Chapter 22
“What we need to do is get to know our targets better,” George said. He’d found an easel for painting and had set it up in the library so he could take notes during the impromptu strategy session.
It was four days after the picnic and Draco was slumped in a chair and full of skepticism. “What are you even doing here?” Draco asked.
George answered easily, “Luna said she was coming over this morning and there’s no better time than the present to plan our next steps.”
Draco glanced over at Luna, who lounged comfortably on another seat. She had her feet propped up underneath her and was knitting some hideous orange and purple curio. “What are you even doing here?” he asked.
“I saw the most wonderful mushroom circle at the picnic. You really ought to leave out some honey for the fae who live there,” she replied. Draco turned the full weight of his skepticism towards her, but she brushed it off as easily as the Weasley had.
Said Weasley was writing a heading on the large canvas he’d procured. “Harry facts” was written in big block letters. George turned back to his audience. “Let’s compile a list of everything we know about Harry.”
Draco slumped further. “Why are we doing this?” he whined.
George threw his extra quill at Draco. “Stop complaining.”
Draco batted the quill away and glowered.
Luna actually took Draco’s question seriously. “Harry means well, but he doesn’t know the first thing about love. He needs people looking out for him if he’s ever going to find an authentic match.” George had already turned back to his canvass to write out ‘incompetent at love’ under his list of facts.
“Great, this is perfect.” George glanced at Draco. “You’re either in or out on this one, mate. What’s it going to be?”
Draco rolled his eyes and flopped his head back to glare at the ceiling. This was stupid. The king would have plenty of suitors and had half the year ahead of him to find the right fit. Why would Draco want to put himself in the pathway of watching which one of the suitors the king would choose? Little less try to influence it. He still felt queasy when he remembered King Harry charming Colton. It was too similar to the heated gazes and soft touches the king twice shared with Draco. Draco had aimed for a single night of carnal pleasure, not happily ever after. But that didn’t mean he wanted a front row view of how far fantasy was from the real world. He didn’t want to see the king charm some man for real, when Draco was only worthy of that when he could hide behind a disguise.
The smart thing would be to walk away, but Draco supposed he wasn’t all that smart.
“He has terrible taste in fashion,” he grumbled, begrudgingly joining in George’s game.
“Yes, yes, good!” George said, writing out ‘prioritizes inner beauty’ on his board. Draco raised his eyebrows at the interpretation but clearly he wouldn’t be winning any fights with George over the notes.
Luna tilted her head in thought. “He likes treacle tart.” George wrote ‘sweet tooth.’
“He’s a judgemental ass,” Draco muttered. George hmmed in thought and translated it to ‘slow to warm up to new people.’
“He adores his godson,” Luna chimed in, which went up as ‘family oriented.’
That made Draco feel sour. “He amassed an army to invade the south, usurp the king, and claim the throne,” Draco said in a tone so monotonous it was only possible if you were withholding great emotion. George didn’t lose a beat before writing ‘natural leader’ and moving on.
Luna segued smoothly into something light, “He’s exceptional at polo, and quite deft at boxing.” George put up ‘Athletic.’
Draco thumped his chin on a hand and frowned at the canvas. “He’s a bit showy, isn’t he? Like, you can’t just execute a man, you have to make it a whole thing then have a party. Can’t just issue a proclamation announcing your new heir, it has to be a whole to-do.”
George nodded, “That’s good. Insightful.” He jotted ‘politically savvy.’ Draco frowned more, not sure exactly how George made that jump.
Luna was leaning into the game again. “He’s got quite the sad history. His parents were killed by Lord Voldermort, then his god father and mentor both passed during the war. It must be difficult to have been through so much on his own.”
George was still writing ‘lonely’ and ‘self reliant’ when Draco groused, “It’s not like he’s some tragic figure. He was ruthless. When he stormed Malfoy Manor his army slaughtered nearly everyone. When my guard fell, I hid in my parent’s bathroom with an old, decorative sword. Scrawny as I was, I couldn’t have been a threat. The king still sliced me open across the middle and left me for dead.”
