Third Place - Angst

Snape had given Harry a small room that had at one time been a storage closet. A small cot and mirror were placed in it and his trunk made the only other furniture. Snape snidely indicated that it would only be until Harry left Hogwarts than he could create any arrangement he wanted.

"You have seriously impeded my life, Potter. Now I must stay off the potion until you have delivered. With it I will be unable to continue as a sizable enough threat against Draco. And I haven't the foggiest clue what it would do to you while you are breeding. One would think that the two of you would have been at least passably clever enough to use some precautionary measures," Snape drawled nastily.

"But we did, sir," Harry argued quietly. "Madame Pomfrey gave me a contraceptive potion."

"Ah, then it was not only your incompetence but hers as well," Snape sneered. "You are now here under my protection. You will not be gallivanting about the castle after curfew. You will enter my chambers and come directly to your room. You are not invited to speak with me or interact with me. I have little to do with you other than to keep you from your own folly."

Snape was interrupted from his diatribe by a knocking at his door. "It never ends," he huffed as he went to answer it. The door opened and in walked a crowd. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lucius and Draco Malfoy, Ron and Hermione. They all trooped in and quickly staked out there corners. Snape shut the door and sneered.

"Do come in and make yourself comfortable," he said nastily.

"We are truly sorry to intrude, Severus. But this needs straightening out, I'm sure you know." Dumbledore's voice was grave and his eyes were far from any twinkle.

"I have already taken care of the matter, have I not, Draco?" Snape asked silkily. Draco did not respond but continued to look into the fire.

"No, you have not," Lucius responded. He held his cane in his hand as if he were prepared to use it. He nodded toward Harry where he was partially hidden in the doorway to his 'room'. "You have no right to him. You gave up any rights that very first night. The boy belongs to my son." Lucius's voice was imperious and showed how very assured he was in this.

"And your son gave up his rights when he endangered the boy's life," Snape volleyed back. "Potter came to me for help and I have decided to extend it." Draco looked up at Harry at Snape's words. Silver eyes met green before Harry looked away. He did not want to challenge Draco and start another fight.

"My son may do as he wishes. The Indago race can be a tad rough but no harm came to him or the infant," Lucius said. Harry winced as he saw his child become a pawn.

"No permanent damage because Ms. Granger was smart enough to do something to stop young Mr. Malfoy from continuing his attack!" McGonagall's voice was scathing as she again went head to head with Lucius.

"Which brings me to the important fact that the same Ms. Granger interfered with an Indago situation," Lucius said, spearing Hermione with a dangerous look. "I assure you that the Ministry will be informed of this gross misconduct."

"No, Hermione helped me when I asked her to," Harry argued, stepping a little further into the room. He waited for the argument from Draco but none came.

But Lucius turned his hard steel gaze on Harry. "You asked for help?" he asked a clearly disbelieving voice.

"Becoming hard of hearing now, Lucius?" Snape smirked. "We all clearly heard what the boy said. Besides which, she was protecting an innocent child when she used the spell on Draco. I am sure the Ministry would be more interested in protecting the infant than a raging lunatic of a dominant. One of two, might I add. The Ministry will see that it was purely good instinct on Ms. Granger's behalf." Hermione, Ron, and Harry all wore surprised looks as Snape actually complimented one of them.

"Yes, the infant." Lucius wore a calculating look. "Again, I refute your claim to the boy. He is carrying the next Malfoy heir. If anything, he should come and live at the Manor so that the best of care can be utilized."

Harry gawked in horror. "No, I'm not going."

"You'll do as you're told," Lucius said coldly.

"Harry?" Dumbledore called softly. His eyes were full of kindness. "Is the child Draco's?"

Harry gazed mutely back.

"What are you saying, Albus?" McGonagall asked. "They have been sharing a room for over a month. Whose else could it be?"

All eyes turned to Snape who held his ground under the inspection.

"Harry?" Dumbledore prompted. Harry looked down in embarrassment.

"I don't know, sir."

"Severus!" McGonagall nearly shrieked. "How could you? He is a student!"

"Minerva, that is enough," Dumbledore said quietly. He turned to address Lucius. "Your claim to the child is in dispute, Mr. Malfoy. Therefore, Severus has every right to shelter Harry here."

"Regardless, you are interfering in these matters. Draco holds claim over the boy and his child. Draco has attended to him for at least six weeks. If the boy is not returned to my son then I shall be forced to call in the authorities."

"No."

All eyes quickly turned to the low voice. Draco finally looked at the assembly. His face and voice were firm. He turned to look at Lucius.

"It is you who are interfering, Father. What has taken place was dealt with by us three and only us. It is you who are trying to force things to the way you want them. And you are not needed in the decision."

"How dare you speak to me that way!" Lucius said in outrage.

Draco took a threatening step towards his father and all in the room noticed the elder man falter in his determination.

"If you continue to interfere I myself will inform the authorities and report you for violation of the Protection Act." Draco smiled. "Don't look so surprised, Father. Wasn't it you who read me Machiavelli in the nursery?" His face became serious again before Lucius could answer. "Harry has decided to stay here. He asked for Snape's help and has received it. Now, we will take our leave and it is done."

Draco walked past the people gathered. As he passed Harry, Harry stepped out of reach and into the relative safety of his room. Draco paused for only a moment and then held the door open for his father with an expectant look upon his face. "Was there something more you needed to know, Father?"

Lucius drew his arrogance about him like a cloak and stalked past his son and out of the room. Draco inclined his head to the group and was gone.

A few more minutes of discussion, mainly assuring themselves that Harry was indeed acceptable to this situation and then Harry and Snape were alone again.

"Regardless, Potter, of what the others may think," Snape said quietly, "this is your mess. You can blame Draco if you wish, but you both came to me for your little escapade. Blame yourselves, for I will not be taking any responsibility other than making sure that child is born safely. Once that is done, I am done with you. All of you."

Harry watched from his position in his doorway as Snape stalked away and quietly made himself a drink at a small sidebar in the rear of the room. The teacher quietly sipped from his glass with his back to Harry. So, this was it. This was going to be his life then. Harry had no idea what he thought anymore. He was glad that Draco had not fought and yet was upset that he hadn't fought more. He was scared that he was now living, living, with Professor Snape and at the exact same time relieved. Was this some weird hormone thing? Or maybe pheromones? Or maybe, Harry was just tired of thinking and feeling. Why did he always get into these incredibly stupid and crazy situations? Maybe he should take up knitting. That seemed like a nice, safe hobby. He could just sit and make socks for the house-elves. Harry rubbed his stomach. And maybe a few extra.

He watched Snape ignore him for a few more moments and then sighed quietly and walked into his new room and shut the door.

Indago - Chapter 46

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