A/N: Just so you know, Pavo is the name of a constellation. And the other name (well, the translation), of this constellation is "The Peacock". You'll see, those two information will make sense later on, you just have to read the chapter.
It's another soft one, actually, not too much drama in this one (just a lil bit in the beginning) because shit's gonna go down later and Draco deserves more happy moments, poor boy. ):
The last cycle of the school year arrived pretty fast. Then, the last day of exams arrived pretty fast. And that same day, the third task happened. What no one knew was that Cedric Diggory's life would end so fast.
"He's still not talking about it?" Draco asked quietly. He turned his head to look at Hermione. She was staring in front of her, walking slowly in the corridors with Draco. They were holding hands, harder than usually. They had barely let go of each other, during the last three days. Hermione was quiet most of the time, still shocked by everything that had happened, by the pain her best friend was being subjected to. For that, there was no Charm, no spell to fix the situation. She didn't know how to help him and she wouldn't find a solution no matter how many books she would read.
She shook her head before looking at Draco too, meeting his eyes. He was very pale, more than usual, and he wasn't sleeping a lot since the task. He knew, from what Harry was saying, that Voldemort was back. It was enough to keep him awake at night. He had talked a bit about his feelings with Hermione, and she had done the same, but it was just weird. Because at the same time, they didn't want to talk about it, they didn't want to make it sound even more real.
"He had to explain it to Dumbledore and Sirius just after it happened... He didn't have time to cope, I guess it's normal... He will talk about it when he'll feel like it. But I'm not sure he will. He always keeps a lot to himself."
After this, there was only silence for a few minutes, but Hermione had noticed that Draco was leading her somewhere. They were just wandering in the hallways, at first, but now, he seemed to have chosen somewhere to go. She recognized the hallway leading to the library and she followed him inside. Madam Pince glanced at them as they walked in but she didn't say anything, she was soon looking at what she was writing again. Draco made his way between the bookshelves and towards a table. Then, he went to sit on a chair, still holding Hermione's hand as she sat next to him.
"What is it?" She asked quietly, looking around her. Draco gave her the shape of a smile as he stared at her for a few seconds. Then, he looked at their hands and at her again. After another moment, he leaned to kiss her. He felt Hermione's free hand on his chest and she slightly smiled against his lips. When they broke the kiss, she rested her forehead against his, her fingers still against his chest as she bit her lower lip.
"One year ago, Granger, I kissed you for the first time, here," Draco almost whispered. Hermione opened her eyes, raising her head to look at him. Draco was smiling a bit more and she closed her eyes.
"It's... I'm so sorry," she whispered. Draco chuckled.
"Don't worry, I didn't think about it this morning either... I guess we're both... Thinking about other things," he said quietly. Hermione nodded, looking at him again. "It thought about it an hour ago... Pansy was reading her magazine and I saw the date on it..." He explained, looking down, feeling a bit bad about admitting that he had totally forgotten about their one year anniversary. But she had done the same too. With everything that had happened, he was even surprised he had thought about it. At least, now, their mood was a bit lightened. "I don't even have anything for you, I didn't think about buying something," he said. Hermione chuckled, trying to stay quiet not to upset Madam Pince, even though the library was empty from its usual students.
"Draco, you don't need to buy me gifts for every occasion," she said quietly. She could see Draco's smirk. It wasn't the same as usual, it looked like he was a bit embarrassed. "As long as I have you," she then added, making him look up at her, "I have what I need."
He opened a bit his mouth but nothing came out so he closed it. Hermione was feeling her own cheeks burning but she kept smiling at her boyfriend. She then leaned to kiss him again, muttering that she loved him as soon as she broke the kiss.
.
Draco was staring at the window of the Hogwarts Express. He couldn't wait to see his parents again and at the same time, he was very anxious about going back home. He had missed them so much, but he knew he wouldn't have the best of time, that summer. They would all be nervous, his father wouldn't be there a lot, he would be too afraid to talk to his mother about his fears. He sighed, turning his head to glance at the Daily Prophet on the seat next to him.
They kept reading articles about Cedric's death, about Harry and Dumbledore's claims. No one was believing them, apparently. Stupid people. He turned his head again, ready to get back to his contemplation of the landscape when he met Pansy's eyes. She was staring at him. Apparently, Theo and her had stopped talking when he had sighed but he hadn't even noticed. He glanced at the boy who was sitting next to Pansy and he felt a bit uncomfortable.
Pansy was feeling bad for Draco, he seemed to be really preoccupied by everything that had happened and she knew why. He had explained to her that what Harry was saying was true. He had told her about the reason he had spent so much time with the trio during the end of the year. She had understood, she wasn't blaming him for this. Even though she would have liked for him to talk to her about it, she understood that his intentions were good. Now, she also knew that Voldemort was really back and she knew what it meant for Draco. Why he was so afraid, why he was staying up in the common room at night, not able to sleep properly, avoiding his nightmares.
All they were hearing were stories about the tournament, Cedric and Harry, lately. Even her and Theo had been discussing it after getting on the train. But now, she wanted to talk about something else. She needed to make Draco stop thinking about it for at least a minute.
"You're not going to believe who came to talk to me before leaving the dorm," she said to Draco. He only raised an eyebrow. "Tracey." He frowned.
"Davis? What for?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes before he glanced at Theo, meeting Pansy's eyes just after.
"Because she... wanted to talk to me?" Pansy said with a little smile. Draco sighed, shaking his head.
"Yeah, no, I know. But I thought she wasn't speaking to you since the ball. Why did she change her mind all of a sudden?"
