Chapter 2

The youngest Weasley

Walking through Diagon Alley, Cygnus made sure to keep an eye out for his friends. Just a few days back both he and Draco got their letters, with a lengthy list of school supplies. Of course, just like last year, Draco pestered their father until he agreed to take them to buy their school supplies, only giving in because apparently he had some business to conduct at Borgin and Burkes.

Upon arrival, which their father brought them by means of apparition, his father led them to the store tucked inside Knockturn Alley, and alley he and his brother had visited often with their father. Most families tended to avoid it, but the Malfoys have always held a certain degree of respect there, which is why they didn't fear going in there. However, this time Cygnus asked his father if he could go his own separate way. Both his father and brother looked at him suspiciously, but neither said anything of it and his father simply told him that they'll meet back in two hours at the entrance of Knockturn Alley. With that Cygnus left, while Draco accompanied their father to Borgin and Burkes.

Diagon Alley was incredibly busy as it always was during this time of year. People, young and old walked through the streets going into shops, and laughing along with family and friends. Young kids who were probably starting their first year at Hogwarts, stood in line at Madam Malkin's to get fitted into a new set of robes. Older Hogwarts students, on the other hand, crowded into Gambol and Japes, or Broomstix where they stood outside the window to awe at the new Nimbus 2001. Before they came to Diagon Alley their father promised both he and Draco that he'll buy them one since they're allowed to bring their brooms to Hogwarts for the first time. Cygnus had declined his father's present, seeing as he had the Nimbus 2000 James and Lily got him. Of course, his father hadn't been happy about that, but he let it go and promised to buy him a new set of the finest cauldrons instead.

"Look, mom! It's Cyg!" A small, obnoxious and familiar voice said, and Cygnus had to refrain from groaning.

Up ahead, protruding from the crowds of people, a small raven-haired boy smiled at him. The boy, which was shorter than Cygnus, was wearing a neat suit, instead of regular robes like the others. The boy's cheeks were freckled, and his eyes sparkled with untampered energy, with a crooked smile on his lips.

"Nathaniel." Cygnus sighed, not sounding at all pleased with seeing the boy.

"It is you Cyg! I haven't seen you in a long time!" The boy said, running to where he was standing and pushing a few people who glared down at the boy.

Cygnus smiles down at Nathaniel, but it looked more like a grimace than anything. Out of all the people in the Malfoys circle of friends, the one group he disliked the most were the Bullwarks, and simply because their son was a pain to be around.

He is an obnoxious, spoiled rotten, trouble maker, and overall just annoying. His parents were amicable at best too, believing themselves just as good as the other pureblood families even though they weren't. He didn't care about people's blood status, but he hated it when people pretended to be something they weren't. The Bullwarks are a normal half-blood family, who weren't exactly bursting with gold but not poor either, and yet for some reason, they chose to dress and act as if they were.

"Oh, Cyg what a pleasant surprise." Mr. Bullwark said, coming to stand behind his son.

was a short man, with raven short hair, and a well-kept beard. He wore a suit like robe, and a gold pocket watch chain hung from his vest pocket. who made her way to where they stood, had chocolate brown hair that flowed to her shoulders. She was also, elegantly dressed with a red dress and a long necklace.

Despite his dislike of the family, Cygnus smiled and shook their hands in greeting.

"It's good to see you Mr, and Mrs. Bullwarks." Cygnus greeted, trying to ignore Nathaniel who looked annoyed that they were taking so long to greet, and simply wanted to talk Cygnus ear off.

"And you as well young Malfoy," he said with a smile, and turning his head as if looking for someone.

"Did you father come with you? I was meaning to talk to him about business, my company and I-"

"Who cares dad!" Exploded Nathaniel, unable to hold himself any longer.

Both Mr. and didn't say anything, nor did they looked angry at their son, in fact, they smiled tenderly at him, as if his burst of anger was cute to them, for Cygnus however it was not.

"I'm sure Cyg doesn't want to talk about your dumb job, he wants to talk about more interesting things, like quidditch, or Hogwarts. Right Cyg?" Asked Nathaniel, with a smile which Cygnus didn't return.

