Chapter 2
Draco turned to the voice’s owner, discarding his blindfold as he did. He let his eyes adjust to the light and stared in shock.
Master? He thought before quickly dismissing the idea, No, he’s not Master, he can’t be-
Draco was so caught up in his thoughts he didn’t notice the man reaching out to touch his face. When he did notice, however, he quickly swatted his hand away.
“Learn manners!” Draco exclaimed, his face flushing with embarrassment.
“Why is papa upset?” Little Night asked and Draco had no answer.
The man lowered his eyes, “Forgive me, I’ve mistaken you for another. He wouldn’t have been as forceful and imposing. Nor as alluring.”
Draco’s face heated up, but he shook it off. As he took notice of the lion embroidered on his shoulder, he realized this was Harry Potter, the Heavenly Prince and Draco’s betrothed, who was ninety thousand years younger than him.
Great.
Draco shook his head, “It’s alright. Meetings between immortals should always remain cordial, after all.”
Something strange shone in Harry Potter’s eyes, but he did not comment. Draco moved to allow the two to pass, but Little Night still called, “Papa!”
Draco couldn’t help but smile at the young boy. Harry Potter gave him a strange look, but, again, did not comment. Harry Potter dragged his son away and as he watched them disappear, he realized that he was still lost. He tried to catch up to them, but they were already gone.
Draco huffed and continued his wandering once more. As he entered another courtyard, he was approached by a vaguely familiar figure. The figure was a woman and was clearly pregnant. She immediately kneeled before him. Draco stared at his old servant, his mouth moving before he could stop it.
“Lavender, how have you got so fat?” He blurted out. She looked like she was about to burst into tears and gave her belly a tentative rub. However, she seemed to realize Draco’s words were rhetorical and she ignored it.
“Whilst I was in the gardens,” She began, “I felt that gust of wind and, and I knew, I just knew it was your Cloud Fan. I came rushing over and sure enough…” She trailed off, tears returning to her eyes.
Draco sighed, motioning towards the table, “Let us sit, you are no longer a servant, after all.”
“Your Highness,” She said pleadingly, “Please forgive me. You are a wise and magnanimous God and I know I brought you shame, but you will marry a better man for yourself. If I were to lose Neville…I would have nothing. We love each other and I know you don’t even care for him. You also said you wished for me to live a dignified and decent life, so why won’t you look at me?”
Draco couldn’t stop another sigh from leaving his lips, “Lavender, you feel hatred towards those who had bullied you before, do you not? Even for those who had no choice, correct?”
The wolf spirit looked confused, but she nodded nonetheless. Draco continued, “Then you must understand, even though you had no choice but to pursue your beloved, you brought much shame on me. Everyone within the immortal world had decided that I was not good enough for Longbottom. That I was too ugly or too cruel or too old. Rumors such as those, they will never truly go away. Put yourself in my shoes. And I am not as wise and magnanimous as you give me credit for, you know?”
Before Lavender could respond, Draco felt a weight crash into his legs. He looked down to see Little Night again. It was as if he had sprouted from the ground. The little boy spoke, “Why is papa denying that he is a wise and mag-nana-mis God? Papa is the bestest God in both Sky and Sea!”
Draco’s eyes were wide, “Where did you come from, Little Night?”
Little Night pouted and pointed to a large coral. As if summoned, the boy’s father walked out from the coral’s shadow and approached with a smile. For some reason, Draco felt his face heat up once more at that smile.
“I didn’t realize the boy I was speaking to was the High Immortal Draco Malfoy.”
A shiver went through Draco at the younger man calling him a boy. He laughed, “Don’t flatter me, I’m ninety thousand years your senior. It would be more appropriate to call me ‘Your Highness’.”
Harry Potter looked amused, “So Scorpius calls you papa and I must call you ‘Your Highness’? How do you justify that, Dray?”
Another shiver overcame Draco. That nickname was said with a little too much affection. He couldn’t help but argue and splutter out, “You were hiding behind a coral and eavesdropping, how do you justify that?”
The man didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. In fact, he looked even more amused. Little Night was the first to speak, however.
“We didn’t mean to, papa!” The boy explained, “Father Prince noticed you were following us, but when we saw you speaking to this lady, we decided not to bother you.”
Little Night smiled shyly, “Papa, were you chasing us because you couldn’t bear to part with Father Prince and Scorp?”
Before Draco could even think to refute the boy’s words, Harry nodded, “That’s right. Papa couldn’t bear to leave without you.”
Draco wanted to slap the smug smile from his face, but the boy’s bright smile stopped him. Little Night continued, “You’ll be coming home with us, won’t you?”
“We’ll leave tomorrow,” Harry immediately responded.
The boy looked at me with shining eyes, “It’s been so long since you’ve been home! Are you excited?”
Draco forced a smile and let out an awkward laugh, “Yes! Very excited…” He trailed off as he remembered they had an audience.
He walked over to Lavender, summoning his Cloud Fan and handing it to the pregnant woman, “I give you one wish. Bring this back to Slytherin when you have decided. Think carefully. Mimsy won’t block your path so long as you have it with you.”
Lavender clutched the fan in her hands and smiled, “Thank you, Your Highness.” She quickly, or as quickly as she could, left.
When Draco looked back at Harry, he looked astonished, “That was-” He cleared his throat, “You truly are kind-hearted.”
Draco huffed, “It was nothing.”
Little Night tugged at Draco sleeve, “I want one!”
He blinked at him, “What does a child need with a weapon?” He shook his head, “I just remembered, I have things I must attend to-”
“Are you worried others will gossip if you show up with the two of us?” Harry interrupted with an amused smile.
Draco half-heartedly scoffed, but inched away. Harry quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him close. Draco’s breath hitched.
“We are to be wed, Dray,” Harry whispered, “Who cares if they talk?”
“I-” Draco couldn’t speak, his face too warm and red. Thankfully, Little Night spoke up.
“Won’t you come with us, papa?” He asked with those damned puppy eyes.
“Alright, Little Night,” Draco relented before taking a deep breath, “Let’s go.”