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To Have and To Hold	By : MontanaDan Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 67410 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
Author�s notes: This is the last chapter of To Have and To Hold. I hope you all enjoyed it.

To Have and To Hold

Chapter 14 � Perceptions

Lucius pushed himself to his feet, shaking the dazed effect out of his head. He had apparated directly to the entrance hall, as anyone with the Dark Mark could, but couldn�t get through the wards to the audience room. The containment spell was a powerful one, probably the Dark Lord�s.

Once Dumbledore had contacted him and informed him that both Potter and Draco were missing, Lucius knew what must have happened. The Dark Lord was especially fond of that particular spell and Draco had always shown little resistance to the Imperius Curse. The Portkey, which served as a tracking device for the Order, must have also served as the carrier for the latent Curse, which Voldemort could activate at his leisure. Dumbledore wouldn�t have risked changing the spells on the book, even if he had detected the magic, for fear of losing their opportunity.

It was unwise to underestimate the Dark Lord. He might be obsessed with Potter, but he was still one of the greatest minds that ever went through Hogwarts.

They were roughly an hour behind the estimated time when the boys had left the school grounds. The Order had been rallied and they followed Dumbledore�s tracking spell to the secluded castle. The Dark Mark had started to burn at the same time, signaling the Death Eaters to join Voldemort. Severus, Lucius knew, had been ordered by Dumbledore to stay with the Order. An order that, Lucius also knew, would probably infuriate Severus.

Lucius, having different instructions, not to mention his own agenda, had gone directly in to the small castle.

Lucius had found Draco wandering aimlessly in a hallway, and he had quickly apparated his son home to safety. When he returned to the castle, he had been hit with the backlash of power, which had rendered him unconscious.

Now, the containment field around the room was weak and easily broken, so Lucius pushed open the door and slowly stepped in. Magic crackled around him so the scene in front of the Dark Lord�s throne surprised him. Two bodies lay amidst a great deal of blood.

Lucius moved to his lord first, just in case. What he saw was�revolting. Well, more revolting than normal. The Dark Lord was a bloody mess � literally. It appeared as if he had been mauled by a bear, or worse. Lucius, familiar with a wide variety of spells, couldn�t think of any that would produce that kind of damage.

A rasping breath drew his attention to the boy. He kneeled beside the prone form, mindful of the pool of blood forming next to Potter�s head. Reaching for a shoulder, Lucius gently rolled Potter over. A quick spell, cleaned the blood, and anything else, off his face.

The first thing Lucius noticed was the delicate features, relaxed in unconsciousness. By Merlin, the boy � man � was striking. Potter had grown and changed. His complexion clear, lips red and full. There was a subtle strength in the jaw, which kept the face from appearing feminine but the high cheekbones and long inky lashes were positively luscious. Lucius wondered how Draco could have omitted mentioning this compelling detail.

The second thing Lucius noted was the blood. It flowed copiously from the famous scar, trailing down the side of Potter�s freshly cleaned face. Drawing his wand again, he murmured a spell to staunch the blood.

When nothing happened, he glanced around for something to press to the wound to stop the bleeding. Lucius smirked at the Dark Lord�s robes. No, they were filthy, he considered as he cut the hem off his own robe with his wand. He wrapped the length tightly around Potter�s head, wadding a patch of material over his scar.

Lucius would have to get him to help soon or Potter just might bleed to death. It would be very auspicious for him to be the one bringing the savior to safety, consequently solidifying his position now that the Dark Lord was gone.

Shifting Potter�s form, he pulled the wrapped head carefully onto his chest, tucked the soft black waves beneath his chin, and scooped up the boy�s legs. Lucius staggered a moment to regain his balance. Potter was not as light as he looked. He almost lost his balance again as the entire building shook.

The outside wards were going down, Lucius realized. Dumbledore and the Aurors must have finished off the Death Eaters that had been summoned and were trying to enter the manor now. The castle rocked again as if shaken from its very foundation. The Dark Lord had very intense safety measures. The building would collapse before yielding.

