Author's Note: So I did get multiple questions that I'm very happy to answer from snickluvah4 and cherubzenitsu at archiveofourown. They asked me:
(snickluvah4) Is this story going to have a happy ending, and are there any major character deaths that I need to mentally prepare for?
This story will have a somewhat ambiguous ending, because I honestly love such endings where one can create one just for them. As for deaths, there aren't any major character deaths, just minor ones that I will warn you beforehand.
(cherubzenitsu) Will Harry grow up to be fiercer like we know in canon or he'll stay calm outside but fierce inside?
Harry will be a fierce but loving Hufflepuff. After all, they are very loyal folks who protect and love those they call theirs.
Sev will forever stay for pinning for lovely Lily until the end of times? Which is okay but I'm so curious.
Sev, he will move on, now that he has Lily, but he will still love and remember her through Harry, so by talking to Harry about Lily, he is slowly moving on.
Will Lucius harm his son?
Well, apart from this chapter, Lucius does harm his son, emotionally and mentally, as we see from Draco's character as he breaks away from traditions.
Will Ron be forever a git?
Ron will grow, that I promise you, I'm currently writing a Ron POV to show you all more about Ron, I promise he's not a one-dimensional git!
So that's that . I want to apologize for not updating. I hit a major writing block for this one and didn't have that much motivation to write. I'm sorry for letting you guys down TT-TT. I've been having family problems along with my writer's block too, but I managed to write this chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy it!
P.S. you might want a tissue after this chapter and there is a Mudblood warning.
- The-Songbird-Who-Wrote
Chapter 9: The Gift of Change and Love
Draco lied awake at night. He found that he couldn't sleep at all. Draco sighed as he turned in his bed for the nth time. Draco rose from his bed and looked outside the window of the room that his godfather had given him. Draco recalled a memory that changed everything for him.
E&H E
Draco, at the time, was six-years-old and his parents allowed him to stay home with the house elves as punishment for his stunt with the peacock. Draco was alright with that. He didn't like going to the 'parties' anyway. They were filled with many of his father's circle, and they would ask Draco if he planned to follow his father's steps and be a good Malfoy. Draco was tired of such questions, more so even annoyed with the presence of his 'fiance', Pansy Parkinson. The girl annoyed Draco to no end, talking about how wonderful they would be together and how many families would fear them because of their name. Draco didn't want people to fear the Malfoy name, he wanted people to respect it for all its achievements.
It was in the mid-afternoon where Draco found himself being bored. He didn't know what to do. He read all the books he could read. Unfortunately, most of the books in the Malfoy Manor had words that Draco didn't know yet. But to be honest, Draco was proud of being able to read the "big boy" books that many his age couldn't read. It's the pure pureblood genes in me. After all, I'm a Malfoy, and Malfoy's must be good at everything they do. Draco sighed and walked around the Manor. Upon finding nothing better to do, he walked to the front porch of the Manor.
Suddenly, an emerald butterfly captured Draco's attention. The butterfly to Draco was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, well besides the white peacocks, and his mother. Draco was transfixed, he immediately followed it, trying to look at its beauty for a longer duration. Unknownebest to Draco, he was straying farther and farther away from Malfoy Manor.
Sadly, the butterfly flew too far into the sky for Draco to look at it. With a sigh, Draco turned to head back to the Manor, but all he saw was the lush, open, green plains of Wiltshire. Panicking, Draco turned all around, finding nothing but the same lush, green plains.
Alright, it's alright. Just stay calm. I have to retrace my steps. That's what Father told me. But how? Everything looks the same. Draco, you silly boy, why would follow that butterfly without looking at your surroundings. Ugh, Father is going to kill me for this. As Draco was pacing, muttering under his breath about how stupid he was, a tap of his shoulder startled him, causing him to squeal and fall on the ground.
"Hello, I've never seen you here before. And sorry for scaring you. My name is Jonathan. Let me help you." The boy, Jonathan, offered his hand to Draco, who took with a polite smile of thanks. Dusting off the dirt on his trousers, Draco spoke. "Thank you. It's nice to meet you. My name is Draco." Draco took this time to study the boy. They seemed to be around the same age, if anything, it seemed that Draco was a bit older.
