Enjoy! :)
"You have failed me Lucius," a low but eery voice said behind him. It sent a chill down his spine and he didn't dare look to his right to see his father's face.
"And you, Draco, have let them escape."
A long, thin finger traced up the side of his neck and Draco struggled to remain still. The air of death was around them, no sudden movements made. Not even his Aunt Bella spoke a word.
"Why so foolish, Draco? For you see, not only have our prisoners escaped but Harry Potter as well. Right through our hands, he slipped away. Gone," he hissed in his ear.
"What say you, boy? SPEAK!"
He jumped at the sudden outburst. "I didn't recognize him my lord."
"LIES! You have walked the halls and joined in coursework with Harry Potter, how is it now you were unable to recognize the boy you familiarized yourself with for six years?"
The stone cold finger continued to trace his neck as the person rounded in front of him. He dared to look up and came in contact with red ruthless eyes that belonged to a soulless creature.
"What say we do to this lad for his incompetence?" He addressed the lot of people that stood in a circle in the quaint but spacious gathering room.
"Surely he must not get away with it. The misfortune of the diary, prophesy, Dumbledore and the escape of Harry Potter. Failures bestowed upon this family."
Silence lingered. Not even the sound of a single breath could be heard. The man moved from Draco too stand in front of his father.
"What say you Lucius? Your son has given you the greatest failure of all." He sneered. "I see it only fit that you hand out the punishment yourself."
"M-my lord." Lucius stammered.
"Should we kill him Lucius? Please convince me why another chance should be given to your family."
"MY LORD." A voice shrieked with anticipation. "If I may propose a plan-" the voice cooed with glee.
"Silence, Bellatrix! I speak to Lucius. Tell me Lucius, what do you propose should be done?" He asked triumphantly. His face curled into a slick smile and his words dripped with mirthful acid.
"My lord, please spare Draco."
"Spare Draco?" He mocked. The Dark Lord threw his head back and cackled. His laughter broke through the tension in the air like a layer of thunder preparing for a sea storm.
He lowered his head back slowly and stared at the troubled man, Lucius. "Do it. I want you to watch the light leave from your trader of a son's eyes. DO IT!"
The Dark Lord raised a hand and forced Draco into a bow that lowered him unto his knees. His head hung low, hands folded behind him and he uttered not a single sound. He was frightened but his mask concealed every betraying emotion he felt.
"Now Lucius," he said in a low voice.
"My lord if I may." Bellatrix interjected again. "Draco knows of Potter and his filthy blood traitor friends. Some still at Hogwarts.."
Draco chanced a look up at his aunt. She stared worshipful at the personified evil creation before them. Her eyes gleamed dangerously and her lips curled into a wicked smile.
"He could trap them, round them up..the ones left at Hogwarts. Bring them to us and get the information of his whereabouts ourselves. Draco-" she spat at him, "is undeserving of such missions but he still serves some use."
A thousand hooks suddenly wrapped themselves around Draco's flesh. They pulled, hard and he could feel them hanging by a thread as they threatened to tear through his skin.
"AHHHH!" He screamed. His eyes were closed shut and he couldn't concentrate on anything but the agonizing feel of his skin being ripped apart. His ears ripped, holes across his abdomen bled profusely as he convulsed on the ground, blood pouring from his mouth.
The room was dark and he saw spots fill his eyesight. He continued screaming and shaking, unable to do much else.
"AAAAAAAaarrrRRRRrRGGGGHHHH!" Draco shot up in bed, heart racing, and felt frantically over his body. His eyes were unfocused and he began hyperventilating. He reached a shaky hand up to his ear and felt the spot that never healed. A tiny piece of his ear had disintegrated and the cartilage was unable to be grown back. Underneath his shirt, his hands over the smooth but scarred flesh as he stared hauntingly at the room.
It was still night, the moon shone brightly casting large shadows over every surface. Nightmare, just a nightmare. Not real, not anymore, he thought shakily.
Draco stood out of bed and steadied his jello legs as he walked to the joining washroom. Not real, just a nightmare, he chanted over and over. He splashed cool water from the basin over his face and stared at his reflection.
It had been seven years and the same incident still found a way back into his mind. Like it was yesterday, he remembered everything. His mother had tended to him in this very washroom and healed his wounds whispering comforting words.
He wouldn't get back to sleep tonight, there was no way. Not like he wanted to, he would just wake up back up in another cold sweat. The images, the screams, the pain, the shouts, colors flashing by indicating curses being cast replayed like a movie on fast forward behind his eyelids every time he blinked.
