The Good Son
Chapter Eight
Revelations
Albus hurried to the kitchen, for once not bothering if his father or brother would be present, today was the day Hogwarts sent his OWL results and he had been on edge the entire holiday waiting for them; he hoped he had earned the required grades for his chosen career. It was his ambition to work in potions, he was quite good in the subject – nowhere near as good as Cassiopeia or Rose – but he still managed to average an Exceeds Expectations for his entire fifth year and was hoping that if he received the required grades he would be able to complete his NEWTS in his subjects and work at Malfoy Holdings in their Potions Department. As a potions master, jobs would be quite hard to come by, especially as he had no intention of working in the Ministry or at St. Mungo's; and whilst he would have liked to teach Potions at Hogwarts, Mcgonagall did not accept professors who hadn't had at least four years outside experience in their fields. Draco had been incredibly supportive of his goal and had even leant him some of his own potions books; the Malfoy patriarch was a potions prodigy, often compared by Slughorn to be as talented as the fabled Half-Blood Prince.
"You're up bright and early," commented Ginny as she bustled around the kitchen making breakfast, filling the house with the delicious scent of frying sausages and scrambled eggs. She, like her mother Molly, was a gourmet chef – something Molly claimed was due to both of them being the only girls in a family that had consisted of seven men (her father and six brothers) all of whom held hearty appetites. Ginny had wondered if the talent would pass onto Lily, but after the disaster that had given the entire family food poisoning earlier in the holidays, she had realised that Lily should never touch her beloved stove again.
"The OWL results are coming," said Albus nervously, "I hope I did ok." Harry scoffed in the background but fell silent after receiving a piercing glare from Ginny. In the Potter matriarch's opinion, her husband could do with a wakeup call; their youngest son was flourishing in Slytherin and the least he could be is supportive if not loving. Needless to say, Ginny was unaware of the physical beatings that went on behind her back as she was often at work when Harry decided to exercise his frustrations on Albus and by the time she returned her youngest son had already glamoured himself to hide his wounds.
"I'm sure you did great Al," said Ginny reassuringly, her son was after all one of the best students in his year, often missing out the top spot only to Rose Granger. But what could one expect from a daughter of Hermione and Draco – who had been the top two students in her husband's year.
"Yeah Al," yawned Lily, her hair a messy tangle, "You're brilliant, I would have failed my potions exam if you hadn't helped me study. You knew things even Slughorn didn't." Albus basked in his baby sister's praise, not caring for the furious look in his father's eyes in the slightest. He had warned him to stay away from his siblings because of his corrupting influence but obviously he hadn't; if Lily needed his help he would give it, no matter how many beatings he received in payment. Though Lily didn't seem so much of a baby anymore, though fourteen and still petite she was rapidly growing into a beautiful young woman – not as beautiful as Cass of course, even though Albus was biased in the matter as he saw his girlfriend as the most beautiful girl in the world – and much to both James and his own chagrin, Lily had begun dating during the end of her fourth year and if there was one thing the estranged Potter brothers could agree on was that Lily was too young to date. Roland Sparx, a muggleborn fifth year from Ravenclaw had been quite terrified when James approached him at breakfast and then took him for a long walk around the grounds whilst discussing at length what would happen to him if he hurt Lily. This was followed by Albus catching him outside the Ravenclaw common room and using a levitation charm to suspend him over the edge of the Astronomy Tower whilst calmly informing him what would occur should he hurt the aforementioned baby sister.
Just as James walked in, a large barn owl swooped into the room and dropped a set of letters onto the middle of the table. It would seem Hogwarts had sent their book lists as well but Albus really didn't care about that, instead he grabbed for the envelope labelled:
Mr. A. S. Potter
OWL Results
Nobody in the kitchen spoke as Albus slit it open carefully and unfolded the parchment inside. James was smiling in remembrance of his own OWL results, he had been considerably more nervous than his brother was. James had recently applied to join the Aurors as he had just completed his seventh year of Hogwarts with six NEWTS. Lily grinned when she saw a broad smile break across Albus' face as he read and re-read the letter.
