author's note: I feel the need to proclaim that I don't hate the Malfoys in any way. In fact, I kind of like them, even though they are not the friendliest people on the planet, I found their characterization interesting.
A Servant's Place
Lucius did not expect things to turn out like this.
Harry Potter had appeared just before dinner, his eyes filled with malicious intent.
Lucius gasped when he noticed the shock of blond hair peeking from the limp lump held by the Boy-Who-Lived.
Contempt was deep in the boy's jaded eyes as he casually tossed a wounded and unconscious Draco at the doorsteps of Malfoy Manor.
Lucius rushed to his son, checking for injuries.
"Draco, Draco!" Lucius shook his child gently.
Draco opened his eyes. Initially his son looked terrified to be touched, but when Draco realized who it was that was holding him, he became desperate to say something. A tremble shot through him and he spat out a mouth full of blood, crimson stained both his and Lucius' robe. His son gripped his shoulder, grey eyes pleading.
"Draco, speak to me!" Lucius coaxed urgently. Horror filled him when his son opened his mouth to reveal a bloody mass of flesh. The stub that used to be a tongue squirmed helplessly in the air.
Draco squeezed his eyes shut in pain as he struggled to make a sound. His chest was rising and falling rapidly as he became more and more desperate to try to convey his message to Lucius. Tears fell down his cheeks and he gasped for air.
Lucius spelled Draco into a deep sleep to dull his pain, he lowered his son gently to the ground, then he stood up to face Potter, who stood there smirking mirthfully as he watched the show before him.
Lucius narrowed his eyes. Hand reached for his wand, the Killing Curse ready on his breath as he gripped the smooth handle.
"Lucius," Lucius paused, his eyes glared side way in annoyance.
Bellatrix stood at the door, her dark eyes searched Potter's face with uncertainty before they widened. The woman wheeled toward Potter and kneeled, her breath was shaky and excited.
Lucius was stunned, has she gone mad? Why hasn't she cursed the Boy-Who-Lived yet?
"Oh, Bella," the young boy caressed her cheek softly, the woman closed her eyes, and purred softly at his touch.
Lucius fell onto his knees like he had suddenly lost support, Bellarix's reaction, Draco's wound, it all made sense now. Lucius crawled toward the Dark Lord on all fours, he kissed the hem of Harry's rob shakily before he begged his Lord, repeatedly, to return Draco's tongue, his voice grew more and more frantic until his plea ended in a choked sob.
"Lucius," the Dark Lord reached down to hoist the blond aristocrat up gently, Lucius looked up at the young face fearfully.
"It seems that you too, need some reminder of who I am," there was an infinite amount of regret in the soft voice that floated above his head.
Before Lucius could utter another syllable, a red jet of light shot toward him, and he was pierced by a pain so intense that it could scarcely be described by words.
