Title: Against All Odds
Rating: T
Based On: Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, (c) Scholastic, Bloomsbury, WB, etc. etc.
Disclaimer: If I owned this work, would I publish this on fanfiction? All rights copyright their respective owners.


A Day Out

"Severus, you forgot your scarf!" mom yelled, rapidly wrapping it around my head.

"Mfpm, Vi angt reath!" I cried, muffled by mouthfuls of string.

"Oh, come here," she cried as I evaded the offending clothing in her arms after she took it off. We played tag for a minute or two before she gave up with a huff, stating "I guess you'll be fine without a scarf."

I ran outside ahead of her, eager to meet up with Evans, Mulciber, and the others.

"Wait up!" huffed my mom as I ran up ahead away from the house. Light specks of dew were still fresh on the grassy path as I turned a corner and stepped away from our wards. If any muggle had been looking, it would seem that a ten year old boy had magically appeared out of thin air. I shivered a bit while waiting for my mom as a light breeze came through.

"Whew," she panted trying to catch her breath, "now...be safe in...Diagon Alley, okay? Don't go running off by yourself like that".

I nodded mechanically as she raised her wand.

BANG!

A dark purple bus magically appeared in front of us, whizzing to a halt with an equally loud screech. The doors burst open impulsively and a shriveled head spouted, "Welcome aboard the Knight Bus," as I ran up the stairs past a tall witch toward where my friends were.

"Wicked, eh?" I asked while grabbing a seat. Lucius gave us a half-hearted smile while Evans chuckled.

"Not really, no," grumbled Wilkes who happened to be on the floor.

A warm hand ruffled my hair behind me.

"Hey you," greeted Narcissa, "almost ran me over back there." I apologized sheepishly as she leaned over me over me toward the side. "It's fine," she dismissed before sticking her head out the window.

"We'll be back at mom's party at four. Is there anything else you need?"

"Just make sure they don't waste all of their money on new brooms. You know how kids love flying."

Narcissa laughed, replying shortly after, "Don't worry Ms. Prince, Lucius and I have been prefects for two years. We're used to watching over little kids."

I waved goodbye as Narcissa stepped back to hold onto a rail, warning, "Hold on tight guys."

With that said, the bus jerked forward with another BANG.

I looked around the table as we waited for the bus to zip from Lancashire to the outskirts of Magical London. To my surprise, I noticed a certain dark haired kid sitting where Mulciber usually sat to the right of Evans.

"What happened to Mulciber?" I asked, "thought we agreed to go Hogwarts shopping together."

"He got grounded for accidentally setting fire to his dads shed," answered Evans while brandishing a scroll magically affixed to his robe, "I'm getting his stuff for him."

I took a measured glanced at the kid, wondering, 'How come we got the scrawny kid instead'

"Hey!" came an indignant shout startling me out of my chair, "I'm not scrawny!"

'Dammit! Didn't mean for that to be said outloud.' Of course, I had no intention of apologizing to him. I turned my attention back to his rant, "-only a year younger than you. Besides, me and my bro are both taller than you."

"Yet I recall beating that dogheaded brother of yours when he tried to jump me," I noted while crossing my arms, "so clearly, you are scrawnier than me."

"Really Severus," Narcissa interrupted, "I know how much you despise Sirius, but Regulus he hasn't ever done anything to you." She paused, staring at me sternly as if expecting an apology but I remained silent. After a few moments, she added, "Just give him a chance, okay? He's my cousin too you know."

I tilted my head, as if in contemplation while she gave me a pleading look. After a while, I conceded to her request as I didn't want to ruin a good day. 'As long as he doesn't try to pull any heroics typical of Gryffindorks.'

"Now you be nice to him," she admonished, "he'll be in your house next year. Every member of the Noble House of Black's been in Slytherin for five generations!"

"We'll see," I snorted, remember overhearing Sirius' oath not to be in Slytherin. 'Though...I really need to stop saying thoughts out loud. Oh wait, what if she heard that bit about Sirius?' I thought, clamping my hand over my mouth. Thankfully, I didn't need to worry about getting scolded alone as Regulus choose to mutter, "dun need you to be my mother sis," rather loudly.

"What was that?" spun Narcissa who had partially turned back toward her boyfriend.

Giving her the best innocent expression we could muster, we both muttered, "Nuthin"

Surprisingly, instead of staring at us angrily like before, all she did was groan and collapse onto Lucius' lap, complaining of how horrible boys, excluding Lucius, are.


A Lonely Adobe

Mornings were truly a burden. Getting up day after day, leaving the solace of the bed, alone, for what? The only news ever brought by the Prophet included random arrests, new rewards, and deaths. An unnerving fog filled the air, a year since the sun last shone untainted. Of course, when I was younger, life weren't so dreary. Like my son before me, I was filled with optimism. Burdened by my heritage and duties, yes, but the world was in my grasp. Everything was open to a Black, I had no worries about money or position. Yet age, and experience, has its toil on the spirit. The aches and pains were nothing, for there were always potions and spells for them if I truly desired. Besides, it wouldn't do to walk around every day intoxicated by painkilling potions.

