Moments

26. Another Lodger

(990 words)

Draco curled up into a ball of anger on his bed. It was the only way he could cope. 

How fucking dare they? He'd worked so hard to prove he was more than his past mistakes and although it was only twenty months since the war, surely he was showing the world he wasn't that person, he'd been trapped, and frightened, and a boy... And now he was training to become an Auror and surely that meant something too... and he was trying to be independent and not live off his family name or money. Not that there was much money these days. What was left went on maintaining the Manor, for although the building had been razed, they were still responsible for their tenants and the farmstock.

And then this...

His fucking landlord had leered at Draco when he told him. 'You can always find somewhere else, if anyone'll have you. You're still a Malfoy at the end of the day, so pay the increase or out.'

He hadn't given Draco any notice. Rent was due the next day and it was a week before Christmas too. Not like Draco could magic up a new place to live in less than twenty-four hours.

He felt Pickle nudging at his hand but he gripped his hair tighter. The Bastard! Was all he could think. The fucking bastard! He could barely afford London rent as it was.

Pickle mewed at him plaintively and disappeared.

Draco let darkness fall around him.

'Is there a reason why your cats turned up at mine demanding food?' Potter's voice came from the doorway. 'And a reason why you're curled up in the dark?'

'Go away, Potter!'

'Malfoy...'

Draco hated the sympathy in his voice, he hated that he evoked such a reaction. He wanted to be independent and strong. Why was Potter strong all the time? Why couldn't he be?

The light was switched on but at a low level, Potter must have done something to soften the usual harshness. He felt the bed dip beside him. Fingers tentatively touched his hands, easing them away. Draco felt vulnerable as he looked into Potter's searching green eyes.

'What's happened? This isn't like you.'

'It feels hopeless,' he hated how feeble he sounded.

'Hey, what does?'

'The fight to clear my name. People'll always remember, they'll always sneer and spit. But I guess what goes around, comes around. I had it coming...'

'Malfoy, you sound like you're giving up.'

'Well maybe I should. Maybe I should be just like my father, that's what everyone fucking expects of me.'

'Who is this everyone? Because I seem to know rather a lot of people who have invested a considerable amount of belief in you. What's happened?'

Draco really didn't want to say because he knew what Potter's response would be. The man was so predictable. And, really, it would solve all his problems. Maybe that's why he's angry in the first place; not because of his stupid landlord but because it meant running to Potter.

He sighed, 'my landlord has doubled my rent, due tomorrow.'

'Silly twat,' Potter said dismissively.

'Me or him?'

'Him. I suppose you didn't tell me because you don't want me offering you a room at Grimmauld, even though you practically live there anyway...'

'Something like that.'

'You're bloody stubborn and proud and sometimes an idiot too. Start packing. You can pay rent like everyone else, though it's mates-rates because I don't like taking money off my friends. And Nev has sorted out a complex kitty-thing so we all contribute to food, including those who just pop in for pizza and cups of tea.'

'But I've never...'

'I know, there's a large IOU mounting up.'

Draco smiled, albeit a bit sadly.

'And you're in the attic rooms, which means all those stairs but you get the biggest space so we can fit your sofa in, just no late-night dancing up there or Hannah and Mione will actually kill you. And I suggest silencing charms unless you want to hear Ron snoring or Blaise's sex noises. And you'll have to pull your weight, otherwise Mione will name you on the itinerary when we have house meetings. And I won't lie, sometimes its really hard to escape everyone but that's why I have the Kneazlery, but that's my space and no one's allowed to use it. And I mean no one, Draco Malfoy, so wipe that smirk off your face.'

'Do you need to check with them first?'

'Okay...'

Potter disappeared and came back ten minutes later. 'I've brought reinforcements. Start packing!'

They were all there. They'd all come to help and within the hour, Draco's flat was empty, everything moved to Grimmauld Place. They made sure it was spotless. It was as if he'd never been there.

All that was left was a letter, which read:

Dear Mr Cain Ricadilly,

Draco has informed me of your recent move to take advantage of his situation. Fortunately, he is surrounded by friends who are more than willing to help out. I am providing Draco with new accommodation. As you saw fit not to give him any notice regarding the 'rent increase', I see fit not to give you any notice of the termination of his rental contract. My lawyers have advised me that this is permitted as you have broken the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985).

As you will notice, the flat is left in an immaculate condition (I have provided my memory of this to my lawyer for safe keeping), therefore, please forward Mr Malfoy's deposit immediately to Ms Hermione Granger, The Department of Magical Law Enforcement, The Ministry of Magic, as Ms Granger is now handling Mr Malfoy's case. I believe Ms Granger has already handed details of your activities to the Landlord Registration Department, you may be asked to provide documentation and copies of your accounts.

With kind regards

Harry Potter

Master of Death, Esq.

*****