Absolution

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Draco Malfoy

The Upstairs Library

Malfoy Manor

Draco smiled at his name carefully written on the outside of the envelope in his son's controlled handwriting. He didn't think he'd ever written to his father, and it filled him with pride that his own son thought nothing of it. He untied the green ribbon securing the letter to the owl's leg, and placed the envelope safely in his breast pocket. Opening the window, he watched as she soared out over the grounds to the distant owlery, her white wings bright against the dark woods even in the fading sunlight.

Savoring the moment, he breathed deep the air, summer's heat giving way to the steady advance of crisp autumn nights. As a child, he'd taken the estate for granted. In the wake of his father's execution, it had taken every ounce of Slytherin cunning, as well as an unpleasant amount of groveling and hard work, to hang on to the manor. Not until after Potter's testimony had his mother's crimes been pardoned at last, along with his own. After everything the remaining Malfoys had endured, Draco would never again take anything for granted, and he cherished every year he spent here with his family.

Settling into the scarred leather of the desk chair, Draco pulled the envelope from his pocket and held it in his hands. He took his father's silver letter opener from the drawer, automatically holding it so that the sharp-edged emerald eyes of the serpent didn't press into his hand. With practiced ease, he slit open the envelope, tipping the letter into his hand. The serpent vanished back into its place, sparkling eyes dull again in the darkness, as he savored the folded scrap of parchment.

He was startled by a noise at the door, but it was merely the house elf. He nodded cordially at her as she shuffled in to light the fireplace and lamps. The elves had all been freed by the Dobby Act, and the house seemed too large without their numbers. But Plinky had raised four generations of children here, and had become a paid servant to avoid leaving her home. Though his mother was reluctant to address the wizened elf by name, she accepted it, as she did all things, with grace. Draco waited for Plinky's departure, wanting to enjoy his son's first letter from school in privacy.

When the door whispered shut behind her, he returned his attention to the letter, unfolding it at last. He spread it across the blotter, carefully flattening out the crease. The parchment crinkled under his cautious fingertips, and the scent of ink teased his senses. His son's handwriting was perfect, with each letter precisely shaped. The lines marched across the parchment, even and straight, yet it was the single smudge of ink - the partial imprint of a fingerprint - which Draco treasured most of all.

Dear Dad,

I have safely arrived at Hogwarts, so you can go make sure Mom and Grandmother still remember how to breathe. It was a little lonely at first, with so many of my friends going to school overseas, but I think it will be okay. I met someone on the train who seems great, and I think we're going to be good friends.

The sorting ceremony was just as you described it, and the Hat proclaimed me a Slytherin at once, just as it did you. The dormitories are the same, though there are a lot of spots left unfilled. I even found the hidden panel that Uncle Theo told me about, and the spot where your name is carved in the baseboard, along with mom's.

The castle is amazing, and even bigger than home. I actually got lost on the way to one of my classes, but fortunately I ran into the herbology professor in the halls, and he was nice enough to help me find my way before I was too horribly late.

Classes are under way now, and it's a bit strange to adjust to having classwork every night. I think my favorite classes so far are charms and herbology, but none of them are too bad. Potions is a little harder than most, but fortunately my lab partner seems to be a natural, and he's helping me get the hang of it.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about him. He's the boy I mentioned from the train, and thankfully he was sorted Slytherin too. He's smart, and funny, and I really think you'd like him. If his parents will let him, I'd love for him to come visit over the summer holiday so you can meet him. He says he thinks you knew his dad in school. (Do you remember Harry Potter?) My friend's name is Albus Severus - can you believe it? We decided it must be fated for us to be friends, since we have the same middle name.

I'll have to go for now, because I still have to finish my transfiguration essay before tomorrow. But I wanted to send you something before mom had time to start imagining my tragic fate. I'll write more next week, but for now, know that everything is going okay.

I love you.

Scorpius

Draco read the letter through thrice more before setting down the parchment. He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes as he let the images play through his mind. A breeze from the open window whispered across his skin, and he reached instinctively for a paperweight to secure the pages before they could scatter across the floor.

Rising, he went to the window and closed the sash against the breeze. Night fell over the manor, and Draco was content. Despite all the mistakes he had made. Despite all his family had suffered in the aftermath of the war. Despite everything, Draco was satisfied. The sins of the father had not been visited upon the sons. His son was happy, and his family would live on. He needed nothing else.