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Disclaimer: The characters of the Harry Potter Universe belong to the goddess JKR. Only Alana, Robin and Amelia are mine.

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Damage Control - Chapter Five

Discussions

Hermione, Harry and Ron looked at their Potions master, their faces showing both surprise and fear. Alana regarded him curiously before she spoke. "Hermione does not have Malfoy's wand, sir." Snape looked at her, partly in astonishment and partly impressed at the sheer boldness she displayed by speaking to him without being prompted to do so.

"Pray tell, what are you -a Muggle, doing here in Diagon Alley? This is a wizard's place?" he asked her sternly.

Hermione had finally regained her composure and began to explain. "This is my cousin, Alana Williams, she's here with me."

"Miss Granger," he hissed in a low voice, "you had better have a very good reason for bringing a Muggle into this place, whether she is your cousin or not!"

Before Hermione could say anything, Alana took the opportunity to speak again. "She does, sir, and I believe that there are recent events in the Muggle world that just might have an impact on your life. Perhaps you'd like to hear us out?"

He snorted derisively. "I'd rather face a blindfolded Neville Longbottom in an Advanced Potions class than be seen in public with the likes of them" he sneered at the Golden Trio and added sarcastically, "or you."

He turned to face Harry and Ron and continued, "Potter, Weasley, I expect the both of you at Headquarters no later than six o'clock this evening with a detailed report of exactly what is going on." And without waiting for their reply, he turned sharply and walked away, his long, black cloak billowing behind him.

Ron groaned loudly. "I don't want to face that greasy git! It's summer holidays, for crying out loud!"

"Ron!" Hermione chided him, "you know it's important that he of all people knows about the books! Imagine what would happen if the Death Eaters or Voldemort found out before he does!"

"Good riddance, that's what would happen," Ron stated hotly as he shuddered at the sound of the Dark Lord's name.

"Oh come on, he can't be that bad," Alana interrupted. "I thought he was rather impressive, you know. Don't see that kind of bloke every day! He's quite an individual."

The trio looked at her incredulously. "You mean to say you believe he's actually human?" Harry asked with disbelief in his voice.

"He isn't, Alana, believe me, he's nothing but an overgrown bat," Ron chimed in ignoring the glare that Hermione was giving him.

The quartet spent a while longer bickering about their perception of the notorious Potions master before returning to the serious issue of the books and their possible implications to the wizarding world.

"Harry, Ron, you're going to have to tell Professor Snape everything," Hermione said sternly to the boys, then continued more thoughtfully, "Maybe you should have copies of the books for him to read, just so he knows we're not making anything up..."

"What? Spend money on the bat as well?" Ron exclaimed while shaking his head in disbelief, "Hermione, you've gone nutters!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Use that brain you allegedly have once in a while, Ron," she suggested. "How would you feel if the man gets killed by Voldemort simply because some Death Eaters happened upon the books and discovered his spying activities? I know you don't like him, but I can't imagine that even you would have a clear conscience if Professor Snape died and you could have prevented it."

Ron blushed and went silent, knowing that his best friend was right. He sighed dramatically. "Okay, Hermione, point taken."

"If we leave now, we can go to the bookstore on the way back to Headquarters, Ron. I don't mind paying for the books," Harry said. It was no great secret that he liked Snape no more than Ron did; however, having spent the last few years in constant danger, he felt somewhat compassionate, even where the Potions master was concerned. And it didn't help that he had had his life saved on several occasions by said professor, which only added to his somewhat hesitant compassion.

The group walked together to the Leaky Cauldron and Hermione made Harry promise to send Hedwig with a report as soon as their meeting with Snape was concluded. As they exited the Pub through the door that would take them back to Muggle London, they said their goodbyes before the boys headed towards Charing Cross Road, which offered the largest number of bookstores in the smallest area. The girls walked leisurely to the bus stop to wait for the bus that would take them back home to Alana's house.

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Severus Snape left Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and made his way to Knockturn Alley as fast as he could. The fact that Draco was hiding in the cellar of one of the more notorious gentlemen's establishments that graced the already infamous Knockturn Alley did not sit well with him. However, he could not counter Draco's argument for hiding there. "You know that the last place my father would be looking for me is the place where he acquires his playthings," Draco had argued his point.

He sighed as his destination, Madame Teresa's Adventurous Play Pen for the Tasteful Wizard, came into view and whispered inconspicuously "Dissimulo", just in case there happened to be unwelcome eyes watching. It would not do for him to be seen at this sort of place, especially not considering whom he was about to meet with. He entered the notorious establishment fairly certain that he had gone unseen and headed straight down the stairs. Only in the confines of the dimly lit corridor did he take off the concealment charm before entering the room he knew Draco was waiting in.

The relief on Draco's face was evident when Snape opened the door, holding out his wand to him. He took it and said, "Thank you so much, you've saved my life. I wouldn't have known what to tell Father if I had to return home without it... Surely the truth would sound too unbelievable, and even if he did believe me, the idea of him knowing that I had been overpowered by a mere Muggle...a girl Muggle..." His voice trailed off and the fear in his eyes shone brightly.

