Authors note: I've debated with myself whether to keep the story in Harry's perspective like Rowling does or to add some chapters from Draco's POV, so consider this chapter a test run so to speak. Please let me know if you want more of Draco's prospective in the future or if you are more interested in reading the story through Harry's eyes.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and any recognizable characters are the sole property of JK Rowling, scholastics and Warner Brothers. I claim no right to them nor make any profit off this work.

Chapter 2: Burning

"Sit up straight," the aristocratic voice of Lucius Malfoy demanded as his walking stick swung down just inches away from his son's hand.

Draco cringed before moving quickly to adjust his poor posture, but in his haste, he failed to notice the goblet resting by his elbow. With a loud clunk, the metallic cup rolled off the table splattering its liquid contents on the silky white tablecloth and porcelain floor. Narcissa made a slight clicking noise with her tongue, but it was Lucius who looked the most annoyed as he watched his son edge his chair away from the table in an attempt to remain dry.

"Cease!" the Malfoy patriarch bellowed, flicking his wand to vanish the mess his son had made.

"Sorry, Father," said Draco, bowing his head.

"You are fourteen years old," said Lucius. " You need to stop acting like a silly child and-"

"Father," began Draco, lifting his head slightly. "I just-"

"Do not interrupt me!" yelled Lucius.

Draco's head snapped back down, and no further words left his mouth. He didn't understand what had come over his father, he only knew the man was on a particularly short fuse and had been on one since the beginning of the summer. Sure, he supposed his father had always been the disciplinary sort, for Draco's own good of course. It wouldn't do for a Malfoy to raise their kids to be soft like the Weasleys and forget their pureblood values. Even with his father's strict nature, Draco never remembered him being particularly harsh until a few months ago. Normally, when Draco found himself stepping out of line a stern lecture and the loss of privileges was his father's punishment of choice, and while his father was quick to hand out consequences he was equally quick to offer praise for a job well done. Now though it seemed that everything Draco did was wrong, and instead of a well-mannered lecture he found himself being yelled at or becoming the victim of his father's cane. He was waiting for the day that his father's cane didn't just gaze the back of his hand or shoulder but actually came down on him.

"Dear," came the much softer voice of his mother as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. "Perhaps you should go finish your homework, I'm sure you'll enjoy the World Cup much better if you know you don't have to come home and do homework."

"I've finished a few weeks ago mother," said Draco.

"Of course you did," said Narcissa fondly. "I should know that you always get your work done ahead of time, just like you were taught."

Lucius suddenly rose from the table, causing Narcissa and Draco to look up at him expectantly.

"I have to retrieve something from Severus," announced Lucius. "Since you are done with your assignment, you might as well come along." Draco's hesitation didn't go unnoticed to Lucius nor did the way he looked over to his mother as if asking for some kind of reassurance. "I assure you, I have not acquired fangs over the last twenty four hours, and I've been told I don't bite very hard." A horrified expression crossed Draco's face. "That was a joke, son."

Draco blinked a few times before the corners of his lips slowly began to lift upwards. Narcissa giggled a bit, brushing some hair out of her son's face.

"Have fun at your godfather's house," said Narcissa. "But bring a jumper, it looks like rain."

"Yes mother," said Draco before his eyes turned towards his father. "May I bring my potion assignment as well, so that professor Snape might look over it?"

Lucius nodded his approval and motioned the boy away with his hand. He frowned, but did not comment as the boy scurried up the stairs like some sort of rodent. He really wished his son would conduct himself with far more grace. At Draco's age, Lucius would never have dared to exit a room in such a hasty, childish manner. Of course, considering who his parents were, that could have been seen as little more than an act of self-preservation. Still, it would certainly not hurt for Draco to acquire a bit more manners.

Narcissa cleared her throat, pulling Lucius away from his contemplation.

"Yes?" questioned Lucius.

Narcissa stood up from her spot at the table before placing her hands on Lucius's shoulders.

