Summary: AU. Draco was an Elf from the very beginning, how couldn't he, when both of his parents were Elves? Creature fic HP/DM.
A/N: Well, I made this fic for the: Lost in Translation Challenge. The updating will not be frequent and might be far and in between, but I'll try my best. Keep in mind that I'm Dutch, and therefore might make some stupid mistakes. I'm going away for a week, so it would at least take me two for the next chapter. But don't let that scare you off! Some words and sentences are indicated with a * behind them. Look at the bottom A/N for more explanation. It's an English fic with bits of Dutch in them, but translation is offered at the bottom.
He knew what he was from the very beginning. How couldn't he, when both of his parents were Elves.
All Elves were born with partners, mates, and so was he. The thing was, he didn't acknowledge his mate's presence, didn't even know who it was or could be.
His parents were loving, but never in public. Love was only reserved for private occasions.
He was seventeen now, but showed no interest in finding his mate. His parents were worried. They were together since they were sixteen. Especially his mother was worried. She knew what a denied or neglected bond could accomplish. It would result in deep depression and even death.
Elves were bonded to someone. One, and only one. They could even communicate in their own language. Only mates and other Elves could understand it. Mates could be other Elves, creatures, or even humans.
The Elves in their realm were classified by power and sub-classified by blood. The Malfoys were wealthy, pure-blooded and their power wasn't something to be taken lightly. They prided themselves in being one of the most high ranked Elves. Only second to the Royal Family.
The Malfoy family lived in the Malfoy Manor, on a beautiful hill, just out of town. The Manor was spacious and the garden that adorned it was breathtaking. Narcissa Malfoy prided herself in her garden. She took care of most of it. The garden itself almost vibrated with all the love and passion that was poured into it. Even her son, Draco, admired the garden often and even joined her to help manage the garden.
She loved the feeling of accomplishment, and most plants did well under her gentle hands. She worked at a florist's and made bouquets, even though she didn't really need to work. She enjoyed her work very much and derived pleasure and satisfaction from it.
Lucius worked as a councilor for the Royal Family. He was a deeply respected man.
And then there was Draco, their son. He really was a curious boy. Acting snobbish and over the limit, while he somehow almost always got away from problems. In school he was one of the brightest pupils. He actually just graduated, and his eighteenth birthday was soon approaching. In just over a week, it would be the fifth of June. He knew he needed a mate and needed to start courting soon, but he just wasn't ready yet.
But when he looked at his parents he couldn't help but think that he might be missing out on something good. Something that would make him happy.
He was currently watering the beautiful flowers from the garden. His mother never used magic on them, and neither would he. So he fulfilled the labor without the uses of magic.
By the time that all the plants were watered it was already late afternoon. He sighed and walked into the rather cool house. He poured himself a glass of water and sat down at the large kitchen table. He sipped his water while he put his head in his hand. He absent mindedly stared in front of him at the blank wall. His mother walked in the room and she considerably lightened up.
"Here you are, Draco," she said relieved.
"Were you searching for me?" asked Draco curiously.
"Yes, I was. I actually wanted to talk to you," said the elegantly dressed woman.
Draco nodded, and Narcissa took a seat next to him. "I wanted to talk to you about your mate, Draco. You're nearly eighteen now, and you haven't even attempted to search out for that person, let alone court your mate."
Draco hung his head in shame. "I know, Mum. That's why I wanted to ask a question. Is it worth it? Is the trouble worth having a mate?"
A dreamy look crossed over Narcissa's face. "Yes. Yes, it is," she replied.
"But where do I need to start? How do I find that person?" asked Draco a little bit frustrated.
His mother smiled. "That depends on what your mate is. But the idea is the same. There is a connection between you and your mate. You just need to find and search for it."
"How did you know then?"
Narcissa smiled. "I was working on a beautiful bouquet, my best one, when I felt a presence. He stood in the doorway of the greenhouse I was working in. We looked at each other and from that moment on we knew."
Draco stared contemplatively at the wall in front of him. A frown marred his face. "But what if my mate is human? He wouldn't even know, would he?"
"He? No, if he's human, he would not know."
Draco looked cross at his slip-up. Yes, he knew his mate was a he and that he was a human.
"But I need to go, Draco. Your father and I are going to a business party," said Narcissa. "By the time that we'll be back it would be really late."
"Alright. Have a great night," said Draco who stood up and hugged his mother.
"Welterusten," she
said in their language, before she walked away.
Draco sighed, before he walked to his bedroom to change his clothes. When he walked downstairs, he took the back door and strided to the stables. He saddled his horse, Castanea, and went out for a long ride.
He got back late that evening and he was hungry. He put Castanea in his stable and unsaddled him.
He prepared something for him to eat and went to his bedroom. He made a decision and would follow it through.
He would find his mate.
He put his plate away and stood up from his bed. He got a bag from his closet and proceeded to pack. From shoes to jumpers, they were all gently placed in his bag.
He would leave tomorrow morning. He would ask his mother to pack some food and a sleeping bag. He could pack his stuff and put it in the bags on the back of his horse. He smiled, because he was finally going to find his long awaited mate. He finished packing his things and slept wonderfully.
When he awoke again he felt great and very well rested. He yawned and pulled on some clothes before going downstairs to the living room. His mother was already seated at a lovely chair. "You're leaving." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I am. I'm going to search for my mate," he said proudly.
His mother smiled. "When are you leaving?"
"Today. I wondered if you'd make me some food to take with me and if you'd get my sleeping bag."
"Of course. You're in quite a hurry, aren't you?" she asked bemused.
"I am," he beamed.
She laughed and stood up to get the things he asked for.
Draco went outside and got to the stables. He once again saddled Castanea and also put the empty bags on his back. He then walked inside and got his packed bag from his room.
He waited patiently downstairs in the living room for his mother to come down. A quarter later his mother had his bag ready and waiting.
"Thanks, Mum," he murmured.
"You're welcome. Now, don't be seen by those who don't need to see you, and be careful. Just bring your beautiful mate back with you, safe and well."
"I will, Mum, I will." With that he walked to Castanea with the two bags and fastened them securely. He opened the stable door and after they were outside he took his seat. Just when he was about to leave the grounds his mother yelled something in their language. "Wees voorzichtig!"
"Zal ik doen, Mam!" he yelled back right before he was out of earshot. His horse galloped them out of town and into a brightly lit forest. It was summer, and therefore warm, even if it was still morning. He knew where he needed to go, his instincts were a great help.
After a while the scenery changed. The forest thinned out and in its wake it left mountains. The sun stood high up in the air and it was nearly cloudless.
He and Castanea rode out the mountains in a few hours and behind it lay a little village. It was already late in the evening apparently, seeing as the sun was already nearly down. He used his magic to disguise himself and searched for a place to sleep.
He found a nice place, and secured Castanea before unsaddling and unpacking him. He walked inside the small but inviting looking room. He got to the clerk, and after a small talk was led to his room.
He only took out the necessary things and stayed in his room for the remainder of the evening. The sun cast its last rays of feeble light, before it completely disappeared beyond the horizon.
Draco got to his bed and toyed with his necklace. He sighed before slowly drifting off to sleep, all the while dreaming about a boy with pitch-black hair and startling green eyes.
A/N: Translation and more information.
Welt(e)rusten: Sleep well.
Castanea: (Spoken as Kas-tan-ia) Latin for Chestnut.
Wees voorzichtig: Be careful.
Zal ik doen, Mam: I will, Mum.
EDIT 24-06-2012: Christywitha CH is so kind to check this fic. So, some things will be edited a bit :).