Life Changing

When reported to Robards the next day, he was nervous. They were officially closing the case. They had put down as the official cause of the explosion to be an accident. He had made a decision. He didn’t really have anyone else to care for Draco. As Draco needed him, Harry hoped Robards understood.

“So the official ruling is that this is a potions accident?” Robards clarified.

“Yes.” Harry replied.

“All the evidence points in that direction and Ms. Greengrass’ witness account supports our findings.” Ron said.

“Alright, what about the shop?” Robards asked.

“The cleanup crew has done their job and cleaned the mess.” Ron said.

“Yes, but it is owned by Draco, who at the moment cannot make a decision about what to do with it now.” Robards responded.

“I would like to pay for it to be restored Robards.” Harry spoke up. “When Draco is back to being his actual age, I am sure he will appreciate that his shop is back to what it used to be.”

Robards nodded. “I had a feeling you might want to do something like that Auror Potter. I will take the money from your account. Anything else?”

“I am taking time off, I am responsible for Draco. I have nowhere else to send him, so I cannot leave him on his own. I wish to take a leave of absence. It will be for the next four months.” Harry replied.

“What? Harry you can’t do that!” Ron exclaimed.

Harry and Robards just looked at him and ignored the comment.

“That is a long time Auror Potter. As I understand it, Draco will age up during these four months. I am sure once he hits a certain age, he will no longer need to have you watching over him every second of the day.” Robards said.

Harry shrugged. “I am sure he won’t want me to be hovering over him either, but I wish to help him in any way I can, and that means being available during all hours of the day.”

“This is a difficult time to ask for such a leave of absence Auror Potter.” Robards replied.

“If you feel that way, I can always just quit. I don’t need this job to survive. Sure after Draco has aged up and in no longer in my care, I would become bored, but I am sure I would find something suitable either in the private sector, or look into the multiple offers of jobs that I get on a weekly basis. I also know that Headmistress McGonagall still wants me for the DADA professor.” Harry easily retorted. Not that he was interested in any of the offers, but knew Robards would back down if he let him know about them.

“I guess I could make an exception for you Auror Potter. Just fill out the necessary forms.” Robards readily backtracked.

“Of course you will.” Harry smiled.

“You’re really doing this Harry?” Ron asked.

“Yes Ron I am. Don’t start. Draco needs me.” Harry said.

“Fine.” Ron muttered.

Harry filled out the necessary forms and left to see how Draco was holding up. He left him with Hermione. He needed to Owl Narcissa and Andromeda. He missed Teddy. He also needed more information about what Draco went through as a child. He wasn’t sure how Narcissa would take the news of the potions accident making Draco a child again, even for a short time.

Harry found Draco talking to Hermione about muggle things. He soaked up information like a sponge. He seemed so bright and genuinely interested in all things. He was very curious. Harry didn’t limit his curiosity. He hoped it would help him in the future.

“Hey Draco, you ready to go?” Harry asked.

“Yeah, let’s go home. Thank you ‘Mione. I would love to learn more.” Draco said.

“Of course. If you want to know more, you can send a letter or you can ask Harry. He knows about muggles too.” Hermione offered.

“I would like that.” Draco said.

“We’ll see you Sunday for dinner?” She asked looking to Harry.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Harry replied.

After getting home Harry wrote to Andromeda and Narcissa explaining what happened to Draco. He included in Andromeda’s letter about how he missed Teddy and would love to see him sometime soon. He included in Narcissa’s letter that she was welcome to request a visit from him, but that Harry technically had guardianship of him, and was unwilling to give it up as he promised young Draco not to leave him or let him go back to the Manor. He didn’t mention that last bit to Narcissa though. He didn’t want to impede any relationship they had as adults or any relationship her and Harry could have.

Andromeda’s letter back said she would love the chance to get to know her nephew and that Harry could take Teddy for the day on Saturday.

Narcissa wrote back asking to see Draco as soon as possible.

Harry contemplated this. He knew she could not leave the Manor. She was still on house arrest, but found himself not being able to reject her request to see her son. It was her right to do so. He could at least talk to Draco about it.