"I-"

"Of course you do, see dad," Nathaniel said, before Cygnus could so much as say a word, and that put him on edge.

He hated Nathaniel, even Leon who was obnoxious sometimes didn't hold a candle to the boy. By Merlin, even Draco wasn't as spoiled as he was, seeing as their father kept them in line if they got too ahead of themselves. The Bullwarks however, they were happy with letting their son rule over the family, not once scolding their son for his foul behaviour.

"I'm starting Hogwarts this year, did you know?" Asked Nathaniel proudly, as if he'd done the most incredible thing ever.

Did he ever. Of course, he knew Nathaniel would be coming to Hogwarts, he had dreaded the moment ever since he'd met him. He knew that he would be sorted into Slytherin, there was no house better for him, and he wanted to groan at the thought that he had to live around him for not just an entire year, but for six years! For a second he contemplated Dobby's warning of not going to Hogwarts. He'll be miserable if he didn't get to go, but at least he'll be as far away from the obnoxious kid.

"I'll be sorted into Slytherin, just like you Cyg," Nathaniel said smugly, and that reminder of his fate was the last straw.

"That's great Nathan, and I can't wait to hear it all when classes start, but I have somewhere I need to be." He told him, and before Nathaniel could open his mouth to retort, Cygnus walked around the family and waved back at them, losing himself through the crowds as fast as he could before they thought about going after him.

Looking back to make sure they hadn't followed, Cygnus kept walking ahead, managing to get through the large crowds with less difficulty than last year. It might not be as much as Draco, but he had grown to a more respectable height, he no longer felt like he would be trampled to death anymore.

As he walked through the scorching heat, he began thinking about the imminent danger that's going to be coming to Hogwarts this year, it wasn't a very cheerful thing to think about, but it was either that or curse everyone.

Dobby's warning had been welcoming seeing as he at least knew something was coming, but on the other hand, he knew next to nothing as to what the danger was. Of course, his first thought was that whatever his father was planning had something to do with the Dark Lord. However, Dobby later told him that it didn't have anything to do with the Dark Lord, and Cygnus was confused. Who other, then the Dark Lord, possibly cause terrible things to happen at Hogwarts? The list wasn't very big, so whatever the danger was he just knew it couldn't be a person, perhaps-

"Cygnus! Cygnus! Over here!"

Cygnus looked up from his shoes and saw Hermione at the entrance of Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, in her hand was a large cauldron. When their eyes met, she ran down the small steps to meet him, her bushy brown hair flying behind her.

"Hello Cyg." she greeted cheerfully, with a smile that Cygnus returned.

"Hello there Hermione." he greeted back.

Ever since the end of their first year at Hogwarts, he hadn't seen Hermione. She -unlike him- lived in the muggle world, a world he'll never be a part of nor would he like to visit. Last year as a Yule present she got him a book on muggles, and though he read it to appease her, and though he knew a little more about them, he still didn't like them one bit.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but before she could another voice called out.

"There you two are!"

Both Cygnus and Hermione looked to the side, and at Ron and Neville who were making their way through the large crowds of people.

"We'eve been looking for hours, where have the two of you been?" asked Ron gasping for air from having to had to run all the way, Neville was doing likewise.

"I just got here," said Cygnus.

"And I was with my parents exchanging muggle money," Hermione said, and Cygnus had to try really hard not to grimace.

Just a day ago, once his father agreed to take them to Diagon Alley, he told his friends he would be there and that they should meet up. Of course, it had been hard to coordinate everything, but everyone eventually agreed to meet.

"We told you we'd meet at 10 PM sharp, and it's exactly 10 PM, honestly Ron." Hermione scoffed, and Cygnus nodded in agreement.

Ron looked a little sheepish that he had forgotten that little detail, but he quickly put it behind him as he gave them a wide smile.

"Well we're all together now," he said patting Cygnus on the shoulder.

Just like Hermione, Cygnus hadn't seen Ron, nor Neville since the end of the term. Their families didn't exactly meet eye to eye, so coming over to the Burrow was out of the question. Ron did send him a few owls practically begging to come over, but Cygnus declined them all.

