Lucius was relaxing in his armchair by the fire at his home in Malfoy Manor. He should have really been in bed, as it was well past 1am but he couldn't sleep. He'd had this problem for a few days now and he was pretty sure what or rather who had caused it.

Bellatrix Lestrange. His sister-in-law. She had escaped from Azkaban about a week ago and had come to live with him and Narcissa. He didn't understand why she had caused his sleeping problems he just knew she did, he also couldn't explain the strange feeling he felt in his chest whenever he saw or thought about her.

Just then, Lucius heard a noise coming from the left-wing corridor. Someone was coming down the stairs. He quickly pretended to be asleep, he didn't want Narcissa to think he was still having sleeping troubles. The doorknob turned and whoever it was came into the room in which Lucius 'slept'. That someone then made their way over to Lucius and tugged on his robes, Lucius woke with a start.

"What the...?" he gasped. "Mable?! What in Merlin's name are you doing? Was that you coming down the stairs?" Mable the house elf trembled at being shouted at by her master. "M-m-master. M-m-miss Bellatrix is upst-t-tairs and s-s-she asked Mable to t-t-tell you t-t-to c-c-come to her" Lucius sighed, "very well Mable, that will be all" he shooed the elf away and turned to go to Bellatrix.

He made his way to Bellatrix's room and knocked lightly on her door. "Come in" replied Bella's husky voice. Lucius walked into the room to find Bellatrix sitting in bed, the covers up to her waist. "What do you want Bella" he asked. "Just to talk" she replied. Lucius gulped, "what about Bellatrix?" Bella shrugged, "just about why you look like a lovesick puppy whenever you look at me."

Lucius looked startled. "I-I-I don't know w-w-what you mean." "Oh shut up Lucius! I'm not that stupid!" said a frustrated Bellatrix. "Why?" "I don't know why!" exclaimed Lucius. "I guess I... I guess I love you"

Bella sat there looking pleased he had finally admitted it after all these years. "I love you too Lucius" she said, in a voice that was unheard of from Bellatrix Lestrange. Lucius looked startled but before he had time to take this new found information in, Bellatrix's lips were on his. Before he knew what he was doing he wrapped his arms around her back and was kissing her back passionately. He pulled away and looked into her big beautiful brown eyes. "I really do love you Bella."

Lucius had never felt like this about anyone, not even Narcissa. Now that was the only problem, how to tell Narcissa and Draco, for he now knew that he had to be with Bellatrix.