Luna put down her knitting needles and George stopped adding notes to the board. Both stared at Draco with expressions far too close to concern. Draco looked away from them, his face flaming in embarrassment for having said so much. George clucked his tongue, then turned back to the canvass to add ‘ruthless’ and ‘anger issues’. Luna leaned out of her chair so she could reach over and squeeze Draco’s arm in comfort. She glanced back at the canvas. “He’s not coming across as the best catch, is he?”
Draco choked out a laugh. “We forgot to add that he’s ridiculously rich and powerful.”
George snapped his fingers and pointed at Draco. “Right you are.” He added both the words to the board then stood back to admire his work. “What do you think, Draco? Would you marry all this?”
Draco laughed again at the absurdity of the question. “Heavens no.”
George laughed as well. “Alright, then we have our next project. We’ll need to rehabilitate this fellow so he can attract the sort of man we want to see him marry.” Luna was intrigued with the prospect. The pair began chattering together while Draco watched on, bemused. Draco couldn’t say where they settled, but it wasn’t long before the meeting came to a natural conclusion.
“Not that I didn’t enjoy whatever this was, but it's time I bid you both farewell,” Draco said as he got to his feet.
Luna rolled up her knitting project and stood up as well. “Accompany me to the drawing room, would you?” Draco shrugged, supposing she was looking for his aunt. The two walked through the house with George tagging behind.
Luna said something to draw Draco’s attention just as they entered the room. When he glanced up again it was to be caught completely by surprise. Nearly a dozen familiar faces were gathered, and together everyone shouted, “Surprise!”
Draco gaped at the room full of his friends. His mother was the first to hug him, then Teddy forced his way in, shouting, “Happy birthday Draco!” repeatedly as he pulled on Draco’s arm in an effort to be picked up. Draco lifted him, and Teddy tagged along as Draco was hugged by his aunt, then greeted by Percy and Audrey before being smothered in more hugs by Molly and Lucy. Kreacher was there with a gruff congratulation and promise of cake. Ronald Weasley was there, Draco supposed just to tag along with Teddy, but he grinned cheekily at Draco’s bewilderment and offered a merry birthday greeting with the rest of the crowd.
Luna looked pleased as punch to see Draco flabbergasted. “You did this on purpose!” Draco accused.
“I am so very fond of birthdays,” Luna said in a vague and dreamy voice.
“Blimey, if I’d known I would have scrounged you up a gift,” George said, still standing next to them.
“Gift! Gift! Gift!” chanted Teddy. “Draco, open mine first!”
Luna patted George’s arm. “You did such a good job distracting Draco while they set the room. The gift of surprise is a lovely one.”
George peered at her with suspicion. “Did you just go along with all that to keep Draco distracted?”
Luna smiled her knowing little smile.
For the past two birthdays, it had been Draco and his mother sharing a small celebration. Draco’s mother splurged on the smallest box of Honeydukes chocolate, the sort of which she spoiled Draco with as a child. They would eat one tiny bite at a time and let the flavor linger on their tongues. It was the flavor of possibility. Of a future where he could be happy and loved. Eating his birthday chocolates was the sort of pleasure that left Draco wrung out afterwards. It was hard to hold up his chin and be strong when he could see clearly what he had lost.
This celebration was nothing like childhood memories. The room was cozy instead of grand, with friends sitting snug up against one another. The gifts were thoughtful instead of expensive. Teddy had found him a novel with a beautifully etched cover, recounting the legend of the green dragon. Luna gifted knitted socks, thankfully without orange or purple stripes. His aunt had gifted an elegant shaving kit, since Draco had repurposed one left behind from a previous servant. Draco opened a box from the Weasleys, to find the most beautiful black handkerchief embroidered with stars. Audrey explained the girls helped her make it. It displayed a portion of the night sky, centering the constellation Draco. Of course, his mother gave him the precious box of Honeydukes. Draco smiled lovingly at her, so thankful that he could save the box for another day. There was happiness here aplenty without sweets. There would be sweets, though. Kreacher himself carried in the chocolate and raspberry cake.
