Family Discord

Chapter 1

Draco Malfoy gazed through an open window of his father's study, the wind playing about his pale face. His eyes fell upon his mother, strolling with attendants in the vast gardens of the manor. She was a beautiful woman, full of charm and elegance. Narcissa Malfoy was the model wife of an aristocrat. She never showed her emotions, always agreed with her husband, and of course, had the beauty most women spend their entire lives trying attain. But her beauty was tarnished by one small factor, she never seemed happy. Draco lamented upon this fact for a moment. His mother was nothing but devoted to the happiness of her only child, and it showed. Draco enjoyed every luxury growing up. The only bad side to his childhood was his father.

Lucius Malfoy provided for his family and in return they were expected to give him an illusion of a perfect family. Draco's father was a harsh ruler of the house. Draco disliked his father, though he respected and honored him. He did as he was told and was sweetly rewarded. If he did not do as told, well, that happened only once. Draco could not believe that he could have been worse off growing up, until he decided to visit Diagon Alley with his best friend Diego, a pureblood wizard of Spain. They had heard of a bookstore that could help with a potion that they were trying to concoct, an extremely powerful smoke bomb they wanted to test on the house elves.

This errand into Diagon Alley would be an exciting and fun adventure. Diego was sure of it. Draco also needed to pick up a few school supplies to be ready for Hogwarts.

At seventeen, Draco would be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry one final year, and he was willing to make it his best. His good grades had paid off. He would be Head Boy in the coming school year. Finally he had beaten Harry Potter. He now had the power to end the incessant annoyance of the Boy Who Lived.

The two boys received many stares from young witches as they strolled down Diagon Alley. They were extremely handsome. Draco's pale skin and blond hair gave him and ethereal glow that made the girls crazy. His light blue, almost silver eyes had a reputation for looking directly into a soul. Diego's looks were the classic, tall, dark, and handsome. His dark, curly hair framed his face. With dark eyes of chocolate, he could melt any heart. Both boys were rather tall, and though strong, Draco was not as muscular as Diego. The boys entered a small rare bookstore with dust covering the front window completely. The store was full of books covering shelves and the floor. A petite witch was sitting at the front desk, reading a rather large tome. The boys stood looking at her for a few seconds. She had curly brown hair, pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Her brown eyes were rapidly moving about the pages of her book; her full lips slightly parted. She was wearing mug! gle blue jeans and a tank top. The soft light of the candles in the room made her look angelic. She seemed somewhat familiar to Draco. Maybe she went to Hogwarts. A Ravenclaw perhaps...The concentration of the boys was interrupted when a small bell rang and the girl looked up at them.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

"Umm...we need help finding an instruction manual entitled Nasty Nuisance: the Art of Potent Pranks," said Draco.

"Wait. Maybe I should have asked WHY I should help you." The girl was extremely irritated.

Diego was extremely confused. "Have we done anything to offend ma'am?"

This seemed to aggravate her even more. "ANYTHING TO OFFEND! Well, this little ferret here has been nothing but a plague upon my life since I was eleven years old! He is the most cruel and evil man on earth...with the exceptions of his father and Voldemort!"

She began to cry and Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her into the back room. He was extremely confused. "Who are you? How have I hurt you? I don't even know you!"

Once her tears slowed, she replied, "I forgot that you wouldn't recognize me."

This, of course, confused him more. "Are you telling me that I know you, but you have changed your apperance?"

"Yes."

"Well then, who are you?"

"I can't say."

"Why not?"

"Dumbledore."

"Oh."

"When school starts, you will know."

"All right."

She dried her eyes and proceeded to direct Draco to his book. He paid for the book, thanked her for the help, and left the store, not noticing her crying again.