Happy birthday, Sarah, you lovely lady!
She tries not to look at the Dark Mark on his arm, but her eyes are drawn yet again to the skull and serpent inked into his skin. "I wish you hadn't done that," she whispers.
It's enough that her husband and sister have taken up the cause. But not Rodolphus. Anyone but Rodolphus.
He rolls his eyes and pulls her close, his lips moving gently against her neck. "You worry too much, Cissa," he says. "What's the worst that could happen?"
A list floods through her mind. She isn't naive enough to believe that this will end peacefully. Wars aren't known for their survivors, but for their death toll, for their suffering.
Narcissa wakes with a groan. She throws her hands out, trying to push away whoever is shaking her.
"Bloody hell, Narcissa!" Lucius cries as her palm connects with his chin. "Calm down!"
She sits upright, blinking back her confusion. It isn't like Lucius to wake her in the middle of the night. "What's happened?" she asks, her heart racing.
Lucius' lips pull into a thin line. He sighs deeply. "It's your sister," he answers. "She's been arrested."
"And Rodolphus?"
"He, Rabastan, and Barty, as well," Lucius confirms.
"You're not invincible, Rod," she says.
He smirks. "True. But everyone loves a martyr, right?" he laughs.
She wants to smack him. How can he talk so casually about something so serious?
Her arms wrap around him. She holds him tightly, so afraid to let him go. Lucius, she could lose. Even her own sister. But not Rodolphus. Not the only man who has ever seen her as more than just a pretty face.
"I was kidding, Cissa," he says, kissing her forehead.
Narcissa feels the tears sting her eyes. She blinks rapidly. Now is not the time to cry.
She tells herself again and again that she needs to be strong, that she must hold herself with the dignity of a Black. But it doesn't stop the sobs from shaking her body.
Lucius rests a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "Collect yourself, Narcissa," he says. "Your sister knew the risks. What would she say if she saw you crying right now?"
"I worry about you," she whispers, burying her face in his chest. "I worry that something will happen, that something will take you away from me."
Rodolphus kisses the top of her forehead. His fingers gently caress her cheek, soothing her. "If something happens to me, be strong, Cissa," he says pulling away and gripping her arms, his eyes fixed upon hers. "Smile and carry on."
"Smile and carry on," she says, echoing his words.
Lucius raises his brows. "That doesn't sound like Bellatrix," he notes.
She almost laughs. Of course it doesn't, because it is not her sister she weeps for, but her brother-in-law.