1 Prologue

"Well, if you won't do anything for your son, then I will!"

Narcissa Malfoy turned around and slammed the door of her husband's study. They had been fighting for two hours and by the time she left the room they were both exhausted and very angry with each other.

Narcissa had suggested taking Draco in, providing him with help and support but Lucius argued that the boy was a disgrace to the Malfoy name and legacy and said he didn't want to see him in his house ever again.

After leaving her husband alone and to his own devices, Narcissa went down and joined her son in the drawing room. She tried to smile as she approached the couch he was sitting on.

"No luck, I take it?" he asked, getting up and trying his best to return the smile.

"No, I'm afraid not", she replied with a sigh. "Your father is being very stubborn…"

"Yes, that's my father: stubborn and proud, he said bitterly. "It's alright mother", he added quickly, "You've tried enough".

He turned around and made his way to the door.

"Draco, you should stay for the night. It's getting late and…"

"I don't think that would be wise. Why ruin your breakfast when my father sees me tomorrow morning? No, I think it's best I leave."

He took his coat, kissed his mother on both cheeks and left. Before he closed the gate, he took one last look at the house he had just quitted.

After the war ended and the trials began, the Malfoy family left the Manor and moved outside London, in a smaller residence. It was a nice and rather comfortable cottage. The house was smaller than the manor sure, but they were still allowed to have servants and even kept a house elf. All this, of course, courtesy of the Ministry after Lucius Malfoy started talking about his old ,friends' and associates.

Draco sighed and closed the gate behind him. A few minutes later he apparated in his rented flat.