Maybe he would go into the library, find a book to occupy his mind. But no, the library was where...
Draco shook his head. He hated nights like these. All the memories he kept locked up and buried deep where given a passageway to resurface. He would be plagued with the guilt, the horror, the shame, betrayal... It was to much to bear, so he opted to drink some tea. Though that didn't sooth his unsettled nerves as he just stared in front of him, cup in hand, steam filtering in the air like a cool, white mist.
Cool, white like the hand that...Draco shut his eyes tightly, tightening his grip on the cup willing away his inner demons.
Hours must have passed because the sky began to lighten as rose and tangerine colors painted the sky. Birds began to chirp in their lively irritating chatter. Draco asked Tibby for another cup of hot tea and he stepped outside to observe the world rise from sleep. The air was harsh as the wind whipped across his cheeks. Dew covered the points of the grass blades as the trees began to sway from the breeze.
"Master, the clock reads half past 7 sir." The tiny elf, Tibby, informed him.
Draco nodded and took a last glance at the land of Malfoy Manor with its vast castle-like structure. The Manor had been in the Malfoy honor for centuries. Unthinkable things had happened and lately it seemed he was being suffocated in its heavy burdens. Several emotions controlled him as he trudged his way upstairs to get ready for work. He moved in slow motion, each action done mechanically. Time seemed to be moving fast for he only had 15 minutes to spare.
Draco hastily threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and felt guilty that once again Aurora would wake him to him gone. Though the guilt only lasted for a second because he didn't want to speak or see anyone today, but unfortunately he had to check on his department at the Ministry. He was obligated to come in three times a week and today was one of those days, which meant engaging in pointless meetings and formulating more operations for the Aurors.
"Good Morning Mr. Malfoy." A young cheery voice greeted him. Must be the new secretary, he thought.
He nodded slightly and continued his pace down to the fifth door on the right. He didn't speak to anyone he passed, but not many acknowledged him anyways. His face was set, hair slicked back, jaw clenched, spine straight as he walked the hall in his pristine black attire with an air superiority. Although, his night was terrible, it was unspeakable to allow others to see you at a fault.
It had only been three days since he last visited his office at the Ministry yet there were two large stacks of files on his desk. Draco groaned loudly and picked up the top folder. He opened the cover and began to read, quill and parchment at the ready to jot down notes.
12/June.
CASE# 0237864
DEPT: Auror, Level 3 Trainee
Criminal ID: Craig Plume - Medium Risk
Plume spotted various times in Knockturn Alley purchasing ingredients that would be used to make potions for Living Draught or Polyjuice. Suspect was arrested on 27/Feb of this year for altercation with several other wizard commoners and exposing magic to 28 Muggles,
To date, it is suspected that Craig Plume has been at fault for the death of 3 Muggles. His location is said to be outside of Wiltshire and was spotted with a group of...
Draco rolled his eyes. Why the hell was this bloke still roaming the streets? He had killed a family, exposed their magic, and injured several magic folk..why on earth was he still on the loose?
It was because he was a master at evading the Aurors.
Well, that was where he came in, Draco figured. The Aurors solved crimes, arrested criminals, and brought "justice" to the world. Draco, hunted down and arrested the highly dangerous criminal the Aurors were to scared to go after or to inept to catch. Still, he saw no reason why Plume's file was on his desk.
Each week those bastards get lazier and lazier, he fumed. For one, Plume was medium risk. If you're an Auror and can't catch a medium-risk criminal then how the hell did you even pass Auror training?
Draco shook his head and opened the next file. He did this all throughout the morning and found himself working on the second stack by lunchtime. Maybe, he'd actually get out early today, granted he didn't have to go out on the field unexpectedly. You never knew what could happen. Luckily, he hadn't been called to the field randomly since Aurora was placed in his care but that didn't mean it wouldn't happen.
Someone knocked on the door. "Malfoy, got a minute?"
Draco stiffened immediately as recognition placed the voice. He rested his chin upon his folded hands propped up by his elbows and gazed at the person evenly.
"What is it, Potter?" Harry Potter was the absolute last person Draco wanted to see.
Harry stood behind the chair in front of Draco desk holding a file. "I want you to look at this."
When Draco raised his brow in question, he explained. "There's a new case that's been brought to the Aurors and we're going to need the backup of your men."
"Do you know who you're pinpointing to arrest?"
"No, but we have leads."
"Leads?"
"Yes, there's a whole group but they're very good at covering their tracks and well with your skills you'd be best for capturing them."
"But you don't know the names of the people in question?" He asked just to make sure he was understanding correctly.
