Narcissa was in complete torment as letters continued to arrive for her but she just kept going to guest room and stuffing them underneath the mattress . Soon there was just a sea of parchment under there and Narcissa found it harder and harder to ignore her sister. Each letter was more desperate than the last.

She's about to give birth any day now…. But something's wrong.

Narcissa was nearly brought to tears on many an occasion. She tried to figure out why she was so defiant towards Dromeda's plight and the only reason that she could come up with was Bellatrix. Not even that silly Lord Voldmort was stopping her, just Bell…

Narcissa sat on the end of the bed, staring out of the window. She felt her hands continue to clench into fists as she thought. Who cares what Bellatrix's feelings are towards this? I can do whatever I choose. I did not leave father just to be told what to do by Bellatrix!

This was the finally straw and Narcissa got to her feet. Her mind was made up.

()()()()

That night Narcissa anxiously watched Lucius ready himself for bed, all the while knowing that there was a suit case stowed in the guest room. The wind was softly whispering through the trees and it was oh so calm outside which mirrored the mood in the couple's bedroom.

The fireplace was alight, bathing the room in soft light.

"Lucius…" Narcissa started as she pulled back the covers.

He had already settled into bed and looked up at her. A small smile appeared on his face. "Should I make a mental note that this is the tone you use when you want something?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes but she too smiled. "I was just wondering if it would be alright to visit some of my friends for three days."

Lucius's forehead creased and his head tilted slightly to the side. "Sure…." He answered without a second thought, "But you do realize that you don't have to ask for my permission."

Narcissa felt like she had just fallen in love with the man in front of her that little bit more. "Of course I know," she told Lucius, "… because I can do whatever I want."

Lucius rolled his eyes. "You most certainly do whatever you want already…"

It was Narcissa's turn to stare at him, quizzically.

"Do you remember me saying that I preferred it if you wore your other sleeping attire because it is more appropriate for right now?" Lucius expanded. He then expressed a slight pained expression. "Instead of this..." He pointed at the half- slip she was wearing. "Are you trying to test my resolve?"

Narcissa slipped under the covers. "Perhaps," she replied before turning away from him and settling on her left side.

The wizard actually felt his eyes grow wide as the fire put itself out. Lucius continued to stare at the silhouette that was his fiancée but eventually after a couple of minutes he managed to turn away from her delicate form. He squeezed his eyes shut. Lucius felt too hot now to sleep.Damn you and your coy nature. Narcissa's delicate frame was burned into his mind and it was not like he needed to dream about her any more than he already did.

"You are so cruel," Lucius muttered.

He then heard a soft answering laugh, in the darkness.

Smiling, Narcissa, fell straight into slumber...unlike Lucius

()()()()()

The next day

After seeing Lucius off Narcissa made haste and left for the south of England but she was only able to apparate to the outskirts of Dromeda's village. Narcissa had to keep looking at the slip of parchment with the address that she was trying to find.

Narcissa had to say the place was beautiful… for a muggle village. Walking through the square there was a local church on the other side and all around shops displaced their goods in wide windows. She passed a sweet shop to see the metal weighing scales on the wooden counter and shelves upon shelves of glass jars filled with chocolates, liquorish and rainbow coloured treats. Beside the sweet shop there was a cobbled walkway which she slipped through only to find herself looking down on rows upon rows of houses. Narcissa half walked half ran down the hill.

"Number 10 heather crescent…"She muttered as she walked through the streets.

Finally, ending up in a cul -de- sac Narcissa spotted a modest two story house with a wooden fence that surrounded a front garden. A stone path led to the front door which had a golden number ten screwed into it. Suddenly Narcissa felt a storm of butterflies as she poised herself to knock on the door. Fear paralyzed her as she realized that after all these years her sister was in this very house and that they would soon meet.

You can do this…you can do this

Yet no matter how hard Narcissa tired she could not make contact with the door.

Come on. Come on Narcissa just knock…how hard is that?

Sucking in a breath she knocked hard. I could still run away. Yes maybe I should go…I.

Just then the door opened.

Narcissa was faced with a fair-haired man with very tired looking grey eyes. He was well built and dressed in muggle clothing. His hair was askew and he had barely shaved.

Narcissa just expelled air as her mouth fell open; she stared at him. "I…"

The man's eyes grew as he stared back at her. "Narcissa?…"

She just nodded.

"I'm Ted…" he introduced, "err...Dromeda is upstairs."

How dare he use my nickname! Narcissa narrowed her eyes before passing Ted but he blocked her path.

"Wait," he started but she didn't, "There is something I have to tell you," he called after her.

