Inked Dragons

A Thing Carrying a Surprise Letter

'Who sent Thing?' Draco asked once Harry had finished retrieving all the post from the waiting birds. The little owl was currently sleeping, using the back of a wooden chair as a perch and Harry had put some newspaper down to protect the floor. They sat together on their Futon bed.

'He's called Beniot,' said Harry.

'Beniot? I prefer Thing.'

'Apparently he's called Beniot, according to your father.'

'My father sent you a letter, already? What does it say?'

'It's long.'

'He always rambled on hopelessly in the letters he sent me at school. I imagine he thought they were works of great philosophy but not when you're eleven-years-old.'

'Do you want me to actually read it all?'

'Yes, every word. I want to know what he's conniving.'

Harry sighed, 'Okay. He wrote it yesterday so Beniot has taken a bit of time to get to us. It reads Dear Harry—'

'DEAR?'

'Yes. Dear Harry, Firstly, I'm sure you will share the contents of this letter with Draco and I have no qualms in him knowing what I write to you. I will also add that he has opened my eyes to both my faults and what you offer him. He is a strong and courageous young man, stronger and more courageous than I ever was, and I meant what I said to him this morning, I am proud of him and I do love him, no matter what he may think. My faults are that I have failed to show this and failed to shield him from too many horrors inflicted on his young life. I will work to undo that going forward though I'm not sure I deserve forgiveness, from either of you.

Draco scowled. 'He lays it on, doesn't he?'

'Do you want me to continue or is it too much?'

'No, I want to know. But I don't trust him.'

Harry shrugged. 'Secondly, the owl, I am told, is called Beniot, an orphaned Eagle Owl chick who desperately needs a home­. I thought you both might be rather well suited to each other—'

'He's gifting you an owl?'

'So it appears. Shall I continue?'

Draco nodded, feeling slightly dazed.

'It's amazing how small scruffy orphans can grow into formidable characters—'

'Is he insulting you or writing you a love letter? Or perhaps he's referring to Voldemort?'

'We'll be here all night if you keep interrupting every other sentence ...Adult Eagle-Owls are quite something and I'm sure Beniot will suit you well, even if he is a little goofy now. He is certainly eager to please. I'm not sure he should be flying all the way from France to Britain at his age so I hope he has the sense to hitch a lift on a Muggle ship. I am not intending that Beniot should replace your old owl but create space into your heart for more love, for it seems you have great capacity to love—'

'It is a love letter!'

Harry ignored Draco, despite the ever-growing incredulity. And he looked at the sleeping owl with a little twinge in his heart. He was, he admitted to himself, drawn to the fluffball so perhaps Lucius was right. He took a deep breath and turned back the letter. 'I suppose that Beniot is a rather impulsive way to ask forgiveness for my behaviour these last few days. The two don't really equate but I hope you appreciate the gesture. I treated you badly as a guest and even worse as my son's chosen partner. You both deserve greater respect. Longer term, I'm not sure how I can make personal recompense for my past history and my behaviour towards you but I shall try in more meaningful ways going forward. It seems unlikely that bridge can ever be crossed considering the severity of my past crimes. I recognise that every time you face me, you must see a man who has raised his wand against you too many times, a man who did nothing to protect a boy the same age as his own son when he confronted that monstrous man on more than one occasion. How does one come back from that? That is for me to strive to answer.