A.N

Hi so I had this idea going through my head and I just got so excited and had to write it. I hope you like and if you do let me know. I definitely think I want to make this a multi chapter story so let me know what you think. I also have not decided on any romantic pairings for this story so if you have any suggestions feel free to let me know. xoxo

Disclaimer: The characters of the Harry Potter Universe are the property of J.K Rowling. All canon characters, plots, and situations are not owned by me and i make no profit from this story.

The Art of Dissimulation

Chapter one

"Shadows settle on the place that you left,

our minds are troubled by the emptiness.

Destroy the middle it's a waste of time.

From the perfect start to the finish line"

Daughter-Youth

"Lucius, I hear your dear wife is expecting" The ball room was dark and cold, masked men watched from the edges of the room as a man who looked at first sight like he could be on the cover of Witch Weekly, rose from a chair. Though it was more of a throne than anything else and leaving the only piece of furniture in the room behind him walked slowing to the blonde wizard who stood with his mask-less face down. Many cringed in fear from just watching the way the man who seemed just like any other drained any sort of confidence Malfoy usually had with every step closer.

Tom Riddle stopped in front of the man and smiled as he lifted a single finger and traced it along the young Malfoy's jawline. Tugging on his chin slightly the Dark Lord stared into Lucius' eyes for a brief moment before slipping away, a worryingly happy look on his face. "So you don't know whether it is a boy or a girl?" The Dark lord said as he lowered himself into the chair with an elegance you would never have expected.

"Yes master" Lucius replied, his eyes lowered, but voice firm. After years in the mans servitude there were some things you learnt. Act respectful but not scared. Always agree with what he says and always do what he asks. And always, always, keep your mind guarded.

"How unfortunate it would be if your wife didn't bare a proper heir" Voldemort said as though he was truly sympathizing with the man who stood in the center of the room. "But really what use would another male Malfoy be for me. I have you, my ever faithful servant. My ever faithful, rich, influential servant" Lucius could feel his blood run cold. A compliment was never a good thing.

"Forgive me if I say I do not understand my Lord"

"On the off chance that you end up with a daughter, though quite unlikely given your family history, once she comes of age I believe an arranged marriage would benefit us all marvelously. Do you not agree?" the man sneered a dangerous look in his eyes, as if daring someone to disagree with him.

"Of course my Lord. I am honored for you to even consider such an offer" Lucius lied. He could feel the other death eaters in the room breathe sighs of relief. Over the last year the dark lord has dropped hints of wanting a betrothal. Wanting a dark mistress by his side. Of course Bellatrix had offered her services immediately much to her husbands annoyance, to which the Dark Lord had laughed and said that he had enough Death Eaters to breed him a wife.

Since that moment Lucius had been on edge. When he first found out about Narcissa's pregnancy he thought briefly of trying to hide her but somehow the little rat Pettigrew had found out which led to the situation Lucius was in now.

"Of course. Now leave, I have other matters to attend to" the man waved him away and Lucius bowed before leaving the room. Once the large oak doors were closed tightly behind him he made his way down the long corridors towards the drawing room of Lestrange Manner. Outside the door he could hear his sister in laws hysterical laughs. Taking a moment to rearrange his features into one of boredom he straightened his robes before entering the room.

It looked very much like Malfoy Manner though it was much darker, a more sinister feel filled the room. Bad things had happened there. You could feel it in the essence of the entire house. Dark magic thrummed through the walls. Lucius briefly wondered if the house itself was so dark that it influenced anyone who walked through the doors. Turned them mad. It would explain a lot of things, he thought watching as Bellatrix cooed at Narcissa threateningly.

"Are you ready to leave" he asked, his voice low and commanding. His wife turned to him with a look of gratefulness and nodded her head quickly before smiling apologetically at her sister, offering a tight goodbye. Striding over Lucius offered her an arm and with a curt nod in Bellatrix's direction led his wife out of the room, down the hall and straight out of the manner.

Neither said a word. Not even when they reached the apparition point and they clutched each other's arms tightly before side apparating home. Arriving in their own drawing room, Lucius felt a wash of relief run through his bones. Though Malfoy Manner had witnessed it's fair amount of dark magic, it was in no comparison to the place they had just come from.

