Author's Note: This takes place in Lucius's fifth year and Narcissa's fourth year.


"Thank you so much for coming with me to the Astronomy Tower," Narcissa told Lucius as they walked through the hallways of Hogwarts. "I really don't like going up there alone at night."

"No problem," Lucius smiled. "Besides, I could use the extra study."

Narcissa made a sound that would have been a snort if it had been coming from another other young lady but her.

"And while we're on the subject of extra studying," Lucius said, "why do you need it anyways? You're wonderful in Astronomy. You're much better in it than I am. And I've heard that you're at the top of your class in that subject."

"Maybe I just wanted to help you out without damaging your precious ego," Narcissa smiled mischievously.

"I'm not that horrible at Astronomy," Lucius insisted, but he was grinning. He knew when Narcissa was just teasing with him.

"Okay, let's get all the facts straight," Narcissa said, struggling not to laugh. "I really don't need the extra study because I'm the best in my class. You really don't need the extra study because you don't need extra study in anything."

"Maybe we just wanted an excuse to be out together at night," Lucius concluded with a laugh, "but, of course, we couldn't tell our Housemates that."

"No, we wouldn't want them thinking that we actually love each other," Narcissa laughed back.

Lucius froze.

"Lucius, what's wrong?" Narcissa asked, her voice now filled with concern as she stopped as well.

"We don't love each other," Lucius breathed.

"Lucius, I think you mistook me," Narcissa replied. "I was just saying that we don't want others knowing that we love each other because no one would be able to understand that. We are Purebloods, after all. But I most definitely wasn't saying that I don't love you, because I do. I do love you. I love you a lot, in fact."

Narcissa then took Lucius's hand.

Lucius pulled his hand away as if he had been stung. He also sprang back several steps.

"Don't you ever say that again," he hissed.

"Say what?"

"That you love me. I don't want you to love me."

"Why not?"

"Because you've never hurt me before."

"I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"

"Just don't say you love me," Lucius said sharply. "Love only causes pain, and I know that you would never want to hurt me in any way."

"Of course not," Narcissa replied, completely baffled by the direction this conversation had taken.

"And I would never want to cause you any pain either, Narcissa," Lucius continued. "I care too much about you to ever do that."

"I thought that was what love meant," Narcissa responded.

"Purebloods and love don't go together," Lucius returned. "We both know that. Look, let's just forget about all this. We have a lot of studying to do. Our families expect us to get top grades, and we don't want to disappoint them."

Lucius then began to walk again.

He didn't offer Narcissa his hand like he usually did.