A Whispered Confession Can Change Everything

Chapter 2
Albus calmly browsed through the sheets upon sheets of parchment on his desk. Letters to the Ministry. Letters to the Council. Written permissions from the School Board. Such a mess of a matter and one that was going to occupy him for days to come. Lightly he stirred a cup of tea, taking a sip and forcing his knotted muscles to relax. The knock on his door was not unexpected. In fact, he’d been expecting it hours earlier, “Come in.” A few moments later a hesitant Minerva McGonagall entered and he smiled gently, “Ah, Professor, please come in. Lemon drop?”
She shook her head as she sat, wringing her hands in her lap before getting directly to the point, “Albus, are you absolutely sure about this? You are talking about a lifelong commitment with a boy that grew up in such a questionable state.”
Albus looked up slowly, putting down his tea and leaning back in his chair. His blue eyes studied his Transfiguration Professor for a moment before nodding to himself, “Yes, there are a few risks...his blood relatives but one of many factors I have thought about. Nevertheless I think I might be the only one that can intervene, Minerva.”
“And what of the Order, Albus? Mr. Potter will need us eventually. What are we to do when a child of a Death eater is in our midst?”
Leaning forward to impress this point most strongly, “He is precisely that, Minerva. A child. One that should not be judged because of the crimes of his parents...anymore than we should judge Harry because of the accomplishments of his. And because he is a child, what he learned from one mentor he can unlearn from another.”
Minerva tightened her grip on her clasped hands, “Lucius Malfoy will not go without a fight. You could lose everything if this backfires...not to mention what would become of Mr. Potter were another Headmaster to take over this school?”
Nodding firmly, “Harry will succeed because that is what he was born to do. He will defeat Voldemort, there is no question in my mind. Were I to lose my posting I am confident that as the new Headmistress you would provide for Harry any protection that he might need. Draco, however, has a very unsure future and I would not be who I am if I stepped aside and allowed his suffering to continue.”
“Surely someone else could step in-...”
Shaking his head slowly, sadly, “No one with influence will oppose Lucius Malfoy and we both know it. It is a miracle in itself that the courts will even hear this case.” He glanced at his pocket watch before nodding to himself, “And I have a few loose ends to tie up.”
“Albus, I’m only stressing caution...nothing more.”
The Headmaster paused for a moment before giving the Professor a frank look that had her looking away in embarrassment. He had seen the assumption that professors had made to believe a Gryffindor over a Slytherin or to believe Harry over Draco. The whole reason that Voldemort even had followers was in this light wizard versus dark wizard mentality. Slytherins were assumed to be Death eater, even ones at Draco’s tender age. His guilt lay in doing nothing to correct it, “That is not the entire truth, Minerva, and we both know that.”
***
Hermione sat down in the library, absently rolling and unrolling a parchment of paper and lost in her own thoughts. Normally, she would be scrambling through the library, brushing up on her notes and jotting down any last tiny detail she might have missed...but it didn’t seem important today. It was two days before finals and within a week she would be back home for the summer. It’s funny, but she didn’t feel so innocent anymore. Like a part of her childhood had been stripped away with the knowledge that Mal-Draco was many things, but some of them were horrifyingly unexpected.
He was a victim. He was a child most wouldn’t even see at Hogwarts yet...what else was he, she wondered? The last few days of classes he’d been a ghost of his former self. He shied away from everyone and talked even less than Neville did. It was a wonder he even showed up for class. And something else was surprising as well. The hatred and abhorrence to his very presence no longer existed. She might hate what he had said and done, but now she could see the reasoning behind it and felt no anger towards him. It now rested solely with his bastard of a father, “I thought I might find you here, Miss Granger.”
Looking up to see the Headmaster watching her kindly, “I was...thinking, sir...” She took a careful look around to be sure they were alone, mentally reminding herself not to utter his name,”...what will happen to him?”
Sitting down across from her, his eyes studied her carefully. With some of his students he tended to talk around the truth, protecting their youth. But Miss Granger was one of the rare exceptions. She needed the truth more than the protection, “The court appearance will be brief. No one wants this dragged out and with as much evidence as we have, there will be no negotiation.”
