Especially Our Enemies

“Saturday,” I sighed. I got up and stretched luxuriously, feeling my dorsal vertebrae, the ones that had to be regrown, snap back into place. They occasionally needed professional alignment, a resoundingly Muggle procedure. My chiropractor in Kent thought I was a retired motocross racer.

I took a long and leisurely shower, waiting until the water started to cool to get out. Then I did a Coiffeur spell on myself and gathered up the cut hair, inspecting the new cut in the mirror. I knew a few of those spells, designed for different styles, but I was sticking to the wedge. During the war I was probably the only Order member with hair that hung over his ears. Even most of the girls had trimmed it all away in the interest of convenience. I had a picture of a bunch of us together from that time, and I always laughed at the warrior beads I’d woven into my hair. I looked like some kind of Celt. But the dread locks did mean I hardly ever had to wash my hair.

Finally I threw on some jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt and headed down to breakfast.

“Mm, waffles,” I said to myself, drawing a tray to my place and piling them on my plate. I drowned them with syrup and butter.

“That’s disgusting.”

Malfoy was wearing a black turtleneck and black trousers, and I wondered if he even owned anything that wasn’t black or charcoal gray. He took his seat gingerly and put a napkin in his lap. I stuffed half a waffle in my mouth and talked around it.

“So’s your face,” I said.

“Eugh,” he said, giving an exaggerated shudder. “Neanderthal.”

“I always thought I was more like an Australopithecus.”

“Homo erectus,” Malfoy murmured, glancing at me with a tiny hint of what was surely a devilish smile.

“Only around you, baby,” I said, spearing another chunk of waffle.

“That’s sweet,” he replied.

We ate in silence for a few minutes, and I watched the students wander in and out of the great hall.

“You’re feeling better, I can see,” Malfoy said.

“Probably picked up something from the kids,” I told him, pouring myself some more coffee.

“I wanted you to know I really wasn’t angry with you for going into the medicine cabinet.”

“You had cancer?” I asked, looking at him.

“Two years ago.”

“Aren’t you awfully young for that?”

“They said it was a side effect of the spells the Dark Lord cast on me,” he said simply. “A little bit like exposure to radiation.”

“I see.”

“I got lucky, really. My hair came back, and the gemcitabrine didn’t make it all fall out again.” He smiled sarcastically. “The shortness of breath can be a bit disconcerting.”

“I noticed a little of your hair came out in my hands in the shower,” I said softly.

“It does that. Nothing to be worried about.” He shrugged. I fidgeted uncomfortably. “It’s Hogsmeade weekend next week,” he said.

I was happy to change the topic.

“Yeah.”

“Could I interest you in dinner?”

“You mean like a date?” I asked.

“No, like dinner.”

“Well, I’m supposed to go visit with Neville and his wife, but I’m sure that won’t take all day.”

“Good.”

“Malfoy?” I asked. He hummed. “Are you trying to make me your boyfriend?”

“Of course not.” He wiped his lips delicately with his napkin. “I don’t try to do anything, Weasley.”

“I see.” I finished my last waffle and stood. “Well, enjoy your free time.”

“And you,” he said.

I went to the west side of the castle, to the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower, and spoke to the statue that guarded it.

“Hello, Professor,” it responded, sliding aside. I stepped in through the opening, but didn’t go into the common room. I felt it was impolite to invade Ravenclaw territory.

“Hi, Dad,” Chaz said. “I’m ready.”

He was wearing a Dodgers t-shirt, and I made a mental note to get him some proper British shirts. The first step would be the old jersey I’d dug up, with Weasley emblazoned across the back and a stubborn grass stain on one sleeve. Just in case, I’d also ordered him a book on Egyptian magic by post owl.

“Okay. Shall we then?”

We walked out across the grounds towards Hagrid’s hut, and Rory came bounding out to meet us.

“Happy birthday, Chazzy,” Hagrid said, sweeping him up into his arms and crushing him.

“It’s not until Wednesday,” Chaz said, when Hagrid had released him and he could breathe again.

“I know. But I wanted to give you yer present now.” He produced a package wrapped in crinkled-up newspaper. Chaz looked at me and I nodded; he tore it open to reveal a glossy leather halter.

“What’s this for?” he asked, wrinkling up his nose in confusion, just like his mother. I stifled a sigh.

“I’ll show you.” Hagrid beckoned, and we followed. Rory bounced along behind us, and Hagrid told him to stay behind. The puppy looked desperate to follow, but he sat where Hagrid pointed.

We walked past the clearing where the thestrals had gathered, into a mossy area with a lot of mushrooms sprouting up. Chaz looked at me expectantly, but I said nothing. And then we came into a brightly lit part of the forest, where the sun broke through the trees, and I spotted the first of them.

The unicorns were hesitant at first, but when they saw that we were with Hagrid they relaxed. He led Chaz over to a foal, not more than a few weeks old, and took the halter from my son’s hands. The foal shied, but Hagrid slipped the halter on over its nose.

“Here he is,” he said, handing the loop of the halter to Chaz. He petted the foal’s nose uncertainly.

“Do you like your present?” I asked.

“Is he really mine?” Chaz asked.

“Well, not really. You can never really own a unicorn. But if you come out and visit him sometimes, and treat him real nice, you’ll have a friend for life. When he gets bigger he’ll probably let you ride him.” Hagrid looked very pleased with himself, and I smiled.

“Now you’ve got two pets,” I said.

“And I think this little pony deserves a name,” Hagrid said.

Chaz scratched his head for a moment.

“Hadrian?” he asked, looking at me.

“Historical. Sounds good to me, kid.” I smiled reassuringly. Hagrid had warned me about this whole thing well in advance, but Chaz still seemed to be in shock. Hagrid slipped him some apple slices, and he fed them to the baby unicorn in a bit of a daze. The foal nuzzled him eagerly for more. Soon Chaz was laughing and smiling.

“We’ll have to get him a bigger halter before long, Chazzy, but don’t you worry none about that. Just get your dad here to bring you out here whenever he can, and come see me when you’ve got free time, and try to bring him little treats and things. You’ll see. There’s no better friend than a unicorn.”

Chaz nodded seriously, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.