Into the River
Sorry this is an un-beta'd chapter. However I have learned a lot from my beta, VacantSkies, so hopefully there will not be too many errors.
A.N - WARNING: I don't want to offend anyone, but, although this is fictional, this chapter will mention (only briefly) The Hillsborough Disaster 15th April 1989, An F.A Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool FC.
To the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their life's that day. May you rest in peace and never walk alone.
Chapter Seven
Previously:
"Kate and I walked away from the pub along a dark lane, she told me he was prone to this sort of thing, her husband that is, one two many 'bevvies' I think was the expression she used. She added that "that'll be him till chucking out time now" I just smiled in sympathy and placed my arm gently around her shoulders, drawing her closer to me, she responded by placing her arm around my waist as we made our way to that little cottage."
Draco was listening intently to his father, even though his stomach was growling obscenely. Lucius heard the noises "Perhaps I best finish the rest during breakfast?" he asked his son. Draco nodded silently.
It didn't take Draco very long to wash and get ready as Lucius was already one step ahead of him. They left the little room and Draco helped his father down the stairs, taking almost five minutes what with the stupid clumsy lump of plaster on Lucius's leg. The pair walked into the main bar of the pub to find the barmaid, Maddy from last night, polishing glasses behind the bar.
"Any chance of some breakfast?" Draco asked her
"Kate assured me you would be leaving first thing…" taking in the appearances of the two, Maddy had a change of heart "… but I think I may be able to rustle something up, take a seat."
Draco helped his father down into an old dark wood caver chair and then sat himself down opposite him. They sat in silence for a while, Draco's eyes wandered around their shabby surroundings, from the threadbare seat covers to the peeling wallpaper on the walls before settling into his father's icy orbs. 'At least the fever has left him.' Draco thought to himself as Maddy came bustling through from the kitchen with two large plates. She set them down on the table and went to fetch the pot of tea from the bar along with two cups and a jug of milk.
"I'll be out back if you need anything else, just be giving me a holler." She said brightly as she went about her business.
Draco looked at the plate before him, fried egg, sausage, bacon, baked beans and a large fried tomato. His mouth was watering at the sight, his father must have been feeling the same as they both began to devour the food.
After they had both cleared their plates, Lucius poured the tea and leaned back into his chair. He took a sip from the delicate white china cup, savouring the taste as if it were fine wine. Placing the cup back on the table he gazed at his son. "Its time I finished telling you now."
"From an observer's point of view, we must have looked like a lovesick couple, meandering along a dark country lane. As she snuggled into my chest I could feel the warmth radiating from her very soul. She stumbled on a loose chipping as we approached the short path to her cottage and I caught her in my arms, she looked up at me with those rich chocolate eyes, giggling like a school girl. I could not help what I did next as everything about her was intoxicating. My mouth came crashing down on hers and we shared a kiss so passionate I thought I would pass out there and then on the pavement. She pulled away, her eyes dark with desire and raised her hand, her index finger motioning for me to follow her down the couple of steps and into her home. She fumbled with the key until my larger hand covered hers and steadied it. The door swiftly opened and the pair of us tumbled into the living room, very ungainly I might add. My lips found hers again and in a most undignified manor we began to rip each others clothes off."
When his father paused, Draco cut in "Father, you can by pass the details here." He really didn't want to hear about his father's sexual exploits for fear of that lovely breakfast leaving by the same entrance it had been consumed.
Lucius, taking the not so subtle hint, smirked "It is time we were on our way."
They thanked Maddy for her hospitality and stepped outside to a bright sunny morning.
Lucius rested against a weather beaten bench and sighed "Now where was I?" Draco sat down beside him as he continued his story.
"She lay in my arms, the top of her head resting on my chest. We talked about nothing in particular for a while until she told me of her relationship with her husband. Apparently he drank every night to forget something that happened when he was fifteen, something about him being on a coach destined for a football match but not all of them making it back home. She chatted on about the injustice and how she had tried to help him get over it during their years at university where they had first met."
"Some of what she said I missed thinking about my own life with your mother, Narcissa. We had been happy for a time, your mother and I, but my increasing involvement with Lord Voldemort troubled her and we drifted apart, only keeping up appearances at social gatherings for the sake of the family name. The physical contact between us was minimal to say the least. I instinctively pulled Kate closer to me."
You could be my unintended
Choice to live my life extended
You should be the one I'll always love
I'll be there as soon as I can
But I'm busy mending broken pieces of the life I had before
-Muse-Unintended-
"At that moment I would have given anything to be able to stay forever in Kate's arms. This woman had ignited feelings within me I never knew I was capable of. But I knew it would be impossible. I gently moved her almost sleeping form from me, retrieved my clothes that had been scattered over the floor. I found my wand and went back to my sleeping beauty. I bent down and kissed her forehead, whispering 'I'm sorry' as I Obliviated her memory of that evening."
Draco placed his arms around his father pulling him into a hug. He knew his father was hurting inside and this was the first time he had ever seen him like this. Yet still he knew the time had come to tell his father of the events of the last few years.
"Father, you remember when the Ministry caught you and threw you into Azkaban without a trial?"Lucius nodded his head slowly.
"I was still in hiding, Severus helped me for a while then I had to turn to mother. She wasn't in good health and very concerned for both of us but she knew she had a duty to protect me. She placed a glamour charm on me and sent me to France with money in my pocket. I found a bar job there, in Paris, and just stayed low during the whole war."
"It was two years ago that I received word from mother that Harry Potter had finally killed Voldemort. I made my way home as soon as I could. Mother explained that that itwas still not safe for me to be seen. So I went to work at The Three Broomsticks as a barman to keep a low profile. I kept up with the news more easily there, with people leaving papers behind, not just our ones but Muggle papers too. That's how I found out about Harry Potter and how he had now shunned our world and became a footballer for some team in the Midlands. I can't recall the name, but the paper said he could be the next Beckham, whoever he is."
Lucius glared at his son "Get on with it son, anyone would think you were in love with the Potter boy."
Taken aback slightly by the slur Draco continued;
"I went back to mother six months ago, she was dying and she knew it. She didn't want to fight whatever it was that was ailing her and she didn't want any medical assistance. She just wanted to know that I was safe, and that I would do my best to save you. I gave her my word that I would and she passed away in peace."
Lucius had a strange look upon his face. His head slowly turned toward Draco,
"We could be great again son. All three of us together.
"What do you mean by that father?"
"You, Zach and myself. The Malfoy's will rise again and rule the whole of the wizard world!"
Draco stared at his father with disbelief written all over his face. He reached out with his arm and pulled his father close. He really loved this man. For all his faults, he was and would always be his father. He was the one that gave him his first broomstick, he was the one who taught him how to fly, and he was the one that had encouraged him in every aspect of his life so far. He may not have the same ideals as his father. But one thing was clear to Draco at that moment; he would stand by him no matter what.
A/N Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I really would appreciate some feedback so please R&R. I still haven't found a beta so you'll have to put up with any mistakes I make for the moment.
