When the Stars Fall

Twenty-Seven: Draco's Inheritance

There was a tapping at the window, and the blond young man's head snapped up, startled. He let out a breath as he got up and let the bird in. He took the parchment from its talons and his brow furrowed as he noticed how official the letter looked. He sighed, broke the seal, and then read the letter's contents:

Mr. D. Malfoy,

Your presence is requested at the reading of the wills of Lucius Xavier Malfoy and Narcissa Persephone Black Malfoy. It is important that you be there, as you are mentioned solely throughout both testaments.

Directions on how to proceed to the reading are noted further down. Do not hesitate to respond with any questions you may have. The readings are scheduled for this coming Tuesday April 25. Looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Mr. K.P. Wyndham

Wyndham, Marks, and Brunswick Magical Attorneys at Law

He snorted at the letter and was tempted to simply crumple it and burn it, but curiosity got the better of him, and his eyes drifted to the instructions given at the bottom:

If you are planning to use the Floo System, as we expect, then all you need to say before entering the fire is Wyndham's Haven. You are expected no later than nine-thirty a.m. on the aforementioned date.

He shrugged and then shook his head. He would attend the readings, but only because of his mother's testament being read. To be perfectly honest, he was surprised that the Ministry had not seized the Malfoy Estate. He smiled at the thought of being in a law office. He could officially have his last name changed to benefit his true heritage.

"I was born a Snape, and as the name Malfoy bears no honor, I will take my real father's name, so my children will not be shamed by a name that isn't of their blood," he said and then turned his gaze to his slumbering wife. He closed his eyes, willing himself the strength to hold on. "You will be strong enough soon. Madame Pomfrey said one more week. Hermione, damn you, I can't do this alone. Come back to me, please," he whispered, and then leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her forehead.

The sound of a door opening caught his attention and he turned to see a dark haired boy enter followed by a redhead. He rolled his eyes and looked at the two. He noticed how nervous the redhead was and smirked. "I won't bite, and besides, your being here means something to her," Draco said to him.

"Oh, Bite me if you want Ferret," Ron said in an attempt at humor.

"A tempting offer, but I must decline," Draco responded.

He then noticed that Harry was looking at him oddly. "What is that in your hand?" he asked.

Draco's eyebrow arched and he lifted the parchment. "This?" he said. "It's a letter requesting my presence at the reading of my mother and Lucius' last testaments. I need to be in a Mr. Wyndham's office no later than nine-thirty in the morning next Tuesday, on the twenty-fifth."

"Really? Why would you have to be at the reading of Lucius' will? I thought you were disowned?" Ron cut in.

Draco rolled his eyes. "The man was spiteful. He would love the opportunity to get in one last scolding reprimand, even if it is from the grave. As for my mother's testament... Well, I am curious to know what she has to say."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Harry asked.

Draco looked up startled, and drew in a breath sharply. "Would you?" Draco asked.

"That's what brothers are for," Harry answered, and at that Ron made a disgusted face.

Ron shuddered and then looked between his best friend and Draco. "It's bad enough Hermione had to go and marry the ferret, and then you Harry, you had to go and make him your brother!"

Harry shrugged and Ron simply shook his head. "That's just not right Harry..."

"What's done in blood cannot be undone," Draco said with a smirk and Ron paled and fell back in one of the chairs by Hermione's bed.

Some things were just too much for him to deal with, Draco Mal--Snape in the family was one of them. He would have to try to cope with that at a later date.

----------

Draco groaned at the thought of his destination. He sighed and then gathered his best dress robes from the wardrobe. He went into his bathroom, looked at the immense tub and smiled at the memories he had in that particular tub with Hermione. He closed his eyes, put his clothes down on the marble counter by the sink, and then got into the shower. Once he was clean and dry he put on the dress robes.

He checked over his appearance and smirked at his reflection. His robes were an elegant cut; the material was black velvet, with silver trim. He swallowed thickly at the thought of Lucius wearing black, and quickly raised his wand, muttering a charm. A moment later the elegant robes were a stunning rich blue trimmed with silver. He smiled at the reflection and felt a weight lift off of his shoulders.

