Hey Everyone,
Everyone who is getting tired of Narcissa being a twit put your hand in the air. (writer sheepishly raised hand to only shoulder level as if she is betraying her own story.) Alright guys. This is the LAST, thank all golden deities that dare to keep giving this writer a muse, that Narcissa is in fact a complete tit-bag. One more, this is it, then Narcissa can heal like she was supposed to. After this and maybe a few more the chapters should start to speed up. HOWEVER... want to bring back one of the Black sisters in a more permanent capacity. What do you think?
The errors in the chapter... god there are more than a few, could you please be gentle, I am tired of looking at the computer for hours on end and the words are running together. Blame MadameCissy and her freaking Unholy Trinity trilogy. Some of it isnt my cup of tea...but whoa what a way to figure it out. Highly recommended author.
Also... I have been batting around ideas with a fellow reader, Sarinej, on a new story. I think I have enough handwritten to juggle between these two stories, especially when we all already know the endgame. Those of you just tuning in... it is almost over. No more than 10 more chapters max. I promise.
As always thanks for reading, I send virtual hugs for reviews, LOL kidding. Keep those hits coming on my stats and you all rock.
PS: as of this chapter Will have over 950,000 total written words. WOW... holy cow. Couldn't have done it if you all were not so supportive and kept me going. THANK YOU!
Moving In:
Narcissa didn't require much as she stood in her new quarters with a painting of a man that simply looked around confused and wondering.
"Please disconnect the floo to the other room, also make Martian protector of this room with the old requirements, and flesh memories, and link it to this room," Narcissa requested coldly of the one witch that had never really took from her, hurt her, and had been there for her.
"Narcissa…" Narcissa walked from the woman and checked the rooms ignoring the headmistress. Minerva sighed and then added this floo to Black Hall, Andromeda Tonks, Dan Granger, St. Mungo's, Her own office, and Severus's office. Narcissa asked for a private floo, with the ability to go elsewhere on the floo system, but she didn't really see that happening, so she wanted it cloaked. No one in, no one out, without knowing exactly when the people went. She was now … unlisted as muggles called it. When the floo was taken care of Narcissa came back into the living space.
"Narcissa…" once more Minerva looked here or there but the venerable Scot would not take silence any longer, "Look here!" she growled as she reached out for Narcissa but found herself in a body bind. Minerva looked around as Narcissa perused the cabinets and living space. Finally, she came back to the living space and looked at McGonigall and sighed. Narcissa waved her hand.
"You are very important to me Professor," Narcissa began as she looked around. Minerva saw her searching and then shook her head. She transfigured the pile of wood for the fireplace into a very impressive and comfortable rocking chair. Narcissa sat thankfully.
"What happened to you little one?" the Headmistress asked as she watched Narcissa settle into the rocking chair and placed a hand on her belly, but her blue eyes coldly gazed about the room. Finally, those eyes planted on Minerva and the woman could not move. Seriously, she tried, but she was ensnared by those blue jewels.
"I was left," Narcissa said shortly.
"Herm…." Minerva began but Narcissa cut her short by zipping her lips shut. Seriously, her lips became a zipper and she struggled in her panic to be free. She was frozen yet again. This Narcissa was cold, and more powerful than she had ever been, or more powerful than Minerva gave her credit for. She wasn't sure if the pregnancy gave her a boost or that Narcissa was never flippant with her magic. She was subject to Narcissa's torture, her whims, or just her company. She was not sure what Narcissa would want, and she was uncertain and feared Narcissa to be lost. She was a Black, and all Blacks, every single one, had a tendency to drop off the deep end. She stopped struggling and waited. Finally, Narcissa waved another hand and Minerva could move and her hands. They flew to her lips and they too where back to normal. She tried to speak but Narcissa lifted a hand.
"Fleur took fluid from my child to Scrollblade, and understandably Bella, and then preformed a de-bonding of sorts. But what that did was leave me utterly, and devastatingly alone," Narcissa explained.
McGonagall elongated the rocking chair and sat with Narcissa.
"That doesn't mean you are alone," the older witch tried to tell the blonde.
"You don't you understand," Narcissa whispered as she pulled from McGonagall and stood before an empty fireplace. Minerva watched the woman prowl like a panther before the hearth. Back and forth, resolute in her thoughts, and so deep into them she knew she could creep up on her. To test this, she placed her hands on the rocking chair to get up and go to her, but Narcissa's head whipped to McGonagall and glared at her. Minerva sat back down and rested. She waited and then Narcissa stopped.
