Chapter One: Secrets

The air surrounding the Malfoy Manor seemed more ominous than usual, making the premise more serious and daunting. The elaborate wrought iron gates were closed, signaling that the usually sporadic house calls from friends of their social circle were not welcomed at this time… and for good reason. The Malfoys were preparing for a death in the family. In the past month, Malfoy Senior's health deteriorated rapidly, and even the best medi-witch that money could buy would not be able to stop Abraxas Malfoy's liver and kidneys from failing.

Abraxas sighed a weak breath. Death was near, and today is the day, he thought. Today will be the day to end it.

Malfoy Senior adjusted his head on the pillow to get a better glimpse at the view beyond the bay windows in his master suite. He knew that house elves were busy making the final preparation of the rectangular grave site behind the manor. He tried to crane his head for a better look, but his head quickly dropped back onto the pillow, strength leaving him.

"Wonky," he croaked feebly. With a pop, Wonky, the house elf who served the Malfoy house since Malfoy Senior was a mere boy, rushed to his master's side with large, inquisitive eyes, ready to do his master's bidding (perhaps his last).

"Yes… master?" he stuttered timidly.

"Call Lucius," Abraxas breathed.

"Right away, sir." Wonky popped away and Abraxas closed his eyes. He didn't need to wait long, in less than a minute, Lucius burst in through the door and with a few long strides, he was at his father's bedside.

"You called, Father?" Lucius voice was calm and devoid of any emotions. While it pained him to see his father in such a vulnerable state, Malfoys were taught and trained at a young age to hide their emotions. The more you reveal on your face, the easier it is for enemies to read it and use it against you.

Abraxas, even as weak as he was, threw the Malfoy trademark smirked and gave a small nod of approval. His son was ready to carry on the prestigious family name. There was no doubt about it. He was also comforted by the fact that Lucius and Narcissa already produced an heir. His only regret would be not having the chance to spoil his grandson rotten. In fact, young Draco would have no memory of his grandfather, since the boy was not even five months old.

"Cast a silencing charm, boy" he ordered. Lucius quickly drew out his wand, and with a quick flicks, all windows were shut, doors were locked, and the silencing charm was in place.

"There are some… secrets… that I need to pass on to you, my boy."

Lucius eyes widened for a fraction of a second before returning to his stoic expression. "Judging from the fact that you asked me to seal ourselves in, these are secrets sealed with an unbreakable vow…" He looked into his father's eyes and added "and a secrecy clause?"

Abraxas nodded and confirmed his son's suspicions.

Today was the day that Abraxas Malfoy will die. Not at the hands of his failing organs, but because he willingly disclosed the details under the secrecy clause embedded within the unbreakable vow to a third party. The vows that he had made with Voldemort and Nott Senior will take his life, but at least he will die without taking the burden of the secrets to his grave.

Lucius's fair complexion paled as his father closed his eyes in concentration.

"Quickly, grab the vials on my night stand" he said.

Lucius used silent magic to summon the vials over and snatched it in mid-air. He uncorked the small cork just in time as some silvery liquid was emitted from the corner of his father's eye. Lucius positioned the opening next Abraxas's face, and watched as the liquid streamed in.

"Get another." Abraxas struggled to get the words out and Lucius quickly did as he bade.

As soon as Lucius put the stopper into the second vial and sent it aside, Abraxas summoned the last ounce of his energy to clasp his son's hands in his and drew him in close.

"Listen to what I have to say, my boy. I know I don't say this enough, if at all, but I'm proud of you. Protect our family from him at all costs."

Lucius swallowed hard. He knew that his father was warning him against the Dark Lord, who had disappeared just a few weeks ago, at the hands of an infant no less.

"He…he will surely rise again," Abraxas took a deep breath, as if to prepare to speak his next words all in one go, and held Lucius's hands even tighter. "He wants to use our young Draco as his heir. He will destroy him from the inside and use him as his vessel..."

Without warning, Abraxas released Lucius hands as if they were hot coals and made to clutch at his heart. He was in pain and Lucius could not hide behind his mask anymore. His eyes flashed with worry and his voice cried with urgency, "Father! Father, what's wrong? Where does it hurt?" All the while, he knew that there was no way to prevent the inevitable tortuous death that befalls on one that reveals a secret to another that was not privy to the information.

Abraxas gritted his teeth and continued, though his face was contorted with so much pain. "And watch over my god-child's daughter…protect her in my place"

This was news to Lucius. "You had a god-child?" he asked incredulously.

Malfoy Senior was panting short breaths at this point, his life force slowly slipping away. "N…Nott," he stuttered. "had a squib child. He chose to abandon him in the muggle world, and he eventually wedded Greengrass' squib daughter and have a daughter of their own."

His father heaved and coughed out some blood. His last plea came out in a mere whisper. "Please, look after them for me, he is a Nott through and through, not… a Granger."

Abraxas's eyes rolled to a close and his hand fell limp against his side, lifeless.

Lucius was stunned and knowing that he was the only living soul inside that room, he let out an anguished roar and let the tears stream down his face. Merlin knows that he can't let a single tear fall during his father's wake.

A/N: This idea has been stuck in my head for awhile. Please let me know what you think!