Title: Unchangeable
Rating: K
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Lucius/Narcissa
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 425
Summary: Some things were unchangeable.
Notes:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Charms – Write about someone who has a facade opposite of his/her true being
Stratego Game Challenge: Prompt Used – Lucius/Narcissa
"Draco," Lucius imperiously stated.
"Yes?" Draco asked, impenetrable eyes locked on his father.
"Don't let me down."
Draco nodded curtly and left to get on the Hogwarts express for the very first time. His son was going for his first year at Hogwarts, and Lucius knew he would make Slytherin proud. He kept a smile off of his face, not wanting to lose the facade of stern father in front of so many onlookers.
He looked at wife, nodded slightly to her, and Apparated off of the platform.
When both Narcissa and Lucius were back at the manor, they retired to the library. They sat down on the comfortable couch. Both of them sighed as if all of their energy was zapped from their bodies.
She curled up next to him, and he wrapped his arms around her slight frame, holding her close to his body. "I wish you weren't so tough on him," she quietly admitted. Her eyes bore into his and depicted the turmoil of emotions she felt at that very moment.
"I know, but I need to be like that where anyone can see. He knows I don't mean anything by it."
"I'm sure our dragon would love to be able to hug you like the other children do. He must feel excluded from something that others have."
Lucius pressed a kiss to her forehead and breathed in her intoxicating scent. "I know, Cissa. I have too many enemies, though, and they'd use any weakness they found. Including Draco. If it protects my family, I'll be as cold and unfeeling in public as I have to be. Nothing is more important than the safety of my wife and son."
Narcissa's kiss against his neck made him tremble with desire. "Do you think we'll ever be able to act like a normal, loving family?" she whispered, her lips brushing against his neck as they formed her words.
Lucius thought about it. He thought about all of the Death Eaters who avoided Azkaban by using the Imperius defense like he did. He thought about how some of them would like to get the better of him, since Lucius had always been one of the Dark Lord's most trusted followers. He thought about the rumors about how the Dark Lord wasn't permanently dead but would actually rise again. "I really, really don't know."
Nothing more could be said after that as they basked in the quiet of their favorite room. There was nothing that could make it all better. Unfortunately, some things were just unchangeable.