Ordinary Wizarding Levels
Pass Grades: Outstanding (O); Exceeds Expectations (E); Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades: Poor (P); Dreadful (D); Troll (T)
Albus Severus Potter has Achieved
Astronomy: E
Charms: O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: P
Herbology: A
History of Magic: A
Potions: O
Transfiguration: E
Ancient Runes: E
The Mind Arts: O
Congratulations on your achievement Mr. Potter
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmistress
Albus' breathing became easier with each read through, it was good. He had passed everything except for Divination (and who cared for that rubbish anyway) and he had even managed to scrape an Acceptable in Herbology – a subject in which his Professor hated his house and regularly set the Slytherins up for failure. He had passed well in Astronomy, Ancient Runes and Transfiguration but best of all he had gotten four Outstandings! And one of them was in potions.
James let out an impressed whistle as he peered over his brothers shoulders to read the results, "Nine OWLS mate!" he declared, pulling his brother into a congratulatory hug; both boys forgetting their estrangement for just a moment before Albus stiffened and pulled away with a guarded look in his eyes. Lily clapped happily as she heard her brother's achievement and Ginny pulled him into a suffocating embrace, whispering how proud she was of him. Only Harry had a sour look on his face. Albus didn't pay him any attention . . . but oh how he should have.
(*)(*)(*)
Albus stumbled, his lip splitting under the force of his father's blow, falling to the ground and cradling his broken wrist. He was not allowed to have done so well as to be better than his father and brother it would seem, Albus had done wrong by doing so well, if he was a true Potter he would be destroying Slytherin from within not helping to win the house glory. Albus instantly knew his father was referring not just to his results, but to qudditch as well, as Albus – who played seeker on his house team, Scorpius was a beater, Hugo was keeper – had won a crushing defeat over Gryffindor in the final match of the school year, winning the House of Slytherin the Quidditch Cup for the first time in a decade.
"I am done with you insolence," spat Harry, "and don't think for a moment I don't know about you cavorting about with that Malfoy Whore, you disg –" Albus' uninjured fist crashed into his stomach, followed closely by a roundhouse kick that drove Harry to his knees. Magic crackled around Albus as he glared down at his father, fury etched upon every fibre of his being, his emerald green orbs dark and filled with black fire.
"Never," Albus snarled, his voice laced with power, "Never insult Cassiopeia Malfoy again!" He brought his knee up sharply, breaking his father's nose before turning on his heel and swiping his wand through the air, his school trunk opening hurriedly as his clothes and belongings began filling it.
"I have put up with your bullshit long enough," he hissed at Harry, who just sat on the floor before him stunned, Albus had never raised a hand to defend himself before, a flicker of what could be called guilt flickered across the older man's eyes before disappearing beneath his hate for Slytherin and all that it entailed, "I have put up with everything you dealt me for five years now but no more, I'm leaving and I won't be coming back."
"Go then, you Slytherin scum," snapped Harry, "Run to your ferret whor–" This time, the force of Albus' kick knocked him unconscious.
"I told you," said Albus in a barely controlled voice, "Never insult Cass again." Smirking lightly at his father's prone form on the ground, feeling a sick sense of vengeance as he took in the pitiful sight, he grabbed his trunk and broomstick and walked out the room, heading for the fireplace to floo to Malfoy Manor.
Three hours later, James Sirius Potter got home from his girlfriend, Alison Longbottom's, house and found his father cleaning up his bloody nose in the kitchen. His first thought was a strain of pride for his brother, who he was sure, had stood up to himself. Then it hit him, what had Harry done to Albus in return? Running, he took the stairs two at a time, shoving open his brother's room door and freezing at the sight.
