Title: Kite
The kite's string broke. It lay on the grass, through spring, summer, autumn and winter. Then, a boy returned and healed the kite.
A kite's string; broken and mended.
***************************
Dear Lucius,
I'm sorry I had to let you know last. I really, really couldn't bear the idea of you being all upset. I made everyone who knew keep silent. I truly never wanted you hurt at all. In my life, you are and will be the only person I love. I will never forget your beauty on the bed or in my life. The marriage was inevitable. We both knew I never truly loved Lily - she was just a substitute for you when I couldn't have you. She thinks I love her and I have to because she is now my wife.
I just wanted to let you know, if I could, I never would have started the fake relationship with Lily. But no point crying over spilt milk. I ask only that you forgive me and pretend you never loved me before.
I will always love you,
James
*****************************
PRESENT
This must have the hundredth time Lucius had read this letter. It spoke of a failed relationship and of two utterly shattered souls. Eighteen years ago, Lucius Malfoy had received a letter from his once-arch-enemy-now- turned-lover, James Potter, telling him to abandon the relationship and that as much as they still loved each other, it was over. Over.
Then, James had gone on to have a baby boy with his wife and Lucius had an heir from his wife, also a part-Veela like him. Lucius heard that the James' son was called [ Harry ]. An equally plain name like his father's but there was a significance - it was rumored that Lily Potter had wanted her son to be called something more exotic but James had, for some reason, refused her and named his son so plainly.
Only Lucius knew. Lucius had mentioned before that sometimes plain names were beautiful while exotic ones were bitter. They had even, in a work of fantasy and too much wine, decided that if they ever adopted a son, he would be called [ Harry ] - Lucius' idea. The name was simple yet endearing. And now, since James could not possibly name his son [ Lucius ], the name seemed the best choice.
The wine glass Lucius had been drinking from cracked in his fingers' strong grip and shattered on the ground.
***************************
FLASHBACK - 18 years ago (Hogwarts)
Lucius let go of the shattered wine glass, the sharp ends cut into his delicate fingers and he sprawled them out as James bent forward and took the cold fingers in his warm ones. Lucius sighed softly at the close contact and leaned forwards towards James' subtle touch. James closed his own fingers around his lover's and brought the hand to his lips and kissed it reverently.
'You are beautiful and I love you,' James had said.
***************************
PRESENT
Well, where's the love, Lucius bitterly smashed his fist against the mahogany table and snarled furiously. It was rare for him to loose control over himself but for James, every unbelievable thought materialized.
Harry James Potter had then gone on to defeat Lord Voldemort while James had died. Lucius knew that he was a completely broken man when he learned of James death. He had been at Godric's Hollow when Voldemort had struck and he had been one of the jeering Death Eaters who surrounded Godric's Hollow to stop James or Lily from escaping. But they never made it out of the house. When Voldemort had disappeared, many Death Eaters fled but Lucius remained behind.
He wanted to say the final goodbye.
***************************
FLASHBACK - 17 years ago (Godric's Hollow)
Lucius tore off his mask and dashed from room to room, searching for the one man he loved. The screams had come somewhere in the East wing and Lucius was hoping James wasn't there. Maybe if he was fast enough, he'd be able to find Harry - alive. He knew it was an impossible thought but there was still hope.
He stopped outside a door, freshly painted in baby colours, the nursery. Lucius heard a faint wailing of a baby - he never paused to stop - the child was alright and now, his priority was James. He knew James must be dead but surely his body had not been destroyed.
Lucius saw a slightly-opened door, the hem of a red cloak was peering out. He swallowed painfully, knowing it was the worst.
He pushed open the door - he was right. James Melvin Potter was lying on the balcony. A cool breeze ruffled through the unruly hair, making him look serene and calm. The look on his face was of peace - not the usual worry or fear - but peace, tranquility. Lucius guessed why - James was relieved that he no longer had to love Lily for fear of hurting her.
Lucius approached James, bent down and held James in his arms. He looked up into the sky, seeing all the sparkling stars, remembering how James' eyes used to look like emerald stars, and cried.
***************************
PRESENT
A knock on the door signaled Narcissa's presence. 'Enter,' Lucius said sharply, he forced back the glistening tears by his eyelashes and slipped on his personal emotionless mask once again. He had always lived behind the mask. It was a protection and a shield he built. He watched now as his wife entered.
Always a charming woman, Narcissa Malfoy now had the elegance of a princess. She walked regally and spoke with the posh accents of an upper- class lady.
'Lucius, Draco has written again. I have to consult you upon a certain decision,' she fidgeted slightly and Lucius knew the decision might displease him. He waited for her to continue speaking, his quill still scratching out neat words on a letter he was writing. He watched her out of his eyes and saw her biting her lip and unfolding the letter.
'Dear, remember Draco told us about his ah - extraordinary - preferences last holiday?' Narcissa Malfoy tried that as an opening line and Lucius knew vaguely what was to come. Last holiday, Draco had been forced to admit his homosexuality after Lucius observed that Draco never took any interest in girls but rather in boys. Lucius had appeared to be angry but inwardly, he was reminded of his own love affair years back.
'Yes, I do,' Lucius coolly replied.
'He writes here now, bless my little Draco, that he is intending to bring his new boyfriend here for the Christmas holidays, Lucius,' Narcissa didn't say who the boyfriend was but waited for Lucius to express at least a vague interest in who the prospective son-in-law was. Lucius himself was slightly amused by the turn of events now. This would make Christmas a more interesting festival - now that he could interrogate Draco and his boyfriend.
Lucius cleared his throat softly and then turned to look at his wife for the first time.
'And who is the boyfriend?'
His amusement turned to horror and sorrow when he heard the answer.
'Harry Potter,'
************************
Ok, that is first chapter done. Give me your reviews.
