Fathers, Godfathers, and Godsons...Oh My

Chapter 27

Remus looked over his class, feeling something different in the air today. A tension perhaps. He wasn’t sure. Both Harry and Parkinson seemed to be beside themselves with worry. Smiling a little to himself, “Now, because of certain incidents, I’ve been instructed to teach each of you a spell that is...well, very advanced. You may not be able to duplicate it but for your own safety we’re going to try. It is called the Patronis Charm. When used it will create a silver mist and, if done correctly, you may even have a corporeal shape to it. This is a defensive charm that is used to keep Dementors at bay and, if successful, may even drive them away. Now. Can I have a volunteer?”

There were a few hesitant hands but Draco stood up without comment and this intense look on his face, moving out of his chair and striving to the front of the class until he was before the Professor. To say that Lupin was surprised would be an understatement. Draco did not single himself out in this class, his score average at best. Nodding to himself, “Alright. Now. The actual incantation of the spell is expecto patronum.”

“Expecto Patronum.”

Nodding, “Yes, now to use it, first you must close your eyes.” Draco frowned at the man, but did so and tensed. Remus carefully put a hand over his eyes, the boy almost flinching violently but he held himself still. Whispering softly, “Relax, Draco. Relax...” Slowly Draco obeyed, “Now, you must think back and find a memory, but not just any memory, it must be a happy one. One that makes you feel cherished and safe and perfectly content.”

Draco furrowed his brow, thinking and then immediately discarding his childhood. Instead he turned his thoughts to more recent times before relaxing with a small smile, “Do you have your memory in mind.”

Nodding, “Yes.”

“Good. Now, keeping that memory in your thoughts, say the incantation, firmly and with feeling.”

Draco focused himself, his memory firmly in mind and his gaze before him. His body moved automatically to a defensive stance, gaze before him as he gripped his wand. Pulling in a breath, pushing away all the negative to focus on the moment and moving his wand, “EXPECTO PATRONUM.”

A silvery mist flashed from his wand, pulsing and expanding and students shrieked in surprise. Harry jumped to his feet, even as the patronis dissipated and Draco staggered a bit, not expecting to feel that drained. Harry immediately started clapping, Draco looking at him in surprise before smiling ever so slightly and Pansy just covered up her smile behind her hands.

Remus smiled, “Well done...well done...now, are there any other volunteers?” Everyone raised their hands.

***

Pansy gathered her things, disappointed that her Patronis hadn’t cooperated. But Lupin had promised for most it takes patience and time. And yet stupid Potter got his to work on the second try. Still, Draco was the only one to accomplish it the first time out and she was proud of him. Maybe he was finally starting to see that he wasn’t lacking in this class. She jumped when she felt arms wrap around her frame, a whisper in her ear, “I forgive you just this once but don’t let it happen again.”

She spun around and hugged Draco tightly. Draco was not magnanimous about his forgiveness and he could hold a grudge longer than anyone, “Thank you...I’m sorry...you know I wouldn’t have told but they didn’t understand and...”

He kissed her forehead, ignoring a couple of cat calls. She was his sister, dammit, “I know...I was having a time trying to tell them and...I was embarrassed.”

Shaking her head, “Silly. You know you can trust them. Even if they were bullying you a bit.”

He sighed and slung an arm around her waist, pulling her from the room and earning a raised eyebrow from
Harry who was surprised Draco seemed to have forgiven so easily. He expected the blond to be more stubborn about it. Rolling his eyes, “Harry. We’ve been friends since nappies...I hate her and I love her...”

Pansy pat the top of his head, “He’s my bitch after all.”

Draco growled and started tickling her, “Who’s the bitch-“

”Malfoy.” Draco stopped cold, all three of them whirling around. Nott. Of course. There’s the bitch. There just had to be one outspoken Slytherin bully and apparently if it wasn’t Draco, it was going to be Theodore. And couldn’t this asswipe get it through his head that he was not related to them anymore?
Apparently not.

Smiling sweetly, “You called, darling?”

A few Ravenclaws snickered at the Slytherin’s expense and Nott stiffened, “I’m calling you out, is what I’m doing. Eleven o’clock by the trophy room.”

Harry cooed, “Ooh...a muggle saying.”

Snorting, changing it to a smirk when Harry rolled his eyes, “Hate to tell you but I already tried that trick on Harry first year, try again.”

Glaring, turning red, “Six-thirty in the Defense arena. No wands.”

Ah, so that was his game. The Ravenclaws were all tense and ready. There would be no cheap shots
here. Nodding to himself, “Six-thirty then.” Pansy gripped his arm but Nott just smirked and sauntered on by.

“Draco...what are you thinking? He’s going to kill you?!”

Giving Pansy a wink, “No. He’s not.”

***

Draco warily entered his father’s office. Albus hadn’t interfered with his interactions with his classmates thus far and he really hoped he wasn’t about to. He was actually looking forward in beating Nott to a pulp. Albus was still scribbling furiously but he sent Draco a smile and pointed to a chair. Looking around, he nervously sat down and let his hands lie in his lap, watching his da work so hard. After a few minutes Albus was done and sent the note out by owl, “Alright then. Now Draco, I remember you saying you were interested in if your title was still your own.”

Draco perked up at this conversation. It had been something he would think about every now and again. Since he was old enough to understand, he’d been told what to expect was given to him as his birthright. He’d felt cheated to think he suddenly wouldn’t be heir to the Malfoy house, “Yes, da.”

A quirk of a smile spread across Albus’ face, “I have confirmation that by technicality you are not disowned and you are indeed the Head of the Malfoy line.”

Leaning forward intently, “Can I change that?”

Albus frowned, “Change it, son?”

Nodding, “Yes sir, now that I’m a Dumbledore, wouldn’t it mean that I’m the Head of the Dumbledore line.”

Raising a single eyebrow, “Not precisely since I am the head of the Dumbledore House.”

Draco blushed, “I didn’t...not like that I just...”

Albus chuckled softly, “Of course you didn’t. From a legal standpoint though your name has changed you are still considered a Malfoy in terms of House. You are the head of that house though you are not in my house.”

Shrugging, “I never will be but I’m not worried about that.”

Albus blinked, “What do you mean?”

Shrugging again, “Harry’s older than me. He’s technically your first born so he’ll be the head, after your brother that is.”

Sitting back and thinking about it, “That’s not entirely accurate.” Draco looked surprised, “In the case of adoption, age is not what Gringotts considers but the length of time you have been in the family. Under those conditions although Harry is older than you, you have been my son longer. And since I am the Head, it would pass on to my son before my brother.” Draco’s jaw dropped. He’d never in his wildest imaginations thought or even wanted to be the Head of two Houses. It was a bit overwhelming. Albus gestured, “Come here, son.”

Scrambling was a good description as Draco all but threw himself at his father, caught easily and held protectively, “These are not things you need worry about...not for some time. But I know you needed to hear them so now that you have, put it out of your mind.”

Mumbling, “Easy for you to say.”

Chuckling, “I could obliviate you if that would help.”

Rolling his eyes, knowing his father wasn’t serious, “No thanks. I’m screwed up enough as it is.”