Hi everyone :)
One word: Draco :D
Say hello to the birthday boy! Yes, today, the thirty-first of July, I am seven years old, or twenty-one, depending on how you look at it.
I got a heap of presents as usual, consisting of toys, a few overly expensive sweets and a stack of books as well. For the first time ever I had Contessa cooing over me all morning and then getting all upset because she couldn't get the time off of work to spend the day with me. Nothing's changed with Phil; I didn't even see him this morning before he left for work so that just shows how much my birthday means to him. I wonder if he even knows it's my birthday today...
Despite relations between myself and Phil still being non-existant, my relationship with Contessa has admittedly grown stronger. It's odd really, how much she's suddenly changed. It's hard to believe that for the past seven years, she's only been acting so cold towards me because of some "ingenious" plan of hers, (which I still don't understand because she always stops herself before going into too much detail which is damn annoying!). Now, having obviously decided her plan was rubbish, she's suddenly a model mother. I even over-heard her speaking to someone through the fire-place, (some friend most likely) about resigning to take care of me full time. A Ravenclaw, giving up their job! I never thought I'd see the day. Yes, she's a model mother now so it's not surprising she was upset she couldn't spend my birthday with me, though at the time I was secretly glad as I'd had other plans.
First thing this morning, I had hoped I'd be able to slip away again to spend some of the day with Sirius and Remus, they took the time off especially when they found out. Unfortunately, Contessa practically ordered Alice to take me out shopping to buy myself more gifts, expensive ones that I pick out myself because then they'll be things I really want. I felt like telling her that if she wanted to give me what I want then she'd let me go and spend the day with Remus and Sirius. Or, even better, she'd help me get in contact with Draco.
Ah, yes, don't get me started on Draco. Stupid, bloody, anti-social git. I've lost count of the number of letters I've tried to send him only for the owls to come back with the envelopes un-opened. I had a good mind to stalk over to Hogwarts and have a go at him at the time but now that the school's broken up for the summer, I have no idea where he is now. Does he still live at Malfoy Manor or were there too many bad memories there for him to stay? Or perhaps the Ministry froze all of Lucius Malfoy's property when they sent him to Azkaban and so Draco isn't allowed to live there anymore. Anyway, whatever, the point is, I don't know where Draco is and so I can't try sending him any more letters. Like he'd even open them, the git.
Anyway, back to today, right now in fact. I'm with Alice in some high class, pure-blood version of Diagon Alley, (that's name I can't remember right now) where everything is anything up to four times as expensive and about the same quality. I'm idly eyeing up the stuff on display in the window of the Quidditch store they have here as Alice gossips with some friend of hers who we bumped into. As usual, I'm bored but I can't be bothered to moan and whine like a bored seven year old probably would. It's easier and less hassle to just be patient and wait out the gossip.
Merlin, this place is so stupid. In Diagon Alley, it wouldn't be an uncommon sight to see a person every so often dressed in muggle clothing. If there was someone dressed in muggle clothing in this place, even if it was some non-conformist pure-blood, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a riot. Well, okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but there would certainly be a lot of cold looks, maybe even a few snide comments. These are pure-bloods after all and experiance has taught us all that pure-bloods aren't the most tolerant people when it comes to family and the blood of the wizarding...
Oh my God...I, I don't believe it...This sensation. This warm, tingly sensation, I haven't felt it for over seven years. It can't be, it can't possibly...I can't see anything, I can't see...No, wait, there! A trail of white, glittering light! I know that light! Draco! Draco was here! Draco's still here! HE'S RIGHT HERE! Forget being a seven year old, there is no way in Hell I'm passing up an oppotunity like this and I need to follow it now before it fades.
"Charlemagne?" Alice calls after me as I start forward, starting slow but quickly picking the pace up into a run. "Charlemagne, where are you going?" Sorry Alice, nothing personal but I have a soul mate to find and yell at.
Thank Merlin Draco talked me into doing that spell in Fourth Year otherwise I wouldn't be following this trail which I know only I can see. All these stupid people getting in my way can't be doing it on purpose after all. At least the glow is still rather vibrant; means that Draco was here about ten, maybe fifteen, minutes ago. He can't have gone too far in that time and, hopefully, when I get closer to him, he'll start to sense me as well.