Tracey had been a friend of Pansy during their first years at Hogwarts. And during the ball, she had actually sat with Pansy and Theo at the table, almost at the end of the night, to talk a bit with them. She had been friendly, they had laughed together, but then, nothing. The next day, Pansy had told Draco that something had happened that morning. Right before Theo and Draco left their own dorm, Pansy had walked in to talk to them about it. She had told them that she had tried to talk to Tracey that morning, just before the girl left the dorm to join the others for breakfast, but Tracey had said that maybe they should stop talking.
Of course, Pansy knew why. The others must have pressured her.
The other girls probably said that if she was talking to Pansy, Theo and Draco, they wouldn't talk to her anymore, she would be treated like them. Probably because they had seen them together during the ball. And Pansy had told Tracey that it was fine, that she didn't need them around anyway. She had been really angry and sad.
"I don't know. She waited for everyone to be out, I think she packed her stuff slower just to be able to talk to me. And she told me that she was sorry for her behavior, that she wanted to be my friend but that the other girls were threatening her. She said that she would love to see me during the summer and that I could write to her, but only if I wanted to."
Pansy seemed delighted. Unfortunately, Draco didn't share her joy.
"What if it's just a scheme to hurt you? Maybe they made her do this. Or that it's just her idea of fun." Pansy rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.
"I thought you knew there's not only bad people around us, Draco. She was totally fine with the situation during the ball, but Daphne made her stop talking to me," she said, annoyed.
"So, why would she talk to you now? Not even in front of them?" Draco asked, glancing out the window again. Pansy clenched her jaw.
"I think," Theo said quietly, capturing Pansy's attention but not Draco's, "That he's only worried. Are you sure she's nice?" He asked, not wanting them to argue. "I mean, I totally believe she can be, she was really nice with me during the ball," he said, glancing at Draco, "But you need to be sure."
"I think she is," Pansy said quietly, turning her head to look out the window too. She glanced at Draco's reflection in the window and noticed that he was doing the same with her. She narrowed her eyes and he rolled his.
"Why can't you believe someone wants to be nice with me despite everything? After all, I'm still talking to you despite what I know!" She then exclaimed, staring at Draco again. Theo raised an eyebrow, glancing at the other boy.
"Shut up, Pansy, don't start now," Draco only said as he glanced at Theo, tired.
"I don't care, I just want to know why it's so hard for you to believe," she said. Draco frowned.
"Because they're mocking you all the time, I hear them!" He then let out, being a bit louder and looking like he was about to stand up. Pansy closed her mouth, staring at him, looking a bit hurt. "All the time, because they're morons! And she's always with them, and she doesn't defend you! So why, suddenly, would she be your friend again? What if they're only doing that because they think you're naive enough to be played with? Why can't she assume her actions and just talk to you in front of them, if she really wants to be your friend?"
He was just afraid, he just didn't want for her to get hurt once again. And Pansy wasn't saying anything anymore, now. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and Draco felt bad. Not because he had just shouted at her, but because she had had a very harsh year. And it was because of him. And she wasn't even complaining about it, never. She had never reproached anything to Draco. Those girls were hypocrites. They had turned their back on her as soon as Draco had made his relationship public.
"I'm sorry," he then said more quietly. "It's my fault."
Pansy swallowed as she shook her head. She then turned it to look outside again and wiped one of her cheeks with her hand before crossing her arms. He was almost certain he had just seen her chin shake and he felt his heart sink.
"You're my... I wouldn't have left you for them. It's not your fault."
"I just want you to be careful," he added and Pansy nodded quickly, still not looking at him. He opened his mouth again but Theo stood up to open the compartment door. Draco glanced at Hermione as she stood in the doorway.
"Can I come in for a moment?" She asked, glancing at Draco. He glanced at Pansy who wiped her cheeks once more before clearing her throat as she looked at Hermione.
"Sure," Theo said, relieved that they had been interrupted. He sat down again and Hermione walked in, closing the door behind her. She took the Daily Prophet that was on the seat next to Draco, putting it aside as she sat down.
"I know you probably don't want to talk about this but..." She began quietly, glancing at the duo in front of her before looking at Draco. "It's important. Harry talked to me, this morning..." She cleared her throat. "He said your father was there, with a whole bunch of them."
"There?" He asked quietly, narrowing his eyes.
"In the cemetery..."
Draco looked away. Hermione glanced at his friends again. Pansy was staring at her and Theo was looking at Draco, looking a bit nervous.
"Well, you know," Theo said, glancing at Hermione. "It's no surprise." They all looked at him. "I'm pretty sure my father would have been there too, if he had been able to."
Theo met Draco's eyes. Draco knew about his father, of course. And Pansy knew too. But Hermione didn't know. So, Theo faced her, smiling a little.
"He used to be a Death Eater. He was killed during the first war," he explained. Hermione opened a bit her mouth. She didn't know if she had to say that she was sorry for him not having a father, or if she didn't have to say anything because he was a Death Eater. "That's why we changed our ways," he added. "After the war, my mother thought it was best for us to redeem ourselves, she never really believed in all of this. My father became one of them after they married. I don't think she would have stayed with him if she had known beforehand."
"I had no idea..." Hermione let out, looking a bit surprised. Theo smiled and shrugged.
"Yeah, I don't really talk about it much," he said, almost sounding like it was an old joke. Then, he looked at Draco again. "That's why you're so anxious, aren't you? But... You knew it would happen, I mean... You just have to keep your relationship secret, don't you?" Theo asked, trying to scan Draco's face. He knew there was more to it than his relationship with Hermione, but Draco had never told him anything about his other secret.
