Fathers, Godfathers, and Godsons...Oh My

Chapter 5

Cassie furrowed her brow, trying to copy the little origami folding Draco was doing. He grinned at her and blew softly, the paper fluttering it’s wings like a real snitch, “That is just neat...where’d you learn that?”

Shrugging, “My great-great grandmother showed me when I was very young.”

Frowning, “Wouldn’t she be a little...dead?”

Nodding, “She was. But her portrait is still at the Manor.”

“Ah.”

Sticking out her tongue, she finished with a small flourish to produce a sad looking butterfly. Shrugging a little with a sigh, she started unfolding the paper to try again, “Draco. I wondered where you ran off to.”

Smiling shyly, “Hi Albus.”

Eyes twinkling, gesturing lightly to the two sitting in the grass, “I need to talk with you of a few
things, son.”

Scrambling to his feet and dusting off his rear, “I’ll see you at supper, Cassie.”

She silently waved, still trying to fold as Draco followed Albus back into the castle. He was fleetingly worried he was in trouble, but only until Albus draped an arm around his shoulders and gently steered him to his office. Then he was pretty sure he was okay and followed, grinning at Fawkes. The phoenix ruffled his feathers and hopped from his perch to the table, demanding to be stroked which Draco was more than eager to do.

He always sang for him and it always put him at ease. Albus chuckled softly, “You do know you’re one of the few who can get him to sing?”

Draco grinned, “Really?”

Albus nodded with a smile, “Yes.” He stroked his beard even as Draco turned his attention to him, “Firstly, I noticed that you spied an owl I was given and your reaction was rather interesting.”

Blushing a little, “It was a Gringott’s owl, right?”

“That is correct. Do you know why I received it?”

Swallowing, “I was hoping it was about my still being a Malfoy heir.”

Albus tilted his head a little, “Is that important to you?”

Shrugging a little before sighing and looking down, playing with the end of his robe, “About being a
Malfoy no, but after all that happened I don’t want them to win.”

Frowning, “Win what, Draco?”

Huffing, “If I just accept being disowned with my tail tucked firmly between my legs, it feels like I’m
accepting that I wasn’t good enough. Maybe they’re the ones that weren’t good enough to be my parents and I want to be heir so I can rub it in their noses about it.” Looking up a little, “And I miss Tipsy just a little bit.”

“And who is Tipsy?”

Picking at his robes, head firmly down in shame, “A house elf. She and Dobby...were my only friends.”

Albus studied Draco for a moment, the wheels in his mind turning as he pondered his son’s words. It was not uncommon for very young pureblood children to have an attachment to the elves that care for them, but it is usually outgrown under their parent’s influence. Indeed school age children who are still friends with their elves are often picked on for it. For Draco to still carry such feelings spoke volumes of how much positive exposure he had with his parents. He thought to himself before nodding and turning the conversation to a new topic, “Alright then, Draco, now I wanted to have a quick discussion about your teaching this year.”

Draco looked up, worried, “You said that I could.”

Nodding, “Yes, and I won’t deny you that but I wanted to discuss your...impartiality as a professor.” Draco gave Albus a confused look and the old wizard sank down into his chair, “What I mean, son, is that as professors we are not to show favoritism.”

Frowning, “I wouldn’t cheat.”

“I am aware, Draco, but I am concerned of students that you may not be getting along with.”

Crossing his arms, “This is about the mudbloods, isn’t-...”

“Draco!”

Flinching, “What??”

Sighing once before crooking his finger with a reprimanding shake of his head, “Come here, son.”

Eyes widening in panic, “What? What’d I do?”

Putting just a bit of warning into it, “Draco.”

Stomping his foot just a little, he pouted and came forward. Albus put a gentle hand on each of his arms, “Now then, I want you to think carefully of what you’ve just said recently and try to figure out what I would be upset about.”

Brow furrowing, Draco thought back through the conversation they’d just had before exclaiming, “Oh, you mean when I said mud-...” His eyes widened and he slapped a hand over his mouth. Oops. He wasn’t supposed to say that anymore, particularly in front of Albus, “I’m sorry.”

Albus nodded a little and conjured up a bar of soap, holding it out, “I think you remember what to do.” Unfortunately he did. Albus had told him words he was never to repeat. And when he did he got to spend a bit of quality time with soap. It was certainly incentive not to do it. Because if he refused, he’d be grounded and he’d still get his mouth washed out. He’d found that out over the summer.

Sulking in a big way, nose scrunching up, Draco carefully took the soap and put it in his mouth. He tried not to bite it or to let his tongue touch the vile thing but it wasn’t really helping. Albus cast a tempus alarm spell for four minutes and sat back. That was the worst part. Draco really would prefer a lecture right now to take his mind off it but Albus always waited until the punishment was over.