"Well, no but we're close."
Draco slammed his fist down on the desk and glared at Harry. "Dammit, Potter you come flouncing in here for me to hand you backup when you don't even know what you need my men for?" He yelled.
Harry pursed his lips and returned the stern glare. "This is big, Malfoy. It's a whole ring of them..we're going to need your team. At any moment we could make a breakthrough and we're going to need to most highly..qualified persons there." Harry winced at giving Malfoy a compliment.
"Look Potter, you dabble, analyze and solve. I, on the other hand, make operations to strike and demolish. Simple as that. I'm not doing your work for you."
He couldn't believe Potter would come strutting in there demanding his men. Did he think that because he defeated the Dark Lord and was crowned the Savior of Wizard London that he could get anything he want? Because he couldn't and Draco especially wouldn't let him ride over on him. He spent long hard hours that went well into the night training his men alongside his mate, Paul Rostino. Together, they trained one of the best hit teams the Ministry had seen in years. Draco and Paul oversaw the elite squad used for high security and level 5 emergencies, not miniscule delinquent cases.
"I know my job Malfoy." Harry said, biting back his anger. "We found new information and Shackelbolt is classifying this case as level 5, which automatically means you're involved. Look at the file."
Draco frowned, and snatched the folder from Harry's hands. "I don't solve cases Potter!"
"We're having a meeting about it on Wednesday. You and Rostino will be part of the investigation." Harry stated as he left out Draco's office.
He scowled at Harry's back and turned to look at the file. In bright red script it read "HIGH RISK. LEVEL 5, CONFIDENTIAL."
Draco opened the folder that was at least several inches thick and quickly skimmed through the pages. The case was all over the place. There were at least a dozen prime suspects, and triple that in accomplices. There was much documentation written down- in no doubt Potter's handwriting for it looked like chicken scratch, about various murders. But they were just one person dead here, another man killed there. Not brutally, but by the avada kedavra curse, according to the autopsies.
Draco flipped through more pages, wondering why on earth Shackelbolt was making this a level 5. If anything, it seemed like random blokes who had to much time on their hands. More pages, nothing nothing nothing..a dead cat? Some muggle contraption blown up, yeah yeah ok, wait what's...this, he thought. Confused Draco read a new section.
30/May 2004, Official copy obtained from the Ireland Ministry of Magic Records Department.
Date: 7/May 2004
CASE: G357B2
Location: Stieg Seizer's Research Health Institute.
Damage: Floor 7 of Laboratory 13 explosion.
Laboratory 13 leaves no evidence behind. Work destroyed, bodies almost unrecognizable.
Laboratories 12 and 14 received neighboring damage, 4 injured.
Names of Deceased:
Belinda Brace
Edward Krumlauf
Olivia Moore
Peter Pynchon
Keith Tremain
Cause: Potion explosion. Temperamental work with unstable chemicals altered by the use of wandwork used incorrectly.
Encl. 3
Status: Closed
Draco dropped the folder as if it was on fire. Olivia! Why in Merlin's name would this be in the folder? What did this have to do with anything? He looked around, feeling paranoid that someone was watching him or that someone might know of his past affair. Hesitantly, he picked the folder back up.
Seizer Health Insititute, he thought. It was the most acclaimed hospital for research. Always finding new innovative ways to heal this and that..why in Merlin's name would they, and more importantly -this specific incident.. he was at a loss.
Draco read on.
11/June, Official copy obtained from the Ireland Ministry of Magic Records Department.
CASE – Level A.
Approval request granted.
Upon your request, we, the Ministry, have granted permission for your department to conduct the requested research.
The funding will be provided and at the close of the sixth month, your research must be presented in front of the council where a deliberation will occur to decide whether your findings are substantial enough to fund further.
This study will labeled as Level A adhering to all expected rules. It is strictly forbidden to speak of your work with others outside of your team and if you do so, appropriate measures will be taken under penalty of the law.
No other persons maybe be included except those listed below. Documentations must be kept of your progress.
Given that this is a very highly controversial state of research, security will be afforded to all those involved. We carefully ask that you take extreme caution, and an official will be checking periodically.
Please find the necessary forms inside each team member is required to sign.
