AN: Hey, everybody! It's been a minute, I know.. Here's a prologue for a new story I'm thinking about writing. Please let me know what you think! I'm trying to see how much interest there is for me to continue!
Also, this is rated M for now. I'm not sure where this story will go, but I'll err on the side of caution.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter books, movies, characters, or any other affiliated works. I came across images online that were fan manips which inspired this fic.
September 1985
Narcissa Malfoy held her son, Draco, in her arms as her husband spoke at the boy. Not to, at. Lucius Malfoy's voice continued to grow louder, not expressing any concerns on the topic of discussion, but rather the threats at what would happen to the boy if he did not obey. She could feel Draco shrinking in towards her and shivering like a leaf in his fear. Narcissa cleared her voice, a well-known signal for Lucius to, quite clearly, quit talking. He sent her a glare, but went silent. Narcissa looked down at the boy in her arms, attempting to soothe him with her touch, but still impressing the seriousness of their predicament.
"Draco, darling. Do you understand what your father is trying to tell you?" She asked him in a quiet voice.
Draco looked up at his mum with his big grey eyes. "No, mummy. Why can't anyone know about Vega?" He reached for the long necklace around her neck and began fiddling with the trinket at the end of it.
Lucius sighed in exasperation, moving from his rigid posture in front of the boy and his mother. He walked across the room to gaze out the window with his hands held behind his back.
"It's hard for me to explain, dear. But, a girl hasn't been born to a Malfoy in centuries. The fact that she was born before you means that someone might even try to hurt her, or you. We can't let that happen. So for now, we must keep her a secret. Alright, my sweet?" Narcissa spoke softly, running her fingers through Draco's hair.
"Okay, mummy. I won't tell anyone about Vega. Can I go play with her now though?" Draco looked up through his lashes at her, but not before sending a fearful look towards Lucius once more.
"Of course, darling. Off you go." Narciss replied fondly.
She slid Draco off her lap and he raced towards the door excitedly. At seemingly the last moment he came to a sudden halt, and turned towards his father. Lucius had turned his head towards Draco, only raising an eyebrow in response. Draco suddenly took on a rigid posture similar to his father's.
"Thank you, father." Draco said seriously, waiting for Lucius' approval.
Lucius expression returned to a stoic one, and he gave his son a curt nod. Draco turned and walked to the door, but as soon as he reached the hallway he burst into a run again. Lucius turned back towards the window, and spoke to Narcissa.
"You mustn't do that, Narcissa. The boy needs to learn authority. Allowing you to undermine mine, teaches him to talk back. We mustn't have that."
Narcissa picked up the tea sitting on the table next to her. "Your scare tactics were not working, dear. You don't have to teach him with fear." She took a sip of her tea.
"Fear is, without a doubt, the most powerful emotion. It keeps one on edge, and always contemplating the next possibilities. For fear of losing what they cherish most. Fear is what will keep the boy in check."
Narcissa sighed. The outcome of their current predicament was hanging by a thread around their five year old's tongue.