-” a Gryffindor.

“Did she really go to the Death Eater meetings-” a Ravenclaw.

Albus tightened his hold on her shoulder, letting her know he was still there and wouldn't leaving.

“It will be all right, Sarah. Don’t pay attention to them.” Sarah continued walking with the Headmaster down the hallways to his office. When they were in front of the stone gargoyle he said,

“Tootsie Pop.” The gargoyle stepped aside and allowed them go up the spiral staircase.

“Have a seat, Sarah. Would you like some tea?” Sarah nodded and a teacup appeared in front of her instantly. She took a sip and found that it was Earl Gray. She smiled softly. She loved Earl Gray.

“Now, Sarah, in light of the threat contained in Lucius’ letter to Draco, he no longer holds any guardianship over you or Draco, that's the law. I will be giving a call to Erin Hewlett to let her know of this. You are now both in the full care of Severus. Is that all right with you?”

“Yes, it is. I’m actually quite happy about that. I prefer Lucius to not hold any rights to Draco and I. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that.” She quietly sipped her tea while her thoughts went back to what Lucius had said in his howler.

While Albus and Sarah waited for either Severus or Draco to show up, because both of them knew that the Headmaster's office would be where they would eventually come to, Albus called Erin by floo and related the news about Draco's howler earlier that morning. Erin nodded and declared that all legal guardianship rights were now, fully in Severus' care.

There was a knock on Albus’ door shortly after he had finished with his call with Erin.

“Enter,” he called. The door opened and Severus and Draco walked in. Severus was holding Draco's shoulder like Albus had done with Sarah. Sarah quickly set her cup down and went over to Draco and wrapped her arms around him tightly. He hugged her back just as tightly.

“Severus, I am pleased to inform you that you are now the sole guardian to Sarah and Draco. The Child Safety and Endangerment office agrees now that any further investigation will be pointless given to the howler that Draco was sent. Congratulations.” Severus sighed, and put his hand back on Draco’s shoulder.

“Did you hear that, Draco? We’re free of him. He can’t hold anything above us.” Sarah whispered into his ear. Draco nodded and looked to the Headmaster.

“Would it be all right with you, Headmaster, if we go back to Sev's rooms for the rest of the day, since its Saturday?” The Headmaster nodded. As the three of them turned to leave his office, a tawny owl flew into Albus' office hurriedly, seeming to be quite flustered.

The owl dropped that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet on his desk and Albus sighed upon seeing that morning's headline.

“Severus, Draco, Sarah. Before you go, I would suggest you read the front page of the Daily Prophet. Apparently, news does travel quite fast.” He held out newspaper and Severus took it. He read aloud,

“Lucius Malfoy: Good Parent or Child Beater?

It has come to the Ministries Child Safety and Endangerment office that one Lucius Malfoy's son and adopted child, Sarah Black. Both students have had Squijums – cat-like creatures who wish to comfort abused children - react to them like they would to an abused child. Because of this, and recent events this morning, all rights that Lucius Malfoy once held as their guardian has now been handed over to one Severus Snape, Draco's godfather. Lucius Malfoy is under house arrest until his trial date, which has yet to be announced...” Severus looked up to the Headmaster.

“Do you think it’s really good idea letting the public know of this, Albus?”

“Weather or not it is a good idea or not, I couldn’t have prevented it. Lucius Malfoy has a very high status in the Wizarding world, and anything that concerns him with the law, will be made public. That’s that, and I can’t do anything to change it. But I think it best for the Wizarding world to know. That way they can see that Draco most certainly is not his father. Well, off you go. There's no reason for the three of you to stay here.” the Headmaster waved goodbye.

The three of them turned and walked down the stairs, Sarah still hugging Draco.

~*~

“Dray?”

“Yea Sarah?”

“What do you think will happen to him?” she looked up at him from her position on his chest. They were lying down on the bed in their new room in Severus’ chambers, previously known as the guest room. The room was decorated in deep blues and greens, with splatters of black here and there. The bed was an extremely dark green, with black silk sheets and pillows. Draco was leaning against the headboard, Sarah between his legs on her back.

“I don’t know. Maybe he’ll go to Azkaban. Maybe he’ll go free. But I know that for a fact, he won’t be taking us back. Because as soon as this is all over, I’m legally changing my name to Snape. I don’t want to be tied to him any longer than I have to be.”

“I think I’ll keep my name. I sort of like Black. Anyway, what we will do now that my dad is bound to see the front page? He’ll know I’m out here and that Sev is my guardian. What do you think he’ll do?”

“Well I’m not sure what Black will do... you should ask Sev. He might know, and he might know what you could do to stay hidden if you want for awhile. Just talk to him and you’ll get things straightened out.”

There was a slight scratching at their bedroom door. Draco grabbed his wand from the bedside table and flicked it towards the door. Their two Squijums came through the door and hopped up onto the bed. One curled up on Sarah's stomach and the other curled next to Draco's side.

Sarah giggled as her Squijum licked her nose. She patted its head and thought for a moment.

“You know, Dray. We have to name them so we can tell them apart.”

“What are you talking about? Mine is black and yours is a lighter black.”

