Draco's Protector

Title: Draco’s Protector
Author: Ras
Rating: Fan Rated Adult Only (equivalent to NC-17) for excessive violence and graphic descriptions of child abuse
Pairings: Severus/Draco (in a parental way, not a sexual way)
Feedback: Please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Author Notes: This story came into my head while watching Chamber of Secrets. I always wanted to know why Draco was whining for attention in the infirmary scene after the Quidditch match. It seemed out of character to me, so I made up my own little story of why he would act like that. Please note that I have taken some liberties with the story, for example deciding that Snape is Draco’s godfather. Also note that the descriptions of child abuse are graphic, so please don’t read this if that is going to bother you.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter, Draco, Severus, any HP characters, or copyrighted words that appear in this story. I make no money off this story.

Chapter 5

Draco left the impromptu year end feast in shock and despair. Slytherin had been ahead in the House points. However, Gryffindor won the House Cup again this year, only because Dumbledore gave Potter and Weasley 400 points for their bravery in the Chamber of Secrets. It was completely and totally unfair, but Draco knew that wouldn’t stop his father from punishing him for the loss.

Not feeling up to pretending everything was okay with his friends and not wanting to spend the night crying alone in his bed, Draco turned to Crabbe and Goyle and said, “I’m going to go to Severus’ chambers.” His friends were use to Draco spending every free moment with his godfather, but they still looked surprised.

“Why? Didn’t you hear Dumbledore? Exams are cancelled. You don’t have to study anymore,” Crabbe explained.

“I KNOW that. I just want to talk to him, okay?” They shrugged and left him alone. Draco stepped aside to a more secluded wall across from the doors as the mass exodus of students continued. He sneered menacingly at anyone that so much as cast a glance his way. Soon the corridor was empty, and Draco was truly alone. He waited patiently for his godfather to come out with the other teachers. Standing alone in the hallway, he began to wonder if this was the wisest move. Maybe it was just because Draco was now use to be escorted absolutely everywhere by Severus or another teacher or maybe it was just because he was so very scared of the punishment he had coming, but he kept seeing flashes of his father out of the corner of his eye. Draco’s heart was racing. Perhaps he should have stuck with Crabbe and Goyle rather than standing there alone. But, they weren’t really reliable protection, at least not against his father. Or maybe he should have gone straight to the dungeons to the safety of his godfather’s quarters, but Draco was terrified of running into his father along the way. He didn’t want to be cornered alone with him just then.

Of course, there was no reason to believe that his father was anywhere near the castle right then. However, Lucius had visited quite often recently. He had surprised Draco and Severus when he stopped by Severus’ quarters just a few days ago to inform them that Dumbledore had been suspended. Lucius had been happy that day, happier than Draco had seen him in a long time, Draco thought back mournfully. His father had pulled Draco aside and informed him that he was pleased to see that Draco was doing much better in school. He had used that word, “pleased.” Hearing that word come from his fathers lips had been so wonderful. Lucius had even said that if Draco just did well on his exams, he might not have to be punished after all.

Of course, all of that was lost. The loss of the House Cup was sure to earn Draco punishment, whether it was directly his fault or not. And, the cancellation of exams had taken away his only chance of redemption. Draco felt like falling to the floor and sobbing. He had had an honest chance of making his father proud this year, he had worked so hard for it, been so close, and just like that it was gone. There wasn’t even anything he could have done to change things. He was just going to be punished, most likely with the Cruciatus, and that was that. More than anything now he wanted for Severus to comfort him. Draco knew his godfather would not be able to save him from this punishment, but he could hug him and tell him that he had done a good job this year.

After what seemed like an eternity Severus exited the main hall with a large group of teachers. He seemed happy. Draco couldn’t believe it, how could he have a smile on his face? Draco resisted the urge to run up to him and instead jerked his head towards the dungeons. Severus caught the gesture, quickly said goodnight to Professor McGonagall and walked over to Draco. “Mr. Malfoy?” he said questioningly since the other teachers could still hear him.

