Chapter 2
Harry was perched on the edge of the couch, trying hard to keep himself under control and not rattle the couch with the shaking he was trying to suppress.
Mr and Mrs Malfoy kept glancing at him and looking worried, but he was avoiding their eyes. He didn’t want to talk about it, but it was his turn next, and he didn’t know how to get out of it.
It had sounded so… nice, when Draco told him. The whole family, sitting together in the library, reading stories to each other. Like something from a movie.
The Dursleys had certainly never done anything like that. The TV was on pretty much constantly, and if there was nothing they considered worth watching, Dudley would pick a movie and they’d watch that instead. Harry had developed a pretty good imagination from listening but being unable to see the TV screen from his locked cupboard.
The Dursleys certainly wouldn’t turn the TV off and choose to read a book instead. The idea of Dudley sitting beside Uncle Vernon, both with their noses in books, had made Harry want to laugh.
Laughter was the last thing on his mind right now though.
‘… would just have to wait till morning.’ Draco finished, then held the book out for Harry to take.
Harry reached for it hesitantly, mentally berating himself for not coming up with an excuse before now to get out of this situation in time. The book was open on the right page already – maybe he could drop it and pretend he couldn’t find the right spot?
No, Draco would find it again and it would still be Harry’s turn to read. He took an unsteady breath and let it out quietly, raising the book right up close to his face. Reading was hard enough without his stupid glasses that didn’t work properly.
‘Oh!’ Draco cried. ‘Harry, I’m so sorry! I completely forgot! Mother, Harry’s glasses aren’t the right strength or whatever – could you fix them?’
Narcissa furrowed a brow slightly. ‘They don’t fit your eyes properly, Harry? Have the enchantments worn off already?’
‘They’re muggle glasses, mum. His nasty aunt got them from a discount section, they weren’t even made for him.’ Draco scowled.
Narcissa’s lips tightened, but before Harry could say anything, she flicked her wand at his face, and suddenly he could see! Everything was so sharp, so clear. He gazed around in amazement, his eyes lingering on Draco’s face, cataloguing his suddenly sharp features. He looked at Narcissa and Lucius too, amazed to see that Narcissa’s eyes were grey like Draco’s, while Lucius’ were a pale, icy blue. His eyes roamed over the library, taking in the titles of books on faraway shelves, dust motes swirling in a ray of light coming in the large window, the intricate patterns on the papered walls.
‘Is that better, Harry? Can you see the book easier?’ Draco asked.
Harry’s expression of wonder dropped suddenly as he looked back at the book. ‘Yes. Thank you, Mrs Malfoy.’ He said quietly.
Three sets of eyes looked at each other in confusion at the sudden change, but nobody was sure what to say.
Harry cleared his throat. ‘The hoz – hozir – hoziron was ting-ged with red, and su-dden-ly the sun app- apperr’d. The boy th-thought back to that con-ser-va… um, con-ver-sat-i-on with his father, and feel- felt happy.’ Harry broke off when he noticed the Malfoys shuffling slightly, and he knew, without even looking, that they were giving him dirty looks. He knew he was stupid – not only could he barely read, he hadn’t even been able to get himself out of this situation so they wouldn’t find out! He’d been here for a couple of days now – he should have known his luck would run out.
A hand on his shoulder made him flinch hard, curling up tight and wrapping a hand over the back of his head to protect himself.
The hand moved away, and Harry braced himself for the blow.
It never came.
After a long, silent minute, Harry slitted an eye open.
‘There you are, darling. You’re safe, Harry. Nobody is going to hit you. May I touch you? I’d like to give you a hug, if you’d like one?’ Lucius asked gently.
Harry’s defensive posture loosened slightly in surprise. ‘A – a hug? But – but I’m stupid - I was being stupid! I can’t even read! Why – why a hug?’ he faltered, voice cracking at the end.
