A Whole Lot Of Capitals - AKA The Potter Problem Project - Drarry

In Which Harry's Skills as an Auror Finally Pay Off

They got to the home of the suspected killer that Saturday afternoon, three days after they went over the evidence. Malfoy had owled the man, a Mr. Joseph Rosier, before they arrived as they were apparently old family friends. Harry didn't bring up Moody seeing as Malfoy wasn't his biggest fan.

"He used to come to the Manor for Parties with his family. He gave me lots of sweets, but mother and father didn't like him much. His brother died, you know, but it was all very hush hush."

"Why didn't they like him?"

"Muggle-lover, nearly considered a blood-traitor, whatever you want to call it. That's why I suspect he might have done something to my father. His family threatened to disinherit him more than twice a day but here he remains, the only surviving member and in possession of all their inheritance."

The man who opened the door looked almost as old as Dumbledore had. His beard went nearly to his waist and his face sagged like it'd been smushed against glass. He led them into the living room and made them tea at Malfoy's request which was critical for their plan to work. It was how they planned to get the DNA.

They didn't make much small talk, though Rosier was quite willing to discuss the war and Harry's role in it. Harry himself tried to veer away from this topic.

When Rosier finally finished his cup, Malfoy offered to take it to the kitchen for him.

"Oh there's no need, boy, I can do that."

"Please, I insist."

Malfoy grabbed the empty cup out of his hands and took the other two as well. When he was out of the room, Rosier smiled at Harry.

"Did Draco tell you I knew his mother from school?"

"Er... no."

"She was younger than me, of course, but she was always very smart. I'm glad to see Draco's grown up like she wanted. Not like that father of his raised him."

Was this it, a confession of sorts?

"If I may offer you a word of advice, Draco's mother was always so concerned with how everyone felt about her. If Draco's anything like her, he feels that pressure too. She waited, though, until she found someone she loved enough to commit to. She wasn't the type to settle down just because she was betrothed to someone. Lucky it worked out for her."

He was still talking about Lucius, right? Lucius who he had maybe possibly murdered?

"I hope Draco follows in his mother's footsteps."

"How do you mean?"

"I'm only saying I think you've been good for him. He seems more relaxed than he was as a child, more genuine too. Maybe with the right encouragement, he can find it in himself to not care so much about the Public's opinion of who he falls in love with."

"Oh we're not, we don't-"

"Not to worry, Mr. Potter. I won't tell a soul. I'm glad he felt he could trust me."

Harry wasn't sure when the confusion had started but it was too late now for him to convince the man otherwise without explaining his real reason for accompanying Malfoy on his visit. He didn't bother correcting him.

Malfoy walked back into the room and nodded to Harry. It had worked.

"Well it was very nice meeting you, Mr. Parham."

"And you as well. You've got yourself a nice young man here, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy blanched. "A nice friend, sir."

Is that what they were now? Friends?

Mr. Parham chuckled and lead them to the door. "Come again any time, I did so enjoy your company."

Malfoy nodded as the door shut and then let his face twist into a sneer. "Barmy old man. He was practically gloating over the death of my father."

"We can't know for sure he did it, yet."

"Then lets go to the lab."

It was Saturday evening and Harry never came into work on Saturday's but at least if they went now, Malfoy wouldn't have to wait any longer to know the truth.

The lab was empty when they got in and Harry let out a sigh of relief. Explaining why he was there to anyone would have been very difficult.

He approached the machine and held out a hand for the hair Malfoy had taken to keeping on his person. Harry wasn't sure he'd want the hair of Voldemort if it existed, but maybe this parent-murderer/child relationship was different.

"I can't believe how easy this was. It's so quick. I've been wondering for years if it was him, wanting to know somehow why he did it, how he did it. Still, looking back at how he was around me as a kid, I can't believe he killed my father."

"He didn't." The results had come up. The magical signatures were incompatible.

"Oh." Malfoy stepped back from the counter and fell onto a stool.

"What erm... what should we do next?"

"Drink. Heavily."

They apparated to the Hog's Head where glamours were definitely allowed and Malfoy ordered some type of wine Harry had never heard of but was apparently the only drinkable thing on the menu. After a few minutes he stepped outside to take a smoke and the barman approached Harry.

"A table in the back just opened up if you're gonna want to eat."

Harry nodded unthinkingly and let himself be lead back. He'd have to owl Hermione to apologise for missing dinner later, but he'd see her tomorrow at the Burrow.

Malfoy almost smiled when he saw Harry seated and took the seat across from him. The food wasn't great, but it was edible. They ordered a round of chips (to share), some type of Eggplant Casserole (vegetarian, for Malfoy), a soup that was mostly just beans and corn (Harry), and Treacle tart (divided and shared). Harry was pretty sure his eyes must have lit up when he saw the Tart on the menu because Malfoy scoffed at him but ordered it anyway. Harry also made sure they both got pints and it all worked well to make Malfoy look less absolutely-fucking-devastated.

Malfoy spent most of the meal trying to explain to Harry why he wanted to find his father's murderer. It wasn't unbelievable to Harry by any means. The second he learned that his parents hadn't died in a car crash and someone named Voldemort was the reason he'd been living with his horrible aunt and uncle since he was one, Harry had been patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) waiting for that moment in the Great Hall when he killed him.

At then end of the meal when Malfoy offered Harry the last bite of Tart, he sat back and looked at him for a moment.

His face still had an uncharacteristic parlour to it and so Harry ordered two more shots and said, "So who do we test next?"