The Difference Between Life and Dreams…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written By:
LegolasLover2003 aka Ashley aka LuciusLover2003

Category:
Fanfiction - Books - Harry Potter

Genre:
Angst/Drama

Disclaimer:
I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. It is all J.K. Rowlings. I also do not own Jason Isaacs... just thought I'd throw that in there since this is Lucius centered...

Note:
This story takes place between the events of "The Order of the Pheonix" and "The Half Blood Prince". There will also be flashbacks to other books and to points completely made up by me.

Present Day

His heart was pounding, beating even in his ears. Draco ran a hand through his hair, blond strands falling into the boy’s grey eyes.
That face, that horrible face. Red eyes burning into the boy’s mind, screaming at him, yelling. The visage of Voldemort loomed before him even as he sat, wide awake.
“Draco? Draco, are you alright?”
The boy looked toward the door at the sound of his mother’s voice. He tried to compose himself before finally speaking.
“I… I’m fine.” He spoke, finding that his voice was no where near as strong as he had hoped.
Narcissa however, did not push her son into telling her anything. Instead, the woman turned to leave before calling back over her shoulder.
“Breakfast should be served soon, Draco. Come downstairs please.”
Draco however remained in bed for a few more minutes. He felt chilled, and the feeling frightened him.
Had what he seen been just a dream?
Hurriedly, so as not to upset his mother with his tardiness, Draco dressed. He pulled a pair of black pants from a drawer and a long sleeved black shirt as well. Putting them on quickly, he combed his hair out and hastily rushed down to breakfast.
“You did not sleep well, I take it.” Narcissa spoke as the boy sat down across from her at the table.
Draco looked a bit uncomfortable, but he simply hid it by reaching for his glass. “I had a bad dream is all.” He replied.
“One that caused you to scream in your sleep?”
At this news the boy paled. He looked up at his mother quickly, not sure if she was joking or not.
“Surely I…”
“Why do you think I came to your door, Draco?” Narcissa replied, looking directly into her son’s grey eyes. “Why do you think we are eating breakfast at least an hour earlier than usual?”
But her son could think of nothing to say. A few moments of tense silence passed. It was eventually broken however, by a mere whisper.
“I was afraid.” Draco spoke. “And it hurt…” he looked to his mother, “And all I remember were these two red eyes, like those of the Dark Lord.”
Narcissa said nothing for a long time. “Your mind was playing tricks with you, Draco. I think you were still seeing that memory when…”
“But it wasn’t the same!” the boy shouted, “It wasn’t father, it was me!”
It was then that his mother could see the fear reflected in her son’s grey eyes. A fear that had never been there before. Draco had always been so confidant. So sure of himself. Now, to have this fear lingering in his beautiful gaze… She would not have it.
“There is nothing to fear from a dream, Draco. Come. After breakfast you have another memory to watch. Maybe more than one today, since you seem so terribly shaken up.” Narcissa smiled slightly, “Something less dark and troublesome I should think.”
Draco began to eat, though in truth he was merely picking at his food. He tried to quell the fear of his nightmare, but something inside said that his reaction had been a logical one.
After all, who would not fear being face to face with Voldemort himself?

June 8th, 1992

“Seems Severus has sent us Draco’s exam scores.”
“Already? That means the boy will be arriving home soon.”
Narcissa smiled as she swept into the room, setting the letter down before her husband and then taking a seat next to him.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” she spoke with that same smile. “I’ve missed him terribly.”
Lucius returned the smile as he opened the letter from Hogwarts, “You’re not the only one, my dear. It’s very strange to have had him in the house all these years and then to send him off to school.”
Narcissa nodded, “It’s been far too quite without him.”
“Look at this.” Her husband said, handing her the letter. “Straight marks in all of his classes.” The man laughed, but it was not the cold scathing laugh which he reserved for those outside of his family.
Lucius Malfoy was truly happy.
“He will make you so very proud one day, Lucius.” Narcissa spoke, refolding the letter.
Lucius draped an arm over his wife’s shoulders. “He already has.”

Present Day

“But I thought you said I’d get to watch two memories today.” Draco spoke, feeling quite better after that last glimpse into the pensieve.
Narcissa smiled softly, “Later, Draco. You can’t waste your entire life sitting before the pensieve. Your father would certainly not want that.”
The boy sighed slightly, “Alright… I’ll admit though that I rather enjoyed that last memory. Is that how my grades were always received?”
“Well…” and at this his mother frowned slightly, “As the years went on, your father grew busier and busier in his service to the Dark Lord. However, when we received your grades every year, he was still very much proud of you. Seeing your grades, and the welcoming you home after the term, were some of the highlights of the year recently.”
“But, mother… Was… Were you and father… Were you both truly that unhappy?” Draco ventured to ask.
Narcissa’s frown deepened. “We were both happy at times, but as the Dark Lord asked more and more of your father… well… happiness became complicated.” She turned, heading for the doorway. “I’ll leave you to whatever it is you would like to do today, Draco. I have some reading I want to catch up on.”
“I’m sorry, mother.” The boy managed to say before she closed the door.
Stopping just before the door shut, Narcissa smiled slightly, “I know, Draco.”