Serpens Solus

II

: Family Revolutions

Anxious to avoid his father´s visage, Draco covered his face with his hood and walked briskly to the group of Death Eaters. Knowing everyone would be watching him, he approached the last few members of the group. Draco did not turn around, instead he looked down, and apparated back to the Malfoy mansion.

* * * * *

At the mansion, Narcissa Malfoy was hemming several robes with a Hemming Charm, when Draco appeared nearby. Narcissa dropped her wand, causing the robes to lose their adjustments, and ran to him, calling his name. He saw his mother but instead of facing her, he walked off to his room, oblivious to Narcissa´s calls.

Narcissa stopped following Draco, stunned. He wasn´t supposed to be home so early. Lucius had told her that they would be returning after several hours, yet as she looked at the clock, only one and a half hours passed. Could Draco have been rejected, Narcissa thought, it seems unlikely that he could be here early without his father. Narcissa went to Draco´s room and knocked softly.

"Draco, honey, can I come in?" she asked, but there was no response. Sighing, she headed to her room, hoping Lucius could explain something to her.

* * * * *

Draco sat on the edge of the bed. He had heard his mother, but he did not care what his mother thought. All he knew was that he had failed his father. Not even just my father, Draco thought, but the entire Malfoy family, all those relatives who helped him to be a Malfoy and to learn how to see life.

Draco knew it wasn´t right. He had been raised to be a Death Eater, to learn the Dark Arts. Now he had no choice but to try to live out his life as part of the Light Side. He didn´t want to, but he couldn´t do anything about it. Once the Dark Lord made his choice, he did not change it. Sighing, he got up and went to a corner of his room and sat down, his head between his knees. He had failed and Draco knew there was nothing to do about it.

* * * * *

Several hours later, Lucius Malfoy apparated home. He took off his cloak and handed it to a dutiful House-Elf who was waiting patiently besides him. Sighing, he glanced at the stairwell leading to the bedrooms and walked up.

Lucius walked right by the master bedroom, waving slightly to Narcissa, who automatically knew that her husband would explain in a little while. Lucius continued to walk down the long hallway, anxious to reach his personal study at the end of the corridor. Suddenly, he stopped just before a door left slightly ajar. Slightly peering inside from the crack where the door hadn´t fully closed, Lucius could see his son sitting in the corner. Although he could not see his face, Lucius assumed Draco was upset about his loss. He had to somehow help his son, but he knew there was a slim hope for him.

Lucius closed the door completely and continued his walk to the study.

* * * * *

Draco knew his father had arrived and heard his door close, but he didn´t care. For all he knew, his father would have him killed. He looked up at his ceiling briefly and then resumed his previous position.

* * * * *

Meanwhile in Lucius´ study, books were being thrown around in every corner. Lucius was looking for a certain roll of parchment which he had hidden behind a thick book. After nearly emptying every bookshelf, he found the parchment, Code of Honor. Unrolling it, he placed ornaments on every corner so that it would not roll up again. Scanning it, he came upon the paragraph dealing with the Dark Arts.

...Malfoys have been known to be a part of the Dark Side as well as famous for practicing the Dark Arts for several decades. This has lead every generation of Malfoys to being a part of the Dark Cause.... In the event that a Malfoy does not wish to become part of the Dark Side, he/she must be banished immediately....

Lucius continued to scan the paragraph, pausing at a statement which caused him to shudder, ...in the event that a Malfoy fails to join successfully, he/she must be killed. Lucius rolled up the parchment and ran back to his room where Narcissa was waiting.

Barging into to the bedroom, Lucius looked flustered. "Narcissa! You have to look at this, it concerns Draco!"

"What´s wrong, Lucius?" she asked, and Lucius merely opened the parchment and pointed to the passage. Narcissa gasped and said, "No. No, Lucius, this can´t happen! I won´t let you!"

"Narcissa, honey, I´m sorry, but I have to uphold my family´s honour. You have to, as well."

"I can´t! Look, I understand your predicament, but really, couldn´t you just banish him instead? I can´t live knowing he was killed!" said Narcissa, turning away to face the night sky in the large window.

"Narcissa, I know how you feel, but I have to, even Lord Voldemort asked me to." Lucius sighed, rolling up the parchment.

"Just banish him, and tell him not to do anything rash," Narcissa said, "I´ll never forgive you if you kill him."

"I can´t promise you anything, except that all the Malfoys are coming here for a dinner party. You´ll have to be prepared."

"A party? You have to kill your son and you´re going to have a party!"

"I´m sorry, but everyone asked me. I´ll deal with Draco later, but don´t worry, I won´t do anything without your consent", Lucius said; "now if you´ll excuse me, I´m heading to bed".

Narcissa nodded and she herself went to bed.

However, neither of them noticed that someone was standing outside their door, listening to the entire conversation. Draco Malfoy heard everything, and went back to his room. Not a single Malfoy slept that night; each of them considered the choices given.

* * * * *