Hello lovelies!
The next chapter is a bit of a monster, so I might not be able to post it on Saturday. But I will try to post the next three chapters by the end of the month, but we'll see.
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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and only the story line and any OC's belong to me
Friday, July 9th, 1999
London, England, UK
Killian's Tattoo Parlour
It paid to have a pack member who worked in the Auror department. Draco and Lucius went into the DMLE the Monday after Lucius's tripping incident, and made a formal report to Jameson. Tonks handed over the memories they'd provided on Saturday, and the man was officially being charged with assault. Draco decided to handle things through official means.
Currently, Draco hummed absently as he leaned against the receptionist desk in Killian's tattoo parlour, happily listening to Orchid inform him on everything he's missed in her life since he'd last seen her.
Orchid had practically climbed over the counter in excitement when she saw Sirius and Draco walk in. They hadn't made an appointment. The pair had been home alone, and in a spur of spontaneity decided to get some fresh ink.
Draco had been meaning to alter his dark mark tattoo since Hermione de-glamoured it. It didn't bother the others, but it was a perpetual reminder of his tainted past. Draco wished to give it new life, new meaning.
Beside him, Sirius had a magazine in hand. He was intently listening to Orchid as opposed to flipping through its pages.
The Parlour was the same, lots of monochromatic colours with a bright pop of blue here and there. The couches in the waiting area had been replaced, they were more modern and sleek, their upholstery gunmetal grey.
Draco heard footfalls coming from the back of the shop, and raised his head to peer at the mouth of the corridor that led to the back rooms.
"So, not quite a Potter then?" Killian greeted Draco as he strolled from the back section of the tattoo shop into the waiting room. The man regarded Draco carefully, before a tentative smile spread across his face.
A few crinkles on Orchid's face were the only indication the witch had aged. She'd also added a few stars along the puckered scar on her left cheek. Killian however, hadn't aged at all. A couple silver hairs sprouted from his temples, but that was it.
Killian's pale eyes sparkled with curiosity as he panned over Draco and Sirius. "How are you still so pretty after a twelve year stint in the quod, Black?"
"Good genetics," Sirius deadpanned. Draco snorted and elbowed his friend lightly in the ribs.
Orchid twirled her bubblegum pink hair around a finger as she leant on the reception desk in front of her. Orchid's pupil-less jade eyes blinked rapidly as she considered Sirius's statement, and then her nose crinkled in amusement a few moments later. "Oh, I get it."
"Read the article the Lovegood girl wrote, Georgie showed it to me," Killian prompted, crossing his arms over his chest, his golden skin with copper undertones gleamed in the summer sunlight pouring through the large windows.
"And?" Draco asked, absently scratching near his hairline.
"It's one hell of a life you've lived, Potter. I'm sorry you couldn't change things and save your kin," Killian said.
"Thank you for saying that," Sirius spoke for both of them. Draco's head was bowed, and a ghost of a smile was on his lips. He nodded in agreement.
"Are you here for some fresh ink? It's a slow day, so I can fit you both in for a session if you want," Killian offered.
Draco's grey eyes flicked up to the older wizard, and with a contemplative purse of his lips he pushed the left sleeve of his soft, grey, cotton shirt up past his elbow. "Can you add to this? I know you said the longer you have a magical tattoo, the harder it is to alter…it's over a decade old now."
Killian approached, brow puckered as he cocked his head to the side and scrutinised the faded tattoo. The snake woven through the skull and its wisps of mist hadn't moved since Voldemort's defeat. The ink had dulled over time.
"And here I was, thinking that I took your tattoo virginity," Killian said with an upward twitch of his lips. Killian's hands hovered over Draco's skin, and his eyes darted up to meet Draco's. "May I?"
Draco nodded. Killian's fingers were cool to the touch, as the pads methodically moved over the texture of the tattoo.
"If it helps, yours was the first one I chose to get, not one forced upon me," Draco stated quietly.
Orchid hopped down from her high stool, and ambled over to Sirius. She pulled on his sleeve, and said softly, "I can take you round the back and get you started on yours whilst they conduct their consultation."
