A/N: Things get a bit steamy in this chapter, so if you feel more comfortable skipping it just go to the first scene break :)
Fear was so strange. When it was little things, ordinary things, like spiders and public speaking, she'd sieze up and shake, sometimes so badly she couldn't even move, but now that Marlene's life was in danger her need to save her, to go to her, to do something overpowered everything else, clearing her head and pushing her on.
The Longbottom's cottage was quiet and still and at first she wondered if they'd managed to escape somehow. But as she walked closer to it she knew something was wrong, she shouldn't have been able to get so close, with all the protections they'd placed around it.
There was a crack in the air and hooded figures blasted the door off its hinges and broke though the windows. Somewhere in the garden someone shouted.
Narcissa steadied her breathing, then pulled the Time-Turner out of the pocket of her robes, praying ten minutes would be enough, because she didn't dare go back further. What had Rookwood said? Three turns?
Everything distorted like melting wax, and then she was standing in the Longbottom's back garden and the door was on it's hinges and there was a light in the window. But she couldn't get through the protections around it. Shit.
Concentrating only on Marlene making it out safely, she conjured her patronus and sent it soaring through their window.
Shifting on her feet and watching for any sign of approaching Death Eaters, she waited. Within minutes Marlene was rushing out the back door, waving her wand and breaking through the protective enchantments.
"What's going on?" said Marlene, eyes wide, alarmed.
Narcissa couldn't look at her face. None of this would've happened if she'd kept her head, been a little less trusting. If she hadn't been a Black.
"Narcissa?"
Narcissa met her eyes and only then did she realize that her past self hadn't sent the patronus yet. "They're coming," she said. "The Death Eaters. You have to get out of here."
For what felt like minutes Marlene stood there and stared at her. Some sort of understanding came into her eyes, and she turned on her heel and ran back to the cottage, Narcissa running behind her.
Alice met them at the door. "Marlene? Narcissa? What…?"
"The Death Eaters know where you are," said Narcissa, unable to stand the unspoken truth at the end of the sentence. Because of me.
"But the protective enchantments..."
"They have spies inside the Ministry who can undo them," she said. "We need to leave as soon as possible, they could be here any moment now."
Alice nodded and hurried down the hall, to find Frank and the rest of Marlene's family, she supposed.
Everyone gathered in the front hall.
"Where do we go?" said Frank.
"Hogwarts, I suppose," said Marlene's father. "It's about the only safe place left."
They murmured their agreement and Marlene's father opened the front door.
"Wait," said Marlene. Everyone turned to look at her.
"I don't think we should leave," she said, and Narcissa saw that though her eyes were bright with fear her face was set and determined.
"Are you mad?" said Alice.
"Think about it," said Marlene. "If we all go into hiding, the Order will be seven members down. We can't afford to lose that many people. And they'll just find us eventually, anyway. I say we alert the rest if the Order and take out as many of them as we can." She looked around at them all, eyes fierce, as though willing them to agree with her. God, she was beautiful when she got like that.
Narcissa didn't know what to think. Her arms and legs were rigid and she was shaking, and if anything happened to Marlene because of her carelessness and stupidity she would never forgive herself. But she could sense how determined she was, how resolute, and she'd never leave her to fight alone.
She stood next to her and pulled out her wand. "If you're fighting then so am I," she said.
Marlene didn't say anything, just looked at her, and Narcissa could see by her eyes how much this meant to her.
Marlene's father let go of the door handle. "I think she's right," he said. He went to stand beside Narcissa, and slowly, with murmurs and anxious glances, the rest of them pulled out their wands and made themselves ready.
Marlene raised her wand and conjured a silver swan, giving it her message and sending it soaring out the door.
"Right then," she said. "Some of us should Disillusion ourselves and wait outside, catch them by surprise."
Frank nodded to Alice. "We'll do it," he said. He squeezed Alice's hand and they went outside, followed by Marlene's brother.
Marlene was just about to say something when a silver swan shot through the open door. "They are coming. Get out if you can. I am on my way."