"I…" Narcissa stumbled on her words but didn't look weak, just... indecisive, it was then that Minerva knew she wore a mask. She wanted to bring the woman to her and provide her with warmth and protection.
"When the bond broke, I was left with nothing," Narcissa began and then looked to the professor and sighed relieved that she didn't move or try to speak and then Narcissa looked at her, face on, "I mean I feel nothing here," she indicated with her heart, "When it happened I was asleep, something snapped, and I was tossed awake, and it was gone. I woke up truly alone, here," Narcissa indicated her heart, "since Hermione disappeared," Narcissa explained. Minerva slowly made to stand and Narcissa looked from her. She took it as admittance to walk. Narcissa gasped as she felt tight arms around her shoulders. Narcissa tightened, would not give in, would not be weak, would not shove the edge that people so many times seemed to plunge her over.
"You are not alone," the Headmistress whispered into her ear holding her.
"I wish I could feel that," Narcissa said as she pulled from Minerva's arms. She saw the look on the older witch's face. Slight pain, slight confusion. Then her door slammed open.
Narcissa stood there. She saw Blonde and Brown. She saw Light and Dark. She saw Bella and Fleur. She looked to Minerva.
"Are the school wards back to full operation yet?" Narcissa asked.
"Only Staff at the moment…" Once again Minerva was cut short. Then Minerva reached out for Narcissa screaming no! She was gone. Holy shit! She was a pregnant woman apperating! Oh My GODS!
"I have it," Bella said and looked at Fleur and then saw Fleur's face. It was broken. Bella walked to her lover.
"Bella, the baby. She just…" Fleur looked into Bella's eyes.
"I will go after her my love," she promised as she clasped her cheeks with her hands," Bella turned from Fleur and saw that look and squeezed her hand, "I love her two. Even though we are no longer bonded, she is still part of us," Bella kissed Fleur's hand, let go and then apparated to the only place she knew Narcissa felt safe. Black Hall.
Narcissa, Bella, and then Fleur:
Bella apparated to the Hall and as to be expected she bounced off the wards. She sighed and then skimmed her fingers over the invisible wall of magic. She felt them, she tried to untie the magic, but there was something she could not touch, and then it hit her. Hermione's magic, Hermione's blood. Bella smiled. Her brilliant sister laced the wards with Hermione's blood. Clever girl. She could call Fleur, but she didn't want that. She didn't want her lover to see her sister like this. She never met Narcissa as the woman she is now. This is the woman who was married to Lucius, but without the puppet strings attached to her. She would be brutal, she would be unforgiving, she would be a fucking Black. Bella smiled. The thought thrilled her. It made her blood tingle, and sing. She almost stood up and giggled with her fingers clasped together like a little girl. She knew a way though.
"Dobby," she called. She felt a shift in the air, but nothing was seen, but she knew there was magic in the air. She pulled her wands and felt the magic grow heavy.
"Dobby, I come in peace, here," she placed her wands in an open palm as an offering, "take these. I wish your mistress no harm. I swear it." Magic swirled in the air, and then wands whipped from her palm. She followed them and then they disappeared. She walked toward where they flew slowly.
"She will not see anyone, Miss Bella," The house elf scared the hell out of her as he appeared behind her. She looked down at the little creature. His ears drooped, his face shone in a diligence to fight for his mistress, but he was …. Sad.
"Why are you sad, Pet?" Bella asked as she knelt before Dobby. Dobby felt something, an almost instinctual need to talk to her, and then shook himself. He glared at her and then popped away.
Bella sighed and stood. She was now wandless, and frustrated. She walked back and forth. She shouted his name over and over. It had been a long stretch of time. The first hour had seen her patience, but the beginning of the second hour saw to her anger. How dare Narcissa hold her from Black Hall? How dare the woman keep herself from the people who loved her most? She sat down long ago on the ground braced against a tree. She watched. She waited. She whipped around her hand in the air ready the wandless fling a body, or strangle them, but saw blonde. Her eyes softened, and she smiled. The blonde walked toward her and sat on the ground with her. They both leaned against the tree. No words needed to be said.
"She is being a bitch," Bella gritted growing impatient, "And her House elf took my wands," Bella gritted and fussed. Fleur snuggled up to the woman and smiled.
