A Boy Named Draco - Chapter 10
Chapter ten
With uncharacteristic joy, Draco burst into the manor’s kitchen in search of his elven caretaker. Not finding him, he moved towards the staircase that led tdown to the wine cellar where their room was located.
Dobby was sitting on the floor next to his bed. Around him lay a multitude of leather boots awaiting the polishing cloth he held in his hand. He looked up and smiled at seeing his charge back from the train station safe and sound. He always worried when Draco left the manor however briefly to attend to their masters’ needs whenever they ventured into muggle London and could not take an elf along.
“Dobby! The most fantastic thing happened. I met Harry Potter.”
“Did you now master Draco? That is the most wonderful news. Was he good to you?”
”Oh yes. He didn’t care that I wasn’t a wizard and he said he wanted to be my friend even after master Theodore had told him that I was rubbish. He didn’t shake his hand but he did mine. Mine Dobby! The boy who lived shook my hand like we were equals.” The young boy was glowing with excitement.
“Oh master Draco. Dobby is very pleased for you.”
Draco nodded enthusiastically and beamed at the elf. Seconds later his mood clouded a little when reality set in once more.
”But then he had to leave and go to Hogwarts with master Theodore. He is going to learn all sorts of brilliant spells. He said he is going to write to me but I don’t know if he’ll ever have time and if he does what would I ever reply to him? Dobby, I don’t know anything.”
“Don’t say that master Draco. There is lots that you know.”
Draco smiled bitterly and took the polishing cloth from the elf’s hand. He started on the nearest pair of boots. “You mean about cleaning and cooking and such. I know all those things Dobby but none can interest someone like Harry. He is so smart and clever. He was able to get on the platform after I described how the others did it. I never done it myself but he caught on right quick. Master Theodore had two tries before he got it in his first year and even now he doesn’t get through without closing his eyes first but Harry wasn’t afraid. He is so brave Dobby. I wish I could be like that.”
The elf looked warmly at the animated boy. His Draco had so much affection to give that it was hard to keep him contained. It was truly heartrending that he lived a life where he was constantly belittled and ridiculed for something he could not control. Dobby saw that it had unfortunately resulted in a streak of insecurity that colored the boy’s every interaction even within the manor’s confines.
“He gave me this”, he said and pulled out an elegant looking eagle-feather quill from his pocket, “and made me promise him that I would use it to write to him. We can make some ink and master Lucius throws out parchment that has only one or two lines written on it and forgets to cast incendio. I’m going to have a letter ready for him so that Hedwig, Harry’s owl, can take it back with her when she comes.”
”That is a great idea master Draco. You can start now; I’ll finish the master’s boots.”
”No, Dobby. I don’t mind and anyway I have to think about what I’m going to write. I don’t want him to think badly of me.”
”Just be yourself and he’ll like you all the more.” The elf assured him.
Draco smiled shyly and continued with his task.
Oblina the elf was the first to notice that there was something different about Draco. There was a charming glow about the boy as he went about completing his duties. The other elves soon realized that it had a lot to do with the frequent deliveries made by a beautiful white owl that swooped down on Draco whenever he was gardening. After a bit of prodding, Dobby revealed that he was receiving letters from none other than Harry Potter. The elves were summarily impressed and happy for the boy. They promised Dobby that they would keep the secret from the Malfoys.
The weeks soon turned to months and Draco grew emotionally closer to the boy-who-lived. He learned of all the wondrous things that Harry was experiencing in Hogwarts and especially of the friendships he’d made. He met Ron and Hermione through the very detailed descriptions included in the letters. He laughed at Harry’s artistic renderings of each of his teachers especially Professor Snape who Draco had to admit resembled the original to a great extent. Draco felt the joy of flying for the first time and the stirrings of resentment towards the sneaky Slytherins and their leader Theodore as they tried to trip up the Griffindors at every turn.
For his part, Harry also awaited Draco’s replies with much enthusiasm. He grew to appreciate the squib’s witty but sometimes poignant observations of the world that surrounded him. He wrote of the strong bond with the elves as well as the times he’d incurred Lucius’ wrath. One particular letter was just about his mistress Narcissa and how unhappy and lonely she seemed. Draco wanted to do something nice for her but knew that she was repulsed by the sight of him. Harry admired Draco’s strength at the face of so much adversity. Being a wizard and the knowledge of his parent’s love had provided Harry with a strong inner core that kept him from breaking under stress. Draco had neither but he too was a survivor if not an entirely undamaged one.
Eventually the holidays rolled around and Harry informed Draco that he would be spending it at his friend Ron’s home and if he could see him there. Draco, who regularly spent his Christmases in the kitchen sharing leftovers with the elves, was completely floored by the possibility of seeing Harry once more.
TBC
Chapter 11