A Whispered Confession Can Change Everything
folder
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult
Chapters:
38
Views:
5,856
Reviews:
9
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult
Chapters:
38
Views:
5,856
Reviews:
9
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Draco nibbled on his lip and paced a few feet away from the gargoyle statue. He could go in easily, no password needed just for him. But, that would mean that everything was back to normal. But it hadn’t been. He’d withdrawn from everyone for a few days. Cassie and the others had given him questioning looks but let him and his lack of conversation with Potter and Granger had been questioned. But they’d stopped asking what was wrong, apparently Pansy’s influence who seemed to understand his moods better than he did.
Draco sighed to himself and approached the gargoyle, the statue jumping aside and the winding staircase taking him up to the door. He opened the door cautiously, the Headmaster bent over his parchment. He looked up with a glance, his eyes twinkling though he carefully folded his hands and stayed seated, “Ah, Draco.”
Albus had been the most impressive to him. He’d taken the silent withdrawal without complaint or hurt, simply respectful of Draco’s wishes to be left alone. Draco debated with himself for a moment. He could keep everyone at a distance, but that would mean acting like his father and he didn’t want that. Forcing himself not to sit rigidly in one of the chairs, he moved around the desk and carefully crawled up into Albus’ lap.
The Headmaster smiled at him and supported him, Draco leaning back against the man and sighing to himself. He was too big to do this, he knew it but he didn’t care. He just felt safe and right now that’s all that mattered to him. He sat there quietly for several moments before Albus gave his side a squeeze, “Were you just here to visit or did you have a question?”
Draco wasn’t being pushed, the old man just curious and he nodded, “Lupin is a werewolf, but godfather makes a wolf’s bane potion to prevent his dementia.”
Nodding, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Fingers idly tracing the string around his wrist. Hen called it a friendship bracelet. It was crude but he did like the braided pattern, “But wolf’s bane is poisonous. Even the most minute amounts will shave years off his life.”
Still agreeing, “Remus is aware. However, he feels he’s too much of a risk not to take it.”
Draco sighed before trying a different approach, “What if I could develop something else?”
Albus raised an eyebrow, not expecting such an offer. It would be wonderful both for Lupin as well for other werewolves that wished to join society. And if anyone would be capable of accomplishing such a feat, he knew this child could, “Do you think you could?”
Shrugging, “I could try. I would have to have access to his blood and...have university sanction.”
Fighting a grin, hearing the curious undertone in Draco’s voice. The boy was very clever, “A very Slytherin trick, Draco, but I have to tell you you’ve already been granted university sanction.” Draco’s eyes jumped to his in shock, “They were very impressed with your potions and your patent is already in effect. I will ask Remus for his permission of the blood, if you are still willing.”
Leaning back, gaze far off with wonder, “I have a patent?”
Chuckling, “Yes, you do.”
***
Cassie and the twins were dancing while a grinning Draco was playing his violin for them. In the past few weeks his mood had improved tremendously, his music no longer as sad and melancholy as they had been. Most of them were but sometimes, like now, he would develop light tunes that had toes tapping and sporadic smiles.
“Well, I can see I’m not needed to bring a smile to your face.”
Draco froze for an instant before running the short distance and throwing an arm around Pansy, “Pans! How did you get here? Is something wrong? What happened? It’s so good to see you!”
Pansy laughed softly as Draco babbled and squeezed him tightly in return. She was glad he was happier. That he wasn’t so self conscious as the old Draco would rather die that act so openly in front of others, “It’s good to see you too, chipmunk.”
He froze and pulled back, nose wrinkling at her. It reminded her of the small boy she used to know who scrunched up his nose just like a chipmunk, “You’re not starting that again, are you?”
She gave him a grin, “Only a few times, then I’ll stop. Promise. So tell me everything. I’ve got a full four hours to get this visit in before I’m missed.”
Grabbing her hand, “How did you get here?”
“By floo of course. The Headmaster received me and told me where you were. Mother and father were
called away to Romania and won’t be back till nightfall. The house elves left my door open. Oops...so like any good Slytherin I didn’t let the opportunity pass me by.”
