Wow, I must say the immediate response I received for the last chapter leaves me no choice but to reward you with a new chapter.

Hi sis, you know I absolutely love how your wearing your hair today.

Why it's a frizzy mess?

But you know that it suits you so perfectly and the rich mahogany tones delightfully compliment your eyes.

What are you two up to?

Up to we are hardly up to anything.

Yeah, I mean it's not out of the ordinary for us to complement our delightful little sister.

Yes it is.

(whispered) Hush Vitus we're trying to see what she'll do she is handing out rewards for positive reactions after all.

Yeah… I don't see her rewarding you for pandering.

Continuing on, and ignoring my brothers, most certainly not rewarding them.

Hey, I tried to help.

Yes, I know, but I really need to put this up or they will get frustrated with the pandering and I love this part. So thanks to FonzFan, prith, The Emerald Doe, and My Desk's Name is Alfred (that's a mouthful). By the way Mum is cannon, I put up a poll on my profile if anyone cares to guess about who she is.

Chapter 9

Lucius stood stoically in his father's chambers waiting for his father's most recent coughing fit to end so that Abraxas could continue his lecture of expectations. His father had contracted Dragon Pox shortly before Samhain and had rapidly become severely ill. The healers promised a full recovery soon, of course. His father's racking cough finally finished and Abraxas cleared his throat and spoke with a much-abused tone.

"I expect you to find a suitable bride, Lucius," he wheezed. "It is your duty as heir to the Malfoy line to continue it and continue it with a woman of quality blood."

Noting that his father seemed to have finally completed saying his piece Lucius was finally able to say what he had originally sought this audience with his father in the first place.

"I understand, Father. You will be pleased to know that I have arranged a betrothal with the youngest of Cygnus Black's daughters. I am actually informing her of the arrangements today."

Abraxas coughed loudly again his body curling in on itself.

"Cygnus daughter you say. Well it is a disappointment with the oldest daughter's choice to corrupt their line but I suppose the younger sisters cannot be blamed. Be on your way and make sure you do it all properly so as not to disgrace us."

"Yes Father, as you wish." Lucius bowed curtly to his father receiving a beleaguered nod in return and left the room. He proceeded directly to the floo. Pinching a small amount of the glittering powder and flicking it into the fireplace.

"Headmasters Office, Hogwarts," he called looking into the fire. Moments later the face of Albus Dumbledore appeared in the flames.

"May I help you Mr. Malfoy."

"I wish to take Narcissa Black on an outing today."

"I am sorry but I am afraid that is not possible, Mr. Malfoy. I cannot allow students to come and go as they please."

"If you please Headmaster, I wish to inform her of our betrothal and feel that would be most appropriate somewhere other than on school grounds."

"If that is your desire I am sure that you can find somewhere appropriate to meet in Hogsmead as today the students are there."

"I rather hoped to talk to her somewhere that was not likely to be encroached upon by other students."

"I apologize again, but I simply cannot allow a student in my care to be taken out of it even if you are her betrothed. You cannot expect that simply because you are no longer a student that I will permit you to take students on outings as you please. I allowed you to take your friends to the ball at Halloween, Mr. Malfoy. Please do not make me regret doing so by trying to make these outings a regular thing."

"Very well headmaster. Thank you for your time."

Lucius gave a curt nod and ended the floo call with the unreasonable headmaster. The man always did have a dislike for Slytherin; perhaps he should have expected nothing different. In spite of that he would be taking Narcissa as he desired, she could hardly be blamed for him taking her from Hogsmead against her will and her father would have no argument with his actions as he had actually agreed to let him marry her, though Cygnus knew nothing about the betrothal.

Deciding to get an early start Lucius went to the foyer and apparated to the edge of Hogwarts. Since his father had fallen ill, he had taken over managing the family responsibilities, which included being one of the Hogwarts governors. Entering the grounds, he proceeded directly to the great hall smirking inwardly at all of the gaping children he passed. When he reached the great hall, he walked to the Slytherin table where Cissy was sitting with Desiree Greengrass across from Severus, glancing up only briefly to see the Headmaster's almost hidden scowl.

"Good morning, pet," he said straddling the bench beside her and giving her a full-blown smirk.

