Chapter 9

"I have to leave. Father was expecting me back two days ago," Draco stated, buttoning his robes, which now hung loose on him.

"You canna leave the wee one!" Heather protested, blocking his way. "An' your in no shape to be flying."

"I have to. He'll become suspicious if I don't." Draco took a deep breath calming himself. The woman was upset and if he had any strength he would move her out of the way. Unfortunately his body was still recovering; he wasn't even sure he'd be able to make the flight.

"But your health!" She exclaimed.

"Won't mean anything if Father finds out Cassiopiea's still alive!" He snapped. "Heather, I don't want him near my daughter. You're the only one I trust with her life. If I don't make it back by tomorrow morning, take her and flee. Get out of Ireland, in fact get out of Europe all together. He'll find her and murder you both." Draco untied the satchel that was still attached to his broom. Pulling out a heavy velvet pouch, he handed it over to Heather. "This should cover any expenses."

"I canna accept your payment Draco," she said holding up her hands.

"It's for Cassiopeia's safety and yours. Heather, take it. When I get back, you may give it back to me." Grudgingly she took it but warned him that he better return to claim it. She was only safeguarding it until then. Not bothering to open to see how much there was she tossed it on the chair by the hearth.

"So you still plan to flee to the continent with her?" Heather nodded back towards the bedroom where the baby was napping.

"For the moment yes. Once I get there I'll figure something out. I won't let Father have her, nor can I send her to an orphanage. She's mine and as you keep saying, I must protect her. I'm her father." The words sounded strange to him, but he'd get used to them. He'd made his decision; he wanted the chance to be a parent. This meant he'd be giving up the life that he'd lead and the chance to be a Death Eater. But for some reason, all the power he'd gain from being Voldemort's servant didn't equal the pain he'd feel about losing his daughter.

He'd had a revelation last night. Even if he left Cassiopeia at an orphanage, Lucius would eventually find her. He wouldn't be able to keep the fact she was alive a secret from Lucius forever. Therefore, his only option to preserve her life was to trade his for hers. He didn't understand why he was doing this, but the tiny creature in the other room was his. Draco felt he had to do this; she deserved the chance to live.

"Take care of her. I'll be back," Draco said picking up his broom and heading for the door. Heather followed him outside.

"Aye, an' when ya get back we'll be packed for a long flight. I'm not leaving ya alone when ya donna know the first thing about children. You're still a child yourself, but we have time to change that." She folded her arms in front of her and gave Draco a look to let him know she meant what she said. He smiled weakly, unsure he could put up with her meddling in his life, but he needed someone. He couldn't take on this daunting task alone. He was about to become a fugitive from his own family. Heather offered him her assistance and knowledge; he knew better than to say no.

Once outdoors, Draco cast one last look at the cottage. He had to make this quick, they didn't have a large window of opportunity to get away. Once Lucius found out, they'd be hunted down. Draco knew how important he was in his father's ambitions. Important enough to murder his own grandchild for them.

"Be careful now," Heather called as he urged his broom into the air. Waiting until he was out of sight she returned indoors. She had to send an owl to her sister Mary to let her know of her plans before packing. There was much to be done before nightfall.

Several hours later Draco's feet touched down on the lawn outside the manor.

Dismounting, he flipped his broom onto his shoulder and stealthily crossed the remaining ground to the entrance. Climbing the stone steps, he paused a moment before pushing open the main doors. Stepping inside he hurriedly slipped up the main staircase towards his room. There was no sign of Lucius in the vicinity, making Draco hope he could be in, out, and gone before he was discovered.

It seemed a lifetime since he'd last been in his room. Everything was the same, but it felt different. Opening the wardrobe, he by-passed all the maternity robes relieved that he'd never have to wear them again. He chose the most mundane clothes in his collection figuring they would be more useful. Checking over his personal mementoes, he realized that he couldn't take most of them. Sadly they would be left to his father's temper once he was gone. Carefully arranging everything he'd chosen on his bed, Draco transfigured it into a single necklace making it easier to travel with. He slid it over his head then stuffed it down his robe to keep it hidden.

Stealing downstairs, Draco paused to check the foyer. Lucius was still not there. If I can cross this and make it to the door, then I won't have to face him,he thought as he stepped onto the bottom landing.

"I see you've finally returned." Draco spun around to find Lucius standing in front of the drawing room entrance glowering. Once again his father's silent feet had caught him off guard. Nervously he watched Lucius approach him.

"Yes, well, it took longer than expected," he sputtered, backing up against the banister.

Pausing, Lucius' eyes drifted downward focusing on Draco's flattened stomach. "I see. Where is the parasite?"

"I'm no longer carrying it," Draco told him, trying not to flinch under Lucius' cold gaze.

"But it's not dead." Lucius narrowed his eyes at him. "I had a word with the midwives I chose. None of them had received an owl from you. Although, I did speak with one I'd labeled unsuitable and they had." He waited for the words to sink in giving his son time to realize his dangerous error. "You went behind my back, why?"

Draco knew that look. It was one reserved only for those Lucius despised. He'd never wanted to be on the receiving end of it, but Cassiopeia's life was at stake. If he could hold his own then she stood a chance.

"The parasite is mine to deal with." Draco narrowed his eyes in a perfect imitation of Lucius'. "It isn't your concern."

"It is my concern. It's an abomination. It has Muggle-lovers blood in it and that should not mix with ours." Lucius took another few steps closer forcing Draco further into the banister.
Feeling the wood dig into his back, Draco drew a sharp breath. Lucius was trying to break him, but if Draco allowed that, his daughter would die. He could almost hear the curse Lucius would use. A green light would fill the room and it'd be over. Cassiopeia's eyes would never open again. Draco couldn't let that happen.

"It has my blood in it, therefore it is mine." He snarled struggling for the courage Heather believed he had. Lucius laughed, a cruel sound, scratching at Draco's ears.

"You're challenging me? My own son! You think you can raise that thing? You won't last a month. Besides," Lucius curled his lips in a sneer. "Do you really think that I will let you?" Draco stood his ground; gripping his broom so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You don't stand a chance, give up the parasite and end this. I'll forgive you this trespass if you do," Lucius added suddenly looking fatherly and sincere.

"NO! This is MY child. From my seed! I won't let you destroy it!" Draco yelled. "I will decide what's best for it and myself!" Straightening up, he fixed a heated glare on his father.

"But you are from MY seed and I decide what is best for you," Lucius purred in an unaffectionate manner. Draco flinched as if the words had seared his skin.

"No," he said, gritting his teeth. "Not anymore. I'm my own person, able to make my own decisions. I won't be a little puppet for you to direct."

Lucius pressed his lips into a hard thin line. Looking down at the determined expression his son now wore, the older wizard knew he was losing this round.

"Is that so?" He inquired, taking a step back. Draco nodded curtly, keeping his eyes firmly on his father. "So be it," Lucius said, finding the challenge interesting. "You are no longer my son. Take that Muggle- lover's spawn and go enjoy the rest of your miserable life or what bit of it I let you. Let's see how long before you turn away from the creature in disgust and come crawling back begging for forgiveness." Turning his back, Lucius swept out of the foyer leaving the youth feeling weak and shaken. Draco had bought his daughter some time, but how much he didn't know. Summing up what reserves he had left, he fled the manor. He knew Lucius wouldn't let this go, if nothing else his father was patient. Lucius would bide his time waiting until Draco was comfortable before striking.

I must never let my guard down, he told himself as he left Malfoy manor for the last time. Our lives depend on it.