Chapter 4: He Cared?

The morning rush in the Ministry of Magic was no joke. Clicking shoes, whistling of the enchanted flying mail, conversing between wizards and witches, and crackling of floo powder fire were noisy in the workplace. Although Harry had only been working as an Auror for five years, every day he walked into the building, there was a different group of chaos.

And he loved it.

Harry pushed past the mingling busy magical personnel and made his way to the dreadful ministry lifts. He rode it to the Auror office floor. Walking down the marble black hall, Harry approached a brown door, much like the others, at the end of the passageway. He muttered the password to the enchanted door, "Hallow Magenta".

The passwords were given to them by their head of management, and only the auror themselves and the manager were aware of the passwords to their offices.

As the door opened, a cool breeze escaped the pristine room. Surprisingly Harry was exceptionally organised. Books were placed according to spine size, all the quills spread on his desk were straightened, and a stack of files beside the lamp had all been assorted and tidied.

He walked around his desk and sat down, looking forward to the day ahead, hoping it would ease his overprotective mind for his beloved godson. Ginny and Harry had fought about Malfoy for days and were thankful to be away from the beloved witch.

He began to work, rustling through files of bounty hunters that were laid on his desk.


Draco was waiting for Harry to arrive. He hid behind a column and watched the auror vividly as he walked off the lift and down the marble hall. He decided it was time to confront the maniacal man. It has been nearly a week since Malfoy met Teddy. He had thought repeatedly about what he would do about the situation, but all he got was anger. It was driving him crazy.

He watched as Harry murmured to the door and went into his office. Malfoy quickly followed along the corridor, marching to the office door. Ready to break it down with a spell, he hesitated. Frozen in the moment.

What was he going to say? Why did you make me show remorse or even the slightest bit of emotion?

The man fumbled with his fingers, chewing on his lip. Ever since he met Teddy, the nightmares had worsened and became more vivid. Being sober was exactly how Malfoy's nights and afternoons had been going. He had put his wand up his sleeve just in case there was a brawl between the boys…again.

Screw it.

Malfoy flung open the door, turning the nob. He stepped into the office, allowing the door to slam against the wall causing framed photos to fall and break.

Harry sprung up from his seat with files in his hand. "M-Malfoy!? What the hell are you doing-"

"SHUT IT POTTER! You listen here!" Malfoy pointed his wand at Harry, allowing his frustration to burst out. "What is wrong with you, eh?! Bringing me to see that boy! And for what? FOR WHAT POTTER!?"

Malfoy pushed a chair toward a bookcase leaning against the wall, and several books fell.

Harry was gobsmacked at the entire situation.

Unclear about how to respond, he spoke, "Malfoy…what the hell are you doing? What are you talking about-"

"You know exactly what I am talking about, you self-deranged pussy! Why did you want to show me the boy!? Why did you do that!? Why would you allow that? Was there some kind of purpose or motive, Potter? Did you want me to feel bad? Well, it didn't work," Draco spat impatiently. Knowing good well that the last line was a lie.

Harry was nervous that Mafloy would use his wand to hurt him again with how upset he was. Harry studied Malfoy's movements and facial expressions, looking for an answer as to why his enemy was so distraught. His eyes were glossy, and his face appeared to be slightly pink.

Typically Draco was angry all the time but not more mentally unattached. What was wrong with him?

"Well, I don't know, perhaps I thought that over time you could have actually cared about something other than yourself! I am sorry, my gorgeous godson and I burdened you with our kindness and generosity. You will never see him again if this is how you will act. NOW GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!" Harry barked, gaining frustration as he pointed his finger to the door. He was huffing out of his fury and wanted to do anything to hurt the stupid pure-blood. "I told Ginny bringing someone like you around a child was a bad idea."

"You can't-" Malfoy opened his mouth quickly.

"Mr Malfoy. That is quite enough." A perky, professional voice squeaked from outside of the office.

Both boys looked over at the sound to see a familiar voice match a familiar face.

There stood Hermione Granger, one of Harry's oldest friends and most successful at that. She wore a dark grey pantsuit with a white collared top. She was in black heels, which increased her height slightly. Her hair was in a high, neat bun, and she wore makeup.

Beautiful she was.

Hermione, who was also working for the Ministry of Magic, held several copies labelled "Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures" in her arms.

A cold look spread on her face as she glimpsed around the office to understand what was happening. Harry's office was a total mess.

"Mr Malfoy, I will leave it to you to see yourself out." She looked up at Malfoy with a devastated look.

"Like I would ever let a filthy mud-blood like you tell me what to-"

"Or shall I take you straight to the Ministry for Magic's office?" She stood firmly.

Defeated, Malfoy rushed out of the room, cursing at both of them as he left.

Why did he come if he was so aggravated by Teddy so much? Harry wondered. That would be such a silly reason to ambush him. However, Draco was a foolish person.

What was Draco holding on to when he had all the reason to let go?


That filthy Potter!

Malfoy entered his own office on the other side of the auror floor. He decided to put in leave for a few days to take care of family business. Although he wasn't telling the truth, he wasn't exactly lying either. Teddy was family as much as he didn't want to admit being related to a Half-blood. Draco's cousin once removed, and the whole situation made him absolutely mad. He wouldn't let himself keep going crazy like this; not on Potter's doing anyways.

