Within the Manor

The Houses Competition:

House: Hufflepuff

Year: 3rd

Category: Drabble [200-750 words]

Prompt: [Setting] Malfoy Manor

Additional Requirement: Family

Word Count: 228


As someone in the Dark Lord's inner circle, Lucius Malfoy knew very well what he was capable of. He knew how much power he has, how easy it is for him to ruin lives. He was terrified of his power.

When the Dark Lord was vanquished by Potter as an infant, he had secretly been glad. With the birth of his own son, Draco, he knew he had to protect his family more than anything. The Dark Lord would make that difficult.

But the Dark Lord is back. He is alive. He is in their manor. He requested Draco to kill Dumbledore, and Lucius knows it's too much for his poor son.

"We will make sure you'll be okay," Lucius told him. Narcissa nodded in agreement.

"Severus will make the vow, and will take of it if you can't," she added, trying to make her son feel better.

But it was a vain attempt. Draco couldn't be appeased by that. He can't even begin to think of taking his headmaster's life.

"We will all be okay," Lucius kept repeating to them, like a mantra. Maybe if he said it enough, it would come true.

Severus makes the Unbreakable Vow, like he said he would. But they all know that's not enough to lighten up the grey atmosphere in the Malfoy Manor.

Not while the Dark Lord is alive.