Cygnus was about to ask them what they wanted to do, but before he could he saw a little flash of red hair standing behind Ron, and he narrowed his eyes curiously.

Noticing what he was looking at, Ron looked behind him, and got out of the way with a smile.

"Hermione this is my sister Ginny."

Behind Ron, practically hiding behind his shoulder stood a girl smaller than Ron, but with the same red hair as he. She had freckled cheeks as most of her family did, and her eyes were chocolate brown. Her cheeks which held a lot of baby fat, were as red as her hair as she looked at both he and Hermione, especially him. Cygnus looked down at her confused. He met Ginny during the Christmas party, and though she hadn't said a word to him then, he didn't remember her behaving this odlly.

"Hey there Ginny," Hermione said with a smile, extending her hand to the other girl.

The smaller red hair looked at Hermione's hand for a short while, but then she took her hand and shook it, her blush decimating slightly as she looked at Hermione instead.

"She's starting her first year at Hogwarts this year, so we have to buy all her school stuff." He told them, as Ginny let go of Hermione's hand and refused to introduce herself to Cygnus, and for a little while, Cygnus wondered if he smelled bad or something.

"Oh, we should go together," Hermione beamed, taking Ginny's hand in hers and leading her towards the shops ahead, not once asking the three boys if they were alright with that.

"But we were going to go to Gambol and Japes!" Ron whined but ultimately followed after the girls, a little annoyed.

The six of them walked through the crowded streets of Diagon Alley, the girls walking ahead of them, busy talking to one another -well Hermione more like it. Seeing as the girls were busy, Ron leaned in.

"She isn't shy or anything, she just fancies you." Ron Said.

Instantly, Cygnus cheeks reddened and both Ron and Neville chuckled in amusement.

Why would Ginny fancy him? No girl had ever fancied him before, and he didn't even know her!

"Fancies me? I never even talked to her, how can she fancy me?"

Ron shrugged.

"I don't know, girls are like that you know. After she heard you're Harry Potter she wouldn't stop talking about you," he said, and Neville nodded.

Neville had stayed with the Weasleys for a couple of weeks, so he would know about Ginny obsession with him… well for Harry Potter, not him.

Cygnus wanted to scoff at that. Ever since the world learned of his true identity, people wouldn't stop talking about him, it was all over the prophet for Merlin's sake.

The boy who lived!

Those were the headlines on the prophet, and after that people wouldn't stop walking up to him and asking him questions, as well as looking at him in awe. There were even book, telling the story of how great he was, but it was all rubbish. He wasn't some hero that vanquished the Dark Lord, he was a boy starting his second year at Hogwarts nothing more.

"He isn't exaggerating Cyg, she really does talk about you often," Neville said, and Cygnus rolled his eyes. Just what he needed.

The six of them strolled off along the winding, cobbled street. Before they went inside any of the stores to buy their supplies, he invited them all to ice cream at Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour. The five of them all refused at first, saying it was too much money, but Cygnus waved them off. He didn't even have to pay for it on the spot, he simply told the shop keeper his name, and she noted it down, knowing that in a few hours a house-elf would be coming to give her money. That was one of the benefits of being a Malfoy, he never had to carry bags of gold wherever he went.

He and his friends slurped their ice creams happily as they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating shop windows. Ron gazed longingly at a Nimbus 2001, but Hermione didn't let him linger as she dragged them to buy ink and parchment. Along the way, they met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who looked like they were up to something with the way the sneaked around.

An hour later, and with full hands, they headed for Flourish and Blotts. They were by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop.

To their surprise they saw a large crowd jostling outside the door, trying to get in, and Cygnus wondered why until he read the large poster on the window.

GILDEROY LOCKHART

will be signing copies of his autobiography

MAGICAL ME

today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

"I can't believe he's here!" Hermione squealed, and Ginny nodded fervently

"He's written almost the whole booklist!"
Hermione said, in awe, and Cygnus rolled his eyes.

He knew Gilderoy Lockhart of course, who didn't. The famous wizard became famous from one day to another, due to his many feats in magic written in several of his books. People were obsessed with him, even his mom thought he was charming. He, on the other hand, he refrained from making any judgement for the time being. He isn't one to trust books blindly, any idiot could write a book. That being said he didn't know if Gilderoy was genuine or not, which is why he was going to wait and find out.

