Author's Notes:
SURPRISE UPDATE!
Hi everyone! It's time for your favorite, the coveted, the astounding, SURPRISE UPDATE! I was really bored at home and really not wanting to work on bar prep because fuck it I did that all day and I'm so excited to start getting into the Hogwarts years that I just couldn't wait to post this. I hope you guys enjoy it!
This chapter I drank Troegs Mortal Cherry Wild Ale. It was pretty solid, not nearly as sour as I had hoped but had a strong cherry flavor and was super smooth for a wild ale. I would definitely recommend.
Reviews: Ari Black-18: Welcome back! I'm glad you could catch up on the story and I'm so glad you're loving it! And absolutely never be sorry for a long review! I LOVE long reviews! You guys might not realize it but you give me so many ideas when you discuss your thoughts about the updates this thoroughly. There will definitely be more James/Harry moments throughout the series. Right now I felt there weren't any important, character developing moments that needed to be included but there will be lots over time! I think you're going to find that Draco's relationship with Harry and the Gang is definitely going to strongly influence his character in more ways than one. I can't wait to develop him more throughout the first year at Hogwarts. I think that's where he will do a lot of his growing. I'm glad you're enjoying the Ginny/Draco friendship. I had been concerned about writing it that way but, it just fit with the story line and I can't wait to develop it. MMax: I want so much to give hints here but I can't! I'll just say that their first year is going to be MUCH more interesting than Joanne wrote it! Geekymom: Thank you! I've missed your reviews! Guest: I'm sorry that you were disappointed in my portrayal of the British Magical Judicial System. While I'm an American law student, I don't claim to have expert knowledge in the American legal system (as I haven't passed the bar) let alone another country's system. While I know that they're said to be similar, I don't know that for sure. Additionally, as I've stated to prior reviewers, writing a fully detailed and accurate American trial would have not only been excessive but boring for the average reader. But, also, I imagined his trial more like a bench trial which are vastly different than a Jury trial in my opinion. Finally, Sirius went back to Azkaban after his acquittal mostly for the drama but also because his stuff was being held at the prison. Midnitewanderer: Did I update too fast for you this week? #MissYou
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story so far! I'm coming up on chapter 30 and I'm almost at 100 reviews! Please keep them coming guys! Your reviews remind me that I'm writing for more than just myself-they make me excited to continue the story and to post my updates on time for you. I'll even quote the amazing and lovely (major shout out here!) Breanie when I say, "Your reviews give me life!" So, please, please, please review!
(And if you've never read any of Breanie's fics, or just haven't read her newest one "A Second Chance" You need to finish reading my update and then your butt over to her page and read it!)
Enjoy the next chapter of Ignoring Destiny!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Family Prejudices
WHACK! A roll of paper slammed in front of Draco as he stared out of the window absentmindedly. He started and looked up and into the grey eyes of his father.
"Pay attention, Boy! I don't pay a fortune for this tutor to have you daydreaming during all of your lessons," Lucius snapped at his son.
"I'm sorry, Father," Draco said quietly, "I was just—"
"You were just, what, Draco? Pay attention of your own accord or I will make you pay attention."
"Yes, Father. Sorry, Father," Draco said as he hung his head and began to work ferociously on the problems in front of him.
"Ms. McDougal!" Lucius snapped.
Ms. McDougal, Draco's tutor, stood up and nodded, "Yes, Lord Malfoy?"
"I expect Draco to receive extra work today for his insubordination. Do I make myself clear?" Lucius stated loftily.
She nodded, "Yes, Sir. I'll have him finish some extra lessons before he is free to go for the day."
"Excellent," Lucius stated before turning to Draco, his eyes narrowing, "We shall discuss this infraction later this evening. It shall not go unpunished."
"Yes, Father," Draco responded, solemnly.
Lucius nodded before turning on his heel and striding out of the room, leaving Draco with Ms. McDougal alone. He kept his head down, trying to focus on the math problems that had been assigned to him. After a few minutes he chanced a glance up at Ms. McDougal to see if she had gone back to reading her novel. He let out a small breath when he saw that she was deeply engrossed and he physically relaxed, resuming his thoughts.
The last two years had sped by—he could still hardly believe that he was starting Hogwarts in two short months. He had been reflecting on how his life had changed over the years in both good ways and bad ways. While he had continued some correspondence with Harry, Ginny, and Hermione, it had waned over the years. They had exchanged letters less and less over the last two years as his Father continuously blocked him from being able to visit. It had gotten increasingly more difficult when the family owl had passed away—he had been forced to use Dobby, Blinky, and Maddy to send letters to his friends, making it nearly impossible to get letters to Hermione. Despite all of this, his mind continued to wander back to the loose board under his bed where his box of letters lay hidden.
