Prologue

Lucius stared intently at the dying amber fire in his study. His mind was once again dwelling on an event which haunted his dreams and his memories, one he was forced to relive more than any of his previous in digressions.

Narcissa paced outside the door she wanted to enter, but feared her husband's mood was not unsatisfactory. In recent times he spent almost every moment alone. She wanted to help him, but she also knew what haunted his mind for the memory was burned clear in her own mind as well; there was little she could say to ease his mind. She thought about knocking but decided against it, she entered the study and with one glance at her husband her thoughts were confirmed.

"Lucius why do you torture yourself with this?" she asked concerned.

"How can I not?" his voice was emotionless.

14 years ago

Lucius and Narcissa were anticipating the birth of their son. Lucius's mother was living in France on the family's other estate with Lucius's sister Cassiopeia who had a three year old Elladora. This had been a disastrous event in which his sister and Regulas Black had a child. Of course the family managed to cover it up nicely and many if not all had forgotten the event entirely. After all the Black and Malfoy families were both feared and respected. After the event Cassiopeia was sent away so she couldn't embarrass the family any further. However, the night of June 1st a storm had brewed outside and the wind howled angry against the manor. Lucius who had remained up late to finish some work was in his study when he heard the doors in the main hall to fly open. He drew his wand and walked into the main entrance hall there on the ground lay his badly injured sister with her daughter who seemed petrified. She ran to Lucius and hid behind him. Narcissa was at the top of the stairs overseeing the scene.

"What has happened?" Lucius asked She did not answer him all she managed to say was

"Take Elladora please I beg you! raise her as your own I failed" she was out of breath and was bleeding a profusely.

"What a touching family reunion" Bellatrix was standing in the doorway and with one flick of her wand she finished Cassiopeia off.

"Bellatrix what was the reason for this?" Lucius he seethed

"She was a traitor " there was a hint of smug satisfaction in her voice. She was proud of her work as usual.

" So you took it into your own hands? The Dark Lord prefers to deal with traitors himself!" Lucius replied trying to pry the three year old off his leg. Narcissa came running down the stairs and picked up Elladora.

"The Dark Lord gave me this honor Lucius. Are you losing your touch? You can't even control your own family."

"Get Out!" Lucius bellowed at her. He would not stand to be insulted by her in his own house. Bellatrix turned and walked out of the house muttering something about a weak family.

Narcissa looked at Lucius with tears in her eyes, Cassiopeia had been the only member of the Malfoy family who had ever been kind in any way to her. Lucius summoned a house elf to clean up the body, he
started to head for his study when his wife's voice caught his attention.

"Lucius, what are we going to do with her?" Narcissa questioned completely shocked regarding the events that had just unfolded. She hoped with all her heart she could keep Elladora, who was currently asleep in her arms.

"Put her to bed in one of the rooms close to ours, I suppose you will need to arrange for a room to be made up for her." Narcissa was happy with this response, she took the small girl upstairs and laid down on the guest bed with her, she was so small to have endured the events of the night. Narcissa brushed the girl's blonde hair out of her face. She was unmistakably a Malfoy: she had the same silvery-gray eyes of Lucius and Cassiopeia with platinum blonde hair she would blend in the family quite well. Before Narcissa knew it she too had fallen asleep, Lucius peeked in the door to check on Elladora he saw his wife also asleep and shut the door. Elladora was in good hands with Narcissa who would be a great mother, he went into his own room. He did not sleep, merely laid in the bed wondering what kind of world his son was being born into. What kind of memories Elladora would have about this event, and how he was going to explain this to her when she was older. After a while he got up and walked around the manor looking in the baby's room, the study, the library then settled in at his desk ready for whatever fate held for him next.

Present

"Lucius her mind was made up when she went to Dumbledore, nothing could have saved her" Narcissa said at length.

"yes she sealed her own fate but I will never be able to forgive myself."

Narcissa knew the talking any further on this subject would only result in anger, so she changed the subject. "So have you thought about the Flint's offer, or the Prucey's ?" she questioned her husband.

"Yes my dear I have" he looked tired as though he hadn't slept in quite some time. "I feel as though we still have some time, Elladora is only16. She has another year till we decide."

"But if we wait too long I fear she may not handle such news well. After all she is dating Marcus, now seems like the right time." Narcissa was worried her husband's lack of urgency could be a downfall.

"we shall see I have consented to her spending Christmas holidays with the Flint's and if all goes well, we could have a arrangement by year's end" Lucius tone clearly decided this conversation was over.

"Very well, goodnight" she left the study and headed upstairs.