Chapter 27

"Good morning darling. Are you ok? Daddy told me what happened last night." Maria said to Draco as he came in for breakfast. She hadn't spoken much to her fiancée much that morning, still furious over the way he had treated her the night before, but that was no reason to take it out on the boy – at least, not while his father was present.

Draco, disliking Maria more by the day now, ignore her and run to his father who sat at the head of the table as normal. Lucius chuckled as his son buried his little blond head of hair in his chest. He should have known he was still going to vying for his attention that morning. Ignoring the fact that Draco himself had ignored Maria, he lifted him up so his son could nuzzle into him. "Still tired?" he asked and he felt his son nod into him. "Ok Dragon."

"Do you have to go to work today?" Draco asked innocently. He didn't want him to go. He had enjoyed last night and he still didn't want to let go of his father yet.

Lucius pondered the question. He hadn't had a day off in a long time, and though it would mean he would have a lot to do the next day he could risk it. He didn't want to go in. Not after last night. No he was needed at home, he should stay he decided.

"No, daddy can stay home today if you want me too." Draco nodded into him again and relaxed. Lucius knew, if anything the more, he tried to be less indulgent of his son the more he did indulge him. If he had any sense at all then he would tell him to get up and sit on his own chair but Draco seemed to be so needy at the moment he didn't have the heart. If Cissa was here she would do the same. Hold him when he needed to be held. Give him a cuddle if that what he wants. Of course he is spoiled, he's a Malfoy, Lucius heard her voice in her head.

Draco didn't eat a lot that meal preferring just to rest. He felt so tired.

"Maria – I am truly sorry for last night my dear, you know that don't you?" Lucius asked.

"Of course I do. You were upset over everything." She said understandingly.

"I've been meaning to talk to you actually," he said and his son enjoying hearing the vibration as he lay against his fathers muscular chest. It sounded so funny!

"Oh, yes?"

"I think it is time we picked a date..." he said to her.

"For the wedding?"

"What else? I have no mind for a long engagement. I need a wife, and this one needs a mother." He said. Draco seized up in his arms. He didn't want a mother! He had come this far without one. Subconsciously, Lucius held him tighter and started rubbing his back again as he had done the night before, soothing him.

She was delighted. He had thought she would be. He had to tonic what he had said to her last night somehow and he knew she was in a rush to get down the aisle any way. And it eventually had to happen. He hadn't been lying when he said he didn't want to be engaged for long. He knew it had to happen so as far as he was concerned they might as well just get it over with.

If Maria was hoping to spend much time with her fiancée on his day off though, she was sadly disappointed. He had taken the day off to devote it to his son and that was what he did. They played for a while with his Quidditch figures but that didn't occupy Draco for long and he did not seem that interested in them to begin with. Then they tried playing with his toy trains but he didn't want to do that for longer either. The only thing Lucius could get Draco to settle into was having a story. As they lay on the sofa reading The Tales Of Beadle the Bard, Lucius felt as if he was going to explode with sadness. This was not his son. Where was the excitable little lad of a few months before, and what happened to cause this change in him?

By the time he had finished he realised his son was asleep. He should go to Andromeda he decided. He had not called her last night. By the time he had finished with Dobby he had been in no fit state to talk to anyone, he remembered. That little disobedient rat.

"Maria," he called gently. She had gone out shopping for the morning but he was sure he had heard her come in.

"Yes darling?" she said as she came down the stairs.

"I have to pop out for a minute, can you watch Draco? It's Jane's day off." he asked.

"Of course." She said to him. "When will you be back? We need to talk venues. What about the church down the road? It looks beautiful."

"No." He said flatly. "We'll marry here. Go and book a vicar if you wish."

"But we haven't decided on a date yet."

"You pick, just make it soon. I want you." He told her. He knew he had to show some interest in her if she was going to stay. As he could have predicted, her face lit up at the comment.

"I will do, what time are you going to be home?"

"I won't be long, an hour or so I expect."

