A/N: Thank you to all who wrote a review! It was so encouraging to read your thoughts and how much you are enjoying the story! I feel like I'm finding my inspiration again and with that...here comes another chapter!

Warning: Strong T-rating for sexual content and violence. But still t, because nothing explicit as usual. :)

Chapter 36: The Darkness

Sarah was deep in concentration as she worked to prepare the potions that she didn't even hear the door open to the lab.

"Mrs. Malfoy"

She jumped, disturbing her work area, and almost ruining the work she had put into the potion.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Sarah" Voldemort's voice was low.

"No" She tried to not shudder as he moved close to her. "This just requires significant amount of concentration. It's almost beyond my skill"

"I'm sure that is not the case" he looked over her shoulder, "I happen to believe you should be challenged"

"Then your goals for me are being accomplished" She answered as she prepared the next step.

He covered her hand as she chopped, "Smaller pieces"

She nodded and then looked at him, "Were you good at potions in school or just the Dark Arts?" she asked as she dumped the ingredients into the cauldron. "Was that impertinent?"

"No" Voldemort chuckled, "I was good at everything"

"Naturally"

"You sound like your uncle"

"I am related to him" she said.

"I see a lot of similarities between the two"

"Don't say that" she wrinkled her nose as she worked through the next step. "Did you need something?" she asked quietly.

"No, I just wanted to watch you"

A shiver was sent down her spine, "Have a seat" she said. "by all means"

"I think I will" he said as he sat next to her. He watched her for a half an hour work, making her stomach tie up in knots.

"Do you like having this power over me?" she said as she stirred the brew.

"I do" He stood, "Never forget that. Have you thought about what I said about Potter?"

She nodded, "Harry never had a family. His parents' death still drives him- motivates him. His relatives treated him ghastly. My father was Harry's godfather and James Potter was my own. It seemed like destiny for Harry and I to connect. Your instincts are right when you say to get to Harry through me. He'll want to save the people he loves first and foremost, even sacrificing himself for them"

"Very good" Voldemort stroked her hair. "That wasn't so hard, was it? Keeping thinking about it. I'll inspect your work tomorrow"

She was so relieved when she heard the door click behind him.

"What do you mean?" the fork clattered to her plate.

"Your friend, Luna" Bellatrix was positively glowing, "we took her last night"

"Bellatrix" Snape's voice was harsh.

"What are you even doing here?" Bella looked to Snape, "Don't you have a school to run?"

"Narcissa asked me to stay" Snape said, annoyed. "Black, eat your dinner"

She stood, shaking with anger, "Where is she?"

"Sarah" Draco stood and reached for her arm, "Don't make a scene"

"No" her eyes were wide, lurching her arm out of his grasp, "Did you know about this?"

"Draco was part of the team who took her" Bella laughed, manically.

"Damn you" she muttered and threw her napkin on the table.

"Sarah" Draco's voice was sharp.

"You should be glad that the Dark Lord is having his dinner in his room with the scene your wife just pulled" Lucius said, dryly.

"Why did you have to do that?" Draco insisted to Bellatrix. "She's trying to be submissive and you are making it so hard on her"

"She's not trying to do a damn thing" Bellatrix said, her eyes narrowing. "besides cause trouble for all of us...especially me"

"How is she causing trouble for you?" Draco muttered.

The grip on her leg from Snape was forceful causing her to close her mouth. "Nothing" she mumbled.

"Wiggles" Sarah called once in her room. A few seconds later, Wiggles popped into the room.

"Wiggles, there you are" she looked at her house elf, "I need you to tell me where they are keeping Luna"

Her eyes grew wide, "No Mistress Sarah, I mustn't. That will only cause problems"

"Wiggles, please" she begged her. "I need to make sure she is okay"

Wiggles acquiesced, "In the cellar"

"Thank you" she said, softly and headed towards the cellar, summoning her wand and sticking it in her pocket.

The charms were difficult to take down, but she was able to do so. She quietly tiptoed down into the cellar.

"Luna" she whispered. "Where are you?"

