Chapter Text
Draco stood in the rain staring at the grave, tears mixing with rain drops hitting his cheeks.
Andromeda Vinda Black Tonks
14 September, 1953 - 17 August, 2001
Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt
If We Really Want To Love, We Must Learn To Forgive
He stood for what felt like an eternity. Staring at the slate gray and black marble headstone until it blurred. His lungs ached for air as he tried to hold back sobs. How could she be gone? They needed her. She wasn’t supposed to leave him like this, leave Teddy. The Black family had lost another member, one of the only good ones. How was he supposed to do this by himself? What was going to happen to Teddy? He couldn’t lose him too. That was unacceptable. The world had taken everything from him, and Andromeda and Teddy had been rays of light breaking through the eternal rain. They had given him purpose, given him life and love. He wouldn’t let go of his family that easily.
Chapter 1
June 1998
It had been a month since the Battle of Hogwarts, since the fall of Voldemort. The war had been over, but not for Draco Malfoy. The past two years had been hell on earth, living with a madman that resembled a snake more than he ever could a man. He couldn’t believe that Potter had won. He had been so shocked that he hadn’t even noticed when he was shackled in handcuffs. He didn’t fight, didn’t argue as they detained him in the cells within the ministry. He had tried to atone for his sins at the Manor and then later with throwing Potter his wand at the final battle, but he knew it wasn’t enough. He knew he’d still answer for his actions, and he would answer with his head held high. Each day that passed by he did muggle exercises that he had been taught by Belllatrix of all people, recited potions ingredients, and wand movements. The small repetitions were the only thing that kept his mind calm and not focused on his impending stay at Azkaban.
It had taken everything in him to not puke from nerves when the Aurors had come to escort him to his trial. He knew it would be bad. He could only hope they would go easy on his sentence, maybe he’d get twenty years instead of life. As he entered the chamber and was placed into the obnoxiously large cage and chained to his chair he could only stare at one thing; Hermione Granger’s bushy head of curls. He had spotted her mop of curly hair immediately in the crowd. She sat on the first row with Potter, in front of the Wizengamot. The sea of plumb robes looked like they could suck him under, reminding him of the power they held for his future. He was utterly fucked if Granger and Potter were here. They had truly built a case against him, probably to make him an example to other Purebloods.
A gavel was hit to hush the whispers, and it felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest. “We are here to listen to the sentencing of Draco Lucius Malfoy. He stands accused of being a member in the Death Eater ranks, attempted murder, use of unforgivables, and conspiring against the Ministry. We have a few witnesses to take the stand first before sentencing must commence. Miss Granger and Mr.Potter, which one of you would like to go first?” the Chief Warlock bellowed throughout the court.
He kept his eyes down, trying to contain his short, sharp breaths. It would not do to have a panic attack in front of his executioners. He might’ve once been proud to the point of arrogance, and while not that boy anymore, he still wouldn’t allow himself to be seen in such a vulnerable position.
“I will, sir” Harry Potter spoke as he stood and made his way to the podium. Draco felt immense gratitude and simultaneous rage for Potter. The first for killing the noseless wonder. The ladder not for schoolboy rivalry, but for the freedom Potter had. Draco had never felt free in his life, and now Harry Potter was here to make sure he never did.
The worst part was that Draco knew he deserved it. He couldn’t be mad at anyone but himself for his actions. He’d saved his mother and he wouldn’t ever be sorry for that, but the relentless taunts and sneers he’d sent towards Potter over the years had been of his own volition. And now Potter was getting his rightful revenge.
“Hi, I’m Harry Potter. I’m here to testify for Mal- I mean Draco” Potter took a deep breath and collected himself as Draco snapped his head up. “I believe that Draco has been driven by the hate of his parents and upbringing, but he himself is not evil. Given the chance he had made multiple decisions that helped us win the war” Potter then turned his head and looked at Draco, their eyes meeting for the first time since he had entered the room. He suddenly felt even more like a caged animal, clawing to get free.
“When we were captured by snatchers and brought to Malfoy Manor Draco was demanded to identify us. Even though I had been hit with a stinging hex in the face, he could clearly tell it was me, Hermione, and Ron. He had refused to identify us, giving us extra time to escape. Then at the Battle of Hogwarts, it was Malfoy who had thrown me his wand. Without it I would be dead and so would most of this room. Without Malfoy, we wouldn’t have won. I think for those actions alone he deserves a second chance. Reform, not a prison sentence” He looked every member of the Wizengamont in the eye before stepping down, seeming to not pull away from the power and influence his status now brought him.
Draco couldn’t believe his ears. The torture must’ve finally caught up to him. He had finally gone as barmy as Bella. He stared, mouth slightly open and not breathing. Whispers started up in the stands again as the Chief Warlock banged his gavel again, calling order once more. “Thank you, Mr. Potter” he bent his head towards Potter and then turned to Hermione. “Miss Granger, please give your testimony at this time”
Granger nodded as she made her way to the stand. He hadn’t a clue what she was going to say at this point. What could be said after Potter just spewed madness? She stood and looked at him and it was one of the only times he had seen her look at him without any disgust; same could be said for him. What did this girl he used to torment, a girl he had once believed to be below him, have to say? She turned away from him and faced the Wizengamot.
“As Harry told you about how Draco had kept from identifying us at Malfoy Manor, I also want to talk about another thing he had done at his manor. During our brief visit I was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange over how we had gotten ahold of the Sword of Gryffindor. She believed we had stolen it from her vaults at Gringotts” If he hadn’t been watching her with hawk-eyes he wouldn’t have even noticed the white knuckled grip she held on the podium or the hitch in her breath.
Draco felt like he could pass out at any moment as sweat beaded on his brow. He knew what was coming. He’d hoped it would never be figured out, but of course, this was Hermione Granger. “She had used multiple crucios and even carved into my arm with a cursed dagger” At this she lifted up her arm to show her ‘Mudblood’ scar. He’d occluded so hard that day that he couldn’t even remember what it had looked like when it was fresh. Even the sight of it healed made him want to jerk away from it, forgetting he had ever been complicit in its creation. The crowd gasped at the old wound.
“While being tortured she had tried multiple times to use legilimency on me. While I’m not trained in occlumency, I was able to block all her attempts. It wasn’t until after she had stopped, that I had felt a second magical signature leave my conscience” she took another breath before hitting the crowd with even more information.
“It is a known fact that Draco Malfoy is a well trained Occlumens and Legilimens. I believe it was he who protected my mind that day, and without it I would be just as mad as my torturer herself” She looked back at him. Gray eyes meeting Hazel. He was going to have a damn heart attack. He had sworn he’d been careful that day. It was a miracle Bella hadn’t found him out.
“Like Harry, I too believe he was raised in a cult-like environment. Being brain-washed since birth, as most purebloods are, it is hard to believe otherwise. He was raised to hate and discriminate as if it were second nature. Did you know that if you put a frog in a pot of room temperature water and slowly turn the heat up, that the frog will boil alive without even noticing? I believe the same should be said about pureblood culture. If you’re raised to only know hate, you won’t even notice that only hatred that surrounds you and nothing else” The more she spoke the more he felt like he had been punched in the gut. How could someone have so much insight into him when he himself hadn’t?
