Mamihlapinatapai

A Little Family Problem⋆｡°✩

TW child abuse

Smack! The boy fell to the floor. His raven hair was cut short, per request of his uncle, but it was still long enough to cover his ears. He refused to wear any hair products unlike his cousin, so it was 'untamed and sloppy', to Lucius' disdain. He didn't seem to grow much over the summer, but he did gain permanent eyebags. He grimaced at the fresh bruises on his body that he'd have to cover up whenever they went out.

"Say you're sorry," The man standing over him ordered. He looked down at Atlas with rage in his eyes.

"S- I'm...I'm sorry." Atlas trembled. His body shook with fear. Hot tears ran down his face. He tried to wipe them away but they kept coming. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Stop crying. You're pathetic." Lucius spat. He grabbed Atlas by the shirt and pulled him up to his feet. "Stand up like a man...I can't believe you're the son of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange. You're weak."

"I'm...I'm not weak," Atlas mumbled. Lucius raised his hand. Atlas scrambled back. "No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please. Please, no." Lucius straightened out.

"I don't want to hear your smart little remarks." He told the boy. "You will stay quiet, and you will listen to me. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, sir," Atlas repeated, still trembling.

"Good. And if I hear about any more messing around with those... imbeciles, we are going to have problems. Understand?"

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"You're dismissed."

Atlas left and went back to his room. He quietly closed the door to avoid making any noise that would set off Lucius. He didn't know how much more yelling he could take. He gently touched the place he had been hit. It stung as he ran his fingers over it.

There was a soft knock on the door. Atlas looked up, afraid of what was on the other side. The door opened slowly to reveal his cousin. He stood there with a look of pity on his face. Atlas quickly looked away, ashamed. His eyes teared up as he bit his lip.

"Go away," he muttered.

"At-" Draco started.

"I said go away!" Atlas yelled at him. He turned to face his cousin. All of his anger washed away when he saw the look on Draco's face. "Please...just leave. I don't want you to get hurt too."

"But-"

"Please, Draco. Just go."

"I want to stay."

"Why? I'm the screw-up! Why would you want to stay with me? I'm the blood traitor. You know that! Just go away. Leave me alone."

"Atlas..."

"I won't say it again."

"...Alright."

Draco softly closed the door behind him. Atlas' hand went to his neck and he pulled the chain out from under his jumper and fidgeted with the small glass bottle. That became a nervous tic of his. It reminded him of a time when he was carefree and happy. A feeling he hasn't felt for a while. He sighed and laid his head against the wall as he felt the cold emitting from it.

The day he got home from Hogwarts, Lucius was fuming. He couldn't get over how Harry Potter tricked him into freeing his house elf. Atlas was sad at first, missing Dobby's presence. But he knew it was for the best. He never liked how Lucius treated him. He could always see him at Hogwarts, where Dobby was staying.

His heart clenched at the thought of Hogwarts. He couldn't wait to go back. Far away from Lucius. But what fun would it be without seeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione? Atlas groaned in frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the second to last week of summer break and Lucius was taking the boys to Diagon Alley. Atlas found it difficult not to flinch or whimper when his measurements were being taken for his new school robes. Lucius insisted that they get new ones every year.

They made their way over to Flourish and Blotts to buy their new school books. Atlas looked at the brick walls and noticed they were filled with wanted posters of Sirius Black. Atlas heard about him from Narcissa. Apparently, Sirius was her cousin.

After they finished their shopping, they went to the Leaky Cauldron. Lucius was meeting a co-worker of sorts. Atlas' side was aching by the time they made it into the pub.

"Go wait at that table," Lucius demanded. He gestured to an isolated table in the back.

The boys nodded and began walking over to it. Draco stopped short and scoffed. Atlas tilted his head in confusion and followed his gaze to none other than Harry Potter. Along with the Weasleys and Hermione.

Atlas' heart swelled and his mouth became dry. He noticed Harry grew a lot. He'd probably be able to tower over Atlas. His hair was an absolute bird's nest, messier than he's ever seen it. It was sloppily swept to the side, making his scar visible.

He snapped out of his daze when he felt a piercing pain in his side. Draco elbowed him. "The hell was that for?" Atlas grumbled.

"You spaced out. Did you even hear what I was saying?"

Atlas stayed silent.

Draco sighed. "Let's say hello." Atlas groaned in annoyance but followed his cousin.

"Hey, Potter!" Draco called as he made a beeline toward him. Harry rolled his eyes when he saw Draco. "A bit feisty, are we?"

"What do you want, Malfoy?" He asked in a bored tone. His eyes drifted to Atlas

"Looks like-"

Atlas didn't hear what Draco was saying. He felt like his heart stopped as he stared into his green eyes.

Atlas tore his eyes away and looked at the floor, counting the cracks. He didn't understand why his heart was running a mile a minute. Or why his stomach felt weird. Maybe it was the feeling of emptiness, longing for something just out of his reach.

"Right, Atlas?" Draco asked.

"Huh?" Atlas looked up from the floor and at his cousin. "Yeah, right," He mumbled.

Ginny walked over to the three of them. "What does he want?" She asked Harry, who shrugged.

"Aw, look, it's your girlfriend coming to the rescue again." Ginny's face flushed pink. Ron and Hermione walked over when they noticed the commotion. "And Weasel and his Mudblood!"

"At least I'm no bleached blond!" Hermione retorted.

Atlas bit his cheek to hide his smile. Draco's face contorted with anger. He always got pissed off when people mentioned his hair. "How dare you! My f-"

"Father will hear about this," The four Gryffindors finished. Atlas looked over at Draco, who looked like he wanted to murder them.

"I thought I told you boys to wait at the table."

Atlas stiffened at the sound of Lucius' voice. "Sorry, Father," Draco said through clenched teeth. Both boys turned to face him.

"Come, we're leaving." Lucius glared at Atlas and walked away. He knew he was going to get another beating.