Author's Note: I'm back safe and sound from my honeymoon and still editing pictures to put up on the blog. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow. I go back to work tomorrow. Could you please, please make the day more bearable by reviewing? It seriously makes such a difference during the day watching them all come in, and inspiring me to write more, or finding the will to do it when it's a struggle. This one isn't as long as the last one, but there's also no legal jargon to deal with.

Chapter 20: Shifting

Draco was sitting in his flat, flipping through the television. It was astounding how much Muggles apparently craved magic. It took a number of forms—people in capes who could fly, TV shows about people going back in time, misguided notions of what constituted a witch, or a wizard, some sort of superpower that you could ask for help anywhere and be heard. It didn't seem to matter what form it took—Muggles wanted magic to be real.

It was astounding that they could miss it, right under their noses.

He had seen the same thing in the library on his numerous wanders through. Plenty of books about vampires and dragons and magic swords. He rather thought he could write something as compelling as any of them—and no one would even need know that he was basing it on actual magical creatures and things.

As he flipped through the channels, the more the idea appealed to him. He could write a book about magic—borrow a little information from the actual magical world, and sell it. The Muggles would never have a reason to think it was real, but it'd be brilliant because it'd be realistic.

Besides, with Hermione starting her apprenticeship and still working at the joke shop, he rather imagined he was going to have more free time to fill up. She'd come over yesterday as soon as she'd finished talking to George and told him all about it. She was going to be working with Belby in the mornings for the most part, and afternoons at the shop with George. With his work schedule mostly evenings and weekends, it seemed likely that he might hardly see her at all. The thought made him a little uncomfortable. Still, he reminded himself that he'd known their…alliance…was probably only temporary. After all, she had Potter back now, and she could see a redhead without bursting into tears, and she had a whole wizarding world to save all over again. And he could manage on his own.

Hell, maybe he'd even go ahead and paint the bedroom next week. He was capable of just about anything these days. Living like a Muggle wasn't difficult; unpleasant maybe, but not difficult. He was more than capable. November was drawing to a close; he only had 8 months left.

Eight months was a long way to go.

To distract himself, he got up and found something to write with and write on. He frowned for a moment, and began writing for the next half hour. In the end, he started at the page and what he'd written.

Pixie Peril and the Terrible Teacher

Dan was in his classroom, waiting for his lesson to start. He'd already read the book, and knew that he was smarter than the teacher. There was a large covered cage on the teacher's desk. When he appeared, Professor Pringle said, "Behold! I bring you terribly dangerous creatures. To pass my class, you must fight them!" Professor Pringle uncovered the cage. Inside, were pixies. Pixies are about 6 inches tall, and blue, with sparkly wings and surprisingly sharp teeth.

Professor Pringle opened the cage and promptly hid under the desk. His muffled voice called out, "I'll be watching you to see who captures the most pixies!"

While the other students cowered in terror, Dan took out his wand and said the words that stunned all of the pixies where they flew. He grabbed them, one by one, and put them back in their cage. He looked down at the professor, still cowering under the desk. "It's safe to come out now. Do I pass?"

He crumpled the page up. This was absolute rubbish. Maybe he'd make some coffee and try again later. Dragons. Dragons might make for a better story. Or a Basilisk. Admittedly, he'd only seen dragons from a distance really. And he'd never seen a live basilisk. He was just starting up the coffeemaker when he heard a knock at the door. He hesitated only a moment before crossing the room and opening it.

Hermione was standing there. "I've got to go to Diagon Alley and pick up some supplies before my first lesson with Belby on Monday, but I was thinking about going out for a bite to eat first. Do you want to come? You're not on shift for a while yet, are you?"

Without realizing it, Draco smiled, and off they went. Writing about dragons could wait. He'd write better on a full stomach anyway.

Draco was strolling back to his flat and feeling fairly pleased with himself. It was a little chilly out, but not so cold that he desperately missed warming charms for his hands. The clouds weren't too thick out, and the newspaper he'd seen at lunch didn't say they were due for rain. Maybe he'd give that whole writing thing another go. He was sure it'd be a gold mine. Gold. Maybe he'd write about goblins. He could write about goblins. Maybe goblins and dragons could have some sort of war over inflation. Or something.

He was just coming up the last set of stairs to his flat when he heard someone knocking. He turned the corner and found Potter knocking on Hermione's door. He watched him for a moment before he opened his mouth, drawling, "She's not in right now."

Potter turned around in surprise. "Malfoy, is she with you then? I was going to check your flat next." He looked around as if expecting to see Hermione coming up the stairs behind him.

"No. She was, but she's just gone to Diagon Alley. She needs supplies for her apprenticeship. She starts Monday," Draco explained, wondering what had brought Potter back again so soon after his months of absence prior. Maybe he was feeling guilty for not being there for Hermione when he should have been. He crossed his arms, waiting for Potter to explain himself.

