Birthright

Update 10/05/05: As per the new rules, I\'m adding a disclaimer here. This story needs some cleaning up, since for some reason it seems to have acquired a bunch of new typos (file corruption maybe?), but that will have to wait.
Disclaimer: Pursuant to copyright law, I acknowledge that I own none of the characters, concepts, or other related material in Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of fan fiction based on the property of others, J.K. Rowling or any affiliated person.

Chapter 1
Draco sighed and closed his book. Lignum Hall was incredibly dull when no one was home. He’d returned for the winter holiday, and now he almost wished he was still at school. But his father had promised to be home by the next afternoon, and then he would have real company. Lucius had promised to take him on the hunt, he lhe looked forward to it eagerly. Draco was a talented rider and had a keen eye, and his father often praised his skills. The very thought of that praise warmed Draco; there was no one in the world he loved and respected more than Lucius. The elder Malfoy was cold in public, but away from the judgmental eyes of the world he was affectionate and terribly proud of his only son.

He heard the doors in the great hall open and close. Could it be? But no; the butler’s voice wafted up to him in the study, welcoming Lady Malfoy back to the manor. Draco rolled his eyes and opened the book once more. Perhaps if she saw he was reading, she would leave him alone.

“Draco, baby, aren’t you going to welcome your mother home?”

Or perhaps not.

“Mother. I didn’t hear you come in.” He raised his head obediently for a kiss. Draco resisted the urge to wipe his lips after they touched hers. Narcissa settled on the couch across from him.

“What have you been doing while I was gone?” she asked.

“Reading.” He looked at her; why was she fidgeting so?

“Draco, darling…I want you to know that I love you very much.” Draco looked at her. What she she on about? “And I would never dream of abandoning you.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked uncertainly.

“Well. You’re eighteen now…practically on your own. And so I’ve decided that now is the time. I’m leaving your father.”

Draco gaped. “What?”

“Oh, baby, don’t be upset. It’s just that Lucius and I, well. We’ve grown apart.”

“Is there someone else?”

She put her hand on his shoulder and he tensed. “I made up my mind to do this a long time ago, Draco.”

Draco threw her hand off his shoulder and stood, ing ing at her. “Don’t touch me, you adulterous bitch!” he snarled. “How could you do this to us?”

“Now Draco, honey…I never wanted to hurt you. I just, I just don’t love your father.” Her eyes implored him. “It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

He glared at her. “When are you leaving?” he asked, his voice flat.

“Tonight, before he gets back. I’ve been making arrangements all afternoon.”

Draco raised his chin. “All right, then. I’ll see you off when you go.”

Narcissa looked crushed. “Draco, sweetheart…”

But he was gone, stalking out of the study. He stormed down the hall toward his room, slammed the door behind him, and started kicking it violently. The wood creaked and he stopped himself, breathing hard. Then he realized he was crying. “Whimpering little shit,” he growled at himself, punching the doorframe. He cradled his bruised knuckles and threw himself onto his bed. How could she dos tos to them? She and Lucius had never had a warm marriage. Recently, their conversations had been increasingly dissolving into arguments. Narcissa would grow very shrill and start cursing in French. Lucius, on the other hand, became very quiet when he was angry.

Often, Lucius would come upstairs afterward and sit on the end of Draco’s bed. If Draco was still awake they would talk about anything but the argument. Sometimes Draco would probe his father for answers, and all Lucius would say is, “I love your mother very much, Draco.” Draco would push for more, but Lucius would only sigh. Then he would smile at Draco as if nothing were happening. “You are my treasure, Draco,” Lucius would murmur, tousling his son’s white-blond hair.

But adultery? Couldn’t the bitch have waited a few months longer? Lucius would give her anything she wanted, up to and including a divorce. If Lucius loved anything in the world more than Draco it was Narcissa.

The evening wore on and Draco could hear the house elves packing his mother’s belongings. He came out of his room and leaned against the frame of the doors in the great hall, watching the bustle. Narcissa herself appeared, dressed for traveling, wrapping a scarf around her hair. She looked at him hopefully, but he did not smile or come toward her. He crossed his arms.

