Broken Strings

Part 1

He looked away from his mother and took a deep breath. He didn't know what to think.

"Can I... think about it?"

She nodded and he forgot. Twelve months danced before his eyes as he thought back to his childhood — he was doing that more frequently now that he was nearing twenty. When had he gotten so old so quickly?

Wasn't it just yesterday that his father was encouraging him to befriend the 'child of destiny' using any means necessary? Wasn't it just yesterday that his father was encouraging him to pit Harry against his friends? Wasn't it just yesterday that his father was encouraging him to demean and belittle Harry's 'little group' as much as possible? Wasn't it just yesterday that his father was encouraging him to go after Harry's not-so-secret secret "class"?

Wasn't it just yesterday that his father was encouraging him to join Voldemort's side despite him obviously not wanting anything to do with the man?

And now, his father was standing in the entranceway looking at Draco as if he had disappointed him for the millionth time (the blond boy wasn't too sure he hadn't in some unforeseen way).

"Weren't you sentenced to life in Azkaban?"

Ah, Lucius was pissed because Draco got out before him. The blond couldn't tell if it was serious or not.

"I bailed him out a year ago," Narcissa said. Draco wondered if she knew that she was helping to diffuse the situation. Of course she did, she had been with Lucius far longer than he was alive. "He didn't commit any of those horrendous crimes, Lucius, other than being forced down that path against his will! Why should he have been sentenced to life and you only two, when you and I committed far more crimes than he did?"

Lucius shrugged, "Not my call. How long do they have you on magic probation?"

"Another year," Draco said, keeping his answer as to the point as possible, just like how his father always liked it.

Seeing his father's nod cemented that belief.

"I also have two years of probation. What do you plan on doing after the probation is lifted?"

Draco turned his head to look out the window, pondering the man's question. It was the first time he had ever been asked that question, but Draco already knew his answer. He had a feeling his father also knew and didn't approve if his scowl was anything to go off of.

That could also be because of his ongoing silence as well, though. Lucius hated someone not immediately answering him.

"An Auror," Draco answered, short and sweet. Seeing his parent's confused expressions, he elaborated, "I want to become an Auror. The Ministry of Magic has already started my training for the test -- knowledge-wise. He also sent Arthur Weasley a while back to explain the different branches to me and get a path that suits me best laid out for me."

Narcissa looked happy and pleased, he knew that his long bouts of silence scared her, but he was also grateful that she didn't push him to speak before he was ready to.

"Is that why Mr. Weasley was here a few months ago? I had assumed that he was doing a normal check-in with you."

Draco nodded but didn't answer. He knew that it was unnecessary to respond yet.

He regretted looking over at his father, he looked furious.

"Father...?"

"You want to be what?"

"An Auror," Draco said, not seeing what the big deal was. "Mr. Weasley already filled me in about what to expect, and so has Mr. Shacklebolt. I want to help protect the wizarding world from threats like Him as well as maintain the peace. Both Mr. Weasley and Mr. Shacklebolt have said that this is possible, as long as I pass my exams in a year."

Lucius was quiet for a few minutes. Although uncomfortable, Draco knew better than to squirm. A predator's attention is always captured when a prey squirms.

"After everything I put into pushing you into that path, this is how you respond?"

Draco fought the urge to gulp. He had known that his father wouldn't agree.

"You knew that I never wanted that path."

"It was to protect you!"

"Then why didn't you give me to my godfather or one of my cousins?!" Draco shouted. "Couldn't they have protected me as well?! I know my godfather was a double agent so that probably wouldn't have been the best option, but Sirius Black or Nymphadora Tonks? I know Sirius was in Azkaban for most of my teenage years, so he wouldn't have been the greatest option either, but Nymphadora would have been the perfect match! You just had to find her!"

Lucius watched him with an unreadable expression adorning his face.

"I get that you were trying to protect me at the time, but there were better options. I think I need to leave, Mother, Lucius."

Draco turned and left the entranceway. As soon as he entered his room, he threw floo powder into the fireplace, "Hogwarts!"

To say Mrs. McGonagall was surprised to see Draco entering her office was an understatement. She tried to stun him.

"Professor McGonagall!" Draco yelped, jumping out of the way of the stun charm.

"Oh! Mr. Malfoy! You startled me. Why are you here?"

Draco twiddled his thumbs, "U-Um my father returned, a-and he's making a fuss about m-me becoming an Auror. C-can I stay here for now?"

Mrs. McGonagall studied the blond boy for a few moments before nodding, "Yes. I will tell Mr. Weasley and the Minister where you are so you can continue your studies. Please go grab your belongings as I set a room up for you. Would you like to stay in the dungeons again or somewhere else?"

"Can I stay in the Room of Requirements?"

Mrs. McGonagall sighed, "Of course. You'll be in charge of keeping whatever room you stay in cleaned up. You'll also be required to join the meals."

Draco nodded, "Of course."

"Oh, and Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall?"

"What are you going to do with your father?"

Draco blinked and looked down at the floor, "I-I think it's time I cut ties with him...."

"Very well. I'll send your parents a couple of letters. Do you want your mother to just know where you are or can she come to visit?"

Draco smiled softly as he turned from the fireplace, "She can come to visit if she wants to."

Mrs. McGonagall smiled, "Very well. Now, get going. I want you back here as soon as possible so I can do the necessary paperwork."

"Yes ma'am!"