Solace in the Scent of a Rose

Chapter 2 A Tragic Twist of Fate

Within the governor's office, filled with pictures of a gorgeous witch with blue eyes and long blond hair, of a silver haired rather pale eyed wizard from birth to age eleven, and several of a striking wizard with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes standing together with one or both of them, Lucius sat behind a very large, intricately hand carved oak desk. Busily, he reviewed paperwork, when he felt his beloved ripped from him. My beloved, I couldn't protect you. Total desolation enveloped him, tearing out part of his soul and sapping his will to live. Moments later, Lucius looked down at his trembling hands, took a calming breath and regained his composure. "Lester!" Immediately his assistant, a wispy wizard with curly brown hair, rushed in. "Narcissa has been killed." A mild tremor ran through Lucius' hand as he reached in his pocket for his handkerchief. "I felt her die."

"My son is on his way to Hogwarts, please send word to them to bring him to Malfoy Manor immediately." Long ago, Lucius learned of his veela inheritance. When he decided to bond with Narcissa, he knew something like this could happen, but hoped it wouldn't. However, he had planned for many different scenarios to protect his son. Ironically, he had also recently changed his will.

Years before, Lucius confided in his assistant, so he understood the events that might transpire. Lester rushed back in. "They're bringing your son to your home."

"Lester, thank you for all your years of service. With my death, your oath of loyalty will be void. However, when my son reaches adulthood, would you help him assume his role within this office if everything works out?"

"Of course," Lester replied. "My loyalty remains, oath or no oath. I know you're not comfortable with this sort of thing, but you've given me opportunity and responsibility when many others wouldn't because of who I date. Thank you." Despite Lucius' prejudices against Mudbloods, Lucius never showed prejudice against Lester's lifestyle; a prejudice even Mudbloods deemed politically correct.

"Lester, you've always been overly emotional. I guess it comes with the territory." Watching his boss's life slowly drain from him, Lester decided to give him the last jest. "For your hard work, you'll find an account set up in an alias. This is the paperwork." Lucius removed some papers from his vault. "Also, you'll find homes waiting for you in Ibiza and Greece, with a rather singular present that I hope you'll take special care of. Until proven otherwise, we will work under the pretense that someone murdered Narcissa as revenge against me for any of a multitude of things that I have done. You need to go into hiding. You'll find those homes perfect for your needs."

Lester nodded. "How did you know to do this?"

"In my position, I need to account for every contingency. I purchased the properties about a decade ago. Don't worry; the paper trail can't be traced back to me, so no one will ever know." Lester smiled at Lucius' deviousness. "These are instructions for my accounts until Draco is of age. This is a copy of my new will in case the one I filed six weeks ago vanishes. You will find it is iron-clad. Could you bring Leon Gasparo to my home immediately? That is where I will be."

Upon his arrival, he called for Dobby. The diminutive house elf appeared. "Pack Draco's things and my jacket that he's so fond of. Until Draco claims his inheritance, you may take your leave of this place." Dobby nodded and vanished. Even though the need for revenge and the want to mourn Narcissa burned within him, he had to take care of his son.

In his study, Lucius gravely greeted Leon Gasparo, a wizard who befriended him and Narcissa due to a betrothal between their children. Since the children shared sibling affection for now, they came to a mutual adoption agreement. The olive skinned wizard with shoulder length black hair and pencil thin mustache hurried in. "Lucius, I heard about Narcissa from Lester. You have my sincerest condolences." Leon inspected him closely, noticing his sallow skin. "My goodness, were you poisoned?"

"No, but I don't have long. Per our conversation, would you raise my son? "

"I will raise your son as if he were my own child. However, all the traditions of the Malfoy family will be honored."

Lucius removed a folded piece of parchment from his desk. "If you sign this, you will be Draco's guardian officially, if anyone discovers that Draco is alive after the events that will occur. Do not file it unless you have to."

Without hesitation, Leon signed. Considering the present circumstances, Lucius' silver hair and his sometimes throaty voice, Leon suspected him to be part veela. "You are dying of a broken heart?"

Solemnly, Lucius nodded and handed him another parchment. "This entitles you to a fund for his care. Draco has always expressed interest in attending Durmstrang. Under the circumstances, I think it would be best. Karkaroff will keep an eye on him in school. No one will look for him there and I trust Karkaroff. My assistant Lester is handling the estate and will give you the details."

Hesitantly, Leon signed the paper. "Everything will be kept in order for Draco. As to expenses, he will be raised as if he were my own child, so the funds are appreciated but unnecessary. I'll set them aside for him to use if he wants, when he is older." Leon gazed at Lucius sympathetically. "Do you suspect foul play?"

"Beyond doubt, I know someone wanted to revenge for any of a multitude of things I did or didn't do. Considering the circumstances, and the actions I'll be taking, many will assume that in a fit of madness, I killed my son, but no one will find a body. For Draco's safety, we should let everyone think that. No one will look for him at Durmstrang or in Italy if they think he's dead. However, that paperwork will keep him in your custody if need be."

