Because you loved me.

A/N: I was reading some HP roleplaying files and I liked the relationship between Remus and Draco very much. I think that if things were different they would be very close to eachoter (let me dream in peace) So I wrote a ‘What if’ story. It’s not much yet, so let’s see what you guys think?

Because you loved me.
By Ran Mouri.


Prologue.


Remus J. Lupin had never felt something like this feeling. Like the force crushing his insides and making him want to throw up. He was sure not even the despair he had felt when he heard of James’ and Lily’s death was akin the suffocating, all consuming, merciless desperation that was blocking all thought from him but how cold were those black eyes and how warm where the small hands clinging to his back.

Had it been all for nothing?

Was he really going to lose all now?

“Hand the child over, Lupin.” Severus Snape’s chilling voice demanded, his wand raised.

“Dad…” Said child whimpered, hiding from the man behind the werewolf’s back. No matter how long the Potion Master tried, his little charge would not move, which filled Remus with immeasurable pride. “Daddy who is that man… what… what’s going on?” He could easily smell the boy’s fear and his need for reassurance so, as he had always done when his child was in need, he stood finally up, amidst the screaming pain from his recent transformation, and enveloped the eight year old child in an embrace, his eyes narrowing at Snape.

“Touch my child and you die, Snape. That is not a treat, that’s a promised.” Small, pale hands wrapped around one of his arms and clung to dear life. It seemed like the world had disappeared for Lupin, just for a second, staring at the bowed blonde head that rested on him, and the frightened silver eyes that begged for his protection.

Had it been so long already?

He sighed.

He’d met the small boy roughly four years ago while walking around Kensington Gardens in London. The place had been beautiful, he couldn’t deny it, but there was something in that particular park that he did not like. Then just behind a small tree he had seen his little boy.

Hidden from view.

Perfectly pleased to be where he was.

But completely alone.

Curious he had neared the oblivious child and stared at his features. He was a wizard, that much was obvious by the clothes he was wearing. Most likely around the age of three. And if his pale blond hair and silvery eyes were any clue, he was definitely the Malfoy heir. Lucius’ son, Draconis. He had read about him in the papers and, of course, about the uproar his birth had created among the pureblood wizarding community.

Remus frowned.

But what was he doing alone in the middle of London? He was too small to walk long distances and too young to defend himself should anything happen. Was Lucius Malfoy really that careless? No, that couldn’t be, the boy’s parents should be around somewhere, which meant Remus had to leave.

“Sir, are you ok?” a small, quiet voice asked then, making Remus turn. The boy had adverted his presence and was actually quite interested in the young man with tattered clothing and twigs and leaves in his hair, he had never seen an adult like that before.

Remus smiled.

“Sure, I was just wondering where could your parents be?” He asked, a little afraid to be closer to the kid but wanting to pat his head as he pouted, deep in thoughts.

Draco kept quiet for a while, wanting to be sure he got his answer right. His father had told him that a Malfoy must always know well what to answer.

He smiled.

“They are at the ministry, working.” He said with complete honesty, the man by his side was a very nice man, there was no malice in his eyes like his father’s friends when they touched his shoulder or whispered among eachother. He decided the man was trustworthy. “Are you a wizard, sir?” He asked as an after thought. Which seemed to please his new friend. Draco felt proud, he had made that nice man smile.

“Yes, I am. Smart of you to make sure before you kept speaking to me.”

“Thank you.” The boy answered with a small bow.

“And tell me. If your parents are at the Ministry, why are you here?” That was a more difficult question.

“Father said I had to stay with mother while on London.” He said hesitantly. “Then mother said I was attracting the wrong kind of attention while she shopped, so she came here and told me I was to stay at the park while she was done. She said it was a game, that if I manage to keep myself entertained while she is done, and do not move from this spot, she’ll give me a present.” Draco’s smile was full of childish delight, and it hurt Remus how the child would honestly believe such blunt lie.

He shook his head.

Not a lie, worst. A Slytherin half-truth. Which hurt the most.

“It seems like a funny game.” He commented. The blond nodded.