"Already? When I was here before she hadn't heard anything about it."

"Belby contacted her Monday and they signed the contract yesterday," Draco informed him, feeling a little smug.

"Oh. I was going to see if she wanted to come over and meet Teddy. I figured with today being Saturday she might be around."

"She's not."

There was a brief pause. "Do you want to come? He's your cousin. Or cousin once removed, or something. I've never exactly had much family to get the relation names right." He laughed a little self-consciously.

Draco looked at the door to his flat. There wasn't anything particularly urgent waiting there, just another shift at his exhausting job in a few hours. He may never have met him before, but Teddy was family, wasn't he? A chance to start over with things right? "I have to be at work at 6, but otherwise…Why not? I'll go."

"We'll be back in plenty of time. Should we go into your flat to Apparate?" He didn't want to alarm the neighbors with the sound out in the hall.

"My flat has anti-Apparation wards on it, to stop unwelcome visitors. The Ministry did that much for my protection."

"All right then," Harry said, taking Draco's hand and turning where they stood. He didn't stop to think whether or not it was against Malfoy's probation. After all, Malfoy wasn't doing the magic.

As they materialized at the front door of the home of Andromeda Tonks, Draco realized that Hermione would not have Apparated him anywhere. He wasn't sure whether he felt some bit of satisfaction that he'd managed to experience a little magic, even secondhand. Or a sense of foreboding that it might somehow come back to bite him on the ass. On the other hand, Potter was the savior of the whole wizarding world. A violation of Draco's parole executed by him would probably be overlooked, if anyone noticed at all. It wasn't as though Draco had the trace on him; it was illegal to have the trace on anyone over 17. Besides, there was no need. Draco absolutely could not access his magic until the Wizengammot released it to him; it wasn't just that it was forbidden. It was physically impossible.

Harry knocked on the door, and there was a brief pause before it opened.

Draco found himself looking at a woman who looked uncannily similar to his Aunt Bellatrix. Her nose was perhaps a little smaller, and her chin a little more pointed. Maybe her eyes were a little lighter. The expression on her face was certainly more pleasant. She had a blanket wrapped bundle held against one shoulder.

"I was beginning to think you might not come this afternoon," she said, looking down at Harry, as though he were her own. She sighed. "And I've told you before, you needn't knock. This house is open to you." She glanced at Draco, studying his face carefully. "You must be Cissy's boy. I'm your Aunt Dromeda. Come in, both of you. I've got tea on."

Harry exchanged a wry smile with Draco and they followed Andromeda Tonks into the house.

Draco observed that Andromeda moved as though having a baby against one shoulder was completely natural and in no way impeded her work. She set about levitating the tea tray out and pouring tea for them all. It was only when they were seated that Draco noticed the lines on her face, and dark circles under her eyes. She probably hadn't slept well in a long time.

Dromeda took a long sip of her tea before setting the cup back down and shifting the bundle in her arms to the front of her. For the first time, Draco could see the face of his cousin's son. She looked at the two young men in front of her, seated on the sofa. "Teddy, this is your cousin Draco," she told the little bundle. "And your godfather Harry came to visit." The baby gurgled a bit and said something that might have sounded like "Nan." She looked up at the young men again, her eyes sharp. "I've tried to get him to start calling me Nana, but all he can manage so far is Nan. He has a few words he'll say. I try and talk to him constantly to make sure he's absorbing as much as possible."

"Any accidental magic yet? I've always wondered how early it starts," Harry asked.

"Not yet, though I've no doubt. I also imagine he'll have picked up my daughter's unusual talent, though I wouldn't expect that to start manifesting for another year or so. At this age, babies are still working on the concept of self and other, so it wouldn't occur to him yet to try to change anything." She looked a bit resigned. "Once Nymphadora realized she could change her appearance at will, it was a losing battle to make her look respectable ever again. Pink hair, even if I did manage to get her to the dinner table without a tear in her dress, or grass stains on the knees." She took a steadying breath. Her daughter. Her husband. Her son-in-law. She still had her grandson. And her grandson's godfather. She looked expectantly at the nephew she'd never met until now. A wry smile crossed her face. "I know I look rather like my dear older sister, but I assure you, I am nothing like her in temperament. I do look forward to seeing Cissy when she's back from the continent. I'm hoping we can mend things. I'd like her to meet Teddy."

Draco's upbringing kicked in and he found the words he needed. "I'm sure she'd like that."

"I've no doubt. There aren't many of us left now. But we'll manage. Here, take Teddy," she said, standing and placing him in Draco's arms.

Draco's arms stiffened. "I've never held one of these before. What if I drop it?" he asked, the baby squirming awkwardly in his stiff arms.

"I said the same thing the first time she put him in my arms," Harry told him.

Dromeda directed him briskly, "Loosen your arms, he's a baby, not a bundle of bedding. You're not going to drop him. Cradle his head under your arm like this, yes, that's good. Make sure to support his back."

