"Sorted Too Young"
Dumbledore tells Snape, "Sometimes, Snape, I think we sort them too young."
CHAPTER 17 – GRIMAULD PLACE
The six days with Teddy were a mix of hellish, exhausting, and adorable. The boy had endless energy. Draco sat on the front porch with him in the evenings gently tossing a charmed ball for Teddy to chase or Hermione would sit and howl on the porch with Teddy. They were constantly seeking new ways to tire the boy out or keep him busy during his most energetic and difficult time of the month. If he was run and played with to exhaustion, then he maintained better self-control when he needed to be controlled, like at dinner. If he didn't get run time, then he sometimes became wild and rolling snarling kicking and screaming wolf form. That always ended with him crying in a corner scared of himself.
The adorable was in the morning. Hermione would give Draco his medicine which always knocked him out for most of the morning and Teddy would finally be tired out. The two would sleep on the sofa together. Hermione finally found the camera and took a flashless picture, or five. She napped in the morning too since she had also been up with the boy most of the nights.
The week got easier as the full moon passed. Draco also started healing better. He ached less and breathed easier. He moved around more. He watched with Teddy as Hermione cooked meals for them in muggle ways without magic. Draco found it fascinating and asked many questions. "It looks just like when we are I n potions class, with the recipes and the… well everything." he had commented.
Hermione lightly laughed, "Except there is no punishment for doing it wrong except having it taste awful."
Meal brought their own challenges and discoveries. The challenges were with Teddy of course. Draco was firm with his rules and always followed through with anything he said he would do. Teddy struggled through meals leaning to use utensils or sitting while others ate. He was not permitted to eat his food unless he used the utensils. He went hungry one dinner entirely and ended the meal with a spectacular tantrum. Hermione did not tolerate tantrums. Although, later in the night when teddy cried because he was hungry, she made him a small sandwich he could eat with his fingers and explained the importance of eating properly with everyone at the table.
The discovery for Draco was the similarities he and Hermione shared in neatness and careful polite eating habits. He also found her studiousness refreshing. He enjoyed reading and in the afternoons, they sat reading their respective piles. He had so much to digest. His family documents took up most of his time. When he was sick of that, he and Hermione quizzed each other on various subjects for their upcoming tests. He hoped to get a letter from Hogwarts soon. By the end of the week, he found himself actually excited about the idea of going back. Hermione provided a perfect person to compete with. She was always the top of every class. He had always come in close second. He hated his father when his father told him to start to let school go in favour of other things. A private tutor at home pushed him through the necessary studies. It came ridiculous to be at school. A waste. He had been going to do tasks for the Dark Lord and not to learn. He wanted to be there to learn. Now, he would have that opportunity, to be there because he wanted to be.
Sending Teddy away with the doctor felt like tearing something apart inside him. Teddy screamed and cried and fought. The child escaped and bolted back to the house. A Seeker swift hand shot out and grabbed him. He cried into Draco, who hugged him in turn. "Teddy. Teddy. It is only for the week, five days. You can count to five. I know you can. You count off each day and then you will come back for the weekends with me. Be good for Dr. Shmeiss. I want to hear good things about you when you come back to me. Now go on…" He gave Teddy a small shake. "No crying. This is not a bad thing." The doctor took him away then. It still ended in screaming and kicking and crying till they disapparated.
Draco's lips tightened into a straight line. "What did I do wrong?" His mind ran circle around this problem. Teddy should have been compliant. It was supposed to be a better parting of ways. He searched for the mistake sure he had made a critical one.
"You did nothing wrong," Hermione stated gently. "He is four years old and wants to stay with you. This is what four year olds do. You… you did everything right, Draco. Everything better than anyone could have expected. He has to learn a whole new routine now. It isn't going to work out in this first week. It will probably be a few weeks before he realizes he always does come back. Right now, he just doesn't believe he'll come back. Patience. It will be fine."
She doubted he had much patience left though. It must be very hard to be injured and incapacitated for so long.
He grumbled up the few stairs back into the house. Hermione rolled her eyes at his unnecessary drama. It was so typical of the old Draco. She supposed old habits die hard. "I have never done anything right before. Not with my parents, not with school, not with friends… Not that I have any. See! I can't get that right!"
Annoyed by his ranting, her reply left her lips before she could think about it. "Well, looks like you need as much socializing as Teddy! Were you born a prat? Didn't you learn anything in school as a child?"