“He has shown multiple times that he has the ability to be better, to be more than he was raised to be. If his two biggest victims can call for his freedom to change, then so can you. We were all children fighting an adult war. Coming into service at sixteen years old is a child soldier” at that he felt like his mark was burning, phantom pain of when the monster had first seared it into his skin.
“I think all of us would do anything to protect our loved ones, and he did. He was fighting for not only his own life, but his parents too. It’s time for the adults to take care of us. Help us. Help him” She pointed at the boy bound in chains, a grim look painting her face. She then stood and briskly walked out the door.
What the actual fuck was happening today?
In the end they had given him two years of parole (his time spent in the ranks), hefty funds to pay, and court ordered therapy sessions once a month (to help disband his prejudice). He walked out of the ministry a free man. When he returned to the Manor that day it was to find his mother had been put on house arrest, but for the most part free. They shared a hug that lasted close to five minutes and his mother cried, thankful for her son's freedom.
However, the homecoming celebration wasn’t long. Two weeks after his own release, Lucius had waltzed through the floo. He’d apparently gotten off on a hefty twenty five years of house arrest as well as permanent loss of his wand and of course, fees. He was as arrogant as usual and had a nasty attitude to match. That was when Draco realized he might be free in the eyes of the Ministry, but he’d never get away from the man he used to call father.
Over the next three months Draco had been subjected to his father’s bidding. Being an errand boy was not how he had wanted to spend his new found freedom. Quickly releasing he couldn’t stay in this position, he had gathered the courage to write to his old transfiguration professor, now Headmistress, and had been granted permission to write in his NEWTS.
Slowly the resentment Draco felt towards his father grew to actual hate. They started having rows, badly. Draco had stared Voldemort in the eyes and threw his wand to Potter, knowing that if Scarhead failed then Draco would be killed. His father was not intimidating anymore. His life felt like it was caving in more and more each day being in the same house as Lucius. It was becoming unbearable.
The last straw had been a Tuesday in early october. Draco had been looking at flats to move into, he had tried to stay for his Mothers sake, but it was clear his father hadn’t changed his rhetoric and Draco couldn’t handle living with him any longer. On his day to move out his father had approached him.
“Come Draco. We have some business to attend to” His father turned on his heel without waiting for an answer and walked to his study, his obnoxious cane clicking the entire way. Draco rolled his eyes but followed anyway knowing that it was easier to go along with Lucius than argue. The quicker he was out of here the better.
Lucius took his sweet time pouring the firewhiskey and getting comfortable in his chair, drawing out his movements as long as possible trying to elicit discomfort from his company. Fighting an eye roll, Draco turned to his father. “What is it that you want to talk about? I already told you I’m not doing any of your dirty business. I narrowly missed an Azkaban sentence last time, and I’m not testing my luck again”
“Oh don’t be so dramatic Draco. We would have won if it weren’t for you and your mother. I don’t even know why you’re bellyaching when you were the ones who helped those who tried to sentence us” Lucius said with a sneer forming on his face. His barely concealed disdain for his son was not unnoticed by Draco. Gods, it was getting harder and harder not to want to strangle Lucius.
Draco grabbed hard around the whiskey glass, knuckles turning white. “Maybe you should remember that my actions are the only reason you’re not rotting in a cell at Azkaban. Me and Mother saved this family, unlike you. Now what is it you want? I need to leave soon”
Lucius huffed but decided to back down and deal with his son's attitude another way. He opened a drawer on the right side of his desk and procured a thick stack of papers and slid them over to Draco.
“What are these? I already told you I’m not doing anything for you, so unless this is about the boa-” he cut himself off as he looked at the front page. Just what the fuck was his father contracting?
Lucius clicked his tongue and leaned farther into his seat. “The war is fully over and we have been sentenced. The Malfoy name has taken a hit in high society. It’s time you marry and produce an heir to bring our standing back to what it once was” His father eyed Draco. There was no way for him to get out of that contract. He might be bound to his house, but he’d make sure it wasn’t all for naught.
Draco burst out of his chair the more he read. This was absolutely absurd. When he was released from the holding cell he had told himself he would never let anyone control him the way his father and Voldemort had. This was not going to happen.
“Over my dead body am I marrying Astoria Greengrass. I won’t do it. Find somebody else to be your show pony” Draco was red in the face, finally losing his composure.
“It is your duty for your family to continue the Pureblood line. Honestly Draco, your temper tantrums are getting old. Start acting like a man-”
Draco chuckled darkly, cutting Lucius off. “Be a man? That’s rich coming from you. You let a psychopath run right over you. Let him into your home and take your wand. Torture your entire family, and sold your son into slavery” at this he ripped his left sleeve up to show the crude mark.
“You are the biggest coward I’ve ever met and I’m ashamed I ever came from someone like you. Keep your fucking marriage contract. I’m done with you. I hope for your sake I never see you again” He threw the marriage contract at his father, papers flying everywhere, and headed for the door.
“If you don’t abide by this contract then you’ll lose everything. Disinheritance is worse than some pureblood bint. Honestly I don’t know where I went wrong with you” Lucius called after him, cocky that he had gotten the better of his son.
Draco turned to look at him one last time and laughed at Lucius. When he had come home from Azkaban he had a shaved head, it had barely grown and honestly his father looked ridiculous. “You still believe in all the Pureblood bullshit? Merlin, you’re even more stupid than I thought you were. If all that propaganda was real, you wouldn’t be here, a weak shell of a man. Just admit you’re scared of people being better than you” he shook his head in disbelief that his father could be such a foolish man.
“I had hoped you would be better, but I guess not” He looked at Lucius like he was a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. “Keep your fucking inheritance” He said again, raising his chin in defiance, “I’m Lord Black, I don’t need handouts anyways” with a smirk and a turn he was gone from the office. He floo’ed to his flat and promptly shut it down from any visitors. It didn’t matter that they couldn’t leave the Manor, he didn’t trust them.
xXx
It had been two weeks since he’d left the Manor. His mother sent letters everyday, pleading for his return. Begging him to marry Astoria Greengrass and do what’s right for the family. After everything, he was disappointed in his mother for trying to uphold Pureblood ideals as well. His father was to be expected, but his mother had lied right to Voldemort’s face. How could she still believe in that nonsense? How could she expect him to sell himself for her, again?
Lucius also sent letters, but his were much more scathing, reminding Draco of where his own venomous tongue came from. Lucius had doled out threat after threat but they fell on deaf ears. After three days he had just taken to burning them.
Draco hadn’t lied when he said that he didn’t care about being disinherited. Not becoming a puppet for his father was worth every galleon he lost. Plus, he still had a very large sum of galleons in the Black Vault that only he could access. His mother and father had no control over it since he had become the Lord of House Black during his imprisonment. No, what hurt about being disinherited was how easily his parents had said goodbye. They could’ve relented, but chose to cut him off forever instead.
