Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling.
A/N: For anyone who STILL seems to be confused about the ageing process in this story; Harry ages one year per month. Hence why whenever it's a new month, I mention that he has aged again.
Took thirteen chapters to get that across ... wow ...
Also, updates may be sparse as my laptop is on it's last legs so please bear with me? Thank you! x
Chapter Thirteen
.
"Would you like a cup of tea?"
Draco tore his gaze away from the window and raised a questioning eyebrow at Dr. Lisa. "Do you think tea is going to help me, here?"
He felt sick at what she'd just witnessed. She had encourage him to let her visit some of his most recent memories in a pensive, so she could gain a better understanding of his mental state. He had been resistant, at first, however it was either showing her what was going on in his life, or having to talk about it.
He refused to talk.
So he flinched as she pressed the tip of her wand to his temple and he watched in mute horror as a long, silvery thread wrapped around the wand and then floated down into the pensive. He'd dug his nails into his thighs as he watched her bow over the pensive and press her face into the surface. It didn't take long, perhaps about fifteen minutes, before she resurfaced. Her features were a little paler, a little more pinched than before, but she kept her voice on the same, neutral level as always.
This unnerved him.
Now she was offering tea?
She smiled that warm, natural smile that made his insides recoil. "I find that there's not much that can't be cured with a good cup of tea."
"Fine," he bit out. "Two sugars."
Dr. Lisa didn't admonish him for not saying 'please' as mother would have. He was grateful for that. He absently picked at the cloth of the armchair to keep his hands occupied until the mug was handed to him. She took her seat across from him resting her own mug on her knees. "So tell me how the last week has been for you?"
"Stressful. Lupin and Black are rotating work; when one's at the castle, the other's mostly confined to the office. It means I have to help them cook dinner most nights."
"How're you finding the cooking?"
He shrugged. "Easy, I suppose. It's almost like potions."
"Except you like to digest the end result," Dr. Lisa grinned. "How are you coping with Harry?"
Draco tensed, his eyes staring down at his mug. Dr. Lisa had been bound to secrecy about Potter's special circumstances. If she tried to communicate it with anyone other than Sirius, Remus, or Minerva, her voice simply wouldn't work. A little extreme, but you couldn't be too careful in this day and age.
He took a sip of his tea to calm himself.
"It's trying. He can talk now, which means he never shuts up. Always hounding me to play with him."
"What happens when you don't?"
"He clams up, goes quiet, and brings up one of his muggle relatives. Or just stares off into space."
Dr. Lisa hummed. "Has being around such erratic change brought up any issues for you?"
He felt cold all over. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly.
"Like nightmares, for example. Or hallucinations. All these can be common with PTSD."
He frowned down at his lap. "Is that what I have?" he mumbled, more to himself. He was too tired to argue with her today. How could four little letters sum up the magnitude of what he, and others, had been through over the last year? It seemed absurd. She hadn't mentioned it in any of their previous sessions, so why was she digging deeper now? Perhaps she'd smelled his weakness and finally pounced? Ugh, he really couldn't deal with this today.
"It's likely a part of it, yes."
He gulped down more tea, letting the shivers run through his body. "I've had one or two nightmares, yes."
"Have you been seeing things that aren't there?"
He could still remember the sting as his teeth broke his skin, how the blood lingered on his tongue for the rest of the night …
"Not that I can remember, no."
"Then again, I suppose even if you did, you wouldn't tell me, right?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Damn her.
She smiled patiently and drunk from her own mug. It was unnerving how at ease she felt in her office. "Are you nervous about returning to Hogwarts tomorrow?" she asked, the sudden turn of conversation having the desired effect.
Draco stuttered a little, his brain going into overdrive to catch-up with what was being said. "Of course I am! It doesn't take a genius to work that out!"
"Who is going to be escorting you?"
"Lupin is on rota for the day and an Auror, Buxley."
"How long will you be at the school for?"
"Not longer than an hour," he stated stiffly. "I want to get in and out as fast as I can. No use looking for trouble."
"People will no doubt cause a problem for you," Dr. Lisa surmised.
"I'm aware."
"How do you plan to combat that?"