“Draco, your mother wishes to see you, what do you think?” Harry asked after lunch that day.

“Mother wants to see me? I admit I do miss her. She did look the other way, but I love her and she loves me as well. I would like to go see her. Will I have to stay with her?” Draco asked.

“No you won’t. I promise.” Harry said. He found himself wanting to protect Draco more and more. He was becoming quite fond of Draco. He found himself enjoying time with Draco.

“Will you stay with me when we go visit her?” He asked.

“If you wish it, I will stay, of course. I will be by your side the whole time.” Harry promised.

“I trust you.” Draco replied.

“I will send her a letter letting her know that we shall visit tomorrow, today I have plans to take you flying, how does that sound?” Harry asked.

“Really? I can go flying?!” Draco asked.

“I will bring you with me on mine.” Harry said.

“Wicked.” Draco responded.

That afternoon Harry took Draco out into their backyard and they spent several hours flying on Harry’s old Firebolt.

The next day they floo’d into the Manor. Draco gripped Harry’s hand tightly.

“Mr. Potter, Draco. Thank you for visiting me here.” Narcissa greeted them.

“Hello mother.” Draco greeted her.

“Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for inviting us to your lovely home.” Harry replied.

“Please come in, sit, I have tea and pumpkin juice. As well as some biscuits.” Narcissa offered.

Harry nodded. “Thank you.” They followed her to a small sitting area with two armchairs, and a couch. Narcissa took one of the chairs, while Harry and Draco took up the couch. Narcissa raised an eyebrow at their closeness, but didn’t comment on it. Narcissa gave tea to Harry and pumpkin juice to Draco.

Draco ate several biscuits.

“Mr. Potter, I would like to thank you for taking care of my Draco. I appreciate it. I wish that I could have taken more care of him when he was this age.” Narcissa said.

“Please call me Harry. I promised Draco I would and I do not intend to break that promise. He will age and get back to his normal self soon, so I am sure that you will see him again at his normal age. If you wish to have him visit again, I will allow it only if Draco wishes it. He has told me a little what his childhood was like and I am not very pleased by it. I don’t wish you harm, I know how Mr. Malfoy can be. I just wish you had stood up to him more, but I know how difficult it can be in an abusive relationship.” Harry replied.

“Please Harry, call me Narcissa. I do wish to implore to you that it is my greatest regret that I had not stood up to him. I am glad he has you and can see how much you care for him. I will not take that from him. I wish you to know Draco that I love you and it was hard for me to care for you under your father’s wrath. Now that I am no longer bound by it, I wish you would visit me so that we can work on our relationship.” Narcissa said.

“Thank you mother.” Draco said. “I will think about visiting you again.” He tightened his hold on Harry’s hand.

“Narcissa, this has been an enlightening experience. I hope you that you will not hold it against me that I wish to protect young Draco here, he seems to need to go home. I will let you know if he wishes to visit again.” Harry spoke up understanding Draco’s demeanor.

“Of course.” She replied.

She led them to the floo. Draco went first, sensing Narcissa wished to say something else to him. “Harry, let me know if there is anything I can do for you as a thank you. I wish to repay you. Draco is my only son and wish to see him happy. I can see he is happy with you, so I will not interfere.”

“You do not need to repay me Narcissa. I am doing this for Draco, not you. I will let you know if he wants anything that I cannot give him, or wishes to see you again. I will keep you informed about the progress of the potion as well.” Harry said.

She nodded thanks, and he went home.

That night Draco explained more about his childhood which made Harry growl in anger. Apparently Lucius Malfoy practiced the cruciatus on a 5 year old. He would also be locked in the dungeon for hours for failing to be the perfect son Lucius demanded of him. He was taught to sit up straight, not to talk, stand straight, walk with his held high, and so many more incredulous and ridiculous rules for a 5 year old to follow. If Lucius was not in Azkaban, and unattainable to Harry, he might go strangle man with his bare hands. That man deserved a long painful death according to Harry. He was glad that Lucius was suffering in that awful place.

They spent the next few days, flying, playing and reading together. Harry grew closer to Draco, as Draco grew more attached to Harry.

