‘Son,’ Lucius Malfoy had said, laying a hand on Draco’s shoulder, ‘If you want to get revenge on your worst enemy, have sex with their mother.’
It was on this advice that Draco found himself standing in dress robes in the deserted Great Hall at midnight, clutching a Time Turner he’d stolen from Granger and a furious Mrs Norris.
‘Quiet, you,’ he hissed. Mrs Norris hissed back. It hadn’t been easy luring her away from Filch- Draco’s arms already resembled a matched set of scratching posts- but he needed the cat to identify Lily Potter. It would be crowded at the school dance of 1976 and he reckoned Mrs Norris would be able to track Harry’s mother down by scent. After all, she’d been at Hogwarts as long as Filch; she was bound to recognise Lily.
Speaking of scents…Malfoy transferred the writhing cat to one hand so he could check his breath. He’d been chewing Peppermint Toads all evening, if he was going to woo Lily Potter, he needed to exert every ounce of charm at his disposal
Draco frowned. Something was off. Then he realised- Mrs Norris had stopped hissing.
‘Draco,’ she said softly. ‘You don’t have to do this.’
Draco dropped the cat. ‘You-‘ he spluttered- ‘you can talk!’
From where she’d fallen on the floor, Mrs Norris turned her face up to him. It was wet with tears.
‘Of course,’ she said gently. ‘My real name isn’t Mrs Norris. It’s Amanda Snodgrass. I’m an Animagus.’
The name rang a faint bell. ‘Snodgrass…’ said Draco. ‘You were at Hogwarts with my father.’ Draco’s face settled into its characteristic sneer. ‘He hated you!’
‘Yes!’ Mrs Norris’/ Amanda Snodgrass’ voice was choked with grief. ‘I was his worst enemy.’
Draco’s grey eyes widened. ‘You mean…’
Mrs Norris nodded, which was an achievement. Regret was etched in every whisker. ‘I…I decided to get revenge on him…’
‘By having sex with his mother?’ Draco gasped.
‘No. By disguising myself as a cat and having sex with his girlfriend. Narcissa was a really big furry at the time.’
Mrs Norris put a paw on Draco’s shoe. ‘Draco, I didn’t use protection. Draco, I am your mother-‘ she paused. ‘Your other mother.’
Draco reeled. The Time Turner, forgotten, dropped from his numb fingers. ‘But-but- how is that possible?!’
Mrs Norris blinked. ‘Magic.’