Here's the next update! Harry doesn't come into this chapter (yet). This is more about Draco's backstory. Just a warning, there is homophobic language in this chapter! It's not too vulgar (just a few homophobic slurs used about a character). This becomes important later on, so I'm not dropping terrible language. Draco was raised in a harsh, strict environment with racist and homophobic parents, and he doesn't recognize anything wrong with his language. This will change, but it will take time! So just be warned that this story will deal with homophobia (as well as internalized homophobia).

With that said, please enjoy the chapter!

The House-Elf

Surprisingly, the Malfoy Manor library had no books that described the events of the Wizarding War. Draco had scanned every title on every shelf, but he could only find books about the philosophy behind the war rather than the events. Even then, all of those books had the same rhetoric, praising the Dark Lord's opinions but not mentioning his actions. The few books that mentioned Harry Potter said nothing about his parents or about the apparent attack from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It almost made Draco think that the Weasley man was just playing a trick on him in attempts to make him turn from his father.

Almost… it was obvious the Weasley man did not have enough intelligence for such a plan.

Draco groaned, shutting the book softly and placing it back on the shelf. His father had clearly refused to buy any historical accounts of the war although Draco could not understand why. Did he want to censor the violence of the Dark Lord? Did he think Draco was unequipped to handle the story that apparently every wizarding child grew up with? Did he fear these stories would turn Draco away from the Dark Lord?

He had to find out, and he needed the right books.

But how was he supposed to acquire them? He could hardly go to Diagon Alley by himself. It would look strange for a Malfoy heir to be wandering in the streets alone. He would immediately draw attention onto himself.

He needed assistance, but where could he find it?

Standing up, he stretched his legs slightly, lost in his thoughts, when a sudden movement caught his eye. He frowned and stared at one of the house-elves, who was cleaning off some of the books. An idea bloomed in his head, and he approached the little elf, who appeared to be limping. Most likely his father had to discipline this one.

"You," he commanded.

The house-elf flinched and turned to him. "Y-yes, master?"

"I have a task for you," he stated, inwardly praising himself for his idea. House-elves had magic, and this one could easily use his to go to Diagon Alley and retrieve a few books for him.

The elf hung his head low. "Yes master?" he mumbled in a displeased voice. Draco frowned at the clear show of intolerance, but he ignored it. After all, it was hardly worth beating the elf over his tone of voice.

"I need you to go into Diagon Alley and get a few books for me." Draco said, listing off some of the book topics he would like.

The elf raised his head, confusion clear in those wide, bat-like eyes. "Master Malfoy does not allow for intolerable texts in this library, sir."

"I am your master."

"You is my master, but your father is my master above all," the elf shivered.

Draco clenched his fists, and the elf flinched, as though expecting to be hit. Draco rolled his eyes at the obvious fear in the elf, and he grounded out, "I need the books."

"I cannot—"

"I will be your master one day." Draco claimed only to feel foolish. Was he truly trying to reason with an elf? Has he really been brought down so low?

"But you are not now."

It took every bit of effort for Draco not to scream at the elf. There must have been something he could do to make the elf obey him! For a brief moment, Draco remembered all the times his father struck down the house-elves in front of him and how it encouraged the beasts to never disobey his family again. Looking at the little elf, Draco raised his hand, prepared to strike the creature. The elf, in return, shut his eyes and tensed, preparing fro the blow that would obviously come.

Draco froze at the sight before him. It was so pathetic and pitiful that Draco felt almost ridiculous for needing to hit such a creature. Shaking his head, he tried to move his hand nonetheless, but it wouldn't budge. He just couldn't hit something so pathetic. Cursing at himself in his head, Draco slowly lowered his arm, glaring at his own hand as though it were his fault. Why couldn't he just hit the damn elf? His father had done it plenty of times! Without even blinking!

"S-sir?" a soft voice broke from his thoughts, and Draco turned to the elf. He blinked at the complete change of expression on its face. His wide green eyes stared at Draco with something akin to gratefulness, and a smile was forming on the elf's lips. Draco stared in shock.

House-elves could smile?

"W-what?" Draco spat out, trying to regain some aspect of control.

"You did not punish Dobby!" The elf grinned happily, tears rolling down the creature's cheeks.

"You have a name?" Draco gaped. A name? It was far too… human for elves to have names or even feelings. Something akin to guilt and shame spread in his chest. Was there truly so much he did not know about this world?

"I do, sir," Dobby nodded frantically.

"Do… do you have anything you want?" Draco stared at the elf. If an elf could feel happiness, did that mean that elves had wants? Desires?

"Yes sir, although it is improper to say what." Dobby stated, cringing as though he expected to be yelled at for wanting things.

"I see…" Draco nodded, a plan forming in his head. "I need these books. I… I want them. I will be your master one day, so if you get me these books, I will give you whatever it is you want."

"B-but… I will be disobeying the master," Dobby whispered.

Draco bit the inside of his cheek. "And I will be disobeying my father. We will keep each other's secret, and we will both get what we want. Does that sound like a good idea?"

Tears came to Dobby's eyes. "Master Draco is asking for my opinion? You are far too kind!"

