Edit : This is an edited version of my first chapter after rereading it for inspiration, I found so many typo errors, that I had to try and make it more readable for my poor readers… T-T

If it's the first time you read this. Good read to you.

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Tales of Madness

Chap 1: birth of a forest

Lucius A Malfoy was never a man to panic. He always knew what to do in every situation and at any given time. He was a Malfoy. And no less was to be expected. His wits and power over the common wizard were the reason of his high position within the ministry, as well as in the Dark Lords inner-circle. Yes, he was not the type of man you'd see pacing up and down the waiting room at St mungo's, in a panicked state waiting for a healer to finally take pity of him and tell him how were his wife and future child doing. But here he was. His usually perfectly coiffed hair a mess, pacing like a caged animal in the waiting room, mumbling to himself, while his best friend, Severus Snape, was threatening to force feed him a calming draught.

"If my father could see me right now, he would have a heart attack" thought Lucius. Looking at the clock on the far end of the room for what felt like the thousandth time that day, he sighted, he had been kick out of the surgical block three hours ago. The healers had had to evacuate him after a particularly violent contraction had shaken his beautiful wife and had caused a rip in the uterus. By the time they got him out, blood had started dripping on the floor.

"Lucius! Either you sit down of your own accord or, Merlin be my witness, I will make you sit down and glue you to the chair !" snapped a very annoyed and dizzy Snape "wandering up and down the room like a disoriented pixie is not going to change anything!"

"I know Severus, it's just… they…She…" said desperately Lucius before dropping on the chair next to his friend "They've been in their for fiften hours now, severus. FIFTEN HOURS. Healers have been running in and out. My wife is probably dying on that blasted table alone, while I'm sitting here. No one will tell me what's bloody happing in there and…and…"

With tears in his eyes Lucius posed a moment looking more tired and old than he should be. The Fates were already not in their favor. The War was taking a turn for the worst. If that blasted order of the phoenix, lead by the crazy old goat, wouldn't use unforgivables on them, the Aurore's didn't have that problem. More and more death eaters were dying on the battle field, and since Severus brought back news of the prophecy, life around the dark Lord went from difficult to hellish. He had, on multiple occasions, nearly died either at the hand of a trained aurore or under the temper of a man he didn't believe in anymore. Taking his head in his hands, Lucius started to wander when everything went wrong, when he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm scared Severus." He finally admitted " I'm afraid of what's going to happen. About the war. About the child. Nissa can't go through another one…I'm not even sure I can" he confessed in such a hushed voice that Severus wasn't even sure he heard right.

The look of desperation on Lucius's face as well as this sudden admission were more than proof to Severus that his friend was, indeed, at his wits end. The War aside, this wasn't the first time they were in this situation. Narcissia had been pregnant several times now, but all her babies had either died in the womb or not lived beyond birth. From what the pediatric healers told them, it was due to an over saturation of mana (magic) in the blood. The "purity" of both their family lines was the cause of this. The child's blood was to fluid* to restrain the flow of magic within it, and the endless streams of energies ended up destroying the babies to their core.

"Fate has a dark sense of humor" thought gloomily Severus.

But before he could somewhat reassure his friend on the future, both men felt a powerful wave of energy that sent shivers up their spines.

It was an oppressive sensation. None of them could breath. they felt like they had been plunged in dark and tortuous waters and nothing could get them out. Whatever they did could only drag them deeper into the abyss. Whatever was producing this energy, was hurt and scared, and it made sure it wasn't alone in its misery. Not even in the presence of the Dark Lord in his worst temper, did Lucius feel so defenseless.

They managed to collect themselves a bit as healers ran in and out of the operating block. The ripple had managed to set off most of St mungo's wards, and the hospital was now buzzing in panic. Healers were running everywhere in a disorganized fashion, some were rushing in ,thinking it was an attack, with they're wand out to defend the patients, others were fleeing the zone. Some patients or visitors had been roped into the situation, willingly or not. Panic was starting to rise, and it didn't seem like things were going to end well, until a woman of strong built and dark skin came in.

