Disclaimer: I own nothing; my fortune has been sought being a pageant director, writing is simply a hobby. I'd love to know the art of Legilemancy, if only to get a peak at the HBP, but there is a very long waiting list for Lessons with Professor Snape. This story is simply an attempt to humor myself and others who like to visit J.K. Rowling's fantastic world, while paying homage to the Queen of Magic, herself!
Chapter Two: It's All About Draco, Or Is It?
Power, wealth, privilege; that was Draco Malfoy. He was the son of Lucius and Narcissa Black Malfoy. Lucius controlled a vast fortune. He was one of the wealthiest wizards in Britain, even without the considerable wealth he gained by marrying a member of the `most noble and ancient house of Black'. His marriage simply ensured that the Malfoy family now controlled nearly a quarter of the wealth in wizarding Europe! Yet, for as rich as he was, he was as equally evil. Lucius was cold, calculating, and abusive. He was one of the most devoted servants to the Dark Lord Voldemort. Lucius descended from a long line of pureblood wizards, and believed that they were the only type of wizards worth anything. This is why he wed Narccissa. Like him, she was a pure-blood from an ancient and respectable line.
You see, respectable is the key word here. In Lucius' eyes, respectable families first and foremost were pureblooded; secondly, they did not associate with muggles, muggle-borns, or inter-magical couples. Yes, anything less than pure wizard affiliation was a sin to Lucius. He was so fanatical in his beliefs that he forbade his wife to associate with her distant cousin Molly Prewett Weasley, a close friend of Narcissa's.
Molly had married a man who, though a pureblood himself, did not feel there was anything inferior about muggles. In fact, he made a career out of protecting them through his job at the Ministry. To Lucius, the fact that a pureblood, especially one from a family as old as Arthur's, had to work at all was a disgrace. It made little difference to him that these "people" were his wife's distant relations. There was also the fact that the Weasleys had more than one child. So many children in fact, that Arthur's low-paying job could not keep any of them in proper attire.
"Merlin, have they never heard of contraceptive potions?" he'd been heard to say at his social functions. "Then again, what should we expect? Those potions are not always reliable, and really, what else do they have to do? It's not like they can afford to go to the symphony or other dignified social events! What a disgrace!"
No, children were not something that Lucius felt he needed more than one of. You had them simply to carry on the family name. An ancient spell had been cast on all Malfoy wives on their wedding day (without their knowledge, of course) ensuring that the child would be male. Therefore, the need for any other children simply did not exist. It is quite fortunate, because the spell also guaranteed that once a viable heir was produced, the mother would then be barren. This was the world to which Draco Malfoy was born, and he was expected to follow suite.
Yes, Lucius knew his son would be the perfect Malfoy. How could he not? Draco's every move; his every action had been controlled by his father. Lucius had plans for his boy. Draco would possess wealth and power, and become the greatest source of evil the world had ever known. He would be second only to the Dark Lord himself.
The thought of his son's future brought a smile to Lucius' face. With most parents, this elation would be a result of love and devotion for their child. With the elder Malfoy, however, nothing could be further from the truth. No, Lucius only saw the benefits he would enjoy as a result of his son's success. From a young age, Lucius set about systematically torturing and abusing his son. At the tender age of seven, Draco was forced to watch his father murder a muggle child. To add insult to injury, Lucius had allowed Draco to form a relationship with the young girl before murdering her. After the deed was done, with his traumatized son whimpering, the elder Malfoy explained that this brutality, Lucius referred to it as "entertainment", was necessary to show that muggles were no better than the dirt beneath their feet.
"Think about it, Draco, if it was worth anything, it would have been able to defend itself. Then again, it was a female, and Merlin knows they are not worth much more than muggles. Their only good qualities reside under brassieres and between their legs. Remember this day boy; I've given you a valuable lesson. Only pureblooded male wizards are worth ANYTHING." Lucius would lecture like this for hours.
"We are the chosen ones, entitled to rule over the earth. Thank Merlin we have the Dark Lord to share and promote these ideas. With this priviledge comes responsibility." He paused momentarily to take in young Draco. The small boy was cowering before him. His tear filled eyes darting between his father and the lifeless form of the small girl.
"There can be no room in our character for compassion, especially tears. I see that I must deal with this flaw in your character." Lucius' speech, though calm in its demeanor hid venomous anger that was truly terrifying.