Before the cake could be cut, Teddy squealed and wiggled out of Draco’s lap. “Harry!” he cried. Molly and Lucy, reserved around most people, were soon on their feet, too, running over to greet the unexpected guest. The king opened his arms up to all the children, hugging each in turn with kind words. The words ‘family oriented’ popped unbidden into Draco’s head.
The king looked up at the broader company, a half cocked smile on his lips. “What’s all the fuss for, then?” he asked his friends.
“Mate, would you believe it, it’s Draco’s birthday,” said Ronald. He was grinning good naturedly, as if passing along a witty joke.
The king’s smile dropped and his eyes flickered around the room until they landed on Draco, now sitting alone on a sofa since Teddy had run off to his godfather. “Didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come by another time.”
“Nonsense, you’ve come all this way,” said aunt Andromeda.
“We’re about to have cake!” said Teddy
“You must stay, Harry, thirteen is a very lucky number,” said Luna, settling the matter.
Harry awkwardly shuffled his way to standing. “If Draco doesn’t mind,” he said while sending Draco a puppy dog look that might have fooled half the people in the room into thinking Harry wanted permission, but the other half clearly understood he was asking for a way out.
Draco looked at George, the person he trusted to best understand exactly what he meant when he cocked an eyebrow and rolled his eyes.
George stifled a grin behind his hand and coughed to hide a chuckle. He mouthed something peculiar at Draco that may have been, “rehabilitation.”
Draco rolled his eyes, but it ended with him squeezing out a smile for the king. “It’s an honor for you to join us, your majesty.”
“Yay!” said Teddy before he tugged on the king’s hand. King Harry allowed himself to be pulled, even when he realized where Teddy was going. The king had no choice but to be directed to the seat next to Draco so the three year old could climb up between the two of them. He took a hand from each man in his own and grinned widely at everyone.
Draco didn’t dare look to his right. Instead he waved to Kreacher. “I think the time has come, if you’re ready.” Kreacher was, and soon cake was passed all around. Draco had to eat left handed because his was the hand Teddy refused to let go of when it came time to eat. Draco saw the king pouting over it and enjoyed being favorite for the day. The cake was fantastic, everyone shared compliments with Kreacher. The king even had a second piece. ‘Sweet tooth,’ popped into Draco’s mind.
Molly wanted to play Draco a song, which he enthusiastically supported. So Lucy asked to show off a new dance. The entire room admired their performance, until Teddy grew impatient and jumped off to dance as well. Draco was on his feet with the three year old, smoothly intercepting him before he interrupted Lucy and caused a scene. Draco picked Teddy up and spun him through the steps of a waltz. When Lucy paused her own dancing to watch, George stepped forward. He dropped down on one knee and begged Lucy to be his dance partner. She giggled and accepted his hands. When Molly finished her song Audrey took over playing and Ronald offered to be Molly’s dance partner. “Aunt Hermoine says you stomp on her feet,” Molly answered, to Ronald’s chagrin and everyone else’s laughter. Percy stepped forward instead. His steps were competent, if stiff, which was more than enough to make Molly smile. Draco laughed with Teddy each time he dipped the boy upside down or spun too fast on purpose. What did an equinox ball have on this?
Eventually Draco had to pause for air. He flipped Teddy upside down then rolled him over so his legs followed him to the ground. Draco stood up grinning, only then taking in the broader room.
King Henry was watching him. His brows were furrowed and his forehead was creased, extenuating his lightning shaped battle scar. Draco could almost see the gears in the king’s mind turning, and Draco’s stomach flipped to wonder what he had done that was about to give him away.
Then the king blinked and realized Draco was looking back. His face relaxed into the standard frown Draco was familiar with. This man wasn’t slow to warm up to people, he was a fucking iceberg. The king turned to Andromeda to start up a conversation about something else.
