Chapter Text
He always hated winter. Winter siphooned what little warmth was in his father’s heart and it evaporatred into the chilly winter air.
When he glanced her, laughing and spinning around the lake, he had to tell his father.
She was their servant girl, she was beneath them in every way, she should not be out on their property having fun.
Of course his father was too busy for his own son, finishing up a meeting with people more important than him.
His mother came up to tuck him into bed and he told her that she wanted to speak with his father.
She kissed him on the head with empathy in her eyes. She knew what they were all sacraficing for the patricach of the family.
The legacy was more important than love.
Than trust.
Than being able to go to his father at any time with his problems.
He was questioning his worth in the world and his place in it.
He wiped off the kiss that his mother gave him, but he was thankful for her love and the time that she took out of her day to make him feel secure.
She loved him, not artificially, but truly, like a mother should.
She waved her wand and promised that his father would be in to listen to him after his important meeting.
Different night, same story.
He closed his eyes, the splattering of wet snow against the window was the only sound.
The wizarding community was scared of his family, the legacy.
So yes, he had everything he could ever ask for in terms of material items, but the stuff that he was missing, the important feelings and emotions, just weren’t there.
Maybe he was jealous of Astoria for living so freely, not having the amount of pressure of the legacy thrust upon her.
A cold hand startled him from his thoughts. “Draco, your mother said you want to speak to me?’
“Yes, it is about Astoria...I mean Jo” Draco yawned, urging his father’s hand to remain in place.
His father’s eyes darted to his. He seemed tired.
A night of partying and then a meeting after would do that to a person.
“Continue.” His father sat back taking his hand away.
Draco sighed and sat up breaking the tuck-in spell that he was too old for, but secretly enjoyed.
“I saw Jo outside, ice skating after the party, she was laughing and twirling on the ice. I thought you should know.”
“Come with me, you were absolutely right, I should know about this.” His father said.
Draco nodded and he followed his father up the stairs into Astoria’s small room where she was pulling back her comforter. The sun peeked over the trees that surrounded the property. It was more like a prison.
No one truly knew who he was, he didn’t even know who he was.
He shivered as he forgot his slippers and robe. The Manor was cold at night.
She squeaked and sank to the floor.
“At least you have an ounce of respect left.” His father growled.
“Everyone had left and I had finished up the chores. It was nice.” Astoria whispered into the floor.
“Draco caught you and will now punish you for it.” He handed Draco his saber.
Without thinking about it he stuck it into her shoulder, she screamed.
Lucius came up behind him and put a proud hand on his shoulder. In that moment, he was a part of the family, finally.
“Now get some sleep.” Lucius spat.
Draco crawled back into bed that night with a sinking pit in his stomach.
He was turning into his father.