Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It and any characters from the franchise that may appear in this fanfiction are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling. This story was written for entertainment purposes only and no profit is made from this story.
Once Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall had led Hermione out of the bathroom to get her checked out at the hospital wing, Draco noticed his godfather observing the damage to the bathroom, a calculating look in his eyes. He was also holding his knee, as if he was in pain. That reminded Draco. Where had his godfather been if he wasn't looking for the troll or guiding his snakes back to the dungeons?
Headmaster Dumbledore waved his wand and the bathroom magically fixed itself, including Harry's glasses which had been broken for the fifth time that year. They would need to take the boy shopping during the Yule holidays, not just to fix his glasses. After he'd been looked over my Madam Pomfrey, the mediwitch had gotten Harry to take nutritional potions for the past few months, and he was finally growing to be his regular size. Fucking Dursleys. His mother and Dr. Granger were probably already planning on a shopping trip, but once they saw the boy had outgrown the outfits Dr. Granger had bought during Summer… Well. Draco was just happy he didn't have to tag along for that trip.
"A word in my office, perhaps?" Dumbledore suggested, his hands folded behind his back, his yellow and purple robes clashing as he looked at the two boys. "Quirinus and Argus will come to clean up the troll, they know how to deal with it. Speaking of, Severus, have you seen professor Quirrel after he passed out in the great hall?"
His godfather frowned and rubbed his leg again. Something was definitely up with those two. Draco was starting to think the mysterious disappearance, well death, of his D.A.D.A. teacher during first year had something to do with Harry. It would've been great if Hermione had actually told him, so he knew how to deal with it. She did say he was after the Philosopher's Stone, but never really mentioned why.
The walk to the Headmaster's office was a long one and Draco and Deandra were discussing how he would explain his sudden knowledge of spells which were considered to be O.W.L. level at least. Harry seemed restless as well. Perhaps they all could use a little detour to the Hospital Wing for some calming draught afterwards.
Once they entered the headmaster's office, as per usual they were offered some sort of muggle candy. Figuring out that he probably needed some sugar after the events of the evening, Draco gladly accepted and started chewing away as the adults started asking questions.
Harry explained why they hadn't been in the great hall and Dumbledore at least looked remorseful. "I'm sorry Harry, my boy. All Hallow's Eve has always been celebrated in the Wizarding World, even more so after the fall of Lord Voldemort. Perhaps, we should have been more considerate on how you would feel about the matter and offered you to spend the night with your godfather."
Harry thanked the headmaster for his consideration and explained how Daphne had come barging in with the rest of Slytherin House, realizing Hermione was still missing. When asked why the girl was missing, Harry paused.
"We haven't talked about it with our head of house as of yet," Draco said, taking the lead and giving Harry the time to collect his thoughts. "Hermione has been subject to some unfortunate… bullying in the past few months. As you well now, she is way ahead of her peers, and some of those peers react quite harshly when she is "showing off". It doesn't bother either of us, or most Slytherins, but well…"
"Professor Flitwick has notified me of the situation," Professor Snape quipped. "Mr. Weasley will receive detention and I will require him to formally apologize to Miss Granger."
"I will write to Arthur and Molly," Dumbledore sighed. "Schoolboy rivalry is all good and well, but his actions could have had very dire consequences… Perhaps another talk with Miss Granger would also be needed?"
Draco was seething. Was the Headmaster saying what he thought he was saying? And what did he mean with another talk? Had they talked before? About what. Oh 'Mione. Why did she not just trust him and Harry with anything that came her way. Did they talk about the bullying, or about the fact that Hermione should not show her smarts to her peers? It was unfair that Hermione had to dumb herself down for the comfort of her fellow students. He would not stand for it.
"Perhaps it would be wise to give Miss Granger some private education so she can advance and learn more magic, rather than be held back by her peers?" Draco suggested.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling behind his halfmoon glasses. "Like you, Mr. Malfoy? I must say, it seems you've been quite studious yourself if the spells you have used tonight are an indicator of your knowledge."
"All will be well, little dragon," Deandra encouraged him.
"Well," Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "I did learn the summoning charm over the summer because I thought it would be beneficial to summon objects to me when I don't feel like getting them, as we are not allowed to call upon our house elves here at Hogwarts."
There. It wasn't a complete lie. He had learned the spell more out of efficiency than out of necessity. No one had to know that he'd been using it for four years.
His godfather pinched his nose, a sign of frustration. Perhaps also a sign that he was actually believing what Draco was saying. "Are you telling me, Draco, that you studied up on an O.W.L. level spell for Merlin knows how long this summer just so you could be lazy?"
"Well, you could call it lazy, godfather. I would call it being efficient and resourceful," he smirked.
Professor Dumbledore laughed. "The efficiency of laziness has often been underestimated, Mr. Malfoy," the headmaster said. "In fact, I do believe that the wizard who developed the summoning charm did so for exactly that reason. Too much time wasted getting things which could easily fly into your hand. What I am wondering is why and how you made the door to the girl's bathroom fly off of its hinges?"
Oh. Right. He probably cast that Bombarda silently. "Once I realized Hermione was in danger, I just wanted to get to her as fast as possible, sir. I don't even know how I did it." Ok. That was a lie. But people were known to do accidental magic when stressed, especially children.
