"Stand By You" - Part Two - Draco/Hermione
Title: Stand By You
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Lucius/Narcissa, Draco/Hermione.
Summary: Lucius and his relationship with Draco through the years, from infancy to parenthood.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 11 201 (Part I: 6 292, Part II: 4 909)
Spoilers: AU-post Goblet of Fire. Though never properly stated within the story, it is implied that the War is over some time before it was in canon.
Author's Note: Thanks to my beta shag_me_draco.
Distribution: Link only please.
Written: September 2011 - For the luciusbigbang's Second Round.
Stand By You (2/2)
Fifteen
"Draco, could you come into my study please?" Lucius asked, before turning to leave the sitting room where Draco sat with his mother, sure that Draco was going to follow.
Lucius settled in his chair as Draco entered. "Close the door."
Draco did so before having a seat. "What's going on?" he asked.
"You know what has happened," Lucius started.
Draco nodded, saving Lucius the trouble of spelling it out in more detail.
"What this means, for when you go back to school again, is that you have to be more careful."
"More careful?" Draco frowned.
"Your friends might not be your friends, but spies for their parents to help them rise in the ranks of the Dark Lord, for instance."
Draco's frown deepened. "So what, I can't talk to them any more?"
"Of course you can talk to them, Draco. They would be suspicious if you didn't; just be careful. Don't reveal too much, don't look like you've got something to hide and stay consistent; a sudden change in your habits might be cause for suspicion."
"Dad, come on, you can't be serious."
"This is very serious, Draco. This is life and death. The Dark Lord is back, and he's going to expect you to join him."
Draco straightened in his chair, his eyes widening. "I- I don't want to," he admitted.
Lucius paused. "I am sort of relieved to hear that, but you may not have a choice in the matter."
Draco frowned. "There's always a choice," he said, matter-of-fact.
"I used to think so too," Lucius said quietly. "But sometimes you get pushed into a corner and you have no choice but doing what you can to keep yourself and your family alive."
Draco said nothing, and for a while, neither did Lucius.
"You should not change your outward behaviour, but I do not want you to be involved, so try not to antagonise Potter and his friends too much."
Draco shifted in his seat and looked away, almost in discomfort at the subject. Lucius choose to ignore it.
"I realise that you have to badger them somewhat, since it is expected by everyone, but try to stick to silly school stuff and nothing of much weight; do not for instance call the Granger girl a Mudblood, however much she may be one, because if, and it is a rather big if, the Dark Lord loses, I want you at least to be able to come out of it unscathed."
Draco's eyes had narrowed, but he nodded in agreement regardless.
"I will try and prevent your joining for as long as I can, and if there ever comes a day when I hand you a portkey, I want you to take it without arguments and stay away until it's all over, and take care of your mother. Do you understand?"
Draco nodded again. "I understand."
"The Dark Lord lost once before, and while we've grown in numbers since then, so has the Order; we must prepare for every eventuality and I will not risk you or your mother being hurt in the crossfire. You stay out of everything, you don't join the Death Eaters and you just look after yourself, do you hear me?"
"I do, but what if someone in school asks me to join? You said yourself that some of them might be spies for their parents; what if some of them have already joined?" Draco asked.
Lucius frowned. "The Dark Lord didn't used to accept children; you would need to be old enough to Apparate legally, but I do worry he might feel desperate now and accept anyone who wants to join, simply to gain numbers. If someone asks you to join, tell them that you are joining, only you're waiting for the right time."
"The right time, right. Anything else?"
Lucius shook his head. "No, but Draco, please be careful."
Draco nodded as he stood. "I will."
"If I hear about you having joined the Death Eaters, I will be very unhappy," Lucius warned as Draco moved towards the door.
Draco smiled. "I promise you, Father, I have no intentions what-so-ever to join the Death Eaters or their cause."
The door closed behind him, and Lucius frowned; the words were what he'd wanted to hear, as he wanted to keep Draco out of the fighting entirely, but somehow, the words he'd spoken sounded ominous.
Sixteen
The cell was dark, but not quiet; in the corner a rat scurried about, and there was a drip just outside of the bars where a constant fall of water drove Lucius near insane. Sounds came from other cells as well; some cried, some shouted and the man right across from Lucius sat huddled in a ball, rocking back and forth as he mumbled something over and over to himself.
It was degrading and dirty, and if not for the knowledge that his wife and son were safe within the Order, Lucius was sure he too would've been rocking back and forth and wanting to end it all.
The war was still ongoing as it had been all summer; he would not be released until it was over, for better or for worse. His son, having realised much earlier than his father that their family would not survive the war on the Dark Lord's side, had turned coat and, behind his father's back, joined Dumbledore's Army.
At first, Lucius had been convinced that Draco had simply infiltrated their little group, but then he'd been at the Ministry and fought against the Death Eaters. Lucius had been shocked, and though he hated the thought of joining the ranks of Mudbloods and traitors, he'd chosen to stand by his son.
He'd still been arrested, but now there was hope.
The Dark Lord had lost his mind completely, and though Lucius still fully believed purebloods were the superior race, his survival instincts were greater than those beliefs.
Once the shock of Draco's betrayal to the cause Lucius had thought Draco truly believed in had settled, he'd felt pride over his son, who had put aside his own feelings for the greater good of the family.
A guard walked past, and Lucius shrank away into the shadows. The rat came closer and nibbled at his clothes; he kicked it away and leaned his head back against the cold stone wall.
His family was safe, and that was all that mattered.
Seventeen
The clock on the mantle ticked past midnight, slowly but surely past the hour of Draco's usual return. Lucius frowned, wetting his lips with his snifter of brandy as he waited; lately, Draco had been staying out very late or coming in just before breakfast was served, and though he claimed he was out with Zabini and Nott, Lucius was starting to suspect differently.
Draco never returned home smelling of alcohol, as he should if he'd truly been out with Blaise and Theo. He'd become more secretive as of late, and considering the rumours Lucius had heard regarding Draco's continued friendship with the-boy-who-lived and his friends worried him, especially the girl.
