A/N: Buongiorno! I've decided to create this story because I'm an evil human and because I believe that there needs to be more hurt Malfoy stories out there. Sooooo… yeah. If you guys like this, I'll continue it! My goal is for it to follow Draco as he grows up. Also, it's been a while since I've read the books so some of my info may not be correct. I'll do the best I can though! Hope you guys enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing! I make no profit off of this. This is solely for my enjoyment and hopefully for the enjoyment of others! ;)
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"Where is he?"
The closet was dark and barren, not at all being used for its intended purpose. Instead of housing cloaks and shoes, it housed a rather frail looking boy who was no more than five years of age. Said child had unbelievable pale blonde hair and lurid light blue eyes. At the best of times, the boy was bouncing about with undepletable energy and exploring the world around him with childish wonder. This, however, was not the best of times. But, while the situation was unfavorable, it was not the worst of times either. In fact, the scene taking place was one that the boy was familiar with.
"Draco!"
Draco shrank farther into the corner of the closet, finding little to no solace in the unyielding stones behind him.
"Lucius, please," begged a different voice.
"You were meant to be watching him, Narcissa," hissed Lucius.
"I know and I apologize, but he didn't mean anything by it. You know that!"
Draco hugged his knees to his chest, wrapping skinny arms around them to hold them in place.
"I could not care less about the boy's intentions. The point is that he has broken one of my rules and he will face punishment. Draco!" That last word was a shout. Draco jerked at the unconcealed vexation in his father's voice. Draco knew that the longer he hid from his father, the more intensely his father's wrath would descend upon him.
Draco choked down a painful swallow. "Malfoys are brave," he whispered to himself. "Malfoys do not show fear." He pressed his palms to the ground and used unsteady arms to lever himself onto even more unsteady legs. He stretched out a hand in the darkness and let it fall on the brass doorknob. He paused. "Malfoys do not show fear," he repeated, quieter than the first time. He twisted the handle and threw open the door before he lost his nerve.
As soon as the door was open, Draco wished he had stayed in his corner in the dark. Lucius Malfoy was striding down the poorly lit hallway, his face a picture of stony fury. Silver blonde hair whipped backwards from the force and speed of Lucius' stride. Each footfall branded the floor with red hot malice as the men and women in the photographs that decorated the walls fled their frames, seeking solace in a safer part of the house.
Poor Draco feared that his heart might leap from the confines of his chest and fly ten feet away. But no matter how terrified he was of the man rapidly approaching, Draco did not move, for to flee would be to asking to be put in The Box.
Draco had to crane his neck back as suddenly his father was towering over him. Despite the family mantra repeating on loop in his brain, Draco couldn't quite help showing fear in the face of his father's anger. His hands began to shake and his breathing rate became quicker as he took shorter breaths.
"Father, I–" Draco was silenced almost immediately as Lucius raised his ever present cane and struck the silver head of the serpent across his son's cheek.
"I am not raising you to be insolent. I am not raising you to be impolite. I am not raising you embarrass me in front of esteemed colleagues!" Each sentence was punctuated with another blow from the cane. After the last blow fell, Draco kept his head turned toward the ground, not wanting his father to see the tears that were pooling in his eyes.
Lucius had other ideas. He bent down to Draco's level and grabbed his son's chin in a firm grasp and yanked the boy's head up to face him. His lip curled in disgust as he saw the tears threatening to cascade down Draco's now red cheeks.
"I made rules for you and I expect you to respect them and abide by them." Lucius's voice had taken on a low, smooth quality. "Do you understand me, Draco?"
Draco was too stunned by the pain in his cheeks and the additional pain of Lucius's fingernails digging into his chin to answer. Lucius released Draco's chin in favor of slapping his hand across his already inflamed cheek. Instantly he reassumed hold of his son's chin. "I said, do you understand?" His voice had become deadly.
"Yes, sir," Draco choked past the pain rising in his throat. Lucius shoved the boy away. "Away from me, child."
Draco didn't have to be told twice.
He fled past Lucius down the hall and upon reaching the end, took an immediate right. He was thankful that he knew every twist and turn of the Manor by heart because hot tears crowded his vision. All he could see was blurred color streaking by as he ran. He saw the bright orange of flames as they danced on the wicks of candles. Deep burgundy mixed with burnt orange as the fading light of the sunset struggled through the window panes and barely illuminated the heavy curtains.
But most importantly he saw the milky paleness of his mother's skin as her hands reached for her wounded son.
"Draco," she called softly, but he paid her words no heed and pressed on. He didn't stop running until he had reached a sparse room. It contained nothing more than a bed, a large mahogany wardrobe, and a small chest at the foot of the bed. This was Draco's room.
Draco climbed on the bed and buried his throbbing face into the ridiculously soft pillows. He payed no attention to the fact that the coverings on his pillows only served to chafe his sore cheeks. What was a little more pain added into the mixture?
Once Draco felt that he had no more tears left to cry, he flipped onto his back and stared up at the unadorned ceiling. He thought back on his day and wondered how one little accident had incurred such a wrath in his father.
The day had started off well enough: he had breakfast with his parents and told his mom all the things he had planned to do that day. She had smiled and told him to finish his tea before his adventures began. He had had his morning conversations with deceased family members captured in photographs (his favorite was his great grandmother Maudie).
He followed the Malfoy house elf, Dobby, around as the little elf went about his daily list of chores. Draco talked on and on about anything that came to mind. Dobby was used to the young Malfoy accompanying him as he completed his tasks. In fact, he quite enjoyed the child's playful rambling.
Narcissa had called Draco away for lunch and Draco had bid Dobby farewell. Narcissa and Draco had a simple lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches; Lucius had not joined them. After lunch was Draco's appointed "outdoor time" in which he was allowed to roam the grounds of Malfoy Manor granted that he stay where his mum could see him.
Today, Draco had chosen to explore his mother's garden. Narcissa wasn't one to get her hands dirty but gardening was a guilty pleasure of hers. She said it always made her feel united with the world's energy. Draco didn't know what that meant but he never asked her to explain.
Draco had played Defend the Garden, a game which he had just made up. He pretended that there were giant trolls and evil goblins wanting to come and steal his mother's flowers.
He had been enjoying himself so much that he barely noticed when the sun began sink towards the tree line. The only time he stopped playing was when his tummy had given a loud grumble, signaling that it was time for him to eat. Just as he had been about to go inside, a flash of color caught his eye. He turned and saw a beautiful butterfly that's wings were striking shades of violet and turquoise. Draco had never seen such a pretty butterfly before.
He had been determined to catch it. He had waited for it to descend upon one of the many sweet smelling flowers before he snuck up behind it and trapped it, remembering to be gentle, between his hands. He had given a squeal of delight and had charged inside, heading straight for his father's study, insistent on sharing his discovery with him.
He had burst through the door, blue eyes glowing with delight. "Father! Father look what I–"
Draco had dug his heels into the ground and brought himself to a sudden stop. Looking down at him was not just the face of his father, but also of roughly ten other men.
Draco had locked eyes with his father and had instantly felt the blood drain from his face, realizing his mistake. He had broken his father's rule by forgetting to knock before he entered the study. He had just been so excited to share his discovery that he had completely forgotten about the rule.
Draco's hands had gone limp and the butterfly escaped his clutches and had taken off through the open window. Draco had backed out of the room quickly and had dashed for a hiding place that was far, far away from the study.
Draco turned onto his side and brought his knees up to his chest. He had just wanted to show his father the butterfly…
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Thanks for reading! Drop me a review and let me know if you want me to continue! All the love calming hugs!