Chapter 1: 30 years later…

"Pearly, get the mail. I heard the owls arrive minutes ago!" bellowed the icy voice.

Everyone else at the table had jumped the minute he had opened his mouth. It always began the same; another day had begun at Malfoy Manor.

Pearly, the house-elf arrived within seconds with the owl mail. She quickly laid it on the table beside the Master of the House, Lucius Malfoy. She bowed her head and quietly whispered, "Anything else, Master?"

"Yes! Go punish yourself for taking so damn long. Are you a house-elf or a garden gnome?" Lucius sneered.

Pearly ran out of the room with tears in her eyes. Within seconds, her screams of pain could be heard in the dining room.

Lucius grinned evilly as he listened to the commotion. He then turned his attention to the mail that had started the entire episode.

The other occupants at the table, watching in disgust although not showing it, were Lucius' wife, Narcissa and his son, Draco. They had seen this many times before and certainly knew by now not to react to Lucius. To react would only bring his wrath upon them.

They quietly ate their breakfast with their eyes glued to the food they were eating.

Within minutes, the tone for the day was set.

Lucius bellowed, "What the hell is this?"

In his hand was a letter from the Ministry of Magic marked with the seal of Merlin, the greatest Wizard who had ever lived.

Narcissa, from the other end of the table, saw the seal and quickly dropped her fork to her plate.

"What is wrong with you, woman?" barked Lucius.

Draco very quickly and briefly lifted his eyes to his mother's face. She was deathly pale and looked as if she were going to be sick.

Lucius began to open the letter muttering to himself about crazy wizards and the sorry sod who was the Minister of Magic.

Narcissa quietly cleared her throat and spoke softly, "Lucius, today is Draco's seventeenth birthday. Could we go to Diagon Alley to celebrate?"

"Woman, do I not look busy to you? Keep quiet and eat your food that I have so generously provided for you," snapped Lucius.

"Yes, dear," Narcissa responded.

Draco noticed his mother had become even paler.

Lucius had the letter open and was quickly reading. His pale, sickly skin was becoming red and blotchy. He looked up from the letter and stared coldly at his wife.

"What the hell have you done, you stupid woman?" he furiously asked.