Chapter Two
Malfoy Manor was constantly cold. Draco hated the cold.
He lit a fire in his room, hoping to warm up his space before he got out of bed. He looked around his room, books littered his desk, his clothes crumpled in piles on the floor. It really was a mess.
Ever since Granger had liberated the house elves after the war, the Manor really was a shell of its former glory. He had been proud to have his friends at the parties his parents threw, proud to show off the family heirlooms displayed. He had been proud to lead his friends through a tour, watching their faces light up with jealously at the Manor that would one day be his.
His mother tried, she had constant spells going to keep the dust from piling up, and keeping it presentable. But it would never be the same.
Nothing ever would be the same.
He had considered what his life would look like if Voldemort had succeeded, his family would be in the upper echelon of society. That was his fathers goal. They were already a wealthy and powerful family among wizards but it was never enough for his father. He was an opportunist on the hunt for more power then he deserved and that was one thing Voldemort could offer him.
But he'd rather this sad excuse for a life, than to have to look at the smug face of Voldemort if he had succeeded. He would rather be a social pariah then have more people die without a valid reason. That was one thing he would never again agree with his parents on; blood purity.
It didn't matter in the end, everyone lives and dies, regardless of who their parents are.
He had to watch his friend, his pureblood friend die. He watched him die, praying that he wouldn't meet the same fate.
It was that moment that he knew it didn't matter. Harry Potter saving him, even after all the horrible things he had done to him at his fathers request. He had still saved his life.
He was casually cruel, without questioning he would inflict pain on the trio, knowing they wouldn't retaliate. He had apologised to Potter and his friends, he wanted to apologise to everyone he had called a mudblood, everyone he had bullied during his time at Hogwarts.
But it wouldn't be enough to erase history, or their pain.
He remembered how after his apology they were able to laugh at the time he was turned into a ferret, and the time Granger had punched him. This saddened him more, this is what his life should have been.
They should have been able to be kids. Potter shouldn't have been tasked with defeating Voldemort. His parents shouldn't have involved him with the Death Eaters.
Death Eaters shouldn't have even existed. He wouldn't ever forgive whoever messed up Tom Riddle enough to become the monster he was.
His seven years at Hogwarts should have been fun, and he'd never get those years back.
This was something he thought about often. How they had wasted his teenage years with war, and taken away his opportunity to thrive. Instead he was stuck at home with his parents with no prospects of a job, or a life outside the Manor.
An empty life.
Draco finally left his bed, not bothering to make it. He would be back in bed in a couple of hours anyway.
He saw his parents having a hushed conversation in his fathers office, closing the door when they saw him in the hallway. He heard his mother casting a silencing charm. This wasn't good.
He waited at the dining room table, holding a cup of coffee in his hands to warm them up.
His coffee was cold by the time his parents emerged from the office. His mother looked horrified. His father indifferent. As though whatever they had spoken about had no affect on him.
Draco didn't speak, he preferred to sit in silence even in their company. Their conversations never were anything good. His father liked to recount his days as Voldemort's right hand man, as if that was something to be proud of. His mother only talked of the parties they had missed, and of course up coming pure blood matches.
He understood his mother, she had been raised to become a wife and mother. She had been trained for this life, allowing her husband to dictate every move the family made, even though in Draco's opinion, his mother was smarter. She never would have made the mistakes his father made.
She had only her families interest in mind, rather then chasing a noseless man with the promise of status and power.
His fathers voice broke his train of thought. His mother offered a kind smile, but something in her eyes made it look apologetic.
"We've arranged a match for your marriage" His father spoke with finality in voice.
"No." Draco replied simply. Not wanting to even entertain the idea. His mother moved to place her hand over his, offering some comfort to her son.
"It's not up for discussion Draco. You will marry Rose Carrow. We need to move on from this foolishness, and the only way we can regain our place in society again is for a marriage to occur. Now, the Carrows would like everything finalised before Spring. Your mother and I will handle finances, they will of course be paying for the wedding and Rose will move into the Manor for you to start a family and carry on the Malfoy name" Lucius said, standing from his chair as though the conversation was over.
"You may get final word over mothers, but not mine. I'm done doing everything to please you, when it gets me nowhere. What have your choices done for our family? Mum can't even go into Diagon Alley without people leering at her. We have lost everything thanks to your decision making, so what makes you think I will allow you to decide this for me?" Draco finished, also standing up. His hand gripping his wand in preparation of his fathers retaliation.
His father stepped towards him, his hands white from his grip on his cane. His face red from anger. Draco had never spoken to him like this. No matter how angry he was, he always bit his tongue.
"Whether or not you agree with my decision is of no use to me, you stupid boy" Lucius stood toe to toe with his son, daring him to argue further.
"Let's all calm down. Draco, I know this isn't what you want, and I know we vowed not to do this to you, but I'm sure you can see how this will help our family. We need to make a name for ourselves that isn't associated with the Dark Lord" Narcissa finally spoke.
She knew her husband was wrong. But it was her duty as his wife to support him, she was sure Draco would understand once he was married.
"No, I'm done with this. I was basically hand delivered to Voldemort. I had to watch Dumbledore die. I had to watch my friends die. We are never going to regain our place in society because of his stupidity. I could marry Harry fucking Potter and it would do nothing for us in the eyes of society. I won't do it, and that's final. If I never have to see either of you again, then fine. But I won't be giving in to every poor decision my stupid excuse of a father makes" Draco said his final words directly looking into his fathers eyes.
He knew he was being harsh, but he had to finally stand up to him. Otherwise he would never break out of the mould his father created for him. He didn't want to be a mini Lucius Malfoy. He was Draco Malfoy. He wanted to create his own destiny. At most, he wanted to have say in his life decisions.
His father lifted his wand holding at his sons neck, the vain in his forehead pulsing in anger.
They stood like that for what felt like hours, neither man wanting to back down from their stance.
Narcissa gently removed the wand from Lucius' hand, not wanting her son to be hurt by the man that was meant to protect him.
He hadn't done a great job in the past, Narcissa could admit that, but she had hoped for change. She had hoped that he would see Draco as his own person, and not his pawn in the game of chess Lucius played in his head.
She had fought with Lucius all morning about this, she didn't want this for her son. He had enough choice taken away from him but her husband didn't understand that. Draco was his son, and therefore his to use as he pleased, and she knew she was fighting to loose. She always lost. But her son didn't have to. While she would never admit to her husband, she was proud of her son. He was becoming a wonderful man. She saw it in the way he'd bring her a cup of tea while she was reading, the way he'd always accompany her when she had to leave the Manor, staring down anyone that gave her a dirty look.
He would make any woman the luckiest woman in the world, but that woman wouldn't be Rose Carrow. That she was certain of.
Lucius stormed away, slamming his office door in the process.
Tears had welled up in Draco's eyes, he was almost vibrating with anger.
As she wiped a fallen tear from her sons cheek, she did the one thing she never thought she would have to do.
"If you want to leave, I won't be mad" she whispered.
He nodded, and kissed her cheek. She just hoped this wasn't the last time she'd ever see her son.
Draco ran to his room, conjuring a suitcase for himself and packing up his essentials.
He had no plan, but he'd rather leave now then have to face his father again. He knew his mother would be okay, and that he would figure out a way to see her again without his father knowing.
As he finished packing, Narcissa entered his room, handing him an envelope telling him not to open it until he had left the Manor.
He hugged his mother before leaving, he couldn't remember the last time he had hugged her and he regretted not doing it more often.