Written for Muggles Studies, Task 1, assignment 9.
Task 1: Write about a Muggle/Muggleborn/Halfblood teaching a witch or wizard with non or little muggle-knowledge how to drive a car (or bike).
Extra prompts:
word: traffic
location: New York.
WC: 625
This is UA!, because I like the idea of Draco and Andromeda spending some time together.
"Look, you have to promise me that you won't tell your dad about this, okay?"
"Okay, Aunt Dromeda."
Smiling at him, she picks him up and takes him outside.
X
"This is so cool!"
She laughed at his childish behavior. So different from when he first arrived.
"And the 'eather is really different from home."
"It's weather, Draco." She puts her hand on his shoulder. "And yes, New York is really different from London."
In order to run away from her Mother and everything else, she moved to the States to start a new life. She wanted to get away from everything and everyone that would cause her trouble.
But then, yesterday her sister showed up at her doorstep with Draco right behind her, asking if he could spend a few days with her. When she asked Cissa what was wrong, her only answer was, "you don't want to know."
And by the look on her face, Andromeda knew that she was right.
So, that night, she told Ted about it all and, when he said that the kid deserved some good memories, he kissed him because she couldn't think about anything better to do.
"Where's Uncle Teddy?"
His voice brought her back to reality and she found him standing in front of her.
"He's picking something for you, pumpkin."
"I'm not a pumpkin, Aunt. I'm Draco, son of Lucius Malfoy!"
With a sad smile on her face, she nodded. "Yes, you are."
X
"Okay, kiddo, here's the thing."
When Ted showed him the item, Draco looked at him, confusion written all over his face. "What's this?"
"It's a bicycle!"
Looking at him as if he had grown two other heads, the blonde boy said nothing.
"You don't know what this is?"
"Of course he doesn't, sweetheart." Andromeda says, walking towards them. "Did you forget with whom are you talking to?"
Raising one eyebrow, he finally understands what she's saying.
"Right." Looking at the boy again, he continues, "This is a bike, Draco. It's almost like a… like a broom!"
Draco's face lit up again. "So, I'm going to fly?!"
Rubbing the back of his head, Ted denies it. "Like I said, almost."
"Oh." The kid looked at the item again. "And why am I going to use this?"
"Well… To escape traffic, to be healthier, to…" crouching in front of him, the adult puts his hand on the kid's shoulder, "you're not understanding a word that I'm saying, right?"
"No."
"Great."
X
"So,"
Holding Draco by his waist, Ted puts his foot on the pedal. "This is what you're supposed to do, you need to move your leg up, and down, then up, then down, moving this pedals along with it."
"Then I'll go forward?" Draco asked, watching as his uncle moved one of his legs to show him.
"Yes." Taking the kid off of the bike, he puts him on the ground and mounts the bike. "Like this."
Riding the bike that is too small for his size, Ted watches as Draco's grin gets bigger. "It's my turn now!"
"Okay."
Picking him up again, he puts him on the bike just like before.
Holding the handlebars, Ted spots a careful look on his face. "What's wrong?"
Draco looks at him. "What if I fall?"
"I won't let you fall, Draco." Ted answers him softly.
"Promise?"
"I promise"
X
It takes them the whole afternoon but, by the end of the day, Draco can ride the bike for a few seconds by himself.
As she puts him into bed that night, he says, "Thank you, Aunt Dromeda." She
As her heart swell with emotion, she kisses his forehead and answers, "You don't have to thank me, sweetie."
She turns the light off and leaves the room.