Chapter Nine – A little romance

"Where are we going?" Lucius asked as he blindly followed Narcissa through her family's massive backyard.

"Somewhere we can chat," Narcissa smiled as she grabbed his wrist and looked into his eyes. She saw his concern and sighed, "We're just going over by the lake. I set up a little picnic thinking we could eat, talk, and cuddle."

"I thought I was supposed to set up our dates?" Lucius inquired before he let out a short laugh.

"Because you're the man," Narcissa giggled, "That's what Bella told me. She said making you a picnic was letting you walk all over me. Can't we just catch up with food?"

Lucius smirked, "Only if it's good food."

Narcissa squeezed her hand around his wrist painfully before laughing. "You're just so cruel Lucius."

"Me?" Lucius mocked before they reached their destination.

"Yes, you are very cruel," Narcissa teased, "We start going out and then you forget that I exist for three whole days!"

"I wasn't going to invite myself over," Lucius taunted as he watched Narcissa sit down on a small blue blanket.

Narcissa glared at Lucius before patting the space beside her.

"You're so romantic, Narcissa," Lucius teased as he sat down on the thin blue blanket.

Narcissa giggled before she leaned into him gently and stared off across the lake. "Do you want to talk or eat first?"

Lucius looked down at Narcissa before taking in a deep breath of fresh air, "What is it you want to know?"

"Everything," Narcissa said bluntly as she snuggled closer into him.

"There are a lot of people in the Ministry who dislike my father," Lucius started before he took another deep breath. "The moment they received word from Dumbledore about my—well let's call it my situation—they started an inquiry. They wanted to know exactly what was going on. Does that make sense?"

Narcissa nodded as she craned her neck to look at him, "They wanted to know about your situation and the truth behind it. Was it hard to talk to them?"

"Of course," Lucius said as he looked off into the distance. "The Ministry wanted every detail. Every memory I have. It was hard. To be honest Narcissa I've buried a lot of those memories and just kept them locked up. It was hard to bring up anything. Not that I could."

"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked as she watched Lucius blink his eyes a couple of times.

"My father threatened me the moment I arrived home. He said if I told anyone he would cut me out of existence. My situation isn't something you go to Azkaban for Narcissa."

"So, you just let him scare you from speaking the truth?"

"Don't get mad," Lucius said softly, "I'm use to it, honestly, I am."

"I don't want you to be use to it," Narcissa said as she pulled herself away from him, and looked hopefully up into his gray eyes.

Lucius frowned at her and realized why he had always loved Narcissa. She always wanted to take care of him . . . to protect him. "I'm sorry."

"I can hate him, can't I?" Narcissa replied honestly as she stared into his eyes yet again.

"Of course," Lucius said giving a short laugh to lighten the mood.

Narcissa kissed him lightly on the lips, "Please continue."

Lucius closed his eyes before looking off into the distance again. "With that in mind I decided to listen to my father. He had already taken away my wealth and forced me into one wing of the house. I was afraid of what would follow. The Ministry was angry, yet some understood."

"Where was your mother through all this?"

"Distant," Lucius said the hint of anger evident in his voice. "She was angry for the scandal, for letting the situation loose, and for making my situation far worse. My mother and father are non-existent in my life now. They don't talk to me and they don't come down into my wing. I'm alone."

Narcissa frowned, "Come over more often."

Lucius looked into Narcissa's blue eyes and smiled, "I'd like that."

Narcissa smiled, "Now enough of this sappy stuff," she said as she waved her hand in the air. "Things will get better. We're together."

Lucius smiled before kissing the girl deeply, "Can I just tell you how wonderful you are?"

Narcissa pulled away from his face, "Of course you can."

Lucius chuckled before he looked over to the basket of food. "Let's eat."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Andromeda would you like something to drink?" Ted asked as he came back into his living room.

Andromeda nodded as she was handed a small glass of juice somehow Ted always knew what she needed. "Thanks Ted."

"No, thank you," Ted smiled as he sat down in front of her.

"I've done nothing," Andromeda laughed.

Ted smiled, "You've come to see me. That means a lot."

"I would rather be here, trust me."

"I do," Ted said as he sank into his chair. "I told my parents and they're ecstatic."

Andromeda smiled brightly, "That's wonderful!"

"My mother said she'll help you plan the whole thing," Ted said gently.

Andromeda let out a small giggle, "That's really nice of her."

"They're both disappointed about how your parents are acting."

"I can't tell them we're getting married in a year and a half. They think I've broken up with you."

Ted frowned before he got up from his chair and walked towards her, "That's alright. I just wish someone you knew would be at our wedding."

