thattimeofthemonth | Open RP Post

There was a long pause before Draco finally answered. Most of the time he spent staring at his own hands trying to debate what it was he really believed in. He wasn't expecting this meeting to become so serious and touching on subjects people usually avoided with him.

"No...while I understand why my parents believed in what they did...I don't fully believe that such things hold to today's time... I've seen a lot over the last few years to realize that their beliefs are old fashioned and what got them into trouble today." Draco carefully said trying to find the right words to convey his feelings on the subject.

"Only...because of my parents I couldn't really say what I wanted to say. Knowing they wouldn't approve of it and that it would be used against them. Naturally, I just followed them because I was afraid of what would happen."

There it was again his fear over ruling what he wanted to do or say. It felt strange to voice these things now...after all these years and to someone that they caused so much grief too because of what he was. He didn't dare look up at Remus, unsure of what to expect.

"Hmm." Just a quiet sound of acknowledgement, and the silence returned. His eyes didn't leave Draco's face, trying to decide if he fully believed the young man's words. There hadn't been time to figure out something to say, hadn't been time to discuss it with his parents, or anything else that might have skewed the reply, but this was still a Malfoy and despite Draco's age, there had to be a grain of salt taken with his words.

His fingers tapped slowly together, but after a time, he finally chose his next question. "What do you want to do with your life? Honestly. If you could chose your path, regardless of your family name or your parents' wishes, what would Draco chose as his path?" It was an important question for him, though he wondered still if it was fair for him to be asking any of this instead of someone more... more... well, pretty much anyone more suited for the job.

The question caught Draco by surprise and he glanced up at his old professor. "I don't know..." he replied. His voice filled with uncertainty and confusion. "I never really thought about it. The last few years had been focused on trying to save my family...and now it's been watching over my father. Aside from...Professor Snape.... you're the only one who knows...saw what he can be like now a days."

He shook his head and his shoulders slumped.

"I've just been so focused on my family that I've never thought about anything else...or what I wanted. Why are you asking me all of these questions? No one's ever shown interest in me before. They just pin me as a Malfoy and leave it at that."

"Because, buntly, I think that you can be saved. I'm not sure that your parents will ever be forgiven,but you have a chance. I... I'm probably not the man who should be doing this, but I'm here and I think I can set that path. Start you on it, if you wanted. Bring you back with me and get you started doing something more with your life instead of being trapped here. I needed to know what kind of man you've become."

Remus spoke frankly, quietly, not looking away from Draco as he spoke.

Draco opened his mouth to speak, but shut it quickly. He wasn't really sure what to say still stunned by what his old professor had to say.

There was a good long while before Draco finally allowed himself to speak. He knew that this would be his one chance at it...and didn't want to mess this up.

"What can I do I have to do to prove myself then?" Draco softly questioned with a determined expression.

Wasn't that the main question? Lupin sighed quietly, then started on what he thought was the best route. "I think first off, we make sure that your name is truly cleared, and I have someone who I think will be fair and impartial in doing so and more importantly, people will listen to him about you. Even more so because I believe Potter will speak up for you as well."

He gave a small rolling gesture of his hand. "Secondly, I think you need to decide what you'd like to do. That way, I can help you figure out who you need to be talking to."

This was where he hesitated the most. There was a third, but really he should talk to Tonks about this first... "Thirdly, you will need to live somewhere else for a time, until you've been a bit more... settled. I fully believe, though, that once you are more established, that your parents will be able to do the same."

It seemed of late his life constantly rested on Harry Potter. He wasn't too sure how he thought about it. It seemed that their lives were forever going to cross each other. The thought of others that would listen to him and be impartial....Draco doubted that on a long shot but kept the comment to himself.

The last bit really held his attention with mixed emotions.....

"Live somewhere else?" Draco looked up hesitantly at the idea. He's only been either at home or at Hogwarts. The thought of living with someone else brought a lot of uncertainty. Nervously, he played with the family ring he wore. "But my parents... I don't think they would find that idea very appealing."