Being disinherited was seen as not just shameful, but a shunning of sorts. After being disinherited, you basically disappeared from any family trees and you were hardly ever brought up except for the occasional hushed whisper. If he was disinherited, he’d be alone. No family to share his life with.
He had done everything for his family. He had plotted a man's murder for them, and they would turn their back on him at the snap of a finger. He had been given a month to sign the contract, otherwise the process of disinheritance would start. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t consider going through with it. However each time he thought about signing his name on the dotted line, he felt sick. His studies were going pitifully due to all the racquet going on in his mind constantly and he felt more weight being added to his back.
On the last day before the contract could be signed, Draco found himself standing at the door of Andromeda Tonks. He had debated for hours on what he could say to her. She was his only living family member left, and she had been disinherited too, but not a single sentence was coming to mind. He didn’t have any other place to turn though. His friends were there to support him, but Theo’s dad was dead and Blaise’s mother cared much more about who had money rather than their blood status. Neither could understand the position he was in and the disinheritance he risked.
Sweat pooled in his hands and his heart pounded in his chest. They had never met before, but there was a good chance she’d tell him to get off her doorstep. It was a miracle he was able to find her in the first place. He looked down at the welcome mat in front of the small home and thought how his mother would have never allowed such a thing on their front steps. He took in a deep breath to collect himself before he knocked, but the door swung open before he could even raise his hand.
“Are you going to stand on my porch all day? Honestly boy, get it together” The woman looked to be in her early fifties and had a canny resemblance to his mother, but with the black curls of Bella. He tried to keep himself from tensing in front of her.
Swallowing, he gathered his courage. “Hi, I know you don’t know me, but I’m your nephew, Draco Malfoy. We’ve never met and to be honest I probably would’ve been a prat if we had, but I think I need your help. I have no right being here, but I’m being disinherited tomorrow and honestly I haven’t gotten any other family. I don’t really know what you could do I guess…” He trailed off. What was he doing bothering this poor woman? This was his own problem, and what could she do?
“Actually I’ll just go. I’m sorry to bother you. I hope you have a nice day” He turned on his heel to leave. Berating himself for the embarrassment he just subjected himself to.
“Now hold on, I know who you are. Why don’t you come in for some tea? You can tell me what’s happened” She called from the doorstep before turning into the house, not waiting for him to follow. He let out a sigh of relief before walking in the front door.
While the house looked small from the outside, it was fairly roomy on the inside. The front hall led straight to a stairway and on either side were open spaces. On the right was the kitchen and the left looked to be a sitting room. It was all white walls, with light shades of blue and green accents throughout. The house was very tidy and smelled of eucalyptus and sandalwood. It wasn’t nearly as nice as the Manor, but he could tell it was well loved.
He turned into the kitchen where Andromeda was bustling around with a kettle and setting out little crackers and biscuits. She saw him in the doorway and pointed towards the small, round table, “Have a seat right there. Tea will be ready within a minute”
He sat and Andromeda floated a full tea service behind her. Once they were settled, she began. “I’m not sure how much your mother spoke of me, but I’ll make it quick. When I graduated Hogwarts I was expected to marry one of the Mulciber brothers” Her nose wrinkled with disgust and Draco didn’t blame her.
“However I had already had my heart set on another. My Ted was such a lovely man” She put a hand to her heart, her face hosting a small smile, “but he was a muggleborn. A few days before the contract was to go into effect, I snuck away and married Ted in secret. When I came back and told them what I had done I was disinherited and kicked out. Of course Ted and I had planned for it” She said matter of factly and he wondered if he’d one day reach that nonchalance about his own disinheritance.
“He wanted to work at Gringotts and I enrolled in a healers program. After a couple years of hard work we were able to buy this house and had my daughter, Nymphadora” Andromeda's eyes started to shine with unshed tears. Draco thought he’d heard the name before but he couldn’t be sure.
“She was an Auror. Before the war was over she had married your old defense professor, Remus Lupin. Ted was killed on the run when the Muggle Born Registration went into effect. Dora and Remus were killed during the Battle of Hogwarts” She was now quietly sniffling. Draco’s heart broke for the woman in front of him. She had left everyone she knew behind to be with a man she loved, just for her entire family to be taken from her.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably, “Andromeda, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry for ever contributing to that hate towards people like your husband. I don’t know how you could ever forgive me” He wanted to reach out and take her hand but held himself back. He didn’t want to make his aunt uncomfortable in any way.
She just shook her head at his words. “My boy, I listened to your trials. You might’ve been a bully and perhaps a bigot but you never murdered anybody. I know how Purebloods are raised and with Lucius as a father, I can’t imagine it was particularly easy” She then reached out and patted his hand “You’re here, which means you’ve already broken away from the ideals. You’re forgiven. Now tell me what has caused you to think you’ll be disinherited” she asked as he fidgeted with his tea cup.
“Well I thank you for your forgiveness and kindness even though I’m sure I don’t deserve it. But I’m going to break a marriage contract tomorrow. Lucius is trying to marry me to the youngest Greengrass daughter. Said it’s my ‘duty to keep the bloodline pure’ or some other bullshit. If I don’t sign it by tomorrow, I’ll lose everything from the Malfoy name” He scoffed at the end. When he spoke it outloud, he realized how ridiculous it sounded. Really, arranged marriages when it was almost a new century?
She eyed him. “And you plan on not signing? You do realize everything you’re giving up? That kind of money and power is nothing to scoff at” She reasoned with him.
He nodded and took a sip of his tea. “I do. I understand your reason for leaving is a much better reason than mine, but I can’t do it. Honestly, I stopped believing the blood purist ideals the second I saw Voldemort feed a woman to his snake” He grimaced at the involuntary image that popped up in his mind. How his father stood by that for two wars he’d never know
“I thought after the war they would both drop the blood purity ways. I mean we all almost died due to our prejudice. However, Mother won’t even stand up to him. She lied to Voldemort but she still agrees with Lucius. I’m really disappointed with her” His voice had dropped to a hoarse whisper at the last sentiment towards his mother. He had a feeling that would continue to hurt a lot longer.
He straightened again, pushing his grievances with his mother aside. “Anyways, I promised myself I would never allow myself to be controlled again. Lucius wants to essentially sell me again. First Voldemort, now the Greengrasses. I’ve wanted freedom my whole life, I won’t give it up now that I’ve gotten it. No matter the cost” He held his head high and looked Andromeda in the eyes, willing her to understand.
She nodded in understanding and sipped her tea. “Well, it seems like you’ve got it figured out. What can I do for you?”
He went back to fidgeting with his cup. He was somewhat embarrassed to be asking this woman to be family with him. He didn’t think he’d live it down if she said no. “Well, seeing as my parents will want nothing to do with me, and you’re my only living family” he internally winced at his wording. “That is to say, I mean, I was kind’ve hoping we could be family? Of course if you’re not comfortable and don’t want to see me again I understand. It’s just you seem lovely and-”
She lifted a hand placatingly, cutting off his rant. “Draco dear, you are rambling. Of course we can meet again. What are your plans currently? Are you still at home?” He opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a wail. He jumped up from his seat, his wand brandished immediately.
