(HP Đồng nhân Eng) Seven Years Too Late

Chap 1

The first time Draco saw the name on his class roster, he felt shock unlike anything he'd felt in years roll through him.

Elijah Dean Potter.

Not that daunting of a name, really. It surely suited the dark haired eight year old boy who'd soon be joining his third grade class.

After trying and failing to find any kind of work in the wizarding world, Draco had turned his back on it all, as they had turned their backs on him, leaving all his painful past and memories behind. He went into the muggle world instead and had taken a two year course in college, attaining a degree as a Primary School teacher.

Draco hadn't expected to ever hear the name of Potter again and he certainly never expected to be teaching one.

The blond twenty-five year old set aside the roster with the boy's picture and information in it on his desk and went to the window that overlooked the playground. Frost still clung to the exterior corners and he could feel the coolness radiating through the pane.

Outside, the bell hadn't yet rung and children were clambering over the swings and jungle gym. Winter scarves flew in the breeze and boots crunched over the crispy skiff of snow scattered across the playground. Despite the cold, they were enjoying the last few minutes of freedom before they had to settle down into their seats.

Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd felt as carefree as they looked. Which wasn't strictly true, he could probably pick the exact date on the calendar when he'd stopped feeling that way.

"So, why didn't you tell me the news?" The chipper female voice drew his attention to the doorway of his classroom.

"Hey, Dee," Draco responded. "What news?"

"The news about your new student and his handsome, single father."

Deirdre Crowder was the primary six teacher, and at five foot nothing, was about as big as a minute. Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

"If it were the week before Christmas rather than Halloween, I'd consider him to be our very own Christmas present!"

Dee was Draco's very first and best friend in the muggle world. She had no idea that the blond was a wizard, but she knew more than anyone else about him, even more than his friends back in Hogwarts. She was the only one in either world that knew he was gay, with the exception of one other.

Draco had years of practice under his belt at keeping his true thoughts to himself so he didn't look the least uncomfortable as he spoke to his friend. "Go for it," he said with a nonchalant smile.

"He's my new student's father, and you know I don't get involved with my kid's fathers."

Dee's eyebrows lifted as she sauntered into the room. Her shoulder length sandy brown hair seemed to crackle with the energy that kept it curled in loose ringlets.

"As far as I can tell, you don't get involved with anyone. What's with you?" She joined Draco at the window.

"If I had your looks I'd be dating every available man that wasn't straight in town and maybe even those that are."

"There's nothing wrong with your looks," Draco countered.

"Deputy Tommy thinks they're about perfect," he teased.

"Oh God, Tommy," Dee sighed, shaking her head dismissively.

"Unless he was going to arrest me for something, or wants to spread a little gossip, that boy moves about as slow as molasses in winter. He has no ambition."

She pushed up the sleeves of her bright red sweater and pointed out the window.

"Since it might as well be winter, with all that snow on the ground, you can just imagine the snail's pace I'm talking about."