Author's Note:- Where have you been, I hear you not asking? I've been so busy this past year! Depression, coursework, blah blah blah. But have been partyin' it up, folks! But you can expect more updates from me for now on! I've had loads of ideas, this story being one of them. I got this idea months ago, but haven't had a chance to write it until a few weeks ago, so here it is! I hope you enjoy it!
Night had fallen earlier than usual over Malfoy Manor. Autumn had come to an abrupt end, and was quickly turning to a harsh and bitter winter. It seemed as though that this winter would be the coldest yet.
Narcissa didn't mind the cold weather. It gave her an excuse to go out and buy new clothes, (although she did that all year round anyway). She couldn't wait to buy the winter collection in Madam Malkins. There were some lovely colours and styles on sale. But the winter also gave both her and Lucius time to snuggle up for hours beside the fire, just talking and recalling their times in Hogwarts, whilst Draco was asleep in his room.
But this year was different. This year, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were out of Azkaban, and they were staying with Narcissa and Lucius. This wouldn't have been a problem, but Azkaban hadn't done either of them any favours. Azkaban had really messed both of them up; Rodolphus would drink several bottles of whisky a day, thereafter, taking his anger and confusion out on anyone and everyone in his path. Whereas Bella would stare into space, seeming oblivious to her husband's drunken state. Henceforth, it was up to Lucius to talk sense into Rodolphus, not that it made any difference. Admittedly, Narcissa was worried for her sister. It seemed as though she had two different personalities, and neither of them were good. At one moment, she would be excitedly plotting her next torture victim, and the next, she would be subdued, even depressed. It did not matter which of these moods was dominant, each was equally dangerous and worrying.
On this particular evening, Narcissa and her sister were sat in the living room, beside the fierce and roaring fire. Bella seemed to be having a bad day, Narcissa thought. Bella was staring simply into space, neither here nor there. She, Narcissa, suspected that this had something to do with Rodolphus. He hadn't been sober in three days now, and he had been taking all of his anger out on his wife. In fact, right now was the first time that Narcissa did not have to listen to the couple shouting at each other. Despite Bella's mood, Narcissa felt the need to ask her sister a very important question, and it just couldn't wait any longer. She sucked in a deep breath, before speaking.
"Bella?" She asked timidly. There was silence for a moment; Narcissa had even thought that her sister had not heard, or simply wasn't listening; but then Bella tore her gaze away from the ceiling and looked hard at her sister.
"You're worried about Draco, aren't you?" Narcissa was stunned by Bella's response. She, Bella, hadn't seemed engaged with anyone other than the Dark Lord, of late. So how could she guess something like that, when she had appeared to be paying no attention at all? Narcissa must have taken to long pondering this fact, because before she could reply, Bella had begun to speak again. "I'm not stupid, Narcissa. Just because I haven't been talking, it doesn't mean I've gone deaf. I've heard you and Lucius talking about me behind my back. 'Lucius, are you sure that Draco is safe with Bellatrix here? I mean, she's not exactly a fluffy bunny rabbit, is she?' In future, if you have a problem with me, say it to my face" She uttered coldly. "In any case, you've been worried about Draco since the day he was born." Narcissa reddened in embarrassment – there was, in fact, truth in what Bella had just said. She had been worried for Draco's safety, even more so since Bella and Rod had escaped Azkaban, and she had always been worried for her one and only son; ever since he was tiny.
"I haven't always worried about him" She lied. "Just lately-"She stopped talking, because Bella cut across her in med sentence.
"It's because of me, isn't it? You don't want me here" Narcissa's heart sank so low that she was sure that it had entered her stomach. She didn't want to tell too many lies. It would be too many to keep track of, so she would tell the truth.
"I do want you here, Bella. It's just..." She sighed, searching for the nicest possible way to say what she was about to say, "...He doesn't know you that well. And you don't know him. And after Azkaban...well..."
"I'm not insane, Narcissa. That place was hell. I thought you were going to support me" Bella replied, glaring hard at her sister.
"I am, Bella! I am! I never said you were insane...you just..." She bit her lip, "Your mood swings. They're hard to keep track of...and I'm worried that one day you're going to get out of control and seriously hurt someone"
"You make me sound like a dog" Bella grumbled, sitting back on the sofa. She looked upset, very upset. Narcissa couldn't help but smile – Bella had mirrored the face that she used to make when she was six years old, when she wanted a toy and their father had said no.
"Not my intention" She sighed, "But no. I want you to stay. It's Rodolphus I'm more worried about, actually..." Bella's expression of offence turned to one of puzzlement.
"Rodolphus? What are you worried about him for?" Narcissa rolled her eyes – she knew that Bella understood her perfectly.
"You can't say you haven't noticed. He drinks himself stupid, takes it out on you, you get angry, he gets angry, and people ten miles away could probably hear you shouting at each other"
"Mmmm" Bella replied simply, her gaze returning to the ceiling. Narcissa frowned. Was Bella just thinking, or did she merely not care?