Rushing up the stairs, Narcissa saw that the door to the first room was open. It was submerged in semi darkness and there was someone rushing around inside. The curtains were drawn and there was a fire burning in the hearth. Narcissa saw the outline of her sister lying in the king sized bed and she seemed to be shaking. There was a women moving around her.

Narcissa barged inside. "What are you doing?"

The middle-aged women jumped before turning around. "Can I help you?"

Narcissa could not hide her disgust as she moved to Dromeda's side. "I think it is you that needs help," she stated, "You are doing everything wrong!"

Narcissa heard the women exchange angry and shocked words with Ted, who had now arrived. She didn't pay any attention to them though as she stared down at her sister who was white as a sheet. Dromeda's brow was glistening with sweat and she seemed to be in the grips of a fever. The duvet on top of her tented where her baby bump was.

Good god.

Narcissa rolled up her sleeves before throwing open the curtains and light came flooding in.

The nurse continued to curse as Narcissa opened the window, put out the fire and threw out her herbal scented sticks.

"Come, Miss Andrews," Ted said quickly as he ushered her outside.

Miss Andrews cursed away as she was led out of the room.

Only then did Narcissa take out her want and pointed it at Dromeda. She started to mutter a few healing spells.

After a five minute discussion, the front door shut and Ted came back in looking annoyed. "That was very polite of you."

Narcissa just glared at him for his sarcastic remark. "I don't give a damn! Are you completely inept?" she accused, "Getting a stupid muggle nurse to use her medieval techniques. She couldn't even cure a dog."

Ted's eyes hardened as he came closer. "Oh and you think your so clever? Well…." Ted cut himself off though.

"Come on spit it out," Narcissa challenged.

"If you were so clever then you would have figured out that Dromeda wasn't the one sending you those letters. It was me," he finished

Narcissa's wand was now pointing at him. "What!" she seethed.

The pair were about to argue when they heard a weak, throaty voice. "Cissy?"

Narcissa felt her heart jump and she slowly looked down to see her sisters eyes flutter open.

Narcissa leaned in closer. "Hi…"

Dromeda's quaking hand came up from underneath the covers. "Is that really you?"
Narcissa immediately took it. "Of course."

Dromeda's eyelids then drooped shut as if it was too much effort to keep them open. She gave her sister's hand a limp squeeze. "Narcissa…" She breathed out with difficulty, "I'm so tired. I can't…"

"Shhhh," Narcissa instructed as she stroked Dromeda's hair, "I won't be hearing any of this." Narcissa had to blink away tears. "You just go back to sleep and gain your strength," she told her.

Narcissa then took to tending to sister until the sky outside darkened. Ted had told her that there was a spare room that she could use but Narcissa stubbornly refused and watched him from a nearby arm chair as he took over.

For some reason as Narcissa walked down the street she found herself smiling.

()()()()

Two days later

After being in and out of consciousness Dromeda had finally gained her former strength and was sitting up in bed. She and Narcissa had spent most of their time talking non-stop while Ted kept his distance. The wizard realized that he was not welcomed by Narcissa and usually if they were in the same room together an argument would soon follow.

When Ted came in with Dromeda's favourite dish she wanted him to stay but he wouldn't.

"Why won't he stay?" Dromeda asked out loud.

"Who cares," Narcissa answered.

"Why are you still being so hard on ted?" Dromeda commented with rising anger.

Narcissa just shrugged nonchalantly which upset Dromeda... "Sorry."

"Fine. What if Lucius had been muggle born and our parents said you couldn't marry him?" Dromeda proposed

Narcissa snorted at the ridiculous notion..after all Lucius was as pure bred as they came. She took to thinking of how her teenage crush had turned into her everything. Narcissa faced her sister. "I honestly don't know what I would do," Narcissa then stood to her feet. "but it's a silly question because he isn't and ted is."

Dromeda folded her arms and they came to rest on her baby bulge," Narcissa that's not fair. Why can't you like him?"

Narcissa turned her back on her sister as she gripped onto the window ledge. "Because"

Dromeda sat up a little straight " Because what! Because your shallow…It's probably because he has muggle parents and that he's not pure blood!"

Narcissa shook her head. "NO. It's not that!"

"THEN WHAT?" Dromeda shouted (for the first time).

"Because he took you away from me!" Narcissa cried as she spun around.

Dromeda froze as her anger vanished in an instant. This was not the reply she was expecting. "What…? "She whispered.

"Yes that's why I will never like him," Narcissa declared as tears leaked from her eyes, "he is the reason you had to leave. He is the reason we were never a proper family. If he hadn't stolen you away from me then I wouldn't have been deprived of my favourite sister."

Dromeda touched her face only to feel hot tear tracks.