"Sarah!" Luna stood and rushed over to her, giving her a hug.

"Are you alright?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, I'm fine"

"Did they hurt you?" she asked.

"No, not at all. Draco made sure they didn't'"

Her eyes adjusted to the dim. "Who is here with you?"

"Mr. Ollivander"

"Mr. Ollivander?" Sarah went to stoop down next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder, "How are you, sir?"

"Sarah Black" he said, "tell Potter he that must not be named wants the wand"

"What wand?" she whispered.

"The Elder Wand"

"The Elder Wand? I don't understand"

"The Deathly Hallows" Ollivander whispered, "He wants to conquer death"

"What?" Sarah gasped as she stood.

"Just tell him" Ollivander's voice was frantic.

She bit her lip and turned to Luna, "Are they giving you food and everything?"

She nodded, "A house elf brings it in"

Mr. Ollivander began to cough.

"It's so cold down here" she said, softly. "I'll try to bring more blankets"

"Well, what do we have here?" Bella shrieked as the spell knocked Sarah off her feet.

It took her a moment to get her bearings as to what happened before she grabbed her wand and cast a stunning spell back in her direction. She rolled over and scrambled to her feet. Bellatrix and her engaged in fire before Bellatrix got the upper hand, the cruciatus curse bringing her to her knees.

"Stop that!" Snape's voice was harsh. "Now"

The curse ended and she felt an enormous amount of relief. She moaned and reached for her wand that had slipped out of her hand when the curse hit her.

Bellatrix turned to Snape, like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

"She fought me" she said, with a whine. "I had to"

"The Dark Lord said not to harm to girl" Snape said, "you are defying him"

"She's defying him" Bellatrix said, her voice snippy.

"Let the Dark Lord handle it" Lucius said.

"No!" Draco stopped down the cellar, side-swiping the adults and going down to help Sarah up off the ground, "What were you thinking?" he hissed at her. "Do you realize how much trouble you have caused?"

"I wanted to make sure our school mate was alright" she said.

"I thought you weren't friends with the girl" Bellatrix said, gleefully, "Did you lie to the Dark Lord?"

"No, of course not" she retorted. She turned to Draco. "They need more blankets. It's cold down here"

He frowned at her.

"Draco, I must insist" Lucius's voice was smooth. "The Dark Lord must know that she broke the charms and made a visit."

"She didn't help them escape" Draco said, "I think she just wanted to make sure they were alright. This is Bellatrix's fault for telling her in the first place"

"Be that as it may, we can't keep this a secret" Lucius replied. "We must fight to return to his good graces and nothing can hinder that goal. Draco, I really do have to insist"

Draco looked at her and she nodded.

"Can you at least get them more blankets?" she asked Draco. "Please?"

"Father?"

"Very well"

She allowed Bellatrix to practically drag her to Voldemort's quarters, knocking on his door and pushing her into the bedroom.

Voldemort rose, his eyes on her.

"What is it, Bella?" he asked.

"Sarah decided to pay our prisoners a visit" Bellatrix looked smug, "and then she had the nerve to fire curses back at me"

"To defend myself" Sarah retorted, "as any witch in the situation would do, might I add. Bellatrix used the cruciatus on me"

"Tattle tale" Bellatrix voice was singy song as she pinched her arm.

"Well, that's certainly the pot calling the kettle black" Sarah retorted.

"What?" Bellatrix titled her head, "Is that a muggle phrase?"

"Enough" Voldemort's harsh tone silenced them, "Leave us...all of you"

"My Lord" Draco said, "I can handle my wife"

"Clearly" Bella gripped his arm, "Let's go nephew. You can have your wifey back in a bit"

"Go on, Draco" Voldemort said, "I'll send her back to you in a few minutes. I trust you will also deal with her transgression accordingly"

"Yes, of course, my Lord" Draco responded, bowing slightly.

Sarah nodded at him and he left her with Voldemort.

"Now" Voldemort swept over to her, "What shall we do with you?"

She looked to him, "Kill me?"

