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And Another Life Begins	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 13996 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money from this work of fanfiction

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Chapter 11

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

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Knocking on the door to his son's quarters, Lucius let himself in. As Draco didn't get many visitors at night, his son would know who it was. Stepping into the living area, he saw Draco seated on the sofa, going over what looked like homework. Giving his son a nod, he went over and seated himself beside him then put a bottle of brandy with two snifters on the table. Pouring it, he handed one snifter to his son and took the other for himself. After taking a sip, he leaned back and asked, “Can you stop for a while? There's something I wish to discuss with you.”

Taking the brandy then sipping it himself, Draco tossed the exam back on the table before leaning back and relaxing. Nodding, he said, “I'm caught up, mostly. Just trying to get slightly ahead so I don't have so much pressure.”

“I understand,” Lucius said, nodding. Relaxing, he told his son, “There are some things I need to discuss with you, Draco.”

“Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this, father?” The younger Malfoy asked, eyebrow arched.

“You won't, I'll concede that. At least on one part. However, I'm not going to allow it to come to pass with no warning ahead of time either,” Lucius told him, looking his direction.

Automatically scowling, Draco took another sip of his drink then sat the glass on the table. Crossing his arms, he said, tone resigned, “Alright, what is it, father?”

Sighing, Lucius said, “First and foremost, this is to kept between us for now. Understood?” Seeing his son looking less than pleased but nodding, he said, “Harry is going to be the one taking over for Madam Hooch. He'll also be taking over the Muggle Studies position next year.”

Scowl deepening, Draco glared at his father but said nothing. Already he hated the idea. That meant he had to play even nicer with Potter than he did now. He hated that! There was also the fact that he was going to have to deal with him on a daily basis, something he really hated. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shook his head, not saying anything.

Keeping a close eye on his son's reaction, Lucius said, keeping his tone level but soft, “I wanted you having fair warning before it's officially announced.”

“That is appreciated, father. It doesn't mean I like it, however. Just-- if we stay apart we should be fine.” Draco sighed.

“That was my hope,” Lucius nodded. “I will admit that Minerva asked me to talk to you about the subject. She, herself, spoke to Harry about it when he signed the contract. As would be expected, she doesn't want the rivalry back or to deal with it. I do believe you're both mature enough that such occurrences can be avoided.” Stopping, he looked at his son then said, “I want your word it won't happen, Draco. There are issues, I will concede this, but it needs to stay behind closed doors.”

Nodding, lips pursed, Draco said nothing. If Minerva had already spoken to his father about this, that meant if it did happen, he would have to deal with her. That he didn't want. No, he would keep his snark to himself and not provoke anyone. Finally, he sighed, “I'll ensure it doesn't happen, father.”

“That's all I ask, Draco. The castle is big enough that the two of you can avoid each other with no issue other than meal times and instances such as meetings.” Stopping, Lucius looked down, swirling his brandy then said, voice even quieter, “That's not all, Draco.”

Glaring at his father, he asked, tone clipped, “What else can there be? That's bad enough!”

Sighing, not sure how to word this to where there wouldn't be an explosion of some kind, Lucius decided that it was best to say it straight out then deal from there. “It's going to be announced that Harry is in a relationship with Severus and I. Minerva already knows so the line of thought is that if we do it when the whole thing is announced, it'll stave off bigger issues later on. Already Minerva has agreed to house us in the same quarters so it's going to be discovered. Harry has made it clear that he didn't come back to be with us so he could hide the whole thing. He's not ashamed of the relationship with us, nor us him, so there is no point in hiding it as it's going to be exposed. We all know if we wait things will be worse. It's best we do it up front and deal with the fallout from there. I tend to agree with that logic.” Stopping, he looked at his son then waited.

Face going pale, Draco looked at him, starting to shake then hissed, “Do you know what kind of hell is going to be unleashed on all of us if you do that? It's only been the last couple of years that they've even stopped bring our pasts up in the paper! Finding out you're in a relationship with Potter is just going to bring that hell back down on all of us!”

“I'm well aware, Draco,” Lucius nodded, looking at him. “We all are. All of us know what may come of it, including Harry. If you remember correctly, he spent time getting his name dragged through the muck and mire by the Prophet as well. He's acutely aware it's probably going to happen again when it's found out who he's in a relationship with. I believe he commented that it may end up something like he's the next coming of the Dark Lord with Severus and me guiding him. We all know, Draco. We also know that it will eventually be found out even if we hide it. The thought is that this is the best way to go about it. That way, with us here at the school, we'll be insulated from much of it.”

