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Title: I Swore.

Chapter 4

Three…

… memory…

flash

It has been nearly two years since my wedding day, and I can honestly say- to myself, of course- that I am glad my father has died. He died in his sleep, the great fool, and never have I been happier. Of course, Narcissa has decided that I should act like I care about him, but only in public.

She was no great fan of his, either.

Today is his burial. He is to be interred next to his father and mother in the vault, alongside his wife. It is the same arrangement that is made for every Malfoy, and soon I will have to expand the catacombs. But today we are meeting the Blacks, Parkinsons, and Notts at Zabini Manor after the ceremony.

Narcissa and I are to arrive last, as the 'Guests of Honor', meaning as the first of our peers to come into our inheritance. Or rather- my half of it. It is fairly difficult to maintain a façade of caring for the man that wanted you to rape your wife until she gave you children. Although- he did allow me to marry her, I'll grant him that.

It is just me and Narcissa in the catacombs now; even the House Elves have left, giving us time alone with the latest Head of the Family. I stand with my hands clasped before me and wonder if I am going to turn out like him. As Narcissa wraps her hands around my own, I pray to God that I don't. I'll do anything so I just- don't.

When we get to the gathering there are the expected insincere condolences, and the anticipated questions. 'What are you going to do now?' 'Are you planning on redoing the Manor?' 'Are you expecting an Heir soon?' The last threw me off, and I nearly hexed Goyle when he asked me that. I was still angry with him for trying to woo my Narcissa.

"When we are expecting an Heir the Families will be the first to know." The tone of my voice actually cut through the haze of stupidity surrounding the other man, and he apologized and shuffled away. Narcissa merely raised her brow at me, and I returned the gesture. What did she want me to do? She knew I was possessed of a long memory for grudges.

We wandered through the hall, stopping here and there to accept more condolences and congratulations. For we were now the Lord and Lady Malfoy in truth. And that name carried great weight wherever we went.

Soon, we separated, deciding that it would be best to get this over quickly and leave. I moved over to talk to George Nott and Narcissa intercepted her sister Andromeda. I quickly dismissed the pair from my thoughts, knowing no one would dare touch my wife, and therefore her sister, while I was on the same continent. George was actually a veritable fountain of information concerning my investments, and we passed the next hour or so ignoring those surrounding us for our own interests.

Soon enough, though, I grew bored with the company and turned to seek out my wife. When I could not immediately find her, I was not worried, and went back to the conversation, as it had changed topics. The second time I looked for her and could not find her I grew annoyed, and left my circle to find her.

My discrete inquiries yielded no fruit, and by this time I was actively searching for her. When I saw Celeste Zabini exit a room on the opposite side of the Manse I stopped her.

"Ms. Zabini. Have you by any chance seen Narcissa?" I knew I could count on her to tell me anything- she loved a good chance to ruin other people's fun. Sure enough, the diminutive woman immediately provided me with directions and went in the opposite direction- I'm sure to spread discord among the guests.

I found Narcissa in a room of woman, all relatives of hers. I knocked discreetly on the door; and lifted an eyebrow as every head in the room turned to face me. Luckily, my Malfoy mask stood me in good stead and I managed to ask in my polite voice, "May I speak to Narcissa?"

Druella Black, my mother-in-law, stood and came towards me. "No, you may not."

I was shocked that this woman could say such a thing to me- would dare to say it. "And why is that?" I asked, my voice as cold and hard as these women had never heard it before. It worked, at least enough for them to rethink whatever dubious plan they had.

"Because you don't deserve her! That's why, you Malfoy- beast!" What had I done to deserve this? But I had had enough.

"Narcissa," I said, searching her out with my eyes and pinning her with them, "Come to me."

Bellatrix- my eyes narrowed. Of course she was involved- placed her hand on Narcissa's shoulder and held her down. I moved from my spot at the door and took three steps into the room. Though she was older than me, Bellatrix was the weaker in magic, and she knew it. And now my father was no longer around to hold my leash. That chore belonged solely to Narcissa- whom Bellatrix was restraining.

"Let go of my wife, Mrs. Lestrange." It seemed some of my fury was evident in my tone, because Bellatrix actually did the smart thing and moved back. A step- but she moved. I watched her for a second more, and then turned back to Narcissa. Stepping closer I held out my hand.

"Come." Narcissa regarded me for a moment, then placed her hand in mine and let me help her stand. The women in the room looked upon us with strange mixtures of condemnation, disgust, and hatred on their faces. Again I wondered what I had done- because it was very obviously the male they were mad at- this time.

I Apparated us home, leaving a note for the carriage to return as fast as was possible. I sat Narcissa down in one of the chairs in our sitting room and sat across from her.

"What was all that about?" The anger had yet to leave my voice, but now- with Narcissa to ground me again- I found I was able to be curious about it as well. But she wouldn't look at me, and for a few minutes we sat there in silence.

"Narcissa," I said, dropping all pretense from my voice, "what happened?"

And she started to talk.

"Bella caught me after Romi was through with me and brought me into that back room to meet with the Ladies in the Black Family. They wanted to tell me, they said that you-" her voice caught and I leaned forward.

"What did they say, 'Cissa?" The nickname brought tears to her eyes for some reason, and she wiped at them furiously as she went on.

