Paint You Wings ✔️

Chapter 4

Two weeks had passed, and Draco was still regularly receiving artwork. A lot of it was simply tossed into the folder from day one, barely even looking at it, but there were a few that had caused his eyes to linger. There was one very striking piece however that he found himself drawn to. Throughout the work day, his eyes kept glancing back at the folder.

With a resigned sigh, he told himself that if he was still interested in the piece by quitting time that he would look at it more closely. Draco's will lasted until lunchtime.

Grabbing his magnifying glass, he carefully poured over the piece. It was a simple scene at first glance. Just a sailboat out on the water, but it was either done in a grayscale color palette, or the artist still had no idea how to use the fax machine properly. Looking closer though, Draco could see that instead of steady brushstrokes, the artist had gone for splotches of color. He wondered what the piece looked like in person.

While looking at the contrasting colors of the waves, Draco finally found what he was searching for. An intricate "HϟP" was signed into the crest of one of the waves. He exhaled in relief that this was not the doing of his father. Lucius was cruel, but Draco didn't think he could keep something like this going for so long without wanting to take credit for it.

The rest of the day was spent pondering over what he should do. Who was HP? Was there a smudge in between the letters of their presumed initials, or was it supposed to look like a lightning bolt? Haven't they noticed that they weren't receiving their artwork? Should Draco say something?

Crumpled up pieces of paper were scattered over Draco's typically pristine desk. Just when he had decided not to send anything and let it be, a second piece of artwork came in.

Groaning in frustration, Draco took his irritation out on a sheet of paper.

"Wherever you think you're sending your artwork to, I assure you that it is not my office HP. It's been a week and I thought you would have realized you weren't receiving your artwork by now! Honestly, this is on the verge of being highly unprofessional. Kindly take notice of this.

D⚕M"

As Draco was clearing off his desk, he was surprised to see another fax come in so quickly.

"Oh. I'm so sorry to have bothered you DM. I send my favorite artwork back home and I hadn't thought to check to be sure it was actually going there. I'll delete this number. I apologize that my artwork caused you such distress. I guess they're not very good based on your reaction.

My apologies again,

HP"

Well, now Draco felt like a right arse. Frowning, he wrote back quickly.

"Your artwork isn't bad at all HP, I'm just bitter. I apologize for the harshness of my message. The sailboat picture is my favorite of them all so far. Was it meant to be grayscale, or just an error with the fax machine? Did you use a specialized brush for the painting, or sponges?

DM"

Harry was surprised at the quick change of tone from the person on the other end of the fax machine. He had just been trying to figure out how to change the preset when another message came in. He felt better at least that this "DM" didn't hate his sailboat painting. It was one he was rather proud of, and was absolutely crushed that it had elicited such a negative response from a stranger.

The questions that the other person had asked had Harry wondering if they were a former artist, or at least had some experience with art. If he had to make a guess, it was someone who's love of art turned into something negative, and that made Harry sad. Art was always an escape for him once he discovered it, and he felt for this person on the other end of the fax machine.

"It was grayscale, yes! I brushed some paint onto the canvas first, then I spread it out with the sponge to create the textured effect. I see you have some kind of art experience. I'll stop sending my artwork your way, especially since you're at your office. Thank you for your kind words stranger.

HP"

Draco didn't know why his heart sank at the thought of the stranger disappearing back into the woodwork again. This was what he wanted wasn't it? He couldn't help himself from writing back one last time.

"Have you tried sponges with different pore spaces? I can recommend some if you'd like?

You can keep sending your artwork here if you need to or if you'd like. I've kept it all in a folder at my desk if you ever need any of your previous works. I'm sorry again for my first message, I fear I haven't made the best first impression. My social skills are not the best, I admit. I don't even know why I'm telling you that. I suppose it's just nice to know what I have to say is being heard somewhere.

It's quitting time for me now HP. I do hope to see more of your work soon. Thank you for listening.

Have a great night,

DM"