"It's more complicated than that," Draco said, meeting Theo's eyes for only a second before he looked at Hermione. "What did he say? Harry, I mean. Did he tell you what happened with my father?"
"Kind of... He said... That You-Know-Who was really upset. Not only because of your father, but because of the rest of the Death Eaters that were there. Because they didn't look for him. He said they hadn't been loyal, but that when... When the Lestranges would get out of Azkaban, they would be rewarded because they never stopped looking for him," she said, becoming more quiet with every word. Draco had looked down when she had mentioned the Lestranges.
"You mean... He's planning on making the Lestranges escape Azkaban?" Pansy asked, looking at Draco too. The boy was feeling smaller with every sentence.
"I believe so," Hermione said, glancing at Pansy. She then faced Draco again.
"Your father... Apparently, he said that he's always been on the alert, that he would have looked after him if there had been any sign."
"There were signs," Draco let out, shaking his head. "He just never looked for him... He didn't want to look for him," he said as he looked at Hermione again. He felt her hand on his knee and she slightly smiled, trying to comfort him.
"I know. Harry knows too. And You-Know-Who was upset because, during the summer, Crouch sent the Mark and your father ran away from it. He said he was disappointed."
"Did he do anything to-"
"No, Draco, he didn't hurt your father," Hermione whispered. "He could have, he used the Cruciatus Curse on a Death Eater named Avery, Harry told me. But he didn't hurt your father." She could see how relieved Draco looked. There was no color on his face but she could see that his body had relaxed a little. "Still, he said he was hoping to see more devotion from him in the future... Apparently, your father really wanted to know how he was able to come back, but he sounded... Well, you know who he was facing."
Draco looked away again, shaking his head.
"If he finds out why my father never... He's..."
"Maybe he won't," Hermione said.
"Draco," Pansy said, "Your parents are not going to tell him anything about it, they wouldn't. He's not going to bother with you."
"Mind filling me in?" Theodore asked, looking quite annoyed. Draco glanced at Pansy and Hermione before looking at Theodore. He shook his head.
"Some things happened, things that would upset You-Know-Who if he finds out... That's it." He said. Hermione and Pansy both looked away and Draco took a deep breath, looking down and staring at the floor, thinking.
"Does it have anything to do with your nightmares?" Draco suddenly looked up and the girls both looked at Theodore too. Draco stood up.
"How do you-"
"Please, Draco, we've been sharing a dorm for four years." Theo seemed relaxed as he was looking up at Draco. He tilted his head, crossing his legs before joining his hands on his lap. "Or is it about your scars?" He asked, more confident than ever. They had never seen him like this. He was still smiling, but it wasn't the same cheerful smile as he usually had. Clearly, he knew what he was doing. Hermione felt like the temperature of the compartment had suddenly dropped. She had always seen Theo as a charming boy, always smiling and kind. Maybe she had to remind herself that he was a Slytherin more often.
"My-"
"Theo!" Pansy said severely, interrupting Draco. Hermione looked anxious, glancing at each of them in turn.
"You told him about it?" Draco exclaimed, turning to face Pansy.
"What? No, Draco, of course not!" Pansy said quickly, frowning. "He saw them..." She added more quietly. "After the ball, he saw them... I've never told him anything!"
So, Draco had remembered correctly. He really did roll up his sleeves that night. He suddenly wanted to hit himself. But instead, he looked at Theodore again. He still had a little smile on his lips.
It had been too much for him. He wasn't stupid and he didn't want to keep being pushed aside. It wasn't like he didn't know the truth anyway.
"And that's not the only thing I saw. All your glances, the whispers... I see that you're hiding stuff from me. I'm nice, not dumb and even less oblivious." They had never heard him speak this way. It sounded a bit cold and they knew why. He was hurt. "You guys have secrets and I get it, you've been friends for a long time. But I've known Pansy even before you even met her and I know she hides stuff from me. I don't hide anything," he kept on going. "But there's some things... you don't need to be a genius to figure them out."
"Shut up, Nott," Draco said through his gritted teeth, clenching his fists. "Stop talking right now."
"Why? Everyone here knows about it. I'm the only one who doesn't deserve to know, is that it?"
"It has nothing to do with deserving it," Pansy said, knowing that Draco was about to lose it.
Theo stood up. Hermione had never really paid attention to this before but he was taller than Draco and from her seat, he looked a bit intimidating despite being thin. Maybe it was because of his eyes. Because of the look he was giving Draco. No doubt that he was angry. But it was really cold, not full of anger. Hermione wondered for a second if he had inherited his features from his father.
"So you tell me," he said. "Tell me what was so traumatic that you have night terrors. Tell me why you have all those scars on your arms, if not anywhere else," he said, eyeing Draco's right temple for a second, directly meeting his eyes again after that. "Tell me why you have to go to the hospital wing once a month. What would upset You-Know-Who so much? Huh? Tell me."
They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds and Hermione and Pansy glanced at each other.
"I'm giving you a chance to be honest with me, Draco. Why won't you take it?" Theo asked. In the end, that's what he really wanted to know. Why Draco wouldn't get closer, why he was still often cold with him, rejecting his friendship. They were talking when Pansy was there but when she wasn't, when they were in the dorm or just alone together, they only had small talks. Draco wasn't making any effort to become his friend. When Theo had figured out what was going on with him, he had wondered if it was because of this secret or if, in the end, it was just because he was mean.
Draco looked down.
"I'm waiting," Theo said. Draco clenched his jaw for a second, looking at the door.
"Why should I say it?" He asked quietly after another moment of silence.
"I told you. Because you could choose to be totally honest with me."
