DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter series!
Prologue - Christmas Eve, 1980
Narcissa Malfoy paced around the living room, her high-heeled shoes clicking against the wood floor, and a crying baby in her arms. "Hush, Draco," The tired woman attempted to sound soothing but after twenty minutes of rocking, and swaying, and bouncing the six-month-old boy, her voice had slowly but surely become a bit harsh and, well...rather whiny.
"Please, Draco," Narcissa kissed her son's tear-stained cheek, "I don't understand! I don't know what you want! Daddy will be home soon, I promise." Draco wailed even louder, his lower lip trembling. His little hand found his mother's blonde hair and pulled.
"Ouch!" Narcissa winced, "Don't pull, Draco. It's not nice." She sighed as she uncurled her son's fingers from her hair, "I'm going to put you down for just a little while, love. Mommy needs to take her shoes off."
And just as she set Draco on his tummy, the front door slammed shut. She jumped up and slowly grabbed her wand from the arm of the sofa.
"Lucius? Is that you?"
She looked down at Draco, who had stopped crying and was now blowing spit bubbles. She rolled her eyes, vaguely wondering whether or not it was because she was holding him that her son was crying. But she pushed the thought away when she realized that no one had answered her. She held her wand a little tighter and asked again, "Lucius? Are you home?"
A resounding grunt told her that it was indeed her husband who slammed the front door. She sighed, relieved. "We're in the lounge, dear," She said, "Will you be joining us?"
Lucius stepped out from around the corner and raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think I wouldn't join my lovely wife and precious son on Christmas Eve?"
Narcissa raised her nose in the air and huffed, "Maybe."
Lucius laughed and bent down to pick up Draco. "Come, now...really?" He asked his wife as he nuzzled the top of Draco's head, "Have you ever noticed that Draco smells like lavender?" Lucius peeked up at Narcissa.
"Does he?" Narcissa asked incredulously. She stepped forward to test Lucius' statement, but stopped when she saw the smirk on his face. He threw his head back and laughed, then turned to kiss Narcissa's cheek, "You, my dear, are one of the most gullible women I've ever met. Now, tell me, would you like to open your Christmas present early?"
Narcissa's face lit up, "You got me something?"
Lucius huffed, "Of course I did! Gods, woman. Don't I always?"
"But, but...I didn't get you anything! I didn't even think to -" Narcissa was interrupted by the loud pop of someone apparating nearby.
She looked at her husband. "Are we expecting someone?" She asked.
He shook his head, "No...stay here."
Narcissa took a step toward Lucius, "I'm sure it's nothing. Can't we just ignore it?"
Lucius sighed, "You know better, Narcissa." And she did.
With the Dark Lord rising to even greater power and the prophecy at work, they knew to take certain precautions.
"Fine...I'll stay here," Narcissa took the now sleeping Draco from her husband's arms. Lucius stood up a little taller and made his way to the front door. In his mind, he went over the various charms and defensive spells that they had placed over the house.
He was halfway to the door when a loud screeching sound filled the house...the Caterwauling Charm. He cursed under his breath and ran toward the door, flinging it open. The cold wind tangled his hair and everything outside was peaceful and still. He knew the intruder, who ever it was, was now gone. The screeching faded into silence and the clicking of Narcissa's heels and Draco's soft snoring made Lucius turn.
"Well?" Narcissa asked, "Who was it?"
Lucius shook his head and shrugged, "I don't know. But, they're gone now. How is Draco?"
"Still asleep," Narcissa held her son a little tighter. Something inside her felt strange, like a tugging at her heart. The feeling was so strong that she stepped in front of her husband and, for reasons she couldn't quite comprehend, looked down.
She gasped, "Lucius..."
He followed her line of sight. There, on the front step of the Malfoy Manor, was a small bundle of blankets. He pursed his lips in confusion.
"Lucius, take Draco," Narcissa handed him their son, "Put him to bed and bring me some more blankets."
"What? What is it, Narcissa?" He watched as his wife knelt down and picked up the blankets. As she did, a small piece of paper fell to the floor. He snatched it up before the wind could blow it away. Narcissa was already making her way back inside the house, cooing at the little bundle.
Realization hit him and he held his breath as he raised the piece of paper.
He looked at the sleeping baby in his arms and, for reasons he couldn't quite comprehend, Lucius Malfoy squinted down at the paper and read the one word that would change his life forever...
"Victoria"
Author's Note:
So, that was the prologue. What did you think? Let me know in a review!