This is bloody awkward: I have to keep swerving around the people around me and sometimes swerving isn't enough as they still bump into me or I lose my balance and stumble; these shoes I'm wearing really aren't meant for running in and this cloak around my shoulders is a bit too bulky for easy movement.
Ahh, but wait, that little feeling of Draco in the back of my mind; he's felt me, he realises I'm here. It won't be long now. We'll be together again soon...And there he is! Well, okay, technically I can't see him yet but I can see the top of the white glow surrounding him further up if I look over people's heads. It's moving from side to side quite a lot; Draco's probably fighting his way through the crowd as well. I wonder how much he's changed, what his personality is like, how much like his father he may be now...
...And there he is and all of a sudden my legs have a mind of their own and I can't move but, oh my, how much he so looks like Lucius. It's rather uncanny really. The shape of his face, the length and colour of his hair, his stature, even his clothes and the walking cane he holds in his right hand, so much like the older Malfoy. Except for his eyes, his eyes aren't as cold as his father's. They're still not exactly warm, but they're not scathing. Actually, at the moment they're wide with surprise. He's staring right at me, probably wondering if his eyes are decieving him. There's about five feet seperating us and every so often someone will walk in between us and block our views for a moment but they're soon moving on and we're once again visible to each other.
I'm going to have to make the first move, I think he thinks I don't remember. Either that or her just doesn't want to take the chance that I may not remember. Okay, so c'mon Harry, move. You do remember how to move don't you? One foot in front of the other...Get a move on you stupid legs and work! It's not even that far to walk and you're not taking any notice of me. Damn, bloody, stupid, sodding legs.
Ah ha, there, they're moving, thank you. That's not too hard is it you stupid things. See, we're already here, standing right in front of Draco who's still looking down at me with wide eyes. I reckon if it wasn't for the fact he been taught proper manners, his jaw would most likely be touching the ground. Wow, he's really tall now, I'm getting a crick in my neck just looking up at him. He's beautiful though, I think I'm falling in love with him all over again...Can't dwell on that at the moment though. Gotta focus, gotta say something, gotta stop ogling him.
"Hi Draco." ...Why the Hell did I say that? That was so lame! First time we've seen each other after one death and seven years and that's all I can say to him.
"Harry?" He whispers un-surely and, Merlin, his voice is really deep now and I also see that he's reverted to the snobbish tone he possessed during First, Second and most of Third Year. And there was me thinking I'd managed to beat, (not literally of course) that out of him. Oh well, suppose it's too late now.
I'm just about to say something in reply when I notice his eyes again. There're tears in them! Draco's crying! This is a first. I have never, ever seen Draco cry before. I've seen him on the verge of tears but this is the first time there have been actual tears in his eyes. Should I say something now? Or would that spoil everything? I so don't want this to go badly, would speaking ruin...
"Oh my Harry!" Draco suddenly gushes and the next thing I know, his arms are around me tightly and my head is buried just underneath his neck. I get over the shock quickly though and wrap my arms around his neck, bringing myself as close to him as possible. This is where I'm supposed to be, here, in his arms.
I can feel his warm breath on my neck and I think he's saying something but he's mumbling so I can't make out what it is he's actually saying. I doubt it's anything important, it probably doesn't even make any sense. This is just how I remember it and it's wonderful; so warm and comforting. And his scent hasn't changed. I breathe in deeply, taking it in. This, all of this, is so glorious, but we are in the middle of the pavement, surrounded by people and Draco's on his knees hugging me. If we haven't already attracted some attention, we soon will. As much as I hate to admit it, we have to move to somewhere less crowded if we're going to continue like this and, I for one, do wish to continue this; it's been so long after all.
"Draco?" I murmur against his chest. No reply. "Draco, we have to move, we can't stay here in the middle of the pavement."
Ever the practical, logical one, I feel Draco shift upon hearing that and I go to pull away so he can stand. However, his arms tighten around me the second a try to move away and, in one swift motion, he's standing and I'm still in his arms, my own wrapped loosely around his neck. He's already adjusted his hold on me so his hands are laced together underneath my thighs, providing a little seat for me, (can't see what he's done with his walking cane). I do my bit by shifting my legs a little so they fit more comfortably around his stomach.
