Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

The large, dark manor loomed over me as I stood at the entrance, my fist hovering over the heavy wooden door. Taking a deep breath, I knocked, the sound echoing through the empty silence of the estate.

Narcissa opened the door almost immediately, her piercing blue eyes scanning me over before pulling me into a tight embrace.

"You look exhausted," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

Lucius stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "Come inside, Y/N," he said, his voice firm.

I stepped into the grand Malfoy Manor, the air thick with tension. "Why am I here?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Narcissa and Lucius exchanged a glance before leading me into the sitting room. I had a feeling whatever they were about to say wasn't good.

I sat down on the elegant sofa, my hands gripping the fabric as I waited for them to speak. Narcissa sat beside me, her hand gently resting on mine, while Lucius remained standing, his gaze cold yet calculating.

"We received concerning news," Lucius finally said, his voice even but firm. "About your behavior at Hogwarts."

I frowned. "What behavior?"

Narcissa sighed, her expression pained. "Draco has written to us... he mentioned your lack of control, the drinking, the—" she hesitated, "—substances."

My heart sank. Of course, Draco told them.

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "I can handle myself."

Lucius scoffed. "Clearly, you cannot. You were raised as a Malfoy, not some reckless fool. Do you have any idea how this could damage our reputation?"

I clenched my fists. "So that's what this is about? Your reputation?"

Narcissa squeezed my hand. "Darling, we are worried about you."

I wanted to believe her, but Lucius's hard gaze made it clear this was more than just concern.

"So what?" I snapped. "Are you keeping me here? Am I not allowed back?"

Narcissa looked at Lucius hesitantly, but before she could respond, he spoke.

"That depends," he said smoothly. "You will stay here until we are certain you can compose yourself. You will behave as a proper Malfoy should."

I felt my stomach drop. They were trapping me here.

"No," I said firmly. "I'm going back."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Not until we say so."

I looked at Narcissa, searching for any sign that she would stand up for me. But she simply looked away.

I was stuck.

I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "I know it sounds bad," I said, my voice shaking with frustration, "but you know I'm going through a lot. It's my only way of coping."

Lucius scoffed, his lip curling in disgust. "Coping? You think drowning yourself in alcohol and gods-know-what else is coping?"

I turned to Narcissa, desperate for some kind of understanding. "Mum, you know how hard it's been for me. You know what I've been through. I'm trying my best."

She looked at me with a softness I rarely saw from her, but she still didn't defend me. "Darling, we do understand," she said carefully, "but there are better ways to cope."

Lucius crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "And if you refuse to find them, then you'll stay here until you do."

I felt anger bubbling up in my chest. "You think locking me away is going to help me? Taking me away from the only people who make me feel normal?"