The hour was well past midnight when the fire blazed green and Draco stepped through, his cloak unbuttoned and his hair a mess. The love-sick smile he'd worn when he stepped through the fireplace fell away as he noticed his father waiting.
"Who is she?" Lucius asked.
"Who what?" Draco's eyes widened in an attempt at looking innocent, and as if he didn't know exactly who, Lucius was referring.
"The girl, Draco. Who is the girl?"
"No one. There's no girl," he lied unconvincingly. There was a moment of silence before Draco turned towards the stairs. "I need to get to bed though, I'm exhausted."
"We'll continue this conversation in the morning," Lucius warned.
"Can't wait," Draco said sarcastically before he raced up the stairs to his bedroom.
Lucius turned back to the fire, draining his drink. He had a very bad feeling everything was about to change for the worse.
Eighteen
A noise drew him in the direction of the library, and when Lucius entered the open double doors, he paused in surprise as he spied his estranged son lurking about the bookcases, a frown marring his face and scrap of parchment in his hand, his eyes trailing across the multitude of titles housed on the shelf in front of him, now and again glancing down at the text written on the paper, his frown deepening each time he had to move further down the line.
Lucius watched him for a moment, drinking in the sight of Draco, grown and tall, in his rightful place at the Manor. It was a sight Lucius had often doubted he would be treated to again since Draco had begun avoiding him, and he didn't want to spoil the moment since he doubted he'd have the opportunity to watch Draco in such a way again any time soon.
Lucius didn't know why Draco was back from his "holiday", though he could easily venture a guess that his son wasn't looking for a book for himself, not in that particular section, but he didn't care.
Draco turned suddenly with a sigh, and had it not been for his startled jump when he noticed his father standing there, Lucius would've been certain the boy had turned because he'd sensed someone watching him.
Silence reigned between them; Draco had been gone for five months and his hair was longer.
"Do you need help finding something?" Lucius asked finally, stepping further into the library.
Draco looked down at the parchment he held; seemingly surprised that he'd crumpled it in his fist. "Yes, actually, if you don't mind," he replied politely, if a little flustered.
"I don't mind," Lucius assured him, coming closer. "What are you looking for?"
"Um," Draco looked at the note, "Rituals and Other Similar Things as Performed by Scottish People in the Wild on Starlit Nights and Sometimes Also during a Full Moon by Newton Holgerson," he said. "It's for H- er, I mean, I-"
Lucius held up a hand, halting his son's pathetic attempts. "The less I know, the better I think."
"Right," Draco nodded in agreement.
In no time, Lucius found Draco the book he wanted. He handed it over without a word.
"Thank you, Father," Draco said as he accepted it. "I'll return it as soon as Her-, as soon as possible."
"No worries; I doubt your mother or myself will wish to read that particular book in the foreseeable future."
"Right, well, I should," Draco motioned towards the doors. "You know..."
"Of course, don't let me keep you."
With one last look, Draco left the library, and his father, behind.
Lucius watched him go, his heart heavy.
Nineteen
The door to Draco's room was open, and as Lucius passed it he noticed movements inside. He stopped in surprise and looked in; the closet doors were open and more than half of the clothes were missing; some of them lay on Draco's bed, but most were packed down into the open bag standing on the floor.
Draco came out of the bathroom, holding some bottles of potion. He looked up as Lucius stepped inside.
"What are you doing?" Lucius asked.
Draco looked at his bag, then around the mostly empty room. "I'm just-"
Lucius' face hardened. "Moving out?"
Draco walked up to his bed, putting the items in his hands into the open bag. "Not exactly," he hedged.
Lucius took a step closer. "If you think for one moment that I'm going to accept you living with that girl you are sorely mistaken, Draco."
"I'm of age, Father, I can do what I want."
"Not while you live under this roof, you won't!" Lucius took another step closer. "This has gone on for long enough; you need to stop seeing that girl."
"I will not."
Lucius' face hardened. "I will disinherit you if you don't stop seeing her," he threatened, his voice low and final.
Draco blinked at his father, before shaking his head, an almost amused smile playing on his face. "You think that's going to stop me?"
"I am serious, Draco; you will have nothing."
"I will have her, and she's worth more than ten of you," Draco returned, zipping up his bag and quickly shrinking it down.
"Do not test me, boy," Lucius ground out, feeling his temper rising; he had started it out as a bluff, to get Draco to pause, to consider what it was he was risking, but if the boy decided to leave anyway, Lucius would make true of his warnings.
"So am I. It's not a big fucking loss, getting you out of my life," Draco returned, his voice rising.
Lucius' heart hurt, but he pushed on, wanting Draco to see reason. "And how will you live? You don't have any money."
"I have a job, actually," Draco told him.
Lucius stared. "What? Since when?"
"What do you think I'm doing all day, Father?" Draco asked sardonically. "I work at the Ministry."
"No son of mine will work menial labour. You will quit instantly," Lucius demanded.
Draco laughed and picked up his bag. "But you forget, Father, I'm no longer a son of yours; you're disinheriting me, remember?"
"You cannot honestly expect me to believe that you will actually leave?" Lucius asked, suddenly shocked. He was so used to getting his own way, that somehow he'd missed Draco growing up, growing into a person of his own.
"Look around you; I've already left."
They stared at each other across the room, their faces hard and their eyes blank as they narrowed in glares, so much alike.
"Fine, persist in this little silly rebellion, break your mother's heart; you are no longer welcomed here," Lucius said finally, his back straight and tense.
"I'm not the one breaking her heart, you are," Draco accused.
"Didn't you hear me? Get out," Lucius said.
"Fine, I'm leaving."
Draco moved across the room, their eyes caught in a heated glare until he passed his father. Lucius remained in the room, long after the sounds of Draco leaving the Manor disappearing.
He was breathing hard and he struggled to stay upright. It's been the worst fight they'd ever had, a fight long in coming, and all over a girl. Though Lucius had long planned on giving Draco such an ultimatum, the girl or his rightful inheritance, he'd never expected the outcome to be Draco choosing to leave.
