Draco sat sandwiched between his mother and Theo.
Lucius was suspiciously absent for this meeting, but then again, he hadn't been seen in the proper sense for quite some time,
It was a week before school was set to begin again.
Dumbledore was staring at Draco over his half-moon glasses, face set into a deep, troubled scowl. Snape was behind Draco, his robes seeing to move even though there was no wind. McGonagall was standing in the corner, and finally, a man Theo was pretty sure was named Slughorn- who was to be their new potions teacher- was puffing on in a corner.
"Merlin, Albus! A werewolf?" Slughorn said, shaking his head in surprise. Narcissa clicked her tone, narrowing her eyes at the portly man before turning to Dumbledore.
"You've had them before, Albus. We all know about Mr. Lupin. I suspect he's not the first to have gone through these halls with such a…condition," She said, keeping her voice steady as her gaze rose to meet the headmaster. Draco tried to stand tall too, but Theo could tell how terrified he was. That he'd be sent away, now not only a werewolf, but an outcast.
"We cannot risk our students, Narcissa-,"
"That's poppycock, excuse my language," Narcissa hissed, "We've read the owls from Draco. The school hasn't been safe since the Potter boy stepped foot in here; every year it's something else! Half the time it's no dark wizard; just ineptitude." She said, crossing her arms, "And Draco is safe at the school."
"Oh?" McGonagall asked, "Pray tell."
Theo squeezed Draco's hand comfortingly. He had made a promise that if Draco was forced to go to Durmstrang, he'd go too. Of course, Theo was unsure he could actually follow through on such a promise, but it was made nonetheless.
"Professor Snape has given me my first dose of wolfsbane," Draco spoke up in a timid voice, trying not to let his tone crackle as he spoke, "And I've gone through my first transition."
It drove Theo up a wall he couldn't be there for Draco. He knew that his mother had chained him up in an empty room. Even if it was at Draco's request, it still seemed medieval. He knew that Lupin's friends had turned to animangus (the gossip was everywhere) to help Lupin through his months, but Theo had always been shit at transfiguration. He had not the time nor ability to change, not right now.
The best he could do was sit with the Malfoys, listening to the feral screams as Malfoy changed. And they all just sat, drinking tea, as though it was just another night.
Draco refused to talk about the experience. He said what mattered is he had not escaped and he had not killed anyone. Apparently, he'd been in control of his thoughts, which was quite alarming, but he was optimistic he could reel in the beast and continue on at Hogwarts.
Besides, he had a mission to complete, right?
"How did your first full moon go?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"I made it out," Draco said, jaw clenched hard, "And I don't want to cause anyone harm."
Dumbledore sighed, "No one does, Mr. Malfoy. Even with the best of intentions."
"He didn't ask for this!" Narcissa hissed, motioning to him, "So it's only Gryffindors you help? Is your bias showing, Dumbledore?" She demanded, "I know us Slytherins are far from your favor, but by Merlin, he's just a boy!"
"I think she's right, Albus," McGonagall spoke up, "He deserves a fair chance like anyone else."
"Mr. Lupin was controlling his…problems from a very, very young age. Draco has been thrust into it at a peak time of self-transformation," Dumbledore replied, face crinkled into a deep scowl, "This worries me."
"I want to learn, sir. I want to be here," Draco said, entirely honest, "Do you think I'd be better without my friends? In a strange place, far from my family?" He said, "I'd, in fact, rather be here than at home where…" He trailed off, glancing at his shoulder without really thinking about it.
Home, where this happened.
"Professor," Dumbledore turned his attention to Snape, "In your opinion, do you think Draco will be a danger to students?"
Snape thought long and hard about if for a second, which Theo thought was utter B.S. Snape was Malfoy's godfather, was he not? How dare he even consider the idea that Draco would do more harm than a few harmless insults! Then, Theo had the wonder if he was pausing to seem like he was considering it or if jumping too quickly to deny it would be dismissed as favoritism.
"If he continues to take his wolfsbane, then no. The young Mr. Malfoy has quite a mental fortitude. I am confident he can master this…ailment better than Lupin ever did." Snape said, his lip curling at the mention of his old rival.
"Is that so?" Dumbledore asked, looking at Draco with piqued interest. Theo stared right back at him, glowering, as Draco looked down, exhaling hard.
"Well…" Dumbledore finally said, "I am willing to give this a chance. But at the first sign that Draco would injure someone else, he cannot be allowed to remain. If you thought you made a fuss about Lupin as professor…" Dumbledore trailed off, his lips tweaking into almost a smirk. Narcissa caught it too.
"Is that a threat?" She asked, pushing herself in front of Draco.
"Hardly. Just an observation." Dumbledore said, ever even, ever unruffled, "I do think this best be kept under wraps. Who else knows?"