Marlene whipped around and faced Narcissa, face shocked, disbelieving. "Was that you?"
"It's a long story," said Narcissa, who despite working in the Time Room for the past year still couldn't wrap her head around it.
They had seconds now. Her past self would be getting ready to Apparate, and the Death Eaters had arrived around the same time she had.
There was a crash as the front door was blasted off its hinges and the tinkle of shattered glass as more broke through the windows.
Marlene was ready.
"Stupefy!"
One of the masked Death Eaters fell to the floor with a thud.
"Nice one," said Narcissa in her ear. Marlene turned to look at her, half smiling, half terrified.
"Watch out!" shouted a voice, and Marlene just dodged a jet of green light.
Narcissa whipped around and glared at the masked figure.
"Incarcerous!" she bellowed, and ropes shot around him. She stared into his face. "Don't you ever fucking touch her again, or it'll be the last thing you ever do."
Marlene looked her up and down. "You're sexy when you do that."
Narcissa started to smile when another jet of light shot passed them.
"Protego!" Marlene bellowed, and the force of her Shield Charm knocked the masked figure backwards.
Narcissa pivoted out of the way of yet another jet of light, glancing around the room. There were four of them in the house, three of them outside, but there were more than twice as many Death Eaters.
But if they were going down, Narcissa was going down with them.
"If the rest of the Order aren't here in five minutes I'm going to kill them all," said Marlene as she shot a hex at one of the Death Eaters and missed.
There was a scream and thud and Narcissa turned to see Marlene's mother sprawled across the floor.
"Mum!" Marlene ran and threw herself over her.
Narcissa knelt down and checked for a pulse. "She's just Stunned," she said, sighing with relief.
Perhaps it had been some sort of trap, she didn't know, but as she knelt down over Marlene's mother three Death Eaters converged on them.
"Protego!" shouted Narcissa and Marlene in unison. One of the Death Eaters staggered backwards but two of them raised their wands and Narcissa knew it was no good, they were finished…
"Stupefy!" said a voice Narcissa hadn't heard in years but would know anywhere. Sirius.
He stared at her, eyes narrowed, then raised his wand again, pointing it right at her chest.
Marlene threw herself in front of him and grabbed his arm. "No! It's okay, she's with us."
A confused look crossed his face. "She's...?"
"A member of the Order, yeah."
Sirius squinted at Narcissa as though he wasn't sure whether to believe her. Then he nodded. Narcissa nodded back. She'd missed him, but there'd be time to catch up after, enough to make up for all those lost years.
If they made it out alive.
About a dozen Order members were striding around the room, wands drawn, shooting and dodging hexes and curses. Narcissa let out a long breath and looked at Marlene. She was duelling another masked Death Eater, face flushed and shining, eyes fierce, beads of sweat running down her chest, and Narcissa imagined the bare skin under those robes, that gorgeous chest of hers...
"I know you like my body Narcissa but we need to focus here," said Marlene as the Stunned Death Eater fell to the floor.
"Right," said Narcissa, and she raised her wand and parried a curse just before it hit her.
More than half the Death Eaters had been Stunned or captured, but some of them had revived, and Narcissa could see them shuffling on the floor and sitting up, reaching for their wands.
"We should be duelling to kill," growled Sirius from beside her. "Enough Stunning." He raised his wand at the nearest Death Eater. "Avada-"
"Sirius!"
Regulus pulled his mask off and faced his brother, eyes wide with terror. "Please."
Sirius stared at him, eyes wide and shocked. His wand trembled in his hand.
"He's with us, Sirius," Narcissa said. "He's a spy."
"Is that true?" said Sirius sharply, still staring at Regulus. Marlene nodded.
Sirius stared at him a long time, breathing hard, face lined in shock and confusion, all those years of hurt and distance hanging between them. After what felt like hours something changed in his face, the smallest glint of recognition, the slightest softness around his mouth. He gave Regulus a small nod and Regulus threw his mask to the floor and stood beside him.
