Life Changing

“Oh boy.” Harry replied. This was interesting. He had his formal rival in his home. A formal rival who was five years old. He had to find out what happened quickly. He wasn’t surprised at finding out Lucius abused Draco, or that Narcissa looked the other way. Lucius was in Azkaban, and Narcissa was still on house arrest. He could owl her for more information later.

“Why don’t I give you a tour and help you to your room?” Harry showed him around and led him to a small bedroom that Teddy usually stays in when he takes him.

“Whose room is this?” Draco asked.

“Usually my godson Teddy stays in it, but he is with his grandmother most of the time. I figured you might like it in here. There are some toys and books. He is six years old. Why don’t you get settled in while I go talk to my boss?” Harry said.

He firecalled Ron at the Ministry.

“Hey Harry.” Ron said.

“So what was the news?” Harry asked.

“We found that the woman was indeed a clerk that worked there. Her name is Astoria Greengrass and said the owner was working on a complex potion when the explosion happened. From what we gather, it was the potion that exploded. Luckily the only damage was to that shop. Get this, the owner is Draco Malfoy! We don’t know where he is. He is currently missing.” Ron said.

“I think I might know where he is.” Harry said.

“Oh yeah?” Ron replied.

“He is currently in Teddy’s room at my house, he is the five year old kid I found. I think the potion somehow got on him when it exploded and de-aged him.”

“What?! That’s crazy Harry.” Ron exclaimed.

“I know, but it’s not impossible. We all know magic can do some crazy and powerful stuff.” Harry explained.

“Yeah it can.” Ron replied. “So what now?”

“We figure out the potion and how it exploded. Did you get a sample to the potion masters at the Ministry?”

“Yeah I did, they are working on it right now. I will let you know when they figure it out.”

“Thanks.”

“So, Draco Malfoy is living with you right now?” Ron asked.

“Yes he is Ron. Deal with it.” He huffed.

“Whatever mate, as long as it is not me.”

Harry laughed. “He’s not so bad Ron.”

“Sure right now he isn’t. He’s five. What if he’s stuck like that? What if he turns back and tries something?”

“Ron, I’m sure we will figure this out. The best Aurors are on the case. Even if Draco is stuck like this, I can’t just leave him. I want to help him out. You didn’t hear how he talked about his parents. If he turns back, I’m sure that I will be able to explain things.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I will report this to Robards. See ya later mate.” Ron said and the floo died out.

Harry checked on Draco. He was sitting on the small bed, reading a book Harry gave him.

“Hey, I am going to make dinner, any requests?”

“Yeah can we have chicken, taters, and chocolate cake for desert?”

Harry chuckled at the innocent request. “Sure.”

Harry set off to cook. He started with the cake. He mixed the batter and set it in the oven. He made the frosting and put it in the fridge. Potter’s cottage was a combination of muggle and wizarding items. It had a large master bathroom with an en suite bathroom, two small bedrooms connected to a small bathroom, a library, a small den, a sitting room, a formal dining room, a large kitchen which had many muggle technologies, and a large open backyard with a deck and a small garden with lilies, narcissus and two rose bushes. Harry cut up the potatoes next and roasted them. He fried the chicken next. He pulled out the cake when it was done and set it to cool. When it was cool, he put the frosting on it. He finished up dinner with corn and carrots. He put the cake on the counter for later.

Harry gathered Draco for dinner. “Dinner is ready. Go wash up.”

“Okay, Harry.” Draco replied.

Harry set the table. Draco sat down at one end. Harry put a plate down in front of him and sat next to him. They dug in.

“So Draco, do you want to stay here with me for a while?” He asked.

“I’d love to. My parents are mean and if you say you’re Harry Potter, then I must be in the future.” Draco replied.

“Actually, I think that is not quite exactly what happened. There was an explosion at that shop. At the center of it was an exploded cauldron with leftover potion in it. I think it somehow got on you, because you were working on it at the time. You own that shop, by the way. It made you de-age.” Harry said.

“Wow. So, I don’t become a ministry employee?” Draco asked.

“No you don’t.”

“Thank Merlin. Father said I would have to, I am glad that my older self no longer listens to him.”

Harry laughed. “Are you ready for desert?”

“Yes please.” Draco replied.

“You are always so very polite.” Harry admired.

“Father taught me to always be respectful.”

“Well he did something right.” Harry muttered. He quickly got up and brought back two pieces of chocolate cake.

“This is delicious. Thank you. Did you cook all of that yourself?” Draco asked.

“Thank you. Yes I did.”

“Wow. We always had elves for that. Your food is better though.” Draco said.

Harry laughed again. “I love to cook. I don’t have a house elf anymore, so I don’t mind.”

Draco nodded.

“Let’s get ready for bed.” Harry said.

Harry gave him a set of pajamas, showed him how to work the shower and bath tub, showed him where to find toiletries and gave him a towel.

Harry read a book in the den and waited for Draco to be done.

After Draco was bathed and dressed for bed, Harry read to him. “Tomorrow, we can go out and get you your own clothes and anything else you want.”

“Okay. Goodnight Harry.” Draco said.

“Goodnight Draco.”

Harry went off to contemplate the day’s events. It had been a whirlwind of a day. He had to find out if he could fix what happened to Draco and help him through it.

