Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Harry Potter, except seven worn, much read books.

Lucius Malfoy was being tortured.

Jet after jet of scorching light flew out of Lord Voldermort's wand preceded by malicious shrieks of 'Crucio!'. Malfoy was being punished for letting Harry Potter escape yet again, from his own house.

Mercy is an emotion the Dark Lord had never experienced. His gaze was cold as he watched Malfoy shake uncontrollably. Such a simple trick... but the effect was obvious; this was the Cruciatus curse at its very worst. He hissed as he saw the dilated pupils of Lucius Malfoy's glazed eyes. Fool...

At first, the Death Eater had made no noise, he had endured it silently, his eyes looking as if piece by piece of his soul was being burnt away. But when the second flash of light streaked out of the Elder Wand, he started to moan hoarsely with pain. In a corner of the room, Draco was sobbing and clutching at his hair.

Voldermort laughed as Lucius Malfoy fell to his knees.

'My Lord...please,stop... I beg you...STOP!", he screamed like mad man, tears streaming down his pale face.

Sneering, satisfied that Lucius had learnt a lesson, the Dark lord finally lifted the Cruciatus curse from the writhing, whimpering form of Narcissa Malfoy.

AN: Cold? As ice. Cruel? Ah,yes. Arrogant? Indeed. But, despite everything, it cannot be argued that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy loved each other.

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