Lucius’ lips pinched slightly, and Harry went to curl up again, but Lucius laid a careful hand on his arm. ‘I disagree, Harry. Would you like a hug?’ he repeated.
Harry stared in shock. After a long moment, Lucius waiting patiently, Harry gave a slight shrug.
‘You’re not sure?’ Lucius asked. Harry shook his head, giving another half shrug. He wasn’t sure how this game or trick or whatever it was, worked.
Lucius leaned forward slowly, arms reaching out to circle around Harry and tug him gently to Lucius’ chest. Harry’s eyes darted back and forth as he watched Lucius move, wary and ready for a blow – but then Lucius was hugging him, like he’d done under the dining table on his first day here. Harry slowly let himself loosen, then slump more and more against Lucius’ chest, until Lucius was holding him up.
He flinched slightly when Lucius’ hand began to rub up and down his back, but slumped again when the repetitive motion worked to soothe him. Tears suddenly prickled in his eyes, and Harry jerked back. Lucius let him go easily, but his hands slid down to Harry’s holding them gently. Harry blinked quickly, willing the tears not to fall.
‘Darling, may I ask you a question? When you read, do the letters seem to move around and change places?’
Harry frowned, but after a minute he shook his head.
‘Alright, that’s good. Did you find it a bit easier to read once Cissa fixed your glasses?’
Harry gave a slight shrug, then a hesitant nod, then shrugged again.
Lucius thought for a moment. ‘Perhaps it was easier to see the words, but they were still unfamiliar?’
Harry nodded, ducking his head to stare at his lap. ‘I’m too dumb to read bigger words.’
Lucius gave his hands a little squeeze. ‘I disagree, Harry. I have seen and heard many stories of your cleverness. Having some difficulty reading does not mean you lack intelligence. Did you attend a muggle school before Hogwarts?’
Harry nodded. ‘The teachers didn’t like me coz of what my aunt said.’ He mumbled, ears burning.
Draco jumped in before Lucius could ask anything else. ‘His nasty teacher accused him of cheating without even asking his side of the story! His awful aunt kept telling his teachers he was a liar and a cheat and a thief, right Harry?’
Harry’s blush deepened as he nodded again.
‘I see.’ Lucius said slowly, trying to rein in his temper. ‘I would think, perhaps, if your teachers thought you were a naughty child, that they might not put much effort into educating or helping you – am I right?’
Harry shrugged again, then gave a slight shake of his head.
‘And I would also think that your miserable aunt did not take the time to sit and read with you at home?’
Harry glanced up, confused.
‘Mother and Father read books with me every night as a child. When I started learning to read, they would sit with me and help me learn new words so I could read my favourite books by myself.’ Draco explained.
Harry sniffed, shaking his head. ‘Never did that. They didn’t read with Dudley either, though.’
‘And I’m sure he has difficulty reading too. Reading is a skill, darling – one that must be practised before you can become proficient. It is not something you either have or don’t have. We would be glad for the opportunity to help and support you, Harry. Our family loves to read, and I’m sure you will too, with a little more practise.’
Harry’s gaze jumped between everyone, watching warily for signs of mockery. His brow furrowed when he didn’t find any. ‘Why?’ he asked, voice challenging but an undercurrent of fear still obvious.
‘Because you are family, Harry. Because we want to help you succeed. Because we know you have great potential. Because this is something you should have had already, and we are saddened that you have not had it. Because it is no hardship for us to spend time with you. Because it is our duty and honour to guide you and help you grow. Because you are deserving of time and effort and attention. Because I firmly believe you will be an avid reader once you get the hang of it. Shall I go on?’ Lucius asked earnestly.
Harry was staring at him in open shock. ‘You – really?’ he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes.
‘Really.’ Lucius replied.
Harry flung himself forward, burying his face in Lucius’ neck and sobbing, great, deep shuddering breaths wracking him. Draco and Narcissa practically dived from their seats, wrapping their arms around the pair, and squeezing them all together.