Chapter 2

Draco hated wearing suits, he hated these stupid parties and he hated having to waste his time celebrating some almost squibb who would probably hardly be able to cast a luminating spell.

His father and mother both shared his sentiment but had still forced him to go to his party even then.

"She is still a pureblood witch, Draco," his father said as he polished his wand holster. "As weak as she most likely will be, she is of the sacred twenty eight and it would be rude to ignore the invitation. "

"Yes father," he replied. "I understand."

His mother combed back his hair and gave him a sweet smile.

"It could be fun, my love," she said, fixing his hair. "Your friend Theodore and your cousin Richer will be in attendance. "

"Richer is 10, mother," he said. "What do Theo and I have in common with a child? I swear mother you forget I'm a teenager now. "

She pouted and made an exaggerated gesture of sadness.

"Don't remind me," she said, squishing his face. "My dragon, a teenager already."

"Stop coddling him Cissy," his father chastised. "He is becoming a man and doesnt need your babying. "

She suddenly nuzzled him to her bosson and hugged him tight.

"I will never stop babying my baby," she cooed. "You both will need to accept that."

He laughed and His father rolled his eyes and stood. His shiny cane makes a thud sound as his mother continues to embrace him.

"Minister Riddle will be in attendance," he began, changing the subject. "Please, both of you, be on your best behavior. "

He spoke to both him and his mother. His mother had a scowl on her face. She wasn't overly fond of the minister.

"Why?" She asked.

"Pansy Parkinson is a late bloomer, a bit of an embarrassment and he wants to convince Corvus to bear another child. A male this time. The minister would like To strengthen our numbers but Corvus has never been interested in a second child. Rumor has it he's too focused on his little mudblood servant."

His mother released him and fixed his collar. A dark look on her face.

"Will he bother us about this again?" She asked.

Draco observed as his father gently grabbed his mothers hand.

"He will," he said. "But I will redirect him. Don't let the guilt consume you, my love. We will succeed. We have once and he's not that bad."

"That is uncalled for ,Father."

His father only smirked at his remark. Draco rolled hisneyes. His mother kissed both of them on the cheek.

"Let's get going, my loves," his mom then said.

...

The party wasn't horrible but the moment he got to Parkinson's manor, he felt uneasy. Sick almost.

They had a small ballroom they had decorated with flowers and food and drink at every corner. It was elegant but bordered on overdone. And while he did have friends like Theodore and Blaise in attendance, his unease was ruining his night.

It was the smell, he realized.

It wasn't a bad smell , on the contrary it smelled wonderful, but it also made him feel antsy. Like he had to find the source. But as much as he wanted to search he knew it would be rude to snoop through the Parkinson's home. So he settled and just hung around with his friends who all decided to keep near their own parents. It made them seem more mature.

Soon enough Mrs. Parkinson was coming by, ready to officially introduce her daughter to their families.

She walked with her head up high and nose in the air. Her daughter mimicked her as she walked beside looked like they were on the prowl. Like hunters looking for prey.

Draco knew her ploy. His father had explained it earlier. Roza Parkinson was hoping to sink her claws into a betrothal contract with a prominent family.

"Roza," his father said, extending his hand.

Roza took it and he bowed. Internally Draco was cringing. He knew this was pureblood etiquette but Roza Parkinson held such a distasteful aura about her, he was surprised his father did not gag and wipe his hand on his trousers.

"Lord Malfoy," she said smugly. "Lord Nott, Lord Lestrange. "

She looked to all their fathers. His , Theos and Richers. Greg Goyle and Vincent Crabbe (two other purebloods) fathers were in attendance as well but Parkinson was making it very clear that while they were sacred 28, they weren't what she was looking for. They could care less.

Hwr blatant disregard for thr Goyles and Crabbes confused him. Her own daughter was so late in showing her magic, later than both Greg and Vincent had been . Why did she suddenly assume her daughter was some prize worthy of them? Worthy of him.

"Draco," his father said, catching his attention. "Introduce yourself. "

He looked forward . Pansy had her hand extended for him to grab. He did so and that's when the smell really hit him.

He kissed her hand as was customary and introduced himself. But he felt a bit in a daze.

"My darling?" His mother asked, worry laced in her voice. "Is something wrong? "

He shook his head and sat down.

He could see Mrs. Parkinson looked a bit defeated at his somewhat rude acts but she quickly turned her daughter's attention to Richer, who did not look even remotely interested.

