Chapter 4
Draco hadn't spoken much personally with his teacher in his first life (" would he really call it first life?"), with any teacher besides Snape actually, sure Lupin was a much more competent teacher than the rest there were in later or earlier years, but to his teenage mind at the time he was just another teacher to bet on whether he would last more than that year or succumb to the curse of the DADA teachers; which in the end he won because Lupin left at the end of the year.
-Are you feeling better, Mr. Malfoy?
-Yes, I'm... I'm fine.
Professor Lupin had helped him lean against one of the classroom walls while he calmed down enough to respond coherently to his teacher, who seemed equally, if not more, disturbed by the situation.
-Are you really sure,I could get you some water-
-No, no. I'm fine, just surprised,"- Draco swallowed, perhaps the glass of water wouldn't have been bad, -"Can I go now? -
He wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible, but from the sympathetic look the werewolf gave him, maybe that wouldn't be in the next few minutes.
-Mr. Malfoy, what just happened shouldn't have happened like this,- Lupin seemed to be searching for the words, -"I apologize for exposing you like this, you didn't want to be involved in the first place," he said.
Ha. As if Draco not wanting to participate would have stopped anyone before.
There was also the other fact, the whole class saw that his biggest fear was his own father. Merlin, gossip travels fast in the castle; on the other hand, it had only been verbal attacks they saw as he stopped the boggart before any blows could reach him. He could work with that.
-It's part of the curriculum, I had to participate sooner or later. Better now than later,"- he rationalized.
Lupin didn't seem happy with his answer.
-He knows that all the castle staff are willing to listen if he has ... problems at home-
Lupin meant well, Draco knew that, but he also knew that with the current system in place little or nothing would get done, after all he was left to be a little piece of shit for five years with almost no repercussions, not to mention the issue of the second year basilisk that had been handled by a trio of untrained infants and protected by nothing more than the power of friendship (he really couldn't find any other explanation for Harry Potter's luck). Now that he thought about it, the adults at the school were quite oblivious to what went on within those walls, confident in the "safety" of the place along with Albus Dumbledore's promises that all was okay; either that or the students knew how to hide their problems all too well.
Nope, the first one.
Also, the issue of child protection was improved, if not brought into existence, after the war with the new Minister of Magic taking power and several new laws being drafted.
He may have been outside the magical community, but he tried to keep up with its changes from time to time.
-You don't know anything about what goes on in my home! - Draco bit back in frustration, he hadn't wanted to but teenage emotions are hard to deal with and he'd never discussed Lucius Malfoy's abuse with anyone other than Sheila and Larry - and as I told you I'm fine -"
Lupin didn't seem too surprised by the outburst, but he didn't seem to know how to handle the situation either, Draco briefly wondered if it was because the professor really didn't know how to comfort someone in a situation of family abuse or if it was just because he was the son of Lucius Malfoy, a blood purist and a mortifagus. Perhaps he would never know.
Merlin, the teachers should be taught some crisis management.
Before Lupin tried to speak again, Draco added.
-I did rather want to ask you about a subject of magic that has been intriguing me.
The left side of his neck itched a little so he scratched it lightly, perhaps because of the awkward situation.
The professor noticed the desire to change the subject, decided to go with the flow, moved a little away from the student even with compassion and concern in his eyes and with a gesture encouraged him to ask.
Now Draco didn't know whether to ask about his magical fluctuations or whether the teacher possessed knowledge of post-mortem time travel. Better the one that would keep him away from St. Mungo's.
-I have been developing fluctuations in my magic. Recently my spells have been coming out stronger than usual and I end up with unwanted results, I don't want this to affect my grades,"- he said.
Draco explained as he stood up straight, leaving the soft support of the wall behind him, complete and utter curiosity coupled with a hope for answers danced in the tone of his voice, perhaps a few degrees a little desperate for the long awaited change of subject, away from his non-functional home life.
Lupin thought for a few seconds.
-I imagine ridikulus from a few moments ago is an example of these fluctuations.
Draco agreed.
-Since when has he experienced them? It's natural for children in their early years to experience bursts of magic when it manifests, but it's rare to see them in someone their age.
I already know that," Draco wanted to say but stopped himself.
-For a couple of days now, I have no idea what causes them and I haven't done anything out of the ordinary or been near anything that could cause them-
-Humm, the ridikulus could be due to the adrenaline of the moment, let me check. Cast a Lumos, Mr. Malfoy.-
Draco did as requested, Lumos nothing more than a simple light spell.
-lumos-
Instead of a soft glow at the tip of his wand, it caused a flash of light so bright that it made him and his teacher close their eyes.
-Nox!" shouted the counterspell, and the little sun went out. -See what I'm up against? -
Draco looked at his master who was still rubbing his eyes, half blinded by the flash.
-Yes, I see it, or don't see it for that matter, you nearly blinded me, boy, powerful magic you handle,- Lupin chuckled softly and elicited a soft smile from Draco that he quickly hid, -Unfortunately I don't know what could cause such a magnitude of magical fluctuation, it's never happened to you before, has it? -
Draco nodded again.
-You should talk to Poppy, I mean Madam Pomfrey, about this. She should know more about you young people's magical health.-
It wasn't a bad idea, but going to Pomfrey meant that a report of his visit would be filed and something like that might even get his father called in. He didn't feel like facing his mother and Lucius again anytime soon.
-I'd like to stay away from the sickbay for now- He scratched the left side of his neck- I've already had one visit with her- He raised his bandaged arm- and I wouldn't wish to disturb her any further-
He put on his best worried teenage face. Whether Lupin believed him or not was uncertain, but what did happen was that the Professor now had a face that radiated concern for his pupil and a desire to help.
-I understand and I'll let it go this time, but, Mr. Malfoy, Pomfrey is a professional and the Hogwarts nurse will never deny you care or help if you ask for it.- The tone in the Professor's voice was one of affection and nostalgia- I tell you what, I'll ask her on your behalf and you can do research on your problem in the library, we'll meet on Friday to see our findings-
Remus Lupin seemed overjoyed at the prospect of meeting again, much to Draco's surprise.
-You're sending me homework? - Draco raised an eyebrow.
-Let's say it's a joint investigation, but I understand, I'll allow you not to submit ONE homework assignment for my class for this research-
-Oh I don't know, how about a few extra points, you know, for the boggart thing?-
Draco's slytherin side strikes again, a smile grows on his face because rather than negotiating he was joking. joking! him! With the professor of the werewolf's secret. Maybe it was a comatose dream after all.
-I can't play favorites Mr. Malfoy,-The professor said seriously, but the smile on his face removed any seriousness. -It's getting late for your next class, don't want to keep you any longer than I already have. -
Lupin walked towards the door and Draco followed close behind, grabbing his bag on the way.
-See you Friday with both investigations into your condition,-
Draco nodded and walked down the corridor.
-Oh and Mr. Malfoy,- Draco paused at his teacher's call and turned to look at him,-I may not know what's going on at home, but I'm always willing to listen.-
Draco could feel the DADA teacher giving him an olive branch, a chance to be heard that no one had ever given him before in his first life.
He tightened the strap of his bag, a lump forming in his throat, the teenage part of him wanting to yell at the werewolf to stay out of his business, but the more life-conscious 25 year old part of him telling him not to deny the teacher so soon.
Contrary to everything he would do in his third year, Draco Malfoy said to his teacher in a soft tone.
-Thank you, I'll think about it.
------------
-Draco!
A few corridors later, after leaving the DADA room, Draco found Pansy and Blaise waiting for his next class.
-What happened back there? People are already talking, Draco,- Blaise reported quickly, joining Draco's quick pace to get to his next class.
-Yeah, those stupid Gryffindors were talking bad about your father and I tried to stop them..- Pansy said.
-That's not true, you made it worse by saying that it's normal for purebloods to respect their parents, unlike the rude mudbloods-
- it's true!
-Respect, Pansy. Not fear. They're two very different things.
-But...
-Let them talk- Draco interrupted their discussion with a serious voice. -"You said it yourself Pans, no idiots know what they're talking about,-he tried to play it down.
-But Draco, are you really afraid of your father? - Blaise asked.
Draco could tell them the truth as he had done with his friends from his past life, but his mind prevented him from doing so, he didn't want to talk about it. Not now, not with them.
he lie
-I am afraid of disgracing my father and my name, nothing more, the boggart can exaggerate those emotions-
He explained as if it was the most natural thing in the world and among purebloods it was a common enough fear that it should save him from this.
And he did so because Pansy and Blaise were pleased with his answer, leaving their worries about their friend behind.
They walked to the next class, History of Magic, unfortunately it was also shared with gryffindor.
Upon entering the classroom they sat down in their usual places before Weasley began.
-So Malfoy is afraid of his daddy, how embarrassing, maybe we should report you to him,- said the red-headed boy mockingly, eliciting a couple of chuckles from the other gryffindors around him and he thought he heard a slytherin or two.
-Shut up weasel, Draco isn't afraid of his father, he's afraid of dirtying his name, not like other traitors! -
Pansy came to his defense like the good friend she claimed to be.
-Is that all you can talk about, Parkinson? Purity of blood,- Weasley faked his voice at the end. It's getting repetitive. Are you scared of your daddy, too? At least MY father doesn't scare me like Malfoy's.... -
-Oh, but your mother does, doesn't she?- Draco finally spoke up, drawing attention to himself, -I remember last year a certain angry Mrs. Weasley yelling and Weasel scared that he was going sent back home-
Draco looked at Ron Weasley with a look of unimpressed contempt that shocked the class.
-Yeah well... it's... I-
-My being afraid of a reprimand from my father is the same as you being afraid of a reprimand from your mother or Longbottom from Snape- Draco sounded too rational and calm, very different from the tantrums he would throw at that age- So shut up, let the teacher talk or I'll tell your mother that you're disrupting classes. Let's see if she'll send you another snitch and you'll stop talking about things that don't concern you.
Draco immediately turned back to his History of Magic book, he heard Weasley try to rant, but Granger apparently stopped him so that he could start the class.
Draco lied, his fear of his father hadn't been the same as theirs, as far as he knew Molly Weasley was severe but lovely, she couldn't be bought with his father at all.
The class began and half way through Draco realized something, he had stood up to his father, he had never done that before and yes it wasn't really his father but a boggart but still, part of him was sure that if this had happened the first time he wouldn't have been able to raise his wand against Lucius.
Well his 25 year old self didn't fear Lucius Malfoy after seeing him reduced to what he became at the end of the war and despite his teenage fears attacking him now in this body ,he had been able to face him. Maybe he could face the real Lucius now?
He didn't want to think about that now.
He had research on magical fluctuations to do and get something for his bloody itchy neck.