But he would be back, Lucius was certain. Draco hadn't been taught how to survive out in the real world, without all the money the Malfoys' had at their disposal, or the care from the house-elves.
Quiet weeks passed, filled with Narcissa's red rimmed eyes and accusing looks. It wasn't until Lucius read in the Daily Prophet, eight weeks after he'd last seen his son, about how Draco had been promoted and he saw him, together with the girl, that he realised that Draco was truly not coming back.
Twenty
Lucius cut into his breakfast, not even glancing up as an elf arrived to deliver the morning paper. It was folded, the wrong side up, so it wasn't until he'd finished his breakfast and picked the paper up that he saw it; a picture of Draco, with his new wife, gracing the front page with big smiles on both of their faces as they looked at each other.
His heart hurt as he watched his only child look happier than he'd ever before seen him, with a woman who was not worthy of even being in the same room as a Malfoy, much less married to one.
Lucius watched with a sneer on his face as the image of Hermione reached up to smooth away a lock of Draco's hair.
The sneer disappeared as it was replaced by a shocked look as Lucius zeroed in on the girl's hand; she was wearing a Malfoy heirloom ring - the very ring he'd not been able to give to Narcissa because his mother had still been alive when he proposed and she'd refused to give it up.
Lucius lowered the paper to look at his wife, his eyes boring into her until she looked up from her plate. He didn't say a word, but when he pointedly opened the paper, displaying the image and the ring she must've given their son, his message was clear.
They didn't speak a word as they finished their breakfast, and though Lucius was dying to know just how often Narcissa spoke to their son, why she hadn't told him and how Draco was truly doing, Lucius' pride wouldn't allow him to admit he might've been too hasty in kicking Draco out and ignoring him for the past year and a half.
Twenty-One
Lucius hurried through the corridor, his heart pounding. He walked past nurses and patients in various degrees of healing; his focus on finding room 914. He'd been in a private meeting when the news came for him and had only been able to read the note left for him once the meeting had finished; nearly three hours after the accident that landed Narcissa in the hospital.
He arrived finally at the right room. The door was open and Lucius was just about to enter when he paused, seeing his son standing over the bed that housed Narcissa. Draco kissed her forehead gently, whispering something to her before he moved towards the door.
As he spied his father standing in the doorway, he paused. For a long moment they did nothing but stare at each other; only when Narcissa moved on the bed did Lucius look away, his hard mask melting at the sight of his wife. He moved towards the bed; he'd barely reached her side when he heard the door closing behind Draco.
Narcissa woke as he caressed her hair, smiling groggily up at him. "Did you see Draco?" she asked.
Lucius nodded. "How are you feeling?"
"I have felt better."
"The Doctor said you should be able to go home tomorrow," Lucius said, holding her hand.
"Did you talk to Draco?" Narcissa pressed.
"He had to leave," Lucius told her.
Narcissa gave him a long look, knowing he was using it as an excuse but too tired to argue any more.
Lucius kissed her forehead. "I was so worried," he whispered against her.
"I'm fine, love. I'm fine." She caressed his hair as he kissed her.
Twenty-Two
Lucius walked into the dimly lit main room of the Leaky Cauldron for a late lunch after a day at the Ministry. He glanced around the room more out of habit than interest as he made his way past the bar to a secluded table in the back, when his eyes caught sight of his son, sitting alone over a half-empty pint.
Lucius hesitated, before he stepped up to the bar and sat down on an empty chair beside his son. Draco looked up at him, and though he looked away again he didn't tell Lucius to leave. He took that as a good sign.
"Want to talk about it?" he tried.
"With you?" Draco asked, snorting.
There was a pause as Lucius considered which approach to take. "Draco, I really do want you to be happy."
Draco scoffed, taking a drink from his glass.
"I- I love you, son."
Draco looked up in shock. "It's been a very long time since you last said that to me."
"I know. I'm sorry." Lucius placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Will you tell me what's wrong? I promise I won't suggest a divorce as the only solution."
Draco frowned at him. "What makes you think my troubles are related to my marriage?"
Lucius smiled. "I recognise the look."
"Well, it's nothing really - it's just her job; it takes up a lot of time."
"Well, maybe she should quit. It's not very becoming of a wife to- fine, fine," Lucius stopped at the look Draco sent him.
"Well, quitting is not really an option for us, because we need the money." Draco turned his empty glass over on the bar, watching as the residue slid down the inside of the glass and wetted the bar. "It's her boss mainly, he makes her work more overtime than should be allowed, but she does it because we need the money and the work needs to be done and he won't hire another employee even though he should and it just frustrates me that I can't do anything about it."
"Can't she change jobs?" Lucius asked, not really knowing what else to say, never having had such work-related problems before.
"She wants to work with magical creatures, and I fully support that - she's always worked for the rights of creatures who couldn't do so themselves. You remember SPEW?"
Lucius nodded, unnecessarily, as Draco wasn't looking in his direction.
"Let me buy you some lunch," Lucius said, standing. "Come on, there's a table in the back; it's more private too."
Draco looked at him for a moment as he deliberated, before nodding and standing.
Twenty-Three
Narcissa paced across the sitting room, nervously glancing at the clock every few seconds as she passed it. Lucius sat on the sofa, watching her.
"Love, sit down."
She glanced at him before she sat down; but she only sat for a moment before she rose to rearrange the tea tray. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"Who?" Lucius asked.
Narcissa threw him a confused look. "Hermione of course, who else?"
Lucius scoffed. "She's the one who should be worried about that though, isn't she?"
Narcissa glared at him where he sat, totally relaxed despite the hour of Draco and Hermione's first dinner at the Manor drew closer. "I think you're forgetting that our son would rather have her in his life than us; we're the ones who have to make a good impression. If she's uncomfortable, if she positively hates us, he'll not think twice to cut us out of his life for her sake. Again."
Lucius frowned.
"Remember that, and be on your absolutely best behaviour tonight." Narcissa touched a vase of flowers. "Or we will lose him completely," she said sadly.
The evening, despite Narcissa's worries, was as much of a success as could be expected. Hermione and Draco had arrived, both nervous but for different reasons, but once they got past the first awkwardness, conversation flowed easily between all four.