His relief was short lived though as he turned to his wife who was holding her stomach affectionately. "We have a problem" he said startling his wife. She looked up at him shocked before her eyes flicked to his dark mark before glancing back down at her stomach as if asking if the problem was to do with their baby. From the pained expression on his face she knew immediately that it was.

"What is it then" she asked her face a cleverly constructed blank mask. Lucius walked over to her shrugging off his robes and placing them over an arm chair as he walked, leaving him in a white shirt and black pants looking ever the aristocrat that he was with his hair tied back neatly with a black ribbon. Stopping in front of her, he lowered himself to his knees and pressed a gentle kiss against her slightly swollen stomach. Unable to look at his wife, he instead wrapped his arms around her waist burying his head in the crook just below her breasts.

If someone had walked in at that moment they would have been shocked. But Narcissa knew better. When they were out of the prying eyes of the public or fellow Death Eaters Lucius showered her in love. Knowing that because of expectations he couldn't express his affection a lot, when he got the chance he smothered her in it. It was one of the reasons she had fallen in love with him. To know there was a part of him that only she was privy too made the moments special. At first. Now it was a burden and they both wore it heavily on their shoulders.

"He knows that the medi-witches couldn't decipher the gender of the baby" he started trying to work out how to phrase what he knew he had to tell her "He had obviously just assumed it was a boy but when the possibility of it being a girl appeared, well, he's made us an offer"

He waited while Narcissa turned the words over in her head trying to make sense of what she was being told. Reaching down she placed a finger under Lucius' chin lifting it until his eyes met hers. Much like the action the Dark Lord had used only this one was full of love and affection. She stared into the gaze of her husband. His eyes were full of fear and pain at the prospect of Voldemort having that kind of hold over his daughter. It frightened him more than anything else in the world.

"He has asked for a betrothal, hasn't he?" Narcissa whispered and her question was answered by the anguished sobs that escaped the kneeling mans lips. Slowly she knelt down herself until their faces were level where she proceeded to wipe away each and every tear that fell down his face. His arms tightened around her waist and soon his head fell to her shoulders. Narcissa raised her hand and pulled the ribbon that kept his hair back out before running her hand soothingly through his long hair. Blame filled apologies fell from his Lips In-between sobs.

Once his cries had subdued he lifted his head to stare into the beautiful grey eyes of his wife, there were tear tracks on her face where the few stray tears had fallen but she was still as beautiful as the day he proposed. Young and naive and ready to follow in his fathers footsteps. Looking at her he could almost pretend they were back in the orchards, under the moon.

"There is no reason to fear, my love" Narcissa spoke, sending shivers down Lucius's spine, her voice soothing him in ways no calming draught could succeed in doing "We are not even certain if there will be a girl to worry about, this little baby could just as easily be a little you just waiting to boss around the house elves and follow in your footsteps"

"Not my footsteps" he whispered fear falling over his features again of the though of his son having to deal with the guilt and anguish and nightmares that graced him every night.

"No, your right, he'll make his own path, he'll be brave enough to do what neither of his parents ever could"

"Not too brave though" Lucius said with a small smile "I think having a little lion wondering about would drive me

mad" Narcissa laughed quietly and the two moved together. Lowering themselves until they were lying side by side their hands clasped in one another's, staring up at the beautiful chandelier. It was action done with the kind of synchronization that could only be achieved by two people who knew each other inside out, who had made these movements before and would make them for years to come.

"What if it is a girl" Narcissa asked after a moment of silence, her voice finally letting the worry she was feeling seep through.

"Then we hide her. We'd have to fake her death you know, you can't go into labor and leave the hospital empty handed. What am I meant to tell the dark lord. That we lost her?"

"I don't want her to die"

"She won't really be dead but it would mean we could keep her safe"

"But how? Severus maybe?"

"No he would never take the child. He's in too deep."

"Then what are we to do with her"

"Muggles"

"What?!" Narcissa exclaimed, rolling onto her side so she could look at her husband properly. He was staring up at the ceiling a look of deep thoughts on his face. His lip pulled between his teeth as though he was thinking up a plan. Which he was.

"We send her to muggles, wealthy aristocrats. A couple who can't have kids of their own. We stay in touch and then hopefully by the time she receives her Hogwarts letter Voldemort will be dead and she can come live with us. She can be a real Malfoy"

"We still don't know if it's a girl yet" Narcissa reminded him, running the idea of muggle adoption through her head. It made sense. No one would ever think to look for a Malfoy within a family of muggles. They could visit under the claim of business. She would get to know them and when she was old enough they would explain.

