Pawprints

8. Draco Drops in for Tea

Draco knocked on the door leading to Severus's quarters, a silver serpent appeared around the doorknob and hissed at him. He whispered the password "Mercury drops" and the serpent disappeared. A second later, the door opened and Draco walked into Severus's quarters.

He removed his shoes and left them at the entrance. Severus didn't like people dragging dirt over his beautifully polished teak floors.

Severus appeared from his study, pushing his reading glasses to rest on top of his hair and approached Draco with a smile. Draco grinned as he noticed all the little changes in Severus, he had heard about Thomas from Severus and had even met him once when he had dropped by for tea.

Master Gregarious's therapy had worked wonders on Draco, and it was while he was at a session with him that he had run into Luna who was tending to his garden. Luna was Master Gregarious's niece and she spent a lot of time in his house, for he had a massive garden with creepers, overgrown shrubs and lots of animals that were attracted to the fruit trees growing in the back.

Luna was interested in whimsical things and Draco knew this very well. He hadn't spoken to her much during his time at Hogwarts, but through the summer they had bonded. The first day he saw Luna in the garden, she had stayed for tea. Draco's session had been for a few hours that day as he had come back from holidaying in Greece with his family.

He had offered Luna a smile and she had grinned back at him, pearly white teeth flashing as her eyes crinkled up. She had hugged him and started chattering away. Draco couldn't help but think she was boatful like a ray of sunshine.

Alabaster, who followed Draco everywhere had peeked from under the table where was siting and barked. But he and Luna had become fast friends as Luna's caring nature really shone through when she was with Alabaster.

Draco had started writing to Luna, she had got him interested in History and Magical Creatures. They had gone with Master Gregarious to look at sprites in the forest behind his house, Luna and he had wandered off after and they walked into an enchanted magical spot in the forest. There were toadstools and pale pink and blue flowers. The air seemed to shimmer and there were beautiful blue butterflies fluttering about. It was when Luna and he were laying on the grass and staring at the clouds that Draco reached for her hand and held it tight. He heard Luna sigh happily and turn towards him. He remembered looking towards her blue eyes and smiling, she really did look like an angel at that instant.

He remembered kissing her softly and the innocent kiss she gave back. He remembered that he couldn't stop smiling that day and that his mother too had got caught up in his happy mood.

He told his parents about Luna, fearing their judgment but wanting them to know he had deep feelings for this girl. They had both smiled at him and each other, Narcissa hugging him tightly.

"If she makes you this happy, nothing else matters to me, my dragon"

Lucius grasped his shoulder and ruffled his hair. While he would have loved Draco to marry a Pureblood maybe Luna would be some help with the new problems regarding Death Eaters. He was unsure though, knowing of her history in the manor and the pain she had gone through at their house.

Draco too had spoken to Luna about her time at the Manor, he had apologized knowing there was no way to make amends for her pain. He even got Lucius and Narcissa to meet her for lunch and apologize. They had fallen in love with Draco and Luna's love.

They hadn't told anyone or publicized the news apart from their closest friends. But they knew the moment they got to Hogwarts, everyone would get to know.

Severus too had supported Draco and Luna's relationship. When Draco heard Thomas and Severus had to ended things he had been very saddened because he was scared that the old Severus might come back.

Severus had never been cruel to Draco but he didn't want anyone being cruel to Luna, and for that he had stayed away from Severus's house for a while.

His parents assured him that Severus was doing well, he had been deeply affected by Thomas and him ending things but he hadn't changed drastically. Maybe he was a bit sadder and had more compassion as a result of his relationship with Thomas but that was it. Severus had certainly matured in his views of relationships and had learned a great deal from Thomas about loving and being loved.

Severus went in to his kitchen to make Draco his tea just the way he liked it, 2 teaspoons of sugar and a splash of milk. Draco followed him and sat at the counter.

"I met Potter yesterday morning while walking Ajax. And I apologized to him, feels like a load has been lifted from my shoulders"

"Well, well Severus, I really like this change in you. Sometimes I do miss the old snarky bat you were"

"Potter said the same. He has really matured hasn't he?"

Draco nodded in agreement watching his Godfather's eyes glint as he thought about Potter.

"Did Ajax make friends with Black?"

Severus looked at Draco carefully.

"You and Potter are friends?"

"Well since I'm with Luna I have no choice. And he's actually a pretty interesting guy if you give him the chance"

"I didn't expect that from the two of you"

"Because I'm immature and can't let a grudge go?"

Severus sniggered. "Master Gregarious really helped didn't he?"

Draco nodded, thankful for meeting the Mind Healer and for everything that happened as a result.

Draco told Severus about his doubts on a teacher for his individual studies. Severus knew that his interests lay in History more than in Magical Creatures at the moment. He also knew in great detail about the bad blood between Hagrid and Draco.

The centaur, Firenze was returning to Hogwarts to teach History and Severus was a fan of Firenze's teaching methods. Firenze was a great story teller and had an amazing way with words. He could also be concise and to the point when it was necessary.

Severus was thinking of recommending Professor Flitwick to Draco as well, knowing that he had an extensive knowledge on various topics and that the history of Charms was closely intertwined with magical creatures and their lore.

When Severus brought up the topic of Firenze, the first question Draco asked was one that had appeared in various gossip columns during recent times. Rumor was it that Firenze had returned to Hogwarts to woo Professor Slughorn that they had met in the forest when Slughorn had ventured to collet some moonbeam mushrooms.

Severus smirked at Draco not willing to partake in gossip but knowing their story as Firenze had come to trust Severus and treated him as sort of an elder brother, despite Firenze being the elder of the two.

Severus told Draco to have patience and that all will be revealed soon. Draco groaned and sat back in his chair, he really needed to hear this hot tea. Luna along with Hermione and Pansy were extremely eager to have their theories and speculations confirmed.

Draco decided on a combination of Firenze and Professor Flitwick for his teachers and walked out of Severus quarters, stomach full and heart longing to see Luna and her magical smile.