Considering her words carefully. She didn’t want to overstep herself but she really needed to know that he would be okay, “Yes, but after...where will he go?”
Nodding, stroking his beard thoughtfully, “Well, his godfather would be an obvious choice, except for certain circumstances which would make it rather difficult. If the issue is pressed...then I will take over as guardian.”
For a moment she thought of asking what circumstances, but realized it wasn’t her concern. Instead she focused on the second. Shocked, “You can do that, sir?”
His eyes twinkled in amusement, “I am a law abiding citizen, fully capable of protecting and raising a child.”
She blushed in embarrassment, thinking she had insulted him, “I mean, wouldn’t that interfere with Hogwarts?”
“Not at all. Past Headmasters have had their children attend classes. In some instances their children taught in those classes. The board has no policy against it.”
She looked thoughtful, her mind turning rapidly, “So, he would live here during the summer?”
“I do happen to have a home outside of Hogwarts...however...” He thought to himself silently, still stroking his beard. Nodding, “Perhaps. It will largely depend on what he wants.”
Frowning, “What if he decides to stay with his father?”
Steepling his fingers, “That is no longer an option.” Hermione nodded a little to herself, tilted her head a little to watch Draco come into the library. Ordinarily he’d prance in as if he were master of his domain. Now he skittered in, walking away from the door and standing next to Dumbledore, feet shifting in nervousness. His fingers seemed to reach out without his knowledge, rubbing on a bit of the sparkly robe the Headmaster wore, as if in comfort.
Glancing quickly at Hermione before looking away again in shame, voice soft and tinged with a quiet amount of anger, “I forgot the password.”
Nodding to him, ignoring the emotions Albus could hear rolling through his voice. If anything the old wizard felt encouraged by the anger, even if it was directed at him. And he knew with time it would pass, “It’s Gummy Worms. Why don’t you keep Fawkes company? I’ll return in a little while.” Innocently holding out his pocket watch, knowing there was a good chance it would end up in a broken pile on the floor somewhere, “And if you would be so kind as to return that to my desk.” Draco blankly took the watch, gave a small nod and skittered quickly back out again.
Only once he was gone did Dumbledore focus again on Hermione, “How can you allow him to be so rude?”
Hermione sounded so scandalized Albus had to chuckle quietly, if a little sadly, “Because Miss Granger, I would gladly accept his anger, justified or not over depression.” Hermione looked thoughtful to this, “The trial will be held the day before the final feast.”
“I’ll tell Harry.” Nibbling on her lower lip, “Who’s going to tell...” She nudged her chin in the direction Draco had already left.
Sighing sadly and standing, “He already knows.”
***
Draco sat in Albus’ chair, Fawkes sitting on his shoulder and carefully nuzzling him. A part of him was surprised. He been to this office before and Fawkes had never even shown a bit of affection towards him. Not that he minded, he just wondered why. He gave the phoenix a sad little smile and continued to stroke the long feathers. His other hand still tightly clasped the gold pocket watch he’d been given to return. Except he didn’t want to let it go just yet and he wasn’t sure why. As his thumb lightly traced the engraved surface, he let his thoughts drift. His life as a Malfoy was over. Father would have no hold on him soon, Dumbledore would see to it. And his mother, well, she’d never really been in his life much so it was just as well.
Ripped away from his family, placed God only knows where. He’d be without title or family, maybe starting over in a wizarding orphanage or passed off to one of his relatives which would be almost as bad as living at the Manor. Except Snape. He’d do anything to be with Snape but he knew it wouldn’t happen. His Godfather was a branded Death Eater and they wouldn’t be able to see past the Dark Mark.
He’d gone to classes just to keep suspicions away, but it’s not like it mattered. Nothing mattered. Which is why he allowed himself to come here. He could go hide in the dungeons until the trial but he really didn’t want to be down there all by himself. And he was still just the tinniest bit mad at Pansy but he knew he’d forgive her soon.
It’s not like anyone should or would care. Poor penniless little Draco. What was he going to do? A silent trail of tears made it’s path down his cheeks and curling under his trembling, pointy chin. He’d never cried so much in his life, brought up not to. Now, he couldn’t seem to turn them off. He sniffed and wiped at his face in irritation but they just kept coming. Angry at himself, he punched his own arm but it didn’t help as the tears continued to silently fall. Leaning against the desk, he buried his face in his arms and just let it go, giving up on trying to control his emotions.