He glared up at her. "I can't combat that. I'm a walking target. Not to mention, I doubt Buxley would care if someone threw a stinging hex my way. He's probably claim he never saw it happen!"
"What about Harry's friends? Couldn't they help you?"
Draco snorted, draining the last of his tea just to have something to do. "Weasley and Granger are tolerating my right to breathe as long as I'm living under Sirius' roof. That's all. For all I know, Weasley will be punching me in the nose as soon as there's no eyes on me."
Dr. Lisa frowned across at him. "You really don't believe anyone is on your side, do you?"
"Why would I? I'm perfectly aware of the gigantic cock-up I've made of myself. The least I owe to myself is get a decent enough education and get the hell out of here."
"Where do you plan to go?"
He shrugged stiffly. "I don't know. Somewhere secluded. Away from all the horror I've caused." He swallowed, looking down at his hands folded in his lap. He rubbed his lips together in thought. "I don't … I don't belong around people. I don't deserve to be near anyone."
Dr. Lisa didn't say anything, she simply waited for him to continue.
"I bring bad luck and do bad things to those around me. Keeping myself away from society is the best thing for everyone."
"Draco, you've been giving a chance to redeem yourself –"
"I didn't want it," he said. "I never asked for a second chance. Sure, Azkaban terrifies me, it terrifies everyone who even hears the name. But I know I'm not a good person. I'm like poison."
"Draco, you need to allow yourself to open up to those around you. You've kept everyone at arms length but this isn't a healthy way to live. You need to embrace what options you have now and make the best of all you've been given. It's rare people get such an opportunity, but it all starts with letting people help."
"Help?" he scoffed before meeting her eyes for the first time in forty minutes. "Who the fuck is going to help me now?"
~0~
Remus' office was a strange mix of skulls in jars, a large fish tank with a grindylow inside and an enclosure that didn't seem to hold anything in it at all, and all the ridiculous crap Sirius owned in regards to graphic illustrations of wand movements, an autographed photo of some Quidditch team from the sixties, a bookcase with strange, glowing bottles and framed photos from the Daily Prophet of the convicted Death Eaters. Draco was relieved not to see his own parents up there.
There were two desks sitting facing one another and there was no doubt which one belonged to which professor; Remus' was neat and meticulous, everything straight and organised properly, books in a tidy pile and scrolls rolled up and tied with ribbon set to one side, whereas Sirius' desk had ink spots on the blotter, muggle post-it notes stuck on his ink well and sand-timer, as well as a stack of books that looks as though he'd tossed them onto the desk from a fair distance.
Brushing soot from his casual robes, Draco smoothed his hair down and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. Remus ruffled his own hair and with a flick of his wand, swapped his travelling cloak for his work robes.
"How're you feeling?" he asked as he straightening himself up and regarded Draco with a concerned look.
The teen gripped the strap of his bag a little tighter. "Fine," he said stiffly, grey eyes flitting around the room again. "I just want to get this over and done with."
Remus pursed his lips and nodded. "I have lessons for most of the day. If you want to hang around until lunch time, I'll be here."
Draco clenched his jaw and shook his head. "I really don't plan to stay longer than necessary. Besides, someone needs to check-in on Sirius. I don't think ex-prisoner and saviour of the wizarding world turned toddler are a great combination for baking cakes."
Remus smiled. Draco was witty, even if it was mostly sarcasm at the moment. It was just a shame he kept himself closed-off. "Okay," he relented. "If you're still about at lunch, I'll come and find you. If not, I'll see you at dinner tonight."
Draco bowed his head. "Thanks."
.
He made his way out of the DADA room before the bell for first period chimed. The corridors were mostly deserted, most of the student body being in the Great Hall for breakfast, or just getting out of bed to hurry to class. He just hoped that he could make it to the dungeons before the first period of the day began.
Stepping down into the damp, dark classroom brought a wave of memories crashing into him. He staggered against the doorframe for a moment, his head swimming and his breathing a little too fast. The stone wall was cool and moist under his palm. He focused on that, letting a chill creep over his body until he was able to force himself upright.
Letting out a low sigh, he straightened himself up as much as possible and gingerly knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Draco closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath, and pushed his way into the classroom.