Draco sighed. Yes, that did appear to be the problem, but he would have to think about his reluctance to hit the elf later. For now, he needed information on the war, and he needed Dobby to help him. "Alright. Here's what I need you to do…"

A few days passed before Dobby could sneak out of the house without his father noticing. During the few hours the elf was gone, Draco could not stop shaking. What if his father caught Dobby? Dobby would have to tell him about why he had been out in the shops, and it would incriminate Draco. His father would be furious and demand to know why Draco was questioning everything he had been taught. What if his father grew to hate him?

"Draco?"

He flinched and turned to his mother, who was staring at him in concern. "Yes mother?" He tried to sound calm.

"Is everything alright?" She sat down next to him.

"Yes, mother," Draco lied but it was not nearly as convincing as it usually was.

His mother pressed her lips together in disapproval. "It was that Weasley man, wasn't it?"

He could feel his entire body go cold. "W-what?" he stammered, and his mother instantly picked up on that. He never stammered or stuttered, as it was improper of a Malfoy.

"I knew it," she sighed. "Your father told me how he discussed muggle items with you."

Relief spread through his body, and Draco nodded, "He did."

His mother shook her head in disapproval. "That family," she spat out. "They truly are tarnishing the names of purebloods. I thought those muggle-lovers could go no lower, but I suppose I was wrong. To go as far as to convert children to their side!"

"I did not think he would dare approach me," Draco pretended to nod in agreement.

"He should not have." She agreed before frowning. "Draco, did that man mention anything else to you? Besides the muggle items?"

"No," Draco lied.

"Are you sure?" she narrowed her eyes, and Draco tried to keep his face impassive.

"Yes," Draco confirmed.

His mother nodded but she clearly did not look pleased. "Draco… I…" she sighed, running her hand through her hair. "This is a conversation you and your father need to have, but he is not here right now. I did not think we would have to talk to you this early about it, but the Weasl may have forced our hand. I suppose I should try and be blunt with my question. Did he speak about his queer son at all?"

Draco titled his head to the side. That had been unexpected. Still, Draco handled the question with grace and, for once, the truth. "No, mother. He only spoke of the muggle items. I did not know his son was a fag."

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You know about them?"

"I have open access to the books in our library, Mother," Draco couldn't help but smirk. "Of course I know."

Narcissa beamed with pride. "I should have known you were smart enough to figure it out! Honestly, that family has been so proud about it."

"Perhaps they lack the intelligence to make the proper potions," Draco teased. His mother laughed and together they continued to discuss the Weasley's and their family's deformities. Draco couldn't help but revel in the conversation, and he grinned whenever his mother complimented his intelligence. After the past few days of being faced with ignorance, it was nice to feel confident in his knowledge again.

When he finally arrived in his room, he blinked at the stack of books on the floor. Dobby was sitting next to the pile, grinning as though breaking the rules had given him some sort of rush. Draco rolled his eyes and sat on the floor next to the elf, not bothering to greet him. Luckily Dobby knew to remain silent, and Draco looked over the texts. All of them were historical accounts of the Wizarding War, and judging by their titles, they lacked any of the bias that plagued the Malfoy library.

"You accomplished the task well, Dobby," Draco praised but squirmed uncomfortably when Dobby beamed at him as though Draco was the kindest person he had ever met.

"Thank you sir!"

"What do you want in repayment?" Draco asked, knowing fully well that as a Malfoy he had to honor his word.

Dobby shifted uncomfortably but raised his head in determination. "When the time comes and you are my master, will you present Dobby with a piece of clothing?"

Draco froze and stared at Dobby, practically gaping. "Y-you… want to be set free?" He asked incredulously. House-elves never wanted to be set free! They adored working for their masters and relished in receiving tasks!

"I do, sir," Dobby nodded. "Dobby wants paid work!"

Draco almost felt light headed. "I…"

"Sir…"

"Alright," he said, barely recognizing what he was agreeing to. "I… you can…"

"Master?"

"I agreed to it," Draco mumbled. "So yes."

Dobby's eyes widened. "Truly?"

"Yes."

"Thank you sir!" Dobby beamed. "You are a great person!"

At the compliment, Draco could feel the warmth spreading to his face. He stared down at the house-elf, eyes wide in disbelief. "That's the first time anyone's ever said that to me," he said without even thinking about it. Dobby's eyes softened in sympathy, and Draco recoiled at the words that came out of his mouth. What would make him say something like that? To a house-elf of all things? He shook his head and turned his attention to the books, not wanting to think about how much Dobby has surprised him in the past few days.

Dobby noticed his shift in attention and backed up, staring curiously at Draco as he slide his fingers through the pages but did not read them. "Sir?" he asked hesitantly. "Dobby got the right books?"

Draco paused for a moment. "Yes, Dobby, you got the right books. I just…"

Draco sighed, wondering how he could possibly explain to a house-elf the fear thundering through his body. In these books were the secrets his father kept from him about the war. Secrets that, apparently, every other wizarding child knew but him. What would he find out in these texts? What other terrible crimes did the Dark Lord commit for the sake of blood purity?

"Read it, sir," Dobby spoke up.

If Draco hadn't been so distracted, he would have yelled at Dobby for giving him, a Malfoy, a command. Instead he took a deep breath and opened the pages of the books.

He did not come out of his room for the rest of the night.

Thanks for reading! Harry will come in for the next chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! I also hope I got everyone in character as well!