In Fond Remembrance

The wills discussion led to a pure-blood discussion which led to discussions covering three major areas: fertility, inheritance and proof of paternity.

Regarding Proof of Paternity —

“Let me understand this: pure-bloods have magic that will definitively establish that you are Lyra’s father and without this magic, she can’t inherit because she’s not a Malfoy?”

“It’s a pure-blood thing. Being a pure-blood is all about provable lineage. Malfoy males know within a week of conception if their consort carries a Malfoy.”

“Easy enough to do. We’ll take her to St. Mungo’s next week for the…”

The Draco expression she’d witnessed while Bellatrix LeStrange tortured her washed across his face. He escaped into Lyra’s room with the child and didn’t come out of his hidey-hole for hours, leaving Hermione and Rachel perplexed and perturbed. As Rachel had a husband without such complexities, she bid Hermione goodnight and retired to her home.

Regarding Inheritance —

“Draco, why are you making this so hard?”

“You have to understand… I can’t… I don’t control how this works! The magic is bound to every document pertaining to a Malfoy. It protects the vaults at Gringotts — which reminds me, make sure you have a power of attourney in there somewhere so you have access, as Lyra’s guardian, to my inheritance. Where was I?”

Plopping ungracefully on the couch, Draco (and his family — by pensieve) would look back on this conversation as a low point in his life, equal to trying to assassinate Albus Dumbledore. His large hands and agile fingers covering his face, the Slytherin sought the courage to put into words the manner in which his ancestry would betray his daughter.

“Lyra can’t inherit…”

“WHAT!? Because we weren’t MARRIED? She’s your DAUGHTER, DRACO!”

“And believe me, I am ready to slit my wrist and sign everything I have over to her using my own blood. I love her, Hermione.”

Her given name hadn’t passed his lips since that month they spent together five years ago.

“The inheritance magic requires there be a Malfoy male.”

“To what end?”

“To ensure that what is happening to the Blacks doesn’t happen to the Malfoys. There are no living Black males. Mother has her own legacy but the bulk of the money will sit in Gringotts until the end of time. Every Malfoy must produce a male heir. Once that heir is born, bequests can then be made to any other children. For Lyra to receive any of the Malfoy legacy, I have to produce a male heir.”

“That is the most sexist, misogynist and barbaric thing I’ve heard! Your daughter can’t receive her birthright unless you give her a brother!?”

“It’s a pure-blood thing. I’ve been wracking my brain for a way around it since Pottbelly contacted me and I saw her.”

“What about Malfoy Inc.? Any way to route her legacy through the company?”

“No… Because the legacy trust owns the business. It’s an asset of the inheritance.”

“Alright, alright… Can you use a surrogate? I mean, if Lyra can inherit under the right circumstances — and we certainly weren’t married or even engaged — can a woman of your choosing carry a male heir and kick this gender obstacle in the —?”

“Yes, if…”