When Hermione and Draco left later that night, Narcissa hugged her husband, long and hard as she smiled into his neck.
Twenty-Four
It was a quiet afternoon at the Malfoy Manor. Lucius sat at a writing desk, returning corresponding as Narcissa drank her afternoon tea in the soft summer light.
The doors were suddenly thrown open and Draco burst in for the first time since he'd moved out, startling both Narcissa and Lucius.
"I'm going to be a father!"
Lucius stared, his breath stuck as he took in the news. He watched, deeply shocked, as Narcissa stood and embraced Draco, kissing both of his cheeks.
"We have to have a party," she said excitedly.
Lucius stood, moving closer.
"Mother, no," Draco said. "We're not telling anyone outside of family yet; it's too soon."
"Nonsense! It's never too soon to celebrate a baby," Narcissa said. "We could have it here, in the ballroom."
"Mother, please." Draco looked uncomfortable. "We don't want anyone to know, just in case... I don't want her to have to deal with the public..."
Narcissa's smile dimmed, remembering all of the siblings Draco did not have. "Of course; I understand."
She touched his cheek before she rose on her feet to kiss him gently on the forehead.
"I have something for Hermione, let me go get it." She left, throwing a look at Lucius before she walked through the doors and out of sight.
Draco looked up at his father, a hesitant expression on his face. Lucius came closer.
"Congratulations, Draco. I'm very happy for you - for you both," he said, sincerely.
To Draco's obvious surprise, Lucius hugged him for the first time since Draco had been a child. Draco hugged him back, surprised but happy.
"Thank you, we're very excited."
"I guess now she'll have to stop working after all, huh?" Lucius said, pulling away.
"I don't think Hermione will ever stop working entirely," Draco admitted. "Besides, with another mouth to feed, we're going to need the-"
Narcissa arrived back, holding a small gift box in her hand. She smiled as she gave it to Draco, "It's a Malfoy tradition."
"Thank you," he said, kissing her cheek. "I have to go though; I just wanted to tell you both right away. We'll come over for dinner later this week, all right?"
"Of course, dear," Narcissa said. "Say hello to Hermione for us and congratulations again." She hugged him, smiling widely. "I'm so happy for you."
Lucius said goodbye, looking deep in thought as Draco left.
Narcissa turned to Lucius. "I can't believe we're going to be grandparents," she said excitedly, hugging him closely.
"Hmmm," Lucius agreed distractedly as he hugged her back.
"What's going on?" Narcissa asked, frowning. "You're not unhappy, are you?"
"What? No, I'm happy - I was just thinking about something Draco said." He sighed. "I think it's time I swallow my pride completely and reinstate him as my official son and heir."
Narcissa pulled back, horrified. "You still haven't?"
"Well, no," Lucius said. The look in her eyes hardened and Lucius became defensive. "He still disobeyed and married that-"
"Stop," Narcissa told him, stepping back and glaring at him. "You fix it, and you fix it now".
Twenty-Five
Lucius watched as Narcissa held Scorpius in her arms, playing with his hands as the boy pumped his chubby fists in the air. It was the first time they'd been babysitting with Draco and Hermione out of the house, but after nearly two months of no time to themselves, they had finally consented to leave their child in the hands of his grandparents for an evening so they could go out for dinner.
"Think they'll have more?" Lucius asked, smiling as Scorpius got a hold of Narcissa's necklace.
"I hope so," she replied, smiling down at the boy as she extracted the chain from his clutch. His hair was as blond as his father's, but he had his mother's dark eyes.
"If they do, they're going to need to move out of that apartment of theirs," Lucius said. "It's barely big enough for the three of them now."
Narcissa looked up at him. "I recognise that tone of voice Lucius Malfoy; what are you thinking?"
"I was thinking, they need more room and we have too much."
Narcissa smiled sadly. "You think they would want to move in? Despite everything? Hermione doesn't exactly have the best memories of this house and as much as I hate to admit it, neither does Draco."
"I know," Lucius agreed. "But we could redecorate. They could have the West Wing entirely to themselves; I think that might make it easier, especially for Draco, since it's been unused for a long time so he doesn't have any memories connected to it."
Narcissa studied him, rocking Scorpius as he began to fuss. "You've thought of this for a while, haven't you?"
Lucius smiled. "Guilty, I'm afraid. I just... I miss having Draco here. And it's his right as heir to live here, and with the boy... he's a Malfoy; he should grow up in the house that will one day be his."
"I hope they'll agree then," Narcissa said. "It would be nice to have them here every night, and not just once in a while like now. We'd get to spend more time with Scorpius too. I would like that very much."
"Me too," Lucius admitted. "We should bring it up over breakfast tomorrow, no need to waste more time."
"Why wait until tomorrow morning then?" Narcissa asked.
Lucius frowned. "What do you mean? They're out tonight."
Narcissa laughed. "I would be very surprised if they stay out much longer. They're new parents and it's the first time they've been away from Scorpius for an extended amount of time."
"Well-"
"Hey, what are you still doing up little guy?" Draco asked as he joined his parents and son in the conservatory.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at Lucius, smiling amusedly as she handed the baby over to her son; the overjoyed smile on both of their faces when they saw each other warming her heart.
"You're home early," Lucius said. "It's barely nine."
"Yeah, well," Draco hedged, cuddling Scorpius to his chest.
Hermione laughed as she joined them, having heard Lucius' question. "Honestly, we spent most of dinner talking about the baby than anything else. We would've been back sooner if not for the fact that we had a bet with each other on who would give in and want to return first."
Narcissa laughed, Lucius smiled and Draco grumbled under his breath.
"Draco lost," Hermione stage whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder to look down at their son, smiling as he yawned.
"Time for bed, I think," Draco said. "Goodnight, mom, dad."
"Good night, sweethearts," Narcissa returned.
"Thank you both for watching him," Hermione said, smiling before she left with Draco, to put their son in the crib his father once slept in, just as his father had done before him.
In the conservatory, Narcissa took his hand as he watched them go. Lucius smiled; happy and content.