"No. Why should I say it when you already know?"
"Because we're friends." Draco looked up, meeting Theo's eyes again but staying silent. "At least, I see you as my friend." And Draco looked down again, biting his lip from the inside of his mouth. "Are you so ashamed of not being pure that you can't look at me in the eyes even though I already know?"
"I'm not even totally human!" Draco snapped as he looked at him again. "I have reasons to be ashamed!"
"Do you, with us?" Theo asked quickly. Draco swallowed, thinking for a second about jumping off the train. "And by that, I mean with me? Me, who's been bullied half my life because I couldn't care less about people's parentage? Or about what they are?"
Draco opened his mouth but this time, Theo didn't let him talk.
"I know most of you are monsters. But Lupin wasn't, I've rarely met someone as nice as him. And until someone shows me a proof of it, I'm not going to believe you're going to murder us all."
After a moment of silence, Theo sat down again, crossing his legs and his arms. He was still staring at Draco but this time, he didn't look remotely amused or angry. His jaw was clearly clenched but he seemed really calm. Hermione slowly moved her hand to pull Draco's sleeve. He glanced at her and she nodded at his seat. Slowly, Draco sat down, still looking at the floor. He put his hands on his knees, his mind working fast. He needed to understand everything that had just happened.
"I can't believe Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are still acting this way with you, that they kept you in..." Theo almost whispered. Draco glared at him and Theo chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't look at me like that, I don't mean to offense you. My mother talked to me about them, they were friends with my father, that's it. I know they're not..." He shrugged. "But that proves something, doesn't it? They're never going to tell You-Know-Who about it. It wouldn't make any sense. Not after everything."
"Even if they don't-"
Draco didn't finish, he looked away again. He felt Hermione's hand on his and he closed his eyes as he sighed.
"They... they're going to work with him. They won't have a choice. You heard what Potter said, he wants my father to be more... He has to work for him, it's going to start all over again..."
.
At the end of the ride, and after Hermione and Draco had left the compartment to say goodbye to each other in the aisle before arriving at the station, Theo left first, saying that he wasn't going to get out of the train with Pansy and Draco. He was doing that more for Draco than for Pansy who was going to have him over at least once during the summer. But he was pretty sure Lucius and Narcissa wouldn't be very pleased to see him hanging out with a blood traitor. He acted like it wasn't a big deal but Pansy, knowing him, paid more attention to that strained smile than Draco did. Actually, Draco hadn't looked at Theo during the rest of the train ride.
Once out of the train, Draco only saw his mother waiting for him. He tried to not look too disappointed. He was really happy to see her, but he knew why his father hadn't been able to be there with her. He let his mother embrace him and kiss his cheek and he kept smiling at her. That's when he noticed that he had actually missed her much more than he had thought. He loved to see this smile on her face because she was happy to see him.
"You look so much taller," she said, shaking a bit her head as she passed her hand on Draco's cheek. He chuckled.
"I'm sure it's just an impression..." He said quietly.
"I'm not," she answered before she sighed. "Almost a year without seeing you, of course you grew up..."
"I'm sorry I didn't come back home, Mother, but with the tournament and everything, I just..." She smiled, sweeping away his worries as she did so.
"You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad to have you back."
"Where's Father?" He then asked more seriously, but also in a whisper. He could swear his mother had almost lost her smile at those words. It was actually a bit more strained.
"He's very busy," she just said on the same tone, sounding sorry. She narrowed her eyes so fast that Draco almost missed it, but she had noticed something. She frowned a little and he felt her fingers removing his hair from his forehead. He moved his head to make her stop as he glanced around him. Everyone was way too busy to pay too much attention to them but still. "When did this happen?"
Draco was feeling uncomfortable and he just shrugged, still not looking at his mother. He couldn't bring himself to do it. He just looked down and when he heard her say his name, he felt like she was trying to keep her composure.
"It's nothing, I promise, it's just a scratch... I'm fine," he said. He looked up. She didn't seem to believe him. After all, his parents knew him more than anyone else. "It's... Remember when... Severus sent you a letter because I wanted to talk with you two?" He asked. His mother nodded and he looked away again, not able to say aloud that it was when it had happened. Two nights before their discussion.
"Come, let's go home. Your father will be there for dinner, with Severus. And you have something waiting for you, in case you forgot about it."
"I hope he behaved well while I was away," Draco said, hiding one of his hand in his pocket and his mother passed her arm around his. His trunk had already been taken care of, they just had to go back home.
"I believe you are in luck. He did behave, your father didn't throw him out."
"He wouldn't have," Draco said as he chuckled, before he looked at his mother, losing his smile. "He wouldn't, right?"
"No, he would not," Narcissa said quietly as she looked at her son. She gave him a warm smile that comforted Draco. "Did you think of a name? Your father is still calling him "the thing"." Draco laughed again and he shook his head.
"I did, actually." He had a little smile on his lips as he glanced at his mother. She was looking at him with a certain curiosity. "Pavo."
When he had told Pansy he had chosen that name, she had frowned, asking him why he would give such a name to a dog. Draco had laughed it off, saying that it was a family joke, that she wouldn't understand.
"Draco, you can't be serious," she said. But he could see the amusement in her eyes. He nodded quickly.
"Of course I am. He's family. I'm sure Father will be really happy about it."
They left the Hogwarts Express behind them to go back to the Manor. With that, Draco left Theo and Pansy behind. As well as Hermione.
That year, they had parted ways with the promise of writing to each other as much as possible.
They didn't write as much as Draco was expecting, though. They were writing, and the letters were long, but he was pretty sure they were fewer in number.