Under his aunt's directions, Draco found himself holding the infant in a much more comfortable way. Teddy seemed more comfortable too, and had stopped fussing. He was so small. And he was looking up at him with such an intense little expression. A little hand reached up toward Draco, but he had no free hand to offer it. He blinked. "He's got a stripe of blond in his hair. Was that there before?"

His aunt chuckled and looked down at the baby, resigned. "No. There's my daughter's talent, manifesting itself a full year or two before I'd have expected it. She was an Metamorphimagus. I think you're the first blond he's seen. Biscuit, Harry?" she asked, offering him a plate.

Draco found the whole thing a bit surreal. He was sitting her, with an aunt he'd never met, and Potter of all people, and he was holding a baby. Not just any baby, but the son of a cousin he'd never met. "War is pointless," he muttered to himself.

"Hard to say whether I agree with that statement," Dromeda said, sipping her tea. "I'm not sure I'd ever start a war, but you can damn well expect I'll defend my own to the death."

He gave a weak chuckle. "I suppose your side had something worth fighting for." He'd been on the wrong side. It hadn't seemed so wrong in his younger days. Muggles were dangerous; they outnumbered the wizarding community, and could overrun them like rats, if they knew they existed. And Muggle-borns were a dangerous link to the Muggles, sure to give the rest of them away. At least that's what he'd been brought up to believe. Maintaining distance from Muggles and Muggle-borns was the way to keep the wizarding world safe. And if that meant squashing them from time to time, well, it was a small price to pay. He wanted to change the subject. "Here, do you want to hold him?" Draco asked, turning towards Potter with the baby in his arms.

They awkwardly exchanged the wriggling bundle. The blonde lock remained in his hair, apparently forgotten about. And in a moment, one green eye appeared in the little face. "He's trying to look like me," Harry said, in surprise.

"Don't sound so shocked."

The baby wriggled, and Harry had to put him up on his shoulder before he settled down. Confident that Teddy was in good hands for the moment, Dromeda turned her attention back to Harry and Draco. "Harry, have you thought any more of my offer?"

"I'm still thinking. I want to be part of Teddy's life. I will be. I'm just…trying to figure everything else out."

She nodded briskly. "It's to be expected. But don't take too long to decide. Whatever path you choose, there will be a lot of work ahead of you."

"I don't suppose you and Teddy would consider moving to Grimmauld Place with me?" he asked.

"Certainly not if it's still decorated in my mother's fashion. The place would give Teddy nightmares."

Harry sighed. "I'm working on it. Kreacher has gotten better, but still resists sometimes when I want to take down some of the less appealing decorations."

"I've no doubt you'll manage." She turned her attention to Draco. "And you? I've read the papers. I understand this is a rather trying year for you, to say the least."

He found himself telling a surprising truth under her gaze. "I'd prefer this to where I was this time last year."

She seemed pleased. "Good. You know, not long after I met Ted—he'd have been your uncle—he bet me that I couldn't manage a week voluntarily without magic. I bet him that the whole summer of my seventeenth year I could manage without it. I'd find myself doing things without thinking about it. Finally, I was determined to win the bet, and I asked your mother to lock my wand up for me somewhere and not give it to me for the next month. I went back to Hogwarts for my last year and had to admit to Ted that I'd lost his bet. But it gave me more an appreciation for what my magic could do."

"What was the bet?"

"That I'd have to go out with him on the first Hogsmeade weekend."

"And what would you have gotten if he'd lost?"

"He would have had to take care of all of the Quidditch equipment for the team for a month." They stayed in that house for a while. Draco was surprised at some of the stories he heard that day for the first time about his mother growing up. The little sister always trailing after her elder sisters, doing what she could for attention and praise. The stories had humor and embarrassment and a sense of family. Draco had never had much extended family. And Dromeda told stories about Nymphadora as well. Draco rather suspected he would have found his cousin a bit frustrating, but the type of person who was good to have on your side in a pinch. At last, Teddy started crying, and Dromeda took him back. "He needs changing. Would either of you like to give it a try? I've certainly had plenty of practice."

"Not today," Harry said. "I promised I'd get Malfoy home in time for work."

Draco nodded in agreement. He was going to have to change before work, and shower if he could. At some point during one of the times he'd been holding Teddy, he'd spit up on his shoulder.

"You're both welcome back, any time," she said, walking them to the door. She looked at them both and said, "Don't be a stranger."

As the door shut, Harry looked at Malfoy. "Come on, let's head back." Harry took Malfoy's hand and turned on the spot, Disapparating. Harry tried to find the words. "Thanks for coming."

Draco looked at him and found the same words on his own lips. And for a wonder, he meant them. "Thanks for bringing me. I think I'd like to get to know my aunt. And my cousin." He nodded once and turned to his flat to get ready for work.