The End
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Lucius/Narcissa, Draco/Hermione.
Summary: Lucius and his relationship with Draco through the years, from infancy to parenthood.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 11 201 (Part I: 6 292, Part II: 4 909)
Spoilers: AU-post Goblet of Fire. Though never properly stated within the story, it is implied that the War is over some time before it was in canon.
Author's Note: Thanks to my beta shag_me_draco.
Distribution: Link only please.
Written: September 2011 - For the luciusbigbang's Second Round.
Stand By You (2/2)
Fifteen
"Draco, could you come into my study please?" Lucius asked, before turning to leave the sitting room where Draco sat with his mother, sure that Draco was going to follow.
Lucius settled in his chair as Draco entered. "Close the door."
Draco did so before having a seat. "What's going on?" he asked.
"You know what has happened," Lucius started.
Draco nodded, saving Lucius the trouble of spelling it out in more detail.
"What this means, for when you go back to school again, is that you have to be more careful."
"More careful?" Draco frowned.
"Your friends might not be your friends, but spies for their parents to help them rise in the ranks of the Dark Lord, for instance."
Draco's frown deepened. "So what, I can't talk to them any more?"
"Of course you can talk to them, Draco. They would be suspicious if you didn't; just be careful. Don't reveal too much, don't look like you've got something to hide and stay consistent; a sudden change in your habits might be cause for suspicion."
"Dad, come on, you can't be serious."
"This is very serious, Draco. This is life and death. The Dark Lord is back, and he's going to expect you to join him."
Draco straightened in his chair, his eyes widening. "I- I don't want to," he admitted.
Lucius paused. "I am sort of relieved to hear that, but you may not have a choice in the matter."
Draco frowned. "There's always a choice," he said, matter-of-fact.
"I used to think so too," Lucius said quietly. "But sometimes you get pushed into a corner and you have no choice but doing what you can to keep yourself and your family alive."
Draco said nothing, and for a while, neither did Lucius.
"You should not change your outward behaviour, but I do not want you to be involved, so try not to antagonise Potter and his friends too much."
Draco shifted in his seat and looked away, almost in discomfort at the subject. Lucius choose to ignore it.
"I realise that you have to badger them somewhat, since it is expected by everyone, but try to stick to silly school stuff and nothing of much weight; do not for instance call the Granger girl a Mudblood, however much she may be one, because if, and it is a rather big if, the Dark Lord loses, I want you at least to be able to come out of it unscathed."
Draco's eyes had narrowed, but he nodded in agreement regardless.
"I will try and prevent your joining for as long as I can, and if there ever comes a day when I hand you a portkey, I want you to take it without arguments and stay away until it's all over, and take care of your mother. Do you understand?"
Draco nodded again. "I understand."
"The Dark Lord lost once before, and while we've grown in numbers since then, so has the Order; we must prepare for every eventuality and I will not risk you or your mother being hurt in the crossfire. You stay out of everything, you don't join the Death Eaters and you just look after yourself, do you hear me?"
"I do, but what if someone in school asks me to join? You said yourself that some of them might be spies for their parents; what if some of them have already joined?" Draco asked.
Lucius frowned. "The Dark Lord didn't used to accept children; you would need to be old enough to Apparate legally, but I do worry he might feel desperate now and accept anyone who wants to join, simply to gain numbers. If someone asks you to join, tell them that you are joining, only you're waiting for the right time."
"The right time, right. Anything else?"
Lucius shook his head. "No, but Draco, please be careful."
Draco nodded as he stood. "I will."
"If I hear about you having joined the Death Eaters, I will be very unhappy," Lucius warned as Draco moved towards the door.
Draco smiled. "I promise you, Father, I have no intentions what-so-ever to join the Death Eaters or their cause."
The door closed behind him, and Lucius frowned; the words were what he'd wanted to hear, as he wanted to keep Draco out of the fighting entirely, but somehow, the words he'd spoken sounded ominous.
Sixteen
The cell was dark, but not quiet; in the corner a rat scurried about, and there was a drip just outside of the bars where a constant fall of water drove Lucius near insane. Sounds came from other cells as well; some cried, some shouted and the man right across from Lucius sat huddled in a ball, rocking back and forth as he mumbled something over and over to himself.
It was degrading and dirty, and if not for the knowledge that his wife and son were safe within the Order, Lucius was sure he too would've been rocking back and forth and wanting to end it all.
The war was still ongoing as it had been all summer; he would not be released until it was over, for better or for worse. His son, having realised much earlier than his father that their family would not survive the war on the Dark Lord's side, had turned coat and, behind his father's back, joined Dumbledore's Army.
At first, Lucius had been convinced that Draco had simply infiltrated their little group, but then he'd been at the Ministry and fought against the Death Eaters. Lucius had been shocked, and though he hated the thought of joining the ranks of Mudbloods and traitors, he'd chosen to stand by his son.
He'd still been arrested, but now there was hope.
The Dark Lord had lost his mind completely, and though Lucius still fully believed purebloods were the superior race, his survival instincts were greater than those beliefs.
Once the shock of Draco's betrayal to the cause Lucius had thought Draco truly believed in had settled, he'd felt pride over his son, who had put aside his own feelings for the greater good of the family.
A guard walked past, and Lucius shrank away into the shadows. The rat came closer and nibbled at his clothes; he kicked it away and leaned his head back against the cold stone wall.
His family was safe, and that was all that mattered.
Seventeen
The clock on the mantle ticked past midnight, slowly but surely past the hour of Draco's usual return. Lucius frowned, wetting his lips with his snifter of brandy as he waited; lately, Draco had been staying out very late or coming in just before breakfast was served, and though he claimed he was out with Zabini and Nott, Lucius was starting to suspect differently.
Draco never returned home smelling of alcohol, as he should if he'd truly been out with Blaise and Theo. He'd become more secretive as of late, and considering the rumours Lucius had heard regarding Draco's continued friendship with the-boy-who-lived and his friends worried him, especially the girl.
