𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖

Lessons Learned

"Professor Winklestick is a colleague of mine. I do favours for him when he asks."

Draco sat behind his ostentatious desk and motioned Harry and son to the chairs that had been set up for them.

"Er, this is James, obviously," Harry said as he sat, casting a cautious glance at his son.

Draco had tried to avoid looking at the boy, afraid the bright red hair would hurt his eyes. He forced himself to smile. "Hello, James. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he lied.

James nodded, but looked decidedly uncomfortable. Draco wondered how much the boy knew about him, especially about his past.

"Professor Winklestick owled over some of your previous work. Quite honestly, if you're going to improve, we'll have to start at the beginning. We'll try lessons twice a week and adjust the schedule as necessary. A potion will be assigned every weekend as homework. You should work under adult supervision at all times." Draco turned to Harry, barely containing a smirk. "Have your potion making skills improved over the years? The boy will need assistance at home."

Harry surprised Draco by grinning. "Not much, I'm afraid, but I'll do my best."

Draco snorted, wondering if he could charge double if he had to tutor the parents as well. "Fine," he said as he handed Harry a rolled up parchment. "This will be our schedule until I say otherwise. Lessons will start next Thursday and please arrive on time.

Harry took the parchment and stood to leave while James lagged behind a bit, looking miserable as he stared studiously at his feet. Draco was just as surprised by what he said next as Harry apparently was. "James, you can do this if you put your mind to it."

The boy glanced up, speaking for the first time since his arrival. "I ... I just don't seem to get potions, Sir."

Draco smiled. He might still be a bit of an arse, but he'd learnt the first time he'd ever held his son, that children weren't the menaces he'd often thought they were. At least James didn't have Potter's green eyes to go with the messy red hair or he'd look vaguely like a human Christmas decoration. Draco could see a glimmer of hope in the boy's almost transparent blue eyes and thought perhaps, if he could just avoid Harry, this wouldn't be quite the misery that he'd feared it would be.

"You will," Draco answered reassuringly. "Trust me, and you will."

James looked up at his father, obviously asking for encouragement and Harry smiled at him, nodding. It was an oddly intimate moment between father and son, but it passed as quickly as it had come.

Harry held out his hand. "Thanks, Draco. Really. I ... thanks."

Draco shook his hand again, the touch of Harry's skin making him feel uncomfortable for more reasons than he cared to think about. He reminded himself that this was strictly business, and he planned for it to stay that way.

~~~

Draco waited impatiently, staring at his menu. The owl had come the morning after his meeting with the illustrious Potters.

Draco,

I was wondering if we could meet for lunch tomorrow. There are a few things I'd like to discuss before James starts his lessons on Thursday.

Harry

He had no idea what "things" Potter needed to discuss, but his curiosity had been piqued and he'd agreed, even though he'd known it was a bad idea. He should have expected Harry to be late, although Draco had to admit the French restaurant he'd specified probably wasn't one with which Potter was familiar. It was, however, one of the few that Draco felt comfortable in. The owners were foreign and didn't have the same prejudice against him that most British wizards still held.