Prophecy Child

Lucius brushed a hand over his son’s robes, straightening them and smoothing any wrinkles after apparating. ‘Remember, Draco. Harry is not going to want to run around like a wild thing such as you. He’s had a difficult life thus far, and this is his first time meeting you. Stick with drawing or quiet games for now. Once he gets to know you better, he might be interested in mischief and mayhem like you, but not yet.’

Draco nodded seriously. ‘Yes Father. What about Exploding Snap?’

‘Too loud, I think.’

‘What about hunting dragons?’

‘Too boisterous.’

‘What about fighting –‘

‘Draco. Calm, quiet games. Perhaps next time he will want to play those games, but not today. Am I clear?’

‘Yes Father.’ Draco replied, dutiful and a little sullen.

Lucius gave him a sharp glance, and Draco wilted. ‘Sorry Father. Calm, quiet games only today.’

‘Good boy. Come along.’

Father and son strode up the wide path to the Manor, Draco with a skip in his step. Even if his father was being stuffy and boring, Draco was excited. He was going to make a new friend! His other friends were fine, but he played with them all the time. A new friend would know new games! Even if maybe they couldn’t play them today – next time though for sure.

They made their way inside and up some stairs and down a long hallway and around a corner and through a door… this trip was taking forever! Draco tried to hurry his father along, but without success.

Finally, they reached the right room. Lucius stopped outside and caught Draco’s eye. ‘Remember what I said, Draco. Be calm.’

Draco drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, but his mind was still racing. A new friend! On the other side of the door!

Lucius opened the door and Draco tried to restrain himself from racing inside. His father held a firm grip on his hand, likely knowing what Draco was liable to do. Draco’s eyes darted around the room, taking in a few adults sitting around, looking excitedly for his new friend... who wasn’t there.

Draco turned his eyes up to his father in confusion. ‘Where is he?’

‘He’ll be back in a moment, Draco. Welcome to my home.’

The Dark Lord! Draco had forgotten about him in his excitement. He tried to remember his manners.

‘Hello, your – your Lord- ship?’

‘My Lord.’ Lucius corrected quietly.

‘Hello, Father’s Lord.’ Draco corrected with a shallow bow. A few snickers made him straighten up, indignant.

Lucius fought down a smile. ‘He’s your Lord too, Draco. You say, ‘Hello, my Lord.’’

‘Right. Hello, my Lord.’ Draco said, determined to get it right.

‘Hello, Draco.’ Tom said, trying to keep his smile polite. Draco was quite the little character. Tom had agreed to the boys meeting, hoping it would help to draw Harry out of his shell.

A moment later, a door opened and Harry entered, followed by Carrick. Harry caught sight of Draco, but instead of being excited and coming over to play, his eyes went wide and scared. He backed up slowly, trying to duck behind Carrick out of sight.

Draco frowned for a second, then shook it off. He bounced over, calling excitedly, ‘Hi Harry! I’m Draco! We’re going to be friends and play together! Do you want to play Dragon hunting?!’

Harry backed himself against a wall, eyes darting around fearfully. In his desperation to move away, he bumped into a side table and caused an ornament to tip over and fall to the ground and break.

Harry dropped to the ground, curling up tight and covering his head with one arm. His other fist was scrubbing furiously over the small bit of chest not covered by his tucked up knees.

The whole room stared at the boy silently, shocked.

‘Why is he sorry? It was just an accident?’ Draco asked, perturbed. ‘And it’s not like it’s broken badly enough that it can’t be fixed.’

‘Yes, you’re right Draco. We can fix it easily.’ Lucius swept his wand over the ornament, causing it to knit back together and fly back up to its spot on the side table.

But Harry stayed where he was, still furiously scrubbing at his chest.

‘Why is he still saying sorry? It’s fixed!’

The adults turned their pitying gazes to Draco. ‘What do you mean?’ asked Lucius.

Draco pointed at Harry. ‘He’s saying sorry.’ He said simply. ‘But it’s already fixed.’

‘Harry doesn’t speak, darling, remember I told you earlier?’ Lucius corrected gently.

‘Yes, he does. That’s sign language. He’s saying sorry.’ Draco rubbed his fist over his chest and said it again. ‘This means sorry.’

Wide eyes turned back to Harry’s curled up form, still frantically scrubbing his chest.

Murmurs echoed around the room as everyone remembered the various – and copious – times they had seen the boy rubbing a fist over his chest. They had brushed it off as a nervous habit – but the boy had been apologising.

‘Shit.’ muttered Tom.

Draco turned to glare at him. ‘That’s a bad word!’