I paused in my musings and raised my goblet slightly, swirling it while staring across the table. Chucking at the speed Lucius was gobbling down his meal, I pondered over my drink if I should scold him for being uncivilized. I lifted the brim to my lips and took a long gulp of Firewiskey as memories of my past came flashing before me. Ahh...there still was nothing like Ogden's Best.

Less than a minute passed before Lucius coughed slightly to get my attention, interrupting my musings. No doubt impatient to leave so that he can meet up with Narcissa, Lucius is just like me when I was younger. Luckily for him, I had come to the conclusion that it was not in my right to deny him his youth and happiness.

"Your excused, Lucius," I waved. Twinkle, my elf, moved forward and handed a few galleons to the boy. "Make sure to treat Narcissa and the kids to some ice cream later," I added before my attention turned towards a piece of bacon in front of me.

"Thank you father," he mumbled before leaving for the Black residence through the floo.

I remember the first time I went there, nearly twenty years ago. Of course, Lucius has been to Diagon Alley before, but still, each year it marks a special occasion.

For example, first year is when new wizards get matched up with wands. One's wand is and always has been one's life. My first wand was of course made by Ollivanders (the current Ollivander's father), a ten inch Elm with Dragon Heartstring as the core.

There also used to be a flying carpet store there which used to give free rides. Though brooms were the preferred choice, few parents allowed children to ride them. Carpets on the other hand were largely marketed as family friendly and safe, so during breaks and before school, you would expect to see quite a few in the air. Now though, given the de facto trade embargo on Magical Britain, the store closed. The premise transforming into a joke shop, no doubt still one of the favorite locations for Hogwarts students.

"Master?" asked Twinkle startling me out of my reverie. I stared at her. Usually, Twinkle was more than competent with whatever issue rose, having served faithfully for thirteen years. She even gave Lucius shopping money earlier unprompted. Nothing bad could have happened this soon, right?

She continued. "the honorable Mrs. Black wishes to ask if she may visit."

'Ahh I see.' "Welcome her in, I guess, I shall meet her in the courtyard shortly." 'no doubt some social call.' I wasn't particularly in the mood to see her, but being the head of house had its duties. With that said, I conjured up a mirror, wiped a few crumbs off my face, and proceeded out the door.


Contemplations

We walked through the moonlit gardens hand in hand.

"It's always been so beautiful," she remarked, picking up an orchid on the side. I nodded, thinking of the first time I met her.

"It's yours you know," I said, pulling her into my embrace, "I would give you everything, even my soul, to see you smile."

We moved on, toward a curve in the path where an old redwood bench stood empty and partially covered by leaves due to disuse. "Is there something on your mind?"

I asked, noticing her reluctance. "It's just..."

"Have you ever wondered...if our traditions were wrong?" she asked, looking off into the distance.

"I mean, it's not like I don't love what we have, but..."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her admittance, of all people. She, along with her sister, always seemed to be firm supporters of pureblood culture.

I pulled back from her, asking in a whisper, "then what would you like instead?"

"I know what you are thinking Abraxas," she sighed, laughing lightly.

"On one hand, I do enjoy everything at home..."

"...I just want a marriage to be out of compassion, love, not some hastily arranged contract!" she confessed.

"Sometimes...I wonder if I should just take a break. Go see the world, learn something new, be apart of something, you know?"

"instead of just sticking around housekeeping."

"Druella, you shouldn't think of yourself like this," I consoled, "you have made a difference, perhaps not large and breathtaking as you might feel, but still huge. You were there for Narcissa and Bellatrix when they were young. They are the bright and upstanding women they are now only due to your upbringing."

"Mmm..." she nodded,

"but really, what do I have now?"

"Sure, I might have been their world, but they aren't kids anymore. Narcissa has Lucius now, who is just as charming as you. And Bella...well, she's been gone for a while," she paused, "I just don't want to be living the rest of my life alone just withering away."

"If you don't believe me, then I will give you a wizard's oath," I declared, grasping her arm, "that I will never leave your side. That I do truly love you. That I will never love, or lust, another, if only you accept."

"Thanks Abraxas...you always know what to say," she smiled with a sniff. We sat there, glancing at the clouds above while she leaned on my shoulder.

"Abraxas?" she murmured as I was about to doze off, "I...I heard about what happened to your wife...the real reason behind it."

"Mmm" floundered, unsure if I wanted to broach this subject or not. I turned my head towards her only to be startled by how close our lips touched.

"I..."

POP!

"Master!" interrupted Twinkle, "some rude people from the ministry barged from the floo! They are terrorizing the other elves and demand to see you."

I hastily extracted my arm from Druella, apologizing profusely, and hastened to the foyer.

~.~

"What is the meaning of this?" I demanded, trying to right myself up from the floor. The man behind me gave me another rude push as I was directed towards the Ministry atrium. Cowards, the lot of them. I glared at Greengrass to my right who glared right back. So much for being blood brothers. But then again, that's what Minister Marvalo does to people. Everyone is complacent for fear of their lives.

We finally reached the front desk where a small group of equally flustered people gathered.