They walked together towards the dungeons with Draco’s heart still pounding. Part of him still expected his father to jump out in front of him at every turn. The whipping he had received last year for loosing the House Cup combined with the recent surprise visits from his father left Draco too scared to be brave. Draco whispered in a trembling voice “Please, Godfather, can I stay with you tonight?”

Severus looked surprised and concerned. “Of course,” was all he said, but his actions said more. He reached an arm around Draco and rested it on his shoulder. It was a comforting move previously reserved only for private time. Amazingly, it did make Draco feel a little safer.

Once Severus shut the door to his quarters, Draco let down his guard a little. He started hyperventilating, and he realized his whole body was trembling. He felt like he was about to collapse.

“You’re shaking,” Severus said. He wrapped his arms around Draco, gently supported his weight, and led him to sit down on the couch. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he sat beside him.

Draco simply shook his head, unsure of what to say. He tried to think of where he should even begin to answer his godfather’s question. Draco contemplated telling Severus the truth about everything: his father’s monitoring spell, the threat of the Cruciatus, everything . . . but then, Severus would never let him go with his father this summer. Draco didn’t see how his godfather could convince his father to let him stay with him over the summer. Severus had already asked Lucius several times and had been adamantly denied each time. Severus had reluctantly let it go since Lucius seemed so happy and pleased with Draco, but now. If he told Severus the whole truth about what was wrong, Draco couldn’t imagine any resolution that wouldn’t result in a fight between the two, and that was Draco’s biggest fear. Still, he knew he couldn’t pretend like everything was perfectly fine, either. He needed to talk to Severus about it.

“You don’t think that your father is going to punish you for loosing the House Cup?” Severus asked. Draco nodded slowly, his lip quivering, unable to speak. “But, Draco, you didn’t lose any points this year, and you had no control over what Potter and Weasley did.”

Draco thought to himself that his father would say that he hadn’t won enough points either, though. “It won’t matter,” Draco finally whispered.

“Draco,” Severus sighed and pulled him into a hug. Draco let his head rest on his godfather’s shoulder. He wanted to let himself cry, to just sob all of the pain out. Draco thought Severus might permit it; he had never reprimanded him for crying. But, his father had conditioned him too well, so he kept the tears inside as his throat began to tighten with the pain. Struggling to maintain control of his emotions, Draco asked, “Why do I end up having to be punished so much, Severus? I try so hard not to disappoint my father. I tried so hard this year . . .”

“You do not deserve to be punished. You didn’t even do anything wrong. Please tell me that you know you don’t deserve to be punished for this.”

A small part of him knew that Severus was right, but it didn’t really matter what he deserved. All that mattered was the punishment he was actually going to receive. “I’m scared, Godfather,” he finally got up the courage to whisper.

“You are safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Draco.”

Draco nodded. He did feel safer with his godfather, but nothing could ease his apprehension about what was to come. He didn’t want to be punished. All that he wanted was for once in his life for his father to say that he was proud of him. And he had done everything right, everything within his power to make that happen. How did he end up here, dreading an upcoming whipping? “Stupid Potter,” he finally vocalized his anger. “It’s completely unfair. He finds the Chamber of Secrets and decides to go into it. Does he get himself killed? Does he get into trouble for breaking a million rules? No, he saves the damn day and earns 400 points for Gryffindor. Who does that? And now . . . and now I’m going to get my butt beat, and you’re right, I didn’t even do anything wrong. It’s not fair.”

“I know, Draco, I know. It’s going to be all right,” Severus comforted.

“It’s not,” Draco said dejectedly. “There isn’t a way to protect me this time, Severus. I’m just going to have to take it.”

“Like Hell you are,” Severus said with such ferocity Draco jumped back.

Draco was suddenly terrified of the angry, determined look in Severus’ eyes, but he had to point out the flaw in Severus’ plan. “F-F-Father is never going to let me stay with you, and . . . and, if I go home then . . .”

“I am NOT going to just let him take you home and abuse you, Draco!” Severus exclaimed.

Tears flooded Draco’s eyes, threatening to escape, as he wrapped his arms around himself protectively. He couldn’t stand having Severus mad at him, not tonight. Letting out a ragged breath, Draco dared to whisper, “Please don’t yell at me, Godfather, please. I’m sorry . . .”