"All right ya sissies! stop runnin' around like headless chicken and straighte' up! We're not under attack! I don't know what's happenin', but what I do know is that there's a mother and/or child in there that need our help! And it's not with you' squawkin' that we are goin' to do something about it" howled the woman while swinging her cane about "I need to know what happened. Get me one of the healers that where in the block, an' get the patients out of here, anyone I haven't said to stay scram! an' hop to it!"

the woman wasn't very tall, the top of her head might have reached Lucius's collarbone if she stood straight, she seemed to be in her late forties and was rather husky, but held an air of responsibility and authority to herself. Her voice ,which bore a thick accent that only inhabitants of Texas could have, could be heard clearly even through the chaotic mess. In no time the situation was somewhat under control even if an occasional aftershock made some healers jumpy. Lucius recognized the woman as the head of the pediatric section, Mrs. Audrey Oddy. He had seen her on some occasions during Narcissia's latest pregnancy , he didn't like her that much, she wasn't the most subtle of persons, but she was the most competent. If something was to be said it was said, she would not sugarcoat the truth, and right now that's what he needed. As she was done talking with one of the healers, Lucius found his way to her throw the remaining crowd.

"Mrs. Oddy, could you please explain what is going on in there " he said to her in as calm a voice as he could muster.

"Mr. Malfoy? What ar' ya doin' here? We are kind of in a crisis here, so could ya please leave." She scrolled "Whatever it is that's worryin' that pretty little flower of yours, it's going to be fine. She's due next week anyway"

Lucius finally snapped. How dare that woman talk to him like that! Damn appearances, it was his family we were talking about and he was bloody well going to curse this woman to oblivion if she didn't tell him what was going on!

"Actually doctor, what's worrying my "pretty little flower", as you say, is NOT fine" he said between gritted teeth "She's the one in there.! And I DEMAND to know what's going on!"

Mrs. Oddy's eyes went big upon hearing this, and she cursed under her breath about damn healers who couldn't remember a patients name right. By the time she was done cursing up a storm, Severus had caught up to them, as she explained the situation:

" For what I was told, after some complications arouse, they had to think fast. The delivery had been dragging for too long already. The mother was growing weak and they feared that any longer and they would lose the mother and the child"

Hearing that, Lucius turned two shades paler, he felt his knees turn weak , and was thankful that Severus was here to keep him standing as the Pediatric healer continued her explanations

"They tried to free the baby by doing an emergency delivery, but all of a sudden the baby's rating started to go high wire and before they knew it they were thrown violently against the walls and shocked by some unknown demon" As she finished she was putting on her medical robes and was getting ready to go in with her staff.

"What are you going to do? Do you think you can save one of them?" ask Severus, for Lucius was no longer in a state in which he could form thoughts, let alone words. The man looked hallow, like a dementor had kissed him.

After sitting Lucius in the waiting room, and making sure he wasn't going to do anything rash, Severus turned to the Mediwitch to hear what she had to say.

"I have a theory on what happen' in the block. I reckon this entire thing started when they were about to perform an emergency delivery. The baby is in distress, and it feels it's mother is too weak to help it anymore. So it's using whatever defense mechanism it has to eliminate the threat, which in this case,… Is my staff. But since it has no real conscience of what it's doin' , it acts on basic instincts. Through the most impressive fit of accidental magic done by a newborn I have ever seen in my career, might I add. If the child doesn't die, he'll be a hand full for the poor lass"

"You think you can save them both?" Ask Severus surprised.

"I reckon I can, and I will. That baby is in distress and it needs help. As long as it's fightin', so will I." declared solemnly the mediwitch "now go in the waiting room with your friend… By the looks of things, he needs all the support he can get from a friend right about now."

Severus nodded and thanked the mediwitch, that went straight in the block fallowed by the remaining staff she had thought useful.

Severus found Lucius in the same place he left him in the waiting room. The man hadn't moved a muscles, and wasn't remotely trying to maintain the Malfoy family demeanor. It was a pitiful sight, and a heartbreaking one. No light was glowing in those usually cynical eyes, his skin was ashen, his hair a mess.

Tears had started rolling silently down his cheeks, in a regular flow.

Lucius was a broken man.

