Draco lay on his side in a sea of green covers and grey sheets, staring listlessly out of the open window into the purple night.
He wondered to himself why Papa was so cross. Usually, Draco knew what he had done, knew what to expect. But this time, he couldn't recall having done anything to have displeased Pap so much. Maybe it was because he had talked to strangers and left the house without telling anyone.
But that wasn't his fault, was it?
Draco didn't know why he had suddenly turned up at the big school. Surely Papa wouldn't punish him for something that wasn't his fault?
'He would and you know it.' The little voice said, 'When has he ever cared whose fault it is? It's always your fault'
"Shut up!" Draco whispered into the darkness, "Papa would never hit me unless I deserved it."
'What ever you want to believe…'"Shut up!" Draco cried again, grabbing his pillow and pulling it over his head, "Stop telling lies!" The voice tried to reply, but it was muffled by the pillow.
Suddenly, Draco gave an involuntary twitch and sat bolt upright, ears pricked, listening,
Footsteps on the stairs.
Closer.
Closer.
To Draco.
For Draco.
The boy felt the familiar sense of nauseous dread creep through his body and he wrapped his arms all the more tightly around his body.
Then, the door clicked and swung slowly, smoothly open.
Draco slid to his feet, his legs felt as though they were made of liquid, but somehow, he managed to stay upright as Lucius Malfoy stepped, definite in his movement, into the room to stand in front of his son. He was wearing a plain, but expensive, white shirt and black trousers, hair tied loosely behind his back and out of the way with a dark blue ribbon.
It was what he always wore when dealing in these…'matters'. And consistency was essential to Lucius. If something was changed, even the tinniest bit, then everything in connection must be altered accordingly. If something was put out of sync, it must be shown its place. Lucius went and sat on the edge of Draco's bed, hands clasped before him, face expressionless; giving Draco no hint s to what was going to happen
"Do you know why I am here?" Lucius' voice was as clam and collected as his appearance, betraying nothing,
"Yes, Papa." Draco said quietly, refusing to meet his father's eyes,
"Tell me."
"It's because, because I've been bad."
"And what have you done that's bad?"
""I, umm…" Draco shifted nervously from foot to foot, tying to think of something,
"You don't know? Well, let's enlighten you, shall we/" Lucius began to tick things off on his fingers, "Going out of the house without my consent. Associating your self with mud-bloods and muggle-lovers. Deliberately disobeying me and being wilfully insolent and incompetent. How many things is that, Draco?"
"Five, Sir."
"So, by rights, I ought to punish you five times over." Draco gulped, swaying slightly on his feet, eyes fixed stolidly on the ground, "Did you hear me, Draco?" the boy nodded silently, too frightened to speak. Lucius growled and grabbed Draco's chin, yanking his head up, forcing him to look at him. "Then answer me!"
"I-I heard you, Papa." Draco whispered, voice barely audible. Lucius smirked and released him,
"Good." Then, cold eyes never leaving Draco, he slowly purposefully unbuckled his belt and pulled it off with a snap. Draco flinched and took a terrified step back,
"Papa… Papa, please…" Draco's voice was desperate and pleading. His eyes searching his father's for any semblance on conscience, but finding nothing but sadistic pleasure at his son's discomfort and unease.
"If I was an unfair person, I wouldn't hesitate to discipline you my way and you know my methods, don't you boy?" Lucius said silkily, folding the belt in two and twirling it around threateningly, "However," He continued, "this time, I shall be lenient, I shall give you a choice. Either this," He flicked the leather at Draco, causing him to give a small whimper and recoil away, "Or, you can let me wash your hands." Draco looked up at his father, confused,
'That doesn't make sense. There must be a twist!' But Draco couldn't think of anything and besides, anything was better than Papa's belt;
"You can wash my hands, please Papa."
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Heh heh! 2 chapters in 2 days! Sorry, but i'm trying to get as much done as possible before i go to spain next week. (Weeee!) ahem Hope you like it, not too angstyi hope...
Keep reviewing! Nearly at 50! Luv Lilyxxx (& Draco xxx)