I Am

SoftObsidian74 ,paigeey07 this chapter is for you my two faithful reviewers. Enjoy!

ja'ne- Ami

((-))
I Am

Chapter 4: The Other Shoe

The Prefects of Slytherin house congregated on the leather couches in Draco’s room. Said person, on the other hand, was no where to be found.

“So, what do you think is going on?” one of the fifth years asked.

“I have no idea. Maybe it’s nothing.” one of the sixth years replied.

Blaise and Pansy sat on the edges to one of the love-seats and looked at each other. They knew, but they were just wondering how the rest of the house would take it. They each saw out of the corner of their eyes Draco’s bedroom door crack open just a bit and knew that signaled their spiel. Both of them got off the arms and went to stand in front of the fireplace.

“Alright, everyone calm down. We have something to discuss with you.” Blaise ordered. His deep voice carried throughout the entire room. Everyone automatically quieted and waited. Pansy stepped forward, hands clasped behind her back. She would carry it on from here.

“Alright, now what we are about to say can, and will only stay within this house. There will be no speaking of this to anyone outside of our house. I must enforce this for it has everything to do with our pride and honor, and we will hold you to it.” She paused. Everyone stared at her with rapt attention waiting for her to go on.

“Our own head boy and Prince has of late, found out that he has fathered a son.” As expected there was a frenzy of talking and giggles from the girls. Most of the boys were pensive and questioning.

“Quiet please.” Pansy commanded, her voice carrying over the chatter. But that would not control them. If anything the chatter increased. And it was at that point that Draco came out from his room, Antony in his arms.

“If you would” his voice carried even more than Blaise’s. Silence fell. He came over to stand between Pansy and Blaise. “This is Antony, and as Pansy has stated he is my son. He will be with us for the rest of the year. It is my hope that you would help me with him. I have brought a friend to help, but as I was reminded not too long ago, it is always nice to have extra hands. And, as Pansy has already stated, it is imperative that you do not speak a word of this to anyone.”

He knew his words sunk in, because all of the boys nodded as though they held the greatest secret and all the girls giggled with the prospect of knowing something no one else did.

“Now, fifth year prefects you are in charge of informing the other years. Sixth year prefects you are in charge of insuring secrecy. You are more than welcome to visit, but do please check with me before you come in.”

Antony had found Draco’s hair and tried to pulled a handful out.

“Ouch!!” Draco pried the baby’s hand away from his hair. For a moment Antony looked like it was the end of the world. “Oh, now don’t you go trying that again. It didn’t work last time and it won’t work this time.” Antony’s face scrunched up as if making to cry, but decided against it.

All the girls sighed and giggled and all the boys’ eyebrows lifted. Rare it was for their own Slytherin Prince to be so candid and unguarded. Draco caught their reactions.

“Now,” he addressed them all. “Do not think for one minute that my son will make me soft. I am still Draco Malfoy, and I am still Head Boy of this school.” and he made sure they heard the truth in his words. He was as he had said, and he had a reputation to uphold. He could be soft when it was just him and the baby and Daniella, but outside of his little world, there was nothing different. He would carry on as he normally did.

“Now, that is all that we had to discuss. And once again, I cannot stress to you how important it is that no one, and I literally mean no one, but our housemates is to know about Antony. Now, it’s nearly 9 and Antony should have been in bed an hour or two ago. You’re dismissed.” And with that Draco shooed them all out of his room. Only Blaise and Pansy remained. They all sat down on the big couch.

Pansy plucked Antony out of Draco’s arms and set him in her lap. “Well, that was easy enough.” she sighed. The tips of her hair were just in Antony’s reach and he took full advantage of it. He grabbed a fistful. Though unlike Draco she didn’t seem to mind all that much.

“Yes it was.” Draco replied. He conjured up a bottle of the finest Pinot Grigio he could think of and poured them each a glass. He passed it to each of them. “I think I can rest a little easier now. I mean I have you guys and Daniella. This should be easy.”

“For your sake mate, I hope the other shoe doesn’t drop.” Blaise commented as he took a sip of his wine.

Draco looked at him. “The other shoe?” he asked.

Blaise met his eyes. “Yes, the other shoe. You know the bad thing that’s bound to happen. I mean really, this has all been so easy. Something bad is bound to happen, your luck can’t hold up forever.”

Draco turned away to stare at the fire. “I hope you’re right. I hope the other shoe doesn’t drop. I might not be able to handle it.”

“Oh don’t worry about it, Drae. You have us. We’ll do what we can to help out.” Pansy answered. Antony had a firm grip on her finger and she was waving it ever so gently causing him to let out a peal of giggles.

Draco sighed. “I hope you’re right mate, I truly hope you are.”

((-))

A week had passed since the first night, and everything was going considerably well. Daniella had been wonderful, when he had homework she would keep an eye on Antony. When he had his night watches she would make sure Antony was put to bed. She made sure bottles were made and made sure Draco ate as well. He had a terrible habit of forgetting to eat on some nights. He truly didn’t know what he would do without her.