Severus walked silently up to his friend, but once there, he didn't know what to do. What could he do? He could only lay a comforting hand on Lucius's shoulder, and stand with him in his time of need.

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When Mrs Oddy came into the waiting room again, Lucius had managed to recollect himself partially, both men rose and went to get the news. The Mediwitch seemed exhausted, strain was written all over her, and just by the look on her face, Lucius knew she wasn't bringing good news.

"I have some good news, and some bad news gentlemen." Said the mediwitch. Both men held their breath in anticipation. "Good news is, both your wife and child are goin' to make it. Your wife is currently bein' tended to. She'll be weak for a few days but she'll pull throw. Surprisingly, even through the panic, the previous team managed to stabilize her, so she'll still be able to conceive."

Lucius was beside himself in relief. His wife was going to live. And so was his child,… their child was going to live. Not falling in the same goofy, and perfectly legitimate, smile his friend was falling into, Severus asked:

"And what is the bad news?"

The mediwitch looked embarrassed of what she was going to say, but owed the truth to her patients.

"It's about the child…"

As those words were authored, Lucius's temporary happy bubble burst, and panic rose again.

"What is wrong with the baby? Is it sick? Deformed?" Lucius swallowed difficultly "a squib?"

"Don't be ridiculous. With a surge of power like that, not a soul in this hospital can deny your child's magical ability." Replied Mrs Oddy before Lucius spiraled down into more delirious fears "The child is of a healthy weight, and is perfectly formed. I dare say it's one of the most beautiful baby I have ever seen."

"Then what seems to be the problem?" asked Lucius "If the child is fine, and healthy, what could be the matter?"

The mediwitch kept silent for a few moments, deep in thought, when finaly she answered:

"I don't think you should keep the child."

The death eaters looked at the woman in great surprise. Abandon the child? Why? Answering they're unspoken question, Mme Oddy gestured them to fallow her. They where lead through the corridors to where the babies were usually treated, but to their surprise, they were taken farther down the hall to an isolated room.

"We couldn't leave it near the other children. It… It did things to them" answered wearily the head of the pediatric division, as she opened the door.

They were lead in a small observation room. The room was nothing special, it was bare not counting some chairs and a door that lead to the other room. From the observation window they could see into a plain room with a solitary medical cradle in its center. The walls were bear, only brightly colored runes marked their white surface, in its center, the cradle bore similar markings. Within this bare room, the small white infant lay in the cradle silently, not paying attention to the people observing it. From the whiteness of the room, the child seemed to glow of on ethereal light. The men were distracted from the surreal site by the voice of the mediwitch.

"This is your child, Mr Malfoy. It's a boy."

"What is this room? And why is my son in it?" Inquired Lucius.

"This is a special type of room, Mr Malfoy" replied a very somber Mme Oddy "We usually use it in case of patients subject to manna overload. The Runes you see on the wall are to stabilize the patient, and absorb the excess energy. They usually only glow when in use, and as you can see. They haven't dulled down once since your child has been in there."

"What does it mean, Madame" inquired Lucius, sensing panic was steadily growing within him at the implication of his newborn heir in such a room.

"Your son has been diagnosed with a very rare condition, Mr Malfoy. And I have the regret to inform you, that no cure has been found to this day. The current treatments of such an illness are sometimes far worse than the illness itself if you want my opinion, and they hardly change the patient's life" explained the mediwitch "He will never be able to have a normal life, …I'm sorry sir"

With those final words, the two men were left alone to absorb the information.

"What are you going to do Lucius?" asked Severus to a rather pale Malfoy. "From what the medic seemed to say, the child is almost better off dead."

"I can't take this decision without Narcissia." He answered "She had too much hopes for this child. I can't do this to her. In the end, it's better if she makes this decision."

His friend nodded in understanding, and they both continued looking at the small child, whose life already held no promise of happiness.

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Narcissia Malfoy was a tall, elegant Lady, whose beauty could rival that of a veela. Even in her tired state , looking upon her newborn child, she maintained something beautiful about herself. She had been looking at it for a couple of hours now, pondering what to do.