He swept her hair out of her face, "Not over this" he declared, "you were being such a good girl" Voldemort shook his head, with mock sorrow, "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah"

"I just wanted to check on Luna" she said, "I don't see the harm"

"How did you get the charms down?" he asked, his eyes on her.

"I'm good at charms" she said.

"Good" Voldemort looked proud, "gifted, I say. I heard that you were able to even take Snape's charms down...in your fifth year. Narcissa's charms should have been easy for you"

Her face reddened, "How did you know about that?"

"Snape told me a while ago" Voldemort retorted, "he doesn't keep secrets from me. Spying on Draco in his bath" he tsked.

"I was trying to see if he obtained the Dark Mark"

"I know" Voldemort said, "It's curious. You did nothing with that information. You could have stopped him from succeeding in his plans, yet you kept it to yourself"

"I cared for him" she swallowed hard.

He pointed her finger at her, "My point is...don't act like you have the moral highground in every situation, Sarah when you have made choices that allowed our side to succeed because of your loyalty to one of my Death Eaters. That loyalty superseded your loyalty for Potter"

She looked to him, "It's complicated"

"Yes it is" he agreed, "but it gives me hope, that with proper incentive, you can break the bonds Potter seems to have over you these days" He paused, changing the subject, "Potions and charms...what about dark magic? Do you have a gift for that as well?"

"I fear my giftedness runs short. I'm horrid at Dark Arts. Ask the Carrows"

"I have" Voldemort retorted. He studied her as she shifted off her left leg which had began to cramp from the aftermath of Bellatrix's curse, "You are in pain"

"No" She shook her head, swiftly, "I'm not"

"Do not presume to lie to me" Voldemort retorted, "I'm not a fool"

"Of course not" Sarah responded, her voice contrite. "I just don't want to make a fuss over it. I really am fine"

"The crutiatus even for a few moments or minutes can leave your muscles aching and rebelling"

"I'm aware" she responded, wincing.

He shook his head, "Sit down"

She looked at him, her stomach tied in knots.

"Where?"

"On the bed there" he said.

She looked at it wearily, "Nagini isn't anywhere near there, is she?"

Voldemort laughed, "No, you'll know when she is here" He turned seriously, "She likes to make her presence known. Are you afraid of my snake?"

"No" she paused at his stormy look, "A little" she mumbled.

Voldemort fingered her cheek, "Good. Now go on before I lose my good temperament or my patience"

"I wasn't aware you had good temperament" she said as she sat down on the bed.

"A common misconception" Voldemort said. "I have a soul"

"Do you?" she asked, innocently, but her heart was racing. He had a soul- split 7 ways to be exact, but she couldn't tell him that she knew about that.

"Everyone has a soul" Voldemort said, sitting next to her. He put his hand on her thigh and began to rub it for her. "If you want to see the girl, you simply need to come to me and ask, not sneak about it"

She immediately tensed at his touch.

"Relax" Voldemort soothed, "I'm not going to hurt you"

"Aren't you?"

"No" he shook his head dropping his hand, "Better?"

"Yes, actually" she said. "What did you do?"

"Wandless magic combined with a delicate touch" Voldemort said, wryly. "I do have a soul, Sarah but you must know that every action has consequences" he stood up and helped her up, "Put pressure on your leg. Good?""

She nodded and tried not to squirm away when he put his long fingers now on her shoulder, digging them into it, "and you will see the result of yours soon. Leave me now"

She bit her lip, but left without another word.

"What were you thinking?" Draco demanded as she entered their room. "Of all the reckless, stupid things you could have done"

She looked at Draco, then Snape, who was sitting on their couch looking stormy.

"Aren't you going to say something?" she asked him.

"I'm allowing your husband to handle it, but I have a half a mind to turn you over my knee now or insist he does so himself"

"Don't be ridiculous" she snapped at him, the stress of that moment with Voldemort, erupting out at Snape.