Not that he was counting.
But he could understand that Hermione was probably busy. He was busy himself. Or that's what he was telling himself every time he was going to sleep at Pansy's or that she was coming to sleep over. Or when he was training for Quidditch. But flying alone wasn't the most fun he could have. He was also writing a lot to Lupin, but even he was sending fewer letters. He didn't understand. Was he suddenly annoying everyone? It couldn't be the reason, Pansy was still writing a lot when they weren't seeing each other...
He was often just wandering around the Manor's grounds, looking for even the tiniest creatures he could find, hoping that maybe, he would find something as interesting as Pavo to study, or sketch, or whatever would occupy him. But there weren't any. If only he could leave the grounds to do that, like Luna probably could... His parents had never really understood his interest for all those creatures. They had never told him to stop being curious about them, of course, but they weren't very fond of them and they wouldn't let him wander around to try and found them. After all, when your only child had been attacked by a werewolf, it probably made sense... He couldn't even use magic to defend himself if anything was happening, since he was too young for that.
In the end, he was spending most of his time with Pavo. His parents had been quite relieved to discover that he wasn't getting weary of the creature's presence. On the contrary, they couldn't see one without the other. Pavo was following Draco everywhere he was going.
Narcissa had explained to her son that the day after he had left for Hogwarts, she had indeed put some food outside for the creature to eat. And she had told Draco that she did see him in the garden, then near the large window to sniff the food, but that he didn't touch it. And after a few other attempts, since he wasn't eating, she had stopped putting the plates there. Instead, she had put one inside and she had kept the window open to let the creature come in. He didn't, the first few days, but after a while, he did. He did when Narcissa had left the room and that he had been alone. But again, he didn't eat. Narcissa had thought that he had left the Manor only to find him in Draco's bedroom two days after.
Draco had been very surprised to hear his mother tell him all about this. Actually, he didn't think she would directly try to feed him, she had seemed pretty reluctant by the thought when he had asked her to. But he was even more surprised when she explained that she was sure the dog had been able to find food by himself outside but that he hadn't eaten anything when he was in her son's bedroom. So, she had put the next plates there and he had eaten. She had said something about him being used to Draco's presence and that he was comfortable in his room because of his smell. Since it was still a baby, he probably didn't want to see anyone else. And when she told Draco about that, she was sure the expression on Draco's face was joy mixed with some pride. There was a reason she had been telling him all of this. She wanted to see him relaxed, to make him stop thinking about his father and the Dark Lord.
When he had asked about his father's opinion on the creature, he was surprised to hear her laugh. Apparently, he had complained a lot. Even more, when he had started to walk around more freely instead of staying in Draco's room, two months later. And still, surprisingly, Lucius hadn't said anything when the dog had come in their room one night. He had woken up with the creature sleeping at the foot of the bed and he had simply ignored him, still decided to act like having him there was bothering him. And when Narcissa woke up, three weeks later, to find the dog sleeping right against Lucius, she had been amused to see that her husband wasn't bothered at all by the creature.
.
That day, Draco was actually running around the grounds of the Manor with Pavo. He had started doing this every morning two weeks before. Often, playing Quidditch was helping him get a lot of his thoughts out of his mind. He liked to fly and play with his friends. But he had spent the summer avoiding Crabbe and Goyle's presence every time their fathers had to come in the Manor by asking if he could go at Pansy's. His parents had said that they could use the opportunity to invite Gregory and Vincent but every time, Draco was saying that he'd rather spend his time at Pansy's place instead. Once, Theodore had been there too. Draco had been slightly uneasy but they had had a good time. Theo had never talked about Draco's condition again, not since their argument in the train, and Draco was mentally grateful for it, but he had never said anything either. Theo was acting like before with him, nothing had changed even though he knew his secret. And if Draco had to be honest, he was relieved. He didn't have to hide anything anymore. They knew about Hermione, they knew about him being a werewolf, they knew he was so nervous lately, and so they weren't talking about what could bother him, they were able to keep his mind of all those things.
He stopped once he was back behind the Manor, stretching for a minute, Pavo running happily around him and making him smile. He walked in the Manor, his dog following him and he soon found his parents in the living room as he was going towards their kitchen to get something to drink.
"Back from the Ministry?" He asked as he looked at his father. Lucius looked up from the Daily Prophet. He had spent the last two hours there, discussing with Fudge. He had also met the famous Harry Potter and Arthur Weasley, down in the Department of Mysteries, as he was checking the place. Draco stopped walking, taking the glass of water that was coming his way as he smiled at his mother to thank her. He took a long sip as he listened to his father before he sat down in an armchair near the sofa as his mother was sipping her tea, staring at him. Like he had thought before the summer, his father wasn't often there. But he was still spending time with them, when he could. Draco was sure that he didn't go to the Ministry just to talk with this incompetent Minister. But he didn't mention it, he'd rather keep a nice ambiance in the Manor. After all, in two weeks, he would go back to Hogwarts.
"And what about Potter?" Draco asked, suddenly curious as he heard his father mention him. "Was he expelled?" Of course, he knew about his use of magic and about his trial. He hadn't even have the time to talk about it with Hermione, he was still waiting for an answer to his last letter.
"Cleared of all charges, of course," Lucius said as he slightly shook his head, looking at his paper again. "I was not expecting less from the Ministry." Draco knew what he meant. That it was a bad decision from them, but that he was used to them acting stupidly. Draco only sniggered as he leaned on his armchair, Pavo quickly jumping on his lap.