"What are doing, you'll break your cover," Narcissa hissed.
"It doesn't matter anymore," said Regulus, drawing his wand and ducking as a jet of green light shot past him.
"Incarcerous!" he bellowed. "As soon as we're done here Sev and I are going off to hunt-" he glanced around and mouthed the word. "Horcruxes."
"What-you mean he has more than one?"
"That's what Sev and Dumbledore think."
Horror washed over her, horror at what they were fighting, horror at these masked people who were trying to finish them off.
There weren't many of them left now, at least, but when Narcissa looked across the room and saw the tall, graceful masked woman taking on three at once, as easily as though they were children, she knew exactly who it was.
Bella turned to look at her, but with her mask on her expression was impossible to read. She raised her wand at the three people facing her. "Avada-"
"No!" Narcissa ran to her and pointed her wand at her chest.
Bella stood there, breathing hard, not saying anything. She took her mask off.
"Going to kill me then, Cissy?"
Bella must've known she wouldn't. She was taunting her, that had to be it, but Narcissa couldn't understand why. "Of course not," she said.
"But you're furious with me, aren't you Cissy," Bella whispered, her warm breath on Narcissa's face. "You've thought about it, haven't you?"
"What do you mean?"
Bella smiled a little. "I mean I was the one who went after them the first time. Travers and I tortured her father. I helped him poison the chocolates."
In spite of all the things she'd done, in spite of how deep she'd gotten in, the truth crashed over her like massive wave and she could barely breathe. But Bella wanted this, wanted to knock her down, wanted her to lose her equilibrium. She closed her eyes and took a breath to steady herself.
She remembered the way Bella's hand had trembled when she'd aimed it at Marlene. How she could've killed her, and hadn't.
"You're better than this, Bella. There's still some good left in you."
Bella looked back at her and she could see it, could see the storm raging inside of her. The confusion, the hurt, the hesitancy.
Narcissa pleaded with her eyes. Come back to me, Bella.
Bella looked back at her, and for just the smallest moment Narcissa saw the little girl making shadow puppets under their blanket tent.
But then she faded away. Bella raised her wand and pointed it at Marlene.
"Avada-"
Narcissa raised her wand. "Incarcerous!" she bellowed, collapsing to the floor, because capturing her sister, knowing she'd be carted off to Azkaban because of her, cost her everything she had.
She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Narcissa-"
"Avada-"
"No!"
Narcissa shot up and grabbed Marlene around the waist and they toppled to the ground, Marlene's body against hers, face below hers, and even in her panic Narcissa remembered the Hogwarts grounds all those years ago, when Marlene had saved her from Greyback.
It was time Narcissa paid her back.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" she bellowed. Tarquin went rigid and slumped to the floor.
Narcissa stood over him. "You will never touch her again," she shouted into his face. "Do you hear me, you foul little bastard? You. Will. Never. Touch. Her. Again. Incarcerous!"
Ropes shot around him and he lay on the floor on his back, completely helpless.
There was a thud of pounding footsteps and Narcissa looked up to see around a dozen Aurors running into the room, rounding up all the captured Death Eaters. Their masks had slipped off and Narcissa saw so many people she knew, people she'd known her whole life, but Lucius wasn't with them. He'd never see things her way, never really accept what she'd become, but she couldn't help wondering if he'd stayed away on purpose, to avoid hurting her. She hoped so.
She collapsed onto the floor, spent, exhausted, shaking, as though all the fear she'd kept down was finally rushing out of her. She watched as Bella was led away by one of the Aurors, deliberately avoiding her gaze, by the looks of it. She put her hands to her face.
Marlene knelt down beside her and stroked her hair, and Narcissa fell into her arms. They stayed like that a long time.
After what felt like hours Marlene helped her up. She looked around the room, to the corner where Frank was cradling Alice in his arms, stroking her hair. To the sofa where Severus had a placed protective arm around Regulus's shoulder while casting murderous looks over at Sirius, who was glaring back at him. To Remus who'd collapsed on a chair, exhausted. To Dorcas, who was tending to Marlene's family, healing their wounds. She loved all of them so much.
