Narcissa had been living in perfect harmony with Lucius for a month now. (The only thing that had changed was that he was staying later and later at work.)
Narcissa knew that her serene day to day living could not last forever…and sure enough, two days later she was proven right. Her peace was disturbed by a new development. A message from her other sister.
Narcissa gasped as a letter was brought to her by an unfamiliar owl. She was quick to lock herself in the guest room and read it. Why would she want to get into contact with me now? It became clear to Narcissa when her eyes skimmed over the letter. Dromeda was expecting a baby any day now and she wanted her to be there. Immediately Narcissa's head began to spin but she had no time to dwell on anything because she heard Dobby calling for her. Narcissa hastily slipped the parchment underneath the mattress of the bed and walked back into the hallway. Just in time to because the house elf rounded the corner then.
"Master has arrived," Dobby announced.
Narcissa merely nodded her head in acknowledgement and it was enough for Dobby to know that his job was done. As such he was quick to scurry away.
Narcissa sighed heavily as she began to trudge after the elf. She felt her shoulders sag under the weight of the years of buried guilt that was now beginning to resurface again inside of her.
Narcissa truly felt horrible for cutting ties with her eldest sister. 'But she did marry a muggle born for god sake,' Narcissa consoled, 'I mean what did Dromeda expect would happen if she did something that stupid? Even a half blood would have been better...not by much but still.'
Despite Narcissa's guilt she knew that back then there was nothing she could have done for her sister. Their father (but more importantly Bellatrix) had disowned her. Almost four years ago now...
Narcissa felt her eyes begin to well up but was quick to squash her rising despair. 'I can't feel it otherwise it will overwhelm me,' Narcissa thought as she reached the stairs and began to climb.
()()()()
Meanwhile
Lucius was in his bedroom throwing the most recent copy of the daily prophet (that Narcissa got delivered to the manor) into his fireplace. Lucius watched as the parchment curled in on its self as it burned. People are now going missing... just great. I'm sure it's got something to do with this new wizard. He's the reason Abraxas has been working me into the ground.
Lucius took to changing and just when he had finished pulling his shirt over his head, he spotted Narcissa in his doorway. "Rodolphus has invited us to dinner tonight."
In an instant a frown became clearly etched on her face. "Why on earth has he done that?" Narcissa asked sharply. This was very unlike her brother –in-law and Narcissa was always unsettled by sudden changes in character…something's going on. Narcissa's suspicion even delayed her natural instinct to blush at the sight of Lucius's half naked body.
When it eventually surfaced on her pale cheeks, Lucius felt some silent male pride stir within him. Lucius hid his smile as he quickly slipped on a fresh shirt. "He wants us to meet this influential wizard who is rising in power. He has certain extreme views that Rodolphus finds appealing."
Narcissa's eyebrows drew together as she moved towards Lucius. "I don't like the sound of this."
Lucius looked down at Narcissa then and her delicate frame and doe-like eyes seemed to unleash this fierce protective instinct towards her. "Don't worry, it's only one dinner and I'll be right there with you," Lucius reassured
Narcissa just chewed on her lower lip. She did not like this. She did not like this one bit.
()()()()()
Two hours later and Narcissa found that dinner had concluded and she and the rest of the group were escorted into a large room on the top floor of the Lestrange manor. Narcissa noted that this was the room that Rodolphus alone used to entertain special guests. She had never stepped foot in here before. It was a very odd room for all the walls were coated in blood red paint and the black furniture coupled with the low candle light, left little warmth in the room. Narcissa wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of tobacco that hung in the air and she was affronted that she would have to sit in such sinuous air. The others didn't seem to mind as they were directed towards a circle of chairs arranged in the middle on the room. They sat down and Narcissa followed. Her heart rate spiked though when she realised that somehow Lucius had ended up on the side of the circle. She desperately wanted to sit next to him but he had been cornered by acquaintances from his work. Lucius must have felt her eyes on him because he turned then. Narcissa was faced by a cool and expressionless man but It was his eyes that tipped Narcissa off. They were silently sending comfort her way. Narcissa swallowed and nodded in response.
Even though in that moment Bellatrix took a seat next to her Narcissa still grimaced. She was annoyed by this evening. Where is this guest of honour anyway?
As if on cue the door flew open. Narcissa suppressed her urge to jump as she immediately sensed the sudden tension in the air. Narcissa gazed around the room to study everyone's reaction and It was safe to say that they wereon edge...apart from Bellatrix. Oddly enough, Narcissa saw her sister's eyes shine, in a way that she had never seen before.
The sounds of slow footsteps grew louder until finally a wizard appeared in the doorway. He was shrouded in a cloak and for some reason Narcissa found herself, holding in her breath as the black figure stood still, surveying the occupants of the room. She could not see a thing as his face was completely covered by a long hood. Rodolphus jumped to his feet and raced up to the wizard before bowing lowly. He then gestured to the only empty seat which had been positioned at the head of the circle.
