The Malfoys left abruptly, doing as they pleased, and left their children exchanging puzzled looks. But we were used to it; just another typical day for the Malfoy family.

A few days later, Lucius was at the Hog's Head, where he found Severus Snape, completely hammered. Snape’s hair was a tangled mess, and his robes were unrecognizable under layers of dirt and smell. The fact that the usually fastidious Lucius went to pick him up speaks volumes about the bonds of Slytherin loyalty.

Clutching his nose, Lucius had the house-elf thoroughly clean Snape from head to toe. “Severus...” Narcissa said, her face lined with concern.

“He’s been hit hard by Mrs. Porter’s death,” Lucius noted with a slight frown. “The Porter estate is now under Ministry of Magic control.”

Yet another case of the Ministry seizing assets.

They hadn’t managed to touch the Malfoy wealth yet, so they went after the Porter estate instead.

Generations of a Trueblood family’s legacy now just fodder for the Ministry.

“And the Porter child?” Narcissa asked, her maternal empathy showing through.

“Highly classified.”

Lucius glanced towards Snape and shared a knowing look with Narciss. After Lily J. Potter’s death, Snape had been a double agent, navigating between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters.

He had managed to deceive even the vigilant Voldemort. But Lucius’s reaction suggested he wasn’t completely unaware.

Using common sense, Lucius probably thought, how could Voldemort expect loyalty from a man after killing the woman he loved most?

“Dad, can I go see my godfather?” I tugged at Lucius’s robes.

Anyone can be generous when times are good, but it’s those who help in times of need who are truly remembered.

Lucius smiled knowingly, “That would be kind of you, Aurora.”

“I’ll come too!” Draco declared eagerly.

“Aurora, what’s your angle?” Draco whispered in my ear.

“What are you talking about?”

"Come on, you never do anything without a reason."

“Brother, you know me too well,” I linked my pinky with his. “Our godfather is a potions and spells genius. Having him on the Malfoy side could be a major advantage.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Is that why father tolerates his Half-Blood status?” Draco realized.

“It’s not about blood status. It’s about skill and opportunity.”

“Aurora, how do you come up with this stuff?” Draco pondered, his expression complex.

“It’s all about observation and learning.” I glanced at our parents embracing, a smile playing on my lips.

When Snape finally stirred, the first faces he saw were mine and Draco’s, worn from worry.

“Severus, did we wake you? The kids insisted on coming to look after you,” Narcissa and Lucius said, lifting us in their arms apologetically.

“That boy, Harry... so young to have lost his mother already...”

“Severus, Mrs. Porter's sacrifice was for those who live on... maybe you could look out for Harry a bit more…”

A glimmer of hope sparked in Snape’s tired eyes, perhaps a new mission for his life.

“Harry’s grandmother was also a Black. The Malfoys could offer sanctuary too.”

Snape nodded, “Thanks, Cissy. But I doubt Albus would agree.”

Given their close association with Voldemort, how could the Malfoys be Dumbledore’s first choice?

“Severus, you could try.”

"You mean to say you want me to take in the Porter kid? Lucius, that doesn't sound like you at all..." Snape grimaced as if he had smelled something foul.

"It was Aurora's idea," Lucius clarified.

"Aurora?" Snape glanced at the girl resting on Narcissa's shoulder. "You've given birth to a Gryffindor."

"That's not funny, Severus. Aurora has a point. You're the only one who'd truly care about him," Narcissa countered.

Lucius gave Snape a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Consider it."

Snape turned away, his tone somewhat reluctant, "Alright, thanks."

That was Snape’s second serious thank-you. We all try to extend kindness, just hoping that someday, he won’t turn against the Malfoy family. After all, hasn’t his life been one of being used by others? Voldemort for his talents, Dumbledore for his guilt over Lily J. Potter. He’s always been just a tool for these so-called leaders, never living for himself.

Sadly, I’m no savior.

I didn't come here to save a soul lost.

Since the day Lily J. Potter died—the day Snape lost his ability to love.

. The word "Always" brought tears to everyone's eyes and served as his fitting epitaph, but it was Dumbledore who tactfully declined Snape’s offer to adopt Harry, promising that Harry would be safe and live like a prince. “Live like a prince,” how ironic, if you consider neglect and dependency as royal treatment.

Snape has always been close with the Malfoy family, often helping Draco and me with our studies. He acknowledged Draco’s knack for Potions and even taught him the dangerous Sectumsempra spell—the same one that Harry would use to grievously injure Draco in their sixth year at Hogwarts.

"Draco, that curse is dangerous..."

"Don’t worry, I won’t use it on you," Draco assured, brandishing his wand.

"Found you!" Draco exclaimed as he opened a closet door.

"Godfather, Aurora was just hiding to avoid practice," he said with a wink.

Thankfully, Snape wasn’t fooled. "Your magic isn’t stable enough to practice offensive spells," he cautioned, taking Draco's child-sized wand.

"Now, let's check your Potions homework," Snape continued.

"Godfather... do Muggle parents hit their kids?" I asked, curiosity piqued, reflecting on Harry Potter's presumably grim years.

Snape remained silent, the question clearly touching a nerve.

"Aurora, you’ve been watching too much Muggle TV, that’s why you’re scared," Draco said as he pulled me out of the closet.

"But I heard from a portrait... they keep raising the bar, and like in those Muggle shows, if you don’t meet the standards, you end up sleeping in a cupboard..." My voice broke, laden with emotion.

"Do you think you're a house-elf, destined to sleep in a cupboard?" Draco ruffled my hair.

"Thank goodness I wasn't born to a Muggle family," I said, a wave of relief washing over me.

Before I could finish, Snape had vanished.

Harry Potter, that’s as much as I can do for you