Jonathan smiled at him and started to talk again. "Draco, that's a funny name!" Draco bristled at his name being called 'funny' "It is not funny! My mummy named me that!" Jonathan gasped and recoiled at the anger in Draco's tone. Jonathan's eyes looked away from Draco and placed themselves on his shoes and shuffled his feet. After a while, Jonathan looked up at Draco. "I'm sorry. Please don't be mad." Draco found himself softening. With a sigh, Draco spoke. "No, it's alright. But what's a little boy like you doing here? Where are your parents?"
Jonathan looked over his shoulder and pointed to a small cottage nearby. Why Draco never saw it, he never knew. But before he could say anything, Jonathan already held his left hand and dragged him to the cottage. Draco felt disgusted. How dare this Mudblood, hold my hand in a manner suggesting that we are the same, more so friends?!
Draco found himself in front of a quaint small cottage. It was the size of the ballroom in the manor, a comfortable size. Jonathan ushered Draco inside this cottage. Inside, Draco was met with smells he had never smelled before. It was a pleasant smell that made Draco feel warm inside. Draco found that the house felt warm, very unlike the cold atmosphere of the Manor. Draco looked around to find many pictures, most included Jonathan, a man, and a woman. That's his family. Draco couldn't help but notice the bright smiles all of them wore in all of the pictures. Draco felt jealous.
"MOTHER! FATHER! I'm home! I also bought a guest over!" Jonathan's yell broke Draco's concentration, and he turned to see Jonathan's father come out of the kitchen. Draco thought that the man worked a peasant job. The man wore an apron and was covered in head to toe with something white. The man to Draco, looked disgustingly improper as he fought to keep a grimace off his face. It seemed that Jonathan's words sunk into the man as he flushed and used his hands to wipe up the powdery substance in his clothing. Father was right, Mudbloods have no sense of proper decorum. It's disgusting.
"Er, hello. Sorry, you had to see me like that. My name is George Estralis. It's nice to meet you." Mr. Estralis scratched his head in sheer embarrassment, and now Draco felt terrible for thinking of the man as disgustingly improper. Mr. Estralis then moved to Draco, holding his hand to shake. Draco then noticed how big Mr. Estralis' hands were compared to his own. It was then he noticed a woman step out behind Mr. Estralis.
"Hello, my name is Mary, the mother of Jonathan. Had Jonathan told us that he'd bring home a guest, we would have prepared. It's a pleasure to meet you, young man. What's your name?" Draco smiled charmingly at the woman. His mother had taught him that when you see a woman, it is polite to kiss the front of her hand, and so Draco did that. "My name is Draco Malfoy, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you both." Draco said with a nod to Mr. Estralis in the process. Draco couldn't help but be pleased with Mrs. Estralis' manners. For a Mudblood, her manners may put an amateur pureblood to shame. She would fit right in.
"Oh, that's such a lovely name. You are named after the Draconis constellation, right? It's such a lovely constellation," said Mrs. Estralis in a way to make conversation as she leads Draco into their kitchen. A Mudblood knowing constellation? I'm impressed. Jonathan had left them after his father told him to go change. Mr. Estralis, too, decided to change to make himself more presentable for Draco, not that Draco had minded, of course.
The kitchen was small, but it made Draco feel warm again. Is this what a home is supposed to feel like? It's so much warmer than the Manor. How is it that the Mudbloods can do such a thing? Draco couldn't help but look at a freshly set of loaves on the table.
"You can have some, you know?" Draco's head snapped to look at Mrs. Estralis, who smiled at him, knowingly, as if Draco got caught putting his hand as if he placed it near his mother's wand. With a sheepish smile, Draco nodded his thanks and broke a piece of the bread, and it put it in his mouth.
Draco had never tasted something so delicious. The bread was warm and melted into his mouth. It was better than any bread a house-elf could serve. He heard a laugh and turned to Mrs. Estralis. "I'm glad that you enjoyed it. My husband made them. He wanted to help me make loaves today as it's his day off from work." Draco did not mind for he was already glad to have a taste of something so exquisite. He heard thudding from the living room, and the next thing he saw was Johnathan stepping into the kitchen with a bright smile.
"Mother, did Father make those?" With a hum from Ms. Estralis, Johnathan's smiled had somehow widened, and as he sat down next to Draco and started to eat a loaf as well. Both boys were in pure bliss as they enjoyed their piece of loaf, with Ms. Estralis looking at them and smiling softly. Soon, Mr. Estralis stepped through, wearing a suit, except it screamed Muggle.
