(Thanks to everyone for reading this far. And for your wonderful reviews!)
Chapter 25
Always
"Lucius?"
The blond man stood up to see Rodolphus and Bellatrix standing in the entrance way. There were dark circles under Lucius's eyes and he looked as though he had not slept for days.
"You came." He said, his voice hoarse.
"Is there anything...?" Bellatrix began but Lucius shook his head.
"He's beyond anyone's help." He stopped, looking rather crazed, "My father wants to die."
Both Bellatrix and her husband looked shocked. "Surely there is something? The Dark Lord...?"
Lucius shook his head. "He wont do anything."
"What do you mean, he wont do anything?" Bellatrix exclaimed.
Lucius sat back down in the chair, his head in his hands. "He is disgusted that my father has given up his will to live. He wont do anything..." He took a shuddering breath.
"Where is your father?" Bellatrix asked quietly.
Lucius gestured to the door to a chamber off the room. "He is barely conscious. I couldn't be there anymore."
They heard a low moan come from the room, and all three looked up wearily at the door. Lucius got to his feet. He looked at Bellatrix and met her eyes. "Will you come with me?" He asked, sounding like a frightened child.
Bellatrix nodded and both she and her husband walked with him to the door and into the dark chamber where the dying man lay in a large bed.
Abraxas Malfoy had always been a man of impressive appearance, but the man laying in the bed did not at all resemble him. His face wore a look of indescribable pain and his breathing was laboured. His long hair was a mess and his face ashen grey.
"Father?" Lucius asked timidly. The man's eyes opened and he turned his head towards where Lucius and the Lestrange's stood. His eyes fell on Bellatrix.
"Leila." He whispered, his eyes widening.
Bellatrix shook her head, but Abraxas Malfoy did not see, the light had gone from his eyes.
It was not wise to love. He had said it to Leila when she was alive. He had said it to Abraxas many times after Leila died. He had said it to Ella more times than to anymore else. Love was for the foolish.
"Then I am a fool." Had been Druella's answer.
Abraxas was weak because he still loved his wife. He had continued his cursed existence for twenty miserable years. Voldemort had let him die and had not regretted it. He had no need for a servant who gave into death so easily, who welcomed it with open arms. Abraxas was weak.
Now Voldemort soared through the night sky, over the sleepy French towns. Flying was easy for him now, the more his soul was divided, the easier such magic became.
He saw the Lestrange Manor from the air. It was nearly the size of the Malfoy manor, and almost as pretentious in appearance, surrounded by a high, stone wall. He landed inside the wall and walked up the path towards the house.
The house itself was several centuries old, a symbol of the family's status and wealth. Above the door three words were carved, Mihi Parta Tueri. He raised a pale hand and knocked three times.
After a moment he heard movement behind the door, "Who's there?" A woman's voice demanded.
He paused, "An old friend."
The door was unlocked hastily and swung open to let him enter.
"My Lord." Druella exclaimed. "What...?"
"Abraxas is dead." He answered before the question was finished.
Her eyes widened, "Dead?" She gasped. "How...?"
"He gave up." Was Voldemort's simple reply.
Druella seemed to understand what he meant, for she did not question him further. "He will be happier now." She said quietly.
"Now that he's dead?" He asked, mockingly.
"You know what I mean, Tom-My Lord." She corrected herself quickly. Yet not quickly enough. His eyes flashed scarlet.
"What did you call me?" He asked, raising his wand. His face looked less human than she had ever seen it.
"You know what I said." She whispered, brave despite his anger.
"If you were anyone else, Druella Black," He spat, "I would kill you for your insolence."
She stepped forward again, and they were mere feet apart. His red eyes locked with her blue. "If I were anyone else," She replied, "I would not be hiding out in France, caring for your secret child."
He closed his eyes and when he opened them they were cold black again. She reached out a hand to touch his cheek. "If I could have a single taste of what Abraxas had, true, requited love, I would die happy." She whispered, and there were tears in her bright blue eyes. "Instead, I have lived a cursed, half-life, in which I have loved but never been loved in return."
"I warned you Ella." Voldemort hissed, "I warned you from the beginning. You were foolish not to heed my advice."
She stepped closer still, and let her tears fall shamelessly. He could see each tear on her pale cheeks, each wet eyelashes.
A baby cried from somewhere in the house and Druella stepped away.
"I'm a fool." She whispered, just as she had all those years ago.