But it was Marlene she turned to. Her face was streaked with sweat and her lip was bleeding but she was the most beautiful thing Narcissa had ever seen, or ever would see. Without another thought, without caring that everyone could see them, she put her hands to her face.
Marlene gripped the back of her head and kissed Narcissa so hard she could barely breathe.
"I love you," said Narcissa as she pulled away and kissed her face. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," said Marlene. She put her lips to Narcissa's ear. "You were amazing," she whispered. She took her hand. "Come with me."
She took Narcissa's hand and led her out into the garden, where they spun into the air, and when they reappeared they were in a quiet village, the same village where Marlene's parents lived. They walked through the streets until they came to a greenhouse with a little shop beside it, and Marlene unlocked the door and they climbed the narrow staircase.
The little flat was covered in plants, plant in pots on shelves and ivy climbing up the walls and even an umbrella flower hanging from the ceiling. A poster of the Montrose Magpies had been tacked to the wall and there were bright blue throw pillows on the sofa and an empty coffee mug and crumpled-up crisp packet on the table. The place was filled with her.
She followed Marlene into her bedroom and closed the door behind them. Narcissa put her hands to Marlene's face and they kissed slowly and deeply, all the years of unspoken words flowing from their lips.
"I never stopped loving you," Marlene whispered against her neck as she unbuttoned Narcissa's robes.
"I can't even tell you how much I missed you," Narcissa whispered back as she slipped out of her robes and helped Marlene out of hers.
Marlene ran her hands along her bare arms, her back, her stomach, the inside of her thighs, and every stroke of her fingertips made her shiver, every touch felt as loud as though she'd never been touched before.
Marlene worked her hands around to Narcissa's back and unhooked her bra, flinging it into the corner and stroking her breasts. Narcissa grabbed the clasps of Marlene's bra and pushed them together.
"Not having trouble again, are you?" said Marlene, voice teasing, affectionate.
Narcissa snorted and leaned her forehead against Marlene's. "I still can't get it loose," she said, and Marlene laughed with her.
"I'll get that," she said, nuzzling Narcissa's cheek. "At least you'll have plenty of time now to practise."
Narcissa laughed and kissed her, but as the kiss built in intensity and her hands explored Marlene's bare skin Narcissa needed to be closer. She gripped her back and pressed herself against her and maybe Marlene felt it, maybe she needed to be closer too, because she held Narcissa tighter, running her hands along her back and kissing her neck and her shoulders, pressing her thigh between Narcissa's legs and making her moan softly.
She'd never been in Marlene's bedroom before. The bed was unmade, the pillows askew, the sheets soft and warm-looking and Narcissa knew they'd be filled with her scent. She led her over to the bed and Marlene lay on top of the sheets, breathing hard as Narcissa fell over her, hair falling into her face, lips and tongue meeting hers, deep and hard, before moving down to her neck and her breasts and stomach as she slid her hand between her thighs. Marlene gasped and moaned as she pressed her fingers into Narcissa's back.
Narcissa kissed her mouth and pressed her hips against her, aching so hard it almost hurt.
"Do you like this?" she whispered.
"Yes," whispered Marlene, "but maybe not so hard."
Narcissa looked down into her face and saw that she was smiling a little, as though she knew why Narcissa was pressing down so hard and loved her for it. Narcissa eased back a bit.
"That's-oh," said Marlene, her whisper fading into a moan and Narcissa laughed and kissed her shoulder as they found a rhythm together, listening to each other's breathing, sensing what the other needed. Narcissa pressed her body against Marlene's, needing her close, to melt in to her, to become part of her. She gripped her tighter and threw her head back as Marlene broke into a sweat beneath her, the scent of her skin and the sound of her moans pushing her to the edge.
"Come for me Narcissa," whispered Marlene. "You're so close."