"Anyone who is connected to Voldy," Draco muttered, earning a sharp look from his mother for informal language, "But they wouldn't tell anyone. Their either too stupid to realize what it would do if they did or they're loyal to me. Or," Draco groaned, "Will be."
No doubt he was thinking of Pansy. The best way to say on her good side was to, well, play to her good side. In this instance, she had seemed to convince herself that Draco was poor and suffering and in need of a girlfriend to help him along. If Draco catered to her delusions, it was unlikely she'd spill the secret to anyone. If he brushed her off again, however…
"We will require secrecy, of course," Dumbledore continued, "Unless you wish for a mob."
"We'll make sure everyone knows to keep quiet," Theo said confidently, though he wasn't sure he could stop a rumor mill if he tried. But, he would, certainly, try.
"We will discuss more in-depth when you return to Hogwarts, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said, "I imagine you have plenty of other things you wish to be doing with the remaining days of your holiday."
Draco swallowed, sending Theo a quick, nervous look, "Er, yes, sir," he mumbled, trying not to wince. Theo tilted his head, wondering if Dumbledore was trying to use Legilimency and that's why Draco wouldn't meet his gaze. What the rest of Draco's summer would consist of was brainstorming ways to try to kill Dumbledore, which they didn't want him to know.
As they were pushed out, Snape paused on the threshold.
"Severus?" Narcissa asked with a frown.
"There is something I need to speak to the headmaster about," Snape replied in his low, molasses tone, "You two should brush up on the potion for Wolfsbane. I expect it memorized by the time you return."
"Why-," Draco began to ask, but Snape cut him off with a swift wave of his hand.
"It would be beneficial to know the potion that will keep you from killing…someone," Snape said, raising a tired eyebrow, "And it is more potent if made by the drinker. It is a complicated potion, so having a second set of eyes…" He looked at Theo, though almost looked right past him, "Would be wise."
"We'll know it," Theo assured. He and Draco were the best at potions in their Slytherin class. How complicated could the recipe truly be?
"How adequate of you both," Snape sneered, "I expect to be able to quiz you on it in your sleep."
Then, with a woosh of his robes, he was gone.
"Bloody bat," Draco muttered under his breath, receiving a cuff on his ear from his mother, "He is! He dresses like a vampire."
"Show more respect for your godfather, Draco. He's only looking out for you," His mother snapped, reapplying her lipstick, "Now, let's return home. I'm sure you are eager to return to your last few days before school, hmm?" She asked, but her face was pinched too tightly.
She had to know the impossible task her son was given, right?
"I better make nice with Pansy I suppose," Draco said as he fell behind his mum, walking in line with Theo.
"She's not that bad." Theo tried to lie.
Draco gave him a withering glare, "Mate. She's worse." He swallowed, "She thinks it's all fun and games and 'ooh, dark, sexy, troubled man'. I could fucking kill her if something goes wrong!" He said in a hushed whisper, "I don't know how to make her see that I'm…I could…" He pursed his lips, "Mum should be over the moon. She's been pushing us together since we were in nappies. I guess, at the very least, it will make her a bit more pleased."
"So, what's the plan?" Theo said, "Flowers and chocolate?"
"Flowers, chocolate, and a necklace, I think," Draco rubbed his face, "Mum should have some sort of bauble somewhere she wouldn't mind getting rid of, right?"
"Sounds like such fun," Theo said, chuckling "I will be researching wolfsbane, in the meantime."
Draco stopped, and Theo almost ran into him.
"You don't have to," Draco said, scowling.
"Draco, you're my best friend. You didn't ask for this, so I'm not going to leave you to go alone through it. Snape is right; two brewers are better than one. You just worry about Pansy and the…" he trailed off, shaking his head, "And that other thing. I'll brush up on my medicinal potion-making. And we'll start school and it will all be fine."
"My dad promised that every year," Draco said, approaching the outskirts of Hogwarts where they could apparate, "And guess what?"
"What?"
"Every single year, something shitty happens. So excuse me," Draco said, giving a dry smile, "If I'm disinclined to believe you."
Before Theo could reply, Draco had winked away.
By the start of the new year, progress had been made.
Draco had royally fucked up, in Theo's opinion, by giving Pansy a ring his mother had little sentimental value to. Because now, Pansy was gushing to anyone that would let her yap for more than two minutes that it was a pre-engagement ring, a promise of fidelity.
Draco realized his misstep too late, and it was far too advanced in her stories to tell her without running the risk of his balls being hexed off.
So, the word on the street was that Draco had 'proposed' to Pansy.
Luckily, this meant Pansy was going to be the best secret-keeper about his condition ever. He'd really laid on the danger if anyone figured it out. She managed to scare Crabbe and Goyle into absolute silence, threatening them in ways Theo himself was a bit concerned about.
Theo had learned Wolfsbane inside and out.
As he approached the platform, his mind swam with the ingredients. Over, and over, and over.
