Idiots and Bastards
“You!”
Another plate goes flying across the living room.
“Idiotic!”
A glass ball that looks suspiciously like one of their Christmas ornaments goes next.
“Bastard!”
Draco wants to politely ask his mother not to use his old stuffed animals as weapons, but seeing as Narcissa is now conjuring knives from the kitchen, he keeps his mouth closed. Lucius ducks, narrowly avoiding the pointy utensil before holding his hands up.
“Now, darling-”
Honestly, he was in enough trouble already. How was talking going to help?
“One day! I leave him with you for one fucking day!”
Draco catches Snape’s eyes, they’re gonna be here for at least all afternoon.
Needless to say, Narcissa was a little less than happy when the two Malfoys returned in the wee hours of the morning. First, she had panicked because Lucius managed to get quite the gash when he was stunned in the forest. They spent a good five minutes holding her off from marching to the Ministry of Magic building and setting it on fire. Draco really thought the worse had happened and then she had hugged him, still ranting even though no one had told her about the Death Eaters yet, and his legs gave out. His ears were still ringing from her scream, and because she had been so busy freaking out over Lucius, she had completely missed Winky, who thought his mother’s breakdown would be a perfect time to finally say something.
Never in his life, not even when she found out about Lucius’s abusing him, had she been so angry. She nearly hexed them all straight into beds, and would have too if Snape hadn’t shown up and snatched her wand away from her before asking what in the hell was going on.
Draco had pulled Winky to the side and told her to make some clothing that wasn't covered in blood and dirt while Snape said ‘What do you mean you don’t know?’ A prime time too, exactly two seconds before he was scared for life.
When Narcissa asked what he was doing at their manor so early in the morning, he told her about the Death Eaters. Draco remembers the moment every time he closes his eyes. Narcissa’s usually chestnut hair had turned silver and raised up like snakes, branched out like a tree threatening to strangle them all. Sometimes he forgets how scary she can be when she loses control, at least now he’s certain she really isn’t mad about the whole Being Friends with Harry Potter thing. She was, however, fucking furious about their previous night’s engagements. Snape arrived right after the grandfather clock stroked seven, three hours later and she’s still ranting.
“Death Eaters?! And you didn’t think to bring him straight home?! Don’t you give me that ‘I didn’t have a wand’ bullshit!”
Draco sighs, discreetly snapping his fingers and praying Winky gets the hint. She’s at his side in an instant, bowing until her nose almost touches the floor.
“You called, Master?”
He keeps his voice low, “Can you bring me some tea? Severus looks like he could use some too. We both like mint, plain and warm but not overly hot.”
Winky nods and a second later his favorite teacup is in his hands, Snape sends him a half smirk back.
“Thank you, Winky. That will be all.”
But Winky doesn’t leave, she looks a little hesitant, ringing her hands, reminding Draco every bit of his younger self when he was in trouble. “Is everything okay? If you have something to tell me, I implore you to do so.”
Winky looks up at him with wide, slightly afraid, eyes. “Sir, what you be doing for Winky is very kind, sir. Winky cannot find a way to thank you, but Winky promises to be the very best house elf Master Draco ever did have!”
“Promise, huh?” Harry and the Feel Good Crew must be rubbing off on him. There’s no other reason he could possibly be feeling a bit tight in his chest area.
“Promise.” His elf replies. And fuck, he’s usually pretty good about sharing with his friends, but he loves the idea of Winky being his. No more ministry assholes to hurt her. Maybe it’s because something about her reminds him of Dobby, but he’s very much looking forward to their partnership.
He dismisses her with a smile the second Narcissa whirls on him.
“Don’t you send that elf away! Call her back this instant we have things to discuss!”
On the plus side, she’s no longer speaking French words. There was a moment when she was so angry she was cussing at them in Greek and he really thought she was going to set them on fire. By now she’s calmed down enough that it’s safe, or well, not life threatening for him to speak up.
“Mama,” He says with a slight accent because she’s speaking in a French accent and it might just be the difference between a plate to the head or a smile. “May I explain before I call Winky in?”