Suddenly Narcissa heard this incredibly low hissing noise...It's coming from my feet. Narcissa nearly had a heart attack when a snake slide out from underneath her chair. The unexpected appearance of the reptile caused Narcissa to experience an intense adrenaline rush. It sent her heart pounding.
The unknown wizard soon took his seat and the never-ending snake moved away from Narcissa and coiled itself around the chair so that it could lie at its master's feet.
"My dear Nagini," he whispered almost affectionately.
The wizard's head then titled slightly in Narcissa's direction. Why did she feel like this man was in her head?
Suddenly her deepest memories were flashing before her mind's eye…the day she was staring out of her bedroom window and Andromeda was dragging the only suit case that she had been allowed, down the front path. Both she and Andromeda were crying.
Narcissa immediately drew up her Occlumency walls and when she snapped out of the memory she narrowed her eyes. 'How dare you read my mind!'She glared internally at the wizard.
A soft menacing laugh was then heard and everyone froze. Deathly white hands appeared out of the wizards robes and came to rest on the arms of his chair. "Impressive Narcissa."
The cold voice made her shiver with reaction.
Lucius straightened up in his chair in response as everyone drew in a silent breath. Lucius knew that his gaze was not the only one moving from Narcissa to the cloaked figure and then back again.
Narcissa felt her entire face burn but the unknown wizard directed his attention to the rest of the room.
"I am lord Voldemort," he announced, "I have come to educate you about the slow poising of our world. The poising of our pure blood that threatens the very fabric of our existence."
Narcissa strained her eyes to see this "lords" face but to no avail. It was like staring into the dark depths of a bottomless pit.
Lord Voldemort continued his speech. "You have all been blind and you have allowed this treachery to go on unchecked. This diseased ideology that the mixing of muggle and magical blood is somehow beneficial," his voice remained at the same decibel but occasionally cracked. Narcissa could feel his underlying rage and the raw, unbridled hate like a battering wave against a rocky, cliff face. She was quickly being overwhelmed and drowned by his emotions.
Nagini continued to hiss away. Her forked- tongue licked the air.
Lord Voldemort slowly stood to pace about the room. "Your children are not safe…" he began again, "They go to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and all the while they are mixing with filthy muggle-borns that have stolen magic for their own. Furthermore there are mudbloods also. They are equally as dangerous and they will try and seduce your children. Do you want that? Will you stand by while your children produce offspring's that will be devoid of all magical blood?"
"Of course not," Rodolphus answered vehemently.
Rabastan nodded vigorously in agreement. "I would rather die."
Narcissa watched as a quite murmur of approval broke out amongst the other guests.
"Then what would you do?" Lord Voldemort asked the room.
"I would use the cruciatus curse," Rodolphus declared which received a collective gasp, "Use it until those disgusting mudbloods were writhing in pain and begging for death. Torture a husband by killing his wife first…."
Narcissa felt bile rise at the back of her throat as she tried to block out Rodolphus's hate-filled speech. His irrational rage was contorting his face and his eyes held a manic look.
The air felt thick, humid and heavy.
She was finding it hard to breathe.
Narcissa squeezed her eyes shut as the room spun.
Rodolphus would not relent. "…or a mother by the death of her child."
"Rodolphus," Lucius suddenly cut in as he surveyed Narcissa's pained expression. "This is not something we should be discussing in front of the ladies."
There was then an answering clap before the cloaked figure moved like a shadow. The next thing anyone knew Lord Voldmort appeared behind Lucius's chair.
"Ah Lucius… always so chivalrous," Lord Voldemort declared as he leaned in and the young Malfoy could feel his skin crawl.
Lucius's grip on his cane tightened.
"But you are right," Voldmort finished. "Leave."
By this point Narcissa had opened her eyes and her face began to relax. She eagerly stood to take her leave but not before turning around to exchange quick glances with her fiancé. Her eyes said "thank you."
Lucius just stared at her.
Bellatrix was far more reluctant and only when Voldemort dismissed her by gesturing to the door did she grudgingly go.
The door clicked shut behind Narcissa and only then was she finally able to breathe again.
Bellatrix led her down a flight of stairs and into her drawing room. "So what do you think?" she asked suddenly.
Narcissa's forehead creased. "What do I think of what?"
She actually smiled widely. "Lord Voldemort?"
Narcissa's closed the door behind her. "What about him?
Bellatrix huffed as she extravagantly lay on a nearby sofa. "Don't be coy Narcissa you know I have feelings for him."
"WHAT? How on earth would i know?" Narcissa practically screeched, "When did you start to have feelings for a man who I'm pretty sure is not even human?"
Bellatrix sat up suddenly. "Hey don't you dare say that," she defended, "He is an amazing wizard! And a real man to the likes of which I have never met. He is not acting tough but really spineless like Rodolphus. He is tough. That's why I love him!"
Narcissa threw her hands up in the air. "Wait just a minute, Bellatrix! Love? Are you seriously deluded ?"