And when I'm fully settled, his turns his head and he's suddenly looking straight at me, into my eyes, and our faces are only an inch or so apart. His eyes are very slightly blood-shot but other than that there's no evidence on his face that he was ever on the verge of tears. His face is hard and expressionless but his eyes say everything to me, plus there's the little presence of him in the back of my mind, (which is gradually growing more noticeable now that we're in physical contact again) and that's just radiating waves of relief, joy and love.
"How old are you?" He asks me gently, his eyes not even flickering away from mine.
"Seven today."
"Happy birthday then."
I can't help the huge grin that spreads out on my face at that and the next words have left my mouth before I have a chance to stop them: "It is now."
"How delightfully cheesy." Draco teases me gently and I think that's officially broken any ice which may have needed to be broken later on.
"It's been just over seven years Draco, I think a little cheese is allowed don't you think?" I point out with mock severity. "Oh, and by the way." With that, I slap him none too gently around the back of the head.
"Hey, what was that for?" He demands with a slight frown, trying to duck away from the hit a little too late.
"That was for being an anti-social git and not even looking at any of the letters I tried to send you." I tell him in a matter-of-fact tone, readjusting my arms around his neck.
"Those letters were from you?" He checks with raised eyebrows. "Well if I'd known that I wouldnt have ignored them."
"Why did you ignore them?" I can't help but ask, I'm curious.
Draco sighs lightly. "I was just on my way to meet my mother and then go home with her; care to accompany me now?"
Oh...And now I remember Alice. Damn, I shouldn't have run off like that...Oh well, too late to do anything about it now. I'll sort it all out later. "Of course, but don't try and change the subject Draco." I scold, knowing what he's trying to do.
"I wasn't trying to change the subject, I was merely confirming where we'd go next." Draco argues as he starts to move forward.
"Well, now you can answer my question."
He sighs again and gives me a slight, annoyed scowl before speaking. "Things, understandably, haven't very pleasant for me since you died Harry. The second you were gone it felt like a huge chunk of me had been ripped right out and the fact I couldn't mourn for you openly only made things worse. For quite some time I was a wreck: I didn't eat much; I never spoke more than a few words at once and sleeping was an almost impossible activity. It was my father's trial that changed everything.
"Although they'd found him at the graveyard in his Death Eater uniform, they couldn't secure a witness to convict him, everyone who was suitable either suddenly came down with a serious illness, suffered a awful injury or just refused to give evidence. I knew what he'd been doing for so long and I knew he had been there when it happened, I knew that he was there when you and Voldemort died, I heard him telling mother when I came back home that summer. And, suddenly, I hated him more than anything because he was there and he didn't even try to save you or have the Dark Lord show you mercy, although I knew he had no reason to. So, when I found out there was a very good chance my father was going to get away with it because no one would speak for the prosecution, I decided to give evidence against him.
"With evidence against him from his own son, he didn't have a chance. He was sentenced and I felt, on some level, that I'd avenged your death. Of course, doing that meant myself and mother were treated with nothing but scorn from most other pure-blood families but neither of us cared. I had enough money in my own personal vault to support us for quite some time and mother had a significant amount of her parents' money from when they died. We bought a manor of our own, not as big as Malfoy Manor but larger than most, certainly more than enough space for only my mother and myself.
"After all of that, you could only describe my life as an existence really. I sort of just drifted from day to day, doing enough to survive. When school started again for Fifth Year, I threw myself into my studies and neglected all other areas of my life, all for the sake of my mother. She was still alive and I was all she had left. I didn't want to leave her alone, so I carried on, even if my heart was only partly in it.
"And then, one day near the beginning of Fifth Year, I felt the part which had been empty since the second you died fill up a little. I didn't know what it meant at the time, I was just thankful that it happened as I stopped feeling so perminantly suicidal. Everything got a little better then and life became a little less of a chore. I had no real desire to associate with anyone other than my mother and Serverus though so I grew more and more anti-social.
"By the end of Seventh Year, I had no "friends" left but I was the top of the school, ahead of Granger even. Dumbledore offered me the position of DADA professor and I almost didn't take it, but then I remembered how it was your favourite subject. I saw it as a way that I might be able to claw a little bit more of you back in to my life. So I took it and I've been doing that ever since, spending most of the year at Hogwarts and then going to live with mother at our manor during the summer and Christmas."
