Anything at All

"Come on," she whispered, her hand pressing almost painfully into the back of his neck. He focused on the creature, his eyes narrowed. His breathing was fast as the bug sat before him, his heart racing. She looked down on him, her eyes wide with an expression he didn't recognize.

"Focus, Draco. Focus and you can crush it, with your power," Bellatrix leaned even closer to him, making her more and more nervous. The boy looked up at her, then back at the bug and tried his hardest – willing for something magical to happen. It did not.

"I can't!" he cried softly, his hands rushing to his face, covering the blushed that formed. He felt angry, embarrassed tear pick his eyes and tried to will them away. Bellatrix let out a sigh of frustration. Grabbing his arm and turning him to face her.

"Draco," his aunt said, her face shifting from expectant to disappointed, "what have I told you about failure?" Draco looked at his feet, his lip quivering.

"It is not acceptable."

"That's right," she said, her grip on his arm sure to leave a bruise. "Now, try again." Draco was hesitant for a moment, then nodded, looking back to the bug. He focused hard, trying to find the power within.

From inside, Narcissa watched with close eyes. She frowned as she saw the look on her son's face.

"Maybe she's pushing him too hard?" she said softly, turning to her husband.

"Do you want our son to be a failure?" he responded, not looking up from the paper he held in his hands. Narcissa did not respond as she looked back, finding her cowering son withstanding the screams of her sister. Her heart reached out for him as she saw his tears, his fear. She looked back at Lucius and internally cursed his indifference. She was out the door before he realised.

She walked to where her sister stood, and scooped up the crying boy.

"Bella, stop," she said softly, pressing Draco to her chest. "He's only four years old, he doesn't need this."

"Cissy, if he doesn't learn now, he will be a failure," she hissed back, "like his father." Narcissa took a deep breath and puffed out her chest.

"You should leave." Bellatrix's eyes widened, as she looked at her sister. Without waiting to be told twice, she vanished. Narcissa looked down at her son, who was curled into her chest.

"You can't let those things bother you, love," she whispered, brushing the hair from his forehead. "You have to be tough." Draco nodded, rubbing his eyes. Narcissa walked inside, knowing she will be sure to find a fuming man inside.

"Come on, let's play something else." She knew her son was strong, but he was not like his father, or even herself. He was something different, something more, and with the right encouragement he would be able to do amazing things. But Narcissa wasn't sure her family was the right encouragement – neither was his father. She sighed, looking back down at him. She had to protect him – even if it meant sacrificing things for him. She would do anything.

A/N: Words – 524

Myths & Legends - Task #1:Write about a cruel uncle or aunt.