Run

Chapter 3: Smirk.

In the weeks that followed Draco kept an eye on Thomas Granger, he noticed his talent for potions almost instantly. Every Latin name for a potion Thomas could translate, every direction given for a potion Thomas could follow. One day in class Draco decided that enough was enough and decided to hold Thomas back after class.

He slowly walked around the potions room.

"Nearly Mr. Flint. I think the issue was you stirring twice clockwise instead of anti-clockwise. However it is quite a difficult potion and I've already said I don't expect anyone to complete it, so five points to Slytherin."

An explosion boomed through the lab, smoke everywhere. Michael Finnigan had blown up his potion, again. Draco had to stop himself from chuckling as Michaels twin sister Mackenzie or as she preferred to be called, Mack, rolled her eyes. For twins they were like night and day.

"Stay back after class to clean up Mr. Finnigan."

"Yes, sir." Michael mumbled.

Draco walked around some more until he got to Thomas. He took one look at the potion and his mouth hung open

"Well done Mr. Granger, ten points to Gryffindor. It's perfect!" Draco leant down to the young boy. "I'd like to speak with you after class, you have a talent Thomas." He whispered.

Thomas looked up, Draco had to take a step back, her eyes. "Yes sir, thank you sir."

Draco smiled. It was obvious that even though Professor Snape was his favorite teacher, Draco approached his teaching methods quite differently.

At the end of class Michael Finnigan and Thomas Granger stayed behind.

"Actually Mr. Finnigan don't worry about cleaning up, I'll do it."

"Thank you sir." Michael replied before scampering out the door.

Draco turned to Thomas.

"What class do have next Mr. Granger?"

"A free class, sir." Thomas answered.

"Good me too, we have time to talk then and after class you may call me Draco if you would like." Draco told him, surprising himself.

"Ok Draco then I'm Thomas, not Mr. Granger."

Draco and Thomas talked for nearly twenty minutes before Draco decided to ask him something he really wanted to know.

"You know, you really remind me of someone I knew a long time ago, Thomas. Someone also a Gryffindor, who was also incredibly smart and intelligent." Draco complimented.

Thomas smirked.

Draco's breath hitched. That smirk.

"Thank you si-Draco. It wouldn't be my mother would it? You seem to be about the same age." Thomas asked.

"Hermione Granger?" Draco asked with a small smile.

"Yes. Well, actually, it's Hermione McClaggen now." Thomas corrected him.

"McClaggen? As in Cormac McClaggen?" Draco asked with a hint of coldness that he tried to cover up.

Cormac McClaggen was blonde as well, wasn't he?, Draco thought racking his brains, trying to remember for certain.

"Yes. You know him?" Thomas answered.

"A long time ago." Draco answered. "So he's your father?"

Thomas thought about how to explain Cormac's role in his life.

"Uh, yes and no." Thomas started.

Draco raised an eyebrow.

"He's my stepfather, but he's the only father figure I've ever had. He and Mum started going out when I was four." Thomas answered.

Draco smiled on the outside but on the inside panic was rising.

"Only? What about your genetic father?"

Thomas's face went sour, he shrugged. "Never knew him, don't want to know him. He left my Mum when she was pregnant."

Draco suddenly found it hard to breathe. "Disgraceful." Draco commented. "At least you have McClaggen."

Thomas smiled. "Yeah Dads the best."

"You seem quite mature, are you sure you're eleven?" Draco fake joked. He needed to get Thomas's birthdate.

Thomas smirked.

That smirk again?

"Yeah I'm sure. I'll be twelve on the seventh of March." Thomas answered.

"I'll be thirty-two on the fifth of June." Draco said. "Merlin I'm old."

Thomas chuckled.

"Oh look at the time I've had you here nearly fourty minutes, best get ready for your next class." Draco told the boy.

"Ok thank you Draco." Thomas said.

Draco smiled. "For what?"

"For talking. I've never met one of Mums friends before. Well, apart from the Potters and Weasleys."

"Well you have now, bye Thomas." He said in a relaxed voice.

"Bye Draco." Thomas said leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed Draco dropped to the floor and started panicking. He counted back the months.

March, February, January, December, November, October, September, August....Draco and Hermione had broken up in August. She would have either just found out or was about to find out.

Draco thought about the blonde haired, chocolate eyed, smirking boy.

'Thomas.' He thought.

Thomas was his son.

The overwhelming guilt filled Draco, he felt light headed and then everything went black.