Adjusting his grip on the Boy Who Lived, Lucius made his way out of the room with a quick stride.

By the time he made it to the front door, everything from the rafters to the floorboards were groaning and shuddering under the attack. Without time to shift Potter again to access his wand, Lucius kicked open the door and yelled for those awaiting him not to hex him.

Dumbledore, Severus and some nameless Auror rushed to their side.

"Dumbledore, Potter needs immediate attention," Lucius informed him brusquely. "His scar will not stop bleeding."

"Give him to me, Lucius," said Severus, a little too eagerly. "I will take him."

"Severus, do you know how long it took me to get him balanced?" Lucius said tersely. "He doesn�t have time." He turned back to Dumbledore.

"Severus, go with them to Hogwarts," Dumbledore instructed. "I will finish up here."

Severus nodded.

Lucius gripped his wand, currently in the hand at Potter�s side and apparated to the school.
********
Severus seethed as he trailed behind Lucius. He should be the one carrying Harry to safety. His arms should be cradling his love, their savior. Severus wanted to feel Harry�s heart beating against his chest, wanted to feel the warmth of his body, so he knew Harry still lived.

Lucius always was a glory hound.

Their strides carried them quickly over Hogwarts grounds to the outside entrance to the infirmary. Luckily, the hospital wing was fairly empty but Lucius made no small point of announcing their presence as they entered.

"Madam," Lucius called, turning to search the ward for the Matron.

"Good heavens," Poppy cried as she approached. "What happened?" she demanded as she directed Lucius to bring Harry to a corner bed. It was under a window and the late afternoon sun shone in, washing Harry�s pale, blood streaked face with an ethereal glow that made Severus shudder.

Did Lucius just say mauled?

Severus returned his attention to Lucius who was describing the scene he had discovered within the Dark Lord�s audience chamber. While Poppy fussed over Harry�s body, cleaning him up and running a diagnosis spell, Lucius began to speculate how Potter could have caused such damage.

Harry had improvised yet again.

So it seemed. The plan, having gone balls up, forced Harry to think on his feet. Or in this case - paws.

"Severus, help me," Poppy had been saying. "I need to get him to swallow this blood restorative."

Severus quickly sat down beside Harry, at last able to wrap his arms around his lover to hold him up as Poppy poured the potion into his mouth. With her wand at Harry�s throat, Poppy forced Harry to swallow most of the cup.

Once finished, Poppy put the cup down, straightened and frowned. "I�ll have to get my book for this one." She eyed Severus. "Stay with him while I fetch it."

Severus nodded as he adjusted the bandages around Harry�s head, his fingers itching to stroke down the perfect cheek.

"Exquisite," said Lucius. "Isn�t he?"

Severus� eyes flashed with rage as he looked up at Lucius.

Why is he still here?

Lucius� attention was focused hungrily on Harry�s face. Severus swiftly covered his anger. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Lucius said as he conjured a chair beside the bed and sat down. He leaned over Harry�s head, trailing his fingers down his face. The very path Severus had plotted for his own touch. "The boy grew up, quite nicely."

He spared a glance up at Severus� stony features and smirked. "Not that you�ve ever had that much of an eye for beauty, but this," Lucius picked up one of Harry�s hands. "Is art."

Stop touching him!

As unthreateningly as Lucius had said it, all of Severus� alarms went off. It just would not do to have Lucius� thoughts running that way about his Harry.

"It still amazes me that Draco had such a hard time wooing him," Lucius continued, apparently not finished with his speculations. "He mentioned there might have been someone special," Lucius considered aloud. He turned a raised brow to Severus. "Any idea who Potter may have been in a relationship with?"

Severus schooled his features. "I have no idea," he said. "I taught the brat several things. I was not his social secretary."

Lucius� gaze was suspicious and searching. Severus returned the scrutiny with a challenging glare.

Lucius smirked. "I see."
****************
Severus spent the first 24 hours straight making blood replenishing potion and working on something that would help stop the bleeding. It was a constant threat and Pomfrey couldn�t chance reviving Harry until the blood flow ceased.

