Florence- A Draco Malfoy Story

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"You've gone too far, Rookwood. Do you even realise the danger you have now put onto our offspring?".

The vexed voice of lucius Malfoy could be heard through the door. On the other side of the door was eighteen year old Florence Rookwood, illegitimate daughter of Augustus Rookwood, loyal follower of you-know-who, and the ordain of the twelve death eaters. She trembled as she eavesdropped against the wooden door to the living room, fear of what was to come after the heated discussion between her father and Lucius Malfoy.

It had been exactly three months since the first attack at Hogwarts. The dark lord had almost defeated Potter, but grew weak after his attempts, forcing him to yet again retreat to the shadows. However, while the wizarding world thought the worst was over, a far more sinister attack was in the works. Only, Florence had no clue. She had only heard things about the recent attack on Hogwarts- read snippets here and there from the daily prophet, overheard meetings of her father and fellow death eaters. Nothing could have prepared her for her fate. If only she knew how utterly evil her father was, perhaps she could have planned an escape.

"You call yourself a loyalist, Malfoy", the voice of her father replied. "But only I can see you for what you truly are. A coward".

A loud thud came from behind the door. Florence positioned her body closer to the ground, and quietly peeped through the keyhole. Lucius had pulled out his wand in a fit of rage, and held it under her fathers chin. Her heart dropped as she witnessed them scramble against the dining table, but lucius had the power here, and he certainly wasn't backing down.

"You dare to call me a coward? Me?!", lucius muttered, digging his wand further into rookwood's skin. "At least I wish to protect my own. Unlike you, I don't wish to trade away my offspring like muggle cattle. Tell me, Augustus, how do you live with yourself after your efforts to become the most favourable of the dark lord?".

Rookwood, in an effort to please the dark lord, suggested he take his pick on death eater children to have as his own. He offered Florence as his personal mistress as she was young and untouched. He also suggested taking in Draco as his prodigy. He could mould him however he pleases, perhaps making a strong bodyguard with his talents for alchemy and spell making. The dark lord seemed to listen to Rookwood. He was, after all, his ordain. When Lucius heard of Rookwood's unforgivable suggestion, he was furious. If only Florence knew her part in it.

"I think you've mistaken me for that grimey little rat, wormtail. I don't have to try, lucius. Not like you and your pathetic pure blood family of half witts", rookwood chuckled with his response. "Come to think of it, you've been trying everything in your power to be favourable to the dark lord, and yet, you're still treated like you're..nothing".

Just as lucius was about to mouth a deathly spell, one of Rookwoods house elves suddenly appeared  beside the heated pair, nervously fondeling with her rags. "Master, there is a guest at the door awaiting your presence", Bippy spoke, her wide eyes shifting between the two wizards.

Rookwood smirked as Lucius withdrew his wand, knowing full well he would be killed by their fellow death eaters for harming the ordain. "Excellent news, Bippy. Bring them in".

Florence quietly stood up from her position, anxiously backing away from the door. As her head spun trying to evaluate Mr Malfoy's accusations, a small hand touched her arm. Bippy, her head of household elf for as long as she could remember, looked up at her in alarm. "Miss Florence needs to make haste and retreat to her room. There's a strange man here to see your father".

Just as Bippy spoke the latter, the two of them heard the man's footsteps approaching Rookwood's office. Clearly in no humour to await for Bippy to escort him inside.

"Bippy, can you please apparate us to my room right away? I need to speak with you in private", Florence pleaded the elf.

Without hesitation, the house elf teleported them to the third floor of the mansion, to her chamber. Florence knew something sinister was at bay. The harsh whispering between her father and Lucius, the way Lucius had threatened him with his wand- it wasn't right.

"What did Mr Malfoy want with my father?", She blurted in an instant, too anxious to wait around to ask.

The elderly house elf twiddled with her pale fingers, an unsettling atmosphere creeping into the room. It was evident she knew the answer. Telling it, though, would be dangerous for the both of them.

"Please, Bippy. I know you know", Florence yet again found herself pleading.

Bippy felt terrible for the girl she helped raised from birth. Her future grew dimmer by the day. And yet, she had no clue.

"Has miss been reading the daily prophet as of recent?", The elf eventually whispered.

"Well, yes, there was something about a surge in attacks on students in hogsmeade. Why?"

"Can miss think of anyone possibly responsible?".

The girl's stomach felt ill. How could she be so blind? Of course her vile father was to blame. Then again, she only knew the half of it. Most death eater gatherings were held at lestrange manor, far out of her eavesdropping reach. That's the way her father wanted it. The little Florence knew, the better for his plans.

Florence had to take a seat by her vanity mirror. Her legs were becoming jelly-like. Even after spending your entire life living with someone cruel, it's still hard to believe how truly evil they can be. That's something wizard folk share with muggles- placing trauma into the back of the mind, trying everything to forget.

"..m..Miss?"

"I'm fine, Bippy. I just need time to..think", Florence retorted, unable to mask the saddened emotion on her face.

Bippy hesitated for a moment, she could see the girl was in need of comfort. However, the strange guest needed tending to. If not, she would face severe punishment. Florence understood. Turning her head to meet the elf's stare, she gave her a weakened smile.

"It's okay, Bippy. We can talk more later".

With that, the elf disappeared with a faint Pop. Florence was left with her thoughts. So, so many of them. Why would her father go to such lengths to see children being attacked by death eaters? Surely, even her cruel father, wouldn't want to harm children? Unless, he's more involved with the death eaters than he leads on..

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∆ Taster chapter for the time being. I had an idea for a far more darker Draco story, and finally couldn't keep it in my mind any longer! I'd appreciate some feedback 🖤