The hour was well past midnight when the fire blazed green and Draco stepped through, his cloak unbuttoned and his hair a mess. The love-sick smile he'd worn when he stepped through the fireplace fell away as he noticed his father waiting.
"Who is she?" Lucius asked.
"Who what?" Draco's eyes widened in an attempt at looking innocent, and as if he didn't know exactly who, Lucius was referring.
"The girl, Draco. Who is the girl?"
"No one. There's no girl," he lied unconvincingly. There was a moment of silence before Draco turned towards the stairs. "I need to get to bed though, I'm exhausted."
"We'll continue this conversation in the morning," Lucius warned.
"Can't wait," Draco said sarcastically before he raced up the stairs to his bedroom.
Lucius turned back to the fire, draining his drink. He had a very bad feeling everything was about to change for the worse.
Eighteen
A noise drew him in the direction of the library, and when Lucius entered the open double doors, he paused in surprise as he spied his estranged son lurking about the bookcases, a frown marring his face and scrap of parchment in his hand, his eyes trailing across the multitude of titles housed on the shelf in front of him, now and again glancing down at the text written on the paper, his frown deepening each time he had to move further down the line.
Lucius watched him for a moment, drinking in the sight of Draco, grown and tall, in his rightful place at the Manor. It was a sight Lucius had often doubted he would be treated to again since Draco had begun avoiding him, and he didn't want to spoil the moment since he doubted he'd have the opportunity to watch Draco in such a way again any time soon.
Lucius didn't know why Draco was back from his "holiday", though he could easily venture a guess that his son wasn't looking for a book for himself, not in that particular section, but he didn't care.
Draco turned suddenly with a sigh, and had it not been for his startled jump when he noticed his father standing there, Lucius would've been certain the boy had turned because he'd sensed someone watching him.
Silence reigned between them; Draco had been gone for five months and his hair was longer.
"Do you need help finding something?" Lucius asked finally, stepping further into the library.
Draco looked down at the parchment he held; seemingly surprised that he'd crumpled it in his fist. "Yes, actually, if you don't mind," he replied politely, if a little flustered.
"I don't mind," Lucius assured him, coming closer. "What are you looking for?"
"Um," Draco looked at the note, "Rituals and Other Similar Things as Performed by Scottish People in the Wild on Starlit Nights and Sometimes Also during a Full Moon by Newton Holgerson," he said. "It's for H- er, I mean, I-"
Lucius held up a hand, halting his son's pathetic attempts. "The less I know, the better I think."
"Right," Draco nodded in agreement.
In no time, Lucius found Draco the book he wanted. He handed it over without a word.
"Thank you, Father," Draco said as he accepted it. "I'll return it as soon as Her-, as soon as possible."
"No worries; I doubt your mother or myself will wish to read that particular book in the foreseeable future."
"Right, well, I should," Draco motioned towards the doors. "You know..."
"Of course, don't let me keep you."
With one last look, Draco left the library, and his father, behind.
Lucius watched him go, his heart heavy.
Nineteen
The door to Draco's room was open, and as Lucius passed it he noticed movements inside. He stopped in surprise and looked in; the closet doors were open and more than half of the clothes were missing; some of them lay on Draco's bed, but most were packed down into the open bag standing on the floor.
Draco came out of the bathroom, holding some bottles of potion. He looked up as Lucius stepped inside.
"What are you doing?" Lucius asked.
Draco looked at his bag, then around the mostly empty room. "I'm just-"
Lucius' face hardened. "Moving out?"
Draco walked up to his bed, putting the items in his hands into the open bag. "Not exactly," he hedged.
Lucius took a step closer. "If you think for one moment that I'm going to accept you living with that girl you are sorely mistaken, Draco."
"I'm of age, Father, I can do what I want."
"Not while you live under this roof, you won't!" Lucius took another step closer. "This has gone on for long enough; you need to stop seeing that girl."
"I will not."
Lucius' face hardened. "I will disinherit you if you don't stop seeing her," he threatened, his voice low and final.
Draco blinked at his father, before shaking his head, an almost amused smile playing on his face. "You think that's going to stop me?"
"I am serious, Draco; you will have nothing."
"I will have her, and she's worth more than ten of you," Draco returned, zipping up his bag and quickly shrinking it down.
"Do not test me, boy," Lucius ground out, feeling his temper rising; he had started it out as a bluff, to get Draco to pause, to consider what it was he was risking, but if the boy decided to leave anyway, Lucius would make true of his warnings.
"So am I. It's not a big fucking loss, getting you out of my life," Draco returned, his voice rising.
Lucius' heart hurt, but he pushed on, wanting Draco to see reason. "And how will you live? You don't have any money."
"I have a job, actually," Draco told him.
Lucius stared. "What? Since when?"
"What do you think I'm doing all day, Father?" Draco asked sardonically. "I work at the Ministry."
"No son of mine will work menial labour. You will quit instantly," Lucius demanded.
Draco laughed and picked up his bag. "But you forget, Father, I'm no longer a son of yours; you're disinheriting me, remember?"
"You cannot honestly expect me to believe that you will actually leave?" Lucius asked, suddenly shocked. He was so used to getting his own way, that somehow he'd missed Draco growing up, growing into a person of his own.
"Look around you; I've already left."
They stared at each other across the room, their faces hard and their eyes blank as they narrowed in glares, so much alike.
"Fine, persist in this little silly rebellion, break your mother's heart; you are no longer welcomed here," Lucius said finally, his back straight and tense.
"I'm not the one breaking her heart, you are," Draco accused.
"Didn't you hear me? Get out," Lucius said.
"Fine, I'm leaving."
Draco moved across the room, their eyes caught in a heated glare until he passed his father. Lucius remained in the room, long after the sounds of Draco leaving the Manor disappearing.
He was breathing hard and he struggled to stay upright. It's been the worst fight they'd ever had, a fight long in coming, and all over a girl. Though Lucius had long planned on giving Draco such an ultimatum, the girl or his rightful inheritance, he'd never expected the outcome to be Draco choosing to leave.
But he would be back, Lucius was certain. Draco hadn't been taught how to survive out in the real world, without all the money the Malfoys' had at their disposal, or the care from the house-elves.
