Lucius had a point. There was no glossing over this, though there was some comfort to be had. At least in terms of legality. "Nott has until the boy comes of age to make a claim on the inheritance, but even then, it will have to be kept in a trust. If he had any delusions of wealth before, a brief visit to Gringotts would have told him otherwise." Of course, Severus didn't think that meant Nott was incapable of devising a Plan B. The man was a Slytherin, after all.
"Stay here," Severus advised before leaving the room. It was probably best for the two to meet in his private quarters away from any would-be eavesdroppers. He went to collect Leonardo from the storeroom (the look in the boy's eyes told him he had an inkling about what was about to happen) and led him to the door, debating whether or not to warn the boy before sending him inside. But what could he possibly say? Your family doesn't define you, Severus thought, a brief, fierce protectiveness welling up inside him. He immediately dismissed the emotion as absurd and useless. Leonardo wasn't his, just as no child would ever be. And that was preferable. That was safe.
Severus sent the boy inside and closed the door to allow the two a moment of privacy together. It helped, too, that he stood watch outside his quarters, unfolding a book from his robes to appear busy.