Behind Closed Doors: A Portrait of the Malfoy Family
Chapter 1: Rejection and Acceptance
The sky burned a light pink as a new day dawned on a cold November morning. Upstairs in the bedroom of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, a small cry pierced the silent morning air. The midwife wrapped the newest addition to the Malfoy family in a soft white blanket and handed the child to Narcissa who looked pale and exhausted from twelve hours of labour. Lucius was downstairs in his study, having found it best to stay out of Narcissa's line of fire when she was in labour.
"What is it?" Narcissa asked softly, hoping that it was a boy. Lucius expected only sons. She expected a son, having learned since Draco's birth 14 months ago that having a daughter in this world was just asking for trouble.
"A girl," said the midwife as her assistant put the baby into Narcissa's arms.
Narcissa looked at the child and then shoved her back into the assistant's arms.
"Take it away!" She snapped.
"Mrs. Malfoy are you sure?" The midwife asked shocked.
"Yes," Narcissa said coldly. "Take it to Mr. Malfoy; let him decide what should be done."
The midwife nodded to her assistant and the younger woman left the room with the peaceful little girl, who smelled only of the sweetest flowers. As the assistant walked downstairs with the baby, she could not help but wonder why this little girl's mother rejected her. But then again, the blood that ran through this little girl's veins spoke a silent truth. The Malfoys were a noble family, whose family line was dependent on male heirs.
Back in her bedroom, Narcissa fell back against the pillows, a lone tear falling down her cheek unnoticed by anyone. She had failed her husband, even though she was against having another child especially so close to her son. In the back of her mind, she knew that Lucius would dispose of the child. Not kill her of course; killing a child was the biggest sin in the wizarding world. Instead, the child would be given away like a bundle of unwanted clothing. But little did Narcissa know that something was about to change in this house and turn everything familiar in her world on its head.
Downstairs, the young midwife's assistant knocked on Lucius Malfoy's study door.
"Enter," came a voice on the other side.
She did as she was told and opened the door, stepping inside.
"Mr. Malfoy? Mrs. Malfoy asked me to bring the child to you. She said that you should decide what should be done."
"Is something wrong with it?"
"No sir, your daughter is perfect."
"My daughter?" He replied in a cold voice.
"Yes sir, would you like to see her?"
Lucius nodded and beckoned the young woman forward. He had intended just to take a look at the child, as he had when Draco was born the previous year. While it relieved him to know that a male heir would secure the Malfoy name and the estate, Draco did not interest him. In fact, Lucius treated Draco as his parents had treated him, lavished him with things but not with attention.
The assistant came forward and held the child out for Lucius to see. The baby yawned and opened her pale blue eyes, Lucius' eyes. Their eyes locked and in that instance, something changed. In that moment, a bond was formed that would change Lucius Malfoy's life forever. The man, who had never really connected with anyone, had been instantly bonded with this little girl and no one, not even Lord Voldemort himself could break it.
Lucius took the little girl from the assistant, "You may tell Mrs. Malfoy that I will be in to see her when the midwife has finished."
"Yes sir," the assistant before turning and walking door. When she opened it, the woman turned back, "Congratulations Mr. Malfoy."
"Thank you," he said and with that she closed the door behind her leaving father and daughter alone in the room.
When the assistant was gone, Lucius sat back down in his comfortable overstuffed leather chair and looked at his daughter.
"Well, aren't you a surprise?" Lucius said softly, he could have sworn there was a twinkle in her eyes when he said that. "Now, what shall we call you?" He thought for a moment. "Zara?" The child snuggled into his robes. "I'll take that as a yes." Then Zara looked up at him again and wrapped a tiny hand around his finger in a firm grip, sealing the newly created bond between them. "I was waiting for something," he mused softly. "I could never quite figure out what that was. But," he said kissing Zara's forehead. "I was waiting for you."