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.

Author's Note: I have been getting questions on this and I will reinstate that this story is being reposted steadily as I continue to write the next chapter following the fifth. As for new readers please enjoy the story!


Beta'd by:Charmed3

Chapter 3 - From the Children's Point of View




Leo Malfoy was not like any other in the Malfoy lineage. He didn't go through the same ritual of his father hammering down every aspect of the Malfoys and how they should act. No, he was taught to always be himself and to follow his own heart and values. When his father finally thought he was ready to hear about the story of Voldemort, and the part that the Malfoys had in it, he figured out the true meaning of being a Malfoy. Malfoys always hold family loyalty high in their ranking of values. And so, when he found out about having another father that had his own family besides theirs, he wasn't happy.

Leo thought that Potter (as his grandfather calls him) didn't believe in the responsibility of having a family. In his mind, he saw Potter walking out on his father and continuing his own life without them. All his life he grew up without his other parent and now, after ten years, he was forced into staying with the other man's family until his father was well again.

After dealing with the Weasel-girl (a term from his father) Leo started walking around the house and found an empty room with a window inside of it. Walking in, Leo made his way towards the window sill and sat down upon it. The view was that of the field behind the house and the trees that were far-off in the meadows. Leo noticed a small Quidditch field in the distance and smiled, remembering when he and his father would sometimes go out and play a match.

Leo was a very good Seeker. He was even better than his father, who he had heard was the second best in his days at Hogwarts. When he was little, he remembered how his grandmother had almost had a heart attack when she saw him do a Wronski Feint in the backyard while playing with his father. His father, however, mentioned to him that Leo reminded him of his other father, and that was the first time that he was told that he had another father.

“Hey.”

Interrupted from his thoughts, Leo turned his attention the boy he had met earlier. Albus...wasn't it? He's my brother... Albus looked like the exact replica of Potter with the exception of a few freckles on the boy's cheek. It felt strange looking into green eyes so like his own, after so many years of staring into silver. Leo murmured a hello in reply.

“I'm sorry for what my mother said.” Leo watched as Albus lowered his head in shame. “She was just caught off guard. You're a Malfoy? Like Lucius and Draco Malfoy?”

“They are my grandfather and father, yes.” Leo nodded.

“I've heard a lot about the Malfoys. But when my uncles start bad-mouthing them, Dad always gets angry and tells them to stop.”

Leo raised one elegant Malfoy brow in surprise. It seemed that Potter did hold something towards his family. Although, after watching Potter's reaction to his father's letter, Leo figured that Potter didn’t even know he had another son.

“So what are you doing here?”

Leo turned back towards the window. “Just thinking.”

“About what?” Albus stood on the other side of the window.

“About...my father...”

“What about him?”

“You sure like to ask a lot of questions.” Leo smirked as Albus looked down feeling sheepish.

“Sorry.”

“It's okay.” They both turned their attention back to window and what lay beyond it. After a moment of silence, Albus invited Leo to a small game of Quidditch and he led the other boy to the shed near the field. They chose their brooms and headed for the field to start their game. It turned out that Albus wasn't that far behind Leo when it came to the Seeker position, but he outranked the Malfoy when it came to playing Chaser and Keeper. Leo was only able to make one out of the thirty throws he did as a Chaser. After the game the boys just floated around on their brooms, enjoying the afternoon with each other. Neither of them noticed their father watching them from afar.

Harry smiled as the two got along. One down, two to go, thought Harry with a small grin on his face. Checking one more time on the kids, Harry made his way back inside. Harry stopped in his tracks when his eldest son stood between him and the entrance back inside the house.

“James?”

“What's a Malfoy doing here?”

Harry let his eyes narrow only a fraction at the bold statement. Ever since he became a father, he tried his hardest to teach tolerance to others to his children. He made sure that when they went to the Weasley household that the topic of the Malfoy-Weasley feud did not impair his children's judgment of the esteemed Malfoy family.

“Why does it matter that 'a Malfoy' is here?”

“Because they're traitors. They were the ones who brought back You-Know-Who!”

“If there is anyone that is guilty of bringing back Voldemort, then it's me. Since my blood did run in his veins.” Harry's tone hardened. James looked down, knowing his father's tone of voice well. It was the one he would use whenever he knew that the other had gone too far.

“I--”

“Don't, James.” Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It wouldn't do well for him to lose his temper with his son. He was after all just a boy, but then again he himself was just a boy when the task of getting rid of a Dark wizard was brought upon him. “Just try to make the best of the situation.” James nodded and Harry ruffled his hair as he passed by and headed back into the house.

James stood in the same place that his father was just at and narrowed his eyes a little at the scene before him. A spark of jealously passed through him as he watched his younger brother play Quidditch with the traitor. He and Albus used to always play a game together but now, once he left for Hogwarts, he would be replaced by Malfoy.

Not withstanding watching the game being played out on the field anymore, he pushed himself off the frame and walked back to his room.
***


“That was a great game!” Albus smiled cheerfully and landed onto the ground right beside Leo. The blonde was also grinning and nodding in consent.

In the end, the game was a close match. They were so close to finding out who the winner was, when Albus noticed the blue sparks coming from the house. The sparks were sent by Ginny, in her way of telling Albus that it was time for dinner. The boys decided to pause their game and leave it for another day.

“I normally play with my dad, but today was a good change of opponent,” Leo said.

“I normally play with my brother, but when he leaves I won't have anyone to play with. Dad is always too busy with work to play nowadays.”

“Well, you and I can play now until I leave,” Leo offered a bit shyly.

Albus smiled and nodded. Both boys put away their brooms back in the shed and happily walked back towards the house. Ginny was waiting for them at the door with her hands on her waist.

“Make sure you boys wash off before eating. Dinner is almost ready.”

“Yes, Mum.” Albus made his way towards his bathroom. Ginny stopped Leo from continuing, by placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I'm sorry about what I said earlier. Your...father...and I have bad history.”

“I understand. He told me about it before I was dropped off.” Leo coolly looked up at Mrs. Potter-Weasley. She raised an eyebrow at the statement.

“Well, then you understand where I'm coming from. Now, the guest bedroom and bathroom is down that hallway.” Ginny pointed to a hallway to her right. “I always make sure that James and Albus wash up before eating dinner after playing Quidditch. I suggest you do the same.” She turned around and headed back to the kitchen.

Leo sneered as the woman walked away. He now understood why his father didn't like her. How could Potter marry such a woman? He quickly made his way down the hallway that was shown to him and found the guest room. It was decorated with neutral colors. In the middle of the room was a full-sized bed. The room was adjoined to a bathroom on the left hand side. To the right was a dresser and next to it was the closet.

Leo went towards the bathroom and noticed that a house-elf must've received his luggage from the entrance hallway where he had left them and set up all of his toiletries on the sink and in the shower. After deciding the best temperature to take a shower, he stepped in and proceeded with his daily ablutions. Once he finished, he went to the drawers and found his clothing. After dressing himself he set off for finding where the dining room was. As he walked he bumped into a little girl.

“Owie!”

“Sorry.” Leo bent to check the girl out to see if she was okay.

“It's okay. I wasn't looking.” The girl smiled up at him and he couldn't resist the urge to smile as well. “My name is Lily.”

“Yes, I remembered. I'm Leo.”

“Like a lion?” Lily giggled.

“Yes.” Leo smiled.

“Cool. I'll walk you to the dining room.” Lily grabbed Leo's hand and began to lead him towards the kitchen without waiting for a reply. As they walked, Lily pointed out where some of the other rooms in the house were. When they reached the dining room, everyone was already seated. Leo made his way to sit in between Albus and Lily, at Lily's request.

Dinner was a quiet affair, as the majority felt strange at the new addition to their dinner. James kept his eyes to his plate, Ginny simply ate her dinner quietly, and Harry couldn't get over the fact that he had another son and that said person was now temporary under his care. Albus and Lily, though, were both speaking with Leo quite easily. When everyone finished dinner, Leo went back to his bedroom to change into his pajamas.

Lying on his bed, Leo hoped for his dad to get well…

Soon...


To be continued