Something Missing
Lucius
I ran after the Potter boy and his friends. They were nearing the exit of the tower. I saw them go around the corner, and stop. They seemed to be staring at something out of my range of vision.
I heard Avery's voice as he recited the Crucilacertus Curse, the fourth, and most painful Unforgivable Curse. I heard Draco's scream of pure and terrible torture.
I sped up and peered around the corner, hoping it was not true. But it was.
Draco was up in the air, bleeding from various wounds. And Avery was standing there, manic laughter taking over him.
Hate and rage ran through me, "AVERY!" I shouted.
He looked at me, still not releasing Draco from the horrible spell.
I wanted to kill him, murder him with my bare hands. But no, I merely yelled, "Stupefy!" I did not want to waste my time with such petty dramatics as the Killing Curse at the moment. And I couldn't handle a dead body in our midst tonight.
Avery went unconscious. I watched in horror as my son's bloodied body hit the ground.
I ran to his side and knelt before him. I could hear the Granger girl weeping by her two friends. Catching them didn't matter anymore.
Tears ran down my face as I took in the sight of Draco's weakened, torn body. I never knew it would hurt so much to see my son like this. It was as if some parental instincts switched on inside of me, making me see the truth.
"I'm sorry, Father." he said weakly, looking up at me. His blue-gray eyes were unfocused and glassy.
I cradled his head in my lap. "Sorsorry for what?" I asked through my tears. I clasped his pale, translucent hand.
"For being a disappointment... for not being a Malfoy."
"No!" I told him. "You"
I felt Draco's hand go limp in mine. His head fell to one side. He did not move.
My heart raced with adrenaline and fear. "Inform the Healers at St. Mungo's." I told Potter and the two. "Please..." I begged as Draco's face grew paler. I knew that I could not leave his side if I tried. All I had inside was this empty feelingone I had never felt before. Until now.
The three hurried out, leaving Draco and I in privacy.
"Draco?" I called his name, hoping he'd answer.
He did not. His eyes were closed, his breathing labored.
A wave of grief washed over me. Events of how I tortured and tormented Draco flashed through my mind. "I'm sorry, Draco. I'm sorry..."
In response, all I got was Draco's horrible cough. Blood poured from his mouth, and his body gave a terrible shudder.
I looked at Draco's hand in mind. So fragile it seemed, so lifeless. I guess this is was it took for me to become a real parent. I couldn't help but feel I was being taught a lesson...
I took my ring off my finger. It bore the Malfoy family crest. It had been handed down by hundreds of generations of Malfoys. I lifted Draco's hand and slipped it onto his finger.
I held his upper body close to mine, giving him the first loving embrace I would ever give.
Sobs racked my entire body as I clutched Draco's dying body. "You are a Malfoy, Son. You are..."