Grinning, dragging her non-resisting form over to his friends, “This is Cassie, Hen, and Alex. They’ll be first years in the fall with us. This, is my Pansy.”
Pansy nodded a little, a bit stiff but she was that way with everyone until she knew you. The other three, having heard Draco talk about her all the time, accepted her as she was. She made him happy and that was good enough for them. Cassie glanced at the twins, “We’re going to head down to the library and look up scary books for the ghost stories tonight, you two talk and we’ll see you later, okay Draco?”
He shot Cassie a smile of thanks and the three of them headed out, “Ghost stories?”
Draco nodded absently before smiling at her, “They would gather at the home and tell each other scary stories. It sounded interesting.”
Shaking her head, letting Draco pull her to the Astronomy tower, “I just can’t believe my Draco becoming friends with a bunch of Home children.”
“They’re a good sort.”
Holding up her hands at his defensive tone. She could tell they had his loyalty, “I’m just surprised, Draco. I didn’t come all this way to fight with you.” She reached out and grasped his wrist, they sitting near the window and facing one another. She frowned at the string but decided to ask him about it by parchment later, “I came to ask if you were alright, now. You were...distant...for a while.”
He sighed a little before nodding, “I’m better. I keep forgetting that Albus is a Gryffindor. I think he forgets that I’m...well, I was a Slytherin. We think differently.”
She raised an eyebrow, “He tried to treat you with...what’s the word...kid gloves?”
Nodding, “You know I prefer the direct truth. I hate being talked down to. Patronized. I know it wasn’t his intention but that’s how it felt...anyway...everything’s been straightened out now.”
Her tone teasing, “Albus?”
Draco flushed red and glanced away, “He’s my guardian and I’ll call him what I like.”
Patting his hand in reassurance. She knew he’d be a little sensitive to this whole guardian thing. And
what better excuse because she just loved to see him blush, “I know. I’m just teasing you. So, tell me what you know. What has he got in store for us next year?”
An evil grin crossing over his face, sing-songing to her, “I’m not gonna tell.”
Draco nibbled on his lip and paced a few feet away from the gargoyle statue. He could go in easily, no password needed just for him. But, that would mean that everything was back to normal. But it hadn’t been. He’d withdrawn from everyone for a few days. Cassie and the others had given him questioning looks but let him and his lack of conversation with Potter and Granger had been questioned. But they’d stopped asking what was wrong, apparently Pansy’s influence who seemed to understand his moods better than he did.
Draco sighed to himself and approached the gargoyle, the statue jumping aside and the winding staircase taking him up to the door. He opened the door cautiously, the Headmaster bent over his parchment. He looked up with a glance, his eyes twinkling though he carefully folded his hands and stayed seated, “Ah, Draco.”
Albus had been the most impressive to him. He’d taken the silent withdrawal without complaint or hurt, simply respectful of Draco’s wishes to be left alone. Draco debated with himself for a moment. He could keep everyone at a distance, but that would mean acting like his father and he didn’t want that. Forcing himself not to sit rigidly in one of the chairs, he moved around the desk and carefully crawled up into Albus’ lap.
The Headmaster smiled at him and supported him, Draco leaning back against the man and sighing to himself. He was too big to do this, he knew it but he didn’t care. He just felt safe and right now that’s all that mattered to him. He sat there quietly for several moments before Albus gave his side a squeeze, “Were you just here to visit or did you have a question?”
Draco wasn’t being pushed, the old man just curious and he nodded, “Lupin is a werewolf, but godfather makes a wolf’s bane potion to prevent his dementia.”
Nodding, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Fingers idly tracing the string around his wrist. Hen called it a friendship bracelet. It was crude but he did like the braided pattern, “But wolf’s bane is poisonous. Even the most minute amounts will shave years off his life.”
Still agreeing, “Remus is aware. However, he feels he’s too much of a risk not to take it.”
Draco sighed before trying a different approach, “What if I could develop something else?”
