Chapter 5 - Homecoming

Draco Malfoy carefully studied his appearance in the bathroom mirror. His matching black pants and long-sleeved shirt were perfectly pressed. His forest green tie was pin straight and wrinkle-free. His slightly thinning platinum blonde hair was slicked back against his head with gratuitous amounts of styling potion. He shook his head in disapproval at the hairstyle; he hadn't done his hair like this in years. However, he was willing to do anything to look presentable. The outcome of today's events was extremely important. The future of the Malfoy family was at stake. Today, nineteen years of waiting would be over. Today, Draco was going to see his father, Lucius Malfoy, once again for the first time in nineteen years.

"Dear? Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Astoria said softly as she quietly walked into the room.

"Yes, I have to. I have no other choice," he said somberly as he turned to look at her.

Astoria, in an attempt to comfort him, wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. She softly rested her head against his back. Draco said nothing and stared blankly at the mirror. They stood like this for a few minutes before Draco eventually broke the silence.

"I've been thinking lately, Astoria. Was it wrong of us to keep everything a secret from Scorpius?" He asked softly.

"I don't think so. We made the decision that we would tell him when he's ready for it. He's only eleven-years-old, Draco. There's no way he'd be prepared for it," she replied as she removed her arms from Draco to stand beside him.

Without warning, a sudden realization stuck Draco like a branch from the Whomping Willow. His once sullen grey eyes were now wide with anxiety. Astoria noticed his sudden change in expression and grew a little concerned.

"What is it?" She asked.

"My father is being released from Azkaban today. There's bound to be an article in the Daily Prophet about it. Hell, there's bound to be a story emblazoned on the entire bloody front page," Draco said through clenched teeth. As he spoke, he angrily gripped the front edge of the green marble sink counter; his knuckles turning whiter with every word. "He's going to find out. He's going to know that truth before we get to tell it to him. He's going to hate us for not telling him," he said as he hung his head over the sink. A few angry teardrops fell into the porcelain bowl. Astoria looked at Draco with a fearful expression as she too came to realize the severity of the situation.

"No," she said with a gasp, her eyes wide.

Draco arrived at the Malfoy Manor with a loud crack. He slowly proceeded up the long gravel walk by himself. Astoria had wanted to join him, but he had insisted that she stay at home until matters were more settled. Even though Draco had been to the Malfoy Manor one day a week since he and Astoria had been betrothed, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious as he approached the building. Perhaps it was the thought that his father would be there that unnerved him so much.

Draco paused for a moment when was a few yards in front of the Manor. His favorite albino peacock, Percificlus, was standing on the grass that grew on the side of the walk.

"Hi Percy," he said to the bird. Percificlus opened his pure white tail feathers as if in reply. Draco gave him a small smile before continuing on his way up the walk. Within a few moments, he reached the Manor. Draco slowly ascended the stairs to the front door. A feeling of dread swelled up inside him as he slammed down the sliver snake-shaped door knocked her few times. After waiting for a few minutes, the great black door slowly opened. A small house-elf stood in the door way and looked up at Draco with its large emerald-colored eyes.

"Hello Dottie," Draco said to the little house-elf with a smile.

"Hello Master Draco," she squeaked in reply.

Draco observed that Dottie was wearing her "special occasions dress" (as she liked to call it) as opposed to her usual lavender frock. Indeed, the dress that she was wearing did look quite special. It was the same forest green of Draco's tie and was adorned with crisp white lace that encircled both the collar and around the bottom of the dress. Dottie had only worn this dress a handful of times; one of which was Draco's wedding.

Draco had hired Dottie to help his mother around the house after had moved out to live with Astoria. He was glad that someone was there to keep his mother company and to take care of her as she got older. However, Draco was sure that with the return of his father, Dottie's peaceful existence at the Manor could come to an end, given Lucius' history with house-elves.

"Is Father here yet?" Draco asked with a small waver in his voice as he entered the doorway.

"No, he has not arrived yet," Dottie replied with a small shake of her head. Once Draco was inside, she closed the door and walked off in the direction of the kitchen. Draco breathed out a sigh of relief as he walked into the foyer to see his mother standing there by herself. Seeing her son, Narcissa briskly walked towards him and threw her arms around him.

"Draco, I'm scared. What if Azkaban has changed him? I fear that the worst may have happened to him," she said shakily.

"It's going to be okay, Mother. As long as I'm here, everything will be just fine," Draco reassured his mother as he returned the embrace. Draco couldn't help but to feel a small pang of fear as he hugged his mother. Would he really be able to protect her if something went wrong?

Suddenly, a loud knocking came from the door. Draco and Narcissa broke their embrace, each with a look of fear and surprise on their faces. Draco saw Dottie return to the room but spoke before she could get to the door.

"No Dottie, I'll answer it. Go back to the kitchen where it'll be safe," he instructed. Dottie did was she was told and turned around to go back to the kitchen.

Gulping down his anxiety, Draco left his mother's side to go answer the door. He slowly turned the door handle and, rather quickly, opened the door wide.

"Hello Draco," Lucius Malfoy sneered.

A.N.: Sorry for the extremely long wait for a new chapter! I've been rather busy with some stuff in real life that I really didn't have the time to update! I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, they make me happy.