Taking one last concerned look at his sleeping son (when was the last time Draco had napped in the day, he tried to recall) he flued into the Tonk's.

"Andromeda?" he called.

"At last," she said as she came into the room. "I was expecting you last night, how is he? Why didn't you flu sooner?" she asked with genuine concern. He could not fault her love for her nephew.

"I was going to come last night but by the time he was settled it was indecently late," he explained to her.

She nodded. "Why don't I make us some tea?" she offered. It was very often the two of them were civil to one another but when Draco so badly upset by something and neither of them seemed to understand what it seemed to be as good a time as any to try and end the feud. Then they could work together so they could figure out just what had gone on the day before to make Draco react so badly to Lucius being late.

For one thing Lucius knew it was rare he was late for – well anything. He did not like of approve of lateness, but it had been unavoidable. He had done what he thought was enough to get the message to the Tonks. Draco wasn't used to lateness, he was used to routine.

Once Andy was back with the tea they sat on the sofa together. Lucius picked up the cup and blew over it to cool it while he thought. It was so rarely that he confided in any one. Especially over his son, who he felt was his responsibility and his alone. But he felt an almost unnatural need to talk to someone at that moment. This was the woman who had teased him with his son while he had been in jail he reminded himself. But it was also the women who his wife had grown up with.

"He is so – quiet right now. He sleeps so much, and just seems tired all the time. I can't get through to him. I tried to talk to him but he denies the fact that anything is wrong. I can't seem to find a way in. He isn't my Draco right now. He isn't the boy I know and love some days; he's just a shadow – a shell." He said to her desperately.

Andromeda felt a strange pity for her brother in law at that moment. She didn't think she had ever heard him speak that impassioned about anything and she knew instinctively he was truly hurting over what was going on. She had not even realised it was so bad.

"He seemed himself yesterday until you didn't come and get him. He was playing fine with Ted and he was chattering away through lunch like he always does." she said and she was realised she was actually trying to comfort the man that she had hated for so long. Hate? No, she didn't hate him in that moment; they had one thing in common. They were parents. Another thing they had in common was that they both loved that little boy.

"He is just – he is so up and down right now. I don't know if I am coming home to a quiet little lad who doesn't want anything but to be held or a lad who ants to play Quidditch." He said to her desperately. "I am doing what you said I was going to all those years ago. I am letting both him and his beloved mother down and I don't know what to do differently." He said to her.

She shook her head. She didn't know how to help him. But she did want to help - both of them.

"You're doing your best, even I can see it." she said to him but he shook his head. His best was not enough.

-

Maria sat down by her little soon to be step son. He was still asleep. She had to say that even she had to suppose that he was quite cute at times. But after all she had said to him and all he had said in reply, he was still being a bad boy. Well, she was going to make him be good if it killed her.

Gently she stroked the hair out of his face. Draco had so being enjoying his time with his father that day had fully expected to wake up with his father's arms about him still. But all he could see was Maria and that meant that fear over took his heart. He didn't want to be alone with her.

"Where is dad?" he asked her.

"That is all you ever seem to care about these days. After all I said to you about bothering your daddy to much you are still doing it."

"I love him."

"I know you do but your daddy he is tiring of you, and that is why we are going to spend a bit of time together. Do you know what I did when I was out shopping today?" she asked. Draco shook his head. He was sure by the tone she had said it in; he did not want to know either.

"I got you your outfit for mine and daddy's wedding." he was shocked. Had he been good so she had got him a treat? Maybe he had been wrong to doubt her.... they were friends, weren't they?

Maria walked over to the sofa and she got a box that had been tucked away behind it. He had not seen it when it had been placed there and he felt a smile appear on his face. It was hopeful.

"Go on then," she encouraged him as she gave him the box. "Open it."

But when he did open it he did not like what he saw. It was - pink. And it was a dress.

No he didn't like this. And he didn't want to wear it to the wedding. Why had she got him a pretty pink party dress?