His eyes gave her such a cold empty look, she regretted her words. "Granger. I didn't go to school. But you would not know that, would you. Pure bloods are privately schooled. They don't abase themselves by going to public schools. They get the best private tutors their parents can afford to prepare them for academies or specialized magic schools. We don't study with other children. It stunts our ability to study with such a distractions. When we are older we use others as the competition, the bar to measure up to and to surpass, or ruin so we pass them anyways." He stormed into the house as best he could with his injuries. The cane clattered angrily to the floor by the sofa where he threw himself. He curled up trying to shut out the world.
All Hermione could think from that outburst was how lonely and deprived pure bloods were.
The owl the night before stating that if all was fine, the Weasleys would be staying another week away. Hermione thought about this and how Draco would now be alone for a week. It might be good for him to have some independence. He also might be very lonely. "If you want, I am sure Harry won't mind if you came to stay at Grimauld place with us. If you want. You can teach us, or at least him about this old family law stuff." She tried to offer, but he didn't seem to be listening.
She collected all her things and sent them by floo to Harry's. Then she leaned over the back of the sofa to look down at a brooding Draco. She reached out, hesitated only a moment, and touched his shoulder gently. He winces. She knew it was his sore shoulder, but she was gentle. "Draco, you are not without friends. You only need to let people be friends, open up and let some of us in. I'll be at Harry's, come if you want. We are both here for you." He gave no answer. She sighed and stepped into the fireplace. She threw a handful of floo powder and called out clearly, "Number 12 Grimauld Place." And she was gone.
Draco turned his face into a sofa cushion.
He managed for three days. There was no more already prepared foods from Molly Weasley, so he slowly figured out how to feed himself, with some success and some failure. He ended up preparing food as Hermione had, the muggle way, in the end. It was like potions class and he was less likely to make mistakes. In magical cooking, mistakes were instant. Minus his aching, he found cooking actually relaxing, grudgingly admitting to himself that it was fun and interesting. He always really liked potions class, even if Snape was a git for a teacher. He had really wanted to be good enough to make the Slug Club when Slughorn took over teaching potions. He wondered if he could manage that in his final year.
Mornings were rough. He hurt the most then. And he could not salve his shoulder to ease its aching. The potion he would prepare in the evening to force himself back onto a proper sleeping schedule that was not a Teddy Full Moon up all night sleep schedule. He distracted himself with reading and reading. He devoured all his legal documents, all the financial ones, all the fostering forms, all the confusing medical ones. He drafted contracts and was about to send out meeting times when he decided he wanted to meet them in their places of work. He also needed to go to Gringotts and access his inheritance and his accounts again. He could do it alone. But that would also make him exposed with no back-up should his … should Lucius show us and make another try on his life. He would have paced if he could, but going up and down the stairs at the moment was hard enough.
By day four. The last day of July, he started to miss Hermione. He told himself it was just to rub the healing salve into his injuries. But he knew it was her company, her ability to challenge him in their studies. She had as sharp and bright a mind as he did and he wanted to just… talk to someone, because the sofa was just not a very good conversationalist.
The Weasleys would be back on Monday. Teddy should be with him day after tomorrow. It felt like a painful dour day. It was a painful and slow four days. The house felt so… so… empty. He felt empty. He couldn't go anywhere and hated having to be dependent. Rather, he could go, but then what if something happened. He owed everyone enough for his life. Finally fed up with the aching shoulder and his own echo in the house and packed an overnight bag and stood by the fireplace. Would he be interrupting anything? Harry and Hermione were sharing that big old house together. Part of him felt jealous that she was with Harry. Part of him felt like an interloper, even into just their friendship. He stood there a long time debating. She did say he was welcome. But did she speak for Harry? It was Harry's home now by law, maybe not actual magical blood law, but by law. Harry had been very frank and friendly with him before. Maybe he could try to be friends. Maybe Hermione was right? Maybe he really did suck as this friendly social thing. What was the etiquette?
He sent his eagle owl to Grimauld Place with a proper formal request to visit, probing if Hermione's invitation still stood. He was shocked at the swift reply. Harry stepped from the fireplace with the eagle owl on his arm.
"For bloody sake. Give me your bag." Harry picked up the overnight bag. "I've known you too long to expect formality. Also, I hate that kind of formality. Everyone treats me like I am some kind of god or something. Just… relax and be casual. Please." He looked at Draco's gaping mouth and laughed. "Well, that was fun. Done looking like a fish? I bet your shoulder is killing you. Hermione has some salve and potion made for you." He stepped into the fireplace and took the floo back to Grimauld Place.
Draco snapped his mouth shut and took the floo to #12 Grimauld Place. He had never been there. It was so rude to just use the floo, so… working class. He stepped out, leaning on his cane wrinkling his nose against the dust and filth the floo network coated him in. He swore he was never using that again and would use apparition from now on. Much cleaner.
