The Greengrass family.
The Manor.
The Manor has always been beautiful. On the outside at least. It had huge gardens, with lovely flowers in nearly every color. The walls of the Manor had so many details that were extraordinary. It was designed centuries ago, however, it still looked brand new. It was so clean, so elegant.
It was a shame that such beautiful place had so many secrets underneath. Those lovely walls were hiding atrocious things, and a broken family.
Draco kept thinking of all the memories he had from the Manor when he was a child. Memories of Blaise and Pansy playing with him when they were children, his mother telling him fairytales before sleeping, himself running in the wide gardens, wearing extremely expansive dress robes just to eat dinner, taking piano lessons, dance lessons, reading lessons… now that he thinks of it, his father had always demanded him to learn new things, to always be excellent in any aspect of his life. He wanted to create the perfect Malfoy heir; all those lessons — which he hated — had been his training to become something he never could be. His father.
His father wanted him to act like him, to think like him, to be him. It was true that they had the same features, but they were so different… Draco could never be like him. When he was a child he used to think his father was the most powerful man in the world, that he was so clever and everything he said or did was right. Now he knows he was completely wrong. His father was nothing but a selfish, cruel and evil man. He shouldn’t be saying that about his own father, no son should think like that about their father, but denying it was worthless. It was the truth.
Draco stared at the Manor. This was his last chance to run away; once he opens that door, there is no going back. Once he opens that door he’ll have to face things he isn’t prepared for. His once ‘home’ was now just an unknown building for him. So similar and yet so different. This wasn’t the Manor he knew when he was a child, and the people inside it were not the same he knew either.
‘You have nowhere else to go. No other choice.’ The voice whispered. It was true, this was his only option. There was nothing else. He was alone. Well, at least he had Harry. He thought. Even though, Harry couldn’t save him from this one. He had to go.
He slowly opened the door with his trembling fingers, the wooden door cracked in a terrifying way that made him wrinkle his nose. If his parents hadn’t heard his arrival now they totally had.
“Draco.” His mother said, staring at him from the top of the stairs.
“Mother.” He nodded politely.
She went downstairs to wrap her arms around his son. “How have you been, my beautiful boy?”
He cringed at the words. He didn’t feel beautiful. “Fine, mother. How is everything here in the Manor?”
She loosed her grip around Draco and stepped back. She shrugged. “Well, things have been … decent.”
Draco looked at his mother. Her face was calm but her eyes revealed panic, pain and sadness. Something must have happened.
“Is everything alright, mother?” He asked concerned.
She looked away. “Your father waits for you upstairs. Go Draco.”
Draco’s heart skipped a beat. Why was his father waiting for him upstairs? Had he done something wrong? Did he find out about Harry? Draco froze. No. It couldn’t be. Right?
He nodded and walked past his mother. She gave him a weak smile before he was out of sight. Going upstairs was torture, he was so scared. He hadn’t done anything, there was no reason for his father to be mad at him. The only thing was Harry, but that was impossible. His father wouldn’t have waited until the Holidays to talk, or kill him. He would’ve gone straight to Hogwarts the second he found out about it.
None of that had happened. So what could it be? Maybe he was overreacting, perhaps his father was just waiting for him upstairs, no secret behind it.
“Draco?” His father’s voice called.
Draco froze again. Had it always been this hot in the Manor? He was covered in sweat by now.
“Yes, father?” His voice came a little rough.
“Come here, son. I’m in your room.” Lucius said.
Draco walked towards his room. His trembling hand reached the door to open it slowly. Once he opened the door he saw his father sitting in the corner of his ridiculously enormous bed.
“Hello, father.”
His father’s face twisted in disgust one he saw him. Was something wrong with his outfit?
“What happened to you, Draco?” His father asked dryly.
Draco frowned. “I- I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean, father.”
Lucius stood up and walked towards Draco. He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Look at you. You look so malnourished … were you skipping meals at Hogwarts?”
Draco felt like someone stabbed him right on his chest. Of course he knew he wasn’t the most fit boy, and he obviously hated the way he looked, but his father telling him he looked so malnourished… that was another thing. If his own father saw him on that way then everyone did as well. They all must be thinking how scrawny and ugly he is.
He felt like he had lost the ability to talk. Like his tongue had suddenly disappeared, or his lips were shut together and he couldn’t open them, like he had lost his voice and all the words and knowledge he had were forgotten.
