Written for the Journey Through Hogwarts Challenge (Potage's Cauldron Shop - 500-600 words, Warning, Grey, "I didn't say you were right")

Written for the All You Need is Love Challenge (family: LuciusDraco)

Like Father, Like Son

It should have been a warning enough for Lucius when Draco didn't come home that evening. He had said something about going for a walk outside the boundaries of their property, that he needed to clear his head.

Lucius had agreed to such a request. After all, what could hurt his son?

Narcissa had given many things that could have, but he ignored her. Draco would be okay. He could protect himself if anything went wrong.

Nothing would though.

Lucius slept soundly that night, not at all concerned. Narcissa tossed and turned and stressed over where their son was. Her hair would turn grey from all the worrying.

It wasn't until the morning where Lucius felt a slight pang of concern creep up on him. Draco had gone for walks since he had been a child, but he had always returned home before dark. As he grew older he stayed out longer, but would be in his bed the next day. He was almost seventeen now and it was, Lucius would admit, very unlike his son to stay out this late.

"I'll go and look for him, dear," he said calmly to Narcissa. "He may have just spent the night at Bellatrix's place when it got too late."

Narcissa merely nodded and watched as he Disapparated from the house in search of their only son.

Lucius dared not think of the possibilities as to why his son had not returned. Some were too gruesome for even him to think about. They were followers of the Dark Lord, and Draco had taken the Mark; but Draco was also scared. The Dark Lord could sense that, and when one was afraid of the Dark Lord (which most were) he could manipulate them.

Lucius shook his head. No, he would not think about that.

The area surrounding Malfoy Manor, was empty. He called out to his son, shouted his name, but no reply came. Lucius frowned. Something did not add up.

He continued to search – behind every tree, under every rock, but nothing turned up. His son was nowhere to be seen.

Lucius returned to his place, as worried as Narcissa.

"I told you this would happen!" she snapped. "I told you."

Lucius held up a hand to silence her.

"See, I knew something like this would happen." She began pacing frantically around the room.

"Okay," Lucius said, remaining as calm as possible. "I didn't say you were right, but…." He paused as an owl came flying through the window, a letter attached to its leg. He snatched it from the creature and read:

Your son is safe for now. He'll be safe until tomorrow evening unless I receive my payment.

RL

Lucius swallowed.

"Payment?" Narcissa asked snatching the letter from him.

"I…"

"Go," Narcissa instructed. "Do what you must."

Lucius Apparated to Rabastan's house without a word. "Give me my son," he insisted, staring the man cold in the eye.

"Give me my money."

Lucius tossed the man twenty Galleons. "Consider it a down payment."

Looking at the gold coins on the floor, Rabastan nodded and went to retrieve the terrified teenager. He shoved him roughly towards Lucius. "Next time this happens, Malfoy, I'll take him to the Dark Lord." He vanished into another room.

Lucius looked down at his son. "Are you alright, boy?" he asked, hiding his worry.

Draco nodded, holding his chin high. "I'm alright, Father," he said. "Now, let's return so Mother stops her worrying."

Lucius smiled. Draco was very much like him. Through and through.

This came to me rather quickly, this idea. And I feel it flowed well. I hope you enjoyed it and your thoughts would be much appreciated.