23 Fathers Surprise

Draco blinked his eyes as he tried to gain his bearings. His face felt like putty and his ribs were still sore. He sighed before looking around the room. His eyes widened as he saw his dreaded brother and panic crept onto his face as he whimpered in fear. It would seem he still fears me.

My heart broke at seeing him like this but I can't just ignore how he acted, I reach over and move his hair out of his face and he jerks away from my touch. I sigh and say, "Are you feeling any better?"

Draco didn't say anything just looking at me for any sudden movements. He hadn't been having a good time since his father disowned him. The orphanage was a drab and dingy place and the matrons weren't as indulgent as Mother was when he asked for things. He had learned quick not to ask for anything when one of the older boys grabbed a group of orphans and beat him while he slept. He still woke up in the middle of the night with sweat and tears rolling down his face. Now he just kept to himself and didn't try to bother anyone. He cursed his brother for getting him disowned but couldn't even look at him now that we were face to face.

"I'm sorry I didn't arrive sooner. I know you don't feel comfortable around me any more, but the sooner you learn that I was never the enemy you thought I was the better." I say with an emotionless voice. Draco had tears coming from his eyes as he croaked out a quiet, "W-why.. do…you..care?"

I take a deep breath and push down everything I was feeling and said, "Because, even though you acted just like him," I say the last word with emphasis, "Your still my brother. I've always hated how Lucius drove us apart. Just take some time to think on who's your family and who's not. The man who cast the torture curse on our Mother and me, and more than likely you as well, or me who's actually here making sure you are taken care of instead of dying in the middle of the halls."

We locked eyes but he looked away, I could tell that it would take a while to break through all of the vitriol Lucius fed him. I got up and made my way to the door when I heard a faint, "Thank you…"

I turned around but he wasn't even looking in my direction and I just left with a small smile on my face. For the first time in a long while under all the fear and pain, I saw a glimpse of my brothers true self. The kind hearted kid who loved quidditch and begged me to teach him. The kid who would pout when I would leave him for to long, and the kid who would follow me around and gush at my every word like I was Merlin himself.

The next morning, a meeting was called in the Slytherin Commons. I placed myself with Blaise and Millicent at either of side while we waited for the announcements. Hushed conversation stopped as Lyra Macnair walked out with a sneer aimed in my direction worthy of Snape on her face. While most Princes identities were kept secret the King is more of an open secret since they set up meetings to relay any decisions made at the table.

"All right everyone, there's been some…changes that will be implemented starting today. From now on you can sit wherever you want, except for on opening and closing feasts. We believe that Slytherins have missed opportunities to make connections with families in different houses. Since this doesn't show much cunning to alienate potential allies, you can now sit with whomever you please." She said with a hateful look in my direction.

Most of the other Slytherins caught on and glanced at me but didn't say anything. Let them come to their own conclusions, all it'll do is afford me better protection within the house. I glanced over at Daphne and can see she wasn't happy with this. Her face only showed a neutral expression but I can see some of her ticks. She usually frowns in a resting bitch face so for her to have such a emotionless look, she must be clamping down on her Occlumency shields.

"Also, Professor Snape has asked us to pass out this year's itinerary. Make sure you follow it to a tee, or you won't like the consequences." Lyra said and left in a hurry. I smile and hum a happy tune for the rest of the morning.

Down in the Great Hall, I look over and grin at what I see. Though it may only be a small amount, their are definitely some Slytherins at other tables. The other houses looked confused at this, sure it wasn't that uncommon for other houses to intermingle, but Slytherin was infamous for only sitting with their house. Snape looked like he would blow a gasket and I see him motion Lyra who walks over with a grimace. He sets up a privacy ward so no one can hear him but you can easily tell he's dressing her down over this. She looked frantic as she says something that causes him to look over her shoulder at me. I smirk and give him a nice wave. He scowls and dismisses Lyra and walks over to me.

"Mr. Black, I'd like a word after breakfast." Snape says through gritted teeth.

"Gladly Professor." I say in a smug voice. He takes a deep breath to calm himself before he nods and walks away. Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy for antagonizing him and I ignore them. Just as I take my last bite of food, mail owls appear and drop off their packages.

An elegant falcon swooped overhead with a small package. I visibly tense as he drops down in front of me looking at me like I'm the scum of the earth.

"What's wrong Ares?" Blaise asked confused as to my reaction to a package.

I ignore him as I leap from my seat and cast as many detection chakra as I know on the package. They all came back negative but that doesn't make me feel better in the slightest.

Blaise grabbed me by my robe and shook me, "Ares what the hell is wrong with you? Your scaring the first years!"

I looked over and it was true, they all looked at me like I had lost it and the upper years knew what I was doing and understood though.

"Sorry for the unseemly display everyone." I apologize as I grab the package and drag Blaise out the Great Hall.

We stop at an abandoned classroom and he finally has enough and shrugs my hand off his arm while saying, "Explain now!"

"That was my Ex-Fathers falcon Blaise." I say in trepidation.

A look of understanding came across his face and says, "Well nothing to do but open it I suppose."

I nod warily and cast a low powered cutting curse at the package to open it. The twine fell apart and the package unrolled. I gasp and Blaise looked like he would be sick.

"Dobby?…"

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