Andromeda simply stood and placed a wand on his wand arm. “It’s ok Draco, there’s one last thing you need to know” He lowered his arm and nodded, letting her continue. “Before passing, Nymphadora gave birth to a son. I’ve been taking care of him. Would you like to meet him? He’s only about six months old”
Draco turned to look at the woman. A cousin? It wasn’t just them then. He’d never really been around small children, babies even less. Even though he was nervous beyond all means, he felt a small smile pull at his lips. “Yes, please”
“Perfect! Let me go grab him. Hopefully he isn't too fussy. He usually has a bottle around this time” She disappeared upstairs, and a couple minutes later slowly walked down holding a bundle of blankets in her arms.
“Here come see” she motioned her head down to the blankets. He quietly walked over to the pair. She pulled back the blanket to show a smiling baby with blue hair and blue-gray eyes. “Draco, meet your cousin, Teddy” The baby giggled as Draco peered over him and he noticed Teddy had two small front bottom teeth. He couldn’t help the wide grin that took over his face. The baby was the cutest human he had ever met.
“He has blue hair?” Draco questioned as he wiggled his fingers at the easily mesmerized baby.
“Yes, Tonks, Nymphadora preferred to be called that, was a metamorphmagus. Teddy here has shown that he is as well. He’s been shifting hair and eye color since birth. Although it seems he might be starting to do it at will. We’ve noticed that he will sometimes copy the features of the person holding him. It’s a riot when he copies Harry’s mop of hair” she explained as she motioned for Draco to sit so she could hand over the baby.
He took a seat at the kitchen table and opened his arms the same way Andromeda had hers. She promptly placed Teddy in his arms and turned to make a bottle. He stared down at his cousin and felt all warm inside and immediately felt protective of the tot.
“Wait, Potter?” What did Harry Potter have to do with his baby cousin?
Andromeda kept her back turned, but he could see her straighten just a tad. “Yes, before Nymphadora and Remus passed, they named Harry the Godfather. He stops by about once a week” she finished fixing the bottle and headed back towards Draco and the baby. Draco succeeded in keeping the frown off his face, but he still felt a tingling of indignant rage towards Potter. Of course the man had found his way to Draco’s only family. Godfather, no less. He already had a gaggle of Weasleys and now he had Draco’s family as well. However, Draco knew it was not his place to say anything.
“Well I’m glad Teddy has more people to love him” He said instead of making a remark about Potter monopolizing families.
“Here, why don’t you feed him?” She handed over the bottle to Draco and showed him how to hold it properly for Teddy. Though he had never held a child this small, it felt natural to hold him. He was the embodiment of purity and happiness, everything that was right in the world.
Draco wondered if he had ever been this innocent, before his parents corrupted him with hate. As Teddy drank his bottle he looked at Draco. His little tuft of hair switched from its turquoise to match Draco’s ashy platinum hair. Teddy giggled and Draco full belly laughed. Andromeda had been right, it was amusing to watch him change features. “You’re just a ray of sunshine, aren’t you Teddy!”
Andromeda watched the two boys. She hadn’t seen Draco as a baby but the Black genes were strong in both of them. With Teddy’s hair they almost looked like father and son. She felt a wave of grief crash into her. Teddy would never have his father or mother. He just had the two of them now. She knew Harry loved Teddy, but he was off having his own life and she wouldn’t hold him to caring for Teddy constantly.
“Draco, why don’t you come spend the day with us tomorrow. If you get the letter we will be here for support” She offered to her nephew. She knew the feeling of leaving family behind well. If it hadn’t been for Ted, she would’ve been crushed and she didn’t want the same for Draco.
He nodded his assent and Teddy slowly fell back asleep in Draco’s arms. Once it was clear he wasn’t going to wake up, she took him from Draco and tucked him in, hoping he’d sleep easy for the rest of the night. Draco said his goodbyes and promised to return.
That night Draco had felt comfort as he tucked himself into bed. He might be losing his parents, but he was gaining two other members. The thought of his parents hurt, it hurt badly. But just like Andromeda, he couldn’t let them control his life.
xXx
The next day he headed to Andromeda’s shortly after breakfast. When he arrived Teddy was in the living room crawling about on a play mat. “Hello Draco! Have you received any letters yet?” Andromeda greeted him with a pat on the shoulders and a smile.
He shook his head and frowned. “No, I haven’t. I think they’re assuming I’ll wait until the very last second. According to fathers letters and now mothers, I am having a temper tantrum. I think it won’t be until midnight that I get confirmation”
Andromeda nodded her agreement. “Very well, I suppose we will be up late tonight. I might have to show you the telly if we have all this time on our hands”
Draco’s eyes widened at her on board attitude. “Oh you really don’t have to, Andromeda. We just met yesterday and I know Teddy would be asleep by then”
She waved him off again as Teddy crawled up to Draco’s legs and he easily picked him up to set him in his lap. “Draco, you’re family now. We support each other. We’ll stay up and wait together. Now tell me about school” Andromeda leaned forward in the chair next to him on the couch. He hesitated. While he had planned to sit in for his Newts, he didn’t know what he’d do afterwards.
He distractedly let Teddy chew on his thumb while he thought for a second. “Well I’m sitting in for my Newts in June, Headmistress Mcgonagall was generous enough to allow me that privilege. I’m trying to study at home, but that’s been hard since Lucius came home and then with all the marriage stuff. I also moved out into my own flat in London. I was moving on the day Lucius brought up the contract, actually. After Newts though, I’m not sure” He did a sort of half shrug, showing his unsureness on the topic.
“I don’t think the Ministry would be happy to employ an ex Death Eater. My friend Blaise and I have talked about going into business together, but we don’t have a solid idea. I’ve also thought about possibly going into the healers. You know so many people were hurt by the war and it would be nice to do some good, but I don’t know if anybody would fully trust me to actually help” He explained as Andromeda had nodded her head every so often throughout his spiel.
“Well it seems that you’ve got a good head start getting your Newts. The healers program is very tough but since you’re your mothers son I’ve no doubt you could pass. If you and your friend could come up with something new and ingenuitive I’m sure you could make a splash in the business world as well” She complimented him. He noted how easily she had done it and how nice it felt rather than constant beration.
“We’ve got some time though to figure it all out. Anything I can help you with, I will. I know Harry's friend, Hermione, is thinking about going into healing. I think the two of you could do some mighty good” She said, her bias towards healing evident.
Draco looked at Teddy who was still going to town on his finger, but had now changed his hair color to match Draco’s platinum waves again. He definitely couldn’t do healing now. After everything he did to her and how she helped him with his trial he couldn’t intrude on her space. “While that’s nice, I think I should leave Granger to it” He said with guilt clouding his thoughts.