Albus raised an eyebrow, not expecting such an offer. It would be wonderful both for Lupin as well for other werewolves that wished to join society. And if anyone would be capable of accomplishing such a feat, he knew this child could, “Do you think you could?”
Shrugging, “I could try. I would have to have access to his blood and...have university sanction.”
Fighting a grin, hearing the curious undertone in Draco’s voice. The boy was very clever, “A very Slytherin trick, Draco, but I have to tell you you’ve already been granted university sanction.” Draco’s eyes jumped to his in shock, “They were very impressed with your potions and your patent is already in effect. I will ask Remus for his permission of the blood, if you are still willing.”
Leaning back, gaze far off with wonder, “I have a patent?”
Chuckling, “Yes, you do.”
***
Cassie and the twins were dancing while a grinning Draco was playing his violin for them. In the past few weeks his mood had improved tremendously, his music no longer as sad and melancholy as they had been. Most of them were but sometimes, like now, he would develop light tunes that had toes tapping and sporadic smiles.
“Well, I can see I’m not needed to bring a smile to your face.”
Draco froze for an instant before running the short distance and throwing an arm around Pansy, “Pans! How did you get here? Is something wrong? What happened? It’s so good to see you!”
Pansy laughed softly as Draco babbled and squeezed him tightly in return. She was glad he was happier. That he wasn’t so self conscious as the old Draco would rather die that act so openly in front of others, “It’s good to see you too, chipmunk.”
He froze and pulled back, nose wrinkling at her. It reminded her of the small boy she used to know who scrunched up his nose just like a chipmunk, “You’re not starting that again, are you?”
She gave him a grin, “Only a few times, then I’ll stop. Promise. So tell me everything. I’ve got a full four hours to get this visit in before I’m missed.”
Grabbing her hand, “How did you get here?”
“By floo of course. The Headmaster received me and told me where you were. Mother and father were
called away to Romania and won’t be back till nightfall. The house elves left my door open. Oops...so like any good Slytherin I didn’t let the opportunity pass me by.”
Grinning, dragging her non-resisting form over to his friends, “This is Cassie, Hen, and Alex. They’ll be first years in the fall with us. This, is my Pansy.”
Pansy nodded a little, a bit stiff but she was that way with everyone until she knew you. The other three, having heard Draco talk about her all the time, accepted her as she was. She made him happy and that was good enough for them. Cassie glanced at the twins, “We’re going to head down to the library and look up scary books for the ghost stories tonight, you two talk and we’ll see you later, okay Draco?”
He shot Cassie a smile of thanks and the three of them headed out, “Ghost stories?”
Draco nodded absently before smiling at her, “They would gather at the home and tell each other scary stories. It sounded interesting.”
Shaking her head, letting Draco pull her to the Astronomy tower, “I just can’t believe my Draco becoming friends with a bunch of Home children.”
“They’re a good sort.”
Holding up her hands at his defensive tone. She could tell they had his loyalty, “I’m just surprised, Draco. I didn’t come all this way to fight with you.” She reached out and grasped his wrist, they sitting near the window and facing one another. She frowned at the string but decided to ask him about it by parchment later, “I came to ask if you were alright, now. You were...distant...for a while.”
He sighed a little before nodding, “I’m better. I keep forgetting that Albus is a Gryffindor. I think he forgets that I’m...well, I was a Slytherin. We think differently.”
She raised an eyebrow, “He tried to treat you with...what’s the word...kid gloves?”
Nodding, “You know I prefer the direct truth. I hate being talked down to. Patronized. I know it wasn’t his intention but that’s how it felt...anyway...everything’s been straightened out now.”
Her tone teasing, “Albus?”
Draco flushed red and glanced away, “He’s my guardian and I’ll call him what I like.”
Patting his hand in reassurance. She knew he’d be a little sensitive to this whole guardian thing. And
what better excuse because she just loved to see him blush, “I know. I’m just teasing you. So, tell me what you know. What has he got in store for us next year?”
An evil grin crossing over his face, sing-songing to her, “I’m not gonna tell.”