The six of them managed to squeeze their way inside the shop.

"Calmly, please, ladies… Don't push, there… mind the books, now…"

Wanting to get out as fast as possible, except for Hermione and Ginny who tried to look over the shoulders of the many witches ahead of them, they each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

"Oh Cygnus, Hermione there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair, as if trying to fix it, forgetting to give them a proper greeting.

"We'll be able to see him in a minute…"

Cygnus rolled his eyes, but he kept walking in the line.

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing blue robes that matched his eyes.

A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every flash.

"Out of the way there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot.

"This is for the Daily Prophet–"

"Big deal," rumbled Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it.

As if he had been trained to hear anything bad said about him, Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up, and saw Ron – and then he saw Cygnus. He stared for a little while, and Cygnus just wanted to run away before the man got any ideas.

Before he could, however, Gilderoy leapt to his feet and positively shouted,

"It can't be Harry Potter?"

At the sound of the dreaded name, Cygnus couldn't help but huff in annoyance, as he looked at the man murderously.

Instantly the crowd parted, whispering excitedly, and Lockhart dived forward, seized Cygnus arm before he could say anything, and pulled him to the front. The crowd burst into applause when they saw Cygnus startled, red face as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, with a wide smile.

"Nice big smile, Harry," said Lockhart, and Cygnus grit his teeth at the name.

"Together, you and I are worth the front page."

For a small moment, Cygnus wondered how much trouble he'd get if he wiped out his wand, and crushed the man? Of course, before he could give it any further thought, Lockhart let go of Cygnus hand. Before Cygnus could slide out of the way, Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulder, trapping him and Cygnus couldn't help but glare at him.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet.

"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography – which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge -" The crowd applauded again, and Cygnus huffed as if he needed any donations from anybody. He alone held a fortune larger than Lockhart could ever dream of. However, Lockhart didn't seem, to notice that as he kept smiling at the crowd.

"He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Cygnus a little shake that caused his hair to flop down over his scar.

"That he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

'Wait what?' he thought, but before he could think too much about it, the crowd cheered and clapped, none louder than Hermione who looked like she couldn't believe the news.

In less than a second Cygnus found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart.

With everyone's attention on Lockhart, Cygnus managed to slip out, staggering under the weight of the books, as he made his way to where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron.

"You can have these," Cygnus mumbled to her, tipping the books into the cauldron.

"I'll buy my own–"

"I didn't know you involved yourself with charity work Cyg."

Cygnus sighed, knowing full well who the voice belonged to. Looking up from Ginny, he came face to face with Draco who was sneering at the Weasleys.

"Let go of it Draco," Cygnus said, and the blonde's eyes quickly snapped to his with amusement.

After nearly losing his life in the third-floor corridor, and fighting alongside Neville, Ron and Hermione, one would think that Draco would at least treat them a little better, but there was no such luck. Draco was just as biased, and as much of a brat as he was before his actions last year, and he was disappointed that his brother hadn't learned anything.

"You're right, one shouldn't laugh at the misfortune of others." He said, with a sarcastic flair that only proved to annoy everyone further.

Ron who hadn't seen Draco looked up just when he was about to bump into the blond. When they came eye to eye, his eyes quickly narrowed.

"Oh, you're here too, what a surprise." Ron rolled his eyes, and Draco sneered.

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Draco, lifting his nose up in the air.

"Won't your parents go hungry for months to pay for all those?"

Cygnus rolled his eyes and looked at his brother with clear discontent, and annoyance, but Draco wasn't even looking at him so he didn't notice.

Instantly Ron went red with anger, and embarrassment and Cygnus just knew he was about to lose it. Disrespecting him didn't much matter to Ron, but if someone disrespected his family that was another thing.

Dropping his books into his cauldron he started toward Malfoy, but before he could Neville and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket.

"Ron!" Called Mr. Weasley, struggling to get through the crowds, and looking a little annoyed.

Cygnus watched the redhead as he deflated, and looked back at his father.