Dumbledore had tried a number of times to spell the wound closed, hoping that his power was greater than the darkness that wouldn�t relinquish its hold. They had tried spells, potions, charms, even Muggle stitching, but all to no avail.

They kept Harry alive with blood replenishing and nutrient potions, all coaxed down his throat with the aid of magic.

It was the middle of the night when Severus came up with a theory to weave the skin back together with a fibrous skin grafting potion. It might work if they cut the scar completely off Harry�s forehead.

It would be worth a shot. Severus would need several specialized ingredients, though. He would have to visit the infirmary to see if Poppy had any. He doubted she would have any of the rarer components, but for expediency, it would be beneficial to investigate.

Plus it�s another excuse to see Harry.

Severus frowned at the pain that thought inflicted. His chest always clenched up when he saw Harry�s frail body in the bed, a bloody rag over his brow his constant companion.

Not to mention those people.

Yes, those mindless morons, who flocked to Harry�s bedside now that he was indeed the savior of the world. The press had been very kind to all those associated in the final plan to destroy the Dark Lord, which included himself and both Malfoys.

While the Malfoys� assets had been frozen and the name besmirched, both Lucius and Draco remained free from prison, pending trial.

Draco, arm unmarred by the Dark Mark, was allowed to return to school and Lucius-

Bloody bastard.

Lucius was left on his own recognizance as long as he didn�t leave the country. He lost his position on the Board of Governors, also pending trial, and his travel was restricted to the Ministry building, Hogwarts and home.

And Lucius�

Bloody bastard.

�took the whole bloody thing in stride, with the assurance of someone who knew they�d be cleared. Severus knew Lucius had some sort of bargain with Dumbledore. And, of course, there was that damnable picture that had somehow made its way into the Prophet, which didn�t hurt Malfoy�s preservation. The one of Lucius carrying the Boy Who Lived back to the school.

True, if Lucius hadn�t actually been in the castle when they started working on the wards, the whole building could have collapsed in on Harry and anyone else left inside. And Lucius was milking the whole event to the extremes.

He was asked repeatedly to recount the scene of Voldemort�s destruction. As the Death Eater Turned Spy who rescued Harry from the collapsing building, Lucius was hounded by the press and popular with the fans.

The remaining Malfoy was missing. While Lucius made a token statement about the disappearance of his wife, he was clearly exhibiting more concern for Harry. The press absolutely thrived on it.

Lucius� almost daily visits to Harry�s bedside made Severus nauseous at times. But not nearly as sick as the influx of love that erupted when the truth came out about Harry�s and Draco�s false affair.

Once it was publicized that it was a hoax to deceive the Dark Lord, the Boy Who Lived was deemed �available� again, and the onslaught began. There seemed no end to the stream of admirers that swarmed to Harry�s side.

Not that Harry was cognizant of it.

Thank Merlin.

Harry remained blissfully unaware through it all. He did not hear the wealthy heiress swear her unwavering love and support. He did not see the beautiful medi-wizard who examined his head, all the while appraising Harry�s face and form with unconcealed lust. Severus had nearly hexed said wizard.

In truth, Severus was hard pressed not to curse the lot of them. Press and public swooning over the Man Who Destroyed the Dark Lord was enough to test even Severus� tight rein on his temper.

Severus relished his time alone with Harry in the early hours of the morning. As with their loving, the quiet time Severus spent talking to the unconscious form of his lover was kept away from prying eyes. He spent hours, holding Harry�s hand, telling him of his progress with the potions, informing him of school happenings, berating him for his laziness, but mostly comforting him, and himself, with his presence.

Now, with a new zeal, Severus threw himself into his new theory. The potion itself was simple enough, once the ingredients were procured. Poppy had assured him that the surgical requirements could be performed without effort on her part.

So it was a week after Voldemort�s death that Poppy re-opened Harry�s scar. Severus then coated it with his potion, watching as the skin fibers attracted and pulled together. A magically stitched up lightening bolt remained after the blood was wiped away. The mark would remain, the same reminder of the Dark Lord�s influence on Harry�s life. And the same glaring beacon for the public to see.