‘My apologies, Draco. I should not have said that.’ Tom cleared his throat. ‘Do you know any other sign language words?’

Draco tilted his head. ‘Only a couple. One of my tutors showed me but she had to move away before I could learn more. This one is sorry,’ he rubbed a fist over his chest. ‘This one is thank you,’ he tapped his fingers to his lips. ‘This one is how are you,’ he pulled a flat hand from his chest and curled it into a thumbs up. ‘Um… this one is bad,’ a pinky finger flicking outwards, ‘and good.’ A thumbs up. ‘I know some other ones too.’

‘The accident in the meeting – he was apologising in between trying to clean it up.’ Walters said, voice tight.

‘He was saying thank you over and over in the ritual room.’ added Barty.

‘He was saying ‘bad’ when I dressed him in nice clothes.’ Lucius said, watching the boy sadly.

‘Enough.’ said Severus sharply. ‘We can reminisce later. My Lord, stop him before he gives himself a bruise.’

Tom startled into action, crossing the room to drop to his knees before Harry. ‘It’s alright, Harry. You are not in trouble. Everything is okay. Sit up now, Harry.’ Tom laid a gentle hand over Harry’s fist, causing him to flinch hard and curl up tighter.

Draco had shuffled back to lean against his father, reaching up to grip his hand. Harry looked really scared. Draco wanted to help but he didn’t know how. Luckily there were lots of adults here to fix everything. Hopefully Harry would still want to play with him after.

Tom continued to coax the boy from his tight protective curl, eventually sitting him up and breaking him from his litany of silent sorries when he showed the unbroken ornament. Harry’s eyes went wide, then fearful again. He shook his head frantically, swiping his hands out and patting his chest and signing ‘bad’ over and over.

‘I think he’s saying ‘not me, bad’.’ Draco said quietly, leaning harder against his father.

‘It’s alright, Harry. Lucius fixed it. You haven’t done anything wrong.’ Tom said soothingly, even as his heart clenched in his chest. He held up a thumb then slowly reached out to tap Harry’s chest. ‘Good. You are good, Harry. You are not in trouble.’

Harry lifted his eyes slowly, meeting Tom’s in shock and wonder. Tom held himself very still, not wanting to break the moment. Harry was looking him in the eyes. Close and undeniable, Harry was making eye contact.

His eyes were beautiful – dark green and hypnotically deep, as he gazed into Tom’s own dark eyes.

Hesitant and slow, Harry reached out and pressed a thumb to Tom’s chest, tapping twice.

‘I think he’s saying you’re good too.’ Draco said quietly, and Harry nodded absently, eyes still fixed on Tom’s.

‘Thank you, Harry.’ Tom said quietly. ‘Would you like to come and sit on the couch and meet Draco? He is Lucius’ son, and he would like to make a new friend in you.’

Harry shrunk back down, dropping the eye contact and turning wary and defensive again.

Tom tried not to frown. ‘Draco is a good boy, he’s not going to do anything bad. It’s alright, Harry.’

Harry’s brow furrowed for a second, and his hands began to move quickly. He was pointing at Draco, then himself, then signing ‘bad’, and a few other words Tom couldn’t make out. He glanced at Draco, who looked indignant.

‘Are you saying I’ll do something naughty and blame you? I wouldn’t! That’s just rude! You don’t even know me, and you dare to say that I would do something so… so… cowardly! Maybe we shouldn’t be friends!’ Draco said hotly, outraged.

Harry shrunk even lower, body curling protectively and fist rubbing over his chest as his eyes darted around the room.

‘Draco,’ Lucius said, firm but quiet. ‘Remember what I told you before we came here, about Harry’s life. Perhaps there is a reason for his fear.’ Lucius turned to Harry and asked gently. ‘Has someone blamed you before for something you didn’t do, to get you in trouble?’

Harry nodded, eyes fixed on Draco’s hands.

‘Oh,’ said Draco, deflating. ‘Who was it? I bet they are a coward. Or a bully. Blaming someone else for something you’ve done is something that cowards and bullies do. Real men own their mistakes, right Father?’ Draco said confidently.

Lucius gave him a nod, trying to suppress his smile. Hearing his child repeating something that had been all but drilled into him was… gratifying. The number of times Draco had done something naughty and tried to blame it on a house elf or a kneazle or an imaginary creature… At least he’d been listening to all those lectures Lucius had given him.

Draco nodded decisively again, looking back to Harry.

Harry was watching Draco with an odd, curious expression on his face. He wasn’t quite looking Draco in the eye, but he was certainly interested. He lifted his hands and signed what seemed to be one word.

Draco frowned. ‘I don’t think I know that word. Do it again.’

