A Second Chance at Life
Draco didn't know what to expect when he first woke up. He didn't believe in reincarnation or anything like that; he certainly didn't want to be reborn as an insect. But he was dead, and finding someone who had come back to life was incredibly difficult, meaning no one had any knowledge about it. However, Draco could more or less understand that the darkness of this environment wasn't exclusive to death. And there were those annoying ticking sounds of a clock.
"I'm glad you're awake," tick-tock.
When Draco sat up, he noticed something, or someone, in front of him. A human with a clock for a head was speaking.
"You don't seem very happy to see me," tick-tock.
"I don't know, I was expecting death or something," Draco replied.
"Something better. I'm Time," the clock-headed figure said.
"I noticed," Draco muttered.
He couldn't believe his usually sarcastic tone had actually disappeared. It was also a mystery how this clock-headed creature could look so curious.
The time was still 1:00 AM. The second hand kept ticking back and forth.
"I couldn't leave without hearing your last wish."
The clock had a pleasant voice, almost like his mother's reassuring voice when 6-year-old Draco had taken care of his first flower. Of course, that was disregarding the fact that it was a male voice. He missed his mother. Wishes didn't matter to him right now. He wanted to die, it was his final decision.
"You might be a bit late for that decision. We've already made a deal with death," the clock said.
Great, his inner thoughts were no longer his own. Privacy, where?
"I don't understand why you're so giving up," the clock continued.
"Because I'm dead? Because of my illness?"
"Technically, you're not dead. I paused your soul, and death rejected you."
"No way, I was hoping we'd at least meet. You're better than my ceiling clock, I mean, how does this even work?"
"I am Time," tick-tock.
"I heard you the first time."
"Time," tick-tock.
"Obviously, you're a clock, you have a clock for a head."
Draco threw himself back onto the ground in exasperation.
"How do you communicate with people from ancient times? They told time differently."
"Do you want me to speak to you as a stick?" Draco grimaced.
"No, seriously, don't."
"Since you're more open to listening now, we made a deal with death, of course, on your behalf. It would have been dangerous for you to do it yourself."
"Why did you go to so much trouble for me?"
"I'm your ceiling clock," tick-tock. This seemed to confirm everything.
"So, dear Draco, we're giving you a second chance, and this time, be less of a jerk."
It wasn't being a jerk, it was being exasperated. Everyone deserved to have their opinions respected, Draco thought. Of course, the clock could hear him.
"We're sending you back to Hogwarts in 1991, when you're about to start. Let's see what you can do differently. After all, you have something now." Tick-tock.
"You're joking," Draco was completely dumbfounded.
"No, it's time to stop giving up. We've already made our decision."
"Is my opinion still being considered?"
"No."
"Good."
"You will meet death eventually, everyone does."
The clock started spinning rapidly in the opposite direction.
"This isn't goodbye, I'll be watching you." Great, now his ceiling clock was also a timekeeper.
"Always, everywhere."
Those were the last sounds he heard.
⌛⌛⌛
𝟑𝟏 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟏
ꓕᴉɯǝ> 08ㄣϛ
"Draco, darling, you're letting your food get cold. You've been lost in thought for quite some time," his mother said in a gentle voice.
Draco felt as if he had suddenly woken up. Had he actually gone back in time? It couldn't be, this was worse than being reborn as an insect in his second life. He couldn't handle the trauma of this age again. Even the thought of seeing his friends made him nervous.
"Draco, you've been staring at the clock for half an hour. We need to leave for Diagon Alley soon," his mother drew his attention again. His mother. His eyes began to water. It had been so long since he had cried, it felt like heaven. He hadn't even thought that crying could feel so good.
He jumped out of his chair and ran to his mother. He wrapped his arms around her. Even though it didn't fit with the Malfoys' table manners, he was really an eleven-year-old boy, and his mother allowed him to hug her.
He felt his mother's delicate hands in his hair. She was gently undoing his hair gel.
"So you've finally realized that you won't be able to see your mother when you go to Hogwarts," his mother chuckled. Draco snuggled closer to her.
"Oh, Draco, what's wrong, darling?" Her voice was now filled with concern. But Draco's throat was tight, as if he couldn't speak.
"It's okay, my love, your mother is here. Now, let's go to Diagon Alley and get your things so we don't get late. When we get home, let's have one of our tea times and share our worries, okay?"
"Let's do it in the living room," Draco managed to find his voice.
"Of course, darling, let's do it in the living room," his mother wrapped her arms gently around him and enveloped him in her warmth.
"Your father has work at the Ministry, my love. How about some mother-son time?" His mother lifted his face gently. She was smiling slightly. Draco's eyes welled up again.
"Mother-son time..." They hadn't had time to go out together for a long time. Their home, polluted by Voldemort, had made it difficult for them to have a pleasant cup of tea.
His mother was a little panicked about school supplies, wanting everything to be done early, completely, and perfectly. Diagon Alley was very crowded. His mother held his hand tightly. Draco was going to enjoy being a child again, including getting all of his mother's attention.
"Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy," a few women called out to his mother. His mother turned gracefully and looked at the women. Adorabella Greengrass and Amaryllis Parkinson. Adorabella was Daphne's mother; like her daughter, she had blonde hair and icy blue eyes. Amaryllis was Pansy's mother; her dark hair was held back with a butterfly hairband, with a few strands falling over her face. Their husbands were waiting behind them. Draco wanted to shrink and disappear. His last wish was not to meet Pansy so early.
They had started talking with his mother. His mother let go of his hand to take something out of her bag. Draco took the opportunity and tried to get away.
"Oh, Draco, darling, are you here too?" A heavy hand was placed on his arm. No, he couldn't get away.
"How much you've grown," Aunt Adrobella had him completely cornered.
"Adrobella, you're exaggerating, darling. We saw sweet Draco at the ball just last week," Amaryllis had already started pinching his cheeks. His mother's voice interrupted them.
"Draco, my love, I have a little errand. Could you handle this list for me?" His mother took the Hogwarts letter out of her bag. Draco tried to look confident and agreed, thinking he looked convincing.
"Shall I call the girls to accompany you? I'm sure they'll be very happy to see you." Draco caught a glimpse of Astoria Greengrass coming out of a shop. His sister must be there too, and Pansy.
"Thank you, ma'am, but I believe I can handle this task alone," Draco said with genuine desire.
"There's my dragon, don't worry me. I'll catch up with you soon," his mother stroked his hair with the gentle affection she didn't show in public. Draco quickly walked away. He could barely hear the sounds around him and couldn't distinguish people. A panic attack was coming. He opened the list with trembling hands. He couldn't read any of the writing. He quickly stuffed the letter into his pocket so he wouldn't drop it. He was right in front of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. He quickly went inside and tried to regulate his breathing. Madam Malkin was a short, smiling witch in purples. Draco noticed that Malkin wasn't giving him the same bad looks as before. His breath was calming down.
"For Hogwarts, dear?" Madam Malkin asked.
Draco nodded.
She took him inside and began to take his measurements.
The doorbell rang again. A scrawny boy with hair that looked like a bird’s nest entered. Draco recognized that emerald green anywhere. It was Harry Potter. He shuffled inside timidly. Madam Malkin ushered him over to Draco. The boy glanced at him sideways, tugging slightly at the wool on his sweater. Another witch was still pinning Draco, and now Madam Malkin had begun to pin a robe on Potter, adjusting the hem.
Draco offered what he hoped was a friendly smile. “Hello,” he said, not wanting to seem too eager or hopeful. Out of habit and stress, he’d pushed all his thoughts about Potter to the back of his mind, forgetting that this was their first meeting. He didn’t want to be facing the “boy who lived” in this new life.
“You’re going to Hogwarts, too?”
“Yeah,” Harry replied.
A childish energy filled Draco. Without thinking, he began to chat. “My mum’s buying me books from the shop next door when she’s done here.” He continued, sounding a bit bored, “Have you gotten your wand yet?”
“No,” Harry said.
The boy was looking at a poster on the wall. Draco tried not to take his lack of enthusiasm personally. The poster featured a famous Quidditch player. Draco turned back to the green-eyed boy.
“Have you ever played Quidditch?”
Harry said, “No,” again, but the glint in his eyes told Draco he was interested.
“I have. It’s kind of like a Muggle game, what was it called... football? Except you play it in the air.”
Potter was no longer trying to hide his interest. He seemed about to say something, but Madam Malkin interrupted.
Draco couldn’t help himself. “Do you know which house you’ll be in?”
Harry looked completely baffled.
“Oh, you don’t know about the houses?”
Potter shook his head, and his cheeks flushed slightly. Draco ignored it.
“Well, there are four houses at Hogwarts: Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Gryffindor was founded by Godric Gryffindor and values courage, bravery, and chivalry. Their animal is a lion, and their colors are red and gold. Ravenclaw was founded by Rowena Ravenclaw and values wit, learning, and wisdom. Their animal is an eagle, and their colors are blue and bronze. Slytherin was founded by Salazar Slytherin and values ambition and cunning. Their animal is a snake, and their colors are green and silver. And finally, Hufflepuff was founded by Helga Hufflepuff and values hard work, loyalty, and fairness. Their animal is a badger, and their colors are yellow and black.”
Draco finished, breathless, and looked at Potter. The boy was staring at him, overwhelmed. He looked confused and intrigued. The flush on his cheeks had deepened.
Before Harry could respond, Madam Malkin interrupted.
“Alright, dear.” Embarrassed by his loquaciousness, Draco jumped off the stool.
“Wait, what’s your name!” Potter called after him.
Draco smiled faintly. “I think you’d be a good fit for Gryffindor, Potter.” Harry looked surprised again. The last thing Draco wanted was for Potter to be sorted into a different house because of this conversation. Draco slipped out of Madam Malkin’s shop, almost forgetting Potter’s parting words.
“See you at Hogwarts?” It sounded more like a plea than a question. Draco smiled and left.