Despite all of this, as of now his Father had given him permission to attend Harry's 11th birthday next weekend and he was desperately hoping that he hadn't ruined that opportunity by getting caught not doing his school work.
Several hours later, after finally finishing all of the course work assigned to him, Draco made his way down to his Father's study. As he stood outside looking at the dark wood of the oak door he took a deep breath and rapped his knuckles on the door.
"Enter," Lucius called from the room.
Draco purposefully pushed the door open and stepped inside of his father's study. As he walked in, his nose was assaulted by the smell of peppermint and rosemary, his father's preferred scent. He could see the tall bookshelves that lined the back wall and the shelves filled with different, dark artifacts. He suspiciously eyed a rotting skull that sat precariously on a shelf next to his face.
He stepped forward and closed the door behind him before taking a seat in front of his father's desk and sat stock-straight. He looked into his father's eyes for several long seconds before breaking the silence.
"You wanted to see me, Father?"
Lucius' eyes bore into his son's as he sat, looking over his fingertips as he leaned on his desk, "Yes, I did, Draco."
Draco waited several more agonizing seconds as his father seemingly stared directly into his soul. Finally, Lucius began.
"Draco. You are aware, or, I would assume that even someone such as yourself would be aware, that in two short months you will begin your ten-year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I wished to speak to you regarding your expected behavior and general attitude while you continue your education within the public eye.
"As you are very aware, you come from a long line of esteemed witches and wizards and we are held to a higher standard than the average citizen. We are expected to uphold the traditional, pure-blood values passed down to us through the centuries by not only our ancestors but the founder of our family house, Salazar Slytherin.
"In the last several years I have been not only disappointed but, honestly, appalled at your choices in…company. If you can call that brood 'company'. You have continuously disappointed and embarrassed our family by continuing your unnatural communication with the Weasley horde. You are aware of their blood status and unsavory position within the Ministry, correct?"
Draco nodded while letting out an internal sigh of relief upon the realization that his father was blissfully unaware of his friendship with a muggle. A small glimmer of hope that he could get out of this conversation mostly unscathed.
"Good. As you can understand, such relationships are not conducive of a proper upbringing and future employment of which I expect both from you. While I'm not overly excited at the idea of you having such a relationship with the half-blood, so called 'boy who lived', I suppose that at this juncture such a relationship may have long-term benefits that we are yet aware of. I have hope that such a relationship may be beneficial when the Dark Lord rises again. But I digress. My point, Draco, is my expectation that with this new start you cut ties with any and all poor relationships and should I receive word that such relationships have continued, well, there will be a problem. Do I make myself clear, Draco?"
Draco gulped, "Yes, Father, I understand."
Lucius sat back in his chair, a sly smile on his face, "I am pleased, Draco. And when you're sorted into Slytherin your mother and I shall make sure you're rewarded appropriately."
Draco frowned, "Father?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"What—what if I'm not sorted into Slytherin? I mean, I don't have control over that decision," Draco asked carefully.
Lucius frowned, his eyes flashing black, "You will be sorted into Slytherin, Draco. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear."
Draco glanced down at the floor as he replied, "Yes Father."
"Wonderful. Now, go and continue your studies. Your inability to focus today has lost you your free time for the evening. Perhaps if you do better tomorrow you can earn it back."
"Yes, Father, I understand."
"Go," Lucius snapped as he waived Draco away.
Draco quickly stood up and exited the room, hurrying back to his room before shutting the door and sliding down the wall. And, as he sat there, Draco thought to himself, What do I do?
~ID~
Harry awoke the morning of July 31st more excited for his birthday than he ever had been before. Today was his 11th birthday and he would be receiving his Hogwarts acceptance letter at any minute! Not only that, he had also invited all of his best friends over for a pool party to celebrate. Ron, Ginny, Fred and George, Charlie, and Draco would be arriving at his house around 1 to celebrate. Charlie was bringing his friend from Hogwarts—he told Harry that had met before, but he doesn't remember much about Tonks. Just that she can change her appearance at will. But Harry was excited to get to talk to her because, apparently, she had been accepted into the auror program and he had a thousand questions for her. He knew that his dad and Uncle Sirius had once been in the program themselves, but that was so long ago and neither had finished that Harry just didn't bother to ask them about it.