His father shook his head in disbelief. “You need to be decent when the GreenGrass family arrives. I will not allow them to see you like this … what would Astoria think? She would be disgusted just by looking at you. Try to cover all of … this. And wear your best dress robes.”
Draco forced himself not to cry, he was fighting tears, he couldn’t cry in front of his father. Again. Last time he did that it didn’t turn out very well.
“Yes, father.” He nodded.
“Very well then, if you understand this situation then there’s nothing more to talk about. Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He patted his son’s shoulder before he left.
Draco stared at the big window on his left. The sky was turning black, stars getting ready to shine and the bright full moon rising slowly. He wondered what was Harry doing, how was he, if he was safe, if he felt happy. He missed Harry. These were going to be really long Holidays.
He went downstairs to eat dinner. He was nervous, being around his father was turning him mad. He felt like no matter what he did nothing was going to be good enough for his father. Like he would always be a disappointment to him.
The dinning room smelled delicious. The table was full, enough food to feed around 100 people. It was almost the same amount of food the Hogwarts tables had. Different options for everyone.
All you could imagine was there. There was roast beef, smashed potatoes, peas, turkey, beans, chicken, sausages, rice, fish and pudding and cake for dessert.
Draco’s mouth fell open, he had never seen so much food for dinner. Of course the house elfs always cooked a lot because his father requested it, but nothing like this.
His mother grinned at him when she saw him staring at the food.
“Just in time, Draco. I expect the GreenGrass family will arrive soon.” She saw the discomfort look on his son’s face and cleared her throat. “Your father even asked for your favourite food. Isn’t it lovely?”
He sighed. “Yes, of course. Thank you, mother.”
Her look softened. “You are very welcome, darling.”
Lucius entered the room. He was wearing an elegant black suit. His hair pulled up in a ponytail. His chin lifted upwards like he was trying to point at something, or trying to look superior than everyone in the room, Draco thought.
“Narcissa. Draco.” He nodded. “The GreenGrass family is at the door. My dear wife, please go and treat them like the the great hosts we are.” He stepped closer to Draco. “And you. Behave.” He warned Draco.
He nodded and looked at his shoes. Wishing this night was over.
The door opened to reveal two young beautiful girls. The first one had blonde hair, a bit darker than Draco’s, she was the oldest, he noticed. Not for much though, maybe three or two years older than the other girl; who had light brown hair. They were both giggling and whispering to each other’s ears, this only made Draco feel worse.
They were probably whispering at how ugly he looked. Behind the two girls were Mr and Mrs Greengrass. They had a wide smile in their faces, like their family had won the lottery.
Narcissa cleared her throat. “Wonderful to see you! Please come inside, dinner is ready.” She smiled.
They all took some steps forward before stopping in front of Draco, who was almost fainting from fear.
“So this is the young Draco Malfoy.” Mr Greengrass said while he looked Draco up and down. Judging him, Draco thought. “I have heard so many things from you. Is it true that you are top student of your class?” He raised one eyebrow.
“Well, nice to meet you.” He shook the man’s hand. “Er- Actually, I am not. I am the second best, another girl won that spot.”
He frowned. “Hmm. And… do you mind sharing who she is?”
He hoped Mr Greengrass didn’t know Hermione, he wasn’t going to like the fact of a muggleborn winning him. “Hermione Granger, sir.” He said, voice cracking a bit.
His frown deepened. “Isn’t that the Mudblood girl?” He asked coldly.
“I—”
Lucius placed a hand on Draco’s shoulder. “Mr and Mrs Greengrass.” He nodded. “Astoria, Daphne. Lovely to see you.” He smiled.
Draco felt relieved that his father had come. For once he had saved Draco from a very awkward situation.
“Yes, Lucius. I was just talking with your son…”
Lucius looked at Draco. “Yes, a wonderful boy, isn’t he? My successful son. He’s the pride of the family.”
Draco wanted to scoff. His father was such a hypocrite. He had told him thousands of times how big of a disappointment he was, but now… in front of others, he was his ‘pride’. Rubbish. He stared at his father in disbelief, wishing the Greengrass wouldn’t notice his reaction.
“Yes… wonderful boy, indeed.” Mr Greengrass said.
“Well, I see you have introduced yourself, Draco. What if you talk with these lovely ladies before we start dinner? Perhaps Mr and Mrs Greengrass could talk with me, alone.” Lucius said, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course, father. I would be delighted to do so.” He lied.