“Shhh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell, Draco,” Severus comforted as he now realized the effect his tone was having on his godson. Draco couldn’t help flinching as Severus reached for him, but he only pulled him back into a hug. “I’m not mad at you, Draco; I’m mad at him. I’m mad at him for hurting you. But we don’t . . . we don’t have to talk about this tonight.”

Draco nodded, grateful that Severus wasn’t yelling anymore, and relieved that he wasn’t angry with him. Still, he didn’t know what good putting off the discussion would do.

“I’ll think of something,” Severus reassured him. “I want you to relax tonight. There are no exams to study for and no reasons to worry about what’s going to happen tonight. You’ve earned a break, so I want you to relax. Let me worry about the plan to protect you and what to do about this summer, and you just rest and relax tonight. We can talk about the plan I formulate in the morning, okay?”

Draco nodded again, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to relax. Severus handed Draco a mystery book, his favorite kind, to read for pleasure before settling down next to him on the couch with his own selection. Severus rested his hand on Draco’s back for moral support while he began to read his own book. Draco tried to give the novel his attention, but all he could think about was his father. He had been so close to pleasing him, so close to making his father proud, and now . . . and now, he tried to stop from thinking about the whipping that he would receive for this or about what Severus might be planning to do. Giving up on the book, Draco closed it in his lap and cuddled up to Severus. He truly appreciated the physical closeness Severus allowed him. Draco rested his head on Severus’ shoulder, closed his eyes, and tried to force himself to relax. Severus put his arm around him and soothingly ran his hand up and down Draco’s arm.

A knock on the door made Draco jump and look at his godfather in terror. It couldn’t be his father. Surely, there hadn’t been enough time for news of the House Cup results to travel to him already. Worry about his father being at the castle had just been an irrational fear. Surely he had at least a day or two before he would have to accept his father’s wrath.

“It’s probably just Dumbledore coming to discuss the Chamber with me,” Severus assured him as he squeezed Draco’s shoulder before he went to open his door. Draco prayed his godfather was right, but his prayers went unanswered.

Lucius Malfoy burst through the door, pushing past Severus like he wasn’t even there. “Is Draco in here?” he asked, his voice full of fury. “Yes, I thought I might find you here. Come, Draco, we’re going for a walk.”

Draco shivered in fear. He hadn’t actually expected his father to show up tonight. Draco instinctively looked to his godfather for what to do. He didn’t want to be punished, and for the first time in his life he wasn’t sure that he deserved to be, but he couldn’t see any way out of it. Severus couldn’t intervene on his behalf, and he didn’t dare disobey his father’s orders. Draco’s eyes widened when he saw his godfather shake his head and mouth the word “no.” No? He wasn’t supposed to obey his father?

The command caused just enough hesitation for Lucius to notice. “DRACO! I said come here now! Don’t make me punish you for disobedience as well.”

Draco stood. This was not improving the situation. His only choice was to obey his father’s orders and accept the whipping he had coming. The Gryffindors had beat him in the House Cup, and he had known what would happen if Slytherin didn’t win. He made a step towards his father, but Severus raised his hand to halt him and slightly shook his head again. Draco froze.

“Lucius, what happened to you? You look awful!” Severus asked trying to distract him while trying to move further in the room closer to Draco.

Draco noticed it for the first time, too. His father looked disheveled. His father NEVER left the house without a perfect appearance. There was a cut on his father’s forehead, too. What in the world HAD happened to him?

“The Potter boy lost me my servant,” Lucius responded simply, his voice still full of anger.

“How?” Severus asked pretending to be full of concern. “And how did you get that cut, my friend?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lucius spat.

“Maybe I can help you by having Potter punished, or . . .”

“Don’t worry, I will repay him.” Lucius returned his gaze to his son. “DRACO!” he snapped again.

