WHO: Draco Malfoy & Severus Snape. NPC MacMillan parents. WHAT: Draco needs comfort...and a bath. WHEN: A few hours after Remus' attack WHERE: MacMillan home RATING: PG STATUS: Done
Draco was completely worried. The MacMillans were nice enough, but if he had to choose where to stay he'd pick his godfather or the Potters. However, all of them were at St. Mungos. It wasn't fair and Draco was making sure everyone knew it. He had already refused to eat his dinner and sassed Mrs. MacMillan more than once. He had even refused to play with Ernie and was now in a stand off over bathing. He was even managing to try Mr. MacMillan's nerves which was usually a near impossible task.
"Draco, I know you are hurting," he said calmly, "But you need a bath and---" He cut off as he heard heavy footsteps approaching the bathroom door. They certainly weren't his wife's.
Severus had gone looking for his godson when he was certain there was little more that he could do for Remus but watch him in critical care. His life was in the hands of the team at St. Mungo's, not that Severus was pleased with that. Draco, therefore, was nudged toward him as both a distraction and a calming aid; Lily had seen that he was unusually upset by this, and of course the child would be distraught. Severus felt immediate guilt when she mentioned Draco, for his second thought ought to have been of his little corculum, and he had been so wrapped up in worrying over Remus' welfare that Draco had fallen far behind. At least, however, he was here now to rectify the situation. Mrs. MacMillan had been cordial but cool upon receiving him - and even he had been able to see the relief on her face when he said he'd come for Draco. Not necessarily to take him away, unless Draco requested (in which case he would require Sirius' permission, a rather loathsome thing to contemplate) but more to offer what comfort he could. In truth, Severus was not sure he could offer much.
He had been informed that Mr. MacMillan was attempting to get Draco to take a bath and head to bed, a task which could prove daunting under even normal circumstances. This time, undoubtedly, it would be impossible. He lifted a hand, knocking cautiously on the door. "Draco? Ernest? It's Severus. May I enter?"
"Uncle Severus!" Draco's screech must have been heard throughout the house, but Ernest made no move to curb the yell. He, like his wife, was relieved to hear the Potions Master's voice. "Yes, of course," Ernest replied as Draco fiddled with the doorknob. "It's locked, munchkin." With magic too. Draco had already ran through the house and Ernest didn't feel like chasing him again. He pulled the boy back and flicked the wand to open the door. No sooner had he done that did Draco barrel into Severus' waist. "They're mean!" Ernest's eyes widened, but he bit back the sigh that wanted to escape.
Severus never really would get used to it, Draco's abruptly clinging to his body. He merely stroked the boy's hair, lifting his gaze to Ernest's face. "Now, little one, I'm sure that's not entirely true," he told Draco quietly. The glance he'd given MacMillan was enough to indicate he'd take care of this.
Ernest nodded. He wanted to ask how Remus was, but didn't feel it proper in front of the boy. "He needs a bath," he said though it was already evident. "Ernie's already ready for bed." He glanced down at the little blonde boy whose head was still buried into Snape. "He's welcome to stay for as long as you need…" Gently, he patted Draco's back but was greeted with recoiling. He shrugged his shoulders, tossing Severus a regretful smile. "Sorry," he mouthed before pushing past to exit.
Severus nodded. He was quite sure that the MacMillans were more than comfortable taking care of Draco - that is, if Draco behaved. Which was clearly his job. He waited until they were alone before pulling back a little from Draco. "Corculum," he said gently, "you must take your bath, you know that, don't you?"
Draco lifted his head in defiance. "No. I'm not. I wanna go to Uncle Remus." He crossed his arms across his chest, scowling up at his godfather.
Severus reached out, stroking Draco's hair. "You can't at the moment, precious."
Angry, Draco stomped a foot before throwing himself on the toilet bowl. Of course, he was sulking the entire time and refusing to look at Snape again.
Severus sighed softly, and knelt down to Draco's height. "Corculum, Remus is very sick right now. You can't see him."
His eyes filled with tears; Draco knew that of course. Sirius had explained it and so had the MacMillans. That, however, didn't mean he didn't wish to see Remus again. He feared losing him just as he had lost his parents. "No." He shook his head hard. "Uncle Severus, please…" He sniffled as tears escaped. "I need to give him a special name still and--and---and…" He gulped as his little body began to shake.
Severus brushed a tear away, hesitating for a second before reaching out and pulling Draco into him. His precious boy, caught in this. Gods, it wasn't fair. "You'll get to give him a special name, Draco," he whispered. "You will. He will be all right. I swear it."
Draco willingly snuggled close to Severus. "Then why can't I see him? And where's Daddy? I want Daddy!" He hiccupped into Snape's chest, holding tightly to the front of the man's robes. He practically climbed into the man, his legs entwining around Severus.
