Hours later, Morrigan stirred. She did not seem as warm as she had just hours ago. Feeling the empty spot next to her, she surmised Lucius had left just minutes ago. She smiled a little at his kindness and acknowledged at least to herself that something had changed. She rose and found a beautiful pale pink orchid at the foot of the bed. When she touched it, it melted into gold liquid that formed into a piece of parchment. She read it with awe.

My Dearest Love,

I watched you sleep more deeply today than any since you have been here. And I realized that I have not done you any justice since the day I met you. It is obvious that I have taken you away from your love and one who has supported you through this prophecy so far.

I cannot apologize enough for this. And as much as I wish I could change it, I cannot. I don't know if he would ever forgive you, or if you could forgive yourself. And to leave now would draw so much unwanted attention to us all that it could mean our deaths.

So I will do the only thing I can. I will give you what freedom I can. You do not have to appear tonight or any other. I will accept whatever punishment is given and keep your secrets to myself.

Narcissa will no doubt be pleased but it is inconsequential.

I know that I have no right, but if someday you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I will do whatever it takes. For as long as it takes.

Rest well, my love. I will bother you in the nights no more.

Love Eternally,

L

Morrigan smiled. Perhaps they could work this out. Perhaps not all would be lost. Lucius was certainly different from when he had been in school. Different even from the night he changed her life. Maybe not all was lost.

As she headed to the bathroom to bathe and get ready for a party she wasn't required to attend, she heard a small pop from behind her. She knelt in front of Dobby as he beckoned to her.

"Hello, my little one." She spoke softly but firmly so as not to cause an unexpected outburst from her gentle treatment of the house elf.

Dobby looked to her with tears in his eyes. "Oh Mistress. Oh High Priestess. Dobby is in such a place. He is not knowing what to do. Master gave me to you but I is to be listening to Madame Narcissa too. But it's important. Yes it's important. Oh Mistress Morrigan." His distressed babble warned Morrigan that Narcissa was obviously planning something. Else Dobby would not be so upset at his conflicting orders. How to fix this was the question.

"Dobby. What did Master Lucius say to you when he sent you to me?" Morrigan wondered if Lucius had been specific as to his duty and loyalty or if it had been a general order.

Dobby stopped babbling and looked to her curiously. "Master is saying that Dobby is elf to true Mistress of Malfoy Manor. That Dobby is to be listening to her and obeying her orders. Oh but Mistress Morrigan, Dobby's magic does not know which of the women's is true Mistress."

Morrigan saw the dilemma. Lucius had said it to mean her but magic requires more than vague words filled with pride. The situation was simple. "Dobby. You must go to Lucius and tell him that in order to fulfill my every wish, he must name me true Mistress. Name me by my true name. Can you do that? Tell him that I sent you, okay?"

Dobby gasped in delight. "Oh Mistress. You is being so smart. Dobby can do that. Dobby will go right now and be right backs." A sudden crack signaled his departure.

Morrigan laughed slightly at his exuberance. No wonder Lucius had sent Dobby to her. It probably kept him out of trouble. As she sat waiting for his return, she contemplated what to wear to the dinner. Wizarding tradition demanded formal robes. But she had always gone against tradition. Yet she did not want to embarrass Lucius by appearing anything less than perfect. She puzzled over it for a few more minutes until Dobby returned.

"You seem much calmer now, Dobby. Did Lucius do as I asked?"

Dobby nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes Mistress. He was angered at first that Dobby interrupted his bathing but when Dobby explained it was for Mistress. He was most co-operative."

Morrigan snorted at the thought of Lucius' face at being told he was co-operative to a house elf. "That's good Dobby. Are you clear on your true Mistress now? Can you tell me what was so wrong when you first came to me?"

Dobby nodded. "Yes, True Mistress of Malfoy Manor. Dobby is telling you know. Madame Narcissa is planning to humiliate Mistress at dinner tonight. She heard Master tell Master Lestrange that you would not be attending tonight and she plans to usurp your place. But Mistress must not let her. She. . .She is not a nice witch and there are things that she has done that. . .Ow, no Dobby mustn't tell. . .Ow. . .Bad Dobby."

Morrigan was horrified to see the little elf began to hit his head on a bed stool nearby. "Dobby! Dobby! Stop, little one. Mistress says stop!"

Shaking with pain and relief, the little elf stopped. "Thank you, Mistress. But Dobby was going to reveal Madame Narcissa's secrets and he cannot. Not even to you. Dobby promised when Madame was still his Mistress."

Morrigan was suspicious of what exactly Dobby couldn't tell her. But she would not have him tell her at the cost of his pain. Self inflicted or not. "It is all right little one. You do not have to tell me."

Dobby sobbed with relief. "Thank you Mistress. Now, Dobby will help you get ready. Dobby is calling his friend to help dress you. Teeny will make Mistress even more pretty than ever. Which will make you even beautifuler than Madame Narcissa."