"What, Little Beast?' Bella smiled as she spoke the term of endearment but wanted to know the workings of her mate's mind. Fleur reached into her waist band and held out Bella's wands. Bella's eyes narrowed then looked at Fleur.
"Your sisters funny little house elf gave these to me hours ago," Fleur smiled as Bella's brow furrowed, "I believe he is shielding her, but keeping her informed. Essentially, she is Queen of the keep, and we have no way in," Fleur grinned devilishly, and then Bella swallowed.
"But I assume you have another way?" Bella asked and Fleur nodded with a grin for her lover. She stood leaving a lingering kiss on Bella's lips.
"It happened only once but I think because of that moment I can crack the wards barriers," Fleur went to the wards. Closed her eyes. Thought of the night she slipped through the Black wards, and felt a tingling upon her skin, and part of the wards grabbed at her, but as soon as she noticed she fought the hold, the grabbing and the sucking into the wards. Fleur pulled from the wards gasping and rubbed her arms. Bella came up beside her.
"What the hell was that?" Bella asked as she clutched her lover to her and ran her hands up and down her arms.
"It was the wards. They have changed, maybe. The last time I came here like that I was broken," Fleur said as she clutched to Bella but looked at the wards.
"You will both be admitted," Dobby said from beside them, spooking both women.
They approached the wards in their excitement but missed half of Dobby's phrase after.
All they heard was at your own… At your own what?
Black Hall
They walked but were on alert.
"Did you get all of the little elf's warning?' asked Bella. But all Fleur could do was shake her head. Then a hedge grew in front of them. Snatching vines, moving walls. Bella walked forward, but Fleur paused. She saw misted floors, walls alive. She was taken back to the Triwizard tournament. She spun around waiting for Victor curse her. She felt pressure and spun around. A hand pushed her wand hand away from then, and then brown almost black eyes found hers. It was him… it was Victor, with a wand in his hand. She raised her own once more. His voice, his eyes, sis wand. Fleur was frozen.
"Fleur Delacour, it is I, Bellatrix Black," stated the figure before her, but she could only see Victor's face, "Bond Mate of mine," The figure lunged at her, and then lips too soft, and too sweet broke through her haze. She saw it. She saw the spell slip away.
"God Damned Bitch," Fleur said surprised, "She did this to keep me out," Fleur said as she looked at Bella and saw a nod but supportive eyes.
"Come," Bella said as she took her lovers hand through the enchanted hedges, "She is willing to fight, and I am probably next," Bella looked Fleur in the eyes, "Safe word is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," Bella smiled at the confusion on her face. Fleur pulled her back
"Super what?" Fleur asked.
"Do the best you can. I bet a thousand galleons no wizard knows that safe word," Bella said with a wide smile. "Blame Dan," Bella said, and Fleur smiled. They walked forward. They reached the walls. Bella reached out and the doors would not budge. Then the knockers became animate.
"What the bloody hell are you?!" exclaimed Bella.
"Well what the bloody hell are you?" asked the knocker
"I'm Bella," Bella said as she watched the knocker. But the knocker tended to grimace, and phase in and out of solid consciousness.
"Fucking hell!" groaned the knocker. Bella and Fleur waited and looked at each other.
"I am not of the mistress of the houses making," he said with a grimace, "the house magic takes a toll on my consciousness especially since I want you to win," the knocker said with a grin. Fleur was elated and leapt forward to greet the knocker and push past the door.
"No," Bella grabbed her back, hands and all and then looked at the knockers, "House elf magic is almost as powerful if not more powerful than ours. A house elf cannot go against their master unless they are free," Bella looked at the knocker. "Are you free?"
"Isn't that a matter of prospective? You are free yet tied forever to someone you may or may not have wanted," then the knocker turned toward Fleur, "you are free, but tied due to a tradition, a magical thread of fate. What would have happened if you did not listen to those threads?" the knockers asked, and it was then that Bella watched as Fleur turned pale. She knew she was also a shade lighter, but action needed to be taken. Bell blasted the door. Cursed the door to open. Even physically pushed the door to open but it would not budge.
"Bella," Fleur said, and her voice was so small. Bella went to her. She clasped her hands, and then smoothed hair from her hair. Fleur's eyes were unfocused, but a smile grew.
"I know how to beat the curse or ward we are dealing with. Tell it the truth," Fleur said and then stood up and walked to the doors.