This was so ruddy primitive but he hated to admit it was effective. Fidgeting, holding onto his robes with both hands, Draco silently withstood the four minutes and yanked the soap out as soon as the chime struck four. He shifted his feet, wiping at his mouth and needing to wash his tongue off so badly, “Sit down, Draco.”

Pulling at his robes, “Can’t I...”

He flinched from what he tasted and hinted with a tilt of his head, “You know the rules, Draco. First I will finish this discussion, then you may rinse your mouth out.” Draco whimpered and hung his head, sitting down and twisting his hands in his cloak, “Now then, as a young person I can understand that there will be students that you won’t get along with. However, as a Professor when it comes to teaching and grading I expect a certain amount of impartiality.”

Mumbling around his tongue while glancing up, “What if they start it?”

Looking over his glasses, “Draco, if you really wish this discussion to continue for longer than necessary by all means continue to be petulant. I’m certain I can regale you with stories that will keep you in that chair for the remainder of the afternoon.”

Whimpering and dropping his head, “No, sir, I understand.”

“Now, I have complete faith in your abilities, and you always have Severus or myself if you require help. And remember, this is a privilege, not a burden. If you do not wish to continue or this becomes too much for you do not hesitate to talk to me.”

Looking stubborn, “I can handle it.”

Nodding, “I know that you can. Now, I will expect weekly lesson plans from you, as you already know, and I will be closely monitoring your classes.” Draco nodded with a sigh, feeling excited and nervous and really wanting some water right about now. Smiling with twinkling eyes, “Alright. The discussion is over.” Draco bolted out of the room, heading straight for the boy’s lavatory.

***

Harry smirked, catching Draco coming out of the bathroom with a grimace etched into his face, “What’d you say this time?”

Glaring at the Gryffindor, “Same as last time.”

Rolling his eyes, slinging an arm around his shoulders, “You never learn.”

Whining just a bit and stomping his right foot, “I’m getting better...and you have no idea how awful
soap tastes.”

Chuckling, “Nope, and I’m never finding out. Yuck.”

Crossing his arms, “Father’s mean.” Gaping, “And he still didn’t tell me!”

Harry glanced at Draco but didn’t call him on it or ask what obviously had him upset. He’d noticed more and more the blond calling Albus father but no one mentioned it. It was some kind of unspoken acceptance that it wasn’t called attention to, “No he’s not.”

Hermione came running up to them, “Harry, Draco, I’ve been looking all over for you.”

The two glanced at one another, answering together, “What?”

Rolling her eyes, “Come on.” She immediately started down the hall. With a shrug they hurried after her, Harry moving to her left and Draco to her right. Up the stairs they went and down the hallway to her room. Draco took a look around, smirking to see floor to ceiling books. She smacked him upside the head, “Don’t even say it.”

Rubbing his injured brain, “Why is everyone picking on me today?”

Grinning evilly at him, “You got soaped again, didn’t you?” He always acted a closer approximation to his age when that happened. He glared and crossed his arms, jerking his head around to avoid looking at her.

“Mione, quit. So, why were you looking for us?”

She grinned excitedly this time, scooping up a book on her bed and presenting it with a proud flourish, “I really want to try this spell.”

Harry peered at it, “What is it?”

Jumping just a bit, “We can call on the elements with it. It would be better of course with four people but I’m almost afraid Ron might mess it up.”

Draco silently half turned, looking over his shoulder at the book while Hermione calmly talked to Harry through the wording. As always, Harry just shrugged, “Sure.”

She turned beseeching eyes on Draco who sighed and held out a hand to look it over. She eagerly did so, jumping when he yelped and dropped the book as if burned. She frowned and tisked to herself, reaching down to pick it up but stopping when his left hand halted her, “Draco-...” Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the blisters forming on his right hand. It really had burned him.

She took a big step back, Harry following her lead while Draco paced around the book for a moment before carefully kneeling down. He half frowned in concentration, half grimaced as he cradled his right hand before glancing up, “You said you saw an element controlling spell?” Silently Hermione nodded, “It’s interesting, then. I see a shape shifting spell. It’s been illusioned. I don’t know what or why but I’m afraid to find out.”

Harry scratched his head, “So, anyone who looks at it sees what they want?”

Nodding, “Precisely.”

Draco stomped his foot with a whimper, before moving quickly out of the room, “I’m seeing Madam Pomfrey.”

Harry turned to Hermione, “Where did you find it?”

She opened her mouth, then frowned and slowly closed it, “I...I don’t remember...”

Habits are hard to break and considering how many times Malfoy called Hermione a mudblood I figured he would need a little help in breaking it.