Included Research Team:
Keith Tremain, Director ° Marcia Blanchette, Associate Director
Olivia Moore, Senior Investigator – Healer SH IV ° Belinda Brace, Assistant Investigator ° Wayne Dowry, Investigator
Trudy Stowers, Healer SR II ° Edward Krumlauf, Potioneer Level V
Details encl. 17
Signed and sealed by,
Neil Ainsley, Minister of Magic
Harriet Yi, Undersecretary
Patrick Sullivan, Department Head of the Biological Alterations involving Metamorphic Fusions (BAMF)
Effective: 23/ November, 2003 – 23/May, 2004
Salazar slick, what the hell is this, he wondered, jaw nearly dropped open. How fuckin' weird. He didn't want to read anymore but her name was there.
Olivia. Olivia Moore. She was the senior investigator (whatever that meant) to this whole project. But what did this have to do with anything?
Draco flipped to the next page that explained in great detail the research project. Several minutes passed and he couldn't read any more. This was making his head hurt. He thought about Aurora and wondered if she knew what her mother did. But she couldn't it said that all members of the team were forbidden to speak of their work.
His mind was boggled and damn it to hell, he was leaving..meetings or not. Was she really a nutter and never noticed?, he wondered.
What those documents said..it just didn't seem true. Unbelievable, impossible, unheard of! Draco debated whether or not to take the file home with him to read more but decided against it. He put it in a cabinet, charmed it locked and left. He loosened the neck of his tie; his airway felt constricted. Draco stepped into the lift and ran a hand over his face.
At first he had decided to blow Potter off and not go to the meeting on Wednesday, but now..he had too. Draco hadn't even looked through the entire folder but knowing that the mother of his daughter was involved in this case was enough to change his mind. He flooed home and arrived in the sitting room of the Manor and felt dread creep in.
The Manor greeted him ominously causing him to shiver. He needed to think all this over but it was all just to surreal that Olivia's name was printed there in black and white. Maybe it wasn't just some accidental explosion. It couldn't be if the British Ministry was now involved in the case classifying it as a level 5. This was serious. Something went wrong.
He was angry. At Olivia for putting him in such a position. For leaving her daughter behind. How could she involve herself in something like that?, he thought. Angry that the young girl now in his care could still have her mother had she not been so foolish as to get herself blown up. Thinking that sent him into a whirlwind as he saw a flash of black hair dash by in the hallway.
Aurora.
Draco walked out the room and looked to his left and right to spot her but she had disappeared. He was afraid to see her. Afraid of what he might see when he looked into her eyes. He bit the inside of his cheek and felt someone tug his arm. Startled he looked down, it was her; smiling up at him with her large, knowing eyes.
Merlin, that child's as sly as a fox, sneaking up on me all the time, the hell. Draco tried to smile but was sure it looked more like a grimace. All he could see was Olivia. Olivia who had a daughter that she hid from him. Olivia the girl he met in Italy and had a fling with. The girl who was involved in restricted research that caused someone to take a vengeance out and kill her or rather her research but happened to get in the way. Either way she got herself blown to bits.
How foolish!, he mentally screamed, cursing Olivia's name. Aurora had her rich dark hair, almond eyes, puffy cheeks but..she had his eyes. Draco saw himself in her when he looked into them. Young, perceptive, critical.
"We play together today?" She asked innocently.
He wasn't sure how to answer, if he could answer. His voice seemed to have taken a hike and something in his chest pulled. This young girl, oblivious to everything, innocent... What he wouldn't give to be six years old again when nothing in the world mattered.
Draco knelt down to his knees and stared at her. She had no one, he concluded. He was all she had and if something happened to him..he didn't even want to think about that. She was so small, vulnerable and he, Draco Malfoy, was this little girl's father. It was all making sense suddenly. Not completely, but slowly but surely. She was his and she needed him. He wondered if whatever targeted Olivia was going to turn around and target others connected to her, like Aurora, next. It seemed unlikely but..what if? The only thing that shielded her from the outside confines of this manor was him..
"Sure." He said.
"You look outer space."
"Huh?"
"You're here but you think far away." She smiled at him. "Here."
Aurora tucked a silver-colored rose into his breast pocket. "Make you feel better, it's a-"
"Moncrest Rose." He finished for her.
She nodded. "Uh huh. They make you feel strong again because silver is always the same. It's strong but can change shapes while still keeping it's core."
Once again, Draco was amazed. "How do you know that?"
"I read it, silly." She said proudly with her chin up. He smiled in confusion and cocked his head with a short laugh.
"Let's play outside!" She exclaimed, pulling his hand to follow her. Draco shook his head and was most grateful she changed the subject. He was feeling real sappy a few minutes ago and almost felt compelled to pull her into his arms and never let go.
Get a grip man, he chided himself. It was the second time she had given him a flower, like she knew he needed it or something.
