Circle of Love
Disclaimer: You know how it goes…
Chapter Eight: Secrets
Hogwarts itself contains enough secrets already, so imagine how disturbed the balance must be when the students arrive, with their secrets practically flowing from their pockets…the truth locked up tightly in their hearts….
"Is something wrong, dear?" the woman asked the boy, her words instead of her voice filled with concern.
"Nothing," the pale blond replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. The woman, however, barely spared her son a second glance.
"Well, alright then," She went back to her fashion magazine, content with her single act of motherhood of the day.
"There is one thing though…" boy's voice trailed off at the end.
"What is it then?" the woman snapped impatiently. Wasn't being in the same room as him enough? God, how much love does a son need, anyways?
Usually, the boy would've sensed that his mother would like to be left alone but he had other things on his mind.
"There's this girl at school-" he started.
"Is she the one spreading rumors about you?" the mother cut in angrily. "You know a Malfoy's social appearance is more vital that his life. If your image is ruined in any way, your father-"
"His father what?" a grim figure walked slowly into the room.
"Oh…no-nothing important, dear," the woman shrank under the glare of her husband.
"If you say so," the man said, making an unnecessary stop to feed a log to the diminishing flame in the fireplace. The woman exhaled sharply…too sharply.
"What was that, my dear?" the man turned to face his wife.
"Uh…what was what?" the woman gulped.
"Did you just-"
"No! Not at all! I just thought you shouldn't be wasting time standing around talking to me and…"
The woman's hands were all white from her wringing but she failed to notice. The man, though…he turned around and, to the woman's relief, headed towards the doorway.
"Very well, my Cissy," His mouth smiled but his eyes remained cold. "I supposed you are right. I do have oh-so-many things to attend to…" he stopped walking and turned to face the woman once more.
"However…" the man dropped his mouth smile and replaced it with a look much more threatening. "You, my sweet, are in no position to tell me what to do!"
And with his last word, the man slapped the woman harshly across the cheek. The woman cried out in surprise and pain.
"Mother!" the boy sprang up.
"Stay back!" the woman sobbed. "I don't want him to hurt you!"
"Oh honey," the man snickered. "It's not about what you want…" the man held up his wife by her hair. "I am not to be disturbed again, yes?" The woman whimpered. "Good." He dropped her cruelly onto the floor and she lay there, like a crumpled flower. He strode out of the room and slammed the door loudly. When his footsteps were no longer audible, the boy ran to his mother.
"He can't do this to you," the boy said angrily.
"Forget it," the woman wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and tried to stand.
"But-" the boy started again.
"No!" the mother snapped, but then her features softened a little. "Just forget it, alright? It was my fault anyways."
"No it wasn't! He shouldn't have done that!"
"No, no," she tried to shush her son. "I mean, I shouldn't have yelled at you. So what was it that you wanted to tell me about some girl?"
"Nothing," the boy shook his head. "It's not important anymore."
"Oh, my Draco," she woman suddenly hugged her son began to weep again. "My poor baby…"
"Don't worry, Mother," Draco said, a little uncomfortable at his mother's impulsive embrace but hugged her back nonetheless. "We'll make it; we will."
Author's Note: I know it's weird but I really wanted a snapshot of Draco's home-life to get the background sense of his attitude at school. Also, I'm finally getting around to updating all of my stories! Yay! Pats self on the back Please review my hard work! Thanks!