"You're not the one who's going to have him around during a whole year, though," Draco said to his father. He was still talking very badly of Harry when he was in the Manor. He was feeling like not saying anything would make them wonder if something had change. He still hadn't said anything about Hermione and wasn't planning on doing so anytime soon.
It's his mother who changed the subject, soon talking about going to buy his books for school because his letter shouldn't take too long before arriving, now. Draco was relaxed, petting the almost asleep dog that was on his lap when his mother turned to him.
"When did you decide to do so much sports?" She then asked before sipping her tea again. Lucius, again, looked up from his paper, glancing at his son. He had discussed the matter with his wife a few days before and was curious to know the reason too, as they had speculated about him wanting to impress someone. They had heard enough rumors and they knew how sneaky their son could be. Surely, he wouldn't tell them about it if he really was dating a girl like the one people were talking about. But Draco shrugged, staring at Pavo as he tried to remain relaxed.
"I've always liked sports, Mother, I thought you knew that." Narcissa smiled a little, looking at her cup of tea.
"Yes, Quidditch you do love. But this is new." Draco only shrugged again, clearly uncomfortable.
"Is it an attempt to impress a special someone?" Lucius asked, surprising Draco. He had folded his paper and put it next to him before interlacing his fingers on his lap and he was staring at his son. Draco was clearly flustered. And again, he shrugged. Lucius glanced at his wife who was sitting next to him, knowing that something was up with his son. He stared at Draco again but didn't say anything.
"No, why would I do such a thing?" Draco asked. He was still staring at his dog, clearly hoping this one would open his eyes to help him out by distracting him. He didn't want to look at his parents, not if he had to lie in front of them. But it was too late. He was already slightly blushing and he was clearly tense.
"We hear the rumors, Draco," Narcissa said calmly, even though the thought of those rumors being true was annoying to her. Even if she was fine with Draco, even though he wasn't pure anymore, she couldn't bring herself to imagine him going out with a Mudblood. Those people weren't worthy of their family. She had been taught so, she had always believed so. Those people had cost her a sister already, she didn't want to have anything to do with them anymore. But in a way, she couldn't say she didn't know something like that would happen.
"What rumors?" Draco asked, frowning a little.
"You know which rumors," Narcissa sighed, tilting her head on the side a little. "Your father talked to you about it already."
"Oh, that!" Draco said like he had just understood what she was talking about. "Yeah, I told him that they were just rumors, I mean-" He was still not looking at anyone in particular. Lucius was still staring, trying to read his body language, seeing how tense his son was becoming. He wanted to tell him to stop lying, he wanted to ask him to stop seeing this girl, he didn't want Draco to have even more problems than he already had, he didn't want the Dark Lord to learn about this, he didn't want them to be in even more danger. And he wanted for his son to be honest with them. But he didn't say anything, he just watched as his son tried to find his words. "Where have you heard those anyway?" Draco simply asked, finally glancing at his father.
"Crabbe's father," Lucius said calmly, glancing at his own tea on the table in front of the sofa before he leaned to take his cup. Draco frowned a little. Crabbe had probably told his parents about it and, knowing that his father was also a Death Eater, he had probably talked to Draco's parents about it... The thought of Crabbe telling on him made Draco suddenly furious. He felt his heart beating fast in his chest as he clenched his jaw. Draco wasn't a very good liar when it came to lie to his parents. And they could probably tell how disturbed he was at that very moment. And they weren't stupid, they had probably figured out why he was avoiding Crabbe and Goyle's presence.
"Yeah, well, weren't you the one telling me I shouldn't listen to Crabbe or whatever his father has to say?" He suddenly asked, taking everyone by surprise. Lucius and Narcissa stared at Draco for a few seconds as Draco was staring at his father. They all knew what he was talking about. He had himself seemed a bit surprised after saying those words.
He opened his mouth but nothing came out and he looked down again. He suddenly looked guilty, like a kid that had done something wrong. He didn't like to bring up that subject, he didn't like to make everyone feel uncomfortable. Narcissa leaned to put her cup on the table before opening her mouth. She was about to talk again when an owl arrived in the room, letting a letter fall on the armrest of Draco's seat. They all looked at it for a second, each of them trying to decide if taking care of that wasn't a better idea than keep talking about this issue.
In the end, Draco quickly took it to discover the list of books he needed to have for this year at school. But it didn't come alone. He handed the letter to his mother before he looked in the envelope again. He frowned, taking another piece of parchment. Lucius tilted his head a bit, trying to read the expression on his son's face.
"Draco?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Narcissa glanced at her son, folding the list of books.
"What is it, honey?" She asked.
"I'm a prefect..." Draco let out. Pavo moved and soon, he was on the floor, looking at his owner. Then, Draco let out a silly laugh as he looked at his parents. "I- They made me a prefect," he said as he stood up suddenly. He would have made Pavo fall if this one hadn't move a second before but this kind of things were happening often. It's like this creature just knew what Draco was about to do, or what he wanted without him saying anything in particular.
Narcissa had stood up too, directly joining her son to read the letter. Their mood was lightened already. Lucius stood up a bit more slowly before approaching. Draco looked in the envelope again as Narcissa gave the letter to Lucius.
But his father knew what was on the paper. He had received the same letter years ago. Still, he read it, he read the announcement, he read his son's name on the parchment and he felt proud as he looked at Draco again. He was staring at his badge before being hugged by his mother. And he was smiling and laughing. Lucius looked down at the letter for a second, only smiling slightly. He still couldn't get this guilty feeling out of his system, and it was even worse since his Master had risen once again. He took a deep breath before looking at his son.