He hadn't felt so well in a while. After he returned from the meeting with the attorney, Madame Pomfrey was going to awaken Hermione, as she was finally strong enough to be awake. Things were finally looking brighter, and Hermione was getting bigger each day, but she was still so beautiful and she carried the lives of their children within her.

Draco took one last glance in the mirror and smiled, this time the smile reached his eyes, and then he realized that he would be missing class due to the meeting. He shrugged. The day was turning out very well indeed.

Once he was completely ready, with his wand tucked in his sleeve, he stepped out of his room, and practically ran into Harry, who was dressed in a black muggle suit with had his hand raised as if to knock at the door. The two shared a moment of grins and then shook their heads.

"I was just coming to see if you were ready. I guess you are," Harry said.

Draco smirked. "I've always tried to be on time to appointments, Harry. Tardiness is such a terrible habit to fall into."

"Are you trying to say something?" Harry challenged with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, Potter," Draco said with a grin. "How often have you received detention for being late to Potions?"

"It was Potions. Why would anyone show up on time to torment?" Harry shot back, and together they descended the stairs laughing. They looked around, noticing a few Gryffindors in the common room finishing homework before having to report to their first class. A few of the Gryffindors gave the pair a strange look as they left Gryffindor Tower and headed toward the headmaster's office.

Once they reached the gargoyle that led to the stairway to the headmaster's office, Harry leaned down and whispered, "Everlasting Gobstoppers."

A few minutes later they were in the headmaster's office. They noticed a twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as he held out a leather pouch of floo powder. They each took a handful, and Draco went first, saying, "Wyndham's Haven." He was followed a few minutes later by Harry.

Both boys' eyes widened as they noticed the gathering in the office. Sitting at a long table were Minerva McGonagall, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and a very prim looking man with short dark hair, wearing a pair of spectacles and a black muggle suit of immaculate cut and taste.

Draco raised a brow as he looked at the assortment of people. The man in the suit half rose from his chair and indicated two empty chairs next to him. "Glad you could join us gentleman. Ah, Mr. Malfoy, I see you brought Mr. Potter. I am honored to be in the presence of two powerful men. And on time I see," he said and then held out his hand to them as Draco and Harry took a seat. Harry took his hand first, and then Draco, both noting the firm grip of the man. "I am Kenneth Parker Wyndham."

The two boys nodded their acknowledgement and then looked around the room at the familiar faces present. Draco was the first to speak after Wyndham's introduction. "I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that this was a private affair, concerning the last wills of my mother and Lucius Malfoy."

At the mention of the former Mr. Malfoy by name, the lawyer's eyebrows rose. "So I see you and your father were not on good terms at the time of his passing."

"That would be an understatement," Harry cut in, before Draco could say anything.

"Yes, well," the lawyer began and then seemed to brighten as he pulled a couple of heavy aristocratic envelopes from his jacket. "Right to business then," he finished primly.

Draco rolled his eyes at the way the man spoke perfect Queen's English. They were obviously in the presence of "upper class" mentality. The man opened the first envelope that was addressed in a fine aristocratic hand, that Draco recognized as Lucius'. The contents were then removed; a letter on parchment and what looked like a photograph of some sort.

With a clearing of his throat, Wyndham read aloud:

"I, Lucius Xavier Malfoy, being of sturdy sound mind and body declare this my final will and testament.

Let it be known that while I feel his judgment and character weak, I declare my son, Draco Severus Marvolo Malfoy, the sole heir of all of my possessions. My only hope is that he have enough dignity and respect to keep the Malfoy blood untainted.

To my wife, if she still lives, I return her trunk from her times in attendance at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and while suspicious, let it be known that I never perused its contents.

I have but one more request. I wish to be cremated, my ashes scattered over my mother's grave, this to attest to my defiance of my father.

To Draco, this final thing I leave you...knowledge.