Poppy lifted her wand. "Enerverate," she said.

There was a breath-holding silence in the room as everyone waited for Harry to awaken.

Why do all these people have to be here?

Dumbledore had, in all honesty, tried to keep them out, but the new Minister said it was better to have witnesses present at Harry�s first return to consciousness. Several of the medi-witches and wizards who had examined Harry were there, as well as two selected members of the press. Most of the Order had also been retained �in case things got out of hand� and barring any Weasley would have been fatal.

Granger was nearby, wringing her hands and bloody Lucius was positioned front and center, hoping to be the first person Harry saw when he woke up. That Severus would not allow.

Severus leaned over his Harry, his hands braced on either side of the dark head, watching Harry�s expression for signs of consciousness.

"Come on, Potter," Severus commanded. "Time to wake up."

Eyes behind the lids moved from side to side as if in a REM cycle of sleep, then the lids fluttered, the dark lashes seeming to hold them down.

"Potter," Severus called, using a harsh tone to compel an answer as well as convey that they were not alone.

Finally, hazy green eyes focused on Severus� face and Severus smiled, only because no one could see him.

Not that anyone�s looking at you.

"Professor?" Harry said, although it came out more like a croak.

The room erupted in cheers and Harry flinched. Severus turned to them. "Silence, you imbeciles," he hissed.

But they were not to be quieted. The Man Who Destroyed the Dark Lord was alive and awake and everyone wanted a piece of him.

Before Severus knew what was happening, he found himself on the outskirts of the room, pushed back by the converging crowd.

Bastards.

Severus took comfort in the fact that there was a flash of light, followed by Albus� warning that no one was to come too close. Following that was a most hideous threat from Poppy about keeping Mr. Potter from his rest for too long.

After several minutes a bushy brown head emerged from the throng, a tall red-head in tow. To Severus� dismay, they came directly towards him.

"Thank you, Professor," said Granger.

"For what do I owe this gratitude?"

"Without all that training, this year and last, Harry surely wouldn�t have made it."

"I�m sure Potter would have had luck to live on."

Weasley thrust his hands deep in his pockets and looked at his boat-like feet.

Granger looked at Severus squarely. "Professor, we know all that you�ve done for Harry," she said in a most suggestive tone.

Bloody Gryffindors.

"And we are grateful."

"Um, yeah," said Weasley. His eyes glanced up to Severus� briefly. "You made Harry really happy."

Not wishing to draw attention to them or the conversation, Severus inclined his head. "Noted," he muttered. "Then you will be so kind as to tell Potter that I will see him later," he added, sending a glance as the lingering people huddled over Harry�s bed. He did notice that Poppy looked about to hex them all.

Poppy has too much restraint.

"Of course, Professor," Granger said, smiling.

"Very well."

Severus did the last thing he wanted to do. He turned and left the room.
*********
This has got be an all time low.

Shut up and get over there before Mr. Lust drools all over your Harry.

Severus moved slowly along the wall of the infirmary until Harry�s bed was in his sight. Sure enough, the mediwizard was hovering over Harry, using an inspection of Harry�s head as an excuse to lay hands on his lover�s face, yet again.

Hex him. No. Turn him into a newt. Yes. You need more eye of newt anyway.

Glancing around to ensure Moody wasn�t loitering in the ward, Severus inched close enough to hear their voices.

Wouldn�t James be having kittens if he knew you were using his old cloak to spy on his son?

Severus smirked but focused his attention on the pair of wizards before him.
*********
"Does that hurt?"

"No," Harry lied.

The healer lifted his head and stared down at Harry with a raised brow. "Don�t lie to me, Mr. Potter. I saw you flinch."

Harry shrugged. "Well it doesn�t hurt that much."

Healer Augustus Pye resumed his inspection of Harry�s forehead. "Well, tolerance of pain aside, I really do need honest answers."

Harry nodded.