"Look at that! Was yours like that?" Draco asked excitedly as he approached, showing him the badge. But he didn't even wait for an answer before showing it again to his mother. Pavo was jumping around, barking for attention because he wanted to share their joy. Narcissa was delighted and Lucius put the letter on the table before he approached, taking his son in his arms. Narcissa softly smiled, looking at her men and Draco, at first a bit surprised, soon wrapped his arms around his father. He felt his hand on the back of his head, the other on his back and he felt incredibly good.
Lucius wasn't showing his affection this way too much, but it wasn't stopping him from being affectionate. Still, this meant a lot to Draco and he didn't got it out of his mind for the next two days.
.
Then, as he was going down the stairs to join his parents for dinner, he walked in the room to discover that Snape was there too. And Draco couldn't help but smile at his godfather as he walked towards the huge table, Pavo following him closely.
"I wanted to thank you," Draco said after having greeted Snape. "For making me a prefect," he added. Narcissa smiled again. She loved to see her son in such a good mood. Snape waved his hand to tell him that he didn't have to.
"I simply recommended you. The Headmaster decided. Did you tell Pansy?" Snape asked, joining his hands on the table.
"Yeah, of course I did, I wanted to tell her right a-" Something struck Draco. He glanced at his parents before looking at Snape again. He wouldn't ask about Pansy without a reason. "Wait. Don't tell me you also asked for her to be a prefect too?" Draco asked as he moved towards the table again.
"Of course I did. It seemed sensible."
"Honey," Narcissa said, making Draco grimace and look away. He hated being call that in front of someone else than his father. And even then, he was becoming flustered. "We were talking with Severus, and he proposed something that would be... Well, let's just say it may come in handy," she explained. Draco sat next to his godfather, definitely curious, and Pavo sat right next to his chair.
"What is it?" He asked, looking at his mother, only to hear his father answer.
"Would it bother you to spend the last two weeks of your holidays at his place?" He asked. Draco raised his eyebrows as he stared at his father for a second. He wouldn't say that it would bother him, no, but he didn't exactly see the point. He had spent some time in Snape's home in the past. He didn't really like it, there, it wasn't as big and as comfortable than it was in the Manor and he had been younger at the time. It had been before his attack. And only for a night, never for two weeks.
"I mean... I'm about to spend another year in the same castle as him," he then said to his parents before he glanced at his godfather. "No offense," he added but Snape didn't say anything, he was only looking at him. "I just don't see the point. Do you have to leave?" Lucius slightly shook his head but couldn't say anything, Draco talked again. "But I have to... You know what's coming up," he added. The cycle. He couldn't say the words out loud but he knew that they would understand.
"We know," Narcissa said calmly. "Of course, you'll come back for that day, and then stay with us. We will go to the train station with you."
"But then why should I go at all?" Draco asked. He didn't want to leave them so soon. He didn't want to hurt Snape by looking so reluctant but he wasn't feeling ready to spend so much time with him, especially if it was for nothing. Or if it was to come back anyway for the cycle. It was much more simple to stay at the Manor, he would feel better.
"I think it is time for you to learn something important," Snape finally said and Draco turned his head to look at him. He was about to ask why but Snape answered before he could let a word out. "You're growing up, you'll turn sixteen in less than a year... I think you can start learning how to prepare your potion."
Draco didn't say anything. At first, he opened his mouth, be he soon closed it. He frowned a little, clenched his jaw as he was thinking, looking away. Learn how to prepare the Wolfsbane Potion? He was indeed talented in Potions, but he wasn't good enough for that. And for once, he wasn't thinking that because of his self-esteem, but because he knew that no student in their year would be able to make it. Snape would have, but that was because he was better than anyone when it came to potions. He had already talked to Draco about it. About how difficult it was to make it, about how dangerous it could be to drink it when you got it wrong. He didn't exactly know what it would do to him to drink a Wolfsbane Potion made by an amateur, but Snape had been clear enough for him to know the consequences could be disastrous.
"You know I'm not ready yet," Draco let out more quietly, looking at his godfather again.
"This is not something I expect you to be able to do in two weeks, of course. But the sooner you start, the sooner you will be ready."
"Can't you teach it to me at Hogwarts?" Draco asked, now wanting to postpone the whole thing.
"I would rather have you start now, to be able to focus properly, instead of working on that after days of classes. Don't forget that you have your OWLs, this year," Snape said.
"Right..." He wasn't about to forget that. But he was confident. If he was able to work properly on his homework and study in his free time, he would do good. He had had excellent results for his fourth year, way better than for his third year. It wasn't better than Hermione's grades, but he was right behind. He couldn't be happier. "Can't we do it here, though?" He asked one last time, looking at his parents. Why couldn't he work there, at his place? They had what they needed, and Snape was spending a lot of his time there anyway, since Voldemort's return. But it wasn't to drink tea with his mother as often as before, now, it was mostly to discuss with his father.
"I insist for it to happen at my place, Draco," Snape said without giving any other explanation. Draco frowned a bit. Why did he want him over his place so badly? Draco clenched his jaw.
"Fine. But only if Pavo can come with me," Draco said, looking a bit annoyed.
Snape looked down at the dog who was still sitting near Draco's chair, brushing the floor with his forked tail. Draco didn't want to leave his dog there when he would go back to school but he had no choice. He couldn't take a magical creature in the school with him. So, if he only had two more weeks to spend with him, he would have him by his side. Snape stopped himself from sighing as he kept looking at the dog who was staring curiously at the man.
"It will stay in your room."
Pavo barked and Draco slightly smiled before he patted his dog's head.
.
"That... is not your place," Draco said, looking at this new place. He had no idea where he was. Pavo was against his legs, sniffing the air and Draco looked at his godfather.
