Draco Malfoy learned at an early age that his father was a very confusing person.
While Draco's mother loved him unconditionally no matter what he did or didn't do, his father required him to earn affection and praise.
"You are a Malfoy," Lucius often said. "You have to be the best."
It did not take Draco long to learn that being the best was hard work, and it did not take him long to decide that it was frustrating and annoying that his father required him to work for his approval.
However, Draco always found the hard work to be worth it in the end. Nothing made him happier than to hear his father say, "Good job."
Another difference that Draco observed in his parents at an early age was that, for the most part, he knew what to expect from his mother. His father, on the other hand, was once again a different matter.
Lucius wanted Draco to obey the rules, especially the rule "Don't touch anything that's not yours." This especially confused Draco as he thought that everything belonged to him on the simple basis that he was a Malfoy.
Draco became even more confused whenever his father required him to think for himself. Didn't his father want him to obey the rules?
"I don't understand this, Father," Draco said one evening while reading a philosophy book. "What is all this supposed to mean?"
"What do you think it's supposed to mean, Draco?" Lucius asked in response. "Surely you have some thoughts on it."
"Not really," Draco mumbled.
Lucius sighed in frustration. "Draco, you aren't always going to have me and your mother to hold your hand. One day you're going to have to learn how to stand on your own two feet."
Not meeting his father's eyes, Draco grabbed the book and left the room. He didn't want to have this conversation again, and he had a feeling that his father was thinking the same exact thing.
As hard as it was to earn Lucius Malfoy's approval, however, Draco also learned at an early age that it wasn't that hard for him to get his way. All Draco had to do was complain for a while. His father lectured him on his whining, of course, but his father also tended to give him whatever he wanted.
Everything changed for Draco, though, when his father was imprisoned in Azkaban. Draco was finally forced to grow up and consider people beside just himself.
It was not the war, though, that really made Draco want to change. No, it was the birth of his son Scorpius that really made him want to become a better person. The moment he first looked into little Scorpius's eyes, Draco swore to himself that he would never leave his son wondering whether or not he really was loved.
As for Lucius, he continued to be a mystery to Draco. After everything that his family had been though in the war, there was no longer any doubt in Draco's mind that his father cared about him and wanted him to be safe and healthy. However, Lucius still refused to let go of many of his beliefs.
Lucius also didn't always approve of how Draco had decided to raise Scorpius. Despite that, though, Lucius adored and loved his grandson with a burning passion.
Many things had changed in Draco's life. However, there was one thing that had not changed for him. His father still confused him.