Augustus "call me Gus" Pye jotted down some notes on a piece of parchment then put the quill down. He sat down on the edge of Harry�s bed and reached for Harry�s face again, but this time, he took a hold of Harry�s chin, running a finger down the side of his face. Harry met his gaze, which was intense.

"Well?" said Harry, unnerved by the other wizard�s proximity.

Pye sighed and released Harry�s face. "I�ll need to observe you for a couple of days," he told Harry, his gaze still searching Harry�s eyes. "You don�t seem to have a concussion."

Oh, that was it, Harry realized with relief. Pye�s staring was starting to make him uncomfortable too. It relieved Harry somewhat that the mediwizard had only been checking his eyes. Harry wished he would move away too.

Since becoming a full Healer at St. Mungo�s, Pye had reinforced his interest in "complementary medicine" and was therefore very interested in Harry�s problem. Harry was still a little skeptical about his methods. He hadn�t managed to help Arthur Weasley two years ago and he seemed a little more interested in Harry himself, rather than his injuries. He was always dropping hints about how Harry should have a full time Healer among his �associates.� Whatever that meant.

Harry felt fortunate that Severus had been working so diligently or Harry was sure he�d still be unconscious.

There was a bit of a conflict near the door and the Healer stood up. Harry sighed with relief, hoping that Pye would leave him alone now. Even Pomfrey never fussed over him so much. She always insisted on his rest, which Harry could really use about now. Tiredness was creeping steadily over him.

It was not to be though, as the crowd by the door moved toward Harry�s bed. With a resigned yawn, Harry reclined back into the pillows of his bed and waited for the questions to begin.

Madam Pomfrey disapproved, issuing warnings about keeping Harry from his rest and what would happen if anyone excited him excessively. Dumbledore also informed the group of reporters that they were only going to have a few minutes to ask questions after Dumbledore made his statement.

Dumbledore�s statement consisted of vague details of �the plan� glossed over a bit to indicate that there was no real deviation from it. It was a rather heroic telling in Harry�s opinion but since the press would more than likely glamorize it anyway, Harry guessed it wouldn�t matter so much.

When Dumbledore finished, the reporters eagerly looked to Harry.

"There are reports that the Dark Lord was mauled," said one reporter. "What happened?"

Harry glanced at Dumbledore who smiled and nodded. "Well the truth is, Voldemort-" there was a tumult of gasps which Harry ignored, "tried to convince me to join him. But anyone who knows me, knows I would never do that."

Harry waited a sufficient amount of time to let that sink in.

"And since I was close enough, I transformed into my animagus form and � er � attacked him."

"You�re an animagus?"

"What is your form?"

"I was not registered, for obvious reasons, but I will, of course, now register with the proper authorities," Harry told them, evading the direct question. Dumbledore had told him not to mention the possession and the struggle for Harry�s body either, and frankly Harry agreed. Only what they needed to know. "Then the backwash of power when Voldemort," another gasp, "actually died, knocked me unconscious."

"Is it true that Lucius Malfoy carried you out of the collapsing castle?"

"Yes," Harry said. "I�m told that while the force of Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members were trying to break in, the wards were destroying the manor."

"And what about the rumors that you were dating Draco Malfoy?"

Harry wasn�t surprised that the reporters didn�t pick up on his mention of the Order of the Phoenix. For some reason, they were always more interested in his love life.

"There were some very involved stories which we allowed to circulate in order to fool Voldemort," Harry said, almost laughing at the third collective gasp. All he had to do is mutter Voldemort�s name and he could change the subject easily.

"So you are not in a relationship with Draco?"

"We have a professional working relationship," Harry said. He would have added, �I don�t hate him as much as I used to,� if he thought he could use it at a later date. It was the Slytherin within him. Severus would be so proud.
*****
It seemed a mere matter of minutes after the reporters left the hospital wing and Harry had closed his eyes that he was disturbed again. An odd looking group of wizards approached his bed, ushered in by Dumbledore.

"You have more visitors, Mr. Potter," the Headmaster said with a smile. "I promised them a brief introduction to you in exchange for their return."