Narcissa wiped her eyes. "You...w-would...have been there to cheer me up every day for two years Sylvia tormented me...you were always the nicest, kindest and strongest soul in our family " Narcissa was finding it hard to breathe through her sadness. " We were meant to live next door to each other and our children were going to play together."

Not even dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief could stem the flow of tears. Narcissa could barely see as everything was all blurry.

"But alas dear sister…. no," Narcissa whispered before she hurriedly walked out of the bedroom.

"Narcissa! Narcissa!" Dromeda shouted after her. "Where are you going?"

Narcissa was too caught up in her grief to even notice Ted sitting to the right of the doorway. She fled down the stairs and the next thing that rang out was the sound of the front door slamming.

Ted stayed stuck to the same place where he had been eavesdropping. He leant his head against the wall as he heard his pregnant wife cry and felt himself die a little more inside.

()()()()

Once the anguish had passed Narcissa felt ridiculous. She had circled Dromeda's neighbourhood several times already.

If those feelings hadn't been building up for so many years she wouldn't have reacted so badly. It was like opening up the flood gates.

Narcissa then heard a rustle and her head snapped to the right as she peered into a thick hedge row on the other side of the street that flanked the sides of an alleyway. The witch felt her heart speed up ten- fold as paranoia set in. She quickened her pace but felt a pair eyes on her now. No you're just imaging things. Narcissa tried to console herself at as she hastily made her way back to the house.

Narcissa was greeted by the sounds of raised voices as she entered her sister's home.

She panicked as she heard the yells. Oh god! What have I done?

Narcissa bolted up the stairs, only to see Ted and Dromeda shouting at each other.

"JUST GO," Dromeda screamed.

Narcissa touched her wand to her throat. "STOOPP Wait! "She yelled and her voice was now as loud as a megaphone. She easily overpowered them.

The couple looked stunned and fell silent.

"Look..." Narcissa started sheepishly. "First of all Dromeda I'm so sorry for causing you unnecessary stress you defiantly didn't need this right now."

Dromeda breathed deeply as she rubbed her belly. Her eyes were soft as she stared at her little sister

"… and it's not Ted's fault, " Narcissa said which made both he and Dromeda exchange astonished glances. Narcissa looked at him for a second before turning her attention back to her sister." His only fault was falling in love with you ...which is pretty easy to do, "she added.

The couple, now smiling looked back at Narcissa and she felt a warmth in her heart. Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief that now everything had been put right.

"Anyway I am sorry to say but I have to leave now," Narcissa abruptly announced and this caused Dromeda to shift up in bed.

Ted had to push her back down as she tried to get up. "Why?" she desperately asked.

Narcissa laughed. "Dromeda I haven't told anybody and I said that I would be back in three days…people will get suspicious...If they aren't already," Narcissa pondered with slight apprehension as she remembered those dark shadows on her walk.

No you are just hallucinating!

Narcissa kissed her sister goodbye with a heavy heart, bid her farewells. Ted showed Narcissa out and he made a move to say something.

Narcissa turned when she heard his attempt to speak. "Don't try any heart filled sentiments. What I said up there still doesn't mean I like you," she stated plainly before turning her back to leave.

This made Ted grin. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he called after her.

()()()()

Lucius sat pensively in his study as he gazed down at yet another copy of the daily prophet. A few more witches and wizards had disappeared and Lucius knew who was behind these disappearances...no attacks. Lucius also knew that they were no longer alive. What worried him further was that he had not heard so much as a word from Narcissa and she was a day late arriving back to Malfoy manor.

Just then Dobby appeared with his afternoon tea. The wizard wasn't paying the elf any attention until he saw a sack stuffed with parchment beside him.

"What is that?" Lucius asked as he set his quill down.

Dobby stood in front of the sack, trying to hide it. "No-nothing Master…just something I tidied out of the guest room."

This only fueled Lucius curiosity but he masked it by turning back to his work. "Leave it here."

Dobby tried to remain calm. "I don't want to create mess I should…"

Lucius turned his acid glare on the elf and Dobby shrunk back. "I apologize for talking back master. Of course! " And with that he scuttled out of the room.

Once the door clicked shut, Lucius's hands dove straight into the sack and pulled out a handful of parchment. "Dromeda," Lucius read, thoroughly confused. "Who was she?"

After scrolling through at least twenty or so letters Lucius had gleaned that whoever Dromeda was , she was pregnant and really wanted to see Narcissa.

There was someone who would know…

()()()()()

Lucius sent word ahead of himself so that he could be received at Lestrange manor. When he arrived a house elf lead him to a drawing room where Rodolphus sat, along with Rabastan . Lucius was beginning to realize that elves were truly inept. After his specific instructions that he wanted to see Bellatrix.

