Chapter Text
When Uncle Severus had finished coughing and swallowed the stone(despite Draco's warnings that a tree would grow in his tummy and bowtruckles would try to climb up his bottom at night), they both went over to the drinks and Draco mounted his broom again so that he could see properly above the table edge.
"I want the red one."
Uncle Severus picked up the lemonade and poured a glass.
"No, that's not red! That one."
"This is for me. Pour your own."
Draco spotted an opportunity and flew close enough to bump his friend's shoulder reaching towards the large jug. Uncle Severus pushed the handle of the broom with one finger, making Draco drift away. He looped around to Uncle Severus' other side, but Uncle aseverus had sidestepped to block him from the intriguing jug again.
"Can't I have the one with the strawberries in? It looks like a potion!" He exclaimed eagerly.
"Absolutely not."
"Why not? Daddy's had four."
"It contains alcohol."
Draco huffed, blowing his fringe upwards. "Uncle Severus, I'm 8 now. I can have whatever I want on my birthday."
He got a very strange look from Uncle Severus then. Sort of cold but not a glare.
"Not from me."
"Why not? Pleeeeease" Draco opened his grey eyes wide, turning the corners of his mouth down, sure that this would work.
"Because alcohol is a poison."
Uncle Severus had to be joking now. But he looked deadly serious.
Draco's eyes turned slowly to the collection of grown-ups, all laughing or speaking to each other. Almost everyone had a glass of the summery red liquid, mint leaves and fruit pieces floating among the ice cubes. He could already see the first victim, a bald wizard who worked with Daddy and who was currently slumped backwards on a chair. And Daddy had had four glasses!
"Draco."
"We have to stop them!"
A hand grabbed the back of his broom as he tried to fly off.
"Let go! EVERYONE STMhhh-" his tongue was stuck to the top of his mouth.
A few people looked over at them, still holding their poisoned glasses, but Uncle Severus got an awkward look and leaned in very close. His breath smelled like smoke and lemon and olives.
"Listen to me, Draco, the poison- This dosage...is not fatal for adults."
Draco stared Uncle Severus in the eyes. He glanced at the other adults. Mummy was picking her way towards them,smiling at guests but giving him a Look. Draco nodded slowly at Uncle Severus, and his tongue relaxed again.
"D'you promise it's ok?"
"Do you promise not to drink any?"
"What about when I'm grown up?"
Uncle Severus looked at the other guests and then his hand holding the back of the broom.
"I promise that your parents will be alright."
"And everyone else?"
"No-one will die."
"Because you're a potioneer? Promise?"
Uncle Severus gave a sigh and his long pale face looked down for a moment.
"Alright. I promise not to let anyone die at your birthday party."
When he let go of the broom, Draco wheeled it around and stuck out his hand.
"You have to make the Vow."
"The what?!" Uncle Severus' face had gone pale.
"The Pinky Vow." Draco reckoned he should know all about this, because he knew about magic and curses. "If you break a Pinky Vow your magic makes all your toes fall off."
Uncle Severus blinked at him once, but seemed less concerned and took a sip before he wiped the condensation off his hand to loop his finger with Draco's. His finger was still cold.
"Pinkius Promisus." Draco solemnly cast the spell Greggy Goyle had taught him when the other boy had let him join Vince and he in their secret den.
"Ah I see. And I must also repeat the incantation?"
"Obviously, dont you know anything?"
"Ahem. Pinkius Promisus."