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Draco summer had been.. less than ordinary. His father had apparated him from the platform which was already weird enough, but it seemed as though Draco’s father was avoiding him for the first four weeks of the summer. Only today had his father finally come near him since the start of the holiday.
Draco had been locked in his room since coming back from Hogwarts, only allowed out for meals and the occasional walk of the gardens. His father had said that the rest of the Manor was being used for “business”, which Draco could guess meant some sort of Dark Magic with the Dark Lord back. Draco was buzzing when he had found out that the Dark Lord had returned, finally he could show how powerful and loyal he is. He was already sure his father would jump back to the Dark Lord’s side, and no doubt Draco would be joining him. He would receive the Dark Mark next year hopefully and finally be a proper Death Eater.
Their house elf, Tipsy, apparated to Draco’s room. Jolting Draco from his thoughts.
“Tipsy, why have you come here?” Draco questioned, swinging his legs off his bed and sitting at its edge.
“Master Lucius has requested that Young Master Draco come to his office!” Tipsy squeaked out, hands gripping the edge of her shirt. Technically Tipsy was his mother’s, Narcissa, and she always made sure to keep her looking good.
“Oh? I’ll be there in a moment, thank you Tipsy.”
The house elf disapparated, leaving Draco alone in his room. He was both excited yet scared, finally his father was speaking to him again. However Draco was weary to find out why his father had been so distant for the past few weeks.
—
Draco knocked on the large door to his father’s office, waiting for his familiar voice.
“..Come in.”
Draco pushed the door open, trying to suppress a nervous grin as he stepped in. “Hello, father sir.”
“Sit, Draco.” His father, Lucius, gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “We must speak”
Draco nodded quickly, slipping into the seat. He looked quite small compared to the large, plush sofa chair. He hoped he didn’t look too pathetic right now.
“Draco, my son. I’m sure we are both aware of the wondrous event that occurred earlier this year” Draco nodded, trying to look anywhere but his father’s eyes.
“Yes, and I’m certain we are both aware of the fact that you will be taking on the Dark Mark once you are 16.” Draco nodded again, his usual grin when the topic was touched, missing for once.
“Good, you must be prepared. You have just about a year.”
“Crucio.”
Draco couldn’t tell when the curse hit him, but he knew he hit the floor quick and hard. Draco’s back arched off the floor and he let out a scream, or he might’ve he couldn’t tell anymore. The pain of the Cruciatus Curse practically rang through his ears, he couldn’t tell how long he was on the floor or how long he was screaming for. Lucius stood above him, a scowl on his face as he watched his son writhe on the floor.
He never noticed when the curse had subsided, he couldn’t tell how long he had stayed on the floor. His aching muscles protesting at even the idea of getting up. Draco was sure his father was glaring at him, thinking about how lazy he was. Draco still couldn’t figure out why his father had done this, he understood that it would hurt getting the mark but using an Unforgivable on your own son? It confused Draco in ways that hurt to think about. At some point, Lucius had realised Draco wasn’t getting up on his own and snapped his fingers, calling one of their many house elves.
“You, clean..him up and get him to bed.” Lucius gritted out, layers of contempt obvious as he addressed his son. Nearly enough to cause more tears to flow down Draco’s cheeks. It only took a moment before Draco’s exhaustion and pain took over as the house elf apparated them away, his last memory before passing out being the blank ceiling of his bed canopy as he wondered why his beloved father would ever do such a thing.
—
Draco woke with a pounding headache, aching back and yet a happy start. He would be visiting Diagon Alley today, getting his school supplies with his friends. Oh how he had missed Pansy and Blaise over the summer, usually because his and Pansy’s parents were work friends they would end up meeting somewhere at least once but he had been locked up in his room. As though he was Rapunzel in her tower. As Draco dragged himself out of bed, grimacing at the movement, he thanked Merlin once again that they had house elves. He quickly grabbed the clothing that was set out for the day and took the small trip into the bathroom, hoping a steaming shower would help to remove the fatigue that plagued his bones. Despite feeling faint after, barely able to scrub his hair properly without nearly falling over, Draco did feel as though his limbs weren’t feeling as weak as before. That was until he stepped out, rolled his ankle and his wet body smacked against the floor, causing the blonde haired boy to wince. He grabbed the side of the shower, pulling himself up and limped slightly to the sink. Using a quick drying spell to clean up a bit more. He pulled on the clothing that had been left out, his iconic black dress trousers and white button up with a tie and belt. He styled his hair meticulously, using one of the many gels he had.
Draco stared at himself in the mirror, he looked normal. Things were normal. If he just tried to be as ordinary as usual, maybe he would be able to forget about what had happened the night before, maybe things would be normal. He would have a regular 5th Year, he would enjoy it like a regular teenager of his status. He would enjoy his classes with Pansy and Blaise. Yes, he would have a normal year. However, as Draco stated at himself hard enough he could see just the small remnants of the night before, his eyes till puffy from how much he had cried and sobbed through the pain of the Curse. He splashed cold water over his face, praying that his friends wouldn’t notice. No, they wouldn’t notice, because nothing had happened. Draco repeated the affirmation in his head a few more times, staring into the mirror hard, until his vision began to unfocus. He quickly walked out the bathroom, grabbing his cloak and Shrinking Bag to hold his things (enchanted by his mother back when he was just a young boy).
Draco was going to go to Diagon Alley and have a good time with his friends, and hopefully not bump into Weaslebee or Potter, or insufferable Granger. Nope, not ever.