“While I disagree, I understand you two don’t have the best history. Now, how does a walk in the park sound? There’s a muggle park not far from here that I sometimes take Teddy to. Some fresh air might do us good” She said while standing up and starting to gather a pram and organize a diaper bag.
Teddy squealed when he saw the pram, knowing what it meant. Andromeda showed Draco how to strap and unstrap Teddy into the stroller and then they were on their way. Walking through the neighborhood since apparating would give them away to muggles and possibly make Teddy sick.
Draco eyed anything and anyone who made him suspicious. Other than having adapted to wearing muggle clothes over the past couple months, they were much more comfortable and fashionable than robes, he still didn’t know much about muggles. He knew they weren’t disgusting and barbaric like he had been raised to think, but just as wizards, he knew there were muggles that could hurt him and his family.
Andromeda chuckled at his antics. “Draco, relax. We both are armed in case anything were to happen. Muggles are much less aggressive than almost any wizard. Just enjoy the sun. Nothing is going to happen, though some muggle women seem to have their eyes on you” she joked, raising a brow at the two women they passed.
Draco looked around and did indeed find a group of women eyeballing him. He knew he was good looking, but anytime he went out now he was met with glares and looks of disgust. It was nice to be looked at with interest instead, even if he was out with his aunt and infant cousin. Teddy started to whine about halfway around the park, kicking his little legs in the pram.
“He gets restless sometimes. Why don’t you carry him and I’ll keep pushing the pram” Draco nodded as he bent over to gather Teddy. Fighting with the buckles, he gave up and muttered a wandless alohomora. When he stood with Teddy on his hip his aunt was eyeing him. “What?” he asked cluelessly.
She chuckled warm peals of laughter. “Don’t think I didn’t catch that alohomora, my boy”
At being caught he let his own laughter loose. “Well if the blasted things weren’t locked up as tight as Gringotts we wouldn’t have an issue” Teddy squealed in laughter at the adults. He liked to be included too, thank you very much.
xXx
Once they had returned from the park Andromeda had suggested lunch out, but Draco didn’t want her or Teddy to get dirty looks at being seen with him.
“Let’s just go to muggle London. It’s good for Teddy to get out, and you’ve never been” and that was how Draco found himself at a small cafe on the outside patio, watching muggles pass by. The service had been very similar to any wizarding establishment, just everything was done by hand. The sandwich and chips he’d ordered had been just like any other sandwich and Teddy had gone to town on some mashed up chips. He was now snoozing in Draco’s arms, tired from his destruction of potatoes.
“I think he’s getting bored of being with just me. Sorry he’d been attached at the hip with you today” Andromeda apologized as she stood, ready to go inside to pay the bill.
“It’s no big deal. I don’t mind at all” he said as he cuddled the baby a bit closer, not caring about the bit of drool getting on his shoulder. When Andromeda disappeared, Draco heard someone clear their throat. He looked up to see a woman with long, dark hair and green eyes staring at him. She looked to be of similar age to him, if not more mid twenties.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry to intrude. I just had to say your son is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen” she said in a very bubbly tone, a smile plastered to her face. His son? He looked down at Teddy, the blonde hair still very much present.
He cleared his throat, not knowing what to say but also not wanting to be rude. Thank the stars that Andromeda had come through the door and was headed his way. “I- yes. Thank you” he said flustered. Andromeda reached their table and had what could only be described as a shit eating grin on her face.
“Draco dear, who is your friend?” she said, her voice lilting with a teasing tone. Draco looked distinctly more uncomfortable now.
The woman either wasn’t paying attention or didn’t care. She stood up and looked at Andromeda. “Oh I’m sorry, I wasn’t meaning to take your seat. You must be his mother. I was just complimenting your son on how cute your grandbaby is. Seriously, they make such an adorable pair!”
Andromeda turned towards the two platinum headed boys. Mischief written all over her features. “Oh yes, my son and grandson are my pride and joy, Mrs…I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name”
The lady somehow brightened even more. “Oh I’m Clara Westman! I didn’t catch your names either” She looked at Draco with eager eyes, making Draco look slightly terrified. The woman reminded him of a feral chihuahua.
“I’m Andromeda, this is Draco, and my grandson Teddy” God, could this get any worse? Curse his good looks and a matching baby to boot.
“Yes, speaking of Teddy, he’s rather tired and in need of a nap. It was nice to meet you Mrs. Westman. Have a good afternoon” Draco said as he stood and started to gather their things. He was close to casting a confundus if they stayed with this woman any longer. Seriously, he thought he’d felt a migraine coming on just from being in her presence for more than three minutes.
Andromeda helped him gather their items and the pram. “Mrs. Westman I do hope you have a great afternoon. It was lovely to meet you dear. If you ever see us out and about, do stop and say hi” Draco hissed at his aunt, but she paid him no mind. She was too busy entertaining herself with her antics.
xXx
The rest of the day flew by. They ate dinner at home. Andromeda had given Draco a run down of basic cooking and they had made a basic spaghetti and meatballs. Teddy had gone down easily according to Andromeda. It was now a big waiting game. Andromeda had decided to show Draco the television. It was usually a big distractor to wizards.
Draco was mesmerized for hours, asking every question under the sun about the device. She didn’t blame him, she had been the same way when Ted had first introduced her to the telly. She showed him the cartoon movies that Nymphadora loved as a child, especially the musicals. His reactions reminded her of the same childlike wonder Dora possessed as a child when they would watch them together. It had been such a great distraction that the scratch of an owl's beak startled them.
Draco paled as he stood from the couch to open the window for the owl. It was a Malfoy owl. “Well I guess this is it,” Draco said as he unraveled the scroll from the owl's leg and gave him a treat from a bin by the window. He plopped down onto the couch with a knot growing in his throat. Andromeda put a gentle hand on his knee. “Do you want me to read it out for you?”
He shook his head. “No, I need to read this for myself” He broke the seal and began to read. It wasn’t long and he read it swiftly, however he sat for what felt like hours, eyes roaming the paper repeatedly. He heard Andromeda calling his name and finally turned to look at her.
“Are you ok?” He took a shuddering breath, trying to nod his head yes, but it wouldn’t budge. It was then he realized he was crying. His shaking hand extended the letter to her, which promptly read,
To Draco Lucius Malfoy,
Due to your breach of the marriage contract to Astoria Marjorie Greengrass, you are hereby disinherited from the Malfoy family line. You will be removed from the Malfoy family tapestry and banned from all the protective wards at the ancestral home and any and all properties in the Malfoy Family line. Gringotts has attached a letter below to show proof of removal from the family vaults.
You are no longer a member of the Malfoy family line and will no longer be connected to the Ancient and Noble House. I would say I was disappointed in you, but you’ve always been one so I’m not surprised. You are no son of mine and legally will not be from the point on.