Powdered silver, powdered moonstone, moonseed, dittany, moonlight, valerian root, wolfsbane. Powered silver, powdered moonstone, moonseed…
Snape had not been exaggerating. The potion was incredibly difficult, far beyond what any 6th year would ever have the skills to produce. Even Draco and Theo, who were making potions at a post-Hogwarts level, probably would not succeed in making it themselves for a very long time.
The sooner they started practicing it, however, the sooner they would master it. It was a life-long ailment. Draco would need it for the rest of his life and the shelf-life of it was maybe a month at best. So, more than that, Draco would need to reliably brew it every month until he died.
Draco could probably beat out Theo any day when it came to arrogance, but Theo was sure he would master this.
If only because it was a necessity for survival. If Voldemort was having people bitten…Theo shuddered at the idea, remembering that he would never be alone with Fenrir in a room if he could help it.
For the first time ever, Theo prayed that this father would not fuck anything up, or give the Dark Lord a reason to start a new pack under Draco of the children of his followers.
He was so preoccupied that he bumped against someone, jostling his concentration. He seethed in frustration, turning to see the trio of Gryffindor idiots walking past. He seemed to have bumped shoulders with Granger, not that she was paying any attention.
He pursed his lips; swot.
As he was staring daggers at Granger, he noticed Potter examining him with ferocity. No, not him, Draco.
"What did you do to get Potter's panties in a twist?" He asked as he greeted Draco, who looked pale and unusually frail.
"He always has that expression," Draco dismissed with a wave of his hand, "I have the worst fucking headache, mate," He groaned, wincing, "Too much bloody noise."
"Where's your fiancee?" Theo teased. Draco's glare was absolutely deadly.
"I will castrate you. Don't tempt me. Or bite you." Draco said in a low voice, "But she's finding me a seat. The nice thing about her? She'll bend over backward to help me with anything."
"Oh, bending over, hmm? Is that how you like it, Malfoy?" Blaise said, coming over and slapping Draco's back. Draco nearly collapsed at the contact, "I heard. Congrats. Didn't think you were into crazy, but what do I know? Any crazy friends she has that I could try a go with? Maybe you're onto something."
"Thanks." Draco replied, "I doubt we'll be doing…that." He said, frowning distastefully at the idea, "Purity is close to godliness." He said, though didn't sound convinced of his own argument at all.
"Can I be the best man?" Blaise asked with a wide, shit-eating grin.
"Yeah, we're not there yet," Draco said. Besides, Theo thought, it would obviously be him as the best man, not Blaise, should the need to marry her arise.
Blaise snorted, "Have you told that to her? I think she's under the impression that you're gunna say 'I Do' the day after graduation."
"Eventually, Blaise," Draco said with a taut grin, "I have…some other things to concern myself with first." He said.
Theo exchanged glances. He tried not to show his worry. They'd decided that the best way to kill Dumbledore was a hands-off approach. A curse, poison, a slow-moving killer plant…something that maybe he wouldn't suspect. Of course, they were far from any actual ideas past that, but it was progressing.
"Not that I care," Blaise shrugged, luckily not asking for more information, "I thought this year would be boring. But now I get to watch Pansy throw herself all over you the entire year and tease you about it. This year just got so much better."
"When your mum puts you in a betrothal, you won't be laughing," Theo warned.
"And on that day, you can tease me back, but I will hold my position as your second worst nightmare until that day," Blaise said good-naturedly.
"Dracoooo!" Pansy whined from an open train door. Draco winced at the sound, sucking in hard. Theo was sure her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. He knew it to be true as that's what he equated it to now. He couldn't imagine what it was like for someone with advanced hearing.
"Yes, ?" Blaise asked, eliciting a string of cuss words from Draco and a wide, almost unnerving smile from Pansy.
"I found our seats! C'mon, hurry!" She said, reaching a hand out. Draco swallowed back his feelings to force a smile as he took her hand.
As Theo entered the car, he caught Granger's expression as she watched Draco and Pansy interact. She was on another train, staring through the window into theirs. As soon as she realized that Theo was watching her, she rolled her eyes as though annoyed he had the audacity to catch her watching them and turned on her heels.
Typical Gryffindor; sticking their nose where it didn't belong.
"I think Potter, Weasel, and Granger may be an issue this year," Theo said as he slid into his seat, "They seem more…annoying than usual."
"Oi, lay off mate," Draco sighed, "I can hardly worry about them. I don't know how you can."
"If they are, Draco can rip them to shreds," Pansy purred, snuggling into his arm.
"Yeah, remember, the idea is to not kill anyone, right?" Draco reminded, "Or you won't see me again because I'll be in Durmstrang in hell."
"I'm just saying," Pansy shrugged, "You could take them."
Theo barked out a sharp laugh, "Yeah. Understatement of the century, Pans." If the trio knew what was good for them, Theo considered, they'd stay the hell away from Draco this year.
Somehow, though, he doubted that would be possible.