When she woke up in her room in the pediatric section, with only her husband and Severus at her side and no baby cradle nearby, she had feared the worst. That she had yet again, lost a child. Her husband had reassured her that the child lived, but the lack of enthusiasm in his voice told her there was more to it. Then Mme Oddy had come in and explained everything, she had looked desperately at her husband for reassurance but he could provide none. Nothing he could have said could change the situation. The only thing he could do is assure her he would support her in her choice. She had thought the matter a thousand time over already when she asked Lucius to show her the child, their child. Now that she was here, things didn't look more simple. The treatments for her child's conditions were pretty heavy, and were more handicapping than the illness itself. The child would be easier to handle, but that's only because the potions would make it more than apathetic and didn't fully prevent the more serious sides of the illness. As she thought this she took a decision:

"Lucius, I want to hold my child." She declared as she was heading for the door, only to be stopped by her husband

"Nissa, the medics said not to approach the child just yet. They don't know if it's fully stabilized"

"If I can't take my own child in my arms, than I'm not fit to be its mother. " she said solemnly, her hand reaching for the door knob "please Lucius. I need to know." And with a last pleading look at her husband, he let her go.

At the moment they entered the room they felt emptied. The room seemed to be absorbing their magic as well, but not sucking it out of them. Just licking the surface clean. It was a disorienting feeling, that left them feeling vulnerable and mournful. As they got used to the disquieting feeling, they approached the cradle. The infant was asleep and well. It had been dressed in a stripped white and light grey romper, and had for sole company a tiny standard type teddy bear you found at the hospital's boutique. It looked peaceful, and for a blissful moment they could forget what the situation was. As a smile spread on Lucius's face, Narcissia went to pick up the child. As she held it close to her, the child stirred a bit in its sleep, snuggling closer to the new source of heat it was getting.

"Shh, love. It's all right. Mommy's here" cowed quietly Narcissia, holding her child closer to her in a protective hug. As a response to the sound of her voice, the child opened its eyes.

Both its parents gasped in surprise, as a strange power filled the room. The power wasn't oppressive like last time, it was… pleasant, …peaceful. It felt like they had been transported into one of those powerful and ancient forests. The ones you always heard of in old folks tales, in which all was possible, and the fair folk** could be found strolling down a path enjoying the summer sun, but also a land of great dangers of which you could never return. It was an intoxicating feeling, to say the least. Tears ran down Narcissia's face, as her child's power overcame her. This sort of energy was not to be found within a human child. She knew that, if she took the child out of the secure room, the intense flow of power currently running throw her baby with no restrain would kill it, but she could not find it in her to abandon it. This feeling was to overwhelming, too precious to destroy. And so ,she made her decision.

"I think… I'll name him,… Draco."

"Narcissia! Think this thought a little bit more." Pleaded Lucius " You can feel it as I can. If anything arouses we will not be able to stop it."

"I have felt it as you have, Lucius." Said Narcissia will stroking her child's hair "and that is why I've decided to keep it." Looking back at her husband, Narcissia pleaded "This is probably our last chance , Lucius. I don't think I could go through another one. Not after, him."

They could feel the forest begging to fade away slowly. looking at the child, they could see it had fallen asleep in its mothers arms. Looking one last time at his beloved wife's pleading face, Lucius gave in, and extended his arms wishing to hold the child. The small bundle in his arms, Lucius smiled lovingly and said to his wife:

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, it is then"

To be continued…

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* In most esoteric theory/story/etc I have read there is always an idea that magic flows throw the world like a multitude of rivers, with references like "canals", "channels", "paths", "the flow" (of the universe) . There is a huge Nature theme in magic ("good" or "bad") , that often revolve around life and /or death, which is generally associated to the blood that runs in our veins( again a liquid). All life on earth is possible thanks to water.

That, and the use of terms like "mudblood" in the HP world give me the impression that a water related theme for magic isn't that inappropriate. When I hear words like "Mudblood" I have the impression of very thick slow moving muddy-water, and "pure-blood" of rapid flowing rivers. Maybe it's just me. Sorry for the over long explanation, I'm kind of a geek on these things.

** The term "Fair Folk" or " good Folk" is one of several titles often given to fairies, elves and similar human-like supernatural races in folklore.