"Daddy?" Draco asked.
"What?" Lucius snapped at the young boy. Draco cowered back.
"I-I…never mind," Draco stuttered out. Lucius sighed dramatically.
"If you're going to bother me, at least tell me what you want," he said. Draco played with his fingers and looked down at his shoes.
"I was thinking that maybe we could go to the park," Draco said quietly. Lucius' eyes darkened.
"Absolutely not. Why would you think that I'd agree to that?" he said. Draco sniffed. A tear streaked down his face. Lucius looked appalled. He pulled back and slapped Draco across his face. Draco yelped, his single tear turning into many more.
"Malfoys don't cry. Now leave me to my work you ungrateful little…" Lucius said, his mumbling getting so quiet, Draco could no longer hear him. Draco tottered from the room, a bit uneasy on his feet. Draco wandered the manor until he came across his mother in the sitting room. She was sipping tea with a guest.
"Mama?" Draco said quietly, standing in the doorway. Narcissa twitched. She turned to face her son.
"Yes Draco?" Her voice sounded fake even to her own ears.
"Could we go to the park?" he asked softly. He turned his head so that his mother and her guest wouldn't see the red mark on his cheek.
"I don't think so. I'm very busy today. Have you asked your father?" Narcissa said stiffly. Draco sniffled. He ran the sleeve of his shirt under his nose.
"Yes."
"And what did he say?" The guest watched, refusing to say a word.
"He said no," Draco said.
"Then why would you even ask me?" Narcissa said, her voice rising. Draco shrugged.
"Just go to your room and leave you father and I alone," she sighed. Draco nodded and left. On his way back to his room, a house elf stopped him.
"Mister Draco? Peppin has made you this," the elf said in its squeaky voice. It extended its hand. On it was a silver platter that held only a chocolate cupcake. Draco took it carefully.
"What's this for?" he asked.
"Your birthday. Happy birthday Mister Draco," the elf said then disappeared with a pop. Draco frowned. It couldn't be his birthday. You were supposed to be treated better on your birthday. Today was just like every other day.
"Peppin?" Draco called. The elf appeared.
"Yes Mister Draco?"
"Are you sure it's my birthday?"
"Positive."
"How old am I?" The elf gave Draco a funny look.
"Five today Mister Draco. Now will that be all?" Draco nodded. The elf was gone before he could blink. Draco bit into his cupcake. At least one good thing happened today.