Draco apparated at the front of the Malfoy estate, looking up the tall, iron gate that was surrounding the manor.
'As if anyone would want to come in here anyways...'
Draco looked around, taking in his surroundings and any changes that he could sense. There were still impressive and sturdy trees surrounding the gardens, there was still the slightly obnoxious marble fountain. The trees were overgrown however, partially hiding the west and east wings of the manor.
'No doubt they want to continue laying low, out of typical sight..'
Draco walked slowly up the stone pathway up to the enormous double doors, just a few steps behind his mother and father.
'I could make a run for it now... but at what cost?' Draco thought to himself, huffing with annoyance.
'It's not like there is anything here for me anymore. It's an empty shell of nightmares, not a home. My home has emerald eyes and messy black hair...'
As Narcissa flicked her wand to open the grand entrance, Draco sighed audibly again, rolling his eyes at the unnecessary grandeur.
"Quit your skulking, Draco. It is most unbecoming of you." Lucius sneered, hooking his serpent-headed cane around Draco's shoulder to move him forward.
"I really don't see why this is necessary. I have school work to do and I'm completely fine. Neither of you even bothered to come visit me when I was sick anyways. Only swooping in at the end to take me here. For what?" Draco crossed into the manor, throwing his blazer over the coat rack and nearly toppling it to the ground.
"Watch your tongue, Draco. Just because you are legally an adult does not mean you are above your parents, your family." Lucius' stare could burn through fabric, it was so heated.
"Draco, please. Let's go into the dining room and talk?" Narcissa, warmer in her approach, held her arm out in the direction of the room, a worried look sparking on her face.
Draco resisted the urge to retort back and strode into the dining room, the impossibly long and shadowed room bringing back very unpleasant memories.
"At least there isn't a dead professor hanging over the table now, I suppose." Draco said, venom practically dripping from his words as he sat down.
Lucius opened his mouth to reply, but Narcissa gently grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Draco. We need to talk as a family. You have been avoiding us all school year and it is simply not appropriate." Narcissa sat down as well, taking Lucius with her.
"What is there to say, mother? I don't want to be reminded of the war last year. I want to be able to be a normal student for once. Not one that has to do the bidding of a notoriously evil wizard. ESPECIALLY not one that was only in that position because his parents were too much of cowards to protect him from said wizard." Draco said quietly, the monotone voice putting an emphasis on how disgusted he is.
"HOW DARE YOU! We WERE protecting you!" Lucius jumped out of his seat, seething with rage, his eyes narrowed to mere slits once more.
"Both of you. Behave. We have more matters to discuss." Narcissa almost threatened, her tone suggesting consequences.
"Now. Draco, we understand that last year was hard. But you are about to graduate and enter the real wizarding world. You need to figure out what you will do for work and begin to secure that. Our connections will get you whatever job you desire, of course. But we want something secure for you and your future wife."
Draco stuttered slightly at those words. "Future wife? You're still planning on arranging me in marriage?"
"Darling, we have already arranged a marriage prospect with Astoria Greengrass. Her family is one of the sacred 28. Your children will be perfect, purebloods to carry on the Malfoy and Greengrass names. We have already spoken to her parents over the past few months and we agree it would be a perfect opportunity." Narcissa smiled, ignoring the obvious discomfort and anger that was bubbling up in Draco.
"Are you out of your mind? You are still in that mindset after everything that has happened in the past two years? Your precious, immaculate bloodline at stake until you can marry me off like some prized heifer at the fair?" Draco kicked up from his chair, sending it flying backwards and landing on it's side.
"You WILL NOT ruin this opportunity for us Draco. What other prospects do you have, anyways? This has also been your destiny and YOU KNOW THAT." Lucius spat, leering at his son.
"Does this have to do with you spending time with those... muggle-lovers at school?" Narcissa cocked her head to the side in obvious distaste.
Draco could almost feel his blood boiling in his veins. "Those "muggle-lovers" happen to be my friends. The very same friends who saved my life, more than just this once. They saved me throughout our years at Hogwarts, and this year, they saved me from MY OWN AUNT. Don't you DARE talk about them so crassly."
"Draco. You are to wed her, so you need to come to terms with it. We are hosting a dinner tonight with their family so you can meet her. She is two years younger than you I believe. Lovely, pureblood values." Narcissa ignored Draco's rage, something she has been practicing for years.
"No. I refuse. I am not marrying some stranger that I don't give bloody hell about. I have someone that I love, and I am NOT leaving them again." Draco began to turn towards the door to leave before Lucius stepped in front of him.
"In love? HA. I whole-heartedly doubt that. Who could you be in love with? Not that horrible Parkinson girl I hope." Lucius held out his serpent cane again, holding the space between him and Draco steady.
"No, Lucius. I am not in love with Pansy Parkinson." Draco swallowed hard, wracking up his courage for what he was about to reveal.
"I am in love with Harry Potter."
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Hehehehe I wanted to end on a cliff hanger, so sorry it is kinda short!
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Everything Remains
FanfictionHarry and the rest of his friends return to Hogwarts for the seventh and final year. After everything he has been through, after all of the fighting, loss, and heartache, maybe, just maybe, he can have a "normal" year at school. That's all he wants...