"I've talk to Lucius about it," Andromeda said as she watched Ted go towards the window.

"What did he say?"

"That it's my life and I know the consequences," Andromeda sighed, "He says that he cannot talk to me once it happens."

"Are you okay with that?"

"No," Andromeda said sadly as she slouched in her chair. "But it must be done."

"Dromeda he's your best friend."

"He says he'll come to my wedding, walk me down the aisle, and that he'll even stay for cake. He promised that if I ever needed anything he'll be there. Lucius is going to follow the pureblood tradition and I'm going to follow our tradition."

Ted seemed to take it all in before smiling, "I guess I can handle that. I mean he seems like a great guy. I just don't want you to be upset for him leaving you along with your family."

"Bellatrix and I use to be very close and now she hates me. My mother keeps trying to set me up with every pureblood boy in the nation. My father won't even talk to me. He acts like I don't exist. Narcissa is confused about the whole situation. I already know her choice though. Lucius, who's always been a brother to me, will do as he's told and in my opinion he'll eventually marry Cissy." Andromeda finished her speech as she walked towards the window.

Ted wrapped his arms around Andromeda, "You still have me."

"That's what makes this all worth it," Andromeda smiled as she leaned into his embrace, "I'd give up everything to be with you."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Bella . . . I'm sorry," Rodolphus said simply as he walked towards Bellatrix.

"If you know what's good for you . . . you'll stay away from me," Bellatrix snapped as she lifted her wand towards Rodolphus.

"I've done a lot of thinking," Rodolphus said ignoring her previous comment.

"So have I!"

"Bella you're being difficult," Rodolphus groaned.

Bellatrix lifted her wand higher, "What did you think would happen? You crushed me."

"I was scared," Rodolphus sighed, "I didn't know if I could handle love."

"Love isn't the problem anymore Rodolphus," Bellatrix replied as she lowered her wand.

Rodolphus lifted a black eyebrow, "What is that suppose to mean?"

"I don't think I can love you," Bellatrix said honestly as her eyes blinked a couple of times.

Rodolphus sighed heavily before heading towards the door.

"So that's it you're not even going to try!" Bellatrix shouted as Rodolphus turned to face her.

"I'm not going to fight with you, Bella," Rodolphus said angrily.

"I hate you," Bellatrix hissed.

"And I've realized that I love you," Rodolphus said blankly as he calmly left the room.

Bellatrix felt the tears began to sting in her eyes, but ignored them. Instead she turned her attention to her wand blasting a hole into the wall beside her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The sun was slowly fading, but Narcissa wasn't ready to end her day with Lucius. She was leaning happily against Lucius's chest. "This is nice."

"Yeah," Lucius said happily as he kissed the top of her forehead.

"Let's not go inside," Narcissa suggested, "Let's just sit out here."

"We've been out here for hours, Cissy."

Narcissa looked up, and smiled brightly at him. "You're right, let's go in. Mom probably has dinner ready."

"You're feeding me again," Lucius laughed as he leaned against his hands.

"You've become too skinny," Narcissa teased as she tried to stand up, but Lucius pulled her back down. He pulled her in for a gentle kiss before letting her go.

"I love you, Lucius," Narcissa said as she stood up shortly followed by Lucius.

"Of course you do," Lucius said with a short wink.

Narcissa choked on her giggle as she gave Lucius a painful shove. Lucius laughed before lightly pushing her away from him.

"Lucius stop acting childish," Narcissa said in a mocked anger. She then proceeded to give him another sharp push.

"I'm childish!" Lucius teased as he lifted her and swung her around slightly.

"Lucius stop," Narcissa giggled before Lucius placed her down on her feet. "I missed you."

Lucius gave Narcissa a sad smile, "I missed you too, Cissy."

"I should have never told Mythica," Narcissa sighed, "Life was so boring without you."

Lucius kissed Narcissa lightly on the cheeks, "Believe me I missed you."

"Good," Narcissa blushed as she grabbed her boyfriend's hand, and they continued to walk towards her house. "But I guess it was a good thing.

"Telling her was a good thing?" Lucius asked as his left eyebrow went up.

"I've never felt closer to you," Narcissa said honestly as she moved closer to him, wrapping both of her arms around his.

"I'll be more open with you," Lucius suggested as they reached the house. He then proceeded to open the door for her and she walked in, closely followed by Lucius.

"That sounds wonderful," Narcissa smiled, "I would like to know everything about you."

"You pretty much know everything. My life is incredibly dull," Lucius said honestly as they made their way through the library and towards the dining room.

"I doubt that. I bet that Lucius Malfoy has some deep and horribly dark secrets," Narcissa said as they stopped in front of the door to the dining room.