"Then let's find out" Lucius interrupted her thoughts, quickly he scrambled to his feet and offered a hand to his wife who took it gratefully. Her floor length green dress would have been hard to get up in without his help. Especially with her ever growing stomach. Standing up she brushed down her dress and turned to her husband who suddenly had a very excited look on his face.

"We already visited St Mungo's and they said there was something getting in the way of identifying the gender" she reminded Lucius as she followed him out of the drawing room and towards the living area.

"Popsky" he shouted as he entered the room. Narcissa watched from the door way as a small elf appeared a light green tea towel wrapped around her like a skirt. Lucius leant down to ask the house elf something Narcissa couldn't hear and she watched as a large smiling crossed the little elfs face and Popsky nodded repeatedly and bowed to her master.

"Your right, but really what do those medi-witches know anyway. I don't think I'd trust a single word that comes out of their mouths on a good day but you know who I would trust? Popsky. She's been in my family for generations, longer than any of our other elves, she has seen so many Malfoy's come and go that she has created a bond. I just confirmed it with her. She can tell the gender of the baby just by placing her hand over your stomach. I can't believe I forgot." His words came out in a excited rush, very unlike his normal persona and it brought a grin to the beautiful witches face.

"Then let's do it" she said and the small elf rushed for wards. Stopping just in front of her mistress the elf looked up at Narcissa with wide eyes and slowly lifted her little hands until they rested on the witches swollen stomach. The woman watched as the small creatures eyes went wide. Popsky let out a loud giggle and Lucius and Narcissa watched in shock as the small elf clapped her hands and shouted in glee. Spinning in circles she let out a loud cheer.

"Oh a little master and a little mistress! So exciting! So exciting! Popsky is going to spoil them rotten, she is, she is" exclaimed the little elf before popping out of sight to tell the rest of the house elves in the kitchen the good news leaving the two parents to be staring at each other with shocked faces.

"Twins" Narcissa whispered, placing her hands over the spot the house elf had placed hers. Slowly Lucius seemed to snap out of his daze and he started making his way across the large room. Before he knew it he was running to the gorgeous witch in front of him and scooping her into his arms. Swinging her around as real laughter fell from his lips for the first time one what seemed like forever. It took Narcissa back to the moment she truly fell In love with the man she had been betrothed too long before she had ever met him.

Narcissa stood in the girls dorm in the Slytherin common room looking herself over in the mirror. Hogwarts had decided to throw a Yule Ball and it had been the talk of the school ever since the announcement had been made. Witches waited impatiently to be asked but Narcissa knew she needn't wait for a random suitor to make an appearance. She was taken. By none other than Lucius Malfoy. She glanced down briefly at the emerald encrusted bracelet clasped around her wrist, a sure sign of an agreement in pure blooded society. Not that it was a strictly pure blood tradition, just that not many muggle borns or half bloods took the old wizarding traditions very seriously, though when Narcissa had returned after the summer holidays with the bracelet by the end of the week everyone seemed to understand what it meant.

The other girls in her dorm had already headed down to meet their dates but Narcissa found herself waiting for them all to leave before finally putting her own dress on. She wore a black silk dress that hugged her figure tightly before flowing out just before he knees. Emeralds littered the dress creating intricate designs. Her hair fell down her back in long waves reaching all the way to the small of her back. Each strand had been curled perfectly, the hair that usually fell into her eyes when she wore her hair down had been pulled back and twisted into a beautiful knot. Her make up was subtle, only highlighting the perfect features she already had. Black heels raised her a good four inches off the ground.

Realising that it wasn't proper too keep Lucius waiting any longer. She scooled her feature and attempted to settle her nerves. Though she had known the young Malfoy man for as long as she could remember and had always suspected an arranged marriage it had still taken her by surprise when Lucius had first asked her to Hogsmeade almost an entire year beforehand.

He was desired by every girl in Hogwarts and though, following proper tradition, never courted a single girl he didn't plan on marrying he had taken advantage of the admiration and many girls did errands for him without even realising that they were being used.

She had shared words with him over the matter, telling him to stop treating the naive girls like house elves and to find a different sport. To which he had answered that he just did and promptly asked her to Hogsmeade. She had said yes, if just to stop the swarm of Ravenclaws from swarming around them in the halls asking Lucius if he needed his books carrying.

