Chapter Four

The following day Draco was both surprised and amused when Luna's owl arrived at his window clutching a scroll. The top of the parchment bore the title, 'Introductory Friendship', and it provided a lengthy list of points, all written in Luna's distinctive handwriting, including items such as:

- Real friends will tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear.

- Real friends don't hold the past against each other.

- Real friends hold confidences as sacred, even if a formal vow is not made.

- Real friends appreciate you for who you are but also believe in who you can become.

- Real friends believe in you even when you don't believe in yourself.

- Real friends won't tell you everything is going to be okay. A real friend will admit things are going to be bad for a while, order take out, pour you a drink and make sure you know that you aren't going to go through it alone.

- Real friends find things to celebrate, even if it is only that you made it through Tuesday.

- Real friends acknowledge what is important to you, even if they don't understand it.

- Real friends offer to help without being asked first

- Real friends sometimes show up unannounced to spend time with you. This is a compliment. Accept it and thank them for thinking of you.

- Real friends will sometimes want you to try new things – to push you out of your comfort zone. This means they see potential in you. Stop whining and go with it.

- Real friends work to get past whatever mask you are hiding behind in order to see the real you. Let them.

It continued in that same manner on for at least another foot. It struck Draco that Luna sincerely believed everything that she had written. She truly had faith that such relationships could exist between people. The brief glimpse into her mind the night before had convinced him of that fact.

He struggled with the thought that, for reasons he could not possibly begin to fathom, she had decided he was worth this kind of effort. He had long ago convinced himself that he was destined to live out the remainder of his life reviled and alone. The idea that someone might actually want to be his friend - much less someone like Luna Lovegood - had simply never occurred to him.

He reread the list and considered the most appropriate response. He eventually wrote out a short thank you note and sent it off. It was a small step - like the first tentative testing of a branch that you aren't certain can hold your weight - but it was a step nonetheless. He had been wrong about so many things regarding Luna, he thought perhaps - just perhaps - he had been wrong about other things as well.

He rolled up the scroll and placed it on the mantle next to the top hat for future reference.

xoxoxox

The shock regarding Luna's offer of friendship was almost immediately surpassed by the invitation she sprung on him at their next meal, when she asked him to accompany her to dinner at the home of Andromeda Tonks and her grandson, Teddy.

While he was admittedly curious about the aunt that had been the focus of so much family venom, he was doubtful the woman had any real interest in meeting him. This idea had no sooner entered his mind when Luna said, "Of course she's interested in meeting you, Draco. She's the one that made the offer. She's sad that she didn't get to know you when you were younger and would like to make up for lost time." Draco wondered at the futility of keeping thoughts private from Luna. For someone whose very survival had recently depended on his ability to keep secrets, it was frightening how easily she could tell what was on his mind.

He ultimately agreed to join her, if only to finally meet the woman he had heard so much about over the years. The fact Luna smiled when he accepted had nothing whatsoever to do with his decision.

He was unexpectedly anxious as he arrived at the Tonks residence the following evening. He adjusted his collar, rang the bell and was pleasantly surprised when it was Luna that answered the door, balancing young Teddy on her hip.

"Hello, Draco! Please, come in. Andromeda and I are just finishing up in the kitchen."

He offered her the bottle in his hand. "I brought some wine. I assumed that was still the accepted practice."

Luna threw her free arm around him and gave him an enthusiastic hug. "Excellent, Draco! I forgot to mention that but you did it anyway. Well done!" Draco felt an sudden swell of pride. He hadn't felt that pleased about being praised for something since being awarded house points his first year at school.

He was caught off guard, however, when she took the bottle while at the same time thrusting little Teddy at him. "Here – you hold the baby and I'll make sure we get this properly chilled in time for dinner." With that she hurried out of the room, leaving Draco in somewhat of a panic.

He called after her, "Luna! Wait! What do I do with it?!"

Luna peeked around the corner. "Teddy is a HE, Draco, not an 'it'. Do what comes naturally…but don't drop him on his head." She grinned and darted back into the kitchen.

Draco adjusted his grip awkwardly. "I was hoping for something a bit more specific than that." He looked at the wriggling child in his arms. "Well… hello….little person. I don't think we've been properly introduced yet. My name is Draco and I suppose I'm your cousin of a sort."

Teddy grinned and patted Draco's cheek with his tiny hand. A half smile appeared on the young man's face. "Yeah. I think it's kind of funny too." Draco began walking slowly around the room, nervously bouncing Teddy on his hip as he had observed Luna doing. "So…what kind of establishment is this? Food pretty good?" Teddy gurgled happily. "Oh, excellent. Glad to hear that. Hadn't read any of the reviews so I wasn't sure."

An oddly familiar voice from behind caused him to jump. "Well, we certainly aim to please." Draco turned and almost dropped the baby. Across the room stood the very likeness of his late aunt, the bloodthirsty Bellatrix LeStrange. On sheer instinct Draco produced his wand and in one fluid motion spun around the back of a nearby chair, angling himself in such a way that both the furniture and his body were shielding the child from the would be attacker.

The woman raised both hands in a nonthreatening gesture. "No danger here, nephew. Bella is truly dead and gone. I simply share an unfortunate resemblance to my late sister." She bowed deeply. "Andromeda Black Tonks, at your service."

Draco sheepishly pocketed his wand and stepped from behind the chair. "My deepest apologies, ma'am. I remember hearing that you looked a bit like Bellatrix but I didn't realize…"

"How much?" Andromeda smiled warmly. "No apologies necessary. It isn't the first time the mistake has been made and it probably will not be the last." She nodded approvingly. "And may I say that you seem to be a very accomplished duelist, Draco. Your reaction time was most impressive."