"I would never have met Bellatrix, I would be mated to Hermione, and Narcissa," Fleur told the knocker. The Knocker's brow lifted. Then looked to Bella.
"What would have happened if there was no Hermione, no Fleur, and no Narcissa to pull you from the darkness? What would you have don't to them all?" The knocker asked and it was Bella who cringed. She looked to Fleur, caught her eyes and then looked away.
"I would have killed them all," Bella said quietly, softly, afraid of the aftermath but she continued, "I would have racked Narcissa, pulled her in five separate ways. I would have marked Hermione, possibly taken her, devoured her, beaten her, molded her, devoured her even more, " then Bella looked at Fleur, "I would have killed you out right," she said this as she reached for Fleur, "I would have killed you for simply being who you are. A Veela," Bella admitted and retrieved her hand, never touching Fleur's flesh. It was quiet between the two. And then the doors opened.
They walked into Black Hall. The main atrium was empty as they walked through the doors.
"Incarcarous!" the spell shot twice as both witched went through the doors. Narcissa stepped from behind Dobby's magical notice me not spell. Bella watched as Narcissa stepped forward. His ears drooped even more, his head bowed, and his posture stumped slightly.
"You have no need to be here," Narcissa said. Bella and Fleur could swear the air got colder with every letter she spoke. Bella fed up shook her head and sighed.
"Fine, dive back into the shell you used to be," Bella saw the shift in Narcissa's eyes but not her magic, "Be the woman married to Lucius. Be the bitch too afraid to take a stand," Bella was silenced by a strike across her cheek. It was invisible wandless magic that struck her. Dazed though she was she didn't relent.
"Your wife isn't dead!" Bella screamed to her sister bringing her back. But Narcissa's eyes shone bright blue. She flicked her wand. Bella was expelled, no longer wanted on the grounds, Bella was evicted from the premises.
Fleur swallowed as she looked at Narcissa. The woman radiated power. Commanded all magic around her. She could see it. All magic, wards, earth, even house elf magic accumulated upon Narcissa. Narcissa stepped forward and stroked Fleur's cheek, then down her jaw. She was free. Fleur looked at her body, moved her arms and watched Narcissa. She stood back and watched Fleur.
"You broke the bonds," Narcissa said and then turned away walking and then Fleur followed her into the Library, and they sat in two chairs.
"I did as you begged of me," Fleur seethed.
"Why are you here? Leave me be," Narcissa commanded. Fleur felt her body move to leave, but she fought against the command.
"I thought as soon as I broke the bond you would not be able to control me," Fleur shot out gritting wondering what the hell happened. Where were her bodily functions? Then she turned and found a pregnant Narcissa before her. She looked beautiful, but tired, worn and angry.
"You and my sister show up here, at my house, as I try to get away from fuck loads of pain, and then re-administer said pain unto me. I am beyond angry Fleur," Narcissa stated and Fleur could feel the tingles of magic up on her flesh.
"I thought this is what you wanted, Narcissa," Fleur looked at the woman. She was dark, the magic radiated off her looked and felt dark, but then Narcissa slammed her eyes into Fleur's. Fleur looked and saw it. It was a glimpse before a wall was thrown up, but she saw it. It terrified her. She saw everything inside of Narcissa and there was only one name for what she encountered. Nothing. It was a nothingness so deep it ripped the woman apart. Narcissa's words brought Fleur back.
"I welcomed you here. You Fleur, where ours, but no longer," Narcissa said, Fleur looked at their threads, and it was then that she saw the tread slip away as if someone took scissors and snipped their tie between then. She felt it as if Narcissa cut a tie to her soul. It was like someone punched her kin the kidneys, but Fleur didn't move, she didn't show her pain.
"Leave me be. Let it go, and let me be," Narcissa stated and then looked at Fleur, "I will declare her dead. Please let her go," Narcissa told the woman and watched as part of Fleur fell into an abyss, "I envy you," Narcissa said and then looked away, "Go be with your mate."
Fleur was lost. Why was she still here? Why did she still feel some tingle of an... Oomph toward Narcissa? She sighed, fuck it, she loved Bella. Bella was her everything. But she couldn't lose this wonderous witch, never. She stood and walked to Narcissa. She was slow and deliberate. She was able to tap into her love and longing. But Narcissa had other plans. Narcissa caught her hands on the arms of her chair as the veela advanced on her. Narcissa looked down. Fleur took one hand from Narcissa's clutched on the chair arms, and lifted Narcissa's chin. Blue me blue.