That anger was quickly turned on his son.Upon witnessing Draco's continued tears, Lucius formulated a plan. Draco then suffered the worst beating of his life. Considering the fact that Lucius never shied away from enforcing physical violence on his "loved ones", this was saying something. Only after three days of sadistic and systematic torture of his own flesh and blood, with Draco near- death, did Lucius feel his message rang loud and clear.
The only thought that kept Draco sane during this torture was the thought of his mother. He knew that had she been at the Manor during this punishment she would have tried to intervene. Draco knew it would not have helped; no, instead she would have also received the same treatment. Knowing his father, Draco knew he would have tortured them together. His mother was a saint in his mind. She did not fear for her own safety, she always attempted to protect her son, knowing it would mean her own torture. The thought that he was protecting his mum got him through that hell.
Narcissa, the name was beautiful to Draco. She was as close to perfection as Draco could imagine. Once, while bored at Hogwarts, he happened upon the biography of a muggle woman named Mother Theresa of Calcutta. At first, he began reading it because he knew his father would be really pissed. Since he was safe at Hogwarts, there was nothing that man could do about it, even if Lucius was having him monitored. This woman was a celebrated Catholic nun who worked with the poor, mistreated, and unwanted. She dealt with death, despair, abuse, and deprivation on a daily basis. She reminded him so much of his mother. Sure, she was rich, but she lived with and was bound to Lucius. If anyone knew about pain, abuse, and suffering, it was Narcissa.
His mum had been forced into a loveless, arranged marriage to one of the most callous, stingy, abusive, and archaic men in the entire wizarding world. On more than one occasion, she secretly felt that she would be better off with a muggle. Though he was rich, most of his fortune was spent on the Dark Arts and the Dark Lord, two things she really hated. Appearances were everything to the Asshole Malfoy, so their lifestyle reflected the epitome of wealth, style, and class. That is, at least to the standards he felt were appropriate. He had to approve all purchases. `Malfoys must be a shining example of the wealth that is associated with only the most elite wizards.' This was a statement that he used so often that it haunted both Draco's and Narcissa's thoughts continuously.
Lucius insisted that his wife always wear black. He would permit her robes of green and silver only for extremely special occasions. While she was always seen in the height of fashion, there was a lingering air of depression about her. In fact, she was mourning. She mourned the loss of her independence, her youth, her passion for life, and her innocence. Her husband had practically raped her on their wedding night.
The past fifteen years of marriage to Lucius had sucked the life out of her. Though she was married, she was practically as celebate as a nun! True, she knew a man's touch, but their sex life mainly consisted of trying for a child. Once Draco, her precious son, was born Lucius no longer had any interest in her. Not that she really minded; sex with her husband was just that, sex. It was no secret that her husband did not care for her. The marriage was simply convenient. There was no blood relation between the two, a rarity in the pureblood world, thus the child they produced would not have any deformities. That was all that Lucius was concerned about.
Narcissa was well aware of her husband's wandering eye as well. Actually, his eyes weren't all that wandered. Not that it bothered her; she'd only submitted to him, for as his wife, she was expected to give him an heir. An heir…Narcissa wanted nothing more than to be a mother, even if it meant procreating with a monster like Lucius. Yes, she wanted children. Children; not a child. She adored Draco, but she always dreamed of a brood of children filling Malfoy Manor. She had sisters and she wanted her son to experience the joy of a family. After really thinking about it, her sister Bellatrix would have made a more suitable wife for Lucius. She had already been betrothed by the time the offer came for Narcissa's hand, though.
But that was another story, all together. Back to children…when Draco was nine months old, she had mustered the courage to approach her husband to tell him she would like at least one more sibling for Draco. Truth be told, she would love to have a daughter. Narcissa thought that her husband would be flattered by her request. Afterall, a man with Lucius' ego should simply relish the idea of his wife wanting to bare another of his children. Much to her disappointment, she could not have been further from the truth.
"Have another child with you, and risk it having your weaknesses?" His voice dripped with contempt, and there was a flash of hatred in his eyes. "You may view the compassion the boy has as endearing, but I assure you, wife," he spat the word at her, "it is weakness. Look at your son…he has a soft spot for muggles and mudbloods! I have enough trouble dealing with his shortcomings without the pressure of yet another flawed brat running about!" He knew his words pained her. She was the type of woman who prided herself on her child's well being. "Besides, my dear wife, it is simply not possible. Not that there is anything wrong with me." his growing enjoyment obvious in his tone. "No, wife, you see, you cannot bare anymore children."
