I have a need to see Draco in a good light. Thus, an au where he's adopted by Severus Snape, his parents are convicted death eaters and are in hiding, and he eventually becomes friends with the golden trio (but first Luna Lovegood). I'm also wondering how I could get a beta reader? I need someone to point out mistakes for me and give suggestions. Bonus points for chapter ideas and helping me outline things. I own nothing except for a few obviously OC characters (will not be in the main thing, not really)

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Severus Snape was not a man who thought he'd ever have children. Not after Lily. Not after she married someone else. Not after she died. Definitely not after realizing that he liked men more than women. But here he was, with a small boy no older than five with great big silver eyes and pale nearly white blond hair. The little boy was wearing a blue t-shirt and white shorts, idly swinging his legs and staring around the dark living room as if he wasn't quite sure why he was there.

"Draco?" The name was odd on his tongue, though he'd said it plenty of times before. The small boy turned, big wide eyes simultaneously curious and bored. "You're going to be living with me for awhile, is that ok?"

Draco tilted his head, little hands tightening their grip on a white teddy bear with a red bow and beady black eyes. He nodded after a moment, silent as five year olds shouldn't be. Severus winced, knowing this was likely because the young Malfoy was still thinking about the cloaked men that had rushed through his home and his parents leaving him here in this dimly lit living room with a near stranger and his clothes and toys packed into two suitcases. A child shouldn't have to live with that on his mind. Thoughts of Harry Potter came, unwelcome, to the forefront of his mind, and he wondered if his guardians thought the same thing.

"Can we have lunch?" The quiet, squeaky voice brought his attention back down to the blond, who's teddy bear was now tucked under one arm and the boy looking a bit more sure of himself.

"Of course, how about a peanut butter sandwich?" The answer to his question was an eager yes, and Severus followed Draco into the kitchen, wondering how long it would be before someone started questioning his ability to raise a young Malfoy.

X

An 8 year old Draco was a hurricane of energy, laughter, tantrums and little fingers stealing cookies. Of course, Severus didn't mind whenever he caught pale hands sneaking a gingerbread man off of the plate, nor did he mind racing around the house to tire the boy out. He didn't even mind the occasional bout of random magic that the boy's giggling and happiness caused. When he spotted books levitating while Draco sat playing oblivious to the sudden magic, he only put the books away and ruffled pale hair fondly.

However, add in a rainy day and canceled school, and things got slightly more exhausting. Draco had too much energy to sit still, both wanting to go outside and not get muddy at the same time. The boy - still so tiny that Severus could stow him away in a book bag - kept going from his pile of toys and his Disney movies to the window to watch the rain and fog up the glass.

About the ninth time he did this, he climbed up onto the couch and sat down next to his pseudo father, a sour look on his face. Severus suppressed a smile and closed his Potions book, dark eyes dropping to the pale haired boy.

"Tired of your toys?"

"Mmhm."

"Wanna go outside?"

"Mm."

"Go get your shoes and coat on then." At this, Draco turned to look at him, cutely puzzled. It took all of his will power not to gather him up and mess up his hair.

"We're going to Daigon Alley."

"I'll be right back!" The 8 year old jolted up, sprinting out of the room and coming back within a few minutes with his shoes on the wrong feet and still tugging on his canary yellow rain jacket. Severus didn't have the heart to tell him to choose a less obvious choice in outer wear, and instead finished tying on his own cloak and scooped the little boy up into his arms.

With a smile directed at Draco, the two apparated to Daigon Alley, startling a small group of witches. At first, they twittered angrily, but then switched to fussing over Draco upon spotting the little boy and his messy white-blond hair and overly bright jacket.

Apparently, having an 8 year old kid hanging from his neck while the kid was babbling that he wanted a chocolate frog got him flirtatious smiles and offers of helping out with said 8 year old.

They got ice cream - banana for Draco, and vanilla for Severus - and walked around, enjoying the fact that it wasn't raining here, watching the witches and wizards come and go. They went into a Flourish and Blots for new books, sat on a bench and drank hot chocolate with little marshmallow fish that swam in the hot liquid, and eventually they went home.

The entire time, Severus fended off three single women, one single man, and four concerned mothers trying to give him advice on how to raise his rambunctious boy. One even asked if he'd snatched Draco from some other family, staring suspiciously at their differing appearances. He hadn't wanted to talk about it, but explained how he was adopted and snuck away with Draco looking quite mischievous after having whispered furiously with the woman's redheaded son.

When they got home, Draco was tired out and asleep in his arms. Severus smiled as he tucked him into bed, smoothing pale hair down and listening to a protesting whine.

He hoped the Malfoys never came back. He loved this stupidly energetic boy too much to lose him like...he'd lost everyone else.