Sirius glanced at Draco and asked a potent question with his eyes. Draco gave Sirius a curt nod, conveying that he would be okay on his own. With an understated smile, Sirius said, "that would be lovely, petal."
Orchid blushed at the nickname, and pulled him after her by the sleeve. It was quite a sight to see her hauling a man twice her size.
"Fascinating," Killian murmured, his thumb brushed over the skull's right eye socket. "Removing it entirely would be an arduous process, and most likely painful for you."
"Why?" Draco asked, genuinely curious.
"Voldemort wove his blood into the tattoo when he marked you. This isn't like regular magical tattoos where enchantments are woven in as it's inked into you. It's a tattoo essentially crafted from magic and blood. So removing it…it would be like continuously carving layers of your skin away for hours."
"So, it's possible to remove it?" Draco asked.
"Probably. I wouldn't recommend it, especially since all the dark enchantments seemed to have dissipated from it. Any dangerous or damaging long-term effects are gone," Killian said, tapping Draco's forearm thoughtfully. "You said you wanted to add to it?"
"Yes," Draco answered.
"Since the harmful enchantments are gone, adding to it shouldn't be too difficult. It may be a bit painful when weaving in new enchantments," Killian explained.
"I can handle pain," Draco smiled sardonically.
Flashes of true agony rattled his bones as he recalled when he had been branded with the dark mark. It was as if his skin was burning off, yet the horrendous pain radiated up his arm and travelled along his skeleton. It was as if his bones were being shattered and his entire body pulverised. He'd passed out from the pain.
Goyle, amongst others, had soiled himself when he received his mark. Theo was set to receive his in June, a month after Voldemort's downfall. Amongst a plethora of innumerable reasons, Draco was everlastingly grateful Voldemort had perished before Theo was subjected to the same fate. Before he was forever slotted into the wrong column of history.
Crabbe was dead. He hadn't had the chance to earn his redemption. Draco hadn't been as close with Crabbe after sixth year, but he wished he'd survived. He'd been Draco's friend from the time they were boys. He wasn't a bad person, but he was someone who followed with blind loyalty and devotion.
Goyle fled the country in the middle of the final battle. He'd been scared and ashamed, and hadn't waited to see which side prevailed. He determined that whoever won, he'd lost.
At his core, Gregory was soft-hearted, but his Father had beaten the kindness from him both physically and psychologically well into adolescence. He'd gotten good at pretending to be a mean-spirited thug.
Blaise had received a few letters from Greg since the war ended. He was somewhere in North Africa, either in Morocco or Tunisia. Blaise wasn't sure, Greg wasn't forthcoming with any details. The unified message across the letters was that he was safe, free and happy.
(Greg chose Blaise because he thought his correspondence was the least likely to be watched amongst his old friends.)
Draco was jolted from his thoughts as Killian gently called his name.
"Sorry, you were saying?"
Killian nodded, his brow smoothing out. "It will be the same process as last time. I would have to tattoo them somewhere else, then magically shift them and work them into this one."
Killian tightened his grip on Draco's forearm, and with fierce eyes said, "if the pain gets to be too much, tell me, and we'll take a break."
"Agreed," Draco said. Killian relinquished his hold on Draco, and stepped back. Wordlessly, Killian headed towards the back of his shop. Over his shoulder he called, "you coming, Potter?"
Draco laced his fingers behind his head, and sauntered after the other man.
"Almost done, Potter," Killian reassured Draco as he moved his wand over Draco's skin. The new ink had moved into place, but integrating it into the old tattoo proved to be more tedious than anticipated.
Yellow daffodils, white lilies, orange marigolds, pink roses, and purple asters were sprouting from the skull's eye sockets, alongside vines that were woven together with mini bouquets that wrapped around the snake's body. The tattoo appeared overgrown and overrun by nature.
The flowers were the original members of the pack's birth month flowers, as well as Harry; Draco chose lilies instead of carnations for Lily.