He quickly got out of bed and got ready for the day before realizing it wasn't even 8 yet. Upon realizing this, Harry simply shrugged and made his way downstairs anyway. He figured he could find something to do before his friends arrived that would keep him occupied. He knew he at least had to respond to Hermione's latest letter. He had been excited to hear that she had been accepted at a prestigious boarding school in Scotland—he was hoping that they could see each other during the holidays now that she would be closer with school.
Harry was the first to breakfast that morning but he didn't mind. He pulled a blank piece of parchment toward himself so he could write a reply to Hermione's letter while he ate.
"Good morning, Master Harry! And happy birthday to you. What is you liking to eat for breakfast?" Cirri asked Harry as she made her way into the kitchen.
Harry thought for a moment before smiling, "Snickerdoodle pancakes, of course!"
Cirri smiled, "I should have guessed you is wanting your favorite! Is you wanting Gus to be waking the rest of the family?"
"Nah that's ok. I was too excited to sleep. They can wake up whenever."
Cirri nodded and moved on to start making breakfast while Harry continued to work on his letter. It wasn't long before a large stack of pancakes were placed in front of him and it was an even shorter period of time before he had finished all of them. They had been delicious.
As soon as he finished his pancakes he hears a soft tapping at the kitchen window. Harry jumped up and quickly let the unfamiliar owl into the room and removed the letter from its leg. He recognized the handwriting on the front of the envelope as his nana's and tore the letter open, knowing immediately what it was.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards).
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your own by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Yes!" Harry shouted as he finished reading the first page. He quickly moved onto the second page and scanned its contents.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phylida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
"What's all the hubbub?" James asked as he strolled into the kitchen.
Harry waived the letter in the air in front of his dad as he excitedly exclaimed, "My letter came!"
A large smile spread across James' face, "Excellent! I told you it would come. We can go to Diagonally tomorrow if you want and get your supplies. Did you write back to Minerva saying you'll be attending?"
Harry's eyes widened, "No! I'll do that right now!"
He quickly scribbled a note on a spare bit of parchment he had.
Nana,
Of course I'll be coming to Hogwarts! All you had to do was ask! See you later today!
Harry
He quickly gave the letter to the owl and sent it on its way.
"Everyone will be here around one?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Yes," James said, "They will. For now, do you want to open my gift? I think you'll like it."
"Yeah!" Harry exclaimed, "Where is it?"
James smiled and pulled a small envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Harry, "It's not large, but I think it's pretty impressive."
Harry furrowed his brow before tearing the envelope open and pulled out several pieces of paper. No, not paper, Harry realized, 6 tickets to the quidditch world cup next month.
"Wha—Dad! How did you get these! This is amazing! Thank you!" Harry ran over and hugged James tightly around the middle.
James hugged Harry back, "It was easy, honestly. They weren't too expensive. But I figure you can take Remus, Sirius, Ron, Ginny, and Draco."
Harry pulled back from James and frowned as he counted, "But, dad, that'd make seven people and there are only six tickets. What about you?"
"Ah, right," James said slyly, "I forgot about the second half of your surprise."
"Second half?"
"I don't need a ticket because I'll be staring as the lead chaser for England in the match. Portree made it this year!"
"What?" Harry exploded with excitement, "You've got to be bloody joking! No way! That's amazing! But you had to have known for a while—how did you keep it a secret?"
"I won't lie, it was hard but I managed."
"This is amazing! Thanks dad! I can't wait to tell everyone when they come later. Have you told Uncle Moony or Padfoot?"
"Yeah, they've known for a while. They're pretty excited, too."
"This is wicked!" Harry shouted as he headed out of the room, "I'm going to go put these away and then fly my broom until everyone gets here. Thanks dad!"
James smiled as he watched Harry run out of the kitchen still looking at the tickets in his hands. He smiled; it was going to be a good day.
One O'clock rolled around much more quickly than Harry had anticipated. Flying had definitely helped speed up the time while he waited, but it still came faster than he had expected.
As his friends trickled in one by one he grew more and more excited to tell them about their new August plans. He greeted the Weasleys with hugs and affection before pulling Ron and Ginny aside and excitedly relaying the news to them.
"Wow!" Ron exclaimed breathlessly, "Your dad's team made it to the cup? Blimey, Harry, that's wicked!"
Ginny looked up at Harry, her brown eyes alight with excitement, "I'm so happy for your dad! This is all he's ever wanted. Are you sure you want to bring us?"
Harry's eyes widened in shock, "Of course, Ginny. You guys are my best friends. I'm inviting Draco, too. It'll be a blast!"
"Speak of the git," Ron said snidely as he motioned his head towards the driveway.
Harry turned and saw Draco making his way up the path towards them and waived enthusiastically before turning to Ron, "Come on. I know you don't like his family much but Draco is different and you know it. He's been our friend for years."