Harry winced at the tone of command, but before anyone could interject, he raised his hands and repeated himself. At Draco’s blank look, he tried again, this time adding more signs.

‘The only word I understood was boy. You said boy, right?’

Harry nodded, torn between frustration at not being able to communicate properly, and glad that at least something was getting across.

‘Did another boy live with you, where you were living before?’ Carrick asked quietly. Harry shuddered and nodded, curling his fingers and making more signs and tapping his chest.

‘Love boy, bad Harry?’ Draco tried to translate.

The adults all shifted uncomfortably in understanding, making Harry tense and prepare to flee. He didn’t think he was supposed to be saying these things. They would be mad at him. Children like him should not speak to adults, or about adults, or look them in the eyes.

Harry’s eyes went wide and panicked suddenly. He had looked at Tom’s eyes. Children like him weren’t supposed to look at adults’ eyes, but he’d looked at Tom’s! His breathing picked up, heart racing. He didn’t know what to do. He turned desperately to Draco, then Carrick, then Tom, then back to Draco, signing frantically.

‘Slow down! I don’t know what you’re saying!’ cried Draco.

Harry’s heart was pounding in his chest, hands shaking as he tried to sign more clearly. Draco watched in confusion. ‘I don’t know what he means!’ he said, Harry’s desperation making Draco start to panic too.

‘It’s alright, let’s all take a breath. Harry, you are safe here. You are not in trouble. Try to sign more slowly so Draco understands. Draco, just tell us whatever words you know, even if they don’t make sense together, alright?’

Draco nodded, and Harry tried again. ‘Good, bad, good, bad, naughty, Harry, yes, no, ouch, what, what, what.’ Draco looked nervously at Tom. ‘Some other signs he said I don’t know.’

Harry’s eyes were darting around, desperately hoping someone could understand him. He looked at Carrick, then tried to mime something.

‘Going to bed?’ Carrick asked. Harry nodded. Harry pointed at Carrick, then at Tom, then mimed talking with his hand. ‘Are you talking about the night that Tom and I helped you settle in your bed? The first night you slept in it?’ Harry nodded again, and signed again, alternating between ‘good’ and ‘bad’, a question in his eyes which were fixed on Carrick’s chin.

‘Are you asking about rules, Harry? When I said I had to learn new rules in Tom’s house?’

Harry’s face lit up as he nodded quickly. He tapped the side of his finger against the flat palm of his hand.

‘Is that the sign for rule?’ Draco asked, copying him. Harry nodded, moving his hands again.

‘What rule eyes?’ Draco translated.

Harry looked to Tom for an answer, staring at his chin.

Tom stiffened, visibly trying to hold back whatever reaction he had to that question. Carrick also shuffled uncomfortably, ears burning. Harry clearly noted their reactions, shrinking away anxiously.

‘We are not mad at you, Harry. The rule in Tom’s house is that you may look at anyone in the eye, if you want to. You don’t have to look at their eyes if you don’t want to, but nobody will be mad if you do.’ Carrick said softly. Harry squirmed a little, then nodded.

‘Bad?’ he asked.

‘No, not bad. You are allowed to look at people’s eyes in my house, Harry. You have very nice eyes. I am not mad that you looked at my eyes.’ Tom said, trying to be as clear as possible.

Harry squirmed again, blushing. ‘Good boy Harry? No bad eyes?’

‘You are a good boy, Harry. Looking at someone’s eyes is not bad. Whoever taught you that is wrong.’ Tom said, firm but gentle.

Harry’s eyes glazed a little as he stared into the distance for a long moment.

‘Bad something bad rules something no no stop bad rules.’ Draco translated, voice flat as he concentrated on Harry’s signs.

‘Whatever rules you had before seemed very unfair, Harry. Tom’s rules are there to keep everyone safe and happy. Tom doesn’t have bad rules that make people feel bad or try to get them in trouble.’ Carrick answered, hoping he was understanding the boy’s meaning.

Harry nodded thoughtfully.

The room was quiet as they allowed Harry to process – while doing the same themselves. Draco’s introduction had been an eye-opener.

‘I’m hungry.’ Draco said into the quiet. ‘When’s lunch?’

Lunch was a large affair, with many of the Dark Lord’s followers present for various reasons. Harry tried to follow close behind Tom as they entered, eyes darting around as he took note of where everyone was and whether they seemed in good moods or bad. He was blocked from his usual seat by Draco, sitting at his father’s side.

Harry hovered nearby, fingers twisting together anxiously and shifting his weight. Tom caught his attention quickly, beckoning the boy to come and sit at a spot between Lucius and Tom. Harry slipped into the new seat, giving Tom a thankful glance.