Draco shifted his feet, "Well, the last few years…." He cleared his throat and added, "Needs must."

Andromeda simply responded, "Indeed." She moved closer and tickled Teddy's stomach. "Well, little one. Have you been making a new friend?"

The child nuzzled his head into Draco's chest. "Daco!"

Luna entered with a bright laugh, "That's right, Teddy! Daco and Una have come to visit you!"

Draco smirked. "Una?"

Luna took Teddy from Draco's arms, sticking her tongue out at him in the process. "Yes. Una. Teddy has not yet mastered his L's and R's but when he does he shall conquer the world."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "Oh, well. I best keep on his good side then, eh?"

Draco spent the rest of the evening learning about the part of the family that he had been estranged from up to that point. Andromeda shared stories of her childhood and of the adventures that she got into with her favorite cousin, Sirius Black. Draco soon discovered that she had a warm heart and a quick wit. The more she spoke the less her physical resemblance to Bellatrix bothered him as it was apparent that the two women could not have been more different.

His aunt's kind demeanor and Luna's calming presence (combined with the excellent wine) relaxed him to the point that he found himself admitting that he had never visited his father in prison (and had no intention of ever doing so), that he had not entered Malfoy Manor since his mother left the country (and hoped to keep it that way) and that the reason he had not joined Narcissa in Europe was that the relatives there claimed there was no room for them to accommodate both Malfoys – an assertion Draco clearly did not believe.

Andromeda made a face. "I visited that home as a child. There is plenty of room. The truth is that Great Aunt Agatha's sons are horrid, vain men that can't stand to be around any male that might show them up in any capacity – which you would have easily done at every turn, nephew. Be glad you avoided that situation. As difficult as it was, you were better off staying here." Draco glanced at Luna and found himself silently agreeing with his aunt.

Teddy adored Draco's company, constantly waving and smiling at him. Draco would respond by making funny faces, causing Teddy to laugh uncontrollably. Just as they were starting dessert the child took a deep breath and transfigured his own hair, eyes and nose to resemble his new friend, causing Draco to nearly fall out of his chair. Luna had mentioned Teddy's metamorphic abilities but he did not expect them to be so pronounced at such a young age.

Both Andromeda and Luna burst into laughter at the look on Draco's face. His aunt managed to get out, "Well, at least now you know what your children will look like, nephew."

Luna teased, "My goodness, Draco! I didn't think it was possible for you to get any paler. Which is more frightening– Teddy's powers or the idea of having children?"

The young man looked sidewise at the child and stammered, "I-I don't think I'm ready for one of those yet…."

Luna patted his arm. "It's okay, Draco. I'm sure that you'll have plenty of time to get used to the idea of parenthood."

Draco blushed slightly and turned his attention back to his food. They conversed for a while longer before Teddy let out a big yawn. Andromeda said, "I think it's time for someone to get ready for bed."

Luna's eyes brightened. "May I do it, Andromeda? I didn't get to finish his bedtime story the last time I was here."

Andromeda nodded. "I'm sure he would like that, Luna."

Luna scooped Teddy from his high chair and carried him out of the room. Draco smiled as he watched her, trying to imagine what a Luna Lovegood bedtime story would sound like. His aunt noticed his gaze and said, "She has been an absolute blessing. Harry helps with his godson as often as he can but his work as an auror is time consuming and the hours unpredictable. Luna is always willing to step in whenever she is available and Teddy loves her. It's nice to have someone that sees past the family connections – and the resemblance..."

Draco twisted the napkin in his hands. "About that...I'd like to apologize again for what happened earlier..."

"Please don't worry about it, Draco. Your reaction actually revealed quite a lot about you. You placed yourself between Teddy and what you perceived as a threat without any hesitation. You had never seen that child before but your gut instinct was to protect him. That sadly would not have been the case for certain members of our family."

Draco waved dismissively. "I wish I could claim noble motives but, honestly, my first thought was of what Luna would do to me if I let anything happen to Teddy. She's quite a powerful witch and I don't think it would be wise to end up on her bad side."

Andromeda nodded. "Agreed." She paused then added, "But I also saw the flash of anger in your eyes when you first turned around. For a split second, you thought that I was Bella and that I had already harmed Luna, didn't you?"

Draco did not answer so his aunt continued, "I recognized the look because it was the same one I had when I found out my daughter and husband were in danger." She gave her nephew a warm smile. "Don't be afraid to care about people, Draco. It is the only thing that makes life worth living. Luna believes in you and so do I. Do yourself a favor and start believing in yourself. It will make all the difference."

She leaned back and took a sip of her wine. "You know, when I first started dating Edward a lot of people assumed it was a trick or a ruse because of my family. I worried he would think the same, that he wouldn't be able to trust that our relationship wasn't an elaborate plot. I had to learn to have confidence in our feelings for each other and realize that he saw me and not just my past baggage."

Draco was about to clarify that he and Luna weren't a couple when she returned to the room. "Well, the end of the story will have to wait, I suppose. As soon as I handed him Sirius he was out like a light."

She caught sight of Draco's confusion and laughed. "Sorry! Sirius is Teddy's stuffed dog. We also have Prongs the stag and Puff the badger. One or more are usually necessary for bedtime to be successful."

The adults finished their dessert then Luna stood and said, "Thank you for a lovely evening, Andromeda. I hope we can stop back another time?"

"You are always welcome, dear. We would love it if you both visited again, very soon." She laid her hand on Draco's shoulder. "And nephew, if you ever need someone to talk to, please know that I am here for you."

Draco smiled. "Thank you. I may take you up on that."

He returned to his flat with the funny feeling that, even though he had never been in that house before, he had actually been "home" for the first time in a very long while.