“Mr. Malfoy would you mind telling me what happens when you cross Wolfsbane and Faerieroot together?”

Draco’s head snapped up from where he’d been pretending to read his book. Professor Snape’s voice had cut straight through his thoughts. If he had been anyone else he would have floundered he question, but he was a Malfoy. He’d been taught this when he was five.

“Yes sir, a combination of Wolfsbane and Faerieroot brings about a healing mixture for any sort of unnatural bite, tear, gash, or the like. It prevents poison from spreading and helps close the wounds. It does not, however remove poison.” he answered without a single thought.

“Very good, Mr. Malfoy. I see that you were paying attention.” Snape turned his attention away from Draco and back to the rest of the class.

Finally the bell rang and Draco gathered his things and left.

“Malfoy”

He was very tempted to keep on walking, but damnit it might be important. He rolled his eyes before spinning around in a flurry of his robes.

“What, Granger?” he made his voice as steel. Cold and unforgiving. He hated himself for taking pleasure in the fact that he saw her cringe, but then again, maybe he didn’t.

“I…um…Professor Dumbledore wants us to make more frequent night rounds. He also said that we should hold a prefects meeting. I was thinking somewhere neutral, common ground for all the houses.” she managed to stammer out.

Draco smirked, he found himself taking pleasure in her discomfort. He had honestly never liked this girl and didn’t think anything could change that. She would always be dirty in his eyes. Hell, she wasn’t even born to magical parents. He hated to admit that even the Weasley’s were more likely to warrant his kindness than this low-life.

“Alright, Granger. Tomorrow after dinner, in the conservatory. I’ll tell my prefects and the Ravenclaws, you can tell the others. Now if you’re finished disgracing me with your presence I have a class to attend.”

And with that he left her. He heard her give an exasperated sigh and smirked.

Classes throughout the day were as expected, extremely dull. He knew every lesson even before the teacher started rambling on. He was of course a Malfoy, and he father, cruel unfeeling man that he was, had made sure his son was well taught in every manner of schooling possible. Draco would make sure he taught his son just as well, without the sufficient beatings afterwards to make sure he remembered. He couldn’t help the shiver that crawled down his spine. No, he would never do that to his son, never.

After dinner he finally trudged up to his room, although, what he found there was not what he expected. He opened the door and found Daniella on the sofa. She was in tears.

“What?! What’s happened? Is Antony okay? Are you hurt? Is he hurt? What’s wrong?!” he couldn’t help the string of questions that came out of his mouth as he rushed over to her. He had let his guard down the instant he came through the door. Right now he could simply be Draco. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close making her cry all the harder.

“It’s…*sniff*…mother.” She sucked in a shaky breath. “Michael just flooed in.” she gave a loud sob. “She’s…sick! She’s really, really sick! Oh Draco…I can’t…I can’t stay. I have to go…I…I…have to make sure she’s okay. I’m so sorry! I…please…my mother!” She wailed. He could feel the tears soaking through his robes.

“Hush, hush now.” He whispered and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry about it. I can manage. You’re mother is sick. Go…go home. Take care of her.” he whispered. He held her close and let her cry. Finally she composed herself to some degree and gathered her things.

“I truly am sorry. But I know you can do it. I know you can handle this, and I will check up on you. I swear it. Just, I just have to see to mother first. I…you understand.” She snuffled again, but Draco shushed her.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll manage. Go, go see to your mother and send her my best wishes and hopes that she gets better. If there’s anything that I can do please let me know.” He told her. He had already opened the floo portal. He sent her on her way.

Antony was asleep in his bedroom as was usual this time of night.

Draco sighed and tried to steady himself. He could do this. How hard could it be? I mean he’d done it at home. Daniella had helped only when he needed her. He could do this…couldn’t he? He needed Blaise…now.

He set a sensor on his watch to monitor Antony and left his room. He found Blaise in the common room pouring over their herbology homework. He grabbed him by the arm pulling him up and away.

“What that? Drae?” he protested.

“My room now.” Draco said as he drug his best friend up to his room.

“Draco, what the hells is going on?!” Blaise demanded once they were safely inside his room. “We have an herbology test tomorrow and you yank me away from my studies.”

“Daniella had to leave.”

“What?” Blaise’s what was drawn out and positively curious.

Draco was pacing now. “Daniella’s mother got sick, like really sick, and she had to leave. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can take care of Antony and do all of my school work!!!! What am I going to do?!” He threw his hands up in the air, frustrated beyond belief.

Blaise placed his hands on Draco’s shoulders. “Calm down mate. Take a deep breath. This is not the end of the world. Now, think. It will be alright. I mean, you have us, and the house. Antony will just have to be a little more familiar with everyone.”

Draco did as he was told and took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. It won’t be that bad. I just…I guess I just lost it for a minute. I’m good.” Draco ran his hands through his hair and settled them on the back of his neck.

Blaise smirked.

“What?” Draco asked not liking where that was going.

“I hate to say ‘told you so’ mate, but it seems to me that the other shoe has dropped.”