Narcissa jerked away from her plate and turned to him.

"Lucius," she nearly shrieked as she wrapped herself around him. "What are you doing here?"

"I should think that would be obvious. I am here to visit you."

Severus chuckled from across the table giving him a knowing look. "Of course because the great Malfoy heir regularly drops by Hogwarts."

"Is everyone ready to go?" called Jane as she approached the table, stopping when she noticed him. "Lucius, how nice to see you."

"You as well, Jane."

"I'm ready," said Cissy taking his hand as she stood and practically dragging him up from the bench. Severus raised also taking Jane's hand.

"Of course, luv." he said warmly his lips quirking as her face flushed with a pleased blush.

"I think now might be a good time," a voice he recognized a Michael Boot came from behind Jane. "It appears that Professor Slughorn has noticed Lucius and is coming over to pander."

"I believe you are correct," said Lucius glancing up at the head table. "Thank you Michael, for the fair warning."

Having been given motive for an expeditious retreat, they left the hall to depart for Hogsmead. After verifying that each of the students had appropriate permission to leave the castle they began a peaceful walk to town. When they reached the edge of the grounds, he pulled Narcissa to a halt.

"It you all will excuse us," he called to the others in their group, who had not noticed them stop, as he wrapped her in a close embrace. "I will be stealing Cissy for a while."

As he apparated away with Cissy, he saw a curt nod from Michael and a smirk from Severus.

"Lucius, where are we?"

"Near Severus' house."

"Why?"

"I wanted to take you somewhere," he said taking hold of her hand and leading her out of the secluded apparation point.

"Did Dumbledore say you could take me on this day trip?"

He paused looking to his side to see her. "No, he actually refused to allow you to come."

"Oh," she said realizing that this was not likely to get any complete answers she stopped questioning him and waited for him to explain on his own terms.

They walked quietly through the streets until they reached the park he had spent much of his time with Severus over the summer where he stopped.

"A muggle park?"

"Yes," he replied leading her over to the swings he had pushed Jane's nephew on and gesturing for her to sit on one. Reluctantly she sat on the swing taking hold of the chains. Lucius walked behind her and began to gently push the swing, careful to always place his hands on her back to push off. Narcissa gasped quietly as the lulling back and forth movement began. He pushed her silently for a few minutes simply enjoying the peaceful silence in the park.

"I was engaged once," he stated, continuing to push her gently. "It was very brief. I gave her my heart and the next day she left with it. After that I was almost certain I would never have a family or that if I did it would be only for the sake of giving my family an heir."

Push. Swing. Push. Swing. Cissy remained silent allowing him to say what he needed before asking any questions. It was their way, he had discovered, as if she intuitively knew when to ask and when to let him speak when he was ready.

"I changed my mind this past summer. We spent a lot of time here, Severus, Jane, her nephew and I. The little boy was quite precocious. He had a fondness for mimicking me."

Push. Swing. Push. Swing.

"It was being around him that changed my mind. I almost simply wanted to keep him, I wished he was mine."

Push. Swing. Push. Swing.

"I would rather have one of my own I suppose. I also think it would eventually get rather lonely were I never to marry."

He stopped pushing.

"I hadn't expected anything to come of it. Just an arrangement between two people. A continuing of bloodlines and a peaceful companionship."

He slowed the swing gradually and came around in front of her meeting her eyes.

"I hadn't expected to find more. To find someone who knew my mind so well. My soul mate. My love." He saw her eyes tear up as a tentative smile spread across her face. He lowered himself to his knees in front of her swing placing his hands on the chains above hers.

"Narcissa Black, would you do the honor of becoming my wife, mother to my children and holder of my newly mended heart."

"Yes," she whispered. "Every day I don't know when exactly it happened but now and for all the rest of my life you are my heart." She wrapped her arms around his neck and met his lips in a tender kiss so intimate that he could feel her body shudder against his own as her hands clenched into fists in his hair.

They drew back from the kiss when the need for air demanded it end.

He took her left hand from the chain gently.

"The first time I was engaged, I gave her the Malfoy ring. When she left, she left it and now it is a reminder of her. I wish to give you a different ring. One that represents the purity of my affections."

