Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“So, do any of you know the answer to this question?” you asked while pointing your hand towards the board. Your class of fifth years only stared back at you with dumbfounded looks as they listened to your lecture. As you scanned your eyes over the room you found that most of them were desperately trying to avoid your gaze. You smiled at this, although they’d been at Hogwarts for all these years they were still just a bunch of goofy kids; uninterested in schoolwork.
Just as you were about to answer the question yourself a timid hand raised into the air. You instantly recognized the student who so bravely volunteered to answer.
His name was Scorpius Malfoy ad he was by far your favorite student. Unlike a lot of them, he always listened intently to your lectures. He took notes fluidly and participated well in class. Although it was clear to you that the other students didn’t seem to like him all that much. You assumed it was most likely due to who his father is and the famous stories around him that everyone knew. Poor Scorpius didn’t deserve the ridicule he got and as a result of that, you found yourself mentally favoring him even more.
“Yes, Mr. Malfoy?” you acknowledged him with a gentle smile.
“I believe the answer is that there is no way to kill a Boggart. You can only banish them really, professor” he replied a little shyly.
“Excellent! You’re exactly right. Ten points to Slytherin” you exclaimed proudly.
Scorpius beamed at your response as a few of the other Slytherins seemed to thank him quietly.
By the time class had ended you felt particularly drained. You hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before and although today’s class itself had gone well, you were exhausted none the less.
A lot of pressure came with teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. You knew that the position itself was considered to be “cursed” and because of that they never held a professor for too long. However, this was already your third year and going strong. Nothing could shake you. You were at the top of your game.
Just as you were organizing your things to leave and head to the great hall a little knock sounded from the doorway. You turned slowly a little confused as to who it could be; usually, students seeking after class tutoring would just barge in with sighs and whines. Their informalities always amused you.
But when you turned to the doorway you saw no other than Scorpius Malfoy standing there looking a little awkward.
“Oh, hello Mr. Malfoy. What can I help you with?” you asked with a friendly smile.
“Ah, well you see professor… I just wanted to thank you” he said returning the smile.
His words threw you off a bit as you gave him a questioning look.
“What possibly for?” you laughed.
“F-for giving me a chance since day one. A lot of students… a lot of people really. They treat me different because of who my father is and what he has done in the past. What the Malfoy family has done… They always compare me to him in ways that are good and bad. They think I don’t hear the whispers in the halls or the see the curious stares they give me in class. I hate it… all the unnecessary attention. You were the first person to really treat me equally. To see me simply as Scorpius Malfoy. Not Scorpius Malfoy, the Draco Malfoy’s son.” He told you with a little sigh of relief at the end of his sentence.
You listened to his words with curiosity as you studied his body language. He was being so sincere at this moment. You couldn’t describe the sense of joy that washed over you as you realized that something as simple as teaching a class as you normally would… made all the difference for this boy.
Of course like anyone else you had heard all the stories, seen the headlines in the paper, and heard the adults whispering all about it. “Seems like that wretched Malfoy boy is getting off with a slap on the wrist” or “I always knew that family was no good. The whole lot of them should be thrown in Azkaban if you ask me”. By the time you had started your first year at Hogwarts, it had been two years since the infamous battle. So naturally, you hadn’t met any of the people that everyone loved to whisper about. Therefore you felt like it was unfair to believe everything you heard… and the thought never even occurred to you to hold the children of these people accountable. They weren’t even alive when it happened.
“Scorpius, you are by far one of the brightest and most interesting students I’ve met since teaching here. Your family name shouldn’t define who you are beyond your placement on my rollcall. Anyone who can’t see that clearly has nothing better to do with their time than spread ridiculous drama” You told him with a reassuring smile.
“Thank you, Professor” he returned your smile.
He seemed to be about to leave when the urge to address something overcame you.
“I know that it’s not really my business… and you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t feel comfortable” you started with an uneasy glance towards the boy. But he simply looked back at you awaiting your explanation.
“I know that things at home changed recently… and I’ve heard the whispers the other students have thrown around about you. I’m sure you have too and I just want to make sure that you’re ok. That you’re not letting them get to you too much about it.” You said a little anxiously.
“Are you referring to my mother passing?” he asked you as he leaned his body against a nearby desk seemingly to relax a little.
“I uh I am. I’m sorry if that’s crossing a line I’m sure it must be a sensitive subject” you hastily replied.
Scorpius only gave out a small chuckle before looking towards the ceiling of your classroom and giving a little sigh.
“Don’t worry, Professor. Enough time has passed now that I can handle discussing it. Not that many people want to do more than throw me a pitiful glance” he said a little spitefully.