Bellatrix glared at her. "Watch your tongue sister."
Narcissa cocked an eyebrow. "Or what Bellatrix?" she asked, "What are you going to do If I say that he rambles on like a mad man?"
At this comment Bellatrix sprang to her feet, clenching her wand tightly.
The two young women should have been more careful because like they say "speak of the devil and it shall appear".
In the blink of an eye a cloaked figure seemed to materialize out of thin air and Narcissa nearly screamed. Even the unflappable Bellatrix felt her anger melt and instead she started to shake slightly. Both sisters fell back as he stood in between them.
"Who is Andromeda?" Lord Voldemort asked, without ceremony.
Narcissa's heart stopped. "My thoughts." Narcissa had to press her hands to her sides to stop herself from subconsciously reaching into the pockets of her robes. Andromeda's letter burned there… so much for showing Bellatrix.
Bellatrix's eyes bulged before she took to accusingly glaring at Narcissa. "No one."
Narcissa could see her sister continue to quiver and even more so when lord Voldemort faced her.
"You dare lie to me, Bellatrix" he said, extenuating each word.
"She is the only dark secret of our family. She means nothing to me. Let me show you ," Bellatrix pleaded desperately
Voldemort said nothing and instead he must have delved straight into her mind. He moved straight past the perhaps fabricated memories of Bellatrix yelling at Andromeda, to the tapestry with her burnt out face.
"This memory pleases me," he said.
"I never wish to disappoint you my lord," Bellatrix quickly replied, before bowing low.
Narcissa's eyebrows drew together. What on earth has gotten into you?
Narcissa then felt the wizards gaze on her and it lingered there for a minute before he left abruptly and only this time he use the door.
Bellatrix turned on her sister like a viper. "What the hell could possibly make you think of that mudblood- lover?" she hissed in pure rage, "You made me look like a complete fool in front of Lord Voldemort."
Narcissa recoiled from her sibling… one that she barely recognized now. "What the hell is wrong with you Bellatrix? She's still our sist-"
Bellatrix grabbed Narcissa by the arm. "Shut up, you hear me!" She threatened in a low tone, "That little bitch, muggle-born and any inbreds they produce are dead to me," Bellatrix then began to shake in anger. "Do you understand?!"
Narcissa tried to pull away. "Bella you're hurting me."
Bellatrix just ignored Narcissa's pleas as her eyes blazed. She pulled her little sister close. " …and so help me god if I ever see them I will kill them without sparing a second thought!" Bellatrix vowed as her grip continued to tighten like vice, "and if you so much as make me look like an idiot again or in any way affiliate with them, dear sister you too shall never be forgiven...and you will share their fate"
Narcissa felt the sting of tears as she stared into her sister's wild eyes, searching for what had caused this crazed state. Narcissa furiously blinked as her lips trembled, "What has he done to you?" she barely whispered.
Bellatrix finally let go of her sister, showing no signs of guilt or remorse. "He has shown me the true path," she answered before briskly, walking after the man she had become obsessed with.
Narcissa's lips parted as she gaped after Bellatrix. She then gently began to rub the sore, reddened area on her arm. I can't...believe this. I know i wanted her to fall in love and be happy but not like this...not to him.
First it was just a whisper but then the sound grew, until it was echoing off the walls. Narcissa could hear a voice desperately calling out her name.
She felt safer already. "Lucius?" she called back.
Suddenly he appeared in the doorway and they quickly embraced.
Lucius's hands traveled up her body, checking if she was hurt. He then cradled her face. "Are you alight?"
Narcissa nodded before placing her hands on top of his. "Lucius what? He-"
Lucius just managed a nod. "I know. He abruptly finished the meeting and disappeared. I thought-"
Narcissa pressed her fingers to his lips. "No no everything's fine but what the hell is up with Bellatrix and Rodol-" Narcissa started but Lucius silenced her with a long and slow kiss.
When they broke apart Lucius pressed his forehead against hers.
"You could have just said shh," Narcissa pointed out in a breathy manner.
Lucius rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks. "I could have but I needed to do that. He then took her by the hand. " We can't talk here, " he stated and with that the couple apparated.
Upon entering the manor Dobby was instructed to make tea and bring it to the purple room where the couple had retired to.
Lucius sat on the sofa while Narcissa paced back and forth, in front of him.
"Seriously Lucius what's happening? Who is this man?" Narcissa asked.
Lucius had a solemn expression. "He's dangerous and very persuasive Narcissa. Not to mention very clever. He can find your weak spots in a second and manipulate people with ease...even without your own knowledge."
Narcissa shook her head, completely at a loss. "I mean I don't like muggle-borns and squibs as much as the next pure- blood but I would never go around killing them."
Lucius nodded in agreement "Nor would I and as long as we just don't get involved with him or raise our heads above the parapet, we will be safe."
Narcissa still slightly shaken took a seat beside Lucius. "I don't intend to."
She then stared out of the window then and into the darkness. But Dromeda...