"Yes, I have a horrible fetish of murdering everyone in sight. I have no self control," Lucius said as he rolled her eyes.

"You never know," Narcissa giggled as the door opened.

Druella blinked at her daughter and Lucius, "Where have you two been all day?"

"We've just been out by the lake, mother," Narcissa said as she grabbed Lucius's hand, and pulled him into the dining room. "Lucius's is going to eat over. Is that okay?"

Druella blinked a couple of more times before she smiled, "Of course it's alright. He looks like he's been starved." Druella padded Lucius on the back before the three of them sat down. "Your father is going to be a little late, Dromeda is on her way down, and Bella is going to be here soon."

Narcissa nodded as her mother continued to stare at Lucius and her daughter. "So . . . when did this happen?"

Both teenagers stared up at the older woman. Lucius seemed highly amused as Narcissa did nothing but blush.

"A few days ago," Narcissa said as she fiddled with her napkin.

"Well isn't this an exciting development," Druella smiled, "I just wish someone would have told me."

"I thought Cissy would," Lucius said as he peered at Narcissa.

"It slipped my mind," Narcissa blushed as she looked towards the dining room door. "Look its Bella!"

"What is Lucy doing here?" Bellatrix growled as she took a seat beside her mother. "Don't you have your own house?"

"And pass up the chance to miss your charming personality, Bellatrix Black . . . never" Lucius grinned as Bellatrix snarled slightly.

"Oh, hush Bella," Druella said with a giggle, "Lucius and Narcissa our together now."

Bellatrix looked surprised before smirking, "Well, let's plan the wedding now."

Druella sighed, "Do not take out your personal life out on the rest of us."

Bellatrix growled before Andromeda walked into the room.

"Hello everyone," Andromeda smiled as she came over to the table and sat beside Lucius. "It's good to see you, Lucius."

"It's nice to see you as well, Dromeda," Lucius winked.

"They're going out," Bellatrix said sourly.

"I knew," Andromeda laughed. "Lucius told Jack, who told me, when I was down at Hogsmade."

"But you couldn't tell me?" Bellatrix asked coldly as she looked over to Lucius and Narcissa.

"It's not that big a deal," Narcissa said as she was bright red. "I just thought everyone would have figured it out by now. I mean we made up and I thought everyone knew that. I just thought with Darlene's big mouth you all would know!"

Lucius smiled at Narcissa, "Its okay Cissy."

Narcissa giggled, "Sorry."

"Well, I think it's time we start dinner, your father won't mind."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"So you have your N.E.W.T.S. and you're planning your wedding? Dromeda you've gone a little crazy," Lucius whispered as they stood in the corridor of the Hogwarts Express.

"I know," Andromeda said sweetly, "Now you've promised that you aren't going to tell anyone?"

"You know this is hard," Lucius groaned, "I have Cissy now, she wants me to tell the truth all the time. How do you expect me to lie to her? I love her."

Andromeda smiled, "I know, but she's not someone I can tell. This is serious."

"I understand that, but this is Cissy, this is my girlfriend."

"I will try to tell Narcissa, but you have to understand how important this is to me. You've been a part of this since the beginning."

Lucius sighed before he hugged Andromeda closely, "Okay, but you have to understand that if I let Narcissa know it's because I love her."

Andromeda nodded, "Speaking of which, here she comes."

Lucius turned his head to see Narcissa walking towards them, "Hey Lucius, the perfect meeting is about to begin."

"Oh yeah, let's go," Lucius stammered as he grabbed Narcissa's hand and he let himself be pulled towards the meeting.

"This is going to be a great year. We're going out, we're on the Quidditch team, and we're both perfects. It just seems so perfect."

"Don't forget you have O.W.L.S."

"And you'll help me study. Won't you Lucius?"

Lucius flashed Narcissa a smile before kissing her cheek, "Of course, I find nothing wrong in helping you study."

"See this is perfect," Narcissa smiled.

Lucius sighed perfect always ends, but he would wait till then because for now things were perfect and they were about to get better.

"Hey Luc," Mythica called as she came walking towards them. She held the brightest smile, but her blue eyes caught a glimpse of their entwined hands and frowned.

"I guess you like nosey-little-secret-tellers."

"Is that the best thing you can come up with Mythica," Narcissa laughed as she moved closer to Lucius.

Mythica made a face that could make anyone faint except Narcissa.

"Now move along Mythica. I wouldn't want to do something I would regret."

Mythica growled as she pushed pass them. Narcissa smiled in victory.

"As I said, perfect," Narcissa said before she gave Lucius a passionate kiss.