PROLOUGE
Eighth years, for the first time ever there were eighth years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Even though his father had grimaced when Draco had anounced he would return to finish off his school carrer the right way without any interuptions or interference, his father had smartly kept his mouth shut.
All students who's seventh year had been interrupted by the war had been given a choice. They could accept a final grade that was the average of their six previous years and take their N.E.W.T's in the following spring along with all the other students if they'd like, or they could return as a student and finish up properly.
It was no surprise that the elder Malfoy wanted his son to accept the already vacant position in the ministry. It was a position he had used the last of his favors to get. Plus practically all employers in the wizarding world were hiring the former Hogwarts students on a probatinary status till they could take their N.E.W.T's and most employers were simply ignoring the lack of N.E.W.T's scores completely. It was the perfect time and circumstances for Draco to slide under the radar and begin to rebuild the Malfoy name.
Draco had other plans. He was given a second chance. A chance to live his life without Dark Lords and prejudiced fathers dictating his every move. He had a chance to do it his way and there was nothing his father could do to ruin it. Not unless he wanted a divorce on his hands. His mother and he loved his father very much, but they both agreed, Lucius Malfoy had messed up royally where keeping the family safe was concerned.
So Draco's mother had issed an ultimatum. When it came to all aspects of Draco's life, one Lucius Malfoy was persona non grata. If he interfered in ant way she would simply air his dirty laundry, take him for all he we was worth and leave with Draco. She loved her husband but she refused to stand by and watch her husband ruin her only son's life.
So when Draco had declared that his father could stick the job offer where the sun didn't shine, he watched his father turn red and glance at Narcissa. Only to completely wither under her stern glare and obvious lack of support. With a sigh he simply stated, 'So Diagon Alley the Friday before term like always', and pretty much set the theme for every interaction the family would have till he left for Hogwarts. It was either a defeated sigh followed by a placating statement or near suffucation as he choked down his anger, before a defeated sigh and a placating statement.
Regardless of his fathers obvious trouble and discomfort, Draco was not going to let it get to him. The feeling of getting a second chance to do everything his way, whether he succeeded or failed was exilerating, and he was filled with a hope and wonder he hadn't felt since he boarded the train for Hogwarts his first year. Yet it was all different, because now he knew that the little boy who boarded the Hogwarts Express seven times before, was far to spioled and naive to know how little say he actually had in his life, nor how terrifying a road he was being pushed down.
Now he knew he was the master of his own destiny with the love and support of his mother. Anyone who had a problem with what he chose to make of his life could bugger off, his father included. If Lucius Malfoy could not learn to accept any of his son's life choices, well then Lucius Malfoy didn't have to be a part of it. That was a sacrafice Draco was finally ready to make for his own happiness, he just hoped he wouldn't have to choose.