"Never mind" Snape rose. "I'm handling this" He swept over to her. "Do not be disrespectful to me"

"Don't treat me like I'm a child anymore" she said, "I'm not a child"

"If you insist on throwing your temper tantrums like a child, then yes, I will treat you as such" Snape said, glaring at her, "and I'm sorely tempted to now"

"I'd like to see either of you try" Sarah said, "I'm married and am of age. Those days are over"

"Then act like it" Snape retorted, severely, "By using the brains that I know are in your head. You acted like Potter today and that's not a compliment"

"I like Harry" Sarah crossed her arms, "at least he has a sense of what is right!"

Snape towered over her, "Sometimes you are just like your inane father- right, wrong, light, dark"

She pointed her finger at him, "Do not dare lecture me about me father, Uncle Sev. Not here. Not in this house. Not when I have to make nice to his murderer" her temper unraveled. "don't you dare even mention his name to me!" she yelled at him.

"Do not raise your voice" Snape's voice was low and she knew that tone too well. "Control your temper now or I promise you, I will get out the ruler"

"No, you won't" She retorted, but lowered her voice, because truth be told, she wouldn't put it past him. "And for your information, Dad wasn't even like that. He told Harry and I that there is light and dark in all of us, which is what is keeping me going here- I see that. I see it in you. I see it in Draco. I see it in Harry. I see it in myself. I saw that in my father. Yes, I went down there, but she's my friend—"

"You, little girl" Snape growled at her, "have to keep your stories straight if you are going to succeed in this life. Your damn impulsivity will kill us all"

They stared at each other, locked in a battle, neither willing to yield.

"Sarah" Draco's voice broke through their standstill.

She turned to him, angry. "You should have told me, Draco!"

"There are things that I can't tell you" he said.

"He's right, Black. For your safety and his" Snape said.

"Stay out of it, Snape" Sarah grunted at him.

Snape took her arm, "I'm not the enemy here. Do you want to go back to those days, Sarah Grace? Do not take your wounded pride out on me"

She stared at him for another moment, until she abruptly tugged herself out of his grasp, side-swept him and went into the lavatory, slamming it shut and locking it.

Snape cleared his throat. "Draco, why don't you go downstairs and ask a house-elf to bring Sarah a plate for dinner since she skipped hers?"

"I'm pissed at her" Draco said.

"Of course" Snape retorted, "I am too, but you are her husband now and even when you are angry at her, you still have to provide for her needs. And if I'm not mistaken, she's pretty angry at you now herself. A cooling off might serve you both well"

"Alright" Draco mumbled and went away.

Snape took a breath and went over to knock on the door, "Open the door, Sarah"

"No"

"It will take a total of two seconds for me to unlock it" Snape reminded her. "Do it yourself"

He heard a pause and then the lock click open.

Snape came in and bent over and pulled her up by her underarms, planting her feet firmly on the ground. He handed her a tissue. "Let's sit on the couch and talk" he put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the couch.

"I don't like you talking about my dad at all" she said, her lip trembling.

"Alright" Snape conceded, "you are right. It is a sensitive subject and I should not have brought it up at this moment, but you still had no right to yell at me so disrespectfully. I am still your father, Sarah, and I still deserve your respect"

She nodded. He frowned at her lack of apology, but decided it was the wrong moment to push.

"Do you understand why Draco and I are so irritated and upset with you?" Snape's voice was low.

She really wanted to couch to swallow her up whole then face the disappointing look Snape was giving her.

"Answer me" Snape swatted the side of her leg.

"Of course" Sarah sighed. "I was too impulsive"

He nodded. "Good" he relaxed. "You have no hope of accomplishing what you want to accomplish here if you let your emotions rule your actions" he lectured, sternly. "I thought you had grown out of that"

She bit her lip, desperately wanting to bury her head in Snape's chest.

"Please don't lecture me, Dad" her voice was low. "I just..."

"She goaded you, knowing that's exactly what you would do" Snape said, "you better be thankful the Dark Lord was in such a generous mood"

She shook her head, wearily. "What type of retaliation do you think there will be?"

