A Friend in Need

Well here we are again! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you like the chapter!

And for those who asked I’m fine, it was just a huge shock and effected my writing. Lately though I have started writing note and stuff so I’m good ^_^
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The room was bathed in a golden glow. It was smaller than the entertaining dining room, as was the table they were now, sat at. The food smelt as delicious as always and Harry had already had two servings of the main meal. There had been a plate will mashed potato with mixed vegetables, a small jar of gravy and an empty glass for everyone and in the middle of the table had been plates of beef, lamb, chicken and deer.

Demitri was sat at the head of the table and had been sulking every since Milena came back from her day out to france; Something about Milena’s dress and frisky French trolls? Harry had made Viktor and Severus laugh when he had complimented on her dress, the lord of the house tried to stay mad but just ended smiling and commenting that if Milena had gone out in that then he didn’t even want to think about what Narcissa wore or how Lucius reacted.

That’s when Harry had started to have a panic attack. He had tried to rationalize the situation; that he wasn’t sat with deatheaters, just people who knew deatheaters. It did nothing for his nerves and it seemed he must have zoned out for a moment since, when he finally registered the hand shaking his shoulder, he was now in a study of some sorts.

“Harry, for Merlin’s sake will you stop being so bloody over dramatic!” Harry blinked a few times and slowed down his breathing.

“W-What happened?” Severus led him over to one of the armchairs in front of the large wooden desk and he took the other.

“For some reason you started to have a panic attack. Would you care to explain to me why this happened?” Oh he wasn’t fooled by the questioning tone, he knew if he didn’t answer Snape would just get angry and leave him to figure this out alone.

“Before we go further can I just mention that you called me Harry…yet again.” At Snape's glare he cleared his throat and slumped into the chair.

“They…they know the Malfoys? Like…on friendly terms?” Harry looked up at Snape with so much hope that he was wrong. It was obvious to Snape that explanations were in order.

“Harry… There are things about the Malfoy family that you do not know, things I am not at liberty to tell you. All I can tell you is that Lucius joined the deatheaters to save his family. I know this because I was the one he came to the night before he joined.”

“Why did he come to see you?” Harry believed Snape, which was strange, since the man had never lied to him about anything, he had even grudgingly acknowledged his accomplishments.

“If I tell you this, you take it to your grave. Is that understood.” There wasn’t even a question tone, it was simply a command.

“Yes sir.” He replied seriously, it was obvious Snape was testing how much he could trust Harry with seriousness and secrets. He didn’t know why Snap would be doing this now but he would prove he was able to do this.

“Lucius and I have been friend for many years. I knew him fairly well in Hogwarts, but our friendship grew as I took an apprenticeship with his family potions maker. After that I was the one he came to for advice and to talk.

I was the one he came to each time he found out Narcissa was pregnant. The one who let him cry all over the sofa as he told me Blake had caught that nasty little wizarding virus twenty years ago. He came to me when he fought with Narcissa and didn’t want to go begging back so soon.” He paused for a moment and Harry looked up at the man.

It was obvious Snape didn’t think he was looking because in his eyes Harry could see the sadness and hatred he must be remembering.

“I was the one he sobbed to…the one who had to literally hold him as he told me his father was threatening to kill his family if he did not respect his wishes and join the Dark Lord like all the other pureblood second families. The one that had to slap him just to get him to look at me as I explained what he must do in order to save his family.

He came to me because he knew I would be there for him and that he could trust me. He came to me because he knew I had already join the ranks and was only doing so to spy for Albus.”

Harry was stunned, He had never though he could have imagined Lucius crying, or sobbing, but with everything Snape had told him it seemed easier to do so. He knew he could trust Snape to give him straight logical answers. That was why Lucius trusted the man it seemed.

“You know…I can’t say that I trust him, I mean he did give that diary to Ginny, but…I suppose…I, trust…you. Although I can't believe I just said that.” He said with a shake of his head. He heard Snape chuckle and when he looked up the man tried to hide that he had ever done such a thing.

“So tell me…you and Viktor hmm?” Harry blanched at that and turned a deep red. He played with the cuff of his shirt and didn’t take his eyes from the floor.

“We, er…that is…I…I think I like him. He told me today, that he like me and wanted to like me more, but...” Harry got up and started pacing in front of the other man. “How can he like me! Or even want to like me more! I mean come on! I’m fourteen and he’s eighteen! There are stuff that’s common knowledge to him that I will never of head of!”

“So you plan on having a sexual relationship with him?” Harry stopped at that and stared in horror at his professor.

