Draco Malfoy took a deep breath. Behind him, his mother put her hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to do this son," Narcissa said.
Draco squared his shoulders and gave a small smile to his mother. "I have put this off for long enough."
The pair of them began to walk up the dirt path. Ahead of them stood Azkaban, a monolith of cold iron housing the Wizarding Worlds most dangerous. The Dementors kept vigil, floating around the angular prison. The smell of salt and despair hung heavily in the air.
Draco ignored the hooded demons, focusing on the front gate. A single Ministry worker sat in a gate house, as far away from the prison as possible.
"Malfoy?" the worker asked, putting down his book and checking a clipboard. Draco nodded and the gate opened. "Don't take too long."
The Ministry employee returned to reading The Fear of a Name by Hermione Granger. Draco and Narcissa entered, heading towards the Maximum-Security Wing. It was on top of the prison and identical to the other wings, except for one thing. The roof was replaced with bars, allowing the Dementors to unleash their full influence on the prisoners.
The duo walked in silence to the thirteenth floor. The screams, moans, and babbling lessened the higher they went. The silence that replaced the sound was almost physical. Each step was slightly slower, and slightly quieter. The cold seeped through their heavy cloaks, chilling them to their bones. By the time they reached the top, they were shivering, and their breath was visible.
No echo followed them to the last cell at the end of the hallway. Inside a barren chamber, slumped a familiar form. Lucius Malfoy's blonde hair was now a dirty gray. His once immaculate robes clung to his emaciated form.
"Father," said Draco, Narcissa remaining behind him.
Lucius' looked up, focusing on his son. "Have you come to free me or to kill me Draco?"
"Neither," replied Draco. Anger and pity battled against the Dementor-induced fear within him at seeing his father in this state.
"Then you have wasted your time." Lucius' unfocused eyes returned to the floor.
Draco glared through the frost-covered jail door. He stood there for several minutes, thinking of something to say. When nothing came, he turned and began to walk towards the stairs.
Narcissa glanced at Lucius, before following her son. Draco paused on the landing, heavy breathing fogging the area around him. His right hand was clenched, while his left hand covered the tattoo on his wrist.
"I don't think I can forgive him," Draco said, staring at the flight of steps.
Narcissa put her hands on top of his. "If you never try, you'll never know."
Draco searched her face, before nodding. He squared his shoulders, turned, and began walking back to the cell.
A/N
House: Ravenclaw
Year: Second
Category: Drabble
Prompt: [Speech: "If you never try, you'll never know."]
Word Count: 472