Narcissa breathed her in and cried out as her legs tightened up and shook, coming so hard she shivered. When her breathing slowed she kissed Marlene's shoulder and shifted her position, Marlene breathing hard and whimpering underneath her, and after awhile Narcissa felt her draw up her legs as she cried out loud.
"I love you," said Narcissa against Marlene's face as she lay down beside her. "I love you more than anything. I'll never leave you."
Marlene kissed the corner of her mouth and Narcissa felt that her eyes were wet. "I know. I love you too."
Narcissa buried her face in her shoulder and they fell asleep.
Narcissa set her suitcase down and pulled Andy into a hug. "Thank you for everything," she said against her face. "
"Of course," said Andy, squeezing her tighter before letting go. "See you in a few weeks."
Narcissa turned to Ted, who wrapped his arms around her. "It was so good seeing you again," she said.
"Same here," said Ted. "You're welcome anytime."
Narcissa let go and knelt down in front of Nymphadora.
"You'll take good care of Thea for me while I'm gone?"
Dora wiped the chocolate off her face with her juice-sticky hands, leaving a large streak there, and gave a solemn nod. "I'll feed her every day and let her out to hunt at night," she said.
"I know you will," said Narcissa. She opened her arms and Dora nearly knocked her over falling into them.
"Behave yourself."
She could feel Dora laughing. "I probably won't," she said with an impish grin as she pulled away.
Narcissa took one last look at them all before Andy opened the door for her and she stepped into the front garden to Disapparate.
Her suitcase was so heavy with clothes she dropped it on the ground the moment she hit solid ground.
Marlene smirked. "Oh, I forgot we were putting on a fashion show, I thought we were just going on holiday."
Narcissa flushed and glanced at the stuffed suitcase. "Andy took me shopping the other day. I suppose I got a bit carried away."
Marlene stepped closer to her. "I hope you packed some tight jeans," she said, putting her arms around Narcissa's neck. "They really show off that arse."
Narcissa smiled and kissed her, a light, playful kiss, then looked over her shoulder at the rusted watering can lying on the ground, glowing faintly blue in the bright sunlight.
"We'd better grab that," she said.
"What, your arse?"
"The Portkey," said Narcissa, more amused than exasperated.
Marlene took her arms from Narcissa's neck and hurried over to the watering can, Narcissa following her, clutching her suitcase.
With a sensation like a hook they were jerked into darkness, and when they stumbled onto the pavement they were surrounded by buildings so tall they blocked out the sun, the sound of sirens and voices and rumbling trucks filling their ears.
"I think this is the same alley as last time," said Marlene, looking all around her. She turned to face Narcissa. "Should we Apparate to Tituba Lane then?"
Narcissa gave her a small smile. "I don't know. I think I feel like an adventure, what about you?"
A crooked grin spread over Marlene's face. "I like your thinking."
"I just hope we can find it again."
"I think I remember," said Marlene. She pulled out a worn and faded map and Narcissa was struck with the realization that she'd kept it all those years, to remember her by. Marlene glanced up and looked back at her, a small smile on her lips, and Narcissa knew she understood.
"Right," she said, looking down at the map. "It's on 47th St. and 8th Ave. That's not far from here."
Narcissa followed Marlene until they'd nearly reached the hotel, but as they passed by a cinema she hung back.
"You go on ahead," she said. "I'll catch up with you in a bit."
Marlene looked at her strangely, but she didn't question it. "Alright," she said. "Meet you there in a few minutes, but be careful, ok?"
"I will."
Narcissa waited until Marlene had gone into the front doors, and as she stepped up to the ticket booth she couldn't stop herself grinning.
The lobby was the same as she remembered it, the same cracked yellow chairs, the same flickering television, the same stale-tobacco smell, only there was a young man at the counter now.
"I've already got us a room," said Marlene. "As long as we don't die on the lift we should be fine."
"Oh very funny," said Narcissa, but she was smiling.
After a rather awkward lift ride in which a man with a mohawk and a woman with a safety pin through her nose did everything short of shagging, they reached their floor. Narcissa followed Marlene to their room.