He didn't really care. He was now feeling almost dizzy. His mother was asking him a question and he was nodding, but not completely aware.

There was a strange buzzing in his ears. He could hear conversations but couldn't focus on what was actually being said.

But then one question was as clear as a mermaid's lullaby.

"Pansy darling girl," It was Goyle Sr. "That mudblood your father purchased. Where is she tonight?"

"The kitchens Mr. Goyle. Serving my family just as she should."

He didn't hear anymore after that. All he could hear were the warning bells in his head. He didn't know what was happening anymore. All he knew was that it was loud and quiet all at once and he was hot and cold and he was unbearably itchy.

He hadn't even noticed he was being led away by his father.

"Just breathe my son."

He tried but it seemed too late as his vision blackened and the world was gone.

And then a moment later it was back but he was somewhere else.

He had opened his eyes to see his fathers face above him. He was on a bed , he noticed. He figured he was still in Parkinson's manor.

The room had that scent. It was overwhelming.

"Where are we?" He asked as he tried to sit up.

"Still at the Parkinsons, " his father explained. "What happened to you ,Draco?"

Draco felt his head pound and throb. Nausea hitting him.

"I don't know, maybe it's this place," he explained. "Something that they sprayed in the air. It's giving me an awful headache."

"The scent of this place?" His father asked. "Was it most overwhelming when Pansy Parkinson approached you?"

Draco thought about it and wasn't sure.

Honestly the scent was overwhelming in the room they were in.

It was a small room, he noticed. It had a bookshelf, a bed and a few other pieces of furniture but it was very cramped. Not something he expected from a family as wealthy as the Parkinsons.

"I guess when she arrived I felt odd, what is the point father?"

Before his father could answer, the door to the room opened and came in holding a small child in his arms. She was maybe 8 or 9 and had unbelievably curly hair.

Draco felt odd once more but he decided it was best to hide his sudden weaknesses in front of another. He was a Malfoy and Malfoys were not weak.

"Lucius?" The other man said, eyeing them. "What are you two doing in here?"

His father stood and motioned at him to stand.

"Draco had a dizzy spell," his father explained. "Nothing to worry about. I just entered the closest rooms. Had I known it was the quarters of some mudblood servant I would have walked farther. Is that her then? Your special little mudblood? I've heard things about her and yourself Corvus, unflattering things. "

Draco looked at the girl. She was gripping onto Mr. Parkinson tightly. She looked scared, she was even shaking and her cheeks were tear stained. Her state made him feel even sicker.

Why? He didn't know. She was a mudblood so he wasn't sure why he cared.

"I had to stop Goyle from assaulting her," Mr. Parkinson almost growled. "I could care less for your dislike of muggleborns but she is a child and no child deserves to be nearly assaulted by a perverted old man. She is under my care and this is my home. I do not appreciate your tone. Especially not after I had to stop a fully grown wizard from hurting a little girl. I knew this party was a horrible idea, i should have put an end to it days ago."

Draco hadn't realized but his father had led him towards the door while Parkinson carried the girl over to the bed.

"I agree with the sentiment. No child should be hurt like that. However, Corvus your care for her goes beyond that of a normal pureblood. It's disgraceful. "

Draco looked at his father who was scowling and then back to who looked like he mignt murder someone.

"Fuck off Malfoy," he said as he gently placed the girl down.

comforted the girl and ignored them.

"I'll send Maggie up with some dreamless sleep, Hermione. You did very well in protecting yourself."

The girl, Hermione, nodded and turned back to them.

"Why are you still here Malfoy?" He asked , drawing his wand. "If you think for a second I wouldn't duel to protect her from even you , you're wrong. "

His father scowled. Draco knew Corvus Parkinson was a talented duelist and it would be difficult to fight him in his own home.

"The mudblood is of now importance to me, I need a private word for a separate matter. I request you and your wifes attendance for supper tomorrow. If you don't comply, I will inform Minister Riddle of your unnatural affection for the mudblood. I do hope you understand."

His father didn't wait for an answwr as he turned away. Draco was beyond confused now but his father led him out and back to his mother who was worriedly waiting.

"We need to take our leave," he explained to hid mother. "It's time you and I explained more about our heritage to Draco. "

Draco didn't understand a thing that was happening but he did know that something major was in store.

He wasn't sure if he would be the same after today.

He was right to worry