As the boy nodded all around were relieved. It seemed as if Seamus Finnigan was welcomed into a family of Slytherins even before he lost his blood family. There was hope for the boy. With uttermost care they would have to help him around with everything and show him he was loved.
Albus was already planning to relocate Seamus with Draco in the prefect room
or to the Dungeons with Severus and Lucius in the teacher appartment. It would
certainly be better to put him with Severus.
The two were soulmates and would have no problems. Their magic wouldn't and couldn't conflict with one anothers. Severus gave Seamus the chance to mend his mind and speed the healing process up. Albus was sure that Severus would never even touch the boy if he didn't initiate it.
As Seamus nodded Lucius felt relieve wash over him. The first barrier had been
broken down. The boy didn't shy away from a touch but seemed to crave a friendly
hug and apparently didn't hate the three Slytherins.
Lucius leaned towards Seamus and touched his arm. Seamus flinched a bit but he was determined not to fear a simple gesture like a touch to his arm. Then Draco was there on his other side beside Severus.
"Please Professor, don't let go. I am frightened." Seamus mumbled. He wanted to be embraced by the two males but didn't want to leave the arms of his Professor.
"Never, Seamus. Not as long as you want me to be there for you. And you can call me Severus."
Seamus blushed as he realised what this would mean for the relationship he had with his Professor. The dreams he had were becoming reality and sooner or later he had to tell Profess...no, Severus about them.
"Thank you, Severus. Mr. Malfoy would you please..."
Before he could finish Lucius leaned forward and wound an arm around Seamus slim shoulder. Not confining but simply bein there.
"You can call me Lucius, Seamus."
Seamus was relieved that the embrace from Malf...Lucius didn't tighten. Now he had to ask Draco.
"I am sorry Malfoy, but would you..." he just couldn't continue. It seemed silly to ask this boy, who was his age to hug him.
Before the thought even finished there was another arm around him.
"Call me Draco, or Drake as my friends do."
As he heard that something broke inside Seamus. He had always wanted friends to bring them home but he couldn't bring himself to do that because of his father. What if he hurt anybody else? Then it would be his fault for being this persons friend. Now he had someone as a father-figure, a brother/friend and someone who loved him and seemed to be content with holding him.
"As child I always wanted to have friends to bring them home. But I never could make such friends because I was frightened HE would come after them. My grandma used to call me Shay. Would you call me that? I don't want to be Seamus Finnigan anymore. I don't want to belong to HIM or HER anymore. I want... I want to be free of them. Just free from everything they are and have ever been. Nothing they have done matters anymore, just help me please. I can't do this alone..." desperatly he looked first at Sev, Lucius, Draco and than Dumbledore and Poppy.
"So you want to be free of your family? That would mean you have to be adopted, cause you are not eighteen. You would have to pay for school yourself and be able to take care for yourself during the holidays. Are you sure that is what you want?" Albus had to be sure that Seamus understood what he asked for. If necessary he would take the boy in himself, but he hoped to find somebody else. Somebody like Lucius Malfoy, who had a glint in his eyes as he heard this. Severus would take him in but couldn't adopt him as he loved Seamus.
"Yes I am sure even when I can't attend Hogwards anymore I have to be free!" Now Seamus was convinced that this was his chance to be free. An hour ago he had been sure that it all was his fault and he deserved it. But after he saw Drake and Lucius he had seen what his father should have been like. Even when he couldn't see Severus anymore he had to be free of this evil, then he would decide what to do about his feelings for Sev. His friends would never understand his need for freedom and he would miss them. Dean, Harry, Ron and Neville were the only ones he called friends. The rest were classmates. He couldn't stand Hermione's know it all or Ginny's obsession with Harry and their hate against gay people.
"I would like to ask you something, Seamus Finnigan Would you allow me to adopt you? You would be a Malfoy and we aren't well liked in the wizarding world. But you would have a brother and a father. I can't give you a mother cause my ex-wife wouldn't be able to love a child and I am gay and in love with a male wizard. You would have a new name and a new home. Start from the very beginning. Naturally you could stay at Hogward till you are finished..." Lucius said rather shy. He just asked a Gryffindor to take on his name and become a Malfoy. Without asking his son he decided that this would be the right thing to do. Otherwise Severus would have taken him in and that would break his heart because that would mean he could never love Seamus like he wanted.
Draco looked at his father shocked. He would have to share his father with a boy he didn't know much about? But looking at said boy he felt pity rather than jealiousy. Seamus never had someone to hold him safe. Never felt protected. Nobody he could talk to. Only hurt and betrayal. Then he caught his fathers eyes and followed his gaze to Severus...There was another reason to adopt Seamus. To give Severus the chance to court his soulmate like he desired. If/when Seamus desired it also.
"I always wanted to have a brother, Seamus."
"You would really take me in? Whether I am half-blood and used?"
"Blood doesn't matter anymore and your father abused you, but you are neither used nor dirty. If you accept than you are a Malfoy and nothing will change that." Lucius just had to convince Seamus. He wanted his new son with him. In time he would get to know him better and they could always talk about what would happen after graduation.
"Yes if you will have me..." Seamus couldn't believe it. It was all happening so fast. Just two hours ago he had been suffering in silence and now all he knew was no more.
"Welcome to the Malfoy family, Shay Malfoy." Lucius said politlely. He knew that Dumbledore would take care of the legal papers.
"Yes, welcome to the Malfoy family, my brother, Shay." Draco said. He could see the disbelieve in Seam, no, Shay's eyes. As soon as the papers would be there the trust would hopefully slowly come back into those beautiful eyes.
"Welcome the house of Salazar Slytherin and the Snape family as well, young Master Shay Malfoy."Severus wanted to make it clear that Shay was now part of the Snape family as well. Wherther due to being a Malfoy or a honour Slytherin.
"Also welcome to the house of the phoenix, Mr. Malfoy. Due to the fact that I see Severus and Lucius as my children you are my second grandchild. I never told them that but they are the children of my heart. Lucius, Severus I am so proud not only because you defeated Riddle. Rather because you showed that even with the prejudices against Slytherins you are compassionate and care for those you love. This shows in Draco. You are kind when you show it. Your friends matter above your own feelings and as you have shown you are able to care for those you don't even know much about other than the fact that they are hurt. Draco you are my very grandson. Now to you Shay, I am proud that you told us everything and decided that you needed help to chance your life. We will now take care of the Finnigans and the legal papers are on their way. You just have to read them and then decide for yourself. And Shay be honest with yourself and speak about everything you want to with your new family. But don't forget that have friends that will always be by your side. Now excuse me but I have to go and help the Aurors take care of something. Severus, Lucius do you want to acompany me?" Albus said this all without a pause.
Severus and Lucius were shocked. They hadn't known that Albus felt that way. Now the family seemed to be complete.
tbc