"Did he punish you?" Snape asked, "I assumed not by the way you look"

"No" Sarah shook her head, "He didn't say much of anything except next time I should come to him" She took a breath, "And he healed the cramp in my leg"

Snape flinched. "I don't like that at all" Snape told her, honestly.

"I know" Sarah sighed, "I would almost rather he punish me instead of playing these mind games with me"

"He knows that you broken down is bait for Harry to come" he replied.

She paused, blinking, "Speaking of Harry, what is the Elder Wand?"

Snape froze. "Where did you learn of that?" he demanded

"Mr. Ollivander said that you know who wants to acquire it to defy death"

"It's folklore" Snape shook his head, "It must be"

"He doesn't think so apparently" she said, "What is it?"

"It's part of the Deathly Hallows" Snape said, "Tell Harry to do research on the Deathly Hallows and the Dark Lord wishes to acquire the Elder Wand. Go do that now while you remember"

"Is it that important?"

Snape nodded, "Extremely. Potter must know"

Sarah retreated into the closet for a few minutes and came back to Draco bring in dinner.

Snape rose, "Is it taken care of?" he asked.

"Yes, sir"

"Good" Snape nodded, "I'll leave you two then"

"Uncle Sev?" Sarah reached out to touch his arm.

He waited and she leaned up on her tippy toes. "I'm sorry" she whispered.

He nodded and made towards the door, before abruptly turning on his heels and gathering her up in his arms. She sobbed into his chest. "I was so foolish"

"I know" he patted her back, "you won't be next time, will you?"

"No" she shook her head, pulling away. "I hate to think that he could use this and take it out on someone else. The guilt is so bad when you have nothing to atone for it"

Snape smirked, "Would you like me to spank you, Black?"

Her eyes widened, "No" she said quickly. "That's not what I meant"

"Draco can give you a swat or two when I leave" Snape said, dryly.

"I'd be happy to, Black" Draco said, a glint in his eye.

"On that note, I'm leaving now" Snape said. "No more foolishness, Sarah"

"Yes sir" she nodded, kissing his cheek.

"Good girl"

Snape shut and locked the door behind him.

Sarah turned to Draco. "You should have told me" she whispered.

"I couldn't" Draco countered. "Come here"

She walked over to him.

"When you get like that, you have to allow us to work through it together" Draco said, "Honestly, it was so stupid. The minute you took down the charms you should have know alerts would have gone off"

She nodded. "I should have. I'm sorry"

"I know you would have wanted to make sure Luna was okay, but you should have waited for me to help you"

"Okay"

"Sarah" Draco's eyes were on her, "I'm serious"

"Okay, Draco" she nodded, "I know. I will next time"

"Promise?"

"Yes" she agreed.

Draco leaned over and grasped her face, pulling her towards him, kissing her. He pulled away and reached around her to swat her twice, hard. "Feel better?" he asked, amused.

She rubbed her bottom, "That really stung. I feel sorry for our future children"

Draco just laughed, "Eat your dinner, Black"

"What is it?" she asked the next night.

"I have been summoned for a mission" Draco said, quietly as he went into the closet to retrieve his robes.

Her stomach sunk. She shook. "It's because of me"

"I'll be back in a few hours probably" Draco said, trying to act confident. "Don't worry"

She bit her lip, "Is Snape going with you?"

"Yes"

She swallowed hard, "Okay. I'll be here when you return" she said calmly, but when he left, she buried her head in her hands and sobbed.

"My Lord" Draco's voice was even as he stared at the girl, shaking in front of him.

"She's a blood traitor" Voldemort whispered in his ear, "Not unlike your wife. See the resemblance?"

Draco tightened his grasp around his wand.

"Do you?" Voldemort pressed.

"Yes, my Lord" Draco murmured, and he did, for this girl that the Dark Lord found had an uncanny resemblance to his wife.

"I want you to curse her as punishment for being a blood traitor and a disgrace to the wizarding world"

Draco swallowed the bile that rose to his throat.

"No, please don't" the girl begged him and Draco felt ill, the sweat pooling at the nape of his neck.