It happened before Draco ever saw it coming. His father had pulled his wand from his cane in an instant and pointed it at Draco. “Crucio!” The word hit Draco’s ears as his body hit the floor writhing in pain. His body started convulsing, twitching in agony. Even after all the pain his father had subjected him to, Draco had never imagined that pain like that existed. Every fiber of his body was screaming in agony, not just the surface tissue, but deep inside him, too. His eyes began rolling back in his head as his father held the curse. A low moan escaped Draco’s lips as his body continued to convulse, unable to handle the intense pain.

“Expelliarmus,” the cool command came in his godfather’s voice. Draco tried to move to see what was happening, but he had lost all control of his body. His head flopped over, and he caught a glimpse. Severus had his wand out and pointed directly at his father, who stood wandless with an expression of pure shock on his face. The murderous look on Severus’ face made Draco realize how truly terrifying he must have been as a Death Eater.

“How DARE you?” his father’s voice screamed.

“No,” Draco tried to whisper, but he found that his throat could not voice the word. Severus turned his wand to Lucius’ throat, ready to strike. His lips were twitching as if he were about to say the curse that would send Lucius to his death. For a tense moment Lucius and Severus were locked in a deep stare. Draco thought Severus was going to actually do it, but at last he lowered his wand and ran to Draco’s side instead.

“Draco, are you okay?” he asked placing a hand gently on Draco’s shoulder. Draco found himself still unable to respond. His vision was blacking in and out and his body was still having random twitching fits.

“How dare you turn your wand on me? How dare you interfere with the disciplining of MY son?” Lucius spat the words as he picked up his wand.

Severus kept his body protectively between Lucius and Draco as he spoke. “Lucius, stop and think about what you were doing.” Severus’ voice was now calm and firm.

“I was punishing my son. I would have thought that you of all people would understand that, Severus,” Lucius replied in a biting tone.

“Lucius, listen to me. We are men of the same character. You know we have the same goals and values; we want the same things. We both know the cruelty of this world. And, we both believe that the ends can justify the means, but you are HURTING Draco. I know you want Draco to succeed, so do I, but beating him and cursing him are not helping. You think that punishing him like this will make him strong, but you’re actually making him weak. He’s so terrified of you; he’s barely able to function. If you want your son to succeed and be strong, if you want him to bring pride to the Malfoy name, then maybe what he needs from you is just the smallest hint of affection.”

“How I chose to discipline my son is NONE of your business, Severus.”

“What are you even punishing him for?”

“That is none of your business either, but if you must know, it is for losing the House Cup again this year.”

“He didn’t lose Slytherin a single point this year. The results of the House Cup were completely outside of his control. Are you sure you’re not just taking your anger at Potter out on your son?”

“I can’t believe you would even suggest that. Draco knew he would be punished if Slytherin didn’t win the House Cup.”

“With the Cruciatus?”

“With the Cruciatus if he was bad enough. He knew that was a possibility. His disobedience earned him a severe punishment.”

“He’s not a Death Eater you’re punishing for disobedience or failing a mission; he’s you’re son, Lucius.”

“I know that.”

“He’s twelve, Lucius, TWELVE!”

“I am aware of the age of my son, Severus.”

“Even your father waited until you were eighteen to use the Cruciatus. I don’t think I need to remind you how that made you feel at the time.”

“Don’t you EVER bring him up again. I am NOT like him.” Lucius’ wand hand was shaking now.

“No, you’re worse.”

“You are in a very dangerous position, Severus. If you were anyone else, Severus, anyone else, I would kill you right now.”

“If you were anyone else, Lucius, I’d have killed you the minute you cast that curse. Avada Kedavra would have been just as easy to cast as Expelliarmus.”

“Stop!” Draco finally got his voice back. He had been listening to the fight, praying for a peaceful resolution, but he knew that none would come. His father and godfather were moments away from cursing each other; both men now had their wands raised. One of them was sure to kill the other before long. He couldn’t let that happen. His father was . . . well, he was his father. No matter how cruel he was, Draco still loved and respected him. He wanted his praise. He didn’t want him dead. And Severus . . . Severus was the only person that had ever shown him any kindness. He made Draco feel loved and not . . . not a worthless disappointment. He couldn’t imagine trying to live in a world without his godfather’s love. He had to stop the fight.

