Chapter 4
Draco rested his head against a window beside his bed, watching in fascination as a young selkie performed elaborate tricks.
It was unusually kind of them to notice an audience in the first place and try to distract him from tears, too.
He waved and clapped in appreciation, once the creature paused.
The dormitory remained empty, beside Millicent Bulstrode's cat, Hester, scratching up Zabini's bedpost and tormenting another boy's supposedly magical, and definitely against the rules, hamster.
All other students were likely getting to dessert in the great hall; Draco decided to forgo dinner to privately wallow in self pity and guilt from not solving anything so far.
Somehow, he also managed to keep antagonising everyone he should make amends with, and often forgot time travel research.
He had long finished reading every book on age altering potions he could find in the library, aside from the restricted section, and decided to move on to artefacts and vessels for bedside literature.
Finding material was the easy part, reading on the other hand.
.. He hadn't opened a single book from the considerable pile in almost a week.
With a last wave to the selkie, Draco stuffed a random book into his bag, picked up Hester, and headed to the common room.
His housemates would be returning soon, ready to finish off their essays on perils of transfiguring animals from inanimate objects.
His favourite armchair by the fireplace was unoccupied, as usual. Even older Slytherins kept their distance after Draco hexed one of the second years, who just chose the wrong first year to bully. The cat settled in Draco's lap as soon as he found a comfortable position.
The book he picked detailed advancements in magical vessel creation since the 19th century. It seemed indirect, but a majority of the listed items were used for time and space manipulation.
"Let's at least finish a chapter, before it gets loud." He got a disinterested meow in reply.
In a surge of motivation, Draco sped through a half of the book pile that week, mostly due to an enchanted self-writing quill that was faithfully transcribing all dull History of Magic lectures he used to sleep through.
If only he came up with this method in the past, he might have done much better on exams, he thought.
"I'm going to learn a duplication spell before exams, even if it kills one of you," joked Daphne Greengrass during one of their study sessions, midway through copying a parchment on Goblin rebellions in Ireland.
"Don't give me that look Enid, we know you'd rather set Vince on fire than rewrite these by hand. "
Enid Howell, a quiet and driven first year housemate, looked down at her homework, cheeks lightly coloured in embarrassment.
"Write, don't complain Daphne. You're holding up the line." Interrupted Nott.
Draco's attention drifted from the other Slytherins to a handful of students he recognised in the library.
There were the regular third year Ravenclaws at a nearby table, a Weasley Prefect requesting something from the restricted section, the Patil twins giggling down one of the isles, and Granger sitting alone surrounded by a mountain of books.
He was somewhat sympathetic about how ostracised she managed to make herself in just a couple weeks of school.
However, the guilt and shame Draco felt about how he treated her were not quite enough for him to attempt befriending her.
He tried to tell himself that not interfering made sure she would end up friends with Weasley and Potter, but it was just a convenient excuse.
"Draco... are you listening?" Zabini's hand waving dangerously close to his nose brought him back.
"Yes?"
"How did you know adding powdered asphodel root would fix our potion? I don't even know what I did wrong."
"Well, that's simple. The heat was too-"
"Forget about boring homework. Do you know when we'll finally start flying lessons?" he was rudely interrupted.
"That's a little off topic considering you've still got at least three inches left on your potions essay, Goyle. Two weeks, more or less." Draco still remembered their first ever lesson and all the fallout from it. He wasn't looking forward to helping Potter join the quidditch team.
"There's nothing to do in this school." He huffed, rolling up his essay in defeat.
"Besides learning." Draco pointed out.
"Besides learning." Chimed in an equally crushed Crabbe.
The astronomy tower was slowly uncoupling itself from his memories of sixth year, and the headmaster's final moments.
Every week so far, Draco couldn't stop himself from taking extra time to put away his telescope and star charts just to torment himself with guilt.
He still wasn't sure if he could have trusted Dumbledore to save him and his family if he made a different choice on that fateful night, but he hoped and that hope turned to self loathing.
As he peered over the edge, the drop into misty darkness appeared infinite.
Draco felt dread rise his stomach and his hands tighten on the safety railing.
It was getting past the excusable time to remain outside of the Slytherin dungeons; he knew most prefects and teachers would jump at the chance to take off points and stop them winning the House Cup again. Taking a calming, deep breath of the cold air, he was ready to leave.
The castle always set him on edge at night, there were too many nosey portraits, suits of armour conveniently appearing in his peripheral vision, not to mention the notorious Mrs. Norris.
Draco rushed trough open hallways and staircases, using all the hidden shortcuts he could remember.
Just as he neared the dungeons, a pair of glowing eyes and loud hissing made him jump and stumble onto the floor.
Draco lifted his wand with an unsteady hand, and cast a soft 'lumos'.
A young, tortoiseshell cat peered at him, it's body positioned defensively.
They must have scared each other equally, Draco felt somewhat reassured.
He got up, slowly approached the frightened creature, and pet it gently.
"I really don't have time for this, you know? You should be sucking up to your owner, not a stranger you just scared half to death."