The room too, was just as she remembered it, with its blue carpet and plush pillows and paintings hanging on the wall. A television was propped on a stand.
Marlene sat down on the bed and Narcissa pulled the tickets out of her pocket. "I got you something," she said, handing one to Marlene.
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture," she read. "Well, it doesn't sound like an adult film this time."
"I should hope not," said Narcissa. "That last one was awful."
"It was funny though," said Marlene, smiling. She patted the bed. "It doesn't start for a few hours."
Narcissa crawled into bed beside her. "I like your thinking," she whispered.
She unbuttoned Marlene's blouse and jeans as Marlene did the same for her, and they made love slowly, tenderly, taking their time. When they were finished Narcissa curled her body around Marlene, kissing her shoulder.
"Can I ask you something?" said Marlene, stroking Narcissa's hand.
"Of course."
Marlene turned around and faced her. "How did you get that scar?"
Narcissa glanced away from her a moment, but when Marlene stroked her face she looked back into her eyes and she knew that she could tell her anything.
"It happened when I was seven. My mother and my grandfather-my father's father- got into an argument. My grandfather would go into these rages and lose control of his magic and...I got hit. My father was able fix the worst of the damage but it was too late to keep it from scarring."
Marlene put her arms around her. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."
"You still love me even knowing what my family is like?"
"I still love you."
Narcissa nuzzled her cheek. "Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful anymore?"
"Of course. Will you still love me when I'm old and grumpy?"
"Always. Will you still love me when we're surrounded by screaming children?"
Marlene pulled away and looked at her, eyebrows raised. Then her face spread into a slow grin. "Even then." She kissed the corner of her eye. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you daffodil."
Narcissa smiled back at her and snuggled into her shoulder, and she was free. She was the air and the sky and the light.
Epilogue
Narcissa poked her head into the kitchen, where Marlene was spreading frosting over a two-layer cake.
"Is that just about ready?" she said. "They'll be here any minute."
"I think so," said Marlene, setting the knife down and examining her work. "I hope this turned out alright, I'm useless at baking."
Narcissa looked at the uneven cake and the lumpy frosting and tried to find something to compliment. "Well, I'm sure it tastes delicious."
Marlene raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of telling me it looks awful?"
Narcissa kissed her. "It looks wonderful. Thank you for working so hard."
Tiny footsteps slapped against the wood floor and when Narcissa turned around Draco was standing there, looking up at her.
"Cake?"
Narcissa knelt down in front of him. "No, Draco, not yet."
"Please?"
Marlene conjured some streamers and balloons out of her wand and Draco shrieked with excitement. "Tell you what sweetheart," said Marlene. "How about we decorate the sitting room with these?"
Draco grabbed a handful of streamers and balloons and followed Marlene into the sitting room.
Narcissa had just set the cake on the table when there was a knock at the door. She hurried through the front hall to answer it.
"Cissy," said Narcissa's father, wrapping her up in a hug and clapping her on the back. As he let go he looked around the hall. "Where's the birthday boy?"
"Papa!" shouted Draco, running pell-mell towards his grandfather and crashing into his legs. Narcissa's father scooped him up and lifted him into the air. "So how old are you again? Seventy-eight?"
"Fwee!" shouted Draco.
"Three? Can't be. You don't look a day older than two."
Draco chortled and as her father set him down he looked at her, face serious. "Mother sends her regards," he said.
Narcissa didn't say anything at this, just nodded. Her mother had fallen into a nervous collapse after Bella had been sent to Azkaban and Narcissa had married Marlene, but she seemed to be coming out of it. She really had no choice but to accept it, if she wanted to have anything to do with her and Andy.
Marlene's parents and brother arrived next, showering everyone with kisses and holding two packages.
"Grandma!" shouted Draco, as Marlene's mother scooped him up in a hug.
There was another knock at the door and Narcissa opened it expecting to see Andy or Regulus or Sirius, but found herself facing two people she recognized from a long time ago. "You made it!"
Aster swept her up in a hug and when she let go Narcissa hugged her husband, Thomas.