Cheers, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy
Lord Malfoy of Malfoy Manor
Patriarch of the Malfoy Family
Below were the mentioned papers from Gringotts confirming the disinheritance. The letter was even harsher than she had imagined. How could her sister sit by and let that man act so cruelly? “Oh Draco, I’m so sorry. You’ve deserved so much better” She pulled him into a hug and her eyes welled with tears as he started to sob into her shoulder. Even decades later and her own disinheritance still hurts. She had heard what Draco had done to protect his family, and they had still left him for not being the perfect pureblood son.
After about thirty minutes Draco had calmed himself down. His eyes were slightly swollen and red with tears. His breathing was rough and uneven, but Andromeda had held him through the entire thing. Confirming he still had a family and was loved and supported. He hadn’t cried since the war ended, but this had broken the dam. He had tried, lord he had tried, to keep it together but it wasn’t enough. There was so much grief in his heart that he had shoved down, said he’d deal with it at another time. This heartache couldn’t have been stopped and the flood gates were opened.
He was briefly aware of his aunt giving him a calming draught and pulling him upstairs. He crashed into the guest bed and closed his eyes. Sleep found him fast, exhaustion from his pain and grief pulling him under.
xXx
When he awoke the next morning and found himself in a bed that was not his, he didn’t even freak out. He was worn thin. He slowly trudged downstairs and found Andromeda cooking breakfast and Teddy in a highchair. “Oh, good morning Draco! I wasn’t sure when you would wake, but I’m glad to see you up and moving. Hungry?”
He shrugged as she shoved a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of him. “Well eat up anyways. I’ve got something to talk with you about” He nodded numbly as he chewed on his pancakes. When he had eaten an amount he was sure she’d be happy with he pushed his plate away, feeling more awake but not remotely better emotionally.
Andromeda had been feeding Teddy small bites of pancake, but looked up when she saw Draco had finished. “Right, I know we’ve only known each other a couple of days, but I was thinking that it might be good to have you move here. Of course we can make vows not to cause any of each other harm, but I think Teddy is rather taken with you,” as if he had been waiting on cue the baby turned to look at Draco and giggled as his hair turned from bubblegum pink to Draco’s blonde again.
Draco felt himself warm at the little tyke and his antics. “And honestly I’d love another adult to be with me. An extra set of hands and to have actual conversation. Plus it seems like you could use some extra support at the moment. The bedroom you slept in has always been an extra room, I’d love for you to make it your own. What do you think?”
Draco chewed the side of his cheek as he thought over her proposal. They had only known each other a few days, but they felt like family; they felt right. Plus with the vows that would only cement the feeling of security. He’d only lived in his flat for a month, and if he had been honest with himself he did feel lonely. Plus, he was taken with Teddy just as much as Teddy was taken with him.
He looked at Andromeda and the towheaded baby in front of him. “Alright. That sounds good” He saw his aunt let out a breath of relief. “Oh thank god, I was worried about you last night. Not to be a complete arse, but you were a right mess” Draco laughed at her. Usually he’d be extremely pressed had anybody else said it, but she was right. He was and is still a mess.
xXx
November and December had flown by. Draco had taken to living in the Tonks Household like a duck taking to water. He would study in his room, the kitchen, living room, or even the outside patio during the day and help Andromeda on his small breaks. They had done a Black familial blood ritual instead of an unbreakable vow. They couldn’t hurt each other or Teddy, even under an Imperius and the magic from the ritual would grow even stronger as time went on. It was a rare piece of magic, but useful nonetheless.
Andromeda had time to herself now and would go on errands alone or even just chill in a bath and watch the telly, letting her nephew deal with Teddy for the night. The boy was a natural afterall. In the evenings they would take a stroll around the park or if it was cold they’d sit by the fire inside. She continued to teach Draco life skills, with and without magic. He could even fix simple dinners by himself some nights.
She also made sure Draco got his alone time too. She had started taking Teddy to Grimmauld on the days Harry wanted to see Teddy, or she would make sure he made it home safe if he decided to hang out with his friends (the jury was still out on if she approved of the young Nott and Zabini boys).
The small household had been thriving by the time Christmas rolled around. Andromeda and Teddy had been invited to the Weasleys but had declined, choosing to spend the day with Draco instead. The holiday had been very different this year, but both wanted to make an effort for Teddy’s first Christmas. They decided to still keep it small however and only decided to just do one present each. Draco’s gift for Teddy had been a medium sized, honey colored teddy bear. It was charmed to adjust to Teddy’s body temperature. If he was cold, it would heat up and vice versa if he was hot. It also acted as a baby monitor. He had programmed it to alert his or Andromeda's wands if Teddy was up or in pain. “A teddy bear for my Teddy Bear” he had joked as Andromeda exclaimed, “Oh Draco it’s perfect!”
He smiled as Teddy crawled onto Draco’s lap and furiously gnawed on the bear’s ear. Draco laughed as he watched him. “I should also mention that it can’t be damaged or stained. That seemed rather important” Andromeda laughed at that and silently agreed. She pulled out a small box from under the tree and handed it to Draco.
“I know it’s tradition for a son to get a pocket watch from their father when they come of age. I also know you never got one from Lucius. Even though Ted was a muggleborn, his father had caught wind of the tradition and had given this to Ted. He had left this behind when he went on the run. It seems fitting to give this to you now and I know he’d agree. I would be honored for you to pass it down to Teddy when the time comes” She was sniffing by the end of it and Draco himself had to swallow over the lump in his throat.
He opened the small box that revealed the silver pocket watch. A crow mid flight was engraved on the front and on the back was the quote ‘A Loving Heart Is The Truest Wisdom’ with the initials ET. He clicked it open to reveal the face of the watch. On the opposite side of the watch was a black plate with sparkling diamonds in the formation of what Draco realized was the Andromeda constellation. It was a lovely piece of work, more than he deserved.
“Andromeda, it’s absolutely beautiful, but I don’t deserve this” He felt awful, the man had died at the hands of Death Eaters.
Andromeda took him by the hands as Teddy continued having the time of his life chewing on his bear. “Draco dear, I know my Ted and he was even bigger on forgiveness than I. You’ve become such a good man in just the few months you’ve been with us. He’d be proud of you just as I have. Please accept this gift” She closed both their hands around the watch as he nodded.
“Well I suppose it’s your turn” He too turned and grabbed a small jewelry box and then an envelope. “I know we only said one present each but I couldn’t help it. They go hand in hand if that helps” As she flipped the box open she gasped. It was a gold pendent the size of a galleon and in black diamonds was the Andromeda constellation. On the back the Black family crest was engraved in it.
“How ever did you find this?” She asked, tears now spilling over her cheeks.
Draco smoothed Teddy’s hair away from his forehead and he shrugged. “Whenever I went to go find the Black Signet ring I found it buried in a back corner of the vault. I remembered mothers and when I saw you didn’t have yours I figured it had been taken. That’s not all though. Why don’t you look at the crest” he said nonchalantly.
She looked back at her beloved necklace she had worn since she was a small child and hadn’t taken off until the day she had married Ted. She didn’t think she’d ever see it again. Her fingers rubbed over the crest as she looked at it. It was in tiny writing at the bottom. Where it used to be ‘Tourjous Pur’ it was now ‘Omnia Vincint Amor’. “Love conquers all” she whispered the new family motto. She looked back up at her nephew with questioning eyes and he promptly opened the envelope.
