Harry Potter The Long Lost Malfoy

"Please stay after class, Mr. Malfoy."

Harry turned around with a sigh. For the first time, he was really regretting that he didn't have Defense with Slytherin. Draco would have come up with a lot more effective ways to oppose Professor Lupin than Harry could.

Harry didn't like the man, exactly. He was too pushy, but he'd never actually mentioned being friends with Harry's—James Potter, either. He just hinted and sighed and shook his head now and then as if Harry disappointed him.

Hermione was picking up her books slowly behind Harry, and giving him a significant look. Harry eyed her, then shook his head. He knew she would create a diversion of some sort, but it wouldn't keep Professor Lupin from doing this again next time.

Harry just had to talk to the man and get him to back off. At the moment, Harry didn't even care if that made it harder to get his help in making the Dementors back off, later. If he found out that Sirius Black was innocent, he shouldn't need Harry to be the one to tell him.

"All right, sir," Harry said, as Ron and Hermione left the room. "Can you tell me what you want to talk about?"

"The Patronus Charm, of course. Given your extreme reaction to the Dementors on the train, it's more beneficial for you to learn it than it would be for most students. And since it takes so long to learn, the sooner we start—"

"Thanks, sir. But my parents got me a tutor."

Professor Lupin just stared at him blankly. Harry stared back, his hands clenched into fists by his sides. In another of those shifts he didn't always understand, his chest was burning with anger.

Maybe it was just because Lupin just kept pushing, and pushing, and pushing, and acting as if they had some kind of special connection when he'd never been around while Harry thought he was a Potter and still hadn't said he'd been there for part of Harry's childhood. He was acting stupid.

"Ah, yes," said Lupin at last. He shifted his balance a little, and then shook his head. "I was trying to keep my concerns to myself, Mr. Malfoy, but I do think I need to say something."

"What concerns?" Harry asked flatly.

"I do have to wonder if suddenly acquiring a family has led you to ignore some of the—more questionable aspects of their behavior."

"Like my father being a Death Eater, you mean?"

He got another blank stare. Harry bit back the temptation to smile, because Lupin would probably misunderstand it and think he was just joking. This was almost fun.

"Yes," Lupin said, hoarsely. "I didn't realize he had told you about that."

"Yes, he did."

"And you approve of that?"

"I don't like it," Harry said. "I wish it hadn't happened. But I also wish that Sirius Black hadn't kidnapped me from my real parents." And there, it was out and he really did wish that, his sometimes complicated feelings about the Malfoys and the Potters notwithstanding.

Lupin hesitated again. Harry wondered if he would admit that he had known Sirius and the Potters, but he didn't. Instead, he gave a weak laugh. "Forgive me, Mr. Malfoy. I did consider it my duty as your professor to investigate and make sure that you hadn't walked into an abusive situation, however."

"Really? Draco didn't say you asked him anything like this."

Lupin just floundered some more. Harry shook his head a little. The man was an effective teacher, but it seemed like that only worked with groups of students or something. Put him alone in a room with Harry, and he didn't know what to do.

Or maybe it's just that I'm not behaving the way he thinks Harry Potter would. Should. He thought the Malfoys were abusing me and he could be the great rescuer or something, and they're not, and now he can't do anything.

Harry rolled his eyes at the thought. He didn't need more people thinking he was some kind of special icon and savior and should do what they thought he should.

"It appears I was mistaken," Lupin murmured. "If you have a tutor for the Patronus Charm, please do update me on your progress, Mr. Malfoy. I would be interested to see how close you come to mastering the charm."

Harry shrugged. "I can do that, sir. Do you have anything else to say to me? Only I think Potions starts in a few minutes, and I hate disappointing Professor Snape."

Lupin sighed sadly. "Of course. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak with you, Mr. Malfoy."

He's such a weird person, Harry thought as he walked out the door. Or maybe just weak. Or blind. I suppose I don't know.

And it's really not worth finding out.

....

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