"You know darling," began Narcissa as she began messaging her husband's back. "You are fairly good at Potions." She paused for a brief moment to give Lucius a chance to respond, but all she received was a curt nod. "It's just a shame I think," she continued, "that our son doesn't ask his father to look over his homework." She once again paused, hoping for some kind of response from her husband, but after a few seconds it became clear that she wasn't going to get one. "Lucius!"

"Yes dear?" drawled Lucius, turning around to face Narcissa, whose face had turned a rather lovely shade of red. "I do not see what the problem is."

"You don't see a problem?" questioned Narcissa in a drawling tone that almost put Lucius's drawl to shame.

"None at all," said Lucius. "I dare say, we should be more concerned if our son was not smart enough to ascertain the practically of asking his godfather, the professor who assigned the homework to begin with, rather than I."

"I'm not sure there isn't more to it," pressed Narcissa, before turning his face away from Lucius. "I tire of this conversation, I think I shall retire to the gardens. Besides, if it doesn't bother you that our son favors his godfather then why I should it bother me."

Lucius sipped his tea as he quietly observed Severus reading over his son's assignments. It was the first summer that Draco had been entrusted to handle his assignments on his own; therefore, Lucius had no idea what the particular assignment looked like. He had faith though that his son's skills in Potions outmatched most. His faith was not ill placed it seemed if the smile of approval on Severus's face was anything to go by.

"I take it he did well," said Lucius, glancing over to his son.

Severus nodded before handing the assignment back to Draco.

"He has always excelled in my class, and not just because of my tendency to favor him," said Severus, offering the younger Malfoy a small smile.

Draco's face light up as if he was a cat that had just been given a huge bowl of cream.

"Thank you sir," said Draco, neatly placing the assignment back in his bag before pulling out another folder. "I had some difficulties with my Charms, do you think you could look over it and show me where I can make some improvements?"

"I could," said Severus, reaching out his hand.

"You might have asked me," hissed Lucius, noting how his son scooted away from him and closer to Severus. "Oh but by all means," yelled Lucius, slamming his fist on the table, ask your bloody godfather, as if I care."

He couldn't blame Draco for flinching away just then, it was certainly a rare occurrence for him to witness his father cursing or showing any signs of not being in control. He was less than pleased though, to be forced to watch his child look up at his best friend as if begging for protection from the only other person in the room.

"If you are having problems in a subject then you should be assisted by an expert," said Lucius in a much calmer voice. "While Severus is certainly the top of his field in Potions, he is not a Charms master. I only wish for you to have the absolute best."

Severus cleared his throat, cutting in to the tense father son moment.

"Draco," said Severus curtly. "I have a few things simmering in my lab. Go check on them for me."

Draco glanced at his father briefly before slowly nodding his head.

"Yes sir," he said, standing up and heading towards the basement where his godfather's lab was.

"If you have something to say, then say it," said Lucius, not bothering to wait for Severus to address him.

"What's wrong?" asked Severus flatly.

"Not a thing," drawled Lucius. "Should there be something wrong."

"Let's not play games, Lucius," drawled Severus. "I am not one of your politician associates, you can't lie to me."

"Well then, if you can see through me like you think you can, you already knew the answer to your previous question. Why ask?" retorted Lucius.

"Draco worships the ground you walk on," said Severus. "You should hardly feel a need to envy his Potion's Professor."

"You are right," hissed Lucius. "Draco does worship the ground I walk on, as he should. I'm his father, I and I alone have his best interest at heart."

"I dare not suggest anything else," said Severus. "But yet, you seem a bit more cross with him than unusual, perhaps I could inquire as to why?"

"Only if I may ask a question first," said Lucius.

"Very well," said Snape.

Lucius grabbed Severus's arm, pulling up the sleeve before the Potion's Master could protest.

"Has it been burning," asked Lucius.

"So this is what has you so cross?" drawled Severus, moving his arm away from Lucius.

"Has. It. Been. Burning?" asked Lucius again, punctuating each word as he spoke.

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