T haveChapter One – October 1998
D.P.O.V
The war had – thankfully – been over for months now. That was saying simply; no one could have possible predicted the leftovers though. Hogwarts castle was destroyed almost completely – my beloved Astronomy tower and the dungeons were all that was left. The destruction had been great, but the causalities greater. Yes, most had rejoiced at the Dark Lord's demise, but few, mostly battle participants grieved for lost heroes. Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks: leaving behind a barely there husband and infant son; little Teddy, already showing signs of his mother's talents. Ron Weasley: ducked in front of a killing curse, sparing Hermione Granger. Ginny Weasley: did a wonderful job of taking out my father, only to spin right into Bellatrix's war path, her mum showing up to little too late.
My own mother took the fall herself. My mum, who had scraped her forehead on the floor for years to make sure I was semi safe in the eyes of a mad man. No one had grieved for her except me. Made sense, for who would grieve someone lost on what they considered the 'bad' side? What didn't make sense was the blatant disrespect. Yes Death Eaters had done bad things, but three-fourths of them were forced to do so. My mum never deserved the hate. The hate still came though. I couldn't say how many Howlers had shown up at my doorstep, telling me to turn myself over to Azkaban or even to just off myself. Trust me, I had entertained the idea for awhile, but I couldn't do it. No, I've been far too busy helping anywhere I can – be it clearing the rubble of the castle or helping orphans find new homes.
It certainly isn't as easy as I make it sound. I'm sure you can imagine just how many people want an eighteen year old ex Death Eater Slytheirin Ice Prince. Yeah, none; but still, I find what little I can. Not that needed too – because I was orphaned in the war, I inherited every bit of Malfoy property and fortune. And thanks to the good words of Harry Potter himself I actually got to keep it instead of the Ministry pulling it all. So, I bought an open floor flat in muggle London, picked up what little life I had left, and pretty much disappeared. I wasn't the only one either, both Potter and Granger moved out of public eye.
Now, sitting at my desk – one I'd brought from the Manor – I went through the properties I had been left. I hadn't known there were so many! There was of course the Manor and the Chalet in France, but there were also several mansions and houses spread throughout the wizarding world, several more in the muggle world. What they needed all these for, I'd never known. I was fairly certain though I had never been to any of them. With a sigh I decided that two mansions – one in each version of London – I would be keeping, along with the Manor. The rest I would put up for sale. As I was shuffling papers around, putting the for sale ones in a grey folder, a single thin packet fell to the floor.
I huffed and stooped in my chair to retrieve it. Didn't look like anything I had looked at yet. Curious, I placed the now full grey folder aside, favoring to flip through this mystery property. A glance at the attached photo made my eyes widen and I sat up better. It couldn't be could it? I thought this had been destroyed years ago! The packet fell to the dark wood desk as I ran a hand through my hair. Black Castle. I, Draco Malfoy, had inherited the famous Black Castle. I knew my mum had inherited the place when her father died, but I hadn't known it was still in one piece. A cold memory played through my mind: my father shouting and pacing the sitting room floor, floo fire glowing behind him, Mum crying silent tears in her favorite armchair- an old thing, cream with white lace covering the back and seat. I remembered now. Grandfather Black had just passed the night before. Strangely enough, when the will was read, Mum had inherited the castle, not my uncle. Everyone had been shocked at his boldness. Normally, big properties and fortunes went to the male heir.
The Blacks had been, in my opinion, far too over worked about it. Grandfather had considered himself a seer, claiming that if he left the castle to Narcissa, it would one day be used for great things. That was the reason my father had blown such a top off. He firmly disbelieved any such thing as seeing the future. Later that night, he had set off to destroy the castle with some of his buddies, saying he would never own something that once belonged to crazy man. The next morning when he had returned home, he looked worse for wear. When Mum asked what happened, he brushed her off saying it was done. Guess he was lying.
Picking up the packet, I flip through the details about the place. One particular paragraph made me smirk to myself; apparently, the grounds were enchanted to allow only those with good intentions access to the castle itself. That explained why my father had returned all tight assed. The place was large, with plenty of space; there was even a central library that was several stories high, like a pillar in the middle of the castle. Couldn't help but think it would make a great school, a particular school…
With renewed energy, I sprung up from my chair, papers in hand. Taking a handful of course grey powder, I called out, "Headmistress McGonagall, Hogwarts Astronomy Tower!" and tossed the powder into my fire. The top floor had been quickly reinvented into a small living quarters for the woman. Most faculty who stayed year round year round had quarters in the dungeons, but some, like McGonagall had theirs off their class rooms. When the castle was gone, the tower was hastily transformed for her live in.
Green flames leapt up before McGonagall's face popped up, "Good evening Draco, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She yawned slightly, one hand covering her mouth as she did so. Whoop, probably should have checked the time.