"Yeah, well, I don't trust him. His whole family are Slytherins and you know what they say about Slytherins."
"'There hasn't been a single witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin'," Draco finished for Ron as he walked up to the group.
Ron's face turned scarlet as he turned to Draco, "Sorry, mate. I just—Slytherins are a bad lot, you know?"
Draco frowned, "Wasn't the guy who ratted Harry's parents out a Gryffindor?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, he was," he turned to Ron, "I personally don't think that what house you're in defines who you're going to be. There have been plenty of good witches and wizards who were in Slytherin and plenty bad ones who weren't. I mean, look at Merlin. He was a Slytherin but he was one of the most notable, kind, and generous wizards in the last millennia."
"So you would be ok if you were sorted into Slytherin?" Draco asked Harry curiously.
"Well, I mean, I guess? I don't think I really fit with Slytherin though. I'm not cunning or ambitious or whatever. I think I'm more of a Gryffindor."
Draco snorted, "Right. I'd rather be brainy than brawny though."
Harry shrugged, "I don't think Gryffindor is just brawns. Lots of smart people were in Gryffindor. Dumbledore was."
"Dumbledore is a manipulative old coot who should have been in Slytherin if you're asking me."
Ginny furrowed her brow, "Where is all of this coming from, Draco? This isn't like you—I thought you didn't hold your Father's values as much as this."
Draco frowned and looked down at his feet and mumbled, "I have to. It's the family tradition according to Father and I don't particularly care to find out what happens if I'm not in Slytherin."
"What's he going to do? Disown you? So what. Then you get to come live at the Burrow. I mean, really, what's one more? Now that Bill left for Egypt and Charlie is moving to Romania we'll have two rooms available," Ginny said as she laid her head on Draco's shoulder.
"Your parents would have a fit if I just up and moved in with you guys," Draco said, "And that's not even taking into account how my father would react. You know, he gave me a whole speech the other week about how I can't associate with you two anymore and how you'll tarnish my reputation and my job prospects. It was a load of rubbish. But—I have to do what he says, don't I?"
"Come off it!" Ginny said as she snapped her head up, "If your dad ever actually kicked you out you would definitely come live with us and I don't want to hear another word about it!"
Draco opened his mouth to reply but quickly closed it when he saw Harry and Ron feverishly shake their heads from behind Ginny. He sighed and said, "Why don't we go race? Mrs. Weasley isn't here to yell at you for flying on a broom, Ginny."
She beamed at Draco and took his hand and headed to the pitch, "I thought you'd never ask!"
~ID~
Under the marque the adults were congregating and enjoying beverages and barbeque cooked by Sirius. Remus had whipped up a cocktail that tasted remarkably like pink lemonade. Even Sirius had had a glass or two. While he was still being careful about how much alcohol he was consuming, Sirius had gotten to the point in his therapy where he felt he had good enough limits established for himself to be able to safely enjoy a drink or two at social gatherings. He had been working hard on healing the wounds from not only his time in Azkaban but also his childhood. But he still wasn't ready to discuss that with anyone.
Sirius looked up and watched as Remus and Tonks were engrossed in a conversation about defensive techniques. Tonks had seemingly outgrown her teenage crush on Remus, and the two were so deeply engrossed in conversation it was as if everyone else around them no longer existed.
Sirius jumped, started, when Charlie appeared next to him and leaned back on the counter top of his outdoor kitchen.
"She still has a huge crush on him, you know," Charlie said.
Letting out a bark like laugh, Sirius replied, "No way. That's too fucking perfect. You're joking, right?"
Charlie shook his head, "Nope. She's had a crush on him since the beginning of third year. Sometimes I think she thinks I'll just, I don't know, go away? But she's never had eyes for anyone else."
"Wasn't she dating that bloke from your year? Uh, she told me his name…Sam? Sean?"
"Shane. And, yeah, but they're still dating. Have been for a while. She likes him well enough but I know she still has eyes for Professor Lupin. She'd drop Shane in a heartbeat if she thought she had a chance with Mr. Sexiest Professor."
"Sexiest Professor?" Sirius asked, his eyes alight with mischief.
Charlie nodded and laughed, "Oh yeah. Someone in our year sent around this questionnaire thing about professors so we could vote on favorites for different categories like funniest professor, professor I'd most like to fuck, best professor, and sexiest. Professor Lupin swooped in and nicked the sexiest and most like to fuck categories. Not that he's aware of that, I'm sure."
Sirius rubbed his hands together at the prospect of this information, "Oh no. But he will by the end of the day, I promise you that."