Morrigan smiled. "Thank you for telling me of her plan's Dobby. And I appreciate that you came to me."

"Mistress is welcome. But hurry now. You mustn't be too late. Just late enough." Dobby held an evil glint in his eye.

"What do you have planned, little one?" Morrigan didn't know if she should be worried or not.

"Mistress will see." Dobby answered. "Mistress will see."

Two hours later, Morrigan heard the guests arriving. Thanks to a little house elf magic, she could hear everything going on downstairs. She heard Lucius excuse her absence and heard them greet Narcissa. She also heard Narcissa get congratulated on being at Lucius side by Livia Zambini. She smiled to herself as she put the finishing touches on herself.

Looking in the mirror she admired what Dobby and Teeny had accomplished. Her long hair was wrapped tightly in a diamond tiara with dark red curls spilling out. She had on a dark navy blue dress robe that fit her firm body just close enough to be appropriate. Off the shoulder with an open back to mid waist and a scooped neckline to expose deep cleavage. Tight sleeves that flowed out at the cuff, cloth wrapped around her waist with any sign of closure. A slit up either side to mid thigh to reveal porcelain skin. And real glass slippers. Of course, the elves did not understand her amusement. Only added a cushioning charm for her. She wore no other jewelry save a sapphire choker that matched her eyes. Dobby had argued against any makeup. Saying his Mistress did not need any. But Teeny won the dispute when she lengthened Morrigan's eyelashes and applied a clear gloss to her lips. Never had Morrigan been dressed so. It was a little disconcerting but she also enjoyed it a little.

As she heard Lucius usher his guests into the formal dining room, she knew it was time. She walked thru the Wing and down the main staircase. Dobby smiled at her from the floor above and winked at her. She winked back and walked into the room.

All conversation stopped as she glided over to Lucius. He sat at the head of the table with Narcissa to his right. Bellatrix sat at his left as Narcissa's sister. Lucius rose with wide eyes. "Skye. I was lead to believe that you were too ill to join us this evening."

Morrigan smiled and lowered her eyes. "I was not well earlier and I apologize for my lateness. Is it all right if I join you?"

Lucius gave her a genuine smile. "Of course, my dear." Just as he was about to speak, Morrigan laid a hand on his arm.

"Narcissa, I do believe you are in my seat." Morrigan spoke without any emotion in her voice at all.

Narcissa glared up at her. She turned to Lucius who merely glanced at her. "No, I do not believe I am. There is room at the end of the table, Skye."

Morrigan smiled a little at that. "Oh but you are mistaken, my dear Narcissa. I am sure that the seat to the right of The Head of the Malfoy's is reserved for the Mistress if Malfoy Manor."

Narcissa smirked triumphantly. "Yes it is."

Morrigan leaned toward her and spoke again. This time there was pure malice in her voice. "The True Mistress of Malfoy Manor."

Narcissa did not reply, nor did she move. Not until Morrigan spoke again. "Come now, my dear. You don't want to embarrass yourself any further do you? Surely you do not want me to demonstrate who is truly Mistress here, do you?"

Narcissa' face paled than became red with embarrassment. She rose slowly and left the room. Silence followed until Lucius moved to seat Morrigan. His hand lingered on her back long enough for everyone watching to understand the truth. His cool expression toward the door left no doubt of the consequences Narcissa had brought upon herself.

Morrigan felt good. Truly good for the first time in a while. Bringing Narcissa Black down a few levels was worth the trouble she might cause later. After that, dinner passed with relative quiet. Voldemort had not shown as Lucius though he might. Rumor was he was meeting with some informant that had info on the Longbottoms.

Lucius left little doubt as to his true feelings about Skye. He was attentive and watchful of her every movement. She flushed at his praise and admired his commanding presence with all those gathered. He had a power that was beyond magic. Had he used his power, money and prestige against the Voldemort, the war might not have lasted this long. Morrigan was saddened at that thought but buried it.

There was only one moment of unease. When Bella, seemingly upset at her sister's treatment in front of such a gathering, inquired about Skye Finnigan's family.

Lucius tensed as he had no idea what to say. But before she had even been sorted at Hogwarts, Dumbledore and the Circle had arranged a complete background. A pure blood one so no matter what house she would be accepted.

"Well, it's not well known but the Irish Finnigan's are a pure blood family. Trace their roots back to Dawna Ravenclaw. In fact, there were several Blacks in my family tree last I looked. And a Nott. My mother's family. . . well my mother's family are decedents of Syltherin's sister, Selena. And my great-grandfather was Grindelwald's closet supporter, Henri Karanostov."

Silence followed her false admission and then Bella rose and nodded to her. "Welcome to the family, Skye Finnigan."