The young wizard glared at the little frightened creature as it left the room and he was left with his soon to be brother-in-laws.

"Ah Lucius take a seat," Rodolphus invited.

Lucius picked up a crystal glass of firewhiskey as he did so. "I was looking for Bellatrix," he started.

Rodolphus felt his eyebrows arch. "Any particular reason?"

Lucius tipped back the contents of his glass and felt the sharp sting. "Narcissa took a little trip but I don't know where she is now."

Rabastan chuckled. "My my Lucius, already unable to keep a control of your young bride- to- be."

Rodolphus grinned. "Yes, a school boy error. You must keep them on a short leash from the start."

Lucius expertly hid his disgust at these two men who talked of their women like animals.

The two brothers then moved onto bragging to each other about their conquests and completely ignoring the young wizard.

Lucius cleared his throat to interrupt them. "I was wondering Rodolphus do you know who Dromeda is?"

This instantly killed the cavalier mood and jolliness. Rabastan nearly spat on the floor at the sound of that name and Rodolphus's face hardened.

"Well I will tell you that she was a reason that made me reconsider marrying into the Black family," Rodolphus announced.

Lucius sat up a little straighter.

"She is Narcissa's eldest sister, the one who ran off and married a filthy muggle-born," Rabastan informed.

Lucius could not help his eyes from widening a fraction and unfortunately Rodolphus caught on. "I tell you dear boy if your little wench has gone to see her I would fear Lord Voldmort's wrath, "Rodolphus said and for the first time he looked utterly serious. "If he got word of this then god knows what ..."

"My fiancée would never do that," Lucius int erupted calmly, "I was merely wondering because I heard Narcissa and Bellatrix discussing her."

This did little to throw Rodolphus off the scent therefore Lucius thought quickly. "I was actually wondering if I would have to take someone's head off as I believe that Narcissa may have gone to visit some man from her past."

This statement had the desired effect and Rodolphus's anger melted into a lazy smile. "Well isn't this a surprise."

Rabastan, abandoning his glass, took the bottle of firewhiksey straight to his lips. "Don't worry Lucius, my harlot did the same thing to me but don't you worry she's more than learnt her lesson."

Lucius saw the menacing glint to the drunken man's eyes as a grotesque and malicious memory flashed before them.

Rabastan then began to sway slightly in his chair. "Any-way, why are you giving Lucius such a hard time brother when your wife is servicing another?"

Lucius instantly faced Rodolphus, who was still smiling. "Well you see Bellatrix is no use to me, she doesn't perform her wifely duties and she is good for nothing else. Lord Voldmort took a fancy to her…" Rodolphus then took to piercing the foil seal of a vintage wine. "I thought I may as well give her over and gain his favour," he said proudly as he smelt the bokeh, "Bellatrix is foolish enough to believe that it is love and I am far too busy to burst her bubble."

"Busy-ying doing w-what?" Rabastan slurred

This caused Rodolphus's grin to broaden. "Well lord Voldmort gave me quite the little kitten, at the ripe age of eighteen and she is such a playful thing."

Rabastan grumbled into his empty glass," That's not fair."

Rodolphus leaned back. "Oh don't worry I don't mind sharing her…she does like that sort of thing."

Lucius set down his glass as got to his feet. He had had quite enough.

"Oh Lucius don't take offence that I didn't offer her to you," Rodolphus remarked as he gestured for the young man to take a seat again.

"No I'm fine, I really must go I do have a lot of work do to," Lucius announced before thanking them for their hospitality.

"I th-hiink he sho-uld offer Narc-issa," Rabastan suddenly said as he knocked over a glass in his attempt to each the wine bottle. "… always fou-nd her…tasty."

Eyes blazing Lucius suddenly advanced but Rodolphus tilted Rabastan's chair so and he fell onto the floor.

"Please excuse my brother," Rodolphus apologized, "He is quite the idiot when he is drunk."

Lucius sheathed his half drawn wand and just turned on his heel.

There was a smug nature about Rodolphus as he lit up a cigar and began puffing large plumes of smoke into the air. "I would be careful if I were you Lucius…this genuine interest for your lovely Narcissa won't go unnoticed," he warned.

Lucius turned only for a moment in the doorway to see Rodolphus's eyes shimmer. "Just a thought."

()()()()

Lucius started to wear out the floor of his study as he paced back and forth. "How could she be so stupid!" he said to himself as he rubbed his brow. Then another more pressing thought was. "How could she lie to me!"

Anger seemed to take a grip of Lucius's heart and he for the first time in his life felt rage towards Narcissa."Bellatrix is now Lord Voldmort's eyes on us!"

Lucius slammed his hands on the desk before gripping onto it. "Stupid, stupid girl!"