"What exactly do you plan on doing?" Charlie asked curiously.
"I think Professor Lupin is due up for a new chance at dating, don't you?"
Charlie smiled maliciously, "If that's the case, I'm sure that we could use a secret weapon at our disposal."
"Secret weapon?"
"Gred and Forge, of course!"
Sirius smiled as he looked at Tonks and Remus talking closely to one another, this was going to be interesting, "Do you have a copy of him winning this?"
"Hell yeah!" Charlie replied, "It's in my trunk at home. I can floo back and grab it. What are you going to do?"
"You'll see," Sirius said evasively, "Go grab it, ok?"
Charlie nodded and dashed back to the Manner to floo back to the Burrow while Sirius eyed Tonks and Remus for a moment before headed over.
"Well!" he said as he approached them, "Aren't you two just adorable?"
Remus frowned, "What do you want, Sirius? We're in the middle of a conversation."
Sirius shrugged before settling himself between the two, "Just wanted to come see what you're up to. Oh! And to remind you that this lovely woman is of age now if you, you know, had any interest in that." Sirius wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as he indicated Tonks, "And what's this I hear about you being rated professor I'd most like to fuck and sexiest professor this year, Moony? You didn't mention that!"
Remus' mouth dropped open, "What are you going on about?"
"Apparently," Sirius said as he saw Charlie dashing back to him, "You were rated sexiest professor and most like to fuck by Tonks' graduating class. Isn't that right, Charlie?"
Charlie nodded and held up the paper, "Sure did! I have the Gryffindor rankings here! Lupin won both categories unanimously. I mean, that's saying something since about half those votes were from the guys, too."
"Wow, Moony, you're a hot commodity over at Hogwarts!" Sirius whistled, "Doesn't that just make you think, Tonks? I mean, he is down right sexy. And a unanimous vote, eh?"
Tonks blushed, "Well, I mean, it was between him and literally every other professor and, no offense, I wasn't going to choose Snape. When's the last time he washed that greasy hair of his?"
"Too true, too true. Ol' Snivellus always had a fear of shampoo. What do you think, Moony? Seems like you could have your pick of the Hogwarts graduating class now that they aren't students and are of age," Sirius asked suggestively as he eyed Tonks.
Tonks blushed and Remus flustered, "Sirius I hardly think that's appropri—"
"It definitely is! They've graduated and they're of age now. It's time to make a move, Moony!"
"I don't think—"
"Hey, Charlie, want another one of those cocktails?" Tonks piped up, "Let's go get one!"
"Uh, sure!"
Tonks grabbed Charlie by the ear and drug him over to the drink table. Remus and Sirius could see her giving him a stern lecture while eyeing the both of them reproachfully. Remus turned to Sirius.
"What the hell, Sirius. What is your deal?"
"She still likes you. I think you should go for it!"
"She's 18! Absolutely not."
"So what?"
"So—so what? I'm 31! That's a 13-year age difference. It's inappropriate. It's—it's unconscionable. And on top of all of that, as if the age gap wasn't enough, I'm a werewolf. Why on Earth should someone like her be straddled with that stigma? How is that in any way going to advance her dreams of being an auror?"
Sirius shrugged, "I think you're just scared."
"What?" Remus spluttered, "What in the world are you talking about?"
"I mean, your biggest reasons are the age, and let's face it who cares about that? And the fact that you're a werewolf. But, let's be real, if anyone can handle that it's going to be Tonks. She's spunky and she's going to be highly trained in combat and defense as well as magical creatures and dangerous situations. She can take care of herself."
"Out of the question," Remus said quietly, "Absolutely not. I won't tie someone like her down with my issues."
"Whatever, Moony. I think you'll come around. She's too hardheaded to let you go," Sirius said before standing up and headed back to the grill.
As Remus watched him go he couldn't help but wonder what Sirius was on about. The age gap between him and Tonks should have been enough for any reasonable person to understand why they would never work but his lycanthrope on top of that was basically icing at that point. Yet, he thought as he looked back over at Tonks, at her long, toned legs, flat and exposed belly, full bum and plump, perky breasts, Remus couldn't help but find her extremely attractive. He watched as she turned to look at him, her brown eyes smiling as she waived at him. He waived back, lost in those dark eyes.
"Fuck," he whispered to himself as he tore his eyes away, "Fuck, fuck fuck."
Shaking his head, Remus turned and walked towards James and Minerva who were engrossed in a conversation regarding vanished objects and attempted to follow the conversation. But try as he might his thoughts continuously wandered back to the lovely metamorphmagus behind him as he silently reminded himself why he could never have her.
End Notes:
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