It was empty. Good. That was a good start.
Professor Slughorn looked up from where he was preparing notes on his desk. His wide face frowned at being disturbed and then recognition alighted in those watery blue eyes. "Ah Mr. Malfoy," his voice wavered. He tilted his head back, regarding Draco almost wearily. "Is that time already?"
Draco gripped his bag tighter. "I just thought I'd hand my assignments in before classes got underway. No use distracting the students."
Extending a hand, the rotund man took the sheaf of parchments from Draco. He unrolled them and became absorbed in Draco's practically perfect essay. They may not have liked nor agreed with one another on a number of things, but Draco knew that his knowledge on potions could surpass any of the students combined. It was the one thing he was still proud of, to some degree. He watched as Slughorn's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He took a small burst of adrenaline from watching it happen, but refused to let it show on his face.
"I see isolation doesn't hinder you in regards to potions, Mr. Malfoy," Slughorn said as neutrally as possible. "Perhaps after Christmas we can discuss actual potion making?"
Draco frowned, "After one essay?"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm still not all that fond of you dear boy," he said. "However, I recognise talent when I see it. Talent cannot go un-mastered … We've all seen what happens in that regard."
A dark cloud passed over his face.
"Still, keep up the work to this same level, and we shall discuss practical potion making in the near future."
Draco stared at the shorter man dumbly. Had he really just heard him right? Not wanting to push his luck and question anything going his way, Draco swallowed and inclined his head, "Very well, sir. I'll see what I can do."
Straining to control himself he turned on his heel and left the dungeons.
.
Within the hour, Draco had almost finished handing in his assignments when he felt something snag hard on his casual robes. The clasp choked him as his back slammed into the brick wall. Gasping for air, he tried to resist sagging into a heap on the floor as several shadows blocked out the sunlight streaming in from above.
"What're you doing here Malfoy?" an unfamiliar voice sneered. "Shouldn't you be rotting away in Azkaban like your dad?"
Dad, eh? Not purebloods then.
Glaring up at his assailants, he just about made out two Gryffindor badges and a Ravenclaw one. The others were too far behind the gang-leaders to make out.
"Clearly not," he drawled, bracing himself to stand. "You're not exactly smart are you?"
"You calling us thick?" sneered the tallest boy, a Gryffindor. He still only reached Draco's nose.
"You must be," Draco said in a bored tone. His hand was tremoring but the long sleeves of his robes hid it. "If I'm as dangerous as you claim me to be, then why do you think attacking and provoking me, is a good idea?"
He levelled his glare at the younger teen.
Several hands moved. Draco felt a muscle tic in his jaw. Reaching for their wands to attack an unarmed wizard? How cowardly.
"What's this then?"
All heads whipped around to spy Hermione Granger and Ron Wealsey glaring at the proceedings, their own wands in hand. Draco felt a mixture of relief, humiliation and disgust at their prompt arrival. No one answered.
"I said, what's going on?" Granger snapped, her voice hardening.
Still, no one answered.
"Fine, if no one's going to answer me; Aldridge, McTaff, Lin, fifty points from Gryffindor each."
"Are you taking the mick?!"
Weasley glared at the others, "As for you, Tinley, Mullocks and Jasper, that's fifty points from Ravenclaw each. All six of you will have a months worth of detention and be banned from any extracurricular activities until the end of November."
"You can't do that!" one of the Ravenclaw's cried out. "It's the quarter finals!"
"I just did," Ron stated, his voice low and menacing.
Draco was impressed; Weasley had never appeared that menacing before.
"Back to your classes now. I shall be informing the headmistress of this," Granger snapped, her voice cracking through the air like a whip.
No one dared to argue with her.
Once the gang was out of sight and earshot, Granger turned to Draco, concern on her face as he avoided eye-contact by straightening himself down. His hands were shaking and he felt sick. "They didn't hurt you did they Draco?"
"No," he bit out. "You got here just in time." His voice sounded a lot harsher than he intended. He winced at it and sighed. "Thanks."
The pair shared a look. "We were actually wondering if we might be able to come and see Harry on Saturday?" Granger asked, "If you're free, that is. We wouldn't want to disrupt any plans."