"What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside." Arthur said, not noticing the blond boy nor his brother who were both looking up at him, Cygnus friendly while Draco looked at him with disgust. He actually liked Arthur, he was friendly and welcoming, despite his muggle loving flaw.

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but before he could a cold, sharp voice interrupted him, a voice that caused him to freeze on the spot.

"Well, well, well – Arthur Weasley."

Instantly, Everyone in front of him looked away from him and Draco and looked behind them instead to see who the new person was. Of course, neither Cygnus nor Draco needed to see to know who it was.

As meticulous as ever Lucius was standing behind them, the head of his cane on Draco's shoulder as he used it to nudge him to the side to face Mr. Weasley, looking at him with a sneer, a sneer Draco shared, while he looked like he had been prettified. Above everything, this was the absolute worst thing he dreaded, the meeting between his father and his friends. His father hated Muggle-borns, and blood traitors with a passion like no other, as did everyone else in their family. Because of this, he would never allow either of his sons to be in the company of such people, which is why his father couldn't know. He wasn't ashamed of his friends, far from it, and he knew that if he prohibited him from being their friend then he wouldn't listen, but he really wouldn't want it to go that far. He only hoped that he didn't find out.

Mr. Weasley friendly expression changed automatically as he looked from Ron, to meet Lucius' eyes, his expression souring further as soon as their eyes met.

"Lucius," said Mr. Weasley with a hiss, nodding coldly.

Finding it hard to breathe Cygnus looked at his father, and watched as his smile widened, and his eyes narrowed in contempt, and Cygnus wanted to cringe. He just knew there was an argument coming.

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," commented his father,

"All those raids… I hope they're paying you overtime?"

Giving Ginny one cold look, who had the small redhead freeze, he reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from amid the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, he turned it and looked at it with disgust, as if the very existence of the book offended him.

While his father held Ginny's book all he could do is look at her apologetically, but she wasn't even looking at him, she was glaring at Lucius.

"Obviously not," His father said angrily this time.

"Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?" he asked with a hiss, clearly angry that someone would lower themselves to such standards for near nothing, not to mention that in his father's eyes the Weasleys defiled the very name of Pureblood.

From beside him, Draco chuckled, and Neville, Ron and Hermione turned their glares on him, while Cygnus looked uncomfortable with the whole situation. He couldn't very well stand up to his own father that would be disastrous as it would only make things worse.

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than Ron, but instead of embarrassment, it was from anger.

narrowed his eyes.

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," he said, and Cygnus could just hear the never-ending argument.

"Clearly," said his father, his pale eyes looking ahead of Arthur, and Cygnus and everyone else followed his gaze.

Behind , looking at Lucius apprehensively stood Mr. and , and Cygnus would be lying if he said his eyes didn't narrow the same way.

Among the countless people in the shop, the Grangers stood out like a sore thumb as they wore their bland muggle clothes, and their faces were filled with wonder despite the situation. For once, since his father walked into the shop, he agreed with him. What were muggles doing here? In the Wizarding world? Beside him, Draco scoffed at the Grangers which caused Hermione to glare at the blond murderously, not noticing Cygnus expression.

Lucius shook his head disappointed.

"The company you keep, Weasley… and I thought your family could sink no lower." His father hissed disgusted, and Mr. Weasley's eyes widened, and his hands began to tremble, and Cygnus just knew he was going to punch his father

However, that never happened, as Arthur didn't say anything, he just glared murderously.

Taking this as a victory, his father sneered triumphantly and practically threw Ginny's books back inside her cauldron, not even looking away from as he did.

"See you at work Weasley."

With that his father turned sharply on the spot, his robes swishing in the air, and nearly hitting the Weasleys in the face. Despite the whole confrontation, Cygnus let out a relieved sigh as his father walked away not realizing his connection to the Weasleys or anyone present.

"Draco, Cygnus." His father called sharply.

Before leaving Draco gave the Weasleys one last sneer, and swiftly turned and following behind their father, copying his posture. Cygnus looked at all of them apologetically, and turned on the spot and followed behind Draco, his posture nowhere as rigid as either of them, in fact, his back was slouched

He disliked that whole confrontation, except the part about the muggles, but at least he managed to get through it without his father finding out about his friendship with the Weasleys and Hermione, or so he thought.

