One Day

It was a cold, dark night as the prevailing wind howled through the cracks in the stony wall and hustled his sensitive eardrums as he laid his dreary head up against it's dilapidated structure. Breathing heavily, he took a brief moment to survey his surroundings before squeezing his eyes shut tight as though retrieving the stark realisation that what had happened had not just been part of some fictional nightmare. No, what had happened was definitely real, not some horrible dream like for a few brief moments he had desperately hoped.

He couldn't believe it. Why? Why had she all of a sudden decided to hurt him so?

This wasn't like her, ever since he was a baby she had always been the loving mother, always been the one who had looked after him with such tender care.

That's why it scared him so much when she took him away that evening.

It was during the summer holidays and as usual his father was engaged in unlawful activity, being a Death Eater of course. His mother usually went too but tonight she had decided to stay home that night so she could take her only son out for a walk. Draco was very surprised when she knocked on his bedroom door that evening and informed him of her plans.

'Besides there's something I need to talk to you about,' she added before disappearing behind the doorway.

Having decided that she was planning to give him a talk on how he should prepare for his big day, which was only a few weeks ahead, he willingly adhered to her request.

It wasn't long before he found himself drifting along the grounds of the prestigious Malfoy manor with her when she stop, dead in her tracks and pulled a face of grim earnestness he had not see in many years.

This look worried him.

'What is it mother?' he asked wondering why her mood had changed so abruptly, just a few seconds ago they had been happily discussing his quiddich progress.

She said nothing though remained motionless.

'Is it about the ceremony?' he offered realising that it was such a big event for him that his mother must have rightly been nervous.

She sighed and nodded in harsh defeat.

'Oh mother there is no need to worry it's all going to work out fine, I know it's a big event but we will be gaining so much from it.'

His mothers lip began to quiver involuntarily and she was forced to put her had up to steady it.

'What's wrong?' he asked, alarmed by her odd composure.

'This is what you wanted, this is what we've always wanted, isn't it?

Mum, I'm going to make history I'm going to be his partner in this war, not an apprentice, not some right hand man, but his equal, he's giving his powers to me, don't you realise how big that is for our family, our side?'

His face was now lit up with sheer excitement, he couldn't wait.

His mother gave a small affectionate smile, it had all gone as planned, her baby truly believed and acted as though he were a real Malfoy.

Mistaking this smile for a signal of approval he buoyantly continued-

'See? I knew you were happy for me, and don't worry it's all going to work out in the end...'

'Oh how I hope you are right my child,' she secretly prayed to herself.

'The Dark Lord is everything we believe in, he's on our side in this war so I don't see why there is anything to fret over, oh mum you really are too sensitive sometimes,' he said softly before his face hardened in solemn-'but when he gives me his powers next Thursday night I'm going to accept them with grace and use them to make you and dad proud.'

His mother couldn't help but turn away from him, what had she done?

This was her baby she had used as a cruel experiment and even though it was clear that the plan had worked it pained to she him act in such a brainwashed manner.

'It's for the greater good,' she had always told herself in times of desperation, times when she was in despair and felt as though she had could no longer keep up this false pretence. But she had to, it had been decided a long time ago that this child would be protected and by doing so be used to protect the entire wirzarding world.

But tonight it was time to tell him.

'Mum?' he asked seeing her refrain.

'Mum?' he pulled on her arm and when she looked back toward him her face was scathed with tears.

'I'm sorry,' she said.

He had barely time to raise a confused eyebrow when she pulled her wand on him and pointed it to is face and shouted 'Imperia retracto!'