“Harry, you must remember that Viktor is from a PUREBLOODED family. If he wishes to be with you, his first instinct is going to be to court you. That could lead to up to a year of only hand holding and sweet kissing, it really all depends on the family. Lucius and Narcissa were not even allowed to be alone with each other for six months after school had finished.” Harry sat back down and sighed in relief. So Viktor didn’t really expect him to jump into bed with him if he said he wanted to date the Bulgarian.

“But I will tell you, if he does plan on putting in the effort to court you, then it means at some point, he will want to marry you. You have a right to refuse of course but…I…care for Viktor. I would not want to see him crushed because you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into.”

“He hasn’t actually asked me to go out with him or anything and I don’t think he’s done some sort of courting ritual starter thing so I think I have time to think about it.”

They sat there for a moment and Harry remembered something Snape had said earlier. He looked up at the man with a quizzical look and smiled.

“How many kids do the Malfoy’s have?” Severus snorted, this kid just jumped from subject to subject.

“Well there is Ethen who is twenty-seven. Blake is twenty three, Sophia is twenty three tomorrow but there is almost a year between the two of them. Olivia is nineteen. Kira and Layla are twins and are sixteen and then Draco who is fifteen.” Harry saw shocked. That was just as many kids as the Weasleys!

“You think that was a lot? I haven’t even mentioned the grandchildren.” Harry frowned.

“How can Draco have a go at the weasleys for having so many children then, you do realize that they have more children if you count grandchildren right?”

“Yes but the Malfoy family can afford to give them what they need. They can afford good care and quality things. I personally think it is unfair to the children to have so many with so little, if not on a social viewpoint then health as well.”

“What are you talking about the Weasley look after their children!” Snape didn’t look impressed with his answer.

“Harry…About fifteen years ago there was an out break of Vesterim, both Blake Malfoy and Bill Weasley caught it. Blake received the best care straight away and was even able to spend Christmas back with his family.

Bill on the other hand had to live through money saving old family cures through out Christmas before he was taken to hospital on the urgent request of the doctor and then he wasn’t given all the injections necessary because most of them are not paid for by the ministry, due to Vesterim being so rare. Now Bill can not talk for long periods or endlessly like his family due to scaring on his throat and has to take potions weekly.” He looked at Harry and could see that he understood, if a little grudgingly.

“Also, every Weasley sibling that has been through Hogwarts has at some point being picked on for their clothes, books and school uniform. Now I do not condone bullying but these are basic essentials and should be provided.”

“Alright! I get it…You’re right.” Harry stopped the man from Carrying on. “It still doesn’t mean I have to like the Malfoys.” Harry grumbled.

Severus smirked and Harry had the sneaky suspicion he knew more then what he was telling him.

“Ok, well since we’re here; I actually wanted to talk to you about something…well Viktor wanted me to talk to you, I just caved when he explained it and smiled. Anyway. I was kinda going to think about going to Durmstrang when school starts next week…I wanted to know what you thought about that.”

Severus looked at the boy blankly for a moment and then took on a contemplative look. He was quiet for several minutes, seeming to think how to word his answer with out sounding like he cared all that much…because he didn’t. Then he gave a deep sigh, glaring at Harry, although the glare wasn’t as intense as some the professor had dished out in the past.

“You do know that Dumbledore will search for you? Will have me searching for you? As well as the mutt and the wolf?”

Harry felt a tightening at the mention of his father’s friends. He had truly loved them like family but neither of them had kept in touch, neither of them had answered his mail. He didn’t really want to think about how his mind might have changed about them.

“Potter…I thought it relevant to tell you that you have been missing a week and still Dumbledore has not alerted the Order, the school or even the public about this.”

He smiled at that; it was good to know that his extended family hadn’t abandoned him…also it was good to know that Snape would tell him things he needed to know, even if he didn’t want to, in his own round about way.

“I know he will be looking for me but Viktor and the others have all promised to look out for me. Plus he said that the grounds of Durmstrang are guarded by wild werewolves…what are wild werewolves anyway?”

“Honestly Potter, didn’t you listen to anything I taught you.” After what Viktor had told him about Snape’s reason for his attitude towards him he felt kind of bad.

“I’m sorry Professor, I was listening it’s just...”

“Wild Werewolves are those who have taken to live simple lives in the forest were they can transform in peace without hurting anyone, they are called wild because most have usually reverted to cave dwelling, speak only in grunts and growls and even in human form only eat raw meat. They are dangerous and volatile even in human form.

It is true that if the mutt or wolf were to actually look for you at Durmstrang without the headmaster’s permission they wouldn’t get far…You would have to do something about that scar of yours though, as well as your appearance.

I have a potion that can change your hair, there is a spell that can help your eyesight but there is nothing that can fix them. Also to be of Durmstrang standards you will have to train rigorously for a couple of months.”