Harry looked over the group of men who all looked vaguely familiar. If not for the glaring reverence on their expressions, he would have guessed that they were all in the wrong place. Their black robes were torn in various places and they all had long hair that made his own look tame.

Return? Harry realized that it was the Weird Sisters.

"The Headmaster asked us to come and play at the celebratory feast tonight," said one cheerful looking fellow as he stuck out his hand to Harry. "I�m Myron Wagtail," he informed as Harry weakly shook his hand. "Lead singer."

One by one, they came up to him to shake his hand. They all politely introduced themselves, looking awed. Harry hoped he wasn�t turning red.

He was actually turning white and Dumbledore noticed.

"I think you�ve had far too much excitement for one day," Dumbledore said.

Harry agreed, his eyes already starting to close. He heard the sounds of departing feet and hushed muttering.

"It�s about time," groused Madam Pomfrey, helping Harry to settle properly in his bed. "He shouldn�t have had all these visitors, Headmaster."

"I know, my dear, but allowances must be made for the occasion."

Pomfrey harrumphed and stormed away.

"Professor?" said Harry, fighting his fatigue. He really needed to see Severus.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Where is Professor Snape?"

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Oh, I believe he�s closer than you think."

Harry had no idea what that was supposed to mean. "I�d like to talk to him," Harry said.

"You need your rest," Dumbledore said. "I�m sure he will be in soon to see you."

"Not with all these people around," Harry grumbled, then realized he had said it out loud.

Dumbledore merely chuckled. "Perhaps, my boy, perhaps," he agreed. "But he is a very resourceful and headstrong person, much like yourself. I�m sure he�ll find a way."

"I guess," Harry muttered with a sigh.

"Sleep, Harry. You�ve had a busy day."

It was hard not to sleep with his aches and tiredness pulling at him. Surrounded by the warmth of the blankets and the quiet of the ward, sleep claimed him.

A brush of moisture against his lips woke him from his doze. At least he thought he was awake.

"Well done," a voice whispered against his cheek.

"Sev�rus?" Harry said sleepily. "Where�ve you been?"

"Right here, Harry."

Harry wished he could get his eyes open. He groped until he found an arm braced beside him. Satisfied, he let his arm fall back to the bed. "So tired," he said.

"Then sleep."

"Wanted to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Severus whispered.

"It was you. Saved me again." Harry tried to get his mouth to say what his brain was thinking.

"You saved everyone, Harry."

Harry exhaled and finally got his eyes to open although they protested and wouldn�t focus completely on the midnight gaze which looked back. "But you saved me," Harry said.

"It doesn�t matter."

"It does," Harry insisted, the effort draining him again. He sighed again as his eyes fluttered closed. "I have to tell you-"

"Don�t be a fool, Harry. Stop fighting it and go to sleep."

Harry nodded, smiling tiredly. "We�re finally free."

"I know, Harry."

"Iloveyou,Sev�rus."

"You�re becoming incoherent, Potter," Severus said, but Harry could hear the amusement in his voice.

"No," Harry said and opened his mouth to try again. Warm lips on his own stopped him. A strong tongue invaded his mouth, distracting his thoughts with slow tasting strokes. Harry breathed in Severus� scent and enjoyed the kiss until at last Severus broke away with a final tug on Harry�s lower lip.

"Now go to sleep, Harry, or I�ll get the potions."

Harry�s lips twisted into a grin, his tongue darting out to savor the taste of Severus on his lips. "Yes, sir," he murmured.

As sleep returned to claim him, Harry felt Severus� fingers trailing gently down his cheek. Harry realized dreamily that he didn�t need the potions anymore. He didn�t have to be afraid of visions or Voldemort�s connection. He really was free and he had a future.

A future with Severus in his life.

His life. Harry would have a life.

Harry had a life because Severus loved him.

Harry had love.
*****************
Lucius ushered Draco into Severus� office and warded the door for privacy. Severus had been good enough to offer its use when he heard that Lucius had news he needed to inform his son.

"How are you feeling, Draco?"

"Foolish," Draco replied, dropping into a large comfy chair in front of the hearth.