“Yes! We’ve been playing for months now and I always win!” He beamed, dusting his robes. “Although I don’t like the presents too much, but mother is happy so, I’m happy too.” Remus swallowed. Multiple scenarios were forming in his head at the thought of this neglect occurring constantly. Was Narcissa insane? Leaving her child alone like that in the middle of muggle London… Anything could happen to him.

He could be kidnapped! He could be molested. His organs could be mugged. He could be killed.

And what about Lucius! Didn’t he see how his child was mistreated by his own mother? Was he that busy? That blind?! An idea was slowly forming in his head. It was stupid. Dangerous.

James and Sirius would have loved it.

He couldn’t do it though, what if he hurt the child in the process? What if he was imprisoned after his little stunt? He needed his freedom to see Harry. He needed his freedom to ensure Sirius’ his peace of mind, locked there in Azkaban.

He smiled bitterly.

“Ummm sir, did I do something wrong?” Remus looked down as the child placed his small hands on top of his own, staring worriedly at him. His pale face suddenly came into the light of the weakened winter sun. To any muggle or wizard the boy would be beautiful. He had his father’s face, which was for sure. But his mother’s undeniable beauty softened the hard edges of his Malfoy inherited features.

But the young werewolf could only focus on one little detail of his small face. Something that the shadows of the tree had hidden from his eyes before.

The boy had a little smudge of something pale in his face. Near his left eye.

Curiously, he reached with gentle fingers to clean it off. Only to have the little boy flinch and turn away.

Had he hurt the boy? No. He had been careful.

He lowered his gaze, a little ashamed. Until he noticed the clear powder clinging to his fingers.

Slowly he sniffed them, his eyes widening.

Make up? Wasn’t he a little too young that have that thing on? Even to Malfoy Standars? He stared at the boy as he covered himself in a small heap. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Slowly Draco raised his face from his arms. Scared.

Remus offered his hand, willing the boy to take it.

“Can you forgive me?”

With great caution, Draco took Remus’ hand and walked to him again.

“I’m sorry too.” He answered back. “I fell down the stairs at home.” His pose was tense. His eyes darted around wildly.

The boy had a black eye.

And he was lying.

Fury sized him as he gazed at the little boy. No child should be subjected to this type of neglect much less one as sweet and caring as little Draco. His earlier thought came back with a vengeance. It would teach the Malfoys a little lesson.

It wouldn’t hurt that much…

… right?

He sighed. Why was he arguing with himself if he already knew he was going to do it?

“Draco. Actually I’m a friend of your parents.” He said slowly, steeling himself. “You mother told me that I could pick you up and watch after you while she shops. So you don’t have to be alone.” It was so painful how the boy’s eyes filled with wonderment at the prospect of not staying alone anymore.

“Really? That’s great!! I’ve never had a friend before! And you are not like any of father’s friends that I’ve met so that must mean you are a good person!! Ah! We’re going to have so much fun!”

Remus nodded.

“Why don’t we go back to my house? It’s much warmer there and we can enjoy some hot chocolate, would you like that?” he asked, taking the boy in his arms. He was very light, though it could be attributed to the fact that it would be full moon very soon.

“Ok! I like chocolate!” The small blond head rested on his shoulder, as if he was realizing finally how tired he really was. Lupin smiled.

He would keep the boy for a few hours. Narcissa would panic and send a search party. Lucius would get word about it and probably be upset, he would chew his wife and both would feel the despair of losing one’s own child.

Then he would just porkey him back to the park and all would be all right, Lucius would keep a closer eye on him. Narcissa would learn to value her son a little more. And he would spend a little time with this little child that was slowly winning his heart with that innocent smile of his.

His plan was perfect…

Until he realized just a little flaw.

As soon as the six hours he had decided had passed he thought he should extend the time to a day. It was dark out and he didn’t feel very comfortable leaving a child alone on the streets. Besides, it would help the Malfoy’s worry if their son disappeared for so long.

A day turned three.

Three days into a week.

A week into two.

And before he knew it, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to give little Draco back to his abusing parents. He was actually saving the boy from a much darker future, he thought. Also, after years of solicitude, he was not alone. Someone was with him, caring for him, smiling, trusting.