Dumbledore nodded, but Snape spoke up. "That shielding spell, however, considering the magical layering of it… The Malfoy family magic weaved into it had to be intentional."
Harry's eyes widened. "Family magic? You used your family magic to protect Hermione? That's impressive mate. I thought most heirs didn't even start learning it until they had completed their O.W.L.s."
"Yes indeed, Harry. A wonderful piece of magic in this case, I must say," Dumbledore agreed. "A shielding spell with an extra protective layer which keeps physical objects and people out, all but the caster. Very strong, very good for a two-on-two duel. But also, very advanced magic for an 11-year-old."
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling and Draco could feel the Headmaster trying to get a read on him, skimming his thoughts on the surface. After living with Voldemort and his cronies for years, Draco was more than able to withstand such a Legilimens probe. Deandra aided him, shoving memories of him reading the Malfoy family grimoire as a little boy, giving truth to the partial lie he was going to tell.
"My mother told me how some death eaters were still after Harry," Draco said quietly, casting his eyes down, making sure the eye contact with the headmaster was broken. "So, I thought, if we were friends, it would be in my and his best interest to learn an exceptional shielding charm until help could arise. Honestly, I didn't even think it would work. Maybe I was just so panicked and scared that I overdid it a little…"
"Very resourceful and clever," the Headmaster said. "It is good to see you would go out of your way to protect yourself and your friends. It's been a while I have seen these traits in a Slytherin like yourself," Dumbledore stated, glancing out of the window, contemplating what Draco had said.
"You did well, Draco," Deandra said. "Everything you said is plausible. They have no reason to suspect anything."
"If it wasn't for Draco's quick thinking, Hermione might have died," Harry said fiercely, breaking the silence. "All I could do was a stupid Wingardium Leviosa to knock the troll out with his own club. I was just happy Draco was there to take the lead."
Draco was humbled by Harry's praise. Before he could argue that he had also helped, especially considering he was an 11-year-old who had some quick-thinking skills, his godfather interrupted.
"Growing up in a magical household has its advantages, Mr. Potter. Unlike Mr. Malfoy you did not have access to an extensive library and family grimoire for 11 years before coming to Hogwarts. In addition, most magical children aren't bothered by the trace since they are behind family wards when using their magic. What you did was honourable to save a friend and you helped in bringing the troll down. Ten points each for Slytherin, wouldn't you agree, Albus?"
Deandra laughed. "And some children pay off the wandmaker in Knockturn Alley so they remove the trace. Perhaps we could do the same for Hermione, so she can practice in Summer. Harry will be alright behind the wards of Grimmauld."
Bringing Draco out of his musing, the Headmaster smiled: "Make it twenty points each."
After the conversation was done, Severus Snape led his two snakes to the Hospital Wing, pride filling him, even though he would never tell anyone. Draco was finally stepping out of Lucius' shadow, being more confident and more clever than his father ever was at that age. And Potter. Well. He was so much like Lily that it scared him, honestly. It also made him wonder why the boy wasn't sorted into Gryffindor. He had her passion and courage, and perhaps even his father's tendency for utterly stupid boldness.
Once the boys arrived at the Hospital Wing to check up on Hermione, as well as let Madam Pomfrey have a look at them, Hermione's mother ran to them and hugged them fiercely, thanking them sincerely. She put her hands on each boy's cheek and kissed them on top of their head. "Thank you for saving 'Mione," she whispered. Hermione's father also approached and thanked both boys, shaking their hands instead.
- November 8th, 1991 –
Harry had been nervous all week for the first quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Draco had assured him he had nothing to worry about as they walked up to their dorm, getting their brooms to get in one last practice before the match the day after.
When Draco opened the door, he noticed that the diary his mother had given him had a small silver hue around it, meaning she'd written to him. Only two sentences were written.
Draco darling, my cousin and that elf of yours are up to something. Please be a dear and find out what exactly.
Draco showed it to Harry who shrugged, and he called over Dobby who seemed surprised to suddenly being called to Hogwarts as elves usually were not supposed to serve their families. The Hogwarts elves took their job very seriously and didn't want any regular house elves to come and meddle with things.
"Master Draco and Mister Harry Potter sir," the elf bowed. He'd been spending his time at the Black Estate, helping Sirius and the goblins clean it out after Kreacher had let Grimmauld Place break down in ruins since the death of Walburga Black. He'd gotten a scolding from Narcissa about his elf duties to house Black, and had been told to remove the portrait of his mistress and place it in his quarters instead. Ever since, the place had been looking better according to his mother, but a lot of dark items needed to be cleared out before it was inhabitable for an 11-year-old boy. That's where the goblins came in. After a week of cleaning they had sent Draco a short letter. Another one down. Well, that was three gone, four more to go. Including Harry. Director Ragnok had agreed that the scar had way more dark magic in it than just the leftovers of an unforgiveable curse. The goblin healers and their cursebreakers were secretly working on a way to remove it from him, but until then, all they could do was wait. And try and find the other three. Or two. He wasn't sure about Nagini being a horcrux yet. He didn't even have a clue on where to find the others.
Dobby looked up expectantly, waiting for his master to explain why he was at Hogwarts.
"Dobby," Draco began, "have you and Lord Black been up to something?"