You frowned at his tone, sincerely hoping that he didn’t think you were trying to make him feel helpless.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m pitying you, Scorpius. I can see that you’re a strong and educated young man. But I do know that even the toughest people can be torn down by the loss of someone close to them. We all deal with grief and move on from it in different ways. I just feared that the way people treat you is doing little good for you.” You spoke tentatively.
Scorpius turned to face you then. He studied you for a moment before his face twisted into an expression you’d never seen before. It was sadness.
“I won’t lie to you… it hasn’t been easy. I think that right after she passed was definitely the hardest. To have to come back to school to all the whispers and glances. I hated it. Things haven’t been the same since. Not really… not here ad not at home. But I know that mom wouldn’t want me to mope around. She was strong… and… and so I am” he breathed out confidently. “I appreciate your concern for how I’ve handled it… but honestly, the best thing you or anyone could do for me is to just treat me for me. Not for who I’ve lost and where I’ve come from… and so far professor you’ve done just that. So, thank you”
You felt a tightening in your chest as emotions overcame you. This boy has endured so much and yet all he asks is that everyone treats him without bias. It was honorable far beyond his years. But just as you were about to reply he interrupted you.
“I better be going. Albus is waiting for me in the great hall. I’ll see you later, Professor” he bid you goodbye with a smile as he shuffled out the door.
Staring at the empty space where the boy once stood you let a smile grow on your face. What a great kid.
-
The holidays were always the best times for you and your students. It meant a break from the busy school life and a chance to relax at home. But mostly for you, it meant a chance to catch up on everything you needed to do, and as you popped in and out of the shops on Diagon Alley that’s just what you were up to.
You desperately had to restock on some classroom supplies and the holidays were the perfect opportunity to get out and check off your list.
As you left Amanuensis Quills and headed back onto the street you gave your arms a little content sway as you walked. There was something oddly calming about shopping alone. It was almost therapeutic to just go about your business alone while watching all the witches and wizards around you laugh and scramble.
You didn’t want to head back just yet though, you were much too content with just walking around. With that decision in mind, you figured you’d just pop into Obscurus Books and peruse around a little. They always had something interesting to find there.
Making your way towards the shop you found that it was surprisingly busy for this time of day. There were so many people going up and down the streets it would have surely made you annoyed if you’d been in any hurry. Instead, you found it was nice to simply be a part of the massive crowd.
Stumbling along to your next destination.
Just as you were about to reach the front of Obscurus your shoulder collided harshly with the person beside you. You were in a slight daze before so it was safe to assume you veered into him without much thought. He was taller and much steadier than you and as a result, you stumbled back a little at the impact.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir” you apologized without even looking up to face the man; feeling a little embarrassed from the collision.
“Oh! Professor Y/L/N” spoke a voice from in front of you.
You knew that voice.
Raising your head up from its previous fixated stare on the ground you found yourself looking at none other than Scorpius Malfoy.
But he wasn’t alone.
No, standing directly beside him was the man you’d bumped into and as you looked at him you quickly realized who it was.
This was Draco Malfoy; famous wizard and father to your student Scorpius.
Suddenly you felt much more awkward than before.
What a first impression you thought to yourself.
“Hello, Mr. Malfoy” you spoke politely while giving the boy a warm smile. “a-and you must be his father. It’s a pleasure to meet you” you stammered out while extending your hand to the older Malfoy.
He gave you a quick once over before taking his hand in yours for a firm shake.
“Ah, of course, Ms. Y/L/N. Scorpius has told me much about you. The pleasure is all mine.” He spoke smoothly with a smile that caused your nerves to falter.
You hadn’t really noticed upon first glance but Draco Malfoy was quite handsome still considering his age. The last time you had seen him in the papers would have been at least fifteen years ago.
“Oh, well, I don’t know what he’s told you but I’m sure it’s more than I deserve” you laughed a little too lightheartedly as you looked at the stunning man before you. “Your son is by far one of the best students we have at Hogwarts right now. He is an absolute delight and I’m grateful to be his professor. You should be very proud of him”.
Scorpius seemed to grow visibly embarrassed by your words as he shuffled his feet. Draco, however, seemed to take your comment to heart as a warm smile spread across his face. He looked from his son back to you as he delighted in your comment.
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat some more but unfortunately we have some places to be after this” Draco told you with a calm voice. The way he spoke was so polite and reassuring… and yet you couldn’t shake the feeling that he was trying to get away from you.
“No worries. Of course, carry on. I’m so sorry to have distracted you” you apologized with a gesture of your hand towards the shop door.