Narcissa’s hair is starting to rise again, but Sisily pops in with her favorite chair and a cup of tea. Sisily doesn’t dare speak, but Narcissa sees the look of despair that crosses the elf’s eyes, following them to the pile of broken objects on the floor by her husband. Glass here, wood there, definitely some of the expensive stuff, too. So she sighs and plops herself down, still glaring and fuming, but at least finally willing to talk.
“Explain. Before I change my mind.”
The accent is starting to fade too, she looks tired instead. Which she should be,considering that none of them have slept and she was up with Sirius and who knows else casting taxing protective magic all night. After this conversation he’s going to make her lounge in the living room and watch books with him, LuLu, Winky and Snape.
Maybe his father could sit in the armchair while they took the couches.
Draco launches into his explanation, leaving out how long he’s been helping Harry, although he knows Lucius isn’t that stupid. He refuses to admit that a world without Harry seems utterly boring to anyone, himself included.
His thoughts tread dangerous waters as he recounts. Thankfully his voice doesn’t say shit it’s not supposed to...but his mind. It just lingers. Harry’s face in the clearing, how he took stock of the situation and didn’t look the least bit afraid. How he stood in the middle of all those people, and yes Draco fucking has eyes and is humble enough to admit fit when he sees it. Even if Fit wears snitch-themed pajama bottoms. Fit also hugged him so tight it hurt, and gripped his hand until it forced him to think. Fit gave him a smile before they started running. Harry hadn’t let go of his hand once, not even when he lost his wand. Not when Lucius told them to get behind him, not when Crouch was in the clearing. He held tight the whole time, not letting Draco stray too far, and that somehow feels like it means something.
Like how Harry being Fit means something, or how the effects of Harry’s smile on him means something. Or how him being nice last year means something, how the way he glared at Blaise means something, or the look of terror on his face every time Draco gets hurt means something. Don’t get him started on how green the boy’s eyes are- they’re literally Slytherin Green! How can that not mean something-
“And Winky? What possible reason could you have for acquiring her?”
There’s no anger behind her voice, which means she must be coming around, but Draco doesn’t really have a reason. The only problem with that is if he shrugs or says ‘I don’t know’ Narcissa will definitely hex his head off.
“It just...it wasn’t right.” He says, catching her completely by surprise. “Everyone in that clearing knew it wasn’t right, and that Crouch was just being awful. The first thing I did was make a point of that when I told her ‘no wands’ and she flinched from the burn mine gave her. And mine was an inch away! He talked bad about the Malfoy name and I will not stand for that from a man who accused Harry Potter of summoning the Dark Mark. Acquiring Winky was a way of putting him in his place, so everyone can see that he's a dirty liar, plus now Sisily won’t be torn between you and I for everything. And before you tell me how stupid I’m being, I know. But it doesn’t really strain on my magic here because our forests are magic so she’s been feeding off them more than me, and the same will happen if I bring her to Hogwarts.”
His mother does look happier at the thought of extra hands to keep him safe.
“You are to promise, no, swear to me that you’ll tell me if she becomes too draining. I won’t take her away, merely bind her to both of us so she can draw from my magic as well. The only reason I’m allowing this is because you will one day be the Head of the Malfoy house, as such this is adequate training on how not to lose a loyal house elf-” Lucius flinches- “Naturally I have a condition. Winky will bring me reports of you once a month and hand deliver our mail so it is not monitored.”
“That’s too much to put on one house elf.” Draco fires back, “Sisily should bring me your mail and Winky bring you mine.” He leaves out the part where this will let him check on her too.
Narcissa catches it anyways, smiling that soft smile he’s been wishing for since they arrived. “Very well. May I meet this ‘Winky’ of yours?”
“Only if you agree to lounge the day away after.”
He can see the relief on Lucius’s and Snape’s face. In all reality, they had a reason to be so pent up. Narcissa would never hurt her son, but they weren’t as much of a priority.
“Deal.”
They hit it off almost instantly.
“Did you make that yourself in such a short time?”
Winky nods, still in a deep bow. “Yes, Mistress. Master Draco told me to, and I wished to make my Master proud.”
He can tell how difficult speaking is for her, they’ll have to work on it later. Like way later. Like next week type of later because the other elves are starting to clean up the mess his mother made and he’s dragging her and Snape to the living room. LuLu forces his father to join them and before he knows it his plan is playing out perfectly.
