A Bridge Over Troubled Water

by Shaneey

How would Draco's life have changed if Narcissa Malfoy passed away before his fourth year at Hogwarts? Would he continue in his father's footstep's, or would he blaze his own trail? HD AU

1. Prologue: 2005

A Bridge Over Troubled Water
by
Shaneey

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A/N:

Merry Belated Christmas to the worst third and the best third from the third with Harry's chest.

-Third with the Harry's Chest (or THC, for short)

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Prologue

Dear Weasleys…

2005

"What's he doing here?" was the first remark made into the shocked silence that had descended upon the room after a young blonde man walked into Gringotts' Private Room number three. The room's occupants were so disturbed by this man's presence that the very small, very blonde toddler currently nestled to said man's shoulder went nearly unnoticed, as did the slightly older child holding her father's hand.

Soon the many other people crowding the room began to protest as well, until the voice of the presiding goblin cut through the chaos.

"Mr. Malfoy's presence is required."

A cruel smile spread across the face of one of the room's red-headed inhabitants. "Looks like Harry's going to get the last word, Malfoy."

"Shush, Ronald." Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley scolded her husband. She had always been an observant individual, and she alone had consciously noticed the two children, and though she had never like Draco Malfoy, it felt wrong and petty to insult him in front of his daughter and son.

"Now that the deceased's family has arrived, the reading of the will shall commence."

Family?

The whispers spread like wildfire.

Ever the practical one, Mrs. Granger-Weasley attempted to answer the question that was on the tip of everyone's tongue (though if she was honest with herself, the answer hardly made any sense to her). "Harry's great-grandmother, Dorea Potter, was a Black; Malfoy's mother would be Dorea's great-niece."
Some of the room's inhabitants, the red-heads included, nodded uneasily while others just gazed apprehensively at the goblin, as if the answer would appear on the leathery face before them.

Keeping his head down, the twenty-five year old Malfoy patriarch seated himself near the goblin (who was positioned at the head of the large conference table), keeping his son on his lap, and aiding the small girl onto the chair next to him.

The goblin cleared his throat and began to speak. "Those present today, by request of the deceased," someone sobbed quietly, "includes the Weasley Family: Patriarch Arthur; Matriarch Molly nee Prewett; primary heir William and wife Fleur nee Delacour; sons Charles, George, Fredrick, and Ronald and wife Hermione nee Granger; daughter Ginevra, wife of Seamus. Third eldest of the line has been excluded from this meeting. The Lupin family: Patriarch Remus; Matriarch Nymphadora nee Tonks; primary heir Theodore. The…" The introductions continued in true wizarding tradition, listing each family and individual by their proper name. Each name and title was expected until the last family was called.

"The Malfoy heirs and Potter family: Remaining Patriarch Draco, primary heir Asphodel; first son Antony."

Silence.

It seemed to last eons though in truth the first exclamation sounded barely half a minute after this odd revelation.

How had a Malfoy become the "remaining" patriarch of the Potter family?

The fevered discussions began again.

The goblin called of silence. "If there are anymore interruptions during this meeting I will be forced to begin again."

Slowly, the room quieted.

"The deceased requested that, rather than read a traditional will, each family be given a letter written before his death. I have been instructed to inform you that 'all your questions will be answered.' The letters shall be handed out in the order of the Call of Presence. Family Weasley, if you would send up a representative?"

Ginevra Finnegan stood from her place next to her sandy haired husband and moved to accept the letter.

"Family Lupin…Family Longbottom…"

The last family was called.

"Family Potter." the small girl looked up at her father inquisitively, and, at his nod, she slid out of her seat and cautiously approached the goblin. As she did so, the eyes of the room followed.
How could that little girl be related to Harry?

Before the whispered questions could begin again, the goblin's voice rung through the room, "Mr. Potter has requested that each family read their letter in the comfort of their own home, and reconvene at the location and date specified in the letter. For the time being you are all dismissed, with the exception of Family Potter, of course."