“Very well, go.” His father took his hand out of Draco’s shoulders, pushing him a bit forward before leaving.
The two girls just stared at him giggling. This was going to be painful. “Er- Nice to meet you, I’m Draco Malfoy.” He extended his hand so they could shake it.
The brown hair girl took it first. She flushed. “Astoria Greengrass. It’s a pleasure.”
Oh. So she was going to be his future wife. Well, she was actually very gorgeous, but nothing compared to Harry. No matter how pretty or charming she was, the love he felt for Harry was more intense. It was like comparing a volcano with a candle.
“Try to at least cover your blush, sis. Don’t be too obvious with your huge crush on the man.” The other girl whispered —very loud to be honest— and Draco heard everything. He flushed a bit, completely embarrassed.
Astoria dropped her hand and kicked her sister. Draco grinned unconsciously. Astoria flushed even more.
The other girl threw a glare at Astoria before looking at him. His hand still in the air.
“Daphne Greengrass.” She shook his hand.
He nodded politely. “Are you two in Hogwarts? Haven’t seen you there.”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “As matter of fact, we are. I’m in fourth year. Astoria is in her second, just a year younger than you.”
Oh. Was it rude to not have noticed that they studied in the same place?
“Oh, my apologies. I- I never noticed.”
Daphne scoffed. Astoria glared at her.
“There is no problem, Draco. After all, we only knew you were there because our parents told us, we didn’t even know you were… you, before they talked to us.” She said smiling at him.
Draco’s embarrassment was still there, but a little less. Astoria was actually a very kind person. He smiled at her. “I think we should go, they must be waiting for us to eat.” He cleared his throat.
“Sure!” Astoria said and started walking next to him.
Daphne nodded and walked to.
Draco’s nerves returned when he saw everyone in the table was all tensed. No one had a smile on their faces, they seemed… tired and worried.
Narcissa smiled when she saw her son coming with Astoria and Daphne next to him. “Hello over there, we were just waiting for you.” She said softly.
Draco sat next to his mother, but his father glared at him. That look on his face was pure disgust and hate.
“Draco, son. Why don’t you sit next to Astoria?” He said sharply.
Draco looked at the girl who was as red as the tomatoes on her plate. “Absolutely, father.”
He stood up slowly and sat next to Astoria. “Hey.” She said, he just smiled in return.
*
They made it through half of the dinner without arguing. Everyone had almost finished their meal, however, Draco had only taken a bite of his beef and almost finished his peas.
Mr Greengrass broke the silence. “Tell us, Draco. You were mentioning something about this… Mudblood girl. I am rather interested to know more.”
Draco felt a lump in his throat. Somehow unable to open his mouth to speak. Everyone was staring at him, and he just froze. His father glared at him. “Draco, it is disrespectful to not answer immediately.” Draco knew it was a warning.
He forced himself to speak. “My apologies. I- I was thinking about it for a while.”
Mr Greengrass raised his eyebrows. “You said she was the best student of your class, but… how could that happen? I thought you were clever.”
He reached for his glass of water with trembling hands and took a quick sip before answering. “I- I am, sir. It’s just she is… brilliant. She knows all the books and answers by heart and it’s very difficult to be better than her.”
Lucius scoffed. “Are you listening to yourself, Draco? How could a mudblood know more of magic than you? You that are a pureblood? It’s ridiculous if you ask me.”
Mr Greengrass nodded in agreement. “To be fair, it is. Such a shame… how mudbloods are poisoning the Wizarding World, and Hogwarts. They shouldn’t allow those people there. It’s a dishonour for all wizards and witches.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Mudbloods are just a plague in this world. They do not belong. It’s a disappointment to see how even the Ministry has fallen into their game, allowing them to live here, like they aren’t outsiders. Even purebloods, like the Weasleys, are contaminated. They are blood traitors.” Lucius said.
Mrs Greengrass whispered something to her husband, something Draco couldn’t quite catch.
“Oh yes, I was almost forgetting this.” He chuckled. “Thank you, dear. Mr Malfoy, I think it is time to discuss about Draco and Astoria.”
Draco’s stomach sank. He wasn’t ready to even hear about this, the mere thought of it disgusted him and made him suffer. The lump in his throat returned, just that this time it was impossible to swallow, to breathe. He felt completely sick.
“Of course, Mr Greengrass.” Lucius smirked. “I was quite waiting for to mention it.”