“Why did you marry him, Narcissa?” he asked.

She sighed. “I was a foolish girl, Draco. I was dazzled by the money, the power…your father’s good looks.” Her smile was fond and sad. “But I have become disenchanted with it all, Draco. I know you’ve heard the arguments. You’ve seen your father sleeping in his study more than once. It’s just better this way. For me, for him…for you.” She opened her arms. “Now please, give your mother a hug.”

Draco stepped forward and allowed himself to be embraced; when Narcissa moved to kiss him he turned so her lips found only his cheek. She seemed hurt, but his chin was set firmly and he opened the door for her.

“Goodbye, Draco. I hope I will see you soon.”

And with that, she was gone. Draco closed the door behind her and leaned against it, face in his hands. That night was sleepless for him, and he lay in bed until almost noon before getting up and taking a shower. He was coming downstairs for lunch when the doors opened and the butler greeted Lord Malfoy. Draco stopped on the stairs and looked at his father.

Lucius Malfoy was a tall, handsome wizard of around fifty. He wore richly appointed robes and carried an ebony cane. The butler helped him out of his heavy black overcoat; Lucius thanked him wearily. He looked quite tired, but happy to be home. Draco hated to break this news to him.

“Draco, my boy,” Lucius called out, “Come down and say hello.” Draco descended the stairs and embraced his father, accepting a peck on the lips. Other children had ridiculed Draco about letting his parents kiss him on the mouth—for some months he’d refused to be kissed anymore. But as he grew older he realized he didn’t give a bloody damn what other children thought. Lucius held Draco back at arms’ length and looked him over.

“My, my,” he said softly. The pale blue eyes were alive with warmth. “Have you gotten taller, little dragon?” Draco nodded, and Lucius chuckled. “Well then. How are you?”

“I’m just fine, Father,” Draco murmured. He wanted to be happy, to show as much joy as Lucius at this reunion. As hard as he tried, he could not.

“What’s troubling you, dragon?” Lucius asked, brows furrowing.

“It’s nothing. I’m tired, that’s all.”

Lucius chuckled and patted his shoulder. “You should rest up. We’re going to ride hard tomorrow.” Lucius started to climb the stairs, and Draco followed obediently. The older Malfoy removed his gloves and tucked them into his robes. As they reached the top of the stairs, Lucius looked around. “That’s odd. Where’s your mother?”

“She won’t be coming out to greet you.”

One graceful brow lifted. “Is she feeling ill?” Draco chewed his lip. Lucius walked into the study and hung his outermost robe on a hook by the rear door, which led to the master suite. He didn’t seem to notice the few items of missing furniture. “Narcissa?” he called.

“She’s not there.”

Lucius looked at him. “Enough mystery, Draco. Where’s your mother?”

Draco sighed heavily. “She left last night, Father.”

His father still didn’t seem to understand. “Well where did she go?” he asked innocently.

“I don’t know where she went. Father, she _left_.”

Lucius grew pale. “She what?”

“She left us.” Draco’s voice was teary. Lucius sat heavily on the couch nearest him, folding in on himself. His eyes were haunted.

“My god,” he breathed. “I never thought…”

Draco sat beside him. Lucius’ broad, powerful shoulders were bent, defeated. Draco put his hand on his father’s arm. “There was nothing you could do, Father. She’d found someone else…she wanted to leave. It’s not your fault.”

“Someone else?” Lucius’ voice was weak. Draco nodded. “Did I really fail her that badly?”

Draco grabbed his father by the shoulders and shook him gently. “You did nothing wrong, Father. You loved her.”

“I love her.” Lucius met his eyes, and for the first time in his life Draco thought his father might cry. “My god, Draco. She’s gone.” Draco put his arms around his father and pulled him close. Lucius’ hands came to his son’s back, resting his head on Draco’s shoulder. “She’s gone,” he breathed. He was trembling.

“Shh. I’m here for you, Father.”

Lucius looked up and smiled weakly. “My dragon. You are my world.” He clasped Draco’s shoulders.