Chapter 6 – The Manor

After cleaning myself up at my apartment I received a summons to dinner from Mother. I sighed, I knew it wouldn't take long for her to find out I had time off. Only a few hours later found me standing outside the manor. I'd managed to stay away for a whole 4 months this time, a new record. I was just convincing myself to walk up to the house when a house elf appeared beside me, sent by Mother, informing me in no uncertain terms that my presence was requested inside the house, and not merely on the grounds.

I practically growled out a sigh as I marched up to the house. Mother's favorite bottle of wine in my hand. She greeted me at the door delighted, like she hadn't sent an elf to harass me just 30 seconds before. She looked genuinely happy about the wine though. She pulled me into the library, she knew better then to try to get me into the parlor.

When I saw that Mother had invited her old friends and their remaining unmarried daughters I want to turn right around and walk out. Unfortunately, I'd done that once before and this time she had kept her hand on my elbow. When I made to pull away she dug in her nails into my arm. I was trapped. She sat me down next to two young girls who immediately began chattering away about how noble it must be to be a Healer.

I thought about telling them all the gory details of my job. Some of the worse infections I had had to treat. I smirked at the thought. Which the girls incorrectly interpreted as a sign of my interest in their conversation. The evening seemed to drag on forever. A few times I made attempts to escape, claiming I heard an owl scratching or pretending my throat was sore. Each time Mother foiled my plans and I was forced to eat an entire 8 course meal stuck listening to the girls each fawn over me. Clearly trying to squirm their way into the Malfoy fortune.

After what had felt like an eternity the guests were gone and it was just Mother and I left. I was sitting beside the fireplace in the library reading. It was one of my favorite places in the manor. Mother grabbed a book and sat next to me. It was quite peaceful. Just as I was beginning to relax and start to think that I should visit more often, Mother spoke.

"Which one did you like?"

I groaned, "Mother please." I spoke with an irritated tone, hoping she would drop the subject and we could actually enjoy some time together.

"Don't 'Mother please' me. You're a grown man and you aren't even dating anyone! How do you suppose you'll sire an heir on your own?"

I had to hold back the urge to make an inappropriate comment, "Mother. I don't like any of these vapid women you thrust at me. They are all boring and just want my money."

"Well what do you expect?! All the respectable women of your age have already been married off!" She ranted.

I finally put my book down at looked Mother in the eyes, "You mean the pure bloods."

She looked away, "No. I mean the ones with good breeding. The ones who know what it would mean to be a Malfoy."

"You can't even look at me. You keep trying to shove what little pure bloods are left at me, that aren't so close in relation that your grandchildren would develop webbing, and you can't even admit it!" I studied her proud face for a moment, she wasn't listening to me, "Father is dead Mother." She flinched at my sudden harsh tone, "Dead because of his values and beliefs. Are you so narrow minded that you wish to follow him right to the grave? Did the war really teach you nothing? Do you not remember the terror that we all felt when the Dark Lord was here? Because I remember it every night. Watching as they-" I couldn't say they words. Couldn't speak of all the horrors that I'd seen over the years. I snapped my mouth shut, trying to contain my emotions, trying to block out the memories of what I had done.

Mother placed her hand on my arm, "Draco-"

I jumped up, "It's late Mother, I need to go." I said, as I stepped up to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder, and went home.