Draco had a plan for a tattoo symbolising Tonks and Riley, but that would have to wait for another day.
On Draco's wrist below it—based on samples of James's handwriting that he'd scrounged up—was the Potter family motto.
In the other room, Orchid was shading in the outline she had painstakingly laid out on the upper side of Sirius's right thigh.
It was a portraiture of the pack's animagus forms; their busts. Draco was in the middle, and Orchid utilised the white space and added light and dark grey to form the wolf. There are black tips on his ears.
Vixen is on the bottom left and Padfoot is beside her on the bottom right. Prongs is directly above Vixen, and Fawn is on the opposite end above Padfoot. Moony is centred at the top.
Their fur and pelts blend together smoothly when they intersect. Sirius added Riley, Harry and Tonks's birth month flowers in the gaps on either side of Moony, to help frame everything nicely; carnations, roses and chrysanthemums respectively. Tonks's chrysanthemums would change colours to follow the full moon cycle, growing more vibrant when it neared and changing to soft pastels during the rest of the month.
When complete, the animals and beasts will come to life, interacting if they please, their moods reflected in Sirius's.
Sirius was whistling an absentminded tune, and tapping his finger on the chair's arm as he reclined comfortably. The buzz of the tattoo gun was lulling him into a drowsy state.
"You all good up there, sugar?"
"Brilliant, petal. You continue to work your magic," Sirius yawned.
Killian was finishing up, sweat beading across his forehead in concentration as he anchored the enchantments into Draco's skin. The flowers' buds would follow the day's cycle, closing at dusk and blooming with the sunrise.
"Are you still with me, Potter?" Killian asked.
"All good," Draco rasped, clenching his teeth a moment later. This was his decision. He could have gotten something similar somewhere else, but he had chosen this. The pain was the price for giving breathing new life into the ink. Changing it from a symbol of death and destruction into one of love.
With a few more passes of his wand over the tattoo, Killian's work was done. When he showed Draco in the mirror, tears glistened in Draco's eyes.
Any lingering hold Voldemort held over his soul and heart unfurled and Draco shed the dead weight.
"Thank you for letting me do this, Draco," Killian said softly, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.
"Killian, there are not enough words to express my gratitude right now," Draco sniffed harshly.
"The tattoo is on the house," Killian commented errantly before he strolled over to his station. He began sorting through his supplies and cleaning up.
"Killian—"
"Black's as well. It's thanks for what you both did for the Wizarding world."
Draco lowered his eyes to his new tattoo. "I didn't start on the right side. My actions and inaction cause a lot of pain."
A rare show of fire lit up Killian's pale eyes."No, but you ended on the right side," Killian said fiercely.
All Draco could do was nod and thank the man.
Killian gave Draco a lopsided grin, "I do have one question."
"Yea?"
"Did your Missus really stun Bellatrix Lestrange at Narcissa Malfoy's wedding?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Never liked dear Bella in school. She was a cunt," Killian said amicably. "Tell the brightest witch of our age that her next tattoo is also on the house. I'm sure Georgie will be happy to comply."
Draco showed his canines as he grinned. Mention of the burly man piqued Draco's interest; he was the only one out of the trio that he hadn't seen during his visit. "Is he sleeping in his room? I'll say hello before I leave."
"Yea, the last full moon took a lot out of him. He said it was a special one, so he's been sleeping a lot more during the day," Killian said. He thoughtfully rubbed a hand through his dark hair. "Georgie won't admit it, but he missed your group. Especially young Hermione."
"She missed him too. You three should come by the house sometime," Draco said without thinking, but he didn't regret the words. It felt right to extend an invitation to the three wix. Somewhere along the way, the three tattoo artists had become friends as opposed to just acquaintances.
"I'd like that, Potter," Killian said. He pursed his lips and tucked his hands into his trouser pockets. "One more question."
"I'm listening."
"Will I get to meet their kid? I know he's the saviour of the Wizarding world and all, but…" Killian trailed off, gnawing on his bottom lip.
"But he's James and Lily's son?" Draco supplied.