"Wand?" asked a bored lady blowing a bubble. I shrugged towards Greengrass behind me who handed her my confiscated wand.

I stood in the atrium waiting for over two hours before a gruff and tired looking man finally beckoned for me

"You'll be interviewed in the second room on your right," he said, before turning away. Sighing, I wandered down the corridor looking for the specified room. A battered wooden door greeted me as I glanced around unable to find another. 'Guess this is it.'

I cautiously pushed the creaky door forward and entered inside a dark room with a single chair in the middle.

"Have a seat Mr. Malfoy," proclaimed a mysterious voice. The door behind me shut itself with a loud thud. The only remaining source of light came from above the chair.

"What's this all about?" I demanded, confused and irritated at my treatment.

"A recent scheduled prisoner transfer was attacked by terrorists," he explained, "Thankfully, there was a unannounced schedule change and the prisoners were moved earlier. You are one of the suspects in this case."

With that, he began questioning, "Describe your relationship with undesirable no. 149."

"Undesirable no. 149, formerly Ms. Malfoy," 'my wife and love,' "convicted of bloodline theft through use of illegal amortentia potions." I lied while dying inside. I was ready to defend her with my life, but she forced me to repeat the lies so that I could live and not be executed as a traitor, "I was confined to live with her for ten years while she spent half of my wealth," 'remaining. Most of it lies in overseas accounts so they won't be confiscated by the ministry via bogus levies,' "but you know all of this, I've testified under veritaserum on this multiple times, do you really need to waste more taxpayer money on such trivialities?"

The man remained unmoved by my sarcasm, jotting down a few things and continuing after motioning for a nearby aid to administer a shot of the truth potion, "Have you been in contact with Malfoi members on the mainland?"

"No," I replied smoothly, swallowing an general potion antidote gel hidden as false tooth (a habit I picked up after my first such interview). Though truth be told, I truly never did have any contact with Malfoi members on the continent. There was a reason for our family's negative association, not because we were all unfaithful. Rather, the Malfoy family founder had been involved in a messy scandal with his wife's own sister, according to my grandad, and thus left for England for a new start. The two sides never talked to each again after that.

"Look," I asked after noticing the questioners hesitance to move on, "why don't you tell me how I was supposed to know of the botched transfer and I can prove my innocence."

"One of our staff confessed under interrogation to have leaked the information at a party you held on the 6th of August."

I laughed at the insanity of his argument. "So it somehow is my fault he drank too much of my wine? I will have you know that I was busy supervising the elves cooking that day while the guests arrived. Afterward, I had a conversation with Minister Marvalo and then left upstairs to have a chat with Ms. Black," I paused to catch a breath before continuing, "so unless Ms. Black or my elves somehow work at the Ministry, you might as well accuse every honorable member of Wizarding Britain, the minister himself included."

~.~

"Tell Flitwick to meet me in the study," I told Twinkle after finally arriving home. I sat down and waited for his arrival. It didn't take a genius to figure out why I was had to be kept after all. As such, I painstakingly made sure ahead of time never to directly associate with any dissenters. In addition, moles were a dangerous occupation within the ministry, always flushed out due to an ingenious idea by some ministry lackey to deliver slightly different information to members within a department whenever a leak was suspected. As such, since most of my guests worked at the ministry, I concluded that none of the guests who were invited were likely to have betrayed the ministry.

The door to my right creaked open and a small head popped out saying, "You asked for me sir?"

"You need to be more careful," I warned the diminutive wizard.

"What?" he asked, completely confused.

I sighed, repeating again, "I said, you need to be more careful. I just got back from ministry questioning about terrorists who got confidential information at a party held on my manor." The wizard puffed up his chest, no doubt ready to refute my warning but I cut him off before he could protest, "Don't worry. While I suspect you had something to do with it, I have no proof and even less intention to report you to the ministry." He gave me an incredulous look after hearing this. How predictable.

"Do you really believe that I am a blood purist?" I said, wondering if he really hadn't noticed by now. He hesitated to answer my question, no doubt fearing it to be a trick. "Tell me the truth, Flitwick," I asked again.

He finally confessed after a bit of prodding, "I..I always thought, by the way you acted, that you were."

I laughed, my fears both confirmed and allayed, before sending him on his way out. After a quick locking charm, I fumbled in my robes and took out a small silver locket. Inside lay a single still picture, perhaps too muggle-like and slightly faded, but precious for it was the last vestige I had left of her. I grabbed a seat and began my daily ritual of retelling my day to her. I could imagine her nodded and smiled encouragingly at me, but no sound ever came out of her mouth, as if silently reminding me of how I abandoned her to save my own hide.

'At least,' I thought, 'I am no longer a coward, too afraid to stand up for what I believed in.'


A/N: Hopefully you were somewhat surprised by Abraxas' passages in this chapter. To clarify if you were confused: the italics are memories of a different person.

Anyway, I enjoy reviews, be they good or bad, so if you have the time, click that review button and gimme a shout.

Special thanks to arioso dolente and Luiz4200 for feedback (sorry I didn't include the marauders in this one, they were going to show up in the unexpected treat section)

AAO 2.1