The Ice Royals

Title: Choice
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: G
Notes: For theiceroyals September quote prompt. (And for August's prompt: Everything is a Choice.)

The message had arrived only a few minutes before, leaving her almost no time to ready themselves for the arrival of their unwelcome guests. Heart still pounding from the frantic rush to prepare, she stood in front of their home with a visibly reluctant Lucius.

Narcissa dug her fingers into her husband's arm, her nails piercing through his robes. "Calm," she whispered, lips barely moving from their serene smile. "Stay calm, Lucius."

His shoulders tensed; a muscle jumped in his jaw. He stroked his fingers through his hair, pulling at the ends in an unconscious nervous gesture. "Do you expect me to let this insult stand? To permit this ... invasion?"

Her smile tightened. Nostrils flaring as if she were about to exhale flames, she lifted her chin. "Is your pride still worth so much?" She stared down the drive between the tall hedges, eyes flicking past the white peacocks as they strutted in the deepening twilight. "You have a choice, Lucius," she hissed. "Is your pride worth more than your life? Is it worth more than our son?"

"You dare to--"

Black shadows formed on the long drive. A high laugh sent the peacocks into raucous flight.

"You are out of time, husband. Choose."

Lucius closed his eyes. He sucked in a sharp breath, then shook his arm free of hers. He stepped forward and gave a low, elegant bow to the pale figure before them. "Greetings, my Lord. My home is yours."

The Dark Lord smiled.