"That time…when you all came to get tattoos, it was the last time I saw them," Killian said in a fragile manner, bowing his head, his dark hair falling forward and covering his face in shadow.
"You'll get to meet him," Draco confirmed.
Killian nodded jerkily, not making eye contact. Draco heard him audibly swallow. "I can't wait," Killian croaked.
"Maybe we can convince him to let you tattoo him," Draco said kindly, closing the distance between them.
Killian let out a wet laugh, his head tipping backwards. His tear-stained face broke out into a broad grin. "Wouldn't that be the best."
"C'mon, let's go check on Sirius and Orchid," Draco suggested. Killian wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and agreed.
"If petal needs help then I'll lend her a hand," Killian said aloud. "I can't wait to tell Orchid's wife. She'll have a field day with that."
Draco let out a breathy laugh. He had a feeling Sirius had started something without even realising.
When the pair arrived home, Draco and Sirius parted ways in the Foyer. Draco had thoroughly examined Sirius's tattoo in appreciation with the broadest grin when he saw it. Killian had helped Orchid finish it off, they worked so well together that the entire tattoo appeared cohesive.
Sirius headed upstairs to check on Riley since she'd had afternoon sickness for the past few days.
Draco was feeling peckish, and there was a couple hours before dinner, so he made his way to the kitchens for a snack.
Pip was sitting on the counter, flipping through Mipsy's handwritten cookbook to decide what to make for supper.
Mipsy and Kreacher were both resting for the afternoon. They'd helped with Breakfast and lunch. In their old age—and now that Pip was being given more responsibility—they tended to take afternoon naps.
"Hello Master Draco, do you need help from Pip?" Pip asked eagerly, her wide eyes brightened as her floppy ears perked up. Draco shook his head, thanked her and said he was only making a simple snack.
Draco's snack would have to wait. At the moment he was more preoccupied by Harry. The raven haired boy was sitting in a dazed state at the kitchen island, absentmindedly stirring a half-full cup of milky, cold tea.
"Master Harry has been here for hours, since he got back from luncheon at the Greengrass Estate. Pip has been trying to talk with Master, but Master can't hear her," Pip whispered conspiratorially, covering her mouth after she finished. As if she didn't wish to be caught gossiping.
Pip kicked her skinny legs back and forth and hummed as she flipped another page. "Pip got her hands on some bird's eye chilis at market today, does thai coconut curry sound good?"
Draco considered it as he strode over to Harry. He braced his hands on the island's marble surface and nodded. "That sounds delightful, Pip. I'm sure whatever you make will be delicious as always."
Pip's hands flew to her face and she bashfully averted her eyes as her greyish purple skin darkened around her cheeks with a robust pink.
"Pip will get started before Kreacher wakes up and complains!" Pip said excitedly. She snapped her fingers and the cookbook closed and floated over to rest on the counter.
Pip hopped up and skipped over to the cupboards, she used magic to hover in mid air, and riffle around as she selected an array of appropriate seasonings and dry herbs.
Draco knew better than to offer his help. Pip would banish him from the kitchen until dinner if he even insinuated that he intended to assist.
As Pip began to prepare for dinner, Draco nudged Harry's arm with his elbow. Harry jolted harshly, and almost fell off the black bar stool.
(Riley had purchased the bar stools when she moved in, there were six spaced around the rectangular island.)
Harry righted himself and blinked rapidly at Draco. "Shite, sorry, I was so out of it I didn't realise you were there."
"Pip and I had an entire conversation," Draco teased. Harry went pink, and he ducked his head, but he caught sight of Draco's reformed tattoo and wordlessly gripped Draco's forearm and examined it.
"Why those flowers?" Harry queried. Harry's tone suggested he knew why, but he still wanted to confirm things for himself.
"They are everyone's birth month flowers. Not Riley or Tonks's. Although, technically Remus, James and Ron were easy since they were all born in March," Draco shrugged. "I have an idea for a smaller tattoo for Riley and Tonks."
"Did it hurt?" Harry asked.