Draco shrugged. "I'm house-bound, so obviously I have no plans. Although Sirius hasn't mentioned doing anything. I'll get him to owl or floo or something."
Granger gave him a hopeful smile, "That would be great." She hesitated, the tension between them still thick like treacle. "Uh … would you like us to bring anything?"
Draco clenched his jaw, trying his best to remain calm. All he wanted to do was lock himself in the bathroom and claw at his skin until he could no longer feel those boys' shadows on him, but he couldn't. Not yet.
"No, I'll sure any assignments will get owled to me." Before they could ask anything else he said, "Sorry, I have to get back. Sirius was making lunch."
He turned on his heel and hurried back to Remus' office.
.
Stumbling through into the lounge, Draco shredded off his robes and threw it onto the sofa along with his messenger bag. He staggered up the stairs, grappling blindly at the banister and finally managed to make it to his room. He slammed the door shut and dove for his bed, tugging at his hair as the tears ran down his face. He pressed his hands over his mouth and screamed behind clenched teeth.
He hated feeling so weak and emotional.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be! He wasn't supposed to be living with his cousin and learning how to live without magic. He didn't know what the outcome would have been, alternatively, but it wasn't meant to be this!
He choked on his screams and cried until he'd exhausted himself.
Was it even worth carrying on?
.
When Remus returned to Grimmauld place that night it was to see a perturbed looking Sirius at the kitchen table, stirring a mug of black coffee with a spoon. Plumes of steam rose from the mug but the older man did not take a sip. Frowning, Remus stepped down into the kitchen and placed a hand on Sirius' shoulder, startling him.
"Oh, hey Remmy. I didn't hear you come in."
Remus wanted to say how he doubted that, but the look on Sirius' face stopped him. "What's wrong Paddy?"
Heaving a sigh, the man said, "Draco was attacked at school today."
"What?" Remus snapped. "He was only there for an hour or so. He didn't even join me for lunch. I got worried but didn't want him to feel like he was being pressured."
Sirius gave a grim smile. "I feel like we go too far one way and then the other."
Remus nodded in agreement. Pulling out a chair, he sat himself down. "So what happened?"
"I flooed with Minerva earlier. Six boys ambushed Draco during the second period of the day and were about the draw their wands on him. Hermione and Ron managed to intervene. Suffice to say Quidditch is off the table until after Christmas for these boys, as well as a strongly worded letter home to their parents."
"Is that really enough?"
"What else can we do? Draco wasn't physically harmed so … it's all that can be done for now."
"Next time, we'll demand one of the aurors comes and stays the entire time, even if it is only for an hour."
"Agreed."
Raking a hand through his hair Remus asked, "Where's Draco now?"
"When I left him, he was being attended to by Dr. Scarhead."
The name took Remus by surprise. "Dr. What?"
Sirius chuckled, although his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Harry saw that Draco had slept all day, hadn't eaten and complained of a headache. He insisted on helping."
Remus laughed. "Oh, dear that poor boy."
"Harry's not bothered by Draco's mood swings."
"I was talking about Draco. Harry can be incredibly bossy, especially these days."
Sirius grinned. "I figured they could bond a little more."
"What about Teddy?"
"Andromeda dropped him off about 6PM. He's been fed, changed and is waiting for a goodnight kiss from his daddy."
Remus felt a warm flush creep up the back of his neck. He ducked his chin slightly to hide his face. "You're dreadful," he murmured, more to himself that Sirius.
A hand reached out across the table and gripped his own.
"Remus."
He fought the urge to look into Sirius' eyes, and lost the battle. "Yes?" he murmured.
Those wide, grey eyes were awash with emotion. So many, infact, that Remus couldn't make heads or tails of them. "You'll stay with me, right?"
"I can't very well leave you with this lot, now, can I?" he chuckled.
Sirius didn't laugh. "I don't want to lose you."
"Sirius … Tonks has only been gone for three months."
The curly-haired man bowed his head. "I'd never want to replace her."