While my blood may or may not run in you veins, remember fondly that I once had your love. For any pain that I am meant to cause you, I am forever regretful and immensely sorry, but a man such as myself was never meant to love.

Lucius Xavier Malfoy

21 December 1984"

Upon the last part of the will, several of the room's occupants' eyes widened. They all stared at Draco, the sole beneficiary of Lucius' will. Draco of course looked dazed. A moment later, the lawyer handed the photo to the young man, and the boy's silver speckled indigo eyes stared down at the photo, a look of pain and warmth crossing his eyes as he smiled wistfully at it.

"I'd forgotten the moments like this," he whispered, and that was when Harry inclined his head to see the photo.

It was a wizard photo of a younger Lucius laughing heartily and bouncing a toddler with platinum blond hair on his knees. The toddler was laughing carefree, and Lucius looked so proud of the child, who couldn't have been any older than three.

Draco set the photo down on the table before him, his hands dropping into his lap as he tilted his head to look at them, fighting the thoughts filling his head. Could he forgive Lucius for the things he'd done? What could possibly turn a man into a monster? There had to be some part of Lucius that had been human once. He had after all apologized, but the most odd thing about the will was the fact that it had been written on Draco's fifth birthday.

Once he sorted his thoughts as best he could, he slowly looked up and turned to the lawyer, amazed that his voice was steady when he spoke, "And my mother's final testament?"

The lawyer nodded, opened the second envelope, this one written in a more feminine hand, cleared his throat and read:

"I, Narcissa Persephone Black Malfoy, being of sound mind and body declare this my last will and testament.

As I am now no longer of the living I wish for the knowledge of my son's true father to be brought to light. My son, Draco Severus Marvolo Malfoy is the son of Severus Roman Snape.

I would also like to bequeath all of my earthly possessions to my son, on the condition that he legally claims his true father's surname.

Draco, when the stars fall, they land in your eyes. I love you.

To Severus, I give you my love and my hope that you may find someone to love you as you have always deserved.

To Remus Lupin, one of my closest friends, you will always have my friendship and affection. Please take care of those I leave behind. Of course, I trust that you have always done that.

To my cousin, Sirius Black, you have my forgiveness. We have both suffered our own prisons, under false convictions. I am glad that you have found freedom from yours, and in my heart you remained as a brother to me.

To my friend and mentor, Minerva McGonagall, thank you for keeping my secrets.

I would like to leave my closest of family and friends with this: Love always, even in the most bleakest of times, for in love there is power and hope.

Narcissa Persephone Black Malfoy

25 April 1996"

Tears were streaming from the eyes of Minerva McGonagall, and Sirius Black's eyes were wide with disbelief. Remus was clutching Severus' hand, Harry was stunned, and Draco was looking at each of them before turning to the lawyer.

"Mr. Wyndham, I wish to have my surname changed to that of my real father's, but I would like to say that it is not in regards to my mother's will, but in regards to my own desire. I would also require this change for my wife as well. Malfoy is not an honorable name, and I want no part in it, any longer," Draco spoke in a strong and sturdy tone, and then something flashed in his eyes and he continued. "As for my mother's possessions, I gladly accept them, as well as the trunk mentioned in Lucius' will. I do however request that the Malfoy Estate and bank vaults be turned over to the Ministry on the condition that the house be destroyed, and the money in the vaults donated to charity."

Everyone present in the office gaped at Draco, including the lawyer who was surprised that such an immense amount of wealth was about to be pawned out for nothing without a second thought.

"Are you certain that you won't reconsider?" Wyndham asked.

Draco shook his head. "I want no part in any of Lucius' affairs. Now if we can move on to the changing of my name."

The lawyer nodded and retrieved from his inner suit pocket several rolls of parchment and he and Draco began to talk about the procedure of changing his name. The others present in the room held a conversation of their own, mostly concerning the contents of both wills. Needless to say they were shocked by both testaments... A lot of things seemed different with the reading of one's final testament, especially when secrets and guilt were revealed...