A Whispered Confession Can Change Everything

Thank you one and all for your reviews. Thank you very much for your critique, it was most helpful in helping me flesh out the characters to suit the situation.


Chapter 19

Draco watched as Minerva straightened her hat and smoothed out an invisible crease in her robes. Draco just rolled his eyes a little and blew the hair out of his eyes. He really ought to get it cut but Cassie insisted he not touch it. Two months of no trims and it was becoming too long to paste back, which had been his friend’s intentions all along. His hands itched to push it back but Cassie grabbed his wrists, “Leave it alone, or I’ll be forced to call you Malfoy.” He gave her a slight sneer but dutifully kept his hands at his sides. That was always her prompt that he was acting like a Malfoy, which reminded him to knock it off.

In his mind he flashed back to the conversation he and Albus had this morning of the word mudblood and his use of it. It had been an unintentional slip but father had been more than stern that he refrain from doing so in the future. Or rather, that Albus would force him to suck on soap if he did so again. He wasn’t exactly convinced Albus would do such a thing but he wasn’t entirely certain.

“Ah, here they are.”

All the teachers looked expectantly as children started pouring into the castle. Twenty-five children, in varying ages from four to nine. The little ones were helped by the older children, ushered up the stairs by a few of the home workers. They would all be staying here, a part of the castle unused in the Hufflepuff wing renovated and remodeled to allow them freedom without the danger of them getting lost or hurt.

Hagrid waved silently to Draco and with a smile he waved back. He’d have to steal some time with the half giant soon. The children were greeted by the teachers and aides that had been hired just for them. It was Albus’ hope that this would benefit both the children and the students. It would give them exposure to the wizarding world and allow them to become comfortable with Hogwarts as they matured and started going to the school as students.

“Welcome to Hogwarts.”

There were hesitant smiles and nervously shifting feet. Minerva seemed to have run out of things to say, glancing at Albus who’s eyes were twinkling but he said absolutely nothing. Cassie jumped forward a little and bowed, making several giggle, “A pleasure, all of you strangers that I’ve never met before.” That broke out a few more giggles and they started to relax, “Okay, I know, it’s a really big place but it’s actually very nice and before you know it, you’ll be right at home. Besides, you’ll have myself and Draco hounding you for years to come. Oh, everyone, this is Draco.” She dragged her blond friend forward, he shooting her an alarmed look before biting the inside of his lip and staying absolutely still. Cassie glanceD at him, “I know they look like they’ll bite but staying still just attracts them.”

Draco barked a laugh and shot her a grin, more of them relaxing. He looked over the crowd before giving them a little wave, “Hello.”

“Wow, quite the speech.” Cassie gave her friend’s arm a squeeze, “Say, let’s show them all about flying.”

Draco glanced at her, hearing the slight tone in her voice that led him to believe she’d rehearsed that, but she just grinned and started dragging everyone out to the Quidich pitch. Brooms were already sitting out and waiting for them, a field of energy surrounding the pitch to ensure no one would get hurt. He dug in his heels and raised an eyebrow, “Cassie?”

“Come on, Sergeant, show them.”

He gave her a glance and sighed. She wouldn’t tell until she was ready to. Mentally shrugging, he relaxed since he trusted her implicitly, helping each child who wanted to fly find a broom. And there were a large amount of them. Their little arms shot into the air, waving and jumping around in excitement. Draco could barely contain a laugh but he did smile as he led them out. The adults stayed off to the side, the aides looking questioningly to the Hogwarts professors who just nodded to Draco encouragingly.

He helped them with their positions, joking softly with them and helping them to relax and ignore the adults. Soon there were more than twenty zipping around as they chased Draco and Cassie about the field. Now, keeping in mind these were all children who had never touched a broom before today. Severus was absolutely stunned. The boy was a natural leader. And any reservations he’d had when Albus had proposed the idea were quickly laid to rest.

***

Draco frowned to himself, his message from the previous day still on the page he’d sent to Harry. It should have faded and been sent...unless something was wrong. Perhaps the spell had a limit? He glanced at the parchments to Hermione and Pansy. Nope. His messages had been sent and he even had replies. He’d have to remember to write back to them but not now. Harry was worrying him. And he hated to worry. Because worry made him overprotective and he was mean when he was overprotective and he hated being mean. Well, sometimes. But the flip side was that he would also do anything to help which was a very Gryffindor-ish streak that his Slytherin side should have beaten into submission by now. Sitting and grabbing his quill.

D: Harry? Are you alright?


He waited but the ink never faded and his frown deepened. The only reason the ink wouldn’t respond was if the page on the other end had either been de-spelled or no longer existed. Flipping to Hermione’s parchment.


D: Hermione? Has Harry written to you in the last couple of days?

M: Actually, no. But you hadn’t either so I wasn’t so concerned. Why?

D: Try now. The writing on my parchment doesn’t fade.

M: You’re right. Do you think something wrong?

D: I don’t know.

M: Don’t humor me Draco.

D: I suspect his parchment was destroyed by his lovely muggles.

M: Do you think he’s alright?

D: I hope so. Perhaps he’ll send a new parchment with Hedwig. It’ll be a couple of days before his owl could arrive. If she does I’ll duplicate a copy for you.

M: Thanks, Draco. God, I hope he’s okay.


Draco didn’t write it, but silently he hoped so as well.