“I think Astoria is too young to do this arrangement now. Draco is as well. I was wondering if this arrangement could take place in … three years, to not wait so long. Draco would be in his sixth year at Hogwarts and Astoria in her fifth. Seems fair enough to me.”
Draco could clearly notice the disagreement in his father’s face. “Hmm. I think it is better if we do it right away. Why would we wait?”
Mrs Greengrass answered this time. “I won’t let my daughter marry your son at this age. She is twelve! She is still a little girl. Your son is too!” She said angrily. “If you are willing to do this arrangement I don’t think it’ll be such a problem to wait three years.”
Lucius glared at her, but then nodded politely. “Very well then. Do as you please, the arrangement can wait a bit longer.”
Draco was speechless. He had never seen his father act this way before, usually, when people refused to do things his way, he screamed or just… fought until he could prove he was right. This time, he just followed them. Odd.
“Thank you.” Mrs Greengrass said sniffing. Draco thought she didn’t want this for her daughter. She deserved someone who actually loved her, and Draco agreed with this. People should marry people they love, marriage shouldn’t be arranged.
Narcissa cleared her throat. Drawing all the attention to her. “Did you know that Draco has a talent for Potions? He is the best in that class.”
Mr Greengrass raised his eyebrows. “I did not know that. Well, congratulations, dear. Finally something to be proud of.”
Draco nodded. “Thank you.” Even though what the man said wasn’t nice at all.
“Who is the worst at Potions?” He asked curiously.
Draco frowned, trying to remember all the students in that class. Well, he had someone in mind. “Er- Harry Potter.”
Mrs Greengrass nearly spilled the wine she was drinking and Mr Greengrass choked on his carrot. “P-Potter?”
“Yes?” He said hesitantly.
“Oh. I- I had forgotten you were the same age.”
Draco just looked around. Not knowing what to say. Until his father spoke.
“Well, I had known that. Unfortunately, they have to share some of their classes. I guess that Potter is just as dumb as his father.”
Draco felt his blood boiling. His vision filling with anger. His father was unbelievable, how dare he call Harry dumb?!
Mr Greengrass laughed. “Guess you are right, Lucius. Gladly, they are dead now and we don’t have to see them again.”
Draco wanted to throw up. How could someone say something so cruel? That was just pathetic, making fun of other people’s death was vile. Weren’t they supposed to have a heart?
“Indeed. The only one left is that Potter, but hopefully he’ll die very soon so the Dark Lord can return.”
Draco had never wanted to punch his father so much in his life. “Stop.” He said out loud, he froze once he said it. It just blurted out.
Lucius glared at him. “What did you say?”
Screw it. He wasn’t going to let his father talk about Harry like that. “I said stop. It is not funny to laugh about other people’s death. It’s not right, and it’s even worse to wish for someone’s death.”
His father looked at him with anger and hate. Like he had just made the biggest mistake of his life. “Draco stop being ridiculous. You know how much we despise that Potter.” He said with a dangerous voice, kind of a warning, telling Draco to shut up.
“I don‘t. He’s actually a very nice person, he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.” He said dryly.
His father took a deep breath putting his fork down in the table, so strong the whole table shook.
Draco flinched, but his chin remained up. If there was one thing he wasn’t going to allow his father to do, was talk rubbish about Harry. His Harry.
“Draco Lucius Malfoy, you have no right to talk to your father like that!” He yelled.
Draco scoffed. “But you do have the right to talk about him? Who do you think you are?! You have no right. He’s just a boy! A boy that has gone through enough. He doesn’t need your comments or your threats, he’s life is already pretty fucked up without any of that!”
Narcissa grabbed his wrist. Trying to calm him down or remember him that other people were watching. He didn’t care.
His father warned one last time. “This is your last chance to end whatever this is. You’re being ridiculous, Draco.”
“No, I’m not. You’re being ridiculous! Making fun of a child who lost his parents.” He shook his head. “Don’t you have a heart? How can you be so vile, and cruel and pathetic and—” The words were cut off as he felt a strong hand on his cheek.
His father had slapped him in front of everyone! How embarrassing. He felt like he wanted to die. From the pain and from how bloody awkward this was. He looked at the two girls, who had their mouth open in shock, their eyes wide. Mr and Mrs Greengrass were staring at their food, no one daring to say a word.
He looked at her mother, who had a hurt look on her face, like she was the one who had been slapped. She placed her delicate fingers on Draco’s bruised cheek. He flinched at the touch. It hurt a bit, but after a few second his mother started stroking his cheek and he felt his own eyes watered. He needed to get out of there.