"I will always be impressed by your observation skills, Draco," Snape said as he lifted his left hand, a little piece of paper being in it. Draco raised a brow at those words before he looked down at Snape's hand. He took the paper and unfolded it. "Memorize this."
12, Grimmauld Place.
Draco closed his eyes, repeating to himself the words in his head again and again in order to memorize it, like he had been asked to do. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the place in front of him. Before, there only was a number 11 and a number 13. And no one had realized anything. He could see the neighbors through their windows and they were still doing whatever they were busy with in the first place.
"What's this place?" Draco asked but Snape started to walk without giving any other explanation. Draco quickly grabbed his dog, keeping him in his arms as he followed his godfather, looking around him. He climbed the steps in front of the door but had to stop before entering the house.
"You do not make any noise once inside. Keep its mouth shut," Snape said, talking about Pavo.
"Why?" Draco whispered back, keeping his dog against him and looking at him, whispering that he had to stay silent. Snape opened the door and Pavo started to move excitedly in Draco's arms, clearly wanting to get on the floor. "Stop that, Pavo, come on... What is it with you?" He asked quietly. The dog listened, even though he was ready to jump off Draco's arms at any moment.
Draco walked in the curious hallway with Snape, staying as quiet as possible. He still had no idea where he was. Once at the end of the hallway, Snape opened another door that he closed behind the three of them. They were in a larger room and Draco kept looking around curiously. Then, he understood why Pavo was so excited, he noticed what his dog had probably smelled. A cat was there, on the table, and it left its spot as soon as Draco had put Pavo on the floor. The dog didn't wait to chase him, disappearing behind another door that was slightly open.
"Is that- It looks like Hermione's cat..." Draco said as he turned his head to look at Snape.
"Wait here," Snape said rather coldly. It seemed like his mood had changed since they had left the Manor. He walked across the room, the door opening in front of him and he disappeared behind it too. He only came back to wait by Draco's side a few minutes later.
What was going on, there? Before Draco was able to ask his godfather about it, they heard noises and the door opened again.
Sirius Black came out, shooting a nasty glare at Snape. He was followed by a little woman who was talking with a man. Draco recognized Arthur Weasley. And that woman, he had seen her in an article the year before. It was Arthur's wife. What was her name again? He couldn't remember. What were they doing there anyway?
The couple stopped talking as they saw Snape and Draco. Molly gave the boy a warm smile. But again, Draco only looked at his godfather, like a child waiting to be told what he had to do.
"Draco."
Draco's heart skipped a beat. He would always recognize this voice. He suddenly turned his head.
Leaning in the doorway was Lupin, smiling at him. He looked incredibly shabby and tired but he was there, really standing a few feet away from him. He couldn't believe it.
"Remus!" Draco let out before walking fast across the room, almost running actually, a grin on his face. His progression was followed by everyone's eyes and they watched him throw himself in Lupin's arm, who was smiling too, directly wrapping the boy in his arms.
Snape looked away, a disgusted expression on his face. Molly was still smiling, Sirius was looking way more friendly than the day they had met in the cave and Arthur passed an arm around his wife's waist, examining his enemy's son.
"I can't believe it," Draco let out in a breath, his arms wrapped tightly around Lupin. His former teacher chuckled, tapping his back and keeping him in his arms for as long as he needed it.
"And yet, here I am."
When they broke the embrace, Lupin put his hands on Draco's shoulders, still smiling. He couldn't believe how tall Draco had become, even though he wasn't even near being as tall as he was. Maybe it was just an impression because he hadn't seen the boy in more than a year. Lupin figured he had let his hair get a bit longer because of the scar on his forehead.
"How are you doing, Draco?" Lupin asked. He knew how he was doing, they had talked during the entire year, but still. Having him there, it was different. And Draco couldn't stop smiling, it was a warm smile that Lupin had never seen on his face yet. It was the kind of smile he was giving Hermione or his parents, not the usual smirks or amused smile he was often displaying.
"I'm fine, I'm- I'm more than fine! What- what am I doing here? What's going on?" He asked as he looked around, meeting Sirius' eyes.
"Welcome to the horrible house I grew up in."
"You mean-" He looked around again, glancing at Ron's parents and he was surprised by the warmth of the smile Molly was giving him. He looked at Lupin, then at Sirius again, who nodded.
"You've never been here, I presume?" He asked. Draco shook his head.
"No..." he looked around at the room. "No I've never been here..."
That's when he noticed that Lupin's hands were still on his shoulders and he felt the urge to hug him again. But he didn't. He didn't move either, he just smiled at him again.
"But what does it all mean?" He looked at Snape, who had approached. "Why did you bring me here?" It couldn't just be because Snape wanted him to see Lupin again. No, he would never have done this.
"This... is a long story," Lupin said, still staring at the boy in front of him. "But we have some things to do right now. We will have a talk later." Draco nodded quickly, smiling again. "In the meantime, I think someone else really wants to see you. She'll be surprised but very happy nonetheless." Draco blinked before he realized. The cat. He was only able to mouth Hermione's name and Lupin nodded. Then, he felt a hand on his back.
"Come with me, dear," Molly said. "I'll show you the way and the room you'll stay in."
He looked at Lupin once more. Did he really have to leave now? He wanted to spend some time with him. And at the same time, he wanted to see Hermione so bad. He hesitated but he didn't hug the man, he finally followed Molly. "Be quiet in the hallway, alright?" The woman asked and he only nodded once again, leaving the room with one last glance at Lupin, who was leaning in the doorway again, hands in his pockets, still smiling at him.