That One Time

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter used in this story nor the movie and book series of Harry Potter. They belong to J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. I am only using them for entertainment purposes and make no profit from this story.


Beta'd by: Charmed3


Chapter 2 - Suspicions Arise




Harry lowered the letter in his hand to take a better look at the boy in front of him. If Malfoy was really telling the truth then there should be some resemblance to himself – that would indeed prove that this boy was his son. The boy at first did look like a miniature Malfoy, but once Harry looked closer, his face paled because the boy did have some of his own features. The boy had untamed hair like his own, but blond, and his nose, but the one feature that Harry could not deny were the piercing emerald eyes staring back at him. There were not many people who had Harry‘s and his mother's eyes and it was the one thing besides his scar that made him recognizable.

“Um, what's your name?” Harry had realized that Malfoy had forgotten to mention the boy's name.

“It's Leo, sir. Leo Malfoy.”

Leo... What's up with the Black family and constellations? Harry thought as he took in the boy's name. Leo stood there without complaint and Harry realized that they were still standing outside.

“Please, come in.” Harry stepped away from the door frame to let Leo through. The blond looked around, taking in the details of his home. It was at this moment when Harry looked forward and saw Ginny standing there with a confused expression on her face. Harry lowered his eyes as both he and Leo made their way towards the redheaded woman.

“Um, Harry, what's going on?”

“I'll explain to you later, Gin. I was hoping to introduce him to the kids.” Harry steered Leo towards where he could hear all his children talking about James’ letter from Hogwarts. They all stopped immediately when they recognized the boy standing next to their father. James was standing in the middle, looking gobsmacked, holding onto his letter, as did his brother and sister who stood on either side of him.

“Everyone, this is Leo Malfoy,” Harry said seeing the narrowed eyes coming from his eldest son, and reminded himself to question that later. “He'll be staying with us for a while. I want you all to treat him as our guest. I won't tolerate any bullying from any of you. That goes for both parties.” Harry looked meaningfully at all of them, including Leo. He stood back to give the kids some space and he watched as Albus stepped forth with his hand out.

“My name is Albus.” Albus shook hands with Leo who nodded. “The two behind me are my brother and sister, James and Lily. James just got his acceptance letter to Hogwarts.” Albus pointed to the piece of paper trapped in James' hand.

Harry nodded his approval to Albus and walked away from the group. He bumped into Ginny on his way out and he noticed her crossed arms against her chest. He knew he was up for some serious explaining.

“Now will you answer my question?” Ginny asked, tapping a finger on one of her arms.

“He's Malfoy's son,” Harry said quickly. “Supposedly there's something wrong with his health and he wants me to take care of his son while he recovers.” Harry saw Ginny's eyes narrow in confusion.

“But why you, of all people?”

“I don't know why.” Harry knew that Ginny didn't like his answer, and she turned towards the little office in their home. He followed, not sure what she was up to.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm writing a letter to Malfoy telling him to find someone else. It's not like he's your son or anything.”

Harry blanched at Ginny's words. He was unsure if he should tell her what the note really said, but in the end he figured he shouldn't. He approached his wife and laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping in her search for parchment.

“Gin, don't do that.”

“Why not?!”

“Because, I don't think it's necessary. Come on, the boy is not going to stay for long and now Albus will have someone his own age and gender to hang out with while James is away at school,” Harry said. He watched as Ginny paused and thought out all of what he said for a moment. She wasn't as bright as Hermione when it came to certain ideas, but she was more reasonable than her brother, Ron – which Harry saw as a bonus.

“That may be so,” Ginny turned to face him. “But I still don't like the idea of a Malfoy in our home, even if it is a miniature one.”

“Even miniature ones are dangerous.” Harry grinned. “Remember Malfoy back at school?”

Ginny made a sour face at the memories Harry knew were coming back to her. It never ceased to amaze him how the Weasleys and Malfoys still held bitter contempt for each other, even though the Malfoys hadn't been as making much of an impact on the Ministry and society as they had before the war. He, Harry, held no hatred or disdain for the aristocratic family, and had made his peace with the Malfoys when he had returned Malfoy's wand. Harry even reconciled with Lucius, and they agreed to a sort of respect for each other. Harry had killed the one thing that was in the way of Lucius' protection of his family and Lucius was very grateful to the hero of the war. Harry remembered how Lucius had grabbed his forearm tightly and then patted it, silently thanking him. Harry had simply bowed his head.

“Harry?”

Harry shook his head of his own memories and gave his wife his undivided attention. Ginny was standing there with her arms crossed. Exasperation showed on her face as she realized that Harry had gone through one of his moments where he would pull into himself and drown himself in memories. Harry reached out and held her hands in his own.

“I'm sorry. Just thinking, you know?”

Ginny nodded and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I know, but what should we do?”

“About what?”

“What do you mean ‘about what’? I'm talking about Malfoy junior in the room with our children.” Ginny's face became serious and Harry quickly began to comfort her by rubbing her arms and gently kissing her brow.

“Like I said, maybe he's different than Malfoy. He hasn't sneered at any of our children or us--”

“Not yet.” Ginny looked down, hiding her face from Harry's. Harry silently rolled his eyes without her looking, as he always did whenever Ginny was acting immature.

“Ginny, not every son is like their father. Just look at me.” Harry leaned back and lifted Ginny's chin. “I'm nothing like my father.”

“That's not true. Your father was brilliant at Quidditch.”

“One out of the millions of traits that he possessed that was passed down to me.” Harry raised an eyebrow, a trait he had learned from a person who used it often towards him.

Ginny huffed and placed a hand on her hip. “That doesn't mention the fact that Malfoy's son is in our home when someone more capable could have taken care of the brat! Like his mother or something!”

Harry tried not to make his gulp audible. “Maybe he doesn't have one...”

“Bollocks.” Ginny leaned back from the proximity of Harry and gave him a look that clearly stated disbelief. “Then how could Malfoy have a son?”

Harry turned away from the fierce look that Ginny had in her eyes. His eyes widened when he noticed someone standing at the door. Ginny seemed to have noticed the newest addition to the room, because Harry heard a small gasp behind him.

Leo was standing there, holding onto the frame of the doorway. His emerald eyes were narrowed at Ginny, but no other sign of anger was present in his body. Harry felt a small presence of magic floating in the air and was surprised. The only person he knew that sometimes slipped their control on the magic inside them was himself and it was strange feeling it from another person. 'Maybe he really is my son...'

“My name is Leo, not 'brat', and I never had a mother.” Leo turned his eyes towards Harry and Harry was glad to see no resentment in them. “I'm sorry that I intruded into your life, but grandmother and grandfather are always busy and dad said that this was the only option left.” Leo turned back towards Ginny. “Dad told me about you, but I didn't believe the stories, until now.” Leo gave Harry and Ginny one last look before walking out.

Harry let out a deep breath that he hadn't know he was holding. He looked over at Ginny and saw a tic over the top of her eyebrow. Oh no...

“Ginny...”

Ginny went up to Harry and softly spoke to him, “Not like his father, you said?”

Harry watched her red hair whip behind her as Ginny walked out of the office. He massaged the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. Harry opened his eyes and looked out the window behind him at the sun shining upon the green plains behind the Potter house.

'Draco...What are you up to?'




To be continued