Draco plops down on the couch, casting the spell Blaise had drilled into him on his mother’s favorite book, and then leaning back for the show. Narcissa shares his couch, idly sipping tea and trying not to doze off. Snape doesn’t even hide it, blinking in and out of consciousness on the couch opposite to them. And Lucius...he sits in his old armchair, looking positively petrified at the white Kneazle that rubs against his leg before making her way to Draco’s side.
The only thing that could make it more perfect would be his friends here with them, Hermione and Ron could sit closest to the fireplace. Pansy would demand that Snape get off her couch that she always shares with Blaise. Remus and Sirius would probably force themselves into the empty chair across from his father and Harry….well Harry could sit beside him, with LuLu cuddled between their laps.
Then it would be perfect.
Draco’s only half surprised to see his cousin in the foyer the next morning, idly playing with a few flowers. Her hair falls around her like a veil, hiding everything above the hem of her skirt, but he’d know her anywhere. If nothing else, the bright yellow shoes are a dead giveaway.
“Luna?”
She turns a little too quickly, looking like she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t. At least he can clearly see her face now. Mother had sent Winky to tell him they have guests, but he wasn’t expecting this pleasant surprise.
“Good morning, Draco.”
Trying to be polite, no doubt, but he sees her eyes lock on LuLu and sees the way her hands twitch at her side. Draco sighs, reminding himself that Luna is younger and it’s been a while since he’s seen her, and she’s always been a little shy to new people. He picks up the cat and closes the distance between them, “Luna, this is LuLu, my Kneazle.”
Luna reaches out and it’s no surprise that LuLu melts into the touch, happily purring and rubbing her face into pale hands. It gets a giggle out of his relative, her entire body relaxing and Draco can’t help but smile. He hasn’t seen her in years, even when she got put into the same school he was also so busy she slipped his mind, but trying to keep people alive does that to you.
She’s here now, stirring up old memories he thought to be long forgotten.
So far, his mother has managed to get in contact with a few of her old enemies, and the ones she couldn’t win over Sirius, Remus, or Bella Zabini did. Family came first, cousins and distant relatives included. Sirius and Remus were a given, they love Harry and Draco has a feeling they’re planning on stealing the boy away from that awful place Dumbledore forces him to stay. He’s perfectly willing to help in the plan, as soon as he gets some free time on his plate. The Lovegoods stood with Dumbledore the first war, and Pandora was close to Narcissa even before she married, so winning them over was really more of forcing his parents to deal with Xenophilius. Luna still had her mind intact, but her father had lost nearly everything when he lost his wife.
The man constantly forgets that Luna lost a mother, but Draco doesn’t forget. Neither does Narcissa.
Draco takes Luna’s freehand and leads her to the photo hall before she can even think to ask. Sometimes he forgets how many people the war affected, how many relationships it ruined. But in his mother’s little black box is photograph after photograph of all the people she once held close- the people they pray can help them now.
Photos of Narcissa and Sirius, dancing as children. Auntie Bella flipping over a game of Wizard’s Chess Auntie Dora had just won sometime in their teens. A single photo of Auntie Dora’s child that Narcissa never got to meet. Narcissa, Bella Zabini, and Katheriene Parkinson on the day of their Hogwarts graduation. A fifteen year old Pandora, blonde hair spread across Narcissa’s lap. It’s Luna’s favorite photo because they look happy.
Draco hands it to her without a word and Luna pulls him in for a hug.
“Thank you for not forgetting.”
“Thank you for standing with us.”
Luna cracks a grin at him, LuLu happily perched in her arms. “Thank you for being on the right side, I think you’re the reason your parents have been able to change so much. Mama always said that mothers will do anything for their children.”
Draco wants to protest because there’s a lot going on in that one reply, but Luna’s always known things she shouldn’t, always been able to see through people like some sort of powerful Legilimens. Some days it’s rather creepy, but today he just smiles because he knows what the last few words means. Mothers will do anything for their children, Pandora included.
Even if it means never seeing them again.
Luna ends up spending the next few days with him because Xenophilius has some idea to get Lucius fully healed and Narcissa enjoys watching him suffer. The two men spend the day yelling at each other while she laughs at them, meanwhile Draco and Luna find all types of ways to fill the hours.