“You mean, you think it's ok for me to go there?!”

“It would be safer for you if we can pull this off. Durmstrang is not divided like Hogwarts and isn’t directly linked to the war. I would rather have five people looking out for you then just myself and your whimsical friends.”

“YES!! So what should I do to change my look?”

“You will need a name for one thing. You can’t very well go round calling your self Harry Potter.”

“HARRY POTTER?!” Suddenly the doors burst open and in stormed Narcissa Malfoy, flowed by a levitating Sirius Black, two confused Malfoy males, a wary Viktor and a perplexed Demitri and Milena.

“Merlin, I have been so worried about you” Narcissa explained as she made her way across the slowly filling room.

“Really Narcissa, you only found out an hour ago.” Lucius suddenly found the table lamp very interesting when his wife directed a glare at him.

“Lucius! Now Harry what is this I hear about you running away from your relatives, what possible reason could you have to do something so dangerous?!”

Harry and Snape looked at each other and the elder shrugged although he didn’t quite meet Harry’s gaze.

“Severus! I knew you had something to do with my godson’s disappearance! You greasy b” Sirus began to shout from his vertical and tied position.

“Sirius! Stop you insane babbling! Now! Harry dear, tell me what has been happening.” Narcissa sat down gracefully next to Harry on the stool she had transfigured beside him.

“Narcissa, the boy doesn’t know about any of this, perhaps you should explain first?” Severus said mildly. She glared at him then smiled and winked, turning back to Harry.

“Harry darling, it seems Albus didn’t tell you everything when you first joined Hogwarts then. Well, let's start at the beginning. Your mother and I were friends and still were when we left Hogwarts. Our husbands didn’t like it but they don’t count anyway. Well when you were born I was named your Godmother. As well as she was Draco’s. Now back to why I am here, then you have some explaining to do mister. Milena had mention a guest staying with her but didn’t mention a name as she normally would. Then earlier that night our house elves find a mangy mutt sneaking around. Lucius manages to get Sirius to change and explain what is going on and he told us he had found out you were missing and were trying to see if we had either taken you in to protect you or turn you over to the dark lord.

Suffice to say he was wrong on all accounts and I just had to find you, I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you; lily’s little boy. Then I put that together with the fact that Lucius hasn’t been able to get in touch with Severus for sometime and Demitri mentioning the guest again while hunting.”

Harry’s mind was reeling. Sirius had been looking for him…His mother was pretty good friend with Narcissa…He had a Godmother…she was Narcissa Malfoy…The Malfoys were all stood in the same room as him and not attacking him…He had practically asked Snape to let him go to Durmstrang like some father figure…WAIT?!

“Did I actually, basically ask you if I could go to Durmstrang…and you said yes because it would keep me safe?”

Severus thought that over and was startled to find that yes they had had that conversation. He shook his head.

“Let us never speak of it again Potter.”

Narcissa frowned and looked between the two.

“What? What’s this about Durmstrang?”

“Harry here, wishes to finish his education at Durmstrang. Hogwarts is no longer safe for him. After the debacle with the tri-wizard tournament his friends have not believed him about the dark lords return. After spending yet another horrid summer at his relatives it got so bad he had to ask for help, Dumbledore, his friends and the Order did not respond and so he contacted Viktor and I”

“I knew there was something between you two!! Pansy owes me four galleons!” Draco popped in with pointing at Viktor and Harry.

“Anyway…That is how Harry came here and now wishes to go to Durmstrang to be with Viktor and his friends as well as stay safe.” Severus explained dryly.

“Can you tell me why you just told all that to a family of death eaters?” Harry asked annoyed at Snape for so openly spreading his life. He was shocked at the slap upside the head from Narcissa.

“If your going to insult someone do it properly and have the courtesy and cunning to do it while they are not around…and never insult family.” She did it again for good measure not even fazed by his words, although Draco looked a little offended. Harry offered him a slightly apologetic smiled and didn’t even look at Lucius, who he was pretty sure snorted when he got hit the second time.

“Can someone untie me!” Sirius struggled as he was tied up with rope all around his body and levitated off the ground.

“Why is he like that?” He directed his question at the blonde woman sat next to him.

“Well I couldn’t let him run off and tell Dumbledore before I had a chance to make sure you were ok, plus I don’t like it when his is left alone in the manor, something is always broken when we get back.”

“Severus…Am I to really believe all this?”

“I’m afraid it is all true yes.”

“You’re lying.” He stated matter-of-factly. Severus just glared at him and looked down his nose…he had gotten the message.

“You’re not lying.” He hung his head and sighed deeply.

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Well that’s it for another chapter. I’d like to know what you think about it so drop me a review if you have time!

Thanks again for Reading and sticking with me!