Chapter Text
The first thing Draco said to him upon his arrival in Diagon Alley was, "I looked up your genealogy. It's Muggles all the way down."
"It's true. I am a mudblood," Severus said as he spooned his ice cream. It wasn't a lie. A half-blood is only a step above a Muggleborn, after all.
Draco's eyes were wide with surprise. Severus continued eating. It wasn't as if Draco had never heard the word before growing up. Lucius had thrown it around casually enough, sometimes at Severus himself for all that Severus was his son's godfather, practically a member of the family. It was a matter of course. An undeniable fact. Severus Snape was a mudblood, no matter whose mark he had on his arm.
Draco looked around at all the people sitting outside Fortescue's, as if waiting for an adult to come along and scold him. When none came, he leaned back in his chair, slightly more relaxed. "Well," he continued. "I'd have invited you home for my birthday, but Father would never have allowed it. And, anyway, I'm not having a party this year. Birthday parties are for babies, aren't they? I'm much too old for cake and party hats. No, this is fine. It's… sophisticated."
Severus just hummed. Draco was talking more to himself than to Severus anyway.
"So, you're definitely moving?"
"Yes, probably in a few weeks, I don't know. Father's being quiet about it. I half expect him to wake me up in the middle of the night and tell me we're leaving."
"Maybe you'll like France," Severus suggested.
Draco scowled. "I hate France. Everyone there is so rude and condescending."
That's rich, coming from Draco Malfoy of all people. Severus had to hide his smile on his napkin. Alas, his godson was too much like his father at times.
The boy dropped his spoon into his empty bowl and sighed. "I should probably go meet Father. He's selling off a few odds and ends ahead of the move." He looked up then, his grey eyes glittering. "Do you want to come with me? He's at Borgin & Burkes. In Knockturn Alley."
Draco expected him to be dutifully shocked and awed, and Severus obliged, putting on a little performance that had his godson's head swelling up like a balloon. They left Fortescue's and headed into Knockturn, Draco swaggering in front, at first, though as they went deeper into the smoky, dark alley he slowed his pace, matching Severus's, and stood so close as to brush against him as they walked.
Draco gave a jump when a hag on a street corner suddenly turned to them. She was holding a tray piled with human teeth. "A sickle a piece," she croaked.
"They're not worth a knut!" Severus insisted and pushed on without giving her a second glance.
Draco made a funny noise in the back of his throat, "Sngk." More noises squeaked out and before long, any hope of containing his laughter was abandoned. Severus couldn't stop himself from joining in. They were still giggling when they poured into Borgin & Burkes.
Lucius Malfoy jerked around to glare at them and the laughter died. Severus could feel his mouth going to dry as Lucius's eyes landed first on him, and then moving on to Draco without even a flicker of recognition. A sudden, deep longing for his real face hit him square in the chest. He wanted his old friend to recognize him, Dumbledore's plans be damned.
Lucius was looking gaunt and pale. Sick, maybe, or hunted. "Draco, I trust you haven't been running half-wild through the streets–"
"No, Father, I was at Fortescue's. This is Silas."
No last name given, Severus thought with amusement as he waved. Draco must not have told his father what he intended to do on his birthday – and who with. Someone's been naughty.
Lucius turned his gaze back on Severus, analyzing him, and Severus felt his heart beat wildly in his chest. Severus half expected him to demand his surname and the names of his ancestors all the way back to his great-grandparents, but Borgin tore his attention away from his son's little friend when the shopkeeper said, "I'll take this lot, but not the rest."
"They are fine quality, I assure you."
Borgin eyed a plain, Muggle diary dubiously.
"Don't mention we're moving. It's supposed to be a secret. Father'll be upset if he knew I told you," Draco whispered. Severus nodded and they started a slow circuit of the shop, peering at the cursed curiosities.
While Draco was studying a severed hand, Severus drifted closer to Lucius to peek into the chest resting beside his elbow. Severus recognized a few of the items; all very Dark and very illegal. Not something one wanted to leave lying around an empty manor where any do-gooder could find them, nor would Lucius want to carry them around on his person. It would make travel very difficult.
The lid suddenly slammed closed, nearly taking the tip off of Severus's nose. "Did anyone ever tell you it is rude to involve yourself in the business of adults?" Lucius asked, his voice dripping with condescension.
"I apologize, sir, I just found it all very interesting," Severus said.
Draco rushed quickly to his rescue. "Father–"
Lucius held up his hand to stop him. "What is your family name, boy?"
"McGonagall, sir."
One pale, arched brow inched up his forehead. "McGonagall, you say?" He opened the chest again and pulled out the thin, plain Muggle diary. "Well, if you're so interested, why don't you take something for yourself. A gift."
Severus knew this was a trap. Lucius thought him a silly child related to Dumbledore's right-hand woman; what better revenge than to give him a Dark, probably cursed, object? By the time anyone found out what had happened, the Malfoys would be long gone and out of reach of the British Ministry. But then again Severus always had a fascination for what was considered taboo and he took the diary from Lucius's hands with mounting excitement.
"Draco, come along, we'll get you a birthday present before returning home." Lucius shrank the chest and the leftover items Borgin hadn't wanted and tucked it into his robes. He turned to his son and braced a hand against Draco's shoulder. He guided the boy out of the shop, pausing only for a moment to look at Severus and say, "I trust you know how to get back on your own?"
Severus nodded, but Lucius hadn't bothered to wait for confirmation. He was already striding away, Draco throwing him a quick wave over his shoulder as they disappeared around the corner.
Severus made his way back to Diagon Alley, to where Minerva was waiting for him at Gringotts. He quickly shrank the diary and shoved it into his pocket.
Minerva fastened her coin purse to her belt and nodded at him as he came up the steps. "How was your day with Malfoy?" She asked and Severus pulled out his wand to cast Muffliato. Some old witch scowled at Severus.
"A little young to be waving around a wand outside of school, don't you think?" The old witch sneered.
"As Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, you may kindly mind your own business," Minerva snapped back.
The old witch looked shocked and she flounced off in a huff. Severus smirked and threw up a Muffliato to keep anyone else from eavesdropping.
"He's upset about leaving, of course, but it'll be better for him in the long run. And less dangerous. If the Death Eaters decide Lucius is a traitor, they won't hesitate from hurting Draco just because he's a child."
Minerva rubbed her forehead. "I'm sorry."
"What for? It's not your fault. I'm the one who got caught."
"I'm still sorry," she sighed. "Come on then, we best be getting back."