Atlas Malfoy and how history repeats itself

Part 2

"DRACO MALFOY IT CANNOT TAKE YOU THIS LONG TO GET DRESSED."
I bow my head at my father's voice. He is angry, and it's best not to cross him when he is in a mood. The Black family had an odd way of making people behave, and I daren't find out whether father would implement it at all. Dobby the house elf comes over with a plate, handing me toast with butter.
"Thank you, Dobby." I say, bowing my head again at my father's sharp glare. He snaps, "Don't thank it for doing it's duty. Get out."
My father slams his cane on the floor and I wince. Draco stumbles down the stairs and says, "I'm here, father. Sorry father."

Diagon Alley is chaotic, but people move for dad. I get my books, robes and wand, before we head to get something for Father. Borgin And Burkes in Knockturn Alley. I step in after Draco, mother trailing behind us. Father nods at the man at the counter and turns to us. He snaps, "Don't touch, Atlas."
I narrowly avoid his cane jabbing where my hand was. Mother glares at him and he turns back round, grabbing the small package and shoving it in his cloak. He hand's over thirty galleons, so I can't imagine what is in there, but I don't ask. We head somewhere to get dinner, but I don't see the name. I'm shoved to a table near the back and Draco says, "Father?"
My Father looks up at him and says, "What is it Draco? No point saying one word. A waste of air."
I freeze, my gaze resting on Draco's rather terrified face. Mother says, "Speak Draco. The waiter is walking over soon and I do not want him to listen in on this."
Draco's voice wavers as he says, "What did we go in Borgin And Burkes in Knockturn Alley for? I just mean, that was an expensive package for something as small as it was."
My father's gaze hardens and he says, "Don't ask intrusive questions, Draco. Take after your sister. She hasn't spoken other than to be helpful, which is more than we can say for you. This is why we are asking Severus to keep an eye on you. Atlas, you look like you have a question; what is it?"
Draco sinks into the chair as I say, "I was just wanting to make sure I knew which professors I could trust at school. I'd never want to slip up on anything to the wrong professor. I want to know who to keep my guard up with."
My father smiles a little and says, "Excellent question. I would say Severus is really the only professor to be honest with. Now, faces on while your mother and I order."
Draco and I are sat opposite our parents, so I can turn and talk to him. He picks at a loose thread on his jumper and I whisper, "I personally also wanted to know what father had picked up back in the shop. I'm sorry he reacted the way he did."
"No you aren't. Father's angel and Mother's favourite you are."
"Am not!" I hiss. Father pauses in his speaking to glare at us, before continuing with the order. Draco looks back across the table and says, "Be realistic Atlas. Has Father ever been angry with you?"
"Of course he has! What about when I slipped and accidentally bumped into the minister of magic?"
"Okay, so he did what?" Draco turns back to glare as I say, "He told me not to do it and to watch my own two feet so I didn't slip again."
"Right, my point exactly. I just asked a question and he compared me to you, yet again. I guess you didn't notice. And when yesterday I was touching the things on that bookshelf and he jabbed my hand with the walking cane stick thing instead of asking me to stop."
I scoff, "Right, he did that to me in Borgin And Burkes!"

Mother interrupts, saying, "Both of you be quiet. Honestly, why do you try to one up Atlas all of the time Draco?"
I understand now. The food comes and I eat it, but Draco barely touches it. We floo home and I get into comfier clothes. My mother calls me into her study and I go willingly. I'd rather spend time with her than struggle through a conversation with Father. She directs me to an armchair opposite her desk and I sit. After clicking the door shut, she sits down behind her desk and says, "You need to listen to me closely and carefully. Do you understand?"
I nod and she says, "This is going to be hard to understand, but do you know what motherly intuition is?"
I nod again and she continues, "I do have a feeling you wont be a Slytherin, where as I know for almost absolute Draco will be. I think that is why my temper is shorter with Draco. I know your father will favour him over you after the sorting and I need you to understand that it is his- Lucius! My love, can I help you?"
I turn round and my father is stood, leaning against the door frame, sceptically looking round the room. He walks over, putting his hand on my shoulder and saying, "I will be expecting Severus to write after the sorting. It'd be a shame if you ended up like Sirius."
"What is wrong with Sirius? I mean, he killed Peter Pettigrew and some muggles, but the Dark Lord did that a lot..."
I trail off, anger blazing in my father's eyes. He raises his hand and slaps me, across my face.
"Do not use the Dark Lord's name with such disrespect. Get out. Get to bed immediately."

My mother's hand raises to cover her mouth as my Father spits, "Stupid girl. I thought you said you would tell her."
"And then you came in." I've never heard my mother snap at my Father like that. I should leave.

I run upstairs and curl into bed, sleeping quickly enough. Hogwarts is so close.