Silence
10 YEARS EARLIER
Draco received the letter of acceptance from Hogwarts today. How nice. Narcissa is pleased, but I would rather have Draco go to Durmstrang, at least there, he would get a proper education.
We're leaving for Diagon Alley, now. Draco gathers his cloak and waits impatiently by the carriage. I still prefer the traditional means of transportation, horses. Narcissa won't be traveling with us. She hates my horses. Draco loves them. I love them, as much as I am able to love, at least.
I tie my long hair back in a ponytail. Narcissa bids us goodbye, and we leave. The twin black horses pull the carriage dutifully. The sound of their hooves smacking the cobblestone street soothes me.
Draco looks at me. "Father…"
"Yes, Draco?" I ask, my eyes still closed.
"Can I get a broomstick?"
I open one eye and stare at him. "You know it's forbidden for first years to have a broomstick. You can wait."
Draco sighs dramatically and leans back into the seat. I shake my head, a small smile playing over my lips. The carriage slows and the door opens. I step out, followed closely by Draco. He looks around excitedly.
"Come, Draco," I say. We head for Gringotts. He plods along next to me, looking at the people and goblins. I present our key to the goblin and he points me to another goblin, who is currently letting people off the train. My eyes narrow.
The giant and the small boy accompanying him walk by. I turn and watch them as they leave Gringotts. The goblin gestures for us to climb into the cart and we do so. Draco is bouncing excitedly.
"Draco, sit still," I snap. He sits down and glares at me. I return the glare icily and he sits silently. We race through the tunnels, and pull to a stop in front of vault 666 (somehow very fitting).
The goblin opens the vault and I remove gold. He closes it and we head back to the surface.
I leave Draco with Madame Milkins, the robe fitter. I am in the back, picking up an order of robes. I hear the door open and Draco begins talking to a boy, a boy who doesn't know Quidditch?
I gather the order in my arms and head towards the fitting rooms. Draco is drawling on about how he is so good at flying. I sigh, ready to tell him off, when the boy walks by.
I suck in a breath. Black hair, flying everywhere, green eyes. He turns towards me curiously and I hiss, half in shock, half in pain. There is a lightning bolt scar on his head. My arm throbs.
He slides out of the fitters and joins the giant outside. I clutch my arm, waiting for the sudden throbbing pain to pass. Draco joins me.
"He was strange father, he says he isn't muggleborn, but he knows none of our customs.
A single word escapes my lips. "Potter…"
I grab Draco's arm and drag him away. As we head towards the carriage, I see a familiar man step out of the book store. I thrust some gold into Draco's hands, "Entertain yourself."
He runs off gleefully. I head towards the taller man.
"Severus!"
He turns. A brief smile crosses his features. "Lucius, how are you?"
"Did you feel it?" I ask in a quiet voice. Severus looks around and then looks down at me. I had forgotten how tall he was.
"Perhaps we should talk later, in private."
I nod. "The Malfoy Woods, midnight, the cliffs."
Severus nods. He turns and walks away without so much as a backwards glance. Draco joins me, and we climb into the carriage. The horses start home, but before we leave the Alley, I see something that sends shivers down my spine.
A Thestral is watching me.
AN: I know, It's been forever, and I really want to thank the one reviewer I got and I hope you continue to like this story.