The elf actually grinned. Grinned. "Yes, master. Dobby and Paddy Foot have been pranking, and Dobby enjoys it very much, master," the small elf giggled, clasping his hands together.
"Pranking who exactly, Dobby?" Harry asked, dumbfounded.
Dobby looked outright evil when he spat out menacingly "the Dursleys."
After Madam Bones had found out that Harry had been unlawfully placed at the Dursleys, all she could do was give them a fine for misconduct, since they had never been expected to take care of the boy in the first place. She did threaten them in case they ever came close to Harry again, and said she would be keeping an eye on them and any future magical children which might be born into their family. Uncle Vernon had bristled and sputtered at that, saying that no such freakishness or nonsense would be happening in his family. All Madam Bones had done was smile wickedly and answering. "Why , a man of your status must have gotten proper schooling, correct? As you may recall from your biology classes, DNA is a tricky thing. Seems like the late Lady Potter had magical ancestors, making you wife for all intents and purposes, a squib. I will be back, if any other children or grandchildren are born."
The director of the D.M.L.E. had apparated away as Aunt Petunia looked in horror at Dudley, and Uncle Vernon had fainted. Draco and Harry both wished they'd been there when Sirius wrote about that particular event to them.
Before Dobby could start explaining, Hermione had run down to the boys' dorm to see what was taking them so long, as she was going to "join" them – a.k.a. sit and read next to the quidditch pitch.
Dobby greeted Hermione with a polite bow and a "Miss Hermie", as he started going over what the two of them had come up with, and that even Draco's aunt Andromeda had come with some suggestions.
First, they had cursed Petunia Dursley's garden. Anything she grew, would wither away a few days before it would start blooming, making her garden the laughingstock of Privet Drive. In addition, the weeds she pulled out every day, would magically come back the next day, making her start all over again. Every. Single. Day.
Second, after talking to the owls in the neighbourhood, Uncle Vernon had to wash his car windows every morning because their faeces covered almost his whole car. Not something that was appreciated by the Director at Grunnings.
Thirdly, Dudley had developed a slight stutter whenever he encountered something "unnatural" after Hagrid had given him a pig's tail back on Harry's birthday. Seeing as he was only a child, and therefore most likely only doing what his parents told him to, Dobby and Sirius had decided to take it easy on him. However, Dudley was still a bully, so whenever he and his gang were chasing some other child, a large pink pig would show up, freaking out Dudley and making him scream for his life.
Last but not least, the elf and wizard had discovered the existence of Aunt Marge. As a famous bulldog breeder, the two had found nothing better than to make sure none of the female dogs ever got pregnant. Marge had been pulling her hair out since all the vets she'd gone to claimed that none of her dogs were imponent. She was simply unlucky.
"If master, mistress, or Harry Potter sir, ever have any good pranking ideas, Dobby and Paddy Foot would love to hear them," the elf said, his ears flapping around in happiness.
Draco paused. That damned elf. He'd done it again.
"Dobby, why do you keep calling me mistress?" Hermione questioned, noticing it this time as well. She'd read up on house elves, but she was still unsure what some of the social rules were.
"Oh," Dobby said, clasping his hands over his mouth in panic.
"It's because Dobby knows both of you are my friends, so he will also answer to both you and Harry's call, right, Dobby," Draco said, raising an eyebrow at the elf who now nodded fervently, still holding his hands over his mouth.
"Can't you just call us by our regular names?" Harry asked. "Honestly Dobby, the sir is making me feel more than a little awkward and… Old."
The trio laughed when Hermione acted as if she'd found Harry's first grey hair and they made their way down to the quidditch pitch. None the wiser that the only reason Dobby was calling Hermione mistress, was because she technically still was Draco's wife. Draco prayed to Merlin the goblins would come up with something sooner, rather than later.
- November 9th, 1991 –
The Quidditch match had kind of gone like Draco expected. Someone was messing with Harry's broom, again. Draco flew over to the stands, right where Hermione, her dormmates and Neville were sitting, seeing if they knew more than him. He couldn't expose himself and start casting a counter curse right now. Everyone had seen him cast spells way beyond his age just a week earlier. And yes, he'd started teaching both Hermione and Harry the summoning charm, but he didn't feel like showing off his powers just yet.
"Something's wrong with Harry's broom," she said, looking through her binoculars. "It seems like… Professor Snape is trying to save him, he's holding eye contact and chanting. But who is… Professor Quirrel?" She sounded astonished.
Draco's head whipped around. Of course. That damned turban turd excused of a teacher. Why did he want Harry dead though? Wasn't he supposed to lead him to the Philosopher's Stone by the end of the school year? What a joke that was by the way. Draco had snuck out and disillusioned himself one night, after figuring out what to do about that blasted three-headed dog. He'd made it all the way to a big chess board before he turned around, feeling like whatever traps were set up were way too easy to get through. Longbottom could probably get through half of them, if he had a proper wand at least.
Draco flew up to Harry, trusting his godfather to save them if needed. As he was hovering under Harry, he grabbed him by his legs, making him fall onto the broom, right in front of Draco. Harry's broom started going out of control and flew off, far away from the Quidditch pitch. Well. He'd go and find that one later. Or just buy Harry a new one.
"Thanks, mate," Harry said, steering both of them towards the ground to land safely. "I don't know what was up with my broom."