Quiet weeks passed, filled with Narcissa's red rimmed eyes and accusing looks. It wasn't until Lucius read in the Daily Prophet, eight weeks after he'd last seen his son, about how Draco had been promoted and he saw him, together with the girl, that he realised that Draco was truly not coming back.
Twenty
Lucius cut into his breakfast, not even glancing up as an elf arrived to deliver the morning paper. It was folded, the wrong side up, so it wasn't until he'd finished his breakfast and picked the paper up that he saw it; a picture of Draco, with his new wife, gracing the front page with big smiles on both of their faces as they looked at each other.
His heart hurt as he watched his only child look happier than he'd ever before seen him, with a woman who was not worthy of even being in the same room as a Malfoy, much less married to one.
Lucius watched with a sneer on his face as the image of Hermione reached up to smooth away a lock of Draco's hair.
The sneer disappeared as it was replaced by a shocked look as Lucius zeroed in on the girl's hand; she was wearing a Malfoy heirloom ring - the very ring he'd not been able to give to Narcissa because his mother had still been alive when he proposed and she'd refused to give it up.
Lucius lowered the paper to look at his wife, his eyes boring into her until she looked up from her plate. He didn't say a word, but when he pointedly opened the paper, displaying the image and the ring she must've given their son, his message was clear.
They didn't speak a word as they finished their breakfast, and though Lucius was dying to know just how often Narcissa spoke to their son, why she hadn't told him and how Draco was truly doing, Lucius' pride wouldn't allow him to admit he might've been too hasty in kicking Draco out and ignoring him for the past year and a half.
Twenty-One
Lucius hurried through the corridor, his heart pounding. He walked past nurses and patients in various degrees of healing; his focus on finding room 914. He'd been in a private meeting when the news came for him and had only been able to read the note left for him once the meeting had finished; nearly three hours after the accident that landed Narcissa in the hospital.
He arrived finally at the right room. The door was open and Lucius was just about to enter when he paused, seeing his son standing over the bed that housed Narcissa. Draco kissed her forehead gently, whispering something to her before he moved towards the door.
As he spied his father standing in the doorway, he paused. For a long moment they did nothing but stare at each other; only when Narcissa moved on the bed did Lucius look away, his hard mask melting at the sight of his wife. He moved towards the bed; he'd barely reached her side when he heard the door closing behind Draco.
Narcissa woke as he caressed her hair, smiling groggily up at him. "Did you see Draco?" she asked.
Lucius nodded. "How are you feeling?"
"I have felt better."
"The Doctor said you should be able to go home tomorrow," Lucius said, holding her hand.
"Did you talk to Draco?" Narcissa pressed.
"He had to leave," Lucius told her.
Narcissa gave him a long look, knowing he was using it as an excuse but too tired to argue any more.
Lucius kissed her forehead. "I was so worried," he whispered against her.
"I'm fine, love. I'm fine." She caressed his hair as he kissed her.
Twenty-Two
Lucius walked into the dimly lit main room of the Leaky Cauldron for a late lunch after a day at the Ministry. He glanced around the room more out of habit than interest as he made his way past the bar to a secluded table in the back, when his eyes caught sight of his son, sitting alone over a half-empty pint.
Lucius hesitated, before he stepped up to the bar and sat down on an empty chair beside his son. Draco looked up at him, and though he looked away again he didn't tell Lucius to leave. He took that as a good sign.
"Want to talk about it?" he tried.
"With you?" Draco asked, snorting.
There was a pause as Lucius considered which approach to take. "Draco, I really do want you to be happy."
Draco scoffed, taking a drink from his glass.
"I- I love you, son."
Draco looked up in shock. "It's been a very long time since you last said that to me."
"I know. I'm sorry." Lucius placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Will you tell me what's wrong? I promise I won't suggest a divorce as the only solution."
Draco frowned at him. "What makes you think my troubles are related to my marriage?"
Lucius smiled. "I recognise the look."
"Well, it's nothing really - it's just her job; it takes up a lot of time."
"Well, maybe she should quit. It's not very becoming of a wife to- fine, fine," Lucius stopped at the look Draco sent him.
"Well, quitting is not really an option for us, because we need the money." Draco turned his empty glass over on the bar, watching as the residue slid down the inside of the glass and wetted the bar. "It's her boss mainly, he makes her work more overtime than should be allowed, but she does it because we need the money and the work needs to be done and he won't hire another employee even though he should and it just frustrates me that I can't do anything about it."
"Can't she change jobs?" Lucius asked, not really knowing what else to say, never having had such work-related problems before.
"She wants to work with magical creatures, and I fully support that - she's always worked for the rights of creatures who couldn't do so themselves. You remember SPEW?"
Lucius nodded, unnecessarily, as Draco wasn't looking in his direction.
"Let me buy you some lunch," Lucius said, standing. "Come on, there's a table in the back; it's more private too."
Draco looked at him for a moment as he deliberated, before nodding and standing.
Twenty-Three
Narcissa paced across the sitting room, nervously glancing at the clock every few seconds as she passed it. Lucius sat on the sofa, watching her.
"Love, sit down."
She glanced at him before she sat down; but she only sat for a moment before she rose to rearrange the tea tray. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"Who?" Lucius asked.
Narcissa threw him a confused look. "Hermione of course, who else?"
Lucius scoffed. "She's the one who should be worried about that though, isn't she?"
Narcissa glared at him where he sat, totally relaxed despite the hour of Draco and Hermione's first dinner at the Manor drew closer. "I think you're forgetting that our son would rather have her in his life than us; we're the ones who have to make a good impression. If she's uncomfortable, if she positively hates us, he'll not think twice to cut us out of his life for her sake. Again."
Lucius frowned.
"Remember that, and be on your absolutely best behaviour tonight." Narcissa touched a vase of flowers. "Or we will lose him completely," she said sadly.
The evening, despite Narcissa's worries, was as much of a success as could be expected. Hermione and Draco had arrived, both nervous but for different reasons, but once they got past the first awkwardness, conversation flowed easily between all four.