"You each have a place in my heart. It's only ever been you and her. Right now, I need to grieve. That's something I am never going to get back, Sirius, and I need to grieve for her." He squeezed Sirius' hand, his insides squirming. "I can't give myself to you in any way, not while I'm not whole and still broken."
Sirius nodded. He understood. "I can wait for as long as it takes, Remmy."
"I'm not asking you to."
"I know." A squeeze. "Just know that you'll always have a home here. You and Teddy."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't ever be sorry. Not for this."
Remus blinked away the tears he felt brewing behind his eyes. He inhaled deeply and squeezed Sirius' hand one last time before letting go. "Have you had anything to eat?"
Sirius' eyes glazed a little at the change in topic. "No, I didn't feel hungry when I got in. I made the boys' something, though."
"I'll make us some pasta and then we can go and relax okay?"
"I'll go up and check on Draco and Harry."
Remus smiled, before turning to the pots and pans in the kitchen and distracted himself cooking. Sirius watched him for a while, his gaze causing the hairs on the lycan's neck to stand up on end. Eventually, he drained his cold coffee and stood up from the kitchen table. It was only when his footsteps receded up the staircase, that Remus left out the breath he'd been holding and tried not to cut his quaking hand with the knife as he began chopping garlic.
~0~
Saturday dawned warm and sunny. The temperature was dialling down a little, meaning that Draco didn't feel the urge to have an ice cold shower every hour. He'd taken his time getting out of bed, his head still reeling from the previous day's ordeal. He wasn't sure he had the energy to deal with Granger and Weasley, but Sirius had agreed they could come over, so it was a done deal.
Remus had gotten up around the same time as Draco. They'd had an early breakfast together, reading the paper and the letters brought by the owls. It was nearly 10am by the time Sirius stumbled down into the kitchen in a pair of muggle jeans and a loose hanging t-shirt. His jeans hung a little too low on his hips and the collar of the shirt exposed the curls of black chest hair. Remus ducked his head a little too fast, or was Draco imagining it?
Attached to Sirius' chest was Potter, dressed in a pair of baggy blue shorts and a green t-shirt.
Green really does bring out his eyes.
Draco froze at the thought.
He clenched his jaw and focused on the gossip articles Rita Skeeter had written, his pulse thrumming loudly in his ears.
"What time are Ron and Hermione meant to be arriving?" Sirius asked as he settled Potter into his high chair.
"Midday I think," Remus replied. "Have you explained to Harry what's happening today?"
"Yes, as simply as possible."
Remus cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yeah. Watch; Harry, who's coming over today?"
"My friends."
"And which friends are those?"
"Minnie and Ron."
"And you remember about them being older?"
"Yes, they're older because –because I had an accident. So I'm a baby and they're bigger."
Draco pressed his lips together. This wasn't funny! This wasn't funny!
"Now Harry," Remus took the toddlers attention, "Do you remember your manners?"
Potter twisted his face a little, his wide green eyes darting from one face to the other. "No …"
"What do we say when we want something that someone else has?"
"Please?"
"That's right, kiddo," Sirius ruffled his hair. "And what do we say when someone gives us something."
"Thank you!"
"See, the kids a genius!" Sirius beamed proudly.
Draco snorted as he drank his tea. "No wonder he's got such a big head when he's older."
Remus chuckled. "That had nothing to do with either of us."
"Well, if we get another Dark Lord, I'll be sure to defeat him be asking if he could please bugger off elsewhere and thank you for being such a sore loser."
The two men shared a laugh but Sirius sobered up quickly. "While we're on the topic, lets' try and keep war-talk out of the conversation. I don't want Harry's nightmares to start up again."
Draco nodded. "Don't worry, I don't plan on being around."
"Oh, Draco don't shut yourself away!" Remus protested. "You've not hung around with anyone your age for months. Just try and enjoy the company."
"I think I'd rather eat Grindylow testicles, thanks."
Sirius let out a bark of laughter. Potter laughed and clapped his hands.
Draco took his plate and mug to the sink and quickly washed it in the soapy water before setting it on the drying rack. He was almost positive that half the muggle things in the house had been accumulated just before he'd turned up on the doorstep, his magic bound.
"I think I'm going to study in my room for a while," he said, heading for the kitchen door.