Here he felt very torn. He wanted to a chance to grow and improve himself and he knew that staying here wouldn't help. The thought of leaving his family behind concerned him. He had hardly left their side since the final battle.

"What would become of my parents if I were to leave?"

"I think... that your parents are going to want to give you the best possible chance for a good future for you, and right now, that isn't here." Perhaps it was a bit blunt, but that was something that needed to be put flat out on the table between them. "You need to be somewhere you can focus on you for the time being, somewhere that... disassociates yourself from your family. Which I know isn't easy, or maybe... well, even kind to say, but it's my suggestion."

He spread his hands a little in silent apology; he wasn't cut out for this, but he was giving it his all.

"As for your family?" How was he supposed to say any of this gently? He tried, though, he tried. "...Your father... needs help. Professional help, the kind St. Mungos' gives. Otherwise, I fear badly for you and your mother and even more so for himself."

He found himself nodding in agreement even though he didn't like to admit that Remus was correct on the whole situation. His voice shook a little when he spoke. "We want to take him there...but we're afraid of how he would be treated. We know most people don't like us and approve of what we've done and believed in. We know that many would believe that my father deserved everything he got."

He looked away from Remus briefly and ran a hand along his face as he tried to find the right words to say and to steady his own turmoil inside. When he spoke his voice was more steady and returned his gaze back to Remus.

"Yet..You're one of the first to initially go out of their way for us...even though we've never treated you well in the past. You even believe that there's still hope for me when everyone else just left me alone. Before you talked to me I didn't think I deserved anything of what you had to offer.

I don't know what I want for myself yet..but I do know that I want to do this..."

"Unfortunately, I think you might be right and given the increase in their long term residents after the Battle, all that much harder. However... I know someone I believe can help, and I think they would be willing to come help here instead of bringing him out there. It would help to solve the possible issues and give him real care. However, I hope your father and mother will take well to her - she's an American."

He bit the edge of his lip thoughtfully. "If she will even come out, but I can contact her by fire soon enough to know."

Then his head lifted to look hard at Draco, trying to read if the young man was playing off his sympathy or speaking truthfully. It seemed very different from the Malfoy that he had known as his student.

"....every young man and woman deserves their chance. Sometimes it may be their only chance down a path when the way is limited."

...."An American?" He gave him a curious look. "Well....if it means that father can stay here they might be more accepting of that."

Remus was right. This wasn't the Malfoy he knew as a student. Draco had changed a lot since then and even more so after the war. He was also more open with his thoughts and emotions then he had been. It was something that was hard for him to do, but he was trying.

"I was a spoiled brat and a bully growing up. When I was forced to walk that path...I realized fast what it was really like and it was something I knew I could never be or do...It really showed me a lot about myself and what I had been. None of it were things I'm proud of."

Inside, Remus had to wonder if that was true or not, but he also knew he had to give this young man a shot. So he knew he would have several people he needed to speak to, Tonks in particular as well as Melinda across the pond.

"If you believe that, then I think we can make this work. I am going to have to contact a few people and speak to your parents after, if I can borrow your fireplace?" He would apparate home to speak to Tonks, but he wasn't about to pop to the States without letting Melinda know he was coming!

Draco gave a nod and showed him where their fireplace was located. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," he said wanting to give his former teacher the privacy.

In the old days he probably would have hid near by to eavesdrop but not now. The two of them had to learn to trust each other and the man was going out of his way now to do so. Draco should return the respect as well.

"Thank you." Remus gave a quick nod of appreciation, then went to make his call. Melinda was none-too-happy to be woken up in the middle of the night, glaring at him sleepily through the fire, but when she saw who it was, she actually managed a smile. Their chat was brief, explaining quietly what she needed to know. He almost held his breath while she thought about it, then finally agreed to at least come meet her possible patient. The name meant nothing to her, actually, but his possible damage... that she would have to figure out if she could even help him.

