Chapter 4
The mission had been more than they bargained for and not nearly as simple as they had been promised. Though they always were. He and Ron had been gone all week and didn’t make it home until nearly midnight on Friday. Saturday he spent the whole day in bed as a reward and also a necessity. Now it was Sunday and even though he had Monday off it felt like his weekend was coming to a close already.
There was a knock at the door and Harry sat up slightly with a wince, he cursed himself for not being young anymore. Kreacher entered and announced there was a visitor at the door for him.
“Who?”
“The Mistress Malfoy.” Kreacher said with what Harry thought must be the closest thing he’s seen the house elf express as happiness.
“Oh,” Harry said, surprised. “Um…”
“Shall I show her to the sitting room?”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll be down shortly.” Kreacher nodded and left. Carefully Harry got out of bed and managed with some effort to get on some pants. He grabbed a flannel from the floor and got it on one sleeve at a time. After three buttons he realized his mistake but was too far in to back out now. He sprayed on some cologne, it wasn’t the shower he needed but it was all he could do. Eventually he made his way to the first floor, hopping on the cold stairs as he went.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He said entering the room.
“I arrived unannounced, I apologize.” Narcissa stood to greet him. He gestured for her to sit back down and sat himself in a chair across from her. With a flick of his wand he lit the fireplace between them and leaned back. She sat nervously, wringing her hands and picking at her pantsuit.
“That’s a nice suit, another gift from Draco?” He tried to break the silence.
“Oh yes.” She smiled. “He sent it just last week.”
“When is he coming to visit again?” Harry was unsure if he was being polite or honestly wanted to know. For whatever reason he had been unable to get Malfoy out of his head since visiting the Manor last week. Well, Harry knew the real reason why, but he wasn’t about to admit it.
“I wrote to him Friday to ask.” She seemed to deflate a little.
“Well,” Harry cleared his throat. “You’ll have to let me know what he says so I can visit or…” He couldn’t finish his thought, from lack of sleep or intelligence it wasn’t clear.
“That would be lovely. He would love to see you, I’m sure.” Harry doubted that but he nodded anyway. Quietness seeped back into the room. Kreacher was next to break it.
“Tea, Mistress Malfoy?” He set a warm service down next to her and gave Harry a cup.
“Yes thank you Kreacher, it was very thoughtful of you to bring tea without being asked. You must be a very big help to Mr. Potter indeed.” She smiled. Kreacher looked like he might melt from the showering of praise. Flustered, he said nothing and left.
“He isn’t used to compliments. He is less cranky than he used to be but it is a work in progress.”
“Well it’s not surprising, his old masters were not the kindest people.” She sipped her tea and looked around. “Speaking of the Blacks… they’re the reason I’m here today.”
Confused, Harry set down his cup on a pile of books next to him and sat forward. She pulled her purse onto her lap and retrieved an envelope. After a deep breath she handed it over to Harry with a shaky smile. He unwound the string, opening the yellow package and tipped the contents into his hand. It was photographs, only a few, mostly full of people Harry didn’t recognize.
“That’s Sirius.” She sat up to look over. Harry wasn’t sure what he was looking at.
“I don’t…”
“Come here.” She motioned for him to join her on the couch. He did so and she leaned in, pointing to a baby in a woman’s arms. “There, that’s him.”
Harry had never seen a childhood picture of Sirius, let alone one of him as a baby. He studied it carefully, looking first at the baby and then the woman holding it. She looked happy as she stared down at him and then looked up at the camera. Narcissa switched the photos out and set the other two on top.
“Here he is again,” She pointed to a little boy with curly black hair. “And here.” She identified him in a group of children in front of a Christmas tree.
Harry blinked back tears as he studied the tiny faces. It felt weird, like looking at a ghost of someone he didn’t know. But he knew Sirius. He was the closest thing Harry got to blood family, well blood family that loved him. Sure there was Ron, and Hermione, and Hagrid and the Weasleys, and plenty of people who were family but Sirius… Harry couldn’t find the words to express what he was to him.
“I’ve never seen him as a boy.” Harry admitted at last.
“Well I’m sure you haven’t. When I saw what you brought me, and their faces scorched… I remember when my father ripped down all of Andromeda’s photos and threw them in the fire, he erased every memory of her possible. What I didn’t know is that my mother had hidden some memories away, she gave me a box before she died and inside were things she had hidden. It seemed she never had my father’s capacity to hate my sister, mothers are like that though…”
“So she still loved Andromeda? Even though she treated her terribly?”
“I want to tell you that she didn’t have a choice, that she had too… But we all had choices didn’t we…” She sniffled. “Mainly to do what we were expected or…”
Narcissa’s voice dropped away and Harry looked away from the photos to see her face. She was far away, in a state he knew all too well, remembering something unpleasant. Without finishing her sentence, Harry knew what she meant. They did what they were told or something… horrible… happened, it was self preservation. It wasn’t the first time Harry had felt sorry for Mrs. Malfoy but it was the first time he considered the other women in her family. In his defense the only other women Harry knew were Tonks and Bellatrix. One was one of the best people he ever met, the other was the worst. Narcissa was neither.