Draco snorted. "Sure Potty, you sure your nervousness wasn't just influencing your flying skills?"
Harry looked at Draco, smirking, before plunging the both of them into a Wronski feint, catching Draco of guard as he had to grab onto Harry's not to fall off of the broom.
"Bloody Merlin, Harry!" Draco shouted at him. "I was just kidding, you don't need to murder me!"
Right as Harry was about to pull up again, both boys saw the Gryffindor seeker coming straight at them, and so was the snitch.
Harry pulled up slightly so they wouldn't actually crash into the ground, slowed down and stretched out his arm and fucking jumped off of the broom two meters above the ground. Draco had to grab onto his broom quickly and start breaking before he would crash into the Gryffindor seeker.
Draco landed next to him, a gasp going through the crowd. As Harry crawled on all fours, trying to stand up while coughing his lungs out, Draco helped him up and smacked his back multiple times.
Harry held out his hands and spit out the snitch. No fucking way.
The crowd went wild as Lee Jordan announced Slytherin the winner, and Harry asked Draco: "You think they will call that move the Potter Pounce? Should I get it patented?"
Draco smirked. "No mate, that will forever be known as the Potter Puke Plonker."
As they walked off of the field laughing, their teammates cheering and Hermione telling Harry off for being a complete and utter plonker indeed, Draco looked over at his godfather, questioningly. Quirrel had just attempted to kill Harry, and they both knew it.
- December 21st 1991 –
The trio and their friends were sitting on the Hogwarts Express, heading home. At some point during their trip, Weasley had finally found the courage to show up, along with the twins - so perhaps he wasn't all that courageous, Draco thought - to come and apologize to Hermione.
Hermione nodded politely and smiled at him, accepting his apology. The two shook hands as Ron tilted his head in acknowledgement to both Draco and Harry. Right as they were about to leave, Dobby apparated into their small compartment, bowing his head slightly. "Lady Malfoy will not be able to come to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, sirs," he said. "But Paddy Foot and Moony will be there to take you to Black Estate."
"Did you just say," Fred began, "Moony? And Padfoot?" George finished. "You know The Marauders?" they excitedly wondered out loud at the same time.
Dobby turned to them, pleased with the attention. "Well yes, Paddy Foot and Moony are Dobby's great prankster friends," the elf nodded excitedly. His enthusiasm was enough to keep the twins hanging onto the house elf's lips, as well as Harry's and Draco's for the rest of the train ride. Ron felt awkward just standing there and had waved his goodbye, going back the compartment he shared with the rest of his fellow Gryffindor first years.
Once they got off of the train, the twins hurried to greet their mother, but made Harry promise he would not leave before Fred and George could meet their idols. Draco shook his head, remembering the pranks the twins had gotten up to over the years. He had often bought gifts and pranks at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Once or twice, he had even transfigured himself during Voldemorts reign, just to go and visit the only happy place left in Diagon Alley. The only happy place left in the British wizarding world.
Sirius, Remus and Harry all greeted each other with bear hugs, tears and heavy clapping on their backs. Harry had finally found his true family, and Draco had to admit he was glad to be included in that circle. They politely shook hands with Draco and Hermione, who invited Remus over for Christmas Eve at her house as well, before she ran over to her mother and father.
Sirius suddenly looked up, confused. "Ehm, and you two gentlemen are?"
Draco turned, looking at the twins as they said in unison: "We solemnly swear we are up to no good."
Lord Black barked out a laugh while Remus Lupin just blinked at the twins. "Please don't tell me you found that damned map?" he asked.
"What map?" Harry wondered.
"The Marauder's Map, of course," Fred said. "The ideal Hogwarts companion for pranksters," George agreed.
Molly Weasley came over with Percy, Ron and Ginny, greeting Sirius and Remus like old friends. "I'm Molly Weasley, dears", she said to Draco and Harry, shaking their hands. "And this here is my youngest, Ginny. She will be going to Hogwarts next year as well. You should all stop by at the burrow during Christmas. Play a match of Quidditch, perhaps?"
Harry nodded eagerly, and Sirius thanked her for her hospitality. Draco noticed Ginny was blushing when she looked at Harry, still infatuated with her hero it seemed. But when Draco looked over at his best friend as they walked to the portal connecting them to muggle world to head off to Grimmauld Place, he noticed Harry was looking back at Ginny, waving a little and blushing too. Oh. Well that was certainly an interesting development.
- December 24th 1991 –
Draco smirked as his mother had just hexed his father to shut him up. Lucius Malfoy was so set in his ways that he was absolutely opposed to spending Yule in a muggle household. When Narcissa pointed out that technically they weren't muggles, and that they would be having dinner with members of the Black, Potter and Dagworth-Granger family, his father had spat out "bloodtraitors, the lot of them."
"You will not keep talking like that about my sister and my cousin," Narcissa spat. "And certainly not about Dr. Granger. You would be surprised about how much alike we are," she said, taking Draco by the hand, almost dragging him to the floo.