"Why?" he questioned her.

"Well I just thought it might suit you as you are such a little girl now. Every time something goes wrong you start crying. Every time you don't get your way, you cry! Last night when me and your father were looking forward to such a lovely night out, you go and spoil it!" she accused him. Composing herself, a sicken smile crossed her lips. "You are mine and daddy's little girl aren't you? Big boys don't cry." she said to him and she saw that even as she spoke tears filled Draco's eyes. "And there is something else that big boys do not have. Comfort blankets. Go and get yours please." she said to him and Draco honestly felt as if there was a weight on his heart. It felt as if there was some one pushing down on it.

No, he couldn't give her his blanket because it was his and his mamma had got it for him. Narcissa had given it to hm. She had picked it out for him. It was one of the only things he had which he could be sure she had also touched. He pictured her in his head. He was thinking of her more and more. If he gave it to her, it was as if he was betraying his real mamma!

"Well, you can either give me your blanket or we can play another game."

He nodded. He would rather they play another 'game' than he give her his blanket. Maria saw the resolve ion his face, and scowled dangerously.

"Well you know what I want us to play a game and I want you to give me your blanket so you go and get it young man. GO AND GET IT!"

With no other choice and no way out, he got off of the sofa and he headed up the stairs. He didn't know how or when this had all happened to him. When he thought back to the way his life had been when he was five and four, he had really felt that he was what his father had called him. That he had been a prince. He had been his father's prince! Going in to his room he looked at his rocking chair where his blue blanket lay. It smelt of a ladies perfume. His mammas. It was the only thing that he had which actually smelt of her. It was the only thing he had that made him feel closer to her and he did not wish to surrender it to his step mother. But he didn't see what other choice as if he did not go back down the stairs soon then she was going to know that something was wrong.

Picking it up he smelt it. Wrapping it about himself what he felt for sure was going to be one last time he headed back down the stairs.

When he got back down to the living room he saw he was waiting for him on the sofa.

"Good boy Draco," she said to him. "Now come and sit by me."

She had put the fear off the devil into him and all he could do was what she said to him. It was as if she was controlling him. Putting his blanket down he sat down and waited for her to tell him what to do.

"Punch me," she demanded.

"Maria I don't want to hurt you." he said to her. He didn't like this game and he didn't want to play it!

"Well then, why don't I go first this time?" she said to him and he waited for what came next.

She hit him hard on the left arm, then on the right. Then, forcing the boy to pull up his shirt sleeves she pinched him in identical places on the opposite arms. He screwed his eyes up and he refused to cry. He was not going to let her get to him but he had no choice. There was nothing he could do though in the end, and he knew that silent tears were dripping down his face.

He wanted it to stop; he just wanted it to stop!

It was then that the fire place lit up, and Draco knew everything would be ok. For now, it was going to end. Pulling his shirt sleeves down quickly, Maria put her arm about him as his father came out of the fire place.

"Well I am glad - Draco?" he asked.

Quickly, the little boy picked up his blanket and rushed to the safety of his father's arms. If he was there then she was going to be able to do anything to him. If he was there, then he was safe. His father kissed his head as he settled into his arms. He was sure he had done nothing wrong. He was so sure of it. Not that time! And his father didn't seem to be tiring or getting bored of him. He hadn't been last night!

"Maria can you give us a moment please. Draco, why are you crying?" he asked him. Twice in two days the boy had broken down...

"He is crying, Lucius, because he got caught red handed," she said to him and the two Malfoy men looked at her. Draco eyes went wide with fear. "I left him for a moment, and then when I got back he was gone. I caught him going into your office." she said to him.

"What? Draco you know you don't go in there when I am not here." his father said to him as he set him down on the floor and knelt down on the floor. The two were eye level.

Draco didn't know how to tell him the truth. Would he even believe him? He didn't think so. Not anymore. But then again he was sure that his father would have in the past before she had come. He stretched up desperately trying to scramble back into the safety of his father's arm but Lucius would not pick him back up.