Just as Cygnus stepped out of the doors, people moving out of their way as they passed them Neville called him.

"Cyg…" Neville called, and Cygnus froze and his heart stopped. For one brief second he almost turned and glare at Neville for the slip-up, but then he remembered that Neville didn't know that his father was unaware of his friendship with them. He had made sure that all his friends were aware of his father's ignorance of their friendship, and so they knew that they shouldn't ever make their friendship known to him, all except for Neville, and now Cygnus felt stupid for not realizing it sooner.

Suddenly Lucius stopped on the spot, and Cygnus looked at him almost scared. His father's cold, and confused eyes first went to his friends, then him, putting two and two together instantly. In the end, his father's eyes landed on him, their full force concentrated on him.

"Cyg?" He hissed unable to mask how angry and disappointed he was.

Cygnus didn't say anything as he averted his eyes and looked at the floor, he knew that confronting his father would only make things worse, a lot worse, and he was already in a lot of trouble. Draco, on the other hand, looked like he was glad that Cygnus secret had come to light. He had promised Cygnus he wouldn't tell their father, but that didn't mean he wasn't glad that he now knew.

His father didn't say anything on the matter there, he simply scoffed disapprovingly, and with disgust as he pulled his cold mask back on, and put the head of his cane on Cygnus back and practically dug it into his spine as he led him out of the shop.

"We'll talk later." Was all he said coldly.

Beckoning Draco, the three of them swept out of the shop, Cygnus looking behind him at his friends who looked extremely worried, even Mr. Weasley was frowning, and looking at him with worry as he was lead out of the shop.

Once they made it out of Flourish and Blotts, their father instantly brought them home via apparating, not even caring that they still had much to buy, nor that he hadn't bought Draco the Nimbus 2001 that he had promised him. Draco had whined a little, but their father was much too vivid to even answer or even notice that Draco had spoken as he angrily strode through the manor, kicking all house-elves who were scrambling to get out of his way, their faces filled with utter terror. They didn't have to be told that his father was angry, nobody did, not with the way his eyes practically set everything on fire from fury.

Both he and Draco followed closely behind him, not saying a word as they did. They knew their father wanted them to follow him, knowing full well that they were taking the route to his study where he usually took them to give them a scolding. This wasn't odd, but what was odd was that he had Draco fallow even though -for once- he didn't have anything to do with the whole thing.

Stopping dead on his track, almost causing them to bump against their father's back were it not for their quick reflexes they very well would have.

"Go to your room Draco," their father ordered, coldly.

Cygnus looked at his brother, who looked at him no longer happy that his secret had come out, but with concern clear in his eyes.

In those rare times that they did get in trouble, it was always thanks to Draco who would drag him into trouble, not once had Cygnus gotten in trouble. For a lack of a better word, he had always been the perfect son.

"Draco." Their father said sharply, causing the blond to jump a little on the spot.

For a second he thought his brother would refuse to leave, but when Cygnus gave him a reassuring nod he sighed, turned on the spot and left, leaving him alone with their angry father. He actually had wanted his brother to stay, so that he wasn't alone seeing as their mother was out visiting friends, meaning that she wasn't around to get him out of trouble as she usually did with Draco. Of course, having had received magic training since infancy, and having to duel men and woman much older than him there aren't many things that scare him, and yet his twelve-year-old mind couldn't help but fear his angry father.

Cygnus looked at his father's back, as he began walking once more and he followed closely behind. His mind remained blank as he walked, not showing his fear.

Once they made it to the study, his father opened the door and held it open for him, and Cygnus simply passed through it not looking at his father as he did. He walked through the study with his back straight and sat on the lavish green armchair in front of the mahogany desk.

Once he was seated, his father made his way to his desk, his robe swishing behind him as he did. Putting his cane -which held his wand- on the delicate desk a little too harshly, he sat on the armchair as gracefully as ever, despite the angry expression on his face.

