A Lesson in Manners

6. Crucio

He heard his mother’s pleading voice before he saw her. The landing steps gave way to a dark corridor, at the end of which he could see the light of his father’s wand, illuminating the cowering silhouette of his mother.

He was going to torture her again.

“Father?” he asked, his voice weaker than he wanted it to be. Dammit, why couldn’t he force himself to be strong and confident when it mattered? He could only act in front of those weaker than him, those Draco knew would never hurt him. But when his father was around… well, all his courage flew out the window.

“Not now, Draco,” the cold voice answered.

“But Father, please, don’t…”

“Don’t tell me what to do, you impudent little sneak!” the blond wizard swung around at his teenage son, wand pointed. “You need a lesson in manners, Draco. Crucio!”

The screams of anguish of mother and son mingled in the dark recesses of the Manor as the house elves went about their work, doing their best to pretend that nothing had happened.