nothing i wont do anymore

waiting game

Malfoy Manor, December 1978

It was Christmas time. Fires were lit, families were huddled together at home in the evenings, warm and content. Husbands were kissing their wives rosy cheeks, holding their children close. Even at the Ministry, there was a shift in mood. Men who had hardly spoken a word to each other all year were suddenly smiling and making frivolous greetings as they passed in the hallways. Lucius Malfoy attempted to engage in such festivities too for appearances sake, but even the holiday couldn't diminish the creeping sense of urgency that arose from The Dark Lord's steady rise in alliances. Still, many witches and Wizards attempted to put this darkness from their minds to enjoy the winter festivities.

But tonight, once again, Lucius was not afforded the luxury of being at his home with his wife. He was sitting in the dining hall of Rodolphus Lestrange, surrounded by The Dark Lord's most loyal supporters. Lucius was honoured to be here. He had worked tirelessly since Hogwarts to surround himself with Wizards and Witches of worthy calibre, and here they all were. On the right side of the Wizarding War.

But something didn't feel right for Lucius on that cold December night. His palms were sweaty as he carefully positioned them underneath the fabric of his black coat, the one Narcissa had so carefully embroidered for him for a birthday years before. His eyebrows moved towards each other just slightly- the only outward sign of his unease.

"You wish not to be here Lucius?" came the shrill voice of Bellatrix. Of course she was watching him. Her beady dark eyes were fixated on his face, as were her husbands.

"I worry only for the wellbeing of your sister Bellatrix. She is unwell tonight." He answered easily, refusing to be intimidated by her manic gaze. "As I imagine your husband would worry about yourself."

Her eyes narrowed and she growled under her breath, her eyes darting from her husband to her wand which was resting on the table in front of her. Lucius knew her marriage to Rodolphus was less than loveless. He imagined if she had married anyone it would be loveless. The only feeling Bella was know to have was rage and devotion to The Dark Lord. If it helped his cause, Lucius didn't care. He just never wished to inflict the punishment of her presence on his wife.

Even with the satisfaction of wounding Bellatrix's pride, he still could not shake the unease. He shouldn't be here tonight. He should be at the manor with his wife. Severus Snape cast him a short look from across the table. Lucius knew he still felt indebted to him from their high-school days, and Lucius was happy for him to feel that way, as it had helped him on a multitude of occasions but he did not need to engage Snape in his personal matters.

Lucius shifted in the wooden chair but kept his eyes fixed on the table in front of him. The Dark Lord was not even in attendance tonight, with much more pressing matters at hand. There was supposedly a prophecy, one about his downfall, so of course that needed to be dealt with. A third pang in his chest told Lucius all he needed to know and he stood up.

"Leaving so soon Lucius?" Bella sneered.

"Unfortunately so." He said without further explanation, touching his left forehead briefly over his sleeve. "Thankyou for your hospitality Rodolphus."

"My sister calling you home, Lucius? What an obedient husband." Bella leered with a sort of shrieking laugh that no one joined in with. Only Bellatrix Lestrange would dare laugh at Lucius Malfoy.

"Of sorts Bella. As I have already told you, she is unwell tonight." Lucius repeated boredly. With his imminent departure, many other Death Eaters also stood to return to their own families. Lucius adjusted his coat and walked from the dining room without a further word. His heart was racing in his chest and he had a sinking feeling about why that was.