Standing abruptly, Draco began to pace then stopped, turning to glare at his father. “If our life wasn't hard enough as it was, this will make it worse! It's hard enough as is, father!”

“I know,” Lucius said, leaning back. “However, this is one time I'm not going to try to mollify you, Draco. This will be happening whether you like it or not. As Severus put it to me; we're big boys and can handle ourselves. Harry shouldn't have to hide. Nor should he have to hide a relationship he's not ashamed of. He's more than earned the right to be in a relationship with whomever he wants and not have to sneak around to do so. This falls in that area. I agree with him on the matter, as does Severus. We aren't ashamed of Harry either. People will talk, that we know. Muck will be slung as always. Speculation will happen as it has in the past. There is nothing there though. Nothing but a relationship we all want to work. That's all they will find. As we'll be here for the worst of it, we'll weather the storm fine.”

Staring at his father, Draco wasn't sure what to say to him. He knew his father well and what was just said told him it was happening no matter what he voiced on the topic. Huffing, he glared, more of a way to show his displeasure than anything else. All the hell he had tried to distance himself from in the past was about to make a return appearance. He didn't like that. There wasn't anything he could do to stop it though.

After a couple minutes, he walked over, flopped down on the sofa and took another drink of his brandy. Then, quietly, he asked, “How long to I have to prepare for the hell that's coming.”

“It's going to be announced at the feast when we return from winter break,” Lucius told him quietly. “Harry has something planned for it, though I know not what. It's going to come out then, though.” Stopping, he looked at his son then said, keeping his tone as gentle as he could, “Draco, it's not being done to irritate or get even with you. It's done because he doesn't want to hide anymore. He wants to do something that makes him happy, nothing more. This is what he wants. Severus and I both like the idea as well. It gives us the time together we want. I know it won't help matters with you, but Harry was concerned about your position in this and did voice it. It was Severus and I that told him you can handle yourself.”

Shooting a glare at his father, Draco sneered, “Pardon me if I don't want sympathy from Saint Potter!”

“It's not sympathy, it's empathy, Draco. Harry knows just what it will be like and some of what you're going through. That's why he hid from everyone, including those he cares about. It's the only way he would get left alone.” Lucius explained though he doubted it would do any good.

Sneering more, Draco said nothing, sipping his brandy.

Rather than stay on a topic that would get him nowhere, Lucius used that to segue into the other one. “I think this might be a good opportunity for you, Draco,” he told his son.

“How? By everything I did as a teenager being thrown back in my face? For students I now teach to learn about mistakes we made?” Draco snarled, looking at his father.

“No, by staying in the castle then taking an out you were talked to about so that you miss most of the fallout that is coming from it,” Lucius told him calmly.

“You mean that job Black talked about?” Draco asked, looking at his father, leaning back, snifter clutched firmly in his hand.

“Yes,” Lucius nodded. “I know the idea may rankle, especially since it's Harry you will be working for, but I see it as something that may be what you've been wanting. You know what you're doing when it comes to business, Draco. You learned at my knee and progressed beyond what I taught you. In the end, you never got an opportunity to use it, however. This would give you that. Nor would it be a job you loathe like you do this one. Harry said his managers handle the public so you will never have to deal with that end of the business. All you'll have to do is handle the other end of the business. Yes, you'll have to answer to Harry, but I don't see how that would be overly traumatic for you. He will be there one day a week to handle paperwork that requires his signature, you will take on the rest. It would be no worse than that. Nor does he care much about what is done as long as things run well. All other things will be under your purview. He's already said he would rent his home to you as part of a contract for the job. Severus and I stayed there, it's a beautiful place. Harry isn't a fool, despite what you may think. He knows a good business decision when he sees it. And, as he said, you can start over by using a glamour as he did. I think, honestly, this is what you've been looking for, Draco. You would finish the semester here then vanish, thus avoiding the hell that will come once school lets out.”

Looking down, Draco thought it over. Since Black had brought it up to him, he had pondered the whole concept. To him, it did sound feasible, especially if he used a glamour for a while. Now, well, with the hell that would be coming, it was sounding like a better idea. “I don't like the idea of Potter being my boss. I'll readily admit to that. On the other hand, I like the idea of doing something I'm not only suited for but like.” Stopping, he looked at his father then asked, “Do you think this is a good idea? You probably know more of what's involved than I do.”

