Part II

Chapter o9

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Contempt

(a fuzzy feeling)

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September, 2005.

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At twenty six years old, Draco finally was able to feel comfortable on his own skin. It felt strange, at first, like his skin was prickling and a sense of contempt covered him as a blanket. It was so foreign that his therapist was the one to identify it for him.

He could only stare at Ms. Bramley and she smiled at him, telling him that he'd come a long way to get there and that he deserved and she was happy for him.

That was a month before and now that the strangeness of it had passed, he did enjoy the feeling. He felt relaxed waking up to his little cottage at the welsh shore everyday, hearing the sea and the rocks battling against each other, going to the Manor only at the weekends since he didn't want to left his Mother alone and Father still was incarcerated. Her health has improved drastically since the War has ended and he's never seen her so much alive and she absolutely glowed, enjoying her estranged sister every chance they got to spend time together.

Andromeda was wary on the first couple of months and Draco had to hear his Mother cry more often than not, which set him on the edge and made him cranky with anyone who come near him. Alas, it's been years and they had a steadily growing relationship and Mother, gorgeous woman that she was, decided to create a foundation to help the orphaned kids from the War. Draco, of course, had supported her wholeheartedly since he saw how much effect little Ted had on his Mother, being an orphan from the War and being watched first-hand as he grew up.

Sensibly, Narcissa talked to her sister because, surprisingly, she wanted the foundation to be on Andromeda's name, which was done very carefully so that Andromeda wouldn't think she and her family weren't being brought nor her lost weren't being mocked. Mercifully, Andromeda actually swept when Narcissa brought it up and it hadn't ended up as badly as he thought it would be. Slytherin as his Mother was, she also realised that anything with the name linked to the Malfoys would be frowned up and not accepted in the society, and being on Andromeda's name made everything easier. The sisters would manage and it would bring both his Mother and Aunt something to do and make them busy now that they both had lost most of their families.

As his family business expanded in the magical hands of Theo, Draco felt more and more comfortable in pursuing personal interests in their company. As he discovered to be a passionate scholar, mostly interested in alchemy, arithmancy, ancient runes and theory, namely the intricate pieces that created magic as beautiful and powerful as he experienced in Sweden or Hermione did in India and Iran. He loved to study how and why and Theo loved his idea to create a branch to experiment new magic in a very malleable way. It was a very slowly process, however Draco got to visit and talk with ancient wizards and witches, whom provided to be very helpful and gave him insights that would change his perspectives.

His life had so dramatically changed over the past three years that he couldn't fathom he would ever feel that contempt in working and living and not hiding anymore, not fearing his shadows or his name, his heritage, his family. He and his parents had done wrong, however they had payed in galleon, in years serving in prison, in fear of people who had suffered retaliating, in emotional distress and, mostly, being an outcast of the Wizard society.

It was outstanding that Draco had managed to put his life back together after such a traumatic event. Sometimes, when he was gazing out at the window to the night sky having supper, he could think that the War happened into another lifetime. Obviously, when he looked at his right arm and saw that intricate piece of art covering his hideous Dark Mark, he was very much brought to the present time. Which now, didn't made him flinch anymore. The present, that is. Although when he thought back to the day when he made his tattoo, he didn't flinch either. A good deal of progress, really.

And talking about his muggle adventurous, he had that now. Muggle adventurous. Not only he had a therapist, in the middle of Muggle London, now he had a stable relationship with his once nemesis' parents, the Grangers. Which was the weirdest thing ever, possible stranger than his friendship with Hermione Granger. He'd felt oddly alone when she went abroad and although his Mother was very good talking sense into him, she lacked Granger's no nonsense attitude, which he discovered was a family trait once they all met. So he went there to seek advice, a shoulder, cold glares and the no nonsense attitude. In exchange, he recalled bits of the War and help the to understand what had happened to his daughter in broad terms, since she was the one who would have to tell them the darkest part - that happened at his own home. And the Grangers opened up to his presence, which was small victory.

Draco could vividly remember when Hermione came home and find out that they and Draco were on amicable terms. Her eyes mirrored her shock and he couldn't decipher if it was because he was Draco Malfoy and sought her parents out or if it was her parents that knew he fought at the dark side of the War. Nevertheless, she accepted far more quicker than he thought she would.

Perhaps it was a testimony of how far they've come and how they relationship had evolved in the past couple of years. Indeed, that was so far out his field that he didn't know how to deal with it when he stopped to think about it. Which wasn't often, mercifully, and he did think they were more alike than both of them would like to admit. And now that he had moved on from que self entitled and spoiled brat self, plus had realised that he was not, in fact, superior nor above anyone, he now could enjoy traits that he'd find horrendous when they were young.

"What is it that is making you laugh"

"Your hair" he answered automatically and winced to her outrageous face, so he backtracked. "I mean, no! Your hair isn't making me laugh, just that I was thinking how much I used to mock it and now I think it suits you perfectly, so I just think it's funny how my view has changed".

"Nice save, arsehole" she tried to glare, but he could see the smile twitching at her lips.

They were currently at her new rented flat, a one-bedroom apartment above a flower store in the middle of Muggle London. She has finally decided to move out of the Granger household, having fulfilled the need to stay close to her parents after so many years going away to school and being a fugitive at the War. Much to her chagrin, she did end up being awarded a couple of prizes because of her services to the Wizardry community at the War and some involved a large chunk of galleons - which she tried to refuse relentlessly and the Ministry didn't bulge.

And now she was again an employee at the Ministry, however Kingsley let her get into any position that she wanted since he did need her to help him. Of course, Hermione discussed all the possibilities with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, even Draco was called a night to help to lay out the most promising options. She ended up at the Law Enforcement Department, and she requested to begin in the lowest ranks as any other employee would. That was almost two years ago and she was, unsurprisingly, one of the most talented juniors of the department and was taken under the wing of one of the oldest employees there.

So here they were, at her flat, discussing strategies to better approach the educational reform that she and the Minister wanted to apply.

"You want to have most of the Wizengamot on your side first to propose it. The old families will not want it." He told her early that evening and, of course, she manage to get a picture of all the members of the Wizengamot and the the council, which hasn't been reunited since the first War and had Draco's name on it.

"Must be enchanted, like the Family ring and the legal documents of the Estate and the business" he murmured and Hermione hummed.

"Yes, well, we should focus on the Wizengamot and map every single person in it. We don't even know if the council will ever be restored to work again. And it's a very archaic and elitist thing, I'll be happy if it's gone." she told him resolutely and Draco could only nod and smile to himself as they began scratching ink on the parchment and discuss every blood person.

"Oh, you're so going to be the next Minister for Magic, Hermione" he told her later, kind of excited of their accomplishment and in wonder of it as well. The only reply he got was a meow of Hermione's cat and her evenly breathing, signaling of her sleep. He levitated her to her bed and snuggled up on the recently vacant couch.

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