He drew a polished white ring from his pocket holding it at the tip of her ring finger.

"This ring was given to me by my mother. She was a veela. My mother was asked by her people to marry my father because of our families curse, even though he was not her mate and she knew she would die without one. This was gifted to her for her sacrifice; it is made from the horn of a unicorn. Male Veela are rare, but when a male is born from any pairing that has the tiniest amount of Veela blood, they are always pureblood Veela. The Malfoy line has been cursed to have only one male heir and no other child. The Veela saw our curse as an opportunity to ensure the continuation of pure Veela blood." He slipped the ring on her finger and rested his forehead against hers listening to the silence that told him that she was not going to reject him.

After some time Narcissa timidly broke the silence.

"Can we go tell our friends?"

He smiled at the reminder of her youthfulness.

"Of course, pet. We have all the time in the world to be together, let's go share the news." Entwining their hands, he stood and led her in companionable silence back to the apparation point.

When they arrived in Hogsmead, they searched out their friends and found them in The Three Broomsticks. Narcissa immediately rushed over to Desiree and Jane pulling them into a hug and excitedly relaying her news. Lucius walked calmly over to Severus.

"I see you finally decided your courting was sufficient," Severus said with a smirk.

"Much better than your way of handling things wouldn't you say?"

"It is not as if I was given any other option. Did you even tell her about the betrothal?" he asked petulantly.

"No. It was never necessary." It was then that he noticed a lull in the girls talk. He looked over and saw Narcissa looking at him with her expression conflicted. She gradually removed herself from the other girls and walked over to him.

"Is it true?" she asked.

Thinking Jane had told her of the betrothal, but not wanting to reveal it if she had not he asked.

"Is what true, pet?"

"We were already betrothed," she paused searching his eyes, "and you never told me."

Sighing in frustration that her joy had been dampened he answered.

"Yes, pet. We were already betrothed. As I said I had only expected to find companionship."

Her eyes brightened with a little hope. "You really found more?"

"I found you."

"So we are to marry at Yule? With Severus and Jane?"

"It is already arranged."

She smiled then and reached up to him giving him a soft kiss.

"Good then," her smile brightened even further, "I cannot wait for the holidays."

He watched her the rest of the day. She smiled and laughed her delight clear to anyone who saw as little as a glance of her. When it was time for the students to return to Hogwarts they made their farewells and he returned to the Manor to report the complete success of his betrothal to his ever expectant father.

He apparated from the Three Broomsticks into the foyer.

"Lord Malfoy."

He looked instantly to the voice that said so much more than a simple greeting.

"Mr. Louis," he replied with a nod of greeting to their family solicitor.

"I assume you know of your father's passing this morning."

"Only just," he replied, the training of a lifetime maintaining his composure.

"I was hoping that we might arrange a time to review the estate."

"Of course," Lucius replied. "The day after the funeral, perhaps."

"That would do well. Is Tuesday next an appropriate day for me to arrange the funeral."

"Yes."

"I will leave you for the time being then. Good day, Lord Malfoy." The man left through the floo as Lucius sat heavily on a nearby chaise. He had expected his father to recover, to be a dark cloud in his new marriage for years to come. His father's passing left him conflicted. He was free to choose his own way. He could serve the Dark Lord, The Ministry; he could do whatever he pleased. He was also alone.

Deciding that he would rather be prepared for the next Wednesday he walked numbly through the manor resenting the fact that even after his cold and biter father had passed he felt no sense of possession or of pride for the house that he was now the Master of was just that a House. In his whole life, it had never been a home. Perhaps Cissy could find a way to make it so.

He entered the office. Noticing a sheaf of parchments on the desk, he began to sort through them. When he reached a parchment signed by his father and Tom Riddle, he stopped, reading it a second time and then a third he let it fall to the table. He closed his eyes as he began trembling with rage. With a hoarse shout, he angrily swept the top of the desk clear, spattering the walls and scattered parchments with ink and oil from broken bottles and lamps. He stood with his chest heaving staring at the destruction for minutes before finally sinking into the large leather chair. He wept. Even after his death, with all he had done to try to please his father. Abraxas had found a way to require to obedience of all his progeny.