Lucius took a stance before his son and crossed his arms. "Why?"

"I should have been able to resist Imperius and had more control-"

"Stronger wizards than you can not resist that curse, especially when the Dark Lord was the caster."

"You can," Draco said then grumbled, "so can Potter."

Lucius smirked. "Yes. It would seem that Mr. Potter�s abilities are more extensive than what we, or anyone else, had imagined.

Draco looked up. "Oh?"

"Yes," Lucius murmured as he began to pace. "I just left the brief press conference Dumbledore allowed him to hold."

"And."

"And it seems that Mr. Potter is also an animagus."

Draco�s jaw dropped open but he quickly snapped it shut. "Figures."

Lucius took pity on his son. "Draco, Potter has had individual attention and intense training."

"I know." Draco sighed, picking at an unseen speck on his robes. "It�s just that he seems to have all these gifts. He can resist Imperius, he�s an animagus, he speaks Parseltongue and, let�s not forget, he can survive the Killing Curse."

Lucius spun from his pacing. "Potter is a parselmouth?"

Draco snorted. "Everyone knows that, Father," he said.

Lucius wondered how he had missed this bit of information. Of course, the Dark Lord and Narcissa, not to mention his job, always kept him busy, but he prided himself of being well-informed. But Parseltongue�the possibilities were just plain provoking.

Lucius used to get hard just listening to the Dark Lord talk to Nagini.

"You have heard him speak it?" Lucius asked.

Draco looked up at him, a puzzled frown on his face. "Half the school heard him in our second year."

"I see," Lucius said with a small grin. He cleared his throat and faced his son again. "Would you rather it had been you who had such a destiny?" Lucius dared, hoping his son was wise enough to know that sometimes it was better to allow others to have the spotlight.

"I�m not stupid," was Draco�s reply.

Lucius smiled. "Good."

"So where does that leave us?" Draco asked.

"Dumbledore has assured me that with my prior standings and our help at the end, I should be able to get through without any more time in Azkaban. There will no doubt be a sizable fine."

"Well that shouldn�t break us," said Draco.

"Provided we retain our assets, which will entail several character witnesses standing up for us."

Draco nodded thoughtfully and looked up. "And what about mother?"

Lucius pulled a chair closer to Draco�s and sat down. "Draco, your mother has fled," he said gently.

Draco blinked. "She ran away?"

Lucius nodded.

"Didn�t she think we would help her?"

"She didn�t want our help," Lucius told him. "She was totally loyal to her family and thusly to the Dark Lord."

"But-"

"You didn�t hear the fighting we went through the first time the Dark Lord was subdued," Lucius said, looking away and recalling Narcissa�s bitter words. "She was delighted when he rose again."

"Yes, all she could talk about recently was my initiation."

Lucius nodded gravely. "Are you disappointed that I have put us, our family, above the Dark Lord?" he asked.

Draco looked reflective for a moment then shook his head. "No, Father," he said at length. "I never really cared to bow and scrape to him."

"The master�s power was corrupted by his thirst for vengeance," Lucius said. "At one time, perhaps he could have gone all the way. He was reduced to a monster hell-bent on revenge. Your mother, like her sister, would have had both of us subservient to his whims."

"Will you divorce her?"

"Would you have her drag us down with her?" Lucius asked, but Draco was quiet. "Had she returned to us, we could have helped her, but she chose to abandon the Malfoy family."

Still Draco was silent.

"I know it�s difficult to accept, Draco," Lucius layed a hand on his shoulder. "But her ties to the Dark Lord were stronger than her ties to even you."

Draco nodded slowly. "It just doesn�t seem fair."

"I know, but in war nothing ever is."

"So what are you going to do now, father?"

"Now, my dragon, I am going to restore the family name to what it should be and reclaim our fortune."

Draco blinked. "How?"

"I�m going to become very good friends with Harry Potter, of course."

Draco swallowed. "You are?"

"Yes." Lucius rose and straightened his cloak. "I can count on your full support, can�t I?"

"Yes, father," Draco agreed readily as he stood up. ""Would you like me to try again?"