"I wasn't sure I'd be able to get away, but I didn't want to miss this," said Aster, and Narcissa was struck with the realization that she'd picked up a heavy American accent. She'd only had traces of it the last time Narcissa had seen her.
"Thanks so much for coming," said Narcissa, as she hugged her again.
No sooner had Aster and Thomas sat down and greeted Marlene then five more people showed up at the doorstep, the three Tonkses and Severus and Regulus. Narcissa ushered them inside and showed them to the sitting room, which was filled with balloons and streamers.
Not long after Alice and Frank arrived with their little boy, who was holding on to his mother with one hand and clutching a package with the other.
"Neville!" shrieked Draco. He ran to the doorway to greet his friend and the two began tossing balloons back and forth.
Narcissa walked up to Alice and kissed her cheek. "We're just waiting on Sirius," she said.
The adults all took their seats and watched as Draco and Neville raced across the room, chasing after Nymphadora. Sirius breezed into the cottage a few minutes later, handsome and windswept and holding a long thin package. Severus's face hardened into a scowl and Regulus shot him a warning look.
"Well," said Narcissa. "Shall we have lunch then?"
Slowly, in fits and starts, everyone stood up and made their way to the table in the dining room, where all the food had been laid out. There were glasses of pumpkin juice for the children and pitchers of beer for the adults and soon the conversation was flowing smoothly, everyone talking and laughing. Narcissa glanced over at Marlene and smiled. She'd been so worried about messing up, but the party was going beautifully.
After he'd finished his cake, Draco toddled up to Narcissa and tugged on her sleeve. "Can I open presents now?" he said said softly.
Narcissa glanced at Marlene, who nodded and smiled. "Alright, Draco." She reached into the pile of presents in the corner. "Here," she said. "This one's from Neville."
Draco ripped open his first package, a miniature Quidditch team that had been enchanted to fly. Draco shrieked as they raced around his head.
"And here's something from Sirius," said Narcissa, handing him the long thin package.
"A toy broom!" Draco shouted as he ripped it open. He made to sit on it when Narcissa spotted potential disaster and put a hand to his arm.
"Wouldn't you like to open the rest of your presents?" she said.
She handed Draco another, rather lumpy package and Draco ripped it open.
Sirius looked over at Severus and Regulus and snorted. "A toy cauldron? You actually got him a toy cauldron?"
Severus's lip curled. "I wouldn't expect you to appreciate anything that would encourage intellectual stimulation."
Sirius scowled. "Are you calling me stupid?"
"No," said Severus, voice thick with irony. "I was merely suggesting that you have an under-developed intellect."
Sirius opened his mouth to retort when Narcissa's father cleared his throat. "Here, this one's from Dora," he said, handing him another present.
Draco tore open the wrapping paper and held up a bag for everyone to see.
Narcissa stared at it with her mouth open and looked over at Andy. "You let her get Draco dungbombs?"
Andy's eyes widened. "What? No-Nymphadora, you told me you were getting him chocolates."
Nymphadora shot them a sheepish grin. "Sorry," she said.
Narcissa picked up the bag with the tips of her fingers. "I think we'll put these away until he's older," she said.
She winced, expecting Draco to burst out crying and reach for the bag, but he was so happy with his other presents he barely even noticed. He and Neville exclaimed over his toy broom, as Sirius watched them and cast smug looks over at Severus and Narcissa was starting to seriously question the wisdom of having the two of them in the same room.
As the afternoon wore on Draco and Neville became quieter and more subdued, and by dinnertime Draco looked ready to fall asleep on the rug.
Frank bent down and scooped up Neville. "I think it's time to go now, kiddo," he said.
Neville put a sleepy head on his father's shoulder. "But I don't want to go!"
Frank ruffled his hair. "You'll see Draco in a few days."
Alice smiled over at Marlene and Narcissa. "Hardly a day goes by that Neville doesn't ask if Draco can come over and play."
Narcissa smiled. "Well, we'll have to come over soon then, won't we?"
