Welcome to the Family

Oh how I despise the holidays, Lucius Malfoy thought angrily.

He was currently sitting in his private study with his feet propped up on the desk and a large bottle of fire whiskey in his hand. The once full bottle was now nearly empty which did nothing to improve his mood.

Without warning he stood up slamming the glass bottle onto the desk and bellowing harshly, "ELF! Where are you? Get your lazy, useless ass in here!"

The unfortunate creature appeared in a matter of seconds, but this was apparently too slow for his master. While continuing to shout and curse at the elf, Lucius picked it up by the neck and squeezed while shaking it hard. The elf knew better than to struggle with its violent master and took the abuse quietly. He belonged to Master and Master could do whatever Master pleased with him.

After about a minute, the elf went limp in his master's grasp. Lucius smirked and dropped the unconscious creature unceremoniously to the floor. He then sat back down in his chair as if nothing had happened. His face which had displayed such anger while abusing the elf was now eerily calm. He had needed to relieve some stress. His family was coming.

It was a week until Christmas and tonight what was left of the Malfoy family and its friends would start showing up. Lucius loathed the idea of having them stay in the manor, but his dear wife had insisted on it. Lucius had told her no, but she had sent out invitations anyway. Lucius had been furious with her. He had beat her and locked her in one of their home's many bathrooms, refusing to let the house elves bring her food or tend to her wounds.

When he had finally let her out she looked terrible, but with a couple of spells he had perfected, she looked brand new. He held no affection for her and she despised him. Their marriage was for the purpose of creating an heir and since that was accomplished with Draco, they wanted nothing to do with each other. Divorce would have been ideal, but was not an option in the pure-bred world. Instead for the past several years they had been living on opposite sides of the manor.

They shared meals together from time to time but would rarely speak to one another. When they did it was to argue. At public functions they would go together and act the part, but it was only show. Once they returned home Lucius would get drunk and Narcissa would hide in her room.

Lucius downed the last of the whiskey and made a displeased face. He would have to share a room with Narcissa while the guests were here.

The elf on the floor began to cough and wheeze as it regained consciousness. An annoyed expression crossed Lucius' face as he cast a silencing spell on it. It continued to make violent coughing motions which made its master smirk. Its pathetic noises were ruining his concentration. He was trying to think about business to keep his mind off of the impending intrusions on his privacy.

Just as he was thinking this he heard someone at the door. With a sigh he slowly stood up, straightening his robes, and walked out of the room. On his way he pushed the elf who had finally righted itself back onto the floor without a second glance. Quickly scrambling to its feet, the elf hurried to catch up with its master.

When he reached the front door he paused slightly before motioning for the elf to open it. In walked a young man with pale skin and white-blond hair.

"Hello father." he said coldly.

Lucius smiled thinly. Ah, his precious son. He should have know the brat would be the first to arrive.

"I see that you've brought your lovely wife and child," Lucius commented emotionlessly as he noticed the two people standing in the doorway still.

They both moved forward and Draco nodded stiffly, "One generally spends Christmas with their family. Hermione and Scorpius are part of my family."

"Yes, yes, we are so lucky to have the brilliant witch Hermione Granger as a part of the family now. No doubt she'll raise my grandchild well." Lucius smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes and his voice held thinly veiled sarcasm.

Hermione scowled understanding the meaning behind his words, "Why thank you Mr. Malfoy. I'm glad that you're so open to me being a part of your family. I thought that you would have a hard time of it considering my lineage."

"Nonsense my dear Hermione," Lucius replied his eyes narrowing, "You may be a mudblood, but that doesn't mean anything now, as long as you know your place."

Hermione's face went red and her mouth opened in shock and anger. Draco quickly stepped in between the two. "If you will excuse us father, I think we will go to our room now before dinner. We are tired from the trip and Scorpius needs a nap."

Without waiting for a reply, Draco grabbed Hermione's wrist and pulled her and Scorpius up the staircase and to his old room.

When they got there Hermione sat down on the bed and threw her hands up in the air, "I can't stand your father Draco! This is not a good idea. We should just celebrate Christmas at our own home."

"I know this isn't easy Hermione and I know that my father's not a good man, but he is Scorpius' grandfather and I do care about him still. Just please do this for me, we have been to your parent's house lots of times, but we've never come here."

"Fine, you have it easy though, at least my parents don't hate you."

Draco smiled and kissed Hermione on the cheek, "I love you."