𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐇/𝐃/𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄 2008

Family Portrait

Title: Family Portrait
Author: lomonaaeren
Pairing/Threesome: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: partly Epilogue-complaint.
Word count: 10.000
Summary: Hired to fix the charms in Draco Malfoy's house, Harry discovers there are things he needs to save, above and beyond what he had first came to do.

It was late for April, ten past seven, and the house looked downright menacing in the evening light. Harry squeezed Al's hand and knocked twice. An old house elf opened the door, peering at them from behind it.

"Hello, I'm Harry Potter and I was asked to come –"

"Master Potter is most welcome, sir," the elf squealed and opened the door all the way.

The corridor they walked through was dark and narrow, which was quite unusual for a house as big as this one. Harry couldn't help but remember Malfoy Manor and wonder whatever possessed Draco Malfoy to live here, leaving that behind.

"Master Malfoy is expecting you in the dining room." The elf began walking and they followed, both Al and Harry inspecting the house.

Harry was, of course, curious to learn as much about it as possible. The house was the reason why he was here, after all – to fix the broken charms, get rid of whatever creatures might make living in it unpleasant and fix everything that the owner, Draco Malfoy, couldn't be bothered to fix himself.

Al was curious by nature, and his curiosity was increased tenfold because this was 'Dad's job'. He'd spent an hour studying the locker room the first time he'd visited Ginny at her work place, because that was her job and he wasn't very fond of Quidditch.

The doors to the dining room opened before them and they entered. The room was quite usual for Pureblood families, with several armchairs around several tables, each of them in a different style and different coloring. There were only a few small candles floating by the opposite wall and a weak fire in the hearth giving light to the large room, and Harry couldn't suppress a shudder.

"Master Potter and the young Master," the elf announced and Harry's eyes were drawn to an armchair in the corner of the room.

Malfoy slowly rose from it, running his hands through his sleep rumpled hair and approached Harry. "I fell asleep. I thought you were coming sooner."

Harry nodded. "Had trouble at the Floo station and then the bus from town was late."

Malfoy nodded and rubbed his eyes. "Nifty, bring tea for Potter and me."

"And for the young master?"

Malfoy opened his eyes and looked at Al, surprised. "Pumpkin juice?" he asked after a short pause.

Al nodded enthusiastically and Nifty disappeared with a crack.

"Ginny's away for five games and I couldn't leave him alone at home, even if it was her turn to take him," Harry explained as Al and Malfoy were studying each other. "He's a really good kid and won't be any trouble, but if you can't accept him staying here with me, I can't accept the job."

"It's ok. He shouldn't wander around the house, but we have a garden and he should be alright." Malfoy gestured towards the armchair he'd been occupying and the other three armchairs there. "Let's sit down so we can talk."

Harry nodded and sat in the armchair closest to Malfoy's, while Al happily occupied the biggest of the armchairs.

Malfoy smiled at Al and took out a list. "This is what needs to be done. It's not very advanced stuff, but..." He looked away and gave Harry the list without any other explanation.