One of the happiest days in Draco's life was saving a baby girl from a death eater's home.
And one of the saddest days in Draco's life was losing the baby girl in the foster system. He was young, could barely afford rent and was a little emotionally unstable.
Years later, at 38, he retired to become a Hogwarts professor. Decided that if he can't have a family at home, he might as well have a family at Hogwarts.
He was placed as the head of the Slytherin house. He proudly wore his green Slytherin broach as he walked to his classroom. He had an air of royalty, a tinge of arrogance. But he wasn't the boy he used to be. It took him 6 months to prove himself, and now all of the students liked him
They liked him for his singing, his stupid end-of-the-class jokes. They respected him for commanding the room. And he cares for and loves every one of his students.
Things change. Obviously.
---
A little girl, with blonde braided hair, tied together with two white ribbons, timidly stepped into the Slytherin commons room. She had a small suitcase and a stack of books tightened against her hold. She stepped in. She spotted an older adult. Casually sitting on the couch and reading a dusty old book. He spotted her.
"Little one, do you need any help." She looked away, trying to find the correct words. "I transferred, and got referred to this house." Draco hummed. He got up and took the books from her short arms. Leaning down, he asked her. "What's your name, young one." He gave her a sweet smile. She seemed nervous, and he felt the need to do everything in his power to make her comfortable. "Demaris. Just Demaris, no need for last names." His eyes widened.
That was the name he gave his baby girl the night he saved her. He looked at her. The unmistakable green eyes and her golden blonde hair gave it away. Along with the white ribbons that he used to fasten her small boots when she was a baby. He cleared his throat. Holding out his hand, he guided her to an empty dorm, conveniently across from his small apartment. This dorm was basically abandoned for a long time. He subconsciously wanted to check up on her. She was practically his daughter. He wanted to give her the life she deserves.
"Thanks, sir." He smiled, patting her head. "Call me Professor Malfoy. Or even Draco." She beamed. She liked this guy already. He had genuine eyes and a bright smile. She instantly looked up to him. She's had this feeling that she's seen him before, but she shook it off. She's never met an adult that was genuinely nice to her, like him.
--
Demaris fit in by the 2nd week she stayed. She had a new set of friends. Albus, Scorpius, Matteo and Lilith. She was beaming and happy. The professors all knew that Draco had a soft spot for her. Harry patted him on the back. He liked the sight of Draco acting like a concerned father, he needed someone to love in his lonely life. "It's like she was your daughter." Draco nodded. He thought back on the time he saved Demaris.
"Remember that baby girl that I saved from the death eater camp?" Harry hummed in agreement. He remembered. The sleepless nights and his passion for raising her on paychecks and rations. "That's her." Hermoine spat her drink. She was surprised, who knew that the world was so small.
"You looked so devastated when I told you that you had to let her go. Is that why you look after her?" He nodded again.
"I guess you have another chance," Ron remarked. Draco grinned, that he did.
--
Demaris accidentally spilled a toxin on her hand. She cried. Draco knew that she was highly sensitive toward pain so he rushed forward. He was hurried but made sure he didn't bump into one of the tables. One of the students handed a healing potion to him. He thanked him with a nod.
She was seated at his desk, and Draco was on one knee. He used the healing potions to counteract the effects. Then he took a cotton swab and dabbed antibacterial solution on her burn. He didn't like how she winced. Finally, he bandaged it. Give it a little kiss. He looked up. Demairs had watery tear tracks.
"Oh, dear." He took out his green handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "You're too pretty to cry. Your eyes are swollen." She sniffled as he pulled her into a hug. Patting her back, he cooed. "Everything will be fine. I'm here. Ok? No one will hurt you, and by my side, you'll never cry." She sniffled, rubbing her eyes. He rocked her back and forth, something he used to do when she was a baby. Demaris was calmed, she found it odd, that he, her teacher can calm her down so quickly.
All of the students looked at the tender moment. Draco was nice, but he wasn't this nice. Lilith decided to do some research, with Matteo helping her. Something is under the surface. Lilith and Matteo sought to find out the truth
---
Demaris pounded at Draco's door. He opened it with a yawn. He looked down, concerned. There was Libra, she was sobbing. Soft hiccups came from the poor girl. She was shaking like a leaf as she gripped the ends of her night dress. But she looked ashamed, looking down at the ground. She wanted help but didn't want to burden her teacher. He did what any dad with an instinct does, he picked her up and carried her. "Shh, Shhh, my Demaris, what's wrong." He cooed. He sat on the couch, with Demairs nestled on his lap. He cooed, soothing her with his voice. But she was still lightly crying and hiccuping.
"Nightmares! Nightmares of them taking me from my papa. I can still remember his eyes as they took me away. I wish I could've stayed. His eyes were so sad I wish I can hug him. I miss him! Draco's mouth drooped to a frown. She was so perceptive and caring. If she was able to stay with him, he would've given her the happiest childhood. He would've loved her so much, that she would always have a pleasant dream.
"Sweetie, I'm sure your father is out there, hopeful that you have a happy life without him. I can be your father for now." She looked up at him and smiled.
