Chapter 4
A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, filling the chilly room with much needed warmth. Colder weather was settling in, driving away the last remnants of summer. Draco stretched out his aching feet near hearth, turning a page in his book as he did.
“I hate my life.” He growled as he sat in the library reading. A strong kick reminded him of the other presence in the room. “And you’re the reason.” Only another three weeks, he reminded himself then it was over.
Narcissa thankfully had extended her holiday in Europe. She’d sent an owl that explained her intentions to be home by Christmas a month ago. They’d heard precious little since. Lucius didn’t care what she did as long as it didn’t interfere with him. Draco never wanted her to discover his foray into feminine joys. He prayed that she wouldn’t return before the leech was gone.
Scanning through the volume, he hoped to take his mind off the squirming beast. It was something that had become imperative to keeping his sanity. If he didn’t think about it, he was less likely to try and injure himself. Over the weeks he’d entertained several thoughts, in his most depressed hours, of ridding himself of the burden. Fortunately, the idea of purposely stabbing a knife into his belly had made him sick and he couldn’t go through with it.
Shifting in the cushioned chair, he tried to ease some of the pressure in his back. He’d stood for too long today, which was why he was in pain. So for the remainder of the time before dinner, he was sitting and reading, an activity he was doing more often these days. So far he’d learned some interesting things about rare species of strangle weed and several other dangerous plants.
The parasite rolled over. Draco suddenly felt light headed as it struck a particular nerve. Cringing, he reminded himself once more that it would soon be over. It had grown so large, it looked like he’d swallowed a Quaffle.
Thankfully Lucius was making him stay within the confines of the manor. He didn’t want the wizarding community to know his embarrassment. A man shouldn’t be pregnant. Draco firmly agreed. He couldn’t imagine going out and running into anyone he knew. What would he tell them? How could he explain this? It’d be even worse if he saw Potter. He didn’t want to imagine the look of horror on his face. He might even keel over dead from the shock, a thought that actually made Draco smile momentarily.
“We need to discuss your condition,” Lucius said coolly, surprising Draco. The elder Malfoy had a bad habit of coming into a room without being heard. There were times his son wished he’d acquired this ability. This wasn’t one of those times.
“Y-yes, Father.” Draco pulled the book over his rapidly beating heart. As he did, the wide sleeves of his robes fell over the bulge in his abdomen. Not that they could hide the growth anymore, but it had become habit.
“I’ve done some inquiring and have come to the conclusion that we will require the services of a midwife soon,” Lucius stated calmly.
Really? Draco mentally snarled. I could have told you that!
“A witch or wizard who has had experience with this sort of situation and can understand our need for secrecy,” Lucius continued, circling his son slowly. “I’ve comprised a list.” Producing a piece of parchment from inside the folds of his robes, he held it under Draco’s nose. “You will look over it and find a suitable person. I’ve already circled the ones I believe will fill your needs. I felt you should make the final decision though, since this is your mess.” Handing the parchment to Draco, Lucius began to walk away. “We’ll need to make arrangements with whomever you choose. Just remember, it must be disposed of.” With those final words Lucius left to attend to other business.
Involuntarily shivering, Draco knew what his father wanted. The infant was to be killed of as soon as it took its first breath. True, he wished to be free of it, but he’d rather place it in an orphanage. Lucius refused to consider this option. He explained one evening, they couldn’t, that the parasite was an abomination. They didn’t need that sort of bloodline in the Malfoy family nor did they need it coming back to haunt them. The creature was a blight on the family name, it must be exterminated.
Unfolding the parchment, Draco began to peruse the list. He skipped over all the circled names, focusing on the others. There were several that had ‘unsuitable’ written next to them. One had a huge ‘X’ over the name and the words ‘extremely unsuitable’ by it. Smiling slyly, Draco refolded the parchment. Just because they were ‘unsuitable’ to Lucius didn’t mean they were to him.