They played for hours until the sun had started to set. Daylight was leaving and Draco rounded Aurora back inside to go upstairs and clean up. The distraction was great for Draco was able to push aside the weight he felt on his shoulders and let himself immerse into the fun only a child could summon. Aurora jumped around, laughed, attempted to climb several trees that Draco had to pry her off the branches of. He chuckled remembering how he used to climb trees and just watch the world from a higher view.
She taught him hand games named "Down, down baby" and "The itsy bitsy spider." He would get reprimanded by her every time he laughed at the ludicrous words but eventually was able to keep a straight face and follow along with the gestures.
Draco sat in the reading room and had just poured himself a nice glass of Firewhiskey when a soft rap on the door sounded. Not again, he thought. The door opened and Aurora was dressed in a green sleep overcoat and bunny slippers. Draco sighed, it was just her. For a moment, he was expecting the worst.
"Yes?"
"I'm not sleepy yet."
"It's only a quarter to 8. And no, you can't go back outside. It's to dark." He said, answering her unspoken question.
"Can I read a book?" She pointed to one of the bookcases across the way. Draco nodded and walked over to the books looking for one he thought she may enjoy.
Aurora sat back in plush armchair facing the fireplace. She tucked her feet underneath as Draco handed her a book.
"Read quietly. I need some peace and quiet."
"Ok."
Draco sat down on the sofa and leaned his head back, eyes closed. The fire crackled as it danced around the logs that it derived life from. His head was pounding, it had been a long day.
"Hey mate."
Aurora shrieked, dropping the book on the floor with a loud thud. Draco looked up instantly trying to refocus his sight. He swear he heard-
"Aw, family bonding I see." Draco snapped his head to fire and saw Blaises' obnoxious face in it.
"Can't I get a moment of peace!" He shouted.
"Sorry, don't get ya panties in a twist. Didn't mean to intrude-"
"What do you want Blaise?" Draco seethed as he picked the fallen book up and handed it back to Aurora.
"I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"Well you see-" His fire face looked uneasy which was an odd sight seeing as flames licked his distorted face. "It wasn't my fault. I just don't want her filling Nico's head with the rubbish she gets on about."
"You always knew she was loony. Get to the point." Draco stated not caring to sensor his language regarding his friend's wife.
"Yes well-" Blaise frowned. "She's making me sleep on the sofa. The sofa! In my own home with only a pillow and blanket. Can you believe that?"
Actually, Draco could. Blaise had a habit of running off at the mouth sometimes. He was a smooth talker, but could really talk a lot of smack especially when he was losing an argument and though others underestimated his dear wife, she could handle Blaise in the simplest way. It was amusing to watch really.
"So you want to crash here instead and frumple up the freshly laundered covers in my guest room?"
"Obviously, mate. So?" He waited expectantly.
"Yeah whatever." He knew Draco wouldn't turn him down. They had grown to become some of the best of friends in the past few years, if he needed anything Draco would surely help him out and vice versa.
"Cheers man, I'll be over in a few. Nice to see you again Aurora." He nodded to her before disappearing. Draco sighed and glanced at Aurora who stared at the fireplace incredulously.
He chuckled at her expression. "Never seen a face in the floo before?"
She blinked and shook her head. "Blimey, he talked through fire." She pointed.
Draco grinned. "I think that much was noticed. Alright, it's half past. Time for bed." Aurora nodded and stood up from her comfortable seat, clutching the heavy book.
"You can read it upstairs until you fall asleep. Come on."
Draco grabbed the large book from her and led her out. They reached her bedroom and he bid her goodnight as he sat the book on the end table. He made his way back downstairs to find Blaise sprawled across the entire sofa sipping on his glass of liquor he hadn't had the chance to drink.
"Doesn't take long for you to settle in does it?" He said dryly.
Blaise sat up, conjured another glass for Draco who threw himself into the armchair previously occupied by Aurora as he waited for his friend to begin his rant.
"You wouldn't believe it Draco. Ticklesarts! I mean, where does she come up with this stuff? Then she says I'm being to hard on Nico. It's not my fault, she coddles him so much. Maybe if she would let me raise him like a man ought to be he wouldn't be so difficult. She drives me nuts, mate. NUTS."
And so it began. Draco rubbed his temples knowing it would be a very long night.
The plot is thickening, yes. It was killing me to do so much pure fluff, sry :| Well no not really because I was gonna find a way to add mystery, dark themes, and drama somewhere. Blaises' wife will appear soon, I wonder if anyone can guess who she is? And a few characters will be introduced soon. This fic is really going to start taking off. Throw in some family fluff, romance, and drama and voila!