Lucius slammed down the paper onto the dark wooded table. The corner of the chair he sat on, with the black Lionhead, growled quickly.
Draco walked past his father without a word. He knew better than to bother his father when his eyes were blazing like that. Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother glanced up at her approaching son, with a smile. "Hullo Draco, Breakfast." She said, her voice soft, as she pointed at the meal the house elves had made. One stood by the corner peering into the other room where Lucius was furiously writing a reply, a small owl stood beside him hooting.
"Dobby. Go back to the Kitchen." Narcissa snapped her soft voice gone. The house elf bounced peering around back into the kitchen at Narcissa and bowed quickly.
"Yes, yes Mistress, whatever you desire-" he began his green eyes round.
"Oh, just go!" Narcissa made a threatening move toward the small creature and it made a whimpering noise and ran from the room.
Draco sneered at the disappearing elf, before bounding into his seat. He turned toward his mother, "What's bothering Father now?" He said rather loudly.
Narcissa glanced toward the door, "shhh." She smiled walking toward her son. "Just Ministry business, nothing Important, don't worry about stuff like that." She seated herself beside her son fixing his sleek pale hair with her hand.
Draco glanced up at his mom. He could tell that she was lying about it not being anything important. Oh well, she'll tell me one day. She always does, the kid thought turning back to his food.
And it was true. One day Narcissa and Lucius would treat him like he was two; acting like the world was a perfect place, but the next day they'd act like he was 20 and talk to him about problems they were facing. And if they didn't tell him, he'd always find out himself. Draco was a really talented spy and found all sort of ways to find out information, and very rarely got caught in the act.
Lucius walked into the room his lips in a firm line tightly wrapping up his letter. "Hooter." He called and the owl flew over in a flash. Lucius tied the note quickly and let the owl out of the Window. With a flip of his Wand the window slammed shut and locked magically.
He turned to his family smiling weakly. "Draco, I got your list for first year supplies. We're going to Diagon Alley later so hurry up." He said hugging his wife. She gave him a look; he gave her a look in return. Draco rolled his eyes turning away.
"I'm done." Draco announced.
"That's great." Lucius replied dryly.
Draco smirked. "Dakky! Dobby! Clean up the table. I'm done." Draco said bouncing down.
Lucius turned to his wife and whispered something. She nodded slowly. "Draco go outside. It's nice out." She said softly.
Draco turned on his mom. "I'm not stupid. I know you're just sending me away because you want to talk." He snarled. Narcissa smiled faintly. "I never thought you were stupid. Out." She said walking toward the kitchen as if she assumed he would immediately obey, even though she knew he would definitely put up a fight.
"No. I'm old enough to hear what it is. And besides I don't want to go outside! It's too windy to fly and there's nothing else to do. I'm not five anymore." He retorted.
"Then go to your room." Narcissa told him, a slight strain on her words as she started to lose patience.
Lucius, who had walked out, reentered the room. Draco glanced at his father hesitantly, unsure if he should continue fighting now that his father was here. Lucius was too fast for him anyways. "Draco, I need to talk to your Mother, ALONE, so can you- no you may not stay- leave, or I will have to force you to leave."
Draco sulked for a second but turned and went up the stairs. Oh ya, better not tell stupid little baby Draco he kicked his desk angrily.
Draco laid on his bed silently, straining to hear his parents murmured voices, knowing his parents cast a spell so he couldn't hear them. "Dobby." Draco whispered. The house elf appeared instantly. "I want you to listen to everything they say and repeat it to me word to word. And make sure they don't catch you! And don't you dare tell them I sent you." Draco ordered.
"I'm sorry young master but I have been ordered to not repeat anything they say to you!" The house elf fretted. Draco groaned. "Go." He snapped. The elf left and Draco laid in silence fiddling with a charmed cup that refills automatically, holding it upside down so there was an endless fountain pouring out.
"Draco. Let's go." Lucius called from downstairs. Draco joined his father in the main room, and put on a jacket. Narcissa walked over with a bucket of Floo powder, and handing it to her husband so she could fix Draco's coat and hair. "Have fun sweetie." She smiled as she got up hugging her husband with one hand as he gave Draco some Powder.
Draco walked slowly into the fire place looking out at his parents. "Bye." He smirked throwing down the powder. "Diagon Alley."
Draco clenched his eyes closed feeling a lunging feeling, and with a jolt he opened his eyes and found himself inside a shop. His father appeared after him a moment later.
"I hate doing that. I can't wait till you can apparate." Lucius muttered fixing his long sleek hair. "Let's go." He sped off briskly with Draco hurrying behind him.
Lucius shopped efficiently, greeting everyone icily, and everyone responded in mingled fear and respect. Draco hung behind looking curiously at every product. His father had to turn back and call his son over and over, and still Draco dawdled far behind.
"Draco! I'm not going to say this again! Keep up." He rebuked his son as they turned into a doorway of another shop. "We're getting your wand here."
Draco went to get his wand from a crazy looking old man, who thrust wand after wand into Draco's hand reciting off the wood type, length and cores.
Finally one wand seemed to work well for Draco, a 10 inched Hawthorn with Unicorn hair, and they bought the wand.
As they left the shop, Lucius muttered under his breath "Crazy Old fool."
"Lucius?" A deep voice called.
They turned toward the oncoming man. "Ah Severus, what a pleasure to see you." Lucius said gripping Severus' hand tightly in greeting.
"And you. Ah I see, shopping for your Hogwarts supplies? Can't believe it's only a week away. Hello Draco." Severus shook Draco's hand and patted his shoulder. "I'm excited to work with you. Your Father was a head boy when I joined Hogwarts; I expect a lot of talents from you, my dear boy."
Draco smiled weakly thinking of his past report cards. Lucius seemed to be thinking the same, for his face darkened and he looked down at his son menacingly. Draco avoided his gaze.
"So what are you doing here Professor?" Lucius asked.
"Stocking up for this year's lessons of course. Well I have to go, but I'll see you in a week Draco. Hope you're in Slytherin, I would love to have you on our Quidditch team."
"He will be in Slytherin." Lucius Insisted putting a hand on his sons shoulder. Draco smiled as well; also certain he would be in Slytherin.
"Good, see you around Lucius, Draco." Snape waved back, as he walked away in his usual stiff manner.
Lucius turned to face his son. Draco, sensing the upcoming lecture about grades, quickly said. "How about while you buy me an owl- you said you would- I'll go get my uniform fitted and you can meet me there after? Okay bye!" Draco steered down the street without waiting for a reply.
Relived to escape his father, Draco walked more freely down the street to Madam Malkin's clothing shop. Draco went into the shop. The man there was partially useful, measured the clothes and fitted them. Draco chatted with a fellow soon-to-be first year's. He seemed okay, until Draco realized he was there with Hagrid, that giant oaf gatekeeper from Hogwarts. His father insults him daily, always insisting Dumbledore's a fool for allowing that creature to stay at Hogwarts. Lucius insisted this is one of the million reasons why Dumbledore is the worst thing that ever happened to Hogwarts.
Doesn't matter how stupid the headmaster is, Draco sighed as he waited for his father, I just can't wait to get to Hogwarts