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CHAPTER THREE: The Fall

"Your father seemed to be in a decent mood today," I commented as Draco and I walked through the gardens of Malfoy Manor. I couldn't resist touching the petals every flower we passed. Their gardens were absolutely stunning. Rows, upon rows of flowers and shrubbery in every color and shape imaginable. Trees scattered intermittently between the walkways of smooth stepping stones. Every now and then you could see the stray albino peacock wandering about.

Looking up from a group of peonies, I continued with a smile, "He smirked at one of my jokes and didn't bother hiding it. Should we ask the guards to check up on his health, give him a break from the dementors?"

"Ha ha, very entertaining Cassie. You know he only acts like that when you're around. He has to keep up his pureblood persona even though he's locked behind bars." Draco scoffed. Leading us to sit on a bench, opposite of a beautiful stone fountain that I could see fairies splashing in.

"You keep him civil. Asking you to come along with me, was one of the best things I have ever done." I know my smile slips from my face.

"I still think the entire situation is ridiculous! How hard is it to be nice to your own son? He should be grateful that you deign to grace him with your presence in the first place. Lord knows that you are the only one who takes the time to see him. The ungrateful bastard." I huff as I cross my arms across my chest. "I can still remember the first time you asked me to go, Lucius was equal parts hilarious and pitiful."

FLASHBACK

"You want me to what?" I asked in shock.

"If you are agreeable, I would like for you to come with me to visit my father," Draco said pointedly. His posture stiff and his head straight.

"You know I grew up with muggles, right? Your father is going to take one look at me and know."

"No, he won't. You've been taking lessons from mother for almost a year now. You know how to act befitting of your pureblood ancestors. That and your last name will be more than enough for him to overlook any oddities he may find in your behavior." He said with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see how this could be a good idea," I state, shaking my head in disbelief.

"I have never witnessed you mad, Cassie. You keep people calm. For Merlin's sake, you prevented the Weasel, of all people from, starting a fight with me! If you can keep him calm, you can keep my father from insulting me every other sentence. Just come with me one time? If you feel too uncomfortable or if he starts with his nonsense, you don't have to come with me again." Draco pleaded without actually saying please. His eyes widening ever so slightly, releasing the closest thing to puppy-dog eyes I think I'll ever see from him.

"Oh, all right. I'll go with you one time, and if I don't like it, I am never coming with you again. When are you going?" I sigh, pinning him with a stern look.

"Well, I'm really glad you agreed to come with me, seeing how the portkey goes off in about three minutes." He said sheepishly, pulling out a pink plastic donut from his shirt.

"If only I didn't like you so much, I'd curse you to hell and back." I spit with a glare that could kill, grabbing a hold of the toy donut. "We will be discussing this later."

Thankfully for Draco, he didn't have to respond because the portkey activated taking us away from Malfoy Manor and into the receiving room of Azkaban Prison.

We landed in a small grey room. The walls were cracking, and the floors looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in years. The scent of salt and decaying wood permeated the air. On the far wall was a large metal door with a slot for peering inside. In the center of the room was a solitary table, covered in suspicious stains. On one side of the table, there were two chairs made of wood, on the other sat a square block of concrete with metal shackles attached at the bottom. Overhead was a blinding fluorescent light that illuminated the room entirely, leaving no inch to be touched by shadow.

"I see they can't give the prisoners the small comfort of a decent chair when visiting with their families," I comment as Draco moves to sit on one of the wooden seats. "That would be just too much."

"I was under the impression you thought my father deserved to be here. Why comment on that now?" he responded.

"Just because I think your father needs to make a few drastic changes in his behavior towards you, does not mean that I think he deserves to be treated as less than a human. Not even muggle prisoners have conditions this bad." I explain wrapping my cloak tighter around me as a sat in the chair next to his. "Also, it is absolutely freezing in here."

"Really, muggles hav…" Draco was cut off by the door swinging open.

Lucius Malfoy, in all his glory, came stumbling into the room as if pushed. After a few steps, he tripped over the shackles that attached his bare feet together, falling heavily onto to the stone floor. The entire time he could be heard muttering viciously under his breath. Using his hands, he pushed himself up and attempted to straighten his posture with a grimace. He was wearing the standard prisoner garb consisting of a black and white striped jumpsuit and metal shackles around both his hands and feet. It enhanced the malnourished appearance of his body and made him look sickly. His hair was cut unevenly and close to his skull as if someone had taken a pair of dull scissors and lobbed his hair off at random. Overall, he looked atrocious.

"Father...what happened to your hair?" Draco sputtered, rising to his feet in shock.