Draco simply gave you a nod before turning to enter the shop as Scorpius followed closely behind. Just as they were about to completely disappear into the shop Scorpius popped his head back out a bit.
“Goodbye, Professor. It was nice seeing you” he said before ducking back inside.
Completely abandoning your previous plans to enter the book shop you continued to make your way down the busy street instead. Mentally replaying the encounter you just had. The more you thought about it the more you wanted to slap yourself for being so obviously star-struck with your own student’s father. It was ridiculous and unprofessional. It doesn’t matter how handsome and devilishly charming he seemed to be. It just wasn’t appropriate you decided.
If you ever saw the older Malfoy man again you’d be sure to compose yourself.
Definitely
-
Just before the end of the holiday break, you found yourself walking willfully into the Leaky Cauldron. You’re not sure what it was but the strangest urge to just relax into the background with a good fire whiskey in hand.
As you settled into a chair near one of the darker corners of the pub you couldn’t help but partake in a little people watching. You could easily admit that it was one of your favorite pass times. People were the most interesting when they think no one is watching them.
Your eyes shifted across the pub as you studied each patron. One woman in the corner opposite to you was fiercely arguing with the man in front of her who looked quite guilty. You’d love to know the drama behind that one.
Another man sat at a table in the middle of the pub was calmly writing something onto a piece of parchment. You really wondered what it could be about seeing as the entire page was nearly full.
Then as your eyes were about to drift on to another unsuspecting individual the doors to the pub opened as a man walked through.
But not just any man. No, of course not. It was Draco Malfoy.
You were in utter disbelief as you watched him stride slowly through the dimly lit establishment. It wasn’t just the fact that this would seemingly be the last place you’d expect to see Draco Malfoy but also the fact that you just so happened to be the professor for his son. The coincidence of this situation was uncanny.
You silently hoped that he wouldn’t notice you; given your inability to stay composed in front of him before.
But alas, you never did have the best luck.
You watched anxiously as his eyes met with yours. He seemed to be momentarily shocked as he analyzed your sitting form. You weren’t sure what he was thinking but he seemed to come to some kind of mental decision as he made his way over to you.
Unsure of where to look you shifted your gaze from down to your glass as he drew closer.
“Fancy seeing you here, Ms. Y/L/N” Draco spoke warmly in front of you.
You gave him a meek smile as you greeted him with a timid hello.
You gestured your hand to the seat across from you inviting him to sit.
“Please, join me.” You offered with the most confident smile you could muster.
“Don’t mind if I do. I suppose I’m long overdue for a decent chat” he chuckled.
“What brings you in here?” you asked him with a curious stare.
“Ah, I suppose it is rather odd-looking right?” he questioned playfully.
“N-no, it’s not that you don’t belong here… just that you were the last person I was expecting to see walk through that door” you defended yourself with a nervous string of words.
“Don’t worry, love. I take no offense. Really I just had the strangest urge to get away for a while. To sit somewhere quiet and just blend into the scenery. These days I don’t get recognized as much. A lot of the stories surrounding me are dying out with the newer generations anyway.” He shrugged a little as he talked.
“Well, I wouldn’t say you’re completely forgotten.” You replied hoping that your well-intended words were being received that way.
A short silence followed as he simply hummed in response to your remark.
“So” he began while leaning back against his chair “What’s it like teaching at Hogwarts?”
You blinked at the question slightly surprised he was taking interest in you at all.
“Well it’s a lot different from life as a student there” you chuckled “My school days were so boring though… I actually quite like teaching there. Every year a new group of interesting young witches and wizards I’ve never met arrive… and I have the pleasure of getting to know them”
Draco grinned as he listened to you speak.
“What year did you attend Hogwarts if you don’t mind me asking?” he questioned.
“Ah, my first year was 2000. So I wasn’t really around for any of the… well… you know” you trailed off a little unsure if it was appropriate to discuss such matters with someone who’d been directly involved.
“I see… Well, consider yourself lucky, Ms. Y/L/N. It wasn’t exactly a joyous time.” He said with a sort of forced smile.
You assumed he was trying to make you feel less awkward.
“You can call me Y/N if you’d like. Being referred to by my sir name makes me feel like I’m working” you laughed lightly.
“Alright then, Y/N. You can call me Draco” he replied.
“Okay, Draco” you spoke teasingly.
You watched as he smiled back at you in response.
There was a kind of flirtatious change in the air as too many giggles and smiles came from the two of you. It may seem like harmless fun between two consenting adults. But deep down you knew this wasn’t right.
This was the father of one of your students… and not to mention he was recently widowed only a few years back. It wouldn’t be right to expect anything more than casual friendship from him.
After all, he was just being polite.