A Whispered Confession Can Change Everything

Chapter 34

Draco was just shaking his head. He hadn’t been able to talk to godfather in days and frankly he was still in shock about his fate as a teacher, “I still can’t believe it...” Severus glanced at his companion as they walked, “I mean...I was a brute in school, my grades average and now...”

“Draco. You simply weren’t applying yourself. You’ve convinced yourself you were going to fail before you’d even started. You are an exceptional young man and we want to give you every opportunity to use your gifts instead of wasting them.”

Silently following his godfather into the dungeons, waiting until they were successfully secluded in the laboratory, “Godfather...am I doing the right thing?” Severus turned around with a frown but Draco pressed forward, “I’m only eleven. A third year certainly but...is this right?”

Giving his godson a considering look, “Would you rather do something else? This is merely an opportunity, nothing more.”

Sighing in frustration, “I don’t know. I’m good at potions. I know most subjects backwards and forwards relatively quickly. I mean...is this what I’m supposed to do with me life?”

Quirking an eyebrow, “You mean teaching?” Nodding a little, “I can’t answer that for you Draco and I
certainly won’t try. That is up to you. All I can suggest for you is trying it out to see if it fits. There is no contract. You’re not trapped in this fate and you can walk away if it’s too much for you.”

“I...I don’t want to disappoint you...or Albus...”

Kneeling down, ignoring his unease and pulling his godson to him in reassurance. He was not by any means a touchy feely kind of man. But his godson was young, and for this boy he would do anything, “Draco...you could never be a disappointment. This is your life and how you choose to lead it is no one’s choice but your own.”

Holding onto his godfather tightly, head buried in his shoulder, “Even if I want to just play my violin?”

Smirking, “Your playing is anything but ordinary...and yes, even if that is your choice.” Anything but the fate your father was going to force you into. He’d allow his own death if it meant his godson was saved from being in Voldemort’s clutches.

Draco sighed for a moment, letting his godfather provide him the comfort and reassurance he was looking for. Swallowing and nodding to himself after a moment, “Okay. So, what’s the curriculum for my class?” He felt his heart swell at Severus’ smile of pride.

“I believe I have just the thing for you, though we will have to work on your presentation.” Draco tilted his head with a frown, “It takes time to scare them into submission like I can, so I think I’ll teach you how to gain their attention instead.” Draco thought about it, realizing he did need to learn how to teach. So he quietly settled in and soaked up everything Sev showed him.

***

Draco was munching on a piece of bacon when a tiny owl came zipping through the window and straight to the table. Reaching out to catch it, he shook out his hand as the little thing squawked at him and hopped over to Harry before holding out his leg, “Ow! Little bugger...” Shaking his head, he went back to eating while Harry tentatively took the letter.

Hermione looked over her book with a frown, “Who’s it from, Harry.”

A small smile crossing his face, “Ron.” Draco huffed but said nothing, grinding his teeth and turning his attention away from the raven haired boy. Harry nudged him, “You promised to try.”

“This is trying. I didn’t say anything, did I?”

Draco looked back challengingly, daring Harry to call him on an annoyed huff. Harry nodded his assent while Cassie watched the by-play curiously, “Who’s this Ron?”

Sneering just a fraction, “Weasley...redhead nightmare and pain in my ass-...”

“Draco!”

Wincing when not just Harry and Hermione, but Albus also reprimanded him. Scrunching down and mumbling defiantly, “Well he is.”

Harry rolled his eyes, “He’s been my friend since first year. He and Draco don’t get along.” Draco mumbled something else but refused to say it louder and Harry sighed again, “You’re not trying very well.” Shaking his head, he read through the parchment before scowling and crumpling it up in disgust.

“Bad news? Weasley didn’t die...did he?”

Harry caught the hopeful tone and smacked Draco upside the head, “No, he didn’t. Just the normal stuff, ‘Mione.” She caught the significance of that look and dropped the subject, watching as Draco fake attacked Harry for smacking him and the two got into a tickle fight on the floor.

***

“Alright, Harry, what can you say to me that you can’t say in front of Draco?”

“Anything involving Ron.”

She frowned, crossing to a log next to the lake and sitting down, “Alright, you have a point but only a small one. Draco will grow out of his snit, just don’t put up with it. So, what did he say...oh, Happy Birthday.”

Grinning and sitting next to her, “Thanks and...he went on and on about Lucius Malfoy...he’s getting the
kiss for what he did.”

Her expression firm and cold, “Good.”

Thinking of a certain blond, “Is it?”

She considered her decision before nodding, “Yes. Even Draco’s alright with it.”