Snape had known for weeks, months even, that something was going on with his godson, but until now had been unable to put his finger on anything specific. He eyed Draco with a bland expression.

"What exactly is going on, Draco? Lucius has always fulfilled your every whim, no matter how trivial, no matter how unsuitable. And suddenly you fear for your life because you lost your wand?" Severus was unable to keep the sarcasm entirely out of his voice. Practically from birth, Draco had always given off an air of arrogance and superiority; however, nothing of that had shown when he had approached him after losing his wand to that Muggle girl.

Draco did not answer immediately, he looked lost, not only for words, but entirely lost, as if he suddenly no longer knew what was happening around him. When he started to speak, it was barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's going on... I mean, I do know. Father wants me to take the Dark Mark right after graduation... and don't get me wrong, I have always wanted to follow the Dark Lord, ever since I can remember... but now..." He looked at Severus for any reaction, but the man successfully masked any surprise behind his usual façade of boredom and disdain. Draco continued. "There isn't really that much difference between pureblood wizards and Mudbloods, is there... I mean, look at Granger! She's probably more intelligent than the whole House of Slytherin combined, and she's Muggle-born. Just look at Crabbe or Goyle, they sprout barely any more intelligence than a mountain troll, and I'm supposed to believe they're superior just because both their parents are wizards... It just... It just doesn't work that way, does it?" Draco was almost shouting by the time he finished.

Severus Snape was not sure how to react to Draco's revelation. He knew instinctively that the boy was telling the truth. However, he also knew the devious means that Lucius Malfoy employed when gathering information that might prove useful to him and Draco had always been very close to his father. For all Severus knew, Draco might be under the Imperius curse, or was being influenced otherwise to investigate his godfather. He looked blandly at his godson. "Why are you telling me this, Draco?" he asked. Although Severus knew that he no reason to believe that Draco suspected him to be a spy, he was not about to reveal the truth.

Draco shifted in his seat and groaned slightly, as if uncomfortable. "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I do know that if there is anyone I can trust, it is you," he replied, and Severus nodded in agreement. Draco went on, "Last weekend..." he looked at the floor as if it was the most fascinating place to observe before finally gathering all his courage and continuing, "Last weekend, Father gave me a good whipping," he turned his back to Snape and lifted his shirt to show the evidence of Lucius' work. Snape sucked his breath in sharply at the sight of Draco's back; his once flawless skin was now covered with angry red welts; some of them split open with dried up blood crusting over and others looked still fresh and covered with pus. It was a horrific sight, even more so for Snape who had always known his godson to pride himself on nothing short of complete perfection where his appearance was concerned.

Before Snape could open his mouth, Draco started to speak again, this time with a fierce determination not to stop until he had said everything he wanted to say. "And you know why he did this to me? Because I was incapable of raping a Muggle girl! My own father whips me half to death because I could not commit an act of crime. But to him, my lack of action was a crime and a disgrace and therefore punishable by whipping and locking me into my room for two days; without food and without water." His voice was bitter as he continued, "Now I'm allowed to go out for a mere few hours a day – but only if it suits him. For instance, today, I was picking up an artefact for him because the house elves are busy preparing for the annual Summer Ball. Merlin knows what dark 'artefact' it really is." Draco slouched down further in his seat and when Snape looked at him, he saw the tears streaming down the boy's face, his voice trembling as he spoke, "I always wanted to be like my father. But... But now," he stammered, "I don't want to be like him, not at all. I can't go around raping girls. I don't want to follow his archaic beliefs that purebloods are superior to Muggle-borns, because I know that it's just not true..." He began to sob openly and Severus looked at him uncomfortably.

Before long his breathing returned to normal and Draco looked up at his godfather wearily. "Look, I don't expect you to believe me just like that. You can use Legilimency or give me Veritaserum." Although Severus had no doubt that the boy was speaking the truth, he decided that a little prodding into his mind would do no harm. It would also give him a little longer to come up with some idea as to how he could help his godson. His Legilimens proved Draco's honesty beyond the shadow of a doubt. Severus flinched when he saw the anger that Lucius had unleashed on his son for failing to follow his orders and rape a Muggle girl.

'The man is insane, how anyone could do this to his own child is beyond me...' Severus thought angrily. Surely, if Draco spent the remainder of the summer holidays with his father, he would either wind up broken and following any orders Lucius saw fit to give him, or he would be dead before much longer.

"What do you want to do, Draco?" Severus asked, almost sure of his godson's answer. He was not disappointed.

"I want to get away from him. No, I need to get away. If I stay, I'll either end up doing what he wants me to do, or he'll kill me. I just... I don't have any idea where I could go that he wouldn't find me."