"Really?!" He grinned.
"Really."
---
Demaris was now 13. Everyone called her a Malfoy, and she had a mischievous presence. Being with Draco, she got out of her shell and came into her own. Draco was proud of his little girl growing up. She was mischievous and proud. Proud of herself and most of all, proud of her surrogate father. She looked up to him like he was a hero in a shining cape.
A trip was announced. The third-year students will go to Paris to visit prominent magical areas. Everyone was accounted for.
They boarded a train. Libra was tired, from her nightmares. She was leaning forward. Draco shared a compartment with his daughter and her friends. He lightly pushed her head against his chest as he rested his chin on the top of her small head. He sighed. Having her as his daughter was his greatest achievement in life. Seeing her grow up, cooking and cleaning with her, and seeing her learn a multitude of new things was the happiest thing he's done with his life. He even stayed at Hogwarts with her during the break. He was in bliss. Hermoine turned in an adoption application and it was approved. Now he just needed to sign the documents and she'll be in his life permanently.
"Professor Malfoy?" Matteo asked. He looked over at him, his arm was around Demairs as he hold her close to his body. "What would you do if someone had a crush on your daughter?" He narrowed his eyes, was he trying to imply something. Matteo blushed, he looked away.
"No one should lay a hand on my little constellation. She's too young and impressionable for a romantic relationship." He gestured to the boys in the compartment.
"And I mean no one, understand?" Albus looked a little conflicted. But he nodded in agreement. Matteo looked away, feeling embarrassed and Lilith crossed her arms, rolling her eyes.
--
Demaris shared a room with Draco, they shared a bed. The windows overlooked the beautiful city of Paris. Soft warm lights emenated from the lamps. Draco was able to get the fanciest room, anything for his darling daughter. She changed into the clothes that Draco manage to buy for her. She had a simple green shirt, black shorts, and red converse shoes. She had a toothy grin. "I love the shoes, Papa." Draco melted at the word. Papa. He adores his Demaris. The way she walked and skipped the warmth of her hand, and her shapeshifter abilities.
"I'm glad you liked it, my darling girl." He was able to buy them at a bargain in the local shoe store. She adored them, stomping around as they walked to the lobby. She swung around with Draco holding her hand.
--
The 2nd-period potions class was chaperoned by Draco. They were walking around a mall. The class was gathering around an ice cream shop that shaped the ice cream into petals. The employees were able to sculpt the scoops into graceful petals. It is made up of a rose.
Demaris was a little timid to ask her dad for ice cream but he smiled. "Anything you want, my little constellation." She grinned. The ice cream scooper asked for her order.
"C-can I have pistachio, banana, chocolate, strawberry, and mint chip?" She spoke it in french. Draco was so proud of her when she learned the language. He had ties to France. It was part of his lineage. So when he started speaking in French absentmindedly (or cursing) she wanted to learn it. She held the ice cream cone up. "You can share with me, Papa!" He was melting under her nice gestures. He gave a crooked smile.
"Thank you, precious."
---
Draco was distracted for just a moment, and when he looked down.
Demaris was gone, his hand was empty. Alarmed, he told Potter to watch his class as he went around the mall, looking for her. He hurried along.
"Demaris? Dear? Where are you? My sweet girl?" He was asking the passersby. They shot him a pitying look and denied seeing her. He stalked around, checking the candy stores.
"Mr? Where are you taking me." He looked and saw a hooded figure dragging Demaris away. Sprinting, he pulled Demaris towards her.
"What the bloody hell are you doing with my daughter!" He looked inside the hooded figure. They were wearing a mysterious masks. The figure ran away as Harry and Hermoine were joined by Draco's side.
---
"I swear the next thing I knew was this guy pulling me away. I held on to your hand so tightly Papa." She was sniffling, afraid that she was getting in trouble. She swore up and down that she didn't let go. She was so scared.
They were in the hotel lobby. Harry and Hermoine were sitting next to Draco as they tried to find out what exactly happened. They needed answers. Hermione thought that the deatheaters are back and are taking back the child.
"Sweetie, you're not at fault." He kissed the top of her head as she sat on his lap. He was holding her safely against his chest. He needed it. Needed to know that his little girl was safe. She buried her small head in his chest, seeking comfort as he absentmindedly stroked her hair with his long fingers. "Should we go back?" Harry asked. Hermoine shook her head. "The kids are having too much fun. Let's go to a smaller and less quiet place. Like a house museum." Draco nodded.
He was still nervous.
---
Demaris was laying next to Draco as he read the Cinderella book to her. It was 1 am and she couldn't sleep. She was snuggled close to his side.
"The Prince put cinderella's shoe on her. Suddenly it fit. He looked up at his princess and smiled warmly." Libra was nuzzling her face on Draco's chest. Sighing, he laid his cheek on the top of her head.
"Papa?" He looked down at her. She had a worried expression in her eyes.
"will you leave me?" He shook his head.
"Never my little starlight. I will fight for you, I will keep you safe." She sniffled, closing her eyes, she asked. "Promise?"
"Promise, little one."