"Sorted Too Young"
Dumbledore tells Snape, "Sometimes, Snape, I think we sort them too young."
CHAPTER 10 – LETTERS
Draco did not want to admit how cowardly he really had been of late, hiding out in the Weasley home. But now as he sat and wrote letters, he was faced with this very notion of himself. Now he must face the outside world and not just through the occasional correspondence with his bank or visits from people he had grown familiar with while healing from his terrible injuries. He had to accept that he was a man, an adult, with responsibilities to the Malfoy manor, accounts, and thus to the people of England as a Malfoy. The worst part was the part where he understood Harry the most. All through his growing up, he had envied Harry for being one of the Golden Trio, a hero. He wanted to be seen as a hero. Now he was and it terrified him. One mistake could so easily ruin the Malfoy name now.
There was his reality check. The Malfoy name was already in ruins thanks to his father. It rested in Draco's hands to change that. It was just easier hiding behind others.
He must have written these letters a dozen times before he had the courage to set them free. He found it relieving in a way when his very own eagle owl sensed his need to deliver them and flew to the window to wait, right on cue. "Hello old friend. I have several for you. You will be very busy going back and forth tonight." He saved a piece of meat from dinner and fed it to the eagle owl.
With every nerve twitchy, the wounds that refused to heal swiftly or even at all hurt a thousand fold. He shook the potion bottle of the painkiller that Hermione had made for him. It was getting low. He had considered asking for more as his hands were not quite yet steady enough for him to brew his own potions. No, he had to brave the waves of pain and stretch it a little longer. This would be a plot of manipulation for the media. He was going to make a few very big statements if everything did actually go according to his planning. Hermione will certainly have words for him on all this later. He hoped she would understand after.
He frowned to himself. When did he care what she thought? Why did he care? Then he tried to think about what it would be like without her in his life in some way. She could be very ornery, very annoying, definitely demanding. Such the goody-tooshoes. She was away with Harry at Grimauld Place at the moment. He felt alone without them here. It was always more awkward without the buffer of them. He often wondered if those two were getting it on, becoming a couple, now that she was not with Ron and Harry was not with Ginny. There was nothing in any of their public interactions that gave away anything other than that they were just very good and close friends, though. Why should he even care about that? It was not his business. In the end, he was alone. It seemed to always be that way. Unless he wanted to uphold the marriage to Pansy that was arranged for him when he was three.
He groaned and took out some paper. That was another letter he had to write. Pansy would be eighteen soon and he would be obliged to marry her if he did not deal with this now. He really really did not want to marry her. He shuddered to think of her as his wife. This was perhaps the easiest of the letters to write.
Each letter bore the wax seal with the pressed symbol of his family crest from his family signet ring, a gift from his mother on his sixteenth birthday.
FIRST LETTER
Head Mistress MacGonegall,
I understand that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy will be ready to welcome students once more to his grounds this coming September. This is very good news for the wizarding world.
I know that my sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts were far from shining examples of my attendance and participation, the proof that I had lost my Prefection understandable. I wish to make up for this and return to repeat my seventh year. I understand that I will need to write a set of entrance examinations to figure out what I remember and how much I have forgotten as well as to properly place me according to my grades and willingness to learn. I expect nothing less. I hope that in the subsequent interviews, should you accept my request to return, will prove to you the changes I am willing to make to be a better role model to those in the younger years.
Please consider this my formal request for re-entry as a student in Slytherin House seventh year.
Sincerely and humbly,
Draco Malfoy
Heir and Master of House Malfoy and Family
SECOND LETTER
Attention: Mr. Darius Ashgrove
Estates & Inheritance Management
In light of the death of my mother, Narcissa Malfoy, and the total abandonment of home and family and responsibility of my father, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy; I find myself in need of making secure arrangements. I expect to meet with you, our family retainer, at the home of Arthur Weasley on Tuesday July 20th at 10h00. Bring with you all deeds and wills in order along with the compendium of Malfoy Family Laws.
If it is at all possible, acquire the same for the Black family as I hold Blood Heirship there as well.
Leave at your office your opinions and attitudes or I will "terminate" your employment and find a new family retainer.