Severus carefully weighed the boy's options, knowing that if Draco did not return home, then Lucius would do everything in his power to find his son. He would most likely suspect Severus as well, knowing that Draco maintained a fairly close relationship with his godfather. Whilst Severus had no doubt that he would be able to keep Lucius at bay and keep his godson's secret, he considered the possibility that his actions may put other people in danger. Draco's closest friends Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini had already managed to distance themselves from the Dark Lord and consequently from their families without anyone's but Severus' and Dumbledore's knowledge. However, Draco's disappearance and subsequent investigations that would follow might lead Lucius to find out these facts.

Severus knew what he had to do, and although it didn't sit well with him, his mind was made up. He would have to send Draco back to his father for now.

He spoke quietly, "Draco, you'll have to go back for now."

Draco started to protest, but Severus held his hand up to quiet the young man, "Hear me out. If you do not go back, you know as well as I do that your father will stop at nothing to locate you and no matter where you go, he will find you, make no mistake about it. And it will only be worse for you when he does."

Draco looked defeated upon hearing his godfather's words but knew that he was right.

"Turn around and let me apply some arnica salve, so at least your back will heal quickly." Severus ordered and Draco complied. While rubbing the salve carefully onto Draco's battered back, he continued talking, "I will do everything I can to come up with a reason for you to get away from there in the next couple of days but I need to first make some enquiries; I will need to have a proper plan so that Lucius doesn't grow suspicious. It will probably be best if Dumbledore sends an official letter requiring your assistance with tasks at Hogwarts prior to the start of the school year. I can't imagine Lucius arguing with that and it will ensure that he does not suspect anything unusual." Draco nodded and covered his back with his shirt again, feeling much relief as the pain immediately began to subside.

"How are you going to convince Dumbledore to do that? It's not as if he trusts you..." Draco inquired curiously.

Severus glared at him. "I have my ways, Mr. Malfoy, and I appreciate you not nosing around," he growled in a low voice. Draco smirked and let it go; he really didn't care how his godfather would pull it off, as long as he did.

Before they parted, Draco heading home, and Severus to Headquarters, Severus handed Draco a large coin with Chinese writing on it. "A Portkey, take it, just in case. If you are in danger, simply say 'Hogwarts' and it will bring you directly to the castle. If nothing happens, wait for a letter with instructions and don't breathe a word to anyone." He then whispered 'Dissimulo' to re-cast the concealment charm on both of them, giving Draco instructions to remove it as soon as he put a reasonable amount of distance between himself and the establishment they had spent the last hour in.

Draco felt overwhelmingly relieved after meeting with his godfather. Not only did his back feel much better, but it was also the first time that he felt a clear conscience, having made up his mind to not follow his family's steps into crime and racism. He could face his father now with his head held high, knowing that he would be able to fool him into believing that his muck-up with the Muggle girl had just been a bad case of beginner's nerves. After all, only a few days later, hopefully long before the next revel, he'd be out of his father's wrath.

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Severus Snape decided to walk part of the way to number twelve, Grimmauld Place, so that he could do some thinking before facing two thirds of the bane of his existence, Potter and Weasley. Draco's revelation had not been entirely unexpected; however, he had not expected it to come so soon. After all, it was another eleven months before Draco would graduate and meet the requirements Voldemort imposed on everyone who wished to enter into his service. The Dark Lord did not accept any wizard who had not yet graduated, just as any Muggle heritage in a wizard's bloodline was unacceptable, despite his own half-Muggle parentage. Severus often thought to himself that those demands were just one of the more obvious signs of the Dark Lord's insanity. The demands on new recruits were seriously cutting into the number of new potentials as pureblood, powerful wizards and witches were becoming rarer every day. The interbreeding amongst a relatively small group of families over many generations had produced some seriously diminished magical abilities as well as intelligence levels, and having at least one squib in the family had become the norm rather than the oddity it once was.

'At least we don't have to fear that the number of Death Eaters will swell to a dangerous level these days', he thought dryly to himself.

He sighed as he approached the Green in the square that was Grimmauld Place, the walk had been too short and he had allowed his mind to wander instead of working out some formula on how to get his godson out of his misery. It was time to face Potter and Weasley and hear what their discovery was. He did not look forward to their meeting; after all, he couldn't care less for either of them. However, he was not so arrogant as to dismiss their wish to speak to him about whatever it was they wanted to speak to him. If Granger was involved, it was likely to be of importance. He had to credit her with the intelligence she possessed, despite the fact that he disliked her just as much as her friends, The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Be-A-Pain-In-The-Arse and his red-haired, brain-lacking sidekick.

He entered number twelve the moment the house showed itself to him and walked straight through to the kitchen. Thankfully, his movements were silent enough to ensure that the portrait of Mrs. Black remained asleep. Potter and Weasley were already in the kitchen, waiting for him when he entered.

Severus attempted to suppress the sneer that for some reason immediately began to form whenever he set his sights on the two nuisances before him and as he settled into a chair at the long wooden table. He eyed the two boys with disdain before finally speaking with a hint of annoyance, "Well, get on with it, I haven't go all day."

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A/N

"Dissimulo", Latin, means disguise, hide, ignore

Big Thanks to Tatiana for beta working. You rock!