Something Missing

Narcissa

Draco is waking. He groaned and sat up. He looked at me, pinning his gray-blue eyes on mine. Tears were flowing freely from them. My eyes immediately started to sting.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Draco said, bowing his head. "I'm sorry that"

I cut him off, saying, "It's not your fault, Draco." I paused. "It's your father's. He can't see what a good son he has. You've always tried to gain his acceptance."

"It's not good enough." Draco said.

I took my son in my arms. "It's better than good, what you're doing. Your father is simply making you feel inadequate. He has poisoned your mind."

"But I am inadequate."

I gave Draco a once over, shaking my head. His hair curtained over his face, so much like Lucius'. I looked at his thin shoulders, then stopped. There was a slight tinge of bluish-gray from the bottom of his neck going down. The rest was hidden by his shirt.

"Draco?" I asked, curious as to what happened to him. "What's this?" I touched the spot of color and was surprised to hear Draco take in breath, and pull his shirt up higher on his neck to cover it.

He was breathing heavily, his eyes avoiding mine.

"Draco, what is it?" I asked concernedly.

Draco just shook his head. "N-nothing."

"Draco..." I pulled his hand from the neck of his shirt forcefully. I started to unbutton it but he resisted, pushing my hands away. Eventually, I was staring at his once pale chest in shock.

A few bruises covered his stomach, along with three long scratches leading to his back.

"It-it's nothing..." he stammered. "Really."