For The Tabloids

Chapter Four

Third Person POV:

As Draco made his way through the grand halls of Hogwarts he couldn't take his mind off of the ceremony that would be happening later that day. Classes had been cancelled out of respect for the anniversary of the battle of Hogwarts. The battle he had fought on the wrong side in, the battle he had done nothing but run around like a pathetic panicked man in. He truly had no reason attending the ceremony, or sitting at the professor table with his colleagues. Neville had killed Nagini, McGonagall had spelled suits of armor to defend the school, and the other professors had helped save countless students lives. He had simply watched as one of his best friends lit the room of requirement ablaze and be engulfed by the flames. And then proceeded to run away from the scene when it had ended, being dragged away from it by his mother and father.

He passed by various students on his way to Madame Pomphrey's office. She was the one who had kept his suppressants in her office, a precaution set up by his mother and Pansy to avoid a repeat of his sixth year. The healer had grown an amicable relation with him over the years. Commenting on his personal growth, much like McGonagall would. Both older women noticed that Draco had become kinder to others, but not necessarily to himself.

The glances and whispers that could be hear from some of the seventh year students were apparent to Draco. They did not share a school with him. Did not have to endure him as a prefect or as a bully. But many had older siblings who did. Who told them about what Draco had done during the battle of Hogwarts, or rather what he hadn't done in the battle. Despite his best attempts at presenting himself as a presentable man who was not cruel and cold hearted, the older students still saw him for what he was. A coward.

As he walked through the halls, his eyes trained forward to avoid being stopped by anyone on his way to Madame Pomphrey's office.

That did not stop a boy oddly tall for his age with bright blue hair from starting up a conversation with him.

"Professor Malfoy are you excited to see Miss Hermione?" the cheery young boy gazed up at him with a grin going from ear to ear. Draco sometimes forgot that Teddy knew The Minister For Magic personally, that his godfather was best friends with her for Merlin's sake. Draco looked down at the boy, who had began walking in step with him down the halls. Teddy had a hard time making friends. The boy was full of energy and light but he seemed to struggle and push other kids away with how outgoing and uniquely himself he was. Draco admired that about the boy. How he did not let others dictate who he should be or what he should do. Draco never did that. He always followed the directions of others, especially those of his father, in order to maintain his image, status, and safety. Draco also never showed his entire self to anyone, save for his family and Pansy. No one knew he was an omega besides those who had to know, no one knew that he did not like portraying himself as a cold strong beta, and certainly no one knew that he wanted to rid himself of the Malfoy name entirely.

"I am excited to see The Minister For Magic" Draco had to admit in the moment that he was lying to a twelve year old boy, but he found it unprofessional to tell the boy that he had been anxious about it since receiving the letter because of how he had treated the highest ranking government official all those years ago. "Are you going to include her on your presentation about successful muggle borns?" Draco froze for a moment, unsure of what to tell the boy. While yes it was true that he had used some of his extra class time with his younger classes to teach them about muggle borns who had greatly helped the wizarding world be where it is now, he wasn't sure if he could do Hermione justice. Draco looked down at Teddy again, the hufflepuff robes worn by the boy only made his naturally joyful nature more apparent. "I will add her to the list" Draco promised, which seemed to be a satisfactory answer for the boy who began walking away with the signature bounce in his step. Luckily it was just as they began approaching the hospital wing.