"They told me you were keeping Mistresses. That Celeste, and Molly, and Lucerne Parkinson were sleeping with you and that you only kept me around because you needed a legitimate Heir."

I could barely keep the urge to slaughter her family contained. That I would cheat on Narcissa!? I would never think of such a thing- much less do it! When I could speak past the rage in my throat I said, "I would never cheat on you Narcissa. Never." There was a ferocity behind my voice that made her head jerk up and she stared at me. I must look possessed. I was.

"Narcissa," I said, standing from my own chair and walking over to hers, "I swear to you that I have never, nor will ever, cheat on you. Ever." The last word was growled, and I pulled my wand out to seal my vow. Kneeling at her feet, I repeated the words, and added, "I swear on my magic and my life. I will die before I do."

That was the first time she had ever kissed me of her own volition.

flash

The day was dragging by so slowly that I felt compelled to rip my eyes out. Of course, Malfoy's do not rip their eyeballs out, so I settled with writing a letter to my wife.

Narcissa-

I hate London, I truly do. I feel as if all the reasons I am proud of myself shrivel when I get here and settle into the graves. There is nothing I would rather be doing right now than help you settle the shopping bills, or exercise the horses. Hell- I'd rather be cleaning the house right now!

But I just thought I would take the time to say 'Hello,' and 'How's your day been?'

Sincerely,

Lucius.

P.S.: This letter has a charm on it that makes this readable only by your eyes. So don't worry about when Andromeda comes over later- it will be fine.

I had to add that last bit- Andromeda had a problem with other people's mail- mainly that she read it.

About a half an hour later a letter came winging back to me, and I opened it with a well- hidden eagerness. The next moment, though, I wasn't eager as much as scared to death.

Lucius-

You don't want to be at the Ministry? Then come home- we need to talk.

Romi's not coming over today- and you should get here soon.

Narcissa

I managed to keep myself from running down to the Floo- fireplaces, but only just. There was a large part of me that wanted to Apparate, but I knew in this instance Floo would be faster. When I arrived in the house, I summoned Dobby immediately to have him take me to my wife.

She was stretched out on our bed, still in her nightclothes, reading a novel of some sort. When she saw me enter the room she sat upright and put the book aside. "Lucius!" she exclaimed happily, and bade me to come and sit next to her.

"Yes, Narcissa? What's wrong? Are you ok?" She seemed to be trying to speak, so I stopped asking questions and let her talk.

"I have a surprise for you." I felt a little annoyed, but then quickly banished the feeling. She'd never had a surprise for me before.

"Do I get to know what it is?" I asked gently after a few seconds of silence, and she looked at me again with those glowing eyes and I knew what she was going to say. "Oh God. You're pregnant."

She laughed, pleased that I had gotten it, but stopped shortly after as she realized what I was doing. "No horseback riding after four months, no unauthorized foods, no going out in the rain or after dark…" I would have gone on if she hadn't stopped me- in really the only way, I realized as she pulled back.

"What?" I asked defensively as she looked at me with those bright eyes. "You are going to have to do all those things, so why not get ahead start." Then something else clicked- she was pregnant. "Good Lord. You're pregnant. We're going to have a child." My eyes got wide- I couldn't help myself.

Narcissa laughed at me as she finally got the reaction she had been going for.

flash

They wouldn't let me in the goddamned room and they wouldn't take down the goddamned silencing spells and God-Damn-It! They wouldn't hurry up! My patience was at the breaking point as I paced in front of the door of the ward my wife was in. Nine months and she's fine, doing everything she likes to do, and then the day she goes into labor, they lock her inside for twenty-three and one half hours!?

I was going to go insane. I was positive of it.

Luckily the doors open finally and the woman looks scared to her core as she is immediately confronted with all six feet two inches of a furious Lord Lucius Malfoy. "Where is my wife?" I growl, not having the time, patience, or energy to care about my manners. Surprisingly, this voice works wonders as well because the squeaked and flinched away from me.

"She-um- r-r-right this way, Sir." The little woman led me through the rabbits warren that was the maternity ward of St. Mungo's and stopped before the labeled, Malfoy, Narcissa. "R-right here, Sir."

I just walked in, too excited to deal with the teenager (as I have decided she must be from her appearance). My wife is sitting up in her bed, cradling a tiny blue bundle to her chest. I freeze, and she hadn't noticed me yet, so I watch.

She is gorgeous, my Narcissa, and I hope fervently that the baby has taken after her. Finally she spots me at the door and gestures me over. I come slowly, not wanting to scare the baby. When I finally take my seat next to my wife, I look down into the bundle in her arms to see if he is awake. Solemn silver eyes meet mine and I very gently take one long finger and touch the boy.

"What did you name him, 'Cissa?" I ask, forgetting for the moment that there is another Medi-Witch in the room.

"I was waiting for you actually. Though of the names we have so far, I still think Draconus will be best."

I nod absently, and query "And the Godparents?"

Narcissa thinks for a second, and then says, "I think Severus should be the Godfather. Lord knows he needs a family of his own."

I glance away from the baby I have decided to name Draco and look at my wife. "Thank you," I murmur as softly as I can. I stay that way, examining my child, noting all the features that were distinctly his. Though his silver eyes are entirely his mothers.

flash

So- chapter four, up and at'em. Celeste Zabini and Lucerne Parkinson- i came up with their first names. Blaise and Pansy's mothers, respectively.

I'll see all of you later!