"How much of a tyrant are you in class?" I tease lightly, wanting to pull him out of the slight slump he's fallen into from his memories.
"I'm a little better than Serverus." Draco laughs easily. "Popular opinion labels me as the second most hated professor."
"I can imagine that." I grin, letting my head rest on his shoulder as he walks.
"What about you? What's your life story so far?" He inquires, shifting his hold on me a little; he was probably losing his grip or something, and resting his cheek on the top of my head lightly.
"Well, my name's Charlemagne and I'm the only child of Phillipe and Contessa Frank. I've mostly been raised by nannies so far but recently Contessa's taken an interest in me. Phil mostly just ignores me which I'm fine with. I found Ginny Weasley in Diagon Alley a few weeks ago one day when I snuck out of the house on my own and then promptly reunited with everyone else about a week after that. That's about it."
"Phillipe Frank hmm?" Draco muses. "The name does sound familiar but I can't for the life of me ever recall meeting him. I should imagine he's just a pompous and big headed as most pure-bloods still are. Have you snuck out again today? Is that why you were on your own?"
"Erm...Well, technically, I wasn't on my own today." Draco gives me a disapproving frown to which I promptly return with one of my own. "Do you want to go find my nanny and then explain this thing between us?"
I can tell by the very slight change in Draco's expression that he isn't too thrilled with that idea and I can't blame him. Alice wouldn't understand it, probably wouldn't believe it. We need Contessa, I can wrap her around my little finger now, she'll let me stay in contact with Draco with little or no reason.
"Don't worry." I assure him, hugging him, pressing my cheek against his. "It'll all be all right, we won't be seperated again."
He looks at me neutrally for a second or so before sighing and shaking his head. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that? It's just as well I'm already a social outcast otherwise I'd have Merlin knows how many people asking about you and I'd have an extremely hard time explaining my sudden attachment to a seven year old boy."
"It doesn't bother you does it? I mean, it's not too weird for you is it?"
"No, not really. If you were a child inside to match what you look like then that would make things exceedingly more uncomfortable. As it is, the only thing I'm dreading is another eleven years or so of celibacy."
"Eleven years?" No way in Hell am I waiting ten bloody years!
"Yes Harry, eleven years. We'll wait until you're the legal age." He tells me pointedly as we turn a corner.
"We didn't bother to wait last time." I mutter in what I know is an immature, sulky tone but I don't care.
"That was different, we were the same age at that point." He answers easily and I'll admit, to myself only mind you, that he makes a good argument I suppose. Even when people do find out that I'm Harry Potter, there's no doubt there'll be a good number of people who will still disapprove. Stupid age gap. No, scratch that. Stupid, bigoted public who judge before they understand.
This is the single greatest day in my life! You know the other day when I said that? Forget that, this is now the greatest. It's mid-afternoon and the whole day has been spent with my darling Draco at his and his mother's manor, catching up on everything including many long over-due cuddles. True, his mother was there the entire time but she was surprisingly understanding. I found out later, when Draco was called by a house elf to sort something out so it was just myself and Nacrissa, that she was just so glad that he was more like how he used to be before I died. It hurts to think that poor Draco suffered so much because I was gone but knowing that just makes me all the more determined to make up for lost time.
I barely left his side the entire day and sometimes I even found my way onto his lap. It was nice even though the looks Mrs Malfoy kept sending us made me a little uncomfortable. Sort of the happy, glazed eyed look that Mrs Weasley had when she saw me again for the first time mixed with a slight bit of amusement. Despite the discomfort I felt under her gaze, I'm glad she's happy again and I'm glad Draco's happy again.
Unfortunately, just like all good things, today has to come to an end which is the reason we're standing outside Frank Manor, waiting for a house elf to come open the door for us. My left hand's lightly held in Draco's right one and if I thought Ginny had a large hand in comparison to mine now, Draco's is huge but the same shape as I remember, especially his fingers. He has such long and delicate fingers and they're wrapped around mine so securely; sigh, it's so wonderful. Despite that though, I can't stop the slight quiver of dread which shivers through me now and again.
