The Journey

20. Malfoy Senior

Harry had made arrangements to go and see Lucius in Azkaban.  This was going to be hard, and he wasn't a fool.  He knew that the man was sorry for his actions, but at the same time, he wondered if he would do it all over again, if he were given the chance.  He liked to think not, but he wasn't sure.  He was also the reason that Draco had been forced to do things that he had never wanted.  Like get the dark mark, and he needed Lucius to know that while he would forgive him, he would in no way accept what he had done.

Entering the prison, he nodded at the warden.  Justin Adams had been informed that Harry Potter would be visiting an inmate, Lucius Malfoy no less.  He wasn't in any position to question it, he was just there to see that the visit went smoothly, and with no interruptions.  He had been placed in charge of Lucius since day one, and had to admit that even though they had expected the worst, he had turned out to be a model prisoner.

The sneers were less, the threats empty, and he looked like a shell of the man he used to be.  But Harry wasn't there to save him, he was there to forgive him.  His actions, before and during the war, had ensured that Draco had had to suffer, and while that was almost unforgivable, he wasn't going to dwell on that.  His soul had to be cleansed, and then he would leave and make arrangements to go back to Hogwarts.

They had shown him to a little room, with a tiny window.  Light was seeping through, casting a glow on the surface of the table that was in the center of it.  Two chairs either side were sturdy, even if they were old.  Harry stayed standing, waiting for his guest to arrive, and when he did, he gasped at how much older the man looked.

Draco had received his beauty from both parents, but Azkaban hadn't been kind to Lucius.  Serves him well, thought Harry.  That's what you get for serving an arsehole.  Shaking his head, he offered his hand, and being a changed man, Lucius accepted.  They both took a seat, and when Lucius raised his eyebrow as if to ask what Harry was doing there, the golden boy started speaking without invite.

"Lucius.  Thank you for agreeing to see me.  I am here for two reasons.  The first is for myself, and the second is for Draco.  He does not know that I am here, in case you were wondering", he said.

Lucius cleared his throat and asked, "How is Draco?"

Harry looked at him.  "Draco is fine thank you for asking.  He is starting to find himself, the real Draco, and that is only because he has no one pulling his strings anymore.  Before you get angry at my words, I have come here to tell you something.  Something that I cannot keep to myself anymore, even if I wanted to".  

Lucius was intrigued.  Nodding his head, and with a show of hands, he silently told Harry to continue.  "I have come here to forgive you.  I have been on a journey of sorts, seeing many people, talking to many strangers, making new friends, shaking off old enemies and the like".  He took a deep breath and continued.  "I was raised by muggles who abused me in the worst way.  And knowing that my future is more important than my past, I decided to forgive them.  It hasn't been easy, but then it got me thinking.  If I can forgive the worst sort, I can forgive so many others.  

Your part in the graveyard in my fourth year, I could see you were scared.  Terrified actually, and while I was the child and you the adult, something in me couldn't shake the fact that you had to have known better. 

I know that what you did, you mostly did out of fear, for the safety of your family, and that is why it is so easy for me to do this.  But what you must understand is that, although you didn't plead ignorance, you did however have chances to change your fate, and yet you never did.  Which is why the Wizengamot placed you here.  I know that your sentence is a long one, and if what I am about to tell you is met with, let's say acceptance, then maybe I can get it reduced".

Lucius sat up straight in his chair, for now he was totally focused on what the savior had to say next.  

Realizing that Lucius was at a loss for words, he continued.  "So, my forgiveness is what brought me here.  You probably don't think you need it, or even want it, but my heart is in a place where I need to be able to grant it.  The second reason that I am here is to tell you that, I am hopelessly, and desperately in love with your son".  

Harry let the words sink in for a moment before he went on.  "I believe that Draco feels the same, but we still have a lot to work out, and as soon as I return, we will do so.  I just wanted you to know", he stated.

Lucius was pale.  He was told that he would be receiving a visitor today, but he hadn't known that it was Harry Potter.  Just as well, he would have told them to fuck off.  On the one hand, he was glad that he hadn't known, but now.  Now he was confused.  Draco liked men?!  How had he missed this.  Did Narcissa know, and the minute that thought entered his brain, he looked at Harry and swallowed audibly.

"Narcissa has already given us (me) her blessing", he said, seeing the shock on his face.  "You don't have to give yours, but it would make moving forward so much easier Lucius", he said softly.  Lucius looked at Harry with heavy eyes, and asked in a whisper, "Can you make him happy Potter?".

Harry nodded and replied, "I will do everything in my power to do so, yes".

"Then you will have my blessing.  Draco needs someone strong like you, and yes while I know I made many mistakes, I will not stop this.  Thank you for your forgiveness, although I don't believe that I deserve it.  But thank you.  When you see Draco again, tell him that I am sorry, and that I love him", he whispered.

Harry said he would do this.  He noticed that Malfoy Senior hadn't asked about his reduced sentence, making him think that he was a changed man.  They proceeded to talk about what had happened to Harry to make him start his journey, and Lucius was horrified to know that a magical child had been treated so vile.  He told Harry as much, and when the visit was over, they were both smiling.  

Lucius in turn telling Harry why he had decided to follow Voldemort, putting it down to family rules and tradition, and all he was bothered with, was status.  He had to maintain his, to ensure a place in the wizarding world.  It was how he had been raised. 

Understanding what each of them had been through, shaping them into the men they had become.  Harry left Azkaban after spending four hours there, and made his way back to his hotel.  He needed to eat, as the cold damp prison had drained most of his energy.

Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts Draco was reading Harry's reply.  And his heart was almost thumping out of his chest.

Dear Draco

Glad to hear you kept some of my love for yourself :)

I can't wait to come back and tell you in so many different ways exactly how much I do love you, but patience is indeed a virtue, something which I have little of these days.

And lastly, if you have a down day, look up!

See you soon :)

love

Harry