For a brief few seconds, both of them looked at each other in the eyes, neither saying a word. Cygnus wouldn't dare speak first, his father was much too angry, more than he'd ever seen him before

When he finally broke the silence, it was after an entire minute had gone by, his voice cold, and sharp.

"I'm so disappointed in you."

Unable to help himself, his eyes widened slightly. He had expected those words, but not once had he heard them. The words hurt him a little, but if he had been a few years younger they would have hurt him even more, as he always sought to make his father proud, but now he knew there were more important things than that, something Draco still hasn't learned.

Cygnus didn't answer, nor did his father expected him to as he leaned back on his chair and looked at him with narrow angry eyes.

"From all of the ways you could have disappointed me, it had to be the worse way possible… socializing with those people!" he spat, and Cygnus flinched a little but still kept his eyes glued to his father's

"Mingling with mudblood, blood traitors and muggles, is that the kind of example I set on you?" he asked in disbelief.

Cygnus opted to not say anything and instead chose to look at everything but his father, his eyes going from book cover to book cover on the shelf. He was a little angry that he was using those words to describe his friends, they weren't some disgusting disease that needed to be eradicated quickly, they were his friends, and as capable of using magic as either of them. Not to mention that he thought that he had befriended muggles as if he would even speak to one, something his father knew. Yet, despite his anger, he kept his lips sealed which was the wrong choice.

His father's grip on his armrest tightened.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you" he ordered.

Looking up from the desk, he met his father's eyes once more, looking angrier than he had when he initially walked in the room.

"Answer the question," he ordered.

"No sir," he answered without hesitation, or doubt.

His father never taught him to socialize with muggle-borns or blood traitors he, in fact, taught him to treat them less than the very dirt below their feet. When he was a lot younger and impressionable he thought the same way his father thought, but as he got older and he learned of the many feats achieved by those undesirable people, he realized his father was wrong. Muggle-borns and blood traitors aren't less than them, they have magic and that's all that mattered.

His father huffed and wrinkled his nose into an arrogant sneer.

"I thought not."

Once more, Cygnus chose to not say anything as he simply accepted whatever his father said, or the punishment he'll give him, knowing that sometimes the path of less resistance was the wisest way to go. After all, it is often said that you can't face a dragon head-on, you exhaust it first.

"But if I didn't instil this example on you, then who did? Because as I understand it, this isn't the first time you disobeyed me," his father hissed, and Cygnus eyes widened slightly.

He looked at his father confused, his mind quickly trying to figure out what he meant, but before he could think on it further his father spoke.

"Don't think I don't know boy," he hissed icily, leaning forward on his seat so that he could meet Cygnus eyes, who still looked at him confused, a confusion that didn't last long as he got his answer.

"Dueling Marcus Flint? Showing your duelling skill to the entire Slytherin house!" he nearly yelled, and a few of the sleeping portraits stirred inside their frames.

Cygnus eyes were wide, as he looked at him shocked. How did he even know about the duel? He hadn't been there, and he knew Draco wouldn't tell him because he would get in trouble for not stopping him. The only way he could know was because someone told him, and seeing as the entire Slytherin house had been there, then it wasn't that surprising that someone had told their parents. Still though, why hadn't his father said anything before?

Noticing his shocked reaction, his father's eyes softened slightly, and he took a deep breath, calming himself down as he leaned back on his chair.

"You have disappointed me, and you have kept things for me," he said all high and mighty, and those words were the spark that caused him to snap, the spark that brought old memories back.

"Like you lied about my kidnapping?" he hissed, his brows furrowing and his nostrils flaring as he looked at his father in anger. All through the summer break, he had meant to ask his father about his kidnapping and his part in it, but he never had the time, well now was a good a time as any. He wanted to scold him and act all high and mighty while he'd done and kept worse secrets from him, then he'll do the same.

Whatever his father had expected him to say, it certainly hadn't been that as all of his anger was quickly snuffed out, and he looked at him taken aback, with his brows furrowed in confusion, as if he didn't hear what he'd said.

Just like he did, Cygnus didn't give him time to think, as he spoke again.

"It wasn't some death eater that kidnapped me eleven years ago was it?" he asked sharply, while his father still looked at him in shock.