The next morning Harry woke early. He checked on Draco who was still asleep. He decided to take a shower and make pancakes for breakfast.

By the time pancakes were done, Draco came in dressed in something he took from Teddy’s closet.

“Mmm. That smells amazing.” Draco said.

“Pancakes. After breakfast, we will go shopping.” Harry replied.

They ate quickly. Harry took Draco to Diagon Alley.

They went to Madame Malkin’s first and Harry got Draco several sets of clothes, pajamas, and robes. Harry shrunk the packages of clothes and put them in his pocket.

Next they went to Flourish and Blotts. “Pick out any books you want, Draco.”

“Do they have any books on dragons? I love dragons.”

“Of course.” Harry brought him over to the section about dragons.

They bought several picture books, children stories and one encyclopedia of all the types of dragons.

Next they went to Magical Menagerie to look at the animals. They didn’t buy any. Next they took a look around Quality Quidditch Supplies. They took a long look at the new broom. Harry made a mental note to look into getting a child version for Teddy and maybe Draco later.

They had ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s for lunch. Harry had raspberry swirl and Draco had vanilla dipped in chocolate.

“Do you have an owl?” Draco asked.

“No. But we can go to the post if you want to send a letter.” Harry said.

“How come you don’t have an owl?” Draco asked.

“She died a few years ago, she was my first friend.” Harry replied.

“Oh, then we can just get you another owl.” Draco replied innocently.

Harry had not thought about replacing Hedwig. He couldn’t bear the thought. Maybe it was finally time. Maybe with Draco, he could get a new owl. He hated borrowing Pig or renting an owl to send mail. He figured it wouldn’t do him any harm. He could still honor Hedwig in his heart. “Yes, I think it’s time that I got a new one.” He smiled.

Harry and Draco went into Owl Emporium. “What kind of owl do you think I should get?”

“Father says the eagle owls are the best, but I don’t want to listen to what my father says anymore. What kind of owl did you use to have?” Draco replied.

“She was a snowy owl. I don’t think I want another snowy owl.” Harry said.

“Well, let’s take a look at what they have then.” Draco said.

They saw all sorts of owls. Great horned owls, hawk owls, snowy owls, eagle owls, and barn owls. They were all beautiful. It was so hard to choose just one. Draco was standing in front of one particular owl. “What do you think Draco?”

“I like this one.” He said. It was a beautiful gray and brown stripped great horned owl.

“Me too.” Harry admitted. “We’ll get him.”

“Really?” Draco asked.

“Yeah of course.” Harry said and brought the owl up to counter and paid for it. He bought a perch and some owl treats as well. He told the owl his address once they were outside. Harry then took Draco into Muggle London.

“Why are we going here?” Draco asked.

“I figured I could get you some toys that you would like.” Harry said.

“Can I get a dragon?” Draco asked.

“Of course.” Harry chuckled. Harry brought him into the nearest toy store.

Draco picked out a green stuffed dragon. He didn’t want anything else.

They went back into the Leaky Cauldron for dinner. Harry had fish and chips and Draco had roast pork and stuffing. After dinner they went home.

Harry put Draco in the second bedroom with his new clothes, books, and his stuffed dragon. “Do you have a name for him yet?”

“Yeah, I was thinking Etamin, it’s a star in the constellation Draco.” Draco responded.

“You are a very smart five year old.” Harry replied.

“I like the stars, especially the constellation Draco, my namesake, and I have learned all about it.” Draco said.

“Wow. Well, let’s get you and Etamin ready for bed.” Harry said. Draco giggled.

After Draco was ready for bed, Harry read one of the new books he got to Draco. “Goodnight Harry.”

“Goodnight Draco and Etamin.” Harry said, receiving another giggle from Draco.

He went to the floo and checked-in with Ron. There was no new news. The potion masters were having trouble with the potion. They did identify it as some type of de-aging potion, but didn’t know why it blew up or how to fix Draco. Ron said they might have something by Monday.

They spent Saturday reading and playing together. Sunday he took him to dinner at Hermione and Ron’s.

“Is that really Draco?” Hermione asked.

“Of course I’m Draco.” He replied.

“Well, that proves it.” Ron said.

“Be nice.” Harry said.

They ate and chatted about what possibly happened, Hermione would be a help in researching a cure if needed. They also talked about Quidditch and the new racing broom that Draco and Harry saw in Diagon Alley. Harry told them about his new owl that hadn’t yet named.

“It’s about time.” Hermione said.

“Yeah mate.” Ron agreed.

“Draco helped me get him. He’s a great horned owl. I haven’t named him yet. I was thinking Sirius.” Harry said.

They both looked at him with pity, but smiled.

“Sounds good Harry.” Ron said.

“I like it.” Draco replied. “It goes with Etamin, my new dragon.”

“I got him a stuffed dragon.” Harry said.

“Why?” Ron asked.

“He’s a kid Ron, he deserves a toy.” Harry said.

“I agree with Harry.” Hermione said.

That night Draco and Harry looked at the encyclopedia of dragons. Draco pointed out his favorites, including the Chinese Fireball, the Antipodean Opaleye, and his very favorite the Hungarian Horntail that Harry snorted at. Of course that would be Draco’s very favorite. Still remembering the tri-wizard tournament when he faced one.