"You are off your rocker, Draco's birth was fine. The medi-wizard said we were both in perfect condition, in fact, he assured me that there would be no problem with me conceiving, carrying, and delivering another child as perfect as my Draco."
At Narcissa's comment, Lucius boiled over with anger. He advanced on his wife and punched her knocking her across the large room they were in. "Listen bitch, you will NEVER speak to me with such insolence." His voice was cold and harsh, but never raised in volume. "True, your pregnancy and delivery was perfect. You were carrying a Malfoy, afterall. Not just any Malfoy, but my son. You may have carried and delivered him, but he his mine, not yours." He had crossed the room and yanked her to her feet. His face was mere inches from hers. His eyes bore into her blazing with hatred. "You are like a dog; you were picked because of your pedigree, and though you were useful, you are here because of my goodwill. Learn and accept your place woman. I am the master, and you shall bend to my will."
Narcissa was trembling under his fury. He was truly enjoying this. Physical torture was great, but to Lucius nothing quite compared to psychologically destroying someone. Seeing she was nearly at her wit's end, he went in for the kill. "Besides, the truth of the matter is this…the medi-wizard could not have possibly detected the true nature of your condition. You see, Malfoy's need but one heir to carry on the family name." seeing the perplexed and terrified look on his wife's face delighted Lucius. "On our wedding night, a spell was cast upon you. This spell not only ensured that the child we would one day produce would be a male heir, but once that child proved to be viable, you would be rendered barren. Draco is `out of the woods', as you women say, so our need for another son is un-necessary." These words were said with an air of superiority that turned Narcissa's stomach.
Upon seeing the pain and betrayal in his wife's eyes, and noting that she was on the verge of tears and hysterics, he added, "Now, my pet, (she hated that name) you could have another child, but that would mean that Draco would have to be rendered sterile, or in some other way inadequate. Merlin, few things short of his death would reverse the spell. Actually, only tragic occurrences to our son or our divorce would break it." Seeing the flickering in her eyes, he cruelly added his final insult. "Oh, and before you get any bright ideas, we both know that YOU'D NEVER HURT Draco. For a damaged son, being of no use to me, would definitely meet an untimely and painful death. Before you get your hopes up on the later option, I will never let you go! Again, death would cut short dreams of more brats, and you'd also be leaving him alone with me and my new wife." He added with a triumphant air.
Always being one to push everything to the edge, he smugly add, "Oh, my pet, we are still married, and as such you are bound to me. What kind of man would I be if I no longer showed you any interest just because you were barren?" The words stung Narcissa's very soul. "No, I will have you time and time again. I must say, I find sex with you rather refreshing. After sleeping with my experienced whores, it is nice to come home to you. You're so intimidated and inexperienced that I must work a little harder. I don't usually like challenges, but you are the exception".
That silenced Narcissa. He was right; she would never leave her precious son at the mercy of his father and whatever whore he took up with. Draco was the one good thing that came out of their marriage; mother and son adored each other. Draco was supposed to be as cruel and harsh as his father, When Lucius would voice his concern about the leniency Draco showed his mother the boy would explain that he was only humoring the woman. Acting as a dutiful son was what the rest of the wizard world would expect. He would explain he was trying to put forth a good foot with society, and present a dignified air; even if it did disgust him to have to be gentle with her. She was a Malfoy, afterall, even if only in name, and thus was entitled to the respect that went along with the name. Draco would paint a picture of his mother being looked down upon from common wizards and mudbloods, alike to Lucius. If anything, Draco knew his father did want not this, not out of concern for Narcissa, but from concern for the Malfoy name. This was the story he always fed his father, and the fool believed it. Draco loved his mother, and would die for her, and she for him.
Narcissa was the only reason Draco felt special. Sure, everyone everywhere bowed to his demands and wishes, but that was because he was the Malfoy heir, and they were just plain scared of him. Though he knew the reasons behind it, he did get a kick out of the extent to which people would go to please him, thus pleasing Lucius. When he was younger remembering these moments would usually pacify the young man. Now it did not.
No, dwelling on the subject was not helping him. It no longer made him feel special, it depressed him. It did, however distract him from thinking about the reality of his current life situation. Since his return from Hogwarts, his father had begun telling the boy that he one day receive a great honor. Draco knew his father well enough to know that nothing good could come of this treat. He spent the entire summer in agony formulating in his mind just what his father had in store for him. He should have been carefree and looking forward to the future like normal 13 year old guys. He had his whole life ahead of him, yet he dreaded every day of it. Though he feared to acknowledge it, he knew what the special honor was. He would be forced to take the Dark Mark, thus becoming a follower of Lord Voldemort.