"It was you who kidnapped me, you who made it look like I had died that night."

Cygnus grip on his armchair tightened, as he glared coldly as the face of his father.

"It was you."

For a long, while both father and son looked at each other int he eyes, neither of them saying a word as the atmosphere in the room seemed to get tenser and tenser by the second. His father -who was no longer shocked- regarded him with a lofty expression.

"I never lied to you," he said simply, and Cygnus sneered.

"No you didn't, I lied to myself because I thought it was easier to live life in arrogance, to see you as my father even though I knew from the moment you told me the truth that it was you who kidnaped me."

His father's face was almost comical as his usually composed expression changed to one of utter shock, with his mouth hanging open ever so slightly. However, Cygnus was far from amused as he looked at his father angrily.

Once more both of them remained quiet until his father seemed to gather himself, as he closed his mouth, and narrowed his eyes slightly in indignation.

"I raised you-"

"Yes I know, which is the only reason I'm not going to demand you change my name to Black, or tell the ministry," he interrupted haughtily.

Again his father looked at him shocked and taken aback, and Cygnus felt his anger flare dangerously high, as well as feel immense sadness. He didn't know what else to feel really, what could someone feel when they learned that their parents -whom they come to love, and care for- kidnapped them? He felt betrayed yes, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to hate his father even as he sat there glaring at him. He may have kidnaped him but it was him who put him on his lap and read him a story when he was just a kid, and his mother who stroked his hair and stayed by his side all night when he was sick, and his brother who he'd grown up with and pulled pranks alongside, and despite everything he couldn't just forget that, and that's what made it worse. It was so much easier to just be angry at someone.

Letting out a pained sigh, he looked at his father almost defeated.

"The only reason why I lied to myself all these years is that despite everything you and mom still raised me, and Draco is still my brother, I can't just forget that," he said softly.

His father's reaction was instantaneous as his shocked, confused, and even angry expression fell to one of sadness, as his brows softened, and the sharpness and coldness in his eyes changed to one of worry. His body even deflated, as his ever strict posture slouched slightly, and Cygnus didn't have to be told that his reaction was genuine, as he looked at his father with shock. Never in his life had he seen his father look like that, he was always so strict, and perfect that to see an imperfection felt strange.

Shocked, angry, and sad as well as a hundred other emotions, Cygnus did the only sensible thing he could think of, he stood up from his chair and walked to the door, not looking back at his father, afraid that he'll crack.

Just as he reached for the doorknob with a trembling hand, his father spoke for the first time, stopping him in his tracks.

"Cygnus." his father called, and Cygnus couldn't help but turned his head to look back at his father who was now standing and looking at him with the same saddened expression, all anger forgotten.

"I may not have had the best intentions when I took you, but you are my son just as much as Draco regardless of blood." he declared, not an ounce of deception in his words.

"And as your father, it's my responsibility to guide you in life, and that means agreeing or disagreeing with the company you align yourself with," he said softly as if afraid that he'll scare him off.

Feeling more like a marionette than a person, he nodded habitually, not wanting to feel anything on the matter. He was mentally drained from the ten-minute conversation than he had ever been in his life.

"I understand," was all he said, as with that he opened the door and exited the room, not waiting to be dismissed as he'd usually did.

Closing the door behind him with a silent thump, he looked ahead at the corridor and did the only thing he could think of. He walked to the training hall.

When I first wrote this chapter I wrote my own dialogue between Mr. Weasley and Lucius but it felt really forced, and I just couldn't pass off the opportunity to put such an awesome confrontation, so yea.

Anyways, Cyg finally snapped and gave Lucius a piece of his mind, but like I said it isn't enough to make him hate the Malfoy's. In regards to legal custody, well I'll go more into that in later chapters, but let's just say that Lucius has an incredible hold on the ministry, and he's incredibly manipulative, I wouldn't put it past him in making sure Cyg remains a Malfoy.

Now, in regards to Cynus being good or bad, at the moment it is a fifty fifty, but ***Spoilers*** I did say that this would be a dark Harry AU in chapter one so you can do with that information as you like.

Anyways , hope you liked this chapter, and see you next time.