I shouldn't have run away from Alice like I did. She'll get in trouble, I'll get in trouble and, judging by what he and Nacrissa told me earlier, Draco isn't going to be greeted too warmly, especially if Phil's in. He's not worried though, that's clear. Git. Sometimes I really hate how he can be so cool and it's worse now than ever. Before, he acted the way he does because he wanted to influence the way others thought of him. Now, he just does it because he really just doesn't care anymore. I never thought the day would come when I saw Draco Malfoy not caring what others thought of him, yet here I am and he's here next to me, cool as a cucumber.
"You need to relax." He murmurs to me gently, looking down at me with a soft smile. Did he just read my mind or something?
"That's all right for you to say, you're not their son, they can't punish you."
I think Draco's just about to reply but he doesn't get the chance because the front door opens and there's mother's house elf...Erm...I forget it's name. Anyways, it's, (I don't know whether it's a boy or a girl) just standing there, staring at Draco and I in, what I'm guessing is, astonishment. I don't mind, I'm in no hurry to go inside, I'd be quite happy to stand here all day, just smelling the flowers...
"I don't care if it's only been a few hours! I want every Auror you have on duty right now out there, searching for my son!" That's Contessa's voice and all I can say is that she must be yelling pretty loud. The sound of her angry shouting is enough to snap the house elf out of it's stupor because it's eyes widen slightly.
"Master Charlemagne!" It squeaks before promptly disappearing with a pop.
And now everything's really gonna pop off. Better be inside before it kicks off though. Giving Draco's hand a small pull, I lead him inside and I notice he closes the door behind himself. Further off inside the manor I can hear Contessa yelling again but she's now so loud that it's echoing too much and I can't actually make out what she's saying.
"Voice of an angel I must say." Draco murmurs to me and I can't help but snort out a laugh. I make sure to quickly cut the laugh off though when the sound of hurried, not quite running, footsteps reaches us.
All right, these are my last few seconds of happiness for a while so I'll make the most of it. Just have to remember this exact moment, standing here, my hand in Draco's, stomach comfortably full with various sweet things and tea...
"Charlemagne!" And here comes Contessa looking the most flustered so far. The second she's reached me, I'm up in her arms and she's rocking me, her hand craddling the back of my head. "Oh my Charlemange, where have you been? Why did you run away like that? Don't ever scare me like that again!" She orders sternly though she doesn't stop rocking me like I'm a baby. Draco clearing his throat brings Contessa back to reality and I feel her lift her head to look at him properly.
But then there's nothing. Neither of them speak and neither of them move. Ugh, why do I have to facing the opposite way to both of them? What's going on? Why aren't either of them doing anything? Why does everything suddenly feel awkward?...This is stupid, I'm breaking this silence. Let me just wiggle a bit...Yes Contessa, I want you to put me down, I am not a doll! Oh, for crying out...Why won't she let me go?
"Mother, this is Mr Draco Malfoy, he found me and looked after me for the afternoon." I tell her as I finally get loose, going into my innocent, seven year old persona. I almost skip over to Draco, trying my best to be convincing, and take hold of his hand with both of mine.
Contessa looks at me with a sort of stunned expression which I really don't understand before her eyes flicker onto Draco. I follow her gaze to him but by the time I look at him, if something's happened, it's already taken place because he looks completely normal and, suddenly, Contessa's speaking again: "It's, uh, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr Malfoy."
That's odd, she sounds uncertain. Of all the changes she's made over the last few weeks, she's never once sounded uncertain. She and Draco are talking now though it's quiet and I can't really hear what they're saying. Why do I get the feeling there's something neither of them are telling me?
End of Chapter 8.
Yay, Harry and Draco have been reunited and a little bit of plot has been revealed :o That bit about the white, sparkly trail which leads Harry to Draco I borrowed off of The Sims 2 Nightlife. I thought it was a pretty nifty idea so I modified it to fit this story :D
Oh, and since I didn't say it at the top, I'll say it now; thank you all so very much for the reviews you gave me. As always, they're very much appreciated :) And I got quite a few as well which is always a nice change of pace :)
That's all from me for now. Take care everyone, hope to see you all next time :)
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Dream
