Serpens Solus

As night fell, Lucius was found in a large armchair by the fire. He sat there, holing an empty wineglass and staring intensely towards the flickering fire. Draco was gone and Narcissa was off doing her own work, so Lucius was alone, a nervous wreck from recent events. The fire eventually died out, but Lucius ignored it, lost among his own world of thoughts. My son, why did I lose him? The words ran through Lucius's head as he remembered his argument with Draco. None of them were happy, but they didn't have to hate each other. Lucius knew he had no choice, his son left him, so he had to die.

* * *

"You feel your son can not live any longer with you? So, to solve this, Lucius, your best interest is..." Lord Voldemort paused, staring at Lucius Malfoy with narrowed red eyes as he pondered the thought, "Death? But why?"

"My lord, it is as you told me, he wasn't cut out. Draco does doesn't belong, er, shall we say, a serpens solus?" Lucius replied, bowing humbly.

"Alone? Do you really feel that your son is an outcast and should be rid of?" Voldemort was patient, as always.

"He wasn't worthy of your ranks, my lord. Draco also disobeyed his greatest legacy."

"What legacy?" Voldemort asked, but before Lucius could answer, Voldemort replied for himself. "Don't tell me it's that pathetic Malfoy Code. Do you really need one of those? They're not going to help you, just make your family spread out and disoriented."

"My lord, it is the code you speak of."

"It's a bunch of trash, Lucius. What's it going to do to you?"

This stunned Lucius. Speechless, he stood there in shock towards Voldemort. "Lucius? Are you all right?" Lord Voldemort's voice was far away and Lucius seemed distant from it as well. "Lucius!" Voldemort said once more, jerking Lucius from his thoughts.

"Apologies, my lord, but I can't think of anything that the code will do. Excuse me, but I must go." In his haste, Lucius Disapparated quickly, leaving Voldemort alone.

"He doesn't have much farther to go, if he's to meet his death."

* * *

Narcissa stood near a closet, whispering amiably towards someone. Upon closer inspection, it was determined that the person in question was Alexandra Malfoy.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I can't help Draco anymore, I just can't. His fate lies within his own hands, and if he's careful, he can keep himself from his father. It's all up to him."

Narcissa turned away, replied, "I just hope he knows to use his wits."

* * *

Lucius glanced at the setting sun, bringing darkness as it fell to meet the horizon. He stood in front of a large building with the words Ministry of Magic emblazoned in gold. Darkness will prevail, Lucius thought, seething at the mere memory of Draco. By now he thought of Draco as nothing more than another assignment, another wizard sentenced to die. But somewhere, somewhere within his cold heart lay a glimmer of sadness. Is there still time for forgiveness?

A whisper came out of the darkness, soft, yet menacing. "It's too late Malfoy, you lost. Your son's beyond forgiveness, the only thing that remains for him is a death, a cold blooded death for one who defies all laws."

"You're right," Lucius said unconsciously, "My son does not deserve to live, I lost him the day he went to Hogwarts. No more shall he darken and dishonor my family." Lucius straightened up and headed into the Ministry.

Brushing past several officials, he headed straight towards a pair of double doors at the end of a hallway. Forgetting all courtesy, he barged in, yelling, "Where is he?"

A wiry wizard grinned, showing loose teeth as he replied, "In his office, Lucius." Lucius nodded and headed towards the office, full of malice and determination.

The office door suddenly swung open and Lucius walked in, watching the back of a gray-haired wizard with a pinstriped cloak. "I want my son, you know where he is, tell me. I have to know."

"He's at Hogwarts," said the Minister.