When he was done, he cast a soft spell to make sure his call to her could not be followed before he went to find Draco. He had a bit of a tired smile on his face, but he explained. "I spoke to someone I thought could help, but Tonks will be less than pleased if I go waking Teddy up in the middle of the night, so I'm going to pop home. I'll be back before sunrise, though, so you might as well get some sleep."

"I'll be sure to be awake then to let you through the wards. Thank you for your help," Draco replied in a sincere voice. He gave a small smile and lead Remus to the door.

It wasn't until he saw Remus disappear did he go lock up the house for the night and try to get some sleep. It wasn't the best sleep he had in a while. The conversation they had brought up a lot of things he had managed to keep tucked away. As promised, Draco was outside waiting having already alerted his parents that Remus would be returning.

Edited 2015-10-06 23:59 (UTC)

You know what hadn't been fun at all? Convincing Tonks about all of this. Whispering fiercely as to not wake up their son, they had finally had to put a spell on the room when Tonks kept getting louder about the whole thing. Which had resulted in a lot more shouting as Remus tried to explain himself. They could both be fairly passionate people when they wanted to be. However, a deal had been struck between them, though Tonks still hadn't looked entirely convinced when Remus left, not having slept a wink.

So when he showed up back at the Malfoy's summer residence, he looked even more exhausted than his normal state. He did drag up a small smile for Draco, who was there as promised. "Morning," he said with a hint of irony, given the fact the sun was already coming up. "Do you want to know now, or can it wait until I've had at least two hours?"

"It can wait for two hours. Coffee or tea?" Draco suggested as he lead him inside. He could at least make them. He saw that the other didn't get any sleep at all and it didn't look as if the conversation went well. He felt a little guilty about this.

Although as they were stepping inside, it already sounded like Narcissa was awake and trying to prepare some breakfast. Judging by the way she looked it didn't seem like a good night for her as well. Draco wasn't sure if it was an argument or another lapse she had to deal with. He noted that his father hadn't made an appearance yet.

"Breakfast will be ready shortly," Narcissa greeted the two of them with out looking up from her preparations.

Bloody hell, today he wasn't going to get any sleep. Remus gave Narcissa a tired smile and a good morning, deciding not to verbally mention Lucius' absence, but perhaps that was for the better. These were the first people he needed to speak with about what he had spoken to Melinda on.

"Coffee," Remus said pointedly to Draco with a hint of amusement; he was going to need the caffeine at this point. "I'd like to speak to you both, actually, while we have a few quiet moments."

He hoped that Narcissa would take his attempt to help well. It could hit hard against her pride, this whole thing could, so it felt like treading some very thin ground.

"About Lucius and his health."

Well that wasn't what Draco had expected. He had thought they would still have time for Remus to get some rest...but it seemed like his mother had other plans. More then likely it was to distract herself from what had happened earlier.

At the mention of his father and his health, Draco watched his mother drop a tray of dishes she had sent to the table. He flinched at the loud clatter it made, but went over to quickly repair the dishes with the wave of his own wand.

That was not a promising reaction. It only told Draco that she was upset and with the commotion over the recent days he didn't blame her. He wondered what he missed while he was outside waiting for Remus.

"Lucius will be fine given some time away from everything," Narcissa said in a firm voice. It was more of a reinsurance to herself then to Remus. She didn't look in his direction as she spoke but paid attention to what she was cooking. It was bad enough she already dropped a tray of dishes.

Remus, already running on a lack of sleep, started hard as the dishes hit the floor. His nerves weren't going to survive this. Much like Draco was thinking, Remus knew that the denial he heard in Narcissa meant this conversation wouldn't go well, possibly go horribly.

"He's had months away from everything," he said quietly, but firmly. "I fear for all of you if he doesn't get some real help. How long until he lashes out? What if he doesn't recognize one of you or worse, sees you as an enemy?"