"Draco talk to me, tell daddy what's wrong. I won't be angry, just tell me please, what's the matter?" their foreheads were practically touching. "I'm worried about you."

Maria gave him a threatening look over his father's shoulder. How could he say anything?

Draco started shaking. He couldn't talk to his father about this. He didn't know how to. And his arms were burning, they were that hot. They hurt, he hurt! In and outside. The weight on his heart became heavier making it difficult to try and defend himself.

"I am at your wits end with your right now. I love you son. You are my little boy and you always are going to be. But daddy needs some time to think. I don't know what's going on with you lately. Go to your room Draco, the water works aren't going to work this time." Draco could not believe his ears. What she said to him was working. He was turning his father against him. He hadn't gone to the office, he wouldn't do that! It was private! All he could do was stand there and look on with fear. "Go to your room now. This minute!" His father did not have to raise his voice.

With his head bowed down in shame, Draco left the room leaving his father devastated. After all he had just said to Tonks he was so confused. And now he got back to Draco misbehaving? As he sat down he beckoned Maria close and wrapped her in his arms. "I don't know what not do any more Maria. He is –"

For once Lucius was lost for words.

All he wanted was his little boy back.

"I know, darling, I know."

He had never been like this. Lucius felt frustrated by his son. He did not remember ever being so helpless when it came to his son. He could always figure him out. But not lately. Why had he been to the office? He knew he wasn't meant to and he had never done anything like that before.

But then that stood for nothing while he was acting like this. The past seem to have no relation to Draco at the moment.

-

"Draco, what is it?" said Jane. Having been on her way back to her room when she had seen him go into his room in floods of tears, she had been unable to leave him.

"I didn't Jane! Maria said I went into daddy's office but I didn't!" he said to her distraught.

"Well did you tell daddy that?" she asked.

"I couldn't." He admitted to her as she let him snuggle into her.

"If you didn't do it, then you have to tell your father," she said to him. "Draco, you must!"

"How can I?"

"He loves you Draco. You have to trust that love."

"But I'm making him sad lately. I'm bothering him."

"No little one you're not."

"Yes I am!" he said as another wave of sadness washed over him. "I want to be by myself, go away!" he said pulling away from her and throwing himself on the bed. She didn't understand anything!

With no other choice, Jane got up and left the room, but she wasn't even out of ear shot when she heard the little boy sob the words he had never said before. It tore at her heart...

"Mamma, I want you!"

-

Lucius walked to the office. The door was still open when he got there, giving him confirmation of what Maria had said. Once again he poured himself a fire whiskey as soon as he got in there. It was a comfort to him right now, alcohol. It dulled his thoughts and his pain, though he was no light weight. It just took the edge off of the aching.

He would go to his son in a while, but for the moment he needed time. It wasn't that he didn't want to help his son who was obviously going through something, only that he had no idea how too help him. Until Draco said something to him, told him what was going on or opened up somehow there was very little he could do.

He had thought about calling Severus, who could look into his son's memories. He was a Legilimens. But somehow that felt under hand and immoral, to look into a six year olds mind. And though he knew he could not admit it to himself, perhaps what was really stopping him going to his friend was it would mean denting his own precious pride. It would be admitting something was wrong with his baby and he could not work it out. It would mean failing Cissy and he couldn't do that. It probably was something of nothing, he told himself. It couldn't be that serious, surely?

-

Maria went into her own room. Well, Draco had been a better boy at least that day, though he had ignored her at breakfast. He had gone to his room when he had been told to. Stupid little boy, she rolled her eyes.

Looking on her table, she smirked. When she had gone into the office that day she knew what she had been looking for.

And now she had it.

Three Kenmare Kestrels tickets for the 25th of September. Well, that was the day they were going to marry she decided. She could get the wedding together in a week she was sure.

And then she would be wife and mother.

Smirking, she picked the tickets up and threw them in the fire. Lucius and Draco weren't going to be needing them.

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