Living In Safety

We Hate Lucius Malfoy

Draco

Sneaking out has always been easy for me. Maybe it's because my parents didn't give a damn about me, so they didn't notice I was gone. Or maybe it's my 'Slytherin-ness'. I don't know. But I do know Severus won't be to pleased to see me.

I don't care. I need to see him.

I Floo into his sitting room and brush the soot off. He's probably in the dining room, it's about lunch time.

"Who- Draco? What are you doing here?" 

"I wanted to talk to you," I say. 

"Why?"

"Something happened, and I... don't know how to think about it. Process it, I guess." I shift uncomfortably. He's going to kill my father, I know that, but I need to figure this out.

"Have you ate?" I shake my head. "Right. Come on, then. I have grilled cheese and tomato soup."

I slip my shoes off and follow him. We sit down, he gives me a bowl and a plate. 

"What happened?" he asks. 

"So... Father sent me an owl. And... to me, it sounded like he doesn't want me anymore... like I'm not his son anymore." I play with my soup before eating a bit. "And I don't know how I feel about that..."

"What did he say?"

"He asked if I could spend winter holiday with you or at Hogwarts. They don't want me at home right now."

I hate thinking about my parents. Especially since they basically neglected me most of my life. 

"Draco... I'm sorry," he says. "That isn't..."

"Fair."

"How do you think you feel about it?"

I shrug. "Upset. Obviously. Angry, I think. Mostly at Father..."

"And?"

"And Mother... when we were at platform nine and three quarters, she told me he'd be there if he could've been, but I feel like she was lying. She knew. A month ago, she knew he didn't want me, and she was fine with that."

My mother was okay with letting me go. Okay with leaving me, lying to me, acting like my father had done nothing wrong. Again. Acting like he's perfect. Again.

"Draco... I... That isn't fair," Sev mumbles. "I'm sorry."

"What if they don't want me back ever?" I mumble. "What if... what if they disown me?"

"Draco... You know as well as I that they neglected you most of your life. I hate to say it, but I'm not surprised they wrote you that letter." He fills his bowl. Lucky him, he has an appetite. "I'm not saying what they've done is right, but..."

"I wasn't surprised, either, but it still... it still hurts."

I should be happy, really. If they did disown me, I'd get to live with Severus and Harry and Regulus. People who actually care about me. I wouldn't have to spend my time at home alone in my room with only House Elves to talk to. 

Severus would have to adopt me, though-

Harry and I would really be brothers.

"How can I help?" he asks. "Should I talk to your parents, or..."

"No... I guess, maybe? I don't know..."

We finish lunch in silence, thankfully it isn't awkward. Thankfully, I'm able to finish.

"You can stay if you want," Severus says. "But I'd appreciate it if you got back before curfew. And Regulus should be back in a half hour or so."

"'M sorry... I didn't know who else to talk to," I mumble.