Tensions had been high between his parents. Technically, they always had been. Lucius had been disappointed Narcissa had only given him one heir, but he had loved his wife. In the last timeline, most of their arguments were about Draco. About him being forced to follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps by becoming a servant to the Dark Lord. Draco honestly had no fucking clue how he ever actually wanted to be a Death Eater. Merlin he was glad that awful mark on his skin was gone. This time around, Narcissa had seen the change in her son and had reconnected with her sister. The married couple's values were getting misaligned, and Draco wondered if they would ever survive. Well, his mother definitely would. Lord Black would reinstate her into the Black family and that would be that. If his father actually ended up following the Dark Lord once again, public opinion would be turned against him. His mother would be seen as the wife who left her death eater husband. No one would blame her for that. But deep down, Draco knew Narcissa still loved the boy she fell in love with at Hogwarts. She still believed there was enough left of him to be saved. Draco hoped she was right, hoped his father could still be redeemed.
Once they arrived at the Granger's, whose floo connection was now set up, they were greeted by Hermione's father, hugging and kissing Narcissa's cheek as they greeted them. She was offered a glass of champagne, while Draco got some juice as he led them to the dining room which was already filled with people. Andromeda, her husband Ted and daughter Nymphadora were already seated and greeted their family.
"Draco, could you go and get Hermione?" Mrs. Granger asked. "She was still packing some last-minute gifts in her room, but since almost everyone has arrived, she should be coming down."
Right as Draco entered the hallway, he ran into the brunette, who giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "Mistletoe," she laughed, pointing upwards. "Merry Christmas, Draco!"
As she ran of to greet Harry, Sirius, and Remus who had just come through the floo, Draco touched his cheek in wonder. It had been so easy for her to give him a quick peck on the cheek. She was comfortable around him. Didn't care what anyone else thought about the two of them being close. He'd definitely never experienced that the first time around.
"You are friends now," Deandra said. "She was always very outgoing and comfortable around Harry and Ron. Is it such a surprise that she would now feel the same with you?". No. Perhaps it wasn't, considering they had been friends for almost half a year. Yet, to him, it was a surprise. Not just because it was 'Mione, but because it was anyone really. Had he really been that lonely of a child the first time around that the simple gesture of a hug or a kiss by a friend felt so foreign to him?
Sirius, seeing the mistletoe above Draco's head had pushed Harry towards him. Somehow, he also already had his camera ready. Harry rolled his eyes at his godfather, bowed at Draco and took his hand, planting a kiss on it. "Potter, please. I'm not a witch that needs to be wooed," Draco smirked.
"Oh no, that would be the lovely miss Weasley," Sirius agreed, clicking away. Harry turned beet red and Sirius smiled triumphantly. "This one will be going in the family picture book. Or even better, on the family tapestry."
Harry grunted, following his godfather back to the dining room.
Christmas was a pleasant affair. Nymphadora – no, Tonks – talked about auror training and was engaged in conversation with Remus Lupin on D.A.D.A. Well, seems like that was going the way it should. Sirius had admitted he'd been on one date with his old flame, Madam Bones, after the mind healer suggested he should go out and live a little. Harry and Hermione laughed, saying this was the best Christmas they'd ever had, surrounded by so many friends and family.
"It's lovely, isn't it," his mother whispered to him as both of them observed the chaos and drunken laughter at the dinner table. "Perhaps, I should start organizing Yule Balls again in the future. The ballroom at the manor hasn't been used in five years," she mused.
He noticed how both he and his mother were reminiscing, thinking of the times that were, the times that could be.
"You should, Mum," he whispered back. "And don't worry about Father. I'll always take your side. Just like you've always taken mine."
She smiled at her son lovingly, putting her warm hand against his cheek in a loving gesture.
Perhaps Draco wasn't just saving Hermione. Perhaps, he was saving more than one life, more than one family. Perhaps, he was saving even himself. Even if it was just a little.
- January 5th 1992 –
It was the last Sunday before they would all go back to Hogwarts, and true to her word, Mrs. Weasley had invited all of them over for Sunday brunch and a quidditch match in the Weasley's back garden. Harry and Ginny had been stealing cute shy glances at each other, and even Hermione had noticed. She nudged Draco's knee and pointed at the two younger children with mirth in her eyes.
Draco just smirked back.
"I think it's cute," she said as she buttered some toast. "Sirius told me that Harry's father started liking his mother in first year. Perhaps they will also fall in love when they get older. Wouldn't that be lovely," she sighed.
"Trying to pair up Harrikins?" Fred asked, overhearing the conversation.
Hermione blushed slightly and shrugged as she took a bite from her toast. Draco had put eggs, bacon, toast, a chocolate brownie and some hash browns onto his plate so far. He couldn't believe Mrs. Weasley's cooking skills. No wonder Ron was so excited about food.
The oldest Weasley brother, Bill, came in during the middle of brunch, apologizing for being so late, and Draco could see the blush creep up on Hermione's cheeks. Was she having a crush on the tall, red-haired man with his fang earring? Well. Draco supposed she had a little something for bad boys, considering she actually dated him in the past.
Hermione started asking the curse breaker about his job at Gringotts and about wards, wondering if they would be willing to put some wards on her house as well. Bill was surprised at first, but after Hermione explained that her parents were technically squibs and that Harry Potter was spending quite some time at her house during the holidays, she wanted to have all the protections possible. Bill said he would looked into it as soon as possible, since he was busy with an important project at work. Ever curious Hermione asked what it was about and Bill grimaced. "I can't say much, but we are testing how to remove dark magic residues from living beings."
