The Burning Malfoy manor

Chapter-8

Meeting Draco's father

Azkaban is a creepy place to live. A very overwhelming urge to flee shakes Harry as he walks through the prison with dad, Malfoy and a guard. As he walks, he stares at the prisoners on his either sides. Some are laughing manically. Some are shouting at him whereas others are sobbing. It's heart wrenching and terrifying at the same time. Harry shivers whenever a dementor attempts to come close to him.

"He is inside this cell, Mr. Potter." The guard mutters and Harry stops. Dad stands behind him and Draco is standing beside him. Lucius is sitting on the floor, his eyes closed. As soon as the guard opens the door and lets Harry in, Lucius blinks and looks at him, his eyes cold. Harry knows that his eyes are equally cold. He hates Lucius. 

Lucius's own son doesn't walk inside. Malfoy just shakes his head and murmurs, "It's okay. I will go in if I need to."

Harry smirks at the man and mutters, "Enjoying your stay Lucius."

The man sneers at him or he attempts to. He is looking weak and has sunken cheeks. It's clear that he is not faring well. Harry is strangely satisfied to see Lucius suffering like this. At the department of mysteries, he had crucioed Neville who is just on the verge of insanity. No matter what they do, the boy doesn't respond properly. 

"Why are you here Potter, with my son no less and my best friend too." The blond snaps at him. Harry sneers at him, "Don't worry. I am not here on a social visit. I need you to transfer the lordship to Malfoy."

Lucius stares at him incredulously. 

"Why would I do so? He is no way ready for it." He mutters, his eyes wide with shock.

"Because Malfoy we have to burn down the manor so that your lord and your death eater friends burn to death along with it. Pity you won't be with them." Harry replies in a low voice. 

Lucius stares some more.

"Potter, don't talk to my father like this." Malfoy snarls at him. Harry turns to look at him, his eyes mocking, "Come inside and talk yourself to your father then, you bloody coward."

"I am not a coward." Malfoy's eyes gleam as he says these words, his breath just a bit rapid, his chest lifting a bit too much. Harry glares back.

"Harry, just do what you have come for and then come outside." Dad murmurs softly which diverts Lucius's attention towards his dad.

"Severus, my friend, won't you -" Lucius starts and dad turns around before muttering, "I don't believe your lies."

"Bellatrix imperioed me. She compelled me to crucio the boy." Lucius snarls and Harry snarls right back, "Don't talk about him. Just- just hand over the lordship to Draco or-"

"or." Lucius murmurs, his eyes on Harry. 

Harry smiles. He smiles very slowly. the corner of his lips upturn in a very mocking smile as he replies, "or I won't-"

"Potter don't tell him please." Malfoy interrupts Harry and Harry turns to look at him. Malfoy is upset and Harry's intention was not to upset the boy. 

"How do you intend to convince him?" Harry asks, "If you have another way, then be my guest."

"Don't just throw it at him. He doesn't know anything." Malfoy murmurs, his eyes terrified, "I don't want to lose my father."

"If he starts hating you just because of that, then he never loved you in the first place. Believe me." Harry insists and Malfoy averts his eyes to look at Lucius who is glaring venomously at Harry.

"Complete your sentence Mr. Potter." Lucius murmurs and now dad is looking at Harry too.

"or I won't let you meet your grandson." Harry mutters simply. Lucius stares at him in confusion.

"How will you exactly stop me?"

"Why, I am his father and I will just have to tell him that you are an evil death eater who tortures children to insanity."

"Potter stop." Malfoy mutters and Harry ignores him, his attention on Lucius who is turning pale as the realization dawns on him.

"He can't be- " Lucius stops, his eyes repulsed. Harry smirks evilly at him, "Does it repulse you. Your only son is gay and I am the second father of the child that your son is bearing right now."

Lucius stares quietly at him, various emotions flitting on his face. 

"Does it disgust you?" Harry asks him, his voice low and accusing. He hates this man.

"Potter, please stop." Malfoy repeats and Harry ignores him again.

"Don't presume things about me Mr. Potter. You know nothing about me. I was under the imperious curse. What you believe doesn't change the reality and what disgusts me and what doesn't, doesn't concern you. You want the lordship transferred to him? Okay, I will do as you say. Burn the manor down. I don't care. That monster has already destroyed the home that belonged to my forefathers. Here take this ring and put it on Draco's middle finger." 

Harry stares as the man throws the ring towards Harry, his voice cold and his eyes flashing at him. Harry catches it. Malfoy stares at Lucius all the while and dad simply stares, his eyes surprised. They had thought that it would be much more difficult.

"Now, you have got what you wanted. Leave immediately. I don't want to look at your face anymore. Take my son with you too." The man says and his eyes flicker towards Malfoy for just a moment before he leans back and closes his eyes again. 

Harry moves out, his eyes staring curiously at Lucius and walks towards Malfoy who is looking too pale, too pained, his eyes frozen on Lucius's slumped figure. 

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Draco tries to breath. He doesn't know whether father despises him now or not. He doesn't want father to hate him. He doesn't want to be a disappointment. 

"Malfoy, wear this ring." Potter murmurs and puts the ring in his middle finger. Draco knows how to transfer the lordship. He knows that no-one else must touch the ring if the lordship has to belong solely to Draco. But Potter's hand is still on the ring that Draco is wearing now and father mutters clearly, his eyes on the ring.

"I, Lucius Malfoy, pass on the lordship of the Malfoy Manor to my son Draco Lucius Malfoy and his partner Harry James Potter. So mote it be."

This being said, father leans back and closes his eyes again.

"Father." Draco murmurs, gob-smacked. Potter has frozen where he was, stunned speechless. His hand falls besides him and Draco rushes towards the bars to talk to father.

"Father, please look at me." Draco murmurs. Father ignores him. 

"Father." Draco repeats and Potter holds Draco's hands, murmuring, "Come on now Malfoy. We must leave."

"Father, I love you." Draco whispers but father doesn't respond. He doesn't even look at him. But father has accepted Potter as his partner. Why won't he even look at Draco. 

"Draco, let's go." Severus murmurs and Draco struggles, whispering, "I will get you out of here father if aunt Bella really imperioed you. I will find out the truth."

"You will do no such thing." Father's cool voice reaches Draco's ears as he is dragged away, Potter's hand wrapped in Draco's and Severus walking ahead of them.

Draco has no time to respond to father's statement but he will find out the truth. 

"We will investigate Malfoy if that's what you want. Don't be upset." Potter murmurs and Draco shoves him off before snarling at him, "You just care about the child. I won't compromise the child's life. Just leave me alone, all right." Potter falls down and groans in pain.

"Don't assume my motives." Potter mutters, his green eyes piercing Draco's silver ones as he gets up and walks back towards Draco.

"Don't start again. We have to leave this place. It isn't safe." Severus murmurs and Draco sighs before following his godfather. Potter trails behind him, quiet and calm. 

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