"I sometimes hate you," Narcissa growled as she tried to jerk her chin away from Fleur's grasp.
"Why?" Fleur asked, utterly confused. She was almost at square one with the woman.
"You had her before all of this mess. And now I have nothing," Narcissa confessed. Fleur leaned her head forward, eyes closed. It was chaste, a smack, a reaffirmation of life.
"I give you a small part of me in that kiss," Fleur whispered against her lips, and Narcissa pulled away.
"I never wanted it," Narcissa said as she brooded.
"Nonetheless the only other time my lips will touch yours in such a manner is when Hermione comes back... This I swear."
"Leave, Miss Delacour, and take your platitudes with you," Narcissa sneered at Fleur. Fleur stood up and sighed.
"Let me know when you are ready to not be a child, Narcissa. I'll be there for you," Fleur said as she began to walk from Narcissa.
"Fleur," Narcissa said looking into the space, "Tell me how you would feel if you lost Bella and the only thing that kept you sane, the only thing that kept you alive was the bond we had, and it was suddenly ripped from you. How would you feel?"
"Devastated, lost, but I would still love you, and Hermione and Bella the best way I would know how," Fleur spoke softly.
"How would that be," Narcissa asked still not looking at Fleur.
"Completely, with everything I had left," Fleur said as she stepped closely toward Narcissa. The older witch sighed.
"I am doomed," Narcissa whispered as a tear slipped down a placid face. Fleur ached to snatch the offending drop from her friend's cheek.
"Why, mon amore," Fleur asked stepping closer.
"I have nothing left," Narcissa said and then closed her eyes.
"You have me," Fleur whispered as she touched Narcissa's arm. It was tender, and warm and Narcissa almost, for a split second leaned into the warmth Fleur offered.
"Leave me in peace," Narcissa opened her eyes, and looked at Fleur, and her hand went to her chest, part of her icy façade cracked, "You are like a phantom. I look at you and I see her. I hear you and I hear her laughter. I taste your lips and could swear I could see her smiling at us. I can't," Narcissa's voice cracked, she clenched her eyes closed as tears streamed down her cheeks, "Not right now. I need time," Narcissa pleaded, and explained. Fleur finally saw it, saw the pain in Narcissa's eyes. She realized Narcissa felt this pain the entire time, but when the bond was severed, it made the pain all that more unbearable. Fleur no realized their bond kept them together, and kept Narcissa healthy, and alive. Now sis didn't have it. Anyone would feel …. Everything. There would be no dull ache, no possible substitution of affection. No, now everything was real and untethered. It made loving Fleur all that more painful. Fleur nodded.
"Not too much time, Love. I will come back. I will love you, and I will help you," Fleur felt the air stir. Narcissa exhaled. Nodded and turned her eyes from the Veela. Fleur adequately dismissed walked from Narcissa and to the floo. When she popped out Bella was there. Fleur shook her head as Bella clasped her arms hoping for something, anything. But all Fleur could do is shake her head.
"Why is she acting like this? She made you break the bond, not that I am complaining," Bella asked as they walked from the fireplace and down a corridor in Hogwarts.
"Bella, she didn't heal. She flung herself into any and everything, and the only thing that was keeping her standing was her love for us, and our love for her. She could feel it, we could all feel it. Yes, she pleaded for me to take the bond, but she did it for you. Not me, not her, but you. She didn't think that by severing the bond would cause her to come crashing to earth," Fleur explained. Bella nodded.
"Fleur, if Hermione is really gone, and we may have been the ones keeping her alive with our bond, what will happen to her when she gives birth to the baby?" Bella asked blinking as the possibilities hit her.
"I don't even want to think about it, my love," Fleur said as she reached for Bella's hand.
"She won't make it will she?" Bella asked stopping and then looked into Fleur's eyes. Bella hoped, but then Fleur minutely shook her head. Bella swallowed, and walked from Fleur. She walked slowly, thinking, and Fleur walked just behind her. Bella held out her hand, and Fleur reached out for it.
"We will help her," Bella declared, and Fleur smiled softly at her lover. She kissed the back of Bella's hand and nodded in agreement. Then continued down the corridor to Bella's chambers. School will start soon, and Bella could watch her sister like a hawk.
