nothing i wont do anymore

lightning field

WARNING: this chapter contains elements of narcissism, insinuations of miscarriage and manipulation. please be safe and read at your own risk.

1984. Malfoy Manor

It had not been Lucius' intention to frighten the boy (hindsight is both a blessing and a curse) but the inevitability of the fact had dawned at him when he had glanced down at his son upon returning home seeing his eyes wide brimmed with tears.

His maternal Aunt and her husband had been no help in the matter, as well as the fact that Lucius was unaware that the Dark Lords... inferior servants led by Fenrir Greyback would be present. Some members of the group had taken great pleasure in terrifying Draco, much to Lucius' anger, with the exception of Rabastian and Severus, meaning Lucius had been forced to leave the meeting early (did Bellatrix need to discuss the Longbottom plan in such detail?).

Of course, Draco, a boy of almost five had been too young to understand the gravity of their words, but the howling laughter, snarls and screams of pure anger and delight would terrify any child. Still, Lucius applauded his son's attempt at composure, given away by the quiver of his bottom lip and the tightness of the grip on his fathers cane.

"Now Draco," Lucius said smoothly, sitting his son down on the couch. "Mother does not need to know about our little... adventure tonight, you think? Papa might have something in it for you if you agree."

Draco was momentarily distracted and looked up at his father. "What it would be?" he asked.

"What would it be?" Lucius corrected. "Perhaps a chocolate frog."

Draco seemed to ponder this for a moment before looking back up at him, his face the image of Narcissa's. "Two." he said. Lucius raised an eyebrow.

"Two." he agreed. Draco smiled and nodded, hopping off the couch to reap the rewards of his service to his father, and Lucius was satisfied.

And Narcisa was none the wiser to her husband's relief, that was until the sky was very dark and her son awoke amidst the terror of a dream consumed with the black swirling figures of dark-cloaked wizards and wolves running rampant in his mind. And Lucius knew the game was up.

Narcissa had spent much of the night in her son's room holding him close, stroking his hair gently and kissing his forehead. And just when she though he had settled back to sleep and she could sneak back to her own bed (perhaps to murder her husband) her son would awake in another fit of terror and tears. Narcissa was concerned and exhausted herself, laying by his side and rubbing his back, hoping that her presence through the night was enough to help him sleep for more than an hour.

By six in the morning when the bird showed themselves by singing loudly it was clear that the terror inducing dreams had not only prevented young master Malfoy from sleeping, but he was now unwell with a fever. Narcissa had opened the door of her bedroom with Lucius very loudly as he stirred in bed- had he fallen asleep, that had not been his intention- carrying their son into the bathroom in the hopes that a cool bath would bring him some sort of relief. The sound of the lock clicking was loud in Lucius' ears. He could, of course, use his wand to unlock it, however he wasn't sure what he would face on the other side of that door.

Using her own wand, Narcissa moved the lukewarm wand over her son whilst keeping him close with her other hand. She touched his forehead gently and pushed his silver hair out of his eyes. The exhaustion of the night was creeping up on him and his mother knew that with the cool relief of the water as well as being tucked into the familiar sheets of her own bed that Draco was sure to sleep soundly for a few hours at the very least.

The scooped up her son and with a flick of her wrist a fluffy towel was around his small body. His small hand secured around the edge of her robe and his face nestled against her neck as he already began to sleep. She opened the door and was slightly satisfied to see the bed empty as she moved over to it and settled Draco down, still in the towel. She would get his pyjamas from his room, but she did not wish to disturb his rest.