"Lucius will never see us as the enemy. We're the ones who have kept him grounded. We're the ones he's always protected." Narcissa quickly responded. "Yesterday... was just too much for him. None of us had expected to ever see dementors here of all places. He's so afraid to being locked up again in that hellish place."

Quietly, Draco listened to his mother trying to make excuses for what she refused to see. He knew that she only wanted her family back the way things had been and that she couldn't put them back together.

He knew that it unnerved her that she couldn't put them back together and was fighting a helpless battle. He got the coffee started and some tea as well knowing that his mother had preferred tea over coffee.

A slow breath out, then he thought about it for several more moments before he continued. "As you wish," he said carefully, "but I have someone who would be willing to come here and help you, provided her abilities are what he needs. Something to keep in mind. He wouldn't have to go into St. Mungos', and better, she doesn't know your family. No judgement on that. Just... think on it."

Push on. Go into a better topic.

"...As for Draco, have you given any thought to his future?" He glanced to Draco, hoping the young man would give him a chance to broach this topic in this way.

First her husband...now her son? Her nerves were rattled enough. What did this man want? Haven't they given him enough hospitality for his help yesterday? He was going to be lucky if their breakfast didn't burn at this point.

Now he wanted to take her family away? She didn't even bother to acknowledge the bit of the possible help when Draco was mentioned.

"What is wrong with Draco's future? He's a Malfoy. He doesn't have to work. He'll live here with us and raise his own family here. That's one thing that doesn't have to change." Narcissa replied in a tone that held a slight edge to it.

At this Draco frowned and looked away. He only refrained from what he wanted to say because he trusted Remus. He was wary if he said anything right now it might mess up things even more.

Tonks' voice popped up in his head at this point, asking him all over again why he was even bothering to help Draco. Pretty much exactly what Narcissa was saying now; he was wealthy, he didn't have to work, maybe he didn't want to work...

He sighed very quietly so it wouldn't be heard and tried to keep calm as he spoke. "But what if he wants something more than that? Staying out here... it isn't good for anyone, never mind a young man Draco's age. Speaking as someone who knows what it's like to be isolated for a long time." Blunt.

At this point Draco felt he needed to interject. He felt bad for his mother knowing that she felt that Remus may be trying to steal her family away. When he wasn't. He knew if he didn't step in now that his mother would see Remus as a threat and send him out the door.

"Mother...please take a moment and listen to him. He's only trying to help us. He really wants to, mother. As much as you don't want to admit it, how many other people would genuinely show interest in our well being?

This is a chance for us to put our family back together and atone for what happened. I want to prove to everyone that we aren't the evil people like they say we are. That we had been forced into serving Him when none of us wanted to. This is a chance to clear our name and bring the respect back to the Malfoy family.

Father won't have to leave home to get help. There may be a person willing to help him that isn't upset by what he had done in the past. If you give this opportunity up now... you may not get it when you really need it. And Father is miserable as it is. He's never going to ask for the help. What little pride he has left is keeping it from him asking."

Draco said speaking in a soft but firm voice. He couldn't afford to loose this opportunity now and he didn't want his mother's pride to cost it.

With Draco speaking Narcissa couldn't help but listen to what her son had to say. He was everything to her and all she wanted was him to be happy as well.

It was clear that Remus had gotten through to Draco and she knew that once her son was determined he wasn't going to back down from it. That determination is what ensnared him into the Dark Lord's grip. But this time...it could be steered in a better path.

Her own hands trembled as she tried to openly think about these opportunities instead of letting her own fear rule over them. Breakfast at this point was forgotten.

"What do you have in mind, Remus," she asked softly almost in defeat.

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GDI My mobile tag hadn't gone through ><

I had wondered what happened!

always give me a poke on Plurk if I haven't tagged in hours. XD

I will remember this!

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