About one week before the start of school Draco's worst fear was confirmed. Narcissa was out for the day, and Lucius was entertaining one of his "lady friends", whores more like it, really. Hearing a male and female voice, Draco had at first thought that his mum was with the bastard, as Draco tended to refer to him, in his study. From afar the voice sounded like his mother. He was about to enter the room when he realized who the woman was. She sounded like his mum because she was Narcissa's sister, Bellatrix. `My own aunt, how could she?' Draco thought with disgust. Draco was sure that while they were talking, there was much more going on in there. After all, his study was also where Lucius fucked his whores, or at least his trusted and favorite ones.
What disgusted Draco more was the fact that his aunt was supposed to be in Azkaban. She should be serving time for the unmerciful use of an Unforgivable Curse on two Ministry aurors, the Longbottoms. She (and her husband) tortured them to such a severe degree, that they had both gone mad. Leave it to his father to pull strings to arrange the occasional day trip for this dangerous, evil woman for their mutual engagement of acts of sexual deprivation. Draco realized it was true that everyone had their price.
Yes, his aunt would have been perfect for Lucius. It was well known that her appetite for kinky, rough, and deplorable sex was insatiable. Unlike her sister, Bellatrix would gladly fuck Lucius' brains out. Much like his father, Bella did not care that she was married. Hell, Draco was sure that her husband even knew about this little affair. His uncle probably even encouraged it, thinking he'd receive some compensation and respect from Lucius.
"Yes, Bella," the words confirmed the boy's suspicions, and sickened him, "I have great plans for Draco. Our lord's return is eminent. Soon, he will be restored to his former glory." Draco could heat what could only be described as joy in his father's voice. "When he rises, I will be able to present my son to him as the next generation of Death Eaters! He will be so powerful, and it will be because of me! As young as he is, Draco will prove to be a valuable servant. It will be the proudest moment of my life. My son, the heir of Voldemort, can you believe it?"
"Not to spoil your elation, no one deserves this honor like you do," Bella began, careful not to upset her lover, "but what about the weakness we've discussed in my nephew?" She asked. Upon seeing the dangerous flash in Lucius' eyes she quickly added, "Not that any fault lies with you. Merlin knows you are the perfect father, but my sister," the word was said with venomous distain; "she has always coddled the boy, and has encouraged him to pursue his own interests. Who knows what damage she has done? That thing is a piss-poor excuse for a mother." Bellatrix finished.
"I appreciate your concern, my love, but I assure you, the devotion to his mother is no more than an act. Draco realizes that he must keep up pretenses, and make the world believe he is a proper young wizard. He has the makings of a perfect Death Eater, using people to his advantage." He explained with pride and glee. "Besides, I have already begun to limit the exposure he has to her. He only sees her performing demeaning domestic tasks, like taking him to Diagon Alley to fetch his new wares for school, much like a house elf."
`If only Lucius knew how much I enjoyed those trips, and not because I view them as a chance to humiliate my mum'. Draco smugly thought to himself. No, he truly enjoyed the shopping trips. The first two years had their bad points, true, for Lucius had accompanied them. Thankfully, he spent minimal time with his wife and child. He only appeared when it was time to buy his wand, Lucius had to be sure the wand was just right. He even over ruled Mr. Ollivander when he tried to sell Draco the wand that was best suited for him. `This piece of junk is not befitting the Malfoy heir. No, this one, made from yew with a dragon's heartstring is appropriate'. To this day, Draco remembered the callous speech. Mr. Ollivander knew better than to argue with the elder Malfoy. Hiding his disappointment, Draco chose the wand his father wanted; not that he had a choice. Before his departure for his first year, Narcissa came to her darling son with a gift. The words she spoke were embossed in his memory,
"Son, we both know your father, but I have more faith in Mr. Ollivander than him, so…this is a special gift from me to you." She removed a velvet box from her robes and handed it to her son. "Use it at school, but discreetly. Your father must never know about it. The wand is better suited to you, and I'd rather not see it destroyed by that bastard."