The room was bare; every object that had once made this room personal to Albus was gone. The wardrobe was empty, every sneaker, every pair of jeans gone; the shelves and desk were bare, the photo frames were still up – a few were empty, James knew his brothers room well enough to realise that every photo of Albus with either Harry or James in it had been left behind. Except for one, the silver frame he had sent his brother on his first Christmas at Hogwarts was gone, the photo of three young boys, tangled together on the ground after a game of Quidditch.
You're still my baby brother Al, thought James sadly, before noticing one thing that had been left behind, noticeable only because the rest of the room was totally devoid of signs of life.
Lying on the floor, as if taken down from the shelf to be taken with him when he left and then flung aside as if Albus had thought better of it, was a battered, patched, stuffed plush lion.
(*)(*)(*)
Albus reclined on the couch, absently noting that Scorpius was talking about his latest girlfriend, whilst playing with Cass' soft hair, playfully twirling it around his fingers as she lay back against him, her head resting on his chest. Apart from Draco, who had taken him aside and given him the standard warning against hurting his daughter, the entire family had instantly warmed to the idea of Albus and Cassie seeing each other. Draco himself was keen on the idea because he trusted that Albus would look after his daughter and as he already saw Albus as one of his own; he laughingly joked to Hermione that pretty soon Albus would legally be his son (son-in-law but Draco didn't care for specifics). Hermione had rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm, reminding him that they may not work out but Draco was adamant about them, claiming that Albus looked at Cass the same way he looked at Hermione.
They had also had a stern discussion with Albus as to his choice of reading material and had warned him against the dangers of dark magic – Albus had listened respectfully, over the years he had come to see Hermione and Draco as his surrogate parents because they had always been there for him. The matter had been laid to rest after he had admitted to delving into the lighter side of dark magic out of curiosity but had assured them he would not be slipping any deeper into the topic because he himself had been horrified at some of the things he had read in Bellatrix's grimoire. Another thing Hermione found distasteful was Albus' smoking but she had begrudgingly not given him any further complaint after realising that it was simply his way of coping with his abusive father and estranged family. Instead she provided him with a potion that would clear his lungs and keep his habit from damaging his body in the long run. Cass had agreed to brew it for him on a monthly basis.
The fireplace burst into emerald flames, causing the three people in the room with the addition of Hermione who had just walked in with a tray of pumpkin juice to turn towards it. Albus visibly stiffened as Ginny walked out of the floo, her eyes reflecting relief at seeing her son. Then she recoiled, taking in the bruises and scars over her sons face and arms – seeing as he no longer needed to hide them, Albus had permanently dropped his glamours and let Hermione treat his wounds upon moving into the Manor – and this was the first time Ginny had seen them. Apart from the bruises, Albus' hand, the one that was not absently trailing through his girlfriend's hair was bound in a muggle cast. Albus had insisted it be allowed to heal naturally, as a painful, tangible reminder of his father's cruelty.
"Albus . . ." stammered Ginny in horror, "What happened to you?" Albus remained silent, but gazed imploringly at Hermione, giving her silent permission to inform his mother as to what had been going on behind closed doors.
"You should ask your husband," said Hermione quietly, setting the tray down on the coffee table and turning to face her former best friend. Realization flitted across Ginny's face as she took in Hermione's words.
"No . . ." murmured Ginny, sinking into one of the armchairs, "It was better . . . he swore he wouldn't treat Albus badly anymore . . . he didn't . . . he couldn't."
"I've been cleaning Albus up for the past four years," said Hermione brusquely, not feeling any empathy for the other woman. True, nobody had told her but as a mother she should have known. As a fully trained witch she should have noticed the glamours her son had always been shrouded in.
"Four years?" Ginny's eyes were filling with tears, "He hit you for four years?" she addressed the question at her son, noting with a pang that Cassiopeia and Scorpius were both standing protectively on either side of him, the girls hand gripped tightly around her sons wrist. From the look on her face, she was very obviously in love with Albus; a feeling that was apparently mutual judging by the way Albus had his injured arm on her waist. How much more don't I know about my son? she thought regretfully, understanding with a pang that the two Malfoys seemed intent on protecting her son from her. Did they think she would hurt him? How could she? He was her own flesh and blood.
