The Half-Blood Princess- d.m

V

Serena's pov:

I felt like I was being pulled down into a nightmare as Lucius Malfoy's icy grip closed around my arm, dragging me away from the safety of my dormitory. I was apparated to my father's quarters, the darkness and silence of the room enveloping me completely. And then, I saw him. My father, his face frozen in shock and horror, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and despair.

Lucius's grip on me tightened, his fingers digging into my skin like claws. "Ah, your dear father," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "I see you're still so... concerned about your daughter's well-being." He raised his wand, its tip pressed against my throat, making me gag. "You should be grateful I'm only here to 'visit'." His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead.

My father remained motionless, unable to move or speak. I knew I had to think fast, but my mind was racing with panic and fear. What did Lucius want from us? And why was he here, in our sanctuary? The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Lucius's eyes glinted with malevolence, and I knew I had to find a way to get away from him as soon as possible before it was too late.

"Severus, do we need to take her to the Dark Lord?" Lucius's voice cut through the air like a knife, his words dripping with malice. My father's face paled, and he shook his head slowly. "Lucius, I need more time," he said, his voice laced with desperation.

Lucius's expression twisted in a cruel smile. "Severus, you have only two more weeks, if you fail to do what the Dark Lord has told you, you're done for," he sneered. "I was just simply trying to be a helping hand," he added, releasing me from his grip.

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of fear and uncertainty. Next thing I knew, Lucius had apparated out of my father's dorm, leaving me alone with the weight of his ominous threat.

I burst into the closest dormitory, hoping to find some solace in the chaos of the weekend. Hogsmeade was always a madhouse, and with the Quidditch match later that afternoon, I assumed the corridors would be empty. But as I stumbled into the anonymous dorm, I collapsed onto the nearest bed. I felt numb, overwhelmed by the weight of Lucius's words and my father's secrets.

As I lay there, I heard the sound of heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor, like someone was stomping around in steel-toed boots. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered who might be coming towards me. Was it a prefect? A professor? Or maybe even worse, one of Lucius's Dark Arts cronies? I froze, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios as I waited to see who would appear in the doorway.

"What do you think you're doing here-" Draco's voice trailed off as he entered the dormitory, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in my tear-stained face and red-rimmed eyes.

"Draco, I'm not in the mood to be called a slut or a whore or even mocked for my blood purity," I spat out, my voice trembling with anger. "Your father is a complete arsehole, that's all. I'll get out of your hair."

I saw him get up and sit himself next to me, his long fingers smoothing out the wrinkles on his dress shirt. For a moment, his mask of arrogance slipped, and I caught a glimpse of something almost...relatable. He knew his family didn't love him that much, his mother trapped in a miserable marriage with his father, and his father...well, he was just a piece of shit.

He didn't say a thing, just nodded slowly and uttered a single, curt "I understand." I was left feeling utterly bewildered, wondering if I'd misjudged him all along. The Slytherin prince who'd been so quick to belittle me since my arrival had suddenly transformed into...someone else? Had he been playing a role, or was this a genuine moment of connection?