The kite's string broke. It lay on the grass, through spring, summer, autumn and winter. Then, a boy returned and healed the kite.
A kite's string; broken and mended.
***************************
Dear Lucius,
I'm sorry I had to let you know last. I really, really couldn't bear the idea of you being all upset. I made everyone who knew keep silent. I truly never wanted you hurt at all. In my life, you are and will be the only person I love. I will never forget your beauty on the bed or in my life. The marriage was inevitable. We both knew I never truly loved Lily - she was just a substitute for you when I couldn't have you. She thinks I love her and I have to because she is now my wife.
I just wanted to let you know, if I could, I never would have started the fake relationship with Lily. But no point crying over spilt milk. I ask only that you forgive me and pretend you never loved me before.
I will always love you,
James
*****************************
PRESENT
This must have the hundredth time Lucius had read this letter. It spoke of a failed relationship and of two utterly shattered souls. Eighteen years ago, Lucius Malfoy had received a letter from his once-arch-enemy-now- turned-lover, James Potter, telling him to abandon the relationship and that as much as they still loved each other, it was over. Over.
Then, James had gone on to have a baby boy with his wife and Lucius had an heir from his wife, also a part-Veela like him. Lucius heard that the James' son was called [ Harry ]. An equally plain name like his father's but there was a significance - it was rumored that Lily Potter had wanted her son to be called something more exotic but James had, for some reason, refused her and named his son so plainly.
Only Lucius knew. Lucius had mentioned before that sometimes plain names were beautiful while exotic ones were bitter. They had even, in a work of fantasy and too much wine, decided that if they ever adopted a son, he would be called [ Harry ] - Lucius' idea. The name was simple yet endearing. And now, since James could not possibly name his son [ Lucius ], the name seemed the best choice.
The wine glass Lucius had been drinking from cracked in his fingers' strong grip and shattered on the ground.
***************************
FLASHBACK - 18 years ago (Hogwarts)
Lucius let go of the shattered wine glass, the sharp ends cut into his delicate fingers and he sprawled them out as James bent forward and took the cold fingers in his warm ones. Lucius sighed softly at the close contact and leaned forwards towards James' subtle touch. James closed his own fingers around his lover's and brought the hand to his lips and kissed it reverently.
'You are beautiful and I love you,' James had said.
***************************
PRESENT
Well, where's the love, Lucius bitterly smashed his fist against the mahogany table and snarled furiously. It was rare for him to loose control over himself but for James, every unbelievable thought materialized.
Harry James Potter had then gone on to defeat Lord Voldemort while James had died. Lucius knew that he was a completely broken man when he learned of James death. He had been at Godric's Hollow when Voldemort had struck and he had been one of the jeering Death Eaters who surrounded Godric's Hollow to stop James or Lily from escaping. But they never made it out of the house. When Voldemort had disappeared, many Death Eaters fled but Lucius remained behind.
He wanted to say the final goodbye.
***************************
FLASHBACK - 17 years ago (Godric's Hollow)
Lucius tore off his mask and dashed from room to room, searching for the one man he loved. The screams had come somewhere in the East wing and Lucius was hoping James wasn't there. Maybe if he was fast enough, he'd be able to find Harry - alive. He knew it was an impossible thought but there was still hope.
He stopped outside a door, freshly painted in baby colours, the nursery. Lucius heard a faint wailing of a baby - he never paused to stop - the child was alright and now, his priority was James. He knew James must be dead but surely his body had not been destroyed.
Lucius saw a slightly-opened door, the hem of a red cloak was peering out. He swallowed painfully, knowing it was the worst.
He pushed open the door - he was right. James Melvin Potter was lying on the balcony. A cool breeze ruffled through the unruly hair, making him look serene and calm. The look on his face was of peace - not the usual worry or fear - but peace, tranquility. Lucius guessed why - James was relieved that he no longer had to love Lily for fear of hurting her.
Lucius approached James, bent down and held James in his arms. He looked up into the sky, seeing all the sparkling stars, remembering how James' eyes used to look like emerald stars, and cried.
***************************
PRESENT
A knock on the door signaled Narcissa's presence. 'Enter,' Lucius said sharply, he forced back the glistening tears by his eyelashes and slipped on his personal emotionless mask once again. He had always lived behind the mask. It was a protection and a shield he built. He watched now as his wife entered.
Always a charming woman, Narcissa Malfoy now had the elegance of a princess. She walked regally and spoke with the posh accents of an upper- class lady.
'Lucius, Draco has written again. I have to consult you upon a certain decision,' she fidgeted slightly and Lucius knew the decision might displease him. He waited for her to continue speaking, his quill still scratching out neat words on a letter he was writing. He watched her out of his eyes and saw her biting her lip and unfolding the letter.
'Dear, remember Draco told us about his ah - extraordinary - preferences last holiday?' Narcissa Malfoy tried that as an opening line and Lucius knew vaguely what was to come. Last holiday, Draco had been forced to admit his homosexuality after Lucius observed that Draco never took any interest in girls but rather in boys. Lucius had appeared to be angry but inwardly, he was reminded of his own love affair years back.
'Yes, I do,' Lucius coolly replied.
'He writes here now, bless my little Draco, that he is intending to bring his new boyfriend here for the Christmas holidays, Lucius,' Narcissa didn't say who the boyfriend was but waited for Lucius to express at least a vague interest in who the prospective son-in-law was. Lucius himself was slightly amused by the turn of events now. This would make Christmas a more interesting festival - now that he could interrogate Draco and his boyfriend.
Lucius cleared his throat softly and then turned to look at his wife for the first time.
'And who is the boyfriend?'
His amusement turned to horror and sorrow when he heard the answer.
'Harry Potter,'
************************
Ok, that is first chapter done. Give me your reviews.