"Silence" Voldemort commanded, going over to her and rubbing his hands against her neck, immediately causing her not to be able to speak.

Draco shifted.

"Go on, Draco, just like I taught you" Voldemort said, his eyes on him, "It's good practice for you. Now, I'm losing my patience with you" He paused, "why the hesitation? Do you not believe in our rights as pureblooded wizards?"

"Of course I do, my Lord"

"Do you not believe that she ought to be punished for rebelling against our ways?" Voldemort studied him, "If you don't have what it takes, I might have to find someone to provide a little better example for your young wife"

"No, my Lord" Draco said, smoothly. "I can do this"

"Then go ahead"

When finally the Dark Lord allowed him to stop, he turned to Bellatrix. "Send her to St. Mungo's. Erase her memory"

She nodded, "As you wish, my Lord"

"Draco" Voldemort slid up next to him, "Do you feel the power of your dark magic being unleashed?"

"Yes, my Lord" Draco's heart pounded through his chest.

"Go make love to your wife now" Voldemort whispered, "Make her learn the art of submission"

"Yes my Lord"

Voldemort apparated, leaving Snape and Draco alone.

Snape looked at him, "The message is clear tonight. The parallels were intentional. Keep your wife in control" his tone was curt, "or you will be doing this to her next"

Draco shook. "I know" he whispered.

She stood quickly when Draco entered their room. It was almost as if she could feel the dark magic radiating off of him. She sensed its power in his core, but also in the way he was eying her. And then she knew- she knew in her heart, it was because he had used its power tonight and these were its fingerprints left on him. It left her feeling uncertain...so unsure. Did she place Draco in this situation?

"Draco" she swallowed hard, "Tell me what happened"

"Not now" He tugged off his robes, leaving a trail of them on the floor and swept towards her and captured her mouth in a kiss, it rough and raw. Her mind raced and she involuntarily groaned.

She knew that something terrible must have happened. She kissed him back, wanting to break through whatever had captured him tonight, going on a mission with Voldemort.

His pushed her against the dresser, her back banging into it. She grimaced as he pinned her against it and lifted up nightgown to her hips, reaching for his wand to banish her knickers, all the while kissing her with such raw emotion. It was like he was driven by some force that had to connect with her in this way.

"Draco" she pushed against him, "that hurts"

He groaned, "I need to make love to you"

"This doesn't feel like love" she said, softly. She pulled away from him, "Wait a minute"

"Let me have you" he said, his voice low. "I need this"

"Draco" She reached out to touch his face, but he flinched away.

He kissed her roughly, pinning her arms behind her to prevent her from touching him again.

She pulled away, gasping for breath. She stared at him, but he wouldn't return her gaze. He wouldn't look at her.

"Draco, look at me" she insisted.

"I can't" he shook his head. "Don't ask me why, not now"

He turned her around and leaned her against the dresser, him reaching to take her hands and lay them down against the dresser, her palms bearing down onto the top. "Let's do it like this" he said, his voice low.

"Draco" she took a breath as he connected with her.

"Shhh" he commanded as curled himself into her, clinging to her as he made love to her.

When he was finished, he pulled away. He turned her around. She remained silent, watching him. He stared at her for a few moments.

"Step up" he said as he reached for her knickers, which he had thrown on the dresser, helping her put them back on and then releasing her nightgown down. He retreated into their lavatory without another word, slamming the door behind him.

She closed her eyes, her heart breaking as she heard him sob.

She grabbed her wand that was lying on the dresser and headed to the bathroom.

"Draco" she slowly opened the door.

He was on his knees, vomiting into the toilet.

She sat against the tub, in silence until he was finished. With her wand, she summoned a washcloth towards him. He caught it and wiped his face.

"What happened?" she asked, quietly.

"I'm sorry. We shouldn't have done it like that"

"No" she shook her head, "It's alright. There was nothing wrong with it"

"Yes" He nodded, "not the way we did it, but there was something wrong with us shagging in that moment"

"Why?" she asked.

"You know why" Draco retorted.