"Evening Headmistress. Sorry if I woke you?" I kept the papers at my side, out of sight.
"Nonsense Draco, I had not even begun to settle for the night." She smiled, "What did you call for?"
"I was wondering how the cleanup was going?" Her expression soured, "The last of the rubble has been cleared, finally. Now to start re-enchanting the grounds before the castle itself can be rebuilt."
I frowned; at this rate, a whole generation of wizards would go untaught. "Headmistress, I think I found a much quicker solution." I brought the papers up to show her, "I found this in my inheritance." The papers passed easily through the flames, and I watched as McGonagall take them. Her reaction was similar to my own, "Draco, please come through. We have to talk."
"Of course, be just a second." I stepped away from the green flames and collected my blazer and the grey folder. A quick jump later and I found myself in front of my mother-for-all-intents-and-purposes. When I had found myself parentless, McGonagall had stepped up behind the scenes. She had become my single source of comfort in the early weeks after the war. She had been at my mum's funeral, and in the back seats of my court hearings. There was nothing I wouldn't do for the woman before me.
When I was safely from the flames on her side of the call I dusted myself off and then enveloped the smiling woman in a hug. McGonagall chuckled in my ear, and sound I had come to recognize as a mother's. Though she had never had children of her own, Minerva McGonagall had been at Hogwarts long enough to raise many children. She was a second mother to some, like me, and the mother to even less. She is all I have left; family wise.
When we pulled back, she fixed me with a hard stare, "Now Draco, what exactly are these papers?" I gulped – that tone always did and always will make me fear for my hide.
"The Black Castle. I found it among these," I held up the folder up.
"That should be quite impossible. The Black Castle has never been found, at least, not directly. Most have written it off as a myth." Shaking her head, she looked at the paper, her weathered face pinched in confusion.
"I know, I thought so as well. It says the wards on the grounds will prevent anyone with harmful intentions from actually getting to the castle." I took a seat in a cushioned arm chair she only kept around for my sake. It was simple, tan in color with a big enough seat that I could curl up, completely comfortable, and fall asleep; which I had done. It's worn out, stained and sagged some but I love it. Minerva shook her head once more and sat across from me in her own arm chair.
"That may explain it. Every explorer I've known to go looking for it was only looking for it for money. Or such as like your father, to destroy it." A tiny shiver passed over her so I stood in search of the lap blanket she had. It was nice, a magically crocheted blanket, charmed to replicate a sunsets colors. I draped it over her shoulders and she smiled at me, holding it tight to her.
It didn't take long for me to make myself at home though, brewing fresh tea for the two of us. "If it's real, which it hopefully is, I would like for it to be used as a school. Rebuilding Hogwarts will take far too long. A whole generation would miss out." I must have sounded like a giddy five year old because she chuckled. The scent of familiar lemongrass tea wafted through the air as Minerva lifted her cup to her lips.
"You would use it for that?" I nodded, "Most definitely. Besides what would I do with it?" Really though, what would I do with a castle? I'm not that conceded, well at least not anymore. The war knocked my self esteem down a few pegs.
"Fair point. Like you mentioned, rebuilding would take too long. If you do find the castle, I will accept the offer to use it." Grinning like the fool I was, I nodded. Pulling the folder from where I set it beside me, I offered it to Minerva.
"What's this?"
"Look through, pick whichever you want. It's yours." The words came out with no small amount of affection. I couldn't stand to see my favorite woman in the world living in drafty tower; wouldn't stand for it. She took the folder from me a hesitant look on her face. A quick flip later made her drop the folder in her lap, "Draco I couldn't,"
"Please, I wish for you to have a home and I don't need nor want any of these." I smiled in encouragement, "Really, pick one." She glanced at the folder before standing and pulling me into a hug.
"I am so proud of you Draco Malfoy." To say I was surprised was an understatement, but nonetheless I returned the hug with all the love and affection I held for her. A sniffle and smile later, she let me go. Distantly, I heard a clock chime.
"I should be going; it's late and you need to sleep." McGonagall nodded, "Be on your way then; you need sleep too." She gave me a firm look.
I offered a cheeky grin, "Yes ma'am." Only half dodging her playful swat to my arm, she laughed, "Go on you." One last hug and a handful of floo powder later, I dropped into my easy chair. I hope she takes my offers. There was no reason for her to live where she did. Sitting up, I toss my blazer on the table and undo my shirt, throwing it next to the blazer. My belt and shoes followed, cluttered at the table legs. Gah, why was this place so hot all of a sudden? I scowled and shucked my trousers and pants. Buck naked, I spun the knob in my shower, only letting it heat slightly. There was a reason they called me Slytheirin Ice Prince, and it wasn't just my attitude.