“You see, I couldn’t have an old blood purist family motto when I added you and Teddy back onto the family tree. Didn’t seem right” he said as if he was just discussing the past week's weather.
Andromeda yelped as she stared at the paperwork. He had added her and Teddy to the family vaults, unrestricted access. “I figured we could do the blood ritual on new years eve, it’s even a full moon”
She lightly smacked him upside the head and he frowned. “What the bloody hell was that for?” he grumbled as he rubbed his head.
“For being an idiot and thinking you didn’t deserve that watch when you planned to do this, you twit”
xXx
Months came and went and soon it was Teddy’s first birthday. Monday, April 12th was tomorrow. They had decided to have a family day, just the three of them, before a birthday party on the weekend. Draco had been nervous about seeing Potter, Granger, and the Weasley clan. He and Andromeda had decided to keep Draco living with them a secret at the time he moved in, but couldn’t hide it forever as they were all officially family now. However, as Draco sat in their living room with the almost permanently blonde haired tyke waddling around with the support of his hands, he was feeling rather nervous.
Andromeda had owled Harry, Ron, and Hermione to come over and have an early birthday dinner for Teddy. The slytherin woman had decided to leave out that Draco would be there as well. He had heard that Granger had gone back to Hogwarts so he wasn’t even sure how she had gotten permission to come, but he couldn’t question it further as the floo flared to life. Potter and Weasley stepped out first and Teddy let out a squeal and some unintelligible babbles at the sight of his godfather.
Everyone stood stock still and stared at each other, unsure what to do. Luckily Andromeda was at the living room door in seconds. “Oh good, you boys made it! The kitchen is already set. Draco, will you go get Teddy cleaned up first?” She chirped happily, holding back laughter at all three of the men's faces. As soon as Draco left Harry and Ron turned to look at her and then each other.
“Ok, you check her for an Imperius, Confundus, and any other dark curses and I’ll handle Malfoy” Harry had said, turning to run towards the bathroom as Ron nodded and headed towards Andromeda.
“Boys that won’t be necessary. He’s here because he lives with us. He’s been here since November. Please put your wands away” The boys eyed her wearily and kept their wands out as the floo roared again and Hermione entered.
She was midway through dusting ash off her when she looked up and paused. “Harry, Ron, why in the seven bloody hells do you have Andromeda at wand point?!” She had started calmly but her voice had risen to a shriek as she finished her question.
“We think she’s been Imperiused” Harry answered for them, eyes trained for any signs of the curse.
“And why, pray tell, would you dimwits think that?” As she finished her second question, Draco walked in carrying Teddy. Both were giggling at each other as Draco attempted to decode baby gibberish.
“Sorry for taking so long, ‘Dromeda. Bear had another blowout. I really think we should maybe cut down the applesau-” he cut himself off as he looked up from the baby and at the two maniacs holding his aunt at wand point. “What the bloody fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Noticing the change in attitude, Teddy clung to Draco’s neck and buried his face in Draco’s shirt.
“What do we think we’re doing? What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ron roared at Draco, forgetting his wand as he marched up to Draco. Harry followed.
“He’s right, what the fuck are you doing with my godson?”
“I’ve been helping take care of Teddy for months. I probably know much more than you, so back off and don’t ever hold my Aunt at wand point again. I might be on parole, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use my fist instead” Draco said hotly, his anger rearing its ugly head.
“Are you threatening me?!” Harry reared back at the same time as Andromeda reprimanded Draco.
“Draco Mirach Black, you behave yourself! I knew Blaise and Theo were a bad influence! You lot are always trying to hurt each other. Ridiculous!”
Draco had the decency to look abashed, while the other three stood silenced as well. Hermione decided to cut in. “I’m sorry, what did you just call him?” Draco was already over the three stooges and walked out of the room, taking a scared Teddy with him. The others looked towards Andromeda.
“Look, it’s a long story, but we’ll tell it over dinner. Just go sit down” she huffed. As much as she liked a bit of drama, she should’ve known that they could still very much act like bumbling idiots.
They all entered the kitchen to Draco already strapping Teddy into his high chair and starting to feed him some mashed potatoes. “Come on Teddy Bear, if you finish all your potatoes I bet we could sneak you some bananas” He winked at the baby who started his giggles back up.
Andromeda waved the others to sit as she started piling mashed potatoes and stew onto plates. “Draco, I already told you that I’m not cleaning any more mashed bananas out of his hair! Do not sneak him any unless you want to be on bath duty for a month” she waved a spoon at him threateningly as he faked shock, putting a hand to his chest.
“Ok what in the bloody fuck is going on? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone” Hermione whispered to the others. They might not know what she was referencing but they shared the sentiment.
Finally everyone sat silently as Draco continued to feed Teddy, but nobody dug in. “Ok, can someone please tell me I haven’t lost my mind and gone completely barmy?” Harry started and Ron cut it, “Yeah why do you have this Death Eater here? Is he threatening you?”
“Ronald!” Hermione scolded her boyfriend.
“What, it’s true. Look he’s even got it out” He pointed towards Draco’s forearms that were out. Draco sneered as he showed the entire table his left forearm.
With a sneer he said, “Actually Weaselbee, if you paid any inkling of attention you’d notice it’s not there anymore” Where the ugly, hateful mark used to cover his arm, now laid a huge dragon wrapped around his entire forearm. He had a couple others that adorned the rest of his arm as well as his right.
The sight of the tattoo reminded Andromeda of the night he had come home after getting it. He had been so drunk she had ended up sending howlers to his friends for even sending him home in that state. However, watching him stumble and fall into the trash can butt first had almost made up for it. She had also cried when he had shown her the paperwork for his name change.
She laughed and Draco looked at her. “Don’t even think about bringing that up” he warned her, already knowing she was laughing at him ass first in a trash can.
“Bring what up? Why is Malfoy here? Seriously, what are we missing?” Hermione questioned again with a frown. Draco looked back at her with a frown of his own. “It’s Black now, not Malfoy” He basically muttered and Andromeda winced at the sentiment.
“Draco has been living with us since November when he came to see me and introduce himself. He’s been here ever since. While he’s been studying for his Newts, he takes care of Teddy with me. We’ve been reinstated into the House of Black. We’ve taken familial rituals to where neither of us can hurt each other or Teddy. The rest is not mine to tell. We just thought it would be best to tell you now versus at Teddy’s party” She explained as she started to eat her food. She loved Harry and his friends, but she wouldn’t say anything Draco didn’t want known in his own home.
Before anybody else could say anything, Draco jumped in. “Andy and Teddy are my family. You can insult me all you want, but leave them alone. All they did was open their arms for more family. Potter, Weasely, you should know how that feels” he finished feeding Teddy and stood. “Andromeda dinner looks lovely, but I think I’ll let you all catch up without me. I’ll go check up on Theo and Blaise”
She stood and gave him a warm hug that eased some tension in his back and he kissed her cheek. He dropped down to give Teddy a kiss on the head. “See you later, Teddy Bear” and he exited the kitchen towards the floo.