Grimauld Place held that old feel. It was an old family, older than Malfoy. The alliance between the two families was awkward. He looked around the darkened room and followed Harry through a sketchy tour. Harry had no idea how to be a proper noble host. He smirked to himself thinking that maybe he would oblige Harry to join the etiquette club. So much of the house had been untouched, still covered in sheets or layers of dust. As Harry walked, he commented that this room or that room can't be opened. "Why not?" Draco asked though he suspected he knew why.
Harry shrugged, "I can't seem to open them and Creacher refuses to open them for me." Harry whispered then, "And Hermione won't let me turn the vile elf out."
Draco burst with a laugh he could not control. It was hilarious to hear Harry speak thus about an elf and funnier to see him at odds with Hermione about elf rights. She still clung to her old school SPEW club. His face and side hurt from the short laugh. Had it been so long since he expressed any mirth? Harry apologized about the stairs as Draco groaned looking up. Bedrooms and all dens and whatnot were up. The main floor hosted the kitchen, dining room and a sitting room for formal guest meetings.
It took Draco the better part of thirty minutes to get to the second floor. Harry offered him the pick of rooms. "This room is mine and down the hall is Hermione's if you need anything. He usually hang out in that room. It has books, go figure." Harry's ease with a grin was contagious. Of course Hermione would hang out in the library room. "Creacher won't listen to Hermione at all, sometimes listens to me if I am mad enough at him."
"You aren't pure blood. The Blacks were staunch pure blood loyalists. He is likely bloodbound to obey only those of pure blood and blood relation to the family." Draco explained. He figured he'd have to explain more later maybe.
"Oh. Hmmm. That makes sense. Oh hey! Then you can tell him to do the stuff he bloody ought to do. You are pure blood and related! Your name is even on the family tree, but the picture is of a baby. You might want to update that." suggested Harry. Draco stood in his new bedroom still reeling from Harry's unflinching acceptance of his presence. The old sour elf lumbered in grumbling irritably about the foul mudblood and half-blood insulting the home. Draco sniffed in annoyance. Even this was not tolerated in his home. House elves were not to be seen and NEVER heard.
Draco decided to give this one a little taste of propriety. "Vile elf! How dare you leave this house in such a state! I come to visit and the rooms are not even ready! What have you been doing under the Master's nose? Ignoring him? How insulting to not maintain this house at all times!" He had the old house elf practically jumping in panic. He ordered the elf to clean this room and ready it for him to stay overnight and to render the remainder of the house into a fit state for living pure bloods. The mudblood and half-blood master needed to learn what a proper home should be like. He threatened the elf with all kinds of horrible tortures for such humiliation.
Hermione charged in to yell at Draco for how he treated the elf and for his bad language. Draco sat calmly on the now clean (by elf spells) bed unpacking. "He should listen for a few days now." She gaped at him, clenched her fists. "Don't yell at me. Don't you dare. He is bloodbound to obey certain people and to treat all others like filth. Go do research on what bloodbinding is if you don't quite get it. There should be a book in the library about it. All pure blood children are taught about this." He watched her storm out to do just that. Not even fifteen minutes later he could here her shocked commentary and indignation from what she discovered.
She rushed back into his room. "Have you ever done any of this?" she asked accusatorily.
"Don't you ever knock?" He enjoyed the banter as much as he enjoyed watching her blush. She mumbled an apology. "No, only the Lord of the family may bloodbind anyone to the family as a whole, or bloodbind the house in various ways. Bloodbinding can be done on an individual bases." He quieted. She waited expecting more. "The Dark Mark is a form of bloodbinding. You suffer when you disobey. You can be found anywhere. He obey as if under the imperious, for your master can command you to die and you will. It is old magic and yes, it is still used. And no, again no, I have never done so. And no, there is no release from bloodbinding so long as the master is alive. In the case of Creacher, he is bloodbound to the family and will remain so as long as someone with the family blood still lives, even if they are half-blooded. He'll obey me, since my mother was a Black. He should eventually obey Teddy once Teddy is old enough and IF and only if the disownment on my aunt Andromeda can be accomplished."
Hermione relaxed and Harry sat on the floor joining them. This was fascinating and scary. Draco felt weird being like a teacher in this most basic of pure blood education. "How do we re-instate Andromeda's family line?" asked Harry.
"I'm not sure yet. It depends on the various founding family laws and if there is something in any of them as a loophole to work with. Also depends on what spells were cast for the disownment. There must be some way to do so, or Sirius Black would never have been able to enter the house or do anything." He unconsciously rubbed his knee as he spoke.