It had been shockingly wonderful and the two had shared every Hogsmeade trip together from that moment onwards. Everything had been seemingly perfect until she had heard the news. The Dark Lord had requested a meeting with Lucius. Which everyone knew was code for an initiation. It had taken place two weeks ago, the first Hogsmeade trip the two hadn't spent in each other's company and he had avoided Narcissa like the plague since his return.

When he returned late in the evening he looked to be in a state of shock, a look of pure horror covering his features, she had made the mistake when trying to comfort him by touching his arm subconsciously. It had been an accident. Rubbing his arm was something she had always done to soothe him and she had done it without a second thought. When he had pulled his arm away forcefully, hissing in pain she had tried to apologise but a cold mask fell over his features and he hadn't spoken to her since.

Briefly she worried that she would reach the bottom of the stairs and he wouldn't be there but she pushed that thought aside. Making her way out of her dorm room she slowly walked down the stairs. And sure enough there at the bottom, was Lucius. Her breath caught in her throat as he looked up at her as if she was the only witch in the room. Which she was, but she wasn't going to dwell on that fact because before she knew it he was infront if her, bowing low and bringing her knuckles up to meet his lips.

"You're beautiful" he whispered and she was suddenly glad she had waited so long to go down. This moment was too intimate, she felt her nerves disappear. She smiled at the man in front of her and watched as he pulled a long box from behind his back. "I have a gift for you" he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You shouldn't have" she whispered watching as he opened the box. Inside was a beautiful emerald, a silver snake curled around it. She gasped audibly at the sight and pulled the stone from the box running her thumb over the snake. She was about to ask him what it was when the snake started moving. Carrying the emerald on it's back it slithered up her hand and arm and as it glided across around her neck it grew in length until the emerald was clasped in the snakes jaw leaving a stunning necklace in its wake.

"I needed to do something to apologize. The way I've acted these last two weeks. I'm so sorry" he said brushing her cheek affectionately.

"I understand Lucius, you don't need to explain yourself to me" she said watching as a pained expression flew across his features.

"I just wanted to make my father proud" his voice shook a he said the words and Narcissa felt her heart tightening painfully.

"I know"

"I never wanted this"

"I know" she replied and taking his face in hers gently she pressed her lips against his. It was short and sweet but it sent an electric shock through her body. Pulling back she smiled at him and slowly took his left arm in her hands. "May I" he nodded And slowly she pushed up his sleeve to reveal the dark mark.

"It's hideous" he whimpered trying to pull his arm away from her but she pulled it back, bending over she placed a soft kiss to the tattoo.

"But your beautiful" she said and kissed him once again.

Later that night you could find the two dancing outside, the music from the great hall distant and yet still loud enough to get lost in. The gardens had been covered in fairies and lights and the couple danced slowly under the moonlight surrounded by peonies.

"I love you " Lucius whispered as he pulled her close and she smiled brightly as he looked at her, nerves clear on his face.

"I love you too" she replied and kissed him sweetly. A loud laugh escaped his lips and he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her into the air and spinning her around. Listening to her laugh as if it was the oxygen he needed to breathe.

Unbeknownst to the couple, inside the Great Hall four young Gryffindor students had had started a 'flash mob' which included the four of them, a few fellow house mates and an alarmingly large amount of suits of armor.

Lucius paced back and forth outside the private hospital room anxiously. He'd been in there not half an hour before his darling wife had screemed that he needed to leave before she ripped his face off for putting her through so much pain. It had been forty five minutes and she was still inside the room, screaming and cursing. Using words Lucius wasn't even aware she knew.

Everything had been set. A wealthy muggle couple had been looking to adopt, the woman had had an aunt you was a witch, a muggle born who was killed in a death eater raid years ago. She was aware of magic which made it a much easier situation when Lucius and a heavily pregnant Narcissa arrived at their door step one afternoon. The gated mansion was nothing compared to the manner but was still impressive for two muggles at such a young age.

After being invited in by a confused but polite women, Helen, they began to explain their situation. They left out a lot of details and deciding to leave it at that they had twins on the way, and that with the current state of the wizarding world, they were worried. Though their son would be safe their daughter was in grave danger.