Suddenly a year had passed.

Draco didn’t think much about his parents. It might have to do with the fact he had felt the urge to move and they were now living happily in Italy, away from British wizarding society. Away from the Malfoy’s and their reward for any information someone had about their lost heir.

Not son…

Heir.

Everytime he saw something about them on the newspapers his decision to keep young Draco with him strengthened. He was doing something good. Sure, they were hungry sometimes. And sure, Draco did not have the expensive clothes and luxuries he had back home, but he never complained.

He was just happy when his ‘daddy’ embraced him warmly. No one had hugged him that much back in England, he knew. He remembered dimly the faces of his real parents and their cold eyes. Their pale limbs and dry gestures of affection. As he grew older he realised maybe Remus wasn’t a friend of theirs, considering how different they were. But he couldn’t remember being happier than with the werewolf in their little Italian cottage.

Yes, Remus didn’t want to take him back home. He knew. But he also knew that if he asked about his parents the kind man would feel guilty and return him into their care.

Therefore, Draco kept silent. He didn’t mention his parents until the very thought of them disappeared from his head. Until the only parent he ever cared about was Remus. His daddy.

And finally he felt happy.

The years passed and the improvised family grew closer, falling into a comfy routine of working, teaching and loving.

Remus would go to work while Draco cleaned around the house and cooked lunch. He’d discovered he liked mixing ingredients very much and insisted he was taught how to cook. At noon he would go to his Dad’s working place and give him his fresh lunch and a hug. Both would eat together and then the boy would return home. Then he spent all afternoon between the little herbal farm he had on the backyard and his studies, which Remus insisted were the most important.

When the full moon arose, Draco would activate a sealing spell around the house, thanks to a charm his dad had prepared, which would lock the wolf out. And exactly at dawn he would open his house and help his daddy in, run to the store for some medicines and dedicate his day to take care of his ill father.

Remus knew it was a lot of responsibilities for someone so young, but Draco had insisted, and the satisfied smile he always had on when he did something by himself told Remus that despite everything his child had lacking in life, he was happy.

Years passed. Remus had started a saving account for his child.

He would one day go to school and while Hogwarts offered scholarships to outstanding students, and Draco was certainly intelligent enough, he didn’t dare to send the boy to Britain. Fearing his parents would be able to track him down and take him away from him.

He couldn’t take that risk.

He would do anything to protect his Draco.

Which led him to the situation at hand. Draco had once more dragged him into the house after a night of full moon and after making sure he was comfortable had rushed out of the house to get some chocolate and medicines. Oddly enough he had returned not twenty minutes later and hidden behind him just as a tall man barged into the room.

Remus’ eyes widened.

Severus Snape had come to take Draco away. After almost six years someone had discovered them.

“Lupin, stop this insanity. The child is not yours.” He snapped coldly.

“No! He’s my child!!” He growled, wrapping his arms tighter around Draco. He would not let go, if Snape wanted his baby he would have to take him by force. “I raised him, Severus! I taught him all I know. I loved him above everything else! What have those bastards done for him? They hit him! They ignored him!! They were breaking him!”

“Lupin…”

“No. Even if you have to kill me, I will not let go of Draco!”

“Daddy…”

Snape’s cold, calculating look seemed to falter faced with the facts. Draco seemed happier that he remembered him. He was healthier too. His skin wasn’t so pale, his body so thin. He did look like a healthy child.

But…

Did he have the right to deny Lucius his only son and heir…?

Did he have the right to deny him to Lupin?

His hands clenched into fists.

His lips parted.

He was about to answer when the front door of the little cottage burst open.

“Severus, my friend. What could possibly be so entertaining to keep you here all this time?” Called a voice.

An imposing man with long blond hair and cruel blue eyes stood frozen on the doorway, staring at the frightened child in the werewolf’s arms.

“Draco?”

To be Continued.

I’m not quite happy with this. I like the idea, of course. But I think it’s not completely right. (frowns) Any comments are welcomed. Please. I need to know what I did wrong.