Those words and that simple act meant so much to Draco. He needn't ask where she got the money. Narcissa came into the marriage with her own fortune. She had more money than Lucius, actually, but he did not know that. He was only aware of the money her father wanted him to know about. The rest was placed in a secure trust that only Narcissa and Draco could access. When he was younger, Draco wondered why she did not leave Lucius. Draco knew she had money and could support herself and her child. As he grew older, however, the answer became crystal clear. Lucius would rather kill her than allow her to disgrace him. Draco treasured that wand, he used it in all his classes. He was great at Transfiguration, and was even able to cast a spell to make to good wand look like the one his father picked out.
Yes, Transfiguration was Draco's favorite class. He was good at it, but he really liked it because he knew that was one of the only courses in which he truly earned his high marks. Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House, was not intimidated by Lucius Malfoy. She would not lower herself or her professional reputation for the likes of the elder Malfoy. The rest of the staff was a different story. Draco knew they all marked him high because of who his father was. That was how the world worked, everyone bowed to Lucius Malfoy. Even the hated Potions Master, Severus Snape went along. Draco, though thought this had more to do with the fact that he was Draco's godfather. This idea had actually been his mother's suggestion. Much to everyone's surprise, Lucius went along with it. He had been surprised by his wife's suggestion. He even thought that she had finally come around and accepted, not just learned her place. Draco secretly felt that, much like McGonagall, Snape put far less stock in his ties to the Malfoys as he did Draco's abilities. Although Snape was not as miserable to the boy when he made a mistake as he was with the other students, Draco felt that was the extent of his familiar devotion. Like Transfiguration, Draco knew he had earned his Potions grades.
So, this is where Draco found himself; surrounded by the finest things galleons could buy, awaiting another year at Hogwarts, and eventually being forced to pledge allegiance to a monster he wanted nothing to do with. He was surrounded by people who did not respect him, but did fear him. There were only two things in his life he looked forward to. First, he knew he would have one pleasant day exploring Diagon Alley with his mother. They would buy his new school things, and then spend quality time exploring the many shops, restaurants, and museums that filled the shopping district. The second would come when he made it to Hogwarts. He could count on Harry Potter and his gang of friends for entertainment.
Harry Potter was the Boy-Who-Lived, the most famous wizard in the world. At the tender age of one, he survived an attack by the Dark Lord. That alone was an accomplishment, for once the Dark Lord decided to kill you, there was no stopping him. Harry was different. The Dark Lord attempted the worst of the Unforgivable curses on him, and to everyone's amazement, not only did he live, but the curse stripped the would be assassin of his powers. It did not kill him, but he was reduced to little less than a spirit, and the Dark Lord had spent the past 12 years trying to kill the boy and regain his "human" form. Despite his terrible lot in life, Harry succeeded. Everyone was pulling for that boy. That made Draco's blood boil. He wanted the love, compassion, and respect Harry had. Draco felt he was owed it, not because he was a Malfoy, but because he, too, suffered. Draco also envied the friends Harry had. True the whole world bowed to his every request, but it was the close group of companions that he had that really got under Draco's skin. They were there for Harry because they liked him! True these friends were of a lower class, afterall, they were the Weasleys and Hermione Granger, blood traitors and a mudblood, but they gave Harry unconditional devotion. The type of devotion that only came from respect and love.
The trio was always besting him in one way or another. Potter was the youngest Seeker in a century, and a fantastic one. He always caught the snitch, even Draco could not beat him. Granger was the top of their class, always beating Draco's grades. Oh, and the Weasel Ronald…Potter had picked an alliance with him over Draco in their first year. Yes, all of these facts brought the wrath of Lucius down on his son. He wanted perfection, and could not stand that these dregs of the earth were besting the Malfoy heir. As usual, Lucius felt physical abuse would motivate his son to do better. Yes, Draco had many reasons to hate the Dream Team, but truth be told he envied them. As sickening as it was, it was still true. Poverty, being muggle born, and being and orphan did not stop the trio.
All of this flooded Draco's mind as he prepared for his third year at Hogwarts. In one week he would be heading off to endure another year. His thoughts then returned to his trip with his mother, selfish as it sounded, he knew it meant he'd receive a gift. The gifts from his mum were the best, for they came from the heart...
"One more week," he thought, "one more week." With that, he began to pack.
A/N: I know, long chapter, I hope it wasn't too long. I had a little more liberty in showing Draco's background, and I figured after the somewhat mundane first chapter I'd get a little creative all the while giving you very important background info. The next two chapters will begin the plot line.
Make my day, send me a review, no flames. Please remember I am not a writer, we are all taking liberties with J.K. Rowling's world.
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