Hermione immediately slipped out and returned with the healing salve and a small cup of potion. Draco turned down the potion. He hated being out of sorts. It was a frightening experience. There was some awkwardness and stammering about the salve. She shoved it into Harry's hand. "You're a boy. You can do this now." She escaped taking the bloodbinding book with her.
"Oh, now she is going to be a prude?" Asked Draco confused by her behaviour.
Harry shrugged. "She's being… moody. It's that time of month for her. She'll likely spend tomorrow really sick and cramped up in bed." Draco seemed completely confused. "Oh please don't tell me you don't know that girls have a monthly…"
"I know they have that! You don't shag them when they do." The uncomfortable silence grew between them. "Have you ever? Shagged her?"
"Hermione?" squeaked Harry. "No." The uncomfortable silence grew between them again. "I have never shagged anyone. Snogged, yes, shagged no. And well… I suppose things done against your will don't count."
"That's buggering and it counts still, but not if it is against your will… I suppose. But then that makes you a fag." Draco wondered if there was anything actually good about being a fag then banished the thought. Harry nodded thinking of Oliver Wood, who was the first person to talk about such things with him in the locker room. It had helped Harry accept and move past some things that freaked him out. Draco didn't really understand. Harry could see that, but Draco seemed to be trying to find some way to come to terms with what was done to him.
Harry broke the next silence. "I can rub the salve in. Just tell me where and what to do. She is obviously not going to come back and do it."
Draco resigned to changing into sleep clothing and let Harry rub in the healing salve. The remainder of the evening turned out much more pleasant than Draco expected. The three sat in the library in their pyjamas. Draco felt like a rebel for doing so, felt like he was sneaking around in forbidden places like a delinquent child. He expected his father to step out and punish him. Everyone laughed because of course that would not happen.
They mused together about going back to school. Harry doubted Ron would go back. George and Fred had dropped out of school and had become very wealthy and successful. Ron had been of a similar mind earlier in the summer. Harry shared with them that Ron might sign on with George to help his brother run the business or might try out to be a professional Keeper with one of the British teams. Hermione rolled her eyes and shared her strong opinion that Ron should at least go back and complete his NEWTS. She reminded Harry that Fred and George dropped out after they finished their core NEWTS.
Not hurting as much, due to the salve made socializing more comfortable. Draco was surprised how much he enjoyed their company. He was even more surprised at how readily accepted him.
Shame his stay had to end in a spat with Hermione over house elves. They started out debating rights and positions and duties. It degenerated into a battle of wills, knowledge, and the ability to prove one's point. Draco enjoyed the fight. He fought the debate for the enslavement of house elves, not because he actually believed in it. Honestly he could not care less. He fought just to see how she would do in a full intellectual debate and if she would resort to her muggle tactic and punch him again.
Harry eventually broke them up. "Hermione! Stop! Just… stop! Can't you see? He's just bating you."
Draco gave them a slight smirk, flicked his eyebrows and nodded. Bravo to Harry for realizing.
"YOU PRAT!" Hermione yelled at him and stormed upstairs.
Harry shook his head, "Did you really have to do that at this time of month? Now I have to deal with her while you run off. You know, why don't you stay?" Harry grinned ever so pleasantly.
"Hell no. I have teddy over the weekend anyways," Draco replied. He stood in the fireplace and paused before using the floo. "Potter? We have lots to talk about, about this house, about the Blacks, about Teddy. Can I…?" He fumbled with how to make this request not sound stupid.
"Ya, sure. See you Monday. You can keep the room. Just… make sure to let Molly know and HUG her. Really. And tell Ron to read his bloody mail." Harry held out his hand to Draco who took it and shook it. "Thanks for subtly siding with me when we were in your house with Bellatrix, for not calling the Dark Lord, and for giving up your wand for me."
Draco nodded respectfully, "Thanks for saving me from Goyle's stupidity of fiendfyre, for saving my life, and for… for giving me a chance I may not have really deserved."
"See you Monday."
Draco took the floo back to the refurbished Burrow. Some things started to feel a bit like home, but nothing really matched the comfort of a noble house with the familiar settings, décor, smell, and lingering old magic. Yes, he would come back to Grimauld Place and stay with Harry until they leave for Hogwarts. He just wished he could go home. Home just wasn't safe, not while his father lived. His birthday on the grounds must have taken a great deal of protective magic to achieve.
Grimauld Place would have to do as a temporary home till September. Besides, It held a great many secrets including insight into his mother's side of the family.
A/N: I hope you are all liking what I am writing.