When Hermione and Draco left later that night, Narcissa hugged her husband, long and hard as she smiled into his neck.
Twenty-Four
It was a quiet afternoon at the Malfoy Manor. Lucius sat at a writing desk, returning corresponding as Narcissa drank her afternoon tea in the soft summer light.
The doors were suddenly thrown open and Draco burst in for the first time since he'd moved out, startling both Narcissa and Lucius.
"I'm going to be a father!"
Lucius stared, his breath stuck as he took in the news. He watched, deeply shocked, as Narcissa stood and embraced Draco, kissing both of his cheeks.
"We have to have a party," she said excitedly.
Lucius stood, moving closer.
"Mother, no," Draco said. "We're not telling anyone outside of family yet; it's too soon."
"Nonsense! It's never too soon to celebrate a baby," Narcissa said. "We could have it here, in the ballroom."
"Mother, please." Draco looked uncomfortable. "We don't want anyone to know, just in case... I don't want her to have to deal with the public..."
Narcissa's smile dimmed, remembering all of the siblings Draco did not have. "Of course; I understand."
She touched his cheek before she rose on her feet to kiss him gently on the forehead.
"I have something for Hermione, let me go get it." She left, throwing a look at Lucius before she walked through the doors and out of sight.
Draco looked up at his father, a hesitant expression on his face. Lucius came closer.
"Congratulations, Draco. I'm very happy for you - for you both," he said, sincerely.
To Draco's obvious surprise, Lucius hugged him for the first time since Draco had been a child. Draco hugged him back, surprised but happy.
"Thank you, we're very excited."
"I guess now she'll have to stop working after all, huh?" Lucius said, pulling away.
"I don't think Hermione will ever stop working entirely," Draco admitted. "Besides, with another mouth to feed, we're going to need the-"
Narcissa arrived back, holding a small gift box in her hand. She smiled as she gave it to Draco, "It's a Malfoy tradition."
"Thank you," he said, kissing her cheek. "I have to go though; I just wanted to tell you both right away. We'll come over for dinner later this week, all right?"
"Of course, dear," Narcissa said. "Say hello to Hermione for us and congratulations again." She hugged him, smiling widely. "I'm so happy for you."
Lucius said goodbye, looking deep in thought as Draco left.
Narcissa turned to Lucius. "I can't believe we're going to be grandparents," she said excitedly, hugging him closely.
"Hmmm," Lucius agreed distractedly as he hugged her back.
"What's going on?" Narcissa asked, frowning. "You're not unhappy, are you?"
"What? No, I'm happy - I was just thinking about something Draco said." He sighed. "I think it's time I swallow my pride completely and reinstate him as my official son and heir."
Narcissa pulled back, horrified. "You still haven't?"
"Well, no," Lucius said. The look in her eyes hardened and Lucius became defensive. "He still disobeyed and married that-"
"Stop," Narcissa told him, stepping back and glaring at him. "You fix it, and you fix it now".
Twenty-Five
Lucius watched as Narcissa held Scorpius in her arms, playing with his hands as the boy pumped his chubby fists in the air. It was the first time they'd been babysitting with Draco and Hermione out of the house, but after nearly two months of no time to themselves, they had finally consented to leave their child in the hands of his grandparents for an evening so they could go out for dinner.
"Think they'll have more?" Lucius asked, smiling as Scorpius got a hold of Narcissa's necklace.
"I hope so," she replied, smiling down at the boy as she extracted the chain from his clutch. His hair was as blond as his father's, but he had his mother's dark eyes.
"If they do, they're going to need to move out of that apartment of theirs," Lucius said. "It's barely big enough for the three of them now."
Narcissa looked up at him. "I recognise that tone of voice Lucius Malfoy; what are you thinking?"
"I was thinking, they need more room and we have too much."
Narcissa smiled sadly. "You think they would want to move in? Despite everything? Hermione doesn't exactly have the best memories of this house and as much as I hate to admit it, neither does Draco."
"I know," Lucius agreed. "But we could redecorate. They could have the West Wing entirely to themselves; I think that might make it easier, especially for Draco, since it's been unused for a long time so he doesn't have any memories connected to it."
Narcissa studied him, rocking Scorpius as he began to fuss. "You've thought of this for a while, haven't you?"
Lucius smiled. "Guilty, I'm afraid. I just... I miss having Draco here. And it's his right as heir to live here, and with the boy... he's a Malfoy; he should grow up in the house that will one day be his."
"I hope they'll agree then," Narcissa said. "It would be nice to have them here every night, and not just once in a while like now. We'd get to spend more time with Scorpius too. I would like that very much."
"Me too," Lucius admitted. "We should bring it up over breakfast tomorrow, no need to waste more time."
"Why wait until tomorrow morning then?" Narcissa asked.
Lucius frowned. "What do you mean? They're out tonight."
Narcissa laughed. "I would be very surprised if they stay out much longer. They're new parents and it's the first time they've been away from Scorpius for an extended amount of time."
"Well-"
"Hey, what are you still doing up little guy?" Draco asked as he joined his parents and son in the conservatory.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at Lucius, smiling amusedly as she handed the baby over to her son; the overjoyed smile on both of their faces when they saw each other warming her heart.
"You're home early," Lucius said. "It's barely nine."
"Yeah, well," Draco hedged, cuddling Scorpius to his chest.
Hermione laughed as she joined them, having heard Lucius' question. "Honestly, we spent most of dinner talking about the baby than anything else. We would've been back sooner if not for the fact that we had a bet with each other on who would give in and want to return first."
Narcissa laughed, Lucius smiled and Draco grumbled under his breath.
"Draco lost," Hermione stage whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder to look down at their son, smiling as he yawned.
"Time for bed, I think," Draco said. "Goodnight, mom, dad."
"Good night, sweethearts," Narcissa returned.
"Thank you both for watching him," Hermione said, smiling before she left with Draco, to put their son in the crib his father once slept in, just as his father had done before him.
In the conservatory, Narcissa took his hand as he watched them go. Lucius smiled; happy and content.
The End