The time came to say his farewells and it was more hugs and kisses. The king was late to leave, since he’d stayed to put Teddy to bed. Draco was just closing the door after Luna when King Harry walked in holding his gloves and coat.
“Draco,” the king acknowledged him with a nod. “Lovely event.” It was curt but polite. How strange.
“You’re welcome to crash any party I throw, your majesty,” Draco responded sweetly.
That tweaked the king’s mood and he spared Draco a stern frown before the expression faded. “I didn’t realize you were so good with Teddy,” the king said as he put on his gloves.
Now Draco was frowning. The words weren’t sharp, but they were heartless Draco lived with Teddy. He dedicated each day to the boy. He made up all the voices for his stuffies and nursed him when he was sick. How could the king be a part of Teddy’s life and not realize Draco was essential to it? Draco lashed out rudely in response. “Don’t worry, I was kind to him before you announced him as your heir so you know my intentions are noble.”
The king didn’t even look upset. He just sighed heavily at the snark. “My own birthday party is coming,” he grimaced as he said so, “and it’s been decided Teddy should attend,” his expression was downright thunderous at the idea. “You should come with him, make the trip less difficult.”
“What the fuck are you on about?” Draco asked, shock sending him over the line with his rudeness.
The king noted the slight. He was fully dressed to leave and turned his full, thundering attention to Draco. ‘Ruthless,’ Draco thought as he stared into the green’s stormy green eyes. “I am asking you to put aside your pride for two days to accompany your cousin to the castle so he doesn’t throw a fit when I’m forced to let the low lives of court finally meet him.”
“Don’t make him go,” Draco said instead.
The storm went out of the king and he was sighing again. “I forget you never were out in court. You don’t understand how it works. Why can’t you just be excited to go visit the castle and attend a party? I’ll send my tailors, get you a chance to be done up. Teddy will go to bed early and then you can have fun.”
The change in tacts was like whiplash. Draco wasn’t certain which part of the king’s remarks offended him most. “What is wrong in your head that you think I’d support your harassing Teddy in exchange for a fancy outfit and time with people you affectionately call the low lives of your court?” Too rude, again, but Draco didn’t even care if the king lashed out at him. He wouldn’t stand for this.
The king wasn’t getting angry, though, he was giving Draco that weird look again with the eyebrow crease. Then he pinched his lips and looked away. “It’s shit, alright? I know it’s shit. But there are obligations to fulfill if Teddy’s going to be king.” Draco could see the words ‘politically savvy’ scrawled out in George’s handwriting.
It was Draco’s turn to clench his jaw and glower, because he did get it. He could hear his father’s words telling him power didn’t come for free. His tone was wistful instead of bitter when he said, “I wish you’d just marry a nice lady and go about things the old fashioned way so Teddy could be left alone.”
“That’s seriously what you’re going to say to me right now?” King Harry asked, finally getting heated.
Draco just shrugged. “It’s what would have been expected of me,” he explained.
That caught the king off guard. His eyes widened in surprise, then flickered over Draco’s body. “Pardon?” he asked.
Draco could feel his face heating. He deflected. “Oh, everyone knew my great, great, great, great, well, one of the Abraxases, married his beloved wife, who produced three heirs, and then moved to a charming summer home while Abraxas lived out his days with his best friend in the city. It was considered perfectly respectable for a head of house.”
The king was staring slack jawed with his hands on his hips. “That is what you consider respectable?” he growled.
For once, Draco was at a loss for words. He gulped, and then admitted, “I suppose not. Besides, it’s not like anyone is waiting for the Malfoys to go forth and multiply. I rather lucked out, if you consider it that way.”
The entire conversation seemed to break King Harry’s mind. He was frowning, squinty, and waving his hands about all at once. “How did we even get here? Will you accompany Teddy or not?”
“Of course I will, that was never the question,” Draco answered. Then he smirked at the king’s grumpy face. “And it’ll be such a satisfaction to know Teddy liked my party best.”