Title: Catch 22

Characters: Narcissa, Lucius, Bellatrix, Sirius (OF COURSE!)

Setting: Pre-books. Post-school Marauder era. That little in between space before Harry or Draco were born…

Plot: As the first wizard war intensifies, Narcissa Malfoy is given a task she may not be able to complete…

Rating: T to be safe.

- I listened to Clair De Lune by Jean-Yves Thibaudet while writing this first chapter. Sad and yet debonair, I thought it captured the mood of Narcissa and her lifestyle quite well. The melody somehow recalls a not so distant past, where things were better…

- NONE of this is mine, unless I am temporarily insane and claiming to be supreme ruler over everything…which hasn't happened for awhile but you never know.

Catch 22

Chapter 1

She couldn't bring herself to think about the idea, it repulsed her so. It was completely wrong, no matter what crimes had been committed. Sure they were on opposite sides, they always had been. Even back in school they were in rival houses and, aside from the occasional prank, she had never wished the girl ill. A small smile briefly touched her face as the memory of a messy breakfast with raised tempers, talking cutlery, dung bombs and bacon entered her mind. How angry Bella had been, how hilarious Sirius looked…but now…now what was being asked, no, demanded of her…it was simply something she might not be able to achieve.

Alone in the huge drawing room of the Malfoy manor, Narcissa stared off into space, lost in memories that overwhelmed her senses. Truly, her days at Hogwarts were always in her thoughts. Simpler times. When all she needed to worry on was her grades, how to dodge her sister Bellatrix's rants, how to evade Lucius once again, how to lure Sirius back into the beloved Black family. Easier times. Cissy thought on those days often, even more so since the violence had escalated and names, familiar names were almost daily being reported in obituaries. Was this the way to achieve unity among wizards? The Dark Lord certainly thought so. In the beginning, following Voldemort was a family decision, and one must never sway from their good opinion. To do so was madness, family was always first in her heart. It was the main reason why she had continued to fight for Sirius' reinstatement in the family, much to both his mother's and his disgust. It was the main reason that Narcissa had given into her fathers wishes to marry Lucius. How ironic that 'family first' was now the reason she should find herself in this predicament.

Far off, she heard the echoes of Lucius shoes on the marble floor. He would soon reach his study and close the door, making things seem peaceful in their home. Matters were far from peaceful between Lucius and herself though. The request of Narcissa's proof of loyalty had been passed down just days ago. Proof of loyalty or consequences would be dealt. Lucius was not afraid of the consequences the Dark Lord threatened with because he did not waiver in his belief that Narcissa would do whatever Voldemort would request. She had fought it with every ounce of strength she had. How would she be able to look at herself in a mirror again? How would she be able to one day raise a child in a world that forced someone to do this? How would she teach them about being just and fair when their own mother…

The look of superiority in her husband's eyes as he had ordered her to sign the parchment that sealed her role in the matter still chilled her. She had refused to sleep in their bed since then and considered making the change a permanent one. An arranged marriage was something Narcissa had bent to, but with the understanding that Lucius believed in an equal footing between man and wife. She had been sure that love would develop over time, yet the closer her husband drew himself to Voldemort, the more distant their relationship became. And the fact that he was allowing Voldemort to use her own family as leverage against Narcissa was heart breaking.

Standing, sighing, Narcissa slowly walked towards the tall windows that lined the north wall of the room. During winter months, this was her favorite place. The room was cooler than the rest simply because of the large glass panels that fit within the large wooden frames. You could feel the cold seeping in through the glass, breath became visible if you sat at the window bench long enough. The cool winter air had always been calming to her. Crisp days at Hogwarts would mean a nice long walk in solitude because no one would want to face the harsh temperatures with her. Her long pale hair, ivory complexion, thin frame…Andromeda had once told her that she would make a perfect ice queen with her looks. Narcissa smirked at the memory, the snow falling around them in the Hogwarts courtyard. Of course her estranged sister had meant something else entirely. The words had cut her deeply that day, and they were the last words her sister had given her since then. No matter the letters or attempts to bring her home, Andromeda was gone from the family tree forever, as was Sirius. Closing her eyes, tears began to softly drop down her cheeks. Her family, even if they had separated themselves from everyone, they were still family…How would she accomplish her goal? Prove her loyalty to keep them safe?

How was she going to kill Marlene McKinnon?