“I do,” Lucius told him with a firm nod. “I've seen what Harry does and what needs to be handled. You can easily do it. It's a job you're suited for and will do well at. However, most is going to depend on you, Draco. I know things have been rough for you, but you can't go into this with the chip that is on your shoulder. You have a chance so few get; a fresh start. Go in without the past and start over. Let people get to know you for who you are then move on. As Harry said, if he's the one making it clear you're there because he wants you in the position, no one is going to give you grief on that end. Then you can start to make your own friends. I don't mean like the Bums, such as what Harry did, there are others there as you well know. You'll be allowed to start over without the preconceived notions about the Malfoy name or what happened in the war. Some may figure it out eventually, like they did with Harry, by then though, it won't matter.”

Taking that in, Draco nodded. Honestly? It was sounding good. No, he didn't like parts of it, but it was a better option than teaching, something he hated more with each passing year. Quietly, he asked, “If I decide to try, will you help negotiate the contract? I know it's not the best way to go, what with the relationship you have to both parties, but I trust you to ensure that it's done right.”

“I will,” Lucius told him with a firm nod. “Anything that is worked out will also go through our solicitor to ensure it's above board as well. Harry will do the same thing. He, honestly, thinks this is a good idea. This is his income, besides what he inherited and other sources he received money from, he's not going to endanger it just to mollify me or you.”

Nodding again, Draco sighed then rubbed his eyes with two fingers. Shaking his head, he said, “So much has changed this year. I'm not sure how to handle it.”

“This I know well, son,” Lucius snorted, smirking slightly. “I sometimes feel blindsided myself. However, fate is a strange and fickle thing. Perhaps it's decided we've paid enough penance for what we did and decided to give us both an out. Most of all, we both need to remember that the mistakes that were made were our own, Draco. Both of us made plenty. I know it isn't pleasant to remember that, but it's the truth. Since then, we've compounded them in many ways. Again, that applies to both of us. I think, perhaps, this is fate's way of saying that it's time to quit dwelling on them and is giving us a way to move on then build something from what we did.”

Sipping his brandy, Draco looked at the floor then nodded. Though he didn't want to get philosophical about the whole topic like his father appeared to be, it did seem this might be an out, at least for him. Brow furrowing, he thought about his father. After all, the two of them had been together through this for the whole thing. If he left, Lucius would be on his own to deal with it. Quietly, he asked, “What about you if I go, father? I mean, we’ve stuck together through all that been thrown out at us.”

Reaching over, Lucius rubbed his son's head then said, gently, “Don't concern yourself with me, Draco. I will manage as I always have. There will, perhaps, be some rough spots, but I'll weather them just fine. Severus and Harry will be with me through the whole thing. While in school, it shan't be a problem. None of the staff are apt to cause issues. Minerva won't stand for that, as you well know. When out? Well, we have options. I doubt either Harry or Severus will object to either holing up in the house we share or, if it grows worse, we can always take a vacation once more. That proved to be most enjoyable last year. In this area you need to worry only about yourself, Draco. I've gone through worse and will come out fine, just as I always have. It can't be worse than after the first war. That, if I remember correctly, was worse than the second one. And, though it might seem boastful, I do believe Harry, Severus and I make a very formidable trio in handling any stupidity that might be thrown at us. After all, we're all veterans at dealing with such. As you well know, most are cautious in dealing with Severus. He's one that many don't like to cross. As he was fully vindicated by all parties after the war, that end shan't be a problem. Harry? As you are well aware, he's no shrinking violet when it comes to standing up for himself or those he sees as close to him. As he's older now, he's far more savvy at doing such things. I believe, with those two by my side, there won't be many issues.”

Thinking that over, Draco had to smirk slightly. The vision of a pissed off Severus and Potter, both, taking on someone that might attempt something with his father was amusing. He was well aware of what both were like when it came to such things. “I understand,” he said, still smirking. “It could be amusing to watch if someone did attempt to try something with you. The fallout would be almost catastrophic for them if they thought they could attempt that without angering both Severus and Potter. They would look like they had been run over by every broom a professional Quidditch team has, multiple times.”

“Exactly,” Lucius smirked. “Nor am I exactly defenseless in that area. No, we're a formidable trio that most won't try with after one fool gives it a shot. I do believe you can probably add Black and Lupin into the mix as well. Both are, though especially Black, quite protective of Harry. Black alone isn't one someone would like to tangle with when he's angered.”