"Not really," Draco lied, trying not to worry Harry. Harry's brow crumpled, he didn't believe Draco.
Draco let out a resigned sigh. "It wasn't that bad. It was worse than usual because the dark mark doesn't play well with others."
"Do you think I could get one someday?"
"The dark mark? Sorry, mate, I think you missed your opportunity for that one," Draco said impassively. Harry pinched the skin beside his tattoo and Draco swore under his breath.
"Not funny, you know what I meant."
Draco cleared his throat, watching Harry as the younger wizard intently explored Draco's tattoo with his fingers and eyes. "I think Killian, Orchid and Georgie would be honoured if you let any of them tattoo you. In fact, they're coming over for dinner soon, and I'm sure you can discuss it with them then."
"Really? Sounds brill."
Draco's brow puckered as he contemplated the state he found Harry in. "Is everything okay with you and Daph? Pip says you've been out of it since you got back from the Greengrass's."
Harry clicked his teeth together, he absently tapped against Draco's skin as he ordered his thoughts. "I want to ask Daphne to marry me. Her Father and Mother don't approve of our 'arrangement' as they put it."
Draco nodded half-heartedly. It was improper in many Pureblood households for a witch to share accommodations with her suitor if they were not betrothed, or in more extreme cases, married. Draco couldn't imagine Daphne's Father was happy that his eldest daughter was staying over at Potter Manor on a regular basis and she was not officially spoken for; the man was notoriously old-fashioned.
"Daphne was brilliant, she defended our relationship and said we didn't have to rush to get married, but…" Harry lost his train of thought, his eyes glazing over.
"Okay, Harry, do you want to marry Daphne?" Draco inquired gently. Harry's grip tightened on Draco's forearm, he squared his jaw and nodded firmly.
"I don't want her to think I'm proposing because her parents think I should—I've been thinking about it for weeks. The only thing stopping me is I thought it might be too soon since we just graduated."
"Daphne is an intelligent, astute witch, she would see right through you if your feelings weren't genuine. Daph trusts you implicitly, Harry, her trust and love aren't something she gives away thoughtlessly. She sometimes reminds me of an old friend," Draco's lips quirked upwards.
Daphne and Marlene weren't entirely dissimilar. Marlene was more callous and ruthless than Daphne, but both witches possessed a hidden softness that was only drawn out by their loved ones.
"Mister Greengrass said that I thankfully expressed my intent to court Daph early on, so he will forgive my transgressions to date," Harry murmured. Draco scoffed.
"You two haven't undergone a proper courtship, but you haven't done anything wrong, Harry." Draco slipped his arm from Harry's grasp and ruffled the boy's messy raven locks.
"All I care about is whether you are happy. Getting married is a big decision in our world. Even if those considerations aren't always taken into account. Some still engage in marriages of convenience or to gain political power or wealth."
That could have been Draco in another life. He would have been married to Astoria as soon as they both graduated from Hogwarts. Although, he believed he might have come to care for Stori after some time, it would have been a tiny flicker of flame compared to the wild fiendfyre that burned in his chest for Hermione.
Harry was listening raptly. Draco continued. "It is an extremely lonely thing to be magically bound by your core to someone indefinitely when there is no love between you. I'm not saying that is you or Daphne, but it's something important to consider. None of us know the future, but if you don't see yourself with her at least ten years down the road, don't marry her."
Draco thought of Pansy, of how sad her childhood was with a Mother who felt trapped in a loveless marriage. Pansy's Mother adored her, but detested the shackles that linked her to Pansy's Father. Theirs had been an arranged marriage, the initial contract drawn up when Natsume was fifteen years old.
"I can see that isn't the case with you two, and don't let that discourage you, but if you are serious then I have something to give you."
Harry raised a brow. "Something to give me?"
Draco pulled his silver chains up and over his shirt collar. Harry's eyes widened as he caught sight of the ruby ring hanging beside Draco's locket. Draco had grabbed Lily's engagement ring from her gravestone a couple weeks ago. He sensed Harry would need it soon, and he wanted to carry on the tradition of passing it on in Lily's place.