Draco Malfoy
Heir and Master of House Malfoy and Family
THIRD LETTER
Dr. Gregor Shmeiss,
You and I have met at the Weasley home when you collected the orphan wolf child, Teddy Lupin. I understand that you are currently in charge of studying his condition. As one of the people in charge of his human education and care, as well as the individual about to pay you well for your finding, I expect you to deliver him to be every weekend wherever I may be.
The family of Malfoy is officially taking stake in this study. I expect you to attend a meeting here at the Weasley home on Tuesday July 20th at 11h00. Bring the child with you. I wish to keep him till the following Monday. Bring with you a letter of your credentials and a list of any and all needs you might have to fully engage in your study.
Draco Malfoy
Heir and Master of House Malfoy and Family
FOURTH LETTER
Mr. Donald Prescott,
Congratulation on your new post in the Federal Social Assistance Agency for the Care and Welfare of Children. In reparation for damages that my family has so foolishly engaged in for now two wars, please accept the forthcoming donation to help offset costs I can only imagine are devastatingly high for the provision of so many after this most recent war. I cannot apologize enough and there is little that I know can properly compensate for my father's abhorrent acts.
Upon my mother's death, she bade me to be the change the world needs. The family of Malfoy will begin that change. As its last living member worthy of any note, I will try to begin that change. I know I cannot change the world overnight. I know I cannot save every life. I beg you though to help me save at least one.
Please look into the affairs of the orphan, Teddy Lupin, son of Remus Lupin and Ninfadora Tonks. He is currently in the Elizabeth Institute under the study of Dr. Gregor Shmeiss. I am in correspondence with Dr. Shmeiss as I work with him and the Weasley family to arrange the child's care. I wish to be more involved. As an adult member of society now, I have the right to request formal adoption. I am considering this possibility. However, I do not yet think I am fully ready for that responsibility. I am intending on returning the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to repeat my seventh and final year of study first. I also need to put my own house in order. I do not, though, wish to see young Teddy Lupin fall through the cracks. Is there any arrangements we could formally make to ensure that does not happen? I have a great many other questions and concerns.
Finally, I have set up a special fund for children in need of education to sponsor them to study at Hogwarts. If you have a list of such children, please allow me to extend this opportunity for a selection of them. This scholarship fund will be available for 10 such students annually, starting this September.
If there is any legal paperwork I need to sign or details we need to discuss, please accept my invitation to meet on Tuesday July 20th at noon.
Sincerely and humbly
Draco Malfoy
Heir and Master of House Malfoy and Family
FIFTH LETTER
Attention Daily Prophet,
Rumor:
Draco Malfoy intends to return to Hogwarts.
Gringotts has noted his assignment of funds to the Federal Social Assistance Agency for the Care and Welfare of Children as well as scholarships for ten children to the school. Also, arrangements seem to be in the works for his potential adoption of the orphaned Teddy Lupin, suspected werewolf child of Remus Lupin, a known werewolf.
Letters were intercepted from the Weasley home to these effects.
Apparently Draco Malfoy will be meeting with Mr. Donald Prescott on Tuesday July 20th at noon.
Good luck finding someone discrete enough and able to be welcomed in by the Weasley family to get the truth to these rumors.
Anonymously signed
(no seal)
LATER, SIXTH AND FINAL LETTER
To the family of Parkinson,
I, Draco Malfoy, am nullifying any and all marriage arrangements to Pansy without recourse. After the horrors of this latest war, I find it both unfair and cruel to your daughter to oblige her to marry someone she may not truly have affections for and who in turn does not have affections for her. She is a bright and beautiful girl with great potential. However, I am in no state either mentally, emotionally or physically at this time to consider this arrangement. The family of Malfoy will not request the return of any dowry paid and does not intend or mean any shame upon the family of Parkinson. This annulment is meant to free both myself and Pansy to consider matches better suited to both our family post-war where the world is now quite a different place. I hope we might still remain friends and might have the opportunity to crass paths at Hogwarts as I hope to attend and retake my seventh year of study there in order to be better prepared to step into this new world.
Sincerely and with blessing,
Draco Malfoy
Heir and Master of House Malfoy and Family
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