Authors note: I should probably really be focusing on updating my other stories. 'Collision Course' as an example but this idea just came to me and I can't stop writing. I'm halfway through the third chapter already, I was even writing the second chapter on the bus on the way to and back from work. So if your waiting on updates of my other stories, sorry, but I cant seem to stop writing this one. Anyway, hope you enjoy =D This chapter is taken from Lucius Malfoy's pov. next chapter, ur darling Severus Snape's pov- Bee x
Lucius Malfoy could hardly believe what had become of his beautiful home. Every morning he awoke, hoping that it had been a horrible nightmare. Then reality hit. Throughout his entire life when the world had became too much Lucius could always retreat to the peace of the Wiltshire countryside and father the strength to continue. Now though, what had once been his haven was a prison he could never hope to escape from. He had declared allegiance to Voldemort and had allowed himself to be trapped in a metaphorical prison. He had then become trapped in a real prison before being broken free only to find that his metaphorical prison had taken on form and substance, mimicking his home. Lucius would not be surprised if he died in his grand ballroom, which had acted home to the classiest parties of the social elite, during the Dark Revels that he had found little pleasure in. Lucius's short coming as a Death Eater was that, despite all appearances, he had some form of conscience He was a human being like all the others and he hurt the same as they did.
Lucius stalked through the darkened halls that made up his home, contemplating at what point he could have stopped the horrifying events that had come to pass. He could have avoided joining the Death Eaters in the first place, but he would have faced the wrath of his father. After the disappearance of his sister, Abraxsus Malfoy had became a cruel, critical man who had no objections to brutally punishing his son for anything he thought to be wrong. When Voldemort had fallen Lucius had crafted himself a wonderful life and had happily been able to rear his son in peace without the fear of always looking over his back. Then Voldemort had returned and Lucius' curiosity had driven him to return. Ever since then Lucius had found himself trapped, and could not oppose and free himself without endangering his family's life and his own. There was no way Lucius could have avoided what had come to pass. Narcissa blamed Lucius for all that had happened and had grown incredibly distant from him, her heart filling with more and more hatred as the days went past. This filled Lucius with such great sadness because he did love his wife dearly, still. To discover that the only time they united, and she repressed her unadulterated loathing of him, was to protect their son brought Lucius pain. Narcissa was beautiful and lovely with a wonderful heart. She loved so much and so deeply, and would lay down her life for those she loved dearly. She no longer felt any feeling close to love for him anymore. They had just had another argument where she had informed him that she was going to file for divorce, as soon as she could offer Draco safety without needing Lucius' assistance.
Lucius sighed, thoughts whirling in his head, as he found himself walking along the carpet gallery. The Malfoy ancestors looked down at him from the wood panelled walls. The expressions ranged from haughty to sad and filled with pity. Lucius glared contemptibly back and continued walking till he reached one portrait in particular. This portrait was special, and stood out from the rest. All the other portraits on the walls around moved and spoke. They were an imprint of the dead's soul. This one portrait though, it did not move. Lucius took his wand out and began to perform a complex series of movements with it, his focus all the while on the portrait, eyes narrowed slightly in concentration. When he was finished he pocketed his wand and looked up at the portrait with an almost child like longing. He waited patiently for a few moments before the portrait moved, the eyes looking at him with a bright gleam in their depths. The lips twitched into a small smile, the arms spreading wide in a universal sign of welcome.
"Oh Lucius, you look so sad. I wish I could help you" The woman in the portrait spoke, her voice as warm as liquid honey. Lucius moved closer to the portrait. He extended his hand, his fingers brushing the canvas, just as the figure in the portrait did the same. It was the closest they could get to touching each other.
"You do help me. Just by being here you help Aunty Christina" Lucius smiled sadly at the woman in the portrait, his aunty, the beloved sister of Abraxsus Malfoy, who had disappeared shortly after her twenty first birthday. She returned the smile, tears welling up in her eyes. Even in her sadness she looked majestic and beautiful, cemented permanently in her twenty one year old body. She did not judge her nephew unlike so many others, within and without the family. She offered unconditional, unwavering love and advice when she could.
"I wish I could do more for you Luc" Lucius laughed softly at her use of the nickname she had given him. It was their connection to each other, something nobody else could have with him or take from him.
"You could though. You could be here for me" She knew exactly what Lucius was asking and he recognized the torn expression on her face as signifying a battle between her heart and her mind. Lucius was perfectly aware that he was asking a lot of her, although he had no idea exactly why she had such resistance to the suggestion. He knew that it was important though and he knew in his heart that she wasn't adverse to the idea because she did not love him or want to see her great nephew, Draco.
"You know I cannot Lucius. He is here, in your very home, and I cannot be there whilst he is" There was a noticeable strain in her voice that Lucius recognized instantly as pain. He felt terrible for bringing this pain upon her and hung his head in undisguised shame.
"Don't Luc. It is not you who brings me pain. It is him! He is stopping me seeing my family!" There was anger in her voice now, the pain before being but a memory. Lucius lifted his head to watch her. She had risen from her chair and was standing tall with her back straight and fists clenched at her side. She was quivering on her canvas with anger and it awed Lucius. Even in her portrait form she radiated power, something which Lucius thought would be spectacular if he could witness it in person, see her in the flesh.
"If he is defeated will you come home?" Lucius whispered, moving closer to Christina's portrait, desperation in his voice and dancing in his eyes. Christina nodded immediately
"Then I know what I must do" Lucius sighed heavily "I will send Harry Potter to you, somehow. Help him. Then you can come home" Lucius smiled slightly at the thought of Christina arriving at the Manor, arms wide open, waiting to embrace him. He took his wand out and waved it over the portrait. Christina returned to the position she had originally painted in, nodding finally before becoming still and lifeless again. Lucius slipped his wand back into his robes and left the portrait gallery. He was mind was abuzz as he began to plan and plot. Lady Christina Mallory Malfoy was going to come home.
Lucius was faced with a difficult task but he would achieve it. He would have to utilise ever aspect of his personality, call in every favour he had and convince old friends to help him. In the end though, he knew it would be worth it. Christina deserved to come home, back to where she was loved and cherished by her family. Lucius wanted her to come home so for the first time ever, he could find comfort in the arms of his confidante. Lucius vowed that he would make it happen and bring her back home to Manor, even if it was only her lifeless body. Lucius was a realist; he knew that she might be dead by the time he reached her. If she were though, he would still bring her back. She deserved at least a proper burial in the family mausoleum. As his feet carried him farther and farther away from his aunt's portrait a plan began to form in Lucius' mind. With a purpose to continue on again, Lucius Abraxsus Malfoy began to feel strong once more.