He didn’t even feel Fawkes move or gentle hands lifting him up and cradling him in comfort. At least not at first. He struggled briefly once it penetrated his mind he was being held, “No! Don’t touch me you-...”
“Shh...” Dumbledore didn’t say anything further about it, simply held him and after a moment the distraught Slytherin relented.
Draco shifted, crying softly into the bright robes, not understanding why he was breaking down like this or why he turned to this man, the one who had started this whole mess to begin with. He was still upset with Dumbledore, but he wasn’t really angry anymore. Sniffling, “Why?”
Rubbing Draco’s back, “Draco, I am only doing this to protect you. It’s not a punishment.”
Rubbing his face with his sleeve, trying to tug away once before giving up far too quickly. It felt so nice to be held and it was different than before. He wasn’t being restrained and he wasn’t being hurt. Dumbledore was doing it to make him feel better, “Feels like it. Why wouldn’t you want to get a bit of your own back for your precious Gryffindors?”
Gently cupping his chin, producing a white handkerchief to wipe away the moisture, Draco stilling and just watching him with wary grey eyes, “This had nothing to do with the fights you and Mr. Potter have or the names you call other students.” Draco glanced away, “It has everything to do with my one rule of this school.”
Sighing through his mouth, his nose a little stuffy, “Which is?”
Handing him the handkerchief to blow his nose, running a gentle hand through his hair to calm and soothe him, “Every child that lives and grows within these walls has the right to be safe and cared for. You were not safe or properly cared for.”
Sulking, holding the handkerchief protectively against his chest with one hand, still holding the watch with the other, “Pansy’s father locks her in the house all summer. And Zabini’s sends him to some kind of militant school during the holidays.”
“But they, though perhaps not happy, are fed and cared for. They have a roof over their heads and a relative freedom. They are not abused.”
Frowning, “I’m not abused-...”
“Draco.” He looked up with wide eyes. It was one of the few times he’d ever heard Dumbledore speak completely seriously, “The things that you were forced to describe were not just disturbing and reprehensible, they are against the law. The answers to all of my questions were horrible...and no responsible parent would subject their child to it.”
Frustrated, “But it’s legal. Father says a child is the family’s property until their majority.”
Shaking his head, gently correcting him, “No. A family is responsible for a child until their majority unless they prove themselves incapable of performing the duties necessary in maintaining the well being of the child. And I am quoting one of the members of the Wizarding Minor Council. They set the guidelines for reasonable discipline. They conduct searches and raids to catch abuse and put an end to it. And they will be holding the trial that will put an end to this.”
Defeated, head down, “Three days.”
“Yes, and then a new future will await you.”
Eyes dull, “No more Hogwarts...no more Slytherins...no more...Godfather...”
Tilting his chin up again, “That was never even a consideration. You still have many years of Hogwarts ahead of you, never fret about that.” Draco’s eyes widened in wonder, “Indeed, I had planned on offering you sanctuary here as my ward. It would mean spending your summers here as well but-...”
Albus grunted, the air all but squeezed out of him by an exceedingly happy ten year old clinging to him and whispering ‘Thank You’ over and over again. Then he jerked back with huge grey eyes, “Exams are in two days!” He yelped, jumping to the ground and racing for the door. He skidded to a halt for just a moment, looking down at his hand, “I forgot your watch...”
He reluctantly turned back to return it, stopping when Dumbledore lifted a hand, “You can hold onto it for now.” Draco looked a little startled, glanced back down at the watch before slowly looking up again. He gave a beaming smile to Albus before running back out, full tilt for his dorm room, presumably to study.
Draco got a hold of himself, halfway down the winding staircase, pulling his mask together and walking confidently for the dungeons. Students veered away from his sneer, seeing the fire back that had been nonexistent since the winter hols. He came up to Pansy, who immediately glanced away with guilt and shame. He took her arm, his hold on her gentle and she caught his eyes, “Thank you.” She locked eyes with him, seeing the feelings conveyed to her and smiling slowly.

Not bad so far. Next chapter...Lucius Malfoy.