She took a breath and swallowed hard. "I could feel the dark magic in you"

"I forced myself on you" his voice broke.

"No, you didn't" she retorted, "My magic is strong enough that I could have stopped you if I wanted to. My wand was in reach the entire time. Trust me, I could hexed you across the room if I so desired"

"Why did you allow me to do that?"

She sighed, "The way you clung to me- it was like you were fighting whatever demons he put into you tonight" She paused before adding, "And I'm assuming that you didn't to look at me while we had sex for the same reasons"

"Was I too rough?" he asked, his eyes on her.

"No" she shook her head. "of course, you weren't. There were moments it actually felt good to me too"

He slid over and leaned against the tub with her, them both stretching the legs out on the marble floor.

"What happened, Draco?"

"I used dark magic on a girl our age- she was a wizard, but a blood traitor, not so unlike you. She looked like you too- the parallels were intentional"

"Do we know her?" she asked, aghast.

"No" he shook his head. "I have never seen her before"

"What curse did you use?"

"Snape's"

She squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them, she was determined. "Is she dead?"

"I wish for her sake she was" Draco said, shuddering. "but no. Bellatrix took her at St Mungos" He looked at her, evenly, "I think it was a warning to keep you in line"

She swallowed hard, "What did Snape say?"

"That it could very well be the Dark Lord forcing me to do that to you if you act out again"

She shuddered. "Did you know who say anything to you?"

"He ordered me to come home while I was still feeling the effects of using dark magic and shag you"

Her eyes widened, "But why?"

"So you can feel submissive to me in our love making" he said.

Her lip trembled, "Oh Merlin, Draco, no. This is so twisted"

"This is who I am" he told her.

"No" She took a deep breath. "This doesn't make you who you are, Draco. You are forced into these things- to protect me, to protect your family"

"It feels very much like who I am now" he said, quietly.

She bit her lip, "I refuse to believe that"

"You are naïve, Sarah"

She leaned over and put her hand to his face. He flinched away.

"Draco, please" she murmured. "I love you"

He froze. "Do you?"

"Of course I do" she responded.

"You love a monster, Black"

"No" she shook her head, "I love the boy who was my best friend, who has grown up to become my husband" She rubbed his face, gently. She let go to reach for her wand and with it, the bath began to fill up. "Let me take care of you tonight"

The bath was full of sudsy bubbles as Sarah washed him and kissed him and loved him, bringing him to tears at her acceptance of him-both the dark and the light inside of him. He reached to take off her nightgown and knickers and lift her into the bath with him, her sliding down next to him.

"I'm not blameless for tonight" she said, as he began to rub sudsy bubbles over her body. "In fact, I shoulder most of the blame. I did this to us. I antagonized him by sneaking in to see Luna..."

"It wasn't about you going to see Luna" he said, "He just wants you to believe that"

"Are you sure?" she asked, titling her head up as he began to feel her. "He said there would be consequences"

"Not entirely sure. Actually, you are probably right. It was a definite warning and we need to remember it" he answered honestly, standing and stepping out of the tub. "you need to remember it"

"I hate that I caused this pain for you-for her" she said, her throat dry. "I was too impulsive. I should have thought it through" tears filled her eyes, "I don't know what I'm doing, Draco" she cried. "This feels so hopeless"

"Shh" He reached for her and picked her up in his arms, this time her clinging to him, wrapping her legs around him.

A charm later and they were dry as he laid her in bed and began to make love to her, slowly and determined, with such a gentle passion that she was overcome.

She snuggled into him when they were both satisfied.

"I know we joke about this, but you really do bring me to the light" he murmured. "I can drown in all of this without you"

She nodded, "I could drown in all of this without you. We've all had to compromise- Snape, me, you, your mother. I hope it's worth it all in the end"

He kissed her head and they were quiet for a few minutes before Sarah pulled away.

"Shit, Draco"

"What is it?" he asked.

"We forgot the potion twice" She sat up, pulling the sheet around her, "Merlin, Snape is going to kill us!"

A/N2: please review! :)