The couple had listened to Narcissa and Lucius and ate up every word they said. One look at Lucius distraught wife and they accepted the offer to raise the girl as their own. They were looking to adopt anyway and this seemed to be a happy solution for everybody. They had agreed that the twins should not be kept apart and had organized to meet as frequently as possible and when the children turned eleven they would be told the truth.

Popsky was waiting back at the manner patiently for her masters call and when the time came she would apparate to the hospital and take his daughter before delivering her to the muggles. Suddenly the screaming in the room stopped and a medi-witch rushed out, sweat beading down her forehead and a smile on her face.

"It's a boy" she said and within seconds Lucius was standing next to Narcissa. It wasn't long before the screaming started again as their little girl decided it was her turn to make an appearance. While two witches hovered around Narcissa, the third witch carried a small bundle over to him. His breath got caught in his throat as he stared down at his son who screamed until the moment he laid his large eyes on his father. A thick head of blonde hair and silver eyes, just like him.

It wasn't long before a new cry filled the air and Lucius looked up from where he had been staring mesmerised at the baby in his arms to watch as a little girl was placed carefully in his tired wife's arms. The same blonde hair and silver eyes as her brother peeked out from beneath the blankets and he could feel tears fall from his eyes.

"Hesperia" he whispered, looking at the baby in Narcissa's arms.

"And Draco" his witch said smiling at the bundle he had clasped to his chest. He watched as Narcissa turned her attention to Hesperia and smiled sadly down at her "I love you baby girl" she whispered softly. She then looked up at her husband and nodded. Carefully the two exchanged babies.

Taking the child in his arms he realised something. He had always believed that he could never love anyone as much as the woman lying in the hospital bed and yet when he stared at the twins his heart suddenly felt full. And he didn't love them any more or any less that he loved his wife. It was as if his heart just grew, expanded, in order to make more space.

"My sweet child, I will see you soon, I promise" he murmured "Popsky" he called and in seconds the house elf was there before him,staring at the two bundles with tears in her giant eyes. Reluctantly he placed the baby girl in the elf's awaiting arms. Walking back, he stood next to his wife who had propped herself up in the bed so as to hold onto Draco properly and still see her daughter. Wrapping an arm around his wife he kissed the top of her head. Not worried about showing affection in front of the three other witches in the room as he knew that once Popsky had taken his daughter to the muggles, he would have to obliviate any memory of their ever being another child from their minds.

"Is Master and Mistress sure" Popsky asked for the hundredth time since they told her the plan, looking at the couple and then at the child in her arms.

"Yes, this has to be done" Narcissa said sadly. Smiling at the elf who was so loyal and kind.

"Popsky will see you back home. With baby safe with muggles. Popsky promises" the elf swore, holding the child close.

"We will see you soon Popsky" Narcissa whispered and the couple watched with pain in their eyes as the small elf nodded once and then disappeared.

Lucius wanted to collapse right there. To call Popsky back and tell her to forget about the plan, but the image of when Lucius had told Voldemort that the baby was a boy and the disappointed look that had fallen over his feature and the instruction to try harder next time, reminded him of why they were doing this in the first place.

Glancing down he smiled at his wife who was clearly fighting back tears as she stared at the little boy in her arms. Through all the sadness she was feeling the look of adoration was clear as she looked at her son. Leaning down Lucius placed a kissed each of their foreheads. Ushering the three witches out of them room he quickly dealt with them and sent them on their way before slowly leaning back against the door leading back into the hospital room.

He slowly lowered himself until his elbows rested on his knees and he rubbed his hands over his face in a habit that seemed to calm him in moments of stress. He quickly pulled himself together and wiped away any traces of stray tears and re-entered the room. When he walked in he was surprised to find that, his wife was fast asleep. A silver eyed boy stared curiously up at him As he took the baby into his arms. He grinned at the boy, his eyes traveling to the spot where Popsky had just disappeared.

"Your going to give them Hell Hesperia Malfoy" he said to no one and then laughed quietly when he thought Of the small argument he and Narcissa had had with the muggles when they had told them her name. Claiming that it was a stupid name they insisted that no one would ever believe they would call their child that. After a loud but short lived argument the couples had decided on two names one for when she was with the muggles and another for when she found out she was a Malfoy and for all the fuss the couple had made over Hesperia, Lucius couldn't help but feel the name they picked was even stupider "or should I say Hermione Granger."