Chapter Text
Draco Malfoy felt like a bloody fool, for he had flunked his potions exam. He hadn't flunked it flunked it, but his score wasn't great either. It was passable, if one were perhaps an idiot or just generally not very bright, but he was Draco Malfoy! He should have done better!
Granger had definitely passed him, not that he cared. Except Draco was self-involved, and he did care. The score was so mediocre, someone else had most likely passed him as well. Maybe multiple someones!
The logical, detached part of him tried to be reasonable. The score wasn't that bad, and Draco had done very well on his other exams, but he still felt like a failure, because he just loved potions. Draco wanted to be a potioneer, like his godfather but without the teaching part, but this exam had proved that he just didn't have it in him.
It also proved that his father was right. Potioneering was a silly, frivolous dream, and Draco was much better suited for managing the family investments. Draco didn't want to give up his dream, the one thing he held so near and dear to his heart.
He wouldn't have a choice either way. The summer after he took that exam the Dark Lord made him his, and Draco's dreams shattered. Then he realised he was carrying a life inside him, and even if Draco had any dreams left, he would have diverted them in a heartbeat.
Caelum's O.W.L.'s had come by post, and the boy had thrust the envelope into his father's hands and run off to join his brother. Both of Draco's sons were anxiously watching him from the bed, his oldest's jitteriness infecting Scorpius, as Draco tore the letter open.
Most of the grade's were O's as expected, save for an E in History of Magic and, Draco froze, a D in Care of Magical Creatures. A failing grade.
After being questioned, Caelum reluctantly admitted that the creature had attacked him during the exam and then was forced to expand on the story once his animal loving brother heard the tale.
Draco watched his carefree son, who despite the failure was able to celebrate his other achievements. Draco had raised the bright, shining young man he once wished he could be.