"We'll call you down when the others arrive," Sirius called after him.
Draco didn't bother to reply.
.
When Granger and Weasley finally did arrive, Draco was too hungry to bother ignoring them as he was called down for lunch. They were eating outside on the patio. He headed straight for the kitchen, intent on helping Remus and Sirius carry out the dishes of food. Potter was toddling around with a stuffed owl tucked under his arm. Sirius had bought it for him on their last excursion into Muggle London. Yet again, Draco had been coerced to tag along. That meant he had to help keep an eye on the rugrat whilst Sirius made sure both Potter and Teddy were comfortable. Somehow they'd wandered into a toy store and come out with the white and grey plushie owl.
Now Potter carried it around with him everywhere.
Teddy was perched in his highchair at the outside table, banging his spoon cheerfully on his little table. He grinned and gabbled and made a grab for Potter's mop of hair as he passed. Whenever he managed to touch it, if only a little, he'd let out a squeal of excitement, clap his hands and his hair would flash bubblegum pink.
Potter seemed to be in a pensive mood, if toddlers could be such a thing. He kept shooting glances up at Granger and Weasley, as though trying to predict what their next move would be.
"That's a lovely little owl you have there, Harry," Granger broke the silence, her voice sweet and crooning.
Potter seemed to hesitate, glancing down at the owl in his hands. "She's my friend."
"Does she have a name?" Weasley asked, leaning down so that he was more eye-level with Potter.
The toddlers little face scrunched up in thought. "Her name –Her name is Hootie!"
The pair exchanged a glance, their mouths suppressing laughter. "That's a lovely name," Granger said. "Do you think you would like a real owl when you grow up?"
"Yes!" Potter beamed. "But I wouldn't call her Hootie, because I already have a Hootie and you can't have two friends with the same name otherwise –otherwise you'd not know who they are."
"That's very true."
Draco watched the interactions from the patio doorway. Why was it so easy for those two to get on with Potter? Not that he cared. He half-listened as Potter chatted incessantly about his favourite animals and colours and why all lady-bugs are girls otherwise they would be called 'boy bugs'. Granger chuckled encouragingly and Weasley laughed as Potter continued to babble.
A shriek caused Draco's head to snap up.
Sirius had hoisted Potter up into his arms and was tickling his tummy and under his arms. "That's enough chatting, Mister, otherwise you'll be too tired to eat!"
"Daddy nooo! Daddy –AH!" Potter dissolved into giggles as he squirmed, his face bright pink.
Draco momentarily wondered if Potter was still ticklish –and then punched his thigh out of sight under the table. Who cared if the git was still ticklish? He settled at the table, Remus on his left and Sirius on his right. He felt vaguely protected between them as he added a small amount of food to his plate and begin to eat, keeping his head down at the others conversed.
Draco had to marvel at the way Sirius took to being a dad, compared to how panicked he'd initially been. He clearly doted on Potter, much more than Lucius had outwardly done towards Draco. Whenever Potter wasn't clutching at his owl, his little fist managed to find something of Sirius to cling onto; his shirt, his trouser leg or his hand.
Clearly he wasn't the only one that thought so.
"I have to say Sirius, you're taking this all really well," Granger commented as Potter was returned to earth, his hair messy and cheeks flushed. "I wasn't sure you knew how to handle kids."
Draco bristled. From anyone else that would be seen as an insult. From Granger however …
Sirius let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, I know I may seem like the reckless madman you lot met five years ago –and in many ways I am." He smoothed his hand over Potter's hair as the toddler chewed at a sandwich. "Harry's always been my chance for a family. I need to do right by him and his parents. I owe them that much." A solemn look entered his grey eyes and Draco couldn't help but frown.
Was he missing something?
Shaking his curls from his eyes, Sirius plastered a grin on his face. "Who wants to play hide and seek after lunch?"
"MEEEEEEEEEE!" Potter squealed, waving his sandwich around.
Sirius took a large chomp of it, causing everyone except Draco to laugh.
~0~
Draco cuffed at the sweat bubbling on his forehead as the soapy water sloshed up his forearms. He'd decided to give Remus a break and do the dishes whilst everyone else played hide and seek with Potter. He could hear their laughter even down in the kitchen. Ordinarily he would have sneered at doing such a task clearly designated for house-elves, but this afternoon he wanted to be left alone.
