The Intricacies of Secrets
Re-write of Blood of a Malfoy
AN: This is a re-write of my story Blood of Malfoy, which needed some serious work. There is no slash, but there is explicit detailing of abuse and violence. Please do not read if this bothers you, if it doesn't please enjoy and feel free to review.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all that is related does not belong to me. I derive no financial benefit from writing this fanfiction.
Prologue
Introduction to Secrets
"Headmaster, I'm afraid we have a problem."
The twinkling blue eyes rose from the report he was reading to regard his young student with cautious kindness. Draco Malfoy was a new and surprising addition to the side of light, but one that he was not ready to trust implicitly.
Under any other circumstances, Draco Malfoy was the last student Albus would ever have expected to approach him for help. Yet after the events of this summer, Albus supposed the poor boy had very little choice. Having been abruptly and cruelly disowned by his father, Draco had approached the light with precious inside information that, to date, had saved three important Order members. Albus, in turn, had offered him sanctuary at Grimmauld Place, where the former Malfoy heir had gratefully resided until school re-opened and he had returned, nervously, to the Slytherin dorms. Fortunately, though Draco was far removed from his former status of Slytherin Prince, the rest of his dorm mates, by and large, had let him be, and Draco had settled into a mostly peaceful routine.
"How can I help you Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore queried gently, and the young man, who looked, for once, something other than completely in control, collapsed into the chair in front of Albus' desk. He opened his mouth, then closed it as he seemed to reconsider what he wanted to say. The Headmaster interjected his thoughts, "Might I call Professor Snape up Draco?"
Draco seemed relieved as he inclined his head in the affirmative, and moments later, Severus Snape was sweeping out of the fireplace. He glanced at Draco and seemed instantly to realize his dilemma. As he settled into the chair beside his godson, he laid a calming hand on Draco's forearm, "It's almost time, isn't it?"
Draco's reply was soft, "Yes sir, it is."
Severus' eyes widened marginally before he reclaimed his passive demeanor and looked Dumbledore straight in the eyes, "Sir, like many of the old pureblooded families, the Malfoy's have, in the past mated with magical creatures. As you know, those wizards who inherit the dominant genes develop the features and abilities of those creatures on their sixteenth birthday. In Malfoy's case, his Veela inheritance will develop on his birthday next week. Unlike his father and mother, who have inherited only the recessive genes, Draco has inherited the full-fledged Veela genes….He is a pureblood sir."
Albus sucked in a breath as he contemplated the problems this development would inevitably cause. Veelas were notoriously temperamental, prone to constant bouts of anger, especially around puberty. Veelas also mated for life, and until they found their life mate were extremely susceptible to the whims and designs of others. Given the precarious situation young Draco was currently in, if he did not find a mate immediately he would become a target of dark wizards everywhere, eager to make Draco a present to the Dark Lord to further their own positions.
"Do you, perhaps, know who your mate is Draco?" Dumbledore inquired gently, looking for the easiest solution.
"I am afraid not sir," Draco answered tiredly.
"He is quite sure that they are not at Hogwarts," Snape interjected. "There is, of course, no way to be completely sure until he develops, but his instincts tell him that they are no one he has ever met."
"I see," said Dumbledore. "Then I'm afraid, Mr. Malfoy, that for your safety, we have no other choice but to return you to Grimmauld Place and forego your schooling until you discover who your mate is."
"Headmaster," Snape said, "there may be another way. Mr. Malfoy can enter into a binding with someone of similar magical status, a member of one of the families of magical creatures. He would be able to remain at Hogwarts and would be able to protect himself from those that would wish to use his heritage against him."
"Is there one of such status at the school Severus?" Dumbledore asked hopefully.
Severus paused. This conversation was entering dangerous territory. In order to protect his godson he would have to break many promises he had kept for decades. However, many of these secrets would not remain secret for much longer regardless, and it may be beneficial for the Headmaster to have some foreknowledge of what would inevitably come. That, and Draco may have a chance in this cruel world.
"Harry Potter."
"What!?" Draco and Dumbledore stated incredulously at once.
"Harry is not a magical creature Severus," Dumbledore said.
"I'm afraid your mistaken sir. Lily Evans was a full-blooded Vampyr."
"I thought Potter's mum was a mud...ehem, muggle-born," Draco said, startled.
"When Lily's body started exhibiting changes around her sixteenth birthday that were far from normal, she came to me. We were close then and she had a limitless faith in my abilities. She had an unconditional belief that I would be able to help her. She was right. Even though the Vampyrs had been believed extinct for centuries, Dark creatures were of a particular interest to me, and I recognized the physical characteristics.
"Up until this point, Lily had believed she was a muggle-born, but through some investigation she found the adoption papers hidden in her family's attic. Stricken, yet infinitely curious, she asked me to concoct a potion to reveal her biological parents. When I did, the potion revealed some fascinating results.
"Lily's mother was Anna Black, the sole survivor the Vampyr clan in the Soviet Union after the Dark Lord's attempted extermination, and a black by marriage. That scoundrel Black was her half-brother, something he never found out before his death. Her father was Saetan Lupine, head of the Lupine Dynasty in England and the first ever recorded Vampyr. It is he, in fact, who is the origin of the muggle myth of Satan, the living embodiment of hell."
Severus stopped to breath, but seeing that Draco and Albus were close to bursting with questions, launched back into his story to avoid being bombarded.
"Given her parentage, it was not hard to understand why Lily was set up for adoption. So Draco, no, Lily Evans was not a muggle-born. Aside from that, the Potters, like many pureblooded families have intermarried with magical creatures throughout the centuries. When Lily asked me to test Potter when he was only a few months old to see which creature blood he would inherit, I found traces, not only of Vampyr, but also of Veela, and Headmaster, you are aware, that these tests are not at all comprehensive. Thus, Potter could inherit much more beside."
It looked as though there were many questions that Dumbledore wanted to ask, but he settled for the one most important at the moment.
"From my understanding, there is a long history of loathing between Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. What are the chances that Harry will agree to the binding?"
Severus tried to control his sneer. The idea of his godson bound to the Potter brat was distasteful, but, he conceded necessary.
"I am unsure Headmaster, though given the boy's hero complex, I trust it will not be overly hard for you to convince him."
"Why is no one paying attention to my feelings in all of this?" Draco erupted suddenly, some of his old rebellious attitude revealing itself, "I will not be bound to Harry Potter." The room seemed warmer suddenly, and Snape and Dumbledore exchanged looks.
"You may have very little choice Draco," Severus said, his voice soft and almost sad, then it hardened. "It is either Potter or a life of slavery to the Dark Lord. Take your pick."
Draco's face was petulant for a moment, then his mask of indifference was carefully reestablished. "Very well, sir."
"Why don't you go rest for a while, Draco," Dumbledore offered. "I will set up a meeting between you and Mr. Potter for tomorrow. Rest assured, all will be well."
Draco looked almost amused at that, but nodded and left.
Dumbledore locked eyes with Severus, "A Vampyr, Severus? And you never saw fit to tell me?"
Snape winced. "I made…a promise Headmaster. And the boy, soon enough, will reveal himself."
Albus sighed. "Very well….a teenage Veela. Given the current status of Veela in England, I am slightly concerned."
"I, as well, Headmaster. It would be to the school's benefit, I believe to attain warding charms for all of the students. It would also be wise to get the most up to date information on the Veela traders. I know we have a few of the most prominent traders relations at the school and that could pose some serious risk for young Mr. Malfoy."
"We will all do what we can."