"Glad to see that you boys are enjoying the bread. Although, Mr. Malfoy, how did you come about here? I've never heard of a Malfoy family living here in Wiltshire." Draco pursed his lips. How could he tell these Mudbloods who his family is without giving away that they are wizards? Suddenly, Jonathan spoke up.
"Father, perhaps Draco and his family just moved in. That's why we may have never known of Malfoy family here." Thank Merlin. Draco nodded his head earnestly as he replied, "Yes, we actually moved here from last year from London." Mr. Estralis hummed in reply and gave Draco a soft smile.
"I see, perhaps I should drop you off, though. What's your address?" Crap. Think, Draco. Think. With a cough, he replied.
"No, it's quite alright, Mr. Estralis. I do know the way back. There's no need to drop me off at all. Thank you for the offer. Damn Mudblood, making me think for these pathetic excuses. Hopefully, he's stupid enough to fall for it.
Thankfully for Draco, Mr. Estralis seemed to have fallen for his pathetic excuses.
"Oh, alright. That's good to know," Mr. Estralis then looked at his watch, "Dear me, Mr. Malfoy, it's nearly 15:00 (3:00 p.m.) your parents must be looking for you to have lunch." Thankful for the excuse, Draco smiled wonderfully at the family and, thank them many times for their hospitality. Thank goodness, I have had enough of playing nice with them.
As Draco left the house, he walked far enough and cried out, "DOBBY!" With a crack, a small, wrinkly, ugly creature came about.
"Master Malfoy! Dobby been looking everywhere for you, Sir! Dobby's a bad elf, Sir! Bad Dobby!" Draco had no time to deal with such nonsense.
"Dobby enough. Take me home and speak no word of my whereabouts for today to my father and mother. Do you understand me?" Dobby nodded, his tiny head and moss eyes bouncing with each vigorous nod.
"Master must give Dobby his hand to home, Sir." With a sigh, Draco gave the elf his hand, and with a snap of the elf's fingers, they disappeared. The grass around the area, holding no evidence of life that touched it.
E&H E
Draco, to be fair, could not believe how much he enjoyed the company of the Estralis family. He would never dare say it, but he had felt more at ease and home with them compared to his parents.
The Estralis family were attentive for they knew what Draco liked and didn't like. They knew how to make him smile and laugh. Most of all, they made Draco feel loved.
Now, not that his parents did not show him, love. The Malfoys do love Draco, but in a manner of which something must be returned with that love. The Estralis love, on the other hand, was a love where one could cover the house with filth, but you would still be loved nonetheless. It was a love that Draco was unfamiliar with but wanted more of.
The Estralis family defied all that his father and mother had told him. They would tell Draco that they were filthy and were savages yet the Estralis family were full of cleanliness and manners. Mudbloods were selfish and cruel, yet the Estralis' were kind to Draco, always giving him food, and Jonathan shared his games with him.
Deep down, Draco wished that he belonged to the Estralis family, especially since it meant that he'll be loved forever. Draco Estralis, not Draco Malfoy, a new name that wasn't feared. Draco could blend in, be happy for once.
E&H E
Draco remembered the day he slipped with the fact that he was a wizard. It had slipped, really, it's true!
He was inside the cottage, watching Mrs. Estralis washing the dishes when he said, "There's a cleaning charm that you could use so that you don't have to wash so many dishes." With a gasp, Draco slapped his hands on his mouth, and his eyes widened. Mrs. Estralis stood still and turned off the faucet; and turned to look at Draco.
"Draco, are you a wizard?" Draco froze. He didn't know what to say and do. He wasn't supposed to tell Muggles that he was a wizard. It seemed that Mary saw Draco's inner struggle and kneeled - as much as her pregnant stomach would let her - before him. Draco found himself looking at her Blue Moon Quartz eyes. They reminded Draco of the sky and freedom. If freedom were a color, it would be the color of Ms. Estralis' eyes.
"Draco, I didn't mean any harm. I knew a girl. Her name was Lily, and she was a witch too. It's okay, Draco. I won't tell anybody. It could be our little secret. Lily was a kind witch. God bless her wherever she is now." Draco sighed in relief and did something that he would carry to his grave, he hugged her. Yes, he hugged a Muggle. Someone kill him now. He wasn't the only one surprised, Mrs. Estralis too tensed before she hugged him back. Draco felt warm. Draco felt loved. And so, Draco hugged her even harder.
Yet, all good things must come to an end.