"My son's voice enchantment can convince key officials not to investigate, and help spread rumors of Draco's death so no one will look for him. When the time comes, Draco will take back his inheritance with ease, since there will be no official death record. If anyone tries to get his inheritance, the estate will be buried in red tape until he comes of age." Lucius looked at Leon in awe. "You have your pond, and I have mine. I influence those that I need to. Make a list of the essential officials that need convincing, and it will be done."

Quickly, Lucius did. "Because he is a Malfoy, revenge will burn within Draco when he becomes an adult. At that time, our enemies will know Malfoy vengeance. Until then, I only want Draco to have a happy childhood; something I never had." Lucius opened a glass case guarded by deadly golden Contego flies that resembled wasps, which protected many Malfoy treasures from non Malfoy hands. He removed the Malfoy book of traditions and an old worn rune stone prominently featuring Ansuz and several other tiny runic symbols around the stone. "Within these walls are items that should go to no one but the Malfoy heir. I will ensure that no one has access to the estate. When Draco is of age, he may restore it. Would you send him to my study once he arrives?"

"Of course," Leon replied. "I will let him know of the events of today."

Wearily, Lucius went to the deepest oubliette of Malfoy Manor to begin a ritual he dreaded, but planned for in case such an event like today happened. Closely surrounded by stone walls, he pressed his left hand on an ancient slate "Ego pectus pectoris di Malfoy prosapia pareo!" I command the heart of the Malfoy family to appear. A wand made of silver and green emeralds in an intricately woven pattern appeared and almost molded itself into his hand. Afterwards, he pricked his finger with his dagger and bled some of his blood into the wand. Once he completed the ritual, Lucius returned to his study. As he clung to life, awaiting his son's arrival, he pulled long, white, ghostly tendrils of memories from his temple using his wand and implanted those memories into the rune stone.

Shortly thereafter, Draco tearfully rushed in as Leon closed the door behind him, and waited outside. "Father, Mr. Gasparo confirmed that Mother died and you were dying also. I thought I felt it."

"Unfortunately, your instincts and Mr. Gasparo are correct. Do not be afraid. Come to your father's side." Dutifully, Draco did and hugged his father. "When you are older, you will understand." Lucius flipped the tie around Draco's head and smiled. "Even now, your rule abiding rebellion amuses me." Lucius tightly held his son. "I want you to know that I love you, and I have always been proud. You will grow into not only a powerful wizard, but a highly creative one as well. I am pleased when you create your own spells and find loopholes. Promise me that you will continue to do so."

"I promise Father," he mumbled against his father's chest.

"My own childhood was quite dreadful, but your mother's love helped me to move on. One day, I hope you find someone who means as much to you as she does to me. Your mother loved you very much." Lucius dabbed some of Draco's tears. "I want you to promise me that you will allow Mr. Gasparo to act as your parent and respect his wishes. Do not resent him because he isn't me. Also, I want you enjoy your childhood. That is what I always intended for you."

"I promise," Draco replied with a slight hiccup.

"Always be proud to be a Malfoy and to respect our traditions. Keep our book of traditions with you." Draco tucked it close. "Dobby has packed your things, and he has packed my coat that you're so fond of. Once you've grown, it should fit. You remember the nickname associated with that, don't you?"

"The night before Halloween, when I was just a baby, you were one of the four wizards of the apocalypse who defeated Voldemort: Famine, Pestilence, War and Death. You nicknamed yourself Death. The Malfoys are dark wizards who use dark magic, guile and revenge to accomplish our goals and maintain our pure-blood traditions, but we have standards, unlike Voldemort." Tearfully, Draco looked up with a slight smile.

"You have learned well. Since I won't be around for you as you grow up, I have put some memories of mine within this rune. As you reach certain ages, it will release an appropriate memory to you, and only you. It's a different form of pensieve. Hold out your arm and push your sleeve back." Promptly, Draco did so. Lucius set the stone on Draco's forearm. Immediately the stone fused into a tattoo, which looked just like the stone. "When you're an adult, you will control it completely. Also, it can move anywhere you wish, so no one knows it's there."

Then Lucius removed a silver poison ring with a deep red, round ruby. "This now passes to you since you are my son. If you slam it hard enough, it will break open and dirt will pour out. Put a drop of your blood on the dirt and it will call to you some very powerful friends that I have made. You must only perform the ritual at night. Use it wisely."

Haggardly, Lucius stood and gave his son a final hug. "Your mother and I were so happy when you were born. Always remember how much we love you, and how proud we are of you. Keep those feelings with you, and not the sadness of today. Promise that."

"I promise," Draco said as he hugged his father tightly. "I love you both so much."

Lucius held Draco's hand and took him to the hall where Leon waited. "Leon, thank you. Draco, you must go with Mr. Gasparo now. There's a ritual I must complete, but you must leave the manor first."

When Leon took Draco's other hand, he struggled to hold his father's hand. "No, I want to stay with you, Father."

As he blocked his own tears, Lucius tilted Draco's chin up. "Remember, Draco. Dignity."

Tearfully, Draco nodded and let go. With an understanding nod, Leon touched the portkey to his villa. Moments later, amidst a loud grumbling, Malfoy Manor collapsed in on itself.