"I never thought I'd see the day where Draco Malfoy was washing the dishes?"
He nearly dropped the plate at Granger's voice behind him. Scowling, he slammed the plate onto the drying rack and threw a glare of his shoulder. "Thought you were meant to be playing hide and seek?" he sneered.
"Got found first," she shrugged with a smile. She was silent for a moment. "How are you? Since those students attacked you?"
"They didn't attack me," he ground out, scrubbing vigorously at another plate.
"Nearly attacked you then," she amended. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," he replied tightly. "Guess I need an auror whenever I need to go to piss."
"I'm sorry that any of this is still happening. The war was meant to stop all this."
"Yeah well I don't have the Golden Trio at my beck-and-call to keep me safe."
"Draco –"
"What do you want Granger?" he gritted his teeth, his muscles tensing.
"I just –guess I wanted to let you know that you don't have to go through all this on your own."
"I don't need your pity, Granger."
"It's not pity!" she said in an exasperated manner. "It's an olive branch!"
"To what end?"
She didn't respond straight away. "You know I was always on your side?" He didn't reply. "Even in sixth year when, in hindsight, you were up to something, I defended you against the other two! I could see through the façade and see how it was tearing you up inside."
A hand on his shoulder made him jump and spin around, his back pressing back against the sink.
Granger withdrew her hand, her eyes wide with fear at what he might do next. He could slap her, pay her back for the punch he got in third year, but he was frozen. She was so close he could see the faint freckles across the bridge of her nose.
"If we're going to be seeing one another more, I think we need to try and be civil with one another."
"I have been civil," he glowered.
Granger chuckled and shook her head. "I mean more civil," she smiled. "Come and play with Harry. Sit and talk with Remus. Play Ron at chess! Anything other than cooping up in here and washing the plates."
Draco felt a muscle tic in his jaw.
Granger seemed to give up waiting for an answer. She let out a soft sigh and combed her curls out of her face. "Well you know where we are if you change your mind." She turned on her heel and made her way out of the kitchen.
Draco listened to her footsteps retreating towards the back door.
He let out a shuddering breath and glanced down at the dishtowel clenched in his hands. He couldn't deny how mind-numbing it was, however he wasn't sold on the idea of going back into the sunshine and watching everyone frolic about with Potter while he screamed his stupid head off.
Heaving a sigh, he tossed the towel onto the kitchen table and trudged back out into the garden. He didn't join in with the game of tag, but he did settle into the chair beside Teddy and let the baby grip his forefinger. He watched Granger and Weasley playfully dodging Potter as he charged for them whilst kicking a ball. Remus and Sirius cheered him on as he hurried on his little legs.
Potter kicked the ball past the tree. Everyone cheered, waving their arms in the air. Potter bounced around, clapping to himself as Remus ruffled his hair.
Draco couldn't deny that Potter was sort of not-ugly-looking as a child. He'd never looked as happy as a teenager, not that Draco had ever seen. Maybe during Quidditch but that was more adrenaline than anything else.
"Draco!"
His heart squeezed at the sound of Potter calling his name.
The bright-eyed brat was grinning at him and waving for him to come over. Everyone else was looking at him, waiting to see what he would do. Draco didn't have the heart to piss anyone else off today, he was far too drained for that. Standing up, he made sure that Teddy was secured in his high chair before stepping down from the patio and onto the soft grass.
Potter toddled up to him and grabbed for his hand with his clumsy fingers. Draco swallowed a sigh and pulled his hand from his pocket and let Potter take hold of it. He was tugged further onto the makeshift pitch where the black-and-white ball was resting.
"Draco you have to kick it with me and –and –and not let them get it away!"
Draco glanced at the others for guidance, but they merely grinned back at him.
"So, I'm on your team am I?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" Potter grinned. "You and me against everyone!"
Another squeeze in his chest.
"Alright scarhead," he tried to smile. "Let's go."
A/N: I'm sorry it's been a while but I hope you guys appreciate this nice, long, juicy update!