Like exploding snap, catching up on homework, exploring weird ends to the maze in the left garden, playing with each other’s hair, dancing to weird tunes in the ballroom. Luna is particularly happy to meet Winky, though the elf can’t say the same.
“Luna, this is Winky, my personal house elf. Winky, this is my cousin Luna.”
Winky had almost screamed when Luna pulled her in for a hug, “It’s so wonderful to meet someone so loyal and kind. You’re exactly what Draco will be needing soon, and I dare say you’ve made wonderful improvements to the Malfoy Elves Uniforms.”
He hadn’t noticed the change until she pointed it out, but now that he thinks about it even Sisily has new clothes! Little green dresses and tuxedos with the Malfoy crest across the heart. Draco is sure to tell her how pleased he is.
At the moment Luna is sitting crossed legged on the couch, playing with Draco’s hair as he reads his final Charms assignments out loud.
“Can’t they give us something a little more interesting?”
Luna brushes his bangs back, he really needs a haircut, “You love charms, perhaps you could get a side project to fill your spare time?”
Draco’s about to laugh at the thought of him having spare time when his mother comes in. The two on the couch sit up so she can kiss their foreheads.
“Afternoon, loves, care for another friend to join the lively party you’re having?”
Draco shrugs, pretty sure his mum is calling him a loser, but before he can reply Narcissa steps to the side, revealing a nervous looking Millicent Bulstrode.
“I believe you know Miss Bulstrode? I’m having tea with her father and just knew she’d rather spend time with you rather than the two of us.”
Millicent looks like she’s seen death himself, quickly rushing out words so she doesn’t seem impolite. “Mrs. Malfoy! It is an honor to be invited to your home- I would never be so rude as to-”
Draco badly hides a snort behind a cough, then kisses his mother on the cheek, idly wondering if he should bring up the level of alcohol he plans to consume in the drinking game he and Blaise have been developing after being friends with three Gryffindors for a year. Instead he walks her to the door of his living room, kissing her cheek and wishing her a silent ‘good luck’. The Bulstrodes aren’t as uptight on blood purity as the Parkinsons once were, but they also have a fear of Riddle roughly the size of Africa, so there’s really no telling how their meeting will go.
If Mr. Bulstrode is anywhere near the level of terrified Millicent is, maybe his mother can just glare until she gets her way.
“Care for a game of exploding snaps?”
“Didn’t you just plan my murder with you mother?”
“Please, darling,” Draco laughs, “We’re not stupid enough to do it in front of your face, besides Luna is here. We can’t murder with Luna in the room, it’s just not right.”
Millicent grins at him and he decides she’s okay for a Bulstrode.
It feels like the longest summer of his life, but it’s over far too soon and before he knows it Narcissa is kissing him on the cheek and reminding him of who he can trust. From Gryffindor, he knows Harry, Ron, and Hermione would never betray him. They’re not wired to do that, and Pansy and Blaise would kill them if they did. His two best friends are a given, as is Luna, but he’s a little more than surprised to find out just how deeply Millie is on their side. Draco had completely forgotten about her muggle mother, and damn if mother’s weren’t a common theme in his life. While he’s happy to have some allies in a few houses, the fact that Crabbe and Goyle didn’t make the list hurts.
He can’t trust the people meant to protect him, isn’t that plot getting a little tiring?
Pansy and Blaise hold off just long enough for him to close the door before they’re on him, crushing him and demanding answers that he refused to give in his letters, which makes them a whole hour late to join their other friends, and everyone with an ounce of intelligence knows what that means:
Hermione almost pulling their arms off to get them inside.
“Where have you been?! We’ve been waiting for ages!” she whirls to Draco, “And you! You stupid! Idiotic! Moron! What have you done with Winky? Have you any idea how dangerous it is to take up a house elf?! If you don't treat her better than that blithering asshole Crouch I'll have your head! Ron told me all about it and you’re lucky I don’t have access to the Malfoy Manor because I would’ve strung you up by your toes for trying something so ridiculously thoughtless!”
