April. 12. 05

Chapter One: The News

Wizarding 'Camelot' in Ruins: Draco Malfoy confirms separation from wife

October 29- Early last Tuesday Draco Rudolphus Black Malfoy, heir and head of the Malfoy Wizarding Corporation has formally confirmed the rumor of a separation to his wife of five years, Hermione Jane Granger- Malfoy.

"It's true that Hermione and I have been going through incredibly difficult times as of late, so we had agreed that freedom from our union would be for the benefit of ourselves, and of our family." Mr. Malfoy said to Daily Prophet correspondent, Margot McCorwick, during a press interview for the newest MWC product.

Shortly after Mr. Malfoy's announcement, Mrs. Draco Malfoy was seen strolling through Hosmaede with her four-
year-old son, Isaac Draconis Malfoy…

"Such a tragedy," Luna Weasley said before looking hard at the miniature portrait of the Malfoy family; Draco with his arms around his wife as she held their boy.

She had known that Draco and Hermione's separation would traumatize little Isaac, for he was born into the most loving of couples. In all the years they had been together, she had only seen their relationship tear at the seam recently.

"I just hope they'll get over this together."

"You're leaving already?" Draco asked as he watched his wife levitate her belongings into a chest bearing the Malfoy emblem.

"Of course I'm leaving now, you prat! Do you expect me to stay in this bloody manor now that everyone knows we're separating?" Hermione asked vehemently.

Their fight was not a new one, it had started when Isaac was two years old, and it had gradually escalated to this. They had never raised a hand to one another before, but during the height of their dispute, Hermione had slapped Draco whilst he had grasped her wrist firmly enough to leave a light bruise.

"Just because the public knows doesn't mean you have to go running off, Hermione! Those damn piranhas should be content with even knowing our decision."

"What do you mean 'our decision'? It was your bloody answer to all those rumors!" Hermione exclaimed, punctuating her words by throwing a well aimed photo album at him.

Scrambling out of the way, Draco glared at his wife before tossing their wedding album back unto the bed.

"Well then I'm sorry!" he screamed in reply. Soon a familiar cry filled the air, and the two adults stopped their fighting to listen.

"Now you've done it," Hermione muttered before running to the nursery adjacent to their bedroom.

"Is he going to be okay?" Draco asked, watching Hermione rock their child back and forth. He had felt sorry for his child, recently he had noticed Isaac's calm behavior morph into a jumpy panic everytime he heard a clatter. 'Surely he must be traumatized, with all our fighting.' Draco thought as he watched the young boy whimper and cuddle against his mother.

Isaac Draconis Black Granger Malfoy was born on August 8, 2000, and was immediately the center of his parents' lives. Although he was a shy child with strangers, all who knew him well enough knew that Isaac had given his parents more than a fair share of grey hairs. He was also a bright boy, learning his ABC's and 123's earlier than everyone else, much to Hermione's pleasure. It was also because of his perceptiveness that Isaac knew his parent's were going through rough times. He had tried to be strong, well, as strong as a four-year-old could, but when the fights got worse his cool, Malfoy calm gave way to a jittery behavior.

"We have to get going, I don't want Isaac here to hear another fight." Hermione said as she stood up, child in arms.
"What about all your things? What about Isaac, I deserve to see him!" Draco exclaimed, realizing she was taking his child.

"I'll come back for it, and I'll bring Isaac too, don't worry."

It would be later that Draco would find her last words bitterly ironic.