Chapter 1 : the decision

"He will go to Hogwarts, Lucius, and that's my final word on the subject."

Lucius Malfoy sighed and touched his fingers to his temple.

"Must I explain this again? He was the born the same year. They would be together, perhaps even the same house. I can't have Draco getting caught up in all of us. Besides, Dumbledore is allowing mudbloods into the school. Draco will be safer at Durmstrung." A soft thud interrupted him and made him look to the ornate doorway. He wondered idly if his son was listening in, as he often did.

"I won't have our only son so far away." Narcissa was more concerned about how far away he would be than their son's safety.

Lucius leaned on his cane and took a few steps closer to her. His cold gaze met her determination.

"He will not live as I do, Narcissa."

With that, he strode out of the room and to his office, closing the door harder than necessary.

He eyed the unfinished book on his desk and sat with down with a sigh. No sooner had he picked it up than a knock came at the door.

What could she want now? Had he not made it clear he wanted to be left alone?

"Come in." His voice was a low growl.

A young boy with blond hair appeared in the doorway. He stood upright with his hands clasped behind his back.

Lucius looked him over a moment before deciding to ask him what it was he needed.

"But daddy, what if I want to go to Hogwarts?"

So he had been listening. What exactly had he heard? Lucius didn't need any more questions about Harry Potter today. One conversation about his past was enough for a lifetime.

"And why would you want to attend that school, Draco?" His gaze met his son's, their eyes matching down to the last freckle of color.

"Because it's where you went, and I want to be in Slytherin like you. Isn't that what our crest fashioned after? It's what we are about!" Draco's voice had a needy quality that his father could not resist.

He let out a long sigh and stared at his son, weighing the options. He could send him to Durmstrung where he would no doubt be unhappy. He would be far away from his parents and his home. He would resent his dad for sending him so far away without more explanation than "Dark arts are not taught at Hogwarts and they allow mudbloods in." Lucius scowled at the thought of Draco being unhappy, and knew that by relation to himself he would be caught up in the Harry Potter business. He gazed slowly around the room and closed his book down on the desk. Draco would be in danger at Hogwarts and would be in the presence of filth.

He moved his eyes back to his son's pleading look.

"If it's where you really wish to go, Draco." He didn't break eye contact as he stood and walked towards his son.

"Really father?" His voice was full of hope and a smile danced around the corners of his mouth.

Lucius stood above his son and close his eyes for a moment. He could feel the decision pressing down upon his heart already.

"Yes, son, really." His voice was no more than a low whisper.

"You may go and tell your mother that you will be attending Hogwarts come September."

"Thank you, father." The smile in the boy's voice tugged at his father's heart.

Draco closed the door gently and went to tell his mother of the great news.

Lucius glanced down at his left arm and fell into one of the chairs sitting beside the fire. He would regret this day, he could feel it already as the phantom pain plagued his left forearm.

"I will keep Draco safe." He vowed under his breath as he held his face in his right hand.

"I will."