Chapter 14 Vacations

As the holidays passed, life for Seamus and Draco returned to the way it had been before they were dating. Seamus' mother treated him the way she always had, and the only difference in her behaviour was that she acted as though Draco and the entire Malfoy family had never existed. This did hurt Seamus, but for the most part he was happy. His life was good. His parents had taken the news that their son was gay far better than they had expected. They had told him that they were comfortable with his sexual orientation. His mother made it clear that she did not approve of this particular boyfriend and Seamus knew that it had nothing to do with Draco's gender. Seamus knew that even if Draco had been born a girl, his mother would still not approve. Seamus had resigned himself to the situation. He had come to the realisation that his mother was determined to judge Draco without ever meeting him, and there was nothing either boy could do to change her opinion of the Slytherin. Seamus didn't like the situation, but there was nothing he could do. He conceded that the situation could have been worse, and he couldn't help but wonder how life was going for Draco.

Life for Draco was far less pleasant. His parents were not prepared to accept that their son was gay. His father's approach to the 'problem' was 'discipline' and 're-education.' Lucius inflicted Draco with his own views of 'normal' and 'acceptable' and lectured the boy on what he believed it meant to be a Malfoy. He told Draco that if he couldn't convince himself to be 'normal' then he would at least pretend to be. Lucius made it clear that Draco was expected to hide his 'abnormality.' Draco had never really expected their response to be anything else. Despite this realisation, he still found himself wishing that his parents could love him for who he was. He hoped that Seamus was receiving the love he missed. He hated to think Seamus was enduring that kind of torment.

Draco hadn't received any mail from Seamus and had not attempted to contact the other boy. As time passed this helped to calm Lucius. As the holidays progressed Draco's training in the Dark Arts and the Dark Side advanced earnestly. This should have convinced Draco he would never be returning to Hogwarts, but he refused to give up hope. This Hope was all he had left. Without it he would not have been able to endure the torment. Lucius made his authority felt and forced Draco to participate in activities Draco would rather forsake. Draco was forced to participate and witness activities that made his stomach churn. If Draco did not comply, or did not comply with the speed and enthusiasm Lucius expected, he would either be tortured of would be forced to endure Imperius. If Draco had thought his Christmas holidays had been hell. His life had disintegrated to the point where he longed for the innocence of that time.

Whenever Draco felt his spirit was about to break, whenever he felt tempted to give in and become everything his father wanted, it was at these moments that his attention would be drawn towards his bracelet. He would think of Seamus and he would know that he could not give in. He felt he owed Seamus the resistance. Seamus believed that Draco was a good person. Seamus believed Draco could achieve more than falling into the path of a Deatheater. Seamus believed in Draco when everyone else believed Draco was worthless and destined to turn evil. Seamus believed Draco was better than that, and Draco felt he had the responsibility to prove Seamus right. Seamus loved Draco and believed he had the strength to break the cycle and become whoever he wanted to be, instead of what his father wanted. Draco was determined to prove he deserved Seamus' trust. He was determined to earn the other boy's love, and that meant fighting for it. Draco didn't care if the rest of the world thought he was an evil bastard. There was one person who could see him for everything he was. There was one person willing to recognise everything good he could become. There was one person who could love him for who he truly was, and believed in everything Draco could be. Draco was determined to fight for him and prove him right.

As the holidays drew to a close Dumbledore called a meeting with McGonagall and Snape. They met to discuss the situation involving Seamus and Draco. As the three met, the air seemed to thicken ominously. A shiver coursed down each teacher's spine. Something was definitely wrong.

"I feel confident about Young Master Finnigan's safety." McGonagall began "I have been checking with the people watching over his house, and all reports suggest that Lucius has not attempted to do anything to harm the boy." Dumbledore nodded in agreement. He knew this already.

"Yes." he added, "The Order has been investigating the matter. It would seem that Lucius has no real interest in the boy whatsoever. This is good. It means we do not have to worry about that student."

"I'm more concerned about Malfoy." Snape interrupted "There has been no sight or sound of him since he and his father disapperated from platform 9 ¾. Even Draco's usual haunts have been abandoned. It would appear that he hasn't even left the house. This can not bode well for the boy. Merlin knows what Lucius has been doing with him for all this time. This situation should not have been allowed to occur. We should have do something to help the boy long ago."

Snape looked across at Minerva. She appeared far less concerned than he felt she should be. McGonagall was a Gryffindor and always had been. As such she found it incomprehensible that anyone would cause harm to their own family. Snape wished that she could understand that a Gryffindors loyalty is not shared by all. Snape had a lot of experience with Deatheater. Too much, he felt. He had tried to explain to her that some people would stop at nothing to get what they want. Minerva did not understand that some people would be willing to sacrifice their own families for personal gain. Snape felt that she was naïve to believe that all people had morals.

Dumbledore coughed politely, recapturing Snape's attention. He seemed to know exactly what the Potionsmaster had been thinking. The headmaster pulled a scroll from within his robes. Snape's blood froze. Instinct told him that this could not be good news.

"I am also worried about young Draco." Dumbledore concurred "" received this letter from Narcissa Malfoy this morning. Our worse fears for the boy have been realised." He handed the scroll the other two teachers who read quickly.

Sir

As the mother of Draco Malfoy I feel it is my duty to inform you that to my utmost disappointment my son will not be returning to your school this year.

My husband and I are very disappointed that you have allowed such an unnatural relationship to exist as has developed between my son and this other muggle-born boy. We expected your staff and yourself to ensure the moral welfare of our son, and are disappointed that you have failed in this duty. As a result, much to my protestations, my husband has taken the extreme position of deciding to keep our son home and see to his home schooling.

My husband feels that the schools standards have been allowed to slip, and no longer feels that sending Draco to Hogwarts will give him the best opportunity possible. I very much regret that this situation has occurred, but my husband is most insistent.

Yours sincerely

Narcissa Malfoy

Snape finished reading the letter and looked up in horror. He turned to Dumbledore, his expression demanding that the headmaster do something to remedy the situation. Dumbledore sighed and shook his head.

"There is nothing we can do. There is no evidence to suggest the boy is being abused, and we cannot just force our way into Malfoy Manor. If it were that simple the Ministry would have raided Lucius' home years ago. We must wait and see how this situation unfolds." Snape could barely contain his fury. He knew Dumbledore was right, and arguing was futile. He just hated to think that he would be leaving Draco in a situation with so much potential for harm.

The holidays were almost over and Seamus was becoming increasingly concerned about Draco. He had no doubts that if Lucius suspected anything, then the truth would be forced from Draco. But Seamus had no way of communicating with the other boy. He wasn't willing to try for fear it would jeopardise the Slytherin's safety. He was just going to have to wait, and see if the other boy arrived at school. It was the waiting which hurt the most.