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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 720

A Branch Offered

Draco stared at the letter for a long moment, unsure how to feel. Of anyone he ever expected to get an owl from, Potter was the last on the list. That the letter carried bad news wasn't as much of a surprise. Draco rarely received good news, these days.

The owl that had brought the letter hopped on the desk, clearly having been told to hang around for a reply, and Draco rubbed at his face tiredly.

He knew he should go; Andromeda, no matter that she'd been branded a traitor, was his aunt. It was only proper that he show his face at her funeral, and yet, the thought of being around so many people who would undoubtedly despise him filled him with dread.

But… he was trying to turn a new leaf. Be less selfish.

Draco sat down at his desk and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment. On it, he wrote his reply, informing Potter that he'd be there. When he was done, he only hesitated for a moment before he attached the letter to the owl's leg and watched it fly away.

Sighing to himself, Draco slumped in his seat, his elbows resting on his desk. Turning over a new leaf was hard.

…

Potter wasn't amongst the crowd of people gathered in the garden of the Tonk's house, and Draco knew he should find him before he left. It would be rude to not even greet the man who'd put forward the effort to let Draco know when and where the funeral would be held.

He knew he could have caught him earlier at the graveside, but Draco had been oddly nervous about facing his childhood rival again.

Gathering his courage, he slipped into the house and followed the sound of giggling.

Standing in the doorway to the living room, Draco watched Potter tickle a little boy in the middle of a rug. It was a monstrosity, the rug, but it looked cozy, and the child seemed to be enjoying rolling around on it.

Potter caught sight of him and blushed slightly. Draco couldn't help but think it was slightly charming on the admittedly handsome man, and he felt his lips tilt up slightly without his permission.

"Potter."

"Draco. I… thank you for coming. I know it mustn't have been easy for you."

Draco shrugged slightly. "I was just about to leave, but I wanted to… well. Greet you, I guess."

Oddly, Potter's face fell slightly as he nodded and looked back at the child. "Have you met Teddy yet? He's your second cousin, my godson."

Draco shook his head, and against his better judgement, took a few hesitant steps towards them. "He's cute."

Potter nodded, and then swallowed hard. "I'm all he has left, I guess. I don't…" he chuckled dryly. "I've got no idea how to be a parent."

Not knowing why Potter had decided to confide in him, but suddenly unwilling to throw it back in his face, Draco slipped down onto the rug facing Potter.

"He looks happy," Draco murmured, eyes on Teddy. "You're good with him."

"Thanks. It's just… a lot I guess. Sorry, I know you didn't come here to listen to me. It was good of you to come, Draco."

Draco knew that Potter was giving him an out but he found that he was hesitant to take it.

"I, uh. I can stick around? If you want? I… I don't really have much going on right now."

Which was an understatement if Draco had ever made one, he thought to himself as Potter stared at him like he'd just spoke in tongues. Draco's life at the moment consisted of rattling around the mansion because whenever he left, he had to deal with the stares of distrust and mutters of disgust.

Potter's head tilted slightly before he nodded slowly. "I'd like that."

Draco smiled and slowly, reached out to tickly the bottom of Teddy's foot, his smile only widening when the little boy let out fresh peals of laughter, rolling away from Draco's fingertips.

He didn't know if anything would come of this, if it would just be an afternoon of company, or if it could even branch into a friendship, but for the first time in a long while, Draco was willing to take the chance.

Written for:

North Funfair - Christmas Market - A Luxury Eagle Owl Quill - An Owl / Draco Malfoy

East Funfair - Christmas Crackers - 16. Handsome / Monstrosity / Rug

South Funfair - Paper Chains - Draco&Harry / Writing a letter.

Galleon - No Word 'Said'

Days of the Year - 39. Babbling Day: Write about someone being nervous during an interaction.

Star Chart - 2. Draconids Meteor Shower: Draco Malfoy

365. 312. Nervous