"I thought that even the farce relationship was a hardship for you both."

"Yes, well if I thought I might actually have a chance�" Draco trailed off, looking embarrassed but also somewhat relieved that the responsibility wouldn�t be his.

"Besides, you know my preferences run towards our own gender," Lucius said to ease his son�s guilt.

Draco nodded.

"Good." He raised Draco�s chin. "It�s for the family, Draco."

Draco pulled a smirk. "But it won�t be any hardship for you."

Lucius grinned. "You do know me so well."

"I do know your preferences and I know that some consider him attractive, but do you really want him?"

"Draco," Lucius said. He would not get into a debate over Potter�s physical attributes at this point. "Harry Potter destroyed the most powerful Dark Lord of the Century. He will be the most powerful wizard in the world and the most influential � if he isn�t already. What do you think?"

"That kind of power is attractive," Draco agreed. "And what about this relationship he�s supposedly in?"

"You let me worry about that," said Lucius confidently although he would have to tread carefully if it was indeed Severus. "In the meantime, play nicely."

Draco sighed. "Very well."

"And play nicely with his friends as well."

That got Lucius an outraged look. "Even the mud-"

"Even her," Lucius said sternly. "If we are to convince Potter and the world of our sincerity, we must deal amicably with those he associates with."

"Alright, father," Draco said reluctantly. "Anything else?"

Lucius embraced his son. "Watch your back, my dragon," he warned. "There are still those of questionable loyalties in the castle."

Draco looked up at him, not nearly as far as he used to. His son was also a man now. "I can take care of myself here, father."

Lucius nodded. "And do make me proud when the results of your N.E.W.T.s come out."

A knock at the door interrupted them and Lucius lowered the wards Severus had allowed him to use. Severus stepped in.

"Are you about through, Lucius?" he asked.

"Yes, Severus," Lucius said, stepping away from Draco. He approached Severus and met his gaze evenly. "Thank you for the use of your office."

Severus inclined his head. "Everything is well, I expect?"

"As well as can be expected," Lucius told him as Severus moved in to the room. Draco excused himself and left the office.

Severus watched him go. "Is he alright?"

"His pride�s a bit bruised but he will be fine," Lucius said. Severus nodded and Lucius continued, "And what of our Mr. Potter?"

Severus turned abruptly, his face flaring ever so slightly over the vernacular �our.� "What do you mean?"

"You just left him, correct?" At Severus� nod, Lucius clarified, "And his condition?"

"He is finally asleep," Severus surrendered. He shuffled several pieces of parchment around on his desk. "Bloody idiots won�t leave him in peace," he mumbled.

"It�s only the beginning for him, I�m afraid." Severus looked up and Lucius lifted his brows. "The attention is only going to get worse," Lucius predicted. Lucius knew Severus couldn�t stand �the public� and he simply hated to share. "There will be no stopping his admirers, both great and small."

Severus nodded and took a seat behind his desk.

"Everyone will want him," Lucius added.

Severus pointed at the door. "If you�re quite through, Lucius, I have papers to mark."

Lucius smiled and moved to the door.

"And Lucius."

Lucius turned back, his hand on the doorknob.

"Everyone already does." Severus dark gaze was intense. "But, he deserves the best."

Lucius smirked. "And we�ll make sure he gets it," Lucius said. "Won�t we?"

Severus smiled and Lucius blinked at it. Lucius had not seen Severus Snape smile in�in � well, in a long time.

"You may have noticed that Mr. Potter can take care of himself."

Lucius rolled his eyes. "Where�s the fun in that?" With that, Lucius turned and strode out of the office.
************
Harry�s sleep was deep and potionless, and his dreams were sweet and filled with the love that he had. Soon, however, those dreams would become nightmares, and he would learn just how hard that love was to hold on to.

End To Have and To Hold
Please feel free to comment, email or otherwise vent at me. The next segment will be posted as soon as I have several chapters ready. Since it is already underway, I hope it won�t take too long. Thank you all for all your reviews.
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To Have and To Hold