Draco Malfoy: Back to the Beginning

Chapter 26

p>Draco's POV

Draco woke slowly to a bright light. As he started to regain consciousness, he realized he was in the infirmary. He looked around and saw Potter laying in a bed across the room.

Once Draco fully realized what had fully happened, he checked his wrist quickly. Relief overcame him when he saw smooth pale skin. The glamour had stayed.

A loud creak of the door broke Draco's gaze. He watched as his godfather quickly walked his way over to his bedside. Dumbledore came in behind him and walked over to Potter's bed.

Severus looked down at his godson with worry. "What were you thinking? You could've been killed!"

Draco sighed. He knew this would be coming at some point. "I'm fine, okay. The only reason I'm in here is because I got knocked into a wall and blacked out, but other than that no harm done."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and was about to say something else when the rustle of another bed caught his attention.

Draco looked over too and saw Potter waking up. He would never admit it, but a part of him was at ease knowing the raven haired boy would be okay.

He turned his attention back to his godfather and watched as he put up a silencing charm trying to keep their conversation private. "You should have never been down there!"

"What were we supposed to do? Just let Quirrell get the stone and bring back Voldemort," Draco tried to reason.

"That's why layers of protection were placed down there."

"Yeah, great protection that was. It took a bunch of first years, what, five minutes to get through each of those protections," Draco said sarcastically.

"This isn't like you Draco."

Draco was starting to get angry. "You don't know who I am! Not anymore. I'm not the same person I was a year ago! Compared to other things I've been through, this is nothing."

Sev sighed. "I know. I'm still trying to remember that, but that doesn't mean that you get to run into danger. Right now you're a kid and you will be for the next seven years of your life. Just because you travelled back in time doesn't change that."

Draco nodded in agreement. "I'm just starting to realize that myself."

Sev looked over his shoulder to where Potter and Dumbledore were deep in a conversation. "How close are you to Mr. Potter?"

Draco shrugged, "I wouldn't say we're friends, but he probably would. We talk sometimes. Why?"

"I don't think you should talk, as you say, anymore. He's a bad influence on you."

If Draco didn't show he was angry before, he definitely did now. "What?! Since when did you care who I talk with?" Draco sat up straighter

"Since those people take you on a dangerous mission and you end up in the infirmary."

"Potter didn't make me do anything. I make my own decisions. I went down with them for one reason, to make sure Voldemort didn't get that stone."

Severus sighed and Draco knew he wasn't seeing his reasoning. He was about to speak up again when the infirmary doors slammed open and cut him off.

"Where is he? Where is he?" Draco's heart dropped when he heard the voice. When he looked up and saw who had just entered the room, his face paled instantly.

Draco looked up at his godfather, who quickly told him, "We'll continue this conversation later," and then took down the silencing charm

His mother and father were standing at the doorway. Draco watched as his mother looked worriedly around the room until she made eye contact with him and rushed over to his bed.

"Oh Draco, are you okay?" Narcissa asked, trying to comfort her son.

"I'm ok mother. I'll be out of here soon. I just passed out," Draco reassured. He looked over to his father and saw Lucius had pulled Dumbledore to the side to have a private conversation. Before that, Dumblemore must have told Potter to leave because he was walking out of the infirmary quickly.

As he watched his father, his anxiety grew. He could tell by the look on his father's face he wasn't pleased with this situation though he had no idea who he was upset with. Himself or Dumbledore.

Narcissa was now talking with Severus, but Draco could only focus on his father's conversation. As the conversation went on, Draco could start to hear more and more of what his father was saying. His voice was becoming louder and sterner like it always did when he became frustrated and angry.

"What kind of school are you running?" Lucius shouted loud enough for everyone else in the room to become quiet, "Letting dangerous creatures into a school with hundreds of children and the only thing keeping them apart is a locked door that first years can open?"

"I assure you Lucius, above everything I value the safety of my students and make sure to keep them from harm's way," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Then why is my son in a hospital bed?" Lucius asked harshly.

Draco had been staring at his father this whole time, but it wasn't until then that he made eye contact with him.

He stared deep into his eyes and for a moment thought he saw concern in them before Lucius turned his head back to Dumbledore.

Draco knew his relationship with his father was anything but normal. His father had high expectations that Draco always seemed to come short of and no matter how hard he tried Draco could never seem to make him proud.

But there were times where Draco saw that his father cared for him even a little bit and would stand up for him when he needed it most.

There was still the bitter truth of what their relationship was. Draco knew he shouldn't freeze when his father walked into the room and shouldn't get overwhelming anxiety when he made simple mistakes.

He always envied the kids with parents who had unconditional love for them and never made them feel like they had to work just to please them.

Draco thought about father's beatings a lot. He knew all a lot of kids didn't have to go through this, but his life was different. He was a pureblood and if his father didn't punish him, he would act out in an unacceptable way.

It was his own actions that made his father hit him. Why else would he do it? He saw others go through the same thing, and there was always an unspoken rule to never talk about.

Did he wish he could have a better relationship with his parents? Of course, but he didn't and at the end of the day they're his family. He would rather have them in his life than not.

"Mr. Malfoy, your son decided to ignore explicit instructions and rules that were placed for the safety of students. He knew the consequences when breaking the rules, and you should be happy I'm not giving him detention," Dumbledore said.

That statement perked Draco's attention back to the conversation. Who does this old oaf think he was? Draco thought and let out a scoff.

Lucius turned to his son. "Do you disagree with what he says, Draco?"

"I don't disagree with the statement. I disagree with what he was implying," Draco explained.

No one said anything and just looked at him, so he went on. "Is all the stuff he said true? Yeah, but I didn't break those rules to be put in danger. I broke them because I was concerned for the safety of my friends and myself."