Lucius spun to face his son and with a look of barely contained fury, spit vitriol. "Ah, Draco, my dearest son. How wonderful of you to come and visit me. I'm ever so grateful you have decided that I, your lowly father, was worthy of your hard-pressed time. It's always so nice to be reminded of what I will never again have."

Lucius stalked towards the table with a noticeable limp. "Do you still live in the manor with your mother? Lavishing in the lap of luxury? I bet you…"

I sneezed cutting him off. Pureblood upbringing never quite goes away apparently, as Lucius pardoned me before continuing. "Excuse you... I bet you just love rubbing it in my face!"

I could see the exact moment he connected that Draco wasn't the one who had sneezed. His face closed off and his aggressive posture melted into a smooth upright position. In a split second, he changed from a striking viper and into the calm and polite mask all purebloods wear. The few seconds it took for Lucius to turn his gaze upon me felt like years.

Now that he was closer, I could see the effects of the dementors easier on his face. His entire body seemed to be covered in a thin layer of dirt and grime. Platinum blonde hair discolored and matted to his head. His face was covered in a thick scraggly beard, barely hiding the gauntness of his cheeks. The most unnerving part was his eyes. Narcissa always compared them to molten silver, piercing yet warm. However, all I could see were dull grey puddles of sorrow and hatred. They were sunken into his skull and completed his overall impression of a skeleton.

"I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't aware that Draco was bringing along a guest today. May I ask your name?" Lucius questioned. His eyes still pining me with a look that dared me to say anything regarding his appearance or his treatment of his son.

"My name is Cassandra Trelawney. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Malfoy." I stood and greeted him, trying to emulate Narcissa the best I could. He took in my appearance and then proceeded to sit on the concrete block across the table from Draco and me.

"Are you by chance related to the renowned prophetess Cassandra Trelawney? You do share her name."

"Yes, she was a great-grandmother."

"Interesting, and why are you accompanying my son to visit me today?"

"Draco and I are close friends. When he asked if I would come with him to see you, I said yes. I'm afraid you'll have to ask him yourself why he wanted me to be here."

Lucius eyed me a while longer before turning a sharp look to his son. "Draco, you should have warned me that you were bringing along a friend. I would like to have been prepared. Never mind that, Ms. Trelawney I must apologize for my earlier behavior towards Draco. It is always hard to prevent my disdain towards the way I am treated here from spilling onto those that visit me. Draco knows of this and is so gracious as to remain strong as I work my way through it. He is aware that I don't truly mean the words that I'm saying. I implore you to pardon my ill behavior."

Being that this is my first-time meeting Lucius Malfoy, I can't help but wonder at what he was like before his permanent stay in prison. His silver tongue certainly hasn't faded from lack of use. This man knows how to spin a situation into his favor.

"Mr. Malfoy, please, don't stress yourself any further than necessary. I understand conditions here are...below average and that it must be... taxing on your health to live in such ways." I smile softly. "If there is anything, I can do to help you adjust better to your stay here and prevent some of your misplaced anger, please do let me know."

I could see his face tighten as I called him out. But honestly, what did he think was going to happen. Nobody insults my friends right in front of me and plays it off as if it's okay. I don't give a flying rat's ass if you're in a shitty situation.

"Father, Cassie is one of my dearest friends and I wanted you to meet her. Astoria and I have become quite close to her lately due to her involvement in the family business. "Draco interjected anxiously, looking between his father and me.

Don't worry Draco I'm not going to start anything that I can't finish.

"Family business? What is it that you do Ms. Trelawney?" Lucius asked.

"Oh, I recently completed my second mastery in potions. Seeing how Draco's company deals heavily in the acquisition and transportation of rare potions ingredients. I have quite an extensive knowledge in determining the quality of various rare ingredients and have helped supply manuals better describing the defining characteristics of each for his employees." I explain with no small amount of pride. I could see budding interest in his eyes.

"Second mastery?" He quipped.

"Oh yes, my first mastery was in ancient runes. Although, we aren't here to talk about my academic achievements." I say while sending a loaded glance at Draco.

"Father we are here to catch up with you. How are you doing?" He said changing the topic and removing Lucius's attention from me.

"Well if you must know…" Lucius began.

END FLASHBACK

"He doesn't stay civil when I'm around, he just hides his hate behind cleverly crafted words. His silver tongue is not wanting for practice when we visit." I state. "I'm glad I can help keep things from escalating, though."

"I'm glad you come with me. Thank you." Draco said with a smile before standing up and holding out his hand for mine.

"Now, I believe my mother asked me to direct you to the green room when we finished with my father."

I place my hand in his allowing him to help me up.

"Lead the way."

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