Severus held tightly to him. "My little one. Daddy's with your uncle in St. Mungo's." The term was one he hated to use, but it would suit for the moment. "Do you want me to tell him to come back for you now? He was hoping you'd be all right for just a little while longer, corculum."
Draco sighed, tears still falling down his cheeks. "No, Uncle Remus can't be alone." He rested his face against Severus' shoulder. "Will you tuck me in? I don't want them to."
"Of course, corculum. But you've got to have a bath first, you know," Severus reminded him.
Draco groaned. "Uncle, PLEASE."
Severus fought a smile. "At least a bit of a wash behind your ears and your neck, hmm? Don't worry about the rest tonight, all right?"
"You do it." Draco practically growled as he disentangled himself from Snape's arms.
Severus lifted a brow. "Pardon me?"
"You do it," Draco repeated, rolling his eyes. He held out the wash cloth. "Dobby usually does it, but we left him and I don't wanna do it."
Severus gave him a no-nonsense look. "Draco, you are nine years old, not a babe. And furthermore, I am no servant. At Hogwarts, you are going to have to wash behind your own ears, corculum."
Draco glared at Severus. "I'm a MALFOY."
Severus lifted a brow. "Yes?"
"You are being horrid." Draco pulled at Severus' arm. "Stop it."
Oy, the child was so very spoilt. "I am not being horrid," Severus told him. "I am behaving as any adult would. Draco, I mean it. Wash behind your ears."
"No. I'm going to BED." Draco began to stomp toward the door, unaware the MacMillans were downstairs, wincing at the noise.
Severus disliked having to do it; nonetheless, he produced his wand and locked the door easily. "Don't make me do it, Draco. You will not enjoy it," he warned.
Draco froze. "Do what?"
Severus put his wand away neatly, brushing his hands off. "Scrub your ears, corculum. I have never been a gentle scrubber of my own, I think you would find me worse than Dobby." The rather light answer stood as a comparison to the previous action, precisely because he'd seen Draco stiffen.
Draco sighed in relief. He hadn't thrown such a tantrum in awhile, but under the circumstances, reverting back to old ways seemed almost inevitable. "Fine," he mumbled before taking the cloth to his face and neck. He threw it back down. "There."
Severus lifted a brow.
"Whaaaat?"
"Again, please. And this time, mean it." Severus pointed to the cloth. "Warm water, soap. The works, Draco."
Draco whimpered, but did as told. "There." He threw the cloth down again.
"Pick it up and fold it neatly."
"I am not a servant!" Draco could not believe his uncle was being so unreasonable. "Uncle Severus!"
Severus was holding on to his patience, as best as he could. "You are a guest in this home," he reminded Draco. "As a guest, you are to treat your host's things as your own, with care. Come, corculum, it is late and you are tired, but I know you know what to do."
Draco didn't really hate the MacMillans. They were actually really nice to him; however, he was in no mood. Still, his godfather was correct. He WAS tired. Resigned, he picked up the cloth and folded it before holding his arms up to Severus.
Severus offered him, as a reward, a smile, and picked Draco up, holding him closely as he carried the child into the hallway and to what he assumed was the nearest guest bedroom. "You've got your favourite pair of pajamas with you, I take it?" he queried once they were inside.
Draco nodded though his head rested sleepily against Snape's shoulder.
Severus sat down, standing Draco up for just a moment. "Close your eyes and count to three," he told his godson, using magic to transfigure the clothes Draco was wearing. It would be far simpler to just exchange their places, rather than have to undress Draco. "Now come, let me tuck you in, all right?"
Draco shook his head no, tightening his grip on his godfather again.
"No, you don't want to be tucked in?" Severus looked down into those sleepy grey eyes curiously.
"Stay?"
Severus paused at that, and then nodded. "At least until you fall asleep, all right? I promise."
Draco pulled back a bit to look at Severus again. "Tell Uncle Remus I miss him?"
The smile faded out of Severus' eyes. "Yes, my prince," he said quietly. "I will."
"Thank you, Uncle." He kissed Severus' cheek. "Hold me, okay?"
Oh that he ought to have expected. It was still something uncomfortable, however. Severus obliged Draco, half-reclining against the pillows with the nine-year-old's body curled into his own. It was a strange sensation, but not, he noticed, one he could grow unfamiliar with over time. "Now, go to sleep, little prince. Morning will be here soon enough."
Draco nodded, his little hand clutching Snape's shoulder. "I love you very big, Uncle Severus."
"And I you, little prince," Severus answered, that gentle look entering his face once more.
Draco smiled before snuggling even closer, his eyelashes fluttering down. Within a few moments, he was asleep.