The Malfoy Boy

"The Malfoy boy?"

"Draco Malfoy? What about him?"

"You taught him, didn't you?"

"Yes. He's in the same year as Harry,"

"What's he like?"

"Very bright. Words hard. Far from pleasant,"

"Ha! I knew he would be. Mum said Narcissa would spoil him rotten,"

"You could say he's been indulged,"

"You know we're cousins? Never met him, obviously. My mum's the Black black sheep!"

"Would you want to?"

"I run into the husband at work occasionally- he pretends he doesn't know who I am. I'd like to meet the son to find out if he's as much of an arsehole as I want him to be,"

"He wasn't the most agreeable lad, though many disagreeable thirteen-year-olds turn into perfectly pleasant adults,"

"That reminds me- it's Ginny's birthday coming up. I was going to get a card from all of us, if you wanna sign it,"

"You're very kind to her,"

"I like her. She's a laugh. And I feel bad for her, being uprooted here with all us random people. Anyway, back to the Malfoy kid- d'you ever put him in detention?"

"I don't believe so. Like I said, he's a hard worker. Never handed in his homework late or doodled on his desk. His two best friends are very quiet, so he wasn't much of a chatterbox either,"

"You're too nice, Remus. Bet you were a pushover professor,"

"Perhaps. I enjoyed it a great deal,"

"The twins claim you were alright for a teacher, and Ron declared that you were, and I quote: cool,"

"Praise indeed,"

"It's cute how they still treat you like a professor,"

"I suspect it's to cover how awkward they all feel having me around all the time,"

"So what's the Malfoy boy's boggart?"

"Sorry?"

"Ron told me you taught his class about boggarts, so if Malfoy's in the same year then you taught it to him too. What's his boggart?"

"I shouldn't tell you,"

"Why not?"

"A child's greatest fear is a personal subject,"

"But you made them face the boggart in front of the whole class?"

"In hindsight it wasn't an especially kind task for thirteen-year-olds to perform in front of each other. Truth be told I rather regret it,"

"Such a spoilsport. I'll ask the kids, I bet one of them'll know what the Malfoy boy's was,"

"His name is Draco,"

"Fine, Draco. My mum says Narcissa was the snobbiest one of her sisters, but even she gave her kid a less ridiculous name than Mum gave me,"

"Does she talk about her family?"

"She used to. She never hated them like Sirius hated his lot. Dad says the Bellatrix thing was really hard for her,"

"Loving somebody you know you should hate is very difficult,"

"We both know that from Sirius going to prison, don't we? I reckon I always loved him,"

"Mmm,"

"Bastard, isn't he?"

"Indeed. The Blacks are quite the family,"

"What are yours like?"

"Different to Sirius',"

"Thank God! Do you have brothers and sisters?"

"No,"

"Me neither. I think Mum got freaked out by the sisters thing,"

"Sirius often assured me I was lucky to be an only child,"

"D'you agree?

"It's difficult to speculate. Given the circumstances, having siblings would have caused problems,"

"Did you get bored? I did,"

"Occasionally. You learn to find things to entertain yourself though, don't you?"

"S'pose so. I like having the Wealseys around, all falling out with each other and stuff,"

"Yes, it's interesting to watch the dynamics,"

"Like observing gorillas. Gilderoy Lockhart could write a book about it: Walking with Weasleys,"

"Journey with Gingers,"

"They're funny about being called ginger sometimes. They prefer redhead. How many did you get at Hogwarts- four or five?"

"Five. Percy doing his NEWTs, Fred and George OWLs, Ron was in third year with Harry and Draco, and Ginny was in her second,"

"Yeah, five when I was there too. It's exciting meeting Ron and Ginny, they always seemed these mysterious younger ones. Some people didn't believe Charlie when he said there were seven of them,"

"Having taught the twins, part of me wonders why Molly and Arthur wanted more children,"

"Come on, Remus, everyone knows why,"

"Do they?"

"Because Molly wanted a girl,"

"Ah,"

"I know, bit drastic. Perhaps she got more desperate the more boys they had. Don't tell her I told you,"

"Of course not,"

"Pretty obvious though, six boys then a girl then stop,"

"It's certainly the other end of the scale to being an only child,"

"By the way, have you got the time? I cracked my watch last week,"

"Ten past one,"

"Really? Damn, I'm supposed to be back at work for one o'clock,"

"Sorry,"

"Nah, it's fine, I'll say Mad-Eye needed an errand running,"

"Do the Auror Office get suspicious about you and Mad-Eye?"

"What on Earth are you insinuating? Ha, kidding. Mad-Eye basically does whatever he wants at the Ministry. It's amazing how many people shrug and think it's a weird Mad-Eye thing. And everyone knows I'm his favourite. I don't reckon anyone suspects we're off in a secret anti-You-Know-Who society. Look, I'd better run before I'm any more late,"

"Yes, of course,"

"I'll see you later. Thursday or something? Don't let Sirius have too much fun without me,"

"You overestimate how much fun Sirius and I have together,"

"That's not the rumour I heard,"

"Pardon?"

"Well, I'd better go. See you on Thursday, Remus,"

"Yes. Goodbye,"

"Bye".


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xx.