On Saturday, Andromeda and Teddy came over and introduced Draco to his cousin and Aunt. After pleasantries, the boys spent time playing together while Andromeda and Harry talked in the sitting room.

“So, Harry how is it taking care of my nephew?” Andromeda asked.

“It’s alright. He’s not so bad. I like taking care of him.” Harry said.

“What is going to happen when he ages?” Andromeda asked.

“He will age, and I will still care for him. He won’t need me as much, but I won’t mind. I like having him around. I hope that he will remember me when this is all over. I do wish to be friends with him when he turns back to his real age. I don’t know if he will let me, but I would like to try. I know that I will miss him being around, but I was thinking about volunteering at an orphanage after he grows up.” Harry replied honestly. He had thought about it before. He knew it would not be the same, but he was sure that he would miss having Draco around.

“I am glad you have thought about it. I was nervous. The way you look at him and act around him. It will be difficult for you, more than you think.” Harry said.

“I know.” Harry replied honestly.

Andromeda nodded. They checked on the boys who were animatedly playing together. They were pretending to be dragons. Harry chuckled at the sight.

He was in so much trouble.

After they left, Harry cuddled Draco on the couch, stroking his hair reading a story to him about dragons.

“Harry?” Draco asked.

“Yes angel?” Harry replied.

Draco smiled. “No one has ever called me that. My mother called me her dragon. Father always just called me Draco.”

“Do you not like it? I can-“ Harry started to say.

“No! I don’t mind. I like it. It makes me feel special.” Draco replied.

“Alright angel, what did you want?” Harry asked.

“I was wondering what is going to happen when I take the potion again.” Draco answered.

“Well, overnight you will age about six years, making you 11 years old. Professor Snape has assured me it will not hurt. I am not sure what you will remember from that age and what you will retain, when you age, but I will still care for you no matter what.” Harry replied.

“What if I don’t want to take it?” Draco asked.

“You have to take it Draco, you need to be your own age again. I wish us to be friends at our age. To do that you have to take the potion.” Harry said.

“We aren’t friends now, at our true age?” Draco asked innocently.

“No, I am sorry. The truth is we are not, but I wish we were. I hope that you will let me be your friend when this is all over.” Harry said.

“I hope so too.” Draco replied.

The next day they visited Hermione and Ron. After dinner, Hermione cornered him.

“Harry, this relationship you are having with Draco is not normal. You are even calling him ‘angel’ now. I think you are getting too close to him. What is going to happen when he ages? I think you are going to get hurt. I do not wish to see you hurt Harry. I am just concerned is all.” Hermione said.

“Don’t you think I know that ‘Mione. I care for him. More than I should. I know that. I have become attached to him, but I cannot let him go. I promised him and intend to keep it. I am stubborn that way. Besides I already talked to Andromeda about this too. I have made plans for when he is no longer in my care.” Harry replied.

“I still think this is going to be harder than you think, but I know how stubborn you can be. I am just glad that you have thought about what will happen. I am willing to help if you need it as well.” Hermione said.

“Thank you.” Harry replied.

Harry and Draco spent the next few weeks falling into a routine. They would play, fly, and read every day. They visited Professor Snape’s Portrait on Tuesdays, Teddy would come over Thursday and Friday to play, Saturdays they would go to the zoo, a park or some other fun activity, and on Sundays they spent time with Ron and Hermione.

Soon it was time to take the second dose of the potion. Harry was nervous. He wasn’t sure how Draco would react to it. He knew he would turn 11, but what would that mean for their relationship? What would he remember from being 5 in Harry’s care? What would he remember from being 11? So many unanswered questions. Harry was terrified Draco would hate him. He tried to reassure himself, but it wasn’t working.

By the time they go the date in question, Harry was a nervous wreck. After dinner and helping Draco get ready for bed, letting him know that the clothes would be easily transfigured larger for him, Harry settled him in bed stroking his hair. Harry handed him the potion and Draco took it in one swig.

He fell asleep quickly. Harry wondered what it would be like when morning rolled around. He took one last look at Draco’s innocent face, whispering “Goodnight angel” and went to bed.