The cat predictably ignored his protest. Draco gave it a little more attention, before continuing on his way back to the dormitory.
Most of the other boys were asleep. A barely awake Nott directed a questioning look in his direction, but gave up with a yawn when Draco ignored him. It was a long day.
His slow transformation into wakefulness over breakfast the next morning was considerably sped up by an unexpected arrival of one of the family long eared owls, Estienne. It dropped off a letter and small decorative box filled with his favourite sweets.
It was only then that Draco remembered promising his parents to write often. He was really doing a poor job of imitating his younger self.
He caught a judgemental pair of green eyes across the great hall as he shared some of the sweets with his friends.
It was a lot easier to stop himself from basking in Potter's jealousy having experienced living a few years fearing his parents' deaths.
Draco tried to ignore his anger and helplessness at everything that he had to deal with since he woke up as an eleven year old.
He left breakfast early to read the letter from his mother without distractions.
'Dear Draco,
I assume settling into a new environment and timetable has kept you preoccupied. How are you fitting in? Are your housemates friendly? I hope you're kind to Vincent and Gregory, their parents would be very disappointed if you reject their friendship.
Which subjects are you enjoying? If you require any additional supplies or reading material, send us a list. Your father hopes all the teachers have been treating you well, please let us know if there are any problems.
While you've been away, I've taken the opportunity to begin renovating the playroom into a study for you to do schoolwork when you're home. It's such a shame you can't visit before Christmas. We'll have a lot of catching up to do.
With all my love,
Your Mother'
Judging by the amount of questions posed, she must have been anxiously waiting to hear from Draco.
In some way, it was refreshing to see her like this, worrying about his enjoyment of the mundane school experience, instead of fearing for his life.
Hoping he succeeds in his task to the Dark Lord for their safety, while seeing how much the idea of taking a life weighed on him.
It would be a lie to say Draco wasn't tempted to just simply enjoy his childhood again, without worrying about fixing his time travelling problems or figuring out a way to change the future.
No matter how much he wanted to leave these issues to someone more enthusiastic or qualified, this time he was tasking himself with a mission he could not fail.
He wrote back during lunchtime, not wanting to keep his mother waiting any longer.
'Dear Mother,
I'm sorry it's taken this long to write to you.
Homework and making friends have been keeping me busy.
As expected, I've been sorted into Slytherin.
The older students are welcoming, but don't interact with us first years much.
The teachers are sometimes strict, but usually fair.
Most of them fawn over Harry Potter, they treat him like some celebrity, except Severus, of course.
I've missed flying around like I could at home, we're not allowed to outside of lessons and quidditch practice, and neither has begun yet. They say most captains won't let first years onto the team.
Lessons are going well, I've been enjoying them all, and often do homework together with a study group. We're making sure Crabbe and Goyle pull through. Most of the first years join in, but the Burzynski twins tend to keep to themselves. Have you and father met their parents?
For all his fame, Potter doesn't have any magical knowledge at all. I think a lot of children from magical families come to Hogwarts completely unprepared. It's embarrassing to watch.
How are you and father?
Love, Draco.'
Estienne was patiently waiting in the owlery for his reply and a snack. Draco didn't waste time sending the owl off.
It took a couple more days, but he eventually worked up the courage to ask for guidance. Who else would be likely to help than his parents' friend and Head of House, he thought. At the end of their next potions lesson Draco made his move.
"Professor, I had a question" he approached once everyone else cleared out and after telling Crabbe and Goyle to go on ahead.
"Mr. Malfoy," Severus Snape cleared his throat. "Draco, you've continued to impress me with nuanced understanding of potion making. My best students usually don't engage with the artistry until O.W.L. years. What's given you trouble?"
If it weren't for the fact Draco already got an Outstanding in his potions O.W.Ls, he would have been floored with the praise. It was easy to beat first years when he already surpassed their level before.
"It's not related to potions, exactly. See, I've been reading a lot about mechanisms and magical objects that are used for time travel. It's uh... a special interest."
"And you realise I am not an authority on such items?"
"Yes, of course. I just wondered if there's a way to borrow a time turner. Perhaps an inactivated one, even. I'd like to examine one in person."
It was a long shot, Draco knew it very well, but the chance of success was not zero in his eyes. Severus thought for several seconds, obviously taken aback.
"A time turner, you'd like to borrow a time turner? Presumptuous boy, even adult wizards and witches have very limited access to such artefacts."
"Yes, I understand."
"And you understand how powerful and complex these objects are?"
"I believe so."
"Hmm. I don't know if there is an easy way to obtain one, but I will make some inquiries, if it means that much to you."
Draco couldn't hide his elation at this turn of events even if he tried.
"Really?! Thank you!"
"Provided you prove a mature understanding of theory and good sense not to mishandle it. Strictly under my supervision." Severus cut his celebration off.
"That's more than enough, I won't let you down."
Draco spent the rest of the day in the best mood he's felt for as long as he could remember. Things were starting to look up.