Albus nodded at her question, meeting her eyes dead on, "I'm not going back if that's why you're here mum," he added firmly.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Ginny said, closing her eyes to stop the tears from falling.
"Harry said that if he told you, it would be much worse for him," said Hermione, finally allowing herself to feel something other than contempt for Ginny.
The rest of the afternoon passed like that, with Ginny finding out everything her son had suffered over the years at his bigoted father's hands, she also learned about the cruelty that was going on at Hogwarts – she had cried freely when Cass had removed her silky black glove and shown the older woman the scars on the back of her hand – and of how James had known everything but hadn't breathed a word, of how Lily had been sworn to secrecy . . . by the end there was a harsh look in Ginny's eyes as she looked up at Hermione.
"Hermione," said Ginny firmly, "Do you still practice marital law?" When Hermione nodded in understanding, Ginny sighed deeply, "Draw up my divorce papers . . . I want full custody of Lily and Albus too if he'll have me."
"I love you mum," said Albus gravely, "But this is my home now. I'll be staying at the Manor even if you get custody of me."
"Draw up the papers Hermione," said Ginny softly, "I'm sorry it had to come to this son, but I'll respect your choice to remain here. I cannot begin to understand what you have gone through but know that I will always love you and that if I had known I would have killed him in his sleep." Albus smiled wanly at her as she took her leave, she wanted to hug him but something told her he would not permit it.
Damn you Harry! Damn you for making me lose my son!
And Damn myself for failing as a mother . . .
(*)(*)(*)
Albus slipped under his blankets, unable to get too sleep. His mother's reaction should ease his soul, but it had brought to his mind too many things that he had buried since leaving Grimmauld Place. From James' uncaring demeanour to his father's abuse, all coupled with concern for Ginny as she went through her divorce – Albus had seen firsthand how Ron had dragged Hermione's name through the mud when they had divorced, he knew that his mother would be in for a worse time. The name Ginevra Weasley still carried weight in the wizarding world but it was nowhere near the amount of standing Hermione had once had and yet Harry and Ron had succeeded in besmirching the brunette member of the Golden Trio all the same. His mind was playing table tennis, wondering which problem to confront first whilst all the while he just wished everything could go back down where it was buried.
The past three days had been perfect for him. Draco was everything a father should be, supportive, protecting and caring. Hermione was filling the motherly role in his life quickly, she was shocked at how starved for affection he actually was. Things had been strained at Grimmauld Place for a long time and Albus had been growing very distant with Ginny because of Harry. Hugo and Scorpius were like brothers to him, effortlessly replacing the brother he thought lost. Rose was part Lily, part Ginny, the perfect older sister even though she was only senior to him by a month.
And Cass, she fought away all of his fears. Her presence, so intoxicating to his senses was enough to dull the pain he had known his entire schooling life. There was nobody to compare her against, nobody whose void she filled – yet he couldn't imagine his life without her.
Tossing back and forth he fought for sleep, the day had been eventful and by all rights he should be exhausted. Yet his body wouldn't let him succumb to sleeps sweet embrace. It was one in the morning, he only had a few hours before he had to rise and face the new day. He felt the bed dip beside him as somebody climbed in, suddenly feeling an arm snake around him and he opened his eyes in surprise to see her head resting on his chest. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, moulding to one another perfectly.
"Sleep Albus," she murmured drowsily, her platinum hair a pillow over his firm chest as she held him. He loped an arm around her waist, holding her as she fell back to sleep.
Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply. He wasn't accustomed to sleeping in such a manner, holding his girlfriend, but he found it comforting to be so close to her. Sighing, he found sleep a few minutes later, encased in Cassiopeia's loving embrace.
(*)(*)(*)
A/N: Thoughts?