E&H E
It was June 4, a day before his seventh birthday. His parents had gone out to buy him gifts, not that Draco minded. He had the chance to spend time with Jonathan. I wonder when the Mudblood Estralis' became Jonathan, George, and Mary? They were outside, playing a game called a tag. It was Draco's turn to run away from Jonathan. George and Mary were inside baking the loaves Draco loved the most. It was their gift for, but Draco knew that there was another gift. Draco wanted to know what it was though.
They heard George call for them from the house. With a challenging smile, both boys ran for the door, hoping to beat each other.
"HA! I WIN!" Draco panted as he watched Jonathan cheer. He's always the more athletic one between us. Inside the house, Draco's favorite loaves have been laid out, it's mouth-watering smell made him smile.
Sitting at the table, he, along with George and Mary, listened to Jonathan who described the amount of fun and games he and Draco had together. Their moment of laughter was cut, when a knock, so loud and piercing cut through.
George and Mary shared a look before George stood to open the door.
"I presume that my son is here, yes?" Draco's blood ran cold. How could have Father found me? This is not good. Not good at all.
Draco stood stiffly and went to the door to see his father standing tall, but furious at him.
"Draco. Do tell me why you are spending time with these," His father took a moment to sneer, "Mudbloods. Surely you know that they are not worth your time at all." Draco couldn't breathe.
"Excuse me, Sir. Draco may be your son, but it gives you no right to talk to him that way, and you don't have to resort to such a derogatory term. He's only a child." No, George, please, don't talk. You'll make it worse.
"You dare talk back to me? Draco, come, we are leaving. Now." Draco didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay with the Estralis'. Be their son as well. But Draco knew that disobedience would have terrible consequences. Before he started to walk, his father spoke once more.
"So, seems that the Mudblood knows what he is. Draco, did you tell them of us? I'm disappointed. You shame the family and Wizarding World. For your sins, they shall pay the price." Without a moment of hesitation, Lucius Malfoy aimed his wand at Mary's pregnant stomach, which glowed red, before the color disappeared.
Draco felt horror fill him. "What have you done, Father? FATHER WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Draco's head instantly recoiled to the side.
"How dare you raise your tone at me? After all, they are paying for your sins. Should they ever speak about the name, Malfoy, it would be quite the shame if that child should die out of nowhere, hm?" Draco heard someone gasp and a sudden thud. He looked behind him to see Mary on the floor crying, and Jonathan glaring daggers at his father.
"What a mess. Draco, we are leaving this instant." With an iron grip, Lucius pulled Draco away, but not before George slipped something inside his pocket.
"No! Wait, I'm sor-" And Draco's apologies were left in the air, unsaid and unheard.
E&H E
"Go to your room. Your mother would not hear of this, less she dies of a heart attack. Go. I do not want to see you. You shame me, Draco. Leave." With a heavy heart, Draco walked numbly to his room. As he sat on the bed, he remembered the object slid into his pocket. Pulling it out, Draco realized that it was a locket. Opening it, he saw a small picture. One that tore his heart out as he sobbed and sobbed.
It was a picture of the Estralis family and Draco smiling, all hugging each other in pure joy.
E&H E
"Draco?" He heard a knock on his door. Since when was I crying? Wiping his tears away, Draco turned to his door and allowed his knocker to come in. To his surprise, it was Harry.
"I heard you sniffling from when I was coming back from the loo. I wanted to make sure you're okay. You look terrible, by the way." Draco chuckled weakly and nodded.
"I'm alright, Harry. My nose was just blocked." Harry, the smart child he is, knew that Draco was lying, for Draco never had such problems before.
"Move over and let me sleep with you." Draco, who knew it was wise to not argue moved over and let Harry lie next to him.
"Professor Snape told me that hugs always make a person feel better." Draco smiled and allowed Harry to hug him. He fell asleep to the sounds of Harry's heart and breath.
For the first time since that day, Draco felt warm again.
Author's Note: Wow, I'm done! Honestly glad that I managed to get this in, I'm so sorry again for not being able to update, life has been hetic, but I will say that I will be updating Emerald and Howlite Eyes, every Sunday! *throws confetti*
Yes, we now have a set schedule. Questions and Reviews are always welcome. Next chapter should hopefully be the end of Christmas. I feel that I prolonged the holiday more than necessary hehe. See you all next Sunday!
- The-Songbird-Who-Wrote