Draco turned his attention fully on Dumbledore, "You on the other hand were the one to put me in that position by hiding a powerful stone that is wanted by a madman in the school and only protected it with spells and puzzles and traps that four first years got past in minutes. “You weren't even trying to keep people out of there. The first door could be opened with the simplest unlocking spell there is. And on top of all of that you left the school unattended when you knew you were the only thing stopping Quirrell from going down there. “What were we supposed to do? Just let him get the stone and destroy the world? We even warned you that it was going to happen, but you didn't believe us so we had to take it into our own hands. “Sorry if you thought we would just sit back and let it happen. Next time maybe up your protection game then none of this would have ever happened and I could've had a normal first year here."

When Draco had finished, he was met with a stunned silence. He didn't have anything more to say, so he stayed quite waiting for someone to speak up.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Mr. Malfoy, I know you are upset with this situation, and I'm grateful for what you and your friends did for this school which you will be rewarded for. What I was trying to say before is while what you did was for the right reasons, you also took the risk of putting yourself in danger. I have warned everyone multiple times not to enter the third floor corridor for their safety. You ignored those warnings and ended up hurt, though not nearly as bad as you could have. Frankly, I don't see why I should be punished for you endangering your own safety."

Draco rolled his eyes. Of course Dumbledore only cared about his reputation and job. "Sir, I'm not saying you should be punished. I'm saying you should think more carefully about the danger you put in this school and how it could affect your students from now on and be a little understanding that my family is upset that their eleven year old son was in a dangerous situation under your supervision even when I put myself there."

Dumbledore took a moment before responding. "Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Malfoy," he then turned towards Draco's father, "Is there anything further you would like to discuss?"

"I think my son said it all. If he has any serious damage, you will be hearing from our lawyers," Lucius said simply.

Dumbledore nodded and then bid everyone a good day before leaving the infirmary.

Draco let out a sigh and relaxed into the bed when the headmaster left. Lucius walked over to the rest of them and stood beside his wife. Draco looked up at his parents and godfather.

He opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped when Lucius pulled out his wand to put up a silencing charm around the four of them.

Lucius and Severus had seen the interaction between the two boys and gave Draco disapproving looks. Draco gulped down his nerves that had suddenly returned. "I'm sorry for putting myself in danger. I know I should've been more careful, but I was caught off guard by Quirrell."

"Don't worry about that now. We're just glad you're okay," Narcissa said.

Draco nodded, and Lucius took that moment to speak up. "I assume Severus hasn't informed you of our plans for you this summer," Severus nodded and he continued, "Your mother and I have decided it would be best if you stay with Severus this summer. He will help you focus on your studies, and you won't have any distractions or excuses to fall back on if you don't do well next school year."

Draco didn't know how to feel with this news. On one hand he was excited to spend more time with his godfather and wouldn't be with his father to upset him, but on the other he couldn't help but feel disappointed that his parents did want him to live with them.

He knew this was a possibility since he was sorted into Gryffindor, but he had tried really hard that year to make up for it with his school work and Quidditch. Though once again, it wasn't enough for his father.

"You'll still come back to Manor often, and Severus will keep us updated with your progress. If you don't take this opportunity seriously we will have to look for different options that I believe you will find less pleasant."

Draco nodded and said, "Yes sir, I understand."

"Good. Now, where is the nurse who can update us on your condition?" Lucius asked.

Draco saw Madam Pomfrey tidying the bed Potter had been, and Lucius took down the silencing charm. Madam Pomfrey made her way over to Draco's bed once she was waved over.

"Mr. Malfoy, good to see you awake," Pomfrey smiled. She raised her wand and did a quick spell to check his vitals. "You luckily weren't injured when you were knocked out and your vitals are stable. You're free to go, just make sure to eat some food and drink water to regain your strength. The end of the year feast will be starting soon."

Draco agreed and Madam Pomfrey went back to her study. "Your mother and I will meet you at the train station and Severus will come to the Manor later that night to help bring your stuff over to his house," Lucius said and grabbed his wife's hand, "We have to go now. Severus will take care of the rest. Don't get into any more trouble."

"Yes, sir I won't," Draco responded. Lucius looked at his son for a moment before leaving the infirmary with his wife beside him.

Draco turned towards his godfather. "Were you going to tell me I was going to live with you?"

"Your father hadn't fully decided until yesterday. I told him how your exams went and he thought this would be best for your future."

"Are we going to continue our conversation from before?"

Severus sighed. "I don't mind your being friends with the boy if that's what you want. I just worry you will be in danger because of him."

"I understand that, but I can handle myself and I'm afraid what will happen if I'm not there with them."

Severus thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Just be careful, okay?"

Draco smiled jokingly and said, "You have the whole summer to teach me to be careful."

Severus gave an amused look back. "We better head to the feast. I'm sure Dumbledore has some announcements to make."

Draco got out of the bed, but realized he would have to take all his gifts up to his room. "Dobby," He called out and the house elf popped into the room.

"Master Draco, How can Dobby help you?" Dobby asked politely.

"Can you take all these gifts up to my room for me?"

"Yes of course Master Draco. Dobby will be right on it, but may Dobby ask Master Draco a question first?"

"Of course you can Dobby ask away"

"Dobby was wondering if Master Draco was taking him home for the summer?"

Draco turned to his godfather who already knew what was coming. "Please can he come with me?"

"No, I do not need a house elf at my house," Severus said.

"Please Sev, he's my friend. I can't just leave him here."

"Yes, you can. I'm telling you no."

"But he'll help around the house, right Dobby?" Draco tried to persuade

"Yes, Dobby will help as much as he can," the house elf answered.

Severus sighed in defeat. "He can come, but if he is more of a hassle then I'll send him back here."

"Thank you, Sev!" Draco exclaimed.

"Now come on, we're going to be late to the feast."