"Is that all you can say?" To her disappointment, Bella did not look down from the ceiling.
"Well what do you expect me to do about it, Cissy? Rodolphus can do whatever he likes. If he digs himself into an early gave by getting pissed and choking on his own vomit, then let him. I lost track of what he does the day after we were married"
"Well it doesn't have to be that way."
"Doesn't it?" Bella said with a sigh. "It's been this way for a long time and I don't see it changing anytime soon. But whatever, I don't need him" Narcissa opened her mouth to reply, but thought better of it, and closed it again.
"Well this can't continue, Bella. It's not good for any of us and it's certainly not good for Draco" Bella didn't seem to take much notice. She merely shrugged, as though Rodolphus was the least of her worries.
"I'll talk to him, happy?" She muttered darkly, looking back at her sister, then back up again. Narcissa nodded – that was the best she was going to get, and she had to be satisfied with it. Thus, she decided to change the subject, and fast.
"Bella...I..." She swallowed hard, "I need you to help me with something that concerns Draco..." Bella sighed in reply.
"Whether I help him or not, it's not going to change what he is" Narcissa blinked at that statement, stunned.
"What would he be?" Narcissa asked.
"A coward" Bella's words hit Narcissa like poison.
"You've never really cared, have you, Bella? Not for anyone but yourself" She hissed. There was a pause for the space of a heartbeat before Bella replied.
"I do care, Narcissa. But not for snotty little cowards who try to worm their way out of the biggest honour of their life" Bella retorted. Narcissa knew exactly what her sister was referring to.
"If you mean that night on the Astronomy tower, you knew that Severus was going to do it anyway. You were there, remember? In any case, Draco tried. That doesn't make him a coward" Narcissa snarled in reply, glaring at her sister in pure anger. "And how could you call something like that the biggest honour of your life?" Bella looked sharply at her sister, and then sneered.
"That's a terrible thing to say, Narcissa! Anything the Dark Lord asks you to do is the biggest honour of your life!" Narcissa shook her head.
"Lucius and I aren't killers, Bella. And neither is our son. So stop trying to convince him otherwise. He's our son, Bella, not yours"
"Oh, you think Lucius isn't a killer?" Bella smirked maliciously, "Tell me, Cissy. Have you and Lucius spoken at all about murder, lately?" Narcissa folded her arms.
"It's not generally a topic of our conversation, Bella. Just because you and Rod talk about it all the time, it doesn't mean all married couples do" This was true – Lucius had never mentioned killing. Just torture and even that wasn't a hot topic of conversation of late.
"Well if you believe he hasn't killed anyone, you're either stupid or he's lying to you" Bella spat coldly. Her words were like icy poison, firing at Narcissa from all angles.
"Well if you think you know everything, then who has he killed?" Narcissa asked, not really sure she wanted to hear the answer. A smirk appeared across Bella's pale face.
"I'll tell you at a later date. Or you can ask him yourself" Bella shrugged, "Not that he'll tell the truth. Now..." She sat up straighter, still smirking with amusement. "Why did you want my help?" Narcissa had almost forgotten about the help – and now, she wanted to know who Lucius had killed, but it was clear Bella wasn't going to tell her anything. She would have to ask him herself later. The thought made her feel sick. Even though she supported the Death Eaters, the thought of her nearest and dearest killing anyone made her stomach turn – she hadn't even gotten used to the fact that Bella killed on a daily basis.
"I want you to teach Draco..." She paused, for dramatic effect, no less, "Occlumency" Bella rolled her eyes.
"I've already tried, to little success, Narcissa. I gave him a couple of sessions last year" Bella replied. Narcissa knew this, of course, but she feared for Draco's safety. Anyone who knows the skill could control Draco's mind. The thought terrified her. As if Draco didn't have enough to worry about already.
"I know. But try again. Bella, I'll never ask you for anything again, if you just try and do this one thing for me" Narcissa's tone was pleading – she so wanted this.
"You don't have to sound so desperate" Bella rolled her eyes, "He's not in any immediate danger, not with yours and Lucius' protection"
"Yes, but we can't protect his mind. He can. And you are the only one who can teach him how to do so" Bella didn't reply for a while; she seemed to be considering her answer.
"And is that how I can prove to you that I, in fact, don't care only for myself?" Narcissa nodded.
"Yes"
"Then I'll do it" Bella sighed, defeated. Shocked by how fast Bella had agreed, Narcissa got up and embraced her sister. To her even greater surprise, Bella hugged her back, before saying. "Let the teaching begin" Narcissa pulled away, smiling in complete and utter relief.
"Let the teaching begin"
Author's Note :- Hope you like it! See you in chapter two! (Which I'm uploading right after chapter one...). x