"Seems like Director Ragnok has been busy," Deandra noted.
"Let's just hope they figure it out soon," Draco agreed. Life would be so much easier if another Horcrux was gone. Especially considering it was leeching at one his best friends' magical core.
"Harry Potter, one of your best friends, huh?" the spirit grinned.
"Oh, sod off," Draco answered as he finished his brunch and ran out with the others to play quidditch, Deandra's laughter still ringing in his mind.
- February 22nd, 1992 –
"If Ginny becomes Gryffindor's seeker, which she probably will," Harry began as they were putting on their quidditch uniform, "then we both need to train a lot during the summer. Have you seen her fly-"
Honestly, Harry's crush was getting too obvious. Even Draco and Hermione's teasing couldn't get him to shut up about her. Ah, young love. Perhaps this truly was the Potter family's curse. To find your soulmate right in first year. Actually, maybe they also had a veela ancestor.
"They don't," Deandra answered. "It's just simple Potter luck."
Draco grumbled at that one. Doesn't seem to be too much luck involved in getting killed by Voldemort at the age of 20. Deandra's sorrow filled his mind.
"I wonder why my godfather is a referee today," Draco mumbled as he saw Professor Snape walking towards Madam Hooch.
"Probably after what happened last time. You really think it was Quirrel? I mean, yeah sitting through his class gives me headaches and his turban smells like weeks old burnt onion and garlic, but he isn't that bad."
Deandra and Draco had been wondering about that. Quirrel wanted the Philosopher's Stone. But why? Immortality? The man was scared of his own damn shadow. Immortality wouldn't do him any good if he would get a heart attack every time he saw himself move in the mirror.
The match against Hufflepuff was tough, but Slytherin won and this time around Harry caught the snitch with ease. What surprised Draco the most was the fact that other houses had started to cheer for Slytherin. Was it because of the boy-who-lived? Were they actually changing the snakes' reputation?
During the past few months, their Slytherin study group had expanded first with Neville Longbottom. The boy was a fucking prodigy in herbology, even Draco had to admit it. If he was a little bit better at potions, he might even come up with some groundbreaking inventions. Alas, his fear of Professor Snape slowed him down, even if Harry was his loyal teammate during class. After Christmas, Hufflepuffs Susan Bones and her friend Hannah Abbott had also joined after they'd met each other at Grimmauld Place during the break. Even Weasley showed up from time to time, admittedly trying to leech off of other's homework, but he kept the laughter going and engaged multiple of them to a game of chess in the Great Hall. Draco knew he'd never bet against him to lose a match.
As they washed up and were ready to leave, Draco saw his Godfather sneak off into the Forbidden Forest.
"What's he up to?" Harry wondered out loud, also noticing their Head of House going of in the dark while everyone else went to dinner.
"You go inside," Draco said, not wanting Harry to face the dangers that lay in the forest just yet. "I'll be there in a second."
Harry was clearly contemplating following Draco, but instead went inside. Probably to get back-up in case the boy did not return.
When the coast was clear, Draco cast a disillusionment charm on himself and silenced his feet. His godfather would not be expecting anyone to follow him, but it was better to be safe than sorry. After about ten minutes of walking deeper into the forest, he finally saw why his godfather sneaked off. A unicorn was lying dead on the forest floor, it's blood seeping out. It almost seemed as if it had been bitten and sucked dry.
"There's only one monster who would steep so low as to do this," Deandra stated sadly.
A shiver went down Draco's spine. No. No fucking way that he was here already. That he was technically still here. Was this what Harry and Hermione had been up against in first year? Why Weasley and Potter had ended up in the hospital wings for a few days? Is this what lay at the end of the trapdoor in the Third Floor Corridor? An immortal life for Voldemort?
- June 4th, 1992 –
Anyone who knew Draco knew that he'd been in a foul mood for the past few weeks. No one, not even Harry and Hermione knew exactly why however. Well. It definitely didn't help that he got bit by Hagrid's bloody dragon Norbert and he had to stay in the hospital wing for a few days. Thank God Weasley came through and contacted his brother Charlie to come and take the damned thing.
"I know you aren't worried about exams," Hermione said as she sat next to him on the floor in the common room, her legs crossed as they were staring into the fire. "So what's been up with you lately? You seem stressed."
Draco sighed, unsure if she actually had deducted what he'd been feeling or if somehow he'd lost a grip on the bond and she'd felt it seep into herself unconsciously. What should he tell her? That he had been planning and plotting? That he had sneaked off to the Room of Requirement to get in some extra training? To prepare for the inevitable?
They had long since established that some things just had to happen. And the closer Draco got to June, the more it felt like it would be the fight against Voldemort. Bloody hell how often had Harry even encountered him? A bloody 11-year-old boy had taken on the Dark Lord. Where the fuck was Dumbledore to begin with.
As if on cue, Harry sat down next to them. "Me and Sirius were supposed to meet with Dumbledore tonight," he said. "But in the middle of the conversation, an owl flew in and the Headmaster said he had to leave urgently to the Ministry. He did give me back my father's invisibility cloak though, you guys want to see?"
'Mione was excited, but Draco just stared at Harry. "What do you mean Professor Dumbledore had to leave urgently?"
"Oh, something came up at the Wizengamot. He said your father-"
Oh fuck.
