14

Diamonds (Narcissa)

Narcissa had always thought that rain fitted her perfectly - delicate, cold and determined.

So did the diamonds that were currently decorating her frail, pale neck - a gift from Lucius for the upcoming birth, which he had given her the week before, when they had learnt the child was a boy. She clearly remembered the relief and pride in Lucius's eyes at the news. As far as she was concerned, Narcissa didn't care whether the baby was a boy or a girl, but she could see that Lucius did.

Downstairs, Dobby was clearing the dishes, remainders of yet another lonely lunch. She stood in the great bedroom, in front of the ancient mirror, listening to the rain pour.

Lucius was out, as always, working for the Dark Lord to try and take care of the mess that stupid journalist had created - a Muggle, no doubt, or perhaps Half Blood? These people suffered from a severe lack of sense.

There was a spy inside their ranks, and she had no idea who it was.

Well, she did have an idea: Rodolphus...

"Rodolphus," she whispered to her reflection.

It was all for the pleasure of saying his name, now quite unfamiliar to her tongue - for she would no longer call him. She had Lucius, and it was so obvious they belonged together that it was almost ridiculous. Two tall, icy figures with very light blonde hair, with eyes where pride mixed with scorn, but not with cold-heartedness.

She blushed in anger. It was only because she had been jealous that charming Rodolphus had chosen Bellatrix and not her. Narcissa had been only thirteen at the time, a child, useless and whiny, and Bella had always been the brightest star of the three sisters. But this had happened years ago, and she had no rational reasons to suspect Rod now.

A storm broke out, and along with the thunderstorm came to her flashes of dark eyes, teasing smiles and suave laughter.

Narcissa shivered. She put her hand on her slightly swollen belly and smiled as her breathing became even again. He wouldn't be just the Malfoy heir, he would be her child.

Another thunderstorm - if not Rodolphus, then maybe Reynard? Snarky, vicious Reynard, the least loved of the three Lestrange brothers... hadn't she heard that he'd lost a lot of money from gambling? She thought it was probably only rumours, but it was still safer to check. Quickly she thought of a code, remembering the many times Lucius had lectured her about it. The name Reynard came from the French word for fox, so she settled on that, hoping Lucius would trust her and inquire.

She sent an owl to Lucius - I think it's the fox, for the money - and watched as the large white owl soared and flew out of sight.

Had it not been for the baby, she would have felt so lonely.

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but I'll start Uni soon and I have no idea how I'm going to finish this fic.. Please review anyway! Thanks.