"This was your Great-Grandmother Genevieve's ring," Draco explained as he unfastened the necklace, slipped the ring off it into his awaiting hand. He carefully refastened his necklace around his neck before he held his palm face up towards Harry.
"Your Father used to nick it all the time when he was little, loudly proclaiming that he was going to propose to his future wife with it," Draco smiled.
Harry stared at the ring with teary eyes. "Are you sure you want to give it to me?"
"It's yours, Harry," Draco said as he gripped Harry's hand and placed it into his palm before folding Harry's fingers over the dainty, elegant ring. The ruby with a cluster of diamonds surrounding it like sunflower petals.
Draco's mind travelled to a faraway point in the past when Charlus had bestowed Dorea's engagement ring upon him.
"So you're telling me that Jamie has always had a flair for the dramatics and mischief?" Draco asked with a snort.
"Yes," Charlus nodded, and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. A more solemn expression ironed itself onto Charlus's face, "Mum would be so happy—knowing that one day you'll use it to propose to the person you love and wish to spend the rest of your life with."
"Dad—" Draco began to protest—meeting Charlus's eye—but the man interrupted him with a pointed look.
"Maybe I should give it to Hermione, so one day she can propose to you," Charlus teased good-naturedly.
Harry cautiously opened his hand, as if the ring would sprout wings and fly away. He marvelled at it with parted lips, its brilliance reflecting in his glasses. "Do—Do you think Daph will say yes?"
Draco's heart swelled at the fragility and vulnerability in Harry's softly uttered question. It was moments like this that reminded him how different his life could have been. How he never would have been able to see these sides of Harry, or have him confide in Draco unhesitantly with indisputable trust.
It was moments like this that reminded him how far he'd come.
"I do," Draco answered honestly, and Harry nodded with a crumpled brow. He was holding back tears.
"I love her. I thought I loved Ginny when we were younger, but it isn't the same. Daph is…we fit. It's terrifying," Harry confessed.
"Thank you," Harry said as he hugged Draco tightly. Loud sniffling came from the corner of the kitchen, and both men slowly turned to find Pip dabbing at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. They'd forgotten she was there.
"Pip is so happy. Master Harry is getting married."
"She has to say yes first," Harry said with a low chuckle.
"Pip will need to tell Mum and Kreacher so we can ready a nursery in Master's wing," Pip said with a wistful sigh as she blew her nose in her handkerchief.
"A nursery?" Harry asked, his complexion paling considerably in seconds.
"Oh Master and Miss Greengrass will make such pretty babies."
"Babies?" Harry croaked out. Draco forcibly swallowed a laugh at Harry's expression.
"I think babies might be a couple years off yet, Pip."
Pip scoffed, and tutted as she wagged her finger at them. "Pip disagrees. She can sense these things." Pip was no longer as shy as when they had first met, she had become assertive over the past few months in ways that were scarily reminiscent of her Mother.
"Babies," Harry repeated dumbly. Draco patted the boy's head in comfort.
"Remember the contraceptive charm and potion are your friends," Draco said. Harry nodded hurriedly and raked his free hand backwards through his hair causing it to stick up haphazardly.
And thus, three days later, Harry Potter proposed to Daphne Greengrass by the pond's edge in the Greengrass gardens. He stammered over some of his words, but he said everything he wanted to. Daphne joyously exclaimed, 'yes!'.
After Harry slipped the ring onto Daphne's finger, she tackled him into the water, and kissed him thoroughly. Harry was so happy he didn't care that he was sopping wet. Another faint bond was formed in that moment, delicately connecting the blonde witch to the pack.
And thus, Lily Potter's engagement ring was passed on, magically resizing itself to fit Daphne Greengrass's finger.
Years ago, upthehillart drew Draco Malfoy with flowers all through his dark mark and it's something she does a lot in her artwork concerning him. When she first did it, it really struck me as something Draco Potter would do, and the fact that I am able to finally share this moment is extremely special to me.