The Dragon in The Ice Fortress- Draco Malfoy

14

The grand Malfoy Manor was awash in the lingering glow of the New Year's Ball. The festive atmosphere that had once filled the air with laughter and music was now replaced by an almost palpable silence. The grandeur of the manor, with its opulent furnishings and glittering décor, felt subdued, as though the echoes of celebration had been absorbed by the very walls.

Draco had been called away for a discussion with his father, leaving me to wander through the sprawling corridors of the manor. The vastness of the estate, coupled with the soft crackle of the hearths, created an eerie tranquility that seemed almost unnatural after the evening's revelry.

My curiosity, fueled by a mixture of restlessness and intrigue, led me to explore areas of the manor that were unfamiliar to me. Each room was a testament to the Malfoy family's wealth and influence, filled with exquisite artifacts and portraits that seemed to watch my every move. As I wandered, I came across a dimly lit corridor that led to a heavy door adorned with the intricate Slytherin crest. The door was partially ajar, and I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

Inside was a study that seemed to have been untouched for years. Dust motes floated in the air, illuminated by the flickering light of a solitary lamp. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and magical artifacts filled the room, their surfaces coated with a layer of dust. At the center of the room stood a large, dark wood desk, cluttered with old documents and yellowed parchment. My eyes were drawn to a particularly worn piece of parchment that lay conspicuously among the other papers. It appeared to be a list—names, dates, and cryptic notes scrawled in a hurried hand.

Just as I was about to examine the parchment more closely, I heard the echo of approaching footsteps. Panic surged through me as I fumbled to hide the documents. My heart pounded in my chest as I scrambled behind a nearby bookshelf, barely managing to obscure the papers before the door swung open.

Lucius Malfoy entered, his sharp, calculating eyes scanning the room with a piercing gaze. His presence was imposing, and the authority in his demeanor was almost tangible. I straightened, trying to suppress the tremor in my voice.

"What are you doing here?" Lucius's voice was cold, his tone devoid of any warmth.

"I—I was exploring," I stammered, my mind racing for an explanation. "I didn't realize this room was off-limits."

Lucius's eyes narrowed as he stepped further into the room. "This study holds sensitive information. You have no right to be here."

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "I didn't mean any harm. I just found these documents and—"

Lucius cut me off with a sharp gesture. "These documents are none of your concern. They pertain to matters that do not involve you."

The dismissiveness in his tone stung, and my frustration bubbled to the surface. "I've seen enough to know that you're still deeply involved with the Dark Lord. You're still supporting him."

Lucius's eyes flashed with anger, his expression hardening. "How dare you speak to me like that. You know nothing about what I am involved in or why."

"I know enough," I shot back, my voice rising with indignation. "I've heard the rumors, and it's clear you haven't changed. You're still part of something dangerous and cruel. And you're dragging Draco into it too."

Lucius's face darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "My affairs are none of your business. You'd do well to remember your place."

At that moment, Draco appeared in the corridor, his face etched with concern as he saw us. "What's going on here?"

Lucius's gaze shifted to his son, and he replied curtly, "Thalia was snooping around in a restricted area. She's been intruding where she doesn't belong."

Draco's eyes flickered between Lucius and me, a mix of anger and worry on his face. "Is that true?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I found some documents, but it's more about what I've learned. Lucius is still deeply involved with the Dark Lord. He's hiding things and dragging you into it too."

Draco's face flushed with a mix of anger and distress. Lucius's demeanor shifted from anger to a cold, dismissive calm. "Draco, this is not the time to discuss such matters."

Draco's jaw tightened as he looked at me, his expression conflicted. "Let's go. I'll take you back to your room."

As we left the study, the weight of the confrontation hung heavily between us. The corridors seemed even quieter now, the grandeur of the manor failing to comfort me in the wake of the tense exchange. The silence was punctuated only by the soft echoes of our footsteps as we walked.

Draco's silence was palpable, and I could feel the tension radiating from him. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that. My father can be... difficult."

"I'm sorry too," I said softly, my heart aching with regret. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I just... I couldn't stand to see him acting like he's untouchable while still being involved in such dark things."

Draco stopped in the middle of the corridor, turning to face me. The flickering light from the sconces cast a gentle glow on his face, highlighting the conflict in his eyes. "I appreciate you standing up for what you believe in. But you need to understand, this is a dangerous situation. It's not just about what my father is involved in—it's about how it affects everyone around us."

I nodded, feeling the sting of the day's events but also the comfort of Draco's understanding. "I understand. I just hope we can find a way to deal with this without putting ourselves in too much danger."

Draco reached out, gently taking my hand in his. His touch was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the coldness of the manor. "We'll figure it out. Together."

We continued our walk through the manor, the quiet of the night broken only by the distant sound of the wind howling outside. The grandeur of the estate seemed to fade into the background as we made our way to my room. The soft light from the sconces illuminated our path, casting long shadows on the walls.

As we reached my door, Draco paused, his expression thoughtful. "Do you want to talk more about what you found? I can't promise anything, but I'd like to help if I can."

I considered his offer, the weight of the documents and the confrontation still fresh in my mind. "I think for now, I just need some time to process everything. But thank you for being here, Draco. It means a lot."

He nodded, giving me a reassuring smile. "Take all the time you need. I'm here whenever you're ready."

With that, I watched as Draco turned and walked down the corridor, his figure slowly fading into the shadows. I closed my door, leaning against it as I took a deep breath. The events of the night had left me feeling unsettled, but Draco's support was a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

As I prepared for bed, my thoughts kept returning to the documents and the unsettling realization of Lucius's continued involvement with the Dark Lord. The quiet of my room was a stark contrast to the turmoil in my mind. I knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Draco by my side, I felt a renewed sense of determination.