“Draco?” Severus turned around, his eyes full of concern. Draco was struggling to stand up, so Severus offered him a hand and some support.

Draco closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do. He couldn’t let the fight continue. He knew he had to stop the fight. Still, it was going to be the hardest thing he had ever done. He swallowed hard and then looked his godfather in the eye. “Please stop fighting. I’d like to go with my father, now.”

The look of shock on his godfather’s face was nearly more than Draco could handle. “Draco . . .”

Draco begged his lip to stop trembling and his hands to stop shaking. He forced himself again to look his godfather in the eye; he pleaded with his eyes for him to understand. “Please, Godfather, please, I want to go with my father.”

Draco felt the presence of his godfather reaching into his brain. He should have known Severus would never rely on his words alone. Draco tried to focus on his intense desire for his godfather to say okay and stop the fight. He felt Severus shifting through his thoughts until he finally hit on the real reason. He saw his fear of his father killing Severus as if it were really happening.

“That won’t happen, Draco,” Severus said firmly.

“You have no reason to stop him, Severus. You heard him, he wants to go with me,” Lucius said with a smile.

Reluctantly, Draco let Severus see his other biggest fear. Severus was cursing and then killing his father. As much as Draco hated the punishments his father gave him, he still loved his father. He needed him. He didn’t want Severus to kill him.

“I won’t do that, either, Draco.”

Draco shook his head. There was no pleasant ending possible. Talking wasn’t solving anything. If he let the fight continue, then either his father or his godfather would end up dead, and Draco couldn’t live with either outcome. He needed both men in his life. The only thing to do was to go with his father and accept his comeuppance. It was the least painful of the three available options. “Godfather, please . . . please let me go with my father.”

“Don’t do this, Draco,” Severus pleaded with him. Draco could tell that Severus was frantically trying to come up with any other option, any option that wouldn’t result in death or a severe punishment for Draco.

Draco whispered to Severus so quiet he was sure his father couldn’t hear, “I have to go with him now. I’ll be okay as long as you’re still alive.”

Severus shook his head, cursing quietly under his breath. He glanced from Lucius to Draco and back several times. Then Draco suddenly saw an image that wasn’t from his own head, it was from Severus. It was of his panic button. His godfather was showing him a scene in which Lucius was beating him, and when it became too much, Draco pushed the panic button. His godfather was there to save him two seconds later. Severus was showing him that he could still change his mind. If the beating ended up too severe, Draco could still call for help.

“Very well, Draco,” Severus said. He turned to Lucius, “I am sorry I interfered, old friend.”

Draco hung his head and left the safety of his godfather’s side. He crossed the room and went to his father. He took a deep breath as he tried to gather the courage to actually follow through with his plan. “I’m ready to take my punishment now, Sir,” he said looking his father directly in the eye. He had made his choice. His godfather couldn’t protect him anymore.

Author’s Note: (SPOILER WARNING for Book 6) This is my original ending to the story. I had planned on making this story completely fit with canon, and using the ending to explain book 6. I wanted to explain why Draco was reluctant to accept help from Snape in book 6. Severus had already tried to protect him before and hadn’t been able to save him from the inevitable. Draco felt that the situation was the same, so he cried to Moaning Myrtle instead of his own godfather. I think the story also explains why Severus was willing to do anything for Draco. So, to everyone that likes for stories to stick to canon, this is my dark canon end.

However, I’ve noticed that most of my readers seem to want a happy ending. So, for all of the readers out there that enjoy happy endings, you are in luck. I’ve found that I can’t just leave the story there either. I want a happy ending too, and I want to write some more Draco abuse in this storyline. I plan to continue the story to a happy ending. However, I’m going to have to throw out some of the events of book 6 to do it. I just don’t feel that a happy ending is possible in book canon. I always wrote this story with movie canon in mind (I much prefer movie Draco to book Draco), and seeing how book 6 isn’t a part of movie canon, yet, I think I can write a happy ending that sticks to the movie canon. So the story continues on for anyone that wants a happy ending or who doesn’t care about completely sticking to canon and would just like to read some more Draco hurt/comfort.