Once the group heard the chiming of the floo they turned back to the table. Ron, of course joined in with Andromeda and tucked into his meal. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then started their meals as well.
“I’ll say this once and I want each of you to listen closely. Draco is not that same boy I’ve heard stories about. He’s been an amazing nephew and addition to this household and helping Teddy. I’ve barely heard a bad word about any of you from him. He lives with us in Muggle London for Morgana’s sake. You don’t have to like him, but he’s not going anywhere if I have anything to say about it. So call a cease fire before Teddy’s birthday. Draco didn’t even want to attend, thinking he’d ruin it and I won’t be having any of that” She raised her head high and looked each of the young adults in the eye. When she was satisfied she turned back to her stew. “Now, tell me how Auror training and school is going”
xXx
Teddy’s party had gone well. Draco had stuck to the corners of their living room or outside. He was cordial with anybody who approached him, which was just a Weasley brother from the Ministry and the bloody Minister himself, and he avoided interjecting anybody’s conversations. All in all it seemed that a very small truce had been called between Draco and the Trio of Idiots. They completely avoided each other and that was fine by him. However, he found it hard not to insult Potter and Weaslette when they were showing everybody her engagement ring. Apparently Potter had proposed over Easter Break.
Weasley was also staring extremely hard at Granger, who seemed to do anything but stare at her boyfriend. Interesting.
By the end of the day Draco had been happy he put in the effort for Teddy, but was drained thinking that this might be every function he attended in the future for Teddy or Andromeda.
xXx
It was a rough day in the cottage on the one year anniversary. Draco and Andromeda knew it was coming, but both were consumed in grief. Harry had asked Andromeda and Teddy to the Burrow for the celebration, but she had just offered him to take Teddy for the day instead. She was almost always with Teddy for the visits he had with Harry, but she felt her and Draco both needed time alone today. She had been laying in her room with the lights off when she heard a knock at her door. “Come in” she sat up and ran her hands through her hair, making sure she didn’t look a right mess. Draco entered, looking rather rumpled himself.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I’ve had this idea for a while and I can’t let it go today. I can leave if you’d like” He offered as he stood by the door, not wanting to push Andromeda on her day of grieving for her husband and daughter.
“If it’s bothering you enough to come to me then it must be important. Come, sit” she patted the space next to her on the edge of the bed. He closed the door and approached the bed. Sitting down with a sigh, he looked at her.
“Once again you can say no, but I’d like for you to hear my reasoning first” he waited for her agreement before continuing, “I want to name Teddy my heir for the House of Black. I was part of the fanatical group that took his parents away from him, and while I didn’t harm them I still believed their ways for years and never stood up for what was right. I know he’s back in the House of Black and you both have access to the vaults, but I want him to be properly taken care of just in case something were to happen” He started fidgeting with his fingers and refused to look up.
“Oh Dear, that’s very sweet but what of your own children?”
He huffed. “I doubt I’ll even have any, and if I did then they’d all split the inheritance equally. I love Teddy like he’s my own anyways. I’d be happy if he was the only child in my life”
She nodded and tears traced the same path on her cheeks as they had that morning. “Only if you’re one hundred percent sure, but if you are, it would be an honor”
The next morning the three made their way to the Ministry. On Monday, May 3, 1999, Edward Remus Lupin was named Edward Remus Lupin Black, Heir of Draco Mirach Black, Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black.
“Teddy Black has a nice ring to it, don’t you think Teddy Bear” Draco tickled the child in the belly as they waited in the office of Magical Family Relations to send off the finished paperwork to Gringotts.
Teddy gave his signature giggle as he looked up at Draco and turned his hair from the plumb purple it had been back to platinum. “Dada”
“What did you just say?” Draco asked shocked, making wide eyes at Andromeda to make sure she was listening.
“Dada” Teddy repeated, looking owlish.
Draco quickly turned to Andy, looking sheepish. “I think he’s just trying to say Draco”
“Dada”
xXx
Draco had finally finished his Newts. He couldn’t believe he’d actually done it. Studying at home just by books had been awful, but he had been determined. Andy had helped with any subject she was knowledgeable in and towards the end he had formed a study group with Theo and Blaise who had also opted to return to sit in for their Newts. He didn’t even care if he’d passed all of them or not. They were finally finished, thank Merlin.
He had been terrified at the thought of returning to Hogwarts, but after a calming draught, a hug from Teddy, and the reminder that it was just for a couple hours, he had been able to step into the school. He had done that every day for four days. Floo’ing back and forth to the school each day for his different tests. He had received dirty looks from most of his former classmates, but he had been so focused he didn’t even notice.
When the owl had brought his results that Friday showing he had passed with five O’s and two E’s Andromeda had bounced up down in circles around him, swinging Teddy in her arms before setting him back down and turning to Draco.
“Well Draco, what’s next?”
Draco picked Teddy up as he waddled over to him, “Well, remember when we talked about me wanting to help those hurt by the war? Healing was a possibility, but who would trust an ex Death Eater? Then I remembered how Remus was a werewolf and how expensive Wolfsbane potion is. So I owled St. Mungo’s. I was curious about the cost of wolfsbane and their stocks. They owled back and asked me to come in and discuss my interest” As Draco was explaining, Andromeda's smile grew more and more. They had discussed the healing route multiple times and she might’ve cashed in a favor or two with her old bosses to give him a fair chance.
“After I discussed my thoughts, they offered me a position but not as a healer. Andromeda, did you know St. Mungo’s has their own research and development team? How have I never heard of that?” He questioned out loud, still baffled by it. “Anyways, they offered me a junior position if I can pass the training. They said they typically want a mastery or complete healer training but they waved it. Said they were impressed by my Owl scores and the knowledge I knew on hand. I think it might be because hey’re also a little um… shorthanded? After the war”
He chewed his lip, lamenting on the fact that a big reason he had this opportunity was because other people had died. But he brushed it off, saving the thought for another day. “I have to go through a basic healer course, just in case they ever need back ups or something happens on site. I have to pass their entrance exams, too. But ‘Dromeda they didn’t even seem to care about me essentially committing war crimes! They didn’t even blink an eye at my name!”
He was practically buzzing with excitement. He had talked to St. Mungo’s over two weeks ago but had kept this a secret just in case he had bombed his Newts and they retracted their offer. He couldn’t believe his luck, he could actually do good in the world. Plus, the pay was pretty damn good even by Draco’s standards so he could continue to build the vaults for Teddy.
He felt like he had drunk Felix Felicis. A year ago he had been afraid he was going to be in Azkaban for life. Not only was he free, but he had a loving and supporting family. He was going to help people with his research. Draco Malfoy had been a scared child. A bigot and a bully; a coward like his father. But Draco Black was making his family proud, becoming a man he had not thought he would ever be allowed to become. Someone good.