Believer by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 4

Tom said, "Severus did that? I will have my people contact him. I don't take it lightly when one of my own is hurt and upset. Did Lucius consent to it?"

Harden replied, "He says he did, but Severus has been abusing him. I suspect it's more than just words."

Abraxas added, "I feel Lucius is scared right now and needs guidance in this."

"Tom, thank you. It means a lot," Harden said gratefully.

Tom nodded. "Harden, when I adopted you, I told you I would protect you and what you have now."

Harden smiled. "Thank you. I am Harden Potter Riddle Malfoy."

Tom smiled back. "That you are. I'll talk to Severus and his dad. I'll be taking my leave. Call if you need anything."

Abraxas noted, "My love, he seems so happy to have you and very upset with Severus."

Lucius walked in, dirty and with a limp. "Crap," he mumbled, looking at his parents.

"Lucius, what happened?" Harden asked, rushing over to him. "Oh my baby, are you okay?"

"I fell. I'm okay though, just landed on my leg wrong, but it's okay, Mom."

Abraxas asked, "Son, did you land on your stomach or anything?"

"No, I'll be okay. My horse was spooked, is all. I'm gonna shower."

As Lucius was walking away, he lost his balance. Abraxas caught him before he fell. "Son, what's going on?" he asked, touching his forehead. "Lucius, you're burning up."

"I'll call the healer," Harden said.

The healer floo in. "Lucius, how long have you been feeling this way?"

Lucius mumbled, "Since I left to go riding."

The healer did a scan on him. "You're running a fever and have a sprained ankle. Did you fall? I'll check the baby." She scanned him. "The baby is okay. Take fever-reducing potions and cold potions. Rest, and you should be okay. Stay off the foot and take a healing potion to fix it."

Lucius mumbled.

"He will, healer," Harden assured.

Abraxas took Lucius to bed, worried. "My love, it's been so long since he was like this. As a child, he got sick quite often and had panic attacks over anything stressful. I'm worried about him."

Harden said, "I don't know, love. I'm worried too. We need to be his support. I think seeing Rodolphus and Emmy can help, as he has been in the same shoes, and Lucius loves Emmy."

Lucius mumbled, looking at his parents, "I want to see them, please."

"You will, baby. Take your potions to feel better, okay, love," Harden replied.

Lucius drank the potions and lay back down.

Word count 428