“Dray. They are the same color with no defining features. I guess blonde's really are dumb.”

“Hey! I resent that!”

“I know. Now, I’m going to name mine... Blackie! What will you name yours?” she looked back up at Draco awaiting his answer.

“I think… I’ll name him…”

“Wait, how do you know it’s a guy? It could be a girl.”

“It’s a boy because I say it is. Now shut up and let me think.” Sarah giggled softly, stuck out her tongue, and continued to pet the newly named Blackie.

“I got it! I will call my Squijum… Sev Jr.!”

“Hell no.” said a voice from the door. The teens looked over to see Severus standing there. Sarah started to giggle harder.

“Why not? I like it…” Draco started to pout. Severus glared.

“I will not have a Squijum named after me, Draco. Give it a different name.” Draco pouted more. Severus just glared more. Draco sighed and caved.

“Fine. I’ll call him… Lucky. There, are you happy?”

“Very much so. Now, what I need you two to do, is to help me with sorting out some potion vials and putting them away in the cupboard.”

“What will we get if we help?” Sarah asked.

“Ice cream.” Sarah squealed and jumped off the bed, racing to the potions classroom. Blackie squeaked, disgruntled at being moved. Draco groaned.

“You just had to let her have sugar as a reward, didn’t you?” Severus smirked.

“But of course. That is the only thing she will do anything for.” Draco glared.

“But did you have to offer something with that much sugar?”

“Yep.”

“Bastard.”

“Thank you. Now get your arse in the potions class room, otherwise you won’t get your treat.”

“Oh, and what’s that?” he asked sarcastically.

“Chocolate.” Draco ran past Severus to the potions classroom, wanting to get the task done to get his chocolate. Lucky now joined Blackie as they glared at Severus for daring to make their charges move. Severus laughed as he walked slowly to the classroom.

When he reached the classroom he was met with the site of Draco and Sarah running around like psychopaths. They were tossing all the potions back and forth, organizing them as they flew back and forth threw the air.

“Be careful you two!” the two stopped mid-throw and looked to him.

“What? We are being careful. We just want our treats!” the said in unison and continued the tossing game.

“If one, and just one, of those vials break, you two can forget about your treats.” They both gasped and stopped throwing the vials. They looked at each other and all the vials they had yet to toss to each other. In a flash Draco and Sarah were running around the room, sticking to one side only, so they wouldn’t crash into each other.

They would pick up one vial from the center table and run it to its cupboard, then run back to the table and pick up another one. Severus just stood there watching them, making sure none of his vials broke. After about fifteen minutes, Sarah and Draco raced back to the table to find no more vials, and without thinking, Sarah said in a small voice,

“What happened to all my vials? They were my vials…” Draco stared at her.

“You mean, you want more vials? But then you wouldn’t get your treat right now. Has it made it through your mind that we are done?” Sarah looked at him as if he had just figured out the meaning of life. She turned to Severus and said,

“Ice cream. Now!” she put her hands on her hips as Severus started to laugh at her. “And just what is so funny? I want my ice cream.” Sarah started to pout.

“Yeah, give Sarah her ice cream, and give me my chocolate!”

“You get chocolate? I want chocolate…” Sarah wined.

“You can have chocolate ice cream Sarah. They do have that flavor you know.” Severus teased.

“Draco, I think dumb blonde is contagious. 'Cause I’m acting stupid.”

“No, Sarah. That’s how you always act.” Draco said in a sympathetic tone. Sarah glared at him, then stomping into Severus’ chambers and went into the small kitchen area. Draco and Severus followed her.

“Aha! I found it!” Sarah exclaimed.

“What did you find?” asked Draco. Sarah grinned evilly.

“Your chocolate.”

“That’s mine! Give me my chocolate! Sev, make her give me my chocolate!” he whined.

“And you know what I’m going to do with your chocolate, Draco?”

“What?”

“I’m going to melt if over the fire, then pour it all over my chocolate ice cream!”

“You chocolate thief! Give it back!” Draco lunged at Sarah and tackled her to the ground. He managed to get his chocolate, but Sarah knocked it out of his hands. Lucky ran up to it and picked it up in his mouth, and if it were possible, he smirked at Draco, enjoying his new found treat. Draco stared at him while he licked his chocolate.

“Look at what you’ve done now, Sarah. He’s eating my chocolate!”

“Aw, I’m sorry. How about we share my ice cream. Will that make you feel better?”

“I guess...” Severus couldn’t handle it anymore, and burst out laughing at the two of them. Still laughing, he prepared Sarah's ice cream to share. Sarah took the ice cream as Draco grabbed two spoons, and the two went back to their room and closed the door, trying to block out Severus’ laughing.

Severus smiled happily to himself. Even after what they've been through, they still had moments of acting like complete children that he just couldn't help but smile at.

A/N: Yes, I know, that after what they have been through, they really should be a bit more... "depressed," I guess, but sometimes, the human mind can force itself to shut out the bad things and the person will act like a child sometimes. After what they've been through, it's reasonable to assume that the same would be with them. It's like gaining back a piece of the childhood they never had.