"We need to go, now," Draco whispered. "Take the cloak, take the map."
Unsure what Draco was on about, but never one to question his friend's actions, Harry gave the cloak to 'Mione before he ran to their dorm to get the Marauder's Map. After Christmas was over, the twins had been nice enough to give it to the heir of the Marauders, as they'd already learnt about all the secret hallways in and out of the castle.
"Draco," Hermione whispered, taking his arm. "What's going on? Did something happen?"
He didn't have time to explain. He needed to go to his godfather. He would know what to do. But she deserved an explanation. Honestly, he'd been a bit of an ass to both her and Harry the past few months, not spending as much time together as they used to. He couldn't tell them he was training to protect them. That he'd turned into a soldier, but his smaller magical core and body slowing him down severely.
"Do you remember that day after the match against Hufflepuff?" he whispered. Hermione nodded, worry in her eyes. "Harry told you I followed my godfather into the Forbidden Forest. I saw a dead unicorn, 'Mione. Someone had drunk its blood."
She gasped, realization dawning in her eyes. "But that's cursed," she whispered back as they made their way to the exit of the common room. Harry would have to find them with the map, he needed to get to his godfather now.
"Exactly," Draco agreed as they walked through the wall, Hermione still holding the cloak. "I did some research. Godfather gave me a pass to the restricted section. You remember that item that was stolen at Gringotts? And what Hagrid had to say about it? I think-"
"It's the Philosopher's Stone?" Hermione asked.
Draco stopped in his tracks and blinked at her. Wait what?
"You're not the only curious one in our little trio," she said, crossing her arms, holding the cloak closer to her body. "I didn't even need to go into the Restricted Section. Once Hagrid mentioned the Flamels, I looked them up because I remember the book I brought from my vault mentioned them. My ancestor trained under them, you see. They made the Philosopher's Stone. The only thing that would be that valuable linked to the Flamels would be the stone. It all made sense."
It all made sense. She was fucking brilliant. How had it taken him more than four years to notice last time around?
"So, someone is after the stone then?" Hermione asked, as they hurried along towards Snape's office.
Draco nodded and almost ran into Ron and Neville who just excited the potion's classroom.
"Oh, hey you guys," Neville greeted them. "If you need professor Snape, he's just been called away on urgent business."
"Works for me," Ron said. "I didn't need that detention to be any longer than it already was. I can barely feel my arms from scrubbing those cauldrons!"
"It has to be Harry," Deandra and Draco realized at the same time. "The prophecy your father tried to get in your Fifth Year… It has to be about Harry and Voldemort. If the strands of fate are this strong, pulling them together, it can only mean one thing. Neither can live while the other survives…"
Boy wonder rounded the corner at exactly that time, panting with the map in hand. "So, what's up?"
Draco thought it would be best to drop the bombshell. "Pretty sure Voldemort is trying to get the Philosopher's Stone that's hidden in the third floor corridor," he said, looking at the four children's shocked eyes.
Harry looked down at the map for a few seconds, and back up to his fellow first years. "Well then. What are we standing around here for? Let's go."
Bloody Gryffindork. Courageousness and stupidity were their best pals it seems. Luckily an actual adult – not that any of them knew that – was tagging along this time. He just hoped he wouldn't have to show too much of his knowledge.
"Let's go?" Ron asked, blinking. "Did you just say a bunch of first years should go and stop You-Know-Who?"
"Yeah," Harry shrugged. "Where's your Gryffindor courage, mate? If I could beat him as a baby, it can't be that hard."
Neville and Hermione actually laughed and all five of them ended up going to the third-floor corridor.
Luckily, "Fluffy" was still asleep as they went through the trap door. Draco had expected the Devil's snare when they fell through. Ron started screaming immediately but Neville and Hermione ensured the others that nothing would happen as long as they stayed calm. Ron, however, did not get the memo, and Neville and Hermione had to work together to scare the plant away with a sunlight charm.
Even though Draco had already passed through these rooms, he wanted to see how the trio, well, technically they were a quartet now since Neville was here too, solved the problems. If there every were any real issues, he could easily save them, so he was fine playing the supporting fifth member.
Since Harry and Draco had gotten to shrinking their brooms and carrying them with them at all times after the incident with Hermione, they easily found the winged key that opened the door to the next room. Draco cast a silent shield charm at their backs as they ran through the door, protecting the others from the harm of the flying keys attacking them.
Next up was the giant chess game where Weasley turned himself into a bloody martyr by sacrificing himself so that the four of them could continue and stop Voldemort. Neville assured them that he would stay behind with Ron and try and contact professor McGonagall or anyone really about what had been going on. He wished them luck and Draco cast a shield charm around them as they walked off, Neville half carrying Ron on his shoulder. The blonde added a slight featherlight charm which probably wouldn't be noticed, but definitely appreciated.
As the silver trio continued into the next room, they easily solved the potions puzzle but came to the realization there was only enough for one person. Draco grabbed his wand nervously. He could just tear down those flames without a second thought. His godfather had taught him enough dark magic for him to easily pass through. Should he show the others? Or not?
"Draco, do you think your family magic could get us through that?" she wondered out loud. "Like the shield you used in the girl's bathroom that time?"