He paced back and forth in his pristine office. Out of rage, he flung papers off his desk and onto the floor, kicking over rubbish bins and boxes of files.

Harry's words were flickering in his head.

"You will never see him again-". Those lines bothered him. Malfoy would most certainly not let his old-school enemy tell him what he can and cannot do.


The work day had ended, and dusk began to seer over Godric's Hallow. Malfoy specifically waited for Harry to leave the ministry to apparate to the old dusky village. He was not going to let Harry tell him what to do. His ego was too big for that.

Draco strode down the street, briskly walking up to the front door. The memories of his last visit didn't go too well; however, these days, Malfoy was unpredictable. Ringing the muggle-like bell, Harry answered the door.

"Malfoy, showing up unwelcomed yet again. What do you want?" Harry kept the door open slightly with his wand in his other hand.

"You have no right; you blasted bastard!" Malfoy spat, sizing up Harry.

"Keep your voice down; the boy is here like you would care."

"You!... You have no right telling me what I can and cannot do. You can't legally keep the boy from me. He is family, unlike you. You are not blood-related." Mafloy tried again with a lower voice.

"I thought you didn't give a shit about Teddy. Why would it matter if you could see him again or not? What changed your heartless arse?" Harry stepped outside, closing the door.

"I don't. I just wanted to ensure you understand your place and that your stupid brain knows that you can't tell me what to do." Malfoy replied defensively.

"Malfoy…you should go. We don't feel comfortable having you hear anymore." Harry finally said wearily.

Draco lingered, feeling the yearning in his chest soar. After a long silence, he shoved Harry out the door and penetrated the sitting room hastily.

"Malfoy, what are you doing!?" Harry stumbled back, confused, running after Malfoy.

Draco hurried his way into the sitting room, and there he was. Sitting on a grey and white flannel blanket on the floor was Teddy. Several toys of all sorts surrounded him—stuffed owls, flying toy trains, and a few muggle-branded playthings as well.

A feeling of consolation finally left the miserable feeling created in his stomach all those days ago. Teddy remained in his "Draco Malfoy" form with his bright blond hair and smokey grey eyes. It had surprised him. He would have changed by now, he thought.

Harry panted, following after him. "Malfoy, seriously, have you gone mad? What is wrong with you?"

Ginny came in from the garden, surprised at the sudden change of events.

"Malfoy. What are you doing here?" Ginny questioned, irritated as she wiped her hands with a hand towel.

He didn't say anything to either of them. Instead, he stared at the boy, watching him playfully mock a flying bird with the stuffed owl. The little laugh the small boy created filled Draco with purity and senselessness. The side of Draco's mouth curled for a moment before he quickly went back to his stern face.

"Malfoy. What are you doing?" Harry repeated, stepping in front of him to break his concentration.

Draco still didn't respond, staring past Harry finding a way to gather his words because the truth was, he didn't know what he was doing or why he was doing it. He just didn't know.

"I don't…I-" Draco attempted looking at Harry now. "You know what, j-just shut up, Potter! This is all your fault."

"My fault?!" Harry grimaced, trying to make sense of the man.

"Yes, your fault! If it hadn't been for you threatening me not being able to see him, I wouldn't be acting this way." Malfoy articulated.

"So this is about Teddy?" Ginny spoke with a soft voice walking over to Malfoy.

"W-what!? I don't know. You try to understand on your own, you Weasley. Put together the pieces, huh!" Malfoy sneered, returning to his old self. "I just came here to tell your stupid scar-faced boyfriend that you can't keep me from Teddy. And you know that, Potter." He turned around, giving Harry a cold finger.

"Perhaps you would fancy a cuppa?" Ginny finally said, ignoring his negative attitude. "You could get to know Teddy. "

Malfoy stubbornly agreed, acting as if he didn't like the entire situation. Frankly, he was pleased he was invited to stay, feeling eased to be somewhat welcomed.

Walking into the kitchen grudgingly, he wandered around the space, looking at how organised it was. Enchanted sippy cups and plates were washing in the sink. Draco wasn't used to seeing a kitchen in a home. The house elves belonged in those. He continued looking around and finally stopped at the fridge. A large calendar hung on the refrigerator with a decorated mark exaggerated on a singular box. He peered closely, reading, "Teddy's Third Birthday, Apr 11". Lightening streaks and blue doodles surrounded the words.

April eleventh was only a few days away, and he was completely unaware of everything. He shouldn't care. He shouldn't want or feel obligated to have to get anything for the boy. As far as Malfoy was concerned, Potter and the Weasley would do everything in their power to keep him away from Teddy.

"Malfoy. Ginny and I decided that if you want to be a part of Teddy's life further on, you need to prove you are capable and excepting of wanting to be in it in the first place." Harry came into the room with crossed arms and a stern look.

For Draco to be in his cousin's life, he must prove himself. However, he wasn't even sure how to prove he could care.

Was he supposed to bond and show affection? How could Malfoy do those things when he was never given those things himself?