“There is that,” Draco said, grinning a little for the first time that night. “He is a Black after all. The temper certainly comes with the territory!”

“Exactly,” Lucius nodded. “I do believe the names mentioned are more than enough to stave off most issues.”

“True, father,” Draco nodded, still grinning.

“As I said; worry only about yourself, Draco. I'm not saying that I won't run into tough times or worry about you. It's also a certainty that there will be rough time adjusting with you not around for me as we've spent all your life together, but I do think the time has come to allow you to move on from all that's happened. You need to carve out a life for yourself like everyone else has. This may well be the start of that.” Lucius told him gently, hand rubbing his head softly.

Though there was a great many things about the whole situation that had him wary and worried, he did like the idea of starting over. After all, there was so much he missed. It had been a couple years since he had dated, gone out or just had fun with someone aside from his father or Severus. He wanted to do that. He also wanted to be able to do whatever it was he wished without having to worry about whispers behind his back. He would never get that here. Nodding slowly, he said, “Maybe tomorrow I can sit down with Potter and start talking about this. I want you and Severus there, of course, but, perhaps, we can start negotiating. If it goes well, I'm going to have to tell Minerva so she can find someone to fill my position.”

Pleased with that, Lucius nodded. “Yes, let's start soon so we can hammer out rough spots. I'll ensure that the contract is made clear on all ends with duties and other aspects clearly spelled out so there is no wiggle room. It should be in place by the time we start winter break. We can then work from there. I do believe, if we can get something suitable to all parties drawn up, Harry may let you take on some of what he does early so you can get a better feel for what's needed in that area and just what he deals with. That would make it to where your transition into the job would go more smoothly. There could also easily be a trip to France during the hols to let you see what is needed or things you want to start working on.”

“I do like that idea,” Draco told him with a firm nod. “I would like to see the inner workings so I know just what needs to be done and what could be improved.”

“Indeed. I don't see, if we get a contract in place, why that can't be done. Besides, the weather there during the winter months is far more pleasant than it is here. Nor would be we have to be confined to the castle like we have been since we started. That will be most enjoyable.”

“That idea I do like,” Draco grinned. “British winters always lose out to ones in that part of the continent! Not to mention no homesick students to deal with.”

“Oh, yes, there is that!” Lucius told him with an amused snort.

Finishing the last of his brandy, Draco sat the snifter down on the table then relaxed back on the couch. Looking at his father, he asked, “Out of curiosity-- where do you think this relationship with Potter is going? I mean, the three of you do seem to enjoy it from what I've seen. Is it something that's just for fun or is it more serious?”

“While I'll concede that it's fun,” Lucius told him smirking, “I believe it's something serious. We enjoy what is happening, beyond the more sordid parts most would be thinking about when it comes to such relationships. A connection, of sorts, has happened. Though strange, we all concede to liking it and wanting it to play out from there. What will come of it, I don't know. All I will say is I want it to continue. It's not something that can lead to a marriage as something such as that isn't allowed. However, I will admit to thinking that, perhaps, a bonding might be in our future at some point. As a marriage isn't legal, it's the only step available to us.”

“It's that serious then?” Draco asked.

“I believe so,” Lucius said with a firm nod. “We haven't discussed that, of course, at least not yet, but I do believe the three of us wouldn’t be adverse to making it more formal in nature.”

“You really do like Potter then. It's not just a fling,” Draco said softly, looking at his father. For a while now he wondered if it wasn't just his father wanting to enjoy himself and have companionship, nothing serious. However, he was beginning to understand that it might be more than that.

“Yes,” Lucius told him firmly, looking at him. “It's strange, even I will concede that. However, it works. Nor was the journey to get where we are something I would change. It had its rough moments, that I'll admit, nor did it start out with the intent of ending up where we are now, but I don't believe I would change any of it.”

“He makes you happy,” the younger Malfoy said, softly. “Even I can see that.”

“He does. As does Severus. I'll freely admit to that. It's—decidedly odd, of course, but I'm happier than I have been since the divorce.”

Nodding, saying nothing. Draco just looked at his father, taking that in. Then, rather than dwell on it and end up with details he probably didn't want to know about, he began to ask about Potter's house in France. After all, if he took the job, he would be staying there so he wanted to know if it was suitable or if he should look for something else.

Relaxing, Lucius draped an arm over the back of the couch and began to describe the place to his son, knowing this was a very good sign.

We're almost done with this 'un, folks! Only a few more chapters left. So, keep an eye out!

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And Another Life Begins