He stood up so suddenly that his chair almost flew backwards. Lucius shot him another glare before yelling at him.
“I hope this is the last time you act in this stupid way! Or you’ll earn more slaps that you could count! Stops behaving like a child, Draco. Get a hold in yourself!” His father said.
But how?! He was a child.
He ran to his room with a hand on his bruised skin. Tears running through his cheeks.
When he got to his room he finally let out a big sob, followed by another, and another, and quite a lot of sobs. He threw himself in the bed and hugged his pillow tightly. He heard some noise from the window. He looked immediately and felt slightly better when he realised what he was looking at.
Hedwig. Harry’s owl.
He opened the window and said hello to Hedwig. She was a beautiful owl.
“Hey… how are you? You must be tired from flying… are you going to wait for my response?”
The bird just stared at him. Blinking, but not moving. He guessed Harry told her to wait until he answered the letter. “Alright.” He sniffed. “You can wait here for a while until I read this.”
He sat on the corner of his bed and began reading.
‘From Harry. To my favourite white-blonde hair guy.’ Was written in Harry’s awful handwriting.
He chucked to himself. He hadn’t begun reading and it was already making him feel better. He had fallen badly for Harry.
‘Dear Draco,
I’m sorry for writing too soon, but I couldn’t wait. I have been nervous and worried about you since we left, I don’t know why, but I had this bad dream. You were crying in your room, in so much pain. I know it was just a dream, but I wanted to make sure you were alright.
You told me everything was going to be fine… but I couldn’t resist. I swear, my head was going to explode if I didn’t write to you right now. How are you doing? I really hope you are feeling well and that you’re safe. I miss you so much. It’s not much time but I think it’s going to feel like an eternity.
We just left and I can’t wait to see you again. To hug you and kiss you… and tease you. I love it when you get embarrassed, you wrinkle your nose in this adorable way! I can’t handle it. It’s so bloody cute.
Anyway, things have been… fine. Nothing very interesting for you to know. I’m safe, I’m okay, just bored. Hope your Holidays are more interesting than mine. I wish you could be here with me. I think about you every second! It’s almost torture being away from you.
This is all I have to say. Just… take care and be safe. I couldn’t handle it if something bad happens to you. Wish you the best! Miss you so so much! I can’t wait to se you again!
- Love, scarhead.
P.S: Hope you like that I remembered my new nickname. You’re very creative. And, by the way, Hedwig will wait until you answer to this letter, told her to do so. If you can, please give her some treats, she’ll love you for it.’
Draco smiled and wrinkled his nose in embarrassment. Damn it, Harry!
He took his quill and began writing.
‘Dear Harry,
I’m glad you wrote. Knowing from you always cheers me up. I don’t know if you have psychic powers or something but you were actually right. I was, indeed, crying in my room. Nothing terrible happened, before you ask. I just had an argument with my father and … well, things got a bit tense and he slapped me. It hurt a bit so I wanted to cry. That’s all. Nothing to worry about.
Besides that, everything is fine. Mother has been wonderful to me, it’s very nice having her around. I don’t know what I would do without her. My father would probably tear this house apart if it’s not for her. I would’ve been mad by now. So thank her for keeping me sane.
It’s awesome to hear that you’re safe. I was worried about you too. And talking about the boring part… I wish I could be bored. A lot has happened, mostly fight with my father or sometime I hear him and mother arguing. To be honest, today’s fight was because of you. He was saying something very cruel about you and your parent’s death and I just couldn’t handle it anymore.
Before I even realised I was yelling at him and telling him that he had no right to talk about you in that way. Nevermind, enough talking about me. Hopefully something interesting will happen to you, I just wish it’s not dangerous. Because I don’t know how, but you somehow always manage to put your life in danger.
I miss you too. I’ve been thinking a lot about you as well, every day, every second. About how much I want to hug you, and kiss you and cuddle with you… but if you tell anyone I said that I’ll murder you.
Take care, be safe. I’m counting the days to see you again. I’m so excited! Can’t wait! Enjoy your Holiday, my dear scarhead.
- Love, Draco.’
And with that, he sent the letter with Hedwig. Now he just had to wait until Harry’s answer, hopefully very soon. Besides his mother, Harry was the other thing that kept him sane. He was his motivation to keep trying. Harry was something to look forward.
With Harry he was starting to enjoy his life a little more.