Though I hadn't exactly done anything today, I felt tense; no, not a sore tense more like a 'something's going to happen' kind of tense. Either way, I didn't like it. Frantic pounding meet me ears as I shut the water off. Scrambling to grab a towel I shouted, "Alright, hold your damned horses!" The pounding failed to cease, even as I yanked the door open, "What the he -" My question was cut off by a solid weight slamming me to the ground, kicking the door closed behind it. Panting was the only sound as I tried to shove whoever was on me off. With a huff it rolled over and I hurriedly jumped up and fixed me towel.
"Who the bloody fucking hell are you and why the hell are you pounding at my door at ten thirty at night?" Small snickers meet my ears, "Really Malfoy? I'm the one with broken glasses and yet you can't see?" I groaned; I knew that voice.
"Merlin Potter, what are you doing here?"
"Running for my life, nothing new; you?" Potter shrugged and sat up. "Trying to take a shower," I grumbled. Stepping over the corner of the room I'd claimed for my bedroom, I quickly slid some pants and sleep trousers on under my towel. I turn back to see Potter lining the windows with what looked like salt and some black powder, "Potter what are you doing?"
"Taking precautions," He straightened and tucked away the two small pouches in his coat. I noticed that the man looked truly horrid: a heavy looking hunter's green coat over a jean jacket, followed by a black purple plaid shirt and a black tee shirt underneath. Blue jeans and brown work boots completed the outfit. It looked truly out of place on sneakers-and-hoodies Potter.
"Jesus Potter, what are you wearing?"
"Clothes – you?" He nodded to my bare chest and pjs
"Well I was planning on going to sleep before you came pounding down my door. What were you running from anyhow?" Not like there were any Death Eaters still around. Potter dropped his head and shuffled his feet, "Nothing important. Hey, can I crash here for the night?" his jade eyes peeked up to meet my own silver ones.
"Why on earth would I let you stay here?"
"Just for the night please! I'll be gone in the morning I swear." I looked over him again - his hair was dirty in way that said he hadn't shower in sometime. Damn those eyes! If he only ever learned one thing from his godfather it was the blasted puppy look. I sighed, "Fine, one night. And good lord take a shower."
Potter grinned, "Thanks Malfoy."
I waved off his thanks. The two of us, while not necessarily friends, had gotten better around each other. Though, that may be in big part to Hermione. Directly after my court hearings, I had apologized to her for the nasty things I'd said and done over the years. She had merely brushed it off, saying it was behind us. In my own opinion, she was being far too nice about it, but I wasn't about to argue about it. A thunk of something heavy hitting the table caught my attention. Potter had gone about emptying out his pockets; aside from his wand and a few Galleons, there was a small flask with cross on it, the two pouches from before, a book of matches, and a silver hand gun with a handful of matching bullets.
"Merlin Potter! What is all that?" My jaw hit the floor. Potter, carry a gun? What had this world come to?
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you. It's just some things for my job." He shucked off the green coat, the jean jacket following suit.
"What kind of job requires you to carry all that?" A quick flick of my job revealed the flask to be holding blessed water and one of the pouches to indeed be salt. The bullets were solid silver.
"One that helps people and that's all I'm going to say about it." The plaid shirt went with his jackets and his boots joined my shoes under the coffee table.
"Hell Potter again with the saving people bit! One would think you would rather take it easy for awhile." I folded my arms and dropped into my chair.
"I tried! That only led to my current job. Remember when I disappeared?" I nodded, "Well I had gone to America. Meet some people down in Sioux Falls, North Carolina. Great guy," He smiled softly.
"What does that have to do with your job?"
Potter laughed and dropped onto the couch, "He's the one who trained me, along with a real nice lady. She is totally awesome."
I raised a brow, "You're fond of them then?" Hard to imagine him close to anyone without red hair or super smarts.
"Very much so. They're great Malfoy. Hopefully, before the weeks out, I'll be back with them." He stood once more.
"Wait, you're going back?"
He gave me a look like asking what the problem was, "Yeah,"
"I thought you were all buddy-buddy with the Weasleys."
"I am! I just… I just don't belong here anymore." The last part was oddly quiet. I – for once – had nothing to say. Who was I to tell someone where or not they belonged? The two of were silent, the fire slowly dying in its pit. With a sigh and raking his fingers through his hair, Potter turned towards the bathroom, "I'm taking a shower." I simply nodded.
Waiting until I heard the shower running, I transfigured a blanket and pillow out of napkins for him and set them on the couch. Not knowing what else to do, I padded over to my bed and settled in for the night. Just before fully falling asleep, I watched Potter step out of the bathroom in nothing but one of my spare towels. What the hell was on his collarbone? A tattoo? It was a thought for the morning as I finally fell under.