Ron pats her arm, gently moving her out of the way, “Don’t kill him when we’ve just gotten him back, ‘Mione.” He carefully squeezes Draco’s arm and accepts a kiss on the cheek from Pansy, shaking Blaise’s hand. “It’s good to see you all-”
Harry’s shoving him to the side before he can finish, glaring Draco down, “Did he hurt you for it? I swear to Merlin! Not being able to send you letters is torture! I know he’s not as much of an asshole but I thought he would do something horrible to you and I’ve been so worried but you don’t have a bruise on you! Unless they’re hidden-are they hidden? I fucking-”
“Harry!” Draco laughs, grabbing the boy by his arms, “Calm down, will you? I’m fine. Not a hair out of place, besides he’s lucky Mother let him live, I don’t think she’d be so kind if he tried it again.”
Pansy rolls her eyes, forcing a kiss on Harry’s cheek before sliding into the window seat beside Ron. Blaise pats his shoulder, slightly amused, and then promptly shoves them into empty seats so he can brag to Hermione about how cool his new Green House is.
“Mum let me put it together over the summer, I’ve started growing Screaming Roses and-”
“Screaming Roses?! Those aren't in any of my books! Are they like Mandrakes?”
Across from them Ron is practically begging, “Please, Pans, I know you love clothing and once you see my dress robes I know you won’t be able to say no!”
“Ronald, I am much too busy-what the fuck am I looking at?! These are your dress robes?! Oh, darling, of course I’ll help you, but just so you know it’s going to cost you.”
Harry could join either of their conversations, and so could Draco. He’s very interested in whatever Garden Hell Blaise managed to pull together in the few weeks they were home and now on Malfoy Island, and they’re both more than willing to make fun of the hideous fabric Pansy’s already picking apart. Even so, neither of them do anything but move a little closer, and then Draco pulls out a book and Harry decides he might as well close his eyes since he’s probably gotten little to no sleep worrying about his friends.
It’s fine, really. It’s not like Draco wanted to talk to Harry or anything. He’d very much like to know how his summer was, but they could talk later.
Draco’s ten pages into the fourth book Blaise lent him on Medical Magic when there’s a ‘thump’ and a warmth on his shoulder. One look to his left and he nearly stops working all together.
Harry’s head is on him, giving him a perfect view of things he’s never really thought of. Like collarbones that peek beneath his unbuttoned shirt, long lashes against cinnamon skin. Draco fucking loves cinnamon. Hair that’s getting as long as his own, curling in thick black strands that look like silk and smell like rainwater. Pink lips that are unfairly shiny-does he wear chap stick?-glasses askew and looking dangerously close to breaking again so Draco rolls his eyes and carefully removes the things. He casts the unbreakable charm he’s been meaning to cast since first year, really, and then places them on the window seal to his right.
Four pairs of eyes watch him, like he’s doing something weird even though he isn’t. He’s been taking care of Harry forever now! It’s not his fault he’s oblivious to things that don’t mean instant death for all of them. Really! He just took note of some not so annoying qualities and removed glasses! How is that a view-worthy offense?
Pansy winks at him, Blaise smiles like he knows something. Draco’s face burns but it’s not that bad until Hermione starts giggling and Ron wiggles his eyebrows.
Whatever they think they know, they don’t.
And Draco’s face isn’t warm at all.
He’s not blushing even a little bit.
It’s just hot in their carriage, and the body heat Harry gives off is insane, kinda like a furnace that would be amazing during the Holidays, but it’s just a bit of light leaning. That’s all.
Nothing out of the normal for him, nothing incriminating.
But fuck, if Harry’s this comfortable just leaning on him and sleeping, would he be comfortable in bed too?
Draco shakes his head, cheeks fucking burning because he didn’t mean it like it! It just sounds weird! See, he was thinking of Harry like a pillow! Would he be a nice pillow?! Because Draco knows he has muscles, but he smells great and is very warm which means Winky would have to wash less blankets, and the idea of forcing Harry to lie still in his arms seems like a very effective way of keeping him from Not Dying, and surely that’s innocent, isn’t it? Why else would he want Harry in bed-
He’s pretty sure actual steam is coming out of his ears, thank Merlin Harry’s not awake to see it, but his friends are. And his friends are assholes, so naturally they make fun of him the entire fucking ride.
It’s a blessing that none of them are Legilimens, or worse, friends with Luna.