"Yes," said Alice, "and we'll have Harry over too, so the three of you can play together."
Draco smiled a little at this. "'Bye Neville," he said.
In groups of twos and threes the rest of the guests began to leave, until it was just Narcissa's father left.
He scooped Draco up into one last hug before turning to hug Marlene and then Narcissa. "Oh, I almost forgot, Lucius sends his regards," he said.
Narcissa smiled to herself. Lucius had managed to weasel his way his way out of Azkaban, as she knew he would, and was enjoying the bachelor life at his manor house. "Tell him I said hello," said Narcissa.
Draco's head looked rather droopy, but Narcissa knew he'd never stay asleep if she put him to bed too soon, so they made a light dinner out of the leftovers from the party and Marlene gave him warm bath.
"I'll take him," said Narcissa when he'd been helped into his pyjamas. "You've worked so hard today, you deserve a break."
"Thanks," said Marlene, kissing her on the cheek.
Narcissa carried Draco to his room, with its bright yellow walls and the block letters on the shelf that spelled his name. Draco Cygnus McKinnon-Black.
"Did you have fun today?" she whispered as she tucked him into bed.
"It was the best day ever," murmured Draco's sleepy voice. "I love you."
"Love you too, sweetheart," said Narcissa. She shut off his lamp and closed the door behind her.
She walked down the hall, expecting to go downstairs and see Marlene sprawled out on the couch with a glass of wine, but she was surprised to hear the sound of running water.
"Come here you," said Marlene from the bathroom.
Narcissa walked in to find Marlene standing there wearing nothing at all, skin flushed in the light of dozens of candles. The bath was filled with steaming water and two wine glasses were set on the edge.
"It's perfect," breathed Narcissa, watching the way the candlelight flickered across Marlene's bare skin. She'd seen her body so many times, but she never stopped being beautiful.
Marlene kissed her and reached for the buttons on her robes. "Better take these off," she said.
She helped Narcissa out of her robes and stepped into the bath. Narcissa fell into her arms and slipped down into the water, resting her head on Marlene's shoulder, their legs tangled up together.
"Do you ever regret it?" said Marlene. "Not having a proper wedding I mean?"
Narcissa smiled, remembering the little church on Tituba Lane they'd ducked into on a whim one night on their trip to New York. The minister, a stooped old man with hardly any teeth left, was the only one there, and if he was put out that they were asking to be married on the spot, he didn't show it. He'd just smiled and found a few of his friends to be witnesses and afterwards she and Marlene had gone and had dinner at a dive on the Lower East Side, where they'd nearly been mugged by a woman in a fur coat.
"No," said Narcissa. "I think it was perfect."
Marlene smiled and kissed her hair.
"Oh, did I tell you?" she said. "Flora is retiring, and she's left me the greenhouse."
Narcissa sat up and looked at her. "So it'll be all yours then?"
"That's right." Narcissa squealed and kissed her and when they pulled apart Marlene's expression turned serious. "I suppose now that I'm taking over you'll have to re-apply and everything."
"What?"
"Well, I can't give you an unfair advantage just because you're my wife. And to be honest, you still can't prune Shrivelfigs properly."
Narcissa just stared at her. "Are you serious? I have to re-apply?"
"Better watch your tone, Narcissa, I'm your employer now."
Narcissa sat back and looked indignant.
Marlene burst out laughing. "You thought I was serious?"
"I-well-"
Marlene stopped laughing and rested her forehead against hers and stroked her arms. "Actually, I was going to make you my partner. So it'll be all ours."
Narcissa opened her mouth and closed it again, unable to find the words to show what this meant to her. Marlene understood, just like she always did. She pulled Narcissa closer and kissed her, a deep slow kiss that made her toes curl.
When they pulled apart Narcissa rested her head on her shoulder and nuzzled her neck, wondering how she'd ever gotten so lucky.
And that's it! Thank you all SO much for reading! And thank you for the favourites/follows/community adds, I appreciate them so much. I had so much fun writing this, I hope you enjoyed it!