The Dark Lord welcomed everyone to the meal as usual, and the food was served out. Harry’s eyes darted around until they met Tom’s, and he signed, ‘what rule?’ then tapped his plate.

‘What are the rules for food? For mealtimes?’ Tom clarified. ‘Well, you are allowed to eat until you are full. Nobody can steal from someone else’s plate. Er, you…’

‘You must eat some vegetables or fruit at every meal.’ Lucius interjected smoothly, and Tom nodded gratefully.

‘Yes, fruit and vegetables. And er… cutlery! You should use cutlery rather than your hands. And no sweets if you have not had your main meal. And… er…’

‘That’s probably enough rules for now,’ Lucius said quietly. ‘Adding too many will confuse him.’

‘Right. Yes.’ said Tom, clearly a little out of his depth. Lucius tried to hide a smile. ‘Oh, shut up, Lucius.’ Tom grumbled.

‘That’s a bad word!’ Draco said, giving the Dark Lord another glare and making Lucius snort.

Tom turned back to his meal, shaking his head slightly in amusement. After a moment, he noticed Harry looking around carefully, his plate untouched.

‘Alright, Harry?’

Harry winced, nodding. He glanced around again, then hesitantly picked up a fork. His grip looked awkward as he tried to spear a potato. He held the potato still with one hand, while trying to stick the fork in with his other hand. He lifted the whole piece of potato to his mouth and took a bite. He sucked in air as he chewed, mouth open to let the steam escape. Deciding the potato was a bit too hot yet, he pulled it off the fork with his hand and placed it back on his plate. He tried for the meat next, a large slice dangling as he tried to tear through it with his teeth in mid-air.

The usual crowd politely ignored the boy, having seen him too afraid to touch his plate, and therefore not willing to criticise his eating habits.

Draco had no such compunctions – or filter. ‘Merlin’s beard, what is he doing? Father, look! He’s using his hands!’

Harry startled and dropped his fork, clattering onto the plate. He ducked his hands below the table, trying to chew his overlarge bite of meat quickly. His eyes darted around, glancing repeatedly at Tom and Draco.

‘Draco!’ scolded Lucius. ‘Don’t shout at the table. Remember what I said earlier, Harry has not grown up like you have. His previous guardians did not teach him how to use a knife and fork. We will teach him, but we have not yet had a chance.’ Lucius was trying to pitch his voice low to Draco, but Harry could still hear him.

His ears burned, face red with shame. He swallowed down his mouthful and slumped slightly in his chair. He didn’t reach for more food, despite only having had a few bites. He kept his hands tucked in his lap, head bowed and breathing a little unsteady. Tears threatened but he held them back, knowing that crying just made things worse. He already wasn’t following Tom’s rule about cutlery properly, apparently. Crying wouldn’t help.

Harry rubbed his fist over his chest.

‘What are you sorry for, Harry?’ Tom asked gently.

‘Sorry bad Harry fork rule no bad Harry sorry bad.’ He signed.

‘You are sorry for… for not using your fork properly? You aren’t bad, Harry. Not knowing how to do something isn’t bad. Nobody has taught you yet, that’s all. We can teach you how to use cutlery. However, I see no issue with how you use a fork for now, as long as you are eating enough. In my house, nobody should go hungry. Harry,’ Tom eyed the boy carefully, then laid down his own cutlery. He waited till Harry glanced up at him, then grabbed a handful of beans and shoved them in his mouth. ‘It’s important to eat vegetables,’ Tom enunciated carefully around his mouthful. He chewed them down, then grabbed a piece of potato. ‘Cutlery can be a bother sometimes.’ He said casually, as Draco gaped at him.

Draco’s wide eyes flicked to his father, then to Tom, then to Harry, back to his father, then landed on his plate. Lucius could see the wheels turning, but he held his tongue.

‘Hey Harry, try this!’ Draco said, then shoved his face into his plate and slurped up some gravy. He lifted his head with a triumphant grin, gravy smeared on his cheeks and chin and nose, and stared daringly at his father. Lucius gave him a reproving look, but Draco just pointed and said, ‘Tom started it!’

Harry’s wide eyes darted between Tom and Draco and Lucius, uncertain.

‘Some rules are more important than others, Harry. It’s more important that you get enough to eat, than that you use cutlery perfectly. Forget about the fork tonight. We can teach you next time. For now, just enjoy this delicious meal.’ Tom sucked a bit of gravy that was dribbling down his finger, and took another delicate bite of his potato.

Harry smiled shyly, picking up a potato with his fingers and taking a bite.