He could kiss her. Of course. His family magic would get them through. They didn't need to know it wasn't the exact same spell as the one he used last time. He used a lot of flare to make it seem as if he was struggling holding up such a powerful shield, and the three of them walked through, the potion already forgotten. Oops. Sorry Severus.
They came upon a room lit with torches, Quirrel standing in front of a giant mirror.
"I'm surprised you didn't show up alone, Potter," Quirrel spat as he was starring at them in the reflection of the mirror.
One glance at it and Draco stumbled back. What was that thing. He could see himself, his real self together with his 'Mione. They were sitting in her garden, enjoying a glass of wine and watching the sunset and in between them, a small head of pale blond curls was sitting. No. Anything but that.
"Draco," Deandra said, feeling the panic in him rise. "Calm down. Hermione and Harry need you. Don't mourn her, not now. It can still happen, if you just-"
"No!" he screamed back at her. "I refuse to force her into this. She will have to pick me for me. Not because of some bloody bond we made in the past. Something she has no memory off. Something which technically has never happened, and will never happen. Not because of any lingering magical veela blood in me."
"The mirror doesn't show the future, little dragon," she soothed him. "It shows your deepest desire. But would you really deny yourself this, just so she could be free?"
"Yes," he admitted. She had given up everything for him. Sneaking around with him at Hogwarts, trying to protect him. Trying to bloody help him out of that vow to kill Dumbledore, even though his godfather had already taken care of that without them knowing. Always protecting him. She always had his back. He would do the same for her now.
Draco was taken out of his sorrow and regret as Harry boldly stated "I'm sorry Professor, but you must have misunderstood. I don't think the Philosopher's Stone can remove the smell of death coming from your turban."
Hermione gaped. Draco just blinked and then smirked. Attaboy.
"Silence!" Quirrel yelled. "My master will not tolerate this!"
As he loosened his turban, the ugliest thing Draco had ever seen showed up. Snakeface was literally stuck to the back of Quirrel's head like a fucking parasite.
"Give me, the stone," he hissed like a snake.
"I don't have it," Harry shrugged. "You guys seen it?" he asked Hermione and Draco, who were now both holding their wands.
"Insolent children!" the professor yelled. "You, girl, tell me what you see in the mirror."
Hermione stammered, but kept her wand trained on the Professor, saying she saw herself as head girl.
"Lies!" Voldemort yelled as Quirrel flicked his wand, throwing Hermione back into the wall.
In a split of a second both Draco and Harry reacted. Draco's magic unconsciously lashed out, throwing up a shield and a cushioning charm, the bond trying to protect his wife. Hermione landed safely, smiling at Draco as she touched the outer edge of his shield in appreciation.
Harry just yelled an Expelliarmus - still his favourite spell even if it was Sirius Black and Remus Lupin who had taught it to him this time. Unfortunately, Harry was still only an 11-year-old boy and he could not fight the power of an adult and its… parasite.
What happened next would explain Quirrel's unfortunate demise. As Quirrelmort reached for Harry, he got burnt.
"The blood ward," Deandra said, amazed. "It's still active. Dumbledore said it was connected to Harry's home, to the blood of his mother. The blood already runs in him and his home… His home doesn't need to be a physical estate. Home is…"
"Home is where his family and friends are," Draco finished for her.
Seeing that he was actually hurting Voldemort without any effort whatsoever, Harry thought it to be a wise idea to put both of his hands to Quirrelmort's face. As Draco helped Hermione up, both were surprised to see it actually worked as Quirrel quite literally turned into dust, leaving Voldemort to be nothing but a wraith. A wraith which was going straight for Harry.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled, reaching out for her friend, but she was too late. The wraith passed straight to him, making him faint.
Draco and Hermione ran over and Draco did a quick scan of Harry without her noticing. "It's alright," he told her. "He just drained his core. All he will need is rest. And perhaps beating some sense into him. You'd almost think he was a bloody Gryffindor taunting Voldemort like that."
Hermione laughed through her tears, wiping some of them away. "Can't you just use your shield to heal him? That would work, right?"
Draco blinked at her. "My shield? What do you mean? It doesn't heal, 'Mione. It just protects."
"Oh," Hermione said, surprise filling her voice. "It's always healed me. That time in the bathroom I had a big cut on my arm, but it was gone by the time I reached the Hospital Wing. And just now when you caught me, the small scar I had from last week's herbology lesson also disappeared," she stated, showing him her hand as proof.
Fuck.
"I can't bloody well tell her it's because we're married that the family magic drains from my core to heal minor wounds,'" he said to Deandra.
"It works for you because you're technically a Malfoy, 'Mione," he came up with quickly. "It's also why you could touch the shield earlier. Only Malfoy blood can get through it, and as the descendant of Armand's adopted daughter, the magic reacts differently to you. The Potters never married the Malfoys, so…"
"Quick thinking," Deandra approved. "Perhaps Ravenclaw wouldn't have been such a bad idea."
Draco mentally rolled his eyes at her, as Hermione was starting to levitate Harry so they could safely leave.
As they made their way through the wall of flames again, he could see both McGonagall, Snape, Vector, Sprout and Flitwick running at them from across the room, wands in hand.
It was then Hermione whispered: "Is it also the family magic that makes me feel what you feel sometimes?"
How the fuck was he going to get out of this one?