Frowning, “Is he?”

Smiling slightly, “I saw him hide a copy of the Prophet in his shirt. The issue about the ministry
interviews and why they decided there would be no appeals. Not much was discussed but their decision was unwavering. Which is actually rather surprising considering the Malfoy influence. So I know he knows and he seems okay. I think because he has a father now, he’s alright about it.” Harry’s frown deepened, “Come on, Harry, I’m not a clever witch for nothing. I’ve seen how happy he is with Dumbledore. And I heard Pansy reassuring him that having the Headmaster for a father was the best news she’d ever heard.”

Shaking his head, “Wow.”

“So, what else did he talk about?”

Grinning, “Well, he talked about the dragons he and Charlie worked with. About how boring the Burrow is without me there to stir up trouble. They’re going shopping for supplies today and he’ll see us at the station.”

Hermione winced, “Except we’re already at Hogwarts...no train.”

“I hate to spoil your fun but that’s not how the Headmaster has it planned.” Both turned to see Pansy
sitting calmly a few feet away, tossing pebbles into the lake and smirking when the octopus sent them skipping across the water. Glancing back at them, “He plans to have us meet the Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts on the platform. We will be shuttled there by port key. Then we shall ride the train back to the school and join the sorting feast as normal.”

Hermione frowned, “Why? It seems like such a waste.”

“You forget, Granger, Draco is to be sorted this year. The Headmaster wants Draco to get to know the other students so the transition will be easier. And it is not exactly common knowledge that any of us are at the school instead of at home, blissfully unaware of what awaits the other students.”

That was also true. Pansy dusted off her sun dress and climbed to her feet, “I believe, Potter, it is time to entertain the kids on the Quidich pitch.” Harry looked thoughtful but nodded in agreement, standing and heading off at an easy pace. Both girls glanced at one another and winked.

***

Harry was absolutely stunned, staring as Hagrid raised the sign over his head, much to the cheering of the kids out to greet him to celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday, in Hagrid’s own unique spelling. He started smiling brightly as he was hugged and patted, everyone singing happy birthday to him and Draco coming onto the pitch with a birthday cake following after him.

“Make a wish Harry!” Draco glanced at Hermione with a confused frown but didn’t ask, watching as Harry blew out the candles all at once. There were more cheers, little ones running up with drawn pictures of him flying or Quidich logos they had traced. Hermione gave him a small figurine of a miniature snitch, complete with flapping wings. Draco had a feeling it came from the same designer of the miniature dragon she’d given him on his birthday.

He glanced at Albus who nodded his head and taking a deep breath, carefully handed over a silk pouch. Harry frowned, feeling weight to it, “It’s from Albus and I.”

Tilting the pouch to let whatever it was out, a small black snake slipped into his hand and he was instantly mesmerized, “Hello.”

The little snake looked up at him, “Hello, masster...I’m sso happy to sspeak to you.”

“What’ss your name?”

“I have none.”

Harry could detect the feminine feel from her speech, “May I name you?”

“Yess, pleasse.”

“Colubrae, then...it meanss ssnake.”

“Harry that’s just wrong.” Harry jerked out of his conversation to look at Draco who wrinkled his nose in disgust, “You’re going to call your snake, snake?”

Harry blinked, “You can under- you speak Parstlemouth?”

Snorting, “No, but I can understand it...mostly.”

“I like my name, masster. Thank you.”

“Your welcome, Colubrae.” Pointing a finger at Draco, “You.”

Shrugging, “What?”

“You could have told everyone I wasn’t telling that snake to attack during the duel.”

Rolling his eyes, “Even if someone had asked me, the question is, would I?” Harry narrowed his eyes in
mock anger and Draco sighed, “Harry, it is assumed if you understand Parstlemouth, you speak it. And thank you very much but enough people were suspicious of me at the time as it was. After all, I had you and Weasley poly-juiced to look like Crabbe and Goyle to get information out of me.” Snorting, “Heir of Slytherin, indeed.” Hermione and Harry stared at him. Draco snorted again, “You impersonate Slytherins yet you know nothing of them. Those two only act like door knobs out in the school population. That insult I made in the common room about not being able to read would have at least merited a glare. You don’t really think those two could be that dumb and survive at Hogwarts, do you?” Draco crossed his arms in satisfaction, “Not to mention I caught your scar and Weasley’s hair when the potion was wearing off.” Laughing, “You two looked ridiculous. Trying to cover yourselves and run at the same time.”

Harry calmly handed Colubrae over to Hermione before taking off after a still laughing blond.