“Thank you for showing me.” Harry handed the photos back to her but she didn’t take them.
“They’re for you to keep, like you said things like this belong with family.” Harry looked down at the photos, he had very little from the past. Narcissa reached into her bag and pulled out a second envelope. “And these are for Nymphadora’s son.”
Harry took the envelope which was much heavier than his and turned it over in his hands. Did Andromeda ever know that her mother saved her pictures all these years. Did she take them out and look at them and miss her daughter? These must be some of the last things Narcissa had of her family and she was willing to share them. Harry smiled at her.
“His name is Teddy.”
“That’s a nice name. Is he big now?”
“Yes. He’s very bright, loves dragons.” Harry spoke fondly of his godson.
“Really?”
“Here.” Harry pulled out his phone and opened an album of pictures from his last visit.
“Oh!” Mystified, Narcissa leaned in and touched Harry’s arm lightly as she watched the pictures swipe by. Harry played a video of Teddy stomping around roaring like a dragon and they both laughed. They shared stories for the next hour until Narcissa checked her watch and decided she should leave. Harry walked her to the door.
“Thank you for a lovely visit. It may surprise you but there aren’t many people who visit with me these days.” Narcissa smiled.
“Well, come back any time.” Harry said and this time he fully meant it.
“You know,” She looked at the entry corridor. “This wallpaper is enchanted.”
“What do you mean?”
“Watch.” She drew her wand from her sleeve and tapped the wall twice. Under her magic the forest came to life. Harry watched with wonder as the deer began grazing, birds circled through the trees, and rabbits raced around the hallway.
“Brilliant.” His face was a mask of pure joy. Narcissa turned to leave and Harry grabbed the door for her. She was almost down the steps when he called out from the doorstep.
“If you come back next week around eleven, we could have lunch. Hermione will be here and you can ask her those questions about house elves.”
“I would like that.” She said sincerely before twisting away in a snap. Harry closed the door and stood watching the wallpaper until his legs were too tired to stand. As he climbed the stairs Kreacher called to him from below.
“Would you like dinner in your room Master Harry?”
“No Kreacher, I’m going to bed thank you.”
“Very well.” He said dryly.
“Oh, Kreacher.” Harry said, turning. “Next Sunday we are expecting guests for lunch. Do you think you could help me think of a menu that Mrs. Malfoy will like? She thinks very highly of your opinion.”
“Kreacher will take care of everything. Master Harry need not worry himself.” Kreacher looked somewhat excited by the announcement that Mrs. Malfoy would return.
Harry went to bed and had an uneasy sleep. If the nightmares weren’t enough, his sore muscles made tossing and turning even more disruptful. In the morning he felt as cranky as if he had spent the night drinking, but without all the fun to remember - or not be able to remember. After a cup of tea he headed to the front sitting room and laid on the couch. With any luck, he thought, he would nap the day away. As he drifted off to sleep he felt the sun start to seep warmly into his skin from the uncovered windows.
A loud banging woke him up sometime later. Harry groaned and hoped it was only Ron coming over to bring some of his mom’s cooking. The door opened and a familiar voice boomed through the house.
“Where is he?!”
Harry opened his eyes but didn’t sit up, he must be dreaming. What could he possibly be doing here? A few heavy steps later Harry could no longer make believe.
“Don’t get up on my account Potter.” He must be hallucinating, he decided, for Malfoy to be standing in his house. He looked him over and his heart started pounding. When he was in school he assumed the heart pounding had been from the sense of danger Malfoy gave him. But there was no danger now, he told himself, why couldn’t it just settle down then? He cleared his throat.
“Hello Malfoy,” Harry stood and used all the remaining strength he had not to let Malfoy see him wince. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“What the hell is your problem?”
“Or displeasure…” Harry mumbled.
“Do you just need the ego boost? You’re not happy being a saviour of wizards everywhere without personally victimizing my family?” Malfoy’s hair was cut shorter on the sides than Harry remembered, his face more grown and manly. He was dressed as sharply as ever in an all black suit with a black shirt buttoned underneath. After realizing he hadn’t heard a word he blinked hard and came back to the conversation.
“I’m sorry what?”
“My mother!” He boomed.
“Your Mother.” Harry tried to follow.
“Yes, are you daft? Why are you preying upon my poor mother? Why can’t you leave us alone?!” Malfoy fumed.
“What are you talking about? All I did was return a family item to her.”
“Oh so the letters I received saying that if I visit I mustn’t come in on a Sunday because those are the days she has her visits with Mr. Potter, were what? Fictitious?”
“Well I suppose we did visit yesterday and we do have plans for next week with Hermione…”
“Great, now Granger is in on it? My family is not some side show for you to laugh and point at.”
“Why would you think that?” Harry asked softly and for a moment Malfoy seemed at a loss.
“Leave my mother alone.” Draco scowled and turned to leave. Harry followed him into the hallway and blocked his exit.
“This isn’t school, you know. You can’t try to bully me into doing whatever it is you want.” Draco turned red faced at Harry’s words.
“Where do you get off-” He started but Harry cut him off.
“Where do I get off? Where do you? You walk into my house, telling me who I’m allowed and not allowed to socialize with, and leave? No hello, no goodbye?”
“Hello. Don’t socialize with my mother. Goodbye.” Draco smiled cruelly.
“Well someone ought to.” Harry said under his breath.
“She has her own friends.”
“I don’t think she does…”
“Enough!” Draco stepped closer. “I’m leaving.” He attempted to shove Harry out of the way but stopped when Harry let out a small cry. Harry slumped against the wall, cursing himself for not being able to hold it in. Malfoy looked him over in a way that made Harry feel uncomfortable.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Harry opened the door. “You were storming out?” He gestured with his good hand and Malfoy stomped out, rolling his eyes as he went. Harry slammed the door behind him and climbed the stairs. Stripping out of his clothes he crawled into bed and ran through the conversation through the shots of blinding pain.
After all this time Harry’s stupid crush hadn’t disappeared. This was Malfoy, he reminded himself. Asshole of the year, every year running. But Harry knew that wasn’t the whole truth. He remembered all the things Malfoy did that he didn’t have to, and all the things he didn’t do even when he had to. He had read Draco’s testimony against the death eaters. Eventually he decided Malfoy was a stupid git with stupid perfect hair who was stupid. He felt confident in his conclusion but also weak from the pain as he fell asleep.
He awoke in a sweat to the sound of his door being opened. The sun was starting to set but he had no idea how much time had passed. His head was so foggy he wasn’t sure much of anything.
“You’re an idiot.” His blonde hair glinted in the light of Harry’s bedside lamp. Without permission his heart began to thump again.
“Who keeps letting you in?” Malfoy ignored Harry and set down a bag next to the bed.
“Sit up.”
“What did I say about bullying?” Malfoy put his hand across Harry’s forehead and he leaned in to the coolness of his skin involuntarily. Harry hoped this was a dream and he wasn’t really naked in front of Malfoy.
“Not once in three years and then twice in one day? Am I being cursed?” Harry said with a dry voice.
“How long have you had the fever.”
“Didn’t know I had one.” Harry admitted. Malfoy moved to lower the sheet from where Harry had it pulled up to his chin but it didn’t budge.
“Let go.”
“I’m not dressed.”
“You have nothing I’m enticed to see, I assure you.” Draco said dryly.
“What do you think you’re going to do anyways? Magically heal me?” Harry teased.
“We’ll I wasn’t in France studying baking Potter.” He spat back. Reluctantly Harry let the sheet be lowered.
“Merlin almighty!” Draco studied the swollen discolored marks stretching from Harry’s shoulder to his elbow. “What the hell happened?”
“Just a bit of work trouble. Don’t bother yourself.”
“We’ll I’ve already bothered to drag myself all the way back to this hole so I might as well. I can’t believe the ministry infirmary let you go in this state.”
“I Didn’t go to the infirmary.”
Draco frowned and began examining Harry’s shoulder with techniques Harry had never seen. Then again maybe wizard medicine had changed. It had been ages since Harry had bothered to see a healer for anything. It was always the same prescription anyways: get some rest and slow down. Neither of which Harry had much mind to do. Malfoy looked displeased as he rummaged around his leather case.
“You’ve fractured it, I hope you know.”
“Fractures heal just fine as long as they don’t go all the way through.” Harry shrugged and winced.
“This isn’t your first go.” It wasn’t a question but Harry answered it anyway.
“No, not really. Done most of my ribs, a couple of fingers and toes, even a little ankle bone once.”
“Well this will not heal on its own. You need rest, medicine, and a sling. Honestly Potter what were you thinking not going to the infirmary?”
“I was thinking I’d get more rest without a healer ringing around all day.” Harry rubbed his forehead with his good hand. “What do you care anyway? Weren’t you just here yelling at me for nothing?”
“I’m a healer, I’m trained to care about even the most impossible of patients.” Draco paused and cleared his throat. “Now take this.” He shoved a potion into Harry’s hand.
“How do I know you’re not poisoning me? Trying to finish me off once and for all.”
“Some of us are still on probation.” He said crossly.
“So there’ll be no poisoning until you’re done?”
“Precisely.” Draco snapped his case closed and presented Harry with a sling.
“Sorry, no can do. I’ll take your poison but I have to be back at work tomorrow, sling not included.”
“You can’t be serious.” Harry